Road Trip...

In October, we decided to take a trip to Oklahoma to visit Graham's family.  While we would usually fly, we decided (due to the amount of stuff we had to take with two babies...) that we would drive.  All "11" hours.

I had prepared as best as I knew how and felt good about keeping the kiddos entertained throughout the ride.  Thankfully Emma was still so young that she slept a good bit of it, but I knew Watson would need some major distractions in order to keep him calm!



We bought a dvd player for the car (something I never wanted to do, but knew this trip called for it!)  We drove in Graham's car, so Watson thinks the dvd player is just a special treat for when he rides in "Daddy's car."



I had also gone to the dollar store and bought random toys and books for Watson to have throughout the trip.  I had wrapped each of them in gift wrap, and every couple of hours Watson would get a present.  He LOVED this..and in turn, we did too!



Our plan was to make it all the way to Oklahoma in one day, but due to all of our pit stops for stretching, diaper changes, and nursing sessions...we made it to Van Buren, AR after 12 hours and had to stop for the night.  In other words, it took us 12 hours to drive what should have been 8 hours...



The kids did AMAZING, though.  We were SO incredibly proud of them!  Part of what took us so long on the way there was a detour we had to take in Arkansas due to road construction...which had us at a standstill for almost an hour...!

Stopping was definitely the right choice as we were all feeling much better the next morning and ready to drive the last few hours to OK!



Our time in Oklahoma was wonderful...as always!  The kids (especially Watson) loved time with their grandparents and the spoiling the comes along with that time :)



We spent one morning at the zoo, which was great!  I was so impressed with the OKC zoo!  This was the morning of the OU/OSU game, so of course Mike and Mary had Watson and Emma decked out in their OU attire :)   (They also received plenty of OSU attire from Mike and Jan the next day!)




Graham and I were able to have a date night, which was much needed and so wonderful!  We went to dinner and to see Captain Phillips...great movie!



Our drive home was much quicker, and better overall than the drive up there.  We were able to make it home all in one day and the kids were so worn out from our trip that they slept a good bit.



It was a wonderful trip...we look forward to going back in December!  This time, though...we will fly :) 

New beginnings...

The Lord is good.  Oh so good!  Graham and I have been feeling for about a year now that the Lord has really been stirring in our hearts and preparing us for a season of change and transition.  Throughout that time, we have been praying for the Lord to show us what exactly this looks like for our family and clear guidance on how to follow Him through this.  There have been several different opportunities come up.  Some we knew were not right for us immediately, but others we really spent time praying about and considering.  We were about one second away from accepting a job in College Station, Texas - we WANTED to do this, but we did not feel a peace from the Lord that this is where He wanted us.  That was hard...really hard...especially when it was an incredible opportunity for Graham and our family.

But, the Lord is ever faithful...

Graham was approached about a job at a church here in town and through many interviews, meetings, and most of all, prayers...the Lord made it oh so clear that this is where He desires us to be for this time in our lives.  We could not be more EXCITED for this new opportunity and step of faith for our family!

Graham is now serving as the Discipleship Pastor at Valleydale Church here in Birmingham.  It is truly a perfect fit for him and our family.  The church has been more than welcoming to us, and already made us feel right at home!  

It was a bittersweet time as Graham left Student Life.  He had served there for almost 10 years, and we have so many incredible memories from our time there.  We met each other and our best friends there, and are beyond thankful to the Lord for that season of our lives!

That being said, it was time for a change and praise God for bringing about this opportunity in His perfect timing.

If you are in Birmingham and are looking for a church home, please come visit Valleydale!  We would LOVE to welcome you there and walk alongside you in life! 

Destin...

Every September, my family takes a trip to the beach.  I look forward to this week every year because I think it is the best time to be at the beach.  The temperatures are great and school is back in session, so the beach is MUCH less crowded and perfect for our little kiddos!  This year we got a house in Destin..it was perfect for our ever-growing family!

Bathing beauty :)

Hampton would have stayed in the sand the ENTIRE time we were there had he been able to.  Sweet boy LOVED the beach.  It was so wonderful to see him having fun and feeling good!

Our set up for the week.  Perfect!

Watson had to warm up to the sand every day, but always adjusted and had fun playing!  He would not let me take him in the ocean, but would go with Graham as far as they wanted.

Toes in the water and sand...sweet girl wasn't so sure what to think at first!

Cutest baby on the beach!

Beach naps are the best! (They don't typically sleep together...this just happened one afternoon and it was precious)

Date night with my handsome man.

We spent one day in Seaside and had a blast.  This picture was taken right before we left so Watson was sweaty and tired, but despite how he looks in this picture he really did have fun!

Watson takes after his daddy in his love for ice cream!

Evening play time on the beach

My love bug!

We had so much fun spending the week together.  I am so thankful for my parents and the fact that they create memories like this for all of our family. 

September...

We spent Labor Day weekend at the lake with my family.  It was so much fun being all together and enjoying one of the last weekends at the lake with the water still up!

Watson decided while we were at the lake that he wanted to nap in a "big boy bed."  That was the beginning of him sleeping in his big boy bed at home too!  This boy LOVES his crib so I thought this transition was going to be rough...but thankfully he decided to transition all on his own!  (...although I am writing this in October..and he is back in his crib now... He did stay in his big boy bed for a while, though.  He did great in it..but woke up WAY too early.  So in an effort to get more sleep (since Emma still gets up at least once a night) he is back in his crib and we are all getting more sleep!)

First night in his twin bed at home

Headed to Mother's Day Out!

Sweet Bug's first day of school!

He was bound and determined to wear his hat like this.  Is he a teenager?!

 Coloring....his present favorite past-time!

Some days...especially rainy days...result in playing in the sink while I cook dinner...

Pretty sure this was the day that I just sat in the car in the garage because both babies were asleep at the same time.  I would not dare disturb this peace!!

 Wild Man Watson

We made a day trip to Atlanta to see my best friend, Leigh.  She was in town from Dallas visiting her boyfriend.  There was no way I could pass up a time seeing her when she was so close! 

Celebrating Libby Claire!

In August, we took a weekend trip to Atlanta to see friends and spend time celebrating Katie and Tyler as they prepared to welcome Libby Claire into this world!  Time with these girls is always precious...and it was a blast having dinner at Gretchen's with our kids and husbands!

Emma slept through the majority of the shower!

Molls and Emma

Ansley and Emma...already becoming the best of friends :)  Gretchen has been such an encouragement to me during the first several months of Emma's life.  I am so thankful for her and her friendship! 

While I was at the shower, Graham and Watson went to Senoia, GA to the town where The Walking Dead is filmed...

I am so thankful that we were able to sneak in some time with these two as well!  Wendy has been like a little sister to me all of my life so I loved getting to see her new home and for my kids to spend some time with her and Frank!