Let me catch you up...

Wow! I thought summer would bring more free time to blog and stay current. Boy was I wrong. Walker doesn't want me to leave his side (more like he can't leave my side) or we are on the go. I started this entry over a week ago and was trying to get it posted. As I write, Walker is standing over me yelling. But I will finish! I'm determined.

I wanted to share a few pictures from my camera before we go to the beach. I'm sure I'll have plenty to post from that.

Father's Day Week end Zac and Walker

Walker with his Granddaddy Tully

At Nana's house

After a long week Walker relaxed by painting his bathroom with his crayola painters.

I can't leave out what my little angel did before we left for the weekend... As I was cleaning out the car, he put pennies in my CD player. I could eject all 6 CD's and put them back in, but none will play! So, I have no idea what to do about that.

As if that was not enough, when we got back from the weekend trip Walker chucked my garage door opener into the pool. I had been playing with it trying to get it open and without thinking put it on the chair. I know both instances are my fault. I'm sure it won't be the last!

VBS 08 (Part 2)

Here are the pictures from last night...

Walker and his Joseph doll.

Learning the color red.

Here is the always impossible yet hilarious group picture of the babies.

Notice Walker's one shoe!

Smooth Criminal... The props from the group picture were just too tempting for Walker.

VBS 08.. Walking in "Son" Light (Part 1)

Walker started his 2nd VBS last night. Yes, I said last night. Our church has classes for adults as well so we don't start until 7:00. I'm helping out with his class and it has been interesting to say the least. Walker wanted to sit in the back table by himself.

Snack time... an Oreo cookie at 8:15 at night! We were up very late.

Here's the class in the front table Walker didn't want to sit in. See his empty seat?

They are studying Joseph and his coat of many colors. This is great since I've been teaching Walker his colors. Right now everything is "yewow" (yellow). HA!

Stay tuned for more pictures...

Back in Auburn!

Zac was in a friend's wedding in West Point, GA which meant we got to stay in Auburn. We miss living there. It was nice to go back and visit. Everyone got to see Walker for the first time. That day was pretty crazy. For starters, it felt like it was 400 degrees. I forgot what it felt like to be down there. The humidity is unbelievable. We went to Oakhurst about 2:00 to drop Zac off for pictures. To kill time Walker and I went about 15 miles to Pine Mountain, GA. We were told they had a bunch of cute little shops and a cool ice cream store. I'm not a fan of ice cream but thought it would be fun for Walker. He loves it. So... since we were already dressed for the wedding (which didn't start for another 3 hours) I thought it would be smart to get a milkshake verses an ice cream cone. Turns out I'm not smart at all!!!! Walker took one large sip of it, held it in his mouth, and then SPLAT, spit it out all over me and him. His cute little outfit was covered in chocolate. After the initial shock I noticed it was on my dress, arms, legs, and face. I can't even begin to explain the feeling that shot through my body. I was hot and mad. I pray to God everyday to help me get through the toddler years. Anyone that knows Walker knows he is all boy and very active. He is so sweet but I believe we're heading into the "terrible two's" full speed ahead. So... I gave up the fun mommy and son time and we headed back for Oakhurst. Fortunately I was able to get most of the chocolate out by using a Tide Pen. It did get better as the night went on. Walker loved dancing (with himself) and getting his picture taken by the photographer. The rest of the trip we took Walker around Auburn to see the campus. I wanted pictures to double frame for the future in case he picks Auburn for college. HA! Walker paused dancing for two minutes to take a picture with his daddy.

This is the pic I'll double frame one day...

He loved that tiger!

At the wedding... Can you see the stain?

Mother's Day Week End 'O8

My sweet Walker made me a card and helped his Nana pick my favorite flower. Unfortunately he has a problem with handing over something he thinks is his... hence the face.
Walker with his Nana.

Walker was so excited to get some baseball practice from Uncle "Bake."

Walker doesn't get to see his Uncle Blake often. He really took to him this time. Wish we could see him more!

Thanks mom (Nana) for all you do. We all appreciate it more than you know. You really do put others before yourself. Sorry we had to leave before Sunday. I hope you had a great and peaceful day. We love you!!!

"W"s First Tractor Ride

Last night we went out to enjoy the rest of the day. This of course was after the "tornadoes" had come and gone. Here are some pics.
The ducks...

William is the "black sheep" of the herd. We love him. He is our pet sheep so he will never make it to a sheep sale. Thank goodness!
This is a couple of our border collies... Kate and Bootstrap.
And of course, W and Daddy on the tractor. Walker has been on the four wheeler before but not the tractor until last night. He loves it.

I've been so busy with end of the year school stuff that it makes it hard to find time to post. When summer gets here in a couple of weeks, I'll do better.

♪♪ Happy Anniversary Baby... I Got You on My Mind! ♪♪

Negril, Jamaica May 2, 2000

Wow, time flies. I am so happy to say I have been married to my wonderful husband eight years. Which also make this year our ten year mark for knowing each other.

I'll never forget our trip to Jamaica. It was a seven day fantasy. We had so much fun. I could go on all day about the many stories to tell, so I'll keep it short.

Here are some funny things I remember about that morning...

• Me sitting in the spa for an hour getting my hair done up, then going straight to the room and taking it down.
• Getting to the beach and noticing that ugly arch was going to be in my wedding pictures (even though I told them I didn't want it).
• Being blinded by the sun and squinting in all our pictures.
• All the passers-by pausing their morning activities to stop and watch our wedding.
• Our Jamaican (pre-selected) best man and bridesmaid had the names Marky Mark and Lisa Lewis... That is their real names. Have the certificate to prove it!
• Zac being put on the spot by his best man to get up and give a toast to his new bride.
• Running around the resort to take wedding photos with our bare feet scualding on the pavement.
• #1 best reason to get married on the beach- Our wedding started at 10:00 am. We were married, had a little awkward reception, pictures were taken, and we were in our bathing suites lying on the beach at 11:00 am.

Hopefully we will make it back to that same location for a future anniversary. Until then, we will happily raise our sweet baby Walker and live the life we started eight years ago.

I love you Zac and Walker... You two boys are my life!

QUEEN OF THE IRIS

One of many iris beds.

Japaneese Snowball Bush

The yard of Maycell Smith, AKA "Nanny", can not go unmentioned this time of year. I love to walk around her yard in the spring. It is absolutely gorgeous. Over the past year, I have learned that she loves Irises. She not only collects them, she also trades them and hunts for special kinds. I can't begin to name all the different types. I had to show her yard off since in a couple of weeks the color will all be gone. Walker especially loves staying at Nanny and Daddy Ralph's in the spring. He gets to enjoy the outside while they work in the flower beds.

Oh... and they've added a sand box. I need to get a picture of that too. Walker has had tons of fun playing with that but I think the discovery of worms has made it all worth the while. Yes, I said WORMS! This child will play with them all day. He thinks they are funny. Maycell said he puts them in his bucket and totes it around all day. HA!

WALKER UPDATE: I found out some awesome and exciting news yesterday. Walker has been tee-teeing in the potty. Yeah! He even did it for me today. He gets so excited when he does it. Now if we can get him to do that all the time.

Too Early?

We're trying something new. We've converted Walker's crib into the toddler bed. It's sad but we thought he would like to be able to get out and come to our room, verses screaming waiting for us to come to him. After church Sunday and while Walker was taking his nap, Zac and I got to work. I wish I could have filmed Walker when he walked into his room. It was Christmas morning all over. For the next thirty minutes, he jumped in and out of that bed. This made me think, okay, this might work. See... we are trying to get him to want to stay in his room after he wakes up in the middle of the night. My hopes were stamped out that night when we awoke to the sound of a loud thud! I'll let you figure out what that sound was. Our main idea for transitioning into a toddler bed comes from friends who say they go into the room, crawl into bed and stay until they go back asleep. After a while they get use to staying in their bed. Well, this can't happen when the mattress is "crib size." Maybe it was a bad idea to get a convertible crib. I think we should just go get a twin size toddler bed... at least something Zac and I could fit in! I'll keep you posted on this on going project...

Outside Fun

I am so thankful to have warmer weather. I would much rather be outside playing than stuck in the house. We just got Walker his first kite and he LOVES it! After Walker and I flew the kite, we went to visit Hank, the sheep dog. Walker thinks Hank is the greatest. I noticed a few duck eggs lying around, which isn't unusual. The dogs usually find them and enjoy a tasty treat. But Hank for some reason became fond of one of the eggs. He would carefully pick it up in his mouth and carry from spot to spot. He would lay next to it and act as if he was protecting it. At this point I took a picture of this somewhat unusual behavior. Don't let this fool you. He later dropped it next to a hay bale, hiked his leg on it, and had himself a tasty treat. ? Anyways... When I use the word "duck" Walker likes to flash me his duck face. Some of you have been blessed to see this cute sight. It is hilarious!

While I love my son more than life itself, I cherish the moments he is with Zac doing guy stuff. I can't believe the time has come for him to do things with his daddy. I've tried very hard to catch all of Walker's "firsts" in pictures. He went out with Zac to plant some trees in the back pasture. Sure he was covered in mud when he came in the house, but it was well worth it. I love watching those two play and do things together. There is something special about a bond between a father and son. There is no doubt in my mind, Walker is going to be an outside kid. Being a teacher I know several kids who simply don't play outside. Why? How can you not want to run, play, and explore as a kid? What's happening to our society? Everything has changed from when I was a kid. That's not that long ago! Was it? All I'm saying is... AMERICA, shove your kids outside and get them off the couch! While you're at it, teach them some manners!

Sorry. I am now off my soap box.