Book fiend

My goal for this year has been to read atleast one book a week. I LOVE to read and would rather read than just about anything else. So far I am well on target and I thought I would share what I have read so far:
"The Reader" by Burnhard Schlink (has been made into a movie that is currently showing. Great read- hard to put down and ended unexpectedly)
"A Secret Word" by Jennifer Paddock (written by a former Fort Smith resident and has lots of references to places in Fort Smith that you will recognize)
"He Was Her Man" by Sarah Shankman (mystery-sort of. Set in Hot Springs Arkanas. Enjoyed it WAY more than I thought I would)
"The Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey (great info on money management)
"Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict" by Laurie Viera Rigler (set back in the 1800's as well as current time- again liked way more than I thought- but strange ending.)

I usually don't like Mystery or period pieces but I am trying to broaden my horizons. I have to say I truly enjoyed all of these books and can't wait to read more by these same authors.

Shoe Talk

Ok, my kid is a little young to have shoe envy already but he does. This morning I was getting his shoes on to take him to preschool. He asked if these particular shoes light up. "No" I say, knowing exactly where this is headed. "I want some light up shoes like Jake". Jake is a fried from school and church who just happens to have light up shoes. I told him when he needed new shoes we would look at getting light up shoes. My kid "I want some light up shoes. These are not my favorite". What a charmer, huh? Just a small taste of what is to come I am sure.

Moore's Grocery Store

We have a running joke at our house about taking a trip to "Moore's Grocery Store" aka Mom and Dads house. Dad is the king of grocery shopping and you never leave their house without a bag of groceries. It has gotten so that whatever I give Gavin to eat he now says "Papaw gave that to me" whether he did or didn't. The good thing about that is when I really need him to eat something I can use the "papaw gave it to you line" and he will usually gobble it up.

Is there a Doctor in the House?

Gavin is getting over bronchitis right now. He has already been to the doctor but for some reason he LIKES going to the doctor and wants to go again. He even asks to go when he gets a scrape or just falls down.
When I did take him to the doctor on Thursday he had to get a chest X-ray. He thought that part was kind of fun, forgetting the last time he had a chest X-ray and how traumatized he was afterwards! While we were waiting on the doctor to come back in Gavin said "Momma, I wish I was a doctor." I said "You do?" and he said "I will be a doctor when I get big and you can pay ME." I couldn't help but laugh.

Birthday Boy

Gavin turned 3 on the 14th. Last year we had a big birthday party for him but it turned out to be such a let down because of the weather and people being sick so we decided that we would do something small this year and have a 1/2 birthday party for him in the summer. We took him to Chuck E. Cheese the Saturday before and he of course had a blast, never wanting to leave. Then the Tuesday before I sent cupcakes and little goody bags to him and the kids at school so they could have a little party. I left my camera so the teachers could take some pictures.


On Friday after his birthday mom and dad came over for some cake. It was really good. Unfortunatley, Kris managed to knock it off the counter onto the floor after everyone got a peice. He felt so bad but we all thought it was funny. (I made a strawberry cake the next day to replace it)

Grandma Louise and Aunt Jessica came over later that evening with some great presents (Gator Golf and a train) and even though they didn't get to stay long Gavin was so happy to see them. He got a little bashful when they were leaving but wanted them back as soon as they were gone.


He had a great birthday over all and we are so thankful for him. I cannot believe he is 3 already.

Daddy Hat

Gavin likes to put on "big people" clothes. I wish I had pictures of all the things he has put on. A couple of weeks ago I came home from church on a Wednesday and while daddy was watching him, and I use the term very loosely, he had gotten in to my pyjamas and had a pair of pants pulled on up top his shoulders. I have even found my pantyhose in his room before. His favorite thing besides shoes is by far daddy's hat. Kris wears it everyday to work and Gavin always likes to put it on so he can be BIG. I got some cute pics one day of him doing just that.

My little stunt man!

Gavin got Dani's "old" 4-wheeler handed down to him after all the bigger kids got new ones for Christmas. He is so lucky to have older cousins for that reason! He is so good on it already and quite the little daredevil. He likes to stand and drive and go all types of places. He got the hang of it really quick. The other day I caught him sitting on it backwards trying to drive it that way. So much his daddy and so much ALL BOY!

Jack the Goldendoodle

We got a new puppy a week or so before Christmas and Gavin LOVES him. We named him Jack and he is a Goldendoodle; part Golden Retreiver and part Poodle. He looks a lot like a cocker spaniel to me. Here are some pictures of them playing.

He has been a really great addition to our family. We all love him and that says a lot for me because I am really not an animal lover. It will be even better when the weather warms up.

Picasso?

For Christmas, Gavin got a table and chair set from "Santa" that stays in his room. He has his crayons and all his "crafty" things in there to keep him busy. A few days ago he decided that was not enough excitement for him and managed to get into my acrylic paint supplies. He knows where and what they are because we use them together sometimes to "make somthing" as he says. Anyway, I knew he was being awful quiet so I went to check on him and this is what I found:


What a mess!! We had to take the table outside and hose if off it had so much paint on it. I would guess it was almost 1/2 inch thick in 3 different colors!
Needless to say Gavin was in trouble but not as much trouble as he makes it look:

The worst part is that he had on the new shirt aunt Julie had just given him the day before for his birthday on and it was completely ruined. I think that was what made him cry so hard. He said she needed to get him a new one- like it works that way!

My Crazy Kid

Gavin is full of cute sayings! I never know what he is going to come up with next. Today was no exception. While giving him a shower I kept telling him that I had a very bad headache and I really needed him to not be so loud. Thinking I could reason with him I told him "mommy is the big boss and you are suppose to listen." Of course he replied immediately "No, I am the little boss!". He had no idea how true those words are! He was so cute- even though he was defiant!

One thing he said that I didn't get to witness but I am still laughing about happened at Jason and Missy's house last Friday. He dropped something on his foot and made a terrible face and wimpered a bit. Jason asked if he was hurt and which toe it was. Gavin said "mine"! Hilarious! Jason should have been more specific I guess!

The Internet

I love the internet! It is such a great tool. I have one of those personalities that requires all knowledge possible. I want to know all there is to know about something before I make any decisions.
Lately though my thirst for knowledge has been more about those people who have been in my life at some point and I have lost contact with. Google, MySpace, Facebook, and more have all been a help in that department. I have reconnected with people I have been thinking about for years but just didn't know where they were or how to get to them. So right now, I am thankful for the opportunity to get re-acquainted and find out everything I can. Thank you internet!

Time flies...

I obviously have not blogged in awhile. Too busy "doing" to actually blog about it I guess! There is no way I am going to try to catch anyone up on the events of the past month other than to say we had a wonderful Christmas and now we are looking forward to a 3rd birthday! My goal is to just start fresh and blog when I can. That is the best I can do!

Kris and I went to Clarksville last night to meet my friend Shannon from HS. We had not seen each other in almost 15 years! We met him and his wife and kids at the Pasta Grill and had a great time. It was so good to see him again and reminisce a bit. They were in from Las Vegas and are heading out tomorrow to Germany for the next 4-6 years with the Air Force.
The visit was great, but made me a bit sad. So much time has passed and I wish I was in contact with more of my friends from school. It also made me think about where I am now in life and where I want to be. Great for January 2nd!

Gavin stayed at my brother and sister-in-laws house while we ate. He had the best time! As soon as he woke up yesterday morning he said "I am ready to go to Jason and Missy's house now". He didn't want to eat or nap or anything else- just GO! He talked about them all the way home and first thing this morning he said he was ready to go back. He did have a confession though: after he told me he loved Missy he said "I did yell at her". Oh BOY! Of course for him that could mean that he told her "no" or he really yelled. I am sure I owe her an apology!