La Vida Ladybird

EC Loves Santa

2009-12-14T06:07:00.001-06:00

EC did really well when we had Breakfast With Santa for the Imagination Library. When Santa came tino the room, he was really excited! When Kyle put him in Santa's lap, he looked at him, then looked at us with a confused look. He didn't cry, but kept slowly leaning away from Santa. When we were done, he kept smiling and saying HoHoHo!

Gala-vanting Tonight!

2009-11-06T13:29:00.003-06:00

Cross Point is having their Annual Volunteer Appreciation Gala tonight. I am super-excited that I get to be a part of the celebration again this year. For the past couple of years, there have been some hilarious movie spoofs that have been created for this event. I have put a few below and hope that you enjoy them as much as me!

The most exciting thing about tonight is that I get to celebrate with some awesome friends that have never been to the Gala. I know that it is going to knock their socks off! I am sure that it will mine! I will have pictures to show you soon!

Cross Point "Back To The Future" Volunteer Appreciation 2007 from Cross Point Church on Vimeo.

Cross Point "Top Gun" Volunteer Appreciation 2008 from Cross Point Church on Vimeo.

Happy Hallo-Birthday

2009-11-05T08:00:00.000-06:00

Our friend Kelly celebrates her birthday on Halloween. I am so glad that we get to see her every year.

Alot has changed since last year...

Mrs Tracy Is As Sweet As Candy

2009-11-03T14:00:00.000-06:00

So many people have told me to stop bragging on EC's babysitter, because someone will try to steal her. Well, they are out of luck, because Mrs. Tracy is AWESOME! Her house was the first stop of the night and EC's first taste of Halloween candy.

Sound Check

2009-11-02T07:00:00.001-06:00

We had to take a quick break from trick-or-treating so that Daddy could do a sound check with the band. Elvis wanted to get on stage soooooo bad. He kept yelling at Daddy to come get him.

He wanted Daddy so badly, that he didn't even want to play the tamborine with Alisha!

Elvis Lives!

2009-11-01T07:00:00.000-06:00

EC didn't want to wear his glasses very much, but he made a great Elvis regardless!

Becoming A King

2009-10-31T22:00:00.000-05:00

Getting dressed up as Elvis was not fun.....but the costume tasted pretty good! Mommy kept telling him to stop biting his "bling" but those little jewels looked so much like candy!

EC Loves Nuna

2009-10-30T09:00:00.000-05:00

Nuna went a little corny with us too!

This One Is Juuuust Right

2009-10-30T08:39:00.000-05:00

Itty Bitty Photos Of EC

2009-10-30T07:43:00.004-05:00

When EC's first birthday rolled around, I knew that I needed to get some good pictures made. I am a huge fan of Itty Bitty Bits Of Me's photography. Jessica has been a life long friend and she and her husband Billy have grown into awesome photographers! It helps when you have gorgeous daughters to take pictures of too!

So, when I asked Jessica if she would snap a few shots of EC, she jumped at the chance. It was wonderful to meet their daughters, Maddy and Claire, and to spend some time with Jessica and Billy.

Click HERE to see some of Jessica's favorite photos.......I am so glad that she could chose some, since ALL of them are my favorites!

Fun Family Pics

2009-10-29T08:38:00.000-05:00

Picking A Pumpkin

2009-10-29T08:35:00.000-05:00

Just Being Corny

2009-10-28T08:26:00.000-05:00

I Like THIS One!

2009-10-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

Hayride

2009-10-22T08:33:00.000-05:00

By this time, EC's little nose was sooooo red! But he never complained! He had so much fun! Everything was exciting to look at!

John Deere Green With Envy

2009-10-21T08:30:00.000-05:00

EC and Daddy really loved this tractor! Birddog said that EC told him that he wanted one for Christmas.

How Tall This Fall?

2009-10-20T07:45:00.000-05:00

Snuggling

2009-10-19T07:45:00.000-05:00

It was pretty cold that day, so EC did a lot of snuggling and hanging on tight.

Pumpkin Patchin'

2009-10-18T08:08:00.000-05:00

Yesterday morning, we took EC to the Keller Farms Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze. We did not venture into the corn maze, but he had an AWESOME time at the petting zoo and picking a pumpkin!

EC Loves Leslie!

2009-10-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

Four Generations

2009-10-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

Granny Loves EC

2009-10-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

Cake Face in TN

2009-09-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

Birthday Gifts in TN

2009-09-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

Birthday Candles in TN

2009-09-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

Lookin' Like Daddy

2009-09-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

EC Loves Yo!

2009-09-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

Yo! Gabba! Gabba! is EC's favorite television show by far!
Can you tell?

If this keeps up, he will need eye-glasses next year.

Splish! Splash! Ewww!

2009-09-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

EC was helping Jake get a drink of water...........I promise that I scrubbed his arms after I snapped these pictures.

(I can't believe I just posted pictures of my kid playing in the toilet!)

Pickin' Wildflowers

2009-09-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

EC and Sarah had a great time picking some of Grammy's wildflowers! Unfortunantly, there were a few chiggers that came along with the flowers.....you can't win them all!

High Stepper

2009-09-23T08:00:00.001-05:00

EC loooooooves to walk! But watch out!

He will take off running and giggle, giggle, giggle!

He walked with Cousin Sarah all the way to the garden and back!

I think she was worn out!

EC loved to walk with Cousin Kerry! He giggled the whole time!

Birthday Cards are YUMMY!

2009-09-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

EC loved to open birthday gifts! He especially loved how the cards tasted!

Cake Face in KY

2009-09-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

I have heard many parents say that their kiddo didn't want to get dirty or play with their cake..............well, not MY KID! He dove in head-first and had a GREAT time playing in his cake. There was icing everywhere imaginable!

Blowing Out The Candles in KY

2009-09-20T21:14:00.000-05:00

EC had TWO birthday parties for his first birthday! The first was in Kentucky at Grammyand Granddaddy's house. He way trying to get into the cake before we could finish the Happy Birthday song!

Birthday Balloons!

2009-09-19T10:16:00.000-05:00

DNA

2009-08-18T12:39:00.003-05:00

Have I ever mentioned that I love Cross Point? Well, just in case you missed it, here is the promo for the next series. This is just a small glimpse at the church and all of it's the amazing people. I am so excited to break down the DNA in this series!

DNA Series Promo from Cross Point Church on Vimeo.

Deere Dad

2009-08-18T08:50:00.000-05:00

These pictures could be any given afternoon at our house. EC loves to ride the lawn mower with Daddy!

Window Gazing

2009-08-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

EC loves to watch the cars go by at Grammy and Granddaddy's house. Their bay window is just the right height to get a good view!

Inked

2009-08-11T09:30:00.001-05:00

I am blessed to have a great babysitter for EC. I have a couple of family members for backups, so I am usually covered pretty well if she needs a day off. Last Wednesday was one of those days…….and all of my backups were busy too. Mommy panic set in. Who else do you call? Who do you trust? Who will EC like?

When I mentioned this at my Tuesday night Bible study, my friend Sherry Bowman jumped at the chance to keep EC. I was relieved. Sherry is AWESOME. She helps oversee KidzWorld at church, stays at home with her two incredibly adorable sons during the week and is just an over-all super mom. I think that it is hilarious when her youngest child, at the age of three, shows up at church with a Mohawk and fake tattoos.

So, I dropped EC off at her house on Wednesday morning and there were no tears whatsoever. It probably helped that she had her Yo! Gabba Gabba toy mat out to play with. By the time that I got to work, I had already received a text message on my cell phone that said, “EC likes his pancakes with cinnamon and sugar.” I knew that everything was going to be okay.

At lunch I sent her a text asking if she was surviving and her response was, “Are you kidding? You are so lucky. EC is such a good boy. Well, he did yell at me when I tried to take his corn-on-the-cob away.” They had been to lunch at her grandmother’s house with about twenty of her family members and he was passed around like a hot-potato and took it like a pro.

Everything was going so smooth……until I went to pick him up. That is when I saw the transformation. My kid had been Bowmanized. He was wearing a “wife-beater” undershirt and had a tattoo on his arm. She was going to do a Mohawk, but ran short on time. I think that I actually snorted because I was laughing so hard. He was so cute.

Thank you, Sherry, for taking such great care of my kiddo. You are a blessing and I value our friendship more than you will ever know!

EC vs. Corn-On-The-Cob

2009-08-09T18:07:00.002-05:00

EC wanted to help Granddaddy while he was shucking corn...

EC vs. Corn-On-The-Cob Part 2

2009-08-09T18:06:00.001-05:00

Silent Link

2009-08-04T12:00:00.001-05:00

I used to be a blogger. Did you know that?

I used to write interesting stories about the happenings in my life. I sometimes even wrote about the uninteresting things. Somewhere along the way, I stopped. This blog became a picture blog. A new little life filled my days to the point that I don’t want to sit in front of a computer at home. Not that it is a bad thing, but I do miss writing sometimes.

I was prodded by a friend to start blogging. I started on my MySpace page first. That way, I could limit the people who actually had access to my writings. Not that I cared who read it, but I was just unsure about putting too much information on the internet. I needed to find my footing.

Then another friend, my boss actually, pushed me to go “public” with my writings. To push the envelope, jump over the edge.

I jumped. I am glad that I did. I have met so many interesting people, made new friends and have kept in touch with friends from long ago. Plus, it is so nice that my family can see EC grow and not feel so distant.

I am glad that I blog.

My boss, my friend, that prodded me off the edge into the blogosphere, he passed away several months ago. His wife said it most gracefully by writing that “There was no illness or accident, just a choice he made for himself.”

I think about him every time that I look at my blog. The link to his blog sits silently still on the sidebar. It breaks my heart.

Thank you, Todd, for pushing me off my ledge.
You are sorely missed.

Month Ten

2009-07-24T12:04:00.000-05:00

Dear EC,

Last week you turned ten months old. Why am I late writing this letter? Well, I have been chasing your little crawling rear-end all around the house. You are like the Energizer bunny, you never stop. Ever. EVER. Needless to say, I have been saying many words like “No”, “Stop”, “Don’t eat that!” and “Get out of the dog food!”

I was so excited when you decided to crawl. You have been trying for over a month. You would get up on your hands and knees and wiggle, but then just sit back down. You would move a knee or an arm every once in a while. When I would move them for you, to try to teach you to crawl, you would go into fits of giggles. Then one Sunday at Granny Garton’s house, you decided that today was the day…….and you took off across her living room floor like a bolt of lightning. You haven’t stopped since.

Not only are you crawling, but you are pulling up on everything……couches, tables, the side of the bathtub, your bed. Absolutely nothing is safe. You will pull up on it and hit it with your hands. It is usually accompanied by a little yell that says, “Behold! I have pulled up on this end-table! I claim this end-table in the name of all mankind!” My little conqueror!

This also means that you are into everything that you shouldn’t be. Because you were pulling up on your bedrails, we lowered your mattress to the lowest level. While your father and I were doing this, you pulled up on your changing table, pulled out a basket and scattered all your bibs across the floor. You were working on your basket of socks when I finally got to you. You were thrilled with your victory over the changing table! “Whoo-Ha! Behold! This changing table is MINE!”

You got your top two front teeth this month. Of course this was accompanied by the usual runny nose and grumpiness. I slept in the recliner with you a couple of nights because of your little cough. But WOW have you started eating like a big boy. You will gnaw on anything that we give you. You love Cherrios, macaroni or anything noodle-y, Jell-o, and whipped cream. We went to eat at Catfish Kitchen and you ate fish, hushpuppies, white beans and potatoes…..all cut up into tiny pieces of course. Some parents tell me about what a picky eater their child is and, so far, we haven’t found a food that you DON’T like. Well, you didn’t really like sour kraut, but I just fed that to you to watch your face pucker up. It was pretty humorous.

You love the summer time! We have gone swimming several times and you are like a little fish. You are not scared of the water what-so-ever. We have to hang on to you or you will jump right out of our arms. You love to kick and splash and bounce with Daddy. You even go swimming with your babysitter some days.

Have I ever told you about your babysitter? Mrs. Tracy watches you four days a week and she is AWESOME! You have been on so many adventures this summer with her family. You have been to the park, the library, swimming pool, several shopping trips, the school cafeteria to have lunch with her sons and even to Chuck E. Cheese a couple of times. I never know where your adventures will take you! You are so lucky to have an awesome lady like Mrs. Tracy to watch over you. She is an angel in disguise.

I have to say that you have some pretty interesting toys. Forget all the store bought, bright-colored, educational toys that are made for kids your age. Those simply aren’t good enough. Your favorite things are Daddy’s backscratcher, your nose bulb, a measuring cup, a hair brush and a wooden spoon. All of the animals run in another room when they see you holding the backscratcher, because you can really whop them in the head with that thing!

This month you have really changed from a baby to a toddler. If I write about all of your accomplishments this month, I will write a novel. Like how you sleep on your tummy now, with your rump up in the air. You wave bye-bye to people when they are leaving. Or how you learned to clap, so I get a round of applause for everything I do now. I can keep going and going.

But you are still my baby and I love it when you still do baby-like things. Every night before I lay you down in your crib, you snuggle into my neck. With that soft, warm baby breath on my neck, I whisper “I love you” a million times into your ear. You will forever be my baby.

I love you heart and soul,
Mommy

Row Row Row Your Boat

2009-07-13T10:30:00.000-05:00

These are the last of the pool pictures......I promise!

Worn Out

2009-07-10T12:00:00.000-05:00

Swimming just wears EC out. Thank goodness for lounge chair cushions.

Rock Lobster

2009-07-09T14:15:00.000-05:00

This was a really cute float, but unfortunantly it required you to hold it all the time. It didn't help that EC kept leaning forward to try to bite it. Anyway, if you know of a good float for a kiddo EC's size, would you leave a link in the comments? I am looking for a good one, but don't want to spend a fortune.

Daddy's Boy

2009-07-06T17:06:00.001-05:00

Little Swimmer

2009-07-06T16:54:00.000-05:00

Guess who likes to swim????

Too Tired To Play

2009-06-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

Sometimes playing is such hard work that you just have to take a quick nap to get rejuvenated. Thank goodness EC had his soft, cushy glow-worm to lay his head on.

Just A Swingin'

2009-06-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

These are pictures from EC's first ride in the swing that Daddy put up for him.

Did I mention that the swing rope was reeeeallly long?

It was a little chilly that afternoon, so we had him bundled up. Unfortunately, this past week has been a scorcher and it has been too hot to swing. Summer officially arrived yesterday with a BANG! Heat indexes of over a hundred degrees! More swing pictures to come when our skin doesn't melt when we walk outside.

Mommy Said No

2009-06-21T20:50:00.001-05:00

First time, Mommy says "No, don't touch the cable box."

Second time, Mommy reminds you not to touch.

Third time, Mommy takes your hand away from the cable box.

Fourth time, Mommy takes your hand away and give it a tinsy, tinsy, itty-bity pat.

Then this happens:

Can't you just see the "You don't love me" look in his eye??

Some people may feel sorry for him. I, on the other hand, thought that the pout was hilarious and couldn't grab my camera quick enough.

As a side note, thank you to EC's Aunt Mimi for letting him borrow this cool little walker. He has been cruising like a pro in it.

Month Nine

2009-06-18T15:55:00.000-05:00

Dear EC,

This week, you turned nine months old. You might ask what happened to your eight month letter. Well, let’s just way that it got lost in the shuffle. I totally blame this on my mommy-brain. I really believe people now when they say that having a baby sucks all of your brain cells out.

Craziness has ensued over these past two months. I won’t bore you with the details, but I had lots of extra time to spend with you. As a matter of fact, you were the only reason that I got out of bed some mornings. I can’t wait to run to your bed every morning and see your smile. It makes everything perfect and starts the day off better than sunshine and coffee.

Lately, you have been flipping over on your tummy when I go to get you out of bed. Yep! That is right, you are a flipping genius! Once you finally made up your mind, you decided that tummy time is not that bad. You still get frustrated, but mainly because you are trying to crawl. On the floor, you don’t move so well…..only about a foot or so. But you scoot all over my bed – and you are quick! Oh, if only our floor had pillow top padding…you would be everywhere!

You have really become a mover and a shaker in your walker too! You are getting good at turning and “driving”. The other morning you realized that the walker would go down the hallway! Holy smokes! This opened up a whole new world! Now you roll to the bathroom door to watch me get ready in the mornings. The heck with Handy Manny, the Mommy Make-Up Show is so much more entertaining.

The walker has opened up lots of new objects to you too. I know have to make sure that items on tables are not within your reach and you especially love to press buttons…….like on the cable box. The word “no” has become common and you don’t like it at all. You frown and then that little bottom lip puckers, but I can usually hand you another toy and all your problems are solved.

You have one new big toy! Daddy found a swing over at Nuna’s house and hung it in our backyard tree……….with 20 feet of rope! You can swing for hours on one push! You grin from ear to ear and giggle when you get close to Daddy. You squeal and giggle, and then slowly your eyes start to droop. Swinging always makes you sleepy.

Lots of other fun things happened this month……you ate a fly that buzzed in your mouth, you learned to wave bye-bye, you can wave and say “heeeeyyy” and you blow razzzzzberries constantly. You are picking up “puffs” with your fingers instead of your whole fist and you have mastered the sippy cup. Plus, you want a bite of whatever we are eating. You open your mouth like a baby bird if anyone is close to you holding a cup or bowl.

You have spent the last four days in Kentucky with your Grammy and Granddaddy. They are bringing you home today and I cannot wait to run home to you this afternoon and get my kisses. Our house has been so quiet without your babble. I already dread the day that you move out on your own. The way that time is flying, that day is going to come too quickly.

I love you always,
Mommy

Too Cool

2009-06-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

EC and his Great-Grandma chillin' at the park.

Little Prince

2009-06-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

Playing With Shadows

2009-06-08T08:00:00.001-05:00

EC loved playing with the shadows of leaves on Granddaddy's porch. He tried and tried to catch those darn shadows, but they kept moving too fast!

Newspaper

2009-06-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

Family Portrait

2009-06-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Lazy River

2009-06-06T14:16:00.001-05:00

Playing on the river is hard work.

First Driving Lesson

2009-06-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

Little Fish, Big Lifejacket

2009-06-04T08:00:00.001-05:00

This picture is possibly one of my favorite EC pictures.

He looks so much like his daddy!

(For the record, this is lifejacket #1. The other lifejacet is the one that did not survive the diaper accident.)

Like A Duck To Water

2009-06-02T18:28:00.001-05:00

Last weekend was EC's first boat ride. By the look on his face, you can tell that he really enjoyed it! Look for more boat ride pictures to come.....we took lots! Plus, for all you readers out there that will send me comments....he has a lifejacket. He is not wearing it because there was a diaper accident and that is all that I am going to say about that!

Clipping Coupons With Granddaddy

2009-06-02T07:00:00.000-05:00

EC loves anything paper because it makes NOISE! Paper is so much better than those darn toys. He loves to crinkle the newspaper, so I usually give him a sales ad while I am clipping coupons out of the Sunday paper. He can get at least an hours entertainment out of one Wal-mart flyer!

Lovin' From Aunt Lauren

2009-05-31T18:04:00.000-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Things are crazy.
I promise to be a better blogger!

Uncle Clay's Buddy

2009-05-14T06:30:00.000-05:00

EC sure loves spending time with his Uncle Clay. They talk and talk and talk. They play so much and he makes EC giggle by saying silly things like, "LIZARD! LIZARD! LIZARD!" Uncle Clay is such a nut, but that is why EC loves him so much!

WW - Lazyboys

2009-05-13T06:30:00.001-05:00

For more Wordless Wednesday, hop over to 5 Minutes For Mom.

Mother's Day Bouquet

2009-05-11T17:57:00.002-05:00

With a little help from Granddaddy, EC picked me a flower on Mother's Day morning...

...but it took a lot of willpower not to eat it before he gave it to me!

Luther Lake

2009-05-06T15:50:00.005-05:00

Green Thumb?

2009-05-04T12:26:00.000-05:00

EC loved helping Daddy with the garden. He sat in the shade and told Daddy where to plant each row.

Living Above Worry and Stress

2009-05-02T18:11:00.001-05:00

I know that I haven’t posted in a while. First let me apologize and state for the record that it is completely my fault. Second, let me state that stay-at-home-moms ROCK! How in the world do you do this ALL THE TIME???? Don’t get me wrong, I love my kid….but really, how do you get anything done?? I set out my goals for the day and I am lucky to accomplish a few of them, and they need to be done again by the afternoon.

Anyway, I guess that the reason for the absence is the elephant in the room. Some of you already know that I was downsized from my job a little over a week ago. I was pretty downhearted, since Birddog was laid off back in November and still has not found a full time position. My purse strings were already tight, but I think we will be okay.

The good thing is, I have already had two interviews and already have two others scheduled. It actually feels pretty good to be away from my other job, a relief that I was not expecting. I am exciting about the prospects of another position. One interviewer actually said, “Wow, your employer had you for a bargain, didn’t they?” My answer……”YES! Yes they did……I am worth WAY more than what they were paying me!” Let’s just hope that I get THAT job! Everyone put on your prayer bonnet and do a lucky dance for me.

On top of that, Birddog has some medical issues that we are working through. He had an MRI this morning and we should find out the results early next week. There are two scenarios that we are worried about: either this is something that the doctors should have caught during is back surgery a year ago, or the doctors caused this illness by doing the back surgery. All prayers are appreciated.

How much stress can I handle? Apparently a lot. To tell the truth, I am really pretty calm. Crazy calm, not nervous at all. I guess because one of the ladies in my small group told me that if I am going to pray about things, not to worry about them. If I am going to worry about them, don’t pray. I have been praying and it is working!

Speaking of my small group, one of the group leaders stepped down and guess who stepped up? Yep, I am leading a small group! Poor Kyle is waiting for me to turn into a missionary any day now. Anyway, the first study that I am leading is a study called Living Above Worry and Stress….I think that I am well qualified! Sign-ups are at church tomorrow, so be looking for the nervous girl that hopes people join her club! Haha!

I promise that I will post more EC pictures coming soon. I know that the majority of the people who read this blog don’t care much about my life since EC came along…..all they want to see are pictures of my child. I went from being Ladybird to being EC’s mom in two seconds flat.

Hope Now

2009-04-25T15:30:00.000-05:00

I meant to post this much earlier in the week, but I got distracted (more on that later). Anyway, there is a new series starting tomorrow at church and I am super-excited about it. Check out the promo!

After my distraction, I really need this series.

Mommy Of The Year Award

2009-04-22T11:42:00.015-05:00

I have been awarded with The Mom of the Year Award by Mommy of M’s. I am super-excited, as this is only my second award! Hop on over to her blog, because she is an awesome mom too!

Rules for Mom of the Year Award:

(1) Admit one thing you feel awful about involving being a mom. Get it off your shoulders. Once you've written it down, you are No Longer allowed to feel bad. It's over with, it's in the past. Remember, you're a good mom!

Ok, let me get on my soapbox then! I hate that I ‘beat myself up’ over statements that other people say about the way that I am raising my child.

Don’t get me wrong, I think that I am doing a good job of raising my son. I also understand that I am not a by-the-book mother and that some people will never understand that. I just should not be judged because I am not raising my child the way that you raise/raised yours.

I hate that I lie in bed at night and let those comments and questions eat at me. I hate that other people make me second guess if I am a good mother. I hate that I am concerned about what other people think of me as a mother. And most of all, I hate that I don’t stand up for myself more and tell everyone how their comments make me feel.

The important thing is that EC is happy, he is healthy and I could not ask for more. I can’t be doing that bad of a job, can I?

(2) Remind yourself you are a good mom, list seven things you love about your kids, you love doing with your kids, or that your kids love about you. These are the things to remind yourself everyday that you Rock!

I love that EC is a total ham. He loves to smile and he lights up a room. He was even laughing in his sleep the other night….that is one happy baby!

I love that EC does not cry when he wakes up in the mornings. He babbles to himself and it is adorable to hear. I sometimes lie in bed and listen through the monitor for a while.

I love how EC smiles when I pick him up from the babysitter. His smile, because he recognizes me, can melt away the worst of days.

I love to practice crawling with EC. Since he HATES tummy-time, we have been practicing together. He gets the giggles and it is so much fun.

I love that he has his daddy’s dimple chin.

I love EC’s snuggles when he is sleepy. I love how he buries his head into my neck and grabs my arm. I love his fuzzy hair tickling my chin and his baby breath on my
shoulder.
I love his giggle. I can think of no sweeter sound.

(3) Send this to five other Mom's Of The Year that deserve credit for being great moms and remind them that they are the best moms they can be!! Remember to send them a note to let them know you've selected them, and add a link to the person who nominated you.

Shortymom – for keeping up with her three kids. I have no clue how she does it sometimes!

Itty Bitty Bits Of Me – for raising her girls with a believer’s heart. Plus, her kids say the cutest things!

A Little Crazy & A Lot Of Love – for capturing such wonderful photographs of everyday brotherly love.

Brandi & Boys – I love the adventures of her kiddos. I think that Tee-ball season is going to produce some wonderful blog-worthy stories.

At Shore’s End – she is a SAHM that lives on the beach. [insert jealousy here] Plus she is expecting baby number two and I am excited for her.

Just A Swingin'

2009-04-21T16:50:00.002-05:00

I am blessed beyond measure to have a GREAT babysitter for EC. I was so worried about putting him into a daycare. While I was pregnant, a friend and neighbor asked if she could keep him when I went back to work. Um, YES!

In the past two weeks, EC has gone on several play dates, he took his first trip to Chuck E. Cheese and has had a bunch of lunches at the elementary school cafeteria. Last week, he went on a 1st grade field trip to the library, which she said that he loved.

Today, he went on another field trip with the first graders to Montgomery Bell State Park. My babysitter sent me this picture to my phone. Looks like he is having a great time!

Sunday Best

2009-04-20T11:06:00.001-05:00

EC and I ventured to Kentucky this past weekend. As usual, I forgot my camera. But I snapped this shot with my cell phone before we went to church on Sunday morning.

TWT - Four Years Of Love

2009-04-16T09:54:00.003-05:00

A Thousand Words Thursday is the brainchild of Cheaper Than Therapy. I love that she got the idea from her screensaver. I have the same setting on my computer and can sit for hours just watching the pictures tell little stories in my head.

To participate, you are supposed to choose a picture that is powerful, that expresses emotion and speaks volumes. Today, of all days, I couldn’t pick just one picture. Today is our fourth wedding anniversary. We had so many wonderful pictures from our wedding and they are some of my favorites to see on my screensaver. So instead of posting just one, I picked some of my favorites and put them in a slideshow.

Happy Anniversary Birddog! I love you more than I could ever express in a thousand words!

If you want to see the pictures without the slideshow, go HERE.

For more Thousand Word Thursday posts, hop over to

Cheaper Than Therapy!

Month Seven

2009-04-15T11:00:00.000-05:00

Dear EC,

Today you turn seven months old. It is so hard to believe that my lil’ punkin’ baby has grown so much! It seems like you learn or do something new every day. Maybe I should write these letters by week instead of by month.

Talking has become your newest trick. You have really discovered your voice this month and are using it to your advantage! Your favorite word is, “Dadadadada! Daaa! Daaa!” I have really worked with you on the “mama” sound, but you prefer to say “dadada” more than anything else. Your father thinks this is wonderful! Whenever you are really tired or sometimes when you cry, the “mama” sound really starts being more predominant. These are not the only sounds that you make though. You can really carry on a great conversation now by combining your vowels and consonants. Sometimes you talk really softly and then raise your voice really high. You make great eye contact and it seems like you are really trying to tell us something wonderful. You particularly enjoy talking to the cat, even though she stares at you like you are crazy.

The picture above is probably not the best picture, but I love the way that you are cutting your eyes. Your daddy does this all the time and I am sure it is a habit that you have picked up from him. The eye-cut is usually accompanied by a mischievous smile, also a trait that you have picked up from your father.

You looooove to play in your excersaucer. You have really learned so much about the toys on it this month. At first, you were just interested in chewing on everything. Then you discovered that some of these things MAKE NOISE!!! SOUNDS!!! Now you hit the buttons and spin the spinners with such vigor….and then look up and smile at us like “Do you hear that? That noise? I MADE that noise! Here, let me show you again!”

I am pretty sure that Daddy is teaching you an Allman Brothers’ song.

You love any noise, but you especially love music. Any time that music comes on the television or radio, you really pay attention. You love to watch American Idol and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and stop and stare at the television when a song is playing. You especially like jam sessions with your Daddy! He plays the guitar and sometimes you even sing along. He is getting much better at songs that are more age-appropriate for you, like the alphabet song or the puppy-in-the-window song. This is a huge improvement over the beer drinking songs that he had been singing to you.

Touch has become a fun thing for you too. Not only do you reach and grab items, but you stop to feel them now too. Well, at least before you put them in your mouth. You stroke my sweaters, caress my hair and pat your toys. You giggle with your whole body when you feel of Daddy’s prickly hair. One of your favorite books is one that Uncle Clay and Aunt Lauren gave you about animal tails. You especially like the fuzzy tiger tail and run your hand across many times before you try to fit the entire book in your mouth.

You reach to touch everything now….including the camera.

You also celebrated your first Easter this month. I told you the wonderful truth of how Jesus died on the cross and arose, so that you may be the wonderful person that God designed you to be. I told you of what a priceless gift that you are and that you are truly a gift from God. Well, I tell you that every day, but I told you a BUNCH on Easter. I know that you are too young to understand that right now, but I look forward to celebrating the many Easters to come.

EC, you are absolutely amazing in every single way. It is like I am relearning the world with you at each step. You teach me the wonders of small things. I can’t wait to run home to you every afternoon to see what we are going to learn today. Now, if you could only master that “mamama” sound for me.

I love you forever,
Mommy

WW - Play Time with Daddy and Elwood

2009-04-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

For more Wordless Wednesday, hop over the 5 Minutes For Mom!

Happy Birthday Birddog!!!

2009-04-13T11:32:00.001-05:00

Today is Birddog's 39th birthday! (Gasp! Next year is going to be lots of fun!)

We celebrated this weekend by doing lots of fun stuff. EC rode with Daddy on his lawn tractor ("It is NOT a mower!") on Saturday. Then we went to Cross Point in Nashville and then on to dinner at one of his favorite places, Texas Roadhouse. EC celebrated by saying his name ALL. WEEKEND. LONG. "da da da da da daaa daaa daaa daaa!" (I will be so glad when the kid learns a new word. LOL!)

Happy Birthday Daddy! We love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck!

TWT - Tuesdays With EC

2009-04-09T08:00:00.001-05:00

Every Tuesday night, I have Small Group with my church ladies. While I am there, EC has been hanging out with Daddy BJ and Momma C. He always has a good time, because they like to play A LOT!!! This week, I forgot to carry his bath chair, so they just gave him a dip in the kitchen sink. Sure looks like he had a great time!

For more Thousand Word Thursday posts, head on over to MomJen's blog Cheaper Than Therapy.

WW - Lock Up Your Daughters

2009-04-08T08:20:00.000-05:00

(Thanks to Aunt Judy and Uncle Charlie for the cool bib!)

For more Wordless Wednesday hop on over to 5 Minutes for Mom!

Happy Birthday Grammy!!!

2009-04-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

Bathtime Razzzzzzzberries

2009-04-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

EC loves bath time with Daddy....especially when Daddy blows raspberries on his belly before he gets in the tub! Giggles galore!

Thousand Word Thursday - The Carseat

2009-04-02T08:00:00.001-05:00

EC always gets really excited when we are going somewhere. He really likes to ride in the car, but is usually asleep by the time we get to the end of our road. It is almost time for a bigger carseat! It is hard to believe that he has almost outgrown this one.

I am tring out the Thousand Word Thursday at TheMomJen. Head on over to her blog and check out all the cool links. She has to be a super mom, because her blog is titled Cheaper Than Therapy.....which has been my tagline for a while!

WW - This Little Piggy

2009-04-01T08:30:00.001-05:00

(Thank you Aunt Sandy and Uncle Larry for the fun pacifier!!!!)

For more Wordless Wednesday, check out 5 Minutes For Mom.

Chicken Noodle Kid

2009-03-31T08:00:00.001-05:00

Last week, Dr. Patton told us to move on to stage two foods! This was EC's first experience with Chicken Noodle and I think that he liked it! I can't wait until he tries the Mac'N'Cheese!

Gene Simmons Wanna-Be

2009-03-30T08:00:00.001-05:00

On Saturday, EC and I went to a tea party for the Freeze Out Cancer Team to raise money for Relay For Life. While we were there, Aunt Mimi clicked this picture for us, because EC and Mommy pictures are few and far between.

Check out that tongue! EC could be a member of a Kiss tribute band in a few years!

Whistling Prodigy

2009-03-28T20:34:00.008-05:00

When EC went to stay with my parents in Kentucky, he picked up on one of my mother's habits....whistling. He is a whistling prodigy now! He loves to whistle and shows off his wicked whistling skills in this video. Hope that you enjoy!

WW - Boo!

2009-03-25T08:40:00.000-05:00

For more Wordless Wednesday, head over to 5 Minutes For Mom!

Mr. Fussy Pants

2009-03-24T08:00:00.001-05:00

This is one of my favorite recent pictures. This was a couple of weeks ago when EC had his first ear infection. He was all cranky and fussy.....but still super-cute in his overalls. As you can see in the Shelby pictures below, Birddog wears overall all the time.....so EC has several pairs too.

By the way, we went to the doctor that day (3/8) and he weighed in at 18 lbs even. Yesterday at his six month check-up, he weighed 18 lbs 14 ozs. Holy guacamole! 14 oz in two weeks!

Happy Birthday Nuna!

2009-03-23T17:03:00.001-05:00

Nuna celebrated her 43rd Annual Sweet 16th Birthday on Friday.
Happy Birthday Nuna! We love you!

EC's First Girlfriend???

2009-03-23T15:35:00.001-05:00

On Saturday morning, we took Nuna to breakfast at Pancakes 4 Peyton at Applebees. It was a benefit for Peyton Arnold, a twelve-year-old Dickson boy that has Leukemia. While we were there, EC spotted a cutie across the room! Keith Hickerson brought his daughter Shelby to the event and needless to say, love was in the air. EC couldn't stop talking to her. Shelby was more quiet.....Keith said she was just playing hard to get. But she didn't fool me....Shelby couldn't keep her hands off my son! It was so cute watching EC babble away and Shelby trying to grab his shirt. Shelby is adorable and I am sure that she will be a heart-breaker when she grows up. I am not sure about EC dating older women though.....Shelby is older by 4 whole days!

Death Of A Tradition???

2009-03-20T10:02:00.005-05:00

EC and I went to Granny Garton’s house for supper last night. Thursdays are a special treat, because dinner and supper are served. In the South, the midday meal is dinner and the evening meal is supper. I may be Southern, but it is still hard for me to call lunch by the dinner term.

Right before supper, the telephone rang and one of Granny’s friends told her that the local radio station was closing due to the economic conditions. Now, there is no story in the paper about it today (Today happens to be one of the days the paper is published.) and the radio station is still on the air as of right now. I really hope that it was a nasty rumor and that WDKN does not close.

The conversation at dinner reminded me of the below post that I wrote about WDKN back in April 2007. You can find the original post HERE. There is not a Flashback Friday this week at My Tiny Kingdom, but I just wanted to repost this as my own flashback. Enjoy!

Sounds Of A Small Town (Originally Posted 4/6/2007)

We drove to another town last night to have dinner with some friends that we had not seen since our wedding. They were in town from South Carolina where his military service has taken them. It was good to sit for hours and talk with another couple that is very similar to us.I was thrilled when they said they were going to move back to this area when his military service was finished. They weren't sure about what town to live in, not wanting the city life of Nashville , but something a little more rural and homey. Then, they asked about Dickson.

Now, I tease about Dickson all the time. It isn't hard. Dickson is about as country as turnip greens. There are things in this town that have not changed for fifty years. That is the way that people like it and that is the way it is going to be…….dag-nab-it. If you don't like it…….go somewhere else.

If you listen to the only AM radio station in town, you will get a good feel of what Dickson is really like. WDKN aired its first broadcast in January of 1955 and it sounds like nothing has changed in the 52 years that it has filled the airwaves. Some of the daily lineups include the agri-business news, friendly neighbor time, Crazy Chucky's Country Classic Corner, things to do in Dickson County and the staples of Paul Harvey and Focus on the Family. There are prayers and hymns sponsored by local churches and an obituary report every afternoon. (Because the paper is only published twice per week and someone might be pushin' up daisies before it is in print.)

There are two times in the day that I really get a kick out of…….Swap-N-Shop Times! This is a very popular show in Dickson that comes on in the morning and the evening. If you are ever in the need for fresh farm eggs, chicken manure, guns, puppies, Volkswagen parts, Star Trek tapes, Cadillac converters or ping-pong tables, please let me know. I will be happy to listen to Swap-N-Shop for you.

The best part of the show is listening to the people that call in. Apparently it is the same people every day and the DJ knows them by voice. They talk about how their daddy is sick or how hot the weather is…….and somebody is missing a real deal on the goats that they have for sale.
WDKN also shows a softer side to Dickson. For the whole month of April, the radio station has an auction for one hour in the afternoons. All of the proceeds go to Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society. It melts my heart to listen every afternoon. Today is only the fifth day of the auction and they have already sold over 700 items. Almost every business in town donates some kind of item or service. There are homemade cakes, cookies and pies of every kind made by every grandmother in town………some that sell for well over a hundred dollars. There are ferns, peonies, lilies and tulips. Items can range from a tea-kwon-do gift certificate to a stop sign donated by the public works department…..each item donated in the memory of someone special.

I am glad that I live in a town that has a radio station like WDKN and I think, no matter how much I giggle, that its programming reflects our small town life to a T. I am glad that I live in a place where Sundays are filled with church and family, where people eat dinner together, where there is bluegrass music at the Grand Ol' Hatchery every Saturday night, and where there are more hardware stores than clothing shops. I am glad that I live in a place where I am not scared to leave my door unlocked or my windows open. A place where I look forward to raising my children, where lightening bugs dance in my yard at twilight, and where there is a 90% chance that I am related to the person driving the tractor down the road.

I truly hope that my friends and their children come to live in Dickson County . I am sure that they will appreciate its charm as much as I do.

Hangin' At Mimi's House

2009-03-19T08:54:00.001-05:00

EC went to hang out at Aunt Mimi's house on Tuesday while I was at my Bible study. He LOOOOVES hangin' with Aunt Mimi. She is so funny! Daddy BJ came over to visit and Mimi got some great pictures. Thanks Mimi!

WW - Birdwatching With Granddaddy

2009-03-18T08:34:00.001-05:00

For more Wordless Wednesday, go HERE.

EC Loves Aunt Kay

2009-03-17T08:59:00.001-05:00

EC sure loves his Great Aunt Kay. She came to visit him at Grammy and Granddaddy's house last week. We were surprised to see her, since she is an accountant and normally she doesn't come up for air until April 16th. EC loved sitting on her lap and talking to her. They carried on a good conversation. None of us knew what EC was talking about, but he seemed very satisfied with all of Aunt Kay's answers.

Month Six

2009-03-16T11:41:00.007-05:00

Dear EC,

Yesterday you had your very first half-birthday. For six whole months, you have brightened our lives. SIX! WHOLE! MONTHS! How crazy time flies! Before we know it, I will be telling you to drive safely and wear your seatbelt.

This month was not as milestone-breaking as last month, but it seems like you grew more into a baby instead of an infant. You even switched to a pull-up diaper this month! Ok, really Nuna ran out of your sized diapers and used your cousin Shaylee’s princess pull-up until she could get more of your sized diapers. I didn’t see you in it, but I am sure that it was hilarious. No offence kid, but we make you wear silly things all the time just for laughs. You have a dinosaur Mohawk hat that is too funny.

You are sitting up so well now. You are a little wobbly, but I think it is because of the massive brain in your head. Your balance has improved to the point that you want to sit up all the time. The heck with lying down! (I have come to terms with your not rolling over anymore.) You enjoy sitting and playing with toys on your blanket, but someone has to sit behind you in case you get too excited and fling yourself backwards.

Sitting up like a big boy! Your beer-belly helps you balance.

One of the things that you think is so much fun is feeling of Daddy’s hair. It is so prickly that you giggle when he rubs it on your belly. You run your hands over his head and to the whiskers on his chin. Not too long ago, you felt of my cheek and had this crazy look on your face like, “What happened to the funny feeling stuff??”

Rubbing Daddy's head is a pre-bath ritual. It is kind of like rubbing a Budha belly.

We have dealt with a long running bout of sickness at Casa de Garton this month. We kept passing around the same little cold that just wouldn’t go away. Your little cough subsided some, but never fully disappeared. Then last Sunday, it seemed worse. You acted like you just didn’t feel good and wanted to snuggle more. When I took you to the doctor’s office, you were so excited to play with the paper on the examination table that I was sure that the doctor would say that you were fine. Then you were diagnosed with your first ear infection. My heart broke for you. It was hard to know that my little punkin’ baby was really sick. You got a round of antibiotics that tastes like bubble gum….and you would chug the whole bottle if I let you.

You like to cuddle when you don't feel well, even if it is with a GlowWorm.

What makes any baby feel better? Grandparents! Since Miss Tracy, your babysitter, was off on vacation, Grammy and Granddaddy swept you off to Kentucky last week. They came down to get you on Wednesday morning and high-tailed it back to Symsonia as fast as they could. I think that they thought I would change my mind about you going! So last Thursday was officially my first day without you. I was a little sad, but it made me feel better to know that you were really enjoying yourself. I know, because I called to check on you at least five times a day!

Apparently you missed us too. Anytime that Grammy would hold the phone up to your ear for you to hear my voice, you would perk up and try to look into the phone. One time when the house was too quiet, she turned on the radio. The song that was playing had a lot of guitar and Grammy said you were looking around frantically trying to find Daddy.

You got to see lots of people in Kentucky. You played with Aunt Lauren and Uncle Clay the first night. Aunt Lauren gave you your bath and Grammy taught you how to splash with your legs. On Thursday, you got to play with Kayla and the two old crows, Uncle Larry and Aunt Sandy, during the day. Debbie, Brian and Kyle came to visit that night. During your bath, you pee-ed on Debbie three times. (Daddy was really proud of you!) Great-Aunt Shirley loved on you all day on Friday and then I stole the rest of your sugars when I got there that night. Uncle Ronnie and Aunt Kay visited on Saturday morning before we headed back to Tennessee.

You were spoiled beyond belief in Kentucky. The smile couldn't be wiped off your face!

Your trip to Kentucky was much easier than I expected. They didn’t shake you and you didn’t have any bruises, so I guess you can go back to stay with them again. Just kidding….but it is awful hard to live up to your expectations after you have spent a couple days with all that attention.

There are so many little things that you are learning every day that if I continue to write about, I will have written a novel. Stuff like you trying to whistle like Grammy or how you flirt with girls or how you puckered you lips when I was blowing you kisses or squealing at Daddy when you are practicing for American Idol. I could write an encyclopedia on the funny things that you do in the bathtub. Then, there are the little things like your infatuation with feet, anybody’s feet; although you are so fat that you can’t get your own feet into your mouth. Your two favorite loves are feet and being naked. I pray that you don’t grow up to be a nudist with a foot fetish.

Oh EC, you light up my world with your little two-tooth smile! It is crazy how my heart has doubled in size since you arrived half a year ago. You are the pride and joy of Daddy and me. We love you to the moon and back!

I love you,
Mommy

PS - You weigh 18 lbs now!

FF- Go Rough Riders!

2009-03-13T11:15:00.002-05:00

Once again it is time for Flashback Friday! Woo Hoo!

My mother’s friend Connie has been posting some wonderful pictures from back-in-the-day. Last week, I was tickled when she posted this one:
This was our cheerleading picture from good ol’ Symsonia Elementary School. I believe that this might have been my only year in cheerleading. (Mom, did I cheer for more than one year?) Anyway, I had a very short lived cheerleading career, because I lack coordination and/or any athletic ability.

I think that I am the one on the back row, third from the right. Yep, that is me….the one that can’t hold her elbow out the correct way. I am uncoordinated even in the cheerleading picture.

I am pretty sure that I was in 5th grade for a few reasons:

First, this was before junior high, because anyone that wanted to be a cheerleader could be a cheerleader…..no matter how awful you were. Did I ever mention that I still cannot do a cartwheel? Plus, there is one girl in the picture that is older than me, so that means that I could not be in 6th grade, because junior high was considered to be 7th and 8th grades.

Second, I have that horrendous hair cut. Through 4th grade, I had awesome hair. But everyone was cutting their hair and getting perms. I remember begging my mother to get a perm and when I finally did……I hated it. My brother called me a poodle on the way home from the salon and I tried not to cry. I remember taking a yearbook to the hairdresser and pointing out a girls hair that I looooved. In the end, I looked NOTHING like her. I debated washing it out, but my mother had spent so much money on it that I didn’t have the heart to do it. When I went back to school in 5th grade, I remember a boy being shocked and asking me what I had done to my hair. (Within the year, I also got braces and glasses and I thought that my world was coming to an end.)

The pom-poms in front were the ‘good pom-poms’. They were HUGE and had clear plastic rings for the handles. I remember that you had to scrunch the plastic strips to make them bigger. I coveted those pom-poms. The ones that I had from Wal-mart were only one color, had white plastic stick handles and were about a quarter of the size of the perfect poms.

The picture was taken in the “little gym” which was the original gym in the school. There was a stage at one end where the guys in my class auctioned off their legs. A bigger gym was built on years later. The school is where my parents graduated from high school, but when the county high schools consolidated when I was in 5th grade, this became my junior high. This must have been the first year for Symsonia Jr. High School. The school was torn down a few years ago and it still looks strange driving by the new construction.

Oh, such fun memories! Goooooooooo Rough Riders! Go Big Red!

For more Flashback Friday Fun.....go HERE.

A Little Verklempt

2009-03-12T09:33:00.003-05:00

My parents kidnapped my child and are holding him hostage in Kentucky for a few days. Okay, so maybe I told them that they could come get him. My brother sent these pictures to me this morning of EC and his Aunt Lauren. It makes me feel better just to see him.

He looks like he is having fun....which will make my day a little easier to bare. This is my first full day without seeing EC. Okay, now I am a little verklempt.....talk amongst yourselves...

First Drum Session - Video Edition

2009-03-05T09:15:00.005-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, I posted these pictures. Birddog had been playing with his drums and EC simply could not get enough. EC was wide-eyed and so excited every time that Birddog would start playing. So, Birddog grabbed him and thought they would have their first lesson. Here is a little video of the action:

As you can tell, EC is still teething and is more interested in eating the drumstick than holding it.

None the less, I do think that he has his father’s music gene. He loves it when any music comes on the radio or television. He loves it when Birddog plays the guitar or sings to him. Birddog will sing a note and EC sings it back to him…..they can go back and forth like that for hours!

Since I have no rhythm and I am tone-deaf, I do hope that EC picks up Birddog's musical abilities, but Lord please be with me if I have another drummer on my hands!

WW - Blue Eyes

2009-03-04T09:36:00.001-06:00

(Thanks to Tracy, the most awesome babysitter ever, for the pictures!)
For more Wordless Wednesday, go HERE.

Backseat Jesus

2009-03-03T16:00:00.002-06:00

Last week passed so quickly that I didn’t even realize that I had not blogged! Crazy!

Birddog, EC and I have been passing around a cold that just doesn’t seem to want to leave. So, we called in the reinforcements. Grammy and Granddaddy (Linda and Eddie to some of you) were at our doorstep the next morning. With the help of Kyle’s mom, Nuna, we are still alive today! They wiped noses and rocked and made dinner and loved on all three of us. Needless to say, it is hard to live up to EC’s expectations after they went back to Kentucky.

We all still have the remnants of a cold, but we are recuperating quickly. So, I promise that there will be more blog posts soon! Wordless Wednesday is coming again tomorrow!

One thing that I have been meaning to blog about for a while is a new series that is starting this weekend at Cross Point. The series is called Back Seat Jesus and it explores the different ways that we have put Jesus in the backseat of our lives.

It should be AWESOME and I would love for you to go with me! I have been going to the nine o’clock service, because I am teaching the three-year-olds in KidzWorld at eleven o’clock. (Dude, I know what you are thinking! Ladybird? A Sunday school teacher???…..Who’da thunk it???) Anyway, if you want to come please let me know! We can go together!

Check out the promo below and let me know what you think!

Back Seat Jesus_Promo from Cross Point Church on Vimeo.

Great-Grandma Betty

2009-02-23T08:00:00.000-06:00

EC loves spending time with his Great-Grandma Betty!