Snow Day

For the past few days, the weather has been forecasting 3-5 inches of snow. Jackson was so excited! We did all the things Southerners do- sleep in pajamas inside out, put ice in the toilet, and sleep with a spoon under the pillow. I woke up early and was disappointed to see nothing on the ground! Jackson woke up and was so mad! He was in the worst mood. It did start to snow a little, and we ended up with a dusting. That made the boys happy.

We ended up going sledding with Parker at Whitney's parents' house. They have a big hill in their front yard. The boys had fun. They loved having a snowball fight. Well it was actually snow and leaves. Noni, Brent, and I joined in on the snowballs.

Once that melted, we took the boys to Clemson. They got about an inch of snow. We went to the Wren. house and went sledding down the big hill. It was so fun!  They loved it! The hill is steep, and so you go very fast. The best thing- we were the only ones there.

Lunch at McAlister's warmed us up.

Happy 2017!

As I cuddle Walker listening to the rain and never ending fireworks, I am grateful for a new year and a fresh start. 2016 brought many blessings, but it has also brought lots of trials and sadness. In this new year, I am looking for peace in all aspects of my life. I am looking for peace in things and situations that I cannot change.

Walker has been such a blessing. His cuddles have brought me so much joy and comfort. I have loved watching Jackson and Brooks be the best big brothers. They have both grown and changed so much this year. I am so proud of these boys!

My mom's cancer diagnosis has really rocked me to my core. I have been an emotional wreck these past few months in between everything else. I have been very blessed with wonderful coworkers and friends. I have also been blessed that I have been able to go to all of the appointments with my mom that I have needed to.

Time is precious and goes too fast. While I want to be able to spend as much time with my parents and the boys, I also need to take care of me. I get 15 minutes to myself a week (my drive to pick up the boys on Tuesday afternoons).  That is the only time I am ever alone. I need to do better so I can have time to think and reflect and have quiet time with God.

My goals for 2017:
1. Make quality time with my family a priority
2. Find some time for me
3. Be grateful for what I have
4. Live in the moment
5. Figure some way to move out of this house! (I have no doubt that this will be a goal for the next 10-15 years or until I win the lottery!)

Walker is 7 months (and a few days)

So I realized I never did a 6 months post... At 6 months, Walker was sitting up by himself and eating lots of baby food.

At 7 months:

• Weighs 19 lbs and 3 oz
• Wears 9m-12m
• Hates socks
• Size 3 diapers
• Sits up independently
• Moves from sitting to crawling position and back
• Moves around the room by crawling backwards, rolling, and crawling forwards a little
• Babbles a lot
• Loves big boy toys and really doesn't like baby toys
• Can pull up on the couch
• Has 3 teeth and 3 more popping through
• Loves to eat- oatmeal, apples, sweet potatoes, pancakes, bread, pizza
• Dislikes anything green and gets so mad when we sneak in a spoon
• Prefers real food over baby food
• Loves Mum Mums and does really well feeding himself
• Loves to cuddle when he naps
• Naps around 10, 1, and 4:30
• Sleeps 8:00-6:00
• Has another ear infection (This makes 3 since his 3 month appointment. Jackson has only had 1 his entire life!)) He is on 20 days of antibiotics.  He goes back for a recheck January 11th. If they are not clear at that appointment, we are headed to the ENT for tubes.
• Happy Baby

Time, slow down! Walker is growing up so fast. I feel like he has done everything sooner than the other two, and it makes me sad!

I love this age where his personality is starting to show!

Christmas Adventure

The big boys spent the day at church, so we surprised them with a Christmas adventure. We went to eat at Carraba's. Jackson loved his pizza. Walker loved his bread. Brooks loved his ketchup.

Then we went to Roper Mountain lights followed by a quick trip to the mall.

Central Christmas Pageant

The boys have spent the weekend getting ready for the annual church Christmas Pageant. Jackson has been so excited to be a shepherd. That is what he wanted to be. Brooks was a donkey. His choir got to pick any animal they wanted to be. He wanted to a lion, a tiger, and then Paw Patrol. He settled for a donkey costume that Noni and I made.

On Saturday the boys has a rehearsal and then a birthday party for Jesus. The shepherds were having too much fun sword fighting with their " hooks."

The had to be dressed and ready to rehearse at 3:00. All of the little animals were so cute.

Brooks has a cold so he spent most of the show picking his nose with his middle finger or turned around talking to "Rudolph." He must have been hot too because he rolled up his pants. Of course he was right up front.

Jackson did not sing much but he was a good shepherd!

We enjoyed our spaghetti dinner and pictures with Santa. Of course Walker almost yanked off Santa's beard.  The evening ended in tears- Brooks broke his candy cane! You can't eat a broken candy cane!

Way Behind and 3 Things

Life has been busy, and I have not had any extra time to blog. We have been rushing around and enjoying time together. 

3 updates about everyone

Walker

• Loves to eat especially Baby Mum Mums, fruits, and sweet potatoes!
• Has become mobile-scoots on his bottom, goes from sitting to stomach, rolls over
• Starting separation anxiety- does not want to be left alone in a room

Brooks

• Rarely naps but falls asleep in the car on the way home. It is not pretty!
• Has been learning a lot in school including " oppopites"
• Still loves to sing and dance including his booty dance

Jackson

• Does really well with his popcorn words and reading
• Hates writing
• Has really adjusted well to school and has made some new friends

Tim

• Busy at work and spends many evenings working
• Dreads raking all the leaves
• Still cooks most of the meals at home!

Mary Elizabeth

• Soaking up all of the precious time with my family and boys
• Behind in school work, house work, exercise, and Christmas shopping
• Looking forward to sleeping in one morning (past 6 am)- hopefully in the next year!

Walker is 5 months old!

Sweet Walker is now 5 months old. He has changed so much in the last month!

• wears 6 months
• Size 2 diapers
• Smiles and talks
• Sits up pretty much on his own but still loses balance occaionally
• Wants to play all the time and be in the middle of everything
• Tried oatmeal, bananas, and apples
• Got his first tooth
• Wants to be big so badly
• Still eats 6 oz every 3 hours
• Sleeps 8-5:30 every night
• Loves to cuddle
• Loves to be outside
• Tries really hard to sit up if he's lying down
• Loves to play with his feet