Sorry

I am sorry I have been a slacker lately. The holidays put me somewhat behind and being away didn't help. Now since coming home I have started a full time contract and am working a ton to make up for the hole November and December put us in. It hasn't helped that Jerry has had a ton to do to get ready for school and is at the computer none stop. So needless to say I have a million excuses for the extended hold on my blogging. Blah, blah, blah!! School is back in session and I will definitely be back in blogging business next week. Hope all is well. There will be new posts below this one as I have a ton to catch up since Nov 17th.

Gina

The End of the Bush Era

We are moments away from inaugurating Barack Obama as the 44th President and first black President of the United States of America and I can't help but be excited for the new and fresh perspective he brings. What an amazing day! I look at the crowds gathered in DC today and can't help but be just a little bit envious. It is truly truly an amazing day!! Hasta W!!!!!!!!!!!!

January 18, 2009

Yet another snowy Sunday morning. It makes getting to church on time interesting being that we have to clean off both cars and move them before we leave. Jerry usually cleans a path to the car for us and carries the girls so they don't get their pretty little dress shoes and feet cold and wet. Such a good daddy!

Fun with our Friends

This evening the girls noticed that their friends were out playing in the snow. Despite the fact that I was already dressed for girls night out in celebration of Lucinda's birthday, I was a good mommy and bundled them up so they could go out and enjoy the snow together. It proved to be a great photo op and a lot of fun!

Ally the photographer

So Ally loves taking pictures and for the most part she really does a decent job of taking them. Any picture of me has likely been taken by Ally as Jerry does not use the camera. Here are a few of her latest contributions to the camera card.

Daddy the Clown

Today I was able to snap a shot of Jerry playing dress up with the girls. They dressed him as the clown, totally fitting for him. Daddy's are so much fun!

January 17, 2009

So Jerry turned 30 earlier this week and although we celebrated his birthday with a party in Atlanta I wanted to celebrate with cake and presents at home. I had to work his actual birthday so I was planning something for after church on the 18th. He picked out his gift earlier in the week (Ally is unaware of this fact) and we had bought him his favorite cake, ice cream cake. Jerry knew about the plan but was playing along for Ally's sake. She is really funny about party's for mommy and daddy and gets really upset if we don't celebrate our birthdays the same way we celebrate hers and Ansley's. It's really kind of cute. So today I was upstairs when I heard Jerry ask Ally what the big secret was. Ally tells him she can't tell. Jerry then proceeds to tell her that she better tell him or he'll spank her (kidding of coarse). Ally's response, "But if I tell you mommy will spank me." To which Jerry replies, "Who spanks harder mommy or daddy?" Ally "You do daddy." Jerry "So who do you want a spanking from?" Ally "No one!" I absolutely love that Ally is so quick and witty. Jerry is going to get a run for his money as she gets older and I am going to enjoy the heck out of it!!

January 16, 2009

So I know I have probably said it a hundred times now but Ansley is extremely sweet and caring. She is incredible about sharing especially given the fact that she is only 2 years old. Lately due to the continued potty training saga she has been getting m&ms for potty victories. Today after a small victory she and Ally were given 4 m&ms. Ally gets a reward too, I find it helps Ansley to have a cheerleader with ulterior motives. The two head downstairs with their treat right into m&m enemy #1, daddy. He asks Ally for an m&m. "NO!" Ansley hears him and immediately runs over to him to give him one of hers. It just makes you want to squeeze her!!


Here is a picture of Ansley's latest Ally inspired hairdos. She spent most of the day trying to keep all of the clips and hair bands in.

Happy 30th Birthday Jerry

To My Husband,

Words cannot express how much you mean to me and how wonderful the last 11 years (wow!) have been with you in my life. I feel so blessed to have found such a wonderful partner in you. You are my rock and my true companion in life. Today for your 30th birthday I wanted to take the time to tell you the ways in which you have made me a better person. You have taught me so much about life and what is truly important.

You have taught me that being married is hard but worth the work.

That it really is possible to love someone and hate them all at the same time.

That in 10 years no one will remember if the house was clean or dirty but that the girls will remember all of the quality time together as a family.

That if it can be replaced it doesn't really matter.

That you can really do whatever you want if you try hard enough.

That living in the moment isn't necessarily a bad thing.

That it's fun to be irresponsible some of the time.

That boiled peanuts really are good.

That maybe I am a little redneck.

That life is hard but it can be as fun as we make it.

That it is better to look forward in faith than to look back with regret.

That people change and that it's not always a bad thing.

Lastly you have taught me that home isn't where we want to be but rather wherever we are together.

Jerry we are so different and sometimes those differences drive us crazy but I am so grateful for how those differences make us better people. I love you. Happy Birthday!

More Snow

It seems like it always snows on Sunday. Today was no exception. After church we went over to our favorite family's house to shovel the driveway. Thanks to the missionaries it was done really fast and we got to enjoy dinner with the Buckley's. Thank you Claudette for a wonderful meal!

Trinity's School Christmas Play

Due to a storm before Christmas Break Ally's school play was postponed so we headed back a little early so that she could participate as the Angel Gabriel. The play was about the birth of Jesus and the kids did a great job.

Uncle Andy's Park

After spending the night with Uncle Andy we went out in the morning to explore his park. (He is a park ranger) The park is loaded with turtles and alligators so the girls had a blast seeing all of the creatures. We did a lot of walking so towards the end of the day they were totally beat and at one point both sat down in strike of walking any further. The fact that it was over 80 degrees in January was part of the problem. Their thick Connecticut blood wasn't adequately prepared for the transition. I loved it though. Thanks so much Uncle Andy! We really enjoyed the day!

Georgia Southern

So Jerry and I took the girls down to south Georgia to see our friend Andy and to go back to our old Alma Mata. I have to say I was not looking forward to more driving and running around but the trip was a blast. We really miss our friend Andy and had a blast with him at his new park. Being down at Georgia Southern brought back a ton of great memories and reminded me of falling in love with my wonderful hubby. A GREAT GREAT trip!!

Good-bye Bryants

Today we drove up to Dan and Erin's to retrieve Ally's lost blanket and to say good-bye before heading down to south Georgia for the weekend. I had to post these pictures of Ansley and Emma because they are too cute for words. They were crackin each other up!

Surprise Daddy!

So somehow I pulled it off. I managed to surprise Jerry with a birthday party. I shopped and cooked just hours before and then had my dad take him out to Zaxby's while everyone arrived. He swears he had no idea and I kind of believe him. Happy almost 30th honey! We Love You!!

Good-bye 2008

Hard to believe but another year has slipped away. Tonight Jerry and I took our nieces for the night and hung out at mom and dads. The girls ate tons of junk, watched TV and lit sparklers. They were most excited about staying up to ring in the new year, Ansley included. (We are such bad parents) They had fun and hopefully they will sleep in just a little later tomorrow.