Bike Update...

Well, the check has been written...Matt is a proud owner of a new triathlon bike! This is not the best picture because he was going up and down the street way too fast, and I did not have our good lens on the camera. But...this gives you an idea of what you will be seeing this summer. Now...I'm a little anxious to see if this "great" bike improves his time! We shall see...looks like the next race on the calendar will be the Woolmarket duathlon Memorial Day weekend...Matt and I will both be racing that weekend...2 mile run, 10 or 12 mile bike, and then 1 mile run.


Sad news of the day...daycare called and Anna Lauren had fever (102.4). We took her to the after hours clinic to find both of her ears are infected. We've got her started on all her medicine so hopefully she will be back to her normal self in a couple days. Nanna to the rescue tomorrow so mommy and daddy can work...Nanna will take great care of her, and I'm sure they will enjoy their day together.

Hands and Feet...

Whoever knew a little girls hands and feet would bring tears to her mother's eyes and remind her of just how thankful she is for those little feet that never stop and those hands that touch everything in sight.

Anna Lauren did two different art projects for me this mother's day, and they are so special...I will definitely cherish them forever, and I'm sure embarrass her one day by pulling them out in front of a boyfriend or something silly that us "mothers" do to our children.

I hope all of you had a wonderful Mother's day...I know that I enjoyed my special day with my sweet little family. It was so much fun to feel like a "mom" this year...Anna Lauren was only 8 weeks old last year and we were on our way to the beach so it had not really sank in that I was a mom...therefore, this year was definitely a special day!

And not only am I thankful for my precious daughter, I have a husband that I love more than words can express...he is not only the most amazing husband, he is the most amazing daddy to Anna Lauren. God has truly blessed me...

These are Anna Lauren's art projects ~ she did the top one at school and the bottom at church.

Potential New Bike...

Matt had been tossing the idea of buying a triathlon bike...but...we kept saying it was not time. He needed to continue riding his road bike and get just a little stronger before we splurged and bought a triathlon bike (in case you don't know...these things don't come cheap). And our main goal right now is supposed to be paying off Matt's car so that I can get a new car...not buying other forms of transportation such as a bike that will only hold Matthew!

As I said, it is not time for a new bike! But...the boys began talking and decided it was time...the boys (Eugene and Matt) begin working up a grand plan...Eugene talks his wife into letting him get a new bike (he upgraded) and Matt will buy his bike. So...they talk and talk and talk some more and finally after ordering a few parts and working on Eugene's bike, Matt was able to ride it for the first time today. He is supposedly riding the bike on a "trial" basis and if he does not like it, he will return the bike to Eugene. Now...do you think that is going to happen? Of course not, Matt rode the bike today and "loved" it!

So...with that being said, I think the below picture is what you will be seeing this triathlon season...
I really have given Matt a hard time about buying the bike, but in all honesty, I am so very proud of him and would be willing to buy him anything to support his training / racing. It is a huge part of our marriage and one of my favorite things we do together as a couple / family. Anna Lauren cannot swim and ride with us, but she misses very few runs.

Muffins with Mom...

Anna Lauren and I had such a fun morning as we participated in "muffins with mom" at daycare. We had breakfast together in the cafeteria with all the other moms and their children. It was nice because I actually took time to sit down and eat breakfast with my child...something I never do because there is never enough time in the mornings...I eat whatever can ride on my lap and be eaten while driving to work.

God has truly blessed Matt and I with a wonderful gift...Anna Lauren is so precious, and we love her to pieces! As we remember our mothers this weekend, my prayer is that we can raise Anna Lauren to be a child of God just as our mothers instilled in us throughout our lives. Matt and I are both so fortunate to have such wonderful mothers!

Since we were dressed and happy this morning, we took a few pictures before leaving for "muffins with mom"...

First Hair Cut...

I know...I know...the child does not really have enough hair to be cut! But...I had in my head that if I got it "trimmed" it would grow thicker and healthier. So...I made an appointment with Louis and we went this afternoon. When we first got there, Anna Lauren was watching Louis cut someone else's hair and was just fine. Then her daddy walked in the door, and I think at that point she knew something must be about to happen...strange man cutting hair, mommy, daddy, camera, etc. She began to wimper and we begin thinking maybe this wasn't just a great idea.

Then it was our turn and Louis was fabulous...of course he is a perfectionist to say the least so he was determined to cut every piece of hair on her head (just as he does mine). He told me to stand and hold Anna Lauren, and he would just move with her head. He was so quick and made every move she made...not to mention, listened to her scream the whole time...she hated it!

Yes, we have taken the passie away (except at nap and night time), but we thought it may help the situation...no such luck...she continued to scream!

Can you believe it? She has enough hair to be held by a clip...she is such a big girl!

It was worth the screaming...look how pretty her hair is laying now.

Proudly showing off her new hair cut...no worries...she was not traumatized for that long...she was as happy as she could be once she got home.

Bar Admission Ceremony...

Today we had the honor to attend Eugene's Bar Admission Ceremony. We are so very proud of him and honored that we were asked to attend his ceremony and be a part of this special day!

It is official...Eugene and Jennifer are now both licensed to practice law in Mississippi!
All the Buddies...

Eugene Proudly Holding His License...

Sunday School Picnic...

This past Sunday our Sunday School class had a "family" picnic. Our class has really grown (many babies have been born) over the past couple years so lately we have done some socials without children because the crowd gets big really fast when everyone brings along the kiddos. But...with the pretty weather here, we had a "family" picnic. It was so fun to watch all the children play...and here are a few pictures of our sweet Anna Lauren loving the playground!

Anna Lauren truly thought she was big enough to climb the rock climbing wall...