The Wells Family

Impact Africa 2010

2010-06-09T11:26:00.017-04:00

"Sympathy is no excuse for lack of action."-David Livingstone

MyChurch teamed up with Vapor Sports Ministries to take a trip to Kenya, Africa and visit the humanitarian aid centers that Vapor had established.

"Impact Africa" was not how we were going to change Africa, but how Africa was going to change us.

We departed for Africa at 9:30 am on Sunday, May 30, 2010. Our first stop was at the Vapor Sports Ministries location at Farm Links in Sylacauga, AL. We spent all day Sunday in classes to prepare us for our trip. The group included 10 members from MyChurch of Columbus, 1 member from Mount Gilead Baptist Church in Dothan, AL. 3 members from Green Bay, WI, and 4 members from Brook Hills Church in Birmingham, AL. Our flight left from Birmingham, AL at 11:30 am on Monday, May 31st. We went from Birmingham to Dallas to London, to Nairobi, Kenya. It was 20 hours of flight time... NOT FUN. But it would all be worth it. We stayed at a place just out side Nairobi; it was a lodging house called Kijiji. During our stay in Kenya we visited the Kawangware slum, Congo slum, and Gichagi slum. The obvious human suffering that we witnessed was unbelievable. If I had not seen it, I would not have believed it. It is something that words and pictures do not do justice. But one thing that was so amazing was the spirit of the people there. The kids had smiles on their faces, even though they were malnourished and living in very poor conditions. We participated in the football(soccer) program in Kawangware on Saturday. We all paired up with coaches and got involved. The Vapor staff on site was unreal. They were all overflowing with joy from the Holy Spirit. We spent one day on Safari in Sweetwaters Camp in Ol Pejeta Conservancy near Nanyuki, Kenya, right near Mount Kenya. We saw some amazing animals and some amazing terrain. It is so hard to believe that there is something so beautiful and something so horrible so close together. The things that we saw will forever change us. We are so lucky to have the things that we have in this country. Simple things that we take for granted every day like fresh clean water, plumbing, food, shelter... I am not even talking about conveniences; I am talking about necessities, basics for life... If you don't believe me, please go see for yourself. You will have your mind changed for you, I promise. Anyone who knows me, knows that I have not ever been a very sympathetic guy. Well that has change. The little girl in the photo above is Gracious. She is just one of millions of children living in slums. She had my heart strings from the very first look. She is as sweet as they come. She lives in the Kawangware slums but you could never tell it from the smile on her face. Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances Gracious was pulled from my arms and I was never able to see her again. This was an extreme emotional battle for me. I hate flying and I hate being out of my comfort zone and this trip did both of those in a major way, but I would not hesitate to do it again just to see one of those little smiles again. It has that much of an impact...

Soccer practice

2009-08-19T11:03:00.001-04:00

Will had his first night of soccer practice last night and was soooo excited! A couple of his friends are on his team and they had the best time. On the way there Will was asking who they were going to beat. We explained to him that it was just practice and they weren't beating anyone. During practice they divided up and half of them put on red shirts and they played against each other. Will thought it was a real game against each other, so he kept score. When they were done he came running to us saying "Yea, we won 2-0"....he's just a little competitive. They don't even keep score when the games start, but I'm sure he'll keep track of it.

Stretch......

I think the coach is wondering what she has gotten her hands into

and this is what Caroline did the whole time, I don't know if we'll be making it to any more practices

Look Who's 1

2009-08-17T16:26:00.001-04:00

I cannot believe a year has already gone by and Caroline is 1. It has gone by way to fast, but I do have to say this is my favorite stage. I remember how fun it was with Will, but makes me kind of sad knowing that she is probably my last baby. She started walking a lot better last week and has the cutest little waddle. She LOVES her big brother so much and gets so excited when we pick him up from school, after screaming the whole way there. She is not a very good passenger and does not like her big girl car seat any better than the infant one. She had a very fun Birthday Party Saturday with lots of family and friends. Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with us!!!

Happy 4th Birthday!!!

2009-04-19T21:22:00.010-04:00

What a Happy Birthday it was...Will was four on Friday and had such a great Birthday weekend! For the ones who know me know that I am not an emotional person, but I teared up when Will walked in my room Friday morning. He comes and wakes me up every morning and Friday he walked in and said "Mommy today I'm four, I'm a really big boy now and not your little boy anymore". Oh my gosh...I started tearing up and could not get those words out of my mind all day. I love that little boy or "big boy" sooooo much! He has the biggest zest for life more than anyone else I know! I never knew that I would be happy playing cars everyday or playing football, baseball, and soccer could be so much fun. I know that it can only get better and can't wait to see what the future holds for my "little man"!!

Friday morning Will's "brother-friend" JD came and played, then I took them to Chick-fil-A (where we stayed for 2 hours).

Then Friday night Nana, Papa, Fafa, G, Brian, Sydney, and Claire came up and we grilled hamburgers and had some delicious chocolate cake!

Saturday was his Party at Butt's Mill Farm....and was so much fun. This was the first year that he has really been looking forward to his Birthday, he could not wait to be 4. I am so thankful that so many of his friends took the drive out to Pine Mountain to spend the day with Will. He loves so much to be with all of his family and friends, so to have them all together he didn't know what to think. After a full day of playing football, horse riding, playing on playgrounds, putt-putt, and walking in the creek...Saturday night we all went with my parents to a Columbus Lions Arena Football game. Of course Will thought it was wonderful and we'll be going back.

As we were eating dinner last night Will said..."This is the best day ever"!! I think it was one of mine too!!!

I love you so much big fella!!!

Happy Birthday and Anniversary!!

2009-03-26T14:11:00.005-04:00

Happy 60th Birthday Nana....We Love You!!!

Happy Anniversary Nana and Papa....(39th I believe)!!

We had lots of fun last weekend in Dothan celebrating my mother's Birthday and parent's Anniversary. Of course we did a little shopping, lots of eating, and playing outside in the nice spring weather!

Will and Lillie loving on each other...we don't get to see her enough!

Can you tell Lillie is a year older than Caroline riding on her back...

lots and lots of golf cart riding!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND ST. PATTY'S DAY!!!

2009-03-17T21:35:00.002-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!!

Thanks for all you do for us...like spending the afternoon at the park on your Birthday!

WE LOVE YOU!!

Everyone else......

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!

Hope you all got out and enjoyed this wonderful sunshine!

Seven months old

2009-03-16T13:41:00.000-04:00

"Prayer of Gratitude for Our Little Girl"

"Baby Dedication" March 8, 2009

Lord, I thank You for this precious gift of my daughter. You have given her to me and now I dedicate Caroline to You. You alone know what she needs. I release her to You to care for and protect, and I commit myself to pray for everything You put on my heart. Teach me how to pray, and guide me in what to pray for with regard to her life. Help me not to impose my own will when I'm praying for her, but rather enable me to always pray that Your will be done in her life.

Because Your Word says that every good gift comes from You, I know that You have given her to me to raise. Help me to do that. I invite You to be in control of her life. I rely on You for everything, and this day I trust my child into Your care.

This is another prayer from the book Jared got Caroline for Valentine's Day. http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=1147987019&searchurl=ds%3D30%26isbn%3D9780736921589%26n%3D100121501%26sortby%3D15 (such a sweet book!)

Once again...I cannot believe another month has gone by. You are finally drinking some formula, which I thought was never going to happen. I was ready to give up, until we were in Dothan a few weeks ago and we tried some of "cousin Dean's" and you loved it. Meghann thought it was her special touch, but I think we just finally found something you liked!

You are still not liking baby food to much, although this morning you did eat half a thing of applesauce. However....you do like our food. You love green beans, peas, and butter beans; which really surprises me.

You are trying your hardest to crawl, but can't get it figured out just yet. I give you about 3 more weeks!!

And......still your favorite thing of all is your "BIG BUBBA"!!!

Butt's Mill Farm

2009-02-18T14:45:00.001-05:00

Monday we went to Butt's Mill Farm for a Birthday Party. It was Ashley's (the little girl in the top right picture) 6th Birthday, and was so much fun. Will has decided that's where he wants to have his party. There is so much to do there....they have about 5 different playgrounds, go-cart's, pony rides, putt-putt, and Will's favorite---the bull riding. We might be getting a season pass so we can make many visits there this spring and summer!
Tomorrow we are headed to Dothan to go see Jared's Grandmother. Please say a special prayer for her, she has been really weak and not feeling to good lately.

Six Months....Time Flies

2009-02-16T08:20:00.004-05:00

"Prayer for My Daughter's Purpose and Future"

Lord, I pray that Caroline will find her identity in You. Help her to view herself as Your instrument and to know without a doubt that in You she is complete. Give her a clear vision for her life when setting goals for the future and a sense of purpose about what You've called her to do. Help her to see herself as You do--from her future and not from her past. Teach her to look to You as her hope for the future. May her commitment to being who You created her to be enable her to grow daily in confidence and Holy Spirit boldness.

"I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

As much as I would like to say that I came up with that prayer all on my own, it really came from the book in the picture above. It came from her Daddy for Valentine's Day and it is wonderful. Will got one too and they both have the most precious prayers in them.

Caroline....You were 6 months old on Friday. I cannot believe how fast time has flown by, you are half way to a year! It is going by way to fast. You are the sweetest little girl, Nana and Papa were here this weekend and said they did not hear you cry one single time. A few weeks ago you started sitting up on your own, and love to sit on the floor and play with your toys. You love your bath time with your BIG BUBBA every night. You are not liking your cereal anymore and will not eat any vegetables. Although, you seem very interested in our food when we are eating. I am trying to switch you over to formula, but you are not liking that either. Maybe next month!! You are sleeping much better now...one night a few weeks ago I let you cry it out. You screamed for one hour straight and since that night you have slept all night long. (except for a couple of times just crying out!) I wish I could freeze time and just keep you the way you are right now, but I know that can't happen. I Love you more and more everyday!!

Our Friday Morning......

2009-02-13T10:03:00.003-05:00

This is what Will has been doing this morning.....and since I've been labeling this picture, he's even dragged more stuff out. You'll have to click on the picture above to see what everything is. What an imagination he has, pretty self entertaining!! Now I have to go help him clean it all so Nana and Papa won't see this big mess when they get here!

This is what Caroline did for probably 20 minutes this morning while I cleaned her room. Do you see the difference between the two???

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-12T19:10:00.004-05:00

Happy Valentine's to me from my sweet son!! Today at Will's school they treated there mama's to a luncheon. They served us spaghetti and meatballs; salad with strawberry's, walnuts, and a vinaigrette dressing; bread with an olive oil dipping sauce; and red velvet cake. I started eating before I thought about taking a picture of my plate. The little kido's really enjoyed serving us and we enjoyed it too! I know I've said it a million times, but I just love his school and his wonderful teacher's.

Will and his best buddy Cullen waiting patiently for their mama's!

Thanks Mrs. Stone, she knows exactly what little boys want!

Will and his little Valentine.....

How long is too long??

2009-01-26T01:57:00.002-05:00

This little girl with this big smile is not smiling at the moment. I am sitting in the dark computer room trying to get my mind off of her screaming right now. She has been screaming for about 30 minutes now, and I don't know how much longer I can let her go before I go put her passy in her mouth. By the way, it is 2 a.m. I am trying not to let her win, but it is breaking my heart!! She was sick with a cold the last two weeks and could hardly breath, so therefore could not sleep good. She got to where she would wake up 3 to 5 times a night for me to put her passy in her mouth and I would have to feed her at least one of those times. Her nose is no longer stopped up, so therefore she should not still be waking up 5 times a night. Okay it's been 45 minutes now, but slowing down and will take about a 30 second pause to breath I guess. I've been in there a couple of times to pat her and let her know it's okay, but I think that may only make it worse. Any of you that have heard her cry know how loud it gets, she has definitely got a set of lungs on her. I'm hoping that it doesn't wake Will up! Please pray that we make it through the week and I don't give in. And really....how long is too long to let her scream??

"I'm OBSESSED with Football"

2009-01-22T10:07:00.006-05:00

From the words of a 3 1/2 year old! And he definitely is, I have never seen a little boy love football as much as he does. Not only does he want to play it ALL OF THE TIME, wear his uniforms EVERYDAY, but he also wants to watch it on TV too. I have had to record Football games for him because he was devastated when I told him Football season was almost over. It doesn't matter who's playing, he will pick which color he likes the best and pull for that team. He doesn't quite understand it if his team loses, doesn't like that too much! As you can see he's decided that he is an Auburn fan. He likes Troy too, since he's been to a couple of their games with my parents. He will occasionally pull for "Crimson Tide" (as he calls it), so there's still hope. He has about ten different outfits that he likes to change in to all day long. As soon as he gets home from school, he walks in stripping off his clothes and tries to decide if he's going to be Auburn, Falcons, Troy, Florida Gators, Georgia Bulldogs, or Alabama. Sometimes he'll be all of them together against "Mistersippi" (Mississippi) or "Oplahoma" (Oklahoma). This week he has gotten his friends playing tag football at school. Although he'd much rather tackle, his teacher got them playing tag (thank goodness)!! Although, I am glad he loves sports so much, I do hope he'll get interested in some other things now that Football season is over!

On another note.....Like I've told my sister-n-law before.....Will can take care of himself! He's done it before, the first time he was only two. Saturday morning I woke up at 8:30 to find this in the kitchen....

Yes...that is a half eaten frozen waffle!!Instead of waking his very tired parent's up, Will took it upon himself to get dressed (of coarse in an Auburn t-shirt) and cook himself some breakfast. He does love his waffles, maybe even more than football!!

Five months old!!!

2009-01-13T15:48:00.006-05:00

Caroline...today you are five months old!! Time goes by so fast, we have had a busy past couple of months. Which is why I accidentally skipped your 4 month post...I'm going to try to be better at doing it every month. You have had lots of first the past two months. You had your first Thanksgiving, first Christmas, first taste of cereal, juice, formula, and sweet potatoes. You were a little hesitant of the cereal at first, but loved the sweet potatoes from the first bite. I think you are going to love food as much as the rest of us. At your 4 month appointment, which was two weeks late....you were 251/2 in. long and weighed 14 pounds. Dr. MacLeod said you were just perfect, and I agree!! You are still such a good baby most of the time. Although lately you are learning how to turn the crying on and off very quickly to get what you want....like being held! I can't get over how alert you are, you will stare a hole in the wall. My favorite time of the day with you is in the morning. When you wake up you will stay in your bed probably 15 minutes just talking. I love to listen to you on the monitor. When I go in your room, you get so excited when you see me and just grin from ear to ear. You make us work to get a smile or laugh from you most of the time, Will gets most of them. You think he is soooo funny. He loves to make you laugh!! We are still working on the nap thing, you were doing okay and taking a good afternoon nap, then you got a bad cold last week and stopped the nap and also stopped sleeping good at night. One night you woke up probably 10 times!! Last night you slept till five and you have been asleep now for about two hours, so I'm hoping you're getting back to normal. Your little personality is developing more and more everyday, and I just can't wait to see what the next day will bring!!

1st Thanksgiving with "Cousin Dean"

1st Christmas at Nana and Papa's

1st taste of cereal, of course fed by Will

Sweet Potatoes "YUMMY"

"Almost" Sitting up

"Cozy" in PJ's

My "SWEET" Baby

HAPPY 2009!!!

2009-01-06T15:51:00.004-05:00

Well....2008 is over, what a year we had!! We ended the year in sickness, but are all better now! We had a very Merry Christmas. Santa came to our house a little early, so we could go to Dothan Christmas Eve and not take all of those toys! We made sure to leave Santa with lots of Cookies and milk for making a special visit to our house early. Jack (our little elf) got into them and had chocolate all over his face the next morning! Will came in our room and woke us up at 4:45 that morning, we did manage to get him to stay in our bed for about an hour!

Will got everything plus more than he asked for. He was a little disappointed about his red helmet. He wanted another football helmet, but since he already has two, I thought he could use a baseball helmet. He got over it!! Well...I tried to download a video twice of him seeing his presents from Santa, but our Internet cut off yesterday and this morning when I tried.

He is set for just about every sport there is now. Including football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and even bowling. Caroline got a box of diapers that Will asked Santa for and a few other little toys. She wasn't as excited about Christmas morning as her brother was.

After an already long morning we headed to Dothan. It was so much fun this year with all of the new babies. I can't imagine what next year willl be like when they will all be running around. Somehow I left my camera at home so I have no pictures to share. But, it was a wonderful, long weekend!!

"Happy Birthday Jesus" Party

2008-12-21T19:53:00.004-05:00

Will had his Christmas Party at school this past Thursday where they celebrated Jesus' Birthday. I thought it was really great that his teachers had them focusing on what Christmas is really about. They made a manger for "Baby Jesus" and sang Happy Birthday to him. It was so sweet!! I've said it before, but I love Wynnbrook and his teachers are just wonderful!

Will and his "best buddy" Cullen

Thanks Mrs. Stone for the sword!!!

I think Will must have won....

Friday night we went to The Landings shopping center to see Santa. I was so excited when Will walked right up to Santa, sat in his lap, and gave him a big hug. This is the first picture I have of Will with Santa. I didn't get one of him when he was a baby and the last two years he screamed and would not go near him. Santa asked him what Caroline wanted and he told him all she needed were diapers, that she was too little for toys. I told him I thought Santa could handle that!

After seeing Santa we treated ourselves to Fudrucker's for a big fat cheeseburger and a very YUMMY milkshake.

Then to end the night we went on a Horse Carriage Ride, this was the only picture I have of that.

Nana and Papa come to town...

2008-12-21T19:36:00.003-05:00

Last weekend Nana and Papa came for a visit. Will loves it when they come, not only that he's loves to see them, but they just can't come without bringing all of us lots of goodies. This time Will got some hunting clothes and hat, some ornaments for his tree, and a guitar---which was a special toy that Papa got him for doing his job (which I won't talk about on this:) But, most of you know what it was!! Caroline got some ornaments and of course a new outfit. Jared and I both got some new ornaments, some Christmas dish towels, and decorations. Thanks Nana for EVERYTHING you get us!!

Excuse the mess in the background!!

Now all he needs is a gun instead of the big pen!

Where do I begin???

2008-12-10T13:09:00.011-05:00

Well, since it's been a few weeks since my last post it may be a long one....you can quit reading if you get bored. I just want to have it for myself to remember!!

We had a wonderful, busy Thanksgiving. It seems that holidays just go by so fast, sometimes too fast to really enjoy them. Somehow I didn't manage to get any pictures Thanksgiving Day at my parents house, we enjoyed it with my Aunt and Uncle and cousins that we don't get to see to often. Caroline and Claire (my niece) were in their matching Thanksgiving outfits, but I don't have a picture to share. Friday we ate another great meal at Jared's mom's and dinner at his dad's that night.

Caroline and "Cousin Dean"

Saturday morning, after two days of Thanksgiving I had an appointment to get pictures made. I had a "great idea" to ask two of my sister-n-laws to bring their kids so we could get a picture of all of the grand kids for my mom. Not such a great idea for a one month old, three month old, 1 year old, and a three 1/2 year old. Needless to say we won't be getting any of those pictures. Caroline was not to happy after taking pictures for 45 minutes before they got there. I didn't even end up getting a Christmas picture of Will and Caroline. Oh well, we did get lots of others that were good!!

"Dress Rehearsal" for pictures

When we got back from Dothan I couldn't wait to get my Christmas stuff out. I think I was more excited than Will. Our little elf friend "Jack" came out too. Once again....I think I'm more excited than Will. We wanted to go to a tree farm and cut down a tree, but I just decided to put up our ugly artificial tree again for the last time. Since we are still in an apartment it was just easier!! Caroline loves it the most I think, she just stares at the lights. Will did have fun decorating the tree!! Last Saturday I spent most of the day trying to get a Christmas card picture that my sister-n-law Sydney just made for me. Can't wait to send them out!! By the end of their photo shoot this is what they looked like....It's hard trying to get a good one of both of them.

Sunday Jared's mom came because he had knee surgery on Monday. He had a cyst on his knee and they had to go in and remove it. They had to end up doing more than they thought they would. He went back to work today, but probably should have stayed home one more day. Will is also sick with a fever and real bad cough, so no school for him this week :( Hopefully Caroline won't get what he has, but he just can't keep his hands off of her. He's just so sweet, this is how I found them this morning. He even shared his "mimi" (blanket) with her, said she was cold.

My sweet, sick little boy....

Oh...and Caroline's decided she doesn't want to sleep through the night anymore. The past four nights she's woken up twice a night and once last night. So between that, Will being sick and sleeping in the bed with me the past couple of nights and Jared's surgery, I'm feeling a little sleep deprived today. Thankfully when I got on the computer this morning I read my friend Lindsay's blog and saw her post http://silviofamily.blogspot.com/2008/12/choose-joy.html. So, I am going to choose to be happy and joyful today and be thankful for the two sweet children I have, even if they are waking me up all night:)

A week in pictures....

2008-11-25T21:38:00.007-05:00

Last Thursday Will had to dress up as a King for school. It wasn't easy finding a King costume in one day, considering his teacher told us the day before. I was able to find a crown for $.69 at Party City and borrowed my neighbors daughters cape from her Snow White costume. They were dressing as Kings and Queens to take presents to Baby Jesus for a fundraiser they were doing for Toys for Tots. He enjoyed picking out a toy for the little boy. Last week we also packed a shoe box full of goodies for Operation Christmas Child http://samaritanspurse.org/. He had to pick everything out, some stuff I had to put back, he wanted to be really generous!!

His classroom and another one also had a "Sweet Family Gathering" for Parents and Grandparents on Thursday. The kids sang a little song and surprised us with all the words and numbers they knew in Spanish. Will's classroom made some yummy strawberries dipped in chocolate and the teachers made some fabulous desserts for us. Will also surprised us with a bag of potpourri that smells great! Unfortunately my camera died so I couldn't get a picture of the kids, Jared did get this one.

Nana (my mom) came Friday afternoon, so we were pretty lazy that morning and I think stayed in our PJ's till after lunch.

Snuggling in my bed, Will begging me to take their picture!!

Will opening his presents from Nana, she can't come without bringing something! Thanks Nana!!

Will left with Nana Saturday afternoon and they met Papa in Troy to go to the Football game. He has been staying with my parents and with Jared's mom and step dad this week in Dothan. We are leaving tomorrow and can't wait to see him!!

So, what have I done since Will has been gone...sleeping till 9:30 everyday, shopping a little, and not cleaning any liked I hoped to do. I forgot how easy it was with only one kid!! I think Caroline has enjoyed having the spotlight this week. I've taken lots of pictures the past few days of her. She has just been smiling all week, maybe it's because she has had mine and Jared's total attention!

I am getting Caroline's three month pictures and a Christmas picture of her and Will made on Saturday. I can't decide which dress for her to wear. I need some opinions....

Three Months

2008-11-13T09:43:00.009-05:00

"Sweet Caroline"...
That's what Will calls you...he likes to sing that song to you when you get upset and start crying. Surprisingly, sometimes it works. He really does love you so much and has since the day you were born. He is already so protective of you. He has just got to be the best big brother I know, hopefully he'll stay that way.

Will holding your hand in the car....

he has a hard time keeping his hands off of you!

You are changing so much everyday, with all of your different facial expressions, laughs, and squeals. (Especially your cat squeal, Nana says you sound like a cat when you cry lately:) I'm trying hard to get you on a good schedule during the day, but it's not working. Although you sleep good at night (which I'm very thankful for) you don't like to take naps. You only take about 20-30 minute naps during the day. Most of the time that is after rocking you for about 20 minutes. If someone is in the room with you talking to you, you are very happy. I think you are going to take after your brother and love being around people and being on the go. In fact, that is the only way you take a good nap, in your car seat shopping!! You love sitting in your bouncy seat, laying in your bed watching your mobile, or wrapped around me in your moby wrap!

Your first trip to the park!!
You also love Daddy, although he says you cry every time he holds you. But, I think you're just messing with him and giving him a hard time.

Your biggest milestone this month was rolling over. I don't know who was more excited me or Will. Tuesday night I just laid you on the floor for some "tummy time" and you just started rolling. You are such a strong little girl, I think you may be sitting up alone soon!!

"Roll Over"

We have had such a fun month with your first Halloween, a trip to Blue Ridge, and a couple of trips to Dothan. I think you are going to love going "home" to Dothan as much as Will. I just can't believe how big you are getting, soon you will start eating cereal, but I am going to cherish you being a baby for as long as I can. We all love you so much!!

Love you---Mom

Family Fun

2008-11-10T10:36:00.009-05:00

If you've been wondering why I haven't written anything lately, we've been on vacation. Jared has been so busy with work lately, so we decided to get away last week. His mom and step dad have a cabin in Blue Ridge, GA, so we spent the week up there. It was our first time there, and it was just beautiful. We had a great time with them and Jared's step-sister and her two boys came down from North Carolina for a couple of nights. Will definitely enjoyed playing with them. We did lots of driving, hiking, and sight seeing. I think you need about two weeks there to have time to relax and see all of the stuff you want to see. Will's favorite was the train ride, it was not only his and Caroline's first train ride, it was also mine and Jared's first. Thanks G and FaFa for a fun week, can't wait to go back again!!

When we left Blue Ridge, we drove straight on through Columbus for a fun weekend in Dothan. We got to see lots of family and friends. Including our new little niece Claire who was born October 30th, she is beautiful with a head full of hair if we didn't rub it all out. Will also enjoyed playing with Lillie, my other niece who we don't get to see enough.

We enjoyed the Peanut Festival this weekend too....we went to the fair Friday night and got rained on. Will only got to ride two rides, but we made up with his disappointment with food. We got to eat a corn dog from the Corn Dog Man and Will and Lillie mostly enjoyed Nana's corn. Sadly we left fast because of the rain and didn't get an elephant ear. Saturday morning we got up and headed down to the parade. Will enjoyed it more than we did I think, with the marching bands, big tractors, and of course the jets. Caroline just slept in her stroller straight through it. Then we headed back to mom's and dad's to watch the Alabama game and I'll just say ROLL TIDE to all of my Louisiana friends!!! I also included a couple of pictures from Halloween, we just stayed around here and went trick-or-treating with some of Will's friends.

Our little Football Player

2008-10-29T15:19:00.005-04:00

Will got a new football uniform Monday and I really didn't want to buy it since he already had an Atlanta Falcons' one at home that his Papa bought him. But, I do not think I would have been able to leave the mall without it. I think he's already decided he's an Auburn fan, there was no talking him into wanting the Alabama one. I guess Jared won!! I do have to admit he does look really cute in it, even though I don't really like the colors. We could not get home fast enough, as soon as we walked in the door he was stripping off his clothes. He has hardly had it off since. Needless to say this is going to be his Halloween costume. At first he wanted to be Spiderman, then he discovered football and can I say, he's a bit obsessed with it. Tomorrow they get to wear their Halloween costumes to school, so he's very excited. I'm just worried he's going to want to play football and try to tackle all of the other kids. I think we need to have a talk with him tonight about it.

I have the shoulder pads on backwards I think...

"Mr. Tough Guy"

Will and Caroline had there first bath together last night. It was the first bath she really enjoyed, she sat in the tub for about 10 minutes. Usually it's a real quick bath while she's screaming. I think she liked watching Will splash around!!

Guys night out...

2008-10-25T10:55:00.011-04:00

Will and I were left alone for an "all boys" weekend... We decided to go and enjoy the hockey season opener between the Columbus Cottonmouths and the Huntsville Havoc...

It was both mine and Will's first experience at hockey. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Even though our home team took a 2-6 lose, we really got into the hard hitting action. Will is ,of course, now wanting to play hockey...

I think we may have an avid athlete on our hands.

Will stealing a hug from "boomer"...

Growing, Growing, Growing

2008-10-21T08:50:00.009-04:00

Caroline had her 2 month check-up yesterday and is getting soooo big. She weighed 11 lbs, 12 oz and 23 1/2 in long!! She got five shots in her little legs, and I think the people in the waiting room could hear her screaming. I can't believe she is already two months old and changing everyday. She is now "cooing" and smiling all of the time. Especially at Will, he can just look at her and she will start smiling. No more of the screaming afternoons where I want to pull my hair out. Although, it hasn't completely stopped, but just not everyday. She had one of those nights last night, I think she was hurting a little bit from her shots. She has been sleeping through the night for a few weeks now which is wonderful, she sleeps better than Will most of the time. Last night she went to sleep at 9:15 and is still asleep right now as I am writing this. But, Mr. Will had me up at 6:00 this morning and also woke up once during the night. Here are a couple of pictures to see how much she has already changed. She has lost most of what little bit of hair she had, lost the sideburns too (thank goodness)!!

Two weeks old.....

Two months old!!!

Pirates and Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-20T12:06:00.009-04:00

Last week Will had a busy week at school. Wednesday they had a Pirate's and Princess Pizza Party. Of course I waited till last minute to get him something to wear, so a quick run to Target Tuesday night I found a hat, patch, and sword that he loved. They got to make their on personal pizza for lunch. Thursday we went on a field trip to Marengo Farms where we went on a hayride, saw farm animals, and picked out a pumpkin for the class. Of course Will had to choose which pumpkin they were taking back to school. He has a great teacher and would really like to go everyday, but I only signed him up for 3 days and now he would have to change classrooms to go 5 days. I just don't think I want him to change teachers since he likes her so much and all of his little friends.

We went to Dothan this past weekend for Addison's 1st Birthday Party. It was great seeing everyone and all of the children. It is crazy to think that we are all mommies now or almost!! Will was not in the picture because he had already left to go to the Troy game with my parents, he loves football.

Happy Birthday Addison!!!!

Our little dare devil...

2008-10-15T19:51:00.006-04:00

Random Pictures

2008-10-14T13:44:00.002-04:00

These are some pictures from over the past couple of months, just wanted to practice and see if I could do a slide show!!

I'm going to try this.....

2008-10-13T09:03:00.008-04:00

Okay...so, I've decided to start a blog page. I don't know how long it will last, but I'm going to try to keep doing it (at least for grandparents). I'm already getting frustrated with it. I can't figure out how to shrink the pictures so they will be smaller or how to do a slide show or put music on there. Need some suggestions from some of you who already have a blog page!!!

Anyway, for those of you I haven't talked to in a while....we are living in Columbus, Ga. Will is now 3 1/2 and a very active little boy. When I first thought about doing this, I thought what would I write about, but with him there is always something funny he has done. He has been a very good big brother so far, he loves "Baby Caroline". She is 2 months old today!! Will thought we should make her a cake for her 2 month B-day---which I wouldn't mind one either! She has been a pretty good baby so far, with a few frustrating times every now and then. Just getting use to having two is the hard part. Thank goodness for Will's Mother's Day Out (Preschool), or I don't know what I would do. Okay...I think I just figured out how to add pictures...and a video. This is some of what he has learned at school....he also came home the other day and told us all the months of the year and in order!!

Here are a few pictures of our lazy weekend, we have been going out of town so much it was nice to be home for a change. Plus, Will was sick---that's why we got to be lazy.

Happy Fall and Halloween everyone.....I love this time of year!!