Fun with my Cousins!

Sayer loves spending time with his older cousins. Now that he is older and much more aware of their presence, he loves to sit and watch them and play with them.

Lily absolutely loves Sayer. She is constantly wanting to give him hugs and kisses and wants to hold him. At this age, this little man doesn't sit still for long, so to get a picture of Sayer in Lily's lap (well kind of in her lap) was a miracle!!

William on the other hand, could take or leave Sayer at this age. I really think that as Sayer gets older they will play better together. I thought this picture of William looking at Sayer was hilarious!!

When the kiddos were little they used to love sitting on Ummie Mike's lap and bouncing like they were riding a horse. Sayer is finally getting to the age where Mike can start bouncing him. He loves it!

I'm Back...

I know... I know... I have been a real slacker on posting any new updates to the blog for about a month now. Truth be known, I have just been too busy between work and chasing a very, very active 10 month old around the house. By the time Sayer goes to bed of an evening I am wiped and blogging is the last thing that I want to do. So, this Sunday, while he is down for his morning nap I thought I would try to post some pictures / video that I've been collecting over the past month. I'll try not to be gone so long next time!!

Loading up the House...

Over the past month and a half Aunt Karen, Mom and I have been making weekend trips to Grandma and Grandpa's farm to go through the house in order to get things ready for an Estate Sale that we were to have had this past Friday and Saturday.

Three weekends ago we were meeting a couple from Mid-Missouri who were coming to the farm to pick up the tractor. While they were there they made an offer to buy everything in the house. We talked it over as a family and made the decision to sell everything.

This entire circumstance, we believe, was a blessing from above and definitely believe that my grandparents had a hand in it.

Following is an exchange between my mom and the woman who purchased all of my grandparents belongings.

"We are so glad you made it safely back home with your trailer so loaded. Karen and I had really dreaded the thought of the Estate Sale... having people walk through our folks home and seeing those belongings leave. I think God heard our distress and sent you to our rescue. We were able to lovingly wrap and box all of their belongings one last time. I know we were only around you folks a couple of days, but I knew in my heart that you were good people. Take care and God bless you abundantly."

"God is Good... and he did bring us together. We truly appreciate the care you took and knowing that will bring you much joy as you always remember what your parents meant to you. The way we serve our loved ones when they are gone is just as important as their last moments. They do live in you and Karen and you will continue to let them shine right down through your grandchildren. What a great legacy your family has going. Praise the Lord! If you are ever in this area, you are always welcome in our home."

Seeing the house that I spent so many hours of my life in empty was sad. No words can express what it feels like to see a chapter of your life close, but I have to remember that I will always have the memories. Thank you Grandpa and Grandma for providing such a loving, welcoming home for all of your friends and family. I know that many, many people have such wonderful memories of time spent there. I hope one day when I am gone that my family will feel the same about my home. We love you and miss you dearly.

Everything emptied from the house just waiting on the trailer to arrive.

The trailer loaded with everything except the contents from the garage and one dining table from the house. We could hardly believe that they were able to get everything on the trailer. Thanks to the packing abilities of Michael, Mike, Dad and Uncle Herb and Aunt Missy!

The empty house :-(

Crawling....

Sayer has been close to crawling for about a week now. He has been experimenting with a couple of moves forward at a time, but every time he belly flops to the ground. 

Well, today was the day that it "clicked" for him. When I picked him up from my mom's today she sat him at one end of the living room and I sat on the other end and he crawled all the way over to me. What an exciting moment!  I could hardly wait to share the news with Daddy, but I was able to wait until he got home so Sayer could surprise him! 

This weekend Daddy is going to be busy finishing up the baby proofing around the house. The door to the basement went back on tonight and he will finish up the cabinet and toilet locks this weekend. We'll also have to go purchase a couple of gates for the stairs! 

Sayer's spent the evening exploring. I know that he will be much happier now... and Mommy and Daddy will get less rest, but more exercise! That's a good thing! 

Big Boy Car Seat!

Last week Mike installed the "big boy" car seat into my car for Sayer. It is amazing what a difference this new seat makes to this little boy. He is so much happier looking out the window at the trees and the sky and the sights as we pass by. The only problem with the new seat it that it does not recline, therefore it makes it difficult for him to sleep. His head falls forward and wakes him up and makes him mad. I have ordered a neck roll for support and hopefully that will make all the difference. 

Happy Boy!

he began clapping this week!

First Injury...

Last Thursday I was driving home from work and Mike frantically called me asking where I was. I could tell by his voice that something wasn't right. So, as calmly as I could, I asked him what was going on and he said "Sayer got hurt!" My stomach dropped to my knees, but then I realized I could hear him crying in the background, so I knew he was not unconscious (which was a good sign). He then told me that Sayer had pulled one of his toys on top of himself and had a pretty big knot and bruise above his left eye.

This, I know, is the first of many battle wounds that this child and if it's just a knot and bruise we are lucky! And the toy... it got banished to the garage by Daddy. I had to convince him that he shouldn't throw it in the trash, because that's where he was headed with it!

can you see the bruise above Sayer's eye?