A Banker, A Painter, Two Little Noise Makers

Our trip to Iowa

2009-08-29T11:28:00.000-07:00

What is it about summer time that makes me not get as much accomplished as during the school year? I feel like I have really let the blog go this summer, as we have been busy, yet relaxed. Sorry to my in-laws, who hopefully read this to check on the lives of their Memphis family. Mid August, we took a family trip to Iowa to visit Jerry's family and enjoy the state fair. Deb, Jer's sister, took some awesome pics of the kids at The Ledges State Park. Parker got a 12 hour stomach virus and Marilyn, mom-in-law, helped with that, bathing Parks and cleaning sheets after the sickness struck. And 12 hours in the car with the kids was really great, no sarcasm, I mean it. Everyone played, sang and watched movies, read some books (lots of Where's Waldo) and slept...a little (very little.) We also celebrated Patrick's Birthday, dad-in-law.

Just another Friday night in the ER!!!

2009-07-17T13:06:00.000-07:00

As some of you saw on Facebook, we spent Friday night in the ER with Davis. At 8:30 Friday morn, he was standing in the kitchen chair and pushed his foot against the table, thus throwing himself backwards, cracking his head against the hardwood floor. He had that crying expression, you know, where no sound comes out for about 10 seconds, then screams. Right, that's the one. He cried for about 10 minutes, settled down and acted himself the rest of the day, just with an enormous goose egg. That evening, he beagn to throw up, but still acted normal after that. I called the after hours nurse at the doctor and she said to head to the ER for a catscan. I had a peace that nothing was wrong since "D" was all smiles and high-fiving people there, but it was still good to know for sure. Arriving at 9 pm and leaving after 2 am was exhausting, but Davis was fine with some soft tissue swelling and that was it. Whew! P.S. I know the radiologist thought I was a nut for pulling out my camera in time of crisis, but I told her I was a bit of a blogger. Awww, poor boy!

OMG it's NKOTB!!!!!

2009-07-05T14:51:00.000-07:00

Crazy, right? Amy & Christy, both, won tickets on the radio and took me and Ashley to the New Kids on the Block concert on Thursday! Amy answered the question on the radio about Irene Cara being the singer of "Oh, what a feeling" that topped the charts July 1st, 1983. She is so smart! Only a tiny bit of help from the i-phone, but still, can you believe it? We met at Christy's house, where she had decorated the car and filled her ipod with all the NKOTB songs you could want. We headed to the Beauty Shop for dinner. Mmmm, I got the mustard seed encrusted scallops. From dinner, we parked and headed to mud island for the concert. It was so great, I think I screamed and laughed for 3+ hours. We were on such a high after coming face to face with some of them, we couldn't call it a night. We walked to the Kooky Canuck and ate dessert and cheese sticks. As, we arrived home and I crawled into bed at 1:30am, I couldn't unwind and I think I dreamt I was there at the concert all night. It was the most fun I have had in a long time.

Our Little Animal Lover

2009-06-21T19:22:00.000-07:00

Parker is an animal lover! No doubt about it. I just know she will have a career with animals somehow, be it a sheep shearer or an animal rights activist, it will more than likely happen. We are so proud of her and how she is turning into such a sweet, young lady. She was playing with a friend last week, when the friend boldly told a lie to her mother. Parker confronted her friend and said, "You told a lie!" The little girl brushed Parker off with, "So?" Parker told me the story that evening and I was so proud of her for recognizing what was right and wrong and verbalizing it. I told her, as a reward, we could do whatever she wanted, maybe Chic-fil-a for ice cream. She said she really wanted to go to the animal shelter and love on the cats. So, we went last week and spent almost 2 hours there. She told me it was the best day ever. She was also playing with her stuffed cats in the playroom, laying out the plan of salvation for them. Telling them, "...you know, Jesus died on the cross for your sins." She is on her way, I tell ya, but I won't ever stop praying. Prayer has gotten us this far. Here are some pictures of our future ASPCA member at a petting zoo in Southaven, MS.

Visiting Old Friends...Love It!

2009-06-02T12:21:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we drove to Clarksville, TN to visit two of my college friends, that were both in my wedding. Stacy was my maid-of-honor and I haven't seen her since little Jaxon was born, almost 4 years ago! Courtney has Tanner (4) and Tyler (2) which both of my kids had a blast playing with. When we got there Friday night, Tanner and Parker were going to sleep in the same bed, but we had to separate them early on due to excessive giggling. We grilled out, made homemade ice cream, played in the sprinkler and hiked at Dunbar Cave. It was so fun, I love those girls!

Field Day

2009-05-27T14:25:00.000-07:00

Parker had field day at GBC preschool a couple of weeks ago (have gotten a bit away from the blogging, just busy, lately) and it was so sweet to watch all of the little ones playing and "competing" against each other. There was a lot going on, like face painting, inflatables, relay races, water tables and playing with a parachute. Here are some pics from the day. Oh, and on a different note...HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sweet friend, JENNIFER! Can't believe I missed it by a day! Sat up in bed last night and was like, "Crikey!!" Anyway, I love you, girl!

Pictures on the Square

2009-05-10T13:14:00.000-07:00

My sweet friend, Ashley came over last week while both of our Hubbies were at some boring, work related, business dinner, I don't know, something about stocks, shareholding, capital gains, blah, blah, gag. I tuned Jerry out when he got home from it. Anyway, I had much more fun than him, Ashley and I took the kiddos out to the historic square and took some cute pics. We got dinner and everyone played. Davis has a thing for Caroline and the feeling may be mutual. And Molly Cate loves listening to Parker's stories about a cat-bug that she calls "cug" that is as dangerous as a Brown Recluse.

Baby Aches

2009-05-05T19:56:00.000-07:00

It is getting to be this time again when all of my girls are discussing the third baby (the fourth for some.) Girlfriends that are bursting to have the third, when they still have itsy-bitsy babes like mine. I am getting questions like, am I ready and if I am done. Eeeekkkkk! I don't really know. But, I do know that Davis is still such a wee one and Parker thinks she is a teen AND we are sleeping at night! I am exhausted lifting two kids in and out of the car, the grocery cart, potty breaks in every public restroom in town, putting shoes back on that get kicked off on purpose, laundry, poop in the tub, pee on the rug.... I haven't made up my mind yet, either way. Mom, don't freak out, you still may get another grand baby, like you are praying for. All I can say is that I am praying for God's perfect plan for our family. And like the Bible says, "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ." -Phil. 1:6
I am interested to see more the Lord has for me in life and if it is another baby, then hooray, but 'til then I am enjoying the babies I have. Here are some pictures of the day Davis was born with a 2 1/2 year old Parker and one of my silly brother excited to be an uncle again. These pics do kinda bring on baby fever, huh? Well...maybe not the maternity one.

The Greatest of Friends

2009-04-25T07:08:00.000-07:00

Parker and Evie and really great friends. They want to spend a lot of time together and I think that is wonderful. Good friends are so important, especially good Christian friends. Evie came over to play, last week and the girls really enjoyed the spring weather. Don't you remember days like this one? Evie asked Parker, "How long have we been best friends? I think since we were in our mama's tummy!"

Good Friday

2009-04-10T12:32:00.000-07:00

Today, the kids and I, along with some neighborhood kids, made Resurrection Rolls in remembrance of Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection. We took a Grands biscuit or a crescent roll, that was symbolic of Jesus' tomb, and squished flat. We placed a marshmallow in the middle of the biscuit, which is representative of Jesus, all white and pure. We placed butter, cinnamon and sugar on "Jesus," which is is the oil and spices that anointed His body. We closed the "tomb" up tight and baked the rolls as the directions suggest. When they were done baking the marshmallow melted, so the tomb is empty. Parker really enjoyed this and Davis loved the finished product! Thanks be to Jesus!

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. The found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightening, stood beside them. In their fright, the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, 'Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!"

Luke 24: 1-6a

Just a bunch of fluff

2009-04-06T11:35:00.000-07:00

So, a lot of kids have quirky behaviors to help them relax or fall asleep. I have heard of head-banging in the crib, rocking incessantly, pacifiers, loveys, etc. Parker had her "pappy" and in fact she had to hold 3 to get to sleep. They had names and jobs, I guess you would say. Of, course there was "sucky pap," then, there was "rubby nose pap," and lastly, "feely pap." When I say they had jobs, boy, they worked around the clock. But Davis, he has a different interest. Yes, he has his pacifier and "lammy" which is a lamb-blankie that he carries everywhere, but he also has his "fluff" or "fuzzies." He started pulling the polyester fiber fill out of lammy and taking the fluff and sticking it between the passy and his top lip. He will leave it there for a while then pulls it out, rubs his nose, then back in it's little spot. He is now spotting these little fluffs all over the house and he'll point and say "fup, fup." Look close at the picture and you'll see it.

What's for Dinner?

2009-04-06T09:51:00.000-07:00

Want a great recipe? Try this one tonight...it is so easy!

One Pot Spaghetti
1 lb. ground beef
1 can tomato paste
4 cups chicken broth
7 oz. spaghetti
2 tsp. dried oregano

In a large stock pot, brown your beef, drain and return to the pot. Add chicken broth and tomato paste and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add spaghetti and oregano, stir and turn down heat to a simmer. Cook all ingredients until pasta is done and broth is almost gone. Serve with a salad and some garlic bread. Yummy!

The Iowa Harringtons

2009-03-29T18:47:00.000-07:00

Last week, for Parker's birthday, my Iowa Family came to help us celebrate. Jerry's parents, Patrick and Marilyn, and our niece, Caela were the three that braved the eleven hour trip from Polk City. It was great to get to visit with them even if it was only for the weekend. They arrived Thursday night, late. We stayed up visiting and of course peeking in at the kids while they slept...Marilyn itching to scoop them up out of bed since she had not seen them since Christmas. Friday we had a relaxing day and a walk to the park to work up an appetite for fried catfish, hush puppies, sweet tea and pie for dinner. If you haven't heard, the Wolf River Cafe in Rossville has the best catfish around, not to mention the 20 different pies for dessert. Saturday, we went to Build-A-Bear for Parker's birthday and had Parker's favorite dinner, spaghetti. I made an Ariel cake and it actually turned out better than planned. Sunday, the family headed back and we hated to see them go. 'Til August, when we head that way for the Iowa State Fair and lots of love and good eats.

Happy Birthday, Parker!

2009-03-22T19:43:00.000-07:00

March 23, 4 years ago at 3:53 pm, I was introduced and instantly bonded with this tiny, 7 lb. 14 oz. bundle of pink goodness. She is the light of our life with the funniest sayings, most eccentric views and strong personality. This grass-roots girl loves bugs, "imaginating," turquoise anything, rodent-like animals, gardening, painting, not cleaning, gymnastics, talking, sandboxes and slides, olives, Big Wheels, the cello, hop balls, flip-flops, friends, baby corn, not baby dolls, and Jesus...too name a few. She keeps us laughing with thanksgiving in our hearts and a prayer never far from our lips.

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ -- to the glory and praise of God." Phil. 1:9-11

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers...I always pray with joy...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil. 1:3-6

Happy Birthday, Baby!

Almost done...with this project, at least

2009-03-19T06:49:00.001-07:00

Oh My! Steve Donaldson, (Coach D's Dad, for those of you that know Robbie) and his crew are doing an amazing job on our floors. As of now, all the floors are laid downstairs. They are coming back to finish the stairs and our upstairs and finish the quarter-round that goes around the base boards. The transformation is exciting and unbelievable. We are so thankful to the Lord for this wonderful gift!

GOT DUST???

2009-03-15T14:31:00.000-07:00

Our tile floors got ripped out, yesterday and it was super loud and super dusty. It sounded like a jack hammer in my kitchen. The mania started around 8:15 and crazy enough, Davis slept through it until 10! Good for him, someone around here needs to get some shut-eye. Jerry helped the two guys demolish my kitchen , 1/2 bath, laundry room and entry until 4:30. I was with the tykes at Mom and Dad's. I came over around 5 and the entire downstairs looked like someone had dropped a bomb of baby powder. Dust was everywhere, on the walls, inside cabinets, on all the dishes...etc. I had to wash everything inside of the kitchen cabinets, this morning. The toilet had to be removed, so now we have a big hole in the floor to keep the kids out of. Floors go down tomorrow and we are so excited. We went ahead and just decided to have them put hardwood in the upstairs hall, as well. Here are a few photos, notice the cloud of dust around the worker.

Not long now!

2009-03-11T13:59:00.000-07:00

So, we have been working like dogs for the past month to get our downstairs ceilings scraped of the popcorn texture and smoothed before our hardwood floors go in Monday. I think we've been up until at least midnight everynight for the past 3 weeks. And when you've got kids toddling in at 7 am asking for breakfast and to turn on Clifford, that's exhausting. My eyes only sting until 9...like two burnt holes in a burlap sack. We've only have to finish the sunroom and the laundry room and then it will be all smooth. The tile is being ripped out this Saturday and I cannot wait, it is yucky, white tile and what used to be white grout. Here is a picture of the completed dining room ceiling, of the icky tile and a photo of how excited Davis is to get rid of it!

Just Some Pictures

2009-03-06T12:07:00.000-08:00

It is hard for me to believe Parker is only 3 for a few more weeks and Davis is quickly approaching 17 months.

Snow!!!!

2009-03-01T17:07:00.000-08:00

We got loads of snow yesterday and through the night! At least 6 inches and that is alot for around here! Enjoy a video of the kids lauging at Hudson the dog. I'd say he's feeling better since surgery and I think he liked the snow as much as "Sassy" and "Hungry" did.

Unusual Sightings

2009-02-26T19:53:00.000-08:00

Can you guess which of these pictures is most like my child's personality. *Hint* Davis is happiest when he is ______ and Parker never wants to _______.

If you guessed eating and sleeping, you're right. Davis really isn't much of a crier (especially if there is food involved) and Parker isn't much of a napper.

Poor Hudson!

2009-02-24T20:15:00.000-08:00

As most of you know, Hudson, our Boston Terrier, is our first child and the most wild. Well, here's the scoop...Hudson started acting weird and yelping last Friday night, by Saturday he was holding his right eye closed, constantly. I figured he had a brush with a stick or grass blade, but I kept my eye on him and started using some antibiotic drops that I had leftover from his last eye incident (remember, Parker poked him in the eye with a plastic fork.) By Sunday, after church, he had what looked like an ulcer on his eyeball. I kinda freaked out and told Jerry, Hudson was going to lose his eye, I just knew it! By, Monday the ulcer had doubled in size and I got him into the vet first thing. Hudson was in big time pain, holding the eye closed and sleeping all day, not even greeting us when we came home. Okay, long story, short, We got a referral from the vet to an animal opthamologist (sp?) Hudson was admitted that afternoon for surgery. Get this, he had a flesh eating bacteria on his eye that the normal, healthy enzymes were unable to fight off and it had eaten its way to the last layer of tissue on his eye. So, it was a hole that had melted through the eye and was on the verge of rupturing. He had to have tissue removed from the inner eyelid and sealed over the eye to help regain blood flow and salvage his sight! It looks really gross and he is on a whole slew of antibiotics. He doesn't act in pain, but he hates that Elizabethan cone collar. Parker has given him the nickname "Coney." Poor Hudson!

Where I have been, lately

2009-02-22T13:11:00.000-08:00

I have a friend that recently told me I needed to update my blog. I apologize. Jerry (aka Chintzy) and I have decided to put hard wood floors in March 16th. But before we do that, we have to finish our ceiling scraping project. I am the unofficial popcorn scraper and ol "Chintzy" is mud-spreader-sander guy. I have scraped lots and we have been up on ladders, listening to the ipod, and working until at least midnight every night! Chintzy has rigged a cool system, though. The dust is so unbearable, we'll probably both be on oxygen before the project's over, we put a box fan in the window pulling all of the dust outside. We are making way. Anyone wanna come help?

Fun with Daddy!

2009-02-09T19:20:00.000-08:00

This is the kind of thing we do when Daddy's home at night. It kinda makes me wish I was still a kid! It all came about when we were folding sheets and "Sassy" jumped in it and then the fun began!

Fun at the Park

2009-02-08T12:16:00.001-08:00

Last weekend we were just itching to get out and play. It was a bit breezy and overcast, unlike this weekend, which has been warm. The kids were having fun and all over the place, I guess I should've set my camera to the "motion" setting. Sorry for the blurriness. I cannot wait for summertime! It is on it's way, however, I don't know if I am ready to pick out swimsuits, though!

Sweet Siblings

2009-02-04T10:21:00.000-08:00

And to think, "Sassy" hated him when he arrived 15 months ago.

Secret Blog Names

2009-02-02T11:20:00.000-08:00

I have a friend who, on her blog (and a lot at home,) goes by "mommy." This is a cute idea from "mommy" to come up with blog names for your family, you know, to keep your identity private. I was talking this over with my hubbie and we thought of some that would be fitting for us. He is Chintzy (if you know him, it is fitting.) I am Bossy (again, fitting, but Big Spender would work just as well) Parks is Sassy and Davis is Hungry. I think it is cute...thanks for the idea "mommy."

Just for fun, I included a 13 month flashback photo of "Sassy"

A verse to live by...

2009-02-01T09:21:00.001-08:00

"When times are good, be happy, but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other."
Ecclesiastes 7:14

It has been a while

2009-01-31T20:22:00.001-08:00

I have been taking such great video of the kids, doing all kinds of funny things, but I can't get it to upload. It keeps saying unrecognizable format...ugh. Kids had a good time in the snow last week. It was Tennessee snow, unlike Iowa which is like, sink-your-foot-in-clear-up-to-the-shin, make-a-snow-man-with-no-mud-and-grass-in-it, sled-at-a-car-like-speed and freeze-your-tookus-off-snow. Are you digging little D's snow pants? He fell down and was like Randy from Christmas story, "I can't get up!" I did get pics of Parks, but that was "unrecognizable data" so this is all I got. Love to all!

Oh, and aren't I techy? I got some tunes for all ya'll. :)

What have we gotten ourselves into??

2009-01-14T09:08:00.000-08:00

We are currently smoothing the ceilings in the entire downstairs, due to a busted pipe leak we had last summer. The repair left a 4 foot by 7 foot hole that was patched with drywall. We tried retexturizing the popcorn ceiling, so it would match the rest of the house and it didn't turn out. So we had no choice but to scrape. Jerry has almost completed out family room and my job is to keep the flying debris off of our kids! I'll keep you posted!

The Latest on my Little Ones

2009-01-11T17:53:00.000-08:00

Well, it seems the kids are changing so fast. I can't even blink or I'll miss something. Parker is our firecracker, full of drama, theatrics and loads of personality. She loves animals and where most little girls her age want to be a princess or ballerina, when she grows-up, Parks want to "shear sheep and have a animal farm with crops." She wants to be a mom of 9 children who can watch her shearing from day to day. Funny. Where she gets this stuff, I don't know. Maybe it is her artsy mom?? She has a invisible friend who is an adult woman named Fack-Fack-Fackie who works at an animal rescue and has a backpack of goats, two birds named Ketchup and Mustard, with a husband name Peter Gunglebreath and a dog named Faqueline. There is lots more to the story about Fack-Fack-Fackie that builds everyday. Parker loves to dance and perform. She is currently learning to read and is really enjoying school. Her favorite color is turquoise, but she will tell you turquesa which is the color in Spanish.

Davis is laid back and full of energy. He is running all over the house and not that into toys, he just wants to climb anything! The stairs being a favorite. He is very giving and allows Parker to snatch anything from him and he just laughs. He really enjoys eating and likes to slap the pantry door wildly when he wants a snack. Oh, and beware if he hears a crinkly bag, like chips, he will come running or wake up, for that matter. You better to be ready to share your food with Big D around. He is able to speak more and more clearly each day, but maybe it is only things a mother could understand. I know he said "I did it!" just yesterday. He can say "bath, ball, Hudson, Dada, Mama, pretty," and many animal sounds. As far as sleep, Ha, what's that? we've had a few, consecutive good nights, but not so much lately. So, if your up with a kid in the night, know we are, most likely, up too. I get a lot of praying done at the wee hours, so I think that's why the Lord wakes me with the call of a little voice. Notice in the photo, he is sleeping, but in the car and that window of time is swiftly passing as I'm racing to get home to the crib!

The Incredible Hulk

2008-12-19T08:26:00.000-08:00

Davis likes to do the "Hulk" when he is frustrated and sometimes on command. My friend, Courtney's son used to do this when he was younger, too. Maybe its a boy thing.

The Perfect Picture

2008-12-19T07:51:00.000-08:00

Okay, Come on now! I am getting all of these beautiful Christmas cards with sweet, pristine looking children, full of smocking and hair bows, perfect smiles and utter happiness. Did anyone out there have as much trouble acheiving the perfect photo of their little angel(s) as I did??? Please share. Here are some of the many photos taken to get to the card we actually sent...Enjoy. Oh, and notice the one where Parker refused to be in the picture, but we went on without her. We were laughing hysterically at this point, even though you
wouldn't know it based on my expression. Merry Christmas!!!

My Birthday

2008-12-11T19:27:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I turned 31. Crazy, right? It sounds so much older that 30. Well, I planned my day to be relaxing and fun, take Parker to gymnastics, hang out with my mom and go to lunch, then, dinner with Jerry that evening. Well, some of the day went as planned. I'm jumping ahead. Tuesday night before my b-day, Parker was having a 3 year old moment and got frustrated about something and swung a plastic baseball bat and hit me square in the face. (it was by accident, by the way.) It hit my nose so hard, I thought it was bleeding and Jerry said he heard it pop. Are you cringing, yet? So, after a few tears, (shed by me) I got over it. Next day, I look fine, by the evening I had two faint black eyes...on my birthday! I'm trying to make 31 look good, not so much, now. So, b-day morn, we went to gymnastics, then to lunch with my mom, so far so good despite the black eyes. Once we are home, Parker grabs the plastic card holder, fork thing, from some flowers my parents-in-law sent. She is twirling it around wildly and she stabs Hudson (our dog) in the eye!!! Now your cringing. He yelps and I didn't really see the whole thing and Parks told me she poked his cheek. About 5 minutes later, Hudson is sitting in the family room, holding one of his eyes closed. I took him to the vet. He has a deep "corneal abrasion," 2 types of antibiotics and 1 pain killer, and the vet suggests that we go to a dog opthamologist in East Memphis! Despite all that, getting caught in a rainy parking lot with no umbrella and 2 kids, Davis' "croc" bouncing under the middle of a car that I cannot reach, and having to take a rain check on dinner, my birthday was sweet. Parks and Jerry baked me a cake, My mother and father-in-law sent me flowers, I got 11 birthday phone calls, a new dishwasher, some amazing jewelry from my parents, Davis slept all night, and a card that Parker picked out herself. Oh, and a little happy from Amy. It was really funny. And as my best friend says when life throws a curve, "it is blog-able!"

Ornament Tag!!

2008-12-06T20:44:00.000-08:00

So my sweet Amy tagged me to post my favorite Christmas ornaments hanging on my tree. What fun! I love decorating each year and getting to reminisce about days of yore and get all gushy about family and friends. I am a glass ornament girl, that is almost all I have. Thankfully the kids don't really play with the tree. Davis isn't much interested because he only wants things he can easily climb and conquer. Nevertheless, the important glass ornaments are up real high...just in case my little monkey feels like a conquest.

Okay, my first ornament is of Parker's hand in clay when she was 6 months.

The next ornament is of a glass car. It is Parker's first Christmas ornament. My mom got it for her because for her entire first year of life, she HATED the car seat. Whether it was a 5 minute drive down the street, or 11 hours to Iowa, she would scream like her leg was cut off. We tried everything, even putting a pool noodle under the car seat so it would angle it differently. I would just drive and cry along with her. Now, I can laugh about it.

The third ornament is a glass bunny in memory of Pearl, my late rabbit. She was a pet a got in college and I loved that rabbit so much. I fed her gourmet meals, daily. She was obese and cuddly and she got the name Pearl because she was white and round. She lived 8 years and died 3 months before Parker was born. Her nickname was Poon-dee. Doesn't that sound like a fat rabbit-y nickname?

Ornament 4 is a hand painted Russian Egg my father bought for me recently when he was on a business trip. He said he wanted to get me something just because he was thinking about me. That is why I like it, and that it is handmade, one of a kind.

Ornament 5 is an ornament my late grandmother, Bonnie Allen gave me that was hanging on her tree when she was young. It is a glass ball, very simple and tarnished a bit. It has to be at least 60 years old.

Ornament 6 is a clay cross my mom gave to me this year. I love it because it is made by an artist and it is the entire reason we celebrate this beautiful time of year. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Parker loves dressing up and dressing down

2008-12-03T09:00:00.001-08:00

Here is my little mermaid. She loves to play dress up. But she also loves to strip down naked in a flash! We were eating over at a friends house to other night. Parker was eating in the family room with her pint-sized friend, while the rest of us were eating in the kitchen. Jerry went into the family room and there was Parker, naked, at someone else's house, enjoying her meal. It makes me laugh, it makes Jerry nervous for days to come

Davis...bottomless

2008-11-29T21:07:00.000-08:00

Last time I let him do this, he pooped on the floor and slipped in it. It was on his forehead, all over his sock feet and tons of it on me as I carried him to the tub. Thank goodness he had the "passy" or who knows where it could've ended up. Oh, who can resist those cheeks?

Can you believe it??

2008-11-29T20:11:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Well, I did it. I started a blog, thanks to some persuasion by Jennifer and Amy. Today we had much motivation to decorate for Christmas because both children slept last night!!! That is so rare. We put up the tree, Jerry and Davis sped around the house in Davis' little car, Parker and I baked spice cake and we went shopping. It is amazing how much one can accomplish with a bit of sleep. Here are the pictures from today. Check out Parker's Hannah Montana Jammies. She loves her and we've only seen her show once.