20lbs vs. 75 lbs

This video is just too cute. Charlotte's Aunt Meg took it this weekend while we were in Birmingham. That huge dog is Meg's baby - a 75 lb Laberdoodle. He thought Charlotte was pretty neat and obviously Charlotte thought he was hilarious. We all thoroughly enjoyed watching her get so cracked up over that dog. Enjoy!

A Trip to Grandma's House

Doug, Charlotte and I left this weekend to enjoy some time with Doug's family over in Birmingham, Alabama. I love Birmingham and always enjoy an excuse to get over there. It is so beautiful with its rolling hills and southern charm. The only problem is I always feel I must dress whenever I go out. It is not a casual town. I guess it is all that old, southern money. :)

Doug's parents live in a beautiful, family friendly neighborhood. Everyone has deep porches and/or courtyards. There are sidewalks, greenspaces, and plenty of places to roam. We enjoyed the pool, walking through the neighborhood, and an evening eating pizza out on the front porch. The weather was a little warm but the atmosphere only made me yearn for cooler, fall days. Oh, I can't wait. They are right around the corner.

Charlotte thoroughly entertained us. She actually made several milestones over the weekend - scooting around, rolling over and sitting up on her own, clapping, saying "uh-oh" after she dropped something and the list goes on. Of course it was great to get to experience this with family as they also thought it was the most wonderful thing in the world.

I hope to have video to post. My sister-in-law, Meg, recorded Charlotte with her huge laberdoodle, Farve. Charlotte and this 75 pounder really enjoyed each other and Charlotte found him hilarious. Stay tuned!

Poop Stories

Okay, all you mommies out there, you know you have tons of poop stories to tell on your children (Oh, and I promise I have new pictures of Charlotte to post. The batteries are dead in the camera and I have to fix that little problem first). Charlotte gave her daddy one to tell last night.

Doug and I both had work yesterday evening - he, a softball game (which his team won); me, a Customer Appreciation Dinner at Chick-fil-A. We had a sitter come for a couple hours and Doug got home before I did. He had to bathe, feed and put Miss Charlotte down for the night.

Doug is not usually home in the evenings to give Charlotte her bath (she goes down quite early) so last night was his treat. Well, Charlotte made it a treat as she left him a little present floating around in the tub for him to have to clean out. I believe he was mortified (as I would be myself). Needless to say, bath time wound up being a little more involved than normal. Not only did he have to clean, feed and put her to bed. He also had to clean the tub after cleaning it out. Poor thing. I certainly hope this does not become a nightly routine. :)

Six Years and Counting

Six years ago, Sunday, Doug and I were married. It is hard to believe that it was that long ago and yet it feels like just yesterday. We look so young.

It has been a special six years. Doug is my best friend. We have kind of always connected - even from the day we met. We didn't like each other very much - I remember telling my mom that I thought he was a little immature. :) We never had a problem talking with each other though. We became really good friends and everyone around us could see the chemistry. We just couln't. After about three to four months I think both of us started figuring out that we liked each other more than friends.

I can't imagine my life without Doug. He makes me laugh, cry (in a good way), and I always have a good time with him. I enjoy being with him. His mother used to ask me if he talked. She told me he was so quiet. I didn't know what she was talking about. We have never had trouble talking with one another.

Doug is an amazing man and he is all mine. :) He is a great provider, protector, father and friend (and a few other things I will leave for his ears and eyes alone. You can understand why). I am thankful that God put us together. I am blessed to have him in my life.

I have never believed in just one person being right for another person. I believe our life decisions intersect us with other people. Our decisions and paths in life can determine who we wind up with. I do know that God planned for Doug and I to be together based on the decisions we both made. Our lives intersected at the right time and we fell in love.

Our life together has not been perfect and there have been times I have wondered if we were going to make it - as every couple does. We have both stuck in there and plan to keep sticking to it. God is gracious and it is only because of Him that spouses can stay together. I am thankful that He has given us a genuine friendship, the will to work on things, a love that will help us endure.

Honey, I love you with all my heart! I look forward to many more years living this life with you. I wouldn't want to do it without you!

Love,
Alison

Siblings

Well, I am finally ready to announce my surprise. Yes, Charlotte is going to be a big sister. Needless to say we are pretty surprised but we are excited and can't wait to learn the sex of the baby.

I am currently 9 weeks along and my due date is March 2nd. We covet your prayers as we prepare for baby #2. Thankfully I have not been as sick this time around nor as tired - which is a tremendous blessing with an 8 month old. :)

This baby has made me really understand that Scripture that talks about man planning his way, but the Lord directs his steps. We were on a 2 - 2 1/2 year plan (we wanted to wait until Doug was through with his masters). God had us on the 7 month plan. Charlotte will be 16 months older than her younger sibling. I am tired just thinking about it. Everyone does say, though, that the children will entertain each other and be big buddies. Only time will tell.

So... for all of you making your own plans, don't be too surprised if the Lord winds up directing your steps in a different way. When this happens I just remimd myself that He does know best! :)

Single Sentiments

This morning, our family stayed home from church so that I could rest - we have a 45 minute drive to our church so it can be quite a task to get us up and ready in time. I have to be at our Corporate office this week for training and I will have to leave every morning around 7:00 a.m. to be there by 8:00. Doug decided to go the store while Charlotte napped and I rested/cleaned.

I found an old tape that I had put together when I was 21 - nearly 9 years ago. It was full of spiritual songs and instrumental music. I made it right before I went out to the ranch - for those of you who don't know I worked the summer and fall of 2000 at a dude ranch in Colorado. That is where Doug and I met. The tape conjured up so many memories. I used to listen to the tape while I ran - a three mile treck down mountain roads. It was hard to not get caught up in the beauty of the place. I would also listen to it during hikes by myself - I know, not really safe, but I always had a spiritual experience up on a mountain peak looking out at the beauty of the land God created. It makes you realize how small you really are and how big our God is. Anyway, very sweet memories - spiritual struggles, meeting wonderful young people and others from all over the world, learning who I was, meeting and beginning a friendship with my future husband. Of course the old scrapbook came out. As I looked through pictures I realized how much that young girl has changed. Alison Moore - who I was before I married - scared, very real, committed in her faith but confused with this concept we call grace, falling in love and wondering where God was leading next - a lot going on with me during that time.

I am so different now, a wife, a mother, my hobbies and interest are different, but there is still some of me at almost thirty that is part of that 21 year old out there at that ranch soaking in life and learning who I was. I am still learning and I guess that is what life is about. That was such a sweet time in my life even though at times I felt very confused and alone. It is amazing to see where God has brought me in those eight years and see the incredible blessings He has given - two of the best, my husband, Doug, and my sweet daughter Charlotte.

Sorry for all the sentiment, but I hope you will take a moment sometime in the near future and revisit a sweet time in your past. Thank God for memories and for lessons learned and for our single years. So much is realized in that time and for most women it is not appreciated.

My surprise news is coming soon if you don't already know it. I know the Atmore rumor mill as already opened. :) Hopefully later this week. Love to you all!

Sunday's Child

My mother always recited the English nursery rhymes about the days of the week. I have listed the two I have heard below:

"Sunday's child is full of grace,
Monday's child is full in the face,
Tuesday's child is solemn and sad,
Wednesday's child is merry and glad,
Thursday's child is inclined to thieving,
Friday's child is free in giving,
And Saturday's child works hard for a living."



"Monday's child is fair of face,
Tuesday's child is full of grace,
Wednesday's child is full of woe,
Thursday's child has far to go.
Friday's child is loving and giving,
Saturday's child works hard for a living,
And the child that is born on the Sabbath Day,
Is bonny and blithe and good and gay."

As a child I always asked my mother on which day I was born. I am a Sunday's Child. I got to thinking - and my graphic mind to reeling - wouldn't these rhymes be cute in a print that could be personalized or used as cards or for artwork in a nursery for a new baby. So... I came up with the following designs and used the most positive saying for each day, taking from each rhyme. I have decided to debut them on etsy and see what kind of traffic I get on them. I have also been working on a few other things - as you will see below - spinning off the same idea. I love clean, classic lines and there is nothing simpler than lettering, one color and white space.

I'd love to know what you think. Please leave a comment or email me and offer your thoughts. Oh, and stay tuned. I have some exciting news coming possibly next week. :) Some of you already know, ha, ha. You must keep the secret. :) xo xo