Daddy

It's your "silly, poky, sparkle, funny" (as Eden would say) that we absolutely cannot live without.

6 months pregnant and retired

This was a MONUMENTAL day in my own little life. My last day as a waitress. I will miss the money.

Not the black crocs, the long, long LONG evenings on my feet, the required "kneel" at every table policy, the endless sweet tea drinkers, the "sorry I would tip you but money is tight" customers, the young and careless servers who I gave motherly advice to (like: quit smoking you 18 year old, quit drinking, quit gambling with your money, go to bed, please stop using the F word like a verb AND stop sleeping around...for heavens sake USE birth control!)

I really did enjoy my job. The managers were great. My schedule was very flexible and I was respected. I was able to share my testimony with almost everyone. I feel like I left the place better. I feel like I made a small difference.

For my finale: I would like to thank my husband Paul, without you I never would have made it. Thanks to my children who only cried sometimes when I left. For their hugs and kisses. A family gives you a perspective. It gives you something to live for. It gives you a reason to get up and keep going. Working was hard. I did it. I finished and now I am ever so happy to turn in my apron. Hallelujah!

Hardened Arteries

This is Paul -

For those who know me, I like to try small, backwoods, dive restaurants. For those that know Cyndi she doesn't share my ambitious enthusiasm, even more so now that she is pregnant. Today, in the weekly mailer I received this coupon to "Catfish One." If I were to ask Cyndi to go with me she would probably die just from the thought of all that grease. This restaurant is so intriguing… even they are unsure with what substance they cook their food (see the ad). So I extend an invitation to anyone out there in cyberspace who just happens to be in Northern Mississippi to join me in trying this place. I will buy you a slice of fried apple pie. (Click on the image for a better look at the menu.)

3 1/2 years

Eden Jae:

-You love to be silly.

-When you get excited you curl your hands up around your mouth, jump or lick.

-You like to go to the movie store, pick out a movie and get a gumball.

-You love salads. At restaurants, you always order "a salad with honey mustard or ranch."

-Common things you say: "I have an idea, how about...", "I can't do it", "mom, dad said no", "so how was your day?"

-You like to make your bed "perfect" with blankets and pillows.

-You love princess polly pockets, barbies, swimming, stickers, coloring and painting.

-You request I sleep with you but will settle for me to "check on you" when sleeping.

-You like primary but always want me to sit by you in sharing time.

-David is your best friend.

At the moment, every morning you beg us to go to Utah. You love all of your family. Daddy's favorite thing to do is lay in your bed and talk to you. He tells you stories and you make sure he doesn't leave anything out. He loves talking to you because you are so intense and serious. He likes to joke with you. You are getting better at realizing he is joking. You are a wonderful big sister and very honest. If something is missing, we always ask you. Usually you know right where it is. We love you soooooooooooo much. Happy half Birthday.

2 1/2 years

Day-Day :

- You have figured out how to open both different sets of "child proof" fridge locks. You love to get in the fridge and get your own food.
-Your favorite foods are: meat, eggs w/ketchup, strawberries and eating a donut at Wal-Mart while I shop for groceries.
-You are obessed with "happy birthday" (which means you want me to light a match and let him blow it out).
-I love how you phrase these sentances:
"No nap Day-Day.", "Mom, Day-Day shared.", "Eden, corner now."
-Other things you always says: "no diaper", "here you go", "mom, open please", "are you ok?", "what happened?".
-At least twice a day you takes all the blankets off our bed so you can jump and jump.
-You love when dad draws you pictures of big trucks during church.
-You are always asking to watch "big trucks" on youtube.
-You LOVE to take pictures. There is always mysterious pictures on the camera from you.
- Lately, when you are resisting something you make your whole body go limp and just lay on the floor as if dead.
- When you get your feelings hurt you stick out your lower lip, covers your head and drop to the floor.
-You still have a very high pitch scream that you use when Eden takes something away.
-Once you decide to go to bed, nothing can wake you up. You like me to lay down with you for naps.
-You also like to walk around in my shoes and chase Eden.

David,
We love you so much. Happy half birthday.

Switch-a- Roo

Nothing really new...at least in the picture category. The kids are on the slip n slide everyday.

The grass is always greener on the other side. David LOVES to wear Eden's swimming suit and Eden thinks it's fun to go shirtless. How carefree and simple their life is.

First Family Fishing Frenzy

The Webb's farm is awesome! They have two large ponds that they let us come and fish at. Paul was so excited to take the kids fishing. Just like his dad did....and just like his dad, he spent the whole time untangling lines, putting crickets on, releasing the fish and yelling instructions. We caught three tiny brime. David's pole was constantly in then out, in then out, in then out...tangled, caught, screams....dad to the rescue, then in and out, in and out, etc.
Eden was patient and enjoyed holding her pole. Soon she became bored and directed her attention to the crickets and asked for soda. We love all the shades of green.


After the noisy Ordyna's left, the Egginton's hit the jack pot. Check out their fish HERE.

The way they run

I love to watch my kids run. David breaths through his nose scrunching his face like he is going to bite something. He sucks in his stomach, leans forward and kicks his bum. He lets objects stop him. He will face dive into the couch or your stomach. He has graceful legs and wobbly arms that fling everywhere.



He loves to pretend to be either a kitty or lion. He squeals and squeak when playing kitty. Then growls and head butts when playing lion.

Eden makes a fist with her hands and pumps her arms. She tip toes with a little hop. It is danty. Almost as if she is walking on hot asphault. She wears a serious face when racing.

She is obessed with licking. Her favorite trick is to give you a lick kiss. She puckers up as if to give you a nice kiss but at the last minute she sticks out her tongue. It is gross.

We now compromise: I call it "a lick and a kiss". She gives me a nice kiss and then I let her lick my cheek.

Huntsville

Last weekend we took a little trip to Huntsville, Alabama where my family lived for 5 years. Enjoy the trip down memory lane.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Wednesday

Making the best big cookies! Seriously...so yummy.

Marianne's Monster Cookies

1 lb soft butter or margarine

3 lbs peanut butter

2 lbs brown sugar

4 cups sugar

1 T corn syrup

1 T vanilla

8 tsp baking soda

1 dozen eggs

1 (13 oz) pkg. milk chocolate chips

1 lb pkg. M&M's

17-20 cups quick oats

Add ingredients in order, blend after each one. Use a VERY big bowl. Stop blending after eggs, mix rest by hand. Use UNGREASED cookie sheet. 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes (Marianne recommends you take them out at 9 minutes...keeps them soft). If they are too flat, add more oats. Serves 20-25 dozen.

*Obviously this recipe makes a ton! I always half the recipe and it still makes a lot. I love to make the cookies really big.

Growing out

Having short hair is so fun. You can make crazy hair dos.

Eden got her hair trimmed to match those itty bitty pieces that have started to grow out. I think by the end of the summer we will have a nice EVEN bob.

Don't you just love her faces! I adore her dramatic yet lovable personality.

Enjoyment

I cannot describe how much I am ENJOYING my kids. Everyday I actually SEE them maturing and growing up. It is a miracle to witness this. They are small, almost insignificant accomplishments...but I notice them. It is hard to see the 'baby qualities' disappear. I still watch David sleep, smell him and snuggle up to his soft skin. Eden has lost that 'sleeping baby' quality. She has some funky morning breath, gets hot and sweaty when you cuddle and rolls around with sharp kicks.

Just this week David has started calling Eden "Eden" all the time! In the past, sometimes he would say her name but usually he called her "Day Day"...I guess he thought that was both of their names.

They love to play in the bath and dance. Eden tells him, "No David, you don't like dolls...you're a boy". The best part about watching them dance is the way Eden intimates (recognize her stance from Enchanted) and David looking to one side. As he turns he tries to look with his eyes.

baby kicks

April 21, 2009


While sitting on the couch talking to Paul and my dear friend Marianne (who came into town for a few days) I yawned and stretched my arms. I felt a small punch on the right side of my belly. You kicked! First time I could actually tell it was a foot...or arm...or fist (something strong).


April 28, 2009

I was in the shower washing my armpits when suddenly I felt a sharp and alarming stab in my right side. I dropped the soap and bellowed over thinking I had hit something or maybe David had sneaked in and punched me. No, just kicking. I forgot what that feels like.

Two things I learned this week:

1. You are the size of a bell pepper.

2. You kick me when I raise my arms.

Finals are like childbirth:

1. You were expecting them.

2. You supposedly are prepared.
3. Just like professors: you sometimes have a love/hate relationship with your nurses and doctor.
4. Keeping all things in perspective they are: quick and painful.
5. Nobody can do it for you.
6. Once it is over there is a sense of overwhelming relief...you feel like you conquered the world.
7. Inevitably you forget the pain the next day.


Stress is a funny thing. It usually leads to exhaustion. Exhaustion that won't let you sleep. During finals we have a pack of Dr. Pepper, candy bars, ice cream and rotting vegetables in the fridge. We ALL want this "baby" to come...to be over with. Paul is holding up SO well. This week I must turn into Mary Poppins...practically perfect. Finals week cannot handle: disagreements, burnt meals, missed naps or dirty towels. It's the least I can do for Mr. Paul. I am so proud of him.

Gigi's visit

Playing hide-n-seek

Our Gigi came last week for her Spring Break. April is SUCH a nice time to visit. The weather was perfect. We stayed busy playing outside, going to parks, library, lunches, reading books, baths and chatting that we hardly took pictures.

The kids LOVED having her. For the first time I realized how much I AM like my mom. We even sound the same. I love you mom. Thank you for coming.