I love when...

...old things take on a new life...especially when I can do it for next to nothing.
Let me explain.
Josh purchased this vintage vanity stool at our favorite antique mall in Springfield, TN the Antique Barn. I think he paid like $30.00 for it. He found it and fell in love with the idea of placing a newborn on it for photography purposes. Well, I had other ideas from day one. I needed a sewing chair. I needed something that was short enough that it could get tucked under my table so that Maggie couldn't climb on it. I needed something that was comfy, but allowed me to move. Answer: Josh's awesome stool.

So I have used this stool for at least a year in this shape. Fabric was a nightmare. At least it didn't stink! But the fabric had seen better days and wasn't my taste anyway. The front, which gets the most use, was destroyed.

So, while Mags was down for her afternoon nap, I had had enough of the wood stabbing me in the legs and decided to make it more Alie-Friendly.
I will let the pictures tell the story...

...the before chair...

So for about $8 dollars in padding, I have a brand new, adorable chair. And Josh can still use it for photography purposes! YAY!

Whatcha think?

Our First Trip...

...to the houseboat this year! Josh, Maggie, Dexter and I headed up to JuJu and Poppy Eddie's houseboat on Sunday morning. We hated to miss church, but it was so great to get in the car with nothing packed except bathing suits and sunglasses and just enjoy my family. The weather was perfect and we had a great time. Brea and her family made their way up there as well so we had so much fun laughing and playing. Josh went down the slide off the back of the houseboat and it was hi-li-ar-i-ious!!!

Thanks for a great time JuJu and Poppy Eddie! We love you guys!

Lucky #100...

May was an awesome month...to say the least.

So much happened that I figured I would pack it all in in one post and I am sure that I will forget a couple of things. First of all, my bestie and I went on a girl's weekend to Atlanta. Lyndsey's birthday was on May 1st so we headed out of town to visit ATL for the first time for me. We had the best time. We saw an Atlanta Braves game, ate some yummy food, went to IKEA, and just were on no schedule for 3 days. I missed Maggie and Josh terribly, but I would be lying if I said that it wasn't great to get away and just be for a while. Lyndsey is one of the funniest people I know so we pretty much laughed off the pounds that we ate while there.

Couple of funny things about ATL:
(Clem-you will love this!)

1. NO ONE in Atlanta uses turning signals...at all...for any reason.
2. Atlanta does not have designated turning lanes for you to turn without backing up traffic for 5 years, which is super annoying.
3. EVERYONE in ATL honks all the time. Lynds and I would hook sometimes just to fit in!
4. IKEA is rid-i-c-u-lously huge...seriously, pack a lunch and a nappy blanket if you plan to visit. Oh!!! and don't dare get off the gray path to look at something...It might be your next birthday before you figure out how to get back on.
5. IKEA has the BEST hot dogs and chips on this planet. enough said.
6. Take a Garmin GPS. Genieve the Garmin was a lifesaver...especially if we listened to her!
7. Go to ATL with someone fun, someone you love, someone you can laugh at yourself with.

Shortly after ATL, Lyndsey graduated from Western. It was one of the coolest moments ever to watch my Student Teacher that I had become so close with, walk and graduate...all the while knowing that as soon as she gets a teaching job, she is going to ROCK IT OUT!

Josh and I both finished up our school year. My 6th (OMG) and Josh's 1st. I am so excited to have the whole summer with my best friend and daughter to do whatever we want. On this day, we were heading the Green Hills to run some errands. I bought Maggie's shirt that she on before she was even born. It is a 2T...at the time it seemed like it would be a lifetime before it fit her...guess what...she is almost 2! I can't believe it!


Field Day this year was awesome. Beautiful weather and awesome children and parents that were just happy to be there. One of my awesome teachers loved it so much she and her students decorated my office door with the sweetest letters and pictures.

They even decided to post-it note my car! I LOVED it!
Thanks Smells!!! Your the best!

Meet Amani...She is an absolute doll. She was having the time of her life. I loved that she will always remember Field Day and how cool it was to get soaked and love it!

Good ole' sack race...How sweet!

JuJu and Poppy Eddie were kind enough to bring Maggie to Field Day to see me. I loved it. I just remember thinking that I hope Maggie grows up and realizes that both of her parents love children so much that they devote their lives to teaching them and making a difference. Thanks JuJu and Poppy for bringing my Mags. I always love for my parents to see me in action!

Last night Molly Lolly came in town to stay a night with us and have some yummy steaks with the whole fam. She got to meet J.T. and see the rents. It was SO good to see her. She has been my bestie for 10 years now and we are just as close now as we were then. Actually, I think closer. When you grow and rely on each other, you learn and love someone more and more.

She couldn't believe how big Maggie had gotten and what a little character she was. We had a great visit, which included church this morning. We always have the best time, no matter what we are doing. I love you Mols. Thank you for coming to visit and being lovely as always. I miss you already.

Thanks for hanging with me on this long post, but #100 has to be special-right?

Happy May and come on June. Beautiful sunny days and laughter is hopefully in my future!

Craft Show Tomorrow...

Come see me tomorrow at Beech Cumberland Presbyterian Church Market Festival.

Right down the street at Beech Cumberland Church between the blinking light for Centerpoint Road and Beech High School.

9:00-3:00

I would love to see you all there. Come see all the cutie keychains, burpcloths, hair pins, children's custom clothes, and more from Maggie Moo's Mom.
Josh will also have some photography information available.

Live band, great food, silent auctions, and lots of fun for the whole fam.
Hope to see you all there!

Mother's Day...More than Just May 10th...

Mother's Day...I remember Mother's Day so vividly as a child. I always remember that time of year coming around and going to the store to get JuJu a card and something. If you know my mom, she just loves everything...yet, is hard to buy for because she has most of what she "needs." Mom was NEVER one of those moms that had a list of items that she expected to receive or else! She just loved the day and looking back I think that she loved the handmade cards and flower pots from school more than she did just "stuff."
(feel free to correct me if I am wrong JuJu!!)

I have been a mother now for two years. But really, so much longer. I remember my first year teaching when my awesome principal said to me..."Congratulations! Your now a mother to lots of children." So true. I love my students more and more everyday and honestly, I do believe that I might be the best example of a mother to some of them. Children now days carry so much "baggage." They come to school and know way to much for their own good. They know that their Mom can't pay the bills and their Dad is not at home. They know that their brother is in jail and the have no lunch money because they don't have money, period. They know that the stuff of the world is just really stuff because they are covered with love by the people that they do live with. They love their life because it is the best life they have to live. I am a mother to some of those children.

Then Ms. Maggie came along. Have you met her? She is quite possibly one of the coolest kids I know. I know, I know...she is mine and I am totally on her team, but seriously, have you met her? She loves life and that silly little adorable bunny more than anything. I admire her awesome spirit and love for a fresh new day. She loves Mrs. Donna and her friends at daycare so that is the highlight of her day. She loves when she sees my car pull up and can't wait to love on me. She loves when I sing silly songs and just sit with her. She loves it when her daddy gets her out of the bath tub and throws her over his shoulder to "find" her. She loves to reach for Josh during prayer time just to play with the fan strings because he is tall enough to get her up there.

After I had my miscarriage in August of 2006, I remember feeling like I had failed as a Mom, even though it had nothing to do with me. I just wanted to be the best Mommy to the child that was inside of me, but it didn't work out. That sweet child never formed and it wasn't meant to be at the time. When we got pregnant with Maggie, I felt like I was so undeserving of the ability to devote my life to loving a child. I knew that the Lord had placed that child in my life for a strong reason...and boy did He ever!

Last Thursday, my sister, Brea, became a Mommy again. Number 5. Mr. Joshua Tucker was born in Texas and Jonathan and Brea are, as I type, on a plane home with my newest nephew. Some people say I can't believe that your sister has five children...Honestly, I can't either...but have you met her children. They are the best kids and love their parents and life just as much as Maggie. Brea and J are awesome parents and if they want to have a house full, my heart will just grow bigger to love more and more. I can't wait to get my hands on little J.T. He is just beautiful. I am so thrilled for them and for the awesome life that this little man is going to get to experience because they loved him enough.

Moms are such special people. I doesn't really matter how many children you have or if you don't have any, your always special to someone. Like Mrs. Patti that I love so much. She is JuJu's bestie and I love her like mother. Or Mrs. Jamie...Molly Lolly's mom...what a lady. Or Grandmother Barbara...Jonathan's mom...She loves my family just like we are her's when we really aren't even related. And then their is my AWESOME grandmother Norma Jean. O Mercy...get to Greenbrier and meet this lady. She is responsible for my love of Dr. Pepper's and Little Debbies and so much more. She has love for me that I feel everyday. If you ever knew my Granny, LouEllen or LuLu as I loving called her, she was a woman that loved Hallmark, Yankee candles, and Shoney's on my birthday just to make me feel special. There are so many special people within my life that have molded and shaped me into the woman and Mom that I am today. I am so grateful for all of them.

My Mother's Day was so low key and lovely. I loved every minute of it. I asked Josh to do a shoot of us out in our back yard to just have some pictures of the day after church. I love them. I love the love you see in our eyes. I love that my daughter is growing older and going to "chuuurrrcccc" to learn about the Lord and looks like her daddy while doing it. I love that we live in a community were I see lots of those children that I "Mother" at church and they hug and love me and then say they can't believe I had on "real clothes" the next day at school.

I love that I am a Mom. I thank the Lord for that opportunity.

Maggie Moo's Gone to the Zoo Again...

Maggie giving Daddy her "big girl lips"...SO FUNNY!

So it was a Saturday morning and I roll over and asked Josh what he wanted to do today. First thing out of his mouth...I want to go to the zoo! OKAY! I love the zoo and since Maggie is loving animals more and more, I knew she would love it as well. So we got up and got out the door. It was the fam...me, Josh, Maggie, and Lyndsey. Lyndsey is such a kid at heart and I thought she was gonna pee pants when I told her we were going to the zoo! We are loving her as part of our family!

How great does Daddy look!!! So stinkin' cute!

So off we went. The weather could not have been nicer. It was crowded, but it was a Saturday so we expected that. All of the animals were looking beautiful as ever. One of the giraffes even came up so close like he wanted us to pet him. He was beautiful. Maggie just stared at him. (Kerri, I am pretty sure it was Congo the Giraffe!! hahaha)

I have to say that of course my child....her favorite part was all the WATTTTIEEE...which Maggie's way of saying water. She LOVES water and if it is within a 15 mile radius, she knows it and gets so excited about it. She literally stood at the fish area where there was a little waterfall and just had a ball for at least 10 minutes and screamed when we pulled her away.

She is so fun these days. She knows certain things and words and boy will she tell you about it. We are working on patience daily...all of us. She loves to be outside and as long as she has about a cooler full of snacks (snnnnaattcck), she is a ball.

All in all, it was a great day that provided tons of memories. I was telling Lyndsey that Maggie came to the zoo when she was in my belly, and a couple of times since, so I was so excited to see her interact and point to the animals and wattttieee of course.

And just a Maggie UPDATE: She is doing so great! Back to her usual self! Thank you again for your prayers and thoughts for our family! We loved them! We will keep you posted on her health!

Maggie's Sick Part 2...

We returned to Dr. Keith Thompson yesterday afternoon. He ran several tests including a flu swab and a strep test, just to be sure that those things were not going on. Honestly, when we (Josh, Maggie, JuJu, and I) got to the dr. office, Maggie seemed to be more playful and upbeat. We got back into the room and she was talking and be silly, which was a huge blessing to see. All of the tests that Dr. Keith ran came back negative so he just recommended that we stay the course with the Motrin and Tylenol routine that we already have going, which is around the clock. He is just thinking that this is a viral thing, but they are culturing all of her tests to see if anything grows over time. I would say since about 4:30 yesterday that Maggie has been fever free. She was getting back to herself last night including shaking her booty and telling Dexter Dog to HUSSSSHHHH DEXXXTTTTYYY.

This morning she is right back to her sweet self. Her cheeks have great color and she has been playing and being silly since about 6:30 this morning, since Dexter decided to go in and check on her. Dexter, while I often act like I can't stand him, loves this little girl as if he were her daddy. He has stayed right with her since she came home from the hospital and even slept under her crib while she was napping. This morning he wanted to see how she was so he went into her room and scuffed his feet to wake her up. She was thrilled and screamed with excitement saying HI DEXXTTYY. She then proceeded to jump in her bed until I got in there, which was a great sign of how she was feeling. She ate a yummy pop-tart and some milk, has used the potty (GO MAGGIE!), and has been making pretend phone calls all morning.

We are so thankful for all the emails, texts, and phone calls to check on Maggie. She is such a special little girl. I will keep everyone posted!

Maggie's Sick...

Just asking for prayer for my sweet Maggie. Long story short and for now I will just give you the quick update. We went out to eat last night for my brother-in-laws birthday and Maggie went into a febrile seizure and was transported via ambulance to Hendersonville Hospital around 7:30 last night. When we arrived at the hospital her temperature was 104.6. We were given a dose of antibiotic, Tylenol, and Motrin and sent on home for her to rest. She ended up having between 2-3 mini-seizures because her temperature was so high.

...Maggie at Hendersonville Hospital...

We are at home today just resting. Her temperature has been up and down but up again as high as 104.1. We are returning to Dr. Keith this afternoon at 3:00 to follow-up with him. Please pray for our sweet girl. She is just pitiful and it is such a terrible feeling that we can't take her pain and hurt away.

Giveaway Time Over on the Sewing Blog!!!

My latest obsession! Homemade Fabric Keychains/Keyfobs.

I am giving 5 away over on my sewing blog just for leaving a comment! Be sure to check it out!

Happy Spring to you and your family!

www.maggiemoosmom.wordpress.com

Maggie Moo is Almost Two...

Can you believe that my sweet little itty bitty baby is only 4 months away from being a 2 year old. Seems like time is just flying by when all I want in the world is for it to stand still.

Maggie is an absolute joy to have around. She is so fun and so funny all at the same time. She is into EVERYTHING...but is so smart! Some of her favorite activities include texting on mommy's phone (oh dear), working a puzzle, reorganizing mommy's sewing area, riding and playing outside, and watching a "SHHHOOOWWWW!"

Her best friend is still sweet little pink bunny that she goes no where without. She as also taken to sleeping with a blanket. I always said that I didn't want to be one of "those parents" who allowed their child to have an item that they can't live without. Well, guess what. Maggie needed bunny when daddy was in the hospital and she hasn't let go of him since and that is a-okay with me.

Josh, Mags, and I headed to a beautiful local park one day last weekend to take some pics of Maggie. Josh's skills are blowing me away. He is just so comfortable with the camera. I loved how they all turned out and hope you do too. It is just unbelievable that the child in these pictures as already had two haircuts, is walking, carrying on conversations, and has the best manners of any child I know. I love her with all that I am. Enjoy!

How sweet is this picture. She was really reading to bunny. I just love it!

Of course, Daddy caught one of me too. Just thought I would share it too.

My Heart...

Thinking about all that our family went through after Josh got sick, can often be an amazing pill to swallow. I have been asked several times if I wish it had never happened. That is also an interesting question to answer. Don't get me wrong, I would never wish for a day that Josh would have been so sick...but do I "regret" it...NO! It was God's plan. Just like lots of different things in life, I didn't understand God's plan at the time, but more and more lately I am seeing it unfold and I am so thrilled with the path God is laying down for my family.

Josh is loving school and while it often presents challenges that could make you want to pull your hair out, I know that he goes to work every morning happy and proud of the person that he as become. Maggie is growing like a weed. She decided to use the potty last night for the first time ever! She was so proud of herself and so were we!!! I am loving my job and just life in general. I feel like I am making a difference in the lives of my students and just happy to be in the building I am in and working at such an awesome "job."

On Friday, Feb. 6th I did something that changed my life in a way that I could have never imagined. As you all know, I am a PE teacher in Hendersonville and love it. I have participated in Jump Rope for Heart events before both while I was in Elementary School and as a teacher at my former schools. I was thrilled when my awesome principal allowed me to do the fund raiser this year here at school. I wasn't sure what to expect...to say that I was nervous, would be an understatement of the year. I just wanted my students to understand why we were doing it and that sometimes in life, it is not all about the prizes. I have an amazing JRFH coordinator that I LOVE. I was researching online some information about my event and came across something that immediately struck my attention. Go Red For Women was hosting an open casting call for women from all walks of life to come on down and tell their story. SERIOUSLY! So I immediately thought...there is no way they will even be close to TN even if I could go. They were coming to Franklin, TN on Feb. 6th, which just happened to be National Wear Red for Women Day!

I immediately got tears in my eyes and knew that I had to do this. PERIOD. There really wasn't anyway around it. My heart was pounding and I was so excited to walk downstairs and tell Josh that I was "going to do it...I have to this!" So...I did. I left school as soon as possible on that Friday and headed straight to Franklin Macy's. The open call was from 4-6 and I had no idea what to expect. Thankfully, my awesome Molly Lolly was there with me by my side, being a bestie...as usual. I had thought about it, prayed about it, had others pray about it, and wrote down my thoughts so at least they were organized. Lyndsey took me to Barnes and Noble one afternoon, which was proved to be so productive! (Thanks Clem!)

So I went, I cried pretty much from the time that I sat down, I made some new friends, and I felt so proud of myself. The interview lady was awesome and by the end of the videotaped interview, the camera man and video runner guy were both teary eyed! They said that it was the best interview of the day. The interview was not exactly what I expected. They had a set of questions they wanted you to answer...pretty basic stuff. I just decided that I was going to be honest and if it worked out for me to tell the true story, then so be it. I felt from the moment that I walked into Macy's that God had his hand in that whole situation.

I was able to tell my story about Josh and how CPR and awareness saved his life. I told how I told my story here at school and teachers here are getting their CPR training soon because of that. I told them that Maggie was absolutely the highlight of our lives and that essentially she saved Josh's life. That she was his angel from day 6. I told them how it didn't matter if my stitches from the C-Section ripped or if I cracked a few of his ribs while performing CPR, he lived. I told them that I didn't think that Josh really started living until after he had gotten sick.

It was an amazing experience and one that I will always carry with me. I don't know what if anything will come of the opportunity, but I am so proud of what I did and for the example that I created for Maggie that day.

All submissions will be available at the end of the month for the public to view and if I am chosen, I will be notified by mail by May 1st. I would be one of the spokeswoman and face of the Go Red For Women Campaign. Imagine how many that would reach! I have turned it over to God. If it is meant to be, it will be. I think it would be one of the most amazing things EVER!

It Truly is the BEST Show on Earth...

So has it been forever since I blogged...YES! We have been having so much fun lately that I haven't made time to blog. Whoops!

Last month on Jan. 24th, we took Maggie to her first CIRCUS. It was awesome. Ironically enough that was also her 18 month birthday. My awesome student teacher, Lyndsey, randomly said one day, man I want to go to the circus. I had no idea they were even in town. So what did we do...we WENT and it was amazing!

Truth be told, it was a bit long. It was right at 3 hours. Okay, I am 27 and it was almost too much for me and my backside. But, it was so cool for Maggie to see all the animals and clowns and to just have the experience. We arrived an hour early so we could go down and meet and greet with the members of the circus and the oobbeeerrr awesome animals.

Josh, of course, came fully equipped with his camera so we got some amazing shots.

I took one picture the whole time with his camera. He NEVER gets in pictures anymore since he is always behind the camera. So, I got this shot of him and Mags. She is watching the before show elephant act. It was so cool!

So, I already mentioned Lyndsey. She came to Walton Ferry right after Christmas and is moving to Hawkins Middle next week. We have had such a ball together. She is so fun and just lovely to be around. As soon as we got down to the pre-show, I snagged "Slim the Clown" (I have no idea if that was his real name or not, but TRUST ME...the clown had about 0% body fat) to take a picture with Lyndsey. Too funny! I had no idea she was making that face until Josh developed them, but it suits the person standing next to her!

The show itself was awesome! Tons of kids, tons of adults acting like kids, what more could you want for a Saturday morning.

Lyndsey was kind enough to take a family pic of us.

I ABSOLUTELY love this picture of us. It is for sure a framer. What a blessing our relationship has been to my life. I can't wait to see where God leads Lyndsey's life, but I am so thankful that I was lucky enough to get to work with her for 8 weeks!

What a great day with LOTS of awesome memories!!!

Our Little Dane...

...is here. He is so stinkin' cute and so loveable! We are so glad that he is growing and that Lori is recovering quite well. Mr. Dane decided to come a little more than a month early, but he is healthy and just beautiful! We had a great trip up to see him this weekend! Enjoy a couple of pics here and be sure to see the rest on Josh's photo blog!

The Beckoning of Lovely...

There are not many videos on YouTube that I just love. I just love this one. I love everything about it. I hope you love it too!