Its so hard to say goodbye!

We have been blessed with an amazing family as our closest friends these past 5 years and we are so sad to say goodbye! Jay, Christina, Maisy, Lily and Isaac will be heading to Missouri next week where Jay will begin his job as a professor in the Fall. We are so happy for them, as Jay worked so hard to get many degrees for this kind of job but are so sad to see them go!


The Todds were the family we shared our first Thanksgiving with.... and we didnt even know them ha! I would have never dreamed after that day that we would continue to share so many others memories together.

These two werent even thought of when we first met and now they are bestest buddies! Griffin asks all the time where Isaac is... he loves playing with him! And rightfully so.. he is the one who teaches him how to play like a boy- guns, running and jumping, playing ball and getting in the dirt :)

These two girls hold a very special place in my heart too! Lily was not even 1 when we met and Maisy 2... and now look how big they are! They are as sweet as they can be and I have loved going to every birthday party and watching them grow up!

I can always count on a big hug, a smile and a sweet compliment out of the most well-mannered sisters I know. Maisy, the little mom, and Lily, the sweetest little girl ever!

I've loved having our kids grow up together!

and be silly together too of course :)

Sadly enough, I erased the one picture I got of Christina and I but I cant go without saying what an amazing friend she has been to me! The one I called for advice on following Christ, marriage, pregnancy, family, babies, cooking, cleaning, nursing and so much more. She was my mentor and biggest encourager in my walk with Jesus, and most of the time by not even saying a word. I have a laughed with her more times than I can count. We have traded off keeping each other's kids for time away for date nights. Heck I have even stayed at her house for 3 days with her kids while she went away ha! We have had some great trips to the mall and Mimi's cafe. And most of all we have become "family."

I love you Christina!!! And thank God for your friendship. You have taught me so much of what it means to be a follower of Christ, wife, mother and friend. I am grateful for facebook and cell phones because I know this isnt the end to our friendship but its so hard knowing I cant just come have a play date next week! We will for sure be vacationing in MO soon :)

Celebrating Father's Day

We had a pretty low key Father's Day weekend, but were thankful to get to celebrate ALL weekend! Friday we took the boys to the Marbles Museum in downtown Raleigh. We had heard a lot about it and it was a lot of fun!

Uncle Phil joined us and helped keep Carter company! I am so thankful Carter is doing better in the stroller and didnt have to be held the whole time :)

Griffin got to do a lot of pretend play. He made Daddy some dinner!

learned how to play hockey

being the goalie

surfing with Uncle Phil

being silly with Daddy

working in the workshop

and on a pirate ship!

We came back and had naps and then let Daddy open his presents. A card and coffee mug (his request) from the boys and a new outfit from his better half :)

We had 2 showings on Saturday to get the house ready for so it was nice to relax at a cookout with friends that night.

Sunday after church we did more napping (hey we like our sleep around here) and enjoyed doing nothing the rest of the day. Daddy just wanted to "hangout" with his boys.. and thats what we did! Carter gave him lots of smiles.

Watching golf with G. He looks up to his Daddy SO much and hangs on every word that he says.

Happy Fathers Day Daddy! You are our hero and we love you so so so much!

I honestly couldnt ask for a better partner to go down this journey of parenting with. To say that Griffin looks up to his Daddy is an understatement! He wants to do anything his Daddy does, asks about him every morning as soon as he wakes up and his favorite part of the day is when Daddy walks through the door. I love watching how much he loves his Daddy and I can only hope they both grow up to be just like him! I am most thankful that JR points them both to their heavenly Father in all things and Griffin already talks about Jesus all the time simply because his Daddy does.

So grateful for a wonderful husband, teammate and friend!!

Delaney

I am so happy for my cousin Jessica! She had her daughter, Delaney Anne Livesay on Saturday, June 18th. She weighed 6 lb 6 oz and has red hair just like her Mommy!

Yay for more sweet babies adding to our family :)

Growing boys

How funny is this picture?!? Holy cow.. JR and I couldnt stop laughing. This was taken last Sunday in JR's office between church services. We were just killing time and Griffin always loves to play with the VBS hats from last year. Well he decided this time that little brother needed to wear one too. And yes he was naked because I was in the process of changing his clothes.

I.will.laugh.at.this.picture.for.a.long.time.


Mr. Carter is now 4 months old. What?!? Well I must admit... it has actually been a LONG 4 months ha. I wouldnt change it for the world, however having 2 kids is the REAL deal :)

Carter is now getting more settled in to this world. Laughing and cooing. And still eating like a champ! Crazy to me how much he has changed since his first month.


And because big bro Griffin couldnt stand not having the camera on him, he decided to go and get his "Sojo" and take a picture with Carter :)

Mr. Griffin is now 26 months old and I look at him every day and ask, "How did you get so big?!?"

I will admit that trying to keep 3 different blogs updated is rather challenging with 2 crazy kiddos... so please go and check out their personal blogs because I do so much better for them :)

Griffin Jonah's blog

Carter James' blog

A break for vacation!

We just got back from a very spontaneous trip to TN for our family vacation. Never thought we would be going back to our hometown to vacation but with views like this, I am SO glad we did!

More to come :)

Good news all around!

I am BEYOND thrilled to update that sweet Thatcher is now home! If you remember, he had a liver transplant back in March and has been in Pittsburg for the last 2 months. He is doing remarkably well and I just love his little smile! I talked to his Mommy yesterday and she said they are so glad to be home and now just trying to get back in the groove of being a family of 4 since they have been away from each other for so long. Please continue to pray for this family!

Miss Rebekah who was diagnosed with leukemia just over a month ago found out yesterday that there is only .01% of leukemia cells in her body now! The chemo treatments have worked and we are praising God! Continue to pray for positive reports for the Chandlar's and you can follow them at http://jchandler.org/

More good news for Mr. Max Muesch, who was diagnosed with heart block at 28 weeks. Amy had her 32 week check up today and he is doing very well! There has not been any further damage, his heart rate has increased and the doctors are very positive! They are looking to delivery him at 36 weeks which will be here soon! Our great friends just had a shower for Amy and Max this past weekend and I am sad I couldnt attend! Doesnt Amy (she is in black) look great? Their blog is http://maxmuesch.blogspot.com/ if you want more updates.

And last but not least.. this adorable little one is Mr. Briggs Tuten! He was born last Thursday to my friend Jessica and they are both doing well! Cant wait to hug this sweet boy and squeeze those cheeks :)

I thank those of you who have been praying for each of these friends that are very dear to me. God listens and we are so thankful!!!

A thorough Mimi and Potts spoiling

Mimi and Potts got to spend 5 days with us and to say that they spoiled us all is an UNDERSTATEMENT! First up was a trip to Chuck E Cheese.... I'm not sure who had more fun playing games, Griffin or Mimi and JR ha!


We were so grateful to have them watch the boys for us while we had lots to do for the Green wedding. Griffin didnt skip a beat and enjoyed playing with Potts. They played ball outside, rocked in the rocking chairs, got out every toy in his room and had lots of laugh time too!

Griffin reading Potts a book

Carter enjoyed what he does best... LOTS of eating! And there were some coos and giggles too :)

Mimi held him pratically the entire time and gave him so much attention that it took Mommy 2 days to get him unspoiled haha... JK! Well not really but I know thats what great grandmothers are for :)

They took us out to lunch after church Sunday and I was finally able to snap a shot of all 4 of them.

There is NO doubt that this weekend couldnt have happened if they werent here to help us. We were busy Thursday-Saturday until very late each night so we were thankful to know the boys were well taken care of!

Now they are continuing their anniverary vacation and headed to the beach! Happy early 50 years to the greatest couple I know. We love you and are so glad you let Wake Forest be your 1st stop on your trip!

Mr. and Mrs. Green!

We were honored to be a part of a VERY special wedding this weekend. Our Pastor, but more importantly great friend Jacob, was marrying my sweet friend Stacey! The fun began with a bridal luncheon on Friday morning. Girl time was a great way to kick off the fun!


I had the awesome priviledge of helping the groom with the rehearsal dinner. I love party planning and jumped at the opportunity when Jacob said he needed some assistance. He wanted a luau theme and although I was a bit of a crazy woman for a week getting it together I think it turned out well!

Stacey and her bridesmaids

The engaged couple enjoying their last night of being single!

Of course Griffin would DROP my camera the day before a very important event that I wanted to take a TON of pictures at.. so my focus is way off on these. It was also hard to take a bunch being in the wedding... and I helped the bride out and took pictures with her camera too!

Here is the best shot of the bridal party I have... looking forward to seeing the photographers!

They had a beautiful ceremony and needless to say Will and Kate didnt have ANYTHING on this couple... they were stunning!

Can I just say how much fun it was for BOTH JR and I to be in the wedding? Not only did we both get to go to everything together but it was so fun to be dressed up and take pictures too!

We were extremely grateful that Mimi and Potts came up to help us by watching the boys all weekend. It was fun to have them all at the reception with us! Here is our oldest cutie... sporting his seersucker and bowtie :)

And the little chunky monkey looking too precious sleeping in his smocked jumper.

Somebody found him an older woman and asked to "dance dance" the whole time!

The newlyweds at their reception

Look what happened to their poor getaway car. The guys wrapped it... and THEM!

We had an awesome dance party!!! And yes Baptist do know how to dance and have fun too! It was incredible to see pratically our entire church their having a BLAST!

Last dance for the happy couple

Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Green! Thank you for letting us be a part of your special day....We love you!!!