Sunday, May 22, 2011

30 Years Ago...

On May 17th, 1981 I came into this world. WOW...thirty years went by really fast! I think I have decided to stay 29 for another year so we will call this year the second anniversary of my 29th birthday. ;-) I do love any excuse to have a party so I had 2 this year. Ha! That's right I am that special!!!

My actual birthday fell on a Tuesday and my precious co-workers threw me an "old lady" party. They took me out to lunch and when I got back, my office was decorated in black streamers, balloons, and old people signs. It was cute.

When I got home to my in-law's house (we are staying there for a few weeks because Dave's mom is keeping Alex while I'm at work) they had made me a steak dinner and Dave got me my favorite cake from Edgar's (white cake with buttercream icing). I went to bed early that night...Happy Birthday to me!!!







Friday night we went out to eat at Pancho's Mexican Grill in Moody. My dad, Tammy, and many of our best friends were there to celebrate. My mom stayed at home with Alex since we were going to be eating outside...thank goodness she did the bugs were pretty bad. I got a beautiful necklace and frame and lots of sweet cards. We had a great time, thanks to all who were able to join us!



Saturday night we went to Mellow Mushroom and Starz on Hwy 280 with the rest of our best friends that couldn't make it on Friday. We had a blast! I got money, suckers, sweet cards and a few birthday drinks from everyone. Thank you for everyone who came to celebrate my birthday with me. You are all the best friends a girl could ask for and I am truly blessed to have you all in my life. I don't know what I would do without all of you. Love you all!!!


Alex's Christening

On May 15, 2011 we had Alexander Sutton dedicated to the Lord. The beautiful service was held at First United Methodist Church of Rainbow City (where Dave and I were married and Drew was Christened). Most of our family was able to make it, we missed those that weren't able to be there. Afterwards we went to lunch at The Fish Market for a delicious lunch and yummy cake. It was a beautiful (and unseasonably chilly) day and Drew asked after it was all over if Pastor Ricky had washed away all of Alex's baby sins. I love the innocence of a child.






































Mother's Day

I had an amazing Mother's Day this year. I woke up to a pancake breakfast (yummy) and my sweet Drewbie made me a pillow with his face on it and he wrote on the back. I got a picture with my Iphone and Dave is supposed to show me how to put those on the computer and when he does I will post pictures of my precious pillow. I also received several home made cards and pictures from my precious first born. Of course I got a sweet card from baby Alex and Dave. We went to church in Gadsden. It was a great service and all the Mother's got a rose.

After church we went to Ollie's in Gadsden to celebrate Mother's Day with the family. We did karaoke and had a delicious steak lunch. Here are a few pictures from the day.


















It was an amazing day and I got to celebrate with my mother and my boys. It doesn't get any better than that!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

April Fury - Tornado

On Wednesday, April 27, 2011 a series of tornado's ripped through Alabama destroying homes, business and taking many lives. We were faced with one of these tornado's up close and personal and we are so blessed that we only received minor damage. I truly believe God's hand and guardian angels were surrounding us and our home that dreadful day.

It began at 5:55 am that morning. I had debated the day before on sending Drew to school or not Wednesday because I knew we were in for some severe weather...I just didn't know how severe until the next morning. Dave woke me up to tell me it was already thundering, lightning and raining really hard so he said he was going to head to work and leave Drew here with me. I don't know why, but I sat straight up and said, "have you checked the weather?" Of course he had not so I flipped on the TV while Dave went to make Alex a bottle. James Spann pops up and I knew it was serious, I am looking at all the red tornado warnings across the state when all of a sudden he says, "If you are in the Leeds, Moody or Trussville area be in a safe place now. A tornado is on the ground." WHAT?!? I jump up and Dave is on the couch feeding Alex I yell at him to get in the bathroom, about that time the power goes out. I grab Drew out of his bed and we all pile up in the front bathroom. Drew is still asleep at this point. While Dave is feeding Alex, I am on the phone with my friend Meagan to warn her. All of a sudden the sound of glass shattering and a loud whistling sound (like a freight train...ha) is all we hear. Dave yells, shut the bathroom door now. I shut the door, grab Drew and lean against the wall. The walls were shaking and we hear a loud BOOM! It seemed to last forever, but it was maybe 20 - 30 seconds and it was all over. After a few minutes we decided to go check out the house to see if we still had one. Praise the Lord, we suffered a few minor damages. Our storm door blew out, Drew's brand new wooden play set that he got for his birthday 2 weeks before had fallen over and broken, our tree was laying in the front yard and there were shingles from the roof everywhere.

I thank God everyday for keeping us safe that day. There were many that were not so lucky. We were without power until that Sunday May 1st. We were fortunate enough to have power and a "safe room" to go into that evening at Dave's parents house when another round of F4 and F5 tornados destroyed Tuscaloosa, Cullman, Fultondale, Pleasant Grove, Shoal Creek, Pratt City and many other areas I know I am forgetting about. We stayed there with them along with our nieces Mary Kate and Caroline. Dave's sister and her husband were safe in Orlando. Here are a few pictures from our house after the tornado.
















God bless all those who are still missing, picking up the rubble that was once their home and for those who lost their lives.

Preschool Graduation

It's official, Drew is growing up WAY TO FAST! My first born just had his preschool graduation and is now registered to start Kindergarten this fall. Where has the time gone? I blinked and my sweet baby boy is now five and about to start big school. I cry every time I think about it...a moment to wipe the tears. Ok, back to the subject. Drew's preschool graduation was on Sunday, May 1st at Eastside Baptist Daycare. They had an awesome teacher this year Mrs. Alicia who has done such an amazing job with our son. He has learned more in the past year than I thought possible for someone his age.

The program was awesome, all of the kids did great! They sang a bunch of songs including The Climb and I Can Only Imagine (complete with sign language). I was moved to tears. Mrs. Pat and Mrs. Alicia then presented them each with their very own graduation certificate. Thank you Eastside Baptist for being so amazing to Drew and for teaching him about God and getting him prepared for his first year of school, we are forever grateful. We are lucky to have such a wonderful place that our children can go to while we have to work. You will be losing Drew, but don't worry Alex is heading your way!!!











Drew will miss all of his friends and teachers very much, but he is very much looking forward to Kindergarten. I just hope I am too.

Easter 2011

We had a wonderful Easter this year, it was Drew's fourth Easter and Alex's first. We started the day early. The boys got up to see what the Easter bunny had left in their baskets!















We then got ready and headed to Gadsden for church. It was a great service. Drew loves the story of Easter and how Jesus came back to life. It is really sweet to hear him tell the story. After church we went to Mee-Maw and Granddaddy's to eat lunch and hang out with the fam!














We then headed to Nana and Pa-Paw's to visit with more family.





Friday, May 6, 2011

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY DREW!!!

The month of April turned out to be Drew's Birthday Extravaganza!!! My special birthday boy ended up with 4...yes I said four birthday celebrations. That's okay because he is amazing and deserved every one of them! We started out celebrating at Nana and Granddaddy's with Nam-Maw and Mary Kate. The families April Birthday party was so much fun!



Drew wanted to have his birthday party at A Party Place in Trussville, and I am so glad we did. We had his party on April 16th the Saturday before his actual birthday. The place was awesome and everyone had a great time! It was a dress as your favorite Super Hero or Princess party. Drew is very much into Spiderman right now so Spiderman theme he got.

Thank you Aunt Nancy and Toni Marie for making an amazing (not to mention delicious) cake and cupcakes!





Spiderman himself!






Blowing out the candle...



Opening all of his presents, thank you everyone!!!


Baby Alex wishing his bubba a Happy Birthday!



Some friends from school came to Drew's party!



All in all it was a great time, thank you to everyone who got to make it!


Drew's actual birthday April 19th was on a Tuesday this year, so Mrs. Alicia let me bring cake to the class to celebrate. The entire class sang to Drew and we took pictures. We left school early and I took Drew to Target to get presents with his gift cards he received at his birthday party and we then headed home.






That evening we went to Drew's favorite restaurant "Old McDonald's" to eat with his best friend in the world Carter along with her parents Brent and Meagan (who just so happen to be some of our best friends). We had a great time until...







The Spiderman balloon that The Waldreps got him floated away. :-( Not to worry, we stopped on the way home and got another one!




Overall, I would say Drew had an awesome 5th Birthday! Happy birthday my sweet boy, we love you so very much and couldn't imagine our family without you. You are such an entertainer and you love to make us laugh. You are quite a funny dude and you are my precious Drewbie!


We love you so big,

Mommy, Daddy, and baby Alex