Haircut

Ford got his first official haircut today. I trimmed it once myself, just to get it out of his eyes and off of his ears. But today, we went to a professional. It's not that drastic, but still very cute! Here's the before and after:

Ford was absolutely PERFECT. He sat in the chair and sat STILL until she was finished. Of course, my brave boy got a very yummy sucker when it was all over!

Quote of the Day

I ran across this quote on the blog of a friend of a friend. I thought it was too good not to share.

"God is not working toward a particular finish. His purpose is the process itself. What He desires from me is that I 'see Him walking on the sea' with no shore, no success, nor goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainty that everything is all right because I see Him...

It is the process, not the outcome, that is glorifying to God."

-Oswald Chambers,"My Utmost for His Highest"

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig!

We went to Illinois along with Scott's dad for Labor Day weekend to visit Scott's Dad's family. We hadn't been to visit since May of last year. We knew they wouldn't care a thing about seeing us, but figured a visit from Ford was long overdue.

Scott's grandpa just turned 85 and his grandma is 82. They have lived in the same house since 1960 and have lived in Winchester, IL, the most quintessential small town, their whole lives. Here is a picture of their house (it was built in the 1880's).

We arrived on Friday in time to eat pizza and watch the Cardinals vs. Reds after Ford went to bed. On Saturday, Scott, Ford and I went for a walk around Winchester. Here is Grandma and Grandpa's church, the town square and library. When we got back, Grandpa asked us where all we walked. We told him and he said that that was pretty much the whole town!

On Sunday, we headed to Springfield to Scott's uncle Steve's house. Almost all of Scott's family came on that day to visit. I got really lazy and didn't take many pictures. So, I'll just put a couple of cute ones of Ford here...climbing trees in the backyard and with his "Steak and Shake" hat.

Oh, and over the weekend, we had TWO wedding anniversaries to celebrate. Scott and I were married four years on Friday, August 31st and Grandma and Grandpa celebrated 63 years on Monday, September 3rd. I hope that someday I can say that Scott and I have been married that long!

We had a really nice visit, but we are glad to be home!

The Sweetest Thing

Most of you who talk to me on a regular basis hear me complain about Ford more than anything else. As most of you know, Ford cried a lot when he was tiny and is presently a very strong-willed toddler. Ford also has to have a very regimented sleep schedule...same naptime and (early) bedtime everyday. Otherwise, he doesn't sleep well. At home, he won't sleep anywhere other than his crib.

Yesterday, Ford started the fall session of playschool. He doesn't nap there and was very tired. Right before we got home he fell asleep in the car. When I got him out of the car, he didn't wake up. I carried him into the house, sat down on the couch and he slept on me for about 20 minutes. I woke him up only because I didn't want to spoil his bedtime.

He hasn't slept on me since he was a tiny baby. The child will not fall asleep if you hold or rock him and wakes up at the sight of anyone. I just held him, stinky diaper and all, and thought how it's little moments like these that make it all worth it.

Trip to Tampa

We went to Tampa this past week to visit our dear friends, Abby and Louie, and to meet their children for the first time (they adopted siblings from Guatemala in February). Ford and I went down on Wednesday and then Scott came on Friday. Once again, we were worried about how Ford would travel. And, once again, he pleasantly surprised us. He did really well on the airplane. Especially since it was his first time flying and the flights were during his naptime!

I don't even know where to begin. I felt like I already knew Cati and Gus. But now that I have have met them, they are even more special to me than before. Cati turned four last month and she is extremely sweet and smart. It's sooooooo cute to hear her talk. If you can imagine how a four year old talks and then consider that English is her second language (that she is learning amazingly well, I might say). She called Scott "Stot" and once she called him Spot. Ford liked Cati very much and she liked tickling him because he laughs really hard!

Gus is shy and he is a perfect 16 month old! I was very honored that he let me hold him a few times because he is very attached to his Mama. He even let me dress him one day when Abby was busy. It's hard to believe that they have only all been together as a family since February. The children and Abby and Louie all seem to have adjusted very well.

We went to the beach on Thursday and Ford got to see the ocean for the first time. He loved the waves and kept saying "mo (more)." Gus and Ford both ate sand! Abby was the perect hostess and made yummy meals for us. Some friends of theirs, Bill and Fraser, came over with their eight month old, Hadley, on Saturday because Abby made a wonderful brunch. I can't even tell you how good all the food was. Abby and I got to spend a few hours together without kids a couple of days, which was nice. It's hard to talk when you're chasing three kids around!

Abby and Louie have a beautiful house and children. We enjoyed our visit with them very much. They are coming to Nashville at the end of October, so I didn't cry too much when we left. And, I'll keep holding out for them to move back to Nashville until they tell me otherwise!

Crocs-adile Tears

Just a quick post before our trip. Scott got Ford some Crocs today and let Ford put them before bedtime. I heard Ford screaming hysterically and I thought he had gotten hurt. I ran in the bedroom to ask Scott what had happened and Ford was crying because Scott had taken his Crocs off!

My Old Kentucky Home

This past week, Ford and I went to Kentucky because my dear friend, Trina, was in from Florida. We had a really nice time and got to spend time with lots of friends and family.

On Thursday, Ford and I went to Trina's dad's house. We got to see Trina and her kids, Ellie and Emerson; her sister and kids, Tracy, Riley and Braxton; and her dad and stepmom, Bill and Sharon. Braxton gave us a tour of Bill's (Pap) farm on the golf cart and Ford got to see his cows. I practically grew up with Trina, so her family and Dad's house are like my own.

Ford had lots of fun at Granny and Papa's house. Granny has lots of toys and fun things to do. Ford learned how to drive a little car and go up and down the stairs by himself. We also went swimming with my Aunt Carla and Uncle Clint and my cousin Kyle's kids, Hayes and Grayson. We also got to visit with my Mamaw; her sisters, Becky and Bernice; my cousin Jill and her boyfriend, Gary. And, on Friday night all of my high school girlfriends got together.

This week, Ford and I are leaving on Wednesday to go visit Abby in Tampa. Ford will get to ride on an airplane for the first time and we will get to meet Abby's kids! We can't wait. I'll post pictures as soon as we get back!