We traveled the long trip to Alabama this past weekend. We had planned on visiting Jared's memaw in the summer. We just couldn't make it this past summer so we went this weekend b/c I had a 3 day weekend. We had a great time with his memaw and Aunt Cathy. We did learn that we will never take a 10 hour trip with Colt again until he is much older. He was sick last week so he wasn't back to his normal self. But we did get there at 1:30 in the morning. And of course Colt was not ready to go to sleep. He was so tired but so restless from being in a carseat for 10 hours. He finally fell asleep somewhere between 3 and 3:30. We took our time the next morning getting out and about. We went to Heritage Christian University where JAred's parents lived after they got married. His dad graduated from there. There were lots of memories and stories that we enjoyed hearing about his mom and dad and the life they lived there. His dad was a man that everyone loved and enjoyed being around. We always knew that but it's nice to hear that from everyone else. We enjoyed going to Wilson Dam where we got to walk around and appreciate the amazing beaty that God created. Colt just wanted to get down and play with and/or eat the rocks. There were so many people fishing. We even witnessed a guy who caught a pretty good size fish. We spent the afternoon relaxing. Some of us caught up on some much needed sleep. We enjoyed several good meals thanks to Cathy and memaw. Overall, we had a great visit. We wish we could visit more often. We did decide to leave Sunday night and only drive half way. Colt was much happier. We made it home yesterday afternoon. It was good to be home. We are blessed with such a great family who loves us so much. Thanks Cathy and memaw for taking care of us this weekend. Colt misses you already!



We had to take some good ole family pictures in our church clothes. Isn't my boy so handsome? And Colt is pretty cute too!




How precious is this?




And he found the shoes in the house


Trying to keep him from jumping in!!


He did not want to be held


He really wanted to eat this leaf


Having fun with Aunt Cathy


He loves ridign on Daddy's shoulders


The Walk of Honor at Heritage Christian University (formaly known as International Bible College) where Ron (Jared's dad) graduated from.

1st Birthday Party

Okay so I've have to stop posting pictures. There are a ton more but I'll stop. We had such a good time. We celebrated Colt's first birthday on Saturday. He loved having all his cousins (minus 1) and a friend from church there to play with. He wasn't very interested in his cupcake but we did get some good pictures. We had over 30 people in our house! It was crowded but fun. Colt stuck with me opening his presents for about the first 3 or 4 and then he was off to do other things. He got some really neat toys, books and some cute clothes. He was worn out by the time everyone left. My baby boy is growing up so fast. I've decided to write out a list of all the things he can do now that he's 1

*climb up on the couch
*wave goodbye
*kiss his mama and daddy (and anyone else that wants a kiss)...... (sorry Brandon he only kisses on the lips)
*says daddy and mama but he only says mama when he's whining!
*claps his hands
*knows the word "no" ( I have a feeling he'll be told this at least 50 times a day until he's 18)
*not only walk but run
*somewhat feed himself with a spoon
*gets down off the bed or chair by himself
*sleeps all night most nights (yay for us)
*drinks from a sippy cup instead of a bottle (most of the time)

I'm sure there's many more but these are the things that I can think of. He has such a personality. I'm afraid he's inherited his daddy's stubborness (okay maybe a little bit is from me too). He is very tender hearted. He cries when we spank his hand or tell him no. Sometimes, jared will just give him "the look" and he'll start crying. He has also given me attitude when I discipline him. Something I didn't think would happen for a while! Well, I'm gonna end by saying being a parent is the best thing in the world! Maybe next year one thing on my list will be "he's potty trained"!!! I'm thinking positive

The chaos has begun!!

School has started and life is busy, busy, busy. Colt adjusted really well to going back to Pat's. In fact, sometimes when I go to pick him up, he wants to get back down and play. He's running around with all the older kids, playing and having fun. When I pick him up, he's usually filthy from playing so hard. But I don't mind at all. He's all boy. He's not afraid of anything. I have to work really hard at not running to his rescue when he falls or bumps his head. As long as I don't react bad, he usually laughs it off. There have been a few instances where I'm holding another baby and he runs to me and holds his arms up. He doesn't cry or whine but when his mama is holding someone else, he wants to be held too. He's such a sweet boy. He's very loving and happy. Jared and I are just having the best time of our life being parents. We can also tell that Colt is very stubborn (huh... wonder where he got that from) and wants to do things his way (again.... wonder who he got that from). He's very sensitive. We spank his hand when he tries to get into something he's not supposed to. He just cries and cries b/c we hurt his feelings. Just yesterday though, he didn't cry, he gave me a dirty look and pushed my hand away! I couldn't believe he could do that. But I made him mad and he wanted me to know it I guess. I can foresee some spankings and lots of grounding in his future! But for now, we love every minute watching him grow up. Next week, he'll be 1!!! I can't believe it's been a year!
On another note, school is going great. It's so much better the second year (and it's better not starting out 9 months pregnant!) I actually feel like I half way know what I'm doing most of the time. My kids seem great so far. I have my few that have tested me but nothing I can't handle.
Jared has been very busy at work. His boss purchased a new building so they've been working so much overtime trying to get things moved to the new building. He enjoys his job and and feels blessed for that.
I can't think of much more that has gone on. It's been a while since I've posted to here are a few pictures from the past few weeks.

This is his new little girlfriend. Her name is Journey. I work with her mother. We had free CiCi's night last week so we ate together. She's 17 months old. An older woman!


I walked in Colt's room the other night to check on him and found him sleeping like this. So I had to take a picture. I thought it was hilarious!


Lex and Luke had their bday party at the skating rink. Unfortunately Colt was still a little young. They didn't have skates small enough for him. You can tell in the picture how disappointed he was! We had a good time though. I won't post the pictures of me skating! Scary!!!







A few weeks ago, we went to pick up my parents at the airport and got a flat on the way. So we pulled over to an empty parking lot. I tried to get creative to keep Colt entertained while JAred changed the tire. So we had a little photo shoot. I think they turned out good!


A happy man! Notice Colt has the remote in his hands. He always tries to change the channel


Again... a sleeping position I can't imagine sleeping in. Strange child (he must get that from his daddy!)

Surgery update..... sorry so late

Colt did great in surgery. It didn't even seem like it was surgery. We showed up at 11:15 and left at 1:30. The only time he cried is when he woke up from the surgery. We gave him apple juice and he stopped. He was so hungry. We went home and he slept all afternoon. He woke in a great mood and was fine. He hasn't seemed like he even had surgery. I think we have a really tough little guy. We somewhat enjoyed our last week together. I took him to Pat's for a few hours everyday so I could go to my classroom. I've gotten alot of things done so hopefully I won't be putting in 12 hours days next week. We'll see how well that will work out.

Finally surgery date

After several phone calls I finally set a surgery date today. First she said the earliest was next Wednesday which would not be good. I start back to school on Monday. So I asked her if she had anything this week. She had something tomorrow afternoon. So we took it. It's set for 12:30 pm. He can't eat after 6:30 so I guess we'll be waking up early to eat (Maybe he'll go back to sleep after that). I'll update tomorrow night to let everyone know how it went. Please say an extra prayer for us. Especially his mama. I'm gonna hate them taking him away from me. Maybe he won't freak out. That would make it much easier!

My hair is turning gray!!!

We've been to the dr. twice this week. First on Monday i took him b/c he's been running fever, runny nose, and rubbing his ear. So I thought ear infection. Well, he didn't have an ear infection. There was also something else that I asked the Dr. about. When I changed Colt's diaper, there would be this bulge in his groin area when he cried. I noticed it once on July 4th b/c he was crying b/c of his diaper rash. But I hadn't seen it again since this past weekend. So the Dr. couldn't see anything so just said he wouldn't worry about it unless it became more common. Well, this whole week he's been crying every time I change hid diaper b/c he's had an upset stomach. So I've noticed it at least once a day. So I read up on it and thought maybe it was a hernia. I took him back to the Dr. It was a different Dr. cause our Dr. was out of town. This time he saw it and told me I was right. It's a hernia. So I have an appt with a surgeon next Tuesday to talk about what to do with it. The pediatrician today told me it's almost always corrected with surgery. So this will be his 4th. I have read that it's usually just day surgery so that will be better than a long stay. But it's still anesthesia and it's still wheeling out little baby off to a room where we can't be so they can cut him open. Oh and what makes things worse is we can't use the same surgeon. I only have my school insurance now. When he had his previous surgeries I had my bank of America ins. So Colt's original surgeon doesn't take my school ins. so I had to find a new surgeon. I hope I get a good feeling from her on Tuesday. We just really loved our last one and trust him with our son. He's done such a good job and he's known Colt since he was a few days old. usually I'm willing to give new people a chance but I'm a little hesitant when it concerns performing surgery on my son. But I'll meet her and decide if I want her to do this surgery. So keep us in your prayers as we go through another surgery. And I know I can't post w/out adding some pictures.

Colt and his friend Wilson from church


Lex' new baby doll


Driving daddy's truck

My little boy is growing up

Our summer is flying by. Colt is definitely walking all over the place. Getting into everything all the time. I'm about to buy a play yard gate thing that will block him in the dining room where all his toys are. I'm sure he'll eventually learn how to climb over it but maybe it will work for a little while. He now has 5 teeth and working on the 6th. We've enjoyed being with each other. He's lately become a daddy's boy. We were in Costco the other day and he only wanted his daddy. He didn't want even want me! And I love that. It just melts my heart when his daddy comes home and his face just lights up. Here are a few recent pictures of the past few weeks. Only 3 weeks of summer left. We're gonna make the most of it.


Playing at the splash park


Wanting to play Tennis with mommy and daddy


Thinking about putting this locust in my mouth


Luke with his new "insect" friend


Trying to show Colt how to play with a Locust (and not eating it)


Wrong way Colt


Our play date with Amy, Cade and Kinley





Colt thinks he's about to walk the dog. What I didn't get on tape is what happened when Bully walked away. colt didn't let go. It was so funny