Happy New Year from our family to yours!!

Random thoughts and a pic

Random thoughts I have been having today...

1. Who are the Obama fans out there?? I keep hearing how he is ahead in all the polls but I personally do not know of a single Obama supporter. Who are they, where are they?? Are there really any out there?

2. Should I have one more baby?? I want to decide one way or the other, no more surprises, I have had two of those already. I love the idea but don't want the 5 months of morning sickness that accompany it. Hmmm...no longer random, just answered that one for myself.

3. Why was I blessed with a boy that has the thickest fullest hair that I must continually have cut and a girl with so little hair you have to really look not to miss it. And did I mention how thin and fine it is, not thick and full like I had hoped as can be observed from the above photo. Hmmmm....

4. Why did I sit my 15 month old at the table today and give her markers? I think it was because I thought she would eat the crayons but maybe I should have thought twice about markers.....

5. Where have the last 10 years gone? They have flown by and I am not really sure where they went. I mean, I don't feel 32 but when the teenagers next door call me ma'am I realize that they think I'm old. YUK!! I don't want to be old!

Cheese

So, every time Avery Claire sees a camera, this is her new face.....Even when you are taking a pic of someone/thing else....Too funny, I have laughed and laughed at her. Now it is the big joke in the house to go and get the camera just so we can see her, "CHEESE!"

A New Era is Upon us

In three days, my oldest begins kindergarten. We have completed the registration, the immunizations, the open house, the supply list, so we should be ready right?? But, I am not sure if we are, or if I am. I am happy about the thought of him learning new things and interacting with new friends, I am ecstatic that he will be out of my hair for a few hours a day. However, I am worried that he will have one his whining fits and everyone will laugh at him, I am terrified that I will not be there to protect him and help him through it. Who will get his lunch for him, tie his shoes, button his pants after he uses the restroom, make sure his hands are washed good?? He is still a baby in so many ways, we are working on the items mentioned above but he has not mastered any of them.

So, I have devised a little plan....I know, a little controlling on my part, but that is my personality. Anyway, I have volunteered to work in his classroom 2 days a week. That way, I can monitor the situation and assist my baby when and where needed. I will have lunch with him one other day a week. So, that covers me for checking in on him for 3 days, now I just need to figure out the remaining 2 days of the week. Thank goodness he is still in the phase where it is cool to have your mom at school. Not sure how long it will last but I plan to abuse it while I can!

I am sure once he and I both get used to the separation it will be fine but for now, it is causing me many a sleepless night. I am trying to enjoy our last few days together but am having trouble because of the thought of what lies ahead. No more sleeping in, heading to the park or library or sprayground when we want to, staying up late cuddled on the sofa watching movies. I can't believe it is all about to change. Life as we have known it for the last 5 years is OVER!! (you can't see but this is the part where I am crying so hard that I cannot see the keys to type).

On top of all this, I have a dreaded birthday this week. What is a birthday anyway? A reminder that you are getting that much closer to death. Yeah, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!! If you know me well, you know that I stopped celebrating birthdays around age 22. I was done because anything past 21 was just another year closer to 30! I have always believed that 30 was the beginning of the end. I cried when my momma turned 30 and when I hit it, I just didn't get out of bed all day. It was horrible! Now, I know that is an exaggerated response but it is just one of those quirks about me. I have a huge fear of growing old! I don't want joint pain, muscle pain, dementia, brittle bones, the list goes on. So, 30 has now come and gone and 31 and we are up to 32. The lovely 32! So, in all my false optimism, I say to the birthday fairies, Bring it on!!

On to happier things, Avery Claire has really begun interacting with us more. She understands so much even though she cannot talk much yet. She answers everything with these spastic head shakes, it is hilarious!! She's a hoot! Keeps us laughing all the time. I need to video it before she moves on to something else, I will put that on tomorrows to do list.

Thought this might be fun....

for the whole 2 people who read this blog....

Here's how it works:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together, or one of the first memories you have of me. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

I need serious help....

Am I the only one.....the only one who loves children's clothes?? I am obsessed and I think I am driving my husband plum crazy. No to mention my not so southern friends who are perfectly happy with the selection of clothing at Old Navy and Gap and totally do not understand the financial investment I am making. But, I love it and it is what I do. I don't but expensive purses, I go to Great Clips instead of a salon, I use coupons at the grocery. So, I have decided that it just comes down to priorities and maybe that is just me justifying it in my own mind but so far it is working for me.

So, ask me what I did this weekend? I packed the entire family up and headed off to Raleigh, NC where the Chez Ami company is based for their August Tent Sale, then we headed to the Hartstrings store for Ryland, a quick stop at the Peaches N Cream store, then back home at midnight so that I could get online and quickly order the sale items from Grandmothers Joy in B'ham before they were sold out. Tenille is having a great sale to as is about 10 of my other favorite online stores for children's wear. Needless to say, I am expecting several packages in the next week. Can you say Christmas in August!! How do I stop, Avery Claire has more clothes than she can ever wear, bit they are soooooo cute, what's a girl to do??

Happy Birthday to my Shark Boy and Love Bug

So in the past three weeks both kiddos have had milestone birthdays. First was Ryland who turned 5. I cannot believe it, now if he would only act like a 5 year old. His bash took place at the fire station, what boy doesn't love a firetruck? Well, things would have been great if the trucks and the firemen had not been called out just as the party started. So, in comes their back up plan....an off duty fireman who had to of been hungover from the night before. He stumbles in and shows the kids his uniform and demonstrates how all of the pieces work, all the while talking WAY over their heads and mine. He redeemed himself by sliding down the fire pole which the kids all loved. Long story short....be leery of a fire station party!! The entire basis of the party may be called off to an emergency.

Next up was Miss. Avery Claire's birthday. She turned ONE yesterday. It still hasn't sunk in, it seems like just yesterday I was in the hospital having her! Time flies. She had been running an asymptomatic fever for the five days leading up to her big day and the day before her birthday, it broke and didn't return! Praise the Lord!! So, she was in high spirits for her celebration. We had pink and green polka dotted, monogrammed(of course) cakes that were heavenly. Yellow cake with strawberry filling and cool whip icing, yum......just like eating strawberry shortcake. She dove into her smash cake the minute I put it in front her, not shy at all! She loved it and I loved watching her! Wish I knew how to add pics to this post and I would show you.

I also want to mention that in the midst of all this we are changing churches for a variety of reasons so we tried out a new one and boy did I experience a first. So, let me start out by saying that I grew up in really traditional Baptist churches. No contemporary music, no drums, and NO clapping. Well, since we have been in Charlotte we have tried a few churches and learned that a traditional church, offering what we are looking for is non existent. Being open to change, we have visited around at several contemporary places of worship. First, there was the one that shot off fireworks and confetti during the service. Talk about a shocker! And, then there was the new one we visited that kicked off the service with a song by Pat Benatar!! What?? yes, you heard me right, PAT BENATAR!! I could not believe it, but you know what, we all loved it!! Ryland cannot wait to go back, Chi loved the theatre style seating, and I just loved that everyone loved it and wants to go back! The message was great, easy to follow and laid back. You never what you might find if you are open to something different.