Wednesday, March 26, 2008

5 Years Old!!!







I cannot believe it has been five years ago today since Anna Clare was born. Time has passed in the blink of an eye. She is way too grown-up and prissy! She used to blow me a kiss when she got out of the car at school everyday, and now she wants to do it in the car so she won't be embarrassed! How sad! I better just get used to it....I'm sure it will get a lot worse! She has been so excited all day. We are taking her out to eat Mexican after t-ball practice (her choice) so she can load up on cheese dip and wear a big sombrero! Her party was the day before Easter at the gymnastics place. The girls had a great time, and Baby Sister loved having free reign of the gym to get into everything. We had a wonderful Easter. Praise the Lord, He is Risen! After a beach trip for spring break, a birthday party, Easter, my birthday yesterday, and AC's today, we are exhausted! But it has been such a super week!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Love Dolly!



Dolly was Anna Clare's first doll. My friend Katie brought her to the hospital when she was born. We are very original when it comes to naming dolls at our house:) Dolly has now been passed on to Owen and when you say "Love Dolly", she buries her head into her and loves on her. It is too cute! I can't believe how much she is growing and developing! We tell her to "patty cake" and she gives a big grin and starts clapping her hands together. This should all seem very normal to me since it is our 2nd child. But with AC being 4 when Owen was born, I had forgotten so many of the little things. My favorite thing is to sneak into her room when she has woken up and is sitting in her crib playing. As soon as she spots me (or Steve) she grins, stands up in anticipation, and makes you feel like the most needed person in the world. Motherhood is such an indescribable joy! I thank God for how he has blessed me with this wonderful family and pray for His guidance in raising these girls. Looking forward to Easter!

Monday, March 3, 2008

Back on the Plains

Last week I prepared to travel to Auburn for a conference to get some continuing education hours. After a lot of planning for a babysitter, my mom, and Steve (who all pitched in to keep the girls), I drove off late Wednesday afternoon. I had a full tank of gas and plenty of time so I leisurely made my way toward Lee county. I am ashamed to say that before this trip, I had not been back in 5 years. I was pregnant with AC the last time we went for a football game. I have heard how much it has changed, but never dreamed I would have trouble getting there. I realized I had been traveling about 45 minutes past Eufaula and knew I had missed my turn. Boy, did I! I was in Phenix City! Now, it is well past dark, and I'm starting to get a little panicked. I stopped at a gas station and got excellent directions from a sweet elderly man. I finally made my way onto College Street, only about an hour later than I had planned. I was amazed! It has grown and changed so much! I checked into the hotel I was sharing with my very good friend from Birmingham, and started feeling really excited about my mini-vacation (even though I had to listen to speakers all day for 2 days). My friend and I met my college roommate (who lives in Auburn) for dinner and had a great time catching up. Even downtown looks a lot different. Her husband, who is the biggest Auburn fan I know, says it is a crime that I haven't been back in so long! The next day, my poor friend that I was rooming with came down with a stomach virus! She was so pitiful! She had to spend the afternoon stuck in that awful hotel room as sick as a dog! Her baby had it 2 days before, and she almost had to cancel her trip. I felt sorry for her, but seeing how there wasn't much I could do except hang around and catch it myself, I met my Auburn friend and another college roommate from Montgomery at Amsterdam Cafe (one of our old favorites). These are 2 of my best friends from college and we never get to see each other. We talk on the phone and exhange Chritmas cards and emails, but it was so nice to get to visit. We had the best time! The next morning my friend was feeling better only to call home and learn that her husband now had the virus! Needless to say, I never got it (Praise the Lord)! We parted ways that afternoon and promised to do it again next year. Perhaps the best part of my trip was coming home to my family that I couldn't wait to see and to a clean house with ALL the laundry done! (yes, all of it - thanks Mr. Mom). I promised myself I would not wait another 5 years to get back to Auburn!