The Overby Family

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T20:42:00.004-04:00

Yes, Mason was a train Again!!

Sports Mania

2010-10-31T20:37:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to say Congrats to the San Fransisco Giants and Eli, Amy, and Whit Whiteside. We are so proud of them and the great season they have had this year! We are hoping for a World Series Championship, but are so proud just the same!

Also, congrats to the New Albany Bulldogs, Coach Ron Price, and Cheerleading Captain Paige Witt on their undefeated season this year!! Good Luck in the playoffs.

As for our much loved Rebels......well.....um.......I like your nice new uniforms:)

Happy Birthday to ME!!

2010-10-31T20:31:00.002-04:00

My birthday was filled with so many well wishes, presents, and good memories. I feel so blessed! We had a breakfast celebration at work for myself and 2 others on the clinical team. My kids made me cards and sang me Happy Birthday. I had dinner at Sansui with my two favorite fellas. And lastly, we went out for my Birthday/Halloween with our favorite couple Bryan and Janeen.

Hansel and Gretel with Father Bryan and Sister Janeen

My sweet hubby got me a necklace from Tiffany's and Wonder Woman Snuggie! I'm one luck old lady.

Pumpkin Patch Time

2010-10-31T20:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Nate

2010-10-31T20:27:00.001-04:00

Birthday Boy
2nd Birthday Party!

Mason and Bella

Hot Air Balloon Festival

2010-10-31T19:53:00.002-04:00

Mason and I had a great time at the Hot Air Balloon Festival with my friend Bronwen while Will was at Furniture Market.

Mason thinks he's an extra from 8 Mile.

Train Fun

2010-10-31T16:17:00.001-04:00

Mason loves to go to the park and play on this train caboose. Here are some pics of him in his train clothes from a few weeks ago.

What Mason has been up to!

2010-10-10T09:53:00.003-04:00

So lil Mason locked himself in his room. After 30 minutes or so of hearing his crying, breaking 2 credit cards, bobby pins, hangers, ect Will broke the door down. Of course when I told Mason I couldn't get him any Christmas presents because I'm going to have to get him a new door, he let me know it was OK, he didn't need a new door! Aside from that, things have been pretty sane at our house. Football, play dates, and birthday parties are how we spend our weekends. We got a dose of coldness this week with highs in the low 50s for about 4 days!! Luckly, it is warmed back up to the 70s!!

Big Boy, Big Boy School

2010-10-10T09:39:00.002-04:00

After Labor Day, Mason started the Pre-School program at a local learning center. This is where he will go next year before and after Kindergarden. Kindergarden, really? Its so hard to believe in less than a year he will be in Kindergarden. And no, it is not time for another one. Mason had a hard time adjusting from being with 5 kids a day to 35 kids a day. There were lots of tears the first week or so. He has adjusted and loves it there. He has made lots of new friends. He also went for his much belated 4-year check-up. Of course when we get there, the Dr. let us know that they give the "school" shots at age 4 instead of 5. Something about 5 year olds kicking harder than they use too. Mason got 5 vaccines in 3 shots. He screamed and cried. I felt so bad for him. He even cried that afternoon when Will picked him up!! We also talked to the Dr. about Mason's breathing and things to try for when he plays T-ball next summer. Mason weighs 40 pounds and is 41 inches tall. He is wearing 5T clothes although the pants are a little long.

Labor Day FUN!!

2010-10-10T09:32:00.001-04:00

We met my family in Pigion Forge, TN for Labor Day Weekend. We had a beautiful cabin in the mountains. We spent the weekend rafting, watching football, and playing with the kids.

My sweet movie date

2010-07-29T20:53:00.001-04:00

Mason is finally at an age where we can take him to the movies, and his is actually good!! We have been to see Toy Story 3 and Dispicable Me. He loves the movies!

Beach Vacation

2010-07-29T20:45:00.003-04:00

That sweet husband of mine surprized me with a vaction to VA beach and tickets to Jack Johnson. When I say surprized, I do mean I threatned his life if he didn't take me:) We had so much fun. Ok, we stayed at the Bates Motel, but besides that, it was the perfect trip. Our hotel was right on the beach and the weather was perfect. Mason had such a great time.

Waiting for the concert to start. Yes, thats Will's beer in the background.

Fun on the beach!!

Mason ready for the beach!!

Our Summer

2010-07-29T20:23:00.009-04:00

Our summer: I feel like Mason or I have been sick with something every week this summer!! Hopefully, we will both stay healthy for a while:) Here is a summary of our busy summer.

Mason's first trip to the Dentist.
Ms. Sam (aka Ellie's Mommy) was so great to us!! Mason was such a good boy. I couldn't believe it. Really.

T-Ball Academy on Thursdays at the Sportsplex. Mason won't be able to play on a team until next year, so we took this class to help prepare him for it.

Just being adorable

Play date with Bella and Wesley

At Gettysburgh with my Parents

Got some grills

"Paskettie" with Manny

Why I love my Mommy

2010-05-23T18:57:00.002-04:00

This is a little late, but too cute not to share. Mason made me a Mother's Day gift called "Top Reasons Why I love my Mom." Ms. Ruthy would ask them questions and write down what ever they said. This is what Mason had to say about me....

1. I love my Mommy because she reads me .....Thomas.
2. I love my Mommy because she helps me..............clean up.
3. I love my Mommy because she make my laugh by .....makes funny faces.
4. I love my Mommy because she taught me how to .....ride my bike.
5. I love to hear my Mom sing............ABCs.
6. I love my Mommy because she finds time to..........ride my tricycle (?? hopefully he was trying to say I find time to let him ride his tricycle, b/c I certainly don't fit on it).
7. I know my Mommy cares because she...........writes my name.
8. I know my Mommy is smart because.....I love her.
9 I love my Mommy because she works so hard at.........the nursing home.

What a sweet little present I will keep forever!!

Mason is FOUR!!

2010-05-23T18:48:00.002-04:00

Mason turned 4 on Tuesday, May 18th!!! I can't believe I have a 4 year old!!!! Where does the time go??? He is such an independent, smart, little person now. I tell him N-O, and he looks at me and goes Y-E-S, that spells YES!!! I make him dinner, he wants tootsie rolls, chips, and sprite. He loves trucks, trains, crains, garbage trucks, ect. His favorite color is green. AND he is the most loving child I have ever known. Happy Birthday Mason, We love you.

Swim Time

2010-05-23T18:31:00.001-04:00

Mason recently completed his swimming lessons from the Winchester Parks and Rec. He had a good time and is ready for our pool to open!!

Happy Birthday Will!

2010-05-09T17:28:00.000-04:00

Happy 31st Birthday to my sweet husband!!

Apple Blossom Time

2010-05-09T17:24:00.002-04:00

We had a great time last weekend celebrating Apple Blossom. Mason had a great time at the carnival and Fire Men's Parade. It was very hot. Mason was sick with a cold by the end of it. He coughed and ran a fever, but had NO wheezing (which is a first for us).

Much needed haircut

2010-05-09T17:19:00.003-04:00

I cut Mason's hair about as often as I blog!!

Polka Dot Pot

2010-05-09T17:14:00.003-04:00

While Will was at Furnuture Market, Mason and I went and painted some pottery to give to my mom for her birthday. Hope she likes it.

Easter Egg Hunt

2010-05-09T17:11:00.001-04:00

We had an Easter Egg Hunt at Work about a month after Easter b/c of the Norovirus. Mason had a great time.

Playdate FUN

2010-05-09T17:08:00.001-04:00

Mason had so much fun on his playdate at Wesley and Collin's house.

Final snow pics from 2/6/10

2010-02-07T11:35:00.004-05:00

Mason and I made a snow chair to sit in while watching Daddy shovel the snow.
The poor guy clearing the roads got stuck and needed a little help!

Daddy cleared us a path to walk in much quicker than I ever could!!

Mason in the snow.

2010-02-06T13:05:00.001-05:00

What we woke up to!!

2010-02-06T09:45:00.002-05:00

Sorry these arent very good. Its cold and hard to navigate in this much snow while taking a picture.

Yes, thats 28 inches of snow in our yard. Im thinking 4-6 of it was already there so at 9am this moring we had 22-24 inches in 24 hours. Hopefully, this will stop soon!

Winter Storm 2010

2010-02-05T18:07:00.002-05:00

The Winter Storm made its way to town at about 9am this morning. So far we have 7 inches on our deck (there was still snow from what we got Tues.) and 3 inches that I shoveled from our driveway. They are telling us we will get up to 28+ inches in some areas. We will see!! We are sooooo sick of the snow. It has made it a hard and miserable winter!!

The Jacket

2010-01-31T19:14:00.003-05:00

How funny is this jacket??? My Grandmother bought it for my older brother when he was around Mason's age, making it almost thirty years old. Then it went to my younger brother who wore it all the time. Of course I had to force it on Mason and he fussed the whole time I made him wear it!!

Girls Day

2010-01-31T19:10:00.002-05:00

On our last day home, I had a great girls day in Memphis. There is nothing better than good food, shopping, and good times with best friends.

Amy (with baby Witt in her belly), Veronica, Melanie, Lydia, and me at the Rendezvous after a GREAT meal of BBQ and meat and cheese trays!!

New Years Eve FUN

2010-01-31T19:01:00.005-05:00

We had one of our best NYE ever (except that it didn't include the Bakers :( who we have spent so many NYE with). After a fantastic dinner at the Melting Pot, we rang in the New Year with some great friends at Amy and Eli Whiteside's house. YAY 2010

Having dinner at the Melting Pot
Me and Jennifer

Price and Jennifer, such a cute couple

Me and my hot date.

Me and Valerie

Me and Andi

Me and V and our fantastic hats!! LOVE this girl!!

Happy Anniversary

2010-01-31T18:57:00.004-05:00

5 Years with this man!!!!
Really? JK! Will and I celebrated our five year anniversary with a quiet lunch and MiPueblo and a viewing of Sherlock Holmes, with my brother!! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful provider, friend, father to Mason, and companion in Will. He is the BEST!!

Girls Night Out

2010-01-31T18:50:00.003-05:00

We had such a great time at our annual Christmas party. I love getting together with these girls when I'm home. Me and Lesley
Ginger and Jennifer

Lesley and Landon

Suz, me, Amanda, and Tiffany

Landon, Suz, me, Amanda, Tiff, Jen, Ginger, and Lesley

Christmas Fun

2010-01-31T18:42:00.002-05:00

Here are pics of Mason from Christmas 2009. Santa came to our house in VA a few days early and brought Mason lots of Thomas the Train toys and a Jeep!! We had Christmas with my family on Christmas Eve night.

Christmas Night, going to Will's Grandmothers.

Mason loves my Dad!!

The Blizzard of 09.......

2009-12-19T21:28:00.002-05:00

Or I as I like to call it the worst day of my life!!!!! I mean really, everyone who knows me knows I have not gotton any of my shopping or packing done. Today was suppose to be a productive day. There is 17 inches of snow in my yard. For those of you who need a visual of how much that is, image standing with snow OVER your knees!!! WTF. I was not dreaming of a White Christmas. Plus, climate and humidity changes make my poor child sick as dog. SO not only have we been trapped in our house all day, Mason is coughing like crazy every couple of minutes. I know everyone is thinking oh that would be so much fun. NO. You cant even walk around in this mess. Mason fell as soon as he stepped off the porch and couldnt get up. (Ok that part was really funny) Anyway enough complaining. Here are pictures of us in the snow when it was at 13 inches.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!

2009-12-19T21:22:00.002-05:00

Ok so the first week in Dec. we got our first snow. YAY!!!! Ok not really, snow in Dec. is usually a sign its gonna be a bad winter AND we were going to take Mason to meet Thomas the Train in PA that weekend. We did have a wonderful time playing in the snow and having a family snowball fight. We ended up getting about 6 or 7 inches of snow.

A few Thanksgiving Pics

2009-12-19T21:13:00.002-05:00

We had a wonderful time with my family for Thanksgiving. We stayed in a cabin in the moutains in TN. It was great...except for the Egg Bowl, of course.

Mason and my Mom
Us in our Ole Miss shirts, and the boys with faux-hawks.

Me, Samantha, and Caylee

Me and Amanda kickin butt at some putt-putt golf, while waiting to see the Blind Side.

New Mason Pictures

2009-11-23T22:12:00.001-05:00

Only little boy at church!! Singing with all his lady friends.
Enjoying the fall weather.

Going to eat.

Better Late than Never

2009-11-23T22:07:00.001-05:00

Here are a few pics from our visit to the pumpkin patch and Halloween.

Halloween Party at the Nursing Home

2009-10-18T20:35:00.004-04:00

Saturday Mason and I went to the Halloween Party at my work. He had a great time playing games and eating candy!!

James the Train

Mason loved the rings on the cupcakes!!

Playing Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin

My Silly Mason

2009-10-18T20:30:00.003-04:00

Well, its just me and Mason this week. Will is in NC at the furniture market. We have been trying to keep busy and stay warm. Monday we went to The Country Store owned by our sweet friends Erinn and Jeremy. Erinn had grown a lil baby pumpkin for Mason. We enjoyed our visit with them and with the 1 cent candy barrel at the check out:)

Our Trip Home!!

2009-10-18T20:21:00.002-04:00

Here are a couple of pics from our visit to MS last week-enjoy!!

Dinner in Oxford with Lesley, Landon, Jennifer, Sus, and Ginger
Dinner in Tupelo with Lydia, Charlie, Veronica and sweet baby Ainsley. Doesn't she look like she could pass as mine??

10 year reunion dinner

Me and Jen!!

Family picnic at the park!!

It was so fun to go home and visit with all our family and friends. Can't wait until December!!

Soccer Fun!!

2009-09-16T20:55:00.000-04:00

Haircut Time

2009-09-16T20:53:00.001-04:00

Garden Maze Fun

2009-09-16T20:49:00.001-04:00

Questions

2009-08-31T18:54:00.006-04:00

This is a cute idea. Copy this note, ask your child the questions and write them down exactly how they respond.

1. What is something mom always says to you? What?

2. What makes mom happy? a hug

3. What makes mom sad? giving daddy hugs

4. How does your mom make you laugh?tickles

5. What was your mom like as a child? you was tennie tiny

6. How old is your mom? 40

7. How tall is your mom? This tall (then he raises his hand as high as he can!)

8. What is her favorite thing to do? i don't know

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? You have to stay with me.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? No answer

11. What is your mom really good at?
youre good at kicking

12. What is your mom not very good at? um, i don't know

13. What does your mom do for her job? you work at home Mommy!

14. What is your mom's favorite food? CHIPS

15. What makes you proud of your mom? No answer

16.If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?a Backyardigan

17. What do you and your mom do together? we ride!!

18. How are you and your mom the same? Um our heads are the same

19. How are you and your mom different? im a boy mommys a girl

20. How do you know your mom loves you? I love you too.

21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? to school

Updated pics of Mason

2009-07-20T21:25:00.000-04:00

A few Mason videos for your viewing pleasure

2009-06-10T19:09:00.010-04:00

The first video is of Mason and "Feliz Navida." I bought that for Mason when we were home at the drugstore, b/c he had gotton really sick right before we went on our Las Vegas trip. Still over six months later...he loves it! Its in our truck and he loves to playwith it and sing AND its still in the box!!! The next one is of him singing a little tune I made up when he was born and sing to him before bedtime. Sometimes he sings it back to me.

This two are of him and his career ambitions ( yes, he is saying garbage truck driver) and telling how to spell his name, ect.

Mason is Three

2009-06-10T19:00:00.002-04:00

Mason turned 3 on May 18th. We had a party at Kids Play on the 24th. Mason had a great time with his friends and my parents were able to come. We are enjoying the benifits of having a three year old....we feel much more comfortable leaving him with a sitter, 10 dollars off per week at daycare, and now when we go to the grocery store we can take Mason to Tree House. Its basically a little daycare in the grocery store where you can drop your kid off and shop in peace. Yeah, I love grocery shopping now!!!

Mason and his RED face after playing at school.
Yeah, sometimes Mason picks out his own outfits for school.

Running around downtown.

Playing with his Birthday presents.

Taking the Thomas train off his cake!!

This is what happens when you dont blog for 2 months.

2009-06-03T21:10:00.002-04:00

I have so much to share I dont even know where to start. May was a very busy month for us. Will turned 30, Mothers Day, Mason turned 3 and had his birthday party, and my family came for a visit. We also went and had family/Masons 3 yr pictures made by the photographer who did our Christmas cards. We had so much fun and I was so excited when I got these back.--More pics to come soon.

http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewshow?fl=3102213&alb=0

Updates from the Overby Family

2009-04-10T19:32:00.002-04:00

I can't belive he is about to be 3!!!

So like our TV shows, we've been on a little break from the blogging world. Here is what has been going on with us lately.

Easter Egg Hunt

2009-04-10T19:27:00.001-04:00

The nursing home where I work had an Easter Egg Hunt today. Mason had a wonderful time and filled his basket full of candy and prize filled eggs. He also got to see the Easter Bunny!

Park Fun

2009-04-10T19:22:00.001-04:00

On the caboose

Ridin a motercycle

Sunday was actually a nice day, so we loaded up and went to the park. Good thing, since we had snow flurries Tuesday. Mason had a great time. He loves parks.

Hospital time.

2009-04-10T19:18:00.003-04:00

Here's some pics of my sad, pitiful little guy at the hospital last week. We only stayed one night and got a good report for our follow up on Monday. We are trying a new once daily medicine, since Mason was allergic to the first one we tried. Mason hates it and cries every morning when I give it to him.

Hair no more.

2009-04-10T19:14:00.001-04:00

Long hair

Short hair.....

Mason is sporting a new, much short haircut. We all went the Saturday after I left and got haircuts. Mason said "I like your haircut, Mommy. Do you like my haircut, Mommy?" for about a week after this.

Family Visit

2009-04-10T19:11:00.003-04:00

My parents and brother came to visit us a few weeks ago. Mason had a great time with all the toys they brought him and getting to stay home from school for a week. We cant wait to see them again in May.

Bath fun gone bad!!

2009-02-08T18:55:00.004-05:00

So Manny, being the comical one in our family, thought it would be funny to get Mason a bathtub finger paint kit. People who have kids, like myself, dont buy things like this because they are messy and cause distress when it is time to get out of the tub. Thanks Manny, you're the greatest....I cant wait til you have kids of your own. Now I have to go and clean the tube of orange finger paint off the floor and bathtub!!

Playing with his fish sponge.
Playing with his rub a dub dub town.

Making some art.

While Daddy's away....

2009-02-08T17:47:00.002-05:00

Will left Wed to go to Las Vegas for furniture market. We have been having loads of Mommy Mason fun and are trying to keep busy while he is gone. We miss him so much. Wed. we got our list of friends for the Valentine's party at school. We signed up to bring candy and fruit..yum. We went to Target and picked out our Valentines (debating between Yo GABA GABA and Cars). Mason decided on Cars, so we are going to work on those tonight. Saturday we went and go smoothies!! Mason went to the babysitter Saturday night while Mommy had a girls night out. We ate dinner and saw He's Just Not That Into You. Today, with the nice weather, I attempted to teach Mason how to ride the tricycle. This is totally a Daddy job, so I just pushed him around on it! Speaking of nice weather...how can it be 13 degrees on Tues and 65 on Sunday???AAAHHHH

I love this kid!!!

2009-02-08T17:45:00.003-05:00

Mason with his Handy Manny doll that his Manny and Kellie gave him for Christmas!

Baltimore Aquarium

2009-02-08T17:39:00.002-05:00

We had a great time going to the aquarium. This is Mason's 2nd time to go there. However, the first time we went he had just turned one. We had so much fun, plus they were not busy so Mason got to run around, which was fun for him.

Mason and Will plotting against me!!
About to go into the Australia exhibit

We kept telling Mason the sharks were going to get him!!

Trip to Baltimore

2009-02-08T17:32:00.002-05:00

Last weekend, I went to a conference on Dementia Management in Baltimore. Will and Mason came with me and we had nice little weekend get-away.

I love this kid!!

This is how Mason poses if I try to take his picture. Check out the wine glass with apple juice Will had him drinking out of while they had breakfast in the room.

Our first night we had dinner with Michelle. She was my first ever student intern from JMU. She is finishing her last semester at the Kreger Institute in Baltimore.

Hair cuts and scars

2009-01-28T21:47:00.002-05:00

We took Mason to get his hair cut Friday night. It was a very unpleasant experience for all involved. We got hit with another winter storm this week. It snowed all day yesterday, then iced last night. Sorry, no snow photos, but this boy has been super happy staying home from school and getting to play all day at home.

I tried to get a good pic of his haircut, but like always he hates having his picture made and will not be still for me.

Silly boy.

First scar...All I'm gonna say on this issue is that whil we were on vacation, Mason fell and cut his ear and has a scar now. Not sure if you can see it well, but its there.

Finally, some SNOW

2009-01-19T18:08:00.006-05:00

Checklist for playing outside on a snowy day.

1. Turtleneck...check

2. Sweatsuit...check

3. Snowsuit....check

4. Socks and Snow boots...check

5. Oversized Ole Miss sweatshirt...check

6. Noggin (toboggin)...check

7. Scarf....check

Sorry, no gloves today.

This sweet boy was so Excited when we went and played in the snow. He laughed so hard. It is so fun to see him enjoy himself and have such a great time. We weren't even expecting snow today, so we were very suprized when it started snowing...and didn't stop.

Silly boy
Having fun.

Trying to get me with a snowball!

Such a happy face.

Getting up...........

After a fall.

This boy loves playing in the snow

I took a photo of the snow coming down today. I love how pretty things look in the snow.

I made a video for my sweet friend Lesley because I know how much she likes the snow and wanted to share it with her. The other video is of Mason chasing me around, getting me with a snowball. Ignore my screaming. I was trying to get away!!!

Updated pics of Mason

2009-01-17T21:56:00.003-05:00

Here are some pics of Mason from our trip to MS in December.

Mason and Manny going for a ride.
Mason and Caylee

Getting bundled up to go outside

Mason wanted me to take a pic of his Rusty train!!

Mason and his Daddy

Opening Christmas presents.

Silly Boy

About to throw a fit

Playing with Chloe

Photo with Santa/Christmas Card Pic

2008-12-06T18:33:00.003-05:00

So after learning last year that Mason's not a big fan of having his picture made with Santa, we took a non-traditional approach and this is what will be on our cards this year. Enjoy.

Its A GIRL!!!!!!!!

2008-12-05T19:21:00.002-05:00

Congrats to our wonderful friends, Matt and Jamie Baker, who welcomed daughter # 2 into the world today. Sarah Houston Baker was born at 4:49 p.m. and weighed 6lbs and 12oz. I cant wait to meet this sweet new addition to a much loved family of ours.

Gingerbread Cookie Fun

2008-11-30T18:32:00.000-05:00

We decided to have a little Family Fun Night tonight. We made our own Gingerbread family...minus Max. We had a great time. Check out Will with his gold teeth!!

It's the Most Wonderful Time

2008-11-30T18:22:00.003-05:00

Here are some pics of our tree and Mason on our way to see Santa. We have really been trying to get him excited about meeting Santa. We tell him Santa brings presents and candy. For some reason when we ask him what Santa brings he says "candy, prensents.....and socks!" When we finally went and saw Santa, he went right up to him and said "Where's my candy?" Can't wait to show everyone his picture with Santa. We will get it back next week.

What I am Thankful for...

2008-11-27T21:57:00.004-05:00

Just wanted to take this time to refelct and show gratitude for all my many Blessings. I am truely Blessed and wanted to give Thanks for all the things that are great to me. I took time to list a few things I am thankful for this year (not in any order).....

1. Health and Safety of our family-I am so thankful for our good health (when we have it). Between wrecks, asthma, hospital stays, and the cold Will can not get rid of, I have really learned to appreciate having good health and being safe. It was definately something I took for granted until this year. I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my body when the doctor came in and told us Mason had to be admitted to the hospital this summer. Watching your baby get an IV put in and having to hear respiratory therapist come in and say things like " oh, the lady that worked last night told me ALL about you," is so painful. I don't know how people find the strength and dedication to take care of sick loved ones everyday. I am so glad we have a wonderful doctor who takes the time to listen to our concerns and gives us many options to choose when deciding how to take care of our child. I am thankful for all the prayers and well wishes from others when one of us is sick. Its so hard being away from family and home, but so comforting to know there are people here willing to change there plans and sit at the hospital with my son, so I can go home and shower or take a nap OR drop everything to take care of you when you pass out at work from being sick and stressed!!!
2. Parents-I am so thankful for not only my parents, but my family..brothers and Wills familiy included lol. My parents drive 13-14 hours here to come and clean my house and change light bulbs, move and put together furniture and babysit so Will and I can see movies. They send us cards and happies and Ole Miss Tee-shirts (even though they are DIE HARD MSU fans, hey every family has black sheep, I'm ours:0) , and sometimes the occasional $20 for things like Halloween and Thanksgiving. My sweet Momma even cuts out wedding annoucements and such from the local paper and mail them to me. They always call after not hearing from me for more than two days to make sure nothing is wrong. They listen to my worries and always make me feel better about the things that stress me out. They are always postive about everything and give me an optimistic view when I so desperately need it. They also dont critcize the choices we make, even dumb ones (ok well they stay on me about spanking Mason and my choices of hair color, but that's about it) They spend thier Christmas break and 4th of July vacation keeping my child so I can go out with friends and even go on the Honeymoon I never had that I am getting soon. They are the best parents ever. I am so greatful and thankful for them. I am thankful for my brothers too. They are the BEST uncles to Mason. They are always interested in what is going on in his life and call multiple times to check on him when he is ill. I am also greatful that they get along with Will. I always know when one of them is calling us, b/c as soon as one cell stops ringing another starts. I hope I get along with thier wives, if they ever get married. Next, the inlaws, I am thankful for the love and support they provide to us. Will's Dad and Step Mom are here right now, giving us a break and cleaning our house and cooking for us. It is nice to have so many people who love us and love Mason and want to be in our lives. Lastly, I am also thankful for the 3 sweet neices I have to love an spoil. Caylee, Samantha, and McCarty are great cousins to Mason.
3. Work- Can I just say.. I hate work:) I feel like I work ALL the time.....prolly b/c lately I do. I got a PRN job this year. As much as I hate working more...I am very thankful and greatful that I have not one, but two jobs that enable me to pay off debt, build savings, buy my son endless toys he does not need that clutter my home, pay bills and get us through hard economic times, allows me to have nice things for my home, and provide us with the health insurance to provide us great medical care. I am also glad for my PRN job, b/c it has gotton me back into a part of my profession I love and really enjoy. I am thankful for all the people I am able to help at work which gives me a great satisfaction in life.
4. Friends- I am so so thankful for all the texts I got today wishing us a Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for all my sweet friends who always make time for dinners, cookouts, parties, and playdates while I am home. I am thankful for old friends I don't see or talk to much. I am thankful for new friends who spoke and befriended me even though no one else would.I am thankful for friends who inspire me to be a better mom, wife, and person. I am thankful for friends who let us be involved in there great moments like weddings and babies. I am thankful for friends who listen to whine about the whoos in my life, who call me when they have problems b/c I was the only one that would understand, to those who forgive me, for those who love me anyway and those who drop everything to help me organize the 10 year reunion I am resposible for. Bless you all and may you all know how special you are to me.
5. Will- Where would I be with out this man? Isn't wierd how we are partenered up another person for a life time of memories? I am thankful for a great husband who gives Mason a bath at night so I can watch reality TV, a man who tells me good job even when I fail, a man who eats food I cook even though it is never any good. A man who works very hard to provide for our family..a man who puts up with me!!! I am so thankful to be married to my best friend. He makes me laugh, he tells me what spots I missed on the Christmas tree (yeah, I put up my tree this moring, yeah, im on the ball today), soon he will be telling me all the words I misspelled on these blog postings. He calls me at work to wish me a good day and listens to my stories about bad days. He makes me look forward to the future and inspires me to be a better person. Even though we are so opposite of each other, we manage to tolerate and cohabitiate together. He is a fantastic parent and is always inspiring me to do better. I am thankful for his fun spontaneous spirt, like planning a honeymoon for us, since we didn't really get to have one when we got married. I am thankful to have someone I love as much as him, that loves me just as much. He is even sorry and sypathetic when he does things like removing my toenail and almost another by stepping on my bare feet while wearing shoes!!! Lastly, I am thankful for the future I am getting to spend with him and that his in my life.
6. Mason- What a great little guy. I am so greatful and thankful for all the happiness and joy he brings into my life. I am thankful for the way he makes me feel and the pride I get from being not only a mom, but being his mom. His smiles. He independence ("no mommy, I do it). His curiosity ("whats that bangage on your foot for") His need for me (" I want my mommy") His help ("here Mommy, put this on the tree") His love ("love you too, mommy"). His routines, like singing and saying his prayers at night. And my latest...I am thankful that he doesnt like to sleep with pajams on and kicks off the covers. Sounds crazy, but according to my mom I was the same way. Trust me, when you have kid that is the exact replica of you husband in every way, shape, and form, you take what ever similarities you can get, no matter how little:)

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and takes time to look back and reflect on all the things they are thankful for this year.

Thanksgiving fun!

2008-11-27T21:28:00.002-05:00

K..so I got a shorter, darker hair cut. And yes, you are seening purple in my hair. Just a few streaks. I think Im secretly stressing about being older and almost 30 and am rebelling against myself. Or I just wanted to do something wild and funky for once:)
Mason and I attended his annual Thanksgiving lunch with all the families from daycare. We had a great time. There are lots of new babies and school. It is scary to think that MY child is now a big kid and not a tiny baby anymore. This BOY drinks out of a regualar cup. Can you say BIG BOY. He tells me all the time he is a big boy. I have a great video of the kids singing the Blessing, but of course MY child was looking around, playing, and NOT singing, so I am not posting it.

FYI, for those of you don't know.....I signed up for drinks b/c I was the last one to sign the list and it was filled out by all the parents who accually get there kids on time. Really, I would have made something:) WELL I decided to go to chick fil a since they sell gallons of tea and lemonade by the gallons. My bill.....$13. Yeah a gallon of lemonade is almost $8 and the tea was like $4 something. I was so annoyed by this. I mean really $13. Who charges that much for lemonaid? Whatever, I don't even like there food that much!!

Here I am trying to get Mason to hold his placemat. It is so cute. The feathers are his handprints. He is doing such a good job in school. I am so proud of him. He has had a hard time adjusting to the daylight savings time change. Plus, his allergies are all crazy again (runny nose, itchy eyes, exema on his face, ect). Most mornings I have to wake him up and bribe him with candy to get up dressed andget his teeth brushed. NOTE bribery doens't work with this guy. We had two mornings last week where he was so cranky, he cried when I left him at school. There is nothing, I mean nothing, worse to me than having to leave Mason when he is upest and crying. It is heartbreaking. Fortunately, this doens't happen often and he stops right after I leave. Still, I don't like seeing my little guy upset.

I think I have scarred Mason for life taking so many pictures of him over the years. Most days he refuses to "say cheese" for me. Not sure what I'm gonna do about Christmas cards this year. He did, however, want to pose for me the other day. We got this little down vest (thanks Janell) and he likes it. He wanted to put his hands in his pocket and say cheese for me.
SUCH A BIG BOY. 2 and 1/2. Where does the time go? It is so wierd to not have a baby anymore. And don't bother asking about baby #2. Mason is absolutly forbidding it. He says nonono to having a sibling. "Im your big boy Mommy" is what he says to me when I ask him. I even try to hold the other babies at daycare to show him what it would be like with a baby. BAD IDEA....he got so MAD he tried to hit the baby. He didnt like the idea of Mommy holding another baby!!

Fun Times with FRIENDS

2008-11-27T20:39:00.003-05:00

I hope everyone will be happy to know I HAVE FRIENDS!!! After three and half years here I have finally made friends. Ok, so maybe it hasnt taken that long, but I finally feel like VA is our home and we here for a reason. I admit I never meet a stranger, but it very hard for me to make friends. ESP, here. People just arent has hospitable and easy to get to know. Plus, I" talk wierd" as I am told frequently. I feel so blessed, b/c for so long the only things I had to look forward to were Will and MAson and coming home to see my freinds and family in MS. Part of that was my fault since I AM married to my best friend and we only have each other up here and b/c I already have great friends in MS, why make new friends. It feels very good to be able to have a support system here, to call people and make plans and do things. I thought I would share with everyone things about some of them and why I think they are so great. Of course, there are more great friends, I just dont have pictures of them right now.

Me, Pam and Stacel

Pam is my BESTIE at the Berryville campus. She is fantastic!!! I have many kids in her room which is great except one day this summer, she was the only one in the room b/c the teacher had called out and we were short staffed. I rearranged my schedule and stayed in the room to help her out for the morning. We were so stressed by the end of the day. Behaviorally, challenged ten and eleven year old boys, can really ware you out. :) So anyway, we have been really close since then and because of that day we decided we needed a happy hour. Yes, our kids make us drink!!! Well, this has become a once monthy routine that we all look forward too. We are constatly trying to find excuses to do happy hour (bithdays, ppl getting new jobs, ect. YAY happy hour. We have so much fun!!!

Trish, Stacel, Pam, me and Erinn.
Us at our November happy hour Erinn's going away happy hour. She is our OT. She is a hurricane Katrina refuge. So she knows what it like to have to move away from everything you know. She is a great listener and has definatly taught me to be a better therapist. This girl has more passion for her job than anyone I know! She also works PRN with me at the nursing home which is great. We love to collaborate on pts (yeah we'er nerds) Her and her husband Jeremy are so good to me. And love Mason (what's not to love?) They live close by which is wonderful b/c they often feed me. However, Erinn has gotton me drinking and needing coffee on a daily, which is something I never thought I would do.

Terry, Janell, Cindy, Aimee, Chris, Crysal and Me at the Staff Excellence Banquet

Terry has a big family and is always giving me parenting and maritial advise. Ok not ALWAYS, but sometimes. She always makes me laugh and is so thoughtful. I appreciate her b/c she always invites us to do things with her family, when WIll is at market, so I am not alone.

Janell is great beacuse not only is she a great teacher, and crafty, she has a baby who is a month older than Mason, BUT about a size or two bigger. We get ALL of Broden's hand-me-downs, which I absolutly love. She and I sit around and constantly discuss our kids and make sure they are developing right. You get a certin paranoa working with special needs kids. We keep each other in line with develpmental milestones.

Cindy- Cindy is like the best SPED teacher ever. I have learned so much from her professionally. She always colaborates with me and is always intrested in whats new with speech pathology. The woman reads my Advace magazines for gosh sakes!! She is also so good to our family and to Mason.

Aimee...georgous and smart..I actually hate her. J/K. Aimee and I bonded when I was pregnant with Mason b/c she had super nasty awful morning sickness like me. Shes the one who really told me what to expect while I was expecting:) SHe is probably the nicest person I have ever met. She has two adorable girls Autum and Ayla and has the best heart and strength of anyone I know.

Chris is my friend I've known the longest. Not only do we share an office, we live in the same neighborhood! She feeds me too. I got lucky befrinding great cooks. Chris is an OT and looks pretty good for bein 41. yes I know, it makes me sick too. People think we are the same age. We have been through a lot together. She threw me a baby shower visited me in the hospital and cooked me dinner the first night a came home from the hospial after having Mason. She dog sits Max for us and before I got lazy, we would exercise together:) She is a wonderful friend and person. She made pumpkin pie the other night, yummy.

Crystal is one of the funniest people I know. And I don't mean silly funny, I mean dry humor, sarcastic funny. She is alos the most organized person I know. I'm not sure why she's friends with me (guess opposites attract) HAHA. She is a very strong woman and a great mom. She also makes me feel good b/c she doesn't cook. I am so jealous of all you people who can just go home an fix dinner. BAFFELS my MIND. She and I are also going to be on the amazing race together one day (our dream anyway)

The 4-Runner

2008-11-27T20:21:00.003-05:00

Ok so for those of you who don't know...I got a 4-runner this past August. Will got a new job, with a new territory, so he decided he needed a car. I took this as my opportunity to tell him that I wanted an SUV. Well, he didn't want my car and can't drive his big Tahoe, so we both got new cars (new, used cars, not new new cars). I got a 4-runner and LOVE it. It is the perfect MOM ride for me. Mason and I have so much room and he can see more things out of it. I love it and I take better care of this vehicle than any other material posession I have (anyone who knows me knows I'm not materialist and treat everything I own like garbage. Ok, not like garbage, I just dont value stuff. Which, BTW, I am getting much better at, taking care of stuff, not valueing, it I mean). Ok so anyway enough rambling....WELL, the day before Halloween I was on my to work as usual. I had just droped of Mason ( thank GODNESS), WHEN I got hit.............by a lady born in 1919 (yes, she will be 90 on her birthday). Of course, looking back it was sorta funny that this super old lady hit me (the sun was in her eyes, she said as she droped her WALKER getting out of her car). Well anyway, I was not seriously enjured, even thought my neck, leg, and back really sore and missed two days of work. I got a rental truck, TRUCK, like pickup truck. My sweet husband drove it for me most days, but I hate the added chaous it added, having to switch keys and having only one carseat, ect. SO FINALLY, after nearly a month and $6000 worth of damage, I got my truck back this week. Mason and I are so happy to have it back and to be back in our normal routine.

I had to get a new door and two new tires:(

Adult Fun;)

2008-11-27T20:15:00.002-05:00

So Will and I went to an "Grown UP Party" for Halloween. This is big for us b/c we rarely EVER go out (unless were in MS of course. Here are the pics from the party. How funny is this costume I got for me and Will. I know the blogs are family/kid friendly so forgive me for any vulgar thoughts that may come to your mind.

Me and Erinn, my partner in crime!!
Erinn and Jeremy

Me and WIll....the lock and key.

Happy Halloween

2008-10-31T19:52:00.001-04:00

What's goin on??

2008-10-12T19:55:00.001-04:00

Will has taught Mason to say "what's goin on?" to people. It is too funny. Mason is too funny. We have had a lot going on. We are kiki free and have been for some time now. The daycare told Mason they threw his pacifer away and he did fine excepting it. We carried it over at home he hasn't had any trouble. Mason had another wheezing episode after Labor Day. The doctor recommended daily medication for it. We debated on it for a few weeks and decided to try it. OF COURSE it made his allergies ten times worse AND after a few days Mason was covered in hives. AHHHH So right now we are just trying to stay healthy and pray we make it through the winter with few problems. We have been busy with school and work. The city is doing construction in front of Mason's daycare...right in front of Mason's daycare. Everyday he wants to see the buldozers, make buildozer noises, and say "move that dirt." We are enjoying our fall weather and getting ready for our trip to the pumpkin patch and Halloween.

Baby Shower Fun

2008-10-12T19:48:00.004-04:00

Today, Mason and I attended a shower for my co-worker/friend/neighbor, Heather. We had so much fun. Heather and I have playdates with her kids, Nina and Jacob. We are so excited for her and can't wait to meet Baby Gabriel in January.

Erinn, Heather, and me.
Mason LOVES his Erinn.
It's about time for a trim. Mason and Mommy
Having cake.
Silly boy!!

Birthday Party Fun

2008-10-12T19:35:00.005-04:00

Last Sunday, we went to a fantastic Costume themed Birthday Party for our friend Madison Lilly. We had such a good time, esp when the ponies came!!

Spider Man Mason
Getting ready to go.
Playing in the sandbox.
Loving his Mommy
Happy Boy

Madison, the Birthday girl, opening her gifts.
Reagan on the pony.
Mason riding the pony.
Crying because we made him get off.
Riding again.

Squeeky clean cutie

2008-10-12T19:33:00.002-04:00

Labor Day FUN!!

2008-09-09T17:48:00.002-04:00

We met my family for Labor Day. We went to the zoo and had so much fun!!

Mason and Caylee
Mason with his Manny
Camel Ride
Hangin out with friends.
Check out this cool pic I took!!

It's a BOY!!

2008-08-24T21:32:00.003-04:00

Meet MAX, the newest addition to our family. He was given to us Friday and we are so excited to welcome him into our home.

WARNING: What you are about to see is NOT pretty!!

2008-08-24T21:27:00.003-04:00

This is what my sweet angel looks like when he is throwing a fit over something.

How sad..
ALL because I am trying to break him of his "ki-ki"

Singing in the tub.

2008-08-19T21:01:00.003-04:00

New Pics of Mason

2008-08-19T07:14:00.003-04:00

Yummy..chocolate strawberry
mowing the carpet....
in mommy's shoes!!
this boy loves his cell phone.
Finally, he loves bath time!!
Getting ready for school.

Adventures in room 409

2008-07-20T21:40:00.002-04:00

Here are a few pics from our lovely hospital stay this weekend. Luckly, I didn't have any pictures from our first night there. Mason was sick, scared, and very upset. He cried the whole time we were at the doctor, when we got to the hospital, and when they did breathing treatments every two hours. It was awful. IT seemed like everytime he would calm down, something else would happen....chest Xrays, IVS, ects. What a nightmare. Lets hope and pray we never have to go through this again.

More Unattended Mason photos...lotion edition

2008-07-14T22:33:00.001-04:00

I can't turn my back for even a second with this mischievious little guy.

Our Trip Home!!

2008-07-14T22:08:00.003-04:00

Here arer a few highlights of our recent trip home. We had so much fun and stayed very busy. I can't believe we won't be back until Christmas (I'm homesick already)!!

Jen and I with our boys. Ethan was born about 5 months before Mason.
Our last night at Veronica and Brents.
Us girls up late...
Family photo before taking my parents out for thier 30th anniversary.
Girls night out. It was so fun having dinner and catching up with these amazing ladies/mommies. Three years ago we were all finishing grad school together and sharing stories about SLP jobs. Now we all have babies to talk about!! (which I personally think is much more interesting than SLP stuff).
Lesley and Ginger invited us to spend the day with them. What fun. Ginger's sweet little guy was born the day before Mason. He is the most fearless little guy!! I can barely get Mason in water and he can already swim!!!!!
I was so glad they invited us over for the day. Mason and I had a great time.
Lesley and her most adorable twin babies. I wish I could have snuck them home with me!!!
Mason right after we left Lesley's house.

Of course my mom got him this terrible shirt (sorry Ginger). Oh well, I'm not one to turn down free clothes.
Mason and cousin Caylee
Mason, Daddy, cousin McCarty, and Uncle Russ. McCarty is 8 months old and weighs 22lbs (poor Mason is 2 and weighs 28 lbs).
Goodbye Atkins!!! Atkins is moving to Japan this summer and we are going to miss him.
Our first movie date. We went to see WallE. Of course, as you can all guess, we left after about 30 minutes. Always an adventure!!

The Many Faces of Mason.

2008-06-09T18:05:00.002-04:00

Happy Mason
Bear Mason
Bathroom Finger-Painter Mason

The Unattended Mason

2008-06-07T18:04:00.003-04:00

I knew something suspicious had to be going on the other morning. Mason was awake but still in bed. WHy had he not come downstairs yet? Why was it so quiet? What was he into? I rushed upstairs and this is what I found. Mason had climbed on the toilet, on the sink, sat in the sink, and had gotten his toothbrush and toothpaste out!! He was brushing his teeth!!

Mason LOVES Manny!!

2008-06-07T17:58:00.002-04:00

Here are some highlights of Mason getting to spend time with his Uncle!!

Kelli, Mason, & Manny
Enjoying the new toy Manny won for him!
AWWW

Family Visit

2008-06-07T17:46:00.002-04:00

My Parents, Bother, and his Girlfriend came to us the week of Memorial Day. While they were here we went to Hershey Park. It was so much fun. Mason had a great time and was a very good boy!!

Having a little lunch!!
It's a turtle.
Alligator!
Riding the big trucks with Daddy

On a scary frog ride with Mommy!!
Our Family
on the train

MASON IS TWO!!

2008-05-18T20:16:00.004-04:00

After naptime, we had a special Mommy/Daddy/Mason celebration for our BIRTHDAY BOY. He was very excited to get to open more presents. HE loves telling people he is 2 and singing Happy Birthday.

Here he is with his Rescue Pack.

Working hard to get the presents open.

Had to give his Diego doll a hug and kiss...(yes I got my son a doll. He really likes Diego and its programed to talk specifically to him).

Presents

2008-05-18T20:15:00.000-04:00

Yummy!!

2008-05-18T20:11:00.000-04:00

Of course the second we turn our eyes off of Mason we find him in the yummies!!

Party

2008-05-18T20:08:00.001-04:00

Mason had a Birthday Party Saturday. He had such a good time playing with all his friends!! We were so glad so many of our friends could join us and we appreciate all the great presents we received.

Apple Blossom Parade

2008-05-04T20:48:00.003-04:00

We went to the big Apple Blossom Parade. Every year we have the Apple Blossom Festival. The whole town shuts down and the schools close for this Festival. Saturday, we went to the Parade with Terry, Crystal (both from work), and their families. We had a great time!! Mason loved seeing all the floats and waving his American flag.

Taking time away from the parade to pose with Mommy!!
That's Fantasia, from American Idol.

DooDah Day

2008-04-27T08:17:00.000-04:00

Saturday we went to DooDah Day. It is a festival our town has every year for the smaller children in the community. We had a very good time. Mason was not feeling well and was very shy. He did not want to hug any of the cartoons and refused to ride the horses. Maybe next year!!

MY NEW MOST FAVORITE THING EVER

2008-04-13T18:14:00.002-04:00

While Daddy was gone last week, Mason and I were layin on the couch watching Prize Puzzle (aka Wheel of FOrtune). Mason got right up in my lap and poked me in the eye. He then said EYE..LOVE MOMMY!!! WHat a sweet moment. Now we go around saying it to everyone. WHat fun!!

Ready for Spring

2008-04-13T18:11:00.002-04:00

Dear Spring,

Please come visit us!! WE are cold and bored. We want nice, warm weather. We want to swing and play outside. Hope to see you soon.

Daddy, Mommy, and Mason

Bubble Bath Fun

2008-04-13T18:09:00.001-04:00

Easter

2008-04-02T21:09:00.002-04:00

Sorry I am so late with the Easter photos. We stay busy at our house!!! We didn't get to do anything we had planned. We are all finally well and want to stay that way for a while. Plus we were under snow advisory and didnt know how the weather would be.

This is Mason's new book about going to the Potty!!

New Shorter Cut

2008-04-02T21:07:00.001-04:00

It seems like I just got Mason a haircut, but we went again Friday. It seems like the more I cut it the longer and faster it grows!

Visit from MS

2008-03-24T09:25:00.002-04:00

PaPaw and PaPaws wife (as Mason called her) came to visit us. Mason had so much fun. He stayed home from school all week. They read books, went to the playground, and (my worst nightmare) did "Maroon and White" cheers all day! Mason was up at five this morning going "Maroon" "White." AHHHH