we got a house!

Yep. You read that right. We have a home! God has provided in a way only He could and we are so excited to have a place of our very own. Luke has already picked out everyone's rooms, and we still need to close (maybe next week) and fix her up (maybe another week after that) and then she's ours for real!!

We can't wait.

The Birthday Festivities

to my Luke...

Luke,

You have turned three this past week.

And you have seemed to grow before our very eyes.

I don't know when it happened, but it seems like yesterday you were just this itty bitty barely 6lb baby.

I don't know why, but your momma has been taking this turning three thing pretty hard.

Maybe it's your new found independance.

Or you sleeping in a full size bed.

Or you having an opinion about everything we do

But my guess is because you have become almost everything we hoped you would at three.

You are such a joy to be around. You just light up a room when you come in it.

You are pretty hilarious with those sideways looks you give as you shake your head yes.
or when you come downstairs after bed or nap and say, "Mom, I took a good nap! Is it nice outside?" You make us laugh when you ask us for your "green bug" story every time you get in your bed. But especially when you serenade us at dinner with your songs.

You love to see your brother when he wakes up and kiss all over him. But you especially love to be a "dinosaur" in his face. But your brother doesn't mind. He loves you just as much as we do. How could he not?

You are so sweet. You give us kisses and hugs randomly and will share with anyone who asks you for a bite of your snack. and always bring me the purple ones because you remember they are my favorite.

You brighten up our day when you crawl into bed with us and snuggle most every morning.

I never want to forget your sweet voice at this age. You are talking up a storm these days and have something to say about everything we see and do. And we are loving watching your vocabulary explode. You say something new everyday that we didn't even know you knew how to say.

You are an amazing little boy. We are so proud of who you have become buddy.

We love you more than words could say. Thank you for making us parents.

Happy 3rd Birthday Luke!

Luke turned 3 today. *sigh* 3. I just can't believe it. When did my baby grow up??


We have had a fun filled day, well, I guess we've kinda partied since Saturday night.

I will have pictures and birthday updates up some time tomorrow!

Happy Birthday Luke Daniel. You are the "light" of our lives!

fun for mom

There is a blog I like to read called 4tunate. It's written by a local, christian, mom and her 4 boys, and their life "quadassy's," as she calls them, and sometimes she'll do a giveaway. When I saw the latest one for HomeGoods, I had to sign up!

I know right now we don't have a house and are living with our parents, but we will hopefully be getting one soon, and who doesn't like to have 100$ to go spend on things for your home! I know I LOVE gift cards and I'm sure my sister could tell you how much we really enjoy our gift cards. We always seem to have one in our wallets for somewhere. It's great!

Anyway,
She said to enter you needed to take a quiz on your style...well here's my results
http://www.homegoods.com/quiz.asp?q=QkFBQ0RFREFBQTMwNzA
and post a comment on her blog.

and bonus, you get another entry if you blog about it on your own blog. So, here it is. :)

Wish me luck! :)

Under the Big Top

Last week we were able to make it to the opening night of the Circus! Oh my, it was so much fun. No one could wipe the smiles off their faces!! Luke LOVED it, as did Caleb. This might become a tradition now! It was so much fun!

House Update

Well, I guess it's not really an update because, well, there is nothing to update. *sigh*


We didn't get any of the houses we looked at before vacation, nor the one we looked at last week. There are a couple of other prospects, but nothing that looks like it's going to happen any time soon.

In the meantime, we moved to my mom's house over Labor Day weekend. And things have been going well. Luke has loved living with his grandparents, and well, Caleb seems to know no other life considering he was just 2.5 months old when we moved out of our house. So of course, he loves seeing all these different people everyday, all day.

We know this time in our lives is good. It's good for our kids to have all this time with their grandparents, it will be memories that we will carry forever. But it will be nice to have our own "home" again.

We are praying that God has the right home for us out there.....somewhere, and that we stumble on it at the right time. God's timing is not necessarily our own. (as we have learned in the past.....ah hem....Caleb!)


* On a side note, Luke is really really really, did I say really? looking forward to his "happy dirtday" coming up soon. Yes, a week from today, our Mister will turn 3. I said it. 3! It doesn't seem possible, but it is. And boy can you tell! whew! He is testing us (and his brother) every day. But it's all good. He's learning his boundries.

He keeps saying to people "at my Happy Dirtday, dey say, HAPPY DIRTDAY GUKE!" It's hilarious, he talks about everyday and we have a countdown to his party. He holds up those sweet little fingers for how many days he has left till his "dirtday." I hope he has a good time!

* And on another side note...

Last night we were praying before bed time and Luke said, "Ank You for my Dubby" I swear I about broke out into tears right there in his bed. But don't worry, I held it together. I hope he always is thankful for his brother, that was one of my fears in having another baby.

And then tonight before bed, he got a little excited while kissing his brother goodnight and well, I hate to say it, but he BIT his brother on the nose. To the point where there was a little blood. OH. MY. WORD. he felt bad. and of course Caleb milked it for all it's worth. (see what I mean about testing his brother!?!) But it really wasn't that bad, the mark on Caleb's nose doesn't compare to the marks he puts on his own face with his fingernails!

and anyway, while he was praying tonight he prayed for all his grandparents, for daddy and his work, and then said, plain as day, "I bite Dubby AAAAAA MEN!" At least he was honest.

First Homework

Remember when I told you Luke was starting "school?" Well, he has been going now for the past 4 weeks or so, and is gradually getting better at leaving me and actually going in to his class. This past Monday was his best yet, he went in and only cried for a minute and came out smiling ear to ear. He even walked with his teacher and "class" (just 2 other little boys) to make copies! That was big for him!

He'll tell you too that "I cry, just a little bit" but he is getting better at not crying as much. And he got a good report from his teacher this week too. We are so proud of you Luke!

So, last week he got homework. Sounds funny for an almost 3 year old to get homework doesn't it?? We thought so, but it was really just a sheet that I had to write some words on. And it was supposed to be words that would be helpful for her to work on with him. And we just let him color it, but he says that he has "homework" now. It's so funny.

We have poo!

That's right folks! and Yes I'm posting this on his blog. He is finally wearing big boy underwear all day and has been for the past week. He will go both pee AND poo (as evidence above) in the potty!! We are so proud of you Luke!

(is this a TMI post? HA!)

This picture says it all...

Happy Grandparents day Lala, Papaw, Mimi, Papaw Jeff, Great-Grandma Fish and Great-Grandpa Fish, AND Great-Mamaw!!

Hope you had a relaxing day yesterday! We love you!

the New News...

Well, did we have you sweating?

Waiting on pins and needles??

Do you wonder what we are going to announce??


No. It's not a house. Unfortunately.


No. We are not having another baby. But that would sure make life interesting.


and it's not like we haven't had a pretty interesting year with all the change that has taken place, new car, new baby, selling our house, no house to move into, living with the grandparents....

but to add more change,

Brandon has left his job at Bank of America.


He is now employed by Union Savings Bank and will be the only one on this side of town. He is very excited, and is bringing some great people with him. He has been there for almost 2 weeks now and is coming home so excited about the prospect of what he can do for his clients. It was a hard decision for him to leave Bank of America, but this was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

I have never really understood much of what Brandon does. I'm just not a math, numbers, mortgage kinda girl, but he has always been good at what he does. He has done a fantastic job with Bank of America, and we know he will only succeed more with Union Savings Bank.

We feel very blessed that in today's economy, Brandon could even make a switch in jobs and still do what he loves to do.

Brandon, we are very proud of you and know you will only do greater things in your new job!!!! Congratulations honey!


*if you are curious what rates are, or just want to tell him congrats, give him a call, email him at mayobrandon80 at yahoo dot com OR bmayo at usavingsbank dot com OR leave me a comment*
(I had to get some kind of plug in there somewhere:) )

4 months old....

Peanut is 4 months old today. Wow. 4 months. I can't believe it! I can't believe how much he has changed in just these short 4 months. He has just become this sweet, cuddly, chubby, handsome little man, who loves his brother more than anything. I can't remember life without him.


Caleb at 4 months you.....

** LOVE to watch everything your brother is doing. It always seems like you can't wait to do what he does and play with what he plays with.

**still have the bluest eyes we have ever seen.

**wear 6 month jammies (which you may outgrow soon) and have pretty much outgrown all your 0-3 month onsies and pants.

**have slept from 9:30pm all the way till 7:30pm. We are so proud of you!

**take 5-6 bottles a day. But probably more 6 bottles, averaging anywhere between 5-6oz each time.

**started rice cereal yesterday and you ate it like a champ. (no suprise there!)

**our peanut, are really no longer a peanut. (but then again, were you ever??)

**have thee rolliest polliest thighs ever. We love it!!

**have started to figure out how to move your hands to do what you want them to do. Which is usually you sticking your whole fist in your mouth and gnawing away.

**have started teething. (as told to us by your doctor)

**are a thumbsucker. Dad isn't too happy about that, but Mom thinks it's the cutest thing EVER!

**love to sleep on your belly for naps. And on your back for night time.

**have to have a paci and your blanket touching your face to go to sleep. If that paci falls out, no worries...you always find your thumb. :)

**have THEE loudest cry ever. There is no volume control with your crying, it's either no crying, or absolute screaming. But we love that about you. You just know what you want, and you want it now.

**are the smiliest baby ever. When you're not crying (which really isn't too, too often) you just smile from ear to ear. It's so sweet!

*seriously bat those long eyelashes at anyone to get their attention. Which usually always means you get a kiss, but I think that is what you really want when you do that!

**have started giving kisses back to us. Oh. My. Gosh. That is the best thing!!

**secretly like to be manhandled by your brother. He will roll you around, try to pick you up, lay on top of you, pull you're arms, feet, or whatever else he feels like, and you usually never cry. It's like you really love the attention he gives you. So sweet!

**still love watching your kick and play bouncer lights, and the toddler chair with the hanging cows and pigs.


Caleb you have grown before our very eyes buddy! We love you so stinkin much and can't wait to see what the future holds for you sweet boy!!!

Myrtle Beach 2009

Daddy and Caleb on the first morning we were there....
The boys in the pool. Both boys LOVED the pool this year. Luke was like a little fish with all his floaties, and Caleb was just so mellow the whole time.Luke eating his dessert one evening, chocolate pudding with gummy worms! Yum!

"Nwimmin" in the pool...pretty much this is how we saw him all day long.

Caleb in his hat....he hated that thing around his neck!

Luke in his raft. Best 2.99 we ever spent.

Mommy and Caleb by the pool

2 blocks away from our hotel there was a little carnival. And we got Luke a bracelet so he could ride all he wanted. This kid rode every ride he could 2-3 times, if not more. But his favorite were the Bumper Cars and Race Cars. Here he is on the helicopter ride. We stayed out till 11:30 that night! It was so much fun.
Caleb in the morning. Can you believe he is going to be 4!!! months old this Friday??


This is how he sat most of the time when we were down by the pool, unless he was in the pool with us. We just can't get over how blue his eyes are! It's so different to look at Luke with his puppy dog brown eyes and then look at Caleb with his piercing blue eyes you get lost in.

And how big does this little man look sitting like that!!


Mom and the boys...

Luke got ahold of the camera one day and took several pictures of me and his dad. This one makes us laugh....

Playing cars...his most favorite thing to do.
The last day we were there was the only time we had a chance of rain. And from our 21st floor room, you could really see the clouds rolling in over the ocean. It was beautiful. A reminder of God's strength and power....

The boy's feet in the sand.

Every year we get pictures of Luke with his name in the sand...this year we got to do 2 boys. :)


Our family August 2009

Overall, it was an amazing trip.

Unfortunately, Luke did not care too much for the beach this year. A stark contrast to last year if you remember. But we were able to get on the beach one evening for some pictures. We just spent most of our time in the pool and looking out over the ocean from there.

The boys did amazing well on our way back in the 13.5 hour car drive. (I had to get back to help with my cousin's shower on Sunday, so we couldn't split the trip up on the way home). We didn't have any fights, or screaming, or hysterical crying by anyone. Luke

We are so thankful we were able to to take one this year. We didn't know if we would be able to seeing as though we had some many changes in our lives this year, (and one more to announce too! but that's for a different post). But we were able to create so many fun memories and just have time away together. We probably just needed that more than anything. We were able to get rejuvinated and feel more relaxed. And right now, that has been very important.