Something Warm to Think About....

With all this cold weather hitting the South, I decided to try to think Warm thoughts. And this is what came to mind....oh how I wish I could just get taken away to somewhere like this place pictured above--AND with no kids. Fortunately for my husband...he gets to go HERE--he is headed for the Dominican Republic soon for a Mission Trip with the school. So he gets this reality of going somewhere warm and tropical. Although he is going to be working hard every single day...he still gets to go to these gorgeous clear blue waters of the Caribbean. Lucky man he is. All I can do is wish him well and think warm thoughts for myself and await for my keychain of a souvenir from there. Care to join me in my warm thoughts as my hubby is living it?? Feel free to do so. Happy Winter to yall!!

It Snowed Again.....

It snowed again...this is like the 3rd time that is had done so. The whole town shut down after getting a whopping 3 inches. Once again, Addison was out playing in it, freezing her little booty off b/c we have absolutely no snow clothes for her. But she didnt care the girl LOVES being outside whether it snows, rains, or whatever. Here are some cute pictures of her playing in the snow. We love our little snow bunny!

Zoey enjoying the warmth of the house INside. She is kind of messy after eating one of those Gerber Cookie things for babies.

Sisterly Bonding...

After finishing feeding Zoey her dinner, I stepped away for a bit to turn around and find my 2 girls like this......
Addison had pulled up a bar stool to Zoey's seat and they were playing "princessess". I have been waiting for what seems like forever for these two to FINALLY start bonding a little. Addison has really shown no interest for Zoey---probably b/c Addison is a busy girl and with Zoey not doing a whole lot, she probably seemed what is boring to Addison. Sure she loves her little sister and will give her kisses and stuff, but other than that, she has never really cared about Zoey being around (which hasnt really been a bad thign). But now with Zoey being able to sit up on her own, grab stuff, play with stuff, get herself into "crawling" position and ALMOST crawling (yikes), I think Zoey is becoming more interesting to Addie to play with. I love it! I cant wait for that day for Zoey to start walking so that they can really bond. But its finally beginning where they will actually "play" together. YAY!

Currently, their favorite thing to do with one another is take baths. Addison usually refuses to take a bath unless Zoey gets in with her. I know I am dork for posting this, but I am just so excited for them to finally start playing with each other.

I love my girls and I love having girls!! Let the Barbie/Cabbage Patch/My Little Pony, etc....days begin!!

Memphis and Arkan"ska"

We have lived in Tennessee for just over 2 years now, and Mike and I had never visited downtown Memphis. We go to Memphis all the time to go shopping, we are members at the Zoo there, and Mike has done Clinical all over Memphis at various hospitals, but again, we had yet to see downtown. Also, Memphis sits right on the Mississippi River right across from Arkansas or Arkan"ska" as Addison would call it. Anyways, none of us had ever been so we decided to cross the almighty Mississippi into Arkan"ska" to see it. It really wasnt that exciting of a trip...we did it all in a day. But we thought since we live right here, and probably wont be making a trip back anytime soon, we thought that we better see what we can while we are here....and thats what we did.

Our day started out going to see St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Most of yall should know what this hospital is----very famous. Well Mike is currently doing Clinical at St Jude's, so b/c of this, we were able to get through the gates to see the campus.

Our car's mirror is proof that we were there :)

Its not Memphis unless you pass a dozen Blues Cafes

The Famous Beale Street

Beale Street again....they have the whole street blocked off from traffic.

And another view of Beale Street

I must say, downtown Memphis was a lot cleaner than I had ever thought....b/c driving into Memphis is whole different story (its SCARY and DIRTY)

Driving over the Mississippi River

The Memphis, TN Skyline....dont you love the Orange Construction barrel that got in the picture???

This big Pyramid used to be place where they held all kinds of concerts and stuff....well I guess people who attended these concerts would always complain how the sound in the place was HORRIBLE. They eventually stopped playing music here b/c of the sound being so bad....it now just sits there Vacant. Rumors have it that Bass Pro Shops are looking at buying it and making it the Largest Bass Pro Shop in the World.....of course they would do this after we move away. But we shall see what happens....

Arkansas---The Natural State

Our First impression of Arkan"ska".......not so pretty. And it stinks like Dog Food (No Lie)

This is proof that Mike was in Arkan"ska". This is in the parking lot of McDonalds....Mike went bathroom there, and then we decided that we had, had enough of Arkan"ska" and headed back over to Tennessee---where it doesnt stink like Dog Food.

All in all, it was a fun day. I am glad we went so that we can say we went and we saw. Memphis has a lot of history and if we had the time and the money....I would tour a little more. Arkan"ska" will have to do some more convincing for me to come back and visit.

First Day/Week of Preschool

The only picture I could get of the little stinker on her first day of Preschool....at least she was smiling in this one. I couldnt get her to pose worth the life of me! (please excuse my mess of house)

**she got to wear Black and White b/c they were learning about Penguins that day so it was "wear Black and White day" I love that they do that!

Zoey got to match her big sissy....at least she will somewhat pose for me... I think Zoey was just excited that she got to be an only child for a whole 3 hours.

So Addison has officially survived her first week of Preschool....or better yet, her teachers survived their first week with Addison. The Transition with her this week went very smoothly...I knew it would. When Addie started Nursery in our church, she had no problem with Mommy leaving her, and that was the same case with Preschool. Her first day, which was this past Tuesday (1/11/11), I walked her in, and Addison turned around once she got into her classroom and goes "bye mom, go away". WHAAATTT!!! Talk about a stab in your mamma's heart. Here I was all excited and sad at the same time b/c my little girl was growing up right in front of my eyes, and she tells me to "go away". I guess I am grateful that there were no issues with her staying there by herself....but still. The least she could do was say she would miss me...but she didnt. Oh well, I am still proud of her for being such a Big Girl.

I was a little worried about her being able to sit still during lesson time, the first day the teachers said she struggled a little bit, had a couple of small fits b/c she was not wanting to be told what to do. But by today, which was her second day, she did much better---except for the fact that the teacher caught Addison and another little boy using the urinals in the boy's bathrooms as a water fountain and they were having a water fight...talk about making a good impression in your first week, Addie. And can we say GROSS!!! Apparently part of the class were in the boys bathroom washing their hands, and the teacher turned around to catch Addison and this other little boy having their little water fight. Lets just say the teacher was pretty embarrassed to tell me....what a great memory, eh???? Lets hope next week can go even more smoothly. But so far, so good with the whole Preschool transition.......YAY!!

Yet, Another Snow Day...

I have said this before, and I will say it again---but when we first moved here, they said that it NEVER snows here...well my friends, we are into our 3rd year here and this is like the 6th time it has snowed here in Jackson, Tennessee. I am not really complaining though. I kind of like the snow. Its fun and pretty to look at. I like the Tennessee Snow Days b/c they are only here at the MOST a couple of days. I bet you 50 bucks it will be back into the 50's and 60's next week...and that is why I love the South b/c you arent stuck with below freezing weather all winter long. Its kind of loverly.

Anyhow, so it snowed, we got our whole 1 1/2 inches on the ground and the entire town shut down. Mike didnt make it into Clinical--that wasnt b/c of the 1 1/2 inches though, thats b/c he is currently doing Clinical at St. Jude's in Memphis which is a good 90 mile drive, ice on the roads, and lots of SOUTHERN people out and about who have NO experience driving in such weather conditions....he wasnt about to risk it. So Mike and Addison took advantage of his time off and played in the snow. Mike is like a kid on Christmas morning when it snows. He LOVES it and gets so excited. Kind of cute to watch, really. And Addison is a snow bunny herself. She would stay out there ALL day in shorts and a t-shirt if she had to, just so she could play in the snow---crazy kid. But here is a record of Addie's adventures in the snow. I didnt get any pictures of Mike, but he is on the video camera so we have proof that he was out there playing in it. Zoey and Mom were the smart ones who stayed inside and kept warm....I enjoyed just being able to watch Mike and Addison out there throwing snowballs at each other. We Heart The Snow (but only for like 2 days or so....then we are over it).

Zoey watching all the fun from inside----and keeping warm.

Addison just getting hit by a snowball

Thank you Snow for another fun day. Feel free to come again, just dont stick around long and PLEASE dont bring the winds with you.

She Got In...FINALLY!!

Since last year, I have been looking into preschools for Addie. With her Speech Delay and all that, I thought Preschool would be a good thing for her in helping her to develop her Speech and Social Skills. Well living here in Jackson, Preschools seem to be very limited here, well the good ones are. Anyhow, I called last year to get her in this one preschool that is probably the most highly rated one here in town. The Director of the school put me on her wait list at #18 (yikes!). Then last Spring, when it came down for Registration for the 2010-2011 school year...I went in to get Addie signed up only to learn that they had ONE spot left in their 3-4 year old class...and the way the way they choose their spots is by a lottery system. So of course they drew the ONE person's name who's child would get that spot....and you can guess that it wasnt me. ONE person got in that day out of 50 something people. Then they drew more names in the order that you would be put on the wait list...well guess what number ole' Lynsee Turok got???? Thats Right---Number Flippin' 18 for the second time in a row (ridiculous).

I left the school with a mindset that I would never get her into this Preschool and that I would just wait to get her in when we move away from Jackson in August 2011. Well my friends, yesterday that ALL changed when I got a call from the Director of the school saying that Addison could start next Tuesday if we wanted......YES YES and YES!!! Went in today to get all the paperwork and its official. I AM SO EXCITED for this. Addie needs this social/learning environment and Mamma needs that 3 hour break every Tuesday and Thursday. (sigh) my baby is growing up right before my eyes...I am so excited for this stage in her life!!! Thanks for reading..I just had to report my excitement! So as of 1-11-11, Addison will start Preschool at First Presbyterian Church!! (what a cool date to start, eh!!)

We Have Ourselves A Sunbeam!!!

Addison became a Sunbeam in Primary today (Mommy tear inserted here). My little girl is growing up right before my eyes. I was kind of sad and excited all at the same time to take her to the Primary Room instead of the Nursery. Her teachers said she did "ok" because quite frankly I was a little worried about her transition. Addie is going from running around the church gym to having to sit there and listen. And we all know the girl's attention span is all but 6 seconds or so. But they said she did ok, unless they were lying...but I will take her teachers' words for it. Her class this year has 3 teachers due to the high number of Sunbeams they have---bless them.

I love you, Addison. I am glad that you made it through your first day of Sunbeams ok. You are growing up so fast and I seriously cant wait to watch you in the next Primary Program because you will most likely be one of the loud singing kids that everyone laughs at (in a good way of course). But I cant wait to have that feeling of a "proud mamma" watching her little girl up there on the stand reading her part and singing her little heart out. Love You.

Zoey--8 Months

Yes, its true....our Zoey turned 8 Months Old on Dec. 30th. (sigh) here are the pictures to prove it.....

A Late Christmas Post

We hope everyone had a good Christmas....we sure did! It was a busy one, but a good one. We were able to travel back home to the Carolinas and see both sides of the Family. I have about a billion pictures, so I will just post the highlights....which is still alot..but oh well. I hope you enjoy.

The girls playing together

Mike got some gun stuff from his dad and brother

Kohls giftcard for Lynz = Happy

The Girls got a Rocking Horse--they loved it!

Cooper got a big ole' bone for Christmas...he was one Happy Dog

Zoey's First Christmas

On Christmas Eve, my whole family traveled to a small town about 30 minutes away from my parents house in Monroe, NC. My dad knows this guy that owns a big ole' farm with all kinds of animals on it. Addison was in HEAVEN!! It was a lot of fun and the grandbabies had an absolute blast.

Addie chasing some chickens

Turkeys, Horses, and Llamas...oh my!!

Feeding some deer

Addison showing cousin Macey the horses

Grandpa Ladd and all the grandkids

Zoey and Grandpa Ladd

Petting the Zebras

They had all kinds of dogs running around this place...so Addison had to give Puppy Loves (the girls LOVES dogs)

photo-op with all the fabulous ladies of the group
From Left to Right: Mamma Sally, Lynsee, Emily, Ashley, Heather

Zoey chewing up one of the parts to her dolly she got from Nana

All the grandbabies in their jammies on Christmas Eve

Zoey on Christmas morning

Zoey with her new toys

Addie with her secondest favorite toy...a Zoo

Addie with her first favoritest toy...a MobiGo Game System

Opening presents with cousin Macey

That evening, it actually snowed on Christmas Day in Charlotte. First time since forever! The next morning, we woke up to this:

A gorgeous Winter Wonderland

The parentals house in the snow....absolutely gorgeous

Addison, Macey, Uncle Blaine, and Nana Sally all helped in building a Snowman

Mike and I have snowboards and have been storing them at the my parents house...how convenient for us b/c we busted them out and took them for a ride down the neighbor's hill.

As you can see, the snow was not good snow for boardin' and I biffed it first thing.

All the grandbabies ready for church in their Christmas Outfits from Nana---
Will, Sunny, Macey, Zoey, Addison


Later that week we all made the trip out to Grandpa's Farm. The men hunted and the ladies hung out at the Farm House.

Addison and Uncle Nic about to get on the tire swing

Uncle Nic and Addie

And that brings us to the end of our trip....sorry for the whirlwind of the events...but there are WAY too many to post...trust me, I am doing you a favor.

Cousin Good-Byes

We hope everyone has a Happy and Successful 2011. We are so excited that this year has FINALLY come. Mike will be graduating in July and we just have so much to look forward too. Happy New Year, everyone!!