and soon to be a SALAD!!!

The garden is officially planted...now, we just hope it grows!!! We have two 4'x8' raised planters and two pails both with ingredients for salad (minus the lettuce). I have grown tomatoes and yellow bell peppers since my college days; using my trusty hand-decorated garden pails.  This was a BH&G project from 1999...works perfectly!  This year I have planted cherry tomatoes in my pail...yummy in the tummy!

If you want to make your own garden pails, here are the constructions: Purchase a 3 gallon Galvanized bucket (local hardware store).Decorate the outside with a Smiley-face using paint (paint-PENS...much easier) and the vegetable as the nose. Punch holes in the bottom (just a few to allow for drainage) and line (the bottom) with rocks (to assist with drainage).  Fill with dirt and plant your veggie!  Don't forget to Water!

This is just one of our planters...here we have Straight-Necked Yellow Squash and Cucumbers in the other we have two different types of Tomatoes and Green Bell Peppers!  Can you tell I love Tomatoes!! I hope everything grows well this year...last year, I was a bit zealous and over planted. Very few things grew...I really just hope it is not my 'brown" thumb shining through...

Hope you have a Happy Growing Season!!!

20/20 Vision

It is official...James and Maggie have grown from babies to Little People! They are a barrel of fun and sometimes a bucket of trouble. They know all of the right buttons to push and leavers to pull, but in the end we would not change it for anything.


They are using new words every day, making sentences, counting from 1-10 (James was able to do this at 19 months), and according to Keith..." they know enough ABC's to pass the field sobriety test". They are curious, happy, friendly, cooperative (sometimes), and LOVING kids. We are truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to be their parents. Some of the conversations they have between each other are hysterical...especially when Maggie is trying to be the mama, and tells James "no, no...James, Be Nice" or the numerous times James has to remind Maggie to share.

We try to get out of the house each day...because they LOVE IT!!! Everyday when I come home, the first thing they both say, "outside, outside...then it becomes a scream...OOOUUUTTTSSSIIIDDDDEEEE!!!" I cannot wait for summer, when they can be outside and in the pool...I am sure we will have to change there names to Barnicle Bill and Starfish Susie!!

"A" Day with James and Maggie!!!

Saturday, April 17th was A-Day for Alabama Football...James and Maggie talked about watching "bootball" all week.  We were not sure how well they were going to do...they are much more mobile than they were last year. I figured that "surely, 8 adults can contain 2 kids..." but I forgot the two kids were the infamous "Worm and Ggie Ggie". 

The event crew attempted to tell me I could not take in my stroller, but since I walked ahead of the group, they figured I was alone...so, I basically smuggled in my stroller and it was like contraband, considering most of the other people were told they could not bring it in.

It was such a pretty day to be outside...although James could not quite figure it all out. He continuously asked to go "outside" and when we told him we were, he kinda had that "what you talkin' 'bout Willis" look on his face.  He greeted everyone with a "woll tid woll" and arms up in the typical touchdown motion...his dada is so proud!!!

last day for this field...it will be ripped up and new laid in just a few weeks.

it is beginning to fill up...roughly 91K + in attendance!!!

James and Maggies favorite Player...Wooolio!(Aka Julio Jones)

Big Lou...the Commissioner

Javier Arenas...Receiving a punt returner award

Big AL

James having fun before lunch...what a smile!!!

on her way, to Mama...I was a popular person...

PawPaw and James...captured after a game of chase!

oh the places we will go...

What a HANDSOME little man!!! Having so much fun...

and they were swingin'... they are so carefree and happy on a swing!!!

We ventured out with our neighbors for a morning at the park. J&M loved being there; we brought snack and played for almost two hours.  I am sure they would have played longer, but it was lunch time, close to nap time and the "big kids" were about to knock over my little kids time...which would not have made for mama of the year TIME!  We will definitely go back, especially with our Great Neighbors (sorry no pic; he was having too much fun to slow down for a picture)!

What a BEAUTIFUL little girl... she was loving every minute!

HAIR today and DONATED tomorrow!!!

I decided several months ago to donate my hair... since there was an impending wedding, I chose to wait until after the wedding...as not to ruin any possible photos. So, Monday April 5th (2 days following the wedding)...I CUT MY HAIR! This is HUGE in my book...I have not had hair this short since 1st or 2nd grade (following an awful stint with a boys haircut...but that is another story for another post). I figured donating my hair would be a Good Thing...therefore I strategically planned it out; Sherry (a co-worker and FABULOUS Friend) was willing to take her time, measure 5-6(hundred) times, and hold my hand if necessary...while she CUT OFF MY HAIR! I was nervous…I won’t lie about that, but I was ready. I needed a change…and if nothing else it is just hair and it will grow back. In the mean time, I will save a ton on Shampoo! Just as an FYI...according to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths website, it takes 6-8 ponytails to make a wig, well my friends...not only did I donate hair, but I just might have donated a WHOLE WIG!!!

it's a CELEBRATION!!!

The best we could do...was an iPhone picture!!

What a handsome Groom (on the Left) and his Best Man (my Hubby on the Right)

The Beautiful Bride and Groom!!!

What a great looking family!

This is from Mark (Keith's Brother) and Stephanie's (my co-worker) Wedding on April 3rd!!!

We are so happy for them both!!!

Family Photos...