Little Momma

I just love that Emma has taken to her baby dolls. She eats, drinks, sleeps and plays with one attached to her hip. (Sorda like her Mommy does!) The other night, she HAD to take her baby doll to the dinner table. She was so cute! She was feeding and kissing her baby. Such the little Momma!
I guess she knows that nothing is better than a good 'ole smooch from your momma!
Don't get me wrong, I don't force these "girly" toys on her. She has trucks. (actually a big RED firetruck from her firefighter uncle and his darling wife) She just prefers her dollies.

It's a good thing that we have 13 dollies!! And Emma loves every single one.

a teeny tiny bit of SNOW

Today, I thought we would only see

ICE
ICE

AND MORE ICE

But tonight, it started to
SNOW!!!

Can you say embarrassed?

Well, just picture this...A woman in her late twenties all decked out in a sweatshirt and jeans standing in line at SAM'S (discount buy-in-bulk store) with shirt soaked and holding a "just getting over a sickness" toddler.

PAUSE...must attend to toddler who has learned to yell....MOMMMMA, MOMMMA, MOMMMA from her crib instead of going to sleep...must rock and sing a slightly off-key version of "Hush Little Baby." Tomorrow I must teach her to call...DADDA, DADDDDA, DADDA...!

This was the sight today. Emma, Granna (my mom), and I did a little shopping this afternoon and as I pulled Em out of the shopping cart seat to try and stop a temper tamtrum at SAM'S, low and behold, I saw a coaster sized circle on her shopping cart cover. I thought, "Well darn, she peed through her diaper. Guess I should have changed her at the mall" While holding her and waiting in line, I felt a warm sensation on my side and looked down to see that Em had quickly drenched my sweatshirt and it was dripping onto the floor. In a panicked rush, I grabbed my mom's keys and ran out of SAM'S to hopefully avoid any awkward stares and questions. Can you say embarrassed?? Do you have any funny stories like this?

Thank you God

for beautiful southern sunsets
for lazy, perfect Saturday afternoons

for unseasonably warm weather

for family wagon rides

for all the things that you do to make our lives wonderful.

Shred it....Again.

Today marks the beginning of yet another quest for bodily perfection (aka being able to fit into a single digit size again). Mom and I are shredding it. Last time I attempted to do the 30 Day Shred, Christmas and other things got in the way and let's just say that I didn't make it 30 days... but NO EXCUSES this time. I have the extreme pleasure of being the Matron of Honor in my cousin Alli's wedding in May and I ordered my dress in a smaller size. (ballsy I know, but I had to do something to kick this tush in gear) I shooting for at least a 25 pound loss and to hold my self accountable, I will post every week with the total pounds lost. No weight though...I AM a girl and you know that we just NEVER tell how much we weigh. That is between me and my scale. Do you have any tips on loosing weight fast but also doing it the healthy way? Has anyone out there tried Alli?

FYI--Jillian kicked my rear end tonight, but I am so pumped for tomorrow!

Party Decor

We had a good family friend, excellent photographer and fellow blogger take pics for us. We will post those very soon! Emma's party was wonderful. We all had fun...expecially Emma!

The Journey

Are you ready for an amazing journey? One that will surely change your life and the lives of those around you. I am excited to start The Journey today and pray that God will do great things as we walk through his word. Please join us...I'm sure it will be a fun, interesting ride!

Happy Birthday Emma!

So hard to believe that exactly one year ago God brought this beautiful miracle into our lives. Life has gotten better EVERY day of this past year.

Apologies

So sorry for the lack of updating....

things are a little crazy around here...Lots of little things to do... but we are SO excited... for Emma's big day!!

Alice Springs Quesadilla

Have I ever told you that my hubby is an excellent cook? He's an original. He comes up with his own creations and they are ALWAYS good! This past week, he made his own version of Alice Springs Quesadillas and they were scrumptious!

We used a new quesadilla maker and extra large quesadillas.

Add a little chicken, bacon bits, low-fat honey mustard and fat-free cheese. You could also add mushrooms and onions if you would like.

Grill for 10 minutes and....

ENJOY!

I don't usually blog about cooking (because....well, I am not a good cook) BUT this creation was worth blogging about!

A birthday Preview

I am so excited about Em's party. I have been working so hard to make it just perfect. I just love working out all the details and can't wait for the big day...even though I can't believe it is almost here!

Who needs diet food when you have legs like this...

A little Q & A

Get ready for super long, full of information, fun post.

Duet Diva asked...

Besides Outback (which she knows is my fav), where is my favorite place to eat?

I love Carraba's. I think I like it more than Outback. I always get the same thing...Filet Marsala with veggies and pasta alfredo. I'm sure it has like 5,000 calories but who cares when it is THAT good!

What is my favorite thing about John Allen (my hubby)?

It is hard to pick just one thing. I love almost everything about him, except the fact that he leaves his wet towels on the bed and/or floor every day. I guess my favorite thing would have to be his love of surprises. Whether it is him surprising me or the other way around. He keeps things interesting and we always have a good time together.

Do I wear perfume? If so, what kind?

I have several. I usually wear Design by ????. I also have Lacoste perfume and I love Miracle by Lancome.

When I am all by myself, what do I like to do?

I love to do crafts. I got a sewing maching for Christmas and am looking forward to learning how to sew. I like to paint and draw. I also LOVE to read.

What has been my best mommy memory?

There are so many! If I had to pick a favorite, it would be the first time we met. When I first counted her ten little toes, first touched her little fingers and kissed her little cheeks. Everything about that day was so special and it has only gotten better from then on.

Stephanie asked...

How did we decide on the name Emma?

Well, you see, it all starts back in high school. I am Jane Austen girl. While Emma is not my favorite JA novel (that prize goes to Pride and Prejudice...ooooh, Mr Darcy makes my heart do jumping-jacks) ...I fell in love with the name. It only helped when Rachel used the name. No other name would do. I'm just glad that my JA (John Allen) liked it too!

If Emma were a boy, what would his name have been?

Good thing we didn't have a boy, b/c we could not settle on a boys name! I liked Jackson, Grayden, and Sam. He liked James, Allen and Robert. Still can't settle on a boys name, but we do have another girls name and NO I'm not telling. :)

What are our plans for Emma's birthday?

We are having family and friends come to a Clemson themed party with lots of polka dots and fun activities for all. That's ALL I'm saying. :)

Ellen asked...

How are thing going with our move? Do we like living closer to family?

Things are great! We love being so close to our families and definately don't miss our long drives back to Raleigh. For those that don't know, we are currently living in my parents basement apartment and have just started looking for a house in SC. It was rough to transition into such a smaller living environment, but my parents have made it WONDERFUL! Emma loves being so close to Granna and Papa and since my mom keeps Em while I work, it makes it easy to "drop her off" at daycare...just a quick walk up the stairs.

How did I meet the hubby?

Are you ready for a long story? Well, we worked together at Outback for a long time before we started dating. In fact, we hardly ever spoke. Then one night, I was supposed to work behind the bar with a guy named Jason. Right before my shift, Jason's girlfriend came in and asked to pick up my shift. I gave in and decided I would go and meet my roommate for a quick bite. On my way home, my roomie and I decided to stop by Charlie T's to see if our friend, Erin was working. We walked in the door and saw John Allen (my hubby) sitting at the bar by himself. You see, he had just moved into a new apartment and did not have cable hooked up and he REALLY needed to watch a basketball game on TV. We walked over and sat down with him and the rest is history. We spent the night hanging out and had our first official "date" a couple of nights later. I often think about ALL the things that had to happen for us to meet that night. Thank you Jason, Jennifer, Mandi, Erin, and Northside Cable Company.

This was SO much fun! If you have any more questions, shoot! And, do a post on your blog...let's get to know each other!

The end of an era

A breakdown of the last decade

2000 I am a college freshman. Enjoying life with my best friend, Mel. Making mistakes. Skipping class. Studying hard. Missing my grandpa who passed away Christmas Eve 1999. Feeling the freedom of living out of my parent's house. At my ideal weight. Working for the Clemson Football office. LOVING life.

2001 Still in college. Living in an apartment. Fighting with my friend, Mel. Missing her and still dating a somewhat questionable boy. Break up with somewhat questionable boy later this year. Changed my major from Nursing to Education. Start back working at Outback.

2002 I'm a junior. Living with some very good friends from my major. I buy my first car...a black Volkswagon Jetta. Turn 21. Have fun with friends. Make a roadtrip with Erin to Boone to visit my cousin at App. Get stuck in the snow and get made fun of for NOT bringing warm clothing. Date a boy from work.

2003 I graduate from Clemson. Decide to NOT go into the workforce yet. Move back home with my parents. Share a bathroom with my brother. In the fall, I move back out and live with Karen and Mandi from work. Turn 22 and have an awesome birthday with friends at Villa Luigi's in Central.

2004 In January I meet a boy at a random place....Charlie T's. We fall in love. Go to The Masters. He graduates from Clemson. He moves to Raleigh. I turn 23. I start subbing at schools and interviewing for jobs in NC.

2005 I get a teaching job at Rolesville Elementary. I meet a lot of GREAT people. Move to NC. Teach writing and SS in 5th grade. Visit DC for 3 days with 125 5th graders. Go to the OIB with the fam. Attend friends weddings. Get engaged on my birthday in September. Papa Alexander passes away the day before Thanksgiving. Go to Charleston for New Years with the Columbia crew.

2006 Get married. Buy a house. Friends get married. Thoroughly enjoy the wedding season while attending 7 weddings. Celebrate Christmas with my new hubby and his family. Reese graduates. Go to Mexico for our honeymoon. Buy an I-pod and a new camera. Turn 25. Car insurance rates go down.

2007 Move to Second grade. Get a new principal. Enjoy a trip to Virginia with the hubby for our first Anniversary. Gain weight. Try to learn how to cook. Visit home almost monthly. Enjoy many Clemson football games. Enjoy life as newlyweds. LOVE teaching. Hubby surprised me with a new car on Thanksgiving day. Put our house on the market.

2008 Got pregnant. Found out my hubby's best friend's were pregnant too and so is my good friend, Courtney. Celebrated several weddings. Took our house off the market. Drowned in lesson plans for my maternity leave. Girls nights with the second grade crew at Los Hermanes. One HOT Clemson football game=one tired swollen pregnant lady. Road trip with Julie. Malana got married. Put our house on the market again.

2009 Emma was born. Moved back to SC. Sold house. Quit job. Miss NC friends. Moved in with parents. Celebrated many firsts. Got two part-time jobs. Celebrated 3 years of marriage. My cousin and the closest thing I have to a sister got engaged. My brother, Reese married his adorable wife, Meredith. Try to save money. Search for houses.

WOW! Things really have changed over the past 1o years. From college freshman to wife and mother. Hoping that the next decade is even better than the last!