today was an event.

Big events are coming and going. Events that I haven't blogged yet. Events that I really want to remember. Today was an event. We had our precious new friends over to play. Our NEW FRIENDS! One of the hardest parts about uprooting your children and moving them across the country is leaving behind friends. When you are two or three...or four, friends mean familiarity. Routine. Comfort. I have been so worried about this. Worried that my little bits will somehow be negatively affected by lack of familiar friend play. Well, worry has gone out the window. About a month after Ashton started school, he came home talking nonstop about one child.

Major.

 

 "Mama, can Major come to our house and play?" "Major loves racecars just like me." "Mama, pa-leezeeeee call Major's mama!" and so on and so forth. So, finally, I did. Well, first I asked Ashton's teacher if Major's mom was normal because Ashton would not stop talking about Major. Ha! After being assured that Major's mom, Jaime, was indeed "normal", I contacted her. Thank you Lord for Jaime. Ever meet someone and immediately think "I get her. Yep. I think we will be friends for a very long time."? Jaime. Not sure I have ever had so much in common with someone. And the kicker? We are NEIGHBORS and had NO idea. The Lord works in wonderful ways...

Ashton's main man, Major and sweet Lilla. Ashton is not the only one who has found a new friend. Emory has become quite enthralled with Lilla.



New friends make us giddy.
 

As far as Emory's concerned, if Lilla ain't doing it, it ain't right.




The baby of the family, Ande. Did I mention they have three little munchkins just like us?! Yes, she is just as precious in real life.




Can't leave out this little guy. Daddy threatened to come hijack him and get his haircut today. I keep saying that I'm going to cut it... then I run my fingers through his manly little sidepart, melt into a puddle and decide to put it off another day. Maybe tomorrow.

 

Today was an event.

2 more days.

Can't decide whether to keep this post light and happy or unload what I'm really feeling about this little milestone birthday.  I think I'll unload.  Sorry ;)  To say I am having a hard time with little Haysie's upcoming birthday is a bit understated.  I'm kinda a mess.  Hayes is my last baby.  Those words are even hard to type.  Things feel final. Definitive. Ending.  John is so content with this.  He is ready to raise up our children in the way that they should go and savor every moment and memory along the way.  Me?  I want to cross my arms and pout (and cry ad naseum).  No more rocking in silence for comfort, no more baby fat rolls, no more goo's and gaa's, no more tiny toes, no more...  Two more days.  I promise, next post will be filled with happiness and glee courtesy of the big first birthday.  I know these weepy moments will pass.  Poor Hayes - he is totally going to be taking his prom pics while I'm wailing, taking pictures, repeatedly wiping lipstick off his cheek and telling everyone how cute he was as a baby.  ;)

chefs.

My little chefs.  We made pumpkin cream cheese cupcakes.  When making multi-step baking items with your four and two year olds, expect a mess.  A big one.  A "Omg, what was I thinking?  I'm going to be cleaning cream cheese and flour out of every crevis of this kitchen for the next ten years!" kinda mess.  But those usually are the best kinds.  The memory making kind.  I love these two little best friends.  They are so dang excited to be wearing their aprons.  And even more excited to helping with such an important project.  Ashton would say, "Ok, Emory, it's your turn to pour the eggs in!!" and she would reply, "Oh boy!!!!" and so on and so forth.  Two little giggle box mess makers.  The pumpkin cupcakes turned out sweet. Life is sweeter.

 

Fall Festival

We are loving our first Fall in Macon.  The leaves change colors, the temperature dips into the 60's by early October and pumpkins and mums are overflowing everywhere you look.  Beautiful.  The way Fall should be.  We went to our first Fall festival last week at Emory's school.  It was such a good time.  If I could put a positive spin on the fact that we haven't really made any good friends yet, it would be that daddy and I have been enjoying having lots of "firsts" and "experiences" with our little family of five.

Haysie and Daddy


Snow cones!  When asked what flavor she would like, Emory said, "pink, please".  She settles for "puwple".


This Fall fest had a Chick-fil-a tent!  Welcome to Georgia!!  Bouncing, playing festival games and eating lots of sugar makes for a tired sassafras.


Fun was had by all!  Can't wait for our next Fall festival this week at Ashton's school!

backbloggin'

We are in Tallahassee right now. One of the best things about living three hours away is jetting "home" whenever we darn well please. Fabulous, really. It is rainy, the kids are watching Mickey Mouse (still in their pj's) and I was searching through my mama's archived pictures. What better time to do a little back blogging?! Ashton's first FSU football game. A historic day in our household. I know a certain daddy and certain papa that had probably dreamed about that very day many, many times.  Thank you mom for bringing your camera!  So glad I found these!  :)

We started the day off right with a tailgate.  Ashton honed in on this bag of chips and when Papa asked if he could have one, Ashton said, "No thanks, Papa."  After I assured him that the bag would be taken swiftly away if he didn't share, he obliged and broke off the teeny, tiny tip of one chip and handed it to Papa.  Serious as a heart attack with his chips. 

 

The band was warming up near our tailgate.  Daddy took him over to listen.

 

As if his first game wasn't exciting enough, Ashton had a super special treat in store.  He got to walk on the field with Papa for Alumni player appreciation day.  He was pumped. 

On their way in...

 

NOT a flattering picture, but wanted to preserve the moment.  Aunt Tatie and baby Hagen ;)

 

Practicing his three point stance while they wait.  Just like the "senimole" players.

d

Celebrities.

 

Waving to adoring fans is tiring work.  Especially when it's past your nap time. 

 

My fave.  Also my mom's new screen saver.

 

Very special moment for daddy and Ashton.  Their first of many football games together.  Notice Ashton's wardrobe change.  Grammie and Papa bought him his very own jersey.  Future "Senimole".

 

Ashton took this pic of daddy and Uncle Tripp during a lapse in excitement on the field.

 

His favorite thing about the outing.  Junk food.  And lots of it...  A huge treat for this primarily organic eating little man.

 

It really was a wonderful day.  He lasted until 7 minutes were left in the game - I couldn't believe it. 

This is the first of many Seminole games to come.  As Ashton yelled repeatedly all throughout the game...  Go Noles!  Scalp 'em!!!!!

Nostalgia

I didn't mean for it to be a nostalgic weekend. But it got cold. And Hayes has decided to break the "Kerr mold" and grow as if he were training for some sort of freak baby Olympics. He's big. Big enough to be wearing Ashton's 18m and 2T clothes.  SO - I had to break out the trunk of Ashton's Fall baby clothes. They were folded so neatly. No stains, no wrinkles, no "wear". Remnants of a mama with one baby. A mama who had time to neatly fold and stack clothes in a bin. I truly couldn't help but feel a stinging, emotional swell in my chest. Memories of "Baby Ashton" wearing his corduroy osh kosh overalls, starting to waddle and babble, combined with feelings of "How is this possible?!" when thinking of Baby Hayes now babbling in the same corduroy overalls. Sheesh. It was a bit overwhelming. Honestly, every milestone with Hayes seems to become quite overwhelming for me. I haven't really figured out why. Last baby? Conjures memories of when first two were babies? Not sure. Daddy thinks I am certifiable when he finds me blubbering away over a swaddling blanket or old paci or, yes, cordoury overalls. Hopefully this passes.

 

Our first true Fall weekend in Macon. Ahhh. Pumpkin spice lattes, wagon rides, enjoyable yard work and food from the crock pot. True bliss.

 

Is it weird that I am going about this post and not mentioning the fact that I haven't blogged in well over a month? Happy Fall Y'all!

four.

How could daddy and I possibly have known four years ago what real, true joy meant? We didn't. Not until 12:43 AM on August 7th. Ashton Thomas. Fireworks went off in my heart the day he was born. Perfect and pink and lookin' just like his daddy. Four years later and the fireworks for this boy just keep getting bigger. Always putting others first, gentle, patient, smart and the best big brother. He told me tonight that I am his best girl. Oh, he has no idea...

Ashton, baby, I love you <-THIS MUCH->. Always.

Right now, Ashton:

• 
  
  loves his siblings. he is always looking out for them and making sure they have what they need.


• 
  
  is a big buzz lightyear fan. "to infinity and beyond" is a favorite phrase while jumping off of something high.


• 
  
  loves goggles, better known as "gobbles". not for swimming purposes, more for aesthetic purposes.


• 
  
  is starting to divvy out chores to his little sister. "emory, go get me my gobbles from my room"...


• 
  
  says "actually" and "always be a-peared" (aka, always be prepared) quite frequently.


• 
  
  would survive on gummie snacks and "red gator-gade" if we let him.


• 
  
  continues to eat peanut butter sandwiches to the point in which he may actually turn into one.


• 
  
  thinks of eating and sleeping as a mission to get "big and strong like daddy" so that he can play sports. We hear this a lot.


• 
  
  carries around a handy manny wallet full of pictures, coins, dollar bills and business cards that grammie put together for him. best.thing.ever.


• 
  
  favorite books are "dino baseball", "fishing adventures with johnny" and his "animal encyclopedia".


• 
  
  wants to be outside all the time, but is terrified of "bees". this was fine and was brushed aside until this weekend when he received four hornet stings after upsetting a nest, proving this fear and theory that being outside could lead to "bee stings". we will work on this.


• 
  
  prefers to walk around all day in his undies or post wake-up pull up.


• 
  
  let's me cover him in kisses and still requests to be picked up and snuggled at least once a day. the thought of this ending makes me nauseous.


• 
  
  loves his daddy. as he told me this morning after being scared during a power outage last night and being comforted by daddy, "daddy rescued me last night when I was scared of the dark. he is a really good daddy."


• 
  
  is a match car junkie. carries at least one everywhere he goes.


• 
  
  is baby hayes' idol. and emory's, for that matter.

Full of life and plenty of love to go around. Never change, sweet man. Happy birthday.

Home Sweet Home.

After all of the tears and emotion, it was nice to be "home" and focus on our new beginning in Macon. I must say, while super exciting, it felt strange the first few days. Almost like we were on vacation?! Especially when I would be drinking my coffee in the morning, looking out at this.

The dining/kitchen area. My gourmet-cook-husband's favorite place.

Front entryway. I love the doors in this house. They are all almost fully paned and old and heavy.

Looking in from the entryway. The massive amount of natural light from these windows have made for some fun pics of the kids.

Baby Hayes' room. Quite a step up from a pack and play in the corner of mama and daddy's room.

Playroom. One of my favorite places. The kids have absolutely loved having this space with TONS of room for their toys. We spend a great deal of time here.

Playroom built ins. These are now stacked with books and bins and frames.

Sunroom off of the playroom. Guest bathroom.

Master bath.

My favorite room. The master closet.

Basement family room. Super cozy. That fireplace makes me yearn for Fall!

Basement bathroom and stairs leading to the main floor.

Be back with more later. Kids are waking up and boxes are still waiting to be unpacked! Home sweet home.