Chocolate in Oreo Form!

Last Saturday, J. and I were in need of a date night. So we loaded up Gus and his bags and headed to my parents house. When we got there my mom was having an oreo to celebrate all of the hard yard work she had done that day! Needless to say Gus could care less that we were leaving him, he just wanted a taste of that Oreo. So momma twisted it in two and gave Gus a half and boy was he excited! Before J and I could take off I had to snap a photo. It was a big moment, one's first Oreo should be immortalized right?

Gus didn't understand why his momma didn't want a kiss goodbye! Sorry sweety.

J and I went out to the first movie we have seen since May 2009! We saw the romantic comedy "When in Rome".

It was a good movie we both enjoyed. And what trip is complete without a stop at Chic-fil-a for some nuggets and waffle fries? I know we're big spenders aren't we? We laughed on the way home at how early it was (8:30). We used to just start our dates at 8:30 not end them! I had a great time and according to MaeMae and Papa, so did Gus. Mom said he was an angel! I'm sure if she continues to feed him Oreos though he'll always be a good boy!

The Birthday Boy

Yesterday was J.'s birthday. Around our house, on your birthday, you get the meal of your choice for supper. When I asked J what he wanted without hesitation he said fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy and macaroni and cheese out of the box. Immediately I thought, "Oh no, not fried chicken"! I know you all probably think I'm crazy but I hate to fry chicken and therefore have only done it maybe twice since I've been married. I never feel like it's done inside so I blacken the outside! When J saw the panic on my face he said (God bless his soul) "You can get the chicken from Hitchcocks". See why I love him? He is so easy to please! So I picked up some hot-from-the-grease chicken at 5:00 from the deli. I did make homemade mashed potatoes (I actually always fix homemade mashed potatoes cause I'm not a fan of the instant stuff) and homemade gravy, and the macaroni was Kraft, just the way he likes it. J would rather have the powdered cheese than good homemade macaroni (it is one of the few things I just don't get about him!). I even made honey-buttered biscuits, because you just can't have fried chicken and not have biscuits, right? For dessert he requested No-Bake Cheesecake with Strawberry topping. This is another one of those things that make me scratch my head; J. would rather have the no-bake stuff than a real New York style cheesecake?! Here is a look at our plates (J didn't want his picture taken so no pics of the birthday boy!!):

Some of you are wondering where the vegetables are, aren't you? J said he really didn't "feel" like any vegetables on his birthday! We'll worry about proper nutrition tonight.

Happy Birthday J. I Love you to pieces!! XOXO

Dishes & Drinks!

Last Sunday morning, while J was taking off our garbage, I decided to make us some breakfast. Biscuits and gravy just sounded good to me, so I pulled out the heavy cream and cast iron skillet and went to work. Gus, however, decided that it was too early to play on the floor and was pulling on my pajama bottoms wanting to be picked up right then. So.....to distract him I opened the dishwasher, his favorite playground. At least the dishes were clean!! He proceeded to climb up on the door so I went and grabbed the camera. Boy was he proud of himself.

Sunday afternoon we made a trip to Home Depot to pick up some things for J. and on the way home we needed a treat for the road....

Don't worry he didn't actually drink but just a little bit, but I thought it was cute! And it wasn't coffee just vanilla, for those of you who were thinking I am crazy. He thinks he is half grown, so anything he sees me or his daddy doing he wants to do too. We have our hands full for sure!

The River she's a rising!

Saturday Gus and I participated in the local walk a thon for scholarships to this year's senior class. We walked two miles with Aunt Carrie and Allie and Aunt Amy and Noah. It was a little breezy but we made it! After lunch with the whole family I took charge of Gus AND Allie! Aunt Carrie needed to get some work done so I took Allie for the afternoon. They started out in bad need of a nap so we strapped them in the car and went for a ride. I had heard earlier that day that the river was really rising so we went to see for ourselves. This is what we found:

And this is how interested the kids were:

They did, however, get excited during snack time once we returned home.

I couldn't get them to pay any attention to me, they were too busy chowing down! We had a good time. They play so well together. Hopefully Allie will come over again to play sometime!

Nature

I often pitty the citydwellers in this world because of the beauty they never have the opportunity to see. This past weekend we went to the camp for the last time this season and I was amazed at God's awesome creation. The woods are perfect right now. There is water where there should be water, the trees are bare and brown and the palmettos are really green in contrast as are the cedar trees....it's just pretty! I LOVE this picture of J and Gus, it's quite possibly my new favorite (at least until the next one, HA).
It is hard to imagine but next hunting season he'll be running around in a little pair of rubber boots and his Dad and I won't be able to keep him out of the water puddles!! This year however, shoes were optional:

It was pretty warm and Gus was tired of sitting in the truck, so we plopped down on the ground to play in the dirt. Speaking of which, yesterday Gus and I took advantage of a warm afternoon and played in the sunshine. Gus was fascinated with the leaves and sticks.


I wish I had a dollar for everytime I said "Don't eat that" or "Don't put that in your mouth!". But it's worth it because Gus loves the outdoors.

I wanted to show you all a picture of my ongoing project of decorating my kitchen/dining/living room (it's all one big room). I was given these plates by my great Aunt. They are really pretty, I should have taken a close up for you to see the picture on them. But J hung them for me in the dining room to tie in blue to that side of the room. It is so hard to find navy/blue accessories right now since it's not "in". So let me know if you see any good deals!!

Overview of the past week!

Gus is almost 8 months old now! I know, where has the time gone? He is going on 16 though, or at least thinks he is. He has really started "developing" and "exhibiting" his personality/strong will, if you know what I mean. We are trying to start teaching him the meaning of "no", you ask, "How is that going?", we say, "Oh boy do we have our work cut out for us!". I'm sure Gus is completely confused when Mommy says "no, no, don't spit your food everywhere" but yet she laughs like it's funny. But man is it hard not too! He has been doing this little face lately where he schrunches up his nose, it looks like this:

We LOVE the face. Everyone laughs when he does it which is why he loves it!

We had a big weekend, last weekend (I know I'm a little late but bare with me). Gus had fun sitting out by the fire with Mae Mae at the camp.
He also had a good time hanging out with Dad.

I'm not sure which one was more fascinated with the BIG equipment, J or Gus!

Gus also got up close and personal with his first buck. Congrats Dad!

On Monday, since we were luckily off of work, Gus and I took advantage of the wonderful Florida weather (finally) and soaked up some rays.

We have taken to calling Gus a monkey. We're even considering making that the theme of his first birthday party because it just suits him right down to a T. He is crawling, pulling up and climbing. Yes, you heard right, climbing. While I didn't make it to the camera in time to snap a pic, he climbed up in the dishwasher at our house and he has climbed onto the hearth at my parents house this week. I didn't think he could do that yet! Here comes some more bruises!

I'll leave you guys with a funny picture, courtesy of J. Gus is the best baby regarding hats. He doesn't mind what you put on his head, so Dad tends to take advantage of him:

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Life is Precious

This morning as I sit in my climate-controlled office in my cushioned chair, I am struck at the blessings that surround me daily that I take so much for granted. My every need is met, my family is safe and sound and healthy, and I don't have a worry (at least not a very serious one) in the world. My, my, what a God we serve! As the news is filled with Haiti and the horrible disaster that has taken place, I can't help but praise God for what he has done for me. But for the grace of God it could be us today... tomorrow...... next hurricane season. Last night, in our local community, an officer was gunned down and lost his life, leaving behind his wife and two small kids. As I was driving home from a work party last night, to my husband and little boy, my heart broke for the wife and what she would be going through at that exact moment. I can't even begin to imagine losing my husband and raising Gus without him. Events such as that remind us that life is precious, temporary and a God-given gift. It should also remind us that our "problems" are minuscule. The empty coffee pot, the slow poke driver in front of us, the annoying co-worker, your ever-growing pile of laundry and dirty dishes are meaningless. I have really taken this to heart today and thought that it might touch someone else too. Please pray for the Haitians and the officer's family and friends and cherish your time with your family today. Overlook the annoyances, such as a shoe left in the middle of the floor or a cup left on the coffe table and thank God that your husband or child is there for you to clean up after.