Night With Auntie Meghan

Britton, Reed, and the Mommies ate lunch at Subway today. That was strange, because I also ate at Subway for lunch today.





Britton and Reed played together after lunch in our family room.

Apparently, Mrs. Tamara was their jungle gym.





Appparently, driving around town was rough today because there were quite a few accidents. Reed and Britton had a little fender bender too, apparently.





Reed loves his tunnel!



Someone must have told a joke.





Tonight, Auntie Meghan kept Reed so that we could go on a date. It was wonderful! We went to eat at Pei Wei, then we went to Cheesecake factory for dessert. It was delicious.

We got a lot of Christmas shopping done today. By the way, if you buy $50.00 worth of giftcards at Kroger right now, you get $.10 off per gallon! That means we are getting gas for $1.79 a gallon tomorrow!

Jordan and Courtney came over to see Reed tonight too. Reed was worried about Jordan's boo-boo.





I think that Reed enjoyed the attention!



Correction: I KNOW Reed enjoyed the attention.



Thanks Auntie Meghan!

Fun Friday

I apologize for not blogging last night. We were out at Brandon and Tamara's and got in around 9:00 PM. I laid down with Reed and the next thing I knew Abbey was waking me up and telling me to come to bed.



Reed enjoyed his meal for breakfast as you can tell!



Abbey and Reed met me at work when I got off today. Reed went home with KayKay and we went to the Frist Center for Visual Arts. It was really fun to get to go on a date.



After the museum, we went to eat at Demo's. It was so great.



Then we went to *drum roll please* Target without child! It was a nice stroll!

We also went to Marti & Liz, which is a discount shoe store which sells namebrand shoes that were like display shoes. It was really cool.

We went to pick Reed up and he apparently had a blast at KayKay and PaKen's, because he was laughing and playing and talking!

We rounded out the evening by meeting Uncle Bubba to eat ice cream!

Who's Walking Whom? (... and a Great CVS Run)

Reed and I had a busy afternoon. We went to Wal-Mart to get my new glasses, CVS (more later), Catfish House, and then a walk.



As we walked, Reed decided that he needed to take a break and he laid down.



He enjoyed the freedom of walking without having to be in the stroller.



He took off in front of me, who was trying to take pictures, hold the end of the monkey's tail (leash), and push the stroller in case Reed got tired.



He decided he needed another break, so we rested a moment in someone's driveway.



Reed contemplated what he wanted to do next and he decided he wanted to go throw rocks. We went down a new street in our subdivision and Reed got to throw rocks.

Shortly, thereafter, he had a meltdown where he didn't want to walk or ride in the stroller. He only wanted me to hold him. He got his 18-month shots so probably wasn't feeling 100%.



I am trying to make the best use possible of the $2.00 off $10.00 coupons that are currently good at CVS. The only annoyance is that it is really easy to make it to $10.00 so, I have a lot of transactions. We are part of the "test market" for the new sale run dates, so our sale started today and this week can be summed up as very woman-centric.

Trans 1:

1 Zip Fizz $5.99
1 Playtex Tampons 4.99

Used:
2 off 10
8.00 in ECBs
1.00 oop

Earned

8.99 ECBS

Trans 2:

2 OB Tampons 9.00
1 Kotex lightdays 1.49

Used:
2 off 10
2 - 1.50 off OB
5.00 in ECBs
.60 oop

Earned

5.49 in ECBs

Trans 3:

Schick Intuition 9.99
1 Powerade drink mix .49

Used:
2 off 10
2.00 off Intuition
6.00 in ECBs
.59 oop

Earned 5.00 in ECBS

Trans 4:

The ad says "Buy $15.00 of Advil, Centrum, or Caltrate get $5.00" so I bought 4 bottles of Advil at $4.19 each. I used 4 $2.00 off coupons, and 1 $2.00 off $10, then $6.00 in ECBs. The ECBs didn't print, so I asked to return them. They couldn't refund the ECBs, so the store manager said just give him a full refund. I got $18.00 back!!! And, they did it all with a smile and didn't act like I was bothering them at all.

Trans 5: (different CVS)

1 Zip Fizz 5.99*
1 Children's Advil 5.79* (note: the ad says limit 1, but this is not true)

I paid cash from the overage earlier and earned: 11.78 in ECBs.

*The zip fizz says limit 2, the children's advil is supposed to be limit 1. However, on my receipt it still says I can buy 1 of each to get more ECBs. I am quite tempted to try again! I actually have already gotten 2 bottles of children's advil, despite the 1 bottle limit.

Trans 6:

1 CVS Tampon - 4.99
4 Packs Ivory - 1.39 each (5.36)

Used:
2 off 10
8.00 in ECBs
.35 oop

Earned
$4.00 in ECBs

Trans 7:

2 Secret - 3.00 each (6.00)
2 Gummy candy - .99 each (1.98)
1 Ivory - 1.39

Used:
2 off 10
1.00 off secret
1.00 2 Gold Emblem candies
5.00 in ECBs
.47 oop

Earned

1.00 in ECBs (however, Secret is Abbey's deoderant of choice)

Trans 8:

Rx for Reed's Eczema - 2.79 (after insurance)

Paid OOP, but used "earn $25.00 CVS giftcard for new Rx"

Total Spent/Earned today:

Spent:
$15.82 OOP
$32.00 ECBs

Earned
$36.00 in ECBs
$18.00 Cash
$25.00 Giftcard

Difference

Gained:
$4.00 ECBs
$2.18 Cash
$25.00 Giftcard
total CVS paid me: $31.18 Plus Products today!

So, I would say we had a pretty good CVS day!

Alphabet by Abbey

Normally I don't do these things, but every now and then, the urge hits me. Plus, I ran into Michelle at Wal-Mart on Monday, and I decided this somehow relates to that.

A. Attached or single? Attached
B. Best friend? Jeff
C. Cake or pie? usually pie, unless it's really good cake
D. Day of choice? Saturday - it holds so much promise for family time
E. Essential item? water
F. Favorite color? blue
G. Gummy bears or worms? neither - I'd give them to Jeff
H. Hometown? Batesville, MS
I. Indulgence? chocolate and People magazine
J. January or July? July
K. Kids? 1 (in the process of adopting #2....very slowly)
L. Life isn’t complete without? God and my family (I took this one from Michelle)
M. Marriage date? August 4, 2001
N. Number of brothers & sisters? 1 sister- Ava; 3 brothers-in-law, 1 sis-in-law
O. Oranges or apples? Apples
P. Phobias? loud noises terrify me
Q. Quotes? Isaiah 40:31
R. Reasons to smile? Reed, a beautiful day, and the list could go on and on
S. Season of choice? I love them all!
T. Tag five peeps! Anyone who cares to respond.
U. Unknown fact about me? I played in the church basketball league once. I know...very scary!
V. Vegetable? green beans
W. Worst habits? greatest intentions, very little follow through
X. X-ray or ultrasound? that's a very strange question
Y. Your favorite food? Mexican. I could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
Z. Zodiac sign? I have no idea. Is that the only thing they could think of for the letter Z? I'm changing it to:
Z. Zoo or aquarium? zoo in the fall, aquarium in the summer!

P.S. This doesn't count as the second post Jeff was talking about, so I guess you'll be getting 3 posts from us today!

Anniversary Post

First of all, I'm sorry that last night's title was never explained. Reed has decided that he is no longer interested in sleeping in his baby bed, so last night we tried letting him sleep in the twin bed that was in his room.



Reed went to sleep pretty easily in his new bed and only woke up once. The only thing that we don't like about this is that the door is closed. Although tonight, we bought a baby gate for his room.



Miss Candace was gracious enough to come and keep Reed tonight while we went on an anniversary date.



Nana and Putty gave us a Macaroni Grill giftcard a while back, so we were able to dine for free! Woo-hoo!



After supper, we went to Gymboree and then we went to Target. I know, we're so exciting!

____________________

1 in the 7 Days of Abbey!

Her Love. I could be really cheesy and say, "It's her love, it just does something to me, sends a shock right through me, I can't get enough." but that would be copying the words from a country song and you know I don't really care for country. Abbey is an amazing wife, I think I've established that, but I am amazed at the way she loves me. I mean, I am quirky, have weird habits, etc. but she still loves me. She even loved me when I looked like I had worms 7 years ago when we got married and I only weighed 115 pounds! Now, she loves me even though I've pack on about 75 pounds since we've been married. You all have seen how good she cooks! I am so thankful for my wife and I can't believe that we have been married for 7 years! We're looked forward to another 70!

The Garage Is Done!

First of all, this is the only picture of his highness for today, so just look at it a lot. We were really busy today and forgot to take more pictures of him. We worked on the garage today and before Miss Candace (Thank Goodness for Friends!) got there we had to put Reed in the pack-n-play. That was okay with him because we gave him sand!

BEFORE:





DURING:





AFTER:





Thanks to Uncle Bill, we were able to get the garage done in a very neat and quick way! He was a huge help! Don't you wish you had an Uncle Bill?

It was HOT!!! All three of us were soaking wet with sweat, but we are really pleased with the end product.

The only let down was that we were really hoping to be able to both park in the garage. While our garage is a good size, it was obviously not meant for a minivan and an SUV. I got both Abbey's van and my Jeep in the garage, but it was tight, so unless the forecast is calling for ice or something, I doubt I will be parking in the garage.

Now, I want to talk about something a little different tonight than just an update of our day.

You know those times when your little one is completely attached to you? Well, for the past couple of days, that has been Reed with me. Now, there have certainly been times when Reed really wanted to be with Abbey, but today it was all me. Now, that can be both really neat and really annoying. But, I began to think about how awesome it was that Reed wanted me! How many times in your life are you the exact person that can "fix" any hurt, soothe any tear, or be the best friend? Not very often. I try not to get preachy on the blog, but I think that's the way God wants to be for us.

I also think about how some people refer to Reed as my adopted son. Now, I have many soapboxes, but I think this is going to be one of my new ones. Reed is not my adopted son. Reed is my son, who happens to be adopted. I cannot tell you how much Reed feels like he is a part of us. In the past 10 months that Reed has been in our lives, he has become an extension of us. Truly, he was planned by God to be our son.

I wondered how our families would react to our son who was not a biological extension but an extension through the miracle of adoption. I got to experience this first-hand last week as I saw Reed run with open arms to his Lola (Mrs. Linda when she came home from work). I saw it when I saw my mom beam with excitement about getting to take her grandson to Wal-Mart and pick him out some balloons. I saw it in my Daddy giving Reed a bath and how Reed wanted to be under his feet while he cooked breakfast. It was in my father-in-law's face as he beamingly introduced Reed to everyone in his office. It was in my big brother's voice as he asked "Where's Reed?" It was in my little brother's early arrival on Monday morning ready to spend the day with Reed. It was in Aunt Ava's glow as she drove through traffic just to meet us at Sonic for a few minutes to see her "blood" nephew. It was in my grandfather's reaction to seeing us by saying, "Hey Reed" even though sometimes he can be a little confused. Reed is us. He is our family. We are so blessed.

______________________

Now for number 3 in the 7 days of Abbey.

Her Heart. I had planned on this being on day 1, but I chose to change it due to the information I posted above. It was Abbey's heart that I fell in love with on our first date. Her practical, yet optimistic outlook on life. Her openness, yet reserved wisdom. She's an amazing, amazing woman. Most people don't know that on the day we found out we were infertile, Abbey didn't cry as we left the doctor's office. I did. All of my hopes for a baby seemed dash. Abbey said, "We'll just adopt." God had opened Abbey's heart to adoption long before we even went to the fertility clinic, yet it was mine that had been closed. I was not against adoption, but I wanted "one of my own" first. I firmly believe that it was Abbey's gentle spirit, her fervent prayer, and wise counseling that lead me to adoption openness. So, where does that leave me? You read the above post, do you realize what Reed means to us? To Abbey? To me? He is our gift, he is God's plan for us in live motion. Abbey's heart extends in so many ways. It's so beautiful, I hope you've had a chance to see it or experience it. As for me, I wake up amazed each day that I can experience her amazing love and her amazing heart. Can you believe we're only on day three? There are still more things to love about this woman!

Dancing With a Fish, A Dog Named Lucy, and Funny Faces

Enna has a collection of old VBS things and she found this inflatable fish from several years ago. Today, I suggested that Reed dance with the fish. Reed grabbed the fish by the fins and danced his little heart out.



He has been so sweet today. He got to go see Mrs. Emily and Mrs. Lauren at lunch and then Apple Annie! He got to experience BOPS frozen custard and even had a great nap!



Tonight, Enna had to go to a bridal show and when she came home we were still outside. When she came inside, Reed was saying "Mama" a lot. I asked him why he was saying "Mama" so much and why he wasn't saying, "Daddy." Enna said, "Reed, say 'Daddy'." Reed obliged and said, "Daddy" twise. Then we said, say "Enna." He said, "Nahnah." We nearly flipped. Then we said say, "Poppy" and guess what? Reed said, "Poppy." We were so proud of all of his words.



Reed got a new dog, Lucy. Well, Lucy sort of just wandered up today, but she is really sweet. (We named her Lucy.) Lucy seems to have had a rough life so far because she was so scared. But, she was really sweet to us. Enna doesn't want her to stick around, but we do!



Reed loves the door at Enna and Poppy's. Look at all of the marks on it! Enna says she'll never wash it again.



We had fun making funny faces in the door.



Lots of fun.


____________________

On Monday, Abbey and I will have been married 7 years! Can you believe it? So, I plan to do the 7 things I love about her for the next several days.

7. Her Smell. I have loved the way Abbey smells since our first date. Abbey wears a fragrance called "Laugh" by Brighton. I'm sure most people have heard of brighton belts, wallets, or sunglasses, but many people don't know they have 4 fragrances. Abbey should be the poster child for "Laugh" because it works incredibly with Abbey's chemistry! There have been a few times that she's worn other perfumes that I used to get for free when I worked retail, but we always have come back to "Laugh." So, remember, the next time you see Abbey, take a deep sniff. Just remember, she's mine!

It's Mama's Birthday and I Can Smile if I Want To!

The good ole Reed that we all know and love was back today! He was so happy! Check out the wetness on his clothes, that is from slobber, not from juice!



Today was Mommy's birthday and Reed had a special surprise for her. He picked out some flowers for her and he wrote in her card.



Then, it was time for Reed to go to Mother's Day Out and for Mommy to begin to her day of pampering.



Enna and Poppy sent Abbey money to get a manicure and pedicure. So, Abbey headed to get that taken care of first thing this morning.



She then headed to Target and just walked around, uninterrupted. It's funny the things you appreciate as you get older, eh?



After I got home from work, Reed, Abbey, and I played for a while until Miss Candace to came over to keep him while we went on a birthday date.



Abbey's present from me was makeup. She has been wearing cheap makeup since she quit working and I think she was ready for real makeup. So, I took her to the clinique counter and let the lady do her work and then we bought makeup!



Then, we went to eat at Red Lobster.



Then, we went to see "Baby Mama" at the new theater. The new theater in H-ville is SO nice and Baby Mama is HILARIOUS! I would say it's a MUST SEE!

We ended the evening by heading for dessert at Carraba's. Now it is WAY, WAY, WAY past our bedtimes and the alarm clock will be going off at 5:05 AM whether I am ready for it or not!