she has a little bit of me....

it's very obvious that avery is my child...and I think addison has a lot of me in her as well but there's no doubt that she favors her daddy.  what's funny is that both girls baby pictures look very much alike.  in fact, there are several pictures, past and present, that i have to look at the exact location or outfit to figure out which child it is. 

i came across this photo of my sisters and me, whom i cropped out in fear of  what would happen if i published their portion of it. this picture will show you several things....1) that i really did have blonde hair at one point.  2) that kids did wear complete sweatsuits and that they weren't JUST for the GKGW videos (i won't complain that my sisters had on matching outfits in this picture and i was left in a sweatsuit)  3) whatever face i decided to make in this picture is one that addison makes EVERY SINGLE DAY. 

when i found this picture i showed it allen and he physically sat up and just stared at it and said 'wow.'  (now that wow could have been about the outifts too:)

so regardless of who she looks like on most days, i got a little bit of kick when i found this picture because she does, in fact, have a little bit of me. 

mythbusters

**disclaimer** this post is not directed toward anyone and in no way is it meant to hurt anyone's feelings or doubt the love their child has for them.  it's really all in fun and it will make me feel better to say write down some of the things ive been feeling.  that being said.....

in case you haven't heard the news....our family will have a new addition in april....and it's going to be a boy!  we were very excited and both of us a little in shock.  after all, we're very pink around here and the closest thing we have to blue is turquoise...with sparkles!  the girls were excited too.  well, avery was.  however, my excitement was muffled by all the harsh well-meaning comments about our news.  i truly believe that people said all these things with good intentions hoping to ramp up the excitement...instead, they really kind of hurt my feelings because i am (as my mom says) hyper sensitive.  so i'm going to play along and de-bunk some of what i like to call "myths about our new baby."

MYTH:  "now your family is complete"
FACT: actually, our family was complete when allen and i got married.  children are a welcome addition to your family (have you taken growing kids??).  also, from a little bit of protective side, what if we have another child..........he/she will be a welcome addition as well and will not "over complete."  don't worry, i know what you meant, now we have both girls and a boy, so we get to experience both and our family is now complete.  i get it.  

MYTH:  "little boys love their mommas"
FACT: so do little girls.  what's funny is that most of these comments have come from either moms with all boys or moms with newborn boys (which makes me giggle).  no doubt there's a bond there, but i have to say that my relationship with my girls is pretty darn special and i expect it will be no different (better or worse) with a boy.  again my protective side came out and i felt like people were trying to take away from what i have with the girls.

MYTH:  "little boys clothes are not as cute as little girl clothes"
FACT: that is 100% true :)  so all you moms of boys are going to tell me your shopping secrets. 

humor, sarcasm and intent are often lost in writing, so i hope you can read all of those in this post.  i feel like i have to say it again, this was truly all in fun and don't worry - i was only half kidding!  :)  love to all my mommy friends!  only kind comments please.

sleep in heavenly peace...

***update*** i made the coffee.  day one was weak.  day two was strong.  starbucks strong.  so strong it almost tastes burnt.  however i managed to make both days drinkable.  it can only go up from here.  coffee problem, semi-solved.  and, i've slept peacefully :) ***

so it's way too early in my pregnancy to be losing sleep.  however, it's not the baby keeping me awake, i don't know what it is.  actually i do. it's either a 5-year-old, a 2-year-old or a 31-year-old.  and once i'm up, i'm up.  i can't go back to sleep sometimes for HOURS.  and i usually end up on the couch watching tmz...after all...they own the best stories in hollywood.  did you see brad pitt's motorcycle accident?  i think i watched it 10 times thanks to dvr.  it was hysterical (and no, he wasn't injured). 

i digress.

it happened again last night.  i was peacefully sleeping and i awoke to avery staring at me.  she didn't say anything (or maybe she did??), she was just staring.  i got her back in bed, snuggled back in my bed and....stared at the wall.  i wasn't tired.  it was 4:30 and for the first time in i don't know how long, i watched the sun rise.  it was after 6 before i fell asleep and i will tell you - i was getting bitter.  i knew the girls would be up early (avery's school program was today) and i knew i would be exhausted.  both were true.  so i got up and i did what all mothers do (well, most of the ones i know anyway) - i drank coffee (my first cup since august).  and it was delicious and everything i dreamed it would be.

speaking of which, it's been so long since i have brewed coffee that i know my first pot will be gross - my mom made it today and hers is wonderful.  but it's like you lose your touch.  i like my coffee perfect just so and if i'm even a little off it's just not the same.  and i get it honestly - when my entire family is together, we brew separate pots for different members of the family.  seriously, my mom has like 20 coffee pots.  to each his own...weird, i know.  what can i say, we love coffee.  and i don't like starbucks.  gasp. :)

anyway....i'm sure i will hit a wall at some point this evening - probably while i'm laying on my heating pad on the couch.  but not before then...we have the lighting of the trees tonight in downtown fairhope...and dinner with new friends.  ahhhh, friends. 

so all of you new moms, or moms with new babies, you can call me at that 4am feeding.  i am, more than likely, awake.

these are a few of my favorite things

so i might have cheated on my list a little bit in that most of these things are things i know i love, but don't have! but i don't want to call it things i need because we certainly aren't in need. and i really feel kind of shallow to make a list of things i want....so i've combined the two. call it what you want. i'll call it my unselfish-list-of-things-i-want-but-don't-really-need-but-really-still-want-list.

i really love/would love

10. a mandoline. we love the food network and we love to cook new things. i think this would make my chopping/cutting/slicing so much simpler and it would make my serving platters so pretty. rare for me, but i've even gone low-end on this one, because i can acknowledge that i don't need nor will i use one that costs $200. you can find both at (my favorite store) williams-sonoma09. to read. i have certain authors that i continue to read but every now and then i will try someone new. it's relaxing and it's the last thing i do before turning off my light at night. and i love to trade books with my friends who have similar tastes. my current reading list is
- crazy love, francis chan
- the mommy manual, barbara curtis
- dutch, a memoir of ronald reagan, edmund morris
what are you reading??

08. an ebelskiver filled pancake pan. if you haven't seen this...scoot on over to your local williams sonoma (or visit them online) and peruse this section. if you get it, don't forget the flippers...and then tell me how much you LOVE IT! i would recommend their cookbook that goes along with it for lots of great recipes!
07. a bamboo cutting board. again, would make life so much easier (i'm sure). plus they look super cool on your counter! :) you too can decorate your counter and improve your culinary skills with this savvy board from...say it with me...williams-sonoma. (and no, i don't get paid for endorsements)
06. dr scholls shoes. haven't tried them? they are a must-have for fall and winter. your feet will thank you...plus they look great with jeans and cords. go ahead and get a black and a brown pair. if you're in bhm, swing by 'flip flops and what not', they have a great variety. which leads me to...
05. zappos.com. seriously. shopping for shoes and having them THE NEXT DAY. genius. i would so much rather do this than shoe shop with both girls in tow. i don't even mind if i have to return them...and why should i? shipping and returns are free!

04. the age difference in my girls. they are, almost to the day, 2 1/2 years apart. despite the fact that i am always, even now, asked if they are twins, i love their closeness (in age and relationship). i think they are close enough to play together and enjoy some of the same things, but far enough apart to where i didn't feel crazy jumping from one to two. everybody is different...this worked for us...and they are best friends.

03. a macbook pro. it was about 4 years ago that my obsession with the mac began. it's a beautiful thing and will change the way you view/work on/treat your computer. just ask anybody who has one.
02. a canon eos rebel, with the extra lens. if you have kids, and most of you who read this blog do, you know how important it is to capture their personality in a picture. in fact, most of us make ourselves crazy at photo shoots trying to get the photographer to 'take it now...now...Now...NOW' so they'll get that look in their eyes that sometimes only a parent sees. i'm not a photographer but i know how to capture my kids...and i want this camera.
01. a kitchenaid mixer. i've wanted one for years. i still want one. i stand by and lust after admire them every time i see one. i want the red one. or the gun-metal silver (not to be confused with the chrome). who knows...i might be the next ina garten :) 

i'm hoping that some things from my wish list show up this christmas...i'll let you know.  there's also a new coffee maker i kind of want...i didn't add it to the list, but it's here if you want to go see it!  great for entertaining!  :)  let me know some things on your wish list!

i've been stifled

for several months my blogging has been stifled. but...thanks to my friend courtney, i have been inspired. you see, i love to write and tell stories. most of my writing ideas come from life happenings and things i read ~ things that inspire, encourage and add value to my life. hearing or reading stories makes me want to tell them my way. not because the other way is bad, or mine is better...just because it's what i do.

i've been writing a lot lately - just not for pleasure. fortunately, i get to do what i love for a living: creative writing ~ story telling ~ helping other people read and understand how they can make a difference in someones life. for the past couple of months i've been swamped with writing projects and, to be honest, it has stifled any personal creativity i have. i haven't written in the girls' journals. i haven't written the book that i really want to write....and, as you well know, i haven't blogged. so i'm jumping back in...slowly. and what better way to start than a list of my favorite things? a while back i made a list of 15 things i'm not afraid to admit...and i loved it. so why not do a top 15 list again, just revamped! thanks courtney for the inspiration! look for my list, coming soon....

oh, and if you haven't seen this picture...it's worth a thousand words :)

sweet friends

"the One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it," 1 Thess 5:24

for any of you that are left reading my blog, because i've been terrible at updating, please take a moment and visit the Wright family. their journey is just beginning but their God is forever faithful.

if you only knew

i want to post lots of things, i really do. i have lots of things to tell you, lots of trips and pictures, milestones and fun stories. yes, i have all of that. what i don't have is time. i know, i know, i'm taking time to post now, but i'm about to go to bed after spending what seems like DAYS in the car - with a five and a two year old.

i can't wait to catch you up on the drew family! i miss my blog!

inspiration?

anybody need a little inspiration? this blog will most definitely give you that...and with this giveaway, you might get a little more!

fabulous at 5

where has the time gone? avery turned 5 last week and i just can't believe it. i love watching her grow and be so big...but i still remember "just born avery" (as she likes to say).

all of her favorite friends celebrated with her...and some were greatly missed! here are some of the highlights!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET AVERY ~
you are already fabulous at 5!

week of fun!

So this week has, by far, been our busiest week of summer...but it's also been our most fun. Jackson and Grayson were in town for the week and Pop and Nana made sure the week was not to be forgotten any time soon. Avery spent most of the week with the boys, leaving me with just Addison (who got to enjoy a few of the big kid moments). I think Avery loved being with the boys and I think Addison loved having some one-on-one time!

Here is our week...in pictures!

First stop (tuesday), the Golden Flake FactoryAvery, once again, proves to be my child as she choose the dill pickle chips as her favorite. I mean, IS there another flavor? Addison and I met them at the McWane Center, which is always fun!

here is Addison, Jackson and Aunt Fun in the wind tunnelAddison and Grayson at the water tablesand Avery on...somethingThe next day (wednesday) they went to the cavern, or 'caves' as avery called itThursday was a trip to the movies to see Ice Age, then Addison and I met them for bowling... where Jackson didn't like that Grayson had the high score!After bowling we enjoyed a little mexican food and headed over to Krispy Kreme...a favorite spot for Pop and...well...all of us!

What a fun week with Pop and Nana!

the ride

are you still out there? allen said i've lost all five of my readers because i've taken so long to update! sorry, it's just been a crazy few weeks.

have you ever felt like you were on a roller coaster but when you looked down you're pretty sure your feet are on the ground? that's what we've felt like for the past couple of weeks. the up and down of emtions of selling our house (sniff sniff) have about sent me over the edge.

someone is coming to see it! for a second time! they really like it! they have to make an offer by friday! it's between your house and another....!!!

oh by the way, they chose the other.

and we're back to square one. roller coaster.

don't get me wrong, i know God has the buyer for our house. He knows who it is, what their needs are and how this house will bless them. and intertwined with His plan for them is His plan for us. He knows our needs and He already knows how He will bless us and take care of us. i find comfort that i serve a God who is all-knowing and, whose ways are higher than my ways and whose thoughts are not my thoughts. i think that is what keeps me sane. rather than operate and try to figure this out in my selfish and self-serving flesh, making it happen for me me me, i can trust that His thoughts and plans are working for us, on our behalf, and He knows what is best for our family.

so we continue our ride on the roller coaster.

did i mention the plans for this week? someone called and wants to see our house! they've looked at everything else in their price range! they have to make an offer by friday!

i can't wait until the roller coaster feels more like this little boat ride. no ups, no downs, just smooth sailing!

it's been a while...

since anyone has asked if my girls are twins. i don't know if the common sense stick has hit them or if the girls looks are changing. i personally think they are (now) starting to look more and more alike. i even sent my mom a picture from the beach of addison riding rides and she and my dad both thought it was avery. i'm seeing pictures scroll across our screensaver and i have to stop and think "now is that avery or addison?" normally the outfit is what tips me off because, if you see some of avery's pictures at addisons age, they look JUST alike. but it was 2 1/2 years ago when avery was addison's age.

that didn't bother our sweet waitress yesterday at cracker barrell. she had been back and forth to our table at least 10 times before she stopped, bewildered, and pointed back and forth and asked (say it with me....) "are they twins?" at least she acted like it could be a possibility that they were not twins!! because allen was with me, i let him answer. this time, they weren't even dressed alike. she really was a great server and i would probably request her again if i could!

nope, not twins, but we both love ring pops that look like bunny teeth!

all in one

i have missed so much, so i decided to finish the recap all in one post. i will warn you, topics vary from one end of the spectrum to the other. the one thing that is consistent???....lots of smiles!

avery celebrated her summer birthday in the spring. i think that's a really neat idea because she always asked "when can i have my birthday party at school?"

addison went and, as you can tell, she fit right in. notice the smile and the head tilt.

the girls also got some much needed haircuts! i was letting avery's grow grow grow to pull up for her recital and then they decided, the day before the recital, that they could wear their hair down...a big thanks for that.

may was the month of surgery at our house...addison had her adenoids out and allen had ACL surgery a week earlier (but i don't have a picture of that). sorry babe. you can see his brace in this picture though. no smiles :( look how long her legs look!may also closed out the school year for avery. 4k went by too fast and i can't believe it's over. here are a few of her last days at school...starting with her spring show. her favorite song was there is a redeemerdon't you wonder what she's about to say? smile, head tilt.her last day of school was celebrated at the park! we love miss peggy!face paintingsweet friendssmile, head tiltknow why they are smiling so big? because after that party we left for the beach for 10 days (pictures to come!). want a little preview??? here you go....

twinkle toes

this was avery's first year of ballet. she took at briarwood and loved it (after a while). the year started out a little slow as she was still a young 4. she still took and needed a nap and every monday i had to wake her (and addison) to get there on time. let's just say the first half of the year was hard...but she always loved her class once she got there. and she loved loved loved her teacher.

briarwood's theme this year was 'spirit of america' and, i'll be honest, i was skeptical about what these costumes were going to look like. in my mind i had her wearing a soft, flowing pink tutu that i could put in a shadow box above her bed and she would be dancing to delicate music. instead their class was called the 'pioneer girls,' their music sounded like squaredance music and their costumes were red, white and blue. if you talk to me on a regular basis, we've had this conversation.

BUT, i was wrong - they didn't have the worst costumes...in fact, they were some of the cutest, as you'll see below. she had a great time, she did a great job and she's already asking when she can start ballet again!

here is our little pioneer girl!confirmed - squaredance. (avery is front left)she was so excited that ellie came to see her!

on a side note, if you're wondering why addison didn't make the pictures....we didn't take her. she got 'kicked out' of dress rehearsal for her inability to sit and watch, so we left her with some friends. she can go next year :)