So Blessed

Raleigh got me 2 rose bushes on the 1st year anniversary date of my car accident. He and the children gave them to me and told me how happy they were that I was still here and that these roses would remind me of that daily.

I just hoped, back 3 years ago, that I would not kill the rose bush...that would not be good.

To my sweet surprise, one of the rose bushes has taken off! And it is to God alone and his blessings of rain!! In all seriousness, I looked outside the other day and just had to take a picture of it. The roses that were all in bloom just reminded me of God's abundant blessings. He saved me from that accident and I have enjoyed life's blessings in a whole new light. I am so thankful to have this rose bush as a constant reminder of God's love and the love of my family.

The Winners Are...

Mom and Taryn!!! Great Job!
Thanks, Jill, for the wishful thinking...yes, that is what friends are for, to keep a positive outlook..haha!

So here's how it went....

At 4:00 am Mallory comes meandering into our room to assume her normal position...right in the middle of her daddy and I. As she is climbing over Raleigh in the darkness she mumbles in the sweetest sleepy voice, "am I still going to get m-n-ms?" Raleigh and I chuckled and we were all back asleep. Then at 10:00 am, when we rolled out of bed, I went looking for Emma. She was just getting out of her bed and I was praising her for staying in her room all night and I asked her, "Did you wake up in the middle of the night?"...she said, "yes", I said, "Why didn't you get in our bed?"....she said, "because I didn't want to eat cold green beans!!!" hahahaha I thought that was so funny that she even thought I would make her eat that for breakfast...I've NEVER done it before!

When it was time to hand out the m-n-ms, I just couldn't bring myself to not give Mallory any, she was sulking and hanging her head down when I announced Emma would get m-n-ms, so I said, "Okay, since Mallory stayed until 4:00, she gets 4 m-n-ms, and since Emma stayed in her bed until 10:00, she could have 10 m-n-ms."

So that's how it went...since then, the girls have still been sleeping with us. They say their room is scary...if you have seen their room, you know it is the most beautiful, whimsical room in the house. Who knows how we will ever get them to STAY in their beds.

Thanks for commenting...I was laughing at what you guys had to say...you were all right in your own way!!!

P.S. I figured the look on Mallory's face when I took her picture would be a definite give-a-way. Raleigh and I cracked up over her facial expression in that photo.

Bribing with Candy....horrible I know!

So, every night we sleep with 2 little girls between us. Not to mention one who kicks, grinds her teeth, and talks in her sleep. With school around the corner I was trying to bribe them into staying in their bed aaallllllllll night. So I told them both that whoever slept in their bed and did not come get in our bed would get m-n-ms in the morning. Mallory was excited but Emma decided she didn't like m-n-ms anymore anyway (this is my chocoholic!!) So I said, "fine then, you will have to eat COLD green beans if you get up." We giggled and I tucked them in bed and wondered if it would work. Here are the pictures I took of them (Mallory wanted me to take her picture) and you comment on who you think stayed in their bed ALL night until 10:00 the next morning.

I'll give you the answer after a couple of people vote! I think it'll be fun to see the different guesses...You have a 50/50 chance of getting the right answer!!!

We're all HUMAN

This is another funny word Mallory uses to describe people. Instead of using him, her, them, they, you and so on, she calls people "human". We hear her say things like: that human, what human, a pretty human...Last night we were watching movies and it was getting late. Mallory wanted to stay up and watch her Barbie movie again but Raleigh and I were ready for bed. We told her she could watch the movie with Molly and Sugar (our dogs) or she could watch it with her stuffed animals, and she replied with the cutest little pout, "No, I want a HUMAN to watch it with me." I guess I'm only human...haha!!

July 17, 2002

Six years ago on this date Raleigh asked me to marry him....more to come. I need to go find the pictures and scan them...but I wanted to post and let him know how much this date means to me. I love you!!!

*****Okay, so I looked through tons and tons of pictures and I can't put my hands on the pictures of the night he proposed. So this is how it went.

Raleigh has always been so accepting of the children and he even included them in on the big night. We went to eat at the Santa Maria in St. Augustine. The kids had a great time dropping food to the fish and we had a wonderful dinner. Emma was not quite 2, Brandon was 5, and Robby was 8. After dinner we went on a horse and carriage ride around the old town of St. Augustine. When she stopped under the "kissing tree", Raleigh kissed me, asked me to marry him, and gave me a bag of rose pedals with my ring tucked inside a box inside the pedals. He then gave each child a gold i.d. bracelet with their names on it and we later inscribed our wedding date on the back of them. The lady at the front of the carriage said, "that makes my 7th proposal so far." We knew it was meant to be because the number 7 was such a prevalent number in our relationship. I'm so thankful he chose me and he would still choose me today!! And I love the father he has always been to our children. Thank you, Raleigh, for including them in on such a romantic evening.

Though I didn't find the pictures I was looking for, I did find a letter he wrote to me just 11 days before this night. I should read this every morning....It reads, word for word:

7-9-2002
11:30 pm

Catherine,

Thank you for being who you are. I would have waited in a single file line for years for a soul mate like you. The book of poems is a true gift from you and I have picked one so far that I feel is a true connection of how I feel about you. Listen as you read.

The things I Promise to be for you.

A place you can come to for comfort.
Eyes you can look at and trust.
A hand to reach out and clasp.
A heart that understands and doesn't judge you.

A supportive shoulder to cry on.
A long walk anywhere you want to go.
And for anytime when we're apart;
a close and caring intimacy that you will always know.

A door that is always open.
A caring, gentle hug.
A time that is devoted to you alone.

A reflection of my love.

Give me your all Catherine as you are doing and I will always lift your spirits. Time is precious and I give my time to you.

Always loving and thinking of you,
Raleigh.

I look so forward to spending much more precious time with you, Raleigh. We make an amazing team!!

Happy 4th of JULY!!

We had a fantastic Fourth of July. Here we are Thursday night at the annual street dance they have in our town. It was so nice to visit with my all time favorite babysitter, Chrissy and her two boys. Chrissy was, hands-down, the best babysitter I ever had for my children when they were younger. She became a part of my family and will forever be special to us. It is so strange to see her chase her little ones around instead of mine!!



Then on Friday morning we went to the parade.



Here are the firetrucks and the traditional squirt of water for a relief from the heat.



Then there is the guy who rides the bull with the ducks who follow right behind him throughout the entire parade!!




The Shriner's always do a fantastic job and show up with many different types of fun cars.

One of the best treats thrown were Popsicles!! Forget the hard candy, these were great!!!

Mommy and Mallory...Love the smile, it's hard to get one out of her when you bring the camera out!

And finally, near the end of the parade was this adorable float with a real live little model of the Statue of Liberty...Isn't she cute???!!!!

I hope you all had a very safe and happy 4th. We later went to our friend's house and had a cookout and pool party. Then the kids lit sparklers and small firecrackers. When it got dark enough, the big boys brought out the bigger fireworks and we had our very own display. I was actually very impressed by the quality of the fireworks we had. I was waiting for the law to pull up any minute because they were pretty impressive. Thank you, Amy and Jason, for opening your house to our family. We had a great time and enjoyed spending the evening with you all.

The "Pretty Pose"

Our Little Mallory has quite a personality. If you've been around her long enough, you've probably seen, what she calls, her "pretty pose." Here are a few snapshots of her doing what she does best, no prompting, just Mallory!



She uses the pose in group settings....

Mallory and her cousins from North Carolina. These are my brother's children that I don't get to see very often. Their names are Landon (up front) and Zachary (by Robby). They are such funny boys with lots of energy. I am so glad I got the opportunity to see them. Thanks, mom, for bringing them by for a visit!!!

"Posing Pretty" in her bathing suit...

Getting her cousin Aleah to flash the "pretty pose."

Again by the campfire....she can pull off "the pose" with chocolate on her chin from eating Smores!

She's even sooooo talented that she can pose while sitting down as well!!!



My motto on this day, "If you can't beat 'um, join 'um!"

Mallory and I flashing the pretty pose on the rocks down by the river near our campsite.

Love you Mally!!!