Over the River and Through the Woods...

To grandmothers house we go!  Last weekend our little family of 3 decided to make the journey down south to visit my family in Orlando.  John William hadn't met many of Floridian family members, and we thought it was time!  John William was a trooper in the car, becuase it is quite a hike from Tuscaloosa to Orlando, especially for a 6 month old.  We did end up having to stop both ways over night, the little guy had just had enough, and 8 hours was about all he could handle at a time, and we learned that he didn't like traveling at night!  He, like his mommy, wants to be in a bed at bedtime and nowhere else!  We also learned this mommy is pro at going from front seat to back seat en route!

A little Baby Einstein was watched

His Grandale was very excited to meet the little man!

They quickly became good buddy's!

He wore his Blue shirt just for his Grandaddy Mel, he surely wouldn't do that for just anyone!!

Check out that handsome man!

We all enjoyed a wonderful fresh shrimp and fish meal from my dad and Robin!

Miss Robin was the sweetest!

Grandale found a really cool truck for me to play with while we were there!

Granny Annie and I go waayyy back ;)

we enjoyed our stay at Grandale and Granny Annie's house!

His favorite thing to do with Grandale was to sit outside and look for the squirrels!

checking out LOTS of new people at Great Aunt Melony's house!

4 Generations!  My dad's mom, dad, me and John William!

that trip wore us all out!

We really had a great time, it was just too short!!  Thanks to everyone that visited with us and working around a short time line!!  It's always so good to be with friends and family!  Now... it's time for all those Floridians to make a trip to Alabama!!

Roll Tide Roll

A little late on this post, but wanted to make sure I got some of these pictures on here for when I print this blog out at the end of the year.  One of our favorite things to do in the Fall is to tailgate.  We've been doing it ever since we moved to Tuscaloosa (umm- almost 10 years ago- crazy!!) and we've only advanced it through the years!!  We have a great group of friends that we tailgate with, and if you're ever in the area you should stop on by!!  We love our tailgate spot, we are just off the quad and have lots of space.  We aren't right no top of anyone and there is plenty of room for the kids to throw the football and run around.  We have a nice space for our tents and can spread out.  We're sad that we won't be able to stay at 'our spot' after next year due to the expansion of sorority houses, but we will enjoy the rest of our time there.  John William has made it to 2 tailgates this year, and I look forward to the years to come of him enjoying this time like we do.  Here are a few pictures of our last tailgate from the Alabama vs. Ole Miss game....

ok, this was actually from the first game!  John William wasn't feeling a picture

my fav men!

Roll Tide Roll!

A little mud never hurt anyone...

But what about alot of mud?!?!  This past weekend Brett and I did the "Warrior Dash" near Birmingham.  Brett and I, along with a large group of friends all from Crossfit Tuscaloosa, made the trip, dressed the part, and HAD A BLAST!!  I have be honest and say that I was pretty nervous going into it.  We had to sign a waiver that basically said we were doing something incredibly stupid and we couldn't blame them.  It said something like be prepared for uneven terrain, barbed wire, climbing high hieghts, crawling on all fours, jumping over fire, and swimming through murky waters (to name a few :) )  I knew I was going to be dead last, and made Brett promise that he would hang back with me!

 Afew members of Crossfit Tuscaloosa at the Warrior Dash

 before we hit the mud

we were "pirates" 

And after the mud

don't be confused, we were once all COVERED in more mud, but jumping in the scummy pond water rinsed most of it off

after the 'race'.. celebrating at Chuy's of course!

we really had a great day, and even ran into a few highschool friends that now live in Mobile!!!  Thank you Mrs. Sharon for coming up to spend the day with John William!

The Baby Bullet

Well today was my first attempt at making baby food... and I'd like to say it was a success!  We got the "Baby Bullet" as a gift, so it was time to put it to use.  After reading many articles about home made baby food vs store bought baby food in jars, I was totally sold on fixing it at home ourselves; and after doing it today, it wasn't nearly as hard or time consuming as I thought it would be!

First the supplies

I did 1 avocado, 1 squash, 1 cup of rice, and 1 cup of peas

we followed the very easy recipes

steamed our veggies

placed them in the cup

pulsed a little

added a little more water and viola!! Fresh peas for John William!!

now for some squash!!

and avocado

and finally, we milled some brown rice!

 so what was my helper doing during this...

he was just a swingin'!!

And what did he think of his new food...

He loved it!!!

and here's what we got.. a full bowl of squash, 5 servings of peas plus an ice tray full in the freezer, 3 servings of avocado, 6 servings of rice plus an ice tray full in the freezer..

not too shabby for our first attempt!!  this really was so easy and didn't take long at all!  Next time I will probably try to do a little more and stock up our freezer for the month!  I look forward to planting some of our own veggies in the garden across the street next spring and heading out to our local farmers market for some more fresh produce!

The Path

I like to say that this is our families verse.. It is the title of this blog, a sign in our dining room, and now around my neck.  But this week I've really thought about this verse and my perception of it.

Show me your ways, Lord,

teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long. (Psalm 25:4, 5 NIV)

It's easy to think of blue skies and rainbows, beautiful fall back drops, ocean shores, and snow white forests- after all, God made these breath taking scenes, and I am so amazed by them and His power when I see them.  But our paths are not always filled with these happy warm fuzzy places.  Sometimes our paths have storms along the way-strong powerful storms, and God makes these too.  Sometimes our paths don't take us where we ( I ) am wanting to go.  Sometimes on our paths we end up loosing friends and family due to choices.  Sometimes on our paths we get hurt by the ones closest to us.  Our paths can have stops in far away countries, undesired neighborhoods, and far away from the ones we love the most.  Our paths can have miles of heartache due to the loss of a loved one, filled with fear because of disease that we don't understand.  But one thing is true, even though our paths may have pot holes, hills, sharp curves, and road blocks; they all end up at the same place- the feet of Jesus!!  That's the part I tend to forget, that these 'hiccups' in the road are too from God, and even though there is pain and confusion, He should be praised.  If we allow Him to direct our paths and trust Him, even through the hard times, we will make it.  If we remember that sometimes we are too close to the piece of art to see the entire big picture, and glorify God through it, and remember where the end of the road leads we will make it!  I laugh as I look at all the "we's" I've typed- because by "we" I of course mean me, me me me!!!  So as I have been asking why the past few weeks over so many friends heartaches (and my own) I have to remember that it is part of the path, and it will make the feet of Jesus that much sweeter- if possible!!

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sister, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know  that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" James 1:2-4

Happy Birthday... Me!!!

I have to say 27 was a great year for me.. It was the day before by 27th birthday that we found out we were pregnant, so I knew it was going to be a year filled with blessings!  It really was a great year.  I'm usually one of those that counts down to the minutes until my birthday, but this year it kind of crept up on me.  And no not because I think, oh my goodness I'm 28 and too old, but because our life is so busy these days-with great things of course.  I had a great birthday filled with lots of love from friends and family, a great dinner, and hugs and kisses from my 2 favorite men.  I am incredible blessed, and am looking forward to what 28 has to bring!


Last weekend Brett and I went to Arlington Texas for Alabama's season opener against Michigan at Cowboys stadium.  We went with Brett's dad, brother, and sister while his mom stayed in Tuscaloosa with John William.  I'm pretty sure we ALL enjoyed ourselves!

We met up with some friends in Texas to tailgate a while, and even though it may have been the hottest day ever, we had a great time.

The stadium was so nice!!  I did however catch myself looking at the big screen instead of the field several times.  We had great seats and everything was right in front of us, but that screen was just so clear, and HUGE, my eyes just kind of went to it!

even though we had a great time, I was ready to get home and get my hands back on our little man!

He even smiled for a picture with me for my birthday :)

4 months?!?!

Can't believe this little booger is 4 months old!!

He is looking like a turtle and loving his tummy time! He's also learned how to roll from tummy to back!!

He's loving school and doing great!!!  His teachers are wonderful and we've had a great transition!

In the mornings while I'm getting ready he enjoys sitting on "Daddy's side of the bed".. And he has become such a talker!!!  I love just sitting with him and having him tell me all sorts of things!

These 2 have my heart, I am so blessed!!

And yes, I may take a few too many pictures :) 

but he's just such a good sport about it! And I just love that smile!

school has been wearing him out!

We are so blessed, and so in love!!

He had is 4 month check up last Friday, and everything went great!!  He weighs 15 lbs and is 26 inches long!  Growing growing growing!!  We will now start giving him cereal and baby food- I'm sure fun pictures to come!!