"E" for Effort

(Mr. P. praying with the K4 students before school)

Mr. P. is the 2nd year Headmaster at TJ's school. Everyone absolutely loves Mr. P., especially the students. He has been wonderful to the school and helped us grow in so many ways. One of his main focuses is to have ZERO bullying in his school.

So, Sunday afternoon, our Sunday School class and others with small children in our church (and big-kid adults) got together to swim and eat hot dogs. Our Youth Director and his wife (they are young) came and brought a couple of friends. All of the kids, big and small, were splashing around. TJ was a "good guy," and he and his side-kicks were getting the bad guys with water guns. I was feeding Tristan and conversing by the side of the pool. TJ gets out of the pool and walks over to me with a serious look on his face. He says:

TJ: "Mom, I need to tell you something."

Me: "Ok, what is it?"

TJ: He cups his hand over his mouth and my ear and loudly whispers, "There's a bully in the pool! He keeps grabbing me!"

Me: Stifling a giggle, because he is super serious. "Who honey?"

TJ: Pointing to our Youth Minister's friend, and yelling "That guy!"

I have to give Mr. P. and "E" for effort!

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

My BFF is getting married in about 5 weeks from now, and I am the "matron of honor!" (Matron...I hate that word...sounds like I'm old or something) She and Joe have been together for 5 years and they are perfect for each other. Joe is pretty laid back, and Jenna is...well, not (I love you Jen)! I could not be more excited for them and I do not know of a more deserving person to find life long happiness than Jenna. She is an amazing friend and has been with me through all of my greatest life transitions over the past 11 years. Jenna and I met in the April during cheerleader try-outs, before we started college at Troy . For some reason (most likely jealousy of some sort), Jenna and I really disliked one another! But on the first fall day on campus, Jenna and I realized we were next door neighbors in the dorm. From that moment on, we were inseparable over the next 4 years. We are very different people; Jenna is much more outgoing and outspoken than I am, but I guess that is what made us such good friends. During our days at Troy, we cheered together, were roommates for 3 years, found our first "true loves," got our hearts broken, and had an absolute BLAST! (No, this wasn't really taken in 1994...stupid camera)

Right after I graduated college I married the most wonderful man in my eyes, and of course, Jenna was there with me.
Now it's my turn (and TJ's too ~ he's the ring bearer...) to stand up on the alter with her as she marries her best friend. But first, we must have a little fun!

Saturday a few girls and I hosted a Kitchen & Recipe Tea Shower in Prattville at the Smith-Byrd Bed & Breakfast and Tea Room. If you have never been there, and are in the area, you should definitely check them out (or if you need to host a party)! The tea was ok (I'm a southern-girl...I only know one kind of tea and it comes with ice and LOTS of sugar), but the food was Fabulous! One of the girls bought an awesome cake/cupcakes from Girl Meets Cakes ...it was SUPER cute.
I was very pleased with how the shower turned out and hope Jenna had as much fun as we did!


Mother of the Bride, Mrs. Denise and My Mom
Jenna & her Mom
Christina, Jenna, & I

Up next...Bachelorette Party! Can't wait for the wedding...September 25th, coming soon!

I think we may need to branch out a little...

My AUsome brother, Lee, has been in Missouri all summer working at Kanakuk (a Christian camp) and just returned this weekend. He starts classes at Auburn on Wednesday, so he and Nana came up to our neck of the woods to eat dinner with us last night. For some reason, all kept asking "What are you making for dinner" or "Can I bring anything?" All innocent enough, but what are they thinking? I wasn't cooking! There are a few things you should know about our area: 1. There aren't many restaurants (other than fast food). 2. Most of the restaurants we do have are either BBQ, Mexican, or Chinese (We have a few new Korean ones thanks to KIA moving in, but they are REAL Korean if you know what I mean). 3. Everyone "knows" you (or knows of you) around here. Anyway, since every time my family comes in town we either eat Mexican or run to the closest Italian place, we decided to take them to the new Johnny Brusco's pizza place. As soon as we got in, I spoke to the host and he said it would be just a minute before they could get the table cleared and cleaned. I turn back around to the family and see my mom and Thomas snickering. Nana points behind me and says "look!" I turn to see TJ has climbed up into a bar stool and seems to be busting in the conversation of the two men sitting next to him. I quickly run over and ask him what he is doing. He just looks at me and continues on his quest. "Excuse me...excuse me," he says to the man sitting there. I grabbed him up and apologized for my son. We aren't even two steps away, when TJ says "Mom, I wanted to ask him how to say "hello" in Spanish." I have completely gone red in the face, and I turn to look at the man, hoping he has gone back to his original conversation. NOPE. He is KOREAN, and I hope doesn't know much English yet (or maybe he is hard of hearing)! Of course the man he is having dinner with knows our family and explains to this sweet Korean man, "You know Joe Hill? Well, that is his Grandson!"
TJ is the sweetest child and has sweet intentions, but is determined to embarrass me until I evenutally can no longer go out in public! We are working on teaching him that not every Nationality speaks SPANISH!

The First Friday of School

No, TJ's school didn't start the year off on a Friday. Yes, I know you are supposed to take pictures on the first day of school. I tried, and this is what I got:

ALL.I.GOT. between Thomas rushing us with his usual drill sergeant morning routine, and TJ's excitement for the first day of school. Thankfully his teachers take pictures on the first day too, and they got a really good one of TJ, Tristan, and I...but, I don't have it yet and needed to get the first day of school post out of the way.
So, we took First Friday of School pictures this year!


TJ is now officially in Kindergarten...or as my new home people, the Valley-ites, call it K5. Since his K4 class was so large, they decided to split them up this year. His K4 teacher actually moved up to teach K5 this year and so he has Mrs. Dewberry again. We were amazed every day with the new things he learned last year and know that this year will be no different. TJ is the sweetest, most loving little boy. He is so much more outgoing than either Thomas or I, and just loves being with people. He makes friends where ever he goes, and I so admire that trait in him. He is so inquisitive, always wanting to know "why?" Maybe that is why he is the smartest little 5 year old I know! He is ALL boy, full-force until he passes out each night and has taught Thomas and I the meaning of patience. But, we wouldn't have it any other way! TJ we are so proud of you and we look forward to the many more surprises you have in store for us!


Thomas, my hunky-hubby, actually started school on Monday...or July, if you count being there everyday for football! This year he will be teaching 7th Grade Civics and Geography; 8th Grade World History; and 2 classes of Girls Weights. He is also an assistant football coach and the Varsity Head Baseball Coach. He is the most hard working, under-paid man I know. But, he has a passion for his job and loves (almost) every minute of it. He truly enjoys his chosen profession, which I so admire! What an amazing example he is to our boys, and I pray they grow up to be wonderful men such as their Daddy.


Have a GREAT First Friday and I'll be cheering you both on this year!

Love, Mom

I've heard breakfast is the most important meal of the day...

I know we have all heard the saying "breakfast is the most important meal of the day," right? But, probably not from your 5 year old child, who, in some aspects, may possibly be smarter than you at 29! Yes, I have heard that age old saying, but to be perfectly honest, I rarely cook breakfast for breakfast time - even on weekends! I am no where near the "good parent" standard set by my Father-in-law who cooked his boys breakfast E.V.E.R.Y. morning (thanks for making me look bad Papa)! And, I do remember having warm breakfasts when I was growing too. Anyway, back to my slacker-mom ways...so, TJ typically goes to the pantry and fridge to check out what unhealthy items are available. Usually he goes for the frozen blueberry waffles, unless we are running late, and then he picks something like a poptart or yogurt (hey, yogurt is pretty good for you...yea me). Sunday morning TJ yells his typical, "Mom, I'm hungry..." from the couch while watching cartoons; to which I sweetly reply, "Well, go see what you want." So, off to the kichen we go to check out the afore mentioned crap I offer for breakfast. After looking in the pantry he turns and says:

"Mom, I've heard that cereal is good for you. Is it really good for you?"

Me: "Sure it is honey."

TJ: "Ok then, I'll have the cereal this morning because it is good for me!"

So here you are, for the health concious "breakfast is the most important meal of the day" people and TJ...

4th Monthiversary

Tristan turned 4 months on July 31st. He also rolled over from front to back for the first time that day! We went for his check up and shots yesterday. He is now 14 lbs. 10 oz. and 24 1/2 inches long...Man, he's grown in the last month!!! Tristan is still a wonderful baby...happy and smiling most of the time. And, he's finally growing his hair back...the fish bowl - old man hair loss was cute and all, but I prefer the fuzzy-look he is sporting these days!

I have always loved taking tons of pictures, and kind of considered it a hobby of mine, but I guess I'm not very good at it! Here are my attempts to get a picture of both boys...I mean really, how do professionals get good pictures of kids anyway?!

Conceited or Just Plain Cute?

Our family is in full-on football mode now, which means Thomas doesn't get home from practice until 9:30 or 10:00 most nights. I am still working on juggling 2 kids, both wanting attention, while Thomas is not home. After dinner most nights, I feed Tristan a bottle, give him a bath, and hold him for a short while before he passes out for the night. He is usually out by 8:00 or 8:30. After that, I spend time playing a game or watching TV with TJ. Last night, TJ and I curled up in bed and swapped between the Bachelorette and Shark Week...you can guess which one we each were interested in. TJ jabbered the whole time the Bachelorette was on, and would intently watch, occasionally letting an "oooh" or "ahhh" out, while Shark Week was on. During one such Shark Week break, TJ was feeling his shoulders and arms, asking where his bones were as apposed to his muscles. Then he said, "Mom, feel my arm muscles," as he gritted his teeth and squeezed his arm as tight as he could. After I felt them, he looked up at me and said, "Doesn't that just knock your socks off?!" Hmmm...you think he has been spending too much time with the football players???