Here are a few pics from our trip to Birmingham. We spent most of the time just hanging out with the kiddos & eating good food (Ryan & Jenn are known for there delicious recipes!) We went to the children's museum, the zoo & even got to have a play date with a friend from high school that I have only seen one other time in the past 10 years. It was so nice to catch up with you Francie & your babies are so sweet!
Of course we made time for some joker & unfortunately the girls were not able to take home a win this time.... I blame it on all the distractions :) but we had fun anyway visiting with Russ & Shireen (long time friends) & spending time lovin on their sweet lil man, Rhys.
Lauren & Derek (Jenn's sister & husband) were around & we always enjoy spending time with them. Derek thanks for your help...wish we could've seen more of you.
Ryan & Jenn thanks for the wonderful hospitality...you always let us come in and take over the place like its ours! We especially enjoyed staying in "Suite 7" which is the newest addition to their house (to accommodate their growing family). Can't wait to see you at Christmas...we love ya'll!
We did LOTS of ridin in the wagon & the faster the better
Audie & Daddy at the zoo
The two Ryan's with their babies!
The peacock came right up to Rollins.... ....Rollins had no idea it was there!
Great Family (All of you:) Great Love (I know it's been a hard year baby but I love you more today than yesterday!) Great Weather (It's been in the 60's in Louisiana) Great, Great, Great is thy faithfulness-Thank you Jesus
I am reminded everyday how good life is. I am so thankful to be living near family & not digging my car out of the snow. I am thankful for my patient, loving, giving understanding, amazing, cute, sexy husband.
We spent the weekend with Ryan & Jenn in Birmingham ...here is just a few pics from the week.I will update more on the trip later.
We got to spend some time with Jenn's sister, Lauren & her husband Derek(not pictured) & with our good friends Russ & Shireen & there sweet little boy Rhys (below)
Life is Good...no matter what comes our way....I cannot say that life is not good! This is the view by our house!
The weather has absolutely beautiful in Louisiana! The temperature is perfect, the air is crisp, the leaves are changing (wait...nope, not in Louisiana...oh well can't have it all :) but we are enjoying fall anyway!
Audrey turns 13 months old today & she really isn't a baby anymore :(
She is such a sweet spirited & happy toddler! Our days consist of playing & exploring & I love to try & see the world thru this little girls eyes....so new & innocent!
She was the cutest lil bear ever for Halloween & she even wore the hat for me (for a little while anyways)
She has a very strong bond with her Nana & sometimes prefers her to me even-I love to watch them together....she looks up to you Mom (good choice-Audie).
And of course we continue to route for the Saints!
And she has definitely got a mind of her own..... she will drag these hideous crocks (I'm not a crock lover....unless you are gardening-which is what they were created for-anyway :) she will drag these crocks out of her "shoe basket" & insist that we put them on her. It doen't matter if she is in her footie pj's (below) or in nothing but a diaper...she will trapse around the house in these shoes!
Today is Ryan's Grandmother's Birthday Gramma Cathy has played a huge role in Ryan's life & our daughter, Audrey Catherine, is named after her! She gave Ryan a place to live his first year of college (& fed him-not an easy task).
When we moved to PA, Gramma Cathy offered to come up & help us get settled in. She rode the 17 hours to PA with Ryan & saw our "temporary home" before even me. She stayed two weeks & kept me company while Ryan worked 12 hour days. The day after Audrey was born, she came to the hospital & spent the WHOLE day holding Audrey ( I think she only let me hold her to feed her :)
I was trying to think about the first time I met Gramma Cathy & I truly could not remember. I think bc as soon as we met it was like we had known each other for years.
I hope you know how special you are to us & how much we love you! -HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
I've been thinking about this day for over a year now. When I was pregnant & trying to prepare (if there is such a thing) everyone told me the first year would be the toughest. So true to form, I tried to plan (if you know me, I try to plan for EVERYTHING so this is not unusual). I read books about what to expect at delivery, taking baby home & all about the first year. I also talked to other mothers that had gone before me (Jenn-the other woman raising my child:) & mothers who were going along the same time as me (Courtney)....Both of you, Thanks SOOOO much for your wisdom & encouragement this past year. It really does take a village to raise a child (if you are trying to do it alone...good luck & God be with you!
Anyway, I don't think that there is ANYTHING, & I really mean that, ANYTHING that could have prepared me for this past year..... how many emotions can you go through in one year?!
Excitement, scared, joy, exhaustion, overwhelmed, more joy, grace, patience & the list goes on.
Audrey, I remember when we brought you home from the hospital. I mean the nurse just gave you to us & sent us on our way.... I'm thinking "yeah right lady, you want ME to raise this kid?...aren't you coming home with us to make sure we don't screw it up?" "don't you have a book or manual to send home with us?"
I also remember this overwhelming sense of joy & happiness!
Then we just kinda fell into a rhythm, you, me & daddy. We started working on your feeding schedule & getting you to sleep through the night (this is a BIG one) we tackled naps & your sleeping schedule then on to solid foods & you just continued to grow, crawl, walk & turn into the toddler you are now. And throughout each stage, you continued to change...your looks changed...your personality started to shine through & we all kinda got to know each other. Daddy & I learned to work together, disagree & love each other & you more & more each day!
God has also revealed Himself to us daily through you.
I think about how much I love you & I know that is how God loves us (yet He does it perfectly when we never could). I also know that He loves you more than I ever could (which doesn't seem possible) & that fills my heart with joy that I never knew possible. Your daddy & I pray for you daily & wait to see what God has in store for you. I pray everyday for the wisdom & grace to raise you for HIS purpose & can't wait to see what that will be.
Audrey you are such an amazing little person. You are smart beyond belief (I don't want to say advanced...but :). You have learned to communicate with us through sign language & it is such a relief to be able to know what you want & are trying to say.
You LOVE Elmo & will clap & point whenever he comes on. You're friendly & love to give any friend, toy, book etc kisses! Oh how you love bath time with daddy. Daddy will say, "let's go take a bath" & you will start trying to get your clothes off & say "uck, uck, uck (duck)" all the way down the hallway.
You love to read & turn the pages! A few of your favorites are It's time for Bed, First Steps in the Bible, & any book that has a dog in it. You can say dog but it comes out for like "og" with your pronunciation on the "G". You say Mumma, DaDa, Yaya, Duck, Dog, "ook" for Book & trying to say so many other words that we haven't figured out yet. You are a Momma's girl when you don't feel good, fall down or are tired but its all Daddy when you want to play! & I love watching you & daddy play together....you will follow him to the ends of the earth (So would I:) & even though I think you look just like me ...your personality & mannerism are all him.
You are drinking regular milk & eat pretty much anything we eat....you LOVE to eat!!! You are walking wherever you go & you go, go, go ALL day long.
HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY AUDREY
You are an amazing & happy little girl & I am so happy, proud, scared, honored, excited to be your mommy! Can't wait to see what this next year holds & I love you to pieces Big Girl!!!!!
Below is a few videos from this year...thought you would enjoy seeing what we've been up to!
Married in Mexico two years ago to the man of my dreams (not that he's perfect:), raising our precious little girl, Audrey Catherine....this blog is just a peak into our lives. As rich as we are in life(in everything EXCEPT money:), we still struggle, fall hard, get back up, try again & fail miserable ALOT. You'll be seeing mostly the good (not the bad & the ugly) but remember this is just a blog, we still struggle, we still go thru hard times we just dont usually blog about it. We thank God everyday for his grace & mercy & pray that each day we can be a little better.
We did LOTS of ridin in the wagon & the faster the better 
Audie & Daddy at the zoo
The two Ryan's with their babies!
The peacock came right up to Rollins.... ....Rollins had no idea it was there!
The petting zoo!
More petting!
No more pics mom...seriously!
