New Places and New Faces

Why is that kids take so long to adjust to new faces and new places? Cade has always been one that needs about 10 minutes to adjust to a new place and new people. When we arrived in S.A. this past week, it was the first time he had seen Chris' side of the family in about a year.. so it took him a while to get the shyness out of him before he began to open up to them. It is amazing to me that your children take on your personalities.. Chris and I both were very shy growing up and it seems that Cade is going to be the same way.
As of today, he is very comfortable with all of the family and is even asking to go to their houses. As far as sleeping in a new place, that is not going so well. We have to lay beside him every night until he falls asleep and then he wakes up fairly early every morning.. So we are also adjusting to sleeping patterns as well..
We have enjoyed seeing everyone and Cade has loved playing with all of his cousins. We are hoping to take him to the S.A. zoo sometime next week and hoping that he gets more sleep!
Staying warm in S.A.,
carlee

Headed to the Lonestar State

We begin our summer this week by taking our annual summer trip to San Antonio to visit Chris' family. It is always a fun time to see everyone and for them to see how much Cade has grown in a year. It takes us a few days to get used to the weather, since it is about 10 degrees warmer there than it is here in Nashville. Cade has been talking about riding on a airplane all week..he is so excited! Chris will take his Dramamine and I will try to entertain a three year old for a couple of hours. I have plenty of coloring books and stickers that hopefully he will enjoy.
We are looking forward to some time away before Chris' spring football workouts begin. I will begin my strict 3 day potty training when we return and attempt to rid Cade of his paci.
I do enjoy this trip and hope to have alot of fun. I know Chris is looking forward to one thing---"Bill Miller's" I am going to count how many times he eats there in the 10 days that we are there.
Hope everyone enjoys the summer!

Not worthy, but HIS

Last day of School

this is one of his pics from school, most recent...he is either very excited about playing with those legos, or not wanting to share.

Cade had his last day of pre-school today as a 2 year old. We are very thankful for the teachers he had this year as they loved and prayed for him throughout his surgeries. They have been wonderful examples for Cade and they will be missed. He learned so much this year... his letters, his colors, his shapes, and his numbers. I know he is going to miss his teachers and his buddies, especially Christopher.
Today he brought home a neat little book that his teachers put together. It had pictures of him and his friends throughout the course of the year. I love it, and what a neat keepsake!
This week for me has been very busy. In the midst of copying exams, grading exams, and entering exams on the computer,I am coaching middle school volleyball next year. We had tryouts this week and it went great! I am excited about all the girls I will have next year, and looking forward to getting back into coaching.
So tomorrow is the last day before my summer starts. So excited to be almost through! I can't wait to spend some time with my family. I have two goals for the summer..to get Cade potty-trained, and to get rid of his paci!! Might be a rough summer, but it will happen!
Schooooooools Out For Summer!!!

Conversations, Tantrums, and Grace

My daily routine includes taking and picking up Cade from school everyday. On most days he has just awakened from his nap, so he is somewhat cranky. We walk back to my classroom and I proceed to fulfill his needs with a snack of his choice. Sometimes what I have brought from home does not seem to meet his need and it develops into a 3 year old tantrum. So I have to make an intelligent choice every morning before we leave for school and predict a snack that he is going to want. If I fail, it can make the rest of that afternoon miserable. Yes, this is terrible, due to the fact that there are millions of children everywhere all over the world that would be completely satisfied with just a piece of bread, but he is 3 and he doesn't grasp that concept yet.
So here is my story from yesterday. We get back to my classroom and I have a feeling it is going to be one of those days because Cade is clingy for some reason. I have to hold him in my chair as I proceed to work and finish out the day. As I begin to pack up and head home he demands that I carry him to the car. I have three bags that I have to carry, so I deny his request and proceed to the car. He throws the biggest tantrum all the way to the car..did I mention that the lower school was getting out and parents were in the pick up line in the parking lot as I dragged Cade to the car screaming! By this time he is literally hanging off my leg. I get him in the car and decided to discipline him. He then threw his paci and his bear which are "must have's" while in the car. So I decided that since he threw them he would not get them back. So Cade cried for about 20 more minutes and I finally gave him his paci and bear back.
I tell you this story for this reason. A few minutes after he had his essentials back, he asks, "mommy, you wuv me?" "mommy you wuv me still?" My heart just melted. Those words made everything that occurred in the last 25 minutes forgettable.
Grace- what is given when it is not deserved. I feel that is what I offered him at that moment, but I know as a 3 year old there will be many times where I won't be able to offer much grace.
I sit in awe of the amount of grace that has been given to me over the years by my heavenly Father. There have been days that He has listened to my "tantrums" and still offered his amazing grace, and the best part about it is, that He does "wuv" us still!!
I still need these small reminders!

Mom...A Blessing

There is not much that can be put into words to explain how much I love and appreciate all that my mom has done for me since bringing me into this world..I know there have been many sacrifices that she made for all 3 of us as she took each of us to our different practices daily. I still can't imagine how she did all that, and had dinner ready when we returned home. She was always our biggest fan and the opposing fans were sure to find out quickly who was that crazy lady in the stands..you don't mess with her babies.
Growing up, she always made sure that we spent time with the Lord..in fact she would ask us everyday to keep us accountable..so thankful for that! My mom is also very, very talented or should I say determined. I don't many moms that have put on 2 weddings 3 weeks apart.. She did and they were beautiful.. but I know it took her a long time to recoup..She juggles working full time,teaching Sunday school, and traveling to see her grandbabies. She was there for the birth of Cade.. in the room..and I was so glad that she was able to stay and help me out a few days as I entered motherhood.
She has been right there with Chris and I as we walked through some difficult times during all of Cade's procedures. She has given me constant reminders of God's faithfulness and promises which have helped me overcome all fears!
She is very funny person as well, and I love to see her laugh! She gets so tickled and she can't stop.. love that!
I am very thankful for my mom.. I now consider her one of my best friends and she is always the first one I call for advice. My prayer is that I can follow in my mom's footsteps in raising my own son and that I will also be woman,daughter,wife, and mother after God's own heart. I love you Mom. Happy Mother's Day!

A Day Out with Thomas

one of the few pics with Thomas

my favorite.. as he peers out the window of the train

daddy and cade waiting looking at the big train

Thank you Nana!

our trip on Thomas

We traveled to Chattanooga this weekend so that Cade could experience a day out with his favorite thing in the world... Thomas the Train. We were a little hesitant on the way up looking at how much it had rained and didn't know what to expect. By the time we got there, it stopped raining and it was perfect. They had several things you could do while waiting for your ride on the train. They had a petting zoo, a booth to meet Sir Topham Hat, a tent where kids could play with trains, etc. Cade was not into any of it. He has never been a fan of big crowds, so we had to hold him until our train ride. He did get down a couple of times so that I could take some pictures, but he was ready to ride Thomas!
Me, Nana, Cade, Uncle Caleb, "Ra-Ra, and Brody all boarded the train and we left the station in style. Papa and Chris waited at the station for us.. they were supposed to play golf on this day, so they didn't have tickets.
The train ride, I have to say, was way overrated, but Cade loved it! He looked out the window the entire time. He was so excited to be riding on Thomas. He kept saying "Thomas in front.." Once we got back to the station, the conductor gave Cade a Jr. Engineer certificate.
It was a short trip, but well worth the drive to see Nana and Papa, and of course Thomas.
Thank you Nana and Papa for taking me! I love you! -Cade