Today's the Day...

We have been having an awesome time with Jeremy's family here in Mississippi. The food has been awesome, but more important than that, we have had a great time with his family. After I made Jeremy go shopping with me yesterday, the whole family went bowling (I stunk it up big time), and then last night we attempted our annual family picture. It was pouring outside, so we ended up in front of the Christmas tree. Jackson wasn't the most cooperative thing ever, but I think we ended up with something we were all happy with. Today we will be heading over to Jeremy's grandparents house (Mamaw and Papaw) for the big family lunch before we head home after a great visit.

And today is the day....the Iron Bowl. If you are not from the South, then you probably don't know what I'm talking about, but the rivalry between Auburn and Alabama is huge! In fact, it has been a sore spot in the Wade family for a few months now. Anyways, today is practically the ONLY game that matters for either team for the entire year. Auburn has won the last 6 years, and we are pushing to make it a 7 year streak. And I hate to say it, but since Alabama may be slightly good this year and Auburn may be just about terrible, Auburn has nothing to lose by going all out and giving it their best. So WARRRRRR Eagle!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to stop and say Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. As Americans we have so much to be thankful for, and it is great to just stop and reflect on the blessings of life. God, family, friends, homes, jobs, church, food, and living in the best country in the world! Our list could go on and on. We are so richly blessed! So enjoy every thing that today is about: family, good food, traditions, parades, and yes, even football!

As you contemplate the things in life you have to be thankful for, don't pay me any attention. I'm just unbuttoning my pants because I ate too much!

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

One major crisis averted, only to turn around and walk right into a mini-crisis of sorts

For me trying to get into my house around 5:00 after work with a squirmy preschooler in tow, the mail, his backpack, lunch box, my purse, and whatever else I happen to have with me is very similar to how it would be if you were trying to herd cats. It is always an adventure, and you are never really sure if you aren't going to get your eyes scratched out in the process. By that time of the evening I am tired, I have to potty really bad, and my feet are killing me. It's always a mad dash to get out of my work clothes, and into something that is actually comfortable.

I made it into our house yesterday with no real problems, and I headed back to my bedroom to get changed from my work clothes. Jackson was hanging out in my room and from my bathroom and closet I hear him rustling around getting into something. I decided to poke my head into my room to see what he was up to, and I spotted him standing on this giraffe thingy in my room and checking out stuff on my dresser. It didn't concern me much, and I headed back into my bathroom to finish getting changed. As I walked away, I heard Jackson mumbling something. Not being able to hear him, I called back him and said, "What did you say?" Jackson said, "I found my lotion." Y'all, we don't usually keep Jackson's lotion on my dresser so I immediately turned tail and walked back into my room to find out what he had gotten his hands on. Imagine my shock when I spotted Jackson holding this...

That would be super glue. Can't you just hear my acceptance speech as "Mother of the Year" award had he gotten the lid off the tube. I can also hear me trying to explain the situation to Jeremy. It would have been priceless!

Once I got the superglue out of his hands I convinced him to come into the bathroom area with me. Jackson scaled the side of my garden tub and started to play with some of his tub toys. Imagine my delight when Jackson picked up a watering can that just happened to be completely full of ice cold water from the night before and proceeded to dump it all over himself. You should have seen his face! I couldn't help but laugh as I did what any blogging mama would do: run to get my camera. I just couldn't pass it up! Y'all, the kid was saturated from his chest down. By the time I made it back with the camera, he had already gotten one of his water logged shoes off, but he was willing to ham it up for a minute so I could get his picture. I literally had to pour water out of his shoes and wring his jeans out.

Jackson is such a mess! I was telling Miranda about it last night and she was shocked that he could think of so many things to get into. I swear it's a boy thing! He is always looking for his next adventure, and I can only imagine what he's gonna come up with next. At least I know that he will always keep me entertained and on my toes. Stay tuned!!

The Gift of $5

$5 is practically nothing these days. It's one fast food meal out. 2 drinks at Starbucks. The cost of a movie rental. A gallon of milk. A few months ago it was almost the cost of 1 gallon of gas. $5 doesn't go as far as it used to, but for some people, $5 could make all the difference in the world. $5 could buy 2 pairs of shoes for people who don't have any.

Soles4Souls is having a campaign to raise 50,000 pairs of shoes in 50 days to be given to people all over the world who don't have something as simple as a pair of shoes. They are given to people who are victims of disaster, or are simply not able to afford shoes. Children. Adults. Anyone who needs a pair of shoes. I headed up a shoe drive in our church this past April and we got together 627 pairs of shoes to donate to this amazing organization, so I fully support this worthwhile organization.

I don't know about you, but I can waste $5 on tons of stuff that isn't nearly as tangible as a pair of shoes for someone that doesn't have any. I made a simple decision that I can skip a few fast food meals in order to give someone something as important as shoes. I would be ashamed if I didn't.

It's only $5. What are you waiting for? Go make someone's day!

Bronx Mowgli Wentz

I hate to say it, but the newborn son of Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and her husband Pete Wentz has been given just about the worst name I have ever heard of. What's up with Hollywood naming their kids such disastrous names? Coco, Kal-el Coppola, Pilot Inspektor, Fifi-Trixibelle, Peaches, Little Trixie, Honeyblossom, Apple. I could go on and on. It's not that I hate the name Bronx (by itself it is an okay name), but with their last name it is hard to say...but Mowgli? Seriously? From the Jungle Book? You have got to be kidding us....You have nine months to come up with the perfect lifelong name for your child and that's the best you can do? I can only imagine my Mom and Mother-in-law's reaction if I told them that their future grandchild's middle name was going to be Mowgli. It would have been priceless!

The whole name is just ridiculously silly, and that's all I have to say about that. For now.

The song that never ends

Last night on our way to Pri-Med I once again asked Jackson what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas. It seems I am a glutten for punishment.

Me: "Jackson what do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?"
Jackson: "Monster Trucks."
Me: "What else do you want?"
Jackson: "Cars."
Me: "What else?"
Jackson: "Monster Trucks."
Me: "What else?"
Jackson: "Cars."
Me: "Anything else?"
Jackson: "Monster Trucks."

Jeremy told me that we should be grateful for a child that only wants 2 things for Christmas. Shopping it would seem for Jackson at least, should be easy this year...he just better learn to like his completely gender neutral itchenkay. Santa worked hard putting that thing together.

It’s just that déjà vu thing all over again

Last night Jackson pitched the biggest fit we have seen in awhile. He was mad, and nothing was making him happy. He was saying his back was hurting, his tummy was hurting, he had a cough, and oddly enough, he was walking around with a slight limp. It really scared both of us, and I really don’t think that I have ever seen him this upset. Jeremy and I quickly got ready to take him to Pri-Med and then, just in an instant, he quit. No more tears, no fussing, nothing. The kid was fine. I decided that we should go ahead and take him to the doctor just to ease my mind. So we packed up and headed to the doctor around 6:30. We finally got back there, told the nurse about his episode, that he has had no fever, and we were basically just there to check on the cough. After a quick strep test from the nurse, we waited for the doctor.

Diagnosis: Strep Throat

It really wasn't surprising since I had strep last week. The Doctor was great, and he told us that he wanted to just cover all his bases and do a quick chest x-ray on Jackson. After waiting a few minutes the doctor came back.

New Diagnosis: Strep Pneumonia

Yes, you read that right. Our little man has strep AND the beginning stages of pneumonia , which is then appropriately called strep pneumonia. The doctor actually said that if we had come in any earlier, that the pneumonia wouldn't have even shown up on the x-ray. So, all things considered, we got really lucky with this one. Jackson didn't show ANY normal strep symptoms considering that we knew he had been exposed when I got strep last week. No strep, no fever….just a slight cough. So Jackson will have 10 days worth of antibiotics, and be just as good as new. So, Moms, just watch out for those less-than-normal symptoms. Sometimes they just sneak right up on you, even when you are watching carefully. Oh, and we got home last night at 10:00. That's fun. Anyways, I catch up with you later gaters!

The missing picture returns

I love this picture. I just thought I would share.

So.Much.Fun.

Rick Burgess, one of the co-hosts of the Rick and Bubba show was our keynote speaker at a work function last night. One of his good friends, Kevin Derryberry was the worship leader. I think it has been well noted on my blog that I LOVE Rick and Bubba. I met them here and here, and I still can't get enough of them! After my wonderful boss heard what a huge fan I was of the show, he allowed me to be one of the point persons for Rick's speaking engagement. So I got to hang out with Rick and Kevin in the green room before the event started for about an hour. It was probably the one and only time I will ever get to sit in a green room, and it was AMAZING! Rick was such a nice and normal guy, and Kevin and his backup group were so also great. I had a blast hanging out with them. I tried not to be too much of a groupie so I didn't take my camera with me into the room. I didn't want to be too much of a dork. Then the event started and it was so powerful. It was truly a worship experience, and the music and message were definitely inspiring and God led. It was a great night!

Me and Rick

The Green Room sign. I figured since it was probably the only time I would ever be privy to a green room, I had to get a picture.

And because I just had to do it....This is Rick's leftover's from supper that I snuck back in to get a picture of and NO, I did not take anything off his plate. I'm not that crazy. Yet.

P.S. The last picture is a joke. Yes, it is a picture of Rick's plate, but I only did it to make Jeremy say, "Amy, you cannot put that on your blog."

A few more pics of little man

I took these pictures down at my Nanny's house when I was playing with the settings on my camera. I got all of 6 shots before my battery died. I LOVE black and white pics. I hope you enjoy the pics. **Update** I had to evacuate my office because of some construction and for some reason, my favorite shot was deleted from this post. I will post it later when I get back to my office. Have a great day!

The unique joy of cousins...

My grandmother just got out of the nursing home and we headed to go visit her yesterday. She was doing wonderful! We were happily surprised when we got there and found that my cousin Cherie, and her little boy Gage were also visiting. The boys are about 5 months apart and they had a blast together. Cherie and my Aunt Nett took these pictures of them, and I love how they turned out.

The boys got the biggest kick out of running down the hill behind my Nanny's house!

Inquisitive little boys just checking out a hole in the yard

Aren't they cute!

Jackson checking out a leaf in the grass.

Gage up in a tree that is behind the "crib" down at my Nanny's house

Jackson up in the tree

Isn't he so handsome!

I love this kid!

Aren't they so cute together!

Sssshhhhh! Can you keep a secret?

Santa may or may not have dropped by our house early, and he may or may not have left this.

It may or may not have come in a box with a million pieces to assemble, and it may or may not have taken close to 3 hours to put the whole thing together.

The loot may or may not be hiding in the bathtub of our guest bathroom behind the shower curtain.

It may or may not be the cutest gender neutral itchenkay that ever was.

Santa and Mrs. Claus may or may not be overjoyed that they didn't make a huge mistake and wait until Christmas Eve to try to put the thing together.

Now we just have to keep this little secret between you and me!

For.The.Love.

Dear Neighbor/Owner of that stupid dog that barks all stinking night long,

First of all, I want to thank you for the extra exercise I had at 4:00 this morning. There really is nothing like the fresh air of a foggy morning as I wonder the neighborhood in my pajamas and flip flops trying to find out where that blasted barking is coming from. I especially appreciate it that your stupid dog thought it would be nice to quit barking as soon as I came outside so I couldn't find out which house is yours. It's not like I looked crazy at all with my bedhead hair, over sized t-shirt and flip flops wondering around the neighborhood.

I love it that you allow your dog to bark incessantly when other people might be trying to sleep. It's not like your dog is barking in the MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!!! It isn't at all rude to NEVER bother getting the dog to stop barking, or heaven forbid, bringing the dog inside if it won't shut up. It's not like your dog ever.stops.barking.day.or.night.

I'm not quite sure what I would have done if I had found your house this morning. My first thought would be to get in your yippy dogs face and tell it for the love to SHUT UP, and my second thought involved ringing your doorbell to ask if you could for the love make your dog SHUT UP. I don't know if I actually would have done that. I guess in a moment of sheer desperation for silence I don't quite know what I would have been willing to do. It was after all, the middle of the night, and your dog had been barking on and off for several hours.

So, while I may not have found you this morning, please be aware that if needed I will continue my nightly prowls until I find out which house is yours. I will then probably leave you a not-so-nice note on your door right before I call animal control. If you can't control your yapping dog, they can!

In closing, I don't care how long it takes, but I'll get you my pretty... and your little dog too!

Sincerely,
Your not-at-all bitter, resentful, overly tired and grumpy neighbor Amy

There are no words for such a beautiful sight...

Such a Sweet Little Boy!

First of all I want to give a big bloggy "Thank you" to Miranda. On Monday she called me and was telling me that her little girl Gracie was sick and had to go to the doctor. Then, she did it. She casually remarked, "I can't believe that none of your family has been sick lately." Thanks for jinxing us! That was Monday, and by Tuesday night I was sitting in Pri-med with a raging case of strep throat. Fun...

So I had a mandantory day off from work yesterday, and after cleaning up our office most of the morning, I made a strawberry cake yesterday afternoon. After Jackson got home from school I let him help me make the icing and he was hilarious!! He kept saying, "I did it!" over each little step, and let me just tell you how much that kid loved the icing. I gave him one of the mixers and he went to town! Then he just had to try a piece of cake before he went to church.

Just like his Mommy...he loves icing!

Let's see how clean I can get this thing...

You know something is really yummy when you have to lay out in the floor to eat it!

Jackson ready to dive into the cake!

Jackson loving his cake! Isn't he sweet!

The Other Side of Santa Claus

Our refrigerator is covered with pictures of Jackson at various stages of his life. One of the pictures on the side of the fridge is a 5x7 picture of Jackson with Santa Claus and was taken when Jackson was about 4 months old. Jackson is beginning to get interested in Santa Claus, although I don't really think he "gets" much of it yet. This morning Jeremy and Jackson were hanging out in the kitchen talking and I overheard the following conversation:

Jeremy: "What is your name?"
Jackson" "Jackson Thomas Wade."
Jeremy: "What is Mommy's name?"
Jackson: "Amy Lizbeth Wade."
Jeremy: "What is my name?"
Jackson: "Jeremy Paul Wade."
Jeremy: "How old are you?"
Jackson: "I'm 2."
Jeremy (pointing to the picture of Jackson and Santa): "Who is that?"
Jackson: "Santa Claus."
Jeremy: "And what does Santa Claus do?"
Jackson: "He takes my toys."

I think he's lost something in translation...And I have a new poll going up on the right side of the page under the Blogher Ads and I am really wanting some input!

Joy Ride

This is a new game that Jackson loved on Saturday. He did this over and over, laughing hysterically the entire time!

Exciting News

Hey everyone. I wanted to post real quick about 2 exciting things that happened on Friday afternoon. First of all my cousin Brandi and her husband Michael had their sweet baby late Friday afternoon. Abigail Kayleigh Wesson was born weighing 7lbs. 4 oz, and 19 1/2 inches long. I went to see them on Saturday and Abbie is gorgeous!!! Her skin was so soft and sweet, and she is just beautiful! I am so happy for Brandi and Michael!!!

Abbie on the way home last night. Isn't she beautiful!!

The other thing that happened was that my friend Crystal Webb who I have known literally since she was born, got engaged Friday night to her boyfriend Tim. They have dated forever, and Tim is wonderful! I am so happy for the two of them!

Tim and Crystal

Her ring is STUNNING!!

So congrats to 2 great couples in my life, my cousin Brandi and hubbie Michael, and a dear friend, Crystal and her fiance Tim. Y'all are great!!!

Friday Fun

I found this on Jennifer's site and I decided that it looked fun for a Friday afternoon so I stole it. Here goes...

8 TV shows I watch
1. House. First of all, House cracks me up, and second of all, who wouldn't want a doctor that is willing to do ANYTHING to find out how to fix you.
2. Jon and Kate +8. Jeremy hates it when I make him watch this show, but it is like watching a train wreck. Kate is so grumpy, but I probably would be too with that many kids. She actually mops her kitchen floor 3 times a day. I can't remember the last time I mopped.
3. 17 Kids and Counting. I am in awe of the patience of Michelle Dugger. I am even more in awe that she wants more than 18 kids.
4. Eleventh Hour. This is a new show that is coming on CBS and Jeremy and I both are hooked. Think CSI meets House. It is great!
5. Law and Order: SVU
6. Mystery Diagnosis on TLC. Another one that always grabs me when I am channel surfing.
7. Friends
8. Talk Soup


8 Things that happened yesterday
1. I went to work.
2. I blogged.
3. I ate a free lunch down in our cafeteria yesteday. Free = Good!!
4. I ordered pizza for supper from Papa Johns. It was delicious!
5. I gave Jackson a bath and for once he didn't cry when it was time to get out because I made up a game that a shark was after us in the bathroom and that we had to be "really, really" quiet so the shark couldn't find us. Don't hate me...bath time makes me somewhat desperate, and Jackson was only slightly traumatized this morning that a shark might come get him.
6. I watched Eleventh Hour with Jeremy.
7. I worked on conference stuff for an event that is 6 months away.
8. I looked at the pile of laundry in my closet and decided not to worry about it for now.

8 Favorite places to eat:
1. Kobe or Shogun
2. Logan's Steakhouse
3. Appleby's
4. Taco Bell
5. Olive Garden
6. Red Lobster
7. LongHorn
8. McAllister's

8 Things I am Looking Forward to:
1. Going to Denver in December. I have never been to CO, so I am so excited about that, and getting to see my best friend for the last time for the next 3 years.
2. When Jeremy and I decide to have another baby. It's on our list of things to do, but just when to have another one is the big question.
3. Getting Jackson potty trained. Diapers are EXPENSIVE.
4. Getting rid of Jackson's pacifier. It's also on our "to do" list.
5. Buying a bigger house.
6. Somehow deciding on whether or not I want to pursue writing a book.
7. Being debt free.
8. Running a 5K race. I'm working on it now with my friend Britney, but it is a slow process. I'm not good at running, but it is something I really want to say that I've done.

8 Things on my wish list:
1. A bigger house.
2. An I-Pod.
3. A sewing machine and someone to teach me how to use it.
4. For Stacy and Clinton on What Not to Wear to give me $5000 and "teach" me how to shop.
5. A sassy new haircut that is easy to maintain
6. A trip to Africa
7. A new car for Jeremy
8. To go back to school and get a Master's degree.

8 Tagged People
1. Candy
2. Miranda
3. Grits With Cheese
4. Amy
5. Lyndsey
6. Leigh
7. Brandi
8. The Canada's

New blog prayer request

I somehow just stumbled onto the blog of the Benji and Rebekah Baker of Dallas, TX and I just had to share about them. Rebekah is 4 months pregnant with her second daughter, Gracie. The family just found out that their unborn little girl has a severe brain disorder and either Trisomy 13 or 18. The link to their original prayer request can be found here, and they just found out about this last Tuesday. If their baby makes it to full term, she is expected to not live much past birth.

The family is trusting God with their burden, knowing that whatever happens is in his divine plan, but they are praying for a miracle. Please visit them and say a prayer for baby Gracie, her Mommy and Daddy, and her big sister Caroline. They need all the prayers they can get at this difficult time.

Pics from the weekend

Gigi and Amy watching Jackson ride his "twicycle"

Papa and Jackson made up a hilarious game where Jackson would pile all these pillows up, and then Papa would push Jackson onto the pile. Jackson LOVED it!

Jackson laughing at his new game!

Jackson piled all the pillows up in our living room and made a comfy little nest.

Jackson was not happy when it was time for Gigi and Papa to leave!

Gigi and Jackson

He took the words right out of my mouth...

This morning as Jackson was eating his bowl of grits, I was sitting by him at the table. He was talking to me, and it's funny how sometimes he just randomly starts spitting phrases out that he has heard me say. Our conversation this morning made me laugh out loud.

Jackson: "Me not run in parking lots."
Me: "That's right Jackson. We don't run in parking lots. Why not?"
Jackson: "I could get hurt."
Me: "That's right. You could get hurt."
Jackson: "I could bust my tail."

Y'all...I nearly died laughing. He is too funny!

I have no words....EXCEPT

It's only 4 years.
It's only 4 years.
It's only 4 years.

And this morning at exactly 6:51, Jackson and I waited for the school bus.

Rock The Vote!

Well, it's official. According to my totally scientific poll over there, John McCain is going to win with 92% of the vote. Whew. I was scared it was going to be close race.

Jackson tells you to go vote!

Disclaimer: This video contains a political endorsement by Jackson (with a little help). If you don't want to see who his candidate of choice is...well, then don't watch this video :)

Just make sure you Go Vote!!!

Updated to add: I am going to be "Calling in my vote" later today. Go check out themotherhood.com and join the voting circle. When you are ready to vote (or after you vote), call the number on their website, and then you can record a little snippet of your voting experience. You can embed your clip into your blog, and then go to Musings of a Housewife and sign her Mr. Linky saying that you "called in your vote" so tons of people can come listen to your experience. Sounds fun right???

Weekend Update

Hi y'all! I hope you had a great weekend. We did! Jeremy's parents came for a visit, and Jackson had a blast with his Gigi and Papa. We went shoe shopping on Saturday, and then Saturday afternoon Amy and Adam came for a visit. We also went to Gracie's birthday party and then out to eat. Saturday was super busy, but alot of fun!

Sunday was a normal churchy day, and now we are back in the swing of a typical week. Typical meaning Jackson had a trip to the dermatologist today (went good) and then tomorrow is the big day!! Make sure you vote!!

Highlights from the weekend!!!

1. Seeing Jeremy's family!

2. Breaking our Sunday School record of 361 at church with a total attendance of 410!

3. Filling my minivan up for ONLY $45.00!!!!

4. Jackson's new New Balance shoes. They are so stinking cute, and his first pair of tennis shoes with laces.

4. Asking Jackson what his name was and him saying, "Jackson Thomas Wade"

5. Asking him what my name is and him saying "Amy Thomas Wade"!!

6. Asking him what Jeremy's name is and him saying, "Jeremy Thomas Wade"!! He is such a monkey!

I will post pictures tomorrow when I have a few more minutes. Have a great Monday evening!