PHEW!

We've been BUSY! Tonsillectomy, starting school, sewing, painting, sewing, painting some more...did I mention school? Gosh...things have yet to slow down.

Reid is officially tonsil free. Better sleep, better eating, better mood. I give the whole ordeal an A+++. Definitely worth it.

Sissy recovered from a minor ear infection. (Thank you Lord for tubes!) Really, had her ear not been draining...we would have never known...such a pleasant baby...did I say baby? Forgive me, she reminds me daily that she is indeed growing up. She is officially a toddler.

School has been going well (for me and the babies). It is actually a refreshing switch from Dickinson and Frost to Molecules and Elements. So far so good.

THANK YOU to all the people who have placed orders for t-shirts. I have been pleasantly overwhelmed...not to mention thoroughly enjoying myself.

Here are some pictures of absolutely nothing in particular. I mean isn't that the whole point to a blog? = )

The oreo-crumb beard...

In the Mean Time...

Well, I am starting Bachelor's Degree number 2! I don't want to go to grad school and teach with my English degree, so I have decided to (be a forever student according to my husband) get my BS in Diagnostic Sonography. This semester I begin my associates at LBWCC, and then I'll finish my last two years online. Luckily, this is a program where I will be able to start working after my first two years.
IN THE MEAN TIME...

I am sewing, painting, monogramming, and the like for a little extra money! I'm attaching some photos of some of my latest projects. I can do most anything. The tshirts can be customized with any team, color, size (infant-Adult 4X) or design...they don't have to be sports related.




Barn, Flower Shop, Crooked House, Store, and Church Collage in Kid's bathroom. "Places We Love"

Farm Collage/Family Tree in Reid's Room.

Dogwood Branch and Initials over Georgia's Bed.

Topiary on Rusted Barn Tin.

Wild Red Fern on Antique Window.

Gerbera Daisy.

Floral Collage.

Floral Still Life.

Country Landscape Collage.

Enjoying the end of Summer

Just some pictures of the kiddos enjoying their pool Saturday afternoon.

Sissy did not like Reid having the water hose...

This is Kind of a BIG Deal...

Reid is pacifier free! Six weeks ago our family embarked on the long...LONG...hard...HARD journey of ridding our 2 1/2-year-old of his infamous "pie." This might not be very daunting for other parents, but you see, Reid has had his popeye since the day he was born, and has not been without it since...the same big saucer-like pacifier for nearly three years. He slept with it, took a bath with it, played with it, sat it on his highchair while he ate, and many times, he would tote two or three extras around for moral support. He was as addicted to his pacifier as a smoker is to a cigarette. But after about two weeks of he...well...you know what...he has been such a trooper and here we are, over a month later, and my sweet boy is one step closer to growing up!


Just thought I would share a timeline of popeye pics. This is literally from the day he was born...

Toes in the Water

We survived! Not only did we survive, but we had a really great time. Last Wednesday, Cory, the kiddos and I packed up and headed to the beach. We took our annual summer trip to SanDestin, and I was a little nervous about tackling a 2 year-old and a 1 year-old. Cory and I made up our minds that it would be fun but we could forget relaxing. We were pleasantly surprised. Reid and Georgia were wonderful, the beach was beautiful, and the weather was perfect. It was nice to enjoy the sun, (with 50 proof sunscreen for this family of redheads, of course) water, and my sweet family.

It amazes me how much planning and packing goes into taking these two to the beach. We've stayed at the Hilton many times before, so I knew we would have a small fridge and a mircowave...that's it. I planned all of the kids' breakfasts and lunches based on what could be cooked in a microwave. Needless to say, I won't be winning mother of the year when it comes to the healthiest food choices this past week, but Reid and Georgia really enjoyed the fudge shop cookies they got to eat a couple of mornings! = )

I'm a stickler for sunscreen. I was crazy when I was yonger and would rarely put it on (I'm a REDHEAD...what was I thinking???) After many painful sunburns, I have finally realized the importance of sunscreen...so I buy nothing but waterbabies...for everyone. When pool time came around, I would lather up Reid, then Georgia, then Cory and myself, we would pack up everything possible and about 45 minutes to and hour later we would be ready to head to the pool. Let me say that the $5 sand toy pack I bought at Wal-Mart was the best money I have ever spent. Reid and Sissy sat on the side of the pool and played for hours. Reid is not a huge water fan. He REFUSES to put floaties on but loves to play on the steps and the side of the pool where he's close enough to be wet. Sissy on the other hand is a little daredevil. We have to watch her like a hawk. She too will not wear floaties, but she LOVES to be in the water. I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't even get a picture of her at the pool...mainly because I was too nervous to look away for a second and grab the camera...

Honestly, I was so wrapped up in enjoying my crew this week, that I forgot to take too many pictures. Here is what I did capture.

Reid and Sissy feeding the ducks at Louisiana Lagniappe.

Daddy and Reid listening to the band.

Sissy enjoyed listening to the band too, but boy was she pooped!

Reid and our friend Andrew Kimbro at the pool.

A Letter to my Daughter

First, there is blog below this one about Georgia's first birthday...don't miss it! Now, I wrote a letter for Reid when he turned 2, so I wanted to do the same for Georgia's birthday.

My Sweet Georgia,

Your smile is intoxicating. Your big green eyes light up with the smallest twist of your lips and you brighten the lives of those who get a glimpse of your joy. Never lose that joy. God does not call His children to merely be "happy." Happiness is fleeting, but joy comes from Him and lives in the deepest part of your soul. Find Him, and you will find endless joy. Your Daddy and I have prayed, even before you were born, that your first love would be Jesus. With Him and that contagious smile, you will be able to live life to the fullest.

As a little girl, there are so many things that you need to learn at a young age. First, your greatest treasure should be your body. It is the temple of God, and should not be taken for granted. Do not be consumed by your appearance or vanity, but know that you are special and deserve to be pure at heart. Only you can make that decision and stick to it. One day, you and your husband will be grateful.

Next, know that your heart is a powerful thing. It holds your deepest desires, and is the
producer of the most powerful emotion and action...love. Do not fear love. Sometimes it hurts...the worst pain ever felt...but you will never regret loving fiercely and unselfishly. And always know, when the day comes that your heart is broken, Mommy and Daddy were made to hold you until the pain eases...we want to.

You were blessed with a pretty amazing big brother. He is the most appreciative and compassionate child. Learn from him. He loves you as much as his little heart can. Everyday he asks about you, watches you and loves you. One day, he will try to protect you. Let him. That is one of his responsibilities. Always know that you have a best friend in Reid and one day, when you have families of your own, only allow that friendship to strengthen.

Sweet Georgia, you and your brother are placed on this Earth for a reason. Both of you were conceived only after the loss of another baby's life. In heaven, we will meet those babies and our family will only grown in size, but know that God wanted you here so much, that Mommy and Daddy were not able to hold your brothers or sisters so you could be created, carried and born. You have PURPOSE. You are here for a REASON. Search for that purpose and live it. Mommy and Daddy will do our best to help, but we cannot and will not force or demand. You will have to trust in Jesus to guide and direct your steps. He will never fail you.

Now, there will be times that you fall or make mistakes. That's okay. Consequences will be different each time, but you have to learn from them. Your Daddy and I will not be able to "fix" everything, and there will be times that we can but choose not to. Know that we have nothing but your best interest at heart and only desire for you to learn, grow and become a better person. God tells us that trials produce perseverance and perseverance produces character.

My love for you is stronger than you can ever imagine. The day will come that you and I can be "friends," but first, I must be Mom. I will make you angry but please rest in the fact that no anger will every interrupt my love for you. You are my precious daughter. My sweet Georgia, I love you.

Mommy

This time last year...

...my sweet Georgia weighed less than 6lbs. She lost so much weight in the hospital because of some breathing/eating issues, but now, she's 19lbs, 33" tall, walking, talking, and stealing a little bit more of my heart with every breath she takes. I can't remember being a family of three...much less just a couple. So much has happened in 4 years (celebrated on June 3rd) and I have two sweet little redheads that I take a lot of pride in.

Georgia's first birthday was simple and perfect. We were pressed for time because Cory and I came home from a wedding in Nashville and were preparing to leave for another wedding in Virginia, so we opted for a small family party and made the sweetest memories.

The food...excluding the two churns of homemade ice cream!

The cupcakes...

Meeting her new friend "Grace" and sitting in her new chair.

Gosh, I love her...

Hmmm...what's this?

It was pretty yummy.

I can't get it all in my mouth fast enough!

Georgia, the world has become a better place because you are in it. Live life and love it...and always know that someone loves you.