Weekends.

Our weekends lately have been most lazy. I've adjusted my thoughts to let go of the house (although, Sunday nights have been more difficult) on weekends and focus on what matters most.

Friday night was spent in the front yard playing together & talking with our sweet neighbors.

Saturday, Brady and I enjoyed the wonderful weather in downtown Greenville with Dad. 

The weekend was just all around good.

Brady watched the ducks take a bath.

We stood on the bridge & ate lunch together.

Dad took Brady shopping for a Dump Truck.

Yes, this is what makes me happy. Dad was happy, too. I think he and Brady will remember this day together.

Counting my blessings.

October 6th, 2007.

 October 6th, 2007

The very beginning of our life together.

Handsome is quite the understatement.

Four years ago, I married Brian Cox. He's my everything. He's smart, he's happy, he's such a loving husband. He makes me laugh when I'm trying to be mad, he holds me when I've had my bad days, and most importantly today, he has a son to show the ways of being a gentlemen. Brady Jameson is a lucky little fella to have such a daddy. I can say, from the bottom of my heart, my last four years have been like a dream. All the things we've been through together. No marriage is perfect, we've had our trials. I found this picture below of our accident two months after our wedding. It's a miracle we're all alive, and Brian was able to walk 3 months after the accident. We'll never know God's plan for our lives. It's unbelievable life's gifts He's blessed us with.

Day after day, I discover every miracle God has given us. Every little blessing. It all began when I was 16 years old! Thank you Brian, for making my life so happy. For being the husband that you are. For never giving up on our relationship. For giving me the most precious son.

Twenty Four.

My Twenty Fourth Birthday.

We visited The Cazbah for the very first time. The Southern Fried Sushi Roll was incredible.

My husband surprised me with a Kindle, some tunes from Bob Seger, and two precious cards.

Andrew and Carley spent their night out with us, too.

(Two peas in a pod.)

Brian and Brady J took me to my favorite place on my birthday.

It was cold, windy, and wonderful.

Brian said, "You'll like the view." ...he was right.

Then we drove back to our home sweet home to play. 

There were games to watch, you know.

   And today was spent around the house, taking a walk with the family, and a Birthday dinner out with the WHOLE family! This weekend couldn't have been any better. I'm counting my blessings, most definitely. Thank you to everyone for making my twenty fourth birthday an entire weekend's celebration!!!

Autumn, the year's last, lovliest smile.

"No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face." J.D.

               Spring passed in the blink of an eye. Summer lasted what seemed a whole year. Now, the beginning of the most magical season is right in front of us. Seasons, I should say, because November & December bring great things, too. October  is such a special month. I'm not one to want a huge celebration, but I am looking very forward to a night out with some special people in my life. For my birthday, I've asked for a little dressing up, and a few drinks over dinner on a Friday night. Of course on Saturday the 1st, we must keep up tradition, and take our annual trip through the mountains. Brian has taken me every year for my birthday since I was 17, and I love everything about this day. We've visited Pretty Place, Rainbow Falls, antique shops, cafe's and anything that makes this day a little more dreamy. This year will be extra special though. We have a new addition to bring along! I just know Brady J will love the mountains.

        Today, being my day "off" with the little guy (wink, wink...it's harder than you think.) ...it makes the pros and cons to routine seem so bright. Routine is a necessity, it keeps the house neat & tidy and baby happy. Routine can be smothering, too. That's why this weekend seems weeks away. I'm so relieved to spend time away from the norm. To get some fresh air, new conversation, and enjoy some new scenery. Coffee & cake wouldn't hurt my feelings, either.

        Then comes our four year anniversary. Yes, it's been FOUR years. Somehow, we've grown up. We live in our own home, drive our own cars, have two dogs, and oh my goodness, we've had a baby. We're young. We just grew up quickly. I think that happens here in the south. Like there's no other way. I wouldn't take it back for the world. 

       Next, would be vacation. Words can't express my excitement for this. So, I'll just wait to blog about that when it seems more like reality. 

       ...... I'm getting ahead of myself. I just thought that it was time to let out, like everyone else has, my favorite things about this season. This is what makes me happy:  

On my birthday having no plan, just enjoying the company. 

Holding hands while we drive through the mountains.

It's the season to get away with wearing black, on black, on black. 

Candy Corn.

Woodsy Scents.

Candles and more candles.

S'mores.

Comfort.

   Enjoy this weekend with the incredible forecast of 65 degrees as the high in Greenville on Saturday. Be thankful for this fresh, crisp air...and do something special with the people you love. 

What a Wonderful World.

                Up above is my Control Journal that I've blogged about. It's a simple notebook full of daily lists, weekly lists, calendars & such. It's beginning to really calm our house down and it's slowly appearing to be clutter free. I've got two closets to work on, and our office to de-clutter before it's just right. Whatever my idea of "just right" may be. 

   I was thinking. I've never been the type of person to set a goal, block out the distractions, and look back to be proud of what I've done. I've honestly, besides a few books, can't remember finishing anything I've ever started. But there's something (it's has to be Brady) within the past year that makes me feel like I can't stop. I wonder if it's Brian rubbing off on me. I've never been an insanely productive person. So, I feel like since this wonderful thing called motherhood has turned my life around, I've become such a better person! I just feel better, all around. Our marriage is better than ever, our life at home is comfortable, and I've gained this brand new respect for myself. I would've never thought having a baby changes your life this much. It must be that loving someone with all your heart and soul, your world just becomes a wonderful place. Louis Armstrong can tell you just how I feel.
        Brian is working on a project for our kitchen. A place for Brady's things, my purse, shoes, and all those things you throw down as soon as you walk in your house. This is the bottom half. Like a hall tree for a corner!

      There will always be something going at our place. Cleaning, projects, exhaustion... But thanks to this precious little soul that the Lord has blessed us with, I feel like I've got the will power to do anything I set my mind to. This year, I've accomplished goals that I never thought I could. I'm so proud to have Brady Jameson in our lives. What a change he's made.

    

Before things get silly...

"Good order is the foundation of all great things."

-Edmund Burke

     It's true folks. One day, we'll wake up to realize that we've become our parents. It's all okay though, I'm not ashamed! You can call me Barry. I've become so addicted to being orderly, organized and on top of things. The mother in me is taking over. I can't tell the difference at this point between having control or losing it, but I'm thoroughly enjoying my Control Journal. (Is she kidding?)  You read it...thanks to flylady.com, I'm keeping a control journal handy to help me stay on top of things. Think what you must...but this makes each day predictable and manageable. (I've got a wild side too...don't be disappointed.) SO, for the moms out there who don't want to be that mom...please take a look. Or for the brides that need a routine to follow before ---- hits the fan...just saying... lets get things in order to make life a little easier, shall we?

    Above is a picture of the very beginning of our real office. A grown up one, with actual organized files and a printer that works. It's in the process. It's on it's way. And it's another step to get our house under control! But if we didn't have a funky office, what fun is that? 

Simple is perfect.

         We always look forward to the weekend, especially now that we have our weekends together. I've decided to spend more Saturdays with my family, and I've yet to regret it. This weekend seemed to be extra special, too, because of our company. Friday afternoon, Brady and I took a walk with mom, we had friends surprise us by stopping by after dinner, and we spent the evening around a fire with our wonderful neighbors! And late Friday night, I snuggled in those sheets just happy as could be knowing that I would wake up to a day with my boys. We had big plans, you know. We were staying home ALL day.

     Early Saturday morning, at 6 a.m. I heard a little voice. I quickly made a bottle and snuggled him between Brian and myself and the three of us drifted back off to sleep. Until 9 a.m. It felt like Christmas morning, I was thrilled to sleep in!!! I woke up and decided with such a comfortable time of year, and since everyone is in great spirits, it was time to make some sweets. My very favorite since I was a little girl, chocolate oatmeal cookies. I always remember mom making these! So, with the stove heating up, and while I was gathering all the ingredients, I decided I had time to run to the store to make 3x the amount the recipe called for. Neighbors, friends, and family took plenty and hopefully enjoyed them!  Needless to say, my workout clothes are already set out for tomorrow. Dad stopped by to take a walk with us, the game was on, and the rest of the day somehow disappeared.

    Brian wanted get many things crossed off his to-do list this weekend. We didn't go to the game as planned. Surprised the heck out of me. He said we'd stay home this weekend to get things done, to make this week ahead much easier. All while he was hugging me tight. I'm proud of him for working so hard. He's always on top of it all, taking care of everything. What I did to deserve such a man, I haven't a clue.

    Today was about the same. Sundays are always nice. The ending to the weekend, but the beginning of a week to look forward to. We played outside today.

  

     It wasn't the first time I've realized, but it's surely one of the happiest weekends at home...this is what I've always wanted. I love my husband. I love our son. I love our home, and our neighbors. I've always wanted to be a wife and mother, to live a simple life. This is it! Everyone is welcoming fall, it's such a easy time of year. Lets be thankful for this heavenly weather, our time with special ones, and the simple things that make life everything you've ever wanted. 

A t-shirt and diaper, you see.
Wild boys.