Historic Fourth Ward Park

Last weekend we didn’t have any plans and we took full advantage of it. The Jones' came over last minute Friday night to grill out and it was great to catch up with them.

On Saturday morning we headed to Fourth Ward Park in downtown Atlanta. The park is very similar to an obstacle course and their is a splash pad that opens May 1st! We can't wait to pack a picnic and head back downtown. After burning our energy we went to VA highlands and had lunch. After lunch, we stopped at another park and played. It was fun to be in the city and it couldn't have been a more perfect day (if we had planned it; i'm sure it wouldn't have tunred out so great).

Sunday, we had Thompsons' class at church and then our Community group that evening. Our group is reading The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller. It is a great book and we are enjoying getting to know our church family! Lay-Lay and Andy watched the boys during CG.  After Community Group William and I went and saw The Hunger Games.

This weekend has been very low-key. Friday, the boys and I stayed home all day getting over our colds and Daddy flew back from his business trip in Chicago. Saturday, I finally used the massage that my friends gave me at my "Sprinkle Shower" for Jonathan. Then, Lacey treated me to a pedicure. It was a pampering day! We grilled out at the Dyer's last night and the food and company was fantastic.

The swing was awesome:

Easter Lesson

We tried to teach Thompson (and Jonathan) the true meaning of Easter by reading the bible. We use these two bibles: Jesus Storybook Bible & The Beginners Bible (a gift from Auntie). This past Sunday, William and I had his sunday school class. Thompson ran into Sunday school and said to his friend, "Hampton, Jesus is Alive!" It is neat to hear Thompson say these things and we hope both our boys can grasp that Jesus is real and alive! Happy Easter!!!

 The best picture I got of them:

Most of them were like this (it was the end of a long day)

For their Easter baskets I used non-sugar Easter items that I purchased last year on sale. It was awesome because I didn't have to even think about Easter baskets. Thompson got some little Thomas trains and Playdough. Jonathan got some toys. This year, I missed the good sale and when I went to the stores only candy was left. So, next year I will have to get creative.

  We gave them their baskets at the end of the day and TWM is closing his eyes waiting for it:

Easter Lunch 2012

This Easter was incredibly special because Laura and Richard hosted us for lunch. We had a wonderful time and words can't express how much they mean to us. It was a great meal with my fantastic family!

Thompson had figured out a new system after his two previous egg hunts. For the family egg hunt he went to each egg and opened it up and ate the candy. Thompson wanted to make sure he ate ALL the candy.  Thankfully, some of the eggs had toys instead of candy. :)

JRM found the candy too while we were picking up lunch! This was his easter outfit but I brought a back-up. :)

I love each of these amazing Ladies

 You can see how much Aunt "Law-ra" means to Thompson. 

I love my precious Uncle:

Stone Mountain

Thompson loves his Aunt Lay-Lay; one of the many reasons is because she is great about making memories with him. Lacey took us and my cousins,  Sara and Matt to Stone Mountain. It was a wonderful way to spend Good Friday; William had off from work so he came too! Thompson loved the obstacle course and Lacey was super sweet and let the kids do what they wanted. Thank you, Aunt Lacey for another fantastic memory and for being a terrific Aunt, great-aunt and friend. We love you and Andy too! :)

 

 

 

 

  

He wanted to get into the water the entire day:

Jonathan had fun "taking it all in"

Easter Egg Hunt

Thompson had an Easter egg hunt in Vinings. The bunny came and read stories and then the kids hunted the eggs.  Daddy even took off a little early from work to be a part of the hunting! We had a family dinner at La Paz! We had a great family day!

I love him

And I love him!  

"The Bunny" 

 

TWM started in the 3 and under section and soon realized He was too advanced for it.

 

 He's serious about hunting Eggs!

 

Brotherly Love

   On Friday night, William and I went to a Mark Miller concert at a fellow church member’s home (Thanks Auntie for babysitting).  It was fantastic and we bought the CD!! We listened to Grace upon Grace the entire way back from Sylvester. I have been jamming out to it since!

Monday morning in the car, Thompson started singing part of Jesus Paid It All. “Praise the One, who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead.” Then, Thompson turned to Jonathan and said, "Jon-a-Fin,  Jesus died on the cross for your sins.”

It was one of the sweetest moments I’ve witnessed! Yes, we've told Thompson that many times. Sometimes we tell him when we are playing and sometimes when he is disobeying and we try to explain sin. But, it was precious how Thompon shared the Good News.

 One of our prayers is that, our boys would know Jesus, share Jesus, and become dear friends.  This moment was a reminder of Psalm 127:3 “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”

My sweet boys, I’m blessed to be your Mom! Thank you for reminding me that Jesus died on the cross for our sins! Tullian Tchividjian (who inspired the Mark Miller CD)  says, “ Jesus + Nothing = Everything.”

Picture Post

March has been packed full of fun activites!

Jonathan's first haircut in Rome, GA

Rhonda gave William and Thompson

their first haircut too!

Naval Retirement Party

Lake Allatoona 

 

Atlanta Zoo

(Daddy had Navy duty) 

 

 

 

Cascio Visit

In February, the Cascios came for a visit! Jay and Kristi are the boys God-parents and their family is so dear to us. They also have adopted our dog, Chapel (now their dog). We love them a ton. Kristi drove Lilly and her friends down for her birthday to go the American Girl Cafe'. I was able to join them and it was so much fun! Lilly is so sweet and Thompson just adores being around his "God-cousin"

Later in the month, Sadie came down for a couple days and stayed with us during her winter break. We went to the aquarium, Children's Museum and many parks! We had a blast with Sadie and I really miss my "helper" and Thompson misses his friend! She was great with Jonathan!

Christmas Eve

We spent Friday and Christmas eve with the Monks. The adults had burgers on Friday (after the boys went to sleep )and then William, Mary Beth and I headed downtown Rome. Christmas-Eve morning, Thompson decided to wake Mommy and Daddy up at 4:30am asking for Granmom and Granddaddy and Auntie & their dogs. So, we cuddled and watched a movie to let everyone else sleep to a "normal" time. We had breakfast and opened presents. Thompson loved his car rug, cars 2, dinosaurs and Jonathan loved his ornament and cars!

The adults enjoyed a Christmas Eve lunch (while boys rested) that Granmom made and it was wonderful. We all dressed up for Church. The boys made it halfway through church and then Granddaddy took them for a walk.  The candle light service was lovely. We enjoyed spending Christmas eve in their new home!

Granmom and her boys

 Granddady and us

Auntie and J-man 

TWM playing with his gifts 

Thompson "loving" his brother