Reunions and Birthdays

I'm back.  Spring is already a whirlwind, huh?  I am LOVING the weather though.  To catch up, a few weekends ago some BSC alums got together to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of their NAIA Baseball National Championship.  I'm 100% confident in saying these boys had a FANTASTIC time.

And for those of you who weren't around during the glory years, may I introduce you to my husband, the stud.  My perspective about the 2001 season, (and Jason's role in it), means about as much as DIII ball, but nonetheless, I'm so proud of Jason, that I had to share this short clip from the video BSC put together for the 2001 team.  That right ladies--#28's all mine.  Tight pants and all....



Honestly, it was fun to be around all the excitement back in '01, and now to watch the guys relive some of the moments, low these 10 years later.  It is also SUPER ironic for me because before Jason asked me out in the fall of 2000, I had NEVER been to a BSC baseball game.  Truth be told, I probably (and egregiously) thought they were kind of lame.  Thank goodness for Jason's persistence.  I think he asked me three or four times to go to a game before I agreed. I remember walking over to the field, sitting down and being SHOCKED to see Jason on the field.  And not only was he on the field, but he played every inning. AND he hit 1 HR, and 1 doubles that game.  Clearly, I had no idea he was actually....well...good (not to mention all the other awesome, draft worthy, talent on the team).  The rest folks, is major, championship ring winning, school record setting, and life changing history.  Wow.

Mid-reunion, I left J and the kids and departed for WDW (Walt Disney World) to celebrate Emma's and Robert's Aunt Elizabeth's 21st birthday.  The ladies in Jason's family went, and I was grateful to be included! It was a blast--and definitely the way to do Disney. The Bridgers women are such WDW pros, we did three parks in under 24 hours!!!!

The birthday girl ready to hit the parks!!

Of course, I had to snap this shot for Emma/Belle.  I shutter to think the amount of time it took to create Beast and Belle as topiaries.

The fireworks at Cinderella's castle were amazing.  

The Birthday girl with her cake.  Cool huh?  WDW cakes are also as delicious as they are creative!

The next day, we took a "safari" in the Animal Kingdom.

There were Rhinos...

And Elephants..

And Ostrich...

Oh My.

What a great trip!  Thanks Elizabeth for sharing it with me!  Happy 21st!

And it wouldn't be a trip without some souvenirs for the resident princess.  Before I left, E requested an Ariel dress, so I had to deliver. It was my "mom" duty.  In hindsight, the wig might have been a bit much, but who can turn down such flowing locks?

TTFN!

9 Months

I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again, but time is going by SO fast!!  I am really late with this post, but I decided to put it up anyway.  I'm quickly realizing our days of chair pictures are over.  Boys are VERY different from girls.  

For example:  Emma at 9 months.

Notice how she is sitting nicely in her chair?  Even enjoying a story in her Toddler Bible if you will? 

Robert's photo shoot was nothing similar.  In fact, we didn't even start in the chair because all he wants to is stand up and fall on his head try to walk.  Notice the bruises below.  SO, we started our pictures standing.

Then, we moved to the chair.  

Right.

And the funny business continued.

Please face the camera dude. Please?

Baby overboard...

Finally. It is the best I was going to get.  (Note again the forehead bruise. Ouch).

It wasn't long before Emma jumped in.  If for nothing else than to help contain the boy.

Can't ever get enough good sugars.

Let the antics begin.

She's not looking.  Can I jump to the crib from here?  I could totally do it.  

After only semi-success indoors, we took it outside and got a good smile.  

Robert really is a TRUE delight these days. Despite his desire to full out sprint before even walking (and the bodily harm he incurs while attempting to do so), he is so much fun. He still takes three naps a day (we're trying to drop the third) and is getting better in the eating department.  Still not great though. He loves broccoli, sweet potatoes, yogurt and anything he can feed himself.  Two bottom teeth are through completely and a top tooth has just erupted.  At the Dr.'s visit, we found out his stats:

weight: 22 lbs 2 oz (or 75%)

length: 29.75" (or 90%)

He's a biggin!  But he is such a sweetheart and I am LOVING getting to spend so much time at home with both kids these days. It is such a special gift to watch them develop what I hope will be a lifelong friendship.  Funny to think it all starts with learning to share toys like the princess tea party set.

Of course while we were outside, it was prime twirling and running time.

And just enough time left for a round of hide and seek. If you get a chance, you should TOTALLY play this game with Emma.  Not only is her counting hysterical, but when it's her time to hide, she tells you where she is.  Everyone's a winner! :)

Up next time is our recent 2001 BSC Baseball National Championship reunion and my quick trip to the wonderful world of Disney to celebrate Elizabeth's 21st birthday!

Tootles!

Love, Towers, Outside, Day 3 and Timelines

Here's a great way to make it seem like you've been SUPER busy.  Wait 2 (or 3) weeks and then cram everything you've been doing during that time into one blog post.  Now, I seem accomplished, right?  So here we go.

We celebrated Valentine's with a special homemade heart for Daddy.

We've built some towers (all by herself) in our PJs.

Honestly, the close up is for my engineer father.  He tried for 30+ years to persuade a child go to his alma mater: Georgia Tech.  Well, I can't promise anything Dad, but Emma's use of symmetry and color design choice might indicate you've got another potential candidate.

It has also been AMAZING weather.  Seriously. Beautiful weather increases our square footage (and mood) tremendously.  We've had four meals outside this week alone (thank you Grace for the great picnic blanket)!  In fact, it's been so pretty that we might need to invest in some sunglasses.  Hey Emma, smile for the camera!

Oh, the sun is in your eyes? Well, hey look over here!

Right. So you're not gonna do that either.  Maybe Robert will.

Maybe not.

Hey Emma, will you practice your Lion roar?

That one is easy to do: "right away. all the way. and with a happy heart." Obedience is all in the request. Right Ginger Plowman? :)

I've also been trying to teach this guy how to clap.  It goes a little something like:

His hands DO actually meet a time or two.  And while he keeps trying, did you know we have a dog?  He's been getting lots of toddler exercise too.

Still trying. Getting closer.

Who me? Clap?  Well yeah, he did it!!! (picture doesn't do it justice).  Now, you can't pay him to stop!

 To round out the week, I have finally caved.  It is day 3 for me.

Bring it Tony Horton--and all your Hortonisms.  

You are one messed up, but hopefully effective, dude.

And finally, I'm super excited to begin a new Bible Study with some amazing girls using this Bible.   The history nerd in me is SO thrilled to do anyting chronologically. I am instantly transported back to high school where our AP U.S. History class kept a running timeline around the entire room.  Of course after sharing this enthusiasm with Jason, I quickly learned that timelines don't crack everyone's tractor like they do mine. Oh well.   Regardless, I can't wait to learn more about God's word together!

Be back soon with Robert's 9 months stats.  We head to the Dr. tomorrow.  

And as an aside (but definitely NOT an afterthought), to all our friends with troubled pregnancies and/or newborn babies (of which there seem to be several right now), Jason and I are praying continually for you, your spouses and your new children.  The Lord is at work and we hope you feel His rest, peace, encouragement and love at this time.

Tootles!

Pull Ups

These pull-ups? 

Expensive.

These?

PRICELESS!!!  

Glad to welcome another musician to the family. 

Looks like we might get a whole band.

Sorry J, I'm still not on board with a drum kit...

Happy Tuesday!

Finished It.

Wow. It is overwhelmingly challenging. I'm not sure I can intelligently converse (or write) about it. Just know I recommend anyone reading it and will be praying over the Lord's direction for me and our family in light of the challenge David Platt presents his readers.

One thing is for sure, we've been busy playing and building towers.  We're also perfecting the "fake" smile.

It was also another pretty good week at Publix.

Regular price: $183.53

I paid: $111.17

Savings: $72.36

+ a $10.00 gift card to arrive in April (from Kimberly Clark)

So, the results driven side of me wants to say that I spent $101 and saved $82, but I don't have the gift card in hand, so it doesn't really count yet.  Also, I don't normally spend this much at publix, but the formula, diapers, pullups and wipes were about $50, (even with coupons), so that makes a big difference.  

Incidentally, I try to pay about .20/diaper (or less) for pampers.  Today, the cruisers were just .20/diaper ea. (that's cheaper than Sam's and most prices on diapers.com).  The special price was because:

1. Publix sale price: $19.99

2. Publix baby club coupon (sign up on Publix website): $5.00 cruisers

3. Pampers coupon in paper today: $2 off pampers diapers and wipes.

made diapers $13.99 (before tax) for 68.

And the pull ups were even better!!! Usually pull-ups can range from .30 to .50 ea.  Ugh.  (side note, we have GOT to eliminate these.)  Anywho, today, pull-ups were just .23 ea.

1. Publix price: $10.99

2. Publix coupon: $2.50 off pull-ups

3. Huggies coupon: $2.00 off

Total price for pack of 28: $6.49

And CVS didn't disappoint either:

I didn't calucate the regular price for these items, I just know the diapers alone are around $9 or $10.

For all of the above, I paid out of pocket, $6.57

I started with $10 ECB (CVS money) left over from last week.  I got all the soaps with coupons from today's paper and my ECBs (plus some cash), and got $5 ECB back from that transaction.  Then, I used the $5 ECB and a coupon for the diapers.  That made the diapers $3.71 or an amazing .11/ea!!!!!  

I hope some of y'all are encouraged to give the whole couponing thing a try.  It really does help--and it can be kinda fun too (or maybe that's just for nerds like me).  It takes some effort but it's worth it. I know I've blogged about it before, but if you're new to couponing, go here and check out all her explanations. I am by no means an expert and still have LOTS to learn but Jenny at southernsavers explains the store policies and the drugstore scenarios too--as well as tons of other things.  Also, when I first started I used this site and it helped me get into the rhythm of when to buy items and what is the lowest price. 

I continue to be amazed how the Lord provides in so many different ways, for all our needs!

TTFN.