Halloween 2010

Ty loves pictures, can you tell? LOL

Layla as the mermaid Ariel
Brie as a vampire
Ty as a monkey
Drew as a lion

This is the only picture we got of Ty's hood up.

Ty's very first time going Trick-or-Treating.

Drew & Big Grandma

Dana love'n on the little lion

"Here Daddy, hold my candy for me so I can go get more!"

We finished the day visiting our nephews Griffin & Brayton, and niece Montana at their church's fall festival.

Family Pictures 2010

Pictures by Brooke @ Purple Lilly Photography

It's "Gween"!

Awhile back we were having an issue with Ty coming in our room and wanting to get up at 5am. We'd walk him back to bed and tell him it wasn't time yet. He'd stay in there for about 10 min or so, and come back in saying, "Mommy, Daddy, get up". It had been 10 minutes...surely it was time now, he thought. And we'd repeat the cycle for several days before we finally decided this wasn't just a phase.

Thankfully, one of the great benefits to Facebook, is that I could post this problem, and receive lots of feedback from other parents. One of them suggested getting the Teach Me Time clock. $50 seemed pricey, but at 5am I'd pay anything to sleep just a bit longer. So we gave it a try. And...

It works!!!!
This clock is so cool. It functions as a nightlight, displaying a yellow color. And at whatever time you set, it will turn green telling your child it's ok to get up. Of course it took some practice. At first, he'd still come in our room at 5am. We'd ask, "Is it green yet?" And he's say, "No, lello (yellow)". And we'd say, "Ok, it's not time to get up yet, go back to bed." We had to repeat the process a few times. But each night, the process was fewer and fewer. Til finally he now stays in his room until 7:00 where he bursts into my rooms saying, "Mommy, it's gween!".

My "After Party"

I recently attended a Celebration of Life for a friend of mine who passed away. Leaving there, my mindset on funerals totally changed (at least how I want mine to be anyway). I know...this is totally morbid to think about. But it's important to let those you love know your wishes. And after reading a fellow blogger's post on the same topic, I was inspired to post my thoughts.

Mrs. Vicky Lacy's funeral was a CELEBRATION. For one, it was at her home church. Where else should such a celebration of a homecoming be held than in the very place she worshiped God each Sunday? In lieu of flowers, the family requested that guests bring bouquets of balloons. It was a beautiful sight as I walked in, to what is usually a very somber situation, to balloons everywhere. Of course there will be tears, but I'd like them to be broken up with great singing and worship. Now...as if this post isn't morbid enough...I've also had a change of heart about cremation. It's always seemed so strange and scary to me. But letting a body decay and take up space is also not-so-appealing. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, right? Plus there's no awkwardness of having a body present at the funeral and last memories with that mental picture.

Anyway, do what you want...I'll be gone & basking in God's presence by time this happens. Just thought I'd share :)

The Busy Life of Drew

Drew is growing so fast. He does something new almost everyday. So I try to keep my camera handy and capture the moments as they happen. Here are a few recent developments :)

He's starting to sit up by himself for a few seconds.

He loves to play with his toys. And of course, everything goes in his mouth. We've had drool for months now...no teeth yet.

He's moved up from the baby bath tub into a bath seat and is enjoying trying to grab all the toys.

He's pushing up (and of course, smiling all the time)...

...and up on all fours ready to crawl.

Walk to Remember 2010

It was a soggy Walk to Remember this year, but still a beautiful scene to see all the people who came out to remember the precious lives of our babies.

Ty was VERY excited about the hallway FULL of balloons.
Family members are encouraged to take a balloon and write their baby's name or whatever they'd like on the balloon. We then carry the ballons on the walk & release them at the end of the ceremony. The sea of balloons is a beautiful sight, this year it was more of a sea of umbrellas as we walked ;)

My amazing friend, Jennifer Howe, and her boys came out to support me :)

I thought it was cute seeing Ty's drawings on the balloons this year.
We have a purple one for Riley who would be 3 1/2 years old now.
And another purple balloon for our baby who we miscarried in 2006.
The silver balloon was Ty's special balloon that he wanted to draw a doggie on. I guess he thought his brothers in Heaven needed a pet.

I enjoy doing these things...Rain or Shine.

Rascal's Fun Zone

We enjoyed some fun family time last night at Rascal's Fun Zone!