Out with the old...in with the new

We have had a very very exciting couple of weeks.


#1 - I got a new job!! What?!?! I finally broke my ties with the CPA firm. It was hard considering I've been there for 7 years, that's all I know, I'm comfortable with it and I've made many good friends there. The only thing that was keeping me there was my coworkers. This past year, our life has been so much different with a child and I knew I had to make a change. Going through tax season and working those long hours made me realize that there's more to life than work and money. Looking for a job is always difficult, especially in this economy. About three weeks ago, I heard of a job opening at a local church (Finance Administrator) and I jumped on it right away. Two weeks after that they offered and I accepted!! This past week was my first week there and of course things are slow and I've got lots to learn, I already feel at home and I've got such a good feeling about it.


JT was sad to see me go and one partner was upset that I didn't come talk to him about how I was feeling, but he couldn't give me what I wanted there. He told me that I always had a place there if things didn't work at the church....which was very reassuring.

JT had a going away party for me on my last day which included cake (as always). At every going away party, they always try to get the person leaving to make a speech. Well...I was ready! I prepared a poem, because the people there do mean a lot to me, I wanted them to know that they were appreciated and they would be missed. I wrote this very fast, so some of the rymes were forced, so they may not make a whole lot of sense. I made sure I included everyone there. I know most of you readers don't know these people, but I did get several laughs (exactly what I was looking for):

Farewell Speech by Mary Parrish:

Jackson Thornton has been my second home for 7 years
But for some reason all I've wanted after work is a few beers

I've made many friends that I hold close to my heart
I can guarantee it will be very difficult to part

As I go on to my next journey, I think of what I'll miss
It's hard to think of everything, my mind is a bliss

I will miss Denese walking by saying Mary Mary quite contrary
Not having her next door is going to be very scary

I will miss Robin….what really is there to say
He thinks he's very funny…so continue to make him feel that way

I will miss Tommy calling me sweet Mary
I sure do hope that nickname will continue to carry

To Suzanne, I will miss your smile and your motherliness
I hope I'm not leaving you with too big of a mess

To my best friend Tuan, I will probably miss the most
Don't tell her that because she will definitely boast

I will miss my Terr Bear b/c every time he walks by
He makes funny faces, I laugh so hard I want to cry

To Melanie, I will miss stories of the family drama
But don't ya'll think she's turning into one hot mama?

To my little Ryno…my buddy when it comes to Hall
Next year, I'll be sure to tell you that I'm having a ball!

To Kathy, so wonderful, you take such good care of us
Thinking of leaving you really makes me want to cuss.

To Chase, please help out Tuan and Ryan
B/c with Hall, they may be coming home a cryin

To the boys downstairs (still including Ben)
I hope one day everybody will start calling you men.

To client accounting…I rarely did worked with you
But you know I will definitely miss you too!

To Mark…I'm glad you're not like the normal IT geeks
But I've really wanted you to fix my computer for weeks

To Rachel….how would the office even operate
I'm pretty sure without you everyone would be irate

To Linda, I know keeping up with the partners is a chore
I wish you well that it's not too much of a bore

To Suzi and Brenda…you two are just so cute and fun
Being with you makes me want to go hang out in the sun

To all of you, it has truly been a wonderful 7 years
I will definitely hold you in my heart so near

With that said, things change, people move on without falling
So, right now I've got the man of the cloth calling

I couldn't leave without saying a farewell goodbye
I hope you will all come by and at least say hi

BYE JT!!


#2 - This church also has a great daycare. So, after I accepted we went down to the CDC (Child Development Center) to see if we could get Colt in. Well....guess what! There just happened to be an opening because one of the kids in the 1 year old class moved up. Everything is just falling into place.


So, all I have to do in the morning is go drop him off at the CDC and walk down the hall to my office. It's awesome! I couldn't ask for more...well, I guess I could ask to not work at all...but we've gotta pay the bills!


Usually his Nana keeps him, but we planned on sending him to daycare after he turned one. His first week has gone great. I love his teachers (and they love me since I'll be giving them their pay checks:)). They both seem great...young, energetic and sweet. They fell for Colt right off the bat after they picked him up and he gave them his usual hug. How could you not love him?? They have writting a note each day this week on how is was doing:


Day 1 - "He had a very good day today! We played outside a couple of times. He ate a good meal. Colt is truly a pleasure to have in my class"


Day 2 - "He was bitten on the arm by his buggy neighbor. I'm so sorry!" Treatment - "Cold rag, TLC & lots of kisses"


Day 3 - "He is so silly! I've laughed at him all morning:)"

Colt has done very well...he does come home hungry and tired, but that was expected.

Just wanted to share the news...I'm super excited about what's to come!!

Fun in the sun...

Colt loves the water and does not hold back when he's in it. This is him this weekend at 1 year old swimming (with swimmies of course). I think it's pretty good! When Josh and I hold him in the water, he'll put his face in the water and push away from us, so he can swim.

First big boo boo

Colt is a big climber. Well it was bound to happen. He climbed up the stairs on the back porch and got something in his hands and started walking and there he went, right off the side of the porch and face planted on the concrete. After he hit, he laid on his back, it took Josh about 1 second to go pick him up, didn't cry AT ALL and he wanted back down to climb up the stairs again.

The fall left a nice little scrape on his head:(

This weekend he busted it open twice (started bleeding down his face), I wouldn't have known it because he didn't cry at all (once again). He's pretty tough!

Big Birthday Party!

Oh boy...what a party! Thankfully we had lots of help from my mom (KK) and my sister (Elyse) and her hubby (Brian). Thank ya'll SO much!

I went round and round with the theme, first it was nothing, or "1 year" bday party theme, then Elyse sent me this cutest little picture of a cupcake fish, well it was actually sorbet, but looked like a cupcake...so, that's what we went with.

Josh would say that we did too much, but I didn't spend much at all, because we borrowed and used what we had (for the most part), and the prep part was actually fun...it's not everyday we show our creative side. We invited lots of people and lots of people came:) Colt took a great nap that morning, giving us time to prepare everything, and once the party started, we had everything done and Colt was in the best mood and was a perfect angel for the whole party. The only problem with the party was Canon slept through the whole thing, Ava was out of town and Julia was out of town. So, he didn't have all of his friends there:( But Luke and Troy were there to party with him. Without further ado, here are some pictures from the party:


First and foremost, this is the outfit that Elyse made for Colt's birthday. Priceless...AND it's reversible. There's a sailboat on the other side.





This is the banner that Mandy worked SO hard on...we started on this the Thursday before the party (she thought we had an extra week...oops). It turned out awesome and now it's hanging in Colt's room...I love it!

The party food:

The cupcake fish...they are SO cute! We made them!!

This is Colt's "smash" cake:

The cupcakes

Fish PB&J...the mold is actually a sand mold that came in one of Colt's beach toys that Nana got him.

Table set up outside:

Colt hanging out with Pops

Me & Colt:

Birthday cake time!!

YES!! I knew he would do good!

Opening presents:

BIG helpers!!

My sister, Rebecca

Party guests:

After the party and a long swim..Colt took a nap and woke up looking pretty rough! Whew...what a big day~~

Happy Birthday Colt!!! We love you!

Birthday Party at MMO

Colt's birthday party at MMO. I sent the leftover cupcakes to MMO for Colt to share with his friends. Looks like they had a good time.



This kid did anyway...

Canon helping out...b/c you always have to get it on your face...

You would think since it's his birthday, they would have given him a cute bib, but obviously not. It's a little feminine too!

1 Year!!

Colt is 1 year!!! It's so hard to believe that it's been one year since he was born and it's so amazing how fast they change, learn things and grow up!

I was honestly expecting a happy boy the morning of his first, but we didn't really get that...and this was the only decent picture I got, the others were much worse!



Then once I sat him down in his crib and gave him something a little different, a blueberry birthday muffin, he perked up a little:)



Wondering what in the world mom has put in front of me??

After breakfast, we got ready to see Dr. Benak for his 1 year check-up. I know...I shouldn't have scheduled a doc appt on his actually birthday knowing he was going to get several shots, but I did...I really did it because I wanted to spend time with him and this way it was a really good excuse to get out of work.

Colt weighed 24 lbs 2 oz (starting to lose a little) and was 30 1/2 inches long. He is in the 75th percentile for both weight and height. He got 4 shots and hated every minute of it. Everything looked perfect! We did get to play a little in the exam room before we saw the doctor.

Colt's first bday cupcakes Nana and I made:

Things to remember:

Colt is walking really good now. He loves to climb. He will climb on his chair and get on top of the coffee table all by himself. He loves going up and down the stairs. Before he starts going down the stairs, he will hold out his hand for someone to help him down (good thing!). He is very interested in how things work...he will stare and play with a new toy for a long time to try and figure it out. I'm not really sure what this means, but he will get several toys, put them in his chair, rocking chair, swimming pool or bath tub. Once he gets everything in there, he will get in it (the chair, rocking chair, swimming pool or bath tub) and take everything out. He will do this over and over again. It's a lot of fun watching this!

If he hears a cell phone ring, vibrate or play a ring tone, he will automatically put his hand to his ear and say "eh." I hope this means "hello." We try to say "hello" every time he does it...trying to teach him words is challenging!

He's starting to remember exactly where things are...especially things he's interest in...like for instance our cell phone. Now he knows where I keep my phone. See...

Colt is completely on table foods and the sippy cup with whole milk...no more bottle! Yay! It wasn't too bad...taking the morning bottle away was the worst, but we did that several weeks ago.

Me and Colt on his bday:

Colt and Dad:

Colt got a basketball goal from his mom and dad. He like the box most of all!

Pops and Josh putting the goal together and teach Colt how to shoot.

He made it!

We got pizza from Red Elephant with Pops and Nana and had birthday cupcakes afterwards. Yummy!

Sweet birthday boy!