On Becoming a Grandfather

My Dad has a blog full of wonderful information. His latest post, however, is very special. Click here to read.
I don't have the adequate words to express how blessed my boys are to have this man as their grandfather.

Big Day- make that 2 days

Update: JW is finished! And we are all relieved! I am especially relieved because Ryan has not taken a nap since Sunday! Yes, 5 days. So, I have had some really long days with my 2 year old. Including one emergency trip to the pediatricians office because he fell off the back of the couch and gashed his head open. Fun, yes, fun. We are all glad Daddy is done with his test.

The Bar Exam has arrived. This is what JW has been working towards for the past 3 years. Tommorrow morning at 9 a.m. he will begin a 2 day exam. One day of sitting in a room, answering 200 multiple choice answers that have 4 seemingly correct choices. One day of sitting in a room writing out 12 essay questions by hand (his hand already aches). My mind aches just thinking about it.

He took the Bar review course before we left Knoxville. Here is a quote I found in relation to the Bar review course- "Bar review is considered by many to be one of the most stressful and unpleasant experiences which a law student faces before becoming a lawyer." Sounds like fun, huh? For the past few weeks he has been going to our local library everyday to study in peace and quiet. He even made friends with another guy at the library also studying for the Bar and they had breakfast together today. I'm glad he found someone to commisserate with!

He will find out the results in October, so until then, let's just all pray really hard that he passes!

The Barbri books that have become attached to JW the past few months

JW's Birthday Gift

John Will's birthday was Sunday the 20th. We have a really great yard at our new house with wonderful, old trees. I knew exactly what to get him for his birthday and this is the exact picture I had in mind when I purchased the hammock.

I haven't seen many movies in an actual movie theater in the past 5 years. In fact, I could probably rattle off all that I have seen in about oh, 2 seconds. But, the other night we decided to take both boys to see Kung Fu Panda. It was a really cute movie! To sum it up, it was an animated version of Karate Kid. Who doesn't love the Karate Kid, though? Dustin Hoffman was the voice of the older Kung Fu Master (Mr. Miyagi.) Jack Black was the panda student (Daniel LaRusso.) Some of the other characters were Angelina Jolie and Lucy Lui. My only complaint is that there was quite a bit of "Kung Fu" action, making for a slightly violent animated film.

How did I keep a 2 year old happy and still the entire 1 hour and 30 minutes? A box of Twizzlers. I know, I know, that is terrible. Especially since I have this huge aversion to red food coloring, but I'm telling you, I didn't have to get up and take him out even once. The kid thought they were the greatest things he had ever gotten his little hands on!
Overall, great family outing!

Will is 5!

Will turned 5 years old today at exactly 3:43 p.m. I am not going to get all emotional and sappy here about his birth, although I easily could! I honestly can't believe he is 5. I'll just say the past 5 years have been the best years of my life. He is a complete delight, and has been every day. He is a beautiful child who is easy to be around, has a sweet spirit that draws people in, and he loves others. Everyday I am thankful that God blessed me with Will.

Now- to the Batman birthday party-

Superman was in attendance along with Batman

Opening gifts with cousin David

Look at my cool Batman stuff!

Check out my awesome Batman backpack with my name on it!


Blowing out candles

Batman birthday cake

Cool retro Batman comic book cover (just because I thought it was a cool graphic)

We're Home!

Some of our dear friends hosted a "Welcome Home" party for us last night. It was so much fun seeing all our friends and watching all the kids play. I'm not sure who had more fun- the adults or the kids!

Our friends that hosted the party have a beautiful home with a great backyard that backs up to a golf course. The kids had so much fun running up and down the fairways and digging for buried treasure in the sand trap.
Some of the girls
Sweet little girls Ryan Grace and Blair Frances

This was Ryan by the end of the night. Hot, sweaty, and exhausted- but didn't want to stop driving the jeep. Look how tired!!

*Side Note: On the house- yes, we are moved in- no, not settled. Rows and rows of boxes lining the garage that may or may not ever get unpacked! I'm kind of enjoying the minimalistic look of the house without a bunch of "stuff" everywhere!

Fireworks and Home

We took the boys to see fireworks last night. This means that they got to stay up much later than usual. The fireworks didn't start until about 9:15 and they lasted forever (or that is how it felt to me!) Ryan ended up falling asleep in my lap. I will never understand how he managed to fall asleep with all the loud booming noise, but he did. Will declared the fireworks "loud." And they were very loud because we were sitting directly under them. They set them off over a golf course near my parents house and we were sitting right smack in the middle. Great for visual, bad for noise. But, we all had a great time. It was nice and cool outside and we had lawn chairs and a blanket. I saw lots of people I grew up with and had not seen in a long time. It is nice, in a way, to go back where you grew up and know everyone when you go to the 4th of July fireworks display at the local country club. Now everyone has at least a couple of kids running around, and while it is not just like it used to be, it still feels like home.

I have been filled with this overwhelming sense of home lately. We will go in the morning and close on our new home. The home our boys will most likely remember as their "home." One they will live in for many, many years to come (hopefully!) As Southerners, we put great emphasis on place, home, and family land. My Dad and his sister are in the process of trying to sell the family farm. In my mind I know my grandparents are no longer there, and no one in the family has any need for this farm, but it is the tangible link to my grandparents that my heart is sad to see go. Yes, we place much emphasis on houses and real estate, but that doesn't make a home. Home is family. Home is friends. Home is where you feel comfortable.

packing, packing, and more packing

Just in case you are wondering what I am doing.......

Thank goodness my Mother is here! For those of you who know her, you know she is this tiny little bundle of never-ending energy. Last night about 10:30, I was heading to bed after an exhausting day and she informs me (in her ever-perky voice) she was ready to stay up and keep packing. I told her I was going to bed and to have fun. (She went to bed, convinced she would make too much noise.) I am so thankful she is here. She packed my entire kitchen today. My Dad was in the military and they moved 15 times in 15 years. I think packing and moving is almost fun to her. Like I said, I am very thankful she is here.