Jack in Missouri

Arriving in a gypsy wagon after a long day of traveling.

Crashed out on Mama's shoulder through an entire lunch at White Grill - best 'cheesieburgas' ever and Jack missed out.

Stylin' and Profilin'

Quiet plane ride to Atlanta with Monkey & sweet hair.

Congratulations Chauncy & Tracy!

Beautiful ceremony on their ranch! & Taylor, Chauncy's daughter was Matron of Honor - precious.

(When Jack saw Chauncy, his eyes got big and in astonishment he said, "Yee-Haw!")

One Big Happy Family

And on either side are even more family members! It's been years since we all were lucky enough to ALL spend an entire weekend with each other! My cousin, Chauncy, married his sweetheart, Tracy, this past weekend in Missouri. My cousin, Martina, from Germany was even able to make the trip! We soaked in the county life and made awesome memories with family and new friends.

Gracen's Brandon at work.

This morning on the way to work Jack asked,

"Where did Issy go?"
"Lissy is in Minnesota."
"Where did Nathalia go?"
"Nathalia is in Florida with Uncle Sean."
"Where did Tuck go?"
"Chuck is in Minnesota."
"Where did Boney go?"
"Boni is in Missouri, Jack."
"Where did Gracen go?"
"Gracen went back to Michigan."
"Gracen's Brandon at work."

Haircut Time

Time to trim Goldie's Locks for Tracy & Chauncy's wedding!!!

I told you so!!!

I wasn't lying when I told you we've been watering the garden(s)!!! Look at those lemons!!

BFF & Eva!

Swimmin' Babies is Back! Our Sunday routine of going to the park with Jack's friends has returned to the pool because it's too blimey hot outside!!! They love it! Jack must remember his 'walking feet' however.

Jack sang to me the other day: "Jack and Mama sitting in a tree .... mumble mumble- i-n-g!"

Holy Hannah!

... in the wise words of Cousin Nia. 

Big boys + big boy cups. 

Again - I type a message regarding the fact that I haven't been updating as much as I should; and I am sorry for those of you who read this blog to keep up with our family aka ... Jack.

Jack is well. His speaking capabilities are becoming better and better everyday. He finally has an opinion other than, "DON'T WANT IT" or "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO" or "PLEAAAAAAAAASE" - you know, all those whines and screams that go right to my core and make me reach for a glass of wine. Now, those are all still there, BUT now Jack tells me when he LIKES something. So far this week: "Mommys shirt pretty", "I like it!" (referring to 1/4 of a popsicle I gave him) and "Mommy's hair pretty." So, with those little remarks, I'll take a couple snarls.

Bryan has been working away at Ft. Stewart - which means our house is turned inside out with a little boy missing his daddy and a wife trying to stay afloat between school, work and being a full time mom. It's crossed my mind to ditch school or ditch work to be a better mom/wife. But, in the long run, my masters, which is free because of my work, will allow me to provide a better life for my son.

That being said (in relation to my 'cryptic facebook' status last week), I have a new MFA path that will allow me to focus on what I am passionate about; and I am ecstatic. I will more than likely be able to get out a little faster as well (fingers crossed).  Lindsay and I have been working on a 'Design Center' that will bring interdisciplinary studies (graphic design, communications, business, engineering) onto campus. What was at once a small twinkle in our future is now a reality. You know it's real when you're scraping up furniture and picking out paint and carpet samples. Renovations will begin shortly and my years+ worth of research will come to life this fall.

So bare with me as I juggle my 3 lives and help me if you can (pathetic plea). It will all slow down soon - and we'll all be better for it in the end.

xoxo.

Trouble 1 & Trouble 2

Congratulations Todd & Melissa!

This is where I sell myself out and tell you I was in Minnesota a couple weekends ago. I got a phone call from Melissa while at the reception.

I ignored her call and texted, "I am busted?"
She replied, "YES!!"

I left Jack at home with Bryan (+ Lindsay & Jeb) and headed up for a quick weekend. Friday we celebrated mom's birthday, I went to bed early and woke up late - sleeping a whopping 9 hours, and Saturday we celebrated cousin Todd's marriage to his lovely bride, Melissa. I left the following morning.

Riding with Derich and our Target $1 bin 4th of July sunglasses - I got a pair for Bryan, too.

Happy Mother's Day, Belated!

I hope all of the mama's in our lives had a great Mother's Day! Jack made sure to remind me I was his mother by being a total monster. We went to Savannah - and hour there, a slice of pizza and an hour ride home. Yes - we pretty much turned around thanks to Jack. But at the end of the day, I will always love him and welcome his 'apology hugs' with open arms.

(& hopefully this weekend I'll get a chance to finish all my blog posts that are in draft)