Are we there yet…

Pictures III of IV

Posted on April 30, 2009 by carly

This time last week, I was enjoying “island life”. Waking up at 9, heading to the pool by 10, and enjoying spending time with my sweet husband and daughter. A week later, it’s back to reality. I’ve traded the ocean for mounds of laundry, a much needed trip to the grocery store, and a house that is in dire need of a maid service.

Thankfully, my pity party wont last long. Tonight, we’re having Aunt and Uncle B over for dinner. On Friday, we welcome Aunt Cookie and her friend Wendy over the night. On Saturday, Papa Joe is stopping by help Garrett finish MR’s swingset. And on Sunday, we’re taking MR and Sadie to the Braves Bark in the Park game. While I sure miss our lazy days at the beach, I welcome another weekend of family, laughter, and togetherness.

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Pictures Part II of IV

Posted on April 27, 2009 by carly

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Pictures: Part I of IV

Posted on April 26, 2009 by carly

Growing up, I often heard my parents use the expression, “that adds years to my life”. They would use it to describe things that made them happy. And blessings from above. After four days at the beach, I can certainly attest that this vacation added years to my life! Not only did my sweet husband cook every meal, but he also did all of the grocery shopping, and allowed me to catch up on my favorite celebrity magazines poolside sans Mary Reese. Because of him, I now know that Heidi Klum is expecting baby #4. And because of him, Mary Reese will clap with excitement at the mere mention of the word “beach” or “pool”. Thank you G for taking time off of work so that the three of us could enjoy some much needed time away!!!

A scary fall the night before we were set to leave caused an emergency trip to the dentist early Wednesday morning. Thankfully, my Uncle and cousin in Eastman, GA are both dentists and they were kind enough to work Mary Reese into their busy schedules. MR left her first dental appointment with a clean bill of health and lots and lots of kisses from her mama and daddy!

Our trip down south also included a quick stop in Waycross to eat lunch with Danny and Papa and visit with Meme and Papa Joe!

MR was pooped when we finally arrived at the condo,

but quickly got over it as soon as she saw the pool and the ocean.

“Lucy” (Yucy) was a big hit.

As were the floaties.

“Bubbelshs”

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A play by play of the last week…

Posted on April 21, 2009 by carly

MR had the time of her life last week. On Wednesday, we headed to Athens to meet up with an old friend from Charlottesville who was passing by on her way to a retreat. We hadn’t seen K since we left Virginia and we were thrilled to catch up with her and meet Baby Ella. We were also excited to see the cousins before they headed back home.

On Thursday, we said good bye to Hendley, Trent, Aunt Ju Ju, Gran C, K and Baby Ella, but not before making a pit-stop to a nearby park for a picnic. The girls were hilarious together. They played so hard that MR slept the entire way back to Atlanta. Later that night, I attended the neighborhood mom’s night out and ate almost an entire bowl of toffee fruit dip (see recipe below and make it tonight, its delicious!!!!).

K and baby Trent.

Me holding baby Ella.

Hendley and MR.

On Friday, we drove to Cumming, Georgia to visit with Aunt Lynn and Joshua. Joshua is a year older than MR and is absolutely precious! It really is a blessing to have our families so close by!

Joshua and MR.

On Saturday, Aunt Hannah came over to watch MR, while G and I attended a friends wedding at Lake Oconee. The weather was perfect and it was nice to have some alone time with my sweet husband.

I unexpectedly ran into my all time favorite teacher at the wedding. Ms. Bliss was my first grade teacher and the reason I went back to school to become an educator!

On Sunday, we were off again…this time we were invited to a cookout at Anthony and Kelly’s new house. We met Anthony and Kelly through Garrett’s sister and have become fast friends with them. Not only are they extremely generous, but they also love to cook! And we love to eat their cookin’! Sunday’s menu included grilled hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken, steak, baked beans and potato salad!

MR and Taylor

Between Thursday night’s Toffee dip and Sunday night’s cookout, you can rest assured that I earned those two extra pounds! And as we travel tomorrow to the beach, you better believe that those two will become three by the time we return! See you on Monday with pictures from our trip to Fernandina…

Toffee Fruit Dip

1/2 cup light brown sugar
1-8 ounce softened cream cheese
1 (10 ounce) bag heath toffee pieces
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup white sugar

1. Mix all ingredients together with electric mixer, adding toffee bits last.
2. Chill.
3.Serve with fruit– granny smith apple wedges are best.

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Easter

Posted on April 14, 2009 by carly

For the last several weeks, I’ve been counting down the days until the cousins could reunite for an Easter celebration. Although they were only visiting for a night, the excitement was nonstop. Saturday night burgers, two filthy little girls, a sweet and precious little boy, Easter lunch, and an Easter egg hunt made the weekend unforgettable to say the least! The best part of the visit was knowing that in less than two months, these sweet cousins will be reunited once again!

Uncle Brother spent Friday night with us so he and G could attend the Braves opening night game.

This sweet little boy has me ready for Baby #2!

Thick as thieves…

Big Daddy made no less than a dozen laps around the house to keep the girls entertained.

G earned some extra points by not only grilling, but also being brave enough to take on bath time.

The Easter bunny was extremely generous to sweet MR this year.

Precious Hendley on Easter morning.

The cousins before church.

The gift that keeps giving…thank you so much Aunt Lynn for passing this playset down to MR!

More Easter gifts from Big Daddy and Gran C.

Time to hunt eggs…

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Taking time to be thankful

Posted on April 8, 2009 by carly

My sister and mom are always after me for not answering the phone. Truth be told, many times, I am not even around my phone. And other times, I’m too lazy to go in the other room to pick up the phone. Lately, I’ve been too busy to answer the phone. We’ve had three set of company in the last two week and three more sets due this weekend.

G and I love having company because it motivates us to get things done around the house. After the neighborhood Easter egg hunt on Sunday, I dusted off the old lawn mower and began mowing the yard. An acre lot with an old, tired push mower makes for a long day! Like most houses, there is always work to be done. It seems that every time you check something off your list, there are a least 5 more things to add.

Petey Pie’s has also kept me busy. I sew when I can, but mostly at night between the hours of 7-1 am. Yesterday, I was able to complete 10 shirts. While having a small business is a lot of fun, I had no idea how much work it would require! Or how tired I would be at the end of each day!

During these busy times, I am often guilty of turning away from God. Tired and overwhelmed, I fail to see His many blessings. As my to do list grows longer, my relationship with God seems to suffer. I was especially reminded of this as I sat outside today. It was then that He showed me what all I had to be thankful for. A wonderful husband who has been cancer free for almost a year, a bright and loving little girl who loves to smile, and friends and family who are always there to help.

I’ve also got a lot to look forward to. Warmer weather, a brand new grill, an upcoming trip to key West, and the ability to spend the next year with my sister, brother in law, and niece and nephew. These are all gifts from God! As we approach Easter Sunday, I vow to count these blessings and many more despite how hectic or busy my life becomes!

Neighborhood Easter egg hunt

MR is really loving her bows these days. She “peased” her way into wearing as many as she could. And then refused to take them off for our afternoon errands.

Yep those are snow flurries! Yesterdays high was 42. Today we’re up to 63!

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BooBoos, a birthday party, and a visit from the Easter bunny

Posted on April 5, 2009 by carly

As the weather gets warmer, it seems that scraped knees are a right of passage. Uh-ohs and boo-boos become everyday words. While every mama hates to see their little one get hurt, it’s hard not to melt when asked to kiss a boo-boo. Ive kissed MR’s sweet knees a dozen times since her fall on Friday. I’m pretty sure the fall hurt me more than it hurt her. I’m also pretty sure that MR would fall again and again if it meant getting her own bag of M&M’s and an endless amount of attention from strangers who cant bear but harp on her strawberry knees.

Fortunately for MR, we’ve had plenty of company to show off those prize boos-boos to. Uncle Will and K-Lee came into town late Friday night and on Saturday, we welcomed Papa Joe and Meme for the remainder of the weekend. They were kind enough to watch Mary Reese while Garrett and I went out to celebrate Uncle B’s 30th birthday. A late night out and a few too many cocktails made this mornings early wake up call particularly difficult.

Saying goodbye to Papa Joe and Meme this morning was also hard. Thankfully, we’ve got our neighborhoods Easter egg hunt to look forward to later this afternoon. We’ve also got an Easter bunny costume waiting in the closet to surprise all of the kids! Earlier in the week, I had Garrett try on the costume so that he could take some pictures with MR. Surprisingly, I did not have to beg too hard to get him to comply. The pictures, boo-boos in all, are priceless!

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The Reester Bunny

Posted on March 31, 2009 by carly

Today was as good as any for an Easter photo shoot. Out came the chair, the camera, and my sweet little girl who gets sweeter by the day. Mary Reese, your dad and I just cannot get enough of you!