Our New Friend

In a few weeks we will bring home a new friend. His name is Scout and he is so cute! We picked him out a few weeks ago, but he is only 5 weeks old now, so he needs a little more "mommy time" before he can join us. Scout is a chocolate cockapoo.

Photos by Linda with Sugar and Spice Cockapoos

The boys are thrilled and so are we! Wish us luck - we hope we're ready for another infant!

It's the WET Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

A few weekends ago, we visited Bryson City for the "Great Pumpkin" train ride. It was such a gross day! Wet and mushy with strollers and a pumpkin patch! But, we had the best time. I don't think I've laughed that hard in a long time!

Of course, my camera battery died about 5 minutes into the trip, so I only have a few pictures. But, I thought I would share what I could...

My Mom Rocks!

It's no secret how crazy I am about my family. But, my mom. Well, she's who I want to be. She is the most caring and loving person I know. She always know the right thing to say and she listens to all of my ramblings. She never speaks poorly of others - she always finds the best in a person, no matter what.

And now, as my own personal proof that cancer isn't fair and doesn't discriminate, she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She'll have surgery in a few weeks and then begin her treatments. She's ready and she tells me, "Whatever it takes to make this go away." She's ready for her fight and we are ready too.

Courageous and strong are the newest words that I use to describe my Mom.

She has so many friends and family that are praying for her right now, and I invite you to pray too. Even the dentist that she works for part-time is helping her fight. Every Monday, Dr. Ben Daniel in Greenville, South Carolina and his staff are wearing pink in honor of Mom. He's also donating a portion of his profits to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in honor of her. I love that! So, if you need a dentist in the Greenville area, I would highly recommend Dr. Daniel! Go see him and tell him you are there to honor Susan's fight.

Thank you for your prayers.

Soccer Boy

Davis is our newest soccer star! He loves the clothes and he loves kicking the ball around at practice. He is not so in love with doing what his coach wants him to do, but he'll come around. He is having a terrific time and we got the funniest start to our weekend in a long time.

Here's our little star showing off his new jersey after practice.

Lining up to "warm up" before the game. These little ones are tiny!

Getting a little coaching.

This is about the extent of Davis' play today. Sitting down. Checking the shoes.
The ball? We use a ball in soccer?

Wait! Stop the presses! Nana and Papa are on the sidelines! My team can survive a few seconds without me!

Look how cute I am when I'm not contributing to my team, Nana!

Man! They are making me play again!
Should I be concerned that my team is nowhere to be found?

Cool! This is more interesting than chasing a ball!

And Mom is taking my picture again!
Well, let's give her something to work with!

How do you like my precious face?

This is my "peek-a-boo" look.

Did you get enough shots, Mom?

Ok, ok. I'll kick the ball. But, just this once.

Is it over yet?

This is bor-ing!

This would have been a complete waste of a Saturday, but I got look really cool in my soccer clothes and I got some snuggles from Nana. All in all - a good day!

Beach Trip

I am very behind in posting pictures of our summer, but I promise to catch up soon! Drew has started school and Davis and I will start in about a week. Life is very good and very busy right now.





This year, we went to Wild Dunes for our beach vacation. It was so wonderful and relaxing. So relaxing, in fact, that I didn't take nearly the amount of pictures that I usually do. One night, after dinner, we walked down to the beach for a "photo shoot". I had one little uncooperative subject, so we didn't get THE family shot that I wanted, but the photos are great reminders of our week.

The boys.


Cheesing with my babies.


Nana and the boys.





I can't believe how big they are getting!


Davis


The Flemings


I finally released them and they RAN!





They loved swimming at the pool.
Drew made new friends everyday.

We also took a little side trip to the aquarium in downtown Charleston.

This little guy was just begging to have his picture taken.


This bald eagle was so neat to see up close.
His wing was hurt and now he lives at the aquarium.


Drew checking out the hermit crabs.

My Three Year Old

My baby turned 3 yesterday. And, let me tell you, that kid knows how to party! He had the best day and asked if we could do it again as he was getting ready for bed last night. Everyday would be his birthday if his stick-in-the-mud parents would just let him!

In honor of his big day, I wanted to share a few things that I love about my sweet boy...

Davis is so cuddly! He'll crawl up in my lap with a book and snuggle up to me, put his arms around my neck and ask me to read with him. Did I mention that he, at the ripe old age of 3, has perfected the art of "kissing up"?

Baby Davis, about one month old

Davis loves being a brother. Drew (or Drewy, as Davis calls him) has had a shadow since Davis learned to crawl. I always worried that with nearly 6 years between them that they wouldn't get along or would just ignore each other. That has never been the case, though. Drew takes care of Davis and Davis worships Drew. They are quite the pair!

Drew and Davis, Disney World 2008

Davis is now officially and full-time wearing (now, imagine this in the most southern drawl possible) "big boy undapaaaaants"! Woo Hoo!

Davis at his 2nd birthday party

Davis is obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine. He even hums the tune as he plays. My child is his own walking soundtrack.

Davis checking out his reflection at his 9 month check-up.

Davis says the best prayers at night. We have a nightly routine where we tuck Drew into bed first (just a ploy to get Davis into bed without a fuss), we say our prayers together and then Kevin and I tuck Davis in. Lately, Davis has been interrupting whoever is praying and finishes the prayer for them. He has his own agenda he needs to speak with God about, I think.

Here's Davis' prayer from last night:

Me: Praying and thanking God for blessings, especially for Davis on his birthday....
Davis: (interrupting)...and thank you, God, for Drewy and Davis and Mommy and Daddy and Hayden and Melissa and Walter and sweet tea. Amen.

I think he might have a future in the ministry! Most nights, it's all we can do not to burst out laughing!

Davis' first birthday

Davis is truly a blessing to us and, it's so much fun to watch him grow!

Happy Birthday, baby boy!

Last Day of Second Grade!

This is a picture of my baby on his way to school for his last day ever as a second grader. Yep, I chased him out of the house with my camera! I have to record the memories, no matter how much I embarrass him. It's my job and I take it seriously.

Drew had a great year. He learned so much and made so many friends. His teachers were terrific and we wanted to make sure that the end of the year present was a good one. I really liked what we came up with!


Popcorn boxes from the dollar spot at Target, filled with movie candy and a movie gift card. Thought they turned out cute, if I do say so myself!

Davis and Daisy

Davis has a new favorite toy. We were wondering when it would happen. Drew loved his Thomas trains and we saved them all, convinced that Davis would someday thank us. And now, that day has come. Davis is obsessed, to put it mildly. Our train table is a trundle table that technically fits under a bed. But, for us, it just sits downstairs and Davis loves it because it can sit on top of it to play with his train friends.

All of the Thomas trains have names - Percy, James, Edward, Emily, etc. But, today, I want to take this opportunity to introduce you to my favorite train. Her name is Daisy and she is my hero.


Several weeks ago, when we had just gotten back from our trip to Nashville, Kevin took an extra day off to spend with us. He was going to help me run errands, clean my classroom, and just hang out. But instead, we spent the day in the ER with Davis and a gaping hole on his cheek. Our first stitches. It was a traumatizing day, but Daisy was there the entire time. He never let her go - not during the exam or the stitches. Davis was a brave boy and we were so proud of him. And we have made him promise - he will never trip and fall again. Ever.