Reason #287 why I love living here. We can be here in less than 3 minutes...love it, just love it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PETIE!!!!!!!

• 20 years is a long time!!!!!
• "Mr. Big Stuff........whodoyouthinkyouare....."

9 month pics

It only took me a week to get them up, but these are the latest pics. We took Rory to Old Towne Helena the other weekend and took her down to the water fall on the Cahaba. I am definitely going to have to take her back there again and get some pretty pics of her. She was not really impressed with the grass. It was pretty funny actually. She WAS impressed by the swings though. Rory and Daddy. Rory was still reeling from her encounter with the grass. This is a terrible pic of me, but whatever. Hopefully, I will have more picture posts this week. She is doing some pretty cute stuff now. Well, have a good week!

9 Month Stats

9 month pictures coming soon. For now, here are the stats from the doctor

• 20 lbs
• 29.5 inches long
• 15 month old level on verbal skills

Happy Birthday Dad

Today was my Dad's Birthday. This day has been hard for the last 2 years for a number of reasons. Today though, is different. Today it is hard because of the space. The spaces left unfilled by him. The empty space in my life. The empty space on the phone line. The empty space where his voice used to be. The empty space on my couch that used to be filled with his physical being. The resounding echo of the nothing that used to be filled with his life. Of course, these spaces have been here for over 2 years, but like I said earlier, this year is different. These spaces have been bridged, although the spaces still exist. The empty space in my life has been bridged by a beautiful little girl who has filled me to the brim. The empty space on the phone line has been bridged by friends, new and old, who are happy to take my call when I need to talk over something that I normally would have called him for. The empty space where his voice used to be is filled with squeels and giggles and a sweet mouth that says "Mama" alot. The empty space on my couch is occupied by my own little family of 3. That resounding echo of nothingness has competition in the peels of laughter and smiles that now inhabit my life. I still miss him more than I could ever express in writing however, I am accutely aware of what I have been given, and how precious it truely is. I wouldn't trade a thing in my life right now for him, not because I don't love him, or miss him, but because all those empty spaces that were left when he left us, have been bridged by something much more permanent than life, something that can never be taken away only to leave a gaping hole again. Love. Happy Birthday Daddy...I miss you, I love you.

As if a Monday Holiday isn't enough....

I know that this picture isn't of her smiling or even looking at the camera...but it LOVE it. It is SO "Rory" right now. Very inquisitive, very curious about the world around her. She is so much fun. Last weekend, we were home for Candi's shower so Rory and I went to church with Mom and Tim. Rory wore, again, my 1st Easter dress. It took quite a few pictures to get this one. Most of the pics looked like this...check out the scrunched up nose. She is such a stinker! Oh my Gosh...I love her so much..

Chirp

When Kevin and I got married, I registered for both fine and everyday china. I have used the mess out of my every day china (Sausilito Square from Pottery Barn) and it has really begun to show. I told Mom and Tim that for Christmas, I want to start a new every day set. I am going with something a little more colorful this time. I found this Lenox pattern and I am IN LOVE with it. It is called "Chirp" and it has all kinds of fantastic serving pieces. Oh my gosh...I don't think that I could ever have too many sets of china (or bed linens). Seriously, it is an illness.

Hope everyone has a happy and safe Labor Day weekend.