Dalton is TWO!

Dalton's birthday was today...I cannot believe he is TWO!  The past two years have flown by! 

He loves to play ball. 

He makes a hissing sound for every word he doesn't know. Even if he does know the word, he might hiss at you! For those of you that know him, you know what I'm talking about. Most people think it's funny...

He thinks Brandon hung the moon.

He is dairy intolerant but was able to eat birthday cake!!! I found a milk free cake and icing! YAY!

He hasn't been to the doctor for his two-year checkup but I am confident that he is big for his age. He is wearing 3T-4 clothes and is built like Brandon. The last time we went to the doctor, there was about a 5 lb difference between him and Carson. 

We are so thankful for this little ball of energy and sweetness. He still lets me cuddle him which makes my heart happy. 

We love you to the moon and back, Dalton Joel!!! 

His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

So Brave!

Go, Brandon, go!!

I am so proud of him!! We were swimming at Grammy and Papa's on Saturday and I asked him if he wanted to take his floaties off. He could touch in the shallow end but he also had the form down so I decided to see if he could swim without the floaties.

HE DID IT!! By the end of the day he was jumping off the diving board.


His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

VBS x2

The week of June 9th was VBS at church and the boys had a blast!
The following week the boys went to Alabama and participated in VBS at Grammy and Papa's church. They had a blast! =)

I volunteered to teach Brandon's class this year and that was a lot of fun. There were a couple Pre-K classes but my class had sixteen kiddos and twelve of those were boys. I love boys. It's true. However, we spent lots of time on the playground and found very interesting ways of getting from point A to point B. Those poor girls...all four of them...hahahahaha! They seemed to be having fun but bless 'em! =)

The theme of VBS at Forest Hills (our church) was Agency D3. These are the boys name badges for the week...

We focused on the verse 1 Peter 3:15, "Always be ready to tell what you know about Jesus." They were "agents in training" as they learned about Jesus and how to share the gospel with family, friends, and classmates. The curriculum was great and easy to follow and the kids seemed to grasp the content which is always encouraging! =)

I am so thankful for this body of believers and the way they serve out of a genuine love for the Lord and his people. There were 700 total participants for the week...250 adult and youth volunteers and 450 kiddos. There were 30+ decisions made to follow Christ and one those being the parent of one of the children participating!

The boys finally let me take a picture on the last day...

VBS ended that Friday and we went to our favorite Mexican restaurant for lunch

Friday night was Family Night. Brandon and Carson sang with the Pre-K choir which was PRECIOUS and then the K-6th graders sang songs they had learned throughout the week. Afterwards, we went outside for games, food, fellowship, and fun!

The boys love VBS so much that they went to Alabama to participate in ANOTHER WEEK of it! Their seven cousins from Florida were in Alabama for the week, too, so they had a great time!!!

Nate and I enjoyed a quiet week at home. I worked a lot since I had been off the week of our VBS but it was ok...I was able to nap!! =) Nate and I got to go on a date to J Alexanders (my fave). After about 48 hours of them being gone I was more than ready for them to come home but I tried to make the best of it.

On Friday afternoon, Nate and I drove to Grace Baptist for their Family Night. Their theme was Weird Animals so it was neat seeing a different theme than what we had done. Here they are singing with the kids choir...

They had a great couple weeks...now time for the rest of the summer!


His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

Happy Birthday, Brandon William!

Yesterday was Brandon's 5th birthday!

This seems like yesterday. I will never forget the feeling of being a mommy for the first time. Everything was so new and I had no idea what I was doing.

• He has always been strong willed and independent...I have no idea where he gets that from.
• He is too smart for his own good. If you know him then you know what I am talking about.
• He loves Jesus. It is so precious to hear him talk about Jesus and the desire to know more. 
• He isn't overly affectionate...ok, I have to BEG for a hug...don't know where he gets that either (hahaha). On the rare occasion he decides to give me a random hug, I stop whatever I am doing to accept it. 

Brandon William, thank you for making me a mommy!! 

I am so thankful that God chose me to be his mommy!! 

We are having VBS at church this week so I felt a little guilty that his birthday happened to be the same week. But, I have great friends that helped love on him and make his day special. My friend, Ashley, was in charge of recreation and during her time with the kids she made it a point to have everyone sing happy birthday to him. It was a sweet time and it really did make him feel special! 

We told Brandon we would eat at his restaurant of choice. I really thought he would say "Mexican" since that's our favorite but instead he said IHOP. Nate could eat breakfast for dinner everyday of the week but I am not a fan. I am convinced he chose IHOP because he loves his daddy but whatever! =)

We got home and celebrated with cake and presents! He was one happy and thankful little man!

Happy Birthday, Brandon William!!! We love you!


His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

It's A...

BOY!!

We are so excited about baby boy #4!!!

Easton Thomas Moore will be here this fall and I can't wait to meet him. There are days that I tell him how sorry I am that he has to leave the comfort of my belly to come into this crazy world with his three brothers (hahahaha) but I am sure he will fit in just fine! =)

Yes, I stuck with the pattern when naming him. I CAN'T HELP IT!! =)

I have liked the name Easton since I played softball. It's the name of athletic gear and I have always thought it would be a cute name. After having Carson, I told Nate that if we had four boys then I was going to name the "E" boy Easton. He wasn't crazy about it at first but when we found out this one is a boy he said the name was growing on him. That's good because he had a few years forewarning!

So, Brandon, Carson, and Dalton are going to have a baby brother and it's the topic of a lot of conversation around our house.

I am thankful for a healthy pregnancy and baby and praying the last few months stay as calm and peaceful.

Now for the honesty in all his - hahahahaha...
Some people's comments are ridiculous when finding out it's a boy...

"Awwww are you serious?" Some people are so disappointed that it's not a girl. So are you not going to love my baby because it's another boy?
"Are you going to keep trying for a girl?" Uhm. We weren't "trying" for a girl this time, goofballs. I will say that I was 100% indifferent when it came to the gender. I just want a healthy baby. However, having a girl scares me! I think it's because I have had three boys and it's just different but also...girls are mean!! Seriously. Yes, I know I am one. That's why I can say that. I have seen girls be mean to each other; I have been mean to other girls; it's sad. There are so many cultural standards for girls that it scared me. Oh, AND, this baby factory is closed after this one so quit asking if I am going to try for a girl!
"You need a girl to experience real motherhood." Yes, this has been said. Ridiculous, huh?! It's not even worth my time to comment.
My favorite was from my ultrasound tech...
"Ok, well, it's another boy. See you next year with your girl." No you won't.

I didn't really have these thoughts when I had Brandon but I remember having Carson and being overwhelmed with responsibility of raising boys. Yes, the cultural standard for girls is intimidating and I can't imagine having to tie hairbows and buy Barbies, but there is so much pressure in raising boys. I am not saying one gender is more important than the other or accusing one of being less than a parent because of the gender of their children. However, I feel the pressure of raising Godly men that will one day lead...my prayer is that they lead from a God-fearing heart. There is pressure in raising MEN that will be strong leaders. Feeling the pressure isn't a bad thing but I think it's overlooked in parenting circles. Our little boys are future leaders of our businesses and country. Parenting them shouldn't be taken lightly.



His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17