Things She Loves

Her puppers.  Mostly the tail.

Playing pretend 'night-night'.  She loves to put her babies, stuffed animals, and us to pretend sleep.

Dancing.  I need to video tape this more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEMtTuwDwPI&feature=youtu.be

Food.  Since Davis was and has always been a very picky eater, we LOVE to watch Reese eat.  It amazes us when lettuce goes into her mouth and actually gets chewed and swallowed.  She loves green olives, corn, eggs, everything...

Pressing buttons on my laptop.  See...

                           cfedwyujlo;i657uyklkt43wrfdehjvfdcsweuinb ghum ,n hygtedsxswj

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Bubble Guppies.  I pretty much have the theme song to one of those shows stuck in my head at all times.  "Bubb bubb bubble.  Bubble bubble guppies..."

 

Coloring.  Mostly on Davis' train table, his desk, and our coffee table.

 

Stickers.  Why does every little girl go through this sticker-addiction stage???

Things He Loves

His 'duh' of course.  Remeber this post?  Can you believe how much it's aged since then?!?!

 



His DS.  This is a special treat he gets if and when he's had a good day at school or therapy.  Favorite game right now: Monster Jam Urban Assault.

Curious George.  He snuggles with him when he's watching cartoons and sleeps with him every night.  I think this came about from seeing Reese with 'Puppers' all the time.  Notice Reese in the background...doing what she does...climbing on the coffee table...

Fudge Brownies.  Jay bought these in Pensacola and got him hooked.  He begs for them whenever I go to the grocery store.  They're pretty pricey so I stock up when they're on sale and they're actually really tasty. 

 

His 4-wheeler.  He's getting pretty reliable on it.  He fell off once and has been slow and steady on it ever since.  Just need to build up the confidence again.  And, I promise, he wears a helmet.  A gigantic one.  This pic was taken when he first laid eyes on it and it's the only one I have. 

 

 

One Direction.  They're the British version of The Backstreet Boys.

 

 

Phineas and Ferb.  It's a pretty funny cartoon.  And Wipeout.

 

 

 

 

 Swimming.  He's a rockstar at it now.

 

 





 



A Mom's Heartbreak

This conversation took place about 5 minutes ago, when I picked him up from school...

Note:  Friday's are Ice Cream Days during lunch.

Me:  "What kind of ice cream did you get today?"
Davis:  "Um, the rainbow kind."
Me:  "Was it good?"
Davis:  "I didn't get to eat it because nobody opened it for me.  And then lunch was over and I had to throw it in the trash."
Me (so broken hearted):  "Oh no, Davis!  I'm so sorry!  You should've asked someone to help you!"
Davis:  "I raised my hand, but nobody didn't see me."
Me:  "Next time, ask the person that takes your ice cream money to open it for you."
Davis:  "Ok, but she's the ice cream money lady; not the ice cream opener lady."

Saddest thing ever...minus, like, actual sad stuff...

Back To School...

My mom (a registered nurse) and grandmother (a former x-ray tech) have, my entire life, encouraged me to enter the medical field.  So, when it comes time to enter college, what do I do?  I get a Marketing Degree...just like Dad.  I don't know what I was thinking.  I have no desire or intentions of ever using it, of course.  I took finding out I was pregnant one week after graduation as a sign...I retired at the ripe old age of 23, deciding that I was destined to be a stay-at-home mother...especially after giving birth to Davis, spending 16 weeks with him in the NICU, and knowing the extra help he'd always require from me. 

This has been my role for the past 6 years...with the addition of two more little pitter pattering feet on the hardwood floors.  Mind you, in those years, I've taken on the responsibility of helping Justin with the paperwork side of his business (mostly so I'd have something to do besides wipe asses) and made a small profit off my knitting hobby. 

Over the past few months, I've started to panic maturely contemplate my life 3 years from now, when Reese is in school all day.  Maybe it's my upcoming 30th birthday or maybe it's the concerning amount of mustard I've consumed my whole life, but I'm AH CHANGIN', PEOPLE!!!  What will I do with those 32.5 hours every week?  Will I go through an identity crisis because I no longer have any asses to wipe?!?  I really don't want to join Corporate America because, remember, I'm retired from that.  :)  I see how hard Justin works every day as a construction worker and business owner and I don't want him to have to bust his tail well into his 50's.  I think I should, and want to, contribute more when I don't have children at home with me all day, everyday.  I also want something for myself, outside of my home, that I can feel proud about...but, in turn, greatly benefit my family.

During our last family vay-cay to Pensacola, my mom, once again, says to me, "You should really go back to school and get your nursing degree.  You'll always be able to find work, get paid well, and the hours are so flexible so you can still be home with the kiddos after school.  You can practically make your own schedule."  And, there's it was.  My 'ah-ha' moment.  The clouds, literally, parted. 

On the way home, I started researching and researching and researching.  I was on a high.  I couldn't stop talking about it.  And didn't stop until I stumbled upon Chattahoochee Tech's website.  They had extended their Fall 2012 enrollment deadline to August 8th (another 'sign'), one week later than where I stood at that moment.  I got my official transcripts from UGA and KSU during that week, marched up to Admissions on August 6th, was handed my Student ID#, and signed up for 3 classes yesterday.  Done deal, folks. 

The real, serious question is this...Will I or will I not gain the dreaded Freshman 15???

New Master

I spent a lot of time in my bedroom between 9th and 12th grade (either grounded or having secret phone conversations that my parents would inevitably find out about anyway) and would often redecorate my room, so I'm a pro at moving heavy furniture by myself...despite what my scrawny physique might suggest.  Plus, when I want something done, I want it done RIGHT THEN and Justin had at least 3 more hours of work left for that day.  :) 

Please pardon the horrible lighting and dark photos...I HATE my ceiling fan bulbs...

I moved the nightstand from Justin's side to my side and found these simple window panels at T.J. Maxx...  

...and put this beauty from the basement in its place.  I start classes next Tuesday and need a place to study and stay organized.

The best paper weight, ever...

I moved his dresser and the glider (which I would really like to throw in the front yard, but I knew Justin would object...not because of the unwanted yard art, but because he and that glider and the Golf Channel spend a lot of time together) over to where my dresser was.  Note: a few drawers had to be removed during this process to avoid a hernia.  Justin's dresser is from the Jesus Days, I'm sure of it, and weighs A TON.

I took a large frame from above the kitchen cabinets, painted it, and added some rosettes made from old t-shirts.  The print came from the internet...free.   

I stenciled designs onto our existing pillow shams.  I don't know why, but don't you always feel like you have to incorporate some sort of 'do it yourself' activity when redecorating???

I took these prints from the living room and put them above the bed.  Something super special is about to take their living room wall spot and cover the 18 holes I put in the wall to hang them when we first moved in.  Stay tuned.  :)

And, I'll leave you with a close up of my desktop background photo...



 

'Blade Runner'

I like when he said he remembers growing up thinking he just had different shoes, not a disability.

I loved watching him compete last night.  He had such a great attitude for having finished last, probably because he knew he was a winner, still.  And who didn't tear up when James exchanged name tags with him?!?!  What I really wanna know is how are ALL South Africans so gorgeous?!?!

Mr. and Mrs. Nuneen

...see what I did with the title, there?!?!

Justin and his life partner completely platonic friend, Matt, won Monday's Allatoona Team Fishing Tournament!!  They would probably say the victory was due to hard work and determination, but I think it came from the extra scoop of mayonnaise I tossed onto their late night sandwiches...

Look how happy they are!

 

By the way, Davis's first day of first grade went off with a 'bang' and that's all I'll say about it...

First Day

Davis didn't want me to park and walk him inside this morning (boo hoo, right?!?).  I complied and took him through the carpool line.  I was nervous to do this because he's only been to his new classroom once and he's so used to having a para-pro walk with him.  I just knew he'd get lost and be wandering around the building all day.  The principle was outside and assured me that he'd be fine, that they'd watch out for him, and that we should let him be as independent as possible.  I called my girlfriend to check on him after she dropped her daughter off in her kindergarten class, but she didn't answer.  I called his teacher...no answer.  So, I went back up there about 30 minutes later to get a carpool decal and when I walked in the building, I see my son walking around in circles...alone.  What are the chances, right?!?!  Teachers are asking him where he's going; what he's doing; why he's heading to the second grade hallway. 

I step in and find out that he went to the bathroom with a buddy.  He left said buddy in the pisser and couldn't remember how to get back to class.  I walk him to his classroom to find out that he had already left class TWICE to use the bathroom...which, by the way, is about a half a mile from the first grade hallway...

I haven't been able to eat all day. 

End of Summer

Well, summer is just about wrapped up. Can't believe how quickly it's flown by. We finished it with a bang, of course...

Today, Davis got to tour his brand new school, Clark Creek Stem Academy.  It's completely perfect...bright white walls and organized rooms, smelling of fresh paint, filled with eager teachers and staff.  And, a stones throw away from our house...literally...I live on Hunt Road and so does the school! 

His teacher is awesome.  The special ed facilitator for first grade gradutated high school with me, so I feel like he's in great hands.  We saw some familiar little faces in class, too!  He'll have his own desk and be expected to write full sentences in just a month or so! 

He's been begging me to let him ride the school bus and I learned today that I know the driver for his route!  So crazy how God has just been protecting my little man through life!  And making it much easier for me to loosen my tight Momma strings. 

First day of first grade is Wednesday!  I think I'll sit down and watch home videos of when he was a baby, on repeat, until then...

Reese's Wrath

My daughter is a maniac...

This morning, she took Davis' night light out of the socket and smashed the bulb into a million little pieces WITH HER TEETH.  She came prancing into the living room, chewing on glass.

This evening, while the boys were playing down the street, I ran downstairs to check work messages and get a fax.  I was down there for about 90 seconds.  I come back upstairs to find Reese standing in the living room, completely naked.  Not sure, yet, if she peed anywhere.

Her favorite, most clearly pronounced word is 'MINE'.

She recently clobbered Davis over the head twice with a wooden toy sword, leaving welts.

She, on the reg, flips her plate of food onto the floor.  On purpose. 

She dances on the coffee table.

She prefers my kitchen and armoire cabinet contents over her toys.

She stuffs DVDs into any crevice she can find.

She never leaves my side at home - completely attached to me at the thigh.  But, as soon as we're out in public, she runs for the hills.  She needs a leash.  Seriously.

BUT...she gives me the best sugars I've. Ever. Had.  And I could watch her twirl around on her tippy toes for days.

An 'I Do' And An 'I'm Six'

This family over here has been sooooo busy over the past few weeks, thus my cyber absence.  BUT I'm back, so dry it up.

We've had such a great summer so far and I can't believe that we're nearing July. 

I guess the biggest events have been my baby brother's wedding and my baby boy turning 6.

First, the wedding.  Elle was, of course, the most beautiful bride.  And Brother looked so stinkin' handsome and grown up.  It was such an emotional day for me, as I watched my only sibling start his new life with such a special girl.  I'm so proud to call Elle my sister-in-law, loving her (clears and all) and her wonderful family so much.  Everything was perfect...the venue, the food, the decor, her dress, the people (minus Tong Teeth), everything.  We danced the night away.  'Bleh'.

Elle's sister, Boo

Elle's mom, Miss Anne

The pie display table, in lieu of a cake

Pie plates Elle gathered at different places

Brother and Big D

I hope they always stay this close

Boogs being Boogs

The Nunley's

Davis carrying the burlap sign that read, 'Here comes the bride'

The flower girls, Justin and Reese  :)

The 'Maids...I had such a great time getting to know all these hilarious girlies

The Best Men

Exchanging vows

My favorite picture.  :)

Davis still says that he 'married Alex'

Boogers and the Bride

Seriously, he loves her

Another tearful moment - Mother/Son Dance

For Davis' 6th birthday, we had a pizza dinner with the four of us... 

 He was so happy to get a new DS game.  He must have told us how awesome we are a thousand times.

His Oreo cupcake with M&M's on top.  We got it at Cupcakalicious in downtown Woodstock.  Very delicious.  The red velvet one, not so much.

On Friday night, a few boys came over to play outside and have a spended the night party.

And on Saturday afternoon, the family came over to celebrate...