Random Pictures

I went through our cell phones the other day and saved some of the best pictures. Had to share:

Jackson reading on the way to Mimi's house:

He couldn't see the pages with his glasses up so he repositioned them!

One night after we had put the boys in bed, we heard a heart-wrenching scream. It was Jackson's voice coming from the bathroom. We ran in to find him standing over the potty screaming "My Paci!"

He hasn't used a paci in two years, but that night, he found an old one of Philip's and was playing with it. I guess he took it with him to the bathroom. As he flushed, it feel out of his mouth, and went down the drain. The sight of his paci spiraling down the potty was too much. It broke his heart. We tried to comfort him, but had no good answer when he asked "Where did it go?"

We finally got him to calm down by promising to take him to the library to learn about the sewer system. This is the book he and Wesley found. We now all know more than we ever wanted to know about where things go when they are flushed!

March 2 is Dr. Seuss's birthday. The kids celebrated the day before at school by wearing their PJs. My mom had sent Jackson and Philip matching "jim-jams" and so they rocked them out to celebrate Dr. Seuss!

How can two brothers be built so different?

A few weeks ago, I switched my day in the office to a Friday. Since neither of the boys had school, Wesley had to find fun ways to entertain them. Here are some pictures I was sent throughout the day of their fun times:

Playing rocket in the back yard

They packed a lunch for the park, but it was too cold. Plan B - lunch in the food court!

And a ride in the mall strollers!

Jackson loves the "nice" cream truck! He doesn't really like ice cream, but rather the experience of getting ice cream from a truck. Here is he getting ready to place his order. Wesley goes with him and says it is always the same: He asks the man to go through all the options; chooses a different flavor each time, and then uses his "Handy Mandy" wallet to pay!

I'm in love!

I am in love with 6 lbs. 10oz of pure sweetness!!

Baby Benjamin

2 weeks

Aunt Leanne with nephew #6

I think Wesley is in love too!

Hair Cut

I have been growing my hair out for months. I don't know why. I just decided to let it grow until I was tired of it. I have only had long hair a few times in my life, and I liked it. Until this weekend!

I treated myself to a good haircut and color. I had a coupon and thought it would be an inexpensive treat, but I was wrong. It was pricey, but I liked the way the color turned out. And considering the fact, I only get a hair cut every 10 months or so, I think it was well worth the splurge!

Before

During

After

Procrastinating Reality

For the past two months, I have been procrastinating reality.

My blog has become such a huge part of my life. It is where I go to record the day-to-day happenings in our family. It’s where I go to record life.

For the past two months, I have avoided writing and recording about my grandmother’s passing. Deep down inside, I thought, if I don’t record it, if I don’t put down in words what happened, maybe just maybe, it wouldn’t be true.

Last week, I traveled home to Tennessee. Sunday afternoon, Uncle Melvin and Papa came over for dinner. Mimi wasn’t with them. I was hit with reality.

There is now a new normal when I go to Nashville. A little blue Buick will no longer pull up to visit with the excuse “I was just in the neighborhood.” My babies will no longer be rocked to sleep with the gentle humming of “Jesus is Lord.” I will no longer be able to catch up with the going ons of Nashville with my Mimi.

The reality is Mimi's not here. She is in a better place. A place full of happiness and no more tears. Even so, it is hard for those left behind. Mom has had to learn a new daily ritual that doesn’t involve checking in with her Mom at 9:00 every morning. Papa has to go on with out his loving spouse of 60+ years. Uncle Melvin jokingly said he’s now in charge of the laundry. We all have to adjust to life with out the gentle, caring Spirit of my Mimi.

I have spent some time over the past two days recording the events of last December here on my blog. I wrote not for anyone else but for me. I want to remember the special times I was able to share with Mimi at the end and the loving memories that I will carry with me.

It is nothing more than my ramblings as I came face to face with the reality that Mimi was gone and I was sad. Nothing more than realizing the impact she had on my life and the knowledge that her love lives on in all those left behind.

I have laughed, cried and remembered.

Dueling Cousins

On the count of three:

1..2..

3!

"I've been shot!"

12 month stats

We went to the doctor today for Philip's 12 month appointment. It went really well - I love our doctor! He didn't get his shots since he is not healed 100% from his ear infection. He's still our big boy...or as Jackson and I call him - "Big Baby!"

Height: 31 inches (83%)

Weight: 24 lbs 2 oz (68%)

Nashville

We had been planning a trip to Nashville for weeks. Philip had his 12 month photo session with Tucker Photography and I decided to take a few pictures of Jackson & Philip as well. Wesley needed a little time to get things done around the house so we decided to make a long weekend out of the trip and be gone for 5 days.

The trip started off fabulous when we received word that Baby Benjamin was coming! Though we were all concerned since he was 5 weeks early, I was so glad to be around when he was born. He was sent to the NICU and since I had been struggling with a cold, I ended up not getting to see him :(

Even so, the boys and I enjoyed time with Mimi and PopPop, Emmie and Ryan, and Joshua, Caleb and Rebekah!

We were also able to celebrate with the Nashville family Philip’s birthday.

Here are some pictures from the fun:

Here's one of the pictures we got of the boys at Tucker.

My mom has made each of the grandchildren a stuffed bear. Philip got his this year! He LOVED it!

It was fun to watch it register on Jackson's face that Philip's new bear matched his "Patches"! He ran upstairs to get his bear so "Dottie" and "Patches" could play together.

Sweet Brothers!

Jackson loved riding around the house on the 4 wheeler!

And when the 4 wheelers were occupied, he had no problem jumping on Rebekeh's scooter...real men ride PINK!

Blowing bubbles with Uncle Ry-Ry!

Rebekah

Jackson - safety first! He didn't take his helmet off all day (that's my boy!)

Philip and PopPop

Philip opening a present from Emily and Ryan