The Heringers

A fun day at the Ranch

2010-04-23T08:50:00.004-05:00

This is my Grandaddy Greene's (GayGay's daddy) ranch near Lead Hill, AR...such a neat, beautiful place that Pop loves to visit every weekend. I remember going there all the time when I was younger--to go creeking, camping, or sometimes just to help Grandaddy out with the cows. Grandaddy passed away in the fall of 95 and we miss him but feel him all over that land--Daniel too, he loved going 4wheeling and fishing at the ranch.
Ensley has a great love for the ranch too, especially how big and open it is--she immediately took off running out into the openness and at one point just laid down with her arms stretched out, looked up to the sky, closed her eyes and sighed--- so sweet! Children are so quick to remind us of the little things in life that we as adults often take for granted (or are too busy to enjoy!).

She loves throwing rocks!

This is Pop's daddy, PawPaw. Pop takes him to the ranch every Saturday and although this isn't the land he farmed and herded cattle on (it's in Marble, AR), he loves being there and at 95 still finds a few projects in the barn that need to be tended to or fixed.

It looks like he will be out a few weeks, though b/c he fell the night before Easter and broke his hip. He is doing very well though and after surgery, went to a rehab facility where he is gearing up for many more trips to the ranch!!

Helping Pop!

This bell was my paternal great great great grandparents, I think? can't remember how many greats there were but I know it is a very very old dinner bell.

Pop put me to work!

PawPaw tinkering with something

MARCH!

2010-04-23T08:27:00.002-05:00

Fun times in March!!! Quince turned 4!! I can't believe it!! he had a very fun party at Pump It up. I have decided we need to do our supper club there one night! i had a blast taking Ensley through the obstacle courses and bouncing in all the big inflatables! The slides were even a little scary to me!

Sarah Holt's baby shower!! We can't wait to meet Harper!!

Ensley and me goofing around with my new camera remote!

Ryan and I had a get away weekend to Florida! He was up for the "Integrator of the Year" award along with 3 other home automation stores. Although we didn't come home with the big award, it was still very exciting to have been recognized as one of the top 4 Techhome Integrators in the US! (everyone else up for the award was from California!) We are so proud of Dada!!

We also didn't realize there is a world outisde of Disney in Orlando!!! SOoooo fun! We went to Universal Studios and Worlds of Adventure--Ryan turned into a 12 year old and dragged me on every single roller coaster and I realized I am officially grown up b/c it was NOT FUN!! I think it took me a day to get my equillibruim (and stomach!) back!! We also went to a super fun water park, which (as an official grown up) I could handle and really enjoyed! But nothing could top the shopping down there--the outlet shopping--I had to buy another bag just to get everything home!! I've decidede to plan another trip before Christmas to do all my c-mas shopping! Can't wait to go back (minus the roller coaster rides!!)!

CHATTERBOX!!! and other updates!

2010-04-07T13:59:00.002-05:00

Well, Ensley is my child after all!! She is turning into a chatterbox and I eat up every word she says!!!! She started saying "Mommie" instead of "Mama", and occasionally says Daddy rather than dada.
When I am explaining something to E, or getting onto her for something, I usually end the sentence with "OK??" so I know she heard what I said. She started saying "Kay!" after every time I said "OK?" and it was so sweet cause even if she was getting a little scolding, she would say Kay, but it would be very long and drawn out and southern and super precious! She then started adding the "O" so she now says "OK" a lot! i never realized how much I said it until I hear her repeat it back to me, but at least she's listening (I hope!)!
I have no idea when she said her first "sentence" b/c I thought a sentence had to contain a verb, a preposition, an adjective, etc..., but a sentence to a toddler is basically saying two or more words together. So, even though I'm not sure when her first official "sentence" occurred, I have certainly been keeping up with some of the precious things she does say and they make me melt!!!
Here are some Ensleyisms---
I de it mommie! (I did it mommie)
I go teetee in pot!
I hoad me
I wiap (I wipe)
I go shooey shooey
I sit bobo. (bobo=bottom)
I mo a dat (I more of that)
Lote = love you
Mommie sit bobo heeahh.
Heeahhh mommie(here mommie)
I go nitenite. (don't hear this one too often! HA!)
I eat dat (I eat that)
Es Peez (this is my FAVORITE!!!!! When I ask her a question, she nods her head (and the rest of her body) and says Yes Please! Love it!!)
danks (thank you)
I daddas bed (this means I want to be in dadda's spot in dadda's bed not my own!)
I sit bobo read
I hoad dat (I hold that)
I hoad mill (I hold milk)
Hoad me
Hap me mommie (Help me mommie)
I Rock-rock
Mommie I go shooey shooey.
mommie I go ahside (I go outside)
I pay (I play)
goo goarl (good girl)
My woom (My room)
My seet! (my seat)
mommies kaa (mommies car)
I pua (I put on) (she loves putting her shoes and socks on, as well as clothes! She has twice put an entire outfit on (top and bottom) all by herself, only it was backwards. I was still impressed though!)
Gaygay house, PP house, mommie house
When she first started saying milk, it was mick. Then it was mia, then meowl. Now it's mill, sometimes mialk. how many ways can you say milk!?!
When she gives everyone at Niki's a hug as we leave, she leans her head and body in (no arms--arms are only for family I've noticed) and says "AWWWWWWWWWWW"
at dinner last night, I told her she was a messy girl, messy girl! A few hours later she was eating some yogurt saying maymay goral maymay goral. I couldn't figure out what she was saying but finally realized it was messy girl!!
The other night we were reading before bed and she pointed to a book and said "I hoad dat, I weed dat" (I hold that I read that).
I've noticed that as a mother, sometimes you're the only one who can translate your toddlers little language skills, which is I think is yet another special bond b/t mother and child--I certainly love it!
She can now reach her diapers and wipes in her room, which she loves to get into. She will open up her pull ups (they come with the sides already together), which makes them not so much pull ups anymore. She still enjoys being naked (as her Aunt Meme always did too!), and getting herself all dressed. She gets frustrated with it very easily (why is it so hard to get both my legs in one pant leg!??) but is very proud and independent so is reluctant to accept your help (hmmmm...).
She is doing really well at going teetee in her singing potty (that sings when she sits on it and not always when she tee tees!?), or will tell me right after she has gone in her diaper.
The whole nighttime thing is going good (knock on wood) most nights. She did had about 2 weeks where she reverted to the initial big girl bed nighttime issues (not fun!), but (knock knock) is doing ok now with it...until about 3 or 4 when she throws open our door and gets in bed with us. I still love it but have to admit that she busted (or split rather) my lip the other night. I thought I needed stitches. Can you believe this is the second busted lip my toddler has given me!?!? Luckily it doesn't look as bad as the first, but is certainly worse on the inside of my lip (it was gaping!), bled a ton, and hurt so bad I almost threw up and passed out!! Here's to hoping that NEVER happens again!!

Feb fun!

2010-04-07T11:20:00.027-05:00

Wow...I'm behind...what's new. Here are pics from February !!

Ensley and I were in a fashion show! She modeled for Patty Cakes (our fave!) and I modeled for Steamroller (our fave!). She did a really great job and liked being on stage (I have no idea where that comes from ;-) ha!)

I got her hair up in pig tails!!! Her hair has grown so much since then too!

Iberia bank Marty Gras Party--I was the party pic girl(but managed to squeeze myself in a few shots at the end of the night ;-) hehehehe)!! It was my first event to shoot and was a ton of fun! They threw a FANTASTIC party!!!!

Ensley's first theatrical performance!!! Snow White. (SITE!) She did sooooo well! We did have to leave early into the 2nd half b/c she started singing (very loudly) with Snow White...I think she would've lasted the entire time if there hadn't been an intermission!

Charity Ball 2010! Thanks to Casey McBride for her choice of bridesmaids dresses years ago, I didn't have to buy a new dress!

Barbara took Sarah and E to get manicures and to Chucky Cheese
Girls night to go see 17th floor!!!! (They aren't as good as they used to be we don't think!--or maybe they never were we just grew up...some!)

Sledding in our future neighborhood with our future neighbors!! So fun!! (and then you have to walk back up the hill!!)

Heart Gala 2010--I chaired it 2 years in a row and this was my first year in forever I wasn't on the committee--they did a great job and it was super nice to be able to sit back and relax!!

Ummmm, is there going to be someone else fighting over the microphone in our family!!??!! It's already bad enough between GayGay, Meme, and me!!
We got sooooooo much snow this winter!! This big snow was definitely the most fun!! E and I sledded at the house before all the packed powder came--she had so much fun! The first time down the hill, I lost my grip on her saucer and she went down backwards by herself, laughing the whole way!

NanaBooBoo!!!

2010-03-31T15:24:00.003-05:00

We have a fun new word!!!! Gaygay said "nannie nannie boo boo" the other day and e immediately said it back! She thought it was hilarious so we spent about 30 minutes saying it and cracking up!!

Funny stuff...

2010-02-28T16:49:00.002-06:00

So the big girl bed thing hasn't been so easy for us...my advice--keep them in their cribs as long as you can!! If I'd known then what I know now, we might have gone the tent/crib covering route! Almost every night around 2 or 3am, E throws open the door to our bedroom saying Mommie! Mommie! Mommie! She comes to my side of the bed and I put her between us and we all sleep fairly good the rest of the night (other than the occasional kick or fist or head but!--oh and I have to admit that sometimes I do end up in a strange position cause I am being pushed off the side of the bed!). What's funny is that when we go to her room in the morning, her door is always shut. She shuts it before she comes to our room and we aren't really sure why except maybe she wants to make sure she doesn't have to go back in there!! It's funny! She also can't open doors yet either (we have knobs so they are harder on little hands) knock on wood, but she certainly knows how to shut them!
And this story probably won't be as funny in writing, but it's hilarious so I will try...did I mention it is hard to get E to stay in her bed?? HA! Going nite nite has become quite the process! At first I would shut her door (this is after us rocking, reading books, brushing teeth, saying prayers, cuddling, tucking her dolls in, etc...), but it would be heartbreaking for her and me! She would come to the door and cry. One night she was so hysterical that she threw up all over her room!! Man did I ever feel like a bad mommie!! So, we kind of stopped that and I would just lay in bed with her until she was asleep (and pray the the creek in her bed wouldn't wake her as I was leaving!), but this was especially hard on me cause it would take a while and by the time she was good and asleep, so was I!!! One night the process was worse than normal so I shut her door and ran to our bedroom so I didn't have to hear her crying (I still could). She quit after about 5 minutes so I walked back towards her room and all was quiet! I got excited for a split second until I saw her sweet little fingers and hand come out from under the door and she said (ever so sweetly) Mommie... JEEZ!! It was so sad, but precious and of course all I could do was pick her up and hold her b/c I felt so bad!!! I think we let her sleep with us all night that night which probably didn't help things, but oh well, we're only human and for some reason it was so much easier to let her cry it out when she was in a crib!! Hopefully it will get better--we went to the bookstore today and got some books that say they have all the answers...we'll see!!!!

Happy HEART day!!!!

2010-02-14T15:29:00.005-06:00

Random pics from Dec and Jan

2010-02-06T20:18:00.018-06:00

Forget all the toys--all she needs is a box! Happy B-day Ryan!!!

LOVE the snow suit, thanks Pop and Gaygay

Twins! Baby Kaleigha and E

Happy B-day Pammie!!!

Ryan's b-day cakes!

Uncle Don and Meme came to see us!!!

What a fun, memorable day/night at the Liberty Bowl...??!!!

Seeing Mom, Dad, Meme, and John off to Paris! Ryan asked me one morning how to put a bow in Ensley's hair---it was so cute, he seriously wanted to know. He had me do it and watched very closely then I had him do it so we knew he was doing it right. Such a sweet family moment.
At our ENT docs office--this was when they decided to do the surgery.

E pulled a brand new bag of chips off the table and of course upside down!! This is why we got Aunt Meme and Uncle Don a dustbuster for Christmas!!
E went to MaryKate Finch's b-day party at Pump it up! She loved bouncing in the the big bouncy things!!

Getting into trouble with Kaden!

nite Nite...
She got her potty seat stuck over her head...kind of funny! One day she will learn to listen to me...hopefully!
BIG BOW!!! I figured out that E likes BIG BOWS better than the small bows, and even thought they may be obnoxious and bigger than her head, she keeps them in a heck of a lot longer than the small ones!

Family pics...minus one...

2010-02-06T18:44:00.010-06:00

When Eric and Anna were here, we had them do some family pics...minus one. Yeah, not very happy about that but very happy that E and I had our own photoshoot!! Ryan and I were about to leave for the Liberty Bowl and he got caught up at work so he missed our family portraits. Sad b/c he would've only added to these pics!! Thanks Eric and Anna for taking them--I LOVE them!!!

New Years!!!

2010-02-06T18:28:00.008-06:00

Obviously I am so behind I still feel like it's 2009 not 2010!!! Jeez! Anna and Eric came to visit us over New Years and we had such a blast!! We actually--for the first time in YEARS--stayed out til after midnight!!! I think we got home at 12:30. We went to an Engagement Party for Whitney Deacon and saw a lot of friends from college we hadn't seen in a while.
Ensley had met Anna twice before, so we like to think she remembers her, and she knew exactly how to say "Eric" b/c that is Ariel's Prince's name in The Little Mermaid.
This is Katlin--or KATE as we call her, she is one of our 2 babysitters that we love love love!! She stayed the night and even slept with E in her bed so we could sleep in the next day.

Getting ready!! For some reason, Anna couldn't let me go out like this??!!? :-)

Making a mess---something she is VERY good at!!
Getting undressed--something else she enjoys! Love my baby girl!!! (NOT loving the huge zit on my chin though!)

Cousin Photo Shoot!

2010-02-06T18:07:00.005-06:00

Pammie and G-daddy send out cards every year with the grandkids pics on it and this year we wanted to do them all together, not individually...it was quite comical!!! They sure are cute though!
This was the winner!

Do you hear what I hear???

I couldn't resist taking a few shots of Pammie and G'daddy

Christmas!

2010-02-06T15:59:00.012-06:00

Christmas sure was fun this year!!! Ensley loved opening her presents and we all loved watching her! We spent the 24th-27th in Harrison then had C-mas at the Heringers when we got back from Harrison. Fun times and fun toys!!!
Not liking Santa this year...

These are all out of order!! Jmac and Meme got E a fun bean bag!!!
Opening presents!

We all went shopping at the Branson Landing-fun but cold!!

Christmas 1979

Sweet Nana's hands...she's 96 and can still play beautifully!

Reading the story from the Bible on Christmas Eve
Twas the night before Christmas--holiday traditions!!

Santa was good to E this year!!!! The 3 Sarah Elizabeths from Harrison!!

Aunt Sandy

Cmas at the Heringers!

Where has time gone!!???

2010-02-06T15:37:00.003-06:00

I have really been neglecting our family blog!! Life is so busy right now but it sure is fun!!!
Ensley's latest wellness checkup has her in the 80% for height
(36.5") and in the 50% for weight (26lbs). She really hasn't gained a lot of weight in the last few months but she is getting really tall!! And she's getting more gold ringlets in her hair (except in the am and it is then a complete frizz fro!!).
She is my little sister reincarnated we have all decided!! She looks and acts just like Aunt Meme did when she was younger---blond curly hair, blue eyes, same crooked smile sometimes, many of the same expressions, loves sleeping right in between Mama and Dada, and loves to be naked (fortunately Aunt Meme outgrew most of these things!)!!! It's too funny. I love it though b/c my sister is my BF and I think she is precious is so many ways so for E to take after her (as opposed to me--who carried her for 10 months and delivered her, etc..) is just wonderful! Oh and of course she still looks like her Daddy too!!
She is talking soooo much and now says Mommie instead of mama and it is so precious! This new big girl bed thing has been quite an adjustment and I have decided our next kid will stay in the crib til they are 5!! Even if we have to put a tent over it!! :-)
She LOVES books still, loves having 500 of them spread out all around her too! She loves playing with her dolls and really enjoys putting clothes on herself--that she picked out of course, not me. I didn't know the clothing independence/opinions came this early, but I guess they do! Last night she got both her shoes on the right feet and attempted to tie them, but decided it's more fun to take them off and put them back on. Too cute.
We wear big girl panties around the house sometimes b/c she won't keep a diaper on(or clothes) with some success and of course some accidents! Last night she tee-teed in the floor and then this am she went in the potty, so it will happen in due time, we're just trying to ease her into it. I've also found that it's not very easy on the parent either!! I can't tell you how many times we have sat on the potty and then she changes her mind that she doesn't need to go!
I will try and post updated pics and videos asap.

DOING GREAT!!!

2010-01-05T13:09:00.008-06:00

Thank you Lord! Everything went very well Monday before, during, and after Ensley's surgery! We are so happy and thankful and pray she stays well now! As of today, you can't even tell that she had anything done, she is back to her old self. Kids are resilient!
Having fun in waiting room before the surgery...
She was quite comical after they gave her some liquid loopy medicine! It was hilarious! She was feeling good I think! They give them that to relax, then put them completely under to administer the IV (luckily I was only there for the loopy/funny part!)

Poor Baby!!! After the surgery, she did not want me at all, she wanted her GAY GAY!! (Gay Gay is what she is calling my mom. I guess Grand Jan is too hard to say...I kind of like Gay Gay though!)
happier with GAY GAY though!!

PRAYERS PLEASE!!!

2010-01-04T06:38:00.003-06:00

Ensley will be having her adnoids removed and her sinuses irrigated this morning in hopes of clearing up her constant sinusitus and congestion. Please pray she does wonderfully during the surgery and everything is OK...I'm a little nervous, it's outpatient surgery and they have to put her under, which is scary but I have faith it will all be OK.

DISNEY PICS!!!

2009-12-25T12:35:00.007-06:00

Here is a slideshow of all the fun pics from Disney World. We had such a great time with the entire Heringer clan---Pammie, G-daddy, Brad, Al, Heather, Quince and Luke, Ryan, E and me. TOOOOO much fun!!!
We stayed at the Bay Lake Towers Condominiums and they were AWESOME!!! They're attached to the Contemporary Resort (where we stayed when Ryan and I got engaged 8 years ago this Jan 1!!), and are PERFECT for families if you're taking a crew to Disney anytime soon!! Brad, Ryan, Ensley, and I were all in one, and everyone else was in another right next door which was great! G-daddy had b-fast and coffee ready every morning. Ensley would wake up and say "Peh Peh", which is Pammie in Ensley talk, so we would head over there and on the way she would say "uuke! uuke!', which means Luke.
The weather was beautiful and a nice break from the winter weather of Arkansas. Ensley loved RElla and the other Princess characters, but the bigger characters did scare her (just like Santa did!) as you can see from the pics and videos. She rode lots of rides and was so serious and curious during the Nemo ride, the Small World ride, Great Movie ride, etc...she loved the teacups, even when Dada made ours spin really fast (I was the one that didn't like that!!). Dada and G-daddy were able to ride the fast roller coasters and rides, while the rest of us (with bad backs!) had fun on the kiddie rides.
Pammie had reservations at all the fun, yummy restaurants so none of us went hungry! Ensley made sure we prayed before each meal and during each meal a few times too!! (That is one of the neatest things she has been doing lately! Makes me wonder why it's so easy for an 18 month old to remember to pray before each meal, yet we have a hard time remembering it... Thank you Ensley for reminding us to thank God before each meal, and thank you Mrs Nini for helping teach her that!!!)
It was really neat to see all three kids experience such a magical fun filled place.
Thank you Pammie and G-daddy soooooooo very very much for everything!!! It couldn't have been better!!!! (Actually, if we had all come back well and not sick it would've been better---we all (but Luke) came down with some sort of respiratory infection and all ended up on antibiotics when we came home. Crazy--as much as we loved the condos, we wonder if they didn't make us all sick!?! Ensley started getting sick (again) the day before we left so we had to have an antibiotic called in down there for her--hers was sinusitus (again) so it was different from what the rest of us had.)

One more video....

2009-12-20T17:36:00.001-06:00

Sorry for all the videos!! I am working on the pictures now!!

E meeting Rella!!!!!!

2009-12-19T18:50:00.003-06:00

What a WONDERFUL MAGICAL family vacation we had to DISNEY!!!!! Here's a sneek peek, lots more to come!!!

New video!

2009-12-09T20:47:00.003-06:00

I took this video yesterday morning, and I love it!!
Normally, Ryan takes Ensley to Niki's a little before 7am, but the last few weeks I was off work (this is my 2nd week back), he let me take her to Niki's, and I loved it! (I think he was worried I would sleep in and get lazy or something...ha! Yes, I would've LOVED to have slept in past 7am at least a few days, but that's OK)
Ensley and I would enjoy b-fast together every morning and it was so special. Then, she would get very active and I would have to take her to Niki's so I wouldn't hurt my back again (which made me feel guilty, but I had to get my back better). I have missed it since I've gone back to work, but yesterday, Dada had to go to work at 6, so E and I were able to eat b-fast together...so fun! She LOVES peanut butter! And strawberry cream cheese, bananas, apples, spagetti (not for b-fast!), and her fav food right now is ketchup I think...sooooo very messy!!!
This was a 20 questions b-fast today, enjoy!
PS---NOTICE HER HAIR!?!?! Oh my! It always looks like this in the am....and if I don't wet it and comb it out and scrunch it up...she's got some frizz!!!

One flew over the Sprott nest...

2009-12-06T14:22:00.006-06:00

I just found these pics on a different camera, and it reminded me of something that happened when E and I went to Harrison to see GJ, Pop, Aunt Garlanda and Uncle TomTom. Pop was walking Ensley around, trying to get her ready for Nite Nite and she said "bird!". Pop just thought she was saying the word bird, until he actually SAW the bird himself in the middle of their dining room!! It took us forever to try and get the bird out of the house!!! It was sooooooo funny!!! At one point, the bird perched on our "Daniel" statue...it looks like it's a part of the statue so much that I thought it was part of the statue til it moved, ever so slightly!! Then, off again it went...I can't explain how comical it all was but you can only imagine! I finally (probably after 30 mins or so) managed to corner the bird and scoop him up in a towel. We then let him go, poor bird, he'll probably never be the same! The way he would throw himself into a window or the ceiling had to of done some brain damage!!

Ensley thoroughly enjoyed playing with TomTom.
We love you Garggie and Tom!! Can't wait for E to be QUEEN of Texas!!!!!

WOW!

2009-12-05T00:17:00.011-06:00

Where has time gone?? I cannot believe it is already time for Christmas!!?? We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and have sooooo very much to be thankful for!! We are truly blessed! I am so very very thankful that GJ, Pop, Meme, and Jon made it to Paris and back safely! I was very nervous about all of them being on a plane together! They had a great trip and we were sad to miss it!! They spent T'giving at the Eifel Tower and we stayed here. Dada suprised us and made a big b-fast the morning of Thanksgiving, then we headed to Rector to have a big lunch with Dixie and her new husband Ryan. It was so very nice of them to include us and we had a wonderful time seeing family! That evening, we had ANOTHER big meal at Pammie and G'daddy's it was sooo good and the kids opened a few early presents for our trip to Disney World! What a fun day with family!!
Her are some fun pics from November...Ensley is doing great in her big girl bed and I love being able to really cuddle with her in it! She still loves books and wants to read about 10 every night before NiteNite! I need to start limiting it! We are done with the high chair, she was trying to climb into it and out of it, so we just do the booster seat at meals now. She actually managed to get halfway out of her car seat once!?! She is a monkey, or a curtain climber as my mom call her! She reminds us to pray before every meal which is precious b/c that something we should never forget! She loves dolls, putting clothes around her neck, and helping me pick out what shes going to wear. She also LOVES making messes...wow. I'm patiently trying to teach her to pick up if we take everything out of a drawer or bag. She is adding new words daily and I love the sound of her sweet sweet voice, especially when she says Mama or Dada or E!!!!

Mini Photo Shoot with E...

Bath time with Dada!!Our little climber!

E had soooo much fun at Kaden's 2nd bday party! The train was so fun!Contemplating the slide...she eventually went for it and did a somersault down it! She wanted to do it again!Ensley and I made a trip to see Uncle jon (Don) and Meme and had so much fun!! Ensley loved the leaves and climbing up and down their stairs. We love you guys! XXOO

She does this all the time and it's quite comical!!

Sweet Sweet Sarah and E...so cute together!
YAY! E let Cousin Cheryl hold her!! Didix--thank you so much for having us over for Thanksgiving lunch!!! We LOVED it!!!

The kids received early C-mas gifts for Thanksgiving at Pammie and G'daddy's! THanks you two !!!

All bundled up and ready to go!

This was very messy but very funny...she got in the fridge and opened and ate 2 jello pudding snacks.

My favorite thing...

2009-11-19T10:48:00.002-06:00

I forgot to mention something PRECIOUS Ensley has been doing. After the last Razorback game, she has really learned how to call the hogs, and I really had no idea until a few days after the game. She was picking out what book we were going to read before bed and she saw the book "Go Big Red". She put her arms up in the air (spirit fingers and all) and said WHOOOOOOOO...One of the neatest things I've seen her do yet! And it warms my heart soooo much!! Now, anytime she sees that book, a Razorback, or almost anything red, she does that!!! I LOVE IT!!

HALLOWEEN!

2009-11-19T10:39:00.003-06:00

We had such a fun Halloween with our little Cinderella!!! I couldn't resist dressing up either, and we couldn't leave Ryan out, so we all dressed up! We first went to Pammie and Grandaddy's for yummy burgers and snacks, then headed to the Alpes for kids games and more snacks. When the big kids went on the hayride, Ensley made her first Trick or Treat at the Aunt Jill and Uncle Larry's house and was able to give Seth a big kiss on the cheek, then she had to go see Kaden Thomas and give him a big smooch (actually, she's been biting him lately..agh!)! We had such a great evening and Ensley enjoyed being Rella, even though everytime I would ask her if she was going to be Rella for Halloween she would say no...kids are too funny!!

The Doctor, All Star Cheerleader (I cheered in this outift in London's New Year's Day parade in 96! if I hadn't hurt my back, I probably would've done some moves!! I was just glad we were able to get out as a family with no wheelchair!), and the most beautiful Rella ever!!! When we returned home, Ensley only had one of her "glass" slippers!! How funny!! Kaden had it at his house! Is he her prince!?! ;-)
Precious pic of E and cousin Seth
Trick or Treat!?!?
Quince!
Posing for mommy

We love G'daddy!
PP and Luke
Nemo and Rella

ALREADY NOVEMBER!?!?!?

2009-11-17T13:20:00.004-06:00

WOW!! I think I am still stuck in August or something, I can't believe how time is passing so quickly!!! There's been a lot going on around here, the most recent being a BIG change for our little E...no more crib!!! She was climbing out of it and after hearing quite a few broken bone stories, we decided it was time to go to a BIG GIRL bed!!! Thank you Pammie and G'daddy!! Last night was the first night and it went well. It took me a while to keep her in the bed, probably a 45 minute process, but she finally stayed and went nite nite. I couldn't get the monitor to work so I slept in guest bed so I could hear her if she woke up (or fell out!). She woke up around 3:30 and came into the hallway so I put her back in her bed...and that's where I slept the rest of the night too! It's nice to get to cuddle with her (in her bed and not just ours;-), and it reminds me of my bed time routine when I was younger--Dad would always hoist me into bed, we'd say prayers, then I would want he or mom to tell me a story about when they were litte. Bedtime is a precious time that definately requires some extra patience after such a big change.
We have LOVED this crib! Can't wait to use it for the next baby Heringer!! (no I'm not preggers)
She liked to sleep at the top of the bed, normally on top of a pillow (probably b/c she has slept on me so much of her life!! She also just liked her blanket and not all the sheets/comforter.

October pics!

2009-11-13T20:09:00.014-06:00

Here are some fun October pics!!! It was a crazy month that started out normal...until I hurt my back very badly. I have had lower back pain off and on for about 5 years and after the Auburn game, it was killing me. We did a TON of walking and carrying Ensley and bags (diaper and purse)--and yes I was in comfortable shoes this time--platform tennis shoes (hehehehe...I don't know why I can't come to terms with my 5'4 frame--I think I might have as of now though!). Then TW (Tragikly White) was playing at Z330 so we had to go and celebrate Brandi's b-day and our 7 year wedding anniversary (Oct 12th) doing what I love best, dancing...the outcome--Two bulging disks and a torn ligament. Ouch. I thought I was in labor and didn't even know I was pregnant (you know, like the show) b/c the pain was so intense and terrible--worse than labor I think b/c I never got an epidural! There was no big scene on the dance floor, I didn't fall down and my pride wouldn't let me show my pain til we got out of there. Needless to say, I'm not so sure we will be putting a dance room in our new house now!! I'm actually scared to dance again. So sad. The doctors say years of dancing probably took its toll on my back. It has been a humbling, eye opening experience. It was terrible at first, and I am thankful for great family and friends who really helped out! Pammie had Ensley the first week after it happened, then Pop and GJ came to town for a while. I'm doing better but have to move slower and more carefully--very hard to do!! I have been off work for almost 6 weeks trying to heal as best as possible (physical therapy three times a week). Anyway, sorry to make this post about me and my aging back! Enjoy the pics, there are quite a few funny ones!!!I had to get out of the house, so we went to the mall where they have wheelchairs available!! I couldn't last that long but it was nice to get out! At one point, I was pushing Ensley in the stroller while Mom was pushing me in the wheelchair!
Ensley would rather wear her diedy on her head...
Baby Sound Concepts!!

Having fun in the fridge?? Little Miss Serious

nite nite wth dada

LOVE this

Another Razorback game!!

Sarah reading to E

TEE TEE in the Potty!!!!!!!!!!

2009-10-16T12:50:00.003-05:00

Ok, so I know Ensley is only 15 months old, but 9 times out of 10 she will tee tee in the floor before we get in the bathtub, soooooo I started putting her on the big potty before we got in the bath. She thought it was fun, but never went. We have always explained to her what Mama or Dada were doing in the potty (Tee Tee or Shooey Shooey...hope I'm not grossing anyone out!?!), and she is always very curious.
I was in Wal Mart a few weeks ago and thought, well I've got to get one soon anyway, so I bought her a cute princess singing potty. On Sat Oct 3rd, I was trying to get ready to go out to dinner with some friends and nothing would occupy her time so I got out the potty---and she loved it. She took off her pants then took off her "Diedy" and was sitting on and off the potty, looking at it, etc, just getting used to it. I was rushing around and all of a sudden I hear it singing!!! She had tee-teed in the potty!!!! (and allover and around the potty!!) I started clapping and saying YAY!! So she clapped and then she stuck her hands in the potty---ewwwwwww. Ok, maybe it is too early, but she gets the most of the main concept!!!
The next day, she went poo-poo in and beside the potty...(what fun this is going to be!?!), then was about to play with it so I put the potty up until yesterday. We got it out so she could sit on it before her bathtime...she sat on it then got up, then sat back down and then it started singing again!!! YAY!!! Some in the potty, and some around the potty, but YAY!!!
I hope that easing into it like this will help down the road, we're certainly not forcing anything on her, just letting her get accustomed to it. Plus, she has been taking her diaper off for months and peeople have told us it's time to start training when they start doing that. It sure is an exciting new step in parenthood!! (and challenging I have heard!!)
She now claps when we go to the potty---ha!!
(She's going to kill me for this one day I know, but I'm a better blogger than baby-booker right now so I have to get these things posted to remember!!)

September fun!

2009-10-16T12:00:00.014-05:00

Here are some fun pics from September, it sure did come and go very quickly!

Happy 1st Birthday Luke!!!!!

Sleeping with "Puffy" my childhood/adolescent comfort Pufalump.

Monkey!

At the doctor's office to get one year shots...boohoo!!!!

Shopping at Sam's bright and early one Saturday

E and Kaden--she calls him Daden

Susu's visit all the way from Houston!

Ensley's first Razorback Game!!!!

2009-10-06T09:55:00.022-05:00

What a fun weekend we had in Fayetteville for Ensley's first Razorback game (Georgia)!!! It was a fun family trip to Mama and Dada's old stomping grounds (and hopefully Ensley's one day too!!!).
We got in late Friday night and ate at Hermans, then on Saturday, Dada played golf with Jmac and Uncle Scott at Blessings (beautiful!), and Ensley and I headed to Bella Vista to see The Wilkinsons. The girls, Noelle, Lila, and Ensley had so much fun together and Keri and I can't wait til they are all THREE in the Tri-Delt house, (each a year apart:)!
After that, we stopped by Aunt Virginia and Uncle Morgan's new condo, it's beautiful! Then ate at one of our favorite spots, the Mellow Mushroom (more restaurants should have build-your-own-salads!!!).
We actually tailgated before the game, something I have never done...sad isn't it!?!? We had a great time seeing so many people we hadn't seen in forever and thank the Collins (all of them!) for letting us hang out at your fun tailgate!!
Ensley fell asleep in the first quarter(she hadn't felt well and was running a low fever, and didn't take a very long nap--too much excitement!), but she did get a good look at everything (I think!?) before. (I walked from one end of the stadium with Ensley--asleep in one arm, and about 25 lbs of bags in the other to find GrandJan so we could head back to the tailgate. My feet hurt. No more cute, tall shoes to games!! I'd worn them before to a game, but not with an extra 50lbs!!)
GJ and Pop were scheduled to baby-sit while Ryan and I went out Friday night, but I literally couldn't move, I wanted to be back in the hotel room in my Pj's!! (We stayed at the Staybridge Suites by the baseball stadium---LOVED it!!! Perfect for us!!) So, Ryan went out for the both of us and I stayed with GJ, Pop, and E. I'm glad I didn't go out b/c Ensley woke up early early Sun am with 103 fever--I panicked!!! Called the doc and got her fever down for the most part, but took her in on Monday am. She had tonsillitis (they didn't use that term, but I saw her tonsil and it was huge and red with lots of white stuff on it!). She started an antibiotic and stayed home for 2 days until her fever had been gone for 24 hours. She developed a small rash on her belly Tuesday and I just associated it with an allergic reaction to some new detergent, and also b/c I called the doc and that's what they said it probably was...Weds she went to NiNi's and Niki called me around 10saying her rash was really bad (I had JUST driven into Poplar Bluff, MO...made one call then turned around and came home). I was thinking she had the measles and contemplating what we would do if she had given it to everyone at school--I was trying to come up with a neat "I'm sorry" gift for the parents!. When I picked her up, I KNEW it was the measles!!! She looked AWFUL!!! Measly-like-bumps EVERYWHERE, and so much worse that 3 hours before when Ryan took her. We went straight to the doctor...diagnosis--Roseola, a measles-like rash that develops AFTER a fever has broken, so luckily she wasn't contagious!!!

Labor Day Family Vacation!

2009-10-06T09:39:00.006-05:00

Here is a slideshow of pics from our Labor day vacation to Indiana to visit some very good friends, The Haeckers. The Humphreys came too (from Seattle) and we had such a great time!!! All of the men own their own Audio/Visual/Home Theatre Business and we all met through Elan, a company whose products they sell, and sell very well b/c Elan is who send us to Mexico every Feburary. So, that's how we all met and became the Elan Elite "H" gang. The Haeckers have a BEAUTIFUL home in Nobelsville, IN; and an AMAZING lake house on Lake Wawasse--we are so grateful for our time there!!! Ensley and Eli (4) are getting married one day, as long as Ensley doesn't bite him anymore :)! They loved each other and had a great time together--minus the mosquito bites!! They were terrible!! Eli taught Ensley how to go down stairs and how to drive the tractor. He loved pushing her in the swing, they were precious together!! He called her Ens-a-ley....precious and I actually call her that every now and then too. We can't wait to get them together again!!

Summer pics

2009-09-13T17:30:00.004-05:00

Here's a slideshow (very out of order!) of July-August pics...fun times!! Ensley's favorite new thing is "Rella" or Cinderella. We watch it everynight and she loves it! I want to buy her everything Rella right now! We will be going to Disney in December to meet Rella and I can't wait to see the look on her face when she sees her.
Ryan and I got away one weekend and headed to Little Rock for a EX reunion, we had so much fun and I slept til 10 both days!!! AWESOME!! I miss sleeping in--not that I'm complaining, but I do miss it! GJ and Pop flew over the other day so Ryan and I could go on a date night, and they let us sleep in the next morning til noon!!!! Much needed rest for both of us, and we were so grateful and excited you would've thought they gave us a million dollars! We're checking our calendars to see when we need another date night!!
I celebrated my 31st b-day with our supper club in Memphis, we had a blast!
Niki (Nini), Ensley's sitter was on vacation for two weeks and GJ did granny daycare one week and Pammie did it the next---thank you both soooo much! We couldn't have done it without you!

A few pics...

2009-08-31T07:59:00.005-05:00

Need a laugh???

2009-08-29T08:26:00.002-05:00

...I forgot to put a diaper on Ensley this morning!!!!!!!!!!??????????? What!!?? Who does that!?! Who forgets to put a diedy (that what she calls it) on their baby!?! What even funnier is that I didn't realize I had forgotten until we were watching Cinderella (rella) in our bed and she tee-teed all in the bed and on me!! I looked everywhere for the diedy, thinking she had taken it off of herself...couldn't find it anywhere...I said did mama not put a diedy on you this morning??? She shook her head no!! Sorry E, Mama won't forget again!!!

First Trip to the Dentist!!!

2009-08-16T22:20:00.008-05:00

I forgot to post this!! We had Ensley's first trip to the dentist a few weeks ago and they all said she set a world record (maybe they say that to all new parents??) b/c she actualy let them brush her teeth! She had so much fun in the waiting room--I did too!--lots of things to do in there, and was great when the dental assistant cleaned her teeth. When Dr. Oliver came around, though, she wasn't as cooperative but he said it was great that they were able to even clean her teeth and he was able to get a good look in there. Hopefully this will ease any fear of future appointments in the next few years!??!?!

Co-Sleeping can be dangerous!!!

2009-08-16T21:27:00.005-05:00

I have always thought co-sleeping is precious, at least I love it and Ryan does too. While I nursed Ensley, we shared the guest bedroom, normally co-sleeping thought the night (such a precious time!!), and even today, if she wakes up in the night, we will put her in bed with us. It is the most convenient for all of us since we all need our sleep at night, but...I think I have learned the hard way how dangerous co-sleeping can be!!!! Ensley head-butted me the other night and gave me a black lip---sooooo not funny, but funny! When it happened, it hurt (a lot), but I quickly went back to sleep. When I looked at myself in the mirror the next morning...black blood blister on my lip!!! I looked like I had been punched! If I wore realy dark lipstick, it would cover it up but I looked a little goth if you know what I mean. So I just explained it to everyone that my kid did it and not my husband! HA!

ONE YEAR CHECKUP!!!!

2009-08-01T21:23:00.006-05:00

Well, we had Ensley's one year chek-up the other day...a month late...and here are her stats and a few updates:

Weight: 21lbs 15oz (50th percentile)
Height: 30" (70th percentile)
Head: 18.5" (90th percentile)

Ensley loves books and I love that she loves books!! She will bring them up to one of us and say buh (Book). She likes to look through them herself now and will also let you read a few pages to her at a time.
She is very into dolls ("dah") right now too, she hugs them and squeezes them tight-precious!
One of her newest words is MORE!! It sound like muh and is normally said while eating or drinking.
She definately isn't afraid to tell you what she likes or what she wants or doesn't want. She will shake her head no, say no, and push whatever it is (including me!) away.
She has started trying to put on her own clothes and some of mine too...she knows that her arms go through holes so i will catch her putting panties (mine or hers!) on her arms and even over her head--too funny! That being said---she took off her diaper today TWICE!!!! Oh jeez that scares me!! After she did it and I said no no, I thought putting panties (diaper cover) on over her diaper would help...um no, she took those off too!!! It was hard not to laugh b/c it was so funny, but after the third time, I had to let her know that was definately a NO NO and hopefully it won't be happening again!?!? (It's hard to discipline at this age! Maybe it's hard at every age??!! )
She loves playing "Where's Ensley!?!?" When she first started doing it, she would put her hands over the sides of her head, or over one eye, but soon learned the game is much better when she covers both eyes!
She has started watching a little more television, Cinderella, actually. We watch a little bit right before it's time to go to bed and she loves it (I do too actually!!).
That phase she went through of waking up everynight has been over for a while, thank goodness! She is consistently going down at 7:30 and consistently waking up around 7...even on Saturdays :-) fun fun!
Ensley LOVES drinking out of a straw, just like her Mama. She is mainly doing sippy cups but if a bottle is easier (like early in am or if she does happen to wake in the night), we're all about it! She started whole milk a few months ago and she still gets formula (Next Step) and cereal in her nightime drink. She has started to feed herslef with a spoon---just as we were getting a little less messy with feedings...HA!
We get the mail everyday in the fun push car Heather Al and the boys gave her for her birthday.
Ensley will tell you where her belly and nose are if you ask her. She says nose but we're working on belly. We're also working on letting people know where our ears are.

She is so much fun and is so very active. Her Dada and I are neither one neat freaks, but my goodness, she is a tornado! She LOVES to unpack bags and drawers especially. I've never seen something so small make such lovely large messes!
She is such a joy, is so entertaining, and makes us smile and laugh constantly. Some of my favorite things are watching her sleep, hearing her breathe, and watching her in the rear view mirror (surely that's not illegal yet!??)!!
We hope everyone is doing well!!!!

A few videos...

2009-07-29T19:11:00.013-05:00

Here are a few videos from the last few months... Trying out our new shoes! SQUEEK!

She has started Putting her food on her head...I guess in case she gets hungry later???
Having fun in the car! (sorry its sideways!)

A trip to Russellville...

2009-07-28T09:45:00.022-05:00

We hadn't been to Russellville to visit Jmac and Meme since Christmas, so we decided it was time for a weekend getaway! Meme cooked pizza Friday night, on Saturday, the guys played golf while the girls shopped aroung town, then we all went swimming at some of their friends pool. That night, we ate at the Country Club (we may not get asked back just yet, Ensley broke a plate that went all over the balcony level we were eating on outside, AND the one below...and I guess I should mention I made a small scene when a very large insect attacked me...and we still can't find one of her shoes??) Ensley and I went to church with Meme on Sunday (while the guys had church on the golf course...). I thought we'd try to keep Ensley in the service, thinking she would go to sleep...ha-silly me. To save Meme any embarassment, I walked the two blocks to the nursery, got lost, had no idea where I was going, stepped in a hole in the sidewalk and about busted it (with E on my hip) but my knee caught my fall (ouch), and I made it back in time for the last part of the sermon.
It was a fun weekend and we thank Uncle J and Aunt Meme for everything!!! We are so glad you guys are so easy going and didn't mind us having toys, diapers, shoes, clothes, etc...from one end of your house to the other!! XXOO

Visiting Jmac at Good Deals.

Kind-of afraid of the big gorilla...

A familiar chair!

B-day slideshow

2009-07-25T17:08:00.001-05:00

Fourth of July!!!

2009-07-21T21:34:00.006-05:00

For the Fourth of July this year, we headed to the river! It was so much fun!! Heather, Al, Quince, Luke, Cara, Kaden, Kyle, Brad, Pammie, and Grandaddy were all there at Spring Leaf Ranch. What a wonderful weekend we had!! We swam in Lake Jake, sat in the river while the kids were napping, and enjoyed good food and family. PP and Gdaddy made a sandy beach for the kids to play in at Lake Jake---E HATED the sand at first, I mean, she cried like a wild cat, I've NEVER heard her do that before, it was crazy! Finally, Dada eased her into it (I had to leave the situation b/c I can't stand it when my child sounds like a wild animal!!), and a few minutes later, the feline crying was over and she was happily playing in the sand. Whatta Dada!! Thanks PP and Gdaddy for everything!!! Love yall so much!

Ensley pinched her finger on a toy and it wouldn't stop bleeding, and she kept eating off the band-aids, so we had to put one of Quince's socks on her hand...too funny!

The Thomas Family

> Ensley just can't get enough hugs from Luke!

I think she's a little overwhelming to him sometimes...ahhhh precious cousins!!!

Can you see the look on her face here!??!? HILARIOUS! We introduced her to this fish and she did not like it!! She is such a little princess!

div>

Grandaddy and all three of his grandkids at his favorite place in the world, the river. Lots more fun memories to be made there!

A new hobby...

2009-07-21T21:32:00.002-05:00

As you all know, I am a HUGE picture FREAK!!! So...I have started taking a photography class. It is a lot of fun and I am learning a lot! Here a few pics of my first assignment which was Downtown Paragould.

Our second assignment was to take pictures of things that people wouldn't recognize when viewing the objects. See if you can tell what these pics are of!?!?

(pics are: pompon on Razorback Barbie, looking up a chest of drawers, a speaker, a light fixture, a toeshoe, bananas, ice, tailight, top of outside AC unit, silver serving piece, inside of our fire place)

Our third assignment was capturing a sequenced event, and a few environmental shots.

JUNE!!!!

2009-07-17T15:36:00.003-05:00

Well now that July is half way over, I will do my June update! The summer has been so busy and I can't believe it's halfway over! June was filled with lots of fun things...we visited Jennifer and Win Coleman in Batesville the first weekend of June. They had a little boy, Cooper, last October and it was time to get the kids together and see the house they just built. We had such a great time, it was a quick trip but good to hang out, it had been too long!
Ensley and I went to Harrison the following weekend so mom could keep E while I worked Mtn. Home.
The next weekend, we had our Annual Sound Concepts Cookout/Crawfish Boil. Actually, it was supossed to be annual the first time we did it 3 summers ago, but haven't gotten around to doing it again til now! We had such a great time, the SC gang is like family and SC wouldn't be what it is today without these guys! We love yall and thank you for your hard work!! I wish I had a pic of all the "gang" together.
The next weekend was Ensley's big b-day bash!!
Aunt Meme's b-day was Sunday the 28th, so she and I celebrated by going to see Wicked at the Orpheum in Memphis. We LOVED it and had so much fun! Before the show, we stopped by Morgan and Virginia's condo on Beale to say hi and Mom, Dad, Ryan, and E suprised Meme by coming over to have a b-day dinner at TDB--Texas De Brazil--one of my favorites!!
So, June was busy, but of course so much fun!!! Enjoy the thousands of pics!! I can't help that I am a picture FREAK!!!??!!

Happy Birthday to our Daniel

2009-07-12T22:45:00.001-05:00

Today would have been Daniel's 32nd birthday so we all got together and celebrated his life!! We went to his favorite restaurant, El Alcapulco, then headed to the Lake. None of us fished, as he would have, but we rode around on the boat and relaxed in the water telling Daniel stories and watching E enjoy her first time in a boat and in Bull Shoals. On the way home, we stopped by the cemetary to wish both Daniel and Grandma Greene a happy birthday (they were born on the same day, many years apart!). Then we did what Daniel would've loved the best--we came home and shot off bottle rockets!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY NANIEL!!!

ENSLEY'S BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!!

2009-07-07T21:54:00.024-05:00

Oh what a wonderful FIRST birthday party we had for our baby girl!!!! Her B-day was on Friday, but it worked out better for everyone's schedule to do the BIG PARTY on Saturday the 27th. The theme was--what else??--PINK!! It was beautiful outside, but probably one of the hottest days we've had yet! I think it got up to 105! We couldn't even keep the house cooled down, but none of that mattered b/c we were all together and having fun!
We had all of our immediate family there---Pammie, Grandaddy, GJ, Pop, Aunt Meme and Uncle JonJon, Aunt Heather and Uncle Al, and cousin Quince and cousin Luke.
Dada cooked everyone HotDogs, Turkey Dogs, and Hamburgers, and we had mac n cheese, cole slaw, baked beans, goldfish, yummy dips for chips, shrimp, and of course cake!!
Ensley received a ton of fun gifts!! She LOVES the car Q and L gave her--we go get the mail in it EVERYday and she loves to toot the horn! The turtle blanket from E and JMac is a favorite already--so so soft and she loves to give the turtle hugs. PP and GDaddy had a china cabinet and table and chairs made for her --PRECIOUS and PINK of course with all of the Disney Princesses on them. GJ and Pop provided all the fun outside--the pools and the square mats, we have thoroughly enjoyed them! She loved all of her presents, the big ones, the little ones, the ones I didn't mention, and we thank everyone for treating our E like a Princess and for coming to her FIRST birthday party!!
Here are a few shots, I'll post more--or a video!--later!!! Thanks to all for the b-day wishes to our E. We are so blessed.

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JUNE 26 2009!!!!!

2009-07-02T20:26:00.013-05:00

Ensley turned one on the 26th and we had such a fun day together!!! I took the day off to be with my baby girl and reminisce what was going on exactly a year ago.
We got up that morning and went to (where else!?!?) McDonalds and got b-fast.
Then we came home to eat it and played and got ready for the party the next day. After her morning nap, (it's precious to me that she will still--after a YEAR--curl up like she was in my belly, look at those feet!) we went--where else--shopping!! We had to be out and about in our cute little "Birthday Girl" outfit and let everyone know it was our birthday. Around 3, GJ and Pop landed at the airport...such a precious reunion b/t she and GJ.

We all went to Ridgepointe to swim and play in the pool, then eat dinner.

We kept watching the time to be sure and celebrat 5:34pm but of course, missed it by a few minutes before and a few minutes after!! Oh well, we think the clock in my delivery room was fast anyway!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ENSLEY ELIZABETH!!!!!

DADA's DAY!!!!

2009-07-01T20:17:00.009-05:00

Happy Father's Day to Ryan!! I can speak for him when I say he is so very very happy to be a DADA! I wanted a baby very badly for a long time, and he was kind-of OK it just being us, but he knew how I longed to be a MAMA that he wanted it too, not for him necessarily, but for me. It was the best gift he has ever given me and I know the feeling is mutual!! He will look at me at least once a week and say, "You know, I'm glad you had me do this, she's pretty cool." Or he'll say, "She was a pretty good idea, you know?" For those of you that know Ryan, that's saying a lot. (I also think that he knows and LOVES that she looks just like him!!!) We love you DADA Ryan.

Ryan and his DADA on Father's Day
Ensley was in one outfit and decided to go play in the toilet so we had to bathe her and change her. I let Ryan pick out what she would wear. He picked this festive 4th of July outfit that says :Miss America" ...too cute that he would pick that out over all of her fru-fru outfits! He is a very proud dada!

This is what we got Dada for his special day. I was going to let him take it to the showroom and put on his desk, but I seemed to have found the perfect spot for it in the living room!!!

A note to my DADA--I love you immeasurably is what you always say to me...I want you to know that the feeling is so entirely mutual!! You have been an incredible Father to all THREE of us kids and we wouldn't be who we are today without your love, guidance, and support. Your faith, your love and respect for Mom (and all of us!), and gentle spirit are amazing, and I love seeing you with Ensley. She adores her POP and prefers you over anyone sometimes which is PRICELESS!!! As are you and mom. Happy Father's Day, Daddy. SA

One year ago....

2009-06-25T19:59:00.006-05:00

One year ago tonight, I was at the hospital, hooked up to all the machines, ready to start the process of giving birth to my first baby. It's surreal to think back to that time, a time when Ensley Elizabeth was still inside of me, a time of excitement, anticipation, and pure joy, a time when we did not yet know her. This year has been the best year of our lives. Nothing can compare to the happiness our precious daughter has brought us. I cannot believe she will be one tomorrow. Sometimes it feels like it has gone by very quickly, but then other times, I feel it was just right. I have tried to savor every moment, every milestone, everything. We love her more and more everyday and are so thankful and blessed that we were given such an amazing gift from above. We thank you God, without Him, nothing is possible. We love you Ensley.

We are so proud of our DADA!!!!

2009-06-23T19:01:00.013-05:00

This article was the Arkansas Business News Story in the latest issue of ARk. Business---we couldn't be more proud of our DADA!!!!

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=115311&fs=1

Sound Concepts Finds Niche Installing High-End ElectronicsBy Mark Hengel - 6/22/2009

In college, Ryan Heringer of Jonesboro fed his electronics habit by installing electronics systems for his friends. More than seven years after graduating from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Heringer's livelihood stems from the skill he once spent odd hours practicing.
The 30-year-old opened Sound Concepts Inc. of Jonesboro shortly after graduation and is now one of the go-to guys in the region for the installation of home and commercial electronics systems. The systems range in price from $20,000 to well into six figures and can be as small as a home theater setup to a system that controls almost all electronics in a client's home - air conditioning, lights, home theater, stereo, even window blinds. The systems even allow an owner to control everything from his cell phone.
And despite the economic slowdown, business has remained busy for Heringer, he said, with his 13 employees and three contractors working on more than 60 projects currently. For those considering Sound Concept's assistance in installing an electronic system, cost is usually not a sticking point, he said.
The industry as a whole has not weathered the economy as well as Sound Concepts has. In its annual list of the nation's top 100 installation companies, CE Pro, a trade magazine, found 2008 revenue fell about 12 percent. Sound Concepts' 2008 revenue grew by about 25 percent year over year.
Making (Sound) Waves
Heringer has earned national recognition for services he provides. CE Pro ranked Sound Concepts among the nation's top 100 "integrators," an industry term for those selling and installing home electronics. The company ranked No. 54 in the nation, with $4.3 million in 2008 revenue, according to CE Pro's list. The company worked on 156 installations in 2008, with the average revenue from an installation topping out at about $28,000. Heringer expects 2009 revenue of about $4.5 million. Sound Concepts is the only Arkansas company on the list.
Heringer is one of the lucky people who has turned his passion into his livelihood. "When I was up in school, that was kind of my passion," he said. "I would go buy all the latest and greatest electronics."
During Heringer's final years at the UA, installing electronics for others helped pay for his own habit, he said. Heringer's skill also landed him work for northwest Arkansas residents like Don Tyson, the former chairman of Tyson Foods of Springdale.
It didn't become clear that installing electronics might become Heringer's trade until he returned to Jonesboro and began working for his family's petroleum distribution business, Star Cos. Inc. While working for his father, Al, young Ryan continued installing on the side. "I realized that no one else was doing this, and I realized I made more money on the side than working for my dad," Heringer said.
Al Heringer took the news well. Ryan said his father told him to "go out and make it on your own." (But he also asked his son to return the company car he'd used while on the family's payroll.) The decision has led to annual revenue growth of greater than 10 percent, Heringer said.
The Goods
The company has carved out a niche installing electronic setups in homes that any celebrity would proudly show off on MTV's celebrity home show "Cribs." While the average job in 2008 cost about $28,000, it's not uncommon for projects to cost much more. Heringer recently completed a northeast Arkansas home's $900,000-plus system, and a condo in Little Rock's 300 Third Tower (see story, Page 17) has more than $500,000 in electronic goodies packed into just over 2,500 SF, Heringer said.
Heringer would not disclose the names of those clients.
For the most part, business has remained stable despite the economy's woes, Heringer said. Sound Concepts provides a luxury item, and most of the company's clients are not wanting for cash.
"For a lot of clients, it's not 'What can I afford?'" Heringer said. "They ask, "What can it do and can I justify spending that amount of money on it?'"
A project can entail anything from a customer buying a television at the Jonesboro showroom to Heringer & Co. installing everything needed so that a touch screen remotely controls almost all things electrical in the house.
Sound Concepts doesn't outfit only homes. The operation completes installs for several businesses. A steady client for Sound Concepts has been Liberty Bank of Arkansas, from which Heringer received his initial startup loan.
"Wallace Fowler, he's probably the No. 1 reason I got started," Heringer said of Liberty Bank's chairman and CEO.
The original small-business loan was an easy one to make, Fowler said. Fowler has known Heringer and his father for a good while, and Al Heringer sits on the bank's board of directors, Fowler said. "We gave him an opportunity, and he has absolutely done well with it," Fowler said. "If there is anything fun about banking these days, that is it."
Fowler and Liberty Bank have also employed Heringer. Fowler hired Sound Concepts to outfit his house on Eden Isle at Greers Ferry Lake, and Heringer installed the components that allow Liberty Bank's headquarters to hold weekly meetings with its several locations across Arkansas.
Having connections to Don Tyson and Fowler has helped Heringer in other ways, he said. About 85 percent of Sound Concepts' business comes from referrals, he said. The number of people with enough disposable income to buy such high-tech toys is not large, but they often know each another.
"If you do a good job for them, that's all you need," Heringer said. "It's a snowball effect. They'll send me five other people."
Sound Concepts has another method for drumming up business, though. The company has invested upwards of $2.5 million to outfit its Jonesboro showroom. The intention is to include everything a potential customer might want to play with before buying.
The showroom's 10,000-SF area includes two theaters, a corporate conference room, a custom kitchen, bedrooms, outdoor theater, a soundproof room, wine cellar and his-and-her luxury bathrooms.
All can be controlled from Heringer's iPhone.
More customers are asking for the ability to control their installations from a phone, Heringer said. The ability to remotely turn on air conditioners and other amenities can be a real convenience to anyone traveling to a weekend house, Heringer said.
Traveling is something Heringer has become familiar with since starting the company. Because only a select number of people in northeast Arkansas can afford such high-end systems, Heringer often travels the state and neighboring states for work. Last week, he spent three days in Bentonville outfitting the house of a Wal-Mart Stores Inc. executive, he said. Other jobs have taken him to Tulsa and other cities in neighboring states, he said.
Dr. George Roberson of Pine Bluff said he hired Sound Concepts to outfit his family's Hot Springs lake house after several builders and contractors recommended the company. Roberson and his wife, Sara, are investing about $50,000 in a system that will allow them to centralize almost all electronics in the house, including security cameras, locks, lighting and entertainment.
"It is a smart home and it also has the advantages of being able turn off all lights with one switch," said Roberson, medical director of Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff. "We also have had the wiring installed for cameras, and we will be able to look at the boat dock over the Internet. "He added that "it'll be fun to play with."

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Copyright © 2009, Arkansas Business Limited Partnership. All Rights Reserved.

We fell down...

2009-06-15T19:13:00.003-05:00

Oh wahhhhhhh!! My baby girl fell down and busted her lip Saturday night!! She bled so much, it broke my heart! I think she just cut her upper lip underneath...boohoo! It was so swollen, it looked like she had received lip injections!! Luckily, the bleeding stopped quickly (I thought we were on our way to the ER again...), and the swelling was gone by Sunday. She is one tough cookie--she plays rough and definately gets banged up from time to time--afterall, she is my kid and everyone knows how clutzy I am and how I am always sporting a bruise!!

May pics!!!!

2009-06-14T13:33:00.006-05:00

Here are all of our pics from May!! Ensley is walking everywhere, and even running at times (not too far though!)! She still is fascinated with the toilet, enjoys climbing in and out of her recliner, is obsessed with wet wipes (getting into the packages), being outside, and LOVES the pool (bath time too). She loves playing with books, opening and closing them, but can't really sit still long enough to read one (which of us does that come from...ha!). She is a busy body, still into everything, and gets more and more independent everyday! :-(
While she began her life as a very good sleeper, and slept through the night at a very early age, it seems she has reverted and now is waking up at night!?! AGH! I think we she started getting her top teeth, the waking up started--Oh well, we don't let it bother us too much, we let her fuss for a bit then if she doesn't stop we just go get her and put her in bed with us. We need our sleep too and we really do all sleep just fine with her right between us! An Ensley sandwich is our fav!!
She has started saying so many words too--done, bath, juice (sounds like deuce), down, duck, and even said donut once!! Pop was reading a book to her and he said donut, so she said it (whoa we gotta watch what we say!!)! She probaby won't say it again for a while but it sure was funny!!
We also got a new car! YAY! It's fun to have something nice to drive on the weekends--not that my Impala isn't nice (free is always nice!), but we needed a family vehicle. Thanks Dada, we LOVE our new ride!! Enjoy!

A visit from Aunt Anna!!!!

2009-06-09T17:53:00.010-05:00

Anna came all the way from Dallas to visit us the other weekend, and we had soooooooooo much fun!!! E and I picked her up at the airport in Memphis on Friday, headed back to Jbr, then we all ate dinner at Ridgepointe. On Saturday, we left the house one time---to go back to Ridgepointe to go swimming! It was Ensley's first real time to the pool and she LOVES it!!! (Last Labor Day, Ryan and I took her to the pool very briefly so that hardly counts b/c it was so cold and she was so new!!) Saturday night, Ryan cooked us a feast and we ate outside (the mosquitoes aren't that bad...yet!). On Sunday, we just lounged around until we had to head to Memphis to take ACJ back to airport. It was a very relaxing, low key weekend filled with lots of staring at and playing with Ensley. We love you Anna Soon and thank you for coming all the way to see us! Thank you also for the precious outfit you gave E, we love it!

Ensley was very sad to see Anna go :-(

Playing in SW's pool!

2009-06-06T12:14:00.002-05:00

Memorial Day weekend...a little late!!!

2009-05-30T22:43:00.007-05:00

We had such a wonderful weekend! It was so nice having extra time off to be with my baby girl! I was also off the Friday before b/c E developed a rash they thought might be Fifth's disease! She had had a high fever earlier in the week and cold-like symptoms (I was worried it was her third ear infection, but thankfully it wasn't!!), then a day after her fever broke, the rash came. It was gone by Memorial Day, and never bothered her, so who knows?!!? At least if it was Fifth's she won't get it again!! Thanks Pammie for helping me out during the week so I would have a few sick days to last me through the rest of the year (2!!! crap!)
We went to the river for Ensley's first trip to the cabin.
We had such a great time relaxing and being with family! Pammie and Grandaddy cooked us such great food and everything was perfect as usual!! Thank you PP and Grandaddy!!! Thanks for the fun pool too!! E had a great time with Uncle Brad too. We can't wait to come back to Springleaf!

(Thanks for the swimsuit SW!! We love it!!)
We also LOVED hanging out with the Coopers, E and Sarah Wesley had such a great time playing in SW's pool---thank you sooooooo much SW for letting E splash around in your fun pool!! We can't wait to see you again!
Ensley played with bubbles for the first time! Queenie took the girls for a stroll in the wagon!

On Sunday, we went to Harrison and were planning on going to the lake but it was rainy so we just took it easy---I LOVED IT!!!
GJ came back to Jonesboro with us, then Emily and Jmac came on that Tuesday night, Pop flew over on Wednesday night so we could all be together to celebrate GJ's B-day. It was so fun having such a full house---but it's time for a new one!!! Anytime we are ALL together, someone has to sleep on a blow up mattress, so we are meeting with an architect to get started on a new, bigger house!! YAY! I wish we could just snap our fingers and have it done! Anyway, one day, everyone will have their own bed and I thank GJ, Pop, Meme, and Jmac for taking turns in the playroom on the blow-up bed. Love yall!

Brushing our teeth!

2009-05-30T10:28:00.003-05:00

Ensley now has 4 teeth and 2 more breaking through! They have certainly come in fast over the last month! She loved brushing her teeth for the first time...I just wish I would get better about remembering to brush them every night!!!

1st B-day pics

2009-05-28T21:37:00.003-05:00

We had Ensley's 1st B-day pics taken on Wednesday, and I cannot wait to see them!?!?! They were PRECIOUS!!! She turned 11 months--I can't believe it!?!?--on Tuesday, so we did do these a little bit early, but I needed them done for a specific reason, but it's a secret!
I couldn't resist taking a video as she was trying her cake for the first time...I could just eat her up!!! She was dainty and delicate with the cake, which suprised me after seeing her eat dinner every night!! At one point, she leaned down and just started licking the cake...She had a lot of fun and loved her strawberry cake. She did eventually dig into it a little more, but was no where near as messy as I thought she would be!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDJAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-05-28T21:31:00.002-05:00

We love you sooooooo much GJ and our house is empty without you here!!! Thank you for all of youhelp the last few days, you're the best! So glad we could help you celebrate your B-day! I hope the rest of your day was fantastic!!!

April pics!!

2009-05-25T12:40:00.003-05:00

Here is a slideshow of ALL of our pics from April! It was so long ago, I've forgotten all of the milestones, but walking was the biggest!!! She tried her first piece of Pizza and does love it! She doesn't really like to be fed anymore, she would much rather do it herself, which gets extremely messy!!! But it is so fun! Brandi Adams and I chaired the Heart Gala in early April benifiting the American Heart Association. It was a lot of fun and we ended up making more than we did last year so it was a success! Enjoy!!

May 24, 2008

2009-05-25T09:38:00.004-05:00

What a happy day that was!!! Emily and Jonathan were married in a beautiful outdoor ceremony in my parent's backyard...it was soooooooo much fun and was sooooo amazing!!! Meme and J are in St. Louis celebrating but we wanted to let them know we were thinking about them last night and what was going on a year ago...we love you two soooooo much!!!
(ps--that picture fell over on Ensley right after we took the picture...not very smart on our part! Sorry E!!)

Ensley's new favorite things...

2009-05-25T08:54:00.004-05:00

E LOVES climbing in and out of her recliner from Uncle JonJon and Aunt Meme, she is also VERY interested in the toilet!!

MY FIRST MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

2009-05-20T17:45:00.011-05:00

Oh I am so thankful and blessed to FINALLY be celebrating this day!!!! It was a wonderful day; it started with my favorite breakfast in bed--Sausage McMuffin (no egg!) and Large Diet Coke from McD's. Growing up, it's a tradition in our house to fix Mom b-fast and take it up to her on a tray with a flower, so I told Ryan we had to start that here. (I requested the McD's, it's my fav! one day he and E can cook me up some bfast, though!). Ryan picked roses from our backyard and put the on the tray too. Then we got ready and went to church. I had wanted us all to go to the park and have a picnic, but the weather didn't cooperate so we came home, ate lunch, then took a 2.5 hour nap!! All three of us, it was nice! Then we woke up and Ryan took us shopping for household goodies at Target and WalMart (we love it when Dada treats us to any shopping spree!), and then we went to The Heringer's for Mother's Day dinner. It was such a special day and I thank God for making me a mother to my baby E!!!

To my Moma on Mother's Day---I am so sorry I couldn't be there to bring you breakfast in bed. Thank you for being the best mother ever and teaching me so many things! You are a wonderful person inside and out and I appreciate all you have taught me and still are teaching me!!! I always knew how much I love you and how special you were to me, but having a baby of my own made me realize just how amazing and important Mommies are!!! Love you GJ!!!! SA

HAPPY B-DAY GRANDADDY!!!!

2009-05-09T18:48:00.006-05:00

We celebrated Big Al's B-day last night at Ridgepoint with the whole family, Grandma, and Deanie...soo great to all get together!!!!

TAKING OFF!!!!

2009-05-09T18:46:00.000-05:00

Our trip to NWA!!!

2009-05-03T21:04:00.000-05:00

We had so much fun!!! Thanks Honea for letting us stay at your house!!! Hope we didn't leave anything behind...like McDonalds biscuit :) (My fellow Pom-Pon girls and Cheerleaders---look how she is sitting!! She sits like that all the time!) Thanks Aunt Meme for all of you help!! You are such a great Aunt and E loves you!!!

Friday night E and I went to Bella Vista to see Keri, Shane, and their girls. They had so much fun together. We told them they were all going to live in the big green house on Maple street one day, each a year apart--Noel is 3, Lila almost 2, and E almost 1. How much fun will Mom's day be!?!? I didn't get a pic of E and Lila, but got a few of she and Noel. Ensley just loved her and hugged her to pieces!! It was so cute! Then Keri, Ensely, and I all went to Bonefish for dinner--it was delish and of course the server got another big tip b/c we left a mess!!!

For lunch on Sat, we met up with Missy, Sarah Holt, Holly, Jennifer and Addison, and Courtney and Bishop.

We went to the Mellow Mushroom and loved it!!! Can't wait to go back!! (Of course, another big mess...) Sorry Kestners!!!

Aunt Honea helped E fall asleep while we shopped at Bella Jacks...
Love my E!!!

Thanks Aunt Meme and Aunt Honea for babysitting Sat. night so I could go to dinner with my friends!!!!
On Sunday, Meme, E and I all met Ellis, Beth, KT, and MaryMorgan for lunch at the Promenade, I had never been...it is so neat! I didn't feel like I was in Arkansas!!! CAn't wait to go back!

Ensley LOVED Ellis and went right too him, it was sooooooo sweet!! She slobbered all over his shirt!

Shopping for some shoes!

On the way back to Harrison, we stopped in and met AVERY!!! Finally! We had been wanting to meet him for a long time now! They had a great time!

WHEW!! We sure did do a lot in one weekend!! It was so great seeing everyone though!! Next time I hope to stay longer!!!!!

WAlking!!

2009-05-03T19:16:00.005-05:00

I have been trying to get her walking on video and finally we got it! I was hoping Ryan had only E in the picture, but he didn't, so PLEASE just ignore me in my PJ's!!!!

WE HEART HOGS!!

2009-05-03T12:17:00.002-05:00

I know football season is a few months away, but it's never too early to make sure we look like a Hogfan!! I bought her this cute onesie on our trip to Fayetteville and couldn't wait to see it on with the tutu Miss Ingrid made for her...I love it!!

WEEKEND!!!! YAY!

2009-05-03T10:54:00.010-05:00

We have had a very relaxing--rainy weekend!! We only left the house once yesterday--to brave Sam's on a Saturday. It was only E's second time to sit in the cart at a grocery store and she sure does love it! I think towards the end she was feeling a little bogged down with stuff, though! I needed another person there pushing another cart and to say we were to the max was an understatement!!
I guess we did leave the house again, to go to Ridgepointe with the Thomas family. Here's a funny video of E getting ready...

We had so much fun and made such a mess! Ryan and I have both become extremely good tippers b/c of the mess our little E leaves behind!! She looks a little guilty in this picture, doesn't she??? Ensley loves lemons so Dada wanted to see if she would like a lime....

New Car Seat!

2009-04-27T20:54:00.009-05:00

Well...we got a new car seat for our big little girl! She seems so tiny in it, like she did when we first had her in the infant car seat! She will grow into it very fast I am sure! We are still facing the back until she is 1 but so far she seems to like it. We took a road trip to Fayetteville this weekend and thought it would be the perfect time to try it out. She did great and I don't think she could really tell the difference. We had a blast in NWA, I will post pics soon (I actually left my camera at home so didn't have it when we were there--thought I was going to die without it but luckily Aunt Meme brought hers!! She's just as big of a picture freak as I am!)!

2009-04-24T07:09:00.003-05:00

This was taken the day she first took her four steps in hopes of getting her to do it again!

Videos!!

2009-04-23T19:38:00.007-05:00

Here are some recent video's of E...I had to do some on you tube b/c they wouldn't upload on blogger--is there a special secret I'm missing to get them uploaded?? Some videos work and others don't? (It's not that they don't work, I left it uploading overnight and it still hadn't uploaded the video!!)
This one was on Sat April 11...

She started shaking her head no when she was full, I don't know if she learned it from me (I feel I have to tell her no alot!) or if she learned it as school??

GO HOGS!

CUTE LAUGH!

FOUR STEPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-23T19:23:00.004-05:00

We had Ensley's 9-month check-up yesterday (even though she will be 10 months on Sunday)...and she is 28" long and weighed 19.6 lbs. She has actually lost weight since Monday--we had to go in Monday b/c I thought she might have another ear infection, but thankfully, she didn't! She weighed 20.2 then!?!?! They weren't concerned, her appetite hasn't been as good as normal in the last few days and she is soooo stinking active!!! While we were waiting in the doctor's office, she actually took FOUR STEPS all by herself!!!!!!!! She has taken one step here and there but this was the real deal and it was FOUR!!!! I was so proud of her!!! She gets so tickeled when she stands there by herself, it's precious. I actually got a video of it the other night but she fell flat on her forehead so I decided not to post it...I got one last night I'll post later.
She loves Dr. Hornbeck and reached for him with glee. He was looking in her mouth at her 3rd tooth she is getting and she reached up and stuck her thumb up his nose---it was soooooooooo hilarious!!!!!! Here's a cute pic I took of them as she was hugging him good-bye.

mY LITTLE mONKEY

2009-04-23T14:35:00.001-05:00

Easter weekend

2009-04-18T22:19:00.004-05:00

Here are all the fun pics from Easter weekend. Miss Niki was closed in observance of Good Friday so I decided to observe it as well and E and I spent the whole day together! Pop and Grandjan drove over that day and I cooked a great salmon (I NEVER cook but I thoroughly enjoyed doing it and everyone loved the meal! YAY!). On Saturday, Dada and Pop worked while Grandjan and I went to Forrest City to visit our wonderful family. Ensley is the first baby in 16 years on that side of the family so she is always the center of attention!! Dada cooked an amazing meal that evening and on Sunday we all went to church then met up with Pammie and Grandaddy for brunch. Grandjan and Pop left and we headed over to Pammie's and Grandaddy's to hunt eggs, be with family, and enjoy another great meal!

We live for the weekends!!!!

2009-04-18T18:20:00.005-05:00

Yay!! It's Saturday!! This past week was super-duper long and I am thankful for a break...except I can't sit still so E and I went on an excursion to Memphis today!!! We had so much fun shopping and even had lunch with cousin Randy!! Ensley had her first grilled cheese sandwich today and ate almost all of it--she doesn't like being fed anymore, she'd rather do it herself. Here's a cute video of her playing peek-a-boo in a dressing room, and a pic of she and Randy, and a priceless pic of her plum-worn out!! It was a quick trip and we are both exhausted!!!

He has risen!!!!

2009-04-12T21:29:00.004-05:00

We wanted to add something special in Ensley's Easter basket to represent what Good Friday and Easter are really about, so we got her a cross (pink of course!) to signify what Jesus did for us.
Friday night, we (Pop, Grandjan, Ryan, and me) all watched the Passion of the Christ, I was the only one who hadn't seen it. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it, but be prepared for a lot of emotions. It's not easy, it's very brutal, and definitely have some Kleenex handy, but it's a depiction of what our Jesus suffered for our benefit. It amazes me all that He went through--for us. To save us of our sins and transgressions and to give us eternal life in Heaven. The weight of the world was on Him and we are not worthy!! You can always read the story in the Bible, but Mel Gibson does a good job of portraying how awful the events were that happened on that gruesome day. I want to start a tradition of watching The Passion every Good Friday. This is a beautiful day and I am so thankful for all that Easter represents!! I hope everyone had a wonderful day!!!

New word!!!

2009-04-10T21:28:00.003-05:00

Ensley said a new word tonight and we got it on video!!!

First trip to the ER...

2009-04-10T11:04:00.003-05:00

My biggest fear since Ensley's arrival has been her falling off of our bed. It is a very tall bed and we have hard wood floors. I was on the bed with her playing...I looked up at the TV to admire how cute Reese Witherspoon is (literally 2 seconds) and I hear a crash. Oh my talk about panic!! Ryan seemed to think she was fine after observing her for a bit while I rushed around crazily getting ready to head to the ER. I just wanted to be safe so I took her on in(the doctor later told me I did the right thing by bringing her in--so when in doubt just go!!). She scared me on the way there b/c she went to sleep, but after we got checked in, she was waving and smiling at everyone in the ER. I was still worried. And of course I felt like a horrible HORRIBLE parent for letting that happen!! And I was right there!?!?! Anway, we got back to a room around 10 and ended up staying at the ER till 2am b/c it was a Saturday night, they were very busy, and E's condition wasn't bad, so we both just slept (at least we had a bed!). They did do an X-ray and we are so lucky, blessed, and thankful that all she had was a minor bruise on her skull, no fracture, no abrasion, nothing. Thank you God!! She is more resiliant than I give her credit for I guess! Everyone knows I am kind of a clutz and have had multiple trips to the ER--sorry mom and dad! I think E actually is my kid and may be a little clutzy like her mama, or maybe adventurous like both of us!?!?!

MARCH!!!!!!

2009-04-10T10:10:00.006-05:00

What a wonderful month March was!! Lots of updates!!! First and foremost, Ensley has added a new word to her vocabulary----MAMA!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE it!!!! Precious Precious! Another biggie, she started eating crackers...oh my do they fix ANYTHING!!! We go through so many b/c Ryan and I are eating just as many as she is! YUM! She is pulling up like crazy and "cruising" as they call it. The fun is just beginning!! She has let go and stood there for a few seconds then splat on the booty--I think they make diapers extra thick for cushion not absorption!!! We did have a major mishap and scare, I will do another post for that ordeal. All I can say is that she has some angels up above watching over her--and us!!! E devoured her first McDonalds biscuit and LOVED it!! It was a mess though!! She loves mac and cheese too! We celebrated Quince's b-day (3!!!) and even tried some of the frosting on the cake. On our Saturday outing looking for shoes, the Easter Bunny happened to be at Dillards so we got a few pics--she LOVED it!! She wanted to stay on the bunny's lap! Thanks Pammie and Grandad for taking Heather and me to the Orpheum to see Legally Blonde the Musical--it was awesome!!! Ryan was awarded an Outstanding Young Executive for 2008 by the NEA Business Today--we are so proud of you Dada!!!! Here are March pics!!!!

Happy 60th POP!!!!

2009-04-10T09:01:00.005-05:00

We celebrated Pop's 60th birthday on March 13th in Harrison. We had a huge party for him and had such a great time! It was great to see so many family and friends!! We love you POP and wish you 60 more!!!!! Here are some pics from our weekend in Harrison. The cat in the pictures randomly decided to join the party and climb up dad--we have no idea where it came from but it loved celebrating Pop's 60th. Pop and Grandjan adopted the cat for a few weeks but have recently found a new home for him. Ensley got to meet some of my friends from high school and their kids too--it was so fun seeing everyone and meeting their babies!!!