Wedding weekend...

We spend most of this weekend involved in wedding activities for Jamey's cousin Amanda and her sweet new husband Alex. They are now off to enjoy beautiful fall weather in the mountains of Tennessee. Both Ansley and Stephen were a part of the wedding party. Ansley was a flower girl with her sweet little cousin Brylee and Stephen was the ring bearer. Ansley of course, loved all that being a flower girl involved - the dress, the hair, the having your picture taken a zillion times, the shoes that sounded like tap shoes on the floor in the foyer of the church. She did a great job - both little flower girls did a great job. This is actually her 4th time being a flower girl so I think she has it down pat by now.

Stephen, on the other hand, was about as oblivious as he could be about his participation in the wedding. During the rehearsal Friday night, he at one point spiked the pillow like a football on the field while he walked down the aisle. Although most of his uncles and boy cousins thought this was hilarious, I was a little concerned about a repeat "spiking" of the ring pillow during the main event on Sat. We arrived at the church at noon on Saturday for pictures and attempted to put his little 2 year old body in a tuxedo.
"Why, Mommy?" he asked me, "Do I have to wear these hard clothes?"
"Because you look handsome and you are my big boy" I told him.
"But I really like my unnerwear -can I jus wear my cars unnerwear?"

We did eventually coerce (ok, I will admit we BRIBED) him into the tux. He was not happy about it, but there was no screaming and no tears so I was taking what I could get. For every picture he took with a somewhat decent expression, he got a goldfish cracker. We also very quickly figured out that if we took off the jacket, he was a much happier participant. 30 minutes before the ceremony, he was fading fast on the back pew of the chuch - a tantrum and/or nap were clearly on the horizon. Now enters my mom into the picture who takes Stephen in her arms and while sitting with him on the back rown of the church, whispers a story about a dragon and a lost but brave little boy into the ear of my very attentive 2 year old. With music playing, guests arriving, bridesmaids rushing about - the two of them sat together in their own little world of dragons, forests, secret keys and brave little boys - and Stephen was soothed. He was happy and content and forgot that we had put him in a tie and vest and rented pants that were stiff with starch. At 3 o clock, when it was his turn, as everyone in the church turned to watch, he followed his sister and cousin down the aisle with me waiting for him at the end. He made it the whole way down the aisle swinging the pillow and with his cheeks puffed out with air - but he made it to me and was very proud of himself. I was very proud too. He walked down that aisle with no jacket and no socks ("don't like the socks touching me") - but he looked perfect.

My sweet little man, my big 5 year old Ansley, and my husband who I do actually love more today than I ever thought possible..this is my world. I am lucky.

Stephen the Pirate

Poor Jason never stood a chance....







And one of Ms. Ansley throwing confetti -

Football time

Now I am normally not a football person really. It is fine - it does not bother me, but neither does it really hold my interest. I did in fact marry a man who loves.to.watch.football. And now, college football is on every night of the week - or so it seems. But I love him and I knew this about him before I married him, so what can I say.

BUT! We bought season tickets for the first season of South Alabama football and last Sat was our first game and it was so much fun. The tailgating, the atmosphere, the game itself. It was really a great day. I am looking forward to more tailgating ahead.
Here are a few pictures of game day:

Stephen is eyeballing the jaguar -


Cute cousin Eli at his first football game. This baby is the only baby in existence that gives me a tinge (and I mean the slightest most minuscule tinge) of baby fever. Precious!
Ansley in her cheerleading outfit complete with jaguar tattoo:
After the game - Stephen was not into picture taking so much, but it is nice to have a picture of the 4 of us together -minus Stephen's face I suppose.

On a side note - Stephen is now out of daycare and staying with a lady named Ms. Debbie at her home. We loved his daycare and the people there could NOT have been any nicer. We just felt a smaller environment was better for him for several reason. One of which is cold and flu season.

Anyway - he has done really well there and loves to go.
He told me last night, " I love Ms. Debbie. Her has a big room. And her has a lap and a book. And her has raisins and pretzels and train and a slide."

Ah - the pure happiness of a two year old. :)


And on a VERY side note: Disney is calling us. Specifically, the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. :)

Thoughts from Ansley

A recent conversation between Ansley and I in the car. She seems to do her best thinking while I am driving her around.

Ansley: I love you mama

Me: I love you too

Ansley: And I love Daddy

Me: And Daddy loves you too

Ansley: And I love God too, but....

Me: But what?

Ansley: I love you and daddy more than I love God. Does God mind?

Me: Um....well, no, God does not mind. God knows your heart.


I really wasn't sure how to answer that question. I did run it by our friend Chris (who also happens to be a minister so I was thinking he might have inside info on this particular topic) and he gave me a good idea on how to talk with Ansley about this topic so here is what I said to her:

Picture a dresser that you might have in your bedroom. The top drawer is your love for your mom or your dad. The middle drawer is your love for your family. The bottom drawer is your love for your friends. But the dresser itself IS God's love - God's love is big enough to hold all the love you have for friends and family. You don't love mom or dad "more" - you love them through the love you have for God.
She liked that explanation and seemed satisfied.

Whew - we got through that question. Now I get to wait for the next one!

Snoozing and Eating - 2 things the Dukes are really good at

Now this is some good sleeping....
And then supper tonight:
And yes, that is lasagna in Stephen's bowl - that is homemade. On a school night. On a MONDAY that is a school night. Bonus points for me. I left home at 6:40 this morning, took Stephen to Ms. Debbie's, took Ansley to Jackson Creek, drove myself to school. Worked til 3:00. Did a Zumba class til 4:30, picked up Stephen, drove out to my friend Morgan's house to give her a check, got home at 6 and then made the lasagna that has sausage in it (for Jamey - that is how he likes it.)

Yikes - time for bed.

A reminder....

My friend Gillian has started writing about the last few weeks of her life recently and I encourage you to go read her blog - the link is listed as "heartsick and headstrong" over to the right of this post.

She tells her story much better than I ever could, so I will let you read it for yourself - Thanks for sharing your story Gillian and for reminding us all that life is precious and should be soaked in as much as possible.

Ansley with her best friend Carson