Must We???

Ok, every Sunday after church we get in the car and it starts. I want to go to Posey's. No I don't want to go there AGAIN. Well it was my turn to pick because Lizzie got to pick last Sunday and we went to POSEY'S. I wanted to go to Red Lobster, but Lizzie thought that if she leaned to the right side of the car it would automatically switch to the right lane and be able to turn into Posey's parking lot. Well I switched to the right lane and she was doing CHEERS in her seat. I told her just because I switched lanes doesn't mean that we were going to Posey's. She seemed really confident that she would prevail. Lizzie LOVES Posey's buffet and Ashlyn just likes their chocolate cake (me too!).

I look at Todd and say, "I really don't want to eat here either, but it would be quicker." So I slowed down and turned in. At that very moment, Ashlyn pulled out something that she learned in church, but I'm not sure you are supposed to use it in this manner. It was HILARIOUS!! She said, "Lead us not into temptations, and deliver us from Posey's." There isn't much to say after that... We like Posey's but not EVERY Sunday!!! Sorry Ash!

Our Thanksgiving Day

We couldn't wait to get over to my Mom's house this Thanksgiving. The girls have wanted to see their cousins for a while now. Needless to say when I stopped the car in the driveway, we all jumped out and tried to be the first one through the door and snatch up baby Wyatt. We all look like we are at the front of the line when they open the doors of your favorite store on Black Friday. Just to get to where we think the goods are and they are already out...Wyatt was asleep!!

We wanted to see Loren too of course, but you know what a sweet little 6 month old can do to ya. My girls didn't leave his side except when he was sleeping and even at that Ashlyn kept going and checking on him. She was really good at hearing him cry (probably because she wanted to hold him when he got up). He is an angel with the sweetest blue eyes. He is a good baby and you just can't get enough sugar from those sweet chunky cheeks.

Lizzie loved rubbing Wyatt's sweet noggin, but if she keeps it up he might lose the little bit of strawberry blonde hair that he has! Then it was time to feed Wyatt and he had three Mommas begging to feed him (Ash, Lizzie & Loren). Ash is the oldest so she got to do the honors. Lizzie and Loren whined so they got to wipe his mouth (one with a wet cloth and one with a dry cloth). Poor baby Wyatt he had sweet potatoes wiped from his chin to his hair line, but the whole time he just smiled.

My Dad (Popa) promised the girls that if they cleaned their plates at lunch he would take them outside to swing in the tree swing. That was all the incentive they needed and they didn't let him forget it either.

My Grandmother was also with us and she enjoys all of her Great-Grand babies. I also had to get my hugs and kisses from Wyatt and it almost makes me want to have a baby boy of my own...almost!

Be Thankful

We hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

If You Post It...

Lizzie will give you another smile!! I showed Lizzie Grace the post I did because of her sweetness. She thanked me for putting her in my blog. Once again after she got on the bus this morning, I went to get ready again, and SURPRISE...

PRAISE a child and they will give you a smile and their HEART!!

A Smile From My Baby!

After Lizzie Grace got on the bus this morning, I walked into my bathroom to get ready for the day. There on my bathroom counter was another sweet smile from my baby! It MADE my day!!! Lizzie is the love note writer. She writes me love notes and thank you notes almost everyday.

I had told Lizzie Grace to go and put some chap stick on her lips, so she goes into my bathroom. It took her a little longer than I thought it should and when she came out I said, "Everything ok?" She said yes and gave a little smile...I thought nothing of it. She must have known I needed another one of her sweet smiles after she left for school. THANK YOU LIZZIE & I LOVE U 2 !!

(I had cleaned out my bathroom drawer and found

lots of safety pins that Lizzie used in her artwork)

Where are the Kleenex?

I had a WONDERFUL morning sitting among some of our country's finest Veterans. Ashlyn's school has a Veteran's Day Program every year and this year I wanted to go and see it for myself. My Dad went last year and it really touched him. Mr. Headen (Assistant Principal) welcomed us and then we had the invocation. After that, Mr. Phillips, who is a teacher at the school and a Vietnam and Gulf War Veteran, led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Glee Club sang the National Anthem. They had a guest speaker, who was retired U.S. Army and Alabama National Guard (Sergeant First Class), Mr. Carney.

He did a terrific job showing our kids how to respect the flag, the National Anthem and our Veterans! Mr. Carney involved the kids in his speech and let them have a voice. Ms. McDonald paid a tribute to the Armed Forces by showing pictures of the faculty's and student's family members who had served or was still serving our country and fought for our freedom.

My favorite part was when my Dad got to stand when he heard his song being played by the band. He knew immediately when the first notes started what he was listening to. I have to say at that very moment I couldn't have been prouder of my Dad!! I never knew or saw him as a soldier (only through pictures) and it is hard for me to wrap my head around the battles and the heartache that he had to go through and still be Army strong!

At the end the band played Taps and if you weren't in tears before you were now. I can say that when I turned around to look at Ashlyn (who had to sit in the bleachers, and not with us) I could see the tears and I was thankful that her heartstrings had been pulled today just like mine. I hope she realizes how proud she should be because she has two Grandfathers (Alvie & George) and one Great-Grandfather (Pa Croft) that fought for the freedoms that she has today.

You are a lucky girl, Ashlyn!!

We Are Grateful

My Dad (Alvie) at the Vietnam Memorial


I would like to say thank you Dad for serving this great country of ours! My Dad was drafted into the Army and was sent to Vietnam. I am proud of your bravery and dedication to our freedom. But you know you are always my hero! My Grandfather (Pa Croft) served in World War II, he is no longer with us, but he is thought of on this day. We have so much to be thankful for. We should be most thankful that there are men and women that put their lives on the line everyday so we can enjoy this wonderful country we live in. Take a moment today to thank our Veterans! I LOVE YOU DAD!!!



Arlington National Cemetery



The World War II Memorial

They're BACK!!

I love the vibrant colors of Fall, and I enjoy the warm weather that we have had and probably shouldn't be having at this time of year. I think that when the leaves fall off the trees that it is just as beautiful as snow falling, but then I walk out my back door and see this...

YIKES! This is one battle that you just can't win at this time of the year. I can stand out there and get every leaf out of the pool and go back in and I promise those leaves wait til the door shuts and jump right off the tree...taunting me...haha.


Lizzie came home today and I was vacuuming and I notice that she wasn't in the den. I stopped and went looking for her. She said she didn't feel good when she got home and wanted to lay down in my bed. I said ok, and told her I would be done in a minute. When I went back to check on her, she looked like this...
As much as I LOVE Spring and Fall, they are usually very short. If this is any indication of what's to come, I think Old Man Winter is on his way to town! It's time to get ready for a couple of months of my stomach hurts, my nose is running, it hurts to swallow, my head hurts, and any Moms all time favorite, I think I am going to throw up!! Here's wishing you a healthy holiday season!! :)

Everyone Deserves...

a CHANCE. That is what I told my children this morning when they came to me upset that the person they "VOTED" for at school didn't win the election. I was glad that they got to "participate" in this historical event in our lives. I do hope that with this election comes the change that has been promised to us. We should be proud of this country, and the people that have fought to give us the freedom to have a voice and to give someone a chance.

Never A Dull Moment Around Here!

Go EAGLES!!

Last week Ashlyn started her basketball season with a tournament at Buckhorn. They won all 3 of their games beating Central, Madison Academy and New Market. This Saturday they had a tournament at her school and they beat Gadsden (38-5) and Davis Hills (39-17). They play so well together and I LOVE to watch them. Their first regular season game is tonight against Hampton Cove. I will post results on all her games. Here are a few pics of her and her teammates.

UPDATE: Ash's team actually played Madison Academy instead of Hampton Cove (found out Hampton Cove doesn't have a 7th grade girls team). They won again and that makes 6 in a row!! Way to go Ladies!

Then yesterday (Nov. 2nd) Lizzie Grace wanted to get her ears pierced. She has asked since Spring, but she has been in ball and that wasn't a good time to get them done so I took her yesterday. She was such a big girl and she absolutely LOVES them! Again, where does the time go? One minute you are coming home from the hospital with a sweet bundle of joy and then the next thing you know they are asking to get their ears pierced!! I love you girls!!

My Happy & Sad Halloween

It has finally happened! The day every Mother knows is coming. The day your first born says, "Mom, I think I'm just going to dress up and hand out candy this year." Ok I say, as I remember when I wanted to do the same thing at that age, but also trying to hide my disappointment. She is growing up too fast for me, and I DON'T LIKE IT! We carved pumpkins on Halloween after Ashlyn got home from having her basketball team pictures made, and then they got all gussied up for the night. We even dressed up our dog Miley (not that she was too happy about it). Ruthane came over with Emma and we went trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. We called Todd twice (he was with Ash). Once to bring us some socks (for Emma because you know a girl has to have on the perfect shoes w/ your outfit, but they hurt your feet) and then again to come and get us because it got really cold, really fast and we were at the other end of our neighborhood (which is a long way from our house when you are walking!) We had a great time and Ashlyn did a great job scaring the kiddos and then giving them candy. I hope you and yours had a wonderful Night of Fright!!


Ash calls her "Yo Diggity Dog"


Lizzie & Emma

Lizzie's 1st Field Trip In 1st Grade

Chillin' in the Corn Crib

It's that time of year again, time to load up on the bus and head to Tate Farms to pick out the perfect pumpkin. This is Lizzie's 2nd time to go since she has started to big girl school, but her 1st field trip in 1st grade. Todd and I went with her and had a great time! Their class got to play in the hayloft, playground, corn crib, in the hay maze, pet some farm animals, took a hayride to the pumpkin patch, and had a picnic lunch. After lunch they played duck, duck, goose before loading back up on the bus. The weather was perfect and we brought home the perfect pumpkins. What more could you ask for!

Just JUMP!

Can I get a little help here???

Mason, Maggie, Lizzie & Bella