Saddle Up!

"Saddle up your horses..." That is the exciting intro to one of my all-time favorite Steven Curtis Chapman songs....really has nothing to do with anything, except the title of my blog post today! As I typed the title, "Saddle Up," I automatically thought of SCC! So, why, you may ask, is this the title of today's blog? Well, I'll tell ya! We have just completed this year's Vacation Bible School at church. The theme was "Saddle Ridge Ranch." Someone in our church decorated AMAZINGLY...many many people, I believe! They built a full size barn structure as the entrance from the foyer to the sanctuary. Then someone painstakingly spray painted tarps to look like a mountain range. It was impressive! Sure wish I'd taken pictures! But, it was all I could do to make sure I had all five (yes, FIVE) kids in tow each day...the camera did not rank in priority. Nor would I have had a spare hand with which to take said picture. Ok, ok, it wasn't really that bad! I drove there, delivered kiddos to their age groups and did my own thing.

This year I took a break from my normal station (as a classroom helper). I branched out and tried something new...CRAFTS! I was not in charge, I just helped. We had a great time wrangling all those 3 & 4 year olds! Man, they have a lot of hands!! Well they were just the beginning of the day. We served all ages from 3 yrs to pre-teen. Seriously, we had a great week! I'm sure we'll do it all over again next year. Anyway, I'm sure you are waiting for the pictures of Jonah. Well, they are coming, I promise! First I want to tell you his latest story...

Last night Jonathan was home with Jonah, while I went to dinner with some friends (yay)! Anyway, Jonathan had to put something in the other room. As he left the living room, Jonah was on his heels, headed toward the bathroom. When Jonathan returned from the guest bedroom (30 seconds and 5 feet away from where he last saw the baby) he couldn't see Jonah. Jonathan looked more closely in the bathroom (where he assumed Jonah had headed) only to see the shower curtain move slightly. He went in and found Jonah STANDING up at the tub DANCING! So cute, that baby of mine! I will have to post about bathtime soon! It is a favorite around here.

Alright, well, here are the pictures I've got from today!

THEY GAVE JONAH A T-SHIRT. Actually, it was a onesie, which is even cuter. Each year the kids who attend get a shirt to wear for family night. Well, I have never seen such cuteness as a VBS onesie! He wore it with pride!


So, of course I had to take a picture of us in our matching shirts. Jonathan was ATTENDING family night or he'd be in it too. (we stayed home so Jonah could get to bed on time) Don't you just love our cute guy!


These were his crafts! Before I was a mom, I'd have told you it's silly to "make" a craft for an infant. Clearly, he had no part in it, nor does he know he "gave" it to me. But, it's just so darn cute, I can't find fault with the money spent on these supplies! WAIT until you see the picture frame up close! Jonah's Grandma Atkins is gonna be crazy about it! Shoot, all yall are gonna love it, cause it's got this cute face! They did his footprint on the denim bag here....funny story. On the way home that day one of the girls says "hey, miss amy, jonah has yellow toes...oh, his other toes are red!" "is he bleeding?" Before I could check it out (I was driving, mind you) they decided he had ketchup and mustard toes!


THIS is the darling little picture frame! We love it! I don't quite know where I'll display it...but it will receive a prominent placement in our decor! I just can't get enough of him. I'm real sorry for all of you who don't see him daily! The slip of paper is the theme verse, James 1:5.

Well, that's all for today. Hope you enjoy. We are headed down to Rogers to celebrate my grandpa's 90th birthday this weekend! I'm sure I'll have some party pics to share next week!

Milestones!

Well, the little man has been reaching many milestones these days. Seemingly one right after another. Recently he started "giving kisses" (wide open mouth, slobbery sucks on the cheek) and sitting up on his own. Every day he crawls better and better...today he started clapping (completely unprompted) AND he pulled up (twice)! Look out world...here's JONAH. More like lookout Mom, baby's on the move!

I know that CUTENESS isn't a milestone...but here's a handsome picture we took recently.
(38 weeks old, if you were wondering)



And *drumroll* the video you have been waiting for....

Jonah pulls up on the couch!
*warning, this could cause you to forget what you were doing before!

Celebrating Life

Well, this is going to be a more serious post today. I could not sleep this morning for thinking and praying about it. Today we will be going to a funeral for an 8 year old little boy. Skyler Sanders battled a malignant inoperable brain tumor for 2 years. This week, he "earned his wings," as his dad put it. I just can't help but think "what if it were my baby." I've spent many late night feedings praying for the Sanders family...believing in a miracle for them. Well, they (and I) believe this was God's healing miracle...Skyler is not battling anymore. God is Sovereign. This was his answer to all our prayers. So many people saw his struggle, prayed with him, and will celebrate his life with us later today. One thing that stands out to me is the fact that Skyler never once complained...he kept his head held high and fought that tumor with all he had! He touched a lot of people in just a few years. His parents are wonderful people facing an ache I don't dare imagine. This was written by his dad, Ryan just a couple of weeks ago:

"Thank you for your continued prayers and words of encouragement. This has been a challenging week. We will continue to pray and believe for this miracle. This is the most difficult thing that any of us have had to deal with. It makes you realize that there are a lot of things in life that seem like big deals that are not. I have learned to get over the petty things and get on with living life. Life is to short. That's what I would would tell you today. Take advantage of each and every day as life can change in an instant. Make sure you are on the right path and if you're not, get there. There is no way that we could get through this without the support that we receive from our family, friends and even strangers. But, most importantly we have the Lord on our side and the power of prayer is an amazing thing."

And this was the update earlier this week:
Skyler Ryan Sanders - March 11, 2002 - July 12, 2010 Skyler won his battle and earned his wings today. After a 2 year battle with a DIPG, Skyler went to be with Jesus at 1:30 this afternoon. He was very much at peace as he took his last breath. He held on for so long for us. Skyler was always more concerned with others. He was an amazing little boy that touched many lives in his short 8 years. At this time, I'm not real sure what to say. We will probably update more as the days go on. Today has been the most difficult day we have ever had. In the days to come we will be planning the arrangements and will let everybody know the details. We should know more tomorrow. We also have several family members at our house so we are requesting some privacy as we put together all the details for the days to come. They will be long and challenging. Thank you for the prayers and words of encouragement. As I read all the updates on this site and on facebook, we can't help but to feel the love from so many people. We love you Skyler! "You, Me, Together Forever!"

I am so thankful for every day and every moment I've got with my family. Life is precious and very much worth celebrating!

Oh The Places He'll GO!

Well, little Jonah is on the move! He goes and goes, all over the house! I've taken some pictures of his travels. There is a video too...hope you have sound. He's just SO CUTE! Thanks for loving him with me. Mom, there may be a blog about food in the future....but maybe not the kind you're looking for!


He crawls all over. I had to rescue him from under the high chair. Then he took off across the living room toward the front door. Looks like he put himself in the corner...nope, he's going for the nice big black can (wasp killer). Mommy better pick up the kid, rather than get a photo of the kid doing something harmful! *note, he wasn't touching the can, yet... I am a good mom.


In the video he is going back the other way. I had to bribe him with the remote. His favorite things are 1. remote 2. phone 3. camera...in that order. You will see him pass by the camera case...that's because he's going for the remote!

Grand and Great!

We love our grandparents and great-grandparents!!! Jonah is very blessed to get to see his grandparents as much as he does. We live 1 1/2 hours from my mom and dad; and 4 hours from Jonathan's. You can guess which ones we see the most!
Both sets of grandparents came to the hospital when the little guy arrived! We are so thankful for all of our family!

Jonah is pretty cute with his great-grandparents! He loves to smile and turn on the charm! No two ways about it, we have a wonderful family! In just a couple of weeks we will celebrate Grandpa Brewer's 90th birthday. I am looking forward to introducing Jonah to my extended family who haven't met him yet. Just hope they are ready for some drool action!


















One of the things I am most thankful for in my life is how Jonathan was raised. He and I had very similar upbringings...which makes parenting simpler. We agree much more easily on most things! And I have great peace of mind in the things our children's grandparents will teach and expect of him! (I write as though grandparents have expectations...I forget their main duty is to spoil!) Anyway...we love all of you Grands and Great-Grands out there!

A Boy for all Seasons!

I know that is similar to the title of a song for Grease 2. NO, this post has nothing to do with that. I've been taking pictures of this sweet boy, and had him dressed accordingly, for all the major holidays. This will be the best way to see his transformations in growth over the past several months.

Here is our sweet bundle all tucked into his first Jack-O-Lantern. This was taken about a week after he was born.



And this was at Thanksgiving time with the whole Atkins clan, up near Kansas City! I really couldn't figure out the best way to capture this one...blame it on the baby brain!

I was kinda proud of this one. Mostly because the picture turned out just the way I'd imagined it in my mind. It was taken at the beginning of December.

We celebrated Christmas with the Varnell family. This picture was taken on Christmas Eve, when we had surprise visitors!

My little Valentine! I had fun taking these pictures too. If the blog post were not so long already, I'd include a couple more that were taken for Valentines.


Does anyone know when Dr. Seuss' birthday is??? That's right, March 2! There is also another important birthday in March...Jonah's Auntie Em!


We were back in the Rogers area for Easter. This is the usual group...our immediate family and Grandpa Brewer. Jonah is wearing the Easter outfit that his Grammy Pammy sewed for him! It has a "J" on the front & sweet matching shoes!

And....the finale! Happy 4th of July! Here is our big 8 month old in all his cuteness! He is such a happy little guy. We love watching him discover new things about himself and in this world!

Meet the Adventurous Atkins

Hello again, dear reader! I am Amy, the wife and mother. I am married to Jonathan, the husband and daddy! We have Jonah, the baby. Neat how that works, huh!

Jonathan and I met in 2006 on a blind date. We were both hesitant/leery of blind dates, but were willing to give it a try! I'm so glad we did!! He is the most perfect match for me. Anyway, we married on May 19, 2007. We live, very happily, in Branson, Missouri! We are active members of First Baptist Church, Forsyth.




I work as a nanny to three of the most darling children you've ever met. I've been with this family since August 2003 (which is going on 7 years at the time of this post). That right there tells you we're comfortable enough to be just like family! I love them dearly.

Jonathan works for K-Life Taney County. You may have heard of K-life, or maybe Youth Life. Well, it's a little not-for-profit youth program that gets the unchurched kids out there active and plugged in to a church they might like. Jonathan works specifically in Forsyth & Bradleyville. For the past 2 years he's also been the area director for the entire county. He loves working with the teens and seeing them "get it." I love watching him be creative in his ministry and work hard to meet the challenges he's given. He's been working this summer as the interim youth minister at our church. He's having a great time with them, and I believe they are loving him as well!

Thanks for reading and checking in with us today. I can't wait to see what comes up tomorrow. Gotta run and move the baby...he's crawling to the front door. His newest favorite thing is to chew on the rug in the entryway.