The Fabulous Five

Five years ago today I became an office supply necessity..... a Stapler. I love everything about being a Stapler, and I love the transformations in my life as a result of marrying Scott. For example, I have developed a strong appreciation for basketball and kicking Scott's butt in the NCAA March Madness bracket, I've become much more mellow during adversity, and I have developed a much deeper love for carbs and fine cuisine. As a result, I blame my husband for the excess dimples on my thighs. I have learned to try to take life one day at a time because the journey is never as you expected it would be. In the midst of it all, we have both seen firsthand that God always provides you with a flashlight and a navigation system so that you will never feel alone or lost for too long. I never thought that I would live 2 years of my life on the ocean far away from family, nor did I ever think that I would experience the loss that comes from losing a child in miscarriage. However, those events helped develop who we are today and definitely made us more dependent on each other and our Savior. We have had many ups, some downs, and always joy.

I am thankful to be married to someone who is so funny and quirky and paticular and easy-going. I am glad that he has taken my advice on getting rid of all of his XL shirts that went down to his knees, his $55 haircuts, and his need to get out 45 different pans when he cooks. NOW, if I could only get him to see that wearing black socks to bed is not sexy....

Thank you Scott for loving me--so good--- you are my #1 favorite, and I love you... infinity and beyond!!!

She "EIGHT" Alot!

My 2 year old might be on a hunger strike, but not my 8 month old! Caroline loves to eat anything, and everything. (and she has 4, almost 6 teeth) We order a happy meal for Eli and almost every time Caroline seems to go ahead and take care of it for him. We were so cautious about what Eli ate, and now with our 2nd, well, let's just say we TRY really hard.... Eli has really enjoyed the fact that she eats alot. "Eli, did you eat all of your peas?.... Yes, mommy, I did....."Hum, well Eli, what is that green stuff hanging from Caroline's mouth....."
Caroline is about to turn 9 months, but over the past few weeks she has achieved so much. My little cuddler is going into extinction, and instead she wants to be down and crawling and pulling up on to something. I think she is close to walking, and possibly because she knows she has to have more defense mechanisms for an Eli attack. Some people ask me now that I have one of each if can tell if there is truly a difference in boys and girls behavior. My answer, UH, only about as much as there is a difference between Jude Law and Michael Moore. For example, at 8 months when Eli used to take a bath, he would automatically get into Olympic swimmer mode & the way he would kick would make even Micheal Phelps tired. Caroline at 8 months, well, she just likes to sit and play with the bubbles and smile- just so princess-cute like.

There was a couple from our church in Huntsville that we had recently met. Probably 2 of the nicest people I have ever been in contact with, and they have 2 adorable girls, age 2 and 4. Last week, the husband Tim, age 31, was found dead in his car from a possible heart attack. He was on his way to pick up his girls from pre-school. I didn't know Tim very well, but his death serves as a reminder of the harsh reality that it is not a given that we will see our children grow up. Everyday of life is a gift from God, and even the most stressful of days should be considered a blessing. I'm so thankful for Scott who is such an incredible father and husband, and am so very thankful for my children. We have been doing a lot of "group hugs" around our house lately, and when we have to get up with them sometimes 4 times a night, it just doesn't seem to bother me as much anymore. I know one day I am going to really wish these days hadn't gone by so fast...

Posing and Playing

Eli: Grayson, you want to play with me? Grayson: Eli, you are my bestis friend.
ASSUME CRASH POSITION.......................................

Going to Carolina

Well, actually, we are coming from Carolina. We are officially Alabamians, and our beach cottage is now just a fond memory. Living in South Carolina will always be one of the most treasured times of our lives. There were so many special memories there, most importantly, the birth of our daughter. There are some things that I don't miss: Bike Weeks, 11 hours from grandparents, 9 hours from most of our friends, cut-off t-shirts, overweight women in string bikinis, "the strip", horrible BBQ...BUT, below are some pictures of the things that I do miss and will always miss of my Carolina home.

Family walks on the beach..........

My family away from home.... Lindsey (above) and Brooke (below). I first met Brooke after about 3 weeks of living in South Carolina. Her husband worked in the athletic dept at CCU, so we automatically hit it off. Brooke was my lifesaver in so many instances, and I don't know what I would have done without her the first few months of our move. Lindsey moved to Myrtle Beach the end of the summer last year, and we met her and her husband and son through church. Ironically, her husband also works at CCU as a stat professor. All 3 of us shared similar stories in that we were far away from family and had to learn to do things on our own. I shared many many "growing" moments with them and a lot of "venting" sessions with them when I was worn out from all of Scott's travels and lonely with a 1-2 year old. Girls--- You will always be considered family to me, and I look forward to many adventures with you. Even though I am a few miles away from you momentarily, you are super duper close in my heart. I look forward to the day when Brooke's husband, Patrick, is the Athletic Director at Auburn and can give me all the free tickets to football & basketball games that I want (with free food of course) and also to the day that Nick, Lindsey's husband, can be the Stat professor at Vanderbilt and give my children all A's in their stat classes. (And of course, most importantly the fact that you would be just a hop skip and a jump from us :o))

The Marsh of Murrells Inlet (our sweet town)

Thank you God for all of the precious memories, and we hope that we will be "Going to Carolina" again very soon.

Let's Talk about Six.... and Seven

I forget how much I love the 6 month and 7 month old baby stages. They have so much personality, but they can't go anywhere! Right now, her personality most resembles that of a black bear. She's laid back, extremely cuddly, and quite fun to look at... but watch out, because if this little bear gets hungry, you better take cover immediately (and buy some earplugs). I love the fact that she has some fiestiness in her.

Caroline, at 6 months you were sitting up on your own and babbling "da-da". You LOVE to dance, and Eli has dedicated the song "I Like em Big and Chunky" from Madagascar 2 to you. Now I never want you to be self-conscious about your body, but if your thighs remain their same consistency 2 years from now, I'll be forced into signing you up for Toddler Weight Watchers. You're up on all fours all day long, but haven't quite figured out how to quite move those chunky thighs. You kind of have a bear crawl thing going, which again, fits your personality. I'm really ok with you waiting a bit to crawl, if it's at 25 months, just know that I am TOTALLY fine with that.

We love you with all of our hearts Caroline Bear.

A hungry bear who loves to suck her toe- gross I know-- but what can you do?

Watch out.... she's growling........

A Summer of Blessings

Time is truly something to be treasured. I have spent a lot of time this summer really trying to put a lasso around some of it and hang on for dear life. I'm hanging alright, but kind of like the blood being sucked out of your fingers and face kind of hanging. Instead of doing 40,000 blog posts to play catch up, I have made a slideshow with many of the great pictures that capture our "treasure moments" from the summer. We have had a lot of chaos, a lot of excitements, some disappointments, terrible anxiety, but more than anything, just pure and simple thanksgiving. Our bank account sure doesn't show it, but we are millionaires. God's blessings are endless, and sometimes disguised. Through our house hunting I have realized that the riches I have are far greater than the $750,000 dream house on the Appalachain mountains.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

MIA

Sorry for the lack of updates and pictures, but I hope to be caught up by the end of the week. I have great news though-- we have a contract on our house and are set to close August 20th!!! This summer has been absolutely the busiest yet, I guess because I now have 2 kids, a self-employed husband, my own job, and add looking for houses all in the mix.

I will have Caroline's 6 month post, 4th of July, other summer fun times, and family reunion pictures to post soon!