Happy Birthday Uncle Joel

My brother loves music, and so Trevor and I thought the best present we could get him for his birthday was a day at Busch Gardens (even though he doesn't ride roller coasters!). This year in May, they had "Glory at the Gardens" which brought Christian music concerts to the big stage. My brother and his girlfriend Jamie came in and amde a weekend out of it. The weather was beautiful so we headed down to the Ocean on Saturday. Grayson got to digging with his new favorite beach shovels (thank you Bradley and Alexander!!). We had a leisurely late lunch early supper at the Cheesecake Factory, and brought dessert home for the impending card game.

After Grayson hit the hay, we got the cards out. No gloating guys, but Trevor and I did win 3-3! It has been a long time coming, this spades rematch, but we beat the "champs"!! After getting to bed late, church came early the next morning. Trevor headed over to 8:00 with me to listen to our new pastoral candidate, and then the 4 of them headed up to Busch Gardens for the days opening. They had already enjoyed quite a day of rides and climbing when I got there at 1:30. We had to have BBQ for lunch, then hit some more rides before the concert area opened up for seating. We got great seats on the aisle and away from the speakers to try and appease Grayson as long as possible.The turnout for this first concert day was huge!! Maximum capacity and they actually had to turn people away until the crowd thinned out later in the evening. The rest of the park was absolutely dead as Jamie and I headed back out to get 3 roller coasters in. Matthew West and Third Day were on stage and it was fantastic! The place was rockin'!! We all had a great time and left the park at 9:00. Grayson did great just hanging out and letting his imagination take him wherever it wanted as he played in the dirt and the aisleway perfectly. He did really love the music, and recognized a few of the songs. He got into clapping and dacing right along with everyone else! As I watched him, I think he was playing "Polar Express" with his "friends" and making sure they all got on the train and got their tickets punched! Love, Love, Love it!!!

Joel, I hope you had a great time celebrating your birthday a little late with us at the Gardens!!

Caught Up

Yes, I've been away for a while and my schedule doesn't promise that I'll do a better job keeping up in the next month! I have enjoyed seeing what ya'll have been up to, although I rarely left a comment. I think you know what it's like to try and "catch up"--time consuming!!

Anyways, I've got a couple of entries to try and get added this week. Have a great week everyone!

Soaking it All In

Do you ever have those moments where you're watching your child (ren) and they do something that makes you hold your breath? You say to yourself, "when did you get to be such a big boy (girl), where did that come from, when did you learn that, etc"? And in that moment you get a huge smile on your face knwing that there's nothing you can do to stop it, so you smile, laugh, cheer them on!!

I had one of those "moments" this past week as I Grayson and I went to the 'Mall' to get some wiggles out. He's almost to the height limit which is sad becasue he's still just a brand-new 4! Anyways, I watch him playing and all of a sudden he's climbing on top of the hot dog, cupcake, dill pickle, and mushroom and jumping or should I say leaping off for all he's worth. Now this isn't just a little stepping-off-the-side-to-the-floor. He satnds up at the top so proudly, looks tomake sure no one is under him, throws his arms back, and leaps!! Since when did he get so brave?!


You might be thinking to yourself: are you kidding, my child does that kind of stuff all the time?! For my Grayson and this mommy, it was a big deal. His face was priceless the first couple times because you could almost see the expression saying, "Mommy did you see that!! I can't believe I just did that, and I landed on my feet, too!!!!!! I better do that again"


It was such a simple moment, but one I wanted to remember. Maybe the writing down of this memory will help me to remember the way his sweet, proud, 4-year old face looked tht day!

Of course, we always finish our time up at the 'mall' by rding one of the little vehicles. This replaced his favorite train, but I think he enjoyed himself just the same!!

Singin' in the Rain!

So it started off as a typical Sunday: me up before the boys and off to church early. Church was great, and on top of that, sweet Alayna and baby Madeline were dedicated this morning. Grayson and Trevor met me in the "green" room where I donned my first-ever handmade jewelry creation. Grayson was so proud of the beaded bracelet that he made in Sunday School and I wore it proudly all day!

I rushed home to find a chocolate doughnut and my fave drink from Starbucks waiting! We hit the road and grabbed dinner on the way because the best treat was still to come. Against all weatherman odds, we went to Busch Gardens for the day to enjoy some more of the Christian concert series "Glory in the Gardens". Last Sunday was great, but this couldn't have been a better treat for me on Mother's Day. Two of my favorites were there in concert: Natalie Grant and Mark Schultz.

We arrived in time to see Asmont Hill and Jimmy Needham, with just a few sprinkles. But as my girl Natalie came to the stage, I swear the sun poked it's head out for a few seconds as I had to take the raincoat and sweater off! I enjoyed the hour concert thoroughly!! What a fabulous treat! She was awesome!!!

We walked around and Trevor got on to ride Griffon just as the rain started again. He said the rain actually hurt his face as he hurdled to his near-death!! They announced that the weather was moving the concert schedule up, so we went back over to see Big Daddy Weave. What troopers they were, playing and singing in the rain. We actually had to don our raincoats and sit under the umbrella to listen to the concert. Sitting under that umbrealla with my 2 favorite people in the world was awesome. Trevor held us both in tight so that we stayed under the umbrella, Grayson ate away on his candy, I enjoyed a piece of Maple fudge, adn we listened to awesome music.

Gotta love the times where you try to take your own picture right?!

In the end, the weather, or rather the lightning, drove everyone out of the park and I missed Mark, but had a great Mother's Day. That's the kind of day that great memories are made of!! Thanks Trevor and Grayson for braving the weather, not really riding any rides, and spending the day with me so I could hear one of my favorite singers. An unforgettable day for sure!!

Circus under the Big Top!!

I have wanted to take Grayson to a circus, but was afraid that he would be freaked out and overwhelmed to do the HUGE Barnum/Ringling Bros. To help support my old high school, we got tickets to the travelling circus that was there this week. It boasts that it is the biggest show under the big top!! It was fabulous-a trip back in time if you will. The huge tent set up in the middle of a parking lot!! And to our surprise, my whole family joined in on the fun! Yes, some of the things may have been a little cheesy, but as long as there are clowns, elephants, and acrobats, it's a great time as far as I'm concerned. And must we forget the cotton candy, Sara...5 dolla', 5 dolla'!! The only thing Grayson said he missed that he thought would be there were lions!! Guess we'll have to visit the zoo to see those. I could only add 12 photos to this particular slideshow, so this is just a glimpse. Enjoy!!

Fourth Birthday Off to a Great Start

Considering his first birthday celebration was 3 weeks ago, it was time to post. We celebrated with my family in Lynchburg in March as we were there for a concert. It was a remarkable first celebration. Two of the best moments happened with presents and cake. As he was opening presents, he came across a bike helmet. He knew we had gone together to look at bike choices for just in case, and he had picked out his favorite. Well, as he opened the helmet, he looked around and said, "But no bike" and shrugged his shoulders and went on to the next present. When he was all done he made this comment "Oh well, I didn't get a bike...but that's okay...I'm still happy!" Well that was enough to send everyone over the edge. As he was in the other room, Uncle Joel brought up his bike and set it in the room. I was only able to catch the jumping and excitement after it had already started. But amidst the conversation about the bike, Grayson made this other priceless (Haha!) comment "Uncle Joel, I didn't know you have enough money to buy this bike!!" He loves his big boy bike.

Well, on to the cake. We light the candles, and all sing, and then comes the blowing time. Yes, I had forgotten the video camera and didn't want to video with my digital camera so that I could take pictures, but truly the video would have been better in hind site. He looked and sounded like the big bad wolf trying to blow down the house of bricks with no luck. Four or five times he filled his lungs and cheeks with air, and overshot the flames each time!! Poor guy, the more he blew, the more spit that was left for us to eat. Eventually the blowing got in the right area and blew all 4 candles out!!

Last Tuesday, his actual birthday, we celebrated with just the 3 of us at home. The whole day was Grayson's as you may have noticed from all the food selections for the day! I had a great time decorating the house all up with yellow and Backyardigans. I set my alarm to get up before him to capture the first reactions on video, but just like his daddy, the excitement of the day didn't allow him to sleep and he was running into our room at 6:40AM!!! We had a great day together and ended it with our friends at small group. My little boy is officially 4! The sentimental blog will have to wait 'till later.

Enjoy the slideshow! It's labelled the start, because we have one more party to go this weekend in WV with Papa and Grandma!!

The Best Kind of Love

There is nothing like the love of a father and son. You hear about the bonds between mothers and daughters so much, but this relationship is soo important. Grayson and Trevor were cut out of the same mold for sure. They look just alike, except for the blonde hair and shape of my eyes. And all of Trevor's favorite "loves" are quickly becoming Grayson's too! From planes and fire trucks to fishing and music, from travelling in the car to chocolate. (He did get the bubble gun love from me!) They both have the same sensitive nature, quick to shy away from things that make them uncomfortable, yet outgoing and thriving when it comes to the familiar.

Trevor often talks about the feelings of Grayson and tries to get me to understand our son a little bit better based on the way he remembers feeling when he was younger. I have a lot to learn when it comes to my relationship with Grayson, but am so thankful for Trevor who can put words to Grayson's sometimes crazy antics and actions that I don't understand fully enough to appreciate or correct or laugh with.

Grayson thinks his Daddy hung the moon and he can't wait to grow bigger like his Daddy. One of my favorite songs talks about watching a son grow and listen to him wanting to be just like his Dad, and the song goes on to say that Daddy is setting forth a great example because he is trying every day to be just like his DADDY too (his Heavenly Father). So, to my sweet Grayson, continue striving to be just like your Daddy because every day he is striving to follow and be just like his DADDY!!

Daddy and I both want for you to see that example in our lives so that one day, you will choose to set forth that example for others too. We pray for you and will continue to help you develop those characteristics that we see in your life that will make you into a godly young man, seeking after God and a relationship with Him, loving other people and serving them, and one day even having a son of your own that will look and say 'I want to just like my Daddy!' Oh how I love you Grayson Carter Lee! And I'm so glad that you want to be just like your Daddy! It's the best kind of love there can possibly be!