Senior Year has came too quickly!

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!!

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???

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

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???

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...

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???

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....