Halloween 2013

If y'all haven't noticed, we have a small infatuation with Monsters Inc. and University in our house. It is mostly of Mike Wasowski. So, of course, Olivia insisted on being Mike for Halloween. And because Ford still has little or practically no say in what he is, he followed suit as her best friend, Sully. I was thinking in my mind of a beautiful butterfly and a caterpillar but that idea got knocked down pretty quickly. Oh well, you can't win all the battles and this made Olivia so very happy. It actually turned out to be pretty cute and an original idea as we saw NO other little girls as Mike Wasowski. 

Memories are being made right here, people. 

I am so in love with these two little monsters. 

Notice the pumpkin. He appears everywhere in our house. It can be very frightful. :)

No words.

These two have their moments of literally being monsters sometimes but I wouldn't change a thing about them.

Sully had his fair share of candy for the night.

Trick-or-Treat!

These two look so much alike it's scary.

 I couldn't resist this picture of Sully's backside with Mike running around in a blur in the background.

I love my two monsters.

Free Time

Lately, we have had lots of appointments and things to do so I have been trying to use our free time wisely. Any free second has been spent enjoying what these two love the most. 

The park and picnics have been on our agenda since it is not scorching hot outside. 

 These two are in love with the library and I love that. We go and spend time working puzzles, coloring, reading (or pretending to, anyway), playing checkers (sorta), checking out books and working on using our "library" voices. I pray this love for books and the library grows with them into old age.

Update on Our Little Man

My heart has ached for our little man lately. He is still going to occupational, speech and physical therapy once a week along with going to Batson Children's Hospital once a week for therapy. I feel like he spends the majority of his time in therapy or a doctor's appointment. BUT this is the plan God has for Ford and we will rejoice in it.

We continue to see Ford progress in each area and that is all we can ask for.

In the last several months he has started to pull up, cruise and is beginning to stand by himself. We pray he builds enough confidence up to take steps on his own in the near future. 

The physical therapist sent this walker home with us a few weeks ago. I think it scared him as bad as it scared me and he refused to use it. 

He had tubes placed a few weeks ago and was also in the ER for the second time with wheezing. Those were some of the scariest times but we have seen an asthma specialist and I feel comfortable with the treatment plan he has given Ford so hopefully, we won't be seeing the ER again. 

When he doesn't feel well or is sleepy or just plain wants to snuggle he will randomly reach for my hand and hold it. And that, that right there makes everything worth while. I hope and pray that he feels comfort and protected when he holds my hand. I hope and pray that he feels my deep love for him. 

This simple gesture also reminds me of my Father's love for me. How I know He longs for me to reach for His hand and feel loved and protected because I am. This simple gesture reminds me of the deep love my Father has for me that is so much deeper than the love I even have for Ford. It also reminds me that in the midst of struggles and hard times that were not in my "plan book", He is right beside me to direct my path and help me to become a stronger person and mother. 

These moments that usually occur in the midst of utter craziness make it all worth while. 

Check off the Bucket List

Two avid baseball fans checking the World Series off their bucket list. They may be cheering for opposite teams but they both find a common ground in the love for the sport of baseball.

Hays was able to find tickets that didn't absolutely break the bank and we were able to surprise dad the night before with the tickets. They had a fantastic time! 

Little Munchkins

The door greeter.

And Chatty Cathy.

Life is never dull.

Zoo Day with Some Best Buds

At least someone in our family has had the stomach bug for the last two weeks so we decided this week to finally escape those little germies and get out of the house! 

Monday was a perfect day for the zoo with some good friends.

Miss Priss has loved the zoo since day one and nothing has changed. She gets so giddy when we turn the corner and see those big giraffes. I hope she will always hold on to this big love for books and animals.

 They both LOVE the carousel and train.

It was Mrs. Wendy and Gavin's first trip to the zoo. 

They were doing some communicating with their brothers. :)

Hoping we get to take many trips to the zoo this fall.

Full Weekend

My mom, Kai, Dalton, Aunt Cindy, Uncle Buzzy, Josh, Laura, Joshua and Eli came from Memphis to visit us on their fall break. We had a full weekend planned with lots of fun activities. We hope they come back to visit soon!

First on the agenda was the fair.

Everybody (including the adults) had a great time riding all the rides and eating our way through.

Second on the agenda was the Children's Museum. Olivia and Ford didn't mind showing them around seeing that this is their favorite place to go.

And last on the agenda was camping at Jellystone park. We visited with Yogi, took a hayride with BooBoo, roasted marshmallows for s'mores, ate a yummy breakfast with Yogi and even went swimming in October!

Uncle Haysie gave in and told some ghost stories to the little campers.

We can't wait for our next adventure!