Our "Juel"

My grandma Juel is the most special person I have ever known. Anyone who meets her believes she is a "jewel"...a one of a kind treasure:

-She is a strong christian woman. (When I was a child and was taught that everyone sins, I can remember strongly disagreeing, because I could not imagine a sin from her! She taught the beginner Sunday School class at Pearces Church for 20+ years.)

-She is humble and shy.

-She is so kind and thoughtful. (She sends cards to everyone for every reason. When I was in college she sent me a card and $10 every single week. This lasted until I moved back home years later. Now she still sends me cards. I have them all in a "grandma" box that I treasure.)

-She was my first teacher, perfoming science projects on her kitchen table and teaching me the letters using a notepad and pencil sharpened with a knife.

-She is hardworking and strong.

-She is an artist, making beautiful quilts for family and friends.

-She is an excellent mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

-She is a tradition keeper...fruit cakes and tea cakes for Christmas.

-She is an 'archiver' of our family history, in scrapbooks, collections, and stories.

-She is a child's best friend.

-She is the thread that holds our family quilt together.

-She is my baby girl's namesake...

-She is going to be 87 years old on November 29...

-SHE IS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER! Typing the words just makes tears stream down my face. We all love her so very much and just can't stand for her to suffer at all. So far she has been so brave...certainly stronger than the rest of us. She immediately reminded each of us of her trust in God to take care of her. When I was first pregnant with "Baby Juel" it was an unplanned surprise. Now I am more than ever convinced that she is God's plan, following His perfect timing, under His amazing love and care. I love both of my "Juels" more than I can express. I thank God for their lives and pray for his care upon both of them.

Oh be careful little mouth...

Tyson has certainly turned into a little mocking bird! Altough his mouth still only has four little teeth (OMG) it is full of sound!! He can now repeat any words we say...("oh be careful little mouth what you say, oh be careful little mouth what you say, for the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little mouth what you say!") Some of his cutest words are: "ot oh!" as he drops things over and over again, "uv oo ma ma" my favorite sentence ever, "hey gee" to my mom, "bye bye da da" when Travis puts on his shoes, "no Raf" to poor Ralphy who gets tortured by our wild boy and "MEN" after we say the blessing! He also tells animal sounds for cow, dog, pig (strange grunt thanks to Gee), duck ("tack tack"), Grandma Juel's kitty, a turkey (sticking out his tongue), and Uncle Mike--"WHOOO"!

Farmers Market

We recently enjoyed a great day at the Farmer's Market with Grandma Raye. She loves spending time with Tyson. We also took her to visit daddy's grave because it is important to her. She so sweetly said to daddy, "Terry I surely wish you could see this boy. You would love him so much." And he would! She certainly does!

A reprive...

Although we have a VERY active little boy, we are so lucky that he is happy, healthy (27 lbs, 35 inches), and hilarious! We are also lucky that he LOVES to sleep. He goes to bed around 8:30 each night. It is such a sweet time as he says "uv oo" and "night night" then just falls into his crib. He does prefer to fall asleep to music and sometimes does not want to nap. However, usually he sleeps for about 11 hours each night and 2 hour naps each day. We are also SO lucky that he still enjoys his pack-n-play. He will hang out in that thing for at least an hour a day. On Saturday mornings its our best way to sleep in a little. It also helps when I am getting ready...otherwise he tears out everything from every drawer in the bathroom!

Four Generations...and a little pumpkin!

The Cutest Pumpkins in the Patch

Pumpkin Patch

Wow! This looks like fun!

Check me out!

I am not so sure about this goat!

Sweet boy!

Picking out my pumpkin...

Mommy, please do not put me in a pumpkin again! (ha ha)

So cute!!

Look at our pretty pumpkins!

Getting Ready for baBEE!

These are a few things that we are working on for baby girl's room. "Uncle Mike" bought her beautiful bedding. I love it so much because it matches Tyson's "forest" room! We are thinking of painting a tree on her wall as well. The doll cabinet was given to me by Grandma Raye years ago. It was brown and my mom has worked VERY hard to make it white. (Speaking of dolls, I can hardly wait to buy her first baby doll! Oh my goodness!!!) The furniture was given to me by Aunt Millie when I moved into my college apartment and then some when I moved into our house. It was blue...now painted white. The rocking chair belonged to Lori, covered in pink gingham by mom. You may notice lots of other "pink" things that were part of our wedding. Her room has been called "the pink room" ever since we moved in. I am so happy that it will continue to be PINK! Tyson loves to get in this room (not yet baby proofed) and will point to her crib and say baBEE! He has no clue about life when his little sister arrives! (For that matter...I am not sure I do either!)

Someone Else's Shoes!

Hanging out with his Future Sweetheart

Emerson!

She is glancing down at Baby Girl...

Learning how to slide!

Tyson Emerson and Gee!

We went to visit our girl at her Grandma Irene's house.

Love the baby..."um um"

Conversation...

Sweet friends!

Coach "Da Da"

Survival....

Parenting at its best...call me "mother of the year"!

We have spent most of Tyson's life with a laid-back philosophy of going with the flow and doing whatever it takes moment to moment (For anyone who knows me, this would sound very strange for my "high strung" personality). I believe it has made our lives easier and Tyson is a happy, great-sleeping, completely healthy, funny little boy!

"Uv Ooo Da Da!"

Wow...taking a toddler to a football game is quite an intersting event! Making it to the game on time has always been a challenge for me, now add in lots more stuff and a wild little boy approaching bedtime! We definately have not made it to as many games as I usually enjoy, but have tried to show our "Warrior" spirit! It is really sweet to hear Tyson say "da da, da da" and point when he sees Travis. He loves his daddy so much, he just lights up whenever Travis is near! However, we have definately had some "moments" that I would not wish to relive! At one point mom took Tyson down the stands and said "I do not plan to climb bleachers again for at least 5 years!" We have learned a few things: 1. Stands are not safe for climbing little boys! We now sit in the end zone. 2. Survival=treats that are otherwise banned 3. Bring LOTS of wipes and pjs for the ride home. 4. Making past half time is an accomplishment.

Shannon and Miss Kim joined me for the last game and we had a great time! I am learning how to be a football coaches wife and mommy together! (Now next year...I just can't imagine!)

Happy 40th Birthday Uncle Jeff

Over Labor Day weekend (gosh has it really been this long...so sorry friends) Travis, Tyson and I went to Lake Greenwood, SC to celebrate Jeff's 40th Birthday! We enjoyed a beautiful weekend on the lake and had fun with family.

Reasons why I have not blogged in a while...

And it all happens within an hour!