A Letter To Cole

Dear Cole,

I usually only write a letter to you on a special occasion but tonight I just couldn't help myself. You really have started to amaze us lately. Cole, you are one of the most tender hearted and pure people that I know. You love so deeply that it brings tears to my eyes and I pray that you always have that trait. God has blessed you with the most amazing laugh and the best imagination. You are always full of new games to play and new characters to pretend to be. You find such joy out of learning new things. Right now you are obsessed with Dinos and want us to tell you every fact that we can find. You are curious about everything! Cole you love to help everyone - especially Daddy and myself. You are an excellent big brother. No one can make Lily Kate smile like you can. You care for her so deeply and I am so very thankful that you have one another. Daddy and I say all of the time that we wish we were more like you. You love God and pray and sing all day long. You actually remind us to pray about things when we forget. You are so honest in your beliefs. There have been several nights before bed that you pray for your friends without being reminded and every time it blows my mind - you are only 3 years old! Cole, I feel so blessed to have been chosen to be your mom. Watching you grow up has been such a joy and such an honor. I love that I am able to stay home with you guys and share in everything that you do. That has been the best gift your daddy has ever given to me (to all of us really). I cannot believe how fast you are growing up and changing. I pray that you always know how much I adore you Cole Bug!

Thomas and Friends Live!

Cole doing his "peep peep"

Saying "Hi" to our church buddies, Connor and Dylan

We have been looking forward to tonight for several months now. Tonight was Cole's night - a special night we have planned to spend with just him. I ordered tickets to Thomas Live a long time ago and decided to leave Lily Kate at home (not a fun place for a 6 month old). Our babysitter arrived right after nap time so Rhonald, Cole and I could head out on the town. We had a yummy pizza dinner before the show (Cole's choice) and after the show we enjoyed some even yummier frozen yogurt with some friends from church who just happened to be sitting right by us. The actual Thomas show was very fun. Cole had a total blast singing along and getting involved with the story. He was a little worried at intermission that the show was over and he did not know what happened to the engines. Once he got over that it was all fun again! It was really crazy how many people we knew there...church friends, school friends....I guess everyone we know has a 2-5 year old little boy. Cole has never been to anything like this before (he hasn't even been to a movie yet) so we were not sure how he would do but it was great - he loved every second of it. And he really loved having some one on one time with mom and dad. When we got home he asked Sara, our babysitter, how Lily had done without him and then told her the entire Thomas story! We all had such a great time, although it did feel strange to not have our Lily Kate with us. I hope we continue to have these one on one night with each of our our kiddos as they grow up - it was a night none of us will forget for a long time!

Random Cuteness

This is what I saw when I got out of the shower one morning last week. Cole was reading Lily Kate a Thomas book. We have read it so many times that he basically knew it by heart!

Our first trip to the park for this spring/summer. Both kids (and their mommy) had a blast being out and about! There is something about being outside that is just plain good for the soul.

Touch A Truck 2011

Touch A Truck-an event that screams little boy! Last year was our first experience with Touch A Truck Day, a day where a local convention center fills the parking lot with every kind of truck and emergency vehicle and kids get to climb in them and play in them. This year it was FREEZING on Touch A Truck day so I stayed home with Lily and Rhonald headed out to see some trucks with Cole. Cole and Rhonald had so much fun and even got to meet up with Cole's buddy, Jackson, and his daddy, Ryan. From what I have heard both boys had a fabulous time despite the weather. Cole said his favorite trucks were the concrete mixer and the mail truck. There were bouncy houses and cotton candy and he even got to sit in a race care! Cole has been talking about his experience ever since Saturday. I am so glad that he was able to go and spend some great time with his daddy and his friend. Whoever thought of doing this is a total rock star in my book - Cole will be thinking about his day for months!

Silly Willy

Cole looks forward to Tuesday mornings every week because, since he was born basically, that is the morning we have set aside to play with the Thompsons and the Seusys. I love the morning too because I get to catch up with their mommy's! Kellie, Marla and I used to work together at Mercy and have known each other for about 6 years now. These kiddos have grown up together and have loved each other from the start! I can't wait for Lily to be big enough to join in on the fun. We are so blessed to have so many good friends with kids the same age as ours. I love, love, love watching all of them grow up!

Morning Giggles...From Lily Kate

It is so funny how our children tend to be like us in so many ways without ever being taught. Cole is so much like Rhonald but there are times when I see myself in him too. Like in the morning...Cole and I both need some time to wake up...to be quiet and wake up slowly. Lily Kate is showing signs of being just like Rhonald...able to wake up right away and be ready to go and get the day started. I love these pictures because you can totally see the differences in their sweet personalities!

Swingin' With Paw Paw

"There is no grandfather who does not adore his grandson."

---Victor Hugo

Rhonald had an amazing grandpa. He was the most loving "tough guy" I have ever known. When Rhonald lived in Searcy they saw each other every day. Grandpa Searcy adored Rhonald. I feel so blessed to have gotten to know him and to have been loved by him for several years before he passed away. I know, although it has never been discussed, that Rhonald was very excited to see the relationship that his dad would have with Cole. Having such a great relationship with his grandpa was so important in his life and I know Rhonald wanted that for Cole too. Cole has been blessed with 2 wonderful grandpas. One of them, Paw Paw (Rhonald's dad), was able to sneak away this weekend and come to visit us. Although we don't get to see Paw Paw as often as we would like, Cole adores him...and he adores Cole. Cole has been on Cloud 9 with Paw Paw here...playing and talking his ear off! I think Paw Paw is always in need of a vacation day when he gets home from our house because Cole keeps him so busy. It is wonderful to see Cole with his grandparents and to see him learn from them and be loved by them. I am so happy that Cole and Lily Kate will have them in their lives as they grow up!