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Christmas Weekend

December 21, 2010 by Amy 5 Comments

…and we’re back. Again. We spent a long weekend back in Maryland/Pennsylvania visiting family for Christmas. It was a whirlwind of Christmas parties. Friday night we had dinner/presents with my mom’s dad. Saturday we had lunch/presents with my dad’s family. Sunday was spent with the rest of my mom’s family. My favorite moments:

The kids playing Twister Friday night. My cousin was twisted up and looked like a pretzel on the board.
The kids playing Hedbanz and everyone getting a good laugh when I got the “I am a pig” card.
Having a wonderful breakfast made from our hosts so I didn’t have to worry about it.
Our hosts having special Christmas presents for the girls.
Getting to meet my cousin’s new little baby and remembering what it feels like to hold a sleeping baby while you eat and telling your birth story ad nauseum.
Realizing we have two new husbands and one new baby since last Christmas. No boyfriends this year at Christmas!
Having my grandmother healthy and happy after getting cleared from breast cancer this year.
Eating a steak sub from D’Atri’s.
Having Lexi pick up a napkin and try to wipe my hands clean from the messiness of the steak sub.
Seeing my cousin’s little toddler toddle around and remember what it’s like to have to follow them around every single second.
And then remember what it’s like for your kids to still have nap time.
Seeing the kids presents all in stacks, just like we used to.
Getting a set of my great-grandmother’s dishes from my aunt with homemade cookies on them.
Playing with my uncle’s iPad. And loving it but still being ok that I don’t have one.
SNOW TUBING with my family, parents, sister and uncle’s family. The best fun in a really long time. Please see videos below!
A really, really quiet ride home.

It was a really fantastic weekend.

So this snow tubing…you’ve gotta do it! It takes absolutely no skill whatsoever, it’s fast and fun!

This is me and Emma going down the hill:

It looks slow until you’re on it! Here is Scott and Emma going down:

It’s a must, must do!

Hope your Christmas weeks are going well!

Heart Desires

November 12, 2010 by Amy 9 Comments

When did they…

…become them…

I almost don’t recognize them. And I don’t mean the missing bad perm and braces. That couple is a happy couple in their 30’s with 2 kids, a dog and a picket fence. And most days I feel a lot more like that 15 year old a lot less like that 32 year old.

But somehow that’s us and every single dream that 15 year old had 17 years ago got wrapped up in a few pictures yesterday.

I’m so blessed.

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

The Family Meets Danny Gokey

September 16, 2010 by Amy 7 Comments

This afternoon I had the chance to take Scott and the girls with me for a meet and greet with Danny before he signed autographs at the Southern Women’s Show in Charlotte. Because of the site, I’ve been in more contact lately with some of his management and they were gracious enough to let me meet up with him. We ended up in a closed cafeteria just outside the showroom and it was very easy-going. Well, eventually it was.

The girls barely wanted to turn the last corner to see him. Between nervous laughter they were all but pulling me back or down to the ground. They were smiling ear to ear but nerves were taking over. Finally I had to pick Lexi up and take her over. Danny didn’t spot us behind him until we were nearly at his table but he seemed happy to see us and was glad to finally meet Scott. He gave him a big handshake and bear hug. He was wonderful with the girls and told them how beautiful they were. We all sat down and Danny answered all the questions I had. We filmed a video and took pictures.

The picture deal was pretty funny though because at first I wanted to get a picture with just the girls and him but they would not do it. So I went and stood by Danny and they finally ran over. Scott started snapping pictures. But then I think we all realized at the same time it was kind of awkward because it looked a little like a family Christmas portrait with the wrong guy in it.

AWKWARD

Although it looked awkward it wasn’t awkward and I just asked Scott to get in the picture and Danny was like uh, yeah…let’s get someone else to take the picture. It was actually funny. So then we got the picture of all of us. As you can imagine, pretty epic picture.

Much better! Don’t be surprised if this is our Christmas card.

We talked a lot about his single and his foundation. You never have to worry about what to say around him, only that you might not get to say something at all. He is a talker! I think we actually made him late for his signing and he asked his people if he would have time to talk to us after the signing and they said yes. So guess what? We stuck around to talk to him! We shopped around, ate some dinner and watched the signing as he finished up.

Oh, I did let the girls go through the autograph line when it was slow and he ran out of pictures 🙁 The one thing Lexi wanted was a signed photo like I have. He promised to get them one at the next time and Lexi agreed to him signing her arm instead. Emma had already decided that’s what she wanted so it was cute. Yes, I realize I’m probably a terrible mother for teaching them all my fangirl ways! But aren’t they so cute?!

Anyway, after the signing we didn’t get to talk much. He seemed pretty tired and we made small talk before he was called out to get to the airport.

It was hilarious though at that point because it was more Scott and him just chit-chatting. They were standing in front of each other both with their arms crossed while I listened. I really wanted to take a picture of the two of them like that. They both really hit it off. When we left Scott said he was a really “real” guy, very down-to-earth and genuine. Which is exactly what I always say. Anyway, it was nice that they all got to meet after me being the middle man for so long.

So yeah, pretty simple autograph signing to some, but memorable one for us!

Jumpity Jump. Welcome to Another Yard Accessory.

August 15, 2010 by Amy 4 Comments

OK, so the kids have been begging for a trampoline for a long time. They used to jump years ago at my parents’ neighbors house. Last night they jumped on our neighbor/family friend’s and I realized they are at a great age for a trampoline. I snuck a peek after church today at Craigslist and spotted one in near excellent condition that was just posted this morning. We trekked up to North Charlotte this afternoon, disassembled it and the reassembled it this evening. The kids love it and it’s a great compliment to the pool in the backyard. I mean, if you consider the pool a bath tub to wash off the grass stuck to them from running back and forth. *ahem*

True to fashion, Scott couldn’t assemble a trampoline near a pool without scooting it close and making a jump and dive into the pool. And of course, the kids had to follow suit.

I’m praying for no broken bones and lots of fun for years to come!

On the 12th

August 8, 2010 by Amy 13 Comments

Today is our anniversary. Twelve years married. TWELVE. Add that to four years of dating and we’ve been together more than half my life. Nothing compared to 30, 40, 50 and even 60 years but 12 is something. A lot of people don’t make it that far these days. And if they do, many are not happy ones. Ours haven’t been all happy but we are today. In fact, a few years back I wondered if I’d ever be happy again. But we are and it’s only because of God’s grace and guidance. And I don’t say that as a cliche. I’m serious, without Him, I’m not really sure what we’d look like right now. I don’t get sentimental and mushy a lot but I want to take such a mushy day to talk about all the mushy stuff I love about Scott. How about 12 things for year 12?

Sometimes I can’t stand how good of a Dad he is. Just yesterday he took them on a breakfast date to McDonald’s AND brought me Starbucks on the way home. Today he was really upset he didn’t make it to paint pottery with Emma and I just so he could spend time with us before work.
I love how he leads. I don’t know what it is but people listen to him. Sometimes he doesn’t give them a choice but he’s got this weird way of making people respect and listen to him. Some people call him to find out what to do in a rough spot even if he’s clueless on the subject.
I love that he’s a handyman. He can fix or build just about anything. There’s nothing sexier than watching him use a drill. What can I say? Blue collar men can be hot too.
I love his sense of humor. MOST of the time. Sometimes it seems he can’t be serious for anything. But most of the time, he keeps me laughing and I love that.
OK, fine, I love most of his OCD tendencies. This house would be freakin’ disaster without him and I know it.
On that note, specifically, I love that he doesn’t mind helping around the house. He’s been known to wash dishes regularly and vacuum and do laundry when necessary. Talk about scoring points!
I love that he loves people. He’s always wanting to invite someone over or go do something with someone. He’s so much more outgoing than me and it really balances us out.
I love that he thinks I’m beautiful and tells me a lot. Even if sometimes it seems he says it so much it doesn’t mean as much but I know I’d be lost without that. I just hope he thinks it when I’m 85 and wrinkled!
I love how generous he is. He’s taught me so much about compassion and giving and I know he’d out-give me any day of the week and I consider myself pretty generous.
I love that he loves to learn. Even though it bores me to absolute death to watch the History channel, I love that he has a passion for learning.
I love how athletic he is. He’s strong and healthy and I’m so proud when he takes off on his bike or whatever he is doing! It seems like he can do just about anything he sets his mind to.
And of course, most importantly I love his love for Christ. If there is one thing that is most attractive in a man it is the ability to humble themselves before God. It seems so backwards that humility would be so attractive but it is. I can’t explain it but on that account alone, it’s like a magnetic pull. I love God so, so much and to find a man out there these days (well, 16 years ago) that still proudly stands up for his faith too, well, I consider myself quite the lucky one.

So, yeah, mushy, mushy. I know I talk a lot about how much I love this TV show or that one or this celebrity or that one but if you can just imagine how much I go on and on about that, my love for Scott is 1,000 times more than that. I just choose not to gross you guys out about it too often. You’re welcome 🙂 Actually, I think it’s kind of nice to hear that this marriage thing actually works every once in awhile. And it has. So very, very much.

Charleston Birthday Weekend

August 2, 2010 by Amy 3 Comments

This weekend we headed to Charleston to celebrate my sister’s 30th birthday. I hadn’t been to Charleston since I was somewhere around 10. The only thing I could remember is Battery Park and buying a Charleston T-shirt in some market. Well, clearly I forgot how wonderful Charleston is because it is just darling! There is so much to do and see so much so we were at times pulled in so many directions on what to do next.

Of course food was key. We got many wonderful suggestions on Facebook and Twitter. We ended up with Vickery’s on Friday night. Excellent view but not as much seafood as other places. Saturday night was Gilligan’s. Everything was just ok there. Sunday night was Fleet Landing. That by far was our favorite. All very yummy seafood right on the water. Hyman’s, Jestine’s and The Wreck were other top suggestions we didn’t make it to this trip.

The beach turned out to be a small sliver of the trip. We trekked out to Isle of Palms Saturday morning and I have to say, wow! They know how to do it there. It just does not compare to Myrtle Beach. Everything is nicer, there are showers and bathrooms and the beach is flat and wide and the water is shallow for much longer. But the people! Wow! So many more than our little beach we usually visit in Garden City. Rows of chairs and blankets and tents!

I think the highlight of the weekend though has to be the sunset boat tour we took Saturday night. What an adventure! It was all fantastic until about half-way through it started raining. The entire boat all ended up huddled under the deck. Even so, it was a great time on the water. I loved seeing the cargo ship going out to sea (Scott was enamored with the shipping port downtown), a lighthouse, downtown from the water and Fort Sumter. Definitely a sight not to be missed while in Charleston.

Check out all the pictures on Facebook

The Girls Tackle Babysitting

July 9, 2010 by Amy 3 Comments

Tonight we babysat for Jake and Jill’s baby Kellan. He is seriously the cutest little man I know and the best baby ever, especially in his new newborn clothes. Emma and Lexi were so excited but especially Emma. If Lexi adores animals, Emma adores babies. I really think she could have watched him herself. She loves her Baby Alive babies and I KNOW that’s no comparison but she did have a little inkling on how to feed a baby so I let her help me feed him. Turns out Emma is pretty darn good at feeding a baby and she fed him two whole containers on her own. Well, Lexi helped a few times. The video is priceless. Here are some highlights:

:34 No, he eats good for me!

:45 Even though this is less messier [than feeding her Baby Alive]

1:03 Kellan’s face is priceless. “Save me!”

1:43 Lexi doing the famous wide-open mouth when trying to get the baby to do the same

3:10 Lexi’s chugga-chugga WITH the wide-open mouth

3:25 Kellan’s face. “Save me. Now.”

3:49 Emma: “He needs to concentrate on eating.”

Generally: Lexi’s random dancing and singing and Kellan’s as-always easy going attitude.

Bonus pictures: Lexi putting lipstick on me tonight. Jake and Jill, you owe me one. She wanted to put it on Kellan.

Crowder’s Mountain Part Deux

April 5, 2010 by Amy 8 Comments

Never say never. When will I learn? 14 years ago, my family, Scott and my uncle and aunt climbed Crowder’s Mountain. It’s a pretty short hike overall, only 2.8 miles up the mountain.

But last time it was a HIKE and I said I’d never do it again. Here’s my scrapbook page from back in the day. It’s like old-school blogging!

I was weeks away from graduating high school. Love that perm, doncha?

Well, Saturday we took to the mountain again, with 4 more people and 2 more dogs in tow.

I was most worried about Lexi who gets tired after about 2.5 minutes walking through the mall. And indeed, she was pulled

And carried

And carried some more

But she also did a lot on her own

So momma is proud! I didn’t even blame her when she passed out minutes after hitting the road.

Cause I was trying to do the same thing

But Emma? Emma bounced, ran, skipped up the mountain. She was proud that no one had to carry her and wanted to do it again and we hadn’t even finished yet.

Clearly she had a lot of energy left over on the way home

Scott of course made it up like a park ranger. This is after he worked 12 hours Friday night with only 4.5 hours of sleep Saturday morning.

No fear at the top, just swinging his legs over the edge. But that’s why I love him.

As for me, I enjoyed being with my girls

Taking pictures for everyone to remember

And challenging myself. It’s amazing how much easier (not easy!) it was since my C25K training.

And being so dang proud of the four of us at the top knowing that the last time we were there, we were just two kids in love with a bunch of dreams.

And so happy to share these moments with all my family

And let’s not wait another 14 years…I can barely handle the thought of Emma and Lexi being in college then…

There were lots more stories from that day (tailgating on Glenn’s truck, pulling dogs, Mom’s hurt ankle, too.much.pollen.)…check out more pictures here and here.