Crazy Busy

I have been trying to spend as much time with Miss Priss this week as possible. My life is about to get CRAZY BUSY! Grad school starts back this week. I have class on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Basketball starts next week. We have tryouts the end of next week, and then we will have either practice or a game every single day, Monday-Friday! Oh, and did I mention Josh starts his new job next week! That's right, the job where he will be traveling and out of town Monday-Friday! I just hope that I am so busy I don't even realize how crazy my life is. I will be spending every single second possible with Annistyn! I really hope I can have enough discipline to get all my grad. school work done at night when Annistyn is sleeping! If I can do this, then I won't have to waste any of my weekend time on homework when I could be spending it playing with a cute and funny little girl.

Annistyn Says "NO"...Well, Kinda

Well, it was our typical Sunday morning. Sunday school, then nap through church. Annistyn napped...not me! After church, we had planned to go spend some time with Grandmama at the pool.

Annistyn did not want to take a nap after lunch, so I thought she might want to swim. We got our swimsuits on and went to get in the pool. I hadn't been in the pool in a couple weeks or so. I had no idea how cold it had gotten! It was freezing! I ended up sitting with my feet in, and Annistyn sat on the step and played. The bitter cold didn't seem to bother her. I only let her play for about 10 minutes.

I thought for sure she would take a nap after this, but still no! We decided to come on back home, and then she went right to sleep. Go figure. While Annistyn was napping, her Pa, Nana, and Aunt Sidney came to visit. After visiting for a little bit, Annistyn was still sound asleep. They came back later and got to spend some time with Priss. She was so good today after she finally took her nap. She started shaking her head "no" today. If you ask her something, she shakes her head. I love that girl!

Click, Click, Click

Josh had to work today, so Annistyn and I spent the day at home. We didn't go anywhere all day. We did a lot of cleaning and a lot of playing. When we were playing this afternoon, I was clicking my tongue. Annistyn thought it was so funny. After a while of me doing this, she started to copy me. It was so funny!

Consignment Sale

After school today, I drove to Nashville to go to the Otter Creek Consignment Sale. I think Annistyn is now set for winter. I got about 15 outfits, 2 pairs of shoes, and a couple gifts to put up for Kayli. My grand total...$88! I was so excited! I love consignment sales! About 95% of all Annistyn's clothes are either consignment deals or hand-me-downs.

After the sale, I went and picked up Alex. He rode back to Sparta with me. It was nice to get to spend a little time with him. I miss that guy.

While I was in Nashville, Priss was spending even more time with her Mama Karen. I missed her like crazy today, but Annistyn didn't mind one bit. They spoil her rotten! Karen sent me this picture of Emily and Annistyn.

Chinese Kissing

While Annistyn and I were playing after school today, she kept wanting me to pull her up and let her stand holding my hands. After she did this for a little while. I decided to see how she would do standing up and holding onto the couch. She thought it was so funny. She stood there for quite a while.



She was so excited. I couldn't get a good picture, because she wouldn't be still. This picture makes me want to cry just a little bit. She is growing way too fast!

When Josh got home from work, we decided to go eat Chinese. As soon as we walked in, the little Chinese lady that was seating us, grabbed Annistyn from Josh's arms. She was just loving and kissing on Annistyn. I didn't know quite how to react. Throughout the entire time we were there, she would come over and kiss on Annistyn. It was just a little awkward!

Is It Friday Yet?

This week is dragging on and on and on! I have to keep telling myself, "Only 2 more days! You can do it!" Today was pretty uneventful. Katy and the boys came over after school today. They ended up staying for a couple hours.

After Annistyn ate supper and took her bath, she was ready for bed. She was in bed before 6:30 tonight. I guess this back to school stuff is wearing her out, just as much as it is me.

Mama Karen said Annistyn had a big day today. The went to eat at IHOP and did a little shopping in Cookeville. That might be another reason why Annistyn is so tired at night. I'm definitely not complaining! I am so thankful Annistyn is such a GREAT sleeper! And she's so happy!

Happy, Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Josh and Natasha! They are the big 2-8 today! I had every intention of taking a picture of Annistyn and her daddy together on his birthday, but I didn't! So, instead, I took a picture of Annistyn in her "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" onesie.



Happy Birthday! We both love you so much!

I definitely get the WORST wife award! I didn't even get Josh a card or anything for his birthday! I had plans to this weekend, then yesterday, and then again after school today, but I didn't remember either day. I'm sure he will remind me daily for quite some time!

Rolls, Sweet Potatoes, and Sweet Tea

I feel like my weekends are SO short, and my weeks seem to last an eternity! Why can't the opposite be true? Monday mornings are my least favorite day! I always struggle getting out of bed on Monday mornings. It doesn't matter what time I go to bed on Sunday night, when Monday rolls around, I feel like I haven't slept in days! With all that said, I guess you've figured out how my day has gone!

I got this picture today from Karen while I was at work.



Tim and Karen went to Logan's for lunch today, so Annistyn got to join them. I'm just a little jealous. I had a school lunch today! Karen said Annistyn loved the rolls and sweet potatoes at Logan's. Tim said she loved the Sweet Tea! YUM!

After school today, we went by to see Grandmama. Tripp and Tucker were there too. Today was Tucker's first day of play school. He was so excited to go to "big" school with Tripp.

Crazy Weekend

It has been a crazy, busy weekend. Yesterday, I spent the morning/afternoon cleaning house and just playing with Annistyn. I've been missing her like crazy since school started back, so it was good to have a weekend where we could just play!

Tripp and Tucker came over a little after 3:00 to play. Layne and Makayla ended up coming to play as well. Tripp and Layne spent most of their time downstairs playing the wii. Once, when I went down to check on them, Tripp told me he wished our TV wasn't so big! Seriously, who wishes that? Makayla stayed upstairs and helped me out with Tucker and Annistyn. Tucker and Annistyn love each other so much. They are definitely best friends. They have to be touching at all times.




With my big cooking skills, I made all the kids fish sticks and french fries for supper! They were so excited. It's the little things in life! Everybody cleaned their plates, except Layne. He said he couldn't eat the french fries because they were too fattening! He said he would like some chocolate chip cookies instead.

Annistyn was so good at church this morning. When I picked her up from her Sunday school class, they just kept telling me how good she was. They said her favorite part of class was the singing. She took her Sunday morning nap during church.

This afternoon, Grandmama, Annistyn, and I went to a baby shower for Tatum. We are so excited for her and Justin. I can't wait to meet him. Annistyn may have a new boyfriend.



Annistyn is so close to crawling! I'm excited for her to be reaching another milestone, but I'm not sure I'm ready for the mobility.

Lastly, check out this CUTE Halloween shirt my mom made for Annistyn! (Melissa, I wish I could hear you read this last sentence out loud! I miss hearing you say "Halloween"!)

I LOVE Fridays!

It has been a very long week, and I'm so thankful it is Friday. I had nothing planned tonight but spending some time with my sweet little girl. As soon as school was over, we came straight home. My mom came by for a little bit, and Annistyn and I spent the rest of the afternoon playing.

This morning, Annistyn woke up looking really nice. She rubs her head on her bumper pads in her bed, so she has been having some crazy hair when she gets up.



This picture doesn't even do it justice. It was so much funnier in person. I laughed so hard at her!

Josh had the day off, so Annistyn spent the morning with her daddy! Josh took her to Averitt for a couple hours to show her off. He said she was so good! Then she went to Mama Karen's to play. Tripp and Tucker were there today, so I'm sure she had a big day.

Open House

I had to stay after school today for Open House. I hate having Open House the first week of school. Parents treat it like Parent-Teacher conferences. They come in and want to know all about their child. By this point, I'm doing good if I know their child's name!

Karen kept Annistyn later for me tonight! She's the BEST! She brought Annistyn to the Middle School with her to meet Garrett's teachers. One of his teachers told Karen that Annistyn looked just like Garrett! Karen told her that Annistyn wasn't her child!

By the time we got home, Annistyn and I only got to play about 10 minutes, and then she was ready for bed. I hate days like this! I miss her too much! Here are a few pictures from tonight.

Sweet Potato Fries

For supper tonight, I made Annistyn some sweet potato fries. She thought they were the yummiest things she has ever eaten. She ate them so fast, you would have thought she had not eaten in days.







They don't really look like fries, but that is because I cut them up into bite size pieces. I know how Annistyn is with food. She would cram the entire fry in her mouth if she could. I guess she's just like her mommy...She loves to eat!

First Day of School

Today was the students' first full day of school. I was worried the day would seem like an eternity, but things went very smoothly and time passed quickly. I'm excited for a new year!

Annistyn was very excited Mama Karen was back from the beach. Karen said Annistyn had a good day. I would say Annistyn is an expert grocery shopper after today. She went grocery shopping with Karen this morning, and then, she went with me and Josh after school. She was as good as gold! I bought her some sweet potato fries at the store. I've read they are great finger foods for beginners. I'll have to let you know how it goes, and if she likes them.

We also have some exciting news! Josh got a new position at work! He will be making quite a bit more money, so hopefully that will help us out financially! The downside to this job...Josh will have to travel. Most weeks, he will be gone Monday to Friday. I know things will work out, but it will be an adjustment for us all!

Class Reunion

Last night was Josh's 10 year class reunion. It definitely makes me feel a little old knowing that 10 years ago, Josh had graduated from high school, and I was about to begin my senior year. Josh had a fun night and enjoyed seeing many of his friends. I enjoyed spending some time with Leah outside of school. We got to talk and do a lot of people watching and quite a bit of laughing too.

Annistyn got to spend the night with Grandmama and Granddaddy! Grandmama said Annistyn was an angel. She said she was so good and so funny. Who wouldn't be good at their grandparent's house when this is what you get to do?



We LOVE popsicles! This little girl gets spoiled rotten, no matter where she is or who she is with!

This morning, we got up and went to Sunday school. Okay, so I actually went to my parent's house before Sunday school even started. I couldn't help myself! I missed some little girl like crazy!

Annistyn did not want to nap this morning. She usually naps during church, but not today. We ended up going to the nursery today.

After church, Annistyn finally took a nap while I spent a little time in the pool. Then it started to rain, so we came on home. I'm definitely not complaining, because we really need the rain. We had a lazy afternoon at home.

Annistyn had a hard time going to sleep tonight. She was not happy at all. I think she just got too sleepy. She was crying so hard she couldn't catch her breath. We rocked for a few minutes, and she finally went to sleep. Tomorrow is my first full day with students. I'm looking forward to meeting all my new students and ready for a new year!

It's FRIDAY!

It's FRIDAY! I survived in-service week, and I think I am ready for Monday morning. Annistyn survived too! Mama Karen is gone to the beach, so Annistyn and the boys got to spend the last to days at Grandmama's! Pet even got to keep all the kids for a little while today.

Tonight, Josh was eating a ham sandwich while he was holding Annistyn. She grabbed very quickly and tried to eat it! She got it in her mouth, but just sucked on it! She loves her daddy like crazy! He makes her laugh harder than anybody! It makes me so happy.

Tomorrow night is Josh's big 10 year class reunion! I can't believe it's been that long since he graduated high school. Annistyn is spending the night at Grandmama's and Granddaddy's.

New Kids and New Clothes

We finally got to meet some of our students today. They came for an hour and a half this morning. I already know I'm going to have a troublemaker. While I'm trying to hand out beginning of the year packets and go over everything, this one boy keeps raising his hand to ask questions that have nothing to do with what I'm talking about. Here is one of our conversations:

boy: What is your discipline plan?
me: We will go over all of that on Monday.
boy: Well, I've already been to alternative school, and I don't care about
in-school suspension, so what is your plan?

Here's another example:

boy: What is going to happen to me when I bring tobacco to school?
me: I will call Sgt. Dobson! He will come get you and take you to jail!

He had one of these questions about every 2 minutes for the entire hour and a half. It's going to be a fun year!

On another note, here are some new clothes that my mom made Annistyn for this fall! They are so stinking cute!







Oh, and for those of you wondering, Annistyn slept all night! She went down a little before 5 last night for a nap, and she woke up at 6:30 this morning! I guess she was a tired little girl.

Explosion

This afternoon after I picked up Annistyn from Karen's, we had to go to the post office to buy some stamps. I got her out of her carseat and immediately felt something a little mushy. I looked down, and Annistyn was covered in poop. It was coming out the top of her dress, in her arm pits, on her stomach and back, and even on her toes. She had the biggest explosion EVER! I was now covered in poop as well. I looked at her carseat to see that it had poop on it too. I went to get a wipe, and there weren't any left in her diaper bag. Needless to say, we couldn't go in the post office like that. I just put Annistyn back in her carseat, I took off my shirt (Don't worry, I had a tank top under it!), and we headed to Grandmama's and Granddaddy's.

When we got there, I took Annistyn straight to the bath tub and pretty much hosed her off! My mom wiped out her carseat (which I washed in the washing machine when I got home). After everyone was cleaned up, I put on one of my dad's shirts and went back to the post office. I told Josh he better appreciate those stamps!

Annistyn was very tired when we got home, so I put her down for what I thought would be a short nap. She often takes about a 30-45 minute nap at this time. She went to sleep a few minutes before 5:00, and she is still asleep. It is now almost 8:00! I may regret putting her down later. She may wake up in the middle of the night and be ready to play.

This is the picture Karen sent me today while I was at work.



"What can brown do for you?" I am so blessed to have Tim and Karen in Annistyn's life. I am thankful to know that I leave her everyday with people that love her so much!

Katy's Twin

It was another wonderful day of insesrvice today. I had 1st aid/CPR training this morning, followed by a faculty meeting, lunch, and then the completion of 1st aid/CPR training. By this time it was a little after 1:00. I spent the next hour or so trying to organize my room. I still have no clue what I am doing teaching Social Studies.

After work, I went to Karen's and picked up Annistyn, Tripp, and Tucker. I took the boys to Sonic to get a slushie. Tucker kept pointing to the girl on his cup and saying Mama, Mama! He then would give her hugs and kisses! It was so funny. Just so everyone can see the resemblance of Katy and the girl on the Sonic cup, I took a picture.



Maybe it's the hair! Ha ha! Who knows?

1st Day Back

Today was my first day back to work! About half way through the day, I was ready for naptime! It is inservice week, so it's pretty boring. I sat in meetings most of the day today.

Karen said Annistyn had a good day today. Tripp and Tucker stayed with Karen today too. I'm sure she had her hands full with these 3, plus her 3! After I picked her up, we ran by to see my mom, then made a quick trip to Wal-Mart. When we got home, I fixed supper. Annistyn was ready for bed by 6:20. I guess this back to school stuff wore her out! Here is the one and only picture from today.



Look at how long her legs are getting! I remember when they barely came over the seat of her high chair! Sniff Sniff!

Bye Bye Summer Laziness

Today was my last day of summer laziness! Don't get me wrong, we will still have some weekend laziness going on at this house (atleast with me and Annistyn), but it's not the same as being lazy during summertime! I am a little sad about going back to work tomorrow. I have really enjoyed being home with Annistyn every day. The only thing that makes it better is that I know Annistyn is in good hands while I'm at work. We are extremely blessed to have Karen keep Annistyn. I don't know what I would do with out her.

After church this morning, we came home and ate a little lunch. Annistyn took a nap, Josh cleaned some vehicles, and I clipped coupons. A very exciting Sunday! Annistyn and I did go for a swim when she got up from her nap. She loved swimming with Grandmama today!

Tax Free Weekend

It is tax free weekend, so Annistyn and I went to Cookeville to meet Josh for a little shopping. Josh had to work a few hours this morning, so we headed to Cookeville after Annistyn ate lunch. We went to look for Annistyn a coat for this winter, but we didn't have any luck.

I had a gift card to O'Charley's, that I have had for months, so we decided today was just as good as any. Annistyn was ready for an afternoon nap, but was still wonderful through our lunch date. She LOVES O'Charleys rolls, but who doesn't When we ran out of rolls, Annistyn just wanted to sleep. This is what she did while Josh and I ate our lunch.




We came home to rest, and Josh mowed a couple yards, including ours. When he was finished, we went to Grandmama's and Granddaddy's to swim. Tripp and Tucker are spending the night, so they got to swim with us. Josh and Tripp had water gun wars in the deep, and Annistyn, Tucker, and I played on the steps in the shallow. After our swim, Grandmama had supper ready, so we stayed to eat. Annistyn loved Grandmama's mashed potatoes and peas! I still can't believe that I go back to work in less than 2 days! Geez!

Princesses

Today was officially my last day of summer break! Boo! I still have the weekend, but I'm still sad. Since I have not been by the middle school all summer, I decided to go for just a little bit today. Corrie and the kids are in town, so they watched Annistyn for about an hour, while I got a little work done.

Tonight, Corrie and I went to sweet Angelie's visitation at church. When tragic things like this happen, it just makes you realize that life is way too short. Never put off til tomorrow what you can do today! I know Annistyn is already spoiled rotten, but after tonight, I am definitely holding her and spoiling her even more. As long as she will let me hold her, love on her, and spoil her, I will.

While we were gone, Grandmama watched the kids. Kayli and Annistyn played princesses. Kayli insisted that to be a princess, you must wear a cape!

So Long, Summer

I finished another painting for my mom to hang on her back door. There may be some teardrops on this one.



I can't believe my summer vacation is almost over!

I had my annual back to school appointment with Tatum yesterday. I am now a little blonder, and I got a good trim. Annistyn spent the day with Grandmama while I got my hair done.

Last night, while I was cooking supper, I put Annistyn in the floor to play with her toys. I put her in the middle of the blanket in the living room. While I was in the kitchen, she started screaming, so I peaked in the door to see what was wrong. This is what I found.



She had scooted back and gotten her little toosh stuck under the couch. Ha! She is so funny!

This morning, Tripp and Tucker came over to play for a couple hours. Tucker handed me my phone, stood in front of me, and said cheese (paci and all)!



Annistyn loves playing with the boys. She wants them to be right next to her all the time.



We all went to Grandmama's for the afternoon. I had planned to let Annistyn swim for a bit, but it started to rain shortly after we got there. Which, I'm not complaining, because we definitely needed the rain!

After the rain, we came back home and played in the floor. Annistyn was being a little ham.



Annistyn had cut up, cooked carrots for the first time tonight. She loved them! She loves being able to feed herself!

8 Months

My sweet baby girl is 8 months old! Holy Cow! How in the world is that possible! She is getting to be such a big girl! Here is Miss Priss at 8 months:



She has grown so much and gotten such a big personality in these last 8 months.




Annistyn, what are you up to these days?

• You can say Ma-Ma, Da-Da, and Bye Bye (or Tripp says you say Bubba because that's what he says you are going to call him).
• You still go to bed around 7:00 each night and sleep until around 7:00 the next morning.
• You usually take 3 naps each day.
• You are starting to eat a few finger foods. You have eaten puffs, cheerios, and cut up bananas.
• You are wearing size 6 months clothes and size 3 diapers.
• You weigh around 18 pounds.
• You have one tooth that is completely through (bottom right).
• You have no interest in crawling, but that's okay with me.
• You have started throwing your paci and sometimes lovie out of your bed, but you will not go to sleep without either of the two.
• You are constantly smiling and are extremely happy! Your daddy and I love you even more today than we did yesterday! You are the cutest and funniest thing ever. You're the best thing that ever happened to us!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Ella Kate Young

Josh's twin sister, Natasha, had her baby girl today. Ella Kate was born at 1:01 weighing 9 lbs 7 oz and was 21 inches long. She is so stinking cute! Josh got to go see her today. Annistyn and I will go once they get home and settled.





Check out that hair and the cutest chubby cheeks I've ever seen! I can't wait to meet her. I'm also curious to see how big brother Eli will do with her! I'm sure he will love her like crazy!

In other news, one of Annistyn's teeth is completely through her gums. If you look really close at this picture you can see it.