Audrie's Six Months Photographs

Photographs were done by Cassie Bousson with
Bousson Photography (click on it)
Everyone should check out her website!

Happy Birthday Chi-Omega!

On April 2nd, Chi-Omega celebrate 75 years at Mississippi State University. So, Emmylou and I took a road trip to Starkville for the special event. I am pretty sure the car was filled with constant conversation. It was fabulous! We got there around lunch, and Emmylou said we had to go to a "very Starkville restaurant." So, we went to the Bulldog Deli. You can't get much more Starkville than the deli. Well, it was also Derby Days weekend, so while we were eating all the sorority girls starting coming in after Derby Day events. It was fun, but what I didn't expect was to feel old. It hit both of us that it was been 4 years since we graduated. I didn't realize it had been that long. We could have been in college all over again. Oh well. Afterwards, we did a little shopping, and I got my S.I.L. a b'day gift. I can't say what it is since I haven't given it to her yet. Then, we went to visit Laura at her house. I got to meet her precious little girl, Addison. After our quick visit, we headed to the event! It was in the renovated Union, which is FABULOUS! Totally thought this was going to be like a brunch thing. Oh no, it was an all out program! A really great one too. I thoroughly enjoyed every part. I think ....I know I appreciate my sorority more now than when I was an active. When you are having to always go to Chapter meeting and event after event, you take for-granted what is right in front of you: an experience you will remember forever. I know-CHEESY! I guess you have to live it to understand where I am coming from. It was a beautiful day with wonderful friends and remembering special memories.

Me with Emmylou-my best friend and Audrie's fairy god-mother

My sweet lil'Chi-O sis-Katherine. MISS YOU!

Me, Laura, and Emmylou-Pledge Class 2003 representing!


Hootie-whoooo!

Little Home Improvements

We have lived in our house for about a year and half now, and I am just now putting stuff on the walls. Don't judge. I have been taking my time. I didn't want to just buy stuff to have something to fill space. I wanted to carefully get what I really wanted. Plus, once I got pregnant it was almost like life just stopped for a little while, so we could transition to parents. Now, Michael and I are slowly way are way back to "normal" life stuff like decorating (me) and mowing the lawn (Michael). Here are a few pics of some of the "little" improvements. The first being the mantle. I already had everything except for the clock. I still need some candles. I want to get the round ones shaped like a ball. I just have to find them.

A side wall of a wedding pic.

Entry way to the back bedrooms.

The mirror is new as of today.

The whole look.

"Live, Laugh, and Love" canvases by the entry way.

My additions to the kitchen.


It is the little things in life that make me happy :)

Perspective

Most of the time my blogs are light-hearted and just informing the blog world about my life. Well, I have decided to throw in a more reflective blog now and again. I am a reflective person....so, I thought I might being sharing some of my reflections.

To start off with this picture. Some may see a young girl while others see an old lady. A few may even be able to see both. It is all in how you look at it or your perspective.

I just got home from my church small group, which is a group of wonderful people I look forward to listening and sharing each week with them. This week we focused on how we handle trials and struggles. Because, we all know church is not for the "perfect," but for the sick and sinners and broken. Chuck started us off with saying, "It is not If you will have a trial....it is WHEN." We each shared how we handled it.

To make a long story short, we ended with how have we or how is God refining us as a person. I began to think. And I thought of something. I wrestled with God in my head for a moment. I didn't want to share how I am being refined. It was too personal and it made me too vulnerable. But, the words were coming out of my mouth before I could get them back in. I said, "I believe God is refining me to being a strong wife. Every time my husband walks out the door to go to work, I have to say a little pray that he will GET to come home." Being a police officers wife is HARD. Michael is constantly reassuring me that he will come home, but it is a daily struggle. I am humbled by how NOT in control I am. He is literally in God's hands when he goes to work. I can't protect him. So, this gives me perspective about love in my marriage. Yes, there are times when I am very lonely. Twelve hour shifts are long and he has to sleep too. But, sleeping or not....he comes home to Audrie and me. I am not saying that we don't disagree at times or that he makes me want to pull out all my hair on occasion. I would rather disagree with him every day than not have him at all. I have loved him since I was eighteen years old. I will continue to love him until my last breathe.

Dear God, refine me all you want! You are the potter, and I am the clay. Mold me into the wife I need to be for my Michael.

Spring Break Wrap-Up

On Friday...I got a pedicure! I always get so paranoid about my feet. Then, I saw the person sitting next to me. After that, I didn't feel so bad. (No, I didn't know this person.) I have had a gift certificate that my sweet friends: Kolak, Calcote, and Germany, gave me when I was pregnant as a birthday present. I know that was a long time ago, but you know the saying, "life happens!" I took Audrie with me, and she was a doll. All the workers made comments on how good and cute she is. I got be a proud momma :) Plus, I got to catch up with Kolak...who was getting a pedicure to go camping with her boyfriend. I did point out the irony of it to her.

We got a rug. FINALLY! I have long awaited this rug. I am getting to start decorating my house. We have only lived there for about a year and a half. Today, we all went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and I got some ideas :)

Well, I am going to say farewell to Spring Break 2011 with some lesson plans and watching one of my favorite shows: Army Wives. If you don't watch it, you should. I am still waiting for someone to get the great idea of a show about police officer wives as many law enforcement shows as there are out there, you would think it would get created. Until then, I will stick to Army Wives.

On February 16th Little Bit turned 5 months. These are pics from our 5 month photo shoot.

Her big discovery of 5 months was her feet. Now, I can't keep them out of her mouth!

She also learned to rolled from her back to her tummy and started eating cereal. I weighed her, and she was about 14 pounds :)

Happy Heart Day!

Audrie had her first Valentines Day! She was decked out with the outfit her Grammy gave her.
I got a wonderful surprise of a dozen red roses to my work from my sweet hubby. They were beautiful! I got him a basket full of candy. He has a bit of a sweet tooth.

Audrie' godmother, Emmylou, came to visit about a week ago. She even came bearing a gift. Audrie might start thinking Emmylou = presents. Better watch out! haha just kidding. It was so good getting to catch up with her. Audrie loved getting to hang out too!

Spring Break 2011

We started off with my niece's 2nd birthday. I can't believe Kate is 2!!! She didn't have just a party...she had a pawty! You got it-puppy dog theme. There were pink poodles everywhere. For those of you who don't know. My S.I.L. is the next generation of Martha Stewart. She is amazing. Handmade invitations. Instead of presents, guests were asked to bring something for the animal shelter (yes, and she is also extremely thoughtful). Of course, we still got Kate a present too. I couldn't resist. The kids all wore dog ears like party hats...I could go on and on, but I won't. It was a wonderful day to celebrate Kate!

Audrie with her Aunt Sissy

Birthday Girl with her cake

opening gifts

me with my little pound puppy

Little Bit is 6 MONTHS!!!

While we were in Byhalia, MS I got Audrie's 6 month portraits done by Cassie Bousson. She is Amanda's cousin. She does this on the side for now. But, she is AMAZING! Audrie was so tired during the entire photo session, but Cassie got her to smile! I will post the pics as soon as I get them. Here is her website http://boussonphotography.blogspot.com

Here are the photos I took on the actual 6 month mark-March 16,2011

We go to the doctor next week to get her stats and everything. 6 months has flown by! I am enjoying every little stage. Audrie has become a very good eater. She has liked everything she tried: rice cereal, oatmeal, bananas (her favorite), apple sauce, pears, peaches, sweet potatoes, peas, and carrots. Next to try is squash. She is chewing on everything. It won't be long before we start seeing some teeth!

I am wrapping up Spring Break with cleaning and catching up on life. It is nice to have some time just to be home.

Project Nursery: Done...Finally!

I have finally completed sweet Audrie's nursery. I am only 4 months late....better late than never? I have to say it is my favorite room in the house. Mainly due to it being the only one decorate fully. Either way....it is finished.

The rocking chair and homemade curtains by Grammy

An Audrie size rocking chair

The changing station

Top of the dresser. I think the cow lamp is so cute!

The little baby on the moon is very special. My big brother, Luke, picked that out to hang on the hospital door for when I was born. Picture hanging is a belly picture...the flash kind of messed this shot up, but you get the jest of it.

The last addition to the room was the "Audrie" canvases.
The room is truly hers now!
Love you sweet baby girl!

Speaking of baby girl....she is sick. She has RSV, which can be pretty serious for babies and young children. We are giving her breathing treatments twice a day. I hope she gets better quickly!