Sawyer is 1

I have been way behind with updating the blog, but my baby boy just turned 1! I canNOT believe that an entire year has passed since this little guy came into our family.

Sawyer, you are absolutely the sweetest baby I know. You are our baby who changed the most from birth. You were born with dark hair that fell out a few months later and then grew back in way lighter (different from Hudson's hair that stayed dark and Finley's who's stayed dark and Walker's that was just light from the beginning). You look the most like Walker's baby pictures...actually you look just like Walker's baby pictures! You wear size 12-18 month clothes and size 4 diapers. You do not like having socks on your feet, and will pull with all your might until those things are off! You love your brothers and sister and you want to do everything that they do. You crawl all over the house and your newest feat is that you like to climb up all the steps (of course we only let you do this when we are going behind you). You have started walking behind Finley's little stroller and the little people bus that was your brother's. You absolutely will not walk with me holding your hands (I'm not sure why) but you'll just lift up your feet and wait for me to pick you up! You are sometimes sleeping through the night, and sometimes still waking up once. You are a cuddle bug! You will crawl into our laps and just sit with us (you do this more than the other babies, I believe). You really hardly ever cry...you've just started this thing where you fuss at meals (we're thinking that we aren't giving you what you want). You also will NOT stay seated in your high chair...you try to climb out at each meal...drives me a little crazy! You have the sweetest laugh and give some really big, sweet, open mouthed kisses. You are the sweetest addition to our family, and I can't even remember what it was like without you! You just go with the flow and so very happily! We love you up, Sawyer Ezekiel!

Sawyer at a few days old, November 2010.

Sawyer in October 2011.

I'll try to post some pictures of his birthday party and his stats after his 1 year well visit!

6 years old

6 years ago, on a Labor Day, Tony and I sat around taking it easy, knowing that soon, our lives would change forever. 6 years ago, we were to get to the hospital at 7 p.m. to be induced with our first little! Things I remember about that day...I was feeling HUGE, as I was overdue, we watched The Last Samurai and I laid on my side on the sofa, I ate ramen noodles and drank lots of lemon lime gatorade, we had no idea what we were getting into! 6 years later, our biggest is now in Kindergarten and acts like he's going on 50 with some of the things he says. Sometimes it's hard to remember that he is only 6. He got glasses a few months ago, and so I want to remember that about this year before he turned 6. And, in the last year, he can now eat wheat and eggs baked in things which has been totally life changing.

6 things I love about my Hudson...

6. He is my biggest helper!

5. He is the BEST big brother!

4. He is super thoughtful-always thinking of his brothers and sister!

3. He has an impeccable memory...I LOVE all that he can remember!

2. He has really started to branch out in the things that he's eating.

1. He is the first baby I ever fell in love with and he continues to captivate me( and drive me a little crazy at times :)!

6 things Tony loves about Hudson...

6. He is so helpful around the house.

5. He is always thinking about his siblings.

4. He remembers everything.

3. He listens and tries to figure out what we're saying...almost at. all. times.

2. He loves school.

1. He still likes to get Daddy's ears (cold, please).

Happy Birthday Big Boy (and my sweet baby)! We love you up!

Twas the Night before Kindergarten

Twas the night before Kindergarten and all through the house,
Not a wee one was stirring, no one watching Mickey Mouse.
The new school clothes were laid out, they were picked out with care,
There was anticipation and excitement filling the air.

The littles were sleeping, all tucked in their beds
Hudson's clothes ready, filled with all colors of reds.
Daddy and Mommy were already wiped out,
Having already gotten up with their youngest little sprout.

We were all so excited that our biggest little guy
Was already starting school, in the blink of an eye.
The years have gone quickly, oh how fast they flew,
And now it was time to begin something new.

Mommy was sad that her boy was so big,
And he would be off starting a new gig.
Lunches were packed and so was snack,
Everything ready, even the backpack.

Prayers were lifted up and said with great fervor,
Our big boy would be off and out, a world observer.
The beginning of the time when he's not under our care,
That he can be a light and protected is our prayer.

So the night before Kindergarten, how did you come so fast?
I know in a short blink, you too will have passed.
For now, it's our hope that this first is a wonderful day,
And each one after that filled with laughter, learning and play!

My boy and I were driving in the car the other day and talking about school. He started asking me about the cafeteria and what he would do when he went in there. I was telling him that he would probably be sitting at the table waiting for the other kids to come with their trays. He so innocently said, "So I'll sit and wait for everyone to sit down and then we'll say the blessing, and then eat." Oh my goodness, I was struck with a sense of total sadness. Tears filled my eyes as I explained to my sweet boy that at school, we don't pray before lunch. I told him that we go to public school and everyone doesn't believe the same thing we do, but that he can say a blessing himself before he eats. How sweet and innocent is that boy!? Love him!

Girls Only...

Our wonderful children's ministry at Graystone Church, led by sweet Katie Landress, planned some fun activities for kids this summer. One of the ones we got the chance to participate in was a Pajama party for sweet little girls ONLY! And oh boy (or I should say girl) was it cute!
I didn't remember until I just looked through these pictures that Finley wore her sunglasses for the entire first part. She had them on when we got there and she wore them through the reading of the book...in the dark! I know she couldn't see a thing! She was totally cute! When we first arrived, the gals got to play a little, then they all gathered around Miss Ashley, and turned the lights off and she read the book If you Give a Pig a Pancake with a flashlight. After the book, the girls got to actually eat pancakes for breakfast. Next, they played a little relay game using the dolls or stuffed animals they brought. Aunt Lori helped me out with pictures of this part, as I was off feeding Sawyer.After that, they decorated a little purse with stamps and shiny things. Then, we all went outside and the girls blew bubbles. Finally, we came in and got tattoos, girly ones of course. Finley had so much fun! Her cousin Kylin was there and Finley always loves to see her! Uncle Justin made it possible for me to take Finley and Sawyer by keeping the big boys, who LOVED getting to stay with him! Thanks so much to "Miss Katie" for having such fun activities for our little ones!

Lots to catch up

So, I don't know why I haven't gotten to this blog...I guess I've just been doing other things!? Hudson finished preschool and registered for Kindergarten! He'll be going to Grayson ES with me and I'm excited/quite emotional about it!

Hudson and his sweet teachers, Miss Donna and Miss Carolyn.

The Monday after Hudson's graduation, and before my last day of school, we went to the zoo for FREE! We checked out the zoo video that you get from the library and then you get a pass for two adults and two kids for free! The little ones were free b/c 2 and under are at the zoo. We had so much fun! Walker wanted to take a picture with just about every statue...it was totally cute! When we went to see the pandas, the mama panda was sitting up against the front glass munching on some bamboo and we got to see her really close! We also rode the train and sweet Walker LOVED the petting zoo. He went as quickly as he could around to all the animals, petting them and brushing them. It was so fun to be in there with him and watch the excitement!



Hudson got to go to Sports Camp at our church, Graystone Church, this year, and he was SO excited! He chose to do baseball and football and he had a blast! We learned Bible verses, sang lots of songs, and JUMPED a LOT! The final night there was a motorcycle guy jumping over stuff and I let Walker come with us that night. The boys were totally cute and so excited! I taught Music that week and also had a blast!

The week after Sports Camp, we went on vacation to Orange Beach/Gulf Shores, AL. It was probably our best vacation by far! We did some great and free activities that the kids loved! The second night we were there, Uncle Justin took some family pictures...they're wonderful as always! Monday, we went to the beach, where Finley didn't want to have anything to do with the water or the sand and thus sat in her chair the ENTIRE time with her shades and hat firmly ON! The boys let Justin bury them, which totally shocked me! Tuesday, we went to a train museum in Dothan. There was a little wooden train you could ride, which was a BIG hit. Then, inside, there were all these model trains and tracks with a huge city set up. It even had a working drive in movie theater, a circus tent, and lots of other interesting things to look at. The guys working there let the kids push the buttons to make the trains whistle and Hudson even got to be the "conductor" of one of the trains by starting it! Thomas even made a showing! After the train museum we ate lunch at Lambert's...the restaurant where they throw rolls! Great fun! Wednesday, we drove down to Pensacola, FL to watch the Blue Angels practice. I'd say it was on of the highlights for me! The kids enjoyed this too...it was really, really LOUD! Finley held her ears the entire time. After the practice, we went into the Naval Aviation Museum and walked around and looked at all the jets, and naval memorabilia. The pilots came in and everyone cheered...it was spectacular. This same day was also our 9th wedding anniversary! To celebrate, I tried to convince Tony that we should para sail...no such luck. Instead, we went and had a fun dinner at this place called Cosmos. I got what Tony has said was the very BEST meal he's ever had. It was the chef special...pan seared scallops with bacon risotto and a blue king corn cream sauce! Sounds yummy and it seriously tasted even better! While we were out, the kids went on a walk/parade of sorts with grandma and grandpa. They got varsity hats and leis. We also went to the indoor and outdoor pools lots during the week and had fun eating out at various restaurants around! We had found a car top carrier on Craigslist before vacation for $35.00 which totally made our trip possible (NO WAY we could have fit all the things we took if we hadn't had it!).
Father's day was the Sunday after we came back and we celebrated our sweet daddy with breakfast in bed and some of those funky soda shirts from Target!

And just because there are no pictures of sweet Sawyer by himself...he's eating lots of baby food and almost sitting up. He gets all around the floor by rolling and moving himself, not crawling yet...I'm in no rush! He is 7 1/2 months...time is flying!I have a few more things to post about in order to catch up, so maybe I can get to it later this week! The big kids are staying with grandmama and granddaddy!

Mother's Day

Absolutely...ONE.OF.THE.MOST.AMAZING.THINGS.IN.LIFE...being a mommy. I always wanted to be a mother. I dreamed of what it would be like to become a mother. I came up with names and wrote them down, dreamed of what little sweet voices would sound like calling me that beloved word...Mommy! And I have to say, it's even better than I imagined! I adore being a mother...adore it! It is definitely the most challenging and rewarding job I will ever have! I love watching my little ones love each other and depend on each other. I always try to be very deliberate with them and remember that even at the young age they are now, that I am teaching them and training them to become beautiful people! I just listened to a podcast tonight about being a mom, and heard this saying...I love it, it's going to become what I say to myself on "those" days..."when you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on!" Isn't that great!?

I LOVE these pictures of the moms in my life! My favorites are these last ones with my littles...Walker didn't get a nap yesterday, and he was just done when we were trying to take these. I think it's hilarious to see he wasn't in the picture, walked into it but wouldn't stand close to us and then just walked out. I also think it's so funny that Hudson is holding up some dead leaves? and then that he and Finley are playing with my hair?! And, my sweet Sawyer is sitting there eating his sweet hand and then smiling! I love these little ones and find it such a sweet blessing to be there Mommy!