2 Peas

But she is still girly!

Loves being just like her brother, Ben!! They are two peas in a pod!!

A Week in Acona

picking plums

Dee Dee playing in the water

Ben has no fear when it comes to slimy things,

here he is catching a frog and earlier he caught

a lizard!

Ann Phelps loves dogs (or puppies as she calls them)

This is Princess at MawMaw and Granddaddy's

a RARE moment

MawMaw and Will fishing

Ben and Granddaddy fishing

eating an ice cream snack

Granddaddy and Ann Phelps fishing

In true AP fashion she now has two ice cream

cones because she took Ben's away!!

swimming at the Rozier's

Daddy and AP worn out from swimming

We left last Sunday for a week-long stay in Acona (my homeland)! We picked plums, played in the water, fed watermelon to horses, visited MawMaw and Grandaddy, celebrated Pap's birthday, played at NelNoo and Boots' house, went swimming at MarMoo and Uncle Craig's, helped Pap stack hay with the tractor, and slept hard at night!! We had so much fun and I love the country because I can relax!!

Saturday Fun

We went to the Children's Museum today since Rhyne went to play golf!! We also went to Chick-fil-a for a milkshake and then played in the water fountain at Dogwood. Some would say it is "redneck" to let your kids play in the public fountain, but redneck is in our blood!!

First Popsicles of the Summer

Before we went outside, we made

Pop some birthday cards, she decided

to decorate herself!!

Today we finally got the play pool out and turned the sprinklers on for the official start of our summer. We even ate our first popsicles of the summer!

Our BIG boy

Big Boy


hard to remember him at 6 weeks!

Otis is now 6 months old. Back in February he weighed 30lbs.- he now weighs 60lbs.!!!! Poor thing, I think he has learned his place in the family - behind the kids!! He is such a sweet puppy and a big mama's boy. I gave Rhyne the dog as a present, but he has clearly become my dog - which is fine with me!!

Better than a Birthday

Today is Mother's Day. I spent almost 5 years dreading Mother's Day. Back then, it was a day that was painful. I was on my infertility journey and going through a day that celebrated what I couldn't be was so hard. I try so hard to remember those feelings so I will never take a second of motherhood for granted. I always wake up on this day and pray for those sweet women who are going through this day and dreading it. I will always feel that bond. God so graciously chose to answer "yes" to my prayers about motherhood. Even going through so much to have this family, I would not change a thing. God allowed me to grow up so much so I could be the type of mom my kids need. He brought me closer to Him - what a blessing. Now, I will not sit here and tell you that my days are blissful and carefree - I had to post the "Love Chapter" (1Corinthians 13) on my wall to remind myself to "love" my children the way God intended. But even on our worst days, I still feel completely blessed beyond measure! So, every Mother's Day since Will was born has been more special to me than my birthday. I wake up more excited than if it were my birthday. I will always view my children as gifts from God, precious gifts not every woman gets to open! Today is better than a birthday for sure!

New Orleans 2011

Hanging out with the "cool" kids on Bourbon


Riding the street car

Riding the street car

Learning to play the bucket drums

AP's balloon animal

Ben's sword and Will's bunny

Riding the carriage

Walking on the River Walk

At the aquarium

Posing as usual

Buzz and Woody

The army men

This alien hat came on each bag of cotton candy,

Rhyne told the man he needed 3 bags, but quickly

changed his mind when the man told him the total

would be $36! For cotton candy - they know how to

make money at these shows! The kids had to settle

for one to share!!

Dee Dee and Pap enjoying the goodies

Before the show. From the moment we arrived in

New Orleans, Ben kept saying he wanted a sword.

The kids knew they could each have one thing at the

ice show - I cannot believe they had a sword at the

show! It made Ben's trip! Nothing in Toy Story has

a sword - I guess they knew Ben waned it!!

Getting ready for Toy Story on Ice

DDay museum

In front of the Higgins boat at the DDay museum

So thankful we had many hands to help carry

tired kids! Boots and AP

Dee Dee

We just got back from New Orleans. It was a very busy and fun weekend. We went with my parents, Marcie, Craig, Justin and Eleanor. The main reason we went was for Disney's Toy Story 3 on Ice show. This show was so awesome and fun. My parents, Rhyne, me, and the kids attended the show - the "cool" kids (aka- the aunts and uncles) walked around town and then joined us for dinner. We also toured the DDay Museum and the Aquarium. You don't realize how hectic trips can be with three kids 5 and under until you go on one! It really made me miss the days when they all liked to ride in strollers! They were worn out by bedtime each night. A BIG "thank you" to Dee Dee and Pap - they kept the kids each night so me and Rhyne could hang out with the grown-ups! I love trips - so many memories are made each time!!