I THOUGHT I could sing

It's 8 pm & I'm in the kitchen getting my late night pop tart & milk before Chris leaves to play Mon. night cards. Chris & LG were on the couch talking while LG was coloring before bedtime...

Mom (singing): "God wants us to really love him, love him with all our heart"

LG: "Mooomm, what are you doing?"

Mom: "singing?"

LG: "why?"

Mom: "because I thought it was beautiful"

LG: "well, I thought it was annoying"

We all died laughing!

LG's Rats Nest

Yes, this is what we wake up to as a family each morning...LG's rats nest! It doesn't matter if we dry her hair with a hairdryer, let it dry by itself, brush it, don't brush it, wash it, don't wash it...it's always the same result...poor LG. She cannot stand for us to brush her hair - for obvious reasons...Does anyone have any suggestions?

Party in the Potty

This is what happens when I'm on the computer & the house gets REAL quiet...I hear MJ walking through the kitchen & as she rounds the corner, to the LR where I am sitting on the couch diligently "working" on my laptop, I see that she is holding the potty cleaning brush in her hand. I struggle to take it from her, ok, not really, but she did NOT want to give the potty brush over! As I take it back to the bathroom, this is what I find IN the toilet...she's so proud! I'm just thankful the bottle & blanket didn't join the potty party! And, I'm almost certain the potty lid was closed - MJ has a definite love with playing in potties as I have found the hard way, such as, walking in on her splashing her hands in the potty having a grand ol' time!

Out of the Mouths of Babes

As our good friends, the Burgesses, rode past our house last night the following conversation took place in their car:

Christian (mom): "Jude, look, that's where Mrs. Hope & Mr. Chris live..."

Jude (3 yr. old) adamantly: "No, Mama...Mr. Chris lives at the golf course!!!"

After Mommy & Daddy B offered a few "explanations" of where Mr. Chris REALLY lived, Jude continued to INSIST that Mr. Chris lived at the golf course. Mommy & Daddy Burgess quickly conceded.

Our Little Pilgrim

The Pre-K classes performed their Thanksgiving play this morning...it was adorable! Full of cute costumes, memorized lines, songs, pledges & bible verses. LG, however, was not pleased with her pilgrim hat...she said that she felt like a baby wearing a bonnet - hilarious! But, as soon as we got home, she got some construction paper & asked if I would help her make a bonnet - she drew one & cut it out...satisfied.


Our little pilgrim "performing" - - - - - -Evans, LG & Morgan


Ms. Rebecca came to watch - - - - - - Honey & Papa, too!

My Lil Pumpkins

November - Nat'l Adoption Month

You will be touched by this post...cheers for Mark Richt, his family & the beauty of adoption...

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/video?id=3663225

Gooaaalllll

LG's soccer team had their second game today...Uncle Pi "coached" her in the yard this afternoon as she practiced kicking "goals." Well, it must have worked because LG scored not only her first goal, but, the teams first goal! We were so proud of her. Daddy, Uncle Pi, Honey & Papa were there to see it. And, yes, LG also scored a goal for the other team - boy, was she on a roll!

Viking Soccer League

Little team "warm -up"

LG running for one last hug..."coaching" by Daddy

LG had her first VSL game today at 4pm...it was so cute watching them run around. They played a team that had ALL boys. Needless to say, we were very proud of LG's Blue Team but they didn't have a chance. The only goal that LG's team got credit for was scored by the other team on the wrong goal - hilarious! We sure are proud of you, LG!

U.S. History Made

Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States yesterday. He becomes the first black in history to win the Presidency.

Sister Love

MJ giving LG "love"

More "love" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -MJ & her pumpkins

Happy Belated Halloween

Our little NObama & Sleeping Beauty

Claudia, LG, MB & Helen

The girls & their beloved daddies

We enjoyed a little neighborhood party & then met up with the B's to go trick-or-treating...then on to the HH - bad decision!

The Party...

MJ took 3 naps today in order to "get ready" for her birthday party...and when she woke up from her 3rd one, right as her guests were arriving, boy was she ready to party!

After a little playing outside, eating pizza & good ol' family fellowship, it was time for some cake!

Shortly after my candle was lit, Mommy moved away to take some pictures so I decided to try & touch the FLAME of the candle while everyone yelled, "nnnnoooooo!" in what seemed like slow motion. Before I knew it, Papa was playing his DOBRO & everyone sang HB to me...I didn't really understand why everyone was starring at me & singing the same song all together! Next, LG & all of my cousins starting blowing at me - oh, wait, they blew out my candle! This is one weird family...

Daddy introduced me to my birthday cake and, well, I think the pics prove that I loved it! Mommy & LG made a special cupcake for me (and mommy burned most of the others - oh well).

After cake & a pic of the family (yes, I STOOD in my highchair to prove I am now a big girl), it was time for a wipe down, a little relaxation in Honey's lap with a bottle & then on to presents. LG loved opening all of my presents for me.

Yes, I love talking on my new cellphone & carrying my keys...Mommy just hopes I will leave hers alone now! Um, Wilson, I think my babydoll is upside-down?

Uncle Pi, I need to program your number in my cell.

Thanks for my precious clothes, toys, pj's & most of all for helping me celebrate my 1st birthday! I hope my cousins enjoy their whoopi cushions, bubbles & nail polish - great party favors if I do say so myself!

Happy 1st Birthday, Maddie James

The Day Maddie James was born...

Oh, it's time...................................Here, she comes!

Wwwaaaa.........sweet music to our ears!

Mommy's Mini-Me.............PROUD sister & Daddy!

Daddy & I waited patiently for you to arrive. You were born on my birthday, November 1st, 2007. Lola Grace spent the night with Cha-Cha & Doc on Halloween after trick-or-treating with Honey & Papa. I was supposed to arrive at 6 am to be induced on Nov. 1st. MCCG called us at 5 am & said they were full & would call us to come in as soon as they had a bed so Daddy & I went back to sleep. So, the waiting began...of course, my contractions started slowly, too.

Daddy & I stayed at the house until we got the awaited call at 2:45 pm - they had a bed for us! We took some last pics at home of you in my belly. We arrived at OB Assessment around 3:30 pm - filled out the necessary paperwork, put on my gown (so attractive), ran my iv (my veins busted 3x before they got it in - left huge bruises for weeks on my arm), hooked me up to machines that tracked my contractions & we waited some more in my room there while they got our room ready in Labor & Delivery. Dr. Durso came by around 5:30 pm in OB Asses. & was frustrated that they didn't have a room ready for us. He wanted to start my pitocin in OB & the nurse wouldn't let him.

We finally got a room in L&D around 6:30 pm. They started my pitocin & my contractions picked up. I asked for my epidural & of course, just like with Lola Grace, it didn't work all the way! I was definitely feeling some pain! Honey & Papa arrived right as I was getting my epidural...I was around 4 cm. I was 6 cm around 9:15 pm. I kept feeling pressure & told the nurses...they checked me 30 min. later & I was complete at 10 cm! It was time to push...the nurse looked at me & said, "whatever you do, don't push." They called Dr. D & told him I was complete & he rushed to the hospital! I had another wonderful delivery, pushed for about 20 min., & out you came! Dr. D used the vacuum to help get your head out (did this with LG, too). Papa was videoing , Daddy had the camera & Honey was right by my side. We were all so ecstatic when you were born & had dark hair!

Next thing I knew, Dr. D was leaving & C-C, Doc, LG, Uncle Dave & Brynna were coming in the room. Everyone was so excited to meet you! LG was ecstatic - all she wanted to do was hold you ALL BY HERSELF! Daddy tried to help her & she said, "No, Daddy, I can do it by myself!" After everyone left, it was just me, you & Daddy. You spent the night in the nursery & they would bring you to me to breastfeed throughout the night.

We are blessed to have you, sweet MJ! We will celebrate your birthday tomorrow...more to come!