Upchurch family trip

We are heading to Palmetto Bluff, SC tomorrow for the annual Upchurch family trip - which was missed last year since I had just had Sam and Kit and Jeanne were preggos with Hope and Ashton.  I have been looking forward to this trip since mom and dad mentioned that we were going to do it again.  The kids will have so much fun being with their cousins and I can't wait to spend some quality time with my sister.  Oh yeah, and I guess my brother-in-laws too!  I am a little sad because we decided not to take Sam, but I know that it was the right decision. He is going to stay with Mary, and will never be the wiser.  And we will have a much nicer trip with just Ward and Ann Park.  I will still cry tomorrow when I take him to Mary's house.

Oh and I promise to write about Ward's graduation from 4K soon.  I have tons of pictures and am trying cull through them all.  It was a great program and I know that they worked so hard on it.  I still can't believe that he is going to kindergarten starting August 9th.  That is so soon.  I will definitely cry that day.

Off to finish packing!!!  Tons to do before we leave in the morning!

Sam's First Birthday

I still can't believe that Sam has been in our lives for one whole year.  It seems like only a few months ago that I was laid up in the bed, wondering about the little life moving around inside me.  Would s/he be like me or Ted?  Would s/he be as sweet as Ward or as manipulative as Ann Park was as a baby?  Laid back (Ted) or not (me)?  Boy or girl?  Also the sleepless nights of a 6-8 week old don't seem that far behind me. I remember walking with my friend Sarah and just bawling at how hard it was living on little sleep and, since I was on maternity leave in the summer, I had to still be a good mama to Ward and Ann Park.  I was at my wits end.  But then he miraculously started sleeping . . . just like they all do.  And then we wondered when he would start laughing, and smiling, crawling, and walking.  He hasn't gotten the walking part yet, but we are close.  I say about 3-4 weeks, maybe 5 depending on how much whining he does to be held!

We had his party last Sunday from 11:30 until about 1:00.  All of our close friends and family came which was so great.  Sam was a bit overwhelmed, but still managed to have fun, basking in all the attention.  I think that Ward had the most fun of all - especially since all his best buds were there.  We ate fried chicken, potato salad and fruit and of course cake (not that Sam liked it one bit!).  And how can I forget the ice cream man?  He was a huge hit!

Here are a bunch of pictures to give you a feel for the party.  This big cake (chocolate with cream cheese icing, yum!)

And here is Sam's smash cake:

Ann Park was all ready for the party, but then got into a foul mood for some reason.  She spent the vast majority of the party in the playroom watching Little Mermaid with her cousin, Stella.  At least she was happy up there and I didn't have to deal with her!  But here she is before the bad mood hit:

Once Cher Cher got there, Sam was all over her.  He is IN LOVE with Cher Cher and she can't get enough of him!

Ward playing in the climbing tree with some of his friends:

Three of my favorite people (including the little one, Abby!)

A group of kids eating at the picnic table under the swinset.  And, yes, we have a "permission required" sign on our swingset. Our yard is very open and we have a lot of kids we don't know who are tempted to use it without supervision.

Sam was very happy when he saw his fried chicken.  The boy is an EATER!

         

The older kids were VERY happy to see the ice cream man.  Most of the boys got batman!

After the ice cream, it was cake time!  I totally sugared those kids up and then sent them home!  Sam wasn't so sure what to think about the cake, although he had no problem sticking his hand right into it. He didn't really like the taste of it, even though I tried helping him out a little bit.  Guess he won't be like his mama in that regard!

After cake, we cleaned up and played a little bit more.  Most people were starting to leave when it started raining!  Thank God for lots of helping hands to get all the presents inside without one getting wet!  

(T-R-O-U-B-L-E!!)

I love the smile behind his pacifier in this picture!

FINI!!

A Star is Born!

The recital was a HUGE hit.  Ann Park had a ball and says that she wants to do ballet again (she has been saying for the past month that she only wants to do gymnastics), so that is a relief.  I am not going to bore you with a bunch about the recital because the pictures are priceless.  Unfortunately the photographer for most of the shots didn't focus too well.  It was either due to the alcohol (yes, there was alcohol which made it a much more enjoyable expeience for the adult viewers) or laughter.

in the dressing room before the show

with her favorite friend Harper

Let the show begin!  Her class danced to "Thank Heaven for Little Girls."

the group

twirl!

I just love this pose for some reason!  Have no idea what she was supposed to be doing but she was cute whatever she did!

And then on to tap!  She is shaking her booty in this shot!  The music was "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini"

You just gotta love that stomach!

If you can see through the fuzz, she is "doing the boggie" with her index fingers pointed down and shaking her knees back and forth

A little tapping!

Shuffle ball change!

Got through it

So I got through my horribly hectic Thursday.  Of course I knew that I would and it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.  The recital is tonight so I will try to get some pictures.  She is really excited which makes me happy since I literally had to bribe her to go to the dress rehearsal.  She looks precious in her costumes and can really shake that booty.  I am sure that I won't like that in years to come, but now it is pretty darn cute.

Also, Ward had his second to last t-ball game today and got the game ball.  He was so excited.  We definitely need to work on his hitting skills.  When he connects he smacks it, but we had some misses today - which were the first ones I have seen.  We have been working so hard on his fielding and throwing that somehow we forgot about the batting part.  Oh well.  Didn't seem to shake his confidence at all.  After the game asked me if I saw how "awesome" he was.  Oh yeah bud, I saw.

About to hit the bed.  Everyone in my house is asleep (or at least quiet in their rooms which is all I ask of Ward and Ann Park) and that rarely happens these days. It is so hard to make myself rest though since the house is a wreck and I need to do laundry.  But it is going to be a long night and we have to get up early tomorrow for my nephew Alex's first communnion.  The church is not the one we go to and it is quite a drive for us.  Let's just pray that they have a nursery for Sam (and potentially Ann Park!).

Warning: Depressing Post

I don't have much to say today.  In fact, I am tired, a little down, and just not in a good mood overall.  Granted, I have nothing to be sad about.  Sure, a man that I adore has brain cancer, but he did amazingly well in his surgery on Monday, and although I haven't seen him yet, is said to be "back to his old self."  I still have a hole in my heart about the whole situation, but I am giving it up to the doctors and to God.  It is all that I can do right now.

I am also dreading tomorrow.  I have a full day, very little of which I am excited about.  First, I work half the day, which actually is the bright spot in everything.  Then I pick the kids up from school (well, just Ward as a friend takes Ann Park to gymnastics), and will head straight to the gym for a little ass-kicking (mine).  At 2:15 I have to be across town at the high school to pick up Ann Park and her friend from gymnastics, and get them both home.  Then I have the pleasure of taking Ann Park to the Birmingham Civic Center Concert Hall for her dress rehearsal for her ballet/tap performance which is this weekend.  She is supposed to be there at 3:30, hair and make-up done.  Of course when I told her about this tonight before bed she flatly says "I don't want to go.  I want to stop doing that dancing."  Umm, great.  Gonna be a fun one.  But back to my day.  The dress rehearsal ends at 5:30 and then I get to rush home, shower, and head out to a W&L dinner for accepted students - which starts at 6, but I will definitely not get there until 7, at the earliest since I will not have showered after getting my ass kicked by my trainer at the gym.  Oh and Ted is going to be in Miami this whole time.  Can you say jealous?

Now that I have re-read this post, I realize that it is quite depressing.  I just need to go to bed.  The sooner I start the day tomorrow, the sooner it will be over.

Random Thoughts

While waiting on Ted to get back from the bike shop, so I can go running (with Sam in the BOB, but I am telling myself it just makes for a tougher workout, right Angela?), I thought that I would let you in on some of my random thougths from the day:

1.  I am making dinner for a friend down the street who had a baby and decided to make chocolate chip cookies.  I made two batches since I knew that my family would eat at least half of them before I could get them down Dexter.  Well, the ones on the bottom rack of the oven cooked just perfectly, but the ones on the top are a gooey mess.  I even put them back in for a couple of minutes longer, and they looked just perfect on the top, but they are still gooey.  And they look awful! Thank goodness my family isn't complaining because these are NOT going to the other family.  I mean, even I didn't think that I could mess up pre-slived cookies!

2.  The fighting at my house is OUT OF CONTROL.  Ward and Ann Park are like a cat and a dog who haven't been socialized together.  They are constantly picking at each other and trying to start a fight. And the worst thing is since they are so close, they know EXACTLY how to push each other's buttons.  I would rather deal with a tantrum than this crap.  It is exhausting.  I finally just put on a movie and made them sit and watch it.  Thank God it is the weekend and I can use the TV crutch - yes, that is what it is in my house!  I am just enjoying the quiet.

3.  Why is it that you can go to Target with a short list and come out with a cart full of crap that you never intended on buying.  I can't get out of that place without spending $100 - $150.  Today it was all stuff that we needed (and I did get most of my staple groceries for the week), but I looked down and the cart looked like it had exploded.  I also got two CUTE cotton throw-on sundresses for $18.  Proud of those two purchses.

4.  How can I shed so much hair and still have so much on my head?  Ever since I made the mistake of cutting all my hair off in law school (and again right before I found out I was pregnant with Ann Park), I have been growing my hair out and it is very long.  It is a bit high school long, but I love it and don't plan on cutting it short any time soon.  But I shed . . . a lot.  I clean out my brush twice a week.  And it is full.  And I find my hair eveywhere.  On my clothes, in Sam's mouth, on the floor in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, etc.  Not that I am complaining, but it is a bit disgusting.

Okay, Ted is back.  Off to change clothes and run.  It is 80, but I am not complaining.  After all the rain yesterday I am still a bit stir crazy.

A little obsessed

Ann Park is just a little obsessed with a little boy in her class.  She talks about him ALL THE TIME.  This morning for instance she told me she wanted to "color something for Paul."  Sure, I said.  Not telling her that I think this is the 10th or 11th piece of art she has made for him.  Not that I have given him any.  She really really wants to have him over to play.  But will he want to play dress up and dolls? Doubtful.  Of course her newest piece of art is a from a Transformers coloring book . . . maybe she is thinking of his interests or really just trying to get him to like her.  She is T-R-O-U-B-L-E.  I can already smell it.

Sad to Mad

So I had a great time in Nashville with my law school friends.  They are wonderful as ever and it was like time hadn't passed - only we all have VERY different lives than we did in law school, at least one kid each (and one on the way), and live all over the east coast.  But you know that you are good friends when you can catch up without really even having to say anything.

And Boston was a blast as well.  Ted ran very well . . . not as fast as in other races, but considering the double stress fracture, boot, other injuries, and just lack of "miles" (as he calls it), his 3:15 looks pretty impressive to me.  Hell, it is impressive, period.  His time qualifies him again for next year, but I think that he has it out of his system.  Or should I say, he has Boston out of his system.  He now has his eyes set on New York.  But I think that he will wait a couple of years for that one.  Here's hoping.

But back to the title of this post.  As many of you know, we have had some devastating news in our little community.  A very good friend of the family has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and it is malignant (sp?).  The statistics on this type of cancer are daunting and have put me and everyone close to this family in tears.   However, although I am still very sad, I am also mad.  It is NOT FAIR.  I know that life isn't fair and that cancer does not discriminate.  Why do such horrible things happen to such wonderful people?  That question keeps on coming up in my head.  And of course I know that there is not an answer.  I also know that God is in control and that this is part of his story for reasons that I may never understand.

His battle has just begun and even if the outcome is not one we want, he has won in my book.  If I know him, he will fight this with all he has . . . and be an inspiration to those around him.  My prayers are with him and his family.  They are fighters.  They are believers.  They are strong.  I just pray that I can be that for them as well.

Anticipation

I am so looking forward to my next 5 days.  I am leaving in the morning for Nashville for a quick weekend with my closest friends (sans one) from law school.  Unfortunately, one will be missing becuase of some trial she has on Monday which totally stinks since we planned this almost 6 months ago.  I can't wait to spend time with them and just laugh.  They always make me laugh and it makes me smile just thinking about how much fun I will have with them and how quickly the time will pass until I have to get back on the plane . . . for Boston!

On Sunday morning I fly from Nashville to Boston for Ted's 2nd running of the Boston Marathon.  I missed out last year when Ted did so well because I was on bed-rest with Sam.  My sweet Aunt Kathy and Uncle Tom watched him throughout the race and would call me with updates.  He did amazingly well, better than I even think he believed he would do.  He has been plagued with injuries this training season so I pray that he is happy with his time.  I am proud of him whatever the result.

Then, after the marathon, we are having dinner with parts of my family and I am SO EXCITED.  Aunt Kathy has planned a fun dinner with Sam (who is in Harvard medical school) (and maybe girlfriend?), Katherine and Jacob, and Kate (who is also running the marathon).  I also hope that Uncle Tak is joining us, but I don't know his status as of yet.  I just love being with family, especially the ones that I never see.

So, anticipation is what I am feeling right now.  I still need to pack and going from 80 degree weather in Birmingham, to 70s in Nashville, and then a high of 55 in Boston. I have put up all my winter clothes so I have to dig them back out. I guess 55 is spring for Boston, but not here!  That is fully winter according to this Alabama girl!

William's Baptism

Ted, Ward and I went to Memphis last weekend for our godson William Morris's baptism.  It was very special for us to be there and we are so honored that Lee and Eliot asked us to be his godparents.  I only pray that I can be the godmother to him (and my two other godsons) that my godmother has been to me.  She is truly a wonderful godly example for me and I hope to be for them as well.

Ward also had a great time with Eliot.  They are truly two peas in a pod and have the best time when they are together.  I hate that they are not in the sae city, but God has a plan and I have to trust that.  We did talk about sending them to Alpine in a few short years and I know that will be special for them.

Here are some pictures.  The baptismal gown was gorgeous and the pictures don't do it justice.  It is from the late 1700s!!

the twosome

joking around in the car

precious William

such a sweetheart

not happy about getting on the gown!

okay, people, hurry up!

catching a glance and a glipse of that gorgeous gown

sweet Lee and William

the real deal!

a little screaming, but not much!

Eliot comforting him . . . such sweet spirits

the beautiful Morris family and Father John