Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Leslie's Day

I want to wish a Happy Birthday to a friend of mine, Leslie!

Leslie-
You are a wonderful mommy to your 3 beautiful girls, and your energy and love for them is very evident! I love the sense of humor that you and James share as a couple. I also get to see the many ways to you minister to your huddle group, and I know that every one of those kids is blessed to have you as their mentor!
I hope that you have a great day surrounded by those who love you, and I hope that you are reminded today about how special of a person that you are to so many people!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

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Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Summer Time is Here!

**I started this blog a couple of weeks ago....my camera cord is with some family in Africa, and I haven't been able to upload pics for my blog. That's one of the many reasons I have been so behind on blogging. Not sure if I will be able to post more pictures for another week or so while they are gone... enough excuses...here is what I do know!


It is officially summer time around these parts. We've hit the 100 degree mark more than a few times. Our investment of two kiddie pools has proven worth it so far....Also our relationships with those who have 'adult' pools has proven very beneficial! We've indulged ourselves with Cajun Cones, ice cream, watermelon, and lemonade, & we have already enjoyed a summer storm lightning show, late evening walks, cookouts, and of course visits from family!

My parents *Papaw & Grommie* got the boys bikes for their birthday. I got some good shots of Levi the other night enjoying his favorite new toy!

I love his face in this one. It's an expression that I've never been able to catch on camera.

Kissing his wheels!

Always on the hunt to make things a little more dangerous...

He wanted to take pictures of himself. Most of them turned out extremely blurry, but I like this one!


Oh man, Will Cotton. There are not enough words to describe your sweet and sensitive personality!

We went to the local fire station to look at all the 'beeeg tucks'. Levi loved it, but Will was a little cautious...imagine that.

We recently moved the boys out of our room at night and into their own room! I have been in the process of re-decorating their room, but I am waiting for a few more pieces before I take pics of it. The transition went a lot easier than I thought it would go! The boys want to sleep together, so they share a twin bed. They sleep on separate ends of the bed, but some mornings they wake up snuggled next to one another. Garsh...I love 'em.

Here is Will snuggling with bear & baby before night time. I could bottle up his sweet grin and keep it forever.


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Thursday, May 14, 2009

These two turning two

I am still in denial that today Will & Levi turn 2. Some days I think of them as little babies, but then other days I see them as little boys. I am so proud of them already! It sounds funny to be proud of a two year old, but it's amazing how much character and personality they already have.

William Cotton Sheets- born 10:33am, 6 lbs.
Will is my sweet, sensitive, sneaky, and mischievous little guy. He likes to play with trucks and cars, and any of his toys can be transformed into cars (in his little mind). His first love, though, is basketball. I can not tell you how many times I hear him say 'back-it-baawwll' during the day. It's the first thing on his mind in the morning, and he always wants to shoot a few before eating breakfast. He has a cannon for an arm, and he can throw a ball clear across the room. He would MUCH rather watch ESPN than any other kids shows or movies. Everything that is a circle is a basketball in his world. He will even see a period '.' in a book and point to it and call it a back-it-baaawwlll. Will is also the most clumsy child I know. I thought about counting how many times he falls during one day, but I lost track... He just can't quite stay on his feet. Anyone can become a best friend to Will if they read him a book (and play Bball with him, of course!) He doesn't talk quite as much as Levi, but he is getting there. His vocabulary consists mostly of: eehhpane! (airplane), deeeees (cheese), back-it-baawwwll, baaaabbyyyy (he loooooves babies), bubbles (he says this one loud and clear!), and a LOT of mumbling (he gets that from his dad....and uncles....and papadoc...and great-grandaddy....). We don't understand him when he mumbles, so he will grab our chin, turn our face towards his, bring us in really close, and repeat his quiet mumbling. It's one of our favorite things that he does these days. There's just something about his small, soft hands trying to get our full attention that makes us laugh every time!



Levi Blake Sheets- born 10:34am, 5 lbs. 7 oz.
Levi is allll boy. His normal pace is running. He runs everywhere he goes. He is my little ham who likes to wave 'ah-low' at everyone we see- in the grocery store, at a stop light, at church...etc. He has a new phrase that he likes to say when someone asks him how old he is. He first says, "I not baaaaby..." while nodding his head...then he'll hold up two fingers and say, "I twooo". Most of his sentences start with "I want..." and end with "eeat, juuice, daaad, papa/papaw, wa-wa (water), otsiiiide, it-neee (Whitney), aayyya (Ava)". Levi is our morning guy. He wakes up at 7:30 sharp regardless of what time he goes to sleep. He loves to watch the airplanes fly over our house, and he loooves to play basketball, baseball, golf, football...or anything the big kids are playing. Levi is always on the go. He will play with a toy for a few mintues, and then it's on to the next thing, and the next, and so on. I guess most two year olds are this way, but it's very opposite of his brother who sticks with one thing until it's totally accomplished. His favorite food request these days is 'cha-chock' (chocolate). He takes after me in that area!






I think back to this day two years ago, and I am reminded of how miraculous life is. I remember the nervous anticipation while waiting in the hospital room for the c-section to begin. (Zach more nervous, and me more anticipating) I remember those last few kicks I felt in my tummy right before the numbing took place. And I remember Dr. T holding Will up above the curtain so I could see my wide-eyed, dark haired baby boy for the first time. It is an image that I don't think I can ever forget. Then, the sounds of Levi's first cries as he took his first breaths. It was an amazing moment to experience....the little, unseen babies that were kicking my ribs were now my sons to hold, kiss, and stare at for hours....months, and now years. I still find myself sneaking in to peek at them while they sleep, and there are days when I'm not sure if I can stop kissing them. There are days when I want to freeze time to savor a moment, and then there are days that I count down the hours until bed-time. I am so thankful to be able to experience motherhood, and I am truly blessed to have Will & Levi as my sons. I can't imaging what the next 2 years will hold, but I am soaking up the time I have with them as my little guys.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Will & Levi! We love you!

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Reflections...

On this day two years ago I looked like this:


I can't believe my little babies are turning 2 tomorrow. More to come then...

Monday, April 27, 2009

Living Room Before & Afters

Our house has been a work in progress since we moved in. The most recent makeover we have done is our living room and entry way...

entry way before
...notice the white tile with glass looking stuff in it.

entry way after. new wood floors!

fireplace before.

fireplace after!
we put stone over the brick and zach made a new mantle. i love it!

Will heard me taking pictures and ran into the room saying 'Cheeeeeeese!'

Drumroll please...
Living Room Before.

Living Room After!!!
Sooo much better!
we painted the walls, got new carpet, new accessories, etc.

We still have some things we want to do in the room, and there are some things I am searching for to go above the mantle and above the green couch (the wire ivy thing is probably gonna go).
BUT...all in all, it's in working order!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

It Doesn't Get Much Cuter Than This...

We are savoring our time here with Colton (and Nate & Terah, of course!)...

Isn't he precious!?


Our family with Colton. Will looks crazy for a few reasons...1) sunscreen matted hair 2) he has fallen more than a few times resulting in the black eyes... 3) he is crazy.

Levi holding Colton 'all by himself'!

Will looooves 'baaabyyy'

Monday, April 20, 2009

A New Cousin for Will & Levi!!!

We are in Phoenix right now celebrating the new arrival of Nate & Terah's baby boy!
Colton Henry Ott was born Monday, April 20th weighing in at 8 lbs. 8 oz.  Both he and his awesome mama are doing great! We had such a fun day traveling back and forth from the house to the hospital while anticipating the arrival of this loved little guy! 

You can check Sarah's blog for more pictures. (Or I will probably post more pictures tomorrow!)

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Mama's Boys

I love when the boys just want to sit and cuddle on my lap. They are usually pretty active guys, so I don't find myself in this position very often!

Levi & me. He was pointing to me and saying 'Mama'. I guess in case I forgot who I was...

Cotton Ball and me. He is turning into such a goof ball! He used to be so serious, but now he is definitely always up to something!

I remember when he used to be just a little butterball.....

and I remember when the both fit on my lap with space to spare!

and I remember holding them while they were completely still and just staring at their sweet faces....

and I remember the very first time I ever held them. Little did I know how much joy, love, laughter, hugs, and life they would bring into my world.