What a Wonderful Life!

For the past week Jerrod and I have really been trying to focus on what is truly important in our lives. I think that as parents we get caught up in the day to day monotony of things and just find ourselves going through the motions. We even lose sight of ourselves and our marriage at times. With 2 children, it makes life that much crazier, but at the same time we are twice as blessed. When Maddox was born life seemed to speed up and now since Mason's arrival, life has seemed to just happen . . . where has the time gone? But, as we stop and really focus on loving each other and building each other up, including the kids, life is that much sweeter. I love my life and love my family. God has truly blessed me! Sometimes I have to remember to simply stop and smell the roses.


Brotherly Love . . . it melts my heart!


Maddox is such a big boy . . . eating at the counter.


Look at Mason smiling in his sleep! haha


Playing and having a blast!


Helping Daddy with the yard work.

Mason is already 2 months old!!!

I cannot believe it, but as I sit here and write this, my baby is already 2 months old. I remember Maddox growing up fast, but gosh time just seems to get faster and faster. Mason had his 2 month checkup today and the doctor said he looked perfect (but I already knew that). He is already up to 12 lbs and 8 oz. He was only 6 lbs 10 oz. when he was born! He has also gone from 18 1/2 inches at birth to 23 1/2 inches. Amazing!!! I think he is trying to race with Maddox because he too was a cute little chunk when he was a baby. What can I say, I birth small babies, but they fatten up fast. Someone told me a few weeks ago that I must have cream in my milk. He has also really started "talking" and showing many expressions. He is such a great baby.


Smiling at mommy!


He just loves his Baby Einstein play mat.


Camo shirt that says "My first tree stand" and shows a picture of a highchair. So cute!


All the fun wore Mason out.


Hanging out with daddy

Daddy is our hero!

Well, after many many many hours and days of hard work in the hot sun, Jerrod has finished the playset! I know that this will be the location of many fun afternoons in the sun and Jerrod deserves a big thank you for it. It took 3 1/2 hours to take it apart, not to mention the hours to pressure wash, stain, put back together and build the barrier around it so that we could fill with wood carpet (very finely ground mulch to help make any possible falls just a little softer). I wish I had one of these in my backyard growing up . . . what fun!!!

Big thanks to Dan, Dad, Josh and Whitley for the help in various parts of this extraordinary task I put Jerrod up to. We love our friends and family!


The finished product from the front


This is the back which includes a second slide


The fort . . . which has a picnic table under it. Very Cool!


My boys having a blast. If you look close Mason is in daddy's lap hanging out too! =)


My little monkey . . . he loves climbing ladders and is too good at it!

I'm a member of a country club . . .

G.G. and Grandpa Bob are members of Pinehurst Country Club. We went and hung out a bit and let Maddox explore while Mason just hung out. Maddox really liked watching the golfers. He fit right in . . . maybe we will have a golfer on our hands!


The golfers and the boys! (Nana, Grandpa, Maddox and Mason)


"Look at me . . . I own this place" says Maddox


Sweet brothers!


Here we come!


Me and my boys!

Strawberry Patch!

While in Pinehurst we went to a farm to pick strawberries! Maddox thought it was pretty neat. While we were there we shopped in the little country store and ate homemade strawberry ice cream! It was made with their strawberries . . . yum yum!!!


Rows and Rows of strawberries


Maddox checking the strawberries out


Maddox and G.G.


Eating homemade strawberry ice cream . . . yummy!!!

At the park in Pinehurst!

The park in Pinehurst was amazing! If you could think of it, they had it. It was by far the largest and coolest playground I have ever seen. Maddox loved it . . . so did I! Haha


Maddox and mommy!


Just finished walking across the bouncy bridge


At the top of the castle


Grandpa Bob giving Maddox a ride to remember. Hard to believe there are 90 years age difference between these two!


3 out of 4 generations represented . . . pretty cool!

4 Generations Strong!

This past long weekend I took the boys to see my grandparents, their great grandparents!!! While Jerrod had to work, my mom, dad, Maddox, Mason and I loaded up the Durango and headed for Pinehurst, NC. Although it was a long car ride, especially for an active almost 2 year old, both boys did great! When we got there we had a blast. Our 4 days were full of fun and excitement. We went to the biggest playground I have ever seen, to the Pinehurst Country Club, a farm to pick strawberries, out to eat and just ran around time and enjoyed being with family! Below are a few pictures!


Me, Maddox, Mason, G.G and Grandpa Bob


Grandpa, Maddox and Mason


Maddox wearing Grandpa Bob's hat. He is ready to go golfing!


Both boys getting measured on the wall in the garage. All the grandkids and great grandkids have been measured on this wall each year for 20+ years!!!

Moving on up!

Maddox has attended preschool at Lost Mountain Baptist Church this year. It allowed him some kid time and me some "get things done" time. I thought as a stay at home mom I would have time to do things . . . boy was I wrong. There is so much to do, always! But, the school year has ended and summer has arrived. He will be moving on up to the 2 year old class next year. I know he is looking forward to it because he continues to ask about school every day.

Last Wednesday we had his end of the year party. Jerrod, Mason and I went and hung out. They had playtime, decorated their tablecloth (paper) for the party and we had pizza, fruit cups and cookies . . . a child's delight for lunch! It is amazing how fast children grow.


Playing with Mrs. Susan


Go Fish


The party tired Mason out!


Coloring the tablecloth


Maddox and Sydney eating

Cookin' With Love

With Mason's arrival to our wonderful family, I at times question whether or not each kid is getting enough attention. I knew I would not be able to give Mason as much as I had Maddox as a newborn and at the same time would be splitting Maddox's time. This is a very hard thing as a parent. Last week I decided that I needed some fun time with Maddox. He has been such a great big brother so far and I wanted to give him my undivided attention. I decided we would make sugar cookies! His favorite! Oh what fun it was. Maddox not only got some attention, we had a blast and he really enjoyed helping. He mixed the batter, helped place them on the pan, iced them (and ate just as much icing himself), and then shook the sprinkles on for the finishing touch. What a blast it was (not to mention the sweet victory of eating the cookies at the end).


Mixing up the batter (and a little love)


Drop 'em one by one


The icing is great all by itself!


Decorating . . .


and the sprinkles! Yummy!

Mason's Dedication!

What better day than Mother's Day to have a baby dedication. Yesterday was a special day not only because it was Mother's Day, but because we got to have family dedication at church and dedicate our newest little one. This day was extra special to Jerrod and I because it was our chance to show off our little guy and promise to raise him up to know Christ! Even better, Maddox got to stand with us as well. It seems like just yesterday we were doing the same for him. Children are special gifts from God and we are blessed that He trusts us to raise two amazing boys!


Our wonderful little family!


Making a commitment to Christ!

It's not even Mother's Day Yet!

Here it is the Saturday before Mother's Day and I am so blessed! As a mom of two little boys, the burden of Mother's Day falls right onto the shoulders of daddy, Jerrod. We are all too busy for our own good these days, but lately Jerrod has been extremely busy. This is somewhat my fault since I had the idea of purchasing the new (used) playset. But, no complaints. And today as he works outside trying to get things put together so Maddox can play, a package is delivered for none other than me. It was a beautiful bouquet of flowers. The card simply stated "Happy Mother's Day! From, Your Boys". . . HOW SWEET!!!! In the midst of our crazy world, Jerrod made sure that I felt special for Mother's Day. He is a blessing from God (even if I do not always tell him that).

That is not the only bouquet I received this Mother's Day. My sweet little Maddox made me a bouquet of flowers in school made of his tiny little hands. I will cherish that forever! I know if Mason could have, he would have made me one too. Oh, what fun next year will be as they both make me sweet little treasures!

Even though I do not always say it (or act it . . . yes, I too can be hard to deal with), I am so thankful for the life I have and the family God has given me.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. May your day be as wonderful as mine!


From My Boys (aka Jerrod)


Made by Maddox

What a Morning!

Do you ever have a morning that you wish you could either forget about or rewind and start over? That is the kind of morning we had here at the Wall house. Jerrod was at work and between whining, crying, injuries and lack of sleep I could have ripped my hair out. But, as moms we just keep on chugging along. And, in the midst of it all we see a glimpse of the reason we do it day after day. How sweet it is to see the love between your two boys . . . brotherly love! Sometimes we lose sight of what is truly important in life, but through the fog, we can see if we try!


Sweet (and smothering) kisses!

My Wonderful Husband!

I decided that we needed a playset for the backyard this summer and have been on the lookout for a deal. Maddox loves playing at the park and I wanted something that can grow with both boys. I finally found one that I liked and could halfway afford on Craigslist. Of course it was in Suwanee, but I made the guy a deal. Needless to say, it now had to be taken apart and hauled home. Well, my wonderful husband on his day off was up for the challenge . . . even in the rain we had this morning. It took 3 and a half hours! What a wonderful daddy!! Now my boys will have a wonderful playset in the backyard (once we get it cleaned up and put back together). As you can see below, it is a pile of wood right now. But, stay tuned for the finished product.

A huge thanks goes out to our good friend Dan too! He gave up his day to help Jerrod . . . God has blessed us with amazing friends!