Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2010

We had such a wonderful Christmas this year! We went to Sevierville and spent 4 days with my family and then spent Christmas day at the Dream Come True Farm with Ryan's family. Wilson LOVED opening all his presents, and screaming out "THOMAS!!" I can hear him in the living room playing with all of his toys now!!
The Lord has overwhelmingly blessed my family this year! We have had a great time in the Boro as Ryan finished school and spending time with Liz and the boys. As I reflect it's amazing to see how God has taken care of us in so many ways! We couldn't of gone through the last year without mine and Ryan's parents. I could cry to think about the love and support they gave us! God is so GOOD and I give ALL the Glory to Him! I am looking forward to see what the Lord has for us back at our house in Maryville in 2011!!

A Day in a Life...

Wow, it has been a while so this will be a short and sweet "A DAY IN A LIFE OF THE SHEPHERDS." We moved to M'boro in January for Ryan to get his Master's! And well he did! He graduated with Honors on Dec. 18th, I am so proud of him. The last year has consisted of us getting through school, me working part time, Ryan working two jobs, and Wilson starting pre-school. He has loved attending Northside Preschool! So with a boy our days are spent having fun playing outside (with Carter and Mason), playing with tractors and trains and of course riding our dirtbikes around the apartment! Wilson is talking like crazy and has the funnest personality! We are moving back to our house in Maryville in January and Ryan will fly until he gets an Air Traffic Control Job which will take about a year or so. God has continually blessed our lives with friends and family! I never want to take for granted a second with my precious family. I love my boys!!

I AM BACK!

Did you miss me? This summer has been so crazy!! Do you ever feel like sometimes you GO, GO, AND THEN GO some more and then you get to the point where you STOP and your frozen but everything else around you keeps going?? That is where I am now!! Ryan is back in school, still working his two jobs which includes his crazy flying schedule and I am still working Part Time. Wilson started his first week at PreSchool at Northside Baptist (BITTERSWEET) so needless to say it has been an emotional time for MOMMA!! Time flies when all you feel like you do is work out everyone's schedule!! Ill post pics soon of this crazy summer!! Have a great week!!

SWEET BABY BELLA!

It has been over a week since my last post. I hope you missed me!! I will let the pictures show you how precious and sweet my new little neice is, I am such a proud auntie!! I spent all last week with her and when I left my sister made the comment now they may actually be able to spend some time with THEIR daughter. What can I say, I am crazy in love with my precious neices and nephews!!

Isabella Shea Boyce was born Tuesday, July 6th weight 6 lbs and 12.4 ounces and 18 inches long! She is our little Pocahontas Baby, beautiful! Snow White Olivia calls her Cinderella Isabella!

My sis is so gorgeous!!

Sleeping Beauty!!

My Lillie Girl

Today I am sad! I am spending my last day with My Lillie Girl. I have praying the last few weeks about giving Lillie away but would wait as long as it took to find the 'perfect mommy and home.' The Lord provided-I am taking her over to her new home this evening with mixed emotions. I really have a Peace about this and I know in the long run it's best for Lillie. We are hardly ever home and I know when the timing comes for a new little Shepherd it would be even tougher giving attention to Lillie. She gave me love and companionship while Ryan was gone on flights and she would lay on my belly when I was preggo!! We had 4 wonderful years with her and I have cherished every moment. I am glad we will be able to visit her often!! Keep me in my prayers as I say goodbye tonight! Thanks!

Wordless Wednesday

Wilson's Big Boy Hair Cut!!

Ok, so I have issues. Wilson has had only one haircut and it was getting a little out of control. Poor little buddy was burning up with all his hair!! But as his mommy, I have to admit I don't like seeing my baby become my toddler (sad sigh). We went to Sports Clips and thankfully the lady had a little 17 month old boy so she understood my craziness as I said "that's probably good" with each snip! Ryan knows me too well- he kept texting "CUT IT SHORT." It looks really cute.
(I think he knew it was a big change for mommy, he hugged my neck as I rocked him asleep tonight; my cup runneth over!)

I think he looks more like Ry with his new do! What do you think?

BEFORE: P.S. He sat there like a big boy and was PERFECT!
The sucker helped! LOOK AT HIS PINKY! HAHA.
Love his cheeks.
AFTER: Eating dinner with his new do.
I thought this pic was funny- he fed himself yogurt by the way; it was pretty much everywhere; including all over Lillie!!

Mommy/Son Date

Liz and I took the boys to the Discovery Center! I am not sure who loved it more- me or Wilson. The first time we took him he couldn't walk so today was so much fun! Here are some pics- ENJOY!




Carter Ironing!
Laundry!
Working at Kroger!
Carter and Wils Painting.
The water table was his FAVE- we were soaked.


Thanks for smiling Carter- it's so hard to get a pic of all 3!

There is a Time- Blog Sharing!

"When you have more questions than answers Grace will lead..."

Today I want you to check out Manda's blog!

http://thereisatimeunderheaven.blogspot.com

Isabella Shea Boyce Coming Soon!

I am so excited to meet my new niece July 7th! Please continue to pray for my sister as she wrestles with the HEAT!! Here are a few pictures from her baby shower! Enjoy!


Jackie made this beautiful blanket for Izzy!

This is the pillow dress I got for her!

I LOVE MY SIS!

Wilson eating his peas like a good boy!

The Small Moments- TRUSTING!

I have blogged about this before but wanted to share something! So many of you know we moved to M'boro in January, and it has been a little tough for me but lately the Lord is really helping me love and appreciate the small things here. I may not like living in an apartment, going back to work (part time), being away from my family, and did I mention the apartment? But I LOVE spending time with my nephews, going to the pool with Wilson (one of the two perks of the apt!), watching my in-laws build their dream home, and spending time with sister in laws!! I know God has us here for a reason and recently God showed us his Grace and Ryan got an opprotunity to fly part time. I love that he is able to do what he loves!

So I hope Ryan reads this and stops calling me negative Nancy!
God is teaching me to fully trust him when we make life decisions. HE loves us more than anyone and HE will take care of us in the midst of anything!! We ARE HIS children!!

I am thankful HE is still teaching/molding me!

Happy Father's Day!

If I blogged about how amazing my father is you would be reading all night!! So here are the highlights:
*He taught me to love Christ!
*His devotion/consistency to the Lord makes me smile
*He always taught me to tithe
*He makes the best Latte's!
*His passion for Riverside Mission is contagious
*He is in love with UT football- some of my favorite childhood memories
*Sometimes he will wear the same shirt 3 days in a row- love that
*He supports me/my family 110%!!

These are just a few things but the best thing about my dad is that he is just like his dad, my papaw Loveday- He continues to carry on the Godly/Family oriented Loveday Legacy! I love him more than he will ever know!

The Food Genie

Everyday whether I am driving home from work or spending the day with my little man at around 4:30 I wish I could blink my eyes or tap my foot and someone would cook us dinner. I wouldn't mind cleaning the dishes afterwards. My mother in law lives REAL close and she will bless us with an amazing meal often but in two months she will be moving 45 minutes away. So maybe someone will invent the Food Genie before this occurs.

Any other mom's feel this way?

Unexpected Blessing

I came home from work last night feeling exhausted as I am getting over my 60th cold for the year (a little exaggeration). I walked in to kisses from my son and my wonderful hubby cleaning out Wilson's closet (thanks honey). We of course needed groceries but Ryan suggested we go feed the duckies before the dreaded Walley trip. It was hot but thought it would be fun to see Wilson throwing the bread at the ducks.

As I watched Wilson on Ryan's shoulders throwing bread I was overwhelmed, God quietly reminded me to soak up this moment. And I did, I know when Wilson goes to school, graduates High School, gets married, has his own family I will never forget seeing him follow his daddy around the river as we fed the duckies. It was a special moment for me! I love when the Lord allows me to see HIM through these memories. This is an early HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to Ryan, it makes me smile to see Wilson imitate everything he does!! Ryan- you are an amazing Father- thank you.

Mind Boggling

It blows my mind to think that God loves my child even more than I do!! Feeling overwhelmed with Christ's love today!

Meet Wilson

LOVE HIS SMILE!

FAMILY PIC!

Ok, Ok- I know most of you know little Wilson but because I am that crazy momma who cant stop blogging, talking, and facebooking about my little joy I just wanted to share a few pictures to give you a glimpse of his personality, especially for our friends and family who dont get the opprotunity to see him often. I will tell you this: He LOVES to laugh, he gives hugs/kisses freely, if he could LIVE outside he would, he just started running- EVERYWHERE, starting to enjoy the pool- swimming lessons start in July, his face lights up when daddy comes home, likes to pull Lillie's ears (she hates it), snorts when he laughs really hard, very ticklish (especially under arms and neck), loves to play in the pantry, has this funny "evil" laugh when he gets into something he shouldn't, talks and jabbers ALOT, loves to spend time with his cousins, makes truck noises to everything (even when he eats), and my favorite part is he STILL lets me ROCK him to sleep at night!! I know one day he wont but until then- I CHERISH each night night!

A MUST READ

Please go to http://www.amazon.com/dp/080546428X?tag=angsmi-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=080546428X&adid=1R2JAT8EKG2E2K1WTYF4& and buy "Bring The Rain" by Angie Smith. It's a true story filled with loss, hope, encouragment, and reality. The Lord has used her words to encourage me so I recommend everyone to read it, especially if you are a momma like me!!

It has been a while since I blogged but IM BACK!! Love to you all!

AMAZING MARRIAGE DEVOTION

Diversity in Marriage

Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another.
Colossians 3:12-13, NKJV

The differences between my husband and myself have been the basis for many fights. My husband likes everything in its place while I never even notice when things are a mess. He is very outgoing, able to recall people's names easily. In contrast, I am almost a recluse and can't even remember the faces of people I've met.
One day, following weeks of tension and fighting triggered by these differences, we began to make a study of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We recognized our own particular spiritual gifts, and they were totally opposite from each other. This led us to recognize other differences, acknowledge those differences by name, learn to accept them in each other, and then grow to appreciate them for the balance they give to our marriage relationship. I cannot adequately convey the blessing this has been, the peace that has resulted, and the love that has increased between us simply because after years of doing it "my way," we finally followed the Creator's wise directions for diversity in our marriage.

Blessings,
Anne Graham Lotz

To My Sweet Wilson

My Wilson~ Before you were conceived, I wanted you. Before you were born, I loved you. When you were born, I saw you and knew I was in love. Before you were 1 hour old, I knew I would die for you. To this day, I will.

I cherish everyday with you! I am blessed to be your momma!

I LOVE MY HUSBAND!

FAMILY PICTURES!

We had our first family photo shoot/W's one year pics done last week!! He had a few meltdowns but our photographer Lindsey got some great shots! ENJOY THE PREVIEW!








SERIOUSLY BEST BUDS!



I could eat him up like sugar!~

STRESS!

I am not going to lie- Life has been very stressful since the move to the Boro! ~But I know during these times God is trying to teach us things and help us GROW in many ways. I have been consumed with much worry, stress, and missing- but I pray I dont miss what God has for me here! I am here for a reason- right?? As I contemplate the last few months I think of Wilson- he is getting so big and I want to take advantage of every minute I have with him! He barely lets me rock him anymore, but I still try! It's bittersweet- but he will always be my baby! Just thought I would blog a little and destress! Love you all

SPOILED MUCH?

Wilson had the best time this week with GGma and GGpa! Gpa took him to Target and introduced him to VICTORIA SECRET; Gpa said he even cried when they left that store! hehe. And Gma fed him some yummy ice cream at McDonald's! W is so blessed to have such wonderful great grandparents that SPOIL him to pieces!!

LOVE THAT FACE!

Target wore him out!

How sweet is this?

He LOVES sweets like his momma and daddy!

Easter- 2010

We had a wonderful Easter weekend celebrating our Savior's life/death/VICTORY! Gma, Gpa, Auntie E, Eric and Stephanie all came to the boro! We celebrated Gma's bday, had a cookout on the property (hunted eggs), and enjoyed a wonderful service at Northside Church on Sunday. Wilson had a BIG weekend! Ill let the pics tell the story!


Easter Sunday

Daddy and W playing (he is ALL BOY)

Gma made W this beautiful quilt!!!

We will have to get W one of these; HIS FAV TOY!

He even makes the noise when he drives!

3 HANDSOME BOYS!

EASTER 2010

BLESSED!