Austin's 2nd Birthday

Hello and good evening everyone. Well Monday October 4, 2010 was Austin's 2nd Birthday. It was a blast. Austin had a great time. We had pineapple, watermelon, carrots, grapes, snickerdoodles, cellery and potatoe chips for snacks. Guests included Grandma Merkley, Susan Merkley, Aunt Valeda Dye, Angie Horne with girls, Devon Massey, Nadell Ransom and their son Vincent. Uncle Reagan Massey arrived later after everyone else left. Also at the party was Grandma and Grandpa Walters by way of Skype. They were able to talk and see everyone at the party and watch Austin open all his gifts.

Austin got lots of presents for his birthday. He got a Go Diego Trike, a shopping cart, two shirts, bumble bee costume, dinosaur to go with the t-Rex Grandpa Bailey he got last year, learning books and Toy Story toddler bedding set from Mom and Dad. Grandma Merkley got him some Hot Wheels cars which he loves. The Ransoms got him a Cars Playground Ball. Valeta gave him a small bus and bubbles. Susan Merkley got him a Thomas the Train matching game. Reagan and Devon got him some small cars which match a Firetruck he already has. Aunt Amber gave him a Texas Shirt as well as Texas Football. Grandma and Grandpa Walters sent an airplane from their mission and the Smithsonian in Washington DC. While on vacation in Georgia Grandma and Grandpa Bailey got Austin some new trucks.

Here are some videos of the party:








We also have some pictures which will be added a little later.

Today we all went to Country Mercantile. A market which has fresh fruit and vegetables as well as gourmet candy. We went on a hayride and picked out two pumpkins from the field. A small white one for Austin and a fairly large, 26 pound, regular pumpkin for Momma. We also took Austin through the hay maze and on the pyramid hay stack they had. Austin's favorite part was the petting zoo. They had a reindeer, sheep, piggy, cow (Austin calls them moo cows), goats, bunny rabbit and a rooster. After purchasing some apple butter and the pumpkins we decided to go through the corn maze just for the fun. Austin walked for the first quarter and then Ashley and I had to carry him. About half way through Austin fell asleep in our arms. It took a while but we got out. It was our exercise for the day.

Things have been going well. Ashley is feeling better day by day and everything is well with baby number two. Ashley feels the baby kicking often. Thank you for everything. We love you all and pray for everyone.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

To all you mother's out there, happy mother's day! I wanted to take the time to give my mom the gift of updating my blog!

A Sonnet for My Incomparable Mother

I often contemplate my childhood, Mom.
I am a mother now, and so I know
Hard work is mixed together with the fun;
You learned that when you raised me long ago.

I think of all the things you gave to me:
Sacrifice, devotion, love and tears,
Your heart, your mind, your energy and soul--
All these you spent on me throughout the years.

You loved me with a never-failing love
You gave me strength and sweet security,
And then you did the hardest thing of all:
You let me separate and set me free.

Every day, I try my best to be
A mother like the mom you were to me.

By Joanna Fuchs


Mom, you are so special to me. You taught me independence and the difference between right and wrong but more than that, you taught me unspoken lessons that I will always remember. I have always admired your Southern quiet strength and poise. You never give up, and you do what you have to do. Your example has taught me to be level headed and grounded. Your beauty has encouraged me to respect myself. Your manners have taught me to respect those around me. Your nurturing has helped me to be a better mother to my own son. He will bear the lessons you have given me. You have made me who I am today. I am forever thankful. I love you momma. I am and I will will always be, your baby girl.

love,

Ashelina