The Parish Family

2012-02-02T17:42:00.001-08:00

This is what happens when you tell a 2 year old it's time to put up the toys and hop in the bath tub:

Mama stays back to pick up Legos....2 year old runs away.....

2 year old gets in tub fully clothed.

Instead of napping I......

2012-01-23T14:07:00.000-08:00

Daddy got a deer

2012-01-05T15:37:00.000-08:00

Lee killed a deer this week....and contrary to the pictures, with no help from deer hunting Will. All Will knows how to hunt is a good time.

Anniversary!!!

2011-12-21T14:03:00.001-08:00

Lee and I just celebrated 7 years in the big easy! We had a very restful, relaxing, fun and wonderful 24 hour getaway.... Didn't take too many pics, but here's some from our gospel brunch at the house of blues. We shopped, ate great, and just enjoyed each other....but this brunch was the highlight of the trip.... So much fun!

So blessed to have a hubby like Lee....can't wait for 7 more years!!!!!!

Sweet will will

2011-12-21T13:52:00.001-08:00

2011-12-17T07:22:00.001-08:00

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PCS Fall Festival Fun

2011-10-19T14:15:00.001-07:00

Fun at the PCS Fall Festival last night with our BFFs Zaidee and Sam!!! :)

Tummy time!

2011-09-23T11:04:00.001-07:00

Charlie at 3 months!!!

2011-09-20T09:42:00.000-07:00

What a sweet sweet joy you are!!! Who could resist those rolls and that smile??!!?? :)

Fun or dumb?

2011-08-22T16:54:00.001-07:00

Daddy had a long day on the road and was not home till later.... I decided to try to accomplish bath time all at once.

Fun or dumb?
Liza and will would say fun
Charlie definitely voted dumb

I love these 3 naked noo noos!!!!

Liza turned THREE!!!

2011-07-29T13:18:00.000-07:00

New tire swing!!!

2011-07-22T16:31:00.001-07:00

We LOVE daddy and the tire swing he made us!!!!

It's raining in Hattiesburg!

2011-07-12T14:52:00.000-07:00

Dog days of summer!

2011-07-02T19:46:00.000-07:00

Sam enjoying our front yard. The Kids just gave him ice cream and he is a happy dog.

Liza's cuddle buddy

2011-07-02T19:26:00.001-07:00

Our sweet Charlie is here and already one week old!!! He and Liza would lay together like this all day long.... More pics coming soon!

2011-06-25T11:41:00.000-07:00

2011-06-25T11:40:00.001-07:00

2011-06-24T14:11:00.001-07:00

Beach Trip!

2011-06-18T09:28:00.000-07:00

Here are our pictures from a family beach trip we took in April! It was one last family getaway before we have baby... It was a perfect trip....the weather was cloudy and foggy but it never rained. And the fog made it perfect for the kids to stay and play longer in the sand. We were so lazy and just played and played and played!

Just arriving and checking it all out!

Out to eat......aren't those the 2 most handsome boys ever!!!?!!!

Naptime......together.....so sweet. :)

Fun in the sun......or fog..... :)

My attempt at a photo session......

Breakfast at Tacky Jacks.... Will wasn't so sure about the huge fish.....he kept making these funny faces....didn't want to take his eyes off the fish. It cracked me up.

Feeding our Ducks...

2011-06-16T08:15:00.000-07:00

We have some pretty tame and sweet ducks out back that we love to feed almost daily!

We love our Sam!

2011-06-16T08:08:00.000-07:00

Will at work

2011-06-15T20:09:00.001-07:00

2011-06-15T20:06:00.001-07:00

I just taught Lee how to post pictures from his phone to our blog.... I have a feeling you will see a lot more from him to come. :)

He meant to add the caption to this photo:
"I hope this cat has nine lives."

Thanks so much to our buds, Joseph and Mechelle, for our new kitty....it was Liza's birthday present. : )

Parish Party of Four

2011-06-14T21:46:00.000-07:00

Before we become 5, and in case I don't take more time to continue sorting through the over 500 pictures and 1000's of memories I have neglected to post....here is the most recent picture of our little family (and sweet Ava, whom we would love to join our fam any day!). :)

I would love to be one of those families who have great family photos....and maybe one day we will be....but more times than not, we look like this:
(which I joke, but this really makes me soooo happy) :)

This was at Liza's 3rd Birthday party. It was such a fun day....and it will get a post of its own really soon! :)

Our Home

2011-06-14T21:38:00.000-07:00

Tiff, this one's for you. :) (And all my other sweet friends that keep asking for pictures....Tiff, you have just been the most persistent.)

Again, I am soooo behind on posting pictures.....seriously, I am culling through over 500 and trying to decide what to post.... so, this picture is a little outdated now (thank goodness, we do have landscaping now) :) But, here is our home.

And home it has become. :)

Beauty and the Beast

2011-06-14T21:19:00.000-07:00

Liza and I went to see Beauty and the Beast at the Saenger Theater! It was not quite the traditional version that we all know and love....but it was a fun girls date anyway! :)

Here are some fun pics of our day.

Looking at the picture of the girls with Belle cracks me up. Liza clammed up...it was no doubt a lot of pressure for her. I think now is a good time to post in my "online scrapbook" just how in love with Belle Liza is/was at age 2 (and still is as we are now 3....).

Believes she is Belle moments:

One morning at church she had substitue Sunday School teachers. She proceeded to convince them that her nametag was wrong and that her name truly was Belle, not Liza. They really believed her and called her Belle the majority of the time until she started talking about her daddy.......the Beast.

Lunch with Mama Ann at St Catherines: Liza walks around charming all the ladies, sweetly holding her great-grandmother's hand and introducing herself as Belle.

This might be my favorite because it was for nobody's benefit but her own:
Will is asleep one day, I'm in my room folding clothes, Liza is watching "Super Why." With no one around for her to impress, I hear the TV ask, "Super-readers, state your name." With all her heart, Liza says, "Belle!"

I am sure there are many more Belle stories I am forgetting.....and many more to come....

I could not adore my little Belle more! :)

Days of work and play at new house

2011-06-14T21:13:00.000-07:00

Well, so our house is not so new anymore. We have progressed much since these photos....but for the sake of me playing catch up, I wanted to post what every Saturday has looked like for the past sevvvveral months...

just no words....

2011-06-14T21:07:00.000-07:00

There just aren't enough words to adequately describe how much my children melt me.... this little man melts me to my core....

Random phone photos....

2011-06-13T07:44:00.001-07:00

Photo catch up: downloads from my phone.....

When I post from my phone, I don't know how to add captions under each picture.....so here is a quick explanation of each (hopefully in the right order).

1st 2 pics: Liza in her Halloween costume.....my cute little lady bug. Yes, this was back in October, and it melts me to see how much she has grown....

Next: Liza potty training. Got a great tip from a friend to leave a potty in the back of my car....lifesaver sometimes!!! I am pretty sure, though, that this picture was back in the fall/winter when our go at potty training was completely unsuccessful. Thank goodness for round 2 being better! :)

Next: one of our new favorite places....the zoo!

next 2 pics: One of our new favorite people: Sam Wall! :) The Walls are our amazing friends here...they have 3 precious children that my 2 children just adore... we were so lucky to have Sam get to come play for the day! :)

Last pic: This is a more recent picture of Liza and her pottying. Again, she has the act down now (thank goodness!) and loves to look like her daddy.....hahaha...Lee is going to kill me. :) I found her like this one day.....cracked me up and completely melted me. :)

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

38 weeks preggers.....where has time gone????

2011-06-13T07:41:00.001-07:00

Okay so, long time, no post.... I am going to play catch up today while I have a quiet house (Thanks, Nonnie!) :)

I never took pictures of myself with my first 2 pregnancies.... but, with this possibly (and only possibly...) being my last, I am a bit more sentimental and I guess brave. So, here is my huge belly! I am 38 weeks pregnant, so technically 2 weeks out....but they are going to induce next Tuesday! Yippeee! With only 1 week away I am one big ball of emotions....but mostly just super excited. Stay tuned.... Parish Baby #3 coming soon! :)

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

24 weeks preggers...

2011-03-08T13:42:00.001-08:00

Here I am 24 weeks with #3. I have to say....this picture really does not do the size of my belly justice. It is already large and in charge. : )

I don't know if I will post another belly shot....this one was posted for my college bff's after Caroline sent her cute little 26 week belly shot out today... This will be her 4th baby girl!!! Yay Caro! : ) They love pink in their house. : )

As for what color the Parish fam is getting ready for: we will all just have to wait! Lee and I decided that it would be fun to let #3 be a surprise. I have my guess....and I think I might have caught a glimpse of baby's hiney in my ultrasound....but Lee still wants to be surprised so I am trying to hold out for his sake now. : )

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

shepherding her heart....

2011-02-24T12:40:00.001-08:00

So...I have really been reading/praying a lot about raising my children. I admit it is the one area that I worry about the most. I want to raise children who first love the Lord and second love others more than themselves.....it is a big responsibility and I feel blessed that I have this job....but I put a lot of pressure on myself in this department. (Which please do not think is me bragging on my "goodness" of wanting to raise godly children.....on the contrary, it is a weak spot I am working on b/c I know ultimately that my children are in His hands and that He does not command us to worry over raising them....)

Anyways! I am so grateful that God is patient with my worrisome self and that today he gave me a little moment to relax and have a good laugh.

On the way home from school I was asking Liza about her day. She was rambling on about going to the gym, coloring a sunshine and her friends colored stars..... Going to time out....

Me: Liza, why did you go to time out?
Liza: I hit Kelsey on the head with a block.
Me: (in my best attempt to draw out the heart emotions...not just the right/wrong of the situation) How did you feel when you hit her?
Liza: Ummmmm
Me: What were you feeling when you hit her? Were you frusterated, angry, upset?
Liza: Ummmm
Me: Do you know how you felt?
Liza: Yes... I felt like a pizza!

Will

2011-02-08T09:14:00.001-08:00

Sweet will will watching tv. I found a show with real tractors and it held his attention for a record breaking 3 minutes! The other picture of him climbing on the table is much, much more him these days!

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

Liza being Liza

2011-02-08T09:11:00.001-08:00

Time for some mobile uploads while I wait at the doctor! These are Liza lately.... she loves her scooter and LOVES to play ballet and dance around...

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

2011-02-08T09:05:00.000-08:00

Guess he got bored with the legos... :)

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

More from the mouth of Liza....

2011-01-06T18:13:00.000-08:00

This is probably not that funny to anyone but Lee and me.....but I never want to forget how much Liza made me laugh today. So here it is:

Today when I picked her up from school she was digging in her pants. I quickly tried to grab her hand and I sorta sternly whispered, "Liza, what are you doing???" She calmly and loudly replied, "Gettin da hair out of my booty."

After naps we had a surprise call from my mom and Joe saying they were in town and wanted to see our house so I hung up the phone and said, "Liza! Grab your shoes...we are going to meet Nonnie and Granddaddy at the new house!" Liza's reply (in her best 'she's the mommy talking to a baby' voice) "Aww, whats wrong. They lost? They need help findin their home?"

Later, we pulled up at our new house and I said, "Look! There's Daddy's truck!" Liza: "No it's not." Me: "Yes it is." Liza: "Tell da truth, Mama."

Tonight, I was rubbing my belly (which has grown way too fast on this third). Liza: "What you doin?" Me: "Rubbing the baby." Liza: (while coming over to me and joining me in rubbing my belly....AND using the same 'baby talk' voice as before) "Aww, whats wrong, baby Buddy? You need your Da-Da? Awww baby."

Conversations with Liza

2010-12-22T04:27:00.001-08:00

Seriously, the best thing about having a 2 1/2 year old is getting to finally hear what is going on in their little brains. With Liza, it is always funny.

Monday night she watched her first full length movie....she has never sat and watched one from beginning to end....this was a first. Beauty and the Beast was on TV and we let her stay up a little later to watch it with us (I think we were enjoying the extra cuddle time...).

So, the first time Belle came out in one of her "fancy" dresses we heard Liza gasp and go, "ohhhhh!"

Lee: "She's beautiful isn't she, Liza!"
Liza: still gasping.... "yes!"
Lee: "She looks just like mommy, doesn't she!"
Liza: "Yes! And there is you, Daddy! The Monster!"

2010-12-17T13:04:00.001-08:00

Found this picture on my phone and wanted to post... Took the kids to Chick-Fil-A the other day. We were there early and all by ourselves....aka....playground to ourselves. My sweet big boy....at barely 1 year old....climbed all the way to the top of the playground thingy and slid down the slide all by himself! No push or help from anyone.... A feat I am sure Liza didn't do until she was 2 (although, her healthy legs always seemed to get in the way...haha). I was able to capture his face and just how proud he was on the way down.

The funniest part, though was what Liza was saying the whole time.... She was at the top coaching him on.... but she was saying, "Boy, come on. Come on Boy. Hey, Boy, come on." Who is 'Boy'??? Liza, meet your brother....his name is Will.

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

School Christmas parties!

2010-12-17T02:56:00.001-08:00

Will's little party was a blast, too! He couldn't have sweeter teachers.....I am amazed every Tues. and Thursday with what they do with 10 one year olds! And they are so so so loving.... I think the cutest part of all was that sweet boy tuckered out at lunch time.....I have never seen my child do this....neither of them, ever. It cracked me up.

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

School Christmas parties!

2010-12-17T02:55:00.001-08:00

Wouldn't you know it...I forgot my real camera to their school parties....thank goodness for great technology....I think I got some okay pictures with my phone. :) Liza's class is just too cute. It was so fun to get to be around these little friends that she makes me pray for every night...

The party was fun...lots of singing, story reading, and they recited John 3:16 which I had no idea she was learning. (well, a portion of it: God loved the world, SO MUCH, that he gave his only Son!) Emphasis on the "so much" b/c that is exactly how Liza says it. :)

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

John 3:16

2010-12-17T02:54:00.001-08:00

So this made me want to cry that she knew this..... And she didn't just know it with her teacher leading her....she said it again perfectly all by herself when Lee got home... So sweet... Really convicting....how many times do I think about what I'll do when my children are a little older??..... I think those days are here! She is old enough to quote scripture....It is time for me to be pouring it into her little head and heart!

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

Love this girl....

2010-11-24T10:13:00.001-08:00

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

USM Homecoming!

2010-10-11T23:36:00.001-07:00

Both kids went to this game with us. Notice the before and after! :) We had fun fun!

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

Chris Tomlin Concert!

2010-10-11T23:29:00.000-07:00

Last Wed Chris tomlin came to hburg...it was awesome!

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

New house progress!

2010-10-09T18:24:00.001-07:00

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

Phone updates....

2010-10-05T19:22:00.001-07:00

So, life is good....busy busy busy busy.....but good good good.

We are busy getting settled in our new hometown. That has been good. We are already plugged into a church we love and while we know we have many more friendships to make....we love the friends we have and are so excited about getting to know them better.

We are busy building our home.....I will try to post a picture update tomorrow. They went up with the upstairs walls today! Things are moving fast right now....but I think it all slows down once the framing is done. The house building keeps Lee really busy as he is trying to do much of it on his own....he is our contractor, etc.

We are busy with our sweet sweet kids. Liza keeps us on our toes as she is all 2....and Will keeps us on our running feet because he is all boy and now runs.....runs everywhere...into everything, up stairs, through tunnels, you name it, he goes. : ) They are our joys and make us want to have 10 more just like them!!!

I am busy with a new "hobby" I have in the making.... I will post more about that very soon I hope!

The following posts are updates from my phone. They are from anytime between June and now.

The first one is a video of sweet Liza when Lee went to Peru with our GA church. See....busy.....I don't think I ever posted about Lee's trip. It was in August, right before Will's 1st birthday. He was gone about 8 or 9 days. The kids and I went to GA to visit friends and pick him up during the last part of the week. I have no pictures from that trip, and Lee's camera broke so he has none from his end of the trip, either.....but I know we both have sweet memories in our heads and heart that no camera could capture!

That sums up our life for now. We feel so so so very blessed. We love and miss our GA friends, love our new Hattiesburg friends, love being close to family, we are just very blessed.

Precious

2010-10-05T19:10:00.001-07:00

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

Two buddies

2010-10-05T19:05:00.001-07:00

Whenever the two of them are together like this...Liza likes to say, "two little buddies."

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

Boys

2010-10-05T19:03:00.001-07:00

Boy meets drawer in crib with fun toys. Boy has to get inside drawer in crib to play with fun toys. Big boy (daddy) now has drawer to fix. He will get to use big boy toys (tools). This all equals 2 happy boys.

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

Playing at park

2010-10-05T18:32:00.002-07:00

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

Big boy at park

2010-10-05T18:32:00.001-07:00

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

Making muffins

2010-10-05T18:30:00.001-07:00

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

Liza eating popcorn at usm game!

2010-10-05T18:29:00.000-07:00

Liza had been to 2 usm games and loves it! She loves to holler, "gooooo eagles! Bite!" Which really makes me laugh.

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

The Waiting Room

2010-09-28T19:04:00.000-07:00

I have to put a plug in for our BFFs from Georgia, Ben and Sarah Hobbs. They have encouraged me beyond words with their recent step out in faith. I would explain....but their words are so much better than mine. To read about what is going on in their life.....and to truly just be touched and encouraged....check out their blog!!!

Click here -----> the waiting room (when life doesn't go as planned)

And, be sure to pass their website along to anyone you know who could be touched by their story!

Love and miss you, Hobbs! : )

Shutterfly | Shared Picture Detail

2010-09-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

Shutterfly | Shared Picture Detail

I tried to upload some pictures from my weekend.....it didn't really work how I wanted it to.... but you can click above and go to shutterfly for pictures from my 10 year highschool reunion! :)

It was so good to see and catch up with old friends.....everything seemed just the same....just a little older. : )

Carousel ride at Gatti Town

2010-09-07T10:00:00.001-07:00

What is Gatti town? A cleaner version of chucky cheese. Our new Wednesday every week event: story time at the library. Both kids love it! Last week was a treat to go to Gatti town after story time.

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

Will turned One!

2010-08-25T22:02:00.001-07:00

Will turned one yesterday! We had a small dinner with grandparents and just our little family...it was a perfect first birthday!

Sweet boy, where do I begin? Your smile melts me to my core...and most everyone who ever comes in contact with you. Your sunday school teachers usually carry you out of the room and almost into the parking lot...they say every week that they would take you home any day I would let them. : ) You have the softest skin and the best cuddles. You are a BUSY body. You are very cuddly and loving....but at the same time you are very busy and into everything....you don't stop often, but when you do, you make the most of every cuddle. You love music and love to dance. You love to play wherever Liza is. You are starting to walk....you took your first steps about 3 weeks ago! You are still a faster crawler, but you are walking more and more everyday. You are a very picky eater...would prefer goldfish and animal crackers over anything else. You aren't saying much...although you just started "uh-oh." And, you love to mimick noises and funny faces. And sometimes when you are fussing, I can almost see you trying to mouth the words "ma-ma" but nothing comes out. You are just so fun and easy-going. You are the perfect 4th puzzle piece in our family. I am starting to see a bit of a sneaky side in you....Liza loves to steal the show....but you have a way of sneaking in some attention just when you need it. I can't wait to see how much you grow and change in another year.

Sweet angel, we pray for you to grow to be a man of courage and quiet strength. We pray God takes your easy-going personality and uses it for His kingdom. We are in love with your one year old self and are the proudest parents around!

random pictures

2010-08-25T21:27:00.000-07:00

As I prepared to post about Will's birthday....I found some cute pictures floating around on my camera. I am working on mananging my time better....I feel like I run around like a crazy woman half the time... I have a lot going on with just having 2 little ones, then there is a recent move, a house we are building....and some other possiblities that I am sure I will post about soon... I can almost cry looking at some of these photos and knowing that Will turned 1 yesterday just blows my mind. The picture with Liza in my lap is not a "cute" picture....but rather an image and moment to remind me to be still and have my priorities in the right places. Soon the day will be gone when she wants to crawl in my lap for a few moments just to wake up in the mornings. Praise you, Lord, for the awesome blessing and responsibility of these 2 little ones!

I am about to post all about sweet Will.....but I need to note (while I am in the typing mood...) a bit about Liza at 2.3. Hilarious. That would sum her up. Naughty and sassy and truly full of life. She never stops smiling (except for her sassy moments, of course...and some of them are still in smiles). She is tough as a nail but tender and sweet as a teddy bear. Her famous lines right now: "Hold you." Which really means "hold me." "Miss you, Will." "Mommy, let's go go." While gathering up every bag she can fit on her arms. She conversates now. That is something my heart was not prepared for....although 2 years into this I am starting to realize my heart won't be prepared for any of this. She really can talk to you and answer you and think for herself without just repeating whatever I just said. And she is very sure of how she feels. One day, while tackling Will, I told her to quit being like her Uncle Matthew (who used to tackle me). She quickly and very sternly told me, "No, mise not untle NatNew! Mise aunt Jessica!" :) Oh, Liza, words just couldn't ever describe how happy you make us.

Dress up!

2010-08-03T10:32:00.001-07:00

This is one of lizas favorite new hobbies!

BTW....I totally just posted this from my phone...aren't you proud?

Elizabeth Parish

Sent from my HTC

future groupie.....

2010-07-29T08:19:00.000-07:00

Still have more pictures of our past 6 weeks to post.....coming soon!

Last night, right at bedtime, Lee turns on the TV. Will was sleepyly playing....you know....we were in the calm down and get ready for bed part of the night.....when all of a sudden, he heard music.

It probably was cuter/funnier to us because A. he is our child and B. we saw it in person.....but nonetheless.....this cracked us up. And part of the humor was that he went from being quiet and still to on his feet dancing in half a second flat. He was truly moved by this music! : ) I only wish we could've caught the first minute on video....he was getting down! I thought Liza loved music....but I have never seen her get down like this.....at least not at this age..... We think it was his way of trying to tell us to quit playing veggie tales and give him some real music. : )

6 week summary

2010-07-28T12:21:00.000-07:00

Before the Cow posting (see below), I have not posted anything since Liza's first day of MMO. MMO this summer was 6 weeks long, and tomorrow is her last day, so I have not posted in 6 weeks. Where does a month and a half go?

Lee and I took a wonderful and much needed weekend getaway to New Orleans. It was so good to have just some "us" time. It truly was one of my favorite vacations in a long long time. We ate and ate and ate, walked and talked, people watched, did some looking at ideas for our home ...... We really just enjoyed being together......and I have absolutely no pictures to show for it! : )

The next weekend, we went to Lee's parents house for a "stay-cation." A vacation where you stay at home..... Due to scheduling between vacation bible schools, softball, baseball, basketball camps, working, etc. it was hard to find a week for the beach. So, we took the beach to MeMe and PapPaws! It was the weekend of the 4th of July..... We had a blast! I will post pictures soon.

I think the next couple of weekends after that, we have been cleaning brick. We have collected (with much help from Lee's oldest brother and dad!) brick from an old school house close to where Lee grew up. It is beautiful old brick.....we are going to use it for the floors in our kitchen and breakfast room. I have yet to take a picture......but hopefully I will get one before the whole process is finished.

Our lot is completely cleared.....we hope to officially begin building next week!!! More to come on that, as well.....

Kids:
Growing and soooo much fun right now. Despite the challenges of Will still napping twice a day and the hot, hot summer, we still manage to make it to the park or pool most every day. Liza and Will are truly starting to act like "real" brothers and sisters. They play together and fuss together. They talk to each other.....Liza will say his words when she thinks he isn't getting it in hers. : ) She has really become a little mamma..... She greets him every morning with a huge hug and, "Mornin Weeee-uullll!" The second she wakes up she asks for him. If he cries she says, "comin wee-ul. I gotchu. Its ok weee-ull." So sweet.

Other than that......life has just been normal Lee and Liz happenings. We have joined a church here, really started making some good friends, and are just happy happy! We miss, you, our sweet GA family! : ) But, we have really seen God at work here.....and we are growing more and more together in Him everyday..... We are blessed!

Okay.....that is all for our updates......I typed this out sooo fast while I had a sec....please excuse any bit that doesn't make sense.....hopefully when I have a bit of time again I will get more pictures up......I first have to find my camera battery! Chick-fil-a was on another camera.....so it got posted first!

Enjoy!

moo

2010-07-28T11:27:00.001-07:00

So if you know me (and I would think you do if you are reading this.....), you know I love to save money where I can......and if something is free?......well, I might just do a dance.

Or........I could dress up my whole family for free Chick-fil-a!

(I love these first 3 pictures of Will!!!) : )

Little Liza not wanting to wear her ears.....

This sums up Liza in a picture:

Lee might just kill me for posting this......however, he did it.....the worst of it is over. : )

here is a video I shot at Wal-Mart after our fun night......and yes - we went to wal-mart dressed like cows.

If the picture above of Liza with her head-band in her mouth didn't sum her up.....this video does! This video was taken on accident, I guess, because it is only 2 seconds long.....but if you watch Liza.....you will see her little 25 month old personality perfectly. Smiling and sassy!

sweet little Will.....he is growing up on us so fast!

be still, my heart

2010-06-22T08:45:00.000-07:00

Today was Liza's first day of Mother's Day Out. I felt like I was dropping her off for her first day of "real school." Seriously....look how grown-up she looks! I was just a mess of emotions.....It was a new church, I didn't know any of the teachers.....there was no Judah for Liza to play with (or get in trouble with) : ) I wasn't even really sure where to park. And then Liza had to go and be so big on me. "Bye bye, mommy!" I mean, seriously?

I am typically not the mom that gets emotional over this kind of thing.....I mean, I love my kids and miss them immensely when I am away from them, but I appreciate some good time off.... But... she stays until 1pm! I don't even get to eat lunch with her!

So, whats a momma to do? 1. Shed a few tears on the way home. 2. Blog about it so that I can get it off my chest and never forget this moment, ever. 3. Thank our Heavenly Father for such a precious gift, dry my eyes, and face the diaster that is awaiting me in my kitchen (and smile knowing that I can do it in peace and quiet while Will sleeps and Liza plays safely in good hands....)

new home!

2010-06-22T08:34:00.000-07:00

We have officially bought, and closed on our lot! We are building a home! They began clearing our lot yesterday.....no turning back now! : ) We are super excited.....I am a bit nervous (but in a good way!). We hope to actually start building at the end of July. Stay tuned for more updates.......and more shots of Liza eating an ice cream cone.......we love to get ice cream and ride around .......it has become a tradition for us (one that Lee and I did 6 years ago when we moved to Macon.....what is it with us, new towns, and ice cream???....)

playing catch up

2010-06-22T07:47:00.000-07:00

I might as well go ahead and be honest with myself.....I might never actually print all these pictures and put them in a photo album as I so want to do. I am about 1 1/2 years behind and the thought of going back and printing and organizing all those photos just overwhelms me. So, I plug along on my blog knowing that if my family ever needs a "photo fix" in the future, all they have to do is mosey over to the family computer and find them....

Here are some pictures from Liza's actual birthday that I didn't post. I only posted from her party, which was the day after her birthday.

Here she is eating her birthday waffle with 2 candles.....thus the attempting to hold up 2 fingers. Please overlook my "mommy face" (with smeared, just woke-up, last night's make-up on my face).

This picture really cracks me up. These are just a couple "little happys" that we got Liza.....she, of course, wanted them all at one time. Meet princess, goggle wearing, water-gun toting Liza.

Here are some fun pictures from a day at MeMe and PapPaw's. It was Liza's first time to go fishing.....she was a bit scared of the fish.....but had a blast.

It happened...

2010-06-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

These pictures have absolutely nothing to do with the "it happened" title. They are just some recent pics of the kids playing and loving each other I thought I would upload.....

So,
It happened:
Changing Will's diaper this morning, Liza spotted and pointed to Will's "boy parts."

Liza: "Mommy! Belly Button!!!"

hmmmm, um, yes, liza, belly button.......

Liza Lou is Two!!!

2010-06-09T07:42:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday, Sweet Liza!!!

Liza turned 2 last Friday, June 4th. We celebrated her birthday on Saturday! It was so wonderful to be able to have all of her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and even her great-grandmother there! And, while we miss our Georgia friends, Liza's new bud, Sara Mills got to come and play! (And her parents and brother! : )

Liza, Daddy and I ADORE you at two!!! You are all girl, silly, determined, playful, hilarious, and just our constant joy!!! There is never a dull moment when you are around....and how dull would life be without you?!? You love to cook, sing, play with your dolls, make Will laugh (and cry some, too : ), draw (or "ca-cor"), eat popsicles, play outside, make a mess (but then you always want to be clean). You adore your grandparents, would rather play with your daddy than anyone else in the world, and love to cuddle with mommy right when you wake up from your nap (but not for long....). You are talking so much more as of just 2 weeks ago..... Yesterday you made a ball out of playdough and quickly looked at Will and said, "Ready Will? Catch This!" And before I could move you had chunked the ball at him...... You keep us on our toes. You are our crazy wild child, but we catch glimpses of your gentle side every now and then. We love you as our strong willed little girl and wouldn't have you any other way......you already know and talk about Jesus and love to read your Bible.....we pray all the time that as you grow, you will use your energy and spunk to glorify our Lord! We love you so much!!!

family photo time.....

2010-06-01T12:20:00.000-07:00

These are not recent pictures.....but they are the most recent I have. They were taken at our BFF's , Ben and Sarah's house (for sweet baby Emily Hobb's sip and see....we love and miss Brad and Tessa!).....their sweet friend Nikki took them for us.....Thank you so much!!!

It has been a while since I have posted anything......so I just wanted to write that we are alive, settled in our rental home in Hattiesburg, happy, kids well adjusted, visiting churches, and you can find me standing on the corner of the biggest intersection holding a sign that says, "Will Work for Friends." : )

To my sweet friends in Macon: I miss you more than words can say!

Stamp out Hunger (and clean out your pantry)

2010-05-07T12:05:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, Saturday, May 8th, is a great opportunity to give to your community without much effort at all! Go to your pantry....select a few non-perishable food items, bag em up, and leave them by your mailbox for your letter-carrier to pick up and deliver to your local food bank! That easy! Check it out here for more info:

http://www.helpstampouthunger.com/

sniff sniff....

2010-05-05T10:54:00.000-07:00

Our sweet sweet friends had us a going away party Sunday night..... It was a sweet time of fellowship and closure for us that we will never forget. God blessed us so much with a close group here ...it is hard to leave. But, we know that God will continue to be faithful and bless us in this new chapter of our lives!

our current events....

2010-05-05T10:29:00.000-07:00

I guess I am going to take a second to blog what is going on with us.....

These pictures are from MeMe and PapPaw's house last week. Let me back up.....our house sold! It was only on the market about 3 weeks.....and it sold! It completely shocked and thrilled us at the same time. For my sweet GA friends.....you know it does not thrill us to leave so soon.....but I mean, if we have to go, we have to go. I didn't want to spend months with Lee gone to MS every other week. So, for that reason, we were thrilled that it sold quickly. I have to say that we also felt like it was good affirmation from God that we are making the right steps. So, we got the contract on our house on a Saturday, and we went to MS that next weekend. These 2 pics are the only ones I took that were worth posting.....It is Will and cousin Emily playing together......and Lee, his dad, and Liza checking out the garden together. We had a great trip home as always......and it was so different leaving to come back to GA this time. I don't think my mom sqeezed me and the babies for 10 minutes like she normally does......she simply hugged my neck quickly and said, "See you in 2 weeks!" : )

Anyway, while there, we found somewhere to rent. It is a cute town-house in Hattiesburg. We close on our house here next Wednesday.....yes in 1 week. We will close the 12th, movers will pack us the 12th and 13th, they will load the truck the 14th, then we will be gone that weekend! I have so many emotions.......

But, true to our style, we are cramming in all we can before we leave. Dinners almost every night with friends, I am hosting a baby shower Monday night, Lee is still playing softball Thursday night, Will is having surgery Wednesday to have tubes put in his ears........yes we will have surgery Wednesday, close, and pack a house all in one day...... We are busy, but I don't think Lee and I could operate any other way......

Boy meets Girl

2010-05-05T08:37:00.000-07:00

There is definitely a difference between boys and girls. Or at least between my boy and girl. While I would definitely put Liza in the "wild child" category.....she is no wall flower......she never went to some places Will goes. The first picture shows a permanent blocking of our fire place..... He will be in it in a second flat. He also travels to the unknown.....under tables.....behind furniture......if there is an opening, he chooses the smallest and darkest to explore. Liza could get into anything.....but she always stayed out in the open......Will gets into anything where he thinks I can't see! : )

I love the middle picture of Will "cooking." Maybe he will take after his uncle Matthew and be a gourmet chef! : )

The last picture is just one of those silly times of Liza being all girl......liza found her bag of old bows and insisted to have them all in her hair.....I chose to put them in a head-band style......Lee actually thought I bought a new head-band (seriously???).....it was quite a terrifying look that we sported all day.....yes even out to run errands. It made her happy. I am just glad she has never thought about it again. : )

the sweetest thing.....

2010-05-05T08:29:00.000-07:00

Too many pictures.....too little time!!! I am playing catch up on my blogging today......

These sweet pictures captured a moment I stumbled upon.....these are the moments that make being a mommy the absolute best thing the in whole wide world....

Two little bottoms playing on the steps and reading books together.....

you are jealous.....don't lie.....

2010-05-05T08:22:00.000-07:00

After her bedtime bath, Liza escaped from her daddy to go looking for mommy and Will.....which turned into a completely naked jam session with my i pod. Really.....wouldn't we all like to be free enough to dance naked???? hahahah......

Easter 2010

2010-04-07T14:43:00.000-07:00

We had a blast at our church's Egg Hunt! Liza had so much fun on the huge blow up slide!

Pretty pitiful little bunny rabbit cake that we made.....and even a bit scary with the bright red eyes....but we had fun doing it! Maybe next year I will think ahead to get different candy......I just used what we had this year.....

Daddy's little girl....

Mommy's little boy....

Random Parish fun...

2010-04-07T14:14:00.000-07:00

As I was uploading Easter photos, I found some other fun pics from recently that I just wanted to add! Enjoy!

Two little rugrats..... They can entertain each other and play so well now....

Putting out pinestraw with Daddy and Sam!

Money Saving Mania....

2010-04-02T04:06:00.001-07:00

Okay, my friends here in Macon......or anyone that has seen me since February, probably has heard me talk about this "coupon class" that I went to. But for those that have not heard my spill:

It is bananas.

I have always heard of those people that went shopping and bought $150 worth of groceries for only $50. When I heard that, I always thought either #1: They are probably liars. haha. or #2: They are probably 89 years old and have nothing else to do. Well, I found out that neither of those are true. Couponers are smart, savvy, and super cute gals that just know how to save their family mega mega bucks. : )

Again, it is bananas. I highly recommend that you check out the website: http://www.time2saveworkshops.com/. (I have their link on the right....scroll down and you will see it). Look for any workshops they have coming up that you would be able to go to.....It is well worth the time and money.

Since attending this workshop I have not spent more than about $60-$70 a week.....and many weeks I have spent way less than that. The average American family spends around $150 a week. This week was a high spending week for me b/c we were out of town last week.....I spent about $65 but saved $75. So.....I bought about $140 worth of groceries, diapers, cleaning supplies, etc......and only spent $65. And, I don't spend much time on it at all. Okay, yes, the first few weeks I spent a lot of time on it......but now about 2 months into it, I don't spend much time at all......

AND.....if all of that isn't enough......I lots of times get FREE stuff! Free! And, there are even sometimes deals that MAKE you money!!! The picture at the top was my very first couponing try after attending the workshop. Those are 2 things of Purex laundry detergent that I got for......Free. After leaving workshop, I was excited but still skeptical. After buying laundry detergent for free......I was hooked!

I feel like a dork posting this on my blog.....but, I just thought that some of my sweet friends that read this that I don't talk to everyday might want in on the savings.....

Again, check out that website, or call me and I will be more than happy to explain it all! : )

Last thing: have you ever heard of SwagBucks? It was something I was skeptical of as well......I think free things are usually tricks. : ) All swagbucks is is a search engine, just like google, but you earn money using it. You earn points every day that you use it.....and around 400 points wins you a $5 gift card to Amazon.com. (Or they have Target, Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, etc.). 400 points might seem like a lot to win.......and it still does to me......but, I have only been using Swagbucks for about 5 days and already have 101 points! If you want to sign up for it, click on my link at the top!

Again, I feel silly posting all this.......but I feel as if I just won the lottery and really love sharing my knew knowledge!

Life is good.....

2010-03-31T10:17:00.000-07:00

I think everyone that reads my blog already knows about our most recent big news.... But, since this is my "scrapbook," it needs to be noted.

The for sale signs are in our yard, it is official: We are moving! We are moving.... with an exclamation mark. The exclamation mark signifies my feelings of excitement, but also my feelings of "oh no!" We could not be more thrilled to be moving close to our parents and brothers. We are so excited to be moving back in the state that we would always call "home." But, there have been many tears already shed and I am sure more to come as we think about leaving friends that we have come to know and love sooooo much. I have a lump in my throat as I type....

whew....I need to move on....

I uploaded some recent videos of the kiddos. These are the reason for my title of this post: Life is good. Life is soooo good in the Parish household. Liza is wild and crazy and fully toddler. She is so much fun and it amazes me what she learns everyday. Will is in that wonderful baby stage where you really begin to see his little personality.... He is also in that stage where he is developing so quickly. Just 4 weeks ago he was only lifting up and barely sitting on his own.......now he can get himself to sitting from his belly, and crawl! We bathe them together at night......which is something that I have been looking forward to doing since I was pregnant with him. Don't know why that seemed so much fun to me, but it did. Now it is here, and I do love it! : ) Anyway, these videos aren't super duper funny or special for any particular reason......they are just sweet to me as a mommy. They show a glimpse of our kids right now.....I can see me watching them over and over when I am old and gray..... Or, maybe not. I might be too busy enjoying grandchildren......either way......right now they are my sweet babies and they are growing so fast!

Enjoy!

naked noo noos!

2010-03-12T03:51:00.000-08:00

This post is for the grandmothers......it is wayyyy too many pictures of basically the same thing...... but can I help it that I just couldn't pick one that was the cutest???

It all began one morning after breakfast.....I went to get Will dressed while Liza watched cartoons.....Will desperately needed a manicure, so before dressing him I went to do that. I keep their clippers in the den b/c Liza will only be still for me to cut hers with the tv on...... soooo after Liza saw Will getting his nails clipped, she of course wanted hers done, too. Which meant taking off her footed pj's so I could get her feet as well. (Again, all these things she keeps doing b/c her little brother does them......one day I am going to use this when she whines about him copying her.....last night she HAD to have a bit of baby food just b/c he was eating it......she didn't like it, though, so I don't think she will try that one again....) Anyway, that is the long explanation of how and why both of my kids were were down to their skimpies.......they were so cute I had to get the camera.......

I told Liza to go sit "by" Will.....we are still working on our prepositions.

Can you see my teeth???

Sweet baby...... I am just a little obsessed with this boy right now.....Lee says he pitys the girl that tries to marry him......

Cutie Liza.....

These next 3 perfectly sum up their personalities....... Liza puts her finger in Will's mouth, he smiles. Liza puts her foot in his face, he smiles. Liza tries to sit on top of Will, he kisses.

What about this view, mom???

Did she think I wouldn't see her???

This one of Liza cracks me up..... check out her perfect little lounging position with her knee up, arm around Will, and the biggest cheese ever......she looks like she is posing for her Sr. year pictures.....

My sweet babies....

BIG laugh!

Okay, seriously. Mom, enough.

lessons from Liza

2010-02-27T03:09:00.000-08:00

I think every mom I know that loves the Lord feels the same way as me: our Children teach us SO MUCH about God. Never has the gift of God sending His Son to die for us become so real to me as much as when Liza was born and I felt the love for a child that was my own flesh and blood. What God did for us truly is amazing.

So, lately, since Liza has become this walking and talking real person, I have been even more blown away at the simple little truths God places on my heart through random, and usually funny moments with Liza. (Just to set the record straight.....my sweet Will, mommy loves you just as much as that crazy sister of yours.....your smiles melt me to my core.....you just aren't talking or moving much yet......hang in there......I am quite sure you will give me much to ponder soon enough!).

Anyway.....considering the fact that Will's baby book might still have plastic wrap around it......I become more and more motivated to record moments with the kids that I never want to forget. This blog is an easy way to do it b/c I don't have to send pics to be printed, worry about my handwriting, and it is so much faster to type than write.

Back to the point: lessons from Liza. Liza does some funny things every day that I never want to forget. But, sometimes, they teach me things and I never want to forget that either. I don't consider myself very deep and I am certainly not a gifted writer/speaker or theologian. Do I even know how to spell that word? But, for me, sometimes the best lessons are little simple truths that a child can shed light on.

So, Liza lesson #1:

Liza can be playing so happily and then all of a sudden it hits: her hunger. That girl goes from being completely content to famished in 30 seconds. Thursday it hit her (mid-morning) when I was digging through the freezer trying to figure out what to cook for supper. While helping me, she came across a frozen bag of veggies. She had to have them. So, I got out a little bowl to quickly zap some in the microwave (what mom wouldn't want to give their kid some veggies even at 10 am?). She couldn't wait 30 seconds....she had to have them right then. So, I reached in the bag and pulled out a frozen green bean and gave it to her. While I was saying, "See, they aren't good until you cook them....." she was already reaching for another. She loved the frozen green beans. Crazy girl. : )

So that is the cuteness I don't ever want to forget.....and here is the little truth the Holy Spirit convicted me of:
Elizabeth, how often do you impatiently settle for something that may be good for you instead of waiting for My best?

6 months old!

2010-02-24T10:36:00.000-08:00

So, I am trying to hold true to my promise yesterday of posting all about you, my sweet boy! Where did half of a year go????

I have to say that you are starting to give me almost as much to write about as that crazy sister of yours! : ) (Which is impressive all things considered....)

At six months:

You still smile more than any baby I have ever seen.

Anyone who has ever kept you or taken care of you, falls in love with you.

You have your two bottom/front teeth (but barely....they are your newest addition and accomplishment.....and by your drool I think the top two are right behind them).

You can sit up on your own......but are still pretty wobbly.....and the extra "love nudges" from Liza aren't a huge help. She means well. : )

You can roll both ways......although I seem to miss it every time. But lots of other people tell me about it.....daddy, grandparents, nursery workers at church, etc. I just like to think that you are playing "baby" for me since you know I love you that way. : )

You can get up on all fours and act as if you are ready to crawl......but you only seem to move in reverse. Your face sure is serious when you are trying this one, though. Not aggressive like Liza was, just serious.

You love to gnaw on your feet......shoes, socks, toes.....anything that is attached to your foot.

You love to grab onto hair.....and not let go. I never experienced this wonderful sensation with your sister.....I first thought it was just because my hair is longer with you as a baby than it was when Liza was a baby. But, I have watched you pull your daddy's hair with just as much muscle as mine.....so I now know, you just love hair.

You absolutely light up when Liza comes around you. She can always make you smile and laugh just as you always make her smile and laugh. I knew watching my children together would be fun.....but I had no idea how fun.

As much as I try to get you to use a pacifier, you love to suck your fingers when you sleep. And, much to my dismay, it is your two middle fingers. So far, you don't really do it when you are awake and playing......well.....thats not really true.....sometimes you stick your whole hand in your mouth.....but I think that is more of a teething thing.

I wonder if you might end up being left handed. As a teacher, I well know that there is no way to know for sure until at least 3 years of age.....and sometimes kids change even after that.....but, you suck your left fingers, you usually pick up toys with your left hand first, and these past two days of feeding you rice cereal, you have reached for the spoon with your left hand every time I try to put the spoon in your mouth. Hmmm? I wonder?

Speaking of that rice cereal.....I know this post is all about you.....but this must be noted for the day when Liza says, "He keeps copying me." This morning, while Liza was enjoying her yummy breakfast, she insisted on having a bowl of rice cereal. Just like her little brother. : ) I tried to explain that what she was eating was much better tasting......but oh no. She had to have some. So, after fixing her a bowl......she scarfed it down! One would think after the delightfulness of maple brown sugar oatmeal, one would never go back to rice cereal mush......but Liza ate it as if I was never going to feed her again. We'll see how long that one lasts.

Back to you, sweet boy.
You are incredibly ticklish on your collar bone. You give me big, guttural laughs when I tickle you under your chin. And, you sound just like Liza when you laugh really big like that.

Speaking of laughing and what you and Liza have in common: Y'all both get very silly and delirious at night. Don't get me wrong, you both can get grumpy at the commonly dreaded 5 o' clock hour......but get you through that and into your 7:30 bedtime.....and it becomes comedy hour. I don't know who laughs more during that final diaper change, you or her.

You finally are a good, good sleeper. Well, at least at night. : ) I like to think that you can just run off of less sleep than others during the day. You are like daddy, and Liza is like me......us girls like our sleep and you boys don't like to miss any of the daytime action. But, you now (after some help) are a wonderful sleeper......from around 8pm - 8am every day! :) And the smile that you greet me with in the morning is something that I will never forget!

Will, our sweet little Bubba, you are our bundle of joy and our family just wouldn't have been the same without you these past 6 months!!!

my hungry boy

2010-02-23T05:56:00.000-08:00

Yay! Will ate rice cereal for the first time this morning! He did great and loved it!

Will, you are growing so fast! Tomorrow you will be 6 months old! I will try to find time to post tomorrow all about you.....for now, I need to go take care of you and your sweet and busy sister!

liza lingo...

2010-02-19T12:51:00.000-08:00

My sweet liza, here are some words you say at 20 months and how you say them. I never want to forget....

your own name: Liza - pronounced "i-la" (with a long I)

pretzel - "tet tet" (which you love)

medicine - "sin sin" (which frighteningly enough you also love)

milk - "nulk" (which for some strange reason always gives me the mental image of "the hulk"......weird). : )

Thank you - gank gu

bracelet - "set set"

Will - as we all know, Will has been Bubba since the day he was born.....but you are finally starting to try to say "Will." It sounds sorta like "bll" or "bull." And Bull is actually (as of at least this week) what you are calling him most often.....however....in a moment of weakness, I still hear an excited, "Oh Bubba!" come from your mouth! : )

soft blanket or night night - used to be "nye nye" but you recently have added the t sound and it sounds like you say "nat nat" now. Oh the southern drawl.....

You really have become quite the talker lately.....saying many words just as they are. Which is so amazing, sad, sweet, funny, and scary all at once! You have even begun singing along with me.....you pick and chose the words you want to sing......and usually just repeat them over and over.....and you usually sing them before it is actually time for them in the song, as if just to prove to me you know whats coming next. : )

I truly think that the growth process is simply an amazing gift from our Father. The fact that just a year ago Liza was Will's size, and now she is a walking talking wonder, is simply a gift and a blessing from the Lord. I feel so blessed to share in His amazing creation of life.....I can't help but think how much He must smile over each child of His just as I smile over Liza and Will. And, thinking of growth spurts.....just as much as I rejoice when Liza learns and begins to apply something new.....how much more does God rejoice over me when I finally begin to learn and apply something new He has taught me??? Thank you, Lord, for your gift of children and how much you teach me through them!

i heart snow

2010-02-18T07:04:00.000-08:00

Cupid brought snow to Macon for Valentine's weekend!

Sunday, on Valentine's day, we made heart cookies. I hate that there are no pictures of Lee because it was really all his idea. He ran to the store for me to grab a few essentials and brought home all the supplies for cookies as a surprise and declared that it was our new Valentine's tradition! : ) Liza discovered that the dough was more delicious that having to wait until we were all done.

Random photo that has nothing to do with snow or valentine's day......but, someone has to pay the bills.

Celebrity Quail Hunt

2010-02-18T06:35:00.000-08:00

Kubota is one of the sponsors for Quail Unlimited. Every year in Georgia, there is a celebrity quail hunt put on by Quail Unlimited. Well, because Kubota sponsors it, and because it is in Lee's territory, he gets to hunt in the celebrity hunt. I know, rough job.

I am quite sure we will have one of these dogs in the near future....

The "celebrity" that Lee got to hunt with? None other than the famous Jett Williams. That's right, Hank Williams, SRs daughter (and Hank Williams, Jr's half-sister). She was born just days after his death, and was never recognized as his daughter. When she was old enough to realize who she was, she hired an attorney and sued for her rights as his daughter. She then went on to marry her attorney. Here is Mrs. Jett and her husband:

Again, tough job.

5 and counting....

2010-01-16T18:41:00.000-08:00

No, I am not posting to say that we are adding a 5th to our family. (Although one day.....) : )

I let a very important date pass by without recognizing it.

On December 18th, Lee and I celebrated 5 years of being married! I don't know if it was my grandmother asking me about a picture in my house taken the night Lee and I "met" or the fact that Lee is out of town and I am missing him......but something has me thinking about him and wanting to record our anniversary for the world to read (or at least for me to read one day when I am old and grey...).

We put the kids down early, ate a candlelit dinner that we cooked together, and then cozied up by the fire in our den. No weekend getaway or 5 star restaurant could have been any better.

a few thank you's:

Thank you, Mama Ann for orchestrating this whole thing many, many years ago....

Thank you, Steven and Melanie for getting married. It was at your wedding and in the tux's that you picked out that made me take a second look at a boy from Clem.

Thank you, Janie Parish. It was Lee holding you at the Rankin's wedding that helped Lee get a 3rd look from me. : )

Thank you, big bro Matthew for giving me the go ahead in dating Lee.....he is the only guy you ever actually told me to hold onto.....brothers know best!

Thank you most of all to Jesus Christ for your loving grace! Lee and I have both come a long way since we met and then said "I do." Thank you for changing us and being the center of our lives!

Lee, I love you with all my heart and promise not to post another cheesy anniversary blog.....at least until our 6th anniversary.....Ha! : )

Christmas Fun!

2010-01-12T16:52:00.000-08:00

Happy Mid-January! Christmas this year was so much fun! We had our little family's Christmas Eve and Christmas morning a bit early. We celebrated ours on Monday night and had "Santa" Tuesday morning before hitting the road. We drove all day Tuesday.....the kids did great....and went straight to my brother's house (Matt and Jess' home) to have Christmas with my dad. We had so much fun and stayed up much too late! : ) Then we had fun spending time in Magee with my mom and Joe..... and then on to Clem to have Christmas with the Parish's! Liza was so much fun at every Christmas celebration.....and Will was a smiling little angel as always! We have been on overload with the toys..... And, we caught a glimpse of what will begin to be many new traditions. We loved making our happy birthday, Jesus cake......if you asked Liza whose birthday it was, she would say, "Jesus!" She had a little people nativity that she played with and loved the whole month. My mom gave her a little people doll house.....she now calls the baby that is in the doll house Baby Jesus....hahah. I can't wait to see how much her head.....and most importantly heart, soaks in next year!

There are lots of pictures.....I never can decide which ones to post......but when I thought about the fact that I might never get them into a photo album and that one day this might be the only thing my kids have to look at.....I decided to put them all! Enjoy!

"Christmas morning" in Macon (don't tell the kids it was really 3 days before Christmas!)

Christmas with my dad, Sheila (on the right), my Aunt Bernardette (left) and Uncle Alan (Aunt B's new husband....the newly weds celebrated 1 year on New Year's!)

Fun in Magee with my mom and Joe.......Making Christmas cookies with Nonnie.....

Liza with 2 of her great-grandmothers.....

Looking for the pickle.....

Jessica found it and won the nuts! : ) (Are we all nuts???) : )

Me and My sweet Mama Ann......we take a Christmas picture hugging every year.....we have one every year since I was a little girl!

Four generations of crazy women! : )

Like Daddy......

Like Daughter.....

This picture is so sweet......but I am sure it was actually quite scandalous!

Nonnie and Granddaddy's babies! (Liza, Will, Alan, and Maddie Grace)

Fun in Clem with the Parish's!

MeMe and PapPaw's grandbabies!

(Katie holding Liza, Emily holding Will, Janie and Drew)

Hilarious....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!

2009-12-21T12:58:00.000-08:00

It is Christmas Eve today at our house! : ) We are leaving tomorrow to spend our holiday in MS with our families.....so we decided that we would have our little family's Christmas before we left!

A new tradition we began this year:

Liza at 18 months.....

2009-12-21T06:25:00.000-08:00

My Sweet sweet Liza: I absolutely cannot believe how much you have grown and changed since your 1st birthday......there ought to be an 18 month birthday to celebrate how much babies grow and change in a short 6 months! And you are no baby anymore....which gives me a range of emotions from sad and sentimental to super excited.

You definitely keep me on my toes! Words can't describe how much joy you give me and daddy....we say all the time we wish we could freeze you for a bit and enjoy this age a little longer.

I am going to type a few things about you at this age that I never want to forget....

I love that you still suck your thumb......I know I shouldn't.....and I probably won't enjoy the dental bills down the road....but it is so precious to me. You go to sleep sucking your thumb....and it is a sense of comfort to you when you are hurt.

I love how much you love a soft blanket. You call it a night night and can't go to sleep without one. And, I have found it safe to really just never go anywhere without one.....I never know when you might all of a sudden have a "nye nye" meltdown and need a soft touch. Thank goodness it is not one particular blanket, though....anything soft will do. But something small won't do.....so small lovies are out for us.

You also just love to hold something..... it could be your night night, a wet wipe, even an apple slice that you are done eating but just not done holding. You have gone all day holding a baby wipe....you wipe things and then just keep holding it. You hold it to sleep, play, and even run errands. When the sweet old ladies come to speak to you, they ask, "What is that in her hand?" I have to reply simply: A wet wipe. Then a confused look follows.....I just smile. : )

I love how many words you are starting to say. You will try to say anything that we ask you to....and there is always some resemblance of the word in your word. You love to say shoe, sock, hot, sit, dog, just to name a few. But your favorite words are Mama, Dada, and definitley BUBBA. No, we did not teach you Bubba....you came up with it all on your own. I will say, "Say Will." You say, "Bubba!"

What I love the most about what you say, though, is when you wake up. I come and get you....you first hand me your night night, then you say Mama Dada Bubba. Mama Dada Bubba. Over and over......it melts me....it shows me how happy and secure you are in our little family. You know who is your family and you have to say all of our names and know where we all are right when you wake up. We often have to sneak into Will's room just to show you that he is safely sleeping.....once you see him and know where he is, you are ready to play!

I can't talk about what you say without mentioning our friend, Judah. You and Judah are about 3 weeks apart in age....and you adore him! For every 10 times that you say Mama Dada Bubba .....at least 1 of those times you throw in a Mama Dadda Bubba JuJu. : ) You love your friend, Judah!

I love your little fingers. You always point and use them in the cutest and funniest ways. When Will is sleeping, you are quick to tell everyone, shhhhh with your finger on your lips. When you are excited, you kinda do this pointing thing with your hands.....you do it while you dance, too! It looks like your hands look in this picture:

I love your little legs and feet, too. You do the cutest thing with your feet....you twist and turn them and when you lean up against something you always sorta prop a foot up against your leg. It is hard to explain, but it is an image so cute in my memory that I don't want to ever forget. It is so girly. This picture sorta captures it.....not fully, but sortof:

It cracks me up when your temper flares and you throw your milk (or whatever is in your hands) ....then you immediately look at me and say noooooo like you know you are about to get in trouble. I haven't figured out if you are getting onto yourself and telling yourself nooooo, or if you are telling me nooooo for what I am about to say to you. : )

Did I mention that I love your temper? Okay, so maybe that is a part that I don't like everyday.....but it gives you spunk. I love that I see a glimpse of the spunk that you will have in the future.....but it causes me and daddy to pray much over that spunk! I pray for wisdom in directing your strong will so that it is productive and not just a lack of self-control. But, under the prayerful hope that you will learn self-control, I love that you are a bit of a spunky gal! : )

I love to watch you play. You play so "big girl" now, rocking, feeding and burping your babies. Cooking and serving tea. Sometimes you litterally shove food into our mouths.....you don't take no for an answer. : )

You love to show your bellybutton. It really cracks me up. You will pull your shirt up in a second for anyone that will poke your belly.

I love how you love daddy's attention. You hate when he comes home and then leaves again (like to mow the grass or back out to run a quick errand). You are okay when he leaves in the morning.....but when he comes home you want him home for good! You love to go to Bass pro with him.

I love all your animal noises. The turkey is a definite favorite.

You are so smart now. I am sure that is one that will continue to amaze me more and more each day....but it truly does amaze me how well we can communicate now. You seem to really understand and know all that I am saying to you....and while you can't fully communicate back, you are trying. You understand my words to you, and my looks to you. And you show me in small ways everyday how well your memory is developing. You remember where I hid markers from you.....you don't whine quite as much because you are finally beginning to remember to say please instead. You truly amaze me.

I could go on and on and on about the things I love about you.....but the one that makes me smile and melts me the most is to see you with your Bubba. You absolutely love Will to pieces. You love to just sit by his bouncy seat and talk to him....you kiss his hand, rub his head, take his pacy out and put it back in, you put his blanket back on him..... It is not always with the gentle ease of a mature 5 year old....it definitely has to be monitored.....but it always makes me smile so much because you are doing it all in love.

Psalm 127:3

"Children are a gift from the Lord..."

Hilarious.....

2009-12-12T07:26:00.001-08:00

What do you get when you try to make a 17th month old pose with her 3 month old little brother???

Just take a look:

She was great after we changed into something warmer and got to help Daddy put lights on the Christmas tree! : )

Sweet Will just chillin.....

Thanksgiving

2009-12-07T13:43:00.000-08:00

I am a bit late getting Thanksgiving pictures up.....but better late than never! : )

Holidays back home in Mississippi are always fun! We got to stay for a good while this trip.....it was a great visit!

Eating cheese on Thanksgiving day.....

In Clem at Uncle Scott's house/farm! : )

Sitting in the back of Daddy's car wathching the horses graze....

Having a blast with Janie.....

Aunt Jessica loving on Will...

Too cute......Liza is such a ham.....she grabbed Nonnie's face for this photo! : )

Sweet Will.....

Getting ready to go down the big slide at MeMe and PapPaws!

Weeeeeeeee!

Sitting with Great-Grandmother, Mama Ann!

Sneaking more cheese........yummm

Looking at the turkey in Nonnie's yard with Uncle Brantley.....I really need to post a video of her saying what the turkey says....hilarious!

Swinging with Maddie Grace

Oh the things that MeMe's will let you do! : )

Liza and Will with MeMe and PapPaw

Lee's niece, Katie, riding her horse....

Will is 3 months old!

2009-11-30T10:25:00.000-08:00

Happy 3rd month, my sweet boy!

Really, Will keeps proving every day that he might just be the sweetest and easiest baby around (if he will just learn to sleep through the night!!!!....he is not bad at night....he often wants to just talk and smile.....but not sleep! :)). These might not be the best quality of pics.....Aunt Jessica took them on her phone....but they were so cute....Will was just laughing away at his uncle. :) I also haven't downloaded any pictures to my comp. in a while....I have got to catch up. I will post some updated and Thanksgiving ones soon! :)

Puppy Dog and China Doll

2009-11-05T13:28:00.000-08:00

happy halloween!

We had a fun night at our church's Fall Family Festival. Liza was a little China girl (in a real Chinese outfit from China that a student from China gave me while pregnant with Liza...). Will was a precious (mostly sleeping) puppy dog (Thanks Mrs. Lydia for the Hudson's special!) Enjoy some photos!

Let's hope she has more skills than her mom and dad......

Could she be more happy????

The funny part was how she thought even the giving of the candy was a game. She would play a game, the volunteer would give her candy, she would laugh and hand the candy back!

Puppy Love.....

Hitting a sugar low....time for bed.....

Our really spooooooky halloween spider that we found outside our window. We took pictures and named him Fred. He is now gone, though. I will not miss Fred.

2009-11-04T20:39:00.000-08:00

The heavens declare Your greatness

The oceans cry out to You

The mountains they bow down before You

So I’ll join with the earth

And I’ll give my praise to You

Fall Beach Trip

2009-10-30T11:09:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we met my family at Seaside for a fall getaway! The weather was beautiful and we had so much fun! Enjoy some pictures......they are in no particular order. I am too tired to organize them....especially after spending an hour with Lee on his facebook account! Exactly why I don't do facebook....haha.

Liza and cousin, Maddie Grace. They are exactly 3 months apart.....and no, Liza is younger even though she is bigger. :)

This was day 2 at the beach......I promise I am not crazy for having my little girl in a bathing suit in October..........it was kinda chilly, but wait till you see what happened on day one when I DIDN'T let her wear a swim suit.

birds eating graham crackers off jarrod's back.....hilarious!

matt and jess with alan and maddie grace

yes, that is a blanket at the beach. She is quite obsessed with it now.....she calls it her nye nye (night night). But, it is no particular blanket......actually anything soft will do.

My sweet, sweet boy......

So in love.......so cheesy. :) Tiff, I can just hear you making fun of this pic.

No, this is not a bad picture of Liza with her eyes closed. She was actually falling asleep with her hand in a bag of chips. Again, these pics are out of order, but you are about to see what exhausted her so much.....

the whole fam chillin

catching some good zzz's with daddy....

Nonnie and Granddaddy hangin' with Will. :)

Here is where the fun begins: Again, I am too tired to put all these in order......we are looking at them backwards. But, basically, Lee took her just to let her put her toes in the water.......she loved it so much she kept running full speed ahead into the ocean. There was no stopping her. And her laughter made it all worth the worry of the cold water! Thus, the swimsuit the next day. On a side funny note: notice the flower in her hands. Lee picked it for her on the way to the beach.....it made it in every picture......the girl never let go of it. :) Even in all her running and falling into the water!

cold face.....she is not crying, though.....she got back up laughing and running back into the water every time!

making another mad dash to the water....

Lee trying with all his might to keep her out......obviously we gave in. :)

Here is at the beginning when she is just discovering how much she likes the water....

headed to the beach....

Nonnie with all her grandbabies. Maddie Grace, Will, Liza, and Alan

Just waking up in granddaddy's arms.....

Will is 2 months old!

2009-10-22T12:16:00.001-07:00

How sweet it is to watch your baby begin to show their personality! Will has been smiling for a couple of weeks now....and he has even begun cooing and talking to us. I never knew a baby did these things this early....Liza was such a serious baby! I don't know that she really smiled until almost 4 months! :) Which is so funny to think about now because she laughs hysterically all the time....even when she just hears someone laughing on TV. :) Back to Will.....happy 2nd month, sweet boy! You are such an easy and happy baby.... You fill my days with joy! I love watching you take in this new world! Most of all, I love that you are still so young that you make me feel as though I am all you need. I love our quiet little moments....you smile and talk to me as if I am the only person in the world. I am soaking it all up now.....I know by next month you will have awakened to the world even more....you will probably soon become so smitten with your big sis that you will forget all about me! :)

random photo session

2009-10-21T20:03:00.000-07:00

liza and will, "Are you seriously making us do this???"

liza, "let me just get you set up....."

too cute....Will is still not sure

liza being liza....Will still Mr. Serious

liza smile, will frown....

finally a smile from my sweet boy....

this is where it gets really good. liza begins to love on Will without me even prompting her to.....it melts me every time......

out of all of them, though.....this one is priceless. just look at Will's face....hahaha......he has EVERY reason to be terrified! :)

Perry Fair!

2009-10-19T18:51:00.000-07:00

What a fun Friday we had going to the Georgia National Fair in Perry, GA! To all my Mississippi friends reading this.....our fair is just gross. Disgusting. Not to mention that you have to watch your every step or you will trip over the gigantic wires on the ground.....don't get me wrong, I still have many fond memories of going to Jackson to the fair every year (Nikki, I will always think of you and the fair....it was always the official beginning of fall and we would try on 1 million new sweaters till we found the right one....and it always ended in drama b/c either my mom was upset that I was giving away all my new clothes or one of your sisters would be mad b/c we had taken one of their sweaters....hahah.....but we had to look good, right? You never knew who you might end up sitting next to on the Ferris wheel!). Anyway....the GA fair is just so clean and nice....it is a great family/kid outing!

Will and Liza in the double Bob bundled up because it was FREEZING!

We met up with the Dodds......here is Liza and Matthew on a Kubota Tractor.

Liza chomping on some roasted corn.....gotta love fair food! And you gotta love "Miss Claire" for giving up her Friday night to hang with the Parish's!

Liza with the best view around.....

Snuggling to keep warm! :)

Our whole fair crew chillin at the Kubota tent (minus the Dodds.....they had smartly already taken their child home....hahaa.....notice Liza's red nose from the cold air...on the way home, though, Liza had her first hot chocolate, or should I say first "lukewarm watered down hot chocolate"....it made being out in the cold worth it!).

These next 2 pics are not from the fair..... They are some that Claire shared with me that she had taken various babysitting times......they were just too cute not to post!

super adorable and definitely sneaky at the same time! :)

Your my............Brown/Blue eyed girl.....

2009-10-01T09:04:00.000-07:00

Happy 1st Month!!!

2009-09-24T11:48:00.000-07:00

Today Will is 1 month old!!! He is still the sweetest little thing and I am eating him up every day! He is lifting his head off the ground when on his tummy, and I think I might have caught the beginnings of a smile yesterday! (Of course it was probably just gas or wishful mommy dreaming....) :)

Happy Birthday, Handsome....

Look at how big I've gotten!

Sweet little feet....

Even sweeter with big sister's little hands on sweet feet....