January iPhone pics

January in Review

We started off 2016 with a great New Year's Day meal

We prayed the Rebels would win the Sugar Bowl (and they did)

Luke decided it was time to sit up and play

Then he decided to turn 8 months old

We went to Arkansas for a wedding and ate at Cracker Barrel

Luke took his first sink bath at Uncle Mike and Aunt Misty's house

Aunt Angie read books to both boys

Luke attended his first wedding of Clay and Chelsey Smith

Mom and dad drank champagne because we attended a wedding with both boys and SURVIVED

Luke got a new fish bath tub

Will used Luke's new bath tub as his fishing boat

We enjoyed Saturday morning cartoons in mommy and daddy's bed

Tucker decided to turn 1 on January 8th

Then Will decided to turn 4 on January 19th

So we celebrated Will on the coldest night of the year so far at Chick-Fil-A and Luke bundled up and cheesed for us

Both boys played together on the floor

Luke sitting up playing on the floor

Then Will went to the Fire Station to celebrate his friend, Carter's, birthday party

Later that day, we celebrate Will with a John Deere birthday party

Luke decided to sprout 2 teeth back to back

Both boys dressed so handsome for church

We ended January with a TOT performance at New Albany High School

Luke ended January with a slight cough and runny nose. Does he look sick? 

Will's birthday party with friends

We had Will's birthday party with his school friends at House of Bounce. House of Bounce is an indoor giant playground with lots of inflatables. We had a good time with his friends. They played, ate pizza and cupcakes, and opened presents.

Big Bro and Little Bro in their John Deere shirts

John Deere cupcakes

The birthday boy

Down the slide with Anna Grace

Grayson and Will playing in the block area

There goes Will down the slide

Singing Happy Birthday

Sweet friends, Matthew and Corbyn

 Eating pizza and cake

Presents

Presents with Matthew, Parker, Anna Grace, and Grayson

Will's Family Birthday Party

Will turned 4 on January 19th and we had a family party for him at Chick-Fil-A that evening. He had a blast! We ate chicken nuggets and opened presents. Will got lots of Paw Patrol and Thomas the Train gifts! All he wanted was a garbage truck and he got a garbage truck as well as other things.

Disclaimer: I had a setting wrong on my camera so these pictures are very fuzzy.

Birthday boy and his presents

My Family 

Eating

Nana and Pawpaw

John Deere cookies

Presents

Happy 4th Birthday Will!

4 years, already?!?!? Really, where has the time gone?

I can't believe my energetic, Mickey Mouse/Paw Patrol loving, high-fiving and spunky child is 4 years old. Will lights up our hearts with his random sayings and sweet innocent looks. He has warmed our hearts and blessed up since day 1. He literally amazes me every day! He still likes to push our buttons and test us but he sure knows how to make up for it. He can look at me, twist my arm in so many ways and I give in. I mean, how do you spank or punish a child when they look at you like that?

Will is full of life. He can say his bedtime prayers and always wants to say the blessing at dinner time. It's so sweet! He's learning so much about God, church, and life. As parents you want to steer them in that direction and make sure they are following the right paths. He loves school, anything and everything John Deere, trains, Paw Patrol, Mickey Mouse, hanging out with his grandparents just loafing, eating, and anything and everything because he's all boy!

I always think back on this day when Will and Drew were born and why God spared Will but not Drew. I always wonder and will continue to wonder why God took Drew from us and left Will. I might never know the answer, but I can definitely tell you that there is not a day that goes by that God doesn't constantly remind us of Drew. We don't know what Drew would have looked like nor how he would have acted but if its any evident of how Will is then Drew would have been perfect too.

God placed Will with us and Drew with him and we will probably never know why. So, yes January 19th is a special day, a day to rejoice and celebrate 2 special, special boys whose lives have forever impacted other lives and will continue to do so. Tomorrow, we celebrate another day when Drew met Jesus for the first time. So, yes, when January 19th and 20th comes around we never forget what happened that day back in 2012.

Will,

I'm so thankful that God gave us you 4 years ago today. You have taught us lots of patience, unconditional love, and how to be better parents. It hasn't been easy but God has walked us through it. You have given us many frightening moments and you probably have more to come because that's what we call LIFE! We thank God every day for your big smile, sweet hugs and kisses, but most of all your precious hard-headed and strong will zest for life. Whatever you do, may you honor God in all that you do!

We love you buddy and Happy 4th Birthday!

Tucker's First Birthday party

My sweet nephew, Tucker, turned 1 on January 8th and we celebrated his First Birthday this weekend. He had a Charlie Brown theme with just family. Sweet Tucker, we are so happy you are 1 and we cannot wait to see you continue to grow! We love you, Aunt Kara and Uncle Doug! 

Tucker ready to eat cake

Singing Happy Birthday

Eating a piece of cake

Loving his cake

Hi! He loves his cake

Present time

Rather play with paper

Lots of new toys for Tucker