The Douglas Drama

Mary Margaret's 6th Birthday

2009-11-13T08:04:00.000-06:00

Here is MM making the goody bags the morning of her skating party (she's still in her PJs). Not only did we celebrater her 6th birthday last week, but she got glasses. She loves them!!!

The biggest surprise of the week was the one below. It was a complete surprise to us all. A close family friend, Carson loves to spoil the girls AND they adore him. I mean, ADORE him. He surprised Mary Margaret by putting her on 2 billboards in our hometown. MM was so excited. When he revealed them to MM, she said, "Hey that's me up there!" And then the next morning, she looked at me and said, "I think I might be famous!" This was a once in a lifetime event! Here is a picture of one of the billboards at night:

MM wanted to have "The Wizard of Oz" birthday party this year!

The birthday cake

MM was so excited when she saw her cake!

Harper Jane had a great time at the party!

Here is a picture of Emma and MM. Emma's mom, Amber and I have been friends since we were 6! She is my oldest and dearest friend!
Grandmarmie came to visit us yesterday. She brought lots of goodies. She loves to spoil our sweet girls!!!

She brought the girls matching Pottery Barn Snowgirl PJs. They will so be wearing these soft snuggly pajamas Christmas morning (and many other mornings in between)

She also surprised Mary Margaret with a gift that both she and her little sister will enjoy. The Pottery Barn play tent. How cute is that!!! The girls moved right in and loved "peering out the windows"! What a fantastic surprise!!!!

All in all, Mary Margaret had a wonderful birthday week-long celebration! I hope she will treasure these memories forever! I certainly will!

The Master Bath

2009-11-05T16:14:00.007-06:00

BEFORE

DURING:

Removed tile with sledgehammer. Took out tub, toilet, and sink. Removed lovely blue carpet. Created linen closet. Opened doorway into bath area. Removed 2 wall heaters.

AFTER:

New light fixture, new jetted tub, new linen closet, new tile flooring, new toilet, and new blinds.

DRESSING AREA OF MASTER BATH

DURING

AFTER:

New light fixtures, new mirror, new countertop, fresh trim paint, fresh wall paint. We also had the sink moved to this dressing area.

GO VOTE!!!

2009-11-02T21:58:00.001-06:00

Leigh at Bloggeritaville is throwing her 2nd Annual Halloween Costume Contest! Head over there and vote for my sweet, Mary Margaret as Strawberry Shortcake (Halloween 08)!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

Happy Halloween!

2009-11-01T07:00:00.009-06:00

Halloween 2009 was a huge success. We started trick-or-treating around 2. We visited with family first. Then we went to a Halloween Party held at the Simmons' household. It was oh-so-fun. Chassey is the ultimate hostess. We went on a hayride and all the children LOVED it. Halloween was indeed a fun night!

I love the above picture. Harper Jane had had it with all the pictures!

Mary Margaret wanted to be "Annie" once again this year (yes, for the third year--she was "Annie" when she was 2 and 3 years old). Her first "Annie" costume was too small. It was made by one of my gifted students at the time, "C". "C" was in the 4th grade when she made it. Seriously. This little girl has talent! It runs in her family (C's mom was the one that painted MM's nursery). MM needed a new "Annie" costume so we got in contact with "C" and her mom and a new precious costume was created. Check out C's mom's blog --- Yelli Kelli. Both C and her mother, Kelli, have Etsy stores and are highly talented and creative. You'll be amazed!!!

I hope Halloween 2009 was a memorable one for you and your family!

The Living Room

2009-10-31T08:17:00.001-05:00

Here is the living room. We had the wall heaters taken out all over the home (there were 15 total--wow). We kept the fireplace mantle but did have new tile installed. We also were able to keep the cornice boards, though I did not use them in the living room (I painted one and am currently using it in the dining room). We also added an overhead light fixture. The floors were chipped up and the hardwoods underneath were restored and refinished. The walls, ceiling, and trim were all painted.

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

FIREPLACE -- BEFORE

AFTER

Home Renovation---The Kitchen

2009-10-30T10:47:00.005-05:00

I am going to start back showing the renovations in our home. We are no where finished with everything, but I'm really proud of what we have accomplished!

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

BEFORE (KITCHEN/BREAKFAST AREA)

DURING
DURING (TRAVERTINE TILE DOWN)

AFTER

BEFORE (WASHER/DRYER IN KITCHEN)

DURING

AFTER (WE MOVED LAUNDRY AREA TO SUN PORCH)

We are still not finished in here. I would like another set of cabinets (including a pantry) where the washer and dryer once was located. We also don't have crown moulding installed yet. It is just a process!

My Latest News

2009-10-25T01:50:00.002-05:00

I am now a representative for Orient Expressed children's clothes. They have precious, fine children's clothes (including smocked items). Please check out the website and let me know if you would like to order anything. I'm at your service!!!

www.orientexpressed.com

I'm thankful....Part II

2009-10-16T18:45:00.005-05:00

Harper Jane trying on my Uggs.

Harper Jane is so glad that her "Mimi" is on Fall Break (2 days off).

The first fire of the season

Roasting Marshmallows

S'mores

I'm thankful for....

2009-10-05T13:54:00.005-05:00

A little girl that loves to go to pre-school.

Two daughters that love to snuggle.

A sweet little one that secretly enjoyed the many M & M's that she found in the pantry (and she is wearing her Build-A-Bear's Halloween shirt).

A husband that loves to bake everything from scratch (including the crust)!

Little girls anticipating the completion of cupcakes!

Soccer

2009-09-22T13:46:00.002-05:00

I still can't believe that Mary Margaret wanted to play soccer. It is way outside her normal comfort zone. Here are some action shots...

Daddy and his 2 girls!

Harper Jane is hard to contain at games. She desperately wants to be out playing with the big girls!

This is the day the Lord....

2009-09-13T00:23:00.002-05:00

I know, I know. I need to be rejoicing about the wonderful day the Lord has made, BUT....

Here's a rundown of my day (the long version, so get ready). MM had a soccer game at 9AM. I must be the only assistant coach in the history of soccer that knows absolutely nothing about the game. Well, maybe one thing: kick the white and black ball into your goal. Seriously. I am great at moral support and cheering the girls though and that counts for something, right? Our team practices from 9-9:30 and then we play the next 30 minutes. Ok, game over.

Then we rush home. Michael has to work in the soccer concession stand. We (MM, HJ, and I) have a birthday party 35 minutes away. I change MM's clothes including hair bow, change HJ's diaper and prepare her a sippy, and lastly change my grungy, sweaty soccer clothes (yes, I said sweaty. Please don't forget about the humidity here in my great state).

Run to the birthday party. It's outside at a playground....so you guessed it. I'm spending my time chasing HJ. We did all have a fabulous time visiting with precious friends. Spend 2 hours there. Rush home. HJ is majorly fussy. Her scheduled nap begins at 11:15 and we are way off base....by more than 2 hours. Yikes! She cries the majority of the way home. I turn up the Praise Baby music and for the most part tune it out.

Run inside. Put her back in her PJs which consists of a onesie. Why you ask? Because if she has the opportunity to remove her diaper, she will. Put her to bed.

Next I began our food for our College Football Festivity Saturday. Yes, we like to watch football and snack....lots and lots of snacking. Checked the pantry only to find zero tortilla chips. Not nary a morsel. I asked MM if she wanted to go to Wal-Mart and received a loud and proud, "Yes, ma'am." I figured she thought there was something in it for her and she was right. I promised her M&M's....much cheaper than a toy and works just the same.

Wal-mart on a Saturday afternoon? What was I thinking? I won't bore you with those details. I think you must get my drift.

Home again, home again. Completed the snacks. Gave the girls a bath. Oh? What's that? Where's my husband during all this? Why watching college football, of course!!!!

Prepared supper for the girls. They are both picky.

I then remembered that today was supposed to be my long run. Yes, friends, I am training for a half-marathon. It is in November and yes I am absolutely crazy!!! At least, I admit it. I hurried, changed clothes, gathered up my iPod, headphones, and my handy dandy Garmin watch (it's oh-so-wonderful, but that's an entirely other post). I have not been able to pass my regular 6 mile "long" run. I've been stuck at 6 miles for oh, at least 2 months. Stuck. Couldn't pass it. Finally last Sunday, I made it 6.4 miles. Seriously. It's been slow go, but I have been determined.

Off I go. I ran my normal route and then I got a little antsy. I went off on my merry way and later looked down to find that I was already at 7 miles. Well, I'll just run a little bit more, I tell myself. Hey, I felt good. Let's just keep going.....and going.....and going. I'm so excited to say that I did make it 11 miles running the ENTIRE TIME. Let me say that again, running the entire time. I made it home barely able to walk in the front door. My dear husband was finally putting the children to bed. I sat down (really because I didn't think my legs would hold me for another second). Nothing sounded better to me after this long, long day than to shower and go lie face down in my sweet, sweet bed....if only I could summon the energy. Ten short minutes later (I promise it was only 10), MM ran to the living room because apparently there was a catastrophe of epic proportions.

And really there was.

HJ had decided to crawl in my bed and enjoy a beverage. And by beverage, I mean an ENTIRE bottle of water most of which missed her mouth and was seeping through my precious, comfy comforter, to the soft sateen sheets, and, as luck would have it, down to the mattress cover.

Oh my sweet Harper Jane!!! Not tonight, sweet girl. Of all nights....

So I write to you now, as I am impatiently waiting for my sheets, blanket, comforter, and mattress cover to dry. Yes, my friends, that's four loads of clothes that had to be done.

I'm seriously contemplating sleeping on the couch!

Fashion Faux Pas

2009-09-11T08:08:00.004-05:00

What is that, you say? Two posts in one week from me?? Well, I aim to please.

This morning was picture day at Mary Margaret's school. MM normally does not care what she wears---no opinion. That is, until this morning. I had this precious little smocked number all ready for her and she says "I don't think I want to wear that this morning. Our teacher says we need to wear something cute. That's not so cute."

Ok, so plans B, C, and D were also "not cute". We were standing at her closet and I'm began to worry about the time constraints we were about to face because of this clothing debacle. I uttered the dreaded words, "What do you think is "cute"?

She points to this adorable little seersucker outfit. I'm all, "MM, baby, you can't wear seersucker after Labor Day?"

She looks at me with those big eyes and said, "Mother, what is a seerpucker?"

Needless to say, I couldn't argue with "seerpucker" and she got her wish. I guess her very first school fall pictures will break the old-school rules of fashion. At least, she thinks she looks cute and that, my friends, is what matters!

P.S. On a much more serious note....I know today is 9/11 and I certainly am praying for those who lost loved ones that horrible day. I will never forget where I was. It was my very first year to teach. I had just dropped off my 4th graders at Art and that is when I heard the news. The rest of the day was spent "going through the motions". It was truly heartbreaking! Where were you?

MMisms

2009-09-10T19:07:00.002-05:00

Here are two little short MMisms:

One day last week, I was doing my best to get MM to try a new food. She looked up at me and said, "Well, if you exist!" I had to explain that exist was quite a different word that insist.

Also MM is going to be in "The Wizard of Oz". It is through our local community college. She is a munchkin and a flying monkey and is uber excited!!! I mean, it is all she talks about. Tuesday at practice she was given her script. On our way into practice today, she said, "Mother, do you have my scrib?" So here again we are learning some new vocabulary words!!!

Lately...

2009-09-02T09:49:00.002-05:00

I've been so consumed with real life. Blogging has definitely taken a "back seat"! Here's my not-so-Wordless-Wednesday!

Mary Margaret's First Day of School (mid-August)

Here was Harper Jane's reaction to dropping off her sister (she fondly calls Mary Margaret "Mimi"). I think Harper cried more than I did! Seriously!

First Soccer game of the season. Harper Jane wanted so badly to play with the big girls. I'm actually assistant coach. This statement generates giggles from those who know me well. It has been so much fun!

Happy 2nd Birthday Harper Jane! We had her party at the local Chick-Fil-A and she had a ball. She received 4 new baby dolls and proceeded to attempt to carry all 4. She is such a mess! I just can't believe she is already 2. Really, where does the time go?

This pretty much sums up life with my oh-so-dramatic Mary Margaret. Think: SUPERSTAR! Ha!

Beach Vacay!

2009-08-17T09:42:00.002-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-29T16:19:00.002-05:00

Does it get any better than this?

Beachin' It

2009-07-21T18:59:00.001-05:00

We are visiting the wonderful shores of the Gulf of Mexico. I'll be back soon with lots o' pictures and a few funny MMisms!

Sisters

2009-07-09T08:53:00.002-05:00

Harper Jane always has to follow big sister!

My 2 Little Groupies!

2009-06-29T14:24:00.003-05:00

My little cousins, uncle, and family friend play in a band and play at a local seafood restaurant. They play lots of Jack Johnson, Zac Brown band, John Mayer, etc. It is very laid back atmosphere. Recently the hubby and I took the girls for a night of fun. Now Mary Margaret believes that she is part of this band. They let her get on "stage" with them and thus have created a little monster!

Harper Jane loves to dance. Here she is bustin' a move!

She is such a Mommy's girl!

We celebrate 8 years of marriage in August. Time really does fly!

We stayed out waaaaaaaay past her bedtime, but it was worth it!

Sweet Summertime

2009-06-20T20:38:00.002-05:00

We took the girls swimming at my aunt's pool on Friday. The girls had a blast and so did we! Here is Harper Jane playing with Swim to Me Puppy (and yes, he does really swim)!

My sweet girls playing together!

This is what you get when you tell Harper Jane to say "Cheese" for the camera! It's her favorite new face to make!

Happy Summer, y'all!

Friends Forever

2009-06-11T19:00:00.002-05:00

I have had this one special friend, Amber, since I was 6. Seriously, we have been friends for over 25 years (she was even my college roomie). Her daughter, Emma, celebrated her 6th birthday this past weekend. Here is Emma and my Mary Margaret. Isn't it funny how everything comes full circle? I hope these 2 sweet girls are friends forever just like their Moms!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-03T22:49:00.002-05:00

My little cousin Clint graduated and we all helped him celebrate! (From left to right: my little sister Abbey, cousin Bonnie, cousin Katie, now incoming Freshman cousin Clint, cousin Jacob, and me). Little Clint will be playing football for Birmingham-Southern in the Fall and we couldn't be prouder!!!

Wordless Wednesday---This is the face of fun!

2009-05-27T17:16:00.001-05:00

Just makes you want to sing, "Girls just wanna have fun!"

Dance Recital 2009

2009-05-19T09:42:00.003-05:00

Hi friends,
Remember me? I've been quite busy. I think May must be the busiest month. Here are a few pictures of my little ham, Mary Margaret, at her very first dance recital. To say that she loved it would be quite the understatement.

Hurrican Harper Jane after the recital. She was enthralled during the whole show. I don't think she moved an inch.

P.S. Sorry I haven't been around. My Google Reader has all but blown up. I'll be back, I promise!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-06T11:20:00.002-05:00

Sisters, they're good for something.