Suprise!

We all met at Steve and Dana's to celebrate Jimmy's (AKA granddad's) birthday.  He thought he was coming to babysit so that Steve and Dana could go out for their anniversary.

Sherry, Grayson and Charles

7 candles ~ one for each decade!

Lots of yummy food!

Judy (Jimmy's sister) and her husband John came all the way from Boaz.

Marie, Darcy, Jon and JT

Nana and Leslie

The grandkids (Brenna and Mary Kate are missing)

Opening gifts!  Grandad got a new computer from the group!

The three stooges ~ Chris, Steve and Jon (in birth order)

Opening Gifts

Sandy, JT and Chris

Leslie ~ Jordan

Carter and Rosie reading birthday cards

Jon Darci and Marie watching grandad opening gifts.

Go Ahead.....Brighten My Day

Life is rough.  Life is full  of disappointments.  Life is full of loss.We sometimes have to see those we love hurt.  Some days are tougher than others.  My day has been a tough one, and I was feeling pretty down.  But then, JT woke from his nap.  And seriously, can you look at this child and not have your spirits lifted just a little?

OK... Seriously... who was I fooling?

For some reason, I thought that keeping up with this blog would be a piece of cake. I figured when I was in Europe and traveling all over, I had something to write about and had plenty of free time to update the blog. When I got back, my life seemed to be so boring that there was not really much to write about. I thought that having a little one around would give me plenty to write about. I was under the assumption that I would still have plenty of free time. Why didn't someone telling me that raising a child was so time consuming? I mean, people told me it was a lot of work - the hardest, yet most rewarding job, blah blah blah... but why didn't anyone REALLY tell me how exhausting it was? No, instead all of you parents sat back and just waited for the opportunity to laugh at me. ha ha -funny y'all. Yep - it is tough. It is exhausting. I seem to have to choose between eating, sleeping or showering. I get time to do one of the above - and unfortunately - I choose eating. But this is definitely THE most rewarding time in my life. I love every single bit of it. I live for those sweet early morning smiles and giggles. Me... the person who dared anyone to call me before 10AM. Those smiles and giggles make it worth getting up early in the morning. So....don't expect to come to my house and see me in much more than pajamas or sweats covered in spit up (or worse). Don't expect to come to my house and expect me to prepare a meal for you. Don't expect to walk in my door and see a clean house. Because if that is what you are expecting, knock on my neighbor's door instead! What you can expect to see if you visit is the most precious little one you ever could imagine. Don't expect him to always be cooing, giggling and smiling.... you will be disappointed. But I guarantee he is just as cute when he is screaming bloody murder.

JT ~ 11 Week pictures ~ Karen Bagley Photography

Newborn Pictures by Amy Boston Photography

These pictures were taken when JT was almost a week old.