For those of you that check...

I am officially signing off! Most of my friends and family that want to see what we've been up to are on facebook now. We've been so busy this fall that I've not had time to sit down at the computer and update. It's been a little easier to just email pictures out or post on facebook. :)

Peace, love, and happiness!
Amanda

Disney On Ice

Addie Kate and her buddies went to Disney on Ice this weekend, and then celebrated Perri Brook's Birhtday! We all had a blast! We also got to visit with our friends Jen and Steve this weekend while they came up here for pictures. Fun weekend!

Fall Soccer ~ "Go Lions"

 

Addie's team had her 1st soccer scimage the other night... she scored two goals! Woop woop!!!!!!!! She celebratedt the rest of the game, beaming from ear to ear. Go girl!

Fresh Beat Band

For all you mommas that KNOW you watch some NOGGIN!... Addie is determined that she will be the next member of the Fresh Beat Band! Here she is practicing... enjoy!

Jellystone Park

Roasting Marshmellows

Yogi's Visit to our cabin



Hey Hey Boo Boo!!!!!!!

We had a fun filled weekend with the Medlins and the Curtis clan at Jellystone Park. We camped toghether in cabins, with A C of course, and did everything from smores to ghost stories around the fire! Yogi Bear even came to the cabin and brought the kids chocolate milk and moon pies! The pool there is awesome for kiddos! There is a huge waterslide in the middle; made just for kids! The best part of the weekend was when we were sitting around the campfire and Calvin was telling the kids a story about "Bloody bones!" Craig, a friend of Jen's, hid behind the cabin and came running out screaming. The kids scattered like it was there job! The adults were laughing so hard we were all about to wet our pants. Memories!

Friday Night Fever

So, I guess we're really "Mustangs," but it did Coach Poole's heart good to see Addie in some blue and gold Friday night! "Ms. Sissy" rounded up a cheerleader suit for Addie Kate and off to the Olive Branch football game we went. We sat on the field in the end zone and the kids played while Addie got to "cheer" with the big girls! It was a blast! We also met my dearest childhood friend, Brady, and his family for barbeque while they were in town. We took all the kiddos to the zoo Sat. and then crashed at the White house for a nap. I know this weather is just a tease, but it sure has gotten me ready for fall!

Con Artitst

O.k...so the 1st day of preschool didn't exactly go as planned! Addie Kate got up this morning VERY excited, picked out her dress, found her bow, put on her new shoes, and was ready to roll. Two hours later my phone rings, "Amanda, your baby just THREW UP everywhere!" Seriously???? After driving 15 minutes back to school to pick her up, I found out she MADE herself throw up, because she was "feeling a little tired" and wanted to come home!!!!!!! Now granted, she had been sick last week with a high fever and maybe her little body wasn't up to par, but come on!

Her daddy called and told her he'd spank her bottom next time that happened. Her response, " Um.. mom, you sure do look pretty today!"

The Relatives Came...

This past week we got to visit with our cousins, Lori and Mark Christian. They brought their precious boys, Sully and Slade. Sully and Addie had a fantastic time playing together, making forts and battleships out of scraps in the backyard. Both kiddos could relate to each other, having huge imaginations! We enjoyed a great meal of barbeque, thanks Coach for picking it up!

I'm a big girl now!

Addie Kate has begged for a "pink" big girl room! Our compromise was bedding, this was one battle she was not going to win! (because I'm sure her pink paint would be somewhere in the electric, hot pink, fuchsia range...) The final result...

A Big Day

Monday Addie had "meet the teacher day" at her preschool and her first soccer practice! We were so glad to see Ms. Jacque again and her new assistant Ms. Tina. After getting acquainted with her new classmates, we headed to soccer practice. I was really nervous because I can see Addie stomping her foot on the field when someone kicks the ball away from her! She did really well though and said, "Mom, that's super fun... I like being a soccer girl!"

It's the 80's Baby!

Saturday night our Sunday School class had an 80's party. I've never laughed so hard in my life! We played "rock band", 80's jeopardy, and 80's karaoke. I saw everything from my outfit I wore at my 8th grade sports banquet, to the girls who just left a Madonna Concert. Calvin and I went as DEVO...YOU MUST WHIP IT!!!!! Too fun!

We also had fun with Pepaw earlier. He took the grandkids to the IMAX to see Under the Sea. The loved it! Thanks for a fun day Pepaw!

New Orleans

This weekend I took a much needed "mommy break!" I went with some friends on a girls' trip to New Orleans! We headed out EARLY Friday morning. Friday we went to the French Market and had dinner at Acme Oyster House... YUM! Now, it wouldn't be a trip if everything went smooth, right??? Friday night after settling in and FINALLY falling asleep, we hear EVACUATE THE BUILDING!!!!!!! The loudest alarm I ever heard sounded and eight sleepy girls went hauling butt down the stairs... NINE floors!!! Of course, on floor "2" we hear, "you do not have to evacutate the building!" By the time we all made it back up to our rooms, we were laughing so hard (and all needed breathing treatments) no one could go back to sleep. What a night!
Saturday we headed down to the Garden District and shopped on Magazine street. Calvin made us wondeful dinner reservations at Irene's to finish the night.
Thanks girls for a wonderful weekend, "off!"

Watch out Paula Deen

This Christmas Carrie Beth gave Addie a Paula Deen cookbook and apron. Addie is my little chef and LOVES to bake! She has learned to crack eggs, use measuring cups, and spread icing. After dinner tonight, she headed straight to the pantry and said... "let's bake something!" I happened to scrounge up a sugar cookie mix, but had to pull it off like it came out her cookbook. (he he he)(of course I never have all the ingredients for a true recipe) Thanks C.B. for the wondeful gift, one that I enjoy as much as her!

This house is Dangerous!

Or... that's what Cooper, next door, said so Addie wouldn't come over. They are a hoot! Those two have a total brother/sister relationship. The other day he pulled out every toy that Addie has ever thought about being scared of and put them in front of the door!!! Nobody told her and when she needed to go in their house to potty... it happened...the scream that could have been heard around the world. It was too funny!

MY BROWN EYED GIRL

Happy Birthday Princess...

6:30 a.m. at the White house... "Mom, don't you need to wake up and sing... HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCESS to me?" Gotta love her!

Four years ago the doctor's were saying,"Its about to get LOUD in here!" and it hasn't stopped since! I was blessed with a child who would be loud, talkative, creative, imaginative, and a total free spirit who truly believes she was a princess in a past life! Of course at "4," there is the ocassional pouting, total attitude, and stomping of the foot, but overall my Addie is kind hearted and loving and I wouldn't have it any other way. This little 4 year old girl will never know what all she has brought to my life. When I got pregnant with her, people thought "OMG, What have you done... how are you going to care for Bailey and her?" Honestly... I had no idea how I would do it either! Now, I don't know what I would have done without her! What a blessing you are, Addie Kate White!

 

Blueberry Pickin'

Tonight we went to Nesbit Blueberry Farm with the neighbors! It was VERY hot, but a lot of fun! The blueberries were pretty scattered, but still plentiful! They told us since their farm was featured in Southern Living, there has been a nonstop crowd. It's a really neat experience... you get a bucket and are set free into rows and rows of blueberry bushes. You can eat as you pick! A gallon is only $11.00. When you leave, you get a brochure with yummy blueberry recipes in it. After we finished, we took the kiddos to Happy Daze in Nesbit for burgers and milkshakes. What a fun night!

Lazy Days of Summer

Well, we've been at the beach for almost a week and have one full day left. We stayed in the small community of Seacrest Beach, right next to Rosemary Beach on
30-A. Our house was beautiful, the town was awesome, we ate WAY too much, and the kids had a great time! We celebrated both Bailey's and Addie's birthdays at the beach this year. Bailey got her 6 balloons in Heaven and Addie picked out her own cake (Ariel of course.) We seemed to spend most of our time at the pool, but got beach time in as well. I took SO many pics... here are some of my favorites!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

 

Lessons Learned

This Monday is my angel's 6th birthday. How appropriate for us to celebrate at the beach! Bailey just thrived there, each time we went. We will stand on the beach and release 6 balloons, watching them float up to Heaven. I always get pretty emotional around this time, but a "good" kind of emotional. I shed tears, but good tears. Bailey's birth was a very touch and go situation, but a total miracle. So when we celebrate her birth, we can't help but be grateful! I was thinking the other day about how much Bailey taught me and how my outlook on life changed so much. I wanted to share some of the lessons we learned from raising a special needs child, with a terminal genetic disorder.

1. We are not in control.
I am a planner. I like to know when things are going to happen even before they do! I always had a "plan" for my life and knew just how I wanted it to unfold. Well, the funny thing is, when you think that way, God has a way of reminding us that He is in control, and He is making our plans.

2. When you are handed lemons, make lemonade.
From the moment Bailey was born, we were handed bad news. Every doctor, every bit of research, every bit of medical science was negative. To our surprise, we were given a fighter who was here for a reason. We had no idea Bailey would be on earth for 3 1/2 years. We had no choice but to think positively.

3. Be grateful.
God gives us life. It can also be taken away. I have burried my 1st child and now see how fragile life is. Be thankful for every moment of every day. :)

4. Our problems aren't so bad after all.
My innocent child struggled to breathe every day of her life. She couldn't feed, talk, walk, or use the bathroom on her own. Yet, she continued to smile and was pretty much just thankful to be here. When I think of the petty things that upset me, do I really have it that bad?

5. This too shall pass.
O.k.... did we cry? Yes. Get mad, question God, fight, and so on? You better believe it. How did I get through it? Heavy medication! Again, this too shall pass.

Thank you Bailey for making 3 1/2 years some of the most wonderful days I'll ever have.

Out of the mouths of babes...

Every time Addie stays with someone, I always ask, "Was she good?" The response is always the same. "Oh yes, she was good.... but my word, the stuff that girl says!!!" So, I've tried to do a better job jotting these things down so that I can always remember them when I need a good laugh!

This week, this is what I've heard...

"Mom, I love your pretty hair."
"Why thanks Addie."
"It makes you look very distinguished!"

"Where is that stinkin' FERmote?" ( fermote=remote )

"when I go to the beach, I'm going to tell the chef to make oyster Masagna."
"oh yeah?"
"yep, maybe with a little catfish sprinkled in..."

"Look Mom!"

Today was the last day of swim lessons for Addie! I have to say, Ms. Melissa is a miracle worker! I was so proud of my little girl. She even jumped off the deep end, came back up, and than swam to her teacher... with no tears!

An Interesting Weekend...

O.K...so we knew the weather was predicting a few thunderstorms here and there, but had no idea and F2 Torndado was going to touch down just a few miles from our house! We had company coming over and Calvin was out cooking hamburgers on the grill. It started to rain a little and out of no where, the bottom fell out. Calvin came running inside and told us to get away from the windows. A few seconds later a tree fell in our backyard, short from hitting our bedroom window. Then, a HUGE tree in the backyard was uprooted and is lying across the tops of the other trees. This lasted for about 10 minutes before everything went calm. Our yard looked like a disaster zone. We were VERY fortunate. Everyone was safe and we had no house damage.

Bless North Central Power Company! They have been working around the clock to get everyone's power back on. Thank you Mr. Pat!

Saturday night we went to Pepaw's house and had dinner. The kids had a blast playing together. Thanks Pepaw! Sunday, we took Addie to the Fed Ex St. Jude Golf Tournament. Addie absolutely loved it! Calvin told her she had to use her "golf course" voice or they'd put her in the golf course jail where people go that talk to loud. (a.k.a. Port a potties) She did fabulous! The best was when a few golfers were walking up to hit, and Addie reached out and touched one on his shoulder. "Have a good golf day," she said. He fell out laughing and said "thanks!" ... Classic Addie moment!~

Bye Ms. Mandie!

We recently had a surprise going away party for Ms. Mandie, Addie's assistant teacher in her preschool class. We are going to miss her more than she'll ever know! She was SO very good with my baby girl, helping her to grow, learn, and mature, while constantly encouraging her imagination and personality along the way. We'll miss you!