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Ben's visit to the hospital

2011-12-27T18:24:00.001-08:00

It's amazing how brave my Benjamin is! He woke up with severe abdominal pain this morning. Never seen one of my children in that much pain. It reminded me of how I felt when I was in labor. After a trip to the doctor and hospital for ultrasound, X-ray and blood work we were exhausted. He slept for almost 4 hours and work up happy. The hardest part was seeing the sweet nurses try to draw blood from his little arms. The third time worked and they were able to get what they needed. He was so good and brave. I continue to be amazed at God's love for me. I was able to go through something that i never thought I could and keep it together. There is not much that is worse than watching your baby suffer! So thankful that he will be ok and seems to just be an inherited condition. I am also amazed that my parents were still here to help watch the kids while we tended to Ben. If the weather had been pretty yesterday they would not still be here to help. God is alway with me and he goes before me to work out the details and I am so thankful! Don't know what I would do without my Jesus!

Dance Observation Day

2008-11-18T08:42:00.000-08:00

Tony and I had a great time getting to see Abby dance last Thursday. It was family observation day at dance so we could see what they have learned so far. It is great to see your little one do well at something that they really enjoy.

Maggie Van

2008-11-04T11:56:00.000-08:00

I would like to introduce you to the newest member of the family. My sweet husband bought me a much nicer and safer van for his growing family. I am very proud of it. So blessed!!!

Pumpkin Bread

2008-10-31T12:07:00.000-07:00

I had a great time making Pumpkin Bread and gave some to my neighbors. Lee and Terri have been such a blessing to me. They have both helped my out when I was sick and kept the kids, and even let us go on the occational date. Not having any family around, I would have been lost with out them a times.

Goodbye Mama

2008-10-31T11:47:00.000-07:00

Tony's sweet Grandmother passed away Saturday morning while we were on the way home from our trip. She would have been 92 in December. She was such a sweet lady and an amazing cook.She loved all her Great Grandchildren. I am so glad that Abby and Libby with be able to remember her. Sam and Clara Kate may be too young to have a memory of her, but they will know her through pictures and some special video of her holding them as babies.

Sam and Mama had a special Spiritual connection that we will only understand when we get to go home to be with Jesus. It is sad that such a precious life is over, but I am excited for her to finally be in true peace and happiness with her Creator. She completed her work here on earth. She raised a daughter and a son, helped her husband run a business and took care of her mother. She blessed her family and friends with her gift of cooking and also had a large part of raising her Grandchildren Laura and Tony. They have fond memories of being at their house after school and spending summer days with them. We are all thankful and blessed that God sent this women to sew into us. She treated me like I was her own and always had a compliment for me. She was a true blessing!

Brantley is a magical place for the kids.
They get Grandy's walking sticks and go (horse stickn'). They love the wide open space they can run and play.

They get their little buckets and fill them up with rocks. Then they take them to the pond and throw them in the water. So much fun!

Leaf Peeping

2008-10-31T11:25:00.000-07:00

Here is a sweet picture of my little man wanting to go down all by himself.

We stopped at this beautiful view on the way to Cherokee, NC.

We had to try to catch Sam for a picture, since he was not cooperating.

So Big! (Sam not me :), even though I a getting there)
We stopped for a much needed rest after climbing a million stairs to reach a waterfall in Cherokee, NC.

We had a little hiking to do to reach the top, much easier then the stairs!

My 2 men!

So Pretty!
It was so nice and cool when we reached the top.

There was not as much water as expected because of a drought, but still worth it.

After the waterfall, we stopped at a Yogi Bear park that was close by.

A great place for camping.

Sometimes I forget how little she is.

After a long day of Driving, Hiking and Leaf Peeping, we were blessed with seeing some Elk on the way home. The male was amazing. I have never seen a rack like that. A hunters dream.

We had a great time observing them as they ate. Abby and Sam were amazed.

So Sleepy!

It was the end of a great day.

Dixie Stampede

2008-10-30T21:53:00.000-07:00

Abby had been waiting for months for the horse show. It was the 3rd year we have gone to Dixie Stampede. I had also promised Abby I would make her a special outfit for this special day.
Sam was not really into taking pictures They have a pre-show of a country band while we wait for the show to begin.

Sam still not wanting to take any pictures.

He perked up when the show started.

Then, it was over and time to go home. Abby and Sam had a great time.

Gatlinburg

2008-10-30T21:42:00.000-07:00

After almost 2 days of driving we got to Gatlinburg in time to go to one of our favorite places.

The Ole Smokey Candy Kitchen!
We got to spend some time walking around town and going to the Craft Festival.

Foggy

Rainy

Sunrise

We had great weather it was sunny and cool except the last day when we had to drive.

Happy Birthday to Me!

2008-10-30T20:55:00.000-07:00

I could not believe that Tammy had this basket of goodies for me. She had made me a mini quilted magnet. It fits me perfectly since I am fabric crazy. She made a scrap bag and pen cushion for my sewing. I just love the pink and brown fabric she used. There was a dish cloth that she knitted. She also sewed the liner for the basket and made me some natural hand sanitizer. There were some beautiful linens from Belgium and a Charlotte Mason book. Oh and I can't forget the cute little pumpkins that are now displayed to the dining room table. Some how this women that homeschools her 3 girls, takes them to dance and other activities 4 days a week made the time to make all of this amazing stuff for me. There is no greater gift when someone has taken to time to sit down and make something for you with their own 2 hands. You can feel love that was put into every stitch. Much love to my friend Tammy for the thoughtful and beautiful gifts. I am so blessed and thankful!

Harvest Party

2008-10-30T20:40:00.000-07:00

The kids had a great time riding in the back of the Kubota.

Emma had a fun surprise waiting for Abby when we got there.
My sweet friend Tammy had a beautiful table and some yummy food for the party she was so sweet to host. It also happened to be my Birthday.
A beautiful Turtle the kids found on their ride in the Kabota.

Sam had the most fun playing in the water and apples.

We all had such a great time and I was able to make a new friend. I am so blessed the Tammy went to the trouble to have this party for the kids. I had so much fun and I they even sang Happy Birthday to me. My birthday cake was a yummy Pumpkin Pie.

Pretty Girl

2008-10-30T20:37:00.000-07:00

We were waiting to see the doctor after having an ultrasound of our Baby BOY!

New Haircut

2008-06-19T20:27:00.000-07:00

I finally cut my hair. Unfortunately every now and then I feel the need to let my hair grow out. I forget that I am not 18 anymore and can have beautiful straight hair. I have had 2 babies that changed my hair from beautiful and straight to a frizzy mess. I am so excited to have finally found a lady I like to cut my hair after being back in Fairhope for over 2 years. I know all my friends will be glad they will not have to endure the poodle hair any longer. :)

Memorial Day Weekend Fun

2008-06-18T11:40:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day weekend Tony's Parents had special events going on all weekend for their church. We were able to drive up Saturday and spend the day.

It was a lot of fun.

Abby and Sam had a lot of fun fishing for the 1st time.
You can see Billy (Grandy) in the background sailing on his Sunfish.

Happy Birthday Sam

2008-06-18T11:18:00.000-07:00

We all celebrated with an icecream cone from Mr. Gene's Beans.

Then before we knew it, it was time for us to take Tara and Kirsten home.

This is Abby and Kirsten in their cute matching outfit at Kirsten's front door.

Those girls don't like saying goodbye to eachother.

Fun at the Beach

2008-06-18T10:59:00.000-07:00

We were able to get in a short beach trip while Tara and Kirsten were here.

The weather wasn't ideal, but the kids didn't mind.

Abby's Photography

I felt that Abby was able to capture the true beach experience in a fresh and new way. :)

You never know what you will get when a 3 1/2 year old gets a hold of your camera.

The Leonards Visit

2008-06-18T10:31:00.000-07:00

Fun at the Hangout

Abby and Kirsten had a lot of fun playing on the huge sand pile.

Patrick and Tara

Aren't they cute!

Sam seemed to have the most fun.

He ran up and down the hill a million times.

Sometimes he even rolled down it.

I am so glad that the Leonards were able to come visit us. Tara and Kirsten get to come often, but this time Patrick got to come with them. We all had a lot of fun. Eventually Patrick had to go back, but Tara and Kirsten were able to stay for a while.

Its Martini Time

2008-06-18T08:53:00.000-07:00

Our crazy friends Steve and Tina Martini came to visit us in May.

They have a son Zachary that Abby just adores.

Tony and I always look forward to their visits every year

because they are so much fun. We laugh constantly while they are around.

Good Times!

We better watch these two!

Abby and her Prince Zachary

Sam's 2nd Birthday Party

2008-06-18T08:43:00.000-07:00

Abby's 1st Recital

2008-06-18T08:42:00.000-07:00

A Day of Dance and the Library

2008-03-01T20:13:00.000-08:00

While Kristen was visiting us she was able

to go to her first dance class with Abby.

Abby had a great time showing off for her and Kristen

danced like a regular.

Abby's friend Emma taking a picture with her Mommy's phone.

Why don't I get to dance?

After dance we headed over for Story time at the Library

where Emma gets to give Abby some much needed computer lessons.

Mardi Gras

2008-03-01T19:51:00.000-08:00

We had a great time and we got more beads and

stuffed animals than we could carry.

Our neighbor Lee's Cinderella float.

Abby's favorite princess of course.

My little Cinderella

Sam holding a red puppy,

one of the many stuffed animals we caught.

A Day in the Country

2008-03-01T19:33:00.000-08:00

Lots of fun at Grandy and KayKay's house

in Brantley, AL

Feeding the Birds

2008-03-01T13:16:00.000-08:00

My sweet friend Tara and her little girl Kirsten

came to visit us. We decided to take the

kids to feed the birds since they refused to take a nap.

After a big afternoon of feeding the birds, playing on the beach,

getting some ice cream at Mr. Gene's Beans and then

going shopping at Walmart. Lets just say they slept really

well that night. Yeah for the mommies.

Good Times at the Bay

2008-03-01T12:10:00.000-08:00