Matt, Rachel, Mary Grace & Arabella Meadows

Mary Grace singing "Speak Now" by Taylor Swift

2011-08-20T20:51:00.000-05:00

Arabella's Dance

2011-02-13T18:02:00.000-06:00

Arabella Faith turns 1 !!!

2011-01-12T16:21:00.001-06:00

I can't believe it's already been a whole year since I was laying in the hospital waiting for this precious girl. I can't believe that this time last year we still couldn't decide on a name. I mean I had picked out Arabella Faith but Matt wasn't sold on it yet. He wanted to look at her and see what came to us. Well, several names came to us but didn't seem quite right. We named her 3 times before settling on Arabella Faith. We called everyone and finally the last time my mom said, Maybe you need some sleep and then decide. Hahaaa.... I wanted a Southern name to go with Mary Grace. I never had a sister close in age to me. My sister is 13 years younger so we never had a complex with one another. But Mary Grace and Arabella are 4 1/2 years apart. So, I was worried if we named her something that wasn't as pretty as Mary Grace then it would create a complex.

I know people think I am crazy but girls are rough. The slightest thing could trigger a chain of events that could lead back to me being a bad mother and I didn't give her a name as pretty as the other. Maybe I am crazy but I want to make sure that I watch my every action and make things as equal as possible. Maybe it's not possible but who knows. The second reason I had trouble naming her was that Mary Grace has a huge personality and the world revolves around her. So, I was unsure on how to put this new baby in that WORLD. I mean I know that's life your parents have other kids and you just need to get over it but that's not the case here.

Mary Grace had been the center of our world. Not only our world, but our parents and friends world. This was a life changing event for her. Although at the same time I was just as worried about this innocent baby. How would she cope being Mary Grace's little sister. Would she be like Mary Grace? Would she like the same things as Mary Grace? Or would she be the opposite and have nothing to do with Mary Grace? I was flooded by all these questions and worries. I realized I had a lot to think about from this day forth.

It took Mary Grace a long time to really decide that Arabella was ok and wasn't trying to take her life over. She loved her from the minute she saw her. The problem was Mary Grace didn't know how to take the new baby and all the new gifts this new baby got. Some people thought about her too but most just gave Arabella stuff. I am not complaining but it was hard to teach her that lesson. But it was a lesson she needed. It was also the first time I realized there were a lot of lessons she needed to learn. Lessons I had failed to teach her and maybe I had tried and she never learned but still she needed to learn.

We have all grown alot this year and have bonded as a family of 4. It was a little rough at times but we made it. Mary Grace wasn't the only one who needed to learn to share. It was a struggle for Matt and I to learn to share our time with each other and Mary Grace and make Arabella time too.

This year has been one of the best because Arabella came into our lives. But then it has been one of the worst because We lost a lot of loved ones throughout the year. We are blessed to have each other and to be healthy and happy.

Arabella soon made my worries dissapear. She is a strong personality too. Mary Grace better watch out!! She is the sweetest and most lovable child I have ever known. I just love and kiss on her every second of every day. She keeps us all laughing all day everyday. She gives real genuine hugs and smiles. It's the best feeling in the whole world.

Arabella Faith Meadows
January 12, 2010
7 lbs, 2.8 ozs

Today you are 28 inches tall and 22 lbs.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ARABELLA FAITH!!!

Christmas 2010.....

2010-12-25T17:50:00.002-06:00

Every year my mom gets everyone pj's. This year Mary Grace and Arabella got Red Union Suits with their names on the booty. They were both so excited to see what SANTA brought them.

Santa left Mary Grace's loot on the couch. That is her spot. He leaves all the toys already out and with batteries and her stocking filled with her favorite candy. This year he filled it with her favorite chocolate covered pecans. Arabella's stuff was in front of the tv across the room. They both got power wheels.

Mary Grace was taking Arabella for a ride in her new Barbie Jeep!

Tea Party with Santa in NOLA, part 2

2010-12-18T22:25:00.000-06:00

Tea Party with Santa in NOLA.....

2010-12-18T22:06:00.000-06:00

Check out Mary Grace's SNOWMAN. It was her dessert that they made out of an ice cream cone with a cake baked inside it with frosting and marshmellows and candy. Then look at her cupcake she made at the cupcake station all by herself. Each of the adults got that layered Tower of food.

My Mom and I took Mary Grace to New Orleans to stay at the Monteleon Hotel and go to the Christmas Tea Party. My friend and Mary Grace's Godmother, Lacey, lives in NOLA and met us there. We took Arabella but Lacey's boyfriend, Scott, who is also Arabella's Godfather, babysat her up in our room. All four of us girls had a blast and decided to make it an annual thing. It was the coolest Tea Party with awesome food. They had Santa, Mrs. Clause, Frosty, The Ice Princess, Rudolph, Some Elves and Monte the Lion. It wasn't just a girl thing either. There were dads and whole families and little boys. It was really a fun idea.

My Birthday!!!

2010-12-18T21:18:00.002-06:00

Matt surprised me with this cake that he ordered all by himself. I was on a mad dash back from New Orleans. When we got home it was spotless and a tenderloin was on the grill and all my friends came over. We had a blast! Thank you Matt!! I love you!!

Thanksgiving with Cousin Caroline & Sam-I-Am

2010-11-26T17:40:00.000-06:00

This Thanksgiving Arabella and Mary Grace got to meet their cousin Caroline for the first time. Caroline was born the day before Arabella and it's been a crazy year so we haven't made it to Rayne to meet. Uncle Sam-I-Am came home to visit from South Carolina too. They missed Sam-I-Am!!

We LOVE Lemons, BABY!!

2010-10-07T22:10:00.001-05:00

My grandmother, Arabella & Mary Grace's Mema, was feeding the baby a LEMON!! I thought Arabella would not like it but she LOVED IT!!!

NANA GRADUATES FROM PA SCHOOL!!!!!

2010-09-13T02:30:00.000-05:00

Florida 2010 (181 photos), by Rachel Meadows

2010-08-19T22:52:00.001-05:00

I'd like to share my Walmart Digital Photo Center photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

Arabella video-2010-07-22-13-34-33

2010-07-22T17:08:00.000-05:00

Arabella's Baptism

2010-07-04T21:04:00.002-05:00

Here are a few pictures of Arabella on the 4th of July & her baptism. Scott and Lacey are her godparents and Lacey was already one of Mary Grace's godmothers. I felt that Mary Grace was gonna need a little more guidance. So, she has 3 godmothers and 2 godfathers. Whereas Arabella just has Lacey and Scott. Two Friends catering made the cake and it was THE BEST as always. Arabella really enjoyed eating her cake and her potato logs! The service was great. Mary Grace and my mom sang a song by Amy Grant called Better than a Hallelujah. I will try to post a copy of the video when I get my copy.

Splish Splash, Arabella is taking a BATH!

2010-06-28T21:23:00.000-05:00

Sisters.....

2010-06-18T21:30:00.003-05:00

I just wanted some pictures of them in their matching outfits. As you can see it is sooooo easy to get a good shot of both faces!! Miss Diva wouldn't quit doing fashion girl poses as she calls them and the other was just getting aggarvated.

Sisters 2......

2010-06-18T12:06:00.000-05:00

Mary Grace has surgery

2010-05-26T18:13:00.001-05:00

Here are a few pictures from when Mary Grace had her adenoids out.

Arabella is 4 months old.

2010-05-22T18:17:00.000-05:00

This is just a cute picture of her when she was 4 months old.

More Party Pics....

2010-05-07T08:52:00.004-05:00

Two Friends Catering did the Spongebob Cake and it was THE BEST!! There was none leftover. The kids had fun busting Spongebob up! They are all so funny when it comes to doing the pinata. They all knock the mess out of him.

Mary Grace turns 5 !!

2010-05-07T08:41:00.002-05:00

Last year, we got a GIANT WATER SLIDE and decided it was the best way to party. So, this year it's back along with the water balloon fights and a double slip n' slide down the hill. Mary Grace wanted a Spongebob Squarepants themed party. The weather turned out to be perfect and everyone had a blast!! Here are a few pictures of Mary Grace in her NEW tankini (her nana gave her) going down the slide!

Arabella eating her lunch.

2010-05-05T14:55:00.004-05:00

Arabella has been eating baby food for a couple of weeks now. I know. I know. She is not old enough or so the books say. I did it with Mary Grace and she was and is still fine. Arabella was hungry all the time and eating every hour. So, we tried rice cereal and she liked it. Then we tried it with applesauce and she liked it. So, then I slowly introduced fruit and she didn't like any of them. Then we tried sweet potatoes and she liked them. Then we tried carrots and squash and she loved both of them. She is so much happier and so are we. She was so hungry today and then she got so sleepy.

Mommy/Daughter Day!!

2010-05-04T14:42:00.001-05:00

Today, I took Mary Grace to Monroe to spend some time with her. We went to TOYRUS to let her spend her money "Doe" sent. Then we went to the best nail salon. They had a Hello Kitty chair for kids. She had a blast and I did too. We haven't gotten to do things like we used too. It was nice to get that alone time for the both of us. I feel like she is growing up so fast. Thursday is her 5th birthday and Friday is her party and she can't wait.

Arabella's New Ride!!

2010-04-28T22:26:00.006-05:00

Arabella checking her mirrors like a good driver does. She loves her new walker because she can roll around the house. (Or actually Mary Grace rolls her around). She is getting so big!! Mary Grace tied a retractable rope on the walker and was pulling her around the house all night. She just loved Mary Grace playing with her.

Watch out Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles....

2010-04-18T22:58:00.000-05:00

IT'S PRESCHOOL PAINTERS TAPE GIRL!!! What can I say? My kid is creative. Who knew what you could do with a roll of blue painters tape. HAhahaa.....

Mary Grace's first FRENCH BRAID.....

2010-04-15T23:02:00.000-05:00

Aunt Wendy was here visiting and Mary Grace wanted her hair braided. I personally am not that good at a french braid. I though it was sweet!

I've got 3 letters for ya!!......RSV....!!!

2010-04-09T22:46:00.000-05:00

Yes, we got RSV!! It's not fun at all!! Arabella had to have her dino mask on to get breathing treatments.

What happens when MATT babysits!

2010-04-02T22:49:00.000-05:00

So, this was Easter weekend. I was very busy comforting a friend and I left Mary Grace with Matt to babysit. This is what she looked like when I stopped by to get something and check on them. MEN!!

9 weeks today....

2010-03-16T21:43:00.000-05:00

Here are just a couple of pictures from today.

Dreamlife did a fabulous job with my dream girls!!

2010-03-15T21:23:00.003-05:00

Here are a few pictures from www.dreamlifephotos.com. She did a fabulous job capturing my children's beauty. Thanks Kim you did such a great job. I just wanted to share these pictures.

I mean really DAD!

2010-03-10T21:51:00.000-06:00

Arabella's first father/daughter talk......hahaha.....This picture was just too cute.

Just a few pictures of Arabella.

2010-03-06T21:56:00.000-06:00

Arabella in her jumperoo and her catching some ZZZZZZZZZ's.

Miss Fashionista

2010-03-01T21:48:00.000-06:00

Mary Grace thinks she is a fashionista.....She told her dad that she just had to have those Skechers Twinkle Toes. She was so excited that they would light up and she just thought she was fabulous. Check out the outfit!!

Just a little sisterly love....

2010-02-25T19:45:00.000-06:00

Here are a few pictures of Mary Grace and Arabella over the past couple weeks. Mary Grace loves to hold Arabella. Arabella on the other hand is not too sure about Mary Grace holding her.

Just a few pictures of Arabella

2010-02-15T19:07:00.000-06:00

I took these pictures a couple weeks ago just playing around. Check out them CHEEKS!!

Mardi Gras parade

2010-02-15T18:50:00.001-06:00

Checkout Mary Grace's groovy bike for the Mardi Gras parade. I thought it looked terrible and had no idea how to decorate. This was my first rodeo but hey MG loved it and that's all that mattered. We will be more prepared next year, when we are not so overtired and overwhelmed.

WHO DAT SAY THEY GONNA BEAT DEM SAINTS!!

2010-02-08T18:29:00.002-06:00

Who Dat !! Super Bowl Sunday our house was divided Matt & Mary Grace were pulling for the Saints!! Arabella & I were pulling for our man Peyton & the COLTS!! Matt went to Simmons and bought Mary Grace a saints shirt and made himself a homemade saints shirt!!! Arabella and I on the other hand just cheered our team on without a spirit shirt. We were sad that the colts lost but at the same time we were excited that the saints won too!!GO SAINTS!!!

Super Bowl Sleepover.....

2010-02-07T18:42:00.000-06:00

This was Mary Grace after the Saints won. She passed out in the hallway with her build a bear dog DROOL BREES and her teddy bear with some snacks for their celebration sleepover!!

Rain, Rain, Come on I wanna PLAY!!

2010-02-01T21:53:00.000-06:00

Mary Grace showing off her new raincoat and boots. She wanted to be like Coraline. She also got a new rolling backpack. She thinks she is AWESOME!!

ARABELLA FAITH MEADOWS !!

2010-01-14T18:10:00.004-06:00

We would like to introduce the newest member of the Meadows Family: Arabella Faith Meadows, weighing 7 pounds, 2.8 ounces and 18.5 inches long at 4:16 a.m. January 12, 2010. She has a head full of hair and is healthy as can be. She LOVES TO SLEEP!! I know you think I am crazy and you are thinking all babies do!!! Let me correct that thought! Mary Grace Meadows does not, did not, never did and still DOESN'T !! When we brought her home from the hospital she stayed awake all day and all night. She didn't want to miss the action but this child is mine she loves to sleep as much as ME!! Last night was our first night home and Arabella did great.

We had a rough start at the hospital Sunday night and things got a little tense and our FAITH was tested but we trusted our worries and fears and lifted them up. Thank you to everyone who prayed for us. We continue to pray that my swelling and blood pressure continue to drop and get back to normal. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS!!!...Oh, we are home and welcome visitors.

Ps. These pictures were taken at 4 in the morning and YES MARY GRACE was there she wouldn't miss it for anything!! (In her footie frog pjs!)

Flower Girl

2010-01-03T20:18:00.004-06:00

Our friend Mindy got married on January 2, 2010 and she is Mary Grace's godmother. So, Mary Grace was one of the Flower girls. She was so excited and was an expert at this. Mary Grace said she was a PRO. Since she had been a flower girl before in her Aunt Macy's wedding a couple years ago. She was the most beautiful flower girl I have ever seen. Her precious curls were so beautiful.

New Years Eve

2009-12-31T20:22:00.000-06:00

Our friends Scott and Lacey came in for New Years. Scott claimed that he bought Mary Grace a huge bundle of fireworks, but we think he really got them for him. HAhahaa.....We had so much fun shooting them in the rain and cold. Well, actually I enjoyed them from the house while everyone else weathered the windy rain. Thank you Scott for saving my child's life though after you lit a firecracker and it fell over and shot back at y'all. It was fun and Mary Grace had a

blast.

Christmas Morning......

2009-12-25T20:07:00.001-06:00

Mary Grace came running to see if Santa really came or if he really did think she was naughty. Santa left her a Giant Dollhouse, a BB gun, a 4 wheeler, a dress up trunk of barbie clothes, some dvds and a few other little things.

Brothers don't shake hands.....Brothers HUG!

2009-12-24T20:00:00.001-06:00

This was Matt's attempt at being creative. My brothers E.J. & Sam were goofing around.

Christmas Eve at Nana's

2009-12-24T19:50:00.000-06:00

This year was crazy as it usually is. I swore that we wouldn't go crazy running around and yet I gave in. Mary Grace was so excited to get Barbie and three musketeers. She got all the barbies including the prince and the movie. SO EXCITING!! This year she was excited to help pass the gifts out and get the show on the road!!

Parent's Viewing at Ballet December 2009

2009-12-07T23:13:00.001-06:00

This year is Mary Grace's 2nd year of taking Ballet from Missy Crain. Here are a few pics of her at the Parent's Viewing. Let's just say we were some PROUD PARENTS this year!! She is really enjoying it and is actually paying attention and learning.

More Pictures of Mary Grace in the snow....

2009-11-27T21:28:00.002-06:00

Thanksgiving Pictures......

2009-11-27T21:23:00.002-06:00

Here are some more pictures of my little snow angel!!

Thanksgiving in Colorado.....

2009-11-27T17:15:00.005-06:00

This Thanksgiving Mary Grace and My Mom flew to Colorado to see my grandmother. I miss her so much and it has been really hard not having her around. Matt and I don't know what to do with ourselves. We have spent alot of time reflecting and talking about how crazy it is to feel the way you do after you are a parent. We were laying in bed the other morning and trying to enjoy the silence because we know too that in 7 short weeks our lives will be starting a new chapter in this book of our lives. But, Matt and I agreed that nothing against each other but it was hard to enjoy the silence. We are always saying, "Gosh, I wish I had a break she is driving me nuts." The truth is WE DON'T! We laid there and talked about how much has changed in the past 8 years....We have come a long way. It's hard to remember what it was like to not be married and have someone relying on you to do everyday chores. How crazy it is to not remember what it was like before kids. The only thing I can remember is sleeping late on saturdays and not having any reason to get up and do anything because it was just about me. I missed Mary Grace waking me up early to make cinnamon rolls and turn the tv on because she can't. It's crazy how my life is forever changed that no matter what I will not relax if she is with me and I will not relax if she is not with me. I fear for her safety and well being no matter what!! All I can think about is her and miss her. She is this force of nature that has forever changed Matt and I. She is more than a handful but I am so very THANKFUL for her each and everyday. Matt and I are enjoying the silence but We both agree we are ready for her to come home. We just ask that everyone keep her and my mom in your prayers Sunday as they fly back home. I know things will be fine but she is my little baby.

Well, anyway the reason for this post was to put a picture of her up that my mom sent me. This is Mary Grace with Santa in a sleigh.

Thanksgiving Dinner at School.

2009-11-25T22:43:00.000-06:00

Mary Grace invited Matt and I to come eat Thanksgiving Dinner with her at Briarfield. I remember always being excited to have my parents come to eat with me. So, I was very excited but not really about the food. I signed the sheet saying that 2 of us would be attending but not eating. I just couldn't stomach it being pregnant. Well, the day came to go eat and I was sick with bronchitis and couldn't get out of the bed. Matt ended up having a meeting set up last minute and called to tell me he had to meet with this client and there was NO WAY he would make it. I freaked out because I was too sick to go. I just couldn't let her not have anyone there. What if she was the only one? It made me sick to think about it. I called my younger brother, Sam, immediately and told him he had to get off work and be there NO MATTER WHAT!! He does only work for our grandfather so I told him to just tell him he HAD TOO!! Sam agreed and said, " No, problem and that Pa Reynold wouldn't mind".......But, luckily Matt called to say that his meeting got cancelled and he could. So, my dear sweet husband said, " Don't worry about it and that he would go and take pictures for me." I was surprised but felt a lot better that he was going to make it....So, I called Sam to tell him, "Thanks but if he didn't really want to go he didn't have too." (Which he really didn't.) So, here are some pictures my hubby took for me.........She was so proud of her HAPPY THANKSGIVING PLACEMAT!!

Mary Grace's New Halloween Outfit!!

2009-10-10T12:00:00.003-05:00

Today, the mail woman honked her horn and Mary Grace took off screaming WE HAVE A VISITOR!! She doesn't understand why the woman can't stay and visit. She feels the same way about Mr. Danny the UPS guy. I had ordered this outfit from a girl I met on Facebook who lives in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Mary Grace was so excited that she got a package and most of all a FABULOUS OUTFIT as she says!! I JUST LOVE IT!! IT IS SO MARY GRACE!! So here are a few pics of my little supermodel.

Now I lay me down to sleep.......Thank you, JESUS!

2009-09-04T10:47:00.005-05:00

Yesterday was a very trying day. I mean I had a mommy meltdown. I had to work on my day off and it had already been a very stressful week then you add 4 loan closings to it.... Needless to say when I finally got home around 6:00. I was exhausted and stressed. Then Mary Grace came bouncing in with Matt and the night just got worst. I don't know what it is about this child but she requires NO SLEEP and has more energy than I could ever think about mustering up. My house wasn't spotless but it was straight. TODAY ITS A WRECK!! She dumped 2 loads of towels out on the floor, a load of sheets, dumped her Armoire out with all her clean clothes and managed to waste a brand new roll of toliet paper and roll the bathroom. That wasn't all but you get the picture. I was laying down resting with my feet up because I have been in constant stress all week and my feet were swelling. Matt was unwinding as well outside shooting his bow. Usually she goes out with him in the evening and plays but yesterday she said it was TOO HOT!! WHAT!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! SHE NEVER THINKS ITS TOO HOT!!!... She was determined to push me over the edge. I started to feel really sick and Matt told me to go lay down he could handle it and had it under control...............

Well, I fell asleep and a little while later after I was in a deep sleep.....Mary Grace comes in my room, where the lights are turned OFF and turns them on and turns the TV UP!! She said she wanted me to watch HER COMMERCIAL with her! (I was there when she filmed it and I have watched it 20 times since then)......I told her to get out and go watch it with Matt. She refused and then started shaking me to get up and read to her...... So, I get up and go to get some water and then I see it!!.........THE DESTRUCTION!! YEAH MATT HAD IT UNDER CONTROL!!! THE REMOTE AND TV!!! THAT WAS ABOUT IT!!! THE HOUSE WAS IN TOTAL DESTRUCTION......When I lost it and then Matt got up and acted like he had NO IDEA that had happened!! MEN!!!

So, Matt hurries and gets Mary Grace and puts her in the bath because she had eaten dinner earlier before I laid down and she needed to go to bed..........I listen as he gives that go ole dad talk about why did she do the things she did and that wasn't right......blah blah.......... She agrees and says YES SIR, as though she really cares because she doesn't! At that point I just cried my eyes out and wanted someone to just make everything stop and get better! So, she gets out and he puts her pjs on and he tells her to go get in bed with your MOM!!! WHAT!! Where is the help here?? She has a queen size bed in her OWN ROOM!! So, she comes and lays down and says she is sorry for ACCIDENTLY messing the house up and that she loved me very much and doesn't ever want anything to happen to me......

I told her I loved her too and I didn't want anything to ever happen to me or her and that it was time for her to settle down and go to sleep. If she wanted to go to Jehovah Java in the morning then you better go to sleep........

So, Mary Grace started to say her prayers like every night..... Now I lay me down to sleep I pray MY LORD MY SOUL to keep, if I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take...Then she proceeds to say.... (This is her version, so if it varies from yours).

Dear God, Thank you for ME !! Please keep my mommy and the baby safe and let them be ok. Also, when you get that baby out of my mommy's belly can you make her skinny again. So she can wear her Briarfield Rebel suit again. AMEN!

5 mins later she was OUT!!!! THANK YOU JESUS!!

An Apology from Mary Grace......

2009-09-01T11:13:00.001-05:00

The other day Mary Grace was on a tear......I fussed at her and she kept on and on.....Not a good sign when your 4 year has to have the last word and literally won't stop until she does...Nothing scares her at all NO AUTHORITY, yes this too is another BAD SIGN.

Later on she was sitting down at her table eating dinner and turned around and looked at me and said, Mom, I just want to say I'm sorry for BITCHING at you earlier. I mean I should have hushed my little mouth and just stopped BITCHING at you. I'm sorry I won't do it again........

I was in shock and wanted to laugh but I stood my ground and told her thank you for the apology but you shouldn't say that word. She replied, Oh Ok it that another Adult word I can say when I am a teenager?........I said NO just don't say it at all..........

Please say a prayer for me daily that I may deal, respond and parent this child. I pray daily for God to give me the strength and wisdom to handle this special gift he gave me.

Many of you may think Matt and I don't have a handle on our child or that we should just beat the tar out of her like in the good ole days. But, you are wrong my friend and it would be so far from the truth if you believe that. Matt and I have been dealt a tough, determined, strong willed and trying little girl that won't back down from anything, thrives on trying new things and exploring the world first hand. She doesn't want you to just tell her about it she wants to experience it. She is extremely smart but at the same time she is extremely entergetic. We stay in a constant state of exhaustion without adding a pregnancy to the mix. This little girl has it made up in her head that its her way or the highway and she means it. NO BACKING DOWN. Which I might say will be a good quality ONE DAY but right now its hard.

Do you think those REBELS will LOVE ME?

2009-08-21T15:43:00.000-05:00

This year Matt is getting back into REBEL FOOTBALL.....A couple of years ago he did the Coaches Corner, it shows on PM TV Channel 12 in Lake Providence as our local station. So, this year he is back commentating on the game tapes and interviewing the Coach.

Also, this year he has a little ad that runs before, during and after with him and Mary Grace wishing the Rebels GOOD LUCK and plugging Farm Bureau too. Well, Mary Grace thinks its the GREATEST THING EVER that she is on tv.

When she was getting ready to film it, she said Ummm, ask Mr. John where the music thing is so I can plug my iPOD in for the music. I said, You don't need your iPOD you aren't singing. Well, why not? What am I going to do then to let the REBELS know how much I love them? I said, You are gonna say GO REBELS!! She said, OH ok, I guess that will have to work.

So, when it was over.....She said, Oh my gosh, the REBELS are gonna love me. What do you think they will say about me? I said, I dunno, I guess they will say WOW that Mary Grace is so cute and she really loves us. She said, That's exactly what I thought they would say......

It's so funny when we see a football player on Friday in his jersey. She acts like he is a celebrity and says, LOOK MOM its a REBEL!!

The Secret is OUT!! Rachel is having a Chinese Baby!

2009-07-08T10:43:00.002-05:00

That's exactly what Mary Grace told my mother-in-law the day after we saw the ultrasound. Nothing like breaking that kind of news across the breakfast table while you are shoveling oatmeal in your mouth.

She thought Mary Grace was just kidding and trying to be funny. Matt and I argued over who would tell her that it wasn't a joke. Well, the chinese part was. I told him its your mom. I told my mom already. GOOD LUCK BUD!! So, he was left to tell her the truth.

Mary Grace told Deborah, See Deborah I told you that my mommy had a baby in her belly!!

About having a Chinese Baby...

2009-07-08T10:32:00.003-05:00

I promise I am going to post some pictures ASAP!!

Mary Grace is completely convinced that we are having a chinese baby. I mean nothing against a chinese baby but I am praying that it looks like Me & Matt & Mary Grace. She told me a couple of weeks ago when she was at the Ob with me that she was so excited and couldn't wait to see our chinese baby. I asked her why do you think it is going to be chinese? She replied, Because I just do. I want a chinese baby because I can speak chinese. I said, Mary Grace you can not speak chinese and then she proceeded to mumble something as though she was speaking chinese.

I told her it isn't a random lottery of what kind of baby you get. So, its not going to be chinese it will look just like me, you and daddy. She was not even satisfied with that answer and she said, Well, I am gonna keep praying for a chinese baby. You can pray for what you want.

I said well I can promise you its not chinese. She said, well how do you know? I said, because I just know. Daddy would have to be chinese or I would have to be chinese for the baby to be chinese. She said well ya'll aren't. I said I KNOW ! THAT'S WHY ITS NOT CHINESE!

Then she said well if its not chinese I hope its FRENCH!! Because I can speak spanish!!
I realized that it was hopeless and to let her believe what she wants. I told her well if its french then it won't understand Spanish!

So, if you ask her what kind of baby we are having she will say A CHINESE BABY!!

Being Fat and living with a 4 year old....

2009-07-08T09:31:00.004-05:00

So, I am pregnant and I am not the same size I used to be. Life happens and we grow. Well, my four year old has realized that there is a difference in the Rachel in high school and the Rachel who is her mom. Needless to say this doesn't make me feel any better than I do anyway. After, I had Mary Grace I started to lose the weight that I had gained and then I started having trouble losing. In the meantime, I had started wanting another baby. I also, felt terrible everyday and never really realized how things were affecting my day to day life. I kept going to the doctor and telling them how terrible I felt. I kinda started to think something was really wrong because all these things were going wrong and I was so tired that I was sleeping 14 hours a day and could hardly function. But, there was a part of me that was scared that nothing was wrong at all. Maybe I am just LAZY. Could that be my problem? I mean I couldn't get up and get going in the morning, I couldn't keep up with my laundry, I couldn't get it together to clean my house or even maintain the house, I could hardly do anything with Mary Grace. I just slept all day and night every day. Matt was even starting to get impatient. I was emotional and hated everything. And my doctor kept telling me I was depressed and giving me medicine and it wasn't helping at all. Now, that I look back on the situation I realize that I was depressed and maybe I had some post pardonum (I don't know if I spelled that right) but then my doctor started talking about maybe I was Bipolar. That's when a red flag went off. I wasn't Bipolar, I knew that. Matt started to get worried and I was having problems with my woman parts not working the way they should and we realized I needed some help something was definately wrong.

So, one day while Matt was meeting with a client. They started talking and she started to tell him about her medical problems and all that she had been going through and what hell it was. Matt started to listen and realized that she was explaining the past year and half of our life. When he got home that day he said I think they need to test your THYROID. So, my ob checked my thyroid and sure enough it was so high that it was worse than my mom's levels when she had thyroid cancer the year before. Then I started to take medicine for my thyroid but things were a little better but not that much. I thought this medicine was gonna be a miracle drug but it wasn't. Then another year went by and I got an appt with an Endicrinologist (not sure about that spelling either) who then took blood sample after blood sample and three months after going to him and giving blood. Someone finally knew how to help me. He diaganosed me with Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) you usually see it more commonly referred to as PCOS but since I have all the systoms I have PCOD. It was the answer I was looking for not really one that I wanted but atleast we knew what we were dealing with now. It then to about 4 months to get all my medicine straight for them to get everything working again.

The point of all this I guess was to explain why I'm not the Rachel in that cheerleader suit anymore. My child has learned about being fat and she associates that with me and not because Matt and I talk about "being fat". I know why she does this and I know who has taught her about this and this is a struggle that Matt and I are facing with this extremely smart little girl we are in charge of raising. So, after my long tangent about myself. I will now share that funny that my 4 year old said. I am laughing about it now but at the time my feelings were a little hurt. I am sensitive about not being that Rachel in the cheerleader suit anymore. I will be her again after this baby!!

MARY GRACE FUNNY: The other night Mary Grace was laying in the bed with me watching TV. (This is another reason children shouldn't watch TV, that isn't a cartoon.) And that Flirty Girl Workout Video commercial came on and I was laying on my side with my back to the TV and she nudged me and said "Hey, mom look at this workout, you should buy it so you won't be fat anymore! and We can get the pole too and I can help you workout so you won't be fat anymore." I was floored and really didn't know how to react and maybe I handled it wrong and let emotions get in the way but I was mad and hurt. That she knew I was fat and I needed to lose weight. I told her, I know that mommy needs to lose weight and I will after I have this baby. But, it isn't nice to point out that people are fat. You don't know what their situation is and why they are fat. You will hurt poeple's feelings by saying things and thats not nice. Then she proceeds to say well can you buy it for me because I have a fat belly and I want to look sexy!

It's really not that funny that my child thinks she is fat and worried about her mother being fat but at this age she shouldn't know or even realize. This is something that someone close to us believes deeply and has a problem with and has drilled in Mary Grace's head that sweets are gonna make you fat and you will get fat from anything that is not a vegtable. It is an issue we are dealing with and I pray that this person will realize the HARM it is doing rather than just believe that if she keeps telling her "if you eat that piece of cake you are gonna be fat". It's a struggle between Matt and I about this issue. Because he was raised to think as Mary Grace is being taught and I refuse for my child to think like that. I don't believe in so called being HONEST and telling people they are FAT. I am not the only target of Mary Grace's fat comments. She has told other family members. As if its not enough that she has realized the differnce in white and black and says it out loud now she throws it out there that they are fat too!

I do understand that this country has a weight problem but it doesn't make it better by programming our children to hate or dislike fat people. It can also easily make a child have an eating disorder and I have a happy healthy child who shouldn't be worried about wearing her bikini because she is too fat.

I'm Pregnant~~again!

2009-07-01T11:26:00.002-05:00

So, I am sure most of you already know the good news! I am due on January 18, 2010 and YES I will find out what I am having! If you know me you know there is no way I could voluntarily not know. I will get to find out sometime in September. I am currently 11.5 weeks and will be 12 weeks on Sunday. I waited so long to tell or really start to get comfortable with because I have been trying for 2.5 long years and one miscarriage. In January they finally got all my medicine straight and everything started to work normally again. Then in March I realized I was pregnant and had gotten pregnant in February. So, I was completely shock to say the least. Then in March I lost the baby and as heart breaking as that is and you are consumed with emotions. Emotions you can't explain and much less control. I realized as soon as they were out of my system, I wasn't going to be sad and harp on it. I then felt this powerful feeling pumping through my viens. I know that sounds weird but I just can't explain what the feeling was like. I knew at that moment I could get pregnant. I had gotten pregnant and I could do it again. So, then my Dr. told me I could start trying as soon as my system got back to normal. So, April I started trying again and things finally worked out right. After all the praying and putting my faith in GOD it all paid off. ( I always watch the show on TLC 18 Kids and counting, and they believe that you should let GOD give you as many kids as he thinks you can handle. Although, I do not want or believe GOD wants me to have 18 Mary Graces. I can still believe he will give you what you can handle.) Plus, my mom kept telling me the same thing. I kept telling her what if that's why I have Mary Grace! Maybe that 's why GOD waited so long to let me have another baby because he realized how much he challenged my faith with giving me this little ball of fire FIRST!! I love her more than anything in this world and would not change her one bit. So, I found out that I was pregnant in May, about 11 days past conception which was May 8, 2009. And it has been the longest 12 weeks of my life!! I did tell my family and Mary Grace found out and tried to keep the secret but she had a couple slip ups! She is so excited and happy about being a big sister.

cRaZy LITTLE SAYINGS..!

2009-02-11T11:00:00.000-06:00

So, I don't have any pics.....Just thought I would write about some *cRaZy* things that MG says.....So, that I don't forget them.....I don't know if many of you have really been around Mary Grace and really got to experience the KID that she is....not the bAbY or tOdDlEr that she should be.
**The other day We were fussing with each other and She got in trouble. So she ran back to her room and slammed the door. A little while later I heard her come out of her room and go in the dining room. I was on the phone so I didn't bother to see what she was doing. Then I heard her ripping wrapping paper up. Still, I stayed on the phone. Well, the next thing I know she was standing in front of me and had a note rolled up in her hand and a backpack on. She handed me the note and was whimpering. She said, "Here this is for you and Daddy." I said," What is it ?", She said, " A letter from ME, your little girl." I unrolled the note and it had MMMMMMM
MMMMMM MMMMM MMMMMMM MMM MMMMMMMM
MMMMMM MMMMM MMMMMM MMMM MMMMMMMM
MMMM mm MMMMM mMMMMMM MMMMM

MMMMMMMMMMMM

So, I said, " What does it say, I can't read your writing." Then Mary Grace took it out of my hand and said,"Fine I will read it to you."

Dear Mom and Dad,
I am running away to live with MY BUCK. He doesn't Holler at me and make me clean up all my messes. You shouldn't raise your voice at me the way you did and you shouldn't spank me. I am not going to put up with being treated like this.
Love Your Sweet Little Girl,
Mary Grace

I said," Well, first off. He does make you pick up your toys and He DOESN'T have to holler because YOU DO IT FOR HIM!! And Secondly, if you would mind me we wouldn't have these problems."

**I dunno about anyone else but I didn't know what to do or say. I wanted to burst out laughing (like what the heck ) but then I wanted to cry (like where did I go wrong here) So, I told her I was sorry for hollering at her and I will try harder to resolve our conflicts in a better manner, but at the same time she has to promise to try harder to help me out and to do as I say. And I hugged her and told her she wasn't going to live with Buck and to go unpack her backpack.

**We got a cat back in Oct. We found on the side of the road. I really don't know what made me stop and TURN~AROUND and pick the darn thing up BUT I DID and now WE HAVE A CAT!! ( I don't like animals really and I really don't like them in my house) So, now we have a cat and a dog inside!
So back to the story....One day I realized that the Cat whose name is HIGHWAY, was missing the wiskers on his right side. So, of course I knew who to call... MARY GRACE!!!!! She came running and realized I had noticed that the cat was missing wiskers... I said," What happened to the cat's wiskers?" She said, " Oh, well I kinda think that I might have.....CUT THEM OFF!!" We were playing docter and I cut them off with your sissors. I put them back and I didn"t hurt myself!!"

*** So We have THE ELF ON THE SHELF.....Well, you aren't supposed to touch the Elf after he is placed on the shelf....So of course, OURS had to be placed HIGH! So, as all my stories are Mary Grace got in trouble and she was going to make sure that Elf didn't tell SANTA! I had been my bedroom watching tv and I heard something hit the floor, but it sounded like the broom and that always happens at our house, that is the broom hitting the floor because it wasn't put up. So, I didn't bother checking and Matt didn't check either. So, I later got up to get something to drink and notice that there was a chair on my brick hearth and the BROOM was laying next to the chair, that was placed right in front of the top shelf that Freddy, Our ELF HAD BEEN sitting on......MARY GRACE !!! I hollered...... Of course, she came running and said, " What's up MOM?" I said," Where is the ELF?" Oh, FREDDY ? I said, " YEAH FREDDY! The only ELF we have!" OH, well I think that I kinda got that chair and pushed it over there and stood in it with broom and swung the broom til I knocked him off the shelf and then I went and hid him in my room under a box!! I said, "WHAT?!! Why did you do that ?" Well, I didn't want him to tell Santa, I was being bad!

**She always asked Matt at the end of the day, when he picks her up. So, did you make ME any MONEY to day?

** One day she asked," II had any cash?" I told her that I didn't have any money and She said," Well, just give me your debit card!"

** She told Matt the other day in Paul Michaels... Hey daddy, remember when We stayed in that CRAPPY Hotel and it had 2 beds and I slept with Mama and You slept by yourself.....Matt, was so embarassed and said Yeah, THE HYATT!

4 Christmases.......Lots of Rushing !!

2008-12-26T19:09:00.000-06:00

This Christmas was the same as it always is..........RUSHED!! CHAOTIC!!........If you have seen the movie its a lot like what Matt and I go through.......Christmas Eve-We ate lunch with The Grahams and exchanged presents....Then we got ready for Church. Afterwards, we went to my mom's house to eat supper and exchange gifts there. Then we went to Mr. Donnie's house after supper and exchanged gifts there....Around 11:30 we made our way home to prepare for Santa. Maybe, its just me but I would think most kids would be tired!! No, not ours. So, after getting in trouble, Mary Grace decided maybe she should wind down......I tried to run to Walmart for some last minute items.....little did I know that WALMART was CLOSED!!! Who knew? I guess I was the only retard !! So, Santa had to improvise and steal all the batteries out of all the remote controls and flashlights!!! Then after getting all that settled it was really late and I had a second wind by then......Many know that I am a little on the energetic side and.......(Matt would really like to THANK my Mom for the American Idol Encore 2 game for the Wii!!!).....Well, I busted out the game to play on my Wii...... 3 hours later I had acheived Platinum Status singing Islands in the Stream and Eye of the Tiger!! Anyway, all Mary Grace wanted for Christmas was My Size BARBIE & Potty Baby. Which she did get from Santa and let me say, that potty doll is gross even if it is a sticker!! Nana gave her "THE BOOTS WITH THE FUR." Oh yeah, she also asked Santa for a red collar for her cat named Highway.(Because we found him on the highway.) We named my size BARBIE, Molly and she has done everything that Mary Grace has done since arriving here. She too has to potty and wash her hands and go to walmart and eat at the table!!..Christmas day-We discovered what Santa brought us and opened up everything and the FAMILY then too realized how much fun it was to be an AMERICAN IDOL TOO !! Which was then cut short by lunch. We then went to eat at My Mom's house and after that we went back by Mr. Donnie's to get what Santa left us there too. And then by 4:00 on Christmas Day we were DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trip to the Dentist!!

2008-12-26T18:23:00.001-06:00

This was not our first rodeo but we understood this time what was going on. Mary Grace was screaming at me on the way there. She said," My teeth are justs fine in my mouth!!" She finally understood that it was no big deal and that they would give her a toothbrush and stickers!! She told them thank you and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Halloween 2008

2008-10-31T16:13:00.000-05:00

My little Bumble bee. Actually, she was a Honey Bee. Mary Grace has several "imagination" friends, as she calls them. One of the first ones was a Honey bee named Honey Bee!! He comes to visit almost everyday and he eats all meals at our house. He is a very hungry bee. So, Mary Grace eats all her food for her and Honey Bee. It is very amusing. But, Honey Bee along with my little Honey Bee went *TRICK or TREATING* and got lots of candy!!

Halloween Pictures 2008

2008-10-31T14:36:00.000-05:00

I am posting pictures from Halloween. This is my Little Honey Bee!!!

Our Trip to the St. Louis Arch....

2008-07-26T20:26:00.000-05:00

We went to St. Louis for a Farm Bureau trip that Matt won. So, one of our stops was the Arch. This is a good stop that is if you have all day and don't have a 3 year old. After, waiting 3 hours to ride up to the top of the Arch for 10 minutes.....We also toured the Museum which was neat. The whole Arch is a really cool structure. You really are amazed at how it was built. Mary Grace was playing on the gaint scales while we were in line to ride the pod to the top.

Golf Lessons with Dear Ole Dad!!

2008-07-26T18:44:00.000-05:00

These pictures are from this summer. Mary Grace wanted to go golfing with Matt. So, I said, "Why don't you just take her with you?" I figured why not. He was just going to hit a few balls. It lasted a little while but we don't quite concentrate as well as we had hoped. But, all in all it was quality time with good ole dad.

Taking "Doe" to DOE'S EAT PLACE....

2008-07-11T20:08:00.000-05:00

Matt's mom, Deborah lives in New York and has never been to Doe's Eat Place in Greenville, Ms. So, Matt, Mary Grace and I took her there to get a steak. It was quite the experience. All in all we all had a BLAST !!