Emma Turns 4! {The Party}

My sweet girl won't actually turn four until 1:25PM tomorrow, but we celebrated a day early...mainly because I hate Sunday parties (they interfere with the much needed Sunday nap...which I rarely get, but the kids and Daddy try to take advantage of;)!

This year I turned the party planning reins over to Emma. She was very specific in her requests...she wanted a Disney Princess party at "the jump place." I was happy to oblige, since we're planning the big 0-1 for Luke in two weeks! All I was responsible for was the kids and the cake! Woohoo! :)

We started the day off at Seth's birthday party, which was a hit...although I'm not sure who had more fun -- Emma or Justin! :)

Then we headed to Party Central (aka "the jump place"), where all the fun began. Here are some pics from the party...

Final pic before heading to "the party room"...this wasn't even all

the kids...we counted 22 when we got them settled in the room!

The Cake & The Party Room

After the party we headed to Red Lobster (her choice)

to eat with the fam...and her future husband! :)

Our attempt at a family birthday pic...

She had a great party and a great day. Thank you so much to everybody who took part in making her day special...and an extra special thank you to those who have made each day of the last four years special! :)

*Just so you know...this post is brought you you in REAL time (as opposed to the backdated posts I usually do) by the letters "S" and "F" and the words "Sleep" (as in the boy) and "Football" (as in the girl)...she's gone with her daddy to PawPaw Gwen's to watch the Tide play:)!

Sick

I've been home today with my sweet boy.

He's felt awful.

He's cried.

I've cried.

If you were here, you would have cried.

Dr. Ray says it's viral, so we can only treat the symptoms. His poor voice is so hoarse, you can barely hear his cries and moans. Please say a prayer for him...and me...because in case you've been under a rock...I have about as many sick days as I do beach houses. :(

Oh yeah...he shared too. Austin and Hudson went home sick today. :(

On the bright side, I did get one sweet smile out of him tonight.

His daddy is hanging out with him tomorrow.

You better say a prayer for him too:)

10 Years Ago Today

Can it be so? 10 years? Already? It seems like yesterday...

I'm terrible with dates. Terrible. If you don't believe me, just ask Ms. Fetner. Although I adored her and loved her class, I couldn't for the life of me recall any dates on her tests. Which could have been the cause of my...well, let's just say "less than an A" in her class.

I guess it was fitting that I was on my way to a history class (Western Civ to be exact) when I first heard the news...and that is a day and date I will never forget. Ever.

I always thought it was odd how "old people" could remember dates so well. I realize now that those dates are more than just a month, day, and year. They are experiences...life changing experiences...for those who lived during that particular time.

September 11, 2001...I got up, got dressed, and headed to Wadley. It was a pretty day outside. In between classes a bunch of us were out in the commons area talking when we heard talk of the plane crash. None of us really believed it. Then we got to Western Civ, and Dr. Stone explained what was happening...what she knew anyway. She told us to go home, find a TV, and watch history in the making. Wow. Life changing. I remember having a memory lapse...my stomach felt nauseous as I tried to think of where my mother was. At that time she flew to work every week...always a different place...lots of times New York. As a matter of fact, exactly one week prior to the attack she was flying into NYC. I finally got her on the phone...she was safe and sound...she happened to be off that day...but she was panicked. She was trying to get in touch with her friends in NYC. Phone lines were down, and I remember she even had to relay information to one friend because it was so chaotic there. As events unfolded throughout the day we sat and cried in front of the TV. That day will forever be embedded in my memory...I'll never forget...the date, the day, the somberness, the experience.

Today we had a special service at church honoring our own first responders. Before church I watched the replays on TV. As I sat on the couch...crying once again...my own little girl wanted to know what was wrong. I explained to her...in 3- (almost 4) year-old terms what happened on that terrible day. She may have trouble remembering the date, but I hope she never forgets the story of what happened that day. History.

We dressed in red, white, and blue in honor of our country...

Seth & Emma

First Day of Dance

The girl started dance today. She's at a new studio, with new instructors, but her attitude is still the same...she LOVES it...and she LOVES to show us ALL her "moves" ALL the time...



Reunion

This weekend we had our 10 year reunion. My thoughts on the subject are this...some people change, and some people don't. It was fun catching up with those who came. Here are a few pics ("borrowed" from FB, since I failed to take my camera:).

An Arranged Marriage

You may think arranged marriages are old-fashioned and outdated, but after having children of our own Justin and I have decided they are a pretty good idea. We have officially chosen our newest "daughter-to-be" (in about 40 years, of course:). The only problem we can see with this sweet little bundle of love is those colors...but she's just six months old...there's still time to coerce her into coming over to the right side. ;)

Luke & MaKenna - "The Early Years"

Gameday {RTR!}

It's that time again...

the most wonderful time of the year.

If you live in the south anyway...

ROLL TIDE ROLL!