Today was a really hard day.  Today two of my friends said goodbye to their precious babies.  Sarah and Jen were friends of mine from high school.  In fact we were all on our school's pom pon squad together.  During those years we shared many early morning practices, late night football and basketball games, laughs and tears.  I haven't seen Sarah or Jen in years, but it doesn't change the fact that today they were both heavy on my mind and heart.  Their stories are heart breaking.  I just pray that with each passing day it gets a little easier for them.  And I pray that they do not let themselves get bogged down in guilt or self-blame -- something that we as mothers know as a constant.   

www.sarahbusseyphotography.com/journal/

www.therumleys.com

  

99 Balloons

I don't know the Mooney's personally.  But many of my friends from Arkansas do.  I've watched this video several times, and every time that I do, I cry.  Hard.  It reminds me that in the midst of all of the diaper changes, screaming, time outs and testing, that my children are precious.  Precious.   And it encourages me to try harder.  I hope you'll watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th6Njr-qkq0

Really Bad Blogger Mom

So, I know, I've been really bad at blogging lately.  For whatever reason, I've totally slacked off.  Maybe it might have something to do with Facebook???  So, here's my attempt to update everyone on what's been going on in our lives.  

Corolla Spanish Horses

The 4x4 area of the Outer Banks is home to wild horses which are direct descendants of the Spanish horses that came over in the 1600s.  When we were there a new colt had just been born. 

OBX 2009

We went to the beach and stayed in the 4x4 area of the Outer Banks again this year.  And man, do we have the bug again!  Can't wait until we have a house of our own there so we can go whenever we want!!  This was Asher's first real trip to the beach.  Last year he was only 4 months old and didn't get out in the sun much at all.  He absolutely loved the beach.  He wasn't afraid of the water and kept trying to just go in the ocean!  Jacob's swimming has dramatically improved.  He swam in the pool all by himself from one end to the other with only his floaties on.  He's getting so big and independent, I can't believe how much things change in a year.

Inaugural Emergency Room visit

One Friday afternoon, about 3 weeks ago, we decided to head to the park before Ryan got home.  I was pushing Asher in the stroller and had Cooper on the leash.  Jacob had been riding his scooter but decided to forego the scooter and just run ahead of us.  He fell in the cross walk just before we got to the park and cut his forehead.  It turned out that the cut wasn't really that bad but you wouldn't know that judging by the crazy amount of blood that came from his head.  It was everywhere -- his once white shirt turned almost completely red.  I ran home as fast as I could, put the boys in the car and drove (sped) to the ER.  They ended up gluing the laceration instead of using stitches.  Jacob was such a good patient.  He was so cooperative, let the hospital staff do everything they needed to do and didn't cry once.  I on the other hand was a complete mess!  This picture is from the day after his fall.  Jacob's head is healing quickly and looks so much better even after just 3 weeks.  

Preakness 2009

It was another successful Preakness for the Cowell party.  Drew came up from SC and Ben & Jen came in town from Fayetteville.  We had a great time!

Asher's First Haircut

Asher got his first haircut shortly after his 1st birthday.  We needed to get Jacob a haircut and Asher's hair was getting a little long on the sides, so I decided to have his cut as well.  He did really well and looked so handsome after!

Brothers

Jacob and Asher are finally to a point where they really play well together.  And, most importantly, Jacob is really loving having a little brother.  Yesterday we ate dinner at California Tortilla and Jacob requested that he sit next to Asher's high chair.  And tonight after Asher went to bed, Jacob said, "Asher sure is nice.  He sure is a nice brother."  Its hard to get them in a photo together, but these are some pics of some good brotherly moments...

Asher Turns 1

We had Asher's 1st birthday party at the Cabin John Train park.  We rented a picnic shelter and had pizza and cake and then everyone went for a ride on the train.  It was a really fun day, but really hot.  However, it had been raining for weeks prior, so we were happy for the heat and even happier that the party didn't get rained out.  I decided that I needed to make the cake for Asher's 1st bday and so I stayed up really, really late the night before making Asher's special monkey cake with 'dream whip' old school frosting.  Even though my mom was there to supervise, I did the entire cake all by myself and I was very proud!  The bad part is that I somehow deleted all the pictures off the camera and so I don't have any evidence of my fabulous cake making/decorating skills.  boo...