Refelctions on Memorial Day

We've had such a sweet and special Memorial Day Weekend, and are so grateful for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

I'm a proud patriot of our country and feel a great deal of honor knowing my ancestors have fought in every battle our nation has faced from the Revolutionary War to the War on Terrorism still being fought today.

We fly an American Flag outside our home everyday of the year and The United States Service Flag at least six months out of the year.

 The happiest day, when I get to take it down upon my brothers safe arrival state-side!

As James examined the flags lining his grandparents driveway today, counting and pointing out the star and stripes, Josh and I took it as a learning opportunity to talk about our flag and our freedom.  Did it sink in?  Probably not... Did we sing "She's a Grand Old Flag" and "The Star Spangled Banner" a few times?  Yes!

I hope to pass on pride in our country and respect for our military service men and women to him, and don't mind singing a few patriotic songs along the way. 

God Bless America and God Bless the men, women and their families who gave us the greatest gift of freedom.

Take me out to the ball game

We took James to his first baseball game today. We currently read about Curious George going to a baseball game a few times a day, so we were due for a trip to the ball park.


We missed a trip to see the gators play this spring, but were very happy to get tickets to the Rays game from Josh's company.

We hit some beach traffic while James screamed to see Raymond the mascot- not the most pleasant hour of our lives, but we sang (well mostly josh due to James' request/demands) just about every song in the book. Our plan for a nap in the car didn't quit workout.

At the game James scarfed a footlong and got a game all all during the first inning.









Ice cream and popcorn soon followed.






He is totally enthralled with Raymond the mascot, but then terrified close up. Isn't that how it always goes?






We had a great time in the kid zone, but were all tired and ready to head home a little early.



Josh caught us on TV when we watched games highlights once we got home.


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Sweet little moment to catch up

I keep taking much longer than anticipated blogging breaks. Hoping to get back into a rhythm soon.

Started this post a few weeks ago, now seems like a good enough time to finish.

This rarely happens, so I'm enjoying every sweet second of a nap on my lap. Always creative in napping as James won't transfer, yesterday I set up one of the baby monitor cameras in the garage when he fell asleep on our drive home from the store. Not just any store, Trader Joes, which is another happy post for another happy time.

James' two year update needs to be wrapped up and published, as well as a recap of his awesome two two choo choo birthday party. I put myself on blogging probation when there are outstanding thank you notes to be written. Thankfully they are now written (and sent weeks ago, unlike this post being completed).

So February (and March) flew by. We had such a lovely time together with our little family.

These two...

My whole heart.

James (and Josh) was a ring bearer in a wedding. It was such a fun fun weekend with friends and family. James turned two the very same day as the wedding and was just as sweet as any little boy could be.

 

We've really enjoyed this past year in the sunshine. I can hardly believe it's been a year! Looking forward to sharing what all we've been up to! :)

 

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Love

James said 'I wove you' for the first time last night. He melts my heart about 100 times a day.


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Little Tiger

James was so excited to read his tiger book we checked out of the library to me in the car. He just lights up my life!!

Hoping reading about the little Tiger who doesn't want to go to bed, helps our little Tiger go to bed. On the advice of a child development specialist, he went to bed a little later tonight (8:30). We are hoping the later bed time leads to a later awake time. I'm not a fan of 5:30, although sweet cuddles are awesome, anytime of the day.




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Is it really February?

Well, hey there friends!

Hope everyone that may still read this blog is doing great and enjoying the new year!

We are doing great and enjoying the 80 degree days in February (but not the swarms of Mosquitos).



I did a cool thing this year and instead of resolutions, decided on my priorities and from that derived goals to help me live my priorities. It's been such a great way to cut the riffraff and easily realize how I should be spending my time, however Facebook still gets just a little too much of it. That's a work in progress.

Life is good, finding lots of joy and fulfillment in everyday and thanks to this little post feel that I am living the life God planned for me undoubtably.

So blogging is on my priority/goal list but obviously not the highest. I think as I continue to work things out it will get easier to find and make the time to write down my thoughts here.

James turns two this weekend, I can't even comprehend that! He will be a ring bearer in a wedding on his actual birthday, so I keep mentally delaying him turning two to be the following weekend when we have his party-ha!

I'm also filling out his preschool application for next year and am filled with lots of emotions. I know he will do so great in school, and it will be really great for us both. Before becoming a mommy, I honestly looked at preschool as a little bit of a cop-out for stay-at-home-moms. Like hello isn't that what your supposed to be spending your time on? Well now that I'm walking the walk, I see that is totally not the case, or at least the full picture. He will get more attention and learning opportunities from his teachers and from me because I won't be as distracted with errands and chores during the time I'm with him. Our time together will be our time together. Honestly I'm just talking a few mornings a week, but it's just hard to realize that it's happening (in 6 months).

Also, teaching does not come naturally to me. I am trying to work on this skill set. I've got the loving, nurturing, fun and playing part down. Aside from reading a lot of books everyday I'm just not a natural at finding learning opportunities.

I am realizing more and more teaching moments daily, and thanks to some great mommy teacher friends learning some really great ways to teach my little guy. Now that I'm looking to fit more of these moments in, he learned his ABC's in two days this weekend. Makes me wonder if I should have encouraged that a little earlier...
Well now I know to find more ways for us to learn together each and every day.

This week we are making play-doh valentines for our friends.


I bought some party packs of play doh for his birthday gift bags, but Pinterest helped me come up with a cuter idea for his Choo Choo birthday.



So now I already have a sugar-free treat ready for all of his little friends. Well with the help of a printable, 2" punch and some glue anyway.



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SUYS - Mary Margaret

I’m linking up with Kelly’s Korner for Show Us Your Singles today!

Let me introduce Mary Margaret to you. We call each other double first step cousins, but it's a little more complicated and a lot more southern than that.

Mary Margaret is the sweetest, most encouraging and Godly women I have the pleasure to know.  Her beautiful smile is contagious, and calm presence is both reassuring and refreshing.  She’s just a delight to be around.

Gee I'm related to her, how lucky am I?

Let's see, she grew up in Florida and is a Florida Gator fan, obviously I think that should go first in her list of characteristics (Go Gators)! College took her to Texas where she attended Dallas Baptist and then Louisiana, where she attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

She currently calls Nashville home, although she travels all over the country for her job with women's ministry for a large Christian organization based there.

She is the oldest of three and has a fantastic family.  She's 29 years old.

She's into running, Tex-Mex and SEC football.

When you spend time with her be ready to laugh because boy she is funny!

But you'll also feel special, even in a room of thousands (all of whom probably stop to say hi or ask how her momma is) she'll make you feel like you're the most important person there, that’s just how she is.

She's encouraging, compassionate, honest, focused and devoted to serving the Lord in everything she is and does.  She’s been on mission trips around the world.  Here she is with her Compassion child, Cindy in Guatemala.

She manages to help Gods light shine a brighter in the lives of everyone she knows.  I’m so blessed to have her as a friend and double-first-step-cousin ;)  She’s such a beauty both inside and out.

If you or someone you know is interested in getting to know her a little better, drop me a line at sarahmorganthompson at gmail dot com and/or leave a comment.

It's fantastic!

We took James to his first Gator Basketball this past weekend and he loved it!

What a treat to spend time with my parents and James, it was more fun than I even thought it would be!

 

I was a gator greeter in college, so I went to every home basketball game, and also went to many concerts and events in the O'dome.

It was so neat to share something I loved with my little guy!

He just had the most fun watching the game, dancing to the music from the band and spotting Albert!

After the game there was a shoot around for kids on the court, although we love shooting hoops at home in his fisher price basketball hoop, I didn't think he could grasp 1. Waiting in line by himself with 100 or so ther kids 2. Shooting a layup-ha!

They were sweet enough to let me bring him down on the court for a few minutes though!

 

We had such a great time with Nannie and PaPa!!

 

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