Just Keeping it Real

Ya'll, I just came thisclose to walking out of the bathroom with my skirt tucked all the way up in my underwear. I would have just died flashing my Fruit of the Looms here in the Baptist building.

Thank goodness for the full length mirror on the way out the door. Can I hear an "Amen"?

In a Matter of Mere Minutes

Saturday morning Jackson and I had to leave our house around 7:30 to head to our church for an all day Family Fun Day. Jeremy had already headed off to work and all I had to do to finish getting ready was run to my bathroom in the back of the house and brush my teeth and put my shoes on. Jackson was left alone for maybe 2-3 minutes max. I walk back into the kitchen and this is what I see:

My cute little monkey had dumped the clean clothes out of the laundry basket, carried it into the kitchen, and proceeded to help himself with the brownies. I couldn't help but laugh as I grabbed my camera. Jackson thought the brownies were delicious and after he figured out that he wasn't going to get in trouble he started laughing at himself.

Jackson still doesn't know if he is in trouble here. Check out those baby blues!!!

I really could eat him up!!

What Jackson didn't eat just got holes put in it!

My, oh my, do I love my little monkey!!!

Oh, and no, he didn't eat that entire section of brownies. He did dig the section with the hole in it out, but mostly he was just eating crumbs and little pieces. He did however get it all over his clean Auburn shirt, and that in itself was tragic enough.

A simple miracle...

I told you that Eddie was an organ donor, but what I didn't tell you was exactly how powerful and awe-inspiring God can be. Now that everything has unfolded I feel like I need to finish telling you the whole story.

We have an older couple in our church whose 23 year old granddaughter, Erin, has been waiting to receive a new liver for quite some time. She had her first liver transplant when she was 2 years old, and it was well-past time to receive another one. She had been moved to the top of the priority list because of how sick she was. When it was confirmed that Eddie was no longer with us, and the organ nurse came in to discuss options with Karen, Eddie's liver was mentioned.

It was a God thing...

After running the tests, it was confirmed that it was a 100% match between Eddie and Erin and the decision was made to proceed with the transplant. The operation started at 2:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, and is usually a 7 hour operation. Her surgery only took 5 hours because the doctor said it was the most successful transplant he had ever done. The liver began operating immediately, and although Erin has a long recovery ahead of her, the operation was a true success.

It was a God thing...

Skeptics and non-believers may think that the story above is nothing more than a simple coincidence. I greatly disagree. The mathematical odds of a transplant donor and a blood relative of the recipient being members of the same church have got to be astronomical. I can't tell you the joy it brings to know that while we are so sad and grieving over the loss of Eddie, that we are in just in awe that Eddie had one more surprise for us, just waiting for when it was his time to go. It is nothing short of a true miracle how things transpired, but then again...it was a God thing.

Uno, dos, and now we have TRES...

I told you a few days ago that Jackson has been a pill lately. Well, maybe I didn't tell you, but I sure thought it a bunch. My sweet little boy has just not been himself lately at all. He has been fussy, whiney, clingy, and basically just disagreeable.

I took him back to the doctor yesterday to get him checked out. I figured it was either one of two things:

1. He was legitimately sick with something and doesn't feel good which would explain everything listed above. OR
2. He is just 2 and I have a rough year ahead of me.

Any guesses? If you picked choice number 1 you may now pass go and collect $200 dollars.

Diagnosis....Jackson has ANOTHER major double ear infection. This would be the third ear infection this month. So once again we are on yet ANOTHER antiobiotic which very well may start ANOTHER yeast infection from all the medicine. In 15 days we have to make ANOTHER trip to the ENT and pay ANOTHER $45 copay for ANOTHER consultation before he will be given ANOTHER set of tubes.

If you are keeping count here, this will be his 3rd set of tubes in a year and half, and his second set since March.

May God have mercy on our checkbook....and Jackson's ears for that matter.

In other news, Jackson has been selected as the "Adorable Baby of the Week" for TinyPrints.com. Check out his picture and bio here and make sure to leave him some comment love on their site. That's all for now.

I hope ya'll have a great weekend!!!

Update on Mr. Eddie

Mr. Eddie Harris passed away yesterday afternoon. It was his decision to be an organ donor, and he will forever live on through his final gifts of life.

God is good...

I went from from shock, grief and disbelief to joy in a second when I found out that he was an organ donor. Eddie will continue to live not only in a physical presence, but also in our hearts.

Please continue to remember his wife Karen and his children in your prayers. They have a long road ahead of them.

In Case You Ever Wondered...

Today is my 28th birthday. We started it off by forgetting to set the alarm clock last night and I woke up 30 minutes later than normal, but somehow I still managed to get to work only 5 minutes late. Go figure...

Tonight we eat at Mellow Mushroom. I can't wait!

Just so you know...

Update on Eddie Harris

Eddie is completely non-responsive right now and after a brain scan later this morning they are going to take him off the respirator. Please continue to remember his wife Karen and his kids in your prayers.

New and most funnest stage of parenting yet....

This morning Jeremy was taking his shower and I was trying to catch 5 more minutes of sleep when I heard Jackson waking up over the baby monitor. I walked into his room and he was still laying down, but was looking around the room. When he spotted me walking into his room, my sweet baby boy's first words of the day were, "Mommy go away. I want Daddy."

Sigh. It's so nice to be needed...

Urgent Prayer Request

I just left the hospital visiting some church members, Eddie and Karen Harris. Eddie had a double knee replacement yesterday, and sometime around 4:00 this morning he had a massive stroke. We got word through our church email prayer list and at that time all we knew was that Eddie had a blood clot, and since I work right next door to the hospital I decided to run over there and check on both of them.

Eddie and Karen are the nicest people you could meet, both with hearts of gold. Imagine my shock when I walked in to the hospital room to see 5 men from my church, Karen, and a doctor, all standing around Eddie's bed, with Eddie being completely unresponsive. I made it in time to hear the doctor tell Karen that he doesn't know when or if Eddie will completely recover.

Please lift the Eddie and Karen up in your prayers. Pray for complete and total recovery for Eddie, and that Karen has the strength to cope with the daily struggles that she will encounter in the upcoming weeks and months.

Much love...

Just another manic Monday...

Well, well, well. It was so nice seeing my little man and my hubbie back home safely after spending 3 days away visiting the Mississippi branch of the family. Jeremy and Jackson had a blast, but I was so glad that they were finally back home. Jeremy and I went over to Britney's house early Saturday morning and Jackson and Layton had a super fun play date. The boys played great together, and when we got home, Jackson was pooped. He was out for several hours, during which time I gladly took a little nap. I woke up with a slight headache, but after taking some tylenol I didn't think much more about it. After Jackson woke up, I ran to get a haircut and to Walmart, and then headed home. Jeremy and I did some major cleaning and by the time we were done it was time to get supper ready. It was about then that I realized that I had a MAJOR headache. After supper was done, I took my migraine medicine and laid down. I finally moved to our room about 9:00, and around 12:00 in the morning I woke Jeremy up I was crying so hard. My head has never hurt like that in my life. I knew it was time for a trip to the E.R., which I have never had to go to for jsut a headache before. My Dad came over and stayed with Jackson, and luckily our trip was only 1 hour long. They gave me 2 shots and after 20 minutes, they let me go home. Jeremy said it was like walking a Saturday night drunk back to the car. I don't know what was in that shot, but man, it was good! I was still struggling with a headache all day yesterday, but today it seems to be gone.

Jeremy also had an adventure this weekend. He had been complaining that his tooth was aching, but that he could wait until his next off day to go to the dentist. Wrong. I made him call them yesterday it was hurting him so bad, and today he was worked in for an emergency appointment. He goes back tomorrow for a root canal. Fun, huh!!

I guess that's all. Cross your fingers, but Jackson seems to be doing fine. I'll catch up with you more tomorrow!

Ahoy Me Hearties!!!

Today is Talk Like a Pirate Day, and well, that's the best I've got for you. Almost. Shiver me timbers, me boys is coming home today! Okay, I'm done. I promise. Maybe.

I am so glad that Jeremy and Jackson are heading back home today. I've missed those boys! As nice as it was to have a few days to myself, given many more days I probably would have gained about 20 lbs from just sheer boredom and being out of my oh-so-strict nightly routine of supper, walking with Britney, Jackson's bath, Jackson's bedtime, and then eating 5 oreos. I am so glad Jeremy got to spend some quality time with his family. I know he had a blast, and that Jackson loved it also.

Last night my friend Britney and I went to go see The Women. It was a cute chick flick, with not a single guy in the movie. It had tons of well known actresses in it, including Meg Ryan, Annette Benning, Debra Messing, Candice Bergen, Jada Pinkett Smith, Eva Mendes, and Bette Midler, along with tons more people that I just don't know the name of. I had a really good time hanging out with Britney, and overall, it was a cute movie. Anyways, that's all for today, so have a great weekend, and AARRRRRRRRRR!

Jackson hiding from Daddy the other night.

Jackson carrying all his "golf balls" into the kitchen to play.

Jackson pulled this old Christmas card off the fridge, and he was pointing out everyone that was in it. The picture was taken at Kellyn's wedding, and Jackson was only about 3 months old in the picture.

Bye ya'll!!!

I've Been Holding Out On You....

I found this blog probably a month ago, and I have forgotten to share it with you until now. Without further ado, I give you Cake Wrecks. It is a blog devoted to cakes that started off with good intentions, but were destined for the trash can. You can find misspelled words, inappropriate use of quotation marks, bakers that got in WAY over their head, and tons of just good old fashioned tackiness. This is the one that started it off, but there are tons of great ones, like this one, or even this one. Check it out. I promise free amusement and laughs!

In other news, as of yesterday Jeremy and Jackson have flown the coop and headed to Mississippi for a few days to visit with Gigi and Papa. Jeremy and I both were hesitant to think about how Jackson would be on a 4 1/2 hour car ride with only 1 adult present, but according to Jeremy, Jackson was an angel. He slept most of the way. I didn't know what to do with myself last night with no one to take care of, but I managed okay. I hope they have a great time visiting with Jeremy's family! I miss you guys! That's all for now. Have a great Wednesday!

Too.Funny!!!

This is HIL-AR-IOUS!!!! I got to watch it live, but I think it is even funnier now. Tina Fey has got Sarah Palin nailed!!!

Pictures from Rick and Bubba

The boys watching the Sarah Palin SNL skit.

I think this one is obvious....

Speedy and Bubba

Bubba and his tennis racket

Rick watching the news. They have 6 flat screen tv's in the studio.

Rick in his "Rick and Bubba" shirt.

Rick playing the drums during a commercial.

My video of Rick

Bubba reading an article to us.

Bubba with his tennis ball this time.

Speedy goofing off. He was making fun of Bubba giving a former guest a piggy back ride.

Me and Jer

The 2 Sexiest Fat Men Alive!!

Us with the boys!!!

I thought you might like to see "The Rules" of being a guest.

Rick and Bubba

So we had our Golden Ticket seats and we had a blast! Rick and Bubba are so nice and they are totally as "real" as they seem on the air. So here's our weekend (and Monday) in bullet format because I have so much to talk about. Here goes...

• Jeremy and I got to Birmingham late Sunday night and after checking into our hotel, we went to Kobe, a Japanese steak place on 280. I love Japanese food, and because Jeremy and I are just a "party of 2" we always get stuck sitting on the end of the table. We were across another two-some and we waited for about 15 minutes before they brought anyone else to our table. Lucky us. We were seated next to 3 sushi eating, Saki drinking, green loving, conservative hating liberals who felt like the entire table needed and/or cared what they were talking about the entire time. I just about came unglued when they started mocking Sarah Palin and her experience and then started saying that since Obama was after all, a community organizer, that he was more qualified to hold a political office. Lucky for them, and for Jeremy, I kept my mouth shut. I'm way smarter than them, and I really just didn't have it in my heart to embarrass the poor smucks. They had already embarrassed themselves enough.

• We got up early Monday morning and headed to the studio. It is in a shopping center in Vestavia Hills. Had it not been for the nice lady at Publix who pointed us in the right direction when we finally stopped for directions, I doubt if we would have found it. The studio is upstairs and has a huge glassed in front so people passing by can look in. We later found out that it is 2 layers of glass, with the inside layer being a $40,000 wall of bullet proof glass. Bubba told us that it wasn't for them that it was bullet proof, it was more for any celebrities that they have in studio. Apparently, they don't like the exposure a wall of windows offers, so the bullet proof glass makes them feel better. Bubba actually played tennis against the glass during several of the commercial breaks. He also juggled a little bit. He was my favorite of the two of them.

• The guys are totally normal. I don't know what I expected, but they were super friendly and came over and talked to us quite a bit. Rick even played drums during one of the breaks. I got it on video, and he is really good. It was interesting to see how little of the show is planned ahead. They usually figure out during the commercials what they are going to talk about for the next segment. My type "A" personality would have to change that a tad.

If you are a fan of "Rick and Bubba" I would highly recommend getting Golden Ticket seats. You will not be disappointed!

Rick and Bubba, here I come!!

Jeremy and I are taking off on Sunday night and spending the night up in Birmingham, AL. Monday morning from 7-9, we will be sitting in the “Golden Ticket” seats of the Rick and Bubba show! I am so excited! I love me some Rick and Bubba!!

So, if you can catch Rick and Bubba in the 7:00 hour (usually around 7:06), you can hear our names announced as people who are sitting in the studio. I will post again on Tuesday with pictures from meeting the two sexiest fat men alive. Stay tuned…it should be interesting!!!

"It's Heby!"

Jeremy and I were getting ready for work the other day when we hear Jackson talking to us from the kitchen. He was saying, "It's heby! It's heby!" "Heby" is Jacksonese for "heavy." Immediately Jeremy and I looked at each other and said, "What's heavy?" Jeremy rushed out of the bathroom only to find Jackson walking through our bedroom with a 3/4 full gallon sized container of lemonade. He had managed to get the heavy pitcher of lemonade out of the refrigerator and made it all the way to our carpeted bedroom when Jeremy found him, and then, of course you know you can't rush towards a toddler, because then he will do 1 of 2 things either:

1. Run away from you OR
2. Drop whatever they are holding

We obviously didn't want him to do either, so Jeremy very casually walked over to him and took the "heby" pitcher out of his hand. Sheesh. It looks like LemonadeGate 2008 was avoided, unlike Kool-aidGate 2007 for which I am eternally grateful. I can't even begin to imagine getting 3/4 of a gallon of lemonade out of my carpet. I don't even want to think about it. Needless to say, we now have a refrigerator lock in place. I can't help but wonder what I am going to have to childproof next! There's no telling....

I'm Leaving On a Jet Plane!!!

So I just booked my ticket to go visit my "other parents" and my best friend in Denver this December. I am so stinking excited. This will be my last time seeing Allison for probably 3 years because she and her family are being transferred to Italy for 3 years, and let's face it, tickets to Denver are a whole lot cheaper than tickets to Italy.

I have never traveled anywhere by myself, and I can't wait to go!! Watch out Denver, here I come!!!

Has it really been 7 years?

As most of you are probably aware, today is the 7th anniversary of September 11th. It seems so strange that it has already been 7 years, like maybe time should have just stopped that day. I'm sure for many families, time has stopped. I sure don't feel 7 years older. I can't help but wonder how much I have taken my freedom and safety for granted since that day.

I posted last year about where I was when it seemed like everything in my little idealic world changed, but this year, I want to hear from you about your memories of that day. Where were you? What sticks out in your mind?

Let's remember to pray for those who lost loved ones that day, and also please lift up our solidiers, at home and abroad, who are keeping us safe on a daily basis. Have a great day!

Come out, come out, wherever you are!!!

I am an admitted blog-stalker. I love reading blogs, even if I don’t know who people are. I have about 30 blogs that I keep up with. After awhile, I just feel like I really “know” them, even if I have never laid eyes on them in my entire life. With that being said, I would love to know who is keeping up with our family? So this is a kind request for anyone who keeps up with us to leave me a comment and just say hello, even if you don’t have your own blog and you are known as anonymous in the blogosphere. This would be the perfect opportunity for any “lurkers” to come out and play! I would love to get to “know” you also!!

So please, please, please, leave me some love!!!

Better late than never..

Sorry I’ve been neglecting ya’ll. I didn’t mean to, it just happens sometimes. So anyways, a weekend recap: Jeremy’s family came into town for the Auburn vs. Southern Miss game and we headed into the loveliest village on the plains for the game. Jeremy’s family are Southern fans, and me, well, being a graduate of Auburn, I am an Auburn fan. I was the Auburn fan sitting in the top row of the Southern section cheering my little heart out. We got soaked in the 4th quarter which was entertaining in itself, and Auburn won, but it was a good game, and the Southern fans were really nice about me being up there cheering for the other team. A good time was had by all…

After the game was over we headed over to Amy and Adam’s for a late lunch/early supper. We ate until we were stuffed and really enjoyed getting to spend time with everyone. After that, we headed over to my parent’s to pick up little man and then we crashed at home.

Jackson still isn’t feeling great. I had to go pick him up early yesterday because he just wasn’t feeling good. He has his 2nd ear infection in 2 weeks, and even though he has tubes, they don’t seem to be doing their job right now. Please say a little prayer for him.
I guess that’s all for now. Talk to ya’ll later!

I've waited long enough...

I haven't had a chance to say anything until now, but here goes....

I love Sarah Palin!!!

I think John McCain made a brilliant choice in choosing her to be his running mate. Are you ready for some reasons, cause I've got them.

1. She's a woman. There are tons of female Hillary supporters out there, and she just might be able to get through to a good bit of them. I know that hardcore radical feminists don't care for her because of her pro-life stance, but at the end of the day, it is entirely possible that a female may end up being 2nd in command of the United States. That my friends, is HUGE, and about dang time considering that is is 2008.

2. She's a Mom. Of 5 kids. One with special needs. That says tons about her ability to manage a family and career, which isn't always the easiest thing to do. I know the controversy about her daughter's unplanned pregnancy cast a dark shadow over her for a few days, but let's be real here, who doesn't know someone, anyone regardless of their age, that has faced an unplanned pregnancy. It happens, despite what kind of parent you might be. I think the fact that she has raised/is raising 5 kids speaks volumes about her. Oh, and don't dare think to insult her by thinking that she can't parent and govern at the same time. Puh-lease. No one would dare think to impose that thinking on Obama.

3. She's strictly pro-life. It doens't get much better than that for me. I cannot vote for someone who is pro-choice. It's a personal decision, but that is my stance.

4. She's against gay marriage.

5. She is for offshore drilling while at the same time exploring new sources of energy. Yeah!! Let's start drilling now. I'm so excited about the possibility of having lower gas prices.

6. She has more executive experience than Obama and Biden combined. Don't make fun of the fact that she has "only" been a mayor and a governor. What executive experience does Obama have?

7. She is for cutting wasteful spending. She even let her private chef go when she moved into the governor's mansion in Alaska. She knew her family could "muddle through" without one.

8. She is for lowering taxes in order to boost the economy, along with smaller government. I'm all about lower taxes. That means more money comes home to me.

You've heard my reasons for loving Sarah Palin. What are your thoughts? Do you like her, dislike her, or are you undecided?

Talk to me people...

More Beach pictures

These are pictures from our first day and night at the beach. Jackson loved the sand, he just wasn't so sure about the waves, which granted, where very rough from Fay coming in. Enjoy!

Jackson playing in the sand

Checking things out...

Daddy was funny jumping over the waves

Jackson loved to "cook" hamburgers on the beach.

He was serious about playing in the sand

Me and Jer

Jackson digging a hole

Jackson crashed the second we got in from the beach.

Isn't that a great picture of Jeremy and Jackson!!

The boardwalk was literally covered in sand from Fay.

The little fences that protect the dunes were almost completely hidden

Jackson playing on the boardwalk

Jackson running from the waves

Check out those wet shorts!

Me and Jackson walking on the beach

Right before a huge storm rolled in. Look how dark it got!

Jeremy and Jackson

Beach pics....finally!!!

These are from the second and third days at the beach. Isn't Jackson a cutie!

Jackson was all about his shovel. He loved it!

He covered all the lounge chairs free of charge!

Jackson dug himself into a hole. Just kidding. We found the hole.

He didn't want to get out of the hole.

Me and Jackson in the hole

Our one and only family shot at the beach was actually taken from inside that hole because Jackson wouldn't get out.

Jackson and Jeremy

Little man

I love this picture

Check out that smile...

Aren't they cute running together

Jackson cautiously eyeing the water

He is so busy concentrating on building a "cassa"

He did NOT want to ride the go carts...

Then he actually started liking it.

Then he cried when it was time to go...

Me and Jackson on the "fassa" wheel.

Jeremy and Jackson on the "fassa" wheel

Jackson practicing his golf skills

Jackson playing in the water on the golf course.

He was much more interested in that than playing putt putt.

Family shot right before we left the beach