Random Things

So here are some random things that don't necessary go together but didn't want to write an entire blog for each but wanted to share! As you know back in January I wrote as a new years resolution to cook more often. Well it has taken me until the end of April to finally just step out there and do it. I am going to be honest with you I really do not or did not know how to cook. Some of it I can blame on confidence and fear and some on not being prepared (planning) for an entire meal. Well I think that I am overcoming the fear of cooking. I finally told myself that if it wasn't good then I always had cereal that I could eat for the night!!! If you have any easy and good recipes feel free to pass them along!

First of all excuse the paper plate! I hate washing dishes so I prefer the plates that you can throw away! I cooked fried pork chops, fresh cabbage (from strawberry 903 farm), corn bread, and macaroni and cheese. I really should have posted this on my proud blog because I could not believe that I didn't burn the house down in the process! I have actually cooked two other times since this meal as well! WOO HOO!

When I was washing bottles the other afternoon I noticed the sun shining really bright across my front yard. Of course I quickly picked up my camera in hopes to take a different picture. I think the sunset turned out pretty good

Silhouette of a tree in our back yard

So this is what Little Luke Allen is up to these days. He loves to nap in his car seat. He still wants to eat about every 3 hours and will sometimes go a little longer if he is riding around with his mommy. I think I wear him out. We call him our little grunt because when he drinks his bottle or is trying to go to sleep he makes all kind of grunting noises. They are too cute! I am still waiting on that big smile that I know I created. I have seen a few smiles that I'm pretty sure the angels have created but not a big Mommy smile yet. Over all he is a great baby!!

Strawberries on 903

This past Saturday Me, Landon, Casey, and Peyton took a trip to Strawberries on 903 farm to pick some strawberries. Casey wanted strawberries to make her strawberry jam specialty and me Landon and Peyton went along to pick strawberries to eat! I didn't realize how much this little farm had to offer for kids (and adults) until after we arrived. Here is our day after picking strawberries. Next we headed over to the homemade ice cream stand. Landon and Peyton had vanilla, Casey had strawberry, and I had peach on a waffle cone. We set out on the pick nick tables and enjoyed our cones. It was delicious!! After ice cream we took a tour through their barns that had fun information about honey bees. Did you know that bees had 5 eyes?? I didn't?? Then we headed to the chicken pins where you could see eggs being laid. I so wanted to see one drop but it never happened. Last we walked over to their little farm. And on this farm they had some goats, pig, rabbits, and my favorite the peacock. When we walked up, the peacock had his feathers spread so that you could see all the beautiful colors and designs on them. I never knew that they spread out so BIG! One of the baby goats got out of the cage to graze on some fresh grass and Landon and Peyton had a chance to rub him. He didn't mind at all! Here are some pictures of our day. Here is the sign as you are entering the farm

On the way out we stopped by the big strawberry to take a quick picture!

Me and Landon picked all of these strawberries. He could have picked another whole bucket if you had let him.

Is this one red enough Mommy?

Landon was working so hard. He wanted to find the best of the bunch for his Mommy's pile

This was the icecream stand. Casey said this was a perfect old timey picture with the girl hanging out of the stand and the old lady sitting out front with her apron on.

Landon petting the baby goat

There were two baby goats. They were so cute!

This is the best picture that I could get through the wiring of the peacock. He would shake his feathers and make a really a loud noise to try and show off his masculine side to the female birds. Pretty cool!

Im Feeling Proud Today!

I love going walking in the mornings by myself sometimes. It is a great time to reflect and talk to God about whatever is on my mind. He always reminds me that I don't go to him often enough with my prayers, concerns, accomplishments, proud moments, etc. Well this morning I went walking for about 30 minutes before taking on the challenge to try and run with Blake and Irma on my once normal running route. This week will make 7 weeks since little Luke Allen came into this world so I thought it was time to start some kind of exercising. Mainly to feel better physically, mentally, spiritually, and so that I can fit in my pants when I go back to work!! During my walk with God I was feeling very proud of myself for just getting up and walking out the door. What a privilege it is just to be able to do those things that we dread so much! As I kept walking, different things just kept popping in my mind that I was proud of. I wanted to share some of those things with you.

I am proud that I went walking/running this morning


I am proud that this month is Bobby's best selling month and he praises God for it each day


I am proud that Casey and Adam are having a little girl in August (they are going to be the best and cutest parents)


I am proud that Michelle and Mama are going to Weight Watchers and have lost weight doing so


I am proud that Elizabeth trained and ran her 1st half marathon race (you definitely crossed my mind this morning when I couldn't hardly make it a half a mile!!! I need your determination)


I am proud that my Mom and Dad raised her three girls up right!


I am proud of Landon for being my T-ball star! He is gonna be good when he grows up.


I am proud of Landon for being the best big brother that I could have ever imagined


I am proud of Luke for sleeping four hours straight for the first time two nights ago (after that he stayed up from 1am-6am...baby steps!


I am proud that I have God sent family and friends that I know that I can always count on.


My list could go on and on............


What are you proud of today?

Relay for Life

Saturday night Me, the boys, Michelle, Casey, Peyton and Mama headed out to South Central to Pitt County's Relay for Life event. Shame on me but I have never attended one of these events. I was so amazed at the number of people attending, the activities that were going on to raise money to fight Cancer, and the humbleness that I felt as I passed each paper bags that outlined the football field. Each one of these bags represented a person who had died from the horrible disease, Cancer. (Did I mention that there were 100's of them) They were all lit with a candle that showed right through the white thin bags. This light seemed to serve the purpose of making the name on each one of these bags shine forever. People were walking lap after lap all hours of the night just to raise money and awareness of Cancer. I don't know about you but I alone can fill up both hands (+) with those who have suffered, is suffering, or has pasted away with the dreaded disease of Cancer. I can't think of a better way to celebrate those who have survived, those who have passed, and those who are fighting to survive than the Relay for Life event. Please pray for all of those who are fighting Cancer and their families. Lord give them the strength to continue to live for you! I ask special prayer for Guy Carraway (my uncle) that I love so very much and Pat Adams, high school friend's mom. Follow Mrs. Adams courageous battle with cancer at her blog http://porkchopqueen.blogspot.com/

Here are some pictures of our night! Here is one of the bags that represented each Cancer victim

I tried to capture how the bags were placed around the field

I loved the way they placed bags in the stands to spell HOPE. The other side spelled out CURE!

Landon and Casey having fun at one of the booths!

Landon really enjoyed himself. Casey bought him a mask from some little girls walking around trying to raise money.

What a cute idea! One of the booths allowed you to make your own cupcake from different flavors and toppings! You know Landon loved that.

Landon's finished product. It was gone in about 20 seconds!

Luke Allen's Photo Shoot

Thought I would share a few pictures of Luke Allen after he got out of the bathtub. Luke Allen doesn't like bath time very much. He always cries when he touches the water and usually doesn't stop until he is cuddled up in his towel next to his Mommy. Once he is out and covered up with his towel he becomes very alert. He loves looking around at everything in his room. Sometimes he catches a glimpse of his Mommy and just stares me down. I can't wait until I can make you smile and giggle!

Luke Allen looking towards the window

Don't you just love those wrinkles in his arms!

Two clean boys ready for bed. Landon wanted to hold Luke Allen for a minute before heading to bed. I think Luke likes his big brother holding him!

2nd Annual Garden

Landon and Grandaddy planted their second annual garden together over this past weekend. It is starting to get warm and Landon's taste buds are craving some Watermelon!! This year the Denton garden will have tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelon, cantaloupe, corn, bell peppers, & strawberries. I will update you all as their plants start to sprout!!! Landon and Grandaddy in the garden

Landon taking wiring to Grandaddy for the tomato plants

Landon planting cantaloupes one feet apart like grandaddy instructed

Grandaddy digging a spot to plant bell peppers

After I took a photo shoot in the garden I walked over to a dogwood tree in the backyard. I love this picture of a dogwood bloom that I took. Thought I would share!

T-Ball Time

Spring is here and it is time to play some T-ball!! First of all let me start out with saying I can't believe that Landon is old enough to play on a t-ball team! It seems like yesterday that I was saying, "I can't wait til Landon starts to play ball so I can be that Mom in the stands cheering him on." Well the time is here! Landon had his first practice on 4/15. He met his coach "Mr. Jimmy" and his teammates. There are about 12 little boys and two girls on his team. They are all so cute and Landon is one of the smallest ones of the bunch!! Being small doesn't stop Landon from doing his best! He did such a good job running, hitting, and stopping ground balls when they came to him. Coach Jimmy put Bobby to work as the hitting coach at Landon's first practice. He helped each kid with their technique at hitting the ball and made sure they all kept their bats down so that no one would get hurt.

Landon has really enjoyed himself at his practices. He was really proud that his dad was there to help out as well!! Landon has had two more practices since his first one on 4/15. Each time he gotten better and better and becomes more familiar with the rules of the game. I am so excited that he is enjoying playing ball and getting to know other kids. So far he had ruined two pair of pants with grass stains. I can't imagine how many more he will ruin through the years!! He is definitely "ALL BOY" Daddy giving Landon some baseball pointers before sending him to the field

Bobby showing Landon the correct batting technique
so that he can hit a home run!

Landon in the field waiting for the ball to come his way

Not sure what the boys are looking at but it sure isn't the batter!

At the end of practice the team huddles up to put one hand in the middle and yell "GO EAGLES!" You can only see the top of Landon's head in this picture. Shows you how short he is!!

BABY BUNCO!!

Thursday night was Bunco night with the girls (and babies)! I was so excited about going to play so I could catch up, see the girls and show off Luke Allen for the first time. (It seems like just yesterday that I was showing off Landon at Bunco) So a little about our Bunco group...... Several years ago Elizabeth thought it would be a good idea to get together and play Bunco once a month. Our group of girls has changed a little over the years. We still have some of the original ladies, some are new, and some have had to leave. Needless to say it is a great group of girls and friends!! Each Bunco has its own theme and is hosted by a different person each month usually at their house. Katie was our host this past week and she chose a gift card theme. She served up some delicious lasagna, Caesar salad, bread, and hot brownies! Although Katie chose the gift card theme I am renaming Thursday nights Bunco to ...BABY BUNCO!! My how things have changed in a year. After it was all said and done, Bunco had several new members and soon to be members: 4 babies, a two year old and two pregnant ladies! Everyone was so excited! We did a lot of baby swapping, and a little of playing Bunco. We ended up cutting our game short because we spent so much time catching up and playing with all the babies (it was well worth it!) I did end up winning the thanks for coming gift (gift card from Starbucks!) Thanks Katie for a wonderful night. I have attached a picture of all of the babies! Jeanne loving on Luke Allen

Finally my Aunt Elizabeth got to hold me close!

Baby #1 Sylvie and her mommy Julie

Baby #2 Stacy holding Luke Allen

Baby #3 Kade and his mommy Sara

Baby #4 Davis and his Mommy Jeanne

It seems like just yesterday that Connor was our baby. He is two years old now and looks like a little man. Too Cute!!

No More Driveway Blues

So if you have driven to my house or have been reading my blog you know that both of our driveways have been a total mess for at least the past 6 months. The rain and snow took a toll on our yard and driveway making it almost impossible for us to get in and out without getting stuck. The driveway quickly became one of our priorities and I am happy to say that we now have a drivable driveway!! We first had several loads of dirt dropped in our driveway so that it could be spread out evenly. It took several days before they could spread it out because of possible rain. That was OK with Landon because a pile of sand is every little boys dream. Landon had a ball playing and climbing on the dirt pile. Later the load of rocks came to harden the the driveway. The picture above is our finished project! Grandma Shirley, Landon and Luke in front of the dirt pile.

Shadow enjoying the cold dirt on his belly

Landon on top of the dirt pile with his dump trucks. (you can see our old driveway in the background)

Weeee I love getting my clothes dirty!!

Up the hill to gather some more dirt.