CJM four months old

We made another trip to Portrait Innovations today for Caden's four month pictures.  If you've never been there you should go.  It's pretty cost efficient for your experience and a great time.  Photographers are well trained, Caden stays happy, it's cool (my hormones are still going strong so I am a hot sister most of the time), and the pictures always turn out beautifully.  The best place we've found yet!  We only have one another place to compare it to that was horrendous the one time we went there.  I will tell you if you ask.  Don't want to kill their business if others had a better experience.  

So check him out.  I know I am bias, but isn't he sweet.  He wore his dedication outfit from earlier this month and he's a horse for Halloween.  I love that baby boy on the screen.  

State Fair here we are again!

Two Thursdays ago Jason took the afternoon off and we went to our most anticipated event of the Fall for us, the North Carolina State Fair.  Gigi was in town so she kept Caden for us.  Thanks Mom.  You truly are the best.  Thursday was a much needed day for Jason and I.

Every year is an adventure for us.  For the four years we've been going together, they've all been different.  Year one, we went with my Mom, Ken, Grandad Joe, Grandad Mearl and Ms. Linda.  Second year we took two of our Grandad's, Joe and Mearl.  Third year, just Jason and I went together and that very same day we found our we were pregnant.  This year, we now have our sweet boy and time for just the two of us is very little.  We also meet our great friends Ryan and Angie that night.  Great day!

So the fair is four pronged for us.  

1-We usually gain about 5 lbs. while we are there.  This year we ate corn on the cob, fried veggies, steak pitas, salted peanuts, pickles, tiny doughnuts, candied apple, and fudge.  Whew.  I hate to admit to all that, but there you go.  

2-We also love to walk around and look at all the exhibits.  We find new treasures each year.  The State Fair has such neat things that you can't find every day.

3-We always see someone we know and they are usually from Kinston.  How in that big of a crowd do you see people?  Who knows, but we always have a great time with that.

4-We usually watch an hour or so of horseshows.  You know I am a Southern girl.  Grew up with horses an love that part of our day.  Jason could do without it, but he loves me and his response is "if it makes you happy, then it makes me happy."  

This year we added a fifth element that I hope happens every year.  We got the treat of sharing our fair night with Ryan and Angie.  We love you guys so much.  We all laughed until our sides hurt.  Jason and Ryan's personalities are very similar in that they are jokesters.  So Angie and I watch and laugh.  We ate some more when they got there and walked around a ton.  For 10 dollars a piece we bought "Shammy Wows."  I know you're thinking, what in the world are those?  Well, they are thick pieces of cloth that you can do many things with.  I will leave it at that.  It looks as though Angie and I have lots of work ahead of us because it was the guy's idea to buy them...Thanks Ryan and Angie for the treat.  We love being with you.  

We love the fair too.  If you've never been or haven't been in a while, you should make it a tradition of your own.  It's pretty fun if you ask me!

My Husband Is Amazing

Sorry this pictures is so blurry. Happened during the computer transition.

So the last four months have been lots of transition for the McDaniel's as I'm sure it is for every family who has a new baby. I am still doing a good amount of ministry while being a full-time Mom, wife and house keeper. So with me juggling so many things that I LOVE, my husband has really proven himself to be more amazing than the day before. I can truly say, our marriage gets better and better. I am more in love with him now that I've ever been.

So the picture I'm sure you've noticed is"Mr. Susie Homemaker." This is one of my Dad's favorite little names he calls himself when he's extra domestic in filling in, therefore that's what I call Jason when he so willingly helps out. Caden was a little fussy that night so Jason strapped him on just as I would do and cooked us dinner...I know you're thinking WHAT? SERIOUSLY? Seriously, Jason McDaniel cooked a great meal. He cooked BBQ chicken, veggies and mac n' cheese. He reminds me frequently he took care of himself long before me. In which he is very correct and also very able.

Side note: he also folds tremendous mounds of laundry about once every other week too!

So this is a tribute to you my husband of 4 years. You get better and better everyday. I am very honored to be your wife and "your baby's mama." Ha.

Dedication Sunday!

On October 12th KPIC (our church) had our quarterly dedication Sunday. 37 sweet children were dedication that day. What a special day it was for all the families. I have anticipated it from Caden's birth.

Jason and I gave our lives to Christ while we were both in high school. Each day I wake up, my life is His. So now as a believing Mom, I also know that Caden's life is His and one day my hope is that Caden will choose Christ for himself too. So that's the biggest reason this day was so special to Jason, me and our family. Jason and I are priviledged to be his parents. To experience Caden Jase McDaniel and his uniqueness on a daily basis is a dream come true. So this Sunday was a chance for us to stand before our church family and say that we will raise this child in a home that follows Christ and also to ask for the pastor's and people's prayers as we raise him.

For those of you who know me well, I am a planner and procrastination is usually not my style. So two weeks before I became so excited I started to think about what kind of lunch we would have with all of our family??? Would I cook, would we go out, if so where would we go, etc. I also wanted to get a cute outfit for our little man.

So the outfit was the first decision made. I shopped around a little. Jason had instructed me, "no girly stuff." That was a given in my mind because I have seen some of his reactions in the past to other outfits, but it did make my shopping a little easier. Above is the one Mommy decided on.

So I decided that I could not cook for that many and be on time for church. Jason was also teaching a class that morning. So I would be flying solo. After church we went out to eat together at good ole' Ruby Tuesdays. Great time.

We had such a great day. All the details I planned were very small things compared to knowing that God was really there and His guidance for raising this child is available to us.

Blogger is BACK!

Hi to Everyone.  Please don't judge the future of this blog by my last month's history.  I have not blogged in almost 1 whole month.  I do have an excuse though...My computer crashed.  This is my excuse for about two weeks and then the other two have been just really busy.  Life is busy though and I guess that's no excuse at all.   

I am back and have lots of exciting things to report.  Please stick with us.  I promised myself today to do a better job.  I really love it.

Caden is growing still.  Here's goes a fresh new start!

Mommy's Little Helper

Caden and I folded some clothes today and I got some cut pics. We worked a little, but we also played a little as you can see! I love my boy. He makes even the worst of domestic duties fun.

Mr. and Mrs. Jones

Saturday, two of our good friends were married. Truly one of the most sincere weddings I have ever been a part of. It was such a wonderful time to share in their special weekend. Jason and I consider it an honor. Jessica was a beautiful bride and Matt is already an adoring husband.

Thanks guys for including us. We love you and pray God's richest blessing on your marriage!