Christmas 2009

We had an amazingly blessed Christmas. After celebrating, just the three of us, we headed to Ozark to visit with Josh's grandma and aunt. We didn't stay too long because Grandma just had her tonsils removed and wasn't feeling all that great. After Ozark, we drove straight down to Little Rock to spend the rest of the day with my family where we ate, visited, ate some more and just enjoyed the company of loved ones.

Reid wanted Santa to "hide" a few of his gifts so he could do a scavenger hunt to locate them. Santa, being the great guy he is, happily obliged. This is Reid reading his letter of clues from Santa.

The love of my life.

Reid LOVED the puppy! The first thing out of his mouth when someone asks about Christmas is, "I got a pup named Gator!"

He asked Santa for football pads, a real jersey, pants, football pads and receiver gloves. Such a stud...

A Christmas Surprise

Santa is going to bring Reid a little surprise that he isn't expecting. Meet Gator (shih tzu/yorkie mix)...this will be Reid's last gift on Christmas and the most unexpected one. He weighs a grand total of 1.7 pounds and is only 7 weeks old. We really weren't planning to get another dog, but we really couldn't pass up on this little guy either. Plus, it gave our Weimaraner, Allie, a little friend and Reid a little puppy he could love on all the time.

So, we will pull this little guy out as the last present for Reid. He has no idea, and we can't wait to see his reaction.

1st Grade Christmas Party

Reid's Christmas party was today, so I took the afternoon off and spent it with him. They made Snowman Soup, Gingerbread men and played pin the carrot on the snowman. Not to mention all the snacks and goodies they got to indulge in. My hat goes off to those elementary teachers...I was only there 2 hours and I am worn out. I am definitely a secondary soul...

Date Night

Except not with Josh, but with the other man in my life...Reid. Josh had a basketball game out of town tonight, so Reid and I had a date night to a quaint little, romantic spot called Hawg Wild Pizza. We enjoyed some pizza, games and good ol' mother and son time. I am a lucky mama to have this precious boy as my son.

Hey, Nanny...

I have been thinking a lot lately about my grandmother or rather my Nanny. 1 year and 8 months she has been gone. My dreams have been filled with her recently. I can see her so perfectly, hear her voice, smell the coal oil and all much to my delight. It still seems unreal that she isn't in that white house on the hill next to my parent's house. That she isn't watching her soap operas and napping in her chair. That she isn't a phone call away. Maybe it is the holiday season, maybe it is just Nanny being her stubborn self but lately I have an overwhelming feeling she is around me, near me, part of me. There is no real reason for this post, other than I just wanted to write about it. I guess I just want to say...hey, Nanny. I miss you.

It's my mama's birthday!

Well, mom, I searched for quite some time to find the perfect poem or quote to post on here for your birthday. Below is what I decided on because it pretty much says it all...not to mention it is one of Reider's favorite cartoons so he insisted we use it.







You truly are the best mom a kid could be blessed with. Words (or rather a singing cartoon girl) just don't do you justice. I wish I could give you the world...you definitely deserve it.

Happy Birthday, Mom! We love you!

Our little man

Reider and I set out to take some pictures the other day of him for our Christmas card - we just ran out of time to get a family shot taken - but I was able to get some great shots of our little man. He is growing up so fast...

Spell check...

Reid was taking a shower tonight as I was putting up clothes in the bedroom. He calls out thinking he has found a spelling mistake on a bottle of body wash. The conversation went as follows:

Reid: Mom, what does w-a-s-h spell?

Me: Wash.

Reid: No, it doesn't. Come look at the bottle. W-a-s-h. What does it spell?

Me: It spells wash.

Reid: (Puzzled) Hmmmm. I always thought it was spelled w-a-r-s-h. Warsh. Just like it sounds.

Now typically, a spelling mistake would make my skin crawl...the English teacher just comes out in me. However, because I know how I personally pronounce this word, I am perfectly ok with my son thinking it is spelled that way. Just embrace the southern roots, son.

On a side note, Josh thinks its hilarious that I pronounce it this way as well. He constantly questions me if a waRshing of clothes is different in some way from a regular washing of them. Yes, he thinks he is quite the comedian, but I love him anyway.

Thankful

* The following commentary is entirely by Reid with a little typing help from mom.

We went to my Nanny and Papa's house to spend Thanksgiving. Me and Josh went hunting together, but we didn't find a turkey or deer. But, the next time Josh went I didn't go because I thought like last time he wouldn't find a deer or a turkey. But, he did find a deer. It was a mama deer so, he didn't shoot it. He didn't find a turkey either. Then, I wanted to go when Josh found a deer - a mama deer. Uncle Jason, Aunt Kim and my cousin Blake came over to eat with us. We played football. We got up at 2am to go shopping one morning. It was still dark. I played with Blake a little bit. I would run and Blake would try to find me and then I would get under the table where it would slow Blake down, so I had some time to run and hide. Then Nanny got Blake and I McDonald's. We ate then I took a nap.

When we were about to go, me, Papa, Josh and Nanny played another game of football before mom, Josh and I left. I had a great time with my Nanny and Papa spending Thanksgiving.

By: Reid

Proof

Not that my blog fans (which consists of my family and a couple of friends) don't believe that my hubby won the Conference this year in football...here is the proof.


Can't say it enough...we are proud of you Hubby!

Oh, happy day!

I am officially in the last year of my twenties...and so far it has been wonderful. Josh and I have a tradition of the "Birthday Week." This means that we celebrate the entire week when it is mine, Josh's or Reid's birthday. We try to make it special in every way. It may be little things each day, but meaningful. For example, this week, Josh has cleaned the kitchen and loaded the dishes a couple of nights after dinner, took me to dinner one night, and sent beautiful Gerber daisies (my favorite) to me at school.

My birthday flowers

Saturday morning Josh and Reid took off for a special "errand" and returned with a cake, roses, donuts and of course, a Dr. Pepper from Sonic (Reid even ordered "easy on the ice"). All were Reid's ideas for my birthday morning...my son knows me so well. So we all cuddled up on the couch, ate cake and chocolate donuts for breakfast and began our day. Sounds perfect, huh? I agree.

Reid's surprises for me

Reid requested they write, "I love you, Mom" on the cake especially for me

The roses Reid picked out were gorgeous!

Saturday evening, we met up with our good friends, Eston and Courtney for dinner and drinks at Chamberlyne...good food and great company.

It really has been a fabulous day/week with many memories that I will never forget. My boys (and the rest of my family) made me feel special and oh so loved! It most certainly was a happy day...

Conference Champs!

Just a short but sweet CONGRATULATIONS to my hubby. With their win tonight, his team became the conference champs!

It was an awesome season babe -- we are, yet again, so amazingly proud of you!

Halloween, Football and Family

On Wednesday, Josh's mom and stepdad (aka Mimi and Papi) flew in from Wyoming to spend some time with us. We were so happy that they were able to take some time off and come down. Josh's Thursday night game got cancelled due to the monsoon that came that day so it was rescheduled for Saturday. His family got to see him in action on Saturday as they beat the #1 team in their conference. It was such a great game and extremely exciting until the very end. Saturday night we took Reid on a Trick or Treating Hayride with some other friends. We all had a really fun time and Mimi and Papi got to experience their first hayride for Halloween.

Unfortunately, Monday morning came too quickly and Josh's parents had to head back home. It was so wonderful to have them here since we don't often get to see them. They ended their trip with purchasing some lotto tickets...we are keeping our fingers crossed! Hope you had a good time, Mimi and Papi!

Josh in action...hot isn't he? :)

Reid with Courtney (one of his "girlfriends")

Reid giving the congratulatory high five to his Josh.

Mimi, Papi, Josh and Reider

Our future MVP practicing his kicking skills on the field after the game.

Striking a pose before we head out to trick or treat.

Hanging out waiting for the hayride to start.

And that sweet wink that melts my heart.

Introducing...

Matilda "Mattie" Noe Callahan. My BFF since back in the day, Britney and her husband, Stephan welcomed their little bundle of joy this morning in Little Rock. My mom and I went to visit little Mattie for the first time this afternoon and I have to say - she is beautiful. Britney and Stephan have another little girl, Mary who is 7. Britney said when Mary came in to see Mattie for the first time she said, "Oh, I promised myself I wouldn't cry." How cute is that?!

Congratulations Britney!!

What a weekend!

It has been a busy few days. Thursday, Josh got yet another win - 27-0 against Greenbrier. It was a good night for the Whirlwinds. Friday, immediately after school we took off to Barton, Arkansas where we stayed the night with our good friends, Scott and Stevee. The next morning we headed out to Starkville, MS to watch our beloved Florida Gators take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs. We had great seats...only 5 rows from the top! Reid LOVED everything about the college football experience. He has turned into quite the little Gator fan. Then we stayed the night in Southhaven, MS and spent the morning in the indoor pool. It was a great little get away for our family and we topped it off with a stop at Chuck E. Cheese on our way home Sunday. Go Gators!

Go Gators!

Our Gators barely pulled out the win against the Razorbacks. We had some friends over, smoked some ribs and brisket and enjoyed a great game...including chocolate covered twinkies nd Oreo pie.

Josh and Jergs focused on the game.

Stevee, Me, Courtney and Regina. Please disregard my hair...not sure what exactly it is doing.

Josh and Pryor having some "quality time."

Two

Two wonderful men in my life. Two tough games. Two hard fought victories.

Reid was poised and ready for action.

Oh no...man down!

Thumbs up - he's ok!

Last, but not least, a picture of my head ball coach...just because I think he is hot.