Growing like a Weed!

Lately it seems Charlie is growing like a weed! Every time I turn around he is learning something new. He is literally growing leaps and bounds too...3 pounds and an inch and a half in the last 4 months to be exact!
Mimi often comments how he looks bigger every time she sees him, and she never goes longer than a week or two. It is true, some mornings I think he has grown overnight! Ryan and I are so proud of all he has learned and accomplished lately.
Some of his new tricks this summer:
- knows how to spell his name, and has learned how to write half of it! (its a long name!)

- he is dressing himself (a little slow some mornings...but wants to do it all by himself, shoes too!)

- Coloring inside the lines... This was a really big shocker when Ryan and I noticed he is coloring all of his pictures inside the lines!

- Casting his fishing pole (Poppa bought him a fishing pole and taught him how to cast, and now his favorite hobby is casting it off the back porch!)

- He has learned to swing by himself (Mommy LOVES this! no more pushing!!!!!)

- He loves, loves, loves, to read books to himself while looking at the pictures...this is my favorite thing to watch him do...it is funniest when he doesn't no I am watching!

- PawPaw taught him something new too...but we won't blog about it! hahaha...scoby!

His favorite things lately include riding his bike with his buddy Parker, playing with his cousins, drawing with chalk, racing his cars down our new entry way, swinging, slip and sliding,doing anything outside! He has definitely been a little sponge, soaking up and learning so many new things! It is exciting and I love watching him grow. Don't blink! or you will miss it!

Celebrating Life and Death

It has been a very long and interesting week to say the least.
Last Friday Ryan and I celebrated five wonderful years of marriage. We reflected on how hard we have worked and how far we have come in five short years. It feels so wonderful to have found someone who knows me inside and out, is there for me through good times and bad, supports me, and is truly my best friend. Ryan is a wonderful husband and father and I feel lucky to be able to share the rest of our lives together. Charlie also enjoyed himself at Mimi and Poppa's house for a few days, he never even thought about Mom and Dad while he was being spoiled rotten as always!
We also celebrated both of our birthdays Sunday and Monday. We are both so blessed to have family and friends who care so much about us and shower us with love. We have had more cake than I would like to report, flowers, cards, and wonderful food!
Sometimes it stinks to share your birthday...but I always look forward to that week in July when we are spoiled together.
Unfortunately with good, sometimes comes the bad. My incredibly sweet father-n-law, lost his father to cancer early last week and our hearts and prayers went out to Mike and his family in West Virginia. Then on Friday, my uncle lost his battle to cancer way too young. It was heart wrenching to watch my cousins watch their father suffer and lose his life so young. He is definitely in a better place and finally breathing and living without burden or regret. His service was so beautiful and my cousins and aunt showed their strength and grace. The dinner and reception afterward at my aunts beautiful home proved our family's love and support for one another.
Often in life, difficult periods transform and enlighten our views. This week we have celebrated life and death, and with that lots of love and thankfulness as well.

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
-- Marcel Proust

Mr. Independant

We had a wonderful Independence Day filled with lots of food, family and friends. Lots of laughs and smiles and memories made!



more pics to come...