Mother's Day

I am so blessed to have such a loving and thoughtful family. I awoke on Mother's Day to Carson handing me a homemade card (it was my favorite part of the whole day). Jon helped Carson spell out the words but he wrote the whole thing by himself. I just love the picture of Carson, Chase and me holding baby Jade...don't you like my hair?




We spent the afternoon with the Smiths, enjoying an amazing meal prepared by the boys. The following day (Jon's day off), we had breakfast at Einsteins and Jon and Carson painted our half bath for me (something I have been wanting to do since we moved in). I am blessed, indeed!

The Itzoes

Today was a great day because I was able to see one of my very best friends, Jessica. We meet freshman year of college and now both married, 5 kids (in total) later, we meet again. She has the most adorable two children, Caleb and Lydia. Thank you Jess for making the trip to see us and introducing Lydia and Jade to the mix. I love you dearly friend and wish we could see one another more often!

Caleb and Carson playing dress up


Lydia and Jade (Jade was a little bump on a log for these pics)


This is the last picture I have of Jess (her and Caleb...how time flies..would you agree that Caleb and Lydia look SO much alike?!?)

Mother's Day Tea

Yesterday I had the privelge of attending a mother's day tea hosted by Carson's class. It was such a sweet time. The mommies were sung to, prayed for, served muffins and juice, read to and even presented with a homemade gift. Thank you Mrs. Ellis for how you lead our little ones in ways that glorify God.

Here is a picture of Carson singing a song about loving me (pointing to me!)



This is the only picture I got of all three of us. Even though both kiddos are not looking it is a great picture to show Jade's true curls!

New pictures for the family

Big boy Carson at soccer practice





Pictures of growing baby Jade

Spring is here...

Which means that it is allergy season. Which means that Carson is miserable, the poor little guy. He has serious sesonal allergies. Dispite waking up each morning with his eyes so swollen they are almost shut, having hives all over his body and waking up 3-4 times a night because he can not stop itching, he is SUCH a tropper! He is iritable (rightly so) but doing such a good job of trying to be self controled and obey! In efforts to serve him, we cut his mop on Monday to reduce some of the itchiness and heat. Here are two pictures of allergies before and after the cut (the second photo is bad, but the only one i took).





I can not resist but include some pictures of Jade too...

Happy Monday!

Jade 12 Weeks

Easter

What a wonderful Easter Sunday we had. I have been singing one of Carson's favorite songs all day with him, 'God's not dead. NO, He is alive!'

After attending church we headed to Poppi & Nana's house. We had a wonderful time enjoying the fun of Easter with little ones...an egg hunt, flying a kite, opening baskets (thanks so much for everything Nana). And of course we enjoyed great food and fellowship!


The three people I love the most!


Carson (aka Superman) enjoying the Easter Egg Hunt Nana had for him.



Kiplan and his beautiful Mama


It's a bird, no a plane...no it's Superman


Coloring with Poppi


Kiplan and Jade


While the ladies were preparing supper I looked into the living room to see Poppi entertaining all the kiddos (Jade and Kiplan on the floor and Carson on top for a ride)



We almost forgot to take a picture of the kiddos with their bunny ears that Nana had got

Kids say the cutest things!!!!

Jon and I have been amazed at Carson's development over the past few weeks. It has been such a joy to watch him grow in his comprehension and knowledge of God and the world around him. Here are a few cute things he has said recently:

During lunch one day Carson randomly blurts out 'Enoch is going to Hong-Kongk (Enoch is a classmate of his).' 'Hong Kong?' I ask. 'When is he going?' Carson responds, 'Umm...I think 8:30.' An hour later we are are the grocery store Giant and he is in the cart. He screams (and literally I mean screams), 'Mama, stop the cart!!!!' Stopping I say 'What is wrong?' Carson responds, 'We need to pray for Enoch.' 'Right now?' I ask. 'Yes now.' Carson says as he loudly and boldly begins to pray out loud for his friend Enoch.

We have an inflatable ball pit downstairs that he loves to play with, practicing his 'superhero moves.' The other day he says, 'Watch this move Mama...it is a combination Obama election, double trip jump!'

The last time Jon and Carson went on 'man time' Carson was full of questions. He began with 'How was your day, did you go to church today?' Jon said, 'Yes, I go to church b/c I am a pastor." Carson said, 'I want to be a pastor too when I grow up.' Jon said, 'Well, that is up to God to decide if you are to be a pastor or not.' Carson pauses and then says, 'I just asked God and he said yes!'

Carson's 4th B-Day

Carson turned 4 this past week. It is hard to believe that my little boy is already 4 years old. He had a week full of birthday fun. At school on Tuesday he brought cookies to share with his classmates. On Wednesday, his actual b-day, Jade and I treated Carson to a Krispy Kreme doughnut in the morning and we surprised him with a family night at Chucky Cheese for dinner. Then on Saturday he had a birthday party. All boys came dressed as their favorite superhero. It was adorable to see them all in costume. They had fun playing in a ball pit (Superheros vs. the dads) and going on an egg hunt out back.

Birthday boy, Superman


Playing in the ball pit!


Time for cake


And presents


Spiderman Caleb


Showing his new bike to Ironman Anthony


Batman Tate and Spiderman KJ


The Egg Hunt...i just love all the red capes!


Superman Ollie

The Last of the trip to NC

I am finally posting pictures from the remainder of our time in NC with my family. Jade was able to meet so many people (Papa, Aunt Betty, Uncle David, the Sisters, Marcie & Phyllis, Phyllis W, Richard & Tuula, Susan, Nancy...), I only wish I had pictures of them all. While Jade was being admired by all Mom, Dad and Auntie K were busy helping me. Mom was busy cooking and Dad and Auntie K had their hands full entertaining Bobby and Carson. Thank you so much for ALL of your help, love you guys.

Carson was taking his asthma medicine and Bobby hopped down next to him pretending to take his medicine too..too cute!



Jade meeting Marcie, Phyllis, Aunt Poo and Nancy


This picture melted my heart. Carson was having a hard time going to bed and I was giving Jade a bath, so Dad went up to help Carson. When Dad never returned i went up to check on them. Both boys were fast asleep, nose to nose (not to mention Dad was snoring)!


Jade's fluffy hair after bath time


Dad and Auntie K took the boys to the children's museum one morning. Here is a picture of Carson dressed up like a pirate!


One day we all went to the boat yard that Kristiina's father-in-law owns. He took the boys out on the big trackters (or dig-digs) as Bobby calls them. It was every little boys dream come true. They could have stayed for hours playing in the dirt.




Carson was in awe of their boat that was in the yard being worked on.