Carter's Birthday

Well Saturday we had Carter's 1st Birthday Party and we had so much fun. Everybody that loves Carter was there and we appreciated it so much. He got some wonderful presents and I can't thank you all enough, but I want to take this time to not only thank you for the presents, but for what you mean to Carter and to Chloe. You all have loved Carter not only this past year, but nine months before also. You all took care of me while I was soooo sick- you cooked food for Ralph and Chloe, you took care of Chloe, you took me to the hospital and to the doctor visits, you wiped my tears when I thought I couldn't go on, you prayed for me, you held my hand and walked along side of me through the entire pregnancy and then when Carter was born you didn't quit- you kept on giving! How could I ever re-pay you for what you have done and for what you mean to my family. Thank you and I love you all (each of you know who you are!!). So as a way to repay you- we decided not to have any more children (ha ha ha). Aren't you smiling now??

Tomorrow my baby will be one!! I Love Him, but oh I wil be glad when he is 2 or 3!!

Carter's Turning One

How scary is that picture???

First time in car seat

Ralph went down to the gift shop and bought this hat as soon as Carter was born.

Hope you enjoy some pictures of Carter over the past year. Wow- he has grown!!

Carter will be turning one next week and I am wondering where the time has gone. As I look back over these pictures I can't hardly remember him so little. Well I don't want to remember the 3 months of colic and relentless crying and NO sleep- but I never want to forget the little toes and fingers, and the times he just loved being held. Now he wants to be on the move and no more snuggling time for Mom. I keep thinking that I will never have a child's first birthday ever again!! But then I think I will never have a non-sleeping infant again (yah!!!). I loved my "infant" days, but I love getting to know my children's personalities and just being with them as they grow up. Happy Birthday Carter!!

Look Who's Walking!

I love to climb!

Dumping out everything in Chloe's Dollhouse

On the move!

As you can see Carter is now walking! He will be one one on the 26th so we knew it was coming, but oh my is he into everything!! I don't remember Chloe being so wild! He loves to take every book off the shelf and take every pan out of the cabinet. He is learning the word "No" at an early age- he already is getting those little hands smacked and he just looks at me and then buries his head in the ground. Yes I think he knows what is going on.

I am thinking that I am going to need lots of prayer!! The good point in life right now is that Chloe has been pretty good lately and she is a lot of help to me.

Friends

Chloe got to have some of her friends over Sunday to play. They had fun dressing up, playing dolls and all that fun stuff that girls love to do. They were really good and had a great time. I love to take these pictures because won't they be so cute to use when they are in highschool!!

I have been blessed by some great Goldly girlfriends and I am even more blessed by the fact that their children are good friends with mine. With the crazy world that we live in now, it is so important that our children are surrounded by friends that love Jesus and I know that even though they are only 3 and 4 right now, one day they will be 6 and then 10 and then 16 and to know that Chloe and Carter's friends are bring raised in church and in a Christian family means the world to me!

So thank you girls (you know who you are) for being a friend to me and for the frienship that your children have with mine. I Love You All!!

Valentine's Day

He liked the icing from the cookie cake
Poor Carter- he was just not a happy camper today!
Somebody likes the icing!
Chloe's new barbie from Daddy

Well what you can say for Valentine's Day with a preschooler and an infant at home?! Chloe and I made a heart shaped cake for Ralph- and as you see in the picture somebody already put their finger in it! Ralph brought us home roses and Chloe got a new barbie and I got new pj's (I love getting new pj's!). We just stayed home and had spaghetti for supper. It was a good day and I guess I am going to have to realize that in this season of life there is just not much time alone for Ralph and I- oh well.

Carter Got to Turn Around..

Well Carter finally got to turn his car seat around and face the world!! I think he likes it- he can look at Chloe better and it is much easier to see see what he is doing. My baby is growing up!

Bike Riding

The weather has been up and down lately. On this day it wasn't so bad outside so the kids got to play outside. Chloe loves riding her bike- I believe a "Princes Bike" is in her future for her birthday!! Carter had a great time too, but 2 days later we were at the doctor's office with a respitory infection and ear infection!! He is starting to get better- we hope!!

Nursery Rhyme Dress-Up Day

Chloe and her friend.
Last Friday was "Nursery Rhyme Dress-Up Day" at Chloe's preschool. Chloe dressed up as "Mary" in Mary Had a Litttle Lamb. She choose this so that she could bring Lambie to school. They all looked cute and had a good time!

Disney Trip...

Well after much thinking and talking and thinking we have finally made a decision regarding Disney World. As many of you know Chloe is a "Princess Girl!" and she talks all the time about going to see the Castle. And to help her cause I have never been- so I want to go as much (if not more) than her. So I finally talked Ralph into it.

When the President decided to give us that tax money- what better way I thought to help the economy than to spend it at Disney. Lets not speak of the fact that we need to sell our house- we really need to go to Disney (ha ha). So we thought we would go this summer, but than we began to get very concerned about the heat with Carter. Ralph could never get a peace about it so we began to think of another time to go. We have decided to go over Thanksgiving. We think this will be better in regards to the heat and Carter will be a little older. We are very excited and I can't wait to see the expression on Chloe's face when she sees the castle in person. I think I may cry!! So if you have any tips let me know!!

Chloe's Sayings

I have to be at church early on Sundays, so I take Carter with me and Chloe and Ralph come later. Ralph says that is when he and Chloe always have their best talks! Well for the past few weeks, she has been asking a lot a questions about Jesus. So this past Sunday she told Ralph,
"You know who you can always trust Daddy?" "You can always trust Jesus."
Then she preceded to tell him that Jesus lived in her heart and Ralph told her that she has to ask Him into her heart and then he will live there forever. He said that she had all kinds of questions about this- by this time they were at church and she said she would just ask Mrs. Betty (her SS Teacher). That night she told me all sin meant "when she does something not nice" and that Jesus died on the cross so we could live in heaven. I know she doesn't understand, but I am so thankful that she knows so much! If I do 100 things wrong as a parent, but her and Carter ask Jesus into their hearts and live to love Him than I will be happy!!

Spring Fever!

It was 70+ degrees today and it was so nice!! I like winter until after Christmas and then I am over it and am ready for spring. It seems like it is so long from January until April. Such long winter days in the house with the kids!!
But today we got a treat of some warm weather and got to play outside. We went to Brandy's house today and the kids had so much fun. They rode bikes in the driveway and then played for more than 2 hours in her backyard (it is fenced in which is great- they can't escape and we don't have to worry!). We sat on her screened in porch and talked. The highlight of this was that Carter slept in his pck-n-play the ENTIRE time in Brandy's bedroom!! Yah! Yah! It was a great break from chasing him around or trying to keep him happy. The kids played good together- no fighting or arguing.
I think I am spoiled now though- b/c I am going to be so upset when it is 40 the rest of the week- yuck. Oh well we were blessed by one nice day!

Libby Lou!!

They got to do the chicken dance!
My Princess


She didn't want to mess up her nails!
Here is trouble!

Getting her hair put up.
The hairspray had glitter in it- it was her favorite part.

Chloe's friend Meredith invited Chloe to got to Libby Lou with her last Friday and she was very excited- (I had held it over ger head all week-ha ha). They got to pick out their outfits- they picked the "pop star" ones. Then they got to pick their hairstyle- of course it was the Cinderella one. I loved seeing her have so much fun. Looking at these pictures makes me realize how fast my little girl has grown up!! I love her soooooo much!!!