A Little Dirt Never Hurt Anyone

Parker loves to play in dirt.  Everytime we go to Wal-Mart or any other store for that matter..if he sees a shovel or some type of pail or bucket..we must have it!  Both of our parents have dirt piles at their houses so Saturday and Sunday..Parker got to play in the dirt.  He was FILTHY!  I am that mom who doesn't even buy 'play clothes'...I dress him up to go to daycare then get upset when stains won't come out of his clothes.  I live with it though...and Parker is always very cute.  My mom joked with me that I needed to go to the dollar store and buy he some cheaper clothes.  I do shop at the dollar store just not very often for clothes.  I think that I am actually agreeing to that one!. 

Parker sliding down the dirt pile

Parker and his Nana...King of the Mountain

Parker was shoveling up dirt and putting it into the back of the lawn mower

Also..Parker and my Grandmother (his Great Grandmother) did some yard brooming.  My Grandma calls rakes-yard brooms.  My Gma has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease for about 13 years now.  She is pretty much confined to a wheel chair.  My mom picked her up from the nursing home on Saturday morning so she was at my mom's house when we went over there.  She loves Parker so much, and I am thankful that he has such a sweet spirit and allows my grandmother to hold, kiss, and love on him despite her wiskers that I have so lovely inherited! hah  Thank God for wax! 

Parker wanted his chair by Grandma's so they could work

My Grandma and Parker with their yard brooms

My Grandmother told my mom that she wanted her chair to be moved (remember that she is pretty much confined to a wheel chair due to her disease).  She can stand up by herself for a few seconds at the time, but not very often at all.  Anyway, she wanted her chair moved so my mom told her that she was going to have to stand up.  I was going to move the chair while my mom held her up.  Mom helped her stand up..then my Grandma wouldn't sit down.  She stood up by herself without any help for about 1 minute  This is a huge deal!  She wanted to rake more of the yard...it looked so much better when she was finished.

  God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

Parker and me...I hardly ever have pictures of the two of us that I haven't taken..I still think I am the only one that can get him to 'cheese'

A Change Would Do You Good

Two posts in one day..are you impressed? =) My very first blog was about Parker and his beloved pacifier. I am happy to report after 2 years, 6 months, and 3 days--we are PACI FREE!!! We have been without paci for 1.5 weeks. Parker does ask for it every now and then, but is content when I tell him that we don't have it anymore. A huge thank you goes to my mom. When Parker spent the night with her before the Storybook Festival, he did not ask for it that night or the next day. I thought this would be a good time to just 'nip it in the bud' and it WORKED! Thanks Mama!!

We also took Parker on his first camping trip with Jim's family. It was fun! However, Jim and I slept in the back fo my car. We did have a deflated air matress with a few layers of blankets on top. It wasn't too bad, but I don't know if I want to do it again anytime soon. Parker and Brodie had a lot of fun!

When they are together..they do a lot of this!

Parker always rides his tractor. It is favorite thing to do!

A view of some of our campsite. Jim's brother and fiance slept in one tent and Brodie slept in one by himself. Jim's parents horse trailer has sleeping quarters in it..Tony, Julie, Alry, and Parker all slept in there. Mama Julie made chicken and dumplins' for supper and a big breakfast..it was DELICIOUS!





Parker loves playing outside..since it has been warmer, we stay out there for hours every afternoon and on the weekend! This is his new bubble lawn mower. He always wants to 'cut grass'! He got the lawn mower because I had to take him to the doctor because he was running a fever. They swabbed his nose and throat to check for flu and strep. When the nurse was finished..Parker was crying and saying that he wanted to go to Wal-MartS. I hope they don't think that I call Wal-Mart--Wal-MartS. We did go, and the law mower was his prize he got for being such a sweet boy lately and because he felt so bad.



Parker's latest discovery. He can climb up the book shelf. Jim sent this to me yesterday. He has been such a little monkey lately!





Parker wanted to go back outside..he was hanging from the door knob.

I thought it was hilarious!

On a good note, Jim got a new job. He is now working for Seminole Development as a project mananger and selling real estate again. It is a much better job than the bank, and Jim is really enjoying it. Please continue to pray that things go well at the new job.

We have had a lot of changes in the past month, but they are good changes. No paci, new job, and some warmer weather.

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you"

1st Thessalonians 5:18

Last night Parker said that his ear hurt, and that he needed to go see Dr. Bang (his pediatrician). Too funny..and the way he says Dr. Bang is so cute.

Just Another Day in Paradise

So here is to being another month before I blogged again..I am going to try and do better..at least one post a week--maybe more--if you're lucky! The last weekend in February..we went to Birmingham to help my sister move into her new house **which she now has decorated beautifully**, go to my soon- to- be nephew Brodie's birthday party, and pick up our new furniture **which I love**! The party was a lot of fun, but Parker just isn't old enough for the bowling alley just yet..give him another year or two. Brodie did get a 4-wheeler that he and Parker tested out on Sunday. I was a little nervous, but the boys had a great time.

During the first week of March, I had to give the Alabama High School Graduation Exam (AHSGE), which is what my job is about. I teach remediation to students who have not passed the math part (Algebra I and basic Geometry) and the science part (Biology). We get results back March 29th...pray that my kids did well! It was a very looong week.

On Sunday, I took Parker to get an Easter picture taken by Heather Miller Newman..I think that it looks fabulous. He was such a sweet boy, which reminds me...he has been such a sweet boy all of the time lately. I took him to the ENT a couple of weeks ago, and I could not have asked for a more perfect child. All things are good with our ears!

This is the picture from Heather Miller Newman

Parker patiently (literally) waiting for Dr. McQueen

I am a member of an organiztion called the Coterie Club. On March 13th, we did our annual Storybook Festival. I was in the play Aladdin--I was the narrator, merchant, and Jafar. My mom brought Parker--he was pretty good, but he wanted his Mama. They left a little early because Parker kept saying he was 'freezing'. He loves saying that.

Jim and I celebrated our Anniversary on March 17th. I am very thankful for the marriage that we have. He is such a good provider and father. I couldn't have picked another man any better. It was also my sister-in-law Sandra's birthday. All of my family came over and we celebrated her birthday and our anniversary.

Parker all decked out in his green for St. Patrick's Day

It was "SnOw" much fun!

I know that I have been MIA for the past month so I wanted to do a quick recap on what has been going on. We went to Birmingham the weekend after my birthday to visit with my sister and Jaylyn. On Saturday, Jim and I went to Ashley Furniture and ordered some new "stuff," which we are going to pick up this weekend! We also got to watch Jaylyn play basketball..she score 14 out of her team's 20-something. Way to go J-Bug!!

We made a late night trip to Wal-Mart..Parker was worn out..as you can see..we still have the paci! AHH

Parker on the way home from Birmingham..he is turning into such a big boy.

AND... Jim and I bought a house--whoo-hoo! We had been talking to an elderly couple since November about buying their house (they are/since have moved to an assisted living). They said that they thought it would be sometime end of March or early April before they were ready to sale. Jim and I were excited, but we had not put much more thought into it than that...then shortly after my birthday--they called us and wanted to sell their house immediately! WOW! Jim and I were both so excited, but we had not even tried to sell our trailer *WHICH IS STILL FOR SALE...anyone interested??*! Anyway..we closed on the house Monday, February 1st and we spent the night there Wednesday, February 3rd. We still have lots and lots and lots to do..but it is definitely a work in progress! A lot of people had no idea we were even buying a house--it all happened so quickly. We spent the first week painting..I will have a blog dedicated to that when we are completely finished painting everything. We still have a long way to go.

We had only been in the house a little over a week when school got cancelled because of SNOW--you heard it right..SNOW in SOUTH ALABAMA. We played in the snow all morning..it was "snow" much fun! I got really sick on that Friday *the snow day*..and I was sick for the whole weekend and into the week..I missed two days of work. My sister and Jaylyn came home the snow weekend so that we could celebrate Jaylyn and my brother Allen's birthday. Also..my brother came home..he works out of town. Allen's birthday is February 10th, and Jaylyn's is February 12th. We celebrated with pizza and cake. The snow left as fast as it came. I think South Alabama is due a "Snow Fun" day every year, at least one! =)

Our new house in the snow

We just bought the sand toys at a yard sale the weekend before it snowed..so glad that Parker had 'snow' toys!When Parker sees the camera..he always gives me a big cheese!


This past weekend, Parker and I spent the day together..just the two of us. Jim was helping my mom and step-dad move into their house. We went to Elba and Dothan to do a little shopping. Parker was so well behaved. I didn't even have a stroller. I was so proud of him. He did try to escape me once when we were in Gymboree--he did get out of the store..I had to put my stuff down and run out of the store like a maniac to chase him down! He was headed for the train. I think that I may have taken him shopping too much because when we pull up to the mall, he knows that the train is there.

Here he is riding the motorcycle in the mall.

Have I ever mentioned that his boy LOVES trains?!

Last night, February 24th, we celebrated my oldest nephew Zac's 15th Birthday! WOW! I cannot believe that he will be driving in 1 year. He is growing up into such a handsome young man. I am closer to his age than I am to my brother (his dad) so Zac and I have kind of grown up together. We have more of a sister/brother relationship than an aunt/nephew one. I love you Zac!

Well..we are off to Birmingham this weekend to help my sister move into her new house. We are a bunch of moving folks in my family! We will also be celebrating our soon-to-be nephew Brodie's 4th Birthday with a party at the bowling alley. Parker and Brodie are so sweet to each other..I can't wait for them to get to play together all weekend. Until next time..maybe it won't be a month!

~ MJ

It's My Birthday And I'll Cry If I Want To

Today is my birthday--and so many other people I know share this birthday with me. January 22nd must be a great day to have babies! The day started off just like a normal day-- much like the way I have started off all of my days in the past few months by reading blogs..only today I started off by reading my sister's newest blog--and ode to me for my birthday. I cried. And cried. And cried. What can I say..I am a crier! I cannot help it. My sister means so much to me...and everything she wrote was totally me...if anyone truly knows me--it is her. We are like twins born 5 years and 3 months apart!

I love you Valerie!

Jim, Parker, and I went to Dothan to celebrate my birthday with lunch at my favorite restaurant--Olive Garden. I love the chicken alfredo! I am pretty sure that a demon took over Parker's body during lunch and for much of our shopping trip--he cried and screamed so loud in TJ Maxx *because of a Thomas the Train toy that by the way he DID NOT get--another blog coming soon* that he eventually made himself throw up--everywhere! I think he redeemed himself a little when acted better while we were at the mall. He likes to try on the clothes I pick out for him. He actually wore the clothes straight out of the dressing room at Old Navy. He tore the tags off and gave them to me...so the security thing went off when we were leaving ON...when we went to Gap kids...and when we left Gap kids. What can I say...the boy loves to shop--thanks to his mama of course!

The whole time we were on the way to Dothan and in Dothan, people were calling me and writing on my facebook wall to tell me happy birthday. I was greeted by the Happy Birthday song many times today....it made me feel so special. People took time out of their busy lives to wish me a happy birthday. When I started thinking about how blessed I am--I cried.

Also..we went to Dothan because today is the day that one of my best friends welcomed her baby boy, Phoenix Jaxon Morrow, into the world. Congratulations Brittany and Justin! I am so happy that I got to share this day with them. It was a crazy day. Justin works offshore so there was no guarantee that he was going to make it to the hospital before Brittany had the baby. Justin got to the hospital at 6:45 and Brittany had Phoenix at 7:02. It was almost surreal..almost like Phoenix was waiting on his daddy to get there. I am so glad that Justin was able to make it....it was the talk of the hospital all afternoon. Will he or will he not make it before she has the baby?! When I saw Brittany this morning, I cried. There she was in the hospital bed waiting..just waiting for Phoenix..waiting for Justin..waiting for her life to change forever. When I left her tonight..she was still in the hospital bed..but now she is waiting to spend the rest of her life with Phoenix and Justin.

Today when I woke up--it didn't even feel like my birthday. Frankly, it felt just like another day. Thank you to all of my family and friends and baby Phoenix for making this somewhat ordinary birthday into one I will never forget! OK..here come the tears again.

I think I can, I think I can

'I think I can' finally blog! =) I have been trying to blog all weekend, but I could never find enough time..I have been busy! My brother-in-law and his future family came to visit. Mike's fiance Melinda has a 3 year old son, Brodie--he and Parker are quite the little buddies. I know that they already love each other, and I can't wait for them to grow up together. My birthday is this Friday (January 22nd) and Mike's is Feb. 1st so since everyone was home, Jim's parents decided to go ahead and give us a birthday dinner. Mrs. Julie made homemade lasanga and homemade chicken alfredo--she definitely knows her daughter-in-law. It was delicious!!! No pictures of the birthday girl and boy--but these two stole the show anyway.

Monday afternoon, Jim and Mike decided to take the boys squirrel hunting. As soon as Parker walked out of the door he said, "Squirrel, where are you?" It was the cutest thing.

Here is my precious little hunter. Isn't he the cutest little thing you have ever seen..I know I am partial, but really--he is a cutie!

I got an embrodiery machine (WHOO-HOO). For those of you who know me, I love all things monogrammed. I am VERY excited to be able to monogram stuff for my sweet Parker, for my family and friends, and for myself. The first and only thing that I have monogrammed is a train. Parker loves them so I thought that if by chance what I did turned out to look half way decent..I wanted it to be something for Parker...so 'I think I can' monogram--with A LOT of practice of course!!

Here is the train..I wish it was bigger, but I had no clue what I was doing. Thanks to my wonderful stepdad Marty for helping me so much and my Mama for taking care of Parker!

I have finally decided that 'I think I can' do something about my self image. It is something that I have always battled especially since I had Parker. I have started working out. I am going to the gym everyday, Zumba (http://www.zumba.com/) classes 3 nights a week (which I LOVE), working out with my Wii Fit (hula hooping, kung fu, and free run are my favorites), and I am watching what I eat. Whew...just talking about all of it makes me tired, but contrary to that...I am feeling so good! Please share any low fat recipes. I still like to eat good food..just need healthier, quick meals to make for my family.

Continuing to work out, watch what I am eating, teaching, being a good mother to Parker, and a good wife to Jim is a lot to balance but...'I think I can' do it all as long as I seek God for guidance!

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

Too Much of a Good Thing

Most people have heard the saying "You can never have too much of a good thing," I am here to tell you that yes...you can have too much of a good thing. When I first had Parker, I was not one of those mothers who was never giving my child a pacifier. I had already sterilized several and brought two of them with me to the hospital. After all, I think babies with pacifiers in their mouths are cute. He showed very little interest in it at first and for the first *almost* 2 years of his life. He would occasionly pick it up, put it in his mouth, suck on it for a while, then toss it about. I was fine with this.

This is Parker when he was only 1 day old. He liked the paci because we gave it to him.

He then got very sick right before I started school *teaching* in August, and all he wanted was his far far *pacifier*. He was sick so what was I to do--I gave it to him--all of the time. Little beknowest to me that this was the beginning of an addiction. My child is obsessed with his pacifier. If he can't find one, he will walk around the house saying, "paci, paci..where are you?" I can't deny that it is cute when he calls out for his pacifier, but GEEZ..enough is enough. He can talk a lot now, but I can't understand him when he has the paci in his mouth. I tried to convince myself that I was ok with him having it as long as he took it out to talk, but lets face it..it is driving me bananas! We have cut holes in the ends of the pacifiers, but I am pretty sure that he has them hidden around the house--he always finds another one.

Parker with his paci Halloween night

When I was out of school for Christmas break, I decided that I was going to take it away from him--cold turkey. This lasted all of about 1 day. When he would not go to sleep without it--I gave it to him. I took it away the next morning, and I was determined that he was not going to have it again today. Jim isn't nearly as disgusted with the paci fetish that Parker has as I am, and P knows this. He uses this to his advantage *I think*..if I am not around--he will ask his Daddy for his paci--little stinker! Jim usually gives in to WHATEVER it is that Parker wants *and me too* for that matter--he is such a softy and I LOVE that about him. He will do anything he can to make sure that we are both happy. Day 2 of life without the paci became Day 1 of life with the paci back. I do not give it to him during the day at day care or when he is at home on the weekends. He gets his paci when it is close to bedtime, sometimes in the car, and always when his Daddy is home. Since P knows that I don't like for him to have his pacifier..when he does..he is very defensive about it. That is MY PACI..he will say. Once he gets it--there is almost no getting it back.

This is Parker when he doesn't get his paci when he wants it!

This is happy Parker with his paci!

Which Parker would you rather deal with?

I feel like I need to replace the paci with something else--something that he will be comforted by. In the beginning I had tried to give him a blanket, too. That didn't stick. He is ok during the day when he doesn't have it--most of the time. I just want him to be ok ALL of the time.I would love to hear how you got rid of the paci or some ideas about something else I could do.