Sleep Tight.

This is what my bedroom looks like when M's on call and sleeps at the hospital! Arms and legs all over the place and no room for me (but I don't mind...I tiptoed upstairs and slept all by myself!).

Merry Christmas!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!
We Wish You a Merry Christmas!
We Wish You a Merry Christmas,
and a Happy New Year!

Santa's Little Helpers

So much to be thankful for...

Of course that is a posed picture...but still!

You are going to be so jealous...

Look at what I got to snuggle with today!

Meet Lucy, my neice. She's very, very smart.
And the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

Lucy was taking it all in. Her little eyes were very alert for a day old baby. She ever so slowly turned her fat little neck from one side to the other. Her eyes would shift gently. She'd yawn. She'd hiccup. She'd sneeze. She'd root. She'd find her hands and clasp them together. She'd stretch her toes...I could have eaten her up! Her hair curled up right above her ear. It stuck out just a very tiny bit. When she sucked, I think I saw a dimple in her right cheek. And she already knows her ABC's. (It runs in the family).

As I drove back from Birmingham this afternoon, I reflected on the almost magnetic pull that suddenly propelled me out of bed this morning. I couldn't get to Birmingham fast enough. The morning was almost reminiscent of a Sunday morning. I was rushing the kids, putting on mascara in the car, grabbing a pair of socks for Sunshine while yelling we'd put her shoes on in the car. You get the idea.

But you can clearly see from the pictures above why I was so eager to get on the road and get out of town.I knew there was a little girl waiting on me. And a bigger little girl, my little sister, waiting to show her off.

On my drive home,I experienced a keen awareness of the bond that sisters share. It is something that can't be replaced, manufactured, or even described accurately. It's not a friendship, which can come and go as often as the tide comes in. It's not a romance, which can sometimes suddenly end and both parties move on. It's something much more profound, more permanent, more secure.

It's one of the few things that can get a person out of bed at the crack of dawn and send them speeding down the highway to the hospital where her sister is waiting in her hospital bed with a newborn baby in her arms. It's beautiful. And so is Lucy!

Love, Aunt Tiffy

Day Off!

SMILE!

Just wanted to give ya'll something to smile about on this bleak day!

PawPaw

Yesterday was my grandaddy's 95th Birthday.

I can hardly write that sentence without tearing up.

If you don't know my Paw Paw, you're really missing out. If you do know him, then you know just how special he really is. You know he's a mess in every sense of the word. And you know why I'm tearing up as I write this.

There is something about a Grandparent's love that shapes and changes a child's life. Yesterday as I watched two of my children sit in my PawPaw's lap while he kissed one of their boo - boos, I thought about how they are making memories that will be so much a part of who they are that they won't even remember making them. I realized , as I thought about my Grandmommy and my PawPaw, that I can close my eyes and recall every detail of their home and of their pink beach house that my PawPaw built with his own two hands. The beach house on St. Dennis Court in Dauphin Island, Alabama, is no longer there. Ivan and Katrina took care of that. The year that the house disappeared was monumental for us all. The beach house was so much more than just a house on stilts. It represented more than just a place to enjoy the sand, water, and sun. It was a place to completely be yourself with the family that had known you since the day you were born. As long as that house was still standing, we knew that we would get together each summer and without even knowing it, celebrate being a family. To this day, I can't go to the beach anywhere without bing overwhelmed with a sense of love, awe, and wonder. If I could bottle this feeling up and give it to my children, I most certainly would . These feelings are synonymous with the memories of that pink beach house. That pink beach house is synonymous with my PawPaw. And while the pink house that my PawPaw built was suddenly gone, the memories live on.


If you've never slept in an unairconditioned beach house on stilts that sways to the wind as it blows, you are missing out. I remember the sound of the metal blinds clanging against the open screened windows. The soft hum of the box fan in the background. The sound of the breeze against the screen. The smell of sand and surf as you drift off to sleep. The sound of the waves against the shore. Ten cousins tucked in all around you. And you're all safe and sound because PawPaw's there.

I remember the sandy floor, the sandy feet, the sandy sheets. I even remember the first flooring in the beach house. A tan and white stone looking Formica that blended in with all the sand that a dozen cousins could bring in during one day.

I remember the deep pink toilet in the pink bathroom in the pink beach house.

I've seen more falling stars that I can count while lying on my back on a beach towel on the deck of that beach house with my cousins. Every once in a while,the silence was interrupted with a, "Wow. Did you see that one?"

I remember riding in the "Love Boat II" with our orange, bulky, over-sized life vests. I remember being caught in a storm in that boat. We all huddled on the floor as PawPaw raced for home. He never flinched. Cool as a cucumber.

I remember PawPaw cleaning and scaling fish like nobody's business underneath that beach house. If you were lucky, he'd open up the belly of the fish and show you what it had just eaten. I even remember the handle of his filet knife.

I remember the paper grocery bags in the bottom of the "ice box" (he still calls it that), full of live blue crabs that he pulled out of the crab traps he had set out earlier in the day. The crabs would suffer a slow death in the ice box before being cleaned and tossed into a pot of homemade Gumbo.

I remember being called a "jackass" more times than I can count. It was his term of endearment for me. I'll admit it now...it did hurt my feelings. I knew he loved me and I loved him to pieces! I smile, now,every time I hear the word.

I remember watching my PawPaw put his cast net in his teeth and toss it effortlessly into the water. I never remember him pulling up an empty nest. I'm sure he did, but I don't remember it. I remember shrimp, catfish, mullet, minnows.

I remember that he'd run his fingers through the water on the Bay -side at night, and the jellyfish would illuminate under the moonlight. We thought he was magic. Honestly , we still do.

I remember the sound and smell of the percolator and even the sound his spoon made as he stirred his coffee in the white coffee mug with the green design at he top.
Even now when I hear someone stirring coffee in a ceramic mug, I smile.

I remember Grandmommy's potato salad and deviled eggs sprinkled with paprika or cayenne paper, and fried mullet or catfish. Homemade hushpuppies with ketchup or cocktail sauce. Homemade tartar sauce. Lemon wedges. Sweet iced tea.

I remember looking at the ocean at night and seeing the lights of shrimp boats by the dozen. It was mesmerizing.

I remember climbing into the back of my PawPaw's red Ford pick-up. Sheer excitement to ride in the back bed of a pick-up with ten of your cousins and your PawPaw at the wheel.

I remember him sitting on the porch of that house with his binoculars in his hand. He'd sit quietly, watching the sea gulls dive for their dinner, the shrimp boats come and go. He'd point out the dolphins in the distance.

I never remember him raising his voice. Ever. He was so calm and gentle, yet so strong and confident.

I can see it all in my mind and my heart, and it makes me smile. It's a piece of time that has shapd me and taught me how to live and love well.

While PawPaw used to be a man of few words, if you're in a room with him now...hold on. He'll talk you're ear off. I try to hang on every word, because I know that time is precious. I want to soak it all in, remember every detail of every story, even if it's the 10th time I've heard it. He loves re-telling his stories. I guess when you're 95 years old, there isn't much to say about the future, so you cling to the past and share your stories in hopes that the memories don't die when you do. Don't worry, Paw Paw...if you only knew. You're a legacy. The memories you have given me will live on as long I'm alive, and I will pass them down to my children, who will pass them down to their children, and their grandchildren.

So on your 95th Birthday, I wish youall the love and happiness that your life has brought to me and so many others. I could not be more grateful.

Thanking God today for this wonderful man I am so blessed to call "PawPaw." What a legacy!

Happy Birthday, Sistuh!

(Must read comment from last post to understand this)

Ode to Holley:
To the tune of the song that Woody (Cheers!) sang to Kelly:

Holley Holley Holley Holley

Holley Holley Holley Holley

Holley Holley Holley Holley
Holley Holley Holley Holley

Holley Holley Holley Holley Holley Holley Holley !!!!!!!!


Happy Birthday! I love you! I'm so glad you're getting older like me! 29, right?

You're the best (but don't tell MM and Ash)

I told you!

Remember how on my last post I told you that my brothers could not be any more different? Well I have proof. You'll notice that I only have a picture of ONE of my brothers. That is because the other one was at home while we were out celebrating ONE of their birthdays. Yes - they are twins ans share the same birthday. But only one wanted a surprise birthday party. He told my mom that he wanted a surprise birthday party, he wanted it to be at Wings & Things, he gave her the invitation list, and he told her to call Jared and tell Jared to call the friends on the invitation list. SURPRISE!!
The other brother told my mom that he did NOT - under ANY circumstances- want a birthday party. So while we were all at Wings& Things, he was at home on the couch (probably pouting because we took him seriously and didn't throw him a surprise party). Hence the reason that I only have a picture of ONE of my brothers (with one of his nieces...isn't she cute, too?!)
Like I said in my last post, Rett likes to spend quality time with his family. It was pretty endearing that his party included his ten friends AND his ten nieces and nephews ( and much older sisters!). After we sang "Happy Birthday" , we also sang the "Clean Plate Club" song to him (yes, at Wings and Things!) Because my parents usually have one of their grandchildren at their house on the weekends, Bo's and Rett's friends have met most of the grandchildren and sing along with my parents to the one's who have eaten all of their dinner (and it's rarely to KitKat, BTW - my dad refuses to sing to her for finishing her pb & j while the other kids art eating vegetables and drinking milk. "He doesn't know," she says while rolling her eyes.) So it somehow seemed only fitting that we sing it to Rett on his (and Bo's) 18th Birthday.

One of my sweet sisters called Bo after Rett's birthday party and took him to get ice cream and gave him a large sum of money! So the night wasn't a total loss for Bo!

Anyway, picture a boy with dark brown hair, dark brown eyes, olive-colored skin, and equally as cute as Rett ... that would be Bo!

Thanking God for a great weekend with family!

Happy Birthday Brothers!

Yesterday my twin brothers turned eighteen! Yes, you read that correctly. I am 38 years old and I have brothers who are seniors in high school! They are awesome! They are not only the best brothers, but by far the best uncles ever. My children adore them - BOTH of them! They are about as different as you two people can possibly be - in every way. They don't even look like brothers, much less twins. But they are a ton of fun and both so unique.
I have always had an extra-special love for them. I was 21 years old when they were born. I was certainly old enough to be their mom! And I always felt like my age when they were born had something to do with the way that I loved them. I couldn't stand being away from them when they were little! I would love it when my mom would call with updates on their milestones. As they grew up a little, my mom would call to tell me the funny things that they had said or done (she still does, by the way) They have certainly kept my parents young (although they'd probably argue the exact opposite!). One of my favorite stories was when Bo was in Kindergarten and my parents were called because Bo hit another little kid on the playground. When my parents asked him why he hit the little boy, Bo calmly replied that ,"He needed an attitude adjustment." One of my other favorites was when Rett, in kindergarten, told my mom that someone at school (probably Bo) said the "A" word , as in "A-S-S." When my mom asked him how he knew it was the "A" word, he said, "A a a apple. A a a a--hole." Unfortunately, the majority of the stories can't be repeated on this family-friendly blog. But just ask me the next time you see me - I'll have you rolling with laughter!
Because I was 21 years old when you they were born, we have never experienced the sibling rivalry that most siblings have at one time or another. I have LOVED watching them grow up. I love that they were the ring-bearers in my wedding. I love that they have become the best uncles in the world and that you are such a HUGE part of my children's lives. M kids adore them! I adore them! As different as the two of them are, I love both of them the very same (although at times one of them may be easier to love than the other!). Just kidding! They are both awesome! I love watching them with my kids. They are going to be great dads one day (one day in the VERY distant future!). They've certainly had enough practice with little kids! One thing I have learned from watching the two of them is that personalities are present at birth! Rett has always been such an affectionate,loving, "people-person". When the phone rings and a guy's voice answers, I know it's him . Dad and Bo have no interest in talking on the phone or even answering the phone. And I love that he is not too cool to say "I love you" even now when we're hanging up the phone. And I love that he usually say it first! And I even love it that Bo is too cool to say "I love you" ( even if I say it first!). And I love that they both play along with my children when they certainly don't have to! For example, on April Fool's Day, KitKat called to tell Bo that he had a snake on his shoulder and then she yelled, "April Fools!" He yelled and threw the phone down and pretended to basically have a heart attack because "she really fooled" him!. It just made her day!
And if there are any younger ladies (LAUREN!) out there reading this, remember...they will be great dads! And Bo likes to give gifts! And Rett likes to spend quality time with his family!
Anyway, here's to the best brothers in the world! Happy Birthday, Bo and Rett! You guys are the greatest!

(I don't have a recent picture of them that I'm able to upload, but I'll see them tomorrow and I'll take a picture. They're TOO cute!)

Thanking God today for my two brothers! What a blessing they are!

What is it about cousins?!

What is is about cousins?! Why are young cousins so attracted to each other? How do they know to love each other like that? Do they see a resemblance? Do they feel a special connection? I've never seen anything like it! (Although I was the same way with my own cousins when I was little. ) My children's cousins on both sides of our family are their very best friends! They love each other through and through. In fact, Sunshine even wants to be one of her cousins!


I bet we can all agree that the relationship between our children and their cousins is something rather magical and even mysterious. When they are together - oh, it melts my heart! Li'l Man has a special cousin and I am so thankful for that relationship because Li'l Man has 3 sisters and no brothers! And boy does he want a brother! I'd give him one if there was a guarantee that it would be a boy . But there are no guarantees. And it's not that I don't want another girl - well, actually, it is. Honestly, I don't want a boy or a girl, but I'd be willing to have another child if I knew it would be a boy. And then I would love it as much as I love the rest of these little ones, but at this point, the desire just isn't there! Anyway...back to the cousins! It is such a rare, magical, special relationship! My sister just spent the weekend here with her three little ones. There were lots of tears and even some wailing when they left today. I LOVED watching those kids play together! It reminded me of my own childhood. The boys (ages 8,6, and 5) played tackle football in the front yard. The girls (ages 3, 4, and 5) played barbies and babies in their bedrooms upstairs. The girls were like teenagers! Within minutes of AL's arrival, they had thrown open her suitcase and tried on all of her clothes. AL only wore KitKat's and Sunshine's outfits while she was here, and KitKat only wore AL's clothes - down to the panties. KK loved AL's Dora panties, and AL loved KK's Barbie panties!

The pictures were taken this past weekend while my sister was here. Can you believe I only took ONE picture of the boys?!? However, this ONE picture says a thousand words. For those of you who know SJ, you know that he doesn't do germs. But there he is, in the middle of his brother and cousin, sharing out of the same drink! I'm telling you...it's a cousin thing!

My sister has already called today. We're trying to plan our next "cousin-fix."
In fact, we're trying to plan it for this coming weekend!

Thanking God today for our cousins! What a blessing!

Look at what the cat drug in!

In reference to last week's post, "Time Is On My Side," I must clarify that time, most definitely, is NOT on my side!

M.'s parents came to town Sunday afternoon. We had a fun visit and celebrated Sunshine's birthday AGAIN. They had offered to take KitKAt and Sunshine back home with them for a few days. I was excited about the idea of having some time to myself. But KitKat had other ideas. She said, "I don't like going to people's houses really." So she stayed home and had mommy all to herself. Well I must give her some points for being honest. Sunshine , however,buckled herself in her car seat and blew me a kiss goodbye. I was " having a moment "as I watched her drive away. I thought, "There goes my baby. And my baby is such a big girl."

Well, lo and behold, a few hours later I received a call from M.'s mom requesting that we meet halfway so that they could return Sunshine! It seems as if my baby wasn't sucha big girl afterall. Apparently Sunshine began feeling really homesick during their drive home. They have raised 6 children and have 18 grandchildren - they know a case of homesickness when they see it! They diagnosed her with homesickness and prescribed her with a return visit to home.

So after picking up the older two children from school, I jumped back in the car and headed to Box Springs, Georgia (you know, right outside of Upatoi, Ga.). It rained cats and dogs the entire way! I was about 10 minutes from my destination, stopped at a red light, when all of a sudden a little old lady rear ended me! I jumped out of the car in the POURING rain and discovered, much to my delight, that there was no visible damage to my car and only minor damage to little old lady's car. Apparently the tow-ball thingy protected my car because her front bumper was molded perfectly around it. Little old lady apologized and explained that she had just started driving again after her surgery and that she was still having problems with her vision. SCARY! I called the police and then M's parents to tell them I'd be a little late.

FINALLY, I arrived at the Box Springs United States Post Office. We had to wake up Sunshine to put her in my car. She was NOT happy. But guess what...neither was I! So we drove home in silence. I guess I should be thanking God for that hour of silence 'cause it looks like that's the only hour of silence I'll be getting all week! I can forget about the pedicures and long, hot baths.

Not gonna happen!

Thanking God today for that hour of silence, for a minor fender bender that should've been much worse (since little old lady is having trouble with her vision!), and for a little bitty girl that missed her mommy! Have a great day!

Par-tea!

Yesterday I called a dear friend to tell her about how CUTE my goody bags/party favors were for Sunshine's 4th Birthday Party. I told her that I knew she'd be at the party in less than 24 hours and that she'd see them for herself then, but they were so stinkin' cute that I just had to tell her RIGHT THEN! (She was a great sport and played along well...thanks A.T.). And then I remembered...HELLO...I have a blog...I can brag to many people at once...PERFECT! So here's a picture of these cute goody bags folded and stapled to resemble large tea bags - complete with a grosgrain ribbon attached to a nametage where the "Lipton" label would normally be! >

Now enough about me and my tea/goody bags! Sunshine turned 4 on Friday and we celebrated today with a tea party. Lots of little princesses running around and a few cute-but-stinky boy cousins chasing after them! But guess what...Sunshine had such a great time with Mimi and Papa that she went home with them! We're all a little sad and lonely around here without birthday girl's love and laughter! The "problem" with her visiting her grandparents is that she doesn't miss me NEARLY enough! The last time that she visited them, she told me that while she missed me "A lot", she missed daddy "A LOTTER!" Well... I'll miss her "A LOTTEST!"

Of course I can't put a picture of my party bags in here without a picture of the party girl. So she's here too.

And a picture of her sister helping(?) with cake and cupcakes.

And a picture of the cake!
And I have no idea how to post more than one picture in some sort of order...hence the collage!

Thanking God today for Mimi's and Papa's everywhere, and for another beautiful year with my now 4-year old baby! How sweet it is!

Dawgs

My first post and I can already add pictures! WOW!

The guys headed to Athens early this morning with a cooler full of cokes, cookies, chocolate, and chips! The girls stayed behind to do..well..you know...girl stuff- laundry, cooking, cleaning. Just before M. walked out the door this morning, he showed me where the stash of emergency cash is hidden (for those who don't know, M. had his identity stolen a few weeks ago so we're operating on a cash only basis for now). I looked straight at him and said, "I feel an emergency comin' on." So...without further ado, I'm outta here because ,"IT'S AN EMERGENCY!"

And oh yeah, "How 'bout them Dawgs!" (Did I really just write that?!)

And mom, before you pick up the phone, I know, I know...I shouldn't have told people on the internet that we have a stash of emergency cash. For all of you who know us well, you know M. so you know it's not much. And for those who don't know him, trust me...it's not much!

Thankin' God today for "emergencies" and for "Little Dawgs" (I could eat him up!) Have a great day!