Okay...so I'm a little behind....

Or a lot behind...depending on how you look at it!  I am going to try to get caught up as best as I can, but it might mean some posts with just the summaries and I'll go back and add the pictures to them later when I get more time.  I may also just update all of it slowly and try to get caught up over the next several days.  Either way - thanks for your patience!!! 

Valentines Day

Madison Claire had a special Valentine’s date with daddy! He brought her flowers – real ones and a bouquet made of chocolate, a Dora balloon, and a Princess card. He took her on a date to Chick-fil-A and she felt so special. I love how special their relationship is – he is setting such a high standard for the one who will one day hold her heart. I pray that she will make wise choices and always look to her dad as the great example that he is (like I look to my dad for his great example :)). Happy Valentines Day, Princess!!!

Atlanta trip

Back in October, Airtran was running a special on flights from Memphis to Atlanta for $39 each way. Crazy!! Madison Claire has been obsessed with airplanes for the past year, so I thought that it would be fun to take her on a flight to Atlanta. In my mind, it would be just the 2 of us but I’m still breastfeeding the buddy and didn’t have enough milk to be away from him for a week (and let’s face it – everyone would be sad if I didn’t have the buddy with me) so we struck out just the 3 of us to head to Atlanta for moms birthday in early February. I was really excited about the trip and didn’t get nervous about having both kids by myself until a few days before the flight. At that point I started thinking – “I’m crazy. Why am I doing this?”

Ryan dropped us off at the airport and I was armed with enough milk and snacks to keep the kids happy for the 60 minute flight. I decided that I would just feed them for the whole hour if I had to! Fortunately for me, they were on their best behavior! Madison Claire was amazing – such a big girl, great helper, and loved being on the plane. Mac was his normal self and charmed everyone on the plane. He didn’t make a peep the whole time unless he was laughing. Praise the Lord!

Madison Claire and Bear Bear

Buddy was very fascinted with the seatback pocket

We made it to Atlanta and I somehow managed to get through the Atlanta airport with both of them and reach my parents at baggage claim. It was quite the adventure! While we were at the airport waiting for our bags, there were several military men and women checking in to deploy overseas. There was a boy scout troop there waving American flags and saying over and over “Thank you from Troop 32”. It was so sweet and heart warming.

The biggest obstacle of the day came when we made it out to the car and realized that while my parents had a car seat for Madison Claire and the base for Mac, they had left the actual car seat for Mac at home. Mom knew that we needed it, but dad thought we were bringing the actual car seat from Memphis and of course dad packed the car. So, there we were, with no car seat for the buddy! I ended up taking Marta with buddy while Mom, Dad & Madison Claire rode to the house, picked up the car seat and then came and picked me up at the Marta station closest to my house. It was quite the interesting experience. There were a few times where I got a little nervous because the train was really crowded and so I just held onto buddy a little tighter.

On the MARTA train

We finally made it to the house and it was smooth sailing from there! We celebrated mom’s birthday at Ippolitos, watched the super bowl and had fun spending time with Mom, Dad, Ryan, Sarah & Jacob. We had fun playing in the park - it was Mac's first time in a swing...and he loved it!!  We had fun taking Madison Claire to the mall.  We went shopping, rode the carsouel, and had a blast!

Swinging!!

Buddy swinging for the first time

Our little Diva.  She picked this out all by herself :)

Madison Claire in her new "Rapunzel" bathing suit

Madison Claire dancing to the Superbowl halftime show

Madison Claire giving her "Princess dolls" a bath...too cute!  You will hear her compare them to Rapunzel.

Madison Claire playing on the bed

Mom made the trip back to Memphis with me, so I was thankful to have the extra hands on our flight back. Madison Claire was more whiney on that flight than she was on the first one. Our return flight fell right during the middle of her naptime and I think having Mimi there made her a little extra whiney. Mac was great again and I left the flight feeling like he would be a good politician because he is such a winner of people.



Music City 1/2 Marathon

I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I’m planning to run the Music City ½ Marathon this April.  When I did it several years ago, I made Ryan promise me that he would never let me do it again and here I am, planning to run it again.  I’m running with one of the other coaches wives and her sister.  Mandy & Michelle run at a slow pace so I’m able to actually enjoy the run (well so far anyway J).   They asked me to join them and I always enjoy spending time with Mandy so thought, why not!  It’s good company and will hopefully help me shed these last few pounds! 

The first Saturday that I met up with the girls to run it was 30 degrees outside.  Crazy!  I don't ever run outside, and if I do run outside, I don't run when it's cold and rainy.  I layered up and went to leave the house and Ryan started laughing.  I was wearing a cute cream wool hat that is more of an accessory than anything, but I didn't have anything else to cover my ears, so I went for it.  I thought it was cute - Ryan was embarrassed for me.  Oh well!   I made the 3 mile run and it was actually enjoyable.

So far I've only done up to 5 miles, so there is still a long way to go to get to 13.1.  Wish me luck!

Pinterest

I resisted for a long time but I’m definitely addicted now…ruh roh.

Small Group

One of the biggest challenges for us in moving to Memphis has been trying to find a new church.  We loved our church in Nashville and were blessed to be really invested in that church community.  Coming here, we knew that finding a church home would be paramount to our feeling connected.  We tried several different churches – what I like to call the good, bad and the ugly J.   We finally found a church and are really excited about it.  It’s called River City Church and if you are ever in Memphis, we’d love for you to join us!  We are serving on the host team and started meeting with a small group in January.  There are 6 couples and 19 kids!!  The church has a great sense of community amongst the women as well and I’ve been having fun at Pampered Chef parties, Bunco parties, and just hanging out.  What a blessing & answered prayer!

Madison Claire

Madison Claire is turning into such a big girl.  She communicates so well and some of the things that come out of her mouth just shock us.  She likes to pick out what to wear to school, she loves to comment on your outfit, shoes, etc.   A few weeks ago, she woke up around 2am yelling for me.  When I went up there, she had pooped in her little potty and needed help wiping (hence the yelling for me).  As I was helping her, she said in a cheery voice “Mommy, I really like your blue pants.  They are so cute.  One day, I will have blue pants like that”.  And I’m thinking to myself “it is 2 in the morning, go to sleep!”.  She uses that statement frequently.  Think “Mommy, I really like your (fill in the blank with all sorts of things).  One day I will have (fill in the blank).”  It’s actually quite adorable.  She also loves picking things that “match” and pointing out to everyone who will listen when she matches them.  At the beach this week she would frequently exclaim – “look, mom!  He has flip flops just like me.  We match!”  

She is still obsessed with all things princess, and when she wakes up she wants to put on one of her princess dresses.  She loves to watch Tangled, Beauty & the Beast, and her new favorite, Lady and the Tramp.

Here are a few pictures of her over the past few months.  She is our angel!