My birthday boy...

I think this is the moment that he felt the MOST special, he loved it!!

((see the wholes in the icing??? that would be Athen eating just the icing - its his party he will eat how he wants to.. =) ))

Work that Brobee hat Grammie!!!

Well, at least its a good picture of me =)

"Rovee! Get down, right NOW"

Where's the love Uncle Brent??

Leiland is in there somewhere...???

Well, yet another year has come and gone. My "baby" is three. *tear* I know every mom says it - but really! Where has the time gone??

Again this year we had Athen's birthday on Thanksgiving day so out of town family could be there. Kevin and I only do 'family' parties for Athen. For many reason, one cause it falls on a holiday and that is a lot to ask to fit in with everything else that is going on.

Anyhoo with that said, we had us a Yo Gabba Gabba party. If you know who/what that is, jealous much? and If you don't - google it. ((Its up there on the 'fun' meter with Barney, Wiggles, etc...))

But Athen LOVES the show and LOVED his party. He is still talking about it. That is what matters. So I got on the Internet, order some party stuff. That was going to be it. A nice quite family party with a hint of YGG here and there. Nothing too big or fancy. WELLLLL in comes my husband. He called the costume shop here in town, yes we have one, WHO KNEW?!!?! Found out that they had a "Brobee" ((again google it or see above for pictorial references)) costume. Order it. Picked it up on Tuesday. And it was ALL he could do not to bust that thing out that night to show Athen. ((Kevin was WAY excited - He is a GREAT daddy!!))

We also got a bounce house since we knew we were going to have some kido's around for a couple of days. They really enjoyed it I do believe. As you can see, so did Brobee.

Word to the wise - Do not underestimate a three year old. Athen totally knew it was Kevin in that costume. But after a while, Athen played along. calling him "Rovee"

We had a great time. Athen enjoyed playing with his cousins. He thought it was too neat that everyone sang to him. So much in fact, that he went around the room and hugged everyone and told them "Thank You" Then it was cake time. Mom made the cake, I decorated it. Wasn't just how I wanted it, but it was 'ok' ((the decorated part, don't know about the taste - didn't eat any))

Athen enjoyed the icing most. ((See picture))

Then presents. Brobee had to hand every one of them to Athen. If they were handed to Athen first he would hand it to Brobee and then ask Brobee to hand it to him... ((OCD much???))

He liked everything he got, of course =)

A cute story: ON Athen's birthday "Maw" called him and sang to himon the answering machine. Athen plays it over and over. The other night he was playing it and at the end when she said "Love you Athen" he says, to the machine "Love you too Maw" - HOW CUTE IS THAT?!?!?! Oh I love that!! I am going to have to call and talk on the machine to him. Thanks Maw for remember booboo on his birthday and SINGING to him =)

Well that's all I have in me for now... will update later with three year check up and what's going on his Athen's little world...

Pictures, no post

Dancing

Yes, I am well aware that its not proper to dance. However, explain that to a ENERGETIC three year old... It also makes for some great free entertainment!! =) Enjoy

Kevin had the TV on VH1.... probably not the 'best' song for our child to be dancing to....

Here Athen is doing the "Sprinkler" - HAHA Soooo funny!

Handy Manny

Ok so this blond haired, blue eyed, white boy could totally pass for Handy Manny... =)

Don't ya think???

For Halloween we had our annual hay hide for the kido's. We have done it every year since Jett's first Halloween. This is Athen's 4th one. For you math folks - yeppers, four. I was 8 months prego roll'n around in some hay. Wasn't going to miss it! I am going to be sad when Jett is 'too old' for it... I do believe this is the one and only tradition that we have that we have maintained. Keep alive Jettie-Man!! =)

Athen and his church BFF - Alley

(these two use to have a love/hate relationship. Until Athen realized that a) Alley could probably take him, and b) you do not hit girls....))

Athen and his future wife

This year, Nana loaded up on the hay ride and had the job of getting Athen on and off, on and off the hay ride.... She truly worked for her candy!!

I think Nana had as much fun if not more than the kids!

Me and my Handy Man!!

As always, we had a great time. Thank You Grammie and Papa for opening your house for us. You are making memories with the boys that will last a life time!!

One month to go!!

Really? I know ever mom says it but really?!!? Can it be that in one months time Athen will be THREE years old??? Where did my baby go?? ((and no, it is not time for another one, no we aren't having anymore, no Athen doesn't want a brother or sister, and NO we don't want a little girl...)) Athen FINALLY 'got' it... The other night at oh about 11 He and Athen are outside just tinkering around and Athen rides is "boom-boom" well "ride" would be a stretch - he was riding INTO things. Kevin tells him - you have to turn the handles... and it 'clicked' he was driving that thing in and out of everywhere! Kevin was SO proud. It was literally one minute is was running into everything and the next he was ready for Nascar!! SO of course, guess who got the good news at ELEVEN at night?!?! Yeppers - ME!! I was proud though. Kevin was soooooo excited!

Saturday afternoon the three of us,and Jett, Nikki, and Grammie carved pumpkins! It was fun and they turned out really well!! Jett did a really great job. He didn't 'cheat' like Kevin and I with the templates He drew his own, cut it out and decorated it... I will have to get an "after" picture from Nikki...

Grammie had to pitch in and help.... Athen had to supervise

I help you daddy

No, I help you mama

Cheater Cheater - pumpkin eater! ((HAHA get it?!?!))

Athen going in for the kill

Athen and his pumpkin

"It not work'n...."

"Here daddy you fix it..."

"GOOD JOB DADDY!!"

He's into this!

End Result...

Diezel not too sure about these

All lite up

Prayers ANSWERED!

After a couple of weeks of bible study I am thrilled to say that last night Toni as baptized!!!
I am so thankful and blessed to have been able to be there and be a part of it. I can truly say that Toni is a huge encouragement to me. She has already touched lives of many people....some she knows and some she has never even meet....
Thank you for all your prayers. Please continue to pray for her as she is a new babe in Christ.

More prayers answered - my aunt BJ is doing better. She had her staples removed last Thursday and they were able to change her medication so the nausea seems to be better. She goes back in two weeks for a follow up and to see when Chemo will start....Please keep her in your prayers as she has a long road ahead of her.

Thankful

If you live under a rock and are not in the Facebook world here's what's been going on...

Three weeks ago my Aunt was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I will spare you more of the details but it didn't look good. Countless prayers were lifted on her behalf and am THANKFUL to say that she has already had her surgery, they removed a FIVE pound tumor, drained 12 liters of fluid off her and did a complete hysterectomy, the doctor got most of cancer. There are a few places on her intestines that will be treated with Chem-O. They will not start that until she is healed from this major surgery. As of last reports, she is up walking around, eating, and should be able to come home Wednesday!! It is so amazing to SEE prayer at work.

On that subject, I would like to pose a few prayer requests on our behalf. Kevin and I would like to ask prayer for ourselves. As with everyone we have daily struggles and some just can not be overcome with out some divine help. We strive daily to live a Christian life, to raise Athen in a Christian home and be Christian examples. Surely, we fall short everyday. Serving God is of the up most importance. We need prayers and strength to do what is right, even when its not easy.

Also, Kevin's mother, Toni is starting to do a bible study with some members at from church. She would greatly appreciate any and all prayers on her behalf. She is ready to commit her life to God. This is a HUGE step for her in the RIGHT direction and we are so proud of her. With strength and prayers, we know she can do it. I will gladly forward any encouraging comments you may leave for her to her... Thanks

If anyone else has a prayer request, I would be glad to post it... you can email me.

Family Fun

This weekend we went to Ivey and Devyn's birthday party. It was a caravel. Crystal (the mom) had booths setup for games and actives for the kids to do. There was even a clown (aka Sherry) I think the baby deer was the hit of the party. They have a pet deer.... well not really. He just won't leave more or less, they don't 'keep' him there....

Then tonight, Athen and I were walking down to see the pond and fish. Welllll.....it had rain and the drive way was covered in mud puddles or as Athen calls them - "Muddles" So I let him play in them... and well, I got in on the action!! He and I had the best time... we played in them for about an hour... Then his daddy came home and we double teamed him =)

((side note: Aunt Ninnie... get you some mud and that kid will pose and smile for any picture =) ))

And for your viewing pleasure.... some video =)

32 months

Yeppers, two months from today my one and only baby will be THREE years old... Where has the time gone?!?!

Athen had two FIRSTS this weekend... Friday night was his first football game. Which he was more interested in playing with Jett than the game.... But I got a good report from his Daddy. Then on Saturday Aunt Ninnie and Uncle Eric took the boys to a movie... another first for Athen. Good report from there as well....

He just came up to me, handed me my drink and had his and say "Cheer's Mama" ((hit cups)) then I sat mine down and he said "NO! You got to drink mama!" haha... I asked him where he learned that from - he said "E-Bee does that" meaning Elizabeth at day care.

The other day he knocked Kate's plate off the table at day care and Mrs Carolyn asked him what he did that for... He said "Kate not want to eat her lunch"

Just a few things about Athen at this age
-He is pretty dramatic
-He talks, a lot.
-He can play in the bath tub for an hour. However, he never touches his toys in his room...?
-The other day he told me "mama, I have idea CHICKEN FRIES!!!" meaning he wanted me to go to Wendy's to get him something to eat.
-Has a VERY active imagination.
-Started to try and give you kisses when he knows he's in trouble.
-Is completely potty trained.
-Likes to still apply the 'treat' rule
-Gets upset when he does something wrong and I tell him "I am not happy with you!"
-He will find a bible, hold it up and say "What book is things?" - you answer. He said "That's right, the Bible. Good Job" and he says it JUST like his bible class teachers... =)
-Is in love with the movie Shrek
-Says the funniest things.... like "You perfect mama"
-Gets his he's and she's mixed up... pretty much everyone is a "he"
-He doesn't like the toilets at church - he says they are LOUD
-One of his favorite saying is "I already did" whether he did or not.
-If he gets a spanking (which is often) he says "You hurt me, you pank me like this..... (illustration) You go time out!" and then he gets in trouble for being sassy...
-I tell him to spell his name I say "A-T-H-E-N, no "s"
-When I am wearing a dress he says "you a princess mama"
-He loves to talk on the phone
-He is very smart!
-Naps are getting less and less.... *tear*
-He gets his bed head from his Grammie!! =)

This is a picture of Kevin when he was just a few month younger than what Athen is now...

Blessed

I am way behind on my blogging... Its a 'mood' thing with me... either in it or not, and here lately... not so much.



This blog is about how truly blessed we are to have Athen in our lives. I think as parents, with the day to day dealings and day in and day out issues, we forget how blessed we are. Or at least I do. Athen is such a wonderful blessing. Not only cause of his easy going nature and how wonderful he is developing ie: how easy it was to go thru his mile stones. To date nothing has been "hard" not even getting rid of the pacie.... He sleeps through the night ((although now that he's in a bed, he will get up.... I am pretty sure he has always been an on and off sleeper, I just didn't know it.... He's a great eater. Athen is loving, no so much a cuddlier, but if he hurts your feelings and knows it.... Its "Sorry, Mom-Mom" until you tell him its ok. and if you don't its "I said, SORRY mom-mom!" =) He is healthy. To this day he hasn't been sick with a virus ((throwing up)) ever! And he has not been to the doctor since his 2 year old check up... I am holding out HOPING we can make it a whole year, that's pretty impressive. A toddler who hasn't graced the doctors office ((ok and we are not counting that one little 10 minute trip to Youth Care for 5ths disease)) in a year. Wish we could bypass the 3 year check up... he will surely get sick from being at the doctor's office. Which reminds me.... need to make a dentist appointment ((yuck)) for Athen. Athen is a bit hard headed and strong will. HOWEVER - he a) gets that honest - and yes, I will put it out there, he gets it from me and b) strong will isn't a "bad" thing.... just has to be structured...
Athen loves to go to 'class' aka church. Until we get there, and then he doesn't want me to leave. He has just gotten use to his teacher and then the quarter changed!
Athen's favorite store is Wal-Mart ((again, got that honest - from his Grammie and Daddy!))
He will throw some elbows over food, and the coveted car seat in Ninnie's car....
I LOVE that he can now tell me what he wants to eat, when he wants to eat, if he wants to eat, what hurts, where it hurts, if he has to go to the potty, what he needs to tend to when he gets there.... I am really enjoying this age. I love the 'conversations' we have.

Yes, we are BLESSED beyond measure!!

Just for you!

Athen is break'n out his dance moves! If you look close you will see our new addition to the family - "Charlie" Kevin found him, and thus Charlie found a home... Athen LOVES him!! So much so that he just colored on him with markers!!!! Oh the fun times we have in our house!

Note Athen's underwear! =)

For Daddy and For Susan

The first video is for Kevin when he is on the road and needs a little pick-me-up...

The second is for my BFF Susan who is away from home and is missed terribly! Today we were in a store and there was a girl with dark hair ((that's the only thing I could find that would make Athen think it was Susan - that and the nose ring =0) )) and Athen said "Is that you Susan???"

The third is a shout out to both cause he wanted to do another one and it was TOO cute not to post...

Enjoy!!