Claire's 1st Carousel Ride & My New Phone

Today we went to the mall to eat lunch and deliver bows. We ran into some friends from MOPS, ate lunch with them, and then rode the carousel. I decided to let Claire ride for the first time and she LOVED it!! I did not have my camera so I used my new phone to take a picture. I think it turned out pretty well!!

Yes, I said NEW phone!! I got the Blackberry Storm that I've been wanting 2 weeks ago today! I just love love LOVE it!! It has e-mail, internet, Facebook, a 3.2 megapixel camera with flash, etc. I'm still learning everything it does but I am really enjoying how easy it is to text on this touch-screen phone! On my old phone I would have to press the # buttons several times just to get ONE letter. I would get so mad that I'd just give up. Now it's soooo very easy!! Check out the pic of my old phone vs. my new one!! What a difference!! I am absolutely amazed at how far technology has come!

Pajama & Pizza Day

Ally was very concerned when she woke up this morning because there was still snow on the ground. She ran into my bathroom where I was getting ready and asked, "Do we have school today?" When I said yes she started jumping up and down. You see, today is pajama and pizza day at preschool in celebration of letter "P". She did NOT want to miss it!!

ready for school
Ally with her doll Emmy at school in their matching nightgowns

All the way home she told me about the "P" foods they had eaten today: peaches and pink lemonade for snack, pizza and pudding for lunch, and popcorn while they watched the Veggie Tales DVD David and the Giant Pickle.

When we got home Ally decided to have a picnic with Emmy!

Yay for letter "P"!!!

My Singing Girls

Since church was cancelled tonight we decided to watch the new Gaither Vocal Band Reunion DVD. We just love the "singing boys" as Ally calls them and this DVD did not disappoint. The girls grabbed their microphones and joined in as were entertained!

Claire
Claire continued singing even after Ally had finished

We can't wait to see the Gaither Vocal Band AND Signature Sound live in concert at the end of March!! Whoo hoo!!

Snow Day #2!!

Well wouldn't you know--it snowed AGAIN today!! It has snowed every year since Ally's been born--but only once each year. This time school was closed and church was cancelled.

Claire was just fine viewing the snow from our front walk!

She would not place one foot in the snow.
Allybug

Claire Bear

Claire was ready to go inside pretty quickly

Ally

our house (we got about 1 inch of snow)

Happy Birthday Mom!!

My parents are here visiting this weekend and to celebrate my Mom's birthday. So tonight we went out to eat at Bahama Breeze--YUM!!!

Pop Pop, Ally, & Nana

Brent, Claire, and me
Happy Birthday Mom!!Nana & Ally
Pop Pop & Nana

me & Mom

me, Nana, & Allyready to open presents

Ally helps Nana

A suitcase from Dad . . .

. . . and an Amazon.com gift card from us!!

We love you Mom and are so happy you were able to spend your birthday with us!!

A Visit From Flat Stanley

We received this letter in the mail a few days ago (along with Flat Stanley--a children's book character that you can read about in the letter). The letter was from our friend's son, Ben, in Huntsville, AL. His 2nd grade class was sending them to different cities to learn about weather, tourist attractions, and occupations.

The girls were so excited so we documented our adventures with Flat Stanley.

The girls reading to Flat Stanley

Flat Stanley taking a nap with Ally
Flat Stanley accompanied us to the church supper.
Here he is with Claire and her friend Natalie.Claire & Natalie

Claire sporting some shades

Flat Stanley sitting with Katina and me during the church service.

He made himself comfortable on the pew.

This morning Ally took him to preschool before we had to mail him back.

Brent tyed up this nice letter telling Ben's class all about Memphis and I included the pictures of our adventures!!

We'll miss you Flat Stanley!!

Claire's 1st Piggies

I was so excited when Claire's hair actually started growing! Well now it kind of looks like a mullet so I thought it was the perfect time to try her hair in piggies!! And it is just precious!! Take a look!!

Inauguration Day

In the midst of all the excitement of snow, today was also the inauguration of our new President Barack Obama. It was a very historic day as we watched the very first African American take the oath of office. I know some people don't always agree with his views, beliefs, etc. but I am encouraged in knowing that God is still in total control.

Since I know that many of you are moms like me, I wanted to share with you a letter written to Michelle Obama. It was written by Jean Stockdale who is the leader of the MOMS Bible Study at Bellevue Baptist. She is a Christian author of bible studies for moms, a women's conference and retreat speaker, and a Bible teacher. I had the honor of participating in her bible study Proverbs and Principles for Parenting Practically Perfect Progeny at our church this past summer. Jean is an awesome lady so check out her letter to Michelle Obama:

Dear Michelle

This letter carries a commitment to pray for you and your family as you prepare to take up residence in the White House. I can only imagine the dramatic changes you are facing. As the First Family, you are about to move into a "glass house." The glare of the spotlight will be intense.

Right or wrong, your family life will be put under the microscope of public opinion. While your girls did not ask for the scrutiny that will accompany their father's presidency, there is no denying that they will feel the effects of it. So what's a mom to do?

I would like to offer you some advice in the fine art of Christian mothering from the Book of Proverbs and from one mom's heart to another.

First, honor your husband. Be loving and supportive to him. Prov. 31:11 says, "The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. (NASV)"

Your husband always needs to know you are in his corner, but he will especially need your support during the demanding days of his administration. And your girls need the security of knowing that although much in their lives has changed, your love for their daddy has not.

Second, cherish your children. Demonstrate a Godly example for your children because our examples impact them most. Live an uncompromising lifestyle before them.

Prov. 31:25-27 says, "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household."

Finally, your greatest legacy in the lives of your children will be the Godly influence of your love for the Lord Jesus Christ. "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised (Prov. 31:30)."

As our next "Mother-in-Chief," I pray the Lord blesses and keeps you. In closing, may "The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace. (Num. 6:24-26)"

Jean Stockdale, Fayette County

Check it out on Jean's blog:
http://jeanstockdale.typepad.com/jean_stockdale_/2009/01/an-open-letter-to-michelle-obama-1.html

Snow Day!

We woke up this morning to some pretty heavy snow! It was really coming down so I turned on the news to see if schools were closed. I was surprised to see that they weren't really discussing it (which is really weird for Memphis--usually at even the suggestion of snow the city shuts down). They just don't know how to deal with snow here. So I proceeded to get the girls ready for Mother's Day Out. I thought this Gymbo shirt was perfect for the occasion.

Then we headed outside to take some quick pictures before school.
And then this happened and Claire had had enough. It was time to go inside.

We were a few minutes late to school. Ally's shoes, socks, and jeans were soaking wet so she had to change clothes. Then there was a wreck on the road we always take. They had the road blocked so we had to turn around and take a detour. By noon all of the snow had melted. It was nice while it lasted!