Happy 19 Months, Drew!

My goodness, boy. We're going to have to put a brick on your head. You've physically grown this last month and are truly blossoming into your own little personality.

Likes: playing with the picture in the living room which holds a family photo from Christmas, watching home movies, climbing the pantry shelves (ahh!), taking out the pans from underneath the stove, putting the foot rest up and down (and up and down and up and down...) on the recliner, picking out foods from the pantry, stacking cans or blocks, sitting in the fireplace, pushing chairs, carrying his bouncing zebra from one room to the other (and it's heavy!), "helping" with the dishes, "helping" with the laundry, opening and closing any and all doors, flushing the potty, playing in the potty, dirtying your diaper RIGHT after bathtime, bouncing on your zebra when we don't know you have a poopy diaper (nice!), playing chase around the house, hiding in closets and the pantry, flipping light switches, opening and closing the blinds, unscrewing tops off bottles/jars/etc, music, dancing, singing, bathtime, being outside your blankey (a must have at bedtime), milk, juice, goldfish, and any cleaning materials.

(How many TOYS were listed in that list? One, maybe? You do have favorite toys, but you'd MUCH rather be playing with household supplies!)



(Playing the piano with his toes)



Dislikes: getting your diaper changed when you're playing, wearing a coat in the car, having to be held instead of running free, your stroller, getting your nose suctioned



What's changed in the last month: You are beginning to talk! Woo hoo! You now attempt to mimic the sounds of a cow, pig, duck, frog, horse, dog, and cat. You can say Papaw...and that was music to his ears! You like to say "down" and try to say "Andrew" when I call for your Daddy. So cute! You still use your signs a lot which is very helpful (you love signing "more" and "help"), but you will actually try to repeat some words if we say, "Can you say __?" which is encouraging!

The bad must always come with the good. You are quite stubborn and resort to hitting objects or biting when you don't get your way. It is really frustrating! (However, I'm sure it's also frustrating for you to not be able to communicate with us as well as you'd like!) We're using standing in the corner as punishment and it's working well so far. As much as I hate seeing you cry when you stand there, it hurts me too! I cry with you sometimes when you're not looking. ;)


You're still in a size 5 diaper, but you're moving up into your 24 month clothes. Most 18 month shirts that aren't polo style won't go over your big 95th percentile head. ;) You hit a growth spurt in the last 2 weeks so your 18 month pants are not only fitting now, but some are already too small! Guess that means mommy has a good excuse to go shopping! I'm really trying to learn to sew you some adorable clothes, but it's frustrating at times! I spent all day Wednesday making you a pair of blue & white gingham pants for the spring only to discover at 9pm that they would hardly go over your diaper they were so small. *sigh* Your Grammy encouraged me to try again, so I bought some fabric and a REAL pattern this time for attempt #2!

Being your mom and your daddy's wife is the best part of my life. I love being home with you every day and count it as SUCH a blessing, as I know at one point we never thought my dream of staying home with you would be possible. I try to never take it for granted. You are such a joy to my life and I love you with every breath in my body!

Dream Home: Outside

Tonight I'm in the mood for an easy, lighthearted post so I thought I'd post pictures of my dream home...I'll preface these pictures by saying:

1) I'm totally content with my house now
2) We have no intentions on moving anytime soon
3) I'm so thankful for the home we have now--it's perfect for us--and we thank God for a roof over our heads!

Outside Desires:

We really want a full 2 story house. It needs a front porch big enough for a swing and 2 rocking chairs; the porch should be deep enough to be able to sit and watch it rain without getting wet. I want bricked stairs that lead up to the porch. The front door should be wooden with a beautiful medium colored stain.


I'm seeing bare feet babies running around on the grass and definitely a 4 wheeler for the hubs.




I really like the look of this home with the shutters and all (don't like the front door), but brick exterior would make for easier maintenance...But that wrap around porch! Oh!



This reminds me of Anne of Green Gables for some reason...I can just see Marilla & Rachael Lynde sitting there sharing gossip.


This is where I see myself in some huge Scarlet O'Hara style dress waving to my boys as they ride off in the horse drawn wagon. I should have been born decades ago.


What do you see when you see this picture? Because I see long, romantic chats with the hubs after the kids have gone to bed on 80 degree summer nights. I see bare feet and sweet tea glasses. I also see citronella candles to fight off the mosquitoes. I'm such a romantic...Shiesh.

Andrew requests 3 acres, mature trees, a shop, and a stocked pond. I'm good with that.



So that's it. Not asking much, huh? Well, I did mention we're dreaming...

God said, "Surprise!"

I heard Drew stirring on the monitor around 9am this morning. I stumbled out of bed and looked at the back door as I was passing through. The blinds were half way up and I thought to myself, "Wow! It must be really cold outside today. The window is fogged up totally white!"

Following our normal routine, I got Drew out of his bed, brought him to ours and lay there while Andrew got awakened by a calm, cuddly.....HA....excuse me--wild, rambunctious toddler. He walked out of the room momentarily, returned, and said, "Have you looked outside?" "No. The window was too fogged up," I replied. "That's not fog!" he said as he flung the curtain open.

4-5 inches of snow covered everything we could see! No one had predicted we'd get snow, so we hadn't known a thing about it! Seems everyone up here was taken by surprise! And what a beautiful surprise it was. That's a little reminder that: 1) God is in control! He can make it snow without it being forecast or seen by meteorologists and 2) a testament to His artistic side. When you see a blanket of white and trees covered in what looks like powdered sugar, you can't deny that God has a mighty hand in this piece of art we call Earth.

I couldn't resist posting this picture of Drew taken before we went outside because, to me, it looks nothing like him! Ever take a picture of your kid, look at it, and wanna say, "Who's that!?"






LOVE these boys!!!!


Here's Andrew's version of Frosty ;) I think he had more fun than Drew!


(I"ll give my disclaimer here for my Aunt Deda who can't tell the difference in a picture and video. ;) Deda...the above "picture" is a video!)

They're Naked

We've lived in our house for 3 years this month and my kitchen windows are still 100% naked. The reasoning behind their immodesty is the bay shaped window in which they live, and I've been clueless as to how to dress them.

Then one day about 2 months ago I was looking at a friend's pictures on facebook. Okay, well...we met once so I'm considering us "friends." Anyway....I saw this picture in her album and knew I'd found a solution to my scandalous window issue.


(Faces of the innocent have been marked out to resemble....satanists...or something.) What? The window wasn't the first thing you looked at here? Alright, well maybe their faces distract from that beautiful treatment in the back, but it's what first caught MY eye. See that cute pompom ball fringe? LOVE THAT.

Then I was wandering around the nest the other day when I saw a picture of her kitchen window in the background of this picture:



The Nester's motto is: "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful." With that in mind, I went out and found this great decorator's fabric at Hancock's for a steal at $3/yard. I then realized the print was positioned the wrong way and I was going to have to stitch a ton of fabric together, which I've done. Now all I lack is hemming 150" inches across the top. THAT I haven't even started on because....

1) I haven't figured out how to get those little loopies at the bottom of the curtain without taking an advanced sewing class. Knowing the nester, she probably hot glued or clothes-pinned it somehow...but I haven't figured out her technique. Y'all have any ideas? Hm...what about those paper clasps that "lock" into place?

2) I forgot my pompoms at Hobby Lobby the other day so I have to wait to make the 40 minute trip another day.

3) It's going to take me 6 months to measure, pin, and hem 150" of fabric.

These windows might get to sunbathe in the nude for the rest of the summer. Maybe I'll have them clothed before the next winter?

Doppelganger...Did I spell that right?

If you're on facebook, you've seen the 'd' word this week:

Doppelganger.

I had no idea what it was at first. I thought some crazy teenaged friend had made it up until I saw everyone using it. I even spelled it wrong when I just wrote it out up there, and blogger corrected me.

So if you're one of the very few NOT on facebook, a doppelganger is a look alike, and everyone on FB is posting their celebrity doppelganger this week.

Anywho...I went to MyHeritage.com to see what celebrities I "matched" up with. First of all, I'm not trying to be vain here...promise. Now, I know I don't look like any of these gorgeous ladies in reality, but it's fun to see which one you're closest to...even if it means you're still far away from equal beauty!

I used to get told weekly in the ER I resembled good ole Angelina because of our eyes and lips, but she's not popping up in most of my results...When I was younger I got told I looked like Tapanga from Boy Meets World. I had to go look her up because I'd never watched it. I know....who didn't watch Boy Meets World?!?!

My questions:
1. Which of these is my closest (and I use that term loosely) dogglehopper....doppelganger. Finally. (Thanks again, spell check.)

2. Who is your closest match?! If you don't have time to run the "analysis," who do you think you resemble or have been told you resemble?

Ritzy Butter Chicken

Ashley posted a yummy sounding recipe on her blog the other day called Ritzy Butter Chicken, and we tried it out for dinner last night. I would describe it as: easy, yummy, & fast. Does that appeal to you?

I wish I would have taken pictures, but couldn't find my camera. Just trust me on this one. It's good! :)

Ritzy Butter Chicken-----

3-5 Boneless skinless chicken breasts

3/4 cup flour (you can add more if you need it later. I wasted over a cup of flour accidentally!)

1 sleeve crushed Ritz crackers (I followed Ashley's advice to crush them in the package with a rolling pin)

1/2 cup butter cut into pieces

1/2 tsp garlic salt

2 eggs, beaten

Preheat oven to 375*. Put your flour in one bowl, your eggs in another, and your garlic and smashed crackers in the last bowl. Coat thawed chicken breasts, one at a time, in flour, then eggs, and finally cracker crumbs. Place in greased 9x13 pan. Place pieces of butter on top of each piece of chicken. Bake 40-45 minutes.

YUMMY! This makes a great crust on the chicken which almost makes you feel like you're eating fried chicken...only not so clogging to the arteries. ;) Enjoy!

Random Thoughts: Episode 32

1. Our new method of discipline is working rather well, if I say so myself! Thank you all so much for your comments, facebook messages, phone calls, and emails. All....er, most....of them were very much appreciated! ;)

2. I'm working on sewing curtains for my kitchen. I walked into Hancock's fabrics the other day and got this great designer material for only $3/yard because they said it had been misadvertised in their print ad. Score! I got home to realize my window treatment is a very long horizontal one. My fabric is vertical. For all of you out there who haven't pieced that together in your noggins, it means I have to cut fabric, pin it, and stitch it. Then repeat. Repeat. Ad nauseum. I got them all pieced together last night and hemmed the two ends. Now I lack 150 inches of hemming the top of the curtain. THAT could be a while.

3. Kacie is on her way up here right now! (woo hoo). After a majorly bad morning for her, we're both looking forward to doing something fun tonight even though we're not sure what. It can't be our normal "walking around Target and Kohls 'til 10pm" cause we're strapped on funds for such frivolous trips as that. Ideas? We thought we might play around with the sewing machine. Hmmm...A rockin' good time huh?

4. I have my tablescape for the ladies' night at church all ready to go, minus a few little odds and ends. I'm excited for the way it turned out and can't wait to show you all pictures after the big night!

5. At what age do boys find it fun to wear hats? Drew looks soooooooo cute in them (or maybe it's just cause I'm his mom...), but will not keep them on his head long enough for me to even snap a picture. Maybe some Elmer's glue would hold it on...

6. I'm thinking about slimming down my facebook friends list dramatically. Anyone done this? I don't wanna be mean, but honestly these are people I've met maybe 2 times in my life and have nothing in common with them. And let's be honest...they're hogging my homepage with all their junky status updates. (What? You think that about ME? Oh...)

7. We just started watching a new TV series, Flashforward. Anyone else watching? It reminds me a lot of Journeyman which played on NBC a couple of years ago. The thing is-- it makes your brain work to keep up and figure things out and I'm not sure the American public is too keen on thinking while watching television; therefore, I fear they'll end up cutting it now that we're almost caught up on season 1. (Just like they did with Journeyman...)

8. My mind is blank now, but you know how I hate ending a list on an odd number. I feel better now. ;)

Have a great weekend!

A Cry for Discipline Help!

See this precious face?



He is usually just that--precious, happy, etc. But over the course of the last 2 weeks or so, he's been giving me fits. I will humbly say I'm a first time parent, clueless of how to handle this! He was really having a biting issue about a month or so ago. We seem to have alleviated that for the most part. Now we're dealing with what I'm assuming is normal toddler activity: hitting, throwing, screaming AT me LOUDLY when he doesn't get his way, etc. Today's favorite activity of his has been slamming the cabinet doors. He's KNOWS it's a no-no, but when he does it, he turns at me with a mischievous grin. He's testing my limits, right?

Here's my question: what do you do to discipline a child who can't communicate well at all?

If I spat him, I'll spat him all day long. If I use time out, rolls around on the floor, licks the tiles, and tries to play peek-a-boo. He basically thinks it's funny, but understands he has to stay in that one spot.

Any suggestions? I'm trying to remain consistent with disciplining and not letting things slip, but it's getting tough! I feel like I discipline him all day long!

HELP!!!

PSA: A Call for Common Courtesy

Sometimes I have light, airy, positive posts. Other times I rant on about things that made me mad. You get a little of all of me here. Well, lately I haven't been able to shake some incidents that leave me with the idea that people do not posses common courtesy. I'm sure I've been guilty of some of these from time to time, but generally I try to be polite.

I've considered emailing this to our President to see if he would mail each U.S. citizen a copy so that I don't get so ticked off when I leave the confines of my home.

Public Service Announcement: For the sake of mankind, please try and follow these simple, courteous rules when you mingle with other homosapiens.

1. Upon opening the entrance door to a building, turn slightly to see if there is someone close behind. If they are within a 3 second-5 second range of the door, hold it for them.

2. The same rule applies to exiting a building.

3. If a woman is coming through a door that is not automatic and is simultaneously juggling a screaming child, diaper bag, purse, and a stroller, a longer rule of thumb will apply. Example 10-15 seconds. That lady really needs some help.

4. If a child is making noise in church and the parent is doing everything necessary to calm them, there is no need for 50 sets of eyes to turn and give mom a bad look. She's trying to get his diaper bag together to get him outta there! No need to stare.

5. Upon entering a parking lot, do NOT under any circumstances hold up an entire lane of traffic while waiting for a mother of 3 to unload her children and groceries into the car so you can get her space. By the time you park and walk those extra 3 parking spaces, all the people behind you could have parked as well. A little walking won't hurt you. Promise. (This especially annoys me when the traffic is then held up into the main driving lane of the shopping center, causing a jam.)

6. If you push your cart of groceries into a long line at the grocery store and the checker in the newly opened lane announcees for "the next in line to check out," THAT IS NOT YOU. That would be any of the people in FRONT of you. You were not next in line to check out. Common courtesy!

7. If I have courteously parked my shopping cart on one side of the aisle (trying to get out of the way) and am looking across at the other side of the aisle at an item, please do not come and stand in front of EXACTLY where I'm looking and search for your item. If you do, you will notice I'm going to cough and clear my throat a ridiculously large number of times. (That'll teach you.)

8. When attending a movie, do not under any circumstances commit any of these moviegoer sins: 1) Scream when the theater goes dark. (Are you 2 years old?)
2) Drench yourself in the strongest scent off the Wal-Mart perfume aisle you can find.
3) Talk across the aisle (and me) to your friend during the movie.
4) Lean over on my armrest and get into my breathing space trying to hear them better.
5) Talk during the entire movie.
6) Leave your cell phone on.

9. If you actually clear your plate at the restaurant, do not try and complain afterward to your waiter that it was cold so you can get free food. (The O'Charley's in Southaven used to be notorious for granting these people free food for this complaint.)

10. Lastly, get off your cell phone in the grocery store unless it's a quick call about a grocery item. If you must chat in the grocery store, move to a deserted part of the store and park yourself there until your call is finished. Some of us are there to buy groceries.

Whew. I feel better.

Top 9 Moments of 2009

Nicki inspired me to do a post on my favorite moments of 2009. I know it's rather late, but I'm extremely lacking in the "things to blog about" category.

1. Caroline is born! August 31, 2009.
A new life has to be the number 1 thing in 2009. (The rest of this are in no kind of order!) What a memorable night that was!




2. Drew's first birthday. July 7, 2009.
A celebration of a BEAUTIFUL year of life for my sweet boy!






3. My first Mother's Day (May 2009)
My next favorite holiday, second only to Christmas. Led me to write this post.


4. Christmas of 2009



5. Zoo Visits! Check out Drew's first zoo visit here and his second visit here if you're feeling nostalgic. ;)




6. Visiting with the Greshams. (November 2009)
Spending time with godly, fun people...is there ANYTHING better? I'm just praying God has cookie dough and cards in heaven! ;)







7. Kacie's Shower! (August 2009)





8. First Fair & Rodeo for Drew!
Even though we rode 0 rides, we had a ball this night!




9. Becoming a SAHM. (April 2009)
No pictures here, but God blessed us beyond our wildest dreams and allowed me to stay at home. My announcement post was here. I don't take this job for granted for one minute!

What a blessed year!

You're Still in the Right Spot...Again

I am totally aware that I redo my blog design more than most people change their underwear. I hate change except when it relates to blog design and furniture arrangement (well, and underwear). So we press on with blog design number 27 this year! Doesn't it make you want to rush spring to get here so you can light your Yankee Candle spring scent, open your windows and let birds light on your finger while you sing "Spoon Full of Sugar?"

Oh. Well, that's how it makes me feel.

However, if you don't like this design, keep visiting back! It's bound to change by March or so! ;)

Two Guys and a Doll (and their moms!)

In 2005, I started nursing at the University of TN in Memphis and met two of the most incredible women. We survived nursing school, graduated, got married (well, they did!), and vowed to meet up every year in December. In 2007, I announced my pregnancy. In 2008 Erin & Amanda announced their pregnancies. We met up this past Monday and let our babies all meet for the first time. What fun to have come full circles with these amazing ladies!


Erin & Cole, 6 months old


The happiest little dude ever! His smile is ultra contagious! Cole is going to be incredibly smart- like "Valedictorian smart." With parents who have brains like his do, there's no doubt he's gonna be at the top of his class!


Amanda & Kate, 10 months


Is she not seriously a DOLL? Andrew even said, "I just want to pinch her cheeks!" when he saw this picture. Kate has a future as President of her class, Most Beautiful, & Homecoming Queen. Look out, boys!


What used to be a group of 3 is now a group of 6! We had the best time sharing stories and advice on breastfeeding, spit up, milestones, etc. A conversation only moms would appreciate...

I had fun, girls! Let's plan for this December (at the latest!) as our next meet-up. Who wants to make the next big announcement?! ;)

Do You Have a Blog Suggestion?

Would you be surprised to know I'm actually a pretty introverted person? Oh, on the keyboard and with a pen and paper I can talk your head off from the meeting point. But in person, I'm actually rather self conscious, reading the thoughts on your face and the inflection in your voice. My feelings are hurt easily (always have been!) and I so many times read into things that people never meant any harm by!

It's this reason that I love the blogging world so much:

1) I don't have to see your face as you read what I write, even if you think what I write is stupid. Unless you flat out tell me, I'll never have to know! (Most of you are nice enough that you don't do that--THANK YOU! I hate to cry!)

2) I get to socialize with so many other women & moms (except Wade! But he's awesome for being my only male blogger friend!) I look forward to my quiet nights post-bedtime when I can catch up with other women, read about their lives, and feel like I have more connections than I actually do in real life.

But guess what? I'm running out of blogs to read! For some reason, I can't even see the blogs of some of my "followers"/friends and I don't have hours to figure out why. Do you have a blog I don't know about? Do you know a super interesting blogger that I might enjoy reading?

Please make your recommendations or leave your link! This introverted mama needs more blogger buds!

A Prayer Request from My Body

I'm not sure that I'm posting this as an announcement, plea for accountability, or a prayer request.

I think the last time I worked out was in 2005. I wish I were lying.

I'm not.

Yep. 2005. In a (pick your word: crazy, desperate, stupid) attempt to fit back into my pants from 3 months ago, I've decided to challenge (er, torture) myself by pushing my body to its limit with the 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels. (For the record, I'm pretty sure it's limit will be at min 3/20 on this video.) No, I've never watched The Biggest Loser, but I hear Jillian's a real treat...if a workhorse is your kind of treat.

So I'm telling you that I'm starting it. The DVD has been looking at me from the dining room table for 3 days, still unopened. I might start today, but that means I won't be able to walk again until Thursday.

After reading more reviews about how tough (read: awful) this DVD is going to be, this post is now labeled as 'prayer request.'

Because y'all...I'm gonna need it.

Happy 18 Months, Drew!

Is it really possible that I'm HALF WAY to the next birthday party?! That also means I'm half way to also having to spend hours and hours pouring over a "2nd year" video. Please excuse me while I go bang my head on the wall!!

18 months. My my, how I love this age! I'll try to break it down rather quickly:

Physically: I know you've grown in height because last month you could easily walk underneath the kitchen table; this month you have to squat to avoid hitting your head at the threshold! You are in an 18-24 month top and 12-18 month pants. A lot of your 18 month pants still completely swallow you! You're cutting your top canines (finally). We're looking forward to a teething break until that set of 2 year molars cuts through later this year. You've outgrown several pairs of shoes! You're pretty much in a 6-7 size shoe now, but you only wear them when we make you. :)

Likes: OUTSIDE is your favorite word I think. You could play out there all day! We are really looking forward to it warming up so we can get back out there and get some fresh air! Playing with the washer/dryer has to be your second favorite pasttime. You love helping with the laundry. I say the word "clothes" and you RACE to the laundry room! You'll even push the basket of clothes across the house to wash them. Love my big helper! Bath time with Daddy is always a favorite! You love when your relatives let you play with their cabinets, microwave, dishwasher, washer/dryer, broom, mop, dust-buster, or vacuum. See a trend there? (NOT toys!) You also have a new fascination with closing doors!

Dislikes: coming inside, sitting still for diaper changes, watching mommy or daddy leave

Personality: HAPPY! So very, very happy! You only ever cry if you're hurt or very tired. You're also very active. You don't play with any one thing for very long (no more than 2 minutes usually) before you're off for the next adventure. You are quite stubborn and have quite the temper as well! This has resulted in Mommy having to reach for different disciplining techniques. It breaks my heart to ever spat you or ignore you, but it's for the best in the end.

Speech: Just not progressing much here. We read, read, read, and talk, talk, talk. Still not many advances. I hear boys talk later than girls, so we're patiently waiting. Even though you may not say too many words, you understand most of what we say, even 2 step commands. You're learning the difference in location words (in, on top of, under) and opposites (off, on/open, close). You're signing all done, more, bite, drink, & help. That makes our job a little easier. If we can't understand what you want, you have no problem pulling our arm and leading us where you want to go (usually the laundry room or the pantry--two favorite play areas!).

Random tidbits:
-We are in that stage where you misplace important items (ie the remote and keys)
-You lick your touchy feely books now. So strange! You especially love feeling the sandpaper one on your tongue. Ick!
-You're trying to help remove your clothes from bathtime. You can sometimes get your pants, but are stuck on the shirt!
-Your naptime is beautiful lately. I wake you up at the 2 1/2 hour mark. You're sleeping from 9pm-9am...sometimes even until 9:45am!
-You're really amazed with gum & bubbles
-You love flushing the toilet!
-You can finally close doors on your own with the doorknob. Sometimes you'll kick them closed like mommy does when she has her hands full!
-You are learning to identify all different foods with your new play foods from Santa.
-You have an uncanny memory of when someone leaves a cabinet open and walks out of a room. As soon as you're put down (even if it's 10 minutes later) you take a beeline for that cabinet!
-You can stand on one foot if you have something to barely lean on.

There were so many cute things you have done that I had mentally noted I wanted to include in your 18 month post but can't think of now! I'll come back and add them if I remember them.

I can't believe we are now closer to 2 than 1! (See my math skills coming into play here? My 2nd grade teacher would be so proud.) I look forward to seeing things through your eyes this summer as you take notice of new things for the first time. Being your mom is the BEST job I could ever have!


We are wrapped around your finger, child! We love you!

MS Blizzard 2010: We made it out alive.

We prepared: we stormed Kroger; we shopped Target; we stocked up on diapers, the only REAL necessity these days. The town salted the streets. Church services warned members not to get out in the upcoming winter storm. We checked weather.gov 25 times a day. We braced ourselves. We were ready for the worst of the "Blizzard of 2010."

We woke up this morning in great anticipation to find what appeared to be a dusting of powdered sugar in our yard. That was it.

No snowmen. No snowball fights. Barely saw tracks in the road.

But we had fun.


Here is Drew resembling Randy from 'A Christmas Story.' He could barely move his arms in all the layers I had him in. Poor thing.


Drew acted like he didn't care a thing about the snow. He was just glad to be allowed to play outside for the first time in months. He made a beeline for his step 2 car. Against all suggestions not to drive in these conditions, Drew went out anyway. Such a rebel.


Here is Drew screaming at me for making him stand still next to me.


Here's my hubs being a goob. He was trying to make a snow angel with his feet. Don't ask.


I guess he thought we should sweep the snow off the sidewalk. Such a neat freak. I love it.

For my family members who can't tell a picture from a video, this is a video:



The best part was coming inside to eat White Chicken Chili...


with this fun, handsome little dude.



Hope y'all survived as well! See you as soon as we all dig ourselves out!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Today my dad turns 51! In honor of his birthday, I decided to list some things my dad has taught me during his 51 years on earth...well, technically I guess he taught them to me in 25 since, you know, he didn't have me at his birth. You know what I mean...

-My dad knows all about Johnny Weismiller (sp?). My dad was/is a Tarzan fanatic. And can I tell you how many times my dad would tell me "that's actually Johnny in the water right there! Look at him swim! Man! Did you know he set the swimming record for....?!"

-Oh and he can do the Tarzan 'holler.' I'm not kidding. One time he did it for my new youth group friends in Missouri. I almost sunk into the ground. But it's pretty cool that he can pull it off!

-I owe my love of Reeses peanut butter cups to this man.

-He showed me how to blow up beaver dams when I was like 8.

-He taught me how to cast a line and pull a fish in. He also showed me how to skin them, but you couldn't pay me enough to do that.

-He tried to teach me to cut the grass. One of the few things he failed at. I never did it.

-He also showed me how to row out into the middle of a lake to get a deer he just killed while going for a impromtu swim...in his sleep pants!

-He taught me to always check for goose poop on your shoes after walking around a park full of geese. (He once forgot and blamed it on the other family members in the car...and then got out in total frustration and, with much force, rubbed his feet all over the ground while nearly slipping and falling. The rest of the family was dying of laughter in the vehicle. Obviously, we STILL get a crack out of this 15 years later.)

-My dad taught me a love of singing!

-He taught me that if someone takes a bite of your lunch burger, you should give them your milk too...only his version was to pour it over the perp's head. (We're talking grade school here, people.)

-He taught me that it's important to spend time with family.

-He taught me respect for my elders.

-He taught me to spend every second with my baby boy possible, because they grow up fast!

-He continues to teach me generosity and giving!

I love you, Daddy! And I totally expect you to teach every one of these things to Drew! Who else is gonna know EVERY fact about Tarzan?!

Hope you have a wonderful birthday!

Love you,

Audra Laney is...

I started thinking, "what if people put the truth on facebook about themselves?" So many times it's easy to paint a "perfect life" picture of ourselves to others because, naturally, that's what we want people to see. I find that I realize just how much I need a Savior when I concentrate on the areas in life I need to work in. That brings me to this:

What if even the bad things in our lives were broadcasted on facebook? The things that aren't so pretty, but also are true...What might our statuses say?

Audra is...

greedy
a gossiper
unable to hold her tongue
hot tempered at times
sometimes ungrateful
selfish
proud
unkind at times
a name-caller
judgmental
untrusting
unworthy

But you know what?

Audra Laney is....

saved in spite of the bad things she is.
saved by a merciful, wonderful Savior.
washed clean daily.
perfect in the sight of God, thanks to a friend who is perfection in and of itself.
thankful to "I Am."

"Your name is Jesus. You're the wonderful, counselor, my friend. You're what I hold on to. I know that You brought me through. All the days of loss and to the cross, You knew that I'd need a Savior."

Merry Christmas --2009

(Disclaimer: This post was written days ago, but my camera was MIA. People don't like posts without pictures, so I held out until I found it. That happened right before leaving for Greenville, MS where we have super slow internet. Long story short--all the pictures will have red eye or some blemish because my connection is too slow for online photo editing. Please forgive!)

I deserve to be beat with a wet noodle. (Didn't your mother ever threaten you with that punishment?) I've been a bad blogger. I'm probably the last person on your reader list to blog about our Christmas celebration, but at least I'm doing it. Better now than never!

One unexpected gift I received this year was a stomach bug. It started a day or so before Christmas with nausea and extreme tiredness (yeah, I was thinking I was pregnant, too) and then resulted in other not so fun things on Christmas Eve night and Christmas day. Thankfully, Zofran spared my life and left me able to at least hold a video camera on Christmas morning. I didn't get to partake in Christmas foods or go with the family on Christmas day, but I'll venture to say I still had a great Christmas watching my little boy and spending time with family.

Christmas Eve was spent at my parents with the traditional meal of fried fish, french fries, hushpuppies, cole slaw, and tea. Can we say Southern? Can we say yum? Well, everyone else said it was yum.

We tried taking a few family pictures, but there was way too much going on for Drew to be in a "sit still and smile" mood. This is the best we got:

It'll do. ;)



Since we weren't all spending the night at my parents' on Christmas Eve like tradition holds, we opened up our new Christmas PJs and put them on immediately. I must say we were a cute bunch!


And a pretty goofy bunch...





We dove into the rest of our gifts. We are one spoiled rotten bunch. All of us. I won't lie and say I don't like receiving a great gift, but I enjoy seeing other people open gifts from us even more. (Especially if you can tell they actually like the gift!) My sweet sister Kacie spent hours pouring over her gift for me and I am so indebted to her! She made a book out of my blog of Drew's first year of life--pictures and monthly birthday updates included. I was so honored that she took up that much of her time and so thankful that she took that burden off my hands! It was on my to-do list for January! Thank you, Kacie!

My mom was presented with the most gorgeous diamond ring from my dad! It was beautiful, and she was very grateful!


Drew had a ball opening his gifts, but wasn't too keen on opening another gift when he wanted to play with the one he just opened. (I think my advice for other parents would be to go ahead and take the toys OUT of the packaging and then wrap them for 12-24 month olds. That way you don't have to spend tons of time ripping cardboard and tape apart and breaking fingernails.) To say he got a lot of stuff would be an understatement. I think I'm going to need to have a garage sale to make room for the new stuff!


Late Christmas Eve night for Andrew & his mom was spent cleaning the house and preparing for Christmas morning as well as being my 2 little nurses. They got gold stars from this patient!

Mom, Dad, Kacie, Judd, Caroline, and Mamaw got here around 9am Christmas morning to see Drew open his gifts. I went a little crazy and wrapped everything, including stocking stuffers. His main gift was a kitchen set since he loves playing with anything in the kitchen. Imaginative play isn't quite developed yet, but he's getting there. He likes to stir up stuff in a bowl and come give you a taste. He always expects you to say, "Mmm!!"



(Here he is having a taste of plastic beans...)

Drew's Granna and Papaw brought Drew's big gift with them after he'd opened Santa Claus presents. Guess what it was?

Yep. He was thrilled! It's an outside tractor so we can't wait until it gets warm outside again! I have a feeling I'll have a really hard time getting this child to come inside this year! Thanks Mom & Dad for the generous gift!

Andrew and Ms. Debbie took Drew to my side of the family's celebration for lunch a little while later. Drew's great grandmother had been working on him a twin sized quilt out of some fabric I picked out. The plan is to decorate his eventual big boy room in a cowboy theme. Well, I thought the quilt turned out FABULOUS and Drew did too! They said he was squealing when he saw it and started clapping his hands and wanted to rub it! Pretty sure that made my grandmother's day! How awesome is this quilt?!



He got more toys of course and was pooped when he returned home to mommy!

Since then, he has played his little heart out with all these toys. My house is a disaster zone, resembling Toys R' Us at the end of Black Friday. It's slowly being pieced back together now. I did something totally out of the ordinary; I took my tree down yesterday! I always leave it up until after New Year's, but Drew had utterly destroyed the poor thing and it was just a constant headache to trip over scattered ornaments. I will say I am really enjoying having my house back in order!

What a wonderful Christmas to celebrate our Savior's birth with family! It still amazes me to think that Immanuel ("God with us") left a perfect heaven, knowing his destiny, to walk among the sin of this Earth because He loves His people so much. Thank you, God, for your Son who cleanses us daily and gives us the hope of an eternal life!

Merry (belated) Christmas & Happy New Year!

Pressing Towards 30

I always looked forward to ages 23 and 24. Those just seemed like such glorious numbers. I was right. I spent those two years celebrating the first year of Drew's life, basically marking down each time he breathed.

And now here's 25.

Don't get me wrong--I am more than happy to be at 25! Sadly, far too many people never make it to this age. But you know what I think I liked about 23 and 24? (Careful- I'm about to break out my 3rd grade math skills...which is about the extent of what remains in my "math file" in my head. Except long division...was that in third grade? I lost that somewhere.)

23 & 24 round to......20! That's right.

25 rounds to.....30!

I know SO many cool 30 year olds, but I guess I have this weird connotation of relating '30' to appliqued sweaters, elastic band pants, and bedtimes of 9pm. Yeah, I know that sounds more like 75, but that's what I envision! (To all the 30 year olds out there: I know you're not like that. I well know you're not uncool or "old" and that 5 years doesn't make THAT much difference.) ;)

In honor of my birthday, I wanted to write down the hopes I have for this "rounded up" part of my life.

1. I hope my kids outlive me by many, many years.
2. I hope my family always has good health.
3. I hope my children have a boring testimony when they are saved by Jesus Christ.
4. I hope they find mates who are Christians and love them and support them 100%.
5. I hope my husband and I die at a ripe old age in our sleep on the same night. I never want to know a day without him.
6. I hope my children "arise and call me blessed."
7. I hope I'm never known as lazy.
8. I hope I have TONS of grandchildren one day!
9. I hope I hear "Well done, good and faithful servant."
10. I hope my life affects other people in positive ways, ways which influence their eternity.
11. I hope I have a spot in heaven, even if it's JUST inside the gate. I just wanna be there. No robes, crowns, mansions needed. I just wanna sit at Jesus' feet.
12. I hope my son grows to be a gentleman...and starts in his younger years!
13. I hope I have a house with a front porch someday which faces the west so I can watch sunsets in the summer.
14. I hope they come up with a Coca Cola product that tastes like Coke, but is sugar free. (NOT Coke Zero--bleh!)
15. I hope I see a cure for cancer and diabetes in my lifetime.
16. I hope I see a healthcare system that works....and works well.
17. I hope I have the joy of hearing my kids sing and pray in church.
18. I hope I celebrate a golden wedding anniversary without too much difficulty.
19. I hope I never have a love of money, but instead a yearning for the Lord's blessings.
20. I hope one day I care less about what other people think and only about what God thinks.
21. I hope I live up to this expectation of wife & mother that I have in my head someday.
22. I hope we have at least 3 kids. (No comments here. Yes, I'm aware this is a mother of a measley 'one' saying that).
23. I pray God finds it in his plan to bless us with at least 1 girl!
24. If not, I hope my boys wanna play beauty shop and brush my hair! ;)
25. I hope I hit 30 and beyond with great joy! (Even if I'm wearing appliqued sweaters and elastic pants!)

Pressing toward 30 with pride,