Today was a good day...

We started out going to speech therapy with miss berna who is honestly the first person, for whatever reason, in deckys life that he just goes to willingly even though I am standing two feet away. He just hops away from me. It's the strangest thing, even if Paul comes home and tries to get decky he always reaches for my hand or cries for "mama????" but not this lady - Shes got the goods.

And he sits and really listens and works with her which is even better:






Then we went down to Conway and met Levi and sawyer at the park for a little playdate. And the boys were boys - they had the best time playing in this water fountain:



They splashed each other and thought it was the funniest thing for about 30 minutes straight.



Levi after the splash fest:



And then they threw rocks in the river for another 30 mins.



When it was time for lunch, all three boys threw nice fits because they didn't wanna leave so I ended up carrying a screaming Declan, and Norma and Gerry walked their crying boys to the cars. Too funny. Toddlers are awesomeeeeee.........

We finally made it to chick fil a where more playing ensued and decky decided to gallop around the entire restaurant. Did not get pictures but he sure made some people's days :)

It was a great morning/early afternoon - a busy one but decky had a blast which always makes my days better too...

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I'm the chef and you're the oven....

Says Paul Hogan.

I don't even know how to respond to him...... He worked out with the mens team one day this week and literally ever since then has been complaining about how unbelievable sore he is - "you just have no idea..."

Yea - I have no idea.

So we were talking today and I was making fun of him for being such a softie and he's like "oh what, like YOU'RE sore???" . He proceeds to tell me that he is currently breaking down muscle to which I responded that awesome, I'm building a human. Sooo then he tells me that no way, im just cooking the baby. He did all the hard work. "im the chef, you are just the oven" "I did all the work, I made him and then just put him in the oven to cook" "what's so hard about that???"

Awesome. Awesome awesome awesome. Loooooove him ;)

Men just don't understand.........


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Love

Is something that my sweet baby boy, for all his temper flare ups and tantrums, is full of. He is always kissing and hugging everything. His blankey, his trucks, the stuffed animal at walgreens, his cereal bowl........his little brother/mommys belly:






I wish I had better pics but the one I took myself and the other I look like poo sooooo......... I wanted to capture it though because declan honestly has such a sweet heart. He is a lover. And it makes me so pumped for him to meet his little bro because I know he will be awesome with him. So awesome.

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Big boy football

So the elementary school is point two seconds away from our house and we walk down there a lot to play in the afternoons.

Today there was a big group of older fellas who came out to play football and decky wanted in so bad he couldn't stand it. Of course I started thinking about when he's that age and my heart couldn't hardly take it. It also was gut wrenching to see him go over and try to play with the big kids but just be totally looked over. I dont think he really got it but i did and while i realize this is the first of many times he will have to face a little rejection, it was very hard to just sit back and watch. Oy vay - He is growing too too quickly. :(






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Decky and daddy

Hangin before shower time





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Papaw

After a very hard last few years, my grandpa, my dad's dad, Papaw, a true gentleman, a real American hero and absolutely amazing role model, passed away last Monday. We just got back from a wonderful family weekend celebrating his life in Charlotte and Lexington and while it is sad that he's gone, I know for an absolute fact that he is in SUCH a better place and like my dad says, this is the first time in so many years that he's walking upright, without any pain, and smiling down looking at his entire family.

While the process of losing a loved one is extremely painful, this particular instance has been so enlightening and I think has really brought our family together. Papaw was a very quiet man - the quiet, extremely strong type - and he wasn't much for talking. Kind of like my own father - they don't talk about feelings and don't just open up their life like a book and let you read. They make you work for it. But I've learned more about Papaw and in turn, my father and really our whole family thru this. And its been wonderful.

Paul always says how important it is to know where you come from and I'm so thankful that we got to see Papaw so many times over the past year - I'm glad that he opened up about his life, I'm glad my dad opened up about his dad and how they were raised, I could go on and on and on..........

Papaw lived a life that you can only hope for yourself, for your parents, for your kids, for their kids, etc etc etc. He LIVED. and he LOVED. and he left a massive legacy behind..........one that Paul and I are so excited to pass on to Declan. Thank you Papaw, for setting the stage for what a hard working, honest, loyal family man looks like. We will all do our best to live up to the phenomenal example you set.

May you finally, rest in peace.

February One

- we are in shorts and t-shirts - its 70 degrees
- decky is still super into his trucks and rolling them on all sorts of surfaces. Boys.



- and the cheesy smile is still his fave in front of the camera



- loves loves loves coloring. Take for example, the masterpiece on the brick in the background


- my personal favorite - his mischievous little smile right before he eats the chalk and knows he shouldn't. Awesome.

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