Thing 1 Thing 2

I got these for my cuties while we were at Disney & Universal last week.

Last night we ate D'Casa (our second home other than 212... Which we had for lunch..... I'm working hard on my cooking!). Arthur decided to share his beans with AE, & she LOVED them. I'm a food dictator at our house. I don't let AE eat anything that isn't home made, organic, in season, etc. This was a little stretch, & I'm sure she got her first good heaping of preservatives. O well, they're beans. They flush right out of your system, right?

Life Lessons from the Man Upstairs

In a former post, I griped ( at 5 in the morning. .  . probably not the best time to blog) about my "noisy neighbor." I was really upset after one of his guest woke me up at 5 am. I'm sure I was drained at the time, and just blogged out of anger. . . matter of fact, I know that is what happened. I must remember this lesson as a parent. I should probably think out my anger and give it time before I rant in the future.

Anyways, he recently invited us over for a grill out. With hesitancy, we agreed. Last minute, something came up at work for Arthur, and Anne Elise and I headed over by ourselves. 1. He is a GREAT cook! 2. I had the time of my life. At 7:30, I put Anne Elise to bed, and headed back over with baby monitor in hand. I ended up staying until 11pm. My normal bedtime is 9! He, and his "loud" friends, were so friendly and hospitable. We had some great food and laughed until we cried. I'm so glad we went.

He just loves Anne Elise, and we found a lot of things we had in common. He even bought new dishes just for the cookout. Yes, he is a night owl. He loves to stay up late and so do his friends. I admitted I slightly envied that, as I can't hang with a crowd past 9 without droopy eyes and endless yawns. He reminded me "the grass is always greener" as he admitted to enjoying watching our family grow, and seemed to have a little desire for a family of his own.

Last night I took him dinner. I made chicken spaghetti, and the recipe makes enough for an army. I thought about him, and asked if he'd like us to bring some over. I got over to his house, and he was whipping up home-made cornbread to go along with it? What? Are you serious? Home-made cornbread is my favorite, and I've never been able to master it. So he promises to give me a cornbread lesson soon. He loved the chicken spaghetti, and texted me for the recipe later. Which included a picture of his home-made cornbread and some fresh stir-fry veggies. He just never stops impressing me, and I feel bad for judging him by his cover. . . or should I say front door since that's what I see all day out my front window.

O, did I mention he is the drummer for a pretty popular band around here? Yes! So he has the drummer look, and getting to know him, he doesn't match his looks. Well, the late night parties do, but after going over, I realized that they are just having a good, fun time. . . just at loud volumes. . . in the front yard. . . at 2 am! He promises to try to tone it down.

So today, I found a recipe file book and packed it full with with some of my favorite tried and true recipes and set it on his doorstep. He mentioned last night he wanted to work on getting some of his favorites organized. He got home from work today and found his little happy from the Wood family, and he sent us the sweetest text about how he loved it and it really made his day. Wow! If the Lord hasn't worked on me by getting to know him, He definitely got me today. The Noisy Neighbor has turned out to be such a sweet friend, and I'm sad it's taken me this long to get to know him.

Spike TV debut

Yes, you are seeing correctly. I am at a live taping of wrestling match and on the FRONT row. Don't ask how we got here. . . . LONG story, but it wasn't my first choice. But, it was quite entertaining. My friend, Kenzie just asked me about it on the phone. She asked if it was really that fake. Fake? Are you kidding? It's beyond fake. Even the crowd is prepped on how to act, when to scream, how to respond to the camera, etc. So when you see me jumping up and down yelling at the camera, I probably have no clue what's going on, I was just doing what I was told. Don't get me wrong! These guys are TOUGH as nails, and there was lots of blood. Real blood, but their moves are fake and rehearsed. They don't even hit the other guy. They punch their own wrist for the sound and impact effect. But, the whole experience was beyond entertaining. Also, take note of my awesome t-shirt. One of the stage managers called me out in front of the crowd for not know who my favorite wrestler is. . . let alone, who any of them were. After a long 10 minutes of teasing me (my face is BLOOD red), he returned with a free t-shirt. I think he really just wanted me to cover up the plane, white, I'm boring, tee I had on and make me look a little more like the "fan!" Also, I added the sunglasses as an extra element. Everyone else in the crowd had theirs' on, plus it gave me a little extra disguise. Maybe the parents won't hate me too much for accompanying their children to this show. Watch for us this Thursday night on SpikeTV. 

The Amish

If you know me, you know that in the last year, I've become slightly obsessed with the Amish. I read about them, watch documentaries on them, and bug my Mennonite maid with questions about them (which I think annoys her, because she isn't Amish. She is in fact Mennonite. . . but that's close enough, right?)  You also know that I could sit and watch adoption videos for hours. After watching my friend Amy's adoption video (for the 15th time. . . and still crying), I decided to watch some of her follower's videos as well. One blog linked to the next, and before you know it, I arrive upon a book review of "Almost Amish." How I got here, I still don't know, but it captivated me and 10 minutes later, I'm on Amazon ordering the book (Impulse buying. . . totally in Amish style, right?)

I'm halfway through the book now, and I cannot put it down. O my goodness! It's so good. I've always wondered why I'm so fascinated with the Amish, but after reading, I realize, it's a desire to live a more simple life. We get so caught up in life with what the world tells us to wear, buy, drive, live in, eat, and SO much more. Why?  Why not a more simple life? Why must we have granite countertops and heated cup holders in our car?  Does the food we prepare for our family really taste better if we have those countertops, and do we not own enough mugs to keep our coffee hot on our 5 minute drive to the gym? And we really pay to go sweat when a little hard work outside would do us good, and benefit our family as well. It's so strange how we get caught up, and if anyone is victim to this, it's me! Example: Yesterday after reading the chapter about finances and purchasing things you only NEED, I just had to have a new pair of shoes. I guess one of the 78 pair in my closet just wouldn't work.

This may not be your thing at all, and you may be sitting at your computer screen laughing at me now. Really? Heather! You are the most materialistic person I know! Good luck surviving without your 78 pair of shoes, 13 pair of jeans, 2 closets, SUV, and 23 kitchen appliances. Well, don't worry. I'm not going Amish tomorrow or anything. You want see me at church with my prayer cap on or without makeup anytime soon. . . . or ever, for that matter.

The book is written by a woman who's husband was a successful physician. They had it all. Beautiful home, sail boat, kids in top of the line school, and money was no object. After several tragedies, they began searching for something more. Long story short, husband brings home Gideon Bible from work, they read, they believe. Then they decide they are going to stop worshiping things, and they do some major downsizing. People are curious about their lifestyle and ask if they are Amish? Of course she isn't Amish, she drives a Prius, wears make-up, has a cute hairstyle, they have electricity, and she still likes nice things; however, they believe in quality, nature, debt-free lifestyle, simplicity, service, and they are dedicated to their faith. A lot like the Amish; however they have their differences. . . ok, a lot. No horse and buggy, prayer cap, beards, etc. So she writes this book to explain their lifestyle.

I'll share more later when I finish the book. For now, I think I may start with cleaning out a few closets and our attic (key the scary music). Whew! It's a wreck. I think everything from my childhood & every piece of junk leftover from the dreaded med-school apartment is lingering up there. I'm going to try to use the motto, if we don't need it and someone else can use it, it goes! I'll let you know how that turns out.

Impromptu Bunny Pictures

My sweet neighbor Desi had some bunnies and let us come over to play this afternoon. I couldn't resist getting a few snapshots of Anne Elise with the bunnies. I really wanted to keep them, but Arthur wasn't sure how that would work out with the move. How do you pack bunnies? So maybe next year the Easter bunny will bring us a few. 

Happy Easter 2012

We had a busy Easter. Our first adventure including meeting the bunny at the mall. I knew it would be a disaster; however, she loved him. She reached out for him, and I even got a little giggle out of her.

Then Anne Elise took off to go stay with Me-Me, Papaw, and Aunt Holly for a few days. She got really spoiled. I sent a carful of strollers, supplies, toys, and clothes, and I think it doubled for the ride back home.

Then we went to have a play date at the Horan's pool. Our friends Ella Brooke, Lilly, Hayes, and Mary Clayton played with us in the pool. Anne Elise loved it. I babysat these girls when they were Anne Elise's size. Now they are all grown up and helping me with AE.

When we woke up Sunday morning, we found a Easter basket full of goodies.

Then we had a bath before we set off for church. We don't normally bathe in the sink, but we were in a rush, and this was the only way I could bake a cake for lunch and bathe her at the same time. It didn't bother her. She loved playing in the sink.

Then we were off to church.

We had lunch with Ramsey's, then we went to Me-Me Cooper's house for dinner. We were so stuffed by the end of the day.

She loved playing outside at Me-Me's house and watching the barges go down the Ten-Tom waterway.

Let's not forget why we celebrate Easter.

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Matthew 28:6

Ramsey Family Photos

Meet the Ramsey family! They are a ball of fun, and we couldn't have found two better friends to move with us to Waynesboro. The sad part is that they are unfortunately a year behind us in this move. I'm going to cry everyday without Katy because we text/call at least 2 times in an hour. Katy has it all figured out, and knows where her husband, kids, my husband, & Anne Elise are at all times of the day. I have to call her to figure out where Arthur is half the time. She memorizes the clinic schedule. . . for ALL the residents. I cannot tell you where my husband was today. I know you are shocked!

Anyways, Katy has been set on getting pictures made in a yellow wildflower field for a while now, so this afternoon we took off to find the flowers. The catch was getting her wild-man Jack to participate. He's a fun little energizer bunny. He has 2 speeds: fast and off. He keeps Arthur and I entertained. So here are 2 of my favorites and two from a recent play-date.

Timeline

If you find a way to stop time, call me. I'm willing to fork over a lot to get your method. 

This is from the day we brought her home all the way up to the six month marker. 

Pageant Days

Last week, my sister was in the beauty revue at school. I went to Senatobia to help her with her hair and make-up. She is the more athletic one of the family, so this was not exactly her forte. So big sister to the rescue. She had a great time, and her precious roommate, Stormy, won! So proud of them both. 

 Holly and Stormy 

My sweet dad! 

and Mom! 

So all this pageant talk got me debating whether or not I should blog some old pageant pics of mine. Here there are and you can view under 2 conditions:

1. You DO NOT stereotype me! I am not your typical pageant ditz that you see on TV. Matter of fact, none of my friends I made during this journey are that type. Some of the smartest girls I know, I met at Miss Mississippi. 

2. No teasing! 

This shot of the Miss Mississippi parade was actually in the Clarion Ledger the week of the pageant. 

This is me with Arthur's sister, Jalin. She is a former Miss Mississippi who I met during the week. It wasn't 10 minutes after we took this picture that she introduced me to her brother, Arthur. Who knew?

Also, the dress she is wearing, was a vintage piece from their mother's closet. I wore it at our rehearsal dinner. The dress I have on I wore to our reception. 

I can hear my Lawndale girls teasing me now! :) 

I have plenty of leftover autograph cards I can get to you girls later! 

God Bless- Miss Delta Blues 2007 

"Hoppy" Easter

Anne Elise wore her cute bunny dress to church this morning, so I had to snap a picture. She loved playing with the Easter eggs as well.