Life at the Beach

Someone that I am really close to has asked me several times this past month, "Why don't we live at the beach?", and my honest reply is "I don't know."  We were blessed to get to go to the beach this past spring break with Brandon's parents and my sister.  I just love being there.  It is so much more that just a vacation from the daily routine, but it is where I feel closest to God.  Just stand in the sand and watch the ocean.  You will see the mighty power in the waves, yet feel the calmness that surrounds you.  This is just how I see God.  I know a God with mighty power who is able to do everything, yet an extreme amount of calmness and gentleness as He molds his people to look more like Him.  Then, walk along the shore and look at all the sea shells.  Each one has such different characteristics yet are so beautiful.  This is how I see God's people.  Each one of us looks differently. We all have unique characteristics, but all are so beautiful and have a purpose.  So, why don't we live there and get to see God's beauty every day?  I don't know.  Maybe someday.

The view from our window.  Only steps away from the white, sandy beaches of Perdido Key, FL.

Day 1: Carson digging in the sand.

Sweet KK soaking up the sun!

Pop and Carson getting more water to build the sand castle.

Carson showing off his skills at LuLu's.  Not too bad for a two-year-old.

I am not sure exactly what he would do without his KK!

 Sweet Little Boy

 Carson visiting the Naval Museum for the first time!  Thanks Mimi!

Anything scary about this picture?

 Carson riding the train at Lambert's.  Oh, if only I could have one more roll with apple butter!  Yum!

Thanks Mimi and Pop for blessing us with such a great time!  We love you!

Oh, did I mention that we visited the Duck Commander headquarters in Monroe, LA!  So funny!  This is Jep and his wife in the truck:)

It's a Process

I always love what Carson has planned to say to me when he wakes up from a nap.  For a few weeks, he would consistently wake up and ask, "Whatcha been doing?".  For a few days in a row, I told him that I had been painting so he got to where he would wake up and say, "Been painting?"  Well, it has been several weeks now since I have been painting during nap time because we have had so much going on, but honestly I love the days when I get to paint.  I have this love to find hidden treasures and so does my husband.  So whether it is at a garage sale, a flea market, or something from our grandparent's house, it is always exciting to find the least wanted piece of furniture and get to work.  Generally, when we bring something home, I don't know exactly what it will look like when I finish.  In fact, it usually isn't until the very end of the project when I truly see what the piece will look like.  Unfortunately, I always forget to take pictures of the before so really only Brandon can truly appreciate the piece when it has been transformed and redeemed from the ugliness of its old life.  For me, this transformation process is a way that I can tangibly grasp what God is doing to me.  There are many times in my life when I have felt like the least valuable object in the room, yet God takes me anyway and sands away my imperfections so that His original creation can be restored. Carson, there are going to be many days throughout your life that you will wonder what God has planned for you next, but my greatest prayer is that he will work in your life and continue to refine you, sand you, until you become closer and closer to His reflection.  God will never leave you alone in an empty room.  He chose you to be His and that is what makes you special.  Thank you for teaching me more and more about God's love each day.  It brings joy to mine and your dad's heart to hear you sing of God's love, to hear you say His word, and to watch how you at two-years-old share God's love with others.  We love you!

You will always be my inquisitive little boy.  You are constantly asking questions and seeking to find answers.

Carson and Grandy feeding the ducks.  Grandy is trying to get Carson to throw it just a little further.

Sweet Nannie and Carson watching the ducks.

You have grown up so much these last few months.  You want to go down the biggest slides all by yourself.  "I can do it...I can do it."

Last weekend, Brandon's family got together in support of Aunt Donna to walk and raise awareness for MS.  Here Aunt Donna and Cousin JD tried to lead the crowd but it appears that they were headed in the wrong direction!  After many turns, our family got together as one. 

 Here Carson is all snuggled up with Grandmother.  It was quite a pleasant ride until the tires started slowly going down...down...down.

The bright blue shirts with orange writing are those from our family.  It is hard to tell who is who due to the amount of layers that each of us was wearing.  It was cold to say the least and a long 3-mile walk but at the finish line everyone was full of smiles.  Donna, we love you and are praying for you!

So Much More...

Carson,
The past two years of your life, I have shared you with my friends and our family through this blog.  But as your mom, who loves you so much, I want you to know more.  Hopefully these aren't words that someday you will just read, but hopefully, you will read them and be able to say "that was who my mom was".  So these next years of life or as long as God keeps me on this Earth, these words are for you.  I want you to see my heart as I journey to a closer relationship with God, my Father.

A few days ago, I was listening to the radio when the song, "Imagine" started playing.  The lyrics of the song start with..."Imagine there's no Heaven".  While I am sure that there are many meanings to the song, I couldn't get the first lines out of my head.  You see "if there was no Heaven", there would be no God and that is beyond my imagination.  I want you to always be aware of God's presence in your life.  So many times in our life, we wait until we are in desperate need of God to seek Him. However, that is not how God intended it to be.  He wants a relationship with his children all of the time.  So some things that I do to remind myself daily of His presence is to start my day talking to Him, ask Him to lead me to people who need Him, go on walks and enjoy all of the things that He created, read His word, and spend time with people who are committed to Him.  While I am far from perfect at this, I can't tell you how different my life is when I am truly living for Him and not my own selfish desires. 

I love you,
Mama

*I hardly have any pictures of you this month!  Shame on me.  The ones on my phone won't download clearly. 

Christmas with the Thurmon's

After opening presents and eating yummy cinnamon rolls, we hopped in the car and jetted to my hometown to celebrate with my side of the family!  We tried to beat the weather, but we ended up driving through most of it.  After lots of rain, we began seeing snowflakes.  Unfortunately my camera couldn't pick up how pretty it was from the car window!  Little did we know that we would be driving far enough west to miss most of the snow and that we would get it all at our house!  After arriving, we met up with all of our cousins for a time of fellowship, yummy food, and lots of laughs!

Logan and Carson

Opening presents with cousins

Let the games begin!!!!!  Think the younger girls won this one!

Shake it up baby!  We will just call it a tie!

This chick has some skill!  Think she has been practicing!

Go, mom, go!!!!!

Time to go to sleep!

"Good morning, Grandy!"

"Here's a bow for you, Uncle J!"

A present for Daddy

 

 "Grandy, you better not know what this is!"

"Stocking TIME!"

"Merry Christmas, everyone!"

Christmas Morning

We just couldn't wait for Christmas morning, and it appeared that Carson couldn't either!  He woke up about an hour earlier than normal.  So...instead of the cameras all ready, Carson joined mommy and daddy in bed until he just couldn't wait any longer!  This Christmas season has brought our family so much joy.  From singing Christmas songs, to looking at incredible light displays, to seeing Santa, to watching the puppeteer sing "Donde esta Santa Claus", to lighting the tree, to making smores, to putting up ornaments, to making ornaments, to wrapping gifts, to eating Christmas cookies and most importantly, sharing God's love with so many people, I am sad that it is coming to an end.  However, these sweet pictures and memories, we will treasure forever!

Well, it didn't matter how many times he was asked, EVERYTIME Carson told us that Santa was bringing him apples, bananas, pears, and breakfast bars.  Guess what?  He was exactly right!  Santa didn't forget one thing, and he added a Radio Flyer wheelbarrow.

Carson choosing the next present to be opened!

Guess which one he chose?  The Big one!  Just look at that grin!

Carson sporting his new goggles to wear while blowing the leaves with his new blower! Vroom Vroom!

Daddy's gift to C was puppets!  If you really know my husband, he loves these things.  It takes him back to hours of planning scripts with his friend, Terry Dye, for VBS.  Oh, what fun!  Carson's new puppets are Wally (the dog) and Tim Turtle.

Merry Christmas Brandon and C!  I can't imagine spending this day without the both of you!  Love you!!

Christmas with the Thomas'

This past weekend, we were able to spend Christmas time with Brandon's Grandmother and Grandma.  Carson loved looking at all of their pretty things.  From Grandmother's Christmas house display to all of Grandma's pictures and nick nacks, Carson couldn't help but touch and explore each and every one.

                               Grandmother and Carson opening up a special Christmas gift!

Grandmother, Carson, and Daddy

Grandma and Carson opening presents.

Grandma reading Carson a book.

On Christmas Eve, we spent time with the Thomas' at their house.  By this time, Carson had figured out exactly what opening presents meant.  Here he is showing off one of Mimi's reindeer that he loves to play with.

The first present was super cool (Thanks Danny and Donna!) but proved to be a challenge in putting together!  Here Pop, Colton, and Carson (and later Daddy) took the challenge!

Mimi and Carson

Well, we saved the "big one" for last.  Carson had asked over and over if he could open it, but by the time we go to it, he had lost interest.  Since then, Pop has put together the gift, which was a new table/easel, and Carson loves it!

Colton teaching Carson "Hook 'em" Horns!