A book and a fork...

The boys and I stayed home all day today. In fact, I stayed in my pajamas until time to go to Zumba late this afternoon. I LOVE DAYS LIKE TODAY! Both boys were very well behaved and I got a few chores done. Productive days are amazing! =)

I was cleaning the kitchen before I walked into the living room to find this...



It won't be long, Brandon, and Carson will be able to read books with you!! =) Right after I took this picture, Brandon grabbed the "Numbers" books (bottom right corner) and started "reading" it. So precious!

I cut up some grapes and heated up a frozen pizza for lunch today. Brandon is a pretty good eater but lunch time tends to be when he decides he doesn't want to eat. So, today I gave him a fork - he cleaned his plate!!




I LOVE MY BOYS!!!!



Meg

Around Here...

We have gotten back into our routine this week which has been nice. Nate started a new job as an insurance claims adjuster. You might remember a previous post where I said he had gotten a job with a retailer of Verizon. Well, that didn't work out, thank goodness!!! (No worries, he didn't get fired or anything. It just wasn't a good fit for us.) He is working Monday-Friday 8-5 which means he has weekends off!! That is great news for the boys and I but also for the ministry at the apartment complex. It will definitely allow more room for planning events.

We went to Hendersonville Sunday night to eat dinner, watch football, and hang out with Tiffany and her crew. The boys are starting to enjoy playing together! They are going to have so much fun in the years to come!!

Since it's been so cold outside, we have spent a lot of time inside. We have read the same books over and over and watched the same Wiggles episodes multiple times. Brandon doesn't seem to mind so it doesn't bother me either.

Me: Brandon, show me your teeth (meaning, SMILE) hahahaha. Excuse the dinner left on his face!! =)

Sweet Carson

It was nice having Nate home for a couple weeks during the job transition but it's also nice to be back into our day-to-day routine.

Meg

Gift Wrapping at Grande View

This past Saturday we offered free gift wrapping to the residents at Grande View. Fortunately, Nathan was off work so he was able to take the boys so I could do the wrapping!! Otherwise, it could have been C-R-A-Z-Y!!

The complex management was kind enough to put a flyer on everyone's door on Friday. There are 400+ units here so things could have gotten ridiculously out of control but they forgot to put the date on the flyer so...we only had a few shop up. Tha's ok because I was able to chat with the ones that did come.

The cute little sign I made =)

Waiting on Daddy to bring him his chocolate milk

Brandon and Cortez

Kathy and Joyce helping me wrap...they were an AWESOME help!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO GRANDE VIEW!! =)



Meg

JOY

Nathan has been reading Brandon's Bible to him for a while now. We tried reading it to him when he was younger but he just wanted to try and tear the pages or do whatever. Now he will sit and listen (as much as an 18-month will) and act interested.

It's a nightly ritual for Nathan and Brandon to read before bedtime. Lately, Brandon wants to read his Bible all the time. He will say, "Chee-sus" (Jesus) or "teet-teet" (tweet-tweet for bird) and point to the shelf where is Bible is held. By the way, I don't know why a "teet-teet" is significant! Nathan pointed to a bird in there one night and for some reason that is how he lets us know he wants to read his Bible! =)





Tonight, Nathan said, "Let's read your Bible and go night-night." Brandon ran to the couch where they sit and waited for Nathan to get the Bible and come read to him. He had a huge grin on his face and he was so excited.

What if we all that same excitement for God's Word?



Meg

Delivery Night at Grande View

One of our first projects as Resident Activities Directors at Grande View was delivering welcome packets to new tenants and thank you packets to residents that renewed their leases. We have continued that and tonight was a delivery night. Nathan was able to make a few face-to-face contacts which is encouraging. We are still in the beginning phase of our work here but we have great things planned for the next few months which will hopefully allow for relationships to be built!!



Meg

Community Group Christmas Party

Since we have been at Faith Church, we have been blessed to be part of a community group. We meet on Sunday nights and normally go through a book/Bible study. Well, tonight we got together for our Christmas party.

Everyone but Nathan and I wore tacky Christmas sweaters. Yes, we are the party poopers. Everyone brought something to eat so we had lots of yumminess, we played fun games thanks to Kristen, and we had an ornament exchange playing "Dirty Santa."

Kristin and Laurel with their ornaments

Sweet Maci...Brandon's newest friend!

Russ and the golden church =)

Hope and the slinky...

LOL...Nathan's ornament. Carson wasn't too sure what to think of it

Brad got a UT ornament. I tried to convince Nathan to steal it but noooooo.

We are thankful for new friendships. Even after 1 1/2 months, it still feels weird calling Nashville "home" but being surrounded with a great, loving church home makes it easier.

Meg

Living Christmas Tree, FBC Jackson

This past Saturday night we drove to Jackson for the Living Christmas Tree at First Baptist. Since moving to Louisville in 2005, I think I have been once so it was nice to get to go this year. It was great and a special shout-out to my Uncle L who sang beautifully! =) (Can I use that word to describe the way a man sings?)

Nathan was off work and able to go. It was his first experience at a Living Christmas Tree. Some friends of ours asked him what he thought and he said, "It was interesting." Uhm, ok...lol.

We were able to spend time with Nanny and Pa and Mimi was able to go with us. It was a quick trip but worth it. We had a great time.

ALL SMILES =)

I LOVE YOU, DADDY!!!

mmmmmmm...Nanny makes good spaghetti

...and good ice cream! lol

An effort at a family photo...oh well =)

Meg

Brandon is 18-months old!

Brandon is 18-months old today!! On one hand, I can't believe he is 1 1/2...time has flown!! But, on the other hand, I can't remember life without him. Seriously. I love our little booger and am SO thankful for him!!!

I would document all the little things he is doing right now but he is doing anything and everything. He will repeat anything I say which can be good or bad. He definitely knows what "no" means and discipline is a part of our daily agenda - bless him. But, he also repeats the "shoot" and "crap." Oops! I try to be mindful of it but when it happens, I do have to chuckle on the inside! =)

He LOVES sports. He has multiple footballs and will watch games on TV. Our pediatrician in Louisville told us that he would be a football player because of his build but that he would have an "x" on his helmet...that means he can't run. Awwwwww, my sweet baby!!!! hahahahahaha.

Starting the day with waffles - his favorite breakfast!

Playing with his bubba

Helping Mama with laundry. I love him.

He seriously blesses my heart!

I know that he will be starting school before I know it, so I am trying to capture the little moments with him. Now, when he wakes me up two nights in a row, I am ready to pack his backpack now (lol kidding).

WE LOVE YOU, BRANDON!!!

Meg

My Newest "Nephew"

Brandon was back to his normal self yesterday, thank goodness!!! We spent the morning at home and then after naptime we went to Hendersonville to meet my newest little nephew...

GIZMO!!!!!

Isn't he PRECIOUS?!?! Brandon wasn't sure what to think of him but he did pet him a few times. He has only been around big dogs so I think he was confused. =)

As always, we had a good time hanging out with Tiffany and the kiddos.










Meg

Sick Day #2

Well, since both boys were feeling icky today, we didn't leave the house. Carson hasn't run a fever yet but Brandon can't seem to shake it. I am hoping they are both feeling better tomorrow and Brandon's fever is GONE! This was our day today...

Reading books, drinking juice, and watching the Wiggles

He just wanted to be held

Hanging out in Mama and Daddy's room...Carson was NOT content in that bouncy seat! =)

Poor Brandon...he stayed in this spot for a couple hours of the day and that is NOT like him

My little cuddle bug!!

Even though he didn't feel good, he still found the time to pick on Carson

...and I was able to get one or two smiles

I guess I need to apologize to my UT family out there. Since Nate is from Alabama and is a Bama fan, I have to have atleast ONE "Roll Tide" accessory for the boys. The only thing Bama they have it a Bama paci which Carson uses.

Nate was sweet enough to watch the sicklings so I could take a break and go to Zumba. This was my fourth class this week. I am loving it!!!

Meg

Zumba and Sick Babies

I LOVE ZUMBA!!! We joined the YMCA the week before Thanksgiving and I have been going to Zumba several times a week since then. Yesterday I went TWICE...yes, in one day! It's a great work out and so much fun. I have been pregnant for the past two years I needed a good workout! =)

Yesterday morning we got up, ate breakfast, and went to the Y as we have the past few Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Brandon ate a normal breakfast and seemed to be doing okay. Well, 45 minutes into my Zumba workout the childcare worker came and got me and told me that Brandon was running a 99 degree temperature!! =( I felt terrible!!! When I walked into the nursery I could hear him screaming. He looked TERRIBLE! I loaded the boys up and went straight to Walgreens to get a thermometer (somehow ours got lost in the move). When we got home I took his temp and it was at 100. Poor baby! I laid his blankets on the floor, turned on the Wiggles (his fave), and gave him his sippy cup and paci. If you know Brandon then you know he doesn't sit still for long! I knew he wasn't feeling good when he laid there for about thirty minutes.

He took a 3 1/2 hour nap and went to bed at 7:45. His fever finally broke before he went to bed but he didn't feel good at all. He woke up this morning a little fussy but he seems to be more of his normal self. He brought me my phone this morning and said, "Nanny." I guess he wanted to tell his Nanny that he was feeling better!! =)



Meg

Family Photos

Melissa is a friend of mine from college that lives in Murfreesboro. Two weekends after we moved to Nashville, we drove to the Boro and had our pictures made. She did a great job!!! Here are a few...I am not posting the ones of all of us until Christmas (they are on our Christmas cards) =).












All my boys are the cutest! =)



Meg