Another Trip to the Zoo

Another fun trip to the zoo. Definately one of Landon's favorite places. Good thing we have an annual pass!!

Prayer Request

My good friend Lauren and her sweet family have recently received some devastating news and I am asking for everyone to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Below is a post that Lauren shared with everyone on Facebook:



our news/prayer request
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Sun at 9:11am
i am sorry to have to share such sad news, but it’s important for everyone to know. as most people have already heard, greg and i are expecting a baby boy in november. unfortunately, about a week and a half ago, we found out that he has an extremely rare, fatal chromosome disorder (trisomy 13.) he has several issues going on, but namely he has at least 6 structural abnormalities (“holes”, etc.) in his heart. if he survives the pregnancy, he will probably not survive long after birth. we are devastated, but trusting in God’s plan for us. we absolutely believe that God doesn’t make mistakes. so of course we are continuing the pregnancy in hopes that we will be able to hold our baby boy while he’s still alive and experience an amazing blessing. please pray for us, we have a rough road ahead. our plan is to create a blog for updates on our situation and for future prayer requests, so i'll post a link soon.thanks so much,lauren

July 4th Adventure

Here are a few photos from our 4th of July weekend. We finally got to take out the boat that Barbara bought Landon for Easter. He loved it!!!

Spontaneous Disney Visit

I had to travel to Orlando for work last week and so me and a couple of friends decided to make a spontaneous trip to Disney World one afternoon after our conference. Now, Disney in June is hot and very, very crowded! I will always make Landon's Disney World trip in the fall if I can for these very reasons. But it was a great trip nonetheless. One of my friends, Madi, was a Disney character in college, so she was able to get us in free. So, we went to the Magic Kingdom first and rode Splash Mountain and the Haunted Mansion. We were about to get on Thunder Mountain when they abruptly closed it down - go figure! Then we headed to Hollywood Studios and got to ride Tower of Terror and the Rockin Roller Coaster. On a side note, we were standing in line to ride the Rockin Roller Coaster when we got word that Michael Jackson had died. What a shocker! I must admit that I was very sad to hear of his passing. I know he had his problems, but he was extremely talented and he is an icon of my generation. I mean, if someone my age says they didn't memorize the "Thriller" dance, know every word to "Beat It", and try the moon walk every chance they got, they are lying! So, after that we headed to Epcot where the first thing we did was grab an adult beverage. Then we rode Mission Space (my first time) and Nascar Test Track. The we visited Italy for some dinner and had the greatest waiter. All in all a great trip. Thanks to Madi and Scott for a great time! I will be counting down the days to the trip in October with Landon, Miche & myself!

A Special Kind of Love

I took this from my best friend, Miche's blog and wanted to share it. This is just one of the so many reasons I love her so much! Thank you, Miche, for making me cry and laugh and feel so loved! Everyone should be so lucky to have a friend like Miche!

Thursday, June 25, 2009
Happy Birthday Nicole! I love you more than my purse!
Nic and I have been the best of friends for almost 25 years. You know how at some point in life you’ve had that friend that you daydreamed with and thought how great it would be if y’all lived down the street from each other and got to see each other everyday and your kids could grow up together and be best friends? Nic is that friend for me.

Happy Birthday Girl! I’m so glad you’re not 45 because that means I would be well…um 29. And I’m so glad that you’re my best friend, or I might owe thousands of dollars in therapy. And because I love you, I promise to never post any pictures of you from the years 1980 - 1995. That is my solemn vow.


Why I Love Nicole…

1. We laugh hysterically every time we’re together.

2. She makes everything more fun.

3. She randomly hates things. For example, “I hate cats.” “I hate make-up”

4. She will hate things on your behalf. For example, “I hate [insert store name here] for being rude to you.”

5. We have an unspoken hierarchy of the type of therapy needed for certain problems: cookie dough by the spoonful, pizza, or a margarita.

6. She’s not easily offended.

7. I can tell her anything without feeling judged or like I’m crazy.

8. She makes everything more fun.

9. She rarely ever complains about anything.

10. She is very tender and will cry with you when you cry.

11. She gives sound advice.

12. She always knows what to say, or what not to say. Even if it means telling me I am wrong.

13. She will listen and listen and listen and listen……

14. We share a passion for sports, especially football.

15. We can talk football better than two guys ever could.

16. She loves Coke and Ranch dressing as much as I do.

17. I believe we will all have a body like hers when we get to heaven.

18. We include each other in our big moments.

19. When I start trash talking at sporting events, she always joins in!

20. Because big news isn’t big until I have shared it with her.

Right back at ya, girl! All my love!

Big, Big Boy Bed

Landon got a new "big boy" bed this weekend. He has been in a toddler bed for a little over two years now but he is so tall he was out growing it and needed more length. A friend of mine gave me this sleigh day bed more than a decade ago. I would have never guessed that one day it would belong to my precious little man. As you can see from the photos, he absolutely loves it and has already tested out it's jumpability... several times!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yes, another year has come and gone and I will be yet another year older, 33 to be exact, on June 23. But Ken, Cathy, Jenna, Greg, Lauren and Kate made this one a very special one. My wonderful friends threw me a party this past weekend at an absolutely gorgeous Destin condo. It was such a great party complete with the best birthday cake I have ever had! Not only was it homemade, but it had a little bit of eveything I love on it(complete with stolen Jeff Gorden replica car.)And Lauren made me a personalized purse that I absolutely love! Check out some of her stuff on her blog. Great food and great fun with great friends. Thank you so much for making me feel so special and loved! I love you all!

Billy Bowlegs 2009

Landon and I spent Bowlegs this year at some close friends' grandparents house right on the water by Brooks Bridge. It was great! On Friday evening we got to see the fireworks and Landon got to play with his buddies and he also got to play with his first Sparkler. On Saturday, we spent a gorgeous day eating awesome food and playing on the dock and in the water. It was my first "family" Bowlegs experience. Boy has Billy Bowlegs changed for me over the years. As a kid, Bowlegs meant a parade with lots of candy. In college, Bowlegs meant a weekend trip home for a drunk fest on the water and the recovery for days after. Now, Bowlegs is a time to spend with close friends and and their little ones while enjoying watching my son play and take it all in. He loved the pirate ship and he loved playing the pirate part. Bowlegs has always been fun for me but this year was by far the best Bowlegs I have ever experienced! Can't wait til next year! Argh!!!

Landon's Maiden Voyage

Landon got to go on his very first boat ride this weekend! We were lucky enough to be invited to join some friends for an evening boat ride across the bay to the local Elks Lodge for some dinner and outdoor fun. Landon absolutely LOVED the boat ride. I was so nervous that he would be afraid but he wasn't even the slightest bit scared. The weather was perfect and it was a great evening! This is what I love about living in Florida! Enjoy the pics!

Happy Birthday Miche!

My best friend Miche turned 29 again this past weekend and I was able to make the trip to Birmingham to celebrate with her. What a weekend! When I got there, Miche had a little surprise for me... she was getting a new dog and he would be arriving momentarily. It seems her friend had found a homeless Huskie and was bringing it by for Miche to see. He is so beautiful, even though he as a bit on the skinny side. So, looks like Miche has a new puppy! Then we went and picked up the boys from the airport, Rusty & Jeb. Then we headed off for some grub at Jim N' Nicks which was delicious. On our way home, we just happened to pass a park where the Charlie Daniels' Band was playing. And it just so happens that Miche's bank was one of the main sponsors. So, after a brief run-in with the rent-a-cop (who took his job WAY too seriously) we got VIP, front row seats and free drinks. It was so awesome!

Saturday began with a pedicure which I desperately needed. Of course, leave it to me to mess it up as soon as I step out of the salon and so I had to go right back in and get it fixed. Then we headed to get facials. Miche was sweet enough to get several of us ladies facials and it was so relaxing. Nothing like some wine, food and great conversation while being pampered. I even got my makeup done for Miche's party. Then it was off to the main event, Miche's birthday party, so we got all "dolled" up and headed to one of Miche's friends condo that overlooks Birmingham. What a great place! It was such a great party, complete with a bartender and a little Bon Jovi, compliments of Miche and myself.

What a great weekend and I'm so glad I got to celebrate Miche's birthday! I hope it was a great birthday, Miche. Special thanks to Miche, Rusty and Jeb for making the weekend a memorable one that I wish would have never ended. Love you guys!

Poster Boy

Landon is a star... he is the face of the Florida Department of Transportation's Buckle Up Campaign. And what a gorgeous face it is!! This poster and others are proudly displayed in area schools and I am just so proud!!!

Summertime!!

Waiting all winter for the time to be right....

Here are some photos from our recent summer fun!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of you Mommies out there! Mommy is the hardest job in the world, but also the most enjoyable and rewarding! I must share with you a couple of the gifts I have received already. Miche and Rusty sent me some pastries from a place called Pastry Art Bake Shoppe in Alabama and oh so yummy!!!! So sweet of them! And my sweet little boy and my mother got me a beautiful heart necklace. Naturally, being a Mommy is all the gift I ever need but it sure warms your heart when the people you care about are so unbelievably sweet and go out of their way to make you feel so great and special! Love you all!

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put him down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom


HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Backyard Visitor

This one has nothing to do with post but it is just too darn cute!!

We had another turtle visitor yesterday. Apparently the word has not gotten out that venturing into our backyard can be hazardous for turtles. Lily & Lucy think they are chew toys!!

In Honor of Two Fallen Heroes

In Loving Memory or Two Fallen Heroes:

Deputy Sheriff Warren "Skip" York

EOW 04-25-09Deputy Sheriff Burt Lopez
EOW 04-25-09

FINAL INSPECTION

The Policeman stood and faced his God,Which must always come to pass.He hoped his shoes were shining as brightly as his brass."Step forward now, officer. How shall I deal with You?Have you always turned the other cheek? To my Church have you been true?"The officer squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't.Cause those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep,Though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got too steep.And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear.And sometimes, God forgive me, I wept unmanly tears.I know I don't deserve a place among the people here.They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand.I've never expected or had too much. But if you don't, I'll understand."There was silence all around the throne where the saints had often trod.As the officer waited quietly for the answer of his God."Step forward now, Officer, you've borne your burdens well.Come walk a beat on Heaven's Streets. You've done your time in Hell."

-Author Unknown-

Donations for the families can be made at any Beach Community Bank. Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers, as well as the entire OCSO family.