Do we have too?????

Christmas pictures will no longer be the same..... On two different days each child, Emma and Dougie, asked me if they HAD to sit in Santa's lap this year!  WHAT?  Emma tried to convince me that she is "too old" to sit in his lap.  Dougie just flat out said "I don't want to and if you make me I don't want to wear a red shirt."  So he also has an aversion to red shirts now???? Hmmm, on that note, I took the little kids to see Santa at Christmas on Liberty Street this year.  In our small town some of the local businesses open up on a Friday evening for special hours of shopping.  The high school chorus wears old timey outfits while singing Christmas carols in front of the courthouse, and Jolly Ole St. Nick is at the end of the street! 
I must say, I was a little curious how Santa was going to seat all four kids on his lap! 
Merry Christmas and I hope everyone is getting in the spirit! 
Love,

One Short Year Later.....

                                                                Lily Claire -  1 week old

                                                             Lily Claire birthday celebration

                                                                 Lily Claire - 1 year old


Wow, it seems like yesterday that Dr. Bartley said, "It's a......." and turned you towards me so I could see for myself that you were a girl!  The entire pregnancy I accused you of being a boy.  Oh boy, am I glad you are a girl.  Oh how I love dressing you in pretty dresses and playing with your curly red hair. 
So, a little remembrance for later...... at 1 year old, you weigh 20 pounds.  I really don't know how tall you are because we have not gone for your check up yet.  You love Sammy dog and know that she is a "wuff wuff."  In your most serious face, you bring your lips together and quietly bark, "wuff wuff". 
You recognize all your family members and especially go crazy over Dougie.  He is Da (duh) - and Daddy is Da (dah).  It is funny that those two are the only ones you have named. 
You started walking at 10 months old.  You love for Daddy to 'chase' you.  You have four teeth - 2 top and 2 bottom.  So far you haven't met a food you do not like. 
You have the happiest disposition.  Very rarely do you cry. Your sleep patterns could be better, but you go straight down only to wake up a couple times a night.  Never upset, you just want to play.  Mommy is not a night owl, just in case you haven't noticed.  You love love love your baby sitters - The Goering's. They dress you up and take more photos of you than I do! 
LC, Lily Claire, Elsie, we love you so much and are truly blessed by your life.  Happy 1st birthday. 

Rocking in Savannah

Can't you see me in the photo? Oh, that's right I was 1 of 23,000 people running in Savannah this past weekend. My very good friend, Cristin and I have been training for 12 weeks to complete our first half marathon. We did it! We also had a blast traveling together and I just wanted to record some of our "note to self" moments. I have such a terrible memory, I would like to have this to look back on one day.
The weekend started on Friday afternoon at the Talmadge St Bridge. Actually on the bridge for quite a long time and I have a fear of heights. Traffic was obscene! It was an hour wait to get to the Expo Center to pick up our race packets, swag bag, and bibs. Note to self - don't wait until Friday afternoon to pick up items (with the other 22,000 people) when you could get them Friday morning.

Thankfully, I called the hotel to see if I could cancel my second night reservation since we were only staying one night....did I mention that there were 23,000 people running this race and I stumbled upon a hotel room just 4 weeks prior to the race? One small thing, they wanted a two night minimum. Check, got the room, will settle that problem when I get there. Oh and by the way, that shuttle ride we promised you on race day, you know the one from the hotel to the start line.... well, the trolley service backed out of the deal. Good thing I called because we were able to reserve tickets on another bus for a ride to the start line at a whopping 35$ a head. At least now I had suffice reason to start my plea to cancel my second night reservation. Did I mention that it was estimated for Savannah to gross 23 million dollars from this event? You have got to be kidding me? Note to self - reserve room closer to event and give yourself a little more search time.

Port a potties can be your friend at 6:15 am in unseasonably cold and windy downtown Savannah. We were right on the river, the wind was whipping around at 15 mph and it was still dark outside. I was shivering to the core because I had a long sleeve shirt and shorts on....so I preceded to find a food tent and help pass out bagels just to stay warm. SO not only did I run the race, I was a volunteer for about an hour. That tent was so cozy and warm compared to the naked wind. I still had about 15 minutes prior to the race so I sought a port a potty to give me shelter from the cold weather. I'm not proud. Note to self - wear warmer clothes when windy conditions are advised.

Ok, so then we ran 13.1 miles - that was truly the easy part. The hardest part is the first 3 miles, the rest was a breeze. I just want to remember the people of Savannah that were outside standing in their lawns or along side of the road cheering on total strangers. There were kids and adults hanging out their hands for high fives as the runners passed them. People were enthusiastic and excited to be there. What a great host city for the first Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon I completed. The words of encouragement and signs made for individuals brought tears to my eyes multiple times. Individuals were running for different reasons.... some survivors, some in honor of friends and family members they lost to leukemia. One lady had a picture of her 6 year old son pinned to her back - she was a mom running in his honor. Note to self - live everyday as if it is my last, love my family and friends, and don't sweat the small stuff.

Spidey a little tighty....

Happy Halloween 2011. Luke decided he wanted to be Spiderman say about 5:45 pm on October 31. That would be why he forced his 5T wearing body into at 2T Spiderman costume. You could say it was a "belly shirt" for him. I was rolling, wish I had my camera then. I came to my senses and decided we would be forever known as the red neck trick or treaters if I let him go out of the house dressed that way. Thankfully, I had a blue t shirt that did the trick to complete his outfit! Sorry, couldn't help the fact he was wearing high waters...... but isn't that the cutest little spider you have ever seen? Spiderman and his catch.

Pack your bags.....

My birthday was last month. Yes, I am 29 again.
My wonderful husband suprised me with a trip to the mountains to Asheville, NC during the peak weekend of the leaves changing colors on the trees. The pictures I took do not do it justice. The trees were vibrant red and yellows that made a statement. The color was astounding to see as far as my eye would view - western area to the eastern area - a beautiful country side, undeveloped with buildings and littered with signs. Pure beauty. So peaceful.....hubs treated me to the best breakfast I have ever tasted. I do not remember the name of the resturant, but it was right downtown, within walking distance from our hotel. We had a cozy little table for two, nestled in the back of the building, listening to music and just chatting. The potatoes were to die for. I mean the scrumptious duo of a sweet potatoe and a white potatoe mixed with herbs and butter..... Did I say no kids came on this trip? Yes, no kids were allowed......ahhh.... a weekend to remember. I love dating my husband. I hope you date your spouse if you have one ;).

Good Bye Football - Hello Basketball

It is official, Jr Pro Football season is over.  I am sure you are asking, "What is Jr Pro Football?"  Our small town in Georgia takes football very seriously!  Our kids can start playing at the rec department at 4 years old!  Jr Pro ball is actually a program at our school that is for 3rd - 5th graders that teaches them fundamentals of football.  It has been a blast for Dougie this year.  This was his last year on the team and did he play his heart out!  He is such a fast kid.... he can run a mile in 4 minutes..... yes, I have timed him.  He may not be as big as the rest of the 5th graders but he contributed to a lot of our team's points through out the season.  He had several 2 point conversions, and I think about 4 touchdowns.  He even got the opportunity to stiff arm a kid when running for a touchdown!  He was beaming after that game!

Now we are on to basketball.  Although it never seems to end, I would not trade any of these times for anything.  Dougie has a HUGE love for sports, all sports.... his coaches have never met another kid who gives 110% every single time.  His heart and head are always in the game no matter what sport he is playing.  The awesome thing about this boy, is that he gives 110% to everything in life right now!  I hope you stay that way Dougie Fresh!

We love you and have had a great time watching you play football this year!

                                          Dougie running the ball!

K4 - Here I am......

I really have to get better about keeping y'all up to date. A couple months ago Luke started K4 at EBA (Edmund Burke Academy). That is the same school that Dougie and Emma attend. I must admit that I was very nervous about him starting school this year because he is so..... B.O.Y. He is a good boy, but overall just a typical boy that likes to be loud and rambunctious. In fact Dougie's first grade teacher told me that Luke was normal and it was Dougie who is the exception - calm, quiet, sits still, etc. That made me feel better about Luke starting school. Our first day went a little like this.... Keep in mind it was only a 1/2 day...... "Mom, I saw a lot of pretty girls today". "Mom, I don't want peanut butter and jelly everyday this year". The second day went like this, "Mom, I want to stay home with you, they want me to take a nap at school".

Well, it has been almost 2 months since Luke started K4 and he definitely has the groove of school down. He loves going, but still hates waking up and getting ready. Luke has adjusted to the naps and even gets to go to a pep rally on Fridays that EBA has a home game. Luke's behavior has been really great so far! Only one real incident where he pushed a little boy in the line to wash their hands..... I asked him why he pushed his friend and he answered "Mrs. Kitrell told us to hurry up and he wasn't moving fast enough so I pushed him out of the way so I could wash my hands". Hmmm, sounds logical to me...... if I was 4. Then came the patience lesson......

Hope everyone is well!
Love,

God Created the Heavens and the earth.......

On Sunday nights Luke attends AWANA at our church.  He is in the Cubbies class - it is a two year class that teaches them basic stories in the Bible; that the Bible is God's word; that God is real even though we can't see Him and so forth.  Well, last night was about creation.  We discussed how God created day and night which correlates to light and dark for the children.  Keep in mind they are 3 and 4 year olds in this class.  Ms. Betsy, the story time teacher, asked the children what do we do in the dark time?  One child answered we sleep!  Yes, that is correct.  Then Ms. Betsy asked, What do we do when it gets light outside?  Luke raised his hand and answered We wake up and we drink coffee!

That's my boy!  I have trained him right! 

Love to all,

Mommy says she may blog again one day......
pppppbbbblllllttttthhhhh

CHILDREN

this is what we have been doing......

C- challenges, all I have to say is 10 years and 7 months old good behavior, 13 years and 4 years bad behavior.
H- honored, even though we are challenged we are honored to be parents
I- idle we are not
L- laughing, they are all so different and very funny
D- daddy is getting grey hair. Ha ha ha. Well me too, but just a couple strands......
R- running, I have started back, goal is half marathon in November
E- exercise, daddy has started a program to become more healthy and hopefully live to see LC graduate. The entire family has hopped on board this exercise train.
N- navigate, we are navigating through this thing called life. One day at a time, enjoying our family and friends.

My Dad......

For some crazy reason my Dad has really been on my mind a lot lately. So many times I get very emotional due to the fact that he will never see my children on this earth. I have so many wonderful memories of him - from me being little bitty to when I thought I was an adult......if I only knew then what I know now. I have a great friend, Martha, who told me once,"never regret your past mistakes as long as you learn from them".

Today we took our boat to the lake to run it prior to listing it for sale. The boat parking area was LOADED with trucks and trailers. Immediately I thought of my dad, He loved to fish every chance he got. I fondly remember him going to the lake to get our camping space mid-week while there was still work to be done by my parents and school to be attended by us kids. Once Friday arrived we had the best space and off to the lake We went. We would fish, ski, ride our bikes, roast marshmallows. Once I wrecked my bike pretty bad and needed stitches in my foot. After stitches we returned to the camper. I needed a shower but couldn't get my foot wet. He came up with this bright idea to put the wonder bread bag over my foot with a rubber band around it at my calf so no water got on it!

My Dad was a no non-sense kind of guy. Nothing around our house "just broke". There was always a reason why something broke and it was usually due to us kids. He made sure we took responsibility and understood our actions had consequences. I must admit that my brothers had more consequences than me, the youngest baby girl. Once I got caught going out when I was supposed to be home. My parents were at a Valentine's dance. I decided to go to some friends house and watch a movie while they were gone. Well, my grandmother who lived across the street some how informed my parents that I wasn't home like I should have been And you will never guess who was waiting on me when I got home..... Yea my Dad and Mom. It wasn't good to disappoint him because the talks he gave were heart wrenching about how I disappointed him! He also had a very funny side that was seldom seen by others except those very close. That same time I got caught sneaking away, my Mom was losing it, crying, saying "we are going to have to put you in the girl's home" ( a home for troubled or abused girls). My Dad just laughed, bent me over his knee and spanked me saying "you're not going to the girls home". He and I were laughing the whole time......I was 16 years old and getting a spanking!

I was mad when he retired because he made me do my chores directly after school. I had it down pat to what time my parents would be getting home for the evening and I wouldn't do my chores until just before they got home. He changed that. I never learned to cook as a kid. My brothers did all the cooking. Once I tried to cook pork chops, my Dad said we could have filled the pot holes in the drive way with my pork chops.... I told him not to worry, I would either marry a man who could cook or I would marry rich and not have to cook.

He taught me to ride a bike. He took me to get 50 stitches in my arm once. We were fishing together and I cut my arm really bad. He took off his white t shirt from under his outer shirt and used it as pressure bandages until we could get to the hospital. I remember waking up from surgery, yes it was that bad, and wanting some cereal. He went to get it for me, frosted flakes.

My dad got sick too young in his life. He smoked many years leading to cancer of many organs. It was only a short while that we had him on earth after his diagnosis. He was a pretty humorous cancer patient on good days. Once after all his hair fell out we went for a treatment. He decided to try on all the wigs, even the ladies! I introduced him to PF Changs chinese food after chemo treatments. He introduced me to Denny's grand slam breakfast platters. He got pretty sick once when I was in the Netherlands on business. I flew home and went straight to the hospital to see him. We laid in the skinny hospital bed together watching Fried Green Tomatoes and then sumo wrestling. I was still a Daddy's girl at 24.

At his funeral we had bagpipes. It was rainy and cold on the day we burried him. When the bagpipes played oh they were so terrible. I actually started laughing out loud because I knew he was just rolling over in his grave listening to that awful sound. We would sit on the edge of the bed and sing Rocky Top when I was little. He would play the guitar and we would sing. Oh how he loved country music, old stuff like George Jones and Willie Nelson. When ever I got flowers from him, it would always be 11 yellow roses with a note saying I was the 12th one....

I have just recently been flooded by memories of him... There are so many more, that keep jumping into my head.... If I wrote them all, this post would go on forever. My Dad was pretty awesome guy. He only had one bad attribute - he held grudges something terrible. He has taught me through all of this that is not how I want to live. Grudges only hurt the person holding them. He loved my Mom so much to the point of jealousy I think. My Mother is and was such an independent woman, that was hard to handle. I look at it like this, he loved her so much that he wanted to be with her all the time.

It makes me cry to know that my kids won't know my Dad, but I can tell them stories and that is the best part that I have to hold on to. Even though he was firm he was the best Dad ever.

Easter 2011

So, I don't have photos to show of Luke and Lily in their Easter outfits because Lily pooed all over her dress as soon as we got home from church. Better than at church on me, huh?

Luke also told me that he heard the Easter bunny last night in the house. He preceded to tell me that he got out of bed, got his gun and shot the Easter bunny.

I took the easy way out this year - I bought plastic eggs. Yes, I get the lousy mother of the year award, Luke did not get to dye eggs this year. Although he did go on four different egg hunts from Thursday to Saturday. By the time Sunday rolled around, he was tired of hunting eggs.

Emma and Dougie come back to us this week, so maybe we can taken family photo and pretend it is our Easter picture. Ha......

Did any of you have a fun filled Easter?

Happy Anniversary

April 1, 2011 Doug and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary. WOW - it has been a roller coaster six years too! I have shared with some of my friends that He and I both have changed so much in that time - and most definitely for the better. We both have been greatly changed by our God who has taken hold of our lives and not let go. I have always wondered why I ended up in what I thought was the armpit of Georgia - over time I am seeing God's plan and purpose in the things that have happened thus far in our lives. I still wonder exactly what is in store, but I have to remember that is what FAITH is - not being able to see the future.

So back to our anniversary..... We actually had a DATE..... I know, how do we afford child care for 4 kids???? Nah, all I can say is Thank the Lord for grandparents! My husband arranged for his parents to keep the kids so we could get away for the evening - (yes breast pump in tow)!

We started the night at one of our favorite restaurants - Takosushi with a fabulous meal. I had the most amazing piece of white tuna I have ever tasted. I wonder if I will remember the taste of it a few years down the road? It was so tender and juicy and blackened. Doug had smoked pork tacos. As you can tell by the name, it has several items on the menu, from sushi to cooked fish to Mexican flare items.

Next we went to the baby store so I could pump and we could get Lily a bumbo seat.  What a date, but we enjoyed it.  Oh and I forgot Starbucks coffee.  A nice way to end the night with a little decaf Starbucks........ the things we sacrifice for our youngens! 

Most of all I enjoyed the kid free conversation with my precious husband of six years.  I can't believe that we have the marriage that we do.... we are so in love, a giddy kind of love.  We like to hold hands, we like to talk to each other, we like to listen to one another's fears and successes.  Doug makes me laugh so hard.  I think he is the smartest man in the world.  I love how his eyes squint when he smiles.  I love how all the old black ladies flirt with him!  I love how we can have discussions now without escalating to fierce fights!  I love that we can be different people who in the end have so much compassion for the other that we will lay aside our own agenda to better the other one.  This is what is special about my marriage.
Looking forward to the next 6! 

Where Do I Start?

I have so much to catch up on blogging - I have really neglected this site... I have been extremely busy with L.I.F.E. - as I am sure that everyone else has been just the same. So, even though much has happened over the past few weeks I will probably break them down into a few different posts.

First I want to review the circus... A few weeks ago we took the entire family plus 2 to the circus. The crew was: Emma and Chloe, Dougie and Collier, Luke, Lily, Doug and myself. Obviously Collier and Chloe aren't ours but I really think that involving our kids friends in some of our family outings is important. We love these kids just as much as our own. If we can share with them some of the blessings that have been bestowed upon us, then we are more than happy.

I truly think the BIG kids enjoyed the show more than Luke. I being one of the BIG kids! Dougie and Collier's favorite part was the IPOD scene. Yes, I said IPOD scene. The group of clowns were playing "classical" music and there was one crazy clown who insisted on playing his IPOD with the Black Eyed Peas -Boom Boom Pow - song REAL loud. The clowns would go back and forth taking his super size IPOD and trying to destroy it so he couldn't disrupt their "classical" show. As the scene went on, his IPOD got smaller and finally he used a true IPOD Nano on a doc and played the Peas! It was great!

Emma played a trick on Luke.... on the way to the Circus, she told him that she was going to be in the circus! She had him going that she was going to swing from the trapeze all dressed up in a fancy costume. During the show, Luke kept asking Emma "When is it going to be your turn?" Emma kept saying "In just a little bit". Finally at the end of the show Luke looked at Emma very serious and said, "Emma, your really not in the circus are you?" We died laughing........ He was so disappointed.

The night was a success despite the rain. My favorite part is always the elephants. I am so curious is to how those ladies stand the smell of them stay on them! I do think my husband was a little disappointed because it wasn't a three ring circus like he remembered when he was young - but hey - times are tough now - even the circus has scaled it back!

Oh, BTW, I don't have photos to show because my husband wouldn't let me take pictures in the arena.  Mean ol' Daddy!  Those were the rules and he said I needed to follow them to set an example for the kids!  ( I hate it when he is right) ;)
Much Love,

Lily Claire is 4 months old!

Lily Claire - you turned 4 months old today.
You have brought your father and I so much joy thus far.
You have the sweetest smile, the deepest blue eyes,
and the rolls on your little legs, we could just eat you right up!
You are the easiest baby to take care of - you only require
some milk and a clean diaper to make you happy.
You DO NOT like to be rocked. When it is time for a nap
you prefer to be put right down with your baby that plays music
and go right to sleep.
You are sleeping through the night now and have been since you were
10 weeks old. You weigh 13.9 pounds.
Daddy sings "you are my sunshine" to you and you just smile at him.
We love you!

Random Photos

Lily Claire hanging out with Mimi

LC eating that yummy fist!

Luke's favorite birthday present!
Thanks Emma and Dougie

Emma and Daddy
Valentines Social 2011

Luke-ee turns 4!

Hey every one! My little man turned 4 today. I was putting his PJ's on him last night after he had fallen asleep on my bed - he is growing up to be a tall young fellow. I was amazed how long he was. He was so peaceful while he was sleeping. That iS about the only time he is peaceful! The year of three was really trying for us. Luke tested every boundary from minding or shall I say not minding to kicking things like...... the dog, the walls, etc. Lots of people say, "he is just all boy". There is a difference between all boy and bad boy. One day he got 5 spankings before 8am. On the other hand he is extremely loving. He has really shown his love for all of us showering Us with hugs and kisses. He keeps us in stitches laughing because he says the funniest things.

Luke you are very excited to be 4 years old. You saw the number 4 in your jeans and said my jeans are 4 too! It was the 4T on the size tag..... But this is the best, out of the blue you said "mommy, I was bad when I was three, now I am four and I am going to be a good boy".

we will see.......your Granny says your Daddy is paying for his childhood.....

8 weeks old

Lily Claire turned 8 weeks old last week - At her 2 month check up with Dr. Griffin she weighed in at a whopping 10.1 lbs and 22 inches long! She has grown 2 inches in 2 months. It is amazing that they grow so fast!

You all can read on, but the rest is so we can look back one day and try to remember her so little.........

LC, Elsie, Leeeli, Lily Claire are all the names you are being called these days. You actually smile when talked to. Your first smile was on Christmas day. You coo, ah goo, and love love love to be held by anyone who is willing. You eat all the time still..... trying to get you to a consistent every three hour schedule is a little hard but you are getting closer! You love your swing - just the opposite of Luke - he could care less about the
swing when he was your age. You only take a passy when you are exhausted or really
hungry.

I have returned to work and you are staying with a young lady named Rosanna during my working hours. So far everything is working out just fine since you have entered this world. I am so very in love with you and I cherish our sweet time together all hours of the day or night.

In the middle of the night before I returned to work for the first time, you would just look up at me and smile while you were nursing. It was the sweetest thing so far.

Random Photos

Emma and Landon at Christmas Social

Cammie, Brooke, Emma, and Bailey

Christmas morning

Lily Claire