The Bucklers

August, 2010

2010-11-26T15:59:00.005-05:00

In early August, Boots began to show more interest in potty training. She would go to our bathroom and pull out her little potty. She always had a book or two in hand. No pressure, though; we rarely talked about it, and she would do it all by herself ~ when she felt like it of course. ;)

Have I mentioned that we LOVE our neighborhood?! And for so many reasons....

Our third night in our house, there was a neighborhood party ~ a Luau ~ at the Clubhouse. What a way to began to really get to know our new neighbors! Well, that was in mid-June. By the time mid-August rolled around, it was time for another throw-down! This time, it was a Redneck Party, and everyone was in character. Everyone even had a "redneck name." We had a blast!
I've been threatened with my life if I post some of my pictures :) but these seem tame-enough.

Laura, Emily, Julie Anne, and Alison

Emily and Ryan Moody ~ barefoot and pregnant, with a baby!

Brad and me ~ aka "Cooter and Raylene" ~ complete with mullet, hickey, tatts, and all! One of Brad's tattoos reads "Raylene Forever" ~ awww.... How romantic. ;)

At the end of the month, some of our good friends from Augusta visited ~ Anna Kay & Patrick Duckworth, and their sweet little Ella Reyn. They were our first official non-family guests in our new home! The girls played, got candy at Riverstreet Candy, and we ate at the Pirate's House. The Duckworths feven got lucky with some beautiful lighting for their new home at a local lighting store.

Savannah Summer

2010-11-26T15:58:00.013-05:00

The girls are here! Their first breakfast in their new house ~ poptarts and milk, sitting up at the bar. ;)

That very next week, Alli Lane went to a summer session/orientation for new students at Hancock. She loved it!

Her first day

Boots was excited, too!

Daddy's first day of work as a "real doctor" ~ the girls made him a sweet sign and hung it on the front door for him to see when he came home that day.

The girls had fun playing with other children in the neighborhood!

Peyton Lewis and AL, in their matching dresses!

Boots and Lauren Lewis (aka "LaLa")

Alli Lane went to Pottery Camp and also attended BC Cheer Camp. Several of the girls in the neighborhood went to the cheer camp, as well ~ and our neighbors, Katie and Mimi Whelan, are 2 of the BC Cheerleaders, which made it all even more exciting.

AL won the Spirit Ribbon on her first day! She won it for trying her best, doing a good job cheering, and having a sweet attitude with the other girls. We were super proud!

On the last day for parent watch day, AL wore her cheerleading outfit ~ and Boots dressed in her fairy princess accessories that the Greers sent her!

Alli Lane won the "All Star" award at the end of the week ~ each Cheerleader got to pick one camper to be an All Star, and AL won. As an All Star, she was invited to cheer at the BC Homecoming Pep Rally ~ a REAL pep rally ~ such a BIG deal!

Before school started, we took a family trip to Atlanta to visit everyone. We were lucky to get to see the girls' Buckler cousins, Philip and Parker (who live in Charlotte), while we were there, as well!

We enjoyed getting to know our new city, as well!

We ate at some new-to-us restaurants, walked up and down Riverstreet (the girls already are addicted to the candy at Riverstreet Sweets!), and took the girls to play on the playground at Forsyth Park.

We enjoyed playing around our new neighborhood, as well! Of course, having a pool 200 yards from our house, complete with a Clubhouse and playground, was perfect for summer! We spent hours down there ~ from several hours in the morning ending with a picnic lunch at the pool, to a quick evening swim after supper before bedtime, we truly had a lot of fun and took advantage of the amenities.

Alli Lane and Charlie Moody

Boots and Elliot Moody

What a summer!

It was packed with busy-ness and lots of fun! And we are thrilled to have many Savannah Summers and other Seasons ahead of us!

Alli Lane's First Day of Kindergarten ~ Hancock Day School

2010-11-26T15:58:00.012-05:00

Alli Lane was excited for her Orientation at Hancock Day School and a chance to meet her new teacher, Mrs. Amy Morgan!

Alli Lane ~ 1st Day of Kindergarten at Hancock Day School

Also our first experience with a uniform, by the way. ;)

New backpack ~ complete with her monogram, of course.

Boots got a new backpack, too, and insisted on wearing (and taking) her backpack, as well.

Walking to school with several neighborhood children who also attend Hancock.

Almost all of the school-aged HRB kids attend Hancock, although they aren't all pictured here.

Reid & Evan Markowitz, Anna Bridges & Ellie Smith, Kyrin Fox, Alli Lane Buckler, and Charlie Moody

Walking down the hallway to her classroom. Sniff-sniff time for Mama.

Day 2

We love Hancock Day School! Alli Lane is having a blast! ;)

"Annual Beach Pics"

2010-11-26T15:57:00.008-05:00

Every year, when we visit the beach, we take our "Annual Beach Pictures" of the girls. It is one of my favorite things to do. I love taking pictures, and my girls are my favorite subjects ~ and to take special pictures of them in my very favorite place is just the BEST to me! :) I take so many pictures (so VERY many!), just to get that one perfect shot. What normally ends up happening is that I get several that are beautiful ~ some posed, some candid. There were so many that I loved this year, they deserved their very own post. In fact, so many were good, that Wolf Camera wouldn't print them for me without a signed release from the Photographer, and I had to prove that I was the one who had taken the pictures ~ ha! As is tradition, we got up early one morning, before it got too hot and the beaches were too crowded, and we headed down to Carillon for pictures. The girls are always bribed to act nice ~ Thomas' Donuts are their reward. :) I am sure I drive them nuts for the 20-or-so minutes this takes us each year, but we sure do get some lovely pictures out of it, with some wonderful memories, as well.

Beach Trip ~ First Week of July

2010-07-30T10:08:00.013-04:00

As always, we had a blast at the beach this year!

(And for those of you who have been fussing at me for updates, this one is a doozie, as usual!) :)

We always love our trip to PCB, but this year, it was an especially-needed break from our move. We moved June 15, and we were at the beach the first week of July, for the 4th.

We visited with the Wilsons and the rest of the crew at Baypoint the first weekend we were there.
Below, Banks, Emarie, Alli Lane, and Boots are ready for Steve to take them on a ride in the golf cart!

We love it when we are able to visit with loved ones! We spent the evening of the Fourth with my Randall relatives. We even watched the fireworks over the pier, even though it was raining ~ so, we all sat in our cars and watched.

Jeremy and Brad love their girls!
Below are Malley ("Moe"), Jeremy, Mimi, Maitland, Brad, and Alli Lane. Boots, on the other hand...

...fell asleep on the drive over, and never woke up! Bless her little heart.

Bathing Beauties

Argh! Frustration! I hate it when Blogger refuses to rotate a picture for me!

We always love to go to Groovin' on the Green at Carillon on Monday night and have a picnic!

We had a ton of fun on the beach, too ~ splashing in the waves, running to the waves, running from the waves.... building sandcastles, napping, picnicking under the tent.... Happy times, with our happy little girls!

We always eat at Boon Docks! 'Gotta get my fried pickles fix, afterall ~ not to mention the delicious seafood and the girls special surprises from Pickles! ;)

Boots' "ready" pose before running full-force into the water

Boots preferred to nap in my arms every day ~ and I wasn't about to complain!

Alli Lane just laid in her chair, closed her eyes, and she was OUT. By the end of the week, she was completely covering her entire body with a towel for her nap. There is NOTHING like a good nap on the beach!

Sweet Sisters

There were a couple of minor temper tantrums thrown in the mix ~ but, what can I say? She's TWO.

Our last picture on the beach for this year. Brad was taking stuff up, and the girls were waking up from sleeping HARD on the beach (no that is not a bruise on Boots' face ~ it's a mark from how she was sleeping, and she isn't even completely awake here). So sad to leave, and already counting down the days til we return next year!

WE ARE IN SAVANNAH!

2010-07-30T09:56:00.004-04:00

There are several of you who are fussing at me these days for not updating the blog in the past 6 weeks. :) Well, I promise some posts will be coming soon.

We moved to Savannah on June 15, and we have been super busy ever-since. My Mom kept the girls while we made the Augusta to Savannah transition then came down to help unpack here; Brad's parents kept the girls for a few days while we were getting their things settled in the new house. I wanted their rooms and their playroom in good condition before they got here. THANK YOU to all 3 of you ~ we couldn't have done it without you!!

The very next week, Alli Lane had her orientation week at her new school, Hancock Day School; Boots started her summer MDO programming at First Christian. So yes, we jumped right into "life" as soon as we got here.

Since then, we have had our annual beach trip, I went to Jackson and New Orleans with Emily, Alli Lane has been to two camps (Starlight Pottery and BC Cheer Camp), and Boots continued to go to MDO. Most importantly, on July 19, Brad started working here; his group has 2 units ~ the main one is at Memorial, and the other one is at Candler. We have continued to settle into our new house and surroundings, and we are really enjoying it all. Granted, I still don't have anything hanging on the walls or anything sitting in the bookcases, but that will come. We are loving our new house and our neighborhood; in fact, on our 3rd night here, there was a neighborhood Luau down at the clubhouse, and we had a blast getting to know our neighbors. There has also been a Girls' Night Out, and we have a Redneck Party in August ~ like I said, lots of fun. :) I think Brad's favorite part is being able to head to the pool in the evenings after supper with the girls ~ only about 200 yards away!

So, that's what we have been doing. I promise to post pictures very soon. I have great ones from the beach, and I want to get some of the house on here, as well (after I "fluff" a little bit, though).

Hope you are all well! Keep checking back! ;)

Our Last Weeks in Augusta

2010-06-08T20:54:00.027-04:00

It seems that we have been insanely busy these last few weeks. School ended, as did ballet, Wednesday nights at church, and several other school-year things. But other things began ~ summer activities ~ like swimming lessons (with swimming miracle worker Jean Umansky!!), playing and swimming at the water park at the Y, and playing at home A LOT. :)

Alli Lane has been doing a lot of reading to Boots ~ in fact, most of the time, Boots prefers AL to Brad or me!

My girls

SWIMMING LESSONS ~ They both took 2 weeks and are doing a bump-up before we leave. AL took with Jean last summer, too, and it has been wonderful both times!! You can't ask for more than an instructor who is 1:1 with you child and genuinely cares about her ~ who has had so much experience with this that she knows that teaching a child swimming lessons isn't just about swimming, but also about water/pool safety and what to do in alarming or possibly scary situations. Jean is wonderful, and I am not kidding ~ I may just drive back to Augusta for a few days next summer to let her work with the girls again. :) Not to mention, both of my girls adore her and literally beg to go to swimming lessons. Now, I ask you ~ did you ever beg and plead with your mom to take you to swimming lessons as a child? I highly doubt it! :)

Alli's days of ballet with Miss Jessica came to an end. She had a blast again this year ~ and it was a little different, since she was one of the older children in the class. She was definitely in "leader mode" in ballet this year!

Doing a split, of course

With our house on the market, there have been many times I have needed the girls "contained" so I could clean and straighten. This has meant LOTS of movies and coloring and playing in Mommy's bed!!

There has been the occasional tea party, as well. Daddy gets to join in the funwhen he is home! ;)

Wednesday Night programming at church came to an end, and all of the children's choirs did a precious program in May one Sunday night.

I even had a Girls' Night Out ~ dinner at TakoSushi!

Below are, left to right and front row then back row:

Elizabeth Gregg, Lisa Patton

Jen Hughes, me, Amy Tisdale

When we have gone to Savannah this past year (which has been at least once a month for Brad to work and for us to check in on the house), we have stayed with the Lewises most of the time. Other times, we have stayed at the Marriott Courtyard, Room 138. It is almost like home, as well ~ in fact, AL was devastated the last time we were there, when I had to tell her that we don't actually own the room and that other people stay there when we are not there. :) Of course, I try to be very well prepared each time we stay at the hotel, so that the girls are entertained and don't get too bored while we are there. I always have new art projects, activities, and books on-hand!

Brad had to work in Savannah on Mother's Day weekend, but I took the girls to Atlanta. It was a short, but nice, visit.

At Nana and Papa's house

We have spent a lot of time coloring and doing arts and crafts, as usual. Whereas AL really loves the creative crafts, of course, Boots is a step away from being obsessed with coloring! She sits in the blue chair with her tray and colors for hours.... (She is way too busy to do it all at once, but she comes back to it repeatedly throughout the day.)

AL was busy finishing up with her school year; her class made swimsuit coverups with their little handprints as fish!

As we have done every other summer, we have spent a lot of time, already, at the Y. We are really going to miss the Y, even with a great swimming pool just down the street from us in Savannah. The girls love the waterpark there, and in some of these pictures below, Brad was helping them practice what they learned with Mrs. Jean during their swimming lessons. Somehow, the Y didn't make it into my post about our "spots" around Augusta, but it should have!

Although I am not consciously trying to potty train Boots yet, she is beginning to show an interest in using the potty. Sometimes, we get lucky, and she actually goes in the potty. But more often than not, she realizes she needs to go after she has just gone in her diaper. That's okay, though ~ at least she is getting interested, and we can focus on training after we are settled in Savannah. Boots especially loves it when AL reads to her while she is on the potty, which AL loves to do! She feels so important. They are so precious and love each other so much!

Our Home in Augusta

2010-06-06T18:54:00.044-04:00

This is a sentimental post of pictures ~ less for the interest of anyone reading this blog and more for the family journal that I have always intended for this to be.

We have lived at 2925 Westchester Drive for nearly 4 years. Alli Lane was 1 1/2 when we moved into this house, and of course, Boots had not yet been born. Now, AL is 5, and Boots is 2 1/2, and we have loved this house. It has been the perfect home for us. I stumbled upon this house when we lived on Cambridge, only 1/2 a mile from here, and it has been a blessing.

Our home

We have spent many, many hours on our back deck.

Our large, fenced-in backyard ~ lots of play space for the children and the dogs ~ and there is a pen on the side of the house for the dogs, as well.

We have truly enjoyed our deck ~ especially since we built this new one a couple of years ago.

Boots' Room

Alli Lane's Room

You can't really see them well here, but the lights in the topiary are pink and twinkly, and AL has loved them since she was a baby!

Master Bedroom

Living Room, from the back of the foyer

Living Room, from the dining room

Dining Room

Kitchen ~ and somehow, I never managed to get a picture of the breakfast nook in here....

The Children's Den

I also somehow never included pictures of the Guest Bedroom/Study, or some of the other areas.....

This has been a wonderful home to us for nearly 4 years. We have loved being at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac ~ the girls can play and ride bikes/riding toys out there, and we don't get a lot of traffic. We have a large front yard and an even larger backyard, which have been wonderful, and the deck is great for family meals and entertaining. We have truly loved this house; it has been the perfect family home for us. Now, we are praying it will sell, and in my mind, I am sort of wishing for another family to buy it, since this house has been so terrific for ours.

Goodbye, 2925 Westchester Drive! We will miss you!

The Girls' Rooms in Augusta

2010-06-06T18:52:00.015-04:00

This nursery was actually in our other house on Cambridge Road, and it was Alli Lane's first room. It was a beautiful room, with a painted wrought iron fence, flowers, bird houses, and butterflies. We hated to leave that house because of that room! :)

(As seems to be the case these days, Blogger won't rotate a picture for me ~ sorry.)

Here are pictures of the girls' rooms in our current house:

I do hate to leave the girls' bedrooms. They are beautiful and personal, painted by my mom, their Dede. Alli Lane keeps asking why we can't take the walls with us when we move. :)

Alli Lane's Bedroom:

Mom let AL "help" in this spot in her room :)

Elizabeth's Bedroom:

AL "helped" Dede in Boots' room, too!

Augusta Spot-Shots

2010-06-06T18:51:00.012-04:00

Augusta has been Brad's home for 10 years now ~ through 4 years of medical school, 3 years of residency, and now 3 years of fellowship. It has been my home for the past 6 years since we have been married.

This is a little collection of pictures of some of our personal "hot spots" in town for our blog journal.

Of course, no collection of photos of Augusta would be complete without some pictures from The National. I wish all of my other photo discs were not already packed up, because I have some beautiful pictures from the Practice Rounds we went to when Alli Lane was only 3 weeks old. Yes, she went with us (in her Baby Bjorn), and yes, she also had to have a ticket.

As a side note, for those of you who don't know, Brad caddied at The National all through medical school to make some spending money. He is the perfect person with whom to walk the course, because he literally knows every inch like the back of his hand. He has some beautiful pictures, especially from the day every year that the caddies are allowed to play the course, but he doesnt have any of them on discs.

Our Church ~ First Baptist Church of Augusta

(and also where both of my baby girls attended Mother's Day Out from the age of 6 months)

Episcopal Day School

Alli Lane's school for the past 2 years, for 3 year old and for Pre-K

Appleby Library ~ we have spent many hours here over the past few years at story time and checking out books for pleasure and for AL's reading list (50 books each summer) for school.

Augusta School of Ballet ~ AL has taken ballet for 2 years here

"The Dinosaur Park" ~ known by this name by the majority of children who frequent the park at Covenent Presbyterian on Walton Way, because of the dinosaurs. This is yet another place we have spent hours upon hours in the late afternoons..... It is also the place I took AL after learning I was pregnant with Boots; Brad met us there after work, and I thought I would die before I could tell him we were expecting again! :) I don't think I will ever think of that park without thinking about that day.

Teresa's Mexican Restaurant ~ Our neighborhood mexican restaurant. We are there at least once a week, usually on their awesome deck (needless to say, they know us there).

The Medical College of Georgia Medical Center

Or, as the girls' call it "Daddy's House" :)

The Children's Medical Center at MCG

620 Cambridge Road ~ We lived in this house before we moved into our current house on Westchester Drive. We lived there for about a year and a half. This was Alli Lane's first house. It is also the house we lived in when we lived across from and met the McDougals. And after we moved, our friends the Greers bought a house around the corner from us. We have very sweet memories from that house and that time.

(Of course, we also have memories of our home flooding with neighborhood sewage. Twice. In one weekend. And having to live in a hotel for a month while our house was torn up and put back together again. But hey, the good wins out, right? :)

2605 Springwood Drive, in National Hills ~ The house in which Brad lived during medical school, when I met him, and where we lived for the first 6 months of our marriage. We moved after learning Alli Lane was on her way, knowing we would very quickly outgrow this house, but we kept it as a rental house and just sold it in November, 2009.

Somehow, I have left out pictures of the Y, which is definitely one of our "spots." But, we have several pics from there throughout the blog....

These were just a few Shots of our "Augusta Spots." We will miss them all....

Going Away Party

2010-06-01T13:27:00.008-04:00

We have some precious friends here in Augusta!

Some of our wonderful friends decided to throw us a Going Away Party: Amelia and Kevin McDougal, Anna Kay and Patrick Duckworth, and Alison and Lee Andrews. Many, many thanks to all of them for such a fun, special evening with Augusta friends! We had a blast! The food was delicious, the drinks were terrific, but the company was best of all! We will miss all of our friends here when we move, and we appreciate everyone coming to say goodbye.

Memorial Day Weekend in Savannah

2010-05-31T18:41:00.015-04:00

We spent Memorial Day Weekend in Savannah. Brad had to work down there; we did our final walk-through with our builder, Greg, at the house and had our inspection; we had a blast with our friends in our new neighborhood, Herb River Bend.

Friday night (we stayed at the Lewises' house), several families grilled out and ate supper together while the kiddos ran around and played: the Lewises, Moodys, and Foxes. It was so much fun. Above are 7 of the 8 children playing that evening.

The next morning, our girls and the Lewis girls ate breakfast, then watched some cartoons together. There was a "sister swap" ~ Boots wanted to sit with Peyton, and Lauren wanted to sit with Alli Lane! :)

Just a couple hundred yards from our house is the pool ~ a wonderful no entry pool and a baby pool off on the side. The clubhouse is nice and has a workout room upstairs. We are looking forward to our first neighborhood party at the clubhouse ~ a Luau the first Friday night we are in our new house. The playground is next to the clubhouse, and on the other side of the fence from the playground is Alli Lane's new school, Hancock Day School.

The girls are very excited about their new house, friends, and neighborhood!

Our house still has a lot of final touch-ups that are left to do ~ especially painting certain areas on both the inside and the outside ~ but it is almost complete. Mike, our landscape architect, did a wonderful job with our landscaping. It was fun to see that, as well as the flooring, lighting, and other details.

The balcony and garage doors, as well as some other trim and the utility yard, still need to be painted. The front door will get stained after we have moved into the house, and the wrought iron isn't all in place yet.

The back of the house ~ we hope to finish off the patio fairly soon and make it a screened porch/outdoor room.

Dining room and Entry hall, taken from the Butler's pantry

(Notice the sticky notes on the walls ~ my notes to painters, electricians, and other subs doing work at the house ~ since we aren't there to oversee, I had to find a way to communicate directly with them, and color-coded stickies seems to work!) :)

Dining room from Entry

This room will initially be the girls' downstairs playroom, but after we finish the Bonus room "one day," it will be a downstairs guest bedroom/study.

Master bedroom ~ obviously the framing around the TV still needs to be painted. :)

Master bath ~ Below are both pictures of Brad's vanity (mine is on the other side of the tub)

Stairs ~ still need to be stained

Kitchen

Family Room ~ TV still needs framing

(I thought I had posted a picture of the electronics area where the TVs run, in a large closet under the stairs ~ or, as I call it, Brad's Man Room ~ but I guess I didn't.)

From the back of the house, to the front

Upstairs hallway ~ taken from the computer nook ~ to the right is another hallway leading to the bonus room, walk in attic, and laundry chute. The door to the left is Boots' room; the door straight ahead at the end of the hall is one of the linen closets; AL's room is on the left, and the Guest room is on the right.

Alli Lane's room ~ Boots' room is the same color, but hers was torn up at the time I took this picture.

Upstairs Guest Bedroom

Computer nook ~ at the end of the hall upstairs ~ when the girls are older, this will be turned into a homework/computer area, but for now, it will have a computer and TV, as well as some toys for a small upstairs play area.

We had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!

We are looking forward to HRB being our home, beginning June 15, 2010.

Alli Lane's Last Day of Pre-K at EDS

2010-05-30T11:25:00.007-04:00

I cried last week, and I smiled at all of the memories of our past two years with Alli Lane being at Episcopal Day School in Augusta. Sending AL there has by far been one of the best parenting decisions we have made for her. We will miss the school family we have made ~ other students and their families, teachers, and other staff. Mrs. Scroggs and Mrs. Arthur (3 year old class), and Ms. McGlone, Mrs. Leonard, and Mrs. A (this year, Pre-K), will always hold a special place in our hearts. Alli Lane has grown and thrived; she has learned and has been loved and nurtured. She has loved it there, and we have, as well. We will truly miss EDS!

Bloom Where You're Planted

2010-05-30T11:23:00.007-04:00

As our time in Augusta comes to an end, I am struck with an overflow of emotions. It is very bittersweet. We are extremely excited about our "new life" in Savannah. We are happy that Brad's medical training will be over and he can begin his career as a Neonatologist, and we are excited about the group he has joined and the hospitals at which he will be working. We look forward to nurturing the friendships we already have and are making in Savannah. Without a doubt, we are giddy about our new house, on which we have worked so hard. We are thrilled to be moving a new city ~ a fabulous, historic, beautiful city that we have both always loved. We are anxious to jump into our new lives in this new place, and get our family settled and situated with friends, activities, church, school, and everything that comes with life and living.

But to do all of these things, we have to leave Augusta, which has been our home for several years, and which we thought might be our home for several more years. We have to leave our home our church, our precious friends, and Alli Lane's school, EDS, which Brad and I agree has been one of the best parenting decisions we have made for her. This past week, I boo-hooed several days about this ~ especially AL's last day of school, driving her through carpool for the last time for drop off and pick up. Augusta has been Brad's home for ten years, since he went to medical school here, as well; it has been our home for six years and is where we lived as a newlyweds, where our two baby girls were born, and where we began our lives together, in general. Brad definitely feels "rooted" in Augusta, after ten years, but I do, too.

It's funny. I have had a lot of friends who have approached residency and fellowship in different ways ~ all have chosen the way that was right for them. Residency and/or Fellowship are temporary things, and I told Brad I would go with him wherever they might take him, because I believe that you can do anything or be anywhere for a limited amount of time. Yet, for me, they are not such temporary things that it wasn't important to dive right into life and get involved. And to be honest, if I was to talk to the wife of a new resident/fellow right now and give her advice, I would tell her to make a lot of friends, especially with other medical wives who understand what life as a medical wife is like. I would tell her to jump right into life, as well ~ even with it being "temporary" ~ and not to wait until after res/fel to begin living and being involved. I would tell her to bloom where she is planted.

Doctors have busy lives when they are in residency and fellowship, and when they are out of training and are practicing, and quite frankly, the majority of their lives are spent at work. During res/fel, they are limited to 80 hours per week, and if they are like most, they will actually work about 90-100 hours per week. Every week. When they are on call, they will work 30+ hours straight, which means they will have to "sleep" (or more appropriately, spend the night) at the hospital. When they get out and begin practicing, there may be a few perks, such as a few extra vacation days in a year, or slightly more flexibility or control with their schedules. But at that point, there is no governing council that "limits" their time to 80 hours a week, so they can work that, plus many more. If they are like Brad, they will have to continue to sleep at the hospital when they are on call. It is crucial that they love what they do, because they will spend the vast majority of their time and energy there. This also means that a doctor's spouse is alone much of the time ~ going to functions alone, going to church on Sunday morning alone, and sometimes feeling like they are raising children alone. It means that "the weekend" doesn't necessarily mean anything ~ 5:00 on a Friday evening doesn't mean that your spouse will be home until leaving for work again on Monday morning. The weekends, holidays, birthdays, and other special family times for most people are "just another day" in the lives of physicians and their families. (And when we are the ones who are sick and in need of medical care, aren't we glad that the physicians and their families make that sacrifice? If we are the sick ones, we don't care that it is Thanksgiving Day ~ we just want the care that we need and deserve.) Just as being a physician is a calling from God, so is being the spouse of a physician.

As a physician's wife, I knew that I had better jump into life and make a life for myself "without" Brad, or I wouldn't be happy. I joined the Housestaff Medical Auxiliary and got very involved, being the Co-Vice President my second year and being an officer every year of my membership. I have been in the Junior League, on a three year church committee, Room Mother, on school committees, and I have joined a Bible Study, book club, supper clubs, playgroups ~ you name it! In other words, I found it important to bloom where I was planted. I was planted in Augusta, Georgia, for three years of residency, then another three years got tacked on for fellowship, and I made the most of it. I was very involved, and I bloomed. I made Augusta my home ~ my family's home ~ and I have loved it here.

Since Augusta, became home, since we have so many ties here, it means there is a lot of which we must now let go. I look at friends who were not as connected to our community, and the process of leaving is a little easier for them. But I wouldn't trade the connections, friendships, and experiences we have had for anything ~ not even to make things easier now. I also feel that I am better prepared for life when Brad is practicing in Savannah than I personally would have been if I hadn't already had these experiences. It will be much the same in Savannah. I will go to Parent-Teacher conferences and Church alone much of the time. I will occasionally fly solo at parties, supper clubs, and other events. I will discipline our children, often being the "bad guy," alone, and I will feel like I am a single parent from time to time. And it will be okay, I will be okay, because I already know the drill. I already know how to bloom where I am planted.

Our Trip to Savannah in April

2010-04-24T23:49:00.004-04:00

It was absolutely beautiful the entire weekend we were in Savannah this month! Although we are there at least once a month, we have never taken the girls downtown. Our fun weekend actually started Friday. The girls played with the Moody and Smith children at the Moody's house before we headed to Tybee. The Seafood Festival was technically on Saturday, but there was a little "carnival" on Friday. Honestly, it wasn't that great (it was tiny!), but the girls had fun. We had a yummy seafood dinner at Stingray's before heading back to the Lewises' house for the night.

Saturday morning, Brad had to work, of course, but later that afternoon, we took the girls down to River Street. Brad took the girls to watch some street performers; we ate on the river; we skipped along the river. Or, the girls skipped along the river. And that was before we hit the candy shops all along River Street! :)

Sunday morning, Brad worked again, and I took the girls to the playground down the street from our house. Such a luxury, so convenient! :)

I can't believe we will be living in this amazing city in just a matter of weeks, at this point! I believe that as of today, Brad only has 50 days left in his Fellowship....

It has been a long (often difficult) road, but every second has been full, and many have been joyous.

I will throw in a couple of pics of the house, as well. It is looking good. Our brick stoop is in, but a lot of work still needs to be done outside, as well as inside.

Crazy to think we will be calling this "home" in less than 2 months now!!

EDS 500

2010-04-24T23:30:00.004-04:00

The EDS Preschool 500 is a big deal every year. This is Alli Lane's class, in their cars, complete with driver's licenses, tags, steering wheels, headlights ~ you name it!

Alli Lane and some of her friends/classmates, in line ~ Maggie Davidson is on the left of AL, and Lacey Kate Talley is on the right. Next is Houston, one of AL's loves this year. :) Mrs. Leonard is the Assistant.

Ms. McGlone is constantly on the move ~ not surprising, considering she teaches Pre-K! :) But it is hard to get a picture of her, so this was my attempt.

She has been amazing and is an excellent teacher!

Boots had the best vantage point of all! She loved all of the festivities!

There were fast food restaurants, a hospital, gas stations, airport ~ anything and everything having to do with transportation!

The children had "money" to go through a drive-thru and get a snack.

SO CUTE!

Here are AL and Lacey Kate, enjoying their "fast food."

The kids climbed into a fire engine, a truck, hung out in/around a police car ~ and the favorite was a ride up and down on the bed of a truck! :)

We will miss all of the activities like this at EDS. We have been so very happy there, and the families and teachers/staff have been an answer to prayer. What a wonderful experience we have had at Episcopal Day School!

THE MASTERS 2010

2010-04-24T23:19:00.003-04:00

CONGRATS, PHIL!

We love you and were pulling for you! :)

'Way to take that 3rd Green Jacket!

I am sad this will be our last Masters Week in Augusta. I can't say I will miss the traffic of that week, but you know... avoid Washington Road like the plague, and you do alright. But I will miss the energy and the spirit that absolutely takes over this city during The Masters. People walk around telling each other "Happy Masters!" all week long. There really is a magic to it all ~ from the way the azaleas seem to bloom just in time for the cameras to roll, to the way amazing things happen at The National for certain golfers all week.

ARGH.... another sideways picture. Darn Blogger.

Happy Easter!

2010-04-24T22:47:00.006-04:00

Waiting for Dede to arrive on Good Friday.

HE IS RISEN!

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow....!
And we are truly blessed!

Mom came down for the weekend of Easter. It was a lot of fun, especially since she and I drove down to Savannah for a couple of hours on Saturday so she could see the house. Very exciting! Sunday, we went to Church, and we had lunch at the same place we started going with the Greers five (!!!) years ago: The Double Tree.

The girls loved dying Easter Eggs and listened diligently to all of Dede's instructions.

The Easter Bunny came!

So, we've all tried to do the impossible, right?

You know... the whole "it's-a-special-occasion-and-I-will-get-the-perfect-picture" thing.

Yeah, well, and how well did that work for you?

:)
All I know is, I got a lot of cute pictures... but it really is impossible to get a "perfect" picture of 2 children at the same time.

Or, perhaps, I need to redefine for myself what the "perfect picture" is.

Anyway, here is a sampling of my/our attempt ~ a very small sampling; I think I ended up with over 50 pictures that morning!

Easter Egg Hunting!

(Fun, but didn't last very long, due to the pollen that was everywhere! We were all coughing before long. But, we stayed out there as long as we could!) :)

Welcome, Spring!

2010-03-29T18:23:00.010-04:00

For those of you who have been emailing, asking for updates and, specifically, a lot of pictures ~ here you go! :)

Spring is off to a good start in the Buckler household. We have been having a lot of fun, and this post is a random assortment of a handful of the things we have been doing to stay busy. Spring has been beautiful and nice ~ except for the unbelieveable pollen this year! And that was just the first wave of "Augusta Snow" this year.

Boots has started doing something we call "Coy Eyes" on a regular basis.

We have had fun with puzzles ~ especially those with LETTERS! Boots loves her letters these days, and we can't drive down the street without her hollering out letters and colors that she sees.

Alli Lane and her new best friend :) , Lacey Kate Talley, cannot get enough of each other. Literally. They are in class together at school, in Sunday School and Church together on Sundays, and in Choir and Mission Friends (these days, known as Singers and Seekers/Servers) on Wednesday nights ~ and that's not enough! Their playdates are record-breaking, and they have a blast ~ playing outside, watching movies, doing puzzles, playing hide-and-seek, playing dress-up, princess, and everything else you do when you are a 5 year old little girl!

Alli tells me that LK is lucky ~ for several reasons. For one thing, LK has 3 older brothers, and AL has always wanted an older brother ~ hence, her imaginary brother, Damon, who is older than her (not sure how Brad and I are supposed to have managed that one ~ adoption, perhaps?) but doesn't live with us. This is what she tells people, and I have actually had people ask if we have or had a son. Uh...NO. If you ask her further, she will tell you that Damon lives in the hospital (think: that's where she thinks her Daddy lives, so that makes sense) because he has the flu. But she clarifies for us that LK has real brothers, which is apparently even more cool than a pretend brother.

The other reason LK is lucky is that both of her parents are doctors. Apparently, I haven't proven myself as capable of taking care of the daily boo-boos that plague us these days, because she seems to think she needs her Daddy to "fix" it every time, saying "But Mommy, he is a doctor and will know how to take care of me!" Well, LK is lucky. She has a Daddy who is a doctor and a Mommy who is a doctor. AL has a Daddy who is a doctor, but he is gone all of the time, and her Mommy is "... (exasperated sigh) just a Mommy."

;)

Okay, once again, I am having trouble with blogger not rotating some pictures. So, bare with me, as the next 2 are sideways.

And yes, you can go ahead and make fun of me. Yes, I have my dogs in rain coat and (gasp!) booties. And no, I am not generally a person who dresses her dogs. But, I am desperate. I have 2 children, 2 dogs, and a house on the market. I am in real need of anything that will keep my house clean and not smelling of wet dog!

Another plus: they do look pretty cute ~ and they will at least bring a smile to your face. :)
Behold ~ Stanley and Doc, in all of their rain-geared glory!

When the pollen isn't completely unbareable, we spend time outside. We have been grilling out a lot.....

...and playing in the backyard.

I've been picnicking with the girls several times, as well. Here are some pics from one gorgeous afternoon at Covenant ~ a church playground we frequent!

The dinosaur, better known as "Tree-ah" that AL has loved to ride since she could walk!

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY, ALLI LANE!!!

2010-03-29T18:22:00.005-04:00

March 16, 2010:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY SWEET, PRECIOUS GIRL!!

I cannot believe you are five years old!

Everyone deserves a cupcake for breakfast on their birthday!

Alli Lane had a birthday party in her classroom at school. She asked for Double Doozies, so that is what I brought. They are always a hit with these kiddos! :)

Ms. McGlone's Pre-K Class (PK3):

For supper, Alli Lane asked to eat at Teresa's Mexican Restaurant, which is only a mile from our house, so we are there all of the time! She and Boots both insisted on wearing their princess costumes from Disney. :)

Every girl needs a dance with her Daddy every once in a while.

This was absolutely precious ~ they all 3 danced and danced.....

When we got home, we ate cookie cake (another request ~ ahhh... her mother's daughter!) and opened presents.

One of her favorite gifts was the pink "silk" peignoir set we gave her. She looks like an angel when she wears it, and she feels so fancy and grown up!

After a birthday like this ~ beginning with Disney, and ending with an entire day of special fun ~ who wouldn't be grinning from ear to ear?! :)

Happy Birthday, my precious baby girl! You know your Mommy loves you and your sister more than anything in this world! You are my heart, you are my joy. I can't believe you are 5 years old; the time is flying by so quickly ~ too quickly. I thank God every day for the special, most wonderful gift of you.

I love you, Alli Lane!

DISNEY WORLD ~ Every Princess's Dream Come True!

2010-03-07T22:11:00.021-05:00

The girls, all loaded up in the stroller for a day at The Magic Kingdom....

Brad and I have been wanting to take Alli Lane to Disney World for her 5th birthday for a long time, and thank you, Dede, for making that come true! We went to Disney in early March to celebrate AL's fifth (!!!) birthday ~ and we all had an absolute BLAST!

We stayed at Bay Lake Towers, at the Contemporary. It was very nice ~ we had a condo with plenty of room, easy access to the Monorail, and just a short walk to the front gates. We were there for 3 nights; we decided that for this first trip with the girls, we would just do the Magic Kingdom, and not try to do all the other stuff. It was the perfect decision for us. We spent the first day doing the park, and the second day, we had AL's special birthday lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table, where we met all of the princesses.

Disney does it right. AL had a button to wear that let everyone know it was her birthday, and everyone from characters in the parade, to street cleaners, to other workers and other guests stopped to tell her happy birthday. Boots had a button, too, that let everyone know it was her first visit, so people were welcoming her to Disney at every turn.

Both of the girls' heads were literally spinning from one sight to the next, unable to take all the magic and wonderful-ness in at once! Who could blame them?! Disney truly makes everyone believe in magic!

Beware ~ this is a seriously long post. I took just under 800 pictures in the short time we were there :) so it is hard to narrow them down. I did, though, and hope you enjoy! (I apologize for some that are turned sideways ~ I havent been able to rotate them yet, for some reason.)

First stop ~ saying hello to Mickey and Walt Disney, himself.

It's A Small World

The girls loved the teacups at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party and riding high in the sky on Dumbo!

Pooh's Playground ~ the girls, being grumpy, just like Eeyore

We really did it all ~ from Dumbo, to Minnie's house, to Tom Sawyer's Island, to a few roller coasters. We had fun on it all ~ but AL especially loved the fast, roller coaster-like rides!

Dede and Alli Lane riding Peter Pan

One of the many parades ~ hi Mickey and Minnie!

CELEBRATE TODAY!!

That night, we ate at The Grand Floridian. It was wonderful and had beautiful views of the park. We saw the sunset over the water with the park in the background. Little Boots was beyond exhausted and slept through supper.

Alli Lane was tired ~ but not too tired for dessert! Dede had declared that if it is your birthday, you can eat dessert at every meal! So, she did just that! This was a special Nemo dessert ~ complete with candle, of course.

By the way, you know your child has sufficiently celebrated (and eaten enough birthday desserts) when at the end of Day 2, she is begging not to have to "blow out another candle!")

We rode the monorail back to our condo, and we got back in time to go out on the observatory deck and see the fireworks! They were awesome, beautiful!

They were, of course, playing music, as well. Alli took that opportunity to dance.... Because, sometimes, you just have to dance!

We had a slow morning the next morning. Afterall, the girls had to have plenty of time to attend to their beauty regimin. If you are going to dress up like a princess for the day, you must do it right ~ and very princess-ly.

We began with bath time.

Boots was very interested in watching AL get her fingernails painted and insisted on having hers painted, as well. For once, she sat very still while Dede did her nails.

The girls lounged on the sofa while their fingernails dried.

Very princess-like, of course.

Once she was dressed and ready, AL ~ ah-hem, I mean, Princess Belle ~ was more than happy to pose for a few pictures.

Boots, on the other hand, was a very pouty little Princess Cinderella.

She refused to pose.

Dede and two smiling pricesses!

Me, with my BABY GIRL!

When I asked her how it was possible for her to be FIVE years old, she said, "Well, Mom, that's just the way life is."

Princess Belle with her Mommy and her Daddy

(A bit put-out with me at one point after Disney, AL told me that she wished she were a real princess because real princesses don't have mommies. I told her that of course they do ~ their mommies are called "The Queen!") :)

It was a gorgeous day ~ for being a princess and for doing Disney! :) As we entered the park, there was a parade, with lots of characters and lots of music...

...and again, Alli just couldn't help herself ~ she just had to dance!

(It was hysterical, precious ~ people were literally stopping to watch her dance in the middle of the street!)

Celebrating at Cinderella's Royal Table!

We met Cinderella...

and Snow White...

and Ariel...

(Alli Lane took a moment to ask Ariel, "Do you know that I watch you on TV at my house?" Ariel said that yes, she did know. AL went on to tell her that she likes to sing like Ariel. Not skipping a beat, Ariel promised to let Sebastian know, so that next time they are looking for someone new to sing in their choir, they will consider Alli.) :)

and Aurora...

and Belle.

After a wonderful meal, we all got dessert!

Actually, this time, AL got two desserts!

Her special birthday dessert was Cinderella's Slipper ~ a milk chocolate slipper on a bed of white chocolate, filled with chocolate mousse and sprinkled with berries.YUMMY!

Alli decided this was prime time to teach Boots how to do a proper curtsy.

Princess Belle and her Dede!

Boots had curtsying down to a fine art!

Boots-style, of course.

After lunch, we headed back out into the park.

Gotta love Pirates of the Caribbean!

I hate that this one is turned! AL is riding Aladdin ~ and she was sitting up and squeeling. I love her hair here, how well her curls show, and her little tiara was beautiful!

There was a lot of map-checking along the way.

Cinderella's Castle was gorgeous at night! This is Alli Lane's favorite picture.

WHAT A FABULOUS VACATION!!!!

Savannah House, pictures from February & March

2010-03-07T22:09:00.009-05:00

Everything in Savannah is moving right along. The stucco and decorative stucco are up outside. The trim will be painted in the next couple of weeks, and bricks and ironwork will be put into place. Shutters and window boxes are being made in the shops, and the back porch, driveway, and sidewalk will all be poured soon. As far as the interior goes, trim is going up now, to be followed by the ceilings and trim being painted and cabinets being put into place in the next couple of weeks. As I said, it is all coming along. We are very excited and love to visit every month and see the progress that is being made.

In February when we visited, the girls were very excited to see the house, as always. Alli Lane's most favorite part of the house is her walk-in closet with a window. She will tell anyone who will listen about her closet! Pure girl. :) She insisted on having her picture taken in her closet, and of course, Boots wanted one taken in her closet, as well.

Since that trip, the drywall has been put up, as we were able to see when we drove through Savannah on the way to Disney in early March.

Family Room

Kitchen and Breakfast Nook

Kitchen, viewed from half-way down the stairs

Dining room with door to Butler's Pantry

Dining Room

Master Bedroom ~ you can see the bathroom and closets in the left of the picture; unseen to the right is a door leading to the back porch

Stairs

Stairs, view from upstairs

Master Bathroom ~ Shower, Brad's vanity, Bath

Master Bathroom ~ Water closet, my vanity, Bath

Master Bathroom ~ view (of Bathtub) from hallway from bedroom to bathroom

Winter Storm, Southern Style

2010-02-15T08:39:00.057-05:00

"Winter Storm, 2010"

What a weekend and what a "storm" it was!

That weekend, we were supposed to be seeing our dear friends, the Greers, who now live in Jackson, MS. We had been planning to see them for a couple of months, and then here comes the snow storm of snow storms (well, as far as the South is concerned), and we weren't able to see them.

Alli Lane was actually in Atlanta when the storm came through, so she had to stay an extra couple of days, because we couldn't get her from Dede. Boots, Brad, and I made the most of our time "trapped" in the house, though, and we had fun. We lost power for about 15 hours or so ~ not exactly "fun" but it wasn't too bad, either. Not for that relatively short period of time. I was lucky enough to even have Brad boil water over the fire to make my coffee. Literally. Do I have a sweet hubby or what? Maybe I shouldn't give him too much credit ~ he probably just didn't want to be trapped without power and a wife who was desperately needing her coffee fix!! :) Ha!

Both girls had an absolute blast playing in the snow! And I promise ~ I am not a terrible mommy, but they wouldn't always keep their gloves on their hands! :) We ran, played, threw snowballs, made snow angels, and had such fun! Brad and I both said it makes us miss the ski trips we both used to take with our families.

And I think there is nothing like the quiet stillness of snow-covered ground. It is truly peaceful.

Motherhood: Being REAL

2010-02-15T08:39:00.035-05:00

The Velveteen Rabbit has always been one of my favorite books. Recently, one of its passages made me think about being a Mother:

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

~ Margery Williams

The Velveteen Rabbit

Disturb Us, Lord

2010-01-23T10:59:00.014-05:00

This prayer poem by Sir Francis Drake spoke to me this week. I hope you enjoy it, too.

Disturb us, Lord when

We are too well pleased with ourselves,

When our dreams have come true

Because we have dreamed too little,

When we have arrived safely

Because we have sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when

With the abundance of things we possess

We have lost our thirst

For the waters of life;

Having fallen in love with life,

We have ceased to dream of eternity

And in our efforts to build a new earth

We have allowed our vision of the new Heaven dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,

To venture on wider seas

Where storms will show your mastery;

Where losing sight of land,

We shall find the stars.

We ask You to push back

The horizons of our hopes;

And to push into the future

In strength, courage, hope, and love.

Early January, 2010

2010-01-17T18:00:00.016-05:00

Below are some "random" pictures of the girls from this month. We enjoyed having a nice break over Christmas with Brad being off for a few days (yay!), and then when we returned to Augusta, I loved having both of the girls at home for several days before school and other schedules started back up again. We had lots of fun, just hanging out and doing some special activities. :)

Sweet Sisters!

Cuddling up after supper one night to watch a quick movie before bedtime.

This is some of Boots' most recent handiwork. She went around the kitchen and colored on every drawer and every cabinet. Believe it or not, I was just a few feet away; my back was turned to her because I was busy digging in the pantry, looking for something to cook for supper. I suppose this is what I deserve for turning my back for even one second on a two year old! :)

Boots crashed one morning on her little couch in the girls' den. I guess that's what happens when you wake up every morning around 5:30! (No, she normally doesn't take a morning nap, but she just couldn't resist this particular morning!)

Boots' favorite spot for watching TV ~ about a foot away from the screen, sitting in the little doll furniture from Nana and Papa.

Alli Lane having a lazy day on the couch.

Boots decided to be lazy, too!

Alli Lane had her first skating party this month!

She had a blast!!!

And so did Brad and I. It was like taking a step back in time to the 80's ~ and this rink doesn't look like it has changed a bit since then!
She did great, too. It wasn't long at all before she was skating on her own!

Boots had fun, too!

Savannah House ~ It's Coming Along!

2010-01-17T18:00:00.015-05:00

37 Ralston's Way, in the subdivision of Herb River Bend, in Savannah, GA.

We are really loving the process of building a house! It is a lot of work; being "long distance" and trying to do it is like having a full time job, but I love it and am enjoying every second of it. We are learning a lot, too. The house is really coming along quickly, and we know June will be here before we know it! We are very excited about our move to Savannah and are looking forward to it, but Augusta is home to us, and we will certainly miss our friends and our life here. Below are a pictures of a few parts of the house; we can't wait for friends and family to come visit us and see it in person! :)

This is the view from the front door, through the house to the back.

The Family Room

The Family Room and part of the Breakfast nook

Breakfast Nook

Kitchen

Master Bedroom

View of the Master Bath when you walk into the room ~ the tub, my favorite part! :)

Looking down the stairs

The Bonus Room ~ to be completed later

Alli Lane's Room

Boots' Room

Computer Nook

One more thing: a plug for our house in Augusta!

We will be putting it on the market in early March, but for a sneek peak:

http://2925westchesterdriveaugusta.blogspot.com

Christmas 2009, in Atlanta with Family

2009-12-31T19:00:00.009-05:00

What a fabulous Christmas we had!!

Both girls began their Christmas week in Atlanta by staying with Gigi and PapaDoc for a couple of nights until Brad and I got up there. They had a blast, and we were able to get a lot done around here, including making a day trip to Savannah to meet with our builder. Thanks to Gigi and PapaDoc for helping us out!

When Brad and I got to Atlanta, we stayed with Gigi and PapaDoc and were able to get some great visiting time with them. Then we went to Dede's house. We had a few minutes before we left for Nana and Papa's so we opened some gifts...

...and Dede let Alli Lane help her decorate the Birthday Cake for Baby Jesus. Alli also did a great job of removing access chocolate icing that looked too "bumpy" for her liking. 'Good thing we had her around to save the cake! Whew! :)

The girls' big gift from Dede is a basketball goal, but to save room in the car (thank goodness!), Dede had it shipped to Augusta, so Christmas continued when we got home.....

One of Boots' favorite gifts that day was a baby doll diaper bag, complete with everything from a sippy cup to a pacifier.

Silly Boots!

Alli Lane's favorite gift of the day was 6 Disney Princesses! (There is an "extra" in the picture below.)

(She has slept with ALL of them every night since then! Needless to say, her bed is quite crowded!) :)

We spent Christmas Eve at Nana and Papa's house, where we reinstated our tradition of eating Mexican food on Christmas Eve.

We also celebrated Baby Jesus' Birthday with cake!

Santa Claus came that night and left lots of goodies for both of the girls. Since the Wisemen brought Baby Jesus three gifts, both of the girls were allowed to ask Santa for 3 "big" gifts. Alli Lane got a soccer set, Legos, and a My Little Ponies miniatures set. Boots got a 3 Little Pigs set, a(nother) Mr. Potato Head, and her favorite ~ a Rody! They got some stocking goodies, too.

We enjoyed having Clifford the Elf around the house again this year. Even though Clifford was supposed to leave with Santa on Christmas Eve, Santa gave him special permission to stick around for a few more days, to be sure the girls liked their toys and were sharing them sweetly.

One of Alli Lane's gifts was a puzzle, and we all got a kick out of realizing it was the men who "took over" putting this Little Ponies puzzle together. Here is a picture of Brad and Keith working hard on the puzzle! Both AL and Boots loved seeing their Uncle Keith! Or, "keys," as Boots called him. :)

Dede asked Gigi and PapaDoc to stop by the house on Christmas morning to see what Santa brought the girls. We were so happy to see them, and the girls loved showing off their new stuff! PapaDoc couldn't resist jumping in and helping with the puzzle.

Here are a few pictures of the girls enjoying their new stuff.

Alli, wearing Dede's slippers

After the excitement of the morning, naptime was a welcome relief!

That afternoon, we went to Mimi's house for another Christmas celebration with that side of Brad's family. It was such fun seeing everyone! The girls had such a great time.

Brad had to check in at work late the next afternoon, but before we left Atlanta, we went back to Gigi and PapaDoc's house for breakfast and one more Christmas celebration with Steph, Phil, and Philip, and Blake and Lydia.

The hit for Boots was her new watertable! She and Philip thought it was more of a decorative water fountain than anything else, and they kept drinking out of the spray of water! Hysterical!

Brad, master packer that he is, loaded up as much as he could into the car; the rest had to stay in Atlanta for us to get later.

Both of the girls got dress-up dresses with tutus on them, and both of them wore them home over their clothes. Before we left, AL was dancing around the yard in her dress, with her Tinkerbell umbrella. They loved their play dresses, and Alli loved all of her Tinkerbell stuff!

Thank you, everyone, for helping us to have an amazing, special Christmas!

LIGHTS OF THE SOUTH! An Annual Tradition....

2009-12-16T09:09:00.009-05:00

We have several traditions over the Christmas Holidays that we enjoy ~ riding around looking at Christmas lights, making a birthday cake for Baby Jesus, decorating the tree as a family while listening to Christmas music, Brad and me giving the girls an ornament to represent each Christmas (and each vacation and event), and many more...! One of our favorite traditions is going to Lights of the South each year with a group of friends. It is a beautiful, lighted winter wonderland that says "Christmas" to all of us. This was our 4th year to go, and you had better believe that we are going to really miss being able to go each year once we move to Savannah! We always start the evening with supper in Mrs. Claus' kitchen and of course a hot cup of some of the best hot chocolate ever! The kids play in the gingerbread house, ride the train, and play in the playhouse (you have to slide your way out!); we all love to roast marshmallows over the fire and ride the hayride through the lighted wonderland that displays everything from GWTW's Tara and The Yellow Brick Road, to Santa's Toyshop and Castle, The Nativity, and a Georgia "G"! This year, the Greggs and the Duckworths joined us.

Patrick and Anna Kay Duckworth, and Ella Reyn

"BELIEVE!"

The Reason for the Season

This is when Boots said, "Go Dawg Dawgs!"

Boots, Addie Dayne Gregg, and Alli Lane, standing in line for the hayride.

Boots, peeking out of the gingerbread house.

Ella Reyn, playing in the gingerbread house.

Brad and Alli, roasting marshmallows over the fire ~ yummy!

As always, we had a blast! We were so happy to be joined by good friends but we missed good friends who have always gone with us in the past ~ The Greers, The Bells, and The Lewises, to name a few....

Boots' Birthday ~ "I TWO!"

2009-12-16T09:07:00.008-05:00

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY PRECIOUS ANGEL BABY!!

Boots had her 2nd birthday party on her actual birthday, December 12, at the Pink Dipper, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. We had fun and appreciated the intimate group who came to celebrate with us! The McDougals, Hughes, Duckworths, and Greggs came to the party ~ and Gigi and Dede came to celebrate Boots, as well! We did a whole ice cream theme, and the children seemed to have a great time ~ I know Boots certainly did! And she definitely knows she is two now. Most of the time, she will tell you, "I TWO!" although occasionally, she will grin her mischieveous grin and say, "I not two, Mama. I FIVE!" :) She is a hoot! She has such a sense of humor and knows she is being silly.

The girls standing in the doorway at The Pink Dipper, waiting on guests to arrive.

A kiss from her big sis while we sang "Happy Birthday!"

(Notice that the cupcake cake matches the girls shirts.)

Boots did a great job blowing out her candle, with a little bit of help from Alli Lane.

The children colored on coloring sheets that Dede made and were treated to ice cream and cupcakes!

One of Boots' most favorite birthday presents ~ her new riding toy! It really is cute, but the music (which plays constantly) begins to drive me batty by late afternoon each day. :) But she loves it! And so does Alli.

Boots loves her walking doll from Gigi.

Precious little feet and toes!

Thanks, Gigi, for coming all the way to Augusta for only 2 hours before you had to turn around and leave again!! What dedication!

Thanks, Dede, for coming to the party and helping with coloring sheets and the party!

Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate our precious girl's second birthday!!

Thanksgiving and Early Christmas Festivities

2009-12-16T09:06:00.009-05:00

We were lucky that Brad was off for Thanksgiving this year!

We had a blast spending the special day with Brad's family in Villa Rica, at Grandmommie's house. The girls played and played with their third cousins. Alli Lane and Georgia are always a cute pair, and Boots and Aniston are getting to be little friends, too ~ neither of them knows they are little and think they are just as "big" as the rest of the children!

Our Christmas Tree this year. We had a beautiful, full tree ~ so unlike the Charlie Brown Tree that Brad and I had our first Christmas in 2004! :)

The Reason for this Wonderful Christmas Season!

I love my nativity from Nana and Papa!

Decorating the Tree....

Boots' ornament from Brad and me this year was a "sweet tooth fairy," to represent our little girl with an insatiable sweet tooth!

We gave Alli Lane an ornament of a little bear drawing on the sidewalk, to represent our budding little artist!

Boots insisted on napping with the balloon (tied to bubbles) that her MDO teachers, Mrs. Sandy and Mrs. Ellen, gave to her for her birthday.

My little girls, being super silly while I was trying to get a cute picture of them!

Bootsie B!

She will tell me, "I not Bis-befs Mama, I BOOTS!"

(Obviously, "Bis-befs" is the closest she can get to saying "Elizabeth.")

For the 3rd year in a row, I took Alli Lane to the Junior League's Mrs. Claus event. She saw Mrs. Claus, ate lots of yummy goodies, and did arts and crafts! We had a blast!

Another big event for Alli was being in the Pre-K production of the Christmas Play at EDS. She was a shepherd. When it was time for the shepherds to "do their thing" during the play, Alli Lane was definitely the "lead" shepherd. They had one line to say as a group: The Baby Jesus has been born! Not only did she lead the group as they said their line, she kept them saying it three times through! And, she apparently decided that she needed a microphone to be heard, because she trekked across the stage to the mike, all by herself. No, this was not "scripted" ~ she just did it! :) It was hysterical!! Look in the picture below at the blond woman on stage, laughing; that is Alli Lane's teacher, Mrs. McGlone. :)

She was a darling shepherd, with curls falling out around her face.

Alli's Pre-K class. They put on the play with all 3 classes, together.

The Gregg girls stopped by one afternoon. Miss Elizabeth brought Addie Dayne and McKay over to our house to visit for a few minutes, and the 4 girls ran around in the front yard.

Thankful Thirds ~ December

2009-12-03T22:45:00.003-05:00

There are so many things for which to be thankful, especially as we wind up this year of 2009.

I am thankful for the little, every day things.... double buggies at grocery stores, free cookies at Publix to entertain the girls (at least for the first 2 aisles), my electric broom, the seat warmers in the Maxima.... You know, those little things that make every day life a little more comfortable or enjoyable, or easy.

I am thankful for the big things.... My wonderful husband who I absolutely adore; my two precious little girls. Our health, safety, wellbeing, and the roof over our heads. Our families who are so supportive. Gigi and Dede, who are willing to hop in the car and drive to Augusta for a couple of hours or a day ~ for a birthday party or so that Brad and I can drive to Savannah for the day for meetings about the house. The fact that our "other house" in National Hills sold, the day before Thanksgiving ~ and our agent, Beth Jones, who made it happen.

I am thankful for the sentimental things, especially as our time here in Augusta is getting shorter.... Alli Lane's school, EDS, and the "warm fuzzies" I get whenever I think about the education she is receiving there, as well as the love and support of the entire school. Our church, First Baptist of Augusta, where AL went to MDO and Boots still attends, and we love our Sunday School class, our pastor, and all of the many family events and love we feel when we walk through the doors.

I am thankful for blessings in disguise, as regular readers of this blog will attest (I mention it every couple of months), and for the miracles that happen to us every day. People love to say that God doesn't work miracles anymore ~ that miracles are something of the past, of the Old Testament. I adamently disagree! God works miracles every day, whether we recognize them as such, or not. I have been a part of His miracles more times than I can count ~ meeting my husband and having our two precious girls are just the beginning of a long list. Just the other day, He worked a miracle that saved my life. I was driving down Walton Way with Boots, and a car bolted across the lane of oncoming traffic in front of me, never once having looked my way or seeing me. She was so close, I couldn't see her tail lights. As those of you who are familiar with Walton Way know, it is so narrow that if something like this happens, there is nowhere for you to go. All at once, I had many thoughts, in a matter of a couple of seconds. I had do doubt that "this is it," that my life was over. I wordlessly prayed for the protection of my precious baby in the backseat, that she would be okay and that someone would comfort her until help came. I thought of Brad and Alli Lane, and I thought of our families. I thought of seeing my Daddy, of him welcoming me. I know how dramatic this sounds, believe me. All I can say, is that it is the closest I have come as an adult to the end of my life. Then, before I even knew what had happened, the other car pulled into the middle turn lane, and it was over. I sobbed all day that day, realizing how close I had come, and I am still shaken up by it. Thank you, God! For saving my Boots and me, and all of the other people on WW that day, because this would have been a devastating accident to many people.

Most importantly, I am thankful for my Savior. For God, who makes all things possible. For all of the blessings he has bestowed upon us.

And Mary said: My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for the Mighty One has done great things for me ~ Holy is His name.
~ Luke 1:46-47, 49

The Pain of Missing...

2009-11-27T21:36:00.003-05:00

I miss my Daddy.

I don't know why it struck me so fiercely this evening, but it did, as it does from time to time. I don't know what sparked it.... Perhaps it was Thanksgiving. Perhaps it was Louie dying. Perhaps it was my wrist giving me problems right now and I'm wishing he was here to tell me what to do about it. Perhaps it was that we have so much going on right now and I want to share it with him. Perhaps it was all of this together, and more....

Perhaps it was simply that I miss him.

I miss him every day. It is palpable even thirteen years later. But I don't have a "hard time" every day. Of course, I always miss him, but many of the times I think of him each day are happy thoughts and memories. I can barely look into Boots' beautiful, clear blue eyes ~ my Daddy's eyes ~ without feeling that I am glimpsing into his eyes. I often think of him when I think about how Alli Lane always keeps a grin on her face that absolutely lights her up all over, just as his grin lit him up and rarely left his face. I am so blessed to have my girls, so blessed that they have special little traits of his. But to be honest, it makes me sad, too. He would be such a precious granddaddy to my girls. He would absolutely adore them, and they would adore him. I hate so much that he isn't here ~ that I don't have the joy of watching them with him, that they will never have the joy of him.

These little "bad" times sneak up on me from time to time; they eventually pass. I still don't always know what to do when they do. Sometimes I read my Bible. Sometimes I pray. Sometimes I look at pictures and read my journal of memories of him. Tonight, it struck while I was rocking my baby girl to sleep. So what did I do? I kept rocking, I held her a little bit closer, and I cried like the baby that she is.

Halloween Weekend, 2009

2009-11-16T16:37:00.006-05:00

Halloween weekend was very busy and very fun! Most of you who follow our blog know that we usually have an annual Halloween Party at our house; this year, however, we were in Atlanta.

The festivities that weekend started on Friday night at Marist, Brad's school in Atlanta. He was inducted into their athletic hall of fame. He had the largest support group of all of the people being inducted ~ there were around 27 of us there, I believe. It was a special night for him. We are proud of you, honey!

Boots

Philip, Stephanie and Phil's little boy, doing a "split"

Alli Lane had fun playing with Georgia, Brad's cousin's little girl who is one year older than Alli.

Elizabeth and Philip were two peas in a pod. :)

Our family,the night of the ceremony

The next day was Halloween. We visited with Nana and Papa, then the girls took naps before the big night. We were disappointed that it was rainy and nasty, but that didn't stop the fun.

The little ones did get tired of having their pictures taken; here, Alli Lane is poised and ready, but Boots and Philip have had enough!

Alexis, Brad's friend, Preston and Brooke's little girl ~ aka Dorothy

Philip was a cute, cuddly bear.

Boots was a precious pink poodle.

Alli Lane was a flower fairy ~ specifically, a ROSE fairy.

Alli participated in the preschool Halloween parade at EDS. So so cute!! It is quite a tradition and I love watching it every year!

Fun, fun, fun!
Gotta love Halloween!!

A Night at the Fair

2009-11-16T16:31:00.004-05:00

The fair came to Augusta, and of course, we took Alli Lane! She had a blast! She rode everything and ate all kinds of yummy fair junk food (and so did we). She won 2 prizes for herself and could not stop smiling!

Alli Lane at the end of the night....
With leftover cotton candy, her snake, her ball, and a HUGE smile!

I have some more precious pictures, but Blogger isnt letting me attach them upright. Not sure why. If I can figure it out, I will attach them later. :)

More Fall Photos!

2009-11-16T16:25:00.006-05:00

Alli Lane drew this picture of our family at school.
Apparently, we have a son, Damon.
He is younger than Alli but older than Boots.
Hmmm... Brad and I are thinking we need to get moving and adopt a boy named "Damon" (pronounced "Dah-mon" according to Alli) who is about 3 years old pretty quickly. :)
This is too funny and will be kept and framed!

Here is another family portrait that she made at home.
Dede and Keith made the portrait, although I did not.
Damon was added at a later time.
I was added several days later.

What is it about their little hands that I just love so much?!

Sweet sisters! Alli reading "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" to Boots.

Boots having a Tea Party!

THANKFUL THIRDS... October AND November

2009-11-16T16:25:00.005-05:00

WOW. I started and never published my Thankful Thirds for October, and I am sooo late for November!!

We are so blessed, it is difficult to narrow down all for which we are thankful.

I am thankful for sweet Louie, my mom's beagle ~ really, our family beagle. We got him right before Christmas after Daddy died in 1996. He was a sweet distraction and a precious puppy. He has battled Lymphoma for 3 years, and although he did very well with his chemo/treatments for a long time, Mom had to put him down Halloween day. He was very loved and was our sweet angel. He got us through the most difficult time in all of our lives, and he is and will continue to be supremely missed. What an angel. Thank you, God, for giving him to us and letting him bless our lives for 13 years.

I am thankful for blessings in disguise. Brad has had some health problems lately, but before anyone worries, he is fine. However, the minor issues he was having helped us to discover some issues that, although not serious at this point in time, would have most likely become serious down the road. I am thankful for our health.

I am thankful for a precious husband who has been willing to do absolutely whatever it takes to take care of our family. He already works 80-100 hours a week, but with all of our financial troubles (most of which have come from the other house that has had so many problems, all of which we have fixed along the way), he has moonlighted at MCG and in Savannah every month; he has also officiated football games and performed physicals for middle and high school athletes. Thank you, Brad, for going above and beyond. Thank you for literally doing "whatever it takes" to get us through this.

I am thankful for having a giving and supportive Mom, who has also been AMAZING through this time. She has helped us financially, as well as in other ways. I get emotional when I think about everything both she and Brad have done for our family and wonder how I am so blessed. Thank you, God.

I am thankful for all of the stress in our lives. We have stress and a lot on our plates right now, but the stress really only comes from the fact that we are so blessed.

I am thankful for my precious girls. I love them more than anything in this world. I am thankful that they are healthy and happy.

Early Fall Photos

2009-11-16T16:01:00.008-05:00

This fall has been so incredibly busy that I feel the need to create a new word to describe it, because "busy" seems like a joke compared to what we have been doing. Sometimes I feel like my head is spinning, but through prayer and taking one day at a time (and sometimes, one hour at a time!), we are making it through our seemingly endless list of things to do.

Our house on Springwood Drive (that we have kept as a rental house) is for sale. It is currently under contract, but not after MUCH work and stress and time and money. It has been so difficult ~ keeping it clean and looking good, but also the biggies like putting on a new roof ~ and that is only the beginning! We are also trying to begin to get our current house on Westchester Drive ready to sale by fixing the little things that we have "let go" recently. And of course, our biggest project: building a home in Savannah. This is a fun, exciting step in our lives, but I have decided it is a full time job. LITERALLY. Especially since we don't live there. Brad is moonlighting down there at least once a month, and on those weekends, we also have meetings galore. Then we come back to Augusta, and I run around trying to make hardwood, tile, and other endless selections for the house. Those are our three huge projects of late, and believe it or not, that only scratches the surface.

When we go to Savannah, we are blessed to have the Lewises there, who let us crash at their house. The girls have a blast playing, and we are grateful to have a place to stay. We also love getting to visit with the Moodys, our other good friends there. We are building a house across the street from the Moodys, and there are only 2 houses between us and the Lewises. We just hope they aren't sick of us by the time we actually move next June! :)

Alli Lane and Peyton playing dress up

During our September visit, Ashley and I took the girls to Back River on Tybee for a couple of hours. They had a blast!

For those of you who don't know, the Lewises' girls and our girls are the exact same ages. Lauren and Boots are only 3 weeks apart in age, and Peyton and Alli are only 2 days apart in age. It is perfect for playtime!

When we got there, all 4 girls headed in 4 different directions. No wonder the mommies were exhausted when we left! :)

Watching a movie before naptime in Mommy's bed

We read a Bible story every day before the girls' naps. Boots was ready for story time and naptime that day!

Alli Lane is FOUR :)

And Boots loves to tell everyone that she is ONE. :)

REWIND....

2009-11-16T15:32:00.006-05:00

...to the end of summer / beginning of fall....

These are just some sweet pictures, in no particular order.

The girls love to hold hands in the backseat ~ and I love knowing that they are doing it! My babies!! :)

We were playing in the backyard, and Boots thought she heard her Daddy pull into the driveway. She ran to the gate hollering "Da Da!", and he wasn't there. This is her "where is he?" stance.

Boots and Stanley

Alli Lane and "Miss Jean" ~ her swimming teacher. Jean is FABULOUS!! Both girls will be taking swimming lessons from her in the spring, before we move!

Alli Lane loves to "help" me when I am making jewelry. Sometimes, she creates her own pieces, too!

Boots got into the markers. She put it on her face like makeup. Nice.

Boots has been much slower to grow hair than Alli was, but the curls are starting to appear!

Alli, teaching Elizabeth all about ballet

Poor Stanley! He got SARDS this summer and went blind. He had to wear a cone after he had surgery on his left eye for an ulcer. He is such a good little sport!

Alli Lane loves to "cook" and mix "ingredients". One night, when we were going down to the hospital to visit Brad on call, she wanted to make his supper. Well, I made the entree, but she made his "soup."

YUMMY! :) Brad is such a great sport, he actually ate several bites of this....

Being a Parent

2009-09-23T15:04:00.002-04:00

Before you become a parent, everyone feels the need to tell you how much your life will change once you have a baby. There is no more sleeping in on a Saturday morning. Adult conversation all but ceases to exist if little ones are awake. Dinner out with friends...? Only if you can find an available, trust-worthy, reasonably-priced babysitter. Or if you take your children to dinner, just don't expect to enjoy what you eat or even have the time to realize what you are shoving into your mouth....

Funny, isn't it, that as many times as you hear that "your life will change," no one ever mentions the big ways it will change. No one tells you that you will see the world in an entirely different light the moment you find out you are pregnant. You will want the world to be a better place ~ one that is worthy to house your child. You will worry about things and become scared of things that never really crossed your mind previously. Teenagers look at their parents and angrily say "you can't control my life," and realize only when they themselves become parents that it never was about "control" but about a desperate desire and need to keep them safe. You would think that new parents would wish their little one to sleep through the night ~ well, they do wish that, but the first time it happens, they are nervous wrecks, making countless trips into the nursery to make sure that their sweet baby is still breathing. Either way, you don't sleep, right? Yes, everything changes the moment you find out you will be a Mommy or a Daddy.

No one mentioned to you that the pool that is so much fun on hot summer days becomes a dreaded loaded gun, once your biggest fear is your precious child falling into it. No one mentioned to you that a routine issue with which you must deal, like a faulty heating system in your home, could claim the life of your child. No one mentioned to you that you would give your life to save the one of the baby in your belly that you haven't even met yet, or how much you worry about that baby before s/he arrives ~ is s/he kicking enough during the day? Am I gaining too much or too little weight? Am I drinking too much caffeine? Or, Heaven forbid, you find out that something is wrong with that baby....

Each of these things has happened to people we know this past week. Please pray for these families.... Brody Johnson, a 20 month old in Boots' MDO class fell into a pool and is in the PICU at MCG; he is not doing well and will never recover, if he lives through this at all. Brian Kirby and his wife, Samantha (Brad knew him during med school, the Greers knew them in Galveston, and they live next door to my friend, Ali's parents), lost their twin boys earlier this week when their faulty heating system kicked on while they boys were sleeping upstairs. Lucy Dean, my high school friend, Brad's baby girl, had heart surgery last week at the tender age of only 4 days; they had found a problem with her heart in utero.

My heart is breaking for each of these families. As a parent, I cannot even begin to imagine what they each must be going through. I look at my little girls and thank God for their health and safety, which really are so fragile and possibly so temporary in our world. Just knowing these stories, and others, brings me to my knees.....

Afterall, what is being a parent, if not falling to your knees in praise of God for giving them to you, in thanks for their health and safety, and in desperate request of letting it continue that way?
This is what no one tells you.
Please keep the Johnson, Kirby, and Dean families in your daily prayers. Thank you.

Up and Running!

2009-09-22T14:57:00.002-04:00

I told you all I would keep you updated, so here goes.... I finally have a blog for my jewelry up and running. It still needs to be tweaked a bit, but at least this is a start. Just go to http://mcallisterlanedesigns.blogspot.com to take a little sneak peek! Get 10% off your first purchase if you say you saw this post here! :)

"McAllister Lane Designs"

2009-09-08T15:10:00.007-04:00

As many of you know, I began making jewelry as a hobby several years ago, after Alli Lane was born. I slowed down for a while, busy with our two little girls :) but I have begun making it again. When I first began, Brad and I named the jewelry "McAllister Lane Designs" ~ and now it returns!

I hope to be getting a website or a blog up in the next few weeks, but here is a little taste of what I have been making so far. I currently have a stock of about 50 pieces, although some of these pictured have already sold. The one above and two below are from my Vintage Collection and are Limited Edition, one of a kind pieces.

Pearls are HOT HOT HOT this season! So I am making lots of pearl necklaces to go along with this trend. Some pearl rope necklaces will be coming soon, as well....

Metal continues to be very popular, and one of the "must haves" for this fall is a "Statement Necklace."

And for those of you who are looking for a fashionable piece to wear as a gameday accent, we have those, as well.

I have gotten a group of friends together who all make products to sell, and we are having a Holiday Show in November; it will be sometime the first week of November, but we haven't picked a date yet. I will keep you posted. We are excited! And I have having a lot of fun. Not to mention, I have put Brad to work; in his "downtime" at work (Haha!!), he is selling it at the hospital. :)

Boots Starts The TODDLERS Class!

2009-09-08T15:02:00.003-04:00

It just didn't seem right for Alli Lane to have a post dedicated to her first day of school this year, and not one for Boots, too! :)

These are not pictures from her actual first day, but this is her backpack! :) She loves her backpack and feels so big carrying it around ~ in fact, she often carries it and her lunchbox with her around the house.

Boots is in MDO on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at FBC in the Toddlers classroom. So far, she has followed in AL's footsteps with her teachers, which has been such fun! Last year, she had Barbara and Melanie in "Babies," just like AL. This year, she has Ellen and Sandy in "Toddlers;" by the end of AL's year in their class, I was pregnant with Boots, so they are especially excited for her to be in their class. They say she has a great time, and she tickles them with her frequent, precious belly laughs!

13 Years...

2009-09-07T19:49:00.002-04:00

Thirteen years ago today, my Daddy died very suddenly. I don't know where those years have gone, because although so many things have happened and changed since then, it still seems like yesterday that I saw him or spoke to him on the phone. I am so thankful for those memories.

Daddy, I still think of you and miss you every day, sometimes so badly that it physically hurts! Mostly, I remember your amazing smile, your support and encouragement, and all of our special times together, and it gives me strength. And every day, I feel your arms around me ~ still there, still supporting and encouraging, still watching out for and protecting me.... I will always love you so much.

Thankful Thirds for September

2009-09-04T08:00:00.002-04:00

This month, I am especially thankful for our many blessings ~ especially blessings in disguise.

With all of our financial issues right now (centering around our other house, which is for sale), Brad and I have been going through a very stressful time. But through it all, we are keeping our eyes on God and His promise that He won't give us anything that we cannot handle. And it has made us both especially grateful for all of the blessings that we do have!!! We might be having a tough time with the other house and with money right now, but we have our health, and we have each other and our precious girls. We have God and His promises. We have our faith, and we have family. Thank you, especially, to Mom, who has helped us out so much and who is such an amazing support!

Thank you, God, for our many blessings....

Alli Lane Goes to Pre-K!!!

2009-09-04T07:59:00.003-04:00

She's just getting SO BIG!!!
Alli Lane started Pre-K at EDS on August 19. Her new teacher is Mrs. McGlone, and the assistant teacher is Mrs. Leonard. What really blows my mind is that she is going FIVE DAYS A WEEK!! I was not ready for that (she went M-W-F last year in the 3's), but she definitely is!! She is LOVING it!!

On her first day, AL asked her Daddy if she looked "hot" because she wanted to look "hot" on her first day of school. HOT?!?! Well, needless to say, that was just the beginning of our pre-k drama to date. :)

She was especially excited about wearing her shiny pink shoes with sequins that her Dede bought for her! Dede is helping to grow Alli Lane's love of shoes by taking her shopping each season, and their shopping excursion before school starts is always an exciting success and a big deal! Needless to say, Nordstrom and Buckles (in Atlanta) love to see them coming! :)

But, back to our pre-k drama. As some of you have heard or have read on Facebook, Alli Lane has had all kinds of drama going on since her first day of school. For one thing, there are 2 boys who have apparently been "fighting" over her ~ Reid, who is in her class and a "new" friend to AL, and Jack, who is not in her class this year but who was in her class last year, and they see each other on the playground. Apparently, there has been a lot of "falling in love," kissing, and marriage proposals on the playground. As AL told Mom and Keith on her second day, Jack caught her on the playground and kissed her on the mouth! She clarified that he didn't catch her "in a net," but he used his arms. :) Whew! :) She told both boys that she wasn't going to marry either of them ~ she is going to marry her Daddy, because he is the most handsomest of all!

Well, since then, there has been another little boy added to this version of "The Young and The Restless" that is playing out on the EDS playground. Duncan, who is in AL's class this year and is apparently very sweet to her. :) Brad now has competition, because AL is trying to decide who to fall in love with between him and Duncan. Reid is getting discouraged at all of this, and Jack is still fighting for her but is now having to deal with his "jealous" girlfriend, Carlisle, who has told him he can only love her and kiss her. I wonder what will happen this week...?

I guess I should mention that she is loving SCHOOL, as well. She misses her buddies from her class last year (especially Abby!), but she has been making some cute, sweet new friends in her new class. She comes home talking very excitedly every day about something new and is already learning a lot!! She is so big and is having such fun! And since her teacher is teaching them sign language, as well, she loves being the only one who already knows a lot of what they are all learning. I love that she is loving school at a young age ~ just a good start in the right direction, I think. :)

Have a great year in Pre-K, Alli Lane!! We love you and are so proud of you!!

August's Thankful Thirds - On The Fifth

2009-08-05T13:04:00.002-04:00

As always, there is so much for which to be thankful this month!

(1) Stanley does not have encephalitis, as the neurologist originally thought. He has SARDS, and although he is permanently blind, he is not in pain and will not have side effects of the condition.
(2) Folex Spot Remover for Carpets ~ if you have carpet, buy this at Lowe's. It really does a great job at getting out all sorts of spots!
(3) Our children's health.
(4) The opportunity to spend my days with my girls, and getting to watch them when they don't know I am watching ~ as they play, as they sleep....
(5) Productivity! I have been very busy, cleaning out closets, toys, cabinets, etc. I have a long way to go, but the more I do, the more I am encouraged to continue!
(6) Goodwill ~ because they are happy to take the things I am cleaning out of my house! Also the Attic Sale, because I am already gathering and pricing items for this year ~ my goal is $400 worth!
(7) Family and friends....

Savannah, GA... Here Come The Bucklers!!

2009-07-31T10:51:00.002-04:00

It is official!
Brad has signed the final contract to begin work in Savannah, Georgia next summer, after he finishes his Neonatology Fellowship.

We are so excited about our decision to move to Savannah! God is so good!! He answered our prayers to show us His plan for us, and we are very much at peace that this is what He wants for us and where He wants us to be.

Brad will be working mostly at Memorial, but also at Candler/St. Joe's. His fellowship will end on June 30 next summer, and he will begin work in Savannah in mid-July.

We are lucky to have some good friends who are already in Savannah. The Lewises, Moodys, and Moretzes have moved there in the past year. We are planning to move into a subdivision in Savannah called Herb River Bend and are lucky that the Lewises and Moodys live there, as well. It will be so nice to have good friends right at our fingertips! Pray for us, as we are planning on building a house, as well....

As for other Buckler news.... We definitely have a lot on our plate. We have our other house (the one we used to rent out) on the market, and we are finding out that it has a lot of serious problems with it. We plan to fix them prior to selling so it will be in good shape, but that is going to put us in a rough position. It is stressful, but we know that God is watching out for us and does not ever give us more than we can handle. Your prayers are much-appreciated at this time. At the same time, we are preparing our current house to be put on the market. I am trying my best to get it cleaned out and ready, which is very slow-going with two busy little ones at my feet! :) So that's what is going on here. We would love to hear from all of you about what is going on in your lives, as well!

Thanks for your prayers all along the way. We are shown time and time again that God answers our prayers, and that His timing and His answers are the perfect ones, so we have absolute faith that will be how all of this turns out, as well.

Summer Activities

2009-07-31T10:18:00.005-04:00

We have been having a fabulous summer!!

As we do every summer, we have spent a lot of time at The Family Y. With several pools, 2 baby pools, a slide, and a water park area, there is plenty to do, and it is relatively easy for me to take the girls by myself. Brad has been able to join us a couple of times, so that is when I have been able to take some pictures. As far as Alli Lane is concerned, this is "the best summer ever!" at the Y, because she is finally allowed to go down the slide. She LOVES it!! Boots, of course, just runs around busily and very happily does her thing.

We have been busy doing other things, too. Alli Lane took swimming lessons, and she is doing great! We did Vacation Bible School earlier this summer, and Alli has had two week-long day camps at EDS: Shake Rattle and Roll, and The Deep Blue Sea. She had a blast at both of them! We have made several trips to the park, including the one down by the river, which we often forget about but love when we think about it. We have enjoyed dates to get ice cream, early morning walks, building forts in the living room, dancing in the rain, and playing with friends. I have several great pictures of some of those activities, as well, but will have to add them later.

Here is a picture of Boots and Stanley in the den, just hanging out early one morning. For those of you who don't know, Stanley went blind about a month or so ago ~ literally overnight. It is a disease called SARDS, which apparently can attack the retina of any breed of dog without so much as a warning, and there is nothing you can do about it. The good thing is that it is not painful for him. We are all adjusting to life with a blind dog right now, and it is going pretty well. He is figuring everything out, which is pretty amazing. I guess once you run into things a couple of times with your face, you try your best not to make the same mistakes again! :)

Alli Lane has enjoyed playing with her "older friends," April and James, who live across the street. One afternoon after her nap, she snuck off to her room to dress herself to go out and play ~ and this is what she came up with: Her daddy's Masters tshirt from when he was a little boy, pink play pants that are entirely too short, Christmas socks that blink red lights, and her white sandals.

Great job, baby girl!!

As I have done for a few seasons now, I hosted a children's clothing trunk show: Brinkley's Berries, which is now owned by Hannah Kate. There were some darling clothes in the trunk, and as always, it was a lot of fun. Clothes, fabric boards, swatches, and friends covered the living room and dining room for nearly a week.

Brad and I agree that one of the best additions we made to our house was building a new deck last spring (2008) and covering part of it. We have lots of "at home date nights" out there after the girls have gone to bed, and we also have been eating supper with the girls out there a lot. One night, while enjoying margaritas outside, we became obsessed with watching a spider weave her web. It was incredible and lovely. These pictures do not do it justice, but it was truly nature at its best!

We have been having a great summer and will enjoy the last couple of weeks before the girls begin school. I can't believe Alli Lane will be in Pre-K this year, going 5 days a week!! How quickly the time has flown.... It was 5 years ago today (well, just before midnight tonight) that I found out I was pregnant with her in the Flowers Hospital E.R. in Dothan, AL after having shattered my wrist. I was headed back to surgery when the nurse announced, "By the way, congratulations! Pink means you're pregnant! We'll be back to get you in about 10 minutes to head to the O.R." My goodness, how the time has flown....

I will post more pictures at a later date. We have been in Nashville for Elizabeth's wedding and had an amazing time with good friends! And we have had such fun with the girls all summer long. Hope you all are having a great one, too!

CHICAGO!

2009-07-31T09:57:00.004-04:00

Back in June, Brad went to a medical conference in Chicago; he got to go last year, as well. This year, however, I got to go with him! We were only there for a mere 48 hours ~ literally ~ and with Brad needing to attend some meetings and awful weather while we were there, to be honest, we didn't do much ~ but what we were able to do definitely made us feel like we had "been" there and were able to get a small taste of the city.

We window shopped up and down "The Miracle Mile," and we took a double-decker tour the morning before we had to leave. We ate some amazing deep dish pizza, and we went to the top of the Hancock Building, which was right across the street from where we were staying. I must say, Chicago is a beautiful city. There was some sort of regatta going on, so there were sailboats covering the lake. Several pictures are below; although we didn't go up into the Sears Tower, we did get some pretty neat pictures of it, including the mailbox-shaped entry down below.

Personally, I had two favorite parts of our trip. One was getting to see a very special, dear friend of mine while we were there. We were so lucky we got to see Dugan and his girlfriend, Kristina, since it was all so last minute! (He saw my update on Facebook that we were there and contacted me immediately.) We went to dinner at a fabulous restaurant, followed by drinks on a rooftop terrace. So beautiful and such fun!! It was wonderful to see Dugan!! The other thing we did that I really loved was to walk to Navy Pier. We people-watched, enjoyed the gorgeous (although hot!) weather that we had for the moment, and sat at the end of the pier while we listened to music and ate ice cream cones.

We really had a nice trip. Thanks to Gigi and Dede for keeping the girls. Brad and I really enjoyed our little escape for a couple of nights, and the girls had a blast with y'all!

Thankful Thirds for July

2009-07-10T08:45:00.002-04:00

I am extremely late with this.
Obviously, it is well-past the third of July ~ it is the tenth of July.

I got distracted last week and to be honest, blogging was the last thing on my mind. I found out ~ on facebook, no less ~ that a friend of mine had taken her own life. She was a sorority sister of mine from Vanderbilt; she was in my pledge class, and we met half-way through our freshman year. Laurel was a very sweet girl, and I can't think of any memories that do not involve her beautiful smile, which literally covered her entire face. The whole thing has been very sad, and it is very tragic.

For this month, I have one thing that I am truly grateful for:
this wonderful LIFE that God has given to me and to all of us!
Even with the ups and downs, the triumphs and the pitfalls, I am grateful for life and all of the beauty and blessings in it.