Wow is about the only word I can say...

Not sure if you know this by all of the bragging I have done about him on this blog, but my brother is AMAZING!! I remember growing up and asking Mom all the time what Ben would look like and be like when he got older, and I can promise you he is even better than I could have imagined. He has always had a sensitive sweet spirit, and a lot of motivation to do things for people. When he heard about the murder-suicide of the Drews, he immediately wanted to do something, anything to help them. Of course, he chose the thing that he does best...golf. In a matter of about 3 weeks he planned (with the help of his friend) a HUGE golf tournament and silent auction to benefit the Ragen and Mason's trust fund. He got multiple corporate and personal sponsors. He organized multiple donations for the silent auction, and got the word out to maximize participation. They had to start turning teams away because so many people were interested in playing. I literally have tears in my eyes as I type this because I am so proud of him. Brad told me it was one of the nicest events he has ever been to. They got great media coverage, and then even more people donated to the trust fund.
Brad's team that played in the tournament.

Ben, Kim's Mom, and Tyler

Ben, Ragen and Tyler

Ben and Kim's parents...they were so appreciative of what Ben did!!

Ben and Chip...Ben's friend and the golf pro at Hanging Rock.

Some of the silent auction items...there was autographed sports equipment, restaurant gift certificates, vacations, services, and lots lots more.

Workin' hard!!

Hokie Pokie

Last weekend Emery, Brad, and I went with the Smith's to the VT Soccer game. Brad really enjoys going to watch their games since he played there, and since it was going to be a good night we decided to go. Eating Moe's was just a bonus :) We always love getting to spend time with Katie and Donny, and emery and Maddy are so sweet together...

The ladies with the Hokie Bird :)

Just watching the lights at the game

Pretty Maddy

Smith Family

Our family of three

This is what Emery did the whole second half...I don't blame her

A little catchup...

So I have been MIA lately...that's because I am back to work. It has been really hard, and there is no way I could have gotten through it without my wonderful husband, family and friends. I got lots of little notes, and sweet prayers from some pretty amazing ladies :) I just refuse to spend my time at home with Emery and Brad behind the computer screen, so that's why I haven't been blogging lately.

It has been REALLY hard to find time to get everything done around the house because when I get home I am EXHAUSTED, and all I want to do is play with Emery. So the dishes, laundry and vacuuming are definitely taking a backseat to family time :) It is also near impossible to find time to workout which is really sad because it's something that I really enjoy doing.

I am so blessed that my Grandbess and Granny are both watching Emery one day a week, and to have found the sitter that I did. She is absolutely wonderful!! If I can't be at home with her, this is the next best thing!! She keeps her on her schedule perfectly, plays with her, and just loves on her all day. Emery seems to be adjusting really well. It does make me jealous, but I'm glad Emery has someone to stay with that loves her :) Here are some highlights about what Emery has been up to lately...

-She can roll over belly to back and back to belly

-She talks all the time

-She can squeal with delight

-She will laugh out loud

-She likes to pull Mommy's hair

-Her favorite time of the day is bathtime, if it wouldn't take me 400 days to upload a video, I would show you...

-She is the happiest baby

My Birthday...or week

So I decided that since it was my first mommy birthday I would celebrate for the whole week, yes that is how I roll :) So Monday night we went out to eat, and then we had YUMMY ice cream cake at Mom and Dad's after, and then Mom had a party for the whole family on Saturday. This is the first birthday were I honestly forgot how old I was turning...that is what being a mom will do to you...for sure. It was a great birthday!

Farewell Fannie Focus, Hello Mommy Mobile...

I have only had one car my whole life, Fannie Focus. I LOVED her, she was there when I first started to drive, went to college, got married, and she drove us to the hospital when Emery was born. I have had some awesome memories in that car...singing loudly to the radio with the sunroof down, driving to the beach, roadtrips with college roommates, and dates with Brad. I am very sad to see her go, and I know I will miss her, but I know we need something bigger, safer, and more reliable now that Little Miss E is here. Luckily my Mommy Mobile is pretty sweet, so it should be able to ease my pain!! :) We are getting an awesome deal thanks to one of the parents on Brad's team...Thanks Lee!! (Don't you love how I gave him a shout out like he actually reads this or even knows this blog exists...haha) Anyway I am so excited about my new car, and am very thankful!!

First Overnight Trip

One of my favorite parts about Brad coaching Roanoke Star Soccer, is that we get to take little weekend getaways out of town...FOR FREE!!! It's pretty awesome, but I'm not sure it makes up for all those practices :) Labor Day weekend we went to Greensboro, and it was our first trip of this season, and it was Emery's first overnight trip. She was PERFECT!! She slept the whole way there, and the whole way back. We got to eat at Moe's my favorite place that we don't have in Roanoke. We also got Coldstone, walked around the mall, and watched Daddy coach a lot of soccer. Emery got to try out her big sunhats for the first time, and with some help from a couple of the soccer mom's we rigged our umbrella up in the stroller, and Emery and I just hung out in the shade on a blanket. The weather was perfect, and we discovered that Miss Emery absolutely LOVES being outside. She didn't fuss once the whole time we were watching the games :)

All that traveling and soccer wore Little E out!!

2 Months Already??

What the heck? Where has the time gone? I know that's the typical thing everyone says, but seriously its so true...the days FLY by. I am LOVING being at home with Emery, and Brad and I are LOVING our life as a family of three :)

Pretty Girl,

Daddy and I LOVE showing you off to everyone, and people always tell us 'she is the prettiest baby I have ever seen', and we have to agree with them there! You are developing quite the little personality. You have been pretty sick with your reflux, but for being in so much pain you give us the brightest smiles and cutest laughs. Here's what you're up to this month!

-You love to turn your head side to side and check out what's going on all around you.

-Your playmat is your favorite thing right now.

-You will talk to us, laugh, and smile...that's my favorite thing!!

-You are really curious about Lucy, and she's really protective of you.

-You are sleeping through the night most nights (9:30-6), but some nights you still wake up needing to eat at 3:30.

-You are working on your chubby thighs that I LOVE...I can't wait to find out how much you weigh now.

-I can't believe I'm posting this for everyone to read because I'm pretty sure it makes me a bad mom, but you LOVE watching TV, and some days that's the only way Mommy gets a shower.

-You can roll over from your stomach to your back, but you don't do it very often.

-You have enough head control to sit in your bumbo now!

-I have never seen a child move around so much, I don't even think you're still when you're sleeping!! Daddy doesn't like it when you "box" his face when he's trying to give you kisses!

-When you eat you curl up your toes..PRECIOUS!

Miss Emery I cannot remember what life was like before you. I love spending everyday with you. I could seriously just sit and stare at you all day long!