We had a "Ball" at Nolan's 1st Birthday party!

Today was Nolan's 1st birthday party. The theme was all about BALLS! It was so cute. Heidi got a whole bunch of balls of different sizes and had them scattered all over her backyard. The kids had a blast.

The Birthday Boy!


All the kids!


Our bible study girls...minus Jen! We missed you!


Mammy feeding Brooker yummy goodies!


Kinsloe is caught with her finger in the cake...too cute!


Bo holding Brooker.


Cousinly LOVE!

All Boy!

Today Jared took Brooker in the backyard to play while he washed his truck. The dog has created a nice sandbox for Brooker. It really wasn't where I would've let him play had I been in charge, but as you can see from the pictures, Brooker was LOVIN' it. He was so dirty when it was all said and done but he enjoyed himself for quite awhile. I gave him an empty wrapping paper roll to play with...who needs toys?!




Look mom! My hands are soooo clean!

Swingin' Backwards

Brooker got this new swing set for his birthday but he always gets in the swing backwards to play. It's very low to the ground and it's on carpet so I'm not too worried. He loves it!

Going on a deer hunt!

Every now and then, Mammy and Pappy will pick Brooker up to take him for a golf cart ride. They are always on the hunt to see some deer. They usually come back and report the number they've seen. Tonight it was a little windy so they had to bundle up. Jared and I were able to fix dinner, eat dinner, and clean up from dinner all while they were gone. Very nice!!!

My 2nd Mother's Day

What a great Mother's Day I had! Even though Brooker woke up sick again and we couldn't go to church, I just enjoyed holding him and loving on him to get him all better! Brooker & Jared got me a really sweet card that I just loved and bought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Jared fixed peanut butter & banana with honey sandwiches on the panini press for breakfast. At noon we went to my Aunt Mollie's house for a Mother's Day brunch. It was very nice. In the afternoon we went to the lake house to be with Jared's mom for the rest of the day. As I reflect on being a mom, it makes me smile and just feel like the luckiest person alive. I LOVE my job and role as a mother.

The reason I am a Mommy!


My #1 mom and I!


Three generations!


Me, Brooker, Mom, & Laci


Mom really liked the Florida Gator shirt that Bear picked out just for her!


Great minds think alike! Pretty beach towels.


Back Row (Aunt Mollie, Rebekah, Heidi, & Bonny)
Front Row (Mrs. Stephens..Nana, Nene, & mom)


So proud to be his mommy!

A horse is a horse...of course!

A few weekends ago we went out to the property of one of my dad's friends for a big cook-out. Bo & Leslie were in town with Rylie so the cousins got to play together. Mrs. Tracy surprised the babies by letting them see her horses and feed them carrots. She has a miniature horse that is sooooo cute and they even got to ride him. Neither Brooker or Rylie were real enthused!

Leslie, Rylie, Bonny, & Brooker


Brooker loves a rib bone!!


Mmmm, mmmm, good.


Doing what Brooker does best, picking up the most random objects and putting them in his mouth.


Giving me the "What Mom?" look.


Brooker feeding the big horse some carrots.


Saddle-Up!


Next horse ride we won't wear Crocs! I think his cowboy boots would better suit him!




Rylie and Brooker say "Whoa horsie!"

Day of Prayer

I took Brooker to the courthouse lawn on May 1 for the National Day of Prayer. My dad has organized this event with the help of lots of great people each year. This was the first year I was able to attend. Brooker was on his best (well almost) behavior and we had such a peaceful and relaxing time. The Sebring High School show choir sang beautiful songs and there were several speakers who prayed for our country and its leaders. What a wonderful morning!

Pappy & Brooker


Nene & Pepa


Somer Smith and girls ensemble...Sang a beautiful song..."It makes me wanna SHOUT! Halelujah..thank you Jesus...You are worthy of all the glory and all the honor...la la la" (can't remember the rest but it was good).


Dad!


Mommy & Brooker

Latest House Pic!

The house is coming along so nicely! Now it's time to pick out all the fun stuff inside. By the way, the house looks tan right now but that's because of the hardyboard. It's actually going to be white with black shutters.

We've had a "bug" in our house!

It all started on Wednesday evening. Mammy & Pappy were keeping Brooker while Jared and I were at church and then Olive Garden. Mammy called and said that Brooker was throwing up...OH GREAT! We got there to get him and he threw-up again. I took him to the sink to wash up and it happened again only this time all over ME! Spit-up has NOTHING on throw-up! Thursday morning I woke up with the "bug". Jared had to play nurse for Brooker and I yesterday. Come to find out, Mammy and Pappy both got the "bug" and had to stay home too! We were all in bad shape. I had a feeling Jared would end up with it. Sure enough he went to work this morning but arrived home mid-day and hit the couch...never got up again until just now to go to bed. Brooker had another round of vomiting today too. I got some pedialyte in him and he's sleeping soundly now! Ahhhh....No more "BUGS!" I hope and pray we are all well in the morning!


My little guy doesn't feel good :(

New Calf

When we got to Jared's mom and dad's house this morning I looked in the pasture and noticed that there was a brand new baby calf trying to stand up next to his mother. It was so sweet. This baby was either born late last night or early this morning. It was still trying to get stable on its feet. At one point the calf and his mother were very close to the fence so we snuck over to get a few pictures.

Granny's Birthday Party

Jared's granny turned 78 today. We had a family birthday party for her in Wauchula. We grilled hamburgers and had some tasty side dishes. Birthday cake and home-made peach ice-cream for dessert. Granny commented on how she can't remember the last time she got presents and had a real birthday cake on her birthday (I'm sure she gets one every year!). It was so nice to be with all the family and we were happy that Janie was feeling good and able to be part of the festivities.

Granny is opening her presents!


Jared was manning the grill!


Brooker wants to know where the cake and icecream went?!


Jason holding Brooker


Brooker with Papa


Granny & Kristin


Me, Granny, Kristin, & Jamie


Me & my hubby!


Here's Brooker with the famous water mat again!


Take a close-up look at this face!




We'll "end" on this note!