Ralph...RIP

The hubster, Tim, had a pet from his younger days...the cat named Ralph. Tim claimed him as his own. It has been an ongoing discussion as to just whose cat Ralph has been all his life. Apparantly his original name was Shadow and Tim found that too unoriginal so he renamed him....King Ralph. And it has stuck. Ralph was not just any cat. He was a cat with a dog's personality (in my opinion, that is the BEST!). So all the brothers loved this cat, grew up with this cat, neighborhood kids and friends loved this cat. He could speak his own name, he hated homework, and he loved lunch meat. Ralph was getting older but our girls were able to get the opportunity to meet him just before he passed. They were instantly in love with Ralph. All I heard for the few days that he was around them was "where's ralph" , "can I pet ralph", "i want to snuggle with ralph" and my favorite of all "is ralph a cat"...ofcourse she knew the answer to that one. ;-) At first I was suspicious of him because after all he is an animal and the girls are only 2.5 years and 1 year old. I quickly determined he loved them loving on him just as much as they loved doing it. Ralph had some health issues that were ailing him in the end of his days. He was in lots of pain and was unable to eat...his favorite thing to do. Even though he was having a tough go he was so good and gentle with the girls. He certainly made an impression on our girls. We were driving back to Mimi's one day and Caydence busted out with "There was a farmer had a cat and Ralph was his namo...R-A-L-P-H" I had only sang that to her one time. Good memory that girl! And she loves to sing! The Missy Princess and the Boo both enjoyed the few days they spent with him and it is certain he will be missed by our family.

December Pictures

Got an opportunity to load photoshop on the laptop over the weekend after our desktop died. FINALLY got around to editing 'some' of the 800 photographs we took through December. Yes, I love pictures. Photoshop will automatically take out the redeye for you. I haven't had issues with this previously, however, this go round the red eye remover placed 'blue eye' on many of our pics. I was SO dissappointed. So family members, if you do not see many pictures of yourself and you know I took them, you probably got the blue eye. ;-) Don't worry. I am trying to figure something out but for now only the 'easy to edit' photos made the blog. By no means are our memories complete without you!

Bella's First Birthday

MimiVisit 11\15\2009 (29 photos), by Robin Hanlon

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Halloween Slideshow

Tate Farms Slideshow

Tate Farms 2009

Tim was able to get a pass and come home for the weekend. We decided to take the girls to Tate Farms for some fun! Last year we determined that Mimi would come down this time of year and go with us but the flu kept her home. We missed Mimi this trip. Caydence was a perfect age to have fun on all the playgrounds they had set up and in the corn and cotton filled bins. She was super excited to pet a bunny since that was her favorite from last year. First she held a white bunny who was really sweet. Next she picked out a black bunny to hold and when daddy was holding him she went to pet. The bunny bit her! =( Had to go to the office for first aide. The folks were really nice but didn't seem too organized on getting the 'incident report' or getting her cleaned up. I had to pull out baby wipes to get the blood off. They did provide bandaids and saline rinse. By the time that was finished Bella had fallen asleep on her daddy! Luckily we brought the wagon! Caydence and Daddy rode the corn-cob train. I got pics of it but they are blurry since I am still getting used to my camera. I will post all the fun pics next. Enjoy!

Daddy's Girls

Pictures

The order we placed for the tea party / 2 yr pics are available!!! I will be picking up the order today at lunch and mailing it out Saturday. I can't wait to get mine to put out! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope everyone has a blessed day! =)

Pictures

Got proofs from the tea party pics! I am SO excited. I love them. I hope you all love them too! I ordered a 4x6 of each of the girls for each of our parents. Placed the order on Monday so hopefully we will have them in a couple of weeks!!! Photog didn't post them to her blog but if you are interested email me and I will get you the 'proof' website to view.

Booked photo session called "vintage icecream" with a different but equally great photog in our area. That sitting is on Sept. 21st. SO....Bella's 8 month pics will be just snap shots. I will try to get a good one. And once I finally do I PROMISE to try REALLY REALLY hard to develop beach pics and include the great one we decided to make her official 6 month pic!

We are so fortunate to be able to get the girls to professional photogs so often this year! They are offering AWESOME opportunities at irresistable prices. =) But then we have to buy the pics! LOL! Ofcourse they are Soooo worth it!

I hope everyone is having a BLESSED day! TIM, we MISS YOU and LOVE YOU! I will be mailing you a package out on Saturday.

Destin Vacation with Mom and Josh

Fourth of July Fun

Vacation with Tim before Iraq

Bella 6 month

Happy Father's Day Tim!

To Daddy From Caydence

My Daddy is a hero
Fighting in a war.
I am too small to understand it
I just wish I could see him more.

I miss him in the morning
Each and every day
And I miss him in the afternoon
Because we’d run and play

I miss him at bed time
Reading Good Night Moon .
I wish this war was over
So I could see him soon.

Each night he’s in my prayers
And this much is true,
I’m still Daddy’s Little Girl,
And I love and miss him too!

To Daddy From Bella

I’m Daddy’s Angel Bella
With a sweet smiling face.
My Daddy is gone for now
Fighting a war in another place.

And though I’m still a baby
My legs still kick with joy
Whenever I can hear
My daddy’s soothing voice.

I know my daddy loves me,
Even though he’s far away.
I can’t wait until he’s home for good
To watch me grow each day!

My Husband, My Hero

I've spoken with Tim in the last week on and off as his time has allowed. I wanted to let everyone know that he is doing ok. When he gets to his final destination I will send out his address. Once he is there he will also have a better idea of things he might be needing. I have had lots of folks asking me what they can send him so I will let you all know things as soon as I find out. Thank you all for your continued prayers for his safety. Thank you all for the continued help and support of me and the girls while daddy's away.

Four Days Leave

The girls and I were able to visit with Tim for a few days at Ft. Walton Beach with the help of Jeannette. THANK YOU JEANNETTE! It was a very nice trip. The weather was beautiful, the girls and their daddy enjoyed playing on the beach making sand castles, sliding on the rock slide, and falling asleep together. Tim and I enjoyed dinner with and without the girls and a great walk on the beach. Watching Tim leave us again was more difficult than the first send off ceremony. Tough for both of us to swallow since we know the road ahead. Please pray for his safe return to us.

Tim

Very excited. Only 7 more days until we get to see Tim. =) It feels bitter sweet though because it means we are much closer to him actually leaving the US for the Army. I know my girls will be so excited to see their daddy though. And I can't wait to capture the look on their faces on camera!

Pig Flu

The pig flu, swine flu, N1H1, whatever you want to call it...it's been diagnosed in 2 Madison children in kindergarden. Madison City, Huntsville City, and Madison County schools are all closed through Monday. The elementary school with the students is closed 7 days. Now, I don't want my girls sick, but from what I'm hearing this flu lasts less time than the normal flu and has not been nearly as deadly. So what gives?

March and April Pics

Bella Slideshow

Update

Doctor said I should go on bed rest the week before Bella's born. I took my last personal day at work on the Friday before. Had some work done on the hot water heater and the house was flooded. Consulted a plumber and wasn't told to CAP OFF THE HOT WATER. Disaster #2. After a week of struggles and hardship and NO BED REST as I DESPERATELY NEEDED, we finally got the house dried out, recarpeted, and a new hot water heater. My mother and stepdad came over yesterday to help pick up the disaster left by the flooding. Tim and the two of them worked all day and we have a resemblance of a home again with the exception of two rooms. =) Mom got sick after she got home. Talked with her this morning and she had to call the doctor in the middle of the night...he says the CDIF relapsed! If her fever gets any higher they are going to re-admit her into the hospital. So she had 10 days of no symptoms and feeling better and a half a week back at work. Bless her heart. And Bella is arriving tomorrow morning bright and early...with NO grandparents to recognize her birth. My dad's working (and taking Caydence to daycare for us), my mom is sick, my mother in law and father in law couldn't make it this time. I feel bad for Bella but her mommy and daddy will be very happy for her arrival. Her birth is the highlight of this Christmas, no doubt.

Mom

My mom found out last week she has a strain of ECOLI called C-DIFF. It's a nasty bacteria that takes over in your colon when your good bacteria has been killed off by antibiotics. She was back in the hospital for Thanksgiving but got to come home over the weekend. She's taking it day by day. They have her on 2 antibiotics and loads of other stuff to try to help her recover. She is still having symptoms but we are praying for a speedy recovery and very happy to know what was ailing her.

Bella Update

Went into the doctor's office this morning for a regular check up. I am having some very mild contractions and not dialated. Doctor seems to think things are still going well. I lost the weight I had gained last week. They think it's all related to swelling. The sugar is still in check so that's good! =)