The Best Christmas Ever

I do have to say that this has been the best Christmas of my life! Brody is at the perfect age for enjoying this season. When we asked him this year what do you want Santa to bring you his answer was always the same, "donuts". I know this sounds a little crazy but we thought it was so funny and sweet. So he must have been a pretty good boy b/c he not only got his donuts he also got an easel, Elmo LIVE, and some tractors from Santa or as Brody calls him, "Ho-Ho". He also enjoyed opening each present. He took his time and wanted to play with each one, even some new boots, before going to the next one. I loved it. I only hope that every Christmas can be this great!

I must have been a pretty good girl b/c I had a few gifts from Santa Christmas morning too. I got a new stand mixer, which I have wanted now for over a year, and the complete set of Paula Deen cookware in Red. I loved it! Good Job Santa!!! I hope you all had a great Christmas too! Now for us it is time to plan for Brody's 2nd birthday party. His birthday is January 12th and we are having his party on the 10th. We went to pick out his party stuff tonight and the theme this year is sports. He loves any kind of ball so that's what he wanted!!!

I am enjoying a much needed break from work. It has been one of the craziest times I have ever had in my career. I won't go into any detail but let's just say that the break could not have come at at better time!

What a weekend!!!!

Wow, I have to say that this has been one of the busiest weekends ever! On Friday night Adam, Brody and I met Harold, Sandy, Paul, Bobbie Lyn, Anna and Joseph at Cheddar's in Cookeville for Harold's birthday dinner. His birthday was Wednesday and he loves that place so we all decided to go there. The food was wonderful and the kids were really well behaved. After dinner, Harold and Sandy, Adam, Brody and I went to do a little Christmas shopping. We didn't get home until 10:30. We were pretty worn out and Brody went on to bed . Saturday morning I got up pretty early to get the house cleaned up for Avary's photo shoot. Brody got up and Mom came to help with Brody while I was taking pictures. CAN I SAY A BIG THANK YOU MOM!!!!!
The pictures turned out pretty good and by the time we were finished with everything the kids were worn out. I have to say that Brody did really well with Avary. He was so sweet sharing his toys, even his precious tractors with her. He would get one out and tell her what it was and then hand it to her. Maybe he will make a good big brother one day!! (Not just yet, though)
Brody then took a little nap while I cleaned up from the morning and made a sweet potato casserole. Then we got ready and headed to Paul and Bobbie Lyn's for our first official Christmas Celebration. We got all the Summers (Harold's brothers, their wives and kids) together early this year so it didn't interfere with any other Christmas plans. We had a great time and Brody got so many nice things! We stayed until 9:30 and we once again were very tired!!!
Yesterday afternoon we went shopping again! Once we got home Brody crashed for two hours and I wrapped presents. We then got him ready and took some Pictures of him for our Christmas cards. I guess the rush of Christmas is officially underway for the Summers family.

Happy Birthday Tabitha!!!

I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to one of my best friends in the world. I hope you have the best one yet!!! I didn't have a picture on this computer but I still love you!

Tagged

Okay I have been tagged by JD to go to my fourth picture folder, my fourth picture and write 4 things about it.
1. This picture was taken at my house when Brody was only a few days old.
2. My mother-in-law Sandy is holding Brody and loving on him as she always does.
3.I think my father-in-law Harold was just waiting his turn!
4. If you look closely you can see Brody's swollen head from the vacuum, which didn't work.

Now I tag 1: Amanda Daniels
2. Brooke Barton
3. Melanie Hicks
4. Julia Norris

22 months

I can hardly believe that in just 2 months Brody will be 2!! Where has time gone? I do have to say that I am really enjoying this age though. (I think I have enjoyed every stage) He is getting in some ways a whole lot easier to handle and in other ways we are definitely in the midst of terrible twos. He loves his tractors, bulldozers, track hoes, back hoes, gators, cars and trucks. Last night he and Adam were in the floor playing for nearly an hour with all of his miniature cars. I just had to get a few pictures and I know you have been wanting to see more of our little man! He still isn't even attempting to potty, which I know will come when he is ready. He likes to be in control. He wants to read books all the time but he really is wanting me to ask him where things are in the book and let him point them out to me. When I start to read he turns the page, I don't know if this is a sign of a Type A personality or what! Brody is still a really good eater and he is still pretty big for his age. I am not sure about his height but he weighs somewhere around 33 pounds. He is in a 3T clothes, size 6 diapers and size 81/2-9 shoe! I can't keep him in clothes, it seems like sometimes. Well that's just a really quick sample of where we are right now. Oh one more thing, When I ask or tell Brody anything right now his automatic reaction is "Huh" like he didn't hear me. It's pretty funny after about four times of repeating something!

I got this forward today and wanted to pass it on

I got this forward today from Leanne Malicoat and wanted for all of you who read my blog to share it. This is my way of testifying to the LOVE my savior has for all of us, regardless of our beliefs. It amazes me when I think of his love, his promise and His Sacrifice... I hope you are blessed as much as I was when I read this.... My Cup runneth over

> It's a "True/False"
> test.  I'd like for all of us to take it.  Feel free
> to email it on to
> whomever:
>
>  True/False:  The day after the election, regardless
> of who wins, Jesus
> will still be King.
>
> True/False:  The day after the election, regardless
> of who wins, our
> responsibilities as Christians will not have changed
> one iota.
>
> True/False:  The day after the election, regardless
> of who wins, the
> greatest agent for social change in America will
> still be winning the
> hearts and minds of men and women through the
> gospel, not legislation.
>
> True/False:  The day after the election, regardless
> of who wins, my
> primary citizenship will still be in this order -
> (1) the Kingdom of
> God, (2) America, not vice-versa.
>
> True/False:  The day after the election, regardless
> of who wins, the
> tomb will still be empty.
>
> True/False:  The day after the election, regardless
> of who wins, the
> cross, not the government, will still be our
> salvation.
>
> True/False:  The day after the election, regardless
> of who wins, our
> children will still be more concerned with whether
> or not we spend time
> with them than with who is President.
>
>  True/False:  The day after the election, regardless
> of who wins, my
> neighbor will still be my neighbor, and loving
> him/her will still be the
> second greatest commandment.  (Do you know the
> first?)
>
> True/False:  The day after the election, regardless
> of who wins, the
> only way to see abortion ultimately overturned will
> still be winning men
> and women to a high view of life through the gospel
> of Christ.
>
>  True/False:  The day after the election, regardless
> of who wins, the
> only way to see gay marriage ultimately defeated
> will still be winning
> men and women to a biblical view of marriage through
> the gospel of Jesus
> Christ.
>
>  True/False:  The day after the election, regardless
> of who wins, my
> retirement will still not match my treasure in
> Heaven.
>
> True/False:  The day after the election, regardless
> of who wins, "Jesus
> Is Lord" will still be the greatest truth in the
> Universe.
>
> True/False:  The day after the election, regardless
> of who wins, we will
> still know that God is in control.
>
>  How did you score?
> 

The Big 5-0

Mom turned 50 on Sunday! I was going to have a big 50th celebration but decided to keep it simple and small. I cooked a big pot of beef stew, cornbread and an earthquake cake. I even got a few 50... over the hill decorations to surprise her. Adam, Brody and I got Nana (or as he says ANA) a new Rowenta iron. I bought myself one last year and absolutely loved it so much that I got Sandy (Adam's mom) one for her birthday and decided to do the same for mom. If you have never heard of one it is the BEST iron in the world. I threw my starch away when I bought it and haven't used any since.
Anyway I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to mom again and thank her for everything. Especially bringing me up in a Christian home and showing me how to be the best person I can be. Thanks mom and I love you!

Trick or Treat

Well as most of you know, Brody was a little Cowboy for Halloween. On Friday we had the school's annual Mega Party as a reward for our fund raiser. I knew that it would be a good day to bring Brody to school so Sandy dressed him up and brought him to see me that afternoon. He looked so good in his hat, boots, bandanna, vest and Levi's. I had to show him off a bit.
We had to go to Walmart later and met up with mom. She was so excited to see Brody and decided to come home with us and go trick or treating. We only went to 4 places but he got more candy than I ever got going to several houses! I have to say that I enjoy Halloween so much more now than I ever did before, even when I was the one dressing up!!!! I hope all of you had a safe and happy Halloween.

Week night fun

This week we have had a lot of fun in the evenings. It has really started to get rather cold so we have been bundling up. Before the sun goes down we have been riding the four wheeler and Adam and Brody have been doing some work on the land below ours on the tractor. Here are a few pictures from this week. Can you believe how big Daisy is getting?!?!

My little Cowboy

For Halloween this year I decided to dress Brody as a cowboy. He already had most of the outfit but I got him some boots and we borrowed the vest. I wanted to get some pictures before Halloween and I thought this week would be a good time to do that. Here are a few from Monday evening. I think he might be the cutest cowboy I've ever seen, but I may be a little biased!!

4 years ago today...

I married my best friend 4 years ago today. It seems like we have known each other forever and at the same time, it has flown by. Thank you so much for being the best husband and father that I could have ever asked for!! I love you honey

My little boy

Well there have been so many things going on in our lives recently that I just haven't taken the time to post a lot. I just wanted to take a few minutes to fill you in our what our little man has been doing lately. Brody will be 21 months old on Sunday. I just can't believe it. It seems next to impossible to me that in just a little over 3 months he will be 2!!!! He is so much fun right now. Don't get me wrong, he has definitely had his share of fits, but all in all I love this age. It is so fun to watch him learn and do new things everyday. He has really taken off on talking lately. He repeats everything you say and can answer yes (Uh huh) and No (NO Way) questions with the most hilarious enthusiasm you have ever seen. He has learned a lot from his cousins and he is even doing pretty good sharing with them. Brody finds a toy, usually a ball or tractor, and wants to play with it for a while. I think this is a good thing! He is getting a really good arm and he loves football and baseball the best. (much to my dismay, he isn't really all that interested in basketball) I know he will grow to love it though!! Brody doesn't really get in much of a hurry. It will drive you crazy when you have to be somewhere b/c he gets pretty easily distracted on the way to the van. He would rather stay home and play (who wouldn't) He takes his time doing almost everything, except eating. He is a great eater and has really taken a liking to milk lately. He used to just want juice all the time but now, especially when he is getting a little tired, he asks for milk. He is has a terrific appetite and lets you know very quickly when he gets finished. He is feeding himself almost all the time now, unless it's soup or something that is hard to pick up. He still would almost rather have a book than anything else right now. I am still so glad of this. He is getting a little harder to handle when he does throw a fit. He has started kicking, screaming no and even throwing himself on the floor. When he does this I try to take a deep breath and get down to his eye level and tell him why we can't do this. He hates time-out but I think it affects him almost more than anything else. He is also getting to the age where he is trying to see how far we will let him go on a specific issue. But most of the time he is really a sweetheart. He says bye mommy, ove you (love you) every time I leave or when he is riding on a toy and pretending like he is going somewhere. I never knew how much I could love someone. I hurt when I see him hurting and worry so much about who he will become. I want to be the best God-fearing mother that I can be and I know the most important thing to teach him is about my Savior. I pray that I can do a good job of this. I have always heard that being a parent is the hardest job a person can have but also the most rewarding. I know exactly what they mean when they say that now. I love being a mommy to this little boy and look forward to all of the adventures that lay ahead for our family. I hope you enjoyed learning about Brody

Who does Brody look like?

His Daddy? His Mommy?


His Uncle Curt?














His Uncle Bryan?












Everywhere we go I get the same question, " who does he look like?" When he was born he looked exactly like my brother Bryan. I saw it, Adam saw it and everyone else did too. I think it was the little round full face. But the older Brody gets the more like his daddy he looks. As much as I want to say he looks like Adam I have to admit he looks A LOT like my brother Curt. I took these pictures last week. Let me know what you think.

Stomach Virus and Black eyes

Last week was crazy. Last Saturday we had our annual Pine Orchard Fair. This is one of the only community fairs left in the state of Tennessee. When I met Adam I started going every year. It is a time of good food, music and fellowship. Adam and I set up a booth this year for the first time. I took pictures for little souvenirs and Adam had pumpkins and gourds. We had a great time and we did pretty good too.

We rested all day on Sunday and Monday headed back to work. I called home during my planning period to check on Brody and Sandy told me that Anna had gotten sick. My heart sank. I hated that Anna got sick but I was also a little worried that Brody would get it. I decided to stay home and keep him away from Anna and Joseph on Tuesday. We had a really fun day and I thought we had escaped the "bug". I was wrong! Wednesday morning about 4 Adam and I woke up to hear Brody get sick. He was so pitiful. This was the first time he had ever thrown up before. Everytime before he got sick he would start crying and saying Mommy or Daddy in the most heart-wrenching voice I had ever heard. Adam was off that day so I decided to go on to work and get my stuff ready to be off for the rest of the week. I took Thursday off and Brody felt much better. We had another great day full of rest and play. Friday morning about 3 I woke up and noticed Adam wasn't in the bed. Then I heard him. He had the virus too. Joseph and Bobbie Lyn got sick on Wednesday, Paul got sick on Saturday and Sandy got sick Sunday. Harold and I are the only ones that have escaped the plague so far. I don't know if it is inevitable or if maybe from being around all the students all the time has helped me build up an immunity. (i hope)

Once Brody was over his sickness he was just like new. He loves to hop around all the time. He is a little on the clumsy side ( I don't know where he gets it- ha!). It's kinda an on-going joke with us. Brody falls so much that we are a little used to it now. Most of the time he gets up and just laughs at himself. Lately he has noticed more when he gets a boo-boo. Friday when I got to Sandy's to pick him up I noticed his eye right away. It looked awful and I just knew it was going to be black. Sandy was reading one of her home remedy books on how to treat bruises and it said to put preparation H on it to avoid swelling and minimize healing. We tried it and it worked really well. It still had a little bruising but nothing like we thought. I tried to get a good picture but Brody didn't really want to cooperate.