Jeremy’s been working really late the past 2 weeks. Like, later than normal. And like, I didn’t know that was even possible! It sucks for all of us, especially Daddy, but it’s just one of those things that happens from time to time.

It’s not until after dinner that it becomes apparent that something is not quite right. Emery starts asking, “Daddy? Daddy?” After a couple of nights, I try to mix things up a bit. Sometimes I’ll take the kids into town, we’ll pick up carryout and take it to Jeremy’s office. Not only do we get to eat as a family, but by the time we get home it’s bedtime for the little guy.

For Savannah it’s different, but I can always tell once it hits her that her Dad’s been gone too much. She starts waking up in the middle of the night saying she is scared and wants to sleep with us. It happens every time. Usually I let her crawl in bed with her Daddy and I go sleep in her room! I mean, think about it…he is working really long hours and that means I’ll be responsible for the kids literally 24/7 by myself. And that means… I need my sleep!!!

Another fun thing I like to do when we are all feeling bummed out is turn the radio up really loud in the kitchen. We sing and dance and laugh until we fall down. The kids love it when I act like a goof and the sound of their giggling is enough to make me get on the floor and act the fool. Hence, that is where these crazy pictures came from. Last night, on the kitchen floor, my arm stretched out as far as I could, holding the camera, with both children climbing on me like monkeys. It was hilarious…until someone got hurt. And it was ME! :)

This last picture is for you Daddy! We love you and miss you, and we are very proud of your accomplishments and how hard you work for your family! You are the best Daddy EVER and can’t wait until you can be home with us again EVERY night! Bear hugs and Big kisses to you!!!

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Happy Love Thursday everyone! May your day be filled with “slobbery cheese!”

This picture was taken last year on Emery’s first Christmas. My Grandma had planned to fly to Georgia again this year to spend the holidays with us, but recently her doctor explained that she was not in good enough health to make the trip.

Tomorrow we will be getting on a plane to visit her for the weekend and have an early Christmas celebration. Emery will be the only one who misses out on the oh-so-exciting FOUR HOUR death wish flight. Savannah is going only because Jeremy will be there to deal with her while I am in a constant state of prayer over the condition of the plane.

Ugh…I hate to fly! But WAIT, this is Love Thursday! Let’s wait to think about my 4 hours of hell until tomorrow!!! Today, check out the Love All Around Us!!! Have a great day!!!

This is my friend Elizabeth and her daughter, Mary Catherine. Today is Liz’s birthday and before the end of the month, they will celebrate MC’s birthday too.

My friendship with Elizabeth is like none I’ve ever had before. For one thing, although she grew up here locally, she now lives with her husband in London. I had met her a couple times when she lived in Georgia, but it wasn’t until she was in Europe that we shared the common bond of pregnancy.

Our moms worked together at an Elementary School and had known each other for over 10 years. Liz and I are the same age (29 this year, right?). We each married the wrong guy first, divorced, then found Mr. Right! Our moms were both anticipating “Grandma-hood” with the 2nd marriages and how funny is it that we both got pregnant, without trying, and were due within days of each other?

With all of those co-inky-dinks, how could we not become fast friends? I so enjoyed having another first time mom-to-be to email with about what was wierd or cool or just plain irritating about being pregnant. It made the months very enjoyable and I looked forward to seeing her on the trips she made to the States, especially after Mary Catherine was born.

It didn’t take long in that first year of motherhood to realize how completely different our parenting styles would be. And after a couple “disagreements” (would you call it that?), we discovered what we could and could not talk about. Then we just had a good time sharing pictures and funny stories about how our babies, then toddlers, and now preschoolers are fulfilling our lives.

As four years have now passed by, we find ourselves busy with our families and jobs, so we do not email like we used to. But Liz introduced me to the world of blogging and so checking in with her and finding out what they are up to on the other side of the world is very easy. Her family also makes a trip to Georgia a few times a year and graciously opens their home to us so the girls can get together and play (we are really looking forward to our princess party in December, Nana!).

So for my “Love Thursday” post today, I want to wish Elizabeth a very happy birthday filled with the things she finds most precious in her life: Andrew and Mary Catherine. I think you are a fantasic mom and Mary Catherine is just the coolest little girl I know (well, maybe 2nd coolest)! Have a Great Day!!!

***Love Thursday brought to you each week by Chookooloonks!***

On Monday I put in the kids in a warm bath and poured in what I think was half of the bottle of bubble bath. I was working on getting a good picture of them to use on this years Christmas card.

At first the photo shoot was a bit stressful for me. As always, trying to get the “perfect” shot of them to match the image I had etched in my mind. But it was soon apparent that shouting directives to 2 kids in a bath tub overflowing with fun, billowing bubbles was not only pointless, it was also taking all the fun out of it.

Since I didn’t want to look back on this years Christmas card and think about how horrible I was to my children, all in the name of perfection, I decided to just sit back, let them play, and see what becomes of it.

And actually, they played really well and I got some great pictures. None of these are the best one. You will have to wait until you get my Christmas card in the mail to see the finished product. But trust me…it’s CUTE!

**Love Thursday brought to you by Chookooloonks**

Check out these colors! Aren’t they beautiful? I thought we’d have to travel up to New England somewhere to see trees this vibrant.

These pictures were all taken in my own yard. The first one was shot from my garage, looking down the driveway. I took the 2nd one from the bottom of the drive, looking back toward the house. The third is just one of my personal favorites showing all the seed pods that will be flowers on my Crepe Mrytle in the spring.

I don’t remember the last time central Georgia was producing this much color. I am seeing it down every street I drive. It is just so beautiful! I can’t get enough of it!

And sure, while Savannah loves it because it has her most favorite princess of them all laying across the top of it, I love it for another most wonderful reason…

It keeps her in bed until 7:00 am!!!!

That was the deal. She could have the alarm clock if she promised not to come downstairs until Cinderella said it was “on the seven”. No getting up at 6 or 6:30. What is the use of having an alarm clock, if you don’t use the alarm? That is how I reasoned with her anyways, and guess what? It worked! :)

I love having an hour to myself each morning and I LOVE this clock!!!

*Love Thursday created by Chookooloonks.

Little brother shares his laundry basket ride with big sister, and she shares her raisin snack. Ain’t love grand?

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