Hanging out at Grandpa Dan's House

Levi loves his Grandpa Dan

It's so fun to watch my Dad with Levi...
He will roll around on the floor with him, play with him, throw him up in the air, and more
I can remember when he would do that with me and my 3 sisters- we always had a blast with him.... still do :)



While in Pennsylvania we (Craig, Levi, myself, and my two little sisters) went over to my dad and Freddie's house one night for dinner and we were pleasantly surprised to see my step brother, Travis, and my step sister, Terri's, family all there to see us.
They had decided they would come out so they could spend time with us one last time.
We really appreciated it!

Levi was surrounded with all kinds of big cousins to play with and learn from

Grandma Freddie was quick to claim her time to love on Levi (which we love).
He loved just sitting and playing with her, and when he was ready to start moving she would stand right up and let him hang onto her fingers and walk all over the place with him.
Thanks Grandma Freddie!

Terri's only daughter, Jasmine, and Bridget (Left)
Levi chasing the dog- he loved her.. she was terrified of him. haha. (Right)

And the evening ended on a bang... literally
We kept hearing something banging around in the fireplace-
turns out a bird flew down the chimney- after much pleading my dad finally caved and decided to save the day for this little bird.

As you can see, we were all thrilled (and entertained) as we watched it be set free
Good Job Dad!

Thanks everyone for a great time and great memories.
Love you all

* Officially in Virginia *

A five hour drive, and a full car load later...

We finally arrived at orientation today to begin our training over the next two months.

We have unpacked & settled into this place that we will now call home for a little while:
After dinner at the Dining Hall we hung out a bit with some friends here,
there was a soccer game on campus at 7:00 (Craig played... I watched... Levi giggled :)),
Then at 8:00 Levi and I headed back to get cleaned up and ready for bed.

ALL CLEAN:


(He had a blast playing in the BIG BOY tub with toys all around him- this was his first time)

Then it was off to dreamland for this little fellow:

* We have been having a blast our families during the month of July-
so I'll have to update you on those fun times... Coming Soon in the next series of blog posts!

:: Howdy Partner ::

~ Miss Sheila ~

~Miss Sheila was our Godsend~
Before Levi was born I had NO IDEA who we would find to watch Levi once I had to go back to work once he was born.
A friend who works at Franklin Academy said, "Hey my mom used to nanny, maybe she would be interested... I'll ask her"

Well ever since that moment God pieced everything together and brought Miss Sheila
to us and to Levi. She is such a sweet Christian woman.
She would read to him, sing to him, talk to him...
She took care of and loved on Levi so well.
Levi will miss her dearly.

I would often pull into the driveway to pick Levi up and find the two of them just sitting on the porch waiting for me... I loved it!
Thanks for everything Sheila :)

Favorite Little Guys

The past two days I have spent my days with two of my favorite little guys:
Jeffrey (5) and Isaiah Wood (3)
(My Nephews from Pennsylvania)

We have had a blast chatting, playing, having a dance party in the kitchen, going for walks through the woods, making PB and J sandwiches together.

Here are a few conversations/highlights:

At Breakfast
JEFFREY: I wish that Levi could be my little brother
AUNT D: Well it's kind of like he is- Why do you wish this?
JEFFREY: Because he looks so nice... and he loves me.

On the porch while we were playing
JEFFREY: I would never do anything to hurt Levi
AUNT D: Well that's good
JEFFREY: Yea- he's my best friend
(Melt my heart)

Isaiah is ever faithful to greet you when he enters the room you are in... never fails... everytime
ISAIAH: Hey Aunt D
(I sit for a moment waiting for a request to follow this statement... then realize he is just being sweet and saying hello... So then I finally respond:)
AUNT D: Oh hey sweet boy. (Smile)

Today Levi was trying to stand up holding onto my hand... and Isaiah came quietly over and slipped his hand onto Levi's hand so he could just stand there and hold it... Too precious.


Jeffrey, the oldest, has always been so thoughtful.
Every time I come to visit he always tells his mom that he needs to get flowers for me
so this is what I had waiting for me on the bathroom counter when we arrived this time.

They are great with Levi and love to help out with him or teach him things.
It's really cute.

So I hope you enjoyed the little glimpse into my days and understand why
I love these little guys so much!

...:::* 9 MONTHS OLD *:::...

~July 12, 2011~

9 Months Old


Another fun filled month with Levi & milestones:

- Really crawling on all fours (instead of the army crawl)
- Pulls himself up on couches, tables, people... just about anything
- Bound and determined to stand up and walk (still with assistance, but it won't be long)
- Starting to recognize and mean "Momma and Papa" when you say it
- Shake your head "no"... it's so fun now b/c you don't realize what you are doing... it won't be so fun later- I know :)
- Played at the ocean for the FIRST TIME... you were unsure when the waves hit your legs, but you LOVED to just sit and watch them (and eat the sand :)
- Began the adjustment of moving and starting our new journey ahead.
You are doing so good at being brave & trusting Momma & Papa



Our Dear Son... Levi Elliot~
Thank you for filling our lives (and so many others) with a tremendous amount of JOY.
I have learned so much about trusting my Heavenly Father by watching you over this past month
It really is an honor to love you... you make it so easy!



~All Our Love~
Momma & Papa

Blast at the Beach

Levi's first time at the BEACH: Huntington Beach, SC
July 2011

Pap and Nana with Levi

My guys:)

Fun in the Sun (and the shade :)


Sisters


Exhausted!


Our Beach Crew this year

We had a blast and enjoyed some time to rest and relax!