Whit

Is trouble brewing???

2010-06-24T09:33:00.003-05:00

I think Whit is cheating on Honeybun! I'm devastated, but who could blame her? Just look at those eyes and lips??? :)

It's been awhile...

2010-06-13T09:11:00.001-05:00

I know it's been a long time since my last post...so very much has happened!

My baby graduated from high school - That was a bittersweet time! She breezed through it like a pro, but Mom on the other hand, didn't deal with it as well. It was overwhelming to realize how many people loved her! I've always known I LOVED her, and assumed other people did too, but to actually realize it was humbling.

My baby went on Sr. trip - FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK! :( That left Mom home, alone, to wallow in her sadness. It was a long, stressful, prayer filled week, but we made it. Once again, she breezed right through it, but Mom didn't manage so well.

My baby started college - This is where the tables turned...(Ha! Vengeance is MINE!) My baby is getting a tiny, and I do mean tiny, taste of what real life is all about. That first day, she got ready and she was so prepared for college life! She was looking good, and ready to conquer the world! When she called me after class, I had to smile and giggle to myself. She didn't think she was going to like this "college" thing. "Mother, it so different than high school!" Just exactly what "Mother" has been trying to tell her for years now! But, she is adjusting and I think going this summer will help her to ease into the transition and she'll, once again, know everything by the time Fall classes start!

Friends...

2010-04-15T11:33:00.003-05:00

Senior Prom 2010

2010-04-15T11:22:00.003-05:00

Sneak Peek...

2010-04-15T11:20:00.004-05:00

More prom pics to come your way...(whenever poor ole Momma gets finished with softball games, laundry, graduation invitations, cleaning house, etc....)

Tiny Dancer

2010-04-01T13:24:00.002-05:00

Blue jean baby, L.A. lady, seamstress for the band

Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you'll marry a music man

Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand

And now she's in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand...

Well...not exactly the picture Elton John painted, but she's my tiny dancer!!

The Loves of My Life

2010-03-31T13:36:00.003-05:00

If your new to my blog, you won't understand...but if you've read my blog...most of my posts revolve around two things...Whitty and RaeRae! Oh how I love these two gals!

It's amazing how my heart feels so full of love for these two and there seems to be NO WAY to fit any more love in there...because I honestly believe that my heart would just burst!! No room, I say, NO MORE ROOM...until...

AnnaLeigh.

NOW, my hearts full.

The "Camp Out"

2010-03-31T09:49:00.004-05:00

RaeRae is forever wanting to have a "camp out". A few weeks ago, Nanna told her we were going to have a "camp out". Let me explain that RaeRae's idea of a "camp out" is roasting marshmallows and weenies...not of actually "camping out". So, sticking to her word, Nanna had a "camp out" for RaeRae...and boy did we have fun!!!

Whitty and Honeybun

Hunter...in deep thought

Kyle, Pamela, Alicia and Banks

What is cuter than a shiny marshmallow crusted face??? :)

You know the old saying, "You play in the fire, you'll ______ on the bed". Help fill in the blank!!!

Our New Baby...AnnaLeigh Odom

2010-03-31T09:26:00.004-05:00

On Thursday, March 25, 2010, we were blessed with this beautiful little girl,

AnnaLeigh Odom

She was born at 11:35 am, weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. and was 19 3/4 in. long.

After being examined by Dr. Phillips, they discovered that during the birthing process that she had broken her collar bone. She is doing well and they feel that it should heal without any complications.

Colby and Pamela, CONGRATULATIONS!!

You make beautiful babies together!!

And for RaeRae, you're an AWESOME Big Sister!!

Whitty and I love ya'll very much!!!

Our Train Ride

2010-03-16T15:46:00.003-05:00

Honeybun and Whitty

Colby, RaeRae and Pamela

Pots and Nanna Dudu

Lee-Lee, Banks and Kyle

1 little, 2 little, 3 little monkeys...

2010-03-16T15:39:00.003-05:00

Look how the little monkeys stick together??

Look how the little monkeys ride the carousel together??

Hands down, those two are my FAVORITE little monkeys in the whole wide world!!

Our FAVORITE attraction at the zoo!

2010-03-16T15:29:00.003-05:00

Although we enjoyed the entire zoo experience, I can honestly say that RaeRae and I LOVED the lorikeet cage! For just a mere $1.50, you could buy a cup of nectar and slide through the rubber curtain, into a courtyard filled with lorikeets. Those little boogers were so excited to see us! When all those birds descended upon us, I thought for sure that RaeRae would be scared, but she wasn't. Needless to say, Sissy went home broke! I would have spent my last dime buying that nectar...just to see this....

When we had to leave the lorikeet paradise, RaeRae cried...and Sissy promised to find and buy her, her very own lorikeet! Mommy and Daddy gave Sissy some pretty ugly looks...wonder what that was all about???

Seriously, if you have any doubt how I feel about this little one above...doubt no more...I love her to the moon and back!!

Our Trip to the ZOO!

2010-03-16T14:49:00.007-05:00

Although Saturday was dreary, a little cold and a little drizzly...we still had big fun at the ZOO! It was RaeRae's first trip to the zoo, so, of course, we made it a family affair!

This was also Banks' first trip to the zoo! Although, he slept most of the time in his stroller, he did enjoy the carousel!!

What could be keeping PawPaw and RaeRae's attention for this long???

You got it...FISH! She loves to go "phishing"....and we spent a fortune buying fish food out of the dispenser. Just between me and you...next time we'll fill our ziplock bags with fish food from the Co-op!! :)

How the Kuykendall, Odom, Sullinger, Jean and Burgess Family Like to Spend Their Down Time...

2010-02-05T13:30:00.004-06:00

If you ask any one of my family members what we do when we all get together...the answer would come swiftly and with furious conviction...

ROOK!!!

If you haven't played...give it a try...you'll love it!

Christmas with Our Family

2010-02-04T14:11:00.010-06:00

Because everyone's lives seem to be so hectic these days, we decided to have Christmas with Mom and Dad on the Sunday after Christmas. At first, we were all a bit sad, but by the time we finished up all the other Christmas', we were glad to have a couple of days to ourselves before our final, but most special Christmas! Christmas with our parents!

(DuDu)

(Ash and Lance)

(Honeybun and Hunter)

(Hunter, Kayla and RaeRae)

I am so blessed with a great family! Whit and I hope that your Christmas was as blessed as ours was!

Christmas Eve with the Jean Gals!

2010-02-04T13:41:00.004-06:00

Picture this...

Christmas Eve, two gals and NO electricity! What are two gals to do???

Monopoly of course!!

Please excuse the dust that is on the lamp...my cleaning lady has had the year off! :)

The Pioneer Woman - Ree Drummond

2010-02-04T09:34:00.000-06:00

If you haven't read this gals blog...please do! I have been obsessed with her for a few weeks now! She is funny, funny, funny!! It's a laugh-out-loud read!!

And let me tell you...if you haven't...you need to read the story of her dating/marriage to Marlboro Man...the girl should be published!!

Just wanted to share! Much love to you all!

The Pioneer Woman - Ree Drummond

And they call it Puppy Love...

2010-02-03T21:45:00.004-06:00

These pictures just prove that strong, confident, handsome men...can in fact...let their guard down...and show their more vulnerable side. (But is it really "letting their guard" down if they didn't KNOW their picture was being taken while they were snuggled up like two little love bugs sleeping on the bus???? hehehe)

All joking aside...these two boys...just melt my heart! I love them!! Honeybun is the love of Whit's life and Scuba Steve is her best friend!

ABC's of ME!!

2010-02-02T15:34:00.004-06:00

Saw this on a friends blog and thought it was cute...

A – Age: 36..and fastly approaching 37, YIKES!

B – Bed size: Queen

C – Chore you hate: Dusting

D – Dog’s name: Tyson and Tink

E – Essential “start your day” item: Pepsi

F – Favorite color: Black

G – Gold or Silver: Its according to the outfit! :)

H – Height: 5′3

I – Instruments you play(ed): None :(

J – Job title: Human Resources, Payroll

K – Kid(s): 1 daughter :)

(what happened to L??)

M – Mom’s name: Momma to me...Melba to others

N – Nicknames: Sissy, Chris, CJ

O – Overnight hospital stay other than childbirth: Yes

P – Pet Peeve: CRUNCHING ice or any other crunchy food!

R – Right- or left-handed: Left

S – Siblings: 2 sisters

T – Time you wake up: Usually around 5:00ish

U- Underwear: Really? Yes I wear them! haha

V – Vegetable you dislike: Beets, lima beans, english peas

W – Ways you drink your coffee: Black with Cinnamon-Vanilla creamer

X-rays you’ve had: Not sure....

Y – Yummy food you make: Too many to name!!

Z-Zoo favorite: Monkeys

Have you missed me???

2010-01-26T14:20:00.004-06:00

Just wanted to touch base with all my blogger friends...

My computer bit the dust on Jan. 7, 2010...tried to have it fixed...it was a lost cause. :( But I did get a new computer and my blogging activities should increase tremendously now!

I've missed you all!!

Good Intentions

2010-01-06T08:50:00.003-06:00

I had good intentions to start 2010 off on the right "blog" foot. I was going to blog regularly, comment regularly and find new and exciting blogs to follow. Those good intentions got side tracked when I learned of a dear friends death. My heart has been so troubled by Michelle's death. I think of her, Jamey and Brenna...and my heart breaks all over again. But, why? While I am here, freezing, wondering if the water is going to freeze, wondering if I will make it through the next few days without losing power, wondering if the roads will be passable for me to get to work...Michelle is sitting at the feet of Jesus!! PRAISE GOD! I have decided, after seeing Jamey last night, that I'm not going to grieve Michelle's death, but celebrate her life. That's the way she would have wanted it.

As I told Jamey last night, I had reconnected with Michelle through our blogs and Facebook. She was such a prayer warrior for us when Whit had her surgery. See, technology isn't always bad...I'm thankful that I was able to reconnect with her and to know what a wonderful life she was living for Christ.

I will continue to pray for Jamey and Brenna, Mrs. Sandra, Mr. Billy and Andy...that God will ease their pain through this difficult time and that they will cling to Him for comfort. For my dear friends, Kim and Brady...remember the good times, they were many.

It is sad that it takes something like this to make you step back and realize just how precious friendships are...whether they are old friendship or new friendships.

To all of my friends, I love each and every one of you.

To Michelle, I will miss you...but I will see you again!!

Camoflauge doesn't always work!

2009-12-15T20:07:00.008-06:00

I having been sitting here at the computer, diligently working on my blog (that I have neglected for a few weeks) when I hear..."click, click, click" on the hardwood floor. I think, "Well, I need to go let the dogs outside". I go in the living room and Tink is ready to go outside and do her "business" before bedtime. I open the door and the Artic chill nearly knocks me down...Tink goes on outside and I turn to see where Tyson is. Guess what? No Tyson.

Me: Tyson? Come on buddy...you wanna go outside??

NO ANSWER.

Me: Tyson? Come on...let's go outside? ("Let's"...ha! Like I was really going to go outside and freeze my behind off!! hahahaha)

NO ANSWER.

So, I shut the door and go to investigate just where little cold-natured Tyson is hiding so I won't make him go outside.

This is what I found...

Snuggled up in the warm, comfy confines of Whit's CAMOUFLAGE comforter, I find Tyson...did he really think the camo would hide him??

Sweet Memories in the Making

2009-12-15T19:59:00.002-06:00

Test question for the day...

2009-12-15T19:56:00.003-06:00

Am I a sucker for:

baby blues?

these two?

blue tongue?

The correct answer...ALL OF THE ABOVE!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday EmmaRae!

2009-12-15T19:26:00.008-06:00

Sunday was definitely a day to remember! We got together and celebrated EmmaRae's (aka RaeRae) 3rd birthday!

To start the party off...we had a Barbie cake, ice cream, chip and dip. The cake was GREAT (thanks Mrs. Kim) and I'm sure that anyone in attendance would tell you that we ALL ate entirely TOO much cake!!! :)

After the cake, we moved on to a much more important matter...THE GIFTS! If you have never been to a 3 year old birthday party, let me tell you...you fall in love with them all over again! Seeing the excitement on her little face and in her little eyes...well, it just melted my heart!!

She got several Barbies, some movies, clothes, make-up and a new pink tricycle! She was so excited!!

A few weeks ago we all gathered to eat supper with Mother and Daddy. Well, RaeRae discovered that Whitty had some new boots! Whitty and RaeRae's conversation...

RaeRae: Whitty, I lub ur boots. They so pretty!

Whitty: Well, thank you RaeRae...would you like to have some boots like Whitty's?

RaeRae: Yemp I would Whitty!

Well, that's all it took...Sissy (aka, me) was on a mission...no store, Internet site or Tractor Supply store was safe until I secured a size 7, pink and brown pair of John Deere boots for my little RaeRae...

I mean, does it really matter that it's Christmas and I haven't bought one (and folks that's the truth) Christmas present? That the bills seem to roll around a lot faster than the paycheck does? That the pantry is bare and the dogs are starving? NOPE!! All that mattered to me was the look on RaeRae's face when she opened her gift and realized, she had some boots just like Whitty's!! (I know what you are thinking...and yes, I'm a sucker for some baby blue eyes!)

More than me being a sucker for baby blues...I'm a sucker for my two favortie girls...pink boots and all!

Happy 3rd Birthday RaeRae! Sissy loves you to the moon and back!

Recipe Thursday!!

2009-12-03T13:11:00.001-06:00

Since I consider myself a professional of this recipe (I made 8 pies during the Thanksgiving holiday), I decided to share it with you, my blogger friends!

I love pecan pie and this recipe is really simple! Hope you enjoy!!

Pecan Pies

(This recipe makes two pies)

2cup of sugar
2stick of butter (melted)
2cup of chopped pecans
1 cup of Golden Eagle syrup
6 eggs
2 unbaked pie crust

Combine all ingredients; pour into pie shell. Bake 1 hour at 325 degrees.

My Little Tiny Jazz

2009-12-01T15:04:00.002-06:00

Just wanted to do a quick post...it's been a rough day. Thirteen years ago, a sweet little puppy came into our life...and today, we had to say goodbye.

Jazz has been the ruler of the roost, the Lady of the House and one of the best friends I've ever had. For those of you who don't love your pets as your children, you won't understand the hurt I'm feeling. For those of you who do, you know how my heart feels as if it's been broken into a million pieces.

I know time will ease the pain, but for now, it hurts and it hurts bad. I can be thankful that she was such a faithful companion, such a sweet girl and that she was mine for 13 years!

You will be missed Jazz! I love you!

Thankful thoughts for November 2009

2009-12-01T14:47:00.004-06:00

I was challenged by a dear friend (KTB) to list one thing, each day, that I am thankful for during the month of November. I actually kept up for the first three days, after that, I just jotted it down to be "blogged" about at a later time...like TODAY!

I am THANKFUL for....

Nov. 1 - being able to spend the day with Whit and Honeybun

Nov. 2 - having a job that I love!

Nov. 3 - my parents for taking Whit to physical therapy

Nov. 4 - a child, who, is slightly battered, but still here with me

Nov. 5 - phone conversations with old friends

Nov. 6 - a great football team, fantastic Senior boys

Nov. 7 - being able to cook and spend the day with Whit, Poppa and MeMe June

Nov. 8 - feeling guilty for not going to church (Whit's still recovering from surgery)

Nov. 9 - "I love you Momma"

Nov. 10 - little girls who call me "Sissy"

Nov. 11 - a place to call home

Nov. 12 - my sister...she is my ROCK!

Nov. 13 - the trip to Courtland with my sister, Susan, my brother-in-law Charles and Whit...and after all these years, still having that Wildcat spirit!

Nov. 14 - time with extended family

Nov. 15 - being able to go to church...and loving every minute of it!

Nov. 16 - another stressful Monday

Nov. 17 - the best brother-in-law! And for him being a CONSTANT in Whit's life when she needs a father

Nov. 18 - Honeybun coming into the world & blessing our lives; and for little newborn babies!

Nov. 19 - puppy kisses when I'm sad

Nov. 20 - a Friday night at home

Nov. 21 - lazy Saturday mornings

Nov. 22 - new friends, that treat you like family...

Nov. 23 - being able to go to the movies with my daughter, and loving every minute of it!

Nov. 24 - little babies that smell soooo good

Nov. 25 - the smell of fresh baked pecan pies

Nov. 26 - my family

Nov. 27 - quiet days at home

Nov. 28 - my Auburn Tigers! WAR EAGLE!

Nov. 29 - my Sunday school class

Nov. 30 - 13 years, with the best friend I ever had, and knowing when it's time to say goodbye

Recipe Thursday!!

2009-11-19T09:52:00.002-06:00

Two major components you will need for this recipe are...a Sharpie marker and Ziploc bags. Did that get your attention?? I thought it might! When I first heard about this recipe, I was very skeptical, as I'm sure you will be too...

Who loves omelets?? Eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, tomatoes, onion, green onions, cheese....an omelet is pretty much one of those things that, if you like it, put it together with an egg and WA-LA!! Well, what about an omelet in a Ziploc bag? With your name on the Ziploc bag? :)

First you line up all the little crumb snatchers (aka, kids, husbands, boyfriends, etc...although I don't recommend having the husband and the boyfriend over for this culinary delight at the same time ;), give each one a Ziploc bag and let them write their name on the bag. Ok...now this is where it gets hard. You take a large pot and fill it with water, get the water boiling. (ok, it's gonna be a little easier from here on out) Take one egg, two eggs, three eggs or four, however many you want for "your" omelet, because this recipe is "to each their own". Crack your egg and put it in your Ziploc bag. Then add whatever your little heart desires to your bag!! For my omelet, I use:

1 egg
salt and pepper, to taste
cheese
butter (maybe 1 or 1 1/2 teaspoons)
"real" bacon bits
cooked, scrambled sausage
cheese, did I already mention cheese? :)

Once you have everything added to your bag, zip it up, and squeeze the bag until your yolk breaks and you've mixed your ingredients together. Drop your bag into the boiling water, and boil for 15 minutes. (You can cook several bags at one time, FYI, that's why you write your name on the bag!) When you get your bag out of the water, open it up...your own personalized omelet slides right out of the bag on to your plate and is ready for consumption!! Oh, so, GOOD!!!!

This recipe is especially great for kids because they get to help cook and is amazed that what you pay an arm and a leg for at Ihop...can be done at home, in your pajamas! It is sooo much fun! Me, Whit and Holly tried this out and they loved it...hope you do too!!

Introducing...Mr. Tildon Banks Lowery...aka "Harold"

2009-11-19T08:09:00.004-06:00

Kyle and Alicia Lowery

proudly introduce their new son,

Tildon Banks Lowery,

aka "Harold" (hehehe),

born on November 18, 2009

at 4:56 p.m.

He weighed 8 lb. 1 oz.

and was 19" long.

We waited on Harold for what seems like an eternity....and now he's finally here!! We are so blessed and happy to finally get to meet him! Congrats Kyle and LeeLee!! We love you all!!

Happy Birthday...to the Sweetest Boy I know!!

2009-11-18T12:39:00.005-06:00

Happy Birthday Honeybun!

This sweet boy came into our life a few years ago, Easter of 2007, to be exact...

and has been with us ever since!! When I first met Honeybun, he was a very shy boy. He wouldn't talk very much. He and Whit were total opposites!! :) It took some time, but he feels right at home with us now! I could not have asked for a more caring, kind and special person to be a part of Whit's life.

Honeybun, I hope this birthday is filled full of wonderful memories for you. Please know that you are loved and that you are so very special to us!! We love you!!

Recipe Thursday!!

2009-11-12T08:00:00.002-06:00

What is a sure fire way to get your kids to eat broccoli? Just put a little cheese on it! I love broccoli and cheese!! I have eaten several broccoli and cheese casseroles that have rice in them, but I really don't like the rice...I know, I'm a weirdo, but I would just rather have it without the rice. So when a very dear friend (and I DO mean, V-E-R-Y D-E-A-R F-R-I-E-N-D) brought some of her famous broccoli and cheese casserole to work...I fell in love!!! Thank you Pam for sharing this recipe with me...and once again, it's quick and easy...and oh so cheesy! :)

Broccoli Casserole

1 2 lb. bag of chopped broccoli (I used the florets and a little more than 2 lbs.)
1 block of Velveeta cheese (16 oz) ( I used the largest block)
1 can of Cream of Mushroom (I used the Family Size can)
1 stick of butter
½ - ¾ cup of milk
1-2 sleeves of Ritz crackers

Boil broccoli. Mix cheese, Cream of Mushroom, butter, and milk and melt slowly until all is mixed well. Then pour over the broccoli.

Top with crushed Ritz crackers. Pats of butter on top. ( I melt 1 stick and pour over top)

Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes or until golden on top.

If you want to see the youngest Jean gal smile...just make this for her! It is another "Jean Gal Way Recipe"...that's just the way we roll...quick, simple, but oh so good!!!

Happily Hairdrying...

2009-11-08T00:12:00.005-06:00

Ever forget...

what young love feels like?
when you would do absolutely anything for that someone special?
when no task was too great?

If you've forgot that feeling, just take a look...

Sometimes 3 hands are better than one!

I've been Awarded!!!

2009-11-06T10:41:00.010-06:00

A special Thanks to one of my favorite girls, Angie at http://www.cannoncreations.blogspot.com/. She is such an inspiration to me...she's a wonderful example of a Christian woman and she's a fun, fantastic, COOL Mom!! I am blessed to know her, love her and call her my friend.

Here are the rules for the award:

1) You must thank the person who gave the award and list their blog and link it.
2) You must share "10 Honest Things" about yourself.
3) You have to present this award to 7 others whose blogs you find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged you.
4) Last, you must tell those 7 people they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving the award.

"10 Honest Things"

I'm a homebody. I love to get off work, rush home and just "be at HOME". If I didn't have to leave home, EVER, I think I would be ok with that :)
I am very sympathetic toward animals and not so sympathetic toward humans.
My favorite article of clothing is my pajamas which I automatically get into once I get home.
I still believe as Cinderella does...that "one" shoe can change your life!
I think my sister is the greatest person I've ever known and I pray that one day, I will be the Mother that she is and the Christian that she is.
I love to snuggle in bed with my doggies :)
My greatest fear is losing my child.
My most treasured possession is my grandmothers wedding ring.
I'm scared of growing old alone.
The one wish that I have for my daughter is to live without regrets.

I give this award to....

Angela at http://www.bryantandcasey.blogspot.com/

Kim at http://www.lawsonpartyoffive.blogspot.com/

Niki at http://www.benbrooke/blogspot.com

Courtney at www.longsatlegglofts.blogspot.com

Robin at www.dv8salonspa.blogspot.com

Mika at www.preciouspromisesofhope.blogspot.com

Maryalice at www.codyandmaryalice.blogspot.com

Recipe Thursday!!

2009-11-05T08:14:00.002-06:00

Not to disappoint again...it's Recipe Thursday! I'm sorry I didn't have a recipe for you last week, but I thought Whit's surgery took precedence over recipes, ya think? :)

This recipe is from my Aunt Beverly. She is a wonderful Christian woman, whom I love dearly! (She's not a bad Rook partner either!) When I first tried this recipe, I loved it! I didn't realize how easy it was...and you know me, the easier, the better! I don't know about you, but I LOVE chicken and dressing! With Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner, who has time to cook? I know I don't (nor do I want to...) So, for Recipe Thursday, this is Chicken and Dressing the Jean Gals way...

Chicken and Dressing

3 slices of white bread (broken up; no crust)
8" skillet of cornbread, use 3/4 of it, broken up, no crust)
1 stick of butter, melted
1 egg
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 - 12.5 oz. can of white chicken chunks (do NOT drain)
1/4 teaspoon of pepper
1/2 teaspoon of sage
1/4 teaspoon of poultry seasoning
1 medium onion (chopped)

Mix all ingredients in greased pan and bake on 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Turn oven to 500 degrees until desired brownness.

Yummy, yummy, yummy!!! Quick, simple and delicious!! And a little note to all you gals...If you can talk your Mom into cooking the cornbread for you, it makes it even easier!! :) Love to you all!!

I am most thankful for...

2009-11-03T09:20:00.002-06:00

My dear friend KTB, challenged me to list one thing, each day during the month November, that I am thankful for. For the first three days of this month...

I am thankful for

Sunday, November 1, 2009 - Being able to spend the day with Whit and Honeybun
Monday, November 2, 2009 - having a job to go to that I love
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 - my parents for taking Whit to physical therapy

Happy Halloween

2009-11-01T08:09:00.008-06:00

Just wanted to share a few pics of the precious Trick or Treaters we had last night...only had 3, but when you live in the sticks, that what you get!

Cole Brand - Isn't he just the cutest little Auburn Tiger you have ever??

Kristen Lowery - Isn't she just wickedly cute??

Ok, call me prejudice, but have you ever really saw a Snow Princess, a beautiful, sweet Snow Princess? The kind that makes you oohh and awe and feel all giggly inside?? Well, if you haven't, you're about to...I may not have birthed this little beauty, but I'm telling you, I could not love her more if I would have!! Rae-Rae (aka, EmmaRae) is a joy in my life that I have been blessed with. We love her so very much!!

She got a "special" Halloween treat from Sissy (aka, Me), Whitty (aka, Whitney) and Bobo (aka, Dustin). She had a bag and candy, lip gloss and chapstick! She wanted Bobo to take her picture and put it on his phone. If you think the boy can scramble on the field on Friday nights, just let Rae-Rae ask him for something and he becomes the "Scrambling Fool". He loves her and she loves him right back!

Our Snow Princess...

I sure hope ya'll had a great Halloween! We sure did!

Surgery/Physical Therapy

2009-11-01T07:43:00.009-06:00

Sorry it's taken me so long to post, but since surgery was completed on Thursday, I've been a little preoccupied being Mother, Physical Therapist, Nurse, Clean-up Crew, Cook, Laundry Queen, Chicken Feeder, Tush Wiper, Hair-Brusher, Dog Groomer, TV Remote Finder, Drink Fixer, Medicine Dispenser, Teethbrusher, Wound Cleaner, Dresser, Shopper....the list goes on and on.

Did I mention, the list goes O-N and O-N???

Surgery went well, Dr. Cain had to remove part of her scapula and remove several bursas, but he said with the completion of physical therapy, she will be good as new. And hopefully, be ready for some Lady Cats softball come Spring 2010.

Before surgery, they gave her a block that numbed her and it really helped with the ride home from Birmingham. But it didn't help when we had to start physical therapy Friday morning. Yeah, you heard me right, we had to start PHYSICAL THERAPY Friday morning! I didn't get pics Thursday, my nerves were too frayed, but I did manage to take a few Friday at physical therapy, just a few, because Whit was not feeling the whole "blog" thing. :)

Her therapist, David, removed her bandages and let me take a quick pic. Doesn't look too bad, but Whit assured me, "It's hurts like crap Mom."

FYI: She WAS NOT a happy camper!

The one thing that did make me happy though was the sign that was in her physical therapists room...

God is SO good...all the time!

Have a Blessed DAY!!!

Blessings

2009-11-01T07:00:00.005-06:00

Wow! Can you believe it's already Nov. 1? Where has this year went to? I guess I am feeling a little bit sentimental this morning, but I can't help it. I guess I can blame it on the last several days, lack of sleep or just being completely worn to a frazzle, but I know it's just that I took time to listen when my sweet Saviour whispered to me this morning...

When I woke up this morning, I rolled over and looked at the clock and realized that I hadn't "fell back" last night, so instead of it being 7:20, it was actually 6:20! I groaned and thought "oh, man!" But I got up and went into the living room to check on Whit. (She's been sleeping in the recliner since she had surgery.)

I had the most overwhelming feeling this morning...I was completely brought to tears thinking about how truly blessed I am! I thought of all the parents that have lost children, have sick children or have never been blessed with children...and here my most precious blessing is...slightly battered, but ALIVE! What a great feeling, just knowing, I can sneak in a take a picture, kiss her sweet forehead, brush her cheek and hair!!! It's moments like this, quiet moments, that God speaks to you, to the very core of your soul and makes you gasp and stand in awe at His majestic power and blessings. His blessings, that I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I DO NOT deserve, but because I am forgiven, He has blessed me with...and blessed me beyond measure! Thank you Jesus, for my blessings and for especially for my child!

I have been reading daily about little Stellan, and wondering what his poor Mother is going through! If your not familiar with his story, it's a blessing just to read...it will touch your heart. So, I am asking, today as you pray, please pray for me and Whit, but say a special prayer for little Stellan and his Mommy, because if your a Mother, you know the power of a Mother's love. Pray for the Mother's that have lost their children way too soon and for the women that are Mother's, in their heart, but their poor bodies just can't give them a child. Especially pray for those women who have children, and just don't realize the precious blessings they have been given.

Thanks for all the prayers that have went up this week for me and Whit. We love each and every one of you!

Surgery

2009-10-28T10:49:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to give a quick update to my blogger buddies...

Dr. Cain called me Tuesday afternoon and told me that he wanted to do surgery on Whit's shoulder tomorrow. So, after recovering from the shock of it being done that quickly, I spoke with his nurse yesterday and she told us to be there Thursday morning, 7:30 a.m.

So please, say a special prayer for my Whit in the morning, and her Momma too :)

We are hoping to get to come home tomorrow afternoon, if the surgery goes well.

Love you guys and thanks for the prayers!!!!

Happy Halloween Ya'll

2009-10-23T12:00:00.014-05:00

Last night, Dudu, Pamela, EmmaRae, Kayla, me and Whit...had a ball! A big, orange, PUMPKIN, ball! We carved pumpkins! Great fun was had by all...well, at least by the two littlest ones...

It started off a little "spooky" at first...Whit...17...a darkened night...and a KNIFE!! She managed to get the top off of her pumpkin without too much bloodshed...

EmmaRae scooping out her "punkin snot"...

And for those you who don't know what "punkin snot" looks like...just take a gander...

By the time the pumpkins were carved, I had "punkin snot" all over me and to my surprise, even found some in my shoe! I wonder if Cinderella ever had to put up with such!!! The pumpkins turned out great! Just a little proof that kids still enjoy good family fun!!!

Happy Halloween Ya'll!!!

Recipe Thursday!!

2009-10-22T08:35:00.000-05:00

It's that time again...Over the weekend, I had a house full! Robin was here getting Whit ready for Miss Berry and most of the family was in and out all day on Saturday. Mom gave me a new recipe a few weeks back that she had gotten from Mrs. Gloria at church. I was a little skeptical because it looked "too easy". And, once again, I was right...it was too easy...but boy was it GOOD! Whit loved it...and once again...we did it the Jean gals way, except, I had to clean the kitchen. But, since all I had to do was throw the cans away, I didn't complain too much! :) This is another "soup" recipe, but as cool as the temps have been the last few days, I didn't think ya'll would mind...let me introduce you to..."Chicken Corn Chowder"...

Chicken Corn Chowder

1 - 12.5 oz. can of white chicken chunks (drained)

16 oz. of chicken broth

1 - can of cream of chicken soup

1 - can of potato soup

2 - cans of Mexicorn (do not drain)

8 oz. of Mexican Velvetta

1 - bunch of green onions, chopped

1 - small can of mushrooms, chopped

1 - small jar of jalapenos, chopped

Combine all ingredients in crock pot and heat thoroughly.

It is sooooo good...you'll be dying to find out what I come up with for next week!!! Enjoy!! :)

What makes a "winner"?

2009-10-18T00:10:00.000-05:00

Although we didn't come home with the crown, I am EXTREMELY proud of Whit! She did a great job and was absolutely STUNNING! Well, I'll let you be the judge of that...

This photo is of Whit and a dear friend, Abbey. This was her last pageant at Berry High School and although we didn't win, she did GREAT! As to the title of my post, "What makes a winner", I believe that, hands down, Whit is a winner. Not only is she beautiful on the outside, she has a heart of gold.

During her interview, she was asked, "What television show most represents your life?" Her response? "Gilmore Girls". For any of you who haven't watched Gilmore Girls, it is about a single mother and her daughter, their trials and triumphs. That melted my heart!! I know we don't have the traditional family, but we have all we need...we have each other and most importantly, we LOVE each other...to the moon and back! I love you Whit!!

Prayers Needed!

2009-10-16T10:18:00.000-05:00

Today we go to Birmingham for a 3D Cat Scan of Whit's shoulder. Please pray that a scope type surgery will be all that is required to fix her shoulder. We will hear from Dr. Cain on Monday and expect a fast-paced track for her surgery and speedy recovery. I thank you, in advance, my blogger friends, for your prayers!

Recipe Thursday!! Today's feature...Brunswick Stew

2009-10-15T10:54:00.000-05:00

When the leaves start to fall, the air cools to a crisp temperature and flip flops start to be out the question...I start craving soups, stews and hearty meals! My all time favorite is Brunswick Stew. My Granny Kuykendall used to make homemade Brunswick stew...but as I have previously stated...us Jean gals don't roll that way. We like simple, quick and delicious! It's made in our home, so I guess it could be considered as "homemade". :) So, here on Recipe Thursday, I give you..."Brunswick Stew"...the Jean gal's way!

Brunswick Stew

1 lb. of ground beef, browned

1 small onion chopped

2 - 16 oz. cans of cream style corn

2 - 10 oz. cans of BBQ pork

2 - 10 oz. cans of white chicken chunks (drained)

1 - 28 oz. can of crushed tomatoes

1 - 10 oz. can of diced tomatoes with green chilies

1 cup of ketchup

Brown hamburger meat and onion together in skillet and drain well.

Place in 5 quart dutch oven (or crock pot). Stir in remaining ingredients. Blend well. Add water to make stew thinner, if you like a more "soupy" texture. Cover and cook over "VERY" low heat for 45 minutes until flavors are blended and heated thoroughly. Stir very often, because it scorches very easily.

Mom gave me this recipe and I was a little leery, but one bite was all it took! Literally, one bite is all it will take to bring you guys over to my and Whit's way of thinking! This soup/stew is divine!!! I like my Brunswick stew a little thinner than some people do, so just add water or not! It's totally up to you! I like to add crushed red pepper to my bowl of Brunswick Stew, Whit likes to eat hers on bread, like a sandwich, Dudu like to line her bowl with bread and put her stew on top, Colby likes to put his in the freezer until it's cool (he's a wuss...lol)....NO MATTER how you eat it...YOU WILL LIKE IT TOO!!

And you thought Mrs. Bowling was the only Chef to graduate from Berry High School in 1991!

2009-10-14T10:08:00.000-05:00

First of all, let me make one thing clear...we're not House of Bowling and we don't host "Cooking Camp"...we're just Mom and Daughter trying to nourish our way through life!!! :) KTB has WWAAYY too much energy to last one day at our house! :) She would die of boredom...would strangle me and Whit for the lack of "creativity" when preparing meals! I cook it, Whit cleans it. That's just how we roll. :) Anyway...

I have been struggling for about a week now, for something to blog about. I have:

thought long and hard about it
Googled "blog topics"
snapped random pics to the point that Whit and Honeybun hide when I get the camera (what's up with that??? It's not like I post embarrassing pictures of them!! Gosh!)
the dogs fear me and my camera too

So, I have just been stumped! And I know it's just writer's block...all of us famous writer's have this problem and I know that it will pass. :)

So I was in bed this morning, tossing and turning, couldn't sleep...with a gazillion thoughts going through my mind....when "BAM"...it came to me...I need to blog, at least once a week, about recipes!

Whit is always calling me or texting me with:

Whit: "Mom, what are we having for supper? I'm S-T-A-R-V-I-N-G!!! I'm hungry as a hostage!"

What better way to share recipes and stories about the person I got them from, than to blog about it! Technology...gotta love it!

So from this day forward, I have designated Thursdays as...(drum roll, please)...

Recipe Thursday!

HA! You thought I was going to come up with some really snazzy name, didn't you?? Remember, us Jean gals are simple...I cook it, Whit cleans it!

Please let me know what you think. I promise not to post anything that I haven't cooked and tried. Enjoy!!!

Homecoming 2009

2009-10-05T14:29:00.001-05:00

Congrats to all the Seniors of 2010!! Even though we came in 2nd, ya'll did an AWESOME job!!!

When school is just too much to handle!

2009-10-04T00:27:00.000-05:00

I often wonder what they are giving our kids at Berry High School! Some days, it's all they can do to get home without falling asleep! Some days they do manage to make it to the couch...

If anyone knows what they do to "put them to sleep" like this...let me know so I can stock up on it for the weekends!!!

Prom 2009

2009-10-04T00:06:00.000-05:00

Since I got a late start on my blogging career, I missed a few important blogs in Whit's high school years. Just wanted to share a few pics from her Junior Prom.

Honeybun and Whit at Capitol Park in Tuscaloosa

Whit sporting Honeybuns jacket! She's mine, but she sure is a cutie!!

Probably my favorite pic of the night...aren't they sweet??

And last, but definitely not least, EmmaRae and Honeybun! If you think Whit loves Honeybun...she ain't got nothing on EmmaRae!

What do fullbacks do during their down time?

2009-10-03T23:39:00.000-05:00

I know, I know...all of you have wondered at some point in life, just exactly what it is that fullbacks do during downtime?

Do they power lift?
Do they run marathons?
Do they sit at the mirror and practice their game face?
Do they endlessly watch the game film?

Well, I have the answer to one of the most sought after questions. Want to know what the answer is???

Although it may look like he is practicing "protecting the ball", that is NOT what is going on here...

And the answer is...

THEY CROSS STITCH!!!

That's right...they cross stitch! Now you know!!

Next time you see this strapping, young man come barrelling down the football field, either carrying the ball or taking out an opponent, just remember this post...those precious hands aren't just made to tackle, kill and destroy...they were made to "stitch" also!!

When we least expect it...

2009-09-24T14:05:00.000-05:00

Isn't it amazing how blessed we are??

For the last several weeks, I have really been battling a very mild depression, but I know it's lurking around, ready to get me at any given moment. So many things are going on in my life and sometimes it just gets overwhelming to try and deal with all that life throws at you. I think that's where friends come in. Not people that do things for praise or show, but true friends...the kind of friends that know when times are hard and are there...truly there for you.

I received an "unexpected" gift in the mail last week and it was so emotionally overwhelming, I just didn't know what to do with myself!

I just wanted to create this post...just to let that special friend know, that their kindness, came at a most dark time and for that, I am forever grateful! You know who you are...for that matter, I know who you are...my dear, sweet, FOREVER friend. Thank you!!

(ok...just a hint for all of those who don't know who I'm talking about....and no it's not Whit or Tyson, but the beautiful lady who took these photos!! Whit and I love you Kim...oh so very much!!)

No matter...

2009-09-21T14:30:00.000-05:00

No matter...

...when you graduated from Berry High School

...whether you have kids in attendance at Berry High School

...if you never come to a Berry High School football game

seeing this, when playing Hub...always makes you smile!!

Senior Memories in the Making

2009-09-18T13:32:00.000-05:00

Just a few Senior pics...

Steven and Honeybun eating the cake that Ashley and Whit made for them for the Marion County game. (Cake must have worked, we won 60-6!!)

Practice under the lights...(front row) Whit, Linnie and LeighAnn...(back row) Cody, aka "Melvin", Holly, Ashley, Faith, Candice and Molly.

Good Looking Senior Boys...Garrett, Honeybun and Steven

Candice, Kayla, Ashley and Whit

And my favorite...(below) Melvin, Whit and Holly.

This is what memories are made of!!

What a great bunch of Seniors Berry High School is blessed with this year!! I love you guys!!!

When bets go terribly wrong...

2009-09-14T21:58:00.000-05:00

**Due to the graphic wording of this post, some of the contents may not be suitable for weak stomachs.

Am I the only Mother who is "blessed" with an "over abundance" of children running loose in my house? Whether it is Honeybun, Holly, Dillion & Lane...or countless others, my house is constantly filled with kids! Kids of all ages and sizes. Well, tonight proved to be pretty comical and I have a feeling that tomorrow will be just as funny...

As many of you know, or don't know, Whitney was "blessed" earlier in the year with a rooster, given to her by my uncle, Bobo. She loves her rooster very much. She named him Elton John. Her and Honeybun worked really hard building him a nice pen. A few weeks after we got Elton, a "dear" friend (and I use that term loosely...lol) gave her two hens, Julianna and Emily (Julianna, from Dancing with the Stars and Emily, because Emily Dickinson is Whit's favorite poet.) Anyway, we have since been blessed with three baby chickens...are ya'll keeping count?? That's 5 chickens!!! We have also been blessed with fresh eggs! (The one good thing that has come out of all of this chaos!) Ok, sorry, got a little sidetracked...Tonight Whitney and Holly were discussing eating raw eggs. Whit decided she was going to try it...and needless to say, the garbage had to be taken out because the egg refused to stay down...it came up fast!! Me and Holly were laughing because Whit was gagging and crying...she said "Well, Holly I "BET" you can't eat one without throwing-up!" The bet was on! They bet that if Holly could eat a raw egg, without throwing it back up, Holly could dress Whitney for school tomorrow...to let you know how that turned out...if you happen to be at BHS tomorrow, look Whit up...(that is if they don't send her home first!!) Sometimes, it's best to just puke and keep it to yourself...

And she thought me posting her graded papers on here was embarrassing?? lol

Deja Vu?

2009-09-13T20:37:00.000-05:00

Deja vu?? I think not...just another good ole fashion win for the Berry Wildcats! That's right...Berry beat Meek 60-6, same score as the week before when we played Marion Co.

Notice the handsome young man above, that would be #6, Honeybun, he helped "a little bit" with the great win for the Wildcats. As a matter of fact, he picked up a fumble, and those poor ole Meek players just look plum bumfuzzled...

You know it's not to hard to show out on the football field when you have such a pretty little lady on the sidelines, cheering you on...

And it also doesn't hurt to have a great photographer on the sidelines to capture these great memories!! Thanks Kim!! We love you!!

Way to go Wildcats!!

September 4, 2009

Berry 60

Meek 6

Who knew EmmaRae could teach her kitty how to smile??

2009-09-13T14:11:00.000-05:00

Who knew when Nana Dudu gave EmmaRae this little kitten, that it would turn out to be a show kitten?? She's worked lloonngg hours with Yaw Yaw to get her to cooperate...first she loves her up real good...

Then she gives her a quick massage...(to tamp down any "stage" fright)...

Then she says..."Yaw Yaw, please smile for me"...and...just like that "magic"...Yaw Yaw smiles....

**No animals were harmed in the making of these photos...well, not much anyway :)

Now, go on and have yourself a great day! And....SMILE!!

Grandparents Day...aren't they just that..."GRAND"?

2009-09-13T11:38:00.000-05:00

Where do I begin this post? It is hard to put into words the way Grandparents affect our lives...each and every day.

My Granddaddy Sands died when I was 3 years old and I don't remember him, but I love to listen to stories about him. My Granny Sands died in 2001 and I vividly remember her being a part of mine and Whit's life. I sure do miss her!!

My Granddaddy Kuykendall was killed in a heavy equipment accident when I was about 8 years old. I remember how he loved to play dominoes and Uno. My Granny Kuykendall is 88 years old! She is my only living grandparent. She is one fantastic cook!!

My Whit is so blessed with her grandparents...my Mom and Dad, aka, Nanny and PawPaw and Poppa, her father's Dad.

Thank you to all the grandparents in the world, you make it, well, just GRAND!!

Can It Be REAL??

2009-09-07T08:50:00.001-05:00

I can just hear it now..."Mother, that is sooo lame! For goodness sake!! I'm a SENIOR!!"...but "ole Mother" just couldn't resist this post, because...I am PROUD! I am EXCITED! I am just down-right giddy! For years now, I MEAN YYEEAARRSS now, we have always struggled in Math! Any kind of Math, from basic to Algebra, to Algebra II, to Geometry and now we are in the dreaded PreCal...when I saw that particular class on Whit's "SENIOR" schedule, I wanted to scoop up my baby and run for the hills...but...I see now that I might have over reacted...

That's right folks...a 91 on her first PreCal test! and...

that's right folks...a 96 on her first paper in PreCal!

I am so very, very proud of Whit! She is doing a great job this "SENIOR" year!

I got her first Progress Report on Friday and she had a:

96 in PreCal...

95 in Anatomy...

94 in Spanish II!

What a great way to begin her "SENIOR" year!! I am blessed that she has such great teachers! Mr. Banks is a fantastic Math teacher (she says she is his "favorite"); she loves Mrs. Karen Moore, her Anatomy teacher and she thinks Mrs. Faulk, her Spanish teacher, is a hoot!!

Once again, I'm proud of you Whit!! Keep up the good work!!!

Do you smell it in the air??

2009-08-31T15:17:00.000-05:00

Do you smell it?? Do you get that funny feeling on your skin when your outside?? No, I'm not talking about some phenomenon...I'm talking about FOOTBALL!!

I love football and I love football weather! I love the way air smells in the Fall...I love the way the slight wind tickles my skin...I love the way the drums from the band vibrate through my entire body....but most of all...I love......

that's right...#6, my Honeybun, my Porkchop...the love of My Baby's life.

Whit and Dustin (aka Honeybun, Buns of Honey, Porkchop, Buff Daddy...the list goes on and on...) have been dating for almost 2 years. At first, things were a little strained between the two of them...they fought, broke-up, got back together...but then about a year ago...all things smoothed out and...

...happily ever after!

I am truly blessed to have such a kind, loving and special person in my daughter's life! I feel like he is part of my family...and I wouldn't have it any other way!!

Back to the original reason I started this post...this is Honeybun's Senior year...his last year to be #6 on the Berry Wildcats Football team...I want to wish him luck, blankets of protection and most of all..."have fun...because these are the absolute best times of your life!"

I'm wishing you the best year Honeybun!! You know how much I love you and Whit!! Make every memory you can!! Have a great football year!!!

August 28, 2009

Berry Wildcats vs. Marion County Red Raiders at Berry

Berry 60 - Marion Co. 6

Why do sisters have to be soooo mean????

2009-08-21T11:17:00.001-05:00

I try very hard to earn a living, in order to support my daughter. With that being said, why do sisters have to be soooo mean??

A few weeks ago...I was "slaving" away at work. Whit had gone to Tuscaloosa with Dudu to get her (as she says) "hair did" at DV8 (my sister Robin's salon.) I am always a little leery of Whit's trips to Aunt Rara's without me, simply because they tend to get a little carried away with the scissors when I'm not there to supervise (see photos below)....

This picture was taken when Whit had long, gorgeous curls....

After a trip to Aunt Rara's, when Mom wasn't in attendance, this is what happened to those long, beautiful curls...

Now don't get me wrong...I LOVE her hair short, but only after I recovered from the heart attack when I first saw it. Anyway, she was at Rob's and she called and said that Ash was going to email me a picture so I could see what her "new hairdo" looked like. Please see photo below....

CAN YOU SAY "FLIPPING OUT"? To put it mildly and in a nice Christian way, that is exactly what I was doing!! After telling Whit, "If that is what your hair looks like, you need to find somewhere to live! And it won't be with Robin because I AM GOING TO KILL HER!!!!"....they were down there having a ball with this one...while I was "slaving" away. They still laugh about it. Me, nor my poor ole' heart, thinks that it was or is funny. After me fuming, ranting and raving, this was emailed to me....the real "hairdo"....

p.s. The whole, "tongue-sticking-out"?? That's what she would have looked like had I gotten my hands around her pretty little neck!!

All joking aside, Rob does a great job! But her day is coming...when she least expects it...hehehe

Senior Year has came too quickly!

2009-08-19T14:24:00.000-05:00

It has taken me a little over a week to even get my bearings together enough to write this post...as many of you know, last week started the deterioration of the rest of my life. My baby, MY LITTLE, TINY BABY, started her Senior year. It was all smiles and giggles for her...but for her poor, pitiful Mom...it was a totally different story.

Many years ago, we set out on this journey called "school". You see, Whit stayed with Nanny (aka, my Mother), Aunt Nanny (aka, Aunt Nell) or Dudu (aka, my sister, Susan) before she started kindergarten. I did turn loose, a little, to let her go to day care for 2 days a week, when she was 4. Berry Elementary School was an entirely different story...they had kids that were in the 6th grade there!! BIG KIDS...and my baby was well....just that, a baby.

That first day of kindergarten, I walked her in, got her situated and turned to her....with tears in her eyes, she says, "Can't you just stay a little while longer Momma?" What I thought (at the time) was the hardest thing for me to do...I said, "No baby. Momma's gotta go to work." I took a red pen out of my purse and drew a heart on her hand. I told her, "Today when you get lonely, sad or scared...you just look at this heart and KNOW that Momma is thinking about you, loving you and missing you. Before you know it, you'll be home and you can tell me about all the fun you had today."

We made it through that first day of kindergarten...and have made it through every year since then. There have been bumps, detours and sometimes, some great big obstacles...but with the Grace of God....we have prevailed.

As we start this Senior year...it wasn't Whit that had tears in her eyes asking me to stay a little longer...but Mom...with tears in my eyes...asking God for just a little more time with my Baby.

Have a great Senior year Whit! Make memories that will last you a lifetime!! I love you!! Forever and always my baby you'll be!!

"Mother!!! It's wayyyy toooo early for you to be taking my picture!!!!"

Could these smiles be the new haircut and color (thanks Aunt RaRa)?? The new clothes?? The fact that this is her last, first day of school?? The fact that she is a SENIOR, the top of the high school food chain?? I think not.......(see below)

I think....not really sure....but it's probably her new car....nothing like rolling up to good ole' BHS, in style!!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

2009-08-11T14:47:00.000-05:00

Today is a very special day...Daddy is 69 years young today! Happy Birthday Daddy!!

Looking back over my life, I can't imagine NOT having my Daddy in my corner...don't get me wrong, we had some "rough" spots, but we always seem to pull together...after all, that's what Daddy's do!

If you ask Susan and Robin, they will tell you that I am Daddy's baby...and I will proudly say, "I sure am!" They are just jealous. :)

I have been truly blessed to have the Daddy that I have. He is kind, loving and a good Christian man. So many children these days don't know what it's like to have that kind of Daddy...I'm just thankful he is also a positive figure in my daughters life.

I love you Daddy and hope this is the best birthday ever!!!

Will the cake catch on fire???

2009-08-05T14:01:00.000-05:00

I have been very worried today...we are celebrating Dudu's "48th" birthday tonight and I'm afraid all the candles will cause a fire hazard...only joking Dudu!

You will never realize how much you are respected, cherished, honored and above all else....loved! You wear many hats in our family....Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mom, Nanna, Dudu...but most importantly...."friend". I hope you have a great birthday!! Whitney and I love you more than words can say!! We are truly blessed to have you in our lives!

For an old heifer, she don't look half bad, does she?? lol

2009-08-04T09:37:00.000-05:00

OMG!!!! AND THE SURPRISES JUST KEEP ON COMING....

Last night, I had came home from a lloonngg Monday at work...just wanted to relax, have dinner with my family and mentally prepare for the rest of this week (as most of you know, my baby, MY BABY, will be a Senior next week....that's a whole other post, my emotions can't handle it all right now....) anyway, back to my story. I arrived home, went and visited with Momma and Daddy for a few minutes, really just went to get a few laughs because they took my Grandmother to the doctor yesterday and that's a story in it's self...so after I left their house, I went out to Pamela's (aka EmmaeRae's Mommy). Pamela, Susan, Whit and EmmaeRae were getting Yaw-Yaw (EmmaeRae's new kitten) situated in her new home. Pamela "looked" like she had been crying...and you know me, I jumped right in...

Me: What's wrong with you???

Pamela: I just don't feel good, I've got a headache.

Me: Are you pregnant? (jokingly)

Pamela: HA!

I head home to cook some potatoes (because Pamela is grilling some chicken). As I am cutting up the potatoes, I am thinking..."What in the world has Colby (aka EmmaeRae's Daddy) done to her...I know he rides around all day in his "big" truck and has lots of time to think, but he needs to realize she is at home raising a 2 1/2 year old that NEVER sits still." Boy, I was fuming...I was gonna call and give him alittle "heads up" on NOT making your wife cry. Because as his Aunt, that's my job...to keep him in line...whether he wants to hear it or not!!

Ok, so after they got Yaw-Yaw situated and Pamela finished grilling the chicken, they came over to eat. Me, Pamela, EmmaRae, Susan, Whit and Honeybun (aka Dustin, Whit's boyfriend) were sitting there eating a wonderful dinner...I look over and Pamela is waving her arm like something crazy...

Me: What are you doing?

Pamela: (innocently..) Nothing...

(Little did I know, she was making hand motions at Whit so they could "text" each other and leave me and Susan clueless to what was going on.)

Ok, back to dinner, because the food is so delicious and she can act crazy if she wants to...I'm hungry!

After we finish eating, Colby calls Susan and she walks outside...(and for those of you who don't know, I DON'T LIKE SECRETS THAT I'M NOT INCLUDED IN ON) I'm standing in the kitchen nibbling on a piece of chicken....and out of the blue....

Pamela: "I'm pregnant..."

Ok, I start crying...Whit, Pamela and Honeybunn are just looking at me like I'm crazy and....LAUGHING!! Apparently, I'm not the only one who visits other family members, just for that daily dose of laughter!!

Susan was outside on the phone with Colby, who was sharing the good news with his Mom and apparently Whit and Honeybun already knew the news, so that just left, poor, clueless me...

Congratulations Colby, Pamela and EmmaeRae!! Can't wait for the new Baby Odom to get here! Rae-Rae (aka EmmaeRae), you know Sissy (aka ME) will always love you the MOSTEST!!!

Has it been 2 months already???

2009-07-14T09:44:00.001-05:00

Seems like only yesterday, my favorite, or at least that's what Kayla calls herself where I'm concerned, was just a young girl with her entire life ahead of her....oh the dreams she had. Now those dreams are shaping into reality! What came as a shock to all of us (quick engagement), turned into a beautiful wedding and now the happily ever after...We love Hunter (Nunner, as EmmaRae calls him) and are so excited he is a part of our family. I wish you luck, love and most of all happiness throughout your marriage My Favorite and Hunter..I love you both very much....

Little EmmaRae...

2009-06-30T11:28:00.001-05:00

You remember when your babies where little..I thought that was the most awesome thing...Now I have a new baby in my life...my great niece...EmmaRae Odom. She is the funniest, most adorable little thing!! We have entirely too much fun with her! She is 2 1/2 year old...and oh the tales she can tell!! These photos were sent to me from Aunt RaRa...and I proudly introduce to you...America's Next Top Model!!!!!

Who wouldn't want to purchase and use this shampoo after such great marketing strategies???

2009-06-12T09:59:00.000-05:00

Today is the day that I have dreaded...the day that I knew was coming...the day that makes it official. I will have proof. Proof that will be staring at me when I'm cooking, washing clothes, watching t.v. Today we pick-up the Senior portrait proofs! My little bundle of joy, my sweet baby girl, my most precious blessing...will be a Senior. Mom is sad and nervous...Whit is happy and excited!! How can she be happy to be facing one of the biggest years of her life?? Does she not realize she is one step closer to leaving home for parts unknown and of leaving ME??? Her Mother???

I just don't understand...I've raised her, loved her, worried about her & she's EXCITED to leave?? Where's the gratitude for the poor ole' Mom that's going to be left behind....

Very new...

2009-03-24T11:27:00.000-05:00

I have spent several days, hours...reading long lost friends blogs! It is addictive! So I thought, if I enjoy reading about their busy lives and children, would they be interested in reading about mine?? So, when more time allows, I will start my blog! Wish me luck...