Peyton's Broken Bone & Birthday!

If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, a member of my church, a close-knit family member (or in-law), work with me, or a dear friend, you know about Peyton's accident.   I could not bring myself to write about it until now - two weeks ago (tomorrow).   There have been many rumors of how he broke his femur - but, it was simple - running, jumping, being ALL BOY at the sitter, falling & landing the wrong way.  My babysitter did everything right - called Jonathan, calmed Peyton down, & hoped it was nothing serious.  Jonathan assessed the scene, called me, & we headed to Athens.  After X-Rays, consultation with the surgeon, surgery, we finally headed home in a spica (full-body) cast late Tuesday night.  There have been moments of frustration - when he asks to ride his new birthday bike or the fact that he was FINALLY potty-trained & now back in diapers, but also sweet family moments - especially with Nana Barlow & Grandmama Fraley.  There have been moments of tears - when he was screaming out on pain, & moments of joy - knowing this too will pass.  

Peyton in his cast on a wagon ride 

Peyton playing in "his" chair 

Peyton's first follow-up doctor's appointment 

Before the accident, Peyton celebrated his third birthday - we ate pancakes before church, pizza & brownies for lunch, & went to see the movie, Planes.  It was a day of celebrating! 

Peyton's birthday present - a balance bike! 

Thank you again - for praying for my first-born, Peyton.  Thank you for your calls, texts, Facebook messages, cards, & care packages.  Peyton has an amazing attitude, which I know is due to prayer & petition.  Peyton's bone is healing, & thankfully this is temporary.  

Following by Example

Tonight, I am on my couch in Royston, Georgia, but today at 3:15pm, but heart was at Anne Mason Elementary for my mom's retirement party.  Yes - my mom, whom most of you know (& love) is retiring tomorrow.  We have been counting down for a year & half.   I am excited for her - time to wake up when the sun comes up (instead of a 5:15am alarm), time to go out to lunch with friends (instead of a 15 min. cold turkey sandwich), a chance to play the piano for fun (instead of school), etc.  I learned most of my teaching skills from my mom, admired her organization, consistency, attitude of firm, fair, & fun, & daily prayers for the job, the students, & her family.
I struggle with being the best mama & the best teacher.  I struggle with being a "working mama" & balancing responsibilities of wife, mama, home, church, school, teacher...the list could go on.  I often ask my mom, "How did you do it?  How did you juggle?"  She always reminds me - through prayer.  I only hope I can follow her example - in raising my children & touching many, many students' lives.  CONGRATULATIONS MOM!!! We love you, Mom (& all you working moms out there!)

June 2010 - Anna's Wedding & pregnant with Peyton! 

Nolan's Dedication Labor Day weekend 2012 

August 2012 - Grandmama, Peyton, & Nolan 

Fall 2012 

Nolan is ONE!

I am a little behind on my blogging...it's that time of year...school has begun!  Most of my free time away from school has been screen free - playing outside with the boys, train races with Peyton, throwing balloons with Nolan, embracing the moments with my boys & Jonathan.  I always feel life ends when school begins, & I can't figure out why...it's just learning to balance work/home/church activities.  As Jonathan says, "it always takes you a month to get adjusted."

More importantly, our second born turned ONE on July 30th.  I blogged on the party a few days before, but I did try to make the 30th special!  Jonathan got McDonald's pancakes for our one year old, we went to the park to play, we all took long naps, we ordered pizza & had cupcakes for dessert (which he LOVED)! Wow - what a year it's been -

July 31, 2012 

Nolan's first Sunday at Church - Aug 2012 

One of my favorites - playing outside 

Eating Rice Cereal for the first time - 5 months old 

Nolan's Smash Cake! He loved it! 

What a year it's been! I can't wait to see what ONE holds for Nolan!

Bounce on over, We had a Ball!

This past week/weekend was full of emotions - tiredness from last weeks mission trip to North Carolina (our first as a family of four!), sadness for a friend & deacon in our church passing away, excitement celebrating our boys birthdays, & anticipation beginning the school year.  Sixteen family members drove to celebrate Peyton's 3rd & Nolan's 1st birthday.  (I chose to do one party for both boys due to having family live many miles away & for planning purposes.)  We made many memories playing with new toys, eating together, & bonding while decorating/setting up/un-decorating for the party.  It was a wonderful weekend.
I decided on a "ball" theme, because Nolan LOVES balls!  We had "meatballs," watermelon balls, cheese balls, veggie balls, etc for dinner.  We had out all of the boys favorite "ball" games - baseball, bowling, golf, basketballs, soccer balls, & I ordered bouncy balls for the little swimming pool.  We had gum balls as the centerpieces, & gave out beach balls as the favor.  My mother-in-law made the boys adorable outfits (that matched the invitations)!  It all came together, & more importantly - the boys seemed to LOVE it!

Pre-party! 

Cousin Love! Lele, Hayes, Nolan, Peyton, & Carter 

Peyton pausing for a moment to smile for a picture! 

Nolan checking out his smash cake! 

Peyton loving every bite of his cake!

Delicious cookies from Suzanne Johnson

Tomorrow, we celebrate Nolan's first birthday.  My heart is full.  God has blessed us with two full of life, rambunctious boys who make my life complete.  Tomorrow will be bittersweet.

Celebrating Freedom (& Summer)!

Happy late 4th of July!  I hope you & your family had a wonderful weekend!  We are trying to make it a family tradition to go to Kentucky for 4th of July! (We have gone for 2 years, but couldn't make the drive due to Nolan's arrival date.) We had a blast!  We got to spend quality time with my family - ran a 10K race, had a delicious cook-out, enjoyed time shopping, playing with ALL of our old toys (yes - Mom has a basement full of my sisters & my toys...the boys love it).  The only downside - We drove in a downpour to & from KY, ran a 10K in rain (this was my first race experience in the rain), & played inside the entire weekend!  We made memories in the midst of the bad, holiday weather weekend.

Running the Bluegrass 10K with two of my favorite runners - Anna & Codye 

Our group - Jonathan & Phil ran it much faster than us! 

Happy 4th from the Barlows! 

Anna, Me, Nancy - we didn't plan the stripes!

After our weekend in KY, Peyton stayed for Cousins' Camp! My mom & dad had this idea last year - to keep Carter & Peyton for a week.  So, we left Peyton in KY - the longest I had been away from him in 2 1/2 years!  I don't think he missed us much.  He was too busy riding trains, playing at a water park, playing on 3 different playgrounds, eating pancakes at McDonalds, etc.!  It was a busy, but memorable week for him! We ALL were excited to get him home.

Nolan missed Peyton in the car! 

A few cell phone pictures from Mom -

Train Ride! Peyton, Grandaddy, Grandmama, & Carter 

A morning walk to see the cows! 

I am LOVING every minute of summer break!!! I hope you are too!

Summer Lovin'!

I love this time of year! I love my job, but enjoy the much-needed break from teaching.  I love getting to sip on coffee & watch the Today show in the mornings.  I love making family memories with my sweet family!  Here's what we've been up too this summer -
Peyton took swim lessons!  Since taking the lessons, I've been impressed with his confidence in the pool.

My college roommate, Codye, came to visit!!! Codye, Robby, & their precious kids came for a weekend, & we had the best time!!! We stayed up late talking, played outside & went to the park...sweet memories!

Campbell & Nolan at the park 

Loving time together - Codye & me 

We enjoyed our time at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina! We loved seeing old friends from McAfee School of Theology & new friends within the CBF.  I kept the boys busy - a hotel room with a 2 year old & 10 month old is tough!

My cousin, Daniel & Peyton 

Loved my time with Megan Redditt! 

Loving time with friends in NC! 

Today, we are headed to Kentucky to celebrate the 4th with my family! I can't wait!

Birthday Blessings & Papa's Day!

Today is a HUGE celebration in the Barlow Bunch...my 31st birthday & Papa's Day! As I woke up very early to Nolan's cries, Peyton's fast feet running down the hall, & to my husband being the first to say, "Happy Birthday," my heart was so full of happiness & fulfillment.  

I try to be transparent in this blog, so I hope you know that we do not live a perfect life - we struggle with parenting, finances, jobs, weight/health, temper tantrums, family living hours away...but, this morning I feel my life is close to perfect...wow - how I am blessed.  My husband is a wonderful father - he gives 110% everyday.  Jonathan gets the boys ready every morning & takes them to the sitter.  If we are honest, Jonathan is the disciplinarian in this household.   He plays ball with the boys, changes dirty diapers, cooks for us (on Thursdays!), reads to them, bathes them (although he doesn't love it), & models the example of a Christian man.  I am grateful to Jonathan for my boys, my blessings.  What a wonderful gift it is to share this day with him.  Thank you, Jonathan, for living life with me!

Jonathan & Nolan preparing to leave the hospital  August 2012

Nolan's first Sunday to church  September 2012 

Halloween 2012 - Carving a pumpkin with Peyton 

Jonathan's 30th birthday  November 2012 

Nolan & Papa  Easter 2013 

Peyton's first baseball game, Papa's Father's Day gift June 2013 

Father's Day & My 31st Birthday!   6-16-13

Isn't life good?  Thank you, God for family, friends, & celebrations!

Our Days in Destin!

To kick off my summer break, Auntie Anna came for a visit! We had a much-needed, relaxing visit!  We took the boys to the park, ran every morning, ate at our favorite local restaurant, & she even helped us move Peyton into his BIG BOY BED! (unfortunately - I can't find the sweet pictures with Auntie Anna on the computer).  Here's a cute one while getting clean -

Here we are having fun in the tub! 

 On May 26th, Jonathan & I celebrated six years of marriage, Auntie Anna went home, & we traveled to Destin, FL to enjoy time with Nana & Papa Rusty Barlow & the beach.  We loved - jumping the waves in the ocean, swimming in the pool, eating delicious seafood, shopping at the outlets, watching sunsets, long walks on the beach, & most importantly spending time with family.  I told Jonathan, I couldn't be more happy than with my boys AND being at the beach!!!  The pictures can say more -

Peyton loving the backyard water table 

A quick visit with Aunt Amanda & Hayes

Harbor Walk 

Peyton & Papa Rusty loving the boats! 

Our TEN month old with Nana & Papa

Celebrating six years of marriage! 

Peyton LOVING the ocean! 

Nolan wasn't so sure about the cold water!  He loved being held! 

Loving time with Nana & Papa Rusty! 

It was a much-needed vacation for ALL of us.  We loved every minute of it, sad to return, but so thankful for the time away.