Time To Weigh In

A few months ago I took our Cocker Spaniel to the vet for an update on his shots. While there, the vet informed me that our dog was seriously overweight. An average Cocker Spaniel should only weigh 28 pounds. Andy tipped the scales at 50 pounds. We were urged to put Andy on a diet - a $20 per 10 pound bag diet. We quickly put Andy on his new dog food and cut out all scraps from the table. The diet is working and the pictures prove it!

Andy at a hefty 50 pounds!

Andy at 35 pounds!

What's Going On

Abby Kate and Joshua seem to be changing more and more each day! Here's where we are now...

Abby Kate loves playing with her baby dolls, reading lots of books and drawing/coloring with her crayons, pens and colored pencils. Abby Kate loves to talk on her toy phones. She loves going through my makeup drawer and wearing lots of jewelry. She loves to pick out her clothes and cannot stand not having any on. She loves to make the sounds of all the animals. She knows all of her colors and some of her shapes. She can count to five (she's really LOUD when she does it). She can also point out the letters A and B. She loves to sing The Wheels on the Bus and The Itsy Bitsy Spider. She will repeat the letters of the alphabet when you say them for her. Abby Kate loves for me to put chapstick on her lips.

Joshua loves playing with any kind of ball, reading lots of books and talking. He loves to shoot the basketball into the goal. He loves swinging his baseball bat. Joshua always wears his baseball (Cardinals) or football (UT) hat. He wants to be just like his Daddy. Joshua knows the sounds that each animal makes. He knows all of his colors and most of his shapes. He can count to ten. Joshua can point out the letters A and B. He loves to sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and The Turtle Song. Joshua will repeat the letters of the alphabet when you say them to him. He especially loves the letter R. Joshua amazes us with his speech! He talks non-stop and it is so clear. He speaks in 4 or more word sentences! Joshua loves to wear his Daddy's baseball glove.

No Tears!

I have always hated cutting Abby Kate and Joshua's fingernails. When Abby Kate and Joshua were tiny babies, I would always try and cut their fingernails when they were asleep. Unfortunately, I did miss a time or two and feared that I would do the same each time I cut a fingernail. One night after Jason and I got in from church, I tried cutting Abby Kate's fingernail and missed. I started crying and told Jason that the job was now officially his. Well...that lasted two fingernails! He also missed and got a tiny piece of Abby Kate's thumb. That night was the first and last time that Jason cut the kids' fingernails.

To this day, I do not like to cut my kids' fingernails. I still break out into a sweat and get really worried about missing the nail. I usually try to keep the kids' fingernails (20 nails per trim) trimmed once every week. We go a little longer for the toenails (they don't seem to grow as quickly, but when they do, its like - boom - long toenails). Joshua is usually a bit more patient with me when I cut his fingernails. He will occassionally cry and rattle my nerves. Abby Kate is a totally different story. She always pitches the biggest fit. I have tried everything to keep her calm and quiet. Nothing ever works (the cut while they are sleeping doesn't work nowadays). When Abby Kate starts screaming she gets really mad at me and does not want me to finish. She has cried each and every time that I have gone in to tackle her fingernails. That is...until today!!!!

Abby Kate did not scream, kick, claw, get mad or cry when I cut her fingernails today! Not one tear!!!

46 Questions Answered

I received this in an email tonight from Jamey. I thought that it was fun, so I wanted to post it here. Hope that you enjoy getting to know a little bit more about me. I'd love to hear your answers to some of these too!

1. FIRST NAME? Sunny

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My grandfather (mom's side)

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? This afternoon when I bent my fingernail back while changing Joshua's crib sheet

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Turkey

6. KIDS? 2 year old twins (Joshua and Abby Kate)

7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Why yes!

8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? No - I was later informed that my blog is my journal!

9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Not really

10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes

11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No way!

12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Fruit Loops

13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No

14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes

15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM ? Mint Chocolate Chip

16. SHOE SIZE? 7 1/2 or 8 wide

17. RED OR PINK? Pink

18. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I tend to worry too much

19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My family

20. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Green and white checked capri pjs; no shoes

21. LAST THING YOU ATE? Reese's peanut butter cup

22. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Scott Speizo talking about the Cardinals win! GO CARDINALS!!!

23. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Periwinkle

24. FAVORITE SMELL? Pot Roast on Sunday after church

25. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Jason

26. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO: Their personality

27. FAVORITE DRINK? Sweet Tea

28. FAVORITE SPORT? Baseball

29. EYE COLOR? Blue

30. HAT SIZE? I don't know

31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No

32. FAVORITE FOOD? Chicken Parmigana from The Olive Garden

33. HAPPY OR SAD ENDING? Happy

34. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED AT THE MOVIES? Pirates of the Caribbean II

35. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Green

36. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer

37. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs from friends/Kisses from Jason

38. FAVORITE DESSERT? Strawberry Pretzel Salad

39. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? The Strong Willed Child

40. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I have a laptop

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Cardinals/Mets game; Survivor; Grey's Anatomy

42. FAVORITE SOUND? The kids singing

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?Beatles

44. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Jamaica

45. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Acting (I starred as Glenda, the Good Witch, in The Wizard of Oz)

46. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? May 22, 1978; Donelson, Tennessee

Beach Getaway for Momma = Pleurisy for Daddy

A couple of weeks ago, I headed down to the sandy beaches of Seagrove, Florida. About 16 girls from our Sunday School class retreated to the beach. We all had so much fun together. The weather was perfect, the food was delicious and there were lots of laughs. One of the best things about getting away for the long weekend was that I left the kids at home with daddy! Jason kept the kids for all 4 days (by himself)! The only other time that I have left the kids over night with Jason is for our Ladies Retreat each year. He is such an amazing father and encouraged me to go and have a great time. Jason, Joshua and Abby Kate had so much fun together. Many of you kept up with his Mommy MIA blogs. The blogs and comments have made me laugh so hard! Jason really sacrificed so that I could get away for a little while. I did not realize that I needed a break so badly!

A few days before I left, our air conditioning unit died! I had several companies out to give their estimates all week long. We needed to get a unit in quickly, but that would require a great deal of money (which we don't have just laying around - its not really in our budget). One night while I was at the beach, the temperature outside dropped down to the 40's. Jason woke up the next morning with all kinds of cold symptoms. We treated his symptoms with a lot of OTC drugs. His cold went away after a few days of my return.

Yesterday, Jason called me on my way back from the zoo to let me know that his chest was hurting him. He was up in Nashville at Lipscomb for his grad class that evening. This was really alarming to me given Jason's heart condition. I suggested (after several opinions) that Jason take some antacids. The antacids did not help, so we were able to rule out heartburn. When Jason got home around 9pm, he was really hurting. We ended up going to the ER and he was released after 3 hours and a battery of tests.

This afternoon, Jason and I followed up with his cardiologist. After 3 hours and more tests, the diagnosis is in. Jason has pleurisy!!! We have traced it all the way back to his cold from my trip to the beach.

Mommy MIA led to a very sick Daddy!

Our Day at the Zoo

Today we went to the zoo with my good friend Stacy and her children. Joshua and Abby Kate love to play with Lawson and baby Jordan. We saw so many birds! The kids loved seeing Triton, the sea lion, eating his breakfast. We enjoyed watching the monkeys swing from their ropes. The flamingos were so pretty in their pink! We only saw the eyes of the alligators because they were resting in the water.Abby Kate, Joshua and Lawson watched the bison play with his ball. The cheetahs looked like really big kitty cats. Everyone really enjoyed seeing the elephant, rhino and hippo. We all loved seeing Rowan, the giraffe. Rowan is a two month old baby giraffe that is already six feet tall! The white tiger prowled around as we got a really good look at it. The zoo also had an area for its barnyard animals. The chickens, cow, sheep and goats are always fun to see. We all had so much fun today at the zoo!

You Wanna Fight?

Abby Kate and Joshua have been up since 8:30 this morning. We have already had a very stressful morning!

So, you wanna fight?
*Where is daddy???
*I don't want to wear that shirt.
*I don't want you to change my diaper.
*I want my milk! NOW!
*We want more cereal!
*I only want yellow fruit loops!
*I'm not done with my breakfast (even though I am feeding the dog).
*I don't want to have my face washed.
*That's my baby!
*That's my baseball bat!
*Don't shut the toliet lid on my finger!
*Time to steal the remote control.
*I like to empty out the batteries and put them in my mouth.
*I keep hitting the wall with my baseball bat.
*I have now hit mommy with my baseball bat.
*The baseball bat is now in time-out.
*That's my book.
*MINE!!!!!!!
*Don't look at me that way!
*I am just trying to help you sort through all of the clothes.
*I just took away a toy from my sister.
*I just screamed at my brother.
*We have pushed each other.
*Lots of screaming.
*Torturing the dog!
*I don't want you to put up my shoes!
*My baby!
*I want my football.
*My book!
*Let's take the nightlight apart and throw it at the wall.
*I want to put on my sandals.
*My baby!!!!
*I like to throw books.
*Please stop taking things away from each other.
*We want more milk.

When is daddy coming home?????

Prayer Time

Abby Kate and Joshua praying before bed tonight.















Do you think that we are going to bed anytime soon?

Our First Field Trip

Today, Joshua and Abby Kate had their first field trip. Jason and I took the kids out to Tate Farms in Merdianville. It was a lot of fun! We rode out into a pumpkin patch and picked out a couple of pumpkins. The kids enjoyed getting to see the goats, rabbits, tractors, cotton and pumpkins. They were really interested in walking away from their class on several occasions. Here are some pictures from our adventures at Tate Farms.

I Guess That It's Time To Do The Laundry!

Family Beach Pictures

Beach Pictures

Here are a few pictures from our beach trip. There will be more tomorrow. Hope that you enjoy!

HELP!!!!

The dog next door to us has been barking for over an hour! I am going insane!

Make Your Meal Count

On Monday, September 25th, all Chili's restaurants are donating ALL of thier profits to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital opened in 1962 by Danny Thomas. Since 1962, St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and more than 70 foreign countries. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer center where families never pay for treatments that are not covered by insurance. Families that do not have insurance are not asked to pay. St. Jude relies on contributions to support its research and to provide medical care to kids fighting for their lives.

So, treat your family to dinner at Chili's. ALL profits benefit the research and medical care for all of the children and families at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

For more about St. Jude, visit their website.

Beach Baby, Beach Baby...

Jason and I are heading down to the beach today with my parents. We are really looking forward to our vacation this year. Last year, we made the same trip, but were forced to evacuate due to Hurricane Katrina. We had one day at the beach, and then spent the next three days watching it rain in Panama City Beach. Hopefully this year will be different. I am very excited for Joshua and Abby Kate to see and play on the beach and in the ocean.

Hope that you all have a great week!

Gulf Shores 2005

To Tip or Not To Tip?

...a question that I have been pondering lately.

Jason and I went to Sonic tonight after his church league softball game. Our total came to $3. We actually had cash on hand, so we gave the carhop our $3. She kind of turned up her nose and when she walked away, Jason and I looked at each other and asked what we have been asking for the past 11 years...are we suppose to tip her? In the past, I have been known to tip the carhop. At times, I feel as if my left over change is insulting; yet, do I really ask for my 3 cents back? "Oh, just keep the change - all 3 cents of it". Or, do I actually give this person a $1 tip. For what? She only brought me my food! I feel that it is the carhop's job (why they were hired) to bring me my food (this is what they get paid for).

So, do you tip?

What things do you tip for?

Say Cheese!!!

Rocky Top Tennessee

Jason and I were privileged enough to receive free tickets to Tennessee's football game Saturday night. I was ecstatic! The last Tennessee football game that I went to was back in 2001 (Tennessee vs. Florida). I always enjoy getting to head up to East Tennessee and be surrounded by so many Tennessee fans (especially since we now live in Alabama). Jason and I met up with some great friends from high school and college. We had great seats and enjoyed every moment.

I was able to soak up every moment of the game (no kids). Air Force was a tough team. I have never seen an offense like the one that they had. They never gave up. Anytime they got the ball, they added points to their score. The last few minutes were nerve wracking, but we were able to come out on top.

I had so much fun with Jason and our friends! I can hardly wait to take Joshua and Abby Kate to their first University of Tennessee football game!

Fiddle Faddle Anyone?

I discovered Fiddle Faddle this summer. It's the perfect snack when you have the munchies. I absolutely love it and can no longer find it anywhere! I have searched each and every Walmart, Publix, Kroger, and Southern Family Market in Huntsville. I am driving myself crazy looking for a red box of Fiddle Faddle.

Fiddle Faddle Anyone...

My Word Cloud

This site will help you create your very own word cloud. Gives you an idea about what you spend the majority of your time writing about. Hope you enjoy mine...















In honor of the loves of my life...





















...a picture from this summer (Avery's 1st Birthday Party).