Zoe's birthday party

Zoe turned one last week and on Saturday Josey and I went to her party. Here are a few pics from the event. Karen really outdid herself with the decorations and food. I didn't get great pics, but you can get the idea. Josey enjoyed getting to chew on somebody else's toys! The little boy in the pic belongs to Sarah. He is her youngest and his name is Caleb.

Here is Josey chewing on one of Zoe's new toys.

Look at my big girl standing up!

Here is Zoe, the birthday girl! See, everything goes right into her mouth, just like Josey does.

At this age, they don't really play together as much as play near each other. Funny.

Happy 1st Birthday, Josey!

One year ago today, I fell in love. It is a special kind of love that only a mother can understand. Josey was born one year ago today at 3:35 pm. At that point, my life changed forever. My life has been better than I could have imagined since Josey was born. Every day for a year she has made me laugh. Every day for a year she has made me smile. Every day for a year I have enjoyed being with my baby girl. I can't believe that she is already one. Time has flown by. She pulls up constantly now and walks along the furniture. She can stand unassisted (for a minute). Josey hasn't walked on her own yet, but it won't be long. She is in a hurry to go somewhere. Once she learns to walk, I'll have to keep my eye on the door, because she'll be out of it quick to go play with the dogs. This picture isn't the greatest of us, but it is the most recent.

hard post to write

Ok, so I have been needing to post this and completely not wanting to. I don't see things changing at all so I might as well tell all in blog land what is going on. Nathan and I are getting a divorce. This has been in the works for a little over 2 weeks and I didn't want to post about it because I was hoping that things might change, but they are not. That's it. Don't give me lots and lots of sympathy because Josey and I will be fine. I'm strong. We can make it on our own. That's all for now.

fall

We are having some odd (for Texas) fall-like weather. This is quite a shock to Josey's system, as she is used to going around in a onesie and shorts. She actually has not had on socks since March until day before yesterday. She's had to start wearing them, due to the cool weather, and she is completely fascinated by them. Her favorite thing to do is to pull them off and chew on them. She has also had to start wearing a little jacket. She looks so cute in it. This isn't a great pic of either of us, but you'll get the idea.

See You at the Pole

An amazing group of young people gathered today at 7 am around the flag pole at my school. I was shocked when I drove up and saw just how many of our kids bothered to come. We all stood in a big circle and held hands and went around and whoever wanted to prayed aloud. I was totally (for lack of a another word) AMAZED at how wonderful some of my students can pray out loud. It really opens my eyes about some of them. Josey went with me and then I took her back to Rachael's. She doesn't know yet to bow her head, but I think she still enjoyed it. Well, at least she enjoyed staring at everybody and having them make a big fuss over her. All in all- excellent morning.

Climbing in EVERYTHING!

It starts like this Then like this

And finally she gets what she wants

Josey is climbing on everything these days! Sorry for the diaper only pics. She doesn't like to be dressed too much these days. She prefers nakedness.

trying to post pictures

I cannot get my computer to "recognize" my camera, so I can't post any new pics! GRRR.

Like the new layout?

I'm about to leave work and get Josey and then run errands and then go paint. Be thinking about me. Painting sucks.

It's official

I'm a bad blogger. I haven't posted any pics lately of my child and she is only the cutest baby (toddler) ever. I feel like I'm doing the blogging world a disservice by not letting y'all get a glimpse pretty often at the most beautiful girl ever. Y'all know I'm just joking around, but all kidding aside, how many of you have tried to take pictures of a 11+ month old? She will not be still at all and every picture I take these days is only a part of her face because she is crawling to me and grabbing my camera. She is climbing everything these days and it is hilarious. She will crawl to something, stand up, and stand on one leg while trying to put her other leg up on whatever she is standing in front of. I promise-pics to come.

The birthday party is going to have a princess theme. Expect lots of pictures after the actual day. That reminds me, I need to order cookies. I'm getting them from Mrs. Bullard and she only makes the most fabulous ones ever. Until you have tasted one, you have no idea how good a cookie can be. They are also extremely cute.

Bible study was excellent last night. Josey does not think it is so excellent. Mom texted me as I was leaving the church and said that Josey was really needing me. She was ok when I got there, but she just wanted her mama. Who can blame her, I'm pretty great, if I do say so myself. I sat with Jamie and Hillary at bible study and I love getting to see them more. It has been years since I saw Jamie on a weekly basis. On a sad note, Mindy has switched to the Sunday night class, so I won't get to see her on Wednesdays.

On another sad note- my cousin Leigh Ann (used to be Thigpin- no idea of her current last name) passed away yesterday. She is my dad's sister's daughter and I haven't seen her in years. Don't think I'm a bad cousin- on that side there are 27 of us grandchildren. She was 38 weeks pregnant and they were able to save the baby. That's pretty much all I know right now. Pray for her parents and sister. She was only in her 30s.

No baby boot camp for me this week. I am working like crazy to clean our house because someone is coming to look at it to buy or rent. I am going to start painting at our new house this weekend. Very exciting. I have big dreams on how cute it will be. I know once I start painting I'll be reminded of just what a pain it is. The only room I haven't made a decision on is the kitchen. I'm torn between red or green. There are only about a million shades of each. I'm thinking maybe sage or maybe a little more lime colored or maybe I should ditch those and go with a blue. Not sure at all. I'm going to buy paint tomorrow afternoon so I'll have to pick today.

It was raining hard outside the last time I looked. We are so blessed to be getting the rain. It will be wonderful for the grass to grow and the cows to have more to eat. I just hate seeing them beg for hay. Also the rain is sure to drive up cattle prices and we there are still calves waiting to be sold.

My dog, Lorie, is sick. Mom would say it is her dog because I left her at her house when I moved 4 years ago and never got her. Either way, she's a very nice dog. Mom took her to the vet today and they are going to have to put her down if she doesn't get better quickly. I hope she gets well very soon.

That is all of my very long post. I promise tomorrow I'll try to post pics.

Bible Study and Baby Boot Camp

Wednesday night was the first night of our bible study. Last year Mindy went and told me that it was good so this year I am going with her. There were a lot of people there that I knew and several that I didn't. Josey went and stayed in the nursery and I don't think that she cried too much. I am excited about getting to do this. We are studying the book of Esther.

Last night was my first time at Baby Boot Camp. I loved it! I am going to go to Bryan to do this a couple of times each week. BBC is a workout class designed for moms. You push your stroller while working out. They also throw in lots of arm, leg, and ab excercies. It is hard- harder than you would think. I am sore from it today.

I'm excited about having new things that are for ME. I know that sounds selfish, but these days I don't have time for a lot of me-time. I know that both BBC and bible study will make me a better person.

11 months old

My baby is 11 months old today. I can't believe that she is that old! She looks more like a toddler and less like a baby every day. She is feeling much better now. I'll try to post some new pics tomorrow. Anybody got any cute ideas for a first birthday? I'm open to any suggestions.