Christmas at our house

We had a wonderful Christmas at our house. Judson left a sweet note and some cookies for Santa and his reindeer. He left race cars for the reindeer to make them go faster. He also asked for a race car track for Christmas so he wanted to make race car cookies. Judson woke up and we did Christmas with just our family. It was a lot of fun seeing him so excited!! Mary Grace obviously slept through most of Christmas morning!! Next, our families came over. Judson was so excited about having our family over for breakfast. My mom and dad, Tommy, my Uncle Earl, Neal's mom and grandmom all joined us for breakfast. We had wonderful food and fellowship. After such a big breakfast the guys played football. Thankfully no one was seriously injured!! I did not do a good job of capturing Christmas on film. Here are a few of the pictures I was able to get.

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas through the eyes of a four year old is priceless. Judson is so excited about Christmas. He can tell you all about the Christmas story, from Mary and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem to pay taxes to the Wise Men brought baby Jesus, Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. He has also asked some pretty tough questions. How will Santa get in our house? (we don't have a fireplace) Why do we have to buy gifts for our Angel tree girl? Why doesn't Santa bring her gifts? It has really made me think about what I want him to believe. I want him to know that Christmas is about giving because of all God has given us. I want him to know how God wants us to be generous and faithful with what he has given us. I want him to know the true reason for Christmas, Jesus. But I also love the excitement of Christmas morning, waking up to see what Santa brought!!! Baking cookies to leave for Santa. I have prayed that God would give Neal and I wisdom in knowing how to celebrate Christmas. My desire is to honor Him, no matter how we choose to celebrate.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas. How you choose to celebrate is between you and God. He knows our hearts and that's whats important to Him!!

Mary Grace and her friend John Martin

Mary Grace and John Martin Stickler had a playdate. They were too cute. John Martin watched Mary Grace. John Martin has the cutest smile, when he doesn't have his paci in his mouth. They are destined to be best friends just like Morgan and Judson. I can't wait to see what their little personalities are going to be like. We are having FUN!!!

2 months

Today Mary Grace had her 2 month check-up. She weighs 9lbs 1oz and is 22 inches long. She is doing great. Still a little on the small side, but that is okay!! She is smiling and laughing. Her smile will absolutely melt your heart. She has Neal's big dimples!! The mornings are her best time. She loves to wake up and get in our bed. She looks out the window and just smiles. Although I am still tired, I love those mornings. Judson will usually come join us around 7:00. I really love these two precious ones. What a gift they truelly are. I prayed a lot before Mary Grace was born that I would enjoy every second with her. That I would not be so busy with the things of this world that I missed rocking her, holding her, making her smile. I have done very little sewing, blogging, checking email, all those things I love. But...I have really enjoyed my children!! Thank you God!!

Judson is learning to write his letters and spell words. He loves to ask me how to spell words and then try to write them. He is all boy!! He loves to wrestle with Neal, play tackle football, and get soo dirty!!

I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I know that it is all from God and he deserves all the praise. Remember to thank Him this thanksgiving!!

Still Alive

Yes, We are still alive. However, finding time to update the blog, read other blogs, check emails, return phone calls, is impossible these days. So, I am just going to post some pictures!!

Super Judson

Judson had a birthday party Monday for his friend Tucker Lee. He wanted to dress up like SuperMan. I called around and found this SuperMan costume for him. He was so excited. To add to the excitement...One hour before the party, our back door was left open and 2 tiny birds flew into our house. They were in the playroom flying around. They kept flying into the windows. We opened the windows and took the screens off. My mom got a broom and tried to shew them out. One of them flew out. We had to leave for the party with one of the birds still in the house. We left the windows opened hoping the little bird would figure out how to get out. Thankfully when we got home the little bird was gone!! With all that excitement and a birthday party, I was pretty wiped out Monday night. Thankfully Monday night was a good night for Mary Grace. She went 3 hours between feedings, TWICE!!! It is amazing how much better I felt Tuesday getting just a few extra hours of sleep!!

Stomach Bug!!

We have been bitten by the stomach bug. It started Wed. night with Judson. He threw up most of Wed. night then had a fever all day Thursday. Judson and Neal spent the night at my parents to try and keep Mary Grace and myself from getting it. Friday Judson was still a little puny.

Saturday Neal and I both said we didnt feel great. By Saturday afternoon we were both sick!!

Mom and Dad came to the rescue and came and got Judson. I am praying that Mary Grace doesnt get it. I've washed my hand so much that they are raw!! I have heard of several others who have had it. It is short lived, but pretty bad while you have it!

Mary Grace is staying awake more. It is so fun to watch her looking around and discovering her surroundings. As hard as the night time feedings are, God has really used that time to connect with me. I spend most of the 30 minutes feeding her praying for my friends and family. It has truelly been a blessing!! Let me know if you need prayer! I have a lot of time to feel!!!

Very Powerful Message!!

This is a link to a message by Louie Giglio on Hope. It is a very powerful!! I pray it will bless you as it did me. We all face troubles in this world, but we can find hope and peace in Jesus Christ!! Louie does an excellent job unpacking this idea.
http://www.northpointministries.org/player/player_large.jsp?occurrenceID=2197
http://www.northpointministries.org/player/player.jsp?occurrenceID=2198

Almost a week...

Well, it has been almost a week since Mary Grace was born. God has blessed us with a very sweet little girl. She is an angel. Judson is a great big brother. He wants to know when she is going to wake up and play with him. He likes to check on her, but I can't get him to hold her. Neal has been so amazing. He has been so helpful, so patient, and so understanding. Saturday when we got home we realized that none of her clothes fit her. He went out and bought her some premie clothes, some blankets, something really soft to support her in the car seat. He said he knew he was in trouble. He wanted to buy everything for her. She already has us wrapped. We took her to the doctor yesterday to have her weight checked. She dropped down to 5lbs 5oz. when we left the hospital. Yesterday she was up to 5lbs 9oz. It was time for her to eat while we were at the doctor so she was crying. Judson asked why she was crying. Neal was holding her and said it was because she was hungry. Judson said "Dad, just put her right here (pointing to his chest) that's where her milk is." That gave us a good laugh!!

Here are a few pictures.

Home Sweet Home

We made it. We are finally home. Mary Grace and Tami are both doing great. Mary Grace is taking her pre-game nap. Once she is up for the game I will get her dressed in her game day outfit and post some pictures. We are blessed to have such good friends and family. Tami and I want to thank everyone for their kindness this past week. War Eagle!!

Just Chillin

I think the picture says it all. Mary Grace is just chillin at Flowers. She is not even waking up to watch Oregon St. whoop up on USC. I know two blogs in one day. I just can not help myself. I really need to go back to work so I want be tempted to blog. Got to go, half time is over.

Neal

Amazing Grace

How sweet the sound of Mary Grace's little grunting noises. God has blessed us with such a beautiful daughter. 9/24/08 at 7:33 am a 5 lb 13 oz brown headed miracle arived in our life. I did not think I would be able to love another child like I love Judson. How wrong I was. All I want to do is hold her next to my chest. Tami and Mary Grace are going well. Mary Grace has done a great job breast feeding. This is my first blog experiance. I am blogging on Tami's behalf. I guess I could get use to blogging and watching soap operas all day, not a chance.
Neal

Judson's tea party

Judson had a tea party at school today. They have been working on Manners the past two weeks at school and learning the letter "T". They had to dress up for the party. They all looked so cute. They did a little dance for us and then the boys pulled out the chairs and helped the girls sit down, then pushed their chairs up for them. I was so proud of Judson!!

One more week...

One more week until our precious baby girl is here!! I had my last Dr. visit today. My c-section is scheduled for next Wednesday, Sept.24th. I am very excited and ready. Although I feel a little emotional about how Judson is going to handle everything. He seems very excited about his little sister. He wanted to buy her a baby doll, so I took him to the store and let him pick out a baby doll for her. He picked out a very soft doll and came home and put it in her bassinet. He has the biggest heart for a four year old. I pray his love for his little sister will grow even more when he actually meets her. I pray I will have the energy to really enjoy these next few days with him. I pray God will help me be very sensitive to his needs once she gets here. I praise God that I do not have to go through this without him. He promises to be with me and to give me strength when I am weak.

I can't wait to post pictures of our precious baby girl!!

My 2 remodelers!!

Neal has been remodeling my laundry room/sewing room. He took down some walls, added some walls. He is working really hard. Judson has been right by his side helping him every step of the way. Some afternoons I can hear Judson in there hammering, just like he's seen Neal do. These 2 guys are precious gifts to me from my Father. I love them so much and am so thankful for them!!

First Day of School!

I'm not sure who was dreading the first day of school more, me or Judson. We have really had a hard time this summer with the idea of going to school everyday. Many nights Judson would start crying because he didnt want to go to school. It broke Neal and I's heart to see him so upset and fearful of school. We prayed with him and for him a lot. I have prayed all summer for his teacher. Well, the first day of school finally came. God gave me a very precious gift!! We went to meet his teacher, Mrs Sanders, and Judson loved it. When we got in the car he said, "Mom, I really like my classroom." Mrs Sanders is a precious Christian lady. She loves the children, but more importantly she loves the Lord. Tuesday morning Judson woke up and said he was ready to go to school. Thank you God!! So far he has done really well. He has had a couple of days when he didnt want to go, but as soon as we got there and he saw his cousins or his friends he was okay!! This is the only picture I got of the first day of school. I was afraid to hang around and make to big of a deal about it.

Watch out Tiger Woods!!

Neal took Judson to play golf a couple of weeks ago. I'm not sure who had more fun, Judson or Neal. They next day Neal went out and bought Judson some small clubs. They practice in the back yard and Neal says Judson is pretty good. Neal called yesterday to see if Judson wanted to go play the par 3. Judson couldn't wait. He wanted to ask Neal if he should wear his cleats or tennis shoes. He also wanted to know what kind of shirt Neal had on. He had to wear a shirt like Daddy's and tuck it in. Neal definately has a little shadow. What a great role model Judson has!!!

Judson's party!

Judson had a wonderful birthday! We had a party for him at Solomon Park. He invited a few of his friends to come celebrate his birthday. The weather couldn't have been any better. It was a little overcast, which helped with the HOT july day. We had frog cupcakes and ice cream, strawberry lemonade with Sonic ice in cool frozen mugs, and then play on the playground!! It was a very special party. Then the family came back to our house for a special birthday dinner. Judson's favorite food is Pasta, specifically Spaghetti noodles, which he calls "That way, that way pasta." Mom made Chicken Spaghettie, aka- That way,that way pasta for Judson. I made orange jello, brocolli and carrots with ranch, and green beans, all Judson's favorites!!

Beach Trip

We had a great family vacation at the beach!! We went to Cape San Blas for a week. The water was beautiful, except for a few jelly fish!! The weather was great also. Mom, Dad, Tommy, Neal, Me, and the 4 boys were all able to go. Tim and Jill were not able to come because of a crazy spinal headache Tim had. Instead of the beach, they spent the week in the hospital. I have decided that as long as we have young children vacation is going to look different. It is a lot of work. It's not always getting to do what I want to do (sitting on the beach relaxing). But I am so blessed to have a precious family to vacation with. I thank God for the wonderful memories that will be made each year. I thank God that we are able (physically and financially) to enjoy a vacation. The beach is such a wonderful place to be reminded of the majesty of our God. The vast ocean that looks like it never ends, just like His love. The waves that come only as far as He allows them to. The countless sea creatures that He created and all have a purpose. And the beautiful white sand that He knows exactly how many granules there are!!! Thank you God for a wonderful vacation!!