Little Carrigan

Mothers Day Weekend 2013

2013-05-15T20:40:00.001-07:00

Friday night we went to watch Tori’s Ball game!! The Eurey’s were there so we got to catch up with them! Elan is 3 months older than Maddox!! Wow…what a size difference!!

Saturday morning Maddox had a ballgame. I posted a few pics on the last post of him playing but I took some more and they are too cute not to post more!

It looks like Maddox started out the game needing to pee.

Baseball ready!!

Hey! I need a ball out here!!

Coach Chad coaching on first base.

Running to third!!

Ready to run home!!

He made it home and now back to the dug out!!

Maddox’s Biggest Fan!!!

Ready to hit!!

He hits!!!

Made it to first!!!

He is one CUTE tee ball player!!

Sunday we went to early service so that we would have plenty of time to go put flowers on Brenda’s grave. It was a tough day for Chris…and for me, being at Brenda and Geralds house for the first time since the funeral…really hit me hard. It has all seemed surreal and I think being at their house it sank in that they are no longer with us. I miss them. I know Chris just hurts everyday for them. My heart hurts for him. I told him we could skip celebrating Mothers Day this year but being the awesome husband he is…he still made it very special for me….including cooking me a yummy breakfast!!

So blessed to be their Mom!!

Ryder…..slow down with your growing!!!

My precious gifts from Maddox and Ryder!!

It is tradition now for us to get together with the Harrison’s at Joy and Kevin’s house!

I used my zoom lens on this pic. I was standing in the house….I couldn’t believe how it caught the detail of the dirt.

Papaw’s Buddy!!

Maddox loves playing with his monster trucks!

Ryder checking out Tori’s lizard!

Handsome Caine!!

Maddox is old enough to go outside and play with the big kids now without my constant supervision….it’s so bittersweet.

Joy selling Tiffany on Arbonne!!

My precious Mommy!! I love her so much!

Denise…we are so thankful she is doing well after battling breast cancer.

My MawMaw!! I adore her! She will be 88 in a few weeks!!

A very blessed weekend. I am so thankful that God made me a Mother and so thankful he gave me such an amazing Mom and Mawmaw. I also am rejoicing my MIL is walking streets of gold and thankful that we will be with her again one day.

Emily’s Wedding Weekend

2013-05-07T03:38:00.001-07:00

It was such a busy but super fun weekend! One of my dearest friends since sixth grade got married!!! I was so honored to be such a part of her special day!!

The festivities were kicked off Friday at the Bridal Luncheon!!

Emily and Christy

Maids of honor

Friday night we had the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.

The food was soooo good!!! Emily and Brent got engaged at the beach so the décor was beach themed! It was so pretty.

The boys got to spend the night with Aunt Jay Jay and Unc Kev and we met them at the ball field Saturday morning for Maddox’s tee ball game. It was absolutely so cold!! Not your typical NC May day! Maddox is loving ball more and more and that makes his Daddy very happy! I am so proud of him and how well he is doing!

After the ball game I rushed to the salon to do Emily’s hair! Then rushed home to fix mine. I thought I was going to have lots of time but it I ended up having no time and had to do a 10 minute side ponytail style.

Brooke, Christy, and me

Emily was a stunning bride! She looked so beautiful!!

My hot date for the wedding! Chris shocked me and showed up at the wedding in a new suit! He was looking oh so fine!! I was so proud of him because he never buys himself anything….and he did really good picking out his tan suit and a paisley tie! I LOVE that man!

The sparklers were so pretty as they were coming out!! Such a fun wedding!! Congratulations Emily and Brent!!

Sunday was another busy day even though the wedding was over. We went to church, and then

Sweet Hudson’s Birthday Party! He turned 2 and celebrated with a Wiggles Party!! The boys had a blast!

I think it’s safe to say Maddox enjoyed his cupcake!!

We got him the track hoe and Taylor loved it!! Too cute!!

Hudson is such a cutie pie….I can’t believe our babies are turning 2!!

Chris went to get gas for me since it was so cold and rainy….this little fellow knocked out in the car!!

And last but not least…the Mother/Daughter banquet at my Mom’s church!!

I loved getting to spend some time with my sweet niece Tori!!

What a busy/fun weekend but today I purposely made myself stay home catch up around the house and rest. It was a no makeup and no hair fixed kinda day and I have loved it!!

Life in April 2013 (according to the IPhone)

2013-04-24T20:34:00.001-07:00

I have to be honest…this year has been tough. Losing Chris’s Grandmother, Dad and Mom all in 3 months has been devastating. I pray the rest of the year gets better. But amidst it all…these 2 little boys bring Joy to our lives everyday!

This update starts from the day Mawmaw Brenda passed away. Little did we know that this beautiful sunny Wednesday would end up being one of the most unforgettable evenings in our life.

Picnic lunch on the patio.

Sweet boy loves his hats….he put this one on to take a nap in.

My Mom brought balloons to the graveside so the kids could let them go…up to heaven to Mawmaw Brenda. Maddox gave her the idea.

Looking up to heaven…watching the balloons travel so fast!

Cousins

Cousins wrestling

On Sunday…Caine and Kevin came over and mowed our weeds for us!

I love this pic of my 3 boys!

The Cody’s and Arias’s brought us supper on Wednesday. It was so nice hanging out and chatting with these precious friends!

I got dressed up for them!

Tee Ball has begun!

Carowinds…family fun day!

Maddox pushing Ryder…he insisted!!

The skytower is always first!

Yall are going to get so tired of seeing Carowinds pictures! Its only April and we have done gone twice….that means our season passes have done paid for themselves!! Best Christmas gift ever!! Thanks Mom!!

Ryder at his Dr appointment….I just had to post this…it makes me smile!

I got tickled when Maddox came walking out from preschool yesterday…he was wearing this hat and was so proud!! I just adore this age!!

Brenda Kay

2013-04-24T20:23:00.001-07:00

2 weeks ago…April 10th 2013…Chris’s Mom passed away. She had been suffering from COPD and God decided to take her home before she had to suffer worse. She also was grieving for Gerald…Chris’s Dad who passed away February 15th 2013. As Maddox said on the way home from her house after she had passed “I bet she’s so happy to be with Pawpaw Gerald” ….it brought tears to my eyes.

I honestly don’t have the words for this post. I’ve put off writing this one in hopes that the words would come. It doesn’t seem real. I can’t believe they are both gone. I can’t imagine what Chris is feeling inside. My heart hurts for him. Chris was very close to his parents, especially his Mom. They talked every day! He is a Mama’s Boy.

Maddox and Ryder adored Mawmaw Brenda and Pawpaw Gerald, I pray Maddox will always be able to remember them. I hurt thinking that Ryder didn’t get much time with them.

But we will tell them…we will talk about them….we will remember them.

If you will…please keep Chris in your prayers.

God is our refuge and strength…Our very present help in times of trouble! Psalm 46:1

Four Day Weekend!

2013-04-09T21:15:00.001-07:00

I just had a busy but fun 4 day weekend with my boys, but before I share what we did…let me back up to recap some of the week.

Easter Monday I woke up and went downstairs to start a load of laundry and this is what I walked into!

An Easter Miracle!! Thank You Chris…this is seriously a rare thing…I’m pretty sure it’s never happened before…no laundry!!

We had a relaxing morning at home and then I went into the salon to do my sweet friend Emily’s hair for her bridal portrait..

This pic was our inspiration for her style…can’t show you her pics yet!!!

Laura gave me my Birthday present on Sunday…a new SC hat and tee!! I sported it to the ball field Monday evening to watch Maddox practice tee ball! Thank you LaLa!!

Cute bathed boys in matching pajamas!!

I worked Tuesday Wed and Thursday….very long days. Cuddling on the couch at night was the only time I was home to spend with the boys during those 3 days….hurts my heart. He is getting so big…his legs will be longer than mine before long.

Friday morning, Chris headed to Georgia Southern for a coaches clinic and was gone until Saturday evening. So Friday morning at 10:30 I decided to take the boys to Carowinds. Maddox has been asking to go all Winter and poor thing just couldn’t understand they are closed in the winter. So we threw on some clothes, swung thru Chic-fil-a drive thru, had our season passes made and was riding rides by 1:00. The boys did so well!! I have never taken them by myself so I didn’t know how it would go…but we had a great time!! I was so proud of them I treated them with a chocolate milk shake for the ride home!!

I ask Maddox if I could take his picture and this is how he posed…melt my heart! Now if we can just get Ryder trained for the camera!!

Riding the sky tower…they are so focused!!

Ryder’s first time on the swings!! He was barely tall enough…honestly he was about 1/2 in too short but they let him ride anyway!

Carousel

Ryder’s first roller coaster!!

Maddox was wanting to be so independent…he wouldn’t ride with us…he wanted a section of the train to himself!!

Ryder wanted a seat to himself…sweet boy with his hands crossed.

Waiting in line for the balloons! Silly boys!

Fly high Maddox!!

We came home..changed clothes and played a few minutes and we were off again.

Andrea and Shep’s Gender Reveal Party!…It’s a GIRL!!! I’m so happy Laura and Andrea are having girls!!!

Big Brother Taylor!!

Saturday morning was an early tee ball practice for Maddox and then we headed to Chic-fil-a for a lunch play date!

The boys had fun playing with Brayden and Brody!!

So glad Maddox is such a loving little boy!!

water break!!

Brody is such a sweet little boy!

Saturday evening, Chris came home and we ate and all played outside like little kids until it was completely dark!! Soaking us this warm weather we finally have!! So thankful it is Spring and starting to feel like it!!

The sweetest moments!!

The rest of the weekend was lots of playing outside! This warm weather and time with my boys makes it really hard to go back to work. It makes me once again dream of being a SAHM. I am just so thankful for the days I am at home with them…so blessed!

Ryder cracks me up riding this big 4 wheeler. He has to sit cock eyed on it to be able to reach the peddle…you can see how high up his other foot is!

Nice outfit…Maddox!

Doing some serious dirt playing!!

Monday after Preschool and MMO…we picked up lunch and headed to the park!!

the boys did a lot of sliding

climbing

They played with a doggy

Practiced walking up and down the sliding board

crawled thru tunnels with a chocolate milk mustache

trying to learn to do the monkey bars

skipped nap and went cleat shopping with Daddy!!

I always want to remember these special days that are filled with the simple joys of life. Happy Happy Happy!

Easter Weekend…Celebrating Chris’s Birthday and Our Risen King!!

2013-03-31T22:01:00.001-07:00

Friday was Chris’s Birthday and we both worked all day so we decided to celebrate on Saturday! So Saturday night some family and close friends all came out to the new Homesteads Restaurant to celebrate with us! We are so blessed to have such amazing family and friends! We are so thankful for each and every one of them.

And about my husband…yes the one who I adore. He’s pretty amazing!! I could not ask for a better husband. He is an incredible father. I’ve always known it, but have been blown away the last few months at what an awesome son he is. I’m sure his Mom would say the same thing and I know his Dad is smiling down from heaven very proud. Thank you for all you do for our family Chris…and mostly thank you for being a Godly Man!! Happy 36th Birthday!!!

The Easter Bunny came!!!

Little studs before church!!

The Perfect Family Picture…..I do believe we captured it…right here!!!

I love the real life moments!!

Chris picked Ryder up and tried to get him to smile in the middle of a melt down!

So we tried a few more times…and a few turned out half way decent. But I’m totally fine with that!! We had to take pics after we got home from church because of course we didn’t have time before we left….we are that family!

and a great pic of my boys together…..no such thing!!

So these candid shots will have to do!!

One child is always blurry!!

These boys LOVE some monster trucks!!

After they woke up from their naps…we had an Easter Egg Hunt in the house. It rained a ton Saturday night and Sunday morning so it was still kind of nasty to go outside.

Nana, Papaw, Mawmaw, Nate and Laura came over and we had grilled chicken, cheesy ranch potatoes, salad, bread and of course dessert!!

Between our busy schedules and my Sissy’s busy schedule, we really don’t get to see each other that much so it is always a treat to get to spend time with her!

Nathan getting his work out for the day!

The boys love their Uncle Nate Nate!!!

Another Blessed Easter!

He Is Risen! He’s Alive! He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!!!

Preschool Easter Egg Hunt

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Today Maddox had his Easter Party at school and of course they got to hunt eggs!! Maddox is officially old enough to really get into finding eggs! He loved it!

When they opened the doors of the school…it took them a minute for all the kids to find their parents and then they all started racing to the playground.

Me and Nana was there for Maddox.

It was SUPER chilly!!! What is with this weather? The end of March should not still be having 25 degree mornings!! It had warmed up to the high 40’s at this point but the wind was blowing some so it cut right thru!!

All of Maddox’s eggs!!

His buddy Ryker.

I loved getting there early and watching inside his class from the hall. I’ve always wanted to be a fly on the wall while he is at preschool so today I felt like I was getting that opportunity. I got to see Maddox perform Big Green Tractor for all his classmates! Another little girl performed “This girl is on fire” it was too cute!!

Let the Easter Festivities Begin!!!!

Baby T is a Girl!!!

2013-03-18T20:29:00.001-07:00

Tonight was Baby T’s Gender Reveal Party!! I have been saying all along that Nathan and Laura were having a girl and I was RIGHT!!! And I’m so Happy about it!! We need another baby girl in the family after my 2 boys!

They had their party at the Farmer’s Fork in Mt Holly. They opened it up for a private event. We had a yummy soup, salad, and potato bar!

First off, we picked out our pins…a mustache or lips. Of course I picked lips!! Then we had to blow up balloons…after we blew them up they told us we had to put them in our shirts to be like Laura! Just for pictures! A pregnant belly is something I don’t miss! But I do miss the feeling of a baby moving inside my belly!

Mom….wowzers!!!

Caine…I’m sure he loved doing this!!

MawMaw….would be a cute preggers great grandma!!

Daddy…..hilarious!!

Jay Jay and Me….Joy wore the perfect color to disguise a prego belly!!

Ryder was representing for team girl too!!

And so was Maddox!

Taylor was just having a blast playing with all the balloons once they came out from underneath the shirts!

I love how the boys were all playing together!

The beautiful Mother to Be!!!! Pink it is!!!

The boys having a Monster Jam in the restaurant.

One person had the special cupcake that told the gender…it was not ours…but the cupcakes were heavenly!!

Andrea will find out in a few weeks if Taylor will have a brother or sister!! All these pregnancies….so much fun!! I love this stage of life!!

I’m so excited for Laura and Nathan! Now it’s time to start some serious planning for her!!!! Yay!!!

Happy St. Patricks Day!!

2013-03-17T20:15:00.001-07:00

Today was a much needed go to church and do nothing the rest of the day kind of day. The boys took a good long nap and then we had a little dress up fun outside! Maddox was a good sport but Ryder…not so much. I had some good laughs though!

Maddox is so serious on his tractor…hilarious!

Everything about this picture cracks me up!

Ryder wouldn’t wear his glasses!

My little dare devil!

Pimped out the 4 wheeler!

Fun evening with my boys! Loving the longer days and the mild weekend we had! Hurry up Spring!!!

A Bachelorette Weekend!

2013-03-14T21:13:00.001-07:00

This past weekend I headed down to Myrtle Beach for a fun Bachelorette weekend for my good friend Emily. We have been friends since 6th grade!! She has so many special qualities that I treasure about her and our friendship. I’m so happy for her and her upcoming wedding in May! A perfect reason to have a girls trip to the beach to celebrate!!

I worked until 12, came home ate lunch, straightened up the house and packed because I had packed absolutely nothing, and was out the door before 2…whew. So I relaxed the next 4 hours in the backseat of the minivan!!

We stayed at a very nice privately owned condo in the Anderson Ocean Club. We arrived a little after 6 and freshened up then walked several blocks to River City Café and I ate the best ribeye Sandwich!! It was so good!! Good thing we walked b/c I needed it after that sandwich! When we got back to the hotel, we had Emily a surprise lingerie shower!

Our group and Emily's goodies!

My Emmie!!

Her getup for the next night.

Saturday was a fun day of shopping at the outlets! Then we dressed up and headed to Broadway at the Beach!

We ended up eating at Margaritatville….searching for our lost shaker of salt!

Maid of honor…Sara! One of the funniest girls I know!

Adrienne….Emily’s soon to be sister-n-law.

Christy and Brooke

The guy on stilts made us some balloon hats since Emily was a Bachelorette and they told him it was my Birthday. (It was my Birthday Eve)

Next stop….Crocodile Rocks!

We ended up getting called up on stage! Sara had requested “I like Big Butts” so the piano guy made us dance to it!! It was too funny! I’m so glad I can do stuff like that without a drop of alcohol. My motto is “I will never see these people again, and my friends love me anyway, so I just act crazy!”

The blonde in the picture above that has the longer hair is actually on a new show on TLC called Myrtle Manor. So glad we could entertain her! ha!

We forgot to get a picture of all of us before Adrienne left.

The List….Emily had to do all sorts of funny things on a list we made her. She was a good sport!

Sunday morning was my birthday and I was a little bummed b/c I wasn’t going to be at home with my boys for most of the day. But the day really turned out quite nice…I slept in…walked to the lobby in my pj’s and got a Starbucks coffee, sit out on the balcony and drank it with a beautiful view of the ocean, facetimed my boys….ate a big breakfast (my favorite) and had 4 hours in the car to just chill. I was home by 4:30 so I still had some good quality time with my loves!! Chris had a balloon tied to the mail box when I got home, a birthday cake and the sweetest card ever. We picked up my favorite salad from House of Pizza and ate out on the patio at home since it was so nice outside. And last but not least….we had an extra hour of daylight!!! One of my favorite days of the year! It was a great Birthday!

Joys in our Sorrow…February 2013

2013-03-03T14:06:00.000-08:00

Even though February was such a blur…when I look back through my IPhone pics…I realize we did a lot of living. I annoy myself sometimes with my habit of taking pictures of everything but it is moments like now when I am so thankful for them. I was able to see all the joys that we have had even in a sorrowful month. Isn’t that just like God…to always be blessing us even when we are going thru a storm. He is always with us and working all things to our good!!

After our cruise…our month went like this…

We celebrated Cross’s 6th Birthday!! He had a fun football party!!

Ryder has a hat fetish now and decided he likes them so much he wants to sleep with them on!!

This is how I found him one morning when I went to get him up. He wouldn’t let me take it off when I put him in his bed and he woke up with it on!!

He also still loves putting on other peoples shoes!! Here he is in my tennis shoes!!

I made these fun Valentines for MMO and Preschool!! I love how they turned out!

Maddox had Pink Day at school the Wed before Valentines! He sported his Pink shirt!!

Ryder playing with his Ukulele we brought home from Key West.

He hid under the high chair b/c he didn’t want his pic taken!!

We made a Valentines Cookie for Nana!!

My Valentines Day sweater that I’ve worn all Winter!

The 15th was the day Chris’s Dad passed. We were planning the funeral on the 16th and while we were there, it began to snow.

Kings Mountain got several inches!

Ryder seeing snow for the first time. He was at my sisters house so she captured these for me!!

So sweet!!

We now have a new night time routine and it involves the boys sitting in our bed eating cheese, drinking chocolate milk and watching Sid the Science Kid!! Ryder loves that he is now old enough to get in on all the fun!

Ryder in another pair of my shoes!!

Maddox got to play in some of the snow that was left the next day!

Cousin Kadence laughing at Ryder being silly!! Love that toddler sway back!!

Chris, his Mom and his Brother viewing his Dad.

I taught Maddox to play CandyLand!! He Loves it!!

Ryder in another pair of Mommy's boots!!

Sleeping in another hat!

We joined Daddy last Saturday at the wrestling match at West Lincoln.

Maddox had a melt down at church b/c a man wanted to take his picture. So Marco picked him up and he decided he wanted his pic taken with Marco. From tears to smiles in less that 10 seconds!!

Ryder and I had some quality time together at his 18 month well visit. I’m only 2 1/2 months behind getting him there!!

We actually had a semi warm sunny day this past Wed so we took advantage of it between school and nap time and stopped by the playground!

All boy wanting to stomp in mud…good thing he had his rubber boots on!!

My heart melted as these two rode around the yard on the four wheeler. It was also breaking thinking how are they possibly old enough to be doing this??

This sums up our February according to the IPhone!

This is Life….and Life is Good!!

Our last cruise day!!

2013-03-02T12:57:00.001-08:00

Wow…It was a month ago today since we left out on our cruise. It seems like yesterday. February has been a blur.

Before I can catch up on the rest of February…I have one more cruise post. The last day.

Most of the day looked like this!!

Cloudy and a few sprinkles here and there. The sun would peek out every so often and It would be so nice and warm but when it went behind the clouds…we wrapped up in our towels and would go get coffee!!

We spent the day just being lazy but we did get in a good game of putt putt!!

Brennan is excited here in this pic b/c he actually got a score under 4! ha!

It was very windy!!

Father Daughter Love..

Love this couple!!

Right before time to go to the room and start getting ready for dinner…they asked for 5 women to volunteer for a game. So of course me and Keleigh being the little joiners we are…volunteered! Thank goodness it was a scavenger hunt! Sometimes you never know what you might have to do!! I ended up winning thanks to Keleigh and her bathing suit top!! She got eliminated before me and the next item was a bathing suit top so somehow…she decently was able to get hers off really quickly to help me win the game! What a true friend!! I won a golden ship on a stick and it now currently resides in a basket in our playroom amongst tractors and monster trucks!! So proud!!

We finally wised up on the last night and went to a show before dinner so that we wouldn’t be so sleepy.

Not sure what our photographer was doing here but I love Rhonda's face!!

Our handsome group of men!!

Have I mentioned how crazy our group was!!

Our elevator game…we would all turn around backwards and stand there so that when the doors opened who ever was waiting would be like “what in the world”. After 5 days of doing that we finally got a reaction…check out these faces!!!

Our waiters dancing gangnam style for us!!

Our last breakfast!!

Our trip back to NC!!

We had a ball and I will always have such fun memories of this cruise and the people we were with!!!

This Is Our Temporary Home

2013-02-20T21:05:00.001-08:00

Gerald Carrigan Sr….Chris’s Dad…..a great man.

1947-2013

Friday night felt like a bad dream. It was the unthinkable. Watching my husband having to say his goodbyes to his Dad and watching my MIL having to say her goodbyes to her husband of 47 years. My heart was breaking as we stood in that ICU room and I felt completely numb…is this really happening? I can’t even imagine what Chris was going thru, I could not let my thoughts even begin to think…”what if this was my Mom or Dad?”

He had been in the hospital for a little over 3 weeks and they literally found out what was causing his condition on Friday morning and by Friday night the ugly cancer had already taken his life.

I know the next few days, weeks and months will be tough ones as we try to find a new normal without him. We will miss him dearly, but we know we will see him again one day!

Thank you God for giving us strength through this difficult time. We know that you are carrying Chris and comforting him. Be with Brenda as she grieves the loss of her husband, wrap your arms around her. Your peace passes all understanding. We rejoice for Gerald and though we miss him, we know he is healed and is in a much better place. Lord, we give you all the praise glory and honor in everything you do. Amen

We love you Papaw Gerald!!

Day 4….Bahamas

2013-02-12T21:14:00.001-08:00

-We ported in Nassau around 12 Noon. Even though Nassau is not my favorite port of call, I still like doing something new there each time I go. Our group was together getting off the ship but we were all headed our separate ways.

I took a ton of pictures when we got off the ship of everyone only to find out that my camera settings were not right. I was so bummed…I salvaged a few but most need professional editing help…more than picasa has to offer.

Mother Daughter Love!!

Heart 2 Heart!! The best southern gospel group I know!!!

The girls!!

Once we were off the ship we decided to parasail!!! Me and Kim parasailed in Cozumel about 5 years ago and it was an amazing experience….so I was so excited to experience it again!!

Getting strapped up!!

Keleigh had never parasailed before!!

Here we go!!

Up Up and Away!!!

We were so high up that the boat looked like a lego in the water!!

Flying High over the beautiful Caribbean water!! I think we see to the bottom of the ocean…Oh wait…that’s just our shadow!! Love you Keleigh!!!

Here comes our “fun dip”! I held my legs up so I wouldn’t get wet!

I was a bad friend and dared the boat driver to dip them more than what he dipped us….so they got a ~~lot~~ little wet! ooops!

We were all supposed to get to go up together but they said the winds were not right to send all 3 of us up….so we let Keleigh go up twice.

They are sitting on me to try and get me wet!!! I deserve it!

The boys just spectated in the boat. They were offered numerous times by the drivers to go up at a discount but they all refused. I think they were a little bit chicken!!

We did it!!! So much fun!!!

After parasailing Brennan treated us all to a yummy lunch at Café Sanz….if your ever in Nassau…you must eat there…so good!! Then we did a little shopping. We saw these shoes in the window of a store and I told Keleigh she had to try them on…so she did!!! Those shoes were nuts!! I would break my ankle just trying them on!!

I got a second chance at some of the pictures in front of the boat on our way back in!

Love this man with all my heart!!

Chris ordered some room service….just because!!!

Ready for dinner!!!

This group decided to take a night off from dressing up and just ate in the casual dining room.

Me and Keleigh are always little joiners so we got into the Congo line and danced around the dining room with all the waiters to “hot hot hot”.

After dinner we waited out on the deck to do some more people watching at the deck party!!

We did some crazy line dances.

And called it a pretty early night!!!

Another memorable day of cruising!!!

Day 3…Key West

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On Monday, we ported at Key West. We didn’t have much time there but we made the most of it!! We arrived at 7 am but had to be back on the boat by 2 pm.

On our walk to the scooter rental place…I tried to snap some pics of scenery. I loved this tree!

I love how chickens just run around everywhere!!

Our adventure for the day awaits us!!!

The scooters were so fun!!! Big Shout out to Keleigh for being the Scooter Photographer!!!

This pic tells its own story….the guys could care less about having their pic made so I just have to shoot them in action. Chase is taking care of business while he has free phone service…Brennan probably just said something really crazy and Chris is about to be sarcastic and make fun of him!

Us girls just like to act crazy and call it our Key West photo shoot!!!

If I was a real photographer…all the pics would have been taken in this direction….I’ll learn one day!!

Next stop on our scooter tour…the southernmost point in the U.S….how special!!

I have to tell the story….the cruise ships don’t tell you to stay away from the scooter rentals for nothing. They really are dangerous…check out Kim’s knee. She crashed her scooter into a row of bikes on Duval street…thankfully she only bummed her knee and was ok otherwise. God was looking out for us!!!

Duval Street

Keleigh is just gorgeous and should be a model!! God blessed me with some pretty friends!!!!

We stopped in Claires to get some goodies for Kim to take home to Taylor…I think the guys had too much fun!!

Since the Super Bowl was Sunday night they moved our Captains Dinner to Monday night. So our crew got all spiffed up in our formal attire!!

These ladies are so beautiful and sparkly!!

Sisters Ellen and Virgie are the sweetest!!! They put up with all of us and laughed at all our craziness!!

Eggplant Parmesan….So good!!!

Chris had lobster!!!

One of my many favorite things about a cruise is coming back to the room after dinner and seeing my towel animal. I have to admit I am like a kid about it….I get excited and I always have to have my picture made with it!!

We got into our comfy clothes after dinner and found ourselves on the lido deck at the self serve ice cream. I mean…a 5 course meal should always be followed up with a cone of ice cream an hour later…right?

We do love our ice cream cones!!! I really miss them!!

Key West was a blast!

Next Up…Bahamas!!!

Key West, Nassau Cruise 2013

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Feb 2nd, We headed out at 4:30 am for Jacksonville FL to embark on the Carnival Fascination! I LOVE Cruising!!! We went on this exact boat last year but it doesn’t matter….we just love to be on a cruise.

We had such a fun group! There were 14 of us so we decided to rent a 15 passenger van and pull a trailer for our luggage so that we could all ride together.

Can you imagine 14 peoples luggage…it loaded us down!!

We boarded the ship around 1:30 and was able to go straight to our room to settle in.

Then it was straight to the Lido deck for some lunch!!!

We did the muster drill and then set sail at 4:00!!

When leaving from Jacksonville, I’m always amazed that the ship makes it under this bridge. It looks like it will hit it!!

But it always clears it…thank goodness!!

After we set sail, we did some line dancing out on the deck and then watched some crazy people entertain us. We call this the crazy people cruise b/c there were a lot of crazies on board…which made for some great people watching!!!

Next up was dinner…..Meet our crew…

Deidra and Bobby

Rhonda and Jimmy

Brennan and Kim

Chase and Keleigh

Deana and David

Virgie and Ellen

The first night…we got held up by a pirate!!

This is how excited I was to be on the cruise!!!

All the ladies

David and his Mom Ellen

The next day was a fun day at sea. We did a lot of eating and relaxing…and that’s about it…and it was great!!!

I did start my day off with a morning run! Wish I had this view everyday!!

Our view for the day!!

Chris disappeared and we found him sleeping in the room!!

Night 2….time for dinner!!!

One memory I will always have of this cruise is the laughter. We had so many funny people with us that my belly hurt all week from laughing…..as you can see from the above picture….the boys were always cutting up!!

Our waiter Santiago from Columbia

After dinner, we watched the end of the Super Bowl!!!

and laughed and cut up some more!!

Me and Keleigh decided to do our karaoke performance again!! I am proud to say I rapped almost every word to Ice Ice Baby!!! Keleigh was a dancing machine!!! I couldn’t have done it without her!!

After karaoke, our group was performing every where we went!!

Chris even broke out in a little break dancing!!! Other people on the ship probably thought we were the crazy ones but the difference is….we were sober!!!

I was so glad we got to go on this cruise b/c honestly we weren’t sure we were going to get to with Chris’s Dad still being in the hospital. We didn’t finalize our decision to go until the last minute. The laughter, relaxation, and time with each other/friends was the perfect medicine to destress!!

Coming up next….Key West and Nassau

When It Rains It Pours

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The last 2 weeks have been hard ones. They have especially been hard on my sweet husband. If you read this and don’t mind…please keep him and his family in your prayers.

About a month ago, his Dad fell while carp fishing and injured his back. His pain was so bad and it felt like the pain he had when his kidney stone moved…so he thought maybe the jar from the fall knocked his stone loose…so he went to the urologist. They told him he was just badly bruised. So a couple weeks later he was still no better. He went to his regular Dr and they did more x-rays. They discovered he had a fractured spinal lumbar. Right after this news, Chris’ grandmother passed away….she was 2 weeks shy of being 97!! This was his Mom’s Mother. The funeral was on Thursday January 17th. On Sunday January 20th, his Mom went into the hospital. She suffers from COPD and couldn’t breathe. While his Mom was in the hospital, his Dad found out he has a mass in his lung. On Thursday he got a call from his Dr and told him to go straight to the hospital…his lab work had came back and his blood platelets were at an emergency low. He really needs the back surgery to get relief from the pain he is in and he needs a biopsy of the mass in his lung….but they can do nothing for him at the time b/c his platelets are so low. He is getting his second transfusion today so we are praying that they will stay up this time. His Mom got released from the hospital yesterday and is now resting at home. I know it has to be so hard on her to not be able to be by his side at the hospital.

So, Chris and his Mom and Dad are going thru a lot right now. I ask that you will keep them in your prayers.

“We know who goes before us, we know who stands behind, the God of Angel Armies….is always by our side.”

My Boys!!

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Maddox you are now 3.5 years old!

You are a sweet boy! You are getting better everyday about playing and being kind to Ryder. You are a great big brother!! I know you will always look out for Ryder and I know he will always look up to you!

You are very smart and you love going to school! You are currently learning to write your letters, learning to sound them out and you are working on your coloring skills of trying to stay in the lines! Your imagination is HUGE!! You have no problem sitting in the floor and playing with all your trucks and equipment and you are just talking away while you are playing! In your own little world. We hear you say Unc Kev a lot….too cute!

You know all the different makes of tractors and can identify them by color. Your favorite song is Jason Aldean’s Big Green Tractor. You sing it several times a day!

You love riding your new tractor, even when it is super cold outside!! You still sleep with your pappy and blanky and Mommy is OK with that b/c I’m not ready for you to give them up yet either.

You love to lay in bed with us at night to wind down….you have to have your pappy, blanky, chocolate milk and a piece of cheese and you currently love watching Super Why and Sid the Science Kid. You also like to watch Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Mickey Mouse Club House, and Duck Dynasty!

You shock us everyday with how much you know….you say the cutest things! You are becoming more and more independent and it does make it a little easier but I also want to cry wondering where that flash of time went that you were a baby and toddler. You have a sweet heart and I look forward to seeing all the GREAT plans God has for you!

Ryder…oh Ryder….where do I even start with you?

You will be 19 months on January 16th! You are a little ham! You are sweet and cuddly yet independent and PURE BOY!!

You think its funny to hit! But you always follow up with the sweetest hug b/c you know hitting is wrong.

I’m pretty sure all the dents and scratches in our new floors are from you. Instead of throwing balls like Maddox did at your age…you like to throw trucks!!

You are starting to stand your ground with Big Brother!!

You love playing outside!

You are a Mommy’s Boy!! You melt my heart!

You are shy to people at first but you quickly warm up to them.

You mainly love everything that Maddox loves right now! You kinda skipped all the baby toys and moved right on to trucks and tractors!

You love to use the sock em boppers!

You sleep thru most of the nights. You currently have been going to bed around 10 and get up at 8.

You love to put on hats of any kind!!! And you are obsessed with putting on shoes!

You have 12 teeth…8 completely in and 4 molars are half way in at this time.

You eat good sometimes and sometimes not. I would say your favorite food is pasta!

And I have to be completely honest….you are in a bad stage of picking your nose!

You now love to be read to. Your favorite books are the picture books that you point to what we ask you.

You also love airplanes right now…and looking at pictures of them!

Your nickname around here is Denise…aka Denise the Menace! That face is full of mischievousness.

You are a climber!!! Whatever you can climb and stand up on…you do!

You are already learning to use the iphone. Your favorite app is the Talking Tom Cat!

You are a mess and keep us laughing. Me and Daddy are constantly looking at each other and shaking our heads!!

At times, I think you have already hit the terrible twos. You have learned how to throw a fit!

But, you usually get over it really fast and your right back to your fun little self!!

We have the sweetest, smartest, cutest, most precious boys ever!!

Everywhere we go strangers tell us how handsome you boys are!! You already make us so proud!!

We Love You Forever….We Like You For Always…As Long As We Are Living…Our Babies You’ll Be!!!

Our weekend of Friends!!

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The day after Christmas our neighbors came over to exchange gifts!! We are so blessed to have great neighbors!! They are the kind of neighbors you can call in the middle of the night when your husband is at work and the security alarm just went off and you are scared out of your mind and don’t know what to do….they are those kind of neighbors. The ones that will come over immediately and search your house over and not leave until everything is for sure ok. We are thankful to live beside of the Carlson’s!

Jordan and Caleb

Sweet Breanna

On Saturday after Christmas we got together with the Ratliff’s!! Always a fun time catching up with them!! Sweet Elynd and the boys had a ball playing!!

Elynd loves Sesame Street!!

Maddox in Chase’s hat! Even cute Maddox looks a little dorky in that hat! Can’t wait for that style to pass…I don’t think any guy looks good in a flat bill hat!!

This Christmas bag was one tough bag!! It did not tear up very easily!! The kids played in it for awhile before it finally tore!!

Who knew a bag could be so much fun??

All 3 kiddos in the bag!!!

On Sunday evening…we had the pleasure of spending time with The Eurey’s! We use to be with them every weekend before we had kids! They will forever be our buddies!! I cooked chicken pie, cheesy ranch potatoes, mac n cheese, corn and crescent rolls….gasp…yes I cooked!! It was yummy! After supper we got to play some spades just like old times!! Krista and I won!! Girl Power!!

Cute Elan and her beautiful hair!!

Elan taking Ryder for a ride!!

Maddox and Beckham had a fun time wrestling and boxing with the sockem boppers!! We sure have got our moneys worth out of those things!!

Time to open gifts!!

While we played cards the little ones watched polar express and ate cookies!!

On New Years Eve…The Carlsons and Chris and Jennifer our neighbors across the street came over to eat and play games.

Ryder getting a NYE kiss from Kinsley! Oh lord help me!! Kinsley is Maddox’s age and was trying to be a little Momma to Ryder.

I told Maddox to smile and he broke out into this pose!!

We played Guesstures and Taboo! Maddox made it until midnight but little Ryder didn’t!!

We had a super fun weekend having friends and neighbors over and I’m pretty sure I crashed on NY Day!!!

2012 Highlights!!

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I would sum up 2012 for me as a year of rest and healing!! I have a new perspective on life and I feel 2012 reflected it!! The little things in life are the greatest things in life and we should never take them for granted. We should value everyday as a special gift and when we get upset about things…ask ourselves the question….”Does this really matter?”….”Is it worth wasting precious time being mad or upset?” I found myself asking these questions a lot and I can truly say…they make you stop and think about what is important and can quickly change the direction of your day. Now I’m human so I can’t say everyday was bubbly and rosy but for the most part, I was Happy Happy Happy!!

Aside from all the get togethers with my family and friends, holidays, birthday parties and just great days with my hubby and boys…here are some of the highlights from our year….in somewhat random order!!

Bahamas Cruise

In January we had the best time with great friends on our 5 night Bahamas Cruise!!

Complete Healing in My Body

I had my stroke in November 2011 but I had my second scare in January 2012…I was last seen at Duke on November 5th 2012 and was told that my arteries were completely healed and showed no signs of the dissections. I was able to come off the Coumadin and now I only have to take aspirin! I am so thankful! So glad I serve a God who heals!!

Maddox Potty Trained

By March Maddox was fully potty trained!! My advice to anyone getting ready or trying to potty train is….they will do it when they are ready and when Nana threatens to give a spanking the next time they poop in their pants!! lol!! Hey…whatever works..right? Maddox quickly got a routine down when he went to the bathroom. He has to have his lightning mcqueen seat, his pants and underwear completely off and he would have to have his tractor book!! Not long after this picture he decided he only liked to poop in private so he will tell you to leave and shut the door!!! haha!! The kid is hilarious!!

The Boys Construction Bash Birthday Party!! Maddox turned 3 and Ryder turned 1! We celebrated with a Construction Party using all of Uncle Kevins equipment!!
Day on the Lake and Maddox Wake Surfed!!

Ryder started Walking in August….he crawled for 6 months before he started walking…Maddox crawled 6 weeks before he started walking!!

Beach Trip with the family

A perfect week except for the biting flies!!!

Carowinds Trips

We got lots of use out of our season passes!! Thank You Nana!! Maddox loved Carowinds and surprised me by riding everything he was tall enough for…plus some…wink wink!! I’m excited for Ryder to be older this year and will be able to ride more!!

Maddox Played Tee Ball!! His first time playing an organized sport!! He did so well to be a fresh 3 year old….the league starts at 4 so he did really well to be the baby out there!!! Mommy and Daddy were proud!!! He starts Top Dog wrestling next week, can’t wait to see how that goes!!

Pumpkin Patches

We made it to 2 pumpkin patches this year! The first one with Andrea, Shep and Taylor and the second one a play date with Amber and Hudson!!

The Dog and the Dog Catcher on Halloween!

Gamecocks Game Date Day! Chris and I rarely get Date nights so when we do…they are very special! We had a whole date day on November 10th. We went to the SC vs. AR game!! So much fun and loved spending time with my main squeeze!!

Ryder Talking

Ryder has been talking up a storm lately. I feel really horrible that I dropped the ball on doing his monthly post! He is repeating most words he hears us say and has even started putting 2 words together. I feel he started talking over night. I was actually wondering if he was ever going to start talking and now…I don’t have to wonder anymore!!

One of my favorite words to hear him say is “ae pane” (airplane)

My favorite phase he says is “happy happy happy”

Christmas

I just finished up the series of post from Christmas so I’m not going to post any pics. The whole month of December was a highlight of 2012. I loved everyday of it!! Having kids and Christmas are just a fun and magical mix!!

While writing this post I keep thinking of more and more highlights…they are the little things…just like I said in the beginning. The little things that my boys do that I don’t ever ever want to forget! I loved revisiting 2012 and all the JOY that it brought to our life!! So thankful to be blessed with such a great year!!!

I pray 2013 only brings even greater blessings.

Praying for all of you to be super blessed in 2013!!!

God is Great!!!

Christmas Day 2012

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What a fun Christmas we had!! The boys are at a fun age! Even though Ryder wasn’t quite old enough to get it…he was so excited and so cute running around looking and playing with all the toys!! Maddox has definitely got it now so the next 6-7 years with him are going to be magical!! I’m soaking it all up!!

The boys slept in until 9! So we got a late start….I’m sure that will change soon enough!

Santa got the boys power wheels but got them for a steal!! He bought them from a couple whose little girl rarely used them and they were like new!!

Santa decided to sit the toys out this year instead of wrapping them all. We will let Santa know to do this again next year…it worked out well. They still had a few wrapped boxes to unwrap that were from us!

Digging deep!!

Maddox asked for a Kubota tractor for Christmas!! Santa did not disappoint…he got his Kubota tractor…it is just very small!!

I’m helping Ryder with his stocking!

Ryder’s favorite gift…his new boots!!

Maddox and Ryder got me a Keurig!! I have been wanting one for a long time!!!

They got Chris this North Face Pullover!! They are pretty good present givers!!

Mom and Dad came over right as the boys got up so they got to see them check out and open most of their gifts!!

Brenda and Gerald came shortly after.

I made a breakfast casserole, my Mom brought sausage gravy and Brenda brought livermush and ham biscuits…so we had a yummy breakfast/brunch!!

I didn’t get them in front of the tree but I got them on the four wheeler.

These toys sum up the stage my boys are in right now!! Equipment, John Deere and monster trucks!!

Maddox was so excited to go ride his tractor!! He begs everyday to go out and ride!! Hurry up springtime!!

That evening we went to my Mom's church for our extended family get together. The boys are starting to play so good with all their little cousins!! (that I didn’t get pics of) There was a nursery across the hall so all the little ones played in it!

Tori helped supervise!

Intrigued with the talking Tom Cat on Tori’s Ipad

Playing games with Mawmaw!!

We were exhausted by the time we got home that nights and enjoyed a lazy rainy day at home the next day!!

I love Christmas, My 3 Boys, Family…and all that stuff (as Maddox would say) they make me HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!!

Thank you God for your many blessings! Thank you for sending your son! Thank you for the gift of salvation and the promise of eternal life! You are exalted above all!!

Christmas Eve 2012

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Christmas Eve is probably my most favorite day of the year!! There really is something magical about that day!! My family comes over around 5 and we just have the best time until at least 11!!

The night began with the youngest of the family playing in the floor with the bear that tells the story of “The Night Before Christmas”.

Caine waiting to dig into our steaks and salad!!!

Uncle Kevin trying to win over little Ryder!!

We just stuffed our bellies!

I gave Caine a quick manual shooting class and he snapped these pics

We went to communion at Mawmaw’s church but when we got there…the lights were off. Come to find out the pastor had gotten sick and had to cancel. So we headed back and played a fun game!

I wrapped a gift up about 4-5 times and taped it a lot!!! We stood in a circle and passed around a bowl with dice. When we got the bowl, we had to roll the dice and if we got doubles we had to get in the middle of the circle, put on the santa hat, the tree skirt around our shoulders, the ornament necklace around our neck and put on a pair of Christmas Simpson boxers. Then we had to put oven mitts on our hands and try an unwrap as much of the present as we could before someone else rolled doubles!!! It was so much FUN!!! We were all dying laughing!! It was great!! Joy ended up winning!! The picture above is Mawmaw and Ryder spectating. Ryder wasn’t sure what to think about all the commotion!

I'm not so sure Tori could even see here!!

Present Time for the kiddos!!

Hey Jake!! Where’s Bucky??

Maddox is serious about his unwrapping!!

Kevin did you get something from Justice??

Mom got a coach purse and wallet from us daughters and grandkids!!

Joy getting ready to open her piece of pottery from me!!

I love the necklace I got for Laura!!

My precious Mawmaw!!

This family pic was taken at 11:00…I think it’s not to shabby considering how late and tired we all were!! Next year we need to take the pics first thing!

Nathan and Laura

My People!!

Ladies…all the ladies!!

Sissys!!!

It’s tradition to do goofy pics!!

Mommy and Daddy

After everyone left…Maddox threw out the reindeer food!!

and….Santa came!!!!

I was so excited I could hardly sleep!!!

It was a great night!!

Christmas Eve Eve 2012

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The last few days have been so busy but so fun!! I had a minor surgery last Thursday to remove a lipoma from my jaw. They had to put me to sleep and cut around my ear to get it out without leaving my face scarred. I worked the next day for 12 hours in a jaw bra….I was exhausted and whinny but made it thru!! Saturday I wrapped gifts, cleaned house and tied up all loose ends for Christmas!! Sunday we went to church and then….all the festivities began!!

Chris’s family came over to our house this year. We had lasagna, salad, bread and lots of desserts!!!

Once again…not the hubbys favorite thing to do when we get home from church but he cooperates anyway!! Thank you Babe!!

Emily reading to the boys!

Kenny and Keeley

Kenny and Maddox fighting with Sock em boppers

Sweet Cali

Nephew Trevor…so hard to believe he will be 15 soon.

The boys opening their gifts!

This was Ryder’s gift but Maddox tried to take it over!!

Wolfie hung all of Maddox’s underwear on their tractor tree!! Too funny!!

We don’t get to spend as much time with Chris's family so It’s always great when we are able to all be together and catch up!

Merry Christmas!!!

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Hope you all are having a very Merry Christmas!!

Happy Birthday Jesus!! Every good and perfect gift is from you!!!

Blessings to All!!!

The Carrigans

Maddox’s Christmas Program!!

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Yesterday Maddox had his Preschool Christmas Program! All the kids wore their PJ’s! Maddox chose to wear his Santa PJ’s and I would say they stood out! ha!

Ryder was a little ham trying to keep him entertained while we were waiting! He is at the perfect age of not being still and not listening to us when we say be quiet!! But we made it thru!!

Here he comes!!

Daddy and his boys!!

Mommy and her boys!!! I was so proud of my Maddox!!

Refreshment time!!

One of his teachers Mrs. Crystal

This preschool year is flying by and all I can think is before I know it….it will be May and he will be finished and then it will be the 4 year old class and then Kindergarten….tear! I just love all the ages and stages he has been in so all I can do is soak them up as they come.

Great job Maddox…Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you!

Speaking of proud..this little booger knows The Pledge of Allegiance!! I had no idea until I saw it on one of his papers his teachers sent home! I was very impressed!! So I grabbed my phone to record it before he got out of the car!!