Blocktober

Last night we went to our church's first Blocktober Fest. We had so much fun! The best part was watching Zach's face. He was beside himself with excitement the entire night.

Kyle, Candy and their boys came too. Wyatt is two months older than Colson. We love having them in NWA.

Balloon? Check. Sucker? Check. A perfect night for Colson. ; )

Zach and Kohen have become the best of friends. They are precious and play so well together. Sweet silly boys.

Happy Halloween!

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

1 Corinthians 13:6

Blog Friend, an Owl, & a Full House

It's been a fun crazy past few days!

My blog friend Lauren came all the way from Florida to visit some friends, and I was able to meet her for dinner Thursday night. We became friends through the blog world when Reese was born but had never actually met in real life. 

I was so excited and had looked forward to meeting her for months! She convinced me to join Twitter and helped me get set up. Hillary and Niki helped too because I need a lot of it. ; )

Last night I went to our small group's pumpkin carving contest. This was at least our sixth year to do this, and it's one of my favorites. I always get so tickled seeing everyone's pumpkins. 

I went the easy route this year, but this owl was too cute. I think we've gotten a little lazy. ; ) The girls would rather just talk and eat without kids than carve pumpkins outside in the cold. Ha!

Lindsey, Shannon, Abby, & me


Our good friends Barry and Morgan and their three boys also spent last night with us. We had so much fun! It was much more calm than I expected. Maybe we should have three more boys. Completely kidding.

Barrett, Zach, & Branton

Colson decided to try on his Halloween outfit. ; )

Being a turtle is perfect for him since he is still crawling!

This morning we went to Asa's 1st birthday party. Everything was perfect for his day.

the birthday boy

Hope you are enjoying this fall weekend!

When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will cover it with blessings.

Psalm 84:6

Thursday Thoughts

I love hearing your hearts. Ya'll are the sweetest! Yes, life is hard enough so why add anything extra we don't need to?

This morning Zach was supposed to wear his Halloween costume to school, but he told me it was too itchy. I guess I'll be taking it back.  Nothing like last minute finding another costume! I think I may get creative and use some things we already have. We'll see.


Colson also had his 15 month appointment this morning. When the doctor walked in the room she said, "Colson, did you eat your brother? Where is he?" I don't think Z realizes yet that his little brother is going to be bigger than he is. 


Colson is healthy and perfect, and I praise GOD for both of our boys!

This is one of our recent visitors. Thankfully he did not stay very long. ; ) 

This may be our first walking Reese's name gallery picture. ; )

I did eat a few meals with our turtle since he was on our kitchen table in a box. We bonded for sure, but I think he ran for his life when Z let him go!

Ok, so the waves in the back of my hair are multiplying. It's so funny to me because nothing like this has ever happened to my hair. I know it's random, but maybe one day if my hair is really curly I'll have my blog to look back and see when it started changing!

This is one of my favorite fall treats.

It's just candy corn, M&M's, and peanuts mixed together, but it's so good!

This picture was not staged at all. As I was taking pictures, Zach had to try some too. Of course he just picked out the M&M's and candy corn. I'm already a little sick from eating it! So good.


Then the One seated on the throne said, "Look! I am making everything new...these words are faithful and true."


Revelation 21:5

Laid Back

This bouncer has been a life saver since Zach was born. Even though Z did not use it for long, Colson still loves it!

We laugh because of how low it bends down to the floor. When he is not in it it sits up much higher. He just crawls right out when he's ready.


Yes, he still drinks milk out of a bottle. Don't judge. ; )

Recently I was reading an article about Hoda Kotb. She is a breast cancer survivor, and I've taken to heart a few of the things she said. I know it's random, but I thought you might like them, too. 

"Don't hog your journey. It's not just for you."

"Surround yourself only with people who fill you up. Suddenly, you're halfway up and fearless, because you almost lost everything."

This is just because I've been looking at old pictures. Zach was about Colson's age here. ; ) Time flies!

Night will no longer exist...because the Lord God will give them light.

Revelation 22:5

Frames

This is one of my favorite "finds" at War Eagle this year. I've been looking for different frames for Colson's pictures, and when I saw this window it was the perfect solution.

He looks so different already. I miss his faux hawk! His hair is too long and silky right now, and I'm not brave enough to cut it short. ; ) I did love those days though.

/

These four pictures were taken at his "6 months" (really 8 because that's when he sat up) mark. We haven't taken his one year pictures yet because he is still not walking. So close!

The booth where I bought this did not have a card or I would be happy to share their info with you.

I can't decide where I want to put this yet, but it's ready. I can't believe this is the last week of October!

For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7

Pumpkin Patch Party

Last night we took the boys to McCoy's birthday party. It was at a pumpkin patch. I love this idea! It was freezing, but we were having so much fun we hardly noticed. ; )

This was Colson's first time to wear a sock hat, and he wasn't so sure what he thought about it.

Zach found a little goat friend, and he carried him around everywhere. I'm still laughing about this! I guess they let the goats run wild for birthday parties. A baby pig got loose, too, and the kids were chasing it around. He was fast!

Zach loved this goat and tried to get me to hold him. No thanks!

Colson just took it all in.

Zach was really sweet with the goat, but I did feel sorry for the little guy. At least he was a friendly animal!

McCoy and Z on the tractor ride. Happy faces. Life is good.

Hold firmly to the word of life...

Philippians 2:16

WILW

Ok, so I had no idea what jegs were, but after I said it out loud I figured it out. Ha! I bought them at a local boutique Mason's. They are really more like jeans so I like them a lot. My boots came from Warren's 2 years ago, and they are my favorite. I wear them all the time. 

Today I am loving this cute face.

I'm loving that Zach has been so good these past few days.

I'm loving that several people lately have asked me different questions about Reese. Monday in the Target parking lot I met a woman who stopped me and said, "You're Reese's mom!" It was the sweetest thing. I smiled the rest of the day.

I'm loving the changing leaves on the trees.

I'm loving that I serve a GOD who never changes.

He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.


Daniel 2:22 

Parties & Roots

What a fun birthday weekend! Thank you for your sweet wishes and words. I still feel young thank goodness. ; )

Friday night Jason and I went to a high school football game. It brought back so many memories of cheering at football games in high school. I also thought about how one day I may be sitting in the stands watching our boys play. A LONG time from now!

Saturday morning we took the boys to a birthday party. Our little friend Noah turned two.

Colson with Uncle Cody

Colson & Westin

Z with his favorite thing

the birthday boy


That night Jason and I flew to Osceola for my cousin's wedding reception. It's a little town in northeast Arkansas where my parents grew up. I hadn't been back there in years, and it was like walking back in time. Memories of my grandparents and all the wonderful times we had with them came flooding back. 

This is my younger cousin Eugene. Growing up he was this short round pesky little guy with a mischievous smile. Now he's a grown man! I hadn't seen him in a while, and I couldn't believe how tall he was. Seeing him did kind of make me feel old. ; )

My amazing in laws kept Zach and Colson for us while we were gone. I was so happy to get home to our boys!

I had such a fun sweet time, and I love that Jason likes talking with my dad and uncle about farming and stories about my grandparents. Sometimes you just have to go back to your roots. ; )


I will praise Your name, LORD, because it is good.


Psalm 54:6

October 15

I'm 31 (again!) today! Oh, good I'm glad we got that out of the way. ; ) We've been having so much fun these past few days, I kept forgetting my birthday was coming up. I love having a birthday in the fall.

These pics aren't great, but I didn't want to carry my camera around so my phone worked. ; )

The most important thing about today though is that it's Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Yesterday at the convention centers my mom, Trish, Shannon, and I wore our shirts in honor of my little girl.

Today I honor Reese.

I'm thinking of all her little friends. I'm hurting for their families on earth. I'm wishing she was in my arms. I'm wondering what it's like to spend every day with Jesus in Heaven. I'm thankful she is our daughter. I'm celebrating the day when we are with her again.

The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart...no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.


Isaiah 57:1

15 Months

Happy 15 months, Colson! You are pure joy. We love you!

My son, pay attention to my words;

listen closely to my sayings.

Don't lose sight of them;

keep them within your heart.

For they are life to those who find them,

and health to one's whole body.


Proverbs 4:20-22


*Colson's monthly stickers are Picky Sticky. Love them!