Momma 2 Girls

Our Easter

2009-05-03T20:01:00.006-05:00

My favorite time of year is Spring. I love when the trees start to turn green, my tulips bloom, and the refreshing smell of rain showers. Here are a few pictures of us coloring eggs, us on Easter Sunday, and some of my beautiful family!

Popa & Nana with their sweet babies!

Cousins

How cute is he???

My wonderful family

The girls waiting to hunt eggs.

Can You Believe It!

2009-04-02T13:44:00.002-05:00

Todd and I have been married for 15 years today! We both can't believe it, and it just doesn't seem that long ago.

Happy Anniversary Todd!!

BEWARE...New Teen In Town!!!

2009-03-29T18:59:00.010-05:00

Ash ready to party

What can I say, I officially have a teenager! My firstborn turned 13 on March 21st and we made sure we rang in the new hormones RIGHT!! I rented a tent and booked a DJ and we had about 20 kids hang out with us. We ate and danced and then ate cookie cake, then we had hot chocolate and smores. I don't know about all the kids, but I sure had a great time and didn't want to see the party end (they seemed to have fun...see video...haha)

We made signs to hang around the tent and I think I cried everytime I made one!!!

This shows every birthday since she was born...ok, I'm tearing up...let's get on with it!

Then my sweet Lizzie wanted to write something to her big sister, so this is her sign to Ash.

Tears again...

The party place

(l to r) Emilee, Julie, Wyatt, Ivey Grace, Sam & Ash

Ash and her peeps

Peyton & Heath kept the girls entertained. I laughed so hard my stomach was hurting just watching them! They were so funny!!

I hope all your wishes come true, my sweet girl!

Ash,

You have no idea how much fun I had planning your birthday party. I treasure the moments that I get to spend with you and your sweet friends. Enjoy every minute of your life, it will go by so quickly! Happy 13th Birthday!

I love you!!!

Check out the videos I made of the kids dancing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsslWnvfl5s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pTmUiyEHz0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=borNHelhFmU

Watch at your own risk...may cause laughter!

Valentine's Day and a Special Visit

2009-02-25T21:21:00.005-06:00

On Valentine's Day I get the girls a little bag of goodies and always chocolates. This year they got a picture frame for their rooms, Lizzie got a book and Ash got a magazine, Dove chocolate (YUM), and some little pots to grow their plants in that come with them (strawberries & wild flowers). We will see if that works...it looked cute! I hope you all had a very Happy Heart day!

My sweet loves!

Blowing Momma a kiss.

Happy Valentine's Day girls!

Dad being goofy with the girls!

My sweet niece came to visit and go to a play with Lizzie Grace and their Nana. They went to see The Monster In The Closet. Lizzie Grace LOVES Loren and wants to be with her the whole time she is here. I wish they lived closer! We miss our little man too!!

Indulge Me For A Minute...please!

2009-02-25T20:02:00.005-06:00

I want to brag about Ashlyn for just a minute so please bear with me. Ashlyn's volleyball team had their end of the season banquet at the beginning of Feb. The girls had a really nice dinner and were also given their trophies along with several other awards.

For those of you that didn't know or forgot, Ashlyn broke her ring finger on her right hand right before the regular season started. She didn't get to play and she was heartbroken. Even though she was hurt she went to every practice and every game even though she couldn't play. She even learned to bump the ball with her left hand (this made Mrs. Lanora VERY nervous...haha). Ashlyn was the cheerleader for the team and she became really close to Mrs. Lanora.

Coach Brooks and Mrs. Lanora are the sweetest coaches Ashlyn has ever had. They are so easy to talk to and get to know. As they were giving out the awards for both teams they came to the Team Spirit Award. Mrs. Lanora gets up to talk and as she does she chokes up and stops talking. Then she tries to start again and she stops and looks back at Coach Brooks and asks him to do it for her. Coach Brooks said that this award was going to a person that got hurt before the season started, but had so much heart and wanted to play so bad that when we lost it hurt her just as bad as if she was playing. Of course the award went to Ashlyn! I turned to look at Ash and she was in tears. She did not expect to hear them talk about her like they did, but she was so thankful. And I was proud of her!

Jasmine, Coach Brooks, Ashlyn, Mrs. Lanora & Leah

Ash listening to them talk about how she showed her Team Spirit.

Mrs. Lanora was proud to give Ash her award, but just don't ask her to talk about it...haha.

(from R front to back and the L back to front)
Lilly, Ivey Grace, Heather, Tabitha, Mallory, Ashlyn,
Sam & Lauren. They are sweet girls!

This last picture was Ash on the day of her Honor's Breakfast. Ashlyn was one of 26 people that received all A's for the year out of her 7th grade class. There are over 350 kids in Ash's grade, so we are really proud of how she has kept her grades up while playing all these sports. This is Ashlyn's second year in a row that she has received all A's while in middle school. Way to go Ash!!! We love you baby!

Road Trip

2009-01-29T10:43:00.005-06:00

Don't you love just getting a wild hair?? Our family does, but we had a little help. Ashlyn's basketball coach had mention to their team that she might take them to Auburn to watch the Lady Tigers take on the Lady Vols. Well, as it turned out she didn't but we still wanted to go. So we loaded up and with NO tickets headed down to Auburn (3 1/2 hour drive). The game started at 2:00 and when we arrived, people were already standing in line! So we hurried and got in line for tickets and we kept hearing people say, "I have never seen this many people here for a game" and "I hope there are enough tickets". As it turned out, this was the biggest crowd to ever turn out for an Auburn basketball...EVER!!! There were 12, 067 people in attendance and this beat the prior record by 5,000!

Waiting for tickets!

I just have one question. Why wouldn't anyone want to go to an Auburn basketball game if they were close enough??? I would be there if it wasn't for the 3 1/2 hour drive! Anyway, we had the best time and the girls were surprised that it wasn't like going to the HG games (which we love to do) but this was on another level...haha The cheerleaders threw shirts and towels into the crowd, they had a dance cam, they had a rubber chicken catching competition, they played Simon Says and they had the family cam. Ashlyn looked at me during the game and said, "I am so going here when I graduate!" And I just smiled and said yes you are and I will be coming with you (haha)!! But the best part was watching the Lady Tigers school TN in basketball. They were amazing, and a few of them were from here! After this game they are 20-0 and we already have tickets to go and watch the AU & GA game. This time we wont have to stand in line...yea!

After the game, we stood in line for about an hour and a half to get autographs and then I figured out the autographs that the girls were really wanting were in another line! They separated the starters and the rest of them team. So we went and stood in ANOTHER line and finally got the autographs and some pics. And as we were leaving the Auburn Lady's coach was standing right in front of us signing a girls poster so we stopped and the girls got her autograph too and pic. I told Ash when we left that she should have told her that she will be seeing her again one day. Ash just laughed and said yeah right! Maybe, just maybe...

WAR EAGLE!!!

Lizzie, Coach Fortner & Ash

Allie Smalley, the girls & Whitney Boddie

Leaving out!

My little fly catcher...her Ipod was still playing!

Tag...I'm It!

2009-01-24T10:04:00.006-06:00

I've been tagged by Joy who has bestowed this honor onto me...
So it's now my duty to list 5 things that I am addicted to.

My current addictions included...

1. Facebook. How did I get by everyday without knowing what all my friends from elementary, middle and high school were doing? Or, my neighbors from my childhood days. Friends I use to go to church with or people I still see everyday. Once you start it you can't stop!!

2. Dove Ice Cream. They only come 4 to a box, which should tell you something...expensive! But they are to die for!! If my kids ever see them they are goners :( I asked for one last night and as Todd sat over there with a sneaky smile Ashlyn says there aren't anymore! I looked over and he said, "I probably ate the last one the night you went to Starbucks for your PTA meeting." Yeah, you were just getting back at me for my Double Chocolate Chip Frap that you didn't get!

3. Wii. I just love trying to beat my family, especially Todd. The girls beat me A LOT. I love playing Guitar Hero! I think I was destined to be a guitar rock star...stop laughing :)

4. Making pictures. Since I became addicted to blogging, I have my camera in my purse at all times, just in case of that perfect Kodak moment.

5. El Palacio. This isn't just a current addiction, but addiction I have had since I was little. I love to eat at this place! We go there at least once or twice a week. The people who wait on us, know exactly what we drink and what type of cheese dip we get. They have always made us feel special there. They have seen me go through boyfriends, get married, and have my babies. They even give us a hard time come Iron Bowl time. They ask about one of us if we are missing someone when we show up. They are part of our family.

And because I love reading your blog Kera, I tag you!!

Where have we been?

2009-01-21T18:45:00.005-06:00

Well I have either been slacking on my posts or not a lot has been going on. One thing that I did want to tell you is Ashlyn's basketball team went to the county tournament and they won their first game against Riverton (50-30) then they had to go up AGAIN against Monrovia.

Well you know our track record with Monrovia wasn't good. They had beaten us twice during the season. The last time we played them, with 1 sec. left on the clock, a girl from Monrovia throws it from half court, and we just know it will miss, but guess what????? It didn't...it was nothing but net and we went from cheers of joy to our jaws dropped open saying, "I can not believe what I just saw!" We will probably never see that again as long as we live and it was heartbreaking, but we had to suck it up and play them again to get to the championship.

So we played Monrovia again on the 15th. It was going pretty good for awhile and then our girls just began to get tired (we didn't have a lot being subbed in). So we had a chance with a few seconds left on the clock to tie it but it just didn't work in our favor yet again. Oh well, there is always next year!!

So we finished 3rd in the county, so that isn't too bad! So now basketball is over and Ashlyn is thinking about signing up to play rec. volleyball. It is only about 4 to 6 weeks long, so not too bad. Ash is also thinking about playing travel basketball, but we aren't sure yet. We think that runs from March to the end of April or beginning of May. Then it will be on to Lizzie playing softball.

Well other than that we are just taking it easy and hanging out at home.

Our dog will turn 2 on Friday so Happy 2nd Birthday Miley!!!

Basketball Homecoming At The Middle School

2009-01-10T21:10:00.003-06:00

The first week back from Christmas break started with a bang. It was Homecoming week and there was no resting for the parents of kids on the girl's basketball team. Well at least not some of them. I helped decorate the gym lobby, glue pins and ribbons for the Homecoming Court, and I also made the 7th grade girl's banner to hang in the gym during the game.

I also participated in the Pep Rally they had at 1:30 on Friday afternoon. I was told to go out in the middle of the gym and sit in a chair with other parents and a teacher from 7th grade and one from 8th grade had to place the player with their parent. Well unlucky for Ash I was there instead of Todd so she got placed with everyone except me! I also was put with an 8th grade boy, so for a minute or so I had a son. He had blonde hair and that was probably the only reason I was put with him...haha. The principal of the school had to try and match us up and he got all of us right.

After that I got to play Charades in front of the student body with our 7th grade ball players helping us while the 8th grade players helped their parents. We were given words to pick from and then the Coach would tell the 8th grade ball players to act out that word to see if the 8th grade parents could guess it. Well they did, so it was our turn. They picked a word for our kids to act out and we guessed it too. Then it went back to them and then back to us. We were at a tie, so she gave us a tie-breaker, but with a twist. We had to act it out this time and our kids had to guess it. Well, she gave us our word and she was laughing (not a good sign). Our word was "school bus". We got up out of our chairs and walked to the middle of the court and got on our imaginary school bus along with our bus driver who stopped and picked one of us up as we waved to the crowd.

Well guess who got the word first? That would be my smart daughter. She was yelling "school bus" and the Coach thought that our impersonation was the best!! We had done our job. Ash wasn't even embarrassed either.

I was glad she wasn't embarrassed because we also had to chaperon the dance after the game and a few of us Moms got out on the dance floor and showed them some of our dancing moves. They even played Thriller in which the kids were looking at us like what in the world were we doing but then they joined right on in with us. We have some pretty cool kids to let us join in and act like we are 13 again. I will just have to learn some more dance moves before next year!! My daughters (Lizzie got to go to the dance too) on the other hand were getting down and I loved to watch them having a good time. It was so hot in there I didn't see how they were still going but I forgot they are young and I am not!!

Side note: All four teams won their last home game. It was a terrific Homecoming!

They were announcing players at half time.

Ashlyn

Ashlyn guarding her girl.

Ash shooting and it SWISHED the net. Way to go Ash!

Basketball Christmas Party

2009-01-10T20:30:00.006-06:00

Ashlyn's team has done really well this season and have had several games in late December. They also had their team Christmas party when they went to Cowan, TN for a tournament and they won both games during their break. We spent the night up there and the party was at the Pizza Hut right down from the hotel that we stayed in. The girls had a good time!

7th grade b'ball team and a few extras

Ashlyn & Sarah (she was Ash's Secret Santa)

Waiting on the pizza

Everybody was holding up their new pj bottoms they got in their stockings!

7th & 8th grade girls

Kids will be kids...Lizzie, Kirsten & Ivey

Looking good girls

We took some of the girl's pictures on this rock in Monteagle, TN. It was really neat and a little scary that far up. What a beautiful view we had. In the picture on the left (in the back from right to left) we have Ivey, Kirsten, Haley, Haley, Tyra. (Then from right to left on front row) Emily, Emily, Lizzie & Ash.

I am glad I get to spend time with Ashlyn and her friends. They are really cool kids!

A New Year!

2009-01-10T19:24:00.007-06:00

Well our New Year started out with a few loses. Let me explain, Lizzie has had four teeth that have been wiggling for weeks. So on New Year's Eve she just got tired of it and pulled her first tooth by herself! It was the front tooth on top. I was so proud of her, but I also felt a little sad because the baby in her was slowly fading away.

Then I was working up at Ashlyn's school for Homecoming week and I get a text from Todd and this is what I see...

Ok, can we stop losing teeth for a few weeks or so and let me get myself together??? This one fell out at lunch this past week.

I got a late Christmas gift this year from Santa. My cousin, Chris, and his kids came and spent the night with us and hung out and played on the Wii. We also went to the movies and out to eat. The kids had a blast with each other. Here are some pictures of our time together.

Trevor, Christa, Lizzie & Ashlyn playing Rock Band.

Christa & Ashlyn playing "Sing It". They sounded so good together. Here are the kiddos waiting to eat pizza.

I love this picture of the girls!

Yes they are eating chocolate chip cookies at 10:30 at night. I guess that is why they couldn't go to sleep until about 1:00 a.m.

Chris & Me

We are trying to go to sleep...yeah right!

We saw the movie Bedtime Stories. It was great!! I enjoyed their visit so much. Chris and I even talked about when we were young and got to stay at our Grandmother's for a week in the summer. If we would have had a feather bed it would have been just like old times!

Round Two

2009-01-10T18:02:00.007-06:00

I told you in a prior post that I would keep you updated on our elves mischief so here goes.

Elliott & Caroline got in my van and turned it around in the driveway headed out towards the yard, but they were buckled in so that was good! Crazy elves...

They got into the silly string in the bathroom and played with Lizzie gift she got from school. Elliott put the hair clips in his hair!

They hid up behind the t.v. and it took the girls awhile to find them. They also gave the girls a book about how Santa got his elves.

And last but not least they hid in my ficus tree! Boy those elves wear me out, but I am sad to see them leave on Christmas Eve. The girls are just heartbroken and they wait all year for them! Thanks for the good times Elliott & Caroline!

After Christmas morning, we went to my parent's house for more fun with my brother and family. My girls LOVE to hold, kiss, and be near our sweet cheeks, Wyatt.

What? I can't eat Elmo's eyes???

Wyatt loved the wrapping more than the box or gift!! (to eat that is)

Lizzie just can't get enough of Wyatt!

Popa's Little Man

Next stop, Pop and Mimi's house on the 26th. Of course the girls got more gifts and we had fun hanging out. Todd's sister, Amy, and her husband, Scott, were there with us.

Aunt Amy & Lizzie

Well that gets us through Christmas now on to New Year's. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

You Might Want To Take A Seat This Will Take Awhile!

2009-01-10T10:40:00.022-06:00

Well, I am finally sitting down since Christmas Eve to catch you up on what has been keeping us so busy. As most of you know, we have lots of birthdays to celebrate before and after Christmas. The first one was my niece's birthday on the (20th) but we had her party on the (13th). She turned 5! She had a gymnastics party so this was the best picture I could get that wasn't a blur...haha.

Next, we were on to Lizzie Grace's birthday which is on the (28th) but we partied on the (20th). This was the first year she just wanted to invite people in her class at school, so we did. I had not planned on her having another party but maybe just a simple get together at our house but she brought out the tears so I said ok. She wanted a skating party. So you know what that meant, I had to skate too, I had promised! Lizzie didn't have as many bruises this time as she did when she went a couple of weeks earlier to her best friend, Emma's, party. But my legs were KILLING me when I got finished. I could tell that I was older and wasn't as cool as I used to be on my skates. Oh to be 12 again...haha. My Dad even skated!!! I am 35 years old and I have NEVER seen my Dad on skates. I was impressed that he only fell twice and didn't have any broken bones. Way to go, Dad!!! Here are a few pics from the rink...

My girls

I made Lizzie's cake (yummy Devil's Food Chocolate)

Maggie, Bella, Lizzie & Loren Mason, Kaleb, Stephanie & Emma

Our elves wanted to party too so they were some how delivered to the skating rink just in time to open gifts and eat cake!

Here we are skating...check out Dad! He will do anything for his Grand babies!! Is there anything my Dad can't do?????

Ok, moving on to the next event. Lizzie's Christmas school party. They did some crafts and decorated a cookie lollipop, had a gift swap, some snacks, and sang Christmas carols to us. She has a wonderful teacher! They had a great time!

Now we are up to Christmas...yea! We always have a calm and relaxing Christmas morning. My parents come with my Uncle and Nanny and we eat Sausage Balls and open gifts from each other and they get to see what the girl's got from Santa. Then we go to Mom & Dad's house and have a late lunch with Jason and Natalie & kiddos and open more gifts. Here are some pics...

Ipod speaker

This was the first year that we each read a book before the girls went to bed on Christmas Eve. Lizzie had the honor of reading The Night Before Christmas and she did a GREAT job!! We always read these books before Santa comes.

Boy, I can't wait for an Easy Bake oven cake, could you??

This is our favorite gift and we love it too!! We can only play on it when they are in school. Haha kids.

Lizzie Grace LOVES to read and I am so thankful. She had all the books Santa gave her for Christmas read by the afternoon!!

Fake fingernails...just what I always wanted!!

I saw the perfect gift for my Dad at Books-A-Million. It was a 1970 Chevelle SuperSport Christmas ornament. It was green and black just like the one my Mom has and my Dad is rebuilding. How cool was that??? He LOVED it!!!

Gifts from Popa & Nana

The girls made flower pots for Nannie. They were really cute...I wish I had one now! Lizzie, Nannie & Ash.

Well this gets us through Christmas morning. There is more to see!!

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

2008-12-24T16:31:00.003-06:00

The Elves Are Back In Town!

2008-12-16T19:27:00.009-06:00

My girls look forward to this time of year each year. But not because Santa is coming but because their ELVES are! Santa sends their elves to them each year when they are done making toys for all the good little girls and boys. They usually come and visit for about 8 to 10 days. Their names are Caroline and Elliott and they can stir up a lot of mischief at our house. The girls LOVE it! They showed up this past Friday wrapped in Frosty the Snowman wrapping paper and each one had the girls favorite candy. Since then they have been ringing in the Christmas cheer. Here are some of a few things that they have done already. I'm sure I will have more to share later...stay tuned!

Caroline & Elliott always come bearing gifts.

This prank might not have been so bad if they would have actually washed some clothes while they were sorting or slinging clothes all OVER the laundry room!!!

We left for Cullman Saturday morning and while we were gone the elves thought they should go into Ashlyn's room and play tic-tac-toe on her bed. That is where we found them when we got back that afternoon.

Last night Elliott & Caroline thought it would be fun to watch a movie (8 Below & The March of the Penguins) while they had a popcorn fight in our living room! It was all over the furniture and the floor. Needless to say, Miley (our dog) couldn't control her sniffer even after Ashlyn picked up all the popcorn! Thanks Caroline & Elliott!!!

Sunday Morning Pics

2008-12-07T14:17:00.003-06:00

Here are some pictures we took this morning before church. We didn't have time for a group photo!

Raise your right hand...

2008-12-07T13:41:00.010-06:00

and repeat after me.

"I solemnly promise that...

"I will not hit, act like I am going to hit, shove, punch, push or lean on my sister."

"I will not call her names, look at her wrong, tell her that her breath stinks, or that her teeth look like the Grinch's Who Stole Christmas (because she has braces)."

"I will not fight about who Mom loves the most or who she thinks is the prettiest."

"I understand that if I DO NOT abide by these rules, I will not be included in the family Christmas picture."

This actually worked...haha! So here is a look at our little photo session.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!!

This last picture was staged by the girls. They had to let out all of that pent up sisterly aggression that I made them promise not to bring out in our photo shoot.

Must We???

2008-11-30T12:24:00.003-06:00

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

2008-11-28T19:58:00.011-06:00

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

2008-11-26T18:06:00.001-06:00

We hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

If You Post It...

2008-11-19T13:56:00.003-06:00

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!

2008-11-18T14:46:00.003-06:00

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?

2008-11-13T11:48:00.002-06:00

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

2008-11-11T14:56:00.010-06:00

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!!

2008-11-06T16:06:00.007-06:00

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...

2008-11-05T17:06:00.002-06:00

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!

2008-11-03T11:18:00.009-06:00

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

2008-11-03T10:32:00.007-06:00

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

2008-11-03T09:59:00.006-06:00

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

Gem Dawgs Ball Party

2008-10-28T21:33:00.007-05:00

Coach Jean & Lizzie Grace

Lizzie Grace's ball team had their end of the season party at our house on Saturday (25th). We had a really good time, well it's hard not to have a good time with 15 giggling girls!!! Our party was a Halloween Scavenger Hunt. They came dressed up and then we all loaded up on a trailer and went from house to house searching for the items they had to collect to get their trophies. They got everything on the list and then headed back to the house to eat. After we ate we gave out trophies, and this is where I have to brag a little bit. The Gem Dawgs went 10-1 and came in 2nd in the county! But to make it a little sweeter, our girls were playing up in an older division against older girls because we had 5 girls on our team that were older. So they did an excellent job! WAY TO GO GIRLS!!! After trophies we had cookie cake and handed out goodie bags. It was a great season! I love to watch Lizzie and her friends play ball. I have told her and Ashlyn many times that I could watch them play all day everyday. It amazes me what my babies can do, because it wasn't that long ago that they were just babies :)

Lizzie Grace & Abby

The Gem Dawgs

As I promised...

2008-10-19T13:01:00.008-05:00

here is an updated since my last entry. Ashlyn had a real experience while trying out for her middle school basketball team but in the end she MADE it!!! YEAH :) She has practiced everyday and afternoon since. She starts her games at the end of October and finishes up at the end of January.

We had a great Fall Break in Disney, but a break is NOT what I would call it!! We were up everyday at 6:45 and and at the park by 8:15. We usually stayed at the parks all day or we would jump from park to park. We made sure we saw all the park openings and all their closings. We thought Fantasmic was the best at MGM! It became a ritual that it had to rain every evening before the finale at each park. So we would sit for 2 hours or more in the POURING rain (with ponchos on) waiting for ending. As soon as it was time for the show it would stop raining (every time!) But I told Todd that at some point there came a time when the poncho became useless and we were all soaked even though we still had our ponchos on. For $7.00 a piece those WDW ponchos should have been soak-proof!!

I almost forgot, the girls got to open the park at Animal Kingdom. They were picked out of the line and asked to do the countdown to open the park. They got to shake tamborines and wear shirts like the employees. They thought they were something :)

I do have to admit that some of my most memorable moments were when we were sitting in the rain and the girls were dancing and laughing and trying to make the most of the situation. That was fun!! I was also impressed that my girls LOVED the ride "It's A Small World". That shows the innocence's of children. Lizzie rode her first BIG girl roller coaster "The Rockin Roller Coaster". She was so excited that she was tall enough!! This roller coaster went upside down and in a corkscrew. I was proud of her! She loves to ride and that is great because we all love to ride too!

We finally got the nerve (or should I say me and the girls got our nerve) to ride the Tower of Terror. I can ride any roller coaster, but I am not a huge fan of having my stomach come up into my throat! This ride is supposed to take you up 13 stories and drop you at random times. Well it was time to prove that we were real women so we stood in line and acted like we weren't nervous. After the first drop we looked at each other and said the "Rockin Roller Coaster" was better than this! So we went and rode it again...haha.

Todd thinks that we walked about 80 miles while we were there and we probably did, but I didn't see any drastic weight loss...haha. Needless to say we had a blast and we would love to go back (maybe in a few years) or when Todd and I get the feeling back in our feet!

Slacking...

2008-09-29T09:53:00.005-05:00

or should I say packing! We are getting excited about going to Disney, but boy is there a lot to do and think of! The girls have been counting down the days. I just wanted to update everyone on a few things.

First of all, Ashlyn tried out for the basketball team last week for 3 days and was supposed to find out Wednesday if she made it. Well, there was a girl that was sick 2 of the 3 days so the coach is making them try-out again this Monday & Tuesday so the other girl can join them. Needless to say, there were a LOT of unhappy girls, mine included. Todd and I both told Ashlyn to leave everything on the court and she did just that! Now she will have to leave it on the court this week too...bless her heart!

Next to our little slugger. Lizzie's little coach pitch team has gone undefeated this fall season and we are thrilled about that since our girls had to play up in an older division. Our tournament starts when we leave for Disney so Lizzie will miss it. I know she would love to be at both, but Disney has won out this time...haha

Stay tuned for updates on Ash & Lizzie Grace and pictures from Disney!!!

Picture Day

2008-09-22T12:58:00.008-05:00

This past Friday was picture day at Lizzie's school. She picked out the outfit she wanted to wear, but she also remembered that her P.E. teacher's said that if you went to the Autumn Chase Fun Run and got a t-shirt you can wear it to school! So when I sent her to school she looked like this...

When I went to school to eat lunch with her (and before P.E.) she looked like this...

(Ok, maybe not that bad!) She still had her hair down and in those cutesy curls. And instead of the jeans she had her CUTE pantaloons on (see pic on the right) but she was sporting the Autumn Chase Fun Run shirt (left). I can say she listens to her teachers!! And for those of you that know me well...I didn't say a word to her about her change of clothes. I have learned a lot over the years of raising kids and this just didn't deserve a comment. I actually laughed!!!

Run Girls Run!

2008-09-22T12:36:00.004-05:00

The girls and I, along with their Nana (my Mother) went to our first Autumn Chase Fun Run (sponsored by Huntsville Hospital). Boy, we were not prepared to see that many people there! Lizzie's race started at 4:15 and we were in a LONG line of traffic at 3:45 trying to get into the event. Finally, after wondering how we were going to get registered and Lizzie to her event, my Mom said, "just stop here and get out and I will park the car". So, like any good daughter, I did what my Mom said and got out with the girls and ran to register them. Lizzie made it to her run with about 5 minutes to spare.

Ashlyn ran with Lizzie (keep in mind this is a mile long race) and then she ran again for herself around 6:35. After Lizzie's race we sat in the shade, ate, and soaked up the beautiful afternoon. I was so proud of the girls! Lizzie came in 8th and Ashlyn came in 17th. There were A LOT of kids in both races but Ashlyn had a lot of competition from the track teams and soccer players.

This was such a great cause and we will definitely be there again next year (just a little earlier...haha)

Don't Doubt A First Grader!

2008-09-14T21:09:00.006-05:00

I had just finished reading a great book, and told Todd that I needed another one. I asked him if we could stop by Books A Million on our way back from getting a bite to eat. Well I knew it was coming. A little voice said, "Momma can I get a book too?" Lizzie is my little "Mini Me" when it comes to reading. I LOVE to read and I am so glad she does too.

Well we get to BAM and Lizzie starts looking in the "Beginner" books and the "Level 1" books, but she didn't see anything that fits her fancy. So she walks over to the Junie B. Jones books and goes on and on about how the teachers at school are reading these books to them and she likes them. I proceeded to tell her that I think these books might be a little hard to read right now.

I should have never said that!! There was a lady and her younger child standing beside us, so I guess Lizzie thought she needed to show me up right there in front of everybody and she did. She opened the book up after reading the title and started reading the first page. Before she was finished I said, "Ok you made your point. Is that the book you want?" The lady beside us laughed, and we left with the Junie B. Jones book. She is on Chapter 6 of 10!

Bump, Set, Spike

2008-09-10T13:30:00.012-05:00

Ashlyn has been hard at work all summer practicing for basketball and volleyball. This year she gets to try-out for the 7th grade teams. She tried out for volleyball at the beginning of August and made the team. Only to break her ring finger on her right hand the week before they started playing games!! Needless to say, she will go the whole season without playing one game.

She has been a real trooper. She has been to every practice and game, dressed out as if she was playing. She is their own personal cheerleader and the coaches have made her their assistant coach. Ashlyn has truly made the most out of this and the coaches even made a comment about how she supports and cheers for her team even though she can't play. They said she was a real leader and Ash said they made her cry (tears of joy).

2nd place in the Tiger Bash & The Raider Bash

It's that time again!

2008-09-10T12:54:00.004-05:00

The girls started school on August 6th.

Lizzie Grace is in the 1st grade and she LOVES to read! I am amazed at how much she already knows.

Ashlyn is in the 7th grade (can you believe it!!). She has grown up way to fast for me. I am SO proud of Ash, she has had only A's since she entered middle school! Ashlyn works really hard on her grades! We couldn't ask for
anything more from her.

Everyone else is...

2008-09-10T11:24:00.015-05:00

My girls finally wore me down, and I took them to Orange Beach. You know if everyone else is doing it, then... We told them that we weren't going to the beach to play in the pool (we have a pool). They said, "No, we want to play on the beach and in the sand." And they kept their word! We had the best time this year at the beach. I'm glad they "talked me into it"!!

We also had 2 visitors that joined us at the beach. They were in the girl's luggage. Elliot & Caroline are from the North Pole and work for Santa. They had told the girls before they left us this Christmas that they wanted to come for a visit this summer. I guess they knew that everyone was going too...haha! Needless to say, it was way too hot at the beach and they only stayed for a couple of days, but the girls enjoyed the visit. Our elves are usually very mischievous and play LOTS of tricks on the girls, but this time they just brought LOTS of goodies and gifts!

Not as much fun going home!