An exchange between Phillip and Ethan while at the park:

Ethan, do you know who made today?

(without missing a beat) Yeah! Jesus made everything for me…for me and Eli!

Phillip was listening to Ethan play in the bathtub tonight when he heard this little exchange between two of Ethan’s dinosaurs:

Hello! I’m Dino…what’s your name?

Hello! I’m Lance!

Phillip:

Lance? That’s an interesting name…where did you hear that? Is there a Lance in your class?

Ethan:

(rolls eyes) No, Daddy…dinosaurs can’t go to school! Jeesh…

The day of the Juvenile Diabetes walk was full of people and excitement - we basically walked the 5k in a herd because there were so many of us…but that’s a good thing, right??

Our entire little family completed the walk together and enjoyed the festivities afterward of free food, live music, bounce houses and other activities.

And drum roll please….we raised….
$1,055…$555 over my original goal!!!!

WHOO-HOO!!!!!!

Here are a few of my favorite moments of the day:

He walked off and on for the 3 miles…

…and he did this for most of it.

Phillip getting into the spirit of things!

He totally takes after his dad.

This is what it looked like in front of us…

…behind us - quite a turn out!

Yes, I was a little tired, but I couldn’t resist - I remember how much I loved piggy back rides as a kid

Getting his second burst of energy right before the finish line…

We made it!!!

Feeling accomplished!

While we all chowed down on the complimentary Cousins BBQ, Eli preferred this spoon.

Ethan’s favorite part?

Guess.

So thank you all for your support - both in good wishes and donations!

And to all the kiddos out there with this horrible disease, we’re thinking of you and doing what we can to help.

I know, I know…it’s been waaaaaaaaaaay to long. So, to make up for my neglect, I hope you enjoy this photo palooza…

“Hi, I’m 6 months old…and in a basket!”

Peek-a-boo! And yes, those are teethers you see!

To our (and his) amusement, he’s discovered his tongue

Look at that adorable crooked grin and that big ‘ole dimple!

Our blue eyed baby

They’re brothers…

…and best friends already.

Ethan all cowboyed up for a birthday party

Our biggest monkey, doing his now favorite thing with his daddy. He can climb up to 30 feet by himself now!

Just hanging out…(ha ha :P)

Wrasslin’ brothers.

Just so stinkin’ happy!

Eli chillaxin’ at the dedication of his Paw Paw’s new truck.

Ethan pouting during a potentially cute picture with my parents…he wanted to go play with his cousin Jessie. lol

A random, yet cute picture of Eli and his Ma.

Our little guy all tuckered out after the bell/truck event.

Our friends, the Fites and all our cute kiddos.

Pooh baby and Christopher Robin

Isn’t he purdy?

Kung Fu Ethan…ninja style.

This is his “thinking face”

And this is his “hottie face”

How’s that for catch up??

If I was asked to show just one picture that best showed the men in my life, I think it just might be this one:

It was story time in our house tonight and Jonah was the story of choice once again. However, this time, Ethan added his own special touches at the end when he retold it to me and Phillip:

Then whale threw up Jonah and Jesus on beach - YUCK!  BUT! There was alligator in whale belly, too and the alligator ate Jesus and Jonah! Jesus say “Don’t worry, Jonah, I got him!’ And Jesus fight (he was very animated during this part and was flailing his arms all about) alligator and then they ok. But then, shark come and ants, spiders, roaches and tigers come. But Jesus say  “Give me your sword!” and he fight them ALL!!!

Then they ok. But tired…so they take nap.

Then, they tell people not be bad and to be good girls and boys.

A little more action in Ethan’s version, but he’s getting the basics…kinda.

This year, I’m trying some new things and one will be taking a few steps for  a much needed cure.

On Oct 25th, I will be taking part in the JDRF 5K walk for the cure - an annual fundraiser to put a stop to Juvenile/Type 1 Diabetes.

To find out more about what I’m doing and to make a MUCH appreciated donation, please check out my page.
I believe in this and I believe that every little bit helps

Also, if you’d like to donate but not online, I can take cash or checks made out to FDRF.

Thanks for taking a moment!

Eli and I were taking advantage of a big towel sale at Khol’s early Saturday morning and while pulling out of the driveway, I rolled down my window to blow kisses at Ethan and Phillip and give them another round of “I love yous” before hitting the road.

Phillip told me later that night that after I drove off, Ethan turned to him and said

Mommy is so nice. I really like her.

It’s nice to know that even though I lose my patience with him sometimes, he still sees the best in me.

Ethan, in case you read this when you’re older one day - I really like you too…you’re a ray of sunshine to everyone you meet!

Today after a long, fun day of skateboarding and rock climbing (pics to come!), Phillip was getting Ethan cleaned up and I heard him ask:

Ethan, do you think one day you’ll want a girl?

But I already have a girl, Daddy…Mommy’s my girl.

Do you think you might want a different girl one day?

What?! Why?

I’d say it’s about time, but it’s waaaaaaaaay over time!

First morning in the sunshine state - Eli and auntie Ellen enjoying the porch

He did a lot of this while we were there - wish he’d do more of that now!

As soon as we came into my brother’s house, my nieces had a whole concert planned just for us

Such a star!

Getting ready to go to the grocery store - us moms have to be prepared, you know

Snoozing again at my bro’s house

Enjoying the pool with the girls

Little posers

Working out those little chubbo legs

Precious cousins!

Glam baby!

I love this, because the only way Amaris would smile was if she could hold Eli

Cousin mayhem!

The Fam

Girls’ night in…manicures with the neices!

It was so great to have some girly fun

Of course, my actual reason for being in Florida was to go to my god parents’ retirement party…and it was better than I even thought it would be…It’s was like a giant reunion! I hadn’t seen some of those people in almost 15 years! Sadly, I don’t have a lot of pics from that night (too busy gabbing…), however…

I did take a moment to snap a pic of my 5th and 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Vickery…

…and my 3rd and 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Whitehurst and her hubby, who was also my mom’s bass player!

Then it was back to the MacKay’s for Brian’s birthday party…nice, eh?

I actually got to spend some time with Ryan, too - YEA!

My gorgeous preggo Ellen

And time with Jazzy, too - YAY!

I have to say, though - this is my favorite pic of the night…Ryan’s a little nervous with babies…lol

Chillin’ in the home studio with Brian and the gang…fun night!

Getting ready to go to church!

Soon they’ll have their own little man to tote around!

Getting ready to leave for the airport

It was a truly amazing trip…it gets harder and harder to leave each time.