to the moon and back

her first

2010-03-26T08:28:00.001-05:00

On Tuesday Livi got this...
while playing outside at Nanny & PaPa's. There she was running along having a grand ole time. Then it happened. Right in front of me. She tripped over the scooter she was riding and went down. Slamming her poor little mouth on the arm of a chair. I scooped her up and then the blood came. She cried for all of 10 seconds, then was more concerned with getting the blood off of her hands and face. A big THANK YOU goes out to Steph for helping me get her cleaned up.

Now she's got a boo boo and if she's anything like her Daddy and Mommy, it won't be her last.

tutu too much fun...

2010-03-23T07:30:00.001-05:00

2010-03-22T07:50:00.004-05:00

love

this

kid.

family pictures

2009-12-01T22:54:00.007-06:00

For family pictures this year we met up with our favorite photographer Miss Karen. She met us downtown and we snapped a few shots. Well more like 100's of shots. We had so much fun and I think they all turned out wonderful. It was so hard to pick one for our Christmas card! Thanks again Karen we appreciate it SO much!

november recap

2009-12-01T17:19:00.011-06:00

On a beautiful fall day we had fun playing outside with Elmo and bubbles.She had her first ever school pictures taken.I saw Jewel with Rachel and Alicia.Rachel, Me, Alicia

Jarad went on a business trip to Vegas. He stayed at Green Valley Ranch Resort.Jarad then went out to the deer woods with Papa and Uncle B.
Jarad's buck and Uncle B's spike and doe.

Jarad decided one wasn't enough so he went back out and got himself another one. This time, a doe, a deer, you know the female kind.

Then there was that wonderful holiday in November with lots of food. This year we had Thanksgiving at my parents house.

I was up early on Black Friday and at Wal-Mart by 4:30 to do some shopping with Rachel, Chrissy and Cheryl. While I was shopping Jarad was going to make coffee when the coffee pot somehow exploded and he sliced open his thumb. After a trip to Urgent Care then to the ER to see a hand specialist he was stitched up and sent home.

On Saturday we put up our Christmas decorations.

And that pretty much sums it up.

Now we are getting ready for Christmas!! My most favorite time of the year! Can't wait to see my sister and her family.

another year

2009-11-18T22:21:00.002-06:00

Last year I wrote this post about the wonderful woman that I am lucky enough to call Mom.

Today we celebrated another year of her life. Another year of love, giving, and memories.

Happy Birthday Mom! I'm looking forward to many, many more.

welcome to the world baby girl

2009-11-18T16:06:00.005-06:00

Last night at 8:05 pm something beautiful came into this world. My cousin and his wife welcomed their first child, Makenzie Michelle. She wanted to take her time so her mommy had to be induced and after 11 hours of labor and two and a half hours of pushing they were finally able to hold their blessing from above in their arms. Weighing in a a whopping 9 lbs. 11oz. and 22.5 in. long!!

Ladies and Gentlemen I give you Makenzie Michelle and her wonderful parents Shane and Kristen.

She is beautiful, just beautiful. And seeing her and holding her in my arms made me want another one even more. Soon I hope, soon.

halloween 2009

2009-10-31T22:58:00.011-05:00

This year Jarad and I wanted Livi to be something cute and funny. We figure she's two and next year will probably have her own ideas of what she wants so this year we went with a flower garden gnome. And honestly I don't think there was a better costume for her. She looked so stinking sweet!

Our Halloween festivities started on Thursday at her preschool. They have a Halloween parade and the kids walk around in their costumes. It was so much fun seeing all the different ones. The teachers all dress up as different color crayons!

Today we made cupcakes then did a lot of running around. After going out to trick or treat my family we went over to my sister-in-loves house for dinner and then trick or treating in her neighborhood. After dinner all the kids got dressed and ready to head out and get some loot! It was so much fun watching Livi walk up to the houses this year. She seems so big and I don't know how we got here. My mom wasn't lying it really does go by fast.

Livi sitting by her princess pumpkin getting ready to go.

Claire the spider

Levi Buzz Lightyear

Drew Black Spidey

CoCo the Cop and Levi

And since I didn't post these already, here is my fall decor.

Hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween!

a huntin' they will go

2009-10-29T16:34:00.009-05:00

I wrote this post last year telling everyone about the hunting lodge the boys have. This year PaPa decided they needed an outhouse. So he built one. And we all took it down to Conway. Here are some pictures of our fun day at the farm.

Enjoy.

Here they are taking it off the trailer. It is really, really heavy.

"B" is going to hate me for posting this one but this just shows you how heavy this thing is. I mean look at that face.

CoCo and Livi found playing on the trailer to be a lot of fun.

Helping Daddy load up some dirt.

With all the work done, its time to play.

thankful

2009-10-01T17:04:00.004-05:00

My morning routine is the same everyday. Wake-up, pour a cup of coffee (that's a new one for me) feed the dogs, check facebook, and then get Livi up. This morning when checking my facebook, I noticed Aunt KiKi had her status as, "Aunt KiKi is just plain thankful for my life." When I read that I laughed. And not because I thought it was funny. I laughed because I was thinking that same thing all day yesterday. Actually there isn't a day that goes by that I'm not thankful for my life. I'm thankful I have a roof over my head, a vehicle to drive, and three meals (if I want to eat three) a day. I have a beautiful daughter and a husband who in my eyes hung the moon. I have a family and extended family that would do anything for me and I would do anything for them.

I may not have all the riches in the world. My house might not be the cleanest on the block, we might not be wearing the latest fashion, and some months we might pay our bills a little late. But we have smiles on our faces and love in our hearts and for that I will be forever thankful.

livi goes to school

2009-09-04T22:39:00.006-05:00

We decided to send Livi to mother's day out this year. She's in the 2/3 year old class with her cousin Cohen and her buddy Levi. We are sending her twice a week. So far I believe she loves it! She asks to go all the time. When I picked her up the first day her teacher said she had a great day but they couldn't get her to sit down for any period of time!! ha! I guess I should have warned them that she is a busy body!

Some pictures from her first day.

summer summer summertime

2009-08-21T11:03:00.020-05:00

To say its been a busy one would be an understatement. We have been going non-stop around here at the Giddens household. So far this summer we have:

Celebrated a second birthday and got some really cute pictures taken of our cute little girl.

Went on vacation to South Dakota with NieNie, Pa, Aunt Amber, Uncle Jesse, Hannah, Cade, Aunt Abbey, & Uncle Chris. Where we saw:

The Badlands

Stopped at Wall Drug and found a really neat chapel.

Mt. Rushmore

Woke Livi up from a nap so she could play with the animals at Old McDonald's Farm.

Road on the 1880 Train

Spent another day in Hill City looking at the trains and shops.

We drove on some very narrow and curvy roads with tunnels cut out of the mountains.

We saw lots of these:

We went to the Mammoth Site and saw, well, mammoths.

We went to Prairie Berry Winery.

Woke-up every morning to this.

and this is just half of it.

to be continued.....

two years (& one week) ago...

2009-07-14T09:00:00.015-05:00

I was holding the most beautiful baby girl I have every seen. (She's mine so I can say that!) I remember the song that just happened to come on the iPod when she entered this world, Joe Cocker, You are so Beautiful. I remember Dr. B telling me to "pull her on out" and that's what I did. Placing her on my chest I felt a love and bond I have never felt before. Listening to her sweet cry (something I would learn is not always sweet) emotions took over me and I couldn't believe she was mine.

Mine to love forever.

Now two years later I still can't believe she is mine and I thank the Lord everyday for trusting me this little girl we call Livi Loo.

Since her first birthday Livi now walks, feeds herself, can tell me what she wants, speaks three to four word sentences. She sings A,B,C,D,E and then starts over. She can count to 5. She still loves water but now she can wear floaties and floats around the pool herself. She loves when her Daddy comes home and if I say to her, "Livi who is here?" She will go to the window and start jumping up and down saying "Daddy, Daddy" then meets him at the door. On July 5th just two days before her second birthday she started calling me Mommy before then I was just Mama. Waking up to her saying Mommy was so sweet to me. She loves her dogs, Chili and Swiss and before she goes to bed she has to tell them nite nite too. She loves her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends and calls them all by name. We go to the gym most days and she loves to see Miss Tracy and all the other kids there (most of them she calls by name too). She loves Elmo and wants to watch him all day. She loves trains and is taking a liking to Thomas. She is very aware of her surroundings. She knows where things go in the house and if something is out of place she puts it back. She likes to help me do laundry and will carry the clothes to the laundry room. She knows what kind of car's we drive and if she see's one on the road she says Mommy's car or Daddy's truck or PaPa's truck or Nanny's car. She knows where Nanny and PaPa live and if we drive by their street and don't turn down it she cries for them. Same with her NieNie and Pa (we made the mistake of driving past their house and she didn't like it that we didn't stop). She loves to be outside and if its raining she will say, "it raining, no outside." And list goes on and on.

She brings such joy to our lives and I will go ahead and say it again, I can't believe she is mine.

For her second birthday she had an Elmo party! It was a fun filled day of swimming, eating, presents and most importantly family and friends.

This picture was taken at the end of a very long day
and I'm not sure what she is doing with her face.

Livi,
Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you and all that you have accomplished this past year. We love watching you learn new things each day and how you get so excited when you figure something out. You make our lives so much sweeter. We love you
to the moon and back.

The End.

stay tuned

2009-07-08T22:37:00.005-05:00

I have a new post coming soon. Yesterday was Livi's birthday and this weekend we are having her party. It's Elmo themed. But for now I offer you these recent pictures of Little Livi Loo.

Birthday lunch with Mommy & Daddy (Nanny & Papa were there too!)

These are from a July 4th visit from Uncle Doug.

More to come...

rockin' robin

2009-04-29T15:15:00.004-05:00

For three weeks we have had a "friend" in our backyard. He has been waking me up every morning usually around 6 o'clock (if you know me I don't do 6 o'clock unless there is a screaming baby involved) and then hangs out for the rest of the day. Who is this "friend" you ask?

A robin. A really annoying, strong willed, some would say stupid, robin.

Three weeks ago I was sitting on the couch in the living room and heard a bird hit the window in the dining room. I laughed and thought silly bird can't you see there's a window there! Then he did it again. So I walked over to the window and noticed he had been doing this for awhile. I say that because there are little bird prints all over the top of the window. He continued to do this for the rest of the day.

When I went to bed that night I had forgotten about the silly bird. The next morning though I remembered him, he was back.

Now he had moved to the back door. He would hit the door then hit the window again. Over and over all day long.

This bird wanted in my house and he was not leaving. My sister was over one day and she and her kids also witnessed it.

A week went by. Jarad and I would just laugh. We couldn't figure out what he wanted and why he kept hitting our windows.

Then one morning a week after he hit the window in the dining room the bird went to far. He started hitting our bedroom window. He even got really good and would fly up, hold on to the screen, and then fly up to the top of the window and just start pecking. Every morning pecking. I got pretty good too. When he would land on the screen I would hit the window, causing him to fly off. Thinking to myself, I'll show you bird.

Jarad put some bird seed out, hoping that he would eat that and leave. Not so much.

We seriously didn't know what to do. This bird was driving me crazy hitting and pecking all day long. I wanted him gone, away from my house.

This had been going on for almost three weeks. So one night before I went to bed I prayed (like I do every night). Only on this night I prayed to God to please take the bird away. Show him some other place to fly. Although I thought it was silly to pray for a bird to leave my house alone I did it anyway. I didn't know what else to do. And guess what? That next morning I woke up at 7:30 to the sound of my daughters music playing softly in the baby monitor and the sweet sound of her breathing in and out.

No bird in sight. And he hasn't been back since.

I think it was a wake-up call from God. Reminding me that nothing is too big or too small for Him. Not even a annoying, strong willed, silly bird.

ladies lunch

2009-04-28T15:45:00.003-05:00

As I've mentioned in other posts, I love our ladies lunch. By ladies I mean my best good friend Rachel or Auntie RayRay, me, and Livi. Its nice to pick a different place every week (sometimes twice a week) to go and have lunch and then either a quick trip to the mall or our favorite place Target!! Target usually wins.

A little background on my best good friend Rachel. We met in elementary school. She went to Ash Grove, I went to Bois D'Arc. It's the same school district just different elementary schools. It wasn't until Jr. High that we really became friends and we still are to this day. She knows all my secrets, my past, my ups and downs and she has stood by me through it all. She was there when I met Jarad. She was the first one of my friends I told I was pregnant and she was sooooo excited. She's the one I can call when I really need to vent to someone. And she makes sure that at least once a week she gets to see me and Livi. She is hands down the best friend anyone could ask for.

I've been meaning to get a picture of Rach and Livi but I always forget my camera. Not today! So I give to you Rachel or Auntie RayRay and Livi Loo Loo at our favorite place, Target.

Before going in. Livi is fascinated with the big "balls" outside of Target.

All our shopping is done.

4/26/2009

2009-04-26T23:33:00.005-05:00

Morning at home

Afternoon at NieNie & Pa's

Evening at Nanny & Papa's

She's always running.

sweet saturday in spring

2009-04-25T23:19:00.006-05:00

Today for the first time in a long time we had nothing planned. We didn't have to be anywhere. It was a nice feeling. So today when we woke up and saw how beautiful the day was going to be we decided to head on out to Lowe's.

I had been wanting to get some plants for the deck and the front. Livi loved looking at the flowers and helped pick some out. We walked around for over an hour. Looking at bathroom fixtures and dreaming of things we would like to do to the house, making plans. It was fun.

Then as we left Lowe's we decided to take the long way home and drive around a little. It was nice cruising around with the windows down and listening to Livi say MOO every time she saw a cow.

It's times like these I realize how truly blessed I am. The simple times. A nice trip to Lowe's and a beautiful Saturday drive.

When we got home it was time for Livi to go down for a nap. That made it really easy for us to get our potting done.

CJ stopped by and said we looked cute so I made him take some pictures.

Our finished project minus the one in front.

We also put the canopy back up. We had a lot of fun out there when Livi woke up!

We got these stars for Christmas. I love them up there.

For dinner we decided to grill. Jarad ran to the store a got us some steaks and we had baked potatoes, corn, strawberries, and french fries (I know quite the combo). It was the end to a wonderful, perfect, sweet Saturday in spring.

Helping Daddy with the grill.

Easter 2009 the end

2009-04-15T16:56:00.009-05:00

On Easter morning Livi woke up to this.

She was very excited to see Elmo. Most mornings she wants to play in her bed and doesn't want to get out and have her diaper changed. That was not the case here. She was ready to get up and check out her loot.

After trying some candy and playing with her puzzles we got ready and went out to my parents house to have Easter dinner.

This is the only (good) picture I got of her. But its really cute so I'll take it.

And to make the great day even better, my cousin and his wife announced that they are expecting!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter too!

Easter 2009 Part 1

2009-04-14T17:34:00.008-05:00

Our Easter celebration started off on Saturday at Nanny and Papa's. We had an Easter egg hunt and then a wonderful dinner that Jarad had won from Honey baked Ham (he put his name in a drawing one day last week when he was there for lunch and he won!) along with some amazing sides that Cheryl made.

(He also won something else recently and I'm working on that post.)

Here are some pictures from our day.

The kids and PaPa before the egg hunt.

Livi getting her first lesson of many from our favorite coach, Steph.

Livi finding some eggs.

Kissing cousins, Livi and Coco.

Four-wheeler ride with Daddy to end the day.

exciting things are afoot

2009-04-02T14:19:00.003-05:00

It's all happening so fast. I've been praying for it. Praying for something to happen. Something needed to happen. Jarad loves his job. He really does. He loves talking about promotional products and will talk about them all day to me if I will let him. He loves his employer and everyone that works there. He loves his customers. The problem with loving a job so much is, its sometimes hard to know if that is where you really need to be.

Here lately though we've been talking. Talking about what we want and how are we going to get there. I suggested that I could go back to work. (Not that I really want to go back to work, I love my work here at home with my little girl but if we needed me to then I would.) Jarad really didn't have much to say about that, to me anyway. I was told by his mom that he mentioned to her that he really doesn't want me to work. Such a nice man.

Still something needed to happen. Bills are being paid, diapers are being bought, clothes are being worn, and food is being ate. Saving though? Nothing was being saved. I like saving. Having a little put back for something special.

Now it hasn't always been like this. Just this year. Gas prices went up and now back down. Groceries have gone up and well, we are in a recession. Therefore, promotional products really aren't being bought, at least not like they have been. Companies are cutting back. There is still a need just not as big as there used to be.

Meanwhile, my father-in-law's company is thriving. Getting bigger and bigger everyday. New accounts are being picked up and finally his lifetime of (really, really) hard work is paying off. The only problem, he NEEDS help.

I had asked Jarad why he doesn't just work for his dad. He has worked for him before, in the warehouse, drove a route, ran one of the bookstores and I'm sure there are others that I don't know about. He would just say, "dad doesn't want me in the magazine business". Well that was then and this is now. Then they weren't as busy, then it was unpredictable, then he didn't need help.

But now? Now is the time. So I am extremely excited and very pleased to announce that Jarad is going to work for his dad!!!! It all happened so fast too. Fast like within a day. And the only people that knew were me, Jarad, his mom and dad. I found myself giggling with excitement just waiting to announce the big news.

Since he is an independent contractor for Yates Promotions he can still sell for them! He has some clients that he will keep and continue to sell to. He just won't be doing all the other stuff there. His hours at Ozark News will allow him to have meetings in the afternoon. And frankly if anyone can have two jobs that will require what these two will its Jarad. He's always been a hard worker and sadly I think he enjoys it.

I can't help but feel a little guilty though. I want him to be happy in whatever he is doing. After all he is the one getting up and going to work to provide for our family. I've been asking him everyday if this is really what he wants to do. He always says yes. I asked him yesterday if he was really sure this is what he wants, his reply, "I'd be happy driving a garbage truck if it was alongside my dad." Funny 'cause I'm pretty sure his dad feels the same way.

new john deere ad?

2009-03-29T22:43:00.003-05:00

welcome back, welcome back, welcome back

2009-03-06T22:59:00.008-06:00

I've missed you sweet Spring. After Christmas and New Year's I'm blah, blah, blah and then you come along. Sweet, sweet Spring. Welcome back.

Today we met up with Chrissy and the gang at the park. So much fun. I didn't get any pics of her kiddos though because I was to busy chasing around this little girl.

We can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

sleep baby sleep

2009-02-25T17:41:00.003-06:00

One of my favorite things to do is watch my baby sleep. I love listening to her breathe, off in dreamland while snuggling with her favorite blankie. The monitor we have for her room has a camera on it. I love being able to look in on her without really looking in.

Every night before I turn in for bed I like to go in and check on her one last time. I usually cover her up again and lay her bink (pacifier) close by in case she needs it. I'll tell her I love her and then slip back out. Now there are some nights when looking at her isn't enough and I will pick her up and snuggle with her sometimes sitting on the floor while singing. I seriously can't get enough. Most nights she doesn't know I'm there. Then there are some nights she stretches and opens her eyes, giving me a smile. She's told me bye-bye, asked for a kiss, she says Dada and Mama then closes her eyes, rolls over, and falls back to sleep. I have never seen her talk in her sleep or heard it on the monitor. That was not until the other night.

I walked in looked over the crib and with her bink hanging out of her mouth she says, Elmo. Her eyes never opened she didn't move at all. Just whispered Elmo. I like to think they were on some magical adventure and he was teaching her to count and say her ABC's.

I wasn't really surprised that she was saying Elmo in her sleep, she has recently taken a liking (more like loving) to Elmo. She wakes up saying his name and repeats it many times throughout the day. She hands me the remote and says Elmo. Like an order. Insisting that he be turned on.

I was sad though knowing that something other than her mom or dad was taking up space in her dreams.

Maybe tonight will be my turn.

strict orders

2009-02-20T18:19:00.006-06:00

As my grandpa used to say "It's a beautiful day in the Ozarks." Indeed it was. So nice in fact while talking on the phone today with Rachel (Auntie RayRay) she told me to take Livi to the park. Actually she ordered me to take Livi and my camera. It's just too nice to sit in the house all day she says. I honestly had no idea how nice it was outside until she told me.

So that's what I did. After Livi woke up from her nap we went to the park. It was nice to get out of the house and enjoy this beautiful day. Tomorrow I think it is going to rain and be cold.

Livi had so much fun. I think her favorite was the slide. I was a little nervous at first but she climbed up all by herself and was giggling the whole way down. I love watching her learn and explore things.

We were there for about 45 minutes. It started getting chilly so I decided that it was time to leave. I asked her if she was ready to go she promptly said, "No." She really wasn't ready either. After a little whining I finally got her in her car seat, shut her door and walked around to get in. I don't know how I did it or how it happened but it did. I locked my keys in the car. With my child strapped in her seat. And sitting right there in on the console was my phone. My first thought was I should have looked at the keypad code and memorized it. I hadn't. Next thought maybe the drivers side back door is unlocked (somethings wrong with it and it doesn't power lock like the rest of the doors) which it was. Opening the door though made my alarm go off. Nice. I got in and off we went home after a wonderful afternoon at the park.

You thought that story would be more interesting I know.

Sorry.

Here are some pictures that will hopefully make up for it.

take me back part 1

2009-02-16T13:37:00.015-06:00

Jarad and I were married August 8, 2008. It was a beautiful ceremony but that's a story for another time. Right now I want to go back here to where we honeymooned. I didn't know where we were going until the night of our rehearsal dinner. He surprised me with a new suitcase and inside was a piece of paper with pictures of the Villa we would be staying at on St. Thomas. I wanted to go right then and there but I would have to wait until September. Here are just a few of the hundreds of pictures we took. Yes, that's our daughter there with us. We couldn't leave her here. Which is why the best in-law's ever came with us. Our Villa had three bedrooms and Livi slept in their room. The days though we were all together. I wouldn't have had it any other way. I loved getting to spend that time with them. Jarad's parents are wonderful people and I'm so lucky to have them in my life. And when you're with them you never know what might happen, which always makes for a fun trip!!

Getting ready to go to...

Megans Bay

Picture time on the deck before heading to dinner.

Pool time before ...

heading to Sapphire beach.

more to come...

Should've seen it coming

2009-02-11T15:26:00.008-06:00

From what I've been told, I was a climber. I guess I was into everything. My grandmother likes to tell stories about how I would wiggle right out of her arms and then find something to climb on. I think I was around 4 years old and I wanted something to drink. I asked my mom to get me something, she said no. (Looking back it was in the evening after dinner and I was probably getting ready to go to bed. Maybe that's why she told me no.) I wasn't taking no for an answer. So what did I do? I climbed up on to the counter and crawled across over to the cabinet with the cups. Went to reach for the handle and down I went crashing onto the floor. End result, my arm was broken. That didn't stop me though. I would climb and fall many more times.

Livi was climbing long before she was walking. She loves to climb on anything. One afternoon out at my parents house Livi was climbing up onto the ledge of the fireplace. My dad sitting right there beside her waiting to catch her if she fell, looked at me and laughed. He knew what was in store for me, he had lived it.

Last night Jarad was in the kitchen making some cheese dip. I walked in there and he says to Livi, "Livi go climb up into your high chair". I just looked at him and said, "No, you can't be serious". Well he was and I have the pictures to prove it.

She can get up there in a few seconds. It's crazy!! She is always so proud of herself once she reaches the top!

Now I get to try and keep her from wanting to do it all the time!

long time, no post

2009-02-06T13:54:00.004-06:00

I just realized after getting a comment from someone (BIL) that I haven't posted in awhile. Lots of things have been going on around here. Which is why I haven't been posting, well that and I've been reading other blogs that I've found! I've always been a 'blog lurker' (finding blogs and reading them even if I don't know who they are) and if I find one I like reading I will read it from the beginning. Well I found this one last month. Check it out, its worth reading.

Things are good here. Livi is talking up a storm and we are loving every minute of it. Yesterday she started saying apple. It's pretty cute. She is into everything. My sister-in-law asked me today if I felt like I need to just take everything out of my house so she can't get into anything. Yes, yes I do feel like that. My bookcase that holds all of my pretties is now empty. When I first emptied it out she would climb up on the shelf and lay down. Daddy and Livi thought this was fun. Mommy not so much. I was worried that the shelf would fall and she would squish her little fingers.

Livi laying on the bookcase. Bet you can't guess what she's holding!

A few stories: A couple weeks ago I was using the restroom and Livi was in there with me. After I was done I was trying to get her out of there (she just wanted to play with her tub toys) I said "Come on Livi lets go" she ran out of the bathroom as fast as her little legs would go and headed straight for the front door. We weren't actually going anywhere, I think she might have had a little touch of cabin fever.

Then a few days later I was sitting on the floor playing with her. It was bath time so I asked her if she wanted to go take a bath. She looked at me and then ran to the bathroom door. She loves her baths and will cry when I take her out.

Waiting for daddy to come home.

She saw his truck pull in the drive.

When I ask her if she's ready to go take a nap or go nite nite she will point to her bedroom door and say "there". She walks into her room, lays down on the floor and waits for me to change her and put her in bed. She knows our bedtime routine and will say light then turns off the bedroom light and then turns on the closet light. She kisses me and Jarad goodnight and when I close her bedroom door she says bye-bye. Its just too cute.

I had posted about Jarad having surgery on his wrist and how she will look at it and say "boo boo". Now she will point to her arm and say "boo boo".

When she wakes up now she sits in her crib and hugs all of her animals. I think she's telling them good morning. And when I take her out of her crib she must bring her blanket and her dog with her.

I guess what I'm getting at is there are lots of things going on around here. I can't believe how much she knows and understands at 19 months.

Now if I could just get her to eat what I'm trying to feed her!

A Great Man

2009-01-13T13:47:00.004-06:00

59 years ago today, my dad Wayne was born. He is the fourth of five boys to William and Gertrude West. I would meet him when he was 30.

I don't believe there is anyone out there like him. I have two sisters so he was in a house full of women. He has always been a quiet man. Letting us ladies do most of the talking. When he talked though, we listened.

I can't recall a childhood memory where my dad wasn't present. One of my earliest memories of my father is when he worked for Foremost Dairy and he would bring home ice cream.

Wanting a better life for his family he decided to start up his own business. I didn't know it then but man times were tough. We wouldn't see it in our father though. He worked sun up to sun down and to this day he still does. He has always taken pride in a good days work and providing for his family.

He loves baseball and started collecting cards as a child. I can't tell you how many baseball cards he has, lets just say there are closets full of them. I loved watching my dad sort his cards. I wasn't allowed to touch most of them but watching from a distance was just fine with me. We would sit in there for hours. We used to go to card shows on the weekends. I remember him waking me up at 3 a.m. to head to a show in Oklahoma.

One Sunday morning when I was nine I remember my dad sitting at the kitchen table reading the paper while eating his breakfast. He looked up and asked me if I would want to tryout for a traveling softball team. I did, I made it, and I traveled with that team for nine years with my dad right there with me, usually coaching first base.

I played basketball in high school and he had a certain whistle to get my attention while I was on the court. It didn't matter how loud that gym would be I could always hear it and would look to see what advice he had for me.

The most recent memory of my father is him walking me down the aisle, and with a soft peck on my cheek he gave my hand to Jarad.

I have his nose, hands, feet, and lips. Along with those I got his competitiveness, temper, love for sports and the outdoors, fighting for what I believe in and so much more.

He is a great man and I am proud to call him dad.

Happy Birthday Dad! I love you.

Jarad

2009-01-08T14:43:00.003-06:00

On Tuesday December, 23 Jarad went in to have surgery on his hand/wrist. Nothing major or life threatening just a simple surgery, that's what we thought anyway. Let me back up a few months and explain.

A couple months ago he noticed a growth if you will, on his wrist. He said it hurt a little but didn't really think anything of it. He knew he needed to get it looked at but didn't make the time. Then it started growing and becoming more painful and uncomfortable. He went to the doctor to get it looked at they thought it was a cyst and tried to drain it by sticking a needle in his wrist. That didn't work so they decided he would need to have surgery.

The surgery went great and the growth was just that. A growth nothing more. The recovery however hasn't been so great. He was not prepared for all of the pain and the limited mobility of his right hand/wrist. There was a notch on his bone that the doctor had to scrape off which helps explain all of the pain. It will probably be a month or so until he has full movement of his wrist.

Livi now points to his hand and says, boo boo. It is so cute. Livi saying that not Jarad's hand! Well I guess his hand is kind of cute too.

Our Christmas(es)

2009-01-08T12:42:00.007-06:00

Hannah, Amber, Me, Abbey on Christmas Eve.

We raided my mom's jewelry for all of her Christmas pins, earrings and necklaces. The only rule was we have to keep what we put on. We didn't plan the outfits either. We're just sisters.

This Christmas for the first time in my whole 28 years of existence I woke up and went somewhere other than my mom and dad's for Christmas morning. Actually last Christmas (2007) was the first time I have ever woke up somewhere other than my parents house on Christmas morning! I knew the day would come. I always knew that one day I would be married, with a family of my own, and I might not get to spend every Christmas morning with my mom, dad, grandma, sisters and their families. Last year (2007) we spent Christmas morning at my folks. It was only fair that we spend Christmas 2008 with my new family (that I love very much and am so thankful for). My only request, that I can bring my mom's homemade cinnamon rolls. These aren't just any cinnamon rolls. As silly as it sounds, these rolls ARE Christmas to me. When I smell cinnamon rolls I think of Christmas morning. Every year my mom would make the rolls on Christmas Eve and place the dough on the ledge of the fireplace to rise. There was actually one year that her oven had went out right before the holiday and she told me that she couldn't make the rolls that year. I think I was around 15-16 years of age and I was crushed. I complained and whined and whined some more. It was then decided she would go to my grandma's house (just a hop, skip, and jump away) and use her oven on Christmas morning. I love my mom.

So back to this year. The Giddens/George clan were thrilled and allowed me to bring these magical rolls. I admit though I didn't make the rolls my mom made them for me to take. Christmas morning came and although was a little strange being in a different place experiencing how someone else does Christmas morning I felt like I was at home. They do it just like my family back on EE does. We opened gifts, ate the magical rolls, laughed and laughed some more. Then it was time to come home so Livi could take her nap and get ready to head out to my parents for some more Christmas fun.

Here are some pictures from our very busy day. Sorry I didn't get any pictures of the magical rolls, we ate every last one of them. I really didn't get much other than Livi opening her gifts. Just know we all had a wonderful Christmas even if I don't have pictures of it. As for the cute guy with the wrap on his arm, I'll be telling that story next time.

I'd Rather Be

2008-12-18T14:40:00.003-06:00

There are so many things that I could write about. So many things have been happening around here but I'd rather be sitting in front of my new fireplace that arrived yesterday from Santa. So if you're looking for me or Livi, make sure you check our living room. 'Cause this is where we will be today, tomorrow, and probably the days after that. Sitting, reading, laughing, and staying warm.

Livi Loo Loo

2008-12-16T19:37:00.008-06:00

Meet me...

2008-12-14T19:26:00.005-06:00

under the mistletoe. This year my momma decided to hang mistletoe up at their house. This may be a normal occurrence for most people but we have never had mistletoe hanging at our house. I don't know why she decided to do it this year. Whatever her reason is I think it is lovely and I know just who I will be meeting under there!

A Girl & Her Dog(s)

2008-12-12T23:51:00.001-06:00

Livi loves Swiss and Chili. Swiss lets her crawl all over her and lay on her. Chili on the other hand will let her pet him as long as someone is there with him. She does like to chase him around though. Here is what Livi and Swiss did today.

I've been trying to get one with Livi and Chili but he is really camera shy and usually runs when I hold the camera up. Here's one I snapped of him all by his lonesome.

Handmade

2008-12-12T23:19:00.001-06:00

Last year Aunt Chrissy made this one.

This year she made her two.

The funny thing about all these pictures is they were all taken in the house. Not because we keep the house cold. No, its because this kid loves wearing stocking caps around the house. I'll leave them laying on the couch for her and she will go over pick one out and try putting it on (sometimes successful) or she brings it to me or Jarad to put on her. We do this a lot throughout the day. Here are some pictures to prove it.

Just some pictures

2008-12-11T22:41:00.000-06:00

Sitting in her books

She loves feeding the dogs.

Round and round they go.

Only stopping for a kiss.

Wearing Daddy's shirt.

The End.

103.8

2008-12-07T15:43:00.000-06:00

Yesterday afternoon after the tree was put up, Livi woke from her nap. I noticed her cheeks were really red and she felt warm. I just figured it was because she just woke up from a nice warm and comfy nap.

An hour later, Jarad is asking me if I think she has fever.

My sister, Amber, had given us a really nice thermometer. A digital one you run across the baby's forehead. It's not that I mind checking her temp using a rectal thermometer, this is just easier and faster. So I used this one. 101.2.

I gave her Tylenol.

The thing with Livi is when she is sick you really don't know it. She doesn't cry or whine. She still wants to play. The only way I know she might not be feeling good is when she stops and wants to cuddle.

So she played and played some more. She ate a little but really didn't want to. Uncle Nick stopped by and she hadn't seen him in awhile so she was a little shy and just curled up with daddy. And he said he thought she felt warm still. It had been about an hour since I checked her temp and gave her Tylenol.

So I took it again with the digital thermometer. 101.8.

We decided to lay her back down. She was in her crib for another two hours but never really went to sleep. She would toss and turn and try to fall asleep but would just wake back up. I felt so bad for her. This was not my Little Livi Loo Loo.

At 9:45 I told Jarad I was going to check her temp again. This time I was going to check it rectal. 103.8.

I calmly lay her back down in her crib and tell her I'll be right back.

Walked into the living room and told Jarad to get dressed we are going to the ER.

We arrived at the ER around 10:30 and her temp was now 103.2. We were in a room by 11.

After a chest x-ray, blood work, and a strep test. She was given an antibiotic shot and we were sent home with two prescriptions. The time was 1:45 am and her temp was down to 100.6.

She seems to be doing better today. She didn't have a fever when she woke up and hasn't had one so far today. We will see what happens tonight!

Jarad took these on his phone last night.

She was saying, "Done." This was after her blood was drawn.

This was after getting the shot.

It was really sad seeing her get her blood drawn and the shot. I think the saddest part was, when the nurses would leave after sticking her with needles and taking a swab of her throat she would always stop crying to tell them bye and wave to them.

That's our Little Livi Loo Loo.

O Christmas Tree

2008-12-06T18:24:00.000-06:00

I love putting up the tree. I grew up having a real tree in the house. When I was younger my dad along with me and my sisters would go cut one down. I have so many memories of going and cutting down the tree. We would all load up in my dad's truck and drive to a field somewhere. Dad would tell us stories, one favorite that we still talk about is the story of Ike, Spike, and Mike who lived in Spook Hollow. You would think he would be telling us Christmas stories, nope not my dad.

When us girls got older we started going to a lot to buy our tree. We would still all go together. Then Amber moved out of state and doesn't get to come home until right around Christmas so my dad and I will go find the perfect tree. This year I think Livi will go with us.

Here at the Giddens house though we use a fake tree. While Livi was napping on Saturday we put it up. I had so much fun getting out the ornaments and remembering where I got them, and then finding the perfect spot on the tree for them. Seeing Livi's first Christmas ornaments brought back so many memories of last year. How small she was. How she had no idea what was going on. How she loved looking at the tree.

Christmas 2007

This year we tried to limit the amount of ornaments on the bottom of the tree since they probably won't be staying on there very long. I'm hoping to get the rest of the house decorated tomorrow but here is a picture of The Giddens Christmas Tree 2008. Enjoy.

Big Day

2008-12-01T22:34:00.000-06:00

We've been waiting and waiting. Wondering when the day would come. I can't help but blame myself for her not starting this earlier. I actually avoid the question when asked if she's walking yet. She crawled late and pulled up late so I knew deep down she would walk later than most kids. (Plus she is our daughter and if she's anything like us she will do things on her own time. Oh, I can't wait till the teenage years!) Now she has taken a few steps here and there and strolls around the living room behind her trusty lion but as far as standing up and going nope not yet.

Not until today.

She is up and moving. Sometimes too fast and falls but stands right back up and try's again. She is so proud of herself. And we are very proud of her too.

Here are a few pics I took this morning of our big girl (16 months) walking around.

Summer & JD's Wedding Part III

2008-11-30T22:17:00.001-06:00

My Grown-Up Christmas List

2008-11-29T13:15:00.000-06:00

Christmas is my favorite holiday. Every single thing about it. I love the lights, the smell, the Story, the Reason, the life, families getting together, stories being told. I love when my sister gets into town and we all go over to our parents house to welcome them home. And spend as much time over there with them as we can playing games, arguing like sisters do. Eating and eating all the foods that come out of our mother's kitchen. All the good, good food. I love watching my niece and nephew open their gifts from Santa. The look on their faces when they see that they got just what they had wished for. This year I will love watching Livi open her gifts from Santa.

My sister-in-law had posted her wish list on her blog so I thought I would post mine on here. I am in no way expecting any of these. I love and treasure the gifts that I receive but they don't make or break a holiday for me. I just thought I'd help you out in your search if you choose to have one. And hey, it's fun to dream.

This would look great in our bedroom.

I would really like this. I have the perfect spot for it and I would love to put pictures and pretty things on it.

Or I could set these on it.

Or maybe a new vacuum. I do not care what brand, what color just one that can clean my floors really good. I do enjoy the bag less ones.

I've decided I like to wear aprons. I think this one is just lovely.

I really miss wearing this.

These would be comfy and since Livi and I lounge in our pj's all day they would be used too.

I think that is all I can come up with. If you have a better idea for me then go with it. I will love anything I receive this year. Mostly I hope I get to see each and every one of you at Christmas.

What would you like Santa to bring you?

Little Red Rocking Chair

2008-11-22T19:59:00.000-06:00

I truly believe all children need a rocking chair. One that's just their size. I had one growing up and Livi loves playing in it.

Climbing up and down just rocking away.

I've been wanting to find one for her but I didn't want a brand new one. I wanted one that looked old and squeaks when it rocks. I also didn't want to pay very much.

Last Saturday Livi and I met Auntie Rach for lunch. We do that ususally once a week. Have lunch then go do some shopping. Really just get me out of the house. Well this past weekend we went to The Spring Creek Tea Room. I really enjoy eating there. They have wonderful food and its an antique shop! We like to walk around and look at all of the stuff and try to figure out where it came from and sometimes why someone would think they needed that. We make up stories and try and picture it in our home. We had made our way through the back and found some pretty sweet tinsel trees for five dollars. Rachel got a red one and I got a green and gold one. Still looking not knowing what we will find next and then Rachel stops. She turns around and says, "Didn't you say you were looking for a rocking chair for Livi?" She was right I had said I would like to get her one and what do you know, Rachel just found it.

It is perfect. Red, my favorite color, the paint is worn and fading in some places, it squeaks when she rocks, and best of all, she loves it.

The End.

The 'G' Spot Hunting Lodge

2008-11-21T19:55:00.001-06:00

Two years ago one of Jarad's customers mentioned to him that he had bought some land on Table Rock Lake. The only problem was there were two trailers sitting on this land. One was just torn down while the other could still be used. He asked Jarad if he knew of anyone that might want it. It is in really good condition and he didn't even want anything for it. As long as they could move it he was willing to let it go for free. Without hesitating Jarad says he would take it. He came home that evening with a great big smile on his face telling me the story of how we got a 1969, 55 foot, 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, blue and white trailer for FREE. He was so proud. And I must add the toilet is pink. All we had to do was get it out to the land in Conway. We enjoy going out there riding 4-wheelers and just soaking up some nature. The boys go out there to hunt. So this free trailer would now be a place for them to stay instead of getting up really early opening morning and driving an hour to hunt. There is no electricity or running water. The boys don't mind though. Jarad and I along with Kenneth and Brian have been going out there and cleaning the place up, getting rid of the rodents and ready for deer season.

The best part of the trailer is what we have decided to call our place in the woods. It's the hunting cabin to the Giddens and George families. So Chrissy came up with The G Spot Hunting Lodge. With the lovely tag line, "It's a little hard to find, but worth looking for. Jarad jumped right on that and now we all have G Spot Hunting Lodge shirts, coozies, fleece jackets, and headbands. He got a little something for the trailer too, a nice clock. The best part is all of these items have a wonderful picture (taken by myself) of the trailer in all of its glory.

To be honest with you its really not that bad. I like to laugh and make fun of Jarad because he really is very excited about it. Why I do not know. But he loves it and I love it because it makes him happy.

Here are a few pics of our lovely place in the woods.

This picture was taken today while Jarad was down there hunting. Jarad's not really pulling it.

I also must tell you that they didn't have to cut down very many trees to get the trailer set up. The man Jarad found to move this thing was very talented. The roads out in Conway are gravel, very narrow, and have a lot of sharp turns. Jarad was in front of him showing him where to put it and he (Jarad) couldn't believe the way this guy drove. My point is, he was good.

Here are a few pictures of the land. So pretty. I love being out there with my man.

The End.

Daddy's Little Booger Baby

2008-11-19T18:34:00.000-06:00

Yesterday Livi and I went out to my mom's school to wish her a happy birthday and bring her some flowers. She was very excited and surprised to see us. We had been there for probably 10 minutes and lots of teachers had stopped in her office. They all like to come see Livi when she's there. They were watching her walk and clapping and then they started asking her to point to things. You know, her face, ears, and then came nose.
"Livi where's your nose?"
She points to her ears.
They ask her again, "Livi where's your nose?"
Again the ears.
Then I look at her and say, "Livi pick your nose."
To which she stuck her index finger right up her nose.

The next Daddy's Little Booger Baby has arrived.

Summer & JD's wedding Part II

2008-11-18T22:29:00.000-06:00

Mom

2008-11-18T15:41:00.000-06:00

Today is a very special day. It's my mother's birthday. 58 years ago today Ward and Dorothy Williams held Carolyn Jane in their arms. I've never met anyone quite like my mother. She's smart, funny, kind, loving, always puts others before herself, loves unconditionally, and many more but you get my point. Growing up I didn't notice or appreciate all the things that special woman I call mom did for me and her family. Don't get me wrong I loved her and respected her. I just didn't know or understand that everything she did was out of love. I wouldn't understand that until I had a child of my own. I consider myself lucky because I have both a mom and dad who are still happily married after 38 years. I grew-up in a loving household. Had three meals a day, wore clean clothes to school, and didn't want for or need anything that I didn't have. My mother made sure of those things. She woke up each and every morning and made us breakfast. Packed our school lunches or made sure we had the money to buy them if we wanted to and every night she would fix us dinner. She always did without so that we could have. Once I was of driving age and staying out later she would wait up for me to come home. There were many weekend nights I would come home and find her on the couch half asleep half awake waiting for me with the phone right next to her. I have so many memories of growing up and my mother being right there next to me. She was at every softball and basketball game, every choir concert and went on the choir trips with me. She helped me move into my first apartment, and then my first house. She was there for me when I called off my first wedding and supported me with that decision. She welcomed me back into her home after that. She was there when I told her I had met a really nice guy and I saw a future with him. She was there with tears in her eyes when my daughter was born and there again when I married that little girls daddy. She has always been there for me and I know she always will be. Happy Birthday Mom! I love you.

What we've been doing

2008-11-17T12:14:00.000-06:00

This past weekend we went to Oklahoma. We were invited to a wedding there. A girl that I have known pretty much my whole life, went to grade school and high school with was getting married. After high school though we had lost touch.

This is where it gets strange.

In Jan. 2006 I met Jarad. For our first date we went to Applebee's for dinner. We walk in and I hear someone say, Jarad Giddens. I turn around and who do I see, Summer the same girl I grew up with. She was as shocked as I was. Then I began to wonder how in the world does she know my new man! It was later explained to me, Jarad's sister, Chrissy and Summer met in college, became best-friends and still are to this day. Can you say small world? Summer met Jarad when he was a young spiked hair teenager. She had lots of stories to offer.

Enough of the trip down memory lane back to this past weekend. Chrissy was in the wedding. And I was asked to take pictures of the day! I was extremely excited because I love photography but I have never taken pictures of someones wedding. So I was nervous at the same time. I couldn't have asked for a prettier setting to take pictures in. The wedding was at Turner Falls Park. B-E-A-U-TIFUL! I took a lot of pictures and here are a few of the happy couple. I will post more as soon as I get them edited.

Congratulations Summer & JD! May you have a lifetime of love and happiness. Here's something my mom said to me on my wedding day. When times get hard and they will, always remember the vows you took on this day. For those vows were taken before God and all things are possible through him.

Books...

2008-11-11T22:51:00.000-06:00

they are good for lots things.

They are somewhat comfy to lay on.

They always have something interesting to look at.

They make a great step stool.

And they make us smile.

The End.

Fuddruckers In A Field

2008-11-10T15:18:00.002-06:00

On Saturday Nov. 1st we were invited out to Dan and Shelley's for the Paperwise Fall Festival. Alivia doesn't really look like she is too excited about the horse in this picture but she really loved them and I think they liked her too. Not only did we get to talk to horses and love on them, but Dan had made a hay maze that was a lot of fun too. We also enjoyed a Fuddruckers dinner and a hayride to end the night.

Daddy and Uncle B in the hay maze.

Laughing. We do that a lot. I think PaPa was trying to scare them.

Livi on the hayride. Is it bad parenting to allow your child to crawl around, on a trailer, lined with hay, being pulled by a tractor? I didn't think so and well she was happy. And a happy Livi means a happy mommy.

Playing in the hay with Nanny.

It took Livi all of 5 minutes to fall asleep once we got to the truck. We had a wonderful time and a big THANK YOU to Dan and Shelley for having us.