Picture Overload

I have been major MIA lately. I know this. I feel like we have been going 90 to nothing and its already June!!!! I am so thankful for this rainy Saturday morning to sit around the house and get a chance to write and share some pictures because otherwise we would be at the pool. Thats where we have been the last 2 weeks straight!! We have worn out our neighborhood pool already, our everyday routine consists of waking up around 6:30 am, eat breakfast and by 8:30 we are on our way to swim. We are home by 10:30 to get a bath, eat lunch and then nap. Makes for an awesome summer day. I am so fortunate that I can stay home with my babies. They enrich my life so much.
Well, Sittre Paige turned 4 and a HALF, this is very important because she has begun to plan her 5th birthday party, she is a flowergirl next weekend, and then starts swimming lessons on June 7th. We have got to get rid of the floaties!!!
Stella is now 16 months and is a bit of a struggle. She is her own person and knows that this whole family caters to her every need. So she gets everything she wants and if she doesn't, well its not a pretty picture. She can throw a fit like nobodys business. Its a good thing she is so cute with her big bows, otherwise I might go crazy. She is still struggling in the hair department! Can't wait to see her with hair around that sweet face!
These pictures are random and out of order but its just whats been going on.

Stella backstage at Sittre Paige's dance recital. Can't wait till both my girls are dancing!!

4 1/2 and 16 months

Sittre Paige and daddy after the rectial was over. We were so proud of SP. She really did a great job and enjoyed being on stage. Jared's parents took all the pictures of her on stage so once I can get those uploaded I will post some. Unfortunately I couldn't take any because I was running back and forth from the backstage then to see her perform and then back again! Should be very interesting once I have 2 girls dancing on recital day.

Sittre Paige and Lacey before going on stage.

Since SP did such a good performance we took her to get a prize. She wanted some nails so bad! Hilarious!

My brother Jacob and SP after the recital. She had alot of support that day!

SP and her friend Lacey again. Its so funny how your children latch on to other kids. They got along so good and teamed up every chance they could. You wouldn't see one without the other! I really hope they are in the same class next year.

Watching Saturday morning cartoons.

Mrs. Ashley and SP before the start of her 3K graduation program. The theme was 50's style.

Some of the 3k class before the program.

Lovey and SP on the night of her dance recital rehearsal. My mom couldn't make it to the recital due to a planned girls beach trip so she came to rehearsal night to watch SP perform.

SP and Lacey on rehearsal night.

This was SP's end of the year 3K party. They had pizza and ice cream sundae's. I am going to miss this class so bad, SP made so many great friends and keeps asking to go back to school because she is missing them. I have explained that she will be getting a new class with new friends but hopefully she will have some old ones get in her 4K class.

Daddy and SP on bike day.

Please take a look around at who my precious daughter hangs out with??? All boys. She loves playing with boys, it makes me laugh. Maybe because they do what she tells them too?? This won't last long.

Lovey and Stella before we left for Georgia. We spent the weekend at my mom's brothers house for Mother's Day weekend. We had a great, relaxing time.

Stella hanging out one day.

Sittre Paige learning to ride a big girl bike.

I have become obsessed with these! Its a smoothie mix and you just add milk!!! They are sooooo good!! Craving one now.

The girls riding their toys

Taking a walk to pops and Lovey's house one Saturday morning. SP loves to drive Stella and Stella enjoys changing the radio station. I wonder if they are going to enjoy sharing a car when they are older???

This is an old picture from Easter but we had to teach Stella how to hunt eggs and put them in the basket. We cheered her on in the background.

Forgot to post a picture of the "bunny cake" tradition. Its certainly not as pretty as last years cake but I think Lovey got overwhelmed with an extra helper this year. Check out that mess!!! Because this is a "pops and lovey tradition", Jared and I enjoyed a date night!!!

Okay I think I am up to date now? Don't know for sure, but nonetheless, I will be back. Happy Memorial Day, I am so incredibly thankful for the men and women who serve and risk their lives so that I may live freely. Freedom is certainly not free.

Happy Mother's Day Lovey

Happy Mother's Day to my best friend! Thank you for always being there for me (and my children) Lovey!!! You are such a rockin' mom!!! I love you my FASHIONISTA and your "boutique clothing"!!!! Thank you for your advice, your constant support, your faith in the Lord, my key to your house, babysitting my kids when I need some rest, your food and especially your never-ending love. I don't know what I would do without you!!! I love you will all my heart you little Diva. You are so beautiful on the inside and out!!!

Lately

Okay here are just a few random pictures hanging around on my camera. Just things that have been going on lately.

This is a picture for Ms. Connie, someone who actually reads my blog!!! A few posts back I wrote about Sittre Paige running into a counter and us having to go to the doctor. I didn't post any pictures at the time and said I would but never did. Ms. Connie reminded me that I still had not posted the pictures of that day. So this is the "after" picture, after SP's gash was glued together. Thank you for reading my blog Ms. Connie!!!

Here was a picture of us waiting for the Dr. to take a look and examine the damage. We would soon have a choice of 2 stitches or glue. I opted for the glue and it stuck perfectly. Thank the Lord.

Sittre Paige's dvd collection. I just feel it has become out of control so I took a picture. I have actually been looking for a storage unit thing of some sort so I carry this picture around to remind me how many dvd's she has. Not to mention the other dvd's that hang out in the car. Spoiled is a good word for this picture.

My sorority, ZTA, turned 100 yrs old at the University of Alabama and they had a "Wine and Cheese" banquet one Friday night so we packed up our stuff and had a girls night. It was awesome to see some old sorority sisters and other almuni. I am so proud of this sorority and what it has meant to me. It was a season of my life that helped me grow as a person. I had an absolute blast at UA and would say majority was due to this sorority and the amazing friends it brought into my life.

This is a glimpse inside the ZTA house. We had many meetings in this room.

This is where I ate everyday. This was the ZTA dining room. Usually not every meal but certainly once a day. I can't even tell you how many laughs took place in the room. I look at this room and so many memories flood my mind I wouldn't even know where to begin. Such a special place.

me, Lauren, Ashley (The Rush Chairman the year I pledged the sorority) and Caris at the banquet. Such a fun night with my girlfriends!

The girls opening their Easter cards from their Aunt Lauren. They are so lucky, SP got 5 bucks and thought she ruled the world. Thank you Aunt Lala for spoiling my children!!

Us playing outside one day. There is a mix of pink sand and water in the pool if you were wondering what that gunk is. Too pretty to be inside lately.

My awesome friend Caris. I got to spend a lot of time with her one weekend. So thankful!!! I miss her everyday.

Sittre Paige at the "Wee Folks" Children's Theater at the BJCC with her 3k class. She got to sit right in front of the stage.

This is the beautiful Kerry, Jared's cousin, who is getting married the first weekend in June and Sittre Paige is the flower girl.

This is my friend Bonnie's little girl, Maci Rose, who turned 2. The girls had a great time at her birthday party and I am thinking I might borrow that outfit for Stella next January!! Too cute!!

Vacation??? I think NOT.

Let me just first start off by saying that we are so blessed. I feel like a lot of my blogs are sort of "debbie downer". We are just a family who doesn't have the best of luck at times. But we love Jesus and know He is at work in our lives and in our family. We have total faith in Him and His plans for us. Not to mention, we always have excitement in our family, if something actually went smoothly for us I would be nervous because that just wouldn't be our "normal"!

We left for Orange Beach Saturday morning and we were so excited. We had planned to stay until Wednesday. My parents, Pops and Lovey, went down with us and planned to return on Monday. It started off us leaving the horrible weather in Birmingham, it rained the whole time we drove down. Wish I could say this was the worst part.

We arrived around 2, and stopped at the Foley Outlet to do a little shopping, it was sprinkling but there was nothing else to do, so we shopped. We arrived at the condo around 4, ate dinner, mom and I went to target to get some essentials then headed back to go to bed. Around 2 am, Jared woke up and said he didn't feel well. He got up walked to the bathroom and all of a sudden.......well for lack of a better term, lets use the word "purge" for throw-up........so Jared started to "purge", probably everything he ate the whole day. This took place almost the whole night. Sunday morning came and he was in bed the rest of the day.

So Sunday morning my mom and dad and I and the girls take an early morning beach walk. It was so nice and you could tell it was going to be a beautiful day. On our way back to the condo my dad says he doesn't feel well. All of a sudden he begins to "purge" on the beach. Let's just say it was alot. He goes back to the condo to "purge" some more and then lay down.

They were dropping like flies. Just my mom and I and the girls now. We grab our beach chairs and head to the beach. Found out Stella hates the sand so my mom held her the whole time, or she would actually just sit on the beach towel for a while. It was actually a nice day on the beach. My dad came out around lunch and seemed to feel better. Sunday night we went out to eat, dad and Jared were starting to feel better so I thought okay, Monday should be great. We went back to the condo to have cake and ice cream because did I mention it was my birthday??? Yes, lovely birthday huh? We got in bed early to make sure everyone would be rested. Around 11 pm, SP wakes up screaming and "purges" all over the place. This would take place all night. Monday morning came and I was over the whole trip. SP was lifeless, no energy, so for fear of anyone else getting sick we packed up and headed home. SP laid around the rest of the night.

So far Stella and I have escaped what looks like a virus. All is better in the Jones house right now. SP has held down gatorade and a banana. Looks like a 24 hour thing? But nonetheless, we are home, the trip was a, ummmmm, okay it was a bad nightmare but the one good day on the beach was sort of worth it. My sweet parents did everything they could to make my 27th birthday a good day!!! I am so lucky! The best birthday gift of all is that everyone's health is beginning to be restored.

Well, thats a glance at the vacation. If you even want to say, vacation. Glad to be home and see SP up and running around again. Seeing your children sick is sheer torture. Thats the only way I know how to describe it. We will try the beach again in June with lots of prayers. Here are some pictures of our one good day.

The one time Stella actually didn't make anybody hold her. She was standing on the beach towel though.

My mom made SP a mermaid tale. Because this is what Sittre Paige wants to be when she grows up.

SP playing in the sand.

Stella hanging out in the condo. Is she not precious?? I want to just eat her up!!

Feeding the birds.

Feeding the birds. My favorite part of the beach. I love when you throw up a piece a bread and all of a sudden you are surrounded by a billion birds. Stella is obsessed with birds so this was her favorite part too. (Notice in this picture my mothers legs. I mean look at those Tina Turner legs!!! She is a beast, all muscle. She is going to kill me for that, but she is so awesome!)

Stella's first time on the beach. This picture was shot right before she started screaming.

Pops and SP getting water in the princess bucket.

My diva. She is sporting all her Hello Kitty gear. When we were at the outlet we took her into Claire's and let her have a hay-day. She went crazy, picked out some flip flops, Hello Kitty sunglasses and case, a Hello Kitty necklace and bracelet, and of course some glitter fingernail polish. She is so fun, all girl.

My favorite picture of the whole trip. This is what happens when a 4 yr old puts on her bathing suit by herself. Not quite sure what happened here but I think the leg part is around her waist? Either way we were on the floor in tears. SP makes me laugh so hard.

Okay, atleast got a few good pictures. Say a prayer you NEVER have a "vacation" like this. Jared and I are determined to look back on this and laugh really hard. Might be a while though.

Spring has sprung

I can hear my mother now, in that tone....."Well its about time you did another blog, nobody cares about your weird 20 things anyway"......so here you go mom. You are so pleasant. And yes, she actually asked me why I wrote my last blog 20 things. She found it very uninteresting.

Spring is here and wow this weather has been pretty nice this week! We have been outside everyday this week, well except for today since it rained. Things have picked up and we have begun our busy months. Here are some pictures of March and Easter.

This is a picture of us with my mother in law, otherwise known as Nanny, she spent many hours teaching me how to make the girls Easter dresses. I enjoyed my time with her so much. She is such a wonderful grandmother to my girls, and spoils us all rotten. She has the patience of Job and taught me how to sew while my kids ran around her house crazy and pulling out every toy they could find. I am so thankful for her and hope she will help me take on other outfits..........I mean Nanny if you read this, we can give it a few months before we start another project. You deserve a much-needed break!!! and Thank you for teaching me to sew, I had so much fun!!! Not to mention, I have never been more proud of something I made (with your EXTRA help)!!!

This is a family shot of us on Easter, yes the sun was out and shining bright!!

Sittre Paige showing off her dress. and just showing off period.


The girls in their dresses. They had coordinating fabrics. SP had a turquoise color and Stella had pink, but both the monograms were in turquoise. Jared hates it when I put them in the exact same outfit, but I have finally got him to accept "coordinating" outfits.

Sittre Paige in her dress, we tried to take the picture outside, but she started crying because she couldn't see due to the bright sun so we got a lovely picture in our beautiful garage.

Stella cooperated and the didn't mind the sun.

The girls Easter baskets, poor Stella the Easter bunny brought her Easter shoes!!! How not fun! Atleast she don't know that yet. Tried to stay away from lots of candy because I get tired of telling SP she can only have 1 piece a day. I feel like I am such a warden (staci, pops or lovey do NOT comment) when it comes to candy but I just feel it is such a waste. I just don't want my kids on a sugar-high all day. Well and especially since SP has already had TWO cavities, I just don't like it hanging around our house. But, let me point this out if you are into interesting tid-bits. If you notice in SP's basket a bag of twizzlers. I bought my mom this awesome book for Christmas called "Eat this, Not that", WONDERFUL, tells you what types of foods are a better decision for you over other ones. I love it (purchased at Target, they also have a restaurant edition). Can I just tell you what the worst candy you can eat is..................skittles!!!! The best candy to eat is twizzlers. I mean I guess no candy is good, but they say if you have to have one pick the twizzlers. This house is steering clear of skittles, hey I love them just as much as the next person but being labeled the worst candy on the shelf kinda scares me, especially with the horrible teeth history I have and apparently have already passed down to my first-born.

We went to Bass Pro with our friends Matt and Amanda and their little girl Mattie. This was a hilarious trip because we took the kids to get a FREE picture with the Easter bunny. Well neither one of the babies cared for the bunny and my child especially could be heard throughout the whole shop screaming bloody murder. I actually think she screamed harder with the bunny than with Santa. This girl is NOT into characters!! I wish I could post the pic, I was not able to even hand Stella over to the bunny due to the major freak-out session so I was in the picture holding a screaming child. Another priceless picture.

Sittre Paige's 3k class at the Easter Egg hunt

SP's class showing off their baskets

The girls

Sittre Paige and her dear friend Savannah at the Easter egg hunt

I was in charge of the "special snack" for the 3k Easter party. I chose the cross cookies because this is the whole reason for Easter. I never want to get caught up in the bunny and the eggs. I love my Savior and am so proud to serve a Risen God. Instead of arose, Sittre Paige thinks Jesus "grows" from the grave.

My wonderful Aunt Debra sent the girls these shirts for Easter. I made SP wear hers to every Easter event!! They were so cute!!

One Saturday we had SP's dance recital pictures. This was eventful 2 1/2 hours. enough said.

These pictures are out of order but this was an Easter Egg hunt in Trussville at the ballpark. It was neat because it was a "night" egg hunt. The kids had to bring their flashlights to find the eggs. Although it wasn't pitch black dark, it was such a fun idea. SP found a "prize" egg, and won a tennis ball. Just what we needed.

Stella hanging out in her highchair one day. She was extra smiley so I got a good shot! She turned 14 months on March 29th!! I can't believe how much she is growing. She has become somewhat of a terror with all her teeth-cutting. Her molars are in and not to mention another bottom tooth coming in as well. Fussy is a good word to describe this baby at the moment.

Another picture from her dance recital picture day.

SP had "Tie Day" at school one day and frankly I was like what??? Not wanting SP to feel out of place if she didn't have a tie, I found some extra material hanging around our house and sculpted her a tie. Yes I hand-stitched this thing up at 11pm the night before. Its not too shabby and I will save it for Stella's tie day one day in the future. Although I begged the teacher to make SP take the thing off after a class picture because with her luck she would have likely strangled herself that day.

Okay, a couple big weekends coming up for us so I will be back shortly for the 2 readers that care!!!

My sorority ZTA is turning 100 years old at UA so I will be spending a night in Tuscaloosa with some best buddies next weekend for a fun event and then the following weekend its off to the beach we go!!! Family time is just around the corner and with our crazy schedule lately I have been missing my man. Its hard to believe we actually live together, sometimes I feel like I never see him! Stay tuned!