Happy 35th Drew!

Well, I think Drew feels like his birthday was a non-event. Last Friday, the 24th, he turned 35. Our family tradition is that you get to choose whatever you want for breakfast on your birthday. Uhhhhh...sorry Drew. I also at least try to have him a cake on his birthday. Uhhhh....sorry Drew. Also, I spend weeks in advance planning the perfect gift. Uhhhh....well, I got him a massage, isn't that good enough? Ohhh....Drew doesn't like massages all that much. Oh, also...I also ALWAYS make sure to sing "Happy Birthday" to the birthday boy the minute he wakes up. Uhhhh....sorry Drew. So sorry you had to remind me.
Ok, Ok, so I'm not the best birthday wife this year. So I had a sick child at home. And another one going on a field trip that I had to pack for. And we were leaving for Oxford later that afternoon. And I had a party the night before.(Not a birthday one!) So, I'm not the perfect wife. That's no secret. Thankfully, his mother came up and took him out for lunch on his birthday, since she was the one who gave birth to him and all (Breech! FEET FIRST!! I might add!) And my mother got a cake for Saturday, and we celebrated with my family. And although the birthday wasn't picture perfect, and I'm nowhere NEAR picture-perfect, I'm still the most blessed wife on this earth. I have the sweetest, kindest husband. Who forgives me when I give him a crappy birthday.

Double Decker Festival 2009-Part 2

Here are more pics from the day. One tip for next year-the kid section is lots of fun, but get there early, because it is BUSY and CROWDED!

Double Decker Festival 2009-Part 1

We went to Oxford last weekend for the Double Decker Festival and some family fun. Drew ran the 10k (and he was idiotic enough to run it without having run in months! Though he's sore, he got through it, and you have to give him credit for being 35, an inconsistent runner, and running the entire thing! That's MY man!!)
Anyway, O ran the 1 mile fun run, and though it wasn't documented, I believe she came in around 10th place. I"m so proud of her, and have high hopes that she'll be more athletic than her mom!


The Finish Line

Obsessed with turtles at the petting zoo

Meet Frisco

Well, we've done it again. We've gotten another animal. A dog, to be exact. Two weekends ago, the Amory Humane Society was set up at the Railroad Festival. The girls saw these little Feist puppies, and we couldn't say no. After getting the go-ahead from the vet(since our last puppy died of distemper) we took little Frisco home. And if you didn't know-the name of the railroad in Amory was Frisco, and the park we got him in is Frisco Park. My sis came up with this. Pretty clever, eh? And isn't it a touch better than the name Buddy? (sorry, dear Buddy). Anyway, last Friday, we got wind of a rumour that Frisco's litter was diagnosed with Parvo. I'm still not sure if these dogs were tested for it, but as of now, Frisco seems to be doing okay, so we're hoping he'll be okay. Of course, with our odds, he won't make it. But we're happy to have him with us now! He's a cutie, and in a week or so, we'll know if he's truly disease-free. And, Yes, we ARE wondering if we are truly meant to have pets. Since we kill them and all.

Easter Morning 2009

At 6:30 this morning, the girls piled into our beds yelling, "can we go look in our Easter baskets? Please, please, pleaaaaase??" I told them for goodness' sake, it's not Christmas morning or anything! But we finally dragged ourselves out of bed and checked out the loot the Easter bunny left. I don't think it was as spectacular as they'd imagined, but give me a break, it all has to fit into one little basket! And I WILL NOT go overboard on Easter. It's ridiculous.
Because our church doesn't start very early, we had some great time decorating cookies and taking pictures. Then later this afternoon, my Mom, Dad, Mamaw and aunt Laura May came over after church, and my sister's family joined us later tonight for an Easter dinner. It was the perfect Easter day. I got to worship at my church, then spend time with my family who I love so much. Once again, visiting with my Mamaw and Great Aunt humbled me, and the day was full of more funny stories. The newest story is when my aunt Laura May claimed that my Mamaw told her that she needed to be dunked before she died, just in case. My aunt is Methodist, and was obviously sprinkled. A minor argument ensued over the issue, and my Mamaw SWEARS she never said that, because "she would never say that, because that would make her a Church of Christ. And she's not a Church of Christ. And she would NEVER say that."
Anyway, hilariousness abounded, and good times were had.
I have to tell this, my aunt is 91 and doesn't feel like she'll live much longer. I had the opportunity to ask her if she was afraid to die. She told me, "Jennifer, sometimes I'm in so much pain that I feel like asking the Lord to take me. Because I'm ready. But the Lord must need me here, so I can't ask Him to take me yet. He'll take me when it's His time. But I'm not afraid, I know where I'm going. And I'm ready."
Hallelujah! Preach it Laura Mae! And what a perfect statement for Easter...Jesus hung on that cross and took on our sins. And now He's alive! And when we give him our lives, and follow Him, we don't have to be afraid. I know where I'm going!

My Mamaw boiled and dyed Easter eggs for the girls. She even brought stickers to put on them. They loved it.

Cousins lined up, waiting for Easter loot from Mimi

E's Easter Party 2009

We've had a week of Easter fun. E's Easter party was on Wednesday, and we made these yummy cookies to take for the party. They were "Easter Bonnets." Are these not the cutest things? E and I had such a great time together decorating them. I love it when her creativity comes out. Don't tell the others, but she's my favorite one to cook with! She's so patient, and can't wait to "speriment" and see how the food turns out.

I love the looks on their faces here! It's right when we said "Go!"

Her sweet class

E, playing "Chubby Bunny."

Spring Blooms Big

This Fall, the girls and I planted some tulip bulbs by our mailbox. I had to document this, because it's just so amazing when the blooms arrive! We were thrilled at our beautiful flowers, and the girls were super proud. My girls have been all in bloom, too. I love it in the Spring when the heavy, worn-out, dark winter clothes have been put away, and we pull out fresh new Spring attire. Some may say I push the seasons, but for Spring, I'm not afraid to pull out the lightweight clothes and throw a t-shirt under it. Whatever works to make my girlies BLOOM.

Rainy Days and Soccer

I can't believe I haven't ever posted about this, but this year, both of my older girls played soccer. In the Fall, for the first 3 or 4 games, it felt pretty cool. The weather was great, and it's like one big party on the field. I mean, you see EVERYONE that you know. It's great. But by the time it's over (and especially in the Spring when it's tooooooo cold!) I am so NOT excited about soccer. I wouldn't say my girls are super great at it or anything, but then again, Drew and I haven't really worked with them on it. They said they enjoyed it, so we'll see if we decide to do it next year. In the mean time, here are some pictures of them in action. I can't help but marvel at how "fearfully and wonderfully" their little bodies are made. I love seeing their little legs swing out and kick at the ball. It's a miracle in itself. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, the "Littlest Soccer Fan." M made it to most games, and though she was a pill lots of the time, she caught on to the game pretty well. Here's Miss Priss in her rainboots.

GOOD FRIDAY: THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST

Growing up Baptist, I never gave much thought to the days and weeks leading up to Easter. But as I've gotten older, it's gotten so important to me. And to the Baptist church's credit, it has for them too. I know several Baptist churches who have started having Maundy Thursday services, Good Friday services, etc. etc. It's a great thing. Because in all of the flowery, pastel-y, sugary, vivaciousness of Easter Sunday (which I DEARLY love), we forget to grieve for the horror that Jesus experienced when he died for us. FOR US. For me. For you. For man. So my church is showing The Passion of the Christ at the Tupelo Civic auditorium on Friday night. To remind us... To remind ME... Of what He did... What God sacrificed. So if you're free at 7:00 (or 6:15, if you want to hear some awesome music!) come on over to grieve, to remind yourself of what so amazingly happened. Then go to our church/your church/ANY church on Easter Sunday and celebrate His resurrection, and give God all of the glory!