Goodbye, Farwell, Adieu, See ya, Holler at ya later!!

Nora is grieving a great loss in her life right now. That loss is from the reckless misplacement of her PAPY!! You may know this as a pacifier. One by one they have all disappeared. She suffered this loss once before. As she was flushing the toilet one evening she looked into the toilet to say goodbye to the potty. As she spoke the papy came falling down and was flushed away. The look on her face tragic!! She screamed for it to come back but with no avail. luckily we had another one one hand and well, sure enough, the last one is GONE! And NO I did not sneak it into the trash. I did, however, find it in my robe pocket after a couple NAPLESS days. I seriously thought about giving it back to her because I know how much she LOVES it...it is her security blanket!!! Well, that and I really wanted her to go to sleep! But then I flashed back on the many aggravated memories I had of wanting to tear it out of her mouth and throw it away. After nap time it was always the biggest struggle to get it from her. She would talk with it, drink and then quickly put it back in her mouth, and of course suck like crazy on it if she got upset!! A true obsession...that papy was!!! So Adieu to you, trusty PAPY, you served your master Nora with honor!!

Nora's Beloved PAPY

RIP

Arkansas Anniversary

This week we celebrated our 1 year Anniversary in Arkansas. I can't believe it has already been a year...the older I get the faster time goes. Anyway, We have made some GREAT Friends here and have settled into everyday life. But, I must admit...the first couple of months weren't my finest hour. I was actually quite miserable! I always thought I would handle moving really well, but this was not the case. Wade said I tricked him b/c when we dated I told him that moving was no big deal and when he saw how I acted he said I lied to get him to marry me! ;). Whatever!!

In my defense, I had moved many times before and they weren't that bad. But, of course, I wasn't six months pregnant with a 2 year old either. Then, on top of that, we lived in a Resident Inn for 30 days only to move into a house with NO furniture for another couple weeks thanks to the good ole military movers! We spent Thanksgiving at the Crackle Barrel (dang good food though) and I cried in our hotel room watching the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade!! Then it was DEAD winter, snowing and raining everyday! Christmas was here and we had NO decorations or lights up or even a Christmas tree! DEPRESSING!! The only reason that I didn't curl up and die was b/c of a friend that lent us a bed and brought me food...Lori you will NEVER know who much that touched me, i will NEVER forget it...I know you were an answer to a prayer!! ;) Probably Wade's prayer to help his crazy wife before he goes crazy! ;)

But, I have gotten over it. I seriously think my bad attitude went away about the time that Audrey was taken from my loins! ;) Coincidence?!! Maybe. No doubt about it, this is definitely home now! We have all the typical things like, a messy home, church callings, substitute grandparents (you know that empty nester couple that adopt your kids as their temp grand kids), an exhausting job, daily errands, and gossipy neighbors!

All and all this has been a good year, minus a couple months in the beginning! This really is a beautiful area and the more I get to know our friends I realize what good people have been sent to us. The Lord really does have a plan for all our lives and knows what we can endure to make us better people!

Stand in the Place Where you Sleep

Well, that may not be how the REM song really goes, but that's the case here. Saturday Wade went into Audrey's room to get her up from her name and there she was just A standing! So we had to move the mattress down. Another mile marker down. I swear, the second child grows so much faster than the first! ;) Time flies. Next thing ya know she's gonna be walking everywhere and REALLY getting into everything! ;)

Happy Birthday, Babe!!!

The morning we got home from our driving extravaganza AKA our trip to Colorado, Was Actually Wade's Birthday! I, being the dutiful wife that I am Woke wade up in the early morning hours to tell him happy birthday...ok, ok, actually I just looked over at him driving and told him happy birthday. Needless to saw, We got home that day and VEGGED out! I took a long nap in the morning but got to work in the afternoon. I made Wade homemade Birthday cake and even decorated it...which, BTW, you know I took a picture of it!! And made him a delicious Steak dinner with homemade coleslaw and baked potatoes.

After the dinner and marvelous cake we opened gifts and then watched a movie Wade rented. "Forbidden Kingdom" I think. It actually was a good movie...from what I saw!!! Anyway, I really didn't take many pictures this particular day, well, because we were in pajamas all day. It was pretty low key, but if you know my hubby at all then you know that is his style!!

Don't fret...for there is more! ;) I already lined up a babysitter before our Colorado trip so Wade and I could go on a date and celebrate his birthday together. So yes, on a Monday night out with the senior citizens...6pm, Wade and I went "OUT on the TOWN"!!!

It was a Lot of fun! We actually dressed up. Ate Sushi (trendy huh?!). Got hot chocolate, and walked around the cool part of Fayetteville. Ya know that area that every college town has. Lots of bars and stores, yet a couple really nice restaurants that you KNOW ain't no traditional college student hanging out at... yet, it's right next door to the Irish pub with the scent of Bar funk hanging in the air!!! Nonetheless, you know I felt cool and care free. We walked around with our hot choco like we owned that little village area...that's right, we were cool for a moment in time. Then it was off to pick up the kiddo's and nestle back into reality!!

Our Trendy little Sushi Place

Our Big Sushi Plate. This was the first time Wade had eaten Sushi...other than a california roll at those Chinese buffets!! ;)

I personally stick to the cooked sushi rolls but Wade dove right into the Raw fish! Blah!!

The Happy couple. BTW, that's my favorite "cute" jacket. Common, every woman has that certain peice of clothing/outfit that they feel CUTE in. And that is Wade's date jacket... click here for Exhibit A.

Haloween in Colorado

We took a whirlwind trip to Colorado during the Halloween weekend. Wade's sister, Julia, got married and had a party in which most of Wade's brother's and sisters were going to be at. Considering that Wade is the oldest of 10 (yes, you read the correctly) it is not small feat to have them all together. Anyway, we felt it important to be there for Julia and seize the opportunity for Wade to see ALL of his family.

Now, for the play by play:

Friday, 3:30 AM : We leave Springdale, AR

4:00 AM: We get pulled over for driving 55 in a 45 even thought we pass a 60mph sign as we pull over...What EVER, Total Trap, see ya in court!!

1:00 PM Mountain time: We get into Lamar to see Wade's dad and step mom and a quick visit to see his little brother.

7:00PM: We get into Colorado Springs, late for the party, tired, and somewhat mentally insane from being in a car with a 2 year old and 7 month old baby...NEVER AGAIN!!! Oh, wait....we still have to drive home. Nonetheless, all the sibling were there (minus Andrew, but so glad we got to see you in Lamar) We really had a great time!

SATURDAY: We spend all day with Wade's Mom and a couple of his brothers and sisters. Ate Lunch with Julia, ate dinner with the fam; had a couple laughs, played some games, made fun of each other, ya know, all that family stuff!!

Saturday 8:00 PM: WE leave back to Arkansas. WE decided that we could NEVER again travel during the light of day with little kids. We literally pulled over 4 times in one hour while they were both awake!!! ;) WE successfully drove all night. We took a couple hour shifts while the other "slept"!

Sunday 8:30 AM Central Time: Finally home!!! WE lost an hour BUT then gained an hour (thank you daylight savings time). Now, we had to get through Sunday....And somehow still celebrate WADE's Birthday!!!! ;) YIKES!!!

So as alway, here are some pictures!!!

Grandpa Wes and Grandma Kim with the Girls

Us with Wade Bro. Andrew and Step bros Tyler and Bryce

The girls with their Great Grandpa..Wades Paternal Grandpa

Wade with his Mom and a lot of his brothers and sisters

Brothers and sisters, Aunts and Uncles, Mom, significant others and a Great Grandpa!! The Whole Gang!! Well, mostly!

Update on the tape

Well, for those of you that wanted a picture of my glasses, here it is...

Now, for an UPDATE!!! About a week ago, while I was in Wal-Mart, I checked out the vision center. I asked the guy there ( whom by the way had a fantastic smile and beautiful long brown hair...I'm just saying) if my glasses could be fixed. I didn't have them with me but he flashed is smile and told me to bring them in and he could probably fix them. So today I brought them in, he flashed that smile again and told me he wasn't sure but he would see what he could do. So after a little shopping it was time to find out the fate of my trusty trendy glasses!! What was it gonna be, was I gonna have to put them to rest and fork out a fortune for a new pair, OR was cutie patootie gonna do his magic and ant turn tape into tight fitting glasses???? Drum roll please....And they are FIXED!!! Man even better than before, he fixed them, tightened them, and even cleaned them. Thank you to YOU Mr. cutie Patootie Man with your flashy smile and fabulous hair.....what??? I'm just sayin'!!!!!