September--Saying goodbye and more changes!

One thing is for certain...change is inevitable. It will never come easy for me....even good change is hard, but I am learning that with every change comes an opportunity for growth and thankfulness.
September brought a lot of change and, some changes were easier than others....like Caleb sleeping in his crib (it took you a lot longer to "like" your bed than I anticipated), which brought more sleep to my eyes!! Some were extremely hard....saying goodbye to the Dominguez crew in some ways felt like a heartache, yet we all KNOW it is RIGHT and in God's plan!!! They had made the decision last summer to move to Cancun, Mexico to be able to be closer to Uncle Leoncio's family and for him to take a job with his brother in law. We have been so blessed to lived in the same city with our entire family for so long...
We spent the beginning of the month partying with friends and family to send them off with blessings and love. We spent as much time with them those last days as possible. It was SUCH a bittersweet time!

Caleb, you continue to change sooo quickly. I am truly trying to embrace every day with you...I know now how fast it goes! You are enjoying your big sisters so much and love to have them read to you. You are beginning to play with toys, but still LOVE to be held. You are such a delight to our whole family, sweet boy!!!

Within a week of the Dominguez crew arriving in Mexico, we figured out Skype. What a wonderful (and FREE) invention. We love talking and SEEING them this way!!! A true joy of living in an age of telecommunication!

August...last days of summer, school begins, out of town visitors and family pictures

August brought a little more sleep to my eyes, which meant a little more time to play!! And that we did...the last days of summer were spent playing (especially with cousins), swimming, and getting together with friends and family. Caleb, your jaundice finally went away completely and your smiles, coos and cuddles erased the "difficult days" in my mind!!! Oh, what a cuddle bug you are. Aunt Amy gets some loving!!!

Figuring out nail colors.........

Sewing with Mimi.............

All played out.............

Sweet times........you look so little between the two big girls, Caleb. It won't be like that for long!!!

Cooling off on those hot August days with the Coverts and Smiths!

Taking a break with Daddy.............

Caitlyn, here you are on your first day of 2nd grade. You have Mrs. Dodd this year. We have heard excellent things about her!! It was the smoothest transition you have had, yet, at the start of school. You were so ready to get back and see your friends. You are getting so independent, too! Most days you won't even let me do your hair anymore. Oh, slow down, princess!!!

Oh Caroline, we were so thrilled to get Mrs. Adcox again for your Kindergarten teacher. Caitlyn loved her and you already do, too!!! This will be her last year to teach, so we are happy to be in her "last class". You had a slow start to school, even though you were so ready to get there. New experiences are still hard for you, but you are doing soooo well. I am so proud of you, big girl!!

You wore these on the first FULL day of school...you are sooo proud of your "big sister" status!

There's my precious boy!!! You are finding your hands and feet and are still such a good nurser. You are still sleeping in our room and we finally had to put you on your tummy to sleep, but we are doing sooo much better...going sometimes 5-6 hours at a time!!

August also brought the beginning of the "goodbyes" for the Dominguez crew. Amy's best friends, Paula Renteria and Lisa Bowden came in for a long weekend to be with all of us before the big move occurs in September. We celebrated Lisa and your birthday (early) so we could have Mariana there.

Dear friends.............

Aunt Amy met Lisa in college. She is Miss Andrea Miller's sister. They grew so close and she became so dear to me, as well. The four sisters used to spend many special days together in college before we all married and moved far away from one another. She is one of the sweetest people I believe I will ever meet!!!!!!!!!! An angel....

Aunt Paula (as she is known by our crew) was Aunt Amy's college roomate and friend during Amy's last two years at Harding. After college, Paula would come to Nashville and spend many holidays with our family. She has become family after all these years. She lives and teaches in Arkansas, but we are still trying to get her to move "home". They both treasured meeting and loving on you, Caleb.

Tea time with Caitlyn, Caroline, Mariana and Anaiah (Miss Lisa's daughter).

Playing "red light, green light"............

For a surprise for Mammi, we had our new friend, Emily Lavender, come and take pictures of the Dozier family. We wanted to do it before the Dominguez crew moved away. Here are just a few of my favorites........

All the grandkids............

The whole "team"............. and the group of 14 will be 15 in April or May....we learned this month that Wes and Camille are expecting another little one!!! More cousins to love................

July (Part 1) First smile and celebrations!

So, here I am again...better late than never!!! Stepping back a bit to catch life up from the CRAZY, but wonderful summer! July was FULL of sweet moments, one of which was your first smile, buddy!!! There is NOTHING quite like that first smile to make all those sleepless nights worth it. Trying to catch it on film...

Closer...........

GOT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our family LOVES to get together to celebrate........this year was NO different! We LOVED having our crew (and our honorary family..the Miloms and the Arnolds) join us in celebrating Independence Day!

Some swimming........

Throwing........

Chicken fighting..........

Baseball............

Cornhole........

and the crowd for the FIREWORK display!!!

These three preferred the indoors for the show (with a few Doritoes to add the fun!!!)

July (Part 2)..crafts, some more firsts and dancing!

Soon after summer began, the two of you came up with the idea to have "a club"...you went into every detail of what you wanted it to be, wrote out schedules and sent invites. We ended up doing several here at the house (they each just lasted 1 and 1/2 hours) throughout the summer. Here are a few pix of the "Craft Club". We painted jewlery boxes that day.

Playing the game "Telephone!"

We knew we wanted to get you in the pool early..so you could get used to it. Here you are, Caleb, at 5 weeks, ready for your first swim!

You weren't sure at first.........

But you ended up loving this float and took a 45 minute nap in it!

Warming up after..........look at those beautiful blue eyes!

Another first....your first Sunday at Otter! You wore the outfit of Daddy's...and slept the whole time!

One of the biggest anticipated events of the summer was the Daddy/daughter dance at church. We counted down the days. Caitlyn got to go last year, but Caroline didn't...so this year was BIG! Daddy had two gorgeous girls on his arm!

Big smiles after getting roses from Daddy!