The House of Fletcher

Try Not to Fall Out in Shock, Ok?

2010-10-11T20:47:00.000-05:00

Yes, I am actually posting.

Shocking, I know.

Don't get too excited, though - it ain't a long one.

I'm simply here to give you your smile of the day.

Ready?

Straight-up glam, yo! Straight-up glam.

Coming Up for Air

2010-06-25T18:33:00.001-05:00

It's officially been more than a month since I've updated this little log-o'-life.

A month.

And you know? I hadn't even noticed.

Meagan told me a story this week about how life is what happens when we're planning for the next big thing, and I think she's right.

The past weeks have been filled with changes.

This little man officially graduated from Mom's Day out:

After the program during which he sang "Wheels on the Bus" and "Jesus Loves Me", we had a little reception. Dawson loved his teacher, Mrs. Carmen, and is even spending two days a week with her this summer.

He is learning so many things so quickly - he can sing most of his ABC's, count to 12 without help, identify shapes and asks hilarious questions like, "Mama, what you doing??" and says stuff like "Hi, honey!" and "Good job, Mama, good job! Proud of you!!" He loves to "pway cars", slide, play with Play-Dough, puzzles and blocks. He's just amazing to me.

What's also amazing to me is the legacy my family has left for me. My late grandfather, Benny, was honored at Silverdale Baptist Church by having a scholarship fund established in his name. Our family and his long-time work family at East Brainerd Lumber Company founded it. The scholarship will be given every year to a deserving high school graduate at that church. My Papaw was funny, cool and generous; he called me "his little sweetheart" and instilled in me a love of Vols football, Krispy Kreme donuts, Krystals, swimming, train rides, Chinese checkers, Cadillacs, hard work and the smell of lumber.

Let's see. My grandfather has a scholarship named after him. My dad has a football field in his name. I wonder if anything will be named for me? Here are some ideas:

1) The Diet Coke aisle at any local Kroger.

2) The cosmetics section at Target.

3) Any New York and Co. store.

4) The clearance section at Gymboree. (Small, but it exists).

5) The Fudge Round/Swiss Cake Roll aisles at the Little Debbie Thrift Store.

Someone else who's also amazing to me is my littlest brother, Brandon. He graduated from Baylor School in Chattanooga, and we're really proud of all he accomplished there. I actually attended Grandparent's Day there with him (I was told I was one hot grandma! Word!), and by going to his classes with him, I learned:

- why surgical scrubs are aqua

- how the next Dalai Llama is found

- why calculus really is completely useless.

My parents hosted a graduation party for him after the ceremony, and Dawson, Zoey and the rest of us had a blast.

Dawson kept trying to blow out the tiki torches...

...and found sheer bliss in the chocolate icing on the cupcakes.

My ever-creative mother had a bouncy at the party, and the kids loved it.

Uncle Brandon and some of his cousins, niece and nephew.

We also celebrated Jason's birthday, Zoey's birthday and Father's Day in one day...

Zoey loved her cupcakes, and we decorated for two parties. One end of the table was camo for J:

The other end was Disney princess for Zo-Zo:

Dawson decorated his face with some icing. Again.

Speaking of princesses, Zoey is quite the little girly-girl (yay!) and is hilarious. The older she gets, the more she looks like my mom, and the more she acts like a combo of me and J. I LOVE IT!!!

What I don't love is saying good-bye for an extended amount of time to my brothers. Brandon left yesterday to officially become a cadet at the Airforce Academy.

Huge honor? Check.

Big-time scholarship money given? Check.

Congressional recommendation given? Check.

No see him til THANKSGIVING? Check.

Xanax? Double-check.

Jason leaves for Afghanistan at the end of July.

Lauren leaves for Worriers Anonymous stat.

Just kidding. (?)

On the flip side, I have plenty of work to occupy my mind. More people are buying homes since mortgage rates are low and the tax credit was extended, so that's good. I also have 43 rental houses to lease between the second week of June and the first week of September. Red Bull, I shall invest in ye.

To leave you with a laugh, consider this:

That's right, ladies and gents. AQUA subway tile. Smashing.

So, What's Your Life Like?

2010-05-20T17:53:00.001-05:00

B-to-the-Izzy.

For those of you who work and have more than one child:

I don't know how you do it.

We are rapidly approaching the end of May, and while I can say that we have a lot going on,

that also means we have a lot to be thankful for.

I will be back soon to show you:

Easter

How am I one hot grandma

The meaning of hysterical

The sweetest art collaboration you've ever seen

Money, honey

Baby love

and much more.

For now, I need your help in poll form:

My 10th high school reunion is at the end of July.

I am trying to decide whether or not to go.

Nevermind it's during the busiest month of the year as far as work goes.

Nevermind I'm really not feelin' it.

But I'm open to considering it.

My question for you:

Did you go to yours?

Did you have fun?

If you did go, why?

My former Rachel-from-Friends-hair-style-sporting, President-of-Future-Homemakers-of-America-presiding, Prom-committee-chairperson self thanks you.

Dawson and the Four-Letter Word

2010-05-05T12:30:00.000-05:00

That's right, y'all.

It's happened.

He's said it.

A four-letter word.

If I've heard it once, I've heard it 20 times in the past week.

"Mine!"

Wait - what did you think it was going to be?

A New Beginning

2010-04-26T12:26:00.000-05:00

I am very happy to tell you that Beckett is out of the hospital and at home.

He made amazing progress over the past week and a half...

and now, since he can breathe and eat on his own, he gets to be back in his own little bed.

This is a new beginning for Patrick and Amanda because the six-month-old baby they knew and had grown accustomed to caring for is now, once again, behaving just like a newborn.

As if they had never brought him home from the hospital before.

So now, maybe more than ever, they need prayer to deal with this new reality.

But how awesome that God's grace proved the doctors wrong: Beckett is alive.

In other news,

I got to be a grandmother this week.

Stay tuned to find out just what that means. :)

Beckett Update

2010-04-14T19:25:00.000-05:00

Never underestimate the power of prayer.

According to the Facebook page that is updated often by Amanda and Patrick, Beckett is off the ventilator and is breathing on his own.

It was, however, a very rough night, and so I would guess there are many long days ahead.

What's amazing is how many people are praying.

Thousands - and those are just the ones that have identified themselves on Facebook.

The verse that keeps coming into my head is this one:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.

Isaiah 55:7-9

Thank you for praying!

I Hope I Never Write a Post Like This Again

2010-04-12T10:00:00.000-05:00

If you're reading this, I need to you to stop whatever you're doing and pray for this baby.

This is John Beckett - he is the son of a couple that we've met several times before through my best friend, Meagan. Their names are Patrick and Amanda.

Earlier last week, Beckett was put down for a nap by his sitter in a bed instead of a crib.

He became trapped between the mattress and the headboard and was without oxygen for quite some time - he was alone in the bedroom for about 45 minutes before the sitter checked on him.

He is currently at Vanderbilt, waking up from a medicine-induced coma.

He is six months old.

If he fully wakes up, this baby will never be the same.

He will never be normal; the doctors have assured Patrick and Amanda of this.

I need you to pray for a miracle.

Pray that God proves the doctors wrong.

Pray for Patrick and Amanda.

Pray for John Beckett.

And pray for that sitter.

So, When I Was Born, He Was...12?

2010-04-09T19:51:00.001-05:00

I married an old man.

I am so kidding.

David turned 40 at the end of last month, and I am still ribbing him about it.

What's a young(er) wife for, eh?

David's not a big party person,so we celebrated in the way he wanted to - spending time together and with Dawson.

We traveled to Chattanooga and stayed here:

The Bluff View Inn in the Historic Art District. It's beautiful, old and right on the river.

There are several houses that make up the inn, and we stayed at the Maclellan House; it was built around 1892. The furnishings are all antique and the art is amazing. It's by far one of the favorite bed and breakfasts we've stayed at.

This piano had real ivory keys - so neat!

We took breakfast in the dining room...beyond those double doors is a wide balcony that hangs directly over the river.

This was the view from our room - we actually stayed in the same room that we stayed in on our wedding night.

Getting ready to go out...we went to see "The Bounty Hunter" and ate at Tony's, a really good Italian restaurant in the District.

When we got back, this was waiting on us!

The next morning, we headed to my parent's house to pick up Dawson and take him to the Imagination Station...

...he had a blast on the "swides" and swinging for the first time!

This was the expression I got when I said, "Honey, you're 40!!" It was not about the pie, Mom, I promise.

Dawson loved helping him with the candle and with his gifts. My parents made a wonderful steak dinner, and we were joined for dessert afterwards by family, including these two hilarious boys:

Eli and Easton were so sweet and so funny - Dawson loved being right in the middle.

Happy Birthday, David! We love you!

Seriously Lucky

2010-03-21T17:35:00.000-05:00

I was very excited to be a part of the Junior League committee that planned Luck O' the 'Boro this year. It's a St.-Patrick's-Day-themed party complete with live music and a silent auction, and we had a blast planning it and hosting the event. All of the money we raised from ticket and auction sales go to agencies that help women and children here in Rutherford County.

The LOB committee: Jenna - auction, Beth- chairwoman, Yours Truly and Meagan - decorations and Megan- logisitics. We did a pretty outstanding job if I do say so myself (and I do).

The Three-Leafed Clover:

This year, we were excited to add something new to the event: The Man Room. Pool table, high-tops, Golden Tee and flat-screens tuned to March Madness: what man wouldn't love it? The event was held at a local golf course's clubhouse, and the men even a had a view of the greens. Coincidence? Me thinks not.

Our fabu silent auction tables - we had a lot of really cool things donated for party-goers to bid on.

MTSU came through for us and donated tickets to a football game, and one of the agents in my office who's also a pilot donated an aerial photograph of the MTSU stadium. I love generous people!

The band ROCKED. Magnolia is fronted by two awesome ladies who are extremely talented. They played everything from Pink Floyd to Aretha Franklin. Considering that they've shared a stage with Lynard Skynard and are regulars at the Wildhorse Saloon, we were thrilled when they agreed to play our event at a discounted price. Again, LOVE GENEROUS PEOPLE!

Pretty sure the crowd liked them, too. :)

This is the event staff at Indian Hills Clubhouse who helped us pull it off - I cannot say enough good things about them.

This is my sweet friend Kristin and her husband, Blake. Kristin and I worked together at the real estate office before she launched her super-successful career as an interior decorator. I can't tell you how talented she is. Blake and I discovered through conversation that his family and my extended family in Manchester know each well - small world!

Meagan, me and Kristin...

To leave you with a laugh, I have to share a conversation that Meag overheard in the ladies' room at the event. The Luck 'O the 'Boro event...the St.-Patrick's-Day-themed-event...the event whose decorations and advertising featured shamrocks and made the room look like a leprauchan threw up in it.

Girl 1: "So, are you having a good time?"

Girl 2: "Yeah! It's great...I love the band."

Girl 1: "Yeah, me, too...they're great."

Girl 2: "I don't...I just..I'm not sure about something though..."

Girl 1: "Oh, really? What's that?"

Girl 2: "Why is everyone wearing green?"

The Pause Button

2010-03-10T19:35:00.000-06:00

I need one.

Time goes by so quickly, doesn't it?

We have been busy - it seems every weekend holds an event or something to do - but we're having a blast.

Dawson's BFF, Vance, turned three in February and hosted his birthday party at Bounce U. I had never been to a bouncy place before, and oh-my-word --- if you ever want a really good workout, take your toddler there. I was sweating by the time we got to the cake and ice cream.

Hannibal Lechter meets Jack Nicholson in "The Shining."

The birthday boy had a blast, as did all his friends...

...Dawson's favorite parts were the "swides" and throwing the balls. Check out that gut.

"You talkin' da me?"

All of the partiers posing...Dawson was literally yelling, "CHEESE!!!!"

Abby, Dawson and Vance demanding cake...Happy Birthday, Vance!

Dawson has also learned to master yet another household appliance besides the vacuum cleaner, mop and dishwasher:

No, it wasn't on.

Yes, I let him pretend as long as he wanted. I will be showing him these when he's 15 and his clothes are scattered all over his room.

I've also had the pleasure recently of meeting a fellow blogger again - Lauren from Orlando came to Nashville to visit several friends and we met for lunch at Merchant's on Broadway. I first met her at Christmas when we were in Orlando at Disney. Lauren is just one of those people you instantly like and always want to know - she's also considering moving to Nashvegas so I'm super-excited about that!

Events coming up include a big St. Patrick's Day party and auction I've helped plan for The Junior League; a super-cute baby shower (um, no...don't even think about it); and David's 40th birthday! What do you get a 40-year-old for his birthday? A cane? Some dentures? Hmmm...

Lauren Fletcher and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day

2010-02-22T17:31:00.001-06:00

Today, while I was putting on my make-up, I squirted foundation into my freshly-poured, ice-cold Diet Coke.

Then, after going to Lowe's, the car wash, Target and the grocery store, I got home and realized

my leggings were on inside-out.

This afternoon, while I was making chili for dinner, I dumped an entire can of tomato sauce into the actual heated part of the Crock-Pot. Not the ceramic bowl. The heated, hard-to-clean part.

I'm moving to Australia.

The Orange Girl and Some Superfriends

2010-02-16T23:06:00.002-06:00

Every season, I swear it's not going to get me.

And every season, it does.

I'm talking about The Bachelor.

Also known as the most pre-produced and heavily-edited show on the face of the planet.

I usually have plans on Monday nights, so I'll record it and ~~gag through~~ watch it later, as I did tonight.

Seriously?

HE KEPT VIENNA???

Does the poor man need glasses? A brain transplant?

Vienna would be the one in the center. You know, the orange one with the really bad hair extensions.

If you're getting mad right now because you LIKE her and you WANT her to be the one he chooses, can you please tell me why? What have I missed? Nothing about her screams "hi-I'll-be-a-fabu-wife-and-mom".

But I could be wrong.

If he chooses her, I really hope I am.

What I am never wrong about, however, is whether or not it's a good idea to throw a party for some friends.

We recently enjoyed a Superbowl/Birthday party at mi casa with The Hutchings and Meagan and Chris.

As always, we had a blast.

Sweet Jack and Aunt Meag...

The birthday girl and two of the funniest boys ever...

Megan, Web, Vance and Jack...we will get to celebrate Vance's birthday at his party this weekend!

And lastly, Meag and I posing for a photo...with our own life-size "Where's Waldo?" character.

He just pops up everywhere! :)

All I Wanted Was a Little Privacy

2010-02-14T21:57:00.000-06:00

When you become a mommy, there are a few things you sacrifice.

Sleep.

Sitting down to eat.

Listening to Playhouse Disney for the 47th time while you'd rather be listening to ~~50 Cent~~ something else.

Ok - so there's a lot of things.

Which is awesome. Most of the time.

#536 on the list: Private potty time.

Think it's ok to visit the ladies' room for 2 minutes and leave your toddler unsupervised?

Still think it's not a big deal to sneak to the WC while the two-year-old is "watching Little Einsteins"?

Still think it's gonna end well?

Think again:

Mmm-hmm. That would be my lipstick.

Loreal's High-Intensity Pigment "Allure", to be exact.

High-Instensity Pigment, indeed.

Needless to say, I will be having a wee chaperone with me in the ter-lit (my dad's term) for quite some time.

This was the first time Dawson ever "got into" anything like this, and I'm hoping it's the last. (Stop laughing).

In case you are wondering, the walls, carpet, bedding, etc. were spared.

The little man also got to experience another first recently...SNOW!

It snowed roughly three inches in Chattanooga when we were visiting my family, and this is the snowlady that my dad and Krystal built. My mother named her "Maggie" because of her uber-posh magnolia hat.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Reporting Live

2010-02-09T14:34:00.000-06:00

It never fails.

Whenever there is a live news broadcast of any kind, there will always be at least one freakazoid who will do or say anything to get on TV.

You know, the beer-bellied guy at the football game making weird faces behind the reporter while she's on camera.

The redneck in the huge black truck laying on the horn as he drives behind the reporter while she's on camera talking about the wreck that just happened.

My point?

My son is going to be that person.

Say cheese.

So Stinkin' Behind

2010-02-01T21:24:00.000-06:00

I feel like I haven't posted in forever.

Oh, wait - that's right - I haven't.

One reason is that we're just busy.

Another is that Dawson somehow got a hold of my camera last week and proceeded to take 52 photos of the floor, his shirt, the ceiling, the couch cushion, the inside of my purse and the toilet lid.

It's going to take me awhile to delete those and get to the photos you actually want to see.

Photos of a big snow and Dawson's first snowman...

One of what happens when a toddler finds a tube of lipstick...

As if you need a visual aid for that one.

For All Those Times My Brother Was Mean to Me...

2010-01-19T18:37:00.000-06:00

"Dude...three words: Degree for Women."

Happy 2nd Birthday, Dawson!

2010-01-14T20:51:00.000-06:00

Dear Dawson,

You turned TWO YEARS OLD on Saturday!!

I cannot believe you are already two...that you've been here for 24 months already.

Two years ago, when I saw you for the first time, you looked like this:

And then last year, at your very first birthday, you looked like this:

You are an amazing little boy.

We celebrated your second birthday with Gran, Papa, Uncle Brandon, Uncle Jason, Aunt Krystal, Zoey and G-Pa the Great. They came to our house to eat cake and ice cream. You had a great time laughing and playing and opening gifts and eating these:

Mickey ear cupcakes! We also had make-your-own-ice-cream-sundaes.

We love you so much, little buddy...

"Happy Birthday, dear Dawson..."

"Yay!!!"

Blowing out the candle...

You were much too busy eating the chocolate icing to hold up two fingers...

...but not too busy to open gifts. You got two puzzles and "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" from Aunt Megan, Uncle Web, Vance and Jack; a bubble mower and a dump truck from Zoey; a little town rug, cars and trucks and building blocks from Gran and Papa; a work bench from Uncle Brandon...

...and quite possibly the most awesome gift of all - your very own cowboy hat from G-Pa the Great!

We got you your very own vacuum cleaner since it's your most favorite thing in the world to do, and you wouldn't put it down, not even to get in your Fire and Rescue Car that we also got you.

Zoey intervened.

She also thoroughly enjoyed the cake. :)

Sweet boy, after the party, the sugar, the excitement, what did you want to do...even right before you went to bed??

Vacuum.

Best $14.00 I ever spent.

Happy, Happy Birthday, sweet Dawson! I love you so much!

A Boy After My Own Heart

2010-01-05T17:15:00.001-06:00

One of the things I love about Dawson's teacher, Mrs. Carmen, is that she sends home progress reports after each day at Mom's Day Out.

There are places on the sheet for status reports about diapers, whether or not he ate lunch (duh), whether or not he napped (nope!), his mood (ecstatic), supplies he needs and a place for comments.

This is what was on today's progress report.

It pertains to food.

Naturally.

"Dawson LOVES Cajun Crab dip from Publix (I shared :))."

Apparently, being the overacheiver that he is, Dawson has moved from pilfering his classmates' lunchboxes to sampling the finer things from his teacher's.

At least he went for the seafood instead of the Cheetos.

This Could Quite Possibly be the Longest Post in the History of the Modern World

2009-12-27T20:48:00.000-06:00

Y'all, between Disney World and Christmas, guess how many photos I took?

Guess.

You'll never guess.

406.

Y'all are lucky I'm not making you look at all of them, so keep that in mind as you're reading this.

First of all, let me say --- we had a blast.

It was crowded. It was the most crowded I'd ever seen.

When we entered the Magic Kingdom, my dad said, "I thought there was a recession."

You'd never know it by all of the people!

But, again, we had fun and lots of memories were made, so let's get started, shall we?

"Let's get on the plane!"

Dawson and Zoey did great on the flight, and after arriving and having dinner, we headed to the Magic Kingdom for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!

The castle changed colors throughout the party and parade...this shot might give you an idea of just how crowded it was.

"Let's get it started!"

"Where my homies at?!"

Zoey and I waiting for the parade to begin...

"I have a weapon and I've been trapped in a stoller for 2 hours...!!!"

Jason ~~inhaling~~ enjoying his funnel cake...I told him all he needed was some gold chains and machine gun and he'd look just like Scarface.

Ah, here we go -- proof we sat down and ate breakfast. We did this every morning. Shocking, I know! At one point, the lid to my mother's cup that she's holding was accidentally thrown away by ~~Brandon~~ someone, and it was a minor crisis. However, after Brandon ~~committed burglary~~ found another lid, all was well.

Now, to the rides...Dawson's favorite-beyond-favorite was the train, or the "choo-choo" as he would call it. He saluted the conductor every time, and also saluted every time you even talked about the train. Such a funny boy!

Waiting in line with Gran for the choo-choo...

Jason, Krystal and Zoey in the Magic Kingdom...

Us in the MK...

Dawson also loved the carousel...

...and called the horses "moos." I think he thought they were cows and made the same sound!

My Brandon and me outside my favorite ride, "It's a Small World"....

...and Dawson with Gran waiting to go into the 3-D Philharmagic Show. He LOVED it!

I'm not sure he would say the same about Peter Pan.

What he did love was meeting the characters...this child is going to be a politician or a movie star. He posed and smiled with every one of them, all on his own.

We all posed with them outside the Whispering Canyon restaurant inside the Wilderness Lodge. I would love to stay there the next time we go.

Giving Minnie a kiss on the nose....

My trip to Disney also gave me the chance to meet my bloggy friend, Lauren. She lives just outside Orlando and was sweet enough to meet us at Downtown Disney. We've gotten to know each other over the past year, and it was so wonderful to finally meet her in person.

Lauren brought a gift for Dawson that he loved...Handy Manny and his tools and a Mickey movie! Thank you, Lauren, for your thoughtfulness!

That day,we also took Dawson to the Playhouse Disney lunch where he met characters from his favorite shows like JoJo and Little Einsteins.

He also learned to cut meat like a grown man...I'm thinking it's the educational television.

He positively fell in love with June from Little Einsteins...

...and the feeling was mutual.

June took Dawson around the restaurant with her and he waved at everyone...I actually had to go pluck him from her. I almost asked if we would receive compensation for the use of our child. :)

No Disney trip would be complete without your own set of Mickey ears...

Dawson also loved going to the Animal Kingdom and brushing the sheep...

...and loved the playground at our resort.

These two were inseperable and loved being together...Dawson calls Zoey "baby."

Me and my baby...I can't wait to take him again.

We returned to cold Tennessee long enough to do laundry at home and repack and then head to Chattanooga to spend Christmas Eve and Day with my family. We enjoyed the Christmas Eve Party at Jeff and Leatha's where Dawson had a great time with all of his cousins...

...and also playing with his new toys...

Back at my parents, we took one last photo with our little elf before bed...

...and Papa read him "The Night Before Christmas."

Christmas morning found Dawson EXCITED with his new Handy Manny car...

...and used his new Handy Manny flashlight to find the remaining brown hairs on my dad's head.
(Sorry, Jer, but it was just too easy.)

The highlight of the holiday was watching my 82-year-old-grandfather play the Wii. So awesome!!

And so, after being clotheslined by a 9-year-old in Fantasyland because it was so stinkin' crowded...

After being cut off, stepped on and elbowed by more French children than I can count...

After watching Dawson's face light up every time he saw Mickey...

After being so grateful Jason spent Christmas with us in Florida instead of in Afghanistan...

we really did have a Very Merry Christmas.

Why You Should Come Back and Read This After Christmas

2009-12-24T10:37:00.000-06:00

We returned from ~~sheer insanity~~ Disney World last night after a two-hour flight delay. Yay.

We'll be heading this afternoon to 'Nooga for Christmas festivities with mi familia.

If you return this weekend to read, you will:

- get to see super-cute pics of Dawson on Christmas morning

- get to see super-hilarious pics of my family at Disney

- find out about my second bloggy friend meet-up

- find out why French children are quite possibly the worst-behaved children in the entire world

- find out how many languages I heard while standing in line for Peter Pan

- find out how many times I got clothes-lined by a nine-year-old

- find out the meaning of "You threw away my lid???"

and much, much more!!

Merry Christmas!

Where's My Brain? Oh, That's Right, I Packed It in My Suitcase.

2009-12-15T19:32:00.000-06:00

We leave for Disney World in two days.

Two.

Crap.

I am almost packed, and yes, I know that I've known about this excursion for quite some time now, but it seems like it and the entire holiday season has snuck up on me.

On a different note-

You know how you want things you know for a fact that you'll never, ever get?

Like...

Authentic Chanel.

A condo in Maui.

An ever-so-slightly-pink-tinted Lexus convertible with Elvis Sirius radio.

You get the point.

Well, I've discovered a new category called "Things I Never Thought I'd Get or Ever Thought I'd Want"

That's right, girls and boys.

It's a monkey backpack.

With a leash.

Because while your kid is running away from you in the middle of Fantasy Land?

Mine?

Will be enjoying his running chain.

Thanksgiving and Work and Disney and Christmas and Decorating and Parties and...

2009-12-08T18:09:00.000-06:00

...I'm thinking the phrase "hustle and bustle" doesn't quite cut it.

'Cause we're hustling like Vegas panhandlers here at the House of Fletcher.

I love the holidays, but this year seems to be ~~psychotic~~ especially busy.

Maybe it's because I have an almost-two-year-old?

Hmmm.

We have celebrated Thanksgiving, are trying to plan/pack for our Disney trip, decorate for Christmas, shop for gifts, work, go to parties and having a blast in middle of it all.

We spent Thanksgiving in Chattanooga with my family.

Here is Zoey and her turkey...

..and Zoey being a turkey.

Dawson loved Zoey's Princess car...

...and also loved playing with Spencer, my friend Amanda's dog. We stopped by her house on our way home to eat pizza and watch football with her and her husband Michael. We also learned that they're expecting their first baby in July...yay!

I also love the holiday season because it means parties...this is Meagan, Megan and me at our book group Christmas party at The Pottery Place. We swapped cookbooks, painted, ate, and had a great time!

We spent this past weekend decorating for Christmas. Dawson loved "helping" put the ornaments on the tree! He also loves hiding behind it and trying to unplug the lights.

He is completely mesmerized by gift wrapping and the "tip" (tape) that I use.

He managed to escape briefly with one of his prezis...

..and then helped me wrap. And rap.

We leave for Disney in less than two weeks - pray for me!

Just In Case You Haven't Laughed Today...

2009-11-30T19:01:00.000-06:00

...enjoy.

"This is the best a man can get???"

A Farm and A Feast

2009-11-25T22:41:00.000-06:00

We recently enjoyed a visit to our dear friends Megan and Web's home --- it's located in Readyville, about 30 minutes from our house. We love going to "the farm" because it's a very peaceful place with lots of fun things to do outside.

This is the view from their driveway - beautiful!

We had a total of three families and four kidlets to play with...lots of swinging and sliding...

...and playing with "truts"...

Web even got out the four-wheeler and all the men-folk took turns giving rides.

Born to be wild.

I imagine if he could speak in sentences, Dawson would say, "Again, Daddy!"

My sweet boy and me after his first four-wheeler ride.

We all then ventured inside to enjoy Webburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, slaw, chips, brownies, cake...

...and of course, more playtime!

I told David he could give Mary Poppins a run for her money.

He told me he ~~needed a Valium~~ was glad to supervise.

Also this week, we also enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast at Dawson's preschool....is he not the cutest little indian ever??

His teacher, Mrs. Carmen, said she had to add an extra strip of paper to the headband to make it fit around his head --- so many brains, I tell ya!

Dawson was VERY excited to see all of his little friends performing. A group of older children stood in front of everyone and sang "God Our Father" to bless the meal --- so sweet!

I'm anxious to see Dawson perform when he's older and wonder if he'll be the kid in front, singing louder than everyone else? The kid in the back, picking his nose? The kid on the side, waving like crazy to his parents?

I really hope he's the slightly ghetto kid shaking his cute little tushy to the music.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

The Christmas Lights at the End of the Tunnel

2009-11-18T17:54:00.003-06:00

We only have ONE MORE MONTH until we'll be in Disney World!!

We are getting so excited - we have all of our character lunches and dinners planned, our tickets...somebody stop us.

Some of my most wonderful childhood memories come from my family's trips to Disney, and so I am thrilled to be able to take Dawson there. I bought him this today to wear to the Very Merry Christmas Party with Mickey the first night we're there:

...because nothing says "I'm completely and totally obsessed" like a Mickey-ear-and-argyle-holiday sweater. Hello, Clark Griswold.

Anyway - this will be the first vacay that we've taken as a family of NINE...and the first with two under age two. Valium, anyone?

Here are the other things that will be different about this trip to Disney in comparison to the others we've taken:

1) We will actually sit down at a table to eat breakfast each morning. There will be no porking down pre-packaged donuts at the shuttle stop, followed by collective drinking from a singular water bottle.

2) My brother Jason will actually change clothes daily. There will be no wearing of the same wife-beater, puffy jacket and khakis for the entire 6 days. It's amazing what marriage can do.

3) We will actually see Disney World. There will be no blur of colorful objects zooming by us as we try- unsuccessfully- to keep up with my mother on her sprint-and-you-shall-see-it-all tour.

4) My brothers will embrace their maturity and not try to intentionally scare the characters as they cheerfully walk by us during the parades. Last time, Cinderella and the Little Mermaid had PTSD after my brothers acted like a combination of Rain Man and The Three Stooges.

5) We will actually sleep. Toddlers REQUIRE naps and at least seven hours of nightly rest. See number 3.

6) We will actually eat. Toddlers become hellacious demons without food. See number 3.

7) I will treat my child like a dog and use a sophisticated backpack/leash system to keep him with me at all times. I refuse to be that mom at Guest Services saying, "I just turned around for a second...!!!!"

8) We will have so much friggin-fraggin' fun it will be unbelievable.

New Adventures in Old Murfreesboro

2009-11-15T22:19:00.007-06:00

We enjoyed this weekend by doing some new things in the oldest part of Murfreesboro. I love our town, and my absolute favorite part of it is the "downtown" section...most of which is situated on a square. The old courthouse is at the center, separated from small businesses by a road that travels around its four sides. These businesses include The City Cafe, a diner-type restaurant that's been open for ages (when soup was 15 cents, to be exact) and the Pastimes Barber Shop (think Floyd's in Mayberry) where a haircut is $10, a shave is $5 and after you're done, you can try your hand in the poolhall in the back.
Dawson insists upon doing everything you do, exactly the way you do it, and wants to "help" with whatever he can. I love this age!
Getting ready to leave City Cafe to go to the barber shop for his first big boy haircut!
"Um...are you sure about this?"
"You cannot be serious."

Dawson was so good the whole time...the only point that he protested was when Ms. Donna sprayed the water bottle.

"Two words: Nursing. Home."

My little gentleman...we were so proud of him for sitting still!
All done!
"I know I look good."

We also met the Hutchings' at the Discovery Center so the kiddos could play...Dawson loves trucks of all kind, but he especially loves this fire truck!

Sometimes, they have live animals you can pet, and we were there in time to meet the ferret...

"I'm not so sure..."

What he was sure about were, again, the trucks...any size, any shape...

After the Discovery Center, we hit La Siesta, a local Mexican restaurant, for dinner. D-Man loves the chips!

We hope you had a great weekend, too!

The Newest Addition to Our Family

2009-11-11T17:45:00.005-06:00

I'd like to introduce you to Evelyn Johanna Quintanilla Cortez.

She is six and lives in El Salvador.

I'm very excited to be sponsoring her through Compassion International. There are several reasons that I decided to do this - and if you read here, you see one reason why.

When I was a senior in high school, I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in a mission trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico. I saw first-hand what poverty is like. Not just being "poor" - poverty. We helped build a two-room house out of plywood and taught VBS to children who, despite their poverty, radiated joy.

It's a powerful experience that stays with you forever.

When you log onto Compassion's website, you can look at photos and biographies of the children in need. There are so many.

Evelyn was my grandmother's name. I couldn't click "sponsor" fast enough.

Here is a little bit about Evelyn:

"Evelyn makes her home with her father and her mother. Making beds, running errands and cleaning are her household duties. Her father is employed as a laborer and her mother maintains the home. There are 3 children in the family.

As part of Compassion's ministry, Evelyn participates in church activities and Bible class. She is also in kindergarten where her performance is above average. Playing house, playing with dolls and jumping rope are her favorite activities."

I can't wait to find out more about her, and be able to write her letters and know that I'm helping her have nutrition, schooling and the access to Bible school and people there in El Salvador who have a passion for Christ. It costs $38 per month to do this.

I figured - my Savior was born in barn.

That's a darn good example of humility.

I'm not rich and won't ever claim to be. But I have been given more than I ever asked for, and I know Christ calls me to share what He's given.

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."
1 Timothy 6:17-18

Thankful

2009-11-06T19:22:00.004-06:00

It has been a long day.

Lots of work...

A trip to the doctor to discover Dawson has pink eye...

Sadness about the Ft. Hood massacre...

But I'm thankful.

Thankful I have a job.

Thankful that, after posting 31 eviction notices, I have a house I own to come home to.

Thankful for doctors and antibiotics.

Thankful for soldiers like my brother and for being born in the greatest country there is.

What are you thankful for?

All Hail the King!

2009-11-01T16:03:00.007-06:00

We spent this weekend in Chattanooga with my family, attending Brandon's Homecoming football game at Baylor and also dropping in on the Trunk or Treat at my parents' church.

Friday night began with Baylor vs. Father Ryan...honestly, we could have cared less about the game because the real win was Brandon being crowned Homecoming King!

Cutest. Baylor Fan. Ever.

G-Pa the Great and his Dawsie-Pooh watching the game...

Sharing popcorn with Uncle Bo...

The senior atheletes were presented with their parents...

...and they were all recognized for their acheivements.

Then came the exciting part! Brandon was presented as a nominee for Homecoming King...the announcer said, "And the 2009 Baylor Homecoming King is..."

...Brandon Eaves!!

At this point, I may or may not have been yelling at the top of my lungs in concert with all of the other family members present.

Congrats from the administration...WE WERE SO EXCITED!!! Baylor lost to Father Ryan, but we did not care. After the game, we headed down to the field to greet the King!

"Ma'am, are you with the press?"

My cute parents and their baby...

The King and I...

Brandon left to reign over the Homecoming Dance and Dawson took over the field...he's already trying to lead the NFL in rushing.
After a VERY late night, we woke up Saturday preparing for the Trunk or Treat at Red Bank Baptist.

Yeah, he's pretty much the cutest mouse I've ever seen. :)

Daddy and Mickey...

Pregnancy, labor, delivery, recovery, sleepless nights, stains on my clothes, temper tantrums...every single bit of it is worth the smile on my grandpa's face.

After posing with his fan club, Mickey headed to Red Bank Baptist to do a little Trunk or Treating...
"Can we please just go get candy now? Maybe play some?"

Blowing bubbles at the preschool station...

Dawson decided pizza was actually better than candy...

...and that his costume was actually better than his clothes.

"What the...you mean it's over??"

Happy Halloween!

A Boy's Best Friend is His Mouse

2009-10-28T18:42:00.004-05:00

David brought Dawson his very first Mickey doll from his trip to Orlando.

Dawson took one look at it, said "MIMMY!!!!" and has been inseperable from it since.

Only six weeks to go and we'll see "Mimmy" in person!

Braggin' Rights

2009-10-26T16:53:00.003-05:00

David is in Orlando this week for business and asked that I post some of our new photos on here so that he can brag. These are ones that Krista Lee shot in downtown Murfreesboro, including our new real estate photo for our website and a shot of Dawson that reminds me of the Calvin Klein billboard on Times Square.

Here you go, honey!

Fall-Out-Yo'-Chair Friday

2009-10-22T21:58:00.003-05:00

Halloween is just around the corner...we have lots of fun things planned.

Until then...

Be prepared to be scared.

"So...Why Exactly Are You Calling Again?"

2009-10-20T22:37:00.005-05:00

Have you ever had a conversation with someone that afterwards, you actually feel dumber for having talked to them?

As in - you're talking, you're talking, and oh - look - there goes my brain cells...they're actually dying as we speak...

Enter the phone call I received yesterday on my business line. (Also known as the rental phone...also known as the direct line to all the crazies in Rutherford County...)

Me: (Answering the phone after the same person has called 3 times in a row without leaving a message while I was on the other line) "So-and-So Rentals."

Crackhead: "Hello?"

Me: "Hello, So-and-So Rentals."

Crackhead: "Hello?"

Me: "HELLO? S0-AND-SO RENTALS." (for the love of...gheesss...)

Crackhead: "Um, yayiss...I'm callin' to find out how to break my lease...you know, what your policy is on how to do that."

Me: "Uh-huh...well, there isn't really a policy. If you break your lease, you lose your deposit, are responsible for the rent payment until the property is re-rented, court costs and other fees."

Crackhead: (long pause) "So - I can't, like, pay a fee or somethin'?"

Me: "Like, no, you can't pay a fee. There isn't a fee. I just told you exactly what will happen if you break your lease. You are legally responsible and liable for the lease you voluntarily signed. Do you understand that?"

Crackhead: (an even longer pause) "Um, well...yeah, I mean...but I can't just pay a fee?"

Me: "THERE IS NO FEE!!!! YOU CAN'T BREAK YOUR LEASE!"

Crackhead: "So...I guess, what you're saying is, I can't break my lease?"

Me: (pondering a cocktail at this point) "No. NO. You can't. Not without all of that stuff happening that I just told you about a few seconds ago."

Crackhead: "Oh...ok...well...ok....hmmm.....ok....well....hmmmm....I just...ok...."

Me: "What property did you say you rent?"

Crackhead: "Oh, well, I don't rent one."

Me: "Excuse me?"

Crackhead: "Yeah, I don't rent one."

Me: (about to jump through the phone) "So - let me get this straight. You're calling to find out how to break your lease, but you're telling me that you don't rent from us. Is that correct?"

Crackhead: "Yeah."

Me: "Uh-huh. So you just randomly found this phone number, and just randomly called, hoping there might be someone on the other end of the line to tell you what you want to know?"

Crackhead: "Yeah, uh-huh."

Me: (laughing) "Ok...right, right. Listen, can I give you a little hint?"

Crackhead: "Um..."

Me: "You know, since you're just a pretend tenant, and you just are calling about a pretend situation, let me tell you that you'll actually need to call Mr. So-and-So, you know, your pretend landlord, if you are going to break your pretend lease, because, you know, he'll be the one to pretend to take you to court and pretend to throw all of your stuff out on the pretend lawn."

Crackhead: "What's that phone number?"

Off to bang my head against a pretend wall.

Workin' It

2009-10-13T20:56:00.003-05:00

The month of September absolutely flew by, and October seems as though it's vanishing quickly, too. We've been busy with a variety of things - Dawson continues to love going to Mom's Day Out and when he's not at school, helping his mama work.
"Hmmm...yes, this bay window lets in a lot of sun...plus, plenty of visibility for watching the babes go by...yeah, I think it'll rent quickly."
"You know, you should actually measure rooms from outlet to outlet - better indication of convenience."

And when he's not been workin' it with me, Dawson's been workin' it in front of the camera. We met Krista Lee in downtown Murfreesboro to do some new family photos. We had the best time, Krista was fabulous and I think we got some really good shots. These are some proofs she sent us - I can't wait to see them all!

Saying "No"

2009-10-05T15:01:00.004-05:00

Do you ever find that what you're saying with your mouth and what you're saying in your head do not match at all?

Like when you say "yes" but you'd much rather say "no"?

And I don't mean to your kids when they want another cookie.

I mean to adults - to your friends, your family, your co-workers, etc.?

I have a hard time saying "no."

It's usually because I don't want to disappoint anyone or because I'm concerned about what people will think.

I've gotten better at it since Dawson was born, simply because I had to say it because caring for him was more important, but it still nags at me. I've also gotten better at not automatically providing an excuse for when I do say "no", so I guess that's progress.

I'm beginning to think it's a girl thing - because I know many of my friends struggle with this, and I know NO MAN who has a problem with it.

If this is you, how do you get over it and just say "no"?

I Can See Clearly Now the Rain is Gone!

2009-09-29T18:14:00.003-05:00

After eight straight days of rain, the sun has finally come back to Middle Tennessee and has brought fall with it! We are excited...fall is our favorite season!

Dawson loves spending time outside, and so we ventured out to tend to some fall flowers.
Is he not the cutest little bloom you've ever seen?
He is mastering walking up and down steps all by himself, and will refuse to take your hand if its offered. Such a big boy!
According to Dawson, these are called "roashes." :)
He loves to water the plants...and himself...and his mama...

Happy Fall!

Fall-Out-Yo'-Chair Friday

2009-09-25T08:33:00.003-05:00

"Yeah...I'm sorry...that's just as low as my sellers can go. They've made a great counter-offer....I'm sure we can make this work."

I personally think that the red stilettos go amazingly well with the camo shorts.

Days of Discovery

2009-09-17T11:17:00.004-05:00

We spent some time with Megan and Vance this past weekend at The Discovery Center. It's a huge children's museum and activity place - they have everything from aquariums to a real fire engine to a huge slide. They also have a play place designed especially for toddlers, which is where we spent most of our time.

There is a huge tree in the center of the toddler area that you can climb in...
...can you spot Vance? :)
I was proud to see this sign hanging in the play place...
...the Junior League of Murfreesboro raised money to help build it!
"Man, I look good."
Dawson loved pretending to work the register at the mini-Kroger store...
"Clean-up on Aisle 11, please, clean-up on Aisle 11."
Vance and Dawson also decided to get a jump-start on their high school garage band...

...and then took a break in the kids' kitchen.

"Ok, so...you want an omelette? Maybe some pancakes or something? Or maybe Ramen noodles. You pick."

After leaving the Discovery Center, we grabbed some salads at Ahart's Pizza Garden, where we discovered Dawson's new affinity for cheesing for the camera.

And again the next day...

Think he'll remember the little people when he goes to Hollywood?

First Week Down, 18 More Years to Go

2009-09-10T15:25:00.009-05:00

And y'all have got to tell me it gets easier - otherwise, I may need to consider a sedative.

Dawson started Mom's Day Out this week. There is a great program at our church, and he'll be going every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 - 2.

It's still hard for me to believe that he's big enough to go to "school"...and this is just the beginning! Heaven help me when he goes to Harvard.

Until then, he's totally set with his lunchbox and nap mat - both gifts from his Gran and Papa.
He loved the mat so much that when we first got it, he insisted upon sitting on it to eat breakfast.

First big boy lunch! PB & J, fruit snacks and a chocolate-chip cookie...
...which, I'm told, he's eaten completely and then starts pilfering his classmate's lunchboxes. Nice.

Dawson's First Day!

"Let's go, Mama..."

Strapped in and ready to go...
"I'll let you get me out and go willingly for ONE MIIIILLLLLION DOLLARS."

This is Dawson and his teacher, Mrs. Angela, at the open house. Mrs. Angela has taught pre-school, 2nd, 3rd and 5th grades and has 4 kids of her own, so I think she's what we would call "highly-qualified." I'm so thankful that she's Dawson's first teacher. She said that he's a very sweet boy and is compassionate towards the other kids.

What more could I ask for?

Fall-Out-Yo'-Chair Friday

2009-09-04T08:11:00.004-05:00

Dawson's Good Housekeeping Tip #426:

Your coffeemaker can also moonlight as a caddy for your cleaning supplies.

Watch out, Martha. There's a new sheriff in town.

Traditions and Toys

2009-08-31T23:20:00.004-05:00

We love when our family gets to come visit, and last weekend we were excited to spend time with Gran, Papa, Uncle Brandon, Uncle J, Aunt K, Zoey and G-Pa the Great!

It's become a tradition now that when they're here, we eat dinner at Miller's Grocery in Christiana. It's an old train depot-turned-grocery-turned-restaurant that features old-fashioned, Southern food (fried catfish, meatloaf, corn nuggets, frog legs and Mississippi Mud), and live bluegrass music on Friday and Saturday nights.

Sheer. Happiness.

Zoey and Dawson were a little too excited about the music to eat.
Zoey was very ladylike and clapped along...
...while her alter-ego insisted upon becoming a table dancer. His mom was thrilled. Our waitresses comment was, "He's just so expressive!!" Uh-huh. That's the word.

Two of my favorite men...
We all had a good time. I hope we can do it again soon, seeing as how The Zohan is D-Word's favorite toy.

Until she comes back, he'll have to make do with the super-duper, handy-dandy, steal-of-a-deal $3 good-as-new portable snack stand that his daddy got him from the flea market.

No, I don't usually support the buying of toys at the flea market.

Seeing as how the word flea is involved.

But it was a hit. Especially after it was cleaned, Lysoled and disinfected.
You can pretend to grind ice to make slushies, fix snacks like pretzels and candy, and run a wee business with the built-in cash register!
"May I take your order?"
"I'll get that for you in just a second...I like to have a clean work space."
"Let me just grind the ice for you...did you say blueberry or cherry?"
"We take Visa, cash, debit or Goldfish."

"Thank you, Daddy...I love it!"

A little entrepreneur after his own heart.

It Only Took 26 Years For Me to Learn This

2009-08-25T21:58:00.004-05:00

I wish I had something funny to say or tell you about, but right now, the best I can tell you is to have some tissue handy.

I am blessed enough to be a part of a womens' Bible study group that meets once a month. There are about 15 women in this group, all of which are Christians, moms and beautiful.

We're also a pretty honest group.

We've cracked up, shared stories, cried and learned with each other - even though, in reality, we don't know each other that well. Most of us go to different churches and work at different places, so God, our faith and our kids are what makes us similar.

We do a different study each semester, and right now we're doing Power of a Praying Parent.

If you are a parent, or want to be, or ever have been, you need to read this book.

It will make you think of your children differently, and of yourself as a parent differently.

And - most importantly - it will make you think of God differently.

Ever since Dawson was born, I have been overwhelmed at the amount of love I have for him. Even when he empties my wallet and hides my bank card in the bathroom cabinet, or when he shakes his juice cup so hard it sprays white grape stickiness all over my dress, I love that little boy more than myself.

Which is how God feels about me.

And you.

If I would have never had Dawson, I would have never fully understood that. But I did and now - finally - I do.

Which brings me to the Kleenex part.

There are parents who are losing children. Have lost them. Know they're going to lose them very soon. And they need your prayers.

Parents like The Maxeys. I can't even begin to tell you about their story or their faith because it's unbelievable. So please read it if you can, and pray for them as you do.

Parents like my aunt and uncle, who lost their baby daughter. It's hard for me to even wrap my mind around.

So when I'm at Bible study next time, thinking of asking the ladies to pray for me that I would have patience, I'll be asking them to pray for the parents that wish they had a child to test it.

And - no matter what you're doing today - do it knowing that there is an amazing Heavenly Father who loves you more than you can ever comprehend.

And still would even if you hid His bank card.

Fall-Out-Yo'-Chair Friday

2009-08-20T23:13:00.004-05:00

This explains why evolution is wrong...

...right?

<

I Was in Labor 13 Hours for This?

2009-08-16T22:04:00.004-05:00

It's about to get real honest up in here.

My son - my precious, wonderful, happy, laid-back 19-month-old son - is turning into a hellian.

Help. Me.

Over the past, oh, I don't know - two weeks or so - some little monster comes and kidnaps my son, hides him in a closet somewhere, and tries to pass himself off as the sweet little munchkin I delivered.

Exhibit A:

And B:

It was dry-erase marker. And no, I did not give him the marker like a moron. To this day I cannot figure out how he got it.

However? In my house? What he destroys - he repairs.

I am told the next 8 to 12 months of my life are going to continue to get even more, um, interesting.

That's if I live that long.

Fall-Out-Yo'-Chair Friday

2009-08-07T08:18:00.003-05:00

"Free at last, free at last! Thank God Almighty, I'm free at last!"

The Most Beautiful Little Girl I Have Ever Seen

2009-08-05T13:53:00.004-05:00

Stop. Traffic.

This One's For the Girls

2009-08-04T21:39:00.007-05:00

July has proven to be a very busy month for us!

Between days spent at the pool, trips to Chattanooga, selling our rental property (yay!), and celebrating birthdays and weddings, summer has flown by.

Most of all, I'm excited because the month has provided opportunities to spend time with some of my favorite girls.

Meagan and Megan helped me celebrate my birthday by taking me out to lunch and to get pedicures. I chose to eat at a place I'd never been - Jeff's. They serve homecooked, old-fashioned Southern food...my favorite. The sign outside their door says "Now serving chicken and waffles" if that tells you anything. :)
This is us and Jeff himself. I made a new friend...he even gave me free peach cobbler as my birthday present!

July also found me reuniting with old friends. Kendra, my suitemate from college, found myself and Meag on Facebook. We all lived together during our freshman year at MTSU. Kendra is HILARIOUS. She never fails to make me laugh. Kendra and I shared a bathroom (yes, she lived to tell about it), and would make us pancakes on Sunday mornings. She was also my fashion/makeup critique when I would anchor the newscast on MTSU's news channel. She would tell me if I looked fat, or if I needed to part my hair differently. Did I mention I love her?
We ate breakfast at City Cafe, a traditional spot in the 'Boro. I'm really proud of Kendra because she's going to law school soon.

Another girl I love dearly...my aunt Trisha. She celebrated her 50th birthday, and we drove down to Chattanooga for her party. We swam, had a cookout, cake and ice cream.

Upon our return from 'Nooga, I met up once again with The Galz at The Pottery Place. You paint your own pottery...from vases to plates to Christmas ornaments to miniature sand castles, you can create a work of art with all of their paints, stencils, tiles and stones. They fire it for you, and you pick it up a week later.

This is by far one of the funnest things we've done together...and it's also very relaxing. Lily was very intense as she painted her sand castle...

...and I got to teach her what a "turret" was. Yes, Meagan and Megan made fun of me for telling a 5-year-old to put polka-dots on her turrets, but it's never too early to help a child become a genius, is it?

Gettin' His Hair Did

2009-07-26T10:32:00.007-05:00

It worked for Billy Ray...

...but not so much for my son.

I'm talking about a mullet.

Mmmm-hmmm. After putting it off as long as possible, I finally decided to cut Dawson's hair. After all, I never thought the day would even come, seeing as how he was relatively bald the entire first year of his life.

Not anymore.

My original plan was to cut it while he was taking a bath, but then I realized he's never, ever still while he's in the bathtub. No workie.

So, I decided to seize the first opportunity that he was still enough. Which was, of course, while he was standing on our barstools, watching old Sesame Street episodes with his daddy on YouTube. Please excuse the large explosion of random crap in the background.

Going in...

Cutting the cord...

The finished product. Dawson was relatively still the entire time, so all in all, it was a success.

What people will pay large sums of money for on E-Bay one day...

I don't like how quickly the pages in his baby book are filling up. As soon as one milestone passes, the next one is happening!

A Walk On the Wild Side

2009-07-23T20:16:00.004-05:00

The Fletcher household is rejoicing now that the Mad Cow disease has been eradicated and now we can be around other people!

We celebrated by meeting Jason, Krystal and Zoey at the Nashville Zoo so Dawson and The Zohan could see the animals. It was a beautiful day, and I think everyone had the same idea as us - it was so crowded!

Dawson and I...is he not the cutest safari guide you've ever seen?
There were crowds in front of every exhibit, and this was the clearest picture I got the whole time we were there. I love zebras...I love how God put black and white together. :)
Of all the animals we saw, Dawson liked looking at the birds the best...
...after Zoey, that is.

This is how Zoey saw most of the zoo!
We had to take a little break and treat the kiddies to some Dippin' Dots. Zoey had cookies n' cream, while Dawson had chocolate.

"Touch them and you die."

We had a great time! It's amazing to me how simple things like Dippin' Dots and birds and quick afternoon trips take on a whole new meaning when you're showing it to your child for the first time.

I Am Not a Redneck. Or a Cow.

2009-07-16T08:51:00.003-05:00

And all I can say is Thank.God.

Because I almost freaked out at the beginning of this week.

Wait - what am I saying??

I DID freak out.

Dawson and I both have been sick.

With HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.

Not to be confused with HOOF-AND-MOUTH DISEASE.

Which is what I thought we had until I read WebMD today.

"Foot-and-mouth disease (sometimes called hoof and mouth disease) is a viral disease that can occur in animals such as cattle, sheep, and swine (cloven-hoofed animals). It is not related in any way to hand-foot-and-mouth disease found in humans-the two diseases are caused by entirely different viruses.

The virus that causes foot-and-mouth disease can be spread from animal to animal by direct contact with an infected animal or by contact with food or other things that have been contaminated. A human who is involved in handling animals can spread the disease from one animal to another through contaminated clothing, footwear, or other contaminated objects."

Sigh.

It would've been helpful if Dawson's doctor would have elaborated a little more on what exactly he/we had.

Whatever.

At least I know we won't start sprouting hooves and tails anytime soon.

Fourth Festivities

2009-07-05T13:25:00.008-05:00

We spent the Fourth of July in Chattanooga - first at my parent's house, and then with my dad's side of the family at my cousin's house. No matter where we were, there was swimming, food and lots of fun had by all!

My parents have revived several of our childhood toys, including a baby pool and swim toys. Dawson and Zoey had a blast.

"Hold still...just a couple more seconds and you'll look just like Don King."

The starving artist:

G-Pa the Great helped D and Z figure out some of the pool toys...

...and then we headed to Billie Ann and Joe's for a cookout, swimming and playing. Joe let D and Z play on the pretend castle...this is Zoey, the damsel in distress.

D rescued her, and then "helped" her swing...

Our cousin Donna and Gran helping Princess Zo escape once again.

We attempted to have a family photo taken. Clearly, we are that part of the family that are "special."

At the end of the day, after you've eaten your weight in barbeque, swam, played, and realized you're completely surrounded and also related to people of questionable intelligence, what else is there to do?

Hey, Lauren? The Hills Just Called.

2009-07-01T09:11:00.003-05:00

They wanted to know what's it's like to be as old as they are.

Today is my 27th birthday.

Oh. Crap.

Off to go chase my oatmeal with some prunes while I watch the Price is Right.

The Twin Cities Will Never Be the Same

2009-06-30T23:08:00.008-05:00

Our whirlwind but fun weekend in Minneapolis for David's brother's wedding began Friday afternoon when we left the Nashville airport to go north. This was only my second time to visit David's hometown, and obviously Dawson's first. He did great at the airport and on the plane!
"What? We can go now? Are they serving snacks?"
"I'll get your bag, Mama..."

"...is this our gate?"
He fell asleep as we were taking off and woke up right before we landed. And no, I didn't give him Benadryl. After we arrived in Minneaoplis, we stopped by the church so David could practice singing and had a late dinner at Aurelio's. It's a local Italian restaurant - one of those tucked-away places - and they seriously had the best ravioli I've ever eaten. David and his dad used to eat here all of the time...
...and so he was excited to bring Dawson here. As you can tell, they both loved it.

On Saturday, we had brunch with David's boss and his family, and then it was time to start getting ready for pictures and the wedding.
"Ugggghhhh...there's a sweater vest, too??"

David's brother, Tom, and the newest Mrs. Fletcher, Lisa, were married at the church their family grew up in. David's other brother, Steve, was the pastor, and his sister, Sue, was the wedding coordiantor. His other brother, Paul, was the photographer and his wife, Renee, played the piano. David sang "From Here to Eternity" and "I'll Be There." So, basically, they're the Partridge Family of weddings.

My honey belting it out. Dawson was mesmerized by his daddy singing, and clapped after each song. However, it was after this point that he start getting pretty restless sitting in the pew. I let him do pretty much anything he wanted so he'd be quiet, including playing with my camera. Exhibit A:

It was also at this point that the distraction tactics started to fail. There was quite a bit of squirming and fussing, until I stood him up on the pew, pointed at Tom and Lisa right before they kissed and said, "Hold on, buddy, we're going to clap! Get ready!"

You may kiss the bride...
Had you been sitting in the church at this very moment, all you would've heard was Dawson saying, "OOOOOOHHHHHHHH!" as they were kissing.

I do believe everyone in the sanctuary was laughing. That's my son - the comedic timing was spot on.
After the ceremony, there was a brief reception in the lobby. Dawson got to meet a lot of the church members that David grew up with...even some older ladies who taught David in Sunday School when he was a little boy.

We then headed to Tom's house for a full reception and dinner in his backyard. Dawson had fun running around and meeting the rest of his Minnesota family.
"Uncle Jeff, if you make fun of my mama's accent one more time, I'm gonna beat you like you stole somethin'!"

Sunday, we met David's best friend, John, his wife, Shelley and their two kids for breakfast. Dawson put the moves on Dani pretty fast...
And also made friends with Johnny...

We had a wonderful time! Congrats to Tom and Lisa!

Happy 1st Birthday, Zoey!

2009-06-26T10:12:00.010-05:00

My niece turns one today...it is hard to believe that The Zohan has been here for one whole year! She has had quite the little life in just 12 months...she's already lived in two cities, welcomed her daddy home from Afghanistan and schooled her cousin in the arts of fake crying and eye-gouging. Zoey is now walking, too - it's hilarious to finally see she and Dawson upright, giving hugs and kisses to each other.
It is incredible to me how even when babies are just a few minutes old, they already have - and show - their own unique personalities. I don't think you have to guess what she would have said here if she could've talked.
Holding Zoey one year ago...
...and holding her at her party on Saturday. This picture was taken right after I told her there was a strawberry cake and presents just for her.
Her Auntie Lauren got her a Disney Princess-themed gift...a princess blanket and cup...even princess fruit snacks and Spaghetti-Os. Did you know they make princess Spaghetti-Os?! Hilarious! Zoey had no trouble digging into her gifts.
While she was creating a tissue-paper disaster area, Dawson used some of the streamers to do his best Karate Kid impression. Wax on, wax off, baby.
Zoey's cake...she LOVES the strawberry cake my mom makes, and so she had to have one of her own.
I think she liked it. :) After eating all the yummy food that Krystal prepared and porking down cake, we just chilled....some of us even took naps...except for the smallest party animals:

Dawson: "I can so knock this bad boy down if you can just create a diversion."
Zoey: "Word. I'll just pretend to fall. Or - wait - I'll start talking or something."
Dawson: "Word. While you do that, I'll knock it down and break through. As soon as they've stopped freaking, you can sneak in after me."
Zoey: "Word."
Dawson: "Zoey?"
Zoey: "Yeah?"
Dawson: "Happy Birthday, yo. You're the best cousin ever."
Zoey: "Thanks. So are you. I'm going to go fake cry now so we can bust up out of this joint."

Who's Your Daddy Now?

2009-06-22T10:30:00.010-05:00

We spent this weekend celebrating Father's Day, birthdays and soon-to-be weddings!

My brother, Jason, turned 24 on Saturday, and so we went to Clarksville to help him celebrate. We also celebrated Zoey's first birthday, but I'm going to save those pictures for later since her birthday isn't until this Friday.

Mom made J and ZoZo their own strawberry cakes...
...and I'm not sure who's sweeter - the cake or Zoey?
My big little brother...
Sunday, we headed to 'Nooga for Father's Day. Dawson picked out a card just for G-Pa the Great and gave it with lots of hugs and kisses...
...not pictured is the Old School Dance Party that followed, featuring my son dropping it like it's hot. The child is so ghetto. I love it.
Me, my baby and my baby-daddy...

Mi madre y mi abuelo...
My dad and his sidekick, kickin' it in the F-150...

And finally, my cousin Ryan and his fiancee, Alicia. They will be married next month and then will be headed to PARIS for their honeymoon. Mama's a wee bit envious. :) Congratulations!

We hope your Father's Day was wonderful!

"Ma'am, Please Tell Your Kid to Stop Screaming or You'll Be Escorted Off the Plane."

2009-06-18T08:26:00.004-05:00

In a little more than a week, I'll be taking this:

Onto one of these:

To go here:

David's brother is getting married in Minneapolis, and he is a groomsman and is also singing in the wedding. This will be Dawson's first trip to meet his daddy's side of the family, and obviously will be his first time on a plane. It will be my first time flying with anyone under three feet tall.

Which brings me to my question for you - have you ever flown with a small child? Are there super-duper-secret tips to making it enjoyable and less like a root canal? Will we be escorted off the plane and dropped off somewhere awful like Nowhere, Iowa if the D-Word gets more than a little fussy?

I have a plan for things to do to keep him occupied during the two-hour flight, but you never know if those things will actually work. My last resort is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the portable DVD player.

Any advice or tips would be most appreciated.

If I don't get any, I might be blogging from Iowa next week and y'all, that will not make mama happy.

Weekend Wonderful-ness

2009-06-15T09:38:00.003-05:00

Wonderful to have a new baby to hold and love on...
We visited Megan, Web, Vance and Baby Jack on Friday night. This is what I like to call his "Thinking Baby" pose.

Wonderful to have friends to play with...
Vance turned their living room into a campsite/toyland!

Wonderful to have friends who share their toys...

"If you think I'm leaving anytime soon, you've got another thought coming, woman."

Wonderful to eat breakfast for dinner at Cracker Barrel...

...and receive the confirmation that your child is, in fact, a genius...

Wonderful to have a sunny Sunday afternoon so Daddy can mow the grass...

...which is Dawson's favorite topless spectator sport.

We hope your weekend was wonderful, too!

The "Haves" and the "Have-Nots"

2009-06-10T14:01:00.004-05:00

My baby brother (I say "baby" - he'll be 18 in October) is in Washington, D.C. this week participating in a scholar's program created by his school. He will get to meet heads of state, have dinner with congressmen, tour the White House, intern at the Pentagon - all sorts of fun and once-in-a-lifetime things.

This is Bran and Bud Krogh after their round-table discussion. You may know him better as a member of the Nixon administration who served time for his role in Watergate; he also is the guy who introduced Elvis to Nixon during his infamous visit to the White house.

This is a program Brandon was chosen to participate in by people at Baylor, the private school he attends.

I attended Ooltewah High, the very public Home of the Owls, at which I learned what a doobie was (not by experience) and the closest I got to meeting a diplomat was when I gave a tour of the new wing to a school board member.

My dad, ever the humble public school teacher himself, was quick to remind Brandon when he began Baylor that "there are the 'haves' and the 'have-nots.' We are the 'have-nots'."

I wasn't there for the conversation, so I'm not really sure what exactly we "have- not" of.

Until today, when I viewed this picture of Brandon on his trip to our nation's capitol.

What we have not of?

Is class.

Clearly.

Sweet Baby Jack

2009-06-07T15:37:00.004-05:00

Dawson and I visted Megan, Web and Baby Jack on Friday morning. He is so precious!

And not too happy that we unwrapped him!
We brought Web some Krispy Kreme doughnuts...something tells me he was a little too in love with his new son to care too much about the dozen regular glazed. :)

Dawson was very curious about the new little being in the room...as time went by, he'd get more curious and a little closer...
...and a little bit closer...

...and just close enough.

"Mama, can we get one?"

Ask your daddy, son. Ask your daddy.

Ate Dinner at 6, Had a Baby at 9!

2009-06-04T23:52:00.007-05:00

My dear friend, Megan, can honestly say that!

Introducing John Webster "Jack" Hutchings!
Born June 4, 2009 at 9:02 p.m. at a very healthy 7 pounds, 1 ounce and 20-and-a-half inches long! He was pink and has all 10 fingers and toes...he is just perfect.
Megan was originally scheduled to be induced Friday morning at 5:30, but wee Jack had plans of his own! I'm thinking it's because he was getting really, really hungry.
Such dark hair! Megan and Web's first son, Vance, has curly, red hair - isn't it amazing how siblings are so different from each other?
Megan, Jack and Web...Big Brother Vance will get to meet Jack for the first time on Friday afternoon!
The "aunts"...we were so, so excited.
There is just something about baby boys...maybe it's because I have one of my own. I also love how Jack is already throwing gang signs.
It was very hard not to cry holding him...I did tear up a little, thinking back to being in same hospital, in a carbon copy of their room, meeting my little baby for the first time, and looking at how perfect and soft Jack is. Babies are such miracles - when you look at them, it's overwhelming to think about all that they will learn, do, see, experience and become. You're holding concrete potential when you're holding a baby, and God's greatest gift.

Congratulations, Megan and Web! You have a beautiful baby boy and a beautiful family.

A Quick Trip to C-Town

2009-06-02T18:20:00.008-05:00

David has been traveling for work lately, so Dawson and I enjoyed a quick overnight stay with my parents in Chattanooga (or Ooltewah, as it were...but unless you're from there, you probably have no idea where it is.)

Dawson kept Gran and Papa quite busy with several maintenance jobs around their house...
...watering the flower beds...
...mowing the grass...

A little break was allowed to focus on the fine arts. A little "painting" with G-Pa the Great...
...and then back to property maintenance.

This lawn mower is apparently revolutionary in that it also grates gravel...
My parents have the perfect combination of yard and concrete, so playtime is neverending!
One of my favorite things about 'Nooga - a steak in a sack with provolone cheese and onion rings from Ankar's. So. So. Good. I also try to go by the "real" Krispy Kreme when the hot sign is on, but I also try to prevent sweating Crisco, so I didn't make a run this time.

After the delish dinner and bathtime, Dawson entertained us with a couple of songs on the piano.

How I love that he is 17 months old and he's already playing a chord!

This is how Mozart got his start, yes?

Jon and Kate: Not so Great?

2009-05-27T15:21:00.003-05:00

Do you watch Jon and Kate Plus Eight on TLC?

Until yesterday, I've watched the show only twice. Once when they went toy shopping for Christmas presents, the second when they went to a pumpkin patch. If you've never watched it, Jon and Kate are a Pennsylvania couple who had twin girls, followed by six more kids - sextuplets. The show follows their lives and how they manage their kids.

I watched this season's premiere that re-ran yesterday afternoon on TLC, and I was reminded why I don't watch the show hardly ever.

That woman is rude.

I'm sure if I told her that, she'd say "Yeah, well, if you had 8 kids, you'd be rude, too. I have 8 kids...remember? Dealing with my 8 kids make me rude."

Actually, no, I wouldn't be.

And I'm aware that you have 8 kids. You chose to have them, remember? As in paying gobs of money to be injected with hormones that would knowingly cause you to have multiples.

And I would dispute that you actually have 9 kids. Because you treat your husband like a child.

I've been known to joke that I myself have two children - my son and my husband. Because sometimes (always?) I find myself cleaning up after the grown male that lives with me. However? I? Am joking. And he knows it.

Kate's not joking.

It's actually painful for me to watch the show because of her tone, words and actions.

On the season premiere, Jon and Kate addressed the problems they are currently having in their marriage. No wonder, I thought. They were interviewed in separate rooms, and it's clear that Jon is not living at their house as much.

When asked what the future holds for their marriage, Kate's response was, "I do everything for my kids. I breathe for my kids. I work for my kids. I work harder for my kids."

My point?

She's wrong.

You live for your family. That includes your husband.

Marriages with families of multiples have a much greater chance of ending in divorce than those without. And I can totally see why. The stress of rearing one child - much less 3 or 6 or 8 - is enough to make you pull your hair out at times.

But you keep working at it, regardless of how many kids you have or don't have.

I won't be watching the show again. I won't be watching Kate sitting in her brand new granite-and-stone-filled home with her professionally-manicured nails and professionally-colored hair, pausing to yell at her kids while being interviewed about how much she's been away, promoting her new books and the show.

So much so that her 8 kids have called her by the babysitter's name.

What do you think?

Time In a Bottle

2009-05-24T13:02:00.007-05:00

Can someone please tell me how or where to purchase this? Because time continues to fly by so quickly - my son is growing up too fast, and the events that I have planned that seem months and weeks away creep up before I have time to turn around.

Here's a sneaky-peeky into some things we've been up to lately:

Dawson loves the dishwasher. Loves it. Will cry if I close it up.
I totally plan on showing this to his wife one day and saying, "See? I mean, he knew what it was for then - his excuse of saying the sink is where dishes go really isn't valid."

Lunch with friends...
Dawson isn't used to having someone sit next to him in the car, so he was very excited that Jaden wanted to ride with us to La Siesta!
Monet and Sargent...
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that would be a whole plate of cheese quesadilla, beans and rice. Inhaled promptly and neatly by my Mexican-loving offspring. Perhaps it was all the cheese dip I ate when I was pregnant?

And if the cheese dip didn't do it - the chocolate did. Sometimes a spoon just won't cut it...

...and you can bet the usual wet paper towel didn't, either.
This calls for a bath.

Mother's Day...Out

2009-05-14T21:41:00.004-05:00

My second Mother's Day was great...we spent Saturday just chillin' with my family at our house. Dawson got me a sweet card and a massage and lots of kisses.

This week also saw me watching my baby growing ever so quickly into a little boy. On Tuesday, I registered him for Mother's Day Out. It will begin this fall and he'll go two days a week. He was anxious to get down and play with the little girls (who were about 3 years older than him, I might add), so I don't think he'll miss me too much when I drop him off.

Dawson loves other babies and even playing with kids that are older than him, so I'm glad our church offers this ministry for little ambassadors like him. I'm thinking that he could teach the other kiddies about the latest in toddler hairstyles...

And also about multi-tasking...that's a bottle AND a cup.

Ah, the life of a sixteen-month-old!

By the way, every day is Mother's Day to me. :)

Celebrating Friendship

2009-05-07T15:13:00.007-05:00

I'm sure all of you have photos of you and your family together, whether it's from a church directory or your own camera or a wedding.

But how many of us have photos made with our nearest and dearest - our best friends?

Think about it. These are the people that you choose to make your family. They are with you, sometimes even more than your family - the people you confide in, lean on, laugh with and comfort.

My two best friends and I decided that our Christmas gifts to each other this past year would be a photo shoot together. Krista was the photographer, and we had an absolute blast.

Megan is El Prego, so she also got some fun maternity shots done with Web.

It will be hilarious to look at these in 20 years. It will be even more hilarious for our kids to look at them and say, "Wow, Mom - this is when you only had one chin!" or "Holy cats, what in the name of...what are you wearing?"

Aren't my friends beautiful?

And my favorite...this is us. Me cracking up, probably from something that Meagan said.

Do something to celebrate your friendships!

May I Have the Envelope, Please?

2009-05-06T23:54:00.006-05:00

In the "Best Caption" category, the winner is...

HEATHER!! (HG!)

"In the name of the Lord Jesus, evil spirits come OUT!"

Thanks for everyone who played along.

G-Unit, you have a prezi coming your way!

Does Anyone Have a Canoe I Can Borrow?

2009-05-05T08:31:00.007-05:00

Because apparently, Middle Tennessee has a rainy season.

And apparently, it's now.

I think today is the sixth straight day of rain. I'm not sure - I stopped counting after the third day. Because really, who needs three straight days of rain?

Because of the monsoon, our weekend was very low-key and spent inside for the most part.

On Friday night, we took D-Man to Aunt Sophia's while we went (in the rain) to dinner at Carabba's.

We ran into a former client at the restaurant and he bought us appetizers - wasn't that nice? I love random acts of kindness. After dinner, we headed back to pick up The Child who, I'm told, had a marvelous time with Aunt 'Phia changing channels with the remote and hiding in a tent made of sheets and barstools.
My anniversary prezis. The way to my heart is through a Mouse, by the way.:)
The rest of the weekend was spent playing and cleaning...two things that Dawson gets very excited about!
The boy is strong...
...and is also a cleaning fool! (He gets that from his dad.) (I am so kidding.)
This? Is our real-life Diaper Genie.

Have a great day!

You Write the Caption

2009-05-04T08:25:00.003-05:00

'Cause seriously, I'm laughing so hard that I'm crying and I can barely see to type this.

If I choose your caption, you might get a little prezi! :)

A Day Five Years in the Making

2009-05-01T08:17:00.019-05:00

Today is our five-year wedding anniversary.

I am an Old. Married. Woman.

Do you have any idea how fast five years goes by?

It seems like yesterday that we were here:
At the Historic Dent House in Chattanooga, taking pictures, and then here:
In the doorway of the Chattanooga Church, waiting to exchange vows. I had an absolute blast at my wedding. I remember asking my parents, "Can we do it all over again?" Which brings me to my absolute favorite picture of my wedding. It's not me, not David, not anything remotely romantic. It is my parents, being my parents:
I would put a caption here, but I'm pretty sure you can figure out what's going on.

David and I have done a lot over the past five years. We've traveled to Hawaii, Phoenix, Sedona, Gulf Shores, Minnesota, Wisconsin, the Biltmore House and Disney World. We've built a house together, and supported each other during career changes. We've worked together in real estate, thereby yielding the ever-so-popular question: "YOU TWO are MARRIED?"

But our greatest traveling adventure began at 3:10 a.m. on January 9th, 2008, to a delivery room to meet our greatest accomplishment to date:

Who is the best anniversary gift ever.

Friends, Firearms and Formals

2009-04-28T09:06:00.009-05:00

We were lucky this past week to spend a lot of time with friends and family!

Wednesday, we went to Meagan's to eat dinner with friends - Megan, Web and Vance were there, too, so that meant that Dawson had a playmate!

One of the things I love most about my son is that if he loves you? He shows it.
"Dude, this is so the best part of the movie."
Watching Happy Feet together...
...followed by an adventure outside complete with caterpillars...
and bubbles! Lots of bubbles!
Dawson and Vance could've stayed out there for hours chasing them.
Saturday, Little Man and I surprised my parents with an unexpected visit at their house in Chattanooga! I love surprising people, especially them. It was a beautiful day, and so we spent most of it outside. My dad took the kiddies on a ride in the wagon...

"Don't be nervous. This isn't his first time out."
I'm not sure who had more fun - my dad or the kids?

The Apple Dumpling Gang rides again!

The firearms part comes up next...I shot a gun.

Yes, that's what I said...I shot a gun.

One of the benefits of having a brother who's a soldier? Target practice.

That would be a 9 mm Sig.

I have no earthly idea what that means.

But I? Am totally bad.

The formal part comes in next:
My baby brother went to his first prom! Isn't he handsome??? Aren't I ancient???

This will be a great picture to look at when Dawson goes to his first prom.

With his mom.

What the Storm Saw

2009-04-23T15:14:00.007-05:00

I have an amazingly good memory.

I remember things from years ago in sharp detail - some I wish I didn't. Details about funerals and illnesses and arguments and uncomfortable moments. Mostly, though, the memories are good - I can tell you what I wore to a certain party when I was 5, or how I felt when one of my friends let me hold a kitten for the first time. What I ate, smelled, heard and learned...lots and lots of little things over lots and lots of time.

However, when I became pregnant and had Dawson, my memory changed. It's not as sharp, and it takes me longer to remember things that should be no issue at all. I've read that some doctors think it's because as a mom, my mind is occupied with caring for another human; others think it's because biologically, my brain actually did shrink as my baby grew.

Whatever the reason, I know my memory isn't as sharp.

Which is why, for two weeks now, my mind has been haunted by thoughts of the woman that was killed in Good Friday's tornado.

There are two distinct memories I have from that day. The first is how amazingly loud and clear the birds sang after the storm was over. It was as if an entire chorus of birds were rejoicing that they were still flying. The second is how in the same moment that I heard the birds singing, I heard sirens. Sirens of police cars and ambulances and fire trucks, blaring just an octave or two higher than the birds, signaling that the destruction, was, in fact, very bad.

I had no idea. I had no power, no television, no internet, no way of knowing what was happening in the town I call home. I had a few friends calling or texting, telling me what they had seen. But it still didn't register with me how bad it was.

Then, Michelle told me, "There's a girl that's been killed - her baby, too."

Tears came to my eyes. Somewhere, in my town, a girl - like me - with a baby - like me - was gone.

I couldn't get it out of my mind.

Then, on Easter Sunday, after eating with family and hunting eggs, I returned home to finally see her picture on the news.

I know that girl.

But from where?

I watched the news story over and over again, went on-line to find her picture, read her biography, learned where she worked, what she was remembered for.

And still - my stupid memory wouldn't work. It was like a slow-loading computer - and the file still wasn't complete.

How many women in the town can be named Kori? Not many. Think, Lauren, think.

And then - Saturday morning, I woke up, and it instantly clicked in my head.

I rented to her. She was a tenant.

Yesterday, I went to the office, opened the file drawer to 618 C Fairview, and saw her name in black and white - in my handwriting.

Kori Dudek.

I knew her before she was Kori Bryant - before she was a mother and a wife. I knew her as the tenant who wouldn't stop calling me about her fireplace not working, as the woman who complained that she was getting colds because the dust in the fireplace was so bad. I remember thinking, "Woman, this is not the Hilton. This is a one-bedroom apartment in a 40-year-old triplex. Get a broom and some Claritin and get over it."

I'm glad I didn't say it out loud. I'm glad I was kind. I'm glad I went out of my way to make sure the fireplace got fixed and cleaned. I'm glad I called and apologized and thanked her for always paying on time and making my job easier. I'm glad I complimented her on her unusual name when she signed her lease and told her she could plant as many flowers as she wanted around the front door after she moved in.

I'm glad I remember all of that.

Because on Good Friday, the storm saw me, ignorant, holding Dawson in my closet, wondering what all the fuss was about.

It saw Michelle's son and mother, crouched in the bathtub, waiting for the wind to stop blowing.

It saw Kori and her daughter, Olivia, huddled in the hallway surrounded by mattresses, with no idea that the night before would be the last night they would sleep on them.

My memory isn't as great as it was, but I will remember Kori Bryant.

I will remember the next time I take rental calls or sign a lease, go to the grocery store or the carwash, the drive-through or the bank - that those people are not labeled by what they do or who they are to me. They are real; they are moms and wives and daughters and dads and sons and brothers.

And I will remember that you cannot do a kindness too soon, because you don't know how soon it will be too late.

We Loved You So Much, We Threw a Party for You Before You Were Born!

2009-04-21T11:46:00.010-05:00

And that is exactly why I absolutely love baby showers. This little person is about to start his life - that's a pretty awesome occasion! So what could be more fitting than a party?

We had one at my house this past Sunday for Baby Jack Hutchings! He is due to make his world debut on June 12th, and we are very excited to meet him and have him join his mama, Megan, daddy,Web, and Big Brother Vance!

Jack's nursery is themed with little woodland creatures, so Meagan and I thought little birdies and nature-y things would be a good theme for the shower.
Me, The Mama, and Meagan. Like we need an excuse to party. However, during the shower, I did picture wee Jack wearing a party hat and holding a fork, wanting a bite of some cupcake in utero.
Megan and her sweet mama...

Some of the ladies that attended the shower...Megan had friends from work, Junior League and her sorority help her celebrate!

Kim, Megan and Rachel...seriously, I had a hard time eating because Kim and Rachel were making me laugh so hard. They are two of the funniest people I've ever met. They're also two of the most creative...
...and are responsible for this amazing "tablescape." Rachel made the addictive peanut-butter-filled-chocolate cupcakes, and Kim painted the plates upon which they were displayed and the eggs in the nest. They have more creativity in their eyelashes than I do in my entire body.
The menu...chicken salad croissants, pineapple cheese casserole, broccoli salad, spinach dip, the fab cupcakes and fruit tea. I haven't heard of anyone becoming deathly ill after leaving, so I think the food was ok.
Little Moo opening her prezis...she got some very cute outfits, some baby basics and a bouncy seat that converts into a toddler rocking chair!
Guests were asked to leave a little note of advice or encouragement for Megan...
...and put them in a little album for her to read after Baby Jack arrives!
My gift for Jack...a personalized basket I made and some of the blankets that match his nursery bedding.
And last, but not least, a sweet "tweet" for the guests to take with them!

We cannot wait for Baby Jack to get here!

Happy Birthday, Megan!

2009-04-20T08:52:00.003-05:00

My sweet friend, Megan, celebrates her birthday today!

I want to wish her a very Happy Birthday. Megan is the most thoughtful person I know - hands down - and I can always count on her to make even a bad day much brighter. She is a ray of sunshine!

Happy Birthday, Moo - I love you!

Crazy Eights

2009-04-15T09:06:00.003-05:00

The ever-so-hilarious-and-fun Natalie at The Brocks Rock has tagged me to share the following:

8 Things I am Looking Forward To:

1) Disney World in December with the fam.
2) The night I get ready for bed and do NOT discover that I've been walking around with an assortment of Goldfish, yogurt bites or rice puffs down my top/dress all day long.
3) The arrival of Megan and Web's baby, Jack! We are quickly working on creating our own recreational football team.
4) The day Dawson doesn't try to eat everything in sight, including business cards, pennies, electrical cords and paper towels.
5) The day the real estate market goes back to being the way it was.
6) The day Dawson says, "I love you, Mama!"
7) Girlz Trip 2010 to Savannah, GA. Watch. Out.
8) The fact that I will not be pregnant and therefore resemble a beached whale when we go on Girlz Trip 2010, as opposed to Girlz Trip 2008. I'm pretty sure that's why the jelly fish stung me. It thought I was going to eat it.

8 Things I Did Yesterday:
1) Worked on some things for Megan's shower!
2) Made a grocery list.
3) Came up with at least 10 reasons why I didn't have to go to the grocery store right then.
4) Wrote "go to grocery store" on To-Do List.
5) Pulled Dawson out of a cabinet.
6) Wondered if Oprah realizes that hair extensions do NOT make you look thinner?
7) Wondered if the makers of Lean Cuisine intentionally make their portions so small that it drives you to go eat fast food, thereby insuring you'll need to buy more Lean Cuisine?
8) Did laundry.

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:
1) Math without using my fingers and toes.
2) Eat Double-Stuf Oreos all day long.
3) Travel to Belize, Brazil, Ireland and Greece.
4) Adopt a little girl from Honduras, Panama or Cuba.
5) Sing. Like, really well - not like, in the shower.
6) Speak Spanish fluently.
7) Keep Dawson as little as possible for as long as possible.
8) Arrange a marriage so that I won't have to deal with freak in-laws one day.

8 Shows I Watch:
1) Intervention (So. Good.)
2) Desperate Housewives
3) Grey's Anatomy
4) Morning Express with Robin Meade
5) Dog the Bounty Hunter (I heart Leland!)
6) Manhunters: Fugitive Taskforce (Makes me want to carry a gun and speak with a Jersey accent.)
7) The Sopranos (I'm sensing a pattern?)
8) American Idol

I tag: Rachel, Leigh Ann and Whitney!

The Zohan Has Left the Building

2009-04-14T09:16:00.008-05:00

Normally, on Tuesday mornings, I'm awake at 6, awaiting the arrival of Zoey so we can go back to bed and snuggle while becoming informed by watching Morning Express with Robin Meade and waiting for Dawson to wake up already.

But today, I slept in til 7:30, and I am without a snuggle bunny and am wholly uninformed about the events of the world.

Since Jason is back, he is now in charge of the Zohan while Krystal is at school. Which makes sense seeing as how he's her dad. But part of me wants to call him and make sure he knows that she needs to watch Robin Meade while eating her blueberry Nutri-Grain bar.

It's hard to believe that eight months have passed so quickly!

This is Zoey on her first day at my house:

And on her last day:

Who will suffer through my leopard-print-and-hairbow obsessions??

Who will harass Dawson and use him as a jungle gym??

I love you, sweet girl!

Make sure you tell your daddy to change your diaper. More than once a day.

Easter Weekend - With a Twist

2009-04-13T10:20:00.012-05:00

I wish I was talking about a fun, fruity drink, but I'm actually talking about a twister - one that came through Murfreesboro on Friday and did damage like this:

This used to be the building that housed a title company we use. Thankfully, everyone made it to the first floor in time and no one was hurt.
You can see where the individual offices used to be.
This is inside the first floor. It's amazing that wind can do this to a brick building!
This is a piece of metal from a car or building that the tornado wrapped around the power line like a twist-tie that you use to seal your garbage bags.
The cars in the front parking lot. No one was in them, thank heaven.
The tornado hit about a mile and a half from our house. Dawson and I hid in the closet for about 20 minutes, and the worst we experienced was hail and a day-long power outage. Other people, though, like Michelle's mother, lost their entire homes.

Due to our lack of power and hot water, we decided to head to Chattanooga early for the Easter holiday. Dawson was only 3 months old last year at Easter, so I was excited to see him hunt eggs for the first time!
Me and my distinguished little gentleman.
"Yay! You found one!"

A wee man on a mission...
"Out the WAY, mama. I got to find these things. They have candy inside."
And then, after the egg hunt...
"HALLELUJAH, Gran!! You brought the bubbles!"
"Ok..so, it's not as easy as it looks."

You might be a redneck if, after inhaling a cooked pig, you and your folks gather in the driveway to talk about weather and dental work while propped up on the back of a pick-up truck.

Happy Easter!!

Man On the Move

2009-04-07T09:21:00.004-05:00

My sweet boy will be 15 months old on Thursday. It is so hard to believe!

He is definitely a man on the move - the only time he's still is when he's asleep. You'd think he'd be still when he's eating, but he's usually dancing while he eats. (Ghetto!) (Love it!)

Here are some shots of what Dawson is up to these days:
Bonding with his cuz...
Helping Mommy clean...
Helping Mommy put his clothes away...
Reaching for a cold one...
Feeding his doll...

He cracks me up more and more every day with the funny things he does and tries to do.

Not pictured is the instance when he decided that the toilet was really a huge pot of soup and stirred it with one of my serving spoons.

That spoon is still sitting in a pool of bleach.