Reid Carter Norton

Five years ago today our little caboose completed our family of 6.

His little life was unplanned and completely unexpected. In fact, there were a few people who weren't very happy about the fact that I was pregnant... again. For the third time in less than three years. And one may have even been a little rude when I told her the news. - I'm looking at you, Martha. ;) But that was strictly out of concern for me. Once the shock wore off everyone was excited about our new addition.

My three previous pregnancies were so easy. Textbook. His was anything but. At one point we even thought we lost him. I'll never forget being in the ER with my mom that night. The nurse came in to do an ultrasound, and at first we weren't able to see the little flicker of his heartbeat. We both sat silently, sinking into our seats while the nurse (who had a look of concern on her face but wouldn't say anything) scanned my belly for what seemed like an eternity. On the way home we both talked and admitted thinking the same thing... This is what it's like to find out you lost your baby. Thankfully that beautiful heartbeat appeared. I'm quite sure at that moment there were audible sighs of relief.

Because of this and because I would need to be closely monitored I made the decision to change to a doctor in Montgomery. It was such a hard decision as I had used Dr. Gray since my pregnancy with Bethany. He was all I had ever known, and he delivered Bethany, Grant and Mac. I couldn't fathom anyone else delivering our last baby. However, my labors are fairly quick (Mac's was 3 hours from induction to delivery) and we were worried that Reid would come even quicker. Not to mention the drive to Birmingham for routine appointments were tough enough without the additional monitoring. After a few recommendations from friends and much prayer, Dr. Kouri entered the picture. He's a saint. I don't have enough great things to say about that man.

Our first visit with Dr. Kouri included our gender ultrasound.

It was a bit early (they like for you to be 20 weeks) but since it was the first visit and close enough, they decided to go ahead with it. It was then they discovered some things that made them question Reid's health. A few trips to UAB (ironic, huh? more trips to Birmingham) revealed his health was fine but that mine could possibly be at risk. Not only that, Chris and I both worried ourselves sick that Reid would have special needs of some kind. Even with all of the high-tech ultrasounds and tests that were run, all of which showed Reid was seemingly healthy, we just had a feeling. It was like everywhere we turned we would see a child with special needs - like God was preparing us for what was to come. We had accepted it in a sense.

We were just ready for him to get here. It was a long pregnancy.

So on February 19, 2007 at 12:10 p.m. after an easy labor - thankfully all of mine were -  when Turbo made his entrance into the world weighing 7 lb. 9 oz (the smallest of my boys), 20 inches long, we were praising the good Lord for our healthy baby boy. And knew without a doubt he would be our last.

The first thing Chris and I both noticed were his overlapping toes.

Our pediatrician assured us that everything was fine - that he didn't anticipate any problems with his walking. He was right.

Bless his little footprints. :)

His little piddies are still that way.

I love those little jacked up toes. :)

A few things about him at this age:

He is hilarious - without meaning to be. He's loving, especially to me. He's a momma's boy. Stubborn. Strong-willed. He has a short fuse. He is jealous if he thinks I'm giving one of his siblings more attention than I'm giving him. He loves music. LOVES it. He likes to listen to music with headphones which I love because he thinks since we can't hear the music we can't hear him singing either. hehee He is a meat lover - steak, bacon, sausage, ham, chicken, deer meat - pretty much any meat. He still loves his blankie. He has one corner of the blanket he calls his "softy thing" which has to be in his right hand when I tuck him in. If I don't put the softy thing on the right side he calls me back in his room to fix it saying, "You forgot the softy thang," in all his southern-ness. He still says "trang" for train, and I can't bring myself to correct him. He loves sweet tea although he doesn't eat many sweets. Except Oreos. He'll tear into some Oreos. When we talk about church or Jesus he'll stop and say, "Momma, I really love Jesus." Aside from Bethany I think he may be my most soft-hearted. While watching The Lion King for the first time over Christmas break he ran up to me and said, "Momma, this is so sad. Simba's dad is DEAD. It made a tear come in my eye." :) He loves to help, and he's always the first one there when I call on the boys for help. Whether it's helping Chris bring the groceries in from the car, helping me put them up, or helping me with laundry or dishes he just likes to help. Especially in the kitchen. He wants to be a "shelf" a/k/a chef when he grows up (post on that soon). He's the baby and he doesn't mind being called it. In fact, he takes full advantage of it.

A few stats:
*Weight: 35 lbs.
*Jeans size:  4 - adjustable waist pulled in all the way
*Shirt size: 5
*Shoe size: 10. He has teeny feet.

I love you, Turbo. I cannot for a second imagine our family without you in it. We're so thankful for and blessed by your sweet life.

Happy Birthday!

Valentine's Day 2012

The day without glaze.

Oh Krispy Kreme, you let me down. I never thought I would utter such profanity.

How can you present your beautiful, special Valentine's heart-shaped donuts with icing and sprinkles (both of which I personally could do without - it's all in the shape - a heart donut - with no hole - which equals one extra bite of deliciousness so who needs icing and sprinkles). But I went with the sprinkles because they're pretty and festive. And well because these weren't really technically for me anyway.

I waited with eager anticipation for Valentine's Day to arrive so I could pick these lovelies up. I headed toward the light just after 8 a.m. Tuesday morning. I had five dozen (no we didn't need the full five dozen - I planned ahead for extras... duh!) in my car before 9. I had to smell the heavenly aroma all morning until it was time for Mac's party around 1. Torture. My mouth watered as I placed a donut on each child's plate. It was hard to refrain from popping a kid or two on the back of the head when they said, "No thank you. I don't want a donut."

How could you not want a donut? That's just not normal.

I decided I would have one during Mac's party and of course would have another during Grant's party which immediately followed. I didn't want to be rude. 

The moment had finally come. Everyone in Mac's class had a plate full of goodies and were pumping themselves full of sugar. It was my turn. Time to indulge. Mmmmmm. I couldn't wait. Look at these things.

Well looks are deceiving.

I took one bite and... NO GLAZE. What the??? NO glaze? I don't care if you put icing on them, dip them in chocolate, roll them in sprinkles then rinse and repeat. You gotta glaze them first. What's a donut without glaze? I'll tell you what it is, it's a big fat letdown is what it is. Which, in the grand scheme of things I guess is better than a big fat ass - B said it was a sign. :( We're both trying to exercise more and make healthier food choices. Although you wouldn't have known that had you been a fly on the wall Sunday and saw that I we dusted off almost an entire batch of Paula Deen's gorilla bread. Weekend calories don't count, right!?! Baby steps.

The stupid unglazed dumb no-glaze heart donuts with sprinkles and icing (as if those two things could take the place of glaze) were a hit with the kids, though. I forced myself to finish the one I bit into but oh what sadness filled my unglazed heart. Have I mentioned the heart-shaped donuts from Krispy Kreme weren't glazed? Because they weren't.

Thankfully my sweet Valentine made up for it.

Last week Chris surprised me with a Keurig. To be honest it's not something I thought I would ever want. Until I got one. Now I really heart my Keurig.

So does B. Especially after we discovered they make green tea K-cups in the same brand Starbucks uses to make theirs. We were on a mission this weekend to perfect her "iced green tea extra-sweet" that she is hooked on gets every.single.day in Decatur where she's a few short minutes from anything. However, we are 30 minutes from the nearest Starbucks so she goes into a bit of withdrawals when she's here. :) A stop by Bed, Bath & Beyond for the K-cups then a stop by Starbucks for their Classic Syrup (where they were so sweet to include a pump, without which B was sure our efforts would fail) and we made our way home.

I'm happy to report it was a success. After a little trial and error we figured out what size cup and which setting worked best as well as how many pumps of syrup it needs. I'm still not completely sold on the whole green tea thing but I'm beginning to acquire a taste for it. And as far as K-cups and coffee, I'm really picky about my coffee so for me the reusable K-cup which allows me to fill it with my own brand of coffee has been my favorite. The boys love it too - we've had more hot chocolate this past week than the whole winter. :) Needless to say the Keurig is a winner!

My guy didn't forget me on the actual day either although I neither anticipated nor expected to receive anything. He brought home some beautiful roses which actually smelled like roses - a hard find for some reason. And they weren't red - thank goodness. :) I love fresh flowers on the island in the kitchen.

But the best thing Chris gave me was something that can't be bought. Tuesday morning after I left the house he sent me a text that just said, "Happy valentines day. I love u." I got butterflies. I know. It sounds so silly and corny and I can't believe I just typed that but I love that he can still make me feel like a giddy school girl. So simple. So unexpected. So sweet. That alone would have been more than enough.

All the K-cups and donuts in the world can't make me feel like that.

Well... the "Hot Now" sign runs a close second. haha! I am normally the girl who rolls her eyes at the corniness that goes along with Valentine's Day, but what's to snub about a day to make your loves feel especially loved.

I'll close with a few pictures from the boys' parties.

Notice he couldn't wear red without making sure he wore his
Auburn sports necklace with it. His PE coaches would have
given him a hard time had he not. :)

Mrs. Schweers & Bueller
We sure hope the tradition continues next year with Reid

Sweet brothers

I hope your day was as sweet as ours.

After seeing that picture I think I need to chaperone

That's what Granddaddy texted Bethany after seeing this picture of her the night of her formal. I think we all felt that way.

It's still so hard to believe B is old enough for these type things. But I guess it's not possible for a toddler to be wearing a mini dress and four-inch heels, huh? (Well, aside from the whole Toddlers &Tiaras thing - "A dolla makes me holla honey boo-boo." baahahahaha If you don't know what I'm talking about please YouTube what I quoted and it will come up).

I digress.

Yet more proof that my baby girl is growing up. {Sigh}.

It was time once again for JUG's winter formal. Time to head north. Time for lunch at Panera (that one's a given), a shellac manicure (which turned out fabulous), and a trip to Target to remedy the last-minute, "Uh, mom... I never got any earrings to wear with my dress." Finally it was time for hair and makeup. And of course, pictures.

Excuse my bare feet - someone opened the flood gates...all day.
My shoes were soaking wet. Not to mention, I just hate shoes

B & Snuggie

 

Getting out some last-minute jitters before Wallsboro showed up :)

B & William

Isn't she beautiful! He thought so too. 

Besties

I think it's time for an upgrade - this was the best
picture I could get of lead out. Boo :(

After lead out all the girls leave to change into their band party dresses and head back to dance the night away. No pictures of that as I guess it would be pretty lame for parents to be a part of that. :) Speaking of lame, Bethany used that word to describe the band. She made it home about an hour before her curfew. No complaints here. We were texting that morning and I wrote, "Well did you not have fun at all?" She replied, "No it was awful. The band was so bad it was embarrassing. Like seriously they were playing Michael Jackson." Ok, guess it makes me lame that I think that sounds like a pretty fun band. HA!

I used the word "lame" way too much in the previous paragraph. Lame.

Again, I digress. :)

Days like that also mean at least 6 hours in a car, the return trip being after lead out which STARTS at 8 p.m. Y'all, that is so late. It also means a few hours of killing time between when B and her date go to dinner and lead out. I knew I needed at least one of my cronies with me. And by cronies I mean sisters. Last winter formal both of my sisters accompanied me, and we had hoped to make it a tradition. However, Rachel had prior commitments. Since it was for an Emmaus walk we forgave her. Thankfully Snuggie was able to get off of work to not only keep me company but also thoroughly entertained. We're never short of laughs when we're together.

To Dawnie, thanks for going with me. You know how much it means. ;) To Chris, thank you for understanding how important things like this are to me and for taking the day to spend with our boys while I spend it with my girl. Coming home to you and my boys (especially with a UFC fight on - SCORE!)... well there's nothing like it. I never want it any other way. I love you.

And to my beautiful B, you make me proud. I love you so very much. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes.

Happy Friday!

One last hunting post for this season

Well Grant ended the hunting season one-up on Mac. Mac hunted his little heart out the last few days of the season to no avail. I think the deer get smart toward the end of the season.

Not all of them, though. Oh no. Not the one Grant shot. He was, well... let's just say he was special.

A friend of Chris', Steve, invited Chris to take Grant hunting on his property. He said he had been seeing an 8 point in the field that would be a good deer for Grant. Well Grant didn't get the chance to shoot that deer, but he did bag a 9-point.

Wouldn't you know I cut the deer's head out of this picture.
Oh well, it shows the most important part. 

And not just any 9-point I tell you. This deer was a dwarf. I kid you not. A dwarf deer. Apparently they're very rare. Ya think!?! It only weighed about 110 lbs. It was 5-6 years old. It had short stumpy legs (I'm laughing as I type this), as well as a short face. He was also missing most of his teeth - didn't realize Elmore County produced redneck deer too. HA!

Dwarf or not you couldn't tell it by the horns. Grant was one happy hunter (and Chris was a proud papa), and we can't wait for Granddaddy to work his magic on a mount.

Speaking of mounts, Grant also killed a five-point earlier in the season. Jack the Taxidermist brought the finished product over this past week.

I think we're going to need to turn the play room into a trophy room before too long.

More so than trophies on the wall, what I love about the hunting season is the time Chris and the boys spend together. However, I would be lying if I didn't admit I'm glad it's over for now. It's nice to have my guys home in the afternoons. Not to mention I got my chef back. :)

One more thing so I don't forget it.

Grant has been sick this week. When I picked him up Monday from school the moment I saw him I knew he had fever. He missed school Tuesday. He toughed it out yesterday since he woke up without fever but went to bed early last night.

Back to Tuesday. Reid woke up fine and dandy Tuesday morning but as soon as he found out Grant was staying home from school he tried everything in the book to stay home as well. However, it's tax time so there was no way I could get any work done with two of them at home. He tried it all from my stomach hurts to my head hurts to I don't feel good to I feel like I have fever, etc., etc., etc. None of those worked so in a last ditch effort to tug on the ol' heartstrings he said, "But momma, my heart hurts when I don't stay home with you."

Good try, Turbo. It almost worked.

Hard to resist that :)

The Big Weekend: Part 2

Remember the Part 1 post a couple of months back? Well here is Part 2 of that weekend. Better late than never. 

My boys also had a big day the Saturday of B's birthday weekend. A while back my Uncle Kenneth (a/k/a Uncle Stinky - and no, he doesn't stink) texted me asking if he could take Grant to Auburn's homecoming. Kenneth took me to my first Auburn football game so I thought it would be super special if he could take Grant to his first as well. I knew how much Professor would appreciate it. However, I was a bit torn because I knew Mac wouldn't understand. He bleeds orange and blue. He would be devastated to know Grant was going and he wasn't. I didn't immediately respond and instead called Rachel to seek some advice. In true RaRa fashion Martha said, "I'm taking the girls so I'll just get an extra ticket and take my Baby Love with me."

So it was done. Both Grant and Mac would have their first Auburn football experience with two of the biggest Auburn fans on the planet. Perfect!

Well almost.

What about Reid?

Initially I planned on letting him hang with us girls but not only did I not want to take away from Bethany I also wanted him to have a special day. Meems to the rescue. And let me tell you, he thought he was big stuff having Mimi all to himself to do whatever his heart desired. Leading up to that day, every time Grant and Mac would talk about going to the game Reid would follow with, "YEAH, but I get to stay with Mimi ALL by myself." :)

It was an early kickoff that day which meant they would all be leaving before the chickens even woke up. Being that I was going to be in Decatur until late Friday night, mom and dad kept the boys for me. It worked out perfect because Kenneth and Rachel and the girls were all headed to mom and dad's Friday as well. They would all be under one roof, ready for Saturday.

I knew Bueller would have the time of his life with his RaRa, GaGa and Mags.

FACE PAINT!! I told him for my first game I got tiger paws
painted on my face. He wanted them too. ;)

And of course he did. He received the whole Auburn football experience with some of his favorite people. What more could a little Auburn fan ask for?

What Grant didn't know before he got to Auburn was that cousin Anna had some connections from her time working as a Tigerette. She worked for the Athletic Department in student recruiting. (I hope I got that right, Anna). Boy did she ever hook him up! He received the AU royal treatment and then some.

In the Heisman room with Stinky

Dyer's {now former} locker

Championship ring

Pre-game press conference :)

In awe of Cam's jersey and Heisman trophy

The official Trooper Towel

National Championship Trophy

New hat and jersey

Meeting up with brother
They both got the jerseys they wanted. Of course.
Spoiled much? :)

The lady who made it all happen

You can read Anna's account of the day here. She was very sweet to keep me posted all throughout the day with lots and lots of picture and text messages. Between Anna, Rachel, my mom and Kenneth I'm surprised my phone wasn't smoking. ;)

While Grant and Mac were living it up in Auburn, Reid was having a big time himself - just he and his Mimi. A movie, a visit to the mall, a train ride, and his favorite:

Build-A-Bear!! All things Auburn was the theme for the day, naturally.

Truth be told this post has been sitting in my drafts for quite some time. I didn't know how I wanted to go about bringing this next part up. Although it had to be because it was such a big part of why the day was so special. I won't really get into specifics other than to say that my aunt and uncle have two little boys in heaven. Anna's two brothers, Joshua (who actually had a twin they lost very early in the pregnancy) and Zachary went to be with Jesus after only a few short hours on this earth. Anna (born on Christmas Eve) is their miracle baby. Kenneth made the comment more than once throughout the day with Grant that, “This is what it would have been like.” It was a very emotional day for everyone, especially Kenneth.

And while I don't understand – because they're two of the most good-hearted, God-fearing people I know and I can't think of two people who would be better suited to raise boys - why he never got the chance to have those days on this earth with his own sons, I'm beyond touched and honored that my son was the one with whom he had his “best day ever in Auburn.” I look forward to the day when Grant is older and I can share with him just what this day meant.

And of course there were some funnies along the way too. Kenneth emailed me a few days after the game so I would have a record of the day. I hope he doesn't mind that I'm sharing it so I will always have it.

April, 

I will remember 11/19/2011 for the rest of my life. Memories were created that made me laugh so hard that I think Grant thought I was crazy.  Thinking back on the memories I tend to get a little choked-up, too.  Anyway, the day started with the ride to Auburn and the questions began. Gee-whiz!!! The questions ranged from my GMC pickup to being a college student/athlete.  We get to Auburn. He did not know about going inside Jordan-Hare to visit the locker room, etc.  Anna was the perfect hostess.  He was treated like a recruit by everyone!  I was treated like yesterday's newspaper.  His eyes lit up when Anna asked him if wanted to go on the field.  So, we walked on the turf of Pat Dye Field!!  He kept saying: "This is awesome." Went back into the locker room.  All he wanted was to see Michael Dyer's locker.  Anna found it and he just stared at Dyer's uniform, pads, helmet, shoes, etc.  Again - awesome.  So after some time he decided he was hungry and wanted to go shopping.  We stop by a Starbuck's where he had "The best hot chocolate, ever!" Then the shopping began.  He's a patient shopper.  $40 must be spent....today!!!  He FINALLY found himself a fitted Auburn cap and couple of other things.  Total cost $22.00.  He asked me how much that left I told him $18.00.  He shouted "Only $18.00!"  He just shook his head.  We had breakfast at a local eatery where he had a chocolate chip cookie and a Sprite.  (I quickly realized that Sprite is the beverage of choice)  He did buy an Auburn football and few other things depleting the remaining $18.00.  Mission accomplished, the money was spent.   

The game - Our seats where in the upper deck section 61 row 23 seats 9 and 10.  Why are the sections, rows and sets numbered? A suitable explanation was given.  The word awesome described the view, the Auburn Tigers, the Auburn University Marching Band and the eagle's, Spirit, flight around Jordan-Hare prior to kickoff.  Mid way during the 1st quarter Grant was looking up and behind him.  I asked him what he was looking for and he said the concession stand.  I told him that we had to go down the steps to the concession area.  He was not thrilled.  The steps are kinda steep.  He waited and decided the hunger was too great and would venture down the steep incline.  So, we risked life and limb and travelled down to the concessions for popcorn and Sprite.  We make it back to our seats.  Mid way during the 2nd quarter Grant says:  "Oh, no.  I have to go to bathroom."  Not waiting to travel back down the steps he looks at me and asks:  "Do you have an empty water bottle?"  The gentlemen sitting in front of us doubled over laughing.  I said no so we went back down the steps.  (I think he would have used a water bottle if I had had one)  He enjoyed the halftime show by the AUMB.  Mid way during the 3rd quarter he asked:  "How much longer?"  He wanted to go throw his new football. We stay until the beginning of the 4th quarter.  As we were walking down from the upper deck he said "I have not seen a Dippin' Dot's.  Do they have one here?"  Thus the search began.  As our search is going on I notice the crowd begins to cheer so we run up on the tunnels to see what's going on.  As we're running up the tunnel we're met by a guy that looks like Santa Claus but in regular clothes!!  Long white beard, hair and chubby.  I said "Look Grant it's Santa!"  Grant came to an immediate stop and just gazed at the guy.  The man heard me, winked, and looked at Grant and said: "I guess I'll see you next month."  In a high pitched whisper Grant said "Yes, sir."  I said to Grant "Who knew that Santa was an Auburn fan!"  He said "I guess he was in his regular clothes so he could enjoy the game without being bothered." The people standing around us watching the entire scene unfold and laughed, loudly.  Oh, yes, there is one vendor at Jordan Hare Stadium that sells D-Dots.  A chocolate order was placed.  We found a couple of empty seats and watched  some of the 4th quarter.  I asked him how were the D-Dots.  He said "They're good.....taste like dirt."  He ate 'em.  Goofy kid.  As we're walking back through the campus headed to the truck he says he has to wiz, again.  He looks up says "Bushes, I can go there"  I said "Dude, NO!!  I know of a business we can go to that has a restroom."  Look, I'm a guy too and I know that we think that the world is our urinal but gee.  So, anyway we make it back to truck, get his football and throw it to each other near Toomer's Corner.  Rachel, the rest of the kids, Anna and Brent meet us there, too.  

So many more things I will tell you about that day.  I will say this is the first time that I have been to an Auburn game where the game did not matter.  Spending time with others you love is what's important.  Thanks to you and Chris for letting me spend the day with Grant.  I'll always remember that day. 

Love you more!!!
Kenneth

Kenneth, thank you. I don't think any of us will ever forget that day.

And because after that email I feel the need to clarify, my boys don't make it a regular occurrence to use a water bottle as a urinal. Obviously sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do and my empty Dasani bottles rolling around on my floorboard have come in handy a time or two. That's just one of the advantages of having boys. They do, however, use the outside on a regular basis AT HOME (that's a plus of where we live). We've since had the talk that it's only ok at home. Or the hunting land. Or out back at Mimi and Granddaddy's house. Or at Big Daddy and Grandmama Norton's house. Ok I see where this could get confusing. I'll admit... I'm a bit envious. If only it were that easy for us gals. :)

I think it's safe to say Grant and Mac's first experience with Auburn football was a hit.
And as much fun as Reid had, he will quickly let you know that it's his turn next. ;)

A little of what we've been up to

I have the greatest sisters and parents ever. Seriously.
On Thursday, thanks to Dawnie, Chris and I got to sneak away to Birmingham for a boat show. You know, because over the summer our boat + a tree...

Yeah. Still makes me so sad to see that picture. :( WAAAH!

Well, one day we'll think we are in the market for another one and the next we'll think better of it. Since we had free tickets to the boat show we thought it would be fun to just go look. Look was all we did. We had a good time. We ate dinner after then made it home in time to tuck the boys in. Many thanks, Snuggie! The boys always love when "Aint" Dawnie picks them up from school.

On Friday, Rachel texted me and said she missed her baby loves and asked what our plans were for the weekend. That's when I jokingly (or not) said, "Why? Do you want them for the weekend?" hehee And so the planning began. Because Martha is Martha, she and the girls drove to my parent's house Friday afternoon, first making a stop by our house to pick up the boys. FOR THE ENTIRE WEEKEND.

RaRa wanted it to be a surprise.

Go ahead and blow that one up so you can see Grant's face :)

M & M - nothing else matters in their world when they're together

I think it's safe to say they were surprised, especially since Maggie FaceTimed Mac as they were getting close just to "say hi on her way home from gymnastics," and kept him on FT until he saw them. Such a fun surprise!

They all kept each other thoroughly entertained (playing, games, the movies) while I was able to relax and enjoy a weekend with my man. It sure was needed, and I'm so very appreciative we were able to have some alone time. We didn't do anything really exciting. Dinner Friday night. Lazy Saturday morning. Did some running around and then went hunting Saturday afternoon. Came home to let the dogs out (we are turning into Big Daddy and Louise). Then dinner again Saturday night. We enjoyed a quiet house and each other. Dreamy.

See? Greatest. family. ever. Thanks to RaRa for making it happen and also to my mom who we can call on a Friday at lunch and say, "Oh, by the way, you're going to have a house full of grands. Today. For the whole weekend." And she says, "Sounds good to me. What time will y'all be here? Be sure to bring church clothes." I hope I'm like that when I'm a Mimi. ;)

As fun as the weekend was and as much as we recognize the need for couple time, I think it goes without saying that we missed our little guys and were very glad to have them back home Sunday.

Granddaddy finished the European mount on Mac's first deer. Dad did a beautiful job as always, and Mac was one happy little hunter to have it on his wall (although the fact that it's a spike makes the horns look sort of evil which creep me out but I've kept that to myself - he just sees his deer, which he should).

Jack the Taxidermist - who we keep telling should go into business - has a couple more he just finished (one for Grant and one for Chris). We can't wait to see them.

I hate these pictures didn't turn out so well because I love them. Chris was working the dog the other day (oh yeah, we have a lab now too... that's a whole other post in itself - he and I aren't exactly friends - lab puppies are psycho).

Reid was right there with his daddy the whole time and was mimicking everything Chris was doing. Love.

And in case you have forgotten the name of this thing (especially if you live in the south):

It is called the sun. S-U-N, sun. The past couple of days I have thought maybe it was just a figment of my imagination, like a mirage of sorts. But no! It was the real deal. Reid and I thoroughly enjoyed soaking it up while Chris and the other two boys were at baseball.

Turbo wanted Lucy to go with us and at some point it ended up with Reid carrying Lucy while I pushed his bicycle.

Poor Lucy looks like a hot mess in that picture. She has since had a bath. Chris was holding her the other night and said, "You ought to be ashamed for letting your dog look like this." I said, "I KNOW! I cannot believe I've let her get so nasty. I'll bathe her tomorrow."

And then it occurred to me... We have turned into those dog people - the ones I have always made so much fun of. Maybe I should change Lucy's name to Karma. It's fitting in more ways than one. ;)

One last thing...

It's January. And we're wearing flip flops. I could get used to winters like this (minus the bad weather of course - just got word school is closing early today due to inclement weather). I could also get used to putting my feet up. :)

Happy {almost} Friday!