Glorious Day!

Carter took this picture of the trees in our backyard. It just seems happy to me!
Today was just such a good day I had to share! I played the organ for the first time in church today, I was nervous out of my mind but it went great. I know I was blessed beyond my ability. I bore my testimony for the first time in almost a year, though I can never get the words out in a coherent manner I felt stronger from the experience. Carter sat through church with Joe and was an angel, also he was just in the best mood ever all day- and when you are 2 1/2 and church is from 2-5 pm that's impressive:). We also realized we had a flat tire when we pulled out of the church parking lot but four people from our ward stopped and offered to help- do we live in the greatest ward or what?! Carter went to bed early, Joe and I had a great devotional and football time and I'm getting to bed by 11:15 pm. Does life get any better than this- I submit that it cannot:).

Carter and Daddy...

On New Years Day we drove out to the Mall of Georgia to see what all the hype was about. Carter is not a fan of long drives in the car and this was about 45 minutes each way but once Joe hit the backseat neither one wanted to go home. Lot of giggling and headlocking going on back there:). It was really a father and son day, I was just the cameraman and chauffer. Come April though we'll have another girl in the fam to even out the fam. If only I could have captured the "yeehaw" from the guys carousel ride, I don't know which of the two enjoyed that ride more. And for the record, don't judge me- Carter only gets that paci when he's sleeping but when he's sick it's fair game:)!!

Carter and Mommy

Carter and I have a lot of fun together every day- there can't be anything as great as being a Mom. Hanging out with little people who ask "why not" all day and speaking creative english- can't be beat. I do miss sleeping well and going to the bathroom by myself- but the smiles are worth the chronic bags under my eyes. Carter loves the rain and it can really pour here so a few times we took chairs outside would take turns running into the pouring rain. We were freezing, but it wasn't anything hot chocolate couldn't fix. And I wonder why he's had a cough for four weeks...:). I wish he could remember these times. Also he loves the camera. Joe gives me a bad time for letting him play with something worth hundreds of dollars but he's got a good eye, and I finally have pictures of myself! Mommy and the ceiling fan are his subjects of choice.

Thanksgiving/Christmas at 365 Hawks Circle

We had the good fortune of having people come to us for the holidays this year!! My family came for Thanksgiving and Joe's family came for Christmas. They were all very patient with our construction zone, and we even put a few of them to work:). Carter always grows in leaps and bounds with people around and has picked up quite a few new vocabulary. Plus I think our families quote Carter now on occasion too! Highlights of the seasons: We cut down our own Christmas tree this year, we did go a little overboard though as it was 11' tall...! We managed to seat all 10 people here for Thanksgiving dinner, though we got creative and used our desk and overstuffed chair. My mom, sisters and I canned five turkeys. Decorating our christmas tree with a ladder. And we spent a lot of time in our pajamas. We made and delivered a LOT of cookies this year, we coerced Carter into the long delivery evenings with hot chocolate and candy canes, that could be why he has been sick for four weeks...:). Joe got in more than his fair share of football as well, he justifies it because Carter will sometimes sit down and watch with him. Especially if it's bedtime, Carter will run to the couch and say "No wanna go bed, watch football". Joe could not be prouder. Happy holidays everyone!

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Halloween 2006 vs. 2007

So, we've also had a couple of holidays since I've been a good blogger. I got real creative with Carter's Halloween costume and he was the same thing he was last year:). No one here had seen it and I didn't have to stress- plus he is so super cute as a Marine!

New York Trip...

I haven't been sleeping well so I'm trying a new thing, not taking naps. This is day 2 and although it pains me to not be unconscious when Carter is, it turns out that I find myself with an extra few hours on my hands every day! So- BLOG UPDATES!! I'm going to jump back to August because I don't think I posted anything about my big trip last year. My Mom, four sisters and I all took a trip to New York together this year. It was suppossed to be a childless trip for all of us but one of my sisters had a newborn and things didn't work out for me because Carter came into the city with us almost every day. Maybe next time...:). But both little people were great, they probably handled the long Manhattan days better than the ladies did but it was SO much fun! We got lost on the Subway regularly, ate delicious food and had a karaoke dance party with Joe's Dad as our DJ. We stayed with Joe's parents for the week and they were so fabulous to us! I know they must have been drained when we left but we are still so grateful to them for their hospitality. Here is a collection of our memories...

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I forgot to mention that somehow Joe weedled his way into the end of our trip. He is always looking for excuses to go to New York and have his Mom take care of him (I can't compete:)

Tagged...

Okay, sorry this is so long in coming Courtney, but I was tagged weeks ago and now I'm finally responding. Six things people probably don't know about me was kind of hard because I'm a pretty open person but here goes...

1) I did an all important study in college and determined that Burger King has the best french fry. That's strictly from a fast food stand point, steak fries are hard to beat. Needless to say I do like my fried potatoe but I usually do a good job of maintaining my distance.

2) I can't stand to sleep with my socks on. A good night sleep requires a little chill in the air, a big warm blanket, a big warm Joe and no socks. It's the only way I sleep.

3) I am almost 20 weeks pregnant and we are having a girl. We don't normally keep big secrets but due to our miscarriage earlier this year we have been a little close mouthed about it and then with all our house projects time has flown. My favorite part about the whole thing is when Carter rubs my tummy and talks about his baby sister- hope he still feels so compassionate towards her come April. Oh yea, she's due on Carters birthday- April 28th.

4) I find therapy in cleaning, and I am a compulsive cleaner. I vacuum out the couch, dust the fans, and move all furniture to vacuum on a regular basis. If I'm mad or upset I clean and somehow it puts things in perspective. But I hate to mop, that always leaves me worse than when I started.

5) Okay, here's one even Joe doesn't know the extent of. I keep Subway in business. I LOVE turkey and ham on honey oat and I've even gotten Carter on the wagon. It's also my pregnancy craving and since being able to eat again (yea for second trimesters!) I make it to Subway 3-4 times a week. Here's to hoping Joe never reads this...

6) I love horses, most of that probably stems from an infatuation with Tom Burlinson (anyone seen Man From Snowy River?). I love living in our area, right out of our neigorhood there are lots of horses- Joe, Carter and I are all fans. It would be great to take riding lessons again, maybe it's in my future.


I think I'm supposed to tag someone at this point but EVERYONE on my list of bloggers has been tagged before. But it's been fun to be one of you- have a great weekend! And I'll add pictures from the last 2 holidays soon:).