I am Warrior. Hear me....Squeal!

There are no words for this picture. I laugh and smile every time I see it! Eric ran in the Warrior Dash this weekend in north Georgia. This was one of his prizes for running. He decided that V might look good as a warrior as well. My Dad said she looks like a Viking with snuff in her mouth! I'd love to know what she was thinking as Eric snapped this picture. Who knows. You decide!

Whirlwind Weekend

Lately, our weekends have been pretty busy. I can't remember the last time the three of us were home, with nothing to do. This weekend was no exception. We left late Thursday evening headed to Mobile. By late, I mean, we didn't get to Mobile until 1:30 a.m. Late, huh? Originally we planned to leave Friday morning, but Thursday night worked out fine.

The reason for our trip was to celebrate Eric's Grandmother's 70th birthday. Family from all over came in for this wonderful occasion. It was so good to see people we don't get to visit with often. We celebrated Eric's Grandmother by having a yummy dinner at Felix's Fish Camp restaurant on Mobile Bay. The food, as always, was divine, and the scenery was beautiful.

Virginia with her Great Aunt Amy

Virginia was fascinated by her cousin Olivia

Eric's mom, Aunt Tracey, Aunt Amy, and Grandmother

Virginia and her Great-Grandmother, The Birthday Girl

The rest of the weekend was spent lazing around and having fun with our family. We attempted the pool, but I opted to get out quick! The water is just not warm enough yet, for me. Eric and Virginia didn't seem to mind.

We left early Sunday morning headed back to LaGrange. Eric had an event to play at on the square, in downtown LaGrange, that evening. The event was a viewing party for Extreme Makeover Home Edition, that was broadcast Sunday night. Back in February, a family from Pine Mountain, Georgia, (not far from LaGrange) was chosen for the Extreme Makeover Home Edition show. (the link tells more about the Williams' family) Eric's medical group, Emory Clark-Holder Clinic, was the official medical provider for the week long build. Eric worked a shift and was able to be at the site for the final reveal. Yes, he was there to yell, MOVE THAT BUS! The downtown alliance in LaGrange thought it would be a good idea to show the William's episode on the square Sunday night. Before the showing, Eric and group of guys entertained everyone with some great music. Virginia and I brought our blankets and came to the square to listen to Daddy play and sing. The weather was great and it was so nice to be outside. Virginia LOVES to hear Eric play and sing, so this was a double treat for her. We played on the blankets and she ate her Cheerios when she got bored.

V listening to Daddy sing

My cute husband singing his heart out!

There was even a clown, making balloon animals for children

This is First Baptist Church on the Square

Loving those Cheerios

This couple was swing dancing

We had a great time this past weekend, as busy as it was. Now, we're hoping to slow down a bit and enjoy our week at home. More company coming this weekend! Happy Tuesday!

Oh Mama!

Laundry, cooking, cleaning, bathing, changing (everything), shopping, loving, hugging, kissing. Do any of you have these descriptions under your job title? I do and I gladly accept all of them as my duties. That's the life of a mommy. Whether you're a stay-at-home mama, like myself, or a working mama, those duties fall into your category if you like it or not! I'm very thankful that I can stay at home and tend to our house, but most importantly, take care of and nurture Virginia. God has blessed us so that I can be the mom I've always longed to be.

This past weekend, we celebrated Mother's Day. Eric's parents and sister were up and it was so nice to have them in our home. I know Eric was proud to have his Mom here for Mother's Day. He and Virginia made my first Mother's Day very special and one I will never forget. I am so blessed to have 2 women in my life that I can call Mother. My own Mother (whom I got to celebrate the weekend before Mother's Day) and Eric's mom. Two loving and gracious women who are leaving a legacy of Christ to those around them. I am thankful for the example that they are to me.

Laundry is just one of the duties a mom has to take care of. Maybe your husband or children (if they're old enough) also help out with laundry too. Eric usually leaves the laundry to me and I really don't mind. Lately, I've had some help..............

She's actually a good helper! She loves to find the socks and wave them around. I can't wait for the day that she can help!

I've been reading a book that my mother gave me called, "Taking Care of the Me in Mommy," by Lisa Whelchel. You may have heard of Lisa Whelchel before. She was on a little show called "The Facts of Life." She played the beautiful Blair Warner on the show that ran through the 80's. This book has really taught me that I need to nourish my spiritual and emotional self to become a better wife and mother. In one of the chapters on prayer, it offered suggestions on when and how to pray during the day, for your family. One of the examples happened to be during laundry time! Here's an excerpt from the book:

Folding Laundry Prayers

• Husband's undershirts- Pray for integrity.
• Your nightgowns- Pray for unity in marriage.
• Son's pants- Pray for physical protection in all his roughhousing and tumbles. (Don't have a son, but good to know!)
• Daughter's shirts- Pray for modesty.
• Socks- Pray for God to be the Lord of their lives from the top of their head to the soles of their feet.
• Panties and briefs (or as my husband says, Your Draws!)- Pray for purity, protection, and future reproductive health.

As I fold our laundry, I want to remember these tidbits on prayer. Even though folding laundry seems like a meaningless task sometimes, find joy in the simple things in life. And while you're at it, pray for someone or something as you do it. God wants to hear from us at all times of the day, not just at mealtime and bedtime. I hope you find special and unusual times/tasks that remind you to talk to God.

Can you tell she had just woken up?

Still sleepy and loving snuggling up to the warm laundry.

SURPRISE!

Sorry I've been so late getting back to you guys! Once you come home from a weekend away, it takes a day or so to get back in the swing of things. Between laundry, V, and getting ready for my in-laws to come this weekend, I've been a busy mama!

Without further ado, here's the surprise my parents got on Saturday.............................................

MY BROTHER!

My Mom would probably make me apologize for my brother and his wild hair/looks. All I can say is, that's Eric!

My brother surprised my parents and flew home from Portland, Oregon. He is helping a friend move out to Portland, so he flew home on Friday. Eric (My brother and my husband have the same name. Confusing when we all get together) left today on a cross country trip with his buddy Andy. It should take them about 3 days to get there. We were so glad to see Eric! He hasn't been home since Christmas, so we enjoyed our short time we had with him.

Side note......I really need a personal photographer with me at all times. The picture above is the ONLY shot I got of my brother and Virginia all weekend, and it was taken with my Iphone. I'm too busy being a mom to get my camera out of the bag. Someone help or offer advice!

V and her GiGi

My Daddy and Eric (my husband!) played in the church golf tournament Saturday, so Virginia and I got hang out with my Mom, Eric (my brother), and Uncle Jacky all day. It was so fun. We went to a new market/cafe called Catherine's at Crossroads. It's just above Lake Martin, after you cross the Kowaliga Bridge. Catherine's reminded me so much of Naman's Midtown Market that used to be in Mobile. The food was so yummy and we loved sitting outside feeling the nice cool breeze while we ate. Virginia loved being the life of the party! She was a little unsure of Uncle Eric at first, but she warmed up to him after a while.

We returned home and got ready for the golfers to come back. We prepared the steaks and shrimp for Eric to grill once they got back. Little did we know, the steak and shrimp was actually a victory meal for Daddy and Eric! Their team won the golf tournament! My Daddy was told by many church members the next day, that Eric couldn't come back and play next year! The rest of the evening was filled with good food, fun, and laughter. I loved having my brother home. I told him that he needed to be closer so he could watch his niece grow up. Hopefully God will work that out and bring him home soon!

Sorry if you were expecting some shocking surprise/news. Really, we're not pregnant and we're not moving again! At least I've not been informed of that yet!

This weekend we are waiting the arrival of Eric's family. The whole fam dam, minus Jeff, is coming to LaGrange. Should be another fun weekend of fun and laughter! I'm sure you'll find out about it soon enough. Happy Wednesday!