New Way to View Our Pictures!

Now you can see all the pictures that we take on our adventures without having to leave the page! Sometimes there are just too many photos to show in one post, so this is a way you can view them all. Click on "View All Images" and you can see our photos with captions. This is a slideshow that goes with my previous blog entry "Looking Back" (scroll down if you haven't read it yet).

Looking Back

When Cole was just a newborn...it seemed like the night feedings and exhaustion would never end. People (especially mothers) kept telling me, "Enjoy these moments. They will go by so fast." I remember thinking...yeah right! He'll NEVER sleep through the night. Well, those days have come and gone and I am now telling first time moms the same thing. Time truly goes by so fast.

I was reminded of this yesterday when we took Cole to Kids Kingdom. I was thinking about the first time Michael and I ventured out to the park with Cole. It was April of 2007 and he was five months old. We loaded up the whole nursery (first-time parents...what can I say?) and headed for the lake. We strolled and let him "meet" the ducks. I remember that some geese were flapping their wings in the water, and Cole just laughed and laughed. We even found a nest on the ground full of eggs!

Fast forward to the present...the whole nursery is no longer needed. A diaper, wipes, snack bar, juice, and camera are the necessities. Cole still laughs at the geese...as he CHASES them around and runs without fear towards the lake. Good thing we didn't find a nest; the eggs would probably be mistaken for balls and thrown by my sweet boy, lol.

Although the baby fat is fading away and little muscles are taking shape, I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for Cole. I know that He has great and wonderful things planned that I can't even imagine! So for now, I'll treasure EVERY moment and wait with anticipation at what tomorrow brings.

Left....May 2007

Right...

May 2008

Over the river and through the woods...

Yesterday, Michael, Cole, and I took a road trip to visit Michael's family (Granny and Grandpa) in Dunlap, TN (about an hour outside of Chattanooga). We love to visit there because they live in a valley surrounded by beautiful mountains. It's so beautiful, QUIET, and peaceful. Cole loves it... Grandpa has lots of land to explore, horses, and four-wheelers...it's a little boys dream!

The sun was shining so it was a wonderful day to be outside. We got there around noon and Cole immediately went on a four-wheeling adventure with Grandpa. He especially liked visiting the barn and helping to feed the horses. While they were zooming around, the rest of us sat on the front porch swings just visiting and relaxing. We then had lunch and Cole went down for a nap, which gave all of us grown-ups a minute to catch our breath! After a nap, Cole was ready to explore some more. This time, he rode around with Granny and his cousin Amber. When they returned he had some beautiful daisies that he "picked" for me...so cute! We then had dinner and left around 7:30. We knew we would get home late, but we didn't want to leave! Being there makes you slow down and simply enjoy the day...no schedule, no appointments, no errands to run. Just enjoying being with family and taking in God's marvelous creation all around.

Granny, Grandpa, Kelley, David, Amber, and Katie...we love you and we hope to see you again soon!!

Reflections on Mother's Day

As I read a book with Cole, sing him a lullaby, and lay him down for a nap, I can't help but think how blessed I am to be a mom. He is such a gift to Michael and I and brings our family so much joy. Every moment is precious as I watch my sweet baby growing into a curious toddler with emotions and thoughts all his own. Watching his little personality develop is so fun, yet I'm reminded daily of how fast the time has flown and how one day he will spread his own wings and fly. I'm soaking up every minute of our time together and I thank the Lord that I can be a part of the amazing journey called motherhood.

We had a lot of fun this past weekend celebrating Mother's Day. Although this is my second year to celebrate this special occasion, it still doesn't seem real! People wish me "Happy Mother's Day!" and I think...yea, I really AM a mommy! On Sunday evening, we went to my mom's home and had a yummy dinner with the whole family...grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins...it was so much fun! Kyle and Laura surprised me with a special gift while we were there. They made a plate for me with Cole's handprint, his name, and a cute outdoor background. I don't think I can bear to use it...it's too precious! It is also wonderful to see Cole interact with all the special "motherly" figures in his life. A huge blessing is that both my grandmothers (Cole's GREAT-grandmothers!) are here and are able to share their love with him. The women in my family are such wonderful women of God and I hope to leave a legacy that shines as brightly as them.

Michael also spoiled me way too much this weekend! On Sunday morning, he left little gifts for me everywhere around the house...by the shower door, on Cole's changing table, on the kitchen counter, in Cole's diaper bag, etc... He is such a wonderful husband and always has encouraging words to share about the way I care for Cole. He tells me daily that I'm a wonderful mommy and that he's proud of me. On days when you wonder, "can I do this???" his words truly are a comfort to my heart.

This post wouldn't be complete without me thanking the true sustainer of my soul, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray daily that He will guide me as I mother Cole and that one day I'll have the opportunity to feel the greatest joy a mom can know...watching her children accept the free gift of salvation and becoming a son/daughter of the King.

Don't Let Satan Blow It Out...

As I think back over the events of the past few days, I'm reminded of the childhood song I used to sing..."This Little Light Of Mine". Such a sweet simple song with so much meaning. It's been hard to let my light shine very bright over the past few days. Why does it seem that when the mountaintop is in view, Satan tries to drag us down into the valley?
It all began on Monday as I was looking up Bingo board templates on the Internet (innocent enough...right?). I was using our main computer when all of a sudden the screen went blank saying that Spyware had been detected. Oh boy... Things went from bad to worse. After turning the computer off and then back on, things began to disappear from the main screen. First the Internet went away all together and then the computer wouldn't even turn on to load Microsoft Word. Michael and I began to panic because this was his work computer. All of his appraisal reports are done, pictures inserted, and then e-mailed to the banks and mortgage companies. If we lost his programs that meant no work and ultimately no income. Of course my first instinct should have been to pray, but fear overruled. With the housing market being slow anyways, I couldn't take anymore obstacles.
I must say that through this time, the Lord has once again showed his faithfulness. My brother's friend Andrew is a computer tech that was able to save our hard drive (for free!) before Michael's programs were deleted. We are now working on my computer using two hard drives. We must copy EVERYTHING before trying to re-install on Michael's computer. Please pray with us that this will be accomplished quickly without any hindrances. Also, Praise the Lord that ALL of Michael's clients understood and were accepting of some reports being later than usual.
It's times like these that make me realize how much I have in common with the Israelites from the OT. God showed His faithfulness again and again, yet when the promise land was shown, they were afraid. I'm trying daily to remember His goodness towards our family and know that "the Lord is my light and my salvation...whom shall I fear?"
This little light of mine. I'm gonna let it shine!

Fun at the Park

The weather was beautiful today so Cole and I couldn't resist a picnic lunch at the park. It was a special treat because Uncle Kyle and Laura got to join us! We had so much fun feeding the ducks and playing at Kids Kingdom. I especially enjoyed having Laura there to talk with. Kiddie talk can easily take over if you're not careful!