Memphis or BUST

{Evan learned to push this trike up the slightly inclined driveway and let go to let gravity take him back down. He had so much fun!}

*BUST*

This past Thursday morning, I was running around getting the last bits together before taking the kids to "school" ( I hate calling it day care cause I'd have to admit I've failed at being a full-time stay at home mom) when my phone rang. It was Courtney, Evan's birth mom who is 21. She excitedly explained she was going to be in Memphis this weekend (from Carthage Mississippi) to help a friend drop a dog off. She asked if we could come meet her there. I want to see her so bad and for her to see Evan, especially since we just got to see CG's birth family but I told her we really couldn't. I had to work Saturday till 4p and Sunday was subbing in Evan's Sunbeam class. Yes I was looking forward to it but also I know from experience how precious teachers are and I was a sub - so I know how much more precious that is. That mixed with the fact, I would be working late that Thurs and all day Friday, I would have little time to clean their clothes and pack etc. As she kept talking, hoping I could change my mind, she added, "I'm getting married too". WHAAAATT? I was literally using Mike's facebook the DAY before to see how she was doing and she was making all kinds of posts last week about how lonely she was and 'if only she had a boyfriend and could get married... it's all i want' etc etc. Meaning, she didn't even have a boyfriend last week or a few days before this conversation, based on her posts. YIKES. Anyway, I really thought I should try to go now but was very conflicted. I told her not to get her hopes up but I'll talk it over with Mike to see what if anything we can do. Mike he couldn't come but pointed out how much I had just said I wanted to see her and we never know when we'll get to see her again without having to go all the way to Mississippi. He thought I could make it happen even though it might be inconvenient last minute and all and I would need to get someone to go with me of course. I got to work and saw I had a cancellation at the end of my day. I blocked it out and called one of the most amazing people I know, Amber <3. :). Her parents live outside Memphis so if nothing else, we could go say hi. She arranged a weekend for her husband and 3 boys to live without her and agreed to come with me to meet Courtney and said we could stay with her parents. She is my best friend and her family is just an extension of our friendship. I haven't met a "Berry" I don't like. :). Anyway, I let Courtney know we were on and she was very excited. Not surprisingly she had no idea what her plans were for where she would stay or even how to get there exactly. She said she was just going to "find a little church somewhere in Memphis to get married". Wow. I have never wanted to be that... "spontaneous." It was ok, I figured we'd figure it out once we were there. Later I texted her to clarify some more things and she informed me 'they' would be going through Alabama to get married first and may leave Friday night after she gets off work (i didn't ask to whom or why cause I honestly didn't think she would follow through with it. I assumed they'd break up before then. It's her record to have a boyfriend for 3 weeks, they talk about marriage and break up within days. :(.). I didn't think much of it and continued my plans to meet in Memphis. I also made plans with her to take her picture with Evan and even her husband to which she was really excited. I told her that we'd be getting in too late to visit so could we please meet Sunday morning, she said yes. It was stressful to get everything together but I did it. Mike helped by making sure the kids napped early and finished packing everything for me before bringing the kids to me when I was finished. We picked up Amber in Franklin and were on our way. The drive was nice. I call Amber my girl husband cause she knows me very well and still somehow stays my friend. lol. I like to think I know her very well too so it's always a fun conversation. Anytime Amber and I can give each other our undivided attention, it's bliss and the kids really cooperated. CG hates to be in her car seat for very long so after about 2 1/2 hours she had absolutely had it. Thankfully Jackson was just ahead and we stopped at Chick-fil-A to stretch our legs and get a bite to eat. It helped but now CG was bonefiedmiserable children in the car. We are only doing this for YOU." she said "Yes ma'am but I've been calling and waiting for this lady to call me all day." I told her in a very frustrated 'mom' voice, "Than you should have called me to tell me that before I packed these babies up and drove all these hours. We are almost to Memphis Courtney!" She didn't get it. She tried to explain that the lady with the dog was paying their way. I understand they couldn't afford to come on their own but I told her she should have called me when she couldn't get hold of the friend. I told her that I know she doesn't understand what it's like to get (herself and) two toddlers ready for a LAST MINUTE trip or to then stick them in a car for a 4 1/2 hour drive but it was miserable. BUT we were willing to do it cause we were going to get to see her for a few hours for the first time in 3 years. Sheesh. I also told her how Amber had to put her life on hold to help me, (not to mention her parents were making room for 4 house guests and they work too so they are busy as well) I didn't even mention the money this was costing our family for no reason. She really didn't have any understanding of what she did wrong. It was so frustrating and silent on the phone. I love her like a sister and Yes, I would talk to my sisters this way (they would never be this inconsiderate) but at the moment she needed a 'Come to Jesus' moment as they say here in the South. Ugh... I'm just so bummed about it. Bummed that I have to admit to myself that she is this way, likely not to change soon but over time, she is definitely capable. I love her, I haven't given up on her, I look forward to seeing her in the future, even if it was next week but not seeing her this weekend was sad. Thankfully Evan isn't old enough to understand these things but this experience prepares me to protect him in the future. In parting on the phone, Courtney got serious and said she will make it up to me and will come to us the next time she has a chance. :/ We'll see. I'm at peace about it but I can still wish for a perfect scenario right? :)

If Courtney was reading this, we want her to know we love her and are very sad we didn't get to see her this weekend. We hope to see her soon and have a great visit.

In all, we had a great time with Amber and her family. I have been around them and also Amber updates me often on their goings on so it was good to see for myself what they were up to. It was also fun to see where she grew up so much of her life when she gave me the 30min tour of her town. We thank them for their love and hospitality. <3 xo

PIGTAIL DREAMS & SIBLING SWEETIES

I have been ready to have some fun with Cora Grace's hair finally so for Christmas I bought her a pack of rubber bands in hopes to try out pigtails. Who knows where they are and I've been really wanting them. Not only am I a mom of my first little girl but I'm a hairstylist for goodness sakes so I need to be the one who gets to do her hair. She's been wearing her cute big bow out of necessity. It keeps her bangs out of her eyes while they grow with her hair but her hair is growing so much the bows slip a lot. Hence the wanting of the rubber bands I bought. It wasn't an emergency or anything but I was "side swiped" by her day care before I could resolve the case of the lost accessories and finally do something more with her hair. You see... Mike picked the kids up last week and there she was with pig tails in her hair!? Of course she looked adorable and they all love her so much they probably couldn't stand it to wait any longer for pigtails but I was robbed, I tell you! :) Sigh... oh well, I really was disappointed but I resolved myself to do them better and cuter so here you go. 

I give you... Cora Grace, in Pigtails:

Once the pigtails were in, there was no turning back so I bundled those babies up and forced them to be mamarazzi'ed in the back yard. UGH! They are so precious and beautiful. I'm glad I took the time today to do it. I've been in a funk and this is helping me. Photo therapy if you will. (now if it could help my LACK OF housework!)...

Last but not least. Here is a picture of Cora's new thing. Taking off her shoes (old trick) SO to get to her socks, SO she can take them off and put them on her hands! :D ha ha ha ha ha. She even tries to 'talk' with them like a puppet sometimes. Regardless of the reasons, I'm just glad both kids have exhibited a sock obsession. (Evans was featured on my original blog in November 2009. Don't miss his old videos on that post if you go to it. They grow up so fast!). :)

Funnies

Evan is at the stage of constantly asking questions about: what is that? are you talking to me mommy? where? can i have that? where are you going? can i come too? can i go outside? where is smokey? can i call grandma putsie? is cora asleep? do i have to go to sleep now? etc etc etc.

Desperate times call for desperate measures so, understandably I've resorted to being vague and sarcastic in my answers. That's what you're supposed to do right? ;) Yesterday, he asked me multiple times what my York peppermint patties was that I ate that afternoon. I answered "Your Momma". :) he he he? Anyway as the day turned to night, I found myself snacking again on (one of my very favorite treats) a peppermint pattie and again the questioning started.

"what is that? what is that? what is that?" ( i ignored him. i admit it)
"Mommy, may I please have some of your momma?"
Bah! ha ha ha ha  ha ha ha ha ha! worth it. :)
You know I gave him some btw. You just can't resist that, even though the kid needs no sweets. Especially at bed time. Oh well, he earned it! :)

This isn't 'funny' but, now that we leave Evan's door open, he wakes us up in the mornings by coming to "Here I am! Can I cuddle with you?". That is so sweet. THIS morning he came in after fooling around a little in the family room then was by my bed and he started to sing to me! Is that adorable or what!? He sang me two songs even. One I'm sure was ABC's, the other may have been rock a bye baby or likely, London Bridge (he busted out with that at Target yesterday and put a huge smile on the ear shot shoppers faces... and mine) or something. Either way, he's a heart melter that one is. I'm so lucky to get to finally be a mommy. These are the moments I dreamed about and hoped for the most. Though I couldn't imagine my son singing me awake! :) Blessed to be alive.

That and This

For Christmas Evan got a guitar from Grandma Jennie! Usually Evan is the possessive, jealous one of everything Cora Grace touches but the closer she approaches "2" (yikes), that curly blond haired blue eyed charmer is transforming... for the worse. ;) She kept grabbing at Evan's guitar and he's not always excited about sharing, especially something so special so what's a mom to do but go to World market and pick her up her very own one (to destroy). Little Lady is in heaven and siblings have great JAM sessions in Evan's room. I  try to get them to respect the instruments even though they aren't "Martin" guitars or anything. It's the principle. They have to sit down with them to play or I put them back up. They have been pretty good about following the rules until CG gets bored and gets up. Then all heck breaks loose and there's mass pandemonium. he he he. aka, Evan's good at follow the leader and is right on her coat tails so not to miss out on anything she is doing. :) Oh well. I said I "try" to get them to respect the guitars.

Next crop of pictures is around the house. I got some fairy wings on clearance from Target and both kids wore them for fun. Cora really kinda liked them. Evan loved them too... for a minute. :)

Entertaining the children with a few chips. Mean mommy only lets them have a few. My attempt to teach them it's a  treat and not an option as a 'side or meal'. lol.

Oh my goodness. I must discuss the computers. Evan has had his computer for at least a year. He has always loved it and even learned on it. My sister in law Nanci asked about getting this computer for Evan for Christmas and after I explained he had it, I quickly assured her it would actually be perfect for Cora so now we have two and the kids LOVE them!!! They could play for hours and do. Evan is the boss (for reals) and sets up their computers across from each other like battle ship. Next he presses the same buttons at the same time on each computer to give himself surround sound or something. :) We just love this gift too. So much that I got jealous and one time got my computer out to play with them. Now they can pretend to be mommy, editing all these photos and I can be them, enjoying each other and learning their abc's, 123's, item/animal etc sounds and music. Love it.

I made Betty Crockers Strawberry Pretzel Salad for Christmas dinner. Mmmm. I was inspired because even though I'd had it before, it had been YEARS till this Thanksgiving when my sister in law Jennifer made a raspberry one. YUM! I'd never made one but went to my cookbook and there it was. easy as pie. So here it is for you to look and drool over it's yummy goodness. xo

In the past couple months we've experimented with underwear. Just a note cause we're definitely still in diapers up in 'her.

Who's got 2 thumbs and a Neeeew couch/thing? I do! I have wanted something convertible like a futon since the kids were born, to put in their room. There is no adult seating and I'm getting way to old to get up and down from the floor. lol. Anyway, I found this at World Market on clearance. Whoo hoo! Evan posed in the store with it when we were trying to convince daddy and both kids demonstrated their cute siblingness when you put both arms down for overnight guests (from California?!). Just sayin'. :)

EDITING

My favorite editing site, www.picnik.com is closing it's doors in April! :( boooo. BUT all their advanced editing features are FREE till then so go use it and create beautiful effects and improvements like: 

It's possible the tools will be available somewhere else? Google+? I don't know if it's for free or not like Picnik but regardless, go edit your favorite pictures till April! I'm slowly editing pictures from the last few months but will have to work double time if I could only get the time. :/. I think I've had the winter blues or something. Luckily I don't have any of my mother in laws, yummy frosted sugar cookies, laying around or I'm positive I'd be eating at LEAST a dozen of them while watching the Bachelor or something. Any who... go edit, it's so fun! xo :)