C'mon, Vogue!

Well, I've got a new passion. Modeling. I honestly believe I'm terrible at it, but it's so much fun!

Earlier this week, I got a call from a former client, asking me if I could be a model for a photo shoot for a feature in the Tennessean. Oh, the pressure! I caved. I'm a sucker for trying on clothes and shoes, so I agreed.

This morning, the photographer and feature writer came to Petite Boutique for the shoot. The owner, Laurie Roe, pulled a few outfits for me to try and we got down to business. The Tennessean team was wonderful. They gave great direction and were very generous with their compliments. It was a nice little ego boost.

I had a great time this morning and even came home with a new pair of sunglasses.

Watch for the feature in Sunday's edition of The Tennessean.

Consumer Review

For the last several months, I've been begging Chad for new carpet or hardwoods. The people who lived her before obviously never walked on this carpet because it was gorgeous when we purchased this home. However, when we moved in, let the dogs temporarily rule the roost and then had a child who loves to make a mess, our gorgeous carpet bid us adieu and its ugly alter-ego took over.

It was obvious what our normal path was -- down the stairs, into the kitchen, and onto the couch -- the carpet ratted us out by pointing the way with dingy dirt. We also couldn't hide the fact that we're habitual tea drinkers because of the spill stains in not-so-subtle places.

A few months ago, I called Stanley Steemer. (It drives me crazy that they won't spell it right! That was just their first mistake.) They sent out Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb to clean our carpet. In the dead of winter, I couldn't close the door because the hoses had to be run in from their van outside. They also informed me that the girl who "just answers the phone" incorrectly assured us that the spots would come out of the carpet. So much for the guarantee. I was a totally dissatisfied customer.

After grumbling and complaining too much, I went to look at carpet. Should I fork out the big bucks for the good stuff that I'll love or purchase the cheap stuff and hope we can move soon? Oh, the angst.

Last week, however, after my weekly grocery run (Who am I kidding? It's a grocery journey -- LONG journey.) I noticed a rack of Rug Doctor machines by the checkout line. When I got home, I unloaded the food and jumped on the computer to do a little research. For about $40, I could rent the machine and additional upholstery cleaning hose for a day and also purchase the concentrated carpet cleaning solution. A small investment. The reviews and testimonials sold me.

I ran back to the store with Avery on my hip and rented the bad boy. I even rolled it to my car and put it in by myself while still holding her. Something told me my doors wouldn't have to stay open while the carpet was being cleaned this time.

I vacuumed the house quickly and went to work steam cleaning away. It was marvelous! That machine sucked all the nastiness out of my worn out carpet. You no longer can tell where the main traffic paths are. I might be able to get a few more years out of my carpet.

A quick disclaimer: If you come to visit me and don't think my carpets look smokin' hot, get over it. You should've seen the before shots! Go get you a Rug Doctor, too!

Getting frisky

Well, we made it home, but not without incident. We had our luggage packed, had breakfast, grabbed a cab, and headed to the airport. The security line wasn't too bad, so we felt good about our trek through the terminal. However, I started beeping through the metal detector. I backed up, removed my watch and bracelet and walked through again. Beeped again. Then I realized that I still had my very large hoop earrings in. Too late.

I got whisked into a plexiglass holding pen with a man who looked like an old man extra from a Saudi Arabian film. They very obtrusively summoned a female security officer who made me "spread 'em" and frisked me. It was the earrings. Duh.

For a split second, I thought about being embarrassed. Then I looked around and remembered that I was in Las Vegas -- the city of lunatics -- so I blew it off.

We had a wonderful time -- seeing all the city sights, losing only about $20 (since Chad has self control), and lounging by the pool. We managed to avoid a couple of disasters at the HR convention Chad was helping with, and felt great about it before leaving town. We ate WAY too much, walked WAY too far and smelled WAY too much cigarette smoke, but all in all it was a spectacular place to travel together.

We came home to a very excited Avery, who ran back and forth between Chad and me hugging us over and over again. I LOVE that. Even though it was nice to get some time alone without her, we missed the little booger and couldn't wait to get home to her.

I'll leave you with a few pictures from our trip. We didn't have a single one of ourselves -- just the sights. Oh well. Enjoy!

The beautiful Bellagio before the infamous fountain show

The Eiffel Tower at the Paris resort

The volcano at the Mirage

Sweet time with Papa when he was in town for a funeral

Cheesin' it up with Nana and her super fun Green Tea bottle

Today's high

Chad and I are in Las Vegas for the next few days -- sans Avery. His parents came up Thursday and my mom is relieving them today. Chad is helping with set-up and dismantle for a Healthways trade show booth at two conventions, so I'm tagging along.

This place is really amazing. It stinks like a giant ashtray, but the architectural details are phenomenal. We've exhausted ourselves each day so far with all the walking and intense heat. The high this weekend is 109!!! The low is 88. It's a really dry heat, so it doesn't feel as bad as 90 in Nashville, but it does feel like we're just standing in front of an open oven door.

We're at Bally's, next to Paris and across from the Bellagio. We watched the fountain show last night. It's amazing that they'd give up that much precious real estate for a big pond, but it draws so many people.

We've played a few slots and some video poker, but Chad won't let me bet more than 5 cents at a time. I keep telling him that a big investment equals a big return, but he keeps reminding me that we haven't lost more than about $10 so far.

This is the first time we've both left Avery overnight. We don't have a problem with it -- we just don't have any family in town to leave her with. She's in great hands with her grandparents and I'm sure she's getting spoiled beyond belief. I miss her terribly, though. Every time I see a child (not sure why ANYONE would want to bring a child here), I miss her even more.

Well, I'm finally off to eat breakfast. I know, I know. It's 11:50 to my body right now, but we're on VACATION! I'll post pictures when we return. Have a great weekend, bloggers!

Pool drama

After Avery's second day of "school" today at Crieve Hall, I took her to the pool at the Y. It's her favorite place now. She's thrilled with being soaked to the bone.

Avery showed off her jumping off the side moves. Another mom with a daughter a little older than Avery struck up a conversation with me about their comfort level in the pool. It was an ever-so-brief chat, but a few minutes later, I noticed her across the pool with something all over her cheek.

She started trying to get the attention of her older daughter and I heard her give instructions to get out of the pool. After a closer look, I realized that she was holding the back of her baby's head and the 'something' all over her cheek was blood. She rushed over to the first aid station and the lifeguards were helping her stop the bleeding and trying to get her husband on the phone. They were pretty sure the baby would need stitches. She had slipped and hit her head in the shallow sloping end of the kiddie pool.

What do you do in a situation like that??? I would flip out if I were that mom. She couldn't drive to the hospital because she needed to keep pressure on the back of her baby's head. I tried to get her to let me drive them to the hospital, but she was nervous about driving without the baby in a carseat (and she'd just met me 20 minutes earlier.)

I felt compelled to help, so Avery and I gathered up her stroller, shoes, towels, pool floats and other belongings and kept her other daughter Joanna (probably age 5) occupied while she and the lifeguards waited for her husband to arrive.

In the mean time, Joanna said her stomach hurt because she was hungry. We went to my pool chair to get fruit snacks and cash and I got her and Avery each an ice cream sandwich. They were a mess, but stayed out of everyone's hair. We decided to play on the playground, but Joanna changed her mind on the way over because she needed to go to the bathroom. She informed me that she needed help and that she was sorry because it was "really messy." I wasn't prepared for that, but we survived.

Joanna was so polite and sweet, so it was an absolute pleasure to be able to help however I could. Once her daddy arrived, the whole family rushed off to take care of business and get the baby's head checked out. I certainly hope I see them again in better circumstances.

Is it summer yet?

I know it's not quite summer yet, but it sure feels like it. It's HOT. But thank heavens for the pool at the YMCA. Avery and I have been hitting it up every day. She's a big fan of splashing around. She's pretty brave, too. She's not afraid of the freezing cold water. I just have to grin and bear it so she doesn't get out of reach.

We spent the holiday weekend in Huntsville with Chad's family. Saturday was devoted to tromping around on the farm. Avery loved the barn and got to pet her first cow! It was the one that was born the same day as her. All the other cows run when you get too close, but "Avery's cow" will walk right up to you expecting some attention. All the photos are on Chad's parents' camera because I bought the wrong size battery! At least we had the video camer for other stills from the last few days.

I ran by Target this morning and bought a pack of the right size batteries so I won't have any more excuses for not documenting all the growing up going on in our house. I'm always behind the camera, so here are some good pictures of Avery with Daddy.

Cuddling by the pool

Eating spaghetti

"Helping" Daddy wash the car

"Helping" Daddy water the lawn

Playing in the bathtub with our buddy Madeline

Mother's Day and Field Day

I totally intended to post yesterday, but Chad and I got wrapped up in a crossword puzzle. We're addicts. Ever since we subscribed to the paper, we're hooked!

Mother's Day was wonderful. Avery got me a sweet card and flowers and she helped Daddy make lunch for me. I got to take it easy for the day.

I LOVE being a mom. And it's so cliche, but I never knew how much my mom loved me until I had Avery. This is technically my third Mother's Day because two years ago on Mother's Day I learned I was pregnant with Avery. What a cool day!!!!

Today, Avery and I spent the morning at Kirkpatrick Elementary. I had the stroller loaded with fruit snacks and I hauled around a couple of coolers full of Capri Suns for the kiddos. They are hilarious! I wish I'd had my camera (but, of course, yet again, I don't have batteries). My class won Tug-o-War!

The kids wanted to take turns "helping" with Avery. They had a ball pushing her stroller and following her around and feeding her fruit snacks. They've all come a long way since the first of the year. I can hardly believe the year is almost over. Wow! First Grade, here they come!

Well, I'm sweaty, so it's time for a shower. Till next time . . .

Tongue bite or terrified?

Yesterday evening, we all sat down to dinner at the kitchen table. A fly had gotten into the house at some point and it was driving us crazy while we were eating. I rolled up a section of the newspaper and started swatting at it. After flailing around the kitchen like a lunatic, I finally knocked the fly out and beat it senseless on the floor.

I was incredibly proud of myself, but I looked up to see Avery's face. I've never seen anything like it. She looked terrified and was bawling her eyes out. I'm still not sure if she had bitten her tongue while eating or if she was genuinely frightened that I had killed a helpless (albeit germ-carrying) creature. I wish I had a photograph of the look on her face. I honestly haven't see anything like it in my life.

I shouldn't have excuses for not posting pictures. Just call it laziness. We haven't taken many photos lately because the camera battery died and I haven't bought new ones yet. Maybe soon. Til then . . .

I Know, I Know

It's been over a week since my last post. But I have an excuse! I've been in Florence visiting my family while Chad was in Selma, Alabama for his last audit trip. Hooray! I haven't been chained to my computer like I usually am. Lola and I are gearing up for a new campaign, so in the interim I'm trying to get in all my visitin'.

My first day at my grandparents, my Grandpa patted my belly, thinking I was pregnant. I quickly scolded him and informed him that pregnancy was being prevented and that my empire waist shirt was completely in style right now. I also told him NEVER to assume a woman is pregnant until she tells him herself. Men!

Avery has been honking like the geese in the lake out back, but not on purpose. She has a cough that is finally breaking up, but now she's got a mid-grade fever and hasn't been interested in food (which is TOTALLY not like her!) She's pitiful. I just hope she sleeps well tonight.

No pictures today -- again. Sorry! I've gotta upload the latest when I get back to Nashvegas. Till then . . .

Missed it

I completely missed it. It will possibly be one of the most talked-about news stories of the week. Sanjaya is gone.

I really wish I had been able to tune in to see him get the boot. Since websites are regulated to keep results secret until the west coast feed, I had to wait until JUST NOW to find out. I hope my eyes aren't playing tricks on me.

All I've gotta say now is: Shine, Melinda, shine! Be sure to vote, everyone!

Reading out loud

I drive my sweet husband crazy every night when I read through all my favorite blogs. I laugh out loud and then proceed to read the blog to him so I can share the hilarity with him. He usually doesn't get it. He's not the stay-at-home mom who relates to all the other stay-at-home moms who have kiddos who do funny things.

Thank you, blogger moms, for sharing your kids' funny stories. We need the laughs (sometimes just to get through the day and know we're not alone.)

My other babies

Thursdays are my favorite! I volunteer in Mrs. Jones' kindergarten class at Kirkpatrick Elementary and love (almost) every minute of it. The kids are hilarious and so much fun, even though sometimes they have a tough time behaving. Mrs. Jones is a great teacher and gives these kids every chance in the world to thrive.

THANK YOU to everyone who has kept Avery for me so I can volunteer at Kirkpatrick. I'm so sorry for begging all the time. Please know that you are a ministry to me. I love you!

I also look forward to The Office & Grey's Anatomy and this week, Notes from the Underbelly! Loafing with my girlfriends in front of the TV this week!

Here are my Kirkpatrick babies:

Asma, San'Twan, & Tyssa

Reginae & Liric

Terelle & Michelle

Javontae

Terelle & Ashton

Fun with Crayons

Avery has taken interest in crayons lately. I'm not exactly sure she knows what to do with them, though. She knows they draw on paper, but she hasn't figured out how to use enough pressure to make the markings dark enough to see. At least she can't draw on herself! She mostly likes to empty them out on the floor and put them back in the box and hide them in the fireplace. Sounds fun, eh?

I'll leave you with a sweet photo of part of our bedtime ritual. We read a book and sing a prayer before bed. Tonight's book was Touch and Feel Baby Animals.

Still here

Hi blogger friends. We've had a very busy last few days. We're glad to have a lighter schedule, but I'm really going to miss rehearsal for the Easter concert.

Yesterday will go down in history as my favorite morning of worship EVER! It was wonderful and a very encouraging way to celebrate my birthday. We capped off the day with a concert that night. I am so blessed to sing with all those talented people. Brandon deserves some high praise for all the work he does, the hours he puts into it and the selfless heart he has for the ministry at Otter Creek.

My parents were in town this weekend. We went to Florence for a couple of hours on Saturday to check in on Nannie and Grandaddy and found them both doing well. We had lunch at Grandma's and braved the cold while the kiddos hunted eggs. Even though it was pure chaos there, I loved having everybody together. I miss my parents so much and hate that we live so far away. We're planning our next trip to see them. It won't be soon enough.

I'll leave you with some pictures to enjoy. Thanks for checking on us!
Avery (and her funny pony tail) at the hospital waiting for Caroline's birth

Enjoying the warm weather and soft grass

Exploring the zoo (on the most crowded day of the year)

Hot tubbin' with my college buddies at Tickled Blue Cabin on Center Hill Lake

Writing implements

Avery is very observant. She doesn't miss a thing. Chad and I have caught her doing just about anything to mimic us. She has noticed how we write with pens or pencils and always wants to do the same. We gave in and let her carry around a click-top pen that we didn't think she could open. I think we have underestimated her.

This morning, I gave her the pen and she pretended to write on a book. In a split second, she managed to open the pen. Not only was she writing on the book, but she had also drawn all over her legs. I quickly took the pen away—leaving her thrashing about on the floor—and got out the video camera.

I dug out some crayons for her to try. I thought she'd love them since they're colorful. We did a little bit of drawing together on a legal pad, but she just wanted to put them back in the box.

When she lost interest and moved along to playing with her blocks, I thought I was in the clear. But Avery dug out one of the crayons and tried to draw on every toy she had. I either need more cleaning products or a safer writing implement.

The MySpace Vortex

Some of you may be wondering what has happened to us lately. MySpace. I got sucked in. I'm not sure how it happened, but I'm addicted.

A few days ago, my brother John told me that he found Hanna, our Austrian exchange student from 1996/97, on MySpace. So I got on his page to see what they'd been talking about and to read up on her. I got curious and started searching for old friends from grade school. It was so bizarre to see how many people are on MySpace.

The strangest part for me, though, was learning how little discretion some people have on there. They feel the freedom to use words they'd never use in public -- maybe just assuming that their parents, church friends, potential employers, whomever, may never see it.

I started subscribing to the newspaper last week. A few days ago, I found an article about how some people aren't getting jobs they interview for simply because their potential employers looked them up on MySpace and didn't like what they saw. They've thrown away the value of their education and experience by posting stupid pictures or saying crass things. I honestly believe that comments other people post on your profile can be harmful to your reputation, too.

So as far as I'm concerned, at least for now, I'm keeping a close eye on what ends up on there.

And by the way, the newness will wear off soon, so I'll be back to blogging more regularly.

My Celebrity Look-alikes

My cool celebrity look-alike collage from MyHeritage.com. Get one for yourself.

I'm an aunt!

My niece, Caroline Marie Streling, was born Saturday afternoon in Huntsville, AL. She is so beautiful! She was born at 3:55 p.m. and was 8 lbs., 8 oz., and 20 inches long. Julie was a powerhouse and did great during the delivery. She and Shawn are going to be great parents. I'll post pictures later. I took plenty!

When babies are born, I can't help but be overwhelmed with the responsibility that God has given us to raise a child of His. He entrusted us with the job of housing His little workshop where He knitted our children together in our womb. He formed us all from nothing and His plan for us is perfect. I am in awe. It makes everything else seem so petty and insignificant.

On another note, Chad's parents told us they were ready for us to have more kids. Wow! Didn't see that one coming!

Avery walks!

Hello friends! Avery finally decided to take her first steps today. She got really brave, really fast. I'm sure we're moments away from her skipping this altogether and taking on running instead. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Baby!

Today is my sweet husband's birthday. I noticed Phil Wilson's blog yesterday about his wife Sheryl's birthday and thought it was so sweet the way he spoke of their budding romance in college.

Chad and I met in college, too. He and his roommate were throwing an Alabama football outside the dorm during his freshman year (yes, I'm robbing the cradle) when I was walking by from the far parking lot. One of them missed the ball and it came rolling my way. We introduced ourselves and briefly discussed our mutual affection for Crimson Tide football (in the good years and bad). We were acquaintances through the next couple of years and our paths crossed again in the Spring of 2001 for a Sigma Iota Delta function when Chad was pledging. Our first date was at the Jack Daniels Distillery!

I really enjoyed his company and found myself sorting through my feelings when he was at the beach for Spring Break. When he returned to campus, we started spending more and more time together and then had the dreaded DTR talk (define the relationship.) We decided to start it off with prayer and we prayed every day (even when we broke up for a couple of weeks in 2002.) Then our relationship came full circle when Chad asked me to marry him after the Iron Bowl in November 2002.

I am so blessed by our marriage. Chad is the best friend I could ask for. We truly enjoy spending time together. We get along. We laugh a lot. We have a wonderful daughter together. Chad is my world.

So Happy Birthday Sweetheart! I love you.