snowed in day 3

Our beautiful view. I never noticed the sunset as much at our first house. I am glad we get to see it here.
My attempt at a gate to block him out did not work. He is SOOOO busy!!
Tasting the snow cream we made after playing in the snow.
My attempt at helping Hannah make a snowman. She was not much help and I am obviously not very good at making a snowman, that is why we have a dad. Hopefully he will be home in time tomorrow to make a big one before all the snow melts. I will be sure to post pictures if he does build one.
Even though she is not smiling in the picture she was pretty happy to be playing in the snow and was pleased with the snowman I made. She told me it was beautiful. Thanks Hannah!!

snowed in day 2

Little man checking out all the snow.
Just thought he looked too cute standing at the window not to take his picture.
Our view from the front porch. I never take pictures from the front porch. I wanted Derrick to see that you can't see the driveway or the road. There is snow all the way up to the front door.

videos of Hunter

The first video is of Hunter at MeMa's after Christmas playing with WeeOne. The second one is him doing his newest trick with his mouth. The third one is my turbo baby. I hope you enjoy!

no Frosty, but fun at the Tucker's

Hannah and I went out to play in the snow this morning, but there was too much ice on top of the snow. We did break through the ice but the snow was too dry to make a snowball, much less a whole snowman. The highlight of Hannah's day was that Mrs. Tucker called and wanted to know if she could come and play with Ainsley. Hannah was thrilled. I called to check on her and make she was being good. Mrs. Tucker said it took them a few minutes to warm up to each other, but once they did they had been playing good. She feed Hannah lunch and baked them cookies. She brought Hannah home around 2, pulling her and Ainsley on the sled. They were too cute. I wish I had taken a picture of them on the sled. Hannah said they played dress up, like princesses, just played in the little house, ate lunch and cookies, and then rode on the sled home. She must of had a great time because she did not fuss about taking a nap and is sound asleep. Thanks Mrs. Tucker for having her over. It was a much needed break for Hannah and I both.

sweet people

I work with the best people in the world and have the greatest students (most of the time). When I got to school on Monday there was a plant waiting at my door. Dr. Roberts had brought it for me. I told her that I remember MaDot always having plants like that in her house. On Wednesday Preston, one of my students brought me beautiful flowers and an apple. He said, "I just wanted to bring you an apple, but my mom said you would like flowers, so we brought you both." Several other students brought me cards or their parents sent emails. Then on Thursday my AWESOME team cooked dinner for me and the kids. We are still enjoying it!! They fixed poppy seed chicken, green beans, spinach dip, salad, rice crisp treats, chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin bread, rolls, and tea. We are set, which is good since we are snowed in. Thanks girls for fixing us such yummy food. I am so thankful for all of my team, they take care of me, pray for me, and are always willing to help. I love you all and could not do it without you. (I should have taken a picture of all the food.)

snow day, with some snow

He is just too cute!!!
Our beautiful view.
Can you see the redbird in the tree? It landed on the porch when we were coming in and then flew to the tree. It was so pretty in the snow.
Hannah measuring the snow. 2 inches with more to come tonight.

We were happy to have another snow day. We get five days and we are using number 3 today. Hannah has been in a mood so we did not go out to play in the snow, we just went out to measure. She is big into measuring everything these days. I told her I wanted to take a picture of her and Hunter first. He was not a fan of getting all bundled up so go out, but did not fuss once we got outside. It was a little windy and I think it took his breath. I told Hannah there would be more snow in the morning and if she was good we would go out and play then.

sunset

When we got home tonight Hannah asked me for the camera. I gave it to her and this is the picture she took. She said, "I just wanted to take a picture of the beautiful sunset." It was beautiful. Good job Hannah.

fun with Papa & Nana

Today Hannah and Hunter were able to spend the day with Papa, Nana and Uncle Kyle. I have been glad to have them here with us to help with the kids. It was nice to get up and get ready for work and not have to take the kids on my first day back at work in a week. I think they all had a great day. Thanks Nana and Papa for keeping them, and Uncle Kyle too.

happy boy

Hunter is trying to cut all four top teeth. I thought he would like chewing on these teething biscuits. I think I was right. He loved it and ate the whole thing. They are a little messy so he only gets them before bath time. I will be so happy with those top teeth come in, but I am sure not has happy has he will be.

Zoo Run, Run

Today I did my second 5k at the zoo. I did not run but one day last week because of all that was going on. Honestly I have not run much since the last 5k I did the first of December. I still finished 2 minutes faster. Julia could have finished much faster but she waited on me. Thanks Julia. It was good to have Stephanie and Ruth with us this time. Hopefully by the time it gets warm we will have the whole K team with us. We had a great time at the run and going to dinner after.

Hunter's ear recheck and sad morning

I took Hunter back to the doctor this morning to get his ears rechecked. She said there was still some fluid in them, but it was clear so she was not going to give him any medicine. She did not hear any wheezing. We are going to keep praying that his ears and lungs will be clear and that he can be well for a while.

With that good news we went to get in the car to go take checks by both kids daycare. I put Hunter in the car, closed the door and went to get in. When I pulled the handle the door was locked. I looked in my purse for the keys and they were not in there. Yep, I locked my sweet bud and my keys in the car. I called Papa to bring me a key so I could get in the car. Thank goodness he was here for the weekend or I would have been calling a locksmith. Hunter was okay at first and then when he saw me he started crying. Papa got to us really quick so he was not locked in the car for long. I felt, and still feel, like the worse mom ever. I had just talked about locking keys with the car with Nene the other day. I called to let her know that I finally did it. Hunter must not have been too mad at me. As soon as I got in the car he stopped crying and went to sleep. Not how I wanted to start my day, but thankful Papa could come to our rescue. Thanks Papa!!

army shirt

Aunt Jan gave Hannah a shirt from her school. It is camouflage and says The Ridge, for Blue Ridge. When she first got the shirt she said it was a boy shirt. We were just going to be hanging out at the house so I asked her if she wanted to wear this shirt. She said, "Yes, I will wear my army shirt." I have never talked to her about the army. She loved wearing her army shirt all day. I have always dressed her girly, so it was funny for me to see her dressed like a boy today. I really wanted to put a bow in her hair, but she said she was fine without one. She did let me put a little clip in, so her hair would be out of her face. Thanks Aunt Jan for the army shirt.

the ride home

Hannah colored this at lunch. Not only did she color very neatly and in the lines, but she colored it in a pattern and not just a AB, but an ABC patten. I have some kids in my class who do not color this neat and who can't do patterns still.
This is how Hunter sleeps in the car. It makes my neck hurt. Can you see that he has no socks on. He takes those off and then goes to sleep.


The kids did really well on the way home today. Hunter slept most of the way, with his little neck looking like it was going to break. Hannah watched movies and played with her purple touch screen. I was glad to have Uncle Kyle drive us. I was able to read my book until it got too dark. I was also glad that he was driving in the terrible rain/storms we came though. Thanks for getting us home safely Uncle Kyle.

Hannah's first sleepover

After MeMa's funeral I took Hannah to the Hayes'. The girls were so excited to see each other. Hannah had not been with any kids since Friday and she was missing her friends. I told her this morning that if she was good all day she could go to Mattison and Sophia's to spend the night. She was so excited. When I dropped her off and told Donna to call if I needed to come get her. She said they would be fine. I got a text later that night that said they had baths and were in the bed. Donna asked Hannah if she wanted to call me and she said no. Donna said she thought it was because Hannah thought if she called I would come pick her up. I was a little sad she did not want to call me, but I am glad she stayed and had a GREAT time. When Donna brought her to me this morning she was all smiles. She told them she would come back tonight to stay again. I think she would move in with them. Thanks Donna and Matt for having her over. She had a great time.

Ma Dot's funeral

Today was Ma Dot's funeral. It was really a sweet service. I think she is the best grandma ever, but I am partial. I saw lots of people today that I did not know and they all had great things to say about her. She lived out her faith every where. I know that many people will miss her. On the way to the grave side Hannah asked me why everyone was so sad. I told her that they were sad because MeMa had gone to live with Jesus. She said, in her 3 1/2 year old seriousness, she is not gone she is in the front car. I had to laugh. She has been good comic relief for me. She asked me what it meant to be buried. I tried to explain it to her. I will have to take her back the next time we come to SC to show her what MeMa is buried. I told her we could get flowers or something to put on her grave.

I am so proud of Hannah and Hunter. They were both so good the whole time we were have the visitation, funeral and grave side service. I could not have asked for any better.

Thank you for everyone for the prayers, calls, texts, FB messages, for keeping my kids, for the food, and for so much encouragement during this difficult time. I am so glad that Ma Dot did not have to suffer or spend any more time in the hospital, but wish she was still here with us. I know she is having and great time in heaven and that I will see her again one day. That will get me through the times I miss her the most.

my little drummer girl

This is for you Uncle Bert. I will send her to you for lessons.

to be as carefree as Hannah

We took Hannah to the funeral home tonight to see MeMa. I did not know how she would react to seeing her and I did not want her to see her for the first time tomorrow when we went for visitation and the funeral. Daddy, Mama, Kyle, Hannah, and Hunter were the only ones there which was nice. I tried to talk to Hannah on the way there. When we walked in she looked around and then we took her up to the casket. She looked at MeMa and said, "Who is that?" She does not really look like her self. Part of me was relived that Hannah was not upset to see her and part of me was sad that she did not even recognize her. I think she will be fine tomorrow, much better than the rest of us. She is just carefree, accepting and trusting. If adults could only be the same way. I hope she will just always remember the fun times she had playing with her.

fun at the park

We decided to enjoy the pretty weather today. I think it did all of us some good to be outside. We had a good lunch with Papa, Nana and Uncle Kyle. After lunch we went to the park. It was a little wet, but it did not stop us from playing and having a good time. Thanks Papa and Nana for lunch and for going to play with us. (Hunter is not crying, just rubbing his eyes because he is so tired.)

Ma Dot

Today Ma Dot went to be with Jesus. We came to SC this weekend to see her and spend some time with her. Daddy called me last Friday, Jan. 8 and told me that she was in the hospital with double pneumonia. They found a mass in her left lung that they were concerned about. They did a test on Sunday and found out the mass was cancerous. I talked to Daddy, Mama, and Aunt Jan and they all said it would be best for us to come in this weekend. I got us all packed up and we left Friday night at 6:30 pm. We did not get in until 1pm (our time) and it was the longest ride to SC I think I have ever had. Saturday morning we got up and Derrick and I went to the hospital to see Ma Dot. I wanted to see her first before I decided what to do about taking Hannah to see MeMa, that is what she calls Ma Dot. I visited with her for a little while and asked her if she would like for me to bring the kids to see her. She said yes she felt up to it and she did not look bad to me so we came back and got the kids. Hannah was so sweet to her. She talked to MeMa, held her hand, and gave her a hug and kiss before we left. Hunter gave her some good smiles and waved to her. Ma Dot was all smiles. We did not stay long because she was getting tired. I went back to the hospital Saturday night. I got to spend some time with Ma Dot alone. I laid in the bed and talked to her for a while. It was a very special time for me and I think she enjoyed it too. Sunday we took the kids back up after lunch. Hannah did not have much to say to her and would not hug or kiss her. She did take her a picture she had colored and wrote her name and I love you on. Hunter was sleep and I laid him on the bed beside her. I think she enjoyed that. He slept and she held his little hand. Derrick took the kids home to nap and I stayed at the hospital. She had LOTS of visitors and I did not get to spend that much time with her. But I saw her several times and gave her and kiss and told her I loved her each time. She always smiled and told me she loved me. When Daddy and I got ready to leave I told her I would be back to see her in the morning before we left to go back to TN. She said ok and that she loved me. I got up this morning and was going to take Hannah with me to see MeMa before we left. Hannah decided that she wanted to stay and watch Micky Mouse, but said to tell MeMa hey and she loved her. I went on to the hospital alone. When I got there just Charlie was with her. He asked if I could stay a while so he could go home and get ready to is mom's funeral. I told him I would be glad to. I told Ma Dot that I would stay until 11:30 and then Linda would be there at 12. We talked some off and on. and when I left I told her I loved her and I would see her soon. She said she loved me and that she was going to take a nap. While we were eating lunch Mama called to tell me that Ma Dot had passed away. I was in shock. I had just left her and she was fine, it had only be about thirty minutes since I left. I was sad I left, but glad I was able to spend time with her this morning. I hate that Hannah did not go with me, but I would not have been able to stay as long as I did if she would have been with me. God knew I needed that time with her. When I left lunch I was upset and Hannah asked what was wrong. I told her that I had to go back to the hospital because MeMa had gone to be with Jesus. She said she thought her lungs were going to get better. I told her that when Jesus can't make us better on earth He takes us to heaven to make us better. She has prayed for MeMa's lungs to get better since we told her she was sick. She told me one night that Jesus had made Uncle Kyle's lungs better so He could make MeMa lungs better. She asked on the way to the hospital the first time why we had to go to the hospital to see her. I told her she was sick and that she might not get to go back to her house. She said, or she might. She has so much faith. I should be more like her. As sad as I am that Ma Dot has gone to be with Jesus I know that she is much better there than here. I have lots of good memories of her and I am so glad she she was able to spend time with Hannah and Hunter. Hannah loved her and I know she will miss her as well. I pray that everyone will focus on the good times they had with Ma Dot and how much she loved all of us.

Thanks for taking time to read this very long post. It is more for me, but I wanted Hannah and Hunter to have it as well.

lunch with the Tipton's

After church today our Sunday School class went to have lunch with the Tipton's. They are leaving this week to move to New Orleans to start Hope Church. We are going to miss them all. Please pray for them as they move and start the church there. Hopefully we can visit them this summer and maybe they will come back to Nashville to visit once in a while. Love you guys and will be praying for you daily.

my precious kids

I took the kids to get their pictures made this morning. I have not had their picture made together since Hunter was 1 month old. They both did great. These are just a few of my favorite. I can't get the others turned the right way. I will try again after while.

playing in the snow

Hannah has been asking since she heard the weatherman say it was going to snow if she could make a snow angel and a snowman. I told her she should pray and ask Jesus to send her lots of snow. He did not send lots, but enough for her to make a snow angel. She also wrote her name in the snow and just enjoyed running and dancing in the snow. Hopefully we will have more snow before the winter is over.

another SNOW DAY!!!

I love to watch him sleep. He has learned how to push the button to turn on his mobile and will play with it until he goes to sleep.
Hannah wanted all of her babies to watch a movie with her. Two of them are on the other couch asleep. Patrick wanted to be held to go to sleep she said. You know like Hunter does sometimes. She misses nothing.
Cooper and Hannah enjoying a little snack and watching it snow.
Wild man can GI Joe crawl and is really fast. I was afraid he never would and now I will never be able to sit, even for a minute. He is a busy boy!!

We did not leave the house all day. We were glad to have Kylie come play this morning and Cooper come this afternoon. I did not get a picture of Kylie and Hannah this morning, but got one of Hannah and Cooper eating their snack after lunch.

SNOW DAY!!!

Hannah love the snow this year and Hunter wanted no part of it.
She loves some jewelry. She wanted to wear it to the doctor's office. I finally talked her into leaving it at home.


I am so excited that I had a snow day today. I know I just went back to school, but it is still fun to be out for snow. It did not really start snowing until about 10am and them snowed off and on all day. We had fun playing and only had to go out to take Hunter to the doctor. I am glad they already decided that we have no school tomorrow, I love a 4 day weekend.

Hunter's 9 month check up

Hunter had a good check up for the most part. The doctor was pleased with his development and how social and happy he is. She was not pleased with how is ears looked and that he had only gained a pound in 3 months. He weighed 19.8 pounds and was 29 inches long. She said to feed him whatever we wanted, just not peanuts/peanut butter, milk, or eggs. She said hopefully he will start taking his bottles good again and gain a little more weight by his one year check up. She said both of his ears were infected and that she could still hear a few wheezes. We will go back in two weeks to have his ears recheck. She said we are one ear infection way from tubes. Hannah went with me, since I kept her home from our snow day and she was a very good girl.

Mom, help my leg is stuck

That is what I heard Hannah yelling from her room. I went to check on her and found that she had somehow gotten both legs in one leg of her pajamas. She was crying and I was laughing so hard I was crying. I carried her in the kitchen so Derrick could see her. He told her she looked like a mermaid, which she loved. She asked if she could put on different pajamas before going back to bed.

giving blood

I gave blood for the first time tonight. When Kyle was in the hospital he was give almost 50 pints of blood/blood product. I had never given before because I did not weigh enough. I don't have that as an excuse anymore, so when they asked in Sunday School if anyone would like to give blood I signed up. I was a little nervous, but it was not bad at all. I did not know all that went into giving blood. You have to answer a million questions, have your temperature checked, blood pressure and pulse check and have your finger pricked all before they tell you if you can really give any blood. I passed all the "test" so I was able to give. I am glad I gave and will donate again.

Hunter is 9 months old

He did not want to sit still for long.
Can you see this 3 little teeth. His top gum is swollen, but no top teeth yet.
Hunter is still just as happy as ever. Even when he is sick he is still happy. I took him to the doctor this morning because he is still coughing so bad. She said that it is just the after effects of the bronchiolitis. She said his ear were a little pink but she would not call them infected so she did not give us any medicine. We are just praying he stops coughing soon. He goes Thursday for his 9 month check up.

Happy New Year

WOW!! I am excited to start a new year. I like new beginnings and I am hopeful for a great year. We had a lazy day at home. I did go to the grocery store, so now we can eat for at least a week. We just played at home and kept unpacking. I hope that all of you had a Happy New Year and that 2010 is great for you.