What's Next?

"B" is for BOY!!!

Boy #3 is on his way!!! C-section should soon be scheduled for Christmas Eve, and if history repeats itself, this little guy might be here earlier!!

We are thankful and excited! We praise the LORD for another precious boy for HIS glory!!

Family Pictures - June 2012 - The Preserve at Bluff Park - by Ashley Matteo

My very sweet & dear friend, Ashley, once again blessed me and our family with some beautiful family pictures! I have had so much fun 'decorating' our home with updated family pictures!!

Thank you, friend!!! You are SO gifted! SO talented!! You have blessed my heart!  

Happy TWO YEARS, Caleb!!!

Caleb Christopher, Happy Happy Birthday!!!

TWO YEARS!!! 

You are an absolute JOY to our family!!! You are your brother's best friend, and he is yours. You're going to preschool, since this summer, and you're just learning so much!!! 

Some of your current favorites:

-The word "NO!" :) This is hard for Mommy, but I pray and hope it's at least partially a phase of your age!

-Riding your 4-wheeler! You've been riding a big-boy 4-wheeler since you were 20 months! You are very brave (and daring! whew!!)!!

-Fruits!!! All kinds!! Yay!!

-Your 'baby' - a stuffed bunny rabbit - and your 'blankie' - a precious light blue/white checked baby blanket...it's so cozy-comfy!! :)

-Mommy and Daddy time! You like to snuggle when you first awake from nap and night-time sleep! 

-OUTDOORS!!! :) Playing in DIRT!! You and your brother are little dirt magnets!! :) It's straight to a bubble bath when you're finished playing outside! Sometimes two and three baths a day! Ha!!

-Movie time...when you want to watch a movie, you point to the TV and say, "Ooooo oooooo ooooo." :)

-Napkins! You call them "Nah." You could go through yours and everyone else's at each meal, wiping your hands clean throughout a meal! :) 

-Harassing your brother! :) You like to aggravate Rhys, and Rhys is SO sweet to put up with it most of the time. Again, something I hope you'll mature OUT of! :) 

The last year has been truly WONDERFUL!!! You've been mostly healthy, praise the LORD, and your personality continues to develop as you learn and do so many NEW things! I really look forward to seeing how good preschool will be for you this year!! Also, YOU, big man, are about to be a big brother, so I pray you will be the model this child needs, loving and serving our Lord God with all your heart, mind, body and soul ALL your life!!! 

Happy birthday, and we LOVE you, Caleb!!!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX.....

Catching up on the last THREE months!!!

Been SUPER busy (like everyone of you! :)), and blogging has been on the back burner! But here is a catch-up post on the last few months of our lives!

Lots of HOT :) outside time!

What a stud! :)

 A couple of HOT studs, slurping down some yummy homemade smoothies! An every day treat around here!

 Daddy been BUSY in the yard!

Meet our fig tree...

 ...our blackberry vine...

 ...our grape tree...

 ...our plum tree...

 Playing with play-doh on really hot afternoons... 

 I got busy and made us all Christ mas stockings to match! Finally! Only have one more to go...for baby #3!!! :) Once we confirm on a name! :)

 The boys think they're ready to drive! I told them they have to learn how to buckle and unbuckle themselves first! :)

 And Daddy was gone with the military for the first two weeks of August! We are THANKFUL to have him home again!! "Thank You, Lord!!"

 Several visits from Pappa & Grandmom!!

 Caleb helped me snap peas!

 While Daddy was gone to Annual Training, I made a quick trip to Lowe's and the boys got to play!!!

 And, now, with some cooler days, we frequent the playground. The boys can do SOOOOOOO much more in just a few month's time! They don't need my help anymore! :)

It has been a fast summer! The boys had summer preschool for two days a week through June and July, which was great...they loved it, and I was able to get needed things done in and out of the house! August has been great for a lot of reasons, but, most of all, God has allowed for me to live out two weeks pregnant and tired, taking care of two toddlers, one of the boys sick for a week of that time, which meant several sleepless naps and nights and Daddy gone! God is so faithful to grow me, Russell and the kids SO much during those seasons, and I see a LOT of growth in my faith and perspective, and the boys have grown in independence and helping Mommy! I am thankful with all my heart, mind, soul and body for what GOD allows for because it really is HIS best for us! It's been a wonderful summer for our family! :) "Thank YOU, Lord!!!"

Home Sweet Home

Welcome to our new & happy home!!!

Here's a quick tour, room by room...

Foyer...

 Dining room...

Living Area...

 Another view of the living area...

 Boys' room (currently Rhys' room, until we transition the boys to sharing a room in about 6 months)...

Nursery (currently Caleb's room, until #3 makes his/her arrival in December!)...

Childrens' bathroom...

 Leading from dining room into the kitchen...

 Kitchen...

 (stove/oven side)

 (sink side)

 Utility room...

 My little desk/nook, opposite washer/dryer in utility room...

 Leading to Russell's office/our guest suite (close-in, finished 2-car garage)...

Guest bathroom... 

Guest shower...

Guest whirlpool tub (the previous owner went all out for our guests! ;))...

 Russell's office half of the Guest Room 

 Guest bed half...

 Master bedroom...

 Opposite view of master bedroom - includes my sewing table! :) I think I'll be motivated to start sewing again within weeks! Once we find out the gender of this baby!! :)

 Master bathroom... (yes, our very own whirlpool tub!! I've used it lots and lots already!! :))

 Master Shower...

 Master Vanity...

 Master closet...

 (definitely the BIGGEST closet we've ever had!! :))

We are THANKFUL from our toes to the tops of our heads :) for this new house we can now call home! It's in a wonderful walking neighborhood, perfect for me! It's nestled in a sweet cul-de-sac, which we think will be great for the kiddos as they grow and get to know other kiddos nearby. It's less than five minutes from church and preschool, which we SO appreciate, and it's in a great school system for years' to come! I was brought to tear last week, praising the Lord for how easy and enjoyable and convenient life is! I will not forget to praise HIM in all of this!!!

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;

    yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

I will consider all your works

    and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

Psalm 77:11-12

We praise the Lord every day, throughout our days for this HUGE "new" in our lives!! 

Well, that's a quick tour! When are you comin' for a visit? :)