A Thankful Heart

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I am reflecting on all the things I have to be thankful for and since Thanksgiving is on the 24th, I am going to do it like Letterman and ladies and gentleman here are the top 24 list of things I am thankful for...

1.  That I have a Savior that died on the cross for me.  While He was on the cross, I was on His mind.
2.  That I have been married to my best friend for 11 years and he loves me through the good and the bad.
3.  A sweet baby girl that is the light of my life.  She is so loving and makes me laugh.
4.  A precious baby boy whose personality I hope never changes.  Your smile lights up a room!
5.  My Mama & my daddy--it take a village and she is the best.  I hope I am 1/2 the mother to my children she has been to me. For my daddy who I got to spend 18 years with--thanks for teaching me life is fun and a little mischief never hurt anyone.  
6.  Larry--If you would have asked me 13 years ago, if I would be thankful for Larry, I would have laughed and said no, but thank you Jesus for putting such a wonderful father figure back in my life.
7.  Joyce--I have loved you from day one.  Thanks for being the mother-in-law everyone wishes they had!
8.  Shelia & Rachel--My big sis rocks!! She is a wonderful person and I don't know what I would do without her.  To say Ellie looks like her is an understatement and I hope she has the grace and poise my sister has too!  Rachel--what a sweet sister in law--I can't believe I have gotten to watch you grow into the spiritual young lady you are.  You are truly an inspiration to me!
9.  My grandparents--to still have three grandparents alive is such a blessing.  I love each of you dearly.
10.  My friends--I have some of the best friends a girl can ask for.  I have had the same best school friend for gulp, 24 years.  She has seen me at my bet and worst and still loves me.  For all the new friends I have gained, that listen to me, give me advice and make me laugh, I am thankful for each of you.  For all my work friends--ya'll are the best.
11.  I am thankful for the health of my loved ones.  There are so many people hurting because of health issues it just breaks my heart.
12.  That my children have the clothes they need, food to eat and a place to call home.
13.  For the jobs my husband and I have.  There are many people who are searching for jobs, so I am very thankful for our employer.
14.  Coca Cola--anyone that knows me knows that would be on my list somewhere.
15.  I am thankful I am not the person I was 10 years ago or even last year.  I am thankful I can look back and see where I have been and where I want to go.
16.  I am thankful that I can  do things on my own, but have gained the sense to ask for help when I need it--most times :)
17.  For toys in my floor and laundry in the laundry room.  That means I have babies and clothes.
18.  I am thankful for the ocean and the waves and the calm I feel at the beach--not really thankful for the sand, but it comes with the territory.
19.  My church
20.  I am thankful my mama taught me how to cook and my daddy taught me to drive a standard.  Both things will get you far in life!
21.  That Ellie & Rhodes have 11 kids surrounding them each day and that playmates are few and far between.
22.  I am thankful for the mistakes I have made and learned from.
23.  I am thankful for my new van.  Yes, it is vain, but I am thankful for it.
And the 24th thing I am thankful for is.......That I have 23 other things to be thankful for...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Howdy Partner

The Kindergarten class at PDS has been very busy.  They are learning to read and to write letters correctly.  They have been learning bible verses and catechisms.  They also performed a production worthy of Broadway at Friday Family Lunch.  Imagine my surprise when out walks Ellie and (insert the gasp) she has pigtails in her hair.  This is the child who I promise hasn't worn pig tails since she was 2.  Miss Lynn is my new hero.  She also had freckles and was too cute.

Ellie also received the Character Award for the Kindergarten class.  The Character award is based on 9 "Character" traits.  They are

C-Christlike Attitude
H-Helper
A-Attentive
R-Respectful
A-Ambitious
C-Cooperative
T-Trustworthy
E-Encouraging
R-Responsible

Yes mam', that sums up my baby girl!

Thrilled with her freckles and pig tails that showed up in the picture for the paper:)

Happy Birthday Baby Boy

Happy first birthday sweet Rhodes.  Your smile lights up a room.  You are such a happy baby and you are very social.  You make people stop all the time and talk to you.  You are quite the social butterfly.  We celebrated your actual birthday at home.  Ellie made sure you had a present before school and she also made sure that daycare knew it was your birthday.  That night we ate and Nana and Ellie had bought you a RED iced cupcake for the celebration.... You loved it as you do all food.  You haven't met a food yet, that you don't like.

May you have the same gusto about life as you do this cupcake

And I am done

We also had a birthday party for you at the golf course.  You had your neighborhood friends and family and you're sweet friend Hill Hawkins come to your party.  Your present was a rocking horse. 

You mean this whole party is for me?

Always look in front of you when riding a horse--there might be a tree :)

Your sweet friend Hill

At one:

You weigh 22 lbs.
You are 31 inches long
You wear a size three diaper
You are having a hard time giving up your morning bottle
You love your paci and blanket at naps and at night
You sleep 12 hrs. a night
You love table food and have pretty much given up on baby food
You love your sister and think she is very funny, but you will also fuss and talk to her when she does something you don't like
You are a joy and such a blessing!!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl

Six years ago, I would have never imagined the joy you would bring into my world.  You are the sweetest, funniest, smartest girl I know.  I pray that you would always love Jesus and your family, I pray that you would get to experience great things in your life, I pray for that one friend you can always count on, I pray that all these Awana verses we are learning are embedded in your heart and mind, I pray that you know nothing you do will EVER make me stop loving you.

You're actual sixth birthday, I spent most of the morning having my gallbladder removed- bad timing on my part, but it had to be done!  Nana made sure your day was great and you snuggled with me and watch Spooky Buddies.  You were an excellent nurse!  We had youre party the Friday after your birthday at the Golf Course in Kosciusko. You invited just girls and we made bracelets, ate pizza and had a good time!  You got a new bike for your birthday.  You also got out your "Wishing Star" from Disney World and wished on it for a Justin Beiber doll.  If it was important enough for the wishing star, then by George you were going to get it.  After the party, I gave you the doll, you go in the living room to get Daddy to open it and this is what I hear from you, "He has on gray underwear and he has a tattoo. Mercy me, maybe some wishes shouldn't come true... I also put a disclaimer that I bought the doll before the whole baby daddy scandal!

Precious

A six candle makes a lovely light

Thank you for being you!!

On the Move...kinda

Rhodes is crawling everywhere and into everything, but not walking .  On October 3, Ellie and I were in his room and he was standing up holding on to his ottoman.  The next thing we know he took off and took three steps.  We screamed got Justin in there, put him back at the ottoman, he did it again and drum roll please..........hasn't done it again:)  He will stand up smile at you and the just politely sit back down.  He is totally playing us but with a smile like his, he can get away with it.

Long Time No Blog

The purpose of this blog was to keep up with memories, because let's face it--life is busy.  Well, apparently life is too busy to blog!  Ellie (by that I mean me) is surviving kindergarten.  She has a super sweet teacher- Ms Lynn.  She is such a rule follower, that sometimes it makes her a little anxious, but she is doing great.  She got her first 9 weeks progress report and had mastered all the skills so far.  Way to go Ellie!

The Kindergartner

On a side note, the afore mentioned Smurfette lunch box had zipper troubles and you cannot hold up snack to mess with zippers, so we had to get out the trusty metal Smurfette lunchbox and all is well.

Some People Sing Because They're Happy, I Blog Because I'm Sad

Tomorrow- less than 24 hrs- my baby girl starts Kindergarten.  Yes, you heard me right, Ellie Marie Develin is in kindergarten.  She was so excited to get her school supplies, and picking out her backpack was how I foresee picking out her wedding dress.  It took lots of time and patience and yes, we are sporting Smurfette for the first day-complete with matching lunch box and thermos.  Today, we went to Lovely Nails to get her toes painted before school.  She and her friend Anna Young had a great time.  Then we went swimming and played around.  It wasn't until tonight when she went to bed that it hit me.  I have a Kindergartner not a preschooler.  So, I did what anyone in my shoes would do.  I cried, then ate a king size Hershey bar, then snuck in her room for one more picture of my preschooler...she IS a preschooler until tomorrow.  I love you Ellie.

Our Happy Place Part II

We just got back from our Happy Place and no one was ready to come home.  We all had such a fun relaxing time.  We ate great food, slept late and had lots of fun with our friends the Haffey's.  Until next time Destin...You will be missed.

Our Happy Place Part II

We just got back from our Happy Place and no one was ready to come home.  We all had such a fun relaxing time.  We ate great food, slept late and had lots of fun with our friends the Haffey's.  Until next time Destin...You will be missed.

Happy 9 Months Rhodes!!

So my sweet baby turned 9 months old.  I can't believe how quickly time flies.  Rhodes you are such a happy baby and are such a blessing in our lives.  Your sweet smile melts my heart.  Your check up was great because you only had to have your finger pricked.  You didn't even check up when she stuck you.  You weighed 20 lbs. and were 27 inches long.  She said in a round about way, you were short and fat, but it would even out !  Mama wouldn't want you any other way!  You can say Mama, Daddy, Nana and Bye Bye,  your sister is ready for you to say Ellie!  Thanks for being such a blessing. We Love You!

Our Happy Place

I never set foot on a real beach until I was a freshman in college and went to Gulf Shores.  I have not missed a summer since.  They say you are either beach people or mountain people.  Justin and I are both beach people.  There is nothing better than hearing the ocean and seeing all of God's splendor right in front of you.
When we had Ellie we had decided if she didn't like the beach we would have to send her back.  Lucky for her she loved the beach...When we had Rhodes we said the same thing.  We tried him out for the first time over the 4th of July.  He loved it to.  So glad we get to keep you too!  We are leaving again this week to go back to our "Happy Place."  This time we are going with sweet friends we go with every year,  We can't wait!

What has Rhodes been up to?

EVERYTHING!!! Rhodes is into everything.  He can't be left alone for one minute.  He is very curious and likes to know how everything works.  He has officially out grown his "holding" toys, the swing and bouncer seat because he tries to come out of them.  I had him strapped in the bouncer one morning and Ellie said "Mama, I think you should look" and I looked and he rolled over to his stomach, pulled up and had the harness straps down to his knees...bye bye bouncer, you were good while it lasted.  We also had a portable swing that sat low to the ground, he decided to sit up lean forward and play with his toes.  this is all good, except his forehead is almost on the floor, making me think he was about to roll out.  This is where he slept, so we had to make the move to the crib.  He took to it like a champ and sleeps about 12 hours every night.  Rhodes, you transitioned to the crib a whole month earlier than your sister...way to go!

Where's Perry?

So in our house, one of the favorite shows watched is Phineas and Ferb.  At first I wasn't really sure about it,  but leave it to Justin to just say sure, when Ellie asked.  No thought behind it, no talking to other parents, no researching it, nothing...just yes. So that began us watching Phineas and Ferb.  We know lots of the lines to the show because we watch it a bazillion times a day.  There is a platypus named Perry on the show who is a spy and goes by the name Agent P...  Ellie and I were shopping and we just happened to come across a Perry shirt and it just happened that Father's Day was approaching.

Although he was a little apprehensive about wearing it in public, he received several compliments and a few people wanting to know where he got his "cool" t-shirt.

P.S.  He's not unhappy, that is his Perry face :)

Pinterest Anyone?

So by now I am sure everyone has been on Pinterest.  For those of you who don't know about it, you can go on there and look at recipes, decorating ideas, things for kids and all sorts of interesting things.  When you find something you like, you "pin" it to your board.  I found all sorts of things on here, including the tie dyed cakes in a jar.  They were really fun to make and were "yummy".  It was a fun project for Ellie and me to get to do.  Happy pinning!

They Say It's Your Birthday..

So Rhodes turned 8 months old on Thursday and wanted to make sure no one forgot it.  My mom picked him up about 4:00 from day care and noticed he was making a grunting noise, but didn't think to much about it...They come home and played outside and came in and he starts crying and grunting.  She calls me and says there is just something not right.  I come home a few minutes later and he is still crying and grunting.  I finally decide he is having gas pains.  This goes on for a little while, so I call our pediatrician and the nurse immediately calls me back and tells me to get him to an ER that he is not getting enough air...that is why he is grunting...I immediately go over to our next door neighbors who is a doctor and ask him what would he do...so we go the emergency room and Rhodes has a bacterial infection that came on so quick and caused his throat to swell so he wasn't getting enough air...Can you say scary?  They gave him some meds and he was instantly better, but we stayed in the hospital just to be sure...

At 8 months you are pulling up on everything, crawling, saying mama and bye bye, you love the dog water and whenever you get into trouble you just turn and smile.  You weigh between 18 and 19lbs and love your bottle, your paci and you blankets.  You are a sweet child with a wonderful disposition.  You also love your sister!  You love your baby food and the only thing you will not eat is carrots.  Thanks for making our lives better!

In his hospital gown

Loving the sound the plastic made in the croup tent

Just hanging out

Fun & Fire

Two weeks ago, Nana, She-She, Ellie and I headed to Memphis via a lay over in Oxford at Shelia's condo.  These are known as girls weekends and Ellie has been a part of them since she was born.  Do not think for a minute you are taking off without her.  Anyway, we went to Oxford on Friday night and were trying to decide what to eat.  Ellie hates hibachi restaurants, because she doesn't like the fire at the beginning.  Shelia and I always kid her that we are going to a "fire" restaurant.  So the game began with Shelia and I saying let's go to a "fire" restaurant.  She actually agreed only because my mom had never been to one and she wanted Nana to see what it was all about.  She liked it and so did Nana.  After leaving Kabuki, we headed to Belk.  We were looking for different things, but She-She was looking for a purse.  Turns out Ellie is a great personal shopper.  We woke up Saturday morning and headed to Memphis to see Beauty & the Beast at the Orpheum.  Ellie loves Beauty & the Beast--especially the beast...go figure

Ellie with her parrot cup at the "Fire" restaurant

Yes,  I know ...she looks JUST like her She-She

In the words of Go Dog Go...Do you like my hat?

This girl loves some sprinkles

The Chick Fil A cow was shopping in Old Navy...you would have thought Ellie saw Elvis himself..

With our Beast...go figure

A Good Nights Sleep

This girl was ready with her gown and her sleep mask.  She got into my bed and kept raising the mask to make sure I was still there...Funny Funny girl!

Bye Bye Ball

Softball is over and although I don't think you could really tell by Ellie's enthusiasm or lack of on the field...she did have a good time.