Picture Post

I've realized that I've been writing more on my blog, and have totally neglected pictures.  I know most people who visit this blog really just want pictures, so this one is for you!


Clay and I went to Charleston the last weekend in March.  We got to see my college friends, meet some new babies, and just have the best time in one of my favorite cities!

Kayaking on Shem Creek

Strolling through the Old Village

Dinner with Margaret, Amanda, Clay and Michael!

The whole crew on Friday night

 We even got to celebrate Margaret's birthday!

Oh, College of Charleston.  You are so beautiful.

The next weekend George was a ring bearer in Clay's cousin, Morgan's, wedding.  I wish I could upload a video of George at the reception- because he seriously danced the entire time.  He still brings up 'Morgan's party' and will ask me where certain people are now.  

He was pretty pumped.

And he did so great!

The weather these days is just so perfect for me.  Clay, George and I spent on Saturday kayaking and fishing at my parents' house.

oh.  be still my heart.

Simultaneous casts.

George's face when the lawn mower came on was just priceless.

He even got to [seriously] drive/ride on it with Clay.

Just before Easter Clay took me to the Nickel Creek concert at the Alabama Theatre.  It was just so nostalgic to hear them play live again, and I loved getting to do that with Clay.

Good Friday my mom had Rogers, Frannie, George, Cole, Ellen and William over to her house for crafts, Chick-Fil-A and just overall fun.

I felt like this picture needed to be on the blog.

I call this next section: George Loves His Cousins!

I feel like I need to keep this on my fridge forever.  I think in fourteen years these two might re-create this picture.

Easter morning!

George got a helmet, shield and swords!

He sat through the entire church service with us, and we were so proud.  A friend turned around and snapped this picture during the singing, and I will love this forever.

 All four Cochran boys!

 Bunny cake prep with Mama Zo

 Hank joined in for a minute- but he knew he'd get a piece either way :)

 They were so proud of their work!

 Everyone just has their eyes on the prize.

Easter Egg Hunt at Saty's house!

George had a hard time understanding that he could get more eggs if he didn't stop to open every. single. egg. 

Here, you can see that he ate ever M&M he found.

This might be my absolute favorite picture.  Clay was gone for an entire week for work, and this is the Friday night he came home.  George is just enamored with his dad, and I'd say the feeling's mutual.  Oh, these two have my heart.

What Easter Means to Me

Easter has always been such a favorite day for me.  I love that Spring (usually) has sprung.  I love kids in Easter outfits, and flower crosses, and Easter hymns.  I love celebrations with family, and watching George (especially this year) totally flip out that he gets presents on Easter morning.

But this year, Easter has such a deeper meaning for me.

I guess it started when I glanced at the dress a friend made for Nan.  It is the most beautiful gown I've ever seen.  It is hand-smocked, and embroidered and has lace all along the edges.  When she gave it to me, I knew we would use it for Nan's baptism gown, and for sure for Easter too.  When I saw it this morning, I almost burst into tears- but not for the reason you might think.  I felt like the Lord reminded me that Nan is clothed in royal robes of splendor right now.  I stare at this dress that was made with such detail, and so much care, and it is rags compared to what my daughter wears as she is in the presence of Jesus.

I know that's a heavy thought for a lot of people- but I feel the need to share with anyone who may read this blog that Easter gives me so much hope.  As I was  getting ready for church this morning, I was constantly watching the clock and trying to balance quality family time and getting where we needed to be on time.  I had some hymns playing in the background so I could try to wrap my mind and heart around what today means to me.  All I can think of is that today, Nan has nothing distracting her from worshipping the Lord.  And because of Easter- because Jesus conquered death forever- I will stand with my daughter one day and worship Him, too.

This time last year, when everything was so unknown, we were so worried.  We worried we might lose Nan.  We worried she might have a hard life.  We worried about so much.  This time last year, death seemed like the worst possible outcome.  But this year, as I think about Jesus' death, the grave is not something I fear anymore because I know that Jesus has overcome it.  I have so much hope and joy- even though it looks different that other peoples' joy- because the grave is not the end.  I have hope that I will spend eternity with my Creator.  I have hope that Nan is whole, and complete, and taken care of by the One Who created her, too.  George asks me all the time if Nan misses us, and I really know in my heart that she doesn't.  I know that when we go to Heaven, that all of our earthly needs and emotions are no more.  I know all of this, because of Easter.

We sang this hymn today at church, and I just think it is such a beautiful picture of what Easter means to me.

Crown Him With Many Crowns

"Crown Him with many crowns, The Lamb upon His throne.

Hark!  How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own.

Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,

And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

Crown Him the Lord of love, behold His hands and side,

Rich wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified.

No angel in the sky, can fully bear that sight,

But downward bends His wond'ring eye at mysteries so bright.

Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed o'er the grave,

Who rose victorious to the strife for those He came to save.

His glories now we sing, Who died and rose on high,

Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of Heav'n, One with the Father known,

One with the Spirit thru Him giv'n from yonder glorious throne.

To Thee be endless praise, for Thou for us hast died;

Be Thou, O Lord, thru endless days adored and magnified."

Spring is Here!

 I just looked at my calendar, and it says First Day of Spring.  Luckily, it actually looks like it outside, too.  Maybe I've been so focused on the weather because I've come to the conclusion that I probably suffer from some level of seasonal depression.  Once Christmas and New Year's have come and gone, I'd just assume fast forward to Easter.

Anyways- the last month (since it's been a month since I've blogged!)  has been pretty sweet around here.  I figured the majority of people who read this blog really come here for the pictures, so, as usual, I'll just tell the story in pictures.

George has become obsessed with anything that has to do with Clay, and the outdoors.  

If you combine the two, it's just sort of euphoria for George.  Here- Clay is teaching George how to cut wood.  I was doing some cooking inside when I looked out to see this sight.  It just about took my breath away.

One of George's favorite things to do is pick up sticks outside.  

He must get that from his Great Aunt Marianne!

George is REALLY into playing independently.  Sometimes when I'll try to play with him he will (literally) say "Mommy, you go do the laundry please."

I love how quirky he is when he plays- he loves order and lines, and then he loves crashing everything with a big monster truck.  I love seeing his creativity

I worry about his teenage years that I'll lose his social skills to a book.

We went to A LOT of birthday parties.  

I am 100% positive that this picture will be in his rehearsal dinner slideshow.

We've been to the zoo a gazillion times and he loves sticking his head through these things.

George has become pretty fascinated with cooking with me.  He found this apron that my mom gave Clay for Christmas this past year and HAS to be Superman when we cook.  I guess that makes it more manly for him?

He helped me make these Nutella Rice Krispie Treats and really was such a fun helper!

I mean...how cute is he in that little apron?

I just love when he gets a haircut in the barber shop.

We've played with Carly, Laney and Billy a LOT.  I'm pretty sure George loves them as his friends because they're hilarious and cute and giggly.  But also, their mom, Mivvi, comes up with the most fun things to do ever!  Here we are at Chick-Fil-A after we went to Airwalk.  Airwalk is just a huge room that is one continuous trampoline separated by gymnastic mats and a foam pit.

This day ended with a 4+ hour nap.

It was glorious!

There are few things that Clay and I have enjoyed more than watching George really develop friendships.  He remembers things they do that make him laugh.  He loves to anticipate playing with his friends.  And as much as a two year old is able to, he really loves his friends.

We continue to pray for his friends in his life, that George will be surrounded by good friends, and that he will be a light for the Lord among his friends.  It's encouraging to see seeds of this in his early years.

We did the Rumpshaker 5K last weekend in honor of my sweetest aunt, Marianne!

George LOVED being in a real race.  It was a great day for a race, and just a fun way to honor my aunt who always does so much for everyone else.

We love you MaeMae!

While George slept the afternoon away after the race, Clay did something he's never done before.

He went to Bass Pro Shop to buy something FUN for himself.  I was so happy for him.  He has been talking about getting a kayak for so, so long, and he finally did it!

We took it to Saty and Pop's house to take it for a test run.

I couldn't tell who was more excited between Clay or George, but it just about melted me into a puddle to see them enjoying it together.  I'm going to borrow Saty's kayak on Saturday and the three of us are going down part of the Cahaba River in the morning.  Pictures to come!

This week we played with my cousin, Anna, and her three kids.

We made a tye-dye cake and the kids thought it was about the coolest thing they'd ever seen.

I'm not sure these three stopped giggling the entire time we were there.

Finally getting to taste the fruits of their labors.

Yesterday, George turned two-and-a-half.  I know that's not normally hyphenated, I just had to hyphenate it to make it as dramatic as it felt to me.  In my mind, he's still this wobbly little babe.

First real haircut circa March 2012

 Or this bright-eyed-early-riser on his first Easter (April 2012)

 Or my smiley little snuggler

(thank goodness he still snuggles!)

Or when he used to run figure-eights around my legs while I got ready for church

Or the kid who thought riding on the train at the zoo was the greatest thrill in this life

Or this time last year, when he was still sleeping in a crib.

And Woody was his one and only best friend.

Oh, goodness.  I am forever thankful for my days with you, George. 

Today, March 20, is the most special day for me.  It was the first time we ever saw Nan's face, and it's the day we named her Nan.  This time last year, Clay and I were sorting through a lot of unknowns.  And now everything is known.  Our life looks completely different than I thought it would by now, and the Lord is teaching me that He is enough.  He is teaching me that in suffering He reveals His glory.  He is showing me that while I will never 'get over' the loss of Nan, there is real healing in Him.  Time does not heal me- the Lord is faithful to heal.  I am eagerly anticipating the Day when He makes all things new.

I don't share this to make anyone sad, but I share this to remember that the Lord had great purpose for our Nan.  Her life had an eternal purpose and has forever tethered my heart to the Lord's, and I know she has shown the Lord's glory to so many others.  Clay and I have been comforted by the Lord, and are encouraged by the fruits of our suffering.  We see seeds of faith in George because of Nan.  And we thank the Lord for her impact every day.

 "Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him."  Isaiah 64:4