Picture Perfect

Let's see, since my last post I have been very busy. No more snow days have been given, so that means I am exhausted by the end of the week.

Valentine's Day was a great day for Jerry and I. We took Hunter to his Aunt Bette's and went riding in the Ranger. We went exploring in Morgan County to places we had only heard about. We were able to find a few places that the girls will enjoy going and possibly camping this summer. We took a break and Jerry taught me how to shoot his gun. I kinda enjoyed it in a freaky kind of way. This was the first time in a very long time that he and I had been riding, alone, and me not pregnant. I have missed it more than I realized. I feel that Jerry and I got closer that day. And I am so thankful that Aunt Bette and Uncle Bill watched Hunter so that we could have that time alone.

A self portrait somewhere in the woods.

I am standing in front the water at Potter's Falls.

Jerry climbing under a rock. Such talent he has.

Sunday we went to Jerry's Dads for the afternoon. We had a great time with Uncle Scott and Aunt Becky. Papaw made us dinner and then finally held Hunter for the first time. It was a very big deal. He wouldn't hold Hunter until he was holding his head good enough.

Three Generations...........................

Monday I was off for President's Day. I decided to take Hunter and get his pictures made. He did so good and we got some really good shots. Some of the ones on here are ones that they tweaked to what we wanted. These are the original shots. I plan on tweaking them with my Kodak software and ordering some more prints.

My big boy laying down.

One of my faves.........................

Look how big he looks.................

My handsome guy............................

We had a busy week. Jerry's birthday was Tuesday so after work, we went to Hooter's. Hunter loved and those waitresses loved him. I had never been there, so I was in for a treat. I can say that I now LOVE their wings........... the mild ones............. not the 911 ones that Jerry got that you could smell and it burnt your nose hairs. When we got home, I gave Jerry his special dessert I had made............... homemade blackberry cobbler. Lana had given me the blackberries and the recipe. It is very easy and tasty. We had a really nice evening and Hunter slept most of the way through the nite, getting up only once.

Wednesday was going great until about 2:30 when they called for a Tornado drill. Little did we know that it was NOT a drill. We were under a tornado warning and everyone was sent to the hallways. The Lord was watching out for our school and community as nothing was harmed. I did hear that their was rotation all around us. Jerry was keeping in contact with me and I was busy keeping in contact with the babysitter. She had taken Hunter and the other little boy she keeps, Sawyer, up to a relatives basement. I was wanting to get to Hunter as soon as they let us go. We were released about 3:30, which was when school normally dismisses. It was a weird afternoon.

Thursday was very long. We had stupid, dumb, parent teacher conferences after school until 6:30. I did go get Hunter during my last class and one of my students watched him in my room for me. I was beyond ready to come home. When we got home, Jerry had cooked dinner for us. Thank goodness or we were gonna starve. I wasn't cooking.

Today is Friday, it is actually the nite. The girls are here for the weekend. They have been fed and bathed. We have made cookies, done dishes, and snuggled. Hunter is asleep and I am not far behind him. We have something to do for Uncle Scott tomorrow and on Sunday, we are going to Mom and Dad's to celebrate Jerry's birthday. So yet another busy weekend.

One Day Work Week

I am still lovin the Magic Minivan : ) -- so are Jerry and the girls. It is so easy to get the kids in and out of it. I still crack up at Jerry driving it while playing the "steering wheel" guitar and drums as he listens to the HairNation station.

Last Sunday we got the girls from their mom for the day/night. They hadn't seen the van and were very excited when we pulled up. Chloe jumped out of her mom's car and ran to give me a hug, grinning from ear, asking, "Did you get one with a set in the back?" My answer was yes. Then she asked, "Can we ride in it?".............. She cracks me up!! They spent the time on the drive home exploring the cupholder situation in the back among other features they had discovered. We got home, changed clothes, and were off to Aunt Bette at the park. The weather was nice and everyone had a good time. Little did we realize the weather was getting ready to completely change..........................

Monday morning brought cool temps and as I was taking Hunter to the sitter's house, it began to snow. I had dropped him off and was ON MY WAY to school when the call came.......... "No School in Morgan County". I went into school and did a few things and was then on my way back to the sitter's to get Hunter. It had really began to snow harder and was becoming very pretty.

This was taken on the last curve before the sitter's house.

The sitter took a picture of Hunter and me on her porch.

Hunter and I came home, carefully, as the roads were beginning to get slick. We snuggled in the bed and watched the news report that many area schools were dismissing early b/c of the weather.

Tuesday was a snow day. I had plans to go shopping with a friend of mine after school, so we were able to make a noon trip to Knoxville. I was also able to meet my friend, Kristy, to get this Rainforest Jump-a-saucer thingy from her. Hunter loves this contraption. He bounces and talks and drools and jumps.

This is one of my favorite faces from my boy.

This picture is my desktop background.

The snow continued again on Wednesday and gave us another snow day. I was able to take Hunter outside to get a few pictures of him "in" the snow. He didn't seem to be bothered by the cold much. Could it have been his Blue Camo blankie???

Hunter has begun the Baby Food voyage................ We try one food every 5 days. This is to make sure if he has an allergic reaction to a food, we will know which one it is. He has made it through green beans, Loved some peas, and as of last nite, we moved to carrots. Dr. James told us to try the green veggies, then orange, then yellow, then fruits, then meats.

He is such a big boy in his high chair and it is so easy to use.

Thursday we got our last snow day of the week. I took advantage of it by cleaning the house and bonding with Hunter. I also had time to make the most awesome pork tenderloin and new potatoes for dinner. Jerry loved it too and I was just impressed something that looked that weird in the package could be so good. (Imagine tube of meat in plastic) I want to give a special shout out to Aunt Bette for telling me about it. I am definitely buying it again.

And dang it, Friday we had to go back to school. It was kinda nice to get out of the house and be with someone that could talk back. I had a nice day and was sooooo exhausted when the day was done. After school, I got Hunter and we went to meet Uncle Tebie to get Isaiah and Arissa for the weekend for another riding trip to Windrock. Jerry had already gotten the girls and they were waiting on us when we got home.

They all got up early yesterday morning and headed out. I was hoping they would have a good day. The weather was gorgeous and the temps were pleasant. And the good news is, they didn't get stuck this time and were home before 6:00 last nite.

The kids on Panther Rock.......

Looks like I am going to have a 5 day work week. I should be exhausted by Tuesday!!!!

Have a great week!!!!!!!!!!!

Stow n Go

It's official. I am now the proud owner of a 2007 Town and Country minivan. I love it and I have only had it for one day. Going from the Kia to the T&C is like going from an apartment to a house!! We have so much more room now.
Jerry and I got up early yesterday morning, took Hunter to his Aunt Lana's, and were on our way to one dealership for an appointment at 9:00. We knew what our price range was and what we wanted, etc. We test drove a 2007 T&C that was gold. I liked it, but I wasn't truly feeling the love. They could get us the payments we wanted, but we felt the need to go to another dealership and explore our options. I am soooo glad we did.
We got to the second dealership and found the man that had been recommended to us by a friend of mine. Jerry had talked to him on Thursday and this appeared to work in our favor. We told him what we had found at the previous dealership and what amount we could afford..... out the door, taxes and all. He went in and talked to his manager and came out with a set of keys to this van. I immediately fell in love with the color. I already liked it better. We test drove it. I wanted it. I got very excited. Yes, excited over a minivan!!! We talked about it, came back to the dealership and began the paper trail of loans, taxes and titles. It was a very quick process and before we knew it we were cleaning out the Kia and loading it into the T&C. Jerry was nice enough to let me drive MY new car!!! Our next stop was Mom and Daddy's to show them the purchase. We got a bonus seeing Anne and Isaiah........... they had been eating lunch with Mom when we bought the van.

Here I am as Showroom Sally

Jerry, Anne, and Isaiah piled in the back for a trip around the 'hood.
Thank goodness Anne's purse wasn't stolen while we were on our 'field trip'.

Mr. Funny Pants -- Isaiah -- Relaxing in the back of the van, resting his head on a set of jumper cables and a bag of stuff from the KIA.

After being at Mom and Dad's it was time to go get Hunter from his Aunt Lana's. He had a wonderful day being spoiled by all the Fosters, singing with Uncle Bryan and the guitar, and just being cute for Megan and Clint.

We are getting the girls later this morning for the day and night. (Their mom has plans that don't include them. So we gladly take them.) They are going to be sooooo excited about the van. It will be fun to see their reaction. We are curious to see where they want to sit in the van.....together -- next to Hunter....... that is until we hear them fighting, then we get to put them in different places in the van. That will be nice.

I never thought I would need a minivan, but here i am .............. in a family of 5!!!! And loving every minute of it. I have been told quite a few times this week.................. Never say never!!!!!

Have a great week and pray for snow days!!!