My Mr. Wonderful

My Andrew, my husband is my Mr. Wonderful ...

because he didn't have to be.

After a year and a half of dating, I thought I wanted to date other people.  The only problem was I couldn't stay away from Andrew.

When I found out in January 2007 that I was pregnant he could have left.  He could have claimed 'it' wasn't his.  He could have just moved on with his life.

but he didn't ... because he is my Mr. Wonderful

When I tried to make a life altering rash decision for the worse, he could have let me take the easy way out.

but he didn't.  He showed me love and grace and reminded me of my Father in heaven's love for us.

because he is my Mr. Wonderful

When I thought adoption was the best option because I thought that's what other people would expect, he could have accepted the fact that he didn't have to raise a child.

but he didn't.  He fought me with love and support.  He showed me that he could mature and that he was ready to be a dad.  And he asked me to marry him and start a family with him.

because he is my Mr. Wonderful

He changed Leah's first diaper.  He has always been better at swaddling than me.  He showered me after my emergency C-section because I couldn't support myself.  He held me when Leah cried and then I cried.  He is my rock, my best friend and the love of my life.

When the economy downsized two jobs and our second baby was born, he put his career dreams of finishing school aside and overlooked the stereotypes to stay at home with our babies.  He is such a wonderful father, already teaching 2 year old Leah to read.  He even saved her life.

He is the best father to our girls.

He calms me down and holds me strong.  He is the ying to my yang.

He is the spiritual leader of his household.

He is my Mr. Wonderful

and he is the reason we are a family today.

Happy Father's Day Andrew!

Visit Mama M for other Mr. Wonderful stories

How to be beautiful

Leah is not the greatest when it comes to putting her hair up ...





Hosted by Cecilyand Krista
but Grandma totally loves to put her hair up ...

and I must admit it does look pretty cute ...

so far ... so good ...

using the whole distractions idea here

uuhhh I think we hit a snag or tangle

and now it's just downhill from here

even some advice from Aunt Allison just can't stop the tears

wanna know what advice Aunt Allison had to offer?

"Leah, sometimes it hurts to be beautiful"

---if sarcasm could come through the computer ... imagine it here now---

Thanks Allison

sigh

Wanna see more pictures from our Birmingham trip?

Click on my photography site!

 
here's a sneak peek -->

My Papa

My Papa is my mom's father.  He passed away when I was in middle school.  Papa was married to Mema, my mom's step-mom.  I have a very wonderful and special relationship with my Mema.

My mom's mother passed away when she was a child.  Mema was my Great-Aunt Lucinda's hairdresser.  Aunt Lucinda (a sporty feminist) is Papa's sister.  She decided that Mema was meant to marry Papa, and approached her by saying something like 'My brother needs a wife, his children need a mother, and I think you are perfect."  They were married in Dothan, AL in 1966 ... my mom was 7 and my Uncle Tommy was 10 (well...Mema thinks).  Papa was a salesman...he tried selling insurance, moved to working with Proctor-Gamble, and ended up at a bag company based in Nashville.  He was also a photographer.  Mema says his favorite thing to photograph was flowers (before I came along of course).  She said he could make a tiny bug on a flower look huge.


Hosted by Cecilyand PamWhen I was young, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer.  I remember he lost alot of weight.  I remember he couldn't remember who I was.  But I always knew how much he loved me and my sister.

The other day, I took some pictures of Leah with Mom's camera.  She later wrote this to me in an email:

"Your pictures you took of Leah turned out really good.  You have turned out to be a good photogopher and I know it is fun for you.  PaPa would be proud of you :)"


That statement made my day...my week...my year.  My favorite thing to photograph (other than my children) are flowers.  I live in Nashville...I've always felt a pull towards this city.  Thank you Papa for passing this talent on to me.  I love that I'm keeping him alive in my pictures.


These flowers are dedicated to my Papa:

I am proud to be his first born grandchild.  I know I was a light in his life.

I've been told the story that Papa quit smoking for me.  Well, at least around me because it made me cough.

My most cherished picture of my Papa and I was taken when I was probably around 5.

He is giving me a big 'ole bear hug as we are sitting on the stairs.  He looks so happy.

I carried it around in my wallet all through high school.  I know exactly what box it is in at my parent's house.

I love that Papa photographed flowers, and that I picked up on that skill without even knowing I was following in his footsteps.

My mom has Papa's old cameras and lenses.

Maybe one day I will inherit them...hint, hint, wink, wink

I am proud to be my Papa's granddaughter.  My Papa...War World II vet, salesman, dad and photographer

Concert in the Park

Saturday was Vanderbilt Community Band's annual concert at Dragon Park.  It was the perfect day for it!

My husband plays euphonium.  This is the only concert we get to go to because its outside and people can't be quite as annoyed when Leah yells "Yay Daddy" at every quiet point before, after or in the middle of a song.

Before the Alma Mater, they end with a march and invite anyone to come direct the band.

During the Alma Mater, all Vanderbilt alums, students etc join to sing with the band.  So, I let Leah go stand next to Daddy.

Make sure you come back by tomorrow to see what Leah did NOT do in front of the whole crowd...(hint: it has something to do with her blue panties)  Come read it HERE!

Visit the Unknown Mami for more Sundays in my City!

Happy Easter

We had such a wonderful Easter I just have to share it with all of you here!  Andrew and I work opposite shifts so our usual interaction consists of about 5 minutes between Hi and Bye and maybe an hour before I fall asleep at night.  Its tough, and it takes a toll, but we are really just blessed to have two jobs.  Like really.  We made it through two lay-offs in 2009, and thank goodness to connections is how we keep finding jobs. 

The day started off well; hectic but well.  The girls were actually really well at church, which if you have kids you know is a small miracle!  I love how all the parents with young kids sit together.  When the sermon starts you hear ziploc bags of snacks opening, books pulled out of bags and kids now consumed with coloring.  It makes me giggle.  Plus, when your kid screams out one week, no one can say anything or give you any dirty looks, because it just may be there kid acting out the next week.

The girls had matching Easter dresses.  I LOVE them!  I am so going to be that Mom who dresses kids the same and possibly one day that family who all matches in a color coordinated kind of way.  They are just too cute!

I really wanted to get a picture of the girls together...like Leah holding Audrey.  But of course I got the response..."Leah no wanna hold her."  Oh well...maybe one day, when they are like 20 they will pose together.  Leah wore her first pair of high heels!  They were so cute, and she walked so well in them...probably better than in her tennis shoes since she wants to walk on her toes all the time.

See my shoes?  Of course, when I say first pair of high heels, I really mean first pair that actually fit her feet...

Haha...look at that hair.  I just don't know what to do about it...but that's a whole 'nother post :-)

When we got home from church, we headed out to the grills to cook out, enjoy the sun and hunt for Easter eggs!

The time we could spend as a family was perfect.  The weather was perfect.  The non-traditonal meal of hot dogs, brats, chips & dip and mac & cheese was perfect.  It was really an amazing relaxing holiday.  Of course I took tons and tons of pictures, so here a few just for fun!

I have found the Meme that fits me to a tee!  This describes me exactly!  Click on the button for more awesome pictures!

Gum Expires?

It's time again for Fragmented Fridays hosted by Mrs. Fours. This is the time where you can throw in those little fun thoughts that aren't really enough large enough for a whole post. Kinda like Twitter for your blog (without the word limit).

--Did you know gum has an expiration date? Should I be concerned that my gum I bought last Sunday says "29 DEC 09"...?

--Is it un-American of me that I am so happy that Joannie Rochette from Canada won the bronze!?! What an amazing thing to accomplish after her mom suprisingly pass away. Ok, I can't dwell on this story too much or I'll start crying, lol

--My parents are coming this weekend to see the girls! Yay, super excited! I love having someone come take care of my children to give me some time off...oh I mean I love seeing my parents...yeah that too :-p

--We are having our first monthly date night Saturday night! We are going to see Greg Giraldo at the comedy club. I am so super excited. I love stand-up comedy, but I have never been to a comedy club. Time to change that!  Wanna watch one of his bits?  Check it out here...*disclaimer, all humor is different and mine his is more R rated than yours may be, so proceed with caution*

--What makes Girl Scout cookies so good?  For real, what do they add that just makes them a bit better than any other cookie?  Oh, another random story..walking into Sam's and they are selling Girl Scout cookies outside.  We hear this lady say "I remember when you could buy Girl Scout cookies for a dollar." in a very snotty voice.  And she says it to these cute little girls as a reason why she will not buy cookies from them!  Who cares that you remember that?  Good for you, but times change, stuff costs more, dude, get over it...

--I've decieded to add a new rule to our house...Only 1 kid can cry / scream / throw a tantrum / whine at a time.  Ok, were good now?

yeah...that's what I thought...

  *Update* This just happened and it makes me laugh, so I had to include it here, lol!

I called my boss a "dork".  My boss comes over by my desk while I'm at the benchtop.  I walk over and he's looking at the picture on my desktop...which is this:

Eric:  "That's a large dinner dish."

Me:  "That's a baptismal font, you dork."

Eric: "Did you just call me a dork?"

Me:  "Uhhhhh, yeah...."

hahahaha, it just kinda came out.  But I mean really, what kinda question is that?  Even if your not Christian or not go to church (he isn't) but does that look like you're dining room?