the circus.

Last night, John and I went on a special date with Brooks. We hired a sitter, treated our little buddy to a cheeseburger and fries, then took him to the greatest show on earth: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey LEGENDS at the BJCC.

I think that I may have been more excited than Brooks! It was my first time to go to the circus, too. I know, so sad. 

We let him pick out a toy, took our seats, and waited on the show to begin. He was mesmerized the moment they came out from the behind the curtain.

His favorite act was the caged dirt bikes. I think that the lions and tigers came in a close second. 

B lost interest around intermission, but he wasn't ready to leave just yet. We got him some popcorn and watched a few more performances.  I wish that we could have stayed until the end, but it was getting late and he needed to get home and get into bed.

He was such a trooper and loved his one-on-one time with us. We loved that time just as much, if not more. Such sweet memories made with our Brooks!

blue jeans.

I swore to myself that Brooks wouldn't wear jeans until elementary school...

But, goodness. He sure does look cute.

impossible.

Moving with little ones is close to impossible. If they aren't unpacking already packed boxes, they are tiny tornadoes, ripping the house apart. When it gets quiet, I get nervous. Today, the day of our closing, Ann Bennett somehow managed to empty an entire bottle of shampoo in our shower within a two minute time frame.

SEND HELP!

mama jean.

Two days after Christmas, we got the phone call that Mama Jean, John's paternal grandmother, had passed away. While we were deeply saddened by the news, we rejoiced knowing that she was in the arms of her Lord and Savior and reunited with her true love, Grandaddy, who her heart ached for since July. We cried tears of happiness and hope at the thought of that sweet reunion. 

July 4, 1931 - December 27, 2015

"Jean Williams Bryant, age 84, of Birmingham, AL was called Home to glory on December 27, 2015. Jean was preceded in death by her adoring husband Francis A. Bryant. She is survived by her sister Tomera Williams Lenoir; her three sons and their families, Larry and Cindy Bryant, Steve and Pam Bryant, and Warren and Kim Bryant; six grandchildren, Ashley Lawrence (Jack), Stephanie Adams (David), Eric Bryant, John Bryant (Lauren), Lea Moore (Bradley) and Crawford Bryant; and six great grandchildren, Jackson Lawrence, Bennett Moore, William Moore, Sam Moore, Brooks Bryant, and Ann Bennett Bryant, all of Birmingham, AL. Jean was born July 4, 1931 in Chilton County, AL to William Bennett and Cloie DeLoach Williams. She met her husband Francis in school, and stayed by his side for 68 years, until his passing in July of this year. Jean loved her husband dearly, and was a steadfast helpmate throughout his life. Together, they started a business, raised three boys, and served their church body faithfully, both at Raleigh Avenue and Lakeside Baptist. Possessing a quiet and gentle spirit, she cared for others well by cooking and hosting many at their farm. She loved reading God's word. She read through many bibles, passing each one along to her children and all of her grandchildren. Jean will be greatly missed, but we know that in our loss, she has gained eternity with her Heavenly Father."

The visitation, funeral, and graveside services were held on December 30th. We celebrated her amazing life in the presence of family and friends who loved her dearly. It was a bittersweet day.

We love you so much, Mama Jean, and are thankful for the way that you loved us.