Just a few updates today...

Bro. Charles Carlton has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home now. He still has a long way to go, but he has come so very far. The Lord hears and answers prayer. Please continue to keep him and the family in your prayers.

Gary's father was diagnoised with colon cancer earlier today. They will be doing a CAT Scan on Jan 8 to determine the extent. They feel like they caught this very early though, and hope to do surgery soon. Keep the family in your prayers especially Mom and Dad.

A few have asked for an update on our job situation. The plan is first thing on Monday the 4th for Gary to go around and put in applications at places like Walmart, Lowes, Winn Dixie, etc. We are hoping perhaps someone can hire him full time, even if it's only something like stocking shelves, for enough money to make more than unemployeement. If he can get something we might be able to stay in the house a little longer. We feel that it would be unfair for our family and the Church to continue to support us after 5 months, when we could give up paying rent. Keep us in prayer not only that we might find a job, but that we would know what to do, until the Lord provides a job.

On Saturday we headed up to Tennessee to visit with Grandma and Billy and all the Mallard side of the family. We ate way too much, laughed even more, and visited for the longest time. I always love hanging out with that side of the family. It's the only place where there are as many red-heads as every other color. haha. Everyone went on and on about how happy and playful Britt was. They kept asking us, if we knew what a blessing he was to be so good and such little trouble. We told them that we sure did, and no that they could not load him up and carry him home with them. Britt had a ball playing with everyone, and especially trying to chase Emily around. She didn't want to play with him, but kept us laughing talking to us in her super country, West Tennessee accent. It was a great time!

We've had a really good trip so far. It's been great to be a part of Christmas with my family, I have missed our laughter, games, and general laid back time together. Leading up to Christmas this year, Benji and Britt have had a lot of fun together playing with the trains and checking out all the decorations everywhere we went. Christmas Eve we always spend over at Grandmother and Granddaddy's. We get together and eat an early dinner/late lunch with all the trimmings. Then after alot of conversation when we are all stuffed we usually break out some game. This year we played spades for a while. Then when Maghen can't stand to wait any longer we do presents. This year she wasn't the youngest anymore so she didn't get to go first. Haha Mag-wen Haha! All three of us got some very nice gifts in books, clothes, a new still camera, and for Britt lots of toys.
Then Christmas day we always spend at home. We we were just a few years old, Mother and Daddy decided that it was rediculous to rush through Christmas and then make us as kids leave everything to drive somewhere else for another Christmas. So, she told everyone that they could have any other time on any other day, but that we would be home for Christmas. This is something that I would very much like to do one of these days. Mother is a pro at dragging out Christmas to last as long as possible. We always get our stockings and a book bag first (a gift bag full of book, because you know, in this house every holiday is an excuse for more books). Then Mother has a huge breakfast that she cooks and we eat and eat until we can't hardly move, and everything is most gone. Then we do presents, one at a time and very often we can streach things out till noon or 1, around which Grandmother and Granddaddy often swing by with leftover, or for finger foods for lunch and to visit a little while. We spend the rest of the day playing the games we got, or watching the movies we got, and just laying around the house together. It's a really special time of year, and I can't express how thankful I was to be home this year, at best we might be able to come home again next year since Christmas would fall over the weekend, but by the time that Britt is (about to be) 3 I want to plan for us to be at our home for his Christmas. So it was extra special to me to be here.

Today we will be traveling up to Tennessee to see Daddy's side of the family. So see you again later!

Britt,

You have grown so much in the last month. You are cruising more and more, but really you are walking with your hand trailing along the furniture. You still immediately stop if you realize that you are walking or standing without touching something, but your balance is better and better these days. You like to play giddup horsey, except we don't have to bounce you, you bounce yourself. At first we thought you had gone crazy, but now we just sing it to you when you get started and want to play. Oh and climbing, you climb on everything: on boxes, in and out of baskets, over anyone laying in the floor going back and forth laughing the entire time, now you have twice moved things around in the floor in order to be able to climb onto the couch. Sneaky little boy.

You pretty much insist on table food now days, we are hoping to convince you that you want the last of the baby food that we have, but after Christmas we have decided that you win and will be table food all the way. You love to eat what we are eating when we are eating. I don't suppose I'll be able to hold off all the family members who want to feed you coke and candy and then give you back very much longer. But for now we are trying to convince you that meat and veggies and fruit really are good.

You are still the most joyful laughing kind of person. You are starting to be a little more heisatant about people that you don't know. Not scared, just not overly smiley like normal. You don't really like to be left alone, if everyone leaves the room, you follow them into the next room. You just like the company of someone else there with you while you play. Everything is a toy, and boy are you curious. You need to know what everything is and what it does and what you can make it do. Your favorite thing to do these days is pull all of something out of a box, dump truck or other stashing place, and then fill it all back up again.

Every day is an adventure together and I love you.

Love,
Momma

Yesterday Ahna and Grumps carried me and Momma and Daddy over to Santa's Village in Huntsville. It was a really neat place. When we first walked in we saw two of Santa's reindeer in training. They weren't really practicing flying at the time, but one was napping and one was eating. We also got to meet a gingerbread man, a bear dressed as a nutcracker, and a very big penguin. We got to go into the woodworking shop where elves were making wooden toys (a few of which Momma and I tried out). Then it was snowing, Momma and I spun around and caught snow flakes and I laughed and laughed, and then Daddy walked up and said that it wasn't REAL snow, and Momma shushed him, and said to stop spoiling our fun. Next, we stopped by to hear Mrs. Claus reading Santa stories. After that we walked around and saw all the decorations and colors and lights and presents. It was cold but it was alot of fun. Everyone took turns holding me and pointing out various things for me to look at. Ahna told me that there is a Santa Claus and that we might go see him later in the week when he goes to the mall, but the line was too long in the cold to see him tonight. Momma and Grumps kinda snickered and said there's no such thing as Santa Claus. As for me I don't know since I never met the guy, but we did have alot of fun at his place.

Last night late after the rush of the weekend of Christmases, we had our own little family Christmas. Britt loved his presents, most especially the blocks that Daddy made for him. He also got some handmade cloth books for Church, and some clothes (especially for the cold Alabama winter that we will be heading up for in a few more hours).
(Again, this is a bit long and is mostly just a video of the evening. More for my journaling records and any Grandparents that wanted to see. So watch at your own risk, haha.)

This weekend has been like a holiday - since we are going home for Christmas this year, we have spent this weekend doing Christmas with Gary's family. On Thursday night we went over to eat dinner with Granna and Granddaddy Garland. They then gave Britt his two gifts - a jack in the box and a dog figurine. He was most interested in the dogs, but he would try to turn the handle for the jack in the box, it didn't make him jump at all though. He also got a puzzle from Aunt Joanna and Uncle Quintin that night. He likes dumping out all the pieces and then banging them together, but he doesn't really get that they are suppose to go back in there yet. Then on Friday night we did Christmas at Mom and Dad's and then we all spent the night. We had crab leggs and we all ate till we were about sick. He got a Tonka truck that revs up from Mom and Dad and some little trucks that he spent alot of time driving around. Aunt Joan got him some big legos, which he seems to like the best of all of his gift, he puts them in and takes them out of their heliocopter shaped home. Then Aunt Amanda got him a little tool set, which we pulled out for him to play with a little tonight. On Saturday, much earlier today, we went over to Grandmaw Bea and Poppa J's for Christmas. We had more seafood and alot of fun visiting.

(the video is not only a view of the speedy weekend, but it covers pictures and video from all the funniest moments: Britt learning to tear open presents, Dad at a tea party with Brystal and Lilli, Britt tackeling toy bears, Aunt Sharon sleeping, Uncle Matt and Julia doing the twist, just to mention a few.)

This post is just for Kelly, since she wanted to see what I was talking about when I said Britt really loved on pillows. Maybe you'll enjoy it too. The very best part might be at the end when I try to share his pillows.

Last night, after it got dark, Momma and Daddy took me to Christmas Lane. Mr. Lane is strawberry friend of Daddy's and every year since 1980 (basically forever) he has been decorating out infront of his house. They operate solely on donations and everything is free - parking, to get in, and best of all the train. They have a wishing pond that all the change goes to a look orphanage, and Momma and I threw in three pennies. They have all of these neat moving bears and reindeer, and stuff, and they play Christmas music. I really liked all the lights and sound. Someone even said Santa Claus was there, whoever he is, I didn't see him though, I was too busy watching the train go round and round. I really wanted to ride it, but they said I was too small, maybe next year. They did let me stand on the cabouse though and Daddy took a picture. You should go if you get the chance, it's on Dover Road in Plant City.

After much begging and pleading I got Gary to hang some lights last Tuesday on the house. We already had a long strand, and Amanda had a bunch of lights that she wasn't using, so Mom used some on the house, and let us take the last 4 boxes. Britt really likes them, he just looks and looks at them and tries to grab them.

or "This Climbing is Going to be the Death of Me"

So Britt has been doing much better today, his fever is about gone, and this medicine makes him crazy hyper, so since Daddy was finished sanding his blocks I thought he could play out in the yard for a little bit in front of the steps while Daddy stains his blocks. I come out to say something and what do I find, but baby has playing in my potting soil. The kid has climbed into the pot. So I took a picture, took him out, and grab the video camera to see if he would do it again. Sure enough he did, and then promptly tried to crawl face first out of it, so we moved the pot on the steps and gave him a ball to play with instead. Poor baby though, snuck up behind Daddy and climbed those steps, and managed to fall and bump the back of his noggin. So in for a bath, a cup of milk, and a late nap. Poor fellow, he's ok, but I had to cuddle him for a few minutes to convince him.

A few updates and new one's to add to the list.

One of Gary's Uncles L.A. Varnum passed away on Monday, the funeral was today. Please keep the family in your prayers.

We also found out late yesterday that Bro. Obey's wife Sis. Mary from Tanzania passed away on Monday. She never really got over losing Bro. Obey. She had maleria and was in the hospital and a few days before she passed away she seemed to be doing better, but then she had a stroke and died. They leave behind 6 children: Jenny is 18 years old, Barnabas is 16, Gift and Given are 12 or 13. The youngest set of twins are 9 or 10 and their names are Nikolas and Grace. They had just about finished up a house near to the Church. Right now they aren't sure what's to happen with the children. Some may go to Obey's brother - Rejoice, some may go to his parents, and they would rent out the house to help provide some money for the children; or they may see if they can get a few members from the church to live with them, as they live just a few minutes from the church. Please keep this family in your prayers. Brother Same Bryant will be traveling over there again, early in the year. If you wish to help them he would be the one to talk with.

There is also some good news to report.

James Mizel had a visit with the doctor, who examined him and thought he was much improved in his leg, then his mother Sis. Amanda pointed out that it was the other leg that they were having trouble with the CP, the doctor was amazed at the improvement, and little James now only has to wear the brace a few hours a day instead of 24/7.

Also, Nathan Ferrel has had several bouts of sickness (it is that time of year) and has lost all of the weight that he had put on over the summer. He's lab results have come back stronger than before and he is growing. The O2 has helped him alot, but now they just need to fatten him up a bit. Keep praying for this family, as the Lord has heard and answered many prayers on Nate's behalf so far.

Sis. Gayle hasn't been doing very well on this new experimental drug and chemo, so they took last week off. On a nice evening we got to visit awhile outside with them and she is feeling better now, they have dropped her numbers quite a bit, but still have a ways to go.

Bro. Charles has been doing better and better, he will be coming home to Aunt Patricia's house in the next week or two, to finish recovery. There have been many times where they thought he was down to his final hours and the Lord has blessed him to get stronger and stronger. He still has a long, long way to go before he is back to his self, but the ability after 6 months to come home is a big step in that direction.

As for our job situation, there is currently only one position that we are waiting to hear back from in the Bartow area. There really isn't alot to apply for right now, so we are trying to enjoy the holidays and not dwell on the situation. We ask you to be in prayer, as we think we are going to stick it out one more month before we look into other options.

Also, Merry Christmas to all. Never forget that this time isn't about what all we get, but what all we have been given in a Savior who wanted us enough to come and die for us, who saves us despite what we have done and continue to do, and who one day will return to carry us home.

Last Monday, Momma got a big box in the mail, and I was excited, it looked like a fun box, to be played with and I thought something fun might be inside of it because she was excited too. Then Daddy got home from helping Poppa J rake up all his leaves, and opened the box, and what was inside wasn't fun at all! It was a baby gate, and though I have tried to find a way under, through, over, or around the thing for over a week now I haven't had any success. To top it all off, Momma threw the box out with the trash not two days later. Thank goodness we are going to visit Grumps and Ahna soon, where there are NO evil baby gates.

Well now that it's the Monday after Thanksgiving, we can officially start talking about and celebrating Christmas! I did a really bad thing last week, before Thanksgiving... since we were working on Britt's closet, and the attic space is through the ceiling in there I had Gary get down the tree and all the Christmas stuff. Then because it was just sitting in my floor getting in my way, I thought I needed to clear out a spot for it and go ahead and put it up. But I thought we wouldn't decorate it till Friday after Thanksgiving... but then it looked so lonely and wrong, so we just had to decorate it.

Britt helped out a little, and since then surprisingly enough, he hasn't terrorized it. He just sits and looks at the one little ornament that hangs so low, and flips it back and forth. No pulling up on or pulling over the tree, and no pulling off, rolling around, or eating ornaments. So far I've been really surprised. So enjoy the Christmas season with us...

There isn't much new to report on the prayer list.

Bro. Charles has been moved to a nursing home/rehabilation center. He continues to have several good days, and then bad days again. Please keep him in your prayers at this time.

As for our job situation, there seems to be very little to apply for right now. However, there is a job opening (same thing one in Walchula and one in Bartow) that seem to be a very good fit, which Gary has applied for. They will begin setting up interviews this week, and we really hope that they will call Gary back. Please keep us in your prayers.

Ok, so I don't normally do these sorts of things. But take a look at this a moment won't you?
Over here, they are doing a contest in which they are going to be giving away a $30 gift certificate for the Brass Hussy. I thought it was a little bit different, and very cool. I don't wear alot of jewelry, but this is definately something I might like, so go and take a look.

Today for Thanksgiving we went over to Grandmaw Bea and Poppa J's house. We had a really good lunch and then while the kiddos played together (14 mons, 10 mons, and 6 mons), us big kids played several rounds of Scattagories. We had a load of fun, then several of us sat around and talked about Church, politics, and raising families. We vented frustrations and solved all the problems just hashing them out around that big round table. We all had a wonderful time.

Hope you and yours had just as good of time gathered with family and friends. And most of all I hope you all remember to thank our Heavenly Father from whom all good and perfect gifts come. We have so much to be thankful for, even in these difficult times.

Britt,

It's so hard to believe how much you have grown and how fast this year has been passing. I can't imagine how we made it without you.

You have always been a personable little man, but you have really decided what it is that you like and that you don't in the last month. You don't like veggies of any sort now, unless they we are eatting them and then you'll eat all the green beans I'll feed you. Daddy wants to hold off on table food till Christmas time, but I got news for him... you aren't going to wait that long. We've had to double your cereal in the morning because you are still hungry when we are done. On that note, my adventuresome eater has decided to boycott all cereal except oatmeal with real bananas or rice with apple flavoring. You are a real pro with your cup these days. You lounge off to the side and hold it with one hand so that you can see what I'm doing off to the other side.

I'm not sure that there is anything that you don't like to play with. Balls and my coasters are at the top of your list of favorites, and you are always dragging around either your prayer bear or the little on that Grandmother gave you. You had a real ball at Sis. Andy's the other day playing with an old barbie car and the tractor that came on Kelsey's b'day cake. I think for your b'day we are just going to ask for clothes since you have no 12 month clothes, and tell them that you like cars and tractors.

You are all but walking, I'm sure you'll be following Lilli around by Christmas. Just yesterday morning while you were standing at the tv, I called you and you took a step without holding on with anything, kept your balance, and then realized you weren't touching anything, promptly sat down and crawled to me. Rotten child. We are going to need to move things around some more soon! You love crawling on the boxes that I have to keep you from going out the front door, you lay on the shortest on your stomache and crane that neck to see Mara when she's on the far end of the porch. Anytime she walks by you grab her fur and pat her (entirely too hard in my opinion). She lets you do that a time or two, before heading off for some peace and quiet. Then you look around to see if I'm watching and pull those knees up on that box to climb out. I tell you "No, Britt" and you look around and grin and get off - at least till you think I'm not watching again. You are going to ask Santa for a screen door for Christmas.

Speaking of things you aren't suppose to be doing. You love to go over to the boxes that I have blocking you from the kitchen and dinning room, and pull out all my yarn. Every day this week I go and wash dishes for about 15 to 20 mins, and come back to yarn strung out all over the house, rolled under all the beds, wrapped around chair legs, and you sitting there with the biggest grin on your face. Rotten, I tell you.

I had a dream a few nights ago that you grinned at me, got up, and ran in the other direction, and looked all grown up. I woke up, and went to check on you, just to be sure that I hadn't been asleep for 10 years. So, when you trash my very neat house, I try very hard to remember that you will only be little so long. And laugh with you instead of beating you to death. But seriously little dude, you are going to have to start learning to pick up your messes soon. Do I look like your servant?

We all love you so much, me and Daddy, your whole family, and our Church family. The girls can't get enough of your laugh, and we hope you will always be able to find such joy and peace in life even when things are difficult.

Love,
Momma

So guess what me, Daddy, and Momma did yesterday! We went over to Cape Canaveral to see the Shuttle launch. It was a surprise for Momma since Daddy knew she has always wanted to see a shuttle launch. We didn't realize how busy it would be silly Momma and Daddy, and since it was last minute, you had to have a ticket to get into the view station at the Kennedy Space Center. We couldn't go see all the stuff over there, Momma said maybe another time. Instead we sat next to the water in Titusville, and got to watch it take off across from us. There was so much to see there, lots of trees and waves splashing, and stuff. Before Atlantis took off, I had to eat lunch, and I really didn't want to since there was so much to see. When it got ready to take off it glowed really bright red, and then off it went. It took us nearly 40 secs to hear it, so it must have been about 14 miles away from us. Momma really liked and was amazed, but I liked the water best, it's so fascinating. It was over so fast and then I had my cup of milk and we loaded back up. It took just under 2 hours to get there, but 4 to get back, there were so many people there. It took one hour just to go 7 miles to get out of Titusville. Then we hit Orlando at rush hour and lost another hour, and I really wanted out of my carseat, I yelled but no one listened to me. Momma was really excited, and said maybe we can go again next year and take Grumps with us, cause he would really like that, and he would be fun to go with, cause he could tell me all about all the space stuff. Well it's supper time, so I have to go, but watch our movie.

You must forgive me for abandoning you all this month, but in my defense it has been rather crazy as of late. There was the fair, and then I sold some scarves, and then there was Church clean up day on Saturday before our meeting, and then I sold some toboggans, and then I temped for a few days at this little shipping business, and then I sold some slippers, and then there was our big weekend meeting. My time, when I've been home has been filled with trying to get this house clean, laundry done, chicken coop built, talk Gary into letting me have some sheep (I know it's not going to happen), and oh yeah we do have a nine month old. Wheew! Tiring just thinking about it. Well, lunch is going off in the microwave, and Britt is insisting that it isn't fair to not let him blog again this week, and I really need to finish mopping. So I will bid you adiou and promise you a blog from Britt this week.

Little Man went as a turtle for Halloween today. Let's just say he was a big hit...

I've been having alot of fun in Alabama with all the family, but we are getting ready to head back home tomorrow evening, Momma says. So here is a little video with some of the highlights from the last week.

Everyone I meet is so funny. Grumps lays in the floor with me, and reads to me, and makes funny noises with me. Ahna holds me and feeds me. Grandmother taught me to play "Patty Cake." Granddaddy tells me that I'm his little buddy and lets me climb all over the place and play with his pens. I got to see A. Maghen and A. Melanie, and U. Matthew, U. Nicholas, and U. Benji. We've had lots of fun.

I can't wait to see everyone at Christmas and to play with all of Grandmother's sparkly things.

Ann Tucker is at home and doing well. She had a doctor's appointment yesterday and everything came back clear. Aunt Joanna is back home, and I'm sure the boys and U. Quintin is happy.

Bro. Charles Carlton has just had the trek removed. He is gaining strength.

Sis. Gayle Smith has been having some trouble with her new chemo. They had decided to try a new experimental type of chemo, so it may be rough for a while before it gets better.

Sis. Kerry and the baby are doing very well. They have made it past the scare zone, and will be released from the specialist to her regular OB very soon. Keep them in prayer that baby and momma will be healthy.

Nathan Ferrel has seen great improvements since getting on O2. They went to Houston to meet with a Mito specialist to manage Nate's case and that gave them alot of direction and alot of help. They have even decided that he doesn't have to be on the O2 all the time. Happily he is still growing and doing very well these days.

Sis. Melissa is doing very well. She is starting back subbing this week.

Finally, Jim and Gary are still job hunting continue to remember all of us in prayers.

On Saturday, Ahna and Grumps took me and Momma to Auburn to see Uncle Benji and Uncle Nicholas and to all watch the Auburn game together. We got down there early that afternoon and checked into the hotel, and ate some lunch. I spent alot of lunch talking to the 3 year old boy at the table next to me. He kept waving and I laughed at him alot, when we got ready to leave he yelled, "Bye Baby!" and I squealed back. Then we met up with U. Benji and U. Nicholas, but before we could head to the stadium, they made me put on a bunch of clothes. I had to take off my pretty orange Auburn shirt and navy pants, and put an Auburn sleeper over my socks, and then an Auburn sweatsuit, and an orange toboggan, and my tennis shoes. I looked very handsome, and I know so cause all these people kept telling me so as we walked to the stadium. Then we were at the Tiger walk. There was so much going on that I wasn't sure where to look. People kept saying this was the biggest one that they had seen in a while. It went way down the road and across a couple of little roads, and we got to see Gene Chizik and all the players. The band was playing and the cheerleaders where hollering, and there were some really pretty trees. Anyway after that we were trying to get to the stadium, and the cheerleaders walked by and several of them grabbed my hand and said War Eagle. I waved my hand in circles just like Momma does for kick off.
So we got to the stadium and Grumps found four tickets together just where he wanted them, for just the price he wanted. So we got there a little more than an hour before the game started. It was really exciting watching the student section and listening to the music. It was spitting snow and rain for a few minutes, but it went away. Thank goodness cause Ahna said she had no interest sitting in the rain. About 20 mins before game time all the fun started. I really liked watching the band come in the stadium and they went all the way around playing the Fight Song and Glory to Ol' Auburn. Their horns were so shiney. Then the eagle flew, but she didn't stay up very long cause it was cold. I could even see my breath. Then the players ran out on the field and everyone cheered and it was really, really loud.

Sorry folks, I don't have any pictures today. Silly momma packed the camera in the luggage when we were on the plane. I like to fly there are all sorts of interesting people that you meet.

I didn't like everyone that we met. See we were in a hurry, cause Momma left my food at the house and Daddy had to turn around and go after it. Anyway, so we got through security, but they wanted to look at my food closer. I don't know why, it's my food, and I don't share my yummy food. Anyway, they were looking at some one else's bag first so, we had to stand in line.
This whole time Momma was juggling me and two bags, and trying to get her shoes and belt back on. So, finally this mean, old man looks at my food. They originally told Momma that they only had to look at food in jars bigger than 3 ozs. But not this man. He scanned my cereal in the box and cereal in the bowl, and my fruit and my veggies, and my formula and my water for it. Then he started asking Momma all sorts of questions: where are you going, why do you need so much, why is some of it store bought and some cooked? Then they called over the speaker, "Cunningham to gate C30 to Birmingham." Momma told the man, that's us, but he just kept going slow as he could. Finally he gave Momma my food, and then she had to get it all packed back up. Then she ran through the airport carrying me, two bags, a bunch of papers, and two water bottles. We got to the gate, and then she just dropped all the papers on the desk and the nice man talked to me and sorted things out.

So we got on the plane, and there was this really nice lady, and she offered to hold me so Momma could put everything away. I sat with her most of the flight. She had this black shawl with fringe all the way around, and this pretty gold cross necklace, that I really wanted to play with, and she was very nice. I liked her alot. Then there was this funny guy who worked on the plane, who kept stopping to talk to me. I would talk back to him, but I don't think he understood me because Daddy says I speak Monkey and no one else speaks monkey.

Anyway, we finally landed 10 mins early, and before long Ahna was there, and when we got out to the car Granddaddy and Grandmother were there. Then we ate breakfast at Waffle House, and I had my oatmeal, and some gravy, and hashbrowns. I didn't like hashbrowns, but Momma kept putting them in my mouth. Then I went to sleep and I woke up at Grandmother's house. I played in the floor awhile, and then I took a nap while Ahna rocked me, and now I'm playing again. It's been an exciting day so far. I can't wait till Grumps gets home from work.

I'll talk to you all later. I love you Daddy! Bye-bye.

Today Southside, the local vet and farm supply store, had their Fall Extravaganza. They gave away 5 free chicks to the first 40 customers. So Gary, Britt, and I went up there this morning and came home with 5 chicks. They are currently living in a Pampers box on the front porch/in the yard. Britt wasn't quiet sure what to make of them. He wanted to chase them but not touch them. He did finally touch one while I was holding it, with just one finger for just a second. We plan to go back a little later to eat free BBQ, and enter the free drawings.

I saw an ad on Facebook this morning for Pantene ProV that said, "When the times get tough, the tough get gorgeous." I had to laugh, I mean come on, buying Pantene and washing your hair might make you feel a smidgen better, and I mean a smidgen folks, but it does not help the tough times. Hahahaha, who comes up with this sort of marketing?

So, I'm at a bit of a loss with Britt. He refuses to eat finger foods. I'm sure that some of this has to do with the fact that we've had to wait so long to introduce them. He is happy for you to feed him with a spoon, and for you to pick food up with your fingers and feed him, he's happy for me to hold a banana and him eat on it. But the boy, pitches a fit if you sit the food down in front of him and expect him to eat it. I mean he gets mad if I try to feed him these cheerio like things. The one exception to this is bananas, which he has decided is the best thing ever to smash. He actually occasionally likes to pick them up and laughs when they jump out of his hands.

Britt,

Today you are spending the afternoon with Memaw so I can d0 all sorts of time consuming things. Infact, I have already mopped, organized all of my yarn and scarves, cleaned off the kitchen table, and put Daddy to work washing dishes. I hope to do some grocery shopping and catch up your book this afternoon too. You see these days I spend alot of time chasing you around the house. You are crawling like crazy and yesterday you learned how to climb over the boxes of diapers that we have been using to block off the dinning room and kitchen from your over curious self. I am constantly having to relocate objects higher and higher in our room in order to keep you out of them. Some how though you keep finding ways to sneak things off of the tops of the couch. Nothing is safe, when you decide that you want it.

On Monday almost a week past 8 months you weighed in at 16 lbs and 15 oz, and 27 1/2 inches long - making you almost 3 lbs heavier than last month. Dr. Saranko was very pleased, and said that he didn't have to see you back until a year. He also oked you to eat meat and finger foods now. We have tried finger foods in the last few days, and you don't seem to like it much. You would rather shove them off the highchair than pick them up. When I put them in your mouth you protest alot. You are going to have to start getting use to eating things chunkier.

You are cruising now with almost as much speed as you have crawling. Sometimes now you let go of things and stand for a split second, but you don't have any balance. When we are outside, which you love, you crawl like a Mowgli on all fours, but you've pretty much quite doing that in the house on the carpet.

You are a delight. My favorite part of our day is in the morning, right before your morning nap, when I'm in your room getting things put away, and you go to the bookcase and pull off a book, and crawl over to me, pushing it. I always stop what I'm doing and pick you up and read it. I let you flip the pages and sometimes you turn it back to the beginning when we are done, so I read it again. Sometimes I'm awfully busy in the afternoon and can't drop everything, but I always do in the morning, because I can already see that you are growing up too fast. I know that you won't always want Momma to hold you and read to you, so I try to do it as much as possible. We spend a little time each day, usually in the morning, sitting on the front porch in the swing and we rock and you tell me all about the trees and the cars that drive by, and you get especially excited when Mara comes by and lets you pet her. I treasure these little moments when you smile and laugh and make me the center of your little world.

I love you little man,
Love,
Momma

My evil Blender died yesterday right in the middle of making Britt's carrots. With some on the stove and some in the blender it was a rather opportune time to bite the dust. And so what could I do but grieve in verse...

I am warming up more to the beach these days. I never really use to like going. I really hate sand, and how it gets everywhere, and the salt, yuck, I mean Smith Lake or the river is just much nicer, oh and waves, who likes to be splashed in the face over and over, and look this is the longest run on sentence ever, I need to end it because I was just informed via Facebook that today is National Punctionation Day, and I'm abusing the English language. Seriously though, who came up with National Punctionation Day? I bet it was Mrs. LeMay, my 11th grade English teacher. She was a bit strict and crazy about grammer. hmmm... where was I?

Oh yes, the beach. So we went to the beach last Saturday and it wasn't so bad. This trip was both spur of the moment and two weeks in the making. Let me explain. A couple of weeks ago, Dad happened to be down with Joan at the Carosel Kids shop (it's a second hand baby/kid shop with all sorts of neat things). They found several floats for little kids and babies, and the lady told Dad with it being the end of the summer he could have them for $1 a piece. So he picked up two, bought them, let all the air out of them, and headed home. Then Joan decided that Brystal should see them blown up, so she blew on back up and brought it in the house. Brystal immediately saw it, jumped in and said, "Mister, can we go to the beach?" So they were going to go Saturday a week ago, but in rained.

Fast forward to last Friday evening. Gary was talking to Mom on the phone and she mentioned they were going to take Brystal to the beach on Saturday, and did we want to go. So we said sure! Then she called back and said that they were going to go ahead and head over there instead of waiting till in the morning. So in 30 mins I packed and Gary washed up all of Britt's food stuff, then we loaded up the car and off we went.

Gary and I got up Saturday morning before Britt woke up, and we went walking along the beach and found a bunch of neat shells, and he found me a giant whole sand dollar that was still alive, and I found the tiny-est sand dollar ever. I have they drying out on the porch right now.

Britt really seemed to enjoy it. He laughed and acted silly and splashed in the water in his little baby intertube-float-thingy. Right before we got out of the water for the last time, he laid way back, and just let Mister push him around. He had a ball crawling and chasing after Brystal, and she would jump up and down and he would just squel and laugh. He thought she was supper funny. It was nice and relaxing.


(sorry for the complete lack of cute pictures of Britt at the beach, if I ever get them from Mom I'll add them)

I can get Daddy too! He's not the only sneaky person around here.

Ann Tucker is the only person I have an update on today. She had surgery yesterday, and it went well. They delayed her surgery 9 hours, because there were two people in front of her. They were able to completely remove the mass, and they will have a report in a few days on exactly what type of tummor it was. They also tested her lymph nodes, and they came back clear, so hopefully the cancer hasn't spread. So far it's all very good news. Aunt Joanna will be up in Georgia at least 3 weeks to take care of her mother. So in addition to remembering her and her mother, please remember Uncle Quintin and the boys as they rough it without her.

Sunday afternoon a bunch of us just needed a get together, and Bro. Buddy had just preached on not being so caught up in the cares of life that we forget to give care to the other Church members. One of his points was that we can't strengthen and encourage one another if we don't spend any time together. So, we decided to head back to mine and Gary's little place. I'm not positive how we got some many into our living room, but we split up into teams and played Mario Party, watched The Sword in the Stone, passed Britt around, ate hot dogs and chips, and had a great time together. Gary and I had meaning meaning to invite everyone over for going on 6 months now (since we moved in) so it was about time.