Birthday Boy!

For James' second birthday, I had big plans for the two of us. We were going to eat lunch at Chic-Fil-A, followed by a trip to Target so he could pick out a toy. I even considered trying a movie (kiddo-type, you know). So we got dressed, got in the car, and the car wouldn't start! And looking back, I guess now we got to do what James wanted to do on his birthday, not what mommy wanted to do! Lesson learned...

swimming in the pool...the water was FREEZING!

eating lunch outside

taking a nap...this was mommy's favorite part!

yogurt and granola for a snack! yummy

dinnertime

and an elmo cupcake, of course!

and last but not least: big boys don't use paci's!

So maybe not the day I had planned, but the perfect birthday nonetheless. At least through the eyes of a toddler and his mommy.

Beach, Lulu's, and Airplanes

We had the opportunity to spend the last weekend in February at the beach at Gulf Shores. The weather was beautiful (72 degrees) and James could hardly stand the excitement. He wanted Daddy to build sandcastles (so he could destroy them); he drove his little yellow truck around and buried his Little People and threw sand everywhere. He was WILD!

We went to Lulu's for dinner, and our server was this beautiful girl named Anna. And James was in LOVE. He was acting so shy and coy; he was pulling on his sweatshirt and looking down at his feet! But when she would walk away, he would call "Anna! Anna!" It was sweet. Finally he really started flirting-giggling and talking...the whole bit. She finally brought him a little cup with whipped cream and a cherry from the bar. He loved it.

On Saturday, we drove to Pensacola and spent some time at the National Naval Aviation Museum. James loves airplanes, and was amazed the moment we stepped out of the car. We started looking around, and noticed that some of the airplanes' cockpits were open. Daddy asked a tourguide if we could sit in them. "Well, we figure if the Germans and Japanese couldn't hurt them, you can't either!" he said. So James had a great time sitting in the planes, and pretending to fly them. I hope we can make it back this summer, and take Grandpa with us.

Beware of Bed Head

When you go to bed at night,

Please beware of the fright

that may greet you in the morning light.

Its not the boogie with eyes of red,

Its not the monster under the bed,

Its right there: on top of your head!

Beware of BEDHEAD!!!

Whether your hair is blonde or brown or black

Or Curly or straight, it don't mean jack

When the monster comes to attack!!!

He'll take any hair and make it dance

pointing up to the sky and over to France

If you're a child, you haven't a chance!!

Beware of BEDHEAD!!

Utterly Smitten

I'm addicted.
Addict. Latin: addictus, past participle of addicere to favor. To devote or surrender to something habitually or obsessively.
Yes, I'm addicted. To his smell, his little smile, his adorable voice, and his soft skin. I breathe him in when he comes near, trying hard not to forget when he walks away. Its a combination of milk and honey with a touch of baby. I hold his hand whenever he lets me and ask for more kisses than he will give. I memorize his face, his voice, his walk, because I know it will change in a week.
Then, when he goes to bed, I miss him. Brandon thinks I'm crazy. I didn't miss him like this when I worked. Why? Absence is supposed to make us fonder. But could it be that the more I have of him, the more I want?
He amazes me:
He repeats everything I say.
He strings words into sentences.
He remembers names.
He knows his colors.
He loves books.
He loves his daddy.
He plays and explores.
He follows me around.
He holds my hand.
He gives me kisses..."love you".
He wants me to pick him up..."up. pleeeease."
How can I resist?
So my addiction remains.

Storing Treasures in Heaven

This past week has been a crazy one for us. And I thought I quit my job so I could slow down...ha! One of the reasons I decided to stay home is that I never had anytime for myself. I'm sure most of you working (and even stay-home) moms can understand what I'm talking about. It was work, baby, work, husband, work, church, work, friends, work, work, work... I was exhausted. So today I'm going to pause and take time to list the things I am extremely thankful for. These are from last week:

1. Ladies Bible Study x2...having the opportunity to spend time with my God and my girls. Learning more about Esther has been great! And I'm hoping the Fruits of the Spirit study will give me some fruit!!! I'm hungry!
2. Spur of the moment roadtrips by my college roommate Elizabeth and her 2 little girls (Audrey, 1yr and Madeline, 5 weeks). It was good to catch up.
3. 1,892 pps of the Twilight series. So good.
4. Dinner with neighbors. Twice.
5. Listening to James repeat almost everything I say. Cheering when he strings words together. Watching him sleep in his big boy bed. Exloring the backyard with him. Trying to soak everything in, then not forget.
6. Pajama Saturday at the park and chick-fil-a...yes, even daddy wore his pj's. I'll remember to take pictures next time.
7. Bunko with my gals (lots of girl time this week!) Woop Woop
8. Breakfast club with Gabe (or B, as James affectionately calls him). Gabe is my first child.
9. Toot, Da! (aka Toot and Puddle) and all of the episodes I've seen at least 20 times.
10. My generous husband, who loves me and supports me even though he has to see me all the time now!

And so the great adventure continues.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6: 19-21

After breakfast WWF with Gabe.

My little explorer.

My day with Elizabeth and her girls!

Saturdays, Breakfast Club, and friends

Today we had Breakfast Club with our neighbors: Dwayne, Suzanne, Sam (5) and Sawyer (22 mos). Sawyer was born just 2 days before James, so they are already best friends (well, according to us they are). It was nice to spend my first Saturday at home (not working or traveling) with such good friends.
After breakfast, we all played monopoly on the PS3. It was fun to hang out and fellowship with our friends. We are blessed to live next door to some of our favorite people!
We had breakfast casserole for breakfast, and it was so good that I want to share the recipe. We even eat this for dinner sometimes. Its great for several reasons: first, you make it ahead of time, so all you have to do is pop it in the oven. Secondly, its so easy, you can vary what you put into it each time!

Breakfast Casserole (courtesy of Beverly Chaney)
6 slices bread, sans crust
5 eggs
1 cup half and half (I use fat free, but you can use any)
1 lb breakfast sausage, browned and drained (I prefer HOT)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or, you can use the Mexican Blend)

Place the crust-less bread in the bottom of a greased or non-stick casserole dish. Cover with the browned and drained sausage. Then add the cheese. Meanwhile, beat the eggs together with the half and half. Pour over sausage/bread/cheese. Refrigerate overnight. Bake 30-35 minutes (or until eggs are set).

Here are a few variations:
1. Replace the sausage with bacon or turkey bacon. Cut the bacon into bite sized pieces before you cook it.
2. When making two casseroles at a time, use sausage and bacon. Then put 1/2 lb of each onto each casserole.
3. Add Texas Pete to the egg/half and half mixture, and layer diced jalapenos on top of your meat.

If you make it and try any other variations, please let me know! I think I might try a veggie version next, with artichokes, spinach, and Monterrey Jack cheese! Hope you enjoy!

Day One

Finally, my grand entrance into the blogging world! I've dabbled a bit with blogging on myspace, but does that really count?? I've thought about this blog a lot over the past months. I hope those thoughts can translate into something good...

I'm really excited to begin the self-indulgent practice that so many do, and now that I'm a full-time stay-at-home mom, I should have time...lots of time, right? RIGHT?? Oh well, I'm sure I'll figure that out soon enough.

If you stick with me, hopefully you'll learn a little bit about my family...our likes, dislikes, idiosyncrasies, etc. And hopefully on this journey you can laugh a lot, cry a little, and share in our joy. So thanks for reading. And come back soon.