A new cornerstone for the McNeils!

This cutie pie is obsessed with an IPhone now! He wants to see 'mama' and 'bebe' (baby) all the time! So Caden had fun the other night playing and getting to know his selfie! This little boy is growing up all to fast! I thought I would open with this video that easily makes any one smile!

Now onto why this is called a NEW cornerstone! 

So if you know my family you know it was an ongoing joke for years that my mother always talked about buying or building and we all said ok ok while we winked at each other because we thought they would never really leave Woodstone and honestly I secretly didn't want to them to EVER leave. It's where I grew up and it's the house where I have all my cherished memories from my childhood!  I have more memories than I can count of fun times with family, friends, a bazillion pets, summer swimming days, and many many creative imaginary play dates! Me and Liz have our best memories ever in that house! My Uncle John and my Big Dad even built this house and the thought of someone else ever living in it just wouldn't feel right. 

 

But while reflecting I realize the funny thing is if you looked at it like a story book it has slowly transformed it's looks over decades and I don't think I ever really noticed as much until I sat down to type this! 

I thought about the backyard before there was ever a pool it was a huge playground to me and Liz catching love bugs for our bug cages and creating "thunderman" our imaginary friend who made us dig up treasures all around the yard. I'm sure my mom loved that.

Then I thought about our sacred playroom where we had club houses, our baby sitters club, a neighborhood newspaper we made, and of course several tea parties with candy cigarettes! That room slowly turned into our home office with the old school bulky computer with AOL dial up where I sat and never seemed to mind that it took 30 minutes to get connected bc God forbid you complain because if you have the internet you're lucky enough!! As I graduated college that room then slowly turned into a library and into dad's office where the brainchild of 225 and many more of his wild ideas were born!

Then I started thinking about the rooms throughout going from a big empty dining room where we made movies and plays that slowly transformed into her formal dining room, and to the bedrooms evolving from a nursery to a toddlers pink bedroom to a teenagers room covered in New Kid on the Block and Archie Comic posters to a semi empty college room and eventually to a then guest room where Liz and I each still  claim our "guest" room because it was our old bedroom. 

Funny thing is.....it feels like it hardly ever changed! And it feels like home every time I drive into the neighborhood and walk into my backdoor of my parents house that I still can call "home"after 34 years of that house being a part of my life! I use to drive into that neighborhood and take for granted the value all around me and just think nothing of it. But lately I drive in every time and look at every tree, house, and family strolling or kid playing with a new sentiment and appreciation in my heart knowing I am about to raise a family in a place that has meaning to me! 

So that joke finally turned to reality and my parents bought another house, it comes as no surprise to many that Ryan and I bought my parents house! I am so excited to get to bring Caden to a neighborhood that has many cherished memories and is filled with kids he can meet out in the front yard for his own "play dates", and we can teach him to ride his bike on the very same street I learned how, and he can have his first big boy bedroom where his Auntie Liz had her first big girl bedroom, and he can have his playroom full of toys and creative imaginary friends just like we did, and even more he can walk over to Mrs. Sally and Mr. Johnny's and (knock first unlike we did) walk in the back door to visit them same as we did many times uninvited yet still with welcoming open arms! I am so excited and have a full heart that my sweet baby boy gets to share the same sentiments with me! I feel extremely blessed and undeserving on the many answered prayers God has given us and I can 100% say I won't take a single for granted!!!! 

So though I am TRULY SAD SAD SAD to leave what has been an INCREDIBLE home to us and wonderful FIRST of many memories we had...though I am counting down the days until an exciting new journey begins!!!! 

May 20, 2014

Trevor Sims' impact on my family...

Well I started to write a blog about Caden and all is little friends he has been spending time with lately and when I went to collect pics, I saw a sweet photo of him and Trevor and I decided that other post can wait until next week! I have something so much more deep and heartfelt to share this week! One that pertains to Caden bc Ryan and I are going to share the story of Trevor and his compassionate heart when Caden can understand and we will remind him often. My goal will be to teach Caden to have a heart for people like Trevor did! I have already ordered prints below and will proudly display this on Caden's new picture board I just ordered that will hold his memories with family and friends! I am so proud of Trevor and so sad he passed away last week. The funeral was beautiful and inspiring and emotional and joyful all in one! I had the honor to read this letter below at the funeral and I fought the tears the whole way. However, I proudly read this to his family and others who knew him and as I know they already know what I do...Trevor is a gem, he was an angel, and he has just gone home.....

One of my favorites! Trevor loved children and Caden always smiled around him!

Trevor's Wish: An Experience I'll Never Forget

By: Jeanne McCollister McNeil

On Sunday, Aug. 18, at 11 a.m., I sat in Healing Place Church not prepared for what was about to happen to me. An adorable 10-year-old boy by the name of Trevor Sims was brought on stage and introduced to the congregation. Our pastor, Mike Haman, began to tell of Trevor's battle with cancer, and I assumed his story would end with a happy ending of remission. Already having reached that conclusion in my mind, I was not prepared for what I heard next. Pastor Mike told us that, with the little time Trevor had left to live, he had been offered anything he wanted ... and his wish was to feed the homeless and the hungry.

Then they shared several photos on the screen demonstrating how his wish had come true the week prior at an HPC outreach for the homeless. The photos showed Trevor handing out bottled water. (I would learn later that Trevor had hardly any energy that morning of the outreach, but he refused to cancel because he was committed to this wish.)

As I looked at Trevor, I swallowed the lump in my throat and fought back the tears. I was thinking, how is this fair? Why is that happening to him? My heart ached. I left church that day and couldn’t get this incredible young boy out of my mind. I went home and continued to think about him all day. That night I was lying in bed reading "Pray Big for Your Child" by Will Davis Jr., and then praying for Trevor and my own baby boy. It was then that God’s plan was laid on my heart and the idea for Trevor’s Wish was born. This was 100% God’s plan for our community—a gift for Trevor from Him. I was incredibly honored to be just a vessel He used. It was so fulfilling to watch God’s hand move in this whole process. It was amazing to see the doors of opportunity open one after another as people heard Trevor’s story and wanted to be a part of making his wish come true. Trevor was a vivid reminder of the preciousness of life, our priorities and what is really important, the blessings of putting others first—and the love shared when a community comes together for a purpose greater than each individual's desires.

When I met Trevor the first time to share the idea I reminded him of the little boy in the Bible who came to Jesus with two fish and five loaves of bread. He put all he had in the hands of Jesus. Trevor smiled and told me he knew that story. I can still see his endearing smile in my mind. Trevor remembered the fish and bread were miraculously multiplied over and over to feed thousands of hungry people. How beautifully this reflected what would become Trevor’s story and the final outcome. Trevor didn't have much. But beginning that morning at the homeless outreach, he gave what little energy and time he had left to help those in need. God multiplied his efforts one-thousand fold and this community has been blessed. The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank will be able to serve several hundred-thousand meals to the hungry in honor of a small boy with a big wish—and an even bigger heart.

So if you were wondering how this all came about, I would simply tell you that  "Trevor’s Wish" is the story of a young boy with a divine purpose and who was uniquely made with a heart unlike most. God had a plan for him before he was born. Jesus’ time was short but He came to earth to give us the greatest gifts of all: forgiveness, grace and eternity. Trevor’s time here was short too, but he also left us with many gifts like the inspiration and challenge for our community to unify for a mission. Or his sweet words that have forever changed hearts for the better and made people like me and you think a little larger and love a little deeper. And most important, he has fulfilled his passion to create a movement—Trevor’s Wish—that I have no doubt will continue to grow each year. Trevor has left an incredible legacy, and one we can all share with our children to honor him and share values they can aspire to.

We will look forward to honoring and remembering Trevor every September through Trevor’s Wish. Trevor was an angel who has just gone home. We will forever remember how you changed our lives. We love you.

Trevor at the radio station they day he opened his heart and shared with listeners why it's important to give back and help others!

The day they met!!!!

Trevor had fans everywhere we went! Here at the LSU game he had an officer he didn't know stop him and thank him and ask for a photo with him!!! It made Trevor's day!

Just being Trevor!

A little boy with a big heart...and I'll always teach Caden how to love like Trevor did!

Our big boy growing up fast....

So we just took a trip to Italy and left our baby boy for 8 days. It was the longest 8 days of our lives!!!!

While we are dedicated to taking time for us as a married couple, this was def very hard. We had a blast and truly enjoyed it so much but I will say this was the BEST LABOR DAY HOLIDAY EVER because of getting to return home Sunday and spend a full Monday as a family!

Caden was smiling nonstop when he saw us, the happiest I have ever seen him. While his grandmother and Poppa said he was restless and not sleeping through....it was such a sweet confirmation he missed us when he slept through the night by our sides SUnday and when he took long naps the next day for his usual hour and half. We realized our sweet baby boy was content knowing we were home!

We are absolutely in love with him!!!! We know he had a blast with Aunt Liz, GG, Big Dad, Grandma and Poppa but we won't be leaving this kiddo any time soon again for a long time or he is coming with us from here on is what we decided!!!!

Monday popsicles and swimming at CCL

Riding around at GG and Big Dad's house

Being bashful!

A BUSY BUSY week for Caden!

This past week was a week of busy activities, growth spurts, and tons of fun for Caden! Caden has his 4 teeth on the top pretty much come in and his two little chicklets full blown in on the bottom now! He has hit a growth spurt and is eating like a cow and growing like a weed. So cliche but so true how fast he is growing up. He has even figured out the camera in the crib and how to pull it down. The other day he was practically doing pull ups in his crib because the child is like a gentle giant.

A few milestones for us this last week:

Last week Caden started riding his GG's elephant and I think Ryan probably loved it more than he did!!

After teeth popping in, crawling taking place, and another inch being added onto his height...his Poppa and Grandma came into town for the weekend! He enjoyed his time with them and they were in heaven too! Caden has so much personality now so this was definitely by far the best visit yet! They wore him out!

Sunday after the grandparents headed home, we headed to church and Caden got to see some of his favorite people...Johnny and Sally!!!! Just as I begin to think this may be the last time he can sit in church with us for fear he will be to loud and squeal or make noises...he is always an angel! He kept asking for hugs from Mrs. Sally and even asked for one from Mr. Johnny...i think he even softened up the tough man! 

After church we made a trip to Babies R Us to shop for his friend Allegra's birthday gift. His GG and I couldn't help but to get one of these thanks to the recommendation of my friend Catherine, and the splurge was well worth it! Sunday afternoon after Allegra's bday party, we put this together and Caden was seriously in heaven. Thanks Catherine!!!! He laughed and smiled the entire time.

Ok so I splurged on these too - THANKS AGAIN CATHERINE! 

False River Weekend

So this weekend was tons of fun as little Caden got to experience his first boat ride!!! I have known all along he would love it, because he is a lot like his daddy in the way they think. So the minute the boat took off...he loved the water, the movement, the breeze, and all the scenery around. Me and Ryan are two people who love being on the water, activities on the water, and entertaining with food and drinks while enjoying a sunny weekend!

We had a great Friday night at Hot Tails a new award winning restaurant known for it's Cajun Cuisines. It was really good and great atmosphere! As always in New Roads you will see many from Baton Rouge doing just what we did - it's like all places are like the Cheer's of New Roads - you see people you know! So we enjoyed good food, good atmosphere, and good company at Hot Tails! Caden was a great sport too and as always loves being included in the plans. While we ate crawfish balls and boiled seafood he ate mushy bananas. One day he will get to enjoy!!!!

Saturday we woke up and enjoyed a big breakfast and got Caden ready for him swim in his pool. My goal has been to take him swimming and get him use to the water so he won't be as afraid when lessons come time. We are lucky because we have lots of pools for him to swim in from his Aunt Leslie's to my parents and several other friends of ours. He loves being in the water and honestly, I think he is beginning to love False River. It's like a home away from home. I have high hopes he will grow up learning to fish, water ski, swim, boat, and enjoy relaxing weekends up there! We have an adorable family next door who has a little boy about 4 or 5 years old who is out there with the birds every morning getting ready for his fishing with his dad and their boat ride out on the inner tube. He tells us about each experience every time we see him. His excitement gets me excited too. I know Caden loves the outdoors...so I want to expose him and create a fun environment while doing so! We invited some of Ryan's friends Chad and Chris to come and join us Saturday and it was a blast skiing, tubing and of course a visit to Satterfield's for music and a drink! So glad they came too.

Sunday we took Caden on his first boat ride around one time and then we dropped him and Big Dad off while we took ole GG (Teeta) out to grease up her rusty wheels haha...surprisingly she didn't need much practice and she showed up me, Ryan and Liz! She still has it for sure...

Two teeth and a big boy sitting up!

This sweet little boy is getting so big! Already 30 inches long and 22 lbs for a 6 month old is off the charts in height and 90th percentile for weight. This little boy might be one of the sweetest babies ever with his contagious smile and happy personality about 99% of the time day to day. He giggles non stop too at his daddy, mommy, and anyone who plays peek-a-boo with him.

He has two teeth on the bottom and he smiles big and you see them every time. I feel like he was just a baby yesterday and now he has two teeth??? His eyes are still bright blue and we are certain between his Poppa in McKenzie and his Great Grandfather Big Dad McCollister both having blue, they'll be staying this way.

Caden also now has a strong will to constantly sit up. He acts like laying down is for babies or something. Unless Barney is on, he won't lay down much anymore. Barney is his new obsession to the point Ryan and I know the words to all the songs and it's beginning to drive us crazy though humorous.  

We had a fun trip to Myrtle Beach where Ryan played golf and Caden went with the ladies (including his Aunt Carrie and MoMo) and his future girlfriend Amelia's beach house pool and hung out. The ladies all caught up and he was so peaceful letting the jabber put him to sleep every time. 

Caden and Amelia

Caden and Aunt Mo Mo

At dinner on the last night

The flying was also a new experience for us. Caden did for the most part pretty good except for the fact he wanted to open and close the tray and constantly look out the window or down the aisle at people. What was I thinking buying myself magazines to read???? I think that was a first time mom with kid on plane attempt. I realize that will never happen and my days of ipod and magazines are long gone if I fly with Caden. 

We head to Orange Beach next week GG and Big Dad, Caden has all his beach gear and beach hats ready for his first visit to Turquoise in Orange Beach! We are so excited to get him in the pool and his feet on the sand. AND THIS MAMA is excited to get some relaxation after a big event, Head2toe, on Saturday.

Beach pics to follow......

Loving this lil one more and more by the second!

I just got our 3.5 month photos by Jeannie Frey who I LOVE as a photographer and I wanted to share this sweet little boy's contagious smile. As you can probably tell if you are my friend on Facebook, I am obsessed with him! I went on a trip this past weekend for 3 days and being away from him was so hard. I had a blast but not an hour went by without thinking about him at least once and how I just wanted to hug him!!!Getting home to him and having him giggle and laugh while Ryan convinced me that was the happiest he had been all weekend so he knew that Caden was happy to see me left me in smiles. This boy never stops smiling, is always cuddling, and has the most genuine loving spirit that will grow into one big loving teddy bear when he gets older! I can just tell. I had to add my furry babies too....