Visiting Carrollton, GA

Justin was scheduled to work at our old office in Carrollton this past Monday. I thought it would be fun to visit our old town (and Hobby Lobby) so Garrett and I joined him. EIGHT HOURS IS A LONG DRIVE TO MAKE WITH AN ACTIVE 14-MONTH-OLD! We took our time getting there for Garrett's sake. We were all relieved to finally check into our hotel and get in the bed. I figured since we had a king size bed we could all sleep together so I didn't bother setting up Garrett's pack-n-play. After thirty minutes of getting kicked in the face, ribs, and head, we were regretting that decision. I was so excited to see my old coworkers and friends! Dr. Brundrett treated us all to lunch at the Irish Pub, one of our favorite restaurants. I always have such a good time with them.

Before we left, I just had to drive by our old house. I teared right up as soon as I saw it. It seemed weird not to be able to pull into that driveway and go inside.

We had planned on leaving bright and early Tuesday morning to head back home but Justin ended up working on Tuesday so we got a late start on our 500 mile drive back to Hampstead. On top of that, Garrett picked up a virus so he had a fever and didn't feel good AT ALL. I think we've finally decided Garrett isn't cut out for these long road trips.

Over all, we had a great time and I'm glad we had the opportunity to visit our old home and a few of our favorite places.

Garrett's 1st Haircut

We've been debating for weeks whether or not we should cut Garrett's hair. As precious as those waves and curls are on the back of his head, all the scraggly long strands hanging in his face and over his ears were starting to drive me crazy! I tried trimming just the long strands but it only made it worse. So, since Justin was in need of a trim himself, we decided to take Garrett along so he could get his first real haircut.

When my brother was little, my parents would take him to the Grifton Barber Shop for Mr. Jimmy Williams to cut his hair. I always loved going to watch him zip through TJ's shaggy hair with his clippers and brush the little hair clippings off of his client's shoulders with that huge brush. I thought it would be very nostalgic to take my little boy there for his first haircut.

I came prepared with a sucker to hopefully distract Garrett from this intimidating experience. Justin got his hair cut first so Garrett could watch and see that it wasn't scary. When it was Garrett's turn, Justin stood next to him to help hold him still. I stood back to capture the big moment and catch all the sweet, precious hair clippings falling from my baby's head to save for his baby book.

Garrett did pretty good for the first few minutes. Then he started to get a little overwhelmed with all the hands on him holding him down.
I thought for a minute we would have to stop and leave with only half of his hair cut but Mr. Jimmy's a pro and he was able to coax Garrett through the whole ordeal.

I was very proud of my little man. He did better than I expected and his new cut is SO stinkin cute! Justin and I can't help but smile at his big boy haircut. We walked into that barber shop with our baby and walked out with our little boy. (sniff, sniff)

She's a Teenager Today

Seven years ago, after only a few weeks of dating, Justin decided it was time I meet his mom and sister. I remember pulling up in their driveway when Justin looked at me and said, "My sister is really shy. Don't be offended if she doesn't speak to you." We got out of the car and walked up to the porch. All of a sudden the back door swung open and this confident little girl with beautiful long hair skipped out, put her hands on her hips and said, "I know who you are. You're Angie." I've loved her ever since.

When we first met, Sierra was 5-years-old...going on 25. That little girl would always tell it like it is. She'd roll her eyes and cross those arms...DIVA!

Three things I learned very early on about Sierra:

1. She hated food. At dinner time, there would be drama...you could count on it.
2. She loved to argue and that child wasn't backing down even if she knew she was wrong. I can hear her and Mrs. Marilyn now...oh boy!
3. She's a charmer. If she wanted something bad enough, she knew just how to get it...especially from her big brother's.

Justin and I spent many evenings over at their house while we were dating. We would play bored games, have a barbie fashion show, or just hang out in Sierra's room while she'd boss Justin around. The 16 years age difference between them didn't mean a thing to her. She was like a little mama ordering him around.
When we ate dinner at their house, Sierra would always sit right next to me. One evening, after only a few months of dating, Sierra looked over at my plate and loudly exclaimed, "WOW, you really were hungry." I wanted to die. I remember one night we were playing with Sierra and Justin, poor thing, had this huge zit on his forehead. Sierra looked at him and scolded, "Justin, mama says you shouldn't scratch mosquito bites or they will never heal." He and I were crying we were laughing so hard. She just kept this serious look on her face and kept saying, "I'm serious!"

When Justin and I moved to Georgia, I missed our visits over there so much. Justin and I always tried to see her when we came home for vacations and holidays. Every time we came home she seemed to have grown and mature so much.It seems like we just celebrated her 10th birthday.Now she's in the 8th grade taking high school algebra classes. Did I mention that she's smarter than me?Sierra is now an aunt.I am going to blink my eyes and Garrett will be begging for Aunt Sierra to come pick him up to take him out because she's cooler than me.
Sierra,

Happy 13th Birthday! We love you very much. You are growing up to be such a smart and talented girl. We are so proud of you!

Love,

Justin, Angie, and Garrett

Oh...one more thing...

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

This is for that comment you made about my big plate of food 7 years ago. Ok, now we're even.

Our Night With Sweet Cheeks

As much as we enjoy going out to eat with Corey and Jamie, the last time we all went out together we realized it was way more work than it was fun. We are so busy tending to our children, we find ourselves rushing and hurrying through the meal so we can just get our babies back home. For months now we've talked about how we should take turns keeping each other's kid so we could have a date night with our spouse every once and a while. Finally instead of just talking the talk, we actually did it. I told Jamie and Corey to pick a night this weekend to go out and Justin and I would keep Hayden for them.

Hayden is such a sweety pie. When she was first born, she looked exactly like Jamie. Then one day she morphed into Corey Harrison wrapped in these big, juicy, irresistible, squishy cheeks. Justin and I both loved squeezing on her last night. The only person who wasn't thrilled about Hayden's visit was Garrett. It's not that he doesn't love his cousin, he just didn't like watching his mama hug and love on another baby. He was very jealous. I told Justin, if we are ever going to have another baby, we need to keep her more often so Garrett can get use to it.

Hayden was no trouble at all. Her demands are simple...hold me, feed me, and get out of my way so I can see the TV.

We had lots of fun.

Hayden and I watched Garrett play outside for a bit.

Then Uncle Justin held Hayden so she could watch football.
My baby never would eat baby food for me. I couldn't get the spoon to Hayden's mouth fast enough! She's telling Uncle Justin all about her good meal.

If this doesn't make you smile, I don't know what will.

Weekend at Mindy's

Justin's job as a LSS (Lab Support Specialist) sends him to Affordable Denture labs all over America to fill in and help out on a temporary basis. Some work assignments are only for a day or two. I like those...a lot. Most commonly, there are the assignments that keep him away a whole week. I have gotten to the point where I can accept these whole week assignments like a big girl and manage to be productive and stay sane all week with Garrett by myself. Now, when he gets assignments like the one he's on now, I can't even pretend to hid my disappointment/anxiety/frustration/sadness. It has only happened one other time since he started this job where he's been away for a full two weeks without coming home on the weekend. He's been in Yakima, Washington for the past 8 days and wont return for another 5 days. IT SUCKS. I miss him terribly and I know he misses us since he's there all by himself. I am counting down the seconds til he returns.

So, to try and pass the time more quickly, I decided to spend the weekend with my sister. Every time I make that drive to her house I thank God for sending us back to NC. After the 8 hour drive we had living in Georgia, the 2 hours it takes me to get to Mindy's is like a trip to the grocery store.

We had a great visit. Garrett helped Mindy clean out and organize her pantry Saturday night. While she was busy emptying out the shelves, he decided to dump her bread on the floor and then sit down and eat a few slices.

Uncle TJ E. took Garrett for a ride around the yard on his new four wheeler. Sunday was our daddy's 59th birthday so Mindy baked him a red velvet cake, his favorite.

TJ and Brandi came over Sunday evening to help us celebrate daddy's birthday. Happy Birthday, Poppy Toby! We love you very much!

Happy Birthday Brother!

Yesterday was TJ's 30th Birthday. T-H-I-R-T-Y! I can remember my 10th birthday like it was yesterday and he's turned 10 THREE times! He could actually retire from the USMC in 9 years.

Oh man, he's so OLD!

To celebrate this grand occasion, his lovely wife, Brandi, cooked up a wonderful meal for the whole family and a carrot cake that was to die for! It was a great day with the family and I look forward to celebrating MANY more birthdays with big brother!

Love you, T!

Daddy's gonna be home all week...

and we're loving every second of it!

Visiting Charlotte, NC

Justin was scheduled to work in Charlotte, NC this past Friday and since it wasn't an extremely long drive, Garrett and I decided to join him. Garrett loved all the amenities that the hotel had to offer. He especially loved the extra rolls of toilet paper that were easily accessible to him. Sometimes at home I'll turn our small trashcans over so Garrett can beat on them like a drum. (Whatever it takes to entertain him, right?) Anyway, he spotted this little trashcan in our hotel room and within seconds had it turned upside down so he could play the drum. We didn't bring his pack-n-play with us because we were only staying one night and he's just about too long for it anyway. So, when we checked into the hotel and discovered our room had two queen beds, we had to make the tough decision as to where wiggle worm would sleep.

Since daddy had to get up and work the next morning, I bit the bullet and slept with little feet kicking me in my face and ribs. On our way back home, we stopped at a farmers market that sold homemade ice cream. I was a nice trip but it was good to get back home where that wild child could sleep in his own bed!

A Walk on the Beach

Father and son watching the birds.

We can't go to the beach without him plopping down in the water.

That's one sandy little boy!

Daddy helped rinse him off.

Happy Birthday Garrett's Daddy!

29 years ago, on this day, my mother-in-law gave birth to my best friend, protector, provider, the father of my son.

Happy Birthday, Justin! Garrett and I love you very much!

Enjoy this last year of your 20's...cause next year you'll be an

old man!