we're fine!

This is my first ever post without pictures. I'm sure you've heard about the tornadoes in Suffolk. We are Okay! The tornadoes touched down about 4 pm, yesterday. I had no idea they were coming. Brian called home to check on us and I wasn't even there! It was only raining at our house. I went to the tanning bed and left Aaron with Danny! WHAT?? Brian told Danny if anything "strange" happened outside to take Aaron to the hallway. WHAT?? And I'm just chilling out with my eye goggles on, working on my tan. When I got home Danny didn't say anything about the storm--after about a half hour--he said, "Oh yeah, Dad wants you to call him." That's when I found out we should take shelter--the tornado had already been through. We were so blessed. We are all fine!

The neighborhood, Hillpoint Farms, that's all over the news--that's where my friend, Monica and Mike live. They are all good, too, and their house is okay. But Mike told me 2 blocks from them is messed up bad. Monica has not been able to go home, yet. The police aren't let anyone out or in. She just wants to go home. I can't blame her. Mike had been without power since 11 pm, yesterday. It came back on around 7 pm tonight. He said he made a big pot of coffee. He told Monica he wished someone would come around with some Starbucks! I'll have to get him some when the all the dust settles!

My friend, Donna saw one tornado touch down right outside her window at work. She said the whole outside just got black! I can't even imagine! And I was tanning! She said a guy driving by her office pulled into the parking lot and ran in the building. He had felt his truck lift off the ground and thought he should take shelter! She told me when the front door opened there was all this air pressure and you could see the debris in the wind. Thank God, she's okay, too.

I am so thankful that my family and all my friends are okay. Just please keep those who were less fortunate in your prayers. My friend, Donna and I were talking about how her church and the schools suffered no damage at all. And the hospital's damage was only minimal. They used her church and the one high school for emergency shelter. And, of course, the hospital needed to be up and running. God really is in control!

Saturday Celebrations

Woohoo! My birthday was Thursday! My boys got me a cake and some flowers. I'm going to plant them in the front yard by the sidewalk.


We went to Danny's game in the morning. Aaron snagged my chair. You'll notice his little chair on the left is holding all his stuff! Oh-- Is that how this works??
Aaron loves, loves, loves it in the dugout. He's all about keepin' the team motivated with high fives! Danny is such a good sport.
"Go get 'em!"
"Okay guys, I'm next!"
Nope! It's Danny's turn!

That night we went to the Olive Garden, with the Goodwin's, for dinner. Brian and Danny really don't like it--at all. But I get to eat there once a year--I always pick it for my birthday. Monica and I have this thing about being BFF's--you know best friends forever. She is so funny--she found this shirt and said I just had to have it. The AE is forever and ever and ever--get it? She cracks me up! She thinks I'm kidding, but the next time Aaron and I visit her at work--I'm totally wearing the shirt.
Daddy and Aaron
Matthew--hanging out!
Yes, Danny was there. Monica got a picture of him with HER camera and then he bolted. I know--we are SO embarrassing!! Aaron has no pants--he ate too much. Not really, he had an accident. Brian and I both changed diapers that night--at different times! I lucked out on that deal, though! HA HA Happy Birthday to me!
Thanks for coming out with us, Goodwin's! We always have SO much fun together! Monica's going to take me shopping and help me spend my b-day money! She's a champ when it comes to shopping!

a wedding story

Okay, here it is--the story from my cousin, Nathaniel's wedding. You're gonna be like, "No Way!" I am here to assure you--WAY! You can't make stuff like this up.

Aren't they adorable??
Here's where it all starts--in the car. Aaron is all smiles and chocolate milk-- in the beginning. I'm blabbing away to my mom on the cell phone. We're talking and laughing when she says something about shoes and my brain freezes, I go numb--stop the bus! My dress clothes are hanging, in the garment bag, on the back of the bedroom door! What?
Here's the picture of what I was GOING to wear to the wedding. I was going to take a picture of me modeling-- but 1. Who's going to take my picture? Aaron? He's the only one home right now and 2. I thought it much more appropriate to show it HANGING ON THE BEDROOM DOOR!
So anyway, my mom is like, "Let's think about this. Just calm down. I can bring a shirt and tie for Brian and you can get something else Saturday morning. The wedding isn't until 4:30." Thanks mom for talking me off of THAT ledge!
Skip to Saturday morning real quick--this has to be in the story--My mom, and her 2 sisters, Aunt Sharlene and Aunt Darlene and myself go to Kohl's after breakfast. It's like an episode of TLC's What Not to Wear. The three of them are bringing me clothes and telling the sales people I left my clothes in Virginia. It's a whole big production. After all the cackling, a few tense moments, and MUCH sarcasm--I have a dress. Thank you Aunt Darlene! --she found it. And my Aunt Sharlene had black pumps for me to borrow--we have a winner! Crisis adverted!

Okay, back to the car. We stop for lunch. Aaron's too busy staring and flirting so he has to finish his chicken nuggets on the road.
"Whew! That sun is bright!"

13 1/2 hours later--Hello Findlay, OH! Aaron pretty much cried, whined, and screamed the last 2 hours. Brian and I were starting to turn on each other. He made the comment that Nathaniel owed us a gift for all this! HA HA!
Here's Kim. The wedding was beautiful--and well worth the trip. In the receiving line, Kim hugged me and said, "I think you hate me." NOT TRUE! I wasn't real crazy about the car ride, but you I like!

Uncle Greg and Aunt Sharlene--Nathaniel's parents and Kim's new in-laws
Uncle Greg did the ceremony.
Lauren and Micah--Nathaniel's sister and brother
Me and Aaron and my cousin, Kiera and her baby, Phillip. They are, I think, 8 months apart.
Stacie and Eli--of course they HAD to sit together!
Jacob and Joel scheming about something.

Jeff and Phillip
Kelli and Kevin
Aaron and Mamaw--Oh, I almost forgot. Aaron got sick. He just wasn't being himself--you know --sluggish. He threw up at the reception--in Mamaw's shoe! Again--WAY! You can't make stuff like this up! We left early, so he could go to bed. He had a pretty nasty fever in the night.
Kelli and I had adjoining rooms so the kids could be together.
We split the trip on the way home. Sunday we went to Brian's parents and then came the rest of the way on Monday. Aaron liked that MUCH better.

I took Aaron to the doctor, Tuesday. He has a double ear infection. They gave him an antibiotic. Thursday, he woke up with a rash all over his back and belly. I had to take him to the doctor--again! WAY! They gave him a new antibiotic. He seems to be fine--just a little mopey.

I want to clear something up--I know the trip was unbelievable and a little nightmarish! BUT I would do it again and again and again. We had such a great time with our family! We love and miss you all!!

last week's game

I finally remembered the camera last Thursday at Danny's game. We left for OH on Friday. I know you want to see wedding photos, but you'll have to wait--that story's gonna take all day!
Danny made it to First on that at bat.
"Okay--my turn! Throw me the ball!"
Our score keeper. I usually keep the book, but I was late--went back for the camera--and Brian snatched it up! Because whoever isn't keeping score keeps Aaron. Or should I say chases Aaron all over the ball park. He's real hard to keep occupied these days. He'll only sit for so many snacks and drinks.

Danny got out at First but he had a RBI. For those of you who don't follow baseball, that's a Run Batted In--we scored.

Danny took Aaron in the dug out and let him walk around. He thought he was such a big shot--he gave everyone high fives.

at the park

Aaron and I went to the park today with my friend, Heather and her 2 girls--actually I should say 3--he older daughter was there, too--but she left early with her boyfriend. It was a beautiful day! We had so much fun. It was warm, but not too hot. Heather and I sat, sunned, and talked while the kids played.
Aaron driving.
Let me introduce you to Madison. She's 3...
...and this is her little sister, Hayden. She's I think 5 months old. How 'bout those cheeks! This is probably the most pink you'll ever get to see on my Blog! ha ha
Aaron and Madison off to the slides. Madison is so good with Aaron.
"Wee!"
Madison is all about the slides. She doesn't like to swing so much--but the slides are a whole different ball game.

"A little help here."
He played so hard; he was ready for a big drink! What a mess! He has chocolate all over his from MY m&M's. I guess that's better than me eating them all by myself--fewer calories.
He got so tired near the end of our day he fell down a couple times and just stayed there. Heather said he looked like a little injured bird out on the playground. We cracked up.
Little Big Man
One last time--I just love the smirk on his face.
Finally, a nap! We changed cars so I had to jostle the car seat and put it back in my car--he never woke up--when we got home I carried him straight to his bed--he's still sleeping.

videos from today

I think I told you this before, but Eli gave Aaron this back pack and he wears it ALL the time. He loves it! I think he's trying to be like Danny--when he leaves for school. I take it to the ball park for his toys.

Silliness!

Here he is eating chips and watching his favorite show--M.A.S.H. I'm not even kidding--not even a little bit. Whenever the theme song starts playing, he stops what he's doing and runs to the TV.

half day

Danny only had a half day at school yesterday--that allowed he and Aaron some quality time together. They took this picture. I was cleaning out my car and they were "helping"?
Aaron's learning how to drive! Look Out!!
"Oops! I think I hit something--or somebody!"
Here's me diligently working.

lazy baby

I was in my room putting laundry away and "trying"to make my bed--here's Aaron's take on the situation--kicked back with the remote. He's all about relaxing. You know, he does have it pretty rough. Get up--go to the gym and play--come home and take a 2 hour nap--eat lunch--diaper change--play some more--Danny's home!--eat a snack...
"Oh yeah--this is the life."
He likes to look out the window at the neighbor's doggie. He points and says, "gie". He's still holding onto that remote pretty tight!
"OOhhhhh...beads!"
"Mommy, could you please get me a drink?"
I finally managed to get my bed made--- Aaron is still relaxing.
Now isn't that cuter than a throw pillow?