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...

It has been a year

Exactly a year ago, today...heaven gained an incredible angel. Dr. KC Donnelly, my beloved boss and friend...passed away on July 1st, 2009 after his 18 month battle with cancer.
Dr. D was truly a unique soul with an amazing positive attitude towards life, and a loving and generous heart. He cared deeply for everyone around him, especially his students. I feel so fortunate to have known Dr. D and to have been able to be there to comfort and support him until his last breath. He is missed everyday.


Wearing our "Team Donnelly" bracelets...Dr. D's hand is on top


Britta, Dr. D, and I at Relay for Life - May 2009

Thankfulness Journal

I have decided to blog today about being thankful.I'm not talking about being polite after someone's opened the door for you. I'm talking about feeling thankful for the true blessings in your life...the things that touch your core.Oprah talked about this concept a few years ago and she suggested having a thankfulness journal. This is a great idea because it keeps us focused on the positives in our lives.Especially on days we worry or question. It helps us see the great things we have and do, and puts our frustrations and worries into perspective. In addition to our prayer and song each night at bedtime, I have Charlie tell me his thankfuls. He loves telling me each day what he is thankful for! So why don't I do the same??

Imagine the person who is usually in a bad mood. They are always complaining about something, something is broken, their life is so busy, there is always someone who's done something to them and they're always getting the bum deal. This person is hard to be around and it takes a lot of energy to maintain a relationship with them.
On the other hand, think of someone else you know. This person is energetic, and has a certain spark to them. They laugh a lot and have a "can-do" attitude. And when you visit with this person, you feel energized, inspired and thankful to know them. It's safe to say that this person is more fulfilled in their life than the other one. And it is safe to say that this person is most likely more healthy to be around.

So it seems there is a measurable benefit to counting your blessings and looking on the bright side!

I’m referencing thankfulness for the little things...those times in the day where you just stop and think, “Hmmmm… I’m living a great life.” Sometimes we actually have to watch closely to catch those moments. Other times, those moments are highly noticeable; they jump right out at us! It’s important to express gratitude, so today I hope you’ll join me as I explore some of the things for which I am grateful. I am going to strive to list five each day. Don't worry...I wont be posting them everyday! But here are my five for today...

1. Thankful for Charlie and Ryan...my two favorite boys in this world. They bring me laughter and such joy. Their unconditional love is priceless, and I thank God everyday that I have them to share my life with.

2. Thankful for spending time with family. Nothing is more important to me than family. Having family around constantly is how I grew up and Charlie growing up around so many cousins and grandparents makes my heart happy.

3. Thankful for Hayesville. I love my house, and LOVE my neighbors. To say our street is nice is a total understatement. We all get together on almost a daily basis, take turns cooking dinner for each other, our kids ride bikes until dark, pool parties, and we have only been here a month!!! I could not have dreamed of a better place for our family.

4. Thankful for my job. Unfortunately having a good job is a luxury these days and I am thankful to be employed. I would love to stay home and play with my little monkey all day...but because that is not an option, I am thankful for the office of wonderful people that I work with.

5. Thankful for Music, for the little things, for creation, for the the good around me! OK...so that was a few things rolled into one...sorry, I am new at the thankfulness journal!

Remembering a Legend

It has been a year since Michael Jackson died, stunning fans and leaving the world to wonder...what could have been. A year after Michael Jackson's death caused a worldwide outpouring of shock, tears and tributes, the anniversary of his passing was the first thing I thought about this morning as I made my commute to work! We will always miss this smoooooth criminal!

RIP MJ

Spreading his wings

Charlie has attended Bright Beginnings Pre-School from the age of 18 months. We absolutely love the school, the teachers, the curriculum, and the friends we have made at BBPS. The school is divided up into four different classrooms, each classroom is named after a bird! On the right side of the building the babies (18 months-2 years)start their journey in the "green parrot" room, then migrate to the "yellow canary" room at 2-3years old. The left side of the building is where the 3-4 years old children are "red robins" and their last stop is for the 4-5 year olds in the "blue jay" room, where they prepare to take flight to kindergarten the following year.
Charlie recently flew to his next room, to be a red robin! A milestone that hit me a little hard...no longer on the right side of the preschool any more...my baby is growing up! Charlie, however, is ecstatic about the move. He loves his new teachers and is comfortable with all of his friends, most of which have moved with him from green parrots, to yellow canaries, and now are red robins. Surprising to me, he had no issues at all moving up. The new room makes him feel confident, and excited to be a big boy! He is learning so much, and his favorite things to tell me about have been the computer enrichment lab, the animal science lab, and the fun games they play. He has learned to spell his name and is learning to write his name too. He can count to 50 or higher, uses sign language and spanish. The wealth of knowledge he brings home always astounds me!
It dawned on me the other day that naming the preschool rooms after birds is quite fitting. Birds are intelligent, always on a journey, they are lightweight yet strong, birds are social and vocal and communicate through calls and songs....very comparable to our preschoolers stages of life. Charlie has grown strides at Bright Beginnings and although I would like for them to put a book on his head to keep him small...it is comforting having him in such a wonderful, educational, and positive environment.
I asked him the other day, "where did my baby go, when did you get to be such a big boy?"...he said, "I am big because I am a red robin now Mommy!"

Green Parrot




Yellow Canary




Red Robin!