Wordless Wednesday

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cooper is 8 months old today! It really feels like yesterday that I was in the hospital with him in my arms. I guess we have all been so wrapped up in day to day life that 8 months have just popped upon us!

Chad said just last night that he can't believe that Cooper will be a year old in no time! Really!?

Nothing has been more enjoyable than watching Marlee and him interact these last 8 months. She adores him to the point that she sometimes hurts him. I'm sure he's just buying time waiting for the chance to get her back! To think that I didn't want anymore kids after Marlee?!?! I blame it on the rough pregnancy, hard delivery, and colic for 3 months, but now I thank God everyday that He put Cooper in our lives. Cooper was the balance I was waiting for. My life feels complete, plus, I really like even numbers! LOL

He's still very sweet and relaxed. He loves to laugh and you can see his sense of humor really taking hold. He has the curiosity of a cat. He has begun crawling to me when he wants me to pick him up. He has also started reaching out when I go into his room. AND He has started manipulating me. Crying in the middle of the night for me to come and rescue him! I'm going to be strong though and put a stop to it. Chad and I have decided he just likes sleeping in the bed with us. He likes to cuddle much more than Marlee did.

As for milestones, just yesterday, I discovered that first tooth! YEAH! Although, I can't get his tongue away from my finger to take a picture, but its there! He's still army crawling but sitting himself up when he wants to stop and play. When he gets to a stationary object he can pull himself up to his knees. I know it will be a matter of weeks before he is completely pulling himself up and cruising around the furniture!

Welcome Home!

Well, if you read my Friday Night Vent a few weeks ago, you may have heard some frustration in my tone. Well, the frustration is from the fact that there has been no activity on our house in months. Chad and I knew moving up here that the market was bad, but I don't think either one of us thought it would get this bad.

With the crisis of the economy in mind, Chad and I have decided to move back to our home in Georgia. We look at it with bittersweet excitement. Excitement to feel settled again, have space for the kids to play, and to be out from under these Knoxville bills that are draining our pocketbooks. The bittersweet comes from leaving Knoxville, our friends, and our jobs.

Being away has allowed Chad and me to reflect on the things we enjoyed about our home, neighborhood, and community. We've got new shopping (a Super Target, Kohl's etc) less than 10 miles from the house! Yeah! Plus, I realized the many friends I had made over the years. There are several friends in our neighborhood too.

So what's next? Well, I turned in my resignation at school. My last day will be Friday December 19th. We plan on moving out of the apartment and back to Georgia on Saturday the 20th. So, thankfully we will be in our home for Christmas. As for me working when we get back, as of this moment, I am undecided. Childcare for 2 kids is rather expensive, so we're going to crunch some numbers and see they say.

What can you do for us? Pray that the next couple of months bring settlement, relief, and peace for our family.

ThrowBack Wordless Wednesday

Well this WW is not so wordless.

You remember that group of friends from High School? The ones who you day-dreamed with and planned that perfect future and promised to be there forever for each other. Well, I've had four such friends. They helped me survive my homesickness the first couple of years of college and were by my side when I got married. They were even there, by phone when I had Marlee.

Unfortunately life took over, and we don't talk as often as I would like. One of those friends is one the verge (I mean a matter of hours, if even that long) of having her first baby. I've thought about her and the other girls a lot these last couple of days. I miss you friends and hope that all is well.

I don't have too me digital pictures of all of us together. All of the "real" fun wasn't captured on tape or is a regular photograph that I haven't scanned.

I hope you take some time to remember those friends from high school. What fun it would be to be a carefree teenager again, eager for the future and "life" to begin!


UT vs. MTSU 2002

New Year's 2002 (minus Wendy)

Charlotte's Wedding 2005

Busy Times

Sorry it's been so long. Here's our Wordless Wednesday. Although, I can't top my friend's WW! Congrats again Elizabeth!

Cooper has become quite the army crawler these days. You'll look away for a moment to find him across the room the next! Here's a video from this am. Be sure to listen to Marlee encouraging him along. Yes, she still calls him "Bubba."

Happy Halloween!

Marlee enjoyed her third Halloween (can you believe that!). This was the first year she's been somewhat intune with what was going on. Cooper was typical, just hanging out and people watching. We went over to our friends' house for trick-or-treating. They live in a very family friendly neighborhood.

Chad's uploaded several new pictures of the kids over the last few weeks. Check out the link here for new pictures of the kids. For now, enjoy Halloween 2008!

Abby Cadabby (Elmo's friend)


Pumpkin Man

Abby Cadabby and Bob the Builder

Happy Halloween 2008!