Monday, September 20, 2010

Lake Keowee

Nana and Pops brought us to Lake Keowee in South Carolina for Labor Day...below is a photo recap of a wonderful long weekend getaway! Thanks, Nana and Pops!

Deep thoughts and snuggles on the boat ride...



Checking out the beautiful lake...sweet brothers...


Noah David (aka "Cotton) helping Pops drive the boat...


Pops and DI enjoying the boat ride...

DI, ND, and Daddy enjoying the cool lake waters...


So...Noah David was walking along the shore, toppled over, and just stayed there without making a peep, belly up, and waited for Daniel to come help him up. Pahahahaaa!

Ahhh, a heavenly boat nap together!


The boys and Daddy enjoying the pool!

Noah David loved the water spouts and was offended that he was made to hold Mommy's hand.

What cute little sun bathers!

The water slides were a blast! ALL of us enjoyed them immensely! I had great video footage of Nana laughing hysterically as she flew into the water down the slide and of Noah David bravely going down by himself into Daddy's arms and of DI sliding by himself and with Daniel...but I can't figure out how to get the video to work on here. So just use your imagination to picture that fun! :)

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Oh the sweetness of this life!

Below are some photographs I took of my sweet nephew Baby Jake (Jacob Fletcher Andrus) born to John David and Jessica on August 24. He is absolutely beautiful and precious and such a gift. My eyes cannot stay dry when I'm near him, and I'm not even "a cryer"! He's just such a blessing.

Please take special note of his perfect chin placed just right!


He is a perfect gift from Above!


Look at those big bright eyes!


He smiles all the time; he is so well cared for by his mommy and daddy! At just a couple weeks old he's smiling...real smiles not gas smiles! Ahhh! Love it!


Ahhh, life is good, little man!


His feet are super long and super wonderful.


The epitome of "I could do this all day."


Special delivery!

Angelic, don't ya think? I like his little arm muscles, too. :)


Safe and sound in his mama's arms...what a perfect place to be, little one!


Baby Jake, we love you so very much. Your precious life is celebrated; your Mommy, Daddy and the rest of us adore you!

My heart is so full...

My heart is so full. It's full from drinking in the warm love and pure delight of my precious boys. Noah David's perfectly round bright eyes, paired with his perfectly round belly and his determination to be 100% involved and included in whatever we are doing is something I can drink down like a warm Chai latte on the perfect Fall day. And then my Daniel Isaac...oh his mind! Staring into his deep blue eyes and just wishing I could read his thoughts like the words on one of our Dr. Seuss books...but then if I could read his thoughts how that would take away from the element of surprise when he touches me with saying things like, "Mama, I love this guy (pointing to Noah David)" or "Mama, the Bible is God's Word, and it's special. It really is," as he caresses his prized new Bible that used to be his daddy's. Or when Noah David brings a pair of shoes to me (not necessarily matching or belonging to him), plops down and sticks those fat luscious toes out insisting in his baby language that I put them on because he's ready to go. Or when Daniel Isaac looks very earnestly at the superhero shirt I've laid out for him to wear, raises his eyebrows, cocks his head and lips to the side shaking his head and says, "Mommy, I can't wear this. I need my Flash shirt for today because I'm going to be Flash. He's super fast." Or when Daniel, my high school sweet heart and very best friend, places his strong warm hand on the small of my back and smiles into my soul...or when he plans a date night for us and surprises me with it...that he treasures me and wants to be with me...after 10 years of being together almost 6 of marriage and he still misses me during the day. I was reminded today to "count my blessings", and it is just something that doesn't stop, something that can't stop. Sometimes I sit back and think, "Really, Lord? You're letting me do this? I get to care for theseboys? I really get to be their mama?" What a humbling honor it is to be my husband's girlfriend and my boy's mama. Tears fill my eyes as I reflect on the joy and wonder of this gift, this role...I was made to do this, and I'm so thankful.

A few years ago at John David and Jess's wedding...

Heavenly napping with my boys...

What's not to love about this?

No, he could not possibly be any cuter. Nope way.

Brothers = love.

My heart is so full. It's full from drinking in the warm love and pure delight of my precious boys. Noah David's perfectly round bright eyes, paired with his perfectly round belly and his determination to be 100% involved and included in whatever we are doing is something I can drink down like a warm Chai latte on the perfect Fall day. And then my Daniel Isaac...oh his mind! Staring into his deep blue eyes and just wishing I could read his thoughts like the words on one of our Dr. Seuss books...but then if I could read his thoughts how that would take away from the element of surprise when he touches me with saying things like, "Mama, I love this guy (pointing to Noah David)" or "Mama, the Bible is God's Word, and it's special. It really is," as he caresses his prized new Bible that used to be his daddy's. Or when Noah David brings a pair of shoes to me (not necessarily matching or belonging to him), plops down and sticks those fat luscious toes out insisting in his baby language that I put them on because he's ready to go. Or when Daniel Isaac looks very earnestly at the superhero shirt I've laid out for him to wear, raises his eyebrows, cocks his head and lips to the side shaking his head and says, "Mommy, I can't wear this. I need my Flash shirt for today because I'm going to be Flash. He's super fast." Or when Daniel, my high school sweet heart and very best friend, places his strong warm hand on the small of my back and smiles into my soul...or when he plans a date night for us and surprises me with it...that he treasures me and wants to be with me...after 10 years of being together almost 6 of marriage and he still misses me during the day. I was reminded today to "count my blessings", and it is just something that doesn't stop, something that can't stop. Sometimes I sit back and think, "Really, Lord? You're letting me do this? I get to care for these boys? I really get to be their mama?" What a humbling honor it is to be my husband's girlfriend and my boy's mama. Tears fill my eyes as I reflect on the joy and wonder of this gift, this role...I was made to do this, and I'm so thankful.