Hey Mommy

This morning I taught a small class at church on being thrifty while outfitting your kids.  I had promised Ann Charlotte that we would have lunch at Chick-Fil-A afterwards.  So we were in route, and we decided to go to the Midtown Chick-Fli-A for their playground (so a longer trip than usual).  As I see Chick-Fli-A in the distance I hear "Hey Mommy"...

Mommy:  Yes Ann Charlotte.
Ann Charlotte:  Mommy, there is a rock in my nose.
Mommy:  What?  Where?
Ann Charlotte:  There is a rock in my nose.
Mommy:  Did you put it there?
Ann Charlotte: Yes.
Mommy: Does it hurt? (as I am about to crash on Union looking in the rear view mirror)
Ann Charlotte: No.

So I whip in to Chick-Fli-A and sure enough...I can see a small rock in her left nostril.  I tried to get it out but I couldn't reach it.  I was terrified that I would push it up into her brain so I called the pediatrician and off we went.  That is a long drive-the Union Chick-Fli-A to Laurelwood at noon.  Whew!  Luckily she was calm as a cucumber and actually fell asleep on the way with her head all the way back.  I was having visions of the rock going so far up her nose we would need surgery.

After waiting, and waiting and waiting at the doctor's office, it only took the doctor about 1 minute to get it out with a little turquoise straw-looking thing.  Apparently this happens all of the time (or at least that is what they told me to make us feel better).  The doctor said between 2 and 3 is the age for putting objects up their nose and in their ears.  He told Ann Charlotte several times that she cannot put anything else up her nose or in her ears.  She was so embarrassed that she would not tell Daddy what happened tonight when he got home.  It took us 10 minutes to get it out of her (of course he was called the moment it happened but we always make her tell him about our day, etc.)

So, all is well tonight and she was a really good patient.  She didn't cry or fret at all.  Even when the doctor was fishing around in her nose.  We did make it to Chick-Fli-A for a late lunch!  These were taken while we were waiting and waiting.  She has the rock in her nose during these pictures.  Too funny!

Spit it Out!

We had a great weekend with nothing to do!  On Friday night we went to eat dinner and on our way home I was laughing out loud!

Ann Charlotte:  Whining and trying to say something but  really just whining

Daddy:  Ann Charlotte, stop whining and spit it out.

Ann Charlotte:  But Daddy, I don't have nothing in my mouth! (do they teach grammar to toddlers?)

Mommy:  What did she say?

Daddy:  I told her to spit it out and she said she didn't have anything in her mouth.

HA, HA, HA, HA!

I am Getting Married!

Okay, now that I got your attention. 

Ann Charlotte in a "wedding dress" at a birthday party recently.

This morning Ann Charlotte was getting ready for school.  I was dressing her in front of the mirror and her dress had ties on the shoulders to keep it up.  So before I tied them it looked like a strapless dress.  Our conversation then went like this:

Ann Charlotte:  Mommy my dress is a wedding dress.
Mommy:  Oh, I see, I guess it does look a little like a wedding dress.
Ann Charlotte:  Mommy, I am getting married!
Mommy:  Oh, who are you marrying (I was thinking the answer would be daddy)
Ann Charlotte:  Mommy, I am marrying Jesus.
Mommy:  Oh, wow!  Jesus?
Ann Charlotte:  Yes, and  daddy is getting married too.
Mommy: (very curious where this was going) Who is daddy marrying?
Ann Charlotte:  Daddy is marrying you.  So you and daddy will dance and me and Jesus will dance. (as she is dancing around our bedroom.)

After this she didn't want to go to school because we had a "wedding" to go to. "I am getting married" she kept shouting.

I think that Jesus sends down those little reminders to keep him in the forefront of my head. It definitely worked today Jesus. Thank you!  I needed the reminder.

Happy America Day!



Wow

I just melted on the bathroom floor...

Ann Charlotte: "Mommy you are the best!"

Mommy: "What did you say?"

Ann Charlotte: "I love my mommy so much!"

Nothing Says Summer Like...

ICE CREAM!

FIREFLIES!

 HOME GROWN TOMATOES!

WILDFLOWERS!

SPRINKLER FUN!

How Sweet It Is

to be loved by you!

My Grandparents (Ann Charlotte's Great-Grandparents) light up when she is around.  They are always counting down the days until they see her again.  Children are wonderful medicine!  We love you Grandmother and Daddy Bob! (This photo was taken at the Cabin on Father's Day.)

One for You...Two for Me

That was Ann  Charlotte's tune today when we went to pick blueberries in the heat of the day at
Nesbit Blueberry Plantation.  Whew-it was so hot!  We only lasted about 30 minutes and I think we ate more than we paid for!

They were so nice and we got a ton of berries for only $6.00!  We will definitely visit again!

Now what to bake...

440 Minutes

8 days of swim lessons + 55 minutes a day + 2 teachers + 1 dumdum every day =

1 great little swimmer

We are so proud of you! 

I am a Football Player

Ann Charlotte was invited to an adorable Cheerleader/Football Player birthday party!  She dressed the part in her UT Cheerleading uniform.  However, when we arrived she informed me that she was a football player-not a cheerleader!  Daddy said at least she had good form :)

Happy Birthday Ellie and Edwin!

Memorial Day Memories

Here are a few comparisons from Memorial Day 2010 and Memorial Day 2011.  WOW-she is growing up so fast!

Ann Charlotte in JuJu's Chair 2010



Ann Charlotte in JuJu's Chair 2011



Ann Charlotte on Porch-Memorial Day Weekend 2010



Ann Charlotte on Porch-Memorial Day Weekend 2011

She Wore An Itsy Bitsy

Ann Charlotte is in week 2 of swimming lessons and I am amazed at how well she is swimming.  We were getting ready to go to the pool on Sunday and it went a little something like this...

Mommy:  "Ann Charlotte, I love your new bathing suit!:

Ann Charlotte:  "Mommy, I am naked."

Mommy:  "No honey, it is called a bikini."

Ann Charlotte:  "Mommy, daddy is going to ask where my shirt is.  Mommy, where is my shirt?"

Mommy:  (Laughing out loud!)

Thank You

To all of the servicemen and women who keep us safe each and every day.  This weekend we pay tribute to those who put their lives on the line for our freedom. 

Thank you! 

We are forever grateful. 

As a mother, I think about the parents of the servicemen;

As a wife, I think about the spouses;

As a daughter, I think about the children of those serving who have not seen their parents in months.

I cannot imagine the amount of faith you must have. 

God Bless You and God Bless America!

I am PROUD to be an AMERICAN!

Jesus Calling

I LOVE the daily devotional Jesus Calling. It is always applicable in my life. I wanted to share today's message. This was speaking directly to me. Oh, and there's an APP for that! I just read it on my iPad each day. 

Here is the icon since several folks have e-mailed me asking which one (apparently there are more than one).  It isn't free but it is well worth the money!

May 25
THE WORLD IS TOO MUCH WITH YOU, My child. Your mind leaps from problem to problem to problem, tangling your thoughts in anxious knots. When you think like that, you leave Me out of your world-view and your mind becomes darkened. Though I yearn to help, I will not violate your freedom. I stand silently in the background of your mind, waiting for you to remember that I am with you.

When you turn from your problems to My Presence, your load is immediately lighter. Circumstances may not have changed, but we carry your burdens together. Your compulsion to “fix” everything gives way to deep, satisfying connection with Me. Together we can handle whatever this day brings.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
ISAIAH 41 : 10

"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
ZEPHANIAH 3 : 17

"A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all."
PSALM 34 : 19

Goody Goody Raindrops!?

Daddy is home!

Which is what Ann Charlotte says instead of "Goody, Goody Gumdrops" (I say this a lot apparently-gumdrops that is).

Trey has been in Spain for work and we were so ready for him to get home! 

Welcome home Daddy! 

We missed you!

Ha, Ha, Ha

There are moments when you wish someone else was with you just to laugh.  Today was one of them.  Ann Charlotte and I went to the Zoo after school.  We stopped to look at the ostriches and their eggs.  Are they real? Who knows? I guess they are but that is strange.  Do they dispose of them or do they eat them?Will they hatch?  Sorry, I digress.

So, it went something like this...

Mommy:  "Ann Charlotte, look-it is an ostrich-a giant bird."

Ann Charlotte:  "Mommy, I have one of those in my mouth?" (sounding very confused)

Mommy:   "What?"

Ann Charlotte:  "I have an ostrich in my mouth (pointing).  It hurts!"

Mommy:  "Oh no, Ann Charlotte you have an ulcer in your mouth."

Me laughing so loud and wishing someone else was there to chuckle with me!

Pink is My Favorite Color

Ann Charlotte's favorite color depends on the sun and the moon.  How is that possible?  Well, if you ask her during the daytime what her favorite color is "pink" comes out instantly! However, she sings a different tune at night. 

Here is the scene at our house almost every night: 
Bath taken, teeth brushed, two books read in bed, prayers said...

Ann Charlotte:  Whimpering begins, tears start, "Mommy, don't leave"

Mommy: "Ann Charlotte I have to leave, it is bedtime"

Ann Charlotte: More tears, more crying, "But Mommy PLEASE stay"

Mommy: "Ann Charlotte, what is the problem"

Ann Charlotte:  More tears, holding onto my arm or whatever she can grab-sometimes my neck if I have leaned in for a kiss, "Mommy, I don't like my room."

Mommy: "What?"

Ann Charlotte: Tears streaming, "I don't like my bed Mommy" whimper, whimper

Mommy: "Ann Charlotte, we have talked about this-it is bedtime and you are a big girl."

Ann Charlotte: Sad face, tears coming down,  "Mommy, I don't like pink"

Why, you ask?  Why doesn't she like pink after 8:00pm? 

Well, because her sheets are pink!

The First Weekend of the Year...

at the cabin.  

Ann Charlotte LOVES the outdoors

Skipping (throwing) rocks...

 looking for lizards...

bubbles...

and planning a lady bug party!

 Yup, you read right-Acey and Ann Charlotte planned and held a lady bug party in their PJ's

(first thing in the morning).

The Ballet Performance That Wasn't

You read right.  We were so excited about Ann Charlotte's ballet performance (let me rephrase that-"I" was so excited!) 

All of the grandparents were in town, Laura-one of my best college friends was in town, the flowers were ready to present, the video camera was charged and we were waiting anxiously!   Ann Charlotte had practiced, practiced and practiced her ballet.  She was ready!  

Tendu, Releve', Plie', Eleve', Arabesque...

Until....she realized that over 100 eyes were on her. She turned around...looked at us...her lip started quivering...

and that was the performance.  She jumped in my lap and didn't do one more move with her class.  At first I was disappointed but then I realized-she is only 2 years old.  I don't blame her.  Goodness, what pressure for a 2 year old!  

We realized afterward that she just wanted to do a solo performance.  So, we saw her moves after the official recital.   She was too cute!  

Here she is with her teacher Miss Janice-

Why Easter?

Ann Charlotte: "Because Jesus died on the cross for our sins" (so proud of her!)

Alleluia! Praise the Lord!