The Hendrix Family

Things from last week...

2011-05-10T15:01:00.000-05:00

Last week was hectic and FUN! It was hectic because there's so much to do at the end of the year and the kids act like lunatics. haha...love 'em, but they do! It was FUN because it was Teacher Appreciation Week! Different businesses provided us with breakfast and lunch everyday...of course I loved that!

And a student in my class bought me a TON of sweet gifts...including a dozen peach roses.

Avie made me this at school!

I made this for my nephew, Drew, for his first birthday party!

Friday night, we picked up Caroline and took she and Avie to play at Chick-fil-a.

These two are best friends...

They shared an ice cream and had a blast! They were so good.

Cason and Josh's Wedding

2011-05-02T09:01:00.000-05:00

Chad and I headed for Alexandria Saturday morning for Cason's wedding. I love Alexandria. It's the first place I lived after college...first time in the real world...learned a lot of independence in the short time I lived there! It was nice to go back for the day and visit some of my favorite stores and favorite restaurant (Oriental Wok for those of you who know Alec!) and spend the night in a hotel! I love staying at hotels.

I knew both Cason AND Josh in college, but not as a couple. They started dating a couple of months before Chad and I...so obviously I've been waiting for this for a LONG time! haha

The wedding was beautiful and the reception was fun...saw a lot of faces I hadn't seen since college. I enjoyed visiting with everyone and getting to see one of my good friends marry the man of her dreams.

Cason and I

Jillian, Cason, and I

Monday after Easter

2011-04-29T12:05:00.000-05:00

There are perks to being a teacher. Not only do you get to teach kids everyday but the holidays and breaks are FAB! I knew at a very young age I wanted to teach...I love kids and it's very rewarding (at times! haha)...but I also knew I wanted kids of my own and I want to be home with them as much as possible. After Christmas, we get so many little breaks. There's President's Day, MLK, Spring Break, Easter Break...not to mention the 3 or 4 snowdays we got and a stormy weather day we got Wednesday!

Monday, we went to River Oaks Park. This is the best.park.ever. Super clean, not crowded, and nice playground!

Molly

Caroline

Drew and Avie Long Legs

This is the most precious little boy I've ever seen. I hope to have one just as sweet as him one day.

He's an absolute DOLL.

After we left the park we decided to head to Sam's (to eat and shop)...have you ever eaten at Sam's?? They have the best hotdogs in the WORLD!

The girls all rode with me!

Easter 2011

2011-04-29T11:05:00.000-05:00

This year Avie has 2 Easter baskets. The Easter Bunny can never fit everything in the one on the right (this is her basket from the last 2 Easters...I made the basket liner and monogrammed it) so I made the one on the left this year to put her goodies in and she can use the other one to hunt eggs. The new one is metal and kinda heavy for her, so I didn't think it'd be a good idea for her to tote that one around!

Molly, Caroline, and Drew's Easter present from Avie

Look what the Easter Bunny left! (well, Chad and I got her a little something...on the left)

So I know it looks a little overboard, but really it wasn't that bad! There were EIGHT books! She loves books! More than any other toy she owns. I bought way too many for Christmas so I decided to put 5 of them up for Easter instead of giving them to her for Christmas.

This year the Easter Bunny didn't leave much candy. He did one little bag and then a couple of things of tic tacs...she loves fruity tic tacs. He usually puts books, clothes, a movie, and a few odds and ends in her basket. She gets so much candy at her class party that the candy the Easter Bunny brings usually never gets eaten...or Chad and I eat it. haha.

Chad and I had her a little gift...these dresses and bathing suit. I had already bought the dresses for summer, so I figured I'd go ahead and monogram them and "gift" them! The bathing suit was my fav! It is poppy and white striped seersucker! I can't resist Baby Gap.

Once all the excitement died down (and daddy made a big breakfast of eggs, bacon, and coffee cake muffins), Avie wanted to SWING, no doubt. This is what we do everyday from the time we get home until suppertime.

Avie got to sit with us in church and was such a good girl. She colored and read some of her new books. After church we went to my mamaw's house for Easter lunch.

This is Avie on Mamaw's front porch waiting to hunt Easter Eggs!

aaaaaand they're off!

Even Drew got to participate!

(there's an egg in that tree in case you can't see it!)

My cousin's twin boys, Britton and Braeden

US!

Grandmom's 80th (& dyeing Easter eggs with my girl!)

2011-04-29T09:37:00.002-05:00

My grandmom (dad's mom) turned 80 last Saturday! We threw her a birthday party at her church's fellowship hall and it was such a good turnout! There were exactly 80 people there!

This cake was SO GOOD.

This is my mamaw (my mom's mom). Both sets of grandparents have gone to church together for years!

She got LOTS of gifts! I got to be the lucky one who wrote everything down, and if you've ever watched an 80 year old open gifts (including taking things out of the box they came in to get a better look at it)...then you know it can take a full day.

It was so funny because one lady bought her a Christmas glass hurricane candle holder and I asked her who she was. So she introduced me to her as her niece. I'm like "huh?". I told her I'd let it slide since she was 80.

Avie sang happy birthday to Grandmom and was so proud of herself. She sings that song everyday. And she uses my name in it so I always tell her "thank you, this is a wonderful birthday!".

Grandmom with her great-daughters.

Mom bought the girls matching dresses for an Easter gift so they wore them to the party.

Caroline and Avie having some cake

They played hard! I don't know if you can tell how tired and sweaty they look in this pic!

My cousin Mike and his fiance Ashley, Chad and Drew (my brother's youngest), sister-in-law Emmy, my cousin Heather, her daughter Laurashae, and her cousin Haley

Drew-Drew and Uncle Chad

THE JOHNSTON FAMILY

(minus a few)

The girls were so upset we were taking a picture without them. You can tell Avie was crying and Caroline is begging Emmy to pick her up.

(my arm is awkward in this pic)

Drew is starting to take some steps!

When we got home...way past Avie's bedtime...we decided to dye Easter eggs. I'd already boiled them that afternoon. Avie really enjoyed putting the princess stickers on them.

And then daddy read "Peter Cottontail" to her before bedtime.

Church Easter Egg Hunt

2011-04-29T08:56:00.001-05:00

This was our first year to attend the church Easter Egg Hunt. Of course she was too little to enjoy it her first Easter...and then I can't remember why we couldn't make it last Easter. Anyway, this is a lot of pictures, but she had SUCH a great time, I couldn't narrow it down.

(before we headed to the church)

She's so funny to me...

We met up with our friends Erica and Finleigh-Kate. Finleigh-Kate and Avie wanted to go through the blow-up tunnel together. I was shocked that Avie wanted to do this....because...

...this looks scary for a toddler!

...but they came out laughing and smiling!

...and then went to the jumpers!

...and then slid down the slide!

Getting ready for the Easter egg hunt! I let Avie go with the 3-4 year olds instead of the 2 and under. The 2 and under were basically "just started walking" kids and since Avie is almost 3, I thought it was more appropriate for her to go with them.

...but when they said "GO!", Avie freaked out! Those kids were like mustangs in a stampede. Seriously, they went nutso...and it scared her to death! I immediately picked her up and tried to help her. But those kids are swift! Avie got 1 egg. She was completely satisfied though...to get away from there!

So we headed for the playground...

Look how long her legs are! She's my child for sure. With a daddy that's 6'4" and me, 5'9"...she's gonna be tall!

I wish we had the perfect tree at home for a tire swing...we have one at the camp and she LOVES it.

Avie's first pony ride.

She's REALLY into playing ball. We got her a Minnie Mouse t-ball set and she loves it.

This was the cutest train...made out of barrels and pulled with a Rhino. So fun! My camera battery died right after this pic so I didn't get a full shot of the train!

It was a super-fun day. Avie had a GREAT nap afterward and then she and Chad went down the road to his best friend's house to play while I started getting ready for my Grandmom's 80th birthday party!

A day of birthday parties!!!

2011-04-28T15:50:00.001-05:00

Last Saturday was pretty eventful! One of my BFF's little girl had her 1st birthday party...and it was an Easter egg hunt! It was a precious party and the kids had a blast.

Miss Sassypants

Ninee and Jack

Hey cutiepie!

Avie loves Jack

I swear she thinks she can hold all these kids like she's so much older than them. In my eyes, it's a baby holding a baby! And this is Avie holding the birthday girl, Amelia!

The Fab Five with our kiddos.

(picture is terrible...but it's the only one that wasn't blurry!)

After Amelia's party, I met Nonna in Calhoun so Avie could spend the night. I then headed BACK to Sterlington to get Chad (had a fishing tournament all day) and go BACK to Ruston for Valerie's (Amelia's mama) 30th birthday party at Portico. Yes, it was a lot of running, but SOOO worth it! I love these girls!

(from left to right: Lindsey, me, Valerie, Jennifer, and Janie)

No one makes me laugh like they do...

Thuggin' it out...

...gangsta style...

Sunday Playday

2011-04-28T15:01:00.001-05:00

Our normal Sunday consists of Sunday school, church, lunch, Chad & Avie take naps, I watch a movie and paint my nails while looking at the Sunday paper. This particular Sunday we decided to get take-out after church and head to Forsythe Park. Avie loves the park. She really just loves being outdoors. If she could sleep outside, I think she would.

After naps, Chad blew up her Jumpolene! She's still a little small for a trampolene, so we found the next best thing at Academy. It's actually pretty fun!

37 years...

2011-04-28T14:55:00.001-05:00

So my parents' 37th wedding anniversary was at the beginning of April. April is a good month to get married...my parents, Chad's parent's, and Chad and I got married in April. It's just a beautiful month with beautiful weather. Ok. Sorry. Enough about that. I get distracted easily.

Mom and Dad prefer for us all to go to dinner with them on their anniversary. They're more "the more the merrier" kind than the "let's have a romantic dinner alone" kind. I like the more the merrier myself. Especially when The Warehouse No. 1 is involved.

Family Portrait OVERLOAD!!!

2011-03-24T15:02:00.000-05:00

We had our family photos taken mid-December (not in time for Christmas cards, but we'd planned on using a pic from Myrtle Beach on our "beach Santa" cards this year anyway). I just got the cd, which is why I'm so late on posting them. I used Keisha Nowlin...never heard of her...googled "photographers in Monroe, LA" and she popped up! She's awesome...we were very pleased. This year, we wanted some non-traditional pics done...like around old, rustic buildings. She met us downtown (Monroe) around the old Howard Griffin building. It was FREEZING! Our super-cheap $35 (for 2 hours) session lasted 45 mintues! I think she got some great shots of Avie in such a short amount of time.

I couldn't narrow it down! This is a lot of pictures!

(I made her pants!)

Miss Sassy

This is my favorite of Avie...

Look at theis face she's making! She was getting fussy so Chad was trying to make her laugh!

I love this one of them...

This is our "main" family portrait. I am having this one enlarged and framed for our foyer.

Keisha even included some cute Valentines with our order!

Boys and their toys...

2011-03-22T09:50:00.000-05:00

So my hubs got something new and green to mow the yard with...

JOHN DEERE green, that is...

Never say never...

2011-03-17T13:07:00.000-05:00

I always said I would never buy these cartoon character screenprint tees. Not that they're not cute...there's just CUTER stuff. hahaha. Well, when you see that cute, sweet, excited look when you hold it up in

Wal-Mart and say "do you like this?"...you'll buy more than one. Dora is not just a cartoon to Avie...she's like her BFF. She adores Dora and Boots. It's St. Patrick's Day, I couldn't find a St. Paddy's tee, and this Dora tee is green. She was so proud this morning.

What IS this pose? She cracks me up on a daily basis.

Like her ruffly jeans I made?

Happy St. Paddy's Day Y'all!

Little Girl Clothes

2011-03-14T12:28:00.000-05:00

I have had the hardest time finding cute spring/summer clothes for Avie! I don't really need any smocked things this summer (of course, unless I really found a steal!)... Avie wears her smocked dresses for like 3 years...no lie yall...I buy them a size too big and hem them for a year, then I let it down to its original hem the next year, then the third year, we add interfacing and let the hem down as far as it'll go! Talk about getting your money's worth! And she wears her smocked outfits/dresses to school so it's not just special occasion clothes! They wash up fine! This will be the 3rd year for the cupcake dress in this post. And it's this ladybug dress's 3rd year too! (she'd just turned 1 in this pic...and is standing on her own! she didn't walk til 14 months, so this was a huge deal for us!)

So basically, I just need some cute outfits and play clothes for her. I usually find cute play clothes at Target...you can get a cute outfit from there for 6 bucks and monogram it...and it's adorable! (I did get a few things there last night). Has anyone been to Kid's Closet lately? They have bedazzled tank/ruffled pants sets for $96. Really? Do people pay that for something their child only fits in for a few months??? And it's not even smocked?! I decided I wanted to make some things for Avie...Hobby Lobby has the cutest "boutique" fabric and you can make things cuter than what's in the store...if you have the right fabric! I already posted the knot dress I made last week. I also made a cute ruffly skirt (pics to come). Friday and Saturday I made a bunch of ruffled pants with tops to go with them. Here are just a couple she's worn so far...I'll post more as she wears them!

Yes, my girl is a little sassy...and funny...she "poses" for pics on the babydoll aisle at Target. Gotta love the hands on the hips...

(Thanks Lindsay for this applique you sent me like 2 years ago! This is the first time I've gotten to use it!)

Many of you know I'm not a fan of jeans on little girls. If you are, I'm not trying to offend! I just feel like jeans make them look older and I'm NOT ready for mine to look like a child...she's still my baby! However, I did buy her a pair of jeans in December to go with her Christmas appliqued tees. And they were cute. But, I haven't seen anymore of that type at Target. Every child needs jeans to go with basic t-shirts and such...so I made some ruffly denim pants! Aren't they fab?! (you really can't tell too much about them since she's standing on the brown rug...but imagine dark denim with big ruffles at the bottom!) I just bought some cute printed "play tees" at Old Navy and Target to go with these. I made some lighter denim ones too.

And I know, she's not a baby anymore...these pics make that obvious...but she's MY baby!! They grow too fast and it makes me sad :(

A little sewing...

2011-03-10T15:51:00.000-06:00

My friend Jessie sent me a pattern for a knot dress she'd bought to have a dress made for her little girl. I'm not real big on patterns. I have to have my mamaw's supervision when I'm sewing something new or from a pattern. But...I loved the dress, so I decided to give it a shot by myself! The pattern was easy to follow...although I tweeked it a bit.

I love the coordinating floral and cheetah fabric. I love that the cheetah print is shabby colored...blue, olive, brown. Hobby Lobby has the best coordinating prints! I got a bunch...and I plan on making several things this weekend...including the ruffly boutique pants I always make her, of course!

How sassy is she? Her daddy was finishing up her bedtime story when I finished the dress. I couldn't wait to see it on her and take pics, so I took her pjs off and put her dress on! It fits perfectly!

Our weekend...

2011-03-10T14:50:00.000-06:00

Last weekend was nice, relaxing, and pretty uneventful. Friday night was the most fun part...we had our Sunday School game night at church. We played the Newlywed Game...always fun...and always a great way to get to know couples who are new to our class. The church provided childcare, so Avie had a BLAST playing with the other kids in the children's building. Our church just added on a new children's building and it's like a serious jungle gym/amusement park/Chuck E. Cheese all put together. (ok, maybe not the amusement park part). Every Sunday, the kids classes take turns playing after they do their Sunday School lesson. So instead of getting a babysitter or asking one of our moms to keep Avie we just decided that we would let her have a fun Sunday School night too! She kept saying "I wanna go to the party too!". I got home and had a phone date with my cousin, Holly...til MIDNIGHT. We talk often (a couple of times a week), but only extended 2+ hour conversations happen about once every 4-6 months.

I woke up the next morning with a headache...a grinding-my-teeth headache. I can always tell if it's sinus, grinding my teeth, or tension. Yuck. Exedrin Migraine didn't do the trick, Tylenol didn't do the trick, nothing worked. But...I decided not to let it ruin my day. I was lazy til about 3...then we headed to town to go to Academy, Target, and dinner. Headaches zap me completely. It's exhausting. But I had a wonderful day just being with the 2 loves of my life...regardless of a headache. (fyi: I had a headache everyday when I was pregnant...I had to see a migraine specialist and eventually started taking Propranolol everyday...never had another headache while I was pregnant. *just in case any of you readers are pregnant and having headaches* Can you tell I hate headaches? Forgive me for ranting.)

Here are my two preciouses. We went to eat at El Sombrero...the BEST Mexican place ever. We just got it a few months ago. They have one in Vicksburg and I go there every time I go to the outlet mall over there. I LOVE it...so imagine my thrilled-ness when they opened one in West Monroe.

My child doesn't sit in a highchair nor a booster anymore. She thinks she is grown and needs no assistance.

(check out my hubs' sunglasses lines...that he got while he WON FIRST PLACE IN HIS FISHING TOURNAMENT!!)

Sunday after church we decided to head to Ruston to see Nana and Pops. We were craving fried chicken and called my parents to see if they felt like company. Mom said "YES!!! And hurry! Dad's about to go get some chicken." Talk about great minds thinking alike! haha. Nana's been sick for the past 2 and a half weeks. Yeah, flu/bronchitis...she can't get rid of it. We haven't seen much of her lately so we headed over. She hasn't been contagious for a while but she just doesn't feel good and she's weak. I think a dose of Avie helped her though!

She even felt like baking homemade chocolate chip cookies!

(Avie is sitting there like a big girl eating hers.)

Surely this coming weekend, I will be more productive and headache-less! Nonna invited Avie to spend the night Friday...so Chad and I have datenight! He has another fishing tournament Saturday and I plan on sewing for Avie and maybe going shopping! Tokyo is on the menu for Saturday night...Avie's first time!

Hope you've had a great week and a Happy Friday tomorrow!!!

A re-do.

2011-02-17T15:00:00.001-06:00

I've been wanting something taller in my foyer...as opposed to the shorter antique table I had in there. I wanted something with some storage space...

Chad's parents had this chest of drawers they weren't using anymore. It'd been sitting in our garage for a year and I'm pretty sure it wasn't going to be used ever again...until I brought it back to life. This dresser was bought unfinished...they painted it white...then years later, Chad's sister painted it red...then years after that, his mom painted it black. Needless to say, the finish wasn't in the best shape anymore...but it got some good use and I'm pretty sure they got their money's worth!

The finish was really bumpy, rough, bubbly, and sandpaper-y. Get it? It wasn't pretty. I decided to strip it. I'd never stripped anything before. This was a TOUGH job....especially with three coats of paint to strip. After I stripped it, I sanded it and cleaned it. I then sprayed a primer on it. (that was the easy part!). When that dried, I painted SEVERAL coats of white paint. I lost count of how many coats I put but it was alot! I don't know why it was taking so much to cover it. But it dried fast, so that was good! After I finished all the painting, I sanded and sanded and sanded! I wanted an antique, distressed look. I wiped some antiquing glaze over the sanded areas to "blacken" them. When it was how I wanted it, I sprayed three clearcoats and I was done!!!

What do ya think?

I got new pulls from Hobby Lobby. At 1/2 off, these Fleur de Lis wrought iron pulls were only $1 each!

I filled in the previous knob holes with wood filler and sanded so I could put middle pulls on some of the drawers.

Isn't she a beaut?

This was alot of hard work...but totally worth it! I got the outcome I was looking for and learned alot in the process! Can't wait to tackle my next piece! (be looking for my refinished jewelry armoire!)

Our Valentine's Party

2011-02-17T14:40:00.003-06:00

We had our Valentine's party Friday! I love Valentine's Day! I love red and pink and hearts and cards and candy...I just love it all!

This is my sweet Iborni holding up her "lips" cookie!

...just a little something from Mrs. Hendrix...

Piano

2011-02-17T14:38:00.000-06:00

We got a piano! It was Nonna's a long time ago and it's been at Chad's aunt's house for a while. We picked it up a few weeks ago and it's in Chad's parents' study right now...it really won't fit in our house right now...but we'll have it for Avie when it's time for her to take piano lessons!

Our fun Saturday! (not recent Saturday though...)

2011-02-17T14:36:00.001-06:00

One Saturday (in January) we spent a fun day together...lunching...shopping...it was great.

Avie loves the carousel!

(and she no longer looks like a baby...she's a little girl...I keep having to remind myself)

...nah...she's still MY baby!

She likes to ride the horsey "upstairs" on the carousel. Livin' on the edge huh!?

Hey Daddy!! (see him down there?)

We also went to The Creamery for ice cream. MMM!

It was a perfect day. Honestly, it's hard to ask Chad to spend an entire day shopping with us. Most guys just don't like to shop! It's sweet that he'll do it for us sometimes...especially if you throw the Camoflauge Shop and Academy in there. Everyone wins!

Random...

2011-02-17T14:29:00.002-06:00

I really don't remember when I took this...I know it wasn't on one of our recent "snow days"...maybe New Year's? Did it snow a little in Sterlington on New Year's?? Anyway, I thought it was a cute pic...and the snow falling really shows up!

(and I think these two are really cute!)

(Check out Avie's slipper socks she borrowed from Nana. She won't give them back.)

Excalibur

2011-02-17T14:27:00.000-06:00

While we were still out for Christmas Break, my brother invited us to eat at Cheddars and take the kids to play at Excalibur!

Avie & Caroline cruising in their car!

(I can seriously see these girls doing this as teenagers)

Avie loves the horsey ride. Even Drew-Drew gets to ride with Molly!

Giddy Up!

But THIS is their all-time favorite! You can actually go to this place without spending any money. The slides and "jungle gym" don't cost anything and the kiddos would much rather play on this than those "rides" or arcade games.

ready...set...go!

"the little girls"

Weeee!!!!

We finally used all our tokens...but Avie still thinks she's playing!

Christmas Day 2010

2011-02-16T15:07:00.000-06:00

Santa came to our house! We had a blast...documented on video for sure, but not as many pics...the excitement makes ya forget to take pics!

Santa brought Avie lots of fun things...a table and chairs (so no more high chair)...a Dora 4-wheeler (her big gift!), a Rosalina doll (bigger than the one she got her first Christmas), and lots of other fun things!

She was so overwhelmed! She would play for something for 2 seconds and move on to the next thing!

Avie and her new baby

We also gave Avie some more presents from us.

I made her a "nap" blanket...out of Minnie Mouse fabric that was kinda hideous, but she loved it when she saw it so I couldn't say no.

And we gave her a bunch of panties! She loves them...now only if we could get her completely potty trained so she could wear them!

Christmas evening we headed back to Ruston to celebrate with my mom's side. We did fingerfood...my favorite!!!

Avie loved helping Mamaw open her gifts!

My cousin Ashley (just had her third baby boy 2 weeks ago!), holding up their gift from Mamaw.

This girl does the cutest things!

...and us with ours!

Pops is reading to Avie...she loves her pops.

...isn't this precious?

...and we had a mini-photo-shoot in front of Nana's tree...

This Christmas was wonderful. It just gets better every year. Seriously, it's so much more fun with a child! You get to re-live all the excitement from when you were a child all over again. To see the look in their eyes...it's priceless. And to be able to teach your children at a very young age what Christmas means (and to hear your 2-year-old say it means "Jesus") is truly heartwarming and touching.

Christmas Eve-Eve & Christmas Eve Picture Overload!

2011-02-16T14:30:00.000-06:00

Since you all know that I'm usually a couple of months behind posting...why stop now?

We went to Chad's parents' house for Christmas Eve-Eve this year...his sis and her husband (they just got married in November so it was Avie's first Christmas with an Uncle Pat!) had to work Christmas Eve & Day so we celebrated early. I don't have many pics from that night...my camera battery died and I didn't have backup!

Nonna & Papa got her a huge box with all sorts of goodies!

Avie in her Dora Christmas pj's!

"Jessi" reading to A

Nonna & Papa

Me and my two loves...

Avie loves her Nonna & Papa!

...and Uncle Pat and Jessi!

The next day we headed over to Nana & Pops' in Ruston for Christmas Eve.We went to the candlelight service at their church, only to walk in when everyone was walking OUT! haha....Nana thought it started at 6, but it started at 5! Her pastor even offered to do a little special service just for our family! Sweet, but we opted not to do it...he had a family to spend Christmas with too.

Here's Drew-Drew...my only nephew...isn't he beautiful?

Avie's helping Tata open her Scentsy warmer we got her.

This is the dog food container I made for Tara's dog, Motley...got the idea from Ballard.

Grandmama got all the girls Pillow Pets! They LOVED them!

Sisters

Takin' a ride on the horsey!

Avie is so good with Drew. She's gonna make a great big sister one of these days. No, that's not a hint! I said one of these days...not one day soon! haha

And she ADORES her Uncle Tim!

She's their only niece so she holds a very special place in their hearts too.

Nana and Pops with all their grandbabies

Check out the "little girls"...they're so silly!

More to come...still haven't blogged about Christmas Day and Santa!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

2011-02-14T15:05:00.000-06:00

My hubs knows me all too well. I'd been eyeing this book...and talked myself out of buying it. I'm really bad about getting a book and letting it sit there for 2 years before I pick it up to read. But Chad was with me the last time I almost bought it and he paid attention. How cute is it that he remembered and went and bought this for me? I have already read like 30 pages. If you like fashion...BUY THIS BOOK!

I'm so excited to spend the evening with my two Valentines. We have spent every Valentines Day with Avie. We promised to take her to Johnny's tonight (her fav) and come home to play with her new Legos that we gave her for V-Day. Gonna be a fun evening! Hope you all enjoy yours!

Fab Five Christmas 2010

2011-01-31T15:05:00.000-06:00

Most of you who know me know about the Fab 5...there are five of us who've been friends for probably 15 years or more. We've seen each other through so much, especially over the past few years. We've dealt with sadness, sickness, loss, and tragedy and it's comforting to have girls like this to lean on.

We get to see each other pretty regularly. We always meet up for Christmas in Ruston...last year we brought our hubbies for the first time...but this year it went back to just the girls! We'll probably switch it up from year to year...who knows!

From left to right: Lindsey Clark (married to Bobbie, 1-yr-old son, Jack); Valerie Costanza (married to Sam, baby girl, Amelia); Janie McGehee (married to Jeff, baby girl, Millie Marie); Jennifer Fryer (married to Joshua); and me!

We ate at 102 a Bistro in Ruston...it was DEE-VINE!

She believes in him...she's just not too crazy about him...

2011-01-31T14:54:00.001-06:00

Hello blogging friends! I'm finally posting about a month and a half late...but I'm posting! haha. Do you expect more? I didn't think so. I bet you're surprised I'm not posting Christmas pics at Easter. I'm getting better...at least I'm trying...

As soon as Christmas break began, we decided to make the most of our time off and spent lots of time with Emmy and the kids. We have the most fun with them and the kids love each other so much...Molly, Caroline, Avie, and Drew. We went to the mall one day and Aunt Em was taking Molly to talk to Santa, but the

"little girls" weren't having any part of it. Avie's not too crazy about the old man who brings the toys. Well...when Emmy walked off to see Santa, Avie lost her mind....so Emmy came back and got her. She wasn't crying, but she wasn't letting him TOUCH HER. She had to keep her distance.

(can you see her? Emmy is TRYING to put her in his lap, but she's clinging to her like a tree frog...)

...so Avie just decides she's gonna stick with Em but still say she went to "see Santa"...

...Avie's STILL clinging...

It's all good now...she's safe from Santa...

You should cook THIS for dinner tonight...

2010-12-09T12:29:00.000-06:00

CHICKEN ENCHILADA PASTA

2-3 chicken breasts, cooked & shredded {Or I used shredded rotisserie}

2 tbsp. olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 medium onion, diced

1 red pepper, diced

1 {4 oz.} can diced green chiles

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. cumin

2 {10 oz.} cans green chili enchilada sauce

2/3 cups red enchilada sauce

2 cups shredded cheese {I used Mexican}

1 cup sour cream

Penne pasta (I used bowtie)

Optional toppings: Avocado, Green Onions, Black Olives, Tomatoes, Sour Cream

Cook chicken, drain, and shred {or shred your rotisserie}. Meanwhile boil pasta according to package and chop the veggies

Heat the olive oil in a deep skillet and cook onions for about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic & red pepper and cook for another 3-5 minutes.

Add cooked chicken, green chiles, cumin, chili powder, salt, & enchilada sauces. Let sauce simmer for about 8-10 minutes.

Add cheese and stir until the cheese is melted and heated through. Now toss in the sour cream, but whatever you do, DO NOT bring to a boil! Cook on low heat or the sour cream will curdle. Stir until sour cream is well mixed and heated through.

Drain pasta & return to pot. Pour sauce over pasta and mix well. Serve and garnish with avocado, tomato, green onion, and a dollop of sour cream.

Even Sugarbear liked it. She'll eat anything I cook. She's a huge fan of salad though. She eats that before anything else.

Wanna know what I'm getting for Christmas???

2010-12-07T13:22:00.000-06:00

YEP...THIS!

My amazing husband is getting me a Silhouette! In fact, it should be in any day now. Do I have to wait for Christmas for it? I guess it'll have to go under the tree. I buy vinyl cut-outs from etsy ALL THE TIME. Now I don't have to!

It makes scrapbook pages...not that I scrapbook, but if I ever decided to, I could!

...and cute cards...

...cool vinyl lettering like this...

...and even t-shirts! I can't wait to make Avie a "screenprinted" tee with her name or initials...

...and it even does glass etching!

...and cute paper crafts...

The possibilities are ENDLESS. I can't wait to create things with this! It's better than a Cricut! It's the same price, but you don't have to buy ANY cartridges!

Natchitoches Christmas Festival 2010

2010-12-07T12:31:00.000-06:00

We took Avie to Natchitoches for the Christmas Festival Saturday. The weather was perfect...actually a little on the warm side, but it was still nice. We got there around 11 and watched one of the parades, then we headed down by the river to eat at Antoon's...very good restaurant. After that we met up with my friend, Michelle, at her step-brother's real estate company to watch another parade downtown.

This is Michelle's husband, Bernie, and their little boy, James. James turned one in August.

Isn't he a doll?

Michelle and I with our babies...

After the last parade, I walked in some of the shops while everyone sat on the curb and rested (you know I never get tired?). Then we found a spot on the STEEP riverband (I was a bit terrified of my child rolling down the hill and me flying headfirst to catch her...but luckily that didn't happen) to watch the fireworks. Check out this crowd. (if you can see it...it's pretty dark)

There were SOOOO many people there.

There fireworks lasted about 30 minutes...VERY much worth the drive. They were absolutely beautiful. I've seen them several times, but it's been atleast 6 years. The first one scared Avie but she got over it really fast and enjoyed the rest of the show. We both laid our heads on Chad's shoulder to watch the fireworks and for a minute, it felt like we were the only ones there. It was magical.

Merry Christmas! Welcome to our home!

2010-12-07T12:10:00.000-06:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

I finally got my house decorated for Christmas last week. We put icicle lights outside on the house yesterday...first time in my life I've ever had lights on my house...even as a child I never had them! I'll take pics of that tonight!

Here is our tree! I wanted it to be taller and have more room to put gifts under it, so Chad put it on cinder blocks. Haha! Really...he did. But my tree skirt with the crooked monogram hides them!

I painted a bunch of these canvases for one of my holiday shows. The ones that didn't sell are in my house! I love them. They're fun, dontcha think?

I'm ready to hang some Christmas cards on my card hanger! I have 2 now. By the time Christmas Day gets here, there are so many cards on there that they are tripled up in the slots and you can't really even see anyone's! I love Christmas cards! I keep them!

So I framed a piece of wrapping paper and made a wreath with a wire coat hanger and balls from the Dollar Tree. Cute, huh?

Happy Holidays!!!

Mini Photo Session at the Mall..

2010-12-07T11:58:00.000-06:00

Chad had to work last Sunday so after church, Avie and I went and had lunch and did some shopping...without the stroller. Let's just say that Avie LOVED that. But I was tired.

She spotted a snowman and I convinced her that he wasn't going to "get her" so she agreed to take some pics...

Seriously, where did she learn this pose?

Saints vs. Seahawks

2010-12-07T11:55:00.000-06:00

For Chad's 30th birthday I bought him tickets to see the Saints play in New Orleans. He was so excited! We stayed at the W and walked to the game...then ate afterwards and were in bed watched the Academy Awards at 9! It was a nice weekend and I'm so glad we got to go away together for a couple of days.

Happy Fall Y'all!

2010-12-07T11:52:00.000-06:00

I made this outfit for Avie to wear throughout the month. All I did was buy a top and leggings from Wal-Mart, sew orange tulle onto the shirt and applique it! I must say...she looked adorable in it.

...love this pose she's got goin' on...

I had to include pics of my table. I love decorating for Fall. I have almost as many Fall decorations as I do Christmas. The good thing about it...I start decorating for Fall in September and it lasts til the end of November!

Chad's 30th!

2010-12-07T11:21:00.000-06:00

My sweet husband turned the big 3-0 in September! He got TWO parties! On his actual birthday, I got the whole family together (both sides) and we went to eat at Longhorn Steakhouse. He loves that place. We had a great time!

Avie didn't want to be in the picture, so Ariel got to be in it instead.

I got Chad tickets to the Saints/Seahawks game!

mmm...icing!

The next night was his surprise party for all his buddies...and mine! My friends love Chad and so both mine and his friends were there. I reserved the deck at The Warehouse. He had no idea. I even had invitations printed! I thought he would kill me...but he ended up loving it.

Here are some of my friends...Jessie, Jennifer & Joshua, and Sam

...and here is the other side...Sam & Valerie and Janie & Jeff

Pat & Jessica (Chad's sis and her new husband) and Zach & Emily

Tiffany & Chad and Allison & Jason

Cathy and Bobby (having a baby girl VERY soon!)

me and the birthday boy! and Sam. haha

Me and my girls! (you would've thought it was my birthday party...but seriously, my friends live an hour or more away and I don't get together with them as often as I'd like...so when we're together, we take lots of pics!)

Chad's birthday cake

Myrtle Beach 2010

2010-12-07T11:03:00.000-06:00

I haven't posted in a VERY long time...surprise, surprise! I'm just gonna pick out the big things that have been going on so I can get caught up!

We went to Myrtle Beach for an ENTIRE WEEK back in July. It was awesome...our first vacation as a family. Avie was old enough to travel a long distance and enjoy the beach. It was 14 hours there and back and she didn't whine, fuss, or cry ONCE. It was unbelieveable! She'd just had her 2nd birthday so she got lots of fun DVDs and watched them as we traveled.

here is my little darling on the beach...

...and staring out the window at Planet Hollywood...

Our last day there, we took her to the aquarium. It was so neat! She is sliding out of a fish's mouth...

Daddy is holing some kind of crab.

Ugh...this gives me the willies.

Time for a juice break!

My aunt came the night before we left and we all went to PF Changs for my birthday! The next morning on our way out we stopped at the beach and she took some pics of us.

On the way home (my 29th birthday!) we stopped in Birmingham at my cousin April's. She has 4-year-old twins, Cooper and Carlie. Avie had a BLAST playing with them! April's children are SO sweet and well-mannered. They got me this delicious birthday cake too!

And they each got on a bouncy ball and went to TOWN! Needless to say, I had to get Avie one of these when we got home.

Jennifer and Joshua's Couples Shower

2010-06-29T11:41:00.003-05:00

The last of the Fab Five got married a few weeks ago, but a few weeks before that we threw them a fun couples shower on the patio at Portico in Ruston. It was so much fun! Good friends and good food...anything better??

The happy couple!

Elaine, Jennifer, me, and Kelly

Me and my sweet husband.

Lindsey, Jennifer, Valerie, and me (4/5 of the Fab Five!)

Haven't posted in fo-eva! This one's about Drew!

2010-06-11T15:31:00.006-05:00

You ladies that follow my blog...you already know how terrible I am at keeping up with it, so I guess an explanation isn't necessary. (I really will try to be better about it this summer...but, same out-in-the-country slow Internet signal...just sayin')

I have ALOT to blog about! Since my last blog, I have gotten a new nephew, Avie got her first haircut, I've been crafting like crazy, our vegetable garden has flourished, and the last of the Fab Five got hitched!

Here are some pics of sweet Andrew Hunter Johnston (Drew), born May 3. He was 7 lb and a very beautiful baby boy! This is my twin brother's last child...and only boy! Thank goodness for this sweet boy...they already have 2 girls!

My twin brother with his new little boy!

...taking him to the nursery...

big sisters looking in at their baby brother

Mama with her little man

I've never seen Molly smile like this. She was soooo PROUD!

Me holding Drew for the first time. Yes, I wore a hospital gown...I'd been at work all day and was sure there were kid germs all over me. I'm weird about germs around newborns. I changed shirts for MONTHS after coming home from work, before holding Avie when she was itty bitty.

A clean-shaven Chad holding his little nephew...

My first niece and first nephew...

Ninee holding Drew...she's a teacher too (hence the hospital gown)

Drew has been such a joy. He is so good! He's growing so fast. More pics to come later!

Finally! Easter 2010...

2010-04-29T13:20:00.009-05:00

So would you say it's about time I posted pics from Easter??

We had a wonderful day...Nonna and Papa spent the night the night before so we all got up and went to church together. Avie got to wear one of her sweet new smocked dresses that I got for 1/2 off at Remember Nguyen's after-Thanksgiving sale! I even let her wear pretty shoes to match...without her braces! SHHHH!

Look at my girl checking out her Easter basket! She had been up since 5 am...Nonna and Papa were spending the night, so Nonna got up with her and they stayed in Avie's room and played and read books so she wouldn't see her Easter basket! Thanks Nonna!

I made her basket liner and monogrammed it last year. It seems that she'll need a bigger basket next year, so this may be the last time we use this one!

And you know the Easter Bunny always brings Avie some monogrammed Remember Nguyen dresses, right? He did last year too! I guess he knew how much she loved them so he decided to bring some again!

LSU colors!

I monogrammed my nieces a dress too for their little Easter gift...Caroline got one just like this...so she and Avie can be twinkies!

I love this face Avie's making...

Avie and Aunt Em...cute how she's just sitting on that baby bump...what a perfect seat!

...and THIS is why I'm a happy girl...I love these 2. They are my world.

I love this guy...we just made 5 years together!

It really seems like longer (I mean that in a good way).

Molly and Avie...sometimes I think Avie thinks she and Molly are sisters...we spend so much time with them. Molly taught Avie "ring around the rosie" and it is now a daily ritual at our house...especially when guests are over...she makes them do it!

Nonna and Avie

Papa and Avie

So Caroline lands like this after she goes down the slide. She laid there for a minute trying to play it off...she was like "yeah, I meant to do that dude..."

Avie walks from plate to plate, seeing who'll feed her. This is generally how she eats most meals when we have big get-togethers. haha...just kidding...sometimes, though. This child LOVES her uncle.

Avie's first time to hunt Easter eggs!

Seriously, my mama just starting throwing eggs in the flowerbed. I'm like "no fun!"...they totally weren't hidden, but I guess we have to make it easier on the babies...

Look at Emmy in the background! Doesn't she look great?! Yep, that's 8 months pregnant...

The front of her dress kept getting in the way, so we had to tuck it!

We have a picture (Easter egg hunting) like this of my dad and I when I was about this age. I'd like to find it and put it in a side-by-side frame in Avie's room.

I LOVE this.

yeah, this girl's got them wrapped around her finger...

she's like "come on yall!"...

...and here's Aunt TaTa playing homerun derby with the guys!

Awe...Caroline spilled her basket...

...but Avie's gonna help her pick them up!

...and then Caroline's gonna have 2 baskets!

....but she's a good sharer!!! (is "sharer" a word?)

Craftiness...

2010-04-20T10:06:00.005-05:00

Ok, so I know I haven't posted Easter pics yet...I'm going to...I just wanted to share some of my new-found craftiness. Now I've always loved crafting, but I'm not very "creative"...meaning: I can do the crafts, I just can't come up with the ideas! So...I see a cute idea and I replicate it. Sue me. I've become obsessed with this blog...Domestically Speaking. My favorite post...

"15th POPP...Power of Paint Party", there are TONS of cute ideas. Really...there are so many things in my house that can be transformed with just spraypaint! I've discovered lots of things I want to do...and some I've already done! Allow me to share...

The COFFEE FILTER wreath...

Idea from The Little Brown House

No, I did not make this particular one, but it turned out just like it....and this is how I plan to hang mine...on the foyer mirror. Really...would you ever guess that was brown coffee filters?? Me neither! It looks like dried peonies or something...I love it. When I saw this idea Friday, I couldn't wait to make it! We helped Chad's parents move last weekend and instead of getting in the bed and going to sleep Saturday night, I got in bed and made THIS! It took me less than 20 minutes probably. Check out the link and make one...it's totally cute!

Cost: small foam wreath from the Dollar Tree...$1 (obviously)

Pkg. of brown coffee filters...$1.32 (and only used half)

Straight pins (already had!)

Brown ribbon 1/2 yd. $0.59

TOTAL...Less than 3 bucks!

NEXT: The cloche dome

Idea: The House of Hepworths

I've been wanting one of these, but haven't really found what I'm looking for. I read this blog and found this is totally what I've been wanting! If you were to buy these already done, they are pricey! I found a tiny glass one just at Hobby Lobby and it was $30.

I found one of these at Ross for $7.99

...and I already had one of these (in brushed nickel)...these pics aren't mine, but you get the point...

I spraypainted the glass plate and the candlestick oil rubbed bronze. I then used gorilla glue to glue the candlestick to the bottom of the plate...

...and VOILA!

No, mine doesn't have apples in it...I'm thinking small lemons for summertime!

Also...this is not large at all. I know it looks like a cake dome but it's a good bit smaller. I LOOOOOVE it!

Here is a Lowe's project idea I plan to do for my bedroom:

Doormat Wall Art

I'm thinking of using aqua instead of white...it would look awesome in our bedroom...

...and I loved this idea from Thrifty Decor Chick...this girl LOVES using trim...on everything...and she's good at it!

I'm thinking of doing this on my large living room wall. I've never liked it. I have an older large picture in the center with metal planter sconces on either side...it looks too "Home Interior-ish" to me. Anyway, I need something BIG on that wall and I've never found a BIG picture that I liked well enough for the price. So...I'm doing this!

I think I'm gonna leave the smaller square out of the equation. I want to put something large in the center and that will free up some space. I just think what's in this pic is a little small for such a big wall. And I think I'm going to do a lighter shade of paint to brighten things up.
...on another note, I've spraypainted a metal fleur de lis that goes above my black iron cookbook shelf. It was bronze and didn't match so I've made it match! I've painted some candlesticks for my upcoming beach-y tablescape, and I have several other things I'm wanting to spruce up with spraypaint! It's been fun so far!

My sewing room is coming together nicely...I'll post pics when it's complete! We're also planning our flowerbeds around the patio...may even do that this weekend! I'm looking at new patio furniture so maybe I'll even break down and get it too! This is the weather where it's good to stay home. If you enjoy your space, you'll wanna be in it more! I've always loved this house my husband built for us, but there are some things I've just left incomplete and I'm finally finding the time and energy to do it!

Paying homage to Alec...

2010-04-06T10:48:00.004-05:00

My first teaching job out of college was at Reed Avenue Elementary in Alexandria. I loved living there...there were so many different stores, restaurants, and other things to do. I'd lived in Ruston for 15 years and wanted a change. However, I didn't know anyone and it's hard to meet friends when you only go to work and then go home every weekend! I moved to Shreveport the next year to be closer to friends and my sister. I still love Alec and love going there. I hadn't been in a few years (when I was engaged---me, mom, Emmy [sis in law] and Holly [cousin/former roomie] went to a bridal fair there). I've always talked about shops and restaurants to Chad. I tell him all the time "we just need to hop in the car and drive to Alec one day for a change of scenery. It's only an hour and a half away.". Well, we did last weekend and had a blast! My favorite restaurant was Oriental Wok. Love that place!!! It's the first Chinese restaurant I've been to that wasn't a buffet...Tiny Spicy Chicken...my fav! Chad's heard about it for YEARS from me and finally got to try it. Yeah, I took pics. He loved the place too! We shopped for the rest of the day...Chad wasn't thrilled about that, but didn't complain. We were gonna take Avie to the zoo but it was too chilly and windy and we didn't want her to get an ear infection so we opted not to go. We went to meet my brother and his family for dinner when we got back. Perfect day!

mmm....Tiny Spicy Chicken!!!

She was zoned-in on those chopsticks...

Avie-girl loves her daddy...

Birthday Tee's...

2010-03-24T08:57:00.004-05:00

My friend Jennifer, who I went to high school with, needed birthday shirts for her 2 girls for this weekend. They both have March birthdays, so they're having their party together. I completed Hannah's tee last night...

I will finish Ava's tonight and post it tomorrow!

Some monogramming...

2010-03-23T14:09:00.005-05:00

I have a ton of friends who are expecting! In fact, 5 girls in our pokeno group are pregnant! I've enjoyed monogramming things for friends lately.

Here are some things I monogrammed for our friends Kelly and Blake...they are expecting Kami Grace in just a couple of weeks! (Blake's grandparents and my grandparents are best friends and his grandfather also married Chad and me...and my parents 36 years ago!) They are in our Sunday School class.

Every baby girl needs monogrammed bloomers! We hung these on a clothesline at Kelly's shower.

My absolute favorite!

Also, my friend Mandy asked me to monogram some things for her baby boy, Brooks, who'll also be here in a couple of weeks!

If I ever have a boy, we will also be doing camo...of course!
(hat, bag, blanket)

sweet minky dot blanket

Paty blankets...

How adorable is this gown? I love the lowercase "b"...Mandy's idea!

...and Mandy gave me free-reign on the burp cloths...I love how they turned out!

This is my new favorite design...

My long-time friend, Jessie, asked me to make her little girl (Olivia) a pants outfit to wear around Easter.

...but she also wanted a shirt for after Easter so the pants can be worn longer...

Playday at home with mama...

2010-03-23T13:43:00.002-05:00

There are so many times that we forget about toys at the bottom of the toy basket...so I sometimes just dump it out and let her go wild! By the way, this is a HUGE basket...it's the best thing if you hate having toys all over your house. It's a pretty way to store them too! Many "big" toys stay in her room or around the basket, but this is wear most of the smaller toys go. We don't have a playroom, but when we do...it's gonna be FULL! I always live by "out with the old, in with the new" though...we pack up toys when she doesn't play with them much!

Uh appul

2010-03-23T13:23:00.004-05:00

Ok, does anyone remember Dennis the Menace (the movie)? On that movie, there is a little boy (who ain't all there)...he's the cutest thing and ONE of his eyes are crossed, not both. I'm not making fun...that was the cutest kid on the movie. But if you remember the movie, do you remember the part where the burglar went up to the kid and said "whatcha eatin' kid?"...the kid said (with one eye crossed) "uh appul". It was hilarious. And cute. So my child is eating her first WHOLE "uh appul" here. I've always peeled and diced it for her. Nana got all the girls one and those babies went to town on those apples! She worked on it from the time we left West Monroe, until we got to Minden to meet Nonna (Avie stayed with her that weekend while we helped my brother and sister-in-law move).

...just gettin' started...

This is my favorite. This is her "sweet face"...she has many different faces...all which are very cute!

Outside...FINALLY!

2010-03-23T13:06:00.003-05:00

The weather has warmed up and it's finally time to start playing outside! Sure, I could've bundled Avie up and let her play outside when it was cold, but my child has stayed sick off and on since she started daycare in August, so I don't do anything that could worsen it!

I just love her ladybug smocked dress. I bought it this time last year, hemmed it up a couple of inches, and she started wearing it last summer! I've since taken the hem back down to it's original length and I'm pretty sure she'll be wearing it til the Fall again! (maybe even next Spring too!). You girls out there who love smocked dresses, buy them a size bigger and I swear they can wear them for like two years! The only thing that significantly changes in size is the length...the arms and neck are basically the same when you go a size up.

What is this face?!

2010-03-23T13:03:00.004-05:00

Emmy and I took the girls to AlphaFest a couple of weekends ago. I only got this one picture, but how funny is it? When I say "say cheese!", Avie squinches up her face and says "teeeees!!!". I think it's so funny! We call that her "funny face". Just wait 'til I post about her "sad face"...cutest thing ever!

My girlie-girl

2010-03-23T12:47:00.002-05:00

What a sweet and innocent face this is...

I absolutely love how she plays in my jewelry in the mornings. She knows just how to put everything on. I'm definitely raising a girlie girl!

Throw me something TaTa!

2010-03-23T12:18:00.004-05:00

My sister came in on Fat Tuesday and what better time for Avie to get to experience her own Mardi Gras parade at Nana and Pops'? Haha...my sister does all the Mardi Gras Balls and parades and always has lots of beads...the babies loved playing in them!

Seriously, she would walk around all day with this much jewelry on if I'd let her...

She was getting so tickled at Nana for putting a cup on her head.

My child is pushing around her 3-weeks-younger cousin in the doll stroller that was mine when I was little. How funny is this?!

I don't think they realize this thing is way too small for them...

awe...Avie loves her Pops...

Snow Day!!!

2010-03-23T11:12:00.004-05:00

We had a snowday!!! Ok, so it was back in February, but STILL! My child got to play in the snow! It was one of the sweetest things. She wasn't quite sure what to think about it. I thought she'd want to touch it and eat it, but she didn't. She just looked around and walked and walked in it!

She had like a million layers on. Yep, her pj's are underneath.

Yeah, those hanging baskets in the background are history. (probably long before the snow though) I think I'll go get some new ones this afternoon!

I love this one...

And then she made her way to the backyard and wanted to swing on the patio. So we did that for a little while...

...and then she wanted to ride her horsey...

...see our neighbors in the background building a humungo snowman in the field?

Eventually we had to come in...it was COLD!

...but obviously she didn't mind. She was so mad at me. (I kinda think she looks like my brother in this pic...anyone else think so?)

Makeup already???

2010-03-23T11:03:00.002-05:00

She is SO my child. Yes, in the mornings she plays with my makeup while I'm getting ready. This is what I found her doing...powder and brush in hands, watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse...go figure...

Mardi Gras!

2010-03-23T10:35:00.002-05:00

Ok, so Chad and I have never been Mardi Gras celebrators...but how cute is this dress?! We believe in being festive nonetheless...

I LOVE this auburn tint her hair has...I hope it stays...

Cheeeeese!!! (she's such a ham...)

Would you look at how big my baby is getting?! With a 5'9 mama and a 6'4 daddy...I'm pretty sure she's gonna be tall...what do you think?

Our Lovely Hospital Stay...

2010-03-23T10:07:00.002-05:00

Ok, I'm totally out-of-order with my posts...we all know this is my downfall...posting. My April resolution is to be better about posting. We have so many out of town family and friends, I owe it to Avie to keep them updated! Have I mentioned that Avie is the biggest JOY?! Back in mid-January, we had a 3-day PICU stay. Yes, I said PICU. Sounds scary, but it really wasn't once we got there...they just wanted to monitor her more closely than they would in a regular room. Allow me to explain our reason for being hospitalized: Avie had been getting snotty for a couple of days. One night she woke up screaming so I went and got her and rocked her. While I was rocking her, she would quit breathing for several seconds at a time...it seemed like an eternity! It scared us half to death. We didn't wanna jump the gun and rush to the ER, not knowing if this was normal...she would catch her breath on her own anyway. We put her in the bed with us a nd watched her through the night. She woke up fine, but I ended up taking her to the dr the next morning. Dr. Ricks found the breathing episodes alarming so he called Avie's neurologist. While he was talking to him, he did an RSV test (which came back positive!). Seriously...she had zero rsv symptoms...we've had it twice before, and she didn't give me any reason to think she had it. Anyway, Dr. Pena (the neurologist) wanted to admit her to St. Francis to do an EEG to make sure it wasn't seizures. They also said the not-breathing could be from the RSV...babies do that sometimes with RSV. We got to the hospital and the PICU doc didn't want to do an EEG with her having RSV because they'd have to sedate her and there is a risk of respiratory arrest with sedation in babies that young. They did a CT Scan and found that one of her strokes had actually reversed itself a little! WOW! Everything else looked fine though. Apparently the breathing was the RSV because she's never done it since. We just had to be on the safe side, given her history.

She's just like her mama...

...and yes, she wore a bow with her jammies. I figured, if she has to be in the hospital, she can still be cute!

This is adorable to me...

Yes, the nurses let her loose from her wires to run around a bit. She found my boots...

....I slept in this crib with her the first night. Difficult...

Nana was with us too while daddy was at work (there was no sense in Chad missing work...they were only monitoring her...)! It was nice having company...hospitals are boring...

Everythings A-OK now! She's happy and healthy...still snotty, but hey...what's new? She's in daycare!

Who Dat?!

2010-02-08T11:12:00.004-06:00

Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints? Who dat?! Who dat?!

Yes, we WON! Wow...

In our small neighborhood in the country, there were fireworks going off on the bayou and horns blowing by every car that passed our road. It was awesome.

Avie and I had to head home from the SuperBowl party at halftime because it was close to bedtime and she was a sleepy girl. Daddy stayed...I think I would've gotten the "worst wife of the year" award if I'd even expected him to leave with me...haha...we'd already planned to take separate cars for this very reason. You know they wanna watch the game with the guys! I made Chad, Avie, and myself Saints shirts. No I am not cheap (well, sometimes I am, but not this time), we just couldn't find anything we loved. Chad wanted a polo, which I never saw...I wanted a "cutesy" shirt...and I couldn't find one in Avie's size. You're probably all thinking: we saw all of those types of shirts. WELL NOT ME! haha. I bought a Saints fleur de lis design online and monogrammed Chad's white polo to match his cap (which I didn't get a picture of...although I did with my cell phone). I bought a cute black tunic at Old Navy and monogrammed a black/gold polka dot fleur de lis on it, and then I made one for Avie with "Saints" in pink so she could wear her pink boots and pink bow! Ok, did you really need to know all that? I just thought I needed to share. It's fun to be creative.

Here are some sweet pics of my little one before her bath. She had lots of fun playing with all the kids at the SuperBowl party. She would periodically run into the living room where we were sitting, give me a hug and kiss, and run back to playing in the back with the other kids. I loved that. It's like she was letting me know she was ok and that she loves me.

Would've been an embarrassing moment for me...

2010-02-08T11:09:00.002-06:00

So has anyone reading this ever tucked their dress into their pantyhose? Ok, well luckily I haven't, but my child doesn't seen to mind that hers was caught underneath her jacket as we were leaving the mall last weekend. I thought it was too cute and too "Avie" not to take a picture...

Green Eggs and Ham

2010-02-08T11:03:00.002-06:00

My mama has made eggs for Avie time and time again...I don't care for scrambled eggs, so it never occurs to me that my child might actually love them! (selfish, I know) But I have started making them for her sometimes for breakfast, sometimes for supper. The other night I made her eggs with ham and toast...(LIGHTBULB!)...add green foodcolor to the eggs and make it interesting! She ate it! ...and it makes for cute stories...(even though I do NOT read Avie any

Dr. Suess books...I can't help it, I've never been a fan)

Silly Wabbit

2010-02-05T12:57:00.002-06:00

She's already the most well-behaved 18 month old I know, she minds and understands "no" perfectly, and she's extremely loving...she's also super-silly!

She can put her bunny hat on all by herself! HAHA

...and take it off...

...and put it on again!

Just Like Her Mama...

2010-02-05T12:52:00.002-06:00

Yes, friends, my child already knows what make-up is. She knows that it's only for girls and that it's fun to play with. She used to be ok with just playing with a brush or two, but now I have to sit the whole bag in front of her so she can pick what she wants to hold. She reaches up for it and then turns around to go sit on the rug everytime with it everytime. It's precious.

Seriously?

2010-02-05T12:47:00.002-06:00

Ok, I just let Avie run around, play, watch TV, etc. in the mornings while we get ready for work. She never gets into anything she's not supposed to, so I can actually be in my bathroom getting ready while she's in the living room watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (no doubt). Many mornings, I find her sprawled out in her daddy's big brown chair watching cartoons...and she's always got an object in each hand. Look closely...it's a make-up brush and powder.

I just think it's hilarious how she just hops up there and gets comfortable...

My sweet little one is BETTER!!!

2010-01-21T13:47:00.004-06:00

Some of you may know...Avie had RSV last week and this week and she was hospitalized in the PICU for some breathing problems. She is doing great now and couldn't be happier! We are glad to have things back to normal. She went back to daycare today...I can't wait to go pick her up!

This is what my little angel looked like for school this morning...

...disregard the drool...

And these are some pictures from the other day when she crawled up in her rocking chair to read a book. I thought that was the cutest thing! (again, disregard the drool)

We had just gotten home from her RSV/hospital follow-up dr. appointment which turned out great!

Long time, no post...

2010-01-13T10:18:00.007-06:00

Wow! Has it really been since OCTOBER??? My sister gets on to me a lot for not updating my blog. But seriously, it really does take like 15 mintues to upload 5 pictures. And my life is FAST...I don't have 15 extra minutes! And I have WAAAAY more than 5 pictures. Hello, I have an 18-month-old?! I do enjoy reading my friends' blogs and keeping up with their families, so I would like to share what's been going on with mine...sorry I haven't taken the time to update!

Let me see what's been going on since my last post...and THEN I'll leave you with some adorable pictures of my sweet funny girl.

November: Monogramming continues. I did a home show in October and got TONS of orders for Christmas. So, I basically monogrammed every single night after I put Avie to bed. Yes, I neglected Chad a good bit. We'd talk from chair to embroidery machine and snuggle and watch TV in bed a little while before cutting out the lights, but honestly I couldn't tell you when I had the time to cook him a good dinner (rarely) or got to crawl up in the chair and watch one of our raunchy shows together (Nip/Tuck, One Tree Hill...not raunchy, Real World, Secret Life,
Keeping up With the Kardashians, etc). Sometimes I'd monogram so late, he'd fall asleep in his recliner because he refused to go to bed without me. How cute is that? He totally understood and was a great sport about the whole thing. I literally monogrammed up until the week of Christmas (the 23rd actually). So when I was done, I decided NO MORE SHOWS (although I do appreciate the orders) and monogramming only on designated nights...like when Chad plays cards down the street on Wednesday nights. And I'm really gonna just stick to monogramming for friends, family, and myself from now on! No more advertising! It just isn't worth giving up my family time. And if you know me well, you know my husband and child are my world! I love those 2 people more than I ever knew I could love someone!

Aside from that, being a teacher definitely has its perks. I was off all Thanksgiving week. And guess what? So was CHAD!!! That's NEVER happened before. We've never been off that long together (except for our honeymoon and when Avie was born and in the NICU). He took 3 vacation days (Mon-Wed) and then was off for Thanksgiving Thurs-Fri...not to mention the weekend before and after Thanksgiving! My niece's 5th birthday party was the Saturday before so we went to her party at the Children't Museum in Monroe and then headed to Hallsville, Texas (where Chad's parents live). We had an early Thanksgiving dinner at Johnny Carino's (can I get a whoop whoop for the Skilletini?)...I hope that becomes a tradition. My mother-in-law has introduced me to this delightful Skilletini (onions, bell peppers, spaghetti, spicy spaghetti sauce, thinly sliced grilled chicken, and Italian sausage)...yes, it is divine. We stayed in TX until Monday (lots of shopping in between) and then headed back home.

Tuesday, we had our first professional family portraits done at Hide-Away Park in Ruston. We have had Avie's pictures done every few months since birth, but we just do JC Penney Portraits. Can be somewhat cheesy, but they've always turned out awesome...I like a clean, white background and they have that so it works for me! We really did need some photos of us as a family, outdoors, so we did them and they really turned out great. Crystal Garcia is awesome, yall. My (twin) brother and his family shared our session and killed 2 birds with 1 stone that day. They need pics taken too (Christmas cards and such) and they have a baby boy (Drew) joining their family come May so they wanted some pictures of the 4 of them before their family grew more. I spent some time at home with my cousin, April, that night and we monogrammed and visited til way past midnight!

The next day we ventured off to the camp (my dad, brother, and husband built a new one last year, so it's actually more like a house than a camp and I don't mind going there...it's a nice little "vacation" home---in the middle of nowhere--- with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, new furniture, washer/dryer, etc...so we're not really roughing it!). My cousin Holly came down from Montana with her new husband (well, of a year and a half). I hadn't seen her in almost a year and I'd never met Aaron! Holly and I used to live together in Monroe before I got married. I got married one April and she moved to Helena, Montana in July, met Aaron shortly after, and got married the next summer right after I had Avie (which is why I couldn't go). We talk about every other night. Our husbands are used to giving up at least 30 minutes on those nights so we can catch up or vent about our days. Anyway, they and everyone else in our family came down to the camp and we had our big Thanksgiving get-together there (we do this every year...sort of like a family reunion). Anyway, the night before Thanksgiving, we had an awesome bonfire...us, my cousins, my siblings...it was FUN.

On Black Friday my sister-in-law, Emmy, and I always go shopping at 4 am. I think our first time was 2004, which would make this our 6th time. We love it. It's especially fun now that I have a child to buy for. I came back to the camp afterward (for a long nap!) and we stayed until Sunday. It really was a wonderfully busy and eventful week. I loved having Chad with us all week.

I will leave you with some of my favorite photos before I move on to December...

(my facebook profile pic...hehe)

Yes folks, my child is this happy all the time. Seriously.

At this point, Avie had only been walking for about a month...I just love how she would look at her feet when she walked. I didn't make her wear her braces in the pictures...I know she was loving not being restricted.

This is our first professional photo since our wedding. He had hair then. I think I like him better shaved. And yes, yall, he'd still have a full head of hair if he tried...he just likes to shave it...he's not really bald.

But you see that gray patch in his beard? He always wonders why that, the hair on the back of his neck, and one of his arms is gray. He's told me this story about standing by a window watching a storm when he was little (he's fascinated with weather) and a flash of lightning knocked him back. I told him one day "you think you might've gotten struck by lightning that day when you were little and that's why some of your hair is white?". I mean, think about it...remember Doc in Back to the Future? His hair was white b/c he got struck so many times. So that's what we say now. Chad got struck by lightning. Cool story, huh?

This was our Christmas card. Avie loves doing this. I remember when my niece, Molly, loved this.

Do you love this red dress? Thanks, I do too. This was a "just because" gift from Aunt Em...as is the blue/brown dress she's wearing in some of the other pics. It's funny that she bought Avie those dresses from Kelly's Kids last Spring and they just happened to be the dresses I wanted her pictures done in. Aunt Em has pretty good taste, huh?

This one is my sister (Aunt TaTa's) favorite. I love it too.

She has some of the cutest, funniest faces.

This was my favorite of Avie. It was also on our Christmas card. Her eyes are so blue and her hair looks so red! She does have an auburn-ish color hair, but it's definitely not this red in person...although I love it either way! (and I did this monogram!)

And this little ham is my niece, Caroline. She and Avie are 26 days apart and they're best friends.

My niece and favorite 5-year-old, Molly Grace. I did that monogram too!

Tim, Emmy, and their girls. Luckily, they're getting a boy in May! Tim won't be QUITE as outnumbered anymore.

I swear these girls think they're all sisters. That's ok with me. I hope Avie does love her own sister(s) (if she gets one) as much as she loves Molly and Caroline!

All of us (minus TaTa and Motley). How gorgeous are the trees?

Ok, December coming next!!!

Happy 2nd Halloween Avie Drue!

2009-11-10T12:16:00.009-06:00

We had a really fun Halloween! Daddy went hunting that morning so Avie and I went to lunch with Nana at Pickle Barrel...our fav! Then we went shoe-hunting! Avie got her braces last week so now we have to find bigger shoes that they'll fit into! It was an unsuccessful shopping trip, but we've since got her 3 pair! Daddy met us at the mall and instead of us driving all the way back to Sterlington before the Fall Festival, we just changed her in the parking lot. We skipped the Fall Fest at our church so that my grandmothers could see Avie...so we went to the one at their church! We were supposed to go to Brooke and Brad's for a weinie roast and trick-or-treating, but Avie got tired at the Fall Festival and just wouldn't make it!

Here she is getting into her "vintage" clown costume. This was my sister's and then mine when we were babies. I thought Avie looked absolutely adorable in it.

She was getting really frustrated with us! You should've seen her when I was holding her down, putting clown face paint on her! We didn't capture that moment on camera.

Ok, she has my phone...she is calm now.

...not too sure about the HUMUNGO clown bow!

...and now she's as happy as a clown!

Her ever-so-adorable CHEEEESE!!! Yes, I taught her this. She's silly. I've been trying to teach her how to say "please" but since it rhymes with "cheese" she thinks that's what I mean so she does this little grin...

On our way to the carnival, she fell asleep in the car. This is so sweet to me...

These are my cousin's twin boys, Britton and Braeden...they are LSU football players. How cute? They're yelling "Go Tigers!"

Avie is happy with her mamaw.

...and Grandmom...she walked around with her alot...they even did the cake walk.

Playing a game with Nana...

She's like "I recognize these from bathtime!"

Now playing a game with Daddy!

She looks so proud of herself!

Avie and Uncle Gary!

Avie is touching a real bunny rabbit!

You're supposed to stand away from the clown and throw the beanbags in...but Avie found a better way.

Yay Avie!!!

And she wins a prize!!

Avie just wants the camera. She reaches for it everytime!

We are having a great time!

Cheeeeese!!!

Hey Avie and Daddy!

Nonna even came in to spend the night! Avie had both grandmothers and great-grandmothers that night! She was lovin' it!

I just can't get over this grin!

She had this lipstick kissy mark on her forehead the entire night...the fuschia lipstick would just NOT rub off! Thanks Nana.

Avie and Nana!

Avie, Nana, and Mamaw....

Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Diggity Dog!

2009-11-10T11:51:00.004-06:00

I've always loved Disney, so naturally I've always turned the TV on the Disney Channel for Avie to watch cartoons. Well, she got hooked on some of the shows...especially The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! Caroline and Molly love it too, so when we found out Playhouse Disney was coming to the Monroe Civic Center the day before Halloween, we HAD to get tickets! And guess what?? Daddies went too! Of course, they both headed straight to the camp after we had dinner following the show.

My child MUST be festive everywhere we go...I had to make her a Minnie Mouse tee! Didn't it turn out adorable?? I ordered the applique file online, but the lady didn't email it to me until the morning of the show...which was a school day! Luckily I woke up at 5 am and had time to make it before heading to daycare and work!

It really is the MOST fun to see your child enjoying something. Avie loved the show!

All 3 of the girls...Caroline (who was Minnie Mouse for Halloween), Molly (LSU cheerleader), and Avie!

My angel in her adorable pettiskirt!

Minnie and her daddy

Look how excited my nieces are! Ok, maybe it's just Molly and her mama...Caroline looks pretty chill...

Avie went absolutely NUTS when the hot dog song came on! They made everyone get up and of course we all did the hot dog dance. Anything to make our children smile!

She swayed back and forth and danced so much, she almost flew out of my lap. This kid just hears a beat and breaks it down.

And the highlight of the show...The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Whatcha think about that?!

Giddy Up!

2009-11-10T10:47:00.003-06:00

Yes, I realize my child is almost 16 months old...but how could we deny her the Jumperoo when she begged to get in it last week? She still bounced like she did at 4 months. And I know, 4 months is a little young for the Jumperoo, (we actually started at 3 months with a towel stuffed behind her), but she LOVED it! It was the best thing to keep her entertained during infancy! And obviously, she's still a litte sentimental about it...here she is yall...

Twinkies

2009-11-10T10:39:00.003-06:00

Ok, so I have a twin brother as you all know...but who'd have thought we'd have babies at the same time? His wife and I had girls 26 days apart and they are adorable together. We call them twin cousins. At the camp a few weeks ago, they wore their matching pj's Nana and Pops got them for their birthdays.

Emmy has the Hot Dog Song as a ringtone and everytime she would play it, Avie would drop it like it's hot. I now have the same ringtone.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

2009-11-10T10:25:00.002-06:00

So I probably started my child out a little too early on ice cream and sno cones...two things of which I love dearly. She loves cold and sweet things. Now, she's addicted to ice cream. When we give her some, she literally SHAKES. It's hilarious.

You see how big this ice cream cone is??? Yeah, she ate almost the entire thing!

Introducing Baby Jack Wesley Clark (aka: G-Homie Jr. #2)

2009-11-10T09:30:00.003-06:00

Lindsey (to Avie, she is Ninee) has been one of my best friends since jr. high. We somehow came up with the term "G-Homies" in high school...I think it stemmed from Coolio's "Rollin' With My Homies" in the movie "Clueless"...anyway, we've always called each other that so when I had Avie, she became G-Homie Jr. #1...and now we have a G-Homie Jr. #2! Lindsey and I have been through everything together! High school, college, marriages, and now babies! She is also a 2nd grade teacher, so we also have that common bond! And boy do we ever vent to one another!!!
She and Bobbie (together TEN years!) just welcomed their first child last month. I'm a little late posting, but I just had to share these pics!

Lindsey, don't kill me for posting this pic. I had pics like this too, but you looked ten times better than I did in labor! Emmy and I left town and headed for Shreveport to be there when little Jack made his arrival!

Lindsey was a trooper! She wouldn't dilate past 9 cm, so they did a c-section. I remember what it was like for them to STARVE you all day...not even any water! So I fed Lindsey ice chips while she was recovering. I love this picture...best friends forever.

And here is the handsome man himself!

The next weekend, Chad and I went to Shreveport to see Jack again! How precious is he?

Shell-Shell and Jack (he was decked out in his Tech gear for the big game on TV)

Chad and Jack (he's so good at this)

G-Homies 4-Eva (yeah, that's how we used to sign our notes in high school)

The new mommy...she looked fabulous after having a baby!

I miss this tiny, sweet size.

My Pumpkin

2009-10-20T12:56:00.003-05:00

I have a sweet angel, her name is Avie Drue...and she is obsessed with smocked dresses. I assure you, it is she, not her mama...she demands that I buy them when we go shopping. She has to have one for each and every holiday...she has already got FIVE Christmas ones. She also likes to wear them for everyday-wear. She even wears them to daycare. Yes, I know, I have created a monster. Haha, just kidding...I LOVE THE WAY LITTLE GIRLS LOOK IN SMOCKED THINGS! She will be wearing them until at least 5 years old! And ladies, look out...if I have a boy one day, he will wear smocked too! Don't make fun! (some people refuse...or their husbands refuse...to let their little boy wear these sweet, smocked clothes...but me? Well, I think babies should be babies and that's what babies wear!) Thought I'd give you a few pics of Avie in one of her Halloween dresses.

Hendrix Girls' Shopping Day!!

2009-10-06T12:09:00.002-05:00

I love going to the outlet mall in Vicksburg. My mother-in-law, sister-in-law, Avie, and I decided to head over, shop there, and then head downtown to see what else Vicksburg had to offer! Little did we know, Octoberfest was going on and downtown was BOOMING! There were sidewalk sales, live music, and tons of cute boutiques! We had a great time. I WILL go back...and not just for Gap, Bath & Body Works, and Gymboree outlets!

Say "cheeeese"!

Avie was getting tickled over the live music.

This is cute!

I love this child. She is my heart!

Ok, ignore my bad hairday and double chin...I had to post this pic...you can just look at Avie and tell she's a joy even if you haven't met her. Sorry to brag, but isn't that what we're supposed to do?!

Goin' out in the cold...

2009-10-06T12:03:00.003-05:00

It was FREEZING Saturday morning! I got up to get ready to head to Vicksburg with Chad's mom and sister and Chad was gonna go to the camp. Well, he tended to Avie while I got ready and she just started screaming her head off...I was like "what happened?". He said she wanted to go outside and swing but it was too cold so he wouldn't take her out. Seriously, she was getting her way...and she would scream the house down until she did.

I put some footed pj bottoms on her (with the 1-piece, unbuttoned pj's she already had on) and a sweater. And this is what I got...

Yes, indeed, she got to go outside and swing...

and swing...

and swing some more!

My 1-year-old just got her driver's license!

2009-10-01T14:37:00.002-05:00

Ok, so everytime we turn on the road to our camp, we pull a Britney and let Avie out of her carseat. This time Daddy let her drive. She is a great driver!

And last night I let her play while I ran to the laundry room to put on a load of clothes before her bathtime. I came back to find this. Books on the loose! She loves her books. She'll get one and bring it over to you and want you to read it to her. Smart, huh?!

My artwork...

2009-09-18T14:15:00.002-05:00

Haha! Just kidding...this SO isn't artwork! I have been working on this thing for almost 2 years! I started it while Chad and I were building our house. I needed something to keep me busy while he spent late hours working at the house...I was newly pregnant and there wasn't much I could do to help him. About halfway through it, I got burnt out and quit! I was inspired to go back and finish it this week after looking at Natalie Barham's blog...my good friend Brooke is her sister-in-law. Ok, so I know my work will never compare to hers, but I think this is an adorable sign for my classroom door! I'll leave it to Natalie for beautiful things for the home. She is having a holiday show next Thursday in Ruston if anyone's interested in going!