my 25 random things list from FB

1. I really love my job for the most part. I do not think I could be a stay at home mom full time, but I would like to work maybe 4 days a week. It would be nice to have one more day off to take care of errands and grocery shopping without doing it on the weekend.

2. I have two really great kids and probably will not have any more and I am fine with that. I can't imagine life without them. I would really like to adopt/foster one day. MOst people already know that about me though!

3. I was made to be married to Jamey. We have been married 8 years and we really have a great time together. He loves me and the kids - I know that without a doubt.

4. I come from a small family whereas Jamey comes from a HUGE family. I can see the positives and negatives of both. But I wouldn't change my childhood or family even if I could.

5. I wish we owned a piano!

6. I have a great desire for granite or silestone countertops. The new houses in our neighborhood have them so I have to look at the signs advertising them everyday and it drives me crazy!

7. I do frequent home visits for my job, and when I see the places my kids (at school) live in, my heart is so sad. Trailers with no insulations, flooring falling through, dogs and cats going in and out through holes in the walls. Makes me feel grateful for what I have - even for my nongranite countertops.

8. I would love to be 25 pounds less than I am. We will see if that ever actually happens. I also would have plastic surgery tomorrow if I thought insurance would pay for it! I am all about being happy with what God gave you, but having to buy dresses a size bigger b/c of a certain area on top is just about too much for me to handle!

9. I love to read and when I mention to someone that I am reading a good book, iit infuriates me when they say things like, "I am just too busy to read." Like my life isn't busy? Its what you choose to do!

10. I love bathing my kids each night, brushing teeth and hair and reading books to them. I hope they both like to read as much as I do.

11. The Duggar Family on TLC fascinates me. I would love to meet them.

12. I have good friends at work. I have good friends who I dont see on a daily basis, but I still feel close to them. I am glad to reconnect with them online.

13. I am very proud of my brother for his accomplishments. I am also proud of my mom who is one of the best people I know. I also have GREAT inlaws and 2 great sister in laws. My inlaws love and ADORE my children.

14. I traveled to Europe in college with Melia and Elizabeth and had a fantastic time. I would love to take Jamey back to Scotland. France, I am pretty sure he can live without visiting.

15. I would love to go to Prince Edward Island in Canada someday. I LOVE the Anne of Green Gables series that is set there.

16. I will probably start school again sometime this year. Have I paid off the student loans from the last degree? Absolutely not. But nevertheless, back to school I go. I think I would go to law school if there was one here in Mobile. Maybe one day I can.

17. I played softball for probably 10 years growing up. I played on tournament teams that traveled around. I was pretty darn good too! I was a pitcher. And I can hit the ball to right field easily if you give me an outside pitch. I would love to play again. But not fast pitch. Blech.

18. When Jamey and I first got married, we lived in a little converted garage on his grandparents property. It was free! I loved it there. Melia and Josh lived there last summer!

19. I enjoyed being pregnant, I enjoyed having my babies and I enjoyed nursing them. I am a breastfeeding advocate and sometimes go a little crazy about it! When Stephen weaned before his first birthday, I cried.

20. I wish we had more money in savings. I stayed home with both kids after they were born and we have not been able to build up our savings since then like I would like. Hopefully one day.

21. I have a dog Macy who is the world's best dog. Calm, loving, loves her sleep. She showed up in our front yard before Ansley was born. We put up flyers, but no one called about her. She stayed with us and we love her. I recently read Marley and me and it makes me cry thinking that one day we will be without her.

22. Macy is named after the singer Macy Gray. When Jamey proposed to me, he sang a part of one of Macy Gray's songs to me.

23. I had a surprise honeymoon. I did not know where we were going until we got to the aiport. GREAT surprise. We flew to Las Vegas and stayed for several days. Then rented a car and drove to Los Angeles through the desert. Jamey did a fabulous job planning it.

24. I almost lost my job last year and it was very scary. I can't imagine the heartache and worry that people who are losing their jobs today must be feeling.

25. I have hurricane anxiety. Before I had kids, I thought it was so much fun. But during Katrina, one of our good friends lost everything and was rescued from his house by the National Guard. During that same storm half an oak tree missed out house by inches. Ansley was a baby. I was scared for the first time then that I had made a bad decision to stay instead of evacuating. As soon as we could get out of town, I left with Ansley and went to stay with Jamey's aunt and uncle while he stayed here.

26.I know I am only supposed to list 25, but I didn't want to end on a hurricane themed item. So instead, my last random thing is that I LOVE cereal. Pretty much any kind. Yum. I could eat it for all my meals.

Happy Birthday!

Happy 26th birthday to my baby brother! We were so glad to have him HERE this year, as opposed to him being on the other side of the world in Iraq! We had a great visit with Luke and Sara last night and today. Jamey is off to watch the UFC fight somewhere, and the kids and I are settled in for the night. A great day all around.

Happy birthday Luke!

The end of January

I must say that January seems to be dragging itself out this year! It feels like so long ago that we came back from Christmas. I am ready for this school year to clip right along. We are looking forward to some fun at Mardi Gras in the next few weeks. It is funny. I didn't know a THING about MArdi Gras growing up. My mom certainly didn't have anything against it, but since it was just her and me and Luke most of the time, I don't blame her for not dragging us downtown to battke the crowds for beads and moonpies! Even in high school I went to a few parades with friends once in a while, but Mardi Gras was for skiing! And I really miss going. I havne't been since before Ansley was born. I would love to go again soon. I am actually pretty good skier believe it or not! I can actually snow ski better than I can water ski - go figure.

Saturday is Luke's birthday! Sara and Luke are coming in tomorrow night so we can visit with him on his bday. Last year he was in Iraq for his birthday. The year before that he was in California training for Iraq. So we are glad to have him here and thankful to Sara for sharing him with us! The kids are excited he is coming. Ansley has been counting the days since we told her Tuesday. She went with me to the store today to buy ingredients for his birthday cake.

Aunt DJo (Elizabeth) is also headed back tonight from Washington state - and snow! The kids miss seeing her during the week but she is getting to travel to all these cool places now with her new job.

We ate at Jamey's grandma's tonight. Stephen spent most of the night tackling "pawpaw" to the ground. I looked in on them one time and Stephen was rolling over the top of him and both of them were laughing. It was good to see. Then the kids fought for Mamaw Jo's lap space. There is another great grandbaby on the way in May via Melia and Josh. I am so glad my kids will have a cousin close to their age! The baby boy is nameless at this point, but we are all still very excited!

Here are some pictures from the trip to Atlanta a few weeks ago. Here is Ansley eating at The Varsity in downtown Atlanta:

Group shot in The Varsity
Ansley and Uncle Luke swimming at the hotel:
Aunt Sara, Uncle Luke and the kids at the aquarium
Beluga whales - my favorite thing there!

MIssing my babies...

Well, I seem to be emerging from one heck of a stomach virus. I don't even know where I got it! Of course, I work in an elementary school. but I haven't heard much about one going around. Anyway - tomorrow is career day so I was more than upset about missing today. Today was the day to prep the kids one last time. I will be so glad when tomorrow is over. I keep having these thoughts that it is all going to go terrible wrong.

And since I have been sick, of course the kids have to stay away. Ansley somewhat understands but Stephen doesn't get it at all. All he knows is that Mommy is in her bedroom and he can't come to me. Breaks my heart. Thankfully Jamey and his family have done a great job distracting them and taking them to and from school, but my life - my real job - is taking care of them and I am sad that I can't do it right now. My desire to keep them germ free is just barely outweighing my desire to put both of them in the bed with me and snuggle up while watching cartoons. I don't even know what they wore to school today! And it bothers me! I know I should feel blessed that I have family to help, and of course I am. My mom came over this morning and helped me immensely, but I miss my babies. More than I can say.

Mmmmmmm

Fried Chicken is good stuff! Mamaw Jo (jamey's grandma) sent Stephen home tonight with his own chicken leg that she fried this afternoon. Apparently he enjoyed it as Jamey had to go pry it out of his little fingers. I tried to fry chicken once. Once being the important word here. Thank goodness for Mamaw Jo!

A survey

What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Um, well I ate Thai food for the first time and it was ok - not my favorite

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any last year so it was easy not to keep them!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My friend Sara had baby Sophia in December. And my good friend Jill found out baby #3 was on the way. I can't wait to see baby kate!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Thankfully, no. But 3 sweet little boys at my school lost their 29 year old mama and it still breaks my heart to this day.

5. What countries did you visit?

None. But I would love to go somewhere!

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

discipline to stick with the running I have started.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

In January of 08, my little man started walking. Also that month Ansley started "big school" and wore a uniform for the first time! Our trip to Disney in Nov is a really great memory.
I also came really, really close to losing my job in the spring. That was scary.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I guess sticking with the fight to keep my job. It was really hard last spring fighting that battle

9. What was your biggest failure?
spending another year weighing the same as I did the year before.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

an infection last March that landed me in the hospital for 2 days! Not a fun experience.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Jamey's satellite radio was pretty good. I can't think of anything I bought for myself that was worth mentioning.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My brother and his wife were reunited after he was deployed for 15 months.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Some of the parents at my school who talk to their children like they honestly don't care if they live or die. Breaks my heart on a weekly basis.

14. Where did most of your money go?

daycare and tuition. Let me say it again, daycare and tuition!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
our trip to Disney and finding out a new cousin was on the way. (Yeah Melia! - and Josh too I guess) and of course Luke returning from Iraq and making Captain.

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?

probably songs off the Noggin channel - sad, I know.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder?
happier
b) thinner or fatter?
about the same - blech.
c) richer or poorer?
about the same.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
exercised and scrapbooked.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
worried

20. How did you spend Christmas?
with my family. It was very nice.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
I fall in love with Jamey all the time. He is such a good daddy and he makes me feel beautiful. He has never, ever said anything about how I look in a negative manner. That is a really man folks. And I love him.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

House Hunters and other HGTV and Food Network shows

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Nope - pretty much the same people who make me crazy still make me crazy

24. What was the best book you read?
Nothing really stands out. I just started the Twilight series though.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

None

26. What did you want and get?
2 healthy kids who are happy in their school/childcare situations

27. What did you want and not get?
I can't really think of anything - maybe a raise (haha)

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

I have no idea! The worse movie was the Tale of Despereaux! It stunk!

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Went to church with my mom - Jamey was in Austin for work. She made me chicken and dressing. Yum.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
worrying less

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?

Um, I work in an elementary school. I don't think I have a fashion concept.

32. What kept you sane?
My mom and Jamey. and Luke and my friend Jill!

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I have a crush on Peyton Manning. Jamey knows about it people!

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

People believing the dribble fed by certain candidates.

35. Who did you miss?

my friend Jill who I talk to frequently but I never get to see! :-(

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Our pastor and his wife who moved to Mobile in 2008

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Enjoy the moment. Being happy right here with what I have.

a few pictures posted a little late

Here are a few pictures I have been meaning to post for a while. This first one was taken while visiting with some of Steve's side of the family. I took a bunch of the kids playing together, but for some reason the kids all look, well, sort of demonlike and mean in all of them, so I am not posting them! Red eyes and mean expressions - and the strange thing is that they played well together!
Here is a picture of Ansley with her Cousin Lauren who she talks about at least once every few days. Her husband Andy (Jamey's cousin) gets mention every once in a while too.

Here is a dress made out of wrapping paper from Lauren's birthday party! Lauren wore a homemade dress too, but I did not get a picture for some reason!

Sticking with it...

Well, I am not sure if you can call 11 days really sticking with it, but it is more than I have ever run IN MY LIFE. Except maybe during the years of softball practice I guess. But that could mostly consist of me trailing all the faster girls around the bases while the coaches yelled things like, "Why are you running slow motion, Lettie?" or "you run like a girl!" The "run like a girl" comment was the worst. Pitching and hitting the ball to right field were my talents and I am proud of them! But neither one of those activities is available at 5:00am so running it is. And since I am only racing against myself, I seem to do well. I can now run one mile on the treadmill set to 1.0 incline. I can run about 75% of a mile outside. I am telling you that running outside is HARDER than on the treadmill! This is a new discovery for me. But with Luke coaching me from afar and the thought of him taking me for a run this weekend in GA gives me the inspiration to go on.

Tonight we got to visit with our friends Sara and Jeremy who have 2 sweet girls - Anna Faith (5) and Jordan (3) and a new little one Sophia (3 weeks!) She seems to mostly sleep when I am around, but Sara tells a different tale of a little night owl. But she is a beautiful baby with lots of hair!
I am not sure exactly what Stephen thinks of her. He sort of eyed her for a while and then - out of the blue - ran over to Sara to try to pick up Sophia! He wanted to hold her, but not in a gentle sort of way. He did hold her, but refused to look at her! I wasn't exactly sure how to interpret that 2 year old behavior. Jamey, however, seems to think it meant, "Please mom, lets not have one of these."

We are headed to Atlanta this weekend to go to the aquarium. I think it is supposed to be 19 Saturday morning. 19!?!?!?! Thankfully our activities are inside. And here are a few pictures of Luke and Sara's babies - Mater (the white one) who is Sara's joy. Mater was her constant companion while Luke was overseas! He took good care of her. And their newest baby, Lily - a black Standard poodle mix (I think). We are excited to see the new addition this weekend.

A week of firsts

First off - Good luck to D-Jo (Elizabeth) who is flooded into a hotel in Washington State somewhere! Good luck and if you see an ark go by, flag it down! The kids miss you!


Well, this week has been eventful I suppose. A week of firsts really.

I ran a mile today. I have been working up to it and today I ran a mile at 4.5 miles an hour and I was not gasping for breath upon completion of the mile. I was pretty proud of myself. Of course, adding running into the equation does not help me keep my calories way down - Running makes you hungry!

We canceled our satellite -so for the first time since I was very young we have no cable or satellite. I wish I could say it was for some deep meaningful reason, but really it will save us a good chunk of money a month and we seriously watched 5 channels out of 200. We watched Noggin, ESPN, HGTV and I watched (must to my shame in admitting this) E! So now we have rabbit ears. We are now Netflix members and the Wii is getting much more playtime. So far, so good. And we have enough DVDs for the kids to watch a different everyday for a year. I think we will make it.

Stephen told me he had to potty for the first time today! And I took him and he did it! I was very proud. He has gone many time when I take him, but he has never told me on his own. I was trying to bribe him with M&Ms, but the only reward the child needs is to be able to flush the potty! He loves it! Here's to a trip to Walmart WITHOUT purchasing diapers!

We also went to the beach for the first time in 2009. After a somewhat stressful few days, it was really nice to walk on the beach and dig in the sand with my 2 babies and my mom! My mom is an excellent beach partner. She looks for shells and makes castles and generally delights my kids. Here are some pictures. I am attempting to use some of the manual settings on my camera instead of just relying on the auto focus at all time - so they are not the best. I am learning though.

We are headed to Atlanta MLK weekend to go to the aquarium! Very fun. Can't wait to see Luke and Sara there. And thanks to my killer hotwire.com deal, it is CHEAP!

"Nothing Mommy"

The following scene took place this morning. The kids were playing in the living room and I was in my room. As I walked out of my bedroom door, Stephen stands up from the floor with a pillowcase wrapped around the front of him.


Me: What are you doing Stephen?
Stephen: Nothing Mommy. (this is said with big brown eyes blinking slowly)
Me: What DID you do Stephen?
Stephen: Nothing Mommy. (eyes a little bigger)
Me: Can I have the pillowcase?
Stephen: No, my piddowcase

I remove the pillowcase to see this:
With KIDPROOF SAFETY scissors - he had managed to cut a nice triangle out of the bottom of his pajama shirt. THank the Lord he didn't cut his hair of his sister's hair! Needless to say, the scissors were put away. He actually cuts quite well for a 2 year old (his motivation is to do whatever his big sister does) and perhaps I have been a little lax in the supervision of the cutting activities - but no more!

Ansley said toward this end of this: "I guess scissors will be another Stephen napping activity." And I told her yes. There are many things she gets to do while Stephen is napping: color with markers, play on the computer, build with her tiny legos.

No more scissors for Stephen for a while!