To the Man I Love

Tonight, as I was coming in the house from my tennis match, Will was going out to take out the trash. I went upstairs to my bedroom to undress and Will came into the closet and said, "Todd just called and he's at the Emergency Room, his dad just had a heart attack and died."

I thought he was joking.

And then I saw that look in Will's eyes, the tears on the brink.

Todd and Will are the best of friends. He's that guy that Will calls when he wants to go see a "guy" movie. The two of them go to every away Alabama football game and basketball tournaments. He's a great friend. My heart goes out to him tonight. He was so close to his parents...one of the "good" guys. Todd, you are in my thoughts and prayers. May God give you peace to get through this storm.

The rest of this post is dedicated to this man, who I am so in love with. He is that guy. The one that a friend calls when he is grief-stricken in the emergency room and doesn't know where to turn. He is the guy you call when you're moving furniture and need another hand. He is the guy you call when you need assistance putting together a playground for your child. He is the guy you call when you need someone to take care of your dog when you go out of town for the week. He is the guy that will literally give you the shirt off your back, and then give you $50 to go buy a new one. That guy is the love of my life.

He is the most gentle, patient, loving, kind-hearted, humble, witty guy I know. He is disciplined and noble - never had a drink in his whole life - and was a KA for 4 years at Alabama - go figure? He is a friend to all - believers and non-believers - he truly walks the walk AND talks the talk - though very quietly and humbly.

He is the best father to our children I could ever ask for. He is a hard worker, both in the office and at home, an honest man. He loves our children to the point of nearly passing out any time he hears bad news about their health. REALLY. He is silly with them and patient with them, he's consistent in disciplining them and loving them twofold after the fact.

I could ask for nothing more. He is my soulmate. The one my heart longed for. He is a child of the Living God.

I love you, Will.

Bubble time!!!

Yesterday, Wilson only took an hour nap - which is not the norm for him - he is usually a 3-4 hour napper!!!! At first, I was not very happy, but then I let go of what I was doing (ironing, vacumming, laundry) and decided to play with him outside. I honestly cannot remember a time when I played with just Wilson one-on-one, sad huh? Emma Claire often gets one-on-one time to special things like plays, movies, play-dates, etc - being the oldest and the only girl. Henderson has gotten his share of one-on-one time so far, simply b/c he is a baby and there are times when I stay home with him while Will takes the older 2 out. But Wilson? He's falling into that middle child stereotype. I am a middle child - I don't think I was hindered by this at all, but I don't recall much one-on-one time with my parents either.

So, Wilson and I swang (is that how you say that?), hit tee-balls, pulled weeds together, blew bubbles and layed on a blanket in the beautiful sunshine - just the two of us!!!! (Henderson was still napping) It was glorious - he is truly the sweetest, most fun, exciting, say it how it is, little boy I know!!!! Truly, life personified!! Now, he can turn on you in a second and be a viper, but most of the time he is a sweet little guy. His vocabulary has astounded me lately, and it cracks me up the things he says. I've noticed lately that he tends to repeat everything I say to him and I think it's just his way of learning new words.

Wilson is very sensitive to others' needs and affectionate - he is also OBSESSED with the human body - maybe this explains the trouble we had with potty training - he likes anything about the human body - poo-poo included. Really, if you're ever naked around him and will poke and prod EVERY part of you and ask "what's that?" EVERYTIME!!!!! It is quite hilarious. I remember when he was just walking - he was obsessed with bottoms - we would literally stick his finger right in your bottom if he saw it - now I know that may be too much information for some of you, but just picture getting out of the shower and THERE HE IS -- you'd better run fast - and he would chase you - so determined! He even gets after Emma Claire and Henderson when they're bathing!!!! We've gotten on to him about it enough that it's not a huge issue now, but the other night I saw him do it to Henderson in the bath and I began remembering how he used to be!!!! Hopefully these little things about him, will pay off and he'll be a great physician one day!!

Today is Emma Claire's last day at the beach, but I won't see her until lunch tomorrow. They are driving back late tonight and she is going to spend the night at her Nana's house and stay with her while I work in the morning. Yesterday, they met some friends at Bay Point and she had a blast hunting for crabs along the bay - her heaven - anything involving critters!!! Then last night they went to a restaurant where they had kids' karaoke - I heard she was a microphone hog and had fun singing BINGO and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star!!!

This afternoon I am keeping Ellen's youngest, Stanton (11 months), along with Wilson and Henderson. I've set up a pack-n-play in Wilson's closet (nice and dark), so I'm hoping they will all nap A.LONG.TIME!!!! - keep me in your prayers!!!!

Missing a little girl

I am missing this sweet little face tonight.

She left Sunday afternoon to go to the beach with her Aunt Ellen, cousins (Chandler, Patton, and Mills) and Nana. She is having the time of her life - swimming in the indoor pool, playing in the sand, bungee jumping, shopping, eating, playing, laughing. I miss her. Wilson keeps asking where Emma Claire is and Henderson keeps looking around, like he's waiting for someone else. I can only imagine what it's like to lose a child. Here I sit, missing her, but knowing she's only 5 hours away, and God willing, will be back in 2 days. I have seen pictures of her on Facebook everyday that my dear SIL posts with her cell phone. I have talked with Ellen and Di Anna multiple times a day, and I know everything she's said and done (for the most part). Still, it feels like a part of my own body is missing - this sweet sweet child, who I cuddle with every night and who makes me laugh with her funny comments and questions.

SO, in honor of Emma Claire (and in case she is homesick and is able to look at the blog from a computer at the beach) here are some pictures of her bedroom!

This is my favorite room of the house - literally - I picked out everything for this room and my mom made much of it - it is a forever room (I hope), not too childish, but girly enough for a girly girl. She has been in this room since she was 24 months old (well, not this EXACT room - 2 houses later, but the same furniture and bedding, etc.). I love you Emma Claire and I miss you! Have fun, be sweet and be safe!

Sunday School Karaoke

In addition to all the Easter festivities this past weekend, we had a Sunday School potluck/karaoke party at the Turnipseed's!!!! They have EVERYTHING outdoors - karaoke, playground, trampoline, tree house/fort, zip line, doll house, rope swing (at the Turner's next door), toys - it's a great place for an outdoor party!!!! It started off warm, but got cool quick!!!! Our Sunday School class has the BEST cooks - the food is always AMAZING!!!!! What always amazes me too is the variety - a little bit of everything was there - spinach salad, layered salad, fruit, macaroni and cheese, sandwiches, ham biscuits, chicken fingers, chicken nuggets, fried chicken, pizza, cookies, cupcakes, cake, spinach dip, corn, rolls and I know I'm leaving lots out - that's just what I had on MY plate!!!!! Yum Yum!!!!

Wilson has a slight obsession with pockets!!!!

Henderson had fun...in oreos?????

Nope, he got into Melissa's plants....little stinker!

Thad, Stan and John had a great time showing off their musical talent - the children acted like crazy fans!!!!!

Sweet Amy took a ride down the zip line - at the end she hit "bottom", but that's not surprising considering she's got the body of a super model - like 6 feet tall and 100 pounds - we're a sight standing side by side!!!!

These precious girls had their turn singing - they did great considering they didn't really know any of the songs that well and couldn't read that quickly!!!!

Wilson found a huge helmet and kept it on a LONG time!!!! I think Sarah Davis was a little frightened!!!!

Emma Claire LOVES the zip line!!!! Will was the ride keeper - he must have put children on that thing 50 times!!!!!!

Chandler was right at home doing karaoke!!!!

Wilson got a chance to shine!!!!

These 2 are T.R.O.U.B.L.E

Will found this old bike and kept riding it around - I called him the Wicked Witch of the West, I also heard Pee Wee Herman comments!!! :~)

Sweet little friends - you might also note that this is 5 of the 7 Wildcat Soccer team!!!!

There he is again........

cousins and best friends!!!!

Have I mentioned how Greatly Blessed we are to have such super friends and family around??? Oh Yeah, I have! Well, we are - thanks be to God for this indescribable gift!!!!!!

Easter, Part 2

Whew...What a whirlwind weekend!!!! It has been so much fun - the children have had a blast, and as of 5:00 this evening, both boys were down....for the night!!!!! I have claimed my house back after coming and going 8 times and spending the night off - it's always fun to do so many things, but my house sure takes a beating - bags and bags packed and dropped, Easter baskets filled and emptied, filled and emptied, filled and emptied....you get my drift. I have done 4 loads of laundry, vacummed, packed lunches, cleaned bathrooms.....and the list goes on.

The Bunny came for a visit...

Emma Claire was proud of her letter to the bunny

and excited that he wrote back

We had a moving worship service this morning and a packed out Sunday School - which was kind of surprising given that this is the first weekend of our Spring Break!!!! After church we headed over to Will's parents house where we had a quick lunch and then spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the sunshine and hiding Easter Eggs!

Here are Will's mom (Di Anna), Ellen and myself for a rare picture!!!!

The little angel himself!!!!!

A family photo - in honor of our Anniversary!!!!

Sweet little man

The princess - she is on her way to the beach as I type - I will miss her this week as she has fun in the sun with her cousins!!!!!

There's that angel look again, don't let it fool you!!!!!

All the grandchildren with Nana and Granddaddy Bud

In more casual clothes for a fun egg hunt!

Wilson wasn't too excited about Henderson getting his eggs!

Henderson is taking more and more steps every day!

Tomorrow, I'll post about our fun Saturday night Sunday School social / karoke party!!!! It was a blast!!!!