Here Comes The Sun

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-28T18:42:00.002-04:00

2010-03-19T08:22:00.002-04:00

Took this last night. It's the view of Buckhead of my apartment. Nice and all, but I would rather be looking out at the ocean. Shortly after I took this picture, I had one of the worst nights of my life. Woke up this morning after a few hours of sleep to find out that the outcome was better than I had expected (even though is still pretty much sucks). I am so hurt and sad. And I'm afraid that things will never be the same.

But maybe that's not such a bad thing.

2010-03-16T20:11:00.004-04:00

DON'T LET UNEXPECTED SITUATIONS "THROW" YOU

That's what the fortune in my fortune cookie said today. Easier said than done, I thought. So far, for these first 3 months of 2010, it seems that life is most definitely throwing a few curve balls at me and my family.

In January, we had to say an unexpected good-bye to our pitbull Samson who had to be put down after discovering he had cancer which was spreading throughout his body. We miss him so much. Some may say he was just a dog, but to us - he was a cherished member of our family.

February brought about the most unexpected event which shook the very core of our foundation when my mom was diagnosed with cancer. She has b-cell lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. She began chemo 2 weeks ago and is feeling well enough, but is starting to loose her hair. We went wig shopping last Saturday. I am so thankful she seems to have a good prognosis, but the c-word is still so very scary.

Yesterday, I received the unexpected news that when my lease is up in May, I have to move out of my apartment so that is can be renovated. Which means I have 2 months to find a new place to live. Or figure out if I am going to stay on at my current job or find something closer to my hometown so I can help my mom out when she needs me. There is a position open near the airport that would be ideal for me. I could move into an apartment close to my family and commute pretty easily. But leaving my job - especially my kids whom I have come to absolutely love - would be no easy task. Plus, I can't be sure they could match my current salary. Oh, and there is the small fact that they haven't even contacted me saying they received my application. *sigh* Honestly, a big part of me feels like I need to stay here and see my class through until they move into preschool in the fall of next year. If that is what needs to be done, then I have some apartment shopping to do.

So these things on top of a problem with one of my brothers which has caused a lot of heartache and stress during the most difficult times has equaled quite a series of unfortunate and unexpected events in my life and the lives of those I love.

There have been plenty of happy times in between. My niece Aubrey turned 6 years old and is starting to loose some of her baby teeth which she is thrilled about. My niece Ashton turned 14, the same age I was when I got to meet her for the very first time. I've reconnected with a lot of my extended family - on my mom's side - through face*book, including cousins, aunts and uncles. My parents have a new puppy named Sassy who seems to be the perfect addition to the family after the loss of Samson and Spike (last year). And my family is planning a big Cocoa Beach / Disney trip at the end of the year to CELEBRATE LIFE!

I don't know what other unexpected situations will be thrown at me next, but I pray that God will guide me through all of this and help me to make the right choices for my future.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. "
- Jeremiah 29:11

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas...

2009-12-15T22:25:00.011-05:00

I have to admit that I'm getting a little homesick this Holiday season. However, I am still 100% sure this is where I am suppose to be right now. I am very grateful that in the midst of the recession I was able to better myself. But I am also grateful that I didn't have to move very far away to do that.

I loved decorating my place this year. It definitely makes it feel more like home! Of course, it also helps having my yorkie Cassie with me! And I don't think I mentioned it here but I got another kitten who I named Luna. She is quite a little stinker, but she keeps me very entertained to say the least!

Last month, I took my 3 oldest nieces out for another one of our girl days. We had so much fun! I so look forward to spending time with those girls. They are so funny, sweet and beautiful (inside and out)! Sidney (9) even gave up going to see the new Jim Carrey Christmas Carol movie on IMAX with her church group to have our girl day! We went to the mall where we shopped around and had lunch. The highlight was seeing Santa Claus having lunch a few tables away. Ashton (13) went right up to him and he asked her if she had been a good girl this year.....haha. Of course, we had to hit up Barnes and Noble where we gathered up as many Bog and Tiger Beat (or whatever it is they read nowadays) magazines as we could and sipped on some lattes/mochas/hot chocolates while we decided that Sidney and I are Team Jacob while Lindsey and Ashton are Team Edward. Later, We met up with my sister-in-law and some of her friends to see New Moon afterwords (not a fan of the Twilight books but I do like the movies....crazy, I know.) Afterwords, Lindsey (13) and Sidney gave up going out to eat with their friends to hang out some more with Ash and me. I am one lucky aunt!

Last week, Tori came to visit me and we had way too much fun. She sent me a message on facebook recently saying how sometimes we are the only ones who think each other is funny. That is so, so true. One of the many reasons she has been my best friend for 20+ years.

Note to self: Holiday Nog is gross.

Definitely having myself a Merry Little Christmas this year!

Pumpkin Patch

2009-10-28T19:15:00.009-04:00

So it's been a month since my last post. Life is still pretty crazy here in ATL but I am definitely getting the hang of things. I was able to take a quick trip up to the Smokey's with my best friend which came right at a time when I needed it the most! We were actually driving out of Atlanta the day after the flood which put most of our city (including the street I live off of, but thankfully not my apartment complex) under water. When I got back home I adopted a kitten. She was found in the flooded backyard of one of my old coworkers' brother. I wanted to keep the trend of naming all of my pets from now on after characters in books. So I named her Luna (from the HP series). She is CRAZY but she keeps me entertained and has a very sweet side, too.

Last weekend I went with my mom, sister-in-law and 3 of my nieces to the Pumpkin Patch down the road from my parents house. We had a great day! I love the Fall!

Goodbye Boo

2009-09-20T17:29:00.002-04:00

My sweet little kitten died yesterday from coxitia (sp). I was at the emergency vet with him until almost 4AM on Friday night/Saturday morning after I noticed how lethargic he had became Friday evening. They did all the could for him. I was so hopeful that he would pull through. Last night, while I babysit for my youngest 2 nieces, I heard his cry out from his bed. I went to him and picked him up and held him. He began gasping for breath. A few moments later I realized he had taken his final breath. It was so sad. I have had pets pass away before, but never as a baby. His little body stayed warm for quite awhile after he died. We held him and kissed him. My dad buried him this morning. I'm gonna miss that sweet little baby boy so much!

Life in the A-Town

2009-09-14T20:41:00.006-04:00

So I am slowly adjusting to life in the ATL. Actually, I think I'm adjusting better than I thought I would. I still get homesick from time to time, but usually only when I'm back at home. It hits me how much my life has changed and I start to miss the way things use to be. When I come back to my apartment and my job, I remember how proud of myself I am and how much of a good change this move was for me.

My BFF Tori came to stay with me for Labor Day and we had SO MUCH FUN. There is never a limit of things to do when you live in the city. I loved being able to drive downtown to the Georgia Tech Barnes & Noble. I could spend HOURS there! We drove all over Buckhead, too, and I'm really getting the hang of the crazy traffic around here.

This weekend I got a baby kitten! He is about 5 weeks old and he is a Main Coon. I named him Boo Radley. He and his sister were found without their mommy. Tori has his sister, Sheerah. Tori's mom took both of them to the vet today. My little Boo has an Upper Respiratory Infection. Thankfully, he got the medicine he needs and hopefully he will be better in no time. He is so tiny! He's not even on food yet - just drinking kitten formula from a bottle. I just love him to pieces (so does my Yorkie Cassie) and am so glad I have this little man in my life!

Peace Up, A-Town Down~

MOVIN' ON UP....

2009-08-18T18:57:00.005-04:00

So I've lived in metro Atlanta my whole life. I have a very comfortable, suburban life here: friends, family, and a job I love (most days). I like having the city close enough to me so that I don't miss out on anything, but I like coming home to "the country". I like going into work super early so that I can have the afternoon to my leisure. I like going to my friends house at night and hanging out. I like going to "my" movie theater - the same one I basically lived at when I was a teenager. I like my big family dinners. I like that my brothers live no more than 15 minutes away. I like the close relationship I share with my nieces because I have always been here at home with my parents to be apart of their daily lives. I like that the church I go to is made up of many of the same people I've been going to church with since I was 5 years old. I even like this old house that I have lived in since I was 11.

I always thought, as a teenager, that when I turned 18 I would hit the road and never look back. But that didn't happen. I started working full-time after high school and eventually started college. My parents went from 2 of my worst enemies to 2 of my best friends. My nieces were here every day and I loved, loved, loved watching them grow up. All of the sudden, I couldn't image not living close by my family. So I stayed in my little garage apartment and got very comfortable - always with a tinge of guilt that I never "left the nest".

A couple of weeks ago, I started the process of interviewing for an amazing early childhood facility in Buckhead. Monday I will begin work there fulltime. And the last week of this month, I will be taking a huge step and moving out on my own. About time, right?!

I am so excited to be taking on this new adventure. I will be moving into the ATL. Although it has always been home to me, I have never lived IN the city. I can't wait.

And yet there is a very big part of me that will miss this life I love sooo much. Almost every aspect of my life will change in some way. I know it's whats best for me. I know I am doing the right thing. I know that this is what God wants for me. That is the biggest thing for me. I prayed and prayed that God would show me what I was suppose to do - stay at home or spread my wings. I even got a little discouraged wondering how he would answer me. And even though I can't really explain it, He made it known to me that my time has FINALLY come.

Harry Potter Fanatic

2009-07-22T13:56:00.005-04:00

Tomorrow, I'll be going to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince for the 3rd time. Later this month, I will be seeing it again when it comes to IMAX. I don't think I've ever really talked on here about how much I love, love, love Harry Potter and the magical world he lives in.

I guess I was a late HP bloomer. I didn't start reading the books until just before the first movie came out. And it was only because my older brother - who doesn't like to read - was raving on and on about how good the books were. I figured if he liked them then they had to be good, right? I fell fast and hard for the Boy Who Lived. And I idolized JK Rowling for creating this magnificent world in which I escape to. For the releases of Half Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows I was at the midnight release parties at Barnes & Noble with friends and family wearing my MUGGLE t-shirt. Yes, I AM A DORK. I can prove that by admitting I have a 2009 Harry Potter calendar and a poster of Dumbledore's Army on my wall. I am 26 years old.

Tiffany was a huge Harry Potter fan, too. We were so excited for the last book. She died six months before Deathly Hallows was released. It was very bittersweet for me and her mom (who also loves HP).... so excited to find out what happens to Harry, but so sad that Tiffany wasn't there to enjoy it all with us. I was in tears within the first minute of reading the book when I came across this...

Death is but crossing the world, as friends do the seas; they live in one another still. For they must needs be present, that love and live in that which is omnipresent. In this divine glass they see face to face; and their converse is free, as well as pure. This is the comfort of friends, that though they may be said to die, yet their friendship and society are, in the best sense, ever present, because immortal.

How perfect is that?

Pool fun and a foster dog...

2009-07-10T21:17:00.008-04:00

Summer has been pretty good to me so far. This time last year I was looking forward to vacation in one of my favorite places... Cocoa Beach! I wish I could say the same thing now. But I'm still enjoying summer nonetheless. =)

At the moment I have a cute little terrier mix who I'm keeping as my "foster dog" until I can find a good home for her. She is a sweetheart and fits right in, but we have our hands full with Cassie, Maya, Samson, Chance and Beau the cat! Just can't afford another pet as much as we love her. I'm praying that she will make someone out there a very special companion soon! She's such a good girl!

Worldess Wednesday

2009-07-08T20:16:00.001-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-10T20:35:00.004-04:00

Summertime Picture Overload!

2009-06-08T16:57:00.003-04:00

Back to Tennessee...

2009-05-31T16:00:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow I leave for Tennessee for the week. I can't wait! It will probably be awhile before I can update my blog again with pictures because I have lost my usb cord to my camera. I'm gonna have to order a new one. In the meantime, I am just going to enjoy summer. I am about to head out to the pool for the first time this year. Still got packing to do tonight! Waking up early tomorrow to hit the road. I can't wait!

Shake it!

2009-04-27T19:47:00.002-04:00

I took my 13 year old niece Ashton to the Believers Never Die concert last Thursday here in Atlanta. We had a blast! Her favorite band, Metro Station, was one of the supporting acts for Fall Out Boy. We also saw Cobra Starship and All Time Low, but missed out on Hey Monday because we got there a little late. No worries...as long as she could scream over Metro Station it was all good. I took her to see them back in July at Six Flags. Between the heat and the chaos of the open concert it was pretty crazy, but we had a great time regardless. This time around we were able to purchase tickets and we really happy with our seats and the concert was amazing. I hadn't heard much from All Time Low or Cobra Starship in the past but was really impressed by their live shows. Of course, we loved Metro Station and Fall Out Boy. Unfortunetly, it being a school night, we left before the Fall Out Boy encore but we were happy to get out before the rush and could not have had a better time. =)

Almost Wordless Wednesday..

2009-04-22T21:15:00.003-04:00

Just had to make a note that this is my 100th post! Also, I am getting 10 inches cut off of my hair tomorrow for Locks of Love!

Soccer Aunt

2009-04-18T17:29:00.007-04:00

So my 5-year-old niece is playing soccer. It's only a church league but she is loving it. Watching these kids play is just about the cutest (and funniest) thing ever!

Easter Sunday

2009-04-12T19:32:00.005-04:00

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3

Spring Break Pictures!

2009-04-05T13:05:00.012-04:00

We are back from St. Marys and had a great time. We spent a day at Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island in Florida, and a day at the Jacksonville Zoo. The girls really enjoyed themselves at the beach and the zoo and loved going back to the house we stayed at in St. Marys. Spring Break 2009 was definitely a success!

Fernandina Beach...

Jacksonville Zoo...

Downtown St. Marys...

St. Marys

2009-03-31T18:50:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow, we head South to the Georgia coast to the town of St. Marys. I'm excited to see a new place and get acquainted with the coastal side of my great home state. I'm also really looking forward to a much needed break from daycare life!

Goodbye, Spike...

2009-03-12T11:03:00.004-04:00

Last night around 9:30 my dog Spike passed away. We had Spike for eleven years. The past three have been full of setbacks and hardships for our chubby, little guy. He had a grand-mal seizure in October 2005 which nearly claimed his life. Our vet told us we needed to consider putting him down. But we decided to bring him home - as long as he wasn't in any pain - and attempt to nurse him back. Spike "told" us he wanted to keep fighting by his determination to walk again. It wasn't easy, but he made nearly a perfect recovery. Diagnosed with epilepsy, he required daily care and medication but he was never a burden. We loved him and would do anything to keep him with us for as long as he showed us he had the will and desire to live. We have said countless times over the almost 3 1/2 bonus years we had with him how glad we are that we didn't give up on him.

There has never been and will never be another dog like Spike. He was truly one in a million! Someone once described manchester terriors as "out of the ordinary" and that was definitely our Spike! He was corky, gentle, lazy and loving. We will miss him every day.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-11T12:34:00.000-04:00

Aubrey's Royal Party

2009-03-09T14:49:00.009-04:00

We celebrated Aubrey's 5th birthday with a princess party on Saturday. She invited her cousins Sidney & Heaven and her friend Rachel. All the little girls dressed up like princesses and had tea (or punch), colored, played pin the crown on the princess and snacked on cupcakes, chocolate covered strawberries, chips & dip, and candy. They all played so well together. Aubrey said it was her "best party ever" so I guess it was a success....

Aubrey is 5!

2009-03-05T15:16:00.005-05:00

Yesterday was Aubrey's 5th birthday. She has grown up so much! She is reading now and has her first soccer practice tonight. She got the Barbie Jeep she has been wanting for months. I'm taking her to Build-a-Bear tomorrow and Saturday is her birthday party. She is so excited to finally be 5 and feels like there is so much that she can do now as a 5 year old that she couldn't do on Wednesday when she was still a 4 year old. She is so cute!

Ash-baby, Linz & the Sidster...

2009-02-21T11:29:00.003-05:00

With schools around here out this week for Winter Break, my oldest niece Ashton has been staying with me. Yesterday, we picked up Lindsey and Sidney and went out for another Girl's Day. I took them to the mall and to Barnes and Noble and we had a great time. They are so silly and I love being silly with them. It's hard to believe Ashton will be 13 years old in 4 days! That is how old I was when she was born. Man, do I feel old! Good thing I have them around to keep me feeling young. Love those girls!

Reality TV...

2009-02-07T17:14:00.007-05:00

There was a time when I hated reality tv. Now it is the only kind of tv I watch (or should I say that my DVR is set to record...apart from Family Guy, hehe.)

Monday it's Jon and Kate Plus 8 and 17 and Counting
Tuesday and Wednesday it's American Idol
Thursday it's Hell's Kitchen
Friday it's Wife Swap and Supernanny (sometimes)
And Sunday it's Extreme Makeover Home Edition

Wow... what has become of me?

Thank God Big Brother doesn't come back until the summer. Not only does it dominate my tv, but I end up buying into the Live Feeds on my computer as well. Sheesh.

One Moment...

2009-01-09T18:11:00.004-05:00

I'm not good at the whole New Years resolution thing. I can't say that I've ever truly kept one. Seems like every year "loose weight" is on the top of my list. As it is again this year. But there is one other goal that I want to achieve more than anything else in the world...

I want one moment of pure bliss. Just one would be good enough for me. One moment when I can look around me and feel in my heart that it just couldn't get any better then this. One moment when I can actually say that "my cup overfloweth", instead of being "half empty". It's been a damn long while since I've even been able to look at it as "half full".

I guess it's more like my goal in life and not just for 2009. Just one moment...

Fourth Folder, Fourth Picture

2009-01-04T11:56:00.003-05:00

I saw this on someone else's blog. You are suppose to look in the fourth folder (of wherever you store your pictures) and choose the fourth picture and talk about that picture. So here goes...

I love this picture, and the memories that come along with it! This picture was taken 3 years ago on the 15th of this month. It was the day we arrived in Cape Canaveral, Florida to board the Disney Wonder! I had dreamed about going on this cruise since I was about 13 so this was truly a dream come true for this Disney lover. My family got to skip to the front of the lines and board before most everyone else because this was my aunt's second cruise with the Disney Cruise Line. After we put our luggage in our rooms, we went up to the 9th deck where they were serving pizza. We were amazed by this ship! I snapped this photo of my then 9-year-old niece Lindsey and 5-year-old niece Sidney. We were so excited! And it was just the beginning of 4 days of pure bliss.

Favorite Foto Friday

2009-01-02T21:08:00.004-05:00

I haven't done a Favorite Foto Friday in awhile so....

This Friday's theme is Favorite 2008 Foto. I spent the whole year taking tons and tons of pictures of 2 of my favorite things.... my 3 and 4 year old nieces. It seems like I would take 10 just to get that 1 perfect picture. But THIS picture was perfect from the first shot...taken last month. My mother ended up framing it and giving it to me sister-in-law and brother as a Christmas gift. I just love it and I sure do love them, too...

Happy New Year! Here's to a fabulous 2009!

Christmas Eve

2008-12-24T11:46:00.003-05:00

The sleigh was all packed, the reindeer were fed
but Santa still knelt by the side of his bed

'Dear Father,' he prayed, "Be with me tonight,
There's much work to do and my schedule is tight.

My sack will hold toys to grant all kid's wishes.
The supply will be endless like the loaves and the fishes.

I can do all these things, Lord, only through you.
I just need your blessing ,then it's easy to do.

I do this only to honor the birth of the one,
that was sent to redeem us, Your most Holy Son.

So to all of my friends, lest your glory I rob,
please, Lord, remind them who gave me this job."

Lake Lanier Night of Lights

2008-12-23T21:14:00.010-05:00

I went to Lake Lanier last night to see the Night of Lights. It was beautiful. It is said to be the world's largest animated light extravaganza. I have to admit that the Osborne Family Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios would give it a darn good run for that title...definitely my personal fave. But here in the ATL we have Lake Lanier....And the Night of Lights was spectacular! I couldn't resist Spongebob....But, hey, who can?

And being the Oz lover that I am this was pretty wicked too...
But, of course, the best part was the focus on the true meaning of Christmas...
At one point, we headed over to see the Live Nativity Scene which was lovely! Real donkeys, sheep, goats and, um.....camels....

Sheesh...talk about ruining the moment. But seriously, even God has a sense of humor, right?

At the end of the night we headed to the fair which was pretty much the hit of night. Simply because when me and my BFF Tori get together its like we are kids all over again. We have way too much fun together. This is us with our mama's...
It was a beautiful night and I am so glad that I went! I think I will make this a Christmas tradition for as long as I call Atlanta my home. Good show, Lake Lanier!

Oh Santa

2008-12-21T13:05:00.001-05:00

"Ewww gross! Santa is picking his nose!"
-Aubrey Lynne

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells....

2008-12-17T13:59:00.005-05:00

Jingle Bells...
Aubie smells...
Daddy laid on egg...
Wait...what?

Stone Mountain Christmas

2008-12-14T16:45:00.013-05:00

Yesterday, I went to Stone Mountain Park with the fabulous Beddingfield family. We had a blast! I grew up going to Stone Mountain in the summer time - climbing the mountain and watching the Laser Show at night. But I've never been in the winter before.

Despite the chilly weather, we had a beautiful day spent watching Christmas shows, riding the train around the mountain, seeing the 4-D Polar Express show, listening to Christmas carolers, and watching the Christmas parade. They even had fake snow over the town during the fireworks display that night! It was great!

We had many good laughs throughout the day, too. I just love this family.

Then Sings My Soul...

2008-12-03T17:47:00.006-05:00

I don't usually write about these kinds of things on my blog, but lately I've been pretty down and out. I love my job, but I need to find something else with room to grow. I've looked and looked and it just seems like there is nothing else out there for me! That on top of other things have really been bringing me down. The lower I got, the more afraid I was that somehow God had forgotten about me. Then today something was said by someone that gave me so much peace and I immediately knew that God put that person in my life at that moment because He knew I needed that reassurance more than ever before. I am so glad that I am a child of God. I couldn't make it without Him.

How great Thou art.

Tattoos 4 Tiffany

2008-11-22T16:23:00.008-05:00

I never thought I would get a tattoo. It was never on my list of things to do. But I also never thought I would loose my best friend to a freak accident when she was only 26 years old. Her sister Victoria and I had been best friends since we were 3 years old. When Tori moved to Florida when she was 19, Tiffany and I started hanging out and over the next 5 years we became the best of buds. When she died, I lost a friendship that was very dear to my heart. Tori lost not only her best friend but her only sibling.

So yesterday, we walked into Ink Wizard and got our tattoos for Tiffany.

The tattoo artist's name is Chris Huff and he had about 10 awards for Artist of The Year. He has done a couple of my brothers tattoos. He was a great guy and did an awesome job.

I got mine done on my ankle and, man, did it HURT! I only asked him to stop once - lol! I just needed a little break from the outlining. After that, I felt fine and when the shading started it really stopped hurting and just became pretty dang irritating! But never unbearable. It was so worth it!!!

Tori got hers on her back. She didn't even flinch! We got the same one - a scorpio with Tiffany's initials LTB (stands for Laura Tiffany Beddingfield). I was very proud of the both of us and I think Tiffany was, too.

We sure do miss her. But it's not just our skin she is burned into...it's our hearts. We love you, Tiff!

A day at the park...

2008-11-19T21:23:00.002-05:00

26

2008-11-15T15:28:00.003-05:00

Today is my 26th birthday. Don't ya just love it when your birthday falls on a weekend? =)

Going out to eat tonight with family to my favorite Chinese buffet (I love me the Chinese food).

My best friend and her family threw a surprise bday party for me last Thursday. It was great! We had hot wings and nachos and watched Tropic Thunder (I laughed until I couldn't breath) and Wall-E.

Tomorrow is Tiffany's birthday. She would be 28 years old. Tori and I are going to hang out and try to make the best of it. Next Friday, we are going to Ink Wizard to get our Tiffany tattoos. I'm nervous - it's my first one. But I'm also really excited and glad to be doing it.

Happy Birthday to me.

A "Girl Day"

2008-11-12T17:45:00.003-05:00

Last Saturday, I kidnapped Ash-Baby, the Sidster and Linz so we could spend a Girl Day together. We did lunch at the mall and then hit the movies to see Madagascar 2. Then, of course, we stopped by Barnes & Noble/Starbucks so we could sip on our lattes, iced mochas, and hot chocolates while they caught me up on all the latest gossip - you know, like who Joe Jonas is dating and what Miley Cyrus is wearing and all that is happening in the "teen scene". We ended the day with a few pretty funny (and G-rated) prank calls while I drove them home. They are all absoultey adorable and I am so loving watching them grow up....seeing the young woman they are becoming. I am honored to be a part of their lives and I hope when they grow up they will have lots of good memories of times spent with their "Cole-Cole". I know I will cherish the memories I have made with them forever. Man, do I love being an aunt. =)

Rocky

2008-11-05T18:10:00.002-05:00

The past couple of days, Aubrey has been playing with a rock she named - what else - Rocky. She colors it and cleans it and loves that stupid rock. Yesterday, she spent a good 10 minutes in the bathroom scrubbing some dirt off of "Rocky". When she was finally done she told her mom and I, "Look! I got that stuff off of Rocky!" "Oh cool, Aubz" we said and continued on with our conversation. Then she added excitedly "...with my toothbrush!" Uh-oh. Eeew. Looks like Aubrey will be getting a new toothbrush. Me thinks maybe she needs a REAL pet, too!

Election Day

2008-11-04T12:44:00.006-05:00

I voted 2 weeks ago, and I am very anxious/eager to find out who our next president will be! I can only imagine how McCain and Obama must feel. May the best man (which I pray is McCain) win!

Halloween

2008-11-01T13:53:00.009-04:00

Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays. I didn't really celebrate that much during my teen years, other than a few trips to Six Flags for Freight Fest, but I sure have been enjoying going trick r treating with Aubrey and Savana for the past 4 years!

This year, Aubrey was a little angel and Savvy was a little devil! They were too cute!

Since the Halloween festivities have died-down a lot in my neighborhood during the past few years, we headed straight for my brother's neighborhood this year - which is only about 3 or 4 miles away from where I live. His large neighborhood really gets into it and there were children and families everywhere out trick r treating until way after dark. It was so much fun!

When we weren't on foot, we were riding in the back of my brothers truck around the neighborhood. It's usually really nice here in Georgia on Halloween night, but this year we had to bundle up. Man, was it cold!

The girls really got into Halloween this year and it was so cute to hear Savvy say "Twick or Tweet!" to everyone.

Every year, my best friends family throws a Halloween party. We have lots of Halloween treats and, of course, we watch It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! I look forward to this every year. So obviously when I spotted Snoopy on his pumpkin (you know - the one he flies to France on?) I had to get a picture...

When we got home we raided the girls candy and had hot chocolate! Sugar overload! Halloween 2008 was great!

Pictures from Savvy's Birthday Party

2008-10-27T18:01:00.004-04:00

Wicked!

2008-10-25T22:32:00.004-04:00

Today, I went with my mom and my niece Ashton to see Wicked at the Fabulous Fox Theater in Atlanta. It was incredible! I am definitely a big lover of the theater and have seen lots of plays and musicals at the Fox. Wicked is my favorite so far! I downloaded the soundtrack earlier this year and fell in love with the music. Seeing it all live was simply breathtaking and amazing! I was beaming throughout the whole thing. Wow!

Don't Blink

2008-10-19T20:20:00.002-04:00

I blinked and suddenly they went from babies to this...

Wordless Wednesday

2008-10-15T10:58:00.002-04:00

Happy 3rd Birthday, Savvy!

2008-10-14T14:33:00.010-04:00

Today is Savana's (my youngest niece) 3rd birthday! She is such a big girl now. There is just something about the age 3 that makes them so much more a "kid" and not so much a "baby" anymore. Regardless, I've said I will continue to refer to her as "the baby" until she claims otherwise, or the title is stripped away from her (ie. someone has a baby - and that someone is not going to be me!) which I'm sure she wouldn't mind!

"Savvy" as I like to call her is a pure ray of sunshine. She came along a little unexpectedly 19 months after her sister. It just goes to show how much the Lord loves to bless His children. Because my family has been blessed over and over again by this sweet 'n' sassy little gal! She is so funny and quick-witted. She keeps us in stitches! She likes to sing and play with her big sissy - whom she thinks the world of. She's an animal lover (like her Aunt Nicole). She's independent and can entertain herself with her imagination for hours. She's into Dora the Explorer. She's a mommy's girl, but her daddy's spittin image! She doesn't like swimming or playing in the sand at the beach, but she loves going to the park and riding her bike. She's very smart and can put together big girl puzzles quicker than any other 2...oops, I mean 3 year old I know! Yep, Savvy is the icing on the cake and we sure do love that spunky baby girl!

Halloween 2006

2008-10-13T17:31:00.005-04:00

For some strange reason, I didn't get any pictures of the girls last Halloween. So I thought I would put up some from 2006. What a fun Halloween that was! It was the first time we were able to take Savvy trick-r-treating and both girls had so much fun. Aubrey was a Care Bear and Savana was a duck. We went door to door in our neighborhood (which seems to be running out of young children to trick-r-treat with). Last year (Aubrey was a ballerina and Savvy, a ladybug), we went to a local church where they were having a festival and the girls got to play a bunch of games for prizes. After that, we went to my oldest brothers neighborhood which was packed full of kids trick-r-treating. We plan on hitting that neighborhood again this year.

Savana is having a Halloween birthday party this year! Tomorrow is her actual birthday (3 years old!) and her party is this weekend. I am so excited to decorate for it! I've always wanted to help throw a Halloween party! So this year our little sweetheart Aubrey is going to be an angel and Savvy, the one and only, is going to be a little devil!

Anyway, here are a few pictures from Halloween 2006....

What nice teeth you have, Sissy!

Thankfully, Aubrey just missed that big pile of poop it appears she is about to plow into....

Happy Girls

2008-10-08T16:24:00.002-04:00

Stately Oaks

2008-10-06T18:27:00.009-04:00

Back in August, my mother, sister-in-law, niece and I went to Stately Oaks for my cousins baby shower. Stately Oaks is a plantation in historic Jonesboro, Georgia (my hometown) and is the home of Gone With The Wind!

Aubrey really enjoyed looking around the plantation and learning a little bit about the Old South...

Favorite Foto Friday

2008-10-03T13:18:00.015-04:00

Summer Memories...

Swimming at Nanny's...

Downtown Disney...

Captain Jack Sparrow????

JUMPY McJUMPEPRSON!!

Savvy's first time seeing the ocean...

Late nights at the Cocoa Beach Pier...

Surf's Up!

Collecting sea shells...

Road trip to Tennessee with Tori...

Taking Ash Baby to see Metro Station at Six Flags....

Summer 2008, you will be missed!

Angels Among Us...

2008-10-01T13:23:00.002-04:00

Word-filled Wednesday

2008-09-24T12:28:00.002-04:00

Matthew 5:16
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven."

2008-09-19T13:59:00.002-04:00

"Look Aunt Nico-we, I'm peddawin!"
-Savvy

Word-filled Wednesday

2008-07-23T12:41:00.006-04:00

"Above all, love each other deeply..."
1 Peter 4:8

I love Cocoa Beach!

2008-07-22T17:15:00.005-04:00

I'm off again...

2008-07-10T15:42:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow morning, at the crack of dawn, my mother, brother, sister-in-law, three of my nieces and myself will pile (safely) into a car for the drive South to Cocoa Beach, Florida! We'll be back next Wednesday. I just love Florida - especially Cocoa Beach. I'm so excited!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-07-09T17:12:00.005-04:00

Happy Independence Day!

2008-07-04T18:43:00.015-04:00

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal...."

My family had a great time celebrating...

We actually got a picture of both of my parents with all 4 kids...

Here are my brothers David and Jason with their families...

My brother Robert with Lindsey and Traci...

Aunt Diane (who turned the big 6-0 yesterday) and cousin Holly (who is about to be a mommy for the first time!)....

We couldn't get enough of baby Kason...

Kason is the 7 month old son of my brother David's step-daughter Shealee. We just adore this little guy...

And, of course, a lot of pool action was going on....

Happy Birthday, America!

Smokey Mountain Summer

2008-06-29T17:10:00.011-04:00

I had a blast in Tennessee. I sure do love the Smokeys! It's always fun to explore Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, play putt-putt, visit the Cat House (a favorite spot of ours), relax at the cabin and go swimming! There is just something about the Smokeys that really brings out the best in me!

The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge...

Photo op at the Cat House....

The view from near our cabin...

The HUGE cross on our mountain....

Gatlinburg...

Historic Ogle Cabin built in 1908...

And no trip to Pigeon Forge is complete without a stop at the Christmas Shop...

I brought back some goodies from Lid'l Dolly's for Aubrey and Savana..

There is nothing like a Smokey Mountain Summer!

Back in the ATL

2008-06-28T21:31:00.005-04:00

I got home last Thursday and I'm already missing my Pigeon Forge! Here's a little clip I recorded at the Ripley's Old MacDonald mini-golf coarse with Tori, Jerry and Gayle... I sure do love them! I laugh more when I am with them than I do with anyone else. They are an amazing, loving, wonderful family and I sure do adore spending time with them. I know Tiffany is looking down from above and feeling so very proud of the way they are living their lives....always with her in their hearts and minds!

I'll add pictures from the trip soon. =)

2008-06-23T06:39:00.000-04:00

I'm off!

She's got it!

2008-06-19T12:40:00.002-04:00

Fancy Step...

She can go backwards...how about you?

Word-Filled Wednesday

2008-06-18T12:51:00.016-04:00

Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
Psalm 33:3

I love summer!

The swimming, the sun, the extra family time, the traveling, and - even though I'm 25 - the no-school part!

Next week, I'm heading up to Pigeon Forge with my BFF (22 years and counting...) Tori and her awesome parents who have rented a cabin for all of us. We have so much fun every time we go. I am SO EXCITED about this trip!

Yesterday, my dad (aka Yaya) rescued a little frog from our pool. The girls, especially Savvy, loved this little guy...

Aubrey Jumps Rope

2008-06-15T12:55:00.002-04:00

Aubrey has recently learned how to jump rope - and she is really good at it, too! She saw a Kid Songs video where a bunch of kids were jumping rope to the song "Skip To My Lou" and for the past couple of weeks she has been determined to learn. She practiced and practiced until she finally got it down to near perfection! She can also jump backwards and with one foot! Now she is determined to learn how to cartwheel....its only a matter of time. Once she sets her mind to something, watch out!

I didn't learn how to jump rope until I was in elementary school. Aubrey just turned 4 three months ago! She is one amazing kid!

The Sidster

2008-06-14T13:03:00.005-04:00

Yesterday, my 8-year-old niece Sidney informed me that her new nickname is "Sidster". (She has been called Jelly Bean by her daddy since she was a baby.) Well.... the "Sidster" sure is a sweet, funny, out-going, intelligent, happy little gal and I sure am proud to be able to call her my niece! I was lucky enough to have her in my Baby Room class (I was the assitant) way back when I first started in child care. She was such a chubby, bubbly baby! All these years later she is still just as bubbly as ever. She loves horseback riding and soccer. She is a huge animal lover (takes after her Aunt Nicole) but she especially loves horses. She has a crush on Dylan Sprouse and she collects (and loves) Webkinz. She can make friends with anyone and beware.... she can and will talk your ear off! If I had to choose a nickname for her I think it would be "Little Miss Sunshine". She sure does brighten up my life!

Word-Filled Wednesday

2008-06-11T21:22:00.003-04:00

This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Psalm 118:24

Let's Switch Places...

2008-06-09T16:37:00.006-04:00

Yesterday, my 4-year-old niece Aubrey and I were watching The Parent Trap. She liked it so much that she started scheming up a plan for her and I to "switch places". We drew masks of ourselves and she was so excited to show everyone. I wore the mask she made of herself and she wore the mask I made of me. She honestly wanted us to "swap houses" for the night and try to fool everyone. She's a riot! She is so creative and loves to cut, paste and draw. We had a lot of fun!

Later on, Aubrey made Savvy a mask of her very own...

Pirate Piggy's & Crazy Cats

2008-06-04T14:08:00.006-04:00

Savvy has been running around calling herself a pirate piggy (or "piwate piggy"). LOL! Where does she come up with this stuff?

My cat Matilda can always be found hanging out around the pool. I thought cats hated water? Go figure....she's a weird one.

Weekend fun in the sun!

2008-05-26T14:50:00.007-04:00

We officially "opened" our pool this weekend and we had a blast swimming yesterday...

Aubrey is a little fish...

But Savana is going to take a little coaxing...

Wordless Wednesday

2008-05-21T13:26:00.001-04:00

Lindsey is 12!

2008-05-18T19:14:00.004-04:00

Today I went over to my brother's house to celebrate my niece Lindsey's 12th birthday. Lindsey (the one in the middle) has grown up so much and she is such a sweet, caring, respectful, smart, beautiful young woman! She dreams about attending the University of Georgia someday and she is already working very hard to make that dream come true. She is very sporty and especially good at basketball. She loves Aeropostale and she collects Webkinz. She's a Nascar lover and a Braves fan. She's on the Honor Roll at her middle school and she is just an all-around great kid! It's hard to believe she is almost the same age I was (13) when she was born. I pray that she continues to grow in the Lord and stay strong as she approaches her teen years.

Field Trip

2008-05-16T19:58:00.007-04:00

Today I went with my niece Lindsey (who is turning 12 tomorrow) to the CNN center in Atlanta. She called me about a month ago to ask me to go with her on this field trip with her middle school. I am so glad that my preteen nieces feel close enough to me to actually want me to be their chaperon on field trips. Lindsey and I had a great time. She is such a good kid. I've always thought that. And seeing her interacting with her peers just proved that to me.

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T12:03:00.013-04:00

"Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her. There are many virtuous and capable woman in the world, but you surpass them all!"

-Proverbs 31:28-29

My mother has been doing the "mom-thing" most of her life. Being the oldest girl of 7 children, she always helped to take care of her siblings. She was the mother of 2 by age 20 and eventually became a single mom - raising her boys single-handedly until she met my dad. Then when my brothers were teenagers, she started all over again with 2 more children - including me! Now that all of her kids are grown up, she is helping to raise her 5 granddaughters. She is a wonderful mother (and Nanny) and basically makes our world go round. What would we do without her!?

Happy Mothers Day, Mom!

Word-Filled Wednesday

2008-05-07T15:50:00.005-04:00

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love endures forever.
Psalm 136:1

Favorite Foto Friday

2008-05-02T14:25:00.012-04:00

This weeks theme is Having a Ball!

I have the perfect pictures to share as my Aunt Sue was visiting from Florida last week and bought my youngest nieces, Aubrey (4) and Savana (2), a t-ball set and a golf set. They were... well.... a hit.

A little help from Aunt Sue...

I guess sticking your tongue out helps...

SWING, BATTER BATTER, SWING....

I think Savvy would make a better caddy than golfer....

Word-Filled Wednesday

2008-04-30T13:57:00.001-04:00

I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:1,2

2008-04-26T20:23:00.003-04:00

Have I ever mentioned I'm a major Renthead? I've also turned my 12-year-old niece into one as well. When I heard that Rent was closing on Broadway this year, after a 12 year run at the Nederlander Theater, I was thinking up ways that I could get myself to NYC to see it before it ends. Financially, I knew I would not be able to do it.

So you can imagine how excited I was when, at 5:45 am Thursday morning, as I sat drinking my coffee before heading out to work, I saw a commercial that Rent would be at the Fabulous Fox Theater here in Atlanta this weekend! I freaked out and was able to get tickets for my niece and me.

We did have to sit in the gallery (the top of the balcony) but we didn't mind a bit and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The tickets were relatively inexpensive, too. I'll be singing Seasons of Love for the rest of the weekend! =)

Wordless Wednesday

2008-04-23T13:28:00.002-04:00

Weight....and Depression

2008-04-22T12:39:00.007-04:00

I have been struggling with my weight for over a decade. I was thin as a child, but very inactive. I was the kid who would rather sit under my favorite tree and read a book. Or play with my dolls. I was never interested in most sports. Watching or playing them. I did love to ride my bike, though.

I hit puberty early. I would say I was probably 9 or 10. This is when my love for sweets and my inactivity began to hurt me. I got a little chubby. I wouldn't say I was overweight, but I definitely wasn't skinny. The older I got, the more weight I put on. In high school, I always thought of myself as FAT, but looking back at pictures I really wasn't *that* big. I could have probably lost a few pounds, but I definitely saw myself as being much heavier than I actually was. I was embarrassed by my weight and refused to play any sports...because I wasn't good at them AND because I didn't want people to point and laugh at the fat girl trying to keep up with everyone else. ;-)

I guess you could say I was pretty depressed in high school. I hated going to school, even though I loved my friends dearly. I had extremely low self-esteem and I felt fat and stupid and ugly. To make matters even worse, I had acne and XL ta-tas (something I had surgery to fix 4 years ago). So, yes, you could say I was pretty depressed.

At 19, my doctor put me on some anti-depressants. But that didn't help. Eventually I was somehow able to pull myself out of it and for about 4 or 5 years I was depression-free. Working full-time. In college. Great family. Good friends. And even though I still loved to eat, I was pretty happy with my life in general.

Then Tiff died. Depression re-entered my life and I discovered that I am definitely an emotional eater. Since last January (2007) I have reached the 200 lbs. mark (and then some)... something I said I would never do. Even I can easily see how much weight I have put on. Tiffany's death made me question my own life and what I was doing with it. Why can't I get a better job? Why am I still living at home? Why am I still single? Why can't I keep up in class? Why am I all the sudden so very lonely all the time? Why can't I be a better Christian? I wanted all these answers and more immediately. But I had no idea how to change things. So I just gave up, pretty much. I had an 'I don't care' attitude about myself. And the weight continued to pile on.

Over a year later, I still have my bouts of depression. I am mostly able to convince myself to "embrace my circumstances" as my pastor says, but since I want desperately to change them it is hard to embrace them all the time. This past month has been particularly hard as I have been questioning whether or not to continue on with my Education degree. Teaching is just not where my heart is, at the moment. I'm not exactly sure where it is. Or what I want to do with my life. Which is probably why I have been so down lately. I've decided to take the summer off from school. I'm not even sure if I will go back in the Fall. I'm a simple girl... all I want is a good job and a place of my own. (Yes, I know that the good job will come from school but...) At this point, I just need change. Normally I hate that word - the "c" word - with a passion. Right now, I have never needed anything more.

The one thing that needs changing the most is my weight. I simply cannot gain another pound. And while it seems at times that I can't gain control of any aspect of my life these days, I *can* be in control of my weight. So I'm starting the Lose Weight Diet (lol) which is basically just cutting calories. It isn't a quick weight-loss plan that you can't stick to. I don't have to buy any expensive foods or join any clubs. I just need to eat less, eat healthier and exercise more. I don't know much about diets, but I do know that if you want it to work, it has to be a way of life.

And so it has begun. I hope that as I learn to control my weight, I also will learn how to rise above my depression instead of feeding it. =)

Wordless Wednesday

2008-03-26T18:07:00.001-04:00

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T11:21:00.001-04:00

— Matthew 28:1-6 —

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay."

Favorite Foto Friday

2008-03-21T13:49:00.009-04:00

The theme this week is Easter Memories!

2006...

The Easter Bunny comes to our church every year in a helicopter...

Savvy wanted to hide an egg, too...

Last year...

Wordless Wednesday

2008-03-19T19:27:00.003-04:00

Favorite Foto Friday

2008-03-14T15:11:00.006-04:00

The theme this week is Spring Fever!

We sure do have Spring Fever around here. Last Saturday, my niece Ashton (who was spending the weekend with me) and I woke up to this...

Yeah, yeah, yeah... I know this is nothing compared to what the rest of the East coast got this winter. But for Atlanta, it's a pretty big deal. We very rarely ever get snow. This winter, it has snowed 3 or 4 times here and since we are moving to Florida soon, I definitely welcomed a snowy winter - even if it was only a couple of inches and only stuck for a day...hehe. I'm not sure when I will get to see another one!

A few days after this picture was taken (Wednesday, the 12th to be exact) my 7-year-old niece Sidney and 11-year-old niece Lindsey came over after school and, along with my 4-year-old niece Aubrey and 2-year-old niece Savana, they all had a pretty good time enjoying the beautiful 70 degree weather outdoors...

Wordless Wednesday

2008-03-12T15:30:00.001-04:00

29 Years...

2008-03-11T13:57:00.013-04:00

Today is my parents 29th wedding anniversary. They could not possibly be any more different! My dad is a Southern boy, born and raised in Hapeville, Georgia (the home of THE redneck Jeff Foxworthy himself...in fact, Jeff was best friends with my dad's cousin growing up. ha!) My mother is from Yonkers, New York, and still has that New York state of mind. My dad is a jokester and a former Marine, cop, hair stylist, fireman and private investigator. He tends to look on the bright side of life no matter what; he has a red-headed temper, but never holds a grudge. My mother is busy 24/7, you will never see her sit down for a second unless The Andy Griffith show is on; she keeps house like no ones business and raised her four children completely selflessly. At the time of their marriage, they had both been married previously and my mother had 2 sons from her previous marriage. My brother Jason was born a year after they were married and I followed a couple of years after that. My dad worked 3 jobs at times so that my mother could be a stay-at-home mom and so that they could keep Jason and I in a Christian school. They are wonderful parents and created a picture perfect childhood for my brother and I. They sure are on odd couple, but I wouldn't have them any other way.

Today, when I got home from work I saw this....

My parents had bought the exact same card for each other for their anniversary....which is the exact same card that they bought for each other last year!

The mind goes first, ya'll. ;-)

Monday Memories

2008-03-10T12:42:00.015-04:00

In January 2006, my mother, brother Robert (he goes by Steve), his wife Traci, and my nieces Lindsey and Sidney met up with my Aunt Sue (who lives in Florida) in Cape Canaveral, Florida to go on the vacation of a lifetime! I was particularly excited because I am a SUPER Disney fan and there is no place on earth I would rather be than at Disney World. When I was about 12 or 13 and saw the Disney ship on a commercial on TV it became one of the top things I wanted to do in my lifetime. The trip surpassed my wildest expectations. We spent a day and a half at sea, one day in Nassau and one day at Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. It was a dream come true and we had the time of our lives...

Sunday

2008-03-09T13:20:00.010-04:00

"The sky broke like an egg into full sunset and the water caught fire."
-Pamela Hansford Johnson

Favorite Foto Friday

2008-03-07T14:43:00.005-05:00

The theme this week is ONE YEAR AGO.

My 5 favorite people approximately one year ago....

Ash-Baby chillin out...

Linz & Sid playing on the puter...

Aubz and her Bitty Baby...

Savvy's got the blues, but Elmo's happy...

Birthday Pictures

2008-03-06T13:11:00.011-05:00

Aubrey Lynne, My Darlin'

2008-03-04T21:44:00.007-05:00

Today we celebrated my niece Aubrey's 4th birthday. She is an amazing little girl who not only has brightened up our lives from the moment she was born, but she also brought us all together as a family. She is compassionate, loving, brilliant and beautiful. I feel honored to be a part of her life and so proud to call her my niece and goddaughter. Love you, Aubz!

Favorite Foto Friday

2008-02-29T16:04:00.004-05:00

No particular theme this week so I thought I would add a cute pic of my nieces Ashton and Aubrey. This picture was taken almost 2 years ago. I chose this picture because both girls are celebrating birthdays...

Last monday, Ash-Baby celebrated her 12th birthday! WOW!!!! Ashton is the biological daughter of my brother David, but was adopted at birth. Her awesome adoptive parents wanted her biological family to be apart of her life, so since her 1st birthday she has come to stay with us at least once a month for the weekend (usually every other weekend). She is such a happy, sweet, well-adjusted child whom I absolutely adore. I cannot imagine what the past 12 years would have been like without her!

Aubrey will be 4 years old next Tuesday. She is my godchild and I've been a part of her daily life since the moment she was born. That little girl has a bigger piece of my heart than she'll ever know! She is so incredibly bright for her age... it really shocks people that she is only 3 years old. You forget that your talking to a small child when you talk to Aubrey. Not only is she gifted intellectually, but she is also a very compassionate and loving child. She is simply amazing.

Recently Aubrey told her mom that she wanted to play Pretty, Pretty Princess with her mom, my best friend Victoria and me. She said, "You and Victoria can be on a team and me and Aunt Nicole will be on a team." When her mother asked her why she didn't want to be on her team Aubrey said, "Because I want to play kids against grown ups!" I laughed so hard when Robin (Aubrey's mom) told me this story. All of my nieces call me a "grown-up kid" and I absolutely love it!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-02-27T12:46:00.002-05:00

Favorite Foto Friday

2008-02-22T20:19:00.007-05:00

The theme is then and now. This week I'm going to feature my niece/goddaughter/namesake Savana Nicole, who is 28 months old.

I didn't get my first digital camera until she was 2 months old so...

Then...

*EDIT* I just found this picture on a disc of Savvy just a few minutes after she was born. That's her big sister Aubrey seeing her for the very first time...

And now...

And here is a pic of the sisters today...

Almost Wordless Wednesday

2008-02-20T12:22:00.003-05:00

Compassion

Favoritie Foto Friday

2008-02-15T14:43:00.008-05:00

This week's theme (hosted by Kiss The Frog 4 Me... a lovely blog I have been following for a few months) is SLEEPING ANGELS...

That is my precious niece Aubrey, now almost 4. This was taken when she was about 8 months old. How cute is she?!

Happy Birthday to her daddy - my brother - who is turning 28 today. Happy B-day, Jason!

**EDIT**
I had to add this picture I took a few minutes ago of my 2-year-old niece Savana...
What a hoot!

Happy Valentines Day

2008-02-14T13:19:00.005-05:00

This is some of the stash I got from various loved ones today. My boys (in my class) were so excited for their Valentine's Day party. They are only 2 but they definitely know the definition of the word PARTY!! I could hardly get them down at naptime. We made the cutest cards for their parents....with their little handprints and a heart-shaped picture of them in the middle. They were so proud of those cards! One of the sweet little girls that was in my class last year brought me a bag of Kisses - which I shared with my boys. So we were pretty sugar high and they were in complete celebration mode. And I'm talking climbing on everything-squeeling with joy-chasing Miss Cole-crying for more candy-standing on the table doing the chicken dance-kind of celebration mode. So while they were still pumped up for the party at naptime it took everything in me not to curl up with one of them on their mats and catch some shut eye! Miss Cole is worn out!

Actually, I just might take a quick nap before class tonight. Can you believe this is how I am spending Valentine's Day night? Now where's my chocolate...

Wordless Wednesday

2008-02-13T13:49:00.003-05:00

Favorite Foto Friday

2008-02-08T16:25:00.002-05:00

My 2-year-old niece "Savvy" is a crack up! Today my mother took her and her big sister to McDonalds for lunch. They were playing on the playground when an elderly couple with their infant grandson arrived. Savvy loves babies so she was smitten right off. When the lady asked Savvy what her name was Savvy replied, "Jack da Beanstock".

Yesterday, my mother was lecturing Savvy for misbehaving. So Savvy looked right up at her and said, "Nanny, you makin' me cwazy!"

When Savvy's daddy does or says something he shouldn't in front of his little girls, Savvy always straightens him out by saying "You a bad girl, daddy!"

She keeps us in stitches around here!

**The picture of Savvy was taken on Nanny's swingset this past summer. Wow, how much she has grown up already!**