Organized Chaos...

Collins Henderson

2012-01-29T10:35:00.009-06:00

Melissa "Collins" Henderson

January 22, 2012

She is here! And as I am typing this, approaching exactly a week old. I need to write this down before I forget. Heath commented that "we" haven't updated the blog lately - "we" just now found a minute to do so, and I better make the most of it!

Laurahelen and Thomas - so cute

Last Saturday night, one of my best friends, Laurahelen, got engaged! Her precious fiance hosted a surprise get-together to celebrate and Heath and I went while Mom and Dad watched the boys. When we got home, I got Mom to help me put the bedding on the crib. I guess it was nesting! Anyway, we went to bed and I had planned to stay home from church and send the boys with Heath and get some things done around the house. Right before I went to bed I read a blog of a friend of a friend who had just had a baby, and had no idea how soon I would be feeling the same thing!

Well, around 4:15 I woke up and felt some back pain. I remembered it from labor with Turner - like someone had a boot stuck in my back. So instead of waking Heath up, I texted my sister. She was in Greenville, and luckily she texted me back. I told her I was pretty sure I was contracting regularly and she told me to call the doctor and then call Mom and Dad and tell them to come on. So then I woke up Heath and did those things.

Once Mom got here (Dad was already up and walking the dog when I called Mom - impressive), we started heading to the hospital. I was pretty convinced it was the real thing, and hoping they wouldn't send me away! I had to ask the doctor on call where to go, because of course I have not toured the new hospital.

We arrived and a nurse named Katie, who had delivered Turner, met us at the desk. I was excited that she would be taking care of us. She got us all settled and I got checked and Dr. Ross said I was at 5 cm. Definitely having a baby!

I got my epidural around 8 a.m. and then we waited. My family came throughout the morning, and Heath's dad (who was driving from a trip to Louisiana) made it around 11:30. I was especially glad when Lindsey got there, since she always assists in my deliveries (to a very grateful Heath!).

I started pushing around 11:45, and this little nugget was here at 12:07 p.m. She was so tiny! And I really couldn't believe she was a girl until I saw her for myself. But she was! (Beforehand the doctor was telling me his ultrasound techs have about a 1/10,000 chance of being wrong. I told him it wasn't that - I believed them, I just needed to SEE her).

She was the easiest delivery of the three, and she was 6 pounds, 6.8 (7) oz. and 19 3/4 inches long. She cried and opened her eyes immediately and stuck out her long tongue!

Then the boys got there around 1:00 - after church got out. They were there hanging with their ladies during the delivery. Turner strutted in like a rooster asking for his baby sister. He was so proud. And John Burke couldn't wait to get his hands on her!

Then they took us upstairs to a room for recovery. We had 2 days of visitors and wonderful care from the nurses in the new hospital rooms! They were fabulous. Even when we had to evacuate the rooms at 3 a.m. to the hallway during the tornado that hit the Birmingham area.

Cousin Kate could not wait to get her hands on her - she has also called a couple of times this week to check on her. I love it.

Sweet cousin Ellie

We came home on Tuesday around lunch time. It was so nice to come home to our new house. I know God in his sovereignty knew that I would have had a nervous breakdown if I had to go to our other house! Seriously. Where would she have gone?? Well, the baby is the smallest but the boys would have absolutely driven me crazy. Now they have an upstairs to retreat to!

The first night, Collins threw me for a loop! She could not get comfortable and did not want to lie on her back. So she slept on us. Anyway, Wednesday I looked all around for positioners (that must have been recalled because I couldn't find them anywhere. Luckily my neighbor Evan had one!) Wednesday night went much better.

Then Thursday I took her to the doctor, and thankfully Mom stayed home with the wild boys in the rainstorms! They told me she had jaundice (which is par for the course as a Henderson baby), and we set up the bili beds that afternoon.

I think she was trying to lift her middle finger in disdain for the bili bed

I was excited - I thought she would love it, since Turner did. But alas, she did not! She screamed all night Thursday night in between feedings and snoozing on one of us. Praise the Lord that Mom agreed to stay one more night for my sanity's sake.

Her preferred way to break down bilirubin - laying out in the foyer's natural light

Friday night she had some stomach issues and was still hating her bed. I am not used to this from the boys as far as I can remember. But, last night, she was warm and snuggly and slept great! She woke up every 3-4 hours to feed, but there was no unhappiness in between. Now that is what I am talking about!! So I have loved her even more this morning :)

I wanted to record these things before they drift away in a newborn fog. I forget that there is nothing like holding a warm and snuggly newborn! I think with her being the third I just know how quickly it will pass (though that is not all bad!), and I want to soak up sweet time with her. But then night time comes and I remember whey it is okay that they get bigger!

Bath time this morning - the boys were very protective of her. But Heath and I were too close for them not to be :)

Turner refers to her as Baby Sister or My Friend Collins. Hmmm. He wants to know where she is and what she is doing at all times, but then he has been good to play on his own with "Bad Queen" (Lightning McQueen) or watch "Woody on the Trains" (Toy Story 3) once he makes sure she is settled. Whatever. I am enjoying his independence.

John Burke has been sick this week. Supposedly it was a bronchitis bug, but thankfully his cough didn't last long and he nipped it quickly with some antibiotics! We just had to keep him separate from his new favorite toy, Baby Sister. He was all about Mommy the few days before she came. He kept poking my far-protruding belly button and laughing and needing me to hold him constantly. He wouldn't walk far from me at all, even at school. His teachers told me that meant he sensed she was coming, and maybe he did? Or maybe he is just a needy 20 month old:). But this week he has been all about GiGi and Heath. And it has made me laugh.

This starts a new week. This weekend we have been in the car a couple of times as a family of 5, and somehow I really feel like a Mom. I should have been feeling this way for a long time, but it has been amplified as I decipher among 3 different cries. It is a blessing - help me, Jesus!

Christmas and some big news

2012-01-09T07:21:00.000-06:00

The holidays were a blur this year! Overall, they were good and an awesome time to thank our Father for His son! But, they looked so different this year with our recent loss of Heath's mom and other crazy life situations going on!

I want to post the few pictures I got - hopefully in the next few years I won't be SO pregnant (pretty sure I won't :)) and lazy with the camera.

The week before Christmas we went as a family to the zoo for Zoolight Safari. Evidently the rest of Birmingham (and surrounding cities) had the same idea! Crazy, but fun. Actually, 2 days before we had gone to the zoo with some friends because of the mild weather. Turner spotted his obsession - the train, but I told him that you can't ride the train without your daddy there. So, the never-forgetful little monkey asked Heath for the next 48 hours if he was ready to go ride the train. Heath loved me for that! Thus, we did an abridged version of Zoolight Safari. Park the car, run in, stand in the long line for the train, witness the magic (which he did LOVE) and then run out for dinner!

Our favorite view from the train. Only fitting! Our favorite girls at Chick-fil-A surprised us with a gift for the boys on Christmas Eve. We drove through and they asked us to pull over, and they brought a bag full of Thomas the Train toys and Cars night lights for the boys. Have I mentioned that we love that place? And that I understand how ridiculous it is that we go that much! Maybe we will cut back in 2012!

Christmas Eve we went to our church service and then headed to Mom and Dad's for dinner with our family friends, the Moores. This was the best picture we could get! I wish you could have heard my loving brother Derek as he kept sarcastically proclaiming "Kelly - you don't even look pregnant." Such a jerk - I wish I could see him pregnant and make fun of him! Good thing I think he is funny.

John Burke entertained everyone at dinner with how neatly he ate. That led to bath time at Gigi and Pop Pop's!

This was the scene Christmas morning. We had to wake Turner up at 7:30 because we had sort of downplayed Christmas morning for hopefully one more year. Anyway, he was thrilled that Santa brought him a train table!!

After breakfast, we headed back to my parents' house for lunch. This is the best pic I got of the kids, though John Burke looks like he has a toupee on. Santa's big gifts for the grandkids were riding toys. He brought 2 jeeps and a tractor and they were a HIT! Even in the rain. In the few minutes of the unveiling, though, the rain held off for a few minutes!

They are beginning to look a lot more alike to me...especially when I dress them alike

Kate and Chloe driving a Jeep

After lunch, we headed down to Andalusia for Christmas dinner. Somehow, this is the only picture I got with cousin Ellie.

Santa was good to us down in Andalusia, too. Pap gave John Burke his own riding jeep to bring home (to match Turner's tractor from last year) and Turner got a bicycle! Also, Pap gave them some farm clothes. So, we had to try them out the next day at the farm!

Kate and I did a little shopping while Frank and the boys took the kids to the farm. They rode around in the Rustler, watched Jay do some fishing and then helped load the skeet shooter. We watched Heath take some good shots before we left him on the farm to go home for naps. They had a ball!

We didn't waste much time getting back to Birmingham because we ended up MOVING on December 30th! It was a crazy, crazy process and very stressful at times because we did not know if the deal would go through. Really - an hour before closing on the 29th we weren't sure if it was going to work out!! We traded our house with a guy (plus some extra money of course!) who didn't live in it, but had bought it for an investment, so there were several hoops to jump through. When we told our old across the street neighbor we were leaving the next day, he asked if we were in trouble with the law. Ha! Nothing like that, but I guess it did look like that a little bit. The deal was contingent on closing by the end of the year, so we jumped and ran!! 34 weeks pregnant and all :) I truly feel like it was completely orchestrated by the Lord and such a wonderful blessing!! And, our new house is next to our dear friends, the Harlesses!!!

My favorite view of my old house. :) It served us well - the house saw us as newlyweds for several years and then as we brought Turner and then John Burke home. I wasn't sure how we were going to bring another baby there! There was no sadness as we moved and cleaned out, which I was glad about!

Here is our new house!! So much more space and wonderful neighbors!!

We finally got our acts together to spend the first night on New Year's Eve. We didn't have cable yet, so we watched the game next door. After the "little" boys went to bed, York and Turner settled in at our back window to watch the fireworks behind our house. It was so cool and such a fun surprise for our first night there!!

Then, Wes put on a fireworks show. So fun and very professional looking. We were extremely impressed!!

on the ground

and in the sky!!

So, basically 2011 was a memorable year in happy and sad ways. We experienced loss like we never had before, and I learned more about total dependence on the Lord than I have in a while! But, he blessed us through loss and through gain! We found out about baby girl on the way, he granted Heath a new job, we got a new car, and a new house. Looks like we are growing up in 2012!! Happy New Year!!

Happy 3rd Birthday!

2011-12-14T05:56:00.007-06:00

Turner turned three last Monday, December 5th. We had a week full of celebrations!

When I dropped him off at school, I felt guilty that I hadn't brought a treat for him. So, when he and I left to run some errands (pick up some trains at Toys R Us and lunch just the 2 of us), we picked up a cookie cake for his class.

When I picked it up it said "Happy Birthday Tuner." That's what I get for waiting until the last minute, I guess. The lady adjusted it after I told her, but this is what we ended up with. I guarantee none of the 2 and 3 year olds noticed or cared.

Well, my little crackhead did not enjoy the cake celebration. He wanted no part of the singing and cookie. He retreated over to the play area and played with his new trains instead! Whatever. Everyone else (especially a visiting John Burke) enjoyed his cookie cake.

That night I tried to think of something fun we could do for dinner. I haven't been to Chuck E. Cheese since I was a child and it was called Showbiz. But, I thought we would give it a try. I didn't tell the kids where we were going, I wanted to surprise them. Heath met us there and he called when we were about to pull in and told me that our girl Kina from school was there with her fiance Neal and daughters. Neal and Heath thought we had planned it - I should have! - but it was purely coincidental. John Burke thought it was his birthday he was so excited!

The boys had a BALL! And I must say, Heath and I were definitely impressed. It was much cleaner and brighter than I ever remember from my childhood. They were very organized with the tokens and the pizza (which tasted good), and the people working there were very helpful. Luckily, it was relatively empty on a Monday night. Kina told me this was a good thing, that it gets crazy in there. I believe it.

When the boys walked in, their eyes were as wide as saucers. They were taking everything in, and they were thrilled that they could run around and play - what is their phrase, "Where a kid can be a kid?" So true! They loved the ball pit/play area, the rides, the games (even Burke Burke could find some he liked), and especially the mouse. I highly recommend this - for at least one time a year!

Then this weekend we had a birthday party with our buddy York at Jump Zone! (Turner and York are just 12 days apart!) We tried one more year of a relatively small party - mostly family and this year we added 4 or 5 friends from his class at school. Don't worry that as we were talking to him about the party and who was coming, he insisted that Wes (York's dad) and Jim (Brooks' dad) be there. I tried to explain to him that they would, but that the party was for his friends his age. He looked at me like I was crazy - he needed adults there. Weirdo.

Evan and I were so impressed with how easy this party was! The Jump Zone people did essentially everything! I kept thinking I should be doing something more or that I was forgetting something.

When we got there, they ushered us back to our party room in the back. I think everyone had fun!

Turner and Ellie were not scared! And John Burke was thrilled because he got to stick close to the side of his favorite person - Daddy.

The younger kids were brave in the play areas and moonwalk (do they still call those things moonwalks?)

Uncle Derek made sure to have a good time - on the jumpy and at the games

Dunking at the basketball game - Derek requested this be put on the blog

I think all the dads had fun - this is our friend Jim right after a front flip. I didn't catch him in air

They set up a party room upstairs for us - the Jump Zone people brought the pizza, we provided cupcakes and drinks. So easy! Evan made the cute collage of Turner and York over the last 3 years and I made some chocolate suckers for party favors. Done.

Turner took a break from the party to play with his obsession - trains. Walked away from the jumpy and all his friends and family to play trains. I guess I should expect that from a 3 year old, but he is crazy!

Blowing out their candles

This cat had fun sneaking his own Sprite can - I let him in the madness of pizza, cupcakes and mayhem

Pop Pop and Morgan were much calmer

The party was a blast - easy for the mommas to plan and enjoy, the kids could run wild legally, and they were very organized. What a wonderful 3rd birthday!!

Now - a Christmas snack since it is the middle of December. A friend needed 3 dozen cookies for something she was doing, and I volunteered to help. They were to be homemade, but I cheated a little. I found these on pinterest - I am not addicted, but it sure is wonderful!. But, I thought these turned out cute!

They called for peanut butter, but I used some sugar cookies too. I skipped the homemade part (just for the sake of time - I always love a homemade cookie!). But, all I did was use the slice and bake and roll them up into little balls. Then, I flattened the top with my thumb, and narrowed out the bottom a little. They looked like little light bulbs on the cookie sheet.

Then, right after they cooked for about 9 minutes at 350, I stuck the chocolate pretzels on as antlers while the cookies were still very soft. After all the antlers were on, my assistant John Burke and I stuck on M&Ms for the red noses, and then followed up with green, blue or brown for eyes. Voila! So easy - and then I stuck them in the fridge for a little bit so the chocolate antlers wouldn't melt.

Merry Christmas!!

Our MeMe

2011-11-28T05:23:00.006-06:00

Heath's precious mom, Melissa Grimes Henderson, went to be with Jesus at 12:50 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on April 6th and has been fighting hard ever since! She has taken chemo like a champion and still been back at work (she owned a Lighting and Supply Store in Andalusia), but also working as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was handling treatments EXTREMELY well, until two Thursdays ago when she developed a high fever. They drove her to Pensacola and she was put in the hospital. The first week she was walking around the hospital and frustrated because she was ready to get back home! They couldn't ever pinpoint why it was getting worse - she stopped responding to antibiotics, and it was more and more of a struggle to breathe each day. By last Sunday, they had to put her in Intensive Care. In the end, her lungs were just too infected by pneumonia or the effects of chemo plus pneumonia - we are not sure exactly. We just know God was ready for her.

When I say she delighted in her children and grandchildren, it is an understatement. She joked with us from when we were early married that she was ready to be a grandmother. I now see why. I am not exaggerating when I say she was the best grandmother I have ever seen.

Kate (my sister-in-law) has been saying all week that she was the grandkids' biggest fan. How true that is! She fell in love with them from the minute we told her we were pregnant. Seriously - I told her about Turner at a Cracker Barrel on Mother's Day in 2008. She literally stood up and screamed in excitement. If you knew her, this was completely unlike her tiny, quiet self!

She marveled at their tiny newborn selves, infancy and thought them perfect even as they were wild toddlers! We could call her to tell her that Turner pooped in the potty (rare occurrence) or went swimming without fear or that John Burke said "Daddy" or put his bottle in the sink - silly things that NO ONE else would care about - and she would throw a party over the phone. She LOVED to talk to the boys over speaker phone and tell them how proud of them she was and how much she and Pap loved them. A couple of weeks ago, Turner begged to call MeMe. I told him we would wait until Heath got home, and he said "But MeMe is sick, and it always makes her feel better when I call her." I don't want him to forget that. As I look at these pictures, I notice that Turner couldn't help but smile every time he was with her!

The boys have been lost this week in Andalusia. We have been here since Tuesday, and they looked confused from the minute we pulled up and they didn't have their MeMe to run to and snuggle up with. Turner and Ellie have both said multiple times "Where's MeMe?" I selfishly have been trying to call everything "Pap's house" and "Pap's room", etc. but it didn't fool them. Turner has woken up about every day here and says "I'm gonna go play with MeMe." The day before she died I found him wandering around in the backyard by the big tractors (his favorite thing). He looked at me, put his arms out and said "Mommy! I can't find MeMe and Pap anywhere!" I told him Pap was at work (easier than saying he had not left his wife's side in the hospital for 2 weeks) and I said "Baby, MeMe is really, really sick. She is going to go to heaven with Dink and Gordon." He looked at me, smiled and said "Oh!! Okay!" and wandered off. That is one refreshing thing - that childlike ability to be resilient and so innocent.

When John Burke heard MeMe's name the other day, he pointed to a big group of pictures of her and the family we had made this summer. They were hanging on the wall, and he either looks there or points there each time we say her name. I know he is 18 months old and won't remember much, but it has been so comforting to know this trip how much his baby self enjoyed and loved her.

To know Melissa was to know how generous she was. I don't just mean with the grandchildren - because she spoiled them rotten! Clothes, toys, beach trips, hugs and kisses, story times - anything she thought they would love. And they did. But, she did that for all of us, too. She showed love to us by giving - they have taken us on countless trips (including the National Championship this year - thank God for that time together as a family before we even knew she was sick!), and opened up their homes in Auburn, Andalusia and the beach for any and every time we wanted to come. Her favorite thing ever was having all of her little chicks and chickadees all in the same place - be it for a Fall football game, a holiday or time at the beach. She and Pap invested in things that would provide quality family time, and I am looking back forever grateful for that.

But she also was generous in time. She considered it joy to stop whatever she was doing to talk to Heath (or Jay or Kelly or any of us for that mattter) on the phone each day on his way home from class in college or work these almost 10 years since I have known her. Heath told me the other day that the greatest legacy his mom left was the time spent loving him and his family, and that is evident. He was equally as close to her before her diagnosis and afterward, as were his brother and sister.

Melissa had a strong faith in Jesus, and that has been our comfort this week. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is dancing in Heaven with Him. When she found out she had terminal cancer, she fought it with every ounce of her 100 pound being. She enjoyed every second of life she had left - she didn't let fear encompass her. She believed Psalm 23:4 - "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. Thy rod and thy staff they will comfort me." She told their pastor a few weeks ago in the hospital that she wasn't scared of dying, she was just sad to leave her family. That was very true - and she made the most of the time she had left without having to change the way she was already living.

We were able to say goodbye to her in the hospital, and she was sedated but conscious. We were able to tell her how much we loved her and how thankful we were for her life, and I swear Frank had to wipe tears from her eyes. How comforting to know that she heard us! I hate that she had to fight such a battle with cancer, but what closure to be able to affirm her in those last days! And, praise God that she had 7-8 very normal months with a debilitating disease, and then only 2 weeks of true defeat at the very end. She turned so quickly, but in hindsight that was such an answer to prayer that it was not drawn out and that God ultimately healed her so fast.

As I sit here typing this, tears are streaming down and her little namesake is kicking the computer through my belly. What a weird but refreshing feeling to remember that God "giveth and He taketh away." We weren't near ready to let go of our mother/mother-in-law/grandmother, but we are secure in God's perfect sovereignty and plan.

As we head back to Birmingham today we are so many things: heartbroken, bewildered, exhausted, stir crazy, ready for cell phone service :). But overall, we are blessed. We are loved and we are grateful - for her life, for the legacy and memories, for the family and friends who drove hours in the rain to hug our necks and stand by us in the visitation and funeral, who sent flowers or food, or those who texted, emailed or even just prayed and called out to God for us. What a showing of our brothers and sisters in Christ - we could not be more overwhelmed with gratitude or comfort.

God tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to "Be joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." We will claim this as we try to mend the MeMe sized hole in our hearts:)

She has a name!

2011-11-17T15:47:00.004-06:00

Check out that profile - and that creepy eye socket

We figured out a name for our baby girl (still weird to say!) about 2 or 3 weeks ago. It took a while - things we had loved in the past just weren't the same this time around. So, we FINALLY decided on Melissa Collins. She will go by Collins.

Melissa is Heath's mom's name. On a side note, please pray for her - she has been in the hospital this week with pneumonia! She has been such a fighter, and we are praying that she can rally through this and go back to taking care of us all for the holidays!

Collins is my grandmother's maiden name. My mom's mom is one of my favorite people in this whole world. Nanny's name is Elizabeth Collins Frech (what - no fight over Frech?). She has been sick this year and we have almost lost her 3 times, but luckily we have still been able to spend time with her. So, we will have a little namesake on both sides!

If you ask Turner where Baby Sister is, he says "in the neighborhood." What?! The last 2 days he has said "in Mommy's tummy" but that is about it. I like to ask him her name - so far I have gotten Harper and Harpy (his teacher's little girl is Harper) and Mamie? Hmm. Okay. A better mom would probably be talking to him and John Burke nightly and preparing them and such, but that cuts into my denial game.

Anyway, I should have been like most people and had a host of names ready, but I of course did not. So, we feel a sense of accomplishment! Now, to get her clothes, bedding, etc. I am only 27 weeks - that stuff will fall into place, right?

I meant to post this a week ago - I was waiting on a big ultrasound I had last week. At the gender ultrasound they couldn't see her heart, so they had to do another one to check all the parts of her heart. And I had my sugar test that day (Derek made fun of me for calling it that - excuse me, my gestational diabetes test). We passed! Her heart looked great, and it will forever freak me out to watch a little baby dance inside of me on the screen. But, so far, so good. And - she looks identical to Turner and Burkita Jones in utero! I didn't do the 4-D, just because I was already there this week, but I got to see some fun shots of her!

Halloween 2011

2011-11-01T07:17:00.001-05:00

What a fun Halloween weekend! We are tired, but full of sugar and great memories! The boys didn't fully grasp what was going on the last few days, but they loved every part of it. :)

On Thursday, we went to CeCe's house (that is what Turn

er calls Lindsey) to decorate brownie haunted houses. This was the cleanest moment:

Kate and Blake were definitely more careful and meticulous...

But we all had fun!

One of the masterpieces!

John Burke especially enjoyed eating it! And, he is obsessed with babies, Morgan in particular. I had to watch him like a hawk because he just has so much love to give, and doesn't know his own strength. Sweet Morgan isn't strong enough for his adoration yet! But I do love how much he loves her!

Friday we went to the Fall Festival at school. This was one of the only pictures I snapped in all of the madness. Turner and his BFF Rutland wearing the same thing. Sidenote - Turner and Rutland love to fight each other?! and they were scrapping yesterday on the playground and Turner bit him!!! So they may not be as tight! But they did hug afterwards and tell each other they still loved each other. Poor Rut was Turner's first ever bite victim!! So sorry, Rutland.

On Sunday night, Evan hosted a fabulous Halloween party! Elmo and Cookie Monster joined us, and we had a ball!

Pirate Evan with her parrot Perry

Uncle Derek was there with Chloe

Precious little Peacock

And Kate and Blake

Thank you sooo much, Evan! You outdid yourself with all the decorations, food and fun for all!

Party time - no CLUE how much sugar was consumed here

Then last night, for the actual Halloween, we went to Martha and John's house. They are dear friends, and I taught their son 5 years ago! It doesn't seem that long ago! Martha cooked for us, John and William entertained, and then we saw several kids that I used to teach while we were trick-or-treating. Sarah Beth was a God-send and helped us trick-or-treat!

This was the scene most of the night - Sarah Beth holding one child and walking with the other.

John Burke's post between houses - he had a death-grip on the candy

John Burke's first time to ever trick-or-treat, though he wouldn't say it - and then the view from inside one of the houses

We barely lasted an hour, but it was so much fun for everyone! The boys are going to be de-toxing today...should be interesting. At the end of the night when Heath and I were gathering costumes and shoes, etc. we caught John Burke helping John hand out candy on his porch.

Picture from the last house we hit. This was not posed, he was just done! We turned around and he was laying on the ground, resting I guess. That is how I felt, too!

Ring Pop in mouth - trick-or-treating did us all in!

Big Boy

2011-10-23T08:08:00.002-05:00

In the last few weeks, I am really noticing Turner changing from a toddler to a little boy. Don't get me wrong - we still have a ways to go, but it is exciting and heart-breaking at the same time to watch him change. Well, heart-breaking is a little strong, but it does sting a little.

He is now in "big school" upstairs, and very quick to tell John Burke that he can't come up there - he's still in baby school. Don't worry, John Burke does NOT care. He is spoiled rotten in his room, and probably likes stealing the attention back now that Turner is out of the way.

Turner is challenging me at home and his teachers at school. They are quick to assure me that he is not mean-spirited or BAD, just wild. And defiant at times. I wanted to be surprised, but he IS my child. I was hoping Heath would rub off on him more, but so far, not so much. Rule-following is a hard lesson for little Turner.

He had a much better week this week, but Friday we lost our beloved Duck at school. I looked everywhere (after turning around halfway down 280), and cannot find him anywhere. You know you're a mom when praying for duck falls in line with your nightly prayers. I am torn - he needs to break his addiction, but Lindsey said it right - it is the ending of an era. Like ripping away something that has been keeping him little to me. Selfish, I know. I need to move on. And, he just shifted his love to 2 other loveys, but it has been like the movie Groundhog Day around here - every few hours "I need my duck." "Where is duck?" We have been telling him he is on vacation, probably forever. It is not getting through. Good thing 2-year olds get distracted pretty easily.

I am trying to think of some funny things he has said lately...

He loves to ask loaded questions "What is that?" and then immediately say "Oh wow, that's really cool." And I swear there is already a sense of sarcasm in it.

Then, he likes to say "Hey, wait a minute." All. day. long. And, he gets furious when Heath says "period." Example - "No more ice cream. Period." "Daddy - NO SAY Payred!!"

Yesterday on the way to Atlanta (we went for the day for cousin Ellie's birthday party), Heath was fired up about something. I don't even remember what, but he leaned up and said "Chill Out, Daddy!" Heath looked at me and said, "Did he really just say that?" I couldn't stop laughing, but had to hide it so Turner wouldn't get a big head.

He gave me the silent treatment twice Friday morning. Once when we were putting his socks on (I HATE that about cold weather - so much more laundry!!), he insisted he was 5. I reminded him that he was 2, soon to be 3 (he didn't care), and was angry I would not negotiate with him. Then he yelled "Well, Burke Burke is 1!" Like it was an insult. I looked at John Burke (the sweet one of the moment) and said, "How old are you?" He pointed at me and lifted a one. Pretty sure it was an accident, but it could have been sheer genius.

The second time he didn't talk is when I ripped small scissors from him out of a First Aid kit we got when he was a baby. He held them up to his hair in the car, and I freaked out because it was school picture day. Keep in mind - he has worked through a chipped front tooth and 7 stitches smack in the middle of his forehead. So really, we don't need jacked up bangs right now - or ever. I took them away and he screamed (not that unusual for his terrible 2 self). I ignored him and then started talking about school a few minutes later. "Are you going to play with...?" Crickets. Then he leaned up and said "I not talking to you, Mommy." When did he learn to do that? It is not like I have given him the silent treatment before, but maybe that would be interesting.

John Burke reminds me of my sister when I was about 12. I remember having outbursts with Mom, and her looking at her like I was totally insane. Burke Burke does that at dinner when Turner gets excused for a spanking periodically. He just looks up at me, then back at the beat-down behind him, and then I swear he rolls his eyes and keeps eating. What I also remember, though, is that Lindsey was only 14 months younger than me. So about a year later, Mom was dealing with 2 of us as raging teenagers - and that gives me tons of promise for next year with a 2 and 3 year old. And newborn - yikes. Praying now.

John Burke is still a destroyer - it doesn't help that he is kind of tall, and now reaches the counters in the kitchen. A few weeks ago, we got Krispy Kreme one night. The next morning I heard him padding into the kitchen, and then something drop. I have started running when this happens. I found him face-first in a chocolate-covered doughnut, with another in his hand.

We are making progress, though. This week he pulled a cup of water from my bedside table. As I shrieked (and groaned - I knew better than to leave it there), he toddled into the kitchen and brought back 2 paper towels and started blotting it. I was shocked and very proud! I am thinking Heath is rubbing off more on him:).

Also, while I am going long here, I want to remember some recent conversations that have taken place. For the first one, I took Turner one night on our way home from somewhere to run some errands. We went to the Halloween store. Not scary at all to him, but we made it quick for less traumatization later. I ran into a friend I went to elementary school with. She looked at me and said "Are you pregnant?" I understand her surprise, and I guess I paused before I told her I was. She quickly said, "Or did you just have a baby?" I laughed and told her I was having number 3. She fussed at me for pausing, and said she felt awful. It made me laugh - usually I am on the other side of that conversation, feeling pretty terrible.

Then we went to Ulta for some hair stuff. Turner insisted on wearing his army helmet that he is obsessed with, and I let it ride because it was close to 8 p.m. He was running through, and eventually got to the line with me and started unhooking the partitions for the line. Of course I couldn't fix it and snatched him up. The lady behind the counter said "Are you having another?" I nodded. She quickly told me that 2 was much harder than 1 and I needed to prepare myself. I am pretty sure I laughed out loud as I told her I had a one-year old at home. Then she said, "Tell me that one is a girl!" I assured her yes and ran out of the store. I love how everyone assumes that girls are so much easier. I know there will be easier times, but have you met me? Especially as a child? It is funny to be around people that I grew up with - a couple of them have children Turner's age and in Turner's class. One of them reminded me as he was acting a fool that the apple didn't fall too far from the tree. She did not hurt my feelings, she was exactly right and again I prayed for Heath's personality to seep in at certain places. :)

Last picture - very random. Ann and me from Auburn last weekend - Heath and I went without children. Glorious, even for just a day!

Catching Up

2011-10-10T16:30:00.001-05:00

We have had a lot going on! I have been tired and lazy, and have several things I want to update on here! Here goes...

It has been about a month, but the boys went to the first 2 Auburn games. We left early for naps during the Utah State game (and listened to Auburn pull off a miracle in the car!) and then we stayed 5 hours and watched every minute of the Mississippi State game. The boys did great for being 2 and 1!

Auburn vs. Utah State

Look at the cute outfits MeMe got them!

Right before the eagle took a wrong turn and flew right into our section!! Turner just kept screaming "BIRD!! BIRD!!" He was terrified - so was I. But then it was cool when he flew away.

Then, our life has looked a little bit like this lately.

Heath and his partner - after much prayer and consideration - switched from Merrill Lynch to

kind of blurry, but UBS. He is doing the same thing, just at a different firm. We are very excited about this new opportunity! And, look what the new boss sent to me on Heath's first day!

The week he changed jobs was the same week we found out we were having a girl, so it was a wild week! But, things have gotten way more back to normal now!

Turner had his first field trip. His 2 year old class went to Homewood Park for a picnic and some play time. All of the kids had their matching t-shirts on and they were huge! Don't worry, Turner took care of that.

He seems a little too comfortable with his class :)

Friends both from his class and from others

We had such a fun time! And Heath even joined us for lunch, but somehow dodged a picture.

Then, last week - hallelujah! - John Burke got his first haircut. It was MUCH needed! Before:

Yikes - very shaggy

And... the back. Cute curls at times, but really just masking a mullet.

He was a champ! He sat still and was very quiet the whole time. No drama! I was very scared, so they were both loaded down with Skittles and suckers. Not scared to bribe here.

Voila! Jenni worked her magic! "How you doin?"

Look at these crazy sucker-eaters with their big boy hair cuts and shoes!

Lastly, we took a family trip to Old Baker Farm a few days ago. I had never been, and of course neither had Heath and the boys. We had fun and it was a gorgeous day!

Turner got to drive a tractor and

a "horse"

Beautiful (LOVE pregnancy shots:)) family pic on the hayride. Cowboys jumped out at us in the middle of said hayride. They shot guns, and John Burke's face looked a lot like this. Turner was also terrified, and it didn't help that Heath offered to give him to the bad guys. I could not stop laughing at how freaked out they were. I know, I am not compassionate. I also laugh hysterically when they get shots. I don't know why. Heath felt bad afterwards, when they both left the shock phase and started crying. But they were fine.

Looking for pumpkins with Daddy

Ah! A prized one for our front porch. Happy Fall!!

Mini Pop Pop

2011-09-22T22:02:00.002-05:00

Yes - the back of his hair is long enough that his teachers put it in a ponytail.

Today I found a hot dog bun in my jewelry box, right next to several pairs of earrings. Then I saw a roll of saran wrap on my dresser, and walked into the kitchen and saw no less than 37 ziploc bags pulled out of the box and strewn all over the kitchen. This lovely lady (yikes - his hair is getting long, I need to cut it soon) is a MONSTER!! He is just over 3 feet tall (off the charts for his age. Not surprising if you have seen him. Side note - I asked the doctor if he was going to be obese, she just laughed and said his weight was proportional to his height, just off the charts for both!), so he is tall enough to grab EVERYTHING and run off with it and a sly little grin on his face.

He is so stinkin cuddly and has a funny little personality. He can say several words, but still won't say them to me when I ask him directly. Yesterday morning he did walk up to me and say "cracker" and I handed him a cracker, but of course he would not repeat it. I have overheard him say several things - even words strung together, but never when he thinks I am listening. That stinker!!

He plain as day said "ketchup" to Kina when she handed him a french fry last week in the car. And he will say "I want my mama" when he is in his bed and I watch him on the monitor. But to my face - nothing. For some reason it frustrates me, but it also makes me laugh that he is tricky enough to choose when and where he wants to say something.

Anyway, the point of this post is to show how much I think he looks like my dad as a baby. We found these at my parents' last night, and Burke Burke is a Pop Pop junior.

Is it just me?

I love it.

Okay, I am going to finish laundry. I can't do it when Monster is awake!! But I do love that little Monster - especially when he is sleeping:) And his wild monster brother!

It's a....

2011-09-14T21:51:00.001-05:00

GIRL!!!!

I am still shocked, and we are very excited.

Rewind - I have been sort of in denial that I was pregnant until the last couple of weeks, when we set this appointment. About 3 weeks ago, we set it for 2:30 today.

I have been going back and forth about a boy or a girl. I really didn't believe that a girl could come from us (I know it comes from God, but you know what I mean:)). But, I have felt much more nauseous this time and feel like I am carrying differently. But, my doctor and Dr. Ross both told me your odds go up for having another of the same sex each baby you had. Anyway, my prayer has just been affirming God's sovereignty, and asking Him to prepare my heart either way.

By this morning, my adrenaline was high and I was just ready to know!!! Either way - there were so many advantages to 3 boys - all the clothes and toys, I just know boys! They are comfortable to me, and my boys totally hold my heart!

But, part of me was holding out for a girl. I was reminding myself, though, that Heath and I have desired 3 children - so it's not like we were "setting out" for a girl.

Also, I have not told Turner or John Burke about a baby. Except to say, "Please stop kicking Mommy!" Or "Get off me - you are killing me!" Well, about noon today I saw Turner with his class in "big school" (which he is obsessed with!). Out of the blue, he walked up to me and said "Mommy, I get a sister." I turned around and said "What??" He repeated it, and I said, "Did the Holy Spirit tell you that?" He looked at me like I was crazy and hopped on his merry way. (Heath laughed at me, but I do think it was cool. He is right - I really was asking my 2 year old if he heard from the Lord. He is two.)

When we were sitting in the doctor's office, I told Heath I was going to be upset if it was a boy, that we needed a girl to take care of us when we were older. Heath genuinely did not care, and I then put it in perspective - God has given us a baby, I prayed mostly for its health, and for me to stop caring! I knew that no matter what, I couldn't change what it was and that God already knew exactly what we needed - way before I was even born. I felt ridiculous for caring.

They called me back and did the preliminary measurements without Heath in the room. Then they called Heath back. I could not read the tech's face AT ALL. She didn't give me anything!! (She did recognize me from before - that happens with 3 babies in 3 years). Anyway, she turned the screen on and said "Do you know what that is?" I said (a little sadly) "Is that a (boy part)?" She said, "No - that is (girl part)." I jumped up from the table. I grabbed the tech's hand as she was still rubbing it over my stomach and said "Are you serious???? No way!" Pretty sure she was laughing in my face, and Heath was saying "Did you just jump off the table??" Then I stared at HER little face, and hands and feet and kept telling the tech "You are saying HER!" She laughed (I am glad she wasn't totally annoyed), and told me SHE looked healthy and right on track. Praise the Lord for his sovereignty and his goodness and that SHE (still shocked, can you tell?) was fearfully and wonderfully made. I was so reminded of that as we looked at the perfect little spine and toes and face.

Her little alien head and hand

Her little foot

Anyway, we called our moms and siblings and then went back to meet with Dr. Adcock. We were running about 45 minutes behind, but I was on cloud nine!

My giddy self waiting in Dr. Adcock's office - Heath was not dying to take this

As I am writing this it seems a little silly and self-indulgent, but I really am not wanting to forget the details!! Turner is thrilled to have a sister (like he knows what that means), and John Burke remains clueless. We are, above everything, grateful to our Lord and his sovereignty, and praying for health the rest of this pregnancy!

Oh, side note. The boys were napping after school with their girl, Kina. She had been pushing for a boy, and told me this morning that I did not need a girl because it would be dirty and rough. Thanks, Kina. (I see her point). When I got back, she said Turner's last words before he went to sleep were "Mommy go to the doctor, and I get a sister." Then she said "Oh, LORD! Kelly's havin' a girl!! Don't you dare name it Anne something with an e on the end" - she knows me too well, and that I think names like that are adorable. She is constantly trying to keep me street smart and savvy - bless her heart, work in progress!

Just for fun - John Burke eating his very own biscuit/hash browns this morning (I always make them share) - and he got his very own water. And, he is dancing to that new "Moves like Jagger" song - his favorite. He likes to dance with his hands pumping. I love him.

Fair-tastic

2011-09-12T20:20:00.008-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, my dear friend Evan expressed interest in going to the Alabama State Fair. Her husband and I tried to tell her it wasn't cool, but in the end she won out. Heath was at a Fantasy Football draft and therefore unavailable, but Uncle Derek and Stacy and Chloe were going, so we all went together - me, the kids (and double stroller with a flat tire) and the Harlesses.

This was what we saw first. Yep - a bear in a cage. And I am pretty sure the picnic table being destroyed was not part of the act. And, the man in there with him kept saying, "Does anyone see that bar (bear)??" Ah, the ambiance of the fair. It just kept getting better...

We headed here next. Pig races. Some nice ladies walked out of their trailer and talked this attraction UP! That is where I heard the phrase "fair-tastic." They were professional pig encouragers. And those things were squealing!!!

Derek and Turner just soaking it all in

This lady had to kiss the winning pig

Next up, Burke Burke's favorite. The "exotic" petting zoo. Seriously - John Burke could not get enough of this. And he was barefoot, which makes me shudder to write. Here they are feeding the goat.

Uncle D took full advantage of the "petting" part and picked several of these piglets up. I think John Burke squealed as loud as these beautiful pigs when he did that!

A giant turtle in the midst of sheep, cows and goats? You bet. I bet other states don't have that.

Turner's (and Derek's) favorite - the camel

He paid extra to feed all these animals, by the way. Sadly, we had to peel ourselves away from the petting zoo. But, we landed at the....

"MONKEYS RIDIN' DOGS!" - Uncle Derek made sure to scream this at random all throughout the night. Side note - there is a commercial that runs about the fair and they key line in it is "Monkeys ridin' dogs!" I would say it is the main attraction of the fair, and it did not disappoint. This was one of the trainer assistants who brought the monkeys out. Derek, Stacy and Chloe ended up getting a close-up picture with them later, and I wish I had it.

Waiting for the race

Monkey/dog combo number 1

Contestant number 2 (my camera died right here, so I had to take these with my camera phone)

The race. Who even cared who won???

Chloe approved!

Camera phone still, sadly. Turner's favorite part were the "bicycles riding in the circle." Some Colombian men and their lovely assistant entered this cage and rode motorcycles in a circle, barely missing their assistant.

Lastly, Turner and York got to drive their cars. Evan luckily got some great pictures. The man in charge even let John Burke drive, too.

John Burke cracked us up. While Turner was excited and living it up, John Burke looked at us as he went around the circle like "What? I'm driving. So what?" Hilarious. Well, until we had to stop the ride because he wriggled out of his seat belt and stood up. I think that is why they have a height/age limit, but we were appreciative that the nice man let them keep riding. He even let the big boys ride 3 extra times without tickets. That is some State Fair courtesy!

We left shortly after to head home. I thanked the other 2 families because we would not have made it through without them. At least twice, I didn't know where Turner or John Burke had wandered off to, and Wes and Derek each ran and grabbed them. And I can always count on Evan and Stacy to entertain, hold and love on my children. It took a village! :)

Final story, I bought hats for them (Turner is wearing it while driving his car). Well, oddly, my car window was broken and wouldn't come back up. Heath had rigged it up, but Turner rolled it back down on the way home. While on Highway 119, Turner screamed "My hat!!" It had flown out the window, and then I had to answer 20 questions about why and where it went, etc. I panicked, hoping that his beloved lovey, Duck, had not flown out with it. I will not turn around for a hat, but I will for Duck.

I pulled over and searched the bags and the car. No luck. I called Heath, and he left our house to meet us at Heardmont Park - we were on an all out duck search. I was trying to soften the blow for Turner, telling him Duck was gone, but he was a big boy now and didn't really need him. He was nodding in agreement. But 5 minutes later, he said "I need ma-duck (my duck)." Ugh!!

I couldn't open my trunk (both the window and the trunk were fixed the next week...does it sound to anyone else like the jeep is on its last leg??), so I took Turner out, ripped his car seat out in the parking lot and pulled the double stroller out to search for Duck. Still no luck.

Heath showed up, and we headed back. The sweet parking lot attendants understood our predicament, as did the people taking tickets. They let us back in without paying, but assured me there was no way we would find Duck. Thanks.

Turner and I headed in and we were praying to find Duck. We started backtracking, and ended up buying another hat (because, you know, ours had flown out the window). All of a sudden, we headed back to the cars they had been driving, and Duck was laying right over the fence, solidifying my love for the cars operator. Turner yelled "Look Mommy! Jesus brought us Duck!" I agree!! Praise the Lord - he comes through, even in the little details.

I walked back by the funnel cakes and caramel apple stands (don't worry - Evan and I sampled both) and proudly paraded Duck to the car to a surprised but grateful Heath.

I called my mom to tell her of the night as Heath pulled into a neighboring gas station. Why, you ask? Oh, to buy black duct tape to fix the window back up. Jealous? He taped it up and we headed on our merry way, just an hour and a half later than we had originally left!

Redneck night? Oh yes. But a surprising night of fun and adventure I couldn't forget to blog about!

First Day of School 2011

2011-09-08T22:34:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was our first day of school!! John Burke moved into Turner's Kitten classroom from last year with Dee, Tinecia and Wanda. He is downstairs with me in the Mother's Day Out. But Turner moved upstairs to "big school" or Covenant Day School. He will go on Wednesdays and Fridays - 2 year olds go 2 days.

With his little rite of passage, he moved from a red MDO bag to a blue CDS bag. This has been a HUGE deal to him. In talking up his new school, I sort of created a monster. Heath said the other night they were pulling out of our neighborhood and he stopped Julie, our next door neighbor to tell her that he was 2 now and went to big school. (I am sure she was thrilled).

Turner has 2 fabulous teachers. I was so excited about his teachers and his classmates! Neither of his poor teachers had power back at their houses from Monday's storm. But, they had great attitudes and the kids all had a ball!

Turner with Miss Meg

Miss Abby (who I grew up with)

I was a little emotional dropping him off. More than I ever thought. I mean - I am downstairs in the SAME building!! I have just always been able to walk down the hall and see him throughout the day. Well, I learned the other day I can still go up and see him, I just have a little less control of when and where. But I need that!!

Turner with Rivers (he was sitting down)

I took him to see his teachers and Miss Abby's son, Rivers (one of Turner's best buds) was still in there. He and Turner sat down and laughed and played. I said "Give me a kiss." He did, and then looked back at the toys. With tears in my eyes I said, "Don't forget...your orange juice box is in your lunchbox." Seriously?? I am laughing writing this, but I really was teary. Wow. He looked at me and said "Then I want my lunchbox." Then I air kissed him and walked out. He went right back to playing. No big deal. He is so ready for preschool - I couldn't hold him back!

I did check on him once during the day. His teacher said several had cried, but he didn't bat an eye and loved all the new things and routines he was seeing. (My mom said I was like this about preschool/school, and I have a good guess Heath was too, so of course he gets it naturally).

Burke Burke with Read and Tinecia

John Burke went right to his 2nd mamas - I didn't worry one second about him. He sees these women almost as much as Heath and me, so he didn't care at all. A lot of his classmates cried, too, but not John Burke and Read! In fact, his teachers told me that John Burke and Read reminded them of the wild pair of Turner and Rutland from last year.

Turner and Rutland's first day in the 2 year old class - they are near each other, but notin the same class for the first time in 3 years. (*Rutland is significantly smaller than T, but he was crouched down in this pic, and T was jumping up. It just makes me feel better to say that about my giant.*)

They act like they didn't see each other last week - these 2 are hilarious together

I did check on him several times (just because I could), and one time he ran to the door and yelled, "Daddy!!" What?! I didn't get a good action shot, but I was joking that he looked like he was in junior high because he had on his new big boy New Balances with socks.

Serious Burkita with Dee...and Wanda

His teachers asked that I "keep dressing him like a big boy." No go, he will be barefoot with a jon jon on tomorrow, no worries. For the love, he is so big - I won't have much longer to do this! At his 15 month appointment today (even though he is 16 months), the doctor reminded me that both of my boys are off the charts in height! Yes, I know.

We can't forget our girl Kina, even though she is not blessed enough to have a Henderson for the first time since 2009...oh well, good thing another one is coming her way :)

Before I get too proud of my big, well-adjusted 2 year old. I got an email from one of the other mothers in the class. She said she had brought cupcakes for his birthday, and my precious angel leaned over to him and told him that the chocolate "looked just like poo poo." Luckily this cracked the other child up and she said he laughed all the way home. Where did he get too be so inappropriate? :) So proud.

First day of school 2010 (TINY John Burke!!!)

First day of school 2009 - TINY Turner

PCB 2011

2011-08-24T14:54:00.009-05:00

The last couple of weeks, our days have looked a lot like this:

Here is the scene - I was running out the door to go see The Help with friends (FABULOUS!), and Turner said "Why Burke Burke get all the peanut butter?" I looked up and saw this animal. Ughh! And he was kind enough to spread it all over the den carpet. He definitely smiled with pride when I grabbed the camera, and tried to wave. The weasel!

Needless to say, we needed a beach trip. We went last week to Heath's parents' condo in Panama City, and our dear friends the Bennetts stayed next door at Splash - the condos with an indoor water park. It was fabulous!

The Bennetts (in the lazy river) were brave to hang with us.

Part of the Splash park

We did a lot while down there...

Played at the splashpad

Rode the water slides with Daddy (John Burke trembled when I tried it with him, but jumped to do it with Daddy. Go figure),

Practiced swimming with floaties and without! Turner has almost mastered swimming - he loves to be underwater any chance he can. Good, but scarier for me :)

We went for walks,

and ate a lot of Thomas doughnuts.

We spent some good time with Granny Fran

and went to Back Porch and the bouncy houses at Pier Park.

We danced to our favorite show, Sid the Science Kid,

we ate, played football and attempted family pictures in Rosemary Beach

and did a LOT of swimming in the hot tub back at the condos (until the nice security guard kicked them out for being under age).

This little wildcat fell in love/obsession with his goggles, or "gossles" as he calls them. This is how I found him when I woke him up from his nap...

Ridiculous. And yes, they are upside down. He prefers them that way?!

Kissing Daddy. John Burke preferred Daddy the whole time, and even learned how to say "Hey Mama" and "Hey Daddy", but only when he is not prompted. Last night he brought a bottle to Heath and said "I want some" and I overheard him say "Hey Dee" and "Hey Kina" to them at school yesterday. Again, only when he can sneak it by me. And then he looks at me and laughs, because he knows it drives me crazy that he won't talk when I ask him to!

Don't worry MeMe and Pap, we did our best to clean up for you. I mean, how messy could we be? Ha! See peanut butter picture at top.

Ahh, so fun! I miss it already!

Last Week and a Recipe

2011-08-09T10:14:00.008-05:00

Last weekend my cousin got married. I want to say little cousin, but he is not so little now! Interesting fact (that I didn't tell him because I was pretty sure he wouldn't think it as interesting) is that his birthday is the day before mine - May 18th. He was born when I was one day shy of 7 years old, and I vividly remember it, because I thought it would be cool for us to share a birthday. Anyway, then he got married on July 30th - one day shy of 7 years after us (July 31, 2004). See? He is 23 and newly married, he won't be as in to my interesting fact! I wish we had gotten pictures of at least one part of the wedding - I stole this little one from facebook.

Congratulations Holder and Abby Nevins! Your wedding was beautiful and so Christ-honoring! (side note - I felt every bit of 30-and-pregnant-with-my-third-child in a sea of 23 year olds at the reception..that is really sad).

Anyway, we had a weekend full of wedding events from Thursday until the big night. But, we did have time on Saturday to sneak away to the lake with some friends. They have a place in Gadsden, and we always have a ball when they let us come with them!

Looking big

First sea-doo ride

John Burke wasn't too sure...but

ended up letting William drive him around (with Daddy)

Swimming with Sarah Beth

Then, a neighbor from down the road drove up and hung out with us a little bit. We have met him before. He is very friendly and loves the kids. He introduced himself as "Wayne. Just Wayne." Just Wayne took us down to his lake house to see his big fish!

Wayne's Lake House

Wayne's fish - they were huge! The secret is the loaf of bed stuffed in that white tube...he showed us.

The catfish Sarah Beth caught

Those whiskers make me miss Gordon :(

Heath got to ski (one of his favorite things)

And John Burke did one of his favorite things - walked around with a broom he stole from a neighbor's deck. Thankfully they weren't home.

Changing the subject, I had to post this picture of Turner with his friend Rutland. They are the same age, Turner just looks like he could eat Rut-dog. But, he can hold his own and they are fast friends!

Doing what we do - playing at the church with our girl Kina. The 2 year olds in swim diapers were cracking me up!

No words, I wonder why he is so spastic? :)

And a random summer recipe I will leave you with. I saw this on a friend of a friend's blog and I love it now! It is calzones. I just bought the pizza dough from the bakery at Publix (everyone else seems to do this already, but I just learned about this. They have delicious, fresh dough in a bag for about $2.50). I bought 2 bags because my kids love pizza. Each bag of dough made 2 calzones or mini pizzas for the kids.

The directions even come on the bag of dough. It says to let dough sit at room temperature for about an hour. Then roll it out (or use John Burke's bottle if you can't find a rolling pin), to get all the bubbles out. Then just fill it with whatever! For the kids, I had some Publix pizza sauce and then put mozzarella, cheddar and baby pepperoni on there. Then I cooked it for 15-20 minutes at 425 degrees.

For our calzones, I split one bag of dough into 2 calzones. For mine, I didn't use sauce (I don't like it much) and filled it with mushrooms, tomatoes and spinach. I pinched the edges over and then brushed some olive oil on the top and sprinkled with some coarse salt. I filled Heath's with pizza sauce, mozzarella and pepperoni, folded and sprinkled again. Again, I cooked for 15-20 minutes at 425. They tasted like Mellow Mushroom, and were pretty cheap! I wouldn't have taken a picture, except Heath raved about it! And it was so easy!!

And just so this won't be a boring post, here is a scene from today:

Turner just walked in my room as I was writing this. He found a (maxi) pad in the bathroom in one of the cabinets. He brought it in and claimed it as "Daddy's diaper." I am going with it.

Summer Array

2011-08-05T09:50:00.014-05:00

Okay - I am ready to get back to blogging. It's not like I am clockwork with it anyway, but I figured I am just going to dive back in. I don't want to look back over this summer in blogs and see nothing! We have had such a fun summer - lots of trips and playing outside. I tried to think of a creative way to tie together all these random thoughts and pictures...

Because this is a random smorgasborg blog, I need to share this picture first. My uncle sent it to me - he and his wife live in Los Angeles and gathered from past blogs that I am obsessed with albinos. They saw this on a trip to England last month and sent it to me. Now, that is love!

Regular British peacock :)

Amazingly awesome albino peacock - tell me that's not just a little fascinating!!

Turner went to a Braves game for the second time a couple of weeks ago (we went once last summer). We traveled up to Atlanta and stayed with Jay and Kate.

Hanging with MeMe and Pap in ATL

Jay let Turner ride his tractor with him...Turner is a tiny bit obsessed with the tractor

MeMe and Pap took everyone to the game, but Kate and I stayed back with John Burke and Ellie. While it would have been fun, we thought they might not be able to handle the game quite yet! Side note - we took Burke Burke and Ellie to Target and some other errands. While he was standing in the buggy, Mom of the Year here watched him flipped head first out of the back. He landed on his head, and amazingly was fine - just a little shaken up. It assured me that I was glad he wasn't at the game. He is TOO WILD!!

Turner had a BALL!! He took his glove, though he didn't catch any balls. He got to ride in "Uncle Jay's car", which he was as excited about as the game. Yesterday Heath took the boys to Chick-fil-A (surprise, surprise). I asked Turner this morning where he went with Daddy last night and he said "The BRAVES game!!" Um, no. But at least it is still fresh on his mind! He is loving baseball this summer - any chance to watch it on t.v. or play catch in the yard. He tries to play catch in the house, but yeah right!

Brooks and Turner

John Burke and Read - they are partners in crime...short, but quick and dangerous

The next week we went to the beach with Jami and Brooks and Read. Some of our favorite babysitters, Sarah and Layton, went with us. It was fabulous!! They were wonderful helpers and we were able to tackle the kids 4 on 4! It wasn't the most relaxing trip (due to the 5, 2, and 2 1-yr olds), but we were able to laugh a LOT and read and chill out during nap time! We had so much fun playing in the ocean and the pool every day. The weather was gorgeous! I didn't take many pictures, because we were too busy packing everything else in the house for the beach/pool. I just knew the camera would break.

I wish you could have seen the amount of sand on his face...when we walked in the ice cream shop in Seaside, everyone in there did a double take

That weekend, Jami and crew left and we stayed with the Hendersons through the weekend. The whole family came down, and we took some fun pictures as the WHOLE family on the beach and at a local state park. It was sad to leave the beach, but we were blessed to stay a while, so we were ready to get back to normal life.

Hanging with Ellie between shots

Henderson men

Blowing MeMe a kiss - he is a sweet boy

Family picture - stolen from the photographer's tags on facebook. Her name was Amy Nichols and she knows the Hendersons in Andalusia. She did a great job and was very patient:)

Turner walking on the beach

Turner has been cracking me up in the car lately. I like to call him "Nurner-kins" (there is no telling where I come up with these - to be a fly on the wall in our car. Wow.) and I have started to call John Burke "Bur-burkins". This drives Turner insane. He will laugh and say "I not Nurner-kins. I TURNER!! Thomas Turnerson." Close.

On the way to the beach to take pictures - the park ranger took us in the back of his truck. I wouldn't say he had the best attitude about it, but it was an adventure

P.S. - Rollie Starr anyone?? Just sayin'.

I also like to call this guy "Fatterson" or "Fat-tastic." It is all in good fun. But, I don't realize how often I say it until Brooks' grandmother told him that might be hurtful. Yikes, she is right. I need to be more careful. Fatty knows I love him, but others may not say it in jest! I'll have to work on another name for this cat.

He is obsessed with his white blanket. About a month ago, he found it in a drawer. It is a minky blanket that someone gave Turner before he was born. I never used it with Turner, but John Burke will not let it out of his sight. I tried to buy a smaller version at an overpriced local children's store, but he is not having it. He is too smart for me! He just gets it so disgusting!!

And he (in combination with the growing baby inside of me) is wearing me out!!

And, he is starting to say "Ma-Ma" all the time. He will say "teek-yu" (thank you) every once in a while, and "Da Da" when he sees Heath. Otherwise, he mostly says "Bah-bah" for bye bye. And he still loves peek-a-boo. If you say, "Where's John Burke?" he puts his hands over his face, waits a second and pulls them away. Then he laughs and laughs! And Turner cracks him up. Well, when he is not standing up for himself and sometimes even initiating fights like this one, captured on my phone. Good job, Burke Burke - you have to defend yourself!!

Lastly, I need to give a shout out to my new niece, Morgan. She is adorable!! I called her "Baldy-cat" last night - she is growing some hair though. She is so sweet, and John Burke is obsessed with trying to touch and be close to her.

July 12th - the day she was born!

Look at her beautiful little features - I love her!! But Kate loves her the most, she is the sister/mom

A sweet, still moment captured

His Turn

2011-07-28T09:17:00.003-05:00

John Burke gets a shot at being the big brother! Baby Henderson #3 is due February 11, 2012. I am very late posting this - a mixture of denial, feeling very tired, busyness with 2 other little crackheads and being out of town.

We are a little overwhelmed, but thrilled at the new little blessing! For inquiring minds, I am 11 weeks right now. Turner will turn 3 in December, and John Burke should be 20 months when this one arrives - Lord willing! So, Turner and John Burke are only 16 months apart, so I got 4 extra months this time - ha!

We have been to Atlanta and then to the beach for a week, and just running around being little boys in the summer. Hopefully I will post some fun pictures and blog posts soon!

July Random

2011-07-08T20:30:00.014-05:00

First off, thank you so much for all the texts and calls and sweet things you have said about our little Gordito. It has been VERY weird without him around. I still catch myself looking for him to run and meet us in the yard as we pull out of the garage or start screaming like an idiot in a storm. And - the vet sent us flowers. Actually a plant. We will try to keep it alive:).

We have had such a fun summer. With these 2 crackheads, we are outside all the time. Otherwise, we destroy anything and everything in our sight!! Heath is amazed when he gets home from work what the house can look like, and I blame it on this one being into EVERYTHING!!! Not that Turner isn't - but he is a little better trained.

Here is what I found a couple of days ago. John Burke decided to spend some time in the pantry while I dared to take a shower. He broke the glass canister full of flour all over the kitchen, but decided to share the brown sugar with the den. He is a giver. Don't worry - they were going to take care of it with their shovels.

Then, they watched intently while I used "Daddy's vacuum" (you can tell who does the vacuuming around here) to clean it up. My fault - we dared stay inside for too long.

Kate Bug is ready for a baby that will let her hold it

We have been hanging with Kate and Blake the last few days while we are waiting on baby Morgan to get here. She should be here next Tuesday, maybe sooner? I know Lindsey wouldn't cry!

These were from a few weeks ago when Evan and York and Perry were over and the kids experienced the ice cream man for the first time. They LOVED it.

How cute is she?

And how messy is he?? He was hosed off not once but twice this day

Big Buddies

The red, white and blue popsicles remind me of our fun weekend! We were thinking about going to the beach, but we are going in a few weeks. So we decided to stay around here and go to the lake. It was fabulous!

Turner and York lounging at the lake in their pajamas

We have no problem making ourselves at home

Saturday and Sunday we went with our trusty friends the Harlesses to Lake Martin. The boys had a ball in the zero entry pool and checking out the lake. Not to mention running throughout the place and spending the night with each other! We were able to enjoy Niffer's and Sinclair's on the lake. So good!

Dunking Booth for a charity outside Niffer's at the Lake. This sweet old man let the boys dunk him about 3 seconds after we took this picture. Turner and York jumped a foot in the air.

Then Sunday night, our friends the Bennetts invited us to join them at Hoover Country Club for the fireworks show. These are definitely my children. I have a special love for fireworks (one year I looked at Lindsey and screamed "These own me!! - she thought I was ridiculous) - and don't even get me started at the pride when Lee Greenwood sings God Bless the USA. (And my favorite Canadian Celine Dion sings the National Anthem).

Best picture I could get at the hot, sweaty fireworks...this was obviously before they got used to them!

Anyway, they were a little shaky at first. Then they were mesmerized!! John Burke was into them, and Turner kept screaming "Awesome!" and "Bam Bam! Big One!!" all the way home.

We're nothing if not patriotic :)

Monday we were able to go to Smith Lake with some friends. I tried to get a picture of the boys in their cute little American flag shorts. But, I didn't get any pictures the rest of the day. Because it went about like this all day! But so much fun!!

Turner went on three boat rides, and even watched his old dad ski several times. It was a blast. Tonight on the way to dinner, Turner leaned up and said "Let's ski, Daddy." Um, a little off. But he is still talking about how fast the boat went and how good his dad looked while skiing. Heath still had it - he even went slalom. Too bad no pictures to prove it! You will have to take my word.

Finally, we had the best time finishing up the evening of Fourth of July at Thunder on the Mountain fireworks show in Homewood. Our sweet friends own this property, and let our sunday school class watch the fireworks here. Great location!!

I couldn't get nearly as good of pictures as the night before, so I just enjoyed. And so did the boys - it was old hat from the practice the night before!

He calls these play high heels "boots" - they are Kate's. Bless him, he is so misled. And would NOT take them off!

Meanwhile, it is amazing to me that Turner is carrying on discernable conversations with us. They are hilarious. He likes to tell me when cars are coming, that I need to be careful, and what he wants to do. He wakes up with a list - usually what I used to con him to sleep the night before. "Change my diaper. I want to put my swim diaper on. We need to go swimmin' with Pop Pop. And then get a milkshake at Chih-flay." He thinks it is his world. The other morning I went through McDonald's to get an egg McMuffin, and he wouldn't have us cheating on Chih-flay. So, of course I went across the street for a biscuit for him. Such loyalty. Oh, and the other day we were driving through Sonic. He said "I want a chocolate milkshake, Mommy." I said "I don't think they have those here" (totally lied - it was his naptime, and I just didn't want to deal). Well, he taught me a lesson. "No, Mommy, look. There is a sign right there with a milkshake on it." I felt bad for lying and was kind of impressed, so Precious got his milkshake. That's what I get for trying to trick him.

And this kid is WEARING ME OUT. I love him and all his little faces to death, but he is really an animal!! He prefers to be carrying a broom and/or dustpan at all times. I will hear a rustling and then a bump, and he comes on the scene with a broom. No matter how hidden! And he has no fear - here he is pulling a cooler at the lake. He is a wild man, but he will still give the best hugs, so I guess I will keep him!

Lastly, here was the view tonight - our naive neighbor asked us to watch his impeccable yard while he went out of town. Luckily it has rained some this week! But we decided to water some tonight, and Turner was Heath's assistant (and water consultant).

And look what I found later - that little trespasser!

Rest in Peace, Wunny

2011-06-25T20:02:00.006-05:00

The last picture I took of Wunny, as Turner used to call him - about 2 weeks ago

Sad news. Last night - about 24 hours ago exactly, our sweet Gordon died.

Heath was cutting the grass yesterday afternoon and knocked on the door. He told me he thought Gordie was dying. I looked over, and he looked pretty pathetic in the grass. He couldn't even hold his head up!

So Heath rushed him to our vet, not very far away. They told us that his temperature was 109, and that they worried about brain damage at 108. My friend Sallie happened to be at the vet, and called me with a play by play. She told me it didn't look good - the doctor said he was an extremely sick puppy. They gave him an IV and tried to get his temperature down.

It finally got to 104 and sent Heath with Gordon to an overnight pet hospital. They had him stabilized. The hospital said they were just going to observe him overnight.

But then they called and said they weren't ready to give up, but he had brain damage. He was going blind and his kidneys were failing. We told them to keep us posted.

About 30 minutes later, the doctor called back. She was distraught and told us that he died of a blood clot. She determined that he had a seizure sometime yesterday afternoon that disabled him and he wasn't able to get any water. Therefore, he had a heat stroke. That is when we found him - they said 15 minutes later he would have been dead. Once they got him stable, they placed him in an oxygen chamber to regulate his breathing and they were checking for blood clots. They said when they came back, he was dead.

This was at the end of April. This day our friend Brooks (in the yellow shirt) saw Gordon, turned and ran to me and said "Miss Kelly, what is that?" He was serious - he had never seen something so beautiful.

Ironically, after 2 years of Heath suggesting, I had just agreed to give him away. Heath was out of town this week, and I felt like Gordon was one more thing to take care of as we tried to get out of the house and he was too much for us with 2 young children. He sheds, and he panics during thunderstorms, and we were looking around for somewhere and someone to give him a better home.

He really was our first child - he endured a lot to make me laugh. And he used to sleep in the bed with us!! Wow - he had definitely moved to the back burner these last couple of years. Bless him.

Well, more specifically, I had a real moment of frustration about a week and a half ago. I got a phone call from our precious (not really) neighbor at 6:20. She told me Gordon was "in her yard". Ugh. I realized Heath was already gone to Bible Study, and I quickly got dressed. I must have taken too long, because when I walked behind our house, she had turned on all the sprinklers (by the way - her yard is fenced in. He was barking BY her yard, not in it. I am not bitter) to chase him away. So I got soaked running through the yard and to the street behind us trying to grab that little weasel. I might have been nicer if I had known it was his last week of life. That made the decision, though - our time with him was running short.

Now I feel bad for thinking that, but I have a peace that it was his time to go! The sweet doctor was crying so hard (I am sure we will be too when we get the vet bill), but we are at peace with his crazy self being gone. (I think. I go back and forth as I write this! It is very weird to look outside and not see him after 6 and a half years! And I just realized it was exactly 6 and a half years we had him, we got him on Dec. 24, and he died June 24. Weird.)

For those of you who used to receive our Christmas cards, this was one of my favorites - waiting for Turner in his crib before he was born

Tonight it was pouring down rain, and Heath looked at me and reminded me how Gordon acted in rainstorms. Which was HYSTERICAL! We used to have to turn the dryer on just to get him to drown out the storms. This happened several times in the last week, and looking back, he woke up one morning screaming at 3 or so, without a storm outside. He hadn't been eating like normal either, so I am thinking he was already being affected by the blood clots.

We will miss you, little guy. Thank you for being our first little boy and enduring all of our abuse plus the abuse of two crazy toddlers!! We love you! (And I promise we won't replace you ANYTIME soon, no other dog could handle us!)

Gordon MacNeill Henderson

November 13, 2004 - June 24, 2011

Already winning beauty contests in heaven

I wrote THIS POST about him a few years ago! Now I am really glad I did!

Bump

2011-06-14T20:49:00.006-05:00

Let's just start this by saying that I have a pretty weird array of photos lined up for this blog. Hmmm, I need to take some more cutesy/normal pictures for the future. These first 2 are from VBS last week, when John Burke was playing with a bearded dragon. He was ALL about the reptiles. And I was ALL about the hand sanitizer. When we went to pet the snake, he grabbed it by the face and twisted his fingers around its tongue and laughed. What?? Meanwhile, the guy from Ed's Pet World knew Turner by name and let me know he wanted nothing to do with any of the animals. That little stinker.

Oh, and please notice Burke Burke's smooth forehead in the last picture. Because this is what it looks like today.

Yep. John Burke had his first trip to Children's ER today. He was walking down the hall with me at church (I would stay he has been a pretty steady walker for a month now), and he toppled on to his bottom. Then, his head bent over and hit the tile floor. I was right there and it didn't look like a big deal, but this was what he looked like immediately when he popped up. And that freaked me out. I couldn't look at it - it wasn't our typical goose eggs (my kids have big heads, so lots of room for these). It was like a bubble!! And a few weeks ago at the Splash Pad, I saw a little girl have a similar bump like this and it freaked me out the whole rest of the day. Sooo, I called Heath and we headed up to Children's Hospital.

I was definitely slapping his feet and singing to him to keep him awake in the car, because some of my precious nursery friends kept letting me know I did not need to "let him die" if he fell asleep. No pressure - they were dramatic, but I was pretty grossed out. The sweet nurses in the ER let him take his much needed nap. That was really what I was worried about - just wanted to get him cleared before his long afternoon nap in case something had happened. But, if you notice this little joker fell, cried a few seconds, and then was totally normal. He was smiling in the picture a few minutes after (that I took to send to my nurse sister and doctor bro-in-law).

The doctor made me feel better about coming, but she and another doctor both looked at him and agreed he should be fine. Which is what I was thinking deep down, but can't really mess with head injuries. :) I had to show them the original pic so they could see the freakish bubble. Just a minute ago, Turner said to Heath "Burke Burke has a ball on his head. It purple." That's about right. (Thank you to Jami who took Turner with her to her house to nap - I am grateful we avoided the running commentary at the ER).

First hospital bracelet (well, since birth)

Praise the Lord for a good report - looks fine to me here (after his little nap)

On to other topics, Heath and I were able to escape this weekend for a no-kids beach trip with our buddies Wes and Evan. It was FABULOUS!! We had a precious girl named Stephanie keep the boys at our house, and the boys were in love with her. My sister has known her for several years, and referred her to us. She was a dream - she was awesome with the kids and even did my laundry, restocked my groceries and cleaned out my car (deep cleaned). Easily a better mom than I was this weekend, but I'll take it! It was worth it to have a long weekend in the sun and out to eat with friends without high chairs!!

Evan and I didn't get any pictures - in fact, this was the only one of me from the weekend. It was at an italian restaurant and that is an albino frog dangling its fat little legs down. A.maz.ing. I heart albinos.

Here is a better shot. It's not about the frog as much as the albino. I love albino anythings.

A more normal picture. Heath and Wes were able to go deep sea fishing and catch some red snapper. They had a limit of 2 each, and I think they had a ball trading up to meet the limit!

One thing I love about my husband - he is pretty well-rounded. He hasn't been deep-sea fishing in years, yet was able to fillet these red snapper like a champ! I stood and watched in disgust/amazement. And Wes was an excellent fisher host - awesome boat and reels and a day of fun for the boys (and for us, who laid on the beach and read!) Thank you Wes and Evan for a fabulous weekend!!

We have been doing a lot of this lately, and I only hope they didn't give Stephanie the pleasure of experiencing this while we were away. They like to be naked and they are LOVING baseball. Turner is all about watching the Braves on t.v. with Daddy, and John Burke is all about stealing the baseball and bat and tee from Turner any chance he gets!

I feel compelled to put a somewhat normal picture in here, without any animals (since almost every other one in this blog is bizarre). Lauren took Easter pictures for us, and she got some really cute ones! Sadly, Turner was sick on Easter Sunday, so I had to miss church that day, so it was a weird Easter around here. But we have some sweet pictures to pretend with!

Finally - I need to record some of the things Turner has been doing so I don't forget. He is talking in full sentences usually, and it continually catches me off guard. He likes to tell me in the car to "Watch out, Mommy" and "Don't go fast!!" (or "Go fast!" - it just depends on his mood) and today he said, "The music is too loud, Mommy." Oh, excuse me. He is constantly speaking up for John Burke, and likes to direct me on what he himself would like, directly followed by how I can meet Burke Burke's needs. "I want red sucker, Burke Burke have orange one." His little advocate.

He is almost exact on his colors when asked to identify (sometimes he defaults to calling things green just because) and is pretty good counting to 10, just tends to leave out eight? He is still very concerned with cars, their colors and their owners. And he has been extra cuddly lately - maybe because I was gone this weekend? - he has told me several times a day that he loves me, though he will snap at me if I choose to take a toy or privilege away. A work in progress for sure...

Memorial Weekend...and a turtle?!

2011-05-31T14:37:00.007-05:00

Of course the boys ate breakfast twice at Chick-fil-A for the holiday. Look who is mastering the slide!

We always go to the beach for Memorial Day weekend. But, Kate Bug was turning 4 and had a fabulous party on Saturday, and I couldn't gear up for time without Daddy to help at the beach (when he would have to drive back for work), so we stayed here.

We did a LOT of swimming. We played in the pools at Kate's house for her party, and then went swimming at my parents' house on Saturday night.

Then Sunday we headed to the Hoover Country Club pool with some friends. Turner thought the baby pool was fabulous, and it was perfect for John Burke to walk around in. Of course I didn't remember to take any pictures.

The boys with Aunt Mary - I tried to get their cute little smocked American flag shorts in the picture, but I guess they cut off

Yesterday, we spent the day at my parents' house. My aunt Mary and her husband Ed (they got married last year) drove from California. ACROSS the country!! Wow, I don't want to do that. But they were picking up some stuff of Grandad's and they were adventurous. So we were able to see them yesterday. We had a fabulous time!

Pop Pop and Uncle Day-rek are guaranteed entertainment (and rest for me)

Randomly, I found a large turtle walking across the road on the way to GiGi and Pop Pop's house. I got out and picked it up and put it in a neighbor's yard so it wouldn't get hit. (Sidenote - I am not an animal lover at all. I swerve for squirrels.) But I wanted to show Turner, maybe it was the teacher in me. Of course he wouldn't look at it.

Anyway, I had a salad bowl in the back of my car that I had left at my parents' from John Burke's party. Luckily it was big. So I stuck Turtle in it and threw him in the front seat. I thought it was funny for a little bit, but when I called Evan to tell her, Wes quickly added that it could be a snapping turtle. Why had that not occurred to me?? Probably because I don't like animals much. So I started screaming in Evan's ear - sorry, Evan. I felt like his little beady eyes were sticking out and staring at me.

I surprised Mom and Dad and Kate and Blake. I started wondering in the car if I am going to be that weird Mom that my kids and their friends talk about. Probably.

We checked him out, petted his shell, and determined he probably was not a snapping turtle. He was not hissing or anything. Lindsey helped the kids clean him off, and then we waited for him to eventually waddle off. Ah, our little Memorial Day turtle. So far, Turner has asked SEVERAL times about the turtle, but especially as we have passed the point in the road that we found him.

All clean - check out how big that was. Wouldn't you put it in your car too? :)

I need to add that Heath was at home pressure washing the driveway yesterday morning, or this entire turtle adventure would not have happened. He thought it was insane, and was puzzled when Turner kept talking about a turtle.

I keep thinking that I need to write down the funny things Turner keeps saying. I can't remember what I have written and what I haven't, but he loves loves loves Kiet Coke. We got our carpet cleaned last week, so he is not allowed to eat or drink anywhere but the kitchen (why haven't I been doing that up until now? Good question). Today he walked in the kitchen and said "Turner spill Mommy's kiet coke. Please no spankin spoon!" Well, he did have to have the spanking spoon because I had told him a MILLION times not to go in the den.

And this morning, he and York argued all breakfast whether pancakes (cakes) or biscuits (bissits) were a better food. Seriously? Evan and I were cracking up, while telling them to quiet down. They were LOUD about their little discussion.

And in the car, Turner likes to open the gate to our neighborhood and the garage door. He will start about 5 miles from the house and say "Can I have the little one?" which is the clicker for the gate. Then, he must open it and trade for the "big one", which is the garage door opener. He does not like to vary from this system. It makes my sweet across the street neighbor nervous as he watches our door open and close, open and close. The same neighbor, Jim, also has small heart attacks every time my children run towards the road. Bless his heart.

The other thing I wanted to remember was that he likes to say "I can't" - this annoys me to no end. And "for a minute" - "Can I play the game (Words with Friends, Angry Birds, etc.) for a minute?" "Can I watch Elmo - just for a minute?" and my favorite "Me and Burke Burke sucker/popsicle/Kiet Coke for a minute?" Such a little negotiator...oh well, he is waking up from his nap. Gotta go play outside..."for a minute!"

Thirty

2011-05-26T21:15:00.005-05:00

It feels weird to say thirty, because in my mind I think I just finished college. But then I remember I am a mother to 2 little monkeys and that wakes me back up! That is weirder to me than the number 30!

Last week I had a week of Kelly. It was fabulous! Heath started out with a surprise party for me on Sunday night with some friends at Big Blue Bagel. I was impressed - he pulled it off! We were supposed to go to a Third Day relief concert, but instead we ended up on the patio of Big Blue. So fun!

Then we went to my favorite restaurants with friends and family all week long. Chuys, Outback, Melting Pot, Cheesecake Factory. Wow - thinking about that makes me want to eat cleaner! But it was so worth it! On Thursday, the night of my birthday, I went to see Water For Elephants with Evan (such a good movie).

When I got home, I found this on my front door, caution tape in my driveway and my house rolled. I tried to get pictures, but my camera wouldn't work at night. It was 10:30, and my neighbor informed me that he saw the bandits - some of my former students. In a crazy way, it was the perfect end to my birthday week. It made me laugh!

Turner pre-haircut, eating his new favorite food. Peanut butter. But not on bread - he spits that out. Just on the spoon - whatever, it is protein.

Meanwhile, Turner is cracking me up as he is stringing sentences together. This week he asked me who Burke Burke's mommy was. I told him I was, and he said "No, you're my mommy!" He had not realized that they share me. Which I don't understand, because he is his advocate in all situations. If he gets a sucker, he says "Mommy - Burke Burke sucker. Blue one please (or whatever color "John Burke" is wanting). He is very concerned that I am going to leave him out, but equally concerned when he believes "Burke Burke needs spankin."

Then, today we passed a car wash. Usually, he says "Nate (our friend at Express Oil Change) fixes Daddy's car." But today he started shouting "Nasty! Nasty!" I asked him what he was talking about. He said "Daddy vacuumed Mommy's car, and it was NASTY!" Um, he was right. I laughed so hard.

Motor Mouth hanging out with MeMe in Aunt Kelly's hospital room

Also, for my old Oak Mountain girls, our friend Boris came and cleaned my carpets this week. What a miracle worker!! (I thought I got a before picture, but it is probably a lot less incriminating that I did not.) This was the highlight of Turner's week - he LOVED meeting Boris and interrogating about the carpet and all the processes involved. Boris (our former overly qualified janitor from the elementary school) was overly gracious and talked to him all morning long, letting Turner "help" him.

He also LOVED meeting our newest nephew, Cameron. Heath's sister, Kelly, had him on Monday and he is a little cutie. The nurses took him to the well baby nursery for too long when he was first born, so we didn't get to hold him. But we will soon.

And, before I forget - this guy is officially WALKING. He is on the same track that Turner was on - they start at about a year and really get used to it by 13 months. He still thinks it is easier to crawl, which I am not too sad about. But he is getting better with walking. If he could just bend those knees. My chunky little Frankenstein!!

See ya!