Happy Birthday, John!

I can't believe it's been 8 years since this beautiful creature came in to my life! I hope you have a wonderful birthday, baby (not gonna get away with calling him that too much longer). I have enjoyed every minute of your life. You bring me so much joy. I love watching you learn and listening to you analyze everything! Have a wonderful day and know that Mommy loves you very much!

Botox

Alex developed an ear infection last week and is now on an antibiotic. I told him it was time for his medicine and he said "Is it time for my Botox?" Where did he get that one from??

Goals for 2009...

Well, I'm back at work. Yipee! Back to the routine...Here are few goals I have in mind for 2009:
1. Be a better wife, mother, sister, friend, nurse and daughter/sister in-law. That sounds so broad and probably a little cliche - relationships take work, time and effort. I plan to put forth more effort, most especially in prayer for each person with whom I am in a relationship.
2. Spend less money.
3. Eat less and exercise more.
4. Make sure I enjoy my children, each minute, every day.
5. Spend a lot of time and prayer on a big decision for our family...yes...I am talking about having another baby... I want this to be God's will though and not mine.

I think that is enough. Hopefully, I can keep each of them.

Happy New Year!

Aquarium

The boys had a great time at the Aquarium last week. Not sure what was more exciting the Aquarium or staying in the Holiday Inn Express the night before... They love hotel rooms. We did have quite the adventure while there - while getting our lunch and following Shon to a table, Alex disapeared. Scariest few minutes ever! This really nice couple found him and we all (at the exact same time by God's great hand) ended up at the information desk. After a few tears of joy we went on with our day. Thank the Lord! I wouldn't recommend going the week after Christmas...just too crowded but we do plan to go back. The Dolphin exhibit opens in 2010.

Dec 27...

Alex keeps asking me how many more days until Christmas again. I think back to my childhood and I remember feeling the same way...ready for Christmas to happen again immediately. Now, as I move through each Christmas, I realize the things that have been done by the people I love to make everyone of my Christmases special. That is exactly what I want to do for the boys.

We head down to Atlanta tomorrow. The boys requested a trip to the Georgia Aquarium during break. We'll spend the night tomorrow and then go to the aquarium on Monday. I hope to share some pictures.

Making Santa's cookies

We made chocolate chip cookies for Santa. According to John those are his favorite! There is a lot of excitement here in the Herron household. Merry Christmas to all of you.

My little performer!

Christmas with the Hay's.

We had our annual family Christmas dinner with the Hay's last night. Griffin was so cute...he's such a good little boy. He wasn't quite sure what to do with his present but once he got going he figured it out pretty quickly. We thought this group shot was pretty good -- we actually got them to sit still for about 1/2 a second so we could quickly snap it. I love traditions and look forward to many more Christmas dinners with our families together.

Thank you

Thank you sweet Jesus for answering my prayers.

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord bestows favor and honor;
No good thing does he withold
From those whose walk is blameless."
Psalm 84:11

Gingerbread House

On Sunday the boys and I constructed our first Gingerbread House. It was fun and they were so proud of their creation!


Alex told Shon on the way home one day in Central that they had hung a sock on the light post... he's referring to the decorative lights on the light posts along main street, it's a stocking. He asked me why Six Mile only puts flower lights up (they have poinsettias). Very observant!

Six Mile Christmas Parade

After a long week of not feeling well for John we all headed out to the Six Mile parade this morning. John was able to ride on the Good News Club Float. I think he was pretty excited about it! Alex enjoyed all the floats, candy and horses. We invited fellow Six Mile resident and friend Willa to join us. Shon seemed a little disappointed in the parade...things are just not the same as an adult. He did however love seeing the General Lee! Only in Six Mile...

You better watch out, you better not pout...

Because, according to Alex - SANTA CLAUSE is coming to town. I forgot how magically this Christmas was going to be for him. Last year at 2 he really just couldn't quite grasp everything. This year he is so excited and it just really brings back the excitement for me. He's been excited to see every single Christmas light we pass on the road. We got our tree over the weekend and he had so much fun putting all his ornaments on there. He watched Shrek's Christmas special last night. And he's singing Christmas songs. It's fun!

I can wait to get to do more fun traditions with the boys. We have the Six Mile Parade on Saturday, baking cookies, Holly Wild, shopping for Daddy all by ourselves...

How could you not find joy in Christmas, especially looking in to that big, sea of beautiful brown when he tells you 'Santa Clause is coming, Mommy...'

Vietnam Memorial

The traveling Vietnam War Memorial was at Clemson's Bowman Field on homecoming weekend. We went with my parents on Sunday, the 16th. I want my boys to have an appreciation of what their grandfather did. The sacrifices he and his fellow soldiers made. It was really amazing how they replicated the memorial. Although, there is no comparison to the actual monument in DC, this is an incredible way for those who may never have an opportunity to see the one up there. One flower and note left there said simply "I still miss you."...

As soon as I was old enough to realize my dad was a veteran it became very important for me to make him see how much I value his service to his country. I want my children to respect the sacrifices that have been made for this country. Those made by Vietnam Veterans are somehow made even more special in my opinion. Where now, soldiers come home to standing ovations on airplanes or flags raised. Soldiers from the Vietnam War would change out of their uniforms in an airport bathroom, trying to remove the scent of war, so no one would know where they had been because at that time there was no honor in their service. I'm glad that has changed. And I'm thankful that my children had an opportunity to see a monument dedicated to all those who lost there lives there serving our country and the freedoms we sometimes take for granted.

Happy Birthday, Trey!

Today Trey turns 3. He is my little miracle. I think most of you know the story and for those of you that don't just browse back through some of my old posts or click on the link to the right that says Trey. Every time I look at him I can see God's faithfullness and blessings. I love him so much, as if he were my own. Saturday at his party he came running over to me and said "It's my birthday party, La La" He was so excited. We don't understand the journey or road that the Lord takes to get where we are going but if we hold on tight once we get there oh what a sweet reward we will receive.

I love you, Trey. You are a blessing in my life. Happy Birthday!

Pictures

It was a crazy week but I think we've survived... here are a few pictures. My little Dallas Cowboy football player and my Dale Jr. He's learning what words start with A...Apple, Alex. C...Cat and D is for Dog and Dale Jr. =) There are a couple of soccer pictures as well.

FIREPROOF

If you haven't seen this movie you should! Take a box of Kleenex with you and plan to be blessed. I really hope they keep making these movies. Just amazing. The acting is not gonna win any oscars but the storyline was amazing.

I know I need to update! John is moving right along. Had to buy new clothes this weekend b/c he had no pants or shirts he could wear. He's going to be a Dallas Cowboy Football player for Halloween - he looks really awesome! Alex is Dale Earnhart, Jr. They both look really good. This week will be quite busy. Soccer, Halloween festival, more soccer and more soccer.

Hope to have some pictures up for you to see as well.

15 years...

Went to my 15 year high school reunion this weekend. Started with the homecoming football game Friday night. Of course there were people there I wanted to see and of course people I did not and then of course people who didn't make it. It's such an interesting thing to reflect on high school. Not exactly the best time of our lives in regards to the awkwardness of those years. However, I will say you do discover that you have far more in common with people as humans than you realize. DW Daniel high school however has so many socio-economical divisions... it's just ridiculous what you go through there. At any rate I saw this quote on a classmates Facebook page and I think it sort of sums up my feelings on it though.

"Some people have no use for the past, preferring to live totally in the here and now. But the present wouldn’t be nearly as colorful, interesting or meaningful were it not infused with some memories of an earlier time."

And how true that statement is b/c high school help to shape and form me in to the person I am today. I developed a strong spiritual bond with the Lord. Met my husband and fell in love... why would I ever want to trade any of that time? I think it was a good time of reflection and it does make my present all the more meaningful.

It also left me feeling kind of old... =)

Happy Anniversary, Always and Forever!

11 years ago tomorrow I became your wife. What an incredible journey. Look at our beautiful family. We are so blessed. I am so blessed. You are such an incredible husband. You are the best to me, far more than I deserve and I know I don't tell you often enough how much I appreciate all that you do for me. The man that you are, the friend, the father. I knew this life together we were going to build would be good but it's so much better than I could have ever imagined.
Thank you for loving me, for putting up with me, caring for me - allowing me to think I'm independent, yet gently taking over at just the right time and taking the lead. I thank God every day that he placed you in my life and that I have the opportunity to love you. Happy Anniversary, I look forward to so many more.

Growing Up... TOO FAST!

Here is our conversation Thursday night on our way home from Soccer practice.

Alex: "Why doesn't John ride the bus home anymore?"
Me: "There wouldn't be anyone at home for him to get off the bus with."
John: "Yeah, if I went home to Papa's I'd have to change school's. I'll probably have to be in the 10th grade before I can ride the bus home and stay by myself."
Me: "Maybe not that old."
John: "Yeah, you know we only go to 12 grades."

They sure do want to grow up fast don't they?!

First Day of School

Today was John's first day of 2nd grade. Again, I know I say it over and over again...I can't believe he's in 2nd grade. If I keep up this blog in 10 years (GOD HELP ME) you'll see a picture of him going off for the first day of his senior year. He was hamming it up for the camera this morning.

He had a great day. He was talking my ears off when we got home. He seemed to like it a lot. Either he's gotten more used to it or he's liking the greater responsibility/freedom he's going to gain, I'm not sure. We'll see. Soccer practice started tonight as well. No rest for the weary...

Alex began his new journey this week as well at his new daycare. He was so excited yesterday that he couldn't nap during 'nap' time. We enjoyed his company as you can imagine last night immensely. Needless to say he was in bed by 8:30. Today he must have slept b/c there he was back to normal. He really loves the playground and packing his lunch -- he has become quite attached to lunchables. The receptiveness of pre-schoolers. =)

Here is a picture of him from the other night. He loves to borrow my Ipod. This particular time he fell asleep to Bon Jovi I'm sure.