2 years...

We have officially been Tennesseans for 2 years. 2 years ago we moved x-country. We packed up the moving truck and started this crazy adventure. I will say it is nothing like we thought it would be. The struggles we thought we would have were not even an issue and the things we thought would be easy, well that is not the case. But we still truck along and trust and hope in the Lord for our every need. We have learned a lot since we have been here and for that we are thankful. We take nothing for granted anymore and we have really found out what it means to be a family and have a marriage that takes a lot of team work. I am so thankful for Jon and his solid faith and trust. I am so proud of him and it is awesome to see God in him. He loves and serves us with so much love.

Do you ever?

Do you ever look through pictures of your kids and wonder where has the time gone, or say to yourself man they have grown so much? Well, I just had that moment. (I experience it a lot but sometimes it makes me emotional, like now) I realized my baby girl is growing into a little girl. She will always be my baby though. I look at how much she has changed over the last year. Man there are days I miss her as a snugly baby. Then I look at Easton's pictures or recently just dress him and think those pants are so short. You must be growing. My boy is growing into a young boy. So curious and so interested in the world around him. A giant sponge just taking it in and spouting out all he knows. I am so blessed by these 2 precious kids. I am so thankful that God gave them to us.

Burning Down The House: What Caused Our Economic Crisis?

Hillarious Video

Music Mania video

To watch this scroll down to the bottom of the blog and pause the music. Then you can watch it and not have random music playing.

Music Mania

There is thing at the mall. Called Kidgits. It is events/activites that the kids can participate in. This one was music mania and the kids got free instruments. Just what I need more plastic. HA! But the kids had lots of fun as they love to sing and dance.

Bunch of random shots of the last few days

Makenlee loves to push this stroller around

I need to find one for her.

Crazy hat day at Awanas
My dishwasher helper. She helps unload.

I honestly do not know if this is wise. But when I need to contain both kids. I have been putting them together in M's crib. This was after her nap today. So her hair was hagger. I tell Easton if he jumps he is out. He has not. But everytime he gets in there w/ her. He starts singing the monkey in the bed song.

Do you want a little honesty?

Check out these drinks. They are super healthy and yummy too. Ever check out the ingredients of your kids drinks? Scary! My 2 love water and that is pretty much all they drink. But when I want something else this is what I will get.

Here is why I love them:

they are certified organic yumminess in the following flavors: Berry Berry Good Lemonade, Goodness Grapeness and Tropical Tango Punch
they have half the sugar of most kids drinks (and have NO high fructose corn syrup)
they come in pouches that are the perfect sizes for lunch boxes, and are made from recycled plastic they can be found at Whole Foods, Target, Sam's Club (Sam Club offers an exclusive 24 count variety pack!!), and Babies R Us here is one of the best things - Honest Teas doesn't just TALK about being an eco-friendly company, they are actually working hard to minimize their impact on the earth. Honest Teas and Honest Kids have partnered with TerraCycle to convert used drink pouches into school supplies .

They are also continually trying to work on their packaging in order to minimize waste. For example, that exclusive pack that you can get at Sam's Club has outer packaging that is reduced by 41 percent compared to other wholesale bundles, holds the pouches in ONE box (versus three separate ones for each flavor), eliminated plastic shrink wrap, and the box and plastic handles are made with post-consumer waste. Good stuff in the world of packaging!

Some of this info was on http://mamamanifesto.blogspot.com/ which is a cool blog.

Take a bow

These are going fast. Check them out!
http://takeabowcreations.blogspot.com/2008/09/blog-give-away.html

songs

I added this play list. It kinda reminds me of a ipod. You can add songs, take songs out. Blah blah. I love to listen to music. But sometimes it will be on and I am not really listening to the words. But lately I have. These songs that I specifically choose are songs that have really spoke to me. That have given me encouragement. I hope you enjoy them. Listening to music has also made me stop and be still for a few moments and listen. I love how you can listen to a song and you think that is how I feel or how I think. They put a song to how I feel. How often in this busy world do we stop and be still. It never happens. I know for me my world is busy busy. But I am intentionally trying to stop and be still for moments in my day. Even if it is to just listen to either silence (which is rare in my home) or to a song.

The last 24

It has been a crazy day that started last night at 10pm. Jon and I went to bed and I was feeling itchy on my legs and feet. I kept scratching but it would not let up then it went to my back and arms. Finally after itching and itching I tore through the medicine kit hoping to find some anti-itch cream. Nothing. Well, I woke Jon up and said I gotta go to walmart (open 24 hrs) to get something. I went in my pj's I did not care who would be there was my thought. So headed to w-mart at around 11:30ish. Well, w-mart is a happening place at that hour. No joke. I parked closet to the pharmacy section to get in and out quick. Well, they lock that side. So I walked all the way down to the grocery end. Well, as I am walking I see this couple discover that the door is locked so I sorta have to walk w/ them since we walked up to the door at the same time. I swear they were on date and were going to buy some "protection" I just thought that was so weird. UGH! Well, not weird but I am obviously far removed from the dating scene so that is what I mean. Anyway back to my experience. I get to the aisle with all the anti-itch stuff. I am looking at labels, everything trying to find the best thing to buy. Well, heck why don't I try it out while I am standing there I was so miserable. My legs were raw and red from scratching. So I am spraying my legs, feet and arms. Applying creams. Nothing is taking the stupid itch away. But since I used it I had to buy it. So then I think well I am at w-mart I should pick something up that was already on my shopping list that htey have been out of the last few times I have been there. I am walking to the bak of the store and I run into a group of girls that are clothes shopping at midnight. Who shops for clothes at midnight. Then I run into a Dad and his kid who is probably like 2 yrs old and they are looking at Hot wheels. I wanted to scream get that kid to bed but I thought that might be rude. Well, since it is midnight there is only like 2 cashiers. So the lines were insane. I waited like 10 min. to check out. I was so surprised how many people shop at w-mart that late and how many kids were still out. Crazy!! So I got this topical benedryl stuff that did the trick to allow me to stop itch and sleep. Thank you Jesus!! But then b/c I obviously went to bed way later then I normally do Jon woke me up to say both kids are up and I really need to shower to get ready for work. I was so out of it in the AM and sleep deprived. But the saga is not over. I had this rashy weird thing completely all over me and the itchys were horrible I kept scratching and scratching literally feeling like I was tearing skin and to the point a part of my leg was bleeding. Then I was freaked in case it was something I could pass on to the kids. Of course M wanted mommy and she would not let me put her down so I am all worried she is going to get this all over her. I called the Dr.'s office and found out the time urgent care opened and the kids and I were right down there when it opened. I got in and out pretty quick maybe a random rash bumps you up. Who knows! The Dr.s said she thought I had hives. But she said who knows from what. She said it can be stress related. I was like well, I know nothing of stress so it can't be that. J/K! She gave me shot of steroids in the rear and some histimes and I was on my way. Hives are gone. I should take the 'roids in pill form too but I am a little leary. It is a steroid. So I will see if they come back. I am just thankful they are gone and my skin can recover from me almost tearing it off.

Funny things Easton says

So we are driving this morning and there was a bug flying up by the windshield so I waved it away.
E says,"What are you doing?"
Mommy says, "Getting rid of a bug."
E says, "You were saying hi to the bug?"
I laughed!

Funny shots today

Instead of making separate posts. I decided to put these all together and then explain each picture.

You get what you pay for

This was a pom pom I bought M at the dollar store today. It completely fell apart. She was playing with it for no more then 5 minutes. Bummer!! The expression says it all.

Tan Booties

I could not resist taking a pic of these 2 cute lil butts!! That is the new thing since going to the beach they take a bath like this laying on their tummies splashing away. Which tonight it was an interesting bath. E says, "Mommy, Makenlee does not have a peanut." I said, "What are you talking about?" First of all I knew what he was trying to say and I had never heard him call it that. He normally calls it for what it is. Then he points and starts to reach for my baby girls privates. I said, "NO, E. Makenlee has a vagina." He said, "Oh!!" We have had this convo before about our private parts and what they are called so he knows. Needless to say communal bath might have ended tonight. We will see if it happens again.

"Here comes tinker bell."

First of all you may not see this picture for very long. At least till Jon sees it and says, "Get that picture of my boy off the blog." Anyway I bought these for M at the Dollar store today for dress up. E found the bag tonight and I hear him say, "Here comes tinker bell." As he is dancing across the living room. He loves Peter Pan (b/c of the pirates of course) so I think that is where he saw tinker bell the fairy. Too funny!!!

The back end

Makenlee has turned into Linus.

Lately since she has been attached to her paci's she has also been attached to her silky's too. So she walks around with them or dragging them until I can get a hold of them. Luckily it is only at home or in the car.

Vaca is officially over...

Boo hoo!! We had a great time in Hilton Head and Savannah. It was beautiful weather and we had a great time as a family. Look fwd to the next time we can do it again. But now I am ready for Fall and the festivities that it brings. I can't wait to take the kids to the pumpkin patch and the harvesty fall things that we do every year. Easton can't wait either. He got a pirate Mr. potato head that you decorate the pumpkin with. We told him he had to wait to play with or use it until the pumpkins grew. So almost everyday he asks have they grown? We say, "Not yet, buddy. Soon."

29 years of life

M had her eye on the prize...

Today is my 29th b-day and it will be forever now. I can't go over to the dark side of 30 quite yet. Ha! Jon made my day very special which was glorious. He finally has realized the last couple years (we have been together 7 1/2 yrs) b-days are a BIG deal to me. So he did well. He of course got me a yummy ice cream cake from Brusters. It is our tradition to get each other an ice cream cake. But we realized we did not have candles other then the one from E's b-day that was a 3. And no three was going to be on that cake. So they sang and I pretended to blow out the candles. I know there are some around here but who knows where. Anyway, thanks to all who called to wish me a great b-day. It was fun and relaxing. Yesterday Jon told Easton it was going to be Mommy's b-day tomorrow and I asked, "How old will Mommy be?" E said, "Very old." We had a laugh.

8 teeth and molars

Our darling girl is getting 8 teeth in addition to her 4 molars. So 12 flippin teeth are breaking through or on the verge. WOW!! So how happy do you think she has been lately. Joyful!!! It is just during the day she is a bit cranky and pretty much keeps her paci in her mouth the whole day or she is a screamin mess. By the way anyone with girls. What do you do w/ the high pitch screams and screechyness. It certainly clears out the ears. Easton sometimes just walks around covering his ears b/c she is SOOOO loud. This is not teething related. She just gets really happy or mad and screams or screeches. It may be in the car, out and about, at a restaurant. Pretty much anywhere. And boy it is annoying and nerve racking. AAAHHHH!!!!!

Thursday Pics

The day started with my early b-day present from Jon. Time by myself on the beach...Priceless. The best gift that no money can buy. I love my kids trust me but there is nothing like having a break. I read, laid out and relaxed. Thanks Jon for taking the kids to the pool and giving me a break. It rained later so the kids had to come in. Bummer for them as they love to swim. So we played the wii. Which is still fun. We finished the day off playing bingo with some of the other people at the resort. Between Jon, E and I. We won 4 games. YEAH!

Relaxing...

My view for a few hours

This is what happens when you leave 2 children to play for a few minutes by themselves. Hilarious.
" I am a little cold."
Bathing beauties. They love taking baths in the Jacuzzi tub.

Wed. Pics trip to Savannah, GA

We headed to Savannah and had a lot of fun. We went to this place Oatland Island Wildlife Center first then went downtown. There is a lot of history there and it is really pretty. The buildings are old and cool.

On the way. Makenlee has been doing this lately where she completely covers herself up. She is a silly girl.

Gator

M looking at the cougar

Wed. Pics

This bridge/walkway was over a giant wetland. I was kinda wondering if some animal/creature would meet us along the way. But they stayed where they were supposed to underneath. Thank you Jesus!
Our lil tour guide
This was at lunch at the Pirate House

"ERR matey"
This was the kid's menu it turned into a hat, eye patch, and coins. How cool is that.
E also brought his own pirate hat from home to wear too.

M was just happy to eat some cornbread and biscuits. A true Southerner.
E could not stop smiling in this place. Lots of fun things to look out.
M was not quite sure about the pirate
After lunch we took this free trolley that took us around the city. It was awesome to see the city and the sights in nice air conditioned trolley. This was along River Street. It is all cobblestone and obviously along the river. E I think thought Jon was going to throw him in the water. He was holding on for dear life.

River Street
This is why we did not bring the stroller. Stroller and cobblestone and stairs do not jive.
This is where we had lunch the pirate house. E was on cloud 9. He loved it and a real pirate even came to our table and talked to us and give the kids some golden coins.

love her look.

Ejoying some night swimming
Splish Splash
One the way back from swimming we finally got to the alligator
He put on a show for us. He'd swim away then swim back. The kids really liked seeing him. E did not even freak like I kinda thought he would.
She was saying "Agator"

Tuesday Cont.

I separated these 2 b/c I don't know many pics you can put in one post w/o it going haywire and crashing.

I found my shadow.

She loved carrying the buckets around

Tuesday Pics

Another beach day. We built sand castles and cities until Hurricane Makenlee came through and the whole city was crushed by destruction of a 16 month old. That afternoon we went to our fave ice cream place Coldstone. All have closed in K-ville so we were happy to find one here. We then played at the indoor play area at the mall that was all sea-life. Of course the kids played and ran off some steam.

Jon made little pools for the kids to sit in

Pool for one
Enjoying some shade and lunch
M found a sea shell she did not want to let go of it

E wearing Mom's glasses. He walked into the wall wearing them b/c I am nearly blind.

Enjoying my free b-day ice cream at Coldstone. YEAH!

After yummy ice cream. These kids were so happy.
We walked around the mall and found this indoor play area. The kids loved it
Playing in the lighthouse
I love how M is sticking her tongue out here.