Throwback Thursday Stories: Week 7

In honor of this little one turning 7 on June 8th!!!

Elliot Joy // 2008

During my first year of teaching (2007-2008), I would sometimes go to Temple and help my sister out with her littles while her hubs was out of town.  I would spend the night then wake up early the next morning and drive to work.  This was one of those mornings.  

Elliot is such a joy, much like her name suggests.  She is our family's only girl, other than my mom and sisters, and she carries the princess title well.  I was in the room when she was born and that memory was all I had to go on when I was in labor.  She is all girl and crazy smart.  (Like 5th grade reading level as a kindergartener smart!)

She and I have shared many cuddles and painting nail sessions.  I absolutely love her and her spunky attitude and sweet spirit.

Just last week while we were in Salado, she was sitting on my lap and we were hugging.  I said, "If I never have a girl, will you still be my girl?"  She replied, "Even if you have a girl, I'll still be your girl."

Heart.  Melted.

And in true Elliot fashion, she added, "but I don't want to be the queen if you have a girl.  I still want to be a princess."

Okay, miss thang.  We can handle that.

You are adored, Elliot Joy.

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Arkansas and Texas, Part I

We left Nashville on May 3rd and are still on the road!

Our first stop was Arkansas and we'll actually be heading back there tomorrow, before going back home.

That Sunday, we shared some songs at Kibler Baptist.  We've been with them several times and it truly is a pleasure to go back.  Of course, Oliver had some meltdowns (eeeek!) but slept in the nursery during the whole service, which was a blessing.  

(A member took this picture and I'd like to point out that my legs look really long but that white part is a guy's shirt.  It took me off guard when I first saw it!)

After church, we went to lunch with the pastor and his sweet family.  I had to nurse Oliver in the car before I could join them and then this happened.  

I wish I could tell you I had a change of pants.  But I didn't.  Ahhh, the joys of motherhood!

We had just enough time to get to the hotel, rest for about 30 minutes, then head to Heritage UMC for that night's show.  And guess what happened… Oliver fussed.  The youth pastor's daughter ended up having to hold him right behind us during soundcheck so he'd be happy.  Again, "Houston, we have a problem."

Our friend, Heather, volunteered to watch him and yes, he fussed, but she was able to calm him.  Then he fussed again and I had to go calm him.  But once he was calm, he finished the night strong!  Thanks, Heather!

The show was so fun.  It was with youth and they were captive and polite, which makes our job easy and enjoyable.

After the show, it was late and so Wendy's was our dinner.  Our friends brought this sweet one.  Carol Ann.  She was "starstruck" which is equal parts hilarious and adorable.  

We left Arkansas and went to Amarillo for some family time and a show.  Here's Aunt Amy with Mister Man.  He loves to stand up!

We were there for our birthdays…May 6th and 7th.  Here's the Monk Men.

Oliver with Honey Lue.  

We were in town for a show at Palace Coffee Company (I have no pics of that, darn it.) and did some press while we were there at Amarillo Globe News and Channel 4.

So thankful for Honey Lue and Grandad Larry.  They were able to watch O while we did our stuff and he did great!!!

After Amarillo, we drove to Melrose, NM to visit with Mama Pat and Papa Tuck.  We love our time with them and adore their stories and wisdom.  

Then, we went to Dallas for an appearence on Good Day Dallas.  We spent the night in Burleson with family who I haven't seen in who knows how long and Oliver met some cousins.  

Just chillin'

The next morning was and early one.  And Oliver tossed and turned all night which means I did, too.  In other words…TIRED.  But it was such a fun time!  Very sweet people. 

And there was even a makeup chair.  I'm sure Trent loves that I got this pic.  

I asked the makeup artist if I needed any.  Even though I felt like I already looked like a clown, he touched me up with some amazing under-eye-bye-bye-dark-circles concealer and I said, "Where were you when I had a newborn?  Heeeyoooo!"  He laughed and I decided I would very much like to travel with a hair and makeup person.  

Oliver made his TV debut and stole the show.  And he did great with Grammie!  

Maybe we're having a breakthrough?  Please, Jesus.

We had some more shows in Texas, but those will be in the next post. 

As always, thanks for traveling with us!

Throwback Thursday Stories: Week 6

Since we're at my parents' house, I rummaged through some old pictures they have and I stumbled upon these...

1994

JV Cheerleading

I have forgotten what the competition was called, but it was at Baylor University.  (Anyone remember what is was?  CenTex Cheer Off or something?)

Anyway, we practiced hard and put together an amazing routine…including a basket toss.  (I think I could still do it, if I needed to.)  We competed with other schools in the area and we ended up winning!  

(For days after, I would watch our performance on VHS. That my mom recorded on her giant camcorder.  Which she lugged around for ALL. THE. YEARS.)

Other than a trophy, the prize was getting to cheer at that night's Baylor football game for a whole quarter.   I remember feeling so cool being on that field.  I cheered and cheesed my booty off.  

And now that Floyd Casey Stadium is no longer, it's even more memorable.  

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Oliver is 5 months!

Dear Oliver,

You are 5 months old and we cannot believe it!  You are changing and growing so much.  We measured you at Grammie's house, so these aren't as accurate as they are at the doctor's office:

18 lbs

28 inches

You have really started "talking" and telling us all about stuff.  Your mumbles and coos are the most precious thing!  You are such a happy baby, but you have had some meltdowns when you've been away from us.  Diapering you has become a bit more challenging because you are ALWAYS MOVING AND SQUIRMING.

You still haven't cut any teeth but you are trying so hard to!  You have found your peepee and like to grab it and I'm sure you're going to be mad at me one day for putting that out there for people to read.  And you like to take out your paci and try to put in back in your mouth.  You're getting close!  You have also found your feet and you LOVE to suck on your toes. 

Which is one of the reasons we are still swaddling you at night.  If we didn't, you'd try all night long to get those puppies in your mouth.  The naps you take are short and sporadic but you sleep well in the car, which works well for us!  And you love grabbing my hand to soothe you.

You've even started grabbing my face and putting my chin in your mouth!  I just know it's you giving me kisses =)

Your hair has started to fall to the side because it's growing so long.  It makes you look like a little boy and not a baby!

You are really rolling over a lot and trying with all your might to go from your back to your tummy.  We haven't introduced you to real food yet, but you sure do watch us eat!  You also like to watch Praise Baby and Baby Einstein videos…whenever we put them on, which is very rare.

You've met some babies and love kids...as long as they don't take out your paci.  You've also met some dogs.  You weren't sure what to think at first, but you like them now…as long as they don't jump up on you.

You went to your first bike rally.  Maybe it's your last?

Sometimes in the morning, I'll put you in bed with us for a little nap and it's the cutest.  It's hard to not do it all the time.

Everyone talks about how bright-eyed and alert you are.  You've been to two different news studios and a newspaper office.  You're still holding firm at 14 states, but we'll definitely add to that this summer.  

You've started to get very distracted when you eat and you have even start leaning backwards.  It's hilarious.

It seems like you've been with us forever.  You fit our little family so well and we can't imagine doing life without you.  You are our little trooper and we thank you.  Sometimes when you're in bed, your daddy and I just stare at you, in awe of just how special you are.  We love you more than you will ever know!  

Beach Life

While we were in Georgia, we hopped over to Fernandina beach for a day.

It started with lunch at Sliders...one if our favorite places. 

Then we went to the beach. The weather was perfect!

(Shout out to my sister, Carrie, who let us use Blake's, like new, swimming suit and hat!)

The water was freezing so we only put our feet in.

I made up a song, using Zac Brown Band as inspiration: 

"I got my toes in the water, diaper in the sand, not a worry in the world, some breast milk in my hand, life is good today."

(I'm sorry. I couldn't resist.)

After the beach, we had dinner with my sister's in-laws who live there. It was great to see them and Oliver had a blast with Shash :)

Can't wait for our next beach trip!

Throwback Thursday Stories: Week 5

Disney World // 1986?

(Look at our clothes and hair!!!)

Growing up, we rarely went on vacations.  We'd go to San Antonio and South Padre and Six Flags and Ranger Games.  But one year, my parents took us to Disney World and even though I was young, I remember it pretty well.

I absolutely loved Epcot Center, meeting the princesses, and getting souvenirs.  I wasn't a big fan of roller coasters then, but I went ahead and road Space Mountain.  And I cried.

I remember eating Corn Flakes with whole milk (we pretty much drank skim) and I thought it tasted like ice cream.  I remember holding my mom's hand for what seemed like the whole time we were there.  I'd say, "tighter, tighter!"  So she'd squeeze my hand until I'd say, "not that tight!"  All. Day. Long.  Bless her.

It's such a magical place and I hope to go back one day with our little one(s).  

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