Ford's 2013 Thankful List

Last year I decided to document something that Ford was thankful for each day.  I thought it was so cute and sweet that I shared it on my blog.  You can see his 2012 list here.  When November rolled around again this year we went with the same theme again. 

Ford's 2013 Thankful List

November 1- Momma, Daddy, John Brantley and Delta

November 2- The grass and my 4-wheeler
November 3- My teachers and school
November 4- Anna Katherine
November 5- Gran and BoomPa
November 6- Food
November 7- The World
November 8- My toys, clothes, and my house
November 9- The air
November 10- Grandmother and Granddaddy
November 11- Puddin and Pops
November 12- Uncle Ken, Aunt Ashley, Molly Cate, Caroline, and Jack
November 13- God
November 14- My bed and the TV
November 15- Bobba
November 16- Uncle Vance and Ford (yes, he said himself)
November 17- The trees and flowers
November 18- Lucy and Ruth
November 19- Cousin Leslie
November 20- hugs
November 21- A dry car and dry house
November 22- hunting
November 23- My astronaut suit
November 24- milk
November 25- Jesus
November 26- crayons
November 27- Santa and the Christmas tree
November 28- My Bible 

I am thankful for so much that I could document for days.  The Lord knows my heart and what I am thankful for, but I must share one thing with you.  Since my mother has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer I have been shown that there are some amazing people out there.  I am thankful for all the text messages, calls, cards, suppers, e-mail, and hugs I have received the last few weeks.  But what I am really thankful for is a lady who is a stranger to my mom, but someone I have worked with in the past.  She doesn’t know my mother, but the Lord has put it on her heart to reach out to her.  This lady has sent my mom 4 cards in the mail, a gift box with socks, a blanket, lotion, and candy etc. inside.  And just yesterday she delivered a large shopping bag to my house with 25 little gifts inside.  They are all for my mom.  She said, “I was sick once at Christmas and everyone just went on with their life.  I want your mom to have something to open every day in December until Christmas.”  I don’t know what’s inside all 25 of those little gifts, but I do know that she has touched my mom’s heart very deeply.  This stranger that doesn’t know my mother has gone above and beyond the call of duty to show how the Lord lives within her.  I called this lady today to thank her for all the kindness she has shown my mother.  She won’t take credit for a bit of it, but says it’s the Lord telling her to do it.  I encourage you to do something nice for someone else today.  You don’t have to buy someone 25 gifts, but a small random act of kindness can go a long way.  

New blogs below...

The Pink Palace and a potty seat

Yes, Thanksgiving is tomorrow, but the Anthony side of my family has already celebrated together.  We decided to have a gathering at my house on Sunday night since my mom, Gran, was having chemo round #3 on Monday.  I thought Sunday would be perfect and she would be feeling pretty great.  She definitely wasn't 100%, but she made the trip down to Mayberry anyway.

I wasn't’t on my “A Game” for sure.  I have honestly been slipping and I think Trey has even noticed and has been concerned.  We all know I stress, plan, schedule, and think things through before an event.  Not Thanksgiving at my house.  On Sunday we went to church, had nursery duty, taught the 9^th-10^th graders, then I went shopping, attended a birthday party, and didn't get home until 3:45.  My mom and dad arrived an hour later and I had naked kids and a mess to get cleaned up.  But my intentions with having “Thanksgiving” at my house were not to stress out, but to get together with my family.  Notice that we were all spread out.  This was no formal affair!              

 Ken, my brother, acts just as goofy as I do and John Brantley was eating it up!!!

 I love this picture.  Yes, my mom is sick with pancreatic cancer, but she is still as beautiful as ever.  You’d never know she was battling cancer.  I wanted a cute picture with Gran, BoomPa, and the kids.

Caroline (5), John Brantley (17 mo.), Molly Cate (7), Jack (2.5), and Ford (4).  We will leave off Gran and BoomPa’s ages!

 A long night of family fun can wear a little man OUT!!!

 This picture cracks me up for two reasons.  First, he looks like an evil chipmunk and secondly, he put himself in time out for throwing a fit.

 I found them strolling down the hall.   

 Mr. Strong-willed, Independent Lamar needed to feed himself some chocolate pudding.     

We love a field trip.  I am always up for a fun outing and today we had one.  My sister in law, Ashley, asked if we wanted to meet them in Memphis at The Pink Palace.  I thought it was a fine idea.  I knew better than to tell Ford that we were going somewhere fun with his cousins.  All he knew was we were going on a fun surprise outing to Memphis. When we pulled in he asked where we were and if his cousins were there.  When he found out he went nuts!

Please take note of the dumb and dumber hair style Ford has going on.  He decided to cut his own hair recently, and it looks a bit goofy.  This momma wasn't proud!

 Ford and Jack were amazed with the trains.

 John Brantley and Caroline

 My little dude….

Trying to get a good picture is nearly impossible.  

 I am still amazed that John Brantley didn't cry when I put him in Santa’s lap.  Before I sat him down I showed him the huge tub of candy-canes.  I think he knew a lot was at stake and he better mind his P’s and Q’s.   

 I have been working on reading with Ford.  He knows all of his letters and the sounds that they make so I decided that it was time to start blending some short 3-letter words together.  He is doing really well.  We read words like: cat, mat, bat, sat, put, big, bag, map, etc.  We have also been practicing on sight words which are commonly seen words that you can’t necessarily sound out like: the, and, is, etc.  He is doing really well and loves for me to teach him.  I don’t want to be “that mom” that teaches her kid everything and then he is bored in school, but Ford is a sponge and wants to learn.  And after all, the parents are the child’s first teacher.

Last Thursday John Brantley walked up to me and grabbed his diaper.  I asked him if he wanted to go tee-tee on the potty.  He doesn't talk, but he nodded his head, “yes”.  I went and sat him on the potty seat and he smiled and just sat there.  I said, “If you’ll tee-tee in the potty I’ll give you a Skittle.”  That little stinker went to town.  I clapped and cheered so loud.  Now a few times a day he will go beat his hand on the potty seat and I’ll put him on there and he will go.  I’m so proud of my 17-month old!

See blog below

A turkey is a funny bird

Last Friday (yes, I am behind on blogging) I was able to go to Ford’s Thanksgiving Day feast in his classroom.  Trey had the honor and privilege of keeping Bitty while I attended the function.  

Fruit and marshmallows… No, he didn't eat a bit of it.  

 Making butter for his bread… again, he didn't eat that either.

 He only ate his chicken tenders…. Like mother like son.

 A turkey cupcake

 The place-mat   

 Pin the tail on the turkey     

 Making a turkey out of stuff (not sure what to call it!!!)     

Ta-da!!!!      

 A song I heard Ford sing too many times last week!!!     

 In the tee-pee       

 His cute little class       

 What a special day with my little man.         

My Anthony Family

Yesterday my mom, Gran, had her third of four chemo treatments.  I have been able to go with her to her last two appointments, and for that I am grateful.  My mom is such a special lady and I love her dearly.  I just started thinking of all the special times we have spent together as a family, and the family vacations immediately popped into my head.  I thought it would be neat to see how our family has changed and grown since we started taking the annual trip in 2007.  Mom is going to kick this cancer in the butt and we’re going to have her jumping in the air with my dad, BoomPa in the 2014 picture!

 2007

2008

2009

 2010

2011

2012

2013

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.          1 Peter 5:7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 
Philippians 4:6-7

Calling all members of the "Bad Hair Club For Women"

This is a blog for the women out there.  The ones who weren't blessed with perfect hair that can air dry and look fabulous.  I’m talking to all of you hair product using women like myself.  I am going to start off by showing you all that I use to make my ponytail look half way decent.  And we will end with an AMAZING new product I have found that could be LIFE CHANGING to some of you who are also members of the “Bad Hair Club” for women!

Exhibit A:  The Detangler.  Yes it’s a kid’s kind.  We all share around here!!! (This can be found at Wal-Mart.)   

 Step 2 is a nice leave in conditioner.  I need all the moisture I can get with my hair.  It’s super dry. (This can be found at Wal-Mart.)  

 Step 3 is from Walgreens.  I ONLY recommend this if you have dry hair.  It’s coconut milk  I rub it on the ends of my hair. 

 Step 4:  Proclaim Glossing Polish is found at Sally’s Beauty Supply.  This is actually in the African American hair section.  I don’t discriminate.  If it works, then it works.  This helps with my frizz. 

 And the last step, step 5 is a styling cream.  I don’t really know why I use it.  It’s thick and helps to control the hair which tends to have a mind of its own.  This is one of those products I've used since high school and I feel bad parting with it!  I usually order this online because not many stores carry it. 

 Now after my hair is dried I like to make it look shiny.  Remember, I have dry hair and there isn't any oil in it for shine.  This is another Rusk product that I usually order.  It smells sooooo good!!!!!  I've used it since I was in 10^th grade.

 Since having children my hormones have acted unkindly and made my hair fall out.  With that being said, I need a heavy duty hair spray that can withhold winds from a hurricane.  I found this at Walmart and it does the trick.  The hair does not move!

 Drum roll please….. and the moment we've all been waiting for!!!!..... The new product I have found that could change your life….

Apparently Keratin is a hot new product that people are using on their hair.  Not all of us can afford to spend $300.00 getting it professionally done.  I’ll settle for my $8.00 bottle of conditioner I found at Sally’s Beauty Supply.  Let’s just say that the first time I used it I wore my hair DOWN and there was NO frizz!!!  It’s life changing people.  If you are a member of the bad hair club for women you must get this!  

You are all welcome that I shared my new secret with you!!!!