Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

So here's the story...
This weekend was Bo and Bridget's wedding in Atlanta! So Thursday we packed up the babies (and EVERYTHING we own)...and we were in Atlanta in no time. We stayed on the 4th floor at the Ritz in Buckhead ( I am only saying this so that if you happened to be on that floor I am apologizing for any disturbances my 2 stir crazy little ones may or may not have caused...there were other disruptive guests I feel certain -but I can only account for my two...)
However, I think you will see from some of the pictures that Murphy takes quite well to being pampered, a king size bed, snacks and a huge tv? He looked at us like..."are you seriously making me go home, they know my name here, I might just stay...")

I have to tell you that the rehearsal dinner was like no other. I knew Bo and Bridget were precious people, but to quote my brother "those toasts need to be in a movie"....their friends LOVE them, I mean truly love them. I can only hope that Clay and I can share a fraction of the pride their parents must have had that night.

Saturday we spent some time visiting some special friends Gene and Isabel and baby Coleman...who I am pretty sure would fit in quite well at our house...I'm just saying..!

Back to the bride and groom...all I can say is JOY (no, not heaven joy...he was lounging in his king size bed)...the way they looked at their wedding and when they were saying their vows-wow...
The reception was so much fun...perhaps too much fun for some of us (you know who you are...) So all in all this was an amazing weekend...

-we took walks to the ice machine A LOT poor Skipper probably could tell you everything about the hotel...thanks for being such a good sport, Dad
-we made new friends in the hospitality suite and laughed and visited with some old ones
-we shopped or "power shopped" as my mom says
-we ATE and ATE and ATE
-we pretended the 4th floor was a dorm and we were all freshman again
-we got to see Mimi, Emilee and Delaney and the babies were in HEAVEN! Seriously, could the weekend get any better? It was a quick trip but it is SO good to see those faces...
-we danced so much I think (know) that will suffice as my exercise for 2011
-we were reminded of how to love the special people God puts in our lives
-we saw my brother bring out some moves like no other ( who knew?) but no, I do not question my standing in the family to answer your question, uncle Sweet Pea :)
-we got to spend time with family and make memories that we will never forget,
AND we got a wonderful addition to our family...thanks to bo! WELL DONE!

Family Pics after the wedding

These are so out of order...but anyhow Madden eating her ChitChen on the way home

Some of my brother's moves on an unsuspecting birthday girl at the Ritz, seriously...My brother?

He's just telling us he's had these moves all the time but if you bring them too much they may lose their luster...hmmm.

Wow.

Coleman...sweet boy!!!

Madden shopping at Neimans she does love some girl time

The happy couple at the Rehearsal dinner...Madden hasn't seen this one yet...

well well well look who's on the blog

Sweet Pea and Sarah pre-dance moves

Happy Campers

Heaven Joy

Don't Look Back...

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27


Well, it has been a very big week around here, another world wind that has turned out to be an answered prayer and taken some time to process but here we are...once again thankful and learning more and more about faith versus our own understanding.

Someone told me a few weeks ago when she was talking about her now teenager- that she felt like God prepares you for each stage of your childrens lives so that when you get there you are ready for it.
I remember thinking I would not be able to leave Murphy at school, God gave us the perfect place for him and such peace when we saw him thrive. Well, if you had asked me a few months ago about Madden starting school I would have told you that she really wanted to go but we were going to have to wait for Fall because that's when her class started.
Now for God's answer... a spot in Murphy's class opened up just before the holidays...so we started to pray and pray and pray about what to do. In typical fashion I wanted to hold Madden all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays and have girl time, but I knew in my heart that's not what Madden "needed". She loves school, not so much babysitters, but school is her thing, she wants to read and do projects and learn every chance she gets. So it became clear that both of my babies would be at school on Tuesdays and Thursdays...
SIGH...
Her first day was last week, and just as she was gearing up for the major fit she throws as we leave Murphy and head off for the day...Miss Ella took off her coat and hung it in her very own cubby. That was the last time she let our eyes meet. Madden would not look at me again...
It was as if she thought if I didnt see her I wouldnt remember to take her with me. She could just kind of slide into class for the day with her super powerful camouflage and I wouldnt know the difference. As I left the parking lot I wasn't sad, I was kind of laughing as I told my mom how the morning had unfolded...but nonetheless there was such peace. I was so happy that Madden was where she wanted to be...she was with the most special teachers we know and she was loving every single minute of it. It was something she wanted so badly and she was so confident in herself and in what the day had in store....She Never Looked Back....
When I picked her up she was so proud of her artwork and her lunchbox that I couldnt help but be elated inside...as for those worries and anxiety over this big day...I can honestly say it's now behind me and I won't be looking back. Now its on to the next big day...I am so thankful that He's getting me ready even as I type this.

Snow Days (and Clay as a guest author....)

The term "snow day" used to be one of the greatest things I remember hearing as a kid.  Growing up in Atlanta we didn't hear it very often, so it was like having a spontaneous Christmas.  Well, now that we have our own kids, snow days have taken on a new meaning.  At 20 months and, not quite three, our kids don't quite understand the significance of it just yet.  However, we have not forgotten.  Days like these are gifts, even if they only last for 15 minutes!

As you can see, it was hard to get them both off the porch.  Suzanne finally coaxed them off for a while.  They weren't exactly wearing eskimo boots, so their feet probably were a tad cold.  However, a few snow balls thrown in their direction elicited the sought after smiles.  Madden and Murphy both thought this was hilarious.  As you can see, Madden was just daring me to hit the "bulls eye."  Little did she know this ol lefty used to have a mean 62 mile an hour fast ball.  Murphy and Madden both wanted to see a real live "no" man, so they got it.  Not the best looking of Frosty's but they didn't care.  They loved it.  Snow days have definitely taken on a new meaning, but are no less significant.  An unexpected day off with my wife and kids and seeing a few extra smiles than I am supposed to... A little extra gift from God.

Hadley stopped by for an impromptu concert last week-boy are they talented

Madden is dishing out the sugar-she loves HH and Sarah

Madden loving on Sarah some more....

Hey dad even Paddington wants to stay on the step!

The caption on the picture speaks for itself...

Happy Snow day for everyone

I told you it's been a year to be thankful for...2011 is starting the same way!

This weekend was so much fun at the Culpepper house...Mimi and Pop came to visit so we could celebrate Christmas with them.  I have to say I am pretty blessed in the in-law department.  I can't tell you how it makes me feel to see mimi and pop with my babies.  I knew mimi and pop were quite the catch as far as in laws go before my babies were born-but since Murphy and Madden arrived I have a whole new appreciation for these two... 
Pop gets on the floor and plays and reads and plays some more and reads again and sings and watches gabba and sprout and snuggles and laughs and makes these two feel like they are the only babies on the planet....and mimi well she's just wonderful plain and simple.  She comes in the house ready to help with anything and everything and there's wonderful npeaceful feeling she brings with her.
We love them and I love having them here to reinforce how much my munchkins are loved.  It gets harder and harder to tell them bye every time our visit comes to an end. I just hate it...but I am thankful for the time we do have together and I am even more thankful to have them as grandparents for my joys. I am thankful for the way they love on the babies and for the way that our relationship has grown and developed in such a special way.  I am thankful for they way that they make me feel at ease and how they are always there to offer advice, but almost always wait to be asked...it makes Clay and I feel confident as parents and loved at the same time.  I am thankful for the way they jump right into our chaos and help put smiles on our faces. The joys by the way are looking at their calendar counting down the days until their mimi and pop are back... 

On Friday before mimi and pop got here we went to lunch with cc and skipper and then to have yogurt=2 VERY happy babies

Sometimes the twins can talk without even saying anything

I think they liked it...

Madden showing mimi how to open a present, they barely put their bags down before tink was scoping out the presents!

YIKES is right...on saturday mimi, pop, and daddy went off to lowes and came back with this little fella...a bit scary but very exciting-this is what happens after Clay had to use my old saw to cut 3 things for me the night before!

LOVE

What is that silly mimi up to now?

"mom, do we really need a picture right now? mimi and I are trying to catch up..."

Mimi and pop even stayed for church AND lunch before they hit the road...if you know pop that is a BIG treat!

 

 

HURRY BACK PLEASE!