Memorial Day Weekend Celebrations

We have so much to celebrate around here!

On Thursday, we got to celebrate John Grady's first birthday!

There are so many times when I feel like the Lord led us to our house to give us our relationship with the Maddox family.  I know that George and John Grady will love growing up together, even when we may not live right across the street from each other.

Happy birthday, John Grady!

Friday night we got together with all of the Cordell clan,

also known as the Beach Crew.

We had eleven adults, six kids, and a few on the way 

gathered together for a fun dinner.

If Friday night was any indicator of how the beach will be this year,

I'd say it will be non-stop action and fun times.

Saturday started with a trip to the pool, which was so much fun!

Saturday night we got to celebrate our nephew, Rogers, second birthday!

Happy, happy birthday Rogers!

Your excitement for life is such a joy to watch.

We are so thankful for the way you care for George, 

and we absolutely treasure our time with you.

You are a blessing to our family!

Finally, today is my sweet friend, Mandy Brantley's 30th birthday!

Mandy, I just don't know what I would do without your friendship.

You have had a significant impact on my life, 

and the Lord has used you to teach me so much.

Love you, Mandy!

Summer is officially here, and we could not be happier for it.

13 Going On 30

 That is how I felt this weekend.

Friday night was a HUGE night in the Vestavia community-

it was the Eighth Grade Dance at Pizitz Middle School, and Clay and I were chaperones.

Here's a little fun fact for non-family readers:

Clay and I went to prom together.

Friday night, we got to go to the 8th Grade Dance at Pizitz Middle School.

We saw a lot of this:

(**Note: Those two people do not attend Pizitz Middle School.  They were the first picture in Google Images under 'awkward middle school dance')

 Clay even took a picture with me like all of the other kids.

** I'd really like to know how the bench was supposed to help the middle schoolers be less awkward.
As two married people, I'd say this is the most awkward picture we've ever taken.

We woke up bright and early Saturday morning to head to Knoxville for a wedding of one of my first friends in Nashville!  The wedding was so beautiful, and it was one of the most fun reunions of all of our friends.

I cannot express how great it was for us to get to see all of these friends!
Clay and I stayed out until MIDNIGHT (that's really REALLY late for us) because we lost track of time getting to catch up with everyone.  It was such a fun night!

Sunday morning we got on the road super early so we could see Drew graduate from UAB Medical School.  It's hard to believe that four years have already come and gone since he started, but what an accomplishment!  Congratulations, Drew!

After a weekend full of activity, we were so excited to pick up George and have a little family time at home.

Tomorrow is my last day of work at Pizitz.  I am filled with so many mixed emotions, but I am excited for this new phase of life.  The people I work with are truly my friends- and oftentimes feel like family- and I know I will miss seeing them everyday.

But I also know that we have some sweet times ahead of us, as a family.

Happy Summer, y'all!

Eight Months

George turned eight months on Saturday!

 We've had to move from the traditional chair picture since George is ninety-to-nothing 100% of the time. We could either take the picture in the chair with a helmet and knee pads, or move it to the floor.

 As shown in these pictures, George has developed a true love for Harper.

I think the above picture really captures how one feels for the other.

George absolutely lights up with joy whenever he sees her.

Harper feels slightly different about George.

George is still working on the crawl, but he's made a little pitstop while he masters the downward dog pose.  

Do you see this concentration?!

On the eve of my last week of work, I feel like we have so much to look forward to, George.

I know this will be a transition full of blessings and sweet moments, but I also know it will come with some challenges, too.

These last few months at school have prepared us for what's to come.

George, everyday your personality comes out more and more, and you are hilarious!

I can see already that you get your joy and energy from being around people.

You can make yourself laugh so hard that you give yourself the hiccups.

Your most favorite thing is just to sit in front of a mirror and let you look at yourself.

You keep your dad and me in stitches...and on the edge of our seats.

George, you are deeply, deeply loved.

Happy Eight Months!

"Train a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old he will not turn from it."

Proverbs 22:6

George Cochran's Day Off

Yesterday, at daycare, George started acting pitiful.

He even started running a little fever to help his cause.

He had the women convinced that he was in dire need of medical attention.

He must have seen this:

I stayed home with him today, to help nurse him back to health.

The day started with a 3 hour nap, and later running some errands, with a lunch date in the middle.

None of the above pictures are posed- I just turned around and found him in these situations.

Note to self: it's probably time to lower his crib.

By mid-afternoon it seemed he had made a full recovery, so we headed to the park with our friends, Claire and John Grady.

I feel like today has been George's version of this:

That George already has a knack for faking sickness, but I think I loved today as much as he did.

This is what George is doing right now.

Celebrations!

Happy Mother's Day!

George did not want to waste one minute of Mother's Day asleep, so we were up bright and early this morning.  Mr. Mike reminded me that George is just thoughtful that way.

We started the day with church at First Baptist Trussville with all of the Cochrans, and then headed to lunch with everyone.  We all ended up at the Cochran's house in Springville where we celebrated Mother's Day, Katie's birthday, and the closing ceremonies of our March Madness Bracket Challenge.  

 Quick picture before church.

Once we got to Mama Zo and Pops' house, there's always cousin playtime.

 Can you tell we're related?!?

 I guess you're never too old to wrestle around.  It's good to know that in 30 years Chase, Hank and George will all still be wrestling with each other!

Happy Birthday, Aunt Katie!

Closing Ceremonies for the Bracket Challenge

 Three-Way tie between Hank, Chase and Clay for 

First Place of the Sweet Sixteen Pick 'Em

 Runner-Up for the Big Dance Bracket Challenge

George was this year's big winner!

He's shaking hands with the Master of Ceremonies and accepting his prize of a tree swing and some blocks.  

All-in-all, it was such a great day.  I have felt so loved and cherished today, and am so thankful that I get to be George's mom and Clay's wife.

Mother's Day is a day of mixed emotions for so many people.

I am overwhelmingly thankful for you, Saty!

Thank you for the way you loved me through all of those difficult years growing up.

Words cannot express my gratitude for your support and encouragement since George entered our lives.  I truly do not know what we would do without you!

I know Mother's Day can be a hard day for a lot of people, too.

We are praying for a lot of friends and family today, some who are waiting to be mothers, and others who are about to be mothers!

"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,

For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;

I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand."

-from the hymn, 'How Firm a Foundation'

Happy Sunday!

Wonder Mom

George was keenly aware that today was Mother's Day.  This was the reaction I got from him when we did family photos...

Thankfully, he remembered to look good for his picture with the best mom in the world...

I wanted to write a quick note to tell you Happy Mother's Day.  It has been such a blessing to watch you be a mom.  You are such a natural with George.  You fix his bag everyday for school, get him to eat all his food, calm him down when he is upset, and get up with him early in the morning when I don't hear him.  The love you show him is so sacrificial, and you are a wonderful example for him that encourages me to be a better dad.  We both love you very much, and are very thankful for you. 

Love, 

Clay Cochran