I am NOT good at this blog thing. I will definitely try to do better as the new year is fast approaching. So to catch everyone up since my last post a few months ago..... Of course the boys are keeping us busy with sports, church activities, band, dances, etc. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world though. Both are growing up so fast, but still have the innocence of a young child inside. If you haven't heard the Santa story about Evans, please ask me the next time you see me, it's quite funny and sweet. Too long to post in this blog. And yes at 12 1/2 years old, he still BELIEVES!!!! George has been super busy at work, I'm not complaining but like to have all my guys at home. He was recently in NYC (one of my favorite places) for a quick business meeting. I know that he was so busy that he didn't have a chance to enjoy the city and he wouldn't want to do that without me, LOL! Very proud of all the things he is accomplishing in the agriculture world. Last month, I got to travel to Columbus, OH to visit with our friends The Days - Scott, Melissa, Max and Libby Clair. It was so much fun being with them, haven't seen them in 7 months since moving there. The kids were excited to have a new face in the house for a few days. Melissa and I enjoyed lunch out a few days, shopping, of course and just catching up. The adults had a night out which was fabulous!!!! Dear friends, you are truly missed in Memphis. I will see you again soon and bring my 3 guys. As I am typing this, we just celebrated my birthday yesterday. George and I spent the day together shopping and lunch. Last night we all had dinner out at ShoGun, saw the Christmas lights at Starry Nights, then watched the Polar Express together as a family. It was a great day and night and wouldn't want to spend my birthday any other way than with the guys who bring joy, laughter, and love to my life everyday. Only two more days until school is out for Christmas break. Wilson has a class party on Monday afternoon and Evans on Tuesday, then they will be out at 12:15 and our sleeping late begins. Our family prays that you enjoy your family and friends this Christmas season. Please remember that it's not what is under the tree, but that Love came down at Christmas time in the form of a little baby born in a barn. Merry Christmas to you from the Bairds!

It's Been a Long Time

Oh my, where to start. I decided to look at my blog tonight and it has been since April that I have posted anything. Shame on me! Let's see if I can catch up on the events since April: Our summer was fast and furious, I felt like a taxi driver the whole time. We enjoyed our annual beach trip, traveling back to Seaside this year. While it did rain and the water was rough at times, we enjoyed the house we rented and the pool there. Each of us brought our bikes, so we biked a few times while there - to eat, shop, etc. The boys favorite was sno cones from Frost Bites, every night!!!!! Evans kept me busy driving this summer to youth events at church. On Tuesday he and other guys and youth group leaders would choose a wing place for lunch and fellowship; Wednesday was service day, helping others with needs such as weeding and planting; Thursday was random lunch club, lunch at local places (could not be a chain). At the end of the summer, with the wings tour, they chose their favorite and returned there for one last round of chicken wings. Evans never ventured from the honey golden, which are the mildest on any menu! He also had the privilege to participate at SOS (service over self) this year, a home repair ministry. Evans also attended art camp at Memphis College of Art for the second year, taking a class on po-up art, making a pop-up book about a sock monkey. Wilson wasn't as busy, but we had fun hanging out together. He participated in VBS at our church and was a member of the praise team, leading everyone in songs each morning. He and a few friends, Wesley and Owen attended church camp together this summer in Oxford, MS (yes, we let our child go to camp in enemy territory)Camp Lake Stephen. He enjoyed it so much that he didn't want to leave and is ready to do two weeks next year. As a family, not only did we take the beach trip, but we made a last minute 4th of July trip to Charlotte to hang out with our best friends The Barkers. George and the boys had not been to their new house since moving there 2 years ago. We had a great time just hanging out and enjoying each others company. George and I had the chance to get away while the boys were gone the same week. We traveled to Nashville - hanging out, shopping, eating. The boys started school in early August and are doing well. Both have great grades, love their class/classes (not so much the homework on Wilson's end). Evans decided this year that he wanted to play soccer, so he is playing for Bartlett on a U16 team. The boys on the team are 12-17 years old, he is not scared, very aggressive and fearless on the field. He will go up against any opponent, no matter their size. Only two more games this coming week, then we will wait for spring soccer. Evans is still playing in the middle school band and taking private lessons on Saturday mornings. Wilson is waiting for basketball season to start, this is sport of choice this time around. He is also involved in fitness club on Wednesday mornings at his school. So that catches this blog up from the summer and the start of school. Today we traveled to Inverness, MS to celebrate with family for George's grandmothers 94th birthday. The boys enjoyed seeing some of their cousins, aunts and uncles. There were about 20 of us there for lunch and fellowship. This week George and I will be celebrating 14 years of marriage on Wednesday. Woo Hoo!!!! How can a woman sum up all that time in a few words - IMPOSSIBLE. I have loved this man with all my strength and will continue to do so for many more years. We have two wonderful children who bring joy, laughter and craziness to our lives. I would trade a second for the past 14 years. Can't wait to see what the future brings to our marriage and life together! LOVE YOU GEORGE!

China

I have been home a little over a week and finally feel like I can put two sentences together. I did sit down and try to blog last week, but I was so tired and my brain felt fried, that I just couldn't. My friend Stephanie and I left on April 12 for a mission trip to China. We left Memphis to Atlanta then to Seattle and then straight to Beijing. All of our flights were successful, not delays. The greatest thing was that our flight from Seattle to Beijing was practically empty, over a 100 seats empty. So we got to move and have our our seats!!!! We arrived in Beijing around 9:30 pm Friday April 13. A driver picked us up and drove us an hour to the orphanage where we were staying. Someone asked about our sleeping accommodation and let me reassure you that we had queen size beds and were very comfortable (this person thought we might be sleeping on straw mats). While there we visited all the houses that the children live in, played outside, cleaned a fall/winter clothes closet, restocked the store that they have for guests and staff, did crafts with the children, had an ABC party for the kindergarten class because they had all learned their ABC's, made Hot Pot with Sara and the older children. People from our church had sent us with money to purchase things for the children and orphanage, so one day we loaded up in 2 vans with some of the nannies and drove to Beijing and bought 6 pair of shoes and then the children we had with us had their own money to spend so we went to Walmart. That was a fun trip that was also eye opening. The children just wanted treats, no toys. Our kids would have went right for the toy section. But these kids bought noodle bowls (kind of like Ramen noodles) and a little bit of candy, juice pouches. They didn't even open it all and devour it like our kids. One boy, JJ, even bought a noddles for another boy who couldn't come on the trip. We made several trips to Walmart while there. There is a little food stand inside Walmart and the lady makes Jin Bing (spelling). It's a crepe with two eggs cracked on top then flipped over, where she spreads this spicy red pepper sauce, green onions and then places 2 crunchy squares, picture the crunchy strips you put in your egg drop or hot and sour soup. Folds the crepe into a sqaure and places in a plastic bag - YUMMO! All of this for under a $1. The last trip we made to Walmart was on Thursday, we took the head nanny to finish spending the money we had brought from friends at our church. She wanted to purchase cleaning supplies. We also stopped at a roadside produce stand where she bought produce. She was the happiest person ever that day and so appreciative! Stephanie and I made great friends there that won't be forgotten. Not only were the friends we made children, but staff. We were impreseed that a 17 year old, who graduated high school early, would pack up and come to China to teach English. Emily is a funny girl who loves to eat and eat very spicy stuff. She will be leaving the orphanage in a few weeks to return home to attend her high school graduation and prom. Sara, who is 28 was our guide while there and is also fascinating. She also loves to eat spicy food. Sara works in the office at Shepherds Field. She would come and hang out in our room with us at night. Marissa, another teacher who is from Virginia will be leaving there to return home this summer. We were definitely fascinated by her stories of her family back home - she has 11 brothers and sisters. She and two others are "homemade cookies" and the rest are adopted. She told us that two of her brothers were born without arms, but can drive and do everything with their feet. She also has a sister who was born without arms or legs. Stephanie and I commented that we had always heard about big families but never met someone with one. The Bakers who are co-founders of the orphanage are very sweet and kind and have a heart for orphans in China. On Thursday night, the staff and guest are invited to fellowship time at the Bakers. This was the one night that we had an American meal; burgers, grilled chicken and hot dogs, potato salad, pasta salad, chips. Our time Friday was spent with the children and the ABC party with the kindergarten class. We ate lunch across the street from the orphanage and our waitress asked Sara if we spoke their language because she wanted to know if we were married and our age. She also commented that we smelled good, because she could smell our perfume when we walked in - we sure got a laugh out of her asking these questions. Friday night was the night that Sara made Hot Pot for us and the older children who are Evans and Wilson's age. She made this spicy broth then you cook your meat and veggies and noodles in there. The children LOVE Hot Pot!!!! It seems like a lot of work but it was enjoyed by all. I am sure that I am leaving out a lot of stuff, but just wanted to give you some idea of how we spent out time while in China. To see about the orphanage and children we visited while there go to www.chinaorphans.org Much Love, Cari

Spring Time

Seems like I am always playing catch up on this blog. Someone commented the other day that they keep up with the Bairds by reading my blog, well there isn't much here. Anyway, let's see if I can catch up.
March seemed busy - Evans turned 12, yes a pre-teen!! He asked for a low key party, with a couple of friends and dinner at the Rendezvous. Do you know how much 3 preteen boys can eat? Then we were back home for a sleepover and Xbox games.
Spring break was the following week and we spent a few days in Nashville as a family. We toured The Hermitage, Andrew Jackson's home because Wilson had just finished a report on him. We also enjoyed seeing the Parthenon beacuse Evans has been studying World History. We spent several hours at the science museum. Even though we weren't far from home, we still ran into people from church or school! One of the best things we did was enjoy a gourmet popsicle from Las Paletas! I had seen a story on this place in Southern Living magazine and thought we should try it out. It was sooooo good! The boys had a mexican hot chocolate popsicle, dad had kiwi strawberry and I had chocolate chili popsicle. Yes, there was a hint of spicyness that hit that back of your throat, but I could have had one every day while there. This place is on 12th Avenue S and only takes cash.

I am now preparing (and have been for some time) for a trip to China next week. Will be traveling with a friend from CUMC and we will be volunteering in an orphanage while there. The BIG question is "are you coming home with a baby?" To tell the truth, that had never crossed my mind when planning on going. Until the Lords calls on us to do so, we are content. We will cross that bridge, if and when.
Grandmothers are funny sometimes and mine asked "did George approve of you going on this trip"? Yes he did, we have prayed about it and have been forunate to have the funds to send me on such a trip.
I am very excited and can't wait to love on some sweet kids and to see what the Lord has in store while there. I will definitely update when I return.

Wilson will be celebrating a birthday in a few weeks - our baby will be 10 years old! Oh where does the time go. Will post again after his birthday.

Happy Easter this Sunday! The Lord is Risen, Risen indeed!!!!!

Christmas 2011

What a wonderful and relaxing Christmas we had this year. We started off the celebration with friends, new and old, at our house Friday (23rd) night. It was loud with laughter. George and I observed that everyone stood in the kitchen and hearth room, even though we had the patio set up with a fire pit and blankets and a wet bar. Yes, it was colder than what we expected! I do believe that a GREAT time was had by all.
Saturday we just messed around town, had lunch at Huey's with the boys - who were extremely tired. We enjoyed being with our church family at the Christmas Eve candlelight service and Wilson singing in the choir! Then home for breakfast for dinner, a tradition we started when Evans was 9 months old. Watched Christmas movies with the boys until Evans informed us that we were ALL going to bed at 9:30 because Santa was in Canada and would soon be here.
Sunday, Christmas day, the day we celebrate Jesus' birthday we were at church. Evans and George were handing out bullentins and colelcting the offering - just one of the ways that Evans has been using his spiritual gift of service at CUMC. It makes my heart, I can only imagine how the Lord feels, to see Evans using his spiritual gift!
After service, we came home to bake lasagna and wait for our sweet friends Scott, Kristen and Harrison to join us for lunch and gift exchanging. It was a joy to have a little one walking around, climbing the stairs, and watching his fascination with Evans and Wilson. I think Scott and George enjoyed the boys best Christmas gift, the Xbox 360 Kinect! We could them hear more than the boys, competing against each other. We have one more Christmas to attend, we leave Wednesday morning to travel to MS to see George's family then back to TN for the rest of our Christmas break.
If you are reading this, our prayer is that you enjoyed your family and the celebration of our Savior's birth. Love The Bairds

Sorry it's been awhile....

Well, it has been awhile since I last blogged because I can't seem to remember any passwords.
Let's see if I can catch everyone up on what's been going on in our family. We have been extremely busy. Let me start with me - I just stay in the car ALL the time. I might as well move all my stuff in there because the only time I seem to be at home is to cook, clean, and do laundry! I think I need to ask for new tires for Christmas. LOL!
Evans is busy with band, playing the trombone, art club on Tuesday mornings, scouts on Tuesday nights, youth group on Wednesday nights at church. He is also enjoying dances once a month at school and basketball games with friends on Monday and Thursdays once a month.
Wilson keeps us busy with guitar club on Tuesday mornings (yes, I am in two places at once because I am SuperMom, ha), choir/bible study on Wednesday nights.
Both of the boys social calendar seems busier than ours. They are growing up so fast, can't believe that we will be parents to a 12 and 10 year old next spring. Time is flying by and I am constantly trying to keep my focus on the here and now and not what the future will bring. This only come from the Lord.
George and I have been traveling some - we recently were on a trip to Cancun with best friends who moved to Charlotte last year. It was one of the best trips! We are planning another trip next year with them, Jamie and Elliott. After returning from that trip, we were home for 4 days and left for Hot Springs, AR to celebrate David Cook's 40th Birthday! He and GB were frat brothers and roommates. The look on his face when he walked into the party room was priceless.
GB has been busy at work, traveling more than ever. We look at the calendar the other night and he has only been home a week or so in the last six weeks. We are done traveling except for Thanksgiving, where we will be traveling to my parents this year. The boys are happy that we staying home for awhile (til February anyway)! While we love our boys, GB and I love to get away and relax and enjoy each others company. We celebrated 13 years of marriage in October! I am lucky to have a wonderful, Godly husband; best friend and an awesome dad to Evans and Wilson. The Lord truly blessed me when he sent GB.
I hope the rest of this year brings days that will be focused on being thankful for what the Lord has provided and that we will focus on Him during Christmas, not was is under the tree.

What's been happening?

Well, we've been busy burning up the roads around here. I recently told someone that the boys social calendar is busier than ours!
Evans is busy with band, playing the trombone, art club on Tuesday mornings, Boy Scouts on Tuesday nights and youth group at church on Wednesday nights. With boy scouts he is camping the 3rd weekend of every month and working on merit badges. He is currently working on his fly fishing and coin collecting badges.
Wilson is busy with guitar club on Tuesday morning (yes, they both have to be in two different places at the same time, on the same day), cub scouts, he's a Web I, choir and bible study on Wednesday nights and soccer. Might I say that he is a great defender on the field too!
This school year is flying by - fall break is next week. Friday we will be leaving for a weekend camping trip with Wilson's scout troop until Sunday. Then we are leaving from there for Texas and the Great Wolf Lodge for a few days. The boys love being able to run around and get on any and all the water slides while mom and daddy sit and relax. We do ride the water slides too, but not all the time like they do.
I will post pics of the camping and fall break trip when we return.

The Roads are HOT!

Yes, I said it "the roads are HOT", under my tires that is. The boys are keeping us so busy that I am not a stay at home mom, I'm at stay in the car mom. Let's see if I can recount what they are up to these days: Evans is in the 6th grade and busy with band, playing the trombone, art club, youth group at church and scouts. Wilson who is a fourth grader is involved in guitar club, scouts, soccer and activities on Wednesday night at church. This doesn't count the countless playdates and birthday parties. I recently told someone that the boys social calendar is busier than ours.
We are enjoying this time as we see them grow up and mature. When we are not in the car, the four of us are at home hanging out together.
Their recent questions have been about an "allowance". Recently I was listening to Dave Ramsey talk on this very subject and he said that in their house they implimented "commissions" - you work, you get paid, no work, no pay! BINGO, that's what the Bairds are doing. Another problem we seem to have is too much time with elecetronics, so I found a cute way to make them "pay". I made (yes, I got crafty one day) them tech tickets. Each ticket is worth 30 minutes of time and when your out, your out. There are bonus tickets, if you have been extra nice to your brother or have done something without being asked - haven't given any bonus tickets out yet, hmmmm.
Well, that's about it for the 4 Bairds. Hope to remember to update soon!

First Day of School

Today is the first day of school, new experiences and adventures for the boys. Yesterday at church, for the first time, our boys and other children were asked to bring their backpacks for a "blessing of the backpacks" - what a neat experience and a way to start out our school year. Knowing that the Lord has gone before the boys and is protecting them this year is reassuring to this momma!
Evans was up at 6:09 this morning! I heard him downstairs in the kitchen getting something to eat. He won't admit it, but I do believe that he was a little nervous about starting middle school this morning. He was ready to get dressed and everything, but I reassured him that he had plenty of time. Last night before bed, he asked me several times about setting my alarm so that he wouldn't be late. Then when walking to the bus stop (yes, he got on the bus this morning and it is NOT cool for your momma to walk to the bus stop with you), he kept yelling at me from down the street, "are you sure this is the right corner?" Yes son, it is. I will confess that I stood across the street and watched him at the bus stop as long as I could, but didn't not get to see him get on the bus - LOL.
Wilson on the other hand, is SO close to his elementary school that he is riding his bike to school. So he took off with Daddy and I walking behind with all the school supplies. He is excited about this new experience and seeing his best friend every day although they are not in the same class. He didn't seem nervous at all, just quiet as Daddy and I left. I just wanted to stay in the hallway and peek in the door at him to see what he was doing - our baby is in the 4th grade!
Just so you know, this momma did not shed ONE tear and knows that my Lord has a plan for the boys and is their Protector. I am looking forward to what He has in store for both of them this year.

Summer Has Begun!!!!!

Well, we are the proud parents of a rising 6th grader and 4th grader. Report cards came in the mail while we were gone to the beach. Both boys had excellent grades and conduct. Now onto to middle school for Evans and a new elementary school for Wilson. They are both looking forward to their new schools. Evans is anxiously waiting for a letter to come in the mail regarding which band instrument he will play!
A few days after school let out for the summer, we left and went to Fort Morgan - just the four of us. What a relaxing time we had and the weather was nice too! Some friends from school were there, so we drove over to Orange Beach one day to play and have dinner. Everyone came home with a nice tan! We are now in the swing of things with camps this whole month. This week Wilson is at Art Camp at First Evan with his best friend, Wesley. Next week it's Evans turn with an Art Camp at Memphis College of Art. Many more camps to follow!
We are also anxiously awaiting the return of our cousin Leeann and her soon to be husband, Blake. They will be here in July and the boys have BIG plans.
Hope your summer is off to a great start!