To Searcy and Back

Back to Searcy again and what a fun time we had. Andrew and I were talking on the way to Searcy reminiscing about what a great time we had there while we were in college. We talked about how we missed going to chapel, one thing I thought we would never say. All of the memories we have of Harding were so wonderful. We have so many friends that are very dear to our heart that we met there as well as friends we have had for a while that we got even closer to. I’m so thankful for having these friendships that will last a life time and I hope Eden one day has good Christian friends as well.
Our time in Searcy always seems so short when we visit, but while we were there we were able to meet up with the Howard’s which was a big treat. Eden saw Abby for the first time and just loved her. She also met some of their cats and their dog which she petted or more a less swatted at. It was just great to sit and catch up. We also met up with Megan, Jennie, Hannah, Leslie, Leigh, Alex, and Caleb at Wings to go, a new restaurant in Searcy. It was so wonderful to see them all. They even remembered my Birthday which is coming up soon, and had cupcakes for me. I was also surprised with a gift. I just love my big grey purse that comes with its own bag to store it in. Andrew thought that was funny. I couldn’t have been more excited. It was a treat in itself just to sit down with friends we don’t see very often.
That night we stayed with Josh and Ashley who live in Little Rock. We stayed up and visited and listened to some of Joshes medical stories. I even finished Eclipse! Finally! Ashley let me borrow the last one Breaking Dawn and I can’t wait to finish it. I have even got Andrew interested in the series, well by accident really. He only read Eclipse and he has already finished breaking dawn. It took him two days. REALLY! He keeps asking me what part I’m on. I guess it’s a good thing that he has read them so we can talk about them afterwards. Enough about the books though.
The next day we headed back to Searcy where we met up with Aunt Nutmeg. We took a stroll around the campus and met some of Megan’s friends in the music building. I was also able to visit with some of my teachers which was nice. Lunch time rolled around and we all decided that pizza sounded good, so we ate at Brick Oven. After lunch we said our goodbyes and headed back to Searcy for dinner later that night with Josh, Ashley, and Carson. Our two days in the Searcy/ Little Rock area was nice. We can’t wait to go back and visit soon.



Our date at the park with Dad

This past Friday Eden and I met Andrew at the park for lunch. I was so thankful Andrew found a park that was shady and family friendly. When we arrived at the park I was surprised to see a huge pond and lots of ducks. There were so many different types of ducks I especially liked this one.After we looked at all the ducks, we found a shady place to sit and eat. For lunch we had chicken salad sandwiches with Doritos and fruit snacks. It was very Yummy. Eden had applesauce and some milk. After we finished eating Andrew walked Eden around to look at the ducks a little more. It was soon time for Andrew to go back to work, so before he left he took Eden to slide.

We had so much fun. We can't wait to go back





Over The River and Through The Woods Watch Out Here We Come

I wanted to write a little recap of mine and Eden’s trip to Springdale this past week. We both had the opportunity to take a little trip to Springdale to visit friends and family. Andrew’s job called him to Beaumont, Texas for a week where he and others helped out the locals in the area cut down on the people trying to get back into parts of Huston that were closed. Needless to say we missed daddy while he was gone but proud of him for doing what he does best. Since Andrew was gone for a week Eden and I packed our bags and headed to Springdale with Papa Lowe who was in the area for a meeting. Once we arrived Gammy K. was so excited to see us. We really surprised her with our presences. That night we attended church where we saw Grandpa Sir and Grandma V. Eden truly loves being around all her grandparents. Also that night Eden was able to attend cradle roll with her cousin Taylor and her friends Bennett and Drew. Her cousin Kim was teaching the class and what a wonderful job she does. All those cute little babies were so attentive to the songs and animals Kim was teaching about. I wish Eden was able to be around those babies more often. She had so much fun.


Thursday night was girls night out. Papa Lowe kept Eden while Mom and I met up with some ladies at church. We ate at this great restaurant called Fusion. It was fun to eat and visit with these wonderful ladies. After we ate we went to see the movie Women it was so funny. I really recommend seeing it with some of your closet girlfriends.

Friday was the busy day. Gammy, Eden and I met up with uncle Hunkie and Papa Lowe for lunch at Whole Hog CafĂ© in Fayetteville. UMMMM! It was so good. I think they have the best BBQ and potato salad in the world. I must say it’s one of my many favorite places to eat.

After lunch we had a play date with Kenda and Taylor at Murphy Park. Gammy K. and Grandma V. also came along. We had so much fun feeding the ducks or should I say I had the fun. I did most of the feeding while Kenda kept the scary, loud, and annoying white duck away while I fed the others.


Gammy and Grandma V. enjoyed holding the girls and watching them play and give each other kisses.

It was such a beautiful day outside. Thank you God for giving us a gorgeous day to play and watch all the ducks you made. We sure did have fun!

That night we went out to eat at my favorite restaurant Catfish Hole. Of course I stuffed myself with all the catfish I could eat, hushpuppies, pickles, and coleslaw. Eden even wanted to get in on some pickle action
I think she liked it. She smacked her lips and reached for more. Way to girl! Pickles are the best!

After we ate Papa Lowe took Eden to look at the pretty fish in the tank. She was very amused.

Our Friday was jammed pack full of fun and food. I’m glad we have family who loves us.
We sure do love them.
Sunday after church our whole family came over for lunch. What was really special though was uncle Carey being there. We don’t get to see him very much so it’s always a treat. He is always getting Eden fun little toys and clothes. He has wonderful taste.

Well all good things must come to an end. We left Springdale Monday morning with loads of memories and the hopes of visiting again soon.


6 months old and counting

Our little princess just turned 6 months today and what a day it was. You can definitely tell she was ready to be 6 months old because in the last couple of days being a 5 month old she has overcome many obstacles getting her ready to move ahead. Some of those obstacles include:
- Sitting up unassisted with wonderful balance
- Going from sitting, to on her back, to her stomach, to her hands and knees and then rocking back and forth. (It’s truly exhausting to watch)
- Eating all types of babies first foods and trying to like them
- Drooling excessively (I know theirs hope for a tooth soon. I can actually see a white spot trying to come up)
= She has even become even more vocal (I think Andrew and I are in for talking 24/7 little girl)

With all of her accomplishments so far I can’t be more proud of her. Andrew and I love our little girl deeply. I truly can’t wait to see all her other accomplishments unfold. I have been very blessed to be able and stay at home with our darling little girl while finishing up school. I look forward to every morning waking up to see her smiling face looking up at me, waiting for me to take her out of her crib and start our morning activities. One thing I love about everyday with her is having play time. I love that she laughs at me while I make funny faces and dance hysterically. I know I must look like a fool but we both enjoy that time together no matter what I look like or do.

Today since it was Eden’s 6 month birthday. I decided we should go out on a mommy and daughter date since Andrew sadly couldn’t make it because he was in Beaumont, Texas helping with the hurricane relief. We started our date off by going to Target one of our favorite stores, to pick out a special toy. We went through the baby aisle and the big kid toy aisle and finally found the toy she wanted (aka the toy that she laughed at the most). On the way out of the store I also found some really cute shoes I thought she had to have. (It was a special day and I know Eden would have picked them out herself if she knew what shoes were). So after Target we went to McAlister’s to grab a bite to eat. Eden looked like a big girl sitting all nice and straight in her little highchair. I should have taken a picture. After we ate we came home and Eden enjoyed some applesauce, a nice bath, and a warm bottle. She quickly drifted to sleep I kissed her little cheeks and put her to bed. I must say our day was successful. Now all we have to do is wait patiently for daddy to arrive home safely tomorrow. We are so excited to have daddy back here soon. We might even bake him some cookies.
I love my new toy! Thanks Mom & Dad

The shoes are ok too I guess

Yeah I'm finally 6 months old



Our Little Love Bug Is 5 and a half months old

So I guess it’s about time for me to blog about what Eden is doing now that she is 5 ½ months old. Well she is definitely getting bigger or should I say longer. Her clothes fit her length wise but she’s having a hard time filling them out width wise. It’s ok though she’s right on track to where she needs to be, especially after starting her on fruits and vegetables. She loves her fruits and some of her vegetables, mostly the orange vegetables. We try and eat the orange vegetables in moderation so she won’t turn orange. Another accomplishment of Eden’s would be sitting up by herself. She loves to play on the floor with her toys scattered around her.
Her newest favorite toy is Mr. Leap the frog. Grammy K. bought it for her and Eden just can’t get enough.


View this montage created at One True Media
My Montage 9/13/08


Our sweet baby also loves to sleep. She has definitely mastered the napping process. I’ll give credit to Andrew for teaching her that. This month we started putting her in her crib when it was time for her nap or for bedtime without rocking. I think we’ve got it mastered. Although when she does go down she has to have her binky and rabbit blanket. She cries for a little bit which was hard at first to deal with but she’s gotten a lot better. Today Andrew and I were able to do a few chores and relax while Eden took a 2 an a half hour nap. The thought actually crossed our mind to wake her up because we were afraid she was over sleeping. It didn’t take us long to rethink that option. Her sleep habits at night are just as good. She usually eats a vegetable and fruit, drinks her bottle, and then its bath time. After bath time she usually plays a little bit and then she’s ready for bed. At night she usually sleeps from 9 till 7. It definitely gives Andrew and I a break.
Well before I jinks her wonderful sleeping habits lets talk scooting. Scooting is something Eden is trying to master. She knows she can get places by rolling around so now she tries to scoot, mostly backwards but its progress. I’m kind of scared to say this one but I think it’s true. She is going to be a dare devil. She loves to be thrown up in the air and whenever possible she loves to bend backwards. She really gets tickled when she does both. I guess people truly look funny when you’re looking at them upside down.

I never thought these events would happen as fast as they have but we’ve enjoyed every minute of them. I can’t wait to see what she does next.

Here are some other 5 months pictures of Eden




My Little Cowgirl Princess

A couple of weeks ago Eden and I were invited to go to a rodeo in De Queen with our neighbors across the street. Their daughter Morgan was barrel racing and competing for princess in the rodeo. Well, if a person is going to a rodeo what do you usually think they would wear... That's right cowgirl boots. I'm sure Eden was just as excited as I was about wearing her beautiful pink cowgirl boots. She looked so CUTE!


We got ourselves ready and we were off to see a rodeo. When we arrived, their were horses everywhere. Eden couldn't take her eyes off all the action. We also saw goats, cows, and chickens, so I couldn't help myself and I burst out in song, Old MacDonald had a farm E-I-E-I-O and on his farm he had a goat E-I-E-I-O, well you get the picture. She loved the song I'm sure as well as others around me. Once we sat down the rodeo soon started. I've never seen Eden so excited before she was on my lap jumping up and down keeping beat with the music that blared over the speakers while the parade of horses trotted by. Not to long after the parade of horses went by it was time to crown a rodeo princess. We all waited with intensity to see who would win. When Morgan's name was called out we all stood up to scream and clap for her. What a proud moment. Soon after she was crowned she came over to visit for a little bit. She was so sweet and she let Eden where her cowgirl hat with the crown on it. Needless to say she looked adorable.



I also got a great picture of Dee, Brad and Morgan our next door neighbors.

We all had so much fun but by the end of the night we were all tuckered out. Eden's first rodeo was a success. I think we might just have to find ourselves visiting one again real soon.




Great, Grand, Wonderful!

A couple of weeks ago we were visited by some very special people: Grandma and Grandpa Venable, Grandma and Grandpa Everhart, and Mark and Renee. We were so excited to have visitors. Eden especially loved all the attention. Our weekend consisted of some shopping, eating, and relaxing. This was such a wonderful time being able to visit with family that we love and don’t get to see very often.
Here are a few pictures of Eden, the Grandparents, and Mark & Renee
Here’s our Saturday morning pancake tradition. Andrew is wonderful at making pancakes. He made chocolate chip pancakes as well as bacon. He’s so wonderful.

What a great weekend this was. I truly enjoy getting to spend time with family. I'm glad everyone made it back home safely.