A Few of the Many...

Reasons I'm Thankful:

1. Phoenix

He is my WORLD.  He is my EVERYTHING.  I eat, sleep, breathe HIM.  I would have it no other way.  He makes my life worth living.  He makes me strive to be bigger and better each and every second of every day.  He brings tears to my eyes and smiles to my lips.  He comforts me without saying a word.  He is the man I fell in love with long before I held him in my arms.




2. Jason

He is my rock.  My sanity.  My happy place.  He knows when I need to be comforted even when I pretend I'm okay.  He understands me better than anyone in this whole world.  He just gets me.  He is my best friend.  Even when we're fighting.  He gave me God's greatest gift and he loves him more than life itself.  He is tender hearted and not afraid to show it.  He cries with me.  He laughs with me.  We go up together and down together, but we are ALWAYS together.  GOD IS A GREAT MATCHMAKER.


3. Anna & Victoria

My two precious Goddaughters.  My love bug and my sassy frass.  
My responsible 8 year old and my wants nothing to do with me 2 year old.  My Blessings.    In church each and every Sunday learning the ways of the Lord.  Praying and acting in ways grown adults could learn from.  They make my heart proud.  I love them like my own.  They are so dear to me.  My heart grows each and every time I see them. They bring pure joy to my life.  


4. Anna, Abbie, LuLu, Suki, Ya-Ya, Isaiah & Andrew




All 7 of my nieces and nephews bring so much to my life.  Each in their own unique way. I love each of them like my own and treat them that way.  They are all so full of personality.  They are all so very different.  Anna is the responsible one.  Abbie G is the home body.  LuLu is the wild child.  Suki is the inspirator & teacher.  Ya-Ya is the doll child.  Isaiah is the genius.  And Andrew is the punk.  I wish I could see the boys more.  I wish I could spend more time with the girls.  I just hope they all know how much I love them.


5. Adopted Aunts

Phoenix has a group of Adopted Aunts.  Aunt La-La, Aunt K-K, Aunt Kissa, Aunt Mel & Aunt Jen-Jen (from left to right).  They also happen to be the dearest friends of mine.  We are both very lucky people.  These woman love this kid like they love their own children.  Its blatantly obvious.  They do anything and everything for him at any given moment.  Their love is pure.  Their hearts are full.  Their arms are open.  Oh, and Phoenix just happens to love them too.  He doesn't think twice when left with anyone of them.  He is right at home with each of them.  They definitely make mine and my child's heart happy.

The list could go on forever.  Like God.  I am forever thankful for him.  He plays a major role in my life on a daily basis.  He is the center of our family.  He is always there for us, never judging, yet always forgiving.  He is Awesome.  Like my parents.  Although we haven't (and still don't) always seen eye to eye, they have always been there for me.  They have taught me, shaped me, and shown me things that I am now instilling (with modifications) in my own child.  Like my sisters and my brother.  We couldn't be more different.  However, I am very thankful for that.  Because of this, they have help teach me so much about life.  Not to mention people.  All of our lives have been completely different from the start, and still are to an extent but I'm thankful I have them to show me that sometimes its okay not to be exactly like each other.  I'm sure they would totally disagree though.  Like Jason's family.  Although I don't know them all that well, I am thankful for them.  They have shaped him into the man he is today.  The man that is teaching my son how to treat a lady even at such a ripe age.  Because of them, Jason truly understands the importance of family and fully cherishes our time together.  Like my church family, who is really just an extension of my family.  I have grown up with them over the past 33 years.  We have experienced a lot together.  I love that they are Family.  I love that Phoenix has so much Family.  I love that we are so close and I am thankful that we do this all in the name of God.

Again, the list could go on forever and ever.  I have a life that gives me millions of reasons to be thankful.  Not just today, but everyday.  I'm going to try and do better about remembering that.  So to all those on the list and all those not specifically mentioned but who deserve to be, Thank you.

Elf Party at Blue Willow

As soon as I heard about the Elf Party at Blue Willow this year, I knew I wanted to take Phoenix.  I called my cousin Mindy and asked if she and Hollis wanted to join.  Hollis is about a month and a half younger than Phoenix.  They always have a lot of fun together and have been great buds since birth.  It was originally scheduled for Labor Day, but due to rain got rescheduled for today.

After last nights bottom issues, I was so scared we weren't going to be able to make it.  Well, Phoenix did well through the night, even though he did wake up with poop coming out of his diaper.  After a morning bath and some quiet time in his bed, he seemed good to go.  No more explosions, thankfully!

I got him up and dressed and the poor kid was still exhausted.  I really wasn't sure we were going to make it.  I was literally counting down the seconds until 9:00.

We passed the time by putting away dishes that were already put away :)  Mama's big helper!!!!

But that only bought be so much time.  I knew we either had to leave or we weren't going to make it.  So we left.  Mindy, Chuck and Hollis were running a few minutes late and since we literally live like 30 seconds away I tried to entertain Phoenix in the parking lot of Winn Dixie (since that is where parking for the event was).  That wasn't much of a success, but it was totally worth it once we made it over to Blue Willow.  I didn't even attempt to bring my camera or pull out my cell phone, but thankfully Mindy was able to capture some great moments for me.  Thanks Mindy!!!

So as you can see, everything was a big hit.  Well, everything except Santa!  I think Santa looks just as startled as poor Phoenix!  Apparently this was the first kid to react in this manner :)  

We even got to write a letter to Santa, color a picture of the Nativity and make our own reindeer food!  Did I mention get our picture taken with Santa, get a balloon animal, have our face painted, watch a movie, play games, meet jingle and jangle (not really sure what their names were), and more.  All for $4.00.  Seriously-it was fabulous!

I tried blowing it up but you still couldn't read it.  Sorry.  

Hate that you can't see his beautiful coloring here either :(

Reindeer food.  Maybe I'll send some with Jason on his next hunting trip!

This is definitely something I would recommend.  Something that I am definitely planning on attending again next year!  Phoenix and Hollis both had a great time, as did Mindy and I.  I can't say the same for Chuck, but I guess thats to be expected from a guy :).  He was definitely a good sport though!

The Many Faces of my Child

I finally understand why God made him soo cute!!!!

On a good note-I think I may have just uploaded my first video :)!!!! Last post's video doesn't count, I just added it, but if this one works-HALLELUJAH!!!!! 

I'm Raise'ing' the Roof for our Blessings

The day FINALLY came.  And went.  But almost a week later, I am still Raise'ing' the Roof for our Blessings.

Months of excel.  Months of papers everywhere.  Items scattered here and there.  Lists galore.  Hours in front of the computer.  Meeting after meeting.  Phone call after phone call.  Endless texts.  Loss of sleep.  Phoenix thrown in the shuffle of it all.  My house a mess.  Langscapes pushed to the side.

BUT IT WAS ALL WORTH IT.  EVERY SECOND OF IT.

And what made it even more worth it was seeing the overwhelming response of support we received the night of November 8th at Workplay.  With roughly 300 people and $35,000.00 dollars raised, God was truly present at the launch party.  There is no other way to put it.

SUKI Foundation is off to a great start.  With the support of Children's Hospital and the outpouring love, support, and backing of family and friends I have no doubt in my mind this foundation will reach ALL of its goals well before it ever thought possible.

It is because of the selflessness of the individuals that sacrificed their time to gather up donations, repeatedly gather for late night meetings, and take charge of the event.  Because of the hundreds of merchants who had faith in a foundation they had never heard of and didn't think twice giving a donation to our cause.  To the handful of people who spent their Thursday at the venue frantically setting up so that every aspect had that perfect touch.  To the vendors who sacrificed their workers and talents so that this launch party would truly be the best that it could be.  And to all those who made arrangements so that it was possible to come out to support SUKI Foundation and what it stands for.  This is how I truly know God was present.

I really don't know what else to say.  The night surpassed my expectations.  Part of me is surprised.  Part of me isn't.  Team Suki never fails us, and I know they never will.  I guess I was surprised that we actually pulled it off :).  Who knew we had it in us.  Its amazing how easily one can move mountains when given the right motivation.  

Almost a week later and I'm still Raise'ing' the Roof for our Blessings.

Hopefully you will be able to enjoy this video that was played at our event.

Poll Talk

While I know most of your conversations today will be about the election and who will lead our great country, mine will be focused on Raise the Roof.  We only have 2 days left before the BIG event.

I am excited, nervous, anxious, ready, Blessed, and tired :).  We have sold a great number of tickets, but we haven't reached our pre-sale goal yet.  So, if you haven't bought yours yet-what are you waiting for??? Help us achieve our first goal of the launch party.

The other day I went out to get a few more donations and realized I was out of Donation Letters.  I came back home to print some.  While buying time, I got on FB and saw The Vestavian.  The Vestavian is our magazine that goes out in Vestavia.  It is also online.  Well, I got a brilliant idea to quickly submit an article to it telling them about Raise the Roof and SUKI Foundation.  Literally, had like 3 minutes (Jason had Phoenix for a bit, so my donation time was limited) to do this.  I really thought nothing of it, especially since we were so close in date to the function.  Anyways, I clicked submit and quickly regretted it.  I just knew something would be wrong.  After all, I didn't take the time to proof, reread, check details or consult anyone-I just did it-spur of the moment :).  At least it would help get the word out (or so that was my thinking at the time).  Oh well.

To my surprise, it was published on their online site the very next day!!!! Woo-hoo!!!  Here is the link:

http://thevestavian.com/raise-the-roof-for-rett-fundraiser/

Anyways, please remember as you engage in your election conversation today to ask whomever it is you are speaking to if they purchased their ticket(s) to Raise the Roof.  If they haven't send them my way (205.821.0959).  As always, you can refer them to www.sukifoundation.org as well.  

Yes.  I will go to the polls and vote today.  I will "voice" my opinion in matters other than what is #1 on my mind and heart at the moment.  Voting is a very important privilege that I plan on exercising, but I can guarantee you this-mentions of Raise the Roof will be right there with me at the polls. 

Brace Yourselves...

It's going to be a LOOONG one :)

Where to begin....

With Phoenix being at such a fun, exploratory age, I want him to get the most out of EVERYTHING.  Silly me :).  I really, really wanted to take him to one of the many wonderful (Old Baker's Farm especially) pumpkin patches and Boo at the Zoo this year.  However, with Jason's work schedule, we never did get around to either of the two.  BOO :(.  At least Phoenix doesn't realize he missed out.

Jason did get out a few decorations for the outside and a few for the inside of the house as well.  This is probably the first year we've decorated other than hand towels and a few small pieces here and there for Halloween (if you even consider what little we did "decorating").

Our first Halloween fun was at Church.  Of course we were almost an hour late because Phoenix was napping (we eventually woke him), but we did make it.  Trunk or Treat is always a blast and I just love seeing all our Church Family come together.  The kids all looked adorable and Phoenix had a great time!!!

That was on Sunday, the 28th.  With time running out and still no pumpkin patch or zoo trip in sight, we decided we'd at least better pick a night to carve a pumpkin.  Luckily, my mom who had no idea we stil hadn't gotten one bought one for us.  Jason and I had a "town" meeting on Monday night, so that really only left us with Tuesday-the night before Halloween.  Oh well.  Phoenix wasn't as interested in carving the pumpkin as I had hoped.  He definitely didn't like the stuff inside :).  

  

Halloween morning started out with a spooktacular breakfast for my cowboy.  Morning nap was interrupted because I really didn't want him to miss story time.  So glad I woke him.  Everyone looked so cute in their costumes and he really enjoyed getting candy so early in the morning.  The rest of the day was spent attempting to be productive.  Lucky for Phoenix, EVERYWHERE we went people were handing out candy.  Even though Phoenix wasn't interested in carving the pumpkin, trick-or-treating was a totally different story.  We went over to his Godfather's house, who has a HUGE Halloween party every year.  Phoenix took a late afternoon nap, which was perfect.  We got there and there were people EVERYWHERE.  Kids, adults, music, cars, candy, anything and everything you can imagine.  Phoenix was in Heaven.  He enjoyed looking at all the costumes and seeing all his friends dressed up.  He walked around and danced as the music played, doing his own thing.  One thing that was odd though, he kept walking up to Jason, signing please (like he wanted to go to the neighbors house).  Jason couldn't figure out what he wanted.  Phoenix finally figured out to come to Mama.  He walked up to me, signing please (again, like he was wanting to go to the neighbors house).  I told Jason I was going to take him trick-or-treating to a few houses.  I really didn't think he was going to actually go up to the door.  Ha-little did I know.  He marched from door to door holding out his bucket for people to fill.  He would then reach his hand into their bucket and grab for more.  Little stinker.  At least he would sign and say thank you after each and every house.  I was totally amazed that he actually "trick-or-treated."  Jason and I can't figure out how he actually knew what he was suppose to do.  We can only assume that he had been watching all the other kids going from house to house, but who in the world knows for sure.  Had he not communicated his desire to trick-or-treat, I would have never taken him.  Bad, bad mama.  I didn't even stay at the door with him.  I put him at the door, rang the bell and then backed away so he would do it by himself.  Never in a million years would I have thought he would have wanted, or even known what to do.  I learned quickly to never underestimate my kid and his smarts :)

So with or without a trip to the pumpkin patch and Boo at the Zoo, I would consider this a very memorable Halloween.  I can't get over watching Phoenix go door to door trick-or-treating, dancing in the yard with his friends, and lets not forget how adorable he looked in his costume :).  I love making memories like this.  This, my friends, is what life is all about.  Mama loves you.  Mama is soo very proud of you.  And may God Bless you to the Moon and Back my Sweet, Sweet, Sweet Ray.