Right now, I'm super itchy. And cold. This is a note to my future self... that apparently, this time of year when the pine trees here in Georgia are doing they're pollinating thing- I get an allergic reaction in some shape or form. This year happens to be an incredibly itchy, fast moving red rash on my legs and arms. Couldnt' just be an itchy face (not just nose) like I got 4 years ago on the way to our honeymoon when you could see those darn pine trees literally shaking their own branches (seriously, it was NOT windy that day and the branches were moving up and down on their own) and putting plumes of pollen clouds in the air. And apparently my big sister Delinda used to have the same problem with these "hive-like" spots when she lived here too. Me no likey.
Dear Antihistamine, please kick in soon. I am incredibly itchy and spotty looking. Thanks for all your assistance, Heather.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

We were so cute and young looking back then! (and skinny!) 2006

4 years ago today! 2007

With Baby Ben 2008

2009

2010

2011

Yes, I'm pretty happy that Ryan & I found each other. I love my guy, so so so much! He makes me laugh every day, probably mad every day too... but mostly happy. hehe He's an EXCELLENT daddy to our cute little guy, and he takes good care of me. I'm so glad that I am his first & only love/girlfriend/kiss, etc. I'm so glad that he "waited for the right one" and picked me!!! Happy Anniversary lovey!

Happy Birthday to My Mommy

Today, I'm grateful for lots of things. VERY grateful in particular for my mommy. Last week on the year anniversary of my sister's passing we found out that my mom had a pretty bad blockage in her heart. Today she went in for an angiogram to find where the blockage was and how severe it was. Depending on the results they were either going to put stents in or do open heart surgery, pretty much on the spot. Today is my mom's 74th birthday too! We've been praying so hard, we've had friends and family praying... it's been a bit scary. She's been in and out already, luckily no open heart surgery is required and they already put the stents in. So not only am I grateful for people praying for us/her, for answers to prayers, for my mom... but I'm also grateful for the Immunologist she goes to that heard her coughing (a symptom of heart problems) and advised her to have her heart checked. She's had this cough for YEARS. And because of whatever prompted him to listen more carefully and tell her to check that and the fact she even coughed- she has been able to take care of a life threatening problem.
She's recovering like a champ. And thank goodness for technology because I've felt so helpless being so far away, and I was able to see her via Skype on my brother Greg's laptop. I was able to tell her I loved her and happy birthday. She looks great and should be going home tomorrow! Thank you to everyone who knew and prayed. Thank you to my loving Ryan who has been my rock and shoulder to cry on and support. And who has been also so concerned about her. I am one lucky chick!!!
I love my mom very much. I love both of my parents, and the love and support they give each of their children and grandchildren. They are amazing people and I'm so lucky to be their daughter.

Uncle John came to visit!

My brother had to come to Atlanta for work, and we got to spend a whole 2 hours with him last night! It was a super nice visit; he was able to visit our home for the first time and then we went to dinner. Ben was in HEAVEN with him! We haven't heard him giggle or be silly like that in forever. Uncle John brings that out in people! He was irreverent and was teaching him naughty things and we didn't even care... because, that's what crazy Uncle's are for right? After dinner and after dropping him off at his hotel Ben CRASHED on the way home. All that laughing and getting tickled and Uncle John playing air guitar on the Ben-guitar wore him out! I am so glad we got to see him and spend time with him, even if it was just for 2 hours!

I'm an old lady...

My cutey pie

at the mall after dinner

I had a wonderful birthday. I took the day off and spent most of the day with Ashley getting a pedicure and lunch and then dinner with my boys. It was JUST right. A day off, beautiful weather, relaxing pedicure, time spent with my fav people. Sunday (the day before) we had dinner and cake at the Terry's house which was also lovely. I'm an old lady... a whole 32 years I've been on this earth!

isn't my husband so sweet?

Me and Ashley at the nail place (I have super bad hair)

Ah.... hot leg wrap after a sugar rub. Luvs!

Ben's 3rd Birthday

Phew! What a fun few days it's been. Let me just start off by writing a conversation Ben and Ryan just had, because I'm still laughing about it. I told Ben to go get his jammies from his room (not really meaning it because I knew I'd have to get them). Ben was too busy playing with the totally awesome tractor Uncle Clint gave him tonight for his birthday, so Ryan said again "Benny, go get your jammies!" (but in a nice encouraging voice) to which Ben replied "I can't..." and then continued to play. Then he said "my leg is broken" hahahahaha! Where does this kid come up with this stuff? He's so hilarious, and getting funnier and funnier everyday. The other day we were out in the yard and out of the blue he yelled "OH MY GOSH!" and has been telling us "oh! good job [Mommy] or [Daddy]" when we do something either for him or really any time. He also really needs to know where he has gotten everything he has. Like where did his shoes come from, meaning did someone give them to him or did we just get them at the store... "who gaved this to me mommy?" is what he usually says. Yesterday I took the day off and we had A LOT to do, starting with his 3 year check up. Well folks... He grew a whole 2 inches in 6 months! This is BIG! He had only grown 1/2 an inch from his 2 year check up to his 2 1/2 year check up. So I guess he made up for it the last 6 months. However, he's only gained 2lbs in one year... but... he's proportionate. And the doc doesn't seem to think there's a problem. And well, he doesn't have tall genes... that's all there is to it. His parents and grandparents are not what we call "tall" people. :) Anyway, he's healthy and doing everything the way he supposed to. Except for maybe eating veggies, but at least he'll still let me give him baby food veggies. Better than none at all... right?

Okay, so anyway- back to the birthday festivities. I swore I wouldn't do a huge party until he was like 5... but it kind of turned into one unintentionally- but I'm not saying this was a bad thing. We have lots of people we love and who love our dude and we're SO grateful for that. Thursday was his actual birthday so I took a half day and took cupcakes to he and his classmates at the daycare. He was pretty excited about that. I think so excited that he didn't sleep very well the night before. When I got there he was pretty darn excited to see me, not sure if it was the cupcakes he was excited to eat or if it was me. :) Here he is in his cute hat they made him with his buddies at the daycare eating cupcakes.

And here we are with his friend Cooper who jumped in on the picture. I thought it was pretty cute. Ben doesn't look too thrilled, but he also looks like Coop's got a good handle on his throat, so maybe it was just that!After we left we went to the store to pick some things up. My brother and his girls sent a card with some money in it, so I told him he could buy something with it. We also decided he could pick one thing out for mommy to buy also. Ryan was buying him a tricycle on the way home from work, so we wanted to get him something else small. My brother Greg and his family send Ben a birthday card with some $$ in it, so I put half in his piggy bank and let him have the other half to buy something with. We found a fun puzzle for him to buy and a fire truck that lights up and makes lots of noise. (yay...) And then headed home. Ryan came home the tri-cycle or "bike" and then we headed to Chick-fil-a for dinner because that's where he wanted to eat. And wouldn't ya know it, he FELL ASLEEP in the car! We ate then spent some time together and went to bed.

Saturday was the party, we got ready for it during the day, including the executing of the Pirate Cake for Ben since that was our "theme". We asked him what kind of cake he wanted and that was the answer we got! We got the recipe, or idea from Betty Crocker and it was pretty easy! Ryan did most of the work! (He's cute huh?) I also I tried to pick up all things pirate related. And this was the first year that "goodie bags" were required... I guess not required but I thought it would be fun. (We had the bucket left over from Halloween so I served chips in that, Ryan had that random treasure chest I put the "booty bags" in, and I got 5 free invitations from Shutterfly.com! Before the party started we went to grab a couple of things from Home Depot. We realized that they were doing their free kids workshops so we stopped for Ben and he and Ryan made a Home Depot race car! I love those little workshops, and so does Ben! I don't want to bore you with party details, other than Ben had 3 girlfriends come; Aubrey, Ella, and Zoe! He was the only boy, again! Lucky guy. He had fun and I think he thought it was awesome to have friends over to sit at his table with him and to be crazy! In fact, at one point he came to me while the girls were playing and screaming and laughing and he said "mommy... those girls are screaming..." then later when I was holding Savannah he came up to her and said "her cute". I just can't believe my guy is a big boy 3 year old! Look at him! So handsome! Geoff gave him the pirate shirt for his birthday present, it was PERFECT!
We sang, opened presents and ate cake. It was a lot of fun, and we were grateful for the friends that came and presents and for making his birthday special! BEN! YOU ARE LOVED!

Happy Ben-turning-3- Eve! I can't believe my little punkin head is turning into such a big boy! We have a busy few days ahead of us! Tomorrow, I will leave work early and take cupcakes to Ben's school for snack time. We will take him to wherever he wants to eat (most likely Wendy's or Zaxby's) and then get some ice cream.We got a free Ice Cream Cone from Baskin Robbins for their birthday club. Then the cleaning begins and cake making and all that stuff for his birthday party Saturday. Ryan and I are going to make a Pirate cake for him, which he will probably LOVE. Shiver me timbers! I need to go make the cupcakes!