UP!

Summer is always a great time for enjoying a great movie, and Macklan did just that with his buddies Briley and Kate. After seeing the previews months ago, I'd been anticipating the release of Disney-Pixar's movie UP. I had a feeling that it would be one Macklan would love. Based on Macklan's reaction, I'd say the movie was hilarious and captivating. Unlike some other movie experiences, he did not barely moved and there were plenty of opportunities for him to use his words like, "Ba-oons, hiiigh, up, and arf arf!" This is a must see movie. Our group loved it!

Macklan


Briley


Kate

Any Man Can Be A Father...

It takes someone special to be a dad!

I have enjoyed watching Scott grow into a loving, compassionate, playful, protective dad for Macklan. It didn't happen overnight and for even the most prepared fathers it doesn't happen instantly...it takes time. Scott was so unsure and timid at first, but now fatherhood comes so natural to him. Macklan is blessed to have such a wonderful Daddy, and I am thankful to have such a dedicated partner in which to share parenthood. Scott is so good with Macklan and loves him so much. I love watching the two of them interact. I don't know what I would do without Scott's help on a daily basis. He always pitches in and shares so many of the parenting responsibilities with me. Father's Day provided Macklan and me a chance to show Scott how much we love him and appreciate him!


Scott's new grill on Father's Day...totally surprised! I had my parents deliver it while we were out to lunch with Scott's dad.


Macklan and Daddy checking out the new grill.


Love Macklan's face in this one. We tried about five times to get a decent picture, but these kids had one thing on their minds...swimming!


Macklan and Briley wishing Pappy a Happy Father's Day!


Pappy reading his card from Macklan.

Heading to Vegas

NashVegas of course!

To kick-off summer, we took a mini-vacation to Nashville. There were several reasons: won tickets to Opry, trip to the zoo, dinner at The Aquarium, shopping at Opry Mills, and CMT Country Music Festival. So much happened in only a few days that I'll share about it through photo journaling. Here's what went down in Vegas...

Macklan, Me, and Minnie Pearl at the Grand Ole Opry...
I had to stand in the middle and hold Macklan since he was a little stand-offish with the M.P. look-a-like!


Macklan ready for some country music. This was his 2nd trip to the Opry, and he loved it more than the first! Maybe that's because on the previous trip he was vomiting every few hours (remember my March '09 post BIG?).


Ready for a day at the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere!


Daddy and Macklan crawled through to the "bubble" to get a closer look at the meerkats.


Macklan enjoyed brushing this cute little goat in the petting zoo. He didn't much care for the larger ones, and I can't say I blame him!


He ran through this bamboo trail about five times laughing harder each time.


By early afternoon, we were wiped out! It was a scorcher, approaching nap time, and we were ringing wet from sweat. Look at those red checks and wavy hair!


One last stop on our way to the exit...the Jungle Gym!!! Macklan loved climbing, jumping, and running in this padded play area.


In a trance as he gazes at the fish at The Aquarium restaurant, Macklan's favorite dining experience!


Taking a closer look at those BIG fish! Love his little bottom sticking out...


Excited!!!


Macklan playing basketball in the Family Zone at the CMA Music Fest.


Atop Daddy's shoulders watching the K9 show in the Sports Zone.


The K9s were leaping into the water to catch frisbees. Macklan loved these arf-arfs!


After a long, hot day of walking downtown and sitting under the intense sun at concerts along the river, Macklan and Daddy cooled off in the fountains.


How refreshing!!!


We had a great trip to one of our favorite cities.

Friends Reunion

No. Not the sitcom Friends. A much needed reunion with our friends the Hatfields. Good friends Jeremy, Amanda, and Micah moved from Louisville to St. Louis and most recently from St. Louis to Tubac, Arizona. Unfortunately for us, the Lord keeps moving them further and further away which makes our reunion visits very special and rare. We miss them terribly, but realize the Lord's plan for them and the ministry opportunities that are before them in AZ.

The first reunion of 2009 took place on June 7th at the Fogles' house. The Fogles are our best friends and the type that can't be found just anywhere. Shane and Cheri are precious and can be counted on for anything, and their two boys Cole and Cooper are awesome kids who love to have fun. We greatly cherish our friendships with the Hatfields and the Fogles.

Our afternoon together which spilled over into the evening was fun-filled. Talking and catching up while enjoying grilled burgers and homemade ice cream, a competitive cornhole tournament, and jumping on the trampoline was fun for the little kids and big kids alike.


Macklan loves throwing the bean bags into the cornhole board. He also figured out that he could walk up the board and used it as a stage from which he sang for everyone. Silly boy!


Micah and Macklan jumping with "Uncle" Shane...


Macklan, Micah, and Cooper...Best Buddies


Having a blast on the trampoline! JUMP! JUMP! JUMP!


Jeremy, Micah, Scott, and Macklan---June 2009


The boys---August 2008 Wow! What a difference a year makes.


Everyone had a great time. We are looking forward to our next reunion when we will meet the newest addition to the Hatfield family. Looking forward to meeting you little one!

What a blessing it is to have GREAT friends!

Planting Tomatoes with Pappy

Whether it be tomatoes, potatoes, or beans, I can remember following behind both of my papaws in the garden watering the plants or seeds as they were placed in the dirt. Treasuring these memories from my childhood, it was a priceless experience to watch Macklan do the same with his Pappy. My dad has a fashion trademark when working out in the garden...shorts with rubber gum boots and a cap on his head. Macklan had to do it right and follow in Pappy's footsteps. Isn't he cute? He loves his gum boots and already shows signs of wanting to be just like Pappy. These moments are priceless and create traditions that will never be forgotten.

Planting tomatoes with Pappy...priceless!!!


Briley setting the example for Macklan. She does a great job teaching him.


Filling the hole with water...


Getting Pappy's approval

A Ballerina is What I Want to Be...

Congratulations to Briley! She's a preschool graduate, and we were able to share in her excitement at the Second Baptist Church Preschool Graduation on May 19th. Each child chose a future career and dressed the part on the night of the graduation. Briley also had a speaking part that she had been rehearsing for a month. She looked adorable and did a wonderful job on her part.

"A ballerina is what I want to be. I'll dance up on my tippy toes for all the world to see."

We are so proud of her!

A Mother...

holds her child's hand for awhile but his heart forever.

The biggest blessing in my life is being a mother! Every day I look forward to spending time with Macklan and being the best mother I can be to him. Mother's Day was a great day spent with family and appreciating mothers. Gifts, cards, grilled food, and homemade ice cream just gave the day an ever sweeter touch!

Thanks to Macklan, Daddy, and Nana for the thoughtful cards and gifts. I love you!

Garden stone with Macklan's hand prints...LOVED it!


Also loved the new purse, monogrammed lamp shade, frames with pictures of Macklan, and mouse pad with family photograph.


Mammie, Briley, and Nana


Macklan giving Mammie sweet sugars.


Mammie, Macklan, and Nana


Enjoying a chocolate chip cookie and homemade Frosty ice cream...


Briley serving up some ice cream to Uncle Scott.


Nothing like a Sunday evening cruise...


Love the helmet...safety first!


Taking a quick break...

*Note: Real boys drink from pink/purple sippy cups!

Surgery Day

On April 28th, Macklan had a dermoid cyst removed from the temple next to his left eye.

After being educated by his surgeon and my handy, reliable source Google, I learned that this type of cyst forms during embryo development and continues to grow if not removed. The chances of the cyst being a cancerous threat were slim to none, but as with any surgery there were risks. Realizing the risk for potential future problems from this cyst outweighed my apprehensions about putting him under with anesthesia and all the "what-if" thoughts that ran through my head. This was one scary, stressful day for our family. Being away from Macklan for slightly over two hours during his surgery and recovery was hard, but knowing that prayers were reaching heaven on Macklan's behalf gave me peace of mind and calmed me as I sat in the waiting room with Scott, my mom, and my grandmother. After almost an hour we were called into the small consultation room to hear from Macklan's surgeon Dr. S; he was quick to assure us that all went well and that Macklan was doing great in recovery. The cyst was the size of a peanut M&M and was embedded below the skin's surface reaching to the bone, but luckily not yet interfering with any other structures or the orbit. He has twelve stitches and should not have any future complications.

Along with journaling the day's events, these pictures help tell the story.

5:30 a.m. wake-up call...too early!


5:40 a.m. car ride to hospital making sure to bring along his blanket and puppy...


Rainy morning heading into the deserted hospital. Macklan was the first patient to arrive at same day surgery.


Waiting while Daddy gets Macklan checked-in at same day surgery. He had no idea what was about to happen!


Macklan was angry at the nurse for putting the ID bracelet on his ankle. He cried and announced, "Boo-boo! Boo-boo!" over and over again until I put his socks on so he couldn't feel the bracelet touching his ankle.


Watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while Mommy and Daddy answer the nurse's questions. This was also right before Macklan pushed the nurse button which lightened the mood for a minute second.


A visit from Nana right after Macklan forced down his "loopy" syrup which the nurse told us tasted like rotten eggs. Taking her word for it and based on Macklan's reaction after sucking down the entire syringe of liquid, I'd have to say she was right. He was a trooper.


Pretending to give Daddy a shot with the medicine syringe.


Marked for surgery and too loopy to sit up anymore...


Macklan was sticking close to me (and me to him) as he became really drowsy from the medication.


A happy reunion for Macklan and Mommy after being separated during surgery and recovery for slightly over two hours.


The thick wrap of gauze that held the IV in place aggravated Macklan. He would tug and pull at it begging me to remove it. This was yet another boo-boo.


Watching Little Einsteins after drinking two cups of juice. Mommy and Daddy wait patiently on a wet diaper so we can go home.


Really pale and still groggy after surgery...


Getting his strength back and having a bad hair day!


Enjoying a popsicle after a much needed long nap.


12 stitches...our brave Lil' Man!