The Stomach Bug

Illness stinks. Literally. I picked up a stomach bug Monday, and felt pretty bad until I woke up this morning. Avery woke up with similar symptoms, and a smell that was undeniable. Out came the disinfectant, and the diaper cream, and things are better already. I hope TJ doesn't get it! I am about to go stir crazy though. This is day 4 of being at the house! Sunday, we came home after church and I have only left to go pick up meds(and got my nails done while waiting for them to be ready at the pharmacy) and watch the auburn game at the Godwins since. I am thinking I may need a date night after today! Hint, hint.

In other news, I got my nails shellacked on Cristin and Cameron's recommendation. So far, no chips, no wear, no tear. They look as good as they did Monday. I am really shocked. I am very hard on my hands, especially with all the hand washing I've been doing lately! [UPDATE: Nails, fail. Day 3, and 2 hours after I typed this, 2 of them had chipped completely off. Maybe it was done wrong? Going back to have them fix them!]

I have only one photo today-my babies cleaning up the front yard. Sorry the neighbors house is in this one... such an eyesore!

I hope no one else gets this bug!

the trip...

So I haven't said much about our trip to Grand Cayman. It was much more commercial and touristy than most of our trips were growing up. This was a blessing and a curse. There were so many things that Avery could do, we had no trouble keeping her entertained at all! The prices were exorbitant, though. I'm talking really high. And the Cayman dollar is 1.2 to every $1 USD. So it looks like it was expensive, and yet, it really is more expensive than you think! Other than that one fact, it was an incredible trip! Dad, Uncle E, and TJ got to dive:

Avery danced and sang and sword fought with some pirates (and now all she wants to do is {pirate} dance). That's what she told me on the way home from church. Out of the blue, "pirate dance momma!". Ok, sweetie, later. We will pirate dance.
She road my suitcase throughout Atlanta, Miami, and Cayman airport. I got in trouble if the line stopped and consequently, so did her ride.
She met the "scawee berd" upon arrival, but had conquered her fears and made friends with "Echo" by the time we departed.
This one is "Romeo". Aptly named, as he is a handsome fellow and recites Shakespeare...kidding...but it sure does make this boring post more interesting.
Anywho, I am still piecing together the rest of the photos from our trip. It was glorious. I forgot how much I like to vacate.

Must do it again soon...

A photo post...dahling.

I FINALLY got a new camera. Obvious.

My Thankful List and Resolutions

What a year it has been. We are so blessed to have wonderful friends, family, and well, life, in general. This is my now annual list for things and people I am thankful for:

1. Avery. She is truly the best thing ever. How could I have ever known what a wonderful, special, healthy little being I was growing 2 years ago? I didn't. I couldn't. But now I do. I am more than lucky to be her Momma.

2. TJ. Thank you for letting me be crazy when I needed to be, listening (or pretending to) to me, and having faith that we would and could make it through anything.

3. Mom, Dad, Mimi, Paw Paw. You have been so helpful this year. You took Avery when we needed a date night, played games with her when we were too exhausted, and held our hands when we were sick. Thank you for the insight, gifts, and wisdom you impart on us.

4. Searcy. Thank you for keeping me grounded. Thank you for putting up with my antics. Thank you for your undying friendship in a world where it is uncommon. Thanks for humoring me when I give you advice.

5. Allison, Carolyn, Angela. Ya'll are great friends who I could not live without. Thanks for all the parties, laughs, and tears. We have been through a lot in a short amount of time! (Al-where is my mustard?? I have your hot cocoa waiting on you when you get back...)

6. Haha, LuLu, Hope, Uncle E. Thanks for helping out with Avery and loving her as much as we do! We are looking forward to Hannah's wedding!

7. I am thankful for our healthy family. Avery had tubes put in her ears in June and what a difference that has made! I have since gotten enough sleep since then, that I can actually function normally! Perhaps 2011 will give TJ some back relief.

8. TJ's business has grown so much this year. We are thrilled to have Graham, Jenny, Reg, and Trey on board! Thanks for all you do!

9. Alley Station. I love my job. For the first time I am finding balance with work and home. I am so thankful for my time home with Avery, but I love getting to go to work on a project I believe in!

10. I am thankful for new friends. Avery has made some, and so have TJ and I.

God has been so good to us. Frazer UMC is growing in so many ways, and I love where we are headed.

Now, for the resolutions:

1. I will be more involved at church.

2. I want to have a bigger garden this year.

3. I will be a better wife and mother.

4. I will learn to do something I have never done...not sure what yet, but I'm sure it will make the blog in 2011.

5. I will go to bed on time!

6. I will say "I love you" more often to the ones I love, and "thank you" when I am thankful!

7. I will be quiet more and absorb the stillness.

8. I will ask more questions.

9. I will not be a "know-it-all".

10. I will give more, and shop less(the hardest one for sure!)

Thank you to all who read my blog. You give me good feedback and let me vent my thoughts! Finally, in the spirit of new years resolutions...Is there anything you wish I would write about? Would anyone like to guest blog, and let me listen more?

Christmas Cards

Ace and I had a little photo sesh last weekend at the mill. It is my goal to get our Christmas cards out early this year! I am positively thrilled with them, but I thought I would show off some of the shots that didn't make the card!

Is she cute or what??? (It helped that I borrowed Dad's camera, else we would not have had any photos for cards at all!)

Kiss my cheeks!
Look at her little toes all pointed! Allison, she may be a ballerina after all!
Searcy snapped this gem as we were about to leave.
We are shopping for a camera currently, so more shots of this caliber should be headed your way! Yay for Christmas!

Serenbe and Leaves

Mom and Avery and I took Grandma on our annual trip to see the leaves change. If you know my Grandmother, you know this was an interesting trip. I will leave it at that for now. I am sure you can draw your own conclusions. We went to Serenbe, Georgia. It is a cute little farmhouse and a community in the middle of nowhere! It is truly beautiful, but not the most exciting of places. We did feed the animals on the farm including chickens, lamas, goats, sheep, horses (Ace's fave!), cows, and the largest domesticated pigs I have ever seen! One weighed 1200 pounds!

They also had these super cool in-ground trampolines that Avery and I fell in love with! I am thinking 5th birthday present! We have GOT to get one! It is great exercise with much less risk of bodily harm!
We had afternoon tea. Avery and I found a secret fort while RoRo and Ma sat around and drank tea.
But first, she took down a plate of grapes. Is it me, or does she look just a tiny bit scared of who or whatever is right across from her?
Our swanky modern loft we stayed in. You can imagine how many times Grandma said the words, "strange. weird. odd." I don't even want to discuss the Buddha statue on the sofa table (not pictured). Let's just say Grandma left feeling like all of the inhabitants of Serenbe were practicing Buddhists.
Avery entertaining herself in the stark modern kitchen.

It really was a fun trip. Grandma even enjoyed most of it. Girls weekends are nice, but I am glad to be back home with Teej. Avery and I went to the park this morning. The leaves were everywhere. I couldn't get Ace interested in the leaves, because she was waaaay to excited about the dina...sore [dinosaur] slide.Have a great week!

Zoo and first photograph

Avery, Ma, and I went to the Zoo yesterday and rode the train! Ace is obsessed with trains, cars, trucks, and anything else that moves! She loves the animals too, but the train really stole the show!

Last Friday morning, Avery and I were laying around watching early morning cartoons, like we always do until it is actually light enough outside to get up (time change fixed that!). She was playing with my phone and somehow took her first photograph. See below.
Technically she did a good job. There is visual interest, diagonal lines, proper lighting, et. al. Proud Mama over here. They say to photograph what you like and know, and Ace definitely knows about her "juice". BTW, all drinkable liquid is known in her world as juice. Milk, water, she knows their proper names, but when it gets put in a sippy cup, its all juice to her.

Did anyone happen to see me in RSVP magazine this month? If so, you would know that I am a "closet photographer" whatever that means. Anywho, I digress. Ace is a marvel. I love her!

Here are some things she can do these days:

1. Use a spoon or fork with great precision.

2. Ride her trike.

3. Say "rrrrRRRROOOLLLLL Tide, Hey!" and "eagle, HEY!" which she does in her crib at night.

4. list cars, trucks, trains, and their colors.

5. count to 3.

6. say tank you mama when appropriate.

7. sing! Not words yet, but she does croon out some vowel sounds!

8. tell us when she has gone number 2 in her diaper. I guess we are on the right track to potty training? Experienced moms-Any help with this feat??

That's our life in a nutshell. TJ is hunting in South Dakota this weekend, say a prayer for his safety!