Asheville Feb. 2010

Josh and I went to Asheville for a weekend at the end of February. It was a senior retreat for Josh since he will be finishing up residency soon. It was a great weekend and nice to hang out with all his fellow residents and their spouses one last time. We went to some great dinners and toured the Biltmore. My mom came to Columbia to keep the kids. Of course it is always harder on us to leave them than it is for them. Landon was actually pushing us out the door telling us to go. They always have fun with Tay Tay! Needless to say it was a great weekend and nice to get away with Josh for a couple of days. The Grove Park Inn is beautiful and I hope to go back one day when I can enjoy the spa!

RIP sweet Munson

We lost one of our family members on Feb.21, 2010. Our beagle Munson died unexpected Sunday night. He had been completely healthy and showing no signs of illness. He was sitting up in the room with Josh while he studied and started having a seizure. Within a minute he was gone. It was one of the most horrible things we have ever experienced. Munson was the best dog. He was loving. He gave us hugs. He was so good and patient with the kids. Landon and Munson have become so close. The day Munson died he had gotten in bed with Landon to snuggle. Landon was rubbing his belly when I happened to walk in the room to check on them. I am so thankful I saw this and that Munson did that. He never gets in bed with Landon at nap time. It was like he was saying goodbye. Then that night when we were putting the kids to bed we always have story time in Landons bed. Munson again jumped up in bed with all of us so Reese could pet him. Again, saying goodbye in his own way. Josh and I got Munson a couple of weeks after we got married. It really was like he was our first child. He has been through everything with us and our house doesn't feel right without him here. Everyone in our family loved him so much. Even my gran gran who is not a dog person loved Munson. Munson made every trip back to Ga with us and stayed at gran grans. It was one of his favorite places. He got to roam all over her land and there was always people around. We actually spread his ashes around her property. We know Munson would be pleased with that. Of course all of this was so hard on Josh and I but Landon really took the news hard. He is only 3 so we didn't know if he would fully understand. We told him that Munson went to Heaven and we wouldn't be able to see him anymore. He was kinda quiet most of the day. Then after his nap he started crying inconsolably and yelling he wanted Munson back. It was the most heartbreaking thing I have ever seen. It was so hard to see him hurt so bad. Munson was his bestfriend. Reese didn't understand but did keep asking for "doggy". I don't know if we will ever have as good of a dog as Muson. He is missed by all of us. He was only 6yrs old and way to young to die. Here is a recent picture of Munson and Landon enjoying the snow in SC. We love you and miss you Munson. RIP. 2003-2010.

Valentine's Day 2010

Valentine's Day was a lot of fun this year. The kids woke up to a bag full of V-day goodies. I fixed them some pancakes with hearts in them, we made Josh a card, and decorated cookies. We were a sad that Josh had to work but prepared a great dinner for him to celebrate when he got home. We had home made lasagna that the kids helped me make. We all had a candle light dinner together. It was so sweet and special and the kids absolutely loved it. Landon kept telling me that this was the best Valentine's day ever. He is always so appreciative. Josh gave me a gift certificate for a much needed massage. I can't wait to use it! I got him 2 canvas pictures of him with each one of the kids from Hawaii. It was a special day that we plan to celebrate and make special for the kids every year!

On a side note, Landon can write his name all by himself at 3 years old! When we were making the v-day card for Josh I ask Landon if I could help him write his name. He preceded to tell me he can do it himself. I thought it would just be a bunch of scribble but nope, it was great! I was so surprised and proud of him. I knew they were going to be practicing learning how to write their names in school soon but I hadn't seen anything or heard they had started yet. I guess they have and Landon picked it up really quickly. He is also wanting to read words on his own and getting me to spell everything for him. He is my smart little boy. Reese won't be far behind since she tries to do everything her big brother does. She is so sweet and loves her brother so much. She is his cheerleader always telling him "good job dede" (that is what she calls Landon) and giving him hugs and kisses. I hope they always stay so close.

Snow in SC?

We have heard many times since we have lived here in SC that we will be getting snow. I have stopped believing it because we have never seen a snowflake. Well low and behold we got 8 inches in some parts here! The kids were so excited and had so much fun playing in all the snow. Reese was unsure at first and kept saying "natney" and "gucky" which is nasty and yucky. It was pretty funny but she got over it quickly. Landon just kept saying how he has been dreaming for snow. It was such a great thing to see them so happy and excited!
Since my last post we have listed our house and hoping and praying that it will sell. We have only had one person even come look at it. That is a little discouraging but hopefully things will pick up when the weather gets better around here. It has been raining, freezing cold, or snowing. We love our house here but so anxious to move back home and we don't want this to hold things up when it is time to go!

Reese is potty trained!

My little 19 month old baby girl is officially potty trained! We stayed around the house for the past week working with Reese going potty. Thankfully she was so easy to train. She did not have many accidents and got the hang of it right away. She is adorable in her big girl panties. She likes to pick out which ones she will wear everyday. We have now been on many outings with no accidents. I am so excited to not buy diapers again for a long while. Most of all I am so proud of Reesie. Landon was a big help as well. He would take her to the bathroom when he would go and give her a skittle when she went (in hopes he would get one also, which he did). However, at one point she tried to stand up over the toilet to go just like her brother =). Good job Reesie. You and Landon continue to make us proud everyday!

Pictures from 2009...

Christmas 2009
Picking our Christmas tree at Harmon Tree Farm
Thanksgiving- Gobble Jog in Marietta Square
Christmas card picture

Josh signing his first job contract 11/09
Girls weekend in Blue Ridge mountains 11/09
Halloween- Boo at the Zoo

Boston 10/09
Hawaii- Manoa Falls
Lanaki Beach (our favorite) in Hawaii
Reese's 1st Birthday
Landon's 3rd birthday at Leapin Lizard

Goodbye 2009, welcome 2010!

It is New Years Eve and I am starting one of my goals for the next year to update my blog more frequently. This is Josh and I first new years apart in 14 years. He is at work and I am at home with my two sleeping babies. It is amazing how much new years has changed for us. We used to never let a new year's eve pass without celebrating and going out. Although I must admit I enjoy staying in, relaxing, watching the ball drop on tv. However, I do miss Josh and wish he was here with me.
This past year has been a great one! Landon and Reese have grown so much. It is amazing but it makes me think how fast time goes by and I need to cherish every moment with them being little. It goes way too fast! Landon is going to school at a local church 3 days a week. He is learning so much. I asked his teacher how he was doing in his class and she said "he is an easy one." It makes me happy to know he is behaving at school and actually loves going. It has been more of a challenge at home. The three's are the hardest age yet for me. Landon tests his boundaries every day. It is a tough balance with discipline and letting him discover who he is without suppressing his determined personality. He is so independent and does pretty much everything on his own. He is smart and funny. He is such a joy to have for a son. Reese is now 19 months. She is talking quite a bit although many people don't understand her except me and Josh. She talks in perfect sentences that we understand but may sound like a forgein language to some:) She is potty training and doing very well. She is adorable in her big girl panties. She also can pitch a fit with the best of them. She is stubborn and knows what she wants. She tries to keep up with her brother at all times. They hug and kiss each other one minute and are fighting the next. All in all they do very well together. Her hair is so long and many people think she is older than she is when we are out. Josh doesn't want to cut it but I think we will have to soon. She is beautiful and sweet with a strong personality. We love Landon and Reese so much and look forward to watching them grow.
2009 was a great year as I was saying before. We were fortunate enough to spend 5 weeks in Hawaii back in July. Josh did a rotation in the ER in a hospital on Oahu. It was such a great time and we look forward to going back in the future. Josh also started his third and final year of residency. It has been a long road but it is finally coming to an end. Josh and I also went to Boston for 3 days. Josh had a medical conference. It was great to get away just the two of us but we missed our babies so much. It was the first time we had left them for an extended time. However, they did great with Tay Tay and Gran Gran. Josh also signed a contract for a "big boy" real job as I call it. Of course it is back in GA. We are so excited to move back home! 2010 will be a great year! Between Josh finishing residency, going to Disney World in April, and selling our house and buying a new one, all with in the next 6 months we have a lot to look forward too. We have goals of becoming healthier, being the best parents for our children, and living the life God intends for us to live. Happy New Year to everyone, may it be the best year yet!