In the midst of great disappointment and sadness, life continues to go on. While sometimes I wish it would just stop and wait for me, it is for the best that it doesn't. Intermingled in this post will be some fun events from both before and after the miscarriage of our third child. But, before we get to the fun stuff, I do just want to take a minute and sincerely thank everyone who has been so kind to comfort and encourage us during this time. It may sound silly, but every single facebook comment, every private message, every text, email, and phone call has meant so much to us. We were blown away by the support and compassion we received--sympathy cards, flowers, house visits, and meals were all provided for us. You can't imagine how much we appreciated all of it. Thank you to everyone for shining like bright lights in the dimmest of our days and reminding us that beauty and love still abound in this broken world. You lifted our hearts <3
In the meantime, life has indeed gone on. And, it too has provided us with therapeutic smiles, laughter, and memories. The first stop on the "Summer-O-fun" was a fan favorite--MONKEY JOE'S!!
Peek-a-boo!!
Ethan was following Tommy for once!
The little guy got tuckered out early!
The big guy didn't want to stop!
Ethan couldn't wait for lunch time...
special treat pizza at Monkey Joe's!
Stop #2 was our very first play date at our new home with Eleanor and Caleb!
First, we had to put the finishing touches on the exterior of the house!
GO STATE!!
So cute seeing Tommy holding Caleb's hand walking to the front door :)
Our blue-eyed beauties!
Tommy taking a picture of me taking a picture :P
say what?!
SO ADORABLE!! Tommy consoling Caleb <3
9 month preggo Eleanor and her handy-man :)
*Insert hectic but fun trip to Chick-fil-A filled with a bunch of kids who were way too big and loud to be in the kids area, followed by balloons being handed out to all the kids (and Ethan letting his go about a thousand times inside Chick-fil-A)*
Tommy and I thought it would be fun to let the balloons go, and watch them fly....
higher and higher....
Up and away like "UP"!!
The honey badger...
WHOOPS!! obviously cares a little too much!!
Poor Ethybear :(
The fun continues with a family celebration for Steven and Davey's birthday. We all went out to Lime Mexican Restaurant, followed by Iron Man 3!
Great family shot!
The birthday boys are being a little silly!
From one family celebration to the next! This time we were with the Hayes clan at the 2013 ACC Baseball Championship at the DBAP! It was an early birthday present for my Mom, but we were all able to capitalize on the fun!
Aren't they cute :)
Mom finally makes it into a picture--woohoo!!
GO WOLFPACK!
Look at that cute smile on Carlos' face!
'Los is in the house!
Great pictures courtesy of my Mom!
Take a seat!!!
Despite an amazing performance by Carlos, the Wolfpack lost to the Tarheels in 18 innings!
A nice person sitting in front of us was nice enough to take a family picture!
My wonderful, generous parents...Happy Birthday Mom!!
Nolan and Laura in a nutshell...this picture makes me smile
Me and my wonderful husband <3
While we were gone, Goggi and Papa Bill made sure the boys weren't missing us! They took the boys to Pullen Park for the very first time, and they had a blast!
Papa Bill hanging with Tommy on the giraffe!
Tommy was worn out after all that!
The celebratory theme continues as Davey and I had a much needed date night on his birthday. We had just received very bad news the day before, but we were thankful for at least a glimmer of hope that we had received earlier in the day.
You can't beat Outback cheese fries!!
Davey's face...ololololol
After Outback, we headed over to Goodberry's for some good ol' fashioned ice cream!
My biggest boy of all <3
show me sexy!
I love goofing off with Davey--thanks for making life fun <3
The partying ways continued as I treated my best friend, Leslie, to Cheesecake Factory for her birthday!
Everyone deserves a special piece of cheesecake on their birthday!
Tiramisu cheesecake for me!
From the ACC tourney to the State finals for 4A High School Baseball--GO BENGALS!!
So proud of my Dad and the Bengals for making it to the finals!
The boys' first real baseball game....
This picture was taken about 2 minutes after we sat down...it was HOT...look at poor Ethan's red face!
I was thankful to be able to very quickly snap this picture of Tommy wearing his baseball glove <3
Dad in action...
first batter, Garret Suggs, and future teammate of Carlos next year at State...
first time caught stealing all year :(
It's been one whole inning--time to go home Tommy says!
"Bye Granddaddy"--2pm (which means no nap) and 95 degrees might not be the best formula for a successful outing at the ballpark!
Dad talking some things over with his guys
It was a great run Bengals--sorry you didn't win it all!
The boys were fortunate to spend a ton of time at Grandma's house during our worst days. They had gotten some tricycles at a consignment sale a while back, and Granddaddy went and got some needed parts to fix them up good as new!
Tommy hadn't quite got the hang of his big boy bike from Goggi and Papa Bill, so we're practicing on the smaller one for now :)
Pedal buddy!!
So cute on their trikes together <3
While the boys were away, our friends and family were lifting us up in spirit and in prayer.
Beautiful flowers and part of a huge meal provided by the sweet, sweet Howard family <3
Another gorgeous bouquet given to me by the Griffin family--proving that family doesn't have to be blood <3
Although our summer of fun definitely took a major and unexpected detour, we got things back on track fairly quickly for Goggi's birthday. We were happy to host, and she thankfully was happy just to take the boys to the neighborhood pool for the first time while I recovered in bed most of the day. A special thanks to Bill, Nathan, and Steven for helping Davey get most of the new play set built while Susie and Becky had the boys at the pool :)
How stinkin' adorable does Ethan look in that bodysuit--I could've just eaten him right up!!
Tommy and Ethan thought the pool was "AWESOME!!"
Splish splash!
The following week, it was time for me to get on my feet again. I was so happy that Davey said he wanted us to join the gym as a couple this time!
He looked so good in his workout clothes (although this picture doesn't really do him justice!)
Our first workout together as a couple!
Let the partying resume!! We were thrilled to all be able to go to the boys' little friend Natalie's birthday party. I have to say, it was probably the most fun they've ever had a party! The hit of the party was definitely Natalie's brand new bounce house and pool combo play structure--what a blast!!
Happy 4th Birthday Nat!!
Tommy LOVED this thing...so tempted to get one for next year...come on profit sharing!!!
The boys enjoyed the "dry" bounce area almost as much as the wet slide
Time to chill off a little in the pool with each other and their pal Lucas!
Ethan's turn!!
Okay, I wish you could see this little bathing suit better--it was sooooooo adorable...almost as adorable as our friend Olivia :)
Tommy actually ate the icing off his cake...wonder where he got that from....Becky Catchings!
Ethan took the Mommy approach and ate the whole thing hehe!
On to Father's Day...a bit bittersweet to be honest, but it's hard to be too bitter when we have 2 healthy and happy boys at home to love on and to love us <3
Thanks Papa Bill for spending Father's Day afternoon finishing up the play set with Davey!
On to some pool time at Goggi's house!
I love this smiling kid!
My tooterbear <3
BUBBLES!!
The next day at home, I made Davey one of his old favorite dishes for Father's Day--chicken parmesan, and homemade mashed potatoes!
The boys enjoying some time with their Dad on Father's Day <3
"Uncle" Stan even came by to cut the grass, and Tommy got a really special treat!
Ethan seems to like the big boy swing more than Tommy!
He was so proud of himself...he was actually doing the driving too! No worries though, the blades were OFF!
For the final celebration (at least of this post), we'll take a little look at my Dad's Father's Day present! My brother, Nolan, and I split the cost of a plane ticket to send my Dad to Omaha to watch NC State compete in the College World Series for only the second time in school history (the other time being in 1968.)
Tommy showing his Wolfpack pride!
This is Gerry Feldkamp, my Dad's catcher at NCSU. He was so generous to offer his extra tickets to my Dad, and encourage him to take off work for once and go! Thanks for being a great friend--he had a blast!
Check out that handsome devil on the left ;)
I had fun updating my profile picture on facebook with this one--thanks for everyone's "likes" and comments about my Dad! I'm a proud daughter, what can I say?!
To end, I'll leave you with this awesome article about my Dad and his role in helping Carlos Rodon become the dominant pitcher he is today! HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!
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