Of Pull-ups, Pants & Potties

Christopher has been doing so well with his potty training - sometimes he wants his reward and other times he doesn't care. He stays dry most of the day but he has to work on no "stinky butts." I'm so proud of his progress!

There are many, many childhood milestones that bring feelings of pride for accomplishment yet sorrow for another bit of childhood passing away. This milestone brings no sorrow - no more expensive diapers - no more stinky diaper pails - no more nasty "stinky butts." I'm anxious for this milestone to pass into the distance of childhood and will treasure his accomplishment fully.

Way to go Little Guy!!!

Christopher's First Movie (At The Theater)

Today we took the kids to see Toy Story 3 as Christopher's first experience at a movie theater. I got the camera out in the very dark theater and apologized in advance to all present but I had to document my son's first movie. Everybody was so cool - there were cries of "take as many as you want" and "scrapbook moment" After the show was over one gentleman (actually he's the one next to Lakin in the picture above) came and shook Christopher's hand and asked him what he thought.

The "booster seat" that the kids sat on were empty soda syrup boxes (see notes at the end of this post). Christopher decided that he had to have his for his engines, I have no idea what he intends to do with it but we ended up bringing it home and cried the whole way home because we had the audacity to put it in the trunk.

As far as the movie goes - it was good - it had some extremely funny parts but it also was very intense. I had moments of faces in my shoulder because of what was on the screen. My daughter who already can't stand to part with anything that she owns will probably never, never, never allow me to sell, donate, give anything of hers to anyone ever. Yes, it made me cry, bittersweet memories of childhood toys, anticipation of children growing up and flying the nest. Overall for Christopher it was a great experience - he sat well through most of it - sometimes on his box and sometimes on our laps but truly seemed to enjoy the experience. I have been hearing "Buzz Lightyear to the rescue!!! And Beyond!!!!" from Christopher since we got home. Savannah said she did not like it - it will probably not be one that we buy when it makes it to DVD. I think we'll stick to Toy Story 2 - the best of the lot in my opinion.

The theater we went to is Premier 6 on Broad Street in Murfreesboro. This is a completely unpaid endorsement but you have to know about this place. It's old - not so flashy - takes cash only - no plastic boosters for the kids - not a huge selection at concessions ... but ... tickets were a dollar or more cheaper than the flashy theaters ($6.50 for adults and $6.00 for kids for the matinee) - we got a large popcorn, large drink and large candy for $10.00. If you plan to go to an evening show your best bet is to stop by a Mid Tn Bank branch and you can get your tickets for $6.00 and they are good for several months on any show except opening weekends. The facility is clean and the staff is friendly - please support this local theater so that we can all afford some family (or date night) entertainment occationally.

Tents & Teapots

A Sleepover was an unexpected addition to our week. Savannah's best friend and next door neighbor Amelia came over to play and the girls planned a sleepover. They watched Princess Diaries, slept in a princess tent in the living room, played tea party, and in the morning watched Barbie movie and played with horses, unicorns & pegasus. I love having a girly girl.

(The irony is that while I'm typing this I hear them over there talking about the baby vomiting and making vomiting sounds ****sigh****)

It's Hair! Not straw!

Elvis was really taken with Christopher. It didn't hurt that his hands tasted like lime ice pop, but mostly it seems as though he thought Christopher's hair looked like a tasty snack.

Pictures

Saturday - Sissy's Party

We went bowling for Sissy's party

Savannah & Maddie have necklaces that say "Big Sister" & "Lil' Sister"



Christopher and Allie are shooting dinosaurs.

Monday - Independence Day at the Sharps

Wednesday - Fall Creek Falls
Trail Ride

Savannah on Little Red

Kim on Cuz' - Savannah with Alisha (our trail guide)

Christopher petting Elvis and Savannah petting Big Red


Swimming Hole

There were a couple of young folks (Taylor & Ethan) who were so great with the kids and they loved it. Christopher was fearless and Ethan was teaching him that he had to leap away from the edge (thanks Ethan!) and being the gentleman helping Savannah in the water.


Savannah really took to Taylor and gave her hugs.

Lakin even went somewhat beyond his comfort zone in swimming since this swimming hole is pretty deep and kinda murky.

I was so proud of Savannah - she really stretched her boundaries. Riding the horse by herself and then she actually swam most of the way across the swimming hole using the "scoops & kicks" that she learned in her swimming class.

A Week Off

I am very blessed with an awesome job that gives me two full weeks off in the summertime (one in June and one in July) and then again two weeks off in the winter (one at Thanksgiving and one at Christmas)

The week that I had off in June I had so much planned. I was going to get my house cleaned - I was going to get all of my doctor's visits out of the way - I was going to spend lots of time with my kids - we were going to be able to do fun things together. That went down the drain with the whole week spent being vomited on and then vomiting. Fun week? Yeah - not so much.

So here we are - my week off in July and I'm loving it.
Saturday we went to Sissy's birthday party (I'll post pictures later)
Sunday was church
Monday we went to an amazing gathering at the Sharps to celebrate Independence Day (I'll post pictures later)
Tuesday I had Dr's appts but Savannah helped me make blueberry pancakes with fresh blueberries (Thanks Nana!)
Today - Wednesday - I am taking my brother to the airport so that he can be there for the birth of his first grandbaby - more dr's appointments and then we're taking the kids over to Fall Creek Falls and Savannah and I are going to do a trail ride. She loves horses (what little girl doesn't?) and is going to be so excited when she finds out. We're also planning on going swimming up there.
Thursday - more Dr's visits and having the kids help me make homemade lasagna.
Friday - we're going to go see Toy Story 3 - Christopher's first theater experience
Saturday - we're heading to Chattanooga to visit the Tennessee Aquarium - Christopher will have a blast - I can't wait to see his reaction!
Sunday - church and a day of rest to prepare to go back to work on Monday.

What a blessed way to spend a week off. Full of fun for my children.

Summertime Hair Cut

Savannah has been asking me to cut her hair for a long time and I just have a hard time doing it. Not because I find the task of cutting her hair difficult but I somehow equate long hair with little girls. My Daddy never liked it when I cut my hair - he always preferred my hair long and I always seem to go back to it.

I think it may be the right of a parent to inflict their styles on their children for a while but there comes a time when we have to understand that we each have our own style. She didn't want pink hair (though don't suggest it to her since it's her favorite color she may be tempted), she didn't want spiked hair - she didn't want her head shaved, she just wanted it short so that she didn't have to worry so much about tangles.

****sigh**** so I caved, I wanted a happy daughter, I wanted less hassel about hair washing & brushing, I wanted, I wanted, I wanted .... no .... this is what SHE wanted.

Presenting my grown up little girl.

Our Fall Tradition

We had a great time as always at Walden Farm. Every year since before Savannah turned one we have gone to get our halloween pumpkins. I try to dress the kids in their costumes for a photo op and then change them into their play clothes and we just have fun. Some years we take others with us, sometimes it's just Nana and us. This year it was just us but three years ago Annette and Jen went with us. We got the cutest picture of Savannah and "Christopher" in the pumpkin/scarecrow cut out so we've made that part of our tradition.

2006

2007

In 2007 we had Connie join the tradition and had baby Allie & Maddie in the cutout.

2008 - Christopher was too hot and tired to cooperate

2009

Here are some more pictures of our fun this year.

Thomas - The Day After

Had to post this one - this is how he went to church today. (not in the toy car LOL)

A Day Out With Thomas

Nana treated us to "A Day Out With Thomas." Christopher has come to love playing with the Thomas the Tank Engine Engine and Nana is great at indulging their loves. We spent the day playing with trains, riding a real train and bouncing on the bouncy toys.

One more day showing Nana's spoiling of the kids, and we are so grateful.

Happy Birthday, Daddy

Today my Daddy would have turned 72 years old. Up until the time the cancer kicked in he was the most youthful and strong man that I knew, especially for someone in his 60's. Nobody ever guessed my parent's ages because they have always looked and acted so young.

I miss Daddy now as much as ever and look forward to the day when I can hug him again. Until then I'll just hug on my kids so that they will know of my love for them as I always knew of my mama & daddy's love for me.

Jessica said it best on her facebook post today:

One more day
One more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still, for one more day with you.

Soon Daddy, in the grand scheme of things, soon.

Feeling Overwhelmed

It's been an incredible week. I feel especially humble with the evidences of the Lord being mindful of me and my family. Savannah has been doing a great job making good choices. First off we were able to get some help with food, then Lakin found out that he will be able to get the Hope scholarship starting next semester which will be a huge help. Then on Tuesday I got a phone call from Manpower and scheduled a job interview for Wednesday. I hadn't even made it home on Wednesday and was called and told they wanted me to start today. Also, this week Christopher has had several breakthroughs in his speech saying several new words and his enunciation is improving by leaps and bounds. Christopher's speech therapist knew we were struggling with bills and made an anonymous announcement to her church that there was someone struggling and needed help with bills. She handed me a paper with cash in it.

Heavenly Father pours out his blessings. How grateful I am for those who are instruments in His hands, how humble I am to be the recipient of these blessings.

Charlie

Tonight Heaven is a much brighter place because Charlie is there. He left his earthly family tonight to be with his Heavenly one. We will miss him so much and our prayers are with his sweet family.

Never Forget

Today my little family went to the veterans' cemetary to visit Daddy's grave. One of the most touching things was my sweet Savannah. She had wanted to bring one of her flowers she received after her ballet recital to put on Papa's grave. It got left at home on the couch where she laid it down just before we left, she was so sad, "I don't have anything for Papa." She was crying. I explained that Papa knew that she wanted to bring him a flower and that we'd put the flower in it's own vase just for Papa when we got home, this seemed to help some but she was still sad. When we got there the clover was blooming and she searched and searched for the perfect flower and placed it in front of Papa's grave. I was so touched.

I also had a chance to meet someone who was visiting her brother's grave, her story was so moving, we shared hugs and tears and a love for those who gave their lives to service.

I am grateful for all those who faithfully served and serve their country. I am also grateful to those who supported them, following them around the globe, staying behind when called upon, keeping the home fires burning. Thank you to the wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, children, siblings and friends who give these heros strength to continue and a "home" to fight for and to return to.

I miss you Daddy