Spring Day on the Farm

Two weekends ago (yes, I am very behind on blogging) we went to Spring Day on the Farm at Landmark Park in Dothan. The weather was beautiful! We had a yummy lunch and looked at all the exhibits. This festival displays life on an early 1900s farm. I am so glad I do not have to do laundry the way those ladies did. We saw a beautiful farm house and heard some awesome bluegrass music. Sweet E loved it! She loves to ride in her stroller, but you better keep that baby moving! She and Dada tested out the digs in a new Case tractor. One day we hope to get one with a buddy seat so that she can ride with him. We put her in this one and put on her seat belt. She just played and played. I was glad I volunteered to go. I will be out of town when the Junior Woman's Club has the inaugural Three Notch Market on May 1st. The chairman had members visit other festivals for ideas. Come visit our quaint little town and pick up a piece of local art while you're at it!

I've been wanting

to do this post for a while, but I kept putting it off. Maybe I'm to scared, embarrassed, lazy, busy...or a combination of several factors. Those things shouldn't be an excuse! What in the heck am I talking about? Accountability! I want to lose at least 20 pounds. I really would like to lose 25, but I'll start with 20. I only gained 27 pounds while I was pregnant, but I still drag about 15 of those around. Before I got pregnant I had about 10 pounds to lose to get to my "comfortable" weight. Everyone has their comfortable weight. Mine is 115-120. I am most comfortable in a size 4. I love when I wear a 2, but that takes lots of work. I love to workout! I really don't know where to fit it into my schedule at this time. There are no gyms with childcare in our tiny town. Oh if there were, you better believe I would be there. I used to be a gymrat! I would go for an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening...I had abs, I had muscles, I felt great! I want to be that weigh again. I am tired of digging through my closet and finding nothing to wear. I'm tired of taking out my frustrations on Brett because I am not happy with myself. Here is where I stand now (I can't believe I am posting this!)
Weight-somewhere around 145-150
Waist-31"
Hips-42"

So my plan is to work out with Jillian and follow a "strict" no matter what, good for me diet. Gone are the days of eating whatever I want and not gaining a pound.

What is my reason all of a sudden? Sorry, it's not because I want to be healthy! It's because I want to look good...ha ha. I love summer-tank tops, bikinis, dresses...you know, the whole bit. I'm too embarassed to even wear a sleeveless top now. I'm afraid my dimples will show. I know this all sounds a bit shallow, but inspiration has to come from some where right???

Just Ducky Originals

This weekend I am hosting a Just Ducky Originals trunk show. Starting in the fall I will be a consultant for our area. It is so fun to sit here surrounded by beautiful children's clothing. I just wanted to post in case any of you haven't heard about Just Ducky. There website is justduckyoriginals.com. The best thing about this line is the clothes are completely customizable(only at a home show)! It's what I would do if I could sew. You can change the fabrics, add a monogram or applique, and one of my favorite features of several of the outfits are that they are reversible. Get a little more bang for your buck!! Boys sizes are 6M-8 and girls are 6M-14. Let me know if you see anything you like. If it's shipped to me, shipping is free!

Here are a few of the pieces I have from the trunk, let me know if you want to stop by-

Reversible Orange Seersucker Turtle Outfit

A Whale of a Good Time!

I LOVE that white pique outfit for boys with the tan monogram. If we had a boy, he would definitely have this!

Ready for Independence Day?

Don't have children? Don't worry JD has a fabulous line of personalized jewelry(not the cheesy stuff) but great monogram pieces and Scout totes. What to see the jewelry? Email me and I'll send you a catalog.

Thank our soldiers and their families for our FREEDOM!

Two posts in one day...I know! I saw this on twitter a few minutes ago and it really hit home. Today in the third grade class that I work in, we talked about why we love to live in the United States. The overwhelming answer was "because we are free". Please read the blog link below. It is because of soldiers like this one and his family that we enjoy that freedom. Please pray for our troops and their families at home.

A Little Pink in a World of Camo

Ears!

Our little friend, Hadley had this same blog post title not too long ago. What is it with babies and their ears? Everly has been to the doctor every week for the last four weeks and will have to go two times next week. She started off with an ear infection, then double ear infections, then a check up to say she was better, yesterday her eyes were red and puffy. So she went to the doctor today. She has pink eye in both eyes. Also, her ears aren't better. She will go for an appointment next week to see if she needs tubes and her 9 month "well" baby check-up. I don't know how appropriate that title is. I just wanted to give y'all an update and ask for prayers for our sweet girl.

On a side note, I informed my professor that I would not be in class next Thursday( I told her the reason and that I could bring a doctor's excuse). I sensed a little attitude from her. What is it with college professors that they think their classes are the only thing of importance in your life??? I'm about to my wit's end with them! I'm afraid I my show my tail before too much longer. Hello!! I am human just like you! How about you ask me about my daughter and hope that she will be ok....instead of the make sure you let your team know! I am a responsible adult, that is why I am letting you know. I will not leave anyone hanging.

Sorry y'all thanks for letting me rant for a minute.

Will crawl for electronics!

Last Thursday Brett called me while I was on my way home from class and we were just talking about our days and such then he said...Everly just crawled over here to try to get the phone. No way! I didn't believe him. He had to put his mom on the phone so I would believe him. Luckily they caught it later on video. We've had to tempt her with remote controls and cell phones to continue. Come to think of it, my cell phone was missing for two days and we found it under the sofa...that probably explains it! Now she will do the task more willingly for toys.

She's started liking puffs (sweet potato and banana). She's also had real bananas...finally. I made her sweet peas and cabbage yesterday. I'll report later how she likes those.

Also, she's been a sick girl. I took her to the doctor last Friday. The problems with her eating stemmed from double ear infections. She was put on stronger antibiotics as well as nose drops. Dr. E didn't think she ever got well from the previous ear infection. He wanted us to call on Monday to report how she was feeling and to schedule a follow up appointment. I noticed her "wheezing", so I told the doctor about it. Who knew it would bring about 2o Q's?

Dr. E-Wheezing or rattling?

Me-Long pause.......(I've never thought of the difference...we've just called everything wheezing) Uh, rattling...I think

Dr. E-Laying down or sitting up?

Me-When I'm holding her, so sitting up.

Dr. E-Does anyone in your family have asthma?

Me-No, not immediate

Dr. E-Do you have a breathing machine?

Me-Uh, no

I think there were a few more...but I don't remember. He ordered a breathing treatment for E. She took it like a champ. No fighting at all. I was totally surprised! It's like she knew it would make her feel better. Dr. E came back to check her afterward and said it did help her breathing. He seems to think it was all part of her congestion. So now she takes two breathing treatments a day for a week(with a little dinosaur mask). She has her nine month appointment (wow!) in a little over a week, so he'll check her again. We are so thankful for Dr. E taking care of our sweet girl. He has been taking care of children in our town for at least two, possibly three generations.

My mom came down yesterday and brought E her Valentine and Easter gifts. E and mom had a great time playing and I had lots of fun laughing.

Other milestones this week-

Clapping, lots and lots of clapping! With us saying lots of "YAY!"

Also, we think she is saying "ki, ki" for cat.

Moving from a crawling to a sitting position

Please pray for our little friend, Hadley. She is having lots of trouble with her ears. We pray that is able to see the doctors that know exactly how to treat her.

Home Day, School Day

Kelly's Korner has Show Us Your Life Fridays. Today's topic is what is your typical day like...well, I don't think I have a "typical" day. I'll just give you an example of a day at home (the fun days) and a day at school (the gruelling days).

Fun day @home-Tuesday
Wake up at 5:30-help B off to work, iron if necessary
Take a few moments for myself (if the little one isn't awake by now) and have breakfast
Get Everly's breakfast ready and wait for her to wake up, throw a load of laundry in the washer
Feed Everly
Put Everly in the bouncy to watch Super Why! (her absolute favorite show)
Jump in the shower for five minutes, get dressed
Play with the sweetest girl ever!
Try to remember to put clothes in the dryer
Pick up all the never ending clutter!
Feed the sweetest girl ever again
Give her a bath and get ready for our playdate
Meet friends, have lunch and play!
Come home try to get Everly into her crib. She usually falls asleep on the way home.
Look over school work
Wait for Brett to get home and watch Everly
Drive an hour and a half
Sit in class for two and a half hours
Drive home and hour and a half
Get things together for the next day and go to bed---somewhere between 10:30-12:00

Gruelling Day @ school-Thursday
Up @ 5:15 take a shower, pray Everly doesn't wake up early
Iron, pack Everly's bag
Hair, make-up, feed Everly and get her ready
Make E's breakfast, to go
Get out the door by 7:00 at the latest
Take E to daycare
Drive an hour and a half to an elementary school
Teach a lesson to Third graders for an hour
Observe in the library for an hour
Drive 30 minutes to the university
Grab lunch and study for an hour and a half
Go to class for an hour and a half
If no homework go to Target....I heart Target
Call to check on Everly and how her day went
Grab dinner
Go back to class for two and a half hours
Drive an hour and a half home
Get things ready for the next day
Have about thirty minutes of me time
Go to bed between 10:30-12:00 depending on homework

Yes it's hectic! Yes, it's ridiculous! I go to class everyday of the week, driving at least an hour and a half one way when you count the detour time to take E to daycare. It will all be worth it in December when I graduate and get my dream job...a TEACHER! It's my calling and I can't wait to have my own class.

Miss Independent and a side of lunch date and words

Over the weekend we were out of town with the Alabama Young Farmers and Everly would not really eat well. Y'all know I am always bragging on her eating habits. I thought it was all the big kids and her being embarrassed...I know, probably not possible, but that is totally how she acted. She would eat her Mum-Mums, but nothing else. So this morning I chopped apples into tiny little pieces and steamed them. She ate them up! She also had a few sweet potato puffs, which she really didn't care for a few weeks ago. So now I call her Miss Independent and sing that Pink song...probably not the best song choice...guess it's good I don't know all the words.

Also over the weekend we got together with lots of friends for a lunch date at McAllisters. It was so fun to catch up with everyone. I do not see these girls nearly enough. I think we kind of aggravated the staff. We were there for a little over two hours.

The best thing about the weekend though was hearing the sweetest sound I've ever heard...our sweet girl saying "Mama!". She says it over and over now and I can't get enough of it. She also said Papa (Pop) and Baba(bottle). Three new words on Sunday! I can't believe how fast she is growing and how independent she is becoming!

I bless your name

This is a family that is from Montgomery now living in California. Listen as they share their story. Katherine is exactly right! I feel all of the things she talks about. I snagged this from a fellow blogger, Joy Portis. We actually graduated from the same high school. She is a few years older than me and I always thought she was so pretty when she came to the middle school to sell booster badges on Fridays. Turns out she is just as beautiful on the inside. I enjoy catching up with her amazing family when I have a little free time. Isn't God Amazing? Through lifes ups and downs his love never fails us.