A Mother's Freak Out

SO-
Brody is such a sweet boy and it is so hard to believe how big he has gotten. He is completely good about going outside all by himself (we leave the screen door open) and going downstairs to the back yard and playing with Churchill. I will pop my head outside or look out the window every now and then to check on him, but I can usually hear him inbetween. SO, on one such occassion I went into the laundry room to check on the boy with Evan in my arms. Brody was apparently coming to check on me at the same time. So we happily met in the laundry room and exchanged a joyful smile and Brody decided he wanted to play outside some more. I said OK and off he went. WELL- as I was standing there looking at him and smiling at his cuteness he backed up and fell down the stairs. Now- I'm watching all of this and those stairs are concrete and they are a full story high. So, I run back inside and drop off the baby and screaming I run back out and check on Brody. He's crying profusely and I'm shaking it was so scary. But, praise the Lord He is fine. He rolled down a few stairs and then off the side onto the pinestraw and fortunately that was enough cushion for him to be absolutely fine. I'm pretty sure I will attribute that to the Lord sending guardian angels to keep him safe. THANK YOU LORD. I don't know if my heart can take this whole mothering a tough little boy that get's hurt. Please God give me strength. I was more upset than Brody! man-that was scary.

Evan's Baptism and 60th Anniversary Celebration!

Grand-Mayme and Grand-Daddy Earle celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary over the weekend. It was so wonderful to see all the people who came out to celebrate with them. Also exciting was that they weren't the only couple present that had been married at least 60 years! There were at least 3 other couples. :) This picture is only the Joe Tyler family.... there were LOT's of other Tylers present! Here is the John Tyler family. :) Brody was so funny at the party. The food tables were sitting right at his level and he just helped himself. I'm pretty sure that not a single person got away with food that hadn't been at least poked by him.

Evan had his big day on Sunday. The church hired a photographer and fortunately (by the grace of God) we made it on time for the 8:30 service and got our pictures taken.

Our small group that meets on Thursdays had three boys getting baptized together. Evan, Bradford and Bradford were born within a month of each other. We are so blessed to have gotten connected right away with these friends.

Evan, we are so excited to see how you grow up. God has His hand on you. You have an amazing Christian heritage from your family on all sides and to whom much is given, much is required. I pray that God fills you with His Spirit and that you never know a day without His presence in your life. We love you so much.

Psalm 103:17,18

"From everlasting to everlasting

the Lord's love is with those who fear Him

and His righteousness with their children's children-

with those who keep his covenant "

and remember to obey his precepts

Latest Happenings

It is hard to believe that we've been blessed with such good friends since we've moved back to Columbia. Not only that, but they have babies too! How fun that we'll get to watch them all grow together (hopefully forever in Columbia, but at least for the next couple of years...)

So, what would your guess be as to how far apart these babies all are in age? Are you guessing based on size? Well-these babies are all within 1 month of each other. Bradford Peace (far right) was born on January 20th, Bradford Smith (far left) was born on February 5th and Evan was (as you should know) born on February 20th. I'm sorry to say but Evan-you are a squirt. :) and we love you! These three are all getting baptized on the same day at the same service. Just look at these dudes-they are sharing a moment for sure.

Miss Megan's mom got Brody another cookie cake which he ate gladly. She had written on it "Big brother Brody" and Miss Megan told him he was recieving this cake for being such a good one. He has been a good big brother. We are proud of him. Thanks Miss Megan for delivering the goods!

Brother time... Brody loves to hold Evan. He does however make Evan a little nervous (with good reasons) as you can see in this picture. :)

It is so sweet to see them interacting already! I can't wait to see them grow and love each other over the years. Thank you Lord for our sons!

On a very important side note-Brody has learned how to wink. So with this final picture we'll say "Adeu". Or maybe I should say "yarggghhh. Ahoyy mateee."

We love the Smiths

Last night the Smith fam brought over dinner and stayed for some great fellowship. Here are a few highlights:
Bradford and Evan are only two weeks apart and are sooooo cute together! Jamie and I discovered that they had matching outfits by fluke. We were out recently and showed up with them in these onesies. So, of course we had to take pictures of them together in their outfits.

It's a little hard to sit up straight... I'm not sure what Bradford is telling Evan in this picture, but I'm sure it was hilarious.

OK- I just thought this was a funny picture. :)

We're going to put this picture in the slideshow at their rehearsal dinner.

Here big brother and big sister hold and/or smother their little bro's.

Thanks for your friendship guys. We look forward to many more fun dinners together (especially if you're cooking!) ha!

Thank you, Hope!!!

Check out this awesome sweater-vest that my friend Hope Eifert just sent for Evan! Isn't that cute? She's making a matching one for her soon to be born son so that in the winter time when they drive through Columbia we can have a really cute photo opp with our two boys. Maybe I can whip up something for Brody boy and we'll have three adorable boys in the picture. :) Thanks Hope! You did a great job.

More Visitors

Evan has had the priviledge once again to meet a great aunt, great uncle and some first cousins once removed. :) This boy is so blessed with family that loves him. Geordie and Debbie with Stewart and Katie and Grandma Dot came by at the perfect time of day. Evan had just finished eating and was wide awake... still sort of a rare thing around here. :) Here he gives Stewart some smiles. I think he likes him.

This is what Brody does when no one is watching. He is constantly sneaking over to talk to and love up on the baby. It is super sweet, but you got to keep an eye on him cause Brody will put all his weight on Evan in order to lean in and kiss him.

This is what Brody does when he knows your watching him...

More later! These moments at the computer are few and far between, so I have to take advantage of them!

Recent conversations with Brody

[Brody] Where you going, Daddy?

[me] I’m going to work.

[Brody] You got your coffee and your diaper bag.

[me] Haha, it’s actually a brief case, not a diaper bag.

[Brody] You got your coffee and your beef case diaper bag.

[me] Yep.

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[me] Were you a good boy today?

[Brody] Yes!

[me] Were you nice to your little brother?

[Brody] I hope so.

[me] I hope so too, bud.

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[me] Brody Boy, do you like having a little brother?

[Brody] (silence)

[me] Let me ask this way: do you like your little brother?

[Brody] YES!... (pause) ... Daddy, where you get him from?

[me] (silence) … God gave him to us.