I'd do it all again

Park City was amazing and very well one of my favorite trips in my lifetime to date.....it just doesn't get better than having my 2 girls, hubby and best friends packaged in a snow trimmed, action packed week of memories. What an awesome trip that we will never forget. Emmi Kate and Nani Grace flew like pros and Emmi Kate hit her "pulling up" milestone while in Park City..urged by the circles that the other 3 were running around her, I think she couldn't resist. Also her top 2 middle teeth popped out of her gum....she laughed alls week and truly has the best smile - I think she is going to be one of those people who has the ability to smile with her eyes.

We weren't non-stop..but we were active everyday. Meaning, we took some time to taste the snowflakes (literally..Nani Grace put her tongue directly to the ground and licked it up...right alongside Maggie Kate...2 peas in a pod) I even already miss the "discussions" of who is going to wear the sparkly dress and who is going to be snow white...never mind that April had bought them the same Mariposa costume, with wings, no less....one for each...but no match for that Sparkly Dress- which was oddly just a dress that one might buy for Christmas with a burgundy velvet skirt falling around the waste and bodice sprinkled with a little gold glitter...and then there was the giant felt heart someone had lovingly sewn on the chest pocket....enough to make any 3 year old girl swoon.


I miss the screams of silliness as they chased each other around the "track" in April's house...the scream of shrill excitement as they went tubing down the hill, all tubes attached to the next one.....although if I were a betting girl, I would put my money on that April probably isn't missing the screaming parts of our visit:0


I really really miss that absolutely perfect massage at the quaint spa where the reality of "small worldness" showed up.

I miss the outlet and love the $100 boots I got for $20.... I miss the in town ski in-ski out restaurant that served us the chips with blue cheese that we've already tried to replicate and Connie has hit the mark the closest so far.

I miss yummy sushi...walks to the park, dogs, kids and stroller in tow.....mountain air where we can all actually Breathe!! - seeing the beauty and majesty of God's handiwork that I know he must've put there just for my family to experience at that moment in time...surronded by mountains, a playground outside our door just waiting for us each and every day. ...He gave us perfect weather.....sunshine after a dump of snow....

I miss already that look of amazement from Nani Grace when she saw the mountains and the snow that didn't melt for the first time ever, then ski down ragdoll style between her daddy's skis..but getting better each time, using her legs a little more on the next run and enjoying life..well, after she got her gum, at least....except for at Deer Valley, but that's another story.

I miss the free time...the escape from responsibility......but know that God has a purpose for each of us in our little world. He blessed us with a glimpse of His beauty in His creation to remind us what he is capable of ..that just because we may not look off the side of the top of a mountain on a daily basis with a top down look at the world....it does exist and He is in control....His purpose and the beauty that He creates out of nothing far exceeds the minutea that we...ahem, I...get caught up in on a daily basis. He can even make something out of the messes I make ....my nothingness...somehow, he pulls it all back together and makes it into something for His purpose....sometimes, I can't believe He would stay around to watch me mess up the next thing....but it doesn't matter because His purpose will stand....He said so Himself.


So, spending a week with 2 of our favorite people, who treated us like rock stars in their town...and like royalty in their home was a great reunion with God's beauty as well as them. We love Sean and April...and have a very special place for Maggie Kate and Davis who we love like our own. I wouldn't change a thing and 35 years is still halfway to 40...I don't care what you say, Beardy...

So..now I've truly been Tagged...a good follow to the last post

Ironic that my last post was about the "tag" office..my "sister in love" just tagged me and now I am tasked with the 10 random things about me....

1) I overanalyze everything....which is what makes this "list" difficult for me...I used to think it was because I was a deep thinker..but finally realized that depth of thoughts are not measured in how long you toss something around in your head..its more about committing yourself to a well thought idea and taking a line...so I'm most of the time caught between not having an opinion and feeling adamantly passionate about something..still working on that balance

2) The height of my "crazy" college stories equates to the time that 4 of us, 4 spoons and a gallon of ice cream sat on the 50 yard line of Jordan Hare at 2 AM...crazy, I know..and I'd almost forgot until my nephew topped this story by setting off the alarms at field at UGA recently, reviving my own memory.

3)Before having kids, you could talk me into anything to get that adrenaline rush...I've been canyoning in Switzerland (which is illegal here, furthering my illusion of living in the "danger zone") Skied the Matterhorn...in the summer....with no visibility...and lost my friend who skied to another country...
My trip to Park City this week..we went snowmobiling up to 11000 feet in a snowstorm...I got up to 60mph in a wide open field reminding me what that rush felt like.....but now I got babies...otherwise..you know..I would have been pushing 200 at least :)

4)I don't always fit in and actually don't really mind....I've always been a little different and I'm good with that

5)My teeth aren' t bleeding...they're the old school sealants that have outlasted time...but its a good trick to play on unknowing children and sometimes adults

6)I always choose more space over luxury.....example....small room at Trump Towers or large room at hotel by Battery Park...I choose Battery Park Hotel....more space means more room for friends and family and place to enjoy each other...I care more about that then status.....and yes, I drive an excursion. But, don't get me wrong, I'd never turn down the penthouse at Trump Towers

7)Above and Below Sea Level ......I took pilot lessons in college...I guess this goes with #3 above.....I wanted to be a pilot and was stopped short because it didn't fit in my budget. I will snorkel...but you can forget scuba diving....something about being underwater feels claustophobic to me....not saying I will never do it...so don't box me in...but if you asked me today...I'll be tanning while you enjoy your excursion.

8) I once worked for FOX 97 as in intern...the oldies station of the 90's...remember Randy and Spiff...wow, I'm getting old....anyhoo....the highlight of that was being the "chauffeur" for Davey Jones of the Monkees and "Goober aka George Lindsey" from Andy Griffith who I sang a song with on our way back to the oldies concert...I've GOT to remember that song.....how could I forget the song?

9) I don't like being boxed in.....which is why when I'm working on something new...which it seems like I always have something extra going on...(it's an illness)....I don't share...not because I'm afraid of failure (done that a lot and believe you've got to fail MANY times to get to success)....but because it seems like others try to box me in to my outcome and I like to leave that wide open......those I do share with typically are the ones that give me encouragement on whatever I'm working on and help me push forward vs throwing up 'what if' roadblocks...then still love me when I fail

10)Midgets make me nervous....if you happen to be part of this population...believe me, it's not you..it's me

Okay...so this was a good exercise...even as much as I was kinda dreading it.... and feels a little narcisstic...kinda the world of blogging I suppose..... so...enough about me....I tag Julie Truan...and ?????

Tag..you're it

so..it's that time again..to get my tag renewed and since we sold the 1st new car that I bought out of college last year, I needed to go on down to the tag office and make sure they had removed that registration from my name. As I approached the door..it occurred to me that I was about to walk into (very possibly) a room full of people just like me....whose birthday was this month and they were just law abiding citizens, paying their taxes on their car so they could go on with celebrating or trying to forget that it was the month of their birthday. I'm not sure which category I fit in.....anyhoo.....so, to take it a step further, I realized that not only was it their birthday...but they shared my "sign"....now..I'm really really really not into the whole horoscope, read the stars thing...but I gotta tell you..that people who share my birthday month or even my sign...I can really relate to...and we're pretty great people..just want to get along....you know, if someone was into the whole horoscope thing....they could possibly catch on to this whole tag renewing cycle and match themselves up with a room full of people that were most compatible with them..you know...according to the stars if there happened to be any truth to that concept.......now THERES a way to pick up your next date.....that blows picking up people at bars clear out of the water.....I'm just saying..it's a thought....truth be told..there were only 3 people in there today...me, a man who was over 50 and a lady who was about the same....so, not sure that it would end up being all the rave after all

Park City..we're going there next week and I'm trying to process just how to pack for such a trip with a 3 year old and a 9 month old. I've read the blogs on best way to pack and picked up some rather clever ideas, although I question my ability to get this all done in time to leave by next Thursday night - you know, Valentine's Night....

that's right...while most of you are sippin champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries..you can picture me on a plane doing the two bits with my 2 children as to not disturb fellow passengers who were also inclined to not spend Valentine's Day in the company of food prepared by renowned chefs (truth be told, we typically go to Waffle House on this night each year because we always forget to make reservations..there is no wait..and how can you beat the perfect egg and cheese sandwich on toast??)

Back to the packing..>Georgia has seen a little spring like weather today, so trying to imagine 25 degree weather is a bit "out there" and so, when I went to the store yesterday to look for myself some warm clothes (since I own mostly maternity winter clothes)...I was pleased to see a few sweaters at AT for $5...that's right...you heard me - five buckaroos..sign me up! They must be feeling the spring weather too! I got 4...so I should be all set...I hope.

I asked my best friend of over 20 years who we are staying with if it was freezing there...her answer...well, MY house isn't cold...I guess that was her way of saying, "don't go out and buy 4 super wintry sweaters for this trip...." oh well...too late.

2007

It's February and I more than intended to review 2007 so that I could bring some closure to what was a pretty eventful year. But, as with all things..I jumped with both feet into 2008 and started my new year planning full force...so now, I will backtrack and do the needful...because its important and because its a year that my precious little Emmersyn came into this world to join our little family......and now, as with most children..I can't imagine life without her.....so here goes....

2007 in the Arnold Home:

JANUARY - 2nd trimester and hit the Vegas strip - it was a company award trip and spouse's were invited (how is it I always end up in Vegas when I am "with child").....we stayed at the beautiful Venetian which was probably the highlight - other than the Blue Man Group and the Cirque show we watched. Although I will never forget that long walk see the water show and my sudden need to sit down in middle of the walkway....pregnancies always seems so beautiful..but they do have their moments, don't they?

FEBRUARY - Connie had his foot surgery this month so he could recover in time for spring practice - oh, the sacrifices of coaching.....my birthday was pretty uneventful, but my doc did comment that I came in under the wire on getting baby number 2 out before the age of 35 (whew - no amnio!) This was a BIG month in that April and I met in Florida to "move in" to our new beach house! YAY! A goal that we set to have one "one day" is now a reality....and we love it...its not huge but is a start to working towards getting in some good beach time and maybe one day being able to afford our "dream" house. Connie surprised us by flying down with Nani Grace - her first plane trip!! And she just told them to keep the apple juice coming! Sweet girl strutting her stuff through the Ft Walton airport.....it's less than an hour flight and they barely made it on due to a ticketed but not reserved seat......but it was a great surprise. Did I mention that this was the month that we "opened the envelope?"

We were going to save the gender of the baby until delivery day, but we couldn't stand the suspense, so we did it.....we conference called Katherine to do the honors and she read the words out loud......no need to buy anymore pink...we were all set and secretly knew that Emmersyn's middle name would honor her oldest cousin.


MARCH - I had the pleasure of flying down to the beach house and meeting my sweet sisters and future brother in law, Joel, for "spring break"......we spent some time on the beach, took in some good food....they put up with my "pregnant woes" and finished up some loose ends at the house so that it was ready to rent for spring breakers! good memories at Red Bar (SB07!)

APRIL - That big day came on April 19th...as we drove for my "inducing" at midnight to the hospital - a week early to try avoid a 9 pounder. We get there....I felt like I couldn't breathe the whole way there for fear and trepidation of the pain that I could potentially feel if everything didn't take just right. The first few hours were a little chaotic..getting checked into the hospital, set up in the room....we forgot our much needed fan...so Connie went out to the closest Walgreen's to pick one up while I got all iv'd up by a nurse who felt the need to prick me at least 4 times and still not get it right..maybe it was the fear kicking in coupled with the constant pricking, but my blood pressure sky rocketed and a full team came running into the room....and quickly threw a mask on my face and started turning me in crazy positions and staring at the monitor..I couldn't speak, couldn't breathe and was asked to focus on my breathing....I have to say that I was petrified and was looking into the head drs eyes for some sort of confirmation that everything was going to be okay.......they had lost a heartbeat I found out later....and had to get it going again....the whole scene probably lasted 3 minutes..but it felt like an eternity...and when it was over.....and Connie returned with the fan, I completely released...couldn't stop shaking....but after some calming down, we closed our eyes for about 3 hours until the early morning visit from Dr. Robbins came in to start off the day we would meet our sweet little angel. She came at 3:40 the afternoon of April 20th and it was a breeze...I practically laughed her out of me...maybe that is why she laughs so much herself.....my mid-wife, Sally, was fabulous and made the whole experience a blessing and actually enjoyable. The first thing I thought when I saw her was that she was so beautiful and that she looked just like Nani Grace...she was tiny...they kept saying she was big at seven pounds, fourteen ounces..but I call her "petite". We spent a great deal of time with her that afternoon before being moved to recovery. She wasn't a sleeper like Nani Grace which was perplexing to me..but she was breathtaking. It was most certainly the highlight of our year and a day I will never forget. I can to this day hear that large african american nurse saying her name everytime she cried...EMmerSON...don't you give your mommy and daddy a hard time.....listen heah! You gonna eat this bottle....sweet memories

MAY
We were happily adjusting to new baby....Nani Grace was practicing being a big sister, potty training, etc...and I thought I had it down...May came..open enrollment at work...and I was going to the office...or so I thought.....I got up, started getting the girls ready to go to Amandas and Emmersyn just kept screaming....she felt warm..I took her temperature....103..oh no! Panic....I flew to the drs office after dropping Nani Grace at the sitters and next thing I knew Emmersyn was undergoing a spinal tap...and we were on our way to the Children's Hospital.....that'll teach me to try to go into work while still on maternity leave. She ended up being fine and they said it was likely a bladder infection after fear of kidney reflux was thrown up in the air. It was a 3 day stay and I must say that the nurses there were awesome....they only had 2 babies on the floor, so an oppportunity to hold her all night (remember, she wasn't a great sleeper) was dreamy to them....which worked for me, causes I was relishing in the fact that I could complete a dream before awaking to cries for milk...I still had mommy guilt though - oh well. Our dear friends and small groupees Matt and Chelsea tied the knot and while we had to miss the wedding due to the hospital stay......we are so happy for them as they enter into a lifetime of memories! Lesson learned...if you are on maternity leave..stay on maternity leave..don't be a superhero and try to go in....

JUNE
I hope its not..but most likely it was the first and last time that we will be able to take a 3 week vacation...Connie was on summer break, and with me on maternity leave...we had 2 vacations back to back...one with our sweet small group to Destin, hosted by Mike and Lori Tarango......it was a good bonding time and an opportunity to all hang out together. Mike and Lori were so sweet to offer us the carriage house since we had a newborn that never slept. After returning, a few weeks later, we loaded up the car and headed to the Florida house for a week to relish in our hardwork earlier in the year...it was one of the best weeks I have had with my little family...it was just us, and no responsibility but keeping on the sunscreen and making sure everyone had a snack. After a week there, we continued down to St. George, after almost meeting our fate in Panama City at a scary "resort" that Connie claimed to have fab childhood memories of, but deflected to a Marriott to save the day at a cheaper rate and higher threadcount....then on to meet up with the Arnolds for the annual beach trip in an amazing house called Amazing Grace on St George Island....Katherine was able to come, which was a big deal as she was battling through her treatments...but we had a blast anyway. Connie's mom always spoils the entire family on this trip which always promises some adventure and hidden nuggets of memories that we, and more importantly, our children will cherish forever. Great memories.......We also celebrated the fact that Nani Grace was completely potty trained this month....after many techniques and trends followed....it seems that she pretty much decided on her own one day that she was big enough to go potty. Who knows if any of that hard work on our part had anything to do with it..nevertheless, we checked that off the list.


JULY...
Nani Grace turned 3 and had a Snow White birthday party complete with a Snow White cake and Snow White in the flesh came to visit and give her a makeover. We escaped the seven dwarfs as it seems they were busy for the day. It was a very special Princess birthday complete with a Barbie Jeep with a "real radio".....I like to call it the most expensive but lifesize boom box as she spent the remainder of the summer sitting in the drivers seat, playing the music...but not driving anywhere.....it seems they don't pick up that skill until like 3 and 1/2 but..we were ready! Our entire family came for the party which made it super special for her, but also us...we love having them a part of our kids lives....it really means so much.


AUGUST...
Its just one of those months...it held our 11th anniversary...nearly a dozen years of being married to the man who makes me whole and who I can't even think straight without. It also held days of returning from maternity leave and all of the feelings that go along with that. As well as the beginning of football season.....enough said

SEPTEMBER..
Nani Grace started her 1st day of preschool this month. She woke up extra early, ate her cereal and fruit...grabbed her little preschool bag, dressed in khaki shorts and denim polo halter....so so cute...and I did pretty well myself. She enjoyed Ms Shelley's class at the Canton Baptist Church which was a 3 day a week 1/2 day program. A few weeks into it, we found that the schedule wasn't working so hot for our football/work schedule...so we actually found a sweet private preschool called the Carpenter's Shop in Canton that is in their 1st year of operation. We transferred her to that school as they offered full days and so she got a 2nd chance at her 1st day of school. She actually wore the same outfit....and absolutely loves Ms. Heather and Ms. Terry (who happen to be friends with Ms. Shelley).....we couldn't be happier with where she attends and how much they love on our kids. It was such a blessing to find them!


OCTOBER...
We eeked through October battling a couple of sick times for both of them....Nani Grace dressed as Snow White and Emmersyn was Minnie Mouse (sort of...she wasn't feeling so great so most of the night she wore her frog sleeper). We had our small groupees over for chili and trick or treating and had a good night in the comfort of friends and the neighborhood kids for entertainment.

NOVEMBER...
Well, football season went well so much that we went to playoffs and went into overtime a couple of times before our loss the week before the big time. The end of the season is always the same regardless of how far you do or don't make it..from my perspective anyway....its the replaying of the key plays in his head to the point of gripping so tight that everything around you seems surreal.....it takes a few days for him to snap out of it...but he does..always in time for Thanksgiving. For the 4th year in a row we went to Stone Mountain Christmas...last year the Young's joined us, and this year them and the Faucetts came. I added in a massage for extra points before the strolling through the village. Of course the kids loved the train and the 4d theater...and then there were the ducks......you just can't get enough of them..or at least Nani can't. Emmersyn was sitting up by this time of year and we dedicated her before the Lord and our family at Powder Springs First United Methodist, our home church back in our hometown. It was a sweet reminder of where we came from and how far we've come......to be able to "go home" with my kids has deep meaning for me. As we vowed to raised Emmersyn in a Christian home, we also celebrated life and more memories. Thanksgiving was spent at Chad's house even though he was in Japan with his new niece that was just born. The company I work for was sold, adding a little hint of anticipation of what the future holds.....But, The highlight of this month was Ashleigh saying "yes" the day that Joel popped the question in St Simons a few days before the Florida Georgia game. And now we get to look forward to a wedding in 2009!



DECEMBER...
We welcomed Elf Jack to our home for the 1st time, beginning a fun tradition. This was somewhat of a whirlwind month with a newborn and a 3 year old...but fun nonetheless. Nani got her Barbie house, a bike, Barbie car and Barbie guitar...it was truly a pink and Barbie Christmas. Emmersyn loved the paper, the lights, and anything with buttons as she scooted from package to package and sitting in everyone's arms. Our other traditions continued...lunch with Papa on Christmas Eve, Candlelighting at the church, appetizers and Arnold punch at Granny's with both the Arnolds and the Wallaces and close friends like the Truans and other special friends. A fun Christmas morning filled with yummy breakfast, special visit from Chad and Clair and then rounding off back at Granny and Papas...and just when we thought it was over, Gigi scores a Wii the day after Christmas..so Connie got an early birthday present...and his butt kicked in bowling by his 3 year old daughter......