Christmas Memories

We were very blessed to be able to spend time with both of our families this Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve and morning at our house and spent time with Darrell's family. We headed to Nashville the day after Christmas to see my family. I have included several collages from all of our time this holiday season.

( Nanny & Daddy making breakfast on Christmas morning)

Nanny came to our house Christmas Eve and let Logan and Brooks open their gifts from her. Logan got and outfit and a Cars computer (you know he did ask Santa for his own computer). Brooks got an outfit and a Leap Frog counting caterpillar. She came over again on Christmas morning and we had breakfast.

These pictures are from the boys opening their gifts and the pure excitement from Logan when he opened his firetruck from Lisa, a lady I work with. You can see how excited Logan was while Daddy was opening the special gifts from him that he had picked out himself. He was so proud!! You may also notice that he had his arm completely to the bottom of his stocking as if to say "is this all that's in here?" Brooks had a magnificent first Christmas. He got some nice gifts from Santa but all he really cared about were the bows and paper and watching his crazy brother. He would be entertained all day by that. Daddy has started another tradition with the boys. He wants to get each of them a set of baseball cards each year.

Here are a few family photos while at our house on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.

These are pictures from our time in Nashville. We stayed at my sister's house and we had such a great time. My mom (Meme) came over and we were able to have brunch and go see the movie, Marley and Me. Logan also went to spend the night with Meme. He loves going there because of her horses and dog. He takes his "outside clothes and shoes" so it doesn't matter how dirty he might get. We also met my Dad and had lunch with him on the way in. It was nice to get to see him as well. I love these pictures taken while we were there and sure do miss them all so much. I enjoy and cherish the time we get to spend together. It's just never long enough.



One person was truly missed this Christmas. It was not the same without PaPaw Gary. We were sad without him but truly, he was having the best Christmas of all in heaven.

I will cherish the memories from Christmas 2008, thanks to all my family, friends, and loved ones. I will store them in my memory bank forever.

Preparing for Santa

Logan enjoyed making cookies for Santa. It was a necessity to have chocolate and white milk as well as carrots for his reindeer. The picture of him with the goodies was without a smile because he said he was too tired to smile.

This letter was of course written by me but were all things that were going through Logan's little mind. I wrote word for word what he said. The sentence about thank you for daddy's truck was in hopes that Daddy would get a truck for Christmas because he knows how much daddy wants one and he asked for one for him while sitting on Santa's lap at the mall. It was so cute that he would think of him. For laughs, he also told Santa he wanted his own kitchen, office, and computer. Santa just chuckled.

Last but not least, the boys down for the night. Logan was so excited at bedtime. I looked out the window and told him that I saw Santa and that he was probably waiting to come in our house but he was not in bed yet. I have never seen him get ready for bed so fast. His heart was racing and his hands were shaking with excitement while he was rushing to get his teeth brushed. The excitement of children makes it so much fun!!

Ready & Waiting for Santa

They boys are ready for Santa to visit their house tonight. Logan has run around here like a wild man all day today. I think he might have a little cabin fever on top of all the excitement because we have stayed at home all day today. It has been real nice to be lazy and not have anywhere you have to be. All of the presents are wrapped and driving Logan crazy because he wants to open all of them right now. I'll be surprised if he sleeps at all tonight. I hope that everyone is having a blessed Christmas and enjoying time with loved ones. Merry Christmas all!!!

Wrapped with Love

I took Logan to the Dollar Tree to let him do a little Christmas shopping of his own. He wanted to get Daddy and Brooks some gifts. He was SOOO proud of his purchases. He kept wanting to get things for himself and tried to teach him that when you are shopping for others you don't buy for yourself. It was a good teaching moment. He then came home and wrapped all of them by himself. He did a pretty good job with a few pointers from me. Now it will be a miracle if he doesn't end up telling Daddy what he got for him.
As a footnote, he wanted this elf hat to be like Alex. He ran to where he was in the house to show him his hat.

Supporting the Home Team

Darrell and I always loved going to Titans' games when we lived in Nashville. It is such a neat game atmosphere. We froze our butts off at several games but nothing that a big, warm jacket, the thickest socks you owned, and hot chocolate wouldn't fix. Our tradition was to go to the game and go eat at Logan's Roadhouse by the fireplace afterwards to thaw out. Darrell wouldn't let me go to anymore games after I was almost due to deliver Logan because I jumped around so much and got so excited. He was afraid I would go into labor right there at the game. Sure is a fun memory.

Brooks had to wear his Titans PJ's last night in honor of their big win yesterday. I guess we'll have to settle for the best seats in the house....right on our comfy couch. Go Titans!!!

Looks Like Bribery to Me

I wish we had started with Alex, aka the Elf on the Shelf, a long time ago. Logan believes he has his eye on him at all times. We saw him putting this $1 bill beside him yesterday. We asked him if he thought that might change what he reports to Santa and he just smiled. Logan was leaving last night to go spend the night with Nanny and he walked over to Alex and told him that he loved him and asked him if he wanted a knuckle sandwich, the whole time shaking his fist in his face. He was also pondering where he thought Alex might land overnight while he was gone. It makes me laugh and adds a little more fun to this season. I recommend this to anyone with children.

Better Late than Never

Darrell and I had been wanting to get this started as a tradition with our family but I figured this year was almost over so why start now. I went in a place called Cardsmart to mail a package and they had them 50% off!!! I was so excited. I got their last one (it was meant to be).

If you know anything about these, you read the story book that accompanies the elf and it explains why he has come to your house and that you must name him for him to continue his time with you. Logan wanted to name him Logan but after much contemplation, he settled on Alex. Alex will report to Santa every night as well as move to a different location of the house after returning from his trip to see Santa. Logan seems to be excited about his new friend. He already knows that I have Santa on speed dial and now I have Alex as an assistant to help me out. Darrell and I just have to remember to move him to a different spot each night.

I think that the Elf on the Shelf will be a fun tradition for Logan and Brooks and maybe one that they can carry on with their children.

Guess who is 1/2 year old?

I cannot believe that six months ago I was giving birth to this sweet little boy. He has blessed our life beyond measure and has completed our little family. He has grown and changed so much over the past six months. I wish I could just bottle up time and save it to look back upon at any time. I can still see Logan when he was this age but it seems so long ago.

Brooks' favorite things are his brother, Salem (the cat), his exersaucer, using his new found voice, laughing, the list could go on and on. I cannot wait to watch him grow. We thank God every day for a healthy little boy and choosing us to be his parents.
Included is a picture of Brooks trying out carrots for the first time. He was not to sure of them. I am hopeful that he will be a good eater like his big brother Logan. There was not a baby food that he ever refused. I should take that back. He did not like the meats but who would after the way that they smell. I am sure that are not too tasty. He has a few more days of carrots then we will move on to sweet potatoes!!

Best Buddies

As I've said before, Logan and Brooks are always so glad to see one another in the morning. It doesn't matter how sleepy Logan might be, he always stumbles in to give Brooks a big good morning kiss. Brooks gets so excited when he sees him coming. They are just so sweet together and I love being their mommy.

We're Back

Sorry for the long break in posting, but as you can imagine, life has been a little hectic. It seems longer than two weeks since I posted last. I guess it's because I've been busy and time flies. We are trying to get ready for Christmas. We finally got our tree up on Monday. It is still without ornaments but I will hopefully get those on today. Logan's little tree is in his room. He has decorated and re-decorated it at least 5 times, singing Rudolph or Frosty the whole time. It is so sweet to watch children at Christmas time. The joy in their voices, the smiles on their faces, and the way they enjoy everything about this season does my heart good. Darrell and I as parents strive to teach our children the true meaning of Christmas. We want Logan and Brooks to know that it's not about how many presents you give or receive, it is about Jesus.

Well you can't really tell in these pictures, but both of my boys have been a little under the weather. Brooks has had a cough now for about two weeks. We took him to the doctor last Friday. They gave him an Albuterol breathing treatment and an oral medication, but the cough still lingers. Poor little fella sounds terrible when he coughs. Logan woke up this morning throwing up. I am so over these stomach bugs. I believe this is his 3rd one. I wonder how many different ones there are out there? I had the whole sinus/cold/cough deal right after Gary's funeral and the cough lingers with me as well. I believe I got sick because I got so run down in the weeks prior to his passing. Oh well, we will all be better soon. This is the time of year for sickness.

We appreciate everyone's prayers, kind words, cards, etc after the passing of Darrell's dad. We are all doing OK....taking it one day at a time. I promise to be a better blogger. I think everyone understands how busy life has been lately. I have kept up with all of my favorite blogs. Even though I may not comment on every post, I really enjoy reading about everyone's lives and families. I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season.

Heaven has a New Angel

Today around 500pm, heaven received it's newest angel. Gary Darrell Poteet Sr. , aka PaPaw Gary, completed his journey home. He fought hard since his diagnosis over 2 years ago. He wanted his family and friends to be at his house for Thanksgiving and he got his wish. He was surrounded by those he loved and it was so peaceful. We are all going to miss him so much but he is in a better place. He is no longer sick....he is whole again!!!

When Logan found out that I was going to PaPaw's house today, he sent one of his favorite stuffed animals that he had kissed and hugged and wanted him to have it. Logan's little dinosaur spent the day tucked under PaPaw's arm. I guess that was his little way of sending his love to PaPaw and letting him know that he was there.

Please continue to pray for our family. The days ahead will be some of the hardest as we go over arrangements and begin to clean and go through the things in his house. We are so happy for PaPaw. He is in a place that many of us long to be someday. It's hard for the ones left behind but we know we will meet again one day.

Early Tree Trimming

As many of you know, Darrell's dad is very ill with pancreatic cancer. When asked what has kept him fighting, he will quickly answer "the grandchildren". So, while Darrell was blowing leaves at his house today, the grandkids helped put up his Christmas tree. They worked so hard putting the ornaments in their selected places and were so proud of their work. Thanksgiving will be celebrated at PaPaw's house, so everyone was trying to decorate and clean up. I think that he enjoyed the hustle and bustle around his house, although at times, it got a little crazy.

Included are some pictures of PaPaw with the grandkids and Darrell. Please be in prayer for our family as we go through the days ahead. Also, pray for comfort for Gary and our family....the kind of comfort and peace that only God can give.

Scrub a Dub Dub

These are a few pictures that Aunt Holly took while she was here for a visit over the weekend. I thought they were too cute not to share.

Brooks loves his bath. If he is fussy at the end of a long day, just put him in the tub and it is all okay. He also loves to chew on his rubber duck and washcloth...anything he can get in his mouth. I can't wait until he can sit unassisted so he can play with lots of toys in the tub!!

Our Little Turkey

I had to show off the cute Thanksgiving outfit that I found for Brooks. I think it is too cute. He's the fattest little butterball turkey around. Too bad he won't get any of the good food this year but next year he will be all over it, I'm sure. Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.

Time with Family

My sister, Holly, and her daughter, Caroline, were here for a weekend visit and for Logan's birthday party. It was so great to have them here. Logan and Caroline played together and he enjoyed her company so much. Brooks got more than enough lovin' from Aunt Holly to last him until we can be together again. I love it so much when they are here and hate it SOOO bad when they leave. The time goes by too fast. I miss them before they are even out of the driveway. We loved having you guys here. Please come back soon. We miss you!!!

Nature Birthday Party

We had Logan's birthday party at Ijam's Nature Center over the weekend. It was a neat place to have a party. It was educational and fun at the same time. The educator had several animals (bullfrog, snake, and owl) to show the children. They all seemed to be interested in what she had to say and had good questions. They also got to go on a nature walk. I wasn't sure if they were going to be able to do that because of the weather, but they had rain ponchos for all of the kids. She showed them different trees, pulled back a log to look at the bugs underneath, and had the kids smell scents (lavender, mint, etc.) in their scent garden. We then had a hour to eat pizza, cake and ice cream, and open presents. Logan was exhausted afterwards. He slept the whole way home and took a nap later that day. Nothing like a good time with friends and family to wear you out. Thanks to everyone who came to share in Logan's special day.

Logan's First 5 Years

When thinking back on Logan's first 5 years and looking at these pictures, he has had such a full life thus far. When making these two collages, I only have a few years worth of pictures on my computer. The others are on a disk so you get a compilation of the last few years. You can tell by looking at just these pictures how much he has grown. Enjoy these pictures but make sure you read the next post. I did it backwards. I should have done this post after the next one. Oh well, enjoy.

My "Little" Boy is 5

It's hard for me to imagine that 5 years ago today I gave birth to one of the most special little boys.... a day that has changed my life forever. I can remember bringing Logan home from the hospital. Darrell and I were so proud but also so nervous. We were new at this whole parenting thing. Logan was the easiest baby to care for, and to this day, is still the best sleeper. He has grown into the most handsome young boy. He loves church, sports, cars, Animal Planet, the show "Dirty Jobs", being a big brother, and list goes on and on. I get emotional thinking about how much I love him and how much he has blessed my life thus far. I know that he will grow and change but one thing will remain the same and that is how much his Daddy and I love him. We look forward to many, many more years, birthdays, and milestones to celebrate with Logan. We love you little guy. Happy Birthday!!!

A Day of Firsts

As you can tell from the pictures, Brooks rolled over from his stomach to back for the first time today. I think he is really close to rolling the other way as well. After he did it the first time, he wanted to do it over and over again. We were there to cheer him on, so he thought it was great. At first we were thinking that he was doing it so well because he was on our bed but then I put him on his play mat, and he did it again. So it's the real deal!!

It seems like just yesterday that I was lying in Logan's bedroom floor in Nashville doing the cheering for him to turn over and now he's five. Man does time fly or what?? !!!