the party

Papa picked up little man a cake....YES, they spelled his name wrong! Good thing Preston cannot read!

A very loud, very off-key version of the Happy Birthday song!

JP picked out a dog book for the birthday boy...

oh how he loved the cake!

I will post the rest of Preston's birthday pictures when I am not about to fall asleep! As you can tell, this was his FAVORITE part of the night...

happy birthday, preston!!

(March 28, 2011)
(2012)

" A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world." John 16:21

Tears are streaming down my face as I write this post. First of all, let me preface my emotions by telling you that this Saturday night, I am singing the song, Blessings, by Laura Story at a church dinner theatre. So, I have been practicing that song all week. For those of you who have NOT heard this song, STOP READING AND GO TO YOUTUBE.COM AND LISTEN TO IT!! It is the most amazing song. The artist wrote the lyrics in honor of her husband who has cancer. She sings about how sometimes God's blessings are disguised as trials.

How true.

Today is our little Preston's 1st birthday! As I sit here and think back over the past year and everything my sister has had to endure to be Preston's mommy, it literally makes my heart ache. Physically, Laurie will never be the same. The dynamics of my parent's home have been turned upside down. But, you know what? It's okay... it is NOT in vain. God took a situation in my sister's life that Satan intended for harm, and through it, allowed her to unwrap one of His most precious gifts! We give Him the praise, honor, and glory for all He has done! Happy birthday, Peanut, we love you!

You are definitely this family's blessing in disguise!

the new driveway

Papa and Nanny put in a circular driveway! In other words, they put in a cool place for the boys to play! JP loves to ride his scooter down the drive, but now we definitely have to get him a helmet. Preston doesn't use his walker anymore, (now that he's walking full-time), but it did come in handy chasing JP! They had so much fun.

I took these pictures before mom, Laurie and I took them to the mall. Laurie had to buy Preston his first pair of REAL shoes. He rarely crawls anymore, so he needed some protection for daycare. BTW, Stride Rite ROCKS! His little shoes are too cute.

We had a fairly restful weekend. Scott played in a golf tournament, so JP and I just hung out most of the time. Church was really great today...no one enjoys Kidspring more than JP! He wakes up every Sunday so excited. The rest of the afternoon we have been so lazy. Before Scott got home, JP watched a new movie in his room while I got some much needed writing done.

Mom and I have to type up the FINAL draft of our manuscript and write our query letter. Once we decide on an agency, we'll send it with our fingers crossed! I can write more on this topic later, but I think we are going to make our book a series. I hope that we are able to sell the first book, because I have a lot of ideas for other books.

I hope everyone has had a nice weekend! We have booked a condo in the middle of downtown Gatlinburg for a long weekend during spring break. We are finally going to buy Dollywood season passes, so maybe a good portion of our summer will be spent in Tennessee!

GOODNIGHT! :)

happy 3rd birthday, sweet coleman!

We celebrated our nephew, Coleman's birthday today at Giggle Bugs in Greer. The kiddos had so much fun! My creative, talented sister-in-law MADE the above cake out of cupcakes! Didn't she do a great job??
Crazy Coleman has to put icing on his nose to make everyone laugh!

Miracles DO happen...JP is eating a cupcake!

The tired, very sweaty group.

Time for presents!!

He loves John Deere tractors and monster trucks! I believe his favorite gift was his red wheelbarrow.

Happy Birthday, sweet boy! You are so handsome and we are all so proud of you! Thank you for inviting us to share in your very special day. We love you.

papa's boys

Papa loves reading TO his boys and listening to his boy read!!

Oh the joy that floods my soul...