Growing Pains

Cooper,

I took you to meet your kindergarten teacher today, and in 3 days I'll drop you off for kindergarten. I met your teacher, and I liked her fine. She seems very sweet and loving, kind, and everything a kindergarten teacher should be. I couldn't put my finger on my emotions at the time, but later as I thought about it I realized I'm a tad jealous.

I'm jealous of this new lady in your life that I'm sure you are going to love. This lady who will get to spend 40 hours a week with you while I will be at home wondering what you're thinking, are you making friends, what are you learning, and the list goes on.

You see,  just yesterday it feels like I brought you home. Just the two of us in a one bedroom apartment, and I was all you needed. We met Daddy and Jaylyn, but still you were the main man in my life. We spent 3 wonderful years with you going to the preschool I worked at. I use to sneak downstairs during my class's music time so I could sneak a peek at you on the playground because I wanted to see what you were doing when I wasn't around.

Chloe came and I was happy she was a girl so you could keep being my only perfect little boy. You started promising to marry me and told me you'd never move away. You told me that when you grow up you'll be a "cookie guy at Publix" so you can still see me all the time. After spending the next two years at your grandmommy's preschool and getting so smart and ready for kindergarten, you are just that...ready.

But I'm not.

I'm not ready to trade in mornings of snuggling in bed and watching cartoons. I don't want to give up picking you up from school at 1:30 and spending 2 hours at the park. I'm going to miss having you at the grocery store and you holding my hand as we cross the parking lot because you want to keep me safe. I'll miss waking up on Wednesday morning and deciding we need to ride the train at the zoo. I'll miss random McWane trips or deciding last minute to go to Airwalk. You have been a challenge sometimes, but it has been the best (almost) 6 years of my life.

But I know you're going to be great.

You are such a leader. You're funny, smart, full of energy, and above all, you are the most tender hearted child I've ever been around...it's your best kept secret. You are going to love school and getting to learn new things. You are so excited to get to have science (so funny because that was my worst subject) and I'm so excited for you.

I love you so much buddy. These six years were much too fast, and while I'm so excited for you and what the next 13 years have to hold, I'm mourning a little bit that my best little buddy is leaving me for kindergarten. I'm already excited though to pick you up from school and hear all about it. And while you are gone I think I might spend the whole day just looking at your little sister because if there's one thing you've taught me is she's going to be a kindergartener much quicker than I can imagine. 

You and your sisters are my little piece of perfection in an imperfect world and I love you so much more then your almost 6-year-old self can understand. 

Love,

Mommy

Mamaw

"Surely, two of the most satisfying experiences in life must be those of being a grandchild or a grandparent." -Donald A. Norberg

My mamaw isn't doing well. She hasn't been doing well since I was pregnant with Chloe, but has held in there and God has given us more time with her. All day I haven't been able to get her off my mind. I have had a constant sad feeling and I think I've spent the whole day praying in my head. But as I reflect on her life up until this point I can't help but smile as I think what she has meant to my life, the lessons she has taught me, and the gifts she has given me.

The majority of my memories with Mamaw are tied to my papaw who went to heaven in 2003. I love thinking back to all the big family "get togethers" I experienced as a child (even though I can't help but feel sad my children won't experience the same) in Mississippi. The memories of riding three wheelers, playing with dogs, watching baby chickens hatch, fishing for catfish (and the ever elusive white catfish!), staying up late with my cousin Will, chewing double mint gum, and being told I eat like a bird by my mamaw:). What I experienced as a child was what true family was all about. Getting together no matter how inconvenient, sleeping on couches and floors just so we could all be together, and having my grandparents and aunts let us stay in Mississippi for a week without our parents (the ultimate fun!)...now as a parent, I realize just what an undertaking that was!

The picture my Aunt Brenda mailed me when she caught the white catfish

My mamaw has taught me many things. She taught me that you're never to old to go after a goal. I learned this when I attended her celebration party for obtaining her GED. Both my mom (who was taught by mamaw) and mamaw taught me the importance of a home cooked meal and eating meals as a family. My mamaw was so proud when she heard John (who I'm sure was stretching the truth) brag about me cooking him dinner every night. I do cook for my family most nights a week, and that is all thanks to the value of a family meal that I was taught by both women. Mamaw and Papaw also taught all of us about marriage. About staying together through better or worse, through times of sickness and health, and until the end. When my papaw passed away in 2003, they had been married over 50 years (52 I think).

Most importantly, my mamaw taught me you can be a traditional stay at home Mom, but that doesn't mean you stop speaking your mind. Good, bad, truthful, and so on, we've always known what my mamaw thought about things, and you always knew where you stood with her. John might wish I hadn't developed this trait sometimes, but you better believe that man always knows what I think...just like my mamaw.

One of the true presents my mamaw has given me began with the birth of my son Cooper. My mamaw and her husband Jimmy came to see us when Cooper was only a few days old. Getting to see my mawaw instantly love Cooper that way will stay in my heart forever. 4 years later my cousin Amanda and I drove 2-week-old Chloe 5 hours to Mississippi to see Mamaw, and I once again got the gift of seeing my mamaw love my child. It is a beautiful thing to see and the feeling is mutual. At Thanksgiving last year it was my mamaw's arms Chloe was so happy to be in, and over the past year my son has religiously prayed for God to heal his mamaw.

Mamaw and Cooper September 14, 2007





My mamaw and Chloe August 18, 2011



When I think of all the good my mamaw brought into my life there is one thing she gave me that stands out. My mom. The best person in the world I know. I am so lucky to have her as my mom and my children are lucky to have her as their grandmommy (or 'andmommy!). I miss her while she is in Mississippi with my mamaw, and I wish so much I could be there with the two women who made me for lack of a better word...me. 

Erica and me at one of MANY themed family parties May 2004 (this was Mamaw's 70th party)



My favorite photo Amanda has ever taken. Thanksgiving 2011





How I Forgot My Blog's Name

It has been so long I have forgotten my blog's name. Seriously. It took me two tries to locate my blog and 4 tries to remember the password. So I will once again try to commit to my blog...

To get back into blogging I will take the tagging challenge my friend Valerie tagged me in (check out her blog at http://iamdaughterdogdreams.blogspot.com/).

Here are the rules I was suppose to follow:

Here are the rules: 1. Post these rules. 2. You must post 11 random things about yourself. 3. Answer the questions set for you in their post. 4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer. 5. Go to their blog and tell them you've tagged them. 6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

BUT since I don't have many "followers" or friends who blog, I challenge anyone who blogs and reads this to answer my questions and play along (some call this cheating, I call this not being technology savvy!).

So we'll start with my 11 random facts...

1. I knew I wanted to be a teacher from the time I was 3 and never wavered from that until I was 3 years into my major in college. I freaked out, became a sociology major, and graduated with a semi-useless degree. And what did I become? A preschool teacher. (Side note...my parents are still a little bitter about this.)

2. I have what I call a "parental fail" almost daily. These have become little jokes I make up in my head and laugh about instead of thinking about what a bad Mom I might be.

Example: Cooper came up to me the other day telling me there was a "freaking bug" in our house. My child has picked up on how I substitute bad words and now he does it too. Parental fail. I'd give you more examples, but then no one would let me watch their child.

3. I'm fairly certain my hair is jet black and curly at this point yet I still wear it very blond and straight.

4. If I had not totaled my 2000 Honda civic two door hatchback car (and it was purple) there is no doubt in my mind I would still own that car...and John would be driving it (that really makes me laugh). Best car ever...and fastest!

5. I drove that car well over 100MPH on many occasions. I have never driven my 2009 Buick Enclave over 75 MPH. Children change everything.

6. My mom is my best friend. I talk to her most days more than I talk to John.

7. I am terrified of 99.99% of big dogs and about 95% of small dogs.

8. The only non-alcoholic drink I will drink are diet coke, water, and sometimes coffee. I don't like anything else.

9. I despise sweet tea. Even the smell makes me sick.

10. I hate Thanksgiving food. All of it. I normally eat a small piece of turkey and a roll just because I feel obligated.

11. I consider deleting facebook every day.

Questions to answer:

1. Birthdays. Love them or hate them?

I have a love/hate relationship with them. I hate getting older but I love attention and presents:)

2. Get your purse/gym bag: What are the first five things you pull out?

Wallet, old Publix receipt, lip gloss, iPhone, Chloe teething toy, Matchbox car

3. What is one meal you can make better than anyone else?

My husband loves my Chicken Parmesan so we"ll go with that.

4. You get one wish. No restrictions other than it must be selfish (can't wish peace for the world). What is your wish?

That nothing bad would ever happen to my children. That I could shield them from any pain, sickness, bad choices, etc.

5. Cake or pie?

I love both...I love a Publix cake, but I also love cold pies like key lime pie and lemon meringue pie.

6. What is your secret talent?

I can triple roll my tongue. I can also touch my tongue to my nose.

7. Early bird or night owl?

I wish I could be a night owl, but the little people who live in my house have turned me into an early bird.

8. Biggest pet peeve?

My dirty garage, people not picking up their shoes, my son putting wet pull-ups under his bed, and Oreo barking non-stop at 2am. I obviously cannot pick one pet peeve.

9. What is your favorite weird food combination?

I don't think I have one...I am a fairly boring food person. I do like Cajun seasoning on my pizza. Is that weird?

10. Which would you choose? No social media for a year or no working out for a month. Why?

Well since I never have time to work out I probably could make it a month, but if I ever really start back running I could give up social media.

11. Would you rather have no babies or eight babies?

If it is 8 babies all at one time I would still probably pick the 8 babies. I couldn't imagine my life without my children, but that would be a hard 18 years!

Here are my questions if you decide to play along...

1. What TV show do you watch that you would not want anyone to know?

2.Put your iPod on shuffle...what are the first 5 songs it plays?

3. If you could be on vacation right now, where would you pick to go?

4. In 10 years from now where do you think you'll live?

5. Which would be more beneficial for you...gas prices dropping or the housing market picking back up?

6. What is your biggest pet peeve?

7. If you could eat all day for free, where all and what all would you eat?

8. Rainy day watching movies inside and napping or sunny day taking a 12 mile hike?

9. Any big goal for 2012?

10. White, milk, or dark chocolate?

11. What was the last thing you bought for yourself?

Time...a tribute to my hubby

"Because I had the time of my life, and I owe it all to you."

Cheesy song (I know) and (hopefully) I haven't HAD the time of my life, I am currently HAVING the time of my life. And it all began almost three years ago.

In a little over two weeks John and I will celebrate three years of marriage. Three BUSY years. What have we done in 3 years? Here's a synopsis...
-bought a house
-went through major surgery (me)
-bought a new car
-got pregnant
-AND (drum roll please...) will introduce a new baby into this world in 19 days of less (but who's counting)

And these three years have flown by. It's true that time flies when you're having fun, it flies when you're raising children, it flies when you're happily married, it flies up until you're less than three weeks away from having a baby and then time drags...

I sometimes wish time would slow down (as in I can't believe my first baby is about to be 4!), but in the meantime there is no one I'd rather be spending my time with than John (although he might not agree that he wants to spend all his time with me this last month of pregnancy HA!). So here is to a whole lot more years together (ummm I'm thinking forever) and a lot more fun. However if we slow down some, I won't complain:)!

I love you, John.

The evils of facebook?

My mind is full and needs to be emptied. Between thinking about changing this house to accommodate the new baby (anyone out there want to rotate three bedrooms for me?), thinking about all the yard work that needs to be done that I can't do because of allergies, and thinking about something that was just thrown on me today, I am tired of thinking. Therefor, it's time to blog. Today I will blog about facebook. Is is good or bad? Up until recently I would say good. What a great way to share your life with people who you would otherwise lose touch with. It's always exciting to get in contact with someone you haven't spoken to in 5 years, and never would have if it weren't for facebook. My thinking about facebook started a few weeks ago when I got in my car and the radio was left on 104.7 and I caught myself listening to Rick & Bubba (who normally I detest). They had a caller who told a story of their wife being contacted on facebook by an ex, agreeing to meet them for lunch, and then being propositioned. Rick & Bubba argued that without facebook, the ex probably would have never been able to contact the man's wife. If he had contacted her, it would have probably been by phone and the wife would have never answered. If they had talked, the guy probably would not have had enough courage to ask her out OR asked to really "get together" in the adult sense. The wife was smart enough at that point to show her husband the messages and he went and met the guy for lunch and I'm sure you can guess what happened next... The question is, is facebook really just Pandora's box. An outlet for "reconnecting" with family, old friends, and even exes? In 2011 does a marriage really need another outlet for the devil to sneak in? Or maybe I'm blowing facebook out of proportion and it really is just a big class reunion waiting to happen...until you remember you use to date people in your class. You wouldn't have a bunch of ex boyfriends (or girlfriends) in your cell phone, so why do they need to know what restaurant you checked into, where you went on family vacation, what color you just painted your den, and so on. I do feel a little hypocritical on this blog because I do have facebook (although in all fairness I'm contemplating deleting it). I enjoy facebook because I like connecting with old friends-especially my Mississippi State buddies. That said, I'm still not sure facebook fits my life anymore. I'm not sure I want everyone to know what my kids look like and when I last sneezed (maybe it's not that detailed but give Mark Zuckerberg time...). I'm not positive that facebook isn't something meant more for the single and ready to mingle and less for me. I am positive that what the guy did on Rick & Bubba to the guy who propostioned his wife is similar to what my response might be if it happened in my marriage:).

I admit it...I fell off the blogging wagon and neglected my blog. Now with John and I expecting baby Jeffcoat this August, and the kids getting older (and funnier!) I figured I'd better get back to blogging.

So far the spawn of John has left me gripping the toilet for the last 4 weeks. I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel though and have been successfully keeping down food for the last 48 hours. This pregnancy is so different from when I was pregnant with Cooper, but then again my life is so different from when I was pregnant with Cooper.

Cooper is a all grown-up now (or so he thinks...). He makes me laugh all the time and he makes me crazy all the time. He's really into Thomas (still) and he can play with his trains for hours. I'm pretty sure he will be an engineer like John when he grows up...just one that works on trains and not for Trane.

Jaylyn is almost my height and gorgeous (I might be biased, but all my friends tell me all the time how pretty she is so I'm sure it's true). John and I both live in fear of the teen years that are sure to begin, but Jaylyn sure is fun right now. She is such a funny girl!

There is my catch-up blog effort. I realize it was boring, but I had to catch-up before I could blog all the juicy stuff:-).

Ice Cream

Your love is better than ice cream

Better then anything else that I've tried

And your love is better than ice cream

Everyone here knows how to fight

-Sarah McLachlan Ice Cream

The above lyrics are from one of my favorite Sarah McLachlan songs. I use to love this song...it was on all my favorite cassettes and later on all my burned cds. I loved it, my friends loved it, my sister and I loved it until a guy I dated in college heard it. He turned to me and asked me if I loved him more than I loved ice cream. And I didn't. And I told him that. And then I quit listening to that song...especially around guys I was dating.

In all fairness to this guy I LOVE ice cream. My love for ice cream started when I was younger and my mom would make homemade ice cream that would cause me extreme brain freeze because I would eat it too fast. My love for ice cream grew even more when I became a runner and realized I could eat anything I wanted without gaining weight (yes you can hate me now if you want).

But what really solidified my love for ice cream was when a Brusters appeared a mile from my parent's house the summer after my sophomore year in college. It was love at first sight for me. That was the summer my sister taught me how to enjoy long runs so we would accomplish a 6-8 mile run and reward ourselves with ice cream. Around this time we discovered Brusters rain policy which is if it is raining you get a second scoop free. From that point forward that summer if we saw even a storm cloud we were headed to Brusters. Life was good that summer...

I am also reminded when I think about ice cream of all the dinosaur kids sundaes at Brusters I took the boys I babysat for to get. Because no one really appreciates a meal centered around ice cream more then kids. Except for my kid...who hates ice cream. It makes no sense, but I still order Cooper ice cream everywhere we go so he can at least try it again. On a positive note it means double ice cream for me:-).

So I didn't love that boy in college more than ice cream...I never loved any guy I dated more than ice cream. Except John. The one guy I will actually share my ice cream with. I'm pretty sure I never shared my ice cream with even my dad...but in all fairness I don't remember my dad ever sharing his ice cream with me either. Now that I think about it I think my whole family is made of ice cream-aholics!