Happy Fall, Y'all!

It's been a while since I posted, so let me catch you up on what's happening in the lives of the Drurys. Gracyn is eight, and just started third grade. Emma is seven, and just started second grade. Maggie is almost three (going on 13!) and just started 3K two days a week. I really miss her, but am enjoying my alone time. It's amazing how much you can get done without a toddler in tow!



This fall has been really busy with parties, Halloween festivities, field trips, and the school Family Fun Night (fall festival). Our calendar has been packed, but we've had a great time! The photo above was from Halloween (obviously). I loved the girls' costumes this year! It was so much fun planning what they wanted to be and watching the costumes change according to each personality. Gracyn's choice was Tinkerbell, Emma was a pirate, and Maggie was a giraffe (although she insisted that "Maggie giraffe" have a big pink bow!).



We also planned a Back Yard Camp Out a few weeks ago. It was so much fun! We cooked dinner over the campfire, made smores, and camped out in a tent in the back yard. The girls LOVED it (even Maggie!) and we even managed to get a little bit of sleep. The next morning, we made homemade doughnuts and hot chocolate (with much coffee for Dow & I!). All in all, the camp out was a success...maybe next time, we'll be brave enough to do the real thing!

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year, and the Drury family has been doing our best to make the most of it! Happy Fall, y'all!

Mrs. Nekkie Bum

Miss Maggie is really coming into her own. (Yes, Miss Maggie is the name that she likes best...she has her entire preschool class calling her that!) She just has me in stitches all day long every day! Last week, she went through the preschool carpool line for the first time. (I've typically been parking and walking to her classroom to pick her up.) She LOVED it, and thought that she was such a big girl.

Throughout the week, she kept telling me that she wanted to "ride carpool" with Mrs. Nekkie Bum (in Maggie speak, that's naked). Over and over and over, like, "Mama, I want to ride carpool with Mrs. Nekkie Bum!" Well, yesterday, I finally figured out what she was talking about. The sweet teacher who helps with carpool's name is Mrs. Nikki...in Maggie's world, "Mrs. Nekkie Bum!" I laughed and laughed, and drove away from carpool with tears streaming down my face...so now, I'm sure, "Mrs. Nekkie Bum" thinks that the Drury girls are absolutely NUTS!

Oh, well...isn't the first time, and I'm sure that it won't be the last!

Sweet dreams...sweeter prayers!

Overheard last night while Emma was saying her prayers:

"Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord I'm supposed to keep.

Watch me safely 'froo the night

And wake me with good morning light.

A-men-a."

I guess that she just heard what she wanted to hear, and has been repeating it that way for who knows how long. How sweet is that? I love that she changed it to "the Lord I'm supposed to keep." Isn't that so true? Aren't we "supposed to keep" the Lord first in our lives, always? And my absolute favorite part is "wake me with good morning light." Sweet Emma just assumes that when she wakes in the morning, and sees the sunlight, it's going to be a good day! I think that will be my evening prayer from now on! With a little, fancy "A-men-a" for good measure!

Thankful...in February

Okay...here we are again! It's my top ten "I'm annoyed, yet thankful" list for the month of February.

1. I am so completely annoyed that it's FLU season, and every time I turn around, someone near us has the stomach bug, a cough, a fever virus, a runny nose...it never ends! A few weeks ago, Maggie caught a weirdo bug, and ran a high fever (at 105.2 on both Motrin and Tylenol) that took us to the hospital! But, I'm thankful that with three little girls (two in school!) we've managed to stay relatively healthy. I'm also extremely thankful for hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes!

2. I'm annoyed that I finally got the Wii Fit, and once on it, it proceeded to make my "mii" look fat, and label my Wii Fit "age" as forty-four years old!!! I'm only thirty-one y'all! But, I'm thankful that it's super fun, and an easy way to track my progress...and, the pounds are slowly but surely coming off! Best of all, with a little work, I've gotten my Wii Fit "age" down to TWENTY NINE! Take that, fat little Mii!

3. I'm annoyed that almost everything that I like to eat is bad for me...why can't God just take all the fat, cholesterol, and calories out of chocolate, pizza, french fries, cheese, wine, etc...I mean, seriously! I like broccoli and all, but I probably would like it much better if it was deep fried and dipped in cheese! But, I'm thankful that I am finding healthy things that I do like, and that it has been fun trying new recipes and figuring out how to "trick" my current recipes into being healthier versions of themselves.

4. I'm annoyed that just when I caught the workout "bug" and got really serious about it, and would love to be running/walking outside...it got so stinking COLD! But, I'm thankful that Maggie still takes a morning nap, and that's just enough time for me to hop on the treadmill for an hour. Do I look forward to that time? NO! But, I'm learning not to hate it...doesn't that count as something to be thankful for?

5. I'm annoyed that groceries are so darn expensive! Dow and I are trying to "downsize" our budget in this oh-so-fabulous economy, and food cost is one of the areas that we're trying to watch. Wow, is it a tough job! But, I'm thankful that I've found this nifty little tool called "The Grocery Game" and have been saving tons of money ever since! It's a tool that helps to pair the store sales with coupons to maximize your savings, and it really does work. I'm averaging about $100 a week for our family of five...that's WAY down from what I was spending. That's breakfast, lunch, and dinner for seven days (and the girls brown bag it to school, too!). Yay me and The Grocery Game!

6. I'm annoyed that I'm sometimes a spoiled brat, and can be quite selfish when I want something. But, I'm thankful that I'm learning to separate my "wants" from my "needs" (again, part of the whole trimming the budget concept) and that I can determine when my inner spoiled brat is rearing her ugly head. I've named my inner brat "Nelly" (like the whiny, blond, curly headed brat on "Little House on the Prairie"?) and will chastise her on occasion. . .Wait, I'm now not only talking to myself, but I've given her a name. . .Hmmmm. . .does that mean that I'm totally nuts?

7. I'm annoyed that Maggie has developed her "squeal" and uses it often at the top of her lungs. She goes zero to sixty in about three seconds, and it is impossible for me to respond in the allotted time frame. She uses it for any reason: if she wants a banana (her favorite thing to eat), if she doesn't want a banana, if she wants you to hold her, if she wants you to put her down. I'm telling you, it's like nails on a blackboard, and it's loud! But, I'm thankful that she's developing her own little personality, and learns something new every single day. It's amazing for me as her mother to watch her little mind working, and to see her eyes light up over something new.

8. I'm annoyed that now that I'm trying to up my walk/run to more of a run/walk, it's getting more important for me to develop a ipod play list that has a killer beat. I'm really having a hard time finding songs that aren't "I hate my man, let's kill him and his big boobed and big booty-ed mistress" themed. Seriously! Where are the "I love my man, I have three kids with him, and he occasionally brings me flowers" songs with a good beat that I can run to? I mean, I love my Beyonce with the rest of y'all, but this is getting a little hard to handle. I don't even know what I have to be thankful for on this one. . I'm just waiting for y'all to give it to me!

9. I'm annoyed that it takes all day, every day to keep this house in order. Between the laundry, the cleaning, the cooking, the shopping, the carpooling....it never ends! But, I'm thankful that I'm back on the Flylady plan, and it works wonders! You can find it at The Flylady, and it has seriously changed my life. She is all about doing what you can do in the time that you have, and I swear, my house has never been cleaner or more organized (and this is coming from a pretty anal neat freak!)

Okay...that's it, y'all. I tried my best, but it was all I could do to come up with nine things that I was totally annoyed about. So this month, I see a trying to "get it together" theme. I guess that I'm thankful that no matter how hard it is, and how much work it is, it's worth it! I feel like I'm getting more organized, more budgeted...my house is cleaner, I'm healthier, and I'm happier about it. Yay!

My Papa

A few weeks ago, my sweet Papa peacefully passed away. He was a wonderful man, and left a hole in our family. These past weeks have been tough, emotionally and physically, and I am glad that at least the "formal" part of the grieving is over. I am a Southern girl, from a Southern family, and people in Georgia do not play when it comes to funerals and "paying respects" when someone that they know dies. There was an overwhelming response to my Papa's death. My Grandma's house was overrun with well-meaning guests (coming to pay their respects) bearing gifts of fried chicken (my Uncle Derrell said it best, "A chicken doesn't have a chance in hell in the state of Georgia when someone dies!"), homemade dishes (potato salad, macaroni and cheese, butter beans, creamed corn...), and the most wonderful desserts that you can imagine (pumpkin pie, pecan pie, a sixteen layer chocolate cake, and a "honey bun cake"...yes...a cake made out of honey buns and heaven. It was the best thing that I have ever put in my mouth!). At the visitation at the funeral home, we were again surprised by the number of people who came to let us know how much my Papa meant to them, and the beautiful flowers that were sent. We didn't expect that kind of response, and couldn't be more grateful to these sweet souls who did their best to make this difficult time easier for my family.

Once I thought about it, we really shouldn't have been surprised. My Papa was a one-of-a-kind, thoughtful, strong, Godly man. He was a wonderful builder, but made "God's work" his career later in life. He was a "fire and brimstone" country preacher, but at the same time made it known that his God was a loving, kind, and generous God with whom he had a personal friendship. It was said at his funeral that he was opinionated, and if you didn't want to know what he thought, you shouldn't ask him. I think that was putting it mildly. Most of the time, you got what he thought whether you asked him or not! I remember when I was younger (probably around 12 or 13) and our family went on a beach trip. Papa always had heart problems, and the doctor had him on a strict walking regiment every day. He loved to walk on the beach, and would do so every morning and every afternoon of the trip. Sometimes, I would walk with him, and our discussions would inevitably turn to our faith and the Bible. While we agreed on the fundamentals, we did not agree on some of the finer points of our faith, and on this particular day were debating the role of women in the church. He was old school, very conservative, and very traditional. I was young, and very precocious (I know, that's so hard to imagine!). As a female, I had a very hard time agreeing with him that women shouldn't be ministers, deacons, and leaders in the church. (A belief that I still have!) As we debated, my temper flared, and I blurted out, "Well, I just have a really hard time believing that God didn't put a voice in a woman just because He also gave her a vagina!" He turned, looked at me, and said something like this, "No, God gave you a voice, you just have learn how to use it. Whether you like it or not, women are different than men, and when a woman is at her best, the softer she speaks, the more she is heard."

I don't know that I've ever told anyone that story, but it is near to my heart, and I reflect on it often. I still can't believe that my sweet, old-fashioned Papa got over the fact that his granddaughter looked him in the eye and said "vagina" and still managed to teach her one of the best lessons she's ever learned. I am a very opinionated, very talkative, very outspoken Southern girl, and sometimes have a hard time with the "labels" that are put on people for any reason. The "women" roles are especially hard for me to swallow. But, I can't deny the fact that women are created differently, and that our stregnth is in our softness. The lesson that my Papa very successfully taught me that day was that women and men aren't better or worse, just different. I could do everything that a man can do and try my best to be as good as a man (and probably somewhat succeed), or I could revel in the fact that I am a woman, and be phenomenal!

My Papa was many things, and he will be so very missed. I know that he's the reason that I pray the way that I do...I remember him saying, "Jenny, just talk to Him like He's sitting in that chair." I know that he's the reason behind my family's notorious quick wit and sense of humor...my Daddy said that Papa "laughed all over himself." He and my Grandma's love for each other was the best model I could ever have for how a loving, Godly marriage should be, and one that Dow and I aspire to. He was definitely the center of our family. He had a profound effect on the woman, the mother, the wife, the daughter, the friend, and the Christian that I am, and I am so grateful for the time that I was able to be loved by and taught by him.

My Favorite "L" things...

Okay, another idea that I got from my friend Bethany's blog. If you'd like to read hers (and I highly recommend it!), you can find it at HappyascanB. Anyway, this is a fun little alphabet game, and I'm supposed to list my favorite things that start with the letter "L". B assigned me this letter because I live in and love the Lowcountry!

You can play along, too! If you want to participate, leave a comment on this post and I will assign you a letter. You then write about 10 things you love that begin with your assigned letter and post them on your blog (on on your facebook "notes" if you don't have a blog). When people comment on your posted list, you give them a letter and the chain continues on and on. Fun, right?

Okay...here are some of my favorite things, brought to you by the letter "L".

1. Let's go with the obvious, and start with The Lowcountry... I just love it here! We're close to the river, we're close to the beach, we have the most amazing sunsets, and warm-ish weather pretty much year round! We're right between Savannah and Charleston (two of my very favorite cities!) What's not to love??? Oh, yeah, the sand gnats. But, I'll take 'em as long as I get to stay in Bluffton!

2. Lilly Pulitzer....yeah, her stuff is expensive, but something about those bright, funky prints makes me fall in love every time! I love them on the girls, and they are such high quality clothes that they are one of the few things that make it through all three of them. Lilly is one of the many things that I shop for on eBay.

3. Lime...yum, yum, yum, yummy, yum! I love lime...I love Key Lime pie, lime in my Diet Coke, and the coconut lime stuff from Bath & Body Works, but I especially love lime in my beer. I used to think that my favorite beer was a Corona...then I discovered (on a ski trip to Colorado) that I didn't really love the beer, I loved the lime in the beer. And I've been a "fruit the beer" convert ever since (my favorites are Coors Light and Michelob Ultra). I've turned most of my friends on to this, and now, when we have a party, there's almost always a bowl of lime slices next to the beer! I don't, however, like the lime flavored beer or diet coke...only the real stuff for me, thanks!

4. Ladies' Night Out...My fun little group of girl friends does a "Ladies Night Out" once a month, and it's one of my very favorite social outings, and something that I rarely miss! It's fun, low key, and relaxing. We do dinner, or a movie, or just meet at the wine bar and have a few cocktails. We've painted pottery, had a karaoke party, and also do a "Girl's Weekend" to Daufuskie Island once a year. This group of ladies is spectacular, and is made up of some of my most favorite people in the world. We're all different, but get along great. There's just something about a night out with friends...no husbands, no kids...just girls! Fun, fun!

5. Little girls...I know that it's pretty obvious that I adore my three little princesses! I love the sweetness, the prissy-ness, the big bows, the dress up clothes, and the pink, princess, sparkly-ness of little girls. I was made to be a girl mommy, and I love every minute of it!

6. Love...I'm a total fool for love! I love love...everything about it, and confess that I am a total romantic. I'm a sucker for champagne and candlelight. I love love songs, love stories, romantic movies, and love notes. I love Valentine's Day, and anniversaries. I love hearing the story of how people met and fell in love. I just love love!

7. Lamps....and candlelight, too. I really like soft lighting, and rarely have the bright, overhead lights on in my house, unless I need them for something specific (like cleaning or working on the computer). Every room has lamps. I'm told that it's an interior decorator's "secret" to use "soft, adjacent" lighting, but I really just don't like bright lights! I like the softer, calmer look of lamp light. Dow says that I'm nuts, but I think he secretly likes it, too.

8.Laughing.... I love to laugh. I love funny jokes, emails, movies, books, etc...I really have a very silly sense of humor, and dumb jokes are my specialty. I love that laughing-so-hard-you-get-tears-in-your-eyes-and almost-wet-your-pants feeling. The best!

9. Laying out....Okay, I know that "laying out" is something that we never get to do anymore, but I swear, it's one of my favorite things. I'm not an idiot, and I'm a huge fan of sunscreen, so the "laying out" isn't really for the tan anymore. There's just something about laying at the beach or by the pool with a cold drink in my hand and a magazine or fluff novel to page through. I love the thought that the most important thing that I have to do that day is flip!

10. Lazy weekends...I love it when I have nothing to do. I look forward to those cold, rainy weekends when you just bundle up and stay in. I look forward to and am pleasantly surprised by the days when you can stay in your pj's, play board games, read books, and sit by the fire all day. I love it when I'm still drinking coffee at noon, and when we have breakfast for dinner (because that's the only thing in the house!) Lazy weekends are the best!

Come on, y'all! Play along...

Snow White and the Seven Dorks

Our sweet Emma is so funny lately, and says the cutest things. Tonight at dinner, we were discussing our typical lively topics (that's what you get at dinner in a house full of girls!), and somehow it came up that Daddy wished that Peter Pan didn't wear tights (I know, it's a ridiculous man thing...more about that later!). Anyway, in the conversation, Gracyn said that she thought that Peter Pan wore tights because he was sort-of like an elf or a fairy, and they both wore tights. Then Dow piped up that Snow White had elves and they didn't wear tights...and Emma promptly corrected him by saying, "DAAAddddddddyyyyy! Snow White doesn't have elves! She has dorks!" You know..."Snow White and the Seven Dorks???" Hilarious!

Thankful...in January

Okay...here we go again! My top ten "I'm annoyed, but thankful" list.

1. I'm annoyed the the girl's clothes are getting so darn expensive! I can still find cute, sweet, inexpensive things for Maggie, but it's getting harder and harder to find cute, age appropriate things for Gracyn and Emma. And, those of you who know me well know that I'm not about to send my girls out in the world with anything not age appropriate on their bodies...no strapless, sequined, "juicy" written on behinds for us! So, I'm thankful for two things: first, I'm so very thankful that Gracyn and Emma wear precious little plaid jumpers to school every day, and that they are required to (with a very strict uniform policy right down to the Mary Jane's on their feet!); and second, I'm so very, very thankful for Ebay! I love it, and always get the best deal on "boutique" clothes for the girls that I'd never even look at in a store because of the huge price tags. Yay for Ebay! One note: Dow is not nearly as thankful for Ebay, and thinks that I'm quite addicted...

2. I'm annoyed that Maggie still thinks that it's her one job in life to destroy my house. She's like a tornado in a trailer park, leaving mass destruction in her wake...But, I'm thankful that she's so easily distracted and entertained, and I can usually pull her away from whatever mess she's made to clean it up pretty quickly. I'm also thankful that Dow and I are getting pretty creative, and can limit her "access" to those things. I'm using door locks, rubber bands, etc...but trust me, as soon as we get one area secure, she's on to something else!

3. I'm annoyed that it's so darn cold outside! Yes, I am a princess when it comes to the weather, and yes, I would much rather be sitting inside, sipping a hot cup of coffee in front of the fire, wearing my fluffy leopard slippers. I live at the beach in South Carolina for a reason, y'all, and I'm just not used to the high being in the forties! But, I'm thankful that with this frigid, arctic air, comes some gorgeous sunshine! At least, it looks pretty when I'm glancing outside (from my perch in front of the fire) or when I'm resting my princess behind on my heated seats in my car! Oh, and I'm thankful that the forecast is calling for temps in the high sixties this weekend...now that's more like it!

4. I'm annoyed that my printer is dead....I mean D-E-A-D, dead! And that it's going to cost a million dollars to get it fixed...well, not actually a million, but it might as well be. But, strangely enough, I'm thankful for the break! I'm really enjoying the down time from not working every day. I'm getting my house back in order, and spending lots of time with Maggie, and I'm just so busy, I just don't miss it at all...hmmmm....maybe I don't really like working from home as much as I thought that I did?

5. I don't mean to get too political, but I'm annoyed that the world thinks that our newest President is the Messiah. I don't hate him, but I just wish that the media would treat him like the actual human that he is! I wish the best for President Obama (doesn't that sound odd!), and hope that he can do something to at least help our struggling economy. I love this quote from Wyclef: "I think that he's on his way to being one of the best President's ever." Really, Wyclef? He's been in office a whole twenty four hours, done absolutely nothing, and already, he's the one of the best Presidents ever? Wow! Wyclef is obviously not hard to please! But, I'm thankful that we live in America...I thought that the Bush's were gracious and kind in the transition, and the fact that the "changing of the guard" is a peaceful, collaborative process is just amazing to me. And, I'm also thankful that the media is a "fair weather friend"... hopefully, some of the shiny, sparkly, "new" will wear off soon, and we will get some actual news in our various media outlets. In the meantime, I guess I'm also thankful for FOX News?

6. I'm annoyed that I'm so darn sore from my New Years resolution to work out more. I mean, sore...like every part of my body is sore...even my teeth! But, I'm thankful that it's getting easier, and I'm getting stronger, and I'm starting to enjoy it! Okay, that last one was a total lie...I don't enjoy it for one minute...the only thing I enjoy about it is when it is over! But I am getting stronger, so I guess I can be thankful for that. And maybe my behind is getting a little smaller?

7. I'm annoyed that I can't seem to find time in my schedule for a hair cut or a pedicure. Seriously...those are two very important things in the regular maintenance of a lady. But, I guess that I'm thankful that I'm so busy with good things? I'm thankful that I am able to stay home with Maggie. No, that doesn't leave me with very many minutes with no baby tagging along (which doesn't bode well for relaxing salon time!) But, it does fill my days with so many wonderful moments. I wouldn't miss her first steps, her first words, or her many, many messes for anything! She's a joy, and I love being her mommy. I also love that my older girls keep me so busy. My favorite part of the day is picking them up from school...hearing Maggie squeal in excitement when she sees them and to listening to their non-stop chatter in the back seat, telling me everything important about their day.

8. I'm annoyed that I just broke my iphone...yep! I dropped it on a run with Bogie, and totally cracked the glass. It still works, but looks horrible. And, best news of all....the only thing that I can do is trade Gracyn in for a new one (for those of you who are a little slow on the uptake, she's my "first born", and the iphone ain't cheap!) Now, to put a positive spin on this whole debacle, I love, love, love, love, love that phone and am totally thankful for it. It has the coolest applications, calendars, and other organizing tools. I put everything in that phone, and carry it with me everywhere...it's the secret to me never forgetting anything (because when you're organizing the lives of three little girls, a busy husband, and a way overbooked mommy, it's easy to forget everything!) It has a grocery store application, a calorie counter, the weather, all my music...you name it, it has it, and I love it! Now, if I only hadn't chucked it onto the concrete...

9. I'm annoyed that my family lives so far away, and that I can't see my sweet baby nephews as much as I'd like (my sister, Amanda, just had a new baby, Marshall, last week. And my brother, Drew, and his wife, Morgan, had a precious little boy, Kyle, in December.) But, I'm thankful for my wonderful, funny family. I love that we are so close, and that I want to see them! I love that coming to visit us feels like a vacation for our family, and that I get to have Hayes and Carter (Amanda's other two boys who are seven and five) for a week every summer. They love the beach and the boat, and doing all of the fun outdoor things in our neighborhood. We have the best time when we are able to be together.

10. I'm annoyed that money doesn't grow on trees, and that we have to be so careful in this economy and save every dime that we can. It's an unwelcome stress, and I hate constantly worrying about Dow's job! But, again I'll say, I'm so grateful that he has a job, and that God has continuously provided for us. We have three healthy, happy girls, and our life is good. Who could ask for more?

So this month, I actually had a tough time coming up with ten things that annoy me...that's good, right? I do feel that we're blessed...and no matter how busy I am, or what little things set me off, I have so much to be grateful for. Yes, I miss my family, and yes, I'm bummed about my phone, and the state of our oh-so-biased media, but really, who cares? In the grand scheme of things, I've got it pretty good! So, I'm going to be thankful for that!

Ten Things

I was challenged to do this by my sweet friend, Bethany, and thought it looked like fun. The challenge is to write ten things that people might not know about you. So here goes:

1. I'm left handed. I don't, however, feel that I'm very "left brained." I'm a very organized, type A personality, and not very "artsy."

2. I'm a very safe, conscientious driver, and haven't had a ticket since college (knock on wood!). However, I failed my first attempt at my drivers license miserably. I got it on the second try, but I was a nervous wreck!

3. When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a country singer when I grew up. I still "get my fix" singing karaoke (alone...with my ipod!), and living vicariously through "American Idol."

4. I love being a mom, adore children, and even teach Bible School, but never, never, never ever wanted to be a teacher. I just don't think I have the patience.

5. I color-code my closet... shoes, too. And Dow's...and the girls. I'm a little neurotic when it comes to organization.

6. I firmly believe that everything has it's place. And as organized as I am in every area of my house, I have a very messy "junk drawer" in my kitchen. I have no idea what's in there, and occasionally have to clean it out when it gets too full, but for the most part, I just let it live in the kitchen...eating whatever doesn't have a home.

7. I have a very silly sense of humor, and will find kid's jokes (like the ones you find on a popsicle stick) absolutely hilarious. The sillier the better!

8. I'm totally addicted to "As the World Turns" and Tivo it every day. However, I hate Paul Ryan, and will fast forward every time he's on the screen.

9. I'm a HUGE Disney fanatic, and quite a dork about it. I love Disney World, Disney movies, Disney Princesses...It's a no-stress, good natured, fun, happy place and I love everything about it. I'm worse than the girls when we're on the way to Disney World. I have a hard time sleeping the night before, because I'm so excited! Sometimes, I find myself on the Disney World website...just dreaming! (I'm such a dork! I know...) I'm also a Christmas fanatic, and will go nuts over anything and everything Christmas...lights, music, etc...the magic and make believe just brings out the kid in me like nothing else!

10. I'm pretty sure that our family is complete, and that Dow and I are done having babies. But, sometimes, I toss around the idea of adoption. I don't know why it's on my heart, or if anything will ever come of it, but I like the idea of giving a child a loving, Christian home. I feel that it's my calling to be a wife and a mother, and wonder if I'll have room for just one more down the road...

There! That's my ten! I'm a pretty open book, but it was fun to try and find ten things that you might not know.

Happy Birthday, Baby Maggie!

It's hard to believe, but on December 30, our precious baby Maggie turned one year old! It has really been the fastest year of my life! She's such a blessing, and has really completed our little family. Gracyn and Emma are such great big sisters, and Maggie just adores them!

She had a great time on her first birthday. The girls and I made her chocolate cupcakes (Dow insisted that they be chocolate!) and as you can tell from the picture, she enjoyed every bite!

To honor her first birthday, I'm going to list the things that Maggie does...milestones, and other little "Maggie" things that best describe her at this age.

• Maggie loves her sisters, and loves to play in the upstairs playroom with them. She's still a little afraid of the stairs, and will stand at the bottom of them and yell, "GIRLS!" When she'd like them to come get her. She sometimes does it in the day when they aren't there, too. So cute!
• She's mastered the art of waving, and will get very frustrated and wave "bigger" if you don't wave back. She waves at people passing us in cars, people we pass at the grocery store, golfers on the golf course as we're taking our walks, and anyone who passes by her high chair!
• She's also mastered the art of squealing in a very loud, high pitched voice. Cute at first...not so cute the thirty-fifth time in a row!
• She's expanding her vocabulary, and can say: Mama, Daddy, Girls, Gracyn (Gay-Sin), Emma (E-MA!), Cup (Gup), Yay!, Get Down, Come Up, Let's Go!, Bye-Bye, and lots more. She will also give you a very serious "talking to" in gibberish if you're not doing exactly what she'd like you to do. I get one every single Sunday when I pick her up from the nursery at church (not her favorite place!)
• She still hates to get her diaper changed, but loves her bath!
• Her eyes were a blue/green/hazel when she was born, but have recently darkened to brown. They aren't as dark as mine and Emma's but I'd still call them brown.
• She is very curious, and has the best time taking anything and every thing out of drawers, boxes, cabinets, etc...she especially loves anything that she can bang together to make a loud noise!
• She's very musical, and has great rhythm. She dances all the time (to any music!) and will be breaking it down to a song that I won't even realize is playing (like background music in a store).
• She loves to be outside, and gets excited when I put her in the jogging stroller, or in her baby swing on our playground.
• She's been walking since she was ten months old, and is very fast. She's perfected her little run, and loves to play chase. Her cue to chase her is to turn around, look at you, throw her hands up over her head, and yell "Ahhhhhhhhh!". You'd better start running after her, saying "I'm gonna get the baby!" or you'll get a "talking to" like I mentioned earlier.
• She loves the dogs, and her bowls are her favorite toys. She'd prefer to "swim" in the water dish, and eat the dog food...If I'd let her. Poor Maggie never gets to do either.
• When she gets in trouble, she sits down on the floor, puts her hands between her legs, slumps her shoulders, and looks down like a little lost puppy. She'll even look up a few times to make sure that you're watching her! Adorable (and effective!) at first...now, we just know that's her "I'm sorry Mommy, but look how cute I am!" pose.
• She's very tiny (19 pounds, and in the tenth percentile for her height and weight) but she's very busy and eats like a horse! Most of the time at dinner, she will put Gracyn and Emma to shame. If you're not feeding her fast enough, or her tray gets empty, she will beat on it and look at you like "More! NOW!"
• She's learned to blow kisses, and if you say "Give me a kiss" will lean over and "allow" you to give her one. I thought that she was going to kiss me the other day...she leaned over, but instead bit my chin! She also loves to "honk" your nose, and laughs every time. Every one of us makes a different "honk" when she does it, so this will keep her entertained for a while.
• She loves songs and nursery rhymes, and Patty-Cake is her favorite right now. She really loves to "throw in in the pan!" She also likes when Daddy is watching football to run in, throw her arms over her head, and yell, "TOUCHDOWN!"

Maggie is just a plain mess, and runs me ragged every day! But she's a doll, and a joy! This has been the busiest, most fun, craziest year of my life, and I've enjoyed every second of it! Now...on to toddlerhood. Oh, Lord! Give me patience!

Happy birthday, Baby Maggie!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Wow! What a holiday season we had at the Drury house...we were busy, busy! The girls had a great time, and we were all exhausted by the time they headed back to school. It always seems like the break isn't long enough...

Christmas was great fun. Maggie didn't really know what was going on, but she had a great time with the lights, decorations, and gifts...she loved the wrapping paper and tissue paper! I kept joking with everyone that they could just stuff a bag with tissue paper and that would be gift enough for that little monkey. No one took us up on the offer, but I swear it was the truth! She got lots of loud, fun toys with lots of little pieces (thanks, y'all!)...she hasn't stopped playing yet.

Gracyn and Emma had a great time, too. They got lots of outside toys (a basketball goal, a soccer goal, and a zip line for the back yard!) We were all bummed about the weather being so warm, but it was a good thing at our house, because the girls stayed outside the whole week! We also got a Wii from Santa, and that was quite the hit. I still haven't mastered anything but bowling, but the girls are quite good at all of the games, and (of course) Dow is a pro at everything! Emma is especially great at boxing, and will knock you out with one or two punches. Then, she looks at you with an angelic smile and says, "Really? That was pretty easy!" Everyone who comes over thinks that they can beat her, but so far, no one has...it's hilarious! I tried so hard one night, but I never beat her, and to top it off, woke up the next day with very sore arms!

The magic of Christmas is still alive and well in the Drury house, but we had to be very careful this year! Emma has her Daddy's analytical mind, and informed us "there was no way that there is a such thing as Rudolph!" When we asked her why, she said (very matter-of-factly) that "there was no creature on God's green earth that has a light bulb for a nose...that's just plain ridiculous!" We tried our best to reason with her, but I do admit that it is pretty ridiculous! She still believes in Santa, but just thinks that Rudolph is a story that someone made up. Gracyn has her mama's vivid imagination, so she still very firmly thinks that Emma is wrong, and happily put out the "magic reindeer food" on Christmas Eve.

We were blessed to be able to spend time with lots of friends and family this Christmas. It was a world wind, but we had a great time seeing everyone and catching up. Hope you and yours had a wonderful holiday season! Happy 2009!

I'm thankful in December...

Here we are again...at my monthly "I'm annoyed, yet thankful" list. Here goes nothing:

• I'm annoyed that the Christmas season flies by so fast! Especially with a late Thanksgiving this year, it seems like we just put up our tree, and we're less than two weeks from Christmas. It's so fast! Yet, I'm thankful that the reason it's flying by, is that we're enjoying the hustle and bustle of this season, and that we're busy, busy!
• I'm annoyed that I've been so swamped with work that I've barely had time to do my Christmas shopping. Yet, I'm thankful that all the money I'm making is now in the bank account, and so I CAN freely go Christmas shopping!
• I'm annoyed that it's so warm out! What is that about? I mean, we do live at the beach, so there is no chance of a white Christmas, but seriously. . . is a little "sweater weather" too much to ask for? But, I'm thankful that the girls can be busy playing outside, and can (warmly) burn off some of the Christmas sugar rush by running around. They love it, so I guess so should I!
• I'm annoyed that my sweet Gracyn just celebrated her SEVENTH birthday last week. I totally cannot believe that I have a seven year old baby! I don't know why, but seven just seems so big. It seems like just yesterday she was born. . . but, I'm so, so, so thankful that she's had seven healthy, happy years with us. She's such a blessing, and is already such a little lady. She's smart, and funny, and is definitely full of her own little personality. My life was forever changed the moment she was born. I'm thankful that for the past seven years, I've been completely blessed to be her mom!
• I'm annoyed that the economy is still in the toilet, and that we're constantly worried about Dow's job. But, I'm totally thankful that in this economy Dow still has a job and a paycheck! And, although it's very stressful at times, it's a job he loves.
• I'm annoyed that Miss Maggie's favorite past time is destroying everything in sight! She loves the tree, the Christmas cards, the presents, and anything else that she can see...she doesn't just love to look at it, oh no! She loves to tear it into little tiny pieces (which she then tries to eat!) Okay...now what's the thankful part of this one? Hmmm...this one is tough! I guess that I'm thankful that she's such a curious and busy little baby? And that when she's sitting there with wrapping paper on her head and hanging out of her mouth, she's just so darn cute?
• I'm annoyed that my washing machine keeps eating socks! I know that this seems silly, but it's so annoying! I mean, really...where are they going? The girls wear knee socks with their school uniform, and I can't do one load of white laundry without ending up with three missing socks. I've searched the girl's room, in the bottom of the laundry basket, the lint filter in the dryer, under the washing machine...everywhere! They are no where to be found. Maybe one day, I'll find a huge pile of white socks somewhere. But, I'm thankful that white socks are cheap, and readily available at Target (don't they have everything at Target???) And, that they are so, so cute on the girls...there is nothing cuter than my little monkeys in their little plaid school jumpers and knee socks!
• I'm annoyed that I haven't read a book (or magazine for that matter) in months! I just don't have the time to sit down for any length of time to do anything. And, if I do, Maggie is busy undecorating the tree (see above!). But, I'm thankful that having no free time means that I'm busy living life and being busy with the things that matter...spending time with my family and friends, and making memories that last. I know that reading is important, and it's something that I really love to do, but I just don't think that on my death bed I'm going to be saying, "Man! I sure do wish I'd finished that last novel or read the latest issue of People!"
• I'm annoyed that every time we get ready to decorate something with lights (trees, wreaths, garland, etc) half of the lights seem to be out. I think that our attic has a force field that automatically kills lights as soon as they enter the area. But, I'm thankful that my "Bob-the-Builder" husband makes it his personal mission to find the blown bulb and fix it, pronto, no matter what it takes. I'm also thankful for the little red "light checker" gun that some friends turned us on to (you can get it at Target, too!). It super nifty, and lights the strand so that you can see which bulb is out...too cool. Dow is a big fan!
• I'm annoyed that for so many people, Christmas is just about Santa and gifts. But, I'm thankful that for us, it's about so much more! Not only is it one of the greatest celebrations for Christians, as it's the celebration of the birth of our Savior. But it's also such a season of love, good will, peace, and happiness. There is no other moment the entire year for me that is filled with such well being, and such a feeling of wholeness and happiness and thankfulness than at the moment the candles are lit at our Christmas Eve service. To stand there, surrounded by my family and friends, in candlelight, singing "Silent Night," is to truly be at peace. . . no matter what else is going on in the world.

So, I guess this month, my "Annoyed, yet Thankful List" has taught me to appreciate this busy time of year, and all that it entails. But, make sure to take time for your own "Silent Night" wherever that may be. Merry, merry Christmas!

I'm thankful...in November.

Okay...I promised myself that I would try and do this once a month, so here's the November edition of my top ten most annoyed/thankful list.

• I'm annoyed that the fall is so crazy busy and flying by, but I'm thankful that it means that the Christmas season is on it's way! The time between Thanksgiving and New Years is by far my most favorite time of the year. . .I love it all! The cool weather, parties, food, friends, family, the church services, the lights, the decorations, the music, the fires! I just love it! I am the cheesy Christmas girl. . . I even have a "holiday" play list on my ipod, and it will be playing non-stop from Thanksgiving on!

• I'm annoyed that the Dawgs lost so miserably in the Ga/Fla game . . .but I'm so thankful that I am not a Florida fan and am not forced to wear a hideous blue and orange combo on a regular basis (or jean shorts for that matter!) If you do happen to be a Florida fan, I apologize. But you have to admit that your color combo is awful!

• I'm annoyed that I'm so busy these days, and always feel tired and worn out. . . but I'm sooooo thankful that I have my new one-cup coffee maker and can drink a great cup of coffee when I need a little pick-me-up! I know that it's silly, but it makes me so happy to smell my little cup of happiness brewing!

• I'm annoyed that I still have 20 pounds of baby weight to lose . . . but I'm so very thankful for the little princess who put that weight on me! Maggie is just so precious . . . I'd take a flabby behind any day to be able to see that smile! And, I'm thankful that the doctor finally figured out my thyroid problem and that I'm slowly but surely losing it!

• I'm annoyed that my hair is starting to go gray. . . YIKES! But, I'm thankful that I just found a really great color that looks very natural, and that I can do myself, and it makes my hair look really healthy and shiny (a nice little bonus!)

• I'm annoyed that my dog is shedding like mad, and that there is dog hair everywhere, no matter how often I vacuum. But, I'm thankful for his unconditional love for me, his wagging tail every time I even look his way, his eyes that are just full of puppy love, and the fact that he is the sweetest, most gentle lab you've ever met! Maggie loves to climb all over him, pull his ears, sit on him, pull his tail. . . and Bogie just lays there and lets her. Bless his poor, shedding doggie heart!

• I'm annoyed that some women are so jealous, petty, mean, shallow, gossipy and silly. But I'm so thankful that most of the ladies I know are brave, honest, smart, loving, gentle, beautiful, funny, sassy, wonderful people. And, I'm especially thankful that my girls are surrounded by these women who we love and who love them, and that they can see, every day, what it really means to be a lady.

• I'm annoyed that Maggie seems to think that 6 am (or earlier!) is the best time to wake up in the morning! (Hence the reference to the coffee maker above!) But, I'm thankful that every single morning when I go in her room, she's standing in her bed, and as soon as she sees me, she gets a big smile on her face, jumps up and down, and holds her arms out to me. Who wouldn't want to wake up to that every morning?

• I'm annoyed that I'm working on my Christmas card list (already!) and that it keeps growing and growing. . . I will be making and addressing cards for weeks! But, I'm thankful that it means that we have even more people who are important to us and who we want to make sure we wish a very "merry Christmas" even if we don't get to see them. And, I'm thankful that we will get so many great cards! It's so fun for me and the girls to go to the mailbox every day during the Christmas season and see who's cute card and who's smiling face we will see in the next envelope. It's part of the reason that I love Christmas so much!

• I'm annoyed that Dow and I never seem to have time for romance, or a date night, or even a private conversation for that matter! But, I'm thankful that after twelve years of being together, we still want to spend time alone and to be romantic. He's still my most favorite person in the world, and who (if I had time to have a date!) I'd want it to be with. And that is the most romantic thing of all. . .

So, if I get anything from this month's list, it's to be thankful for the little things: the great haircolor, the one pound lost, the great cup of coffee . . . and to stay thankful for the big things: the smiling baby, the busy family, the sweet husband, the wonderful friends, the gentle dog. Even in the crazy, busy life we live, every day there is a reason to be grateful for all that we have!

I did not know THAT!!!

Okay. . . another funny story. Gracyn and Emma have pretty deep conversations in the back seat of the car on the way to and from school. I love listening in, and try really hard not to butt in unless it's something that I feel like I really need to correct. Last week, I overheard a particularly hilarious conversation that went something like this:

Gracyn: "Emma, do you know what the word 'foe' means?" (it was one of her vocabulary words.)

Emma: "No."

Gracyn: "Yes you dooo, Emma! It's like an 'ememy' (trying to say 'enemy').

Emma: "An anemone? Like that lives in the ocean?"

Gracyn: "No, Emma! Like an 'ememy'. . .like someone you don't like...like someone you fight with. You know, like Satan is our 'ememy.' "

Emma: (With a look of complete, wide-eyed amazement)
"WHAT??? Satan is a sea creature?!?!? I did not know THAT!"

Needless to say, I did step in and correct that Satan was indeed not a sea creature, and that the word was 'enemy', not 'ememy'. . . after I got control of my laughter! I could just hear the conversations on the kindergarten playground about that one! And, I could also imagine that Emma, armed with that little tidbit of knowledge, might not ever venture into the ocean again. So now, all is well in the minds of the Drury girls . . . Emma learned a new vocabulary word, and we all learned that Satan is not a sea creature . . . no matter what Gracyn says.

Halloween Fun!

This fall has been crazy busy, but we've had so much fun! Last week especially...on Thursday, the kindergarten classes went to the pumpkin patch, and had a GREAT time! They picked a pumpkin, went on a hayride, went to the petting zoo (that's Emma with the baby bunny!), jumped in the bouncy house, had a picnic, raced tricycles on the race track, and learned how to grow pumpkins...all in one morning! It was so much fun being there to see the little faces light up as they learned about the different animals and other fall related things. I think that the moms and the teachers had as much fun as the kids! Afterwards, we went back to school, did a craft, and had a Halloween party...complete with a giant blow up pumpkin, trick or treating, and a spooky sounds CD. I never knew so much fun could be had in one day!

On Friday (Halloween), Maggie and I dressed in our finest Halloween attire, and went to school for the first grade party. The kids were all dressed to the nines, and were (literally) bouncing off the walls in a combo of excitement and a sugar rush! They had a carnival type party, and played games all afternoon. Gracyn loved that we were there, and was happy to show off her little lamb to her friends.

Later that night, the real fun began! We went to a friend's house for pizza and a trick-or-treat hayride. We loaded up Alice in Wonderland, Minnie Mouse, and our lamb and made the rounds...the girls had so much fun! Maggie was a trooper and wore her costume all night...I think that she was probably the only warm one on the hayride! Needless to say, we had one action packed, fun-filled Halloween week...whew! When does mom get a rest from all the "fun"???

Only Gracyn!

I love to record the funny things that the girls say in this blog...both so that you can read them, and so that I will remember them!

Friday, at school, Gracyn got to choose a surprise out of the treasure chest in her classroom. She chose a little green notebook, and has been busy all weekend writing notes, and drawing pictures in it. Thinking that she was playing "reporter," I asked her what she was writing. She turned, looked at me with a smile on her face, and said, "Oh, mom! It's private! I'm just writing in my diarrhea!"

Obviously, she meant diary, but it was still hilarious! I couldn't stop myself from laughing! She, of course, wanted to know what was so funny. When I explained (in gory "mommy" detail), exactly what diarrhea was and that I thought she meant diary, she turned to me with a look of total horror, and said, "Oh my goodness!!! THAT is disgusting! I am totally NOT writing in diarrhea...I'm writing in PEN!" Again, she didn't understand, and again, it was hilarious! I stopped trying to explain, and since she's still carrying around the green notebook, I guess not too much damage has been done. It's true what they say, kids will say the darnedest things!

I'm thankful...

A sweet friend of mine did this on her blog, and I thought that it was a great idea! We all get aggravated and annoyed, but there is always something in it to be thankful for! Every month, I will list my top ten annoyed yet thankful points. So...

• I'm annoyed that our house is full of loud, squealing little girls...and thankful that our house is full of squealing little girls...and that our one man loves all his girls to pieces, and still doesn't hate pink!
• I'm annoyed that I'm constantly cleaning this house...and thankful that I have this wonderful house to clean, and that it's full of little girls, dogs, and a precious baby who are busy making all these messes!
• I'm annoyed that Dow's job is so very stressful, and thankful that in this economy, in the construction business, he has a job and a paycheck!
• I'm annoyed that I still haven't watched the Grey's Anatomy season premier...there's just been no time! But I'm soo thankful for the invention of Tivo and that I can live my life and watch the tv shows that I love on my schedule, not the network's!
• I'm annoyed that love bugs and sand gnats have taken over the outside...and thankful that their arrival means that the beautiful fall weather is here!
• I'm annoyed that the girls have to be at school soooo early in the morning...and thankful that they are in such a wonderful Christian school, and that they are so excited to jump out of the car every morning! I'm also thankful that Dow knows when I need a morning "in" with a large cup of coffee, and will make the coffee and take the girls to school for me...if that's not love, I don't know what is!!!
• I'm annoyed that my computer and printer are constantly humming, and that my email inbox is overflowing...and thankful that all this busyness means that orders are coming in and my business is doing well!
• I'm annoyed that I'm constantly washing clothes...and thankful that I have a husband with a sometimes messy job, two little girls who are healthy and happy and love to play outside, and a baby who really enjoys her food and likes to wear it when she eats!
• I'm annoyed that every weekend is so busy with birthday parties, dinners, and activities...and thankful that we have so many sweet friends who want us to share in their lives!
• I'm annoyed that I have so many pictures that need to be printed and framed...and thankful that I have captured so many special moments that I want to remember!

Our lives may be busy and hectic, but thankfully, they are full of the people we love! How boring would it be if it wasn't? I'm flat out thankful that my life is a fun, messy, full, busy, crazy, hectic, but ultimately blessed one!

It's FALL, y'all!

Well, fall is finally here...changing leaves, college football, pumpkins, and the occasion cool day when the temp is in the 70's...even in South Carolina! We love it, and the girls have been spending every waking moment playing outside. We "decorated" the house this weekend, and pulled out the fall leaves, spice scented candles, and jack-o-lanterns. The girls had so much fun figuring out where to put everything! Maggie's new favorite activity is pumpkin bowling...crawling by and sending my pumpkins spinning across the floor...we'll see how long they last!

Last week, we had our nieces (Kendall & Reagan) staying with us while their parents went on a cruise. The girls had so much fun playing together...and Maggie loved trying to keep up with Kendall! Kendall is almost 18 months old, so she loved acting like a big girl and playing with Gracyn and Emma.







Reagan is almost four months old, and she is the sweetest baby! To get a big, blue eyed smile, you just have to talk to her. She is precious! It was great for us to be able to spend some time with them, and we hope to be able to do it again soon!

Gracyn and Emma have been participating in a cheer clinic every week, and have been using everything they've learned to cheer on the Dawgs on Saturdays. This is a picture of our smallest Dawg fan in her little smocked, bulldog dress. She's just learned to say "Go Dawgs!" Well, it actually sounds like "gooooo da!" but we know what she means! Then she smiles and claps... She must be the cutest little fan out there!

Gracyn and Emma are both really enjoying school, and are learning new things every day! They are really looking forward to Halloween and to our trip to Disney over fall break in mid-October. They're already planning (mom takes care of the boring stuff like which hotel to stay in, while the girls take care of the important things like which ride to go on first!)

Happy Fall, Y'all!

The Zoo & Maggie "Firsts"

~The girls at the Botanical Gardens...such cute little flowers!~

~Gracyn & Emma watching the giraffes. ~

Sometimes I feel like we live in a zoo, but today we actually visted one! It was Labor Day, so Dow was home from work, and Gracyn and Emma were home from school. We decided to visit Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Columbia, South Carolina and make the holiday a special one for the girls.

It was a great day! We saw some really neat animals, learned a lot about endangered species, and the girls got to do some really fun things...like riding a pony and milking a cow (a fake one, but still, it was fun!)

Maggie was on her best behavior..except when it came to picture time...the flower picture is the only one that I could even get her to look in the right direction to take! She's definitely come in to her own, and is very interested in everything around her!

Maggie is growing up so fast, and had a few "firsts" this weekend. Her first visit to the zoo, her first time on the swing set, her first time trying to eat grass (in the picture, she's looking at it closely and really thinking about it!)and her first time standing on her own...of course, once she realized that she was standing on her own, she promptly sat down and cried!

Now, it's back to the grind of a normal week...it really was such a great holiday weekend, and a perfect end to summer. Now, if we could just get some fall weather???

Only Emma...

Okay...so those of you who know Emma know that she can be very quiet, but then can just come out with the funniest things! Today, after I picked the girls up from school, they were riding in the back seat. I had the radio on, and was humming along to the country song, "I've Got a Brand New Girlfriend." After the song ended, I wasn't really paying attention, until I noticed that Emma was singing her own song in the back seat. Needless to say, my ears perked up, and this is what I heard:

"I've got a brand new girlfriend!

Her name is Emma!

She's a swimmer!

She's a winner!

The whoooooole CHICKEN DINNER!"

Hilarious! Don't I wish that all it took for someone to be a "winner" in my mind was that they were a swimmer? (FYI: the girls really got swimming this past summer. They've known how to swim for a while, but now they can go wherever they want to go both on top of the water and under it, so I guess that is the "whole chicken dinner" in Emma's mind!)