The Dowdy's Doings ~

Happy Valentines Day!!!!

2012-02-14T18:04:00.002-08:00

To say my two kids are on a sugar high would be a HUGE understatement!!! Candy, cupcakes,cookies, and even cotton candy ALL day!!! We brushed teeth EXTRA good and got a dose of pepto befor bed! :)

I helped with Jackson's party today! He made Olivia a card and gave her a blue heart arrowhead he has been hanging on to since Christmas! They really enjoyed

reading their cards this year!

Suz brought over chocolate covered strawberries....my FAVORITE!!!! I broke the diet and ate one...it was worth EVERY WW point!!! :)

Sallie Ann and Gigi came over but we had left for dance already! They were soooo sweet to bring the kids a box full of goodies!!!!

sure do miss not seeing them everyday!!

It was fun day with lots of treats....and I have a feeling Nana's surprise will be here tomorrow!!!!

vegas

2012-02-13T13:13:00.000-08:00

my pics from vegas are up...scroll down to see them! :)

Internet diaster!!! :(

2012-02-07T09:40:00.001-08:00

I had ALL my pics uploaded and every little detail of our trip to vegas along with Dalton's 36th bday and the internet DIED!!!! :( Stay tuned...when I have LOTS of time...I will try again!!!

Vegas & Dalton's 36th Birthday!!!!

2012-02-06T12:59:00.000-08:00

So....after my LONGEST post ever and the internet going down...I have FINALLY gotten up the nerve to try this again!

Dalton and I left on Thursday morning for Vegas. He has always wanted to attend the Safari Club International trade show, so he was super excited! This was the 1st time we have been away without the kids since we had them (other than quick over night trips!) ~ so after 7 1/2 years, I'd say we were "due" for some alone time!

After we got there on Thursday, we toured around the hotel and I gambled a whole $5...and was SICK I lost it! I just don't "get" the point of gambling ~ it's wasting money...I'd much rather have something to show for my $5! :)

Things is Vegas were EXPENSIVE! If you are going ~ SAVE lots of money! We ate at one place and the cheapest burger was $16 and the most expensive was $60! And that did not include fries! Woowee!!!

Friday, I went to the trade show with Dalton. It was fun to look around and see all the places you could hunt (or he could hunt!) and neat things made from animal skins. There was the PRETTIEST zebra chair and rug ~ If Dalton ever kills a zebra ~ I know what to do with it! :)

Friday night, we ate at The Verandah ~ I was still full from my $20 hamburger, but it was good! :) Saturday, I went to check out the outlet mall, did LOTS of people watching and read some! Very relaxing!

Saturday was Dalton's 36th birthday and we ate at the Delmonico Steak House. It was hands down the best meal I have ever eaten! The steak was BEYOND delicious!!! After dinner, we walked over The Bellagio to watch the fountain show!

It was SO pretty and my favorite spots on the strip! If we ever go back, I want to stay there!

sunday morning, we left EARLY and headed back to GA! We came home to a dark house...the kids had planned a surprise bday party for their Daddy!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!!

They had done some extra chores to earn some money to buy their daddy some gifts! He got fishing bait, Red Hots, cherries, and snickers ~ all his favs!

Dalton bought mary dalton & I matching sterling silver/gold bracelets made from elephant hair ~ sounds crazy but they are beautiful and match my david yurman perfectly!!! mary dalton has not taken hers off yet!!!

There wasn't much for jackson at the show ~ but dalton took him to buy a new bb gun later that week, so he wasn't left out! :)

And all good things, must come to an end.....back to laundry!!!!

We had a great time and it was so nice to have time with dalton! A big thank you to Dalton's mom, sister, my friend Clairissa and Chelsey for taking care of the kids while we were gone!!!

Chores and School ~

2012-02-01T11:11:00.001-08:00

That's pretty much what we have been up to!

Jackson's new chore is to pick up pine cones...he is AWESOME at all his chores! He works so hard and can stay focused for a LONG time! He ALWAYS makes his bed and keeps all of his little things so neat....it's a mini me! ha! ;)

We have enjoyed the warmer weather this week and the kids have spent lots of time playing outside! Mary Dalton has been playing spa offering massages for $1 to earn money for her Daddy a birthday gift! How sweet is that??? She is so thoughtful and is always looking for ways to help someone oe encourage someone! So blessed by them both!

Dalton and I are leaving in the morning bright and early to head to Las Vegas!!!!

I am SO excited! I don't know think we have been on a "real" trip since we had kids! We have been on some overnight trips or the kids have gone to MS or to the coast, but we have not planned and taken a trip in over 8 years! I am a little nervous about leaving the kids, but Dalton's sister and mom are going to keep them at our house and hold the fort down while we are away! We will be celebrating Dalton's 36th birthday while we are there! :)

Please pray for us as we travel ~ for safety and good health and ESPECIALLY pray for my babies while we are gone! Pray that they will be SWEET, HEALTHY and SAFE! :)

Woohoo!!!!

Vegas ~ Here we come!!!!

Tree House Fun!!!!

2012-01-28T11:53:00.001-08:00

Jackson has caught Mary Dalton's cold and has not felt good at all! We went to the cabin to cook last with some friends last night and he started with a fever so we ate quick and came home to get him so medicine and get him in the bed! He woke up this morning and seems to be feeling a little better!

After I got everyone medicated this a.m. I made the DREADED trip to WalMart $300 and 2 hours later I was EXHAUSTED and broke!!! It seemed like we were out of EVERYTHING!!!! When we got home the kids went to the tree house and took some of their toys! They have had a blast playing in it today!

It has been a full busy day!!!

Whirlwind Week!!!

2012-01-26T14:21:00.001-08:00

Since we didn't have school on Monday this week has REALLY flown by!!! Between dance, church activities, homework, appointments, and the usual house stuff...we have been BUSY!

We left school early today to go to dental appointments, both munchins got a great report, although Jackson did have a filling that came out and had to be replaced...I was soooo thankful he fixed it today and we don't have to go back later!

After the dentist, we went to get some yogurt and then went to the toy store to buy birthday gifts for several upcoming parties! The weather here has been great and in the seventies do the kids spent the afternoon in the yard playing! Rain is on the way so I am thankful they got to get out for awhile! We have some friends coming in town this weekend and we are looking forward to cooking oysters with them and catching up!

It is hard to believe that January is coming to an end! Dalton and I are excited about a trip to Vegasnext week and are so thankful that his sister is coming to help his mom with the kids while we are gone! The kids have social calendars that compete with any junior league member!!! I am busy trying to get everything in order so we can enjoy our trip!!!

Wish me luck!!!

Jackson's BIG Purchase!!!

2012-01-23T13:55:00.001-08:00

To say that max is tight with his money would be a HUGE understatement!!! Every penny he gets, he puts right in the bank! He is ALWAYS looking for a way to earn money and he NEVER spends a dime! We were SHOCKED when he told us with his bday money he wanted to buy a TV/DVD combo for his room!!!!

We went to HH GREG and he picked out his TV! I LOVE the pic with Dalton and the Pooh wallet!!! Jax had even counted out exactly $106 for his purchase and put it in his wallet! Now both kids have TVs in their rooms...no cable but they can watch a DVD!

We have enjoyed our four day weekend, but we are ALL ready to go back to school!!! It has rained all four days and the walls are closing in! We have gotten lots of projects done and I even took apart the booster seats and washed them.....a MAJOR pain!!!!

We don't have too much going on this week and are already looking forward to next weekend....sun is in the forecast!!!!

More of Jackson's Birthday!!!

2012-01-22T14:11:00.000-08:00

Jackson's REAL birthday was Thursday! Nana and Pawpaw sent him a gift and it arrived right on his special day! He LOVES to get mail, so he was super excited when his Daddy brought a box in with his name on it!

He got a cool Star Wars toy and a 50 dollar bill ~ you would have thought he had a million dollars! He was SO excited!!! He took his birthday money and bought a TV/DVD combo similar to mary dalton's. I have some cute pics I will post of that later on! :)
Nana always does "half" birthdays since the kids' birthdays are almost exactly 6 months apart, they love getting a gift on their "half birthday" ~ Mary Dalton was 7 1/2 and she got some pretty new Barbie clothes! Thanks Nana & Pawpaw!!!

We celebrated his birthday at school with his class. It was also the 100th day of school, so they were wound up!!! His big buddy, Nick, and another student of mine went down to K5 to have cookie cake and celebrate his special day! LOVE how Livi (in black shirt) is smiling at him...she was so happy about his birthday!

He is NOT into having his picture taken! Everytime I try, I get some crazy face!!! Oh well!!!

His friend, Will, came home and spent the night with him. This was jackson's 1st time for a sleepover and he really had a good time! I can't believe he is SIX already!!!

It was a fun end to a week of celebrations!!!

Rodeo Fun!!!!

2012-01-22T09:12:00.001-08:00

Last night, we took the kids to the Professional Bull Riding Show in Augusta! It was a lot of fun....and now Jackson wants to learn to ride a bull! fabulous!!!

Mary Dalton talked her Daddy into buying her a pink light up cowgirl hat...plus snow cones and cotton candy!!!

It was a fun night with my sweet family!!!!

It has rained ALL weekend and we are home from church today...Mary dalton is running fever...perfect day for cuddling and movies!!!

Happy 6th Birthday Jackson!!!!

2012-01-18T17:12:00.000-08:00

On this day 6 years ago the SWEETEST baby was placed in my arms...

I remember being SO worried HOW on earth I could possibly love, much less take care of TWO babies ~ oh, but when I saw this PRECIOUS perfect face....my heart was his!!!!

Jackson, you have ALWAYS had the best little personality! You never meet a stranger and you LOVE life! You are gonna have a good time no matter where you go or what you are doing!!!

You are so thoughtful ~ you always tell me how much you love me and how pretty you think that I am! You love to wrap little gifts up for me, Daddy and Mary Dalton. If you are outside and there is a flower in a 2 mile radius, you ALWAYS pick it for me!

You LOVE an adventure! Whether it is climbing trees, shooting a BB gun, hunting, finding rocks, or catching frogs ~ you are 110% boy!!! The climbing has landed you three broken bones and 2 casts so far ~ we are hoping your climbing days are coming to an end! ;)

You are very into your "lectronics" as you call them ~ you love to read on your Nook and play games on your ipod. You can work the computer better than we can!

You are really getting close with your Daddy lately. Up until recently, you have always been a Mama's Boy ~ but lately you would rather be with Daddy ~ watching star wars, hunting, riding the 4 wheeler, doing "man stuff" as you call it!

You still call Mary Dalton "Sissy" and I just love that! I love that 99% of the time, you two are best friends and yall laugh and have the best time together!!! You always look out for her and she does the same for you!

That past 6 years have FLOWN by! By far the best moment of this year was when you asked Jesus to come into your heart! I pray everyday that you will grow and become the man that God wants you to be! I am so proud to be the mother of the BEST little boy in the world!!!!

You are my heart sweet boy!

Happy Birthday Jackson David Dowdy!!!

Jackson's SIXTH Birthday Party!

2012-01-15T11:48:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Jackson's 6th birthday party yesterday at Adventure Crossing! He was SO excited!!! He wanted a rollercoaster cake and Christa did a great job making his wish come true! How cute is this??? She made their faces out of smarties and even had the man in green looking like he was about to be sick! Too cute! ;)

They had so much fun playing games and earning/winning tickets wish they got to cash in for prizes!
Sweet Mary D.

Happy birthday!!!

After lunch and cake, we headed outside to do some rides ~

Jackson LOVED the go carts! When we were there last time, he had on flipflops and could not ride, so he was SUPER excited about getting to ride this time!

Will & Jackson ~

The day was super fun and I am so thankful for all of his sweet friends who came to help us celebrate his special day!!!!

His actual birthday is not until Thursday, so we will be celebrating ALL week!!! :)

Camo, A Surprise in the Mail & Love Letters ~

2012-01-12T16:40:00.000-08:00

whew!!! I am one tired Mama! We have been going nonstop! We have a 4 day weekend next weekend and I can't wait!!! We need to RELAX around here!

Jackson picked his own clothes for school today~

Camo head to toe ~ he put the Carhart sweatshirt over the shirt, but trust me, he looked he was headed to the deer stand and not the woods!

(he is still pretty cute though!)

Little Miss Teacher comes home from school ~ and plays school ~ she just can't understand why I don't want to play after I have taught ALL DAY LONG!
Dalton was at his weekly Supper Club, so we bathed early and had an early dinner...kids were out by 7:45 and I have had one hour of SILENCE ~ ahhhh....it really is golden!

Dalton's Aunt Linda sent the kids a package for Christmas since we did not get a chance to see them! You can't really tell, but these are HOODED KIDS SNUGGIES!!!

They LOVE LOVE LOVE them!!! Mary D. has a princess and JDD has a frog ~

Thanks Aunt Linda & Uncle Carl!!!!

Dalton has had a WEEK to say the least...he had a big trial to prepare for (which went well) and lots of other things going on at work, plus dealing with his rental houses...and still having the 3 of us to deal with! ;) Mary Dalton made him this heart and went to the study and said,

"Daddy, I think someone left something at your door" ...and ran off...

SOOOOOOOOOOO stinking sweet!!! I swear 99% of the time she is an ANGEL!

How sweet is this?!?!

She drew Dalton in the deer stand...notice that the deer is frowning bc he is about to get shot! ha! Pretty creative! :)

We have NOTHING planned for tomorrow after school or tomorrow night ~ I am hoping we can relax and gear up for Jackson's SIXTH party party on Saturday!!!!

Banana Split Party!!!

2012-01-11T13:19:00.000-08:00

Mary Dalton was SO excited about her banana split party Tuesday night at dance! A sweet friend was there and took this picture ~ Thanks! :)

Both kids started going back to choir today ~ I am really glad...they enjoyed it so much before! We have stopped art lessons for the time being!

We have had a busy week and are getting excited about Jackson's SIXTH birthday party on Saturday at Adventure Crossing!!!

~*~*~* I think I forgot to mention it earlier, but both kiddos got their report cards and they both are going excellent!!!Jackson is reading like CRAZY and is learning so much with his new teacher although he misses Miss Sharon!!! I am SO proud! Especially of Mary Dalton!!! I do not help her AT ALL ~ I do not even KNOW what her spelling words are ~ I tell her to study them and she is on her own! The phonics they do is BEYOND confusing and she is sailing right through!!!! Her AR level went WAY up...she reads better than some adults I know!!! Woohoo!!! Go Mary D!!!! :D

Dance Lock In!!!

2012-01-09T15:34:00.001-08:00

Saturday, Mary dalton had an all day dance lock in!!! She had Whitney Sue over on Friday and then we get to the basketball game....THEN she slept over at Whitney's so this little girl was WORN OUT on Saturday!!! I had to pick her up a little early because she wasn't feeling well....thankfully it was just a bad headache that passed quickly! She is super excited about tomorrow because they are having a banana split party since everyone in the class can do both splits!!! :)

Let the Hunting Begin!!!

2012-01-07T17:30:00.000-08:00

Jackson has been wanting to have a friend over for awhile now ~ and shame on me ~ I have been putting it off! We tried to work out a playdate before Christmas and then during Christmas, but between sickness and busy schedules we could not work it out! SOOOO ~ Friday after school, Will came home with Jackson. Jackson's ONLY request was that he bring his BB gun!!!

As soon as they had a snack, the tortured every 4 legged animal within sight, as well as every bird, ant bed and nest!!!
LOVE this picture!!!!
Dalton grew up with Will's mother and hunted a LOT with Will's uncle (who is his mother's twin brother AND whitney sue's Daddy Ben! ~ small town!)

At first, I was VERY nervous! 2 boys with BB guns!!! I just don't "know" what to do with boys sometimes ~ I am a great "girl mama" ( I LOVE pink, dolls, bows, dresses, make up, etc.) but sometimes I feel like I REALLY have to work at being a good "boy mama" (I don't like guns, camo, dead things, talking about bodily functions, etc)! However, Jackson told me last night that he had SO much fun and wants Will to spend the night soon ~ so I didn't feel like a TOTAL failure! ;)

It was SO strange because while they were hunting, they did not say ONE SINGLE WORD!

The pointed and whispered and stalked their prey! ha!

When they did talk ~ it pretty much consisted of talking about pooting, killing stuff, fishing,
and singing songs that they made up that had LOTS of fabulous bathroom words in them!!!

After every animal on our side of the street was scared to death, they moved on over to Big Daddy and Suz's house!!!

Jackson is laying in the leaves ~ at one point they were both COVERED in them "hiding" from the squirrels!!!

When Mary Dalton has friends over they TALK nonstop! I know who likes who, who eats lunch in the lunchroom, who plays sports or dances, EVERYTHING!!! With Will and Jackson ~ notta chance! They had a new teacher start on Friday and when I asked them about it they both said,

"Yeah, we got a new teacher."

That's it!

Not..."Yes! She is so sweet and fun and we learned about the lifecycle of a butterfly, etc., etc...
Men of few words I tell you!!!

Whitney Sue came home with Mary Dalton and that worked out GREAT! Each child had someone to play with and EVERYONE was happy!!! :D

While the boys were out hunting, the girls danced and played karaoke ~ MUCH more my speed! ha!

After the hunt, they all 4 played the wii with Dalton. Then, we went and had supper at Dairy Queen before going to the basketball game! Mary Dalton went home with WS and spent the night since they had dance clinic all day today! Jackson was SO tired from all of his hunting, he was asleep in no time at all!

Will and Jackson had a great time and again, I am beyond thankful for good friends for my children! They are planning a sleepover soon!!! I am not sure about a "boy" sleep over, but I have a feeling it will actually be quieter and easier than a girl sleepover! ;)

Back into the GrOoVe!!!

2012-01-05T13:27:00.001-08:00

We have had a great week getting back into the groove of school! Both kids were ready to see their friends...not so ready for bedtime and getting up early!!! The beginning of the week was super cold so we are excited today is warmer and looking forward to a fun weekend!!! Just a few pics from today for Nana! They are so enjoying their new tree house! :)

Happy New Year!!!!

2012-01-01T12:27:00.000-08:00

we had a super low key NYE at home! The kids started off the night with a concert ~

Jackson was singing....mary dalton was the back up dancer (who wanted to be center stage!)

Dalton cooked a low country boil and his parents came over to eat with us...

mary dalton decided to wear her new shirt from Justice and of course she HAD to wear her new makeup!

After we ate, we did fireworks. We had THREE that we got at Target for $9.99...They were SO good! I have never had store bought fireworks that were that enjoyable! We were all surprised at how colorful and how long they lasted!

Weekend Ramblings ~

2011-12-31T06:36:00.001-08:00

We have enjoyed the week at home and the kids have had a ball playing with all of their new toys and gadgets! Dalton's best friend, Rhett, has been in town to hunt, so Dalton has been at the cabin all week....which means I have TWO sleeping partners and NO room in the bed! ;)

Have you EVER seen anything sweeter than a sleeping baby? (Although she is SEVEN, she is MY baby!) I don't think I will EVER get tired of watching either of them sleep...so peaceful, so content....just precious!!!

"Miss" Cathy came by this week and brought the kids Headbandz for Christmas! Such a fun game! Jackson guessed "Steak" everytime it was his turn ~ mary dalton & I got SO tickled at him! He only eats a handful of foods, and he was DETERMINED that one of them was on his headband! ;)

Dalton's parents had a few friends over last night for egg nog and desserts. It was delicious and everything was SO pretty! Suz can throw an elegant party in her sleep!

My children are OBSESSED with Cuties ~ the oranges that have no seeds that they can peel??? There are commercials on TV for them and they eat them like CRAZY! Even Jackson loves them! notice he took one to Suz and Big Daddy's party! ;)

While the adults were inside, Dalton rigged up a light for the kiddos so they could play in their treehouse! They finished the roof and windows! It was not too cold, so they really enjoyed playing at night!

It is so hard to believe that 2011 is over!!! God blessed us in so many ways in 2011 ~ more ways that I can even begin to list! I am most thankful for our good health and safety in 2011. We look forward to 2012 and what God has in store for our family!!!

Happy New Year!!!!

Surprise Swim Day!!!

2011-12-28T14:24:00.000-08:00

I had some errands to run today in Augusta and I secretly packed the kids' swimsuits!

I told them ont eh way over that we were going to swim and meet some friends ~

They were SOOOO excited!!!!

Kaden had SO much fun!

He ought to nap good today! :)
Jackson and Mallie having fun!

My 2 were too scared to jump off the high dive...it is HIGH! But they sure did enjoy the low dive!

Such a fun day with fun friends!

Mary Dalton & Abby ~ and of course MDD talked Abby into posing! ha!

After about a 2.5 hour swim, we went to Tutti Fruitti and had yogurt! I LOVE that place!!!

Such a fun day!!!!

Battleship,Movies, Tree houses & New show!

2011-12-27T13:09:00.001-08:00

We woke up to a rainy Tuesday! The kids slept until 8 so that started our day off right! We played Battleship...Mary dalton caught right on...and then several other new games! Mike and Gigi gave the kids The Smurfs as well as popcorn,sour patch kids and hot tamales AND M&Ms! Needless to say they REALLY enjoyed that gift today! After the movie they made a picnic and went to their NEW TREE HOUSE!!! It is so strange that they are big enough to not only walk around the block to Dalton's parents house but that they can play in the tree house without me sitting there! Their sweet Daddy met us at the dollar store and he let them each pick out all sorts of treats to keep in the tree house!
Last of all...tonight on WE at 8 starts Texas Multi Mamas!!! I LOVE the blogSteeces Pieces and Suz is on the show!! Although I don't know her personally,I have read her blog so long I feel like I know her personally! Ha! I can't wait to watch it!
We are enjoying our time off and I have a fun surprise for the munchkins tomorrow!!! Can't wait!!!

Christmas 2011

2011-12-25T12:30:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas fun started on christmas eve when we went to some friends house for dinner.

The kids LOVE going to Jeb and Patti's house each year!

Mary Dalton got all dresssed and got her dolls ready, too!

Jackson and Dalton had matching red shirts ~ how precious are they???

These 2 melt my heart! :)
When we got home, the kids were SO ready for bed! Jackson thought he saw Santa's sleigh and they knew they had to get in bed QUICK so Santa did not pass over our house!!! They ran out to leave some celery for the reindeer!

Christmas Eve tradition ~ they ALWAYS make a pallet in our room!

They woke up EARLY today! mary dalton asked around 3:45 a.m. if "it was time yet?" ((Yawn))

They were SO excited to see what Santa had left!

Miss Priss was so sweet about each gift ~ saying thank you to Santa over and over...

After we DESTROYED the living room, we found Santa had left their stockings in the study! They were filled with their favorite snacks and candies!

Jackson was SOOOO happy he got a Nook! he has wanted one since May so he was BEYOND excited!!! I am loving that toothless grin! :D

The kids were MOST excited about giving us the gifts that they had bought for us at the Secret Santa store and while in MS with Nana! Mary Dalton gave her Daddy a visor that she bought "with her own money" ~ she has SUCH a giving heart and is so kind!!! I am so lucky to be her mother!

After Suz, Big Daddy, Sue-anna and Amos came for breakfast we moved the party to their house! Mary Dalton spotted this BIG BOX and her name was on it!!! She got a REAL ballet bar and Suz is having mirrors but in the game room so she can tap and dance until her little heart is content! :) Jackson got real golf clubs and a putting green ~ he got a hole in one on his 1st shot!!!

Then came the BIG gift from Suz and Big Daddy!!!

We put bags on the kids heads and took them in the back yard!

A HUGE new tree house is being built for them and they are soooo
excited!!!!

It is raining here today, so they only got to play a little while, but I know that they are going to have hours and hours of fun when it is complete!!!!

Dalton TOTALLY surprised me with an Ipad!!! I was shocked!!! We weren't buying gifts since we are going to Las Vegas in a few weeks, but he did NOT follow the rules! I have had so much fun playing with it today!

We have had a WONDERFUL day and are so thankful for the MANY MANY MANY blessings God has blessed us with!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

Merry christmas

2011-12-25T08:19:00.001-08:00

From my new iPad!!!!!!

Jackson's "take" on the Lord's Supper ~

2011-12-22T07:06:00.000-08:00

Since yesterday was our "cooking day" we had dinner in the dining room before going to church for Jackson to take part in his 1st communion...

This picture just makes me laugh ~ table all set, children in ironed clean clothes, hair perfect...everything our typical meals are NOT!

Mary Dalton was very sweet about not taking part in communion yet ~

we are praying that she too will soon as Jesus to come into her heart!

(just noticed the lovely "cupcake hand" pose she is doing!)

This sweet boy had a HARD time staying awake! It started at 7 and he is usually getting ready for bed around 7:30 ~ not to mention we have been BUSY and he was just tired in general!
He was so precious taking the bread from the dish...he looked up at meand wrinkled up his nose while holding his cracker up and said,
"Is THIS all they serve? Not much of a supper!"
I thought I had done SO well preparing him for what was going to happen...guess I should have mentioned that they would not be prime rib! ;)

He loved the "blood" as he called it ~ grape juice ~ he stuck his tongue all in the cup trying to get every last ounce!

It was such a special time for our family and even more special that his 1st communion was during Christmas!

Christmas Cooking!

2011-12-21T09:56:00.000-08:00

today was our cooking day! It actually started last night, with the kids making their annual gingerbread house! I got smart this year and let the sitter help them with this! ;) Dalton & I had some last minute things to do in Augusta, so Chelsey was so sweet to come keep them and let them make their house! She is so much fun and they really enjoy her keeping them!

Mary Dalton said this a.m. "That house was stressing me out! jackson was just sticking candy everywhere and it was all uneven! I just had to walk away!" ha! like mother, like daughter! :)
This a.m. we got up, made beds and started cooking! Both children were a HUGE help this year! I was shocked, but they were VERY good at helping me! We made sausage balls with cream cheese (got this off of pinterest and they are SO good), Christmas cookies (complete with LOTS of icing and sprinkles!), chicken salad, pimeto cheese, a tenderlion, homemade mac and cheese, a salad, Grapfruit Alaska, and a dip for a party tomorrow night! We were done and cleaned up by 12:00!

This was also the 1st year that they needed NO HELP rolling out dough, cutting the cookies or icing them!

Mary Dalton helping with the mac and cheese ~

Jackson with his RED nose ~ Elfie gave them both RED NOSES last night ~

Silly Old Elf!!! :D

Hard at work!!!

They requested we eat in the dining room tonight instead of the breakfast room. We don't eat in here often because the room has CARPET!!! who puts carpet in a dining room!?!? Someone without kids!!! They set the table and Mary D. even made place cards.

Decorating his cookies ~

They both said that they had lots of fun and it worked out perfectly since today is rainy and we are stuck inside! We are making a big pallet, having hot chocolate & cookies and watching Dolphin Tale this afternoon. Tonight, we are going to Communion at our church. This will be Jackson's 1st time so we are super excited about it!

Tuttle Christmas Festivities ~

2011-12-20T06:25:00.000-08:00

as soon as exams were over on Friday, we headed to Mississippi!!!

It is a 10 hour drive, and thankfully our children are the BEST travelers EVER! They giggled, watched movies, sang, slept and hid....notice the fishing pole above Mary Dalton's head ~ we bought it for my daddy but did not think about transporting that bad boy 10 hours! She was a good sport about it though!

saturday, we went to Kelly's kids and to a few shops downtown ~ then we had a wreath making class! ha! I think my Mardi Gras wreath turned out pretty good for my 1st try! And ~ I bet I am the ONLY person in Jefferson County GA with a Mardi Grad wreath! ;)
Dalton was able to hunt ~ the weather was beautiful, so the kids had a BLAST in the tree house and on the swing!

Of course we made a trip to the Dollar Tree, Mary D. picked out these MOST lovely fake eyelashes!!! She was STYLING! ;)

On sunday, my sister and brother and their families arrived ~ My nieces and nephews are SO sweet to my 2! They played with them and entertained them all day!

(mary dalton 7, john mark 17, zachary 12, emily 15, elizabeth 14, jackson 5...almost 6!)

just think ~ all 6 of them could belong to ONE person! That thought alone makes me tired! ;)

Dalton and John Mark ~ he was 3 when Dalton met him. (dalton met him before me!) I will never forget bathing him one night and he said,

"Amber, I want you to marry Rowdy Dowdy...k?" I had only met Dalton once, but GREAT suggestion john mark!!! :) He is a keeper for sure!!My sweet handsome husband who makes driving 10 hours an adventure! :)

Every year, we TRY to get a picture of the 3 of us ~ it NEVER works! Everyone is looking at someone, talking, eyes shut, etc. This is the best one I got!

(tasha, shane, and me) ~

and every year, the 3 of us try to get a picture of my parents ~ and it never works either!

This is the best one I got! My daddy loves to act like a nut when a camera is around! ;)

it was a SUPER fast trip, but we made it home last night around 6 and we are unpacked, put away and ready for Christmas!

Thanks Nana and Pawpaw for the fun weekend and memories! :)

School Christmas Parties ~

2011-12-20T05:52:00.000-08:00

The kids had their Christmas parties at school on Friday ~ I was giving exams, but was able to sneak down the hall for a little while! :)

When I went in Jackson's classroom, he was helping Olivia G. open her present ~ said all he had was scissors, and he REALLY needed a knife!

Mary Dalton & Miss Kristi ~ MD was pumped about the party! She went to K3, K4, and K5 and has only been to ONE Christmas party ~ either she was sick or we were out of town ~ so she was sooo excited about her special day!
1st grade swapped gifts ~ this makes me nervous bc I am always worried someone will act ugly about what they got ~ In K5, you send a gift for your child ~ however, these girlies are SO kind and all were super sweet about the gifts they drew! :)

Jackson found a nice wig to wear to his party! ha!

LOVE this gift idea! mary d's teachers gave them a travel cup with a class picture in it! So thoughtful AND useful! Thanks Miss Kim & Miss Kristi! :)

The teachers got a special treat on Friday ~ we have a parent who is a massage therapist and she gave us FREE massages in between exams! Somehow a little birdie told Miss Krystina that Mary Dalton had ALWAYS wanted a REAL massage! She was in HEAVEN!!!

I couldn't resist this one! ;)

we are excited about our 2 weeks out of school and have lots of fun things planned to help us get ready for Christmas!

Shop Til You DROP ~ or Run Out of Money!

2011-12-15T14:41:00.000-08:00

And run out of money these 2 did!

Tuesday, I took the day off and mary dalton & whitney sue skipped school ~

We headed for a "Girl's Day" in Augusta ~ They woke up early, dressed in their "justice" clothes, put on make up and requested a side braid for the outing!

1st stop ~

TARGET!!!

They bought matching PJs for PJ day at school, WS got an elf on the shelf, MDD got fingernails, lipstick, and lotion! I LOVE this pic. of them counting their money! MD worked for 3 weeks to earn extra money for this special day!
I ran to Old Navy and they found the coloring table and had a great time coloring while I looked around ~ it was SO nice to have WS along to keep MD entertained ~ and so strange not to hear my 2 arguing ~ Jackson is NOT a fan of shopping to say the least!

They had a list of 19 stores they wanted to go to ~ #3 on the list was Bath & Body Works!

They each got a bath set here! They LOVED getting receipts! And let me tell you ~ before dance they showered and were smelling ALL sorts of wonderful! :)

They chose to eat at The Chop House ~ they both ordered ribs and were SUCH little ladies!

They were just PRECIOUS!

One of my fav. quotes

"Whitney! Don't walk near my mama, we don't want people to know she DROVE us here!"
ha!

we spent FOOORRREEEVVVVEEERRRR in Justice!

That is where the majority of the shopping took place!

MDD bought a towel wrap for her hair, charms for her bracelet, lipstick, and some other goodies!
She was SO sweet to buy her other girlfriends some candy to share with them at school on Wednesday!

After Justice, we went to Gymboree (but who KNEW that MD & WS were "too big" for that store, GAP, Children's Place, Crazy 8, Handpicked, Brookstone & Yankee Candle"

Then to CLAIRES we went!

They each purchased a MOST lovely rainbow hair extension that they wore to dance!

We headed over to build a bear ~

but these 2 were running LOW on cash! No purchases here, just looking!

MDD said ~
"Who knew shopping could be so much work! I am worn out!"

I had to go to HH Greg and look at something for Dalton ~ these 2 had a BLAST!

they picked out what they wanted for their apartment in college ~ they picked a fridge, washer and drier, TV and stove ~ and let me say...these 2 have EXPENSIVE taste! They better be SUPER cute and sweet and hook someone with deep pockets! ha!

After all that shopping, we needed some ice cream!

A quick stop at Bruster's before we headed home!

I had SUCH a good time with these 2! They were SO excited and they both hugged me and thanked me for taking them!

mary dalton said,

"Mama, this was one of the best days of my life"

And I agree ~ it was one of my best days too! I am so fortunate for my sweet girl and the special time we had together! I am excited about many more to come!

**They both said "Can we do this everytime our class goes on a field trip?" Oh how I wish! :)

Christmas Card Carousel ~

2011-12-14T11:42:00.000-08:00

I LOVE getting Christmas cards during December ~ I live so far away from so many friends and family that seeing them each year on their cards just makes my day!

I start thinking about my card as soon as I mail the current year's out!

( I know, I need a hobby!)

This was last year's card and it is one of my ALL time favorites!

(This was actually the back ~ the front had individual pics of the kids)

This is this year's card ~ I do not have a file of the back ~and that is the CUTEST part!

On the back, I have pictures of each child and their "stats"~ age, fav. show, food, song, activity, what they want for Christmas. It turned out SO stinking cute! We took these pics the day after Jackson broke his elbow ~ we almost canceled, but I am glad we went through with them ~

just another memory! :)

Check out www.walkwithmebyfaith.blogspot.com to see lots of Christmas cards! I can't wait to have time to look at all of them!

Merry Christmas!

Pajama Day!

2011-12-14T10:24:00.000-08:00

Toady was Pajama Day in 1st grade ~

Mary Dalton was BEYOND excited about this!

She and Whitney Sue both bought matching PJs yesterday on our shopping adventure!

(that blog to come later on ~ )

I went down to her class room this morning and she and her sweet friends were all snuggled up reading Christmas books!

Of course I then went across the hall to see my boy!

Jackson's teacher's husband had a routine surgery, but was left unable to walk/feel his legs. So, she has been out about 3 weeks and probably will not be back this year. Thankfully, he has a SUPER para pro and a pretty good class, so I am sure that they will learn a lot!
today was a hlaf day due to exams ~ I LOVE a half day!
We came home, had lunch with Dalton and then the kids went outside to play!
Jackson used his Gold Mining kit Nana bought him ~
LOVE these goggles!
Mary Dalton had a big pink rock that was SUPPOSED to have a diamond inside ~ She worked and worked and that silly thing was EMPTY!
Her response ~
"I bought that at THE RITZ CARLTON! I cannot belive that they sold me junk! That thing was SIX dollars!" ha! Love that silly girl!

Happy Wednesday!

Fun Family Day at the Farm!

2011-12-11T16:12:00.000-08:00

Jackson has been fever free after almost 72 hours with fever! Dalton kept him this a.m. while Mary Dalton &I went to church ~ after church we knew he was getting a little stir crazy, so we loaded up and headed to the farm!!!

LOVE this picture of my sweeties ~ they can play with sticks and rocks for hours ~
We rode the 4 wheeler ~ MDD was looking like a conehead! ;) BUT! She was warm!

We had races on the haybales ~

And made plans for our upcoming trip to Mississippi!

(On the agenda ~ playing the tree house, eating, playing in the tree house, eating, and playing in the tree house!)

LOVE this precious man!!! He is SUCH a fun daddy to my babies ~ so thankful God chose him just for me!

we came home and I made "redneck smores" ~ don't knock it until you try it!

Saltine cracker, slice of mild cheddar, and a marshmellow ~ toast til melted!

Even Dalton like them!
We ate these ALL the time growing up ~ I have not had them in years ~ and they were just as yummy as I remembered!

It was the PERFECT ending to my weekend!

'Tis the Season To ~

2011-12-10T14:50:00.000-08:00

Find Elfie everyday!

Jackson wakes up EARLY each day to try to be the 1st to spot Elfie!

Take a nap!

Poor baby was out. of. juice!!!
Celebrate with friends!!!
Jackson's precious K5 class ~

lose teeth!

Mary Dalton lost her 7th tooth ~
an eye tooth at school on Friday!

watch video emails from Santa's Portable Northpole!

Jackson and Mary Dalton both watched their email on the smartboard

in my room ~
They are BOTH on the GOOD list! :D

Be sick!

Jackson came down with a fever ~
not much appetite, not feeling so great

Celebrate "Read the Day Away" at school ~

jackson enjoyed reading, cookies, and hot chocolate while snuggled up in his sleeping bag! Dress Up!

Mary Dalton was in the parade today for dance and she picked out her own outfit ~

Work it Girl!!! :)

Be JOLLY!!!!

She had a great time riding on the float with her
best friend, Whitney Sue!

Enjoy family!

and that's why I am so behind on blogging!

We are enjoying the cooler weather and looking forward to another week of Christmas fun!

Picnic, Presents and a Parade

2011-12-03T18:43:00.001-08:00

This morning, we picked mary dalton up from her sleep over

(she had a BLAST!) and headed to the Open House at Dalton's parents candy/gift store

They had a 50% off table and his mother let the kids "shop" ~ they had a BLAST!

They were able to pick out presents for me, Dalton, each other, and several others and wrap them all by themselves!

After that ~ we headed to the little park behind the PO in our town for a picnic before the parade! ~ It was a BEAUTIFUL day!!!

We always meet up with The Sims family to watch the parade! The kids had so much fun!
(my girl does not EVER miss a chance to pose!!!)

Waiting on the parade to start!!!
woo hoo!!! Here it comes!!! They racked up on candy!!!

Poor Mary Dalton was running before the parade and fell into a drainage ditch (the kind that has a metal grate across it, the metal fell in...and so did she!!!) ~ as crazy as that sounds ~ she cried, but I decided she was just tired...until I decided to take her pants off and look at at her leg. It looked AWFUL! I tried to keep calm, but I knew she was hurting! She did not even pick up any candy until the very end...and even then, she was limping! :( I hope her Daddy pulls some "lawyer strings" and gets this seen about! Someone could have been hurt!!!

A bath, PJs, tylenol, ice pack and lots of TLC seemed to help her feel much better!

If you have never been to a SMALL town Christmas parade, you need to get that on your bucket list PRONTO! Every year I am amazed at what people think SHOULD be in a parade ~

take this cat for example...this just doesn't say "christmas" to me...just saying...

at least this escalade is GREEN!!!

My ALL time favorite memory of the Wrens Christmas parade is when a guy sat on the hood with a 6 ft snake around his neck....he had several "friends" handing out dollar bills instead of candy...somewhere along the way the snake got loose! You can't even beging to IMAGINE the choas that caused!!!

All jokes aside ~ we ALWAYS enjoy the small town parade!!!

Where else can you see Santa in a rocking chair in the back of a pick up truck??? :)

Jackson's Baptism ~ 11/28/11

2011-12-02T13:20:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday, my sweet Jackson was baptized.

2nd proudest "mother moment" yet!

He was SO excited!

He had to "test" the water!

(Mary Dalton was mortified he was wearing his swimsuit to church!)

Dalton and I took him upstairs to help him get into his robe and get ready...
My baby is growing up SO fast!
I am so thankful for God's answered prayers! I have prayed DAILY since he was born that he would accept Christ at a young age....Thank you Lord for not only saving me, but my precious baby.

Oh, that ALL Christians would be THIS excited about their salvation!

(Including me!) Since jackson has asked Jesus into his heart, God is working in our whole family in a new and different way than before!

We are so proud of his excitement and want to do all we can to keep on "on fire" for Jesus!

(I could eat that boy with a spoon. Every. Last. Bite.)

This is the backdrop to our baptism pool/area ~ a lady in our church who is an artist painted it! There is SO much imagery and symbolism in it! It is AMAZING!

I have said it before, but will say it again ~ We were overjoyed that my Daddy was able to perform the baptism! What a special memory that will be for Jackson when he is older!

He was PRECIOUS during the baptism ~ the preacher was also in the water with them and asked Jackson his full Christian name. He looked right out in the crowd and said, "Jackson David Dowdy." He asked him if it was true that he accepted Jesus into his heart and with the most enthusiasm he said, "YES SIR!" It was such a wonderful day for our family and we look forward to the day when Mary Dalton makes a decision as well!

After church, we invited our close friends and family for lunch ~

jackson's favorite foods ~

On the menu ~

Cheeseburgers from McDonalds ~ plain of course!

Carrots and ranch

Hostess cupcakes

Sour Cream and Onion Chips

Grapes

Cheese Cubes

Pesto w/crackers

Sweet Tea

can you say gourmet????

Several of our friends were traveling, but we were so blessed that so many took time to come celebrate with us at church!!!

Mary Dalton and Ansley had a great time playing together after church ~

my sweet friend, Hope, just realized we were kinda dressed alike! See why we are friends? ha!

After everyone left, Jackson had a few gifts and cards to open. Dalton & I gave him a Bible to remember his special day!

What a wonderful day it was! We look forward to seeing God work in Jackson's life and watching him grow in his faith!!!

Just Say No

2011-12-01T17:39:00.001-08:00

This time last week, I was waking up from a FOUR hour nap, had not touched concealer all week and was well rested!!!

Fast forward to today ~ I am frazzled, have bags like CrAzY, I am sleep deprived, edgey and would do about anything for another 4 hour nap!

I just had to say "no" today to a few commitments we had to "regroup" ~ I think that it is one thing we as mothers have a hard time doing...saying no.

Can you make cupcakes for the class? Sure!

Can you take off work to chaperone a fieldtrip? Of course!

Can you have your child at a performace in the middle of the week? Why not!

Do you mind heading up the fundraiser? Yes!

Oh you would a great room mother...would you??? You guessed it ~ yep!

Well today ~ the answer was NOPE!!! NOT TODAY!!! NOTHING!!!

I had a hair appointment afterschool and Mary Dalton had a dance performace at 7 back in Louisville ~ 20 mins. from here. We did not get home from my appointment until 5 ~ the kids both had homework, one had a project, I had to wrap 3 birthday gifts, make 2 lunches, pack 3 snacks, pack MDD for a sleepover, study psychology for my lecture tomorrow, start laundry and somewhere in there bathe children, listen to them read, and get MDD dressed all "dolled up" and back to dance....NOPE!

We ate at Subway, came home and they PLAYED and I did my "chores" ~

after baths, we all snuggled in my bed (Dalton was not home tonight!) and watched TV ~ I got to kiss them, laugh with them and talk about their day until they both fell asleep (before 7:45 I might add!).

We ALL three needed to be home tonight...

And that's why I am thankful I just said "no"

And I realize I need to do it more often....

Our Week So Far ~

2011-11-30T13:31:00.001-08:00

This past weekend was Jackson's baptism! My Daddy was able to baptize him and it was SUCH a special time for our family! We have LOTS of pics but I have misplaced my adapter ~ so stayed tuned for those!

*I was BEYOND excited to have the kids home! They jumped right back into their school routines this week! Thank you Lord! :)

*Elfie has shown up at our house and is causing ALL kinds of trouble! He squirted lotion all over the counter, wrote on the mirror, took Barbie for a spin, and rode one of Dalton's turkeys! We hope he settles down soon!!!

*Dalton had the "shaky bridge" put on the swingset this week...and of course it is FREEZING and raining! The kids have LOVED sneaking out there to play on it!

*We are going to have cookies and milk with Santa tonight! He will only be in town for a short time, so we are EXCITED we get to see him!

*The week is FLYING by ~ I know I ALWAYS say that, but good golly time is going by sooo fast! We have hair appointments, dance performance, Sunday School party, sleepover, open house and a parade all bt Saturday afternoon!

*hopefully, the adapter will be located and pics will be up soon!!!

A New Window....

2011-11-26T18:40:00.001-08:00

Jax lost his 1st top tooth tonight!!! His little mouth is so tiny the only way I could get a picture of it was when we made a mad face...trust me...he was anything but mad!!! He loves visits from the tooth fairy! ;) my sweet baby is growing up!!!

All Good Things Must Come To An End....

2011-11-26T10:48:00.000-08:00

I just got off the phone with my mama and they are about 35 minutes from here. I can't thank my mama and my sister enough for keeping the kids for us this week! We got SO much done and really enjoyed our time together! It was LONG overdue! I was surprised how quickly Dalton & I adapted right back into our "prechildren" routines ~ eating supper at 9 instead of 5:30, going to bed at midnight or later instead of 10, getting up after 8, watching TV together, deciding at 10 p.m. we want brownies and ice cream...and making them both ~ yep...we pretty much picked right up where we left off 7 years ago!

Although I REALLY enjoyed our week alone, I am SUPER excited to get my babies back! I have missed the morning cuddles, the bedtime stories, their giggles, sweet prayers, and their hugs & kisses! I have 30 minutes left to myself and I am going to sit here in silence and listen to the frige run...a sound that is not often heard in this house...because I know my ears are going to be in OVERLOAD when my sweet babies get here and tell me ALL about their fun adventures they had this week!

Thanks Nana & Aunt Tasha (& Em & Zach!) We love you very much!!!

Christmas DrEaM List ~

2011-11-25T08:58:00.000-08:00

OK ~ so I did this last year and it was lots of fun to "DREAM" about what I would buy myself for Christmas if I was super rich! ha! Dalton & I typically do not buy each other gifts for any occasion...there just isn't much we really want, muchless NEED! But, a girl can dream of lots of things ~ so here is my DREAM list for this Christmas ~

up 1st ~

Ipad. Enough said. I think that everyone that has one loves it. And everyone who doesn't have one wishes they did.

I saw this bag in a magazine and fell head over heels in LOVE with it!!! love the color, style, shape...and I know it would make me all sorts of happy to tote this bad boy! :)

Remember, key word is DREAM list today!
I would LLLOOOOVVVVEEE to go to Bora Bora! I even just looked to see how much it would cost and it is not TOTALLY unreasonable....but certainly not anything we can do anytime soon. I can just see myself in this crystal blue water!!! I may be 85 when I get here, but I WILL go one day!

dalton & I saw this speaker at Brookstone last week and it was AWESOME! It charges your ipod and sounds AMAZING!!! Would love to have this to move by the pool or take to the cabin for cookouts!

A Green Egg ~ this would be more for Dalton to cook for me on! If you have ever eaten anything cooked on one of these, you would want one, too! YUMMY!!!

An inflatable movie screen ~ LOVE this! How much fun would this be?????

I spotted this Spyder vest at Dicks last week ~ love the color, texture, and style! It is for skiing, but I would soooo wear this cute thing to work with some black pants!!!

Last year, I wanted a Shark mop....this year I want the sweeper!!! ILOVE the mop and I actually have this sweeper in my classroom, but I would love to have one at home, too!

That was all sorts of fun! Wishing & dreaming!!!

Just Call Me Picasso!

2011-11-23T09:54:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was PAINT day!!! My sweet friend, michelle, came over and we sanded and painted ALL day! 1st up ~ this old coffee table that Dalton found in an old house he is about to redo...

After some sanding, paint, and varnish ~ Woohoo!! ILOVE it!!! you can't really tell, but it matches PERFECTLY in our den! it's distressed so it will be wonderful with the kids!!!
Next up ~ the kids' bathroom cabinets!!! I HATE this wood!!! I wanted to paint it and wanted it to be fun!!!

It's now my FAVORITE room in the house! I am in LOVE with the blue cabients!!! Michelle was a great teacher and I can't wait for my next project that I can do SOLO! :)

We also put a 2nd coat of RED paint on the door and distressed a chest for the cabin!

We cleaned up quickly, because more fun girls were coming over for a painting party!

We had such a good time!!!

This is Beth's "masterpiece" ~ we got SO tickled over this!!! It looks like Joseph was excited to see Mary! ha! ;)

Then, once mary was added....it looked like he was touching her chest area!

You can imagine how we laughed, and laughed...and laughed!

This is clairissa's painting...she still had somethings to add to it...but I LOVE her colors!!! It's the "new" nativity! LOVE the blue!!

And my finished painting ~ tah-dah!!!

It was a BUSY BUSY day, but lots of fun!!!

I am so thankful for my sweet friends!!!

Last Week Recap, Giving Back & Honeymoon!!!

2011-11-21T05:23:00.000-08:00

Last week FLEW by! We were super busy!! Monday I had to go to the Dr...they "worked me in" which in turn means you WAIT forever! I was glad to be able to get in even if I was there for 4 hours! Everything looked ok, so I was thankful for good news!

Tuesday, I took some of the Key club to work at the local food pantry. I think it was SUCH an eye opening experience for some of our kids! It's so hard to believe that ONE mile from our private school, there are so many people who live WELL below poverty level. Most of the people there were senior citizens who were raising their grandchildren. We took 347 lbs of food and over 100 coats that were ALL given to some sweet citizens in our county!

Wednesday, Jackson had his LAST recheck on his arm and got an ALL CLEAR! Woohoo!!!

Another Blessing ~ no therapy! :)

Thursday, we came home and decorated for Christmas...we got the kids' trees up, the mantle done, and the kitchen. It was enough to get them excited! I am going to finish up this week!

Friday, we had a half day at school and ate at Dairy Queen. Mary Dalton was SO cute when she was ordering, she wanted the "hotdog with that spaghetti sauce and cheese" ~ I wasn't sure if she would like a chilli dog, so I ordered chicken "just in case" ~ Well, Miss Priss ate EVERY bite! She LOVED it!!! We came home and packed their clothes for MS!

Saturday a.m. we got up early and headed to meet Aunt Tasha in Birmingham. They are staying with her until Tuesday and then they will go to my mom's until Friday or Saturday. My parents are brining them back to us because we have Jackson's baptism this Sunday!!! We are REALLY excited because my Daddy is going to be able to do his baptism!!!!!!

Of course there has been LOTS of hunting!!! Dalton actually killed a HUGE buck with all 4 of us in the stand!

Some of my sweet school babies ~
Our school and church participate in Operation Christmas Child ~ I took the school's boxes to our church and today Dalton & I are taking ALL the boxes from our county to Augusta. I am so thankful to be able to help in this small way!

Friday was K5's PowWow! I KNOW I had the cutest Indian there!!! :) He had a great time! Miss Sharon is such a great teacher and I LOVE how she lets the kids be KIDS!!! We are gonna miss her next year!

SO ~ with no kiddos at home Dalton and I have gotten LOTS done!

I slept until TEN on Sunday ~ we got up and were in Augusta to Christmas shop by lunch. It was PACKED!!! We did get a lot done, enjoyed eating at Tako Sushi and even bought groceries together...I don't KNOW the last time that happened! Last night, we grilled steaks and watched a movie. I miss my babies but have enjoyed having some quality time with Dalton!!!

These are a few of my FAVORITE things...

2011-11-10T17:05:00.000-08:00

I did this post last year right before the Holiday season and thought it would be fun for Mary Dalton and Jackson to look back at one day and see all the products/prices of things that I love to use or have "discovered" during the year!

1st up ~ I LOVE LOVE LOVE this concealer! It's by garnier. I have always had dark circles under my eyes. This actually have caffefine in it and "wakes up" your eyes! I got mine at Target and it cost about $12 but has lasted me a good 6 months! LOVE this product!

My favorite place to shop for Mary Dalton is Smockadot Kids! They have HUGE sales ~ the brown dress in this picture sold for THIRTEEN dollars and that includes tax/shipping! You can't beat that! They have a facebook page and post sales daily. They also have a great website and super customer service! I like their company because their dresses come up to a size 10 ~ so little girls can continue to dress like little girls!!! (Jackson has TOTALLY outgrown anything "cutesy" ~ he is a polo and jeans boy!)
I can't believe that I am "sharing" this site, but Tiffany has got TALENT over at Lexi Jayne's Designs! I stumbled upon her last year and will NEVER use anyone else for my cards/invites! I swear she is my long lost sibling! This girl can read my mind...I tell her colors/theme/idea/verse/etc and she designs until I am satisfied! She is SOOOO sweet to work with!!! LOVE her work! Well worth your time to look into her site! She does both sides of the card for the same price!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LexiJaynesDesigns

This is a card idea I came up with for this year for a friend! How PRECIOUS is this!?!? I can't wait to get my cards in for this year!!!

When I was at market a few weeks ago, I discovered Lane Boots! LOVE them! I ordered a pair (or 2!) and cannot WAIT for them to come in! Google Lane Boots and be prepared to drool at the selection!!! The SWEETEST lady LaDayne is their rep. and she is so helpful! If you order, they run true to size!

Although I LOVE a Seda France candle ~ this is a close 2nd!!! They really make your whole house smell YUMMY!!! If you watch, they will do 2 for $20!

this is my new favorite cleaner! It smells good too! (see a theme here?) LOVE this!!!

as much as I do laundry, I LOVE a good laundry product! This is amazing and makes the laundry smell so fresh and clean! They are pricey, but well worth it in my opinion!

My sweet friend Clairissa gave me a necklace like this for my birthday and I LOVE it! Mine is black, but you can get them in almost any color! Google acrylic inital necklace...super cute and it goes with everything! :)

Our mall recently got a Limited and there is not one thing in that store than I would not wear! It's perfect for work and easy to wear and wash! They have great sales and teachers get a discount! woohoo!!!

I know I have mentioned before, but Heaven is for Real is by far the best book I read this year! LOVE it and the assurance it gives me in my faith! It's a super easy read...you won't be able to put it down! It would be a great Christmas gift!

Now...I think I will work on my "if money were no object Christmas DREAM list!"

Cast Free, A Great Surprise & Funnies ~

2011-11-09T13:01:00.001-08:00

Jackson got his cast off last week. We went and had it re-xrayed and everything looks good. They thought he would have to have therapy, but the Dr. is hoping he will gain enough mobility on his own.
He goes back next Wednesday for another xray and to check his progress on bending, lifting, etc.

Last Saturday morning, my sister sent me a text saying she was in Macon. We had not been able to talk to each other in abotu 2 weeks ~ a LOOONNGG game of phone tag to say the least ~ so I had NO CLUE she was in Georgia!!! She told me she had a great room and wished I was close enough to come see her! (She was there for a wedding.) She thought we were about 3 hrs apart, but we were only 90 miles away! Within 20 mins I had us packed up and out the door to see Aunt Tasha!!! We have lived here 10 years and that is the first time (and probably the only time!) I have ever gotten to see my family unexpectedly! I was soooo excited! The kids and I got there and had lunch at their favorite place ~ Mellow Mushroom. After lunch, we met my sister and headed downtown to shop some. While she was at the wedding, MD & I got pedicures and then when she returned, we watched a movie. Super low key, but oh so much fun!
She has to be of the FUNNIEST people ever! We would have so much fun if we lived closer! My children adore her and I am so thankful for the chance to see her!

Funnies from the week ~

JD"Mama, don't wash my clothes anymore, I'm just gonna hang them in my closet until they start stinking." I said, "That is nasty!!! Why?" JD "When you wash my clothes, I smell like a woman. I don't want to smell like woman...I want to smell like dirt."

After bathtime the kids were cuddling in my bed. MD said, "Jackson, you smell soooo good!" He replies, "I don't know how...I didn't use one bit of soap!" I said, "Jax!!! That's so gross!" He said,"It must not be too gross, I never use soap and you didn't even know....you can just waller around and I get plenty clean!"

MD ~ "mama, you do a great job at dressing me...but you need a little help for yourself. How about you pick out my clothes and I will pick out yours. You need an intervention or something!"

We have been talking a lot about Jackson's decision to accept Jesus into his heart lately. Mary Dalton said, "I am not asking Jesus into my heart this time of year....no way!!! All those people kissing and hugging you and it being the middle of cold, flu and strep throat season! no way!!"

We are staying BUSY BUSY BUSY as usual, but are looking forward to a fun weekend at the farm with lots of family time!

Fun at the Farm ~

2011-11-09T12:51:00.000-08:00

Last week, Jackson's K5 class went to the corn maze with their Big Buddies. Since I am the senior homeroom teacher & in charge of the buddies, I got to go along without taking the day off!

SCORE!!! :)

Jackson still had his cast on, but had lots of fun with Nick!!!

He loves playing the duck race ~ every year this is his favorite!!!
all the little babies and my big babies! :)

(Jackson is on the far bottom right with a pumpkin on his head...future class clown in the making!!!

HALLOWEEN 2011

2011-11-04T13:27:00.000-07:00

Our kids were DIALED in to Halloween this year!!! The fun started at school monday morning with Big Buddy/Little Buddy party for Jackson and a class party for Mary Dalton!

That night, we went to Trunk or Treat at our church ~ this is my Sunday School teacher who may be the sweetest woman who ever drew a breath! We ADORE Miss Marjorie (and her cute dog Miss Scarlett!)

It was COOOLLLDDDD ~ but somewhere under all those warm clothes was Little Red Riding Hood!

After Trunk or Treat, we got the golf cart and started trick or treating! I was SHOCKED that MD was not scared! JD on the other hand wanted his daddy close by. Some houses were spooky and had music, fog, etc. but it did not slow Mary D. down...not one bit! That girl wanted her candy!!!

We made a stop by her Sunday School teacher's house, too! Miss Mahala is so kind and MD is really enjoying her class!

It was a lot of fun and we have more candy than we know what to do with! I gotta get it out of this house....quick, too!

PARTY! PARTY! PARTY!!!

2011-11-04T12:55:00.000-07:00

My little planner had BIG plans for a Halloween Party last week! She made invitations, planned games, and even made treat bags. I have to admit, I was not super excited about attending, but we ALL had a really good time and LOTS of laughs!!! She is an excellent hostess already!

We bobbed for apples, played "freeze" dance, and hide the bat!

Everyone came to the toy room dressed ~ Big Daddy and Suz were Ken & Barbie, Jackson was a ninja, but got hot as you can see in this pic! ;)
Dalton was a traveling salesman and opened his briefcase and it was FULL of all of their favorite candies! He began throwing it all around the room and MD & JD were ON IT like a rat on a cheetoe! ;) I went from a ghost to the virgin Mary when I realized I could not see! ha!

On sunday night, some of our friends hosted a Halloween party at their house! They went ALL out and it was tons of fun! They had inflatables, haybales to jump on, swingset, playhouse, cars/trucks/bikes to ride, a trampoline, a bed of corn to play in and many games!

The kids got to roast marshmellows and make smores, eat hotdogs and have a hayride!

It was a SUPER fun way to end our week!

Thanks Shana! :)

Jackson's Decision ~

2011-11-04T12:48:00.000-07:00

Jackson went down front last Sunday. He was PRECIOUS!!! He looked like a little man! He wanted to wear a tie! Oh be still my heart!!!! ;)

He went down all by himself and I honestly think that that was the proudest moment I have had up to this point as a parent. Everyone asked me if I cried ~ I was BEAMING from ear to ear...no tears, just pure joy!!!! I am so proud of him and we look forward to celebrating hi baptism later this month!

After church, we carved our pumkpin! The kids love doing this every year and had a BLAST playing with all the "goo" and seeds from the pumpkin!
It was a wonderful day all around!!!

Lots coming!!!!

2011-11-01T15:49:00.001-07:00

Our internet has been down and we have been busy,busy,busy!!! Lots to post as soon as we are up and running again!!!!

Jackson's BIG BIG News!!!

2011-10-26T14:32:00.000-07:00

Saturday night (10/22/11) I was washing Mary Dalton's hair. My mom was hear and I heard her telling jackson to come tell me something. He walked up to me and said,

"Mama, I asked Jesus to come into my heart."

I asked him when...he said, "Just now" I asked him what he prayed, he answered

"Please forgive me for all my bad sins and come into my heart and forgive me."

All by himself.

My mom and I went on to ask him several questions and he knew all the answers.

I asked him"What made you want to ask Jesus into your heart?

His answer is simple, but true ~

"Mama, you never know when you are going to die...and I don't want to go to hell when I die....I want to go to heaven....so I decided I better go ahead anad ask Jesus in my heart."

He wanted to go down front Sunday at church, but instead we made an appointment with our preacher today adn let him talk to Jackson. He went over the plan to salvation with him and talked to him about what being a Christian meant. He talked about having a relationship with God. Sweet Jackson listened so sweetly and answered everything with such simple truth and honesty.

So this Sunday our sweet Baby Boy will walk down front at our church to make a public profession of his faith. He says he is going alone....he probably will. His sweet faith and this new path in his life is ALREADY challenging me to be a better Christian, mother and wife.

I was "not so sure" about his decision at first ~ I mean...he is 5. He can't even wipe himself without making a huge mess, and he wants to be a Christian? I realized how FOOLISH I was being!!! That was GOD ANSWERING MY PRAYER! I have prayed over and over and over and over that my children would accept Christ at a young age, never question their salvation, and live fulfilled Godly lives. The Bible tells us to believe with a child like faith ~ Jesus said, "Let the children to come to me and FORBID THEM NOT to come unto Me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

I am so thankful for his decision. It was TOTALLY his decision. He did it all alone and we are SO overjoyed with his choice to join the family of believers!!!

(I do have a funny story!!! On Sunday, my mom was dressing him and he said,"Nana, I look like a redneck! I mean, yall want me to walk down front to talk to the preacher wearing this?!? I don't even match!" ) LOVE that boy!!!

Lots of Catching Up!!!!

2011-10-25T12:57:00.000-07:00

Our computer has been out so I am way behind on blogging!

My mama came to GA on Friday for the weekend and we were so excited to see her!

The weather was so nice and the kids spent lots of time outside ~ riding bikes, swinging, planting flowers, cleaning out the garage, picking up pine cones ~ we got LOTS done!

it's so much more fun with a "helper!" :)

This is the 1st time EVER my mama has left that Mary Dalton did not cry the WHOLE night before she left! I told her if she cried that she could not spend the week in MS later in November! No tears from this girl! She was ALL SMILES on her way to school Monday morning!
Jackson was super excited when Daddy killed a nice buck! He is going on his 1st deer hunting trip this year tonight while I take Mary D. to dance! He LOVES it!!! (I am loving his camo cast ~ it shows NO dirt at all!)

Nana also introduced Mary Dalton to her 1st coke float ~ she was in HEAVEN!!!!!

My mom and I refinished 2 old tables she had to put in my guest bedroom. While we were sanding and painting, MD gave JAx a little ride!

Saturday, was a local festival with a parade. Mary D. was in the parade and then danced afterwards. Jax got LOTS of candy (even with 1 arm, this boy is FAST!).

He got his face painted and we ate a funnel cake and FRIED OREOS!!!! They were SOOOOO good!!! I will be having them again the next time I see them! :)

Nana and our sweet dancer ~

This was from the previous week but I didn't post it and wanted to remember this!

For object day ~ Livi was "Jackson's Girl" Thought it was too cute!!!!

we had a super weekend and hated to see nana go! We are looking forward to seeing her again in a few weeks!!!

A Manly Man

2011-10-24T17:37:00.001-07:00

As manly as Dalton is....he is who we got to when we need something sewn! I have not a CLUE how to sew a button! Mary Dalton wanted to wear her apple dress tomorrow and we realized it was missing a button....never fear.....daddy is here!!!! Love that he is in camo and sewing a pink smocked dress!!! He is such a good daddy!

More Homecoming....

2011-10-20T18:21:00.001-07:00

I am worn out!!! Homecoming week is always exhausting....especially when you teach high schoolers! The kids have had fun dressing up! They have had even more fun playing with the kittens! We moved them under the garage because it has been so cold! We are SUPER excited because Nana is coming to GA tomorrow!!!!

Object Day!!!!

2011-10-18T16:07:00.001-07:00

We are having homecoming this week at school. Yesterday was Mad for Plaid day and Jackson won best costume for elementary! He was super excited!!! Today was object day...he was dirty clothes and Mary Dalton was a hot air balloon. Her costume was super cute and pretty darn creative, but she didn't win. She was a little disappointed but after a trip to the gas station for a treat she was A.O.K!!!

Lots of "stuff" ~

2011-10-16T14:43:00.000-07:00

Friday night Mary Dalton went to the fair with Margaret Lynn and won a fish ~

Meet "Goldilocks"

I have never known a fair fish to live longer than 48 hours, but they gave us enough food to keep Goldilocks fed until Mary Dalton starts college! TWO ziplock bags full! REALLY?!?!
I had a great time in Atlanta ~ it was nice to get away and eat out...and sleep in!!! I got some new decorations for Christmas so I am excited for them to come in!
A former student of mine babysat while I was away and the kids had a blast! She took them to the fall festival at our school on Saturday! They had a great time! Thanks Chelsey! :)

As much fun as I had ~ I was ready to get back to these two!!!

(You can TOTALLY tell I was out of town by the looks of miss priss's hair! ha!)

Saturday night, The Millers came over and we ordered pizza. The men were off hunting, so it was nice to have some girl time and catch up!

This morning, we went to church ~ I had NO idea how noisy a cast was! Jackson banged it on the pew no less than 500 times BEFORE church started, so we moved to the balcony. It worked out GREAT because he could sit on the floor and not "bang" his arm on the pew! :)

I LOVE now that they both read well to hear them sing in church ~ it is SOOOO sweet! They just sing as loud as they can! We have a screen with the words to the songs/hymns so they can sing along! Precious! They both have been asking lots of questions about becoming a Christian/being baptized/death/etc. It's so exciting to see God already working their little lives!!!

After church, we enjoyed lunch at the Mexican place in town. This afternoon was filled with laundry, grocery shopping and cooking!!!

I bought apples from our Rotary club so I found an apple cake recipe to make! jackson helped me but it was pretty hard for him with just one hand!!!

Tah-Dah!!! It turned out really good and it even came out of the pan without falling apart!!! That's a HUGE accomplishment for me!!! :D

Our other big news is that Sunny had her 2nd litter of kittens today ~ SIX total!!! She had them right by our porch, so hopefully these won't be so wild as the last ones!!!

This week is homecoming at our school, so I have been busy working on costumes for each dress up day! I have to be pretty creative dressing JDD with his one arm! ;) My mama is coming THIS Friday and I can't wait! Jackson has a field trip and Mary Dalton has dance and another performance, so we should stay pretty busy!

Enjoy your week!!!

Catching Up ~

2011-10-12T14:31:00.000-07:00

This break has just about done me in! Jackson managed to break his radius AND his humerus (elbow) and it has been AWFUL. He has been in so much pain ~ the medicine makes him talk out of his head (which is pretty funny!). Last night he seemed better, but we had an awful storm so he was still up for abotu 2 hours! I am SO not used to being up at all hours of the night ~ I feel like I have a newborn again! (yawn!) Needless to say ~ we are hoping and praying that each day continues to be better for him!

We were out of school Monday and I was sooo thankful! I cleaned, got caught up on laundry, and even cleaned out my closet! Jackson was not feeling well, so he pretty much laid around all day. On Tuesday, he stayed in my classroom at school. The Dr. said we had to be careful that he not fall or get bumped until he gets the hard cast. Well....he is five and that's hard to do! He was worn out from the all nighter he pulled the previous night, so he slept a good part of the day! He was SO excited when we realized that Tuesday was the day of the magic show! All the kids who sold 10 magazines got to attend the show. One of my sweet students offered to take him and sit with him so he could attend! He LOVED it!!!!

Mary Dalton has been SO sweet to her brother! She has waited on him and loved him every second! They make my heart smile! :)

Here he is camped out behind my desk! His class made him cards, he was so proud of them! They also stopped by to see him and he got to make a trip to the AR store with them! He is reading SO well!!!! His teacher said she thinks he may even be reading better than MDD did in K5! So thankful that they both read well and ENJOY it!!!!

Tuesday night, Mary Dalton had her 1st performance with her new dance group! They danced at the county fair. It was rainy and chilly ~ so Dalton stayed home with Jax and I took Priss!

She did a great job and was so sweet!
After she danced, she and a friend from school rode every ride multiple times! NO ONE was at the fair so they had the place to themselves! They even got to play games for FREE ~ something free at the fair???? Shocking!!!!

Sweet friends before the performance ~

This morning, we were up at and em early! Mary Dalton and her doll Lexi May left with Suz to go to Atlanta! They are living it up at the Ritz Carlton (club level at that!) and going to the American Girl Doll store tomorrow to shop, get Lexi Mae's hair done and have tea! Aunt Sue-anna is also there and brought along her AG doll from way back when! ;) Mary Dalton was SOOOO excited about this special trip! She called me earlier and was talking 90 mph!

We will pick her up tomorrow and I am going to ATL for TWO nights! I have tried to go to market with them several times and it never works out, so I am REALLY looking forward to going! In the meantime, I am writing out list after list for sitters, Dalton, the kids, etc. Packing, laying out clothes, food, money, etc. to hold everyone over until I get home! I may be even more excited than Mary Dalton! ha! I have not been off alone in two years, so I am a weeeee bit excited!

I took the day off today to take Jackson to the ortho dr.

He got a camo cast!!!! How cool is that????

Everything is healing up nicely and even better than the Dr. expected! The cast is up to his shoulder, but we go back in 3 weeeks for xrays and will either get a shorter cast or maybe even a splint!!!! Woohoo!!!! I am praying he SLEEPS tonight because that little man is wearing his mama out!!! ;)

It's hard to believe October is halfway over! We still have a busy month left! Our next BIG adventure is Nana coming for a visit next weekend ~ we can't wait!!!!

I Am Looking for a Second Job ~

2011-10-07T22:29:00.001-07:00

To pay for this child's medical bills from injuries!!!

He was playing circus and attempting to walk on a rope he rigged up in his room.

we were praying it was just dislocated, but the ulna is fractured
and we are not sure about his elbow.

he was amazing ~ he had to get 4 sticks to get his iv in, and everyone was amazed at how well he did!!!

This happened around 4 and we got home from the ER at 1:40 a.m. ~ I am listening to him sleep/breathe. he is resting well, thanks to some great medicines!

What We've Been Up To This Week ~ -

2011-10-05T08:11:00.001-07:00

We have been BUSY at our house! Friday night, we went to the cabin and cooked crab legs ~

They were soooo good! I think the kids ate as many as we did!
Saturday ~ we had the sitter come at 3 and Dalton and I headed to Augusta for an early date night! We ate at Bonefish and then made a Target run! We were home by 7:30! It was perfect for us! I think that will be our new date time!

Sunday, we went to church, had lunch at Peggy's and then enjoyed the afternoon with some friends eating homemade peach ice cream!

The kids are busy reading AR books, keeping up with homework, and losing teeth!!!

Jackson lost his 2nd bottom tooth last night!!!! He looks mean in this picture, but it's the only way we could see the new hole! ;)

Mary Dalton had cheer camp on Monday after school ~ she remembered her dance from June and the cheerleaders were pretty impressed! ;) She LOVES to do stunts with the big girls and even let them "cradle" her when she dropped from this stunt! She will cheer this Friday night at the game and is soooo excited about that!!!

Tuesday ~ brought hair cuts and dance! Another busy day!

Thankfully the rest of the week we have half days and we are out of school on Monday!

whoohoo!

MRI Results ~

2011-10-01T07:39:00.000-07:00

We heard from the Dr. yesterday and everything on Jackson's MRI checked out perfectly!

What an answered prayer! We are still waiting on blood work results, but in the mean time are keeping a food and head ache diary.

Thank you so much for your prayers!

Somebody's Praying ~ I Can Feel It ~

2011-09-28T13:37:00.001-07:00

Today was 100% better than I anticipated! I could feel the prayers of our sweet friends and family praying for us!

We got the Dr. around 11 and we went right back, no wait! Woohoo!

She did lots of "tests" with his motor skills, eyes, lights, etc. and he did super on them all ~ thank you Lord! He did AWESOME for his blood work! This boy is tough as nails I tell you! I don't think he really even cried and after the needle was in he wanted to "watch it drain out"

Our precious Dr. had already called and got the MRI approved with our insurance!!! Sometimes that takes 2 weeks!!! We had lunch and then headed for the MRI. Again, Jackson was AMAZING! He actually fell asleep during the procedure!

We might have results from the MRI tonight, but the lab will be a few days/week.

We are keeping a detailed diary of EVERYTHING he eats/drinks along with headaches/symptoms/medicines given. We are to treat it with tylenol and benadryl as SOON as he feels one coming on.

Thanks for your prayers ~ we felt them today!!! Please continue to pray for good results!

Prayer Request for Jackson ~

2011-09-27T18:58:00.000-07:00

Jackson had another rough night last night. He woke up around 1 with a headache and it was pretty bad. He has a high pain tolerance and was rolling in the floor, pulling on his hair. I decided about to take him to the ER. I called Cathy (my boss/friend/adoptive grandma) to come sit with MDD. I knew she could get her to school and handle all those aspects if I was not back. When she came in, Jackson said, "Please make it stop Miss Cathy. Help me" Talk about heart breaking.

While I was getting my contacts, clothes, etc. She asked me to get her an ice pack. She also said that her son would take tylenol and benadryl together ~ We did these things and before I was ready to leave he was SOOO much better! He was asleep within 30 mins. She sat with me for awhile to make sure he was ok ~ talk about a GREAT friend!!!

I called the Dr. today and she wants to do blood work (he is gonna FREAK out!) and an MRI to be certain that there is nothing more going on other than migraines triggered by sinus/allergies. Like a FOOL ~ I googled it ~ I was at peace with it until I read that if your child has a headache that wakes him/her see a Dr. it could be serious. That, with the lack of sleep, missing my husband, and 100 other things sent me into a tailspin.

Please pray for Jackson tomorrow. Pray that whatever is causing this is treatable and fixable. Pray for his dr and nurses. Pray for his mommy. I know as much as I love him, God loves him even more (which is hard to imagine!) and He has plans to prosper and not harm us. I also know that He will give us both strength to get through tomorrow!

thanks for your prayers ~ I will post as soon as we know something....
amber

Star of the Week, 32 hours and counting...

2011-09-26T13:16:00.001-07:00

This week is Jackson's turn to be "Star of the Week" in K5!

He was sooo excited this morning to take his board to school to show all of his friends!

I am going to eat lunch with him tomorrow, Sallie Ann is coming on Wednesday, Dalton will be there Thursday and I am still working out Friday! :)

In about 32 hours Dalton will be back in GEORGIA! After TWELVE. LONG. DAYS.

I cannot begin to express how tired I am. My patience is gone. All the "fun" things I planned are over and are no longer fun. I will be BEYOND happy to have him home with us! Wrens is not a very fun place to live when he is not around!

Since he has been gone we have had~

a breaker blow, a light fixure busted by some little girl doing flips in the dining room, a lamp broken because some little boy was hiding behind the couch, 2 episodes of throwing up, 3 forgotten book bags, 4 bags of frozen turkey left in the car to thaw (in 90 degree weather, imagine that smell!), locked out of the house once, bought groceries and went to pay and then realized that I did not have a checkbook, wallet

can you say ~ I would be the WORST single mother ever!?!?!

All this to say, I am SOOO ready for him to be home, but I am also very happy for him that he got to experience such a fun trip! I just hope he used today to rest, because I am going off duty as soon as he gets here! ;)

Pizza, Parties, and Peacocks, oh my~

2011-09-24T10:45:00.000-07:00

I have tried to come up with some fun activities for us to do while Dalton is away ~

Earlier this week, we had a pizza parlor day!

I had lots of toppings and Mary Dalton & Jackson had a great time making their own pizzas, although Jackson did not like his, he still had fun making it! ;)
They also requested to have a camp out party complete with a tent in the den ~ We watched Spooky Buddies and had a great night! They realized that a tent is not as big as it looks, so Jax slept in it last night and MD gets to tonight!

This morning, I had some girls over for another painting party! I am NO artist, but I can follow directions! ha! It was SOOO much fun!!! I wish I could do a class once a week! It was actually relaxing and 10 times easier than the crosses we did a few weeks ago!

Here is the start ~

Adding feathers ~

Tah~dah!!!!

I picked colors that coordinated with my guest room ~ it looks GREAT in there!

So excited to get that room completed!

Here we are showing off our peacocks! I LOVE the colors on Heather's (far right)

We have Open House at The Orchard's tonight (dalton's parent's business) and I have nursery duty tomorrow at church. Busy weekend!!!

One LONG Night, Star of the Week & My NEW Favorite Book!

2011-09-21T15:27:00.000-07:00

Other than being in labor with Mary Dalton, last night HAD to be the LONGEST night in my life! I started feeling "whoozy" around 10:30, by 11:30 I was sick...horribly sick with vertigo. This is the 3rd time I have ever had it and I pray I NEVER have it again. I had to lay propped up and stare straight ahead....no moving at all. About 2:45, Jackson started moaning (they are slept in my room since Dalton was not here). He said he had a headache and wanted me to rock him. As much I ADORE and LOVE that precious boy, there was no possible way I was rocking anybody! I tried to keep him happy while keeping myself steady/settled. At 4 a.m. I had to call in for reinforcement! My sweet mother in law came to my rescue ~ she was able to lay with him and get him settled down. He threw up around 5 and then gave us a thumbs up and said, "I am great now!" We were SO thankful! He was in so much pain. It was awful watching him roll in the floor holding his head. Broke. My. Heart. I am pretty sure he is had migraines ~ this is not the 1st time that this has happened, it happened once or twice since he was 3 or so. We slept in this morning and went in to school late ~ I could SO get used to going in at 10! Wish that was an option! :)

My sweet friend, Michelle, painted Jackson's star of the week board for me! I LOVE IT! I had her do his like MD's on canvas so we can hang it up in his room! It says,

"Out of all the people on the entire face of the Earth, God chose you to be His cherished, personal treasure." LOVE the way it turned out!!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Now, my NEW book!

I had my blog made into a book!!!!

I have wanted to do this for awhile and saw a link for a blog book and went with it! I could only print the first 12 months, but I am so proud of it!!! I just regret not blogging when the kids where smaller! I have laughed so much going through it and reading all the funny things that they have said! I can't wait to print the rest of it soon! Once I get it all done, I can just buy one each year to keep my collection up to date!
The pictures are not that big, but big enough to see ~ You can only have 1500 pics in a book, so I had to narrow some down!

Other funnies ~

JDD has been saying, "It don't" ~ I am sure he heard it at school but it is driving me crazy!

He said it today and MDD said,

Hmmmm...wonder where she heard that one?

MD and JD were disagreeing on something and he said,

"You know what they say Sissy...different jokes for different folks!

Catching Up & Weekend Fun!

2011-09-18T17:46:00.000-07:00

It's been FORVER since I have downloaded pics from my camera!

This is from Labor Day weekend! We enjoyed a cookout and watched the GA game with some friends at their pong house! Our children were in LOVE! They call the pond "redneck disney" ~ call it what you want ~ my kiddos call it FUN!!!!

The horse was set up on a LONG zip line! Jackson LOVED it! If I hadn't had on a skirt I would have been on that thing!!!! :)

We did not go to church today ~ Jackson's allergies were awful this weekend and he has a rough night last night, so we all stayed home and took it easy today.
He entertained us with a magic show! He is actually pretty good! ;)

I think Miss Priss is well on her way to becoming a teacher! I can remember playing school just like this! I would wear my sister's shoes and everything! She was teaching reading...

Her students...

She said, "This has been a rough day! It's not only my 1st day of school, but my 1st year of teaching, so I have got to figure all of these topics out!" ha!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

We also decorated for fall this weekend! The kids get SO excited when we change the decorations for the seasons! Their favorite part is "hallie" the pumpkin girl that is holding all of their favorite candy!

We rented Gnomeo and Juilet and The Chronicles of Narnia ~ I was trying to explain the symbolism in the Chronicles while we were watching it and I said, "See, that symbolizes Jesus." Mary Dalton said, "That does not make me think of Jesus at all Mama, Star Wars maybe, but Jesus...no." Needless to say, she was NOT into the movie at all! She got on the couch with me and had a constant commentary about how much she disliked the movie! ;)

Jackson, on the other hand, LOVED it!!! He was SO into it and really enjoyed the movie!

I guess the adventure factor sucked him right in, the same way it turned her right off!

Ever since MDD's art party, the kids have LOVED painting! I have bought easels, paint, and canvases and they have enjoyed it so much! They created all sorts of cool art today ~ These are their Halloween paintings ~ MDD's is done out of her hands and of course she wanted to add her hairbow! ;) They painted their own names and I added the date. They were pleased as punch when they came downstairs and realized that I had taken down my framed floral prints and hung their art work up in the living room! I want to let them do one for each season ~ I think it would be a neat keepsake!

It was a busy, but fun weekend! I am looking forward to our week ~ I have lots of surprises for them! :)

TGIF!!!!

2011-09-16T13:10:00.000-07:00

This has been one LONG week! I am so glad that it is Friday!!!

The kids love Fridays when we have home games because we have pep rallies! mary d. opted to wear a jersey today instead of her cheer uniform ~ I must say she totally rocked it out with some boots and zebra bows! this chick has a style ALL her own! Jackson was pumped about show and tell today! His Daddy helped him find a deer rack to show his friends! my "big" kids were pretty impressed with the deer, too! ;)

We got Dalton off this a.m. ~ 3:30 is EARLY for a wake up call! He is in Cody, Wyoming and starts his hunt Sunday! We hope he gets a BIG elk and has a great time! :)

Some funnies ~

We were coming home from Augusta last night and Jackson was in his booster, but had his feet BEHIND his head. Mary Dalton said, "Jackson...look around the car. Do you see anyone else doing that? If the answer is no, then what you are doing is not age appropiate....so please stop."

(I swear she is a 30 yr old in a 7 yr old's body!)

Jackson: "Mama, what's that hangy down thing between your boobs that looks like a butt?"

I said, "Ummm...cleavage?"

Jackson:"Yeah! Cleavage! Well, I have been looking and why don't ALL girls have that? I mean, not ONE girl in K5 has that! They don't even have boobs!"

(Me ~ no repsonse!)

I let the kids stay here the other day while I ran to Dalton's parents house (don't worry...we are neighbors! but I have never let them stay home while I ran over to borrow something!) Anyway, they did not want to stop drawing so I told them that they could stay if they PROMISED to stay inside. We went over 500 "rules" about the phone, answering the door, etc. I locked them in and ran to Suz and Big's to borrow something. When I came home, I tried to "trick" them by knocking on the door. They did just what I told them and let me knock and knock and knock!

Anyway ~ I was telling my mom about them staying here and MDD said,

"You know, you really should have paid me for watching him that day! Even though it wasn't long, he is a handful!"

We are looking forward to cooler weather this weekend! mary dalton is going to a painting party and will be gone most of the day on Saturday. Jackson and I are going to dig up all our summer plants and start decorating for fall! We have lots to keep us busy until dalton is home!

Enjoying the Last Little Bit of Summer Weather...

2011-09-14T13:19:00.001-07:00

It was a hot one here today and the pool was warm enough to swim! We haven't been in in about 2 weeks so the munchins were super excited!!! Highs are going to be in the 70s this weekend so this is probably one of the last days we will get to swim! We are headed to pick up a pizza and meet Dalton at the cabin for supper so he can start packing for his upcoming elk hunt! He is so excited and I'm so happy he has such an amazing opportunity to go! The kids and I have lots of fun stuff planned to keep us occuppied while he is away!

Playdates, Parties, and Bird Hunting

2011-09-10T12:39:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that we are already halfway through the 1st 9 weeks of school!

Mary Dalton got her progress report and had 100 averages in math and spelling and a 98 in phonics ~ that crazy coding!!! She has almost 11 AR points, so she is doing GREAT! I am so proud of the young lady she is SO quickly becoming!

She and her sweet friend Whitney Sue LOVE to dress alike!!! They are pretty cute if I do say so myself! ;) We have lots of parties coming up soon! This morning MD had a movie party for a friend ~ they watched The Smurfs ~ she loved it! Tonight, they are going to a karoke party! Next weekend, MD will go with the girls in her class to Statesboro to paint pottery ~ that's about an hour and a half from here ~ she has never been "off" like that without one of us ~ she is growing up! After the party this morning, 2 of her friends came back home with us to play. Jackson is bird hunting, so I needed someone to entertain her! ha! They have had the BEST time ~ barbies, games, Toddlers and Tiaras, dancing, ice cream, dress up ~ lots of giggling, too! :)
And the men in our lives ~ pretty much will be wearing these lovely shades of camo from now until May!!! Jackson was SO excited that his Daddy was taking him bird hunting again today! He just can't seem to figure out why he can't bow hunt yet!

The kids are dying to get out our fall decorations! The little bit of cooler weather has them ready for all things "fall" ~ and I'm getting pretty excited, too!

Art Fun at School

2011-09-08T15:25:00.001-07:00

We had a fundraiser at school this week to buy a smartboard for a classroom!

Each child got to paint (sound familiar???). My friend, Michelle, who did MD's party came and lead each class through painting a canvas!

They had SO much fun and were really excited ~ espc. since we don't have art at our school.

Jackson's K5 class painted a bee and beehive!!! He is pretty artistic if I do say so myself! :)

Mary Dalton's 1st grade class painted a turtle ~ they turned out really cute!!!

Our school is hosting an art show in a few weeks to showcase their creations!!!

Big Buddy/Little Buddy ~

2011-09-07T13:43:00.001-07:00

We started a new program at our school this year! We have paired each senior with a K5 student that will be their "Big Buddy" this year! Today was "reveal" day! The Seniors lead the kids on a scavenger hunt and then the kids had to find their buddy based on a shape. I think that the seniors had more fun than the kids! ;)

After they got their buddies, they had ice cream and watched a movie!

It was a fun day and Jackson was really excited about his buddy, Nick!

(Pics were taken with my phone so they are blurry!)

I am excited about working with the seniors on this project this year! :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

This short week is flying by! The kids have opted not to do choir this year and although I wish they wanted to, I am glad we are home at our normal time and not 5 pm! It was nice and cool here, fall is just around the corner and I could not stand it ANY longer, so I got all some of our vegetables we put up this summer for supper ~ creamed corn and peas tonight! We have several birthday parties to attend in the next few days, so between that and school I am sure we will be busy!

Happy Labor Day!!!

2011-09-05T06:22:00.001-07:00

I Had the Best Day With You Today....

2011-09-03T19:13:00.001-07:00

When I was a little girl, I used to LOVE when hunting season came in ~ that meant GIRL TIME with my mama and my sister (now granted she graduated from high school when I was in 2st grade, so mostly with my mama!). We would rent movies, eat pimento cheese, make punch, all sleep in one bed, go get a milkshake RIGHT before bed. I can remember waking up to the BEST hot coco EVER and cheese toast for breakfast...or homemade cinnamon/raisin biscuits. After we ate, we would head out to "gatta-bat" (that means do nothing, but go in stores and shop/look). We would usually have lunch and then come home and my Daddy and brother would be in after dark...and I would count the days until the next time they went to the hunting camp!

When I found out I was having a girl ~ I KNEW that those were the kinds of memories I wanted to share with her!!! Dove season came in today and Jackson and Dalton were SOOO excited! They left at 7 this morning and got home at 5:30! Mary Dalton and I spent the day in Augusta ~ using both of our birthday money on some new things! I took her to Toys R Us (she's never been) and we ate lunch at PF Chang. I was able to listen to her and hear all about the things happening at school, things she wanted to do today, and things she is looking forward to. We went to a gift shop and looked around. She was so cute, pointing out things she thought I would like! I enjoyed her SO much! She is getting so big and I want to treasure these days with her before she is "too busy" to spend the day with her boring old Mama! ;)

As we were walking out of the mall, she pulled me down and kissed me and said,

"I had the BEST day with you today! This was more fun than anything else I can think of!"

And I have to say.......I agree.....

Our Week So Far...

2011-08-30T13:59:00.001-07:00

**These pics are OUT OF ORDER!!! my uploaded from my phone which is 100 times quicker but they are all out of sequence...sorry!!!

Last night was our monthly Girls Night Out ~ there are 4 of us who get together once a month.

We always have the best time and girl time is good for the soul! :)

Last night, another friend of mine (the one who did MD's party) came and led US in a paint class! Here's my finished product!!!

Back at home, Dalton was "holding down the troops" ~
Jackson is still loving school and reading SO well!

This was before all the "stuff" I added to decorate it up!

Mary Dalton wearing her dress Nana made her and her boots she got for her bday! EVERYBODY needs pink cowboy boots!!! (or so she says!)

Mary Dalton did not want to wear tennis shoes on Monday for PE bc she was wearing a new dress from Justice with "sparkly shoes" instead. I asked would Miss Kim/Miss Kristi be mad or get upset if she wasn't dressed for PE. She said, "Mama, have you seen those 2? They dress great! They know ALL about fashion and will COMPLETELY "get" this outfit! It needs sparkly shoes, not tennis shoes!" And she did look pretty darn cute! The PE teacher was actually much impressed that she could run in them! ha!

Jackson was hungry and I told him he had to wait for supper. He said, "I am nothing but skin and bones over here! I need something to eat!" (and he was right!)

He is SOOOO excited that dove season comes in on Saturday and he gets to hunt with his Daddy! Mary Dalton and I are looking forward to some girl time! :)

Weekend Wrap Up

2011-08-28T17:28:00.001-07:00

We had a pretty low key weekend around here...which was wonderful! We cooked out at the cabin Friday night and spent the night there. Saturday we spent the whole day swimming and then Dalton and I went to a wedding shower/cookout for a coworker. Today, Jackson came down with some type of stomach bug which thankfully didn't last long! This afternoon I took miss priss to justice to use some birthday money! She racked up!!! She got a zebra blanket,halloween tshirt,canopy for her bed, dance bag, and stickers/stationary! She had a ball! We stopped by target so she could swap a barbie from her bday...she got 2 of them...and picked jackson up a 7 hour video of Heman! That seemed to perk him up and keep him entertained this afternoon! After Dalton tucked jackson in I started thinking how my stpry reading days are quickly coming to an end!!! Mary d. reads to herself and jackson is not far behind!!! So...I read him 2 stories since I know my days are numbered! ;) they are growing up and getting to be so big, smart and independant! My heart is so full of joy and love for them!!! We are ready and prepared for the week ahead and look forward to having some friends come see us this weekend!

Best Life Ever...

2011-08-25T18:00:00.001-07:00

This was left on our bed:

"DEER Mommy and Daddy and Jackson (can you tell her daddy is a hunter??),

I love my birthday present. My owl dress is on my doll. You give me the best life ever. you are so sweet. Thank you for everything. Love, Mary Dalton....

and that may be the sweetest note I have ever read...."the best life ever...."

My sweet, precious baby girl!!!

Totally Random Stuff ~

2011-08-24T17:42:00.000-07:00

*I have been super, super busy these last few days...I don't think I have taken one picture since Sunday (gasp!)

*Mary Dalton started dance on Tuesday and loved it because she had friends in her class. She took in Swainsboro and we had an hour drive one way which made for a LONG day, so I am hoping that this works out better for us!

*Jackson will NOT allow me to read his AR books! He insists on reading them himself ~ he is doing pretty well to just be starting K5! He has 3 AR points and gets to go to the AR store tomorrow, he is BEYOND excited!

*Our school is selling magazines for our annual fundraiser! The kids EACH have to sale 15 to get a VIP pass for the magic show! We need to sale 14 more, so if you need magazines, PLEASE leave me a comment and I will give you the link! They are actually a great price and 40% goes to our school for books!

*A friend of mine I work with has started a casserole business. She sends a text on thursday saying what casserole she is making for the next week. If you want one, you just text her back and she delivers them on Tuesday! Can you say HEAVEN!?!?! I got us one this week and it was soooo good! Such a great idea for extra income!

*This school year is already flying by! We get progress reports NEXT week!!! How can that be??? I am looking forward to the weekend ~ no plans but a shower on Saturday night ~ should be a great weekend! :)

Birthday Week Wrap Up!

2011-08-21T14:34:00.000-07:00

Thursday was Mary Dalton's actual birthday! She got to pick her own outfit...can you tell? ;)

When she was sick on Wednesday, she made this scarf with Suz ~ she did better than I would have done! She is selling them for $5 if you would like on for the fall! ;)

I went to the lunchroom for her snack time and took a cookie cake and pigs n a blanket...that she helped me make!
I LOVE her sweet little class ~ well, there are 21 of them ~ but they are just precious! They love each other so much and they were all so excited and happy that it was her special day!

Some of her sweet friends ~ LOVE all those toothess smiles!!!

Thursday night, Dalton was not home, so I let her pick her favorite place to eat for supper and then we picked up 2 friends to join her! They were soooo stinking cute! They just whispered and giggled all night, but acted like SUCH little ladies! They acted just like we act (their moms are 2 of my best friends!) ~ it was fun to watch them eating at their own table ~ so "grown up!"

Sallie Ann was a trooper and went along for the fun!

After pizza, they each got some ice cream...and Jackson got to sit with them ~ let the LAUGHTER begin!!!! He HAS to be the class clown ALL the time!!! Wonder where he gets that????

Friday after school, we loaded up and headed to the coast. Dalton dropped us off and he headed to FL to gator hunt (pics later...it was something else!). On Saturday a.m. he met us at St Simons Island to eat at our favorite BBQ place, then we enjoyed TCBY ~

YUMMY!!!!!!

After ice cream, we headed to the beach ~ PURE BLISS!!! Except my allergies are HORRIBLE and I was sneezing and blowing my nose the whole time....really attractive!

They played in the waves ~

Played in the sand ~

And had a great time!!!!

We came home this afternoon and are all worn out! Hopefully we will get to bed early so we can start another busy week!!!

**Please continue to pray for Anna Hays Polk. She is home now, but will be going back for more chemo this week.

What a Week!!!

2011-08-17T13:48:00.000-07:00

This week is flying by!!! I can't believe it is almost over!!! Mary Dalton started feeling pretty crummy on Monday night, by Tuesday at school you could tell she was not up to par. I took her to the Dr. and she did a strep test ~ it was positive. One. Week. Into. School. SERIOUSLY??? Anyway, she got a shot and is like a new person today! She gets to go back to school tomorrow and it's perfect timing ~ it's her birthday!!!! :)

Jackson is starting AR tomorrow and he has read his book 4 or 5 times already! He is determined to have the most points in his class to earn the $100 from his daddy!!!

Mary D. had to miss dance on Tuesday, so we are looking forward to going next week! We have a SUPER low key weekend planned and I can't wait!!!!

Mary Dalton's Art Birthday Party!!!!

2011-08-14T17:34:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Mary Dalton's 7th birthday today! SEVEN ~ gosh that sounds OLD!!!

She wanted an art party and I have a friend who is an artist and when I asked her about coming to help them paint, she was so excited! It was a SUPER easy party (we had it at the pecan plant) and the children really enjoyed painting!!!

sallie ann dressed mary d and did her hair (AND put on a weeee bit of make up!)

Love these 2 girls!!!
Our family before the party ~
(I had on an apron!)

We could have had the party in the bathroom ~ who doesn't love a round sink that you turn on by stepping on a pedal???

the children were sooo quiet while they were painting ~ I loved seeing how each child made their unique! I was pretty impressed with Mary Dalton's owl!!!! LOVE her color choices! :) She went on to add a hairbow (imagine that!) and eyelashes! VERY girlie!!

Jackson's did an awesome job, too! I hung their pictures in their bathrooms and they are PRECIOUS!!!! I want them to paint more!!! LOVE their sweet paintings!

Making a wish ~

We had 18 children in all ~ 2 were MIA in this picture!

My sweet friend ~ Michelle who did the party for me! Check out her stuff at Mbellish-it ~ her blog link is to the right! :) Thanks Michelle!!!!

We are cleaned up, put up, packed up ~ and ready for another week!!! Mary Dalton's party was so much fun and again I am so thankful for her sweet friends and their parents who helped us celebrate!!!!

1st Grade and K5

2011-08-09T13:43:00.000-07:00

I can't believe school is back in session!!! The children were beyond excited to start back to school! Jackson was up before 6 a.m. dressed, bed made, and ready to roll! Dalton went and picked up McDonalds for a special treat!

Poor kids ~ this is probably the only breakfast they will get all year at the table ~ we usually eat on the go! ;)
We always take a picture in this same spot every year ~ I want to post some for comparision, but will have to do that later ~ I am about to go to bed! I am used to 5:30 a.m.!

LOVE this picture!!!

Mary D. and Whitney Sue planned to dress alike ~ I think that they look pretty darn cute!!! :)

Jackson and Sydney Clair ~ she takes such good care of him!

Look out 1st grade!!! she's a handful!

Miss Sharon said all Jackson wanted to do was AR ~ he is determined to get the trophy at the end of the year!

MDD and some of her sweet friends ~

Dairy Queen ~ a perfect end to a great day!!!

So thankful that they both had a good day ~ I have flashbacks every year to MDD being in K4 ~ crying, throwin up, begging us to let her work at the pecan plant ~ it was a nightmare ~ one I NEVER hope to re-live! ;)

Prayer Request ~

2011-08-08T18:34:00.000-07:00

I saw this posted on FB and can't get it off my mine. I don't know this family personally, but I have met Jody once. She was a precious girl and was so kind! When I saw her name on a caring bridge post, it caught my eye. Her baby girl was just diagnosed with cancer on her 3rd birthday. I cannot imagine.

It really made me feel awful as I read it ~ I prayed for MD and JD to "have a great 1st day of school and to be kind to others" ~ this mother is praying for her chidl's life to be spared. PLEASE add them to any prayer list you have access to! Lift this sweet baby up and pray for a complete healing! I know as a mother, there is nothing Jody would want more.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/annahayspolk

Tomorrow is the BIG Day!!!

2011-08-08T15:29:00.001-07:00

Lunchboxes are filled and backpacks are packed...school tomorrow!!! They are both excited and I sure hope it stays that way! :) Mary D and I got back to school pedicures today and enjoyed some girl time together! Jackson can't wait to give Livi the dress Nana made for her and MD is making cards for all the girls in her class! I think that they ready to see their friends! :) We are back into bedtimes,early mornings and routines!! Wish me luck!!!

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Cutest Turkey Ever

2011-08-08T04:58:00.001-07:00

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Open House 2011

2011-08-06T07:34:00.000-07:00

Last night was Open House at our school!

Mary Dalton and Jackson were SO excited!!!

Jackson can't WAIT for K5!!! He had to watch Mary Dalton have "all the fun"
so he is excited to have "his turn!"
Mary D. was REALLY excited when she discovered that her desk is beside her good friend, Margaret Lynn!

Can't believe my big girl has a DESK and TEXT BOOKS!!!

Her precious teacher, Miss Kim, informed me that she did NOT like pics, so this may be the only one I ask her take this year ~ (yeah....I doubt it!) ;)

Can't wait for Tuesday!!!

Vending Machine Heaven

2011-08-05T11:26:00.001-07:00

As crazy as it sounds...my children have never bought food out of a vending machine. While we were waiting to get the oil changed I let them each pick 1 thing. I had no clue $1 would make them so happy!!! Oh the little things! ;)

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Lock the Doors....Bar the Windows!!!

2011-08-04T13:55:00.001-07:00

Mary D is dressing herself and hot to trot she is!!! If she comes up with this at 6...imagine 16!!!! Oh my word!!!! We had a great day...ran some errands and spent the afternoon on the pool! Gearing up for open house at school tomorrow night!

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Our Week is FLYING By!!!

2011-08-03T14:04:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that it is Wednesday already!!! Our public schools started back today and we have THREE more weekdays until we go back! We are making the most of them, too! :)

Mary Will came and swam with us earlier this week ~ The girls had SUCH A good time and play really well together! They played babies, painted nails, and of course swam!
I saw a friend was making rice krispie treats today on facebook and could NOT quit thinking about them! I let each child make his/her own pan of them ~ they are soooo good!!!

Both of my children love to help me in the kitchen!

We have been busy running last minute errands beofre school starts ~ hair cuts, cleaners, pharmacy for refills, etc. ~ but we ALWAYS find time for a swim! Even if it is only 30 minutes, we HAVE to squeeze it in!!!!

We are going to the school tomorrow to make sure everything is perfect for Friday's open house and then of course ~ ~ ~ ~POOL TIME again!!!

This has been such a fun summer and I have enjoyed the children SO much!!! It's hard to believe it's over already so I am going to be SURE I enjoy what's left of it!

run run run as fast as you can!!!!

2011-08-03T06:49:00.001-07:00

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Snaggle Tooth Club Has a New Member!!!

2011-07-31T18:28:00.000-07:00

This past Wednesday (7-27-11) Jackson lost his FIRST tooth!!!

It wasn't that loose, but he eating a gummy worm and bit down just right! He came running and crying that he "hurt his tooth" ~ I have said before...I don't "do" teeth well ~ something about it GROSSES me out!!! Not really the teeth, but the pulling part ~ uhhhh!!!

SOOOOO.....I went upstairs to ask the maid to pull it for him! ha!!! Tammy is so sweet and used to keep Mary Dalton when she was a baby, so she is used to me and my crazy requests! ;) My children LOVE to follow her around ~ she will sing and dance while she cleans! She is just precious to our family!
One little tug ~ and it's out!!!!! No tears from him ~ he was PUMPED!!!!

He did have a good bit of bleeding, but we finally got it stopped!

His new smile!!!!!!

And the BEST PART????? The Tooth Fairy came!!!!!!!!!!!

He can't wait to lose another tooth now! He LOVES money!!! ;)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I wrapped up summer school last week ~ had more Dr. appointments and enjoyed a lunch date with a friend. Friday, we hung out at home and swam ~ then headed to the cabin for dinner. The children went to a day camp (like VBS but in 1 day) yesterday and had SO much fun! They were WORN OUT when I picked them up! We went to church today and then ate lunch at Peggys ~ they have the BEST dressing!!! This afternoon, we swam ~ picked apples ~ and made a homemade apple pie! Jackson went to the farm with his Daddy (They killed a HUGE rattlesnake!!!) and Mary Dalton enjoyed some girl time at Suz's house! It has been a great weekend and we were blessed with a MUCH needed rain tonight!

This is our LAST official week of summer so we are trying to get into a routine to help ease our transition back into the "real world!" Wish me luck!!!! :)

BUSY BUSY BUSY!!!!

2011-07-29T06:17:00.000-07:00

This week we have been BUSY BUSY BUSY ~ buying school supplies, dentist and doctor appointments, cleaning out closets, swimming, and enjoying the last little bit of our summer break!

I took the children to Adventure Crossing this week ~ we have never been and I was VERY impressed! It was HOT but not crowded! They had SO much fun!!!
This one teenager was working all 4 rides, so he basically followed us from ride to ride ~
we had our own personal entertainer! ha! He was so kind and had great manners!

After riding, we went to the AC!!! Woohoo!!!! mary dalton racked up on some tickets!!!!

So did Jackson!

We had a snack before heading back out into the heat ~

I can't explain how kind and well mannered this staff was! I look forward to taking my 2 back soon!

One last spin on the roller coaster before we head home!!!

And a trip to Bruster's makes our day complete!!!

Yummy!!!!

I finished up summer school yesterday and am enjoying these last few days at home! We FINALLY got the AC replaced upstairs and everyone is back in his/her bed and going to bed at 8:30. We have a VERY low key weekend planned and I can't wait to relax and enjoy it!!!

A Visit From Mississippi ~

2011-07-27T14:47:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, my mom, sister in law, and 2 nieces came for a visit! We had SUCH a great time!!! Our visit was not long enough! My children LOVE their cousins sooooo much and get so excited when they come ~ and their cousins are always so SWEET to them!!! We had a VERY low key weekend at home ~ by the pool ~ ALL. WEEKEND. LONG. It was WONDERFUL!

I did squeeze in some time for makeovers the girls! Mary Dalton had Lily and Emily make her a "bow fro" ~ she wants to wear it school ~ won't she be precious!!?!? ha!

They helped Jackson with his dive and he almost has it down pat! We played LOTS of water games, talked, ate & ate, and just enjoyed being together! We played a big game of hide and seek ~ Even Nana played! We have the perfect house for hide and seek and I think that the grown ups had more fun than the children! :)

Mary Dalton was in LOVE with Aunt Mary Margaret!!! She said, "Mama, Aunt Mary is SO cool ~ I mean, she can wear a bikini and totally rock it out!" ha!!! (and she ain't kidding!) Aunt MM was LOTS of in the pool, too!

She taught Jackson how to flip off of her shoulders and helped him a LOT with his dive!!!

Thanks Aunt Mary! :)

Of course, we were ALL sad to see them go, but we sure hope that they will make it a yearly trip!!!!

Diving!!!

2011-07-27T13:18:00.001-07:00

Jackson has been working on his dive! He is getting pretty good!!! :)

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toooo sleepy.....

2011-07-17T07:25:00.001-07:00

Jackson had a full day at the beach!!!

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A MUCH Needed Vacation!!!!

2011-07-16T15:16:00.000-07:00

We were planning to leave on Wednesday for our get away weekend, but we were SO tired we opted to leave on Thursday! We got up early and made lots of stops along the way ~

Bass Pro is a favorite of the boys!!

It was FLOODING when we got to downtown Savannah ~ We ate at The Pirate's House ~

The food was SO good and the kids enjoyed the atmosphere! Mary Dalton ate the buffet ~ she ate FIVE chicken legs!!!

If you are ever in SAV, it's a super cool place with lots of history ~ great place to stop!

The rain slacked up and we headed to River Street!

We took Mary Dalton's picture at The Boar's Head ~ This was the 1st restaurant we ever took her to! We were there for a conference ~ I think she was 5 weeks old!

Savannah candy company was our next stop ~ our children LOVE candy! So they were SO excited when Daddy let them each fill up a tin with ALL the candy they wanted!!!!

My crazy crew!!!

After the rain ~ it was STEAMY!!! We stopped off for frozen lemonades and to cool off!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this face ~ This is the face of "Mama!!! LOOK!!! NOW!!!"

Cooling off ~

One last photo before headin to the coast!!

When nature calls.....you gotta go.... :)

Our busy day + rain = great nap for Jackson!

We woke up early Friday and headed to St. Augustine!!! Stop One ~ alligator farm!

Once again ~ it FLOODED on our way ~ but it stopped before we got there and it was actually very cool! Jackson LOVED the farm and wanted to know if we could go back everytime we were at the coast!

this was where you could feed the gators ~ JDD was in AWE!!! There were LOTS of them!!!

We found a GREAT place to eat right on the beach ~ South Beach Grill ~

It was super good! The children both tried alligator tail ~ and liked it! :)

Even Picky liked it! :)We got the kids in their suits and jumped in the ocean! They had a BLAST!!!! The waves were PERFECT and they had a ball playing!

(notice jdd's gator tooth necklace he got from the farm!)So thankful for my babies!!!!We played for about an hour and a half and then the thunder started....packed up, changed and headed to the outlet mall! Dalton took Jackson (who was sleeping) to check out a hunting store while me and MDD shopped. He came back to get us and JDD was not feeling so hot. Poor thing got SO sick! It was FLOODING again (seemed to be a theme of the weekend!) and we decided to head back to the coast. By the time we were back (2.5 hrs later) he seemed to be on the mend, so we stopped for a bite to eat before heading back to the coast house!

Saturday, we went to St. Simons (it was raining again!!!!) to eat at Southern Soul BBQ ~ It is one of the Top 20 BBQ places in the USA. IT WAS SOOOOO GOOD!!!! I can't wait to go back!!

My handsome husband!!! :)

Eating yummy BBQ!!!!

We looked at some shops on the island and enjoyed the rainy day!

Saturday night, we had dinner and then rode the golf cart ~ Then started the NEVER ending game of monopoly!!!! Our kids LOVE this game and Dalton was ALL OVER it!!!

Sunday, we woke up in hopes of going to the sandbar ~ the low tide is not until 5, so we had to skip out! Mary Dalton was SO SO SO upset!!! So upset, that her Daddy promised her another trip down here before school starts ~ woohoo!!!

Our trip was wonderful! We enjoyed each other so much and made memories that we will never forget!!! I start back to work tomorrow teaching my last session of summer school, so this was a perfect end to my summer break!!!!

Walk the Plank Matey.....

2011-07-14T15:30:00.001-07:00

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My Sweet Girl

2011-07-14T06:53:00.001-07:00

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Dibble Dabble Dandy Trunk Show!!!

2011-07-13T13:12:00.000-07:00

I am soooo excited that I will have the Dibble Dabble Dandy trunk at my house in a few weeks!!!

Everything will be NEW ~ smocked and appliqued for boys (up to 5) & girls (up to 7).

There will be lots of cash & carry ~ I will post pics on my FB wall ~ as well as lots to order!!!

Stop by July 30th from 9 to 12 to take a look!!!

I will have the trunk for a week or so ~ so let me know if you need to come by another time!!!

Let me know if you are interested!!!

Move over Paula Deen ~

2011-07-13T03:09:00.000-07:00

While waiting on Dalton at HH Gregg ~ Mary Dalton & Jackson had a "Cooking Show" ~ Imaginations at work!!! (Just for you Nana!)

Mary Dalton's Cashing in!!!

2011-07-13T02:30:00.000-07:00

Back in May at Honor's Day ~ Mary Dalton got the award for the most AR points in her class. Her Daddy told her at the beginning of the year if she had the most points, he would give her $100...well, Priss worked and worked to be CERTAIN she would earn her money!!!

She decided she wanted her own TV in her room. I am TOTALLY aganist TV in children's rooms, but I have agreed to a TV with no cable!!! The TV she picked out has a DVD player built in, so she can watch DVDs that we approve! :)

Dalton had a meeting, so we waited at his office until he was done...
Jackson saw this pear tree and HAD to climb it!
Only Mary D. would pose with a pear!!!

When we came in Augusta, we stopped for gas ~ don't know ifyou can see this...but this is a Louis Vuitton car!!!! ha!!!This was CRACKING me up!!! WHY would ANYONE want this on their car!?!? I am sure Louis would not approve of the Crown victoria sporting his logo!!! ha!

We went to our favorite store ~ HH Gregg ~ you can find awesome deals here!!!

LOVE this pic ~ Dalton is checking out the TV ~ MDD is BEAMING!

(we found an open box item...it was $40 cheaper!)

So proud of Mary Dalton! I hope she KEEPS reading!!!

Jackson was a GREAT sport about his sister getting the new stuff!!! He just played and had himself a great time! He asked when he could get a TV and I told when he finished K5, had the most points in AR and $100. He said, "I am not spending my $100 on a TV! I am a saver, not a spender like Sissy!" ~ Very true son!!

All ready to go!!!!

She ADORES her daddy!!!

(I do, too!)

And this sweetheart surprised me with a trip by Starbucks before heading home!!!

I am in LOVE with a Java Chip frappucino ~ Oh my! It is SO good!!!

After all our running around and 4 hours of swimming yesterday ~

These 2 were OUT!!!!!

We put them right into bed and they never woke up ~ that's when you know they are worn out!

Jackson woke up at 3:50 SCREAMING ~ bad dream about someone kidnapping him. He was trembling and could not catch his breath. It scared me so bad! When I heard him ~ I did not know who was crying, where he/she was, where I was, or what was going on! Needless to say, he got in bed with us...and it took him 30 mins to go back to sleep and I just went on and got up for the day ~ hence the early a.m. blog entry! ;)

I am sure a nap will be in store later today!

The Dowdy's Doings ~

Happy Valentines Day!!!!

vegas

Internet diaster!!! :(

Vegas & Dalton's 36th Birthday!!!!

Chores and School ~

Tree House Fun!!!!

Whirlwind Week!!!

Jackson's BIG Purchase!!!

More of Jackson's Birthday!!!

Rodeo Fun!!!!

Happy 6th Birthday Jackson!!!!

Jackson's SIXTH Birthday Party!

Camo, A Surprise in the Mail & Love Letters ~

Banana Split Party!!!

Dance Lock In!!!

Let the Hunting Begin!!!

Back into the GrOoVe!!!

Happy New Year!!!!

Weekend Ramblings ~

Surprise Swim Day!!!

Battleship,Movies, Tree houses & New show!

Christmas 2011

Merry christmas

Jackson's "take" on the Lord's Supper ~

Christmas Cooking!

Tuttle Christmas Festivities ~

School Christmas Parties ~

Shop Til You DROP ~ or Run Out of Money!

Christmas Card Carousel ~

Pajama Day!

Fun Family Day at the Farm!

'Tis the Season To ~

Picnic, Presents and a Parade

Jackson's Baptism ~ 11/28/11

Just Say No

Our Week So Far ~

A New Window....

All Good Things Must Come To An End....

Christmas *DrEaM* List ~

Just Call Me Picasso!

Last Week Recap, Giving Back & Honeymoon!!!

These are a few of my FAVORITE things...

Cast Free, A Great Surprise & Funnies ~

Fun at the Farm ~

HALLOWEEN 2011

PARTY! PARTY! PARTY!!!

Jackson's Decision ~

Lots coming!!!!

Jackson's BIG BIG News!!!

Lots of Catching Up!!!!

A Manly Man

More Homecoming....

Object Day!!!!

Lots of "stuff" ~

Catching Up ~

I Am Looking for a Second Job ~

What We've Been Up To This Week ~ -

MRI Results ~

Somebody's Praying ~ I Can Feel It ~

Prayer Request for Jackson ~

Star of the Week, 32 hours and counting...

Pizza, Parties, and Peacocks, oh my~

One LONG Night, Star of the Week & My NEW Favorite Book!

Catching Up & Weekend Fun!

TGIF!!!!

Enjoying the Last Little Bit of Summer Weather...

Playdates, Parties, and Bird Hunting

Art Fun at School

Big Buddy/Little Buddy ~

Happy Labor Day!!!

I Had the Best Day With You Today....

Our Week So Far...

Weekend Wrap Up

Best Life Ever...

Totally Random Stuff ~

Birthday Week Wrap Up!

What a Week!!!

Mary Dalton's Art Birthday Party!!!!

1st Grade and K5

Christmas DrEaM List ~