Few Pics from our Trip to VA

Madden before he face planted into a huge mud hole - loved his C'ARS hat that kept him warm

After face plant - I guess it wore him out!

All the cousins...love these pics

Waiting on the TRAIN..he had such a good time on the choo choo! "All-Aboard"

DeCeMbEr

(Madden is reading "elf on the shelf" our elf's name is Jingle Bells)

(this snow flake is so easy and cute)

(Madden and Patch decorating the tree)

Sorry its been a while...again.
This month is crazy busy! Poor Adam i couldnt tell you the last time he got to hunt...they have a new space at the campt and I know he is dying to try it out. Madden's little personality has changed so much just within the last month, between melt downs and learning so much...it has kept us busy. He loves singing Christmas songs, his favorite is Frosty (oh, and he loves the old time movie too). Bed time is still going strong..a few bumps here and there, but all in all...GREAT! Santa on the other hand...not so much a fan :( (I'll post a pict of the 3 sec shot)
As far as Chrsitmas gifts, i started really early, thought I was doing good and start getting depressed when I remember how many gifts we actually have to buy. I of course love buying madden stuff (LOL) but there is just so much sometiems between white elephant and every party...phew. Maybe the nieces and nephews could start pulling names - just a thought.
Or, maybe i just need to start a little sooner...who knows!
Well, enough updating. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving Trip

We left Monday (before Thanksgiving) and got home Sunday (my bday). 17 hours in a car with 4 adults and a two year old (huge carseat) was quite interesting and actually way better than i imagined!
We arrived early afternoon Tuesday and just relaxed. Other family got there that night and Wednesday...it was so fun having all the cousins and brothers and sisters together. Aunt Stacy and Granny rocked the kitchen and everything was absolutely amazing...there was so much food we ate on everything for three days!!
Friday we all went to Washington DC...what an experience! Madden's favorite was the train ride where he learned "all aboard."
It was freezing but such an amazing feeling to be there. Great family time and amazing sites and museams. We'll have to go back one day (not in the winter) and take a few days to see things. All in all - great trip. Pictures will soon follow.

Thankful...

We are in the Thanksgiving season and alot of people have been posting what they are thankful for. I thought I would knock it all in one post. Thanksgiving faslls on the 25th so I will name 25 things/reasons why I am thanful - no in any particular order.

1. my amazing family

2. God/christianity

3. my awesome little boy who amazes me every day with his kindness, love and sincerity

4. my husband and best friend who helps and supports me and who rocks as a dad

5. my job and boss who is totally understanding, awesome, friendly and just makes work easy and fun.

6. my church family who are always there when I need them to pray for my family and others without question and to help whomever in the community

7. my parents who raised me to be the person i am today, and who help me today with whatever we might need and who are awesome grandparents

8. my inlaws who treat me like i have always been apart of thier family

9. our awesome new house where we can make new memories and spend lots of family time and meals together

10. patch - who is a wonderful part of our family and a great pet for madden where he will learn how to be sweet and soft and take care of a dear friend

11. adam's job in which he loves and learns a great deal

12. steady paychecks and insurance - things we sometimes take for granted

13. my new best friend lia who is there to listen, gripe, and share common motherhood stories with

14. grandparents who are there to share stories with and teach us about values that we cant even imagine

15. health - even though we have had our fair share of colds, ear infections, stomach viruses, we have been strong enought ot get through them and I pray we will be strong enough to fight anything that is thrown our way

16. our doctors who are very gentle and caring

17. our boss's

18. our community - watching them raise money to help one another is gratifying

19. my washer and dryer - so we can have clean clothes in an instant

20. my family far away - makes us not take family for granted and teach madden about different states and how to appreciate one another

21. our veterans, without yall I dont know where we would be - thank you!

22. our neighborhood kiddies - even though we have some odd ball adults - I love the fact that there are kids playing in the streets, shooting bball, and playing with madden - its a great feeling

23. co-workers who are great friends and company - even if they make me spend too much money by eating out - but they are just great people to be around

24. to be able to spend the holidays with loved ones, friends, relatives, etc.

25. just life in general...you only get one shot at ...so make it good!

NOVEMBER...

Wow, i cant believe it is November all ready...where has the year gone?
Adam has been out of town for hunting and work training in Texas - this is his last week for Texas...whoo hoo!
Just thought I would let yall know about our upcoming festivities. Adam and Jordan are cooking in the Festival of Festivals this weekend - how exciting!
Madden is gonna spend the day with CC, daddy will cook and mom and nanna will be working on a house for Habitat. After the Habitat house we will go join daddy at the festival - free passes!!
Next weekend is the St. Jude run/walk - Me and Madden and tons of others will walk for Team Preston - St. Jude continues to amaze me and i just want them to help Preston get better.
As for the rest of the weekend we will be washing clothes and packing b/c we leave on the 22 (night) with Stephen and Kristi (yes it will be tight) to North Carolina and Viginia to visit our families!!
We cant wait to see you guys and finally meet you Genevive!
We will come home on the 28th and start decorating for Christmas!!
Have a wonderful holiday season

To my sweet baby boy....

Madden celebrated his 2nd birthday on October 31, 2010.

I honestly cant belive you are alreay two years old. I remember the day we found out we were pregnant, the doctors appointment when they told us we were having a boy, and the day you were born.





Your first year was rough but nothing we couldnt handle.

And your second year was filled with so many interesting and big events!

We started building and moved into our new house.

Mommy got a new job.

You moved from a crib to a big boy bed

You made a new friend (Payton) and absolutley loves spending time with her. Yall fight and share, hit and hug, laugh and cry...her mom and I are in trouble!

The best part of my day is when I think about picking you up from school or coming into the house and you hop out of daddy's lap and welcome me with a big madden hug!

I love watching you growup, experiencing new things, you learn a new word or see a new toy and all the excitement you share. You amaze and inspire me.

And just between us, since you are the first child I am sure your dad and I will make tons of mistakes, but we will grow from them. I'm sure nothing will seem fair but we will give you all the love you can ever imagine. We will do what we feel is right, at the time, and go from there. Take the "going to bed situation" you did not like us i am sure for a while but we made it and now it is an awesome experience that we all share every evening!

Madden, (what) your second year has been amazing and I am so glad I get to be your mommy (and I am sure you dad feels the same way because I see the way he lights up when you talk to him) and I cant wait for many more years!