Pumpkin Patching & Carving

We've had a great time on our pumpkin patch adventures this year. It makes me look forward to many more to come. Weslyn had a great time running up and down the hay filled aisles, pointing at all the pumpkins.

The pumpkin carving  took place last night once Weslyn went down for bed. Nothing like carving pumpkins & watching the Lakers play for a little in-home date night:)

Happy Halloween!

An Athens Affair

Last weekend we went to Athens, GA for one of my best friend's wedding. Audrey was a BEAUTIFUL bride and let me tell you, girl knows how to throw a wedding. It was awesome. Everything was fantastic. Each event, all of the venues, and the people were the best part.  My people. My friends who I literally grew up with.  You know those people who really speak your language? The ones who laugh at the same stupid things you laugh at and the ones who you can be offensively inappropriate with? These are those people for Lawton & me. They also hold a special place in my heart because they knew Lawton & me before we were "Lawton & me." This group is how I met Lawton in the first place. We were all a bunch of over-sized teenagers when we met and now we're adults...for the most part.We still know how to have a great time together (even with our old age) and a great time we had. I seriously had not had this much fun in a long time. My parents were in attendance as well and took great care of Weslyn during the evening so we could spend time with friends. We stayed up way past our bed time every night talking, hanging out and dancing the night away. Needless to say, I can't wait until the next time we're all together.

A little frisbee on UGA's version of Landis Green

He's sexy and he knows it

One of my faves. Hayden & Sean with Weslyn.

She was a great sport and spent a lot of time in the stroller:)

Love. Joe & Julianne with Weslyn.

Pre-wedding cocktail party

Striking a pose.

Male Models.

Much hotter models.

Some of the bridesmaids.

Lovely bride and groom.

Love these people.

Our Walking Monkey

About a week after Weslyn turned 1 she took her first steps. I wish I had it on camera, but every time I got the camera out she dropped to her knees as fast as she could to crawl over to me. Really, to crawl over to the shiny camera. Anyway, the last few weeks she's been taking more and more steps. She's now moving pretty quickly and walks more than she crawls. It's amazing to watch this little girl grow up so fast. I'm so blessed to be her Momma.

She's also learned three animals sounds. Monkey (which was her first and best), elephant and sheep. It's been pretty fun to hear all the sounds and verbally communicate with her. Even if we're talking "monkey" together.

Here are some videos of her new developments. She takes a little spill in her walking video, but proves to be a tough girl. Also, please don't judge me for how messy my house is. Thanks :)

Weslyn's 1st Birthday

This sweet girl's 1st year flew by. She's been an incredible addition to our family and has changed our lives for the good. Her presence challenges me to be a better wife, mother, friend...person. I think it's amazing how God can trust us with something so helpless and precious, then this helpless being can change us for the better. My perspective is different. I'm less judgmental, more patient, and not as selfish. It took a lot of pain and stretching, but God has certainly used Weslyn to make me more like Him. I'm still  so far from it, but blessed to have gone through the hard "first year" to get me closer to Him. God uses what she's teaching me to be an example for her. How amazing is that? We're so blessed to have this girl in our lives.

Celebrating her birth was everything I imagined it would be. Our wonderful family was there along with two of my closest friends; influential women in Weslyn's life. I dreamed of a sunny day with her cousins running thru the sprinkler, Kobe getting into the kiddy pool and Weslyn eating her cake. I thought if just one of these things could happen, it would make my day. All of it happened. It was so much fun and I wouldn't have had it any different.

Thank you to both of my sweet sisters, Lynn and Byerly, for taking these photos. You captured my perfect day!

Backyard reveal

We've finally finished the backyard. We have a few more final touches, but for the most part it's finished! We're so excited to have it complete and enjoy our time back there with friends and family. Last night Lawton grilled our dinner while Weslyn, Kobe, Harvey (Kobe's puppy friend who is staying with us for the week) and I played in the yard. Can't wait to have friends over and use it to bring people together for fun times. All of our hard work has paid off. Thank the Lord He's given my husband the skills to  make this happen. I'm sure people are sick of hearing about how much I love and appreciate my husband, but I don't really care. He's the one who put in most of the long hours and I appreciate him so much. Here's the big reveal:


Before:

This is what the yard looked like for a year. This picture was taken during the winter of 2011-2012. Big thanks to my father-in-law for tackling this tree with Lawton.

The land clearing began summer 2012. Thanks AAA tree & stump.

Back yard cleared

Ground leveled with dirt...lots of dirt.

Grass! Thanks Pat's Nursery for the Bermuda Grass delivery. 

Looking like a good time...

They knocked it out pretty quickly. Graves men at work!

After:

Ta Da!! After 30 days of letting the grass settle and putting up a fence, which I must add that I helped put up, this is our yard.

We wanted to put up a short fence on the side because we love our neighbor. Linda is the best:)

She really loves the grass but she's chasing after the dogs in this picture.

Puppies having a great time

So let's see that one more time...

Before

After

Let's say it all together...oooohhhhh ahhhhh. We're definitely enjoying the yard but now it's time to move on to our next project, which is finishing up our bathroom and bedroom. House projects never end:)

Fast approaching 1 year

I've been in denial for a few months now that Weslyn will soon be 1 year old. People have asked me, "What are you going to do for her 1st  birthday?" I told them, "She's not having a 1st birthday. We talked about it and Weslyn's going to stay a baby...forever." Ugh. I know I'm crazy, but the thought of this little baby starting to walk, talk and become more independent makes me want to cry...just a little. Lawton told me recently that I needed to snap back into reality because this girl is growing up. I'm excited for what's to come but I wasn't prepared for babyhood to go by this fast. With every little move she makes toward walking and every new syllable that comes out of her mouth she's becoming more of a toddler and that little baby is disappearing. My little baby (insert tears). Lucky for me she's still cuddly and wants her dear ol' mom to pick her up often.

I'm starting to come to the realization though that the fun is just beginning. Taking care of the little baby was sweet and special, but we're all excited about the next few months ahead...especially Daddy. For now, I'm going to soak up the last month and a half I have with  little baby Weslyn and start preparing for little girl Weslyn.