From Big Band to Brahma Bulls

Jason and I went to see Harry Connick Jr. in concert Thursday night!!! To say that I was excited (and still am) would be a huge understatement! I absolutely LOVE Harry Connick Jr. I own about 10 of his cds. He is one of the few artists that I still rush out on release dates and purchase the newest cd.

We have some very dear friends that came over to stay with the kids because it was going to be a long night. Jason and I ate dinner at Mellow Mushroom and made our way downtown to the VBC. Our seats were great; about 14 rows from the stage and it was incredible concert! I have to admit, I got a little teary eyed when he walked out onto the stage and instantly started singing. He is such a good singer and musician. He was very funny, the setting was very intimate and he really enjoyed his audience! By far one of the best concerts I have ever been to!

On Friday night, we switched things up a bit and took Jackson on his first outing with mom and dad. Joshua and Abby Kate were able to go over to their friends' house and spend the night (Thanks Guys!). Jackson has always been in love with horses and so when we saw that the rodeo was coming to town, we decided to take our little man. I have never been to a rodeo in my life, so I really did not know what to expect!

There were lots of cowboy boots, belt buckles, and cowboy hats ! And then there was the SMELL!!! Oh my! The smell just about knocked me off my feet! Like I said, I've never been, and had no idea what to expect. At one point I leaned over to Jason and asked him what in the world we were doing at a rodeo! We are baseball people, not rodeo people!

Jackson had an absolute BLAST!!! He couldn't get enough of the horses, the lassos, the calves, the sheep, the monkeys, and the bulls! It was a great night! I love that we were able to find something that Jackson loved so much! All 3 of our kids are so different and they each have the things that they like. It was definitely worth it!

The funniest part of the night came when the sheep herding dogs came out with monkeys on their backs! Jackson just about came out of his seat and told me to take a picture! I am not kidding! So, I did what he asked and snapped a picture of the monkeys on the backs of the sheep herding dogs!

Jason and I could not get over how different our two outings were. One night we were at a concert with Harry Connick Jr. and the next night we were at a Rodeo!

So happy to be out with Momma and Daddy!

Jackson and Daddy

Jackson's picture

Jackson and Momma

Rodeo 2010

No More Faux, but I'm Not Completely Sold

After nearly 3 years of living with our faux walls, Jason and I finally crossed something off of our to do list. We painted our master bathroom over the weekend! We were beyond thrilled to bid farewell to the flaming red bricks poking their way through our bathroom walls. We matched the already existing texture on the wall to help "cover up" the red brick and to make it blend in with the rest of the wall. To say that we are happy to see the brick gone would be a huge understatement.

We had plans to go a shade or two lighter from our bedroom color in the bathroom. We were saddened to learn that they no longer make our bedroom paint color, so we didn't have the swatch to see what color was lighter and would coordinate with our bedroom. The guy at the store showed us a couple of swatches that the computer said would coordinate and we chose the lighter one. Its called Oyster, and we really thought that it would darken on the walls.

We were wrong!

It is like a creamy white!

Not the color that I was really going for.

I'm not crazy about our bathroom being that light of a color.

I am not completely sold on the color.

I know that it is a HUGE change from what was in there, and maybe I am having a hard time adjusting...

I need curtains.

I don't want to repaint.

I can't stand painting bathrooms!

We seriously need some wall art if we keep it.

I am excited that there is no more faux, but I'm not completely sold!!!

Before

After

What do you think?

The Sweet Little Things

Today, Abby Kate had a doctor's appointment, so Jason picked her up from school early. All morning long, Joshua had been telling her that she was going to get a shot (which she wasn't) and that it was going to hurt. She would instantly tear up and became quite fearful. Last night we had to have a big talk about her trip and how she would be fine... I actually bribed her by painting her fingernails and toenails; something that doesn't happen around here until Spring. Anyways, today as she was leaving, she started crying over the thought of getting a shot. When she had left the room, Joshua said, "I should have gone with her."

melt...my...heart...

Our Valentine's Day

For Valentine's Day this year, we all enjoyed a four day weekend. Jason and I got a baby sitter Friday night and ate dinner together at Olive Garden - my favorite! There once was a time when Jason did not care for Olive Garden, but I am so thankful that he finally came around and enjoys it just as much as me. Abby Kate was beaming from ear to ear when we told her that we were going out for a date. We decided to beat the Friday night rush and went in for an early dinner. I guess that having kids will do that to a couple. On Sunday, the kids opened up their Valentine's from us and loved the small little things that we had gotten each of them. Today, we have been busy spending time together as a family. We have been covered up in snow and loving every minute of it. Tonight, we decided to continue our family tradition of a Chick-Fil-A family date and play night!

And, I just got word that my four day weekend, is now a FIVE day weekend! Yippee!!!

March of Dimes 2010

Abby Kate ~ 4 pounds, 7 ounces, 18 inches

Joshua ~ 2 pounds, 5 ounces, 14 inches

The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

About 12.5 million babies are born too early each and every year. I went into preterm labor with the twins at 20 weeks and was put on bed rest immediately after being given medicine to stop my contractions. At 33 weeks, our twins were born weighing in at 4 and 2 pounds. Almost 13 percent of premature babies are born between 32 and 33 weeks. I also went into preterm labor with Jackson at 26 weeks, but I was able to carry him to term with the help of medicine and rest.

Premature babies can suffer from a wide variety of health complications. Thankfully, Joshua and Abby Kate were both healthy and strong, just a little on the small side. We will always be grateful for the special care our twins received from the doctors and nurses of the NICU at this critical time in their lives. Since then, the March of Dimes has been a cause that has been very near to our hearts.

The March of Dimes helps give children like ours the attention and treatment they need. Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death and many life long disabilities. The funds we raise for the March of Dimes supports research that saves babies' lives.

In honor of our twins turning 6 this year, we hope to raise $600! Please check out our personal page and consider making a donation to a very special cause that is near and dear to our hearts.

We would like to invite all family and friends out to this year's March for Babies Campaign on Saturday, April 17, 2010. It would be our honor to have you participate with us in a cause that is so important to our family. We had the best time walking with our friends last year and we hope that you can join us this year!

March for Babies 2009

We are so thankful for our healthy babies!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My Thoughts - Just A Bit Random

I registered our twins for Kindergarten the other day! I can hardly believe that our babies will be in Kindergarten this fall!

Jackson took to potty training like a champ! I don't know which child was easier to train, Abby Kate or Jackson, but I am glad that we are out of diapers. It definitely feels weird to be out of this stage. It has consumed our world for the past 5 years!

We've always said that we would wait and take our kids to Disney when they were 7 and 4. We are kind of rethinking that now. I'm wondering if anyone has any advice that they would like to share. Did you plan on your own? Go with a travel agent? How did you save money/score some deals? Etc...

Speaking of vacations, we are getting really excited about our summer trip with my parents!

American Idol, Survivor, and the Amazing Race!!! Need I say more....

I'm going to try something new this week.

Speaking of savings, I have had two successful trips to Kroger's these past two weeks. However, Jason forgot to use the coupons when he went a couple of weeks ago! I cannot stand leaving money on the table!!! Yesterday I made the trip for this week and I messed up on my deals, too! I was so frustrated with myself! I love the buy 10 get $5 off, but I miscounted by one!!! I bought 29 items, instead of the 30 needed. I still saved over $50... I'm just a little OCD.

Did anyone else see the Oprah about texting/talking on the cell phone while driving? The information shared in that episode is still making me think. I've definitely stopped texting and I limit my calls when driving. I've always noticed that the people that ride my tail the most are the ones on their phones. I wish that our state would become a no texting/talking on the cell phone state.

After listening to all of our Christmas music, I was finally able to pull out my new cds. Harry Connick Jr., Michael Buble, and Martina McBride!!! Love them! HINT - Michael Buble is going to be in ATL this March!!!