House Plans -- Stewarts Landing

I have always loved looking at floor plans. Imagining what it would be like to live in different houses. Looking through Southern Living magazine, the featured house plan was always my favorite part. After looking at hundreds of plans we finally settled on a plan that was featured inSouthern Living's magazine, Stewarts Landing.  There were certain things I was pretty sure I wanted and this house seemed to meet most of what I imagined I'd like best, but still was in our price range. Can't wait to see the final product, but I'm so happy we made a decision!

New Adventure

 

We signed a contract in February on some land in the area. We feel really lucky to have found it since we had been looking for about a year. We absolutely fell in love with it. And each time we go visit, we love it just a little bit more.  We will start the building process soon and the sad and tedious process of getting the house we are in now ready to sell. We are excited and a little sad at the same time. We weren't looking to move so quickly, but it is a much better deal if we go ahead and build instead of waiting. We are going to miss our neighbors and our little house on the cul-de-sac. 

Playing at Nonna's

Lauren's Bridal Tea

Blake is marrying a sweet young lady whom we just are falling in love with. Mom hosted a bridal tea for Lauren and several family members from both sides of my family were able to attend. It was beautiful and a fun time.

Sweet Slumber

Sam's 1!

Happy Birthday to the sweetest, cutest, cuddliest, most lovable baby I know. I made Samuel a lemon supreme cake with lemon frosting. He brings lots of sunshine in my life and I thought the lemon sounded sunshine-y and happy. He however was not so sunshine-y and happy on his birthday. He was pretty fussy, and once the frosting was more mixed into the cake, angry. It's hard being 1! Love you will all my heart Samuel Owen. Can't wait to watch you grow!

Off to {Pre}school

I had tried to get Jack into a preschool close to home earlier in the summer, but they were full.  I put his name on a waiting list and he was #7! I figured it was pretty hopeless. A little before Thanksgiving, Little Lambs called and said they had an opening. Life was a little busy at that time, and I thought I would take my chances and wait till after Christmas. Thankfully, when I called back they still had the opening.

Jack was very excited! He kept saying, " Mom, I might be a little newvous..." It was pretty endearing. He woke up about 7, and asked up until we left at 8:45 if it was time to go yet. He accused me a few times this morning of "not cooperating," and that I was "going to make [him] late." When we got to the school, we found his basket, and he started to put his lunchbox in. He slowly dropped in his nap mat, hesitated and then pulled on my leg and started heading for the door when it was time to take off his backpack and coat. I helped him get those off, and dragged him into the classroom. The teacher helped us find his seat, and I convinced him I wasn't leaving yet and he reluctantly sat down. I asked him if Mommy always picked up Will after I dropped him off at school, he said yes. I asked him if Mommy would come get him in a few hours, he said yes. Then I asked, are you ready for me to go, he said yes. I gave him a big hug and kiss, Samuel gave him a big slobbery open mouth kiss, and we left.

The house is very quiet with only a baby. I know I will really miss lunchtime with my little buddy today. He really says the cutest things. So very thankful he is healthy, well, and excited for this new adventure.

I know there are a ton of pictures of relatively the same thing, but I just can't help it! I love this kid, love his character, and all the many faces of Jack.

Courage

Jack has been having a really difficult time about going to his Sunbeam class. We had tried bribing with all sorts of things, his teachers had tried lots of things, and we talked a lot about being brave, scared, and every other emotion. One day last week, Jack mentioned something about going and feeding the ducks. The thought came that I hadn't tried that yet. I told him if he'd go to his class, after church on Sunday we would go and feed the ducks. He wasn't so sure, but agreed he would try. He finally, hesitantly went to class and of course enjoyed it much more than hanging out with me or Patrick. Afterwards he told me he had found his courage. I said I was so happy, and we went to feed the ducks in the cold January air. Wouldn't you know it, we had the ducks all to ourselves.

Today he proudly brought it up again that he had found his courage. I asked him where he thought his courage had been hiding. No sooner than I had asked the question he answered, "In my elbow." Never thought to look there, I must admit. Love that boy, and love his thoughts.

Weaning

We started weaning Will off of one of his medicines after the one year anniversary of him not having a seizure. His doctor instructed us on what to do, and it took about 3 months to have him completely off of it. His personality has changed a little. He is not as reserved around others and feels a little more confident, I think. His hand writing has improved as well. Not sure if this has something to do with less drugs in his system or just his hand muscles strengthening. He has struggled with that compared to a lot of his peers. It has almost been a week with no "pink medicine" as Will calls it. He is doing well, and we've not witnessed a seizure yet. Fingers crossed!!

Sunday Afternoon Naps

1st Haircut

Thank goodness for hairdressers who cut stubborn little boys hair, and act like it's no big deal.

Jack, you are a stinker, but such a looker! No wonder you think you can get away with anything. 

All Cuddled Up

Great Grandmas (& Pa's) Part 3

We spent New Year's day with Patrick's grandparents. We rarely get to seem them because they live about 2 hours away, and Will has had such a strict schedule in the past that added to the difficulty. It was nice visiting with them. And good to see them feeling so well. Last year when we visited they were in much poorer health. Granny Jones is just the sweetest. We woke up early and made the drive while the kids snacked on sausage balls, powdered doughnuts, and mandarin oranges. They thought that was fantastic. It took me back to the long trips we would take when I was little. Mom would almost always make sausage balls. One of the things I love about being a mom, is getting to share with my kids things I loved when I was little.