Ford's first day of Pre-K on the farm kicked off with a fun piano lesson. He's got a good student/teacher ratio with Daddy, Paw and Mamie Jo all here! 😉 Also a couple pictures of Reid's first project of 3rd grade. 😁 #fordmicah #reidmason
Week 2: After moving over to our monthly spot at Pigeon Forge Landing RV Resort, we explored the river that runs around the RV park and found a "humongous bird" that needed to be photographed. I stopped carrying my phone on me, and Reid ran as fast as he could to the camper and back so he could take a picture of it. We ventured out to the Apple Barn for lunch, the Island to ride the great smoky mountain wheel and ended the day with the boys favorite - the Jurassic boat ride. The days to follow were not as much fun. Reid and Ford got very sick and Nola had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic which kept us cooped up inside, but the boys found a way to make the sweetest Fathers Day cards. #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray #oursummerinthesmokies #rvliving
I have obviously enjoyed my break from social media, but as we drive home today from #oursummerinthesmokies I'm going to try to post a few pictures from each week for my little online "scrapbook" of our time in Pigeon Forge. ☺️ Week 1: We spent the week relaxing at Camp Margaritaville. The food was delicious, drinks were cold and we left the Rv resort only twice - once for our first trip to the urgent care 🥴 and then Parrott Mountain for my little future zoologist. Thankfully, the sunshine and perfect temperature helped Nola get better in a hurry and we had a blast! The boys had fun going down the water slide and playing games in the arcade. Reid and I ran to catch a couple bingo games and laughed so much. I floated in the lazy river with Ford and listened to him talk my ear off and really just enjoyed watching my kids play. The fire pit at night was the perfect ending to our fun day. #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
Ford is always asking for a photo shoot with his pony. They are both rocking the crazy hair. #littlelaverne #fordmicah
Did something new, fun and "for me" on my birthday weekend! Goose has to take a couple months off so I was forced to take my scaredy cat so we both {kinda} faced our fear -- note the bolt and "run for your life!" in the first video. 🤣 Thankful for a kind cowboy who let me use one of his horses for my second ride (way more fun! 😂) Had a great time with my little family so thank you ORC for the fun afternoon! #36birthday #nolaray #fordmicah #reidmason
{always} my beautiful baby boy... but why does he look so big and tall? #fordmicah #nofilter #noedit
☀️ Sunday shenanigans ☀️ #nolaray #fordmicah
A few more because when your photographer/sweet cousin sends you 277 pictures, it's hard to choose just 10. 😄@tatumhatchphotography #nolaray #fordmicah #reidmason
This has been a long time coming, but this evening, we welcomed home my babies' first pony of their own. Sweet little Laverne jumped off the trailer after a long day of travel to immediately give her surprised cowboys and cowgirl pony rides. We are all in love with our Laverne so get ready for some pony spam. 🐴♥️ #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray #littlelaverne
Dancing and singing to Jesus this morning with my babies in the living room. Nasty ear infections kept us home while Mike and Reid are with our church fam, but that won't keep us from worshipping! Thankful that our God let's us come to Him anytime and anywhere. 🙌🏼 #fordmicah #nolaray
My mama always made us powdered donuts on Christmas morning and it's one of my favorite traditions with my babies. 🍩 And this video at the end of Ford eating his donut and dancing to his song written for him that says "sweeter than donuts.." 🥹I got a song written for each of them by @mamasingmysong with a stuffed animal that sings it and they are all so perfect. ♥️ #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
Happy birthday to the ONE AND ONLY Ford! Everyday, I thank God for giving me this wild middle child who has the sweetest BIG personality. I can't believe this little dude who calls me best friend is four. Love him! #fordmicah
Cajun Palms getaway (day 2) #rvliving #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
This weekend has been good. Thankful for this crazy, beautiful life. Cajun Palms getaway (day 1) #rvliving #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
I'm not feeling well, and Ford came downstairs with a handful of essential oils and told me to sit down and let him help me feel better. He's always been my little caretaker. Ford talks often about how he wants to be a doctor like @bayoubellewellness Dr. Jamie... Well, he says when he's 85, he'll be a doctor, painter or party decorator! And that's my sweet little wild child in a nutshell for ya. Gosh, I love him. #fordmicah
beach babies 🏖 #oursummeronthebeach #rvliving #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
close-ups are my new favorite... kind of ➡️😅😂🤣 #nolaray #fordmicah
Seaweed might've washed in, but it didn't rain on their parade today. #rvliving #oursummeronthebeach #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
We needed a break from the sun and water so we relaxed most of the day and then ventured to Pier Park this evening for ice cream, sunset and Ferris wheel. 🎡 🌅 🌊 #rvliving #oursummeronthebeach #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
Our first (and maybe only 😅😴) all day beach day... I didn't get very many pictures, but the water was unbelievable. We couldn't get over how clear and beautiful it was, and it beat any Caribbean beach we've been to. St. Andrews State Park is truly the gem of the emerald coast. There is a cove for shallow water swimming that's blocked by natural rock walls in the ocean making it perfect for little ones. Nola had the best time swimming with her brothers in the gentle water. We are so glad our neighbor at the campground told us about it. I'll try to get more pictures soon! #oursummeratthebeach #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
We might look silly pulling our beach wagon down late in the evening, but this is our favorite time of day to play at the beach. Also, that last picture of Nola people watching is the ultimate "nosy Nola" shot. 😂 #sunsetbeachpeople #rvliving #oursummeronthebeach #nolaray #fordmicah #reidmason
Paradise is only 5 mins from the campground. 🌊 #oursummeronthebeach #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
When I imagined the childhood I wanted my kids to have, it looked a lot like this. #blessed #farmlife #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
Chunkies Paint Sticks..Itsy Bitsy Stickers = Fun at Mamie Jo’s House. #NolaRayGiftShop #ShoppesontheAlley. #painting #kidsart #kidsartwork #fordmicah
I took the kids to the zoo today to play with cousins and my Grandmama. We stayed for hours and had the best time. Our little zoo has really become such a fun place! Also, I feel like I'm finally getting my groove of taking care of 3 little ones while out and about. 👏🏼👏🏼 #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
So many sweet pictures from this weekend, but this one of Reid reading the Easter story to Ford speaks to my heart. May we we always be like children on resurrection Sunday... in complete wonder and awe of what took place on the cross and the victory that was won on the third day. Friends, the victory is already won! He died so we may live abundantly- not when we leave this earth or when he comes again, but starting now. He died the most brutal, painful death for my sins, and then conquered the grave. I pray that always rocks me to my core. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 #Easter2022 #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
unexpected day off☀️ #fordmicah #nolaray #reidmason
I always knew Ford was going to be my cowboy. He's ready for a pony.🐴 #fordmicah
We really enjoyed the sunshine this afternoon. ☀️ Nola Ray is {almost} big enough to ride King 😉 and Lil' Red (the calf born the same day as Nola) is now Big Red. #farmlife #rvliving #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray #reidandford
Nola girl's first Mardi Gras parade. Let the good times roll! 💜💚💛 #nolaray #fordmicah #reidmason
Today, God gave me my word for 2022 - FOCUS - and it couldn't be more perfect for me. After all, "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me." psalm 139:1 Two months ago, a surgeon took out the foggy lens that blinded me and placed a new one in my eye that allowed me to see again. This year, I'm looking to the Spirit to do the same work on my heart and mind. I'm tired of feeling distracted and anxious because of it. I want to seek God first and focus on His purpose for my life. I want to give my children, husband, family and friends my full attention when I'm with them. I want to focus on the things that really matter and grow in my role as a wife, mother and teacher. I'm going to take a little break from social media to start the year, but I want to ask y'all to please pray for us this week and next. I start my new teaching job at Downsville Charter next Monday and Reid starts school there this Thursday. It's going to be a big transition for all of us. ♥️ Happy new year, friends! #nolaray #reidmason #fordmicah
Our last night of Luke advent was bittersweet, but we will wake up in the morning knowing more about our Savior we will be celebrating tomorrow. Merry Christmas Eve (from a mama at 1:30 am) 🤪 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10 #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
Just some sweet pictures from an ordinary Thursday. #farmlife #rvliving #fordmicah #nolaray #reidmason
All smiles at Smiles Park... until it was time to go. 😅 #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
I spy a little boy in that tree. 🥰 The leaves have changed and it's really a beautiful time of year here on the farm. 🍁 #fordmicah
Ford's "going on a bear hunt" birthday party was so fun... just like my sweet boy! Thanks to all that came out to celebrate! #fordmicah
Happy 3RD birthday to our wild, fun, loving boy! We stopped halfway on the way back home, and now we're off to celebrate with dinner + ice cream! We love you so much Ford Micah "Otis" Talley and are beyond grateful that you're ours. #fordmicah
Day 11 - Wasting away in Margaritaville on our last day here and Ford's last day as a 2 year old. Cue all the tears. 😭 Witnessing this boy go down that big water slide backwards head first over and over again, it hit me - my little risk taker is going to do some pretty great stuff in his life and I'm so excited to have a front row seat. 👏🏼👏🏼 #rvliving #octoberinthemountains #fordmicah #lastdaybeing2 #nolaray #reidmason
Today, we drove out to Cades Cove in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. We pulled over to watch a mama bear and her 3 cubs, and then I got to take pictures with my 3 cubs. 🥰 I only got a handful of good photos because the boys were acting wilder than the wildlife, but I can't wait to share them with y'all! #rvliving #octoberinthemountains #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
Day 8 - pool ☀️ stampede 🐴 pool ☀️ chili 🌶 It was so encouraging to see everyone at the Dixie Stampede stand up and be proud of the freedoms we have in the USA. My prayer is enough people hold the line when those freedoms are being taken away so that my children can be just as proud to be an American when they are my age. On another note, Reid did eventually stop holding his nose or making a face. He gets his sense of smell from his Aunt Nana! @nataliejenkins_15 #rvliving #octoberinthemountains #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray #holdtheline
Day 6 - The Island 🎡 and surprise visit from Yogi 🐻 #rvliving #octoberinthemountains #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
more from the streets of Gatlinburg #octoberinthemountains #rvliving #nolaray #reidmason #fordmicah
We walked the streets of Gatlinburg, ate good food and shopped, but the highlight of day 3 was riding up to the top of the mountains in the skylift and walking across the bridge with a glass bottom in the middle! #octoberinthemountains #rvliving #reidandford #nolaray #reidmason #fordmicah
Day 2 - Apple Barn & Cider Mill for Mama + Daddy, Jurassic boat ride for Reid and snow tubing for Ford. Nola was just along for the ride. 💕 #rvliving #octoberinthemountains #reidandford #nolaray #reidmason #fordmicah Recording this here because I love it so much. Tonight, I laid down with Ford. Usually, Mike does this while I take care of Nola so he was soaking it up. He wouldn't stop kissing me and then he said 3 consecutive sentences that made me choke up. "I love you... You are my best fwand... You're my world." 😭 I think he had a good day. ❤️
I love this boy and his very diverse interests - playing in dirt and mud, farming and... painting. 🎨 #fordmicah
After moving spots to stay longer, day 18 ended up being our last full day in Florida. The red tide came in after the storm and we said peace out. ✌🏼🌊 We made so many beautiful memories on the Emerald Coast and grew closer as a family of 5. ❤️ Any time the boys talked to Paw and he asked when we were coming home, they said "we ARE home" so today, our home is headed home... at least for a couple weeks before we head to the mountains. 😊⛰ #rvliving #septemberonthebeach #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
Ford's love language is quality time and when the sun decided to shine on Day 17, we went to the beach together while Daddy and Reid went to the pool. Nola slept in her tent and he got Mama all to himself. Check out his goofy face in the last picture. 🤣 #fordmicah #rvliving #septemberonthebeach
daddy + daughter... mama + her bookends... and the middle child who wouldn't get up until he ate ALL of his chips. 😂 #nolaray #reidmason #fordmicah
The sweet lady who drives the tram said I was brave for going to the beach with a baby and 2 other little ones and then was surprised when I told her we've been beachin' it for almost 2 weeks. Honestly, it just keeps getting better. Day 13 was my favorite day at the beach yet. 5 days left and I'm already planning our next trip back. #rvliving #septemberonthebeach #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
definitely evening beach people (day 8) #septemberonthebeach #rvliving #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
The rain on day 7 allowed us to rest, catch up on schoolwork and do a little shopping. 🌧📚🛍 #rvliving #homeschool #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
On Day 5, I want to point out that even though the location is beautiful, parenting is still hard and messy. We are finally getting the hang of taking all the stuff down, but it's still a lot of work. I've changed more nasty swim diapers than anyone ever should. 🤢 We've been stung by jellyfish and dried tears, and here's Ford in time out after throwing sand (yet again) and this time, it landed all over Nola girl napping in her tent. 🤦🏻♀️ But what I reflect on at the end of the day are the best parts... like walking on the beach with Ford looking for seashells, his sweet excitement when he found every small white shell that no one else cares about, and his little hand full of them by the end of our walk... or going out and riding the waves with Reid and Ford in one of our big lake tubes and hearing their uncontrollable giggles as I kept saying "who's ready?!" in a funny voice. 😂 Parenting is sometimes just a bunch of magical moments mixed in a really long, hard day. ❤️ #septemberonthebeach #rvliving #fordmicah #nolaray
my tough baby boy who works outside with his Paw all day picking peas, tending to the animals and bush hogging the pasture... Ford is usually covered in dirt and sweat by supper time so he takes a dip in the baby pool before his shower outside. 😅 #fordmicah #2yearsold #farmlife #rvlife
I have a feeling this cowboy isn't going to let anyone mess with his little sister, and good luck to the boy who tries to because he's as rough and tough as they come. Just take a look at his forehead if you don't believe me. 🥴 #fordmicah #builtfordtough #fordandnola
The high today was only 88 instead of the normal 💯 so we took our monkeys to the zoo. 🦓🐫🐅🦛🐊 #louisianasummer #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
To say that my boys love their little sister would be the biggest understatement. We couldn’t wait to get home and were discharged after 24 hrs yesterday. Both boys loved on her as much as they could yesterday, and I heard little feet running to see her as soon as they woke up. They are going to be the best big brothers to our little Nola… loving and protecting her in the sweetest ways. #reidandnola #fordandnola #reidmason #fordmicah #nolaray
He’s the baby only for a few more days… and he’s already looking so big. My sweet Ford, I love you so. 😭 #fordmicah #babiesdontkeep
I hope I always remember him saying: “Let me hold you, Mama.” “Lay down for a little bit, Mama.” “I go get something make you feel better. Be right back.” He’s only 2 years old, but his gift of compassion is so evident! He’s beautifully made by a good Father. ✨ #fordmicah
May he always be the life of the party. 🎉Happy Cinco de Mayo from the two year old who already knows how to flirt to get what he wants. 🎈 #fordmicah
I felt like these pictures of Ford needed their own post. 🥰 #fordmicah #mybeautifulboy
💕spread the LOVE 💕 #reidmason #fordmicah #myvalentines
cutest little farm boy. my sweet Ford. 27 months old and making life more fun for everyone. #fordmicah
Ford’s first snow, and he outshines it all. ✨❄️ #fordmicah #mybeautifulboy
I love how my Mama loves my babies. 🥰 I walked in to find Mamie Jo and Ford napping on the couch this Sunday afternoon. @sherriantley #fordmicah
And now I’m singing “mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys.” I love my little cowboy. #fordmicah #builtfordtough #wildchild
When I take pictures like this, I can’t help but think about the supernatural protection that surrounds him.. his angels interceding for him and fighting for him. How great is our God!! Ford had a check up this morning with his surgeon and it was an encouraging appointment. Mike and I spent the whole day in town with him, and I think he had a good time pretending to be the only child for a day. #fordmicah
We are adding 13 laying hens and a rooster to the farm soon, and I spy a little boy hanging out with his BIG friend while the guys work on building the addition to the chicken coop. Who is ready for some fresh, organic eggs? 🙋🏻♀️🐓🐓🥰🐎 #farmlife #reidmason #fordmicah #thesearethedays
Start ‘em young. #fordmicah
Our little mummy and army man had a slam packed, fun day at a Halloween birthday party, Boo at the Zoo, Kiroli Park, and trick or treating!! We go big on this day for Reid... it’s his favorite day of the year! 🎃🎃🎃 #Halloween2020 #reidmason #fordmicah #reidandford
An unedited picture of the rainbow God gave us for Ford’s birthday celebration yesterday. I’ll never forget the miracle I witnessed 2 years ago for our rainbow baby, and may the goodness of God be displayed on all of his birthdays! #fordmicah #rainbowbaby #miraclebaby #Godisgood
We celebrated this boy’s 2nd birthday twice this weekend because he’s just that special. Ford Micah, you’ve made these past two (very fast) years full of the sweetest memories. #fordmicah
What a great field trip with Reid’s Classical Conversations homeschool friends! #reidmason #fordmicah #reidandford