Shoot for Joy!

If anyone has a family member or a friend that has a chronic illness, than I have a little tidbit of information that will help ease their pain. Well, it may not physically ease their pain but it should mentally give them a break from it.

My dad, being the super romantic that he is bought my mom a Nerf gun for Valentine's Day. Now, I'm not talking about a little gun, this thing is huge. I couldn't even work the thing the first time I tried. My mom, being the optimistic she is, loved it. She had been asking for one since she and dad got back from Atlanta visiting my brother. My brother and his wife have one, and mom couldn't put it down.

I have watched her laugh, smile, sneak up on us, and pick on us more now than she has in a long time. Unfortunately we only have one Nerf gun in the house, and can't defend ourselves. She even shoots Rowe. Yes, he loves it and wants more except when he is sleeping.

This is not only for people who are cooped up in their houses due to illness, it also works for the incurable pessimist. You are bound to catch them smiling at some point when shooting this weapon.

I'm no doctor or therapist, but I can attest that I just feel joyful when aiming those Nerf darts and my husband. It just releases so much stress. Happy shooting.

Rowe Update

Rowe turned 2 on December 28th, and I can't believe how fast time is flying by! He is growing so fast. At his two year check up, he weight 34 pounds and was 36 inches tall. He is a BIG boy! We can't get enough of him. He makes us laugh everyday. It is his mission in life to make people life. He is rarely a serious kiddo. He is talking so much now. We are finally able to understand his Roweneze language. Others may still have a hard time understanding him though.

He loves being outside, which it has just been too cold lately to enjoy. He still loves his movies - Toy Story, Monsters Inc., The Lion King, The Jungle Book, and more. He is also loving Thomas the Train now plus Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, The Letter Factory, Your Baby Can Read and more. His favorite foods are grapes, Lima beans, pizza, bread, bananas, french fries, chips, meat, cookies, and lots lots more. It's so funny to hear him ask for "meat please." Grapes are by far his favorite of all foods. We try to make sure he eats healthy and organic when possible, but we like for him to enjoy the goodies too.

His favorite toys are dinosaurs, trains, trucks, buses, cars, tractors, Buzz doll, Woody doll, books, and puzzles. He can count to ten but it is out of order. Well, it is a step. He loves to sing and dance anytime he hears music. He also loves to say the blessing when we eat and says it all throughout the meal. It is so sweet to hear that little voice shout "AMEN."

I guess that is all for now. We are so grateful for our wonderful blessing from God. We do not let a day pass without thoroughly enjoying our time with Rowe Bug. Life is too short to live it any other way.

Rowe's 2nd Birthday Party

I just realized I have not posted anything from Rowe's 2nd birthday party. First of all, let me say that Addie Talley did an awesome job taking the birthday pictures for me. I didn't want to chase Rowe and his buddies all night with the camera, so I hired Addie to come and do it for me.

Thanks to my family and very special friends the party went off very successfully! Rowe and all 30 of the kids had a big time at his construction themed party. Dena Weaver catered the party with some super yummo food for the parents. If you want her number, just let me know. She is great and affordable. Taylor Massey made the cakes. They turned out perfectly if you ask me. Even the rocks around the cakes were edible.

Rowe loves pointing to our family pictures naming everyone. He really misses his Uncle Day and Aunt Jenny. He loves looking at their pictures and asking about them. We miss them too. This is one of my favorite pictures taken that night! They are too sweet! Rowe loves his Pops.
I have tons more pictures, but I don't think they'll all fit in just one post. Enjoy what I've posted so far!