Jackson and Fat Cake Guy

We packed up and headed out on Monday.  Where to?  Jackson.  I had been planning to go down for a few weeks, but stuff kept coming up and we just couldn’t make the trip.  Ford LOVES to go to Jackson.  There is always something to do and he is fully entertained.

Puddin has steps in her Jackson house and John Brantley found them highly entertaining. 

On Tuesday we went to the Children’s Museum.  Its $8.00 per person over 1 year of age to get inside therefore I was about to shell out $16.00 for the visit and then I decided I’d buy a yearly pass for $55.00.  No, I don’t live in Jackson, but if I go 3 more times before next February (which I will) I have more than paid for my trip.  Oh yeah… I forgot to tell you that Trey!!!....It was for a good cause so don’t be mad.  The good cause is a guaranteed good night’s sleep for Ford.

 We met some friends at the museum.  Ryder is the same age as Ford and his little brother, Rhodes, is the same age as John Brantley.

 Building up that immune system

 After we got back from the museum I put John Brantley down for a nap and I told Ford that I needed a nap.  I didn't sleep the night before because my restless leg syndrome was bothering me.  When I woke up from my nap I found Ford in the chair like this.  Do all guys do this????

Yesterday while John Brantley was napping Ford asked if he could play on Puddin’s back patio.  I agreed since her yard is fenced in.  A few minutes later I heard a noise and….

The little rascal had turned the water on!!!

 And you can’t turn the water on without getting wet!

 I’m biased, but I think he is so stinking cute!

 After he finished watering Puddin’s backyard he needed a bath.  By this time Bitty was awake so I brought him into the bathroom with us.  He pulled up on the bath tub and started squealing and yelling.  That meant that he wanted in on the action as well.  So I decided I’d bathe them both at 3:30 in the afternoon!

 We made a trip down town to the capitol to visit our favorite representative.  I will tell you one thing, they don’t want visitors at that capitol.  I had to steal someone’s parking spot and was caught doing so by one of the security guards.  Fortunately he felt sorry for me since I was wagging two kids and told me to hurry up and he’d let me stay there.

We did a lot of shopping while in Jackson.  I also made a stop by a bakery on Lakeland that I just so happened upon last year.  My supper tonight was a treat I found that was approximately 4,000 calories from this place.  The bottom layer was chocolate chip cookies, then Oreos, followed by brownies, and topped with thick chocolate icing.  If someone will please make me a cake like that I’d greatly appreciate it.

On the way home today I offered to pay Ford $5.00 if he’d be quiet and take a nap.  It didn’t work.  He talked the ENTIRE way home.  He exhausts me.  If only I had that much energy!

Another blog post is below...

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Last week I received an e-mail from someone who reads my blog.  I don’t know Heather, but she wanted to share her story with you all.  I am copying part of her story below and including a link to her blog.

In 2005, at the age of 36, and only three months after giving birth to a beautiful daughter Lily Rose, Heather Von St. James was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. Upon learning of this life-altering diagnosis, Heather, together with her husband Cameron, embarked upon a search to find the best mesothelioma treatment care available. Their search eventually led them to Dr. David Sugarbaker, a renowned mesothelioma surgeon at the Boston based Brigham and Women's hospital. Dr. Sugarbaker recommended a relatively new surgical procedure called extrapleural pneumonectomy, a groundbreaking treatment option offered through the International Mesothelioma Program. Although there were some risks associated with the procedure, it also carried promise for the best possible outcome. Heather, with full support from her husband and family, agreed to have the surgery.
Today, Heather Von St. James is a seven year mesothelioma cancer survivor and continues to provide unending inspiration to mesothelioma victims around the globe. She carries out her mission to be a beacon of hope for those afflicted with mesothelioma by sharing her story of faith, love and courage both as a keynote speaker at conferences and through social media forums.

No Bread

Yes, I’m alive.  It’s been 8 days since my last post which is definitely not the norm for me.  I was going to blog last weekend, but I ran out of time, and then I went out of town.  Therefore, I will have two blogs today!

Right after I posted my blog last Wednesday morning my mom called to tell me my 86 year old grandmother had fallen in the driveway and ended up breaking her nose, scratching her face all up, and staying in the hospital overnight.  My poor mom has been through it with her parents since October when my grandfather fell.  It’s really made me appreciate my health and I dread the day when I am old and can’t do the things I can now.  I told Trey that I needed him to make a lot of money because when my health starts to fail he will need someone to take care of me.  I added in that even if I went back to work right now, being a teacher doesn't pay anything so we couldn't depend on me to make the big bucks!!!

An ordinary day!!!  I love an ordinary day when we lie around in our pajamas and play.  I’m a hermit… I admit it!

 The boys had soooo much fun squealing at one another through the door.

 On Sunday about 10 minutes before we left for church Trey asked me if I wanted to drive over to Oxford after Sunday school to see my granddaddy.  I’m Type A.  I’m a planner.  I worry about doing anything out of a normal routine.  But I looked at him and said, “Yes.”  And I also stated that I wasn't going to freak out about it.  I simply grabbed the bigger diaper bag and chunked a few extra things in it and off we went.

Meet Striker!  He is the dog that has lived at the Veteran’s Hospital in Oxford for 14 years.  

 Ford insisted on pushing granddaddy.

You can see the paparazzi through the TV taking pictures!!!   

 Ford was over the photo shoot!    

 Tomorrow starts March and that means I need a new goal for the month.   If you’ll remember I don’t do New Year’s resolutions, but I decided to do monthly resolutions.  In January I gave up fast food and I am pleased to say I have only eaten it twice in the year 2013.  In February I gave up all carbonated drinks.  I have basically lived on water and unsweetened tea.  Let’s just say that tomorrow morning I am going to down a diet coke like it’s nobody’s business.  With deep thought and consideration I am giving up bread (somewhat) in March.  Now I eat sandwiches and grilled cheeses a lot so I can’t totally throw bread out the door, but as far as dinner rolls go I’m done.  I love bread.  I love carbs.  What can I say….????....It shows!!!  So I will not consume any type of roll during the month of March.  Pray now… It’ll be rough!

Daily adventures

I will go ahead and warn my mother, Gran, in advance that I have a lot of pictures and a lot of topics to discuss.  Therefore, this will be a rather lengthy blog.  Feel free to only look at the pictures if you’d like.

Last week was Valentines.  Ford loves cinnamon rolls so that’s what we had for breakfast.  Last year on Valentines I decided I’d get crafty and make his icing red.  He didn't like that idea ONE BIT… see the second picture from 2012.

For Valentines I gave Ford 3 little motorcycles he had mentioned earlier to me that he liked at Wal-Mart.  I woke him up that morning and he said, “Awwww, that sure was sweet of you!”    

 After John Brantley took his nap we headed to Oxford to visit my granddaddy in the V.A.  He proposed to my grandmother on Valentine’s Day 61 years ago and this was the first year they didn't get to spend it together.  I decided we would go share some love with him.  I think all we did was make him a nervous wreck.  My boys acted wild and decided to get into everything.

 Fun in the tub

 I’m so ready for the weather to get warmer so we can spend some time outside.

 Last Sunday, before church, Ford was walking around the house dressed like this.  I found it to be rather comical.

 After lunch on Sunday we headed out to play at the new farm.

 John Brantley and I left after a short while due to chilly temperatures.  When Trey and Ford arrived back home he had picked me some flowers.  He was so proud of himself!!!  I love them.

I often times get “grand” ideas in my head and decide I want to “try” to be one of those cute and talented people who can make things.  I grabbed a white t-shirt from Ford’s closet and my bag of scraps and went to work.  

 I made an “F” out of construction paper, pinned it onto the brown fabric, and then cute it out.  I ironed the wrinkles out of the fabric.

 I sewed the “F” onto the stripes.

 Then I cut around the stripes and sewed it all on the shirt.  It took me about an hour.  Then I got the “fabulous” idea to make John Brantley a shirt too.  Let’s just say I had to use the seam ripper twice, my machine ran out of thread, I thought a lot of dirty words, and I am still not finished!

 It has happened.  It has started.  He has noticed.  I knew this day would come.  Ford has started talking about skin color.  He hasn't commented too much, but he said, “Hey momma… Me, you, Buddy, and Daddy all have the same skin.  It’s the same color, you know.”  Eventually he will begin asking why everyone doesn't have the same color skin.  He’s a very deep thinker and you can't get away with simple explanations with Ford.  He wants detailed answers and he will continue to question what you say. 

 Yesterday I decided to dress the boys alike.  They don’t have many matching outfits, but I love when they can wear similar things!

It was field trip day yesterday too.  I just couldn't bear the thought of staying inside all day.  I tend to create jobs for myself and it’s never-ending and exhausting.  After John Brantley’s morning nap we loaded up and headed to Chuck E Cheese.  Gran and BoomPa live nearby and they met us on our adventure.  

Ford honestly has no clue if you put a token in a machine or not.  He was just cruising on his motorcycle like this and was extremely content.    

 Even John Brantley decided he’d like in on the action.  I can see my $5.00 trips to Chuck E Cheese might be getting more expensive in the future.   

 Bustin a move….   

 Putting his tickets in the Ticket Monster Machine  

 

 Chuck E Cheese can wear a man out!!!  

 THE END!