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!

Videos, Videos, Videos

I'm sure some of you were loving the 2 posts in one week, but now you're wondering what happened? LIFE! That's what happened! We've been capturing some pretty funny videos on Eric's Iphone lately and I thought I'd FINALLY share them on here. These videos were taken over the past two weeks and showcase some of Virginia's newest tricks.

I must apologize for our commentary and silly laughs, but who wouldn't think they're baby is the funniest thing ever?

The "Dairy" Queen

Like Father, Like Daughter

Shake Your Head

We are heading out of town this weekend to see my parents, and I am so excited! They are in for a big surprise Saturday! I can't say what it is yet, just in case they read this! No, Virginia is not expecting a new baby sister or brother. I'm sure that's what most of you were thinking! I'll let you in on the secret when we get back! Have a great weekend and enjoy the sunshine.

The Blackmans' Go Green

Yesterday was Earth Day and we celebrated by going green. Most cities have a curb side recycling pick up service, but LaGrange does not. While out exploring the city one day, I came across 2 recycling "dumps." One is right around the corner from our house, and it inspired me to do my part.

No, I'm not a tree hugger or environmental nut, but I do realize how much waste is caused by throwing out things that could be recycled instead. I knew that we needed a bucket of some sort to store our recycling in, so I hit up the Dollar Tree. I bought 3 small buckets to sort our trash into categories. One bucket for plastic, and the next two for aluminum and glass. I could've gotten more buckets, but I thought about what we consumed the most and narrowed it down to those three. After a little labeling with the paint pens, here's how they turned out.

Cheap and easy! My kind of crafting!

Next, I gathered all the trash that could got in our recycling containers. I washed the bottles, jars, and buckets, so they wouldn't be smelly.

After everything dried, Virginia awoke from her nap to help with the best part. Filling up the buckets! She loved the sounds that the bottles and jars made as they hit the buckets. You can see what she enjoyed doing more than anything!

Remember, I washed these!

Another way that helps the environment and helps me, are cloth grocery bags. Some of you may have these laying around your house and never use them. I did that for the longest, but once Miss Priss came along, I needed an easier way to haul the groceries in without making a million trips to the car. Here is a small stash of bags that I have acquired and use on a regular basis. The hardest part is remembering to take them with me to the store!

Hopefully our green day has inspired you to think about this lovely planet God has blessed us with, and do your part.

Then God said, "Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life--the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the livestock, wild animals, and small animals." So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female he created them. God blessed them and told them, "Multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. Be masters over the fish and birds and all the animals." ~Genesis 1:26-28

East Coast Getaway

This past week, we returned from a 5 day trip to Amelia Island, Florida. Eric had a conference to attend, so it was a perfect opportunity for Virginia and I to tag along as well. We stayed here, at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island. It was beautiful! The resort was so elegant and classy. (if that can be said about a hotel) The service was top notch. Anytime we needed anything or had a question, the employees would go above and beyond to meet our requests. Now, it's back to reality and not having my breakfast delivered to me every morning.

Virginia learned how to stick her tongue out the day before we left. She enjoyed sticking it out at me on the ride down!

We were hoping to take Virginia out on the beach for the first time, but the weather didn't cooperate. Even though it's April and very warm lately, that wasn't our luck on Amelia Island. I think it was warmer in LaGrange than Amelia Island. The temperature stayed in the high 60's to low 70's all week. The wind was blowing about 15-20 mph, which made it a tad bit chilly.

Do you see how windy it was?

Virginia could hardly open her eyes for the wind!

Thankfully the Ritz had an indoor pool that was heated, so Virginia got to experience the pool for the first time.

I like to call her "cool cat" when she has on her sunglasses.

Swimming with Daddy! So fun!

Look Mommy! I'm splashing!

Yea! We're swimming together!

Sweet baby girl!

Can you tell we had fun in the pool? And that we couldn't get enough pictures/video of her first swim? I'm not ashamed and will probably be glad I took so many pictures, when I'm old and grey.

Can you tell I was a little ticked with all the kids kicking and splashing all around my baby? I now know how mama birds and bears feel when they think their babies are being threatened. Eric says it's because I haven't been in a classroom all year and that I haven't been able to get on to kids. The kids left soon after I got in the pool. Maybe it was all my teacher looks I was giving them!

Since we were in a hotel room for 5 days, feeding a baby food is hard without a high chair. My sweet mother-in-law found this seat before Virginia was born and it sure came in handy this week! Maybe next time I need to find one with a tray that will hold her in! Virginia was a wiggle worm in this seat. It did the job and that's all that matters.

Can you tell that she was all over the place?

Amelia Island is really called Fernandina Beach, Florida and is quite a historic place. One afternoon we all went exploring around the island. Downtown Fernandina Beach is so picturesque and beautiful. We picked up a local map to help us navigate our way around the downtown area. The map listed all the shopping and historical places. While looking at the map we noticed a house that we had to find! Can you guess who lived here?

Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Mackrelmint Ephraim's Daughter Longstocking, that's who! On the map it said, "Pippi Longstocking's House," also known as Villa Villekulla. This house was used for the filming of the 1988 version of "The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking." Eric and I were beside ourselves when we found this! We both loved the Pippi movies growing up. We were hoping to catch a glimpse of Pippi, Mr. Nilsson, Old Man, or even Tommy and Annika. No such luck. All we saw was a rather large woman sitting on the back porch. Hopefully that's not what Pippi turned into. I would be so disappointed.

It was nice to get away together, but we're happy to be back in our little routine! Have a great week!

Easter Weekend

We surprised our family in Mobile this past weekend with a visit home. We decided to spend Easter with Eric's family, but didn't want to let them in on our secret surprise. Surprise it was! While they were having dinner at a restaurant Friday night we walked in and gave them a nice shock! Too bad I don't have pictures of their faces as they saw us.

We spent the weekend hanging out and going to all our favorite stores, while in the "big city." Sadly LaGrange doesn't offer the same shopping as Mobile, so I enjoyed my time in Target, Tiny Town, and Babies R Us!

Virginia also had a wonderful time playing with all her uncles, aunts, grandparents, and great-grandparents. They equally enjoyed her, if you can't tell!

We enjoyed Easter Sunday services at the People of Mars Hill church. Sunday was such a beautiful day to worship the Lord and thank Him for all that He has done for us. Virginia looked so precious in her first Easter dress. This sweet dress was made just for Virginia by a sweet lady who attends my parents church in Wetumpka. I picked the color and told her to do the rest. I'm not picky and I knew she would know just what to make. It turned out prettier than I could've imagined.

I hope you enjoyed your Easter weekend as much as we did. If your town is like ours, it's covered in a blanket of yellow "snow," called pollen. V and I are opting to stay in as often as possible to keep ourselves dust free. There's rain in the forecast for tomorrow, so maybe it will wash all this yellow away.