Did you know the Easter Bunny shops at Bi-Lo?

The Easter season has spurred a lot of interesting conversations at our house. Explaining the "true meaning" of Easter to a barely 3-year-old is not easy.

I mean, Christmas they get... every toddler understands "birthday". But the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus is not quite as simple, and to be honest, a little scary. But I want him to understand that Easter means soooo much more than bunnies, eggs, and candy.

All in due time, I guess.

Last night I was putting him to bed and was telling him about Jesus dying on the cross to save us from our sins. I did the roll call of our family and how when we die, because we are believers, we will one day all be in Heaven together.

Trace said, "and Ginger too?" Awww, that boy loves his dog! Maybe I'm crazy, but I told him yes! The Bible says that it is paradise, so I believe our beloved dogs will be waiting on us at the pearly gates (just like they do at our door every night) when we reach the other side.

The night we were going to see the Easter Bunny at the mall, our conversation went like this...

Trace: "Mommy, where does Santa Clause live?"
Me: "Well buddy, where do you think he lives?"
Trace: "Atlanta"

ha!...couldn't hold back the giggles on that one!

He needed a little "warm-up"
That goofy grin... (you may notice his train "Stepney" met the Easter Bunny too!)


We went to Jimmy's parents for Easter lunch with Jim's dad Frank and Sylvia's mom from Alabama. That was such a treat because we never get to see Mimmie for Easter!

Trace loved hunting eggs in the yard. That boy is never gonna win any prizes because he's much more concerned about the "quality" of the candy in each, than the "quantity" of eggs in his basket.

There were 10 eggs in the yard (all within plain view) and it took him 20 minutes to find them all because he stopped, pried off the tape, and ate the candy out of each one as he went. ha! I guess it was a good thing he was hunting alone!

He needed Mimmie's fingernails for that one...

Sharing his loot with Great Frank...
A couple of weeks ago, we were shopping at Bi-Lo and Trace saw two Thomas engines, Charlie and Mighty Mac, that he didn't have. (Seriously... I thought we owned them ALL) I told him we couldn't buy them that day but I later went to Wal-Mart and got Charlie to put in his Easter basket.

This morning when he saw Charlie, he turned to me and said, "Mommy, the Easter Bunny went to the 'gwoocwy' store and got Charlie!" I love this age!!

A few minutes later he was laying in the floor playing with Charlie and I heard him singing to himself... Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there's just something about that name. Master, Savior, Jesus... Kings and Kingdoms will all pass away, but there's something about that name.

He may not get all the words right, or could explain the meaning of Easter but nothing has ever sounded sweeter to me!

All in due time...

Tune in Tokyo

When friends move away, it's always hard to say goodbye, even when you know you will see them again. However, when you're friends move back to Japan, that "see you again" may never really happen.

About 4 years ago, a wonderful Japanese family rented a house from my in-laws. At first, it was just the dad, Kenny, when he was transferred here with his company. His wife and 2 young children were still in Japan and joined him later that year.

When they got here, we all just instantly clicked. The children, Rudy and Ty (those were their American names) became like Jim and Sylvia's other grandchildren. They even went to Grandparent's Day at Rudy's school.

Christmas (right before they left)

They came here, not knowing anyone or a word of English... I can't imagine. By the time they left 4 years later, Rudy spoke and read English perfectly, and even managed to pick up the Nascar bug while he was here in the South! ha!

Kenny worked a LOT of hours when he was here, so every holiday we as Americans celebrated, they used to see the country. I honestly think they saw more of the USA in 4 years than I've seen in 34. They knew they had limited time here and they wanted to visit as much as they could. They went to Disney World every chance they got... lucky kids!

When it came time for them to go back to Japan, it was really hard to say goodbye. BUT, thanks to Skype...here they are! Jim and Sylvia talk to them a few times a week, but we were there the other night when they were logged on and got to say hello.


Blowing kisses from the other side of the world
It was bedtime here for us, and they were just getting up.
We keep saying that in a few years, we will all make a trip across the big blue and visit the Murishage's to learn about their culture. Until then... we'll have to settle for Skype!

Fishing 101

On Saturday, we attempted our first family fishing expedition. We have been on the bass boat before, but never to actually catch dinner.

April 2007

Where is that baby's life jacket???

Don't worry, we never left the dock and we had 2 very nervous grandmothers hovering to make sure we stayed afloat with their new 2 month old grandbaby.

One may think, fishing is supposed to be calming, relaxing... a mind clearing type hobby.

Yeah... not so much when you have a very enthusiastic 3 year old, a floating vessel with no rails, a nearly deaf, elderly dog (who's greatest passion in life is fishing) and 15 MPH winds.

I really could have used a sedative beforehand, but was afraid it would impede my reaction time in the event that I had to pull Trace out of the 57 degree water by his Scooby Doo life vest.


I hope so badly that Trace loves to fish like his daddy. Jimmy could drive a bass boat long before he could drive a car, and he so wants to share this hobby with his boy.

At this point, Trace's biggest thrills on the water consist of trimming the motor up and down, checking the fish in the live well, and peeing off the side of the boat. These are, however, 3 things every fisherman must master, so I'd say he's well on his way!

We had a great time, thankfully without incident... no fish hooks in the ear, no man (or dog) overboard.

I'd count this one a success!



Yes... I did fish.

No... I didn't catch any.


Tuckered out...

39 and holding

We celebrated my mom's birthday this week, and let's just say she was a little "off" (by a mere 2 decades) when she told Trace her age. If 39 were true, she would have been about 4 1/2 when she gave birth to me... but, fortunately you can convince a toddler of anything. ha!

We made her a birthday cake and had grand plans of coloring the icing purple (her favorite) and stenciling 39 on it with sprinkles. But then the great bomb threat of Hixson hit, forcing us to evacuate our home with 2 unfrosted, still cooling cake pans (that I carefully threw in a box) and flee to my grandmothers.

We managed to get out of the house with a can of frosting, red food coloring, and sprinkles, but sadly forgot Trace's "big boy"underwear and shoes.

He went commando and shoeless to the birthday party!

Trace thoroughly enjoyed making Nana's birthday cake... and licking every utensil and bowl clean afterwards.
I was trying to explain to him that we have to let the cakes cool and we would frost them after his nap. Then I walk around the corner in time to discover that he had already frosted it with coffee creamer... he's so helpful.

Nana didn't seem to mind that her cake wasn't purple, was on a paper plate, and had no numbers, just random sprinkles on it (or that Trace had on no footwear or underwear) ...after all, we had just had a bomb scare.


Getting a little snuggle time with Uncle Andy.
Who needs toys when you've got a great big box...
with a hole cut out of the corner to sit in!

Happy "39th" Nana... we love you!

The Greatest Show on Earth

We went to the circus today, and I'm just gonna hit the highlights because frankly, I'm exhausted.

You would have thought I had personally walked the tight rope, jumped through the ring of fire, rode on an elephant's trunk or twirled hundreds of feet above a concrete slab floor by my hair (how do they do that?) but no, I just watched... and it was exhausting. But extremely entertaining.

Maybe the reason I'm exhausted is because I took Trace to the potty 5 (yes, count them 1,2,3,4,5) times during the show. We went 4 times BEFORE intermission. I've learned you never tell a potty training toddler "no" and there is a very short window between verbally expressing the need to go and actually going... so, you better scoop and run. And that's just what I did... 5 times!

Luckily, we made it every time and luckily I had the good sense to have paid the extra 5 bucks to get gold circle tickets right across from the women's bathroom rather than the cheap seats in the nose bleeds... could you imagine?

Jimmy somehow got out of this glorious task, because we all know women's bathrooms are much cleaner than men's and he's still not mastered the "do NOT touch anything" concept. Ewww!

After about the 2nd trip, we made the third stall from the back our "preferred" stall and continued to use that one for the duration of the show. I just assumed, he'd already collected all the germs from that one, how many more could there be?

You would have thought one of us would have taken that away from him! Apparently, carbonated beverages (which he had only had small sips of before today) go right through him! Who knew?

Beautiful animals... not sure how I feel about that. Someone said PETA was outside the arena protesting while the circus was going on.


This honestly terrified me. You wouldn't believe how high they were. Most of these stunts should have been pre-empted with... Don't try this at home kids.
Seven dollars for this box of popcorn. Seriously... I took Trace to Target the other day and we got a huge bag of popcorn, a cherry Icee and cup of ice water for $2.50. Someone needs to tell the Ringling Brothers we are in an economic crisis!

We had a great time. Trace did really well, despite the "mini meltdown" in the parking lot on the way to the car. If anyone was driving down Houston Street about 4:30, they would have thought the circus had an after show outside Gate 2. After a sleepover at the grandparents last night, daylight savings time change, nursery duty at church this morning, and no nap... he was done.

After we got home, Jimmy got a text from a friend of his that sat 2 sections over from us with his wife and 2 kids. It said... I just spent $126 at the circus and as we were driving home, I asked my 4 year old what his favorite part of the circus was. He said, "the monkeys". (I'm quoting here) There were no *$@& monkeys!

I thought that was hilarious! Oh... a child's imagination :)

The Circle of Life

We have truly lived the circle of life this week.

Last Wednesday, my Aunt Sue passed away from cancer. She was an amazing lady who loved the Lord with all of her heart.

As sad as I was to hear the news, my mind immediately thought of heaven where I pictured a grand celebration taking place, when she was reunited with her two sisters (one being my grandmother). Those 3 were so amazing together. They used terms like scooter-pooping for what most called running errands, spoke in pig latin to one another around the young-uns that no one else could decipher, and perfected the art of enjoying a "plate lunch".

She told my parents a few days before she died, that she wasn't scared, she knew where she was going and she was ready... she had a lot of people on the other side she'd been waiting a long time to see.

What a testament to a life well lived.

This picture was taken at my baby shower 3 years ago. Sue is in the middle, between my Aunt Gail and mother-in-law, Sylvia.
The night we buried Sue, God sent us an angel to take her place...

"Cole James (after my grandfather) Garrison"

My cousin Casey, had Cole a few hours after Sue was laid to rest. While half of my family was here, saying goodbye at her funeral, the other half was in Atlanta anxiously awaiting Cole's arrival and texting us updates from the waiting room.

Ironically, Cole was first named (pending his daddy's approval, of course!) when a barely pregnant Casey, her sister Carrie, and I were floating in a pool in Florida last August when we flew down to see my Papaw J-Bird before he died. She didn't know if she was having a boy or a girl, but she knew it's middle name would be James, after him.

He died 2 days later, but a part of him was born again Friday night.

The Circle continues...

Papaw J-Bird with Trace in September 07

On Sunday afternoon, Jimmy's grandfather died at 97. He lived a long, good life and up until a few years ago, was quite active and was still able to attend church. I am so glad I have these pictures of him with Trace for him to see one day.

When we got the call that Big D was gone, I couldn't help but think of all of those we've lost in the last 7 months. It honestly just seemed like too much. Don't get me wrong, I know they all lived long lives and were more fortunate than many, it's just hard to watch them go.

When you think of the people you grew up with, those you thought would always be here, because they were the "adults", then you begin to realize that your generation are now the "adults" and those you've loved are slowly fading, it's hard.

But then God showed me the circle yet again... when the phone rang late that night and my mom tells me that my cousin Allison has just had her baby boy, Cohen. And again, there is hope and joy. It is truly a reminder that life does go on and the circle of life continues.

Families grow, families grieve, and families grow again.

I had always hoped that Trace would have a chance to know and remember these people. Now, only through pictures and stories will he know the part they played in his life. They are the ones who built our families, who came before us and who will be waiting on the other side to hug us when we get to heaven!

My Uncle Hutch
As my friend Andrea wrote on her blog the other day about turning the dreaded 30... Do not regret growing older, it is a privilege denied to many. ~Author Unknown

So true Andi.

We will take the years we are given, try to live them with grace and gratitude, and then rejoice in heaven until we all meet again!

Burnin down the house

This is the state of my oven at least twice a week.

No, I'm just kidding. (sorta)

We've coined the phrase around here, "You'll know dinners ready when you hear the smoke alarm."

I took this picture one night this summer when Trace came running in telling me the oven was on fire. (And no, I don't let me child play in the oven, he saw it roaring through the window)

So, a couple of days ago, I got my Southern Living magazine. My sweet MIL got a subscription for me and I really enjoy the recipes and attempting to duplicate them! ha!

The March edition was all about Charleston. I've never been there but have always dreamed of going. Jimmy's Aunt Charlotte is from there and she is the perfect image of a true Southern Belle. I could sit and listen to her talk for hours.

Anyway, last night I attempted to make 2 Charleston dishes, Sizzling Flounder and Bacon Fried Okra. (I can't even type the word without saying Chhaaaleston in my mind. Does anybody else do that?)

The word "Sizzling" in the recipe title should have been my first clue that this probably wasn't going to go well, but trying to be more healthy and find new ways to prepare fish, I threw caution to the wind, grabbed my fire extinguisher and went to town.

Step one: Move one rack in oven 5 inches below heat source (to broil)... oh dear
Step two: Pour 1 cup butter (so much for healthy) into baking dish and heat in oven for 8 minutes until melted and beginning to brown (they left out the part about spitting and splattering hot melted butter all over your face when you go to get it out of the oven)

Between the Sizzling Flounder in my oven and the Bacon Fried Okra on my burner, my kitchen looked like a scene from Backdraft. I'm so caught up in reading the recipe repeatedly (because this can't possibly be right) that I'm hardly noticing the smoke that is beginning to engulf my house.

Trace is in the living room playing and Jimmy's in the office working. He is so used to this scenario, he doesn't even come out to see what's happening. (He just opens his office window for some fresh air! ha!)

All of a sudden, Trace calls out, "Mommy, turn on the air!" I look up to find that he has gone and turned on the ceiling fan in the living room and I can barely see him through the cloud of smoke. I ask him, "What are you saying buddy?" (I couldn't hear him above all the sizzling and spitting butter) He repeats himself 2 more times before Jimmy yells from the office. "Heidi, he's telling you to turn on the oven fan!" Ohhh... why hadn't I thought of that?

Sadly, he has already learned at 3 that when mommy cooks, you need to have both the ceiling and oven fans on and the patio doors open wide. I guess I need to teach him how to call the fire department before I plan on serving Sizzling Flounder again.

I've always told Jimmy that for my birthday or Christmas present, I would love to take cooking classes at Mia Cucina. I think after last night's meal, for the safety of our home, child, and dog... I just might get em!

We'll be eating at Ryan's tonight if anyone wants to join us :)