A few weeks update...

Well, I'm officially out of my "slump." Riley Grace is back home with us, school has started, and life seems to be getting back to normal. Over the last week or so we've had lots of fun and I just thought I'd share some of it with you all.

Maggie Ruth and Caroline enjoyed the TINY little pool one night after they ate supper with us. Its funny to watch them stir around when they're having fun. They're like a bunch of little ants...they never stop moving.

Maggie Ruth also loves her sister's goggles. I happened to catch them actually on her face in this shot, but they're usually hanging around her neck like a necklace. Last weekend we were in Birmingham for the Commodity Conference (Riley Grace had Russell take this picture one afternoon in the hotel). We did some shopping, swimming and very little resting. We were back home Sunday afternoon in time for church and then it was home to get ready for the big week. School started on Monday.

Monday when Riley Grace got home from school, she went to her bedroom to do her homework and guess who was close behind her... her shadow, Maggie Ruth. Riley got Maggie a notebook and pencil so she would think she was doing her homework too. They were too cute.

They had to pose for me once they realized I was taking their picture.

Riley Grace's best friend Julia came home with her on Wednesday afternoon and this is what I found them all outside doing... playing in the water hose (minus a few pieces of clothing).

Riley and Julia were good sports... they'd just sit down on the patio and let Maggie wet them. She was loving it and they were too.

Our most recent fun was Caroline's 2nd birthday party last night. It was so much fun! I'm sure Shonna will be posting it soon so check out her blog for more pictures of that (I forgot my camera, but it worked out well because I was Shonna's photographer.)

Jack is on his way!!!

Its official and by Uncle Mike's prospective--100% a boy!!! Russell and I went by Uncle Mike's office today and he tried for quite some time to get a peek at this baby! We had just about quit when he said, "let's take one more look." This time he decided he would cooperate (Jack, that is). He told us that he is 100% sure its a boy. We got a good look several different times and "the turtle" as they sometimes call it was definately there!!! We're thrilled! Sorry some of the pictures are upside down. The one that says "Its a boy!" is clear enough though!

We're headed out to Birmingham tomorrow about lunch. I hope you all have a great weekend!

Too long, I know...

I'm sorry its been so long since I've posted. I'm kind of in this blogging rut right now. I get in this same rut every year about this time. Its been too long since Riley Grace was home and I miss her so much. We'll be leaving for the Commodity Conference in Birmingham on Thursday and we'll be picking her up on the way. Sadly, (not for her though) she starts school on Monday so we won't have much time before she's gone again. We've been out of touch for a few weeks and there's really not much new info to share. Maggie Ruth is testing out a new very challenging stage that I'm slowly making (maybe not making) my way through. She has decided that it is necessary for me to give her my UNDIVIDED ATTENTION AT ALL TIMES!!! So needless to say we're both trying to adjust to how this works. I'm not doing so sporty with it! By the time Russell walks in the door each night I'm ready to run out into the pasture and into the woods.... you get the picture. I know, this too shall pass, just when???

On a different note, several of you have asked when we would find out what we're having. Well, we're going late Wednesday afternoon and Uncle Mike is going to see if he can tell. We'll be 16 weeks so its a little early, but he said he didn't mind looking each week until we could tell! Maybe we'll have some new news by Wednesday night!

Russell is working nonstop as usual. His hours get longer as the days get longer. He was just recently elected the President of the Covington County Farmers Federation and will take on some extra responsibilities to go along with all that he does on our farm. He's a determined man and I have NO doubt he will handle this well!

That's pretty much it for now. Sorry to be out of touch, hopefully that will change in just a few days.

Riley Grace's Swim Meet

HOLY COW is my very first description! Riley Grace did SUPER!!! We got there about 4:30 for her warm ups and watched her do all of her different strokes-she's got them all down pat! Maggie Ruth was so excited to see her sister that all she wanted was for Riley Grace to hold her, a little hard for Riley to do getting in and out of the pool, but she was there as soon as she'd get out. They hugged and kissed and hugged and kissed til I almost cried. Then the meet started around 6. Riley Grace was in a freestyle relay, freestyle, butterfly, and breast stroke heat. Her team finished first in the relay, she finished 2nd in freestyle and butterfly and won her breast stroke! Then I cried... but I couldn't let her see it! I was SOOOO proud of her and she's so humble about it. I got to meet her very sweet friend Jordan that lives in her neighborhood in Montgomery and swims on her swim team. They were so cute cheering each other on as well as there other team mates. I wish the pictures were better of her diving in and starting her races, but I was holding a large squirming monkey that wasn't too excited about her sister being at the other end of the pool.

Well, I had hoped to be sharing with y'all a bunch of pictures of Riley Grace's swim meet. My parents, Maggie Ruth and I drove to Montgomery late yesterday in hopes of watching RG in action. The weather had other plans, like rain, lightning, high winds, etc. So instead we went to Cracker Barrel and ate (and hung out while the thunderstorm passed). We had fun seeing Riley and maybe we'll get some pictures at next weeks' meet.

Since I don't have those pictures, I'll share these...of the little monster/sweet potatoe that also keeps me busy!

Maggie Ruth and I LOVE frozen pecans. A few days ago I got the bag out of the freezer, opened it and sat it on the counter... BIG mistake. Maggie Ruth was after that like a squirrel chasing a nut (ha!ha!). And what do you think she did? Dump out the whole bag? EXACTLY!! I couldn't even get on to her because it was totally my fault. As if I didn't want to dive into them too... I just laughed, got the camera and cleaned them up...as we ate them of course!

Another favorite of Maggie's is a picnic. She's very serious about her picnics too! Absolutely no pretending. We have to have real food on the plates (note the mini Nilla's) and real water in our cups (note the spill on the cloth). She also expects you to stop what you're doing and join her for the event!! I love watching her set it up. She's so tedious about how she puts it all out (a trait she didn't get from her mother).

Back in the hose again... We're still spending LOTS of nights out on the patio in the new pool with the hose. Join us sometime!

The 4th of July on Lake Martin

Our family spent the 4th of July on Lake Martin and it was WONDERFUL!!! My Uncle Mike and Aunt Maria have a beautiful home on the lake and invited lots of us up for the weekend. Along with my family (Mama, Daddy and Kim), Uncle Ashton, Aunt Sue, Amanda, Bradleigh Kate, and Katherine were there to enjoy the weekend with us. We rode the wave runners and boats all weekend, got lots of rest and LOTS of food. It was so good to get Russell away from home for a little while and although its often hard for him to admit, he had a blast too. Thank you Uncle Mike and Aunt Maria for such an awesome weekend!

Practicing?

Last week I caught Maggie Ruth in her room brushing up on her big sister skills. She's learned to wrap her baby in its blanket and give it a bottle. We've been trying to talk to her a little about having another baby here to take care of. She seems to like the idea now...we'll see how long it lasts.