Caden & Corban's "Hole"

This morning Caden came and asked me for a piece of paper, a pencil, and some tape. He proceeded to create a sign that said Caden's Hole (after asking Momma how to spell "hole") and taped it to this large bucket...all on his own! When Corban discovered Caden's cool reading spot, he wanted to join the fun. Caden asked for the pencil and added Corban's name to his sign. Remember, this is all unprompted. Then they enjoyed their "hole" together.
Notice the placement of books so that each one can see his own book.


Yes, eventually, it caused a problem and they had to get out of the "hole" but it sure was nice to see them being creative and sharing all on their own.

Moving: Part 3 Complete (5 months)

Part One: Leave Togo (check)
Part Two: Pack Container (check)
Part Three: Unpack Container (check)
Part Four: New Home

As you can see from my list above, we are 3/4 of the way complete with our move from Togo. Yesterday, with the help of several strong men, we unloaded our container of belongings that shipping from Togo in June.
Now I had not seen any of these items since we left in March. There was a strange feeling yesterday in witnessing my household items suddenly appear after 5 months.
Within an hour, this is what the container looked like:

We brought our couch and the boys' scooters home. Everything else is in a storage unit until we decide to move into our own place (we're currently living with my parents in Memphis).

I'm at a very strange place in my life that very few people can relate to. I'm to the point where I'm finding joy and confidence in my life here in Memphis. Most of it is beginning to feel normal rather than new. I'm happy to have those feelings, yet at the same time I feel somewhat guilty for replacing my joy of Togo. No, it's not replacing, but those feelings do feel as if they are changing place of importance in my life. Does that make sense? I still have moments of longing for our life in Togo, and I'm sure I always will, but I'm enjoying making this life for my family too. Togo will always hold a piece of my heart that I will forever long to make a part of my life again, but I will embrace that feeling in knowing that it is part of what makes me me.

Today as I celebrate 5 months of return to America, I also mourn 5 months from a place I loved to call home.

Winter In July

I went to my first huge consignment sale this week with my sister-in-law, Sarah. Since we haven't experienced winter in 4 years, we're a little low on fall/winter clothing. I was hoping to at least find the boys some winter coats for a decent price. I succeeded and found one for each of them. Today I had them try them on and they were so excited! It was just another dress up/costume item to them. And then, Corban refused to take his off. I decided he would eventually get too hot and take it off on his own. We went about our day: watching a little TV, playing with lacing cards, etc. and here's Corban with his winter coat zipped up to his chin and the hood still on. I finally decided to fight the battle and peeled the coat off of him revealing a slightly sweaty body. Let's hope he keeps that love for his new coat and we don't have fights to put in on in a few months.

A Full Heart

My grandparents, known to some as Bill and Dot Stewart, made a quick trip to Memphis last weekend and we thoroughly enjoyed their visit. My heart is full from spending time with them and watching them love on my children. Thank you GrannyDot and Grandaddy for making the long journey here!




Reading before bed with GrannyDotA family dinner3 generations of women in the kitchen
Caden making brownies with GrannyDot (and I might add they were super yummy!)
The Grandparents with their great-grandchildren
We love you!

The Hill

This is one of the best ideas I've seen for kids...ok, adults too.



Thanks to The Tipping Point for being creative!

Happy 80th

...from the Emerson boys to their Great Grandpa ("Pa Pip")....

5 Pics of 5 Cousins

Spelunking in Kentucky

We love America's National Parks, and there is a great one in central Kentucky known as Mammoth Cave. Brett and Caden took a day trip from Nashville and had an amazing time. Caden is definitely inheriting his dad's spirit of adventure!
This is Colleen, our ranger for the day. "That stalagmite was THIS big!"Caden on the bus to the cave entrance...one day soon he will be headed to school on a bus, but he looks really small in this seat!Entering the airlock entrance to the cave. It felt like we were entering a Dharma Initiative station...

Lunch was hotdogs and milk water...Squeezing through "Fat Man's Misery" was not a problem for Caden...Caden's face says it all, we had a blast. I thank God for my sons and the chance to explore creation with them! ---Brett

When I was a little girl....

I did this tooIt's such a joy to see my children enjoying things that I did as a child. They have enjoyed listening to Gran'Pa play his guitar several nights a week.

I miss this...

patrick
Uploaded by emersonstogo. - Family events, birthdays and parenting videos.

Baby Luke

Our first weekend in Memphis was shared with Allen, Sarah, and Luke. Luke turned one in February and met his Uncle Brett and his cousins for the first time that weekend. Three little boys in one house, all under the age of 5, provided (and will provide!) plenty of entertainment.
Corban wasn't sure he was willing to give up his position of "baby" and would protest any time I was holding Luke. He claimed Luke as his own and would say "My bae Loo!" (my baby Luke) while pulling on his leg. The morning they left, he woke up and asked "Where bae Loo?". My Mom bought the three of them shirts that read "Here Comes Trouble"....I think the picture says enough about that.

4 Cousins

Funny how personalities can shine through photos as well. Guess who has the crazy kids?

1st Ice Cream Cones

It's possible our boys have had ice cream cones before, but probably not completely on their own. Gamma and Papa insisted that everyone got their own cone. I know for sure this is the first time Corban has ever had cotton candy flavored ice cream! With this warm weather, we will be watching for more Baskin-Robbins' coupons.

Something Fun

I'm pretty sure you've never seen these pictures and they are definitely blog-worthy.

These were a few fun treats that we got in a package from Nanna...thanks!
Corban discovered he knew how to open the freezer...sneaky little thing.
Corban has now mastered the climbing wall. Amazing and scary.
"I did it!"
Tiggy gets a bath. No, he didn't like it.

This face cracks me up! It's as if he's saying, "Why are you letting him do this to me? Help me!"

And just to show you that Tiggy did not hold a grudge....

New Look

Thank you Betsy for this wonderful Christmas present....a blog make-over.
Click the link to the right (Blogs for a Cause) to find out more about Nikki and her work.

Playground

6 Months Later

Six months ago, we brought you this fun video....and now we have these hair cutting pictures to offer you.

Daddy can't resist one last big hair picture
Corban's before shot....sucker in hand
Corban after
Caden before...yikes! I rarely notice how long his hair is during the rainy season because the humidity makes his curls tighter. However, in the dry, it's just a long mess.

Caden's cute curls after (and Corban's toes)
I caught Corban sitting on this little bench all on his own and couldn't resist snapping a picture. He looks so big!
In the past, I've really missed Caden's curls when we've cut them off...but this time I really like the shorter look on him.
Brothers!