Ready for Easter

So once again, Praise God, I have been extremely busy with photo sessions lately. This week I have been doing Easter sessions with the sweetest little bunny in the world. This little girl was so cute, and this is the only set I have finished editing, so I thought I would share these with you! These make me happy. It is wonderful how children are in awe of such simple things. We should all be a little more like that :)

Happy St. Patty's Day.....

although this post has nothing to do with the holiday! We do have a bit of Irish in our family, but not really enough to even know where it comes from, so it doesn't really get celebrated here. As a matter of fact, none of us even wore green today. How sad is that? I could've at least done that I guess. Oh well, I can't do it all!

I was really just glad to be able to post at all today. I'm sure you've noticed I'm not the best blogger, but I have a terrible time finding time! Nap-time is consumed with laundry or cleaning.  At night, Wyatt goes to bed and I like to spend time with my hubby. So, the only option I have is to stay up late and do it. I really love blog though. It really is like a journal to me, and even more, I love to read about other peoples interesting lives! I'm a total blog stalker, but at least I'm not hiding it! haha...

Since I last posted, lots has gone on. Last week, we made our last visit to Vanderbilt to Wyatt's helmet doctor! He gave him the all clear on the helmet, so he doesn't EVER have to wear it again. Thank the Lord. We are so grateful that we were able to do that for him, but it really was challenging at times. As a parent, we all want our children to fit in and it was difficult for me to answer questions all the time about it. It made me really think hard about the way I react to people who may look differently. It definitely made me more sensitive to the issue and realize how ignorant we all can be sometimes.

It was a long six months, but he has a beautiful round head to show for it!!
Another issue we've been battling in our house is sickness. Between Wyatt and myself, I think we have been on 4 antibiotics, 1 nebulizer, 1 inhaler, 3 steriods and a ton of Tylenol. Oh, it has been miserable, but thankfully I think we are almost over it! I went to the doc last week running a 103 temp and he told me I had Bacterial Bronchittis. You could have beat me with a baseball bat and I wouldn't have felt any worse. It was horrible, and the cough was even worse! Fortunately, after a nice shot in the booty and some medication I am feeling much better :)

Wyatt had a double ear infection and a respiratory infection. He was also running a high fever, so they gave him a shot and some medication. He is doing much better also!

We have had some fun times lately as well. This past weekend, we went with 2 other families to the Smokey Mountains. It was so fun! We rented a nice cabin and had the best time. There were 6 children total, so you can imagine there was always something going on! It was a blast.

While we were there, we took the kids to Ripley's Aquarium. It was a lot of fun, and Wyatt LOVED watching all the fish. He did so good the entire time. I thought he would get bored, but he was a trooper for the whole thing!

We tried to get all the kiddos in for a picture. You see how thrilled they all were :)
Wyatt took it all in. 
After the Aquarium, we went to eat at the Apple Barn. Oh my, it was sooo good! I would recommend it to anyone. They bring out fresh apple fritters and apple butter before your meal. I could've made a meal out of that in itself! After the kids ate, the sweet waitress brought them all homemade ice-cream. Morgan wanted it for himself, but Wyatt ate it all up! You have no idea how much these Ellis men LOVE ice-cream. It seriously is an addiction!!

That about catches us up for now! This weekend Morgan and I are both in a wedding, so I'm sure I'll have lots to post about next week. I'm thinking my life might slow down soon, but it never does, so no promises!! haha.....

Hey Good Lookin'......

What Ya Got Cookin?!?!

One of my absolute favorite things to do is cook. It really is a way of showing people I care about them. I think it is just a southern thing to do. I get it from my Mama, who is one of the best cooks I know. I know everyone says that about their moms, but I'm serious! I would put her up against some of the best cooks in the world, and I think she could teach them a lesson. Other than my mother, my other cooking guru would have to be Paula Deen. I LOVE HER!! Seriously, she got it right. I watch all those cooking shows on the Food Network, but she is the only one I can relate to. I mean, that is the kind of food we eat around here! All that fancy cooking that Giada and the Barefoot Contessa do, I don't have a clue where to start. Nor can you find all the ingredients in a small town like ours. With Paula, I never have trouble making her dishes and they always turn out great!

Yesterday, I was watching her show and she was making all kinds of different breakfast dishes. Personally, I'm not a huge breakfast eater, but she made it all look so good! It is the hubby's favorite meal of the day, so I decided to try this this morning. *Note: I'm usually not up in time to cook him breakfast, but little man decided to get up at 6:30, so it seemed like a good opportunity :) I must say, it really was delish!

Isn't it pretty?! I broke out the fancy glasses and everything! haha

Basically all you do here is layer: grits, bacon/sausage, scrambled eggs, and cheese. She added half and half to her grits, but I didn't have that, so mine weren't quite as creamy as hers! Another tip Paula suggested was adding water and sour cream to your eggs before you scramble them. I was a little hesitant, but it really was good, and made them extra fluffy!

I guess I was on a roll today, because tonight for supper I made one of my Mama's famous recipes! 5 cheese Ravioli. Chef Boyardee and got nothing on this! I would definitely recommend it. If you like Italian, it is a nice break from the usual spaghetti. *Note again: I pronounce Spu-Get-E like most southerners. Again, I'm not fancy like Giada, so you won't hear me putting my Italian dialect in there! She drives me crazy. How can you have an accent sometime and not one sometimes. Sorry, got off on my soap-box a little there!

1lb package Italian Sausage links peeled

2 Garlic cloves minced

1 tablespoon Olive Oil

1 onion finely chopped

1 jar Tomato/Basil sauce (your choice)

1 package of frozen 5 cheese Ravioli

water

1. Brown and Crumble sausage, olive oil, garlic, and onion in large pot.

2.Add Sauce and simmer for 30 min until thickens

3.Add Ravioli and 1 1/2 cup of water to mixture. Cook for 15 minutes on medium

4.Enjoy!

*Suggested to serve with: leafy green salad, Italian bread, and Mama's tiramisu.

And, while I was preparing my meal, little man hung out in the kitchen and watched! A few Cheerios and he's happy! A "little" man after my own heart :)

Forgive me

for my horrible job of posting lately. I really do have a good excuse, I promise!

~Sunday- Little man wakes at 2 am and screams until 7am. At which time, I proceed to call our wonderful pediatrician who sees in that day! Yes, Sunday, I told you she was wonderful. He had been running a fever and was in horrible pain. She takes one look in his ear and there it is.......a nasty ole ear infection. Horrors! This was his first and hopefully his last. I'll take a teething baby any day to that!

~Monday- We are supposed to have Wyatt's last "Head Doctor" appointment at Vandy that morning, but I had to reschedule due to this awful ear infection. After being with a sick baby all day, the hubs came home and watched him while I went to my spinning class. I swear, it keeps me sane! Anyway, afterwards, I come home and cook supper and watch the Bachelor finale. I shouldn't even write about that because I am still utterly ticked about that one. I can't even believe it is real. I mean, if anything has ever been staged before, that was it. I still feel sorry for Melissa and I'm glad she didn't hold back on him. He is such a loser. I have no respect for him at all.

~Tuesday- My usual "working" day. Took Wyatt to his Nanna's and did hair all day. Nothing too exciting, but I enjoy seeing the people that I still do, so it was fun to catch up during our monthly visit! After picking Wyatt up, we took our family trip to Wal-Mart (it's much easier with two adults) and after 2 grocery carts and $260 left feeling disgusted. I never feel satisfied after grocery shopping. I know they are necessities, but I HATE spending that money! On the way home, we stopped by Captain D's to eat supper. Why you ask? I have no idea! I don't even like that place, and I'm not sure that anyone does under the age of 65. Anyway, it filled an empty spot and kept me from having to cook when I got home. After playing with Wyatt for a little bit, we put him to bed and finished Part 2 of the Bachelor. I really just wanted to see who the new Bachelorette was. I'm thrilled Jillian is back!!!! I might not boycott after all :)

~Wednesday- Today was pretty enjoyable actually! The weather here was GORGEOUS, so it was a nice day to get out. Wyatt and I went to Huntsville. I took him by my Granny's house while I ran a couple of errands. He loves playing at her house, and she loves having him! It is nice to have someone there to keep him while I do nonsense things like bankruns, returns, etc. I met my Daddy for lunch at one of my favorite little places, The Big Spring Cafe. They have the best greasy burgers in town. It was nice to spend time with him. I'm such a Daddy's girl! Afterward, I picked Wyatt up and went to visit my Mama. If we are ever in town, she has to see her little man. I'm glad my family all lives so close.

                         I must tell you the highlight of my day was getting my nails done tonight with my best girlfriend, Christy. She wanted to get me a pedicure for my b'day, and we haven't had the time until now. It was so fun! The hubbys kept the boys, and we had a little girls night out! I miss spending that quality time with her like we used to. We had a blast and our toes look just lovely! It's official.....I'm ready for SPRING!!! Tomorrow is my hair day, could it get any better? :)

What a Day

It started off fairly normal. I jump out of bed to get a shower before Morgan leaves so he can tend to the kiddo (am I the only other mom that does this?). Get a little cereal (Honey Nut Cheerios-my fav), make-up, hair, clothes, the same ole routine. Rush to get Wyatt ready and out the door to take him to Nannas (hubby's mom). At this point, I give serious props to working moms. You would think I could do this in a timely manner, but I was stuggling to leave by 9:45! It seems like it takes me FOREVER to get ready these days.

Anyway, I drop little man off around 10 and head to my friend Wendi's house to pick her up. Being that she is a mother and takes care of another child during the day, she had to line it up with her g-ma to watch her crew! Whew. What an ordeal. 

So, off we head to Huntsville. Keep in mind this is supposed to be an enjoyable girls trip to pick up bridesmaids dresses (more on that later), do a little shopping, and visit the alterations shop. Well, we could not have picked a drearier day (is that a word?). Our first stop is to a local paper store to buy: plates, napkins, invites, etc. All having to do with showers and such for the upcoming wedding we are both in. Might I say that I don't know if being a bridesmaid is such an honor. I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but geez, there is a lot involved! I don't think we have had a free weekend in the past month. Not to mention, my hubs is also in the wedding so we are forking out some major cash on this one. I'm really not trying to fuss because we have been close to the groom for years and love him like a brother, but I think you all know what I mean?!

After our trip to the paper store, we head to the bridal shop. I am so glad I'm not going through that again! While we were there a "future bride" comes in looking for a dress and she's getting married NEXT WEEKEND! That would totally stress me out. Anyway, we get our dresses (which I had never seen before) and are on our way. Off to the mall we go! By the way, we are totally on 'Mom Time' so we get things done in record speed :) 

At the mall we:

1. Return some mascara to Clinique and get what I really wanted! I've always been a High Impact girl and they gave me High  Definition.....just won't cut it :)

2. Drool over all of Macs colors! I could spend a fortune on make-up.

3. Check out the newest spring shoes.

4. Go in NY & Co because Wendi has a coupon, and of course, I buy a couple of things too!

5. Look in Victoria's Secret for a gift for a lingerie party.

6. Have lunch in foodcourt

7. Wendi gets some things at Bath & Body Works

8. Leave

I bet we were there an hour max! We were girls on a mission.

After the mall, we head out to the other mall, Bridgestreet. For some reason, Huntsville doesn't believe in having two Gaps, so I had to go there to exchange some jeans for the hubby (that 30-something 6 pack isn't what it used to be). Poor thing, he had to go from a 32" waist to a 33". He's tore up about it too! 

On our way out of town we stop at the alterations shop and get our dresses pinned. I told you I would get back to that! Oh let me just tell you. I was having a fabulous day until all this! Ok, I'm sure you can't tell this, but I'm 4'11" short. No short woman should be wearing ANYTHING with tulle under the skirt. Ya'll, it was BAD!! Not to mention because it wasn't a petite, the top was down to my belly. Oh, horrible. Keep in mind I wasn't able to try on the exact dress at the store because they didn't have it in stock. The girl assured me that the dress I tried on would fit the same way because it was made by the same designer. Well, IT DIDN'T!!! I couldn't even zip the dang thing. At this point, I was ready to cry. I've been trying to lose weight and work-out for the past month, so this was absolutely discouraging. Plus, the wedding is in 3 weeks so there is no way I can order another dress. Fortunately my sweet friend brought a corset style bra and we tightened that sucker up so that I couldn't breathe! To my surprise it zipped. I still couldn't breathe, but it was good enough so they could pin the alterations in place. I've never been more humiliated in my life. So now, I have 3 weeks to lose 5-10 pounds so I don't turn blue and pass out during the wedding. What have I gotten myself into?!?

Since I had had about enough of this day, we headed back home. I dropped Wendi off at her house and headed to get my little man. It made me even more thankful for him and his unconditional love. It doesn't matter how down I am on myself or how hideous I think I am, he still loves me no matter what!

I'll keep you posted on how this all turns out! haha. I've vowed to not eat past 7 pm and NO SWEETS.....all to look good in a dress. How pathetic! Tomorrow will be a better day. I'm staying in the house :)

More Wyatt

My precious little guy. 

Innocent? 

Probably not! 

Stinkin' Cute? 

ABSOLUTELY!!!

Wyatt: "Yes, Mama, I know you're watching me."
Mama: "Baby, Don't play with that."
Wyatt: "Come on Mama, how can you say no to these blue eyes?"

Wyatt in his precious 'Wooden Soldier' outfit my aunt in Virginia sent him for Christmas. It was a little big then, but isn't it soo cute now?! We did a mini-session the other day so we could send pics to her :) He didn't particularly like it, but isn't he already great at posing for the camera?! haha.....

I'm on Drugs......

Zycam, Tylenol Sinus, and Robitussin just to name a few. I have officially got a cold. Not just any cold, the kind that requires doing absolutely NOTHING until it is over. I was just bragging the other day about how I haven't had a cold in two years, and look what happened. I guess I should've 'knocked on wood' because it is awful. I'm such a baby when I'm sick, and it's very hard to be a baby when you have a baby! haha.

I must admit I am feeling better than I did this weekend, but still not quite up to par. I hope to get off my lazy tail and do something this week so I will have something interesting to write about! As for now, I'm going to crawl back into bed with my tissue and remote and veg out with a little TLC :)