Vacation Time With Grandpa!

James is on vacation this week so, aside from all of the projects that he is currently working on around the house, he's been hanging around much more than usual since he's not at work. Guess who he loves spending lots of time with????????????

It's Scooty Bug, of course......."My Weston" as Grandpa likes to call him. Here they are sharing an early morning chat and playing "peek a boo".

And here is Grandpa teaching Weston the art of blowing raspberries! I'm not sure who is having more fun - the teacher or the student!

Clearly, the love goes both ways between sweet Scoots and his sweet Grandpa - just look at the joy on Weston's precious face!!!

I wish everyone could have heard these two this morning the way that I did. I was in my office/the playroom with the other daycare kiddos and could clearly listen to James with Weston. That husband of mine giggled, laughed, counted, blew spit bubbles and said endless "I love yous" to that little boy. It totally melted me. Then, James decided that he would teach Weston the ins and outs of "The Price Is Right" - James' favorite game show of all time. He patiently explained to Weston the skill of bidding on the prizes, spinning the wheel for the chance to be in the showcase, etc. - too cute! Then, I heard him ask Weston....."Are you poopy, Mister?" I didn't say a word, but just waited to see what would happen. Sure enough, James came trotting into the office with Weston, laid him down on his change table and proceeded to handle the diaper situation without so much as a single request for me to take care of it instead. I tried not to let James know I was watching him, but snuck enough peeks to know that he not only changed Weston's diaper, but did so with such tender loving care, talking to him the entire time and being extra careful to get him squeaky clean just the way that I do. I love that man. I am so lucky to be his wife. My children are so lucky that he is their Dad. And, now, Weston is so lucky to have him as his Grandpa. My heart bursts!

The Three Amigos

Asher, Wade and Weston........

I see some SERIOUS gray hairs in my future on behalf of these three...........they are already GREAT friends and, with just a few months between them, they will be into EVERYTHING right around the same time. Asher is in the lead - already VERY curious and mischievous. I just know he is setting the tone for what is to come and plans to teach Wade and Weston all he knows about TOTAL house destruction ! I'm in some big, big, BIG trouble - ha!

Follow Your Nose!

"Follow your nose! It always knows. The flavor of fruit...wherever it goes! "

I'm probably totally showing my age here, but that's the Froot Loops jingle, just in case you don't know. I always loved that commercial - who couldn't like that fun little toucan - and STILL love to much on Froot Loops. My favorite flavor of Froot Loops used to be the blue ones - that is until THIS sweet little flavor came along...........................

Weston's first Froot Loop shirt, which he sadly has outgrown...

Thank goodness Granny found a new one!

Mmmmmm Mmmmmmmmmmm......................Delicious!

Pool Party!

This past weekend, we had a neighborhood pool party. We had a great turnout and it was LOADS of fun!

Of course, Weston spent lots of time in the water!

Here he is just chillin' with Uncle Brenner. Scoots ADORES Brenner and always gives him such sweet smiles.

Here, Weston is staring at the big umbrella that we set up to shade him from the sun. He had quite the spread with 2 umbrellas, a big blanket to lay on, his bouncy, lots of people who love him and SO much to see! We were all at the pool for over 6 hours straight and Scoots never even shed a tear - he was such a good baby!

Grandpa spending sweet time with his Scooty Bug!

I absolutely LOVE weekends with Brian, Bailey and Weston and am so happy that they have made friends with all of our friends here in our nhood. Our day was filled with so much fun in the sun. The pool party was a big success! We had hot dogs, brats, chips, watermelon, snow cones and desserts galore! There were also lots of door prizes, games and great conversation with great people. We are so blessed to have such good friends! Weston is going to have a blast growing up with all of his buddies: Boston, Nathan, Asher, Olivia, Cooper, Hailey, Mikayla, Leah, Luke, Kate, Kara, soon to be Reed, soon to be Baby Overstreet, soon to be Baby Pettke and many more!!!

Shoes!

Remember how I told you that Weston has grown into lots of his shoes??? Well....here are a few of our faves that he has worn recently...

His blue "big boy" sandals from Old Navy............bought long before Weston was even born!

His Converse high-tops! Bailey bought these just shortly after we found out that she was carrying a little boy! She has been so excited for him to wear them and they look ADORABLE!

These little moccasins are irresistible! Scoots looks SO darn cute in these guys!

LOTS more shoes to come!

Scooty Saturday!

We kept precious Weston Saturday afternoon/evening while Brian and Bailey went to a function for Bailey's work. As always, our time with him was WONDERFUL!

Just hanging out!

BIG, BIG smiles for Granny!

Soooooo tired......

We love every single moment with you, Weston!

Three Months Already???

Yep, the proof is in the picture........Weston is THREE months old today! It's already been a quarter of a year since this spectacular bundle of joy entered our lives and filled our hearts to the brim with LOVE!

This month has brought lots of fun for Scooty Bug. Mostly, he just totally sparkles with happiness all the time! Pictures can't quite do justice to the way he literally smiles from head to toe. He lights up every single time he sees one of us and then giggles like crazy! It completely consumes us and we can't get enough! Weston has also gotten to eat "real" food this month and puts it down like a champ! We've also seen a BIG increase in his "talking" skills. Scoots will go a mile a minute, just like his Mommy and Granny! He still loves bath time and also really likes to be in the swimming pool. We are so excited that Weston can finally fit into size 2 shoes - he has TONS of them and we can't wait to show em' off! Scooty Bug's growth seems to be slowing down a tiny bit, although he's still wearing size 9-12 month clothes! I think he gets more perfect every day!

Just look at that smiley face! I thank God for the gift of this precious baby all the time, and pray that he is ALWAYS this healthy and happy.

Scooty Swirl!

See the back of Weston's precious head??? See that little spot in the middle where his adorably soft, downy hair curls around? Well.........that's his Scooty Swirl!

Weston loves to be held facing outward so that he doesn't miss any of the action going on around him. So, while he's busy checking everything out, I get to kiss, kiss, kiss his sweet, baby shampoo smelling Scooty Swirl! Love it!

Toesies!

This little piggy went to market....................................!

Just Cuz...

Here's our Scooty doing what he does the VERY best....
just being our precious, adorable, wonderful, scrumptious, ever so LOVED little Scooty Bug!!!

Move Over, Chuck Liddell!

There's a new heavyweight fighter in the UFC...........Weston Scott Archer!

Sure, he may look all sweet and innocent at first........................

but lately he's learned how to pack a mean punch!

Yep, sweet Weston has discovered his hands!!! It is so funny to watch him ball them up into fists like a professional boxer and then just stare at them like "What the heck are these and where did they come from???" Precious love.

Mmmmmm Mmmmmmm Good!

Well, it's official. As of today, 6/21/10, we have a change in our morning Scooty routine - the addition of rice cereal! I must admit that I really wanted Bailey to hold out on giving Weston solids until he turned 4 months old, but the decision, of course, was hers so I just went with it. And, I have to say, Scooty certainly seemed MORE than ready to add some substance to his liquid diet!

Whereas most "first-timers" have trouble eating from a spoon and let the food just run down and out everywhere, not Mr. Scooty Bug! He slurped that stuff down like a pro and, I think he would have asked for a side of French Fries if he had known how! Just look at the complete joy on his sweet little face! Since I'm going to be making all of Weston's baby food, I can't wait to start trying him on various fruits and veggies! Look out, food world, here comes Scooty!

As always, Weston's breakfast was followed up by a nice, warm bubble bath!

And, after bath, it's one of MY favorite times of the day - story time! I love reading to the kiddos, especially to my sweet Weston. He is just fascinated by the sound of my voice and all of the colorful pictures in the books. He listens so intently and just stares with big, beautiful wide eyes. I hope he grows up to be a "reader" just like his Granny!

We always end our morning reading session with my favorite book of all to read to Scoots - "I Love You Through and Through." He's going to know that story by heart someday, I'm sure.

I just love that book and I just love him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Father's Day!!!

Happy Father's Day to Brian!!! He is such a GREAT Daddy to my Scooty Bug and we all love him "verzy" much!!!

Weston adores his Daddy and looks EXACTLY like him!

Look how precious Scoots looked when he arrived at our house today to celebrate Father's Day! Sooooooooo darn cute in those overalls and big boy sandals!

Sportin' Mommy's hot pink sunglasses!

That smile makes my heart explode with happiness!

Chillin at the pool before heading back to the house for a big Father's Day Steak Dinner with the family - This Granny sure wishes that Uncle Braydon could be here to share this special day with us - only one more month until he comes home! Happy Father's Day to all the Dads in our lives!

Just Another Lazy Friday At The Pool...

On Fridays, I don't have many daycare kiddos and Bailey gets off from work early. Soooo, it's the perfect day for us to head down to the pool!

Here's sweet Scoots looking ever so stylin' in his surfboard swim trunks!

Weston and Harper patiently waiting for us to get all the pool gear ready.

Ahhhhhh............................this is the life!

I just love spending time with my baby and her baby!

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord ,"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Epiphany - The sudden realization or comprehension of the larger essence or meaning of something.



You're probably asking yourself, "what on earth is that all about?" Well, let me tell ya, I had a serious "Aha" moment this morning, an epiphany, if you will. Why today? Who knows. But it happened; it undeniably happened. The feeling washed over me like a wave with no warning, but it was INCREDIBLE - a moment that I will never, ever forget. I honestly don't know WHY I had this very emotional and moving experience today, but I certainly know WHO caused it to happen - It's this little guy...

Yep, this blue-eyed, innocent little beauty, without even knowing it, just opened my eyes, and I mean opened my eyes WIDE to the real meaning of my existence. It may sound corny, sappy and crazy, but think what you will. I know that I changed today, and that's all that matters to me.

In 8 days, we will mark our 2 year anniversary of having moved from our lifelong home in San Antonio here to Ft. Worth. Not a big deal to most people. To me, however, it was HUGE - very unexpected, totally out of character, more life-changing than I ever imagined it would be. Everyone was stunned - how could we up and leave San Antonio - our home, our jobs, our family, our friends - what were we thinking??????? Many times, I literally had to defend our decision even though it was no one else's decision but ours to make. Somehow, despite the absolute craziness of it all, we knew in our hearts that it was right and it gave us peace. I just never knew how MUCH peace it would bring until this morning..........

Take a good look at this baby boy. HE is the reason we are here. As Jeremiah 29:11 states, God had a plan for us. We may not have known that plan at the beginning, but now it is all crystal clear. When Brian and Bailey moved away to Ft. Worth, my heart simply couldn't rest. I missed my child with everything inside of me. I knew that their move was the best thing for their future, yet I couldn't picture a future without them in it. Sure, I knew that Ft. Worth wasn't all that far away, but I wanted, NEEDED more than just the daily phone call or occasional visit. We all did. James and the the boys felt their absence just as strongly as I did. We had dozens of conversations about what to do - none of our decisions were made lightly. By the grace of God, we found our way...............we left all that was familiar to us to move toward something that was more IMPORTANT to us - more important than anything should be to anyone - OUR family. Yes, our little family of six - James, Brian, Bailey, Braydon, Brenner and me. That's what we focused on. That's what made us persevere. That's what we defended anytime we were questioned. That's the prize we kept our eyes on, and what a prize it was. To be all together again has been a gift. Yes, we miss our extended family and friends. Yes, moving here was a struggle at times, especially during the months that James and I had to be apart while he waited for his transfer. But, I can honestly say, that never for one moment have any of us regretted our decision. And, this morning, our plan - the plan God had for us - became even more clear...........Weston. There is nowhere on this earth that I could be happy other than with this precious child. God knew. He simply knew. It was His plan and always has been. THAT is what hit me this morning. I am so blessed to be EXACTLY where I'm supposed to be. What a treasure! This beautiful little boy is what life is all about and I am over the moon in love with him and all that he is. I know I've said it a million times, but I'll say it a million times more..........Weston means EVERYTHING to me. For those of you who haven't yet experienced being a grandparent, you just can't know. You simply cannot comprehend that level of love. It by far surpasses all other emotions. Having him here perfectly completes life's circle and it all just hit me today. Yes, yes, the general knowledge of all that has always been with me, but the TRUE force of it didn't weigh upon me until now. I have been chosen to be this little boy's Granny. God is trusting me to teach him all I know and to keep him loved and safe while he is in my care. Nothing compares to that and I will never take that responsibility for granted. I can say with total confidence that I am and always have been a good mother. That job has always been of top priority. Sure, there are things that I would change if I could go back, but for the most part, I am extremely proud of the way I have raised and continue to raise my three children. And now, as a Granny, I get the amazing opportunity to, in a way, do it again. Sure, Weston isn't my child. He is ever so lucky to have Brian and Bailey as his parents. They love him unconditionally and are the ones who will ultimately make the decisions that will guide his life. But, through God's plan, I am here to share in that. I have the blessing of being with Weston almost every single day. Brian and Bailey are entrusting me with their greatest gift while they have to be away from him. This time around, I have more knowledge, experience and patience than I had when raising my own children and those things can only benefit sweet Weston. That, too, is God's plan - the completion of life's circle. It's all just simply meant to be and I just didn't clearly see it before like I do now. I certainly knew that Weston's presence in my life was powerful - more powerful than anything I'd ever felt - but now I totally "get it." Heavy stuff, I know. And, for some of you, it will never make sense. But, for this girl, things have never been more clear.

So, thank you, my tired little munchkin. Thank you for opening my eyes to God's plan. I hope that everyone near and dear to me gets to someday experience what I did today. I will carry it with me always.