Get your title back with title max.....

So last night Edgar and I were watching TV while Addison was sitting at the table coloring and when the Title Max commercial came on, she started singing! How sad is that???? My kid knows the Title Max jingle..... Sigh..... I guess whatever marketing person came up with it did a good job, because it obviously stays in your head if even a 3 year old knows it!!

Have a good day!

This is for Melissa Adams....

One of my BFF's for life.... She complained about my lack of blogging. I actually thought I was being annoying with all of the updates and pictures, but as long as at least one person is looking I guess I will continue.


Addison is doing well. She loves school and one of the pictures is from her Indian Cookout. She wasn't thrilled - she is very shy at school and so doesn't like big productions like that. But we had fun. She is learning a lot and as I went to register her for Pre-K earlier this month I was a little sad. She will be such a big girl - wearing a uniform and all! Very sad, but it will be so great to have her where I am.


Jack is also doing well. He is having surgery on Friday for his hearing. We are hoping this corrects all of the problems. He has 30-50% hearing loss in each ear, so the poor little guy doesn't even speak yet because he can't hear things well enough. I am taking next week off to be with him which means I only have 3 more days of work before Christmas break! Yippeee!!!!


I hope everyone else out there is preparing for a blessed Christmas!

Busy few weeks

We have had such a busy few weeks. We went to Plains a few weeks ago for the Peanut Festival. Jack ran with me in the race - and by ran with me I mean I pushed him in the stroller. He loved it - I think he is fast becoming my little running buddy. On Thursday mornings while Addison is at school, he and I go on a run. I love it - I am finally able to spend time with him like I spent with Addison.

While at the festival, Addison got to get her picture taken with a "princess" (the Ms. Peanut). She was beside herself to meet a real princess!

This past week was very tough - I lost a dear friend. Last night at the funeral it was especially tough. One of the hardest things is to watch a parent have to sit through the funeral for their child. No parent should have to bury a child...

Hope you enjoy the few pictures!

That Little Stinker..... (pun intended)

So Monday night, my adorable little son decided to play a trick on his Mommy.... Only, the trick is turning out not to be so funny.... Edgar was golfing that afternoon for work, so he wasn't home for our normal dinner/bath ritual. Jackson pooped at the dinner table. So I took Addison and put her in the bath when we were all done, and then took Jack to change him. I usually take the diapers right out to the trash outside, but didn't want to leave Addison in the tub that long, so I put it in the hallway to take out after bath.

In the confusion of having to get both of them out of the bath and dressed in pjs, I forgot about the diaper. I went and did dishes and laundry while they played. About an hour later, I remembered it, and when I went to get it from the hallway, guess what? It was gone.... So I asked Addison who says she didn't take it. Which I believe because she would have picked it up and brought it to me. So it must have been the Jack-man. I looked all over the dern house - in trashcans, toy baskets, the tub - no diaper. One would think I would have smelled it by now, but no such luck.

Anyway..... aren't kids just the cutest things? Please pray I find the diaper before a mass of flies gets into the house and points it out to me..... (or before we lose power on a hot day!!!!)

Crazy, Crazy, Crazy

Man, what a crazy couple of weeks. I feel like we have yet to slow down. Actually, now I remember feeling like that all of last year. Amazing how time just keeps flying by. It seems like there is always something going on.

Addison started school this week. She is unsure in the mornings, but when I pick her up, she is elated. She really seems to be enjoying the days there. I hope she continues to do so. I will admit, that it breaks my heart a little to see her with her "school bag", as she calls it, on each morning. It is humbling how big she is getting. Sometimes I wish life had a pause button, where we could just maintain where we are right now.

We also went to Athens this past weekend. Nancy and Antonio moved into a new house, and we hadn't seen them since June so I needed some "Livvy" time as well. We are so blessed to have an extended family as we do. Edgar and I can just be ourselves - nothing more or less - with them and they love us. We pray they feel the same way. The picture of the kids together is me trying to get a cute one of them and obviously they aren't having it......

While in Athens, Edgar found out one of his friends from back home was going through a tough time. Her baby passed away unexpectedly at 7 months old. It is funny how you can be so distant from people but when you hear something like that, it is almost like you can feel their pain. I cried (and have since) several times during the weekend. Even looking at my two perfect babies, thankful that it wasn't me dealing with it but scared to know that it could have been. I am just so saddened that any mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, is having to experience that. If anything, it makes me hold on to my little "world" a little tighter. Please keep praying for that family - how do you ever recover from something like that? Through prayer is the only answer I can think of.

Enjoy the few pictures.....

The Jack-man

I have said for a long time that having a boy is so different than a girl. He not only has a whole different personality but really likes things that Addison never did. The pictures are of us in the mountains. Jackson loved the house dog that was around - just as much as he loves Boomy (our dog). Addison can't stand dogs, they are just so different - which means it is never a dull moment around our house!!!

She sure does keep us laughing

Addison certainly has a wonderful personality! She is constantly reminding us how much she enjoys life! Here a few pictures of our recent days around the house!! She loves to dress up, thankfully we have a great thrift store in Savannah and can outfit her accordingly.

Enjoy!

My love

There is nothing that makes me more happy and complete in this world than him.... Seven years ago last week we decided to spend the rest of our lives together. That was the best decision of my life. I am one of the lucky ones who found true love and can honestly say I am still in love with Edgar. There have been tests and trials, but life is complete with him....

Princess Tea for a Princess

Yesterday my friend Meredith and I took Addison to a "Princess lunch". We went to The Tea Room downtown and just had girl time! Addison was in her element - she had the best time! And Meredith and I did too just watching her enjoy herself! Enjoy!

Back From Vacay

We are back from our vacation. Which means, sadly, soon work and school will be starting back. Oh how I wish I could hang on to summer forever. There is just nothing better.....

Here are a few pictures. We first went to Atlanta to run the Peachtree. Which was great - I was able to run the entire thing without stopping, and Edgar only had to stop a few times. Considering the man hasn't run since March, that is unbelievable!!! We then went to Nashville for a few days. Edgar fell in love with the town. Then we came back to Ga to spend a few days with my folks in Blueridge. They are trying to find a house up that way - just a vacation place for when they retire, so they wanted us to visit the town. It was very, very fun.

The kids are glad to be home. Jacks has come down with a little something, so he is beside himself with feeling ill. Which makes the days oh so fun. Poor Addison she doesn't understand why we can't go to the pool each day. One day next week she and I are going to paint pottery together! I can't wait!

I took her shopping with me Sunday and I bought a purse. She found one she liked and asked if she could get it. I told her if she really wanted it, we could go home and get money out of her piggy bank and come back and get it. She then told me, "that's ok, Mommy. I don't need it". Oh my! I am raising a little diva....... She was all about the purse if I was buying, but when she has to fork over her own money she doesn't "need" it.....

Have a good week!

Happy 4th of July!

We all leave tomorrow for our vacation! I could not be more excited! It will be a much anticipated trip. We are first going to Atlanta - to see Edgar's family. It has been way too long. Edgar and I are also running in the Peachtree, it should be interesting. I have been getting up at 5:30am every morning to meet Karen and Maggie to run, and Edgar hasn't run since the Tybee race.

We are then going to head to Nashville to visit some of my family. I am very excited - I haven't been there since I was in college. Edgar has never been. It will be a great trip. On the way home we are stopping in Blue Ridge for a few days. My parents are looking to buy a home there, and we want to see what the fuss is all about. They have rented a house for the week and we are going to invade for a few days.

We got great news the other day - my dad went in for his cancer screening and they only found one place that they had to send off to be tested! It was such a blessing! My mom is beside herself, and my dad too. Sometimes I just feel like God blesses us in such wonderful ways. This father's day I thought about how lucky I am to have such a wonderful father. I feel so blessed and I try to live every day without taking it for granted.

The pictures are from when the Arata's came down for a visit recently. I took the girls to have their toes done - which is Addison and my favorite thing to do and to the pool!

Happy Birthday Addison & Beach With the Woods'

What a month, and it is not even over!!

We went to the beach for a week with the Woods'. It was great - not our "real" vacation, as Edgar worked through much of it. But it was a nice kick off to the summer. The kids had a good time. We played a lot on the beach, and when they weren't down there, Robbie had bought a water slide for the 4 of them to play in. We feel so blessed to have such great friends.

After that was Addison's 3rd birthday! I literally cannot believe that my dear sweet princess is 3. I don't want it to be true sometimes, the time just goes so fast!! She had a great time at her pool party and everytime we have been back since she talks about the next time she has a party there..... She is adorable. I am truly blessed to have two wonderful, beautiful, healthy children and a wonderfully adorable and sweet husband. Every night I thank God for this awesome life that I am not worthy of..... Enjoy the pics!

Update

Well, summer has officially begun! We are so excited! The kids are done with Nonny's for the next 2 1/2 months and I am done with everything resembling work! These last few weeks have been crazy. Next week we have a beach house with Karen & Robbie and their kids, so all four of us are excited about that. Today we went to the pool with them and planned out our week, it is fun just to think of having no where to be, or go besides the beach! I can't wait!!

Next Friday is Addison's 3rd birthday. It is very sad. She is just growing up so quickly. Next year she will go to school three days a week from 9-12. Seeing her with a little book bag will be the saddest thing ever :-) It truly is just amazing how quickly time passes. There are so many things I want to remember about each of them right now.

Here are a few pictures a month or two in the making. There is one recent one of Jack and Add, one of Edgar and I and our friends Carmen and Troy who came to visit from Texas, and one of me and some ladies from the firm at the South Magazine release party. Happy Summer to you all!!

Much to Thank the Good Lord For....

We went to a neighborhood party tonight..... It was a lot of fun. A band played.... The kids danced.... And as I was watching my two children dance and laugh in the cool air, I was also watching a disabled child.... My uncle who passed away gave his life to working with the retarded.... They have so much to offer. I can't even count the times we went with one of his dearest friends, Skipper to Six Flags.... Skipper and I would ride the Mine Train over and over.... He could never understand why each time we had to get out and get back in line again. Those memories are in the fore-front of my mind..... I need to devote more time to working with the less fortunate, and getting my kids to do the same.

Tonight as we lay down to sleep, we have so much to be thankful for. We are so blessed in so many ways, watching the innocence of three children dance together in the evening air is another one of His great blessings......................

First beach trip

This weekend we went on our first trip to the beach for the summer. It was so fun, although a little chilly, Addison got in the water anyway! She is a mess. It was also my grandfather's 90th birthday and the Arata's were down, so it was a fun weekend.

We are home today, Addison isn't feeling too well. She and I were snuggling on the couch earlier and I just felt so thankful. There was a time when I first had her that I was distant from her. I really struggled the first year of her life, and I often pray she will never remember those times. I am so thankful that today I am such a better mother, more attentive and selfless. I would give an arm and a leg to be with my babies and make them happy, and there was a time when that just wasn't the case. I was too worried about work or going to the gym.

Enjoy our summery pictures, we are all waiting on warmer weather!!

Easter

What an exciting Easter we had this year! The kids (well, Addison mostly) loved it! We were in Athens for Easter, and attended the Athens Egg Drop. This is where a helicopter flies over a field and drops 20,000 eggs. We just knew that we would get plenty! When we arrived, we were in shock over how many people where there. All of the eggs were literally gone in 10 seconds, and Addison got none! Thank goodness her sweet cousin showed her that some where under the stroller - so she did get a few! It was so fun, we can't wait to go back next year!

The Easter Bunny came to both the Arata's house in Athens and my mom's house. It was so fun for Addison. My birthday this year was very uneventful - we are saving everything up for next year. 30 will be hard on me I think - it marks a whole different part of your life.

The school year will be coming to an end soon and we are so looking forward to a summer spent by the pool. The kids won't be going to Nonny's during the summer, so she will really miss them.

I have written two articles for the new Savannah Magazine, "Something Blue" so please email me if you would like a copy of the April edition. Once you get the first one you can subscribe and have it sent to you directly - it is free for this first year. I am so excited about it and hope I become a regular contributor!

Enjoy the pictures and the Spring weather!

My little swimmers

Jackson is at the point now where I am more willing to go out on my days off. At first, we pretty much just stayed home on Thursdays and Fridays. But now, with him being a little easier to tote around and much more mobile, we go out often. One of our recently found favorite things to do is go to the pool. The YMCA here has an inside pool. Both kids love it and it really wears them out - which is a plus for Mommy!!

Jackson goes for a checkup in about a week. Let's all pray he has grown, because as of last time, although he weighed in only 2lbs short of Addison's current weight, he was only in teh 19% for height. Don't know where he gets that, there are no shorties in my family! I am going to end up with a tall thin little girl and a short cubby boy. Hee hee! Maybe there will be some football scholarships in his future! Oh well, at least he is cute :-)

Have a great weekend!

Runners we have become

I can blame it on Maggie. She was the original inspiration. Well, in sorts she was. I have always enjoyed running and have always wanted to really succeed at it. But something always came up. Until Maggie. She really inspired me to stay with it and she is the perfect example of the "can do" attitude.

Edgar ran as a child. He and his father were always doing races, so he was always an inspiration.

And lastly, I really want my children to grow up seeing a good example as far as health. Addison and Jack accompany me on my days off to the Y, and she knows I "work out". Now, when she plays pretend she often tells us she is "going to the Y to work out". I am glad, because I want her to exercise as she gets older. It helps so much with your heart, keeping it in good shape, and your mind, and even can help your immune system. And the most appealing part of exercise is that you can do it as a family. I LOVE taking walks with the kids and Edgar. We do so much talking. Because there is no TV, or phone, or anything to keep us from being in nature and enjoying one another's company.

So in short, we have become runners. And we love it. The picture is of my brothers and I and then Edgar and I on the Tybee race day. Nolan, my younger brother, ran it in an amazing 24 minutes!!

Next up is the Shamrock run, and then we are heading to Atlanta to do the Great Urban Race with Maggie and her husband. Hopefully we will be able to register for the Peachtree, although we hear it is really hard to get into. If you have never done a race, they are so fun - try it out sometime, even if you can't run and just walk - they are still so much fun!! Remember, it is good for your heart!!

Addison is a trip

Addison is now 2 1/2 and she is a riot. She keeps Edgar and I laughing pretty much all of the time. She gets fixated on things and does NOT forget. If Edgar or I make a promise, we better follow through.....

The other day we went to our friends house and Addison and Camryn played and played outside. After we left Addison informed us that she NEEDED a "har" like Camryn's. But it was going to be pink. Edgar said, "Maybe for your birthday". Well, I don't think her birthday can get here fast enough now. All she talks about is the pink "har" she is getting for her birthday. Two days ago was my brother's birthday. Addison asked if he wanted a pink "har".

Note to self: never say Maybe unless we plan on actually doing it. At this point, we have no choice ;-)

On another note, today is the 5 year anniversary of Edgar's dad passing. Although it has gotten easier each year, we still miss him so. We wish he had been able to meet Add and Jack. There is no doubt he would have thought Addison's sassy moments were funny and Jack's toothless/hairless face was the most precious he had seen.