2 1/2 months after Ike...

We got to visit with Papa and Nanny this past weekend. Up until this point they have been busy repairing their house after Ike left a mess for them. Their house looks great and all repairs are almost done. It was so good to see them.

Nanny and Cole fed the ducks. Cole loves watching the ducks.

Daddy went fishing off of the deck and caught a 20-inch trout. You can just see the joy in his face as he shows off his prize.

It was a little chilly this weekend so Papa made a fire. It was the first time Cole had seen a fire. He gazed into the flames with amazement.

After church on Sunday, we drove around the area to see how it looked after the devastation of Ike. It was an unbelievable sight. You could tell that a lot of work had been done but at the same time it was still such a mess. It will take a long time for things to look "normal" again. Cole didn't last long on the "tour". (Ignore the pink carseat; they have a granddaughter too and that is her carseat.) Thank you Nanny and Papa for having us over and being such wonderful hosts. We had a great time.

Laughter

Laughter filled our house last night as Donny and Cole played chase, wrestled, and just joked around. It was a pleasing site that filled my heart with joy. It is moments like these that you just want to slow down time and enjoy every second.

Thanks Love for giving me one more reason to fall in love with you all over again.

A Walk to Remember

Two years ago God called our 18 year old niece, Tracie, to be home with Him. She was heading home from college one weekend and was in a deadly single car accident. Tracie was one of these teenagers that thought ahead. She made it known that her wishes were to be a Life Donor. She wanted to give her tissue and organs to those who could benefit from them after she was gone.

Tracie's former high school put together a Life Donor awareness walk and scholarship program in honor of her. It is our hope that this benefit will continue every year.

Taunt and Cole have fun doing a cake walk. We want the yummy chocolate one, ya'll!

Daddy and Cole tried to win a cake too. No luck. We really didn't need that cake anyway. :)

PawPaw and Cole have a talk. Cole is still thinking about that cake. Me too. :)

We all went on the walk that went around the high school campus.
The crowd of supporters that showed up was amazing. The dance teams from two high schools performed and the drum line played Tracie's favorite beat. There were speakers and other singers too. We had so much fun and look forward to participating next year.

Tracie was full of life and had a positive impact on all she met. God used her to touch lives; while physically here with us and even now that she's not.

Early Celebration

I meant to post this a few days ago, but Cole and I have both been sick. It was not fun. Anyhow.

We celebrated Cole's first Birthday with his cousins on my side of the family last Saturday. It was so much fun seeing all of the little ones have a blast. We didn't have anything fancy, no jumping gyms, clowns, or expensive prizes for the kiddos; just an old fashioned birthday party. Good company, good food, cake, balloons and bubbles for the kids, and a funtastic time.

Cole watched me make his cake all afternoon. I'd give him a sample of the whipped icing every now and again. It kept him coming back for more. I think he liked his cake, he sure is admiring it in this picture. Or he wants more icing. Ha. :)

Grammy sure can cook. We had fried chicken (ok, so we cheated and bought that), scalloped potatoes (one of my favorites), green beans, grapes, strawberries, cheese and sweet tea. Oh is was a southern home cookin comfort meal. Mmmm.

After dinner, the kids played duck-duck-goose. It was so cute to watch them. Some knew the game like they'd been playing it for years and some were just figuring it out. (They played this game until it was time to eat cake.)

I thought Cole was crawling out to join in on the fun.

But, I was wrong. Little guy passed up the playful kids and was going out to the barn where his horse Ace, and the dogs were. I've never seen such determination.

Pa and Grammy to the rescue. Boy, you can't leave your party. Come back and play with the other kids.

It's time for cake!

Mama, are you serious? Is that whole piece for me?

Oh, thank you Mama. This cake is soooooo good. I love cake.

Not one ounce wasted. My boy loved his cake. I was so proud of him. Not one bit of icing on his shirt or face. Unbelievable.

After all the kids got hyped up on cake, they ran around chasing each other with their balloons. It looked like so much fun.

I lost Cole's attention after we opened up his very first present. After that, all the kids were more interested in playing with Cole's new fire engine. I thought is was so cute how one of Cole's cousins would push him while the others would "cheer" him on and wait for their turn. So cute.

I don't know why we thought we could get all of these youngens to sit still and smile at the same time. It was a challenge but I think I caught a pretty good one.

Everyone seemed to have a great time. I know Cole did. Can't wait for the next party. :)

Weekend at Pa & Grammy's

We got to spend and extended weekend with Pa and Grammy this past weekend. It was so much fun. Friday morning while I was fixin' Cole breakfast, this is what I turned around and saw:

The boy must have been hungry! No, poor thing is cutting two more teeth and is biting on everything.

After breakfast we called up the horses. Cole looked out into the pasture and pointed to the horses and yelled, whoooooo. That along with a bucket of feed; the horses came running. It was such a beautiful sight. Excitement filled my chest as they came closer. Today, I'd finally get to ride. Maybe.

While I was getting the horse ready, Pa let Cole "drive" his truck. Cole loves pretending to drive and jump up and down on the seat. The joy my little boy finds in the simplest of things makes me smile. I love that about him.

Cole got to ride a horse for the first time. His Pa took real good care of him. Cole loved it and didn't want to stop.

In fact, every time Pa would stop the horse, Cole would kick his legs and call out as if to say, "Pa, let's go!". It was very cute.

In this picture, Cole is waving to me. He's my little ham in front of the camera.

FINALLY, I thought I'd never get to ride. (Ha, I'm only kidding.)

I find that this is a place where I can get the best view....horseback. It is a place where I do some of my best thinking. A place where I can be alone with God. A place where all my troubles melt away. A place where I can feel like a kid again. A place that feels like home.

I thought this was a cool picture to take. Something you see all the time while you're ridding but never take a picture of.

As I was ridding through the pasture, I looked toward the drive way and this is what I saw. Pa and Cole are taking the lawn mower for a spin. Curious, I rode my horse over to where they were and had to laugh. Cole was having so much fun, smiling and giggling the whole way. The simple things.

After lunch, Cole and I went to see Grammy at work. She was working hard and had lots to do, but it was Friday. She welcomed the break and a chance to show off her grandson.

That night after dinner, Cole and Grammy had some time to play together. He got spoiled rotten. I love it.

Cole's checking out Pa's boots. Hmmm what's in there? You think they'll fit?

After wrestling with Pa, Cole takes one look at me with the camera and decides to come get me. I love his mischievous "I'm gonna get ya" face.

Cole's giving Grammy his "sweet" eyes. He sure does love her.

Wow, we sure did do a lot in one day. You'll have to watch for the next post to see what we did on Saturday. More fun.

First Hair Cut

Cole got his first hair cut yesterday. We went to a place that was just for kids. It was really neat. He got to sit in an "antique" fire engine while the stylest cut his hair. He loved it.

I didn't think it was possible for him to be any cuter. What a handsome little man.

Aunt Nell & Uncle Richard's

This past weekend we went to watch our nephew, Nick, play football (#80). He is a senior in High School and is pretty good if you ask me.

Cole loved the game. I think he thought that everyone was there for him because he waved to everyone around him. He also would clap when the crowd clapped. I'm not sure what he thought but he seemed to have a good time.

We stayed at Aunt Nell and Uncle Richard's house. Cole loved all of the attention. Aunt Nell let him put his feet in the pool and splash the water, she swang with him and spoiled him rotten. It was great!

Taylor was at a dance competition on Saturday but got to spend some time with Cole on Sunday. Cole loves his cousin, Tay-Tay. (I regret not getting any pics of Cole with Taylor; next time. Thanks again for such a great time!