The one with the new addtion...

So y'all know I am not really a dog person. I mean I like dogs- they are cute, but like grandkids, I can send them back home. On the other hand, Josh doesn't think a family is complete without a dog.... so he gave me until December to find a pup for the family. I was totally opposed to anything big, like over 40 pounds, was way too big. So he said if I found a good smaller breed he would consider. So after much anxiety and deliberation with the internet, I found a French Bulldog, they are small (up to 28 lbs). They are super easy going (like me), they are totally sociable (like all of us) and they get along fabulously with children. So................ we pulled the trigger and got a Frenchie. It was basically for the kids for Christmas, but he came early (Dec 3). I feel like I have a new baby without the pregnancy. He has proven to be fantastic, he loves to snuggle, he loves the kids and is crate trained. He is already about 4 months old (born 1 day after Mamaw's birthday) and his name is Jaxon. He is already apart of the clan!

HELLO everyone!

Love

The one with the approaching anniversary....

My heart is heavy this time of year. I think of last year and where we were. I was writing around Thanksgiving on how thankful I was to have my Papa still here, even though things were totally different, HE was still with us. Then a month later, we lost him. That wasn't how he wanted to live and as hard as it was (and at times now) we know that he is still with us. My kids still remember him and often times will ask Mamaw where is Papa? One day Addison asked if after school we were going to pick up Papa and bring him to Mamaw... I'm happy they still have him in their memory.

Over the last year, we have helped Mamaw clean out a ton of stuff.... mainly starting in the work shop. It brings me back to my childhood being out there. It smells the same, it looks the same, and some of our projects and paper are still there. The only thing missing is the big 6 foot something man piddling around trying to find something to build or fix. Man, he loved it out there. I've been able to reflect so much on all the details I had forgotten.  And as we clean out the junk (no offense Papa), we all get a good laugh on what a great, detailed and goofy man he was to be around. We laugh because when he saw something on sale, he bough it and he saved everything: paint brushes and nails from the 70's still in the original packing, dusts masks by the 10's stacked up, operational and maintenance manuals from a shop vac he had in the 80's, retirement papers and cards, sketched out plans of clocks and canes, empty cans and mayo jars he planned on using for something- So much stuff out there and we didn't even put a dent in it yet, but so many memories. Of course it wasn't junk to him, he thought he could re-use everything. That the kind of person he was, turn just a plain ole can into happiness.

He lived a long and happy life. He had so many years of retirement and many many hours spent out in the shop. I'm so very thankful I was able to spend so many years with him and remember it so vividly. I'm so thankful God brought Josh and I home so I could spend his last years around the corner from him. I haven't had someone so close to me pass before and the loss is a great one. I have his picture by my bathroom sink. It brings me back a lot, happy and sad. It doesn't really get easier, sometimes I smile and sometimes I cry... this was the last picture where the kiddos got to see him. Love you always Papa.

Love

The one with the minions...

Yes yes, you know, I have 2 crazies running wild daily, Benadryl doesn't even slow them down- SO what more perfect depiction of Halloween characters for the kiddos than from the movie Despicable Me 2. If you haven't seen it yet, stop what you are doing and watch Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2. These are hands down my favorite movies. There is plenty of adult humor thrown into this cartoon. You can thank me later. Anyway, Addison was the purple minion from the 2nd movie who turns complete crazy mad and Cooper is the yellow minion, still crazy but nothing like the purple one. Josh was Gru, the main villain (Gru really isn't a villain, he has a soft spot for kids and tries to save the world in the 2nd one!) and I was agent Lucy, she's a quirky agent who falls in love with Gru. So basically, these movies are awesome and we are awesome....

 LOVE

The one with Matthew...

Matthew was one of the most powerful hurricanes to hit in recent years. It tore up the whole eastern coast from Florida to North Carolina. It began as a 4, but I think by the time it got close to us it was a category 3.... Much of Jacksonville, especially close to the beaches and river were evacuated and received a ton of destruction. Luckily, we aren't in a flood zone, nor did we get it with the real strong winds, but the one day of the 1,086 days we've lived here- Friday was the only day I didn't want to have a single tree in my yard. The winds were very strong, (I'm guessing between 60-80 mph this far inland) and all the trees looked like they would snap in half and land right on the house. Fortunately, we didn't receive ANY damage from fallen trees. A ton fell around us, but absolutely no damage! Praise the Lord. Just made for an exhausting Saturday cleaning up. At least the sun was shining and it was a gorgeous day.

And like most Floridians, we had a hurricane party! Grandma Kay and Captain evacuated from Amelia Island to us. And my friend Lauren, Paige and Jason (the kids were just in their wedding) and Tim and Malinda Dooley all evacuated here too! True form to the sunshine state and the McCarty house hold, it just wouldn't be a hurricane if we didn't have a party- we had steaks, tuna, wine and lots more wine! We bunkered down and rode out the storm together, all of us- 9 adults, 2 kids, 2 dogs, 2 chickens and a cat! Definitely made for some memories... and even better ones that we walked out of the storm unscathed!

 

 

 

Love

The one with the scallops...

We made the executive decision to keep our vacation as planned, even after hurricane Hermine (category 1) hit the Florida Panhandle a few weeks back. I say that because, we have had plans to go scalloping in Steinhatchee for a few months now and a little hurricane wasn't going to rain on our parade. The town was still there and in full blown vacation mode. It was like they never missed a beat. So we packed our truck and our boat and headed West. Steinhatchee is on the Gulf and known for their bay scallops. Usually the Gulf is clear and you can see right to the bottom. Well, even a category 1 hurricane it sure stirred up the Gulf. To scallop you need a good set of fins and a mask and snorkel (and crystal clear water for me!). I jumped in the water a few times to hunt for the scallops (who hang out on the sea floor) but the moment I jumped in, I felt like I was in the St. Johns River and couldn't see a thing and surely wasn't sticking my hand in the seaweed not knowing what was below. But you know, the man of the house, totally proved himself to be one heck of a scalloper. Josh filled our entire 5 gallon bucket in no time. Me and the kids just enjoyed the wide open ocean and peacefulness it had to offer along with some country jams. The boat ran good all weekend and I got to enjoy my new birthday present from Josh- a kayak. I've been wanting one for a while now and he finally picked up all the hints I've been spelling out for like 5 years now. so Yay! I love it and the kids do too! Cooper can actually paddle.

 

 

 

 And yes, Cooper lost another tooth on vacation and No, mommy did not pull it out. It fell out while he was sleeping, thank goodnes. The tooth faiy was stingy this time, only $2. I asked Coper how it felt to have 2 teeth missing, he said "Free as a bird, like riding a bike with no training wheels."

LOVE

 

 

The one with the Tooth Fairy...

As I was writing my previous blog, it was school bus drop off time and not much to my surprise, Cooper lost his first tooth! That's right we are officially losing baby teeth. I definitely sent him to school, with a Ziploc baggy labeled "My Tooth". The wiggly teeth make my stomach turn- that's something I can't handle, blood, throw-up anything but a wiggly tooth! Cooper told me his teacher used a tissue and pulled it out when he got there. ha-ha! I'm such a weeny. But in all seriousness, this is a huge milestone that actually makes me sad.... Kindergarten, bus riding, baby teeth losing, what's next a GIRLFRIEND!???!!! Lord brace me for that day!

P.S. I hear the going rate is NOT $1.00 for the tooth fairy anymore! Daddy bring home the big bucks!!!

LOVE

The one with the Carter Wedding...

Our cute, adorable kids were asked to be in a long time friends wedding which took place last weekend. The Bride, Paige, who is my Best Friend Lauren's sister, married Jason (an FSU fan, but we will forgive him!) And after long anticipation, the wedding weekend came and gone in the blink of an eye (like any wedding). The week leading up to it, we were threatened with a hurricane (but if you live in and are from Florida, its just another excuse to have a party) anyway, we were threated with lots of potential rain and flooding over the weekend. But after all the worry and stress, it turned out perfect. Like a man said to me on my wedding day as it rained, "Honey, its just God's way of washing away your past and allowing you start fresh in your new life." And as y'all know, the weather cleared and it was perfect (other than it being muggy- but again, that's Florida). So, the kids were perfect and as cute as can be walking down the aisle. Addison didn't throw a single rose petal and Cooper definitely didn't walk.... he ran down the aisle, then Addison followed suit. It was like a race to the groom. Cute and funny and gave everyone a little chuckle. Both of them stood up there the whole ceremony like little angels. Cooper did tell me the best part was walking (or running) down the aisle, and he also said the worst was standing up there because he was bored. Hey- can't blame a kid for being honest, he just doesn't get it yet. Every time I look at these pictures, my heart is overcome with happiness and I thank God for this beautiful family of mine.... ENJOY

 

 

 

LOVE