My Annie:)

It is amazing how fast time goes after children enter your life!  My baby, that was a baby for just the blink of an eye is going to be 8 tomorrow.  EIGHT YEARS OLD!  I promise it was 10 minutes ago that she had colic and I was rocking and patting every night from midnight to 5 a.m.  After that colic was under control, I just rocked her because there is nothing better than rocking a baby to sleep every night.  I sang "You Are My Sunshine" so many times to that precious girl that I had to start making up new verses.  It was during those quiet rocking times each night that I learned that I could make any song into a lullaby...my baby learned the WAR EAGLE fight song before she could even walk or talk...she could hum it though.  My baby...the second child, just like me.  The one you think you could never love as much as the first born.  And then you see that sweet little face and hold that precious tiny baby and your heart just splits right in two so you have enough love for both of them.  My Annie loves Barbies and baby dolls and playing school and playing outside and making messes (and not cleaning them up).  And she is so creative.  She has an imagination as big as Heaven!  She has taught me what it was like to live with me when I was a kid.  She's sneaky and daring.  I always tell Daddy that she's the one we are going to have to keep an eye on.  She's the two year old that got into everything.  She colored her entire body with Sharpie, including her lips, because, of course she needed Sharpie lipstick to go with her Sharpie outfit.  She's the one who climbed the magnolia tree by the driveway all the way to the top and persuaded her BFF to do it too.  She's the one that took off her shoes while trick or treating last night and went the rest of the way in her socks because her feet were hot.  She's a free spirit and what better way to be when you are a kid (and an adult).  I don't want to ever harness her spirit.  I want her to be free and make art and create beautiful things.  I want her to love and be loved in return because she has so much to give. 

 

I tell ya, I didn't think it was in God's plan for Daddy and me to have babies, then the Beebs was born.  I said, "Daddy, that's it, we got really lucky when God gave us this baby!"  So, we were just going to stick with having one...then God decided that the Beebs needed a sister and then our family would be complete, so he gave us our Annie.  Anna Ruth, a beautiful meaningful name for a beautiful, free spritied, Mama's girl.

 

Now, if we can make it through her birthday party without her crying, it will be a first!

 

Happy 8th birthday to my baby, my Annie!!!

9 years ago today...

Have y'all missed me?  You know Summer Self goes into hiding during the dark, cold months!  Although, it has been really nice here in Alabama!

Anyway, 9 years ago today...I remember that the night before I had a huge bacon cheeseburger that Daddy made for me.  I remember that I got up at 4:00 a.m. to shower and put on make-up.  I remember that I drove a Ford Explorer (which I loved!!!).  Most of all I remember that as Daddy pulled off the interstate onto University Boulevard, we had about 7 minutes until we'd arrive at St. Vincent's so I could give birth to our first child.  And, as we pulled onto University, I begged him to turn around and take me back home.  I. WAS. SCARED!!!!!  We had done everything from decorating a room to birthing and breastfeeding classes, but we had no idea what we were getting into and there was no turning back.  All I could think of was watermelon through a nostril, and what if I don't get an epidural and I can feel all of this pain!!!  Now, today, I remember very little about the pain except that my epidural was wearing off when that precious angel finally entered this world.  

Her name is Elizabeth Rae.  She is named after my mother (Linda Elizabeth) and Daddy's sister (Sunny, who is in Heaven now watching over her little nieces).  Elizabeth after mother and Rae is Sunny's little "Rae" of sunshine.  She came out screaming and has never shut up!!! When we brought her home, we had no idea what we were doing, but we figured it out along the way.  We still don't know what we're doing, but we figure it out each day.  She was a skinny baby and she loved to be rocked to sleep every night while listening to the ocean sounds CD we bought for her.  She loved her Pac n' Play and kept all of her toys in there.  She said her first words at six months old, no lie, and those words were a sentence!  "Bye bye Da Da".  She talks incessantly now, and most of the time we listen.  Sometimes we have to tune her out.  She is the new "Mouth of the South", just like her Mama!!!  She learned to run, not walk, when she was 11 months old and hasn't slowed down since! 

Elizabeth Rae, or Beebs as we call her, is more precious to me each day.  She loves unconditionally; she's smart, she's strong and strong-willed; she can play a mean defense in basketball; she loves her sister, even though she doesn't want anyone to know that.  She loves her Daddy and The (stupid) University of Alabama as much as he does.  She still loves her rag doll, Felicity, that she got from her Aunt Nonny when she was three months old.  She hates homework (who doesn't!), but loves to go to school and loves her 3rd grade teacher and her friends.  She loves to help Mrs. Marcum with the special needs kids in her class and loves them unconditionally!  She loves our pets and her fish, Ingram.  She loves our neighborhood and her 3DS.  She doesn't eat much, but she does love Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream, which just so happens to be my favorite.  She stands up for her friends and her beliefs.  She loves God, our small church and can say The Lord's Prayer like a grown up.  She really really loves to sing and put on shows for us.  She wants to be the next Internet sensation and has a video on YouTube that's had 19 views:).  She is dramatic and loud and full of life!  She is ours and we are so blessed to have such a wonderful gift from God!

Happy 9th Birthday sweet Beebs!  I love you with all my heart and I am so proud to be your Mommy!!!

I Do

Fifteen years ago today I said it!  I have said every day since and will say it every day til death do us part!

You see, today is the day, 15 years ago, that I married the love of my life.  He is patient, well he was until we had kids:).  He is kind and he loves me with all his heart and soul!  I was 16 the first time we actually met.  We were best friends for 8 years, then started dating when I was 23.  Then, on April 23rd, 1996, he proposed to me.  On his 28th birthday.  He had been holding on to the ring since Christmas.  And, yes, he's still a procrastinator.  Perhaps he's just laid back, he likes to do things in his own time.  We have been through a lot together.  Infertility was our first big obstacle.  But, now we have two beautiful girls that have completed us and bound us even closer together.  We have a loving home and a loving marriage.  God has blessed us with many gifts and carried us through tough times and watched us soar in easier times. 

Everett holds my heart and my hand.  He kisses me every day.  He holds me tight every night.  He loves me unconditionally.  I am the luckiest girl on this earth!  Happy 15th Anniversary, Ev.  I love you more than words could ever express!  I do...I do...I do...I do...I do...

Well, that's it! It's all big teeth and bad attitudes now...

Yep, you guessed it!  My baby started Kindergarten.

Let me back up a bit though.  This is my SHY SHY SHY baby.  Which is weird, because neither Daddy nor me nor Beebs is shy in the least.  Anyway, we went to meet the teacher the week before school started and she not only held on to my leg the entire time, she hid behind it as well.  And, her classroom is not with the other K classrooms.  Needless to say, I was a basket case for the rest of the day.  And, I had to to to work!  I fretted and cried and worried over my baby all day.  Then I came home.  They were staying with my sister.  She met me in the garage and stopped me before I got out of the car...something that has never happened.  She then informed me that Annie had 1. cleaned up her room without being asked, 2. made up her bed without being asked and 3. well, I can't remember the third one because I was in shock and must not have heard her.  This child doesn't do anything without being asked and when you do ask all she does is whine!!!  It occurred to me then that she was, in fact, ready for big school because those things are only done by big girls.  So, now I just had to get through dropping her off on the first day... 

On the first day, my Annie got HERSELF out of bed.  She has NEVER gotten herself out of bed.  I have to carry these people to the kitchen and sit them at the table each and every day.  Needless to say, I was, again, shocked. She got herself dressed after being asked only one time.  This never happens!  Certainly not in my house and I'd be willing to bet it doesn't happen in yours either.  If it does, you are either a liar or an alien.  So, we set off walking to school, the three of us, Beebs, Annie and me, since our tradition is to walk to school on the first day.  I was fine.  I had been through my basket case phase the week before.  No problem.  Except, Beebs kept asking if I was going to be okay.  I finally had to tell her to stop asking me!  She was getting me all worked up.  We made it to school.  

We stopped and took a picture before my baby walked through those huge double doors...

She walked in right behind her big sister and I walked away.  I made it all the way to the end of the sidewalk and then I sobbed.  My babies are big now.  They have lost teeth...and now they have the big teeth coming in.  I guess I'll blink and they'll be teenagers with bad attitudes!  Dammit...I'm sorry mom for being such a bitchy teenager and I love you with all my heart! 

June Kitty Cash...the Great

SHE CAME HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I.cannot.believe.it!!!  Maybe the curse of Not the Summer of George has been lifted.  I don't know where she was, but she is mute, so whether it was a garage, attic or car, no one would have heard her.  She opens her mouth in a "Meow" formation, but nothing comes out. http://www.youtube.com/whttp://youtu.be/vN17L5Gb_gA

 Daddy came rushing into the bedroom this morning at 5:50 AM, shaking me awake and saying, "Guess who just showed up on our doorstep, skinny as hell?!?!?!"

I thought, "Oh dear God, he's let a drug addict in our house !"  But, instead of saying that out loud, I simply asked who.

"JUNEBUG!"  He said she came walking down the sidewalk after him, looked up and mouthed a Meow.  He opened the door, she walked in and jumped into the windowsill, which is her favorite perch. 

Oh, and she was weighing in at about 15 or 16 pounds when she disappeared SIX WEEKS AGO.  Now, she's probably down to about 9 or so pounds.  I think she might be down to 8 lives now.

Maybe I should have someone lock me in the garage for a couple of weeks...Nah, I'm going to Jackson!

Transition

Transition

part of speech: noun

definition: change, often major

Synonyms:  alteration, changeover, conversion, development, evolution, flux, growth, metamorphosis, passage, progression, shift, transformation, transit, turning point, upheaval

So, 40 has seen lots of transition for me...I don't do change well...I tend to overeat...and not good stuff like apples and salads.  No, I go for the white powdered sugar doughnuts!  My friend Susie says, "I think I am back up to my full term pregnant weight...I just need to give birth!"  Right there with you friend!

Anyway, I have made a decision to have a "CALM FALL".  Maybe that will make the transition from Summer Self to Fall Self much easier, even though Summer Self ain't on top of her game right now!  We are taking a year off from dance!  We are not going back to Girl Scouts!  We will be all things sports this Fall...Annie is already enrolled in soccer, and the Beebs will be going back to her true sports love of basketball in the Winter.  Of course Daddy is ready for them to take some sort of music lesson, but I'm just trying to figure out how they will get home from school.  Yes, I said they...my Annie starts Kindergarten this Fall.  She's pumped and I am too, kinda, maybe a little sad...she is my baby after all.  Okay, I'm tearing up...

My current transition is that of our Pastor and his wife leaving our little church to move to a new church and a house on the beach...kinda makes me want to go to Seminary.  Ha. Ha. Ha.  I'll leave that to the professionals!  Their last Sunday with us was this past one, and it was emotional for a big ole' crybaby like me.  Daddy was sweet to hold my hand all the way through though.  We said our goodbyes, which of course are not forever goodbyes and sent them on their way with a love offering and a book of notes and pictures from the congregation.  That is, minus notes from my family because I lost the paper we were to use and then didn't get them turned in on time.  I ROCK at being organized.  I would love to have everything in its place and a place for everything, but my children hinder that greatly!!!  Anyway, Pat baptized both of my children, gave fantastic sermons and is a very laid back, sweet and kind man.  In his sermon from Ash Wednesday 2010 (I think it was 2010), he said these words, "Fast from anger and feast on optimism.  Fast from self concern and feast on compassion for others." 

Fabulous words to live by!  So fabulous that I have them taped to my computer screen at work.  His sermons always found a way to speak directly to me.  And his wife, a precious friend who is a strong and admirable lady!  She's not afraid to speak her mind and she truly is my precious friend.  As I was thinking about this transition earlier this week, I realized that when you are 14 years old and your Youth Director leaves and you think that nothing will ever be okay again, it's a lot different when you are 40 and your pastor leaves.  When you are 40, you have been through a couple of changes and you know all will be well again.  So, maybe I'm a little okay with change since I can see a bright side to it.  Anyway, here's to my dear friends, Pat and Marcia...you have been a wonderful part of our lives and we will miss you greatly!  (Okay, I made myself cry again).  And please, consider this the Chapman note that didn't make it into the book.

Here's a little update on what we've been talking about...

Beebs:  "I didn't know the Target stayed up that late!"

Annie:  "NO!"

Annie:  "Uh oh, it looks like Strawberry Shortcake got a sharkbite..." (that's a whole other post though)

Beebs:  "I don't want to wash my hair, I washed it a couple of days ago..." (that's the stinch I smell)

Annie:  "NO!" (Annie's been telling me NO alot lately, which is why she is grounded from Mermaid Barbie until tomorrow - I love the POWER, insert evil laugh)

Stay tuned for my latest project and be on the lookout for the "Shark Bite Barbie" post!  It will even have pictures!

Heart your everchanging always the same Chapman, me:)

NOT the Summer of George!

Well, Summer Self is usually waaaaaaaaaaaay happy by now...but I don't think this is turning out to be the Summer of George.  At least I can still find humor in it:).

I haven't been posting lately, so I thought I'd just give you a brief rundown of what we've been talking about lately...

So, the 4th of July, found us at the neighborhood pool.  By the way, we (me) had endured fits of rage from a very persistent 8 year old the day before because I had things to do at home and refused to take her to the pool.  Anyway, we arrived, applied sunscreen to the Beebs and then it thundered.  And then it thundered some more and then we went home...then it stormed and the power went out.  The Beebs was so mad at Mother Nature that she demanded to know, "Can't we send her an email or something?  This is ruining my pool plans!!!"  Later when asked what Mother Nature's email address was, she replied, "mothernature@gmail.com."  Smart-aleck!  She gets that honest though!

Now, in this NOT Summer of George, my sister has been staying with us (moved in and took over Daddy's bathroom as the Beebs would tell you).  She has two dogs.  So, along with our little LuLu, we now have Pearl and Blu (Blu is a girl by the way, that's why there is no "e" on the end you fool!).  When they arrived, LuLu was in heat.  Now Pearl is in heat.  Now Blu thinks that she is actually a boy and won't stop humping the small dogs.  I'm talking really bad doggie porn going on that Daddy really wants to capture on his iPhone and post on YouTube, if he could only get the right lighting.  It is all very disturbing!

Meanwhile, my prized cat (the killer of all things small - creatures that is), June Kitty Cash, has moved on to bigger and better things.  I'm not sure if that happens to be Heaven or a home without three humping dogs residing in the back yard.  I think I'd trade all three of them for my Junebug.  I'm going to miss the dead shrews, chipmunks, moles, birds, etc. left lovingly for me right at the bottom of the laundry chute.  Beebs suggested that Junebug must have left because she needed another "fixed shot".

Oh, and Annie painted a piece of her beautiful blond hair with red spray paint!  Now people at the Target are going to think I took my 5 year old to the salon to have a pink (it's faded a bit) highlight in her hair!  Yeah, I did that...just for the first day of Kindergarten!!!

More on my new project and Annie's 4th of July scooter and bicycle parade...