Nana Na Na, Nana Na Na, Hey Hey, Goodbye!

Finally! We are paci free in our home!! Adalyn has been still using a paci at night only for quite awhile. Well, she has been going to bed now for over a week without a paci and she no longer even asks for it. I am so glad to see that thing go. And as with all of her other transistions, I dreaded it and dreaded it and she completely surprised me by making it easy. I've been talking to her about how big girls don't need paci's and that they were for babies and she should throw it away. Well one morning she did! She still had one paci left though and kept asking for it. I wanted to make this easy on her so I was going to give it to her that night but we couldn't find it! I searched everywhere. I put her to bed and told her I would keep looking. She went to bed with no tears!! I was so proud of her. The next morning she did ask for it but I told her I couldn't find it. That night there was some crying but she eventually went to sleep without much of a struggle. She asked for her paci for several nights and there were some tears but nothing terrible. Now she doesn't even ask for it anymore. I'm so proud of my Big Girl!!!

Class of 2010

Last week Ethan had his graduation from pre-k. He is so excited to start kindergarten but it was so sad to see this phase of his life come to an end. While he'll still be at the daycare until school starts in August, the thought that he will be leaving all of the good friends he has made over the past years is really sad. They are a close group and all are going to different schools.

We entered to a beautiful slideshow of the graduates through the years put together by Miss Brooke. Great job Brooke!!

Miss Linda, how can we ever thank you for providing a loving, caring and safe environment for our son since he was only a year and half old. I'm so glad we still have Adalyn with you so you aren't rid of us just yet!!

Miss Amanda, thank you so much for taking such good care of our boy and teaching him so much. He is so ready for Kindergarten and it is thanks to you and his other wonderful teachers at LLO!!

The ceremony was really cute.

First they got all the graduates into their caps and gowns.

The processional...

Then they were on stage and said the Pledge of Alliegance.

After that they sang a few songs.

Mommy was doing good until the kids ended with God is So Good and then all started hugging at the end, the tears started then!!

Then it was time to get their diplomas and a bible with their name on it.

The graduating Class of 2010 from Linda's Little Ones...

Our graduate!

We are so proud of you Ethan and we love you so much. We cannot wait to see what you will become one day.

Growing up...

Last weekend was a big weekend for Adalyn. My little girl is growing up so very fast. First, after urging from her Daddy believe it or not, we took Adalyn to do this...


She did so well. I always said I would only pierce her ears if she asked me to, and she has asked but I know she didn't know what she was asking for. Well the past couple of weeks Daddy had brought it up several times. We asked her if she wanted to have earrings and she kept telling us yes so off to Claire's we went. We got to the store and Adalyn was in awe. Why have I never thought to take our girlie girl into one of these places before. All the sparkle and color, she was in heaven!! First we had her pick out her earrings, she chose the pink flowers- no boring studs for our girl!! Our big girl climbed up into the chair all by herself and had a big grin on her face.



I decided to have her sit on my lap to make sure she didn't move. I didn't need to worry a bit. She sat perfectly still while they pierced both of her ears at the same time. After they were done Adalyn sat there for a second then realized what had happened and started crying. It wasn't an "I'm hurt" cry though. No, our girl was MAD! She wasn't happy that we poked her at all. Of course, all it took was Daddy walking her around the store and letting her pick out a necklace for all to be right with the world again. She really is doing well with her earrings. She doesn't play with them and lets me clean the every morning and night without a fight. She loves to look in the mirror and see her "pretty earrings"!!


Adalyn also had another big change this last weekend- she now has a big girl bed!! I was worried I wouldn't be able to keep her in bed once she has been put down for the night but so far we haven't had an issue. I did have a visitor one night over the week at 2 in the morning. I let her lay with us for a bit but then told her she had to go back to her bed and she did!! Without complaint.

When did my baby become such a big girl...

Well it happened.

I knew it would. That someday I would hear those words that would tear my heart out. I just didn't think it would happen so soon.

"I don't love you Mama" and for added measure, it was repeated. Twice. Ouch.

And what was my infraction?? I didn't give Adalyn 2 pieces of pizza, I gave her one and told her she could have another after she ate that. For that I get "I don't love you". Wow, what is it going to be when I do something that she REALLY hates??

It all has a happy ending though. Within 5 minutes she was kissing me and telling me she loved me "this much". So for now, I'm ok. I am so not looking forward to the teenage years!!!

Prettyful...

The other day Adalyn pointed to something and called it prettyful. What a great way to describe something... both pretty and beautiful.

Yes baby girl... prettyful indeed.

Let It Snow...

Let It Snow...



Let it Snow!

Remembering Christmas 2009

The decorations are down and put away in the attic and my living room is not nearly as homey and cozy as it was with them up. I always hate when Christmas has to come down. I love the colors and the smells and the lights! Right now I am looking back over the last week and I have to say that this Christmas has been one of my all time favorites. Both of the kids really got into it this year and it was so much fun to watch them enjoy. We were blessed with family around us as Ryan and Emily flew in from California and Papa and Cathy were here for Christmas morning. That night, Cathy's kids and their families joined us at our house for dinner and we all had a great time.

Here is a look at our Christmas this year... in pictures!!


Christmas Eve started out well with Aunt Emily and Ethan making a Christmas Tree to hang the nativity ornaments that Adalyn got at school on. They had a great time and it turned out wonderful. We are keeping this tree to put up each year as it turned out so well! After that we went to the Christmas Eve service at Long Hollow Baptist and enjoyed the praise and worship there. We also carried on the Joki tradition of heading to Opryland to see the decorations. We even ran into Santa there!!
Once we returned home we made our reindeer food and then scattered it on the lawn so that the reindeer had something to eat while Santa left presents under our tree! We also opened our Christmas Eve presents- this year both kids got 2 presents to open- their Christmas pj's and a book about the birth of Jesus. Daddy sat down with the kids to read to them about the birth of our Saviour and to share with them the real reason we celebrate at this time of year. Then it was off to bed with the little ones!!

Christmas morning arrived and the kids were so excited to see what was left under the tree. Papa and Cathy arrived bright and early with breakfast from McD's and we all ate before we tore into our gifts! Ethan received his Nerf Gun from Santa that he forgot to mention when he saw him and Adalyn recieved a baby Elmo complete with paci and blankie from the big red guy. Ethan also got cowboy boots from Grandmas Sandy that he had to put on right away! As soon as he took them off, Adalyn was quick to grab them and take a spin around the living room with them on!!

Christmas was wonderful this year and we are so blessed to have each other and our families around us.

Happy New Year and welcome 2010- we hope this year is as good as the last!!