Maddox's Weekend!

I guess you could say this weekend was all about Maddox! We didn't intend for it to be that way... it just happened. It started out Friday night with Alli and Addie Dayne coming over for dinner and playtime. All three of them ended up in playing Maddox's bed! Addie Dayne is learning some great tricks from Alli and Maddox!

Then Saturday began with a several hour trip to the pool. You have all read about our pool trips and it was just as exciting as always! While at the pool Stephen decided he wanted to take Maddox to Chuck E. Cheese for dinner and playtime. Now.. I have taken Maddox to CEC and he had soooo much fun so I was good with this decision. After an afternoon nap we headed over to CEC. When we got there everyone in Augusta had made the same decision we had.... it was a packed house! Even with all the people Maddox was able to climb, dance, take his picture with Chuck, and ride on a few of the rides. He had a blast!

Then came today... Maddox's first trip to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus! Unfortunately, this wasn't the "big" circus so the only animals were horses and dogs. It didn't bother Maddox at all.... he was mesmerized!

Later on Stephen and I heard this giggling coming from the den. When we got in there Maddox was putting his new clown hat on Lexie and was laughing so hard at her! Sweet Lexie lets him do almost anything to her! I taped this not only to show how sweet she is, but to listen to that precious laughter coming out of Maddox's mouth! (Push the play button to begin the video!)

It didn't matter how many people were at CEC or that there were no elephants, lions, or tigers at the circus! As long as Maddox is having fun and learning new things that is what counts. We are blessed that God trusts us to raise His sweet son! Oh... how we love this little boy!

My Dad

I begin my day with a saddened heart. One year ago today my dad passed away. I am experiencing so many emotions and thoughts so I thought I would just put it simply.

Dear Dad,

I have missed you terribly in the last year. Although I wish you could be here I thank God each day that you haven't had to be in pain anymore. I know that you are watching over us and are so very proud of your wife, your children, and grandchildren. I look forward to the day when I can see you again in Heaven.

All my love,

Emily

Shortly after he passed away I ran across this little paragraph and I thought it was so powerful.

God saw you getting tired, a cure was not meant to be. So He put His arms around you and He whispered, "come to me." With tearful eyes we watched, as you passed away and although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands now rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.

Augusta Friends

Well.... Maddox and I are finally in Augusta and glad to be back with Stephen and all of our friends here! We have had a busy week! Britt and I hosted a Brinkley's Berries children's clothes show for two days and two nights. It was so much fun and we think we did really good as far as sales go for our first time! If you have never heard of Brinkley's Berries check it out: www.brinkleysberries.com!

While in Augusta Stephen and I have developed some great friendships- as a couple and as individuals. Life for us in the past 4 years has been pretty "simple" and this time next year we will have stepped into the "real world" and things won't be so simple. These friends that we have made along the way have all been in our same situations... resident salaries, raising young children, being away from family, etc. I guess you could say that reality has finally set in this week that this is our last year here. I got so sad and told my friends that they had to do something with me as much as they can for the next year (I know that is a lot of being around me, but oh well.)! So.... we had some friends over last night for dinner. Below are some pictures from our evening. I put which department their husbands are in so you can see how we are all spread out in the hospital...

(l to r): Kelly Carr (psych), Me (OMFS), Elizabeth Gregg (orthopedic surgery), & Britt Buckler (pediactric residency/ NICU fellow)

Alli Buckler & Maddox

These two are like brother and sister. They are 1 month & 1 day shy of being exactly 1 year apart. Maddox is going to miss Alli so much when we leave!

HAPPY (Early) 40th BIRTHDAY TO BRAD!

My brother-in-law Brad will be 40 on Monday so tonight Katie threw a surprise for him. He graduated from Prep in 1985 so it was an 80's theme. She had an Atari hooked up in the den and Ms. Pacman hooked up in the kitchen. They were REAL hits!!! As you can see we all dressed for the occasion and had fun doing it! I miss the 80's!

UGH! Blogger won't let me put in a title!

Maddox and I had lunch with our friends Bryant, Mary Grace, and Stacy Seago on Thursday. It was great to see them! David Seago and Stephen have been friends for many, many years (backyard neighbors growing up) which led to a great new friendship for me! Here are the kiddos- can you tell who has the shy child? I'll give you a clue: it isn't Stacy!

Happy 4th of July!

Fun times in the baby pool!

Brady and Maddox enjoying some yummy sherbet.

Maddox wearing my Daddy's golf hat.

I hope you all had wonderful 4th! We went to River Hills and ate lunch with Katie and her family and that is about it! It was a rainy & lazy day- my favorite kind!

Old Friends

Sharea, Stone, Jett, Me, Maddox, Sara Kennedy, Dawn, Cooper, Tammy, and Kate

Maddox, Stone, and Cooper- of course the boys are eating!

And.. don't be offended girls, I don't mean old in age! Today Maddox and I got together with some of my dearest friends and their kids. Sharea Myrick, Tammy Jasper, Dawn Lampkin and I taught 3rd grade at Madison Station together 6 years ago and have remained friends since (even after all my moves!). In these 6 years, all of our lives have changed. Sharea and I got married and all of us have had children. It was fun getting them all together. We actually got to have an adult conversation and laughed A LOT!

Being with them made me be even more excited about moving back next summer! I made them promise that when I'm here we would try and see each other once a week (they already get together so that should be easy)! I am so thankful for these friendships!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Mom and all her grandkids!

Yesterday was my Mom's 58th (sorry mom!) birthday! I can tell her age because she doesn't look it! We cooked at Katie's last night and of course had cake. Well... actually we had a Bop's Snappy Turtle ice cream cake. For those of you that have never had one or any Bop's frozen custard.... I suggest you run, not walk, and get one now!!!!!

Future Golfer (with a broom)?

When we are home Maddox wants to be where ever Jake is and do whatever he is doing! The other day Jake was outside swinging his club and Maddox was mimicking him with the broom. I'm not sure golf is going to be the sport for Maddox!!!! He's a little too rough! Jake left today to play in several tournaments and won't be back until after we're gone. Maddox is going to be so sad!

Just chillin' on the deck!

Wedding Weekend

We had a fun weekend! My cousin got married in Brentwood, TN and it was like a family reunion. My mom is one of 6 children and there are 18 grandchildren. Of course not everyone was able to make it. My family wasn't there- Stephen had to work and Maddox stayed in Jackson with my mother-in-law, Becky. It was nice not to worry with naps, bedtime, temper tantrums, etc!!!

We are now back in Jackson and not doing much. It has been nice! I haven't taken any pictures of the "madman" this week, but will work on that!

My little brother, Jake, and me at the rehearsal dinner.


Rett, Brad, Katie, Brady, Mom, Jake, Olivia, and me at the wedding.

Finally- PICTURES!

Maddox (4 months old) and my dad.

Our trip to the zoo!

Fun times at the pool!

These are the pictures that I tried to post on Father's Day! Finally Blogger wanted to cooperate! Maddox and I came to Jackson yesterday to stay for 3 weeks. It's fun to be home in the summer because my mom is off work and Katie's kids are out school so we get to spend a lot of time together. My cousin is getting married in Nashville this weekend and we're all going so I will post some new stuff next week.

Happy Father's Day!

First: I've been trying to post since yesterday (as you can tell by the date) and Blogger isn't letting me put in pictures. I am so aggravated so I'm posting this and will add pictures later!

The bottom line: Maddox is obssessed with Stephen! The minute Stephen walks in the door from work Maddox wants to be WHEREEVER he is. He drops me like a bad habit- doesn't even act like I exist!! It is so sweet to watch the two of the interacting. Stephen, thank you for being such a wonderful father! You are truly a blessing!

We joined the Family Y a couple of weekends ago and that is where Stephen wanted to spend Father's Day afternoon. They have an awesome pool area! There are 3 different pools and a "water park" with 10 or so different types fountains. Maddox is in full speed the entire time- great excercise for us!

We took Maddox on his first trip to the zoo Saturday! It was quit interesting- he LOVED it! He wanted to get in the water that surrounded the monkeys because he thought it was a really big swimming pool. We had to pry his hands off the railing and carry him out of the zoo kicking and SCREAMING!!

Yesterday was very bittersweet for me. The day was fun celebrating with Stephen, but it was also sad. It is the first Father's Day without my dad. He passed away 11 months ago and all of the "firsts" have been VERY hard. I am blessed to have such a wonderful father and many wonderful memories to cherish always!

Happy Birthday to Maddox

Standing in the fridge eating grapes! It's a very easy way to have a snack!

He found my tennis visor and has wanted to wear it all day. The long hair flopped over the top reminds of some college kids I've seen recently!

HAPPY 16TH MONTH BIRTHDAY!

Today is Maddox's 16th month birthday! It's hard to believe he's a toddler now. He is at such a fun age right now- everyday is a new discovery, adventure, etc. He is also testing his boundaries and our patience! We are having so much fun with him! Stephen and I both were saying how boring (although we had much more rest) our lives must have been before having him.

These are some pictures I took today. Yes- he does have clothes! It is so hot right now and he is SO hot natured and therefore prefers being in just a diaper.

Blogging Attempts & Beach Bums

Our attempt at being photographers!

Rett and Maddox hanging out by the pool!

The Family!

Maddox in his flag swimsuit on Memorial Day- thanks to Katie!

OK... I'm going to attempt this blog thing! I feel so blog illiterate so I have asked for help from a blogger literate friend Mary Katherine Segrest. She has so graciously offered to help me- I think she just really feels sorry for me! I hope this helps our friends and family keep better in touch with us and what's going with the Greer Family!

We went to the beach with Katie's (my sister) family the last week in May. This is the 5th year that we have done this and it seems to be more fun each year. My mom and brother (Jake) joined us this year and it was so awesome having everyone together at the same time.

For those of you that don't know- Katie and Brad's 3rd child, Rett, is 3 months older than Maddox. He and Maddox are so funny together! One minute they are fighting and the next wanting to do exactly what the other one is doing. It will be so much fun watching them grow up- being best friends! Brady and Olivia are growing up so much- they will always be my babies no matter how old they are!

Just a little update: Stephen began his 5th and last year of residency on June 1st. He is now the big "CHIEF"! Wow... what a long road it has been but an exciting one too. This time next year we will be moving on to the next phase.... REAL WORLD! Please say A LOT of prayers for us as we make BIG decisions about our future over the next several months. We are so proud of you Stephen- all of the hard work is paying off!!!!