Ahoy Mateys

 
In case you don't have a 5 year old (and aren't forced to watch Nick Jr where they stream the same commercials over and over every 7 minutes) you might not know that today is "Talk Like A Pirate" Day! -seriously, it's a thing-
Add to that a promotion from Krispy Kreme that offered anyone who showed up today dressed as a Pirate a free dozen doughnuts and you better believe we were Pirates today!
The ad specifically said "not just an eye patch" so we HAD to go all out! We've got the cutest crew on all the seven seas!!
(The extra hooligan is our friend Griffin)

Camden Childs

yesterday was a pretty monumental day at the Childs house... we brought home a 2 month old lab puppy we named Camden!

Night one went pretty well, she's getting good about pottying outside when we take her- the poor thing is just exasuted because the boys won't let her sleep! Carter keeps bringing her offerings of his toys and Grant just keeps saying "you know who's the happiest guy ever...me"

video of the boys reaction: https://vimeo.com/48451855 

Carter is 2!

If you've wondered where the blog went...

Self Help from a 2-Year Old

1. Challenge yourself every day. Try climbing the stairs carrying two soccer balls while wearing your father's shoes. Remember, failure IS an option.
2. De-clutter! Start by throwing all your dishes in the garbage. After that I suggest toothbrushes and important paper work.
3. Pee on the floor and stomp in it like a puddle. You'll be shocked how much better you feel.
4. Whether the glass is half empty or half full is irrelevant if you dump it out on the sofa. You're welcome.
5. If you're feeling aggressive, or just bored, scream in a cat's face.
6. Don't ever be afraid to hand someone an ice cube while they're on the toilet. That stuff is cold. You don't have to be in pain!
7. Socks are poison. Trust me, don't wear them! Happiness will soon follow!
8. Pound on a computer keyboard like Jerry Lee Lewis playing the piano. Feel better? I thought so. Great Balls of Fire!
9. If you fall down, stay down. Someone will pick you up eventually.
10. Quick thrills fuel the heart. Have you learned to delete things off the DVR yet? DO IT. It's AwWwWwEsOmE.
11. Seize the day and the night and the middle of the night and the early morning. Seize everything, y'all! Never stop seizing stuff.
12. Tired of looking at yourself in the mirror? So was I until I met my friend permanent marker. FACE TATTOOS ARE RAD.
13. This might be a tough one, but you gotta trust me: Take a crap in the tub. It's surreal.
14. Live in the moment because there is nothing else. Seriously, there isn't. Not that I'm aware of at least.
15. If you're gonna run, do it at top speed, man. Life is too short to walk in the mall.
16. I've seen God, and his name is iPad. Let us pray.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-good/selfhelp-from-a-2-yearold_b_1536873.html

Grant's Pledge

Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored.  

~Daniel Webster

Easter Egg Hunters

Stoneybrook Steeplechase

Easter Bark

We're hosting a couple of Army/Elon friends for Easter lunch and I was excited to make this Pinterest inspired treat!

Line a cookie sheet with freezer or wax paper, break up Golden Oreos and pretzels and spread around.

Top with melted chocolate -I used Almond Bark so I wouldn't have to temper it

Sprinkle on the goodies (M&Ms, pastel Candy Corn and sprinkles)

allow to cool and break apart into manageable pieces...

now let's see how much is actually left when they get here on Sunday!

Carter Cuteness

He really is JUST THE CUTEST as proven by my iPhone pictures... ;)

Heaven has Another Hero and 2 more Angels

We've had a rough past couple days here. On Tuesday when we headed to school all dressed up an excited for the start of Seuss week! When we got to school the program director met us at the door to tell us that school was cancelled and that their had been a death. One of Grant's little friends. We of course were terribly saddened but as we went on to learn more, it got even worse.

Sweet Natalia and her old sister Bella died in a house fire early Tuesday morning. Their dad, a very decorated Green Beret had also died while trying to rescue them.

read the full CNN article here

PLEASE lift this family up in prayer, especially their mom/wife Louise who was the sole survivor!

Cantrell has completed six total combat deployments: one to Iraq and five to Afghanistan. He returned home from his most recent combat tour supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in August, 2011.

Cantrell’s awards and decorations include four Bronze Star Medals, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor device, four Army Commendation Medals, eleven Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with four stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with one star, Kosovo Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, six Overseas Service Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Master Parachutists Badge and the Air Assault Badge. He was also the recipient of the Bruce E. Price Leadership Award.