Nature

I often pitty the citydwellers in this world because of the beauty they never have the opportunity to see. This past weekend we went to the camp for the last time this season and I was amazed at God's awesome creation. The woods are perfect right now. There is water where there should be water, the trees are bare and brown and the palmettos are really green in contrast as are the cedar trees....it's just pretty! I LOVE this picture of J and Gus, it's quite possibly my new favorite (at least until the next one, HA).
It is hard to imagine but next hunting season he'll be running around in a little pair of rubber boots and his Dad and I won't be able to keep him out of the water puddles!! This year however, shoes were optional:

It was pretty warm and Gus was tired of sitting in the truck, so we plopped down on the ground to play in the dirt. Speaking of which, yesterday Gus and I took advantage of a warm afternoon and played in the sunshine. Gus was fascinated with the leaves and sticks.


I wish I had a dollar for everytime I said "Don't eat that" or "Don't put that in your mouth!". But it's worth it because Gus loves the outdoors.

I wanted to show you all a picture of my ongoing project of decorating my kitchen/dining/living room (it's all one big room). I was given these plates by my great Aunt. They are really pretty, I should have taken a close up for you to see the picture on them. But J hung them for me in the dining room to tie in blue to that side of the room. It is so hard to find navy/blue accessories right now since it's not "in". So let me know if you see any good deals!!

Overview of the past week!

Gus is almost 8 months old now! I know, where has the time gone? He is going on 16 though, or at least thinks he is. He has really started "developing" and "exhibiting" his personality/strong will, if you know what I mean. We are trying to start teaching him the meaning of "no", you ask, "How is that going?", we say, "Oh boy do we have our work cut out for us!". I'm sure Gus is completely confused when Mommy says "no, no, don't spit your food everywhere" but yet she laughs like it's funny. But man is it hard not too! He has been doing this little face lately where he schrunches up his nose, it looks like this:

We LOVE the face. Everyone laughs when he does it which is why he loves it!

We had a big weekend, last weekend (I know I'm a little late but bare with me). Gus had fun sitting out by the fire with Mae Mae at the camp.
He also had a good time hanging out with Dad.

I'm not sure which one was more fascinated with the BIG equipment, J or Gus!

Gus also got up close and personal with his first buck. Congrats Dad!

On Monday, since we were luckily off of work, Gus and I took advantage of the wonderful Florida weather (finally) and soaked up some rays.

We have taken to calling Gus a monkey. We're even considering making that the theme of his first birthday party because it just suits him right down to a T. He is crawling, pulling up and climbing. Yes, you heard right, climbing. While I didn't make it to the camera in time to snap a pic, he climbed up in the dishwasher at our house and he has climbed onto the hearth at my parents house this week. I didn't think he could do that yet! Here comes some more bruises!

I'll leave you guys with a funny picture, courtesy of J. Gus is the best baby regarding hats. He doesn't mind what you put on his head, so Dad tends to take advantage of him:

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Life is Precious

This morning as I sit in my climate-controlled office in my cushioned chair, I am struck at the blessings that surround me daily that I take so much for granted. My every need is met, my family is safe and sound and healthy, and I don't have a worry (at least not a very serious one) in the world. My, my, what a God we serve! As the news is filled with Haiti and the horrible disaster that has taken place, I can't help but praise God for what he has done for me. But for the grace of God it could be us today... tomorrow...... next hurricane season. Last night, in our local community, an officer was gunned down and lost his life, leaving behind his wife and two small kids. As I was driving home from a work party last night, to my husband and little boy, my heart broke for the wife and what she would be going through at that exact moment. I can't even begin to imagine losing my husband and raising Gus without him. Events such as that remind us that life is precious, temporary and a God-given gift. It should also remind us that our "problems" are minuscule. The empty coffee pot, the slow poke driver in front of us, the annoying co-worker, your ever-growing pile of laundry and dirty dishes are meaningless. I have really taken this to heart today and thought that it might touch someone else too. Please pray for the Haitians and the officer's family and friends and cherish your time with your family today. Overlook the annoyances, such as a shoe left in the middle of the floor or a cup left on the coffe table and thank God that your husband or child is there for you to clean up after.

Splish Splash

We have finally put away the little baby tub and have given Gus full rain of the bathtub! He loves the water, much like his father and mother so we know he gets it honest. While we fill the bathtub with fun water toys, he prefers to pull up on the side of the tub and the water spout with his wobbly, slippery self. I believe he just likes to cause me to have heart palpitations. He has only dunked his head a few times and he just spits and sputters for a little bit but keeps on going.

Bathtime is something that J and I both participate in. While I am usually the "washer", J provides entertainment and comic relief (when does he not right?)! The only time we have problems from Gus is when it is time to get out. Those little feet start kicking and he starts fussing until Daddy can wrap him up in the towel and craftily distract him (i.e. making faces in the mirror or sitting up on J's shoulders).

I am very excited about taking Gus swimming this summer, because we know he will have a ball.

Back to Reality

I have been on a vacation not only from work, but blogging too. I know that everyone has moved on from their Christmas tales but I will throw in a little one from our family.


We have had a wonderful holiday season with family and friends. We are so blessed! This Christmas was, of course, extra special. Just watching Christmas through a child's eye is special but when it is your own it is incredible. At this age, Gus wasn't extremly impressed with Christmas and all of it's fun and folly but you can't help picturing him a few years down the road finding a bicycle or BB gun under the tree! Time is passing quickly enough without me wishing it faster but I think it is only natural to want to experience all of the new things to come right?

I have forgotten my camera this entire week, which is why this post has been so long coming. I still don't have it but I have borrowed a few pictures from my family that were taken of Gus. I'll follow with more next week.

This was at my parents house at 8:00 Christmas morning. He was excited about all of those presents under the tree.
This was actually Christmas Eve at my grandma's house. He was just getting started!

The week after Christmas J and I take off every year to rest and relax. We had a great time at the annual New Year's Eve party at the camp. We also managed to throw in a home improvement project: adding a carport to the house. I'll have pictures of that later on.

I'm glad you all had wonderful Christmases and wish you all a very blessed New Year!

A Christmas Survey, I need your help!

With this being Gus' first Christmas, J and I have been trying to come up with our own family traditions to start this year. We wanted to do something new/different than what our families currently do but we are having a hard time. I thought it might be neat to see what some of your holiday traditions are and maybe we could borrow some of your ideas! So if you have a minute or two please let me know what your family does now or did when you were little that makes Christmas special to you. Thanks!

Santa Claus has come to Town!

Despite the dreary, cold weather last Friday, Gus and I struck out in search of Santa. After picking up our friends Amy and Noah, we headed off to the annual kids Christmas party at our local bank. The boys are invited because they hold savings accounts there. We had to stand in line for an extremely long time, considering we were holding 17 pounds and a diaper bag, but it was worth it. Gus was worn out and was on the verge of drifting off to sleep by the time we reached the front of the line, but he didn't mind Santa at all. He just sat in his lap, blinking very slowly:) Noah on the other hand was somewhat interested in the strange man holding him and even threw out a few smiles for the camera. The boys were too cute in their matching santa "tiny elf" hats. Some of the goodies handed out were: red and green antlers, a book with an attached CD of Christmas songs, cookies and punch and a photo of you and Santa in a frame for the fridge.

It was fun to spend time with Amy and Noah AND Santa! I wonder how they'll be when they meet the Easter Bunny at the bank's annual Easter party?!! Something tells me their indifference to strangers won't last much longer.

On another note, Gus has really been enjoying the Christmas tree at his Mae Mae's house. This photo was taken during a diaper change and he just wouldn't sit still long enough for me to redress him because he needed to see about the tree! Fraiser's beware, Gus is on the loose!