Playtime with Lexie Grace

We stayed with our dear friends Donnie, Beth, and Lexie Holliday during our first stop in Athens. Ian played so well with Lexie and especially with all of her cool toys!

A Good Use of Technology

We practiced wearing headphones with Ian before our trip so he could use them to watch his videos on the plane. Surprisingly, he loved them and used them along with his DVD player to pass away time on the flight.

Traveling Back to the REAL South

8:00 AM...bags packed, baby dressed and dry, car loaded, coffee in hand...only means one thing...headed to the Lubbock airport for our trip back home. I've been looking forward to this for quite some time. I did all of my usual preparation...hair dyed (to cover my ever-impending grays), pedicure, and some light shopping to change up the wardrobe. I learned years ago that if I came home with gray hair, unpainted toes, while wearing jeans and a t-shirt, Mom would ask certain questions to decide whether or not I was "doing okay." And though I no longer have to go through this process, it's embedded in the depths of who I am and I'm reluctant to let it go. In fact, I don't think I ever will and I'm okay with that.

We arrived in Memphis for a quick layover, long enough to grab a pork sandwich (a rarity in Texas) and off to Birmingham we flew. Ian, by this time has had no lunch (not that it wasn't offered...he's a bit finicky about eating when it isn't within his routine) and a twenty minute nap in my arms. However, that sweet kid managed to keep his cool throughout the entire flight and even waited patiently while our bags were claimed and a car was rented. Our drive from Birmingham to Athens was a bit nostalgic. I love driving on I-20 through the Talladega National Forest. It's green and lush and feels like home. And though Ian was at his wits end by this time, it was still good to be home...

Ian's First Watermelon

Fred and I grilled fish, corn on the cob, and cut a watermelon this week. It made the beginning of summer feel real. I snapped a picture of Ian taking his first and only bite of watermelon...the bite was unsuccessful :(

Spaghetti Night

Ian has loved spaghetti since the first time it went into his mouth! He enjoys it all, even the clean-up!

Springtime Fun!

We've spent so much time outside this spring, even braving the 50 mph winds that blow through this city (Fact about Amarillo: It is the third windiest city in the US). Ian loves to swing at the park, walk around our neighborhood, and stroll in his riding car. He often stands and points at the front and back doors and even bangs on the windows when he's ready to go out. We're enjoying the lack of humidity and breezy sunny weather of West Texas right now.

Weekend with Daddy

So...I survived my first night away from Ian EVER! I spent a wonderful weekend in Canadian, TX with the women's ministry leaders at Amarillo South Church and left Fred and Ian to their own devices. I wasn't concerned...after going over Ian's eating and napping schedule, what to feed him, when to put him to bed, who he could hang out with (Fred had a ministry social that Ian was attending)...In all honesty, I missed him dearly but enjoyed having time away with women who inspire me and who are encouraging me so greatly in my walk with Christ. We attended a conference with Sheila Walsh, an amazing speaker who is part of the Women of Faith conferences and stayed at an old farm house (in the middle of nowhere, which is serious business when living in the Texas Panhandle) that was featured in the movie "Castaway." I'm so thankful to have a husband who loves being a daddy! You were great with Ian this weekend!