8th Birthday Campout Style

Nathan has a love for the outdoors like his Daddy. Notice, I did not say Mommy! Most of you know my thoughts/feelings about camping. When trying to decide what Nathan wanted to do for his birthday (in May) he really wanted a party with his friends.


So, we agreed to just a small gathering. The final decision was a Campout in the backyard. I planned it all out and made the invitations. A few weeks before his birthday we had tons of rain. Some days it was like a monsoon! I decided I needed to have a backup plan. So I had 2 planned parties, an inside “Campout” and an outside Campout.

We ended up having the party indoors and it turned out just fine. Nathan had 5 friends over to join in the festivities. The made bug Sh*rinky Di*nk magnets, soaked capsules that turned into foam bugs and punched holes in the shape of a star in a small tin tart pan.


For games, we played Snake Pit Tug of War, Balloon Bop, Glow in the dark Bug Hunt, Bug Bites and Once Upon a Time. We skipped the campfire and roasting marshmallows since we were indoors, but had cake that I had made. All the boys were tickled to see that I had made each one of them on the cake. They were in their sleeping bag around a campfire.


They watched the movie F-l-y Me Too The M-o-o-n and used their flashlights to shine stars on the ceiling (from their star tin they made). They all settled down pretty easily (Jason slept in the bonus room with them).


The next morning I got them Donuts and they played until their parents came. Nathan really enjoyed his party and was very gracious for all I had done to prepare. He was so sweet! My favorite part was when he said a few days before the party, “Hey Mom! You don’t even like camping!” With a big smile on my face I replied, “You are SO right baby, but it doesn’t matter. I am planning this for you, not for me!”


I can’t believe he is 8! We love you, Nathan!

He did it folks!

God does work miracles I think Jason would say!


Jason had been searching for a new (to him) car for quite some time. As you will recall in one of my earlier posts (here) this is what he was leaning towards. I just wasn’t liking it one bit! Anyway….. after much searching and praying Jason found THE CAR FOR HIM. He and the dealership had worked out a deal (an awesome one at that)! God was at work! Not only was God working on the deal with the car, but He was working on me too! (Little did I know at the time.)


Jason left work early to go pick up the car that he was buying (about 50 mi. from where we live). The boys and I made pictures to post on the front windows of the house to greet Jason when he arrived home with his new wheels. The boys were soooo excited! While we were eating dinner waiting to hear from Daddy, Nathan got all choked up and said that he was really sad. He said he was really going to miss Daddy’s old car. I asked him why and he replied, “Well, it’s just that I’ve had lots of fun in that car and I will miss it.” I asked him if he thought he would be able to have fun in Daddy’s new car and he said he would. I then explained that Daddy hadn’t sold or traded his Honda that he would have it too. That threw him… he couldn’t figure out how Jason was going to drive home 2 cars at once! Hahaha…. I explained that we would be going back on the weekend to pick up Daddy’s Honda. (What a precious boy!) I was really surprised by his sadness!
Then he comes out with….. “Um, Mommy. I don’t mean to be ugly or anything, but…… (here it comes) I think Daddy’s car is going to be nicer than yours!” Yep he did!! Of course, I had to agree and I told him it didn’t hurt my feelings.

Nathan's picture

Nathan's other picture

Ryan's picture

Ryan's other picture

So here I am, excited for Jason, since he had driven his current car for 16 years!!! SIXTEEN---- shesh! Then he had searched and searched for the right car for him. On the other hand, I was really dreading the fact that it was a wagon! I was so torn with my emotions over it all! I really prayed about it (I think Jason did too – he knew how I felt. It wasn’t a surprise.) But in the end…. It turned out great! I love his car. I am soooo happy for him. (I don’t think about it being a wagon…. I look past it). I love the way it drives/rides and it has lots of nice “bells and whistles.” He deserves it!


When Jason got home with his car about 9 pm, the boys and I were standing on the front porch with the lights out. Nathan was waving a flashlight and shining it on the pictures we posted on the windows. When Jason pulled into the driveway, the boys were so giddy. Ryan was squealing and saying how “Awesome Daddy’s car was.” It was the cutest thing. I only wish I had video taped it.


But he did it… Jason got his Mazda 6 wagon!

Chattanooga Birthday Trip

Here is a slide show of our birthday trip we took to Chattanooga for Ryan and Katielaine, our niece. We had a fun filled weekend in the chilly weather. It was February, so it was expected.


We took the boys to see Go, D-o-g, Go! (a play at the children's theater). That is one of their favorite books. The play was cute, but not great. I think the main reason..... it was put on by kids.... the whole thing. Eh, it was fine and they enjoyed it. That's all that really mattered.


The next 2 days were spent at the Aquarium and the Discovery Center (or whatever it's called). It was so much fun!


I think one of the biggest highlights for Ryan was the hotel! He LOVES hotels (it's funny). Every time we pass a hotel around town he'll say.... that's not OUR hotel, OUR hotel is in Chattanooga. He'll change that when we stay at another hotel. He makes me laugh.

Our sweeet 4 year old!

Yes, I am WAY behind on posting and am trying to play catch up!

Ryan turned 4 the beginning of Feb. Since we were displaced from our home that week (b/c of the skunk) it was crazy around here! We were at our dear neighbor’s house the night before his birthday. She gave me a few decorations to put up so he would wake up to his birthday with a festive feel. He got to open his gifts at breakfast time and was thrilled to be spending his birthday with his special buddies, Ava and Harrison. We all enjoyed yummy cinnamon rolls, Ryan had a candle in his.

Since his birthday was on a Tues., Ryan and I went off to school to celebrate some more. I was to make cupcakes, but with our situation at the house, Pub*lix came to the rescue.

That night, we took Ryan to dinner at The Mell*ow Mushr**m. It was a great night with just the 4 of us. I was so emotional and worn out over all the dealings with the house, that I had a hard time celebrating differently than I had expected. To Ryan, it was no big deal! I am disappointed that I didn’t get more pictures from his special day. I wish I had been able to recount his 4th birthday better, but it was what is was.

A few weeks later we took him to Chattanooga where we met Jason's brother and his family. Ryan and our niece Katielaine are just a week apart. We had a great time!

Despite all the other stuff, we are just so thankful that God gave us Ryan. He is my funny little cuddle bug! To think back on what all we went through to get him here healthy, it is such a joy to watch him grow into a little boy! I love his sweet smile, his giggle, his imagination and sparkle in his eye. He is talking so much, sometimes non-stop, that you would never imagine that he was a boy who wasn’t talking at 26 months! My how they grow! I can’t wait to see how God grows him into the young man that he has planned for him to be.

We love you so much, Ryan!