Grandaddy's Gift!

Grandaddy (my dad) came over the other day to bring Mariah a special birthday present he had bought for her. I had no idea what was in this little square box. What was it, a Beauty and the Beast snowglobe. I know that seems like a crazy gift for a 1-year-old, but it was a sentimental gift. First of all I love love love snowglobes. I only have a couple because I am not a clutter collector person, but I love to look at them and I even have some on my Christmas tree!! Secondly, we also call Mariah "Belle," which is the name of the character in the Beauty and the Beast movie. He said as soon as he saw it he knew he had to buy it for her. It is so beautiful and I am so glad he got it for her. She and Chase love for me to wind it up and dance to the music. I am trying to teach Chase how to slow dance to the sweet lullaby. Mariah loves it even though she can't play with it, she loves to listen to the music and watch the glitter swirl around. I am a sucker for sentimental gifts, and I just loved this one! Thanks grandaddy!!

No Idea!

From time to time I catch both of my kids in the strangest places. I guess its just their age to wiggle into tiny spaces, but sometimes it is just plain funny! Jordan was at work when I found Chase here, so I texted him a picture. His comment was "Can we ship him this way?" Here is Chase's latest crazy spot!!

Sand and Ice!

The kids are really loving the beach this year, and it is a great fun and free thing to do. We have been trying to make it to the beach once a week, but it is a lot to pack with kids. You have to bring towels, toys, umbrella, chairs, snacks and anything else Jordan and I can manage to carry down to the waters edge! This year we are going a lot at night as well. We just let them play in the sand and they have a blast. You don't need as much stuff just to play in the sand. Down in Duck this year we were introduced to Rita's Italian Ice, and it just so happens that we pass one on the way back home from the beach. We have been taking the kids there a couple times a month for a icy treat. Its healthier and cheaper than Cold Stone!!! Making good memories for them!!!

First Birthday Party!

I had planned a fun outdoor pool party for Mariah, but God apparently had other plans. A severe rain storm and flood advisory came pouring in at four o'clock on Saturday, did I mention the party was at four thirty!!! So much for the pool party. Everyone made it, some more soaked than others (Raegan!) and we had a blast despite the roaring downpour outside. Thanks to all the family and friends who dared to venture out and brave our crowded house!!

Happy 1st Birthday Mariah!!!

I start as all moms do, I can't believe my baby is 1! But time does fly, especially when you have other munchkins at home. Mariah was born on a Wednesday, I do remember that much. At 6:54 after almost 24 hours of labor. I never imagined I would love a little girl so much. Mariah brings a joyful almost musical bounce into every room she enters. She has big beautiful blue eyes and the biggest grin squashed in between two huge chipmunk cheeks. She is very sweet and likes to be brave and independent. She adores her brother Chase and is lostfully lonely when he leaves the room. She is such a blessing and I thank God for handpicking her for our family.


Jordan was gone all day/night with work, but I was not going to let that stop me celebrating her special day. Some friends and I took our kids to the mall play area and the kids had a blast. We ate lunch and then headed home for naps, crucial for my kids! While the kids were napping I made homemade banana pudding for our birthday dessert. My parent came over to help celebrate. Mariah was not at all intimidated by the large plate of sugar in front of her!


We did present with Jordan the night before, but I think Chase had more fun with her "birthday toys" as he calls them.

Talking about Crabbies!

Crabbies!!

Ever since Jordan brainwashed Chase into wanting a dog that is all he talks about. And since everyone knows that I do not want a dog in my house, I started looking for other options. Fish seemed to be the best logical pet, but I still manage to kill those poor innocent swimmers, and the thought of having Chase see me flush his loving pet down the toilet made me think twice. Then it dawned on me that we could buy Chase some hermit crabs in OBX. Me and all the cousins used to get them every year and have races as kids. So before we left we purchased two "crabbies" as Chase calls them. Funny thing is I do all the work for these gross little creatures, and it is funny that we bought them for Chase and he can't pick them up or play with them, Hmmmm! Well, I will tell anyone in the market for these crazy animals that they are super cheap to raise because they will eat anything you throw in their cage, but I will warn that the info on them says they can live up to 20 years!!!!! Yeah well we will see about that!!

Grocery Shopping!

I ran up to the grocery store this morning to grab a few things and I brought Chase with me. We were going to get some lettuce and we passed a man putting away tomatoes and Chase said, "Hey there little fella, what are you doing with these tomatoes." The man just smiled and kept on putting away tomatoes. Then we proceeded to the cereal isle where a very muscular tattooed man was trying to find the right cereal but dropping about 10 boxes on the floor in the process. My child quickly picked up on the man making a mess and said very loudly, "Hey that daddy is being bad and making a big mess, he needs a time out." I quickly bolted and did not look back to see the mans reaction!! My my, who knew grocery shopping could be so interesting. Oh by the way, my child now refers to any woman as a mommy and any man as a daddy.

OBX Videos!

Jordan took Chase out body boarding for the first time, and as you can see he loved it. I will say that the next time we do this Chase WILL be wearing a life jacket!!



Mariah loved walking on the "wet sand" as Chase called it, and waiting for the water to crash onto her little feet. She was not afraid at all, as opposed to Chase at this age who hated the water. She did however get a little uneasy when we tried to take her into the water!

OBX, Oh how we miss you!

We are back from OBX and are all very sad. We had so much fun swimming, playing in the sand and just relaxing. Thank you so much Bobby and Lolly for the vacation!!! The kids played at the beach almost every morning and cried when they were ripped form the sand. Our days were full of fun in the sun and nights with card games, board games and laughter. It was fun to leave our worries and busy lives at home and spend the week out in God's beautiful beaches. I will say that we saw so many rainbows down there, what a great reminder of Gods unwavering love and promises. We will look to next year for more ice cream, Swedish fish flavored Italian ice, peanut butter m&ms and pancakes!