The one with the eggs...

That's right folks, we've got all natural, all organic and cage free eggs! Only one of the girls is producing an egg a day and she has been for about 3 weeks. The eggs came just in time for Easter! Red Ellie is still a tad bit smaller than Monica so hopefully we can fatten her up with some food and get her laying too. I've been able to give some eggs away and yes, they taste great. Fresher is better.

The day Monica laid her first TWO eggs (I think she was backed up) I called Josh and said, I think she's going to start laying soon. She is really singing. And by singing I mean she isn't clucking her normal cluck cluck, she's almost squawking like, get this thing out of me. And she laid right in the nest box, right next to the fake eggs I put in there to "show" her where to lay. And from them on, she's been giving me one a day.  Both the girls sing daily, so I'm hoping Red Ellie pops them out soon.

We've been letting them out to roam the back yard lately and the kids go nuts. They love it. And so do the Chickens. New bugs, new dirt to scratch and it certainly gives a new meaning to free-range. Miles (our cat) doesn't seem to mind them. He looks at them like what the heck are you? He's unsure, but doesn't mess with them, yet. I don't let them out together when we aren't there. The chickens are so docile. They follow me around the yard when we are out there. They come to you when you whistle and they don't mind being picked up. Who needs dogs, when you have chickens??? I wonder why we didn't think of this sooner!

Did you know brown chickens lay brown eggs and white chickens lay white eggs????

LOVE

The one where I discover a career...

Y'all know, I've been a SAHM (stay at home mom) for quite some time now. And while I LOVE my kids and I truly think I am making a difference in their life, it was time I started doing something for my self too, while still being a SAHM (for the most part). I have been doing a ton of praying, looking for signs and asking God to point me in a direction. I am one to know, God DOES answer prayers. This wasn't in any direction I was looking and I don't think it really ever crossed my mind. But I woke up one morning a few weeks back thinking Real Estate! It was like DUH Allie! I immediately opened my computer and contacted a woman (a VERY intelligent woman in fact) that I went to high school with. Josh also knew her from UF and said she was one of the smartest chick he knew. She got right back to me to meet for coffee and BOOM, I started work last week. She's looking to grow her brand and needs a buyers agent. I am doing some paid training while she is showing me the ropes. I am taking an online class and will HOPEFULLY be licensed in the next few months. I still need lots of prayers to get through this.  I haven't had a single reservation about this career transition. Although, I have had some push back from people I have talked to. Like- don't you know you are going to be working every night and weekend??? You are going to lose so much family time with your kids on the weekends... blah blah blah. And while I may be naive, because I am just getting my feet wet, I am looking to start a passion and begin a life long career and by the time the kids don't want anything to do with me anymore I'll be a rock star and an expert in the industry AND the million dollar agent! I know, I know, high hopes.... but I wanted a career that provided me with the flexibility to be at home when my kids get home from school. I know I may not be around Saturday morning some times, but I am blessed with kids ( and a husband) who sleep until 9 and it only gets later as they climb closer to the teenager years. { I won't be missing much in the mornings!} So, that's my "me" life in a quick blurb, agent in training while maintaining SAHM. I'm so excited!

Shout out to my #1 supporter!!! LOVE YOU BABE

Did I mention, Happy Leap Day?! I needed this extra day this year!!!

LOVE

The one with the girls...

We finally got our butt in gear and finished our chicken coop (it only took 6 months!) And the best part is we got chickens. We still have a ton to learn, but I think we have the basics- food, water and shelter. We got the girls as teenagers, as I like to say. They weren't chicks and they aren't quite mature, which means they aren't laying eggs yet. We had 4 to start with, but 2 days after we got them, one "flew" away (as Cooper says). We aren't quite sure what happened, but the only thing we can think is we received her sick and she couldn't kick it. So we have 3, Merida, Monica and Red Elephant, or Red Ellie for short. Cooper named Red Ellie. I never grew up around chickens and honestly never have been around them, but since we moved to this house on Hawkcrest, we loved using the land and it seemed easy enough. Our garden we started last year is still thriving and soon, we should have fresh eggs daily, who needs a grocery store!! And NO we aren't eating the girls. We are strictly raising them for their eggs. They are cool pets too. The kids can pet them and pick them up and since we've had them for about a month now, they are stating to come to us when we go out there. Now we just wait on the eggs!

LOVE

The one where we visit the happiest place on earth..

After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we took the kids to Disney World. It was a much needed escape to the happiest place on earth. Our holidays weren't spent the way we would have wanted, but you know what- it is ultimately not up to us. So we skipped town and redirected our selves.

Josh and I are already trying to plan another trip back. For Disney being the BUSIEST week of the  year, we fought through the crowds and made the best of it. Disney allows you to set up fast passes via an app now and since it was so darn busy the good fast passes like Buzz Lightyear and Splash Mountain were taken, so we opted for the Haunted Mansion, It's a Small World and the Tea Cups (we did more than that, but we knocked these out in the first few hours). Anyway, as it turns out, the very ride experience at the Magic Kingdom was the Haunted Mansion. Talk about scarring a child. But mom, I thought this place was supposed to have Mickey Mouse they said. Anyway, Cooper loved it. Addison not so much.... She wanted out the second we got in. Her poor little head was buried in my lap the whole time. It sounds evil, but you just have to laugh. Do we get parents of the year award? LOL and it only went up from there.

They loved every ride and I think Addison could have starred at Cinderellas Castle all day just waiting for her to come out. They were really just in awe the whole time, the rides, the characters, the people. The teacups were a blast, we cracked up. Just don't close your eyes because you'll lose your marbles. Cooper wanted to do that one a few times. We only did it once though. We watched a few dance/music shows put on by Mickey and Crew. And you know what? Payback.... I had to hold Addison on my shoulders so she could see. I remember my parents having to do the same thing, only I was 5 (and heavier). Maybe that's why my mom has neck issues..... I think I owe her a massage or two. The things we do for our kids enjoyment, ugh? We even did a few things, that may have been my first time too. It's the one place you can be a kid again. There were no complaints the whole day and no tears. AND we made it out of Disney without buying a single sword, stuffed animal, mickey ears, or any other overly priced piece of magic. I packed our back pack full of snacks, juice and water too. So while we waited in some of the longer lines, I had goldfish to pass the time. SCORE!!! Both of the little minions were asleep by 4:00 in our single child Bob stroller. Luckily they love each other. It was close quarters. The trip was a success and we can't wait to go back on a less crowded day. I have a feeling it will be sooner than later.

Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney

Day 1: Downtown Disney

 

 

Goodbye Disney, We will be back!

LOVE

The one where we lose a great man....

About a month after my last post, I write this with a heavy heart. My Papa is now at peace with the ultimate creator.  He passed away Wednesday, December 23, 2015. He is finally safe.

Early December he took a bad fall and hit his head- like many other falls. But this fall coupled with all the other trauma caused bleeding in his brain. He spent a few weeks in the hospital. Since the fall, he lost his ability to eat and wasn't talking much. He wasn't up and walking around and hardly opening his eyes. He just looked so helpless and uncomfortable. Although he never said he was in pain. The doctors put a feeding tube in him on Saturday Dec 19. He was moved to a rehab place on the 21st where we hoped he could regain the ability to walk and eat again. But that night, he pulled out the feeding tube that was surgically inserted into his stomach and it just went down hill from there. Mom called me Wednesday and said it wasn't looking good. School was out, so I had both kids- I called Josh and he rushed home. But shortly after the first call from Mom, I received THE call. The call that no one wants to get, even though it may be expected. I was running some last minute Christmas errands. I had to pull over and all I could do was cry.  I hit my steering wheel a few times sobbing. The kids just sat in silence. One of the first times for that, I think. After a few minutes went by, I got my composure and Cooper asked, "Mommy, did Papa go to be with Jesus like Uncle Ed?" Kids are so smart aren't they?

I ended up making it to say goodbye. The social worker and funeral home waited to take him for a few hours. Mom, Mamaw and myself got to spend some alone time with him. As sad as it may seem, we sat around him, holding his hand and talking for a while. We got to say our goodbyes and hug his neck one more time. He looked so peaceful. He wasn't hooked up to machines. He wasn't struggling to breathe and move. It's the image I needed of Papa to know he's in a better place- he is safe. We aren't worried about him day in and day out. Do we miss him? Like crazy. But there is some weight lifted knowing he's not suffering.

Cooper colored Papa one last picture (to place in his coffin) and we added a few words on the back.  Cooper colored a big heart and added a lot of orange and blue. He said, "I'm making this Gator Colors because God is a Gator!" Once he got done he asked me when Papa was going to come back from visiting Jesus. I said we will all get to see Papa again when we get to meet Jesus, but until then he lives in our hearts.

Rest in peace my sweet Papa. You were a great man, always had a big smile on your face and could make anyone laugh. You made my life a brighter place and that is something that can't be taken away!


One of my favorites... Papa with his Ladies!

Please visit the Obituary for Allan Lewis Simmons

http://www.legacy.com/link.asp?i=ls000177018126

LOVE

The one to be thankful for...

Many of you know, my Papa was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s several years back. It’s been a rough few years and even a tougher month. I’ve always heard of the disease, knew a little bit about it, but never truly understood what it was all about (and I still have a lot to learn). My Mamaw has been taking care of him now for a while, on her own, and just recently had to relinquish the control and let someone else take care of him. He had been falling a lot at home, so she’s been quite familiar with the rescue guys and just couldn’t continue taking those risks.

So for about a month now, Papa has a new home, its called Elmcroft. It’s not as cozy and doesn’t smell like chicken casserole (which is a good thing if you’ve had it!), but he’s getting adjusted, as are we. The kids and I were there today, since he won’t be joining us for Thanksgiving this year {bringing him around a crowd is stressful on him and unsafe without a trained caregiver}. The kids are too adjusting, it’s hard to explain why Mamaw and Papa don’t live together anymore. But to them, right now, it’s a cool new place, with a new bed to jump on.  I’ve been stocking his room with crayons, coloring books and games. They even have an outdoor patio for visiting, I think we will play soccer there next.

Anyway, today as we were leaving, I gave him a hug, told him “Happy Thanksgiving and I’ll see you in a few days, Love you Papa”. After a minute went by, he finally responded with "I love you". And while I don’t think he totally knows who I am, I think he knows I’m family. It’s so hard to see him sitting, with almost no emotion or expression. Selfishly I think this disease is more difficult for me than it is him. He doesn't know what he doesn't know... But I know, He was always this man who was into everything with me. We built birdhouses, teepees, dressed up like police officers, romped through the woods and would sing “far far way, or down by the river”- his personal favs. He loved being outside and was into things in his workshop. Today was a hard realization looking into his eyes and knowing he would not be at the Thanksgiving table.

However, I am thankful I got to grow up with him by my side. I am thankful we had many many good memories, many I am able to share with my own children and many values he taught me that I want to instill in my own family. But what I am most thankful for is I can still wrap my arms around his neck and tell him I love him and to that I can be at peace...

Our visit today!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

LOVE

The one with our champion...

Cooper just finished his first baseball season. I’ve got to say, I was overall impressed. It’s not easy to coach a bunch of 4-5 year olds who have never played before and have the attention span of a fly. I was one of the team moms, so I helped get the kids organized and in the correct batting order, oh and a tough job was keeping them in the dugout…. The kids don’t sit still and would rather be climbing a tree than waiting their turn to bat. Every game involved us yelling, “Cooper- Baseball ready!” Usually he had his back turned to the hitter or he was drawings circles in the clay with his cleats or he was just simply staring off into the clouds while sitting. But he wasn’t the only one, if the kids weren’t hitting, they had no interest. Which is why the coaches also played the field with them, not only to teach them the rules, but also ensure they don’t get knocked out with the ball because they aren’t paying attention. Coopers strength was hitting the ball (and since no kid got out and no score was kept- trust me, I know what your thinking, that Nissan commercial where every kid gets a participant trophy, score is kept in the next age group, we are too competitive in the south to all be winners!) he made it to first base every time. But seriously, he does have a good swing and surprisingly enough, isn’t shy when he’s out there. He did have a few good stops at the ball when he was paying attention, but he thought it was pretty boring when he wasn’t hitting and running the bases. Overall consensus, we will start soccer in the spring and sit out next season of baseball. We need something with more action.

The Yankees first game

Best Buds

 

 LOVE