Sarah's Preschool Graduation Ceremony 2009

Time really does seem to fly! It seems like yesterday that I sent my little one to her first day of preschool. I am so thankful that I did. She had a wonderful year of making new friends, learning about letters, numbers, days of the week, science, music, and so many other wonderful things. Every Tuesday, Sarah was so ready to put on her clothes and strap on her backpack for another great day of adventure. Now summer is upon us and school is over. We had one last ceremony to make it official. Sarah's preschool has a graduation and promotion ceremony for every student at the preschool. Our first attempt at showcasing Sarah's talents on stage didn't go so well (see the Thanksgiving play post last fall), but she was determined to get up on stage and make a go of it again. Many members of our family came to support her in the audience.

Mom (aka Mammaw from the mountains) was there.

Amy and Chris's mom (aka Mamaw from the street) came as well. (Uncle Jason is in the background working on the AV for the ceremony). Here is the whole family anxiously anticipating the show.

Here are the proud 4 and 5 year old graduates. Aren't they cute?

My little cutie made her way onto the stage as well. How will this turn out? Only time will tell. The whole gang is on stage and stage fright is setting in.
Sarah is now in Ms. Christy's arms. I am determined not to go up on stage. I want her to work out her fears this time.
The masks must have made her feel just comfortable enough to strut her stuff. From that song on, she was ready to show off! Yeah! Stage fright won a battle but Sarah won the war. I am a proud mommy.


Video footage of Sarah actually singing on stage! Sorry for the sound, this camera really has virtually no mic.

Our family. Check out the look of pride on her face.




Here is Sarah with Payton, a girl who goes to the same babysitter. Sarah idolizes this girl. She even mimic her manner of speaking. How cute!



Sarah, Payton, and Kylie (Sarah's baby sitter's granddaughter). We feel so blessed to have found such a safe and wonderful environment for Sarah to grow in her book knowledge as well as love for the Lord. Thanks Joan and thanks Preschool teachers. We look forward to another great year in the fall!

10 Years Together!

Believe it or not, it has been 10 years since Chris and I said "I do". We have been dating or married for more than 16 years (approximately half our lives!). We are truly soul mates and I cannot imagine my life with anyone else. Although I had always envisioned a trip to Hawaii or Europe for our 10th anniversary, the pregnancy and the economy put a halt to those dreams this time around. We made due with a wonderful weekend trip to the Smokey Mountains. We have found a little slice of Heaven in Townsend, Tennessee, just between Pigeon Forge and
Cad es Cove. We climbed a mountain for a couple of miles and we found a group of gorgeous cabins overlooking the whole area. We felt like we are the only ones on earth when we sat on the porch or gazed out the large windows. It had three floors, one bedroom, a pool table, and a huge front porch. This was our second trip here, but it definitely won't be our last. Check out the views below.

I could stand here for hours just looking at God's creation.


We definitely could characterize this trip as a visit to the Smokies. The fog hung in the mountains for the majority of our trip.



Though we never used the pool, it sure looks beautiful against the mountain backdrop. This covered porch area is used for weddings. How beautiful would that be!




We stayed at the Preserve. We stayed here last summer and it is honestly the most beautiful and relaxing place I have ever been while visiting the smokies. We look forward to many more visits here.



On day 2, we woke up to rain so we piddled around until noon and went for a movie. When we left the theater, we actually saw sunshine! We decided to walk around a small barbecue festival and listen to some bluegrass.

After the festival, we went to the Apple Barn for supper. Then we walked across the road to walk the banks of the creek and relax during the 5 hours of sunshine we had on this trip.


A mommy duck and her babies had the same idea.

This is the stream across the road from the Apple Barn. When I find places like this, I like to fantasize that I am walking in my backyard. The sounds are so relaxing.

Although this is not a flattering photo for me, I decided to sacrifice and post this to show you my growing tummy. I have virtually NO photos of me pregnant with Sarah (I wonder why?) and I decided that this time I would better document my hugeness. Who knows, this photo may make me feel better when I start losing weight after October.


What a needed weekend! It was a great time for us to rest and reconnect. We have a pretty big year ahead of us! I will cherish these memories of alone time with my hubby. Happy Anniversary honey!

Baby Shower for Ashley

Ashley and Jason are getting so close to welcoming baby number one into their lives. I cannot believe how time has flown! Brandy and other church members threw her a wonderful baby shower a couple of weeks ago.

Brandy has been taking cake decorating classes and opted to make Ashley's cake rather than buying one. Isn't it beautiful? I know, I have a thing for photographing (and eating) cakes. But not creating them! I will leave this to the professionals.

Ashley had a great turnout. Many friends and family members attended to celebrate baby McReynolds.





Ashley and Brandy are so close. It must be nice having a sister. They seem to have a special bond.

She got so many gifts that once opened, it took three tables to display them all!

We are very excited to welcome a new young lady into the family. I cannot wait to find out what they are naming her! Good luck guys.

Spring Fun

Hello again,

Although few and far between, I have managed to put together a few days that I felt like taking Sarah out of the house and connecting with the world at large! We usually like to spend our spring days at the playground, but thanks to mother nature, dry days have been scarce. We decided a couple of weeks ago to try out the Explorium for a few hours. It has been many months since we visited here and boy, this time was so different. We used to spend the bulk of our time in the toddler play area. Now Sarah is much more interested in the "big kid" activities like standing inside giant bubbles and playing music on a footstep piano. She had a blast and talked about it for days. Here are a few highlights from the day.

Sarah loves water play. She was more interested this time in seeing the area "flood" when I turned the knobs to release water into the "river".

She loved the riverboat. She pretended to be floating herself.



Happy Sarah!





We have been on this horse numerous times, but this is the first time she really cared. She had just watched the Kentucky Derby (and picked Mine That Bird to win I might add). When "her" horse won, she became infatuated with horses.





Lovin' the horse.

This was her first trip to the Explorium. Boy has she grown. I get teary eyed just thinking about it.

What a scary photo! Not only is Sarah inside a giant mouth, there are two Sarahs!

Even she is running away!

+

This was the part she couldn't wait to see. She wanted to check out the moon. She was unsure at first, but once I stepped on, she had no problem joining in the fun.

My little astronaut. I will cherish these memories of Mommy Daughter time, just the two of us. Life is about to change forever soon!
Later,

Update (kind of...)

Hey everyone,

I am so sorry I have slacked off my blog in months past. Since around March 1, I have been overtaken by the morning sickness monster. As a result, simple tasks like washing dishes, cooking, and even blogging have seemed more like a climb up Mount Everest! I have felt a little better this week, so I am hopeful that in future months, I will be back in blogging form. We have been doing quite a bit this spring, I just neglected to capture it on film to share. Sarah went to her first Hillbilly Days (which was a smashing success, caught on my father's camera...I will try to post his photos when I get hold of them). I wrapped up my work for UK and have about a month left of school at Lafayette. It looks as if I will not be returning to LHS next year, due to a little Coleman entering the world in October. Maybe I will go back in a year or two...only time will tell. We (by we I mostly mean Chris) have been spending the warmer weekends organizing our attic and back building, finding maternity clothes, inventorying baby items, and anticipating the wonderful changes that will be coming our way soon.

Sarah is so excited about this baby! She honestly thinks 3 are coming home with us! I have shown her the photos but she will not be swayed. She said she would like to name the baby "Bubba" if it is a boy, and "Isabelle" if it is a girl. I just love that child! She is a hoot! She has even "decorated' the baby room. She found some ribbon and created a masterpiece all by herself!

She has also declared that she will be giving her treasured "Baby" to the newest member of the family! I was shocked. She has slept with Baby since she was 4 months old and only parts with it because it has to go to "school" during the day. The reason we created this ploy is because she ONLY sucks her thumb when baby is in hand. She is now content to see him during naps (which are almost nonexistent at this point) and at bedtime. I asked her if this meant she would stop sucking her thumb when the baby came and she said "yes". I promise, this is from no prompting on my part. If this goes as she has planned, I will be so thankful. (I am not holding my breath, when she wakes up at night and cannot find her yellow friend, she panics) But, for the most part, I am amazed at Sarah's giving nature and willingness to share with her new sibling. I know, I know, the proof is in the pudding, so to speak. Only time will tell if she really means what she is saying now. But, I must say, the transition from one child to two will be much smoother if she keeps this loving attitude toward Baby Coleman. Her excitement is definitely contagious. I love my little girl!

Here are some cute photos of all of Sarah's "babies". The yellow one is her most special friend in the world. The other ones were bought in an attempt to wean her from sucking her thumb. For years, she paid them no attention. Now that I am pregnant, she has taken to mommying all four like they are her babies. She has named them baby bunny, blue baby, peppermint baby, and of course just "baby" for her yellow one. She drives them around in a stroller, lines them up next to her in the bed at bedtime, and even teaches them in her version of preschool or "prettyschool" as she calls it.

I promise that when I start feeling consistently better (and it better be soon) I will remember to snap the funny moments and other adventure of the Coleman 3 (soon to be 4). Have a great week...or two...depends on the queezies :).

Later.

Easter Weekend Fun

Hello everyone,
We had a great Easter week in the mountains. I took Sarah home because a) the family wanted an escape from the stresses of home and work, and b) because my babysitter could not keep Sarah this week and I needed a babysitter while I worked. Mom and Dad kindly offered to keep Sarah, so we headed home for some Easter fun.

I include this photo which was taken weeks before because I want to pretend my child was in the mood for photographs on this visit. But I am only fooling myself. She usually is quite ready to pose for the camera, but not this weekend. My aims to preserve the holiday for posterity directly interfered with her aims to grab her Papaw by the hand and look for mischief. You will understand as you read on...

We decided to have our egg hunt on Saturday when we arrived. This was mostly because Sarah had colored eggs the night before and could not wait for us to hide and her to seek her prizes. Chris placed them high and low, in the grass, on the porch, flowerbeds, and even on the hill behind the house.

The hunt is complete. Look at the pride on this face.

and this face....

And this face. I chose to show you these three photos (which look very similar) because they were the only good photos we took all weekend. Sarah was so proud of "winning" the Easter egg hunt (in which she was the only competitor), she stood still for a whopping 10 seconds while I snapped these photos.

This is the only semi-good Sunday morning Easter dress photo we got from Sarah this year. Usually, she is very photogenic and will pose for great photos. Today, she is preoccupied with a kite she was convinced she would be able to fly on this morning. This meant no time for photos today.



The happy girl plays with her Papaw. They are truly best "buddies". Mom said when she woke up on Monday morning and he wasn't there, she asked, "Where's Papaw?" Mom said, "at work". Her response was priceless..."Oh no! I won't have any fun today!" Enough said.

Our little chatty Kathy couldn't stop talking long enough to pose.

Here is the source of my frustration on this morning. Why did we have to bring this kite?


This is our ONLY family Easter photo for 2009. Dad asks her to put her hand down and then....

She rears back and hits the back of her head on the mantle. So much for family photos....



On a positive note, it was a beautiful Sunday to hang out outside.
Sarah had a blast riding her tricycle.

She also loved helping my Dad work on a plastic flap that came down under my car. This is why she loves him so much...he includes her in every activity he is doing while she is around. I guess it makes her feel important.


Here she is explaining what Papaw needs to do for this vehicle. My little know it all!
All in all, it was a great weekend, even if I have few photos to show for it!
I guess I will have to keep it all preserved in my minds eye.

Big News!!!!

Well, I think it must be in the water here in Georgetown. Karen, Denise, Ashley, and now me! The Coleman family is adding a new member this October! I am due on October 29. I went for my first ultrasound on Monday and so far, everything looks great. I wish I could show you the baby's little head, bobbing as if it were listening to rap music. So cute! I guess the photos will have to do, so I now introduce you to baby Coleman!

It was very active in the ultrasound. It's hands and feet moved often and the heart rate was in the 170's. It is so amazing to see life this early!

I have been very nauseated of late (Doctor says it is acid reflux). What I didn't mention about our hard drive back from Georgia in the last post was that I made it worse by throwing up in the car during the time of the dozen tornado watches and warnings all around us. I must say, that was the single most stressful "vacation" day I have ever experienced. But seeing the photo of Baby Coleman, I see what all the sickness is about, and that helps. We are so thankful to God that everything is progressing normally so far. Please pray for us as we enter this new chapter in our lives.

I am sure the next question on your minds is, "how did Sarah take the news?". The next three video clips will show you the answer.

We are so blessed and excited to share this news with all of our family and friends.

More updates to come :>)