Being still

To the left of me right now Barron in his room is fast asleep in his "ho ho scooters" (his zip up Jammie's with Santa on them) and oddly enough to the right of me is Brett curled up asleep in the bedroom (not wearing scooters though.) his head was hurting really bad at dinner, so he's taken to the bed. Oh to think how this Friday night in just a couple of weeks or sooner will be quite different. 16 days and counting! We I guess are "ready." I mean her room is, her bed is, she's packed, Im packed, the boys are both packed. But something is very odd about how it just hasn't felt real or like its even about to happen!? Maybe I should be thankful. Speaking of, our prayer list has begin to scare me. At night when we say our prayers with Barron it seems our list is growing more and more with sick babies. Not always babies we know well, but ones we follow their stories on Facebook, or realize and old college friend is amongst the list of grieving parents. We are blessed, all of us. With sick child or not these kiddos are a blessing and deserve the best love and prayers we can give them. I'm just sorta at a loss for words of how I admire these parents and especially their young ones. Updates around this house include many. First and probably the most excitement has been the potty training. So when I left you last, I was "starting" it or maybe just toying with it now I think. Last weekend we made the official decision "NO MORE DIAPERS." And boy what a fun weekend that was bc I was basically doing it by myself since Brett wound up working all weekend. I won't go into the drama but let me just give you a smidge of advice: If your pregnant with #2 and potty training: try and do it sooner than later. It's tons of fun squatting next to the Elmo potty, cleaning up, dressing unclogging toilets when your 38 weeks pregnant. In any event, I do think we're onto something. He's had no accidents in 2 days! With only 1 accident the day before and 2 the day before. Hoping this weekend seals the deal. Tonight was one of those nights I wanted to make sure I etched into my memory. It was sort of a right of passage for Bman: Grilling. It might have been one of the cutest things. Brett desperately wanted to grill on the charcoal and I'm not certain Barron has ever seen or paid enough attention to this cooking god we call the weber charcoal grill. But tonight Barron was very interested in how to clean out the ashes, build the "rocks" (coals) up and then assemble or "six it". His little head peeping over into the grill and trying to be just like his daddy's is my favorite memory. I often tell myself there was no way we could have had a girl the first go around. This boy lives to be like his daddy. And his daddy eats it up. My sweet and most dear friends threw a "sprinkle" for me a few weeks back. I sure wish I knew how to upload photos on the iPad to show you was grandeur and skill I have around me. My friends are the most dear thing to me and there isn't anything in this world I wouldn't do for them. I love that I'm at this pint in my life. It's not that I don't want 1,000,000 friends (could my iPhone store that many numbers?) but I am certain of the loyalty and trust I bestow in my group of friends. I am truly blessed to be surrounded my such wonderful, caring, funny and loyal ladies. All unique and makes for a great story. Don't worry, I won't be selling their stories to a book or blog but I love the, each so much. I will be adding photos to this blog, I just don't know how to from the damn iPad. So here's to anyway now! Scary!

Biblical times

Do you think two year olds had tantrums in biblical times? That question has come to mind several times in the days since I first watch the mini series "The Bible" last Sunday. They sure didn't show any two year old boys whining for mama. "Mama do it. No I do it. Zip it up. Chhessseeeeeee (in stead of please) I fix it, no no no. I open the door. No my pad pad! I want a sun (Capri sun) no I do it, mama I want up." For some reason I don't think Sarah has the same issues with issac but then again they didn't play with iPads and have Mickey Mouse. Brett and I have laughed at ourselves and self proclaimed ourselves as worst parents of the year. I guess most two year olds have trouble eating. I love you moms who swear your kids eat amazing. Mine didn't eat til about 3 months ago. We've gotten to the point now that dinner table time is excruciating and we'd assume just eat with ear muffs on. But mr independent (b) would rather eat standing up and doing his thing. So most nights unless I can somehow schlep some grub on the table for all 3 of us to eat, the b man can be found dining fireside at a century old kitchen table (our coffee table with the legs cut down) or dining by tray in the comfort of his barracks. So yes maybe worst parents of the year but he's clearing his plates. Can't imagine we wouldn't get to this point when Southerlin comes anyhow. I do realize my posts are mostly about my child(ren) but like I said, I was letting too much go by without writing it down. It's almost another Friday here and I'm saying the same thing now for the 6th strait week. "Oh not Friday again" I do realize those words are insane and signs that I should be running in reverse. I am busy with so many duties at ACS and every Friday I close my laptop frantic that it won't get all done and to anyone's satisfaction (let alone my own) before maternity leave. 7 weeks to go! I am indeed looking forward to my leave and some time off. Southerlin has been what I consider very active in comparison to B and I'm having many many more Braxton hicks than I ever did with B. My gut said it was a girl from day 1 and my gut has said she's coming early. Only tïme will tell if my motherly instincts are right. Spring I think is finally going to make an appearance here soon. I'm looking forward to sitting outside in the afternoon watching Barron try to play basketball in our new goal and watch Brett wrestle with Jimmy's leaves and our lawn. I bet Sarah liked watching husband be her king too. She just had a mute 2 year old.

Oh the days

I'm not only reminding myself to blog, but Katie is reminding me too.  Come to find out she's blogged like 10x since my re-first post I think not a short 3 days ago.

We're are these days going anyhow? Naturally I'm exhausted but in all seriousness it's almost becoming an issue.  Work has taken up so much of my mind recently that I realized tomorrow is Thursday and for the 4th strait week I'm asking myself "where the hell did that week go?"

I should be thankful the weeks are zooming by, so soon we will meet baby Southerlin.  But I need a few more days to even out the stress of work right now.

So you shall ask, "what ARE you doing now, Kate?"

Fate has a funny way of working out.  When I left my first stint of blogging I was looking for a new career.   1000+ days later so much makes so much more sense where I ended up: American Cancer Society.

What started off with ACS as a fundraising job has taken me full circle to a promotion and now working within our corporate offices at the Mid-South division in our communications and marketing dept.  From that promotion to where I am today has really evolved and gone even further of the full spectrum of ACS.  I can tell you most sides of acs unlike some who only know their quadrant.  Research info,  fundraising info, programs info or statistical info, Im at the center of the message and happily so.  I work for the premier healthcare organization dedicated to eliminating cancer and I send that message every day out to the public.

Funny how those words "ACS" we're never mentioned to me when my dad was battling cancer.  I want to change that for people like myself.

I often feel helpless knowing what I do now, and not having known then.  Remarkably,  we are 1 month away from the 3 year anniversary of his death.  So where does that leave me?

3 years later I know he's proud of what I've done since his death.  I know he had a hand in Barron's creation and love. I know he watches out for me.  I do believe in his spirit, but I can't say I've felt it.  I just know because it would be silly things he would do, that happen now and I realize : that's dad.  I would love the opportunity to visit a medium and hear the connection.

3 years later the emptiness from his calls or silly cards has passed.  I often think about what he sees looking down on Liz and I and I know he wishes he was here but I know he's better off where he is now.  Cancer is ugly.  I see it everyday of my life. I hear the sad stories, praise the miracles I see, sit in amazement at the research that's being done (and saving lives -KJ) cry at the helpless children and refocus on doing what needs to be done: curing it.

Some days with ACS are so hard.  You hear the bad, see so much of it, your scared to death. I am scared of it.  I've learned cancer picks you.  (You still need to quit smoking, mom) but its your chances of how and when it will pick you.  I don't mean to sound insensitive to all who battle it, but there is a lot you can do to not get cancer.   I'm doing the best that I can do, but it's my prayer that it ill be blessed enough so that I or my family don't have to hear those dreaded words.

Hard to believe I've gone from wedding planning extraordinaire to curing cancer, right?

My memories for the past few days.

Today I was a proud mama when I heard Barron screaming and crying outside.  I rushed out to see what he'd injured himself on, when I found him at the top of the hill in our yard staring and Sobbing to the street.

When I managed to get myself up that small hill, I saw what the tears were about.  His ball had gone into the middle of the street and he knew he wasn't suppose to get it.  I praised him for being A good boy and crying.  Wou would have thought I'd want him to cry.
Nite to all the rest of the week or what's left of it.

10 weeks to Potty training

I laughing because the last time I wrote was oh let's say 2.5 years ago.  So at my last posting I was so proud because Barron was 8 weeks old.   Ha!

Jump forward to tonight I'm on my iPad in a completely different house, in a very different career,  with baby #2 on the way and I'm listening to my now "big boy" toddler open and shut his bedroom door, gasping for one last idea of what mommy and daddy are doing out in the house.

My friend Katie inspired me to take a look back at my blog and wow was I surprised. I'm now sorry to m self for not having kept it up.  Tonight I reread old entries and remembered so much that was in essence forgotten.   It's funny, I tell Brett often. "Let's not forget this moment" or " I hope we never forget this."  But truthfully I don't know how I can  expect my pregnant, mother of a terrible twos (well, not all the time) to remember these etched out moments.  I guess when B was 10 weeks old I wouldn't have a clue how fun and funny this all can be.

I couldn't begin to catch the world up on our lives for the past 2.5 years but what I can quickly say, It was all Gods plan and that's really all that matters.

So before I forget this weeks funnies and memorable moments I must write down:

The potty training as unofficially began and we now are proud parents of a mostly naked after dark boy.  After he goes to bed he strips and we find him either asleep naked or up to no good naked. Brett this week actually walked in an hour after we out put him down to find all the lights on, and Barron sobbing over the tee-tee  AND poo-poo mess he had made at his closet. It was hard not to laugh and empathize with the little man.  His daddy once had the same confusion if I might recall?!

I'm sure we will have lots of stories of potty training forthcoming.  I guess it's always more interesting with a (little) man whose trying to show off his flirtatiousness and learning to aim at the same time.


Pregnancy update (so I will remember.).  We currently sit at week 30 and still does this pregnancy prove to be as different as can be from the b-man. BG (baby girl, Southerlin) is active as can be.  Doesn't let me eat much for supper.  Gives me heartburn for no reason.   My eating is a whole lot less defined this go around.  I'm MUCH more tired and now that we're well into the 3rd trimester every little bit of energy I have is quickly gone.  I'm nesting earlier and this  to do list of mine is starting to worry me because I have so far less energy than I did with b.

But I tell you this, we're one really lucky family to have her coming and I so look forward to her "nudy patoody" days too.

Thanks for keeping up everyone.

Sitting in High Cotton

Hello again! I promise, I'll be making a more more concentrated effort to post more frequently. I do finally feel like I have a grip on whats actually happening! Only take me 2 months! Speaking of 2 months, happy 2 month birthday to Barron!

Brett has started picking cotton about 2 weeks ago. This is normally a 6 week process, and puts a lot of extra stress on me with Barron, since Brett is gone 15 hours +/- a day. Unfortunately, the cotton picker has been broken down since Wednesday afternoon and we don't know when it will be up and running again. While I LOVE having brett around, this only means he will be gone in the fields longer.

For most of you reading this blog, you live up north, and may have never seen cotton growing or know what it takes to pick it. But no, we do not hand pick cotton anymore. We have a very complicated and intricate machine that can be summed up by: its a large tractor with 4 huge vacuums on the front that suck the cotton off the plant, and leave the plant behind (which is shredded shortly thereafter). Once the cotton is sucked up by vacuum, its sucked into a large basket on the back of the picker. Once the basket is full, it is dumped into another basket that is used to carry it back to a module building area. They make "modules" of cotton that resemble the block like the cargo end of an 18 wheeler. They make these modules by dumping several baskets of cotton into a module builder. The builder mashes the cotton over and over and over until its firm enough and large enough and forms the rectangular block. Then the builder apparatus is drug away, leaving behind the module of cotton, free standing. Its really amazing how it just holds up. Then the local Gin, comes and picks up the module in a module truck (again, somehow stays intact) and carrys the module back to the gin, where it is ginned and sold.

The price of cotton has nearly doubled this year, sitting at about $1.06/lb. A bale of cotton is roughly 550 lbs.; each acre this year is making a bit over 2 bales of cotton. We normally do about a bale and a half per acre. So not only is the price good, but so is the cotton! Now if we can just get it picked!!

Barron is growing before our eyes. We had our 8 week appt this week and SHOTS! We started rice this week, too. Its taking some time, learning and relearning and then starting over again with anything that pertains to a schedule for him. I'm trying though and he is truly so sweet. He smiles SO much in the mornings. Coos and laughs and talks. Its really neat to watch.

I'm also trying in my efforts to find a job. I've had a few interviews and have my name in the hat at several places. Hoping to start something around Nov 1. Prayers please.

Finally, we were so excited to visit my godmother Shirley in Memphis this week. We got to spend thursday night there and boy was it nice to get away and have some help! While we were there, our new pal Katy Bruce Mitchell decided it was time to debut into the world, and we got to stop by the hospital in Germantown too, and visit Friday morning. Yah for Laine and Clint, an early arrival, but healthy, happy and already home back in Oxford!

Here's to new beginnings....

It takes a village

Hey everyone! Life in 38655 is ever changing. Barron just celebrated his 1 month birthday. I CAN NOT believe its been a month. I remember when the last month of pregnancy seemed like an eternity. Now, I just want to hit the pause button. I'm learning as I go, I promise. He's been overall I think a "good" baby. I'm told that at least! He's been a bit fussy the past 3 days, and why we just don't know. Must be more growing pains. ha! He's measuring 22" now!! and Probably just over 8lbs.

We go strolling in town, we've made our debut at the bank, Kroger and overall the backseat of the Acura and any visitors popping their heads in. He absolutely LOVES to be outdoors, and constantly loves music being played. Can you say Brett, Jr!? I think he still looks like Brett, but now I see looks of my dad. He's still as stubborn as me though!

We finally had to cook ourselves our first meal last Friday. That was a whirlwind. I've cooked Chicken Picatta, tacos, salad and steaks thus far. I never knew what an ordeal it was for my mom to get dinner on the table. Bless! We haven't gotten to eat any of my home cooking at the table, or even at the same time but one of us is getting hot meal at the least.

I can't believe we made it thru a month of sleepless nights too. Poor Brett was "Sush'n" the baby monitor the other night like it was a 3 way radio in his sleep. I couldn't help but laugh at his level of delirium. Don't think I won't throw Brett under the bus alone. Yesterday I poured Coffeemate in my Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Thank god I caught myself.

Our friends and family here in Oxford have been simply amazing; making sure we're fed and tended to and attempting to give us rest and a sense of normalcy to our lives. My thank you notes just don't say enough thank you's, but again I'll say it, It takes a village to raise a child. We could not do it without them.

Well, A Bash is officially in my past now. Krista is doing an amazing job, she's booked out 10 weddings and is prospecting several more I heard today. We had a Ribbon Cutting Event the other day, over 35 people came out to support her. Go A Bash! As for me.... the job hunt begins. Any prospects anyone knows of, head my way. I'm really excited and open to the many different avenues out there, so don't think of just special events when you think of a new job for me! Just no wedding work, please. :) I'd love any help and will be sending my beautifully edited resume out soon!

Little B is resting on the chase with me, snuggled between my legs. Lets hope he dozes off very soon! (And I don't pour coke in my gas tank too!)

Barron's Arrival Video