What's Up Woodwards

Clint Graduates

2011-05-24T22:19:00.000-05:00

My baby brother, John Clint Bradford, graduated this past weekend! We are so proud of him. As president of his senior class see below is his speech. :)

Cade Thomas Woodward

2011-02-24T23:00:00.001-06:00

Cade Thomas Woodward

Birthday: February 16, 2011
Weight: 6 lbs. 13 oz.

Length: 20 inches

We are so thankful to all of our prayer warriors out there!

My God is So Big, Cade Thomas Woodward

2011-02-24T08:00:00.000-06:00

Maybe we are just easily entertained but we laughed at this for a while and I thought I would share it with you. Enjoy! :)

39 Weeks, 1 Week to Go!

2011-02-14T12:34:00.000-06:00

We had a doctor's apt today and NOTHING has changed! I'm still not quite 2cm and am about 70% effaced. My tummy is measuring abot 38 1/2 cm and his heartbeat is strong. So if McBaby does't come by his due date we talked about a few dates to induce and since I really really don't want a c-section we are going to wait until after his due date. So next Monday we are going to have an ultrasound and hook me up to make sure everything is fine and if it is then we'll induce next Wednesday!

Mommy News:
Still pregnant, still highly uncomfortable, still very very ready!

Thank you for your prayers!

6 or 9 Days to Go!!

38 Weeks, 2 Weeks to Go!

2011-02-09T16:00:00.002-06:00

We meet with Dr. Gregory this past Monday and I haven't changed since last week. I'm 1 1/2 cm dilated and 70% effaced. His heartbeat is strong but my tummy is measuring a little small, 37 cm. She asked me if I packed my bag and I let her know it was in the car... she said if I unpack it he'll probably come! :)

My What to Expect App says my baby is still as big as a Watermelon (19 in to 22 in, 7 lbs).

Mommy News:

I'm really ready for him to be here! Our nursery is almost finished!

11 DAYS LEFT!! :)

36 Weeks, 4 Weeks to Go and in ACTIVE Labor!

2011-01-24T16:00:00.004-06:00

I went to my first weekly appointment with Dr. Gregory today. She asked how I have been feeling and I let her know that I thought I'd been having some contractions and have felt a lot of pressure "down there." Well right when she started "checking me out" she said "No wonder you have been uncomfortable I feel the head right there." I was so excited! She said I am 1 cm dilated and 50 to 60% effaced!! She said that was great progress for someone on their first baby. My tummy is measuring 36 cm which is right on schedule and his heartbeat is still strong... I have gained a little more weight then I should have this week but you know... :)

After calling Jared and my mom with the news I called my friend Krystal and her mom, Sharon, who are both nurses to help me understand what it all means... I know I just took the class but I needed it spelled out so in case you do too check this site out, http://www.justmommies.com/articles/effacement-and-dilation.shtml. In a nut shell, I could be 1 to 2 cm dilated for a few weeks but hey it is progress that I am now in the first stage of labor, active labor. :)

My What to Expect App says my baby is as big as a Watermelon (19 in to 22 in, 6.5 lbs). Here is our Watermelon:

Mommy News:

I am uncomfortable but so excited that my total discomfort and pain is making the labor progress! I've been feeling like a total wimp lately so the news that I'm now in active labor is making me feel totally justified in my whining! :) We had our first shower yesterday, which I'll post pics of soon, so I'm feeling so blessed to have such a generous church home in Tuscaloosa! University Church of Christ has some amazing women! :)

McBaby is squirming all the time and put on several shows for family members this weekend! :)

27 days left!!

Birthing Class

2011-01-17T16:00:00.000-06:00

Jared and I spent our Saturday at Gold's Gym Brookwood Medical Center for our birthing class. I'm really glad we did this!

Our instructor, Connie, did an excellent job highlighting topics and answering questions. The videos were rated R but they painted the picture very nicely. :) If anything, I think the class got Jared and me more excited.

Here is a vimeo similar to the non-r rated parts where they just showed us animations:

Childbirth (Birth) 3D Video Animation from childbirth on Vimeo.

HOW AMAZING IS THAT?/!!

Connie's Q/A time:
Question: What does a contraction feel like?
Answer: They can be different... The BACK contraction is when you feel your tummy tighten and then a painful band of fire across your back. The BOTTOM contraction is when you feel your tummy tighten and then a severe cramping with a band of fire in your "bottom" area. (Ding ding the bottom one described exactly what I experienced this weekend! Ouch!) If you have more then 6 in an hour you need to call your doctor!

We also took a tour of Brookwood and OMG it is a ridiculously confusing building! So, if you come to visit us I'll let Jared give you directions! Please see an example of one of my directionally challenged past posts, LOST. :)
Interestingly enough, out of the 14 couples that were there only 2 of us were having boys! Wow, right?

I think we are going to one more class and then we'll feel like we are in the know! :)

35 Weeks, 5 Weeks to Go!

2011-01-17T14:00:00.000-06:00

Jared and I met with Dr. Brown, another doctor from Dr. Gregory's practice, last Friday. She's great! So far we have really enjoyed meeting with all the doctors from Sparks & Favor. Dr. Brown says we are right on schedule. My tummy is measuring at 35 cm, my weight is on schedule and his heartbeat is strong. She also gave me permission to start contracting whenever, her words were... They would like for me to wait until 38 weeks but if I start contracting it is no big deal b/c 35 weeks is in the safe zone! YAY!!

My What to Expect App says my baby is as big as a Large Cantaloupe (19 in to 22 in, 6 lbs). Here is our Cantaloupe:

Mommy News:

I'm a true waddler now! I walk just like a penguin, when I'm coming people should yell "wide load, coming through!" I belly bump people, furniture, doors... all the time! I hurt constantly in my hips, which come to find out is hormones causing the connective tissue in my body to soften, loosen and become more flexible... this will help Mcbaby squeeze through my pelvic bones, gotta love that mental image! :)
I experienced several contractions this weekend, which HURT!

Baby is kicking and moving all the time, which is comforting at times and painful at other times. Last night it hurt so bad I told Jared and Leah he is grounded as soon as he gets out!! ;) He has the hiccups right now!

34 days to go!

32 Week Check Up, 8 Weeks to Go!

2010-12-28T14:00:00.003-06:00

Jared and I went to our 32 week check up today with Dr. Gregory. All is good! McBaby's heart beat is around 130 bpm. My platelets look good but I'm still slightly anemic. My tummy is measuring 1cm small, Gregory says anything within 3cm is normal so no worries.

My What to Expect App says my baby is as big as a Honeydew (19 in, 4.5 lbs). Here is our Honeydew:

Mommy News:

I'm feeling so ready!! I hurt and am not getting much sleep so I'm just pure sunshine to be around! :) I'll spare you what all hurts and just say EVERY inch of me! I did experience my first round of Braxton Hicks contractions last week... ouch, but not as bad as I thought they would be.

McBaby is really active! You can see him moving if you look at my tummy for a bit... I love it when he pushes on my tummy and leaves his, hand/elbow/foot/knee there for me to tickle.
While leaving the hospital I asked Jared if he thought Mary had to tinkle as much as I do... I bet they had to pull that donkey over every 5 minutes!

54 days to go!! Yay! :)

Bradford/Hamilton Thanksgiving 2010

2010-12-28T10:00:00.002-06:00

This year we had Thanksgiving at Mom's house because of the Alabama vs. Auburn game. Codie's boyfriend's (see past post, Ed's First Sawgrass Adventure) family was able to join us later on. Here are a few pics from our fun day!

Uncle B, Papa Grandaddy, Andy and Calli's back (I received a bit of grief for taking a picture during the prayer but it was a picturesque moment!)

Clint's back, Calli, Nonnie, Grandmother, Papa and Grandaddy getting their meal, yum!

Clint, Codie and Calli

Luke, Chase and Joe

Joe, Papa, Uncle B, Uncle Andy and Grandaddy... Papa showing them how he is the master of the iPhone now. :)

Chase and Colton

Prego shot of me.

Me, Calli, Codie, and Aunt Teresa

Mom and Me

Aunt Teresa and Mom

Luke and Cade

Miami found a friend!

Nonnie and Uncle B

Jared helping Calli with her Accounting homework

Just hanging out.

Joe and Andy give us a concert.

Uncle B, Papa, Nonnie, and Grandma Punders listening to Joe and Andy play

Foursquare time!! They wouldn't let my pregers self play... :( So, I took pics!

Chase, Jared, Calli and Colton

Brian, Jared, Colton and Clint

Brian, Jared and Chase

Colton, Brian, Clint and Codie... not sure if it was in or not. ;)

On lookers, Teresa, Mr. Marynowitz, Mrs. Marynowitz and Mom

Mrs. Marynowitz, Mom and Grandaddy

Brian and Codie

Ed was able to make it for a little while! (This pic turned out fuzzy.) :)

Marynowitz family pic!

I didn't get our family to take a group shot over Thanksgiving but I did for Christmas... coming soon. :)

Join Us Monday for a A Worship Celebration of Christ's Birth

2010-12-16T14:00:00.009-06:00

“Silent Night”

A worship celebration of Christ’s Birth

Monday, December 20, 2010,

Gathering at 6:45 pm. Worship begins at 7:00.

Homewood Church of Christ

Located at the intersection of West Oxmoor Rd & Lakeshore Pkwy

Please be our guests and join us for a special worship service celebrating our Savior’s birth. The wonderful story of Christ’s birth will be shared through a cappella music, hymns, scripture reading, drama and time for prayer and meditation on God’s greatest gift.

Plan to remain after the service for seasonal refreshments and fellowship.
For a video clip from last year, please visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a0R0L69FsI
Childcare available: nursery to 1st grade.

In the beginning God separated the light from the darkness and said "it is good". But when darkness entered the world through sin, God sent a new "light" to help us see His love, mercy and grace. When the "light" arrived, some welcomed the light, some hid from the light, and others didn’t understand it. Which one are you? ____

I'll be in the saprano section on the front row, 3rd from the left. So far I have had to take at least one bathroom break each rehersal... let's see if I can make it through the entire show with out running to the bathroom! Please pray that McBaby doesn't kick me from 7:00 to 8:30ish Monday night! :)

30 Weeks Pregnant and 10 Weeks to Go!

2010-12-14T14:00:00.006-06:00

Jared and I went to see another doctor in Dr. Gregory's practice, Dr. Favor, yesterday. I really enjoyed meeting her! Dr. Favor let me know that McBaby is right on track! My tummy is measuring at 30 cm which is exactly where he is suppose to be and his heartbeat is strong. If she had to guess McBaby will probably be a 7 1/2 pound baby if he comes on time! Jared and I were both 7 something babies so... Yay!

Whattoexpect.com says McBaby is the size of a head of lettuce (18 in, 3.2 lbs). His brain is working overtime and he can now perceive information from all five senses... although he won't be able to smell until he is outside of the amniotic fluid.

Since Jared and I decided not to do a 4D ultrasound, I thought I would share this pic that my friend Stephanie sent me from her recent trip to the Chicago Science Museum.

This is what a baby would look like at 26 weeks and 4 days.

Mommy News:
I'm doing good besides the fact that I've never been more uncomfortable with my own body!
He kicks and punches all the time now, I seriously think he gave me a fist pump yesterday... so cool!Although he does like to kick me in this one nerve that gives me a shooting pain... so when I jump from it anyone near me looks at me like I'm crazy!
We finally registered at Buy Buy Baby, Babies R Us and Target last weekend! I would advise anyone to register online first and then go check out if you want to make changes at the stores!! Registering is so overwhelming but lucky for me I have a super organized friend, Jamie, who gave us a big boost! Jared posted on FB "Our registry looks eerily similar to yours. If there was such a thing as registry plagiarism, Rachel would be guilty." I love that he posted that but just to give you a clear picture of how our registry adventure went... we would be looking at something and trying to decide which one we want and Jared would say, "look at Jamie's, what did she get?" :)
Our nursery has been dreamed up but we have done nothing! So, hopefully we will begin putting all that together soon!

Thanks for all your prayers, keep them coming!

28 Weeks Along, 12 Weeks Left and a Glucose Test

2010-11-30T14:00:00.002-06:00

I had my doctor's appointment yesterday. McBaby is measuring on schedule and his heart beat is still strong! Yea!! One of my newsletters says he is as big as a small cabbage (17 in., 2.9 lbs) but another says he is as big as an eggplant, here is our eggplant.

Yesterday, I started my morning with a bigger breakfast than my usual pop-tart while running out the door. I fixed myself French toast, yum. However, while I was waiting in the doctor's office Jared said it probably wasn't a good idea since syrup is pure sugar... oops. That got me nervous and I was sure to fail and have to take the 3 hour Glucose test next time... but I don't.

I received all my results today:

Glucose test was 74 which is good (over 135 is not good).
Red Blood Count - Hematotrit (I had my nurse spell this but can't find it so I might have misspelled her spelling, I did find Hematocrit) was 32.8 which is low (over 35 is good) so I need to start taking an iron pill... I'm only slightly anemic.
Red Blood Count - Hemoglobin was 11.1 which is fine (over 11 is good), since it was close they'll run this lab again next time.
Platelets were 149 which is slightly low (over 150 is good), they'll run this lab again next time.

Mommy News:
I'm feeling like I have more energy, which is great! I have a dozen projects in my head that I want to get done before we start on the nursery... classic nesting syndrome, I know, I'll post on one of the funny/frustrating project once we've recovered from it.
Dr. Gregory says my weight is on track but I feel she is just being nice. I feel ginormous! :)
McBaby is kicking like crazy on the lower left side of my tummy so his head is to the right. It only hurts when he kicks my bladder and a nerve... sharp pains, ouch!
I don't sleep much but I feel like I'm getting through the day better with little sleep. For those who don't know, I am a TRUE tummy sleeper. I don't even sleep on a pillow, just flat mattress. I am still able to sleep on my stomach with a pillow between my legs mostly on my left so I don't crush McBaby's head... which is the only way I can fall asleep after getting up umpteen times to tinkle. TMI... :)

Thank you all for your prayers and keep them coming! 82 days left! :)

100 Days Left!

2010-11-12T14:00:00.003-06:00

One hundred days until February 20th!
I will be 26 weeks on Sunday with 14 weeks to go!

My What to Expect App says McBaby is the size of a cucumber (15 in., 2.2 lbs.).

This is a google cucumber image... so cute!

Mommy News:
I'm moving right along and he hardly ever stops moving! Which is pretty cool, I must say. I'm feeling drained but excited. I so can't wait to meet him! I do have major pregnant brain syndrome issues and am getting even more clumsy then usual; see past post that highlights my uncoordinated self, The Ugly Truth of Tennis.

Jared and I still don't have a definite name picked out but last week in the car he "un-vetoed" Cade Thomas, which is my second favorite name… progress! Unfortunately, for him, I am still being super stubborn because Mcbaby is such a Dean Thomas to me! So I am planning to call him Cade Thomas for a week and see if I might be able to convince myself that McBaby is a Dean... I mean Cade. :)

Right On Schedule

2010-11-02T14:00:00.000-05:00

Jared and I were told at our last check-up that we were going to start to meet with other doctors in Gregory's practice so we met with Dr. Sparks yesterday for our 24 week check up. Compared to Dr. Gregory we waited twice as long as we usually do but I guess everyone has those days where they are behind.
When Dr. Sparks pulled out his measuring tape he said I should be around 50 cm and when he measured my tummy I was right at 50 cm. We got to hear McBaby's heart beat, loved that, 150 bpm and believe it or not my weight is even on schedule!

Here are some ultrasound pics that I forgot to post after our last ultrasound appointment.

He started opening and closing his mouth right before she took this image.

Here is a great profile shot. :)

Mommy News:

I'm doing great! I feel huge and need to post some baby bump pics but I haven't taken any... bad me, I know. Jared and I have been out of town every weekend the past two months so me being a bit pooped is probably because we have been busy! I'm still sleeping on my stomach... I have found a way but don't know how long it will last. I eat everything in site but am trying to eat several small meals. TUMS are a must and I keep them with me all the time. I feel McBaby kicking sporadically throughout the day and am absolutely loving that! I don't feel his hiccups yet but have been told they are coming.

I'm counting down the days, 110, until I meet McBaby!! I can't wait! :)

Google Analytics and Your Blogger Blog

2010-11-02T12:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a YouTube video on how to add Google Analytics code to your Blogger blog for all your tracking needs.

If you are not comfortable working with hard html code then allow someone else to do this for you. Friends are welcome to comment that they want me to do it for them, let me know your email address and I'll follow up with an email on what I need from you. I can show you a few reports that have been helpful to me as well. :)

Yes, Us Webbed Toe People Can Have Pedicures!

2010-10-28T14:00:00.000-05:00

Ok, I'm going to show my dorky side, I sometimes check to see what keyword phrases people type into google to find my blog...

Someone actually googled "can people with webbed toes get pedicures"? Seriously? Wow! In case anyone else is curious, the answer is yes! :)

My freshly pedicured toes are on the right. :)

See past post, Birthday and Mother's Day Weekend and Webbed Toes.

Kicking My Bladder and a Miracle Pill! 21 Weeks

2010-10-12T14:30:00.001-05:00

I guess I've been feeling Mcbaby for a couple of weeks now but last Sunday I was sure of it and yelled for Jared to come feel him! He kicked a few times for his daddy but since then Mcbaby has found it more amusing to kick my bladder making my bathroom run count RIDICULOUS!

babycenter.com says:
Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like he's practicing martial arts as he initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to his activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.

Mommy News:

While I have way more energy then the first trimester I do get tired quickly.
I've never slept well but it has gotten worse with my many tinkle trips and having to be careful when sleeping on my stomach.
I experienced my first case of heartburn!! OMG! I thought I was dieing and since Jared nor I have ever had heartburn we didn't have any TUMS in the house. So one night last weekend from around 9:30 PM until 3:00 AM I was in agony! Needless to say we are now fully stocked in that miracle pill, TUMS! :)

PS. I keep finding out more and more friends are pregnant so if you haven't told me yet please let me know when your due date is and what your having! We'll add you to our prayer list! :)

I'm Half Way There, 20 Wks!

2010-10-05T10:30:00.001-05:00

We had our 20 week ultrasound and doctors appointment this week. This "would be" when we find out the gender but we cheated and went to Virgina College, see A Tiny Penis is Growing Inside Me. (BTW> Don't tell real ultrasound people you went to Virgina College to get a free ultrasound... they get a little scrappy!) Mom, Papa and Katie came to the big show! We are so glad they came, we ran into Dr. Gregory in the elevator so they were able to meet my doctor too! :)

He is a confirmed BOY!

I didn't take pics during our yummy brunch at Another Broken Egg so oh well... it was funny that we all ordered different things. The Eggs Benedict (an English muffin, our finest ham & two medium poached eggs, covered with our creamy hollandaise & chopped chives) and Cinnamon roll french toast (thick slices from our cinnamon roll, grilled w/ our famous french toast batter, layered with warm cream cheese icing, topped w/ banana’s foster sauce, a mix of warm berries & whipped cream) were delicious!

I'll upload the ultrasound pics later... Jared left them in Papa's truck after they played golf. :)

Legally Blonde the Musical

2010-09-27T14:00:00.001-05:00

Codie, Alicia and I went to see Legally Blonde the Musical this weekend at the BJCC. It was so funny! I love it!

Here is my favorite song. I love the role Emmett plays in the musical!

A Tiny Penis is Growing Inside Me

2010-09-02T14:30:00.000-05:00

Jared and I scheduled a free ultrasound at Virgina College today! It's a boy! I was hoping for a little girl to dress up but I've been bracing myself (I actually wrote most of this post yesterday, I just had a feeling).

We were Jennifer's (our ultrasound student) final exam. She did a great job and the best part was that we got to watch him for a long time! He would flip from side to side, kick, hiccup, and suck his thumb. Jennifer said she has never seen a baby suck his thumb the entire time like ours. He was very ok with posing for her because at one point she asked him very nicely to stretch out his leg and he did! :)

Here he is sucking his thumb :)

Jared lit up when she said "here is his little turtle"

Our baby boy's middle name is "Thomas" because it is Jared's middle name and his dad's first name but the first name is still up in the air... What do yall think, 1, 2, or 3?

Caleb Thomas (I've always loved the name "Caleb" but it has gotten really popular.)
Cade Thomas (Love the name but Luke named his dog "Cade.")
Dean Thomas (This is my favorite name but Jared says "Dean" is a girl name.)

My cousin Codie reminded me of a Sex and the City quote that made me laugh...
Carrie (to Miranda): Do you realize you're growing a teeny tiny penis inside you? That is so sci-fi!

Please continue to pray for our baby boy! :)

15 Weeks

2010-08-31T10:00:00.002-05:00

Jared and I had another visit yesterday morning with Dr. Gregory. We didn't get an ultrasound (sigh) but we got to hear the strong heartbeat. We told Gregory that we decided to not get any genetic testing done but I still haven't decided what my birth plan will be. Believe it or not I’m leaning toward no epidural but I DO RESERVE THE RIGHT to chicken out! … I’ll let you know. :)

Best quotes of our visit:
Gregory (whilst checking for the heartbeat): Here she is... here she is again... She's just all over the place!
Jared (glancing at me with an accusatory look and sarcastically replying): Great!
Me (laughing hysterically): That means she's like me!
Gregory: What do they say... You pay for your raising!

I'm now 15 weeks (the size of an apple or orange)! 174 days to go! :) Here is a slightly disturbing yet cool video of an animated baby at 15-20 weeks.

Babycenter.com's update on baby: "Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam."

Mommy News:
I'm feeling much better overall! I have more energy which is fabulous! :)
No new weird cravings... just milk and McDonald's. However I do eat ALL THE TIME!

Our next doctor's appointment with an ultrasound is October 4... but I just got an appointment to get a free ultrasound at Virginia College this Thursday!! So, we'll know if we are having a boy or a girl this Thursday! Yay! :) SO SO SO excited!!

Please keep us in your prayers!

Gender Predictions

2010-08-27T10:00:00.003-05:00

Since I'm only 14 weeks pregnant and my next apt will be August 30 (only 15 weeks pregnant) I probably won't know the gender until the end of September. So why not try some gender prediction tools for fun! :)

Here are the tests and the results that I found:

Chinese Pregnancy Calendar - Boy

Old Wives Tales (I'm not quite far enough along to answer some of these but here it goes):

Q: If you prefer sleeping on your left side, you'll have a boy. Right side? Girl.
A: I sleep on my stomach still but mostly have my head facing the right side. Girl

Q: Extreme nausea means you are having a girl.
A: I have major nausea! Girl

Q: If your hands are dry, you are having a boy; soft -- expect a girl.
A: More dry, but I thought that was because I have to tinkle all the time so I wash my hands way more times a day than normal. Boy

Q: If you're craving citrus, you're having a girl.
A: I do love me some oranges! Girl

Q: If your skin breaks out, expect a girl.
A: My skin hasn't been to bad but worse then normal. Girl

Q: If you feel graceful during pregnancy, you'll have a girl. Clumsy? It's a boy.
A: I'm super clumsy anyway and have NEVER felt graceful. Boy

Q: If you gain weight in your face, it means you're having a girl.
A: I don't think so. Boy

Q: Craving salt? Expect a boy. A little something sweet? You're having a girl.
A: I've never been a sweets lover... I'd pick french fries over cake any day! Boy

Q: If your right breast is larger than the left, you are having a girl. If the left is larger, a boy.
A: No idea. Inconclusive

Q: Feeling extremely moody? Expect a girl.
A: I'm super spacey but I don't think I've been moody... Jared thinks I have. Girl

Try These Scenarios

Q: Dangle a chain with a charm over your palm. It is swings back and forth: boy. In a circle: girl.
A: Back and forth. Boy

Q: How would you show someone your hands? Palms up? It's a girl. Down? A boy.
A: If someone asked me to show them my hands I would show them palms up. Girl

Q: Hang a ring on a chain over your belly. Swings back and forth? It's a girl. In a circular motion, a boy.
A: Circular. Boy

Q: If a toddler boy shows interest in your belly, you'll have a girl. If he ignores you, it's a boy.
A: My nephew ignored my belly a few weeks ago. Boy

Q: Guess the baby's sex by eating garlic. If the smell seeps out of your pores -- boy. No scent -- girl.
A: No thanks! Inconclusive

Q: If you pick up a key by the round end, you're having a boy. If it's by the long end? A girl.
A: Long end. Girl

Conception Clues

Q: If your age and year of conception are both even or odd, it's girl. One even, one odd means a boy.
A: 26 and 2010. Girl

Q: If the baby's heart beats more than 150 times per minute, you'll have a girl. Less than 150, a boy.
A: High 150s. Girl

Q: A child tends to be of the same sex as the parent who is less stressed at the time of conception.
A: No idea. Inconclusive

Q: If you dream about having a girl, you will wind up having a boy and vice versa.
A: In all my dreams I'm just pregnant. However I did dream that I had a dog the other day and went to see Dr. Gregory highly ticked off because the ultrasound shows a human... I wasn't really worried about if the dog was a male or a female. I woke up crying! Inconclusive

Amazingpregnancy.com/oldwivestales - 80% chance of a boy and 20% chance of a girl. Girl

Drano Test - Q: The drano test combines a tablespoon of Drano and urine together. If the mixture turns green, it’s a girl. If it turns blue, it’s a boy.
A: So, when I read how to do this it grossed me out. Inconclusive

Branches - Q: The eye test is when a “V” or “branches” appear when you pull down the skin under your left eye. If you see a “V” or “branches” in the white part, you’re having a girl.
A: I see branches! Girl

Headaches: - Q: If you are having headaches, you might be carrying a boy.
A: Many a headache. Boy

Baby Names - Q: It is said that when you can only think of specific names for a boy or a girl, you will have that particularly baby.
A: We only mostly agree on a boy name. Boy

Childbirth.org - 33% boy and 66% chance of having a girl (this is mostly Inconclusive because I'm not far enough along to answer some of these questions.)

Girl Total = 12
Boy Total = 10

This is really close... but I think I'll rely on the ultrasound results!

100 Days Pregnant!

2010-08-24T10:00:00.003-05:00

We are excited to announce that we have been pregnant for 100 days! Yay! At 14 weeks I am in my second trimester. I'm due February 20th. :)

Our little bean's debut during my 7th week (about the size of a blueberry) on July 8th. This was so amazing! We could hear the baby's heartbeat which was going really fast. (You'll notice on the ultrasound pic there is a dark spot, about the size of the baby, which is a fluid sac... Dr. Gregory said that more times then not this should just go away but women who have these are more prone to a miscarriage. Gregory scheduled another ultrasound 4 weeks later so she could keep an eye on the fluid sac. Thank God this did go away and a perk was that we got an extra ultrasound to see the baby again!)

On August 2 during my 11th week (size of a lime) our prayers were answered, no sac! This is a pic of baby looking like she is sucking her thumb. :)

Our sweet ultrasound person (not sure of the technical name) turned on the 4D and took a pic. The entire time we watched baby she was kicking her feet and waving her arms... she'll either be a dancer or a cheerleader! If by some chance she is a he... he'll be a very rowdy golfer! :) Her heartbeat is still strong and she is measuring 3 days bigger than her due date.

Mommy News

Cravings:

Nonprego I hate milk, the taste is just disgusting to me but now I love it and can't get enough.
Most days I ACHE for McDonald's, my sis calls the baby "Mcbaby" (Grey's fans will like that... like, McDreamy and McSteamy).

I'm starting to show! I have always liked baby doll or empire waisted tops and dresses so a lot of my clothes already look maternity-ish but all my work pants are quite snug!

I have had some true crying time devoted to the fact that I cannot ride horses for another 180 days plus recovery time... sigh. :( I am having major with drawls and we have a Sawgrass trip planned this weekend! I haven't fallen off a horse in years but because there is a strong possibility my doctor said it was not a good idea... my planning to still ride but just walk the horses was quickly squashed when Jared more emphatically said I'm not allowed to chance it. So, this blog will be full of news of our life after the PLUS sign the next 26ish weeks instead of fun horse stories... I may have to tell some old stories from back in the day to keep it interesting. :)

A book the hospital gave us also says I can't play tennis because it is considered a very "jarring" sport. These type sports could possibly detach the baby from the placenta. So, no more posts on my tennis progress... if you could call it that. :)

Please help us pray for baby Woodward's progress and our soon to be parenting skills! :)

Church helps families with adoptions

2010-07-13T08:00:00.005-05:00

This is a heart pulling article from the Tuscaloosa News this past Sunday about my home church, University Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa.

______________________________
Church helps families with adoptions

University Church of Christ ministry helps families with the adoption process
By Tiffany Stanton Special to The Tuscaloosa News Published: Sunday, July 11, 2010 at 3:30 a.m.

Logan and Lindsey Thrasher know enough about international adoption law to teach a class.

By May they’d already been preparing to wait at least a year and make some extended visits abroad to bring home the one-year-old boy they’d expected to adopt from Uganda.

But last week, the Northport couple filled an unfinished nursery with twin girls born May 4. And Lindsey Thrasher says she’s not sure how she and her husband would have handled the twists and turns of their adoption experience without the prayers and support of the 13 other families at their church who were also in the process of adopting.

“When the opportunity to adopt the girls came up, we had many people on their knees in prayer,” Thrasher said, recalling the way others involved in University Church of Christ’s orphan care ministry responded to their news. “They were so encouraging and also challenged us to be putting our beliefs into practice.”

The other families in the group knew that she and her husband had decided to adopt from Uganda. The couple had shared their progress as they completed the paperwork and research necessary for an international adoption.

So when Thrasher received a phone call on May 3, asking if she and her husband would like to adopt twins expected in July, the other families were able to help the couple make their decision. And when the twins were born the very next day, they urged the Thrashers to search their hearts and Bibles for an answer.

That’s exactly what Duane Dixon, the church’s campus minister, hoped would happen when he brought the families together in the ministry, created to help adopting couples keep their faith in God. Dixon said the process is one Christians are called to endure.

“Faith-filled churches must take the lead, and should be the No. 1 advocate for children without families,” he said in a recent e-mail. “The very scriptures which should direct our lives as Christians could not be more clear — the people of God, as described in the Bible, are charged to care for orphans.”

He says he became convinced of the need — and of Christians’ call to fill it — after a night of prayer in spring 2009, when his wife, Jenny, said she wanted to adopt. He wasn’t so sure, until he awoke that morning convinced that the care of orphans was a Christian duty as well as a joy.

In the following months, as he, his wife and three biological children began the process of adopting an infant girl from Ethiopia, he discovered that several others in their church were also adopting.

“It wasn’t like a bunch of us got together and said ‘Let’s all adopt,’ ” said Tesney Davis, who, along with her husband, comprised one of the first couples to join what had originally been a support group. “It was many of us just realizing that we were all going through the same thing at the same time. And I strongly believe it’s the Holy Spirit working.”

Dixon said he’s modeling the church’s orphan care ministry after one begun at Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.

The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham also has an orphan care program, Dixon said. But he says he doesn’t know of any others, and he’s hoping that University Church of Christ might help lead the way.

“Many families choose not to adopt because the task simply seems too daunting,” he said. “This new ministry team hopes to blaze a new trail and create a support network that makes adoption completely possible for many more.”

Lindsey Thrasher said the group’s prayers and support alone might have been enough to carry her and her husband through their adoption experience.

But the families in the ministry went a step further, buying two new cribs and a roomful of nursery necessities for the twins, then lending the couple a van so they could bring both girls home from North Carolina. And Dixon says the group has started a fund so they might be able to help others with the costs of the adoption itself.

Davis hopes the ministry will introduce many more Christians to the idea of adoption and convince some to make a commitment. She wants more people to think about adopting children with special needs, as and her husband Greg are doing. The child they’re adopting lives in Russia and has Down syndrome. Davis and her husband are waiting for the documents they will need to set a date and meet him, but they’ve been at this point before — and it’s a story Davis isn’t not sure she wants to tell.

“It’s tough, because we don’t want to scare people away from adoption,” she said. “But I think that one of the things that is most true about adoption is that it’s a rollercoaster ride, and a group like what we’ve started here is a wonderful thing, and makes the ride so much easier, because we have the support of others who are going through some of the same things.”

The Davises were eight months into the process of adopting a little boy named Sergey when they received a phone call. Tesney Davis said they were excited to hear the phone ring.

“We got the call, and we thought it would be our travel date,” she recalled. “But it was our agent telling us that the adoption had fallen through.”

She said it felt as though she’d experienced a death, and they were crushed. They grieved for days, but the support came pouring in, as did reminders that they were doing this for a higher purpose.

“We really feel that adoption is close to the heart of God, and Satan does all he can to make the process difficult,” Davis said. “So we face it with that kind of mentality, as a group prepared for challenges.”

Families in the orphan care ministry called, emailed and prayed for the Davises. Their encouragement helped the couple, who have a biological son, decide to try again with another child from the same area.

“I think God takes care of things,” Davis said, describing the feeling of peace she said she’s felt ever since. “You’ll face difficulties and hiccups, but God will sustain you.”

The Thrashers agree.

Lindsey Thrasher said she and her husband are thrilled with the way things turned out, and hope to continue in their effort to adopt a boy from Uganda once the twins are settled in. But the couple has realized that even good news can turn the world upside down.

“We had learned so much about international adoption, and we were prepared for a long wait,” she said of the day a distant relative called to tell her that she knew a young girl who was looking to place twins. “It was a little shocking, but the more we prayed about it, the more we realized we wanted to pursue it.”

She and others in the ministry said they hope their adoption stories will educate the community about the ups and downs of adoption. And Dixon wants to spread the word about what he sees as a world crisis.
His night of prayer opened his eyes, he says, and led him to conduct extensive research and make a congregational confession regarding orphan care.

He discovered that, according to some estimates, 12 million orphans are added each day to the 145 million that exist throughout the world. As he read his Bible, he said he saw more evidence that Christians are charged with their care.

Psalm 10:14, for instance, told him, “The helpless put their trust in you. You defend the orphans.” Psalm 68:5 says “Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy.”

His reading also convinced him that by caring for orphans, Christians are imitating God.

Deuteronomy issues the reminder, he says: “True justice must be given to foreigners living among you and to orphans ... always remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God redeemed you from Slavery.”

“We believe God has adopted us into his family through the work of Jesus,” Dixon said. “And so, if we are to imitate our creator, we must be people who adopt and show concern for orphans. How can we not? It’s our own story.”

Super Suppers with Friends

2010-06-28T10:00:00.001-05:00

Martina won a free dinner where she got to invite ten couples! It was so fun and yummy, we also got to make two dinners to take home and two side dishes!

Martina, Jamie, Cortney and me

Me and Jamie

Dinner is served... Trey, Cortney and Jamie fixing a plate.

Jared watching as Camron and Trey made their take home dinners.

Me, Jamie, Cortney and Martina in our Super Suppers aprons.

Jared and me

The group.

What a cool concept read more about Super Suppers!

Wow! I'm Out of Shape!

2010-06-24T10:00:00.007-05:00

I ran 5 to 6 miles a day 4 days a week my senior year of high school weighed about 10 lbs less then I do now but it is when I'm playing tennis that I really feel just how very out of shape I am in!

Leah took some funny shots while we were playing, most of them no one will EVER see! :)

Me pooped!

Jared and me before we switched from the slow balls to the fast ones. :)

Jared tired of getting his pic taken. :)

I'm ready

I'm ahead of the ball... probably the only one I timed well.

Pretty sure I'm not supposed to look like this when I hit it... uncoordinated much?

Leah making her shot. :)

Quotes:

Jared: You have to time it better...

Rachel: If step one is keeping it in the fence, timing can not be step two! Baby steps remember!

(Insert Jared's eye rolling here.)

Rachel: I'm hot!

Jared: That's what happens when you exercise.
.

Random girl on the other side of the court: It is 2010, I went to a website and it helped me figure out that I won't graduate until 2016...

Rachel to Leah: Oh my goodness, did you hear that?

Leah: I didn't think about that shot.

Jared: These balls don't even bounce!

Rachel: Whipped that one out like Ron!

Pandora Stations You Have to Have

2010-06-24T10:00:00.005-05:00

(Pandora is an automated music recommendation service. Users enter a song or artist that they enjoy, and the service responds by playing selections that are musically similar. Users provide feedback on approval or disapproval of individual songs, which Pandora takes into account for future selections. Learn more at http://www.pandora.com/.)

I hate the quiet! I sleep with a loud box fan and when I don't have it I barely sleep. When I'm not asleep the TV or radio must be on making some sort of racket or I'm uneasy. Enter the beauty of Pandora... I play my Pandora stations while I'm getting ready in the morning, on my drive to work, all day at work, on my drive home, while I make dinner, and while I'm getting ready for bed! Lucky enough I'm still using the free version! I love love love Pandora and am addicted!

My Top 10 Pandora Stations:

#1 Glee Cast Radio

#2 The Phantom of the Opera -Thanks Codie!

#3 Sweet Caroline Radio -Thanks Ed!

#4 Taylor Swift Radio

#5 Chicken Fried Radio

#6 Wicked (Original Broadway)

#7 A Whole New World

#8 At the End of the Day (Les Miserables)

#9 Sweet Caroline (Glee Cast Radio)

#10 Chris Tomlin Radio

Let me know your favorite stations! :)

Weekend with the Girls + the baby bros

2010-06-18T10:00:00.006-05:00

As most of our get togethers start, we prepared food to munch on the rest of the weekend followed by a photo shoot... then the paparazzi never ends which is why 5 of us are dressed up in my dresses! :)

Me, Ashley, Leah, Jessie Dean holding Sugar, Codie, and Calli

Me, Ashley, Leah, Jessie Dean holding Sugar, Codie, and Calli

Codie and Leah

Me and Jessie Dean

Codie holding Sugar, Leah, and me

I love this shot of Calli laughing... She has the most contagious laugh! :)

After munching and munching we moved it out to the back porch for girl talk and more laughs.

Me and Leah

Clint and his friend Jake after attending the ACA's Senior Banquet

Colton, Jessie Dean, Clint, and Me

Calli, Clint, Codie, and Colton

So after our fun talk on the porch Clint talked everyone into playing Quelf... it is just about the silliest game I've EVER played! We sure had a lot of laughs! :)

Everyone ready to play!

Calli, Larrah and Jessie Dean (Larrah arrived late but she'll be in more pictures tomorrow).

Clint and me

Me and Ashley were on a winning team.

Jessica and Larrah were on a team... this is a picture of them after they landed on a blue color, their card said they had to stay under the table until it was their turn again. Hee Hee!

Leah, after landing on a yellow, writing her limerick (a light humorous, nonsensical, or bawdy verse of five anapestic lines usually with the rhyme scheme aabba), before her next turn.

Their once was a man with five arms,

Who lived on a very big farm.

He had a whole slew of limes,

That he picked all at one time.

So fortunate it was that he had five arms.

(The right person drew that card!)

Codie

Jake and Clint landed on a blue and had to play patty cake... it was amusing!

Leah and me.

Leah had to find something in less then a minute that had a chin strap so she headed straight to the mud room and grabbed Mom's gardening hat. I am modeling my mask that Ashley and I had to hand make in less then a minute and wearing my post-it that had a target on it, whenever you catch anyone looking at your target they had to move back one space... yes this game is SILLY!

Calli and Colton

Calli said it all in one look as to how we all felt about Clint's game... crazy and chaotic!

Clint, Calli, Colton and Jessie Dean as we played Catch Phrase and Clint shared his Fun Dip.

The Harry Potter team beat the Volemort team... it was rigged.

Leah, Codie, Ashley, and Larrah singing to Glee to finish off our fun evening of silliness! :)

Quotes of the weekend (laughing hysterically while typing them up):

Jess: I don't have a spare tire in my car, I have Friends. The complete series.

Codie: OH, OH, there's a napkin on fire!

Calli: There are a lot of eyes going on.

Jess: Not that one, it doesn't work.

Rachel: I want wine!

Jess: IT WAS YOUR JOB 45 MINUTES AGO!

Jess: DELEGATE! DELEGATE!

Codie: Should I put on a dress?

Leah: She made me put on a dress earlier.

Calli: Personal life window closing!

Codie: Why are we shouting?

Codie: Who knew laughing was such a workout?

Rachel: This is a new one so we don't know the lyrics.

Codie: Lucky you.

Rachel: One more CAMERA! Two more pictures!!

Codie: Don't drink all of it! He bought it for everyone!

Calli (while Leah danced): Interpretive dance by Leah... There's no jelly fish in this song!

Codie: Don't wear this dress I just wiped snot on it.

Calli: Good thing it's green.

Calli: All talk and no bowel movement!

Codie: That's some legs, some could call it a centipede.

Leah: Let me bring the quote book, lest something funny be said.

Calli (to Rachel singing to parade): Sit down women, reel it in, reel it in!

Codie (as Colton beat boxed): Thank you Justin, zip that fly up.

Codie: Um, I have a card in my hand!

Calli: Could you stop yelling.

Ashley: Quelf... it sounds like an impolite word!

Codie: Quelf is the worst game ever! Did I say it right that time?

Rachel: Excuse me, I feel a question coming on.

Codie: Look alive Jake! Look alive!

Calli: We won.

Codie: The whole game?

Calli: No...

Jess (from under the table): This game is not fun yet.

Calli: We are going to have to find the turn down button on you.

Calli: I would have to say we aren't in a romance novel.

Jess: Do I look like a person who is nice to dogs?

Leah: I have sunscreen in my eye.

Calli (laughing hysterically): It's just the way you say things.

ACA's Scrimmage

2010-06-17T10:00:00.001-05:00

After purchasing my bathing suit for the weekend, at Target on clearance for less then $8, Leah and I met Jess to watch Clint and Colton's scrimmage. Jess had to leave early so Leah and I stayed to take Colt home, Clint had ACA's Senior Banquet afterwards.

Colton blocking someone twice his size! So proud! :)

ACA's 2010-2011 Football Team

The Giving Hand - Missing Aunt Barbara

2010-06-07T10:00:00.000-05:00

Today is the anniversary of my Aunt Barbara’s death. Barbara was diagnosed with breast cancer the summer of 2003. She was cancer free for almost a year. In December 2005 we found out that it spread to her brain. Christmas 2005 the Bradford family spent in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at UAB. She was a fighter and went through treatments again. 6 months later, June 7, 2006, Barbara passed away at Hospice in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Barbara taught P.E. at Vestavia Elementary in Northport, AL she loved wearing fancy hats, strawberries in her wine, children, running, being girly with her fabulous nieces, but mostly hanging out with her 3 boys. Her husband, Brad, and 2 sons, Jake and Joe Claude were her world! She always had a smile on her face and more contagious energy than a high school cheerleader at a Friday night game… throw in 7 cans of Red Bull and that gives you a glimpse of a night with Barbara’s personality.

Below is a quote from the book September by Rosemound Pilcher that Nonnie, my Grandmother, read to me the day of Barbara's funeral. It was good for me to read again in remembrance of my loving aunt.
“Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by my old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference in your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that is always was. Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow on it. Life means all that is ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is an absolute and unbroken continuity. What is this death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you for an interval somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well.”

Below is the poem called The Giving Hand, wrote in honor of Barbara and read at her funeral by my sister Jessica.

The Giving Hand
.
She’s the “hello” you love to hear
Because her voice is full of delight
Even when cheering in the fall
For the Tide on Saturday night
.
She’s the giver I wish I could be
The most thoughtful person I know
She wrapped presents all by-herself
Finished off perfectly with a hand-made bow
.
She’s got her own language,
Barbara-isms you might say
Yepper and Ugger to name a few
There was a new one from day to day
.
She’s always in the cutest clothes
Pink is her favorite color
She loved polka dots too,
Especially with fur on a hugger.
.
She’s the Mama to the college boys
Those Sigma Chi’s so far from home
Dinner at the Bradford’s in Northport
They didn’t have far to roam
.
She’s the first smile you see
When you walk through the door
Entertaining family and friends
There is nothing she loved more
.
Than to throw a party at her house
No matter the occasion
Christmas, Graduation, and Birthdays
Going to Aunt Barbara’s took little persuasion.
.
She always outdid herself
And made the parties grand
So thoughtful and humble
She has the giving hand
.
Proverbs 21:26 says
that some people always want more,
but the godly love to give.
Aunt Barbara was godly to the core.
.
Her giving hand is rare
But comes easily to those chosen few
Aunt Barbara had that gift
A role model for me and you.
.
But what gave her the most pride
What gave her the most joy
Was just to be in the presence
Of her three favorite boys
.
Aunt Barbara, Thank you for every memory
We will miss your energy and your love
Your humility and your smile
We’ll see you again in heaven above.

The Ugly Truth of Tennis

2010-05-26T10:00:00.001-05:00

I am not one of those graceful girls that glisten when she plays sports! I am splotchy red, awkward, trip over my own feet, swing and miss, uncoordinated, zero hand eye coordination, look like I'm going to pass out type girls who you would not want to stand within 5 feet of after playing 20 minutes of tennis, especially in humid summer Alabama weather!

Me, a great example of my awkwardness... :)

Last week Jared and I first started to play tennis, see Hit and Giggle, the second time was a joke, I was awful and hit the ball out of the fence several times! In Jared's words, "You don't really look like you are trying..." I blamed my lack of ability on the huge bruise on my wrist I got the previous night, apparently I don't know how to hold a racket!

So, last night Leah joined us on the court and we all took turns hitting the ball back and forth...again no keeping score, baby steps! :) Leah showed me how to hold the racket so it doesn't create yet another bruise and while I need to get use to how it feels it did spare my wrist!

Quotes:
Leah: That's what she said...

Jared: Are you ready to go?
Rachel: I'm already gross, let's keep playing
Jared: Is that the only reason?
Rachel: Oh yeah... and I'm having fun. [fake smile followed by genuine smile]
Rachel: Oops sorry! Good grief?

Jared: That was good babe
Rachel: Are you sure?
Leah: A lot more have been in then you think

Leah: You are a lot better then you think

Rachel: Ron would not have pulled his wand out like that...

Jared: I'm playing left handed

Leah: Are we as bad as they look?
Rachel: Oops, I wasn't paying attention... I'm ready now

Rachel: It hit my rim... my frame... I mean my rim... which is it?
Jared & Leah: FRAME!

Rachel: I ka... (breath) I tr... (breath) I fi... (breath) I'll (breath) tell (breath) you (breath) later (breath)...

Jared: [as we walked to the car] I hope our kids get my athletic ability!!

Rachel: me too!

Me and Jared after playing our longest grueling hit and giggle game yet! ;)

Motivation tips for slackers from Unclutterer

2010-05-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

While Leah and I were in t-town for our girl's trip last weekend (will post about it soon) my sweet hubby did a SUPERMAN type job cleaning the house. This has inspired me to follow suit get organized and start picking out paint! One of the many blogs I follow, Unclutterer by Erin Doland, had a guest blogger, Chaya Goodman, write about Motivation Tips for Slackers. Below is the tip that stuck out to me the most which will help me not get overwhelmed with the many projects I'm wanting to start on the house.

Know your limits.
I’ve noticed that the cycle of slacking for me goes like this: 1. Taking on way too many projects (organizational or otherwise), to compensate for having slacked off; 2. Trying to do all the tasks using poor time management skills; 3. Failing at fulfilling responsibilities; 4. Giving up hope; 5. Slacking. When tasks start piling up, do not touch the dust of taking them on all at once. Be honest with yourself — you’re not a superhero who can stop time. Instead, make a list and deal first with the task with the biggest penalty for slacking. For example, renewing my driver’s license has the biggest financial risk associated with it, so I decided to undertake it before putting away my laundry.

Visit Unclutterer for more tips on how to unclutter your life, it is an easy read and has great insight! :)

Cisco's Push Plus Miami and Meow

2010-05-24T20:00:00.001-05:00

Just thought these were just silly enough to post! Enjoy!:)

So Cisco got a little camera shy b/c he was pushing me a lot more before we hit action. :)

While reading the Deathly Hollows for the 7th + time Miami and Meow distracted me.

Dads, Mr. No Shoulders and a Dunk

2010-05-24T17:00:00.001-05:00

Leah and my weekend at Sawgrass with our dads was a hit!

Pulling up to Sawgrass Friday in the early evening we found Leah’s Dad, Herb, and Papa rockin’ on the front porch getting to know each other for the first time. They looked at us with puzzled expressions similar to the horses that met us at the gate… we were singing Glee’s “Bust Your Windows” at the top of our lungs and just realized our windows were rolled down! :)

After unloading our weekend groceries we went straight to work on our dinner plans (hamburgers, freedom fries, hot pepper corn and buffalo chicken dip). While the Glee singing concert continued in the kitchen the dads interrupted my solo of “Don’t Rain on My Parade” to work outside on the tractor and then to watch sports. Dinner was a big hit and we stayed up swapping horse stories until late with plans to sleep late the next morning.

Herb had coffee ready Saturday morning and then helped Papa with a yummy Sawgrass breakfast: homemade biscuits, sausage, eggs, and grits. It was perfect! Papa planned to watch Clint’s football practice so he headed out shortly after breakfast, leaving us with a full gorgeous Saturday of riding horses!

Leah and Comet

Me and Cisco

Herb riding Red and Leah riding Comet

The second ride of the day we started out on the East side of the property. Cisco was being quite a problem child so I had to remind him a few times who was on him! While riding through thick brush in an open field I saw a LONG black snake slither at the edge of Cisco’s hoof. Luckily Cisco didn’t see it but Mr. No Shoulders was on my mind for the rest of the trip!

Herb and Leah on the east side of the property.

Leah was getting a feel for how to get Comet in a Saddle Gait so we rode the horses pretty hard all day! Since it was so hot and the horses were good and foamy we decided to let them drink some water. We took a short cut to the back side of the Big Bass Lake and let them drink… I’m rarely this adventurous but I had told some stories about how I use to swim with the horses I grew up with so, along with the heat, I was inspired to find some shallow water and swim to the other side of a wall of trees. The shallow water was short lived because I was calf deep in water and I didn’t want my saddle to get soaking wet! So as Leah and I were guiding our horses back Herb was sinking… He hopped off Red and we were all a little panicky because it happened in such slow motion! Can there be quick sand in a lake?? When Red put his head to the side to blow bubbles out his nose I realized he was lying down!!! We had a good laugh and Herb rocked him until he stood up and walked him back to shore. Guess Red was really hot!

Herb and Red after his DUNK! :)

We finished our ride untacked the horses, washed them down and while Leah and I started dinner (hotdogs, chicken, freedom fries, and green beans), Herb went to the lake to fish. After our fabulous dinner we watched Young Guns and went to bed.

Sunday after Herb made us a yummy breakfast (biscuits, eggs, and grits) we were too sore to ride horses so we gassed up the Sidekick and went for a quick mud ride in the rain then off to Taco Casa to complete a fabulous weekend at Sawgrass!

Quotes of the weekend:
Mr. No Shoulders who is under the employment of Big Red!
I’m not that far from panic myself.
I just tell them that it’s Rachel’s fault I like country music!
Ride camel, ride…
You have to think… What is beyond me? Tennessee!
You can bid the mob good day!
It’s all fun and games until someone hits a tree!
It all tastes the same to me.
Summoning Grey with Wicked.
Too much information… Filter, filter, filter!
For such a rustic boyish weekend your dad had to listen to a whole lot of Wicked!

Bust a Quote - Our silly world of quotes

2010-05-20T08:00:00.001-05:00

Every member in my family is a self-proclaimed movie expert! We enjoy watching all types of movies (over and over again) and delight in picking movies apart feeling very passionate about where we have tagged them (the good, bad and in-between)! We are also prideful fans of the best TV show ever, Friends! So naturally when we get together for any event we have to begin quoting our favorite lines in any movie or show that sticks out to us at any given moment in any conversion… all convos have free rein to bust a quote!

In an effort to include my fellow bloggers in family inside pleasantries, I wanted to let you in on one quote from a “must see” movie that the girl cousins have seen countless times and randomly quote.

Quotes from one favorite scene in Summer Magic:
Julia: Why yes, because of Charles.
Nancy: Oh, so it's "Charles" now, is it?
"Oh, Mr. Bryant. I couldn't hit your croquet ball."
"I'm too weak and dainty."
"But I might take a weensy push at Big Jim Jeffries-Nancy Carey's ball."
Whack!
"Mercy! I only sent her 100 yards, but I couldn't hit you."
Nancy: Hilarious.
Julia: If you knew how you look pretending to be dumb.

So don’t be surprised if you ever visit a Hamilton/Bradford get together and someone interrupts your stories to say remember when in ____ movie when ____ character does _____ … or we’ll simply break out other rusty quotes before you can even finish your thought, like:
Whip crack away…
God Bless Kurt…
Like a glove…
Oh the fates…
Super cool party people bid ya super cool adieu!
…Um, ok. The fifth dentist caved and now they're all recommending Trident?
Should I use my invisibility to fight crime, or for evil?
“Should we all expect Christmas gifts that can be stolen from your office?” …”You shouldn't. “
“I figured after work, I'd pick up a bottle of wine, go over there, and try to... woo her.” “Hey, you know what you should do? Take her back to the 1800's when that phrase was last used.”
How do you not fall down more often?
Yeah. It's like a cow's opinion. It just doesn't matter. It's moo.
Are you actually saying these words?
“That's a great name... for an industrial solvent…”
“Rain? "Hi, my name is Rain. I have my own kiln and my dress is made out of wheat."” …“I know her!”
Oh, it's mine. I wrote a note to myself, and then I realized I didn't need, so I balled it up... And now I wish I was dead.
Well, I guess it wasn't Cupid that brought her here after all. No, just another regular flying dwarf.

Calli, Jen, Jess, Me, and Codie (Ashley isn't in this pic)

Hey Family, leave comments of some of our other quotes that I didn’t include… please keep them PG! :)

Hit and Giggle

2010-05-19T08:00:00.001-05:00

I married a past UA pitcher who is very competitive! In our first year of marriage Jared really wanted us to play tennis together… let’s just say it wasn’t good for our marriage so we stopped.

A few weeks ago our CORE group met at the Mullen’s house where Mike and Jessa led us in questions of how we perceived what our marriage was going to be like before we were married and how it is now. We covered many questions but one thing that really stuck out to me was how I recalled Jared really wanting us to play tennis together and I have been fighting it for the 8 years we’ve been a couple. So, leaving CORE group that night I turned to Jared and let him know that we should start “trying” to play tennis together… his face lit up! :)

Yesterday was our first attempt in almost 6 years! We pulled up at the courts on the Trussville Mall and there were players on all four courts… I thought great witnesses! When a court was finally free and we started hitting I kept thinking: I’m so out of shape, I know my legs are jiggling like crazy, oops I hope no one saw that, my toes hurt, wow my legs hurt… then I asked how long have we been out here? Jared replied, 15 minutes! You’re doing way better then last time, I’ve started hitting it hard and you are actually hitting it back! I responded, I think I'm going to throw up!

Jared was good and patient teaching me, BABY STEPS! Like with the forearm I need to only use one hand to hit it and the backhand I hold it with two… we also covered some basics like tennis’s “line of scrimmage” is called a baseline, which makes since.

In short, my goal was to keep the ball in the fence but I failed! In the last 15 minutes I managed to hit two out of the fence, Jared had to retrieve.

I really had fun this time! I think it was mostly because we didn’t keep score, Papa calls it “hit and giggle,” as a competitor I’m sure this was hard for Jared but after almost 6 years of marriage he knows that this is the best way for me to start!

I’ve decided to blog about my tennis progress to keep me motivated so stay tuned maybe I can keep it up. :)

Quotes:
At least it was in the fence
Sorry…
I think I’m going to throw up
You have to pick up your feet
Can we let it bounce twice?
You were a lot worse last time
You’re doing good baby
You tricked me…

Black Jack Dies

2010-05-18T08:00:00.001-05:00

I've been working with this stubborn horse for a little over a year and he died last week.

Papa got Black Jack with Red about two years ago. Black Jack had a great disposition except that he spooked easily and balked occasionally, which is why no one but me enjoyed riding him. I loved working on his gait!! The last time I rode him was 2 months ago and he could go from a saddle gait to a lope back to a saddle gait like changing gears in a car, fabulous! I'm really going to miss him! :'(

Jared riding Cisco and Me on Black Jack

Ed's First Sawgrass Adventure

2010-02-13T10:00:00.001-06:00

It was a cold February night when Ed agreed to attend our randomly, last minute, Sawgrass venture... After a quick Taco Casa run (mild combination burrito with sour cream, a small messy nachos and a large Dew) we arrive at Sawgrass around late thirty.

The game room was freezing so after several attempts we got a roaring fire.

Sweet success!

Jared and I challenged Ed and Codie to a game of Rook... we played until extremely late forty five and slept late the next morning.

Ed and Jared freezing playing cards...oops, I got a peek of Ed's cards (shhhh)

Ed did so well on his first ride... we went pretty fast the majority of the time!

Ed riding Cisco, Codie riding Gray and Jared riding Comet (I'm taking the pic riding BlackJack)

.
Pics of us riding:

Cisco rubbing on Ed telling him to take his bridle off! :)

What a fun relaxing trip! Can't wait for the next one!!

Holy Cow, More Puppies!!

2009-12-10T08:00:00.004-06:00

I know, I know... Gasp! Right?

We've got more puppies! Tell ALL your friends!! :)

My neighbors Todd and Emily found 6 more puppies this past weekend! Their shots are up to date and the vet said they are about 7 to 8 weeks old, the perfect Christmas present for a loved one!

They are staying at Emily's house but please call me if you would like to come by and pick one or two out! (205.826.4351)

Read about our past puppy finds:
Meet the Puppies as Friends Characters - 8/4/09
Got Puppies? - 8/3/09
You Need a Puppy!/? - 11/22/09

"How a Web Design Goes Straight to" a Dark Place (COMIC)

2009-12-08T08:00:00.000-06:00

Don't know if you have to be a web designer or even a graphic designer to appreciate this humor but I laughed so hard I had tears rolling down my face! Visit "How a Web Design Goes Straight to" a Dark Place!
Enjoy! :)

A Short Survey Regarding a New Resource for Christians...

2009-12-07T08:00:00.002-06:00

WMU®needs your help with a possible new resource for Christians! As an expression of our appreciation, your email will be entered in a drawing for one of three WorldCraftssm gifts. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/K9VWYVB
To learn more about WMU visit http://www.wmu.com/. WorldCrafts’ beautiful handmade products may be viewed and purchased at http://www.worldcraftsvillage.com/.

The survey ends at midnight on December 11, 2009. The drawing will be held December 14, 2010. If your email address is selected, we will contact you to request your name and mailing address. If we do not receive your reply within 7 calendar days, we will select an alternate recipient. WMU staff members and their families are not eligible. Thank you for your help.

Happy Birthday Xavian!

2009-11-24T12:00:00.000-06:00

Xavian Hall is one year old today!

Follow Xavian's progress, Caring Bridge.

Please continue praying!

You Need a Puppy!/?

2009-11-22T08:00:00.001-06:00

Two puppies were found that need homes, so if you or anyone you know is in the market for a puppy please let me know! They are siblings named Maddie and Moose (their other sibling has already been adopted).

Moose is a little boy who is very playful and full of energy. He's all personality and show's it off with all his toys. He’s smaller than his sister but just as plump! He minds very well considering how young he is, and is almost house trained and crate trained.
Maddie is a sweet little girl who is also playful but calmer than her brother. She is also almost house trained and crate trained. She is larger than Moose but probably won't be more than 45 lbs.

Both LOVE people which is amazing considering that they came from the woods. Their dad is a German Sheppard and mom is a brindle mix.

Help find Maddie and Moose a home today, forward this link to all your friends... If you are interested please comment or email me your phone number, rachwoodward@gmail.com. :)

Yep, an Auburn Fan...

2009-11-13T10:00:00.000-06:00

Passed this on the interstate and couldn't resist the post! :)

Leah's Last Ride Before Her Big Trip

2009-11-06T10:00:00.000-06:00

The weekend before Leah left on her big trip to Australia we spent a short day at Sawgrass! It was beautiful and a great send off!

Leah riding Cisco

Jared riding Gray

I rode BlackJack... we gave them a great workout! :)

GenderAnalyzer - Man or Women, who is writing that blog?

2009-09-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

http://genderanalyzer.com/ (I got 81% likely to be female...)

Who does GenderAnalyzer think is writing your blog? :)

Thanks Melody!

Yay for Taylor Swift but West Ruins her Moment - Continued

2009-09-15T12:00:00.000-05:00

While I am glad West apoligized I still think he is a bully and has deserved the "jerk" label from not only the current situation he finds himself in but past PUBLIC rants as well! I’m glad he’s getting such bad press!
See Obama's thoughts (supposed to be off the record) captured here.

Side thoughts… not that the Dixie Chicks situation was exactly the same but I think had they been a little remorseful I would be able to stand the sight of them and be able to listen to their music when it comes on the radio! But, I would still never purchase anything touching them! However, since they were such total SKANKS!! I am unable to see a picture of them without getting a little red faced mad and whenever I hear them on the radio I change it automatically and won’t listen to that station again for a good few months.

Now that I’ve gotten my ranting out for the afternoon, I need to get my blood pressure back down and not think about how much money I spent on Dixie Chicks concert tickets and cds before their 2003 downfall!

Whew! :)

My Tree :(

2009-09-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

My favorite tree at Sawgrass was killed during a storm at the begining of the summer. :(

Guess we'll have to find another place to spread my ashes one day!

Here is a video I've posted before with my tree in all it's glory at the end! :)

Yay for Taylor Swift but West Ruins her Moment

2009-09-14T12:00:00.002-05:00

Taylor Swift wins Best Female Video at the VMA's last night!!

After getting a short sentence out Kanye West takes the mic from Taylor declaring "...Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time..."

See video of the stunned Taylor Swift as the jerk takes over her moment!

While Beyoncé did win Video of the Year she gave Taylor her moment back! So classy! See video.

... watch out Taylor might just write a song about this!

Another Reason To Eat Sushi!

2009-09-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

Helpful ways to boost your memory (cnn.com)

Use chopsticks: "Studies show that engaging the concentrated areas of nerve cells in your fingertips directly stimulates your brain," says Maoshing Ni, Ph.D., author of "Second Spring: Dr. Mao's Hundreds of Natural Secrets for Women to Revitalize and Regenerate at Any Age." Truth is, any fingertip activity--using chopsticks, knitting, or even rolling a pen or pencil between your fingers--also helps your brain by boosting your circulation. And good circulation helps eliminate waste products that can prevent nutrients from reaching your brain.

Eating sushi is good for the brain!! :)

Thanks to Jessie Dean for forwarding me this info!

Paul Young, author of The Shack, Speaking Tomorrow Night

2009-08-18T12:00:00.000-05:00

Paul Young, author of The Shack, will be speaking at Mountain Top Community Church (in Birmingham) tomorrow night, Wednesday, August 19. I just found out about this and am so excited!
Read more about the Shack.

Ginger at Play

2009-08-13T12:00:00.000-05:00

One puppy left. I have two families interested in Ginger and one coming to meet her this evening... tear! She is fabulous! Here are some pics for me to remember her by and a video of her at play! :)

From my last posting (for those who might be interested) my blog got 740 hits in 4 days! I'm not use to those numbers so I thought I'd share them. Thanks to puppies and FRIENDS! :)

Meet the Puppies as FRIENDS Characters

2009-08-04T08:00:00.007-05:00

So, I didn't sleep very well last night and while I played with the puppies I decided to name them all! Then I was trying to figure out how to tell people about their personalities b/c they are so different! The answer came to me early this morning, FRIENDS!!
-
Lyla is most like Joey! Lovable always hungry and always wanting others food, very playful and loves to be around people... a great friend!
Chandler: [sniffs] This sandwich does smell good...
Joey: Did I tell you to smell my sandwich?
Chandler: I can't smell your sandwich?
Joey: No! Half of the taste is in the smell! You're sucking up all the taste units!
Chandler: Okay, I'll give them back [exhales].

Joey: I thought it'd be great, you know? have some time alone with my thoughts... turns out, I don't have as many thoughts as you'd think.

Joey: Nice try. See the Netherlands is this make-believe place where Peter Pan and Tinker Bell come from.

Ross: Hypothetically speaking...
Joey: Wait. You lost me.

Joey: You're so far past the line, you can't even see the line. The line is a dot to you."
-
Ginger is the most like Rachel. She is pretty, has a beauty mark on her tongue, has a short attention span, looks like she would work in fashion and if she could talk she would sound like Rachel! Loyal.

Rachel: If she wanted to be more like me, why couldn't she just copy my hairstyle or something?"

Joey: You're gonna cook something?
Rachel: Hey, I cook!
Chandler: Offering people gum is not cooking.

Ross: And that's the story of the dreidel. Now, some people trace the Christmas tree back to the Egyptians, who used to bring green palm branches into their huts on the shortest day of the year, symbolizing life's triumph over death. And that was, like, four thousand years ago.
Rachel: So, pretty much around the same time that you started telling this story.

Joey: The question, Rachel, is this: does he like you? Otherwise, it's just a moo point.
Rachel:Uh, Joe — a moo point?
Joey: You know, like a cow's opinion. It doesn't matter. It's moo.
Rachel: Have I been living with him too long, or did all that just make sense?

Rachel: Monica, we need more candy.
Monica: What? There's only been like 4 kids!
Rachel: Yeah I know, but one of them just said that she loved me so I just gave her everything.
-

Rascal is the only boy left and he is the most like Monica! He is bossy, competitive, and looks at all the other dogs like they are on his turf! Protector!

Monica: Man, I would be great in a war! I really think I'd make a fantastic military leader. I mean, I know I'd make general before any of you guys.
Chandler: Before or after you were shot by your own troops?

Monica: You can't fire me. I make your decisions and I say, "I'm not fired." Ha.

Monica: [indicating each of the group in succession] Fine! Judge all you want to, but: married a lesbian (at Ross), left a man at the altar (at Rachel), fell in love with a gay ice dancer (at Phoebe), threw a girl’s wooden leg in a fire (at Joey), livin’ in a box (at Chandler)!

Rachel: Phoebe, you were right. I should've never gone to London, and from now on you make all of my decisions for me.
Phoebe: Oh, no. I did that for someone once. I'm not comfortable having that kind of power and control over someone's life.
Monica: I'll do it!

-
Daisey is the most like Phoebe! She is the life of the party, doesn't like to miss anything, and she would be a coffee shop singer in another life! Quirky!

Phoebe : [Right after playing a song in the coffee shop ] If you want to receive e-mails about my upcoming shows, then please give me money so I can buy a computer.

Phoebe: There was a crooked man, who had a crooked smile, who lived in a shoe, for a... while...

Phoebe: I may play the fool at times but I'm a little more than just a pretty blonde girl with an a** that won't quit.

Phoebe: [singing] Smelly cat, smelly cat, what are they feeding you? Smelly cat, smelly cat, it's not your fault. They won't take you to the vet, you're obviously not their favorite pet. You may not be a bed of roses, and you're no friend to those with noses.

Phoebe: Before I start, I just wanna say that I have a cold, so if I sneeze in the middle of a song, it's not on purpose. Oh, except the last verse of "Pepper people."

Phoebe: I just found a selfless good deed; I went to the park and let a bee sting me.
Joey: How is that a good deed?
Phoebe: Because now the bee gets to look tough in front of his bee friends. The bee is happy and I am not.
Joey: Now you know the bee probably died when he stung you?
Phoebe: ***mit!
-

Sissy is so Ross! She seems to pout when you don't pay attention to her, looks a little like she is defensive and she is very playful but has to be in the mood to play. Sweet!

Ross: First divorce: wife's hidden sexuality, not my fault. Second divorce: said the wrong name at the altar, kind of my fault. Third divorce: they shouldn't let you get married when you're that drunk and have stuff drawn all over your face, Nevada's fault.

Ross: I grew up in a house with Monica, okay. If you didn't eat fast, you didn't eat.

Ross: I would, but I bruise like a peach.

Ross: I'm just going to wander around in the rain.
Rachel: Uhh... it's not raining.
Ross: I can't catch a break!
-
Cricket is most like Chandler! She is always picking on the other dogs, so funny to watch, and doesn't want anyone to forget she is there! If she could talk I think she would be super sarcastic all the time! Charismatic!
Chandler: I'm not so good with the advice... Can I interest you in a sarcastic comment?

Chandler: I can handle this. "Handle" is my middle name. Actually, "handle" is the middle of my first name.

Chandler: Well, if I were a guy...[Everyone stares at him.]Chandler: Wait, did I just say "If I were a guy"?

Monica: Losers walk.

Ross: Yeah? Losers talk.

Chandler: No, no, no. Actually, losers rhyme.

Rachel: Guess what?

Chandler: The fifth dentist finally caved and now they ALL recommend Trident?

Y'all are hearing the Friends theme song now, right?

So no one told you life was gonna be this way(clap clap clap clap)

Your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's D.O.A.

It's like you're always stuck in second gear

When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year

But

I'll be there for you (when the rain starts to pour)

I'll be there for you (like I've been there before)

I'll be there for you (because you're there for me too)"

Please let me know if you are interested in adopting Lyla, Ginger, Rascal, Daisey, Sissy or Cricket, they are fabulous puppies! Tell your friends! :)

got puppies?

2009-08-03T08:00:00.001-05:00

My neighbor, Emily, and I found seven puppies this weekend who are awaiting a good home. Please contact me if you are interested in adopting a 6 week old mixed breed puppy. They were given shots yesterday and a clean bill of health from the vet.
Should you have any questions please leave your e-mail address or number as a comment and I'll be in touch.
See pictures below:

They are all girls but the one boy in the top right, dark brown.

Tell your friends!! We plan to contact some animal shelters after this week so please let us know if you are interested!!
The story to come. :)

REAGAN GOLIGHTLY - The NEXT Bachelorette!

2009-07-31T08:00:00.001-05:00

Reagan Golightly is a good friend from my home town who now has a Facebook Page gaining fans for her to be the next Bachelorette! She is a picture perfect Southern Belle that would be an excellent for the show!

Please become a fan today, REAGAN GOLIGHTLY - The NEXT Bachelorette!, and tell your friends too! :)

Reagan

Calli, Jen, Jess, Reagan, Nikki, Me and Codie at a shower last summer.

Baby Making

2009-07-29T12:00:00.001-05:00

Make your own baby on the RoutonBabymaker3000 on the VW site.

What the future holds for the Woodward house... (Not sure where they got the brown/dark eyes from. ??)

Caleb Thomas

Hannah Corinne

Let me know how your's turns out!

Thanks to Jamie for posting about this months ago! ;)

Commute Smart Birmingham

2009-07-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

I heard about this offer over a year ago when gas prices really hit hard but have not pursued it until now.

"GetGreen offers commuters $2 per day, up to $120 over a three-month period, to anyone who lives or works in Jefferson or Shelby Counties when they change their commutes from driving alone to a qualified commute alternative. Commuters are paid for each day they choose to carpool, telework, take transit, bike or walk to work. After you have completed the GetGreen program, you will automatically be enrolled into our Commuter Club!
Download a GetGreen application to learn more, and turn your commute into your own money tree."

"Commuter Club is also open to residents and workers in Jefferson and Shelby Counties. “Club members” who log at least 20 qualified commute days over a three-month period can earn a $25 gift card. Carpools are eligible for one gift card per carpooler.
Learn more and join the Club!"

Leah and I are submitting our GetGreen applications! I'll let you know how it goes! :)

The Ugly Truth

2009-07-28T08:00:00.001-05:00

Jared and I went to see The Ugly Truth Friday night with Ashley and Jeff. We had a fun time eating and listening to live music at Pablos then we were off to the movies!

In short, Katherine Heigl plays a romantically challenged morning producers whose show is sinking when Gerard Butler's character's show is bought to improve their ratings. While this "improvement," The Ugly Truth, gets a huge response Heigl feels as though she is selling her soul. Butler's character gives Heigl's character a "hand held" lesson in what men really want but leaves her questioning what she really wants.

This movie made me laugh hysterically and turn so red face with embarrassment that I had to hide behind Jared's shoulder! I was shocked at some of the "places" this movie took us!
The Ugly Truth is good for anyone looking for a stomach aching laugh but is not a movie for anyone under the age of 18!

Cooking in a Crockpot Blog

2009-07-27T08:00:00.001-05:00

I found a blog of a friend from the University Church of Christ, Michele (Hicks Family Circus ), on FB and from her blog I found A Year of Slow Cooking. I haven't tried the recipes yet but they look pretty fabulous! Stephanie gives some excellent pointers on how you can save money by using your crockpot!

I'll let you know how mine goes! ;)

Thanks Michele!

So You Think You Can Dance - Breast Cancer Awareness

2009-07-23T08:00:00.001-05:00

Last night on So You Think You Can Dance Tyce DiOrio's choreography drew attention to the turmoil of a woman struggling with breast cancer, and its affects on her partner. To me, this was a beautiful moment and reminded me of the fight my family members had and lost. Melissa and Ade's performance brought everyone to tears, including me!

If you are having trouble viewing this video visit YouTube or TBNTX.

Enjoy! :)

Most Like Harry Potter

2009-07-22T12:00:00.000-05:00

I took the Which Harry Potter character are you? quiz and the result was Harry Potter!

The quiz said:
"You are most like Harry Potter. Courage, loyalty and bravery are your main aspects. You are kind of on the "Wild-Side" and occasionally break the rules. You are somewhat underestimated. You can sometimes get bossy, but your friends stick by you no matter what and you can always count on them."

My bossiness probably creeps up most when you come to ride horses with me and I do have fabulous friends!

Take the quiz and let me know which character you are most like! :)

A Weekend with Colton: Sunday School and the Pool

2009-07-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

Jared, Colton and I headed to church on Sunday morning. On our way I asked Colt if he wanted to go to the Youth Group's Sunday morning class and he did not. So, I asked him if he wanted to go to our Sunday morning class and he said that was fine... I did warn him that it was a young married couple's class and sex could possibly be mentioned! He said he didn't care.

When we arrived to our seats Rick, the teacher, came up to us and introduced himself to Colton. Rick said: "It's never to early to start learning about this stuff, right?"
Colton, remembering what I said, replied: "right."

The class was a little uncomfortable but we mostly talked about love deposits and withdrawals, a few brief sex reference, and then his and hers top five needs list.
Colton didn't giggle once and he was able to leave with his face only slightly pink!

I was very happy some of our friends were able to meet Colton! :)

After church we went to Taco Casa for a quick mild combination burrito with extra sour cream, a small messy nachos and a large Mt. Dew! Yum! Then we were off to the pool!

Again, no pics! :(

Colton showed off his tricks on the diving board, back flips and gainers, then we went back to the house for some R&R before meeting Mom to take Colton back home.

What a fun weekend with my little bro! :)

A Weekend with Colton: Movies

2009-07-21T12:00:00.000-05:00

Saturday night Jared, Colton and I went to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings and then headed to our movie.

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian was really funny with a perfect “happily ever after” twist to it! It probably won’t be out in the theatre for very much longer so it will be a good renter! :)

I’m kicking myself for not taking any pics of our fun weekend with Colton but here are some pics of him that I haven't put on my blog before:

Colton riding Comet, he looks like he came straight out of a movie like The Man From Snowy River!

This pic makes him look older. :(

Colton and Clint will always look too big to me when they should still look like this:

This is my favorite pic of me and Colton. :)

"A Weekend with Colton: Sunday School" next

A Weekend with Colton: Alabama Adventure

2009-07-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

My youngest brother Colton spent the weekend with me and Jared.
He called me Thursday to see if I would take him to Alabama Adventure and I was totally up for it. Saturday Mom met me to hand off Colton. We then headed straight to Alabama Adventure.
Pulling into the park I noticed a few cars on the outside of the park; hum… the answer soon followed, parking $10!
Tickets were $34.99 but I had a "buy one, get one free ticket," expiration date September 2008, they took it. Whew! :)
We rode all the roller coasters first which was so much fun... Colton kept asking me, "are you ready for this," before each ride... I think he was a little scared but totally conquered them all! I loved experiencing the scary rides with him!

When we were done with the roller coasters we headed to the water park side. The one slide that Colton really wanted to go on he called the Toilet Flush... basically you plunge 50 ft in an enclosed tube and explode out into a giant bowl and spin uncontrollably before you're dropped out from the bottom into a deep pool. After waiting in this line forever, with a 12 year old girl in front of us who gawked at my super cute brother and found any excuse to say something to him, we made it to the top where the life guard directed us in how to slide. He told us to make sure to watch your feet. I went first sliding down in the dark then the light hit me at the same time that I hit my head just as hard as I could on the giant bowl part of the slide... ouch! After dropping into the pool and adjusting my bathing suit I got out, and the life guard asked "did you hit your head? Everyone does that!"... A bit of warning people! I mean tell me to keep my head up sure but also warn me that when you get to the bowl part it bucks your head back! Sheesh! Colton then came out of the pool rubbing the back of his head as well! This, I believe, was the reason for my constant headache the rest of the weekend.
After the Flush, actually named Splashdown, Colton and I headed to the waves pool and then decided not to spend another $9 on floats for other slides and left to get ready for our movie night! :)
I wasn’t able to take pics b/c we left all our stuff in the car! :(
Overall Alabama Adventure was a lot more fun then I thought it would be but way more expensive then I would have dreamed!

A Weekend with Colton continues soon...

That's One Fat Caterpillar

2009-07-20T08:00:00.001-05:00

My neighbor, Betsy, caught a super fat caterpillar in her garden. Her kids were so proud of it!

Here is a video of the thing eating... watch him inhale that leaf!

WMU's Missions Masterpiece

2009-07-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

Rianna Freeman is an amazing artist that works in the WMU Foundation. She generously donated her time to teach a "Sips 'n Strokes" type event we call Missions Masterpiece. It was so much fun and every one's painting turned out great!
.
I didn't have permission from everyone to post their picture on my blog so I thought it best to put the pic of (most) every one's paintings in front of their faces. :)

The funniest thing about this pic is that most everyone was smiling behind their paintings, I looked! Do you do that... like as you are taking a picture of people smiling, you smile behind the camera? :)

. Me, Michelle, Rianna and Ashley :)

More about Rianna Freeman’s Missions Masterpiece sessions for the Annual Meeting and Missions Celebration.

Independence Day

2009-07-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Jared and I spent Independence Day at the Lake!

Enjoy the pics :)
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UCC's Youth intern created a nice rope swing the last time he went swimming with the boys which has caused Mom much anxiety!

Colton swinging on the rope.

Colton falling into the water barely clearing the land!

Calli Jean and Daniel

Uncle Andy giving the rope swing a try... he made it! :)

Beau, Alex, Jared, Wes, Papa, Chase, Taylor, Codie, Colton, Calli Jean, Daniel, Clint, Andy, and me

Jessica and Kristin laid out in the sun with Teresa, who is taking the pics.

George and Sugar escaping the sun.
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After a fun full day on the lake Jared and I visited his parents for a late lunch and then went back to play cards and hang out at my parent's house.

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Jared and I played Rook against Teresa and Andy. I'm always so nervous playing cards as Jared's partner b/c I'm not very competitive and he is VERY competitive... I have to say he did very well not making me feel bad when I lost us one game out of two! :)

Wes and Codie

Calli Jean and Daniel

Papa, Alex, Mom and Jess in a very intense game of Rook. (So, glad Papa could hide his frustration with the paparazzi.)
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To celebrate the end of Independence Day Colton put on a fireworks show.

Colton preparing.

Colt did such a good job! What a special night! :)

Wes, Codie, and Calli Jean watching the fireworks.

While the second round of fireworks went off Miami got so scared that she jumped from my arms into Wes's arms, clinging to his shoulder!! I guess she felt safer with him. :)

Chase and Taylor watching the fireworks.

Mom and Clint

Colton after a job well done.

Aunt Susan and Uncle Bob Tanner

What a Happy 4th of July!

Momma Goldberg's Deli - Friends and Family Night

2009-07-15T12:00:00.000-05:00

Our friends, Hal and Maghan Craig, opened Momma Goldberg's Deli in Inverness! Jared and I attended their Friends and Family Night, which was packed! I had my usual, Hal's Nachos (Ranch Dorito chips with steamed Pepper jack cheese and Banana peppers) and a Momma's Love (Roast Beef, Ham, Hickory Smoked Turkey Breast, with Muenster Cheese Hoagie). YUM!

I love the open space they picked for this location, it is 2 seconds from my office! :)

Maghan with her grandparents.

Maghan and Hal

Momma Goldberg's Deli Inverness Alabama, 4647 hwy 280 suite U

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VBS and the Pool

2009-07-15T08:00:00.001-05:00

For my June furlough from work I planned to do nothing! This however was put on hold when Martina said "You could help Lori and me with VBS next week!" :)
So, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 - 11:30 a.m. I spent with our 23, 3-5 yr olds at church. We had a lot of fun with them in the morning and then most afternoons I would lay out at the pool! :)

Here are some pics of Martina, Colton and me at the pool:

Fun days! :)

Love Deposit!

2009-07-14T12:00:00.001-05:00

My fabulous hubby surprised me with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince tickets for tomorrow night!! Yippee!! :)

Leah and Codie are going to join us! I can't wait!

Best Reason to Blog - Hold on to Your Joy!

2009-07-14T08:00:00.001-05:00

The article below was in Prevention.com. In most all of the strategies listed the answer is in blogging! :)

"How we think and what we do can intensify, even prolong, the best moments in life. Here's how to tune in to the small stuff and reap huge rewards!"
Joy — How to Make it Last
"It's easiest to appreciate the good when fortune leans in our favor. But when we're ill or anxious or beset by tragedy, savoring positive events is all the more important. Happiness, Loyola University Chicago social psychologist Fred B. Bryant, PhD says, broadens our perspective and helps us recognize ways to cope with adversity. "Bad things will come--we can't avoid them," he says. As many a poet has written, joy is fleeting, and elusive. "But if you know how, you can go hunting for it, and you can make it last."
Here are 10 surefire strategies that Bryant says everyone can use to discover pleasure and satisfaction in everyday moments:

Share positive feelings— Sharing happy memories and experiences with others--or even simply anticipating doing so--is one of the most powerful and effective ways to prolong and magnify joy, Bryant's research shows. "It helps sustain emotions that would otherwise fade," he says. Affirming connections with others, he adds, is "the glue that holds people together."
Build memories— Take mental photographs of memorable moments that you can draw on later. Recall vivid, specific events, and pinpoint what brought you joy.
Congratulate yourself— Take pride in a hard won accomplishment. "A lot of people have trouble basking in an accomplishment because they feel that they shouldn't toot their own horns or rest on their laurels," Bryant says. It's a fine line between joyous self-congratulation and shameless self-promotion, but don't worry: You'll know if you're crossing it.
Fine tune your senses— Shutting out some sensory stimuli while concentrating on others can heighten your enjoyment of positive experiences--particularly those that are short-lived.
Compare downward— Comparing upward makes us feel deprived, but comparing downward can heighten enjoyment. Think about how things could be worse--or how things used to be worse. Just keep it light--you don't have to relive your cancer diagnosis or revel in a neighbor's misfortune.
Get absorbed— Some joyful moments seem to call for conscious reflection and dissection. At other times, we savor best when we simply immerse ourselves in the present moment, without deliberate analysis or judgment.
Fake it till you make it— Putting on a happy face--even if you don't feel like it--actually induces greater happiness, says Bryant. So be exuberant. Don't just eat the best peach of the season luxuriate in every lip smacking mouthful. Laugh aloud at the movies. Smile at yourself in the mirror. After all, he says, "a surefire way to kill joy is to suppress it."
Seize the moment— It seems obvious that the more quickly a positive experience evaporates, the more difficult it is to savor. Yet paradoxically, Bryant has found, reminding ourselves that time is fleeting and joy transitory prompts us to seize positive moments while they last.
Avoid killjoy thinking— The world has enough pessimists. Short circuit negative thoughts that can only dampen enjoyment, such as self recriminations or worries about others' perceptions. When you find yourself awash in happiness, give it space to grow--don't ruminate about why you don't deserve this good thing, what could go wrong, how things could be better. Consciously make the decision to embrace joy.
Say thank you— Cultivate an "attitude of gratitude," Bryant says. Pinpoint what you're happy about--a party invitation, a patch of shade--and acknowledge its source. It's not always necessary to outwardly express gratitude, Bryant notes, but saying "thank you" to a friend, a stranger, or the universe deepens our happiness by making us more aware of it."

So next time you have a joyful memory share it with others through a blog! :)

Back Tucks

2009-07-09T12:00:00.001-05:00

Jared, Codie and I spent the rest of Father's Day at the lake. It was so pretty outside but hot!
While we were getting ready to leave for T-ville Colton and Clint were getting ready to leave for Rustic Youth Camp (see past post, Picking Up Nonnie and the Boys for the Family Beach Trip) but before they left Clint wanted me to spot him in a back tuck so he could show off at camp.
Back story - After Clint mastered his back tuck on the tramp (see past post, The Day I Taught Clint the Back Tuck) he has been preparing himself for doing a back tuck on the ground to throw after his many expected touchdowns this year. A few weeks ago when Clint asked me to teach him, Codie and I took him to the back yard and spotted him...with Mom and Papa in the background saying "Clint don't, you'll get hurt"... "what about football?" Well, he did fabulous!
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Here is Clint's Back Tuck from last week (the second one is better):

All Clint needs to do is use his arms more to get height and he's got it all by himself! ;)
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The same day Codie and I worked on Clint's back tuck, a few weeks ago, Colton did his too. He actually did really really well that day but one of the last times he did it he hit me really hard and got a little "gun shy" by that experience... anyway, this video was just too funny not to post... sorry Colt! :)

Colton will have it soon!

Father's Day

2009-07-09T08:00:00.001-05:00

We went to early service at the University Church of Christ , where Jared and I grew up in church together. Shaun Smith's lesson, "Cut it Out!", was really good but I always feel sorry for Dad's b/c they always get some kind of "beating" in the lessons during church on Father's Day. :)
After church we said goodbye to Doug, Tiffany, Mackenzie, Will and Morgan.

Jared, Will, Tom and Doug

Katie and Morgan

Reagan, Mackenzie and Me

Will and Me.

He is such a cutie!! :)

A Day at the Lake and a Back Tuck to come.

Gramps and Will's Fishing Day at SawGrass

2009-07-08T12:00:00.003-05:00

Early Saturday morning Tom took Will to SawGrass for a fun fishing day! Will had so much fun that he talked about how he caught fish and rode a horse for the rest of the day.

Will catching a fish.

Tom and Will meeting Whiskey

Will was brave enough to get on Whiskey with Gramps's help! :)

Will was so proud of all the fish they caught.

Tom (Gramps) and Will, the best fishermen! :)

Father's Day coming soon.

Florida Woodward in T-town

2009-07-08T08:00:00.002-05:00

Jared's brother, Doug, and sister-in-law, Tiffany, braved driving three kids to Tuscaloosa for Father's Day weekend. This was Morgan's first trip to T-town. We had so much fun with the kids! :)
Saturday morning we met everyone at the nursing home to visit Alabama Mama. Doug, Reagan, Mackenzie, Alabama Mama, Tiffany and Morgan

Morgan, Katie and Alabama Mama

Me, Alabama Mama and Jared

Morgan and Jared

Me and Morgan (such a cutie!!)

After visiting Alabama Mama we went to Taco Casa for a mild combination burrito with extra sour cream, a small messy nachos and a large Mt. Dew! YUM!! Then to Tom and Katie's house for the rest of the afternoon.

Katie and Morgan

Morgan and Gramps

Baby Morgan

Since Tiffany, Mackenzie, Will and Reagan share summer Birthdays we celebrated them all together. Jared and I gave Will his Birthday present early, a slip 'n slid, so that we could all play outside. :)

Reagan and Mackenzie

Will turning the water off and on.

Me, Katie and Tiffany

Jared made sure the slip 'n slid stayed straight while standing out in the heat. He cracked up just about every time Will went down the slip 'n slid. :)

Mackenzie sliding

Will sliding

Will after he slipped and hit his head... :'(

Will didn't let that stop him.

Reagan sliding.

After the slip 'n slide got a little repetitive for them Nana brought out another gift for them to play with...

Reagan and Will

After the octopus sprinkler thing got a little repetitive for them I brought out another little gift for us all to play with... silly string!

Me, Will and Mackenzie

Reagan, Will and Mackenzie

Tiffany, Mackenzie, Will and Doug blowing the candles out! :)

Katie, Will, Sam and Mackenzie looking at some pics

Mackenzie opening up her presents.

Will with his favorite present.

Mackenzie and Reagan showing off their gymnastic skills!

Amy and Morgan

Gramps and Will's Fishing Day at SawGrass coming soon.

Say Hello to the Dirty Thirties!

2009-07-07T08:00:00.005-05:00

My fabulous friend Jessa turned the big 30 on June 19th and her husband Mike did a fabulous job surprising her for her Birthday! (She claims Obama oked skipping June 19th this year so she could remain 29 but I guess Congress didn't pass it... that would be a first!)

Jessa embracing her new age.

Jessa and Mike

Jessa and Cortney (the perfect hostess!)

Jessa and Me

Jessa and Sarah

Whitney, Jessa and Maghan

Lori, Jessa and Sarah

Girls chatting it up in the dinning room.

Whitney, Lori, baby Lillian and Sarah

Heather, Cortney, Me, Miami and Sarah
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Mike even remembered to e-vite Jessa's friends from her gym. :)

Kayla, Erica, Jessa, Brian and Katie

Believe it or not the husbands were there but like always they were in front of a TV!

Trey, Jared and John

Justin, Hal, Mike and Drew
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Girl Pics... we were instructed to "wear your finest black duds to celebrate/mourn this milestone!!" Jessa was pretty in PINK!!

Lora, Heather, Sarah, Amy, Jessa, Me, Lillian, Sarah, Cortney, Lanie, Lori and Whitney
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Silly pic!

Lora, Heather, Sarah, Amy, Jessa, Me, Lillian, Sarah, Cortney, Lanie, Lori and Whitney

Jersey Girl

2009-06-25T12:00:00.000-05:00

Miami's biological Mommy was adopted by my friend Kristin Mathis a few years ago. Kristin sent me a pic of Jersey Girl from a few months ago frolicking in the snow and I wanted to share it with all of you. :)

SawGrass 2009 - SaturNIGHT

2009-06-25T08:00:00.002-05:00

SaturNIGHT was full of good eating, games and laughter.
See pics of our fun night!

Hal and Justin gave their wives presents! :)

Jessa saying "Word Up!"

Shaun and Ashley

Whitney and Justin

Maghan, baby Craig, and Hal

Me and Jared

The guys gangster pose.

Shaun, Paul, Hal, Mike, Jared, John, and Justin

The Girl's have more gangster in our pose.

Me, Lori, Jessa, Whitney, Maghan, Ashley and Sarah

Mike trying to decide if he wants to eat the craw fish he caught...

He ate the head... and said it tasted fishy. :)

Shaun, Hal and Jared grilling our burgers.

This is Maggie the stray cat that hung around SawGrass for our weekend.

The guys playing poker.

The girls played Mexican Train all weekend.

Silly CG shots.

Serious CG shots.

What a fun weekend at SawGrass!! :)

SawGrass 2009 - SaturDAY

2009-06-24T12:00:00.002-05:00

Saturday morning we had our breakfast casseroles, played games and snacked until it got good and hot outside to ride horses and lay out in the sun. :)

The guys went fishing. Here's Hal modeling his waders, what a country boy!

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Jared helped us saddle up for our ride!

Cisco was being impatient!

Sarah and Paul watching us tack the horses. (Paul will have to ride next time.)

John and Lori getting friendly with BlackJack... he was messing with Whiskey while he was being saddled up.
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Pictures of our ride.

Sarah riding Comet

Lori riding Whiskey and Whitney riding Cisco

Me talking while I'm riding Gray

Cisco kept eating on the go

The monument The groups reaction to the monument, (see past post, Until...)

pretty pic

Lori riding Whiskey
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You know the expression "Pee like a race horse"?

Well, moments before we were back at the lodge Whiskey decides to do his "business" and poor Sarah didn't know what he was doing... this is her reaction after I told her. :)

Comet giving Cisco some love.

The guys took the new SideKick and Mike and Jessa's car out fishing and skeet shooting...

... a little muddy. :)

Maghan, Jessa and Ashley laid out in the sun while we rode horses.

SawGrass 2009 - SaturNIGHT next. :)

SawGrass 2009 - FriNIGHT

2009-06-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

SawGrass 2009 was fabulous!

Lori and John joined me Thursday night to shop for our weekend fun. We stopped in Ttown for some yummy Taco Casa, a mild combination burrito with extra sour cream, a small messy nachos and a large Mt. Dew! :) After we left a big dent in Sam's we headed to Walmart to get a few things... checking out took an hour!! Good grief at the 30 check out registers and the 3 that were open!!! We didn't get to SawGrass until after 11:00PM but then stayed up until 2AM chatting. :)

Friday morning I made my awesome volunteers homemade biscuits, bacon, and eggs for breakfast then we started deep cleaning the lodge. We finished around lunch and went to the M&M for a country meal. Cleaning wasn't nearly as painful with such great help!

While we were eating Sarah texted me letting me know that their group had arrived. Then along came everyone else behind them. I'm so glad this years SawGrass trip started so early!

Hal and Jared planning their weekend of poker.

Every SawGrass trip is full of fabulous snacks! Here is Maghan and her dip.

For dinner we had drunken chicken... yum!

Shaun, Paul and John helping us out by making sure only half a beer can was left for each hen.

Me and Tweety :)

Sarah enjoyed every minute of saucing up her bird.

But not as much as Ashley! :)

After we put the beer cans in the birds the guys did the grilling while we cleaned and made the baked potatoes.

Sarah and Maghan on self appointed clean up duty! Thanks ladies!

Me and Ashley on foil duty!

Ashley and Lori on fork stabbing duty (potatoes).

The chicken was fabulous!!

After dinner the guys played poker while the ladies played Mexican Train. Fun night!!

Stay tuned... SawGrass 2009 - SaturDAY

Funky Junk Designs

2009-06-23T12:00:00.003-05:00

My friend Kristin Mathis was on ABC 33/40, Talk of Alabama. Watch her "How You Can Make Your Own Copper Jewelry" on her website Funky Junk Designs or shop on her website for her master pieces!

On her site you can also find:

Glass Mosaics - this makes a perfect gift! She has made several for my mom and sis. One of her pieces was featured on HGTV’s “That’s Clever,” episode 408.
Fused Glass - my favs have dark green in them... if you let her know what colors you want in your necklace she can include them.
Photography - fabulous!
Custom Jewelry - If you are in a wedding coming up let the bride know that she can order custom jewelry so her bridesmaids can match and it would be the perfect bridesmaid gift (or hostess gift).

(PS I designed her logo. :) )

Dan the Van Quotes

2009-06-23T08:00:00.001-05:00

Silly quotes from our long weekend that mostly took place in Dan the Van:

Just hold it up there and it will work
Paul likes goose
I feel dirty
The heads not the best part
I paid $10 for that
Let's send a decode message
Where did she go to the bathroom
Don't get on that train
How did she use the same ticket again
That's what she said
It doesn't matter to me
I don't care
Somebody make a decision
Can you take a picture of us
The fan is on
Do you need a sock
Oh good, this room has doors
There he is again
What are you wearing
You can blog about that
Let's ask Jane

Don't read to much into these, we were just being silly! :)

Last Day at the Bay House

2009-06-22T12:00:00.000-05:00

We woke up to a gorgeous sleepy Sunday and were hungry for lunch... After a quick meal at Wendy's we were off to find Sarah's Italian Ice shop, Rita's! It was so yummy, I can't wait for one to open on 280 in BHAM! :)

The Sweet staff at Rita's took a pic of our group!

After our feast we went back to the Bay House to lay out for the remainder of the afternoon.

Funny Story... blush:

Jared and Shaun were skipping rocks in the Bay while the ladies and Paul were laying out in the sun until I decided to join them. After a few very successful skips I found an awesome flat simi-heavy rock that I knew I could get at least 5 skips in with it! So, I throw it as hard as I can and look out into the bay for my ripples... then I look to my left and 3 yards away Shaun was looking for who on earth would hit him with a rock... oops! That put an end to me skipping rocks for a while... at least with people anywhere near me! :(

See how nice and clean our layout area was...

While we were all in the bay to cool off the neighbors dogs headed toward our lay out area and they skipped every one's towels except for mine and Jared's...
Yep, that is about right! AVERAGE! :)

After Jared and I dropped off our fun friends at the airport we were on a mission to find a good restaurant so we called up Tommie who suggested Bella Napoli. It was really good!

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Jared and my flight left the next late afternoon, after we had another full day of laying out in the sun! :)

The end.

Downtown Baltimore

2009-06-22T08:00:00.001-05:00

After our morning in D.C. we went back to the Bay House for some R&R. It was such a pretty day but if it hadn't been for God turning on His A.C. we would have been really hot! Thanks to Him! :)

You can't really tell but this bird had a fish in it's claws.

After getting ready for our night out the photo shoot begins.

We packed in Dan the Van and headed to Downtown Baltimore. Look at all the couples holding hands... this was not staged. :)

Just in case we forgot where we parked I took a pic... ;)

Our original plan was to go to an Oriole's game but who knew that it would be completely packed and the only tickets available were $25 a seat... no thanks, on to dinner. :)

We ate at M&S Grill, YUM!

This was our view... it was fun to people watch (AKA make fun of people).

I was pumped about my King Crab Legs!

After dinner we headed to the Power Plant where one of Shaun's friends recommended we go to a dueling piano bar called Howl at the Moon... fun! :)

They not only had dueling pianos but guitars and drums... it was awesome! They had a North vs. South duel (Rap and Rock vs. Country music) and the South rose again!! Yeehaw!

One more post until our vacation ends...

Saturday in D.C.

2009-06-19T12:00:00.000-05:00

Saturday morning we got up at the crack of dawn to make it to the White House by our 8:30 AM tour.

This is the view from mine and Jared's room... beautiful! but doesn't that look early! :)

The White House was beautiful but we were unable to take pics inside. :)

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We didn't eat much for breakfast so by the time our tour was over I needed to be fed!! BAD!

So, Paul and I got a yummy hot dog from a stand.

Super Obama t-shirts were located in every souvenir stand in DC.

After our tour we walked toward The Mall wanting to take a pic of the White House… cops and barriers were keeping us from a good pic shot… apparently Obama decided to take a stroll in his front yard and all streets were closed to onlookers like us.

More pics.

He looks a little like Cisco, doesn't he?

After our stroll we headed back to get Dan the Van from The Willard Hotel, where we parked him.Ashley, me and Sarah waiting on the guys to get Dan the Van.

The only monument I cared about seeing was the Jefferson Memorial b/c when I visited Jess in 2006 we drove around forever trying to get to it but never could. This time not only did we have Jane, my GPS, but Shaun, who had been there before. ;)

We had to walk a ways after we witnessed some major road rage but it was worth it. :)

While the guys contemplated how Jefferson would have felt about Obama's politics, the ladies sat outside... it was a gorgeous day!

Sarah couldn't help but pet the cute dogs that we saw. :)

After visiting the Jefferson Memorial we headed back to the bay house for some sun. :)

More to come...

Friday Night in Chinatown

2009-06-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

After our fabulous Capitol Tour I made dinner reservations that we had to make in 15 minutes! So, we headed to Union Station to catch the metro to Chinatown. We ate at Rosa Mexicano and then had drinks at Fado Irish Pub... Em and Jess took me to both when I visited them in 2006.

Me and Jared outside Union Station

Sarah, Me and Ashley with an Obama poster... which were all over the place!! :P

Me, Ashley and Sarah in the metro on our way to dinner

Paul, Jared and Shaun in the metro on our way to dinner

We magically appeared right across the street from our restaurant 5 minutes before our reservation! Great job guys!! :)

Here are some couple pics at Rosa Mexicano.

Me, Ashley and Sarah in Chinatown

Fado Irish Pub and couple pics.

Instead of the awesome Irish band that usually plays at Fado they had a D.J. playing that night so we all decided to go back to our vacation home and lounge.

The guys playing pool.

Jared's got the moves!

The ladies in the kitchen making cheese dip and chatting.

Capitol Tour

2009-06-18T12:00:00.001-05:00

Jared and I have known Emily Dillard most of our lives. We both grew up with her at the University Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. My sis, Jess, was Emily's roommate when she lived in D.C. a few years ago. Emily is a Legislative Correspondent in Texas Senator John Cornyn’s office. Emily hooked us up with our Pentagon tour, our White House tour, and did our private Capitol tour herself.

Since congress was not is session that week Em was able to tote her chiwawa, Coco Chanel, around on the tour… so Legally Blonde of her! :)

The group in the new Capitol Visitors Center. ("The underground, 3-level, 580,000-square-foot United States Capitol Visitor Center opened on December 2, 2008. The estimated final cost is about $621 million." Wikipedia)

"The Capitol has a long history in art of the United States, beginning in 1856 with Italian/Greek-American artist Constantino Brumidi and his murals in the hallways of the first floor of the Senate side of the Capitol. The murals, known as the Brumidi Corridors, reflect great moments and people in United States history. Among the original works are those depicting Benjamin Franklin, John Fitch, Robert Fulton, and events such as the Cession of Louisiana. Also decorating the walls are animals, insects and natural flora indigenous to the United States. Brumidi's design left many spaces open so that future events in United States history could be added. Among those added are the Spirit of St. Louis, the Moon landing, and the Challenger shuttle crew."
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"Brumidi also worked within the Capitol Rotunda. He is responsible for the painting of The Apotheosis of Washington beneath the top of the dome, and also the famous Frieze of United States History. The Apotheosis of Washington was completed in 11 months and painted by Brumidi while suspended nearly 180 feet (55 m) in the air. It is said to be the first attempt by the United States to deify a founding father. Washington is depicted surrounded by 13 maidens in an inner ring with many Greek and Roman gods and goddesses below him in a second ring. The frieze is located around the inside of the base of the dome and is a chronological, pictorial history of the United States from the landing of Christopher Columbus to the Wright Brothers's flight in Kitty Hawk. The frieze was started in 1878 and was not completed until 1953. The frieze was therefore painted by four different artists: Brumidi, Filippo Costaggini, Charles Ayer Whipple, and Allyn Cox. The final scenes depicted in the fresco had not yet occurred when Brumidi began his Frieze of the United States History." (check out Wikipedia, United States Capitol, for this information and more)

The Apotheosis of Washington

The landing of Christopher Columbus

A marble statue of three influential women in American history. The fourth lump of marble (back left of the statue) is being saved for the 1st woman President.

Group and couple pics in the Rotunda.

More pics.

I'm loving this door!

Em took us on the underground train that escorts congressmen from their offices to the Capitol.

Saying bye to Em at her office, Hart Senate Office Building.

More of our D.C. trip to come.

Pentagon Tour

2009-06-18T08:00:00.001-05:00

Luckily we were able to sleep in on Friday morning b/c our Pentagon tour wasn’t until 1:30 PM. After a yummy, not so filling, cinnamon roll breakfast we were off to the metro. We took the Greenline and somehow made it to the Pentagon... Since I have no sense of direction, I opted to let someone else handle the metro directions… I would have gotten us totally lost.
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After arrival we went through the metal detectors and upon stepping into the entrance saw the sniper man standing at the top of a long stair case... OH! Then went to check in at the guest center where a really rude lady told me check in was at the sign that said CHECK IN!! Good grief! I'm sure she is never asked such a silly question! :)
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We had a good 30ish minute wait until our tour began so we spent that time snapping pictures at the only direction you were allowed to take pictures! :)
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Group and Couples pics at our fake podium... I tried to get one of them to take a pick of me with the Clinton thumb pose but no one would. :(

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Since we weren't allowed to take pics inside here are some pics I got off google.

My favorite part of the tour was seeing the Pentagon Memorial. I still remember the day of the September 11 attacks like it happened in slow motion over and over. (Down memory lane to my senior year in high school... Since I had SGA first block, I slept in a little on September 11, 2001. On my way to school I heard Rick and Bubba talking about a movie, I thought at the time. I thought they were really getting into the plot. When I got to school Mrs. Caldwell met me in the hallway as I headed to her office. The entire SGA was glued to the TV while Caldwell and I said a prayer in her office.)

The Pentagon Memorial is made up of 184 memorial units (benches) representing each individual who lost their lives during the terrorist attack. “Each sleek bench will have a lighted reflecting pool beneath it and a nameplate of a victim. Benches for the 125 people who died inside the Pentagon will be oriented toward the building, and benches for the 59 passengers and crew aboard hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 face away from the building, toward the sky…” (read more about this memorial at this link, Pentagon Memorial Bench Prototype Unveiled ). Our tour guide also said that the benches are angled in the direction the plane hit the Pentagon.

When the damaged section of the Pentagon was rebuilt, a small indoor memorial and chapel were included, located at the point of impact. In this chapel there is a book that has every victim and their story written by their loved ones.

After our Pentagon tour we were off to the Capitol for our tour with Emily. Once we were out of the metro and hurrying we were blocks from the Capitol when the rain started POURING! We found shelter at a bus stop...Shaun borrowed my umbrella to try and catch us a cab.

Me and Jared under our shelter

Paul and Sarah under our shelter

A sweet man gave us some trash bags so we could make a run for it.

Sarah and Ashley aren't too cool for the trash bags! :)

More to come on our tour of the Capitol.