Monday, March 9, 2009

Daddy's out of town.. oh what to do... HAVE SOME FUN!!!

What to do for 2 days while daddy is away.... humm what to do...

- FRIDAY -

So Keri emailed me and some of the girls where going to the beach to celebrate little Savannah's birthday. All the kids had a blast and the moms loved chatting and relaxing I mean chasing the kids around. It was the perfect day to go to the beach. Who knew that Hunter's kite would be a hit with all the kids. Hunter and mommy built sandcastles, played trucks, Hunter even tried his boogie board... It really was a fun day.. thanks Keri for the idea and invite!


The moms!
Lacy playing racketball with the boys!


Joseph was loving the easter egg candy....
Hunter, Joseph and Reese had fun popping the water balloons that Keri brought. What a great idea!!




Having a ton of fun with the balloons.
Building sand castles....
It wasn't easy bending over... I can't belive I was in a bathing suit at 7 months prego... close your eyes it is a scary site. :)

Kite flying with Hunter and Addi.




Our little surfer...











- SATURDAY -

Saturday morning Hunter and Alicia got up and went to a horse farm that took care of "retired" horses. It was pretty neat to see all the horses... the admission was 2 carrots. They are located in a town called Alachua. We stayed and saw some friends while we were there. It gave us something fun to do in the morning and afterwards we went to publix... Hunter loves sprinkle cookies. The rest of the day was spent playing outside and taking a nap.... gotta love Saturdays!




























- SUNDAY -

Yeah daddy is home!!!!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

An Alicia Fav...

I just love Hillary Weeks.. her music is so soothing and peaceful.. I have gone thru MANY trials that her music has given me strength and hope. I have several of her cd's and she really is amazing. This new cd is great. I can relate to so many songs on it. I put one of her songs on my play list... You can hear a sample of the new cd on this link ....http://hilaryweeks.com/

MUTE MY MUSIC SO YOU CAN HEAR THE CLIPS>>> WAY FUNNY!





Monday, March 2, 2009

Hummmm Just Curious?!?!?!

Steve and I were just thinking the other day what are new little guy is going to turn out looking like? Will he have RED hair like his daddy? A heart shape face like his mommy? Man you just never know.... Hunter came out a mix of both of us. Oh to see into the future and see this little guy.. I guess we don't have to wait to long I only have 11 weeks to go...

Steve @ 5 months. Check out that red hair and adorable smile.
Alicia @ 6 weeks.
Hunter @ 3 months

A Productive Monday!!



My morning started out meeting Lacy at 7:15AM to go stand in line for a spot for our boys to get into this VPK program (Oh yeah apparently it is that competitive to get into the school we want) So us being the best moms in the world (LOL) we sat in the freezing cold 44 deg weather and got our boys a spot. (I felt like I was going to major concert or something... waiting in line before the place opened.. Steve was totally laughing at me) It was fun chatting before and now just feeling the achievement of having this done and off of our to do list, nice! They are all set for school in the fall. Yeah!!! Thanks lacy for hanging with me this morning and going thru this process.



Next my girl Lauren came over and helped actually did MOST of the work if not all... decorating some of the babies room. I ordered this really cool saying " Reach for the stars, If you can Dream it, you can Achieve it." I want my new little guy to know he can do anything he sets his heart to. So up went the saying... Lauren you are the best, THANKS!!! Lauren also had a cool idea about putting the stars up so one wall done, yippee. I love it! Lauren is an amazing decorator and so creative!!!

Then it was off to the doctors office for Hunter and Target to get some lotions... that made the afternoon go by fast and before I knew it - it was bath time..... 7pm Hunter is down for the count.


Alicia is off to a "Bachlor Season Premier" with the girls ( I don't watch the show but it will be fun just hanging out) .....


It was a good and productive Monday!! Gotta love wonderful days!

Saturday, February 28, 2009

mommy madness....don't read if you are the "perfect mom"

O.k. so my past week... CRAZY! I will be the first to admit i'm not a perfect mom! Do you ever just sit back and think.. wow i'm not the mom I thought I would be. I thought that so much this week, the guilt of being a certain way having the perfect kid shoot just a happy kid would be great, you know all the feelings. When your kid talks back, has tantrums, throw's the dvd player at you WHILE you are driving the car... ends up in time out ALL DAY.... really is it suppose to be like this??? after some girl chats with my favoriate ladies ....I started reading this book and I love it! It is almost like a mirror on my life and the way I feel as a mom and wife. The guilt and frustration I feel sometimes is overwhelming and makes me sad, I have just cryed to sleep some nights just not understanding what i'm doing so wrong... why i'm not a better mom. So I just have to REGROUP, that is what I have come up with! Why as woman do we compare and feel guilty!??! I compare myself to so many other WONDERFUL woman that are such amazing moms. How do they do it?! How is there "ship" running so smoothly? Well after reading the latest chapter "let go of the guilt". I really have started to breathe again. Feel like this is me.. my life.. my child.. and our family and how we do things.. sometimes it isn't perfect but it is me as a mom... there are going to good and bad days. And hopefully there is always the next day to make it even better. One of the tips was..."Define yourself by your BEST moments, not your worst. Find one thing you did do right today, and focus on that".

Today is Saturday and Hunter and mommy laughed alot while I pushed Hunter on the swing... it might be something so small yet so fulfilling.. to hear Hunter laugh. I'm greatful and thank the lord for new days to try again and be that mom my little Hunter needs.
I loved the book I hope you like it also....

brief intro to the book:::;

from I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had KidsThe Fake Cupcake Problem(Why We Needed to Write This Book)


If you’re sitting down and reading this, then you must not be having the worst day ever. Or maybe you are. Whatever kind of day you’re having—you couldn’t love your kids more, or you couldn’t be more eager to jump in your car and speed away—we’ve been there. Between us we have five kids, two husbands, two dogs, three-quarters of a career, steadily improving skills at negotiating with toddlers, and way too much stress. This book got started on one of those nights that followed one of those days—dog poop tracked into the house, wild children in the aisles of Target. Laser-eyed, we watched our clocks until 4 p.m. Then we each poured ourselves a glass of wine and picked up the phone to call each other.


As we talked, our kids tattooed one another with permanent markers and played in the dog-food bowls. Whatever—it really didn’t matter. We discussed our days, and within ten minutes we’d laughed, cried, whined about our husbands, wondered what happened to our sex drives, snapped at the kids, wished we had passions, and questioned why we sometimes felt like bad moms.



Were you a bad mom if you screamed at a four-year-old for getting up twelve times in one night? Were you a good mom if you stayed up late baking fifty cupcakes for the next day’s ballet recital? Would passing off store-bought cupcakes as homemade really be a terrible offense?
Meanwhile we were trying to turn the three ingredients in our respective refrigerators into some semblance of dinner. And our husbands, who’d finally come home, were looking at us cross-eyed for yet again being on the phone. Granted, blabbing while the kids trashed the house might not have looked so good from their position. But immediately hanging up to resume our roles as moms would not have been a good idea, either. These phone chats were our salvation.

Love the bag!!


O.k. so Lacy and I went shopping for a baby shower gift and I found this adorable baby bag. (for myself of course) I loved it from the minute I saw it. It is perfect for a new baby bag, it has a changing pad, several different compartments and a plastic zip up section for wet clothes or anything I might want. I didn't want a HUGE bag this time so this one is cute and a perfect size... oh but what to do... should I buy it?!?!?

I decided NOT to get it and I hide it behind some other bags so no one else would find it . (I know silly me) Then I came home and asked Steve if I could get it, (you know we are doing the BUDGET Thing right now) so I had to check with my co-pilot and he was totally cool with me getting it.....SOOOO back to the store I went. I just love it. I can't wait to use it for my new little guy. Love it, Love it, love it !!!!

Monday, February 23, 2009

I promise I do have more than BABY on the brain!!




This week I have on my to do list is to get Hunter into a VPK program. Complete my Scrapbooking for 2008 and go to the doctor appt.. o.k. so yes I guess I do have BABY on the brain. I was thinking about all the things I will need to do... to get ready for this baby. It really isn't that long.

Wash baby clothes, get some diapers, wipes, nursing pj's, and get Hunter finalized with friends to stay with. Humm that doesn't sound to long right. LOL

Only 11 weeks until i'm delivering a new baby boy... WOW. Crazy!

During that time, my sister in law Ashlea is having a baby girl, sooo exciting ... so that will come real fast, Easter is coming and I love Easter and the fun day that brings...

Oh and did I mention... Steve and I don't REALLY agree on the name that we have picked so it has been interesting around our home trying to figure out what name fits for both of us. (that is a work in progress - 11 weeks can be a long time right)

Lots of things going on... especially in the mind of Alicia...A busy busy woman. :)

Sneak peak into the babies room....

It has been fun putting all my thoughts together for our new little guys room. This is just a little sneak peak of what has been done. I love the bedspread for the queen bed. It is bright and colorful. I found some storage pieces for toys, diapers, wipes and etc. that fit perfectly in the changing table. I also found the perfect saying to go over the bed. "Reach for the stars, If you can DREAM it, you can ACHIEVE it". It is such a positive saying and it is so true.. Steve is a prime example of going after his dreams. And working hard to get them.
I just LOVE when Hunter walks in and say's "mom this is so beautiful in here" he even helped me put the toys in the storage bin. It has been sweet seeing him excited about his new brother.

I can't wait to finish the room. The crib is coming next.... Steve isn't to excited about that but Steve has been awesome about putting up shelfs and painting.. what a trooper. Thanks Babe!!
Finished product coming soon. (11 weeks to go - yikes!!!)

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Babies room under construction

Steve and Joe Lowry started painting the babies room Valentines Night. These are the colors we picked out and we love them. I just kinda explained what colors I wanted and talked to him about the "vision" you could say of what I wanted in the room and it is coming together great! Thanks Joe for helping Steve with painting!!! Steve is going to put up a chair rail this weekend and then I can start putting all my other ideas together. I can't wait, we only have 12 weeks left!! This baby is going to be here before we know it.
Hunter wanted to help paint his "baby brothers" room. He walked in the next morning and said " this is beautiful" some times Hunter sayes things and it just makes me smile.

I made Steve smile for the picture.. you can only imgine he wasn't THAT HAPPY about painting. It turned our great thou! Thanks Honey!!!!!


Sunday, February 15, 2009

Who needs chocolate & roses.. it was guns a blazin for our valentine day

This is how you hold a gun....
What a large gun you have Steve! Steve has been hunting and shooting since he was a young kid. He is very experienced and enjoys shooting. He is a country boy all the way.
This is Lacy's first time shooting a shot gun she did awesome..
The girls taking on some target practice. Lacy hit one of the targets... Alicia well NO she was aiming to high or to low each time. It was belly in the way... really! Don't we just look like pros..... ha ha


Now this is serious gun shooting. The guys had fun. Joe tried out his new gun. Joe did great and hit most targets and had fun.
Watch out Lacy Steve will have a new shooting buddy.



The girls were happy just watching and chatting.
We will turn the Lowry's into country folk sooner or later.. just keep hanging out with the Whites. LOL :)



Saturday, February 14, 2009

I couldn't resist.. this was my sister's valentine surprise!!! I laughed so hard















From my sister Emily:
All week Eli has been telling me I have to be home from playgroup by noon and stay home until 2 and requested i be dressed, ok- I said wondering what was going to be delivered to me. He said i would never guess and well he was right. At 9:00 this moring not 12-2, there was cupid (from B103.9 local radio station)dancing at my door asking me to be his valentine. Needless to say i was not dressed to looking good for company, my hair was all wild, and i was in my pajamas not wearing a bra or did i have my teeth brushed,oh well, right, thats what makes this even better and spontaneous. I thought the whole thing was quite funny and cute. My cupid handed me a bouqet of flowers, a Norman Love box of chocolates, 2 movie tickets, a certificate to get a manicure, $25 towards a spa treatment and dinner for 2. Eli won this package off a local radio station here in town. Lucky me. I can't wait to use all my fun gifts.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Lauren and Lacy's Surprise Birthday Party

It was so much fun planning Lauren and Lacy's "surprise birthday party". Joe, Adam and Alicia along with a ton of other people had fun planning and keeping the party a secret. We did a "california" theme party with "fish tacos" (that is the popular food to eat in cali I guess)... we had a great spread of food. A fun video was made of the birthday girls which included, baby pics, wedding pics and some girls just having fun pics. It was neat seeing pics of them growing up, college years, etc.. The party turned out great, we had a FULL house... Happy Birthday Ladies!!






Hunter was the entertainment... he was popping wheelies and showing off his bike tricks.( he was suppose to be asleep... way to much fun to miss)







Two Little Boys!!






My Mother in Law sent this to me... She raised FIVE boys!!

I thought is was so cute.. this is so going to be my life with 2 boys... i'm so excited, I can't wait!

Two Little Boys
After a hardy rainstorm filled all the potholes in the streets and alleys,
a young mother watched her two little boys playing in the puddles
through her kitchen window.
The older of the two, a five year old lad, grabbed his sibling by the
back of his head and shoved his face into the water hole.
As the boy recovered and stood laughing and dripping, the mother
ran to the yard in a panic. 'Why on earth did you do that to your
little brother?!' she asked as she shook the older boy in anger.
'We were just playing 'church' Mommy,' he said.
'I was just baptizing him... in the name of the Father, the Son and
in the hole-he-goes.'



Friday, February 6, 2009

Semi-Homemade - gotta love it... Mexican tonight!


I just LOVE "Semi-Homemade" by Sandra Lee http://www.semihomemade.com/

Burrito Casserole Makes 6 to 8 servings


1 (32-ounce) package beef and bean burritos,

El Monterey 1 (14-ounce) can mild enchilada sauce 1½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese,

Sargento® 1 (2.25-ounce) can sliced black olives,

drained 1½ cups diced tomato 4 cups shredded iceberg lettuce (about 1/2 a head)


1. Line burritos in a single layer in a 13-by-9-inch microwave-safe dish. Microwave burritos on High, for 6 to 8 minutes, or until heated through.

2. Pour enchilada sauce over the burritos. Sprinkle cheese over enchilada sauce. Microwave burritos for 1 to 2 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Spread olives, tomato and lettuce evenly over burritos. Serve immediately. This is the clip showing you how to put the dish together...

No water this morning.. IT COULD BE WORSE!!

This morning, we didn't have water because our pipes froze. Luckily the water came back on by 9:30... It sure could be worse.. this is what some people around the country are dealing with. Beautiful to look at but I sure wouldn't want to live there. Thank goodness for Florida "warm" weather. I sure can do a couple hours of no water and the high in 50.






Monday, February 2, 2009

Bedding..




http://www.rosenberryrooms.com/girls-furniture-decor.html

I love the cool decorating ideas that designers come up...
This new baby boy is going to be so confused with all the different football fans in the family.

GO CANES!!! - Uncle Eli & Uncle Matt!!!



















This is for the NATIONAL CHAMPIONS - Alicia, and the rest of the gator nation!!





















This bedding is for Steve, Uncle Mike & The STL Whitehouse!









Alicia pondering pregnancy, Hunter....and her soon to be born new baby boy!

I can't help but to look back at Hunter when he was a baby.... My heart is so full when I think of the day he was born, the day we brought him home and all the happy times we have had with him. I love his smile and his witty personality, He looks like a old man in his car seat in the one picture ( I just laugh every time I see it). Hunter makes Steve and I laugh so much, yet Hunter can be so serious at times we crack up just seeing his facial expressions. He brightens a room when he comes into it. We sure have one special kid.
And now to think another precious little guy is going to join our family.. I just get tearied eyes and all silly when I think about it. (boy am I prego.. i'm crying now... what a big cry baby i'am). Anyways... really how cool to have 2 boys.. 2 boys... man the mischeif they are going to get into.. We are going to go broke with all the boy toys. I hope they are taller than me, ( I have REALLY...REALLY tall uncles.... they are awesome)I always wanted boys that were taller than me, you know a momma's boy. 2 Boys.. wow!! Fun times ahead.

This is a picture of our little man back in October... he has grown so much since then. I love the little profile pic. I can't belive how something that looked like a little peanut now has a face and body. A baby is just an amazing process when you think about how it grows, and starts. Wow... i'm so amazed.





I'm so grateful for my pregnancy and also wishing it would go faster and be over... it is a bitter sweet feeling.
Steve and I thought we were done having children because of my health we were happy with our little Hunter...so we were coming to turns with just spoiling our one little guy. You can imagine our excitement to find out we could get pregnant and that we where pregnant. It was a roller coaster of emotions. I think about this picture above of the lord holding this precious child and just knowing the he trust me with these amazing little souls. It is so humbling and rewarding. I love this picture my sister Bethany gave me.... the saying reads " OUT OF MY ARMS AND INTO YOURS... I PLACE THIS SPIRIT INTO YOUR CARE... HOLD THIS LITTLE ONE EXTRA CLOSE... A PART OF HEAVEN LINGERS THERE... How special is that... we as mothers no matter how we get our children, we bare them, or someone blesses us with bearing them and joining there family....we are all still mothers who the lord trust to nurture these children. I love it!!!
Some pregnancy good and bad times.....
My Good Times -Feeling the baby move!, Bonding with this little human growing in my body. Big boobs... ( I guess that works both ways) they hurt but look great being big. LOL :), I laugh sometimes when I go to lay down and the baby kicks the side of the bed... just letting me know (hey i'm here and your sqooshing me)... the baby having the hickups. I love when I can see the kicks and Steve feeling the baby move.

My Bad Times -HEARTBURN... all day every day and NIGHT, having no energy, clothes fitting, getting this baby out.... c-section or naturally..... ladies come on getting the baby out makes me so nervious and anxious. being sick.... i'm still getting nauses, peeing ALL THE TIME..., The overwhelming BACK PAIN.... My doctor said the baby is breech now and that he is sitting on my nerve which makes it hard to walk, I have a sharp pain down my left leg. Oh the joys of pregnancy... gotta love it.

Over all i'm so greatful for this baby and the blessing it brings to our family... feeling good or not, I wouldn't trade this opportunity. We can't wait to meet this little person, who has already touched our hearts... Hunter is excited to have a little brother.. Steve is excited but more of a ...well he is game time.. it will hit him when i'm delivering... and me as a mom... it is the greatest gift ever.