Happy Birthday Matt!

Matt's birthday was on the 28th. I put the birthday banner up on the fireplace and Cade was so excited when daddy came home from work to see it. We started celebrating Tuesday night with the Meers. They came over for dinner and cake. On Wednesday Cade, Reid and I met Matt at Carino's for dinner...yummy! We then made a quick trip to the mall to get Matt a piece of cookie cake. We certainly didn't need a whole cake at the house so going to get a slice together was my solution. The boys did surprisingly well all night, I think they knew it was a special night!

Happy Birthday, Matt.

new trick

Reid learned a new trick today! He rolled over from his tummy to his back! We were at Tosha's house so Cade could see Madison get off the bus one last time (today was her last day of school) and so they could play before they go out of town tomorrow. We were playing in the living room and as soon as I put Reid on his tummy he rolled over. He did it one more time before we left. I will hopefully get it on video soon so you can see.

Reid's 3 months old!

Another month already? It's just so hard to believe that my baby is already 3 months old! Reid is doing well. He has been smiling and cooing a lot lately. I found a tickle spot under his neck the other day and his laugh is way too contagious. Reid loves it when people talk and smile at him, he loves all the attention! Reid also loves his big brother. Cade lets Reid (with my help) tickle him and they both just laugh! Reid isn't rolling over just yet, but he's starting to turn on his side when he's on the floor....it won't be long! Reid has been such a trooper and goes along with our busy schedule. I am looking forward to the summer when things will calm down and we get to play in the pool!

smiles

I am sitting at my parents house watching TJ tonight while my mom is at the Astros game with Tessa and Taleigh (my dad is either in Malaysia or Australia right now, we are ready for him to be home).  I have Reid with me and he is in the swing so he can sleep without being bothered.  I looked back to check on him and he just had the biggest smile on his face.  I, of course, got a huge smile on my face and then wondered, what makes babies smile in their sleep?  Do you think God is telling them a joke, they are just happy or maybe they just passed some gas???  TJ does the same thing sometimes, but he does it when he's awake.  He will just start laughing  or get this big goofy grin on his face.  We'll never know really why they do these things, but it makes me smile.  I hope you have little things like this that make you smile!

My little basketball stud

The other day Cade picked up his basketball and threw it towards the goal and made a shot!  Up until now he would walk up to the goal and put the ball in.  I'm gonna have to say he is a basketball stud....watch out Lebron James!  

our 7th anniversary

Yes, it's been 7 years since Matt and I got married!  It just doesn't seem like it's been that long.  We have had many ups and downs and I am so glad that I've gone through all of it with Matt by my side.  I am looking forward to many more years with my best friend!

On our first anniversary 6 years ago, Matt and I had just moved to Houston and were just starting a new life together.  We didn't have much money, but wanted to celebrate our anniversary in a fun way.  We decided on an Astros game and tradition started.  Every year we go to a game to celebrate.  Even though the 'stros lost, we enjoyed our night away from the boys.  It was nice to be able to just focus on each other for awhile.  

I love playing with the zoom lens on my camera at the Astros games.  Though it's not too much of a challenge to catch the ball in the picture with my Canon rebel, I still love to try!  Matt plays along by nodding and smiling every time I get a good shot.  I always get so excited!!!  Here are a few pictures of the night, I won't bore you with all of them!

Sunday school party

We had a Sunday school party this past weekend. Cade wasn't too thrilled about the pool like I thought he would be, I guess the water is still too cold. He did, however, have a blast in the little convertible car. Once he figured out that he could make it go he was so excited. Now we just need to teach him how to steer!

Leave it to a girl to fix it!
Reid loved being held by Stephanie. It was a nice break for me, too!

Taleigh the hunter?!?

So, Taleigh has this boyfriend (Lance) that has completely swept her off her feet. They have been dating for a few months and he actually came home with Taleigh over their Spring/Easter Break. He graduated from Texas Tech last weekend (woohoo!!) and afterwards Taleigh went back to his hometown of Spearman (yeah, I didn't know where it was either. It's north of Lubbock, that's about all I know). She spent some time with his family and they even went rabbit hunting on his nanny's land. Yeah, Taleigh went hunting! I'm surprised she didn't have her high heels on while she did it! The last picture we have of Taleigh doing something outdoorsy is when my dad attempted to teach Taleigh how to fly fish in Colorado. I wish I had the picture to show you...Taleigh has this incredibly confused/concentrated look on her face in way too cute of an outfit to fly fishing in with huge hoop earrings on. Well, Taleigh attempted the outdoors again, but this time she looked like she was enjoying herself a little bit more, maybe because of the certain someone who was taking the picture. Taleigh actually shot 2 rabbits with Lance's 12 gauge! I know, I was shocked too. Congrats Taleigh, though we still think Lance was behind you shooting those rabbits for you! :)

Last day of MDO

Today is Cade's last day of Mom's Day Out. He has come to love going to school to see all his friends. He loves to look at his class picture and name everyone. I was thinking back to the beginning of school and I now realize how much Cade has grown up this year. In the beginning it was a fight every time I dropped Cade off. I remember wanting so badly for him to go in like all the other boys and girls. Well, that day came. He went in to class and he didn't even whimper. My heart just sank. Yes, I was so proud of him for going into class so well, but I just remember being sad....it was so nice to be wanted. Now Cade runs into class, but he always remembers to give me a kiss. If he forgets it won't take long and he runs back to the door, gives me a kiss and then goes back to playing. My favorite part of the day is when I get to pick him up. Cade always runs towards me and gives me a BIG hug. His teachers, Mrs. Laura and Mrs. Lesly, have been wonderful. They have taught him so well. Cade often does or says things that I find out later had been done in class. They also do those messy things that I am not quite ready to try at home, yet. You know...finger painting, gluing, etc. You know, come to think of it they even played in the dirt when they were talking about spring and plants!! I have art work on my fridge because of them! Cade loves to point to his pictures that he's made, he is always so proud! At the beginning of the year Cade would throw a fit when his hands got dirty. No finger painting for Cade! Well, now he does much better. I got a report on Tuesday that he let them paint his hands!! Yea! I know they may not feel like they have done much, but they have left their mark. They have given Cade opportunities that he wouldn't have had otherwise and taught Cade about so many things. I am most thankful that they have taught Cade about Jesus. Cade will really miss his teachers and friends this summer. Thank you Mrs. Laura and Mrs. Lesly!
(Mrs. Lesly was absent on picture day along with 1 of his other friends :( )

baby dedication

Today was Reid's baby dedication at church. We stood in front of the church and made a commitment to raise Reid in an environment where he has many opportunities to know God. It is also a time where the church is asked to pray for the children and the parents. It is so special to me to be able to do this with my children. I was raised in this church and I know that there were so many people who have prayed for me as I have grown up there. That church feels like my second home and I hope my boys will feel the same way as they grow up. There are so many things that I want my children to do and so many wishes I have for them, but my one prayer is that they will come to know the Lord and have an intimate relationship with Him. I was honored to have my dad pray at the end of the dedication. My parents have given me every opportunity to know the Lord and have shown me over and over again what godly parents are. I couldn't have had better examples.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.



This is the picture that was shown on the big screen. Check out those baby blues!
Our family in front of the church with Stephanie Thames, the Children's minister.
This is my dad praying over us. Tessa....your supposed to be praying, not playing! :)

My mom made Reid's dedication outfit. She did an awesome job. Thank you Mimi!

I have video of the dedication and I am hoping to figure out how to download it and post it for you to see.

my little baby

Last Sunday we went to the Meers for dinner. (Thank you Jenn for a yummy birthday dinner and very yummy cake!) Cade and Maci had quite the time playing all evening. At one point they came around the corner and Maci was pushing Cade in the baby stroller! They took turns pushing each other around the house, it was absolutely hilarious!

the bus!!!

So, I forgot to blog this when it happened, but I ran over Cade's bus. Yes, the one he threw at Reid. The day I decided to give the bus back it found it's way behind my tire. It was a total accident and I felt SO bad. Well, thank goodness Mrs. Davis was going back to Gatesville (that's where she bought it). This time she bought 2!! This picture was taken last Sunday right after he got his bus back. We were in the parking lot leaving church and he decided that he didn't want to get in the car. He wanted to sit on the curb and watch all the cars leave while playing with his bus! The bus has gone everywhere with us lately. It is the perfect size and Cade loves it! Thank you again Mrs. Davis!

My birthday

Last Saturday was my birthday. Matt and Cade started the celebration Friday night by going out to get me a treat. Cade picked out my birthday balloon....really, he did. Matt had picked out another one and Cade spotted this one and started making train noises! I loved the balloon, it's actually still in the living room and Cade and I talk about it all the time! The boys also got me a dozen red roses and a frosty from Wendy's. What a way to start my birthday! On my actual birthday I went to my parents house to help my mom strip and paint furniture. I needed to paint a headboard that we bought Cade in Tomball, so I figured we could do both of our furniture at once. I know some of you are saying that isn't such a great way to spend your birthday, but I really enjoyed it. The weather was BEAUTIFUL and it was a great excuse to stay outside all day. It was an awesome birthday! Thank you Matt for making me feel special!



I got called away from my painting to see this.....Cade picking up a frog and putting him in the pool. Yes, my little boy who hates his hands being dirty picked up a slimy frog multiple times! EWWWW!!!!

working on the furniture

my little red raider enjoyed sitting outside all day, too!

monkey business

What an exciting morning it has been! It started out when I went in to Cade's room and he was standing on his changing table reaching for the books off the shelf that is hanging on the wall! He had a paci in his mouth that was once on the window seal...how did he get that?? (By the way...we are getting rid of the paci this week. I cut the end off on Tuesday and so far it's gone well. He only had them at sleep times. However, as I am writing this I am listening to him cry in his room and he's asking for the paci :( ). So, we got his room back in order and went about the normal morning routine. I actually got to sit and hold Reid for awhile this morning, things were going well. All of the sudden I heard an odd noise coming from the kitchen. Cade had gotten into the fridge and spilled Matt's entire pitcher FULL of green kool-aid! It was under the fridge, in the bottom shelves, all over the floor, all over him.....EVERYWHERE. I cleaned it up and got passed that. We made it to lunch time...Cade was eating his lunch at the table so well so I decided to run in the other room and put a load of towels on. This is what I came back to (excuse the no clothes....remember, he had green kool-aid everywhere)!

I actually had the camera nearby and when I pulled it out he just smiled and said cheese! Oh, Cade is such a cute boy, but he sure keeps me on my toes!