More than a mama can take

This was an image I thought I wouldn't see for at least 3 more years.

When we built this house (pre-children), I had images of helping my kids do their homework at this bar while I cooked dinner. We would have deep conversations about their feelings while I stroked their hair and helped them with Algebra (ha!). Then they would confide their darkest secrets to me and we would sing songs while we set the dinner table together.

Never in that dream did I physically lift them up into the chair, sit them on phonebooks, and talk 2-year-old Barney babble.

Trace brought home his first little "homework" assignment yesterday...After dinner, we ran throughout the house, (while I tried desperately to kick off the concept of homework in a positive light) enthusiastically counting the beds, bathtubs, clocks and TVs. He didn't understand that Ginger didn't count as a "people in your home" category. (Although, if you asked Ginger, I'm sure she would tell you differently... she feels she IS the people).

After we counted everything, Trace wanted to "cudor" the pictures. I think he's going to be a lefty!

This was my first time on this side of homework and it made me sad that we have already reached this milestone. He is growing up WAY too fast.
Then, as if that wasn't enough for one night. As we were getting Trace out of the bathtub, he walks over to the potty (which he has shown zero interest in) and does this...

YEAH!
(Notice, it didn't all quite make it IN the potty, but that will take time... (like 30-40 years.) ha!

This happened while Jimmy and I were debating about Daddy showing Trace how to use the little potty (which would have been quite a sight for a 6 foot grown man).

Much to Jimmy's relief, Trace voluntarily christened it himself before it had to go that far.

Afterwards, we danced, we cheered, we high-fived, we clapped, we flushed the tee-tee down the real potty... and then... mama cried like a baby. It was just too much "big boy" stuff for one night.

While I was cleaning up the tee-tee stained potty (and trying to stop crying), Jimmy and Trace ate a celebratory popsicle on the couch.

This is Trace's, "we better eat these fast before mommy realizes I'm eating a sticky popsicle, sitting naked, wet, and undiapered on the couch AFTER my bath" face!
Can you tell which one is the fun parent, and which one is the kill joy (and the tee-tee cleaner upper?)

It has been a big night, full of firsts.

I'm going to go to bed now... and cry myself to sleep :)

Slow it down just a little bit baby boy... for your mama!!

Wedding Weekend Part 3

Well, these are the last of the reception pictures. The band Love, Peace & Happiness, were fantastic and really know how to get a party going. They played at my wedding 6 years ago and certainly haven't lost their touch.

They definitely have their "signature" songs that are always a crowd favorite. At my reception, they must have played "Brick House" for 20 minutes while people came forward to strut their stuff. At Andy and Kadi's, the same was true. The part in the song that says... "Shake it down, shake it down, down" quickly became "Andy Brown, Andy Brown, Brown."





We even managed to get Nanny out on the floor to dance to "Brown Eyed Girl". YOU GO NANNY!!
Then the lead singer serenaded her... she is, after all, a Brown Eyed Girl!
Mom and Andy
He donned a white glove, sunglasses and a hat for the Michael Jackson classic "Billie Jean"... until Andy stole his hat.



Andy and my dad

Right before they were leaving... can't you read their minds, "We have to run through that??"

It was truly a great celebration of two people that love one another so much. As I said in my toast at the rehearsal dinner. It's not often that two people find the love of their life and their best friend in the same person when they are just 15 years old.

Many of you have been so kind to ask how my dad held up losing his father 3 days before Andy's wedding. I will say this, although it was hard losing him on Wednesday, Andy getting married on Saturday, and burying J-Bird on Monday, my dad felt so supported and uplifted by all of your thoughts and prayers. Good family and friends can't be replaced...so thank you!!!

The last several months I have been reading a Karen Kingsbury series about the Baxter family. In it, the mother of the family dies, leaving behind a husband and 5 grown children. Throughout the series, anytime a family event or celebration would take place, the children would pray that God would open a window in heaven so that their mother could see and be apart of it. These books have spoken to me time and time again over the last 2 weeks.

We knew over a month ago that Papaw's health wasn't going to allow him to make the 12 hour drive to be at Andy's wedding. At the time, we had no idea he would be gone so soon, but now I know that God had intended all along for Papaw to be able to see his youngest and only grandson get married.

Had he lived, he would have only seen pictures of the wedding. However, on that day, he got to sit beside my grandmother (who didn't live to see any of her grandchildren marry) and watch it from a window in heaven! That, in itself is truly a blessing!

There have been others in Kadi's and in our family that have been lost, but I have a feeling there were a lot of open windows in heaven that night, enjoying the celebration :)

Wedding Weekend Part 2

OK, I can't possibly put the rest of the pictures on one post, so there will have to be a round 3. Here are some from the wedding day and at the reception.

To say I'm a tad disappointed in my photography skills is a major understatement. It's safe to say, Olan Mills will not be calling me anytime soon to "capture the moments of your life". Not only did I not get ANY pictures of my little family of 3 or with Jimmy's parents, but the only one of my "Brown" family is so blurry, you can hardly tell who we are. I'm holding out hope that the professional photographer captured at least one of us... we'll see!

I also didn't take any during the ceremony. I didn't know if we were "allowed" and being that I was sitting on the second row, it would have been a little obvious. I have seen some other peoples pictures on Facebook of the ceremony and they are wonderful. Good job guys, I never noticed a click or a flash!!

The wedding was at Second Pres downtown (which is BEAUTIFUL) and the reception was at The Mill.

Here goes...

A little pre-wedding entertainment courtesy of Drew and Trace.
The Hot Mamas!
Kadi, her mom, sister, and grandmother in the brides room.
Snack time
You've heard me mention Andy's 2 great loves... bacon and gliders. So, it was only appropriate that on his wedding day, he was fortunate enough to find one in the nursery to relax in before the big nuptials. Bring him his Snuggie and a remote control and he could have missed the wedding entirely!
The Thaxton clan
Me, Casey, and Carrie (don't know what I'm doing??) Can you tell it was a little warm in the church, we were "glowing"?
Mr. and Mrs...

Aren't they gorgeous?
At the wedding, the preacher accidentally said, "I would like to introduce to you for the first time, Andy and Kadi... Cole" (Cole is Kadi's maiden name) Ha! Andy is never going to live that one down!

Kadi's dad giving a toast
Andy's "Auburn" carrot cake cupcakes
First dance- At Last by Etta James... so appropriate!
Father/Daughter dance- Somewhere Over the Rainbow

One of my favorites of the night
Nalin, Luke, and Laura
Kadi and my Aunt Patty (LOVED those centerpieces!!)
Me and my little dancin' machine!
I'm not sure who this kind woman was, but Trace obviously won her over. She was very sweet to dance with him.
Aunt Gail and Royce cutting a rug
Casey and Drew
Jimmy's dad trying to wrangle Trace off the dance floor.
The Golden Girl's final wedding. Andy was the baby of 7!
More later...

Wedding Weekend Part 1

Here is Round 1 of the pictures from this weekend. I took over 250 pictures in 3 days but I promise I will be selective. It was a wonderful wedding and I couldn't be happier for Andy and Kadi. I think it was everything they dreamed it would be and more!

The night before the "rehearsal" we decided to get the kiddos together for a pre"rehearsal". With 3 kids under 4, we thought a little extra practice couldn't hurt... and bribery either, of course!

There was a little issue over who got to carry the flower basket... sorry boys.
Taking a much needed popsicle break...aka, bribery.
**I am thrilled to report all 3 made it down the aisle without any overturned candles, temper tantrums, stained clothing or ruined flower arrangements!!!

QUIZ: Can you match the action with the toddler???
The day of the wedding...

• A. walked down the aisle perfectly and sat quietly with their parents
• B. ran like lightning down the aisle and was quickly whisked away by a grandparent
• C. was tearfully escorted down the aisle hand-in-hand with the wedding coordinator to their awaiting lollipop

The next morning was the Bridesmaid Luncheon at Council Fire. Natalie, Kadi's sister was her only bridesmaid, but it was a chance for Kadi to honor all of her closest girlfriends.

Mom and Kadi
Kadi's mom (Carol) welcoming everyone, her aunt and grandmother


I know this is very random, but I had to take a picture. As we were driving to the rehearsal that night, we pulled up beside this man at a red light. Now, I've seen people do a lot of strange things while driving, but I can honestly say this was a first! He seemed to be oblivious to all of the stares (and my camera flash).
Trace and I with the groom (Uncle Ogie) at the church.

Don't they look smug... "Oh yeah, we know what we're doing!"

The rehearsal dinner was on the Southern Belle... so fun! It was a gorgeous night and a perfect setting.






If you know my brother, you know his love of bacon (and glider rockers, but that's another picture for later). One of Kadi's friends got this button for her and she wore it at the rehearsal... so cute!

My dad with the microphone. It has been a running joke since my wedding that dad gets a little "microphone happy" at these things. Maybe I'll buy him his own for Christmas.

Round 2... coming soon!