Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Merrill turns 2.....

Our sweet merrill turned two on december 12th... Can't believe it! The 'poor' child didn't get a birthday party with friends, but we did plenty of celebrating.... We are so lucky to have this little girl!! blowing out her candles on birthday cake #1

pop encouraging merrill to get a closer look at her cake


family shot at chuck-e-cheese



the roles have been reversed these days....jim sitting in my lap




merrill modeling her very own tutu




and another tutu shot... (sorry for the duplicate)






merrill loves shoes and was thrilled with her new pink squeaky shoes







blowing out cake #2 at grandmothers








aunt amy made her adorable barbie cake!!









Friday, December 18, 2009

it really hit me this week....

Three weeks ago today we all lost Misty. I knew that at some point, her being gone would really hit me. And Wednesday was the day. I've debated on whether to write anything about Misty on here. But, I'm smiling as I type.... Misty enjoyed blogging. Maybe not updating hers, but reading others.

My mom, sister, and I (plus my girls) met to eat lunch at puffy muffin on wed. The last time I was there was with Misty. That kinda became our place to brunch. As I sat and ate my food Wednesday I actually was lightheaded and dizzy. It just occured to me that maybe it was because I was mourning the fact that our little brunches wouldn't happen anymore. I hope that doesn't make me sound too dramatic. We always knew what the other would order, plus a diet coke. This last time, we were deep in conversation. Of course Merrill was with me. She had reorganized the sweetners, taken her shoes and socks off, had been under the table...you catch my drift. Of course Misty was the most patient of all my friends seeing she would normally have one of her babies with her too. When I say in a matter of seconds, believe me it was seconds....Merrill had escaped and was on top of another four top table for all of puffy muffin to see. Misty sure had a smile and sure had a laugh and probably prevented merrill from getting a major spanking that day.

On Wednesday, I also attempted to make some sugar cookie/cupcake things that Misty had made several times before. I think they always tasted good to both of us because one of us was either pregnant or nursing. Well mine flopped on wednesday. flopped so bad that I couldn't get them out of the pan. I wanted to just scream, because I can't ever ask her what she did to prevent them from sticking.

So, Wednesday, I sat rocking my "2 year old baby" and just started sobbing.My friend Elaine wrote me a really sweet note with some words of advice: to talk about Misty. I never met Misty, we were born within a few months of each other and I can't remember a time of my life where she wasn't a part of it. Of course I start to feel selfish when I think of Jeremy, those precious kids, her parents, and her giant extended family.... I'm just a friend, so I can't begin to understand their emotions, their sadness.

So, a few more things I will miss about her, but also treasure as memories:

-Her hiccups
-That smile of hers (& Ella's)
-Our years as roomates
-making fun of our mothers as they stressed over our window treatments in the dorm (to match our KMART bedding)
-telling each other very early about being pregnant
-Cinnamon crunch bagels from Panera ( she recently just got me addicted)
-Her massive green and gold truck from high school
-the many slumber parties in middle & high school
-talking about baby names
-talking about children's clothing
-talking about the perfect hairbow
-her rubbing my back in college as I called my dad saying I can't possibly keep cleaning the bathrooms in elam
-her alarm clock and how loud it was
-us making fun of ourselves for not making cheerleading, twice each
-our talks about not wanting to dress like a mom
-swimming with the kids
-her wedding day
-my own wedding day
-church camp
and so many, many more

Of course I am sad about a lot too...no more passing on hogan before/after preschool drop off, things/ girls trips we talked about doing, her not meeting the baby, etc. But, I won't list them all. We'll meet again someday and Misty has her peace now. At her celebration service they had a few days before the funeral, we all sang 'It is well with my soul." That song will never, ever be the same for me. Also, google "give me Jesus" by fernando ortega. It was played at the funeral and makes me feel better. Jim also found some pictures and I've included two....


This one was taken when I had emery.( Cousin Jenny, Misty, Emily, and Kate) I never will forgot when I told misty that the stretch marks had appeared late in my pregnancy with em. I remember her saying, " Emery will be worth every one of them!" And boy was she right. Misty loved her babies as well as everyone else's!

Misty came bearing symphony brownies to the hospital after I had merrill. We certainly shared a sweet tooth. I remember her staring at merrill telling me how pretty she was as we ate brownies! What a friend to think a red newborn belonging to a friend was pretty! ha!


This picture was last October at our 10 year high school reunion. Martha Lynn, me, bethany, and Misty. I remember Misty and I shopped for 2 days trying to find something to wear. Remember....we didn't want to dress like moms!!!
And one more funny memory. I think it was back in August. We had met at her parents house to let the kids play and swim. Ella and Emery had been in the playhouse and had dressed up hats and other accessories. Well, Ella picked up emery's purse. And, if you know emery- her purse is her treasure. So, Ella took off running and emery followed after her (in their hats!) saying, "give me back my purse, you idiot!" Lovely. Well I went a running and probably a yelling. Emery got the phrase from 101 dalmations, just want to make sure I wrote that. I turned and looked at Misty and her face was red from laughing so hard. Emery actually lost the fear she did have seeing me coming after looking at Misty. A time out certainly followed, but that will forever be a memory I have!
Misty was a friend to all, and I think its been said by many.... We are all better off from knowing her! I have some guilt as to wondering if there was anything I could have done or said differently, but I do hope that I was as good a friend to her as she was to me! Now, onto Christmas. There have been some fun things these last few weeks! More posts soon.... But, please remember to keep praying for the Ezell and George families!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Some fall photos...

We had a great weekend last weekend .... (this past weekend was our sick weekend)A visit from Nana & Poppy and then a hayride with our church buddies, and then cousins Madison and Macey's first birthday party! Emery & Frances had a big time at the twins 1st birthday....

sweet sisters at cake time


Happy Birthday Macey & Madison! Can't believe they are one already!



Tori, Jim, and Merrill about to go on a hayride




emery on the hayride all by herself....such a proud momma!





merrill getting her face painted






craft time







emery after trying her first powdered doughnut ever. And, no I haven't kept those from her. She just wouldn't try them!!! And, please note this outfit. A lovely cow & chicken smocked farm dress with a furry vest over it. My mom made this for my sister (not sure of the fabric choice even 20 years ago, sorry mom!) and of course that means emery is loving it!








merrill loving the doughnut on a string game









Emery is always so glad to be with Nana










face painting....











Sisters before church....I'm about to call a photographer....I'm sick of not being able to get a decent shot of either. And, then to add to it..... I can't get the lighting right!












Okay, so this necklace..... is now a staple with every outfit! I guess I should leave it alone. It says "Give thanks" And, I do want my girls to be very thankful for everything they/we have!













teenager pose
I can't believe that we are halfway through november!!! Thanksgiving is next week, and then onto Christmas! I absolutely love this time of year. I heard Emery arguing with a friend about who likes Christmas better.... me or her friend! Pick your battles Em....everyone can love this time of year!
And, in baby news.....I had to get some prenatal vitamins the other day. 100 count to be exact. And, guess what.... I don't even have 100 days left in this pregnancy! I tried to cut my toenails last night and it just hurt....let the fun times begin, right?














Hair

Isn't that a totally loaded title for a blog post???

So, Emery has been totally obsessed with her hair lately!! We've tried hot curlers (yes, I still own some!), sponge curlers, and even had a trim so we can grow her hair longer!! Of course, I've loved all of it. And, I can remember thinking I would never put those pink sponge curlers in my kid's hair, and here I am! I also said that about big bows! How's that for having to eat my words? just a shot of the girls before a date with daddy. Emery picked her outfit!

sponge curler shot with the jealous sister....maybe someday merrill!


wondering when her hair will grow?



end result of hot curlers...










not sure where em saw this hairstyle.....pigtails, then kinda knotted up??? She loved it! A little too star wars for me!






my sweet girl!







merrill getting the mullet cut..... this was before the tears








getting the ever important trim









Sunday, November 1, 2009

Halloween

We've carved pumpkins, done the parties and trick-or-treating and now its time to move on!!!Here's a few pictures from the Halloween festivities. Emery went as a butterfly and then Merrill was an indian. I think they had a great Halloween, but our whole house is coming down off the sugar high! Group shot of Emery's preschool class + another momma's hand and camera

Emery and I at the party (courtsey of Vivian, age 4)

Merrill saw one empty chair at the table and helped herself....


Em was excited we were there- the first holiday party where I felt wanted!!!!



Nothing sweeter than when they pray




CLOSE up of the butterfly





fuzzy close up of the indian singing






Emma Cate, Emery, and Tori at church's trunk or treat






sisters at trunk or treat









family shot









Saturday, October 31, 2009

October

I can't believe that today is the last day of October..... This month has been so much fun!


We headed to the beach early in the month. But.....the night before we left my lovely parents and lovely husband, and lovely entire extended family had a surprise 30th birthday party for me! It was so great seeing all of my friends and family in the same room. And, I did suspect something, but I kept trying to dismiss it. I kept thinking it was SO conceited of me to think that the pretend birthday for my aunt might be for me!!! I am not crazy about being 30, but I sure did feel special this birthday!!! Of course, I have NO pictures from that night!


We had a great time at the beach. October is a great month to go. Although, this time it was really hot! I've posted way to many pictures.... And, some of them I was wondering why I even thought they were blog worthy. I actually write down the picture numbers on a piece of paper and it makes uploading them so much faster! I wrote the numbers down a few weeks ago. Who knows what I was thinking then???

And, I wanted to clarify on the baby's sex..... A few have asked me if we looked in the envelope that said boy or gil. And, here's the answer- NO!!! The envelope is now locked in Jim's safe. Only he has a key. (that sounds so dramatic, doesn't it!) Neither of us have looked or even feel tempted to! So, didn't want anyone to think that we knew and weren't telling. I think things like that are so silly!!!

And, finally Halloween. I'll post pictures after I get a few more tonight. I'm always glad when November 1st is here. It means Thanksgiving and Christmas are on their way. And, not to mention that tonight will be the 4th time the girls get dressed up!!

Emery looking so old!

Jim's favorite part of the week....a golf cart!

Ready for a ride with aunt Laura and Bacon. Please notice how Jim is strapping in Emery. Thank goodness for Mr. Safety!!


Helping Aunt Laura watch Bacon while he's playing in the front yard



close up of merrill




studious uncle bud






the girls played so well together at the beach





attempt at a family photo







2nd attempt at a family shot








redneck baby- checkout that diapering job!









first time in a bikini- couldn't keep the bottoms up!











Daddy and the girls










I'll probably get in trouble for posting this one.... But, Jim has been so great lately! Not that he normally isn't!! Ha! He totally spoiled me on and around my birthday as well as working so hard around our house lately. Not sure when the man has gotten a break!!Thank you Daddy/Jim!!












sweet sisters on a VERY ugly couch after nap. We kept laughing at how bad these couches looked. The decor everywhere else was fine except here!!!












not so sweet little sister- she started kicking!














I loved that they got to wear their summer outfits another time!















em with aunt laura
















getting too dark for anymore pictures....

















diet coke stealer....
Thanks Kiki and Pop for a great trip!!!