Amy June 29th, 2009
This past weekend Mike’s family had a family reunion. The site of this annual get-together is on the Tennessee River. This year one of his uncles had brought fishing poles and Paw Paw took Camden to experience his first time fishing. 
He was so excited, especially about trying to get a cricket to bait the hook.
Michael June 24th, 2009
One of our outdoor cats got bit by something venomous the other day. I just happened to notice his paw and took a picture.
The Paw!
He wasn’t limping or showing any other signs of distress so I didn’t get concerned when his paw swelled 3 times its normal size. The next day I saw the wound itself. Again I wasn’t concerned because he wasn’t complaining. But the next time I saw him, I decided to take him to the vet, who wasn’t concerned too much and gave him some Clindamycin for the infection. Then I took another picture.
The wound
Amy June 24th, 2009
This evening was one of those nights that I would like to put into a box so that I can bring it out and savor it whenever I want. It was simply a classic southern summer night.
As I drove up to my mom’s house from having dinner with a friend, Camden and his Gigi were coming out. I needed to run into the house for a minute so I told Cam to go catch some lightning bugs. As I came back out, Mom told me that he was really good and had caught 3 so far. I didn’t think he would actually catch any, but rather that it would keep him busy for a few minutes.
So he then took my hand and asked me to catch lightning bugs with him. As the dusk settled around the house, we ran around the yard chasing lightning bugs. I am not as good as him, so when his daddy came out, I let him take over the chase. I then sat and watched father and son running after the flashing lights to the chorus of cicadas. Cam’s little chubby legs running as fast as they could through the final glow of the sun, chasing what appears to be magic, was a touching experience.
Summer is truly here as the sounds and sights fill the night sky. I love watching fireflies as they dance through the night, but watching Camden chasing them and dancing among them, was even more special. It was a sight that could have been from a movie as perfectly scripted as it was, but it was just life. Our life, that is my treasure to store within my memories and to ponder upon whenever.
Amy June 24th, 2009
little dirty socks pepper the laundry pile
little toy blocks litter the living room floor
little boats line the bathtub
little bikes lay haphazardly in the lawn
little smiles light up big faces
little hands lead us to wonderful adventures
little men melt our hearts
little laughs echo through once quiet home
little victories mean big praise
little people mean life no longer lived small
Amy June 24th, 2009
This past Father’s Day I gave you card that said, “you’re appreciated!” I want you to know that I truly mean it. Watching you play with the kids makes me so proud to call you my husband. You are a wonderful father and I am so glad that you get to experience fatherhood. I think your life would have been much less colorful, fulfilling, and meaningful without this experience. From the first time I met you and saw you around other’s children, I knew that fatherhood was something that you needed to do.
As my husband, I couldn’t ask for more. You are wonderfully patient with me and roll with my moods and tempers. You are always looking out for me and my needs and this makes it easy for me to look out for yours.
I know that the last few months have been trying and I want to applaud your handling of everything. You have continually found a way to provide for your family while never giving up searching for a permanent job. I know that we are once again entering a time of uncertainty, but continue to have faith in God, in yourself, and in your family. Something wonderful is just over the horizon. As the old saying goes, it is always darkest before the dawn. A beautiful wondrous sunrise is awaiting.
I am so lucky to have you as my husband and my partner in parenting and my friend. I love you!
Amy June 21st, 2009
Here are some pics of the events that I have neglected to post until now. I have finally downloaded pictures and you are getting them all at once.
Camden the Gardner
Camden and his Gigi have been planting this spring. She even took him to the store to pick out his own plant and pot, which he announced to everyone at the store what he was doing. These are pics of them planting it. Notice the gloves and hat that he insisted on wearing like his Gigi.
Gigi and Cam planting
Cam watering (notice the tongue)
Michael’s Birthday
Michael’s birthday was on May 30th and this year Camden helped make the cake and insisted on party hats. Michael got Guitar Hero for his birthday which is another reason for the tardy posts. Most of our post bedtime time has been spent playing gigs. A lot of fun!!!!
making daddy's cake
Happy Birthday, Daddy!
Swimming
We have finally gotten Gigi’s pool swimmable and these are various shots of us. Camden is really becoming a fish and he likes to “rescue” people. He even rescued GiGi and pulled her from one end of the pool to the other. Jackson on the other hand is a more passive floater.
Ready for duty
Seth!
Will
Will and Aunt Issy helping Jax swim
Gigi and Jax floating
Random Shots
Here is a pic of Cam attacking his brother with his shark.
Gonna eat you up!
Here is a pic of Jackson getting the hang of standing.
this ain't so hard...
Amy June 21st, 2009
Yesterday was Jackson’s 1st Birthday!!! I cannot believe that he is already a year old. This past year has flown by even though I have been privileged to get to spend it at home with the boys.
Happy Birthday to you...
Jackson is changing and growing every day. Soon he will be chasing Cam around everywhere and annoying him more than he is already. Right now he is really getting the hang of the commando crawl and can get to his brother’s toys really fast. He is working on his 8th tooth. He has started using his sippy cup a lot more and I think that he is actually going to drink milk (Camden gags when he drinks it). Jax can mimic Mama and Dada and sometimes even decides to chatter. He really gets going when Cam talks to him and they try to see who can scream the loudest. He is a thoughtful and quiet child most of the time though. He watches everything around him, but doesn’t comment too much. It will be fun to see how this changes (or doesn’t) as he gets older.
His party was fun. He had his cousins and aunts and uncles and Gigi all come. Unfortunately PawPaw and MawMaw weren’t able to come b/c of illness. He loved his gifts and his puppy from his Cousin Michelle was a hit. His daddy made him an awesome train table that his GiGi is going to embellish with rivers and trees and animals etc on top.
Michael's workmanship
We all had fun and the chocolate cupcakes and homemade ice cream were a hit!
Yummy
Balloons, hmmm
Washing off the cake
Dawson and Camden sharing
My train table and puppy
Amy June 17th, 2009
My 2 year old has taken to calling me Amy…
Well, let’s back up a bit. I have forbidden Michael from calling me Mommy unless in the context of talking to the kids… “Mommy wants you to do such and such” or “Mommy is mad!”, but not, for example, in saying “Mommy, what do you want to do tonight?” I don’t want to be “Mommy” to my husband, but rather Amy, his ravishingly beautiful, intelligent, and witty wife.
In thus forbidding, Mike informed me that he calls me Mommy in front of the kids or Cam will start calling me Amy. And for once, his prediction has come true. 
Now, I have to admit that it is usually on the 4th or 5th time that he has called me and I have not responded, but not always.
The other night he snuck away from his father who was downstairs and climbed the stairs (gate not locked, b/c he was with his dad) and came into the office where I was and gave me a sly grin and said, “Amy, I want to play Starfall.” The little stinker…
Is this just my child or is this a 2 year old thing? I’m not ready to relinquish my Mommy title yet!
Amy June 16th, 2009
I thought one of my kids would crawl “normally”. Not so…. When Cam started crawling he basically scooted. He would have one knee down and he would push with his other leg that was straight.
Jackson has recently started “crawling”. While he is not actually crawling in the traditional sense, he has mastered the commando crawl. He pulls himself forward on his stomach. …and he is really quick! I think I am going to attach a dust pad to his stomach and let him clean my floors while he is at it.
PS I know that I haven’t posted in a couple of weeks. I have several posts saved up, I just need to download the pictures. a simple procedure yes, but one I have not been able to get to yet.
