Life with my sister

Because I thought you needed a smile today. Is he not the cutest thing in his knee socks? He was a show stopper at church Sunday, for sure. All the women were making over him. It was sweet. Randall was concerned that no men were making over him because he looked like a cheese puff in that outfit. Oh, Daddy...what do you know! hee hee. Those silly men were just jealous of our little Henry. Abby

Abby posted this last month, so know I will post my side. I am a stay at home mom. I worked from high school graduation(1988) until the spring of 2001. I enjoyed working. I enjoyed the interaction with people, and I enjoyed the paycheck. When I got married, I was without a job for a couple of months and then, by the grace of God, got a job in our little tiny town. It wasn't a job I loved. In fact, I loathed the job. But the people made it worth getting up each day. I loved the people I worked with. A couple of the phrases I use often are from people I worked with there. (my favorite is, I'm as happy as a fat girl at the prom! Just happy to be here!) I quit working when I went on bed rest with the twins about a month before I had them. Samuel spent his first 3 1/2 years in daycare. Good daycares . Good people taking care of my baby. I was and am thankful that God put us in the right places at the right times in order for him to be cared for by such loving and dear women. My mot...

Happy Blogiversary to us! You can click through to see the beginning , the 1st year and the second year . Here is to another year of sisterly blogging!

Be patient with us as we give our blog a face lift . 3 YEARS of blogging calls for a nice new look! Tomorrow is our 3 year blogiversary .... yay !

Abby and I may have some of the same blood flowing through our veins. We may have grown up in the same house with the same parents. We may be sisters, but when it comes to cleaning we couldn't be more different. Kelly is doing Show Us Your Life-Cleaning Tips today and the funny thing is I was going to write something about cleaning soon anyway. Not cleaning TIPS really, but it'll work. I've been married for 16 years. I've been a stay-at-home-mom for 9 years. And nothing makes me feel more like a wife and mom than when I buy cleaning products. Weird, isn't it? I've had children, bought them clothes and shoes, cooked countless dinners and washed an unbelievable amount of clothes, but when I buy cleaning products I feel like a wife and mom? I love buying Lysol 4-in-1 spray. I use this on everything! The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Well, its just the best thing ever! I don't even care that it bleaches the paint on my walls, it gets the grossest stuff off of everyth...

I have not opened up and vented in a long time. I know you have missed it. ha. I really don't have the time to sit and think long enough to warrant a venting session these days but tonight I think I will do some airing out and sharing my thoughts ( I know you are most excited - ha). Jules and I started this blog 3 years ago ( our blogiversary is in 3 days!) as a way to share our lives together and to have fun keeping our friends and family updated on our activities and such. It has been so fun. Since the time we started, the blog world has exploded. We are not a cutting edge blog for the most part, we do not get comments but the ones from Kelley and our Daddy from time to time, but we do get traffic, lots of traffic. We are cool with that and do not care that people read without commenting, though we would dig having you comment! We just hope we leave each of you with a smile, a laugh and or encouragement in one way or another. We are not on here to be proud, boastful or rude. We...

The music is now turned 0ff of the blog so you can now hear the videos! Because I have learned how to finally use my videos on here, you are getting videos 2 days in a row. I know, I know, you are thrilled. ha. Henry is talking up a storm. I wish I knew what he is telling us! Abby

Henry experienced his first turn in his Johnny Jump Up last night. He was not real sure about it. His Daddy used it as a swing and he seemed to like that. I love that he is getting big enough to explore all his little play things. He is a little weed, I tell ya! Abby

We spent the first day of Spring with family. We went to eat sushi and to the mall with Diana, Tabby and Caden. Diana is married to Randall's Uncle Rick and Tabby is her daughter-in-law. Caden is Tab's son. He was born 1 year earlier than Henry. I am so glad we are family. We have a fun time together. It was a beautiful day and so fun to have our boys together. They are going to be a match here real soon, I just know it. Lunch was nice with just us chatting without the men folk dominating the conversation. A rarity for us. Henry was SO over the shopping trip as soon as it started. I took this picture of him as the sales lady at Dillards was telling him what a strong and nice name he had. I love it. It is though he is looking at her and saying, "Get out of my face lady!" Henry P. was a bear during our shopping trip. He will go back to the mall to see the Easter Bunny this week and will not return to shop for a while. We left our mark and need not return for a shopping...

I went to a wedding this weekend. The bride and groom go to our church, they have a long history together. Many ups and downs, highs and lows. But through everything their love for each other was never squelched. Stephen performed the ceremony, I sat in the sound booth and my children sat on the back row of the church. I couldn't help, as I watched the wedding, listening to the music, watching them exchange vows, but think that in as short as 10 years Stephen and I could be experiencing a wedding from a different point of view. We have four children, we could have four weddings. Thankfully, 3 rehersal dinners and 1 wedding. God is so wise! I cried. Not ugly cried, you know, wedding cried. How is it that the day before I got on to my children so loudly that they were afraid my head may come off when it got through spinning? And today I cried thinking and knowing that we will have to let go of them one day. Not only let go but give them to someone else. I'm praying fo...

I just filled out our census form and put it in the mail. You be sure to do the same! It was wierd putting 000 as Henry's age. I hope he gets counted - ha! (And yes...this image is cracking me up...I loved it too much not too post) Abby

Please be sure to look at the post following this one. Henry is so very cute!!! Yesterday I was feeling sickly. I had been up in the night and as I was teaching school I knew that there was a kidney stone among us. I've had three and would like to never have to go through that pain again. I would much rather go through labor! I ran to the store and picked up some food items we would need to get through the day, went to church to tell Stephen that I seemed to have a kidney stone and then headed home. I told the kids what was happening and asked them to help de-clutter the living room a bit. I was afraid that if I had to go to the hospital the house would be a mess for whoever was going to have to come watch the kids. While I was putting a load of laundry in the washer, the boys got my pillow and a blanket and laid them on the couch for me. They also put my favorite "sick time" movie in for us to all watch together. Samuel answered the phone and didn't allow a...

Say Cheese.  Henry was in a photo shoot at my hospital last week. We needed a new baby for our stock photos and he was cute and free! He loves the camera...or maybe the attention, who knows. He was so good and made our designers most happy with the good shots he provided them. The photograper did an excellent job and was so sweet to Henry. I told Randall that if we ever have a 2nd child that he/she will feel 2nd rate. Henry has SO many photos with Lindsey taking so many cute ones and now these. Typical first child stuff, I reckon. And I cannot pass up the chance to wish you a Happy St. Patty's Day by showing off my cute little shamrock. He was the cutest one at daycare this morning. Henry even has a green paci to use today. So cute. He was a sweet boy and took Snoopy St. Patty's Day stickers to all his little friends. It is tough being Henry and being green, I tell ya! Abby

Henry loved going to church for the first time on Sunday. He was able to attend his Uncle Stephen's church for his first church outing. He was the most popular visitor at the First Baptist Church and I do believe the cutest one they have had in a long time ( I am partial, you know). Uncle Stephen was so glad to have Henry at his church. He recognized him from the pulpit and told everyone about giving him his first real baseball and such. It was cute. Some of the ushers asked Juju if Henry had on a dress. She assured them it was a gown and it was made for a boy. So, if you are looking at these photos and wondering...know that it is a gown and it is proper for an infant to wear things like this...especially a classy little infant like Henry Patton! I think Henry got a bit convicted at the beginning of the sermon...or he was upset about people talking trash about his gown. He cried out and raised his arms in the air. Like a good Southern Baptist mama, I took him out and we sat in U...

Jules and I love to go to consignment sales and have planned for months to meet up in LR this weekend to attend our most favorite sale of the year. The photo above is of us after 1.5 hours of steady shopping and a quick dinner at Jason's Deli. It was most fun being together without any distractions, laughing, and driving away with a haul of goodies. We really do share a soul and I love having her all to myself sometimes. I don't think that is too selfish of me. Part of our plan was to meet up and spend the night at our Aunt Suzy's house. She is our Mawmaw's sister and our Mother's travel buddy. She has the house that every child loves to visit. I remember as a child being gitty in the backseat on the way to LR thinking about the fun I would have in her basement and such. It overlooks the Arkansas River, with the back of her house being all glass windows. I love this view. The night time view is actually my favorite. Anna is no exception...in fact, all 4 of Julie...

Today is spelling test day at Beavers Academy. The boys have completed their spelling books so now I'm just picking words I think they need to know how to spell. A couple of weeks ago they had to spell palindrome and another word that I can't remember how to spell and I can't find the spell check for blogger. And I'm afraid to ask the boys. I'm afraid they won't remember and that will make me feel like a very bad teacher. And who wants that really?!! So today I reminded them that they had a spelling test and they needed to study for it. Daniel comes in with his walkie talkie and begins talking to David. (David is in the recliner in the living room reading a book under a blanket, he can see Daniel giving him the words over the walkie-talkie) Daniel  " David, the first word is appreciate" David  " a-p-p-r-e-c-i-a-t-e" Daniel   "good!"  " next word, sincerely" David   " s-i-n-c-e-r-l-y" Daniel  " no...

I made the greatest cup of coffee this morning. When I stay in a hotel, I always take the coffee home with me. I've not had to measure out coffee in a very long time. (I also don't drink it on a regular basis.) So today my throat was hurting and I thought coffee would make it feel really good. I added sugar and some Coffee -Mate Caramel Vanilla creamer. Goodness. Sweet Goodness. Not only does it taste just perfect but it is such a beautiful color. Almost the color of sand. Which reminds me of the beach. And the fact that we will not be going to the beach this year. We will be going to Florida but we are on a quest to see Mickey and Snow White. Not the white sandy beaches and cool Gulf water. Ok, I can't talk about that anymore or I'll be sad the rest of the day. And today is sunny and warm and calls for happy thoughts. Not thoughts about not going to the beach. I think today we will do school outside and maybe have a picn...

This week I have nothing to report, other than I am trucking along. I had a stomach bug that wiped me out for 2 days this past week and I then decided to change my course of action. I joined Weight Watchers instead of continuing on with HMR. I know I can succeed at Weight Watchers and feel good about myself while doing it because I have done it in the past. I also know it will fit into my current lifestyle much better than the other program. So, we shall see what the scale says about it next week! Abby

That is my heart's cry for Henry. I want him to love Jesus early in life and I plan to encourage that anyway I can. Tonight I orderd this for Henry and I am so excited about it! We listened to the sample songs on the computer tonight before we ordered it and it made my heart so happy. I think Henry will love watching it. He has noticed the TV this past week and he loves music. Should be fun. I then saw this and HAD to order it for our car rides. The list of songs made me giggle with excitement for Henry. I can't wait for him to hide all these little songs in his heart and sing them to his baby when he is 31! I plan to put these in his Easter basket...if I can wait that long to open them. I think I am more excited about this than Henry will ever be! ha. Abby

I got to spend the day with my sweet friend, Rochelle. She was my neighbor in Byhalia. I miss having her next door so much that sometimes my heart aches. When we found out we were moving 2 years ago the one thing that upset us the most was leaving our little homestead we had created with Ms. Rochelle and Mr. Garry. I still get a tear in my heart thinking about it. Life with them next door was so much fun and provided a comfort that is not replaceable. Taking Henry to meet them was great fun. It was like old times on a lazy Sunday afternoon. There is something to be said for the peaceful, calmness of that place. Ms. Rochelle kept asking me if I could hear how quiet it was and I would just smile and soak it up. It did my heart good. We walked the long driveway that provided many evenings of exercise for me the 4 years we lived there and chatted about everything under the sun, sat on the back porch and ate a divine meal cooked in her kitchen. Of course like any good daught...

Abby's Day: 6:15 - alarm goes off. I turn it off and convince myself that 5 more minutes will be fine and close my eyes. 6:20 - I get up and start getting dressed. It is a lot more of a rush than BH (before Henry) and there is no more thinking "does this look cute or not"...we just go with it and hope for the best. 6:40- I bring Henry to my bed so I can hear him if he chooses to cry and wake up while I am in my bathroom beautifying myself. He loves to be on Mama's pillow :) 6:50 - I make a smoothie for breakfast and get my things together for the day 7:00- I give Henry all my kisses and then get him dressed for the day. We then love on each other a bit more. 7:15- Henry goes in his car seat and we head out to start our day. 7:30 - Henry arrives at daycare and sees his little friends and sweet teachers. 7:40 - I leave daycare and head to work to see my little friends and start my day. I usually call my Mama, Randall or my sister on my drive in. 8:00- I take o...

Go check out a few of the photos Lindsey took of Henry....they are so precious!

Henry Patton is 3 months old Henry has grown so much since his 1 month post ... and he has grown quite a bit from his 2 month post . He can hold his head up. He can babble like crazy. He likes to hit his mobile toys. He loves his Daddy a lot right now. He can sleep 6 to 7 hours on a good night. He is a morning person and loves to smile when he wakes up. When he gets real excited he spits up...it is a tad bit annoying, yet cute. His reflux is better this month with the new formula. He has battled a cold all month but is on the mend. He likes his daycare teachers and is a lot calmer at home thanks to daycare. He has found his hands and likes to suck on them when his paci falls out. He likes to go fast in the car and hates when you hit the brakes for a stop light. He loves his bathtub and likes to splash. He discovers something new each day. He is still the sweetest little blessing. At night I love watching him sleep so peacefully in his bed. I stand by his crib and smile, and so...

Well I only lost .6 pounds this week. That is . 6 pounds. Make sure you read it correctly. It stinks. It is not even worth posting. I am miffed and most angry with it. I know I need to move my body each day but when do you suggest I do that, mister scale? After the 4:00 am feeding? Yes, I reckon so. Well, we will have to see about that. I will keep plugging along with hopes to be out of maternity jeans before Henry starts school. Abby