Emily's School Photos and the beginning of fall...

Isn't she just getting too big? I'm so proud of my little girl.

We are getting back into the swing of things getting ready for the fall. Zach has officially started his new school year as an 8th grad English teacher. Much to my surprise it went much better than I thought it would, his super hard work this summer has paid off apparently.

Emily has moved up in classes again at daycare or "school" as we call it. She is now going outside to play everyday, which we have discovered she needs an extra nap to compensate for all that extra running around, otherwise dinner time is a nightmare!

Also she has become quite attached to mommy these days, she never used to scream or cry when I left her at school, now she gets upset if I give her to Zach for just a minute. It's sweet but can be irritating at times, especially when you need to get something done.

She did the cutest thing this morning though. Darby got out the door past me, which was highly annoying but that's not what was so cute. I told Darby "you are a bad dog!", I looked at Emily and she pointed her little finger at Darby and shook it at him and said "nn- nnoo". She was helping me tell him how bad he was
    being, it was neat to see her make the connection between someone being "bad" and telling them "no".
This weekend is going to be fun! We are going over to our friends the Foster's home to play a new game that they are going to teach us and Emily and their son Derek will have a little play date. I'm excited for that, it's so nice to have those evenings where the grown ups and the kids can have a great time!

Then there are all the fun things we have going on Sunday, shaping up to be a great weekend!

Broken promises and unfufilled expectations

Well guys, in complete opposition to what I blogged earlier. I did not successfully achieve my goal of blogging consistently. So here we go again! LOL

My life is nothing if not multiple do-overs, but I always get the important things right the first time! Besides I fully believe it is the intention of your heart and the furvor with which you pursue your goals which count.
I honestly don't think that at the end of my days there will be a big tally on a cloud white board of all my good and bad deeds, and if I get 5,212 then too bad going to hell.

I know that some people believe that to the fullest and I applaud them for the passion in which they place in all of their beliefs. Sometimes I think people today have lost their passion when it comes to what they truly believe in. When you put your entire being into your faith and completely let go and let God take control of your life. That is when you truly becomes a Christian, that is when we become the followers that God intended for us.

I know I'm getting a bit "preachy" for some but this is on my heart at the moment and it feels so right to get it out and share with the world. Even if only my mother reads this, LOVE YOU MOM!

Karissa and Buzz Deckard recommended that I read a book called "The Shack" by William P. Young, the story chronicles the main character's personal meeting with God. While I have yet to finish the book in it's entirety it has changed by life dramatically and I'm only halfway through.

Whether you choose to believe that the story is fact or fiction I fully recommend to any and all people who may be questioning their relationship with God. I honestly feel that God placed these opportunities in my life so that I could find him again and our relationship together could grow. And it has grown exponentially.

I have to admit that before we moved from Hattiesburg I was hungry, mentally and emotionally I was starving. I love my close friends dearly but we had all drifted through the years and each of us were very busy building our own families. I was starving for social interaction and true friendship. While Zachery did a wonderful job and becoming my lover, friend and confidant...there is only so much a husband can do, I mean how can you complain about stretch marks to your husband, now matter how understanding he won't ever really get it will he? More over there is only so much a reasonable man can take right? I have to give him the highest praise here for if it wasn't for Zachery I probably would have long gone off the deep end for lack of socialization. He's the absolute perfect man for me, two peas in a pod we are. I do love that man!

But back to opportunities, we were presented the opportunity for Zach to teach in Jackson, and while it wasn't ideal we decided to go for it, together. Then we joined Brandon First, met a wonderful Sunday School Class family and our lives have blossomed and grown exponentially daily.

It is very exciting to think that soon, we will have a home to call our own and Emily and her siblings (one day!) will grow up in one house with life long friends like Ann Peyton, Graves, Ainsley, Derek, Austin, Emma, Katie, and Paige.
You just never know what God has planned for our lives, you never know some of us torchbearers could end up in-laws one day! LOL wouldn't that be awesome?!?!?!

" Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble;" Proverbs 3:23

The 9 to 5.....
My office is closed today in honor of Memorial Day. A day to honor all of those who protect and serve our great nation, without whom I would not enjoy the freedoms I have today.

The homefront....
Today is our last day on mini Vaca. We woke up this morning as we had the last few days stumbling out of bed. Zach and I were really spoiled, I felt like we really had a few days to ourselves and came back to our marriage and the true nature of our relationship. We were like newlyweds again, all lovey dovey, It was great. I hate to say it but sometimes work and bills and baby make you forget how much you truly love each other and the true reason you joined in marriage to begin with. After we all got dressed and ate breakfast, Meme wanted to take Emmie to the outlet mall and get her some summer clothes. Of course we got razzed by the men for shopping, my grandpa said "It is impossible for them to get together and not shop!" Then Zach joined in mentioning that we were "training" her to be just like us. But honestly I want her to be just like us, wouldn't that be awesome? We went to the outlet mall and visited Carters, Osh Kosh and the Disney Store. Emmie got some super cute outfits and a stuffed Minnie which she hasn't put down yet! We got home a little after lunch, had a little something to get and then packed up and headed home. Well rather we followed my mom home and got some "home grown" beef then we trekked all the way home. We got home, unpacked had some good ole hot dogs for dinner and called it a night. We both are headed back to work in the morning. On another note, Emily started walking independently this weekend, she probably started Thursday or Friday evening and just kept walking more and more each day. Now she hardly crawls at all!

The Horizon...
work...boo! :(

" I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles" 1 Timothy 2:1-7

The 9 to 5......
It's Sunday, the day of REST!

The homefront.....
We are still on our mini vaca for Memorial Day weekend, though we have to return home tomorrow. Today was pretty good, I slept in a little I think it was around eight thirty when I woke up. Emmie and Zach of course were already up conversing with everyone in the kitchen. My mom reminded me that if I wanted to go to church I needed to get a shower, so we all took our turns showering and my mom got Emmie dressed for church. Surprisingly I got dressed and ready in time. I was a little worried since I didn't really pack any "church" clothes. My mom and Meme both assured me that what I had on was fine. But I have to admit I did get slightly aggravated when they both came out in really dressy dresses. Unfortunately my manners took a vacation too, because I was not shy about voicing my disappointment in their wardrobe choices. So, sorry mommy! when you read this. Anyways so I once again got my way, and they changed into some less "church" like clothes, so we all kinda matched. I dragged poor Zach along, because...well I'm not really sure why, I would love to say it was for his soul's salvation, but more than likely it was a selfish moment of not wanting to be alone at the time.

Church was nice, not really my speed. I was missing Brother Geoffrey, but I did get the overall message the pastor was trying to convey. Basically don't forget prayer. Which I agree that as christians we often forget the power of prayer, until we need it. We have all seen prayer done wonderful miracles all around us. But how many of us remember prayer when everything is good and going right? Not as many God would like I'm sure. It reminds me of what Daniel said in Sunday school the other day the "CEO" or "Christmas Easter Only" Christians. It really got me to do alot of thinking about my Christian journey and where I need to be so I would say overall, very effective sermon!

We got home and Denise (Gammie) came over to play with Emmie. There was lots of playing and lots of napping. We had a lunch of delicious reheated ribs and then I slept to NASCAR  while Emmie played and I took her afternoon nap on Gammie's lap. Then we had dinner of grilled barbeque chicken and sides. Emmie didn't feel like eating much, I think she ate a few "whales" (knock off goldfish), but that was really all. Then we all crashed for the night.

The Horizon....
Travel home tomorrow :(

Let the peace of God rule in your hearts. Colossians 3:15

The 9 to 5...
Well there is no news because it's saturday! Mwahahahaha!

The Homefront...
Today has been a really relaxing day. I woke up late, Emmie and Zach were already up. Emmie was playing with Nana and Meme. I walked into the kitchen and Nana had Emmie sitting on the table playing. She was so cute, of course living it up large. We got a bath this morning since she missed one last night, and then she got dressed, in this cute little yellow jumper. I'll have to post the weekend pictures on Tuesday.  Then we all took turns through the shower and getting dressed, and pretty much laid around all morning while Emmie played in the floor. Then Meme, Nana and I ran to the dollar store to get Emmie some more tylenol and motrin, I also got Emmie some of those freeze it popsicles. When we got home Emmie was passed out in her daddy's lap, it was cute. Then I curled up on the couch next to zach and we all slept till lunch. It was really great, exactly what I wanted to do this weekend. We had some sandwiches and chips for lunch, simply and light. Emmie played on the floor, then we all curled up again and took another nap, this time Emmie was with her Gammy (Zach's mother), woke up just in time for dinner. It was excellent, Uncle Brent cooked some ribs in his "Egg", they were just really too good to be true, the meat literally fell off the bone, with grilled sweet corn and potato salad, needless to say I am stuffed and a Thanksgiving esc state. So here I will concluded from my comfortable state on the couch...

On the horizon....
Absolutely no plans at all!

" If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet " Proverbs 3:24

FYI: I write this as Zach drives us to the coast for our Memorial Day Weekend Getaway. I cut a pasted to blogger when we arrived.

The 9 to 5....

It was entirely too busy for a Friday morning. The phone constantly rang, as soon as I would finish a call and hang up the little red light on my phone would be staring at me. Again time to check the voicemail for the message that was left while I was just on the phone. It went on continuously like this until around 1pm. Then everything grinded to a screeching halt and time proceeded to sludge by slower than molasses, I mean it was ridiculous. I went and filed all of the charts that had been pulled for the week and organized my desk, getting ready for Monday and I swear only two minutes passed. I was worried that I would fall asleep on my desk, everyone began leaving early and it was just me and Ellie and it was so eerily quiet I could hear the hum of the air conditioner. I was trying my best, thankfully my doc had a script I needed to call in and get some DME ordered. I got that done and it was still only 430. So I waited in Ellie's office while she talked to someone on the phone and we left around a quarter to 5. I really needed to stay till 5 to make up for leaving early on Tuesday for my doctor appointment. But I just couldn't bear the thought of trying to find something to do to occupy myself.  I mean I have plenty of projects but they would take more than the time I needed to fill and I didn’t want to get all wrapped up in an extensive project that late in the day so I just went home. FINALLY!

The Homefront...

I called Zach when I got in the car and he said he had everything ready, just waiting on me to bring the Jeep home so we could load it down like the Clampits and hit the road! On my way home I had my galaxy plugged into the aux outlet to listen pandora, which is awesome, no commercials. But anyways, I stopped the radio to call Zach and remind him to get the highchair ready for travel, that is when I found out that the call would go through the Jeep speakers, just like my pandora! It was so great I created a handsfree system in my car all on my own! I felt very accomplished, I'm sure a more technically savvy person would have figured this out way before now, but I am excited! Now I can talk to my mommy in the morning and not worry about being distracted while driving through the stack, which if you have ever been in Jackson, you know it is not good to be distracted on 55N. So I got home, watered my porch plants really good and said a little prayer that they didn't dry out and die while we were gone. Changed Emmie into a fresh diaper, one of the good "extra absorbent" ones I bought for overnight sleep. Then we were off! Well actually we pulled out of the parking lot got to the mailbox and had to turn around, I forgot Emmie's school pictures to pass out to the family. Once we got the pictures then we were on the Road!

The Road...

This has been the craziest drive. The people are insane, slamming on breaks, cutting us off and just all kinds of nutz. Then there is Emily, she usually is so good in the car but today she has decided to whine for no apparent reason and not much soothes her. Sippy works for a minute or two but then she's whining again. I think she is teething, she keeps biting sippy and grunting loudly. At this point we are coming into Hattie, so only about an hour more, Joy!

The Horizon...

A long weekend of nothing!

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

The 9 to 5....
Today was very busy at work. I went in early and I still stayed busy until the minute I left. I was a little worried because I had to leave 30 minutes to pick up Emmie today. Zach got a job at the C-USA baseball tournament at Trustmark Park today. So I had to take over pick up duties today. But that I will go into detail a little bit later, back to being worried over leaving early. I already had to leave early on Tuesday to go to my OB/GYN annual visit. So I got this weird vibe from my doc that he might be a touch annoyed that I keep leaving to do things. But I mean I can't help it, people have doctors appointments right? I don't know I'm just really conflicted with all of this because he keeps asking more and more of me and I just don't know when I should say, "ok enough". I mean I want to do alot of the things that he asks of me or asks me if I would consider but I really don't get compensated in a means that would seem adequate for the workload that he wants me to take on. And don't get me wrong money is definitely not everything, I mean I took a pay cut to take this job because I loved the job description. Of course on the other hand I do have to think of money, I mean I have to "bring the bacon" as they say, especially when every penny counts these days and we want to buy a house one day. It is just so conflicting, I am not sure if I should bring it up to my superiors, I mean the way I understand it my pay scale is locked by the hospital, the only increase I can get is during annual evaluations or with additional certifications, which I am going to work on. Argh, I could go back and forth on this subject for days! So moving on!

On the homefront...
So I left work early to pick up Emmie. She was super cute when I picked her up, she looked up and saw me and started furiously crawling towards me going "oooh! ooh! ooh!", she kinda sounded like a little hooting owl. Of course she stopped at my feet and threw her arms straight up, which is Emmie speak for "mommy, pick me up!". I went to get her bag, and then i saw IT. Now your wondering, it? what is "it"? "It" is a discipline note from the teacher and the daycare director, Emmie bit another child! The note says she bit the child so hard that she left a mark! Gosh, I was so embarrassed, can you imagine if your child was the one Emmie bit? I mean how did they tell that mother? She probably thinks Emmie is some kind of hellion, and that we just let her run wild. I was super embarrassed, hopefully that mother doesn't think that!
Zach as I said got a job through our fabulous cousin Marty, working at Trustmark park tonight with the company that is televising the baseball tournament. He called me about 3:30 this afternoon and reminded me which is good because I would have completely forgotten if he hadn't called me. When we talked he told me that the games had been delayed and that he would be even later getting home tonight which of course was fine. I am a little worried that he is going to be exhausted tomorrow, hopefully he will make it through the day.

On the horizon...
Tomorrow we are leaving town after work. We are both so excited to get away for a little bit and to visit with the family. We haven't been home in a long time and we could really just use the short time "away" to just relax and let Meme and Nana take all of the Emmie duties. Oh my goodness I just can not wait...