31 Days: Letters To Mason: Day 10

Dear Mason Matthew Morgan, 

Writing your whole name made me think about why we named you the name that we chose. Here's the story: 

When I was single, I came across the name Madeline and loved it. I also loved the name Marie because it was my aunt's name. I said from then forward that if I ever had a little girl, I wanted her to be named Madeline Marie. 

Then, I met your Dad and we got married and I shared the name with him and he loved it too. We realized if we were blessed with a daughter her name would be Madeline Marie Morgan with initials MMM. We began to talk about names for a son and decided that we definitely wanted our sons to bear their dad's name as well. That would make our sons' names (First Name) Matthew Morgan. We decided we would go with an "M" first name so all children would have initials MMM and began looking at and discussing names. We had several picked out that we liked and one day, we just looked at each other and said "It's Mason". It was like we just KNEW that our first son's name would be Mason. 

Before you were born (we didn't find out your gender ahead of time), we both just knew that you were going to be a boy...parent's instinct, I guess. When you arrived, they said "It's a boy! What's his name?" and your Dad and I both said quickly "Mason!" We just knew you were our Mason. 

We are so blessed you are our son!

Love, Mom

31 Days: Letters To Mason: Day 9

Dear Mason, 

Today, I keep thinking about fun and funny things that you are currently doing. You are in such a fun stage. 

When your Dad and I kiss and you see us, you give a kiss, too. 

You are now grabbing onto things and bouncing up and down and dancing and then you laugh so much because you know that it's pretty awesome and funny!

You like to give us kisses and then quickly turn away and laugh while throwing your head back. 

You have this red ball that you pick up and put it into my mouth and then laugh and laugh and laugh. We have played this game over and over again and it's still just as hilarious to you as the first time. 

You love to stand at the front door and just watch the traffic go by. This can keep you entertained for quite a while. 

Speaking of doors, you love to go to the back door when your Dad is on his way home and wait for him to get there. When you see his face, you jump up and down and beat on the door. It's pretty darn awesome! 

You LOVE to look at the camera when the Facetime call is ringing but almost immediately after the person answers (usually GiGi) you turn away and do your thing. Silly boy!

We are having such a fun time with you. Love you big guy!

Leslie

31 Days: Letters To Mason: Day 8

Dear Mason, 

Today I've been thinking about how proud I am of you. I'm proud that you can crawl. I'm proud that you can eat "big boy" foods. I'm proud that you can say some words like "dada" and "bye" and "mama". I'm proud that you are standing on your own more. I'm proud of you for being such a good sleeper. 

I say all of these things so I can tell you this: Your Dad and I will always be supportive of you when you do something big in life. When you take your first steps, when you say your first sentence, when you learn to potty on the big potty, when you learn your alphabet, when you learn to say "thank you" and "please", when you tell us you love us, when you come to know Jesus, when you make your first friend, and the list goes on. I'll stop now though because I don't want to cry. HAHA!

As your parents, we will be your biggest supporters. We are so proud of you!

Love, Mom

31 Days: Letters To Mason: Day 7

Dear Mason, 

Today is a fun day for us. We go to MOPS together on the first and third Tuesday of each month. When you were born, I began to stay home with you and just work PRN when your Dad had days off, etc. It has been such a joy but I also knew that in order for me to be the best Mom that I can be to you, I needed to make sure I was having some time for myself, too. 

MOPS is one of those things that helps me to be a better Mom to you. We attend at Boiling Springs First Baptist. It lasts from 9-11:15. I drop you off in the nursery with the MOPPETS who are awesome, incredible, Godly and sweet women and they take care of you and play with you while I meet with other Moms. 

We spend a bit of time eating and then we fellowship with each other. Each time we meet, there is a lesson and it is always so encouraging to me. These meetings help me to glean from other Moms with older children. They help me to be able to learn and grow closer to God. When we leave the meetings, you and I are both so refreshed. 

Please know that being with other Moms is such a joy to my heart and I hope you'll see the fruit of it for years to come. I love you dearly, sweet boy!

Love, Mom

31 Days: Letters To Mason: Day 6

Dear Mase Mase, 

Today we have had a particularly hard day. I think you must be teething because you have been super fussy and every now and then, it doesn't matter what I do, you are inconsolable. It breaks my heart but I know it's just part of life. 

This tough day has made me think about love and I want you to know something. No matter how hard of a day we may have, I love you unconditionally. I know that this hard day is one of possibly hundreds to come in your lifetime and that's unfortunately/fortunately just part of life. 

When God allowed your Dad and me to become your parents, we promised to him that we would do our best to raise you to know and love Him and that we would love you no matter what. You are our son and we do love you so. 

Love, Mom

Sevierville Trip {September 2014}

Several months back, we planned a trip to the mountains for Matt's Mom's 50th birthday. It was a 3 nights and 2 1/2 days and we had a nice time. 

On the drive up, Mason took a little cat nap!

Friday night was a low-key night. We had dinner with Matt's parents at Cracker Barrel and then I shopped for all of the groceries for the remainder of the weekend's meals. Everyone arrived by 8:30 and we enjoyed playing the arcade games and a dip in the hot tub. Saturday morning, we all had breakfast together and then attempted to head to Heritage Day at the Old Mill. That was a no-go because the traffic was crazy. We ended up with a little shopping at the outlet malls before heading home for lunch. Mason tried on a fun hat! 

Our afternoon attempt at a family picture. Mason was uninterested. 

After the outlet malls, we came back for lunch at the cabin and enjoyed the afternoon and evening just relaxing at the cabin. Love my boy. 

My happy guys

Mason was helping Luke and Dad play games...

"Oh I'm just hanging out watching a little football..."

Mason needed a little a little lovin' from Dad. 

Saturday night, Matt's Dad cooked chicken and vegetables and we had a cake, sang Happy Birthday and gave Mrs. Claire her gift. 

On Sunday morning,  when Matt was giving Mason his bottle, I put my hand on Matt's leg. Mason immediately put his leg over my hand. It was sweet. 

Sunday morning was low key. Matt and I had attempted a walk with the boys the day before but the mosquitos nixed that quickly so Matt set out with them early Sunday morning for a hike. They had a blast! 

I gave Mason the last sip of my milk and he had his first milk mustache! 

Sunday for lunch we went to the Old Mill for lunch. Matt and I split the turkey and dressing and it was delicious. 

Me with all the boys! 

Us with Luke 

Sunday afternoon, everyone else stayed at the Old Mill to shop and walk around and I went back to the cabin for Mason to take a nap and I took one too! 

Sunday night, Mason was taking his bottle and he was everywhere. It was a bit comical. 

Matt's sister and her family and Matt's brother left Sunday night and we stayed at the cabin with Matt's parents. They got up early that morning to go to breakfast and then head home. We had plans to stay through Mason's morning nap but he was kind of restless so we left early. He took his nap in the car and we were home by lunch! 

Mason blew me kisses in the car....swoon! 

It was a nice trip. Love my guys