Woody's Third Birthday Party

Like I said, Woody had a very low-key party this year, but fun and full of memories nonetheless! He adores Catch Air, and they were great in helping me plan the easiest party ever. They took care of almost everything except the cake (which my talented friend, Tippi made.) I made a small banner and the gift bags, but Catch Air can make you gift bags as well (I had to craft a little bit.)

Seriously, how cute!? Tippi is amazing. It tasted as good as it looked too. (If you are in the Atlanta area, hit me up for her info! She make a mean cheese straw as well.)

The inside of the cake

My contributions

The inside was mostly full of generic, non-Pinterest worthy junk...except the bubbles. Those were cute bubbles.

Woody was so excited for his birthday party. He kept asking, "Is it time now?" (His brother was not in a great mood and got sent home early.)

Woody's buddies telling him "Happy Birthday." Obviously, he was overjoyed.

The next are blurry. Basically, Mickey came out to dance with Woody, and he lost his mind. Then he realized no one was on the slide and ditched the mouse. 

That face! I cannot wait for Disney World!

Isn't his shirt cute? My sweet sister made it.

Trying to get a picture 

The kid second to the right of Mickey was photo crasher.

Almost everyone...

Singing Happy Birthday

Appreciating the banner I made him...or spelling his name for everyone

On Saturday, Brooks's parents stopped by in the morning to spend some time with us. Jim had just flown in from Hawaii, and Pam had spent the past two weeks with her mother. It was so kind of them to come over, especially with how tired they were!

After the boys took a nap, my parents, sister, brother-in-law, nieces, and nephew came by. We ate cupcakes and went to dinner together. We attempted a photo of the grandkids (cue laughter.)

Since that went so well, we ventured outside to get some picture with my mom and dad. We actually got some decent shots.

We met back up on Sunday because my parents were taking the older three grandkids to Stone Mountain, and the boys and I decided to tag along. I didn't last long, as I thought that at any moment I would pass out from the heat. I don't know how my parents kept up with the kids and stayed all day long.

The kids loved the train!

I have to give my parents one last shout-out, because after all that, they came by Monday morning and kept my boys while I went to the doctor. Thank you, thank you!!

Happy Anniversary and Birthday, Brooks!

Every year, on our anniversary, I write a blog. (You can read them here: year three, year four, year five, year six.) It is the only tradition I have kept up on this blog. Well, until this year. Our seventh anniversary was on Sunday. We spent the day driving home from Alabama, in which I wasn't feeling well and required Brooks to stop every fifteen minutes. And he did, without complaining. 

Today, my amazing husband also turns one year older. It has had me thinking of all the milestones we have shared. Seven years of marriage, three years of watching him be the father to our children, celebrating ten birthdays together. 

When we got married, our pastor (who also did our pre-marriage counseling and gave some of the best advice ever) warned us that sometimes, where couples have been married a while, it becomes very difficult to remain in love with each other. There are stresses such as finances, children, schedules that make life busy and hectic, and it is easy to forget about your partner. 

We definitely face all of those challenges, and life is not as carefree as when we met that summer in college or even when we first married. But despite working over twelve hour days, commitments to his small group at church, and being the best father to our children, he continues to make me feel like a priority. He is the kindest husband. He gets up with the boys in the morning and lets me sleep, helps with housework, and even writes me sweet notes and leaves them in my car. He wrestles with the boys, reads them stories, takes them on walks (sometimes very early might I add), prays with them and for them. 

And even with all of these wonderful things, the thing I most admire about Brooks is that he makes every person he comes in contact with feel like a person. You can find him on holidays talking with my grandmother (who suffers from Supranuclear Palsy) about hamburgers. At the drive-thru, he asks the cashier not only how their day is going, but their life in general. He recently invited a homeless man to join us for dinner since it was raining outside. I know, he is the Godly man that my momma prayer for me. He is the husband and father you pray your son becomes and your daughter marries. Happy Birthday (and belated anniversary) , Brooks. I love you so. 

Happy Birthday, Woody!

When I turned eleven (and was probably too old to still play "Momma") I asked for a "real baby" doll for my birthday. The doll store had beautiful, live-like girl dolls- with real hair and cute clothes. But I wasn't interested in those. I picked out a baby boy, named him Johnny, and snuck him in the car whenever my mom wasn't looking.

I think I knew then I was destined to have boys. And three years ago, God gave me my first-born son. 

We didn't know if Woody (aka Jammer) was a boy or a girl until Brooks announced it after my c-section. My mother later reminded me, "You finally have your 'real baby' boy." 

The past three years have been such a joy with Woody. He has been my baby. But as the JonJons are getting smaller, I am having to accept that he is turning into a real big boy. He definitely has developed opinions on what he wears, eats, watches, and plays. His baby jabbering has turned into words, even sentences. He puts his shoes on and pulls them off on his own. He can climb any playground without fear. He has mastered the fork, spoon, and open cups. He has moved out of his crib and into a bed. And (I know that) soon he will be out of diapers. 

It sometimes hurts to know that he is growing daily, from a baby to a boy. However, I am learning to embrace these amazing things he is learning to do (on his time.) When he says his sweet bedtime prayers with a kiss and a "I wub you, Momma," I know how blessed I am that I am that God gave me Woody. I pray that he continues to grow and look forward to watching him mature physically, mentally, and spiritually (as well as with the potty.)

Happy Birthday, Woody. Dabby and I love you more than you will ever know!

Great Deal on a Beautiful Bed

Very random, but I couldn't help but share! World Market (one of my favorite stores for affordable furniture) has this beautiful daybed for a great price. I can't speak for this daybed, but we got Woody's daybed from World Market and the quality is great.

Eloise Daybed

This bed is such a great price at only $269.99. I think it would look amazing in a bedroom or formal living room. But, if you are in the market for a larger bed, the Eloise Queen Canopy bed is also on sale for only $341.99!

Metal Eloise Canopy Queen Bed

I may be off to try and talk Brooks into a bed I don't need!

Potty School Drop-Outs

Lately, we've been thinking about potty training. I bought some Thomas the Train pull-ups and some Disney underwear. He decided he didn't like either... He asked for a "baby diaper" instead. Last Thursday was the first day he agreed to wear underwear. So far, we have one successful trip to the potty (documented above.) We returned back to Target this week where I spent $40 on those Gerber training pants and Thomas underwear that Woody insisted on getting. We wore these, sat on the potty every ten minutes, but proceeded to wet in his underwear anyway and say, "Thomas wet, Momma." He doesn't get it, I end up crying by noon, so we are quitting for a while. I simply cannot say, "Do you need to go teetee in the potty?" one more time. (Only to have Woody say, "Nope." as I watch urine stream down his leg.) I would love any helpful hints or tip when we try this again. However, I would not like any, "Why isn't he potty trained yet?" comments. 

Gaines on the other hand is completely over baby diapers. He takes them off and squats on the family room rug. (I would show you a picture, but Brooks objected.) He has been wearing a lot of onsies and overalls lately.

Woody is almost three. This is a big deal. His party won't be. It will be of the Catch Air variety. I think he will prefer this. Keeping it honest, after Gaines stomach virus the night before his party (not his fault, I know), I kind of got the "plan a big, fun party" wind taken out of my sail.

Besides pooping on my rug, Gaines is growing too. He is the man of many nicknames- Peepers, Gippy, Gips, Bruiser, and lately he has been reminding me of this guy...

Because he will bite down on you with all those teeth and then give you the sweetest hug while he pats your back.

And to keep my momma happy, some pictures of my sweet boys

That's all, folks!

Happy Weekend!

The Swag

Senior Harvards generously took us to The Swag in Waynesville, NC. Brooks's sister (Savanna), her husband (Jake), Brooks, and I stayed in the Two Story cabin, which was awesome with its outdoor tub, shower, and pool table. The food was incredible and the hiking was actually enjoyable and pretty (I typically don't "love" hiking...ask about our engagement story.) 

Senior Harvards joked that it was like adult summer camp- I agree!

This was taken Saturday morning before our hike. We walked up to Gooseberry Knob, which was a short walk from our cabin. They have nice little chairs and a hammock where you can relax. (The sticks Savanna and I are carrying are souvenirs they give you when you check-in. Brooks used his as a drum major baton.)

Hiking up Hemphill Bald

 At the top! Brooks picked a bouquet of wildflowers that I added to my ponytail. (He's the sweetest.)

(Jake, Savanna, me, Brooks, Pam, Jim)

Saturday Night Dinner

Thank you Pam and Jim for this wonderful weekend away!