Weekend at Mindy's

Justin's job as a LSS (Lab Support Specialist) sends him to Affordable Denture labs all over America to fill in and help out on a temporary basis. Some work assignments are only for a day or two. I like those...a lot. Most commonly, there are the assignments that keep him away a whole week. I have gotten to the point where I can accept these whole week assignments like a big girl and manage to be productive and stay sane all week with Garrett by myself. Now, when he gets assignments like the one he's on now, I can't even pretend to hid my disappointment/anxiety/frustration/sadness. It has only happened one other time since he started this job where he's been away for a full two weeks without coming home on the weekend. He's been in Yakima, Washington for the past 8 days and wont return for another 5 days. IT SUCKS. I miss him terribly and I know he misses us since he's there all by himself. I am counting down the seconds til he returns.

So, to try and pass the time more quickly, I decided to spend the weekend with my sister. Every time I make that drive to her house I thank God for sending us back to NC. After the 8 hour drive we had living in Georgia, the 2 hours it takes me to get to Mindy's is like a trip to the grocery store.

We had a great visit. Garrett helped Mindy clean out and organize her pantry Saturday night. While she was busy emptying out the shelves, he decided to dump her bread on the floor and then sit down and eat a few slices.

Uncle TJ E. took Garrett for a ride around the yard on his new four wheeler. Sunday was our daddy's 59th birthday so Mindy baked him a red velvet cake, his favorite.

TJ and Brandi came over Sunday evening to help us celebrate daddy's birthday. Happy Birthday, Poppy Toby! We love you very much!

Happy Birthday Brother!

Yesterday was TJ's 30th Birthday. T-H-I-R-T-Y! I can remember my 10th birthday like it was yesterday and he's turned 10 THREE times! He could actually retire from the USMC in 9 years.

Oh man, he's so OLD!

To celebrate this grand occasion, his lovely wife, Brandi, cooked up a wonderful meal for the whole family and a carrot cake that was to die for! It was a great day with the family and I look forward to celebrating MANY more birthdays with big brother!

Love you, T!

Daddy's gonna be home all week...

and we're loving every second of it!

Visiting Charlotte, NC

Justin was scheduled to work in Charlotte, NC this past Friday and since it wasn't an extremely long drive, Garrett and I decided to join him. Garrett loved all the amenities that the hotel had to offer. He especially loved the extra rolls of toilet paper that were easily accessible to him. Sometimes at home I'll turn our small trashcans over so Garrett can beat on them like a drum. (Whatever it takes to entertain him, right?) Anyway, he spotted this little trashcan in our hotel room and within seconds had it turned upside down so he could play the drum. We didn't bring his pack-n-play with us because we were only staying one night and he's just about too long for it anyway. So, when we checked into the hotel and discovered our room had two queen beds, we had to make the tough decision as to where wiggle worm would sleep.

Since daddy had to get up and work the next morning, I bit the bullet and slept with little feet kicking me in my face and ribs. On our way back home, we stopped at a farmers market that sold homemade ice cream. I was a nice trip but it was good to get back home where that wild child could sleep in his own bed!

A Walk on the Beach

Father and son watching the birds.

We can't go to the beach without him plopping down in the water.

That's one sandy little boy!

Daddy helped rinse him off.

Happy Birthday Garrett's Daddy!

29 years ago, on this day, my mother-in-law gave birth to my best friend, protector, provider, the father of my son.

Happy Birthday, Justin! Garrett and I love you very much!

Enjoy this last year of your 20's...cause next year you'll be an

old man!