raider football cutie!

boys will be boys

eli loves to be naked and ride on anything with wheels. here he is enjoying the weather last night and singing about deer. can you see his pretend microphone?

Nana's birthday

This weekend we celebrated our sweet Nana's birthday. She has been such an inspiration in my life. She is very loving and caring and never wants to see anyone get their feelings hurt. I guess thats where I get it, Chris. Nana has always given out the best hugs. She has six granddaughters and two grandsons. She has taught her granddaughters how to be a true southern lady. She is so hospitable and refined. She dresses well and keeps a super clean home. And most of all, she loves Jesus and reflects His love on all she meets. She can make anyone feel welcome. I hope to be more like her one day. Here are a few pics from the day.

Nana's great grands. Ty, Ella, and Eli

Big bro, Little bro

Nana and Ty

Nana blowing out her candles.

big boys

this is a mommy reminder post...

ty...you have been growing up so fast. i can't believe you are going to be 3 months this week. you love to sit up and stand up, with help of course. you are very alert when you are awake and can sleep through just about anything when you are asleep. i thank your brother for this. he has trained you well since he doesn't allow your nap time be a peaceful quiet time like his once was. you even slept through the whole pep rally on friday...band, loud rap music, and all. oh yeah, and the whole first half of your first official raider game. you love to smile and coo and squeal. you love to play on your play yard. and you love to take walks in the jogging stroller with your brother. but you are also a hot box. you scream when you get just a little bit hot. you sweat a lot and get really mad in your carseat if the air isn't on full blast. i'm sure you will love fall. most people say you love like your granddad, boo. even his mommy, Nana says that. you are a chunk and love to eat. your favorite place to be is in someone's arms swinging or rocking or in your swing.

eli...in just a few short months you are going to be turning two. it feels like yesterday we were in the hospital getting ready to celebrate your birth. you are becoming such a sweet big boy. i love hearing you talk and sing through the house. sometimes i think you feel life is one big musical. you love to sing about deer and apple juice and playing randomly throughout the day. sometimes you even hold up your hand like a microphone (you get this from your daddy!) you are starting to sleep in a big boy bed and sometimes you do wonderfully. other times, you just want someone to be near. you have a small obsession with balls, trucks, and tractors. you like to play with your baseballs, footballs, and golf balls. you even like to watch these sports of tv and call out when you see them. you love to also call out when you see big trucks, fire trucks, or any truck that looks like boo's truck. i love to hear you yell "mama" or "daddy" when you are looking for us in the house. and it melts my heart when you sing Jesus loves you with daddy and me before bed. i am praying you come to love Jesus at an early age and let Him lead your life. you have such a sweet, energetic personality and i can't wait to see what you grow up to be like.

this is where i found eli sleeping the other night.

in other news...we had our first raider game of the season. we enjoyed tailgating before the game with this family, this family, and a few other friends who aren't a part of the blogging world. it was lots of fun letting the boys run wild and play before the start of the game. eli enjoyed the game though he didn't want to sit still in the stands. ty slept through the whole first half in nana cindy's arms. the second half was watched from the tailgate of our car in the end zone. mere and rob were there to help us cheer the raiders to victory!!! yes, thats right...we won the game! chris is very excited and we were too. we hope for many more friday nights with a w.

complacency...

last night Community Bible Study started for our Habersham class. it was much needed for me after a hard day on the homefront. lets just say it was a sleepless night followed by dueling criers most of the day...plus a swing with dead batteries and me purchasing the wrong kind at the store.

i truly can count on one finger how many times i've read my bible this summer and there really is no excuse. during the talk last night, something was said that hit me like a ton of bricks and pretty much ruined my life (in a good way, that is). the speaker, who just happens to be my mom...don't you love being corrected by your mom?, was talking about how she was finishing up her bible study in her den and began looking around at all the things in there she wanted to change: new chair, change out curtains, etc, etc and then it hit her--as people we are never content with what we have except in our spiritual walk! the Lord pierced my heart as she said that. that is so me. i am always in want of: new clothes, a better car, more time with my husband at home, a better phone, a meal out, anything on pinterest, etc and never once am i in need of a better relationship with my Maker, my Comforter, my Love. if i'm truly honest here, i think i've been living this way for the past 5 years. sure i've been in bible studies, small groups, and read the Word but i haven't been actively seeking out God the way i was taught and the way He commands of me in the Bible.

so i'm challenging myself to really study this year, really seek out a more authentic relationship with the Maker of the universe...not to just answer the questions in my study but to really know God and become more like Him. my prayer is to become a better follower of Jesus, better wife, better mother, better daughter, sister and friend. all for the sake of Jesus and knowing Him and making Him known to others. and i am clinging to His promise in Jeremiah 29, verse 13:

"you will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart."

all for these boys,
who are growing up way too fast and watching my every move,
and their daddy whom i love so much:

i challenge you as well to make knowing Jesus the thing you WANT most in life, more than things, status, relationships, or anything else. i know He won't let us down if we seek Him wholeheartedly.

love, april

date night

friday night chris and i went on a date for our last free friday night before fridays start consisting of tailgates, half time shows, and wins & losses. it wasn't anything super fancy but to me it was perfect. the attic and then a ride with the windows down and the radio up. it is great spending quality time alone with my hubby. here is a pic of our scenery while driving around. thank you chris for asking me out. :)

p.s. thanks for all the encouragement on our new sleeping arrangements. eli has been doing much better.

big boy bed: update II

so things were great for the first night and since then its not so well. chris finally rocked eli to sleep during nap time and laid him down in his bed. he slept for 1 hour when he usually sleeps for 3.

last night we put him down after his nightly routine and he stayed put. he did get up twice and cry from his door around 3 and 6. chris laid him down at 3 and he went back to sleep and then at 6, he just stayed in there and slept with him...i'm sure because he was exhausted.

we are praying for a break through. hopefully it will come soon.