George, Cari, Evans and Wilson

Christmas 2011

2011-12-26T11:33:00.003-06:00

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....

2011-11-14T09:22:00.004-06:00

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?

2011-10-10T10:29:00.002-05:00

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!

2011-09-28T15:47:00.002-05:00

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

2011-08-08T09:13:00.004-05:00

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!!!!!

2011-06-07T16:17:00.004-05:00

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!

Birthdays!!!!!

2011-04-28T12:04:00.003-05:00

Our family has been busy celebrating birthdays since March!
Starting with our Evans, who was 11 on the 9th. He celebrated his birthday with friends, having a mexican lunch and a movie. Now, that's my kind of party - EASY! I can't believe Evans is 11 years old - he will be starting middle school in the fall. This is devastating to me as I have cried about it in the past several weeks. On Tuesday, I took a form to the middle school for band, yes, the boy wants to participate in the band (we do not possess any musical abilities in this family). The school is huge, the kids are huge, not sure if I saw 6th graders or what and when leaving the school, I ran into this kid who had dyed her hair Kool-Aid red - NICE! This momma is going to need some prayers sending her oldest to middle school.
Now lets move to the month of April where Wilson, our baby celebrated his 9th, yes I said 9th birthday on the 24th. This year his birthday happened to fall on the day of Our Risen Savior, but we aren't complaining! Two wonderful celebrations in one day. Wilson celebrated a few weeks early with 6 friends coming over for a sleepover, NOT my idea of fun, but oh well. A few weeks before his birthday, he finally accomplished the biking riding skills, so he asked that all the boys bring their bikes and helmets for a birthday bike parade. All but one friend slept that night, least to say his momma had a talk with him!
One more birthday will be celebrated this month, tomorrow George (husband, daddy, best friend) will be the B-I-G 40! He decided several months ago that he would like to celebrate his birthday by running a half marathon. Now this is DEFINITELY NOT my idea of a fun birthday, but we are proud of him for his willingness to try. George and I will be in Nashville this weekend for the race. The boys will be with their cousins in Missouri. I will post after we get back home to let you know how he did. He has 2:15 (2 hours, 15 minutes) set as his time for the race (13.1 miles). We will celebrate his birthday on Saturday night after the race, no pre-race partying for us!
Our Easter celebration was at our new home this year with our dear friend the Lees (Scott, Kristen and Harrison) and new friends Robbyn and Suzie Abedi. We ate to much and all need a nap that afternoon.
Enjoy the pics of our growing boys!

Fun Times

2011-04-11T09:25:00.003-05:00

Once again, it's been awhile since I've blogged, but DON"T JUDGE ME!!! The boys are keeping us busy as usual. Evans has been extremely busy with boy scouts. Over the weekend he and daddy helped clean out the storage unit and the trailer that they keep all their camping supplies in, then they were off to Lowes to sell hamburgers, hotdogs and stuff to raise money for camping and other scout expenses. Did we tell you that scouts isn't cheap? When the boys are at Lowes for fundraising, the boys split the money they raise, so each boy got $57 towards their account this weekend! Doesn't seem like a lot to you, but it is to us. Then all of went to the Arrow of Light Ceremony (picture to follow) that night.
Wilson had 6 friends over on Friday night for an early birthday celebration, since his 9th birthday (can you believe this baby is going to be 9) falls on Easter Sunday this year. Since we have been in the new house for the past 5 to 6 weeks, Wilson has learned to ride his bike and asked that all his friends bring their bike and helmet, so they all rode their bikes all over the neighborhood. He didn't want cake for his birthday, he wanted ice cream sundaes! We had pizza and chips, ice cream sundaes with ALL the toppings, then we sent them upstairs to watch the latest Narnia movie. I'm sure that when girls have sleepovers there is a lot of giggling and stuff, but let me tell you that boys are just as bad if not worse! Plus the face that they love to see who can fart the loudest and the smellyest - I couldn't light a candle or anything because I was afraid that the house would explode.
The boys have a busy week; TCAPs (exams at school) are this week, Evans leaves for a campout on Friday, grandparents and KaKa and cousins are coming this weekend for a play at the Orpheum on Saturday night. Daddy will be gone fishing!

Forgot my Info!

2011-03-14T13:45:00.003-05:00

I haven't been able to blog because I forgot my login information! Also, haven't had the time to blog because we have moved into our new house. I can hear you gasp or see your mouth drop, LOL! No one really knew we were moving or looking really. We kind of kept it a to ourselves, so we would jinks it. We started looking sometime back and knew that we wanted to be in Lakeland, which is only 6 miles from where were lived previously. We kept driving in the same neighborhood and kept seeing the same house. During Christmas break, I drove through with my mom and saw that a friend a "the" house listed. In January we came to an open house, loved the inside because we had only seen pics on the web and within 28 days had a contract, made an offer, and moved in! Crazy huh???
We are loving our new house, the boys love being upstairs. They have a HUGE playroom and we hear no noise downstairs. Evans and Wilson are still at Oak Elementary for the remaining of this year. Wilson will attend Lakeland Elementary next year and Evans will be at Arlington Middle. They both have friends that live in the neighborhood or close by.

Other news, at the end of February, Evans crossed over to Boy Scouts and is loving it. He leaves for his first official camping trip on March 25th for the weekend. When you are a boy scout, you do things without your parents. There are adults present at the campouts, the scout master, but no momma and daddy. Evans was elected patrol leader for his group, which means that the scouts in his group answer to him when they are camping and they come up with their menu, cook their meals, etc. Should be fun to hear about their first trip in a few weeks. He will be going to summer camp with the scouts at Skymount, near Knoxville the last week in June and will get most of his first year under his belt.
Wilson got is Bear rank in cub scouts in February. He will be going to church camp, Camp Good News with two great friends in June and will also do Art Camp at First Evan in June, with his best bud, Wesley.

George is busy at work and is loving getting the yard at the new house looking good. I have been busy unpacking boxes, finsihed the last few yesterday and getting things in place. Pictures on the wall, window treatments hung, things ordered that we didn't have at our other house.

This week is Spring Break for the boys and we are enjoying a quite few days at home then off to the Delta to visit with Nonie and Papa for a few days and see Great Grandma Rene and Kaka and some cousins. Evans is looking forward to spending some time with is Papa and talking with Grandma Rene about Great granddaddy George III and Great Great granddaddy George and looking at pictures.

HEY!

2011-02-04T09:30:00.003-06:00

The last post was that the science fair project was just about finished. The project is over and was delivered to school last week! Evans gave his oral presentation on the project and says he did well. Can't wait to see what grade WE made on it. This week the boys and I worked on Egg-o-naut. An egg creation inside some sort of capsule, to see if it would survive being thrown from a very tall ladder. It's an event that the school has every year and the boys receive 5 extra points on their science grade. Whether this egg (not boiled) survives doesn't matter. George is usually the one that helps with these sorts of things, but he has been gone all week.

Snow is coming again, 1-2 inches. When will it stop??? We are ready for sping around here. Praying that George makes it home tomorrow evening. It has been snowing in Texas this week where he is, San Antonio.

Lots of things happening this month for the Bairds: GB is travelng alot and I am leaving for Charlotte on the 13th to visit our best friends the Barkers for a week! Can't wait. Friends from Missouri and Mississippi will be in town towards the end of February for the annual Gin Show downtown, so GB and I will spend an evening downtown with them. Then it's March! Time flies when your having fun.

2011-01-24T14:39:00.003-06:00

I finally figured out how to get a picture of the four of on the blog! So proud of myself.
This is the final week of the 5th grade science project. The project is due Thurs./Friday. Can't wait to have it out of the way. It seems as if the calendar is staying busy around here. Saturday the boys have Pinewood Derby and daddy hasn't started on their cars yet.
We have also been busy cleaning out 12 years of stuff! How do four people accumulate soooooooooo much stuff?? No, we are not hoarders or clutterbugs, but we sure did like to stick things in the attic. It is empty now and it feels GOOD! The garage is next - tools, outdoor toys, bikes, paint cans, blah blah blah.
I am ready for some warmer weather around here that's for sure. It is gloomy outside today, looks like it could snow. Hope the boys get to go to school EVERY day this week.

CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-01-19T15:56:00.001-06:00

2011-01-09T20:54:00.003-06:00

Our first week back to school was good. Evans had his friends over to work on their science fair project. We are measuring and recording our starting heart rate and then participating in an activity, this past week it was Wii Bowling, and then what our minimum, average and maximum heart rate is. Only a few short more weeks until the project is over - yee haw!
We have been waiting on snow all day today. George and Evans thought about going deer hunting after church, but changed their minds because it was so COLD. Even though they have an enclosed deer stand with propane heaters - cheaters. LOL!!! It was a lazy Sunday afternoon and then the snow finally started around supper time. The boys are excited and can't wait to get out and play in it tomorrow, because school has been cancelled! I am sure they won't sleep late, boo hoo. Gotta go get the hats, gloves, boots and heavy coats ready for tomorrow.

2011-01-04T14:39:00.000-06:00

2011

2011-01-04T14:11:00.002-06:00

Hey there! It's been a loooooong time since my last blog post. I am going to try to start the new year off with a bang and keep up with this blog site! Wish me luck :)!!
Let's see if I can catch you up on what's been going on with the Bairds - the boys are growing like weeds (imagine that). Evans is 10 1/2 and in the 5th grade. He participated in the spelling bee at school this year and made is to the 10th or 11th round - missed the word "visibility". Just too many "i's" in that word. We were very proud him and treated him to dinner of his choice, his chose mexican. He and two friends are now working on a science fair project, with the help of the parents. Evans will be crossing over to the Boy Scouts in a few short months - we are excited for him and the others who will be crossing over with him. What a fun time to be a boy! He and George are enjoying time together at the gun range, shooting targets. Evans is an excellent marksman - hitting lots of bullseyes. Watch out!
Wilson is 8 1/2 and in the 3rd grade. He is trying to keep up with Evans. He is participating in cub scouts and just earned his whittling chip badge, which means he can now carry a pocket knife, scary. LOL! Wilson is excelling at school also, learning his multiplication tables and is also a great speller. He too is enjoying time with George when they all are fly fishing in Arkansas on Dry Run Creek.
I have been traveling some. Our friends the Barkers moved to Charlotte this summer, so I have been able to go and visit with Jamie some. George and I celebrated our 12th anniversary this year in October. I love being married to this man, he is so loving and thoughtful. I also celebrated the BIG birthday in December, 40 years old! George SURPRISED me with a trip to New York City for 4 nights/3 days. We had the best time - shopping, eating, plays, shopping, and more shopping. He has essentially created a monster. I can't wait to return. I absolutely fell in LOVE with NYC.
Our Christmas this year was a little different. We usually travel home to Missouri for a few days, but the boys and I were sick the first week of Christmas break. Evans and I had the flu, plus he had strep throat. Wilson's asthma started acting up, so that meant breathing treatments 3 times a day. Luckily George didn't sick, so he played nurse, doctor, cook, etc. What a trooper he was. We spent Christmas in Memphis - resting, watching lots of movies, napping, reading, playing games. While we missed our family we had a great time just the four of us (sick and all).
Our new years eve was low key, Wilson and I were asleep by 10. Kind of sad, huh? Sad to say that the boys are back at school today. It's very quite in the house and I am lonely without them around.
Hope this blog post finds you doing well. Happy New Year!

Spring Birthdays!

2010-04-23T13:22:00.003-05:00

I'm always in trouble for not keeping up with my blog. So, here's an update. Last month, Evans celebrated his 10h birthday with friends at the bowling alley. It's hard to believe that we have a ten year old, who is almost as tall as me! This month (tomorrow the 24th of April) Wilson will celebrate his 8th birthday. Tonight we are celebrating with his three best buds, with a sleepover, pinata, pizza and ice cream sundaes. Tomorrow the grandparents will come to town for lunch, Wilson wants Mexican and Grandma Sharon will bring the Batman lego cake that Aunt Buffy is making! Wilson is catching up to Evans real fast - almost as tall as he is. Wilson told us the other day that he just wants to be a baby again, so that he can stay home with me and do stuff together! Sweet boy, growing up too fast!!!!
George will be celebrating his birthday next week, the 29th. All these spring birthdays makes for a busy momma.

Fall Break and Best Friends

2009-10-27T23:22:00.002-05:00

Once again the Bairds were on the road (imagine me singing On the Road Again by Willie Nelson, ha ha ha)! This year, our fall break started on a Thursday after school with a surprise for the boys. Our first night was spent in Jonesboro, AR for a concert to hear/see Jason Aldean (country music). Our boys love his music and know his most popular songs, Big Green Tractor, Hicktown. This was their first concert and they LOVED it!!!!
On Friday we left there and traveled to Bentonville, AR to see our best friends and old neighbors, The Smiths. Our first night there was spent catching up and having dinner. On Saturday, we all packed up and went to Dylan's flag football game then off to Oklahoma to the farm.
Once we were in OK, we settled in to the campers, turning on the heat because it was cold!
The boys enjoyed being outside all weekend, riding the gator, shooting bb guns, gathering firewood, poking the fire, smores and the best part - GETTING DIRTY and NOT having to worry about a shower every night. Not that we didn't have running water, the fact that they were in the country and camping.
We left OK on Monday to head back to Bentonville, to spend one last night with our friends. It was a sad night because we didn't want to leave but we had to get back to our lives in Memphis. That night while praying with the boys, I started crying because I didn't want to leave one my best friends (we don't get to see each other that much) and Wilson said "mommy, you can come lay down with me and I will hold you and make you happy". Gotta love that sweet Wilson!

First Day of School 2009

2009-08-16T14:57:00.003-05:00

August 10th was the first day of school for Evans and Wilson! Evans is starting the fourth grade and Wilson is in the second grade. They are both pleased with their teachers this year. Wilson has had more homework than Evans so far!
Wilson had to bring 5 things last week that told more about him and he chose to bring his swim trunks because he loves the beach and his flyfishing vest because he loves camping and fishing in Buffalo City, AR. Now this week we are bringing things for an in-class science project - he has decided that he will plant the top of a pineapple and see if it will grow!
Scouts will resume soon - Wilson is a wolf this year and Evans a Webelo I. Should be a busy time for Evans - lots of achievements to accomplish.

Summer 2009

2009-07-26T14:52:00.007-05:00

The Bairds have been busy this summer!
Right after school was out we left for the beach for 8 days. George and Evans enjoyed a day deep sea fishing with friends. The rest of the time was spent at the beach or the pool.
Both boys went to art camp at First Evan for a week, then were off to scout camp the week after that. There they shoot bb guns and bow and arrows, earned badges and beads. Evans and Wilson had a week off, then Evans left for Camp Good News and Wilson went back to the beach. This time with my sister and her family. This was the whole month of June.
July has not been as busy, weekend trips here and there.
School will start on August 10th, so we are gearing up for that. Evans will be in the fourth grade and Wilson in the second grade! This summer Evans started wearing braces.
George has been busy at work - traveling some during the summer, making presentations on farming in the midsouth.
Hope you have had a great summer!

Spring Break March 2009

2009-04-01T22:17:00.003-05:00

Spring Break was spent in Buffalo City, AR in our camper!!!! We all had a fun time - playing outside, flyfishing, meeting new friends, etc.

We went to the sowbug festival in Cotter, AR - Evans and Wilson both won prizes and tied their very first fly! Evans fell in the water once while flyfishing, got his shirt wet and was done fishing for the day. Wilson would rather play and throw rocks in the water, than stand there and fish, but he did try to catch a few fish.

George and Evans got to go off by themselves one day to fish for a few hours. Wilson and I stayed back at the camper - trying to stay warm. There were a couple of nights that it got COLD and rainy.

We LOVE our camper and can't wait to go again!