Wintertime

Two snows in the past week?  Wow- what is this? Chicago? ;)

We got snow last week and we were so excited to let Winslow experience his first "snow"...but then this week we've had over five inches!

Snow like that shuts down the south...
 

This was from the first "dusting."

And these were from the big snow!  Winslow wasn't that interested in making snow angels, although that little double chin did make me melt. 

He also gave me the stink eye when I "let" him taste snow.  No thanks, mom! 

 

Darla, on the other hand has had the time of her life! She loves rolling around and playing fetch.  She acts so funny in the snow, and will run as fast as she can and then do a nose dive.  

 She even brought me the paper! Good girl.

 Look at my cutie in his plaid coveralls and boots.  ;)

It was a fun few days, but now I'm ready for warmer weather..

Springtime, anyone?  

My blue eyed boy.

Just because he's too cute not to share.

 

I love my blue eyed boy.  

It's important to me.

While cleaning out my closet this evening....I had a novel idea.

What if we put our phones down?  What if we didn't check instagram, facebook, or pinterest every ten minutes?  (Which I will be the first to admit I am guilty of doing). What if we actually spent QUALITY time with our family/children/friends? 

The story that got me to thinking was one my father in law told...

"Saw a parent and a child of about 8 years old dining last night in Subway. Parent was on the phone texting or whatever through the entire meal. Child was trying to have a conversation, and was ignored. An occasional grunt, but no eye contact. 




I am nowhere near perfect, and I know that when raising my children, I often had other things on the mind, and did not give them my full attention, I am so glad that I did not have a "smart phone" then. And kinda makes me wish I did not have one now.



That is all."

We are growing up in a world now where the smart phone literally replaces true friendships.  It's replacing one-on-one time with our children, our spouses, and the ones most important to us.  

This makes me sad! S-A-D.  

How many times a day do I click on Facebook or instagram while playing with Winslow?  Too many.  Way too many.  Why?  Because it's easy to do.  It's easy to check up on friends without even calling them or letting them know you care.  Now, this is not necessarily a bad thing, but I have realized how easy it is to become a "slave" to technology.

  I do NOT want to be that mom at the park who doesn't once look up to make sure their child is there. 

I do NOT want to be that friend who just texts someone once a month to say "Hope you're doing well."

I do NOT want to be that spouse that says "I love you" in a text, but not in person.

I do NOT want to be that mom who chooses to update my status instead of coloring with my toddler.  

And most importantly, I NEVER want my children to think I would rather play with my "smart phone" than spend time with them.

So I am starting today.  I will put down my phone while I play with Winslow.  I will not even pick it up to "check instagram to see how many people liked my photo."  I am really going to try hard at this, y'all.  It's important to me to not become enslaved.  

And before you think I've over-reacting....I'm not.  I'm just simply choosing to be  "present" with my friends and family.  To really hear them instead of listening while checking facebook. To look my husband in the eyes when he's telling me about his day instead of over the top of my iPad.  

Now, I'm not saying I'll NEVER EVER pick my phone up while I'm with my son or my husband.  I am just wanting to make a better effort to be intentional with them.  That's all.

It's important to me.  And I'm gonna try my darnedest to show that.   

Winslow's first trip to the Lone Star State!

Finally getting a chance to write about the second half of our vacation:  Our trip to Texas.  This post is mostly photos... I hope you won't get bored.  If you do, oh well.. no one made you scroll through them all.  So there.

 Wanslow?  Really? 

Some of these photos are from our flight from NC to my mom's house, but they were too cute not to share.  I can't explain how great he did on all FIVE flights.  Sure he got fussy for a little while, but not once did he have a big fit.  I am so proud! :)

 The first night we were there, he hadn't slept in like four hours, but he was still so happy and giggly so we stopped by my grandmother's house to let her meet him.  She is 88, y'all.  Look how beautiful she is! She loved him, of course, and sang him a few songs in French.  (She's from France and that is partly why Winslow has a French middle name (Prevost-prounced Prey-voe.))

 He met his Great Aunt Beth...whom we all adore.

 My dad.  He loves his grandson.  And they look a lot alike. 

 My meme and her daughter, my Aunt Mary.  She drove in from Dallas to meet Winslow.  (Over 3 hours!)

 Winslow also met my BEST FRIEND since 4th grade.  She now has two beautiful babies.  It's tough getting a decent picture with three squirming babes..haha.. ya'll, this is real life.

 Asher (8 months) and Winslow (4.5 months)

 This one makes me laugh.

 "I see you eyeing my toy" -Winslow

 "Get your hands off, bud."  -Winslow

 "MINE!" -Asher

And you thought we didn't have any redneck in us?  See below:

 My view from the living room. hahah!

 My brother and Winsow. 

 

My stepsister and Winslow.

Hubby and a goat. haha.  

My two Aunts, Tia and Sharon..they loved him.

 My older brother clearly can't take a good photo.

 First time to ever dress a baby.  No joke, he had no idea what to do.

 My beautiful cousin, Halley and her two babies. 

 Yes that is Winslow riding a goat. 

 My fat cat, Waldo.  He's 12 y'all.  That's crazy.

 We also shot skeet.  And I was clearly RUSTY....didn't even hit one clay pigeon..but then again, i only shot a handful of times. :)

A zillion and one photos.  You're welcome.  And you're probably bored.