Cade is SEVEN!!!!

Cade's birthday always falls around Super Bowl weekend. This year, it was ON Super Bowl Sunday! Cade decided he just wanted family over to watch the game. My mom had kept the boys while Chad and I were in Asheville the night before and my sister/her kids came over to kinda have a celebration with Cade that Saturday evening. So Sunday night we decided just to have Chad's side of the fam over for pizza, appetizers and lots of cake/ice cream + watch the game!

literally just grabbed at cake at the grocery store on the way home from Asheville...

and couldn't help but to grab a few more desserts too...

he had a blast with all of his big cousins...

and was even more excited when the Patriots won!

his big gift from me and Chad was Thomas Rhett tickets for his show here at Bon Secours in October. This will be Cade's first official concert and he's so excited!!!! His favorites are Jason Aldean, Luke Combs, Kane Brown and Thomas Rhett. It''s sure to be a great show...

Cade's 7 Year Survey + Stats

gotta keep the tradition going...

Cade, age 7 // 2.3.18

Nicknames:  "Bubba" (per Charlie), "Cade-man"

{the rest of these questions answered by him...}

How old are you? 7

What is your favorite color? blue

What is your favorite animal? dog

What is your favorite book? Pig & Pug

What is your favorite TV show? Henry Danger

What is your favorite movie? Spiderman 

What is your favorite song? Big Green Tractor by Jason Alden

What is your favorite food? pizza

What is your favorite drink? Diet Coke (omg this made me LOL!!!! He is around me too much and no, he doesn't even drink Diet Coke I swear...) 

What is your favorite breakfast food? sausage

What is your favorite snack? chips

What is your favorite outfit? Lachlan merch

What is your favorite game? Fortnite

What is your favorite toy? karaoke machine

Who is your best friend? Wren Farley

What is your favorite thing to do outside? play with Hank (our dog) 

What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? water

Where is your favorite place to go? Skyzone

What is your favorite restaurant? mexican

Where do you want to go on vacation? the beach 

What do you want to be when you grow up? a police officer

What did you do on your birthday? had a Super Bowl football party

**CADE STATS**

he's 66 pounds and has lost two bottom front teeth

up next, I'll post about his birthday fun!

FIRST day of FIRST grade.

For some reason today hit me even harder than last year when he started kindergarten. I don't really know why. Maybe because he just looked so grown. Maybe because in my mind I know that first grade is truly the beginning of the twelve years that simply FLIES. BY. It's big school. The number grades...and there's no turning back now! 

We really are excited about starting another year and learning so much. His teacher is Mrs. Johnson and she's been teaching for years and years (this may be her last year teaching). Oh and she is a huge Gamecock fan, so that's always a plus. She's so sweet and loving and I know Cade is going to absolutely love her. Thankful he also has some of his best buds back in his class this year, especially his new bff he made last year - Reid Lawson. 

Oh and we have a new principal at Cherokee Trail Elementary since our last one just retired, so it's a year of changes and all things new and THAT is exciting. This morning was a breath of fresh air, with everyone being so welcoming and you could definitely feel an excitement in the air. I can't wait to hear all about his first day. 

Here's a few pics we took before we rushed to make it to school on time by 7:45 sharp! Yes, school starts at 7:45 (Cade was not so thrilled about getting up early , but here's to getting back into the routine. I'm on my second cup of coffee) 

His outfit is Cat & Jack from Target! Oh and he lost his first tooth last week (bottom middle) and has a new smile for his first day :) :) :) 

forever aggravating him and trying to get a good laugh in for his first day...

and just to make me cry, here's a throwback!!!! Don't blink.

prayers for all of the teachers, faculty and students today!

Cade + Mommy Day Out

So last year I thought it would be fun to have a "back to school shopping" day with Cade before he started kindergarten. Just me and him! We always have Charlie in tow + I do have a lot of mama/Charlie time when Cade is in school so yes, it's nice to spend one on one with each child.

We decided to do it again this year because I am alllll about traditions. Last year we went to lunch at Pizza Inn in Anderson, bought school supplies and went to a movie. This year, we moved up to Cheesecake Factory, went to Target, spent an hour playing at Dave & Busters (yes, both of us...;), got his haircut, shopped at Sam's and Trader Joes ..... then we were exhausted and came home. haha It really was a fun day!!!!!!

tee: mini boden // new balance kicks: JCrew

he's so grown!!!! this picture trips me out...

can't believe he's going to start FIRST GRADE in just a few weeks!!!!!!!

He found out his teacher will be Mrs. Johnson and he's in the same class with some of his new friends he made last year, especially his buddy Reid. He was so excited about that, so I feel much better about the year and know he's going to have so much fun. I'm so thankful he loves school and each phase, each grade is a fun, new adventure (as sad as it is to see him grow)

Neither of us will be looking forward to getting up early (hellooo I usually don't go to work until 9 or 10), but I can guarantee he's going to enjoy sleeping in over the next week as MUCH as WE...I mean, he can! ;)

Cade is SIX

I can't believe another year has flown by. 

Our big boy Cade is SIX today. SIX!!!!!!!

Yes, I still say it to myself over and over because I'm still in such disbelief.

For his birthday I thought I would document six things about our Cade!

1. He still is at that age where he will pretty much wear whatever I ask him to wear but the child LOVES "P.E. pants" (his UnderArmor, etc...) and elastic waist pull on jeans. He also is getting funny about his shoes now and only wants to wear his Nike tennis shoes. All my boy-mom friends told me it was coming. The day when he ONLY wants to wear his "P.E. clothes" is soon approaching. HA! 

2. He is the BEST big brother and big cousin (to Macy). Not just saying this y'all. My Charlie is short tempered and he gets jealous of Macy sometimes and they fight and the list goes on and on....but for the most part Cade is so patient with the younger ones. If one is upset he will seriously sit there and do whatever it takes to make them happy, even if it means giving up the toy he was playing with. He is our people pleaser and he certainly always tries to put a smile on their faces! 

(side note, but so it's documented: he chipped his front tooth on Halloween this past Halloween and you can see it in this pic. LOL) 

3. He has ALWAYS been our water baby. He absolutely loves the beach (where our Charlie would be content just inside). Cade lives in the water, the sunshine and isn't afraid to get dirty while holding fish or baiting hooks or anything else. He loves adventure and loves being outdoors!!! Whether it's at the beach or in the dove field with his daddy, he's there.

4. Like I said, he's a little monkey who loves the outdoors. He has always been a ball of energy. Charlie is our more laid back, chill child while our Cade will be nearly jumping out of his skin and keeps us on our toes at all times! He is so imaginative (loves playing police man or doctor with his dress up clothes...) He has always loved sports and this year picked up soccer (and was good at it!!!) He is sure to be our little athlete too. 

5. This was a HUGE year for Cade as he started public school and began Kindergarten. While some mornings he dreads going (he is not a morning person and gets this honest from me!) he does so well in school and has loved it so far. He even got Terrific Kid on his second or third month. Again, being a people pleaser he tends to be so sensitive if he thinks he ISN'T doing his best or being the best....but he gives it his all and makes sure every night that he has his homework done perfectly and even has to remind me some mornings to not forget to sign the papers, etc... #momfail 

6. We couldn't be more proud of this child. He does have his days where he fights like hell with his younger brother or argues with us because he doesn't want to take a bath/shower, get up for school, etc... but overall he minds and he has the sweetest, most compassionate heart which makes this mama's heart burst with pride. He is so content, so humble and so appreciative of others. He really also enjoys the little things each and every day. Doesn't take much to please him.

 I can remember the day we brought him home and I was nursing him by myself in his nursery sitting in the rocker/glider and tears just started streaming down my face. TEARS OF JOY!!!!!!!!! I was just so, so happy (and hormonal of course) that God had given us this precious gift we had prayed for , for soooo long. 

He has been nothing but that from that very day.... a true GIFT of pure JOY.

Excited for the year ahead and all of our new adventures! 

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY CADE

Cade's 5 Year Survey

So we just got back from a long weekend at the happiest place on earth to celebrate Cade's 5th birthday!!! We've dreamed of this trip and planned for this trip since this time last year and let me just say...it was worth every. penny. spent. We had such a fun time and I can't wait to share all about it to document it here on the ol' blog.

For now, here's Cade's yearly birthday survey and what he's loving this year...

Cade, age 5 // 2.3.17

Nicknames: baby Cade (yep, still...) , "Bubba" (per Charlie)

{the rest of these questions answered by him...}

How old are you? five

What is your favorite color? blue

What is your favorite animal? a rhinoceros (???) 

What is your favorite book? reading about animals

What is your favorite TV show? PJ Mask

What is your favorite movie? Hotel Transylvania 

What is your favorite song? Wagon Wheel 

What is your favorite food? bacon and eggs

What is your favorite drink? sweet tea

What is your favorite breakfast food? sausage

What is your favorite snack? chips

What is your favorite outfit? Clemson uniform

What is your favorite game? block city 

What is your favorite toy? tow truck

Who is your best friend? Carter

What is your favorite thing to do outside? play with my toys 

What is your favorite holiday? Halloween 

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Teddy Bear 

Where is your favorite place to go? Maddox Jackson Carter's house 

What is your favorite restaurant? Chick Fil A 

Where do you want to go on vacation? to the mountains

What do you want to be when you grow up? the same thing daddy is (a USPS postman)

What did you do on your birthday? went to Disneyworld!!!!


(find his 4 year post here and his 3 year post here, just for fun!)

we blinked and he's FIVE!!!

My oh my how five years flies by...

(click video to play and make sure sound is up)

Untitled from Sandi McClain on Vimeo.

He is the baby we prayed for...begged God for...got on our knees at the alter week after week  following our miscarriage in 2010. God was faithful and we praise Him and thank Him for this abundant blessing He has given us. Cade made us parents, taught us what it was to love unconditionally and has made us the happiest we've ever been.

We strive to raise him up to walk in the ways of the Lord and hope he will serve Him in all that he does. We know God's got big plans for this little fella and we just want him to always follows his dreams, live everyday to the fullest and remember to LAUGH and just have FUN. Life is too short and far too precious to do anything else. 

He has such a sweet soul. He's funny & witty just like his daddy. Outspoken and talkative. Never meets a stranger (like his mama) and so sweet and loving (for the most part) to his baby brother and everyone he meets. 

Happy 5th Birthday to our SUNSHINE! 

CADE IS FOUR!

Yep, this is our little Joshua Cade...

His face says it all. He's laid back, silly, witty. 

A sense of humor just like his daddy.

and I just can't believe he's FOUR!

He has literally changed from a toddler to a little boy right before our eyes this year.

The biggest highlight of his past year was becoming a BIG BROTHER.

Oh how he loves his baby brother and oh how Charlie loves HIM. If Cade leaves the room, Charlie will wimper. If Cade walks back into the room, it lights up his world. I can not wait to see how close these two become. I know they are sure to be the best of friends and it brings me tears of joy to see them together. 

Cade has grown bigger, grown taller. Lost more "baby fat" and again, he really looks so much more like a little boy now than a toddler. This past year he had to have some dental work done (uh, a lot of dental work. As in had to be sedated twice. Darn cavities. Apparently he has bad teeth. Some kids have "good teeth", some have "bad teeth" no matter the amount of brushing...so yeah lucky us) and now hopefully his grill is good as new and will suffice for the next couple of years until they start falling out.

We've really had some great times with our big boy this past year. His first Carolina game was a real treat! He loves football and had the best time. Chad knows that he's still a mama's boy too...

but he is definitely a "Chad mini-me". Looks just like his daddy, especially when he was at that age and they have the best time playing outside together, riding the Bad Boy, working in the yard, practicing t-ball (we just signed him up to play this year since he will be four!), going hunting (he went hunting with Chad for the first time this past year too!) etc... Chad really is so good about getting him outdoors and spending time with him. I'm excited to see how he likes playing t-ball this year and going to watch him and all the other kiddos. It's going to be fun!

Every ounce of him is 100% boy. I'm talking dirt underneath his fingernails, scraped knees, muddy boots, messy "4-wheeler" smelling hair, pop-tart crumbed mouth BOY.

He is fearless and loves new things (as in this baby shark didn't scare him one bit) and loves adventure. I hope he never loses that. Ever.

My boy definitely got something from BOTH his father and I: 

he loves to have a good time.

Music, laughing, being silly. He loves life and he taking it ALL in. That's the best.

I look into these big brown eyes and see a reflection of myself, my husband, and I see a glimpse of our future...when this four year old turns fourteen....then forty two....

We shutter to think how fast it's all going to go by but I am excited for so many fun adventures and memories made with this big brown eyed boy and sweet precious smile.

Lastly, I'll leave you with a story about this four year old and how dang sweet, thoughtful, considerate and overprotective he already is of his mama. (Mamas, if you have boys then you know the cliche' is so true: there is truly something about a little boy and their mamas) 

The other night when I had a mini-meltdown after an emotional day, (sometimes you just gotta cry. It's rare I do it, but it always makes me feel better when I do) Cade could tell I had been crying...

"What's wrong mama?" He asked, and I explained that I just missed my daddy.

He looked up with this confused look on his face, sooooo worried and said "Well, where IS he??" (like why can't you just go see him, duh!?) 

I said "He's in heaven"

and a sense of relief came over his face and he looked at me with that "I'm-going-to-take-care-of-you-mama-look" and said "Well, let's just go up and see him and come right back!!!"  (again, like duh!)

Oh, if only it were that easy. 

I didn't even say a word, I just nodded my head and then he continued.... "...then when I get up there, I'm going to hug Jesus and take a picture with him"..... hmmm a selfie, perhaps?

The innocence of a child is priceless. 

Again, it's very rare I cry, must less cry in front of Cade. I rarely talk about my dad, we have pictures and sometimes I do share stories about "Pop Pop", but I really should share more. I want Cade and Charlie to know him and understand who he is. It's been nearly eight years since he left us and I guess one meltdown a year is still ok. 

Especially until me and my sweet boy can figure out that quick trip to heaven deal so we can go spend the day with Pop Pop and "come right back..." 

HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY 
to my thoughtful, caring, full of life, joy, and sweet as sugar CADE!

We love you to the moon and back and thank God every single day for sending you to us and making us parents. Life truly is so much sweeter because of you. 

Cheers to another fun filled year and we can't wait to celebrate this weekend!