Oh my goodness... thank heaven for contacts... check out those glasses. Good thing we get married in our 20's and 30's when we have matured...boy I would still be single otherwise. ha ha ha Alicia's siblings 1991... whatcha think Emily!! This is all of us now! Steve and ALicia when we were first dating.... Ahhhh there my waist is... hummm to be skinny again.
Steve and Alicia went to Helen GA for spring break with a bunch of friends. This was the week that made it all "official" and we started dating. Doesn't Steve look SOOO happy taking this silly picture... NOT! What a good sport.
Spring Break..... Steve and ALicia kissed for the first time in a Karoke Bar. Aren't we just the wild ones, silly us. This picture was taken in downtown Atlanta.
Ahhh my long curly hair! This is the property Steve and Alicia live on now. We built our house right were i'm standing. It has been 6 yrs... wow! I sure look different.
Our announcement pic
It was fun seeing the changes over the years and remembering all the fun times.
Easter morning Hunter woke up to a basket full of goodies outside his door from the Easter bunny. He played with all of his toys and ate just about ALL his candy before church. A couple of weeks before Easter our church put on a Easter egg hunt and other booths that hunter had fun at. Hunter isn't a fast egg finder he finds one and checks it out each time... as you can imagine he doesn't get many eggs but it is still a fun time for him. Later on after church and being uplifted about our Redeemer we went and had a fabulous breakfast spread at the Lowrys home. Thanks guys it was great. It was the end to a perfect Easter Sunday. Millie decorating Easter egg cookies... she just needed to test the icing first. :) Hunter had his best buddies Joseph and Millie over for a play date and they got to decorate Easter cookies. They had fun with all the different colors. The public library was having a Easter Hop for the kids. They read books to them, they got to watch a movie that had bunnies in it and then they did the bunny hop and made a Easter bunny puppet. Our Friends Regi and Reese met us there and we had a fun time.
Really Really Really LISTEN to the words. Wow words just cannot describe the fullness in my heart. I hope you have been as touched by this video and song as I was. I'm excited for Easter Sunday to celebrate my brother and Savior Jesus Christ.
Family Picture.... great job Ashlea.. you are a super woman and amazing mom. Congrats you two, we love you!
Aunt Alicia with Perian..... I just LOVED snuggling up with her. She was such a great baby. We didn't hear a peep out of her the whole time we visited. It was so precious to just hold her in our arms. She was so adorable and it made me get even more excited for our little guy to come soon.
Grace, Gavin and Hunter had a fun time playing together.
1/2 c. butter 1 c. brown sugar 1 egg 2 c. Bisquick 1/2 c. nuts, chopped 1 (6 oz.) pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Mix butter, sugar and egg together. Stir in Bisquick, nuts and chocolate chips. Drop 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 minutes.
O.k. ladies!!!!! I was craving some cookies (AND Lauren Towers was not in town...... so I couldn't have her homemade awesome to dye for chocolate chip cookies) SOOOO I went on line and found the "easiest and yummy" chocolate chip cookie receipt. I also added oatmeal to some of them. I hope you enjoy them.....i'm all about easy and fast and Hunter helped me.... hummm good.
I just love this song... It is so precious and sweet. My heart is softened and my eyes are filled with tears when I hear it. I have come to realize that no matter what age you are... you are still a "child" of our Heavenly Father. Seeking, learning, needing comfort and strength. In the first line it ask Heavenly Father are you really there? Do you hear and answer every childs prayer? I often find myself asking that question alot... are you really there? Finding that answer and peace to questions is hard for me.... so this song gives me a reassurance that my Heavenly Father does love me and hears me, my heart is full. I'm greatful for the opportunity and path our savior gave us thru the atonement to come closer to him and our Father in Heaven. What a great blessing this gospel is in our lives. I sure desire to say "Father, in prayer i'm coming now to thee". I'm greatful for this Easter season to feel and learn more about my savior and my Heavenly Father.
A childs prayer lyrics
Heavenly Father, are you really there? And do you hear and answer ev'ry child's prayer? Some say that heaven is far away. , but I feel it close around me as I pray. Heavenly Father, I remember now. Something that Jesus told disciples long ago: "Suffer the children to come to me." Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee.
Pray, he is there; Speak, he is list'ning. You are his child; His love now surrounds you. He hears your prayer; He loves the children. Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav'n.
I have missed my blogging "therapy" I really think it makes me feel better to see my happy accomplishments and fun times with my family and friends. O.k. and yes vent about my crazy days also.... So i'm back and I have some fun accomplishments and good times to blog about. I love all of you and have enjoyed your blogs, thoughts, comments but most of all your support, what an amazing support group you all give me and great inspiration. I'm sending big Hugs....
Some fun things I have been up to.....
My sweet hubby gave me a "mommy weekend away"... I went to my sisters Emily home in Ft. Myers. It is a 31/2 hour drive and yea know I was bored silly driving down for like the first hour... I wasn't use to just DRIVING... not having to change a dvd, get fruit snacks, sippy cups or pick up a shoe. By the 2 hour I had called friends, and then finally I found a great radio station to just turn up and cruise with the windows down. Oh yea I could relax and just drive ALL BY MYSELF! I loved it! Some fun things we did where go to a spa and get Manicures and pedicures for Emily.. I got a free chair massage...then we went to dinner. We had a girls night and played bonco, then went to P.F. Changs for dessert with our friend Abby. Saturday night we just hung out with some friends and watched the premier of "the locator" Emily is in the show.. oh yea I have a actress sister... :) Anyways it was nice to go and do what ever we wanted no need to be home for a babysitter. Her hubby and daughter were gone and I was free as a bird. Later we went to Khols and got some great deals. It was a fun weekend.. Thanks Steve and Emily for a nice get away.
Emily and Alicia ( 1 week away due dates- both having BOY'S)
Sisters enjoying the beautiful spring weather...and loving some fun tunes in the car. Just the girls!
Abby, Emily, and Alicia - Out for dessert, Friday night.
Relaxing and being spoiled. They even gave us chocolate covered strawberries. These chairs were SOOO comfortable... I could have fallen asleep.
Some other accomplishments, I'm so excited about where... I finished 2 books....... really that is HUGE for me. I usually start books and don't finish them.
I enjoyed "the five people you meet in heaven" because you could see how this man touched others lives and he didn't even know it. Of course one of the people he met in heaven was his wife.... but really it made me think - who's life have I touched and when I go to heaven who would be my 5 people that I affected there life and might not have even known it. Takes me back to the song.... "have I done any good" I really love that song.
And this book is just plan great... funny and well worth reading. It helps me to realize i'm a normal mom. Really it is a great book.. I would recommend it to anyone.
On Sunday as I was driving home and listening to some christian music I just had time to ponder and be recharged as a daughter of God. I came back with a better attitude and desire to do more to know my Heavenly Father. I also was spiritually uplifted with a great talk by John Bytheway.... Funny, yet gives you a certain understanding... ( I don't do well with hard to understand talks, they have to be on my level easy to hear, this was great for me to understand and feel the spirit) It was good easy listening and I want to go back and read the scriptures again and see how I can apply them in my life. This is what the cd talks about:
Got problems? Been through a personal struggle? Difficulties in your family? Or just experiencing the ups and downs of daily life? Well, as you've probably heard before, this life is a test--a never-ending series of trials, temptations, and sometimes even tragedies. What do you do when the mists of darkness make it difficult to see? You can ask, "Why me? Why this? Why now?" Or you can cling to the rod of iron--the only way through the mists of darkness and towards the tree of life. Using powerful scriptures and quotations from Church leaders, John Bytheway talks about finding perspective, hope, and happiness, whether your trials are personal hardships or national tragedies. He shows how when the going gets tough, the tough turn to their scriptures!
And my final goal has been... to wash the baby clothes.... well that goal is still in the works. I have done 1 load and still need to fold the others, some got hung up and others put away in the drawers....... Oh my gosh this is really happening... I"M HAVING A BABY!!!! Wow I can't belive that Hunter was that tiny. It is just crazy to see and what sweet memories it brings back to see all these sweet cute clothes.
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!
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!
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
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!
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.
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 !!!!
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. :)
"...may the laughter of children gladden our hearts. May the faith of children soothe our souls. May the love of children prompt our deeds..." -- Thomas S. Monson
Me and My Honey!
Haley Faith White - November 20, 2003
Our Daughter Haley went back to heaven the day she was born. Our family misses her so dearly and knows she is in a special place with her Savior and Father in heaven. We have found peace thru faith and prayer that we will see and have our perfect precious daughter again. Haley is our angel that watches over our family. We can't wait for that great reunion in heaven!
Hunter Loftis
Hunter is our sunshine that brightens our day! He brings us laughter and joy.
Henry Stephen
His smile warms your heart. He is heaven sent and perfect!
