Happy 10th Birthday Courtney!

Courtney celebrated her 10th birthday on April 8th. It's hard to believe my little girl is 10! Time sure does fly. It's bittersweet because I love watching her grow up and become this awesome young lady, but at the same time, I'm sad that it's happening so fast. Can we please slow down? Just for a minute...I want to see you...just tiny, opening your eyes for the first time to see me looking at you, so proud you were mine. I want to hear your first words all over again. I want to see you taking your first step from me to Daddy, being so brave and letting go. I want to take your hand again and walk to Kindergarten class. There's so many moments I would love to relive, just to see you little again. But I know I must let go and watch you grow and become the young lady I see more of each and every day. I love you Courtney J. You're such a blessing to me.

"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about."

Prom 2010

Tyler's Senior Prom was April 3, and he looked so handsome! I took a ton of pictures of him and and a couple of his friends, Trent (10-gallon) and McKenzie (red). I thought all three of them "cleaned up" pretty well! My Dad looked pretty good with them too! Tyler drove Pa Jerry's Lincoln. They ate at the Farmhouse before the prom and finished it off at IHOP.

Monday's Magic

Happy 5th Birthday Peyton!

My adorable nephew Peyton celebrated his 5th birthday on March 21st. I can't believe how fast he's growing up. He'll be a Kindergartener this fall. He loves cake, well the frosting anyway and he's excited to get to it in this photo, can'tcha tell? I love ya little buddy!

Tennessee Rush 9s win 9th Annual Volunteer Open!

Courtney's AAU team, the Tennessee Rush (9 yr old division) won their basketball tournament, the 9th Annual Volunteer Open, this weekend. They played 5 games Saturday and Sunday and won them all! 28-16, 19-8, 26-0, 30-5 and 23-15. Way to go girls! In the 5 games, Courtney scored 53 points total, had 31 rebounds, 10 assists and 54 steals. I'm so proud of you Court! Next up is the Greenwave Shootout in Gallatin on March 27-28. Pictured are front row, left to right, Harley, Gracie, Liz, Madison. Back row, left to right, Coach Carter, Carson, Amy, Savannah, Courtney, Sydnee, Coach Ferrell.

Friday's Finish

Overton County Jr. Pro Champs

Courtney's Jr. Pro team, T & M Remodeling, won the championship on Feb. 27. Way to go girls! Pictured are front row, Emilee, Savannah, Harley, Sarah Jo. Back row, Hayden, Hallie, Hannah, Coach Chris, Tori, Courtney and McKenzie.

Happy 11th Birthday Ethan!

My nephew Ethan celebrated his 11th birthday on February 15th. He's a special young man and I love him to pieces! Can you guess what he had for dinner that night?

Snow, Snow and More Snow

Happy 14th Birthday Olivia!

My beautiful niece Olivia celebrated her 14th birthday on January 25. (Her actual birthday is the 24th). Happy Birthday Libby! Love ya!

Happy 8th Birthday Paige!

My beautiful niece Paige celebrated her 8th birthday on December 23rd. She's really come out of her shell the past year and is now a little ham! She loves all animals, and you never know what she will bring in the house next. Let's see, this year she's accumulated two abandoned kittens, two mice from the pet store, a guinea pig, and too many frogs! Keep that kind heart Paige and you will always be blessed.

Happy 8th Birthday Marky (Ole Herb)!

My nephew Marky (aka Ole Herb) celebrated his 8th birthday on December 17th. Isn't he a cutie patootie? Love ya Marky, oops, Ole Herb!

First Snow of Season

Cade and His Thanksgiving Deer

Ethan Got Glasses

Halloween 2009

Bethsaida Hayride 2009

8 years later

September 11, 2001...let us not forget.

Happy 17th Birthday to Tyler

Today is Tyler's 17th birthday...he's my oldest. Yep, he's the one who taught me who how to be a mom. He taught me how to wipe a sticky face with no napkins, how to calm a colicky baby, how to stick my hand in the toilet and retrieve lost items, how to worry all night when the fever wouldn't break, how to hold a child when stitches were stitched, how to make sure the Tooth Fairy arrived in a timely fashion, how to sing all the Barney songs and most importantly how to love unconditionally. Through it all, I think he did a pretty good job raising this mom, and I think he's turning into a fine young man. I'm very proud to be his mom. I love you TyBug!

Here are some random things about Tyler you may or may not know.

1. His full name is Tyler Darren, named after his dad, Jackie Darren.

2. Tyler is also known as TyBug and Big T.

3. He likes Dodge trucks.

4. He has given his life to Christ and was baptized a couple of years ago.

5. Tyler at one time wanted to be a chef.

6. He's always liked school buses. Yep, he can tell you the make and model of any bus you meet.

7. He loves to sing! He sings with our church group and does a great job.

8. He loves to play the card game, Pig.

Sunday's Scene

First Day of School 2009

Cade, 14, Freshman
Courtney, 9, 4th grade
Tyler, 16, Senior

Happy 14th Birthday to Cade

Happy 14th Birthday to my son Cade. Handsome, sweet, kind, fun are just a few words to describe him. He is growing up too fast for me. It seems it was just yesterday we were celebrating his 1st birthday! Now he's on his way to high school! He's a great kid and I'm proud to be his mom. Love ya Cader Tater! Yep, he's gonna get me for that.

Here are some random things about Cade. . .

1. Cade's full name is James Cade, named after his grandpa, James Devoid (best known as J.D.) and his uncle James David (best known as Uncle Dave). Cade's brother Tyler who was almost 3 when Cade was born chose his little brother's name. He had to choose between James Cade or Dylan James.

2. Cade has some nicknames...Cader Tater, Cade-e-did and Jim Cade.

3. Cade wouldn't want me to tell this about him, but he's such a loving kid. He always hugs his family and tells them he loves them.

4. Cade loves baseball. He wants to play professionally. He got hurt in the 3rd game of the year and had to be out the rest of the season, and he was really down about it. But he's healed and ready for next year!

5. Cade could live on mashed potatoes and mac and cheese, honest.

6. Cade loves to play guitar. He has taught himself by using the Internet and has learned many songs, but only the first few lines! We give him a hard time about trying to learn the whole song before moving on to another one. He even learned "Jessie's Girl" just for me.

7. He loves to eat at Red Lobster.

8. Cade's hero is his dad.

9. He has given his life to Christ and was baptized a couple of years ago.

10. If the baseball gig doesn't work out he may be a meteorologist.

Friday Night's Finish

Scenes from Sunday

Wordless Wet Wednesday

Tuesday's Take

I was on my way home from work and Courtney's baseball practice when my brother called and said to stop by the lake for a picnic. Free food, good company and a photo opportunity...maybe not in that order, but sure I'll stop by! So here's a few of my photos from this evening's outing.