What's up Tuesday?

Last night was the end of the year party for our Monday night bible study.  This is the last week of school for most people and everybody is getting ready for summer!  I love summer, so I can't wait.   Getting my tan on in my maternity swimsuit is awesome; seriously, I don't mind it.

Each lady brought different appetizers and everything was delicious!

Jana, "Libba" (my MIL) and Rayne

Amelia, Bradford and Sarah

Tara and Tracy.

There were more people there, but for some reason I didn't get a picture of everyone.

The pregnant ladies.  Rayne is 30 weeks and I'm almost 15 weeks.

Just for the sake of a belly shot, I am really trying to make mine obvious here.

When I came home, Wood told me I shouldn't have worn that shirt-  It was too tight on my belly. Ha!  This may sound a little crazy, but I can definitely feel the baby moving.  Maybe it's not a kick, but just a baby flop:)  I'm not sure, but this sweet little bit is a mover already!

Speaking of summer, my goal is to keep my little man busy while school is out.  He is so smart and learning so much right now, I just want to give him every opportunity to grow.  It's not going to do either of us much good being cooped up in the house.

When I picked him up from "school" today they told me he went out on the playground with the bigger children and the teacher was so impressed with how well he did. She said he slid down the slide like he's been doing it forever. 

As we were leaving school, we had a fender bender.  And luckily, it was not my fault. This was actually the first ever accident I've been in when I was driving.  I've been in plenty with other people though.  The first thing Wood asked when I called and told him.  "Was it your fault?!"

The other driver whipped a u-turn into me when I was in the turning lane.  Thankfully everyone was fine! Right after the hit Foster said, "Ooooh Wooooo!"

Today I found a turtle and knowing that Foster had never seen one, I saved it in the baby pool to show him.  He wasn't so sure about the turtle and kept running away from him, but then would sneak back.  Harvey was interested though.  We kept "Turk" for a little while and then let him go.

Foster also got his 3rd haircut today!  

This little face is so sad and precious to me.  He was just barely crying and by the end of it he was just fine!

I hope you bloggy peeps had a great day!

A baby shower just in time

Tyne is my friend that I haven't really known too long, maybe a couple years, but I did know right away that she would be a wonderful mother. She is so sweet and I knew she was looking forward to the day when that time would come for her. She is due any day now and last weekend we had a nice little get together and showered her and Ella Jayne with some pretty things.  

I had the best time decorating things pink and girly.  It was fun to think girl for a little while!

The flowers came from my yard and I am loving having flowers on a daily basis.  It makes things look so nice!

I was going through some books in Foster's room and pulled out the ones with sweet titles.  Some of you may know that I love children's books!  We have a lot and they get used quite a bit around here which I think is great!

My Mom made this veggie tray and I love all the colors.  It was yummy and so was everything else!

Tyne with the hostesses.  We all had a fun getting to talk and catch up all while getting ready for baby Ella Jayne.

  Thanks Tyne for having a baby!  We love you!

Foster made a video that he wants you to see

In case you haven't already figured it out, or been told by our friend down the street, we have some big news to share!  

Let me just say that we got cooperation in the making of this video by bribing Foster with M&M's.  Please excuse his messy hair and clothes, he refused to be bothered and I was just thankful he did as he was told- I couldn't be picky.  

There is music on the video, so if you want to hear it you'll need to turn up the volume.

We can't wait to add this blessing to our family!

We've known for quite a while now, but things have been so busy with the move and remodel that sharing the news just had to wait.  We finally told some in our families 2 weeks ago and it's nice to officially tell everyone else.  

I'm 14 weeks and still feeling a little sick sometimes, but overall everything is going great.  We didn't find out Foster's gender before he was born, but this time we will find out and I can't wait to know-  only 4 more weeks!

Hi there! A little recap

Wow, it has been a while.  I've been so busy that I haven't had any time to stop and reflect on what's been going on... and it's has been a lot.  A lot of good things- I'm extremely blessed.  

God is good.

Where do I begin?  I'm just trying to move in while chasing a toddler and it's just been too much going on to even sit down.  Our first night to stay here was Thursday, April 26.  I was so ready! It wasn't even completely finished and I told the workers to just work around us.  We still have a way to go and it is a work in progress, but I'm loving it.  I was in such a rush trying to decorate and unpack because I volunteered to have my friend Tyne's baby shower at our house- the next weekend!!  She is due in just a couple weeks.  I'm so glad I did it, but it made me a tad crazy!  Pictures coming up.

I started working out at 5:30 a.m. and I did that for 2 months. I've already decided to take a little break.  Maybe I'll start back soon?  Or maybe not!

I discovered I'm not allergic to poison ivy after working in my jungle of a yard.  It is everywhere and I don't get it so I guess I'm in the clear.  I wish I had someone that would come over teach me all about these beautiful plants in my yard-  I'm so lost.  All I enjoy is cutting stuff down and pulling up weeds.

Also, this past week has been awful with Foster refusing to take naps in the morning or afternoon.  He used to be such a good napper.  Two naps a day with no problem and  now it's such a struggle.  Lately when I pick him up from "school", he goes 3 days a week for 3 1/2 hours, he has gotten in trouble.  They say he's just being a boy.  His teacher also thinks he is bored and ready to move up.  She also said he is very mature for his age.  

The last day of his "school" is next week and I'm trying to plan what we are going to do all summer.  He has to be wildly entertained all the time.  He never stops running or moving and the louder or more crazy it is the better.  I'm a tired mama.  But I'm thankful.

Spring is in the Air

The warmer weather and flowers blooming have been so beautiful!  I love the fresh air and getting to be outside.  One particular almost18 month old is especially loving seeing all the pretty things outside.

Last Sunday, we put his boots on and I followed him around the yard and watched him play.  He was very inquisitive, as usual.  Even the ant beds took a stomping!

He is really turning into a loud and rambuncious little boy-  still very sweet, but he is all boy!

It was so cute when he stopped to smell the flowers.  It's really great how children help you do that sort of thing- everything is new and worth stopping to look at a little closer.

After running all over the yard, gathering sticks, throwing rocks and smelling flowers it was time for a little rest....

I know I'm biased but isn't this one beautiful little boy?

I can't wait to do more fun things with him now that it's time to get out of the house.  I usually start cleaning out and painting stuff in the Spring.  That is a given now, since we are in full renovation mode at our new house.  More updated pictures of that coming soon.

I'm planning a trip to the zoo-  it will be his first time to go to the zoo and I'm pretty sure he will be ecstatic at the sight of the animals.  A beach trip is in the works too.  

What is your favorite thing to do once the weather gets pretty?

Our New House

Well, here we are.  It's finally time to introduce you to our very first real house as a married couple.  We've been married almost 4 years and finally settled down to buy our first house.  It wasn't the easiest thing to find a great one, but we finally did!  Praise God from whom all blessings flow- I won't be living out of a suitcase much longer!!

On my list of wants for our new house included charm and character; I love older houses.  What this house lacks in lots of space it makes up for in cuteness and the massive yard around the home.

This one was quite the fixer upper- it needed attention everywhere.  I could see the potential through the outdated finishes and peeling lead paint (yikes!).  But I'm not going to lie that it didn't scare me just a little bit.  Okay, sometimes it scared me a lot, but I love doing all this!  

I'm going to start the pictures with progress and then later we'll go back and I'll show you what it looked like from the very beginning- pink carpet and all.

So, without further adieu here is our little bungalow:

A ton of work is getting done on the inside but I plan to do some things outside too.  Repaint the steps, remove the railing in the center, change the color of the front door and paint the ceiling on the porch.  

I can picture myself sipping sweet tea on that porch swing.  Wow, isn't that a stereotypical image of the South?  Ha!  

If you are around, stop by and join me!

The back of the house needs so much curb appeal that it is crazy! And unfortunately you drive up to the house from the back, so I have a lot of work to do back there.

In the front yard there are these steps that go down into the lower half of the yard.  I thought that was pretty cute.

And there is something else cute;)

.

The Front Porch.

The living room.  Aren't those built-ins and windows quaint?  

There was an attic fan here that got taken out.

This is the view from the kitchen after the wall had been taken out to open up the space.

This is the pantry.  I love those glass doors, I just need to figure out how to get that paper off the glass because it doesn't peel.  Any ideas?  Do you see that lightbulb hanging from a wire up there? That will need to be replaced too.

The mudroom.  I really like all those windows in there.

And last, the dining room view from the hallway.  This was before the wall was taken out on the left where you see that swinging door.

The contractors, electricians and painters are in full swing now and that makes my heart so happy!!!

  I'll post more pictures soon.

If you've done a home renovation, do you have any words of wisdom for me?

Little Friends

Last week when I dropped Foster off at school, Mrs. Becky was loading up a couple of the children in the wagon to take a little stroll, there was just enough room for Foster so he got to go too.  

They were loving it!

Foster, Avery, and Goodwin

Sweet little girl cheesing for the camera!

There they go!

I think Foster has a great time at school and loves playing with his friends.  When I picked him up he was getting in some serious play time.  When he saw me, he ran to me and got so excited but went back to hug his friends good-bye.  That was so funny to me that he has started doing that!

There was one little girl there that he kept hugging, but he was trying to secretly take her plastic celery.  She was on to him and after she had had enough of it- she knock him upside the head.  

He got the idea to leave her alone and he moved on to pass out hugs to the rest of his friends!

His teacher said that he was an excellent helper and kept cleaning up after everybody today.  Weird?!  (Especially if you know his Daddy and me.)

Last Thursday was also the Alabama River Chili-Cookoff.  It was a lot of fun to go downtown and taste all the yummy chilis and support the local businesses.

He had enough of the stroller ride, so he got out and loved looking at the balloons from Pediatric Denistry!

The night was finally complete when he saw Ranger!  Foster kept saying "Woo! Woo!"  He is really starting to LOVE all animals.  Isn't Ranger cute in that t-shirt?

Tomorrow there will be pictures of the new house!  Can't wait to show, but can't wait to move even more!!!