It's OK, Daddy's Here!

One night last weekend, when we were in St. Simons for the holiday weekend, Asa had a rough night. He woke up several times, standing up in his pack-n-play until someone came and stood by his crib and calmed him down. At some point during the night, (I don't even remember what time), he did the same drill, and Bryan got up. Asa was sleeping at the foot of our bed, so I just saw Bryan standing there, and Asa had laid back down. I quickly glanced at the clock and fell back asleep. I woke up 30 minutes later to see Bryan STILL standing there over Asa's bed. It got me thinking....there Asa was, trying to fall back asleep, but he wasn't at peace unless he knew his Daddy was right there. He might close his eyes for a few minutes, but then he'd rouse himself and look up just to make sure his Daddy was still there (because he knows that his Daddy will eventually go back to bed). I wondered how long this would last? Would Bryan ever get to go back to sleep. Then another thought occurred to me....the Bible says that God never slumbers or sleeps. How AWESOME is that? Asa would've been completely secure if he knew his Daddy could stay up and watch over HIM all night, but Bryan's human...and he can't. But GOD can! He never ceases to watch over HIS children, and when we are scared, confused, worried or anxious, we can always look up in our Daddy's eyes. He will surely be there saying to us, "It's OK, your Daddy's here." I am so glad for that! Kind of a deep thought for the middle of the night, huh?

Asa Milestones

This is blogworthy, and is surely something I don't want to forget. I mentioned in a previous post that Asa's first complete sentance was "I want my drink." Well...his second complete sentence occured one day during a diaper change. "That's my pee-pee." Can you believe that?

An Unusual House Guest

A few days ago, I heard this squealing and thought there was a bird in the house, but it turned out to be a baby squirrel that had fallen down our chimney. He was really kindof freaky looking…like a rat or something! I managed to get up the guts to pick up the thing, and we tried to give it some milk with a medicine dropper. The kids loved on him for a little bit before putting him out for Mama to come get. I had read on the internet that the best place for him was back with his mom, and I saw her sitting in the top of the chimney like she was looking for him. (Or at least that's what I convinced myself and the kids of). I also read on the internet that you have to feed a baby squirrel every 2 hours! I didn’t feed my OWN KIDS every 2 hours, much less a squirrel (and definitely NOT the night before school started)! The kids were really hoping mama'd leave him for us to raise, but the next day, he was gone. I’d like to think the mom came for him, but I’ll never really know. It was fun for a while though!

The Boy Wants Some Cherrios!

The other day, Bryan walked into the kitchen and found Asa EYE LEVEL with him! He apparently is a pretty clever climber, and he wanted those Cherrios PRETTY BAD!

Back to School Week

This week has been a busy and exciting week for all 3 kids! First, Brynn went back to school on Monday. She is in the Fantastic Fish 3K Class at Ingleside with Mrs. Chrissy and Mrs. Kimberly. She was very excited about being the first one in the family to start school, but when she realized that I was leaving her, she started to get upset. It only lasted for a minute, and then she was busy doing puzzles with her friends.

Asa was the second one in the family to start back. He is in Mother's Morning Out at Ingleside, and he started on Wednesday. His teachers are Mrs. Dianne and Mrs. Amber. Asa had Amber last year and loved her, so being left was not too traumatic for him, since she was right there to love on him. It makes it so much easier to leave them when you know someone is loving on them!

Avery's first day of Kindergarten was on Thursday. She is going to Tattnall, which is very special to our hearts since Bryan and I both went there, and Grandmommy works there. She had Orientation on Wednesday, but her first official day was Thursday. Her teacher is Mrs. Kitchens, who she already knew from church, and Mrs. Parrish. She was absolutely ecstatic about going...no hesitations whatsoever. She enjoyed her first day a lot and couldn't wait to go back today! I can't believe my baby is in Kindergarten. Time sure does fly! I guess I better hold on to them as long as I can!

Orientation Day - Avery and Grandmommy enjoyed finding her name on the new student bulletin board!

Happy Birthday, Bryan!

Today my husband of 12 years and my love of 19 years turns 36! Here's your techno-savvy Birthday Blog....times have changed, huh? 36 Things I love about you....(in no particular order).
1. You are a wonderful father.
2. You are a godly man.
3. You make me laugh.
4. You like to talk.
5. You don't care what other people think of you, so you're willing to make a fool of yourself.
6. You work hard to provide for our family.
7. You are a man who lovingly leads his family spiritually.
8. You care about eternal things more than the things of this world.
9. I love to hear you when you watch a good football or college basketball game - soooo loud!
10. I love laughing with you when you watch someone dance funny.
11. You make family a priority.
12. You are always looking for ways to become a better husband, father, man and are not content to stay where you are.
13. You are quick to say I'm sorry.
14. You are quick to pay a compliment.
15. You are teaching the kids to read their Bibles every day and to make it a heart habit.
16. I love the way you smell after a shower (did you even know that? Bet you'll take more of them, huh?)
17. I love that you enjoy making memories and keeping traditions.
18. I love that you are teaching our kids how to play sports.
19. I think you are a great teacher, and I learn alot when you lead Sunday School or a Bible Study.
20. You are supportive of me and encourage me in my work.
21. You are my biggest cheerleader over my scrapbooks.
22. You support me as a mommy and you allow me to have "me time" as needed.
23. You take me out on dates alot!
24. After all these years, you still make me feel like I'm your Number ONE!
25. I love watching you with all the kids, but especially with Asa, who looks so much like you.
26. I love that I can trust you to commit EVERYTHING to prayer.
27. You always have a smile on your face...even when it may not match what you feel on the inside.
28. I love those "roll my eye" moments with you!
29. You have encouraged me for 10 years to have Bible Study at the house, and you take care of the kids to allow me that joy.
30. You are an "involved" father.
31. You make me feel valued and appreciated.
32. You make me feel loved.
33. I love that your passion in life is your God.
34. I love that your other passion is to make sure everyone you know is RIGHT with God.
35. I love that we solve the world's problems together.
36. I love that I get to live this life with YOU! I wouldn't want to walk through it with anyone else.

Happy Birthday, Baby. You're my world! Julie

What's the Godly Thing to Do?

Tonight, the girls were sharing a pack of fruit snacks after dinner. I told them that we'd divide them evenly. Check out the following conversation....
Mommy: Who wants to pick first?
Both girls: Me, Me, Me!!
Mommy: Well, what do you think would be the GODLY thing to do?
Brynn: I want AVERY to be Godly!

Our Last Summer Hoorah!

I'm a little behind on my blogging, and I haven't gotten around to posting pictures from our last trip of the summer. We went with Granddad and Nonna to their house in Charleston and had a fantastic time with them - taking the boat to a nearby island and finding shells, surfing and boogie boarding at Folly Beach, wading in the fountains at Waterfront Park, walking on the pier, hanging around the house, eating dinner out and grilling dinner in. Fun times!!

Lunch break on the boat

Girls collecting shells; beautiful old lighthouse in the background

Morris Island, where we anchored and went shelling

Avery's first surfing lesson

Miss Brynn

A windy evening on the pier

Sitting out on the dock with Granddad

Climbing the oak tree with Daddy

Avery in the fountain

Asa playing in the fountain

Asa's Morning Surprise

This morning, we were in a rush to get everyone up and ready so that I could take Avery to basketball camp by 8:30. At 8:10, I had Avery ready and was brushing my teeth, when she came in the bathroom and said, "OHHHHH Mommy. You've GOT to come see what Asa did. It's just TERRIBLE!" I ran into the living room, and Asa was out of his diaper with poop all over him. Neither of the girls ever did this, so I guess the third time's a charm. I ran him to the bathtub and told Avery that if she was gonna make it on time, I'd need her help. While I cleaned up Asa and the mess he made, Avery helped Brynn find her clothes and put them on, find a bow and fix Brynn's hair, get Asa's shoes on, and turn off all the lights in the house. Needless to say, we made it by 8:30. Whew....what a morning! He's lucky he's so darn cute!

Brynn's First Time at the Dentist

Brynn has been begging for months to go to the dentist, so I finally made her an appointment while she was eager for it. She had her first trip to see Shawn yesterday and did terrific. I was very proud of my BIG GIRL!