Yes I know "fair" doesn't start with C. I'm taking a detour to talk about how fun the fair was this year. We haven't gone in years and have never taken Kendall. We decided to go on Monday afternoon/evening since the weather was absolutely beautiful and James was off. So off we went! Despite the fact that we spent $40 (parking and ride tickets) before we ever even walked in the gates, we had an unbelievable time. We headed straight to the kiddie rides and Kendall loved everything we got on. She has never rode anything except for a carousel at the mall, so I wasn't really sure how she'd react. I shouldn't have worried - she is gonna be my little dare devil. She did the bungee jump thing, rode the helicopters, monster trucks, little roller coaster, ferris wheel - we had a blast. We ate corn, sausage dog, fries, cotton candy, candy apple and then checked out the animals. Kendall liked the baby pigs and chicks. She wasn't very interested in the baby cow drinking his dinner (EWWWWW MOMMY!!!!), so that was a teachable moment about how God created mommies to feed babies (so glad she didn't say "well you don't feed Raegan that way"). Raegan fell asleep 2 different times - it was our first try wearing the Baby Bjorn and she loved it.
As we were heading out of the animal area, I happened upon the most delicious fair food find of the century - itty bitty cinnamon sugar donuts. So. Good. Not sure where they've been all my life, but I shall never go another full year without them again.
We headed out just in time to catch the fireworks from our car. North Carolina is spending a pretty penny on those fireworks - they were fantastic.
So I'm a fair lover. So much, in fact, that I talked my sister in law, mother in law and father in law to head back out there today with Kendall and I. I was off for the day because Kendall had a pumpkin patch field trip today, so after that - we piled in the car and headed back for free can day! It was a little chilly today, but really perfect fair weather. Who wants to go to the fair in the heat? We went in through a different gate this time and checked out the Village of Yesteryear (or whatever that place is called). It was alright, I guess. I can see the talent it takes to paint teeny tiny eggs and cut a child's face out of a piece of paper with one single scissor cut while sporting pilgrim garb.
After that I had my first foot long hot dog. And some mini donuts. Good grannies those things are good. We held a baby chick even though I'm pretty sure I'm gonna come down with some sort of bird flu now. And we rode more rides. My kid thinks I'm fearless. Hopefully she won't ask me to ride anything more powerful than the Caterpillar coaster.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Letter B
Deciding on a subject for letter B was extremely difficult. Should I go with bratwurst, Barack Obama, billy goats? Bubblegum, Biltmore, booty shorts?Such a tough decision.
Luckily I just so happen to know some fabulously cool people with the last name Bell. More specifically, my dad Ronnie Bell. Ronnie is actually my stepdad, but there are lots of folks that don't know that. See - unlike some stepdads, Ronnie has been in my life since my earliest memory. My mom and bio dad divorced when I was 3 and mama and Ronnie fell in love and got married when I was four (8/4/84 is their anniversary...neat, huh).
Growing up, I totally took Ronnie for granted. Now that I'm older and wiser, I realize that he didn't have to love me the way he always has. He didn't have to treat me as his own. But then again, maybe he did. After all, what makes a child "yours"? Is it based on DNA? Or is it wiping tears, videotaping dance recitals, coming to awards day at school, getting out splinters, building sand castles, driving car pool, going on field trips? I think it's the million little things that a parent does to nurture their child that makes a kid "theirs". And Ronnie did all those things for me.
I don't want to discredit my bio dad here. He loves me too and I know that. But lets face it - every other weekend and 4 hours on Thanksgiving does not build that daddy-daughter bond that I'm talking about.
That bond was built day in and day out - on good days and horribly rotten days. Through years of me being a cute and playful child and the years of me being an angry and rebellious teenager. Ronnie has been by my side for every joy and every pain that I've experienced since he and mama got married. He has comforted me, made me laugh, made me mad, bailed me out of sticky situations, come to my rescue when people were mistreating me, taught me about responsibility and love and Jesus and honor and loyalty and honesty. He moved me into my first apartment, walked me down the aisle when I married my prince, prayed me through my miscarriage, celebrated with pride the births of my girls. He has shown me what it is to love the Lord and what it looks like to follow through on a calling He places on your life - even when it's tough. He is disciplined and brave, sensitive and talented, strong and gentle. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he loves me and I pray that I can show him the depth of my gratitude for being the daddy he didn't have to be.
Luckily I just so happen to know some fabulously cool people with the last name Bell. More specifically, my dad Ronnie Bell. Ronnie is actually my stepdad, but there are lots of folks that don't know that. See - unlike some stepdads, Ronnie has been in my life since my earliest memory. My mom and bio dad divorced when I was 3 and mama and Ronnie fell in love and got married when I was four (8/4/84 is their anniversary...neat, huh).
Growing up, I totally took Ronnie for granted. Now that I'm older and wiser, I realize that he didn't have to love me the way he always has. He didn't have to treat me as his own. But then again, maybe he did. After all, what makes a child "yours"? Is it based on DNA? Or is it wiping tears, videotaping dance recitals, coming to awards day at school, getting out splinters, building sand castles, driving car pool, going on field trips? I think it's the million little things that a parent does to nurture their child that makes a kid "theirs". And Ronnie did all those things for me.
I don't want to discredit my bio dad here. He loves me too and I know that. But lets face it - every other weekend and 4 hours on Thanksgiving does not build that daddy-daughter bond that I'm talking about.
That bond was built day in and day out - on good days and horribly rotten days. Through years of me being a cute and playful child and the years of me being an angry and rebellious teenager. Ronnie has been by my side for every joy and every pain that I've experienced since he and mama got married. He has comforted me, made me laugh, made me mad, bailed me out of sticky situations, come to my rescue when people were mistreating me, taught me about responsibility and love and Jesus and honor and loyalty and honesty. He moved me into my first apartment, walked me down the aisle when I married my prince, prayed me through my miscarriage, celebrated with pride the births of my girls. He has shown me what it is to love the Lord and what it looks like to follow through on a calling He places on your life - even when it's tough. He is disciplined and brave, sensitive and talented, strong and gentle. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he loves me and I pray that I can show him the depth of my gratitude for being the daddy he didn't have to be.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Inspiration: A - Z
Now that I'm back in the blog world on a consistent basis (because one whole week = consistency, right?), I thought I'd give this whole alphabet thing a try.
Tonight (actually this morning - it's 1:59 a.m. and I can't sleep...no surprise there) I'm going to start with (drum roll please) - letter A.
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of letter is A is Ann. Or Anne. Because both are significant to me.
Ann was my maternal grandmother's name and I was the Apple of her eye (couldn't resist). She died when I was 9, but I have so many memories of her. I think God allowed me to keep those memories because He knew how very much I loved her. Some of my memories of my mama's mama:
- She wore Charlie perfume. I always curled up in the backseat with her when we would go places as a family and she smelled like Charlie all the time. She drove a gigantic Lincoln Towncar with navy blue leather interior. You could press a button and have these little round lights come on in the backseat - I thought that was way cool.
- She had an infectious laugh. So did my Papa, who has also since passed.
- She always had a couple of my favorite things to eat in her freezer. Namely brunswick stew from Redwood Fire Department. I loved that stuff.
- She devoured books like I do. Or I guess I should say, I devour books like she did. My mama told me she read Gone With the Wind in one day and I totally believe it because I've read similar length books in a day. I love getting lost in the characters and I bet she did too.
- I distinctly remember sitting in her lap one night at the shop (her and my Papa owned Triangle Ford - basically an automobile parts and repair shop) and biting into a gumball machine figurine from my shadow box. Why was it in my mouth? I have no clue. But I remember my mama freaking out and trying to piece back together the glass to see if I had swallowed any (I didn't).
- Her and my Papa had beach homes in Salter Path and Atlantic Beach from the time I was born and one of my clearest memories is of my grandma waving my family goodbye from either of their beach homes. She would stand on the porch/deck and wave until we were out of sight. Later in life, my mama would do the same when I would leave the beach.
- She was my mama's best friend. And now my mama is my best friend. I pray Kendall and Raegan feel about me the way I feel about my mama.
- She could cook...old fashioned, fat-back included country cooking. I'm pretty sure that's where my love of all things greasy and salty came from. She also made a mean cheeseball.
- She bought me my Holiday Barbies - which I have in my Hope chest. She gave the Hope chest to my mom, my mom gave it to me and I'm going to pass it to Kendall. She also gave me my very first American Girls doll. Samantha. She collected dolls - she had a complete library in her home and that's where she kept her doll collection. I remember the way that room smelled - like old books (which is the absolute BEST smell in the world) and those dolls. She had an Elvis doll that played music that I loved.
I loved my grandma very much. Still do. I can't wait to see her again someday in Heaven. Grandma accepted Christ late in her life...actually she was fighting for her life when she finally accepted Him. Praise be to Him that He doesn't give up on us.
So back to the Ann part. My grandma was Ann (she was actually Minnie Ann Womble, but she hated the Minnie part...I don't blame her). My mama is LuAnn (obviously named after grandma). My middle name is Leann (for grandma and mama). And Kendall's middle name is Anne. For my grandma, my mama, myself and.....Anne of Green Gables. Yep - you read that right. I named my child after a fictional character (Anne with an "e"). Like I told you, my grandma loved to read. And I happened to learn to read (and comprehend) books at a very early age. I don't claim to be smarter than the average bear and I can't think of one single talent that I have, but dag on it - I can read with the best of them. One book that was a favorite was a green hardback copy of Anne of Green Gables that belonged to my grandma. It was (and still is) one of my favorite books. So when it came time to name my first baby girl - Anne seemed like a logical middle name.
So, there you have it. Letter A.
Tonight (actually this morning - it's 1:59 a.m. and I can't sleep...no surprise there) I'm going to start with (drum roll please) - letter A.
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of letter is A is Ann. Or Anne. Because both are significant to me.
Ann was my maternal grandmother's name and I was the Apple of her eye (couldn't resist). She died when I was 9, but I have so many memories of her. I think God allowed me to keep those memories because He knew how very much I loved her. Some of my memories of my mama's mama:
- She wore Charlie perfume. I always curled up in the backseat with her when we would go places as a family and she smelled like Charlie all the time. She drove a gigantic Lincoln Towncar with navy blue leather interior. You could press a button and have these little round lights come on in the backseat - I thought that was way cool.
- She had an infectious laugh. So did my Papa, who has also since passed.
- She always had a couple of my favorite things to eat in her freezer. Namely brunswick stew from Redwood Fire Department. I loved that stuff.
- She devoured books like I do. Or I guess I should say, I devour books like she did. My mama told me she read Gone With the Wind in one day and I totally believe it because I've read similar length books in a day. I love getting lost in the characters and I bet she did too.
- I distinctly remember sitting in her lap one night at the shop (her and my Papa owned Triangle Ford - basically an automobile parts and repair shop) and biting into a gumball machine figurine from my shadow box. Why was it in my mouth? I have no clue. But I remember my mama freaking out and trying to piece back together the glass to see if I had swallowed any (I didn't).
- Her and my Papa had beach homes in Salter Path and Atlantic Beach from the time I was born and one of my clearest memories is of my grandma waving my family goodbye from either of their beach homes. She would stand on the porch/deck and wave until we were out of sight. Later in life, my mama would do the same when I would leave the beach.
- She was my mama's best friend. And now my mama is my best friend. I pray Kendall and Raegan feel about me the way I feel about my mama.
- She could cook...old fashioned, fat-back included country cooking. I'm pretty sure that's where my love of all things greasy and salty came from. She also made a mean cheeseball.
- She bought me my Holiday Barbies - which I have in my Hope chest. She gave the Hope chest to my mom, my mom gave it to me and I'm going to pass it to Kendall. She also gave me my very first American Girls doll. Samantha. She collected dolls - she had a complete library in her home and that's where she kept her doll collection. I remember the way that room smelled - like old books (which is the absolute BEST smell in the world) and those dolls. She had an Elvis doll that played music that I loved.
I loved my grandma very much. Still do. I can't wait to see her again someday in Heaven. Grandma accepted Christ late in her life...actually she was fighting for her life when she finally accepted Him. Praise be to Him that He doesn't give up on us.
So back to the Ann part. My grandma was Ann (she was actually Minnie Ann Womble, but she hated the Minnie part...I don't blame her). My mama is LuAnn (obviously named after grandma). My middle name is Leann (for grandma and mama). And Kendall's middle name is Anne. For my grandma, my mama, myself and.....Anne of Green Gables. Yep - you read that right. I named my child after a fictional character (Anne with an "e"). Like I told you, my grandma loved to read. And I happened to learn to read (and comprehend) books at a very early age. I don't claim to be smarter than the average bear and I can't think of one single talent that I have, but dag on it - I can read with the best of them. One book that was a favorite was a green hardback copy of Anne of Green Gables that belonged to my grandma. It was (and still is) one of my favorite books. So when it came time to name my first baby girl - Anne seemed like a logical middle name.
So, there you have it. Letter A.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
When Dad's away...
So my dad is on a golf retreat. And it's James' late week. So that means Kendall, Raegan and myself invaded mom's house. Let me tell you - there isn't much I like more than spending the night at my mom's. There is just something about hanging out in the floor with my girls while my mama and I laugh and joke (and laugh at Kendall doing crazy stuff like wearing my heels with her footy pajamas on). There was a time in my life when I never would have dreamed that I'd be this content on a Friday night to just hang out with those dear to my heart. Granted, we did eat Jason's Deli which kicks it up like 5 notches.
Kendall and I have our first birthday party tomorrow for a kid in her class. I'm a little nervous because I won't know anyone there, but I'm really excited for Kendall to be able to hang with some school friends. She has blossomed so much already this school year because she's going four days a week as opposed to last year when she went only 2 days. It absolutely amazes me to be driving down the road and have her point out letters or to hear what she learned in chapel or to hear about who stayed on green and who got on red.
Raegan's cold seems to have cleared up, which makes me really happy. It's pitiful to see your babies not feeling well, especially this little. She was talking up a storm earlier tonight. She likes playing patty cake with her feet...she sort of semi laughs when we "throw em in the pan". Children's laughter makes the world go round, I think.
Kendall and I have our first birthday party tomorrow for a kid in her class. I'm a little nervous because I won't know anyone there, but I'm really excited for Kendall to be able to hang with some school friends. She has blossomed so much already this school year because she's going four days a week as opposed to last year when she went only 2 days. It absolutely amazes me to be driving down the road and have her point out letters or to hear what she learned in chapel or to hear about who stayed on green and who got on red.
Raegan's cold seems to have cleared up, which makes me really happy. It's pitiful to see your babies not feeling well, especially this little. She was talking up a storm earlier tonight. She likes playing patty cake with her feet...she sort of semi laughs when we "throw em in the pan". Children's laughter makes the world go round, I think.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
New obsession, snot, punkins
I have a new obsession. Facebook had this nifty idea of creating pages for each county for yard sales. Originally I thought this would just show where/when yard sales would be held in Durham. Nope - now I realize it's actually a yard sale ON Facebook. Sorta like Craig's List, but constantly updating in my little stream on the right.
I am OBSESSED with checking this page. Even though I've been to all of one yardsale in my entire life. I have to check it every time I check my Facebook (which is sadly way too many times a day).
This obsession wouldn't be so bad if there was actually something worthwhile posted. But, nope, Durham's page is the same postings "bumped" over and over and over again. Ever since I joined the group last week, one lady has been trying to sell a complete bedding set decorated with lighthouses, one lady has been trying to sell 4 pair of toddler shoes and 1 pair of adult shoes and one lady has been trying to sell a sectional sofa. I'm most intrigued by the sofa. Or, more specifically, by the exorbitant $800 price tag on this monstrosity. She originally wanted like $840 for it, but she's slashed to her rock bottom price of $800, with financing available. Because nothing reels in potential yard sale purchasers like financing options.
In other news, Raegan has her first little cold. She's sneezing, coughing and snotty. I've taken the blue bulb to her nose no less than 12 times in the last 2 days. She thoroughly enjoys it. Not.
We have also officially decorated with my very favorite harvest vegetable - pumpkins. I've got a truly beautiful blown glass one on my kitchen table (oh Pier One, how I love thee) and 5 on the porch with my mums (aka only plant besides a fern I can keep alive). Kendall and I are also going to the pumpkin patch on a field trip next week, so I'm hoping to score a couple more. I'm a stem girl when pumpkin picking. I love pumpkins with the stems still attached, perhaps with a little curve at the top.
Wonder if I could find any on the Facebook yard sale site?
I am OBSESSED with checking this page. Even though I've been to all of one yardsale in my entire life. I have to check it every time I check my Facebook (which is sadly way too many times a day).
This obsession wouldn't be so bad if there was actually something worthwhile posted. But, nope, Durham's page is the same postings "bumped" over and over and over again. Ever since I joined the group last week, one lady has been trying to sell a complete bedding set decorated with lighthouses, one lady has been trying to sell 4 pair of toddler shoes and 1 pair of adult shoes and one lady has been trying to sell a sectional sofa. I'm most intrigued by the sofa. Or, more specifically, by the exorbitant $800 price tag on this monstrosity. She originally wanted like $840 for it, but she's slashed to her rock bottom price of $800, with financing available. Because nothing reels in potential yard sale purchasers like financing options.
In other news, Raegan has her first little cold. She's sneezing, coughing and snotty. I've taken the blue bulb to her nose no less than 12 times in the last 2 days. She thoroughly enjoys it. Not.
We have also officially decorated with my very favorite harvest vegetable - pumpkins. I've got a truly beautiful blown glass one on my kitchen table (oh Pier One, how I love thee) and 5 on the porch with my mums (aka only plant besides a fern I can keep alive). Kendall and I are also going to the pumpkin patch on a field trip next week, so I'm hoping to score a couple more. I'm a stem girl when pumpkin picking. I love pumpkins with the stems still attached, perhaps with a little curve at the top.
Wonder if I could find any on the Facebook yard sale site?
Friday, October 7, 2011
Week in review
While I was on a maternity leave, I had a temp fill in for me. A very efficient temp. Named Ryan. He was super cool and we shared the exact same sense of humor, so working with him was a breeze. Especially since he was there for 4 weeks when I got back. And he kept doing my job during those 4 weeks. So this past week, he was gone and there was nothing to do. Usually this first week of the month is super busy for me. Not so much when Ryan the whiz kid does all of your work before his last day. So the week had been pretty laid back at work. I've enjoyed multiple Salted Caramel Mocha Fraps, made sure my NetFlix queue was exactly how I wanted it and ordered a 720 pack of wipes for 12 bucks.
James and I were supposed to have a super romantic date night yesterday at Sullivan's. We have a gift certificate and were going to go check them out while they are running their special menu for breast cancer awareness (because steak and breast cancer go hand in hand - duh). However, he didn't get off until 9. I was po'd. Until he redeemed himself with a sushi picnic and a semi frozen diet coke. My man knows me, that's for sure.
Tonight my girls and I have enjoyed a laid back evening at home. Kendall and I made homemade pizza. Well, homemade for the Mason family - a Pillsbury roll out crust, cheese and pepperoni. It was delish. Then we baked homemade (boxed) funfetti cupcakes and decorated them (and smashed them in each others faces...fun!) Now we're watching Beverly Hills Chiwawa (however you spell that). Raegan enjoyed a nice bottle, bath, rocking and singing and she's snoozing away.
Life is good.
James and I were supposed to have a super romantic date night yesterday at Sullivan's. We have a gift certificate and were going to go check them out while they are running their special menu for breast cancer awareness (because steak and breast cancer go hand in hand - duh). However, he didn't get off until 9. I was po'd. Until he redeemed himself with a sushi picnic and a semi frozen diet coke. My man knows me, that's for sure.
Tonight my girls and I have enjoyed a laid back evening at home. Kendall and I made homemade pizza. Well, homemade for the Mason family - a Pillsbury roll out crust, cheese and pepperoni. It was delish. Then we baked homemade (boxed) funfetti cupcakes and decorated them (and smashed them in each others faces...fun!) Now we're watching Beverly Hills Chiwawa (however you spell that). Raegan enjoyed a nice bottle, bath, rocking and singing and she's snoozing away.
Life is good.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
New commitment
So I really want to start blogging on a more consistent basis. Life is going by at warp speed and I can barely remember my name, much less what happened a week ago. I want a record of my family's life. I read on another blog that the mom prints out a copy of the blog each year so that in 10 years she can look back and read about this particular season of her life. So I think I'm going to have that as my goal.
I've been back at work for a month now. The first week was bad - I cried and missed my babies. Now, I'm back in a groove of sorts, but not sure I want to be a working mom. James and I are revisiting the idea of me being a stay at home mom in January. Why January? Because we've already booked a trip to Disney in December and we need mama's salary to help get us there. We would have one VERY disappointed little girl if that trip doesn't happen. Plus, for once in my life - I actually want to pray about something for longer than 10 minutes to see what God wants for us.
Sometimes it's hectic getting off work, picking up the babies and getting home - dinner, cleaning up, dishes, baths, play time, Hooked on Phonics, dirty diapers, spit up, hiccups, stealing smooches from my man. But I really love it. I love the chaos that having another baby has brought to our life. I love that we have a shoe basket on the stairs because we're too lazy to take them upstairs. I love that there is a tricycle and sidewalk chalk on my front porch. I love that there are pacifiers in the most random places. I love that there was a CandyLand game on my side table for a week. I love that Kendall was upset this morning because I had finally folded up the blanket that we used Saturday night for our downstairs sleepover. I love that at the end of the day, when the kids are in bed and the house is quiet I'm tired. It's a good tired. An accomplished tired.
Kendall's favorite new thing is for us to speak to her with a fake English accent and call her Princess Harriet. It's a game that I made up one morning when she didn't want to get out of bed and it's stuck. She likes to go outside and ring the doorbell and have me let her in like Princess Harriet is our guest.
I love being a mother.
I've been back at work for a month now. The first week was bad - I cried and missed my babies. Now, I'm back in a groove of sorts, but not sure I want to be a working mom. James and I are revisiting the idea of me being a stay at home mom in January. Why January? Because we've already booked a trip to Disney in December and we need mama's salary to help get us there. We would have one VERY disappointed little girl if that trip doesn't happen. Plus, for once in my life - I actually want to pray about something for longer than 10 minutes to see what God wants for us.
Sometimes it's hectic getting off work, picking up the babies and getting home - dinner, cleaning up, dishes, baths, play time, Hooked on Phonics, dirty diapers, spit up, hiccups, stealing smooches from my man. But I really love it. I love the chaos that having another baby has brought to our life. I love that we have a shoe basket on the stairs because we're too lazy to take them upstairs. I love that there is a tricycle and sidewalk chalk on my front porch. I love that there are pacifiers in the most random places. I love that there was a CandyLand game on my side table for a week. I love that Kendall was upset this morning because I had finally folded up the blanket that we used Saturday night for our downstairs sleepover. I love that at the end of the day, when the kids are in bed and the house is quiet I'm tired. It's a good tired. An accomplished tired.
Kendall's favorite new thing is for us to speak to her with a fake English accent and call her Princess Harriet. It's a game that I made up one morning when she didn't want to get out of bed and it's stuck. She likes to go outside and ring the doorbell and have me let her in like Princess Harriet is our guest.
I love being a mother.
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