For Now

Well, we are saying "goodbye" for now! We are leaving today around noon to drive (14-15 hours so please say a little prayer if you think about us) down to Louisiana for Thanksgiving. We will spend the rest of the week with Edmond's family. Edmond will fly back later in the week to finish things here. He has 4 more fly days left and then he will be DONE! He will take care of everything else. I really feel bad that I won't be here to help him, but I also know how much I stress about these kinds of things and he is one of the most laid back people I know (other than my brother), so maybe it's for the best!

Riley and I will spend the next month to month and a half in Louisiana with my family. We were told last week that Edmond had another school (not a fun one at all) to attend for 2 weeks after the holidays. If that happens, then we won't head to Hawaii until later in January. Either way, we will have lots of family time and are grateful for that. I am very sad about being away from Edmond for a few weeks. I just hate it, but we know this is best for us right now. We didn't want to put Riley through any more traveling than what's necessary. He doesn't love (or even like really) riding in the car. So....this trip should be interesting!

I hope to write some while home, but not sure how much time I will have. I will definitely write before the move and just keep you posted on our whereabouts!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Riley sitting in his favorite position....ankles crossed!!!

Happy Birthday From Your Boys!

Karla is usually, well always, the one to do the posts here, but I thought I would do this one. I had to wait until she went to bed so that I could write this post. I wanted to take a moment to tell whoever reads this a few reasons why I love my wife so much.

Since the day we met I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I fell in love with Karla the moment I saw her (even though she says that is impossible). My love for her has only grown since then. Karla is the most selfless person I have ever met. She puts her husband, her son, and the rest of her family and friends before herself. Her love for the Lord amazes me every day and makes me desire a closer walk with him. Her ability as a parent makes me a better parent. Her patience with Riley, and me, seems impossible. I do not know how she does what she does every day.

Karla has shown me courage and confidence as we get closer to our next step in life. When I start wondering how we are going to do it, I just look at her and am reminded that the Lord has every step already figured out. I am so proud to be able to call her my wife. I am so blessed to be able to share in this day with her. I love my wife.

Happy Birthday Karla.

Helicopters Helicopters Everywhere!

When we first found out Riley was going to be a boy, we all ("we" as in me and my mom) went crazy buying airplane clothes and such. We didn't know at the time that Edmond would be flying helicopters, but even when we found out, I still didn't think anything about buying Riley airplane "stuff". Well, at Edmond's winging, one of his fellow student pilots came up to us (Riley was wearing a precious airplane onesie I found at an etsy shop) and said, "Oh, that shirt would be perfect if it was a helicopter!" So...I realized at that point, that I needed to step up my game and be on the look-out for helicopter "stuff"! I really had no idea there would be so much, but here are a few things we have found so far!! In the clothes department, we've mostly just been able to find pajamas, but many days, we stay in our pjs most of the day anyway, so that is ok!!

I'm not sure what he was doing here!

Most of these have been gifts....I can't take any credit!

Here is a short video of Riley doing one of his new favorite things...going through my purse! Please turn the volume very low because I really dislike the sound of my voice!! At the end he waves "bye" and blows a kiss (aka- fingers in mouth then out)!

Sweet Puppy (Halloween Pics)

As I typed the title of this post, it brought me back many years ago when I babysat frequently for this precious family, the Posners! Each child had a soft, cuddly stuffed animal that he/she slept with at night and one of them (I think Aaron???) had "Sweet Puppy" (all of the names started with "sweet"). I thought it was just the "sweetest" thing!!

Anyway...for Halloween, Riley was indeed a "sweet" puppy! That day was full of so much excitement with his birthday party that I really almost forgot about Halloween! This year was fun for us because it was the first year we've ever had trick-or-treaters! There were some darling costumes including a little flapper girl from down the street! I think Riley has a crush on her.

We only took Riley to one house because he was pretty tired and it was already dark outside by the time we got him dressed and ready to go. We went to our across-the-street neighbor's...the Bower's. They are the most precious family!!! We just love them dearly and are so blessed to have met them while here in NC. They have a few dogs of their own and Riley just LOVES them so as soon as we got there, they brought out the dogs for him to see. He just laughed and let them lick all over him!

Hope you enjoy the pics of our little puppy!

Riley's not real sure what to think of all the commotion.

We weren't sure if we'd be able to get the puppy hat on him!

And it's on!!!

Playing with the dogs!

Our Number One Man Turns One!

Today is Riley's first birthday! I really can't believe it. I have been thinking constantly the last few days about everything I/we were doing the few days leading up to and of course the day of his birth. I have to tell you something so fun to me....during the labor/delivery last year, we were excitedly watching the Georgia/Florida game (remember my husband and his family are HUGE Georgia fans) and yesterday during his party what were we watching....the Georgia/Florida game! It is just so crazy that it has already been a year since he made his arrival into our family! And we haven't been the same since!!

Riley- November 1st, 2008

Riley- November 1st, 2009

Here are some things my precious little boy is doing at 1 year old:

- takes 5-6 steps at a time

- has only 2 1/2 teeth

- claps his hands when he does anything...especially when we start saying "yay"

- waves "hi" and "bye"

- "talks" on our cell phones (of course not when anyone is actually on the other end talking to him)

- attempts to use the comb to comb his hair

- gives big open-mouth kisses

- is starting to get a little attached to mommy (makes me smile except in the middle of the night when he only wants me!!)

- says "dada" ALOT and every now and then "mama"

- imitates "woof" for the dog and sometimes "roar" for the tiger

- is terrified of the vacuum cleaner, mixer, or anything else that makes a loud noise (except the hair dryer...he loves to sit and watch me dry my hair)

- is starting to take only one nap a day

- sleeps through the night occasionally (he's just been feeling under the weather lately with cold, teething, and stomach stuff so hopefully we will get all of this under control soon)

- laughs all the time

- LOVES people (especially children and older adults), balloons, anything with a handle, remote controls, cell phones, naked time, glasses, food, Mickey Mouse, taking a bath, playing with things in the refrigerator and dishwasher, and doing anything outside!

We had a great time at his party yesterday! Thank you to our friends and family who were able to come and celebrate with us! He LOVED eating his cake. I finally had to take it away because I think he would have kept eating until it was gone! Here are a few pictures from the day! I am also posting a video of him walking because his Gaga and Aunt Amy requested it! Cristy....I saw yours of Joe and I PROMISE I am not trying to compete!!! ha!! I am so proud of little Joe for walking so early!!

some of the decorations I put together

Riley's shirt (that he wore some of the time) matched the decorations

Riley and Mommy opening gifts

blowing out the candle (not sure that Riley knew what to do...he just kept trying to grab it)

woo hoo...his favorite part of the day!

Oh how we love this little boy!!! He has definitely stolen our hearts!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Riley!