Buttercup Baby

New Blog!

2010-07-17T12:00:00.004-04:00

I'm leaving on a good note...I have posted 300 stories and pictures on Our Buttercup Baby, mostly of Jolee! But the all pink and the name, kinda leaves a certain little boy out. So please, come over to my new "family friendly" blog and join us, as I tell even more stories and share even more pictures of my family! Thanks for all the support and comments that were left on this blog for me, please continue them on my new blog...I love reading them! Come on over too......

http://familyofford.blogspot.com

4th of July

2010-07-08T11:47:00.002-04:00

Brother David and Brennan

On the 4th of July, we spent the day surrounded by our church family, and it doesn't really get in better than that (unless our families were here, along with our church family) ! We were in church that morning, then lunch, then a nap (love Sunday afternoon naps), and then a trip down to St. Augustine for food, fellowship, and fireworks!

This is a picture of Jolee watching the firework show, she was iffy about the whole ordeal. She was so excited about fireworks all day, and then when it finally came time for them, she was scared. Well, she was only scared of the loud fireworks....she said, but she liked the pretty colors of all of them!

Brennan on the other had, loved it (that kind of surprised me)! He laid on Mimi's lap and enjoyed watching the firework show!

I love this picture, because you can see both of them! We had such a wonderful night all being together and St. Augustine really puts on a great firework show!

Daddy and Brennan waiting on the fireworks to begin! Silas was off all weekend, due to it being a holiday, and we LOVED it! We spent the entire weekend together, playing games, going on walks, watching movies just being together as a family and it was wonderful!

Chris Anne and Brennan!

It was a wonderful 4th and a great time was had by all, even though it was crazy crowded in St. Augustine!!

1st Dance Recital

2010-07-07T10:35:00.004-04:00

On June 19th, Jolee had her first dance recital! It was a very long day, we had rehearsal that morning, about an hour away from our house Then went home and finished packing, for our trip to Alabama (because we were leaving, from her recital that night) then got her all dolled back up again and headed back to her recital! Just and FYI, we ended up arriving in Bama at 3:30AM, the next morning, for Singing School!

She did such a great job, she didn't miss a step! Her face looks white in some of these pictures (due to my flash), but I assure you, it wasn't! She had plenty of makeup on, which got to her Daddy a bit!

This picture, was taken in the dressing room right before the recital! I was so proud of my little ballerina, she looked gorgeous and had worked so hard at remembering her dance! It brought back a ton of memories, for me! I will go ahead and say, I did shed a few tears....I mean wasn't it, just me up there dancing at one of my recitals, and my mom was just doing my hair and makeup in the dressing room, and now my little girl was up there, is my baby really that old? Old enough to be involved in extra curricular activities!

Jolee's hair from the back!

A very proud Daddy and his little ballerina!

Mommy, Jolee, and Daddy after the recital! She was so excited about getting flowers, the red rose was from us, and the pink flowers were from Timothy!

Bro. David talking to his favorite little Elephant, after she danced!

She had her very own little fan club there! There were 3 girls, from the church dancing in this recital. So we had our very own little section at the recital!

Jessica congratulating Jolee on dancing so good on stage!

Kisses from Ashley

Our Macclenny Dancers...Jolee, Caytlin, and Sarah!

Jolee with her MiMi!!

Family Picture with our little Ballerina!

Jolee and her Nina, after her recital!

Jolee did so great that night, she loves dancing and we were so very proud of her. 1 year of dance down, many more to go!

My "Amazing" Family

2010-07-02T23:09:00.003-04:00

Videos and Pictures, from over the last couple of months of my "Amazing" family!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

4 months old

2010-07-02T20:09:00.016-04:00

Can my baby boy, really be 4 months old already? It feels like, we just got out of the NICU with him yesterday or that could be my feeling, because the bills from the NICU are still rolling in!

Brennan has grown and changed so much every day (he doesn't even look, like a preemie at all anymore). Before he was born, I worried that I would never be able to love him, as much as I loved Jolee. I worried and worried about it all through the pregnancy and talked to several people who had 2 or more kids and there answer was all the same...you just do, you love them the same! The minute he was born, on March 1st, I never had that feeling again, seriously never have thought about it since. I love, care and adore him so much ! God is an Awesome God, he gives you and feels your heart with more love,love that you didn't even know existed! And my heart melts, every time I look into those big blue eyes.

He has finally found his hands (he has been trying for awhile) and he is always sucking on them! He sleeps through the night with his Alabama Taggie (that Granna made him) and with his blue and white puppy, that his sister named "Spot" (I figured she could name it, since she bought it for him, before he was born). He is a really good, happy, and content baby. He loves to be talked to or sang to (which works out great, considering he has a 4 year old sister, that adores him and talks and sings to him constantly!

My new favorite thing, that he has done lately is....when I am rocking him and he is almost asleep, he opens his eyes and looks into mine and smiles the sweetest smile, you have ever seen and then goes to sleep (it's almost, like he is saying...Ok, my mommy still has me and all is good!

When Jolee talks to him and he babbles something back to her, there faces light up and they laugh! That's right, little man laughed out loud, for the first time yesterday at his Mama, and it was so cute!!

Some of Brennan's nicknames, that you can hear him be called from time to time are....Biggin, Butterball (by his sister) Grinnin Brennan (due to him smiling all the time) and Brennan Boo!

Happy 4 months my baby boy, you are a true blessing from our amazing God!

I love you, son!

Harmony Highlands 2010

2010-06-29T11:15:00.005-04:00

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me:

At Singing School this year, the verse above, was the one that our preschool children learned and recited at the Friday night program. They came in with their sheep mask and coats on as they said baa-baa walking down the aisle. They were so cute!

Brennan attended his first Singing School last week and received tons and tons of attention. Which helped me out a ton, so if you were one of the ones, who held, fed, burped, got to sleep, or anything else for me......thank you, thank you, thank you!

Grandad and Brennan!

This picture was taken Friday at Singing School, which explains the dark circles under all of our eyes!

My sweet, happy little boy!

Brennan taking what ever Granna is saying to him, all in!

The preschool class of 2010! And this my friends, were not all of them, these are just the ones that happened to be their on picture day!!

It was a big class, but they did so good! We all had a great time in class! We learned songs, learned shape notes, did crafts, read Bible stories, etc, etc!

Grandma and Brennan!

Granna and Pappy with their 3 grandchildren at Singing School!

Jolee and Weston in the camper, supposedly they were taking a nap, but that never happened. They were to busy giggling and laughing, which was so cute and sweet!

Jolee painting her "Mi"!

Jolee and Daddy at assembly

How cute is this... Jolee and Audrey with their song books, during assembly singing up a storm!

Audrey and Jolee were 2 peas in a pod last week!

Brennan slept on the bottom bunk last week in the camper. Don't worry, he was in the corner (no were near the edge) with pillows surrounding him!

And the girls, Audrey and Jolee slept on the top bunk!

It was once again, a wonderful week at Singing School. One that we all look forward too and are so sad when it ends. We have wonderful family and friends, that we get to see that week. Even though, it was soooo HOT this year, we enjoyed the memories we made once again. It always brings my family much closer, a week away from phones, computers, and the everyday stuff, but filled with being together all week, worshipping God and singing praises to HIM!

So now, the countdown begins until next year, when we can go to Singing School again!

A Report on the Family!

2010-06-12T21:15:00.004-04:00

I haven't posted in awhile, so I thought I would give a report on the fam!

First up, is Jolee she is doing Amazing! She is the best, BIG sister/ Little mama ever! She really helps me out, so much. She is getting ready for her first dance recital and she is so excited. She absolutely loves dance. We had dance pictures, last week and she loved getting all dolled up! She looked so cute, grownie, but cute!

I absolutely love this picture, my heart melts every time I look at it. I'm just in awe, at the love they have for each other, already. When he looks at her, he just smiles and at everything she does, he gets so excited and kicks those legs like crazy. It's so cute!

As for me, I could not love my kids more. They make me laugh, they make me smile, they make me cry, they make me tired, they make me! Last week, I was so sick I'm not one to run fevers, but last week I ran one for 4 days straight and I'm not talking about a low grade fever, I'm talking about 102-104.5 fever for 4 days! I ended up having some infections, that turned into a kidney infection. Thank the Good Lord, my mom was scheduled to come down that same week, so she ended up taking care of all 3 of us and even though I'm 30, yes I said 30, no one can take care of you, like your mom when you are deathly ill.

Next up to bat is, Silas. Well he is working, working, working and studying, studying, studying! I know some of you have heard me say, I feel like a single mom with 2 kids (due to Silas's work schedule) but I am extremely thankful for him and his job, which allows me to be able to stay home and be with and raise our kids! It just makes the family time we do have together, that much more special!

As for Brennan, well this is his 3 month old picture with his friend "Little Al"! He is doing so good and we are so very grateful for that. He had an appointment with a GI last week (which upped his medicines and added rice to his feeding's) to help his sever reflux issues and it has really seemed to help. He weighed 12lbs and 11 oz as of last week. His chest X-Ray showed no signs of pneumonia (which means that has cleared up) and his breathing had gotten so much better, that the pediatrician decided he was well enough to get his 2 month old shots, 3 of them, it was not a fun appointment (the thought of him laying on that table, so innocent and looking up at me with that lip poked out and face beet red from screaming, makes me cringe all over again, just thinking about it). Poor little guy!

On a good/sad note, he has slept in his own room in his own crib for the past 2 nights and has done very good. It's good, because he is growing and he and us our resting better. But it is sad, because he is not right beside mommy, any more in his cradle.

My mom made the comment, last week that watching Jolee with Brennan is just like watching me when I was little with my brother. I was always taking care and looking out for him, just like Jolee is with Brennan. Joseph and I were and have always been close and had a special brother/sister relationship. We never fought. I pray that my kiddos have that same great relationship that last a lifetime!

So there is a report on us! Not much new, just living and enjoying our life and the special blessings in it, that we are so blessed to have!

Twinkle, Twinkle

2010-06-09T13:45:00.002-04:00

I Love it, this is so precious to me!

She can sing this song to him, and no matter what he is doing whether it be fussing, crying, or screaming. He will stop and look up at her and get calm and happy again! She sang this song to him the entire time, he was in my belly so I guess he knows it and know's her voice!

I don't leave home without her!!!

4 years old!

2010-05-28T21:02:00.007-04:00

My baby girl has turned 4! How in the world, has 4 years gone by since giving birth to my preemie of 5lbs 3 oz. no hair little girl. You never really truly understand when people say, enjoy them while there young, because they will grow up way too fast. And poof you have them and it really happens, way to fast!!!

She has really grown up this year and especially the last couple of months. She helps with laundry, she gets her stool and puts the clothes in the washer and dryer and then can't wait to help fold them and she does a really good job. I was getting ready for church a couple of weeks ago and she hollered in there... mom is it ok, if I go ahead and start folding these clothes in this basket? She loves to help me cook, she dresses her self and picks out her own clothes, and she loves to help with Brennan. She always picks out his towel and washcloth before baths, if you ask her for a favor, such as can you get me a burp cloth hun or a diaper...her reply... sure I can, mom!

My all time favorite thing, is the love she has for her little brother. You can see it all over her face when she talks about him or to him. She loves to hold him, sing to him, talk to him and if he is in the swing and the music stops, she automatically will stop what she is doing and say ok Brennan, I will turn your music on for you buddy. She talks baby talk to him and that is hilarious. When he cries, she is the first one to him. If he is screaming, she can always calm him down, by singing Twinkle, Twinkle to him. She is truly a wonderful Big Sister and a little Mama to him. And I know he is only 12wks old, but you can tell the love he has for her already. When she is talking, even if he is eating, he will jerk that head around and try to find her and she is already getting smiles from him! I pray the love between them only grows deeper, as time goes by!

She is a precious little girl and I am so blessed that the Lord saw fit to bless my life with her. I just pray that I am raising and leading her in the right directions. She is starting VPK this year and will go 2 days a week and the letting go part is really hitting home for ole mom (as I'm typing, yes I'm crying AGAIN) but I know she will love it and blossom even more from the experience and she is soooooo excited! And even though I can't be with her, when she is at school I know someone that IS and WILL be with her!

The whinyness has drastically reduced! If you tell her something and the answer is..no, she says ok and walks away. If she ask something, and the answer is no...same thing, ok and that's it!!

She is going to bed all by herself these days, I tuck her in and she says... please turn my light off and shut my door, so I can sleep better. She is using the potty, without her Dora cushion on it (and that is huge)! I tell ya, she has really grown up! And the questions, she asked...wow is all I can say! She is a very smart, sweet, and a hilarious girl who keeps us laughing all the time!

I asked her to answer a few questions for me, about her favorite things. Her answers are below:

favorite color: pink

favorite number: 4

favorite restaurant: Chuck E Cheese

favorite drink: coke, tea, and yoohoo

favorite food: chicken

favorite place to shop: WalMart

favorite place to go: Library

favorite friends to play with: Abby, Emma, Carrigan, Camdyn, Timothy, Boo, Katie, Kyrie, Caytlin and her list kept going.

favorite song: twinkle, twinkle and Giddy on up, Giddy on out (and yes she knows the words and sings loudly and wants to hear it over and over)

favorite church song: Holy, Holy, Holy

favorite princess: Belle

favorite TV show: Caillou and Max and Ruby

favorite movie: Toy Story 2

favorite thing to play with at home: Barbies

favorite animal: horses and butterflies

favorite candy: suckers

favorite flower: rose

favorite rose color: pink

favorite thing to wear: dresses

favorite thing to sleep in: night gowns

favorite things to sleep with: Handy Ba Dandy, Jesse, and Woody

favorite person: mom and of course Brennan (but after we read this to dad, she changed it to her whole family! I told ya, she was smart)

Happy 4th Birthday Jolee!

Mommy Love's You!

Baby Shower!

2010-05-28T12:36:00.004-04:00

We finally got to have Brennan's Baby Shower, last Friday night! The poor ladies at the church had waited so long. They were planning it when I was pregnant, then I got put on bed rest, so we put it on hold (so I could actually attend MY Baby Shower). Then we spent 4 wks in the NICU, then we had to wait for him to get big enough to be out and around people, then we got hit with pneumonia. So with all those hurtles behind us, we finally got to get together and have a baby shower and celebrate and Thank God for our little boy!

The ladies, did an amazing job! It was a duck theme and the tables were all decorated like the picture above, sooooo cute!

The food, cake and punch were all delicious!

Me and Brennan at our shower!

Sister Nancy quilted him, a beautiful Alabama quilt! That matches his room to a "T"!

He is definitely, going to be the best dressed little boy around! He got a ton of cute, cute, cute, outfits!

Big Sister helped open the presents and ooohed and awwed over them all, as she opened each one and got it out and held it up, for everyone to see!

In this picture, I was super excited about our portable swing we received!

I can not thank the Ladies of the church enough, for such a wonderful shower! The food, the fellowship, the gifts, and the games we played, were all GREAT!

My Sunshine's

2010-05-18T12:15:00.002-04:00

So the other day, I was singing the song "You are my sunshine, My only sunshine" to Brennan while I was getting him dressed. I did not even know, Jolee was listening or paying attention to me, she was in her room playing Barbies. She walked around the corner and entered Brennan's room, while I'm still singing and said in the sweetest most concerned little voice...

Mom, that isn't true.

I stopped singing and said, what's not true baby? She said Brennan is not your only sunshine, I am too, right Mom?

As I stood there, I could feel my heart breaking and quickly said...yes baby girl, I have 2 sunshine's...Jolee and Brennan! The biggest smile, came over her face!

So now, this is how I sing the Sunshine song.....

Ya'll are my sunshine's, my only sunshine's

Ya'll make me happy, when skies are grey

Ya'll will never know dear's, how much I love ya'll

Please don't take my sunshine's away!!

And everyone is happy! And the lesson I learned, they are always, always, always listening!

My little worker bee!

2010-05-14T10:50:00.004-04:00

Silas has been working in our backyard, for a couple of weeks now and his little girl has been right there with him helping him and talking to him along the way. If you haven't been around Jolee lately, she will talk your ear off. Giving her opinions, asking questions, or just talking just to talk, sometimes I think!

She waited all day last Saturday to help her daddy lay the "new grass" as she calls it! Silas would get a piece of sod off the trailer, give it to her and she would drag it all the way to where it needed to go and then try to kick it in place, just like Daddy did!

She was so excited about the "new grass" and worked outside with her Daddy until 11pm that night! Her outfit was my favorite part, she picked her out a T-shirt, shorts, and her rain boots but that day she called them her working boots (love that girl)!

A picture of the dirty "new grass" laying team!

The end result of Jolee and her Daddy's backyard project!

And another view, and ok he is right, I do want to go sit out there more now that it looks so nice and presentable! Thanks Hun, for your hard work and more importantly for taking time and being so patient with Jolee as she helped you out in the backyard!

What a difference

2010-05-12T13:01:00.006-04:00

After typing that title for this post, I am singing that song now, you know you are thinking it too.... What a difference you've made in my life, what a difference you've made in my life, your my sunshine day and night, what a difference you've made in my life. And now that we are all singing it, that song is not what my post is about today, although my little man has made a difference in my life!

I decided that I would take a picture of him, every month sitting beside his "Little AL" to measure and see how much he has grown and changed in that month! And the difference this month is HUGE, literally!!

1 month old

2 months old

Photo Shoot with Jesse!

2010-05-11T19:06:00.002-04:00

Jolee who we have to call, Jesse the Yodeling Cowgirl now, is in love with Toy Story 2 these days. I'm talking she watches the movie over and over again and as I type this we are listening to the Woody's Roundup CD! We listen to it ALL the time, no matter if she is in Daddy's car or Mommy's car, she does not forget to take it with her. She knows every song and sings it to the top of her lungs, it's hilarious and cute! Although, I have caught Silas singing the songs off of the CD while working in the yard this past weekend and while showering and I have listened to it so much when I wake up in the middle of the night, I'm singing the Yodeling Song in my head...that aint right!

Her birthday theme this year, is no other than...Toy Story 2, it has to be 2 because that is the one that has Jesse in it! She has named her horse bullseye and she says...giddy up bullseye, to infinity and beyond! She plays out Toy Story 2 all the time, its cute and funny all at the same time!

She wanted a Jesse outfit so she could dress up for her Birthday party and has said she is going to be Jesse the Cowgirl for Halloween this year and she keeps changing her mind on what Brennan can be for... she has mentioned Slinky Dog, Rex, Buzz Lightyear, Mr. Potato Head or Woody!
The day her outfit came in, we had to go outside and take pictures at her request of her and Bullseye!

Hospitals love us!

2010-05-07T11:11:00.007-04:00

(The hospital gown of course swallowed him)

I thought we were through with hospitals (or for a while at least), but I was proven wrong this past week. I had been really concerned about Brennan's breathing lately, the more I watched him, the more I realized he was working harder than normal to breath. Let me back up a minute, he has been extremely chuggy sounding for a couple of weeks, which people through out it could be because it was allergy season, reflux, etc. He had no other symptoms, but this week something with his breathing started changing, his head would bob, he was retracting, his nose would flare sometimes and after a couple of comments from others (Sherri and Amber) I knew he needed to be seen immediately!

When the Dr. came in the room, she couldn't take her eyes off of him. She shared my concern about his breathing and sent us straight to the Children's hospital! Long story short we went, they did x-rays and blood work (which did not make him happy) the diagnosis was made that he had an infection in his right lung..pneumonia! I will spare you the details about the hospital and all that went on there, the important thing is... they finally diagnosed him and he is now on some antibiotics.

They say you always learn stuff through trials, here is just a few things, I have learned during this...always go with your gut (something was wrong with my son and I knew it), listen to your friends (which by the way, Amber should open up her own office, she diagnosed him way before the ER did), and in a scary situation remember who gives you PEACE and lean on HIM! In the hospital room as I sat there holding him, as I prayed and cried thinking about how scary of a situation we where in at the moment, and didn't know what was wrong that someone (you know who you are) goes through these trials and struggles daily with her son. I couldn't imagine!

So please be in prayer for Brennan as he recovers from pneumonia and be in prayer for the parents and children that go through scary and unknown trials on a daily basis!

4 or 14??

2010-05-06T17:30:00.003-04:00

The past 3 nights, Jolee has gathered up her dolls (after changing them into pajama's) and said I'm going to crawl into my bed, gives us kisses and says goodnight I love you and off she goes! The key words in that sentence were my bed! The first night Silas and I just kinda both looked at each other and said, that's weird! The second night she did it, Silas asked if we where in a twilight zone? Last night when she did the same exact thing and then as I was leaving her room after tucking her in, she said Mom shut my door please! I turned and said what door? Expecting her to say her closet door, she says... my bed room door please! I immediately came down the hall, and asked Silas if our daughter was turning 4 or 14 this month, because she just asked me to shut her bedroom door.

So I know you are all thinking, what's the big deal? But here is the thing... Jolee hates to sleep and to sleep by herself these days forget it. So see why we are confused, grateful but confused! Maybe she is just tired of getting her sleep interrupted by her brother's need to cry and eat every 3-4 hours, so she has decided to go to her room, in her bed, and shut the door and sleep in peace. Who knows the reason, but what ever it is, we are going with it!

It's all good

2010-05-06T17:08:00.002-04:00

If this isn't a picture of what chilled out and just a snoozing looks like, I don't know what is!
I had swaddled him (obviously not to good) and put him in the cradle, came back to check on him and this is what I found!

Look at those cheeks on my little man! Monday he was 9wks old and weighed 9lbs 6.3oz! He is definitely making up for only coming into this world weighing 4lbs 10oz!

Snow White Play

2010-05-03T11:51:00.003-04:00

Last week Amanda and I took "our little Snow Whites" to see a Snow White Play at the local high school! It was so good! The acting and singing were amazing, I would have never guessed they were high school students...It was that good! The prince even rode in on a real horse, for Pete's sake!

Jolee and Carrigan loved it, I don't think they blinked the whole show. Well, except when the wicked witch came on stage and the lights dimmed and you could then see them slumping down in their chairs or if they where in our laps at the point pressing so hard against us, we couldn't breath!

The Snow White Triplets!

The girls where so excited that they go to meet Snow White and have their picture made with her on stage. Then they got Snow White's, Prince Charming, and the 7 Dwarfs autographs!

Hugs for Snow White!

Someone at church yesterday asked me, who played Snow White? Jolee over heard and said it was Snow White, so then the person caught on and stated...Oh the real Snow White, I can't believe you met the real Snow White, Jolee! Good Catch, don't ya think.

We 4 girls had such a great time that night!

I'm Growing

2010-04-22T15:00:00.002-04:00

At 6wks he weighed 7lbs & 5.4 oz

Brennan is getting so big and he is doing great! We all are doing great and are so glad to be home as a family of 4. I know I am way behind on my blogging, but WOW when do people find the time with 2 kids? Seriously, when do you find the time?

Brennan's 1st Week of Life

2010-04-07T20:55:00.001-04:00

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

3 Beds Down

2010-03-27T12:53:00.002-04:00

Bed #1 (under the warmer)

Bed #2 (the isolate)

Bed #3 (the crib)

So there are 3 beds in the Special Care Nursery and in order to exit this special, special place that we have been in for about 26 days now, you have to graduate from all 3 beds! So I am very, very happy to announce, that little man has made it to his last bed as of 2 o'clock this morning! All he has to do now, is hold his body temp and we can fly this coop! So far, so good! Please say an extra prayer for him, so that we can take him home soon and be a family of 4 under 1 roof!

Updaate on my Little Man

2010-03-18T18:55:00.003-04:00

Notice anything different??? Yep, he got his feeding tube out of his nose this morning!!! Doesn't he look just so adorable. He is doing so amazingly well, by the Grace of God. He is 2 wks and 3 days old and weighs 4lbs and 14oz. He has taken all his feedings by mouth for well over 48 hrs and is doing GREAT with them. When he looks at me and smile's, it melts my heart. He also got his lines out of his belly button yesterday and is off of his IV's. And passed his hearing test today, so he has had a big couple of days and have handled them like a trooper.

Thank you all for your prayers and please continue them for him and us!

Report on Jolee

2010-03-18T12:08:00.004-04:00

( Jolee and Princess Tiana)

I owe this post to my girl, she has been such a little trooper during this adventure. To be 3 years old and to have been to and from the hospital countless times a day, to check on Brennan and take his milk to him. Not to mention all the Doctor's/Hospital visits I took before giving birth, that she adjusted to and hung right in there with me. She is growing up and has been such a huge help to me already. Out of nearly 3wks of being away from home and staying near the hospital, we have only had 2 days that we didn't now who she was. But other than that, she has been amazing!

Even when we say...Jolee we are going to feed Brennan, she says...ok Mom, I will miss you but will see you when you get back, tell Brennan this message...I Love him and I will be the first one to hold him, when he comes home. Oh how that melts my heart!

We decided to give her a break the other day, from the hospital and took her to the park (near the hospital) to burn some energy and play in between feedings. She had such a good time and loved it!

Just a Swinging

Looking at the Ducks

Granna and Jolee playing. Granna herself, deserves a post all on her own as well. She has been a HUGE help and don't know, how we would have done this all with out her help.

Riding her tricycle!

Sibling Class

2010-03-15T14:17:00.005-04:00

We kinda have done a few things a little backwards, but oh well we have learned to just go with it. I have had Jolee signed up for a sibling class for the past couple of months, here at the hospital. So she could get a tour of the hospital, see the nursery, learn a little about babies, etc, etc. But since brother came a little earlier than expected, she could have given the tour of the hospital herself, she has been up here so much.

She had a blast, she was the youngest one there and hung in just like the other big girls. They where asked to bring a baby doll with them to the class, so Alice was the lucky one she chose to attend with. They watched a video about baby's, learned how to hold a baby and how to support it's little head.

The teacher then called them upfront and taught them how to change a diaper. She asked Jolee did she want help, Jolee replied... no she could do it herself. And let me tell you, the girl put that diaper on the right way all by herself, grant it Alice was turned and put in all kind of positions and face down, but she did it all by herself. Impressing the teacher and her Mama.

She then learned what things baby's could and could not play with, how to swaddle a baby, and how to feed it a bottle. It was a really good little class. I'm so glad we got to go together.

Jolee and Alice

Her certificate saying...she completed her sibling class and that she is a BIG SISTER!

She loved it, she came home and showed her Daddy how to swaddle Alice (and did it right) and then while I was holding Alice later that night, I clearly wasn't holding her the right way so Jolee said... Mom did you not listen to the teacher, she said you had to hold the baby's heads all the time. Well, at least she was paying attention!

2 weeks old!

2010-03-15T14:17:00.002-04:00

Today, my little man is 2 weeks old. He is doing so good, thank the Lord. As of today, he weighs 4lbs and 8.5 oz (almost back up to birth weight). He is getting to take a bottle every other feeding, which is outstanding and is up to 20cc's every 3 hours. If he handles that well, he will be up to 25 cc's by tonight.

The past couple of days, he has been so alert. He just looks around and smiles all the time. It is the sweetest thing ever. Thank you for your prayers and please continue to keep them going, for Brennan and our family.

1 week old!

2010-03-08T15:54:00.002-05:00

(1 week old today!)

Brennan Silas Ford, made his grand appearance on March 1, 2010. He was born at 4:23pm by C-Section, due to my high blood pressure and being diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. He was 33 1/2 weeks. Due to him being so early, he is still in the Special Care Nursery. He weighed 4lbs and 10 oz and was 16 1/2 inches long. He is truly a little fighter. Please continue to remember my little man in your prayers. It is so hard, not having him with me. But my prayer is that God will continue to be with him and he will be stronger and in our arms at home, before we know it.

Jolee got to see him for the 1st time today (it was through a window) but at least, she finally got to see her her little brother. She loves him so much and has been a little trooper her self, through all this. Thank you for your prayers and please continue them for our little family. God has been so good to us and has blessed us tremendously.

We are staying, at a place very close to the hospital. So I can visit him and take him milk through out the day. I will try to update as much as possible!

An Update From.....The Hospital

2010-02-28T10:54:00.005-05:00

Well, Im at what has become my 2nd home....the hospital! Yes, again. I was admitted on Friday after having a blood pressure of 162/119. They are keeping me here running more test...labs, u/s, 24 hour urine test, NS T's, etc, etc and then will make there decision on how long this is going to have to go on. My potassium is dropping again, I have more protein showing, and my blood pressure is staying high with headaches. His original goal, was to make it to 34wks and that will be on Thursday. So we shall see!

As for my little man, he is doing GREAT! They just did an u/s on him and he is breathing so good, according to the u/s he weighs 5lbs 4 oz (that's already more than his sister weighed, when she was born) so that made Mama feel better. The tech, kept going on about how good he looked growth wise, breathing wise, and weight wise. So I'm very thankful for that good news.

The high risk Dr. will be around after while to check in and give me their report and I will see my Dr. tomorrow and hopefully we will have a game plan on when Brennan is going to make his grand appearance.

(A picture that was taken last week of Brennan's face)

I can't leave sister out of this post, so here goes a report on her. She is so excited about becoming a big sister. She is actually in Alabama this weekend with Granna for Weston's 2nd
birthday party (wasn't he just born)? It took a lot, for me to let her go, I just miss her so much. But when they said, I was going to be in the hospital all weekend for sure, I knew she would have more fun and would be kept busy in Alabama. She has had a blast, and has got to play with all of her cousins. Before, she left she kept saying...Mom, Brennan's not coming out is he, while I'm gone. She was very concerned about that and I thought, that was precious. She will be back tomorrow and I can't wait to see her!

Thank you for all the prayers that you have been sent up on my behalf and my family's behalf. Please keep them going.

"Your Still The One"

2010-02-24T20:07:00.006-05:00

On Valentine's Day this year, Daddy came home with a very pretty red (which is her favorite color) plant that she can water herself (which she is really into) and a huge balloon that when you tap it, it sings...Your still the One!

The balloon that sings, was her favorite gift by far. She has learned the song and sings and dances to it, all the time! It is sooo cute, to watch her. She even sang the song for the Dr. at the high risk office yesterday (is that sad, that we know them that well) the Dr. then told her...You will be the next American Idol!

Our Valentine's Day tradition had to be put on hold this year, due to Me being on bed rest and all. But we have promised to take her to Build A Bear as soon as life gets back to normal (whatever and whenever that will be)!

Enjoy!

So, sorry it is sideways. But I can't fix it, I have to get back to bed, before my blood pressure rises anymore. But, it's still cute...right?

A Heavy Heart

2010-02-11T00:31:00.011-05:00

Silas' Grandfather, are as we called him Pa-Pa passed away last Sunday night. He had been in the hospital for about 3 weeks prior to that. Silas and Jolee left that night and headed up to Bama for the funeral. It is absolutely killing me, that I'm here on bed rest and Silas and his family are there going through this hard/sad and difficult time. I knew Pa-Pa way before he became my Pa-Pa, when I married Silas almost 10 years ago.

He spoke the kindest words, this last Christmas about Silas and the man he had become and that will always be with me. I'm so glad, I will have that memory of him from this Christmas along with the one of him telling the entire family, that I was pregnant and not just getting fatter. Along with a ton of other memories and stories he always told. The night, Silas and I got engaged I saw him and he kept saying..are you sure you want to marry Lee (that is what he always called him) and yes Pa-Pa to this day, I'm still absolutely sure I wanted to marry "Lee"! Lee he was proud of you and loved you, always know that!

When we told Jolee, that Pa-Pa went to heaven she said..he gave me a dress for Christmas and one for my doll so we can match! She then said...we can still go see Grandma Beth, right mom? As she then went and put on the dress Pa-Pa had given her and dressed her doll up and wore it for the next couple of hours. Kids are amazing!

(Jolee and Chloie in their matching dresses, that Pa-Pa gave them at Christmas)

Please, keep Silas and his family in your prayers. Tomorrow is the funeral and I hate that he is having to go through this by his self, although he reassured me he would not be alone..Jesus would be there with him. My 2 favorite people, will be heading back home to me on Friday and I can't wait, I miss them like crazy!

You will be missed Pa-Pa!

(Pa-Pa and Grandma Beth at Christmas with some of their great grandkids)

An Update on Me and Brennan

2010-02-03T13:04:00.007-05:00

So I haven't posted in forever and this time I have a really, really good excuse why I haven't. I have been in the hospital and now I'm out on bed rest. Yep, I said bed rest and hospital! So here is the long story short.

I went a couple of weeks ago, to my OBGYN for a regular check-up and I was driving to the apt. I saw spots and knew immediately, it was probably my blood pressure (it brought flashbacks of when I was pregnant with Jolee). So when I got to the Dr's. office, they checked my blood pressure 3 times and said to me....Congratulations, you have just won yourself a trip to Labor and Delivery to be monitored for a couple of hours (due to my pregnancy with Jolee, I had pre-eclampsia).

So Thank God, Silas was there with me and called Sis. Sherri who came and picked up Jolee. Let me add Silas, had just gotten off of a plane, from a business trip to Atlanta. We Get over to L&D and get all hooked up, with IV's, all kind of monitors, blood work taken, and tons and tons of questions, etc, etc. My blood work came back, and it was not so good. Evidently, your potassium level is supposed to be 3.4 - 5.4 and mine set the alarms off in the Lab coming back at 2.1. That explains, why I have been extremely tired and exhausted this pregnancy and so sick. So that won me a night in the hospital, which then turned into a 6 day stay at the hospital, before they could get my potassium and blood pressure manageable again.

I absolutely hated being in the hospital, away from my family. Due to the H1N1 flu, they are not letting children under 5 on the L&D hall, so that meant I had to get wheeled out in a wheelchair to the lobby, in order to see Jolee. Which I did, and enjoyed every precious minute I got to spend with her in that lobby. It took a few days, for her to come around to me with the IV, hospital gown, and wheelchair she just wasn't used to seeing me like that. Every time my visit was over, with her I would cry and cry.

Our church family, has been wonderful. From keeping and helping out with Jolee, to coming and visiting me in the hospital, cards and phone calls. My Mom is here now helping us out, having to do everything for me and in the house. I got to get out of the hospital, with strict orders of bed rest, no driving, no nothing. But at least I'm at home and can rest in my own bed and sit and color in the bed with Jolee and she brings her barbies in and we play. She still says several times a day...Mommy, you are not going to leave me and go back to that hospital for a long time again are you? Which breaks my heart.

I'm seeing the Dr. twice a week, to keep a check on Me and Brennan. The Dr's. goal is to try to make it to 34 wks, as long as my blood pressure, potassium, and protein levels stay ok. Brennan is doing great, active as usual and weighs 3lbs 12oz right now. I will be 30 weeks tomorrow and go back to the Dr. on Friday.

So post may be few and far between, but I will try to update on me or teach Silas how to. I'm trying to find me a laptop to borrow, so I can update more often from my bed.

So please be in pray for me and my family.

Christmas Night 2009

2010-01-12T11:49:00.001-05:00

One more Christmas post, after this one I promise! Christmas night, everyone gathers at my Grandparents house for more food, more fun, and more fellowship. My Grandmothers side of the family (The Smith's) all come over. That includes her brothers and sisters, their children, then their children and now our children (and people keep having them, ha). It's a lot of work every year, but we all look forward to it and wouldn't have any other way...It's Tradition!

A quick family picture, before heading upstairs to Grandma and Grandpa's

After we eat, we all gather around and sing hymns.

After the hymn singing, we always sing some silly old songs that grandma and her family grew up on. Example: The Old Grey Mare, Grasshopper sitting on the railroad tracks, and Jolee's favorite song....The hole in the bottom of the sea. The girl can sing it too, she knows it better than I do!

Granna, Jolee, and Pappy!

Granna and Pappy with the Grand kids on Christmas night

Christmas at Pappy & Granna's "09"

2010-01-12T11:25:00.003-05:00

Christmas morning, after Santa presents had been opened we opened presents at Pappy and Granna's house. We all had a good time, watching and laughing at Jolee and Weston!

Pappy always, every Christmas gets Jolee a new snow globe (that's their thing) and she will remind him about it too. This year Pappy got her a Cinderella Snow Globe!

The funniest thing to me was, at 10:30 in the morning Weston wanted ice cream. So we assume after giving Jolee and Weston ice cream at 10:30 0n Christmas morning, will become yet another tradition (that I'm sure Brennan will enjoy next year as well). It was Christmas, who cares if you eat ice cream for breakfast at Granna and Pappy's, right?? Weston could have cared less about presents once he was digging into his ice cream, it was hilarious!!

Pappy and Granna enjoying looking at their new calendar of the grand kids for 2010!

Jolee had asked for a housecoat with unitorns (unicorns) on it, well after searching all the stores in Florida and Alabama and the Internet....Nothing! So sweet Granna made her a housecoat and then took it to have a unicorn embroidered on it! Jolee loves it, and she looks so cute wrapped up in it.

Silas borrowed Weston's present and went to drawing, his best picture was of Uncle JoJo!

See it looks just like Uncle JoJo!

Jolee in her new Sleeping Beauty dress!

We all had such a wonderful Christmas morning together!

Dear Santa,

2010-01-09T11:38:00.002-05:00

Jolee working on her letter to Santa, all by herself. She said she wanted to make it colorful like a rainbow and draw him some pictures and write to him...Dear Santa, the date, and Jolee!

Jolee so proud of her finished letter to Santa!

Before heading to bed for the night, she wanted to leave Santa some cookies, a carrot for every reindeer (yes we named them all and counted them out) and leave Santa some Chocolate milk, because it is better than white milk and it would match hers in her cup! So that's what Santa got!

We had a few issues, with Santa like last year, she did not want to see him and did not want him to come into the house, while she was sleeping. Some questions, from that night.

Jolee: Does Granna and Pappy have a chimney?

Me: No they don't

Jolee: Good, so Santa can't come in their house?

Me: Well, if you want him too, he can?

Jolee: I don't want him to, he can leave them by the door?

Me: Ok, if that's what you want

Jolee: We should probably leave his cookies and milk outside by the door too

Me: Umm, ok if that's what you want

Long story short, before that she just wanted Santa to mail her presents to her, then she wanted him just to leave them by the door and not come in, in the end she said he could only come in the room that had the Christmas tree in it and get his cookies and leave her presents, but could not come past that room as she shut the door. It was Hilarious!!

Christmas morning, Jolee running to see if he ate his cookies, if he gave all the reindeer their carrots and drank his milk.

He did and he left her a letter, that she was so excited about. He new she had been a very good girl, that she took dance, and was going to be a big sister!

He left her a purple light up hula hoop and some more cool gifts, that she had asked for!

She got make-up and was so excited, because she said she was almost out at home!

Jolee looking at the letter Santa had left for her!

It was a very fun Christmas morning!!

Christmas Eve Night "09"

2010-01-09T11:05:00.002-05:00

So I forgot to post a picture of our Christmas Card, before Christmas so here you go. Better late than never, right?

****************************************************************

The Johnson's Christmas get together!

After the Roberts Christmas get together on Christmas Eve morning and a short nap, we headed over to Silas's Pa-Pa's house for their Christmas get together. The picture above was taken after he made the kids sing 2 Christmas songs for everyone, in order to get their presents. In the picture is Pa-Pa and Grandma Beth and some of their great grandkids! We had a good time over there and ate way, way, way to much!

***************************************************************************

After eating there, visiting awhile, and opening presents we then headed across the yard to MeMaw and PePaw's house (Silas's parents) to have Christmas there. The boys and Jolee played really well together. She is the only girl, so her boy cousins take good care of her over there.

Jolee was super excited about getting a Princess Vanity, from MeMaw and PePaw! She loves it! She racked up that night,with lots of good gifts and it wasn't even Christmas yet.

Jolee, Zachary, and Caden playing Kerplunk! They had a good time playing, while we watched them and visited and of course ate again!!!!!!

2009 Christmas Eve was a success!

26 Weeks!

2010-01-06T15:01:00.002-05:00

A break from Christmas post, to update you on Brennan!

How cute is little man? These 1st 2 photo's are fresh, from today's Doctors visit. I'm 26 weeks pregnant, and Thank the Good Lord, everything with Brennan is going great! As of today, he weighs 1pound and 14 ounces. Everything about him, is great! He is definitely an active little boy, he moves constantly (which we all love to feel)! They didn't get to many good pictures today, due to him moving around so much. In the above picture his head is at the bottom, with his legs kinda hanging above him. I know sounds weird, but that's what he was doing.

This picture is a profile picture, of him looking up. You can see his little face and nose, gosh I just get so excited looking at him! Jolee is going to be the best big sister ever. She loves to feel him kick and move around, she will come over and say Mom is he moving, I need to feel him. She talks to him and sings to him already. She absolutely loves going to the Dr. with me and knows pretty much about the ultrasound. She says, there's his heartbeat, he's looking at me Mom, there's his hand, its pretty amazing to me and the ultrasound techs that she can pick all that out!

This is from a couple of weeks ago, actually right before Christmas. My wonderful Dr. did some 3D shots for me and they were amazing!

Another 3D picture, taken at 24 weeks! He had is little hand up against his face!

I have to go have my 3 hour Glucose test done this week, YUCK! I apparently have to much fluid surrounding him, which they are thinking it might be due to gestational diabetes (hence having to take a 3 hour glucose test). The problem with having to much fluid surrounding him, is preterm labor. So after my results come back, we will know for definite.

The high risk Doctor, I saw today is pretty sure Brennan Silas Ford will make his debut a little earlier than his due date, just like his sister did! So please be in prayer for us and pray he doesn't come to soon!!

Roberts Family Christmas 2009

2010-01-04T20:04:00.002-05:00

(Weston)

So this starts our Christmas festivities in Alabama. I just decided, I would break it up as the different family events took place, so everyone gets there fair share of being famous on my blog! So you will probably get tired of seeing Christmas pictures, but just bare with me.

Christmas Eve morning, we (my mom and dad) hosted my Dad's 3 brothers and their families for a Christmas breakfast. It was so good (well the food I could eat, was good)! We all woke up, that morning and pitched in and pulled it off. Silas cooked like 30 something pancakes that morning! We all enjoyed the time we had together, telling stories, people making fun that I own a minivan now, and laughing at Weston, who put on a show!

(Noah and Jolee)

(Morgan, Me, Garrett, Silas, Jolee, Joseph, Pam, Weston, Noah, and Zachary)

This is a picture of the Roberts Grandchildren. When my Grandmother died (my Dad's Mom) when I was 12 years old (I have a Birthday this month, so I'm not going to tell you how old I am now, just believe me....it's been years ago) there was only 3 of us Me, Joseph, and Morgan was a baby and know look how many we have added. Two of us have gotten married and have kids of our own, with Dad's Brothers having some too! Grandma sure would have been proud!

Jolee was so excited about getting Snow White!

One event down, many, many more to come!

Our Family Christmas 2009

2009-12-31T11:21:00.002-05:00

Silas, Jolee and I had our family Christmas on Tuesday night before heading to Alabama on Wednesday. It has become our little tradition to usually, have a nice supper together and then open presents and enjoy the time we have to together, before all the hustle and bustle starts. Well, this year Mama was sick with a nasty cold and being pregnant and tired and all, our sit down nice supper we had together consist of pizza and chips and dip complete with coke for everyone! It was a HUGE hit with Jolee.

We had such a good time, it was so much fun watching Jolee open all her presents and how she got into everyone of them. Her comment for the night, after opening each present was.....it's what I always wanted, how did you know? It was precious! She was super excited, when she pulled out her "moving" toothbrush just like Daddy's, except hers has Ariel on it!

Jolee watching her Belle jewelry box. If you had talked to Jolee, about what she wanted for Christmas this was at the top of her list! Score!

She absolutely loved everything! It was such a joy to Silas and I just to watch her.

Sophie gave her princess walkie talkies, she was so excited. She kept saying, Sophie that is the best present..thank you and gave her hugs!

The camera was a huge hit, she loves taking pictures so now she has her very own. We have pictures of inside of the van, of fences we past on the way to Bama, you name it, we got the pictures! She has had a good time with that camera, I say let her take what she wants and we can always delete them later!

Jolee and Daddy with his new hat she gave him!

A very sick Mama with the beautiful frame Jolee gave me!

Jolee with her "Unitorn" Pillow Pet! This was at the top her list too, she loves that thing! It showed up on my doorstep Tuesday morning and we opened presents Tuesday night, that was cutting it close (due to it being on back order, because I ordered it in Nov.). But it made it here and all was happy!

We even have pictures on her camera of her new microwave!

Another wonderful Family Christmas! We enjoyed watching her open all of her presents, more than we did opening ours...1 that could mean we are getting old, but I think we just love our family and Jolee so much, that's what it is all about. Next year, we will have another little one to add to our family Christmas fun!

Our Annual Church Christmas Trip!

2009-12-30T12:29:00.002-05:00

(Silas and Brother David)

Our Church loads up every Christmas and heads down to St. Augustine to enjoy the beautiful Christmas lights. And it is beautiful, but don't think for a minute we didn't enjoy some shopping and good food while we where there too!

(Hannah and Jolee)

We all had such a good time, walking the streets, enjoying the scenery and each others company.

Jolee and Carrigan all bundled up in their strollers!

Timothy, Carrigan, Camdyn, John Anthony, and Jolee in front of the huge Christmas tree!

Jolee got the doll she is holding that morning at church, from Sis. Glenda and she has not put her down since. As you can see she went to St. Augustine with us, she went to Bama with us for Christmas, she goes everywhere with us and her name is Chloie. So Sister Glenda, thank you so much for the doll, Jolee loves her!

A family picture!

It was such a fun night and to spend it with people from our church, made it even better!

Family Photo Shoot 2009

2009-12-17T19:39:00.001-05:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Christmas Creativity!

2009-12-16T20:46:00.002-05:00

In between the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, Jolee has made some wonderful yet special crafts to help decorate our house for Christmas. She painted 3 wooden Christmas trees (the colors of her choosing) we hung our rainbow painted tree on our Christmas tree, so surprise Granna, Pappy, MeMaw, and PePaw if yours hasn't came in the mail yet....be looking for it!

And these fun decorations, are templates that I made her and she got to decorate them any way she wanted too! Some as you can see, have glitter, feathers, or stickers on them. We hung those up in our archway. We had such a good time together, working on these projects! She is so proud of the decorations she made. And I absolutely love it, it adds so much and it is her artwork.

Bless her heart, she was watching a Christmas movie in her room but didn't make it to the end. She looked so cute and precious laying there in her Footie Christmas Princess Pajama's!

Jolee loves watching Christmas movies, her favorites so far have been...Charlie Brown's Christmas and Santa Buddies. But if she see's one on as we are channel surfing, she wants to stop and watch it.

Her favorite Christmas songs this year are....Have a Holly Jolly Christmas (or as she says it, Have a Hoggy Joggy Christmas), Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow, and Jingle Bells!

Christmas time is such a blast with her!

Christmas Parade 2009

2009-12-15T18:08:00.004-05:00

A couple of weekends ago, well actually it was the night of the Bama vs. Florida game, you know the game where we beat them. Jolee was in her very first Christmas Parade. But don't worry all of my Bama family and friends, we made sure to watch the first half with our HUGE gator fan preacher and deacon of the church and after the parade, we made sure to go back and rub in who won and who was the SEC champions,etc. After that night, I have earned the name Sister Meanie from my preacher, to which I blamed it on the hormones and pregnancy! But oh how fun it was, and believe me those two would have been at my house beating my door down if their Gators had won.

But anyway, back to Jolee's 1st Christmas Parade. She rode on a float with her dance studio. It was an Angel float, so they were dressed in white and had halo's on and candles to hold. She looked so cute! She loved every minute of it. She waved and hollered Merry Christmas the entire time to all the people standing on the streets. I told her, you don't have to wave the whole time, her reply...oh yes I do. And if some people didn't wave back, she told me about it...Mom, those people did not wave at me. She was hysterical! When one hand got tired she switched to the other hand. She did a great job!

Kaitlin and Jolee on the float. Kaitlin dances there too and also goes to church with us. So loved already knowing someone and a older girl at that.

She saw alot of people from the church, that she knew standing on the streets watching the parade and she got so excited. But, when she saw the McCooks, she was beside herself. After we waved to them and they yelled her name out, she was pumped. Then she said, can we turn this around and go back and see Carrigan again. I tried to explain, parades just go straight, they don't really do U-turns.

Jolee with her teacher Miss. Leigh and her friend in dance class Alayna.

Jolee in front of the float at the end of the parade. She keeps asking, when she can be in another parade, and I told her next Christmas. So she said until then, we can be in our own parade in our van. So, yes as we ride down the road sometimes she says, ok mom stay straight in the parade and I will wave at people.

The joy and fun that children bring to your life is unexplainable!

Our Tree

2009-12-11T10:54:00.002-05:00

So last weekend, we put up our Christmas tree. Jolee was beside herself with excitement! It was so much fun to watch her this year, she was very much into decorating it, talking about all the ornaments and where they came from and who's ornament is this and what about this ornament? Gosh, it brought back so many wonderful and exciting times of when I was younger and put up the Christmas tree with Joseph, Mom, and Dad. It was always a family thing, that we did together and we would talk about where our ornaments came from and so forth. So reliving it again, through my little girls eye's was so much fun!

Jolee and Daddy!

This year, our tree is different in the way that it is decorated. Jolee loved and was so excited about hanging the ornaments, we let her have at it! So at the top of the tree, we have a star, then it just has lights until it gets within Jolee's reach and then all the ornaments are at the bottom. We let her hang them, where and how she wanted to. So again, our tree....star, nothing, ornaments at the bottom but all the way around the bottom!

And we wouldn't change it, for anything!

I can not even describe to you, the joy Silas and I felt watching her that night. And the joy beaming from her!

Jolee and Mommy!

A glimpse of our tree. Some branches have like 5 ornaments hanging from one branch and her reasoning is...they need their friends to hang beside them at Christmas! Gosh, I love her!

Jolee giving Brennan kisses!

She loves to just go and sit and look at the Christmas tree. So, these days if you can't find her or if she is really quiet, that means you can find here up front, looking at the tree. She also, loves to take her new book that Pappy and Granna gave her up there by the tree...It is a Christmas book that is recorded in their voices, so they read it to her several times a day! Her favorite thing, is at night when Daddy comes home before bed time, they will both go and lay on the couch and talk about and look at the tree! Sweet, Sweet, Memories!

Thanksgiving "09"

2009-12-07T20:25:00.004-05:00

(Weston)

Thanksgiving is always a busy, busy time when you live out of state and go home and fit in everybody's get together's. It's nothing like Christmas time and all the get together's you fit in then, but still it's a busy time. But we would not trade it for anything. Spending time with our family's is what the holidays are all about. We were actually in Bama the whole week of Thanksgiving this year, which meant I got to fit in some shopping. We (Me, Granna, and my Granmother) took Jolee to the Galleria to see all the Christmas lights and ride the carousal, and she absolutely loved it! We just had an all around wonderful week!

Also that week we got to spend several days with Weston, which Jolee and I loved! Oh my gosh, he is getting so BIG and he is so FUNNY! He and Jolee had a blast together.

Weston and Jolee playing dog. They took turns, putting the leash on each other and leading each other around, it was hilarious!

How sweet are they together. Love this picture!!

I did learn that week, that there is quiet a bit of a difference between little girls and boys. For example: At one point, Jolee and I were snuggled in the recliner watching TV and I look over and Weston is jumping off of the dog cage. At that point, I looked at Jolee and said...Oh no, I'm afraid we are going to have a rude awakening when your brother gets here. Weston is very active, but so very loving too.

Speaking of being loving....Weston giving Brennan kisses!

This was on the way back, from the Ford's Thanksgiving get together. She was exhausted and had played her little heart out. Sleeping with her is... Handy Ba Dandy (you would call him Raggedy Andy, but that deserves a whole post in itself) and Alice, who poor girl has had the flu for about 3 weeks now (clearly her mother, didn't get her the flu shot)!

Cousins Alex, Abbie, and Jolee all bundled up and ready to go outside and play with Grandpa! The Key's Thanksgiving get together was the quietest it has been in years. Only 3 out of the 13 grand kids/great grandkids where there this year. We sure missed everyone, but enjoyed the food and fellowship with the ones who where there.

Granna and Jolee playing in the sandbox, enjoying some "play" time. Mom came after Thanksgiving for a couple of days, to help bring some furniture down and also help me clean out some closets, 5 to be exact! Boy, did we work HARD! Actually, Granna worked really hard. I could not have done it with out her. So we are making progress on making room for Brennan, to come and join us!!

B-A-M-A...Bama all the way!

2009-12-07T11:28:00.005-05:00

(Mason and Jolee)

The weekend before Thanksgiving, my little family headed up to Tuscaloosa to go to the Bama game. The night before the game, we spent the night with some of our very close friends..the Kimbrows and got an extra surprise when the Holland family came over too! We all had such a wonderful time, we laughed and talked all night while the kids played and played! Thank you Brian, Corie, Mason, and Evan for a wonderful time, we love you guys!

The next morning, we headed out to enjoy some time on the quad and to show Jolee around campus, before the game. She has all the books about the UA, and when she saw the sights in person, she was so excited and said that is in my book, that is in my book!

Her favorite part of the whole day, was getting her picture made with the UA dancers! She kept asking, where they where during the game? could she go see them again? That is all she talked about and still is talking about! She loved it!

Jolee and Daddy headed to the stadium. I Love this picture!

Run Girl Run!

We met up with Silas's best friend from high school, Ben and his wife Angela.

Jolee in front of the stadium!

Big Al, she like him from afar!

Jolee and Daddy during the game!

Jolee dancing at the game, she really loved it. She cheered and shook her shaker the entire game!

That was a really good game, we came to play that day. Like how we came to play and beat the Gators Saturday night! Can I just tell you, how excited we are that we WON that game! Living in Gator country, it sure was nice to show up to church on Sunday morning and see some of our dear brethren on Sat. night after the game and hear no smack talk coming from them!!!! Jolee ofcourse, wore a houndstooth dress to church yesterday!

Headed out of the stadium, she loves to ride on her Daddy's shoulders!

Jolee infront of Denny Chimes, or as she calls it... the big building that is in her book. She kept wanting to go back and see it. Which you know thrilled her Daddy!

Jolee carrying her and Brennan's souvenirs!

We all 3 had such a great time, that day! I guess I should say 4, because Brennan moved the entire game. I guess it was all the noise, even though Daddy said...he already knew where he was at.... a Bama Game! It was just an all around wonderful, fun family day. We can't wait to go again!

She is ready for the game......

2009-11-19T21:38:00.005-05:00

We three are leaving out tomorrow, headed to Tuscaloosa for the game and then a week in Bama for Thanksgiving!

If I don't get a chance to blog this week, I pray you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day and may we truly give thanks and be thankful for what God has blessed us with.

Happy 80th Granddad!

2009-11-17T12:30:00.007-05:00

The week before Halloween, Jolee and I went home to Alabama to help get ready for Granddad's 80th SURPRISE party! We had a wonderful and fun packed week. Jolee got to play with all her cousins that week and she had a blast!

Abbie and Jolee playing with the blocks. These two are so much alike!

Weston has grown so much. Jolee was so excited he was talking this trip!

Jolee and Audrey

We had Granddad's party outside, complete with a jumpy house for the kids, we grilled out, had a bonfire, hayride, and watched the Alabama/Tennessee game outside on a projector it was pretty cool!

Family and Friends gathered around, for the telling of Grandad, that this was really a party for him and not the twins like he thought!

more family and friends

more family and friends,

and even more family and friends.

As you can see, he was very surprised and had no idea!!

Charlie and Jolee

The kids played and played all day!

Some family and friends watching the game!

Granddad watching the game!

Uncle Gary cooking!

Eating supper, there is no way I got every one's picture that was there that day. Family and Friends came and went all day, it was huge!

Grandad watching the video, the family had made for him of his life, his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. It was a beautiful video, that brought back so many wonderful and fun memories.

And Grandad blowing out the candles on his cake!

Happy 80th Birthday Granddad! You have and always will be such an important and special part of my life. I cherish all of our trips we took, time we have spent together, funny stories you have told me, and the serious talks about life. You are FANTASTIC and I love you very much!

Thank you to all the family who worked so hard to pull this together for him and thanks to all the family and friends that came out to help celebrate his special day!

Halloween 2009!

2009-11-02T12:18:00.003-05:00

Months and months ago, Jolee had said she wanted to dress up like Ariel for Halloween. And if I say so myself, she looked mighty cute as Ariel, maybe the cutest little mermaid out there!!

We had a fun Halloween day. We spent the day, evening, and night at the Crawford's celebrating John Anthony's birthday. They had a costume party, with all the food and games you could imagine! Sister Sherri, always does an outstanding job every year.

Sister Sherri and Ariel!

Daddy already going through her prize box, to see what candy he wanted and we hadn't even been trick-or-treating yet!

Jolee was some kind of serious, about playing "Boo Bingo"! She loved it and wanted to do it herself! We played and played and played, well until she won and got to pick out a prize!

Had to loose the wig to jump, jumping on the trampoline and playing with the bus, is her favorite things to do at the Crawford's!

Ariel and Mommy before going trick-or-treating!

After playing all day at the party, we ate supper and loaded up on the trailer for a hay ride and headed out to trick-or treat!

She absolutely loved getting candy!

Ariel and Nina trick-or- treating!

A family picture with our Ariel!

Happy Halloween!

She had a wonderful time and was so into the getting candy part. If the house looked too scary, she would say not that one Mommy. I was so glad, because I don't like scary stuff either. She wouldn't walk up to a door by herself, but when someone went with her...she would say trick-or-treat and thanks to them!

So far in her little life, for the past Halloweens she has been a... pumpkin, nurse, ballerina, and now Ariel. Another good Halloween to go down in the books! Now what am I going to do with all this candy, that she wants to eat, for breakfast, lunch, and supper and in between!

Pumpkin Patch 2009!

2009-10-30T17:44:00.005-04:00

The lack of posting last week, was due to Jolee and I being in Alabama with family. We went up to celebrate and have a HUGE "surprise" party for my grandad who turned 80. Also, while we where there, we celebrated the twins 1st Birthday and we ventured on out to the pumpkin patch. Of course, there will be post and pictures on all those events later. But today, we are focusing on the pumpkin patch!

Pappy, Granna, and I took Jolee, Edison, and Audrey. We all had such a great time, and they where like 3 peas in a pod all week, these cousins had a great time being together last week!

A picture of Grandad and Jolee, before we headed to the patch!
Jolee riding "socks" the pony. This was her favorite thing to do at the pumpkin patch. They rode them 4 times that day to be exact!

Audrey on her pony!

The first hour we where there, Edison slept thru it! He was out!

Jolee and Audrey looking at the goats. Notice the same jeans on the girls, they are the same size as well. Jolee is 3 and Audrey is 4! That means my hand-me-downs are slowing down! ha,ha!

A girl who, the day before was in the car for 8 hours and no nap that day at the patch = A tired little Jolee, but after some Dr. Pepper (just a little caffeine) and a snack of fries and pizza, and some Pappy loving. She was good to go again!

Jolee riding "Trigger"

I told ya, after the caffeine they where good as new!

Granna, Pappy, Edison, Jolee, and Audrey in the Maze!

Pappy helping Jolee pick out her pumpkin

Audrey carrying her pumpkin

Granna and Jolee with her pumpkin!

The 3 Amigo's...Jolee, Audrey, and Edison!

Jolee on the 'Big" hay as she called it

Pappy, Jolee, and Granna!

Me and Jolee

I gave up on trying to get a picture, with them all looking at the same time!

Edison on his pony! He loved it!

We had a great day at the pumpkin patch!

95% Sure

2009-10-29T18:33:00.004-04:00

I had a very exciting, Dr's. appointment yesterday. The Dr. said he is 95% sure, we are having a....BOY!!!! I 'am 16 weeks and everything is looking GREAT, Praise the Lord! We go back on the 20th and will have a definite answer by then, but 95% sounds pretty definite to me!

Silas is so excited, and Jolee is getting used to the idea, I think. She was pulling for a sister, so much in fact that everyone knew that, even the Dr. So this is how the Dr. told us, it was going to be a BOY...You might want to work on big sister over there, about the color BLUE! Silas actually identified it was a Boy, before the Dr. told us (little man, must be proud)! I had dreams, that it was a girl, but kept calling it HE when I talked about the baby or pregnancy. If anything is different so far, about carrying a girl or a boy.....When I was pregnant with Jolee, 12 weeks and 1 day, I was over the nausea, but with Little Man, I'm still sick!!

Drum Roll Please......His name will be.......

Brennan Silas Ford

This is the first little things, Brennan has gotten. Big Sister picked him out a little puppy and a truck book. She said the puppy he could cuddly with, and we don't have any truck books at our house, for him! I was trying to get her involved and letting her pick out boy stuff. She is calling him Brennan now, and seems to be very excited and getting over the whole wanting a sister thing!

Thank you all for your prayers, Please keep them coming for us during this pregnancy!

A "mini" Family Vacation

2009-10-12T20:47:00.004-04:00

2 weekends ago, Silas was scheduled to be at Winter Garden Church, close to Orlando on Sunday. So we decided, why not take a day or two before and spend some much needed family time away. We packed up and headed down to Orlando on Friday morning, to the Fort Wilderness Campground at Disney World! We had a wonderful time being together and trying to fit in everything we could at the campground! It is the nicest campground you could ever imagine, I promise and that is coming from someone who really loves her family to go camping while pregnant in a tent! I packed the phenergan and double checked that I had packed it several times, and off we went!

Jolee and Daddy at the swimming pool at the campground!

water slide at the campground

We attended the pool party at the campground, they had...music, dancing, limbo, and hula hooping contest. It was so much fun. Jolee tried her best to hula hoop, it was hysterical. But what topped that, was Silas! He was in the hula hooping contest, to try to win Jolee a prize. Because I love him and don't want to embarrass him, I'm not posting any pictures of him hula hooping! But take my word for it, it was PRICELESS, he was a good sport and such a good Daddy!

That evening we headed to the Chip-N-Dale sing a long! We roasted marshmallows by the fire and we sang lots of songs!

Daddy and Jolee roasting marshmallows!

Mommy and Jolee roasting marshmallows!

Chip and Dale with Chuck Wagon Bill

Dale, Jolee, and Daddy!

Headed to Downtown Disney on the bus! She loved the bus rides, after all we did, done and was going to fit in on this trip, you ask her, what her favorite part was......riding the bus around,the one with the purple seats!

At Downtown Disney, we walked around and looked at some shops (of course, the princess stuff) and ate at the "Big Earth" or that is what Jolee calls it. It was actually Planet Hollywood!

The next morning, she got to go on a pony ride! The pony she rode, name was Levi. Now we have a couple of ponies around her named Levi!

Family picture!

Giving Levi hugs bye!

After the pony ride, Daddy had it all planned out. We headed over to the ESPN Club and ate lunch and watched the Bama game. How convenient and well planned out was that!!! After we ate, Jolee and I went for a walk around the board walk and looked at little shoppes along the way. When the game was over, we head over to the Roberts house. We had a wonderful night catching up and visiting with them. Jolee went right in and made her self at home. We had wonderful fellowship and wonderful food that night!

The next morning, we headed over to Winter Garden Church to be in service with them and had a wonderful time. We got to see people we haven't seen in like 3 years, since we had moved. Some hadn't seen Jolee since she was 4 months old. It was great getting to catch up with everyone. Thank you, Sister Becky and Brother Rodney for hosting us on Sat. night. We enjoyed it so much!

We also stopped on the way home, and attended a night service with a wonderful group of people. So as you can imagine, when we finally made it home and after fitting all of this in, in only one weekend. We where all exhausted! There was some swollen feet in the end, but what a wonderful good time we had!

**I had to fit in those last 2 pictures of me and Jolee, we don't get a lot made together, because I'm always the one taking them.**

Promoting her favorite store...

2009-10-12T11:22:00.003-04:00

How the Big news was shared!

2009-10-09T11:07:00.004-04:00

I figured, I needed to document as much as I could on the blog about our new addition, because it is not looking promising that it will get a scrapbook like Jolee due to the fact..I'm so far behind on Jolee's scrapbook it's not funny. I just don't see it happening, right now. But there is always hope, that Granna will come through for he/she and fix a scrapbook (hint,hint,Granna)!!

It was a couple of days, before Silas's 30th B'day and I thought what an awesome birthday present! So I wrapped the pregnancy stick with a little note, and that's how he found out, he was going to be a Daddy again!

We waited to tell Jolee, until we went to the Dr. Bless her heart, she would ask everyday..Mom are you still sick. She would want a wet, cold, rag on her head too. So many,many days we just layed around on the couch, with rags on our head watching Max and Ruby.
But after, we went to the Dr. we told her...She was going to be a BIG sister and she was so excited. We explained, that is why mommy has been sooooo sick (so know she says, mommy is the baby making you sick today) We also told her, it was going to be our little family secret, for awhile and to our surprise she thought that was cool and kept the secret.

Jolee with ultrasound pictures, when she found out at 6wks and 5 days!

When we decided to tell the Grandparents, we let her call and tell Pappy and Granna...that she was going to be a BIG sister. And then she called MeMaw and PePaw over the computer and signed the good news to them!

When we felt like it was time, to tell our family and friends...she told them alright, and tells everyone she know's, that Mommy has a baby in her belly! She is so excited as we all are!

Musical Chairs

2009-10-01T18:52:00.002-04:00

Jolee loves to play musical chairs! But her version of musical chairs is a little different. No matter how many people are playing, whether it's just her or someone else (this night Daddy was the lucky one) she puts out however many little or "her size" chairs she can find to run around. I think it's cute and just go with it, her Daddy on the other hand is a little OCD and has a problem with the amount of chairs and the amount of people. So, after listening to him try to explain to her about if you have 2 people, you only need 1 chair,etc,etc. I'm like Hun...she is 3, just play along.

Her response.... But this is how I like to play it ok, Dad!

So after we got all the kinks worked out, about who's rules they were playing by (which ended up being Jolee's, by the way) they had a fun time running around in circles playing musical chairs together! And everybody had a chair, which meant everybody won in the end!

I pulled the "ole" pregnancy card, that running in circles already being nausea's would not be good at all. So Jolee assigned me, as the music player... meaning she gave me a princess keyboard and I stopped and started the music in the comfort from my recliner with my feet up!!

I absolutely love, watching them play together!

Preschool Storytime!

2009-09-30T10:37:00.002-04:00

Anyone that knows Jolee, knows that she LOVES to go to the Library each week. Last year, her and I got to enjoy it together. But this year since she is 3, she gets to go into story time all by herself! They have a teacher and some helpers and they sing songs, listen to stories, do their ABC's, and are learning to count in Spanish and French!

Jolee inside story time! So see why, I'm so ok with it...I can totally see her at all times! But while she is enjoying learning and participating in story time, I have like 25 min. that I can just sit down and do nothing. Well besides, listen to the other parents and kids screaming that can't make up their mind, if they want to go in or out of story time! So it's some sort of a break, I think!

After story time, they always do a craft! She absolutely loves it, and thinks she is such a big girl when she comes out.

The first day she said Mom, your not going with me? I said no baby, this is just for children that are big and that are 3 years old! She said...Mom that's me, I'm 3 and off she went! She did say are you going to watch me and be right here when I get back! So sweet, so after I promised her I would never leave her and would always be right here for her..off she went!

I'm so thankful, that we have such a great Library close by that has wonderful programs like this one!

A HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!

2009-09-28T10:46:00.003-04:00

Jolee is going to be a BIG SISTER!

I know it's blurry, because it's a picture of the ultrasound picture. But I had to show our family and friends our newest subject, that I will be blogging about! In case, you can't make out the picture, it almost looks like he/she is in the shape of a backwards "C" Starting with it's feet, legs, bottom, body, and head!

I'm 11 weeks and 4 days today! We went to the Dr. last Thursday and saw it on ultrasound and it was just a kicking and flipping. The heartbeat was great and it was already doing tricks like standing on it's head (sounds like I'm in trouble already, a trickster like it's Dad)!! We have known for awhile, but due to the past, we wanted to make sure everything was ok, before sharing our wonderful news!

I do ask, that you please be in prayer for this pregnancy and us during this special time. And if it is the Lord's will, that he would continue to bless and see us through this pregnancy!

Jolee is so excited, but has already made it be known...she wants a sister! I have tried to explain, that we we don't get to choose, we take what the Lord blesses us with. Her reply, well Mom I have been praying to Jesus, for a sister!

I have told her, a brother is fun to have too!

Me: I have a brother and when we where little, we would have tea party's and play dress-up (sorry Joseph, I'm selling you out!) and then we would go outside and hunt bugs and ride our bikes real fast! So see that would be fun!

Jolee: You can have a boy tomorrow, this is going to be my sister, Mom!

So, you can't say I havent tried to prepare her for both!

Some Funnies.........

2009-09-23T12:50:00.002-04:00

Jolee: Mom I need a tennis shoe!

Me: A what? Why?

Jolee: Because Mom, I need a tennis shoe in a box

Me: Thoroughly confused at this point, a what?

Jolee: A wiper for my nose, mom

Me: Oh, you need a tissue!!!!

*She is so picky, about stuff. I said we are out of tissue's go get some toilet paper. Mom you don't use that to wipe your nose, you need one out of a box!*

This conversation took place on a Sunday morning, while getting ready for church, between her Daddy and her.

Silas: Jolee, you look so pretty this morning!

Jolee: yep

Silas: Jolee, how about saying...thank you!

Jolee: Thank you!

Jolee: Not skipping a beat, about 2 seconds later says... Dad, how about saying... your welcome!

This is a conversation, that took place while shopping for Jolee some clothes the other day.

Me: Jolee, look at this shirt how cute..do you like it?
Jolee: um, no not really!
Me: still holding the cute shirt in my hand, picked up a pair of jeans and said...how cute are these?
Jolee: I don't think they are my size, they are too long! And then says...Mom I told you, I really don't like that shirt, that you are holding.

*End of story: We walk out of the store empty handed! She is 3 and is a picky shopper already!*

Bowl Baby Bowl!

2009-09-18T17:18:00.004-04:00

Labor Day weekend, when PePaw and MeMaw where here, we took Jolee bowling for her very 1st time! She absolutely LOVED it! She was so excited about the big bowling balls and her shoes. She would squeal, clap and jump up and down every time she bowled the ball, no matter if it knocked over any pins or not. She was so proud of herself! It was so funny to watch her and her excitement about it!

Daddy helping Jolee bowl!

Daddy bowling!

PePaw bowling!

Ok, so this contraption was so cool. I had never seen one before (shows how long it has been since I have been in a bowling alley). So in case you are like me and did not know these existed, well they do and they are GREAT! It's an incline so that you sit the ball on it, and then the child
pushes it down and it rolls towards the pins (at a much faster rate, than just rolling it by hand, for a child that can't even hardly pick up those big ole ball's)!!

So excited as she watches her ball rolling towards the pins!

YAY!

Our little Bowler!!

They bowled 2 games and her first score was 55, and her 2nd score was 56. So girlfriend got a point better and increased her game!

Daddy and Jolee! When we where leaving, she thanked her Daddy for bringing her bowling and said can we come back, and maybe we can eat here too Dad. I see a future date for them there at the bowling alley!

She looks as if she is waiting on her score, in this picture!

Modeling her size 9 bowling shoes! She loved them, she said they helped her twirl around better!

PePaw and Jolee!

We had a wonderful time, and we definitely have to go back. It was hysterical watching her, love it so much and have such a great time!

** While we where there, she said... Mommy I need to have a Barbie Bowling Birthday Party, next time, ok that would be great if I could! Those 2 really don't go together to me, Barbie and Bowling, but hey it could be alot easier on us.**

Labor Day weekend 2009!

2009-09-15T15:14:00.003-04:00

MeMaw, PePaw, and Derrick (their dog) came down to visit us Labor Day weekend. It had been a year since there last visit, so Jolee was really looking forward to the weekend. We all had a great time being together and visiting. I think Jolee wore them out though, that weekend. They played everything from board games, to painting, coloring, barbies, puzzles, and the list could go on and on!

They came with 2 sack fulls of goodies for her..clothes, panties, socks (which I really liked) and of course some toys!

MeMaw and Jolee painting!

PePaw, MeMaw, and Jolee playing "Kerplunk"!

PePaw, MeMaw, Derrick, and Jolee!

Jolee did great signing to them all weekend.The sign she used the majority of the weekend was...to tell them to come PLAY, it was cute. I think that she is kinda getting the idea that they are deaf and she has to use her hands to talk to them, she does a great job. Saying that, doesn't mean she didn't talk louder and louder trying to get them to hear her, but we would remind her, you have to use your hands, remember and she would say ok and start signing and if she didn't know how to say a word, she would ask her Daddy.

Silas and I got to take several naps, while the grandparents played with Jolee. I think that is a rule, right? When grandparents are in town, you try to catch up on sleep! Oh and the extra help cleaning up the kitchen was so nice, a little break for Mama!

Derrick (Silas's brother) and Sophie chilling out on the couch! They are both Bichon's, hence the resemblance!

Thank you PePaw and MeMaw for coming to visit, don't wait so long to come next time!

***************************************************************

After MeMaw and PePaw headed back home on Monday, we headed to the Lake to join our church friends, for some great food, fun, and fellowship. It was a wonderful way to end the weekend. Jolee had a blast, and talk about DIRTY, the girl was covered with it. She was so tired, from all the running around and playing, she slept probably a good hour in Brother Davids arms.
And I didn't take not one single picture that day. I was to busy enjoying myself I guess..eating, singing, playing bingo and laughing and watching the kiddo's. If you go over to Amber's site, she took some great pictures, from that day!

A Family Outing!

2009-09-15T15:01:00.004-04:00

We took Jolee, to see a pro football game a couple of weeks ago and she loved it! She had a great time, running around and watching the the cheerleaders! When we told her we where going to a football game, she said...I need to take my binoculars, so I can see better!

So sure enough, she took them. I'm not sure how great she could see through them, due to them being backwards, but she was happy and having fun!

As we where leaving the stadium that night, we asked Jolee what her favorite part was. Her reply...I loved it all, but eating chicken fingers was my favorite! The girl loves her some chicken fingers!

She did thank her Daddy for bringing her, and told him she wanted to go back there again soon...(they must have had some really good chicken fingers)!!!!

***I woke this morning to find in the living room, Jolee's "Dora"blanket in her chair and Silas's (Alabama) blanket in the recliner . I asked Jolee what did you and Daddy do last night after Mommy, went to bed?? We sat in our chairs and covered up with our blankets and watched football, Mom!! It must have been a proud night for Daddy!!***

I'm going to brag a little......

2009-09-10T16:57:00.003-04:00

Ok, so you had your warning...that in this post "ole" mommy here, is going to be doing some bragging!

This is the first time that Jolee, has written her name...

I'm impressed here, in case you can't tell. She is 3 and I only showed her twice how to do it and voila! My baby girl can write her name all by herself!

What do we do when it rains.........

2009-09-01T14:34:00.004-04:00

We play in it!!!

Since it has been raining a lot here lately, Jolee automatically ask every morning...Mom when it rains today, can we go out and play in it and jump in the puddles?

She loves to wear her rain boots (usually on the wrong feet, but hey she'll learn, right?) Sometimes we will say...Jolee your shoes (any kind of shoe) are on the wrong feet. Her reply...it's ok I like to wear them like that!

She had her wardrobe all planned out. She said I will wear my rain boots, and my big thing that I wore when it rained at Disney World (poncho) and I need my umbrella. Mom, it will match because my umbrella and shoes have pink on them (she's too much)!

Excuse Me....

2009-09-01T14:13:00.002-04:00

She is 3 people, not 10 (and not that it is ok then either, but still) Yesterday, she was in the bathroom and I said...

Me: when you are finished, you need to pick up the toys in the living room....yes ma'am.

Jolee's response: yes, ma'am and as I turn to walk out of the bathroom, I hear....whatever.

WHATEVER people, that is what she said!!

I came back around that corner and said excuse me, what did you just say... Umm whatever, sometimes I just like to say that, ok Mom!

Me: No, it's not ok, you never say that to Mommy, when she tells you to do something, ok!

Jolee: Yes Ma'am!

The Girl, is cracking me up!

It does look like.......

2009-08-26T16:50:00.003-04:00

Daddy!

Jolee was taking a bath the other night, when Silas called me in and said look "T" she drew that face all by herself (she was using bathtub crayons). We were pretty impressed. That's a pretty good face, for a 3 year old (we thought). My favorite part was, when she said...it's you Daddy, see the hair on the bottom of his chin, its just like yours.

The girl, doesn't miss anything!

SURPRISE DADDY!!!!

2009-08-24T19:52:00.008-04:00

(Jolee and Brother Lee blowing up the balloons)

So Silas turned the big 30 this month, and what better way to celebrate than to have a SURPRISE party! And it really was a surprise, he still didn't believe it even after he walked in and everyone shouted SURPRISE and started singing Happy Birthday to him! We literally had to show him the cake with his name on it before he was a believer.

I knew there was nothing Silas would love or enjoy more these days, than being and celebrating with our dear and wonderful friends from church. They where all so wonderful in helping plan it and keeping it a secret from him. Our wonderful decoy couple..Matt and Stacey helped tremendously. We were going to Nina and Brother Lee's house to have a welcoming dinner for them, or so Silas thought. They are new at church and we wanted to get to know them better and welcome them, they already fit in great and we really are going to have a dinner for them soon!

When Silas and Brother David FINALLY got there, Silas was late to his own party (but didn't know it). He told me the day before he was going to a wedding with Bro. David and would be there later. Inside I wanted to say...it's for you crazy, you can't be late. But I kept my cool and went with it. So like I said when they finally showed up. Matt and Stacey answered the door and said...it's about time you get here. Silas still not having no clue said...we can start the party now....So everyone jumped out and shouted SURPRISE, he was really shocked and SURPRISED! I usually don't get things by him, but this time I got him and pulled it off!

Silas after walking in the door and being SURPRISED, with a proud Papa David behind him!

His cake table with some important milestones in his life...baby picture, wedding picture, and a picture of him and his little girl!

Blowing out the candles! I was going to get 3o individual candles but then I thought, no I will be nice, plus my time will be here before we know it.

Brother Lee and Jolee. Jolee was so excited about the party for her Daddy, all day she kept saying surprise daddy...Happy Birthday!

after we grilled out, the kids played in the pool, while......

the adults did some singing and talking, but mostly laughing.

Silas and Nina singing

The men chatting it up

And the woman laughing as usual!

It was a wonderful day. I could not have pulled it off with out Nina and Brother Lee, they worked so hard helping me get everything ready. I love you guys and am so blessed to have you in my family's life. Thank you for all you did!

The Gannon Gang + Granna's Visit

2009-08-20T18:45:00.007-04:00

(Granna reading a book to..Edison, Jolee, and Audrey)

Ok, so back in July (I'm really behind at posting) my Aunt and 4 out of her 5 kiddos and Granna came to visit us for a week. It was a blast! We stayed busy, busy, busy and I think they came the HOTTEST week of the summer. With 3 adults, 3 toddlers running around, the twins with their oxygen machines (they can put off some heat, all on their own) it was a very hot but very fun week! Lots of wonderful memories were made!

Jolee fell in love with the twins. She would sing to them, if they were crying she would put their passy's in, she is in love with them. She has been on this kick of wanting a sister, but since the twins visited us, she has decided she now needs 2 sisters or 1 sister and 1 brother (she has is all figured out). My response to that....Wow, Jolee lets watch what we pray for. Just kidding we would take what ever we were blessed with.

These 2 girlie's, where 2 peas in a pod. They played together, they ate together, they wore the same clothes. they wore the same nightgowns....everything had to match that week! They where so cute together, I'm so glad they got to spend some time together. In the above picture, they made up some game...they would stand on the air mattress and make a horn sound and fall face first into the mattress...whatever made them happy!

Jolee is 3, Audrey is 4, and Edison is 2...... playing outside in the pool!

Edison jumping in the pool. As long as the girls where laughing, he kept jumping in. He loved his cousin Jolee, he would get so excited when she came into a room, he would follow her around and try to give her hugs and kisses. It was cute!

Jolee and Isabella!

Jolee and Kathleen!

(Audrey and Jolee in their stroller)

We even fit in a trip to Disney that week! Michele and I took Jolee, Audrey, and Edison. While Granna stayed home with the twins! Can I say Disney in July is HOT, HOT, HOT! We had a lot of fun though, we rode lots of rides, saw the princesses, and drank, drank, drank!

Audrey, Belle, and Jolee after watching...Belle's story time!

Edison, Michele, and Audrey on the teacup ride! I love Audrey's face in this one!

Jolee and her favorite princess Belle!

Jolee and I waiting in line to see Ariel!

Miss. Hollywood and Ariel!

Jolee had to go back and up and ask Ariel where Flounder was? Her answer which I thought was pretty good...Flounder is out swimming with Nemo today, but I will tell him you said hello!

Jolee and her 3D glasses, None of the kids cared for that one really! Jolee was scared to death and she didn't even wear her glasses during the show.

Michele, Edison, and Audrey riding Dumbo!

A very tired and wet Jolee sporting her rain poncho!

Michele and I and the kiddos in the rain. It poured that evening! We where on the train ride and then they announced...the train is shutting down, due to the weather. We had got on the train at the station in the back and had ridden it to the front, when they made that nice announcement. So after the brunt of the storm blew over, Michele and I had to walk all the way back to the train station in the rain with 3 kids in tow to get our strollers and stuff....NICE!

I dont think we were 10 mins down the rode and they were all passed out!

We had a little party for Edison, he turned 2 while he was here!

We had such a fun week together. I know there are lots of pictures, but Grandma has been waiting to see them all.

Thanks Aunt Michele for making the very long trip with so many little ones. And thanks to Granna for coming with her and helping her, plus we where excited we got to see you too!

1st day of dance class!

2009-08-19T11:00:00.003-04:00

On Monday, Jolee attended her first Ballet class. Dance classes actually started the week before, but due to her having pneumonia, she couldn't go. She was so upset, she had looked forward to the first day of dance class ALL summer long. But she was so, so sick.

Showing me, that she learned how to kick her leg up and point her toes!

Spinning around!
She absolutely loved it. I had to peek in several times to watch her, and she just looked so cute in there dancing around with the other little girls!

We got in the car, after dance class and I said tell me about it... Did you love it? Because you know Mommy took dance and she loved it.

She said Mama.....I got alot of Abby's. (There is a little girl in her class named Abby)!

When we got home, she showed her Daddy everything she learned and did pretty well at it and then went over all the rules with us!

She is so excited about taking dance!

Happy Birthday you Two.....

2009-08-17T12:02:00.006-04:00

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to Daddy, Happy Birthday to you!

We Love you so much and hope you have a wonderful 30th Birthday! You are an amazing husband and father, thank you for all you do for our family!

*****************************************************

( I love that I captured, this picture of Granna and Jolee snuggling up together on her last visit here...so sweet!)

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to Granna, Happy Birthday to you!

We Love you Granna and hope you have a wonderful day, you deserve it!

Date Night!

2009-08-06T17:35:00.002-04:00

No not for me, for Jolee and Daddy! At least, once a month he tries to take Jolee somewhere and spend time with her one on one. I love it, I think it is so sweet, that they have Daddy and Daughter time. Plus it gives me a little downtime all to myself!

Jolee was so excited! She told me repeatedly, me and daddy are going on a date, but you are staying here, ok Mom!

They went to a baseball game and got ice-cream, they went to the park at the stadium and played. Silas said, she only lasted 3 innings and then stated she was ready to go (don't worry, the tickets were FREE) so we didn't loose anything. In her defense, it was HOT and raining a bit!

After that, they headed to her favorite restaurant....Chick-Fil-A and had supper. She was so excited when they got home, she told me all about it that night and the ENTIRE next day! Great Memories are being made for her and her Daddy!

A Fun FREE Friday!

2009-08-04T09:44:00.002-04:00

Last Friday, Sweet and Sassy was having their 1st year Anniversary Celebration (the place where Jolee gets her haircut). They where doing FREE updo's, giveaways, pink lemonade, and FREE limo rides. I love anything FREE, and this was right up Jolee's alley!

She loves stuff like this. She sat in that chair, so still and picked out what updo she wanted, picked out her glitter to go in her hair and then what color glitter star she wanted on her face.

And of course, she picked out the Princess Updo! And it was so cute!!!!

Miss Priss waiting patiently, for her turn to ride in the limo!

Jolee on the limo ride, or as she calls it...the "limbo" ride!

She was fascinated by all the pink, sparkly, glittery, stuff inside the limo! I told her I was 27 years old, the first time I got to ride in a limo (thank you Kathleen) and here she is at 3 on her first limo ride! She LOVED it!

Standing in front of the limo!

I said to her..... lets get a picture of the limo, so we can show Daddy. And she said, well I need to be in that picture too, so he can see me with the "limbo"!

Us girls had a fun, FREE day! She was so excited and loved every minute of getting her hair done and riding in the limo. We definitely have a true girly girl on our hands!

Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall.....

2009-07-24T16:56:00.002-04:00

She is a true "girly" girl, through and through. These are a few of her favorite things: putting makeup on (all by herself), putting glitter in her hair (all by herself), putting clips in her hair (again, all by herself), dressing up...in her princess gowns and princess shoes, with all the accessories...crowns, rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. And then twirls, and twirls and twirls, while begging her Prince (her Daddy) to spin around with her!

Off to gear up, for more company on the way!

This week we are hosting, my Aunt and 4 out of 5 of her kiddos from KY and Granna! Another busy fun filled week ahead!

Harmony Highlands 2009!

2009-07-20T13:51:00.006-04:00

(Jolee painting her note)

Harmony Highlands, the best week of the summer!

It is the one week of the summer, that Silas takes the entire week off, it's the one week of the summer, that Jolee continually ask about...is it time to go to Singing School yet? It's the one week of the summer, that my family sets aside every year
and looks forward too..... the wonderful singing, wonderful fellowship, wonderful eating, and a wonderful week spent worshipping and singing praises to our Lord!

Mom and I teach the preschool class, and have a ball! They are always so fun to be with.

Jolee sitting in her chair on Monday morning, waiting on class to start. She absolutely loves singing school. She gets to meet up with old friends and meet new ones. I love seeing her playing at camp with her friends. Those friendships, will last a lifetime. I still have some of the best friends, from going to Singing School's and Camp's when I was younger.

(Audrey and Jolee having a snack in the camper)

We stayed in a nice, nice, nice camper. It even had a "little" bathtub/shower in it, that worked. Which meant...no bathhouses for us this year!! Jolee kept saying... I love this "little" tamper (camper), its so cute!

Jolee and Jacey, they had a great time together that week.

Pappy and Jolee!

Jolee and Lona leading Hammer, Hammer, Hammer for the class! Notice...she had to have on her Jewelry, even at camp!

Our class in Assembly one night, showing everyone the new songs and notes they had learned!

Jolee and Daddy. She LOVED getting to spend the whole week with her Daddy!

Me and Jolee, sporting our new Harmony Highlands T-shirt's!

Silas and Jacey during assembly. She loved her some Silas!

Jolee and Weston during a class!

Our 2009 Preschool class! They were all so good!

Weston painting his note. Some paint ended up on the note, but most of the paint ended up on his face and mouth! But he loved it!

This is one of Silas's nephew's Caden. It was his first time at Singing School, and he played so hard that week. We kept finding him passed out in different places through out the week.

Silas with his nephew's Zachary and Caden!

Jolee on Friday night with her "re" she painted!

Mom and Me!

Our class on Friday night, performing all their songs, the scale, etc!

It was such a wonderful, blessed week. We are already looking forward to next year!

A Fun Filled Week

2009-07-17T12:16:00.005-04:00

The week of the 4th, is automatically saved and marked down in the calendar every year for my brother and his family to come and visit. Every waking moment was filled with fun adventures. Weston and Jolee had a blast together! They are both at such fun ages, right now.

Jolee and Weston giving Eskimo kisses!

Uncle JoJo and his name sake!

One of the funny things was, Weston wanted everything just like Jolee. Before he came, he would only drink out of one certain cup, but after he saw Jolee drinking out of her Pink Princess Cup....he had to have one. If she had on socks, he would go and point to her feet and he wanted socks on too. It was hysterical! They had to buy several different kind of cups while they where here, same cup as Jolee's just with a "boy" design on it. Joseph said his son was not going out in public drinking out of a Pink Princess cup. It was killing Joseph already, that he was pushing a pink baby stroller around and eating out of pink Barbie plates!

We swam and played outside several days. The Ferrell's came over one day at played and we all had such a good time. The boys enjoyed running and grunting at each other, while the girls entertained themselves playing in the playroom. The McCook's came and went to the Library with us one day, we had fun singing, and listening to story time and doing crafts. And I was so excited, I finally got to show off my nephew to our friends at church. Yep, I kept Uncle JoJo, Aunt Pam, and Weston pretty busy while they were here.

Aunt Pam and Jolee playing beauty shop. Aunt Pam fixed Jolee's hair. so now Jolee was returning the favor to Aunt Pam! It was looking a "hot mess" when she got through with it!

Family picture of the 3 of them at Chuck E. Cheese. Weston had a blast and went full force, riding everything he could. Where Jolee was very stand offish and wouldn't ride anything that moved or made noises

Me and Jolee! The kids cups where cracking us up!

Weston trying to get in their with Chuck E. Cheese, Jolee was standing up crying as she was saying...Weston is too close, make him come back.

Uncle JoJo, Weston , and Jolee heading off to win some tickets!

Love this picture!

Water Park Day! That was such a fun day!

Uncle JoJo and Weston on a water slide.

Me and Joseph with our kiddos at the water park. I'm not a water slide/heights kinda girl. I prefer to stay on the ground. However, Joseph talked me into riding a water slide with him and I screamed all the way down it! After that we just watched Joseph and Pam do all the water slides, and I enjoyed my time in the kiddie pool with the kids!

Weston is a little dare devil. He slid anyway you could imagine down those kiddie slides...headfirst, feet first, sideways, etc and LOVED every minute of it. While Jolee stood in the water and spun around like a princess!

They had such a good time being together that week. I wished we lived closer so they could see and play with each other more often. We miss them so much! Weston is definitely on the go, ALL the time, where Jolee says she needs to sit and rest a minute. Hilarious!

Nathan and Weston playing the pool!

A family picture after Weston's 1st Haircut. It was the cutest place every!

This is our camping trip, I will spare all the details. But we can just say, that my brother will probably never go camping again. If it could go wrong, it did

Jolee and Weston running around the campsite!

We enjoyed a day at the beach!

Jolee and Daddy doing some sight seeing in St. Augustine

And no day at the beach is complete without an ice cream cone!

He LOVED his too!

Aunt Pam, Weston and Jolee at the playground after feeding the ducks.

I know this post was full of a lot of pictures, but we did so much and this was just the highlights of the week. Uncle JoJo, Aunt Pam, and Weston....Thank you so much for coming to visit us, we had a wonderful week. We miss ya'll!

P.S. You don't have to wait till the next July 4th to come down and visit again, Ha! However, we do have ya'lls week reserved already for next year!

RoadTrip!

2009-07-15T14:12:00.003-04:00

So this past weekend we took a road trip with Amanda and Carrigan, to Orlando! We had such a good time! We got to stay in a SA-WEET hotel, where we took the girls swimming that night and of course they loved it! Carrigan and Jolee are both 3 years old, and they play and get along so good. It is hysterical to listen to and watch them.

playing in the water

All bundled up together, heading back to our room!

The next morning, we went to the "Uniquest" McDonald's in the world. I'm serious.... we had Belgium waffles for breakfast, and on the menu for dinner was stuff like Shrimp Alfredo, Shrimp Scampi, Pizza, Pasta, at MCDONALD'S people. It was a 3 story building with 1 whole floor, nothing but a huge play area. It had chandeliers in the bathroom with granite counter tops. Dude, we were amazed!

Jolee and Carrigan playing at the indoor playground in McDonald's

(Jolee, Amanda, and Carrigan)

From their, we headed to Downtown Disney and enjoyed the rest of the day, looking at shops, eating, and traumatizing our girls. The first thing was the water taxi, we took from one side to the other of the park. Carrigan was not so sure of it, at all! Jolee was hesitant at first, but after she found out that the boat was going to go slow, she was fine. She kept saying, Carrigan its ok, we are big girls and this is slow.

So after the boat ride, we decided to take the girls to The Rainforest Cafe for lunch.....BIG MISTAKE!!! Of course, they sat us by this huge moving Gorilla and Jolee lost it, so we asked if we could move away from the BIG moving animals. All was a little better, until the lights went out and it started thundering and lightening and all the animals were making their animal sounds ( it does this every 30 mins). It was all over, bless her heart. Jolee was shaking, with her head buried and crying saying...I want to leave, I want to leave. There was nothing at this point anyone could do for her. I assumed once she got used to it, it would all be ok. But um NO, it wasn't ok. I finally had to leave the restaurant with Jolee, while Amanda got our food boxed up, so we could eat it outside. So after moving to 2 tables, we ended up eating our lunch outside and watching for "Ariel" in the water! Score for us Mom's, right?

I asked Carrigan, how she liked Rain Forest Cafe? And this was her face as she was saying it was "scaries" in there! The other pitiful thing was, while I was taking Jolee out of the restaurant, she kept saying....Thank you Mommy, for leaving with me. She was really terrified of the place, and then I felt really bad.

(Jolee, Pongo, and Mommy)

After those traumatizing experiences were over, we enjoyed the rest of our day at Downtown Disney!

Carrigan, Daffy, Donald, and Amanda!

The girls had such a good time! We all did, it was great to get away for a couple of days and have some girl time. The whole time we where packing, Jolee kept saying..... Daddy you can't go, this is a girls trip!
Thanks for the trip McCook girls, we had a blast!

Busy Bee's!

2009-07-14T14:10:00.002-04:00

We are ALIVE! I know, it has been quiet some time since my last blog. We have been so busy and on the go and have loved and enjoyed every minute of it. So therefore, the blog has had to take a back seat. We hosted company for a week, went to Singing School for a week, hosted more company for a week, been on road trips, and in between all of those things, I had to fit in washing clothes and the normal everyday stuff, oh also in there we had to vehicle shop and the list could go on and on!!

We have had such a wonderful, fun, and busy summer so far. We should be slowing down around here for awhile now, so that will give me the opportunity to catch you up and show ya some pictures from what we have been up too this summer!

This picture truly shows you the little Diva that we have! I said Jolee, look at me so I can take a picture of you and this is what she did instead!!!

"Cooker"

2009-06-13T11:02:00.003-04:00

Jolee loves to play with her kitchen stuff! Any time she wants to play with it, she will say come on, so we can play cooker. basically restaurant, one of us is the customer, one of us is the waitress/cooker)! So as we were playing "cooker" this morning, this is what my waitress looked like when she came to take my order! I was rolling, she was decked out! She is something I else, I tell ya!

It kinda makes you wonder, what kind of restaurants her parents have been taking her too??

Tea Party: for all dogs,horses and pigs!

2009-06-13T09:54:00.003-04:00

I know, you are probably looking at the above picture and saying to yourself...WOW, what a MESS! But it is actually a picture of Jolee's tea party, she hosted for her doggies, horses, and pig friends and me and Daddy last night. Every animal had its own plate and cup. What an imagination this girl has! I love being in the next room, listening to her talk to her animals, barbies, dolls, or seeing her playing dress up and about to head out to the castle for a party, (as she says). It is so precious, to me! And for a bonus, she cleaned it up by herself!! That made for the best tea party ever. She did actually ask her Daddy last night, if this was the best tea party he had ever been too?

***************************************************************************

This cute little girl that Silas is holding, is on her way with her Mommy and Daddy to our house for the week for their vacation. Jolee is so excited that Annaliese is coming to play! When we lived in Alabama, we 4 were close, so it will be interesting getting together after all these years and throwing 2 kids in the mix!

So we got that, this week. Next week we got Singing School, and then Uncle JoJo, Aunt Pam, and Weston are coming back with us and staying for the week. We are so excited about that! So we have a couple of busy, busy, weeks ahead of us. So if the blogging slacks a little during the next couple of weeks, you know why! Company, Trip, Company! But I will be back, with lots of pictures, I'm sure!

36 years

2009-06-11T18:39:00.002-04:00

36 years is a long time. That is how long my Dad or better known now as Pappy, has been working at the same job every day for 36 years. Until last week, when they came in and shut the store he has been going to day after day, year after year down.

It's all he knows really, because he has been so faithful in doing this/his job all his life. So I'm asking that you keep my Dad and Mom in your prayers during this difficult time in their lives.

Dad, I love you! You have always been such a great, loving, caring, and wonderful Dad who has always provided for his family and took care of us. I'm very blessed to have you as, my Dad. I pray that God will guide you in your new career change, and be with you and Mom during this time and comfort you both and His will be done.

We love you, support you, and are here for you!

Princess Party

2009-06-11T17:52:00.003-04:00

So I've drug out this 3rd Birthday thing, is what you are thinking. This is the last post, because thankfully it was the last birthday event, and we are totally out of money now! We had a princess party in Alabama with all the family. Jolee turned 3 and cousin Audrey turned 4 so we had a combined party again this year for the two girls. It was so much fun and they loved it!

Let me be a little sentimental here, before I go on with the birthday fun! The castle in the above picture was painted by Audrey's mother (my aunt) for My 6th Birthday Party, how cool is that! So it's pretty old, but still looked great, it was cool that we got to use it for our daughters birthday party as well! (Thanks Michele)

We had an awesome "princess castle" bouncy house, that was so much fun for the kids and adults!

Granna and Pappy with the birthday girl!

MeMaw and PePaw with the birthday girl!

Jolee and Mommy jumping!

She was so funny, and so excited! She just kept saying over and over again...I can't believe this is my birthday party, I just can't believe it!

Weston is clearly still teething, but seems to be having fun while doing it!

Jolee with her cake. It was so cute and so good too! A lady that my Dad (Pappy) used to work with made it, she did a great job!

Opening up presents!

The birthday girls, Audrey and Jolee in their "new" princess dresses!

Pinata time!

Little Man here, didn't stop the whole time. He played and played the entire time and loved it! Looks like he has seen someone talking while driving before, because he sure knows what to do!

Jolee trying out her new princess skates!

It was such a wonderful and fun day! This was one tired little 3 year old, who played till she couldn't play any more!

The Princess Sleepover

2009-06-06T16:49:00.004-04:00

(Jolee painting her own nails)

So as previously stated, while we where in Bama last weekend we had a sleepover with all four of the girl "key" cousins. It was hilarious, so much fun! We had a combined party again this year for Jolee and Audrey, and since they are both so into the girly stuff....dress up, makeup, painting toenails/fingernails, etc. we decided we would have a sleepover and do all those fun things with their cousins! They loved it.

Aunt Pam, with cousins Lucy and Abbie. They had a blast, they let Aunt Pam pamper them at her spa and then in return they pampered Aunt Pam, oh she was looking good, I got pictures, don't worry!

Audrey and her Mom (my Aunt Michele)

Jolee and Audrey on the other hand, chose not to get pampered, they chose to do their makeup and paint their nails all by their self! Jolee got so into it, she loved it until Granna gave her a mirror and she saw herself, and then she was saying...take it off!

Audrey painting her own nails!

Audrey, all dolled up!

The Birthday girls at their spend the night party, all dressed up and ready to go!

Lucy, all dolled up

It was her party, so I let her have her fun (doing her own makeup and nails). She loved it! I brought boas,wands, gowns, jewelry, etc, etc and they all went digging through the suitcase having a ball!

Abbie, all dolled up!

Lucy, Abbie, Audrey, and Jolee. They did a fashion show, and strutted it, they all thought they were SOMETHING!

And as promised...pictures of Aunt Pam after Abbie and Lucy got a hold of her. She was such a sport, and she was strutting it too during the fashion show!

Every princess has got to have a carriage, right?

So after they dressed up and played for awhile, we ate pizza and lots and lots of candy as we watched Cinderella. They were still going pretty strong at midnight!! We all had so much fun, and laughed all night! Girls are something, I tell ya!

Home Sweet Home!

2009-06-03T11:57:00.002-04:00

Last weekend, we went to home to Alabama. And every time we go home we keep fitting more and more in while we are there. But I love it, I can rest later, right? All of the family was home, and it was great to see and visit with them all.

We got to Bama about midnight Thursday night and started running on Friday morning! On Friday, Jolee fit in a fishing trip with her Daddy, MeMaw and PePaw while I went to town with my Aunt to buy all the Birthday stuff we needed for the girls party on Saturday! We also, that night had a sleepover for the "girl" cousins (which was hilarious and deserves a post and pictures of its own). Then Saturday got up early decorated and had a party (again, post and pictures to come from that)! I'm getting tired just typing all that we did in the short time we where at home. We also attended another cousins Birthday party that night, then church on Sunday, then the long drive back to the house! Whew!

This is Weston giving Jolee some loving and trying to sit in her lap! He has grown so much and is hilarious! Uncle JoJo, Aunt Pam, and Weston stayed at Granna and Pappy's house that weekend too, so we got to play and visit with them alot and loved it!

Cousin Lucy and Silas during a knife presentation, Oh yea, we fit that in too. Another one of my cousins, was selling knifes and did a presentation for us, to earn money for scholarships. Even though, we as in (me and Silas) didn't buy any, because they where $$$$ she did a great job! She should earn a scholarship just getting through a presentation with Silas and Aunt Michele and all their jokes and questions!

Jolee holding Marianna! Jolee was in love with the twins. She held them, talked to them, played with them, kissed on them. It melted my heart. The girls where so cute, it was our first time to meet them, and I fell in love! My Aunt Michele and Uncle Brian are fostering them, so please keep them in your prayers!

Me and Angelica! They are precious!

We had such a good time at home in Bama! And of course, as always our trip went by way to fast and we miss everyone so much already!

On her "Pure Day"!

2009-05-27T21:08:00.002-04:00

After she spotted her presents that morning, it was like torture for the poor girl. So after countless times, of catching her just looking up at her birthday presents and her asking me...is Daddy coming home now? I gave in and gave her one present, but she had to wait on Daddy to get home to open the others. I bet yesterday seemed like an eternity to her!

Dipping the mix into the cupcake holders!

We had such a good day! I took her to the store and let her pick out the cupcake mix, icing, and sprinkles that she wanted and we went home and baked them together.

Adding the sprinkles!

Throughout the day, she would say...Mom, can you sing happy birthday to me! There is no telling, how many times I sang that yesterday!

Jolee and her finished cupcakes!

She loved them! I guess, because all she eats is the icing and they were chocolate her favorite! So we snuggled on the couch and watched Beauty and Beast while she licked away! She got to pick where she wanted to go eat for her birthday supper and yes, she picked Chick-Fil-A her all time favorite restaurant! Then came home and opened presents, I don't have those pictures uploaded yet, but she was so cute and loved them all! She was so grateful and kept saying...I always wanted this mom and dad! After she opened the present from Sophie, she went and gave her a kiss and said....Sophie this is a wonderful gift! I kid you not, she said that to our dog!

Last night as we were laying in bed, she said this has been the best day Mom! She melts my heart!

3 years old!

2009-05-26T14:37:00.003-04:00

My baby turned 3 today, where has the time gone? Everybody always tells ya, kids grow up too fast, but you never really believe it, till its your kid!

My heart hurts, she's not a baby anymore. She doesn't need me, to do every little thing for her anymore, because according to her...she's a big girl now and she can do it by herself!

Last night, I tell you it got to me. I shed a few tears, thinking to myself...this is the last time I will bathe my 2 year old, or this is the last time, I will tuck in a 2 year old. I know, I'm a sap when it comes to things like this.

I decided a couple of weeks ago, I would start writing down things she said or did and put it in her Birthday post, so I can always remember it.

So here's a few:

Jolee's sense of time is: Last Morning! She will say, you remember we did that last morning. No matter if it was a week ago or a month ago, it was last morning to her!
Her Daddy said to her the other day...Jolee it's bath time and she replied, but I don't think I'm dirty today!
We can say, Jolee your silly...she says....no I'm funny!
Jolee what time did you wake up today....30 o'clock! Jolee what time is it (as she is looking at the clock with a concentrating face on) it's 30 o'clock mom!

Sometimes she shortens my name to mom or mama...what happen to her saying mommy all the time? Jolee loves and has learned so many things lately. She loves to go to the Library, loves to sing, and absolutely loves to hear stories about when she was a baby.

She is growing up, way too fast! She has learned to bathe herself, brush her teeth by herself, and after we tell her a story, she now makes up her own story to tell us. She has also started to make up excuses of why she can't do something we ask her to do. Example: Jolee go clean up your play room.... I need to go take a nap and rest (knowing good and well, when it is nap time we have to make her go take a nap)!

But to her, her biggest accomplishment that she has learned, is to open the refrigerator door all by herself. She loves it and is so proud of herself! The other day, I was in the living room and here she came with the chocolate syrup and said she wanted some chocolate milk. As we laughed, Silas and I looked at each other and said yep, we are in trouble!

I interviewed her last night and got her to tell me her favorite things. Again, mostly for me so I can always remember when she turned 3 what a few of her favorite things were:

Jolee's favorite color....Black and Red
Jolee's favorite number....#2
Jolee's favorite restaurant....Chick-Fil-A
Jolee's favorite food....Chicken
Jolee's favorite drink....coke and orange juice
Jolee's favorite place to shop....Wal Mart
Jolee's favorite place to go....Pappy and Granna's house
Jolee's favorite "girl" friends to play with....Abby, Emma, Carrigan, & Katie
Jolee's favorite song...This is the Day
Jolee's favorite church song....Holy, Holy, Holy
Jolee's favorite princess....Belle
Jolee's favorite TV show....The goodnight show
Jolee's favorite movie....Beauty and Beast
Jolee's favorite toy to play with at home... Her kitchen stuff
Jolee's favorite animal....horses
Jolee's favorite animal to sleep with....monkey (but she said, I really need them all)

Jolee what is the #1 thing, you hope you get for your 3rd Birthday.....A Belle dress!

When I woke her up this morning, I was singing... The Happy Birthday song to her and when I finished I said Jolee do you feel 3 years old? Her reply...Not yet!

I could go on and on about her and all she has learned and does now, but this post is already pretty long. But my baby will only turn 3 once, right? I'm so blessed to have her as my daughter and so thankful that I'm her mommy. She makes me laugh every day and her smile brightens my day. I love her to pieces! She is such a good girl, who is growing up way too fast! I thank my God everyday for her (our little 5lb 3oz miracle).

Happy 3rd Birthday Jolee! I love you so much, Love Mommy

She has loved wearing her little ribbon, that has all the princesses on there and says..It's my Birthday! Everybody all day has told her "Happy Birthday" everywhere we have went and she gets so excited and says...thank you, I'm 3!

"Under the Sea"

2009-05-20T11:06:00.003-04:00

Last Saturday, we had a "Little Mermaid" birthday party for Jolee. All of her friends from church came over and we had a blast! Her actual birthday is the 26th, but our annual meeting at church is that weekend, so we had it the weekend before. One party down, one more to go, with the family in Alabama!

She has been so excited about her "Ariel" party. I let her go with me and help pick out all the decorations, cake, balloons, etc, and she helped me decorate and loved it! At 9:00 Sat. morning, she started asking... when will my friends be here, and well that lasted until 2:00 when the party actually started!

Time sure flies! Our little girl is about to turn 3!

We set up about 4 kiddie pools in the backyard and had a slip-n-slide, the kids had a blast and so did the mama's and daddy's watching them all play together. It is some kinda work, throwing a birthday party at your house. But it is so worth it, seeing their faces and watching them have so much fun with their friends.

In this pool, Emma is in the back ground playing, while Camdyn looks super excited about seeing Nathan coming in too. Mr. fearless himself, had a blast!

I wonder what Jolee is telling Carrigan and Emma, in this picture!

John getting revenge on Kyrie, Caitlyn, and Abby!

Jolee getting some birthday luvin from Nina!

Blow, Blow, Blow!

Last year, she cried when everyone started singing Happy Birthday to her. Saturday morning, she came to me and said....Mommy, I'm not going to cry when I blow out my candle, because I'm a big girl now!

Present time!
The girl racked up and got some great gifts!

Nathan and Jolee have it made. Look how many people are waiting to push them....John, Sister Sherri, Amber, and Wandy!

Thanks to all of our friends, for making Jolee's day so special!

It's Raining, It's Pouring!

2009-05-19T18:19:00.003-04:00

So what do we do, when it has been raining for 3 days straight....we play in it!

By all means, I'm not complaining that it is raining. Because according to my hubby, we need it! And it didn't start raining until Sat. evening, so that meant Jolee's birthday/swimming party didn't get ruined, Praise the Lord! Pictures and a post on that later.

We watch the rain, we play in the rain, we shove Sophie out in the rain to go do her business (she is scared of the rain) better her in the rain, than her messing up my new clean carpet, we watch alot of TV/movies, we play, etc, etc!

And Missie plays dress up! Nothing like a rainy day, with your girl in a hula skirt, purple high heels, a purse, and a clown hat! That will make any dreary day brighter!

Oh I almost forgot, since it has been raining... we have also been watching Jolee's straight as a board hair, turn curly and frizzy when she gets out in the rain! Easily amused, we are!

Mother's Day 2009!

2009-05-13T11:31:00.003-04:00

What a wonderful Mother's Day I had! Actually, I had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend! Saturday night I got taken to dinner at Outback, my absolute favorite restaurant and then we went and had ice cream and sat outside on a bench and just enjoyed each others company and laughed our heads off at Jolee!

Then Sunday morning, I woke up to a beautiful purple orchid and some of the sweetest cards, I have ever received! After church, we 3 headed out to the beach and enjoyed the rest of the day. We had a picnic on the beach, played in the sand, got some sun (some of us (Silas) got more sun than others), and again laughed our heads off at Jolee. It was such a wonderful and relaxing day!

This is my sandcastle, that Jolee built all by herself. She said it was my Happy Mother's Day present! I know all you are jealous of it!

Jolee's kite!

Jolee flying her kite! She loved it!

Spinning, Spinning, Spinning! The chick loves to spin!

Me and my girl!

Thank you Silas and Jolee, for making my Mother's Day so special! I'm so very blessed to have such a wonderful husband and daughter!

Sign Language!

2009-05-11T18:32:00.004-04:00

Jolee has really taken off with her sign language. She loves it! We have been checking out sign language videos from the Library and she has learned so much from them, and that little brain of hers just soaks it up. We started her out when she was a baby teaching her signs, not only for the normal reasons (supposed to make kids smarter, talk earlier, helps them communicate before they can talk, etc, etc) but because her MeMaw and PePaw are deaf and we wanted her to be able to communicate with them. So here you go, MeMaw and PePaw a little video to show you how much she has learned lately!