"Zing, Zang, Zoom"

We had a sweet family treat us to circus tickets this year and it was a blast. We went last year with Nana and Papa, but this year we took one of Cade's buddies, Ace. We had great seats. We first got the boys a cirus toy that lights up. They loved it! In fact when you ask Ace what his favorite part of the circus was he says, "a toy." Cade really loved the animals. He was more "in to" the circus this year than the last. He could care less about all of the different acts that are performed. He kept asking where the animals were. He really loved the elephants! He could have watched them the entire show. He also enjoyed the zebra, puppies, and tigers. He kept saying, "they didn't have yions mommy, just tigers." If you ask him his favorite part of the circus he says the fire. In one act a man jumps through a fire ring. He LOVED that!! We had a great time and a great weekend. Chris had a tournament and was not in town, so it was a weekend date with mommy. I would not trade anything in the world for that time with him!

"I wuv you mommy.."

Can I tell you that those are the sweetest words that I have ever heard. In the past few months these are words that I have begun to hear often. At any time under any circumstances, Cade will say, "I wuv you mommy." No matter what is going on at the time, it always stops me in my tracks and melts my heart! It is so funny, because it is always out of the blue, unless I tell him I love him first. It always takes me by surprise, but the words mentioned mean so much.
As I write this I am reminded how our Father whispers these words to us much in the same way. Whatever the circumstances may be- good or bad, He is constantly whispering "I love you." So comforting, if only we would take it as said like a child. He really does love us...if you can't understand that or if you don't realize how much he loves us, just take one glimpse at the cross and see the one Son he gave for us!
I love when Cade speaks these words, and sometimes they follow a request for something like candy, or wanting me to play with him, but usually he just tells me this just because. I treasure this daily, knowing one day these words might not be heard as often as I would like. I am thankful for his precious heart and for his words that are expressed daily!
I love you more Cade!!!!

Snow Day 2010

We got our first snow of the new year this week and it started out a little weak on Thursday but by today we have about 2 inches.. It's not much, but enough for us to get out in it for a little while. Cade was so excited about the possibility of snow Wednesday night. We spent some time playing in the snow yesterday and went out today for only about 10 minutes...it is 10 degrees! Chris and I have been out of school for the past two days. It has been great for us, but Cade is getting stir crazy!! He has had strep so he was only at school one day this week.
We made the most of our "little" snow. Cade rode his truck and acted as a snow plow for the roads. He also enjoyed making snow balls and a very "mini" snowman. This has to be the smallest snowman ever!(you have to look very closely to find him..he is in the first pic on the bottom left- HAAHAAH!!!) Thankful for the snow days, but ready for summer already!!
By the way, if any of you weren't watching ABC last night Alabama beat Texas in the national championship game!! Whoop! Whoop!! Roll Tide!!!

The Brian Bowl.. BCS Championship

This week will be one to remember as we anticipate the BCS Championship in the Brian household. I am from Alabama so will be rooting for the Tide, while Chris will be pulling for his Longhorns since he is from Texas. I always root for Texas during the season since they are in the Big12 and Alabama in the SEC...they never play each other, but we are very excited about this game. I do like Colt McCoy from Texas and that he is outspoken about his faith, and I am so thrilled that Mark Ingram won the Heisman from Alabama. Cade will be rooting for Bama....although he goes around the house holding up his hands in the "hook em' horn" sign. When we watch any football game no matter who is playing, he always asks if Alabama is gonna win or is winning..so cute! Last night he was at the fridge saying, "aldabama gonna win, aldabama gonna win."
We will see what happens..# 1 v. #2, but I think the picture speaks for itself!
Roll Tide!!!

Christmas pics..

Just a few pictures of what Christmas was like at the Brians'. We had a wonderful time with my parents. Cade got way too much of course, but he got everything he asked for. He actually woke up late Christmas morning, but was ready to open his gifts. The night before I read him the Christmas story. He knew the story of Christmas from school, but we read it together as a family. I love the book because it illustrates the best gift that was given and the best gift that we can give Jesus..."ourselves." The last page of the book is a mirror to illustrate the gift. Love that!!

A few favorite things Cade got for Christmas: Tonka remote control car, ambulance and police car, garbage truck, WWE figurines-Triple H and Randy Orton, and his hungry hippos game.

We are very thankful for all of our family in Tennessee, Ohio, and Texas and wish we could all be together for Christmas one day! Thank you for making this day so special for us! We love you all!!

Cousins...

So one of the great things about our trip to Ohio last week was that I was able to see my sister. We don't get to see each other that much so it is always a joy when we are together. Cade and Holland are four months apart and obviously they haven't seen each other in quite some time. It didn't matter, the two hit it off immediately. As we sat in the waiting room for our second appointment, the two played football-all out I might add. In fact, they were playing so hard they hit another patient with the football who was waiting as well. That did not go over so well-the patient actually took the football with them back to their room as the boys cried. I thought surely he was just kidding with the boys, but no, he was furious and told us we needed to control our kids...Chris' response was so funny: "They are three, get over it!"
Anyway, I did happen to get a few pics of the boys at Hill's house and of course my new niece Addison. They played so well together and wish we all lived closer. Love you all! Mom, I hope you enjoy these!

A Temporary Distress....

"..your difficulty can be seen as a slight, temporary distress that is producing for you a transcendent Glory never to cease!" (Sarah Young)

We arrived at Dr. Holland's office at 9:30, appointment was at 10:00. We were not sure how long it would take so we came well prepared to keep Cade entertained. He had a backpack full of books and toys and I brought my laptop. Thank goodness...we were there for 4 hours. Cade did great! He was such a trooper. We met with Dr. Holland and he layed out a plan for Cade.
Our next appointment was with the plastics specialist at 2:00, so we hurried out and arrived just in time. We met up with my sister, her son, and her new baby. She is so cute and little. Holland and Cade played with each other the whole time. We then met with Dr. Nerad and he also layed out a plan along with Dr. Holland. At this point, we were somewhat overwhelmed with what had to be done to remove the scarring from the cornea. I will try to describe it the best I can:

Dr. Holland will be using donor cornea to replace the scar tissue on the eye that has developed on the cornea. This scar tissue is also attached to the inside of Cade's eyelid. Dr. Nerad will resect the eyelid away from the tissue using mucous membrane to keep the lid from re-attaching to the donor cornea. The mucous membrane will come from the inside of Cade's mouth-either the inside of his bottom lip or the inside of his jaw. Dr. Nerad will then put a ring/doughnut shape device in Cade's eye that will keep the eyelid and cornea from re-attaching while they both heal. There is also a possibility that they will stitch the eyelids shut for a week so that nothing interferes with the device or Cade rubs it or whatever. They also might put a stint in his tear duct to help the watering of his eye. We will have to return a week after surgery and then 3 weeks out and then 6 weeks out.

So you can see that we were overwhelmed, but we were very confident at the same time. Both of these doctors are the best at what they do and they both spoke very highly of Cade's doctor here in Nashville. In fact, they all know each other's work and have the ultimate respect for what they do.

We haven't set a date yet and will wait to hear from them in the next two weeks. Looks like we will be making a few trips back to Ohio and that I will be seeing alot of my sister in the months to come which I am grateful for!

So here is what Jesus said to me the morning of our doctor appointments via "Jesus Calling:"
"When you are plagued by a persistent problem-one that goes on and on-view it as a rich opportunity. An ongoing problem is like a tutor who is always by your side. The learning possibilities are limited only by your willingness to be teachable. In faith, thank Me for your problem. Ask Me to open your eyes and your heart to all that I am accomplishing through this difficulty. Once you have become grateful for a problem, it loses its power to drag you down. On the contrary, your thankful attitude will lift you up into heavenly places with Me. From this perspective, your difficulty can be seen as a "slight, temporary distress that is producing for you a transcendent Glory never to cease!"

Love that Jesus was speaking to me before I even had a clue about the day at hand and how even in overwhelming moments He is there to reassure us and remind us that this is just a temporary distress. We should open our eyes and hearts to what He is accomplishing through this difficulty.

To God alone be the glory!

carlee