Honoring Seth

Today, Isaiah and I experienced something that I hope we will not have to experience again any time soon, or ever.

Our community has recently been shaken with a loss, a loss of one of our "own". Twenty-one year old, Seth Blevins, was killed in Afganistan by a roadside bomb. He was serving our country, our community. He has given all he has for our freedom. A freedom, that I am ashamed to say, I take for granted. Everything that has gone on in Iraq and Afiganistan over the past ten years has become white noise to me. I hear of lives lost, soliders STILL being deployed, soliders coming home. It all becomes routine. I wonder how I became so immune. The white noise is gone. It has been replaced with reality, a reality that can not begin to imagine the sights, sounds, feelings, emotions, and experiences of it all.

We went to Seth's hometown, which happens to be my hometown as well, to show our respect and gratitude, give support, and honor a fallen solider. We are forever indebt to all the "Seth's" that serve daily.

Thank you ,Seth, for your willingness, your bravery, your call to duty, your sacrifice. It is my prayer that you have found ultimate freedom.

We had AMAZING weather this weekend (it is storming right now), but we spent all but about 3 hours outside Saturday and a few hours out today. Grandpa and Grandma E came for the trailer and a visit.

Isaiah trying to get Grandma to sit in the gravel.

Papaw and Isaiah down by the pond.

And, from last weekend, Chesly's bridal shower. Boy, was Isaiah glad to see some male playmates!

Samuel

Danielle & Danica-doesn't she look beautiful?!

Some restrained fun

Wyatt & Kim

Isaiah sitting up high and playing with Samuel and Danielle.

Only 5 days of work left! YIPPEE!

Then, I get to spend the summer with this adorable little man. I can't wait!

Isaiah

We've been out a little bit. The rain has stopped, FINALLY! Well, at least for a few days. It's cloudy and rainy today. Isaiah loves to be "side".

In the flowerbed (that needs mulch).

Playing in the wagon while eating cheese. Eating is another *favorite* of his.

The header is a pic that I took in our driveway. There is a killdeer nest. It now has four eggs. Brian put a sawhorse over the nest so we don't drive over it. We may soon have a few more residents in 24 to 26 more days!

Happenings

Here are a few pics from the last few months. I haven't been getting the best pics. Isaiah is now moving much to quickly to capture him in all his glory on my current camera. I need a new camera.

We went to the aquarium in March.

He tried to give all the fish kisses.

I love this pic b/c it reminds me of a poem my mom used to recite to me. Maybe you know it.

Diddle, diddle dumplin

My son John

Went to bed with his trousers on

One shoe off and one shoe on

Diddle, diddle dumplin

My son John.

Or, in this case, he went to bed with one sock on and one sock off.



Loves his hats!

More coming soon. Promise.

HOOT, HOOT! Look WHOOO'S 1

We celebrated Isaiah's first birthday a little over a week ago. I FINALLY got my camera cord and have been trying to post about his birthday. Here are some of the pics. I think I could have kept adding pics, but don't want to bore you!

Here's the birthday boy, Isaiah Matthew! So BIG!

Now, let's get to the sweet stuff...cake!

The more he tasted, the more he loved!

Great Uncle CQ brought him the Toy Story 3 Space Car. It wasn't wrapped and it was an instant hit with all three of the wee ones. We got it out of the box first and had to ride it into the living room to open up the rest of the presents.






What a spoiled little boy you are, Isaiah! Here is some fun the kids were having with the new treasures!

Isaiah and Samuel


Isaiah and Ellie

Isaiah kept giving his cousin, Ellie, kisses. Wouldn't you know it that I never did capture his affection on film! :(

I have to say that we had a special visitor from afar that came to celebrate Isaiah's b-day. She is one of the best (in every way) friends I've ever known. Brian, Isaiah, and I are FOREVER grateful for your generosity, thoughfulness, and friendship! I say I don't deserve a friend like you...but I'm (we're) so thankful to have you!

The theme of the party was OWLS, in case you didn't notice the title. I found some really cute cake pics online and my sis, Alyssa, said she would make them. What a way to take some stress off me. They turned out even better than the pics I got offline. Thanks, Alyssa!

Mmmm, pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting...all made from scratch (just ask Alyssa about the "Cake Nazi")

By the way, I tried to download this one 3 times and it kept loading like this. Sorry,...


And what OWL party would be complete without these dizzy, made from scratch, chocolate owls with homemade buttercream frosting. Yes, again, the Cake Nazi struck!

It's hard to see because of the lighting, but I made a Happy Birthday banner. A lot of the decorations I had from one of my baby showers. Those decorations were made by my cousin, Amber! So, Amber, you were here in spirit!

We had a wonderful day and can't believe over a week has passed since this, our baby's, first milestone. Our special guest/friend made us remember how important family and friends are. We take everyday things for granted and a surprise visit can shake things up and put everything back into perspective. Like, how important the connections are that we have with the ones we love. Thanks to everyone!

it's coming...

the camera cord, that is. all the way from hong kong. said it would only take 8 to 10 days to ship. we'll see. get ready for some FALL posts! can't wait.