The Party!!

Yes, it is hard to believe, we have a three year old!!!  Reives was so excited about his birthday this year.  For weeks, he talked about his "dump truck and tractor" birthday party.  He was very interested in who was coming, and he had several friends that were on his personal list to invite :)  He had an absolute blast at his birthday party!  We had a great crowd of friends and family who gathered to celebrate Reives's big day, including my cousin, Kathryn, who was in town from Indiana.  Reives got some very fun and special gifts, and when playing with a toy, he always asks, "Who gave me this?"

Here are some pics from the big party:

 The big birthday boy!!

 Grandaddy and Brooks (his mini me)

 Reives greeting Nana and Papa (so special)

 R's cake decorated by Nana and Grammie (he was obsessed with the cake!)  For the first 15 minutes of the party, he stood and looked at his cake...it was so funny!

 One of my favorites :)

 We asked each child to bring a dump truck or tractor to play with.  They all had a big time!

 About to sing "Happy Birthday," but we had to sing it quietly, upon Reives's request.  (He is not big on loud noises.)

 Blowing out his candles

 Me and my birthday boy

 Opening presents

 Gigi and G Pa got Reives this bicycle dump truck!  He LOVES it!

 Can't you tell?

 Brooks and Carrie

 Jaymie riding the dump truck

Family pic from the party!  The boys were thrilled about the picture (as you can tell)!!

My Preschooler

September 3rd was a big milestone in the Glendye household.  Our Little R started preschool!  Now, we are very blessed that Trey's mom is the director of a wonderful preschool here in town.  So, he always has someone to keep a very close eye on him :)  Reives was very excited about his first day of school!  He goes two days a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays), and he seems to love going to school and is starting to make some new friends!  Here are some pics to document his big day!  He getting to be such a big boy!!

 Little brother wanted in on the action :)  (Brooks now insists on carrying his bookbag in the car, even though he doesn't go to school yet!)

 Gigi snapped a picture of Reives on his first day!

Had to include this picture!  Growing up, my mom always took my sister and I out for ice cream after our first day of school.  On the afternoon of Reives's first day, I had to take Brooks to the dr. because of an ear infection.  Trey decided to take Reives for ice cream while I was at the dr. with Brooks.  (He didn't even remember about my first day ice cream tradition)!  I thought it was pretty cool :)

Our HOME

I am so so behind on the blog...I am really going to try to get caught up in the next few days...so, here is a start!

We closed on our new house in July!  You can refer back to my May post "Moving and Faith" about searching for a house, facing the unknown, having faith etc.  Anyways, I hated that I never wrote a post of God's faithfulness in providing a house!  So, here it is:

There was a Saturday in June when Trey and I went and looked a few houses.  They were mainly located in the particular area of town that we thought God wanted us to be in and that we thought we wanted to be in.  But, after looking at these houses, Trey and I were so discouraged on the way home.  We had seen over 40 houses in the past 6 weeks, and we were just plain exhausted of the process and so frustrated that we had not found what we were looking for.  We had made two offers on homes, that obviously hadn't worked out, and we just couldn't see that we were ever going to find a house in a safe neighborhood, that didn't need a ton of work, that was in our price range.  I was on the verge of tears on the way home, and I think Trey was just plain mad at the whole situation.  We were living with my parents, which was working out great, but we knew they needed to start a kitchen renovation and that we would have to have another plan very soon.

That afternoon, I went house searching on the internet (for the gazilionth) time and found a house that had been dropped in price....one that hadn't come up on my searches before.  Although it was out of our range, I thought it could be worth looking at.  So, we talked with our realtor and she showed it to us the very next day.  It was "love at first sight!"  We absolutely loved everything about it (well, except for the price!)  The very next day, we decided to put an offer in, that was significantly lower than asking price.  We just figured that if they accepted or countered within our range, we would see it as an open door.  If they could not go as low as our top number, then God was closing the door.  Well, after one counter, they accepted our offer!  We were floored!  So, we closed on the house at the end of June, and we moved in the middle of July!

I think back over how discouraging and frustrating the whole process was at times, and how we just kept clinging to the Lord and His faithful promises, which was not always easy.  At the time, His timing seemed late and delayed, according to our thinking.  But looking back, we see so clearly why His timing was different and oh, so much better!  This house had been on the market for 2 years and was overpriced.  The couple who we bought it from, had just found a house in Atlanta, and they were finally ready to sell their house at the very time we saw it!  What a clear picture of God's perfect will.  We praise Him for His faithfulness to our family in so many ways.  We are thankful for the house He provided, but we are especially thankful for Him proving His faithfulness to our family once again.  I clung to this verse throughout this whole process, and I love that this journey has come full circle, and He has fulfilled what He said.

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land.  I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

Genesis 28:15

Our God is so faithful!

Some pics for those who don't live here and have asked....(don't have pics of the boys rooms, but will post some soon)

 Office

 Laundry Room

 Half bath

 Dining Room

Living Room (or empty room boys play in)

Family Room

Kitchen

Master Bedroom

Outside

17 Months

One of these days, I am going to post about our new house.  I keep meaning to, but it just happened happened.  The past 3 weeks have been rough as we have had about three different viruses being passed around between us.  No fun!  I sure hope we are all on the mend...

Anyways, a few days ago, on the 11th, our little Brooks hit the 17 month mark!  Seriously, he is not my little baby anymore, which makes me so sad.  He is still a Mama's boy, though, so I get plenty of snuggles from my little man.  Brooks has such a funny personality.  He is still super laid back, but he is definitely starting to show his feisty side.  He still loves tractors, trucks, cars, trains, etc.  He could stand at the train table for an hour and just push those trains around and around :)  He LOVES toys, and he is generally pretty good at playing and entertaining himself.  He also loves books and constantly comes up to us with a book in hand and says, "A book."  He is talking more and more, and he has put up to 3 words together a few times.  He is still such a picky eater, and his diet consists of fruit, milk, and sometimes ham and cheese. Oh, and of course snacks, crackers, cookies, etc.  He pretty much goes for the junk food!  He loves his big brother, Reives.  In fact, when Reives went to music camp this week, Brooks was not sure what to do.  He kept looking around and a few times he said, "Reis."  So cute that they are such good buddies already!  Brooks loves to play outside.  His favorite thing to play with outside is a cup and the water faucet, but he also loves to push trucks around, play with balls, etc.  He has also become obsessed with his little pocket Bible that he got for his baby dedication.  He likes to carry it around the house and say, "Bible."  So sweet :)  I hope he'll always love to carry around and look at his Bible :)

Other things about Brooks:

-He just had another ear infection after a long 5 months without one :(
-Takes one nap
-Loves to wave "bye bye" and blow kisses
-his hair is getting longer and it curls up in the humidity...trying to avoid cutting it
-his feet are finally starting to look like a normal size instead of teeny tiny
-still very attached to his rags and paci for sleeping
-likes to join in on the words "Bible" and "So" when we sing "Jesus Loves Me"
-likes to climb, and has a bit of a dare devilish side
-loves his Mama and prefers her to anyone when she is around (savoring every moment)
-is starting to be interested in puzzles
-when we count with Reives and say "one," Brooks always chimes in with "two"

Pics of Brooks at 17 Months:

And a little pic of my big 17 month old and his big bro:

Turning 30!

Goodbye 20's!  As of yesterday, I joined the 30 Club!  I have had some friends who were really sad about turning 30, and I am not sure how I really feel about it.  I am not really sad, but I guess I am not jumping up and down for joy either.  I think I just kind of feel like, "Well, another day older!"  In a way, I am just thankful.  I am thankful as I think back over the past 10 years and all that has happened.  And, I am also thankful as I think forward over the next 10 years as I know God has great and awesome plans in store!

Looking Back....

The 20's were really quite good to me!  They started out at UGA with my bestest friends in the whole world.  I was just a college student, dating a wonderful guy, wondering what my life would be like in 10 years.  They ended in Savannah, with a husband (that same wonderful guy) and two precious boys, with many dear friends, and looking back thinking, "God has surely blessed me over these past 10 years."

Some highlights from my 20's-

-Graduated from UGA
-Worked in full time ministry for a year at PABC with the college ministry
-Married my best friend and love of my life
-Traveled to Colorado, New York, Honduras, Barbados, Washington DC, the Bahamas, Boston, Maine (and some other more local trips)
-Worked as a college intern in full time ministry at PABC in Athens (probably my dream job)
-Got my first job as a 4th grade teacher at Blandford Elementary
-Got my Master's Degree from Nova Southeastern University in Brain Based Learning
-Moved 3 times and bought 3 houses (with my husband, of course).  This 3rd house, which we just moved into it, is hopefully where we will live for a very long time.  I hope there is no more moving in this next decade!)
-Got pregnant twice and had two, beautiful, baby boys
-Became a stay at home mom
-Became an aunt to my precious niece, Jaymie

I have so many things to be thankful for!  It is hard to believe that 10 years have come and gone since I turned 20.  In so many ways, it feels like such a short time ago, but then again, so much has happened!  Of course, there have been down times too...times where loved ones have passed, times of fear of the future, times of family members being sick, times where things weren't going the way I had hoped.  But, I praise God for His faithfulness to me and to my family!  I praise God for His many blessings that are far more than anything I deserve.  Yesterday, our family was visiting a local church in Savannah, and we sang a song called "Always."  Every time we sang the chorus, I had to stop singing because I kept tearing up.  After just coming through a trying season of clinging hard to God's promises, these words mean so much to me.  These were the words to the chorus:

"Oh, my God. He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always."

So, in reflecting on my 20's, I praise God that He is constant.  In this crazy life full of ups and downs, trying times and good times, fearful times and thankful times, He remains the same.  His timing is perfect, and He will not delay.  He is ALWAYS true to His promises, and MY God will come through ALWAYS, ALWAYS!

Hello, 30's!  Bring it on!

16 Months

On the 11th, sweet Brooks turned 16 months!  This little guy is on the go these days!  He is a professional walker now, and he just wants to be down and exploring all of the time.  He has become very opinionated lately, and believe me, he makes his opinions known!  He is a loud little thing.  Brooks is also a dare devil, and is not afraid to dive into new things and literally, climb to new heights.  This is much different from his more cautious big brother, Reives.  This month, Brooks has grown alot of blonde curls all over his head, picked up speed and is walking everywhere, and has probably at least doubled his vocabulary.  He is really beginning to communicate to us with his words.  For instance, when he wants milk instead of water he will say, "nilk."  He is also beginning to say "please" sometimes when he wants something, and just yesterday he started saying "thank you" when you hand him something.  He also loves to wave and say "bye bye" alot these days.  He is still a pretty laid back little guy, but he has had some rough days lately as his eye teeth are coming in.  They still have not broken through his gums, but they are coming any day now.  Brooks has become a better eater this month, but he is still pretty picky at times.  He loves the pool, playground, and we also discovered that he loves cats (thanks to living with Grammie and Grandaddy for 6 weeks.)  He is a bit scared of dogs these days, but he will chase after a cat in a heartbeat.  Brooks and Reives area really starting to play and laugh together lately.  They have been doing this for a while but you can tell that Brooks is interacting with him more and more.  I love listening to them laugh and play, until is turns into pushing and crying and squealing (which is usually the case.)  Brooks is still obsessed with cars, trucks, and tractors!  He pushes them EVERYWHERE!!

Other things about Brooks:

-loves cookies and crackers (definitely his favorite foods)
-has made the transition to 1 nap a day
-LOVES cold milk from his sippy cup and it pretty much acts as his coffee in the morning (bad mood until he gets it)
-saying alot of words and even some phrases.  This morning he said "rain coming down" as clear as day when we were talking about the rain
-starting to try and sing some songs like "Old McDonald."  He loves making animal sounds
-loves to climb on anything and everything
-would probably jump into the deep end of a pool if he could
-loves going on slides
-does not like sprinklers or showers
-his feet have had a huge growth spurt lately and he is outgrowing his summer shoes
-just as sweet and cute as ever!
-has become a bit rude to people lately.  He will turn his head, squeal, and hold his hand out when people try to talk to him sometimes (embarrassing!)

 Our fearless little baby!

 Brooks, the climber

 Love his blonde curls!

 Visiting with great grandparents!

Me and my handsome snuggle bug on my 30th birthday!

2.9

Back on June 11, Reives turned 2 and 3/4 (2.9) years!  I am shocked when I realize that I almost have a 3 year old.  My mind immediately jumps to in 3 more years, he will be 6, and then in 3 more, he will be 9, etc., etc.  This is all going by way too, too fast!  I am trying to hard to cherish each and everyday with these two, little guys!  I just LOVE being their Mama, and I LOVE being able to stay home with them.  I wouldn't trade the diapers, meltdowns, tantrums, picky eating, and stressful moments for anything in the world!

My spunky Reives is turning into such a big boy!  It seems almost everyday I ask him, "Reives, can't you just stay little forever?"  I always get chuckled at his answers.  Sometimes I get a "Yes, I can."  Sometimes, it's, "No, I not."  Sometimes, it's "Don't say that." or "Don't ask me that."  Clearly, his answer depends on his mood, and I must say that I have a pretty moody little guy on my hands these days.  (Not that our whole family has been in the middle of a major move/transition period or anything!)    Reives definitely has a mind of his own, and I would consider him pretty strong willed.  He is definitely one to push the limits, and he isn't going to give in without a fight!  But, Reives also has such a tender, little heart, and can be just the sweetest little guy in the world.  He is generally very sweet to his little brother.  For example, if Brooks cries, he usually says, "Don't cry, Brooks.  It's OK."  Of course, there are many moments of him aggravating his brother, but he really does enjoy playing with Brooks, and he tries to include him in most things and wants him around.  He also really likes when he and Brooks get to sleep in the same room when we are traveling.  It is cute to hear them laughing and talking before they fall asleep.

Reives is definitely a little sponge.  He seems to catch onto things very easily.  He knows all of his letters and most of his numbers (he has a harder time with those.)  I notice now that when we go places, he will count things (1-10) and point out the different letters that he sees around.  It is really cute, and I am glad that he seems to like learning new things.  He has always loved music, and he still LOVES to listen to songs and sing.  He usually sings on pitch, so I think he must have some musical talent!  He likes to play outside alot, and he is really into riding his tricycle.  He also loves the beach, pool, and pushing trucks around.  He isn't too into playing ball yet.  He will hit golf balls or kick the soccer ball for a little bit, but then he is off to something else.

Other things about Reives at this age:

-still naps most days, but he has started not napping some days (I leave him in his crib anyways)
-still sleeps in his crib and uses his pacis for sleep
-is one of the best eaters I know...he will try anything and eat anything.  he usually clears his plate
-will drink some milk at breakfast in the mornings but not much
-favorite cartoons are "Super Why" and "Dora"
-is very into tractors and trucks right now
-is also into animals and seems very curious about them
-has mastered riding his tricycle very well
-swims around in the pool by himself with his swimmies on
-still has a bit of a cautious/fearful side when it comes to loud noises
-super friendly and loves to wave at people and tell them "hey"
-knows his birthday (September 11)  and that he will turn 3
-loves books

Pictures of our little guy at this age:

Just love him so so much!