Atlanta, Georgia: Zoo Atlanta with Papa

Our zoo membership ends this month, so we wanted to squeeze in one more visit before it expires.  It was an extra special treat since Papa was here visiting too.  It was a little warm and a little crowded, but as always we made the most of it.
 

My boys were addicted to the head hole signs that day.  Every cut out they would smile and say cheese and wait for me to snap a picture.
 

This lion sign below only had one hole so the boys wanted to share.  Gavin made room for Logan but then tried to squeeze his head back inside.  I love those two.
 

All the animals were pretty lazy that day but the tigers.  Man, they put on a show just in time for us.  It was a rare treat.
 

Peachtree City, Georgia: Soccer Game #3

Gavin had his third soccer game this weekend, and he did so much better than game two.  Soccer comes naturally for him which is a good thing since we are learning he is pretty competitive.  His self-proclaimed goal count this week was four, but we can only confirm three of those.  Like most kids his age, snacks after the game is always a highlight.  Not one parent has served orange slices yet though.  Am I the only one who grew up playing soccer with orange slices as their post game snack?  Man, times have changed.

My favorite shot from this game is the top right one.  Believe it or not, Gavin still scored off this possession but it was pretty funny to watch everyone scramble for the ball.
 

Here is cheerleader Logan.  I love three things about this picture: his self-applied backwards hat, toddlers wearing flip flops, and his magic colors changing in the sun t-shirt.

Papa Forbes was in town for this game too, but I did not get a shot of the sidelines.  The soccer games only last 30 minutes but it amazing how fast the time flies when you are watching and cheering.

Atlanta, Georgia: The Georgia Dome

 

Are you ready for some football? This was the tune that Sean and I sang all day on Monday.  We were pumped to see our first NFL game together, and it just so happened to be Monday Night Football at the Georgia Dome.  Thank goodness for the dome too since it was pouring rain that evening.  It was the Atlanta Falcons against the Denver Broncos, or more specifically we went to watch Peyton Manning play.  Poor Manning had a pretty rough night for the Broncos walked away with a loss against the Falcons.  The crowd had lots of energy and we both were pretty impressed with how Atlanta does football.  So many shirts, prizes, and gifts were given away to entire sections of the stadium.  The breaks for commercials made the game pretty long especially since it started at 8:45pm.  We finally made it home around 1:30am that night.  Thank goodness for such a willing and retired grandmother to allow the boys to have a sleepover that night.  We are relishing these dates together just like we used to as newlyweds.   

But if not, we will still love the Lord.

Four weeks ago today our family experienced a loss as I suffered a miscarriage.  This type of tragedy is somewhat internal and often talked about in hushed conversations.  And yet the more I share the news the more I realize just how many women have already experienced this same pain.  I feel at peace with this loss and have now for several weeks.  This blog is a family record of sorts and thus it feels appropriate to enter it into our family history.

After dinner that Sunday evening, Sean and I went to the hospital knowing the prognosis long before the ER doctor finally announced it to us.  We left the hospital heartbroken and empty-handed.  Like our others, this pregnancy was planned and this pregnancy had been celebrated.  We had broke the news to our family, and we were about to break the news slowly to close friends.  Instead we had to retract our announcements and share the news of our loss just two days later.

It seemed like I cried for two days straight.  I cried in the shower and into my pillow at night.  I cried about how much my heart hurt.  I had a follow-up two days after the ER and there the doctor gave me the confidence to be me again.  I walked out of there content and finally at peace.

Then a close friend shared with me the following quote.  Hope swelled in my heart where once there was a void.  An apostle from my church stated, "The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss.  That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way.  While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."  The quote in its context can be found here in a talk given by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin.

I know every word of that statement to be true.  I know that our time and the Lord's time do not always sync here on earth.  But I know the Lord loves us.  We will try again some day for we feel our family is not complete.  But if not, we will still love the Lord.

Hair They Are!

They grow-up fast, so does their hair.
It was time for a new hairdo.

Turner Field: Sweet Home...Georgia

Take me out to the ball game... then follow with a Lynyd Skynyrd concert.  This was the tune we were singing over Labor Day weekend.  After a scrumptious brunch, we headed into Atlanta for a Saturday afternoon ball game.  We enjoyed some hot dogs, the tomahawk chop, and the glorious shade.  The best decision we made was to buy tickets in the shade on that hot, hot afternoon.

Immediately following the game, we were free to move about the stadium for the post-game concert.  Jacksonville natives Lynyrd Skynrd was taking the stage singing such classics as "Sweet Home Alabama," "Free Bird," and "Simple Man."  We had prepped the boys before the game with some of the songs, so Gavin and Logan were happily rocking along with the crowd.  In fact, we still catch Gavin signing "Sweet Home Alabama" around the house, but he twisted the song to "Sweet Home Georgia."  Same tune just different words.

 

Logan's favorite part was the tomahawk chomp, over and over again.
 

Brothers for life!
 

Concert Time!
 

Happy 31st Birthday, Sean!

September 11th, albeit a tender day of national memory, is a celebratory day in our house.  It is Sean's birthday and we like to make him feel special.  The man works hard for our family and we sure do love him.  This year Gavin and Logan got to peruse Target in search of the perfect present for their dad.  The boys (and I mean mainly Gavin) decided on a three pack of nerf suction guns.  One suction gun for each daddy, Gavin and Logan.  Gavin's excitement for Sean's birthday was surreal for everyday he would tell Sean "Dad, I can never tell you the surprise until your birthday."  Gavin impressively kept the secret from Sean for three weeks, but the minute Sean came home from work on his birthday Gavin exploded with the news.  Sean was moments from opening his birthday presents anyway, so we all shared a good laugh.

Here the balloons are blown-up, cards signed, and the presents wrapped.  The boys were ready to party.
 

Among other gracious gifts from family, I gave Sean two tickets to the Uproar Rock Music Festival.  Good thing he gave me the other ticket!  There were three stages with the main stage featuring Adelitas Way, Staind, Dietypunch, and Shinedown.  We had an awesome time and remembered how much we love live music.  Our first date nine years ago was to see the Offspring at a small club downtown Salt Lake City that has since burned down. No worries for our love is still burning strong.
 

Apparently Sean mentioned to his coworkers last week that he has never caught a drum stick or guitar pick that bands throw from the stage.  Well little did he know that there were concert tickets waiting for him on his birthday and he would be lucky enough to catch a drum stick last night.  See folks, dreams do come true.

Above is a shot of all four bands rockin' out.  You can tell the crowd gets bigger and the sets get more elaborate with each band.  Rock on!

Atlanta Motor Speedway: NASCAR Truck Race

When in the South, do as the Southerns do!  Sean, Gavin, and I went on a date the Friday over Labor Day weekend to the NASCAR truck race.  The race was the perfect length for Gavin's attention.  He spent most of the race on Sean's lap and kept looking for Lightening McQueen.  The weather was perfect and the evening race made for a colorful night sky.  Gavin loved having us all to himself but was ready to see Logan again when it was over.  At the end of the race, Gavin said, "Logan misses me, mom.  I miss him a little too."  I do not remember who won, but whomever it was the crowd went wild with excitement.  It was fun night to introduce Gavin into auto racing.
 

 

A Rainy Day

A rainy day has never stopped us from having fun.
We love a good Georgia rain storm.
 

 

First Day Feedback

Gavin's first day of school lived up to all expectations.  Most of his classmates moved up to three days a week just like him, so he immediately knew everyone in his class.  Gavin is usually pretty chatty after school so, I love walking home to maximize the time and attention he gives to describing his day.  I might have underestimated his first day energy level though, because half way home he had to take a rest in a neighbor's yard to regain his strength.

After we made it home, Gavin showed me a book they made titled 'All About Us.'  Inside the book was one page devoted to each child in his class with basic information about them.  My heart broke when I finally read Gavin's page and what he likes to play with.  His brother, of course.  Then my heart laughed when I read his favorite food and favorite toy.  He never gets any candy and he has never seen a Bakugan.  
 

PTC Lazers Soccer: The Hawks First Game

Gavin had his first soccer game today with his good ole pop as coach.  Yes, you read that correct!  I am posting something that actually occurred on the same day.  I blame it on watching college football this afternoon.  Logan watches college football like an old man apparently.

I digress.  Back to soccer.

Go Hawks!  All the boys did great, but we were especially proud of our own.  At practice on Thursday, Gavin was the one lying on field and running the opposite way from the goal.  He was being a classic coach's son.  But today, Gavin was one of the two fastest and dominated the ball whenever he played.  Even when kids collided Gavin charged through the tumbles and soared onto victory.  Soared like a hawk, baby!
  

Coach Miner led the Hawks to a great start.  Here's to more crazy Saturday mornings filled with sweaty soccer!

Peachtree City, Georgia: First Day of Preschool

Monday, August 27th was Gavin's first day of preschool.  This is his second year of preschool and we absolutely love the program where he attends.  Gavin was the first to wake that morning and was bubbling with so much excitement.  The overzealous mother that I am took way too many pictures.  And just like his brother, Logan wanted to be in every shot too.  Please do not feel too bad for Logan since when we got home from dropping Gavin off he ruled the house like a king.
      

More overzealousness: here is Gavin's 2nd day of school.
 

Now Sean and I pray Gavin's enthusiasm for school lasts 12+ more years.

Jacksonville, Florida: Last trip before Preschool

I am starting to post out of chronological order, but at least I am blogging right?  Since preschool started at the end of August and our calendar was open the week before, we jumped in the car for one last trip. With a busy schedule of his own, we were lucky to visit my father in sunny Florida.  Although, it did not turn out to be as sunny as expected.  No matter, because it was not about the weather but the company we kept.

Even on vacation, we maintain story time before bed.
 

Every time we cross Papa's tracks, Logan always exclaimed "no train."  Well we were lucky on this trip for we got to see not one but two trains pass.  As Gavin would say, "We were so lucky!"  Logan is being silly by plugging his ears for the train was never that loud.
 

One day we went to Papa's local inflatable jumping house and I fell in love with a boom-a-rang gaming table.  I loved the smaller design compared to the traditional design of air hockey tables.  I foresee one in our basement some day.
 

Our beautiful, completely stormy day at the beach!  Total bummer!  We had the place to ourselves and for good reason.  Despite the light rain, we lasted out there for about one hour then headed to the splash pad.

We figured the boys were already wet and sandy from the ocean, so why not wash them off at the splash pad.  Again, the whole area was a ghost town.
 

 

 

We had a musical hour one morning featuring the likes of Forbes, Miner, and Miner.  Their album is due out later this fall.
 

And here is our vacation via Instagram.

Another Instagram Upload

Logan licking peanut butter off his plate * Running at the Newnan Splash Pad
Playing at Monkey Joe's Inflatables * My sleeping babe
 

An oldie from April in Sean's phone * Celebrating 8 years of marriage at the Atlanta Fish Market
Cockroach caught in the screen (story below) * Logan racing at Monkey Joe's
 

Gavin excited about his school bus craft * Said preschool countdown
Logan playing again but this at Partner's Pizza * Playing in a Georgia rain storm
 

Now for the cockroach story.  On accident, we trapped a cockroach in between the screen and the window of our guest bedroom.  As an experiment of survival, we kept the sucker trapped to see how long he could live.  Well folks, he lasted three weeks until he finally turned upside down.  Three weeks! That's survival of the fittest right there!  

Brothers on the Couch

There is no back story here.  Nothing clever or funny was said.
Instead it was a quite moment in the morning that was tender to my heart.

In a Nutshell

This is how much fun we have had the past few months.
Despite being so fair, I live for the sun.  It makes me happy.
I love summer and all its happiness. 

Summer Spent at the Pool

We were lucky enough to get lots of pool time in this summer.  Both boys were at great ages for water independence which created freedom for me to swim.  The community where my mother moved into here in Peachtree City had a vacant pool always inviting us.  You know how tan I am, so naturally it makes sense that we spent so much time in the sun.  I am happy to report that not once did anyone resemble a lobster.  Go team Kristen!
 

Brotherhood is a beautiful thing to watch amongst these two.
These two shots below were naturally set up and not prompted by me at all.