Watch me as I grow!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Conflicted...
Most of you know (well the two or three of you who read my blog :)) that I have been on what I am calling a payroll hiatus going on 5 months now. While this time has been a blessing, it has also been very frustrating and stressful. I do fear there is no end in site. Ugh... Please do not get me wrong, I do realize that this time has been wonderful because I have been able to spend time with my son - precious time that I will never get back. I have been able to be his teacher, his coach, and his mommy 24/7. I am thankful for that.
Wait...
here it comes...
but, you all know me, I am not a stay-at-home mommy. I just am not. Staying home has been one of the toughest jobs I have ever done, and will probably remain the #1 toughest job ever! I admire those mommy's who can stay at home.
I know that I am going to eventually get a job and that things (schedules, finances, etc...) will go back to "normal", and I know that once that happens I will miss being with my little guy all of the time.
I guess the many many rejections I have received lately and the terrible twos are just getting to me today... I know that I am making a difference in the world by being able to be with my child right now, and I know that I probably will not be making a difference (not a huge difference) by sitting in a cubicle... but sometimes I just feel useless... Sigh...
Monday, November 2, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
BOO!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Panther or Tiger?
Hayden is all boy. He loves cars, trucks, tractors, and anything sport related, especially if it involves a ball. Golf and football are currently his passions, which leaves us all wondering which will he choose? Perhaps neither... perhaps both... perhaps one over the other... Regardless, I am just excited that my child is displaying his passion and love for sports.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Cupcakes and Birthdays... A Perfect Combination
Hayden celebrated two birthday parties this year, hence two YUMMY cupcakes!!!! Oh, and a BIG mess, that I did not mind cleaning up. Hard to believe we are 2!!!
Friday, July 10, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAYDEN
Happy Birthday to my Little Munchkin!!!! My, my how you have grown in a year!!!!!
1 year old...
2 year old...
2 year old...
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Really? Happy 4th Anyway...
I was feeling all patriotic... we went to Birkdale Village for the Annual 4th of July parade, had a great time, and received this flag. Hayden loved waving it. As I was taking him out of the car (when we arrived home), I noticed 3 familiar words... "Made in China"... Really??? Even the American flag is Made In China... Really???
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Friends
I love this picture. It shows the importance of friendship even at the age of 2! The other two munchkins in this photo are our neighbors Alex and CJ. I think we have started a photo tradition...
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Strawberry Pickn'
I just realized that I never posted the pictures from our Strawberry Pickn' day... Hannah, who was in town for the weekend, wanted to take Hayden the Strawberry fields for the first time. Needless to say, we had a blast and Hayden ended up with more strawberries on his shirt than in the bucket. :-)
Friday, May 15, 2009
A' der...
Hayden's word for water is a'der... He has been feeling a little under the weather and has a great daddy who took care of him while I was out of town this past week. I got the chance to play stay-at-home mom yesterday. Hayden was feeling much better so I took him to Birkdale - this time we had success...
Monday, May 4, 2009
Water Water Everywhere...
Yesterday, we went to Birkdale Village to play in the fountain. This was Hayden's first trip to the fountain and he was not quite sure about it. I think he was confused by the water coming out of the ground. He spent the majority of the time playing with a beach ball around the perimeter of the fountain occasionally stepping his foot into the water. It is a slow process... at least for the first trip.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sans Air Conditioner and not by choice
Every Spring/Summer, I try to fight the urge to turn on the AC unit. It is so nice to have the windows open and let in the fresh air. Well, this past weekend it was hot to say the least - well, hot for April... Anyway, on Saturday, we discovered (as the song goes) "that darned air conditioner, it was completely dead. So I called Morris Jenkins and they very kindly said..." This is the part where they are supposed to say "you'll have cool air at your house tonight". Well, I did not get that line... I got the "we are very, very busy right now, and will not be able to get anyone out there until Tuesday..."
Ugh!!!
Well, it has not really been that bad and could be a lot worse... that is what I keep telling myself anyway.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Man's (and Woman's) Best Friend
Okay, so Evan and I watched the movie Marley and Me last night. The book was wonderful and I was so excited when I heard that the book would be made into a movie. We did not go to the theatre to see it, mainly because I knew that I would be sobbing throughout the entire thing... sob, I did, but I loved every moment of it.
Anyway, it is amazing to me how an animal can touch your life and become such a part of your family. Blitz has definitely carved a place in both of our hearts forever!!! He was our first "child". More important, he was one of the first things we embraced when we moved to Texas.
Evan and I did not watch the movie alone. Our 4-legged child, Blitz, watched with us, which is probably another reason we were both sobbing our eyes out... yes, Evan was sobbing too. :)
Anyway, it is amazing to me how an animal can touch your life and become such a part of your family. Blitz has definitely carved a place in both of our hearts forever!!! He was our first "child". More important, he was one of the first things we embraced when we moved to Texas. Blitz was meant to be ours. He was the only black lab in a litter of chocolate labs. He had been adopted and returned because the first owners dogs did not adjust well to the new puppy. I cannot remember what they named him, but when Evan brought him home that night, and we named him Blitz, it was almost like he knew that was supposed to be his name all along... Why, Blitz, you ask? Well, it is my favorite word :).
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!!!!
"I wrote to the zoo to send me a pet and they sent me an..." On Saturday, we ventured down to Columbia to visit Aunt Jess and Uncle Micah. The day was absolutely gorgeous and a perfect day to visit the zoo!!!
YUM!!!
Hayden likes corn. One evening we planned on having corn on the cob... Being a good mom, I thought I would cut Hayden's corn off his cob so he could eat it better... little did I know that was not the right decision. Apparently this kid likes his corn on the cob.
Charleston, SC
Evan and I were able to have a weekend away a couple of weeks ago. We spent the weekend of March 27th, in Charleston, SC. We were there for a wedding; however, neither of us was in the wedding (new concept)... therefore, we were able to just hang around, relax and enjoy ourselves. We spent the majority of the time missing Hayden terribly though. :-)
We arrived Friday afternoon and stayed at The Vendue Inn. The weather was overcast, but warm. After eating at a little restaurant known as Fast and French (highly recommend), we spent the afternoon hanging out in a great pub called The Griffin. We then cleaned ourselves up and headed to dinner at Hank's. Our evening ended with drinks on the roof top bar with old friends.
Saturday morning, we awoke to cloudy skies once again. However, it was warm, so we were able to enjoy the outdoors. We took a walk down to the battery and just relaxed until the wedding that evening.
The wedding was held at the Circular Church in Charleston. It is one of the oldest buildings/churches in America. Dinner and dancing followed at The Old Exchange - very nice!!!
The couple decked out! Yes, Evan is wearing a searsucker suit!! I love it!!!
A view from the rooftop bar at The Vendue Inn
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thank goodness for my iPhone
Well the camera is still kaput. We have yet to purchase a new one... I just do not know what I want, and do not want to spend the money - WHOA, yes, I said that... Anyway, thank goodness for my iPhone. We have still been able to catch some of those priceless moments.
Hayden's (and Daddy's) latest obsession is watching clips of Elmo, Cookie Monster, Animal and other various muppets on the internet. This is how Evan and Hayden spent their Sunday morning - oh they are intent!!! 
Last Friday night, after I picked Hayden up from school, he wanted to play in the garage a little. Since we could not go outside due to the rain, I let him run around a little. At one point, he wanted to get into the car. I thought it was because he wanted to get his sippy cup, so I let him climb in. With a little assistance from Mommy, he climbed in and sat in the driver's seat. Oh, he was SO proud of himself!!!!
The other week Hayden went with me to the grocery store. He loves going to the grocery store and is very good when we go, but always wants to look around... wouldn't you? Anyway, I noticed the race car grocery cart and thought we would try it - SUCCESS!!! Even though I was driving around the Suburban of grocery carts, he loved it and that was all that mattered.
So, we are trying to use our spoon... but we are just not that successful quite yet... Hmm... I am not sure it is really a matter of success... Perhaps it is just more fun to eat yummy squishy yogurt with your hands?
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Ally 14 Kiddos
As I mentioned in an earlier post, Hayden was able to experience his first real snow day. Many thanks to one of our neighbors for sending these photos to me - the camera is still broken.
I love the last picture though... these are the Ally 14 kiddos!!! (Ally 14 is the ally behind our home). CJ and Addie (twins) are 2, Alex is 20 months and Hayden is 20 months. There are few others not pictured... We are really excited to have kids all around the same age!!!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Musically Inclined? We hope so!
Hayden seems to love musical instruments. He loves to bang on the drums, strum the guitar and play the piano. When he arrives at my parents house, he usually makes a b-line for the living room where the piano and guitar live. I just love how excited he gets when he enters that room!! I am truly hoping that his love for music continues to grow. I am sure it will... I mean after all, his favorite band is The Beatles!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Happy Birthday NANA!!!!
This is one of my favorite pictures of my mom with Hayden. She, like myself, is generally taking the pictures; therefore, well, you moms know the drill... Anyway, today is her birthday and below is a little story about a special conversation Hayden and I had in the car today on his way home from school.
In the car...
"Hayden, today is a special day."
Silence coming from the back seat... I know he is listening intently...
"Today is Nana's birthday!"
"Nana? Nana!"
"Yes, Nana. Can you say, 'Happy Birthday Nana?"
"Nana!"
"Yes, Hayden that is right, Nana. Happy Birthday Nana!"
So, Happy Birthday Nana!!!! We love you!!!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Snow Day... well sort of...
Hayden and Blitz got to experience their first real snow. By real, I mean there was more than a dusting on the ground. (Sorry there are no pictures... our camera is still broken and I am awaiting pictures from our neighbor).
The snow started last night just before Hayden went to bed and when he woke up this morning the ground was covered in white. Evan and I brought Hayden to the screen door and told him to take a look. He looked like a kid on Christmas morning... he looked up at us pointed and asked,
"That?"
"That is snow! Isn't it pretty?"
"Snow?" (Came out more like "Sna")
Instant Smile
Everyone got dressed (Evan had to still go to work) and we went outside to play with the neighbors. Hayden helped build a snowman and stood and admired his work. 20 minutes later (yes, 20 minutes) he had checked the following off his list...
- First real snow - Check
- First snowball - Check
- First Snowman - Check
- First of many face plants in the snow - Check
- Ready to go inside because I am so over this white stuff and am ready for warm weather - Check
I guess Hayden would take the warm sandy beach over the snowy mountain any day... wonder who he gets that from?
Monday, February 23, 2009
List of Things to Do...
So, our camera is broken... :-( Sad... We need to get a new one... Apparently, it would cost more to just open up the camera to see what exactly is wrong with it, then it would to just buy a new one. Crazy, huh? I am losing valuable photo opportunities not having a camera at hand... Well, add it to the list of things to do...
Thursday, February 19, 2009
All Right, I Did It...
Yes, it is true - I ACTUALLY worked out today!!! Whoo Hoo!!!! This is a big feat for me lately... getting the energy to go and workout. Anyway, Evan helped motivate me by making himself go to the gym last night and he also took Hayden to daycare this morning, which helps greatly, because I am able to start working earlier in the morning. I feel better - my body is sore, but I feel good. I attended the Body Pump Class - anyone who knows me knows that I generally have to workout in a group setting to push myself (hence the motivation problem, sometimes). Anyway, as I was working out, I felt like I was at home... I do not know if it was the smell of chlorine from down the hallway (I LOVE the smell of chlorine from the pool), or if it was the fact that because my undergraduate degree is Exercise and Sports Science; therefore, working out and knowing why you should do it comes naturally to me... I am not sure.
I do know that I used to be very fit! I was always very active as a kid - something I hope that Hayden follows through with. I also swam year round starting in High School. Because swimming was not a recognized sport at my high school, we had to hire our own coach. A group of us (from all 4 different high schools in the county) formed a team. During the "regular" or qualifying season, we swam as Bruce High... (Bruce Stein was our coach). When we made it to the Regional and State Meets, you were required to swim for an actual school; therefore, the school system HAD to support and recognize us. It brings back a lot of memories thinking about swimming and how much I LOVED it... I was a State Champion for 2 years in a row - I swam on the Women's 200 Freestyle Relay teams in 1994 and 1995. The first win was by a fingernail literally... 6 100's of a second... I can still remember the event... I swam the 3rd leg - Andrea (who would anchor) told me all I needed to do was to get her a lead... The girl swimming anchor in the lane beside ours was the 50M State Champ... she was fast... Anyway, I got Andrea that lead and she did hold onto it. I was so proud - what an incredible feeling it was.
I do not get in the pool very much anymore... I guess when you have to put in ear plugs so you do not get Swimmer's ear (my ears are very prone to the infection and I hate wearing them), I guess I use it as my excuse. I do love being around it though... hence my LOVE for the smell of chlorine. I love coaching and I love just being in the ambiance... Hmm... then why do I not like actually swimming anymore? I am going to have to think on that one a little bit more.
Monday, February 9, 2009
What a GORGEOUS day!!!
Yes, it is February and yes, it snowed here on Wednesday, and yes, this is what we did on Sunday... We wore shorts and enjoyed the 74 degree weather at the US Whitewater Center. Evan received an annual parking pass for Christmas and I have no doubt that we will use it to its full extent and then some... It is a great place... not to far from us (about 15 miles) and we can go as a family - Blitz included!!!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Hazel Hook King
Hazel Hook King
Born - August 25th, 1916
Died - January 31st, 2009
Dear Mamaw,
This morning before I heard the news, I knew that you had passed quietly and happily. I am sorry that I was not able to see you one last time. Tears have been shed and will continue as we will miss you terribly. However, smiles and stories have also been shared today. I know that is how you would prefer it to be. My mind keeps thinking of your house. The smells of cookies baking, and box bushes out front... will stay in my memories forever. I do wish that I could go back in time just once... to remember again.
I am sad that Hayden will not know you very well, but I am thankful that you had a chance to get to know him. I hope that you are in heaven telling Dadaw, Aunt Dink, Aunt Doris, and everyone about him. He has his Dadaw faces and his Dadaw moves... please tell him.
So, until we meet again... please know that - I love you - always!
:-)
Love,
Virginia
Friday, January 23, 2009
My Mamaw
My Mamaw has been on my mind a lot lately. She has not been doing well (health-wise) for a while now, but is hanging in there. She is 92 years old and is one of the most inspirational women in my life. I am not the writer of the family (my brother has that talent) so I thought I would just share a list of things that I remember when I think about my Mamaw.1. The yellow stool in her kitchen
2. The smell of box bushes outside the house.
3. The metal box
4. Canada Mints
5. Giant Grocery Store
6. Mamaw's Sugar Cookies
7. The Story of Little Black Sambo
8. "It freezes nicely"
9. Pinning my contact information into my clothes when I would go into Washington DC with my parents - just in case I got lost.
10. Flabby arms - (I know that does not sound very nice, but it was an inside joke)
11. Thimbles
12. Playing Boggle
13. Sun Tea
14. Being a great hostess
15. Christmas
16. Her China
17. Sugar Pot
18. "Oh, Billy" - she used to say that when she was mad at my Dadaw
19. Riding the bus
20. House Dresses
21. Going out to special dinners
22. Spaghetti dinners on Saturday nights
23. Cereal one morning, Eggs the next...
24. Diagel
25. Thinking about how a lot of things seem to revolve around food...
26. The copper breadbox
27. Sitting on the screened in porch - wish I could enjoy that now.
28. The temple
29. Her Strength to take care of my Dadaw
30. Tissy
31. Using my manners and being on my best behavior when visiting
32. Going to the Park
These are just a few things that I remember... again, I am not the writer in the family and I know that my brother has more eloquent stories... perhaps I will share one of his with you one day.
I love you Mamaw!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Elmo says get on up!
Elmo Live has been one of the big hits from Christmas this year!!! Hayden checks in with Elmo every morning and every evening when he comes home from school. And of course, he is always up for some silly dancing!!!!
Lack there of... I will do better!!!
I apologize - I have not been motivated to write in my blog for the past couple of weeks. Between the holiday, travel for work, and being sick (yep, it is going around this house), I just have not been motivated! So much for New Year's Resolutions. I am starting to think that I do not believe in New Year's Resolutions... I never keep them anyway. I do better with giving something up for Lent... perhaps that will go well this year.
On another note... Hayden had his 18 month doctor's appointment yesterday. He is doing well!!!
28 pounds
32 inches tall
90% head circumference - lots of brains in that head of his!!!!
Oh, we are still awaiting some Christmas pictures - I will get those up pronto.
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