Ok, I'm listening.

 Saturday was gorgeous...Just gorgeous! We went on a long bike ride through our whole development. Carson ended up falling asleep so Tyler and I just kept riding along. It was nice to be able to just talk. Sometimes it's hard for a mother and father to stop what's going on in the world and just catch up.  We didn't have our phones ringing (well maybe we did we just couldn't hear them) which was really nice, no distractions. Which leads me to tell you about a "God I'm listening" moment. I spoke with Jocelyn on the phone about the busyness of life. I was kind of venting about some of the conversations that Tyler and I have had this past weekend. Tyler and I are wanting more family time, just the 3 of us. I can't tell anyone enough about how much I treasure our family time, just the three of us spending quality time with each other. I took one look at Carson Saturday night and thought...Oh my word, you've changed...That scared me. Before I know it he'll be graduating high school making a life of his own so for right now and until then I want Tyler and I to spend as much quality time as possible. We have so many people pulling us in so many directions, we just can't commit to others like we have been. Jocelyn was telling me how important it is to tell people your just "busy."   

I just feel like Tyler works, we have commitments to attend to, then their is church. Busy, just busy. After speaking with Jocelyn we decided to go to church at University Sunday night. Would you believe the preacher spoke on that exact conversation. It was as if he was on the bike ride with Tyler and I and on the phone 3-way with Jocelyn and I. I just looked up and said to God, "Ok, I hear you loud and clear!" 

Raising a child has been one of the hardest things I've ever done. Learning to slow down and how to say no. 

We have one chance to make Carson's childhood a lasting impression that will carry him through his adult life and we want him to know we love him more than he'll ever realize. So we've learned so far being a parent for only 15 months, the most important thing we can give him besides a christian home is our TIME. Not just time together meaning we're all in the same house, but I mean good QUALITY TIME. Taking him to the zoo. Bike rides, playing with the soccer ball in the backyard, playing catch then a break for a popsicle. Dancing in the living room with the music blaring!!! Reading him bedtime stories and eating together at the dinner table. 

  

It's not about how much time you spend together; it's what you do with the time you do spend together. - Author Unknown. 

I love God for so many reasons, but sometimes He just has a way of knocking me in the head. He's there, always there and always listening. He answers our prayers in the craziest ways. Ok, God, I'm totally listening!

We did have a busy weekend. But this was a weekend where we spent time with some of our closest friends. We celebrated Jocelyn's 30th and Carter's 1st birthday. The Ray's are so close to the world series...I can just taste it. It's just crazy! And the Gator's won! 

The love of my life!

Two of my favorite girls. It's nice to have friends that are striving to get to heaven and helping you along the way. 

The little man is just so stinkin' happy...!

Sweet little boy!

Happy 1st birthday Carter!

Trying to get a picture of all the children~ ha, LoL~!