I think this is pretty awesome. If you know of someone in need they can take advantage of this wonderful opportunity on Dec. 12 at the Factory in Franklin. Go visit Kate for more details!

6 years

We recently celebrated our anniversary. I had intended to do a post on how great these past 6 years have been and brag on my sweet hubby for what a wonderful husband he is. That was my intention. But, as usual, life got in the way and I didn't get the post ready. So, I think these pictures say it all.
Our wedding night at Opryland Hotel Dec. 6, 2003

 

(pardon the poor picture quality... we didn't have a digital back then, and we don't have a scanner now, so I took a picture of a picture to share this one with you!)

The morning afternoon of Dec. 6, 2009
(it seems like it took us forever and a day to get out of the house and get going that day!)

What a difference 6 years makes!

So honey, I love you more today than yesterday, but not nearly as much as tomorrow! Here's to another great year!

For Mrs. Watson

Oh, How I understand!

One of my favorite YouTube videos... enjoy!

Playroom of my dreams...

I sooo want this playroom! It is just perfect. I'm just not brave enough to try to build it-yet. And hubby isn't willing to pay a contractor to build it either.

Oh well, I guess a girl can dream!

Happy Birthday PAPA!! We love you and are sorry we didn't get a chance to call today!
We planned to call after dinner but time got away from us and in the messy, busy, loud aftermath, we forgot! We love you and hope you had a wonderful day!!
Love,
Puddin, Monkey See, Monkey Do, Bud, Daisy, Momma and Hubby!

PS- it was totally my fault we didn't call. After the messy, busy, loud "dinner" I was in "bedtime" mode and needed them to go to sleep asap. We love you and hope you had a fantastic day! We are looking forward to seeing you soon! Love, Melissa

July 08, Monkey Do, Papa, Puddin, Monkey See and Nana

Silly Girl

This little girl has a serious streak of silly running through her.

Several weeks ago she took a look in her classroom treasure box and spied the most wonderful thing. She tried explaining them to me and said when it was her turn to get in the treasure box she was getting them. I wasn't really sure what "silly sunglasses" were, but ok. I encouraged her to do her best so she could get them.

Earlier in the week I picked her up from school and was greeted by this...

I know. She is precious!

The Airplane Port*

My children have a fascination with airplanes, which I am grateful for. When Puddin was a wee one we took a trip to the local airport to watch the planes come in. I was pregnant with the Monkeys and doing something that would entertain Puddin was great- especially if it was free! So we ended up going weekly through out the summer. Some days we would go on weekends when hubby was with us and he enjoyed watching the planes as much as she did. In fact, one hot July day I wobbled out to the viewing area with hubby and Puddin and quickly found a spot to sit when a nice young man landed his plane and noticed us.

I guess the super adorable kid, super excited daddy and the super gigantic mommy were hard to miss!

Anyway, he watched us watching him for a while. After he finished checking over his plane, or whatever they do after a landing, he came over and asked if we would like to sit in his plane!! YEAH, we would!

However, due to my gigantic belly and it being a wonder I could even stand up without wobbling over, and it being soooo close to my due date I opted to keep my feet on the ground. But not Hubby! He and Puddin hopped right in that young mans plane! They were adorable!! I was upset I had forgotten my camera and wasn't able to get pictures of this daddy- daughter moment but this young man even offered to take pictures and email them to me!

We have since continued our tradition of visiting the airport and have had lots of fun picnics there watching the planes come in. However, since our new little darlings have arrived it has been a little harder to manage some things we used to do. That being said, we went all summer without a visit to the airport. Last night Puddin reminded me that we hadn't been in a long, long time.

Today we righted that wrong. I'm so glad we did! What a great time we had! Just see for yourself!

Looking forward to a picnic when it's warmer. All of my friends in the Boro reading this... if you haven't been with your kiddos yet, you really should give it a shot. It's lots of fun and an all time favorite of ours! Maybe we'll picnic with you there some time!

* in Puddin speak airplane port means airport. Cute!

Moving, moving , moving!

It's official... they are moving!

No, not officially crawling- not yet anyway.

But moving, none the less.

I left them for just a few minutes the other day as I went to get something from my room. When I left the babies they were sitting in the middle of the quilt seen in the picture.

When I returned, I was a bit startled to see this... no babies on the quilt! Bud can barely be seen by the red chair!!!

Yes, they are officially the newest movers and shakers to our home!

Life is about to get a lot busier around here!

Heaven help me!

New Puddin Pop Kids Part 2

Ok- These are the latest Puddin Pop Kids available. If you see one you are interested in just leave a comment or email me about it.

#1. Large Pink Chenille PPK SOLD
purple polka dot skirt
blue eyes/lt. brown hair
Psalm 4:8
I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.
Sale $20

#2. Large Pink Minky Dot
Large Polka Dot Skirt
Blue eyes/lt. blonde "brushed" hair
Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work
in you will carry it on to completion
until the day of Christ Jesus.
Sale $20

#3. Large Cream Chenille SOLD
Orange gingham skirt
blue eyes/auburn hair
Psalm 4:8
I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.
Sale $20 $17 (due to a crooked hem in the top of the skirt... I really don't want to get out my seam ripper!)

#4. Medium cream chenille
Hot pink polka dot skirt
Brown eyes/brown curls
1 Samule 1:27
For this child I prayed.
Sale $17

#5. Medium Periwinkle Minky SOLD
pink purse print skirt
Brown eyes/ light blonde bushed hair
1 Peter 1:25
The word of the Lord stands forever
Sale $17




#6. Medium Blue Minky dot SOLD
Pink flower print skirt
Brown eyes/brown brushed hair
Proverbs 23:19
My child, listen and be wise.
Keep your heart on the right course.
Sale $17

New Puddin Pop Kids

I should have new Puddin Pop Kids up in the "shop" by this evening if you want to check back in a bit! There are some cuties!

She Sings

This baby girl, much like her siblings, seems to be musically inclined. All of my children are more than willing on any given moment to make a "joyful noise!" They love to sing and make up their own songs. Puddin makes up new songs everyday and many nights I have woke up to Monkey See, breaking into song while in his crib at 2 in the morning. Monkey Do, while he has a hard time carrying a "tune in a bucket" sings with all of his heart at the top of his lungs and it just melts mine!

My Daddy and uncles are all musical as well and I have been known to play or sing a note or two back in the day. Even Hubby was a guitar player in his high school days. I guess it was inevitable that our children would be musical as well.

Lately, this little girl has found her voice. No, she is not talking... not a ma-ma, or da-da, ever.

She does, however, growl... a lot. And recently, she has begun to sing. I must say... it is the most precious song!

She will sing and sing and sing! She loves for you to sing along, but doesn't really care when you stop.... she keeps going and going! A regular Energizer Bunny!

My goal this week, (other than finish the laundry), to get this song on video!

Once again, just anothe reason I have the best "job" in the world!! Mommyhood is great!

Thanksgiving Take 2

So on Friday aka Black Friday, I was preparing to see my family. I was so happy to get to see my mom and step dad! The kids were equally excited too. Even my sister and her family were able to come for the visit. It was really nice to actually get to spend time with them for Thanksgiving, since it almost wasn't.

Anyway, here's a few pics of some of the things I caught the kiddos doing. I was so busy enjoying myself I didn't get that many but these will do.

(As soon as I get the pictures from our visit to Mississippi I'll share those too... Bug!)

building a castle with cousin "G"

The Monkey brothers hanging out on the back porch

Cousin G taking a leap into the pile of leaves off the porch!

Puddin takes his lead... her legs aren't as long and mommy wasn't as quick to get this picture!

I love her reaction though!

Monkey Do gave it a shot too... Poor thing! His legs just aren't long enough! Monkey See wasn't having any part of this little game!

Aunt K helping Monkey Do make his leap into the leaves!

Finally! I get a flying shot!!! Wow!

The landing!

Cousin G making his Karate kick leap! So cool!!!! Check out Puddin's reaction!! Hehe! She has her daddy's competitive spirit! Too bad she's not as big as G!

We had a great day and enjoyed lots of family time! I did miss the rest of my family though. Maybe next year we will all be together for this special holiday!

Thanksgiving that almost wasn't

First, and foremost... just a few of the reasons I am so thankful this year....

I love how they love each other! Monkey Do gives Daisy a kiss here!

Puddin (4), Monkey See (28 months), Bud (8 1/2 months), Monkey Do (28 months), Daisy (81/2 months)

Secondly, I have shared about my best laid plans many, many times before. And because I am apparently a slow learner, He continues to give me those teachable moments! So, before I share our tale of "Thanksgiving"day let me just say that it turned out to be pretty perfect, and truly we were able to really concentrate on what is most precious to us.
And, you read this whole post you may have bleeding retinas before you are through- so here's a little eye candy first!

My sweet "big kids" Monkey See, Pudidn, and Monkey Do.

Baby Daisy and Baby Bud on their 1st Thanksgiving!!

Now, sit back and hear a tale... a tale of a dreadful trip... (ok- enough of Gilligan...hehe... I have no idea where that came from anyway!)

We started Thanksgiving day as we do most days in this house.. in a hustle and whirlwind of packing diaper bags, dressing kids, looking for shoes, changing unexpected poopies and trying, desperately trying, for me to get a shower in. Truthfully, it can be exhausting some days. Add to it the fact that I had my prized corn casserole to finish making , and well, you get CHAOS!

Not to mention the fact that Hubby and I were already a little stressed out from van troubles. For the past several months (since the babies were born) we have had some idling problem that was continuing to be misdiagnosed. As of late, we had taken it to a different shop to have it fixed. In fact, we were on the 3rd week of having the van in and out of the shop... can you see where this is going???

Anyway, we arrived home from Mississippi on Sunday night, took the van in on Monday morning and did not have it back until Wednesday night around 6 pm. (yes, I was at home with all 5 babes for 3 solid days... we missed getting out and about but Thankfully, we were so tired from our Mississippi trip that it was a welcome relief to be at home!)

Now, I'd like to say that our van was returned on Wednesday night all fixed and in great working condition. I'd like to say that, but I'd be lying if I did. I was told by the man who fixed had the van all week, that he had done all that he could do before our trip and he would need it again when we returned (warning #1). Of course I asked it was safe to drive, and was told that yes, it would be fine. We had been driving it around for months without breaking down, it would be fine until we got home. After some more discussion and much deliberation he returned our van to us that evening.

So... back to Thanksgiving morning... Hubby goes out to pull the van into the garage because when it was dropped off the guy from the shop left it in the driveway and brought us our keys. Hubby comes in the house, I sense somethings up, and he tells me the lights were left on all night (warning #2). He is able to get the van to start (yeah for a new battery) and we are so Thankful and happy.

Finally, we get the children dressed and fed, diapers changed, ourselves showered, our diaper bags packed, our corn casserole cooked, diapers changed again, and the van loaded. As hubby was finishing loading the van he asked me if I thought we really needed the stroller... if he took it out we would have much more room. I paused and something came over me- there was no way that stroller was coming out of the van. I told him to leave it, just in case we break down! Not that I'm psychic or anything like that, but seriously, those words had never crossed my mind until then (warning #3).

So we finally, finally leave the house, we drive along, get onto to the interstate, driving along pretty good. We pass Puddin's beloved castle and she dreams and wonders about the princesses that live there. Shortly after that we are pulled over at a remote gas station trying to figure out what to do next.
Puddin and I were dreaming about the castle and the princesses when Monkey Do began to have another screaming fit of terror. He has been doing this lately every time we travel for any distance. It's usually a sign that he is about to have a severe bought of motion sickness. I gave him Dramamine before we left but that doesn't always work for him. So, I was up, out of my seat belt, leaning over the back of my seat, trying to calm Monkey Do and pleading with hubby to be careful and reminding him that if I died he would be solely responsible for all 5 of these little people all by himself. All of that was going on when I heard, and felt, a slight rumble. Then I heard it again, plopped back in my seat, fastened my seat belt, and heard a continuous sound and felt a vibration that was completely new to our van. NOT GOOD.

We took the next exit, found a station and pulled in. Hubby, trying to save Thanksgiving and avoid the inevitable (he's an eternal optimist) got out, filled the tank and calmly said he would take a look under the hood and just try and fix the problem.

Oh my, how I love my husband. There are so many things about him that are endearing. But, fixing a rumbling, vibrating van is not one of them. Bless his heart though- he was trying to keep me (his realist of a wife)calm.

After he got out I started calling the dealership to see if we could pull in, have a quick fix, and get on with our trip. Not possible, of course. It was Thanksgiving day!! No one was working. Hubby got back in the van. Clearly, all optimism gone as he held an unknown clamp in his hand. Apparently, that little guy wasn't reattached to something but who knew what?!

To say we were upset was an understatement. This kept popping into my head but I started having visions of me walking back to Murfreesboro along the interstate pushing my stroller and holding the rest of my brood close to me as flying cars whizzed past- or worse, some crazies trying to pick us up! UGH!! I had to explain to Puddin and the boys that we couldn't go to Nana and Papa's house after all, our van was broken and we had to go home. They were pit.i.ful. Poor things broke out into tears. I called my mom and held back the tears and hubby tried to figure out what to do next. No one could even come and help us with out an hour drive and a caravan. I mean, most vehicles won't hold 5 car seats and 2 adults in addition to the occupants already riding along.

We decided we had no choice but to try and get home. We referred to the manual and found that when a certain engine light came on we were supposed to get to a repair shop asap but if we had to drive then to maintain a slow speed. So we drove 45, with the flashers on, all the way home. It was a long drive. BUT- we were so incredibly thankful to be home and to be safe and warm and all together. We were thankful that we didn't have to walk or that the engine didn't blow on our desperate drive home. Even through our disappointment, we were thankful.

So we unloaded the van, got the children in and warmed up and decided it was a perfect day to eat junk food (a delicacy my children rarely get to indulge in and to decorate the house for Christmas!) Hubby and Monkey Do putting up the Christmas tree. (BTW- he's wearing a top hat... just beacuse he can!) So thankful for my sweet hubby! He keeps me laughing and sane!

We watched my favorite Christmas movie ate lots of Cheetos and drank hot chocolate. For Thanksgiving dinner we had mac n cheese, corn casserole (smile) and peanut butter turkey shaped sandwiches. And it was great! The house was beautiful! By bedtime we had put up and decorated 4 Christmas trees and the halls were decked!
I talked to my mom and she and my step dad were going to bring us Thanksgiving dinner the following day so we could spend time with them too.
It all worked out for the best and it turned out to be a great Thanksgiving day after all.

baby Bud giving Mommy kisses!

Since this post is sooo long already, I will save the details of the van situation for another day.
Let's just say there was a lot more wrong than 1 clamp being left off. We were even more grateful after we got the news, that we made it home safely.

I hope wherever you are you were able to have a wonderful Thanksgiving too!