Has It Really Been That Long?

Yup!  Ten years ago I graduated high school, and this past weekend we had a reunion.  Now, when it comes to high school reunions, there are usually a few different camps of people.  Some people HATED high school and never want to have anything to do with it again.  They would not even think to step foot into their reunion.  Some people could take it or leave it.  They've made new friends and reuniting with old ones is not on the top of their agendas.  And some people are already thinking about the 10 year reunion the day they graduate high school.  They would not miss it in a million years.
  
I would definitely say I'm a part of that last camp.  However, when Cory was not going to be able to come with me because of work, I got a little nervous and thought about skipping.  I mean, how lame am I to show up to my reunion alone.  After all, high school reunions are to introduce your husband and show off your children, right?

Well, I had a couple of friends really encourage me to go, and I'm so glad I did.  The kids and I started out the day going to a birthday party for a friend's little boy.  Although Landry was in a very crabby mood, It was great to see some of my friends and their cutie-pie kids.  Later that day, we went to another friends house with even more people and their kids.  Seems like we've all been pretty busy since high school making little families.  That night was the BIG affair.  The DJ played music from our high school days.  It made us feel like we were at one of our dances.  The venue was decorated with memorabilia from our days at Barbe.  We all talked and laughed and had a great time catching up.  It was really a great night.  

Here are a few pictures.  These were taken by a friend's mom who was there.  I totally planned on taking tons of my own pictures, but got to talking so much I didn't take a single one. 

Deidra and Me

Tubby is not so Tubby any more.  Melissa looked beautiful!

I wonder what I was thinking in this picture?  Gotta love Candids. LOL

Sitting Tall

For the last week or so, Eli has been straining to sit up when we lay him down.  I always think it hurts him to sit up because he has such a plump little belly, but that is what he wants to do.  So today I decided to sit him up and let go, to see what would happen.  I'd say he did pretty well.  What do you think?

The Men in My Life

Today, I want to say Happy Father's Day to the Wonderful men in my life!
First, my husband:  You are a phenomenal Daddy!  The love you have for our children is so abundant, it could overflow onto 1000 more children and they'd still have plenty of love.  I absolutely love watching you and our precious kids interact and spend time together!  And I know our children will know they are loved by their heavenly Father because you have helped them to understand what a father really is.  I love you beyond belief, and I am proud that you are the father of my children!

Dad: You have been such an amazing Dad and PawPaw!  You were the spiritual leader of our family growing up, which has helped shape who I am today.  You have been a protector and provider, even when times were tough.  You were always more hardheaded than me, even if I didn't like it at the time.  You have encouraged me and pushed me to be my best.  And finally, I have never doubted how much you love me.  Thanks Dad for being you!  I love you!

Mr. Johnny:  Thank you for being a father to my husband and for teaching him how to be a great daddy. I know that Cory has always been able to go to you for anything, and that is so important to him and me.  You are also wonderful with our kids and we all love you deeply!

Saddle Up Your Horses

It's VBS this week at church!  Fun! Fun! Fun!  I am really enjoying my job as the photographer/videographer.  Cory has the daunting task of teaching 6th grade.....you know that really akward age where they are too cool for all that kiddie stuff, but just not quite old enough to do all the teenager stuff.  Our theme is Saddleridge Ranch, hence the title of my blog, so today I dressed the kiddos up to go along with it.  

The bad news is that I didn't get a good pic of Eli in his attire.  We attempted to, but the lighting was really bad and the pics just didn't come out.  However, we did a picture of Eli with his classmates

Aren't they cute.  I'm excited that both Landry and Eli are getting to be in "classes" this week, because it will really help them adjust to the nursery at church.  Eli hasn't had any problems, but Landry has struggled a little.  I'm proud to say, she did excellent today and she's excited about going back tomorrow.  

Sminning

Cory was off today, so we got to take the kids "sminning".  That is Landry's word for swimming.  I had actually taken them yesterday, by myself.  But i didn't get to take any pictures because I figured it was more important to stay close to the kids, and I didn't want to risk dropping my camera in the pool.  Eli LOVED the water.  He just laid back in his floatie and kicked his feet.  We all had a blast!

Instinct

It has always been amazing to me to observe the true maternal instincts that exist in women.  God intricately designed each of us to be able to care, love, and meet the needs of our children.  What's even more amazing is to watch this maternal instinct begin to form in the youngest of little girls.  I posted a blog and video a year ago, here, showing Landry's first signs of maternal instinct, and since her little brother has been born, the instinct has intensified.  A few days ago, I left Eli in Landry's room while I ran downstairs to take care of something.  Eli started to cry, and as I headed upstairs I saw Landry fly from her room to ours.  She quickly reached in Eli's bed and grabbed his monkey blankie and ran back to her room.  She then layed the blankie on him, ever so gently, and began to say, "What's wrong Eli.  It's ok."  My heart was definitely melting.  


Here she is feeding Eli.  When she is feeding him, she wants NO help.  Don't even think about touching the bottle. 

She's going to make an excellent mommy one day!

Wordless Wednesday - Two Worlds Collide

Till Death Do Us Part

Today, Cory and I celebrate 8  years of marriage!  Wow! Almost a decade.  Now, if I told you that all of these years have been complete bliss, I'd be lying to you.  Marriage can be tough.  It takes patience, kindness, honesty, selflessness, understanding, commitment, and unconditional love.  But when we said "I do," we meant for life!  God truly rewards his children who remain true to a commitment to Him, and God has blessed us over-abundantly during our 8 years.  He has given us a friendship with one another we could never find anywhere else.  He has given us the two most wonderfully adorable children in the world.  He has allowed us to experience many different "seasons of life" together.  He has given each of us a life-long partner with which to share all our joys, sorrows, accomplishments, worries, laughs and anything else that comes our way.  

Baby, I am so glad that God led us to one another!  I am thankful for our 8 years together and I am excited to see what the next 8 years and beyond will bring.

Here is a walk down memory lane: 

Our Wedding Day

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Especially for Daddy - Day 5

Today, after lounging around for a while, we..........

went on down to the Audubon Zoo and they all asked for you!  I told them you were sorry you couldn't make it, but you'd come back whenever it is cooler.  

Landry wore her flamingo dress there, so it was only appropriate to take a picture with the flamingos.

Here are some of the other animals we saw.

Ooops, those bottom two are not animals.  He He!

Landry fed the turtles

And Eli attracted lots of attention in his cute LSU outfit from Nana and Poppy

Gotta love those thighs!

But by the time it was time to go, they were two little pooped puppies

They were both fast asleep in the car before we could leave the parking lot.

Once we got home, both kiddos were energized and ready to go again.  Landry decided to play with her dollhouse.  

It was so great watching her roll-play.  First she had the daddy tuck the babies to bed and give them kisses

Then she had the family sit together to eat dinner.

Later she went on to a more "daddy style" of playing with her dollhouse.  She made daddy hang out of the window.

On a completely different note,  Eli turned 3 months old today.

He is growing so big and becoming so fun.  Lately he's been trying to talk non-stop.  He LOVES when someone talks to him and will stare you down until you do.  Once you talk to him, he responds very quickly with a toothless gummy grin!

One of my favorite thing is the way he stares lovingly into your eyes when you feed him his bottle.  He's just a sweetheart!  Here is another video of him talking.

And here is a video from yesterday that I forgot to post.

We can't wait for you to get back tomorrow! That way you can experience all of these fun 

memories first hand! We love you!

Especially for Daddy - Day 4

Daddy, we are so glad that things are going well at camp!  We are continuing to pray that God will work on the hearts of the students and turn them toward Him.

Today was another good day.  We didn't venture out anywhere.  We just enjoyed a day at home.  Landry was super sweet to her little brother.  She even let him play "people" with her today.

We then went for a swim.  

We dressed Eli in his swim trunks because we wanted to let him swim, but it was a little overcast and the water was a little too cold for his liking.  When we put his feet in, the pouty lip came out in a hurry.

While we were there, Landry found a friend........Eeeww!

After the swim, of course it was time for lunch and nap.  When Landry woke up, she thought it was good idea to brush everyone of her stuffed animals' teeth.

 Of course, our biggest news of the day is that PawPaw came to visit.  Soon after he got there, Landry began her normal routine "PawPaw Pway!  PawPaw Pway!"  She loves when new people come to play with her.  

She had a great time, and she got to eat corn on the cob for the first time.  I tried to take a picture, but she decided she was finished with it when I grabbed the camera.  But mom caught her wearing her glasses.

That is all tonight.  We love you tons!  Can't wait to see you!

Especially for Daddy - Day 3

Last night, Eli had a little bit of a rough night.  I'm pretty sure he was gassy because he was restless all night.  But don't worry, he started out the morning strong.  He peed through his diaper all over me.  He then preceded to poop, which would have gone all over me also if I hadn't hustled to get him on a towel.  He was pretty happy after it all, and I was a little less than pleased.  But how could I get upset with a face like this staring back at me?

Landry woke up and asked for your favorite for breakfast, banana pancakes.  Ha, I have taught her well.  

After breakfast, she went to her room and showed me her new trick.

Looks like we're going to have to hide her stool now too!  


We introduced the Jumperoo to Eli today.  I forgot to lower the seat so his feet barely touched the floor. 

  Didn't bother him too much, he just liked chewing on the seat.

And Landry had fun playing her Elefun game.  Although, she had the wrong idea about the net.  I'll give you two guesses where she put it......

This shouldn't surprise anyone.


After their naps, Landry and Eli watched Veggie Tales together.

We ate supper, got baths and read books together.  I got peed on, once more, by Eli.  We prayed (especially for you) and now Lannie and E are sleeping peacefully in their beds

We love you and miss you daddy!