My Boys

Hanging Garden

I have been wanting to have my own garden for years. I have never really imagined actually being able to plant one while living in a condo unit...but this idea of planting is so neat. Brent (Jess' husband) and I are always talking about food and cooking--a big love for both of us, and he mentioned this idea to me back in the winter. My mom spurred the rest of the idea by leading me to websites with other planters like this. Anyway, here you go. My upside down tomato garden.

Bucket 1: Sweet Cherry and Roma tomatoes on bottom. Sweet Banana and Pimento peppers on top.

Bucket 2: Better Boy tomatoes on bottom. Jalapeno and Red Bell peppers on top.

Bucket 3: Red Beef Steak tomatoes on bottom. Green Bell pepper and Cucumber on top.


I am excited beyond belief about my garden. I am anxiously awaiting the first sprouting of a bud...I just love fresh, garden-grown tomatoes. Plus, my peppers...mmm. Just imagine all the possibilities this summer. I think next weekend I am going to plant herbs and arugula. I'll post updated photos of my blooming plants soon enough--stay tuned.

Sprinklers

Pottery Playdate

Saturday was a beautiful day and was one that I normally would not want to spend indoors-but today was an exception. Jess and I took the kids to Chattanooga (where we picked up Emma) and spent the afternoon at River City Pottery. Jessica has been wanting to make Kye a plate and I was wanting to make a Teapot for Eden's upcoming birthday party-so off we went. We had a great time and the kids enjoyed the time together. We ended our afternoon with a cookout at our house!
I can't wait to post pictures of our finished products...we have to wait a week for pick-up. What a fun day.

March of Dimes

What a wonderful way to honor little Ava. Thanks Nanny.



Donna with her sisters Toni and Robbie.

**PS. I am looking for information regarding a Dalton Chapter. Please pass on any info if available. Thanks.

Loving Baby

Kelly comes to bed (toting a bowl of Oreo ice cream, may I add) to find Hank snuggled up next to me watching American Idol. Kelly proceeds with following conversation:

K-"Hey you. What are you doing in my bed?"
H-"Of course you know; loving on my momma."
K-"Well, what about me?"
H-"You can love on yourself."

My sweet Mamma's boy--you can love on me anytime.

Hank at 13 months

Happy Earth Day

We are looking for a special project to do today...so any ideas pass them on. My two were anxious about Earth day and wanting to their part. We are already avid reyclers and Kelly rode his bike to work today (which is not unusual). But we wanted to do something else to make a difference.
Pass it on :)

First Trip Out

We had our annual friends camping trip to Doll Mountain on Carter's lake this weekend. As usual we had a lot of fun. I always have fun with our friends and our children. My kids love to camp and more than anything love being dirty for two days. We normally tent camp but thanks to Papa Craig (who just bought us a camper to share with Heidi) hopefully not for much longer...:) It was really nice weather during the day but got really cold at night. What fun. Looking forward to our next trip.

Friends hanging out

Brandy and Preston

Ned (Preston's dog) made an appearance and was very good with the kids

The kids at play

And a little time on the boat...it was a little cool for the water

Cousin Playdate

Our Spring break was fairly busy with school projects and doctor appointments; so I spent 2 days getting Coy and River. Here are shots from Hank and Coy's time at our neighborhood park. They are so funny together. Coy is constantly screaming "mine" at Hank-but he doesn't mind...he is more concerned with protecting him from danger(with a very close watchful eye). What sweet cousins.

Banana Pudding

I love to cook--you have seen that in previous blogs, and yes I like to blog it too. Kelly thinks I'm weird...oh well, you married a weirdo, and I guess your kids are weird too. LOL
Anyway, Eden suggested, while in the grocery store that "we make that banana stuff that is soft." That would be pudding my baby.
So here we go.

The kids helping stir the pudding (i.e. yes, it is homemade-milk, flour, sugar and a little vanilla; not too hard).

Me-peaking the egg whites (whites and sugar). Eden loves taking pictures these days.
Our finished product and Eden proudly displaying it...oh yeah-she had to grab her apron. She first came down the stairs with nothing but the apron on. I had to inform her that you wear it over your clothes...that is the whole point of it, to protect your clothes.

In the end it was great. Kelly proclaimed..."the best pudding I've ever had!" Sorry Nanny. Thanks Mom...you've taught me well:)

Time to Breathe

I DID IT!

I did it...I finally completed my final assignment to be able to graduate in May. This has been a long, long road for me.
I began college, like most, in the fall after graduating high school in 1997. I lasted 2.5 semesters at Covenant, from there I went to Tidewater Tech Community College in Virginia Beach, then to Dalton State, and finally to end at Covenant's Quest program. I have been in the Quest program since March of 2007 and should have finished the program in July of '08-but put off writing my final paper. Technically, if I finished in July or now, I still could not get my degree till this May...so I really wasn't that behind (so I kept telling myself).
With much procrastination-I succeeded to finally get the final revisions finished and I turned in my paper today!! I actually drove it to the Quest office in Chattanooga...I wanted to make sure my professor got it :)

So, after 11.5 years of college, I will graduate in May with a BS in Organizational Management. It is not a degree that I necessarily want to pursue a career in but a stepping stone and an accomplishment.

Thanks to Kelly, my kids, and my mom for all the inspiration, motivation and for believing in me.

Now I can breathe. Relax. Let loose. Not worry about homework. Not neglect my children while my nose is crammed in my computer (except for when I blog...lol). Enjoy all my evenings at home; no running to class as soon as Kelly pulls in the driveway. Read for pure enjoyment. My list could go on and on.
I am the type that frets over things till they are finished. I couldn't go to the gym knowing I had homework with out fretting over being there. I am so glad those days are over--that is till I decide what I am doing next...
I still want to teach. I will have to go back for my Masters--I was just talking to Kelly and we may do that together:) We'll have to see.

Again thanks to all my family and friend's support that I have received for two years...<3