John Deere Green

This was my baby boy on his birthday party day.  He had been to see my brother and sister-in-law in Mandeville and got back that morning.  They drove up and he was so excited becasue he saw the two big tractors lining the driveway.  I had a pic of them on here but somehow I lost it.  Anyway, he was still in his pajamas but insisted on riding on the tractor!  He is so cute!  We had the best John Deere party.

Cake:  I made the cake and Patrick frosted it (he did a great job, and I had time to do other stuff). 

 The cake table also had cupcakes, tractors, and pictures of Kimber with his tractors.

 This is the Plum.  He loves tractors too, but he was a little more enthused about the riding tractor. 

 The proud sister.  She also went to Mandeville.  I told her to go upstairs and get dressed and this is how she reappeared!  Such a wonderful imagination. 

 Blowing out 2 candles (I CANNOT belive he is already 2!):

 This was a funny picture.  After he opened all of his gifts he went around "collecting" them so the other kids wouldn't play with them.  Very resourceful to use his new JD dump truck.

 Enjoying cake:

 Kimber enjoying his cake, in his own style:

Fun outside:

 Playing with his new front-end loader after the party.  It's not made to be a riding toy but I think he fits perfectly:

These are the tractors Kimber saw when he first drove up to the house.  He was excited to ride as were most of the other kids.  Great entertainment!

We had a wonderful party.  All the kids seemed to enjoy it and the adults didn't mind too much until I sent them home with train whistles as party favors!  Yes, I will be repaid I'm certain.  My little boy won't turn 2 until December 3, but his daddy couldn't make the party that day and we know he was crucial to driving the kids around on the tractors!

Grateful Heart

Today I come with a very grateful heart for so many things.  First and foremost I am grateful for the sacrifice that Jesus made for me so that I can live eternally.  While I fail many, many times a day, it is His blood that covers my sins and for that I am very grateful.  God has also blessed me with two wonderful children.  Every morning I wake up to two beautiful children who are happy to start the day.  They are so kind and loving (most of the time!) and it is a joy to be their mother.  Those kids love with all their heart.  They love to giggle, chase, hide, run and tickle!  Dustin and I are very blessed that God chose us to be their parents. 

 I am also thankful for my husband.  He is an amazing father and husband.  He supports me...no matter how crazy my decision may sound (or actually may be!).  He is a wonderful friend, confidant, supporter, encourager, and provider.  After almost 7 years of marriage we still have fun like we were 20!  We laugh and joke just as much as we did back then.  It is a true blessing to have such a godly husband.

I am also thankful for my friends.  Just a few are pictured here.  They were at the finish line after my marathon.  My good friend Nicole (so talented) made these signs and everyone else was cheering me on.  While I may not have many friends the ones I have are supportive, good listerners, let me laugh and cry when I need to, love to shop, and give me great advice. 

I am also grateful for my family.  I'm not sure why I can't find a recent picture (think they're on my sister's computer).  My family both mine and my in-laws are always there for us, support us, comfort us, and love us unconditionally.  It is great to have that type of family.  I wish that everyone could say that. 

God has blessed me and my family in so many ways this year I cannot name them all.  After the loss of my cousin in July I have truly become thankful for every day I am allowed to spend with my kids, husband, family and friends.  I hope you cherish this time with your loved ones.

Veterans' Salute

On Saturday my parents had a Veterans Day salute at my daddy's hangar.  It was SO NICE!  First, they had four old airplanes fly over and on the last pass they did the missing man formation (where one of the planes peels off).  It was so moving.  It really makes you stop and think about things and the number of soldiers we lose.  The whole program was excellent.  My uncle, retired Col. Gary Johnston was the guest speaker.  The salute was set in the 1940s and there was a USO theme so he spoke on Bob Hope.  He was followed by Gregg Bennett performing "Taps" on the horn.  Now that brought a tear to my eye.  If you just stop to reflect on what's going on in the middle east right now and the number of sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers that are over there it will give you chills.  After the horn, we were served burgers and then the "fun" show began.  There was much singing by the "Andrew sisters" and others who were all wonderful.  My little girl started the program off by saying the Pledge of Allegiance.  She was so cute! 

After everyone left she got on stage and began to sing, sing, sing.  I hope the video works:

Her outfit was SO CUTE.  This was an old dress of Dustin's sister, Amanda. 

Please reflect on all of the sacrifices all of our veterans have made and are making for our country.  Freedom is not free, but is earned by all their hard work and sacrifices!  Thank you veterans!

The Joys of Motherhood

Dustin and Kimber had a stomach bug on Saturday, the good new is that it lasted only around 12 hours.  However, this is not the "joy" I'm describing today.  As I was laying in the bed watch Toy Story 3 for the third time I began to think of the "joys" I love most of motherhood:

1. Holding them and listening to them breathing.
2. Hearing both of them say "I love you." and knowing that they truly mean it!
3. Rocking them before bed and singing to them and especially hearing them sing with me.
4. Reading books to them b/f bed.  I never read enough for them!  And they both have their favorite books.
5. Watching their faces when they realize they have learned or conquered something new.
6. Hearing them giggle, I mean belly laughing giggle.
7. Watching those two play with each other.
8. Holding and comforting them when they don't feel good.
9. Seeing them run to me and call my name with joy every time I walk through the door.

These are just a few of the things I am thankful for with my children.  I know they will grow up too soon but I will cherish these moments for now!

Girl Fun

 I took these three sweet girls from school to dancing today.  We had the best time in 30 minutes! I laughed so hard!.  We went to Sonic and got Wacky Packs then to the dance studio where they sat in the car watching Barbie and eating their Wacky Packs.  They kept giggling and being silly.  I LOVED it!  It brought back so many memories. 

When we got out of the car MH spotted the American flag and so the girls decided to say the pledge...3 times!  It was the cutest thing.  So they are saying the pledge in the above picture. 

The preschool had an LSU party (to help cheer the Tigers to victory tomorrow night).  This is AL and her teacher.  She is the first to arrive at school each morning and LOVES having the attention of both teachers!

GEAUX TIGERS!

I DID IT!

I completed my second half marathon on Saturday morning.  I ran it in 2 hours and 7 minutes.  Pics will follow. 

Dustin, JR, Alissa, and Nicole were all at the finish line cheering for me!  And, of course, in Nicole fashion there were signs!  She is so artistic! 

We had a great weekend eating and enjoying each others' company.  We ate at Acme Oyster House and Mr. B's Bistro.  Both were awesome! I'm pretty sure I ate more calories than I burned!