June 26th was my birthday!

I had a wonderful birthday day! It started early with breakfast with the best french toast at the Original Pancake House! Both my sister-in-laws were there, my brother, my mother-in-law, our 3 nephews, Scott's brother, and of course the three of us. It was so good! They even served a hot apple pancake for my birthday for all of us to share. It was just like apple pie! I really appreciated all of them getting up so early to celebrate with me, it was perfect. The rest of the day I went to a movie with a few friends and saw My Sister's Keeper and of course cried the whole way through the movie. I just finished reading the book so of course I had to compare. It was really good with only a few changes. I can't reveal anything else...otherwise I'd ruin it for everyone who wants to see it. Later that day I had some of my MOPS leadership team over to watch the sunset and eat dessert (which was a homemade birthday cake and they sang to me!). It was fun being around great friends. Scott was fantastic and let me hang out with my friends and took care of Tyler. He tried really hard to get me my birthday wish which was a new mailbox, but it just didn't work out...yet! My grandma sent me a great package with some summery fake flowers that I can put in a vase and they will stay pretty forever! And I also got lots of shopping money that I can spend on myself...hmmm...new tennis shoes, skirts, tank tops, summer dresses...YIPPEE! I am just so thankful for a great family and friends! I am truly blessed!

Father's Day

HMMMM...oops missed the father's day post. We had a wonderful father's day here in Savannah with steak and potatoes at our house. I missed my dad in Iowa, but I know he had another great day on the golf course...probably day dreaming about his days to come lounging on the deck in the hot sun on his new green lounge beach chair. Scott's dad wasn't feeling great all day but toughed it out and came for dinner at our house. For father's day he got new brake pads installed on his car. Scott said, "if you were my son driving around on these brakes, you would have been grounded!" Scott took care of his dad by installing them himself in the hot hot sun. We love spoiling our dads. We are so blessed having such wonderful dads in our lives.

Tyler enjoyed yelling "daddy!" all day (like always) he can't seem to get enough of daddy time lately. They enjoyed some time on the dock fishing (Tyler's favorite) not so favorite when it's time to go in though (terrible 2's coming out). I know Scott is so proud to be his daddy and I'm so lucky to have him as a husband and father to our child!

Four Years...of Memories

Today is our Anniversary! Four wonderful years, here are some of my favorite memories!

Year 1: (Picture of the house before we closed!)Our First Home together in Annapolis, MD. It was the best deal in Annapolis! Mom and Dad S visit and help us get started on home improvements by teaching us how to tile. The beginning and end of my tile career! Working hard on home improvements while hanging out with friends. Young married small group. Eating big dinners in front of the TV and having them devoured in less than five minutes! Renting movies from the Red Box. Going to Paris for New Years. Watching American Idol. My brother living with us for the summer. Riding our bikes to Hillsmere park. Putting the jet ski boat in the water to go to the city docks to have crab dip. Happy Hour with Guess the weight of the lobster and free appetizers from 5-7pm. M-F. (can't remember the name of the place??) Getting let go from Maytag together. White water rapids in West Virginia.

Year 2: My surprise 26th GOLDEN birthday with Mom A. and friends! Lobster season in the Keys with my brother. Transitioning from Annapolis-Savannah. Living with your parents. Lots of golf. Unemployed for 4-5 months. Buying an auction house in Ohio??? Spent lots of time in Ohio with Grandma B. Labor Day fun day on the water at Rob and Amy's Dock. Finding new small group, haunted house and spanky's outing. Securing new jobs in Savannah. 4 weeks of training in NY. Christmas in Iowa and then trip to the keys. Superbowl party with fun prizes. Got pregnant with Tyler. Mystery Dinner.

Year 3:

July babymoon to the Keys. The purple car. Remodeling carport into master bedroom/bath/office 3 months before Tyler was born. Knocking down the outside wall. Jackhammer going for 12 straight hours for the bathroom pipes! Tyler is born! Lots of guests (Mom/Dad A. and JJ)! New roommates, my brother and his fiance (now wife). Discovered overflowed septic tank that we didn't know we had? Lot of visitors and guests (Dad A, Chris, Greatma, Debbie, Mom A, Jill). Sold condo in Richmond. Went down to one income so I could stay home with Tyler. Dinner at 606 East Cafe...free babysitters at home.

Year 4: 10 year high school reunion in Iowa (Tyler crawls). Water skiing/wake boarding all summer long. Halloween with an 11 month old. Tyler's 1st birthday party. Christmas in Iowa and SNOW was on the ground for Christmas! Bringing in 2009 with Friends.Spring Break in Myrtle Beach with Mom and Dad S. Golf at The Wizard. Tyler's first Easter Egg Hunt. Johnny and Jenny's wedding in Iowa. Tonight we are baby-free with shopping, dinner out, sleeping in tomorrow thanks to Mom and Dad S letting Tyler spend the night.

I have had a blast these past four years and can't wait our fifth year even better. I pray that we always look to God for guidance in our marriage and parenting. I loved you then , I love you now and I love you always.

Me

2 weeks of fun in Iowa

Wow, I can't believe I've been here for 2 weeks. The time just flew by. and thanks to my awesome schedule organizer I really got to spend time with pretty much everybody. I can honestly say I am ready to go back home and I'm not really sad about it (although I'll miss everyone very much and I wish Tyler could be around them more often). I think in the past I used to come to Iowa to visit, but would leave feeling like I didn't do anything or see enough people. This time I booked the schedule in between Tyler's naps and I even got a few naps in myself! It was relaxing, exciting, fun, wonderful, and jammed packed with my friends and family. Tyler was so great and flexible sleeping in a new place here and there for naps and bedtime. We made it out to the farm for an overnight. We played in the yard and sprinkled him with water. He picked rhubarb with Greatma. And he accidentally stepped on the hose and sprayed his face...oops. He took naps in a church, at greatma's and at my friend Jill's. He switched bedrooms at my parents house after 1 week when Scott left. He really enjoyed sleeping in the same room with mommy...however my alarm clock knows me by name...so I woke up to "MAMA MAMA!" It was cute...but 6:00am! Come on! Tyler has a new hobby of stacking old CD cases in different piles around the house...it was quite comical. I just hope my mom can find them all! Tyler was pretty good with the dog, we have to re-train him on not throwing his food on the floor again though. Bert was really good with Tyler ignoring slaps from Tyler's lovey and CD cases. I'm pretty sure Bert is ready for this toddler to leave him alone by now. I was able to do so much considering I had full time babysitters just waiting for me to ask. I was able to go out to eat with friends, play golf 4 times, type on the computer (right now my mom has Tyler doing errands), go to a movie with my grandma, plant flowers at the farm with my aunt Carla, and the list goes on and on. I really feel I got a break these past 2 weeks with so much help entertaining Tyler. We did things together as well like visit Aunt Debbie at her school, visit Greatpa Burt at the cemetery, go to softplay at Southridge Mall with greatma and her friends,

the zoo with Greatma, cousin Perry and Aunt Chris, the farm, playdates with friends, lots of bubbles with everyone everyday, writing with chalk outside, church at Hope Lutheran (he didn't even cry when I dropped him off in the nursery!), to my old elementary school's jungle gym, Norwalk park with Aunt Debbie, basketball and dinner with Aunt Chris and cousin Harrison, swimming at the Y, swimming at cousin Jimmy's work, again the list goes on and on.

As you can see we had a great time and I'm so excited for Tyler to have all of this excitement and adventure in his young age of 18 months.

Of course the main event was Johnny and Jenny's wedding (aka JJ's wedding). I will be adding more pictures to the previous post to keep it all together.

Johnny and Jenny...

ARE MARRIED!!!

Here are just a few of the moments captured.

Waiting for JJ to come out.

What good looking men I have!Scratch off tickets in a magnet chip clip as Wedding Favors...brilliant.

Dollar Dance!

Tyler and me dancing!

This picture doesn't do the scenery justice.

It was a gorgeous reception at Echo Valley Country Club.

Matthew's Birthday Party

We celebrated cousin Matthew's 8th birthday this week. We went out to Outback Steakhouse for dinner on his birthday day and then he had a swimming pool party yesterday. I can't believe my oldest nephew is 8 already. They all are getting so big and that means that Tyler must be getting big too! Tyler had a blast and LOVES the water. I really am grateful that we get to be here as they are growing up. It's fun watching them grow and mature and it prepares me for my future endeavours with Tyler. And gives me tons of ideas! I really love being close to Scott's family. Although I miss my family in Iowa terribly! We will be seeing them VERY soon. My brother is getting married next week. I am so excited for them to start the rest of their life together...officially!

Tyler is now saying (tr) UCK! He hasn't quite got the T sound out yet...but he's practicing! He is talking up a storm...we have no clue what he's saying but he sure has a lot to talk about. He must be teething or getting ready to because he has been drooling like crazy. He goes through at least 3 shirts a day because they get soaked. I guess he just hasn't learned to swallow his own spit yet! Otherwise he's sleeping so good at night, I never thought I'd get this much sleep after having a baby. I hope I don't jinx myself!

Mother's Day Poem

Mommy,

Thank you for being a good
Mommy to me.
You teach me the animals and
what they say,
You show how to bark, moo,
meow, and nay!
When I poop in my drawers you
show me the way,
With a giggle and smile by with
my arm I sway.
You are so good to take me to
the mall,
On walks with ducks and birds
and clucks.
You play with me outside and
throw me the ball
When all Daddy will do is point
to my trucks.
I just love my Mommy with all
my heart.
And Mommy even laughs at me
even when I fart!

Love,
Tyler
2009

Grandpa's Birthday Surprise and Beach Weekend

SURPRISE! We pulled it off...a surprise birthday party for Scott's dad. Well, neither of us can take too much credit for it. Amy, my sister in law did the majority of the planning and she did a fantastic job. Scott's mom had the toughest duty...keeping it a surprise! Denny's sister and her husband came in town for the weekend and were staying with them as well...so they had a Thursday night and all day Friday to keep the surprise. I was able to call him during the day to sing him happy birthday, but avoided any other conversation. I guess I helped a little by somehow making him think I was coming out to the beach with Tyler after he got up from his nap. Anyways, we all had him guessing! We served a Low Country Boil, coleslaw and a HUGE cake, which was devoured! We danced the electric slide, stomp dance, macarena, the twist...etc. We had a blast. Tyler had a blast as well dancing all the way up to the end.

Afterwards, we headed to Tybee Island and stayed at Scott's brother's beach house for the weekend.

If you can believe it, he kept those glasses on the whole time we were at the beach. He's still afraid of the ocean water coming in at him but he loves throwing shells and rocks in the water and he loved playing in the pools of water grandma made for him.

It was so nice and relaxing. During Tyler's naps I went up to the roof and fired myself like an egg. I wanted to get some color...but the sun was a bit stronger than I thought. We also played some Domino's...a family staple. I lost by 5 points to Aunt Rose. It was fun!
Some Grandpa and Grandson time on the porch.

It was truly a wonderful weekend, thanks to everyone who made it happen for Scott's dad!

Love,

Scott, Carrie, and Tyler

Gotta love softplay!

Softplay just gives us moms a place to wear out our kids. Tyler loves it and then gets really tired and usually has a really good nap!

Hopefully some of my friends will send me some pics of MOPS Farm Day that I can post. We spent the day at the Life of Riley farm April 17th. One of our MOPS leaders family lives and runs a farm. We had a blast. We fed the horses whole pieces of bread, went on a hay ride, saw 100's of cows, colored chicks, bunny rabbits, squealing pigs, goats, a turtle and a dog that lives on the roof of the barn? Now Tyler knows what a horse says and what a cow says. Neigh and MOOO (just in case you forgot!). So cute. Pictures to follow soon!

Isaiah 40:31

I asked God to give me comfort today when reading the bible. This is where He directed me. Isaiah 40:31

but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

In the side notes of my Quest Study Bible it says this about hope.

What does it mean to hope in the Lord? (Isaiah 40:31)
The word hope implies both trust and patience. Trust involves confidence in God's power to deliver and faith that he will keep his promises. Hoping in the Lord also implies the patience to wait for God's promises since God works according to his own timing.

My Superhero

We went to a superhero birthday party recently. We didn't really have an outfit, but I found some PJ's handed down from Tyler's cousins with an A (I think Alvin Superhero but not really sure). Anyways, Tyler had a blast...here he is carrying around a part to the swing set. When I first saw him with it, I thought it was a noose.

Isn't he a cutie?

Happy Easter...Myrtle Beach Trip

Happy Easter everyone! Jesus has risen and is alive! We had a wonderful day today with a beautiful church service with a professional sand artist live at the church. After church we headed out to Aunt Amy's for a wonderful Easter dinner of lamb and crab cakes. We had great conversations and fellowship, the kids had an Easter egg hunt (Tyler needed some coaching...but started to get the hang of it), we watched the Master's on TV and searched for Uncle Rob and Grandpa but never could spot them among the huge crowds. The kids played with the bubbles that Grandma Easter bunny brought. Tyler's new word! He really loves the bubbles! We ate too much and then ate more desert and now we are home. Tyler is snug in bed and I've realized I haven't updated in weeks! We've had such a wonderful time the past few weeks...I've put the computer aside and really only checked my email once a day! It has been nice.

Last week we were blessed with a vacation with Grandma and Grandpa to Myrtle Beach, SC. We stayed in a hotel suite right on the ocean with a gorgeous view. Scott and I got the room with the view because it was the room with the pull out of the wall Murphy bed. So we got to wake up to the sunrise every morning! Tyler loved swimming in the indoor heated pool (somewhat heated). Daddy really won the prize of swimming with Tyler 3 days in a row!We both got to play 2 rounds of golf with Grandma babysitting Tyler (even though she had a sling on her arm protecting her recent shoulder surgery) she was such a trooper, we both appreciated her so much. Scott golfed on the coldest and windiest day, we both golfed on Wednesday at a course called The Wizard, and I golfed on Thursday (the nicest day!). We also went to the big Broadway on the Beach area where they had fun games and rides. We were trying to tire Tyler out this night. He loved the skee ball!

This vacation was the perfect distance away (only 3-4 hour drive), the perfect company, the perfect amount of nights (5 nights), and perfect relaxation and stimulation vacation I've had in a long time. We can't say thanks enough to Scott's parents for inviting us and treating us to such an amazing trip. We love you.