I couldn't love these two more....

Enough said...precious!

Reading the paper with Daddy

How cute is this? Drew wanted to read the paper with Daddy on Saturday morning. Precious!

Playing with the Ezzi and Head families

We got to spend some fun time with the Ezzi and Head families on Saturday. Drew is getting so big. He's kind of the in-between kid right now. Brody and Emily are his age, but they are just enough younger right now that he'd rather follow Carley and Beau around. They are really good with him though...they include him and he's totally in love with Carley.

Daddy's so cool!

In the entryway of our Applebee's, there are pictures of NLR police and fire departments. Most of the pictures are old-time pics, but several people recently have told us that Brian has a picture in there. So we went to eat there on Friday night and check it out. So cool.

Happy Birthday Carter!

Drew got to go to Carter's birthday party on Saturday...so fun! It was at the Museum of Discovery and it was a pirate party. Pretty sure he couldn't have had a more perfect little boy party. Drew was in heaven making pirate swords, wearing a pirate hat, pirate scars on his face. They went on a treasure hunt, got to pet a lizard and a snake, and played it up. Thanks Carter for the invite!

Easter 2009

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Easter was a blast this year. Crazy because we had to be three places...Cabot to Little Rock to Beebe all in a torrential rainstorm, but you really seemed to understand more and that always makes things more enjoyable. You were pretty good in church. An entire hour with not a ton of singing was hard for you, but I don't think the people around us realized you were fidgety! On the way to Uncle Jimmy's, we came upon a wreck on the interstate and Daddy got out to check on everyone in the pouring rain. He stayed out there until the fire truck showed up. I thought he was so brave and cool...you didn't notice because you never woke up! All in all, it was a good weekend. Love that you are starting to take an interest in and understand about Jesus and Heaven. It makes us feel like you kind of understood the Reason for the Season!

Horse races

Well, you finally made your annual trip to Oaklawn on Friday. We usually take you the weekend before your bday, but didn't get around to it until it was almost too late! You absolutely loved it this year. You loved watching the horses run, eating popcorn, picking a winner, and especially loved the paddock. You thought the jockeys were neat and loved watching the horses being paraded around. We will have to do this a few more times next year!

Travs Game

It's finally here...baseball season! We went to the opening game of the Travs last Thursday despite the scary weather. It was so much fun! We had lots of friends join us so that made for a fun night. Can't wait for lots more!

Church Easter Egg Hunt

Drew and I went to the church Easter festival. He got to hunt eggs, do crafts, listen to a story, and talk to the Easter Bunny...and then of course, throw a huge fit and have to be carried to the car. But all in all, he had a great time. He got to run wild with his BFF Whitman, so that always makes him happy. He did really well hunting eggs. He wanted to put them all in other people's baskets, but he loved running to find them. He was even sweet enough to give back candy that fell out of other kid's eggs. I was really proud of him.

Mommy's boys

My boys are amazing and I love them both so much! When I got home from school on Tuesday night, I was met by the smell of yummy spaghetti, a clean, pajama-clad little boy, and a handsome husband. Drew started jumping up and down saying, "Look what we got Mommy!" He pointed up on the TV airmoire and there was a bunch of tulips they had brought home for me! They also got me a bottle of wine to go with dinner. Then we all sat down on the couch to eat and watch The Biggest Loser. I felt so special! Thank you sweet boys...I love you both so much!

Reunited...for a weekend

I got to go to Tulsa this weekend for a baby shower for Heather. I stayed with Mindy and Olivia which is always a blast. Olivia is going to be 2 next month and she's adorable. We got a little color time in Saturday morning before we had to drop her off with the grandparents. Heather's shower was a big success and she's absolutely adorable. You can't even tell she's pregnant until you see her adorable bump. She and JT are having a little boy in about 2 weeks...or less. They are going to be amazing parents.

After the shower, Mindy and I went to Heather's to hang out with her and Melanie and baby Riley. Riley was born in December and she's precious. She's laughing and kicking and jumping all around. It was great to finally meet her. It's funny how the four of us spent every day together in college and we will go months without seeing each other, but fall right back into the old, comfortable friendship within seconds. I love that about good friends. Just wish we weren't all spread out so far! I had a great time girls. I love you all so much and can't wait for all our babies to play together! Can you believe we are old enough to be moms?

We will miss our Belle

Well, I guess I'm ready to write about this. We had to say goodbye to our precious baby girl Belle yesterday. She's been sick for a while now...she was diagnosed with diabetes several months ago. She gets better and then gets sick again and this was one of those times. She wasn't eating and started throwing up on Monday night. The vet said she was showing signs of both Addison's and Cushing's diseases...complications from diabetes. Those diseases are hard (and expensive) to regulate and she wouldn't have gotten better. She's had a hard time walking lately and just hasn't been herself in about a month. I just couldn't bear to watch her suffer anymore knowing I was only prolonging the inevitable. So I made the decision to put her to sleep yesterday after taking her to the vet and hearing all that. It absolutely broke my heart and I wasn't sure I was going to be able to make the decision, but it was better for her. So now for the first time in almost 9 years, I'll be without my very best friend :( She was a wonderful companion and family member. Drew loved her so much. He gave her a kiss every morning before school and every night before he went to bed. I'm dreading telling him the news, but he hasn't asked about her yet, so we're putting it off. Luckily he's only 2, so it won't be as difficult for him.

A couple of my favorite memories of Belle:

*She used to sleep on the pillow on the other side of the bed and when my sister would come visit, she would sleep on Hannah's head.

*She would make these funny little faces where her upper lip would get tucked up on her teeth and she would look like Elvis

*She was the best snuggler. She wanted to sleep right up against me every night and she would get so warm and cuddly

*She barked at the T.V. all the time. She barked at animals, little kids, any loud noises...it was so funny at first...but slowly go annoyingly cute!

*She would get so excited when my parents, brother, or sister came into our house. She would run around in circles doing this funny little excited bark.

*She loved Cooper when he lived with us. They were adorable...he would grab her by the scruff of her neck and pull her around.

*She gave the best kisses (lickles). She loved to kiss Drew the most and he thought it was so funny. He would be lying on the couch and she would start licking his feet or hands. He would just laugh and laugh.

*She was always so good with Drew...from the very beginning she loved him and protected him. He has never flinched when she barks. I think it was because before he was born...she laid on my lap whenever I was sitting or lying down. It was like he was as used to her voice as mine and Brian's.

*She was my little black ball of joy. She was there for me during one of the hardest break-ups I've been through and she was there when I met and married the love of my life. Brian had to pass the dog test when he met me because she was #1 and if she didn't like him...he was out! He of course passed with flying colors.

Belle,

you were such a wonderful dog...member of the family. We all loved you so much and hope you are having a wonderful time in Heaven. Thanks for all the good memories and unconditional love.