"A little bit of Country"

playing catchup... maybe!

2011-07-23T15:28:00.000-05:00

Where does the time go these days??

My little man is as sweet as ever. cooing. smiling. and starting to cackle.

It melts my heart.

Those cheeks...oh the cheeks...I squeeze them often. So smooshy!

I love them.

the feelings are unexplainable.

love. joy. and an indescrible sense of peace.

I want more :)

I just love this little man. He makes me smile.

Such a God thing.

2011-06-27T20:55:00.001-05:00

It all started on Monday night April 25th as I was home alone sitting on the couch with the tv on, but feeling like I was in another world in complete silence. There were tears that started... almost uncontrollable. I could just not stop thinking that the next day my life was about to completely change, all I prayed was, Lord please give me wisdom in this next wonderful season of our lives. I begged Jamie for years to have a baby, and then sitting 24 hrs from having our little bundle of joy there was elation, joy, and a bundle of nerves all balled into one crazy package!

The emotions continued on to the next day when I went to my doctors appt. the next morning at 8 am. My usual happy go lucky self could not hold back the tears. I was scared out of my mind. My absolutely wonderful doctor and nurses all consoled me, gave me hugs, and said that there is nothing like holding your sweet newborn baby. My doctor was on call Wednesday, and I really really wanted my doctor to deliver me after waiting this whole time. Since I had not made any progress for the past 4 weeks other than being at 1 centimeter and 60% effaced, my doctor had me set to go in to the hospital at 8pm that night to get ready. The only thing I didn't want was to be induced... Funny enough, the only thing I was stressing out about, was not the labor, but simply not being able to eat until I had my sweet baby boy. Low blood sugar and not being able to eat scared me to death. I can get very sick very quickly...I wanted to relish in the moment not be sick! In the end this was a God thing too...

Well, I am glad the Lord had different plans! Sometimes HE takes great pleasure in the joy of the little things. After I left my doctors appt. I headed to my office to finish up with last minute details of my closings and files coming up, and started having contractions about 30 mins apart at 9:30. Jamie called to go eat lunch at 12:30 ish and my contractions were at 20 mins apart. I got home at 1:30 and they were at 16 mins apart and quickly went to 14 mins, then 10 mins, and then at 2:45 they were at 6 mins apart. Jamie called to just check in to tell me he was going to get his hair cut before he came home and I told him I was having contractions every 6 minutes and he about flipped out!! He got from Montevallo to Calera quicker than I knew was possible...he was on a MISSION! I was plugging in my hair rollers in between hurling myself over the bed during my contractions. I wanted to look somewhat cute in my pictures! I dont think Jamie's mission included hair rollers! He was wanting to get out of the house asap. After I packed, repacked, and rolled my hair, I was ready :)

My calm, collected, and even killed husband was going 10 over the speed limit with his flashers on going to the hospital!!! This is incredibly funny for anyone that knows Jamie, because 5 miles under the speed limit is where he likes to be, but not today...remember, he was on a mission!! He didn't want the "baby on board" sign to be literal. I told him that HE was the calm and collected one, that is why I married him... two of us can't be stressed. He had to calm down! I was still concerned about not being able to eat and wanted to stop to get food. Jamie said ok, but had to be somewhere around the hospital...McDonalds it was...Huge mistake...I think it made me more sick than I was already feeling.

We got to the hospital around 4:45, and they admitted me around 5:00. When the nurse checked me I was 1.5 centimeters!! I told her to check again. You have GOT to be kidding me! It was going to be a long long night. Little did I know it would go quicker than I anticipated. An hour later I was at 3 centimeters, and was getting my epidural. OH, I want to just take a moment and just appreciate the epidural for a second. Yes, I remember it well...it was heavenly! About an hour after that I was at 5 centimeters, and my nurse was saying.. wow, this is going very fast for this to be your first baby. We may have him by 1 or 2 am. In another 45 mins, she checked me again and I was at 6 cent, and she said well.. maybe by 12:00 he will be here.. humm... then I went from 6-10 centimeters in about 35 mins. When she checked me again she was like, "wow, we are going to have this baby before I get off at 11:00pm" Lets do it! She went into a rush to get all the baby stuff ready, heaters, blankets, nurses going in and out of the room, etc. The nurse said if I feel any pressure to let her know. 10 mins later I asked her if anyone had ever had the baby and the nurses not been ready. She laughed and said almost, but not typically. I said I feel pressure and would feel better if they checked me again. My sweet nurse looked and said yup, lets push a couple of times. I pushed 3 times and she told Jamie to push the button to call the doctor in!! The doctor came in, and I pushed 2 more times and Levi was here at 10:27 pm! He was perfect! All 7.3 lb, 19.5 in of him :)

I had an absolutely wonderful pregnancy and labor. I am sooo blessed. I honestly cannot say enough about Jamie. Once we got to the hospital, Jamie went back to his usual calm and collected demeanor. He was wonderful every step of the way. Holding my hand, rubbing my back, whatever I needed. It was such a proud moment for him to get to experience the birth of his son. I knew he would be a great dad, but nothing prepares you for that moment when you are actually a parent and the love that you feel for your child. It is indescribable. Getting to experience that moment with Jamie was something I will never forget.

The next few days were almost a blur. Wednesday was the day of the horrific tornado that came through Alabama. We spent a good part of that day in the hallway for safety. Even now there are still a plethora of emotions from that day. I was bringing this sweet wonderful new addition into my family, all the while so many others lost their loved ones. There is so much I would say about this day, but I can really sum it up by saying.. I feel so blessed.

Happy "Birth"day Levi!

My boys...

2011-04-14T20:58:00.004-05:00

For the next week or so Brodie and Jamie are the only two boys in my life. Soon there will be three sweet men in my life. Whew... talk about being out numbered!

I am excited about this season in my life that the good Lord has given me.

While the sun is still shining, I am still up and at em' and in the outdoor ball throwing mood, I thought I would take advantage of some mother doggy time.

Brodie loves retrieving his tennis balls. It is probably his favorite past time.

Before long I will have another long legged, probably lanky little thing.

Brodie and Levi will be two peas in a pod.

As of right now...

I am just loving my two favorite boys!

little man...

2010-12-23T15:21:00.004-06:00

All the anxieties I had before about having a baby are slowly fading...

Jamie and I are super excited to be having a little cowboy boot wearing baby of our own.
The minute I found out I was prego, I told the Lord, "yes, I know I am having a boy." It was just a matter of fact kind of thing. I think He was preparing my girly girl heart for a little rugged baby BOY!

I have to say that even though my heart knew we were having a boy, when they actually said, "it's a boy!" I was a little shocked. Thinking to myself, what in the world am I going to do with a boy?... I am so girly! I only know how to sew girl clothes. lol. Well...after letting it sink in a few days that baby Higdon is a boy and seeing the excitement on Jamie's face was priceless.

I am just elated.

He is kicking like crazy and making me eat cheese and drink milk allll the time.

My stomach is starting to grow and I dont really think i can hide it much longer! My hyperventilating has slowly subsided after constantly waking up in the middle of the night thinking about having a baby. I think it is setting in 23 weeks later :)

Life as we know it will never be the same, but I am thinking it just gets better...

Prego

2010-10-17T16:45:00.005-05:00

babies...ahh...babies

They are so smooshy, cute looking, baby powder smelling, jibber jabber talking, diaper wearing little balls of cuddliness. You just want to pinch their cheeks at any moment. Sweet adorable Rivers. She is a blue eyed ball of cuddliness. I just love her.

I had a revelation. It came to me all of a sudden one night. well maybe over the past several nights. ok,possibly months now.

I am having one of these balls of cuddliness! Excuse me while I hyperventilate for a second.

Everyone tells me that, "it comes naturally!" "you will just know what to do once they get here!" "just wait until you see their sweet faces, the anxiety all goes away!"

**tap-tap-tap** is this thing on....

are you kidding me!

I have to admit. Having a life grow inside of you, and waiting, just waiting until the day when you get to hold them and watch them cry and eat and work to take care of the ball of cuddliness, all while enjoying this bundle of joy is just about made me hyperventilate most weeks. ok. you got me...almost everyday.

milk. I crave milk. lots of milk. maybe with almost every meal.

Yogurt and fruit too. I am hungry a lot and tired alllll the time, but not sick in the least. Jamie, my beyond sweet of sweetness of a husband is just so excited to have little cowboy boot wearing babester of our own.

He tells me to get a milkshake and enjoy being pregnant. :)

I am finished with my 1st trimester this week. So technically I have 2 more trimesters to figure it all out, right?? Or, does anyone want to be a full time- live in nanny...yes, that may be a good option/possibility. Takers, takers..anyone.

Oh my goodness I am hyperventilating again.

I am off to read another baby book :)

Sometimes life just happens...

2010-10-13T09:10:00.004-05:00

Life happens sometimes at what seems like the most in opportune times. always.

So, it all started back in July.

I went to the Phi Mu National Convention in Pheonix, Arizona for 5 days. I think I cried everyday because I missed Jamie and Brodie so bad. I am a sap. I know! Ok, really I just worried of what my two boys would be getting into. Brodie was probably using my pillow as a doggie bed I just know it.

We stayed at The Biltmore. It was absolutely beautiful. My lemonade melted walking from my room to the conference room because it was 118 degrees!! For the love of all that is good this world. My hair had seen better days. enough said.

I had the privilege to travel on this trip with the Phi Mu president of the Montevallo chapter, Kathryn. We became close. I also taught her not to eat the $15 M&M peanuts out of the room mini fridge. I treated her to pizza instead :)

While I was on this trip to the hottest part of the US it seemed, I received a call from my office with an agent wanting to show our house. slight freak out moment happened for sure. I am not home. Jamie is in charge...Brodie is loose...choas my be happening without my approval!

We got a contract on our home. I negotiated this in the 10 min breaks we had between meetings.

I wanted to be excited, and cry all at the same time!

We had to find a home and pronto!
Jamie and I thought we found the house we would be in for years to come. I could already picture our kids riding their bikes down the street. 3 bedroom, 2 bath, formal dining room, 3 car garage, screened in porch, and a full unfinished basement on 3.5 acres in Chelsea. We were getting a phenomenal deal.

OH, I almost forgot. 2 weeks before we were supposed to move, this happened!! I'm Pregnant!! Baby Higdon is on the way come April 2011. wow. the timing is impeccable. I took at total of 4 tests just to make sure the first 2 were correct...lol

We are ecstatic, overwhelmed, elated, overwhelmed, jumping for joy, and did I mention overwhelmed. lol We are having a baby!!

We soon come to find out 2 days before we were supposed to close on our house that there were title issues on our perfect little family home and that the house was not foreclosed on properly. It was going to be 6-9 months + before the house would be available for me to apply for a mortgage again.

*sigh*

For every door the Lord closes, he opens another one. We are still waiting on that door. Hopefully it will have huge arrows telling us to open it when it comes around!

So, we moved in with my sweet, and very accommodating parents. Brodie is even allowed to sleep inside and on the bed!! We have never had inside pets growing up. My parents have adjusted to our energetic ball of fur and just want to make life and our stress as easy as possible.

All the while I am still trying to sell real estate. Enough said on that too.

This cartoon says it all :)

Brodie has become fond of the HUGE pasture and pond at my parents house. It is like a serious free for all. Room to stretch his legs, run until his little heart is content, and leap through the water anytime he wants. It is doggie heaven. His little heart can't take anymore happiness!

Can't you just read his mind..."throw the ball again mom! My tongue hanging out just means I am excited not tired!"

We are still on the hunt for a house, preferably before Baby Higdon comes along.

Patience is truly a virtue. Through all the tears, excitement, and slight stress, God is always good.

I guess I can just sum it all up by saying, sometimes life just happens!

The brothers turn 2!

2010-08-11T16:01:00.002-05:00

Mr. Brodie Higdon and Sam White turned "2" on August 1!!

Just seems like yesterday we were bringing the little fur balls home from Tennessee.
That little face had my heart from day one.

Now, He is a BIG boy. Toddler to be exact. The terrible two's!

Really his terrible 2's phase was at age 1. Oh, the craziness that was bestowed on the Higdon household was like non other. Our socks, dishtowels, and under garmets will never be rendered usable again. His latest fetish...our bath mats.

Every dog must have a proper 2 year old birthday party filled with birthday hats, birthday cake, homemade doggie bones, and doggie friends.

Let The Birthday Party Extravaganza Begin!!!

First they got to eat their homemade doggie bones GG made for all three of them.

gulp...that didn't last long as they lick their chops wanting more...and yes, more is to come.

THEN came the homemade doggie birthday cake!!!!

Lets just say they inhaled this cake. Peanut butter, honey, carrots, and some other good doggie treats. It literally became a free for all at this point. There was no stopping them now!

It is not Miley's birthday, but for all practical purposes, she thought it was! All that cake cannot be good for her girlish figure...oh well...she didn't seem to mind.

Sam, on the other hand, thought he would save a birthday snack for later that night.

What a treat it has been to watch these two brothers grow up together and be best friends...even though their personalities may be 180 degrees in opposite directions!

We all love this rowdy and rambunctious trio and hope to have many more birthday parties to come.

Old Age Brings...

2010-06-06T14:34:00.006-05:00

WISDOM.

I just turned 28 last Thursday. Happy Birthday to me!

I have to tell you though, old age doesn't always just bring wisdom.
Some days I wake up feeling like this:

-a little bug-eyed from the lack of sleep from one Brodie Higdon.
-a lot of bed head because the beauty just doesn't come as natural as it used to.
-a little wrinkly from well, you know~wrinkles.
-and a lot of feeling like you could scream from being slightly overwhelmed with all that life has to offer.

Some pictures just bring out the best in you, and well, others just make you a little worried that you thought about yourself through the eyes of a distressed hungry pony.

Oh well....that is the facts of growing up.

Gotta Love It! :)

Day Care??

2010-05-28T17:12:00.004-05:00

                  Doggie Day Care to be exact.
                    ~The Three Musketeers~

   pure bliss. curiosity. crazy anxiety.

Brodie. Mr. High Anxiety himself. Loves to retrieve a tennis ball, barks at anything that slightly moves, points at random squirrels, and tries to catch any fluffy cats that come in the backyard.

Princess Miley. Ms. Diva. Prissy and sassy.
Loves anything to do with water especially swimming in the pool, loves loves to eat, and has her way with driving the boys crazy.

Sam. The calm and collected one that tends to entertain himself with chewing plastic cups and large bones, chasing tennis balls, and occasionally joins in with the other twos crazy doggy antics

There is just so much to do at Doggie Day Care. Chew up the grill cover into little tiny pieces, fall into the pool with the cover still on, dig up each and every plant in the backyard, chew the new cushions on the back deck, take turns diving into the baby pool full of water, run in circles around the pool, sun themselves, roll in the dirt right after it rains, have snack time, and terrorize the cats.

Each has their own personality, and mischief is constantly the word of the day. Gotta love those little muts of ours.

Everyday is a crazy day, but a good day!

Peace Like a River

2010-05-26T19:52:00.012-05:00

I know I have mentioned having the baby fever...
It is serious...very serious
I think I may need to talk to Jamie
Yeah...for sure.

Courtney: "Jamie, I think Brodie needs a sibling to play with and love on and spend all his time laying on top of to give my ribs a break from being smooshed. What do you think?"

Jamie: "Is that right? What kind of German Shorthair puppy would you like? A male or female?? I hear the females are really loving. Brodie would be ecstatic!"

Courtney: "Nooo....like a for real live baby, that cries, and poops, and sleeps alot.

Jamie: "Have you seen Rivers lately... she is really cute and sweet and loving... you may need to call Christina."

Courtney: "For serious!"

Jamie: "Can they wear camo and pink if it is a girl, and go hunting and fishing, and can Brodie sleep in their bed when they get older??

Courtney: "YES, that way Brodie doesn't sleep on me!!!" "See, all of our problems are solved!"

Whew~glad we got that settled!

Birthday Boy

2010-05-12T15:47:00.001-05:00

My boy turns the big "29" today.

It is a joyous occasion filled with a birthday song before you even make it out of bed, going out to eat for breakfast, and family over for dinner tonight. Ice cream cake is a must for my rugged outdoorsy fisherman. It is his favorite.

Almost at the BIG "30" Whew.. So much to do and so little time to soak it all up.

Fish on my handsome fisherman, fish on.

Happy Birthday Sweetie. You deserve a great day with everything your heart desires.

Mother's Day

2010-05-09T16:36:00.004-05:00

This morning, was like non other. It is Mother's Day! I woke up and rolled over and my little munchkins wet nose was protruding into my pillow and his paw flung across my chest as to snuggle with me. Not just snuggle, but practically lay on top of me. He is not content to be just pressed up against me, but his face has to literally be nussled up against mine usually sharing 3/4 of my pillow. The whole ~here is your line in the bed, and here is my line~just goes flying out the window.
Did I mention that he has allergies-yes, you will wake early in the mornings with his snorting and weasing, and just when he manages to wiggle his way from my feet to my head, he will then, and only then, proceed to sneeze all over me. That is Brodie....enough said.
Happy Mother's Day.

I am right there with you mothers. Getting any "me" time is such a stretch and can be very trying. We have to plan our priorities and make sure our time is used wisely and that family time is where our main focus should be.

~Cook dinner for Jamie and Brodie, get water from the tub (only the bathtub!), bath time, go TT, snuggle time/family time on the couch, go TT, bark at the next door neighbors terrier, chew a bone, get some water, help with laundry(better yet, chewing the laundry), paw at the broom as I sweep the floor, bedtime on his throne in the bedroom, 11:00 pm wake up to go TT, get more water, 3:00 am-get more water, 5:30 am go TT again, 6:30 family snuggle time in bed, wipe myself off from being sneezed on, 7:30 breakfast, load up for doggie day care 8:00 am., snack time with Aunt Lacey 12:00, pick him up from Doggie Day Care 6:00pm. And the process just repeats itself...~

I know what you are thinking, just wait until she has number two!
Whew...How do us Mother's handle it??

It has been worth it for sure to be a mom to my little 1.5 yr. old pupster. A lot has changed since he was a puppy and I wanted to literally take him back to where we got him after he TT'd on my carpet and Pottery Barn rug for the 1,000 time, until now, many can say I have come a long way. Brodie brings out the best in me. Now once he gets my dishtowel for the 1 billionth time and runs behind the couch, I now say "come" and he sashays his way over to me and drops it at my feet with pride.. "look mom, I was obedient, what kind of treat and I going to get"

He gets the treat of not getting his behind spanked for taking my towel for the billionth time since he brought it back to me. Yes, I have come along way.

We have experienced many things together, like his 1st birthday party. What great mom doesn't make you a monogrammed t-shirt, and bakes you cupcakes. We have also been fishing together, and learned to quail hunt, ride with the window down in the car, learned to retrieve balls off the pier, and we are working on getting along with cats, and calming our anxiety levels just a tad.

Being a mom has been very rewarding I have to say. It definitely teaches you patience and that small things are just small things not mountains. I think it is sweet that he is a mommas boy and loves to snuggle and gets slightly jealous if I pay more attention to anyone else but him. What would life be like without my little ball of fur. He is turning the terrible 2's soon, so everyone be in prayer.

Life is good... and I am blessed.

Pretty in Pink

2010-04-26T21:58:00.003-05:00

P.H.I. M.U. Ladies.

Prissy. Funny. Pink. Intelligent. Sunhat Wearing. Sassy. High Heel Loving. Sundress attire.

Good lookin' girly girls!

For those who do not know, I was a Phi Mu in college, and now have the privilege of coming back to UM be an adviser for these wonderful women.

I was also very prissy, and a little sassy, and had to have my hair and clothes just so...I was definitely the girl always in pink. After I met Jamie, really this little sister Lacey, did my wardrobe start to slowly evolve to sundresses and cowboy boots instead of dress pants and high heels. It is definitely still a work in progress, but the casual side of me is taking form. All I really knew was high heels and slightly ~ prissy!

Who said Pink wasn't the new brown.

Many faces of Rivers

2010-04-26T16:59:00.002-05:00

Sweet Rivers.

Calm. Collected. Sweet. She almost looks like a porcelain doll.

The baby fever has hit me like a ton of bricks.

The baby lotion smell, the little rolls on her thighs and arms, her peach fuzz of hair, how she balls her fists up as she so powerfully tries to yawn, and her smooth as a babies behind skin.
I just love it.

My heart just yearns...

But for now... Brodie's puppy breath smell will have to do.

Dyson=LOVE

2010-04-23T21:41:00.003-05:00

This blog is not for the weak at heart. If you get squeamish, just turn away now. This is going to be a very serious matter in home cleaning! Please keep in mind that I am a clean fanatic.

Jamie and I have gone round and round with the truth of how well our elderly vacuum cleaner works, or not works. Everyone does remember that we have a shedding puppy that loves to roll alllll over the carpet to get that itch that he has on the tip of his back. As much as I tell him not to, he pushes that limit and proceeds to wallo in my carpet...all over my carpet...all the time! It literally grosses me out.

For the longest time I have been telling Jamie that I didn't think our vacuum cleaner worked. It has been stuck on the highest setting. So, I made a deal with him that if I vacuumed with ours and then borrowed another one and vacuumed again and it didn't pick anything up, then I would be passivised and not talk about it again.

Like I said before, if you are easily grossed out, turn away. Below is what I picked up after using my vacuum cleaner, and then borrowing one from Kathryn and vacuuming again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I told you not to look!

I showed this to Jamie when he got home, and needless to say we had a date night and went out to buy a new vacuum cleaner! NOT just any vacuum cleaner............a DYSON!! The mack daddy of mack daddy vacuum cleaners. Keep in mind that this is after he said we were not getting a new vacuum cleaner to begin with, and if we were going to get one, by some chance, that he was not going to spend that much money on a Dyson! The things he does for love.... :)

Can I tell you how elated I am. It it is like Christmas morning all over again. I have vacuumed my carpet again for the 6th time today. Seriously. I vacuumed until it didn't have anything else to pick up. Then I let Brodie in just so he could roll on the carpet and vacuum behind him.

Who knew vacuum cleaners could be so exhilarating! ME!

For the love of all that is good...Cleanliness is once again restored at my house.

*sigh-smile*

Rivers Christine Comer

2010-04-21T20:19:00.007-05:00

Growing up with David everyone who has ever spent any time with him knows his sense of humor, his stubbornness at times, his love for animals (the Comer Zoo as they lovingly refer to it now), and his dislove/repulsive nature for children. If you handed him a baby, he would hold them as far as those 6ft arms would extend, and if it remotely cried, or looked like it would regurgitate chunks of their half eaten dinner, it was almost like a hot potato being flung into the air, and we all hoped someone would be there to catch them. You ALL know it is true.

When Christina came into David's life, the lovely, beautiful, muscular, innocent, sweet, Godly, adorable, motherly woman she is came into his life we knew he had hit a gold mine. Christina just loves David, all his zoo animals, his long lanky figure, and laughs off many of his crazy antics. They are perfect for each other. The only issue was that Christina was made to be a mom! No doubt about it. Her loving spirit was to good to just be for David, it needed to be spread around a little bit. You could see David get quiet every time the "baby" word would make its way into the conversation.

I remember where I was the night I got the phone call from Christina telling me she was prego. I hung up the phone with flooded emotions. Many to hard to explain, but mostly thinking... this should be interesting! My brother, Mr. Eddie Haskel himself, is going to be a dad. WOW. And since that day that kept resonating in my head.

I always knew David will be a great dad, but I always pictured him with outstretched arms and a baby at the end yelling for someone to just make "it" go away. All of those feeling/thoughts left my head as I saw him the day before they were set to induce Christina...He was sitting on the back of his truck, legs dangling in the air, just waiting on Christina to come outside. He was just as fidgety as he could be. He didn't know whether to smile or panic! At that moment I think he knew his life would change, and for the better.

As long has I have known David, if he gets nervous or upset he gets quiet, and sometimes you just have to give him his space. On Monday the 12th, he was nervous but was almost giddy with excitement, he just loved on Christina alll day, and gave her nothing but encouragement and support. He was ready to become a dad!

As you would walk into her room his chair was turned facing Christina and his hand laid sweetly on her chest to help calm her nerves as he quietly read his magazine. He also had a video camera that probably ran out of tape recording every moment of the whole day. Every move, every turn, even the bathroom was caught on tape, nothing was to be left out. He wanted every memory to be captured. You could tell his heart was swelling with pride... his baby girl was on the way.

Christina's twin sister Christel, snuck back to her room as she was getting ready to push, she said you could hear him saying, "That's it baby, you are doing great, just one more push!" Then the nurses caught them and they had to leave the hall!! In the mean time allll the immediate family was in the waiting room biting our nails waiting... just waiting...We actually made a bet on the time and weight of Ms. Rivers arrival. My guess 6.10 lb and 3:50 pm.

FINALLY, the moment had arrived, David came to the waiting room and called us to the hall. He was elated, excited, smiling from ear to ear. Rivers was born. ALL 8 lb. 10 oz, and 22 in long! She didn't just make her way into the world, she MADE her way into the world. The doctor came out saying, "Where was Christina hiding that baby!"

Christina was as beautiful as always, glowing to be exact, even through the pregnancy I never saw someone to positive and upbeat and felt more blessed to be creating a new life. Even after she delivered you would have never known. She did amazing! Like I said, she was born to be a mother.

That day the Lord smiled and laughed as he changed my brothers life from holding a baby with outstretched arms, to holding/cuddling his new born baby girl. I will never forget it because to me I saw a completely different side to David. You could see the love and respect for Christina and the pride welling up inside of him. Monday was a "new" day.

You would have thought the president had arrived at the hospital with as many family and friends they had loving and supporting them both. Let me give you an in site of the amount of people: both sets of parents, 4 siblings and spouses, 4 cousins, 2 babies under 3, 3 grandmothers, 2 aunts, 1 uncle, 4 friends, and a partridge in a pear tree. Sorry if I left someone out! It was a mad house. BUT, you knew they were loved!

There was not just a life being born, but a new family being made. My parents were absolutely beaming from ear to ear. Dad always said the first grandchild would get the money jars he had saved all those years, and for a second, just a second, I was slightly jealous! I have to admit. Maybe dad will split it--I will work on that! :)

That night I went home very proud of my brother.
He did good.

I think in all the excitement the tears were withheld, but that night cuddling with Brodie it all came out. Just yesterday we were building a tree house in the backyard, and skinning up our knees falling of our bikes for the 100th time. My how life changes and how blessed we are.

Life is good...

My sweet little niece...

Congratulations David and Christina

*new post below

Twins

2010-04-21T20:00:00.002-05:00

Christel and Christina. Twins. Prego. Best Friends.

These two do everything together! Their initials growing up were the same, the men they married last names started with a C, they are both having girls that are two months apart with their first names starting with an R.

I try to understand it, but I think they have their own language...I think the Lord was showing us his humor when he made twins.

It is something to behold. These two women will be incredible mothers. I am just glad I get to experience it with them! Christina, the one on the right is my sister in law, and the one of the left is Jamie's cousin. I will let you figure that one out :)

Quail= Anxiety

2010-03-28T22:15:00.015-05:00

I have learned that Brodie definitely takes after me in many ways. Little high maintenance, long legged, and has bad anxiety. When Brodie gets excited that excitement quickly escalates and anxiety comes in full force.

We went quail hunting a few weekends ago and as soon as we hit the dirt road the whining, begging, barking, more whining, screeching, some sounds that came from his scrawny body I can't even explain. His excitement/anxiety level went from a 1 to a 20 in 2 seconds flat. He knew what was out there.... birds...Quail to be exact... and that was pure bliss for this pupster.

For the next several hours he pointed out bird after bird. To a him, this was the equivalent of winning a lifetime of doggy chow.

Jamie was right up there with Brodie in excitement. This was his dream. 100 acre pasture, manicured to a T, water on the left side and woods surrounding the rest. 75 degrees, slight breeze, quail, man's best friend, and his shotgun over his shoulder.

Jamie taught Brodie to point when he found the birds...

Retrieve them...

and Drop them at his feet... much to our dismay, against Brodie's will.

We were not the only lucky couple to go on the hunting extravanganza. Zac and Lacey were right there with us with their two pupsters, Sam and Miley.

This chicky isn't shy. She has her pink and brown just like she likes it and shooting birds is her thang! She is darn good at it too.
For me personally, I just try to take pictures and not get shot myself. (Do you know how intimidating it is to have 4 people with guns on their shoulders and me walking around with my camera in my own little world-amazing I wasn't shot!)

Miley was a shinning star at only 6 months old. She and the quail became one. They are now BFF. The quail may not think so, but she sure does.

Good ol' Sam.

Brodie definitely got the energy out of his system. He slept the whole next day to recover from all the intensity.

He is such a bouncy little thing when he gets excited, but at night he sure is cuddly. Just like I like him...It was a good day.

Birthday=Big Banner

2010-03-21T20:59:00.007-05:00

When you want to go BIG for Van Comer's birthday making a banner to stretch across the living room wall just does not seem to do it justice!

That is the benefit to living in the "country"
We have railroad crossing that seem like the perfect place for a birthday banner!

who knew that a long roll of masking tape and a few pieces of bright colored paper would make your birthday wishes shine!

sad. but dad had to cook his own birthday dinner. He left me cooking for a total of 5 minutes, and I think I singed my eyebrows with the fire. FYI. do not stick your face that close to the flames to see if the hamburgers are burnt or crispy burnt. Just take them off. Thank goodness he finished cooking.

He just does it so much better.

Happy "25th" Birthday Dad. again. :)

Super Bowl

2010-02-28T14:49:00.019-06:00

of Bass Fishing.

If you would have asked me 10 years ago if I would go to a bass tournament? without hesitations I would have said, umm... NO, are you crazy? lost your marbles? or think just because I have a pond in my backyard that fishing interests me?? None of the above applied. Until... Jamie.
Who would ever think one man, one good looking, rugged, handsome specimen of a man could change me to this outdoor enthusiast. I use outdoor enthusiast lightly, because I really dont actually fish, hunt, shoot guns, etc. all the time like he does, BUT, because he loves the outdoors, and because I love him, I love the outdoors. Pink will be found somewhere in my outfit of choice for every event.

The crowds came in droves to the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing in B'ham. You got it. The mega bowl of raccoon faced, sun burnt bunch of men with big bellied fish.

Who would have ever thought I would know how to finesse a worm, or know which crank bait or shaky head worm to fish in muddy or clear water, or which bass wins more tournaments-spotted or large mouth bass. The things I do for Love.

Jamie took off work, and I took off work and what a date weekend it was. It all started with Waffle House, and then onto the bass expo where we saw all the latest and greatest things out there, and then we settled in for hours of watching all 51 anglers weigh in their fish. That's what you call a date in Birmingham!

It was a treat to see Mark Zona himself. We watch him every Saturday morning giving us the highlights on every bass tournament. That gets Jamie's weekend started off right.

Then, we found the best seats in the house for the Classic to begin. Lights, Camera, Action.

My favorite angler is by far Kevin Van Dam. He makes winning easier than peeling a banana, or hooking a worm on a hook, or well you've got the point. He is just a winner in my book.

BUT. This is a hometown fellow. Mr. Gerald Swindle. We met at the Wal-Mart in Calera last year. We talked. Now we are BFF. If you asked him he would tell you. You can't not root for Gerald! Dont tell KVD I told you that.

This is one of my other favs. Skeet Reese. When he used to have longer hair Jamie and Skeet favored. Enough said.

This is the man of the hour. He weighed in with an astounding 19.5 lbs. on the first day after fishing Lay lake.
If you looked up champion in the dictionary it would say: Kevin Van Dam.
Again. Enough said.

This is the Super Six. The top 6 anglers of the Classic. You could just feel the tension rise. Who will win? Will it be an upset? Will Kevin have a bad day fishing? Oh the torture.

It came down to Jeff Kriet and KVD. Jeff thought he had it all day long. Very confident in his fishing abilities. But I told you what you find in the dictionary and that is exactly what happened.

Winning by almost 6lbs. The new Bass Masters Classic Champion: KVD I know you are thinking of the "We Are The Champion" song. I am singing it as I type.

Lift that trophy high into the confetti. Winning $500,000. It is a good day.

I just relived an exciting moment in my life. My heart is pumping fast. I am going to go get me some water and go watch the reruns on tv.

Who would have ever thought...

Let there be

2010-02-12T19:42:00.012-06:00

SNOW.
Times like these it brings back all of the great memories of growing up on land. I remember my dad staying up all night making us a sled so could David and I could experience having a "real" sled. So blessed for those times!

NOW. I get to be that parent that gives that to her little man.

The house where I grew up. It is so serene looking at it on this snowy day. Good memories. I remember winter storm of '93. Our power went out for a week. It was definitely a week of bonding.

It is all about having fun. A treat it was to watch our three kiddos play in the snow.

A proud little man!

Maybe I am just all emotional in this cold weather, but this picture gets me a little teary. The two men in my life. Enough said.

After a long hot bath there is nothing but snoring by the fire for this tired little pupster.

It was a good day.

"gotta little mud on my tires..."

2010-02-06T12:29:00.010-06:00

Brad Paisley comes to Birmingham.
Concerts. Let me explain my stance.
Yesterday my incredibly cute, cowboy boot wearing sister in law Lacey called to ask if Jamie and I wanted to go to the Brad Paisley Concert at the BJCC. Who would not want to go see the wrangler wearing country star?

We are from Alabama you know! That translates to people not from here thinking that we play in the mud, get trucks that you need a step stool to get into, extremely loud dual exhaust, fancy cowboy boots and hats, tight Wrangler jeans, or jean with diamond studs all over them, really huge belt buckles, bells of hay, and a toothpick behind your ear at all times.

You have to admit that it does cross your mind when you think of a country concert in Alabama.

Immediate stress kind of started. I think somewhere deep in my conscience I have a phobia of large concerts. People, just people everywhere! Makes me a little claustrophobic. Am I the only one??
These questions keep jogging in my head: Is there going to be a fight over who stands and who sits? How many times am I going to have beer sloshed on me from people around me flinging their drinks into the air singing at the top of their lungs, off tune, to the Country Stars stage performance. OH, and the womans restroom lines, not just the never ending lines that wrap around the whole BJCC, but the classy women you seem to meet in line. Don't act like you don't know what I am taking about!!

People watching is probably the most entertaining part before the concert. How do women wear 5 in. stilettos and stand in them alll night long? I was a retail merchandising major. I get it, but seriously?? It is 35 degrees outside, how are women not cold in their strapless tanktops and short short mini skirts. Very enlightening.

All of this streaming in my head entering the slightly intoxicated mob of people. Surprisingly, this concert exceeded my expectations. I really really liked Brad Paisley live. He was incredibly witty, very fun, and sounded just like he does on the radio! I give an A+ to Lacey for setting this date night up.

My anxiety relinquished by the end after I did have beer sloshed on me, watched the police work out a dispute over some people wanting to stand and some sit, and had the joy to keep seeing the same women in the ladies room reapplying just one more coat of makeup. It was all worth it though!

For me to call myself a "country girl"--that may need to be reevaluated slightly!

Farm Girl.

2010-02-04T16:07:00.014-06:00

I think SO.

pasture. birds. puddles. an array of different smells.
Ahhh... it is great to be a dog/puppy/princess Miley

Did I mention the puddles? She loves the puddles. Water. Splashing. Sticking her head so far under the water she blows bubbles. Did I mention the puddles.

It is now nice to have a female perspective with two big brothers trying to run the show.

Women rule. Boy dogs drool!

They may run faster, play harder, and get dirtier, but Princess Miley still rules the roost!

WAHOO

2010-02-03T20:26:00.002-06:00

LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!!!!!

2010-02-03T20:17:00.006-06:00

Nah Nah Nah Nah Boo Boo

What have I taught my little pupster/wild man/bird hunting enthusiast. Oh well... there is always tomorrow.

ODE To Hunting.

2010-01-29T16:00:00.005-06:00

Last weekend of hunting season.
Sad? I plead the fifth, make no comment--
OK, so behind closed doors jump for joy. I admitted it.

Hunting season is a passion for this handsome hunter of mine. Wait, that is ME in these pictures. I am caught. Truly, it not a passion of mine, but I am passionate about my handsome hunter, thus, making it by default, a passion of mine.

Jamie dressed me in everything that he owned so I would not be cold. Sweet right. I felt like the little kid in the Christmas Story when his mom sends him out in the snow and he drops his glasses and can't even bend over to pick them up... yup. that was me!

Regardless, I love my husband, thus I am (ok) with deer antlers hanging in my house!

Makes for great scarf/coat racks. :)

Happy Valentines Day?.

2010-01-10T22:18:00.008-06:00

We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas...oh wait. I guess we wish you a Happy Valentines Day now.

If you ask Brodie, he got everything he ever wanted in his stocking this year for Christmas. After hurling this 2 ft. bone into the air, dropping it on my head while laying on the couch, and demolishing my walls trying to play keep away, Santa seriously debated on why coal was not an option this year.

Regardless, my boys tummy was very satisfied, his heart swelled with excitement, and his tongue has been licking his lips for weeks trying to retrieve the left over particles stuck to his whiskers!

How can you not look at this mommas boy, snuggling king, towel addict, sock stealer, and hyper active pupster and not just want to put a red bow on his head and give him everything his little heart desires.

Whoa! I forgot. He does get everything his heart desires. Spoiled rotten is what he is!
Merry After Christmas and a Happy New Year.

*new post below

Miley. Laundry.

2010-01-10T22:09:00.003-06:00

Sleepy eyes + comfy towels + laundry basket = a pile of Miley

Miracle. Maybe.

2010-01-07T14:24:00.004-06:00

Seems like a decade or more that we have had the entire Comer Family together in a picture at one time. Simply a candid moment if I must say so myself. Good looking family too if I must brag. Danica is the cute newest addition to the family. She was only 5 weeks old or so. Ahh.. babies. Yes, good baby powder smelling babies.

Our family is definitely growing and David and Christina are next in line come the end of March. Can you pick out which one is 6 months pregnant?? Yeah, she is to the left of me. You can't even tell. Cutest pregnant lady ever. I just love pregnant women. They are just so glowingly cute!! The only munchkin missing is my 1.5 yr old. He missed the family picture. Brodie, you were there in spirit little man. Good times!

Hotlanta Baby!

2009-12-28T13:33:00.006-06:00

The real live Pioneer Woman came to Atlanta. No need to blog anymore. That is enough said.

Yeah right, you think I am going to be quiet about actually meeting the one woman show, the epitome of a muti-tasker, the photography genius, the cooking queen, the farm inhabiting, 4 children having, homeschooling teacher, and blogger extraordinaire. It was great! Not just great, but lite a fire under me to get out of my house and buy a farm so I can have some kiddos running around milking cows and stuff kind of great. Yup...it is my dream.

This is really where it all began. Getting some coffee and settling in for a looonnngggg time of sitting and waiting. I think me and the coffee became one.

My mom called me in the 23rd hour and asked if she got a substitute if I wanted to have a girls night and go to Atlanta to see The Pioneer Woman. I first screamed, jumped out of my chair, rented a hotel room at the Marriott, and started packing. Of course I wanted to go. For some of you who may not know, The Pioneer Woman was blogger of the year for her online blog and she just recently put out a cookbook with all her farm girl recipes in it. She was having a book signing in Atlanta for her new cookbook which you will see below. I am addicted.

We definitely got a jump start of reading her cookbook, and in the mean time making friends and chatting with the people around us.

This is a whole nother story! The dreaded wristbands! OK, they gave you a wristband as you came into the bookstore with a color and a letter on it. We were Yellow D when we came in and they were only on Orange H when I looked the first time. The nice naive lady said it was only going to be 1 hour or so. The OR SO part of that meant 4.5 hours later we got to see Ree. That was only because some sweet girls in line gave me their friends wristbands that had gone home. Their wristband was Green F. If we had really had to wait for our original color it would have been more like the 6 hour range to see her.
So, thank you to whom ever the girl was that gave me her wristbands for me and my mom. It was a life saver.
(This was so much better than just standing in the line for ever. This way you got to walk around and browse the store while you waited for your color and letter to be called.)

Can't you just picture it now. Me on a farm with horses and cows and kiddos running around barefoot, of course. She is my motivation.

What a trip. Never really just up and went on a road trip before, but we had a blast.

I also got to meet Ree's sister Betsy, on the right and her best friend Hyacinthia, on the left.

I was honestly so giddy and nervous. Definitely a memory I will not forget.
Right up there with:
#1 Getting married
#2 Getting Brodie
#3 Meeting the Pioneer Woman :)

Check out her website: www.thepioneerwoman.com
Her love story is a must read!

4 Letter Word

2009-12-19T14:49:00.004-06:00

L-O-V-E You just think you know what "love" really means by the dictionary standards, but this giddy couple defines it a different way. Or maybe I am defining it for them and they just don't know it yet.

"L"
Laughing-- until your stomach hurts and you continuously cry "uncle!

"O"
Over-- being engaged.. just let us be married for the love of all that is good in this world :)

"V"
Victorious--for the big 8 pt. deer that is just waiting to be shot and put on the wall in their new house.

"E"
Excited--about their new sweet family that was planned from the Lord above and will lavish all wonderful blessings over their marriage.

Yup... LOVE is like Christmas everyday of the year for them. :)

*new post below

AHH....Babies at Christmas

2009-12-19T12:51:00.007-06:00

HO HO HO Merry Christmas from Little Baby Katelyn!!

This may be more than I can handle... Babies, Christmas, egg nog, Christmas lights, and sweet smiles like this one. I love this time of year!

I am telling you.. I really want to just squeeze those cheeks of hers. Now I understand long ago when grandmothers used to squeeze your cheeks and say I remember yooouuu when you were thiiiisssss biiggg.. Ugh. I hated that, but now I understand when you see cuteness like this!

Merry 1st Christmas Katelyn!

Newest Addition

2009-12-15T10:11:00.012-06:00

Introducing Miley Higdon White
(soon just Miley White) They have shared custody right now. haha

The new 8 week old German Shorthair Pointer
This is Lacey's Christmas present from Zac. All together now.. awww....

Looks like Santa came early this year. Someone must have been extra extra good!!

Is this the 12 days of Christmas or what!??
Day 1: Trip to Gatlinburg
Day 2: Diamond ring
Day 3: Extra kisses under the mistletoe
Day 4: New job starts
Day 5: Wedding date set
Day 6: Wedding dress bought
Day 7: Purchase new cowboy boots
Day 8: Decorate new house in Alabaster
Day 9: Go to Christmas parties
Day 10: New puppy named Miley
Day 11: Last minute Christmas shopping
Day 12: A partridge in a pear tree!

Whew...that was exhausting. Oh yeah and
Day 13: Live happily ever after! :)

You will all listen to the 12 Days of Christmas a lot closer the next time you hear it now wont you.

If I had already sold my house there would be a total of 4 shorthairs in our family. 2 for us and two for Zac and Lacey. Brodie was still sniffing the blankets for 2 days after Miley left our house. 1 female and 2 males. You do the math. Pure choas... but I love it!

"Ok.. I am 8 weeks old and I really really need to sleep 23 out of the 24 hours dont you know that! Leave me be and tell that dog of yours to stop sniffing and licking me." I could have sworn I heard Miley say that under her breath.

I love my little Lacey and Zachery Vance and are so excited for all that is to come for the two of them. This has been such an incredibly memorable year! Something you will never forget and glad I could be a part of. Welcome to the family little Miley.

New Tradition... Maybe??

2009-12-13T14:01:00.014-06:00

The week before Thanksgiving in the Mountains with The Higdon's...The Davis'.. and almost The White's

The red pants family. That is what we are called.

Live... Laugh... Love

This pretty much explains this trip. Anytime we all get together it is a plethora of excitement, photos, children, family memories, funny stories, great sleep, good food, and NO plans. We all just go with the flow. No schedule?? New revelation.

Meet the future Mr. and Mrs. White. Yes, this cute couple got engaged at Cades Cove! More to come on this. I told you it was pure excitement.

Woods, log cabins, deer, and the mountains, so it was a must that cowboy boots were the choice shoes of the weekend.

This couple made all of this happen. These are my wonderful, exciting, good food making, sweet as sugar in laws.

Baby Charlie got his first pair of real live cowboy boots!

This is my baby with my baby nephew. Yup, my baby is the big one. The incredibly rugged outdoorsy man of a man. He is mine. Maybe one day we will have a blonde headed blue eyed baby that will look like Jamie. Oh I hope so.

Downtown Gatlinburg and the whole kitten caboodle of our family-minus me of course b/c I took the pic. Should have made friends with a random stranger to take our picture. Good thought for next time.

Angie also never has her picture taken because she is always behind the camera. So, I took my chances and I figured with a baby in tow that she could not run to far!

Another picture of the giddy couple. Mushy, gushy, googly eyes. I remember those days. Oh wait, I am still in those days of when I look at my rugged man. Never gets old.

Fun Times...

Maybe a new Thanksgiving trip tradition????

Hope so...

**new posts below**

Part 2-Engagement/Cades Cove

2009-12-13T13:30:00.001-06:00

Part 2 of the Thanksgiving Family Tradition

This is my alllll time favorite most interesting place I have probably ever been. Cades Cove in Gatlinburg. In the real world you will never get that close to wild animals. Absolutely mind boggling.

Zac and Lacey have been in love and googly eyed over each other since they officially started dating. We allll knew it was coming because they were meant for each other. Zac planned to propose in Cades Cove which is perfect for this outdoorsy couple.

All you heard was this giddy Zac laugh and Lacey in absolute shock! It was a great moment that I will never forget and was honored to be apart of. I feel like my little bro and my sister in law are getting married. Zac and I have been friends as long as I can remember and I am ecstatic that he is marrying my sister in law Lacey.

The beaming new bride to be.

Jamie and the binoculars bonded that day. Anytime you wondered where he was you just looked for the guy with the binoculars locked to his face looking for any kind of wild life. He was like a little kid at Christmas getting his first Red Rider BB gun!

Are you seeing this??? Of course you are. I was about 15 feet from this deer. Who does that!!?? It was amazing up to the point where he lowered his head and put his ears back and wanted me out of his territory walking briskly towards me. I took off running, but still I was able to get that close to this deer. Amazing!

In honor of Thanksgiving... gobble gobble.

For more pictures of this great trip just click here

Christmas Baby

2009-12-12T16:00:00.007-06:00

My sweet, precious, blonde headed blue eyed nephew that is a little bundle of smiles and joy turned one! Did I mention that he is absolutely the cutest babester I have seen. I may be partial I will agree, but those blue eyes, yes, the eyes, and the smile, did I mention the smile. Oh it will get you every time.

Yes, Jamie and I had the "when are we going to have children" talk on the way home. :) I can't handle all the sweetness from these nephews of mine. It just brings out the excitement in me. Babies, birthdays, Christmas, presents, cider... it is just everything great all rolled into one. aahhhh...

You just thought you could eat Sam with a spoon he is so incredibly sweet, but this is his older brother, Charlie. *Sigh* I have the cutest nephews and I know it! And a great sister in law and brother in law :)

I just love this family!

Happy Happy Birthday Baby Sam!

Slightly Late

2009-11-16T16:05:00.005-06:00

How can you not have baby fever when you see my two adorably scrumptious nephews. OH how I could just eat them up.

If you were wondering, no their mom does not dress them up in outfits everyday just to take pictures. Yes, I admit this was from Halloween. Like 3 weeks ago- and I am just posting about it. I just had to let everyone see their cute little faces and costumes.

Sam was a giraffe. Cutest giraffe you have ever seen. If I could go get a baby at Wal-Mart wearing a giraffe suite I would be headed there right now. Last time I checked they did not sell cute children at Wal-Mart. Maybe I will dress Brodie up in a giraffe suite. Yes, that will have to do... for now :)

Charlie was the man of the hour in his Fireman Costume. The Davis' house caught on fire the week before, so Charlies costume was so fitting for the occasion. He is just old enough to love getting candy and giving it to other trick or treaters that came to the door.

Look at his cute little tail. Yes, as we speak I have baby fever.

Jamie has no idea how close I came to dressing Brodie up in a costume.
He could have been Charlie's fire dog. Why didn't I think of that sooner. Oh well. Maybe next year.

For Serious!!??

2009-11-12T15:34:00.004-06:00

Three years ago yesterday I was the most giddy I have ever been. I mean seriously. I couldn't sleep, I woke up at the crack of dawn, (which people know I need my beauty sleep), packed my bags, got dressed, and was headed on my way that chilly sunny day.

I was on my way to FINALLY marry my handsome hunter after almost 5 years of dating. You know, I have to say that yesterday I woke up just a giddy as I did the day I married him. He has changed my life. Just look at the picture below. Who would have ever thunk it! I have my very own bow and my very own cowboy boots. I am still impressed to this day that I half way manage to pull this off.

He is absolutely the love of my life. Raw sense of humor that I dont always get, but love to hear him laugh! If you have ever heard him laugh you would understand.
(on a side note: Jamie and Zac would spend the night at my parents house on some weekends, and they stayed in a room right above my parents room, and one morning my mom was laughing to herself as I walked in the room , and I asked what she was laughing about, and she said that Jamie and Zac are like giddy little school girls at night when they get to laughing. They just could not stop once they got going! Gotta love it!

Jamie is the most selfless person I have ever met. I have always called him my Mr. Steady and everyday that is what he continues to be for our family. My Mr. Steady.

Our family was just not complete. Cuddling on the couch and watching a movie was not sufficient anymore... something was missing. Then little man came into our world and 2 was great, but 3 was even better. Brodie is our towel, sock, and dishrag eating little munchkin.

We have been truly blessed and 3 years has just flown by. You know what... I should monogram him a post 3 year anniversary shirt. I wonder if he would still be wearing that shirt 10 years from now like his Sneaky Petes shirt!

I never would have thought I could love someone so much, but I do. He is my handsome hunter, and my better half. Life is an adventure: I shoot guns now.. and bow hunt, and put blood on my face after my first deer kill, play dominoes, monogram everything, play in flower beds, sleep at the cabin, fish, play with my wild pupster, clean house frequently, wear cowboy boots with my shirt tail out, catch quail, eat supper for breakfast, and have deer heads mounted on my wall. Tell me that life is just not great!

If I am on this adventure called life, I am just glad he is there to be my better half.
It just fits...

Apple Cider

2009-10-31T14:57:00.004-05:00

It is that time of the year again where the leaves start falling, have cool crisp mornings, open your windows at night, and have warm apple cider at a moments notice.

Yes, all of that is what is happening this time of year, but there is also another factor that plays a crucial part in our home...

**Deer Hunting**

It is not just a sport or a hobby-it is an obsession.

I have to say that my mans obsession does provide food on our table and wonderful wall decor in our home. Mostly for coats and scarves. :) J/K Jamie.

My Handsome Hunter...

I just love my rugged outdoorsy deer smellin' man of a man!
Enough Said...

War Eagle

2009-10-09T12:16:00.008-05:00

This will be the one and only time I will write War Eagle on my blog. For all my Alabama Fans out there ROLL TIDE. No offense Kathryn! :)
A few weeks ago I posted pictures of Katelyn in her cute Alabama outfit on my blog and in turn Kathryn received multiple threats of loss of friendship, banishment from group gatherings, and simply disappointment from her fellow Auburn friends.
SOO...not to cause further banishment, we have now done the fair thing for baby Katelyn and put her in her Auburn attire.

She cheered on the Auburn team win against Tennessee.

She loved her new orange and blue outfit.

WAR EAGLE!

I hope this suffices all the Auburn fans out there that are friends with the Cline's. That is what happens when you are a child of a family that is divided. To solve that, everyone should just be Alabama Fans!!

Regardless which way she choses, I will love her anyway!
ROLL TIDE!!!!!!

Recipe Addition

2009-10-02T16:31:00.004-05:00

If you want to make your husband smile, or be slightly giddy, then you must add this to your cooking appetizer attire! The now infamous jalapenos bacon wrapped poppers!
Please, you must get off the chair and stop reading this and get a pen. Simply a must.
Is your mouth watering? Mine is.

Here are your main ingredients. Jalapenos, Bacon, Cream Cheese, and Toothpicks

Cut the jalapenos in half and take out all the white little seeds. (If you want them to be a little "hot" then leave some of the seeds in there.)
Disclaimer: they can get pretty spicy!
Then put cream cheese in the middle...yes, slather it in there! The more the marrier. Workouts are for another day.
Then wrap in bacon and put a toothpick through the middle to hold in place.

Bake on 350 degrees for 20-25 mins. Basically until the bacon cooks.

Ingredients: $5.00
Prep time: 15 mins
Happy husband: Priceless

uummm....You can thank me later.
Pictures compliments of my blogger hero: The Pioneer Woman!

Bailey

2009-09-30T10:52:00.007-05:00

Meet Bailey.
The little white 5 lb. Maltese fur ball.
Brown eyes, if you can see them through all the hair, and a little yipe bark.
We already took a car ride to downtown Calera letting the wind blow in our hair, cooked dinner together, played in the yard, and just forgot life as we knew it.

She is a cute little thing that just lays in your lap and snores when she sleeps.
Oh the little whipper snapper had me at hello.

OH, I so forgot to tell you that I found this cute little pupster in my new construction community. She just came and sat on my feet at the front door. Before you get all up in arms, I did walk to all the houses around the community to ask if they knew who Bailey belonged to and no answers at the doors. SO. She went home with me for the evening :)

Bailey just longed for her real family I could tell.

So pitiful. I even tried to feed her a little something. I thought we bonded!
*sniff- sniff*

Jamie was not the least bit ecstatic by the new fur ball addition.
(He said that, but he didn't mean it. He loved her deep down inside I just know it.)

Those teeth will teach Jamie not to think she is a welcomed addition. Even if it is just for a couple of hours.

So, after dinner the hunt began again. Since she had a collar, but no tags, we had to go knocking on doors trying to find the sweet family to whom she belongs. You will be happy to know there was a joyous and happy reunion.
All is happy again on the home front.

Oh, and her real name is Lucy! Personally I will always remember my joyful 8 hours of bliss with my little 5lb. fur ball named Bailey.

reminiscing

2009-09-27T20:55:00.011-05:00

Friday night was a night for reminiscing. We went back in time to the Calera vs. Shelby County football game. I was not that excited about going to the game until I drove up and heard the band playing. Oh, it just brought back the memories. Calera football, the lights, score board, announcer, it was great. GO Eagles!

We lost, but gave it a good try.

This is what I came to the game for... the band!! In high school I was, quote, the "band geek". The sad thing is that I didn't even know it at the time. I just thought I was the coolest with my band leather letterman jacket, my trumpet, and all my medals. My pride was being drum major! I thrived off of this and actually still teach drum major lessons and judge tryouts. It just brings back all the joy and excitement I felt when I was out on that field.

Jamie told me that I needed to suppress those feelings.

I told him I was going to go home and get out my trumpet and learn the Alabama fight song so every time they make a touchdown I was going to play it for him. He did not at all agree with that idea.

How could you not love the band. I am still such a "geek". I can't believe I am still admitting this to myself. I may need therapy. Yeah...I think I will go pull out my leather band jacket and have more reminiscing moments.

You could probably say that I don't get out much. Is it sad that my goal in college was to go to a big college ie: UA, and be drum major. It never happened. I just may be having separation issues. Oh well. For now I will just keep my memories.

2009-09-26T16:45:00.005-05:00

When all else fails... RUN.

When your dish towels have taken such a beating that they are not recognizable anymore, or when the blankets on the couch are not serving their purpose because you can see more of the couch than the blanket through the holes Brodie chewed, it is time to RUN the hyper furry child of mine.

You didn't really actually think I ran. I ride! Ride in style behind my rugged outdoorsy man. Yes, he is a fine specimen in those holey jeans and cowboy boots.

Tongue hanging out... that is a GOOD sign.
After a dip in the pond I think we are heading home.

Maybe my dish towels, socks, and blankets will have some relief.
Well-At least for the next few hours.

To Sell or Not to Sell...

2009-09-20T15:39:00.004-05:00

I know many of you have been curious about how intelligent that I really am. It is a common question that I get. About a month ago I thought to myself, "I sell houses for a living, I mean seriously, how hard would it be to sell my own home." Am I crazy, lost my mind in a recession, or I know many of you are thinking maybe I got bit by a snake instead of Brodie. Maybe all of the above.

I am honestly flipping out about selling my house. OH MY GOODNESS. It stresses me out. Making the bed everyday, sweeping and vacuuming the floor from my furry child, scrubbing the base boards, getting cob webs out of crevices of our house I didn't knew existed, getting Jamie face shavings out of the sink, getting Brodie's hair out of our tub, (he loves to get in the tub), getting Brodie's hair off our couch, putting the pillows back on the couch from Brodie using them as a chew toy, & windexing the glass on the back door where nose prints have taken up a permanent residence. Oh the constant cleaning, washing, & febreze spraying! What are sellers thinking when they put their house on the market. UGH.

I am already about ready to fire myself if it doesn't sell.

Do you have friends, family, children, furry creatures, or any sort of human beings that would like to be tied to a mortgage for 30 years of their life. If so please have them call me. It is almost 2,500 sq. ft., bungalow style home, with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, and a fenced backyard. I know my phone is about to blow up with calls about my house, so I will cut the rest of this short.

HELP! The country is calling our name with a cute farm house and acreage. Can't you see it now. Aahhh. I can. :)

Roll Tide

2009-09-16T21:24:00.003-05:00

ROLLLL TIIDDEE ROLLLL!!!!!

Of course any small, cute, adorable baby should have Alabama monogrammed onesies when you watch a winning team such as Alabama. So what did Kathryn and I do.. well of course we made her an Alabama onesie. What, did you think I was slacking on my monogramming job. Of course not! Katelyn just loved it and said she would like it to be a baby model. I could not turn her down, thus her incredibly adorable matching bow and outfit.

Alabama was making a touchdown and she was extremely excited. If she only had a pom pom it would make for a more unbelievable game.

Oh, how I was not even watching the game because I was so intrigued with this little sweet baby. Yes, it is an addiction. Oh, the baby addiction. Until then I will just keep loving on her and my big ball of fur.

Worst Fear

2009-09-15T22:07:00.009-05:00

So, last week my worst fears came to fruition. My incredibly hyper ball of fur needed a to be run to release some of the pent up energy...so my husband took Brodie to the hunt on the opening day of Dove season. Being so excited, Brodie got out to the woods and lasted all of 20 minutes before he was....bitten by a SNAKE!

Anyone who knows me knows that I have an unbelievable fear of snakes. I have nightmares if I watch or see snakes on t.v. Seriously! So when Jamie called me when I was at work and said that Brodie hurt his foot and he had to take him to the Animal Hospital I had my first parenting panic attack. I didn't think I would do that, but I just could not concentrate and needed to be there with him.

Needless to say, I left work slightly early. Brodie just needed to be nurtured and I just needed to be reassured that he was breathing and his leg was not falling off or anything. Being by yourself when you find out your puppy is hurt will make your mind think of weird and crazy things.

I must have confession time and get this off my chest. When I came home and realized that he would survive the bite, the doctor said to keep him off his foot, and that to me was very amusing. Brodie being still for any length of time...yeah right. The doc told us to give him Benadryl to keep him knocked out, so we did. I have to say that having him slightly sedated was the best 4 days of his puppy life. Oh my goodness, he was wonderful. All Brodie did was sleep and snuggle with you. Best time of my life with my fur ball child. I hate he was bitten by a snake, (I don't even like writing that word.. I just got the goose bumps.) but he was the best dog for a week!!

When I came home to nurture him the only word that I could think of was pitiful. He was absolutely the most pitiful looking dog ever!

Don't feel to sorry for him yet...he recovered very well, and is again terrorizing my dish towels and bath towels, and blankets, etc. Gotta love him. Even though it was only a short time calmness fell over our home, I will never forget it.

Yup...Patience is a virtue

2009-09-03T11:14:00.005-05:00

Brodie + extreme curiosity = expensive disaster

5 Seconds...
I leave the room...
and this is what happens...

Yes, this was my china on my dinning table. Brodie has never been very interested in it before, but today was a new day and with a 1 year old puppy with extreme curiosity spells money out of my pocket. He knew he had done wrong and just laid down with his head hung low and his ears back as he bowed at my feet as I came running into the room. Poor dog. He probably thought it was a bird flying rampid through our house and jumping the table was the answer to all of his puppy problems. Who knows. He spent the rest of the afternoon in time out!

2009-08-29T16:13:00.010-05:00

I know I promised before that I was not going to give you a weekly update of baby Katelyn, but she is just to cute not put her on here for you all to see. And... furthermore, I don't have much else that is as entertaining in my life like having cute, adorable, slobbery child, or really grand things to tell everyone about, so, what better than a baby.

At any given moment I will just "pop" by to see Katelyn, tend to her progress as a new born, and make sure she loves her Aunt Courtney. :) It is a hard job, but someone has to do it!

Kathryn loves cute, adorable, slobbery children too. Almost too much. She is a natural. It has almost made me doubt my parenting skills. Well... my one day true parenting skills. I see Kathryn in her element at home and how she interacts with her babe, and when I go home to Brodie, there is just not quite the same feelings and love that is bestowed on my little 1 year old. Nope, just not the same. I will call it a work in progress. Definitely. Not saying that I don't love my medium sized ball of fur, but I feel the Lord is still working on me in the patience department. Patience is a virtue isn't it... maybe I should write it on my bathroom mirror..

I can hear my mom and dad now... I want one of these so I can cuddle with them and fill them with all kinds of sugar and send them back home with you, because, seriously, that are what grandparents are for. Right now, Brodie gets grandparent time when we drop him off in doggie day care at my parents house. Being brought into the life of a Comer dog is beyond doggie heaven. Brodie loves his grandparents and tells me so when I am trying to rock my 55 lb. 1 year old to sleep at night. When he crawls in your lap and looks at you with those sleepy eyes... well...tell me I am not a good parent already. The things I do.

Yup...I think right now I will just stick with seeing Katelyn as much as I want :) and snuggling with my ball of fur at home. What a life I lead-and a great one at that.

40 years

2009-08-29T15:14:00.009-05:00

In every ones life there are milestones that have emotions and feelings that are all encompassing. Memories are meant to be made, laughter is supposed to be shared, and life is simply supposed to happen. There are few people in life that purposefully choose their life direction and not just let life haphazardly pass you by. This would be my Grandmother Sara. She is a woman who has lived a very blessed life, and has been purposeful about living her life.

As a young mother of two she needed a job and quickly! She went to Moore-Handley looking for work, and they told her their were no openings, but she would not take no for an answer. She went to where the boss man was eating lunch with some colleagues and told him she was not leaving without a job. She was hardworking and dedicated and he would be proud to have her on staff. Needless to say Sara Comer just had her retirement party after 40 years of service with the same company. My grandmother knows what she wants and goes after it! Dedication is definitely the correct word for her years of service.

This was a wonderful and memorable milestone in her life that definitely needed to be celebrated. Currently she is loving retired life and love playing cards and spending time with all her girl friends at the church. She deserves some time to relax in her pool when she wants to!

This is my Grandmother and her two proud children, Van and Debbie. Van is my dad! Handsome man I have to say.... Now you wondered where I got my steller looks from :)

Me, Paige and Mia.

You know when you have 4 cameras going at the same time and a 2 year old and everyone screaming your name...well this is the crazy family picture that we were able to snap. Memories non the less.

So, to my grandma...you have blessed so many people at work, and I know that they will never forget your smiling face when they walked through that door.

Generational

2009-08-18T15:59:00.006-05:00

This is my generational family tree going down the line on my mothers side. Good lookin' women I have to say :) My grandmother came to spend some time with us and make us laugh with all her stories and funny antics. Sometimes you can just sit and listen to her talk for forever. She is one of the most proper women that I have ever met, so I have to be good and be on my P's and Q's when I am with her. Just a lovely woman, yes she is.

This is a woman of many talents, cooking being made an art form by her. She is a mother of 4, proud wife, infectious laugh, story telling, life loving, Arby's eating, proper stature yet loving to relax a little, plant growing, di hard Republican, and careing woman. Yup, that is my grandmother. She is one of a kind.

My dad was the only genius one in the whole group! I mean we were out smiling in the hot sweltering sun and he decides to just soak it up and relax for a while. I mean seriously, this is the life!

*new post below

Week 2

2009-08-18T14:53:00.008-05:00

My little sweet babe down the street is two and a half weeks old! She already has such a cute personality and is just such a good baby. Of course, I can say that since I am only with her a short period of time everyday and not 24/7. Kathryn may tell you different, but regardless, she is a sweetheart.

I just love her lips! I promise it will not be a week by week update of baby Katelyn, but I just have to share because she is soooo adorable.

1 week.

2009-08-04T14:06:00.004-05:00

Katelyn is 1 week old.
I bought her these bloomers and of course I had to take her photo in them. She is just as cute and precious and she may seem.

FINALLY.

2009-08-04T13:57:00.004-05:00

Katelyn Elizabeth is here!! 7lb. 12 oz. 20.5 in.

Congrats Michael and Kathryn! She is beautiful.

Truly a blessing from the Lord.

one

2009-08-02T17:20:00.009-05:00

***Let me make a HUGE disclaimer right now, my husband did not, and I do say not again, have anything to do with what you are about to see. For all real men with male dogs, or probably any dog of any kind, please just look away or go to another room because what you are about to see will make your eyes get big, and want to come rescue my poor animal from a womanizing household.***

My one and only Brodie turned the BIG 1 on Saturday and what better way to have a photo moment would be none other than to monogram him his very own birthday tee-shirt! I mean come on now... how can you not think this is just a fantastic idea... one of profound worth!

I looked for a camo tee-shirt, but could not find one in a childs size, or even a plain orange one would have worked, but none to be found. Sooo...white would make do with his name monogrammed with an appliqued 1 in camouflage fabric, and a must have puppy paw on the bottom. The only word that is coming to mind is.. awwww...how cute.

Seriously, I told you to look away. Jamie is probably somewhere hiding, mortified at the site of his hunting dog with a shirt on--that is monogrammed!

Jamie did walk in on this little birthday photo session, and he said that I had "crossed the line" haha. So... he told me to at least cut off his sleeves and make it more manly. I just love my husband! Jamie called it his active wear. OMG! What if this becomes like Jamie's Sneaky Pete's cut off tee-shirt. Now I am mortified.

Brodie had enough by the end and layed down surrendering waving a white flag begging to take it off. So, I did, and gave his a huge bone for a treat.

Pitiful face. Aren't you glad you aren't a Higdon dog right now :)

All Smiles

2009-07-25T13:13:00.008-05:00

This little baby was the cutest thing with her little giggles and smiles. Madison is 6 months old now and just a joy to be around. I just had to share pictures of her. It was way to much fun!! Maybe not as much fun as monogramming, but a lot of fun....OR, maybe she should have worn something monogrammed and it would have been even better. OR, maybe not, and I should just drop it and take the pictures. OK... I will.

She was loving the feather boas!! It was cracking me up!

Typical

2009-07-22T14:18:00.003-05:00

No matter how old Brodie gets, he just loves to see Jamie come in from a long day fishing on the lake. It is definitely an unexplainable excitement!

Sometimes if Brodie is on his best behavior Jamie will take him for a little ride and dog and dad bonding moment.

Nothing like it.

Preoccupied

2009-07-16T15:16:00.003-05:00

Ever since my birthday on June 3rd, I have been slightly addicted to my monogram machine. Hello, My name is Courtney Higdon and I just love my monogram machine. Sad, I know. Jamie just lets me go and do my thing with getting the cutest fonts, and making little onesies and shirts for my nephews to go to the zoo. You must have new monogrammed clothes to go to the zoo-simply a must. Oh, the joy it brings! Not to mention my best friend Kathryn is having a baby any day now. No one will ever not know baby Katelyn's name because it is on everything she owns!

Thus, the reality it brings. My blogging has suffered, and for those of you getting no sleep because I have not written for almost a month. No more fretting...I am back. Well, kind of. Give me a little slack. I am overcoming an addiction.

Jamie and I have also been trying to redo our gosh awful, bare, grass filled flower beds. That has been a venture in itself. Yes, we do realize that we are about 2 months behind on working on our planting skills.

On another note I am so my mother... I really am at times...I came home the other day from work and there was a butterfly on my new flowers I just freshly planted and I ran for my camera because my mother would appreciate a picture. Yes, at least I admit that I am like her.

It just brought such joy when I looked at the once bleeding blisters I have on my hands from digging the hardest dirt I have ever dug and just smiled at my cute new fluttery friend.

Red or Yellow??

2009-07-16T14:41:00.007-05:00

Are firetrucks Red or Yellow? Well... duh they are yellow! Lacey asked Charlie after visiting the fire station what color fire trucks are and he so intelligently said yellow! I have a smart nephew. We all visited the Alabaster fire station and interestingly enough their fire trucks are yellow instead of red. Regardless of the color we had a great time.

Charlie and Noah didn't really know what to think about it at first. Then they actually got inside the truck and play with all the firefighter stuff.

Then they realized they were the big men on campus and were somewhat curious what they were supposed to do besides sit there

So, Zac had the ultimate idea...give them all fire hats like real firefighters. Big Hit!

Sam has not quite known what to think of all this commotion

Charlie gave Zac a hug for showing him the fire trucks...not only once but 3 time. It was so sweet. I just love the innocence of a child. (Oh, and have I mentioned I LOVE having my nephews back in B'ham. Just makes my day.)

Polarized Filter

2009-06-15T22:25:00.004-05:00

Not that anyone really really cares about this, but I thought it was amazingly interesting. On our recent beach trip, which I will blog about soon, I realized that I had a polarized filter for my camera and had never used it. You can tell I am no expert at using my camera and is still a constant learning process. I was just astounded at the difference on how it made the color so vivid.

Before:
This was using my 50mm lens and no filter

After:
This was with my standard 18-55mm lens and the polarized filter.
Amazing difference isn't it!? Below is really what the beach looked like with the seaweed and greenish blue water. Nasty seaweed, but beautiful weather as a side note :)

Just thought I would share what little bit of exciting knowledge I came across for those of you who are around water a lot like me.

*new post below (sorry I am trying to catch up!)

Happy Birthday to Me!!

2009-06-15T22:10:00.004-05:00

Yes, you can see it for yourself...I have my very own monogram machine!!!! I mean are you kidding me! Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would get one of these. Let me just say that I have absolute most wonderful, sweet, and just down right best parents and in laws in the world. All I had to say was that I loved monogrammed stuff, and what did I get for my birthday...a monogram machine. Anything with cloth and able to monogram you will find an initial, name, or cute picture... it is endless.

This is what we did all night was sit and stare at it stitching away. Simply amazing.

Let me tell you, Jamie is just loving this new gadget in our house. He just said his camo was off limits, but everything else was fair game! No telling what is going to happen. You can tell he is just so very very excited!

I have already monogrammed everything I could think of in my house. It is a site to see! Best birthday present by far.

Boy Has Dream

2009-05-21T15:56:00.014-05:00

One day I heard of this boy who dreamed and longed to have a cute furry puppy to be his best friend, companion, and life long protector...so... boy bought dog.

He also dreamed of having a country boy family complete with an incredibly wonderful, energetic and lovable wife and now puppy to be complete...

Puppy grew up...FAST! Still lovable and very energetic though.

He also thought, how great would it be to take him hunting to be his companion...so he did!

And fishing....so he did...

If you have a hunting and fishing dog, it is a must to have a dog that can play and fetch tennis balls...
so he taught him.

And at the end of the day, when the his wife would make a spread of a feast making his tummy full, he then would be able to cuddle up with his new furry companion and fall asleep and dream of many other wonderful things in life....

Then the boy actually woke up and figured out that the dream was actually reality.

AIN'T LIFE GRAND!

Mine is...

Weldon Fish Fry

2009-05-18T21:47:00.018-05:00

Special women deserve special things.

It is all about Gurney (In a good way). This is the most incredible woman who just loves life and her family and it is so evident. Everyone should have to meet her at least once in their life!

My wonderful 2nd parents/in laws/ best friends :)

The two fisherman/brothers/twins separated at birth! Wow! Even their dogs are from the same litter. Shocking I know.. this post has no pictures of Sam or Brodie. Truly amazing! I am withholding and sitting on my hands trying not to click the download button. I thought I would give you guys a break. Gotta love em'

Ol' Zac and Lacey Kay

Next year we have to get a pictures of allll the cousins on the pier. So meant to do that this year. We have so many new additions and need some updating!

I did not partake in the football/mudslide festivities after the monsoon came, but I did have a blast watching them almost face plant several times in the mud. Almost wish someone would have done down right in front of me. It would have made a great picture!! haha. Isn't that sad that I think in those terms of what would make fun photos. Maybe we will have to just make that happen next time.

Never a dull moment in this family. A little rain never hurt anyone-just makes it easier when you grab a bar of soap and go outside to wash off. Sad, but true! River Rats at heart!
To see all the fun festivities click here

Boys Will Be Boys...

2009-05-18T21:16:00.014-05:00

OK...I was going to do a whole post on the the "Weldon Fish Fry" but after looking over all the pictures I had to do a post on my incredibly cute little cousins! These boys do nothing but smile, laugh, play, and be BOYS! I just loved their rambunctious and fearless spirit.

"Zeke"

"Ike"

Jamie's boat was definitely a hit with the boys. Sooo many knobs to twist and turn and pull and mash..I mean it was just a huge playground of endless possibilities! Dont tell Jamie... the boat might go in reverse when he cranks it up again. haha.

Being boys, rain was just more of an incentive to play and play and get wet and roll in the mud. It definitely worked. Glad Alicia brought a change of clothes.

Splash it up baby! Life is an endless playground!

2009-05-14T10:01:00.004-05:00

The cute, rambunctious, long legged, hyper, swim lover, towel fetish having, one and only...
Brodie Higdon

Now this just down right cracked me up!! I think I had a bone in my hand or maybe a dish towel to get that look! "What!?, ME!?, NO!"

The BIG 28

2009-05-14T09:47:00.004-05:00

The man of the Higdon household had a special day on Tuesday
It was the "BIG 28"!
My handsome fisherman spent the weekend fishing, relaxing, and eating Reeses Blizzard Ice Cream Cake! It was incredibly fabulous.

It would not have been the same without Brodie and Sam together to help celebrate Jamie's big day.

I LOVE birthday's!! Especially for hubby! Happy Birthday Baby!

Moderately Funny??

2009-05-02T11:59:00.005-05:00

I was looking over some old pictures I had taken over a year ago and ran across these. I have no idea why I find this so amusing, but I do. I can't help it, but I just snicker to myself. Maybe it is because I think of the Chick-Fil-A commercial when I see this. Only this is a goat and not a cow, but none the less it makes me laugh. And...I think that we all could use a good laugh every once in a while.

This little fellow crack me up too. Only a face a mother could love!

I just want to hug and squeeze this little baby. He just frolicked and played while I was taking his photo. Is there something horribly wrong with me that I think these crazy thoughts?? Probably so!

This bad mama jamma ruled the roost, dominated the field, took charge, with his old billy goat gruff looking self. Makes you think he lives under a bridge like the nursery rhyme says. I would be scared of that long white thing hanging off my chin too!

Always up for a good laugh!

Baby Katelyn Is On The Way

2009-04-28T19:03:00.007-05:00

My best friend that lives down the street had her baby shower this past weekend and what a joy it was to see her just elated about being a new mother and getting a bunch of WAY cute girly stuff!
The Newly expected mother- How cute is her dress!?

This is the fun part that of having a sister that is close to you because her older sister is just 5 weeks ahead of Kathryn's prego experience. She already has an absolutely adorable little girl named Barrett and is now expecting a boy! What are the chances that they would deliver on the same day... few and far between, but how cool would that be! Mother, 2 daughters and granddaughter. Gotta love it!

Didn't I tell you Barrett was adorable!!!

All the goods! We loaded up that crib to the brim. She had a blast opening everything.

Can you tell that I just loved taking pictures of her.

Stick + Lake=

2009-04-27T21:37:00.012-05:00

Doggie Acrobatics!

These pictures explain it all...
Brodie's Favorite past time.

Brodie is just a talented little puppy. Who knew!

This is Brodie waiting on his daddy to come home. awww...
He looks like a child pouting.

The Pink Ladies

2009-04-18T21:18:00.008-05:00

These girls are my pride and joy!
We cannot deny the obvious that there is a lot of pink going on in this picture. Now you will more understand why I am the way I am, love pink, and am definitely a girly girl. Yep, all becoming clear.

Our recruitment chair, Adrian, asked me to take some photos of the group for recruitment postcards to send out this summer. She knew someone with this incredibly CUTE pink car. I mean, really, I thought when she told me we were getting a pink car, I didn't think she literally meant PINK car. I loved it!

I am like a proud momma.

These are the two women who make it all happen during recruitment! Way to go girls.

Brodie's 1st Easter

2009-04-18T12:35:00.006-05:00

With it being Brodie's first Easter we didn't know how to really teach him the true meaning of Easter. I think he did pretty well when I asked him what he wanted in his Easter basket and he closed his eyes and probably prayed for a doggy bone and for me to stop taking pictures of him! Yeah, yeah yeah! He was probably just trying his hardest to ignore me at this point, because he was soooo over being still and posing!

These pictures were taken on Flower Hill in Montevallo thus the beautiful springs plants behind him. If you had not known any better I could have said they were at my house and I just had such an incredible green thumb! Not!

Brodie is 8 Months old now, and is about 50-55 lbs. Not my little munchkin anymore! Sad. You have to say he is cute though :)

Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail

2009-04-13T20:34:00.017-05:00

Here comes Peter Cotton Tail...
Hoppin' Down the Bunny Trail...
Hippity Hoppity Easters on its Way.

Bless his heart. Jamie woke up to me singing this to him Sunday morning. Yeah, I even had hand motions. I was bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to give Jamie his Easter basket. It really is the little things in life that make me excited.

This Easter we mixed things up a little bit and had a family gathering at NXS in Calera. For all of you who do not know what that is, it is a gymnastic gym that my cousins own and teach out of. We thought it would be fun for all the kids to have fun playing and hiding eggs in the gym. I knew it would be fun, but it exceeded my expectations. There was a moon bounce, foam pit, wuffol ball, Easter egg hunts for the children, rope climbing, trampoline bouncing, and food galore.

The kiddos were a joy to watch. I think someone had taken the candy out of Zekes easter basket here. Jelly beans cleared those tears right up.

Isn't he adorable! This is my little cousin Zeke.

Ike found the soccer egg hidden under the mat. Proud moment.

As I said before there was a lot of playing going on: footballs were flying, and I looked over and my dad had jumped up on the rings and pulled himself up and elevated his feet straight in front of him. I was incredibly impressed because anyone who has done this before takes a lot of strength and stomach muscles! He has always been strong, but I had not seen him do anything like this. He definitely gets the strong man award.

Gurney started a new tradition of making Easter bonnets out of anything you have at the house. She was the judge and it was an absolute hoot to see us all decorated up. You never know what this family is going to come up with. Keeps you on your toes!

We had to have the perfect walk to compliment the bonnet, and a bow, a little twirl/spin. Who knew it could be so in depth. Gurney was actually a sweet judge and everyone won something. We all walked away happy winners with extra skittles as a trophy. It was a great day!

I think we started a new Easter tradition. Good times!
(Angie, we missed you guys. Just wasn't the same without you!)

Never To Old!??

2009-04-13T18:59:00.008-05:00

The question of the moment is, When do you become to old not to dye Easter eggs??
I say you are never to old. That is the only thing that I have wanted to do this week is to be a kid again and make a mess with glitter flying, an array of different colors, stickers, crayons, etc.

AND...I got Camo PAAS to dye eggs with! How cool is that!

There is a story that would probably mortify my mother and especially my Grandma Betty. I have surprisingly never boiled eggs before. My mom always did. How hard can this be I thought. So, after bringing the water to a boil I put the eggs in and about 40 minutes later I was about over the eggs boiling process and cracked one of them and have come to realize that green insides mean that it has been boiled to long! haha. (You will be happy to know that my mother has now told me how to boil eggs. No more tragedy, you can all stop laughing now, seriously!

Lacey was definitely my side kick. After getting over the egg boiling process we are excited again. Smiles were on our faces and nothing could get us down.

Zac was a trooper and shared in the dying process. Dont let him fool you he liked it regardless of what he says. See, it is not just a girl thang!

We all got a little carried away with the glitter and wound up glittering everything. They may not be the most beautiful looking eggs, but that satisfied my glitter egg craving, and that was the overall goal! Yeah!

Boat Seat Mania

2009-04-11T11:37:00.011-05:00

Jamie has been dying to get new boat seats for his bass boat and finally they came in. It was truly a glorious day for Jamie! Since it was such a beautiful 78 degrees of a day we headed to the lake to run Brodie and Sam and work on putting in the boat seats. He only got one done that day, but this is a sneak peak at my husbands carpentry skills- or cutting, screwing and nailing abilities.

His was Brodie's idea of helping. Really just playing and staying out of the way was indeed helping. Although a soaked lake water dog makes for a long long ride home (in my lap I might add!)

As I was leaving it was a beautiful site to see the sun setting over the water. To me it was a very productive day!

Dog: worn out
Boat Seat: one down 2 to go
Sun set: amazing
Family time: priceless

Brothers

2009-04-10T20:27:00.010-05:00

Good Ol' Sam White
This is Brodie's real brother. Zac got Sam the same time we got Brodie. They are a complete mess when they get together. Two peas in a pod!

Begrudging smile...He was tired of me taking his picture!

I think I took his throw toy away from him...He was sulking big time.

2009-04-08T19:53:00.011-05:00

Reminiscing about this beach weekend a certain song comes to mind when I think of Jamie:
"I'm to sexy for my shirt, to sexy for my shirt, to sexy yeah..." Thus the Sneaky Pete's hot dog shirt. Oh yeah, baby! He broke it out from his high school years and still wearing it! wow...now everyone knows why I fell in love...it all becomes clear now.

No seriously, we had a fantastic time! It was a perfect 78 degrees, slight breeze, sail boats sailing, sand was not to hot on your feet, but still hot enough to get a little pink. As you see on Jamie's knees above. He thought 4 spf with a bronzer would be sufficient since he is a fisherman! Short interjection. He fishes with blue jeans, and a t shirt on... the perfect farmer/fisherman tan. His legs and stomach have not seen the sun in a few long days, thus, above the slightly pink the first day and purply pink the second and the Sneaky Pete's shirt. Not funny then, but you have to say slightly funny now.

Paddle Ball was definitely the game of the weekend. It looks easier than it actually is!

When you look at this picture several things possibly run through my mind. I love it when Jamie gazes lovingly into my eyes and gets lost in my beauty, or maybe he is just so captivated with my love for him, or possibly life just could not be as wonderful as it is without me there...OR, maybe he was just doing what I told him to. haha. It would make a great photo if you acted like you were brushing the hair out of my eyes. This is why I married this wonderfully sweet, handsome, Sneaky Pete wearing, fisherman....

Michael and Kathryn are our wonderfully sweet friends that live down the street in our neighborhood and are a lot like us in so many ways to long to describe. We had a wonderful time just hanging out, going out to eat at the Back Porch at Pier Park, and yes, I have to say, we were back at the condo playing dominoes at 9:45 that night. Oh wow, we are getting on up there in age, and really neither on of us have children to give us an excuse, we were just tired. haha! What a great life!!

The second night we went to eat at Pineapple Willy's on the deck outside, ride go carts, hit in the batting cages, and play in the arcade. Poor Kathryn couldn't ride go carts because she was pregnant, but made up for it in the arcade. It was just a relaxing weekend!

Sleeping in late, getting some sun, eating whatever we want, and just relaxing makes it all worth it!

Baby On Board

2009-04-07T19:25:00.014-05:00

Snap, Snap, Pose Pose, Smile, Smile!
Kathryn and Michael were definitely troopers through this maternity photo shoot. Kathryn wanted some maternity pictures while we were at the beach this past weekend, so I broke out the camera and had a little fun. This is just a little snippet of baby Katelyn before she is born. Awww....

The only word I can think of is elated! Michael and Kathryn are going to be such wonderful parents. The Lord has truly blessed their marriage and now they are having a little baby girl. They are a couple that everyone needs to have to privilege of meeting. If you could only be around them you could experience what I see in them all the time. Pure Joy!

KATELYN ELIZABETH CLINE

Mia's turns 2

2009-03-28T14:40:00.010-05:00

This was just a week for birthday's! My cute, adorable, curly haired, fun loving little cousin Mia recently turned 2!! This is always a fun photo op. You never know what will happen. I love the anticipation! Will the cake end up in the floor, will toys break, is she going to roll around in her cute birthday outfit and get it dirty, or will the dog get out and eat the chocolate icecream. I come ready to be amazed at childrens birthday parties! I just love it!

Mia wore the sweetest white springy outfit. She is just to cute! This is getting to the fun age where they understand what is going on and playing with them is really exciting. Oh, the baby fever!

This was by far the funnest gift she received. She had a ball with this electronic car! Oh my goodness she could not stop laughing and smiling. Of course she could not steer it yet, so she kept running into everything, which made her laugh even more. It was hysterical.

AGED TO PERFECTION

2009-03-28T13:24:00.025-05:00

WOW! How can it be that I am so behind with blogging??? Sometimes life just sneaks up on you and blogging gets put to the wayside. So incredibly sorry.... hope you didn't loose to much sleep over this...I will pay for the doctor bills if necessary!

I titled this blog post Aged to Perfection for a reason. Life has been good to a certain man in my life. It was my dad's _ _th Birthday. He may not want me to fill in the blanks, so it will be a guessing game for all those who think that would be fun!

We wanted to do something special and fun for him since he has not had a surprise birthday before. This was not quite a surprise, but to him he just thought the immediate family was getting together at my house to eat hamburgers. Little did he know, Mom, Debbie and I got up at 4:30 a.m. to go blow up balloons at Wally World. They didn't know what hit them when we walsed through the doors to blow up balloons. "How many balloons!?" was the response we so warmly received. Let me just say that I didn't think 4:30 a.m. existed on the clock! Wow...I was dysfunctional the rest of the day.

We blew up the exact amount of balloons of how old he was and tied $5.00 bills to the end of all the balloons. How much fun right!! We put them all in my kitchen and what a surprise it was to him. Everyone came, family and friends, to celebrate a wonderful day...and what a great time we had. Dad was sooo excited and just smiled the whole time, which made us ecstatic that he had a special day that we all could celebrate with him.

Ya'll are trying to count the balloons aren't you... shame on you!! Ok, I would probably do the same thing.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!! WE ALL LOVE YOU!

Swirls of colors

2009-03-10T22:25:00.003-05:00

Today was 82 degrees and absolutely, positively beautiful! So.. after much coxing... yeah right...Jamie talked me in to going to the lake for a few casts of fishing. I did not fish, but instead just enjoyed the slight breeze coming off the water and sitting with the sun on my face. aahhh, just remembering...

Loved, Loved, Loved the sunset when we were packing back up to head back in.

You really would just have to be there and that is all I can say!

SPOILED... NAH!

2009-03-10T22:08:00.009-05:00

My little, and I use that word lightly, pupster, has it made in the shade. The Comer genes are coming out in me, because if anyone knows my parents and how well their dogs are taken care of, I would say that Brodie may be following in that same path. He is spoiled to the core!! He loves laying right with you when you are on the couch. (short interjection...with a 55 lb. puppy with slightly dirty feet and a swadish cream color couch, it slightly does not mix as far as cleaning goes, so thus the hidious sheets thrown over the couch in a insane manor.)

I just wanted everyone else to see what goes on at our house on a nightly bases. If you could see my hand I am holding up 1 finger representing Brodie, and my other hand is spinning around it; thus Brodie and the world spinning around him :) Craziness I know, but this sweet craziness just works for us.

He is so lovable when you have just run him slap silly and he is simply exhausted where he tries so very hard to keep his eyes open just just can't seem to make it happen, making him the perfect cuddle buddy.

Just melt my heart

"You are just growing like a weed!"

2009-03-08T14:38:00.013-05:00

You know when you would see someone you haven't seen in forever they would come up to you and say " I remember when you were thiisss big!" "You have just grown up so much!" That is kinda what I think about my little munchkin now, well.. not so little anymore. sniff, sniff. Brodie, being Mr. Manors, just smiles and in his little brain of his is thinking, "I wish she would just give me a treat and just leave me alone." I finally got him to smile for the camera.

BEFORE: This is what just makes me melt and think of the good ol' days when we went to pick him up and he was only 5 lbs. AWWW....They just fly by.

This was right before his first bath. He looks pitiful and sleepy! He was sleepy, and then he came home and I became sleepy after waking up with him every two hours! Maybe I don't have baby fever anymore when I remember those months in our lives :)

AFTER: This is my little man all grown up and about 55 lbs. The quail hunting master, antelope jumping, stuffed animal loving, dirty sock addict, and dishtowel enthusiast. Brodie absolutely loves his daddy. He is not happy unless he is right in Jamie's lap when he naps on the couch. Preferably on his back with his legs being flung straight into the air after a hard day of running and playing.

Brodie is not just going for the title of best quail hunting dog, but most acrobatic German Shorthair Pointer. They are very talented you know and Brodie has almost mastered the art of the front somersault! People are going to pay good money to see him perform! Just Kidding!!! haha. This is their normal play mode and I have to say Jamie always wins.

"I did it dad!!!" Give me a high five!

I need to find something else to do with my time, dont I?? It is a sickness. If you saw the pitiful eyes he gives you when he is sleepy you would want to give up your first born for a chance to see him. It is heart wrenching and you want to start giving him everything his heart ever desired. A chicken flavored doggy bone, a dirty sock to shred into pieces, a stuffed quail to make squeak, or a comfortable place smack dab in the middle of Jamie and I as we sleep. Until then, I will continue to post pictures of my sweet, yet rambunctious, puppy.

Baby Fever

2009-03-07T15:54:00.015-06:00

The Lord works in wonderfully creative ways!! I was beyond ecstatic when I found out that Angie, Bryan and the kiddos were coming back to Birmingham for the week! Angie had baby Samuel this past December and this was going to be the first time we were all able to see him and Charlie, Sam's big brother. So incredibly exciting. Charlie is now getting to that fun age, talking, playing, relating to you, and just wanting to snuggle with his blankie.

The absolute joys of motherhood. OH, baby fever.....oh the baby fever!!! WOW, did I say I have baby fever. When you see this little munchkin oh you just fall in love! But are able to give them back when they start crying....that is the joys of being an aunt!

Pictures like this make me fall in love with Jamie all over again. I just want to squeeze them oh so tight, and have tons of hugs and kisses, and more hugs, and kisses... OK. Back to reality. Oh how I love my handsome husband... but I love faces like this even more!

This is big brother Charlie...I wish the picture wasn't so blurry because when you see him you want to squeeze him even harder. The chubby cheeks and little chubby thighs just get me every time.

Much to our surprise, the forecast showed snow for the weekend. We all know how that goes..."oh, their wont be snow", "They just think it is going to snow." Well...Sunday morning came and SNOW was on the ground!!! YEAH!!! It was like a little kid at Christmas, getting your first red rider BB gun, new puppy, and getting to stay up late on a school night all rolled into one!!!

The lovely Miss Lacey. No matter the circumstances she ALWAYS looks cute. Love Love Love the camo and pink hat. Girly girl at heart.

When I say the Lord works in mysterious ways. What are the chances that Angie and Bryan and the kiddos would come to B'ham when Jamie and I were spending the night with the family and it snow! How much absolute, no questions asked, FUN did we have. I am so glad everyone was there together. It was no winter storm of 93, but hey, at least it stuck for a while and we could make snowmen.

I use the word Love to much, so I absolutely adore this picture for so many different reasons. This captures the essence of each child. Go figure it has to snow for me to capture the essence of my in law siblings. J/K. Jamie is the rugged manly man whom I love and adore for many reasons to long to list with his full head to toe camo attire, scruffy face, and carhart jeans; Lacey is the cute rugged outdoorsy girl that has a love for life and will try most anything, and can pull off an abundance of different outfits, cowboy boots with sundresses for instance, head to toe camo even with camo overalls and a cutesy pink toboggan...who would have thought; and last but certainly not least the oldest who has lived in CA, NY, and hopefully will come back to B'ham one day is just full of adventure and open for anything, with her multicolored toboggan on, stylish black jacket, and even has her pants tucked into her boots, which she totally pulled off. I just love this family! Me, I am just a mix of all 3 :)

After the snow slightly melted the rest of the Weldon side of the family came over to see the Davis family while they were in town. It made me think of Granddaddy Weldon and how he would was totally smiling down on us wishing he was here in the midst of all the fun! He would have loved every minute of the memories we were making. This is 4 generations sitting here---everyone together... awwww....

Really no words to describe this pictures. It just melts me.

What a weekend! Man I am exhausted just thinking about it. The only thing missing was my sweet little bundle of joy, Brodie. He got to visit with his grand puppy parents and they said he was like an antelope leaping through the snow. He loved it! Oh, so how I wish I was there to take pictures of him. Thanks mom and dad for taking good care of him while we were away!!