we went to the zoo

We've had a few nice days here - thank goodness! I'm really over the rainy and cold days. So today we took advantage of the nice weather and took a trip to the zoo. Our sweet friends were nice enough to invite us today and since they are members we didn't have to pay. Score!! :)

I was a little nervous about taking both of the boys since we only have one stroller and I knew we would be walking a good bit, so I wasn't too sure how Bryson would do. He ended up doing pretty good. But there was a couple of times that I wish I had owned a double stroller.

Bryson was SO excited about going, Jaxon doesn't look like he has a care in the world. Ha!

 

They have a new dinosaur exhibit that lasts through July and it was so cool. I think the Lord knew what He was doing when he blessed me with two boys, because I really enjoyed the seeing all the dinosaurs. Maybe a little more than B.

I think Jaxon enjoyed looking at the giraffe's. He was such a good baby the whole day.

 Bryson want to sit on every animal we saw and poke his head through each one of those pictures. He's quite a ham!

I don't know if you can see it, but there's a baby elephant hiding near the trees towards the back. That thing was the cutest thing! I just love "baby" animals.

Several of the animals like the lion, tiger, gorilla and a few more were sleeping while we were there.

Me and my boys on the train ride. I think they would've rode that train ALL DAY if I would have let them.

B was a little upset that the alligator was sleeping. Me, not so much! I get enough of those things watching Swamp People.

The parrots at the end are another one of my favorites.

The boys had the best time! We brought our lunch and had a little picnic outside the zoo. I ended up coming away with a membership for our family. I know Clay was disappointed that he couldn't go with us today and I know Bryson will ask to see those dinosaurs again very soon. So I think getting the membership was the way to go.

This one wiped out before we hit the interstate. Bryson on the other hand took about a 10 minute nap on the ride home and has refused to lay back down. I definitely see and early bedtime in that little one's future tonight.  





project 365 {week 15}

jaxon's little man birthday party

I knew for a while when planning Jaxon's first birthday that I wanted a "little man" theme, mainly because that is what the majority of our family call him. I had been gathering stuff together for months and had all these cute ideas in my head. And then the Tuesday before his party I came down with the stomach bug that decided it wanted to stick around the entire week and into the weekend. 

So I'm not going to lie, the party was not at all what I had planned. There were so centerpieces on the tables. I didn't get around to making Jaxon a tablecloth like I did for Bryson's first birthday. I didn't have any balloons or things hanging from the ceilings. It was just the basics and that was all I could handle. So needless to say I gave myself A LOT of grace during that week. :)    

I wanted to have his party at my in-laws church just like we did for Bryson's first birthday. We have such a big immediate family that our little house can't accommodate everyone and they will let me decorate and set up the room however I want.

I ended up making all the food. And I totally forgot to take a picture of it. Ha! But we served Rotel roll-ups, chips and dips, baked beans, Asian coleslaw, Hawaiian ham and cheese sliders, and fruit kabobs.

I completely forgot to take a picture of the party favors. I did various bowties for the boys and hair bows for the girls.

At the desert table there were chocolate and strawberry cupcakes and Oreo truffle balls. That was a big hit with these two boys and the men.

I don't think Jaxon was too sure about that cake. I had told Clay that it's appearance was somewhat lacking, but that it was made with love. He thought it looked great, but I think he was just trying to make me feel better because I was almost in tears for thinking that I could even attempt at making his cake.

I ended up turning the cake upside down because he was eating more of it than the icing. He didn't get as messy as I thought he would and I have to say that I was a little disappointed. Isn't that one of the things most parents look forward too when their little one turns one?

My sweet little niece AK. She is probably one of the most daintiest little girls I know. Oh I could just eat her up!!

His love for opening his presents only lasted about a millisecond. He's not one to sit still, loves to be on the move constantly.

I was so happy that our family was able to share Jaxon's birthday with us. He is loved by some many people and we are truly grateful for y'all. We appreciate each and everyone of you that were there to celebrate his birthday!



All the printables came from Dimple Prints

Invitations from my sweet friend Sarah and the DIY cupcake stands are also on her blog

Jaxon's outfit from the extremely talented Ashley owner of SheShe Made

DIY Bowtie wreath via this pinterest link

DIY backdrop via Jessica over @ live the fancy life blog

Party favors for the boys from myLittleTrendsetters on etsy

Girls hair bows from polkadot posies

Cupcakes and smash cake made by me :)

there will be a day.....

this has been a very emotional week for me. a lot of it has carried over from last week. with the bombings in Boston to losing a patient that I loved dearly to issues that Clay and I have been faced with. it seems like every time I turn around someone is suffering. or I'm watching a family struggle to hold on to their loved one. there just seems like there is so much hurt in our world today.

and with all this going on I've found myself questioning what in the world I have done bringing my boys into this place. please don't get me wrong, I am SO blessed to have them in my life and to get the chance to be their mother, I wouldn't trade that for anything in this world. but I am scared for them. my hearts aches for the world that they will grow up in. there have been so many times here lately that I just want to keep my little family in a bubble and keep them away from all of this, but that's not the way life works. and it's definitely not how the Lord wants us to live.

if I've learned anything through these last several days it's to cling to the Lord and His truth and to not take one single second for granted. I've loved on my boys a lot more since I watched my patients mother loose her daughter. I can't for one minute imagine the hurt and heartache she must be going through. it's one of the more difficult parts of my job.

on my way into work last night I was listening to Pandora and Jeremy Camp's song There Will Be a Day came on and I just sobbed all the way through it. there is so much truth to the words in this song. I cling to the Lords' truth that "in this world you will have trouble. but take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33. the Lord said this life would never be an easy one and that we would face trials and suffering of all kinds, but we can't sit around and worry our life away. that means the devil wins. and I'm determined not to let him steal my joy!

Jeremy Camp: There Will Be A Day

I try to hold on to this world with everything I have

But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab

The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth

That we will enter in this rest with wonders anew

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings

That there will be a place with no more suffering

There will be a day with no more tears

No more pain, and no more fears

There will be a day when the burdens of this place

Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face

But until that day, we'll hold on to you always

I know the journey seems so long

You feel you're walking on your own

But there has never been a step

Where you've walked out all alone

Troubled soul don't lose your heart

Cause joy and peace he brings

And the beauty that's in store

Outweighs the hurt of life's sting

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings

That there will be a place with no more suffering

There will be a day with no more tears

No more pain, and no more fears

There will be a day when the burdens of this place

Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face

But until that day, we'll hold on to you always

I can't wait until that day where the very one

I've lived for always will wipe away the sorrow that I've faced

To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame and misery

O, this is why, this is why I sing

There will be a day with no more tears

No more pain, and no more fears

There will be a day when the burdens of this place

Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face