MERRY CHRISTMAS!

God is Good!

Micah, Brock, Sophie and I went to Texas over the last week to visit my family.  It was an adventure all around.  We flew out in the evening and Sophie was perfect.  She slept most of the flight and the rest laid in the seat next to me content and smiling (the plane was fairly empty so we had empty seats around us - Praise God!)  Sophie's contentment made up for Brock's toddler curiosity.  I lost track of how many times he hit the button for the flight attendants and how many times we apologized that we didn't need anything.  

The temperature when we arrived was around 30 degrees.   By Saturday it was around 70 and then on Monday it was 28 degrees with freezing rain.  We took family to the airport on Monday evening.  On the way there, one of the bridges started to freeze and we saw at least 2 accidents happen around us.  After creeping at 20 miles an hour to cross the bridge, we all made it to the airport safely.  However, Micah and I weren't flying out till Monday morning and more freezing rain was forecasted.

Tuesday morning after prayer with my Mamaw and watching the weather, Micah and I agreed our best option was to borrow the car and drive the four of us to the airport.  Our flight was due to leave at 9am and we were praying it would be delayed (which never happened).  We listened to the traffic reports and they quit listing accidents because there were so many.  The first part of the drive went really smooth until we got to one of the major bridges on the way.  Traffic was almost at a dead stop.  Between the freezing weather and traffic it took us 45 minutes to cross the bridge instead of 10.  As we were poking along, Micah noticed how fast the cars going the other direction were going.  After he said this, we saw a Loomis armored truck sliding sideways next to us on the bridge.  I turned around the see the truck make a 180 and slam into the wall of the bridge facing the water.  It took a large chunk out of the concrete barrier, ripped the whole front axle/wheels off of the truck, and ended with the crushed front resting up on the wall hanging out over the water.  I tried calling 911 twice but it was busy both times!  Again, Praise God we were safe and the truck didn't crash through the wall next to us and hit our car.

It should have taken us an hour and ten minutes to make it to the airport but with the ice it took us almost 2 hours and 45 minutes.  We arrived when the plane was supposed to be taking off and were told we could fly stand by on the next flight out.  Our flight was a direct flight and the stand by one would take us to Atlanta with over a 2 hour layover.  We thanked the lady for her help and went to sit and wait for the next flight.  Micah took Brock to look out the window at the planes and noticed that our original flight was still sitting at the gate.  He asked some one there if we could still get on and she said no because we had checked bags and you have to fly with your luggage.  I was trying to be patient.  I'm not always a good flyer and have never missed a flight.  I was just glad we'd made it safe and focused on preparing for a day of travel with two little kids.

I looked up and the lady with the airline was calling us back over to the gate.  She said if she could find our luggage, we could get on our original flight.  It felt like forever before she returned.  I just kept praying and pacing with Sophie that we could get on the plane.  The lady returned and said "Some one must be looking out for you today."  How right she was.  She found our luggage without a problem and we were allowed to board.  The flight had around 30 people on it so we claimed a whole row for the 4 of us and settled in.  God is good!  We had a great flight, both kids did really well - I think we all fell asleep for a few minutes at one point.

I know none of this happened by chance or accident.  Like Mamaw said, God is always in control - even though I know that, I appreciate the reminders that He cares for me enough to hold a plane and keep us safe in the icy weather.

Mascara

Brock has a learned a lot of new things lately - one in particular is how to unscrew lids.  I was getting ready the other morning in the bathroom and had my make up laying out on the counter.  My sneaky little toddler reached up while I was blow drying my hair and borrowed the mascara.  It had it for a few minutes before I noticed it was missing - it's amazing how fast he is.  Here are a few pictures of his art work.  He must have poked himself in the eye with the wand because when I looked over, he was rubbing  his eye and had smeared the mascara down his face.  What a pretty little boy I have.

Thanksgiving

It's almost Christmas and I am finally posting Thanksgiving pictures.  I don't know where time has gone - but it's going fast.  We had a great afternoon with family and I posted a few pictures of us around the dinner table.  Brock's favorite food was the olives - go figure.  Aunt Dar - Dar taught him how to stick them on his fingers and then eat them.  

Update

Sophie is 2 months old today.  We had her check up yesterday and she weighs 10 lbs 9 oz and is 24.5 in long(7 lbs 13 oz at birth 20 in)!!  She's grown over 4 inches in the last 2 months, no wonder people stop and tell me she looks big.  She is also sleeping great.  This week she has started sleeping 8-9 hours at night from 11 pm till 7 or 8 am.  It is wonderful!

Micah left for Kansas this morning to go hang out with his buddies for a few days.  We miss him already and can't wait for him to come home.  He took the camera with him so sorry for no new pictures.

I'll do better updating after the weekend.  Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Laugh or Cry

Today I laid Brock down for a nap but he had other plans.  He was playing quietly in his room and I went to take a shower - this is pretty much our normal routine these days.  I have about a 50% chance he will actually sleep during his morning nap time.  I took my shower and got dressed and could still hear him quietly playing.  Finally he did his call out from the crack under the door to let me know he was ready to come out.  Usually he says "mom mom" to let me know he's done playing, but today I was greeted with "uh-oh".  That is never good.  I opened the door to find Brock running around with no pants or diaper on (both of which he was wearing when I first laid him down).  My first step into his room I stepped in a puddle of pee.  Just wait, it gets better.  I noticed right away the room smelled like poop as well.  When I turned the light on, his diaper with poop still in it lay on the floor in his room.  Next to the closet were 3 skid marks.  *Sigh*  I spent the next 30 minutes scrubbing the carpet with water because I found out we don't have carpet cleaner. It's been an interesting day.

"Bee-bee"

This week Brock has done great with Sophie.  We have to be careful with him not "loving" her too hard at times.  Last week he was sitting on the couch and put his arms out to hold his sister.  He was so proud of himself to have Sophie - although, if you look at his face in the second picture I think he is scheming something!  

Hard at Work

Brock loves to work outside with his Daddy.  He also loves to play with the fountain in the backyard.  Here are some pictures of him "helping" Daddy.

UH-OH

Yesterday I was sitting in the family room and I kept hearing this soft swoosh noise coming from Brock's room.  I didn't think much about it because finally Sophie was napping and he was playing quietly in his room and I was enjoying my own quiet time to myself.  After a few more minutes of hearing the noise, it dawned on me what it was - the sound of wipes being pulled out of the wipes box.  Now I know why he was playing so quiet.  This is what I found ...

 

Oh well, sometimes you just have to pick your battles.  He was so proud of himself and having so much fun.  I let him finish pulling every wipe out of the box before I crammed them all back inside in a big wad.  

Smiley Sophie

I tried to get a picture of Sophie smiling yesterday - but I'm still not quick enough.  It's hard to take a picture while trying to make your baby smile and keep your toddler from poking her in the face or taking the camera away.  So these were the best I could do for now.

Cousins

Sophie LOVES her cousins.

Mia holding Sophie and Kaedyn posing for the camera

Mia loved holding Sophie.  

She did great and was a huge help taking care of the baby.

Dedication Day

Sunday Sophia was dedicated at our church.  She was so cute in her little dress.  Brock went on stage with us to start with, but about 2 minutes into it his true colors began to shine through (Mom had to take him off stage).  Overall, it was a beautiful day and we are so blessed to have a wonderful church to call home and raise our children in.

Brock's tantrum on stage

Our little family

Sophie's dedication

Pastor Isaac Hunter and Sophie

One Month!

Sophie was one month old last week.  She weighs 10 pounds now and has started smiling (not in this picture though!)  I'm not quick enough to catch her smile on camera.  She is growing and changing every day!

Best Friends

Last Sunday we went to the beach for Beach Baptism with our church.  Here are some pictures of Brock and his best friend Corban playing.

I think Brock was the look out while Corban was in charge of the getaway vehicle!

The Hip Bones Connected to the Thigh Bone ...

Brock modeling his costume

Ok mom, no more pictures - time to go!

The skeleton, lil' pumpkin and me

Nap Time

Brock has been sleeping in his toddler bed for over 4 months now and we have only found him on the floor once so far - until yesterday!  I laid him down for a nap and heard him up and playing. He was being quiet so I didn't go in to check on him.  I assumed that he had crawled back into his bed when he was ready to sleep - guess I was wrong!  When I went to wake him up to go to Grammy's house, I almost stepped on him when I opened the door.  The little guy was out!  At least he had his pillow.

Brock's Button

Since Sophie was born, Brock has become interested in everything baby - and I mean everything.  I think the pictures are pretty self explanatory.  

Yes, he is trying to pump his belly button.

Is that ?

Um, yes, that is our baby on the dashboard.

Micah discovered Sophie fits perfectly on our car dashboard - I think we will stick with the car seat for now.

Hair Salon

Lately I will do just about anything to keep Brock entertained so I can get things done around the house.  This week he has been interested in all my hair things like my curling irons and hair dryer.  I was folding laundry in the bedroom and looked up to find he had "plugged" in everything into Sophie's bouncy chair - gotta give the kid credit, he is creative!

This Little Piggy ...

Sophie had her 2 week check up yesterday.  In two weeks, she has gained 1 lb 5 oz and now weighs 8 lbs 5 oz!  The girl can eat!

Pumpkin Patch

We had a family outing Sunday to the pumpkin patch.  Sophie slept through most of it, but Brock had fun picking out his own pumpkin.  He really liked the big box of tiny pumpkins.  We caught him smuggling little pumpkins in the basket of the stroller!