Bellingrath Gardens Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday morning we went to an Easter Egg Hunt at Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile. It was a beautiful place to have an egg hunt. The hunts were divided into different age groups and the 0-3 hunt was continuous! The weather was perfect!

Several of the Azalea Trail Maids were there and Savanna just loved them. She wanted to take her picture with one of the girls and she insisted on sitting on the dress. She kind of knocked the sweet girl over...but the Trail Maid was nice.

We waited in line for about 35 minutes to have her picture taken with the Easter Bunny.....well upon arrival.....she chickened out! I believe in not forcing her, but I was mad for about 30 seconds. Oh well, she's 2, so we just moved on.

They also had some activities for the kids and she loved doing everything! There was one ring toss game with rabbit ears and rings. She played for a minute, then put the game in her basket and was ready to go. I had to explain that we had to leave it, so she did.

After we got home, we had some lunch and she took a 3 hour nap.....It was all worth it!

Egg Dying Party

Well...I'm not exactly sure it was a "party!" After all it did just consist of Savanna and myself! BUT...we had a good time. JC had a wedding to attend Friday night and since Savanna needs a transition time (just play time with no real plans) when she comes to daddy's, I volunteered to stay home with her and dye our Easter eggs! Savanna's favorite color right now is yellow...everything yellow! I have learned that she lets me fix her hair as long as I use a yellow twisty! Anyways....she wanted to dye all of the eggs yellow!! She wouldn't let them sit very long....so we had some very pale colored eggs! All in all it was very fun and for me it was the start of a tradition!!!

Passion in My Career

Oh my....where has it gone?????

I used to LOVE my job! Absolutely LOVE IT! Every day, every minute, every child and person (usually) that I encountered! I was a TEACHER...the job I always wanted!! But silly me decided to further my education and go get my PhD! Now don't think that I regret one minute of that accomplishment...it's my biggest one by far! I am very proud of what I learned and the level of education I reached. HOWEVER, with that degree has come, what I feel are, responsibilities to work at a higher level than in the classroom. I can reach more kids by not being in a classroom of 10 all day long. I am supposed to reach them through research and instruction....but honestly, it's not near as rewarding! Maybe that sounds selfish, but I am losing my passion for my career at this point!
The other night, JC and I were watching the show about Temple Grandin, a woman with Autism and I just starting talking like crazy! I was telling JC all of the things I used to do with my students and how I would teach teachers to work with them.....I couldn't stop talking AND he was listening to every word! I'm not sure he has seen that passion in me towards my career since he met me! It was so amazing. I told a co-worker today at work that "I sounded like ME!" Like the me that longs to improve lives! I know that God is using me in this position for a purpose and so I am here...at a University....researching, writing, developing, meeting, and just trying to find solutions!!! It's hard...but I'm here and thankful for the job and opportunities!!

BUT GOOD GOSH....can I tell you how much I miss it...teaching, challenging, revealing, loving, and empowering!!! JC wants me to write a book....about all the things I did and learned...he wants me to inspire others. Sooooo....that sits in my mind everyday.....sooooo....just maybe!

Beach Trip

Well....I broke out my sewing machine and insisted on making a pillow case dress for Savanna, JC's daughter. I DID IT!!!! And it turned out really great....sooooo on Saturday we had to go to the beach for a picture taking session. Savanna and JC cooperated and I got some great shots. I'm holding back on posting some of them...because we are giving them as Easter gifts! Enjoy!



We also went to dinner at Lulu's in Gulf Shores and Savanna had the best time playing in the sand. We stayed there nearly 4 hours. When can you EVER take a 2.6 year old to a restaurant for 4 hours????

We had an awesome weekend!

Picture Contest

This contest is called RAW(e)! Head over to to Sailor and Company to see the details. Basically you post a picture, using the theme that is given, BUT you cannot edit your photo in any way!!!!

I love taking pictures, so I thought I'd try. I'm no pro by any means....but I learned this is a good way to hook up with other blogs.

So this week's theme is DISTRACTIONS!!!!

I'm going with MONEY...or lack thereof....it is all I am thinking about lately! (Notice there is no green money in my picture) :( I am in the process of setting up some budgets and getting my debt paid off!!! I am just ready to have "fun" money...the kind I can do whatever I want with....does that exist????


This picture makes me think of how my hand looks when I reach into the bottom of my purse to see what is in there!!!

Enjoy and thanks for the opportunity...Sailor and Company!

My Mom!

After I saw this picture of my mom (she went to New Orleans for the St. Patrick's Day Parade), I just had to write a little bit about how much I love her!!! I already wrote one post about her survival story...but this one is just a little bit more about how we "change" our relationship for the better.

You see....up until I met JC (November), my Mom was my absolute best friend!! We did everything together! Shopping, dinners, couch time, cooking, events....everything! She had my "free time." But now...JC has it! Almost all of it. I just enjoy being around him all of the time and therefore, I have had less time for my mom!! Thing is that it's kind of bitter sweet because there are so many things that my mom wants for me...including love, family, happiness, security, laughter, and all the things he gives to me! (And you better believe she can't wait for grand babies...after a marriage of course). BUT....that means, less time with her! Don't get me wrong now...I still talk to her every day and we see each other at least once a week...but it's just different. JC is becoming my "new" best friend, while my mom is becoming more of, well, "my mom!"
I'm learning to find a balance between who I stand by or who I believe first or who I side with....it's kind of like a competition!!! I'm am NOT liking this!!! But there are a few things that I know for certain:

1. The love I feel for my mom will never change! She is my hero....my perfect person! (Mom was "Zero Hero" on the 100th day of school)!

2. My relationship with my boyfriend (hopefully husband one day) is where most of my attention will be and should be!

3. "Life's About Changing, Nothing Ever Stays the Same." Patty Loveless
So I'm eager to see what happens!

I Love You Mom!!!
I Love You JC!!!

Oh crap....I said "I Love You" to mom first.....will this feeling ever go away?????

4. God is in control!

"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

Create a Signature---FOR FREE

I MADE ME A FREE SIGNATURE.....ohhhh how exciting!!

Just go to this site....it was pretty easy!!! http://www.mylivesignature.com/

DIRTY CLOTHES

So....I think this is kind of a funny....almost made me mad story!!! I haven't mentioned it on here, but one thing about me (that I have recently learned) is that I really do not like to have any dirty clothes in the house. I don't mind doing small loads, so that there is never any "pile-up!" I'd rather be ahead of the game than behind it!!

Anyways...since JC and I have been dating, after a month or so, I took up the laundry! I do both of our stuff constantly so that we are ahead of the game. When I was growing up, I always appreciated that I could wear the same night gown every single night. Mom was on top of our clothes....we usually had a pile sitting on our bed when we got home from school. Well, this weekend JC's daughter, Savanna (2.6 years), was with us. So of course this means extra towels, pajamas, play clothes, leave the house clothes, kitchen stuff, and on and on!!! Soooo....there I was...doing the laundry. I wanted to keep things neat!!

OKAY...here comes the part of the "almost made me mad" story....

JC has told me before how much he loves that I keep the laundry done. He said he likes that I do the laundry and stay on top of it....so Sunday evening (note: one final load of laundry is in the dryer) Savanna had some messy pants and to avoid making a mess, JC usually grabs a towel out of the hamper to put under her!! GUESS WHAT HAPPENED?????

There were no towels in the hamper...no clothes at all. He comes out to the living room and says to me "Seriously, there are no dirty towels anywhere??" AND with that I was expecting a "That is Awesome!!!"...but he seemed kind of aggravated! SO....the steam began to float from my ears....actually my feelings were a little hurt...I was working hard to avoid full hampers!!! So I just got quiet for a while....and when I brought in the next load to fold I told him that "Comments like that may result in full hampers all the time!!!"

He apologized and didn't mean it to sound ugly...he just was like "Really, NO dirty towels!!!" Maybe I surprised him!!! Oh well...life goes on and we decided to just leave a towel in Savanna's room for the entire weekend from now on when she comes over!!!!

Oh men....I'm needing to learn from my married friends!!

Double Bubble

Announcing....not one but two little boys to make their debut......later than sooner we hope!! My friend Missy is expecting fraternal twins, Michael and Henry!! She makes 29 weeks today and the boys are 2.7lbs and 3.7lbs. The thing about Missy is that she is TINY!!! But she is doing so good trying to keep those boys in for as long as she can. She has been admitted to USA Women's and Children's Hospital in Mobile, AL so that doctors can monitor her closely and watch for her contracting.
Her baby shower was this past weekend and it was held in the hospital. It was so funny to see double of everything. It's not the boys that will take up space....it's their stuff! They did however each get three "lovies"!! I guess those are hot commodities....and with two, they may need some comforting til it's "their turn." Oh and I should mention her wonderful husband Allen, who called during the shower to ask, "Are you tightening up?" Daddy was checking in!


Please pray that Missy's body continues to let her babies grow a little bit more and that Michael and Henry will be healthy!!!! Come on lungs!!!

One plus one is two
and that’s the both of you.

Twice as much to love,
two blessings from above.

Two precious lives to mold
two little hands to safely hold.

God touched your hearts so deep inside,
your special blessing multiplied!

MISSY....Did you know that the average 5-year-old asks 437 questions a day....so that means 874 a day for you to answer.

You will be GREAT!!

Funny "Blogger" Cartoon

I saw this and wanted to share!! The teacher and "new" blogger in me thought it was too funny!