Back from the beach

We just got home from being in Perdido for a week with Eric's parents. We had such a great time and really caught up on some R&R!! Nolan still was not very fond of the sand...which we thought he would have liked it more this time time around. Oh, well. Maybe next year! He loves the pool and enjoyed learning how to blow bubbles in the water. He really drank more of the water than anything! Anyhow, we had a really nice family vacation and were glad to be at the beach :)

Doctor Update

Hey guys!
I know a lot of you have been praying for complete healing for the cavernoma on my brain stem. I had a follow-up MRI this morning and met with Dr. Fisher right after to review my results. The cavernoma is still there, but has not changed in size. So praise God for that!

I will see him back in February for my next scheduled MRI. He said if everything is the same at that check-up, then I would see him routinely once a year unless there are any changes I notice with vision, headaches, or numbness. Some of you may know that I did experience numbness & tingling on the left side of my face, in my left leg and foot for several months. However, on May 15th...all of my symptoms went away and have yet to return. So i know God is in the process of healing me, even though the report today was not what Eric and i expected.

If you all could just continue to keep me in your prayers, I'd be forever grateful to you. Eric and I also really need prayer in our decision to have more children with the risks at stake. This is something weighing very heavy on our hearts today with all the unknown effects pregnancy can have on a cavernoma. I'm looking forward to discussing everything with my OB this week and really spending some quiet time with God.

Love,
jenny

Happy Birthday Nolan!

Our baby boy turned 1 years old yesterday and we threw him a train themed birthday party at our home for close family and friends. Nolan had so much fun getting into his cake and assisting with opening his presents. We were all exhausted after the party was over and couldn't believe a whole year had passed since he entered into our world.

Cahaba River & Old bridge

We've always wanted to walk along this trail on the Cahaba River about a block from our church, so we stopped yesterday morning and walked down the river. We also went exploring later that day to find an old covered bridge close to where we live. When we finally got there, we found it to be temporarily closed for a new development/resort that's being built. We walked around the property since we couldn't drive through the caution gate and found this little old bridge that crossed over a pond. It was so hot and around 2pm in the afternoon...so we never walked far enough to see the covered family bridge...but we'll definitely make it back when the weather is cooler for Nolan.

Nolan's new car!!

For Nolan's 1st B-day, which is only 3 weeks away, his Nommie decided to give him his gift early since she was visiting us this past weekend. This little red RadioFlyer car is the coolest car ever and Nolan loves it so much! He cries every time you take him out! We even have to clean the wheels off so we can bring it inside the house!! It has blinkers, plays music, and even has a horn. Needless to say this is now his favorite toy and we love how excited he gets when he sees it after waking up from naps!

My friend Jessica also had her baby shower yesterday. She's so cute and we all can't wait to meet Evelyn Ruth! Here's a few pics from the weekend:

11 months old

Nolan was 11 months old yesterday. He's gotten very active lately and is getting into everything! He's not walking yet, but is pulling up on all the furniture and cruising around it. Eric seems to think he may be a few weeks away from taking his first steps :) He's also learned how to stand up in his crib...so it's been interesting these last few weeks!!















Daddy sharing his popsicle














































Nolan's new friend Caroline

A few days in Hammond

While I attended a few things for my high school reunion this past weekend, I also got to spend some quality time with my family. Nolan got to go swimming, eat a popsicle for the first time, and enjoy seeing his Nonna & Pa Paw who just LOVE on him so much!! They bought him a few new toys and an LSU rocking chair to share with Zachary - my sister's boy to be! It was a great fun-filled weekend and they all were sad when we had to leave yesterday. Eric on the other hand, was smiling ear to ear when we got home because he missed us so much. It's so hard being away from him only for a few days, but even worse when Nolan asks for da-da all day long :)

10 year High School Reunion

So I went home for my 10 year reunion in Hammond this past weekend and had such a great time! I wasn't sure going without Eric was going to be any fun, but I had a lot of catching up to do with old friends. For the most part, my close girlfriends are all married and live relatively close to home. My single friends are scattered across the country and are definitely living the world to the fullest...traveling and trying to be successful in their careers. On a whole...everyone looked amazing and in shape and just really happy to be there.

My best girlfriends from high school

Erin DePaula, Lauren Songy, me, Myrie Burvant, Marquette Pegler, and Julie McCall


Frankie Rholden, Lauren, me & Julie

Jenny-My Heart

Jenny, It took me about 15 minutes to start typing this post because I just couldn't figure out where to start. You are away right now visiting your family and friends in Lousiana while I had to stay at home and work a late night. I just want you to know how much I love you and miss you when you aren't here. You give Nolan and I a lot of credit on this blog, but I want everyone to know who reads this how incredible you are also. Jenny is what makes this family a family. I am "the man" of the house, but I wouldn't be able to be without her. She thinks I'm great and wonderful, but I'm only great and wonderful because she was first. I tell people everyday that I "married up" and anyone that knows us now or knew us before we were us knows its true. Our God truly is an Awesome God, our Creator, and our Editor. The love that He allows a couple to share in a marriage that puts him First is representative of the love that He has for His Christian family. The love that He allows us to have for Nolan is given to let us know how unshakable, undeniable, and unconditional the love He has for His children really is. I simply cannot make a statement about how incredibly dedicated to her and thankful I am for Jenny's presence in my life without giving honor to the One that allowed us to be together in the first place. We wouldn't be who we are without Him. Jenny, you are so dear to me, and if I accomplish nothing else in my time on earth, I want nothing more than to be your husband and the father that your children deserve to have. I am so thankful for you, and as I write this, I realize that as much as I want to portray my most initimate love for you, my words will not convey my message. God gave me my Heart, and it is you.

I love you,

Eric