Fish Story

Parker caught his first fish! (with a little help from Uncle Kolby) He loves his fishing pole and is quite the caster. He can cast that thing better than most people and has caught many an object including Moma and Doodad's ceiling fan...while it was spinning. He was so excited to go out in Papaw's boat and it was like he knew exactly what to do when we pulled up to the "fishing spot." I'm pretty sure he would have stayed out there all day and night. Looks like he inherited the Byrd fishing gene! So thankful for precious memories!

Video Overload!

My camera's memory card was FULL of videos. Finally found time to upload some of them...so this post is a video overload!

Parker still has a thing for helium. We visited Chick-fil-A one night and he scored a balloon from the waitress. It wasn't tied to anything and in the hustle of getting in the house, the balloon got away from us and flew straight up to the tip top of our cathedral ceilings. The look on Parker's face was one of utter distress. See the video below for what followed...


Parker's first boat ride wtih Papaw! Be sure to listen closely as Parker keeps telling Papaw to "go fast!"



We've been swimming ("swimmy" as Parker calls it) several times this summer. Parker LOVES it!! This video is from our first outing and his first time wearing "swimmies." He is not quite so easy to hang on to now! He caught on to the concept very quickly and wears us out in the water! We ALL take great naps after swimmy mornings!!

Parker's First Boat Ride

Parker took his first boat ride with Papaw! He loved it! We were a little nervous about him being scared of the motor...seeing as how he is scared of the weed eater...but he was just fine! He kept telling Papaw to "go fast!" We have a video we will upload soon, so stay tuned!

Putting on his life jacket...the same life jacket we wrapped up for Christmas to announce our pregnancy! Getting in the boat...so excited! He kept saying "Papaw boat water!"

It was a family event! Uncle Kolb and Daddy are lounging on the front of the boat. :)

The "fishermen!"

Getting some pointers on how to catch a big one.

It's a......?????

We found out this week the gender of baby Todd. Mamaw and Papaw wanted to know right away, so they knew minutes after our sonogram. I'm pretty sure my mom called everyone in the tri-state area in a matter of minutes. Granmamma and Grandaddy (Moema and Doodad) wanted us to wait to reveal the big surprise until this weekend. The first weekend of June has become the annual "Holder Family Reunion." So, we waited to make the big announcement when everyone was here together. We purchased a cake to help make the event even more special. While the outside of the cake revealed nothing, the inside revealed the gender! Dying to know? Watch the video below!

And Two Shall Become One...

It's official! Kolby and Meredith are MARRIED! It was an absolutely beautiful day and perfect ceremony. They were married in front of a gorgeous waterfall underneath an arbor Meredith's daddy built. Instead of the traditional bride and groom on top of the wedding cake, theirs had a bird's nest with two "love birds." Kolby's groom cake was a tree stump with a heart "carved" into it with their initials. So. absolutely. perfect. I got to dance with my sweet Daddy to "My Girl" and he out danced me once again! I kept thinking the whole night that I would never be able to soak up all the happiness that surrounded our family. So many memories. It truly was a picture perfect day. Parker was pumped to shreds over the whole thing. He was wound up! It was quite a task keeping him out of all the beautiful waterfalls and ponds that surrounded the wedding site. Joshua and I barely got to eat, much less take pictures...so I only have a few! Parker managed to break off one of the flower arrangements, squish a tomato all over Mamaw's dress, and catch himself on fire. Yes. Fire. They had small incense sticks in the ground around the tent to keep the bugs away. Joshua found Parker straddling one saying "Da-Da Hot!" I look over to see Joshua "putting Parker out" on the ground. He spent the rest of the evening with a lovely burnt hole in his suit pants...but it didn't slow him down! (He was fine by the way...no serious burns) Parker seemed to get more dances with the beautiful bride than anyone else and showed off some pretty sweet moves. Oh what a night!!! Can't wait to see more pictures and can't wait for the Byrds to get home from their honeymoon! We miss them already!!!

Our Reason to Relay

Spalding County hosts a Relay for Life event every year. Relay is designed to raise money for the American Cancer Society. It is always a HUGE event with lots of teams from the school system, churches, and local businesses. I served for 3 years as Team Captain for my school. This year I was simply a "team member" since I work part-time, but this year was far different than the past...the cause was extremely close to home. Every year they have a Survivor Lap to start the event where cancer survivors and their caregivers walk around the track being cheered on by everyone present. So many people affected by this horrible disease....suddenly they were all more than just faces passing by...

At dark, they turn the lights off at the track and the event is lit by hundreds of luminaries in honor and in memory of those who have battled cancer. Joshua and I sat by the bag we purchased in honor of Daddy during this ceremony. While we were sitting there, three ladies were walking by, stopping every few feet. When they got closer, we realized they were praying over each bag. As they lifted up my Daddy by name, I couldn't help but be overcome with emotion. They have never met him, never met me...they were complete strangers...yet they prayed for the three things that Daddy has asked us to pray: that he Glorify God and be strong in the Lord, that he would be a blessing to others, and finally for a miracle. As those sweet ladies moved on around the track, I just sat there and praised God for simple reminders that He is there. He is with us. He is in Control. Our Hope, our Joy, Our Everything is in HIM.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.... Hebrews 6:19

Swinging, Strawberries, and Summer Coming Soon!

Hold on to your hats...this post is filled with lots of fun things! We've been pretty busy lately with school winding down, warm weather, and a growing belly! (on Mommy of course!)

First of all, Parker got his birthday present 4 months early!! (as if he even knows he has a birthday at this point in life...how long can we claim that one?) Anyway, he got a BIG BOY swing set! And he LOVES it! We paid the extra money for the company to come and assemble the massive structure. So worth it. I laughed out loud when they unpacked the truck and our yard was covered in pieces of wood, all in different sizes and shapes. Joshua and I would still be standing there looking at the pile. That extra money more than likely saved our marriage. We went to Connell Farms to pick strawberries. Granmamma and Grandaddy came to help too. Parker loved it! We now have a freezer full of yummy strawberries for the summer! Mother's Day. My last as a mommy of one! Best picture of Parker and Granmamma EVER!!!!

School is out for summer in less than 3 weeks...and we are excited to say the least! We have our sonogram the first week of June. Hopefully, Baby Todd will cooperate and we will know if Parker will have a brother or sister! Next weekend will be busy with Uncle Kolby and Aunt Meredith's Wedding! What a happy day that will be! Stay tuned for pics!