Tid Bits from Bit Bit

Bit Bit and Sara

2010-09-08T21:08:00.002-05:00

God has truly blessed our family with really good friends! Our church family is full of young families that we have grown so close to over these past 5 years and will always treasure no matter where our life journey takes us. Bit Bit has made some best friends too! Sara is one of her best friends...she has named all of her baby dolls Sara at this point in time because she loves her friend so much! I love what a great friend Bit Bit is and how she always talks so sweetly about her friends. I hope she always understands the importance of good girl friends! Enjoy these precious pictures of two care free little girls running and giggling and enjoying life on a warm summer afternoon!

More Summer Pics!

2010-09-08T20:37:00.004-05:00

Here are some more pictures from our summer. These pictures were taken at Larry's parents house while the kids ate "sugar wafers" that their BoBo buys them and watch "Alice in Wonderland". Mary Lindsey can tell you that Alice falls down a tunnel and then goes to a birthday party. She can also tell you that Alice's cats name is Dinah.

Luke enjoying some laughs, but ML is much too intent on watching the movie...

Some serious sugar wafer eating going on...

What a little ham!

We also went to the water park in Collins with Nannie one day...it was so much fun!

Here are some cute pictures I took on one of our park adventures...and yes, I know! I only take pictures of my kids! I really used to talk about women like me who only take pictures of their children and nothing else. But, now that I have children I understand completely why this is done. Simply, my kids are amazing and beautiful and I want to have thousands of pictures of them while they are little because they will be grown before I know it! I want to savor every minute of their childhood and remember as much of it as I possibly can...I LOVE them being little! And seriously, I have taken hundreds of pictures of them over the past few months. I am simply choosing some of the best to post!

Mud Pies and Wiggles

2010-09-08T13:27:00.004-05:00

The kids and I went to Story Time at the library as often as we could this summer. A dear lady named Ms. Mattie has been leading Story Time at the Pike County Library for as long as most people around here can remember. In fact, friends my age went to see her when they were little. She is well loved and does a wonderful job! On this particular day, she also let the kids make their own mud pies on the lawn of the library. The kids had a ball...Luke especially loved the fact that he was allowed to get all muddy and dirty!

Here is Bit Bit hard at work mixing up the dirt and water to make her mud pie.

How much fun for a little boy...dirt and water and a foam cup to tear up!

Here are our good friends Ann Elise and Patrick that joined us for the morning!

"Luke, you really do not have to do everything she tells you to!" She told me she was going to wash him off! Looks a little dangerous to me!

Luke won an award for "Messiest Mud Pie Maker"! I was so proud of my boy! He even made the Sunday Paper for his top honor!

Next on our agenda for the day was "Wiggles and Giggles" for some fun on the slides! Luke and ML absolutely loved it! Look at both of their smiles! ML flew down the slides all by herself! She is getting so big!

I LOVE Luke's sweet smile on his face! Sheer Joy!

Cruisin' like a big boy!

All by herself!

"Here Duckies!"

2010-09-08T13:08:00.003-05:00

These are no doubt some of my favorite pictures from the summer. The kids are feeding the ducks at Larry's parent's house and they absolutely LOVE it! I am always amazed at how still they both sit by the water and wait for the ducks and feed them so sweetly. Mary Lindsey likes to dump the entire bucket of food at once after she gets tired of throwing small handfuls and most of the time Luke ends of eating more bread than he throws, but they have a ball!

Eating with the ducks!

CALLING the ducks! Hilarious!

Gulf Shores 2

2010-09-08T12:47:00.004-05:00

Okay, these pictures are long overdue for posting! Sorry I have taken some time off from blogging the past few months...things around my house are always hopping and blogging was one of my activities that seems to have taken a backseat lately. So please excuse the fact that my next few blog posts will be basically catching up over the past few months. This post is pictures from our beach trip the end of June to Gulf Shores. Larry spoke at a youth retreat that week and the kids and I tagged along to hang out with him. Our good friends the Rial's family happened to be going the same week so it worked out perfectly! I absolutely LOVE the pictures of ML her best friend KB! These two dearly love eachother and have conversations that grown women could have! Hilarious! Little Luke and Joe play sweetly together too!

Here are some pictures from the oil spill recovery effort. We did not get in the ocean because of all the oil washing ashore the week we were in Gulf Shores. You can see in the above picture the clean up crews that would basically take shovels and fill huge garbage bags with the oil soaked sand. There were points in the week that the water looked like there were massive amounts of blood in the water because the oil was so thick and deep red. Then once the oil washed ashore the water looked completely clear.

This is a picture I took one evening walking along the coast. So very sad.

Day Trip to Granny's!

2010-06-30T22:52:00.005-05:00

We made a day trip to Bogalusa to see Granny and visit with that side of the family a few weeks ago when mom was in town. It was so much fun! Hope you enjoy the pictures of fun memories made with family we love!

At the jewelry store helping Granny with some book work.

Sisters.

LOVE this one of the girls with their mom.

I LOVE this one of mom and Mary Lindsey. She is talking up a storm! She is like me...can not talk without moving her hands.

All the boys! Not quite sure what Carlton is doing...

The desk, phone, and high chair were all my grandmother's when she was a little girl. How cool is that? I can remember sitting at that desk and playing with that phone when I was little. And all of my Granny's children and grandchildren have sat in that high chair. I love it!

My Granny has made stools for her girl's and all her grandchilren. Mary Lindsey LOVES to play with them and move them around when we are at Granny's. I can remember doing the same thing when I was little. Many memories made in her den!

Feeding Granny some "meatballs". So sweet!

My sweet hearts!

Happy Father's Day...a Little Late!

2010-06-29T14:20:00.006-05:00

I wanted to post some pictures of some really wonderful men that I love with all my heart! On Father's Day, I was so busy packing for the beach that I did not have time to sit down and blog about my wonderful Daddy, husband and Father in law. I am truly blessed to have been raised by a Daddy who always showed me love and security in a safe christian home. He led by example and made me feel cherished and adored everyday of my life...and still does. I love you Daddy! You are such a wonderful Pops, too!

And now my kids have such an incredible Daddy! God outdid Himself by placing me with Larry. He loves me and our children in the most selfless and complete way. And I know Luke and Mary Lindsey and I love him a ton!

And our Bobo is so wonderful to us! As Mary Lindsey always says, "Bobo funny!" And he is, but he is also the most giving and kind hearted man. We love him more than we can say and I am so glad my kids have him for a Bobo!

I hope you enjoy some pictures I found of these 3 incredible men who are such a blessing to my family! We love you!!! Happy Belated Father's Day!

Bit Bit's Swim Lessons

2010-06-18T19:49:00.004-05:00

I enrolled Bit Bit in her first week of swim lessons last week and she did AWESOME! Our good friend from church Ms. Heather was a great teacher and encourager for our Bit Bit. It seems my little girl loves the water and everything that is involved. She took Monday through Friday of last week for an hour each morning. Mom was in town and we would take her and try to watch, but it seemed that our presence at the lessons was not what Bit Bit needed. So we either left and ran errands or hid behind the bushes and watched each day. I was so proud of how my little girl learned to kick her legs and move her arms in the water. She would jump off the side of the pool into the water to Ms. Heather and go under and swim up with help. She was the youngest in her class and kept up with all the other kids. I am a proud Mommy! Luke and I got to watch her perform on Friday and of course I took my camera to take pictures of my cute little swimmer!

Here she is listening to instructions with her best little friend, Kaylee Beth. So stinkin cute!

And if you watch this series of pictures you can see her going under and coming up and swimming and loving it!

Yea Bit Bit! She is so proud of herself! She gave me "5" when she got out of the pool!

And sweet Luke sat patiently and watched his big sister. He is so proud of her!He especially liked to play and throw the rocks! Such a boy!

Here she is worn out after a long morning of swimming! She soon enjoyed a red popsicle for all her hard work! I am a proud mommy!

Larry's Doctoral Reception at FBC Summit

2010-06-12T12:32:00.006-05:00

I am so very proud of my husband! And I am even more proud of God for how He has gifted and blessed my husband. I am so proud of Larry's hardwork and dedication to completing his doctoral work and becoming Dr. Larry W. LeBlanc II. He is so deserving and is very quick to give God all the praise. Our church, which we absolutely LOVE, gave Larry a very nice reception Sunday evening to celebrate this accomplishment in his life. We are so grateful to everyone in our congregation and really can not put into words how much we love each and every one! We had family and close friends come from out of town to show Larry how much he is loved. It was a special evening for him and one he will always remember...and so will I! Many thanks to all who were involved!

Some of our family...some had already left when this picture was taken...

This is our AMAZING church staff. To say that we love each one of these people is truly an understatement. This is our family here in Summit. Each one of these people love the Lord and is such a blessing and encouragement to my family. I could not be more proud to be associated with this staff...Larry is blessed to have such Godly men to serve with and I am blessed to have women who are my best friends!

These are some dear friends from Hattiesburg who came to support Larry. Willie and Darnell Johnson are really Larry's second parents. Larry and their son Josh are like brothers. We love them dearly and are so touched they drove to Summit for the evening. Mr. Cliff Brown is standing next to Larry's dad. He taught Larry in College Sunday School and was a huge encouragement and influence in Larry's christian walk and eventual surrender to ministry. What an awesome thing to have him there on Sunday!

Granny and Sister came for the evening and we are so glad! We love you both!

And sweet MeMaw joined us too!

Mary Lindsey with her best friend Kaylee Beth. She loves her! They had a blast!

Thank you FBC Summit for such a special evening! You are truly loved!

Gulf Shores Youth Camp 2010

2010-06-11T20:19:00.009-05:00

Sound Asleep...

2010-05-28T08:45:00.003-05:00

Last night I enjoyed a Mommy's Night Out with some great Mommy friends I have made staying home with my babies. And when I got home I found Luke sound asleep in his bed and these two sound asleep in the recliner. She loves her Daddy!

Kansas Continued!

2010-05-27T13:35:00.006-05:00

These pictures were taken at Emily's Graduation reception at her home on Saturday evening. She was blessed to have so many family and friends there to celebrate with her such a great milestone in her life. We laughed a lot and took many pictures. Again, Emily, way to go! You will never know what a blessing it was for me to come and spend the weekend with you. My prayer for you is that you would find much joy and peace in whatever path God leads you down from here. He has created you to be the unique and wonderful young lady that you are so that you can glorify Him in ways no one else can. He has an amazing purpose and plan for your future...I can not wait to see what is in store! Know that you are loved by your Southern cousins!

And here is the official graduate with her diploma after the graduation ceremony! What a great looking family!

Bit Bit says it is time to go home to Emily's house! I tucked her dress into her bloomers so she would not trip climbing the stairs. I think this picture is too cute!

Thanks again Stuckenschmidt's for a great time in Kansas! We love you all!

Pilsbury's Crossing...

2010-05-25T19:48:00.007-05:00

The kids and I went to Manhattan Kansas this past weekend to spend some time with Larry's Aunt Anita and her family. Their youngest daughter Emily graduated from high school and we are so very proud of her. It was a wonderful few days spent making memories with family and my children getting to know their older cousins. I can not say how much we enjoyed every minute in the "Little Apple" with an amazing Godly family! And Emily we LOVE YOU so much and thank God for your life and pray for you as you begin this new chapter of your life. Thank you for making us a part of your big weekend. Mary Lindsey is still asking me "where is my Emily?" She definitely loves you too! The pictures on this post are from our trip to Pilsbury's Crossing, a small water fall and the prairie. We loved taking in the breathtaking Kansas scenery!

Bit Bit helping Luke put his foot in the water for the first time. Such a little Mama!

Bit Bit with Aunt Anita, or TeeTah as Bit Bit now calls her. In fact, as I am writing this post, she looked at the computer screen and said "Mommy, there TeeTah!" Love it!

Luke with Uncle Dave. Dave is awesome!

Mary Lindsey with Emily. She is giving Emily big instructions about the water.

I guess she is drinking the water in the picture...who knows...

Bit Bit with Nannie...we enjoyed wonderful time and memories made on our trip with Nannie...now we are going through Nannie withdrawal today!

I love this one of the 3 of them!

Love this one!

This one of Bit Bit and the boys is one of my favorites. She instructed Brian and Daren to both "JUMP!"

Too sweet of Anita and sweet Noel...

Beautiful prairie behind us!

More pictures to come of graduation itself! But I am too tired to post tonight!

Luke at 7 Months

2010-05-18T15:31:00.004-05:00

It is SO hard to believe our precious suprise gift from God, Luke Haddon, will be 10 months old this week. Time is flying by much faster than I would like. I realized this morning that I never posted his beautiful 7 month pictures on our blog. One of my dearest mommy friends, Amanda Smith of Reflections Photography in Summit took these pictures. I absolutely LOVE them all. She and I tried for a full month to find a time to take Luke's 6 month pictures, but because we really wanted to do an outdoor shoot and January was one of the coldest months on record here in years, we kept on getting pushed farther and farther back. So Luke ended up with a 7 month photo shoot. It probably worked out better because he was sitting up much better on his own by February. So enjoy these pictures of our sweet, handsome and charming Luke!

Daddy's Girl

2010-05-17T14:35:00.002-05:00

These pictures speak for themselves. These two are head over heals in love with eachother!

Splash Pad and Popsicles!

2010-05-16T15:17:00.003-05:00

I can not say it enough how happy my little family is about summer time! We have loved the beautiful warm weather and many opportunities to play outside! On Friday I took the kids to the Splash Pad at Central Park for the first time this year. Mary Lindsey was not quite sure about it at first, but by the end of our visit she warmed up to the idea. I have learned that she does not like to be surprised by the water...she wants to know where it will be coming from and how fast. But as long as she gets wet on her own terms she is okay. She enjoyed some time to run and play with several of her good friends.

And here is handsome Luke taking it all in. He did not get in the water on Friday...instead, he ate a snack and enjoyed laughing and watching his big sister who he absolutely LOVES! And she would occasionally have to come check on him and give him a kiss and explain to him "I a big girl, you a baby. You not play in water yet." He just smiles and takes it for now...but, he is gaining on her and soon he will be bossing her around!

Here is Bit Bit eating a blue popsicle last night. How cute! She has discovered that popsicles are her FAVORITE! I think these pictures are too sweet! I love this age and the fact that the simplest things in life make her so incredibly happy. I wish she could stay this way for much longer than she will!

Hot Date Night

2010-05-14T21:36:00.002-05:00

I am blessed beyond measure to be married to my best friend! Seriously, I have the coolest husband...he is the person I would want to spend the day with if I could choose anyone in the entire world. I like how we can sit and talk for hours about deep topics, or we can sit and talk about nothing at all...or we can just look at eachother and laugh because we already know what the other is thinking. I just like him. Tonight was so much fun. We went to a nice restaurant and ate sushi and then he took me Target to shop and then we ate frozen yogurt and basically just hung out. I like how after 6 years of marriage I was like a high school girl looking forward to going out with him all day. He is that wonderful! Yes, we have our problems like every other married couple in the world, but I would choose him over any other man in the world to fight with or laugh with or just be with.
So this blog is dedicated to us...we are Mary Lindsey and Luke's mom and dad. We do not make it on this blog much, because most of you who read this blog care more about our kids than you do us...seriously, I know it's true. So endure this one picture of Larry and me. I will post more of the kiddos tomorrow!

2010-05-13T20:16:00.004-05:00

Bit Bit and I had such a fun day this week in New Orleans with some of our good friends. Our intention was to take the kids to the aquarium...but we discovered after we arrived that the aquarium in closed on Mondays. So then we drove across town to the zoo...we soon discovered it was closed on Mondays as well. So now we are in New Olreans with 3 two year olds and not a clue what to do with them. Thankfully, they were so patient and rolled with the punches. We ended up taking a nice stroll around Jackson Square, eating a fun lunch at a French Quarter restaurant, took a very fun carriage ride with a black horse named Shine all the kids loved, ate beignets (Bit Bit's first ever beignet, which she LOVED!) and just enjoyed an absolutely beautiful day!
I did feel bad about leaving Luke with a sitter, however, this was the first day Bit Bit and I have spent just she and I in a while and it was so enjoyable. She really is so much fun! Luke and I will have to take a mother-son trip one of these days together! Enjoy the pictures!

On our fun carriage ride....

This little fellow is not camera shy...love him!

Talking...shocking!

Patty Cake!

You can't have beignets without chocolate milk...

Yummy! Beignets!

Fun on the Slip and Slide!

2010-05-13T17:28:00.004-05:00

Last Saturday I set the Slip and Slide up in the yard that Nannie gave us. It seemed to be a big hit with both Luke and Mary Lindsey. They both giggled and splashed in the water. Thank goodness for summer time and the warm weather we are enjoying now. Both of my children LOVE to play outside! Now we can not wait to hit the swimming pool! Enjoy these first pictures of summer fun!

"Mommy, I need Jesus!"

2010-05-04T15:45:00.002-05:00

My family in Louisiana will really enjoy this story I am about to tell. They gave this little figurine to me when I was pregnant with Bit Bit and it has sat on the little table in her room since she was born. You can see that it is a baby in a carriage. I never even knew Mary Lindsey knew it existed until about a month ago. She and I were in her room and I was getting her dressed. She was laying on her changing table and she pointed up and behind me and said "Jesus!", "Mommy, I see Jesus!" I stood there and looked at her, and then I looked behind me and thought "what?" So I kept on getting her dressed thinking I was misunderstanding her. I really did not think that I was because she speaks very clearly these days. She continued to say, "mommy, Jesus!" So looked behind me thinking, "well, maybe she really does see Jesus." Then she said, "Mommy, Jesus cute!" I kind of laughed and I said, "yes, sweetie, Jesus is cute. Do you see Jesus?" She said yes and continued to point up to the corner of her room. So I picked her up and carried her across the room. She pointed up on top of her armoir in her room to this little figurine. So I got the figurine down and handed it to her. She said, "Jesus, he so cute!" We both began to laugh together as she held the figurine so sweetly. After a few minutes of thinking why she thought this was Jesus, it all began to make sense. Over Christmas, we had several nativity scenes at our house that she would play with and we would talk to her about the Christmas Story and how Jesus came to us as baby. We would sing happy birthday to baby Jesus and she would always hold the little baby Jesus figurines. I have come to learn now that any small plastic baby she sees, she automatically thinks is Jesus.
But what makes this story even more cute, is she will ask for this little figurine and want to play with it. She will out of the blue come up to me and say "Mommy, I need Jesus!" It is the cutest thing you have ever heard. I know at this point in time she has no idea of who Jesus is and what He has done for her. But I do pray even now that God is softening her heart to these very real truths that she really does need Jesus and that He loves her very much!

Feeding the Fishies and Ducks

2010-05-04T14:51:00.005-05:00

Here are some pictures from a day spent at Nannie and Bobo's house. Larry and his Dad went fishing and the kids stayed with Nannie while I had a manicure and pedicure and enjoyed some free time alone! When I got home that afternoon we enjoyed some time out by their lake and fed the "fishies" and the ducks! It was so much fun! And precious memories made with their Nannie!

Waiting patiently for the ducks...

I think she just saw a big fish in this picture. There is the biggest catfish I have ever seen living in this lake. Bit Bit can tell you it has "wiskers" on his face. She loves the fish!

Here she is calling the fish and ducks to come to her. So dramatic!

Explaining to Luke all about the lake...she loves to teach her little brother everything she knows.

I think this picture is so funny...he looks like a little old man, sitting by the lake, cleaning his teeth with some pine straw, having a good conversation about life. Too funny!

More instructions....

Love it! I just told her that her Daddy was home...she is so excited to see him!

Greeting Daddy with flowers! She is so happy he is home from fishing! Such a Daddy's girl!

Daddy being funny!

Giving her Bobo a flower too!

Telling Bobo a big story about the alligators and Cookie Monster being in the lake. Her stories are very elaborate and dramatic! Bobo loves to get her going!

Helping Daddy with the fish he caught...she is such a big help!

Whoa!

Having a conversation with Daddy sitting in his boat. She was telling him all about her day. Such a precious picture of the two of them!

Luke loves his Bobo! Definitely his little fishing buddy. I predict many fishing trips in their future. I hope Luke likes to fish!

Easter Sunday 2010

2010-05-04T14:00:00.005-05:00

"He is not here! He has risen just as He said!" Matthew 28:6

This was the only picture I got of the two of them together in their Easter outfits on Sunday morning. Thankfully Larry and Paulette took this one with their camera. It turns out, Luke had a fever in this picture and was not feeling well at all. You can tell he does not feel well because he is not smiling in any of these pictures and that is not like little Luke who is always full of smiles! They both looked so sweet though.

My sweet little man. He was being so patient, but all he wanted to do was go home and go to bed!

Luke with his Bobo.

Here is a look at all the fun things the two of them got for Easter...I think they were a little spoiled.

After lunch, I was changing Bit Bit's clothes and she decided she wanted to put on my shoes and parade around the den. I love her big belly in that diaper with those heels. Such a sassy little thing!

Doing a dance for mommy! Or as she calls it "breaking it down!"

Showing off big time! She is so funny!

Love those bunny slippers...her Pops and Gigi gave her those. She loves to wear them in the evenings around the house. She says "I want to put bunnies on my feet, mommy!"

And this was a visitor we had staying at our house Easter weekend. He was a pink chick that was given to Mary Lindsey by some sweet friends from church. Larry and Mary Lindsey affectionately named him "Pink Floyd" because he was a nice shade of pink. Pink Floyd lived in our carport in a nice cardboard box with plenty of food and water. He seemed to be a happy chick. However, I think it was the Tuesday after Easter, I had taken the kids outside to play and Mary Lindsey walked over to the chicks box and said "mommy, chickie sleep." I thought, "uh oh!" So I got up and walked over to the box and sure enough, Pink Floyd was asleep. The sleep you never wake up from! Thankfully, I told her to run along and play and I hid the box from her. Larry took care of the chick when he got home, and she has never asked about him again. Poor chick, he didn't even last 5 days at this house. Well, at least I can keep my kids alive! So below are some cute pictures of the family with Pink Floyd during his brief stay at our home!

Easter Egg Hunt 2010

2010-05-04T13:35:00.003-05:00

I obviously am behind on my blogging, so I thought I would take advantage of a few quiet moments in my house to post some pictures from Easter weekend. The kids went to a precious easter egg hunt at a friend's house. Mary Lindsey really did not care anything about finding the eggs, but was very interested in eating the candy inside the eggs. Luke was just happy to be there. Hope you enjoy these pictures!

Luke with his "girlfriend" Carlyle. She is wearing the outfit Mary Lindsey wore to the Easter Egg Hunt last year...my how time flies by!

Filling up her bag full of candy to take home...she took advantage of every bit of her bag!

Trying her first piece of gum...we are not quite ready for gum...Luke was very interested!

I think you can tell by this picture Bit Bit had a grand time! I had to soak that outfit twice to get all the chocolate out...but it was worth it to see her smile so big!

Jump-n-Go!

2010-04-25T15:28:00.002-05:00

I recently discovered that Luke really likes to spend time in his Jump-n-Go bouncer. I never had one of these for Bit Bit, but would recommend them to any mother. It keeps him busy for a good 20 minutes, which is great when I am trying to cook dinner or get dressed. In the above pictures, mom and I hung it in kitchen doorway and he and Bit Bit had a blast. She likes to "swing" him in it. And he thinks it is hilarious. He doesn't even cry when he bangs against the doorway. He just laughs hysterically! I love to hear them laugh at eachother! The best sound in the world!

Fun Times at Granny's!

2010-04-25T14:43:00.005-05:00

I LOVE the above series of pictures of my two monkies...just try to get a good picture of the two of them together...nearly impossible, but I sure do have some funny ones that will make you smile. Love my little man in the last one!

Bridget gave Bit Bit a rice krispy treat shaped like an ice cream cone...big hit!

I think Granny is trying to talk Bit Bit into giving her a bite...I do not think she is having any luck!

Luke with sweet Caroline...he loves his Caroline!

All of Granny's grandchildren and Great Grandchildren have played on this blanket that Luke is on...very special times at Granny's house!

Luke with his big cousins Carlton and Corbett.

Uncle Brian loves babies...and Luke loves him!

Caroline figured out the way to Bit Bit's heart is through a box of My Little Pony Gummy treats...they will be friends for life now!

Celebrating Corbett's birthday with good cake and ice cream...

With Sister and Uncle Robert...

Playing with an elephant that mommy used to play with at Granny's when she was a little girl...

And of course, it would not be a trip to Granny's without a good old fashioned greasy cheeseburger...Bit Bit is a huge fan! She owned that cheeseburger and finished almost the entire thing!

Family is so very special and we had so much fun with ours! Love to everyone!

A Visit from Pop's and Gigi!

2010-04-25T14:27:00.003-05:00

My sweet Mom and Dad (Gigi and Pops) came and spent some time with us over spring break. We had so much fun visiting and the kids certainly enjoyed being spoiled rotten while they were here. I managed to take some sweet pictures of them with the kids before they left. We are certainly looking forward to our next time with them in the coming weeks!

Bit Bit's Cupcake Party!

2010-04-25T13:44:00.007-05:00

It is so hard to believe that we have celebrated Bit Bit's 2nd Birthday! We invited several of her closest girl friends over to our house to decorate cupcakes, since Bit Bit is always so eager to help me in the kitchen and loves to cook! She also loves anything artistic, so I thought this would be something fun for her to enjoy with her friends. It was a big hit with all the girls. My intended plan for the party is that each girl would decorate a cupcake or two to take home in cute little boxes to enjoy later...I had cake and ice cream to eat at the actual party. However, I soon realized that the girls were eating the cupcakes and yummy toppings as they decorated...it was so funny! They each were having fun putting marshmallows and m&m's on their cupcakes, but they would sneak a few in their mouths as well. Too much fun! Very few girls went home with their intended party favors..they were already in their tummys! I love the hear the laughter and giggles of little girls. Even at this age they are so dramatic and sassy.

We love you Mary Lindsey, the sweetest little 2 year old girl I have ever known!

Mary Lindsey's Birthday Dinner

2010-04-06T10:06:00.007-05:00

This is Birthday Post #2 for Ms. Mary Lindsey. Nannie Bobo and Memaw came to our house to open presents the weekend of Mary Lindsey's birthday. Fun was had by all and Mary Lindsey entertained everyone as usual. When you ask her how old she is she can tell you "I two!" Wow, that is so hard for this mommy to believe!

Blowing kisses to Bobo...

Is it time to open presents yet?

Blowing out her big girl candle...

YAY!!!

Dancing and singing in her new microphone. She can sing "Jesus Loves Me" and "5 Little Monkey's Jumping on the Bed". I can not put into words how cute she is! I love her little 2 year old self!

Daddy and Luke playing together...Luke loves his Daddy!

Such sweet belly laughs...

Memaw Daddy and Luke....

Bit Bit got a giant sized elmo coloring book from Aunt Michele and Uncle Randy...one of Bit Bit's favorite presents!

A broom and dust pan for Bit Bit to use when she is helping mommy clean. She uses it everytime I sweep.

Luke enjoying some cold crystal light with Nannie. He LOVED it!

Bobo and Memaw....

Fruit snacks, a cookbook and Elmo DVD from Aunt Michele...she and Dianne outdid themselves on Bit Bit's birthday. She LOVED that giant sized box of Gummy Treats! Yum!

Happy 2nd Birthday Bit Bit!

2010-03-12T20:50:00.007-06:00

Bit Bit's 2nd birthday began with balloons and her birthday breakfast...eggo waffles and oranges. Notice her apple juice had to be in her "minnie cup" as she calls it and notice the minnie pj's (thanks gigi!). Bit Bit is a big fan of minnie mouse these days!

This would be cupcake #1 of the day...I believe she had a total of around 4. This one was eaten at 10 this morning...why not...it's your birthday Bit Bit!

Birthday lunch with the family! Grilled cheese....yum!

What do you know...another cupcake!

But her favorite thing by far all day was the chocolate milkshake she and her Daddy shared.

Luke at lunch...content in his seat to just play and talk to mommy.

Riding home talking up a storm...

Her new tricycle...she said "my bicycle daddy?!" She was excited. Now she just has to learn how to ride it.

Shoes on wrong feet...

Her first my little pony. Big hit..she loves to brush her hair...

And her Daddy bought her some makeup of her very own...it is basically wax with glitter in it..nice! Thankfully it rubs off clear so I do not think it can stain anything..we will see...

Clearly the right side of her face needed the most makeup...she was very intent on putting on her face...

Birthday dinner..shrimp pasta and oranges...obviously she does not want her picture taken.

The many faces of Bit Bit...

Baby girl it is so hard to believe that 2 years have passed since the wonderful day we first met you! The first thing I remember about you is seeing your big eyes. You looked at me and that was it...I was in love! And I know your Daddy feels the same way because he always talks about how wonderful it was to meet you and hold you for the first time. Since then, we have done so many great things together. And I have enjoyed getting to experience life through your eyes. Bit Bit you are so beautiful and smart and hilarious and sassy and so many other wonderful things! I love to hear you laugh...my favorite thing you do right now is talk to us. It is so much fun to have a conversation with you about your day or what you are doing. You also sing a mean version of "Jesus Loves Me" and "ABC's" right now that we never get tired of hearing. And the best part is the very end after you have sung at the top of your lungs, you pause and smile at the people watching you waiting for your round of applauds. You are so proud of yourself...and we of course are so proud of you! You have as many facial expressions as you do pairs of shoes (that would be thanks to mommy!) and you are not afraid to use them. And if I had a $1 for every time I get asked the question "mommy, what you doin?" or "mommy, what dat?" or "mommy, I want hold you" I would be a rich woman! I also love how you help me take care of your little brother Luke, or Lukie as you like to call him now. You have adapted so well to his arrival in our family and it is such a joy for me to see you be such a loving and attentive big sister.

Your Daddy and me and Nana and Bobo and Pops and Gigi and Aunt Holli and Granny and Memaw and all your Aunts and Uncles and Cousins and other family and all our many friends...we all love you so much!!! We are all so incredibly thankful to God for giving us the most precious gift of you...Mary Lindsey LeBlanc. Happy 2nd Birthday sweet girl!

Knuffle Bunny and the Big Girl Bed

2010-03-11T20:47:00.005-06:00

I wanted to take some pictures of Mary Lindsey in her "big girl" bed to put on the blog. So...I asked her to climb in her bed and smile for the camera. Of course, the above picture is what she did for me. I LOVE Luke's expression in this picture. She is screaming at the top of her lungs while sticking her rear end in my face. He is looking at me like "what in the world is this chick doing?!" I have a feeling 2 is going to be a very challenging but fun age with Bit Bit.

When she finally decides to quit screaming, she immediately sits up and begins giving Luke instructions on what he can and can not touch in her bed. Just so you know, he pretty much is not allowed to touch anything...

Then she decides to bear hug him...she pinned him to the bed...then he bit her ear and she stopped...wait, isn't that what happened with Tyson and Hollifield?

She finally decided to pose for the camera. Her crib converts to the Toddler Bed and then to a Full size bed. Larry and I could not believe how teary we both got over converting her bed to the Toddler Bed. Just another sign that our baby girl is growing up so fast. So far she is adjusting to her bed. I have to lay down with her and read some books and say our prayers. Then we turn out the lights and talk for a little while. She still cries for us to come and get her around 2 or 3 in the morning and she spends the rest of the night in bed with us. Hopefully, this will come to an end soon. However, she is winning the battle for now.

There are no words for this picture...love him to death! By far, the most beautiful little boy I have ever layed eyes on! And as sweet as he is good looking!

This is Knuffle Bunny. This is the Birthday present sent to Bit Bit from Aunt Dianne. Already a big hit. Knuffle Bunny ate dinner with us last night, slept with Bit Bit and was the first thing she asked for when she came home from school this afternoon. This would be another item Luke is not allowed to play with...

But he is still happy!

Hollywood! Oh, how she makes me laugh...never a dull moment.

Daddy reading Knuffle Bunny to Bit Bit. She loved the story...had to read it 6 times.

Dr. Larry W. LeBlanc II

2010-03-10T00:07:00.003-06:00

This post is especially for the best husband a girl could ask for! My heart is SO very proud of my sweet husband tonight. Today at 3:00 eastern time, Larry successfully defended his doctoral project and is now Dr. Larry W. LeBlanc II! After so many years of hard work and dedication, God has blessed him with this most amazing accomplishment. Driving home from Hattiesburg this evening, the kids were both asleep in the backseat and I had some time to just think on the magnitude of today and what it represents. The bottom line is GOD IS SO FAITHFUL! Larry and I have talked on many occasions about how from a young age he could feel God tugging on his heart to be in the ministry. How as a young teenager he felt drawn to the pastorate, but how it terrified him. I thought about how as a 21 year old he finally put aside his own desires and ambitions to surrender his life fully to the call of Christ. And I weep when I think about the many lives and souls God has used Larry to bring to Himself over these last 10 years. It is overwhelming! Somehow along this incredible journey, God saw fit that I be the woman to be Larry's wife and get to share in all that has taken place and all that is in store. There are moments like this one right now that I still have no idea how I ended up here but for the grace of God but I promise every inch of me is so grateful and will always be grateful that I am that girl.
I am so thankful to God for giving Larry the ability and opportunity to continue his education. Larry has worked so hard on his doctoral work while pastoring a growing church, preparing sermons each week, teaching at the college, and being a wonderful husband and Daddy. He does all this week in and week out and never complains and always seems to have enough time for everyone. He is a rare and wonderful man who I am head over heals in love with!
Sweetheart, I am so proud of you and the man that you have become. I wait with great anticipation at what the future holds for our ministry and our family. I know God will be so faithful to complete this amazing work he has begun in our lives!

February In Pictures....

2010-03-09T22:03:00.015-06:00

Fun with Bobo...

At Gatti Town with Nannie on th zebra...

Our sweet little Valentine Luke Haddon...a one of a kind design by his big sister Mary Lindsey!

The dynamic duo...

Luke has 2 bottom teeth! And he WILL bite you with them!

BUSTED eating M&M's! She climbed up in the chair all by herself. I did not know she even knew they were there. She is a sneaky one these days!

" Who me? I didn't do anything!" (Check out the chocolate on her face!)

Wanted to wear her hat and jacket even after coming in from the snow...

Our 4th good snow in 2 years in south Mississippi! This is our church, FBC Summit MS. Isn't is beautiful!

The folllowing pictures are from a fun Saturday in Hattiesburg with Aunts Michele and Dianne, MeMaw, Uncle Randy and Gerald. Fun was had by all...especially Luke and ML!

Giving Gerald serious instructions...

Playing ball with Uncle Randy....

Bit Bit loved playing with sweet Copper...love this picture!

Love this one...would love to remember what they were discussing.

A treasure...Luke with his MeMaw!

How precious....

Baking cookies with Aunt Michele....

The two Aunts competing for Aunt of the Year...So far it is a tight race...ML is waiting to see what the birthday presents look like...Larry says they can just send cash or check made out to Larry LeBlanc...LOL!

BIG NEWS ON VALENTINES DAY!!!!

Holli and Brown are officially engaged!!!! He popped the question and Holli said yes! We are so happy to have Brown be a part of our family! The wedding will be on July 31 of this year! I pray daily for you both. I pray that your relationship with God would be the foundation of your marriage and that you have a long, joyful, healthy marriage! You always have our love and support. I love you so much little sister! And you too Brown!

This would be why some of Luke's naps get cup a little short...

Bath Time!

Overton Family Reunion 2010!

Luke with his cousins Anderson and Corbett...

Luke with Bridget...

mommy and bit bit....

I love this one of daddy with Luke. Such a sweet moment...

Almost impossible to get a good picture with Mary Lindsey these days...she has a mind of her own!

Sister and Caroline...love this one too!

Mary Lindsey performing for Granny...

4 Generations of Overton women...Granny with some of her girls and Luke.

Mom and Luke!

My handsome man first thing in the morning...so sweet!

Mom and Granny...

Me and sweet Caroline...

Sister and Robert with Barbara and Cristi...

And last but certainly not least, Granny and me...love this one!

Taking a Load Off...

2010-02-01T19:34:00.002-06:00

Sweetness...they played so hard together until they both passed out on our bed. Notice how Luke is quickly catching up to Mary Lindsey in size! Soon they will look like twins...then I think little brother will look like big brother. Oh, how I love these two!

A Good Laugh...

2010-02-01T19:12:00.004-06:00

Just some pictures of the kids I took outside playing a few days ago. It was a beautiful, but breezy day, so we spent some quality time out in the yard. Bit Bit would live outside if we let her. She has LOVED it since she was a newborn. And Luke seems to really enjoy it too! I am really looking forward to spring time weather and getting to spend lots of time at the park or in the yard. Fun fun!

The pictures at the top of the blog are my favorites. I had the kids bundled up in their red wagon, which they both love, and we took a ride to the end of the road and back. Both Mary Lindsey and Luke were belly laughing at eachother. I LOVE how much they love eachother. All of the hard work over these past few months seems so worth it when I watch them in moments just like these captured above. Luke adores his big sister. You can watch him follow her with his eyes and his whole face lights up. He laughs at her more than anyone else. And she can get a smile out of him in a second. And Bit Bit is so protective over him. We call her little Mama because she takes such good care of him. She LOVES to make him smile and laugh. She is so proud of herself when she does.

I love to see them so happy together and genuinely enjoying eachother's company. I know they will argue and fight in the months and years to come, but I hope they always enjoy eachother's company the way they do now. There is nothing like a sibling...I know I am blessed to have the sister I have!

Gulf Shores with Gigi and Pops!

2010-01-25T15:41:00.007-06:00

I realized that I never posted pictures from the trip the kids took with Pops and Gigi to Gulf Shores the week after Christmas. The kids had such a wonderful week spending quality time with my parents. I got a few days of relaxation at home in the peace and quiet and then I joined them for a few days, too. We also had the special treat of my mom's sister Carolyn and her husband Robert joining in on the fun! (I think they thought they were signing up for a week of relaxation...not quite as relaxing with 2 kids under 2! Lol!) We love them dearly and are so glad they came too! The above picture I LOVE of my parents with the kids. Too sweet!

Here Mary Lindsey is with her Gigi and Sister. ( I have always called my Aunt Carolyn, Sister, because that is what my mom calls her. Now, Mary Lindsey calls her sister. I think it is so cute!)

Bit Bit walking to the beach. I like this one too!

This one melts me! Pops with his grandkids!

Playing in the sand.

Pops and sweet Luke. Love it!

Amazed at sand.

After time at the beach, Luke relaxing with Pops on the couch. Already acts like a little man!

Bit Bit with Uncle Robert. She love him too!

Gigi put pigtails in Bit Bits hair. So cute!

Love those eyes!

Reading to her little brother! I know my Mom took a hundred more pictures than I did, but these are some highlights. Hugs and kisses from Bit Bit and Luke!

2010-01-23T13:33:00.003-06:00

Friday was so BEAUTIFUL that we decided it was the perfect day for a family roadtrip! Bit Bit is at such a fun age right now. She loves being outside and she LOVES animals...so I thought going to the Global Wildlife Center would be right up her alley. And she indeed had a blast...so did Larry and I! As soon as we arrived at the Center, we were greeted by Skippy, a precious one year old kangaroo. Apparently something happened to Skippy's mother. One day, they found Skippy wounded and close to death on the grounds of the center. So he was basically adopted by a woman that works at the wildlife center. She fed him bottles as a baby and nursed him back to health. As a result, he is wonderful around children and adults. He will eat directly out of your hand and let you pet him. It was so cool and Mary Lindsey LOVED him! She would say "come here Skippy!" In the picture above you can see her trying to hop and stand like Skippy. She thought he was so "cute" and "funny". Those were her words to describe Skippy.

Here is a picture of Larry feeding him some Gardetto's Snack Mix. I thought it was hilarious that is what Skippy was eating for morning snack.

Petting Skippy with Daddy.

Now we loaded the wagons and we took a ride through the 900 acres of open land. It was really cool! There were over 4,000 animals on the property. They come up and eat from your hand and are close enough for you to touch. Bit Bit was not interested in touching though. She just wanted to look. She loved the Zebras!

All sorts of deer, bison, elands...and I am not quite sure what else! It was crazy!

I don't know if this was some sort of cow or bull or what this was. Mary Lindsey just kept saying "look at tongue!" She said "yuck!" "Go away cow!" But then she laughed. I think she was overwhelmed they were so close.

Here is baby Luke hanging out with mommy. He enjoyed being outside too! The wagon ride put him right to sleep!

I think this picture is crazy. So many animals!

Luke's Photoshoot!

2010-01-15T17:51:00.004-06:00

Luke and I spent some quality time together this afternoon. While Mary Lindsey was taking her much needed nap, I had some fun playing with my new camera and Luke was thankfully a willing participant. What can I say...he loves his mommy! Now, for all you camera and lighting and editing experts who read my blog...go easy on me. I am new at all this. As you can tell, I have a long way to go, but I sure did have fun! Today I used photoshop to edit, but I need to experiment on other sites to see what I like best. And anyone that has advice for me, I am all ears. I love taking pictures of the kids! This is definitely my new hobby!

Luke is now 5 1/2 months old. So hard to believe! As you can see, he is sitting up now. He still needs help but he is very strong! Stay tuned to the blog...he will crawl before too much longer! Love to all!

The Start of 2010 in Pictures!

2010-01-13T15:50:00.009-06:00

I am finally taking the time to post some pictures taken over the past few weeks. These first pictures are of Mary Lindsey helping her Daddy take down the Christmas Tree. Bit Bit could not understand why we had to take the tree down. She kept on telling us she wanted the tree to "stay". I understand her feelings completely...taking down Christmas decorations is not fun! They are really are so pretty and add so much warmth to your home. I am with Bit Bit...I would love to be that wierd family that just kept Christmas decorations up until July! But, as you can tell from the pictures, the tree was beyond dead and had to go!

Larry had a fun time later in the day reading The Velveteen Rabbit to the children. I had forgotten how much I love that story! The kids liked it too!

On January 2nd the kids and I went to Hattiesburg to visit with some of Larry's cousins' children. Pictured above are Mary Lindsey and Luke with their Nana Paulette and their cousins Emma, Madeline, and Logan. The kids had a fun time decorating Gingerbread Man cookies and playing outside with the ducks. It was a fun time and something we need to do more!

Luke passed out on our bed at the end of a long day. I think this picture is too cute!

For those of you who have not spent any length of time with Bit Bit in a while, these pictures help to sum up her personality...wide open and so much fun! She will make you smile just being in the same room with her. Her facial expressions and things she she will say are so funny right now. She is not afraid to tell you exactly how she feels and she loves to give instruction. She can still throw a fit if she gets too hungry or tired( I think this is very much like her Daddy...I love you sweetie, but it is true!), but most of the time she is just fun! Some of her favorite expressions:

"Mommy i want hold you!"

"Mommy go way!"

"Mommy i want stay"

"Me not want to Mommy"

Some of my favorites are:

"I wuv you Mommy"

"I missh you Mommy"

"Hey baby Uke, you need bottle?"

"I want gummie tweets" (this is one we hear a lot!)

"Tank you God...."

There are many more...these are just a few!

And here she is talking once again! I moved her kitchen and doll accessories into her bedroom last week. I made the corner of her room a little play area for her and she loves it! I thought this might help with the constant mess in the den, but now all that happens is a mess in both rooms. But...that is ok! One day I know I will miss the mess she makes!

I LOVE this picture of her and Larry. She has learned how to pray over the past few weeks. She started praying by herself last week. She will close her eyes and clasp her hands in front of her and say "Thank you God for..." and most of the time she thanks God for all her family members. She will say" Tank you God...momma daddy." "Tank you God...Gigi Pops". "Tank you God...Nannie Bobo" Tank you God...Ucy Bear (Those are our dogs) "Tank you God...Uke" (Luke) It is the absolute sweetest thing to watch. And she always knows to say "amen!"

Kisses for Luke!

I LOVE these of Luke I got the other night playing in ML's room. He is the most precious little boy in the world! Luke is so strong now. He can sit up by himself for a small amount of time. He prefers to sit up over laying down. He can roll over by himself and is very observant. He has a strong grip...especially on his mommy's heart! I am so proud of my little man...well, not so little now....he is only 5 months and is already wearing his 12 months clothes! He is growing too fast! He squeals and makes lots of noise. He loves to talk to you and smiles CONSTANTLY!

LOVE THIS ONE!!!

Drawing on her new easel. She loves it. She always wants Larry and I to write people's names and colors and letters. Then she draws over what you write. I think she is very artistic. That makes me happy!

Bit Bit and Luke hanging out with their friends Joe and Kaylee Beth. Kaylee Beth is the first friend of Mary Lindsey that she really talks about. When I ask her who she played with at school she says "Kayee" and smiles. She will say "I love Kayee". I think that is so sweet!

Love to all! Hope you enjoyed the pictures!

Our 6th Wedding Anniversary!

2010-01-03T13:31:00.005-06:00

It is so hard to believe that 6 years have past since our wedding day! It truly feels like yesterday...and yet a lifetime ago...so much has happened and God has blessed us tremendously!

How do I even begin to sum up these years with words. To be honest I have been sitting here staring at this computer screen thinking back over these years and I am overwhelmed at how far we have come...thanks be to a God who is faithful and family and friends who have loved us and encouraged us more that we could say.

I remember when Larry and I were dating long distance. I was living in South Carolina and he was in Mississippi and we absolutely could not wait to be married! Dating Larry was so much fun! He made me feel like the most wonderful girl in the world (and still does today!) The way he pursued me and fought for us to be together, I knew very early that I had to be with this guy forever! The thing that most attracted me to him was his passion for God. He was already in seminary studying to be a pastor when we began dating again in our 20's. And I knew enough about him to know that God was going to use his ministry in tremendous ways to reach people for Christ...and I knew that it was going to take someone special to be his wife. How humbled and thankful I am that God chose me for this task. I must say that I am still in awe over the fact that I get to be that girl!

Sweetheart, just when I think I could not possibly love you anymore...I somehow do! You are a constant source of encouragement and love to me! You are a true help mate to me and I never doubt that you have mine and our family's best interest at heart in every decision you make. I think the best compliment I can give to you is that because of being married to you, my relationship to God is stronger. Thank you for leading our family the way that you do. I know that neither of us is perfect, but you are the perfect husband for me! The way that you love the Lord and love people constantly blows me away. Being marrried to you is so much fun! I am so proud of you and proud to be your wife. I am grateful for these last 6 years, and look forward with anticipation to the next 60 with you! I love you more than I can say!

LeBlanc's Christmas 2009

2010-01-01T18:14:00.014-06:00

Our family had an amazing Christmas 2009! We are blessed to have friends and family that we love and a Risen Savior that we adore during such a special time of year! This was such a sweet year for our family! We had so many sweet moments with our newest addition to the family, Luke Haddon. He was such a joy to have on his very first Christmas. We love you sweet baby Luke ( I think this is what you will be called forever...even when you are over 6 ft tall and I am looking up to you...you will always be my baby, and I think Mary Lindsey will always call you Baby Luke!) Don't you just love the above picture of the two of them with Santa Clawwwsh, as Mary Lindsey now calls him. She really liked Santa this year, even though you can not tell by this picture. Our sweet Bit Bit...she was just not in the mood to have her picture made!

Everything was amazing to Bit Bit this year. I was surprised by how much she seemed to understand. She LOVES lit Christmas trees with all the beautiful lights and ornaments. And she did a good job of not destroying our tree this year. She would occasionally get an ornament off the tree and bring it to me. But she was very careful with them and would say "mommy, pitty!" Her big thing this year was "Baby Jee-shush". You could ask her "Mary Lindsey, who's birthday is it?" And she would answer "Baby Jee-shush". So precious!

Luke sat up for the first time for any real length of time on Christmas Eve all by himself. I think he was excited about all of his new trains and trucks to play with. Finally...some man toys around the house! Not just dolls and girly toys. My little man is growing so fast!

Bit Bit loves her "gummy treats"! She asks for them ALL THE TIME! I dare not go anywhere with out several bags of them. They are the for sure peace maker with out Bit Bit. You can bribe her to do just about anything with a bag of "gummy treats". And believe me...I will resort to bribery in a second for peace!

Playing together on Christmas so sweetly!

Without a doubt the best gift that Larry and I gave this year was to the two great grandmothers and all the grandparents. Our Blog in book form. It was a hit! I converted "Tid Bits from Bit Bit" into book form and had it printed into a book for everyone to go back and read. It really was fun for all of us to go back and see all the events and pictures from 2008 and 2009. I began this blog when Mary Lindsey was Luke's age. Wow...so much has happened in our family in such a short period of time. Thank you Lord for all the many ways you have blessed our family. We are so not worthy, but we praise You and give you the glory for all of it!

A big event in our family this year will be Nannie Paulett's trip to Isreal in October! We gave her a travel purse and devotional book to prepare for her journey...can not wait to post pictures and updates for this in coming months!

Daddy's big present from his parents...he is happy!

Luke eating his lunch with MeMaw.

Bit Bit with both sets of Grandparents. Luke and Mary Lindsey are blessed to be loved by so many people...and they have the best grandparents two kids could ask for. Christmas morning was a special time for everyone to visit and be together. Thank you guys for coming to our house. We loved it!

Bit Bit and some special women...we just needed Granny in the picture! We will have to take one of those REALLY soon!

Bit Bit talking to Nannie and Gigi on Christmas morning.

What did Santa bring me? LOTS!

Christmas Eve goodnight kisses for Luke!

Our Luke Haddon's first Christmas Eve...I love this picture!

Cooking for Pops on her new kitchen!

Kisses from Daddy!

Sitting up all by himself!

The kitchen was a BIG HIT! Thank you Gigi Pops and Holli!

Bit Bit got a Bitty Baby twin from Michele, Randy, Dianne and Gerald. She loves her!

Haley and Gerald with Rootin Tootin Santa...it wouldn't be Christmas and Dirty Santa without it!

YUMMM! Memaw's Italian Cream Cheese Cake...need I say more?!

Reading Elmo with Cousin Blake...she love it!

Love Dianne and Randy!

And love us some Gerald!

Gigi and her Luke!

The fam!

Holli, Memaw, Blake and Haley!

The Lukester slept a lot during Christmas festivities!

The yearly Davis women family picture. Bit Bit was not feeling it.

Aunt Hoddi as Bit Bit calls Holli. She loves her so much!

My sweet man on his first Christmas! Love that smile!

My wonderful husband who I LOVE! I think I will keep him around for 2010!

We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and we wish you a very Happy 2010!!!

Thanksgiving in South Carolina!

2009-12-04T23:13:00.013-06:00

Luke gets the honor of first picture since this was his "first" Thanksgiving! And what a cute little turkey he was! We had a wonderful time in South Carolina! We filled as many activities and time as a family into the 6 days we were there! It was the best visit and we made memories that I will always remember.

Here is the family our last night in town at the Spartanburg Downtown Tree Lighting. It was so much fun!

Here our little famil of 4 is on Thanksgiving Day after a wonderful meal prepared by my mom and dad and sister! Fried Turkey and yummy sides. Mary Lindsey loved her Gigi's dressing!

On Saturday after Thanksgiving, we went to a local drive in that I grew up going to for burgers and roast beef sandwiches, Sugar and Spice. Apparently Mary Lindsey REALLY likes cheeseburgers, fries, onion rings, and sweet tea...and don't even act like you are going to steal one of her fries...she does not like that. I think these are some of the funniest pictures I have ever seen!

Could any more food fit in her mouth?!

Onto Hollywild Zoo that evening to see animals and Christmas lights.

My little reindeer all bundled up!

Feeding the goats "juice" as she called it. They were not very hungry though.

Did NOT want to ride the pony!

We went to Monkey Joe's on Tuesday and had a blast!

There is Luke peaking in with Gigi!

Kissing Elmo goodbye. So sweet!

Drinking some sweet tea with Pop's after a long day.

Here she is telling Pop's something very important. She even needed her straw to point at him. It was so funny!

Looking at a window display downtown at the tree lighting. Little dancers were in the window and she thought they were beautiful!

Getting a jingle bell!

Luke's Dedication Sunday

2009-12-04T22:52:00.004-06:00

We had such a sweet morning on Sunday November 22, 2009 when we dedicated our precious son Luke Haddon LeBlanc to the Lord. It was a sweet time to be with family and friends as we made a vow to raise Luke in a christian home where we will always strive to do our best to point Luke toward his Savior! And we pray that oneday Luke will know Jesus as his personal Savior! We certainly recognize that it will take more than just Larry and myself to do that and we are so thankful for such a great support system of people who love sweet Luke and are joining us on this journey of raising he and Mary Lindsey.

Nannie and Bobo got to join us along with my grandmother, Luke's great grandmother, MeMaw. And of course, Mary Lindsey was a proud Big Sister. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Mary Lindsey's Thanksgiving Feast

2009-11-22T15:12:00.004-06:00

Luke and I went the Thanksgiving Feast at Mary Lindsey's school on Friday. It was so cute. The kids sang and then enjoyed some yummy snacks. And you know our Bit Bit...if a snack is involved she is on board!

Here is our precious little Indian paying close attention to the little presentation.

Here she is with her good friend Kaylee Beth.

And here is a picture of her feast...notice the turkey made out of oreos. I thought this was really cute! She also enjoyed corn bread, trail mix, popcorn and cheese. Yummy! Her favorite thing was of course the oreo turkey!

Washing it all down...

Into the singing and watching all of the older children. She thinks older kids are so cool!

And since she finished most of the food on her plate, she of course goes over to Kaylee Beth's plate and begins to steal her food. LOL! Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween Party at School

2009-11-21T08:50:00.005-06:00

I know, I know...I am way behind posting pictures of the kiddos. So this morning I am playing catch up. It is taking forever because Mary Lindsey wants to sit in my lap and help me...lets just say she is not helping much...but she is so cute and is having so much fun! I know oneday I will miss her wanting to sit with me on a Saturday morning, so we are just enjoying the moment together.

These pictures are from the morning she had her first Halloween party at her school. Luke and I went to join her. We had so much fun!

Mary Lindsey's First "REAL" USM Game

2009-11-12T14:30:00.007-06:00

Please notice in these pictures how many times Bit Bit is shown eating. She really got into the Tailgating experience and the idea that you can not enjoy a sporting event without good food! A true southern girl after my own heart!

With her BoBo and a good bowl of goldfish. She really enjoyed watching the game!

With Nana (recently changed to Nanny) enjoying the great weather and beautiful campus.

Break it down girlfriend! She really does enjoy life!

Walking so sweetly with Mommy and Daddy. She listened and behaved wonderfully all day.

Once again enjoying a cookie with her friend Gaines.

Walking intently to the stadium to watch the eagles play.

And here she is enjoying some banana pudding. Who doesn't like banana pudding? Bit Bit does!

Now on to some ribs with Nanny.

Playing ball with Gaines. They were so cute together.

TOUCHDOWN! Yeah!

She loved to watch the band.

We attempted to take Mary Lindsey to her first USM football game this time last year. However, the weather did not cooperate so we never actually made it inside the game. This year was much better and we got to spend a beautiful afternoon walking around USM's campus and then took in the entire first half of a great football game with Bit Bit. She could not have done better! She loved the environment of the game and as you can see from the pictures, really likes the tailgating scene. This is such a fun age to watch as she takes in all these new experiences. Enjoy! Oh, Luke stayed at Nana and Bobo's with a precious babysitter, Lea Ann. We decided it was a bit too cold for baby Luke this year, but can not wait to take them BOTH to a game next year!

Fall Festival 2009

2009-11-03T16:54:00.005-06:00

By far the world's CUTEST giraffe and lady bug! My children really are absolutely precious, if I do say so myself. Sorry I did not get any better pictures of Bit Bit. She is not the easiest thing to photograph these days. She moves too fast and hardly ever wants to look at the camara.

I was worried we would not get any pictures of her in her costume at all. At home, she was not interested in putting the body suit on at all. But once we got to the festival and she realized she might get some big attention because of it and everyone thought she was so cute...she changed her mind. We all know how Bit Bit likes to be at the spot light. However, we learned she does not like sharing the spot light. While at the festival, we discovered another little girl was wearing the same costume. Bit Bit did not find this amusing. Oh, we are starting early!

Luke was of course his sweet, heart warming self. He really loves to be talked to and absolutely LOVED anyone who would at the festival. Bit Bit better watch out...he will be stealing the show from her before too long. I can hear the screams now! Ha!

I have so many more pictures to post from past weeks. Stay tuned...this mommy will get her act together soon...well, maybe in about 18 years!

Be Careful Little Hands What You Do!

2009-10-15T21:46:00.004-05:00

Mary Lindsey watches EVERYTHING these days! She is quite observant and listens (when she wants to) to EVERYTHING you say. She copies what I am doing a lot of times and also repeats what I say to her or anyone else for that matter. Yesterday morning was a perfect example of this as the above pictures show.

The kids and I did hung around the house yesterday morning and I cleaned. I had a lunch date planned with a friend of mine so around 11:00 I began running around the house to get everyone dressed and bags packed to run out the door. In the middle of the CRAZY process of getting out the door, I looked down at Bit Bit and realized she was doing everything I was doing. She heard me say I needed to get my bag and get Luke...she immediately went and got her purse and her baby and started waving "bye". She had already been carrying around her little cup all morning long, pretending to drink coffee with me. And you have to understand, she talks the entire time she is doing all this. Saying words like, "coffee, yum", "baby", "purse", "shoes", "mama go too". I think it is good she watches me be a mommy all day long. She has wonderful maternal instincts herself. For example, the other day I was nursing Luke on the couch. She crawled up next to me and pulled her shirt up and began to nurse her baby...how hilarious is that! I know, sorry guys probably too much information again, but I thought #1 how funny, and #2 she really is smart. She just looked at me a smiled like "my baby is hungry too." However, this was not quite as funny to me as the time she tried to attach my breast pump to her chest and "pump" herself. I guess she does see a bit too much reality around here.

Well, my sweet babies are both sleeping and I plan on joining them. Good night!

Laughter!

2009-10-15T10:53:00.005-05:00

Great is the Lord, and MOST WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE! Psalm 48:1

Luke laughed this week for the first time! Such a precious sound! Now that he knows how, he has figured out he really likes to laugh. So not only do we see these precious smiles, but we get the wonderful sound of his laughter! He is such a precious, precious little boy. One of the things I like so much about Luke, is that you can not be around him for more than 30 seconds and not fall in love with him. He makes me even more aware of how GOOD my God is and how worthy of my praise He is for blessing me with such a great son! I love you Luke! Oh, yeah, he made 12 weeks yesterday! Time is flying by!

Weekend in Pictures...

2009-10-03T20:49:00.005-05:00

We LOVE bathtime!

She has always LOVED her rubber duckies too!

Look at those cheeks...I could just eat her up!

I just think this is funny...if you ask her where her nose is, this is what she does...trying to break her of this! I will have to remember this picture for her wedding! He he!

Fun at the park...

Not in the mood for pics...

Handsome Luke hanging out in bed with mommy on Friday morning...

Bit Bit really likes to walk between your legs now...she thinks it is hilarious! And she LOVES her Daddy!

Breakfast on Saturday morning...Luke loves his sister and she loves him!

That smile that melts my heart...isn't he beautiful yall!

At some friends of ours earlier this evening playing outside....

Daddy showing her how to ride the tricycle...

Oh how I love him!

Bit Bit in the dirt....

Love to all! Good night!

Picture Attempt...

2009-09-29T21:05:00.005-05:00

This one is my favorite...Mary Lindsey: "Pipe down Luke! Put your big boy pants on!"

Well, I tried to get a cute picture of the kiddos. I am learning how hard this can be. Luke is 10 weeks old, and I am yet to get a really good picture of the 2 of them looking at the camera with normal expressions on their faces. This was my attempt earlier in the evening. Neither of them were feeling it tonight. But, oh how they make me laugh!

One word...POOP.

2009-09-28T09:38:00.003-05:00

Life is funny...and I am convinced these past few days that God definitely has a sense of humor...especially with me as I adjust to life with 2 children under the age of 2!
Let me say this...be careful what you tell God you are going to do...because He has a wonderful way of testing us to see how truthful we really are...let me explain.
Yesterday my wonderful husband preached a sermon out of Proverbs about "work" and how each of us should be productive and JOYFUL when it comes to the work God has given us because it is a blessing! There was more to the sermon than this, but the main thing that I personally walked away with is that I needed to find JOY in all the small, mundane tasks I have throughout my day. I need to focus on the BIG picture...the fact that I have the blessing of being home with my precious babies during these fleeting years of being infants and toddlers, instead of the monotony of feeding and changing diapers.
So...when we got in the car headed home I said to my sweet husband, "sweetheart, this week I am going to really focus on being joyful at all times with the children. I am even going to be joyful about changing diapers!" He just laughed and we drove on.
About 3 hours later, God began to put my joy to the test! I know we mothers tend to give a bit too much information. Larry tells me this often. But you have to know that Luke suffered from some constipation yesterday. So around 4 I put a "silver bullet" as Larry refers to them up his rear end. On top of being constipated he was very hungry. And he was SCREAMING! So after insertion, I began to nurse him. I am sitting on our bed holding my little bundle of joy, when he begins to "do his business" lets just say. He was making the sweetest little noises and I could tell that progress was being made...boy was it! Luke proceeded to make the biggest diaper I have ever seen. If fact, it made its way out of his diaper from every direction, onto me, onto our bed. It was even in his hair somehow. All this in the matter of seconds I tell you! GROSS!
After he has a bath, I had a bath, clothes and sheets made it to the washing machine...I hear Mary Lindsey...she was up from her nice Sunday afternoon nap. I get Luke situated and go into Mary Lindsey's room to get my sweet baby girl. I open the door...and I smell it...I turn on the light and I SEE it! Oh yes, she has TAKEN OFF her diaper and POOPED in her bed...that is right, ON her bed! You see, after lunch, Larry just took off her dress, changed her diaper and placed her in bed with JUST her diaper on. We both do this at times because it is just easier. Well, it back fired!
Yall, it was horrible. It was everywhere. Straight to the bath tub she went...as I tried to hold it together. Every piece of material in her bed needed to cleaned!
Back to what I was telling you earlier...finding JOY in changing diapers! I can honestly tell you that God was faithful...and that my decision to be joyful certainly helped. On any other day, I would have probably been in tears and so frustrated...but I just laughed...and held my nose!
I LOVE my kids! They are the JOY of my life! But hopefully, we will deal with a little less POOP today!

Luke Haddon is Eight Weeks Old!

2009-09-16T12:54:00.007-05:00

Luke Haddon LeBlanc at 8 weeks old.

Look at that HANDSOME SMILE!

Luke and his proud big sister!

Come on Mary Lindsey, I told you I don't want that!

Finally, she's gone!

Little Mama...she will probably act this way toward Luke the rest of his life.

Watching Elmo together!

He is not doing what she wants him to...

I said to eat Luke!

She cracks me up!

My sweet man!

WE LOVE YOU LUKE!

Enjoy some cute pics taken of the kids over the past few days. It is so hard to believe that today Luke is 8 weeks old! Time has flown by! He is changing so much and getting bigger with each passing day.

Luke loves it when you talk to him and make noises and tickle his tummy. He can follow objects that you place in front of him for a pretty good amount of time now. He likes blinking lights and bright colors. He likes his "nuk" (pacifier) at certain times. Other times he likes to suck on his arm or hand. Luke really likes to be held close and bounced when he is fussy or his tummy hurts. His hobbies or main pass times presently are passing gas and filling big diapers ( and my goodness can he ever!), lots of sleeping, and generally making everyone around him super happy!

Mary Lindsey is a huge fan of her little brother. Most days she would like it if I would just leave and let her take care of him. She likes to help give him his bottle and when I am holding him and patting his back she likes to pat his back too. She talks to him often and he responds with a smile most of the time.

I hope you enjoy the pictures! These two children are the greatest gift God could have given Larry and me, second only to our salvation. We are so thankful for the last 18 months with Mary Lindsey and the past 8 weeks with Luke. May we daily go to our heavenly Daddy for guidance and wisdom and love as we raise these two precious little people. May they see Jesus in this home and in family and friends that surround them so that they will one day know Jesus personally! Thank you for going along on this journey with us all who read this blog. I hope God is extra good to you today!

Labor Day Weekend with Gigi, Pops and Holli!

2009-09-14T20:54:00.005-05:00

Luke getting a little breakfast before church and Mary Lindsey making sure she has everything she needs in her diaper bag!

Me and my beautiful sister and Bit Bit!

Gigi and Pops and Luke before church...I think Luke has Pops' height.

Getting some good love from Gigi...he looks so happy...

Bit Bit showing off...shocking!

Bit Bit reading with Gigi...one of her favorite things!

These are some pictures that I have needed to post from our wonderful time with my parents and sister who came to spend a few days with us over Labor Day weekend. We did nothing but laugh and play and read books and sing songs and give lots and hugs and kisses all weekend. It was so much and we are looking forward to another visit with them really soon! So we want to tell them that we love you Gigi, Pops and Aunt Holli very much! Lots of love from Mississippi to South Carolina!!!

Bit Bit's First Tea Party

2009-09-12T18:54:00.003-05:00

Today we went to a Tea Party and Bit Bit had so much fun! Even though she was the youngest guest at the Tea Party, she ate her food wonderfully...I was so proud of her! She looked so big sitting at the table with all the older girls. She is eating with her fork and spoon pretty impressively these days...however, when the glass cups were passed around, we decided to use a sippy cup instead.

She was a perfect little lady today! Luke was such a trooper as well. I took him and he sat in his car seat the entire time and never really cried once. Mary Lindsey was so proud to show him off to all the little girls there. I think he is going to be a charmer like his older sister...he seemed to smile on cue when someone was talking to him. I guess it just runs in our family!

Sweet Luke...

2009-09-11T16:17:00.003-05:00

I do not know why this struck me so funny, but it did...when you have a HYPER 18 month old in the house, you are trying to get dressed, put on a load of clothes, clean up breakfast, listen to your husband, and get out the door on time, there are moments that I forget about sweet Luke. I know, I know, he is going to read this one day and say "thanks mother!" But he is such a good baby most of the time, and unfortunately "the sweaky wheel gets the grease" as the old saying goes.

To make a long story short, Larry stayed home this morning to be Mr. Mom. I got to escape for a few hours and take an aerobics class (yes, this is the first big physical activity I have had in a year...I am SORE!) When I got home things were nuts for a while. Baby's crying, one running around naked, phones ringing...so I was running through the kitchen and I look over and the picture above is what I saw. Sweet Luke just sitting in his car seat, in the middle of the kitchen table, in just a diaper, smiling. I know Larry put him there so he could go do something else really fast, but I was not expecting it. Bless his precious little heart, he was just sitting there by himself not making a sound...smiling! How cute. It was like he climbed up there all by himself to escape the chaos.

I know I post more about Bit Bit right now. Truth is Luke really just sleeps a lot right now. But he is such a loving and sweet baby boy.

He is SMILING so much more now. He can follow you with his eyes for a short period of time. He is VERY observant and alert when he is awake. My favorite part about him right now is that he lets you cuddle him. I hope he always does that for me!

First Day of 1 year old Preschool!

2009-09-10T21:43:00.006-05:00

This is her school bag...contents for each day: diapers, wipes and a change of clothes. No toys allowed...however, daddy let her take Dolly this morning. Such a sucker!

This is the Daily Report we get each day. Very detailed...down to her bowel movements...hilarious! She is my child...she ate VERY WELL at snack time. Thankfully, she was happy all morning and played on the playground.

This is Bit Bit's first craft in 1 year old preschool. It is a tree made out of construction paper, streamers, and a toilet paper roll. She is very proud of her tree! She has said 'tree' all afternoon.

Here is Daddy getting kisses early this morning. I had to wake her up at 7:30. She was sound asleep...but woke up in a great mood!

Here she is being loaded into the car by Daddy...such a big girl. Of course we have our nuk and our Dolly.

When I picked her up from school we went to the park with some other mom's and kids. Here she is playing with sidewalk chalk.

And she loves the slide!

Swinging with one of her friends.

Hanging with the older girls...of course!

Once we got home she thought she would read to Luke and tell him all about what she learned at school. He was very interested! He has started smiling at Mary Lindsey this week and she LOVES it!

Continuing the lesson..pay attention Luke!

She rode on her rocking horse for the first time today! It was a big day!

Today was a very big day at our house! Mary Lindsey began 1 year old preschool today...and she did wonderful! We decided to begin sending her two mornings a week to a local methodist church here in town. They have a wonderful preschool program that many of my friends children attend. We thought this would be beneficial to Mary Lindsey for socialization and also learning and FUN! Larry and I have been so excited about sending her until the past few weeks. Bit Bit has been struggling with seperation anxiety and it broke our hearts to think about her crying and upset when we left her at school. So this has been the topic of much prayer in our house. Well God answered our prayers. Not only did she not cry when Larry took her to her room this morning, but she did not shed a tear all day according to her teacher. And when I picked her up she smiled and said "mama" in the sweetest most calm little voice. She was not upset at all...a HUGE answer to prayer. I especially have struggled the past few days over feeling guilty about sending her at all since I am home. But the Lord reaffirmed what we decided months ago...this will be a wonderful experience for our sweet Bit Bit! I hope you enjoy the pictures from our day.

Oh, Luke is doing great too! He and I had a fun morning visiting with friends. He had his first play date with my friend Missy's brand new little girl...they both just slept!

Really Cute Pictures!

2009-09-03T19:34:00.008-05:00

The first few pictures are from our trip to the zoo in Hattiesburg with Nana and Bobo on Monday. We had so much fun! Bit Bit loved all the animals and loved just running around even more!

With Nana checking out some monkeys!

with Daddy and Bobo checking out another monkey I think...

She points and talks constantly now. She is very opinionated.

Riding on the train...this is what she did when the train whistle blew...so cute!

With my mommy!

Showing Daddy something amazing!

Here is Mr. Luke today in our yard enjoying the sun!

He says "hello!"

Bit Bit pushing her toy and talking up a storm...

Playing with her ball...

talking....

Attending to the needs of her "bro"

laughing....

Hope you enjoyed just a few recent pictures of my beautiful chilren! We are doing great! Everyday gets easier as I figure out some sort of routine...if there is such a thing! Ha! Hugs and kisses!

Grace in the Midst of Trial

2009-08-26T09:21:00.004-05:00

At first sight of this picture, my first thought is "this is why child labor laws were created". I mean, I am certainly starting at a young age teaching Mary Lindsey about the joys of folding and putting away laundry...a task I really do not like! She is not wonderful at this task at the present time, but she has the will and drive to learn the skill in the months and years to come. She loves to see a load of laundry coming. She watches how I fold and tries to help...really she slows me down more than anything. But to watch her, she really feels like she is helping me. So basically laundry normally takes me 5 times as long as it should, but we have lots of fun doing it.

I know many of you that read this blog are mothers. I have enjoyed getting emails from some of you about different posts and looking at yours. It is fun to see pictures and hear what is going on in your lives. This is truly one of my windows to the world right now. Having two children under 2 keeps you around the house a lot. And I have to make a confession. My emotional, phyical, and spiritual state over the past week has felt a lot like this bed of laundry looks...chaotic and a heavy load to bear! Yesterday I had my first big meltdown while Larry was at work. It was one of those mornings that I had been up since 4:30 and by 2:00pm I still had no shower. As soon as one child was either sleeping or content the other began to cry. To be honest, I just wanted to go sit in the bathroom by myself and cry, but I didn't even have time to go do that. My house pretty much looked like that pile of laundry does, and housework seemed completely out of the question. I yelled at Mary Lindsey for the first real time and I promise it hurt me way more than it hurt her. I sat down and cried with her. I was so convicted because I yelled at my daughter to leave me alone so I could read my bible and have some time with God. I spiritually felt completely drained and alone. God seemed SO FAR from my surroundings. Thankfully a few hours later I did have some time to sit and cry to my heavenly Daddy and admit my weakness and feeling of so many fears and failures as a mother. I was brought to this passage. "They go from strength to strength. Psalm 84:7" In my daily routine as a mother, I often times feel myself grow tired and weary of all the work at hand. But because I am a child of God I have a perfect portion of Grace and strength given to me each moment. It was such a relief to remember that it is my Jesus loving these children through me. It is Him that is sustaining me and speaking through me and rocking through me and filling juice cups and changing diapers when to be honest I am tired. My prayer is today that God would renew my strength and give me His hands and words as I serve my family. I am reminded of HOW BLESSED I AM! I have 2 healthy children who I dearly love, a best friend for my husband, and friends and family who love and pray for us. I went to bed last night a woman filled with joy and thankfulness that God has trusted me with this task. I guess I am writing this to encourage some of you. You are not alone! We all have times of self pity and weakness. But we also have a Savior who is bigger than our trials and afflictions...and He promises in the midst of it all sufficient Grace.

I had to slip in a picture of Luke. He slept while we folded laundry. (On a side note...look at how long he is! He is almost the full width of the pack and play!)

Storytime...Melt my heart!

2009-08-24T20:34:00.003-05:00

Larry and I thought this was a precious moment that Mary Lindsey and Luke shared this evening. We always have story time before bedtime and Mary Lindsey's favorite book is her "Where is Elmo" book. Tonight she wanted to show Luke her book and as she turned the pages she talked as if she were reading to him. I mean, melt a mommy's heart! She really loves her brother. She kissed and hugged all over him. And he just stares back at her in amazement! I pray that they always share a strong bond and friendship. I know I am thankful for my little sister! What a blessing siblings are!