Happenings at the Hooker Household

Share Day at School

2012-01-24T12:30:00.005-06:00

This is what MG took for her share day at school - her brother's old MSU football helmet. She even did it up right wearing the MS State jersey to go with it. I think she looks really cute, but she would look even cuter with an Ole Miss jersey on and matching helmet!!!

Sunday, Sunday

2012-01-22T05:00:00.000-06:00

MG riding the old-timey horse at Steinmart.

And the boat.

Self portrait of me and MG.

And Happy Birthday to my beautiful mom today. She would be 64 years old. I know she is celebrating in heaven above:)

DCM Predator's Exhibit

2012-01-16T11:07:00.002-06:00

The Delta Children's Museum here in Greenville has a Predator's Exhibit on display at the Greenville Mall through April 15th. It is a hands on exhibit for children that is really cool! We bought Mark and MG Predator's Passes which include a t-shirt, admission at any time, and admission to the special Saturday showings. You can check it out at http://www.facebook.com/deltachildrensmuseum

MG and Mark in the cage by the shark! Can you imagine being underwater in a cage like that with a big shark trying to take a bite out of you!!! Scary!!!

Phone pics

2012-01-15T08:49:00.000-06:00

We went and ate at the Cowpen Restaurant in Arkansas the other night, and I took Mattie and MG's picture with the "Mexican man" sitting at the entrance.

I realized I had some pictures on my phone that I had never posted:

MG on vacation in FL holding the mannequins hand at Forever 21.

MG in the mall.

In the mall again.

Lola at nap time.

Getting ready to get out of the vehicle and go into school.

Mark with a decoy on his head!!!

I know...

2012-01-11T22:46:00.003-06:00

It has been a while since I have posted anything. We are just getting back into the swing of things with school starting back after the holidays.

MG with her hat she wore for hat day at school. She sure is a snaggle tooth!

Our furry baby had her 4th birthday on January 8th.

And Happy 13th Anniversary present to me thanks to the hubster!!!

Happy New Year!!!

2012-01-01T23:21:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone had a great New Year's Eve celebration (which also happened to be our 13th Anniversary!) and New Year's Day!!! We spent our morning at Sunday School and Church. I hope everyone of you has a prosperous, healthy and happy 2012!!!

Some photos of MG and Mark playing basketball at the house:

Thursday, we made a trip to Memphis to spend the night to shop, eat and visit the Pink Palace Museum.

On the way, we stopped and ate lunch at my cousin's restaurant Oxbow which is awesome by the way.

And saw Big Daddy.

Shopping at the mall, MG and Mark did the spider jump.

Then, we headed downtown and walked around Beale Street. We had to stop and watch the local boys perform their acrobatic skills on the street.

We got up the next morning and headed to the Pink Palace Museum (which I had never even been to).

MG and Mark looking at the shrunken head.

By the polar bear.

And the buffalo.

Crazy kid eating with her mom and dad on their anniversary.

And look who got her daddy to take her to ride her brother's motorcycle this afternoon. Mark said she did great!

She looks like a pro!

Christmas Celebration!!!

2011-12-27T23:25:00.008-06:00

We had a great Christmas here!!! On Christmas Eve, we went out to Mimi and Papaw's house to eat and open presents.

Mark with HK, MG and Mattie in the background getting ready to open presents.

MG showing off her helicopter.

Mark and his dad.

MG showing off her pocketknife.

Mattie and Reed.

Mimi with all of her grands.

And we woke up Christmas morning to see what Santa had brought (at 6:30 a.m. which was way early for me and especially with the rain coming down outside)!

Mark with his stuff. His big thing was a laptop computer.

MG with her stuff. Her biggie was a kindle fire.

Holding up his bey blade that he had been wanting.

MG started feeling sick and we had to get the bucket out which was put to use a couple of times!

Mattie didn't get up early with us. She slept in and saw what Santa brought her mid morning. MG started feeling better, and we ended up going to church. They also got a basketball goal, and each of them got basketballs. It was finally pretty enough today so their dad got to put it up outside. I think it will be warm for the next few days so they can go sharpen up their hoop skills!!! And the hubster got me a new computer!!! I hope you all had a great Christmas too!!!

Clarksdale Christmas

2011-12-24T12:06:00.003-06:00

We headed to Clarksdale Thursday evening to celebrate Christmas there with the Willard family. Thursday night, I went out with some cousins and friends. We had a great time visiting and catching up!

Val, Robyn, Meg and me

With cousin Jen and cousin Robyn who I haven't seen in about a year and a half!

With Val and Robyn eating dinner at Rust.

Mr. and Mrs. Agostinelli

Part of the group at Rust - Richard, Robyn, cousin Hayden Glenn (owner of Oxbow), Jen, Erica (HG's wife) and Ashley (Erica's sister).

Mark and MG at Oxbow.

Mark showing off his bey blade while we were at Oxbow.

With Big Daddy at Oxbow.

Robyn and Jen at Aunt Glenda's celebrating our Christmas!

BD with the 2 little ones.

Mary Glenn, William Glenn & Hayden Glenn

We also played Dirty Santa at Aunt Glenda's and MG got these wine glasses. Richard offered to buy them from her, but she wasn't having any of that!

She said she was going to drink her water out of the glasses, and that is just what she did when we got home.

THANK YOU to Aunt Glenda and Uncle Bobby for hosting our Christmas celebration again this year. We had a wonderful time!!!! We will see yall again in April for the Juke Joint Festival!!! Merry Christmas to everyone...

Oxbow Restaurant

2011-12-19T22:59:00.000-06:00

The Kidlets and I made a trip to Clarksdale today to eat with my family at Oxbow Restaurant which is owned by my cousin and his wife. The whole family was there except the hubbie and Richard (of course, my cousin was cooking since he is the chef and his wife was manning the place). Oxbow is SO NEAT!!! You have to stop by if you are in Clarksdale and check it out.

Cousin Jen, Cousin Robyn, Mattie, MG modeling her Oxbow hat, and Mark.

And because my Aunt Glenda requested these pictures of MG, I am reposting these of her from January 2011. She attended a birthday party where the girls had their hair and makeup done. She does look beautiful, but we all know that she is not into that girly stuff! Ha!!!

She looks like she is concentrating real hard!!!

Must Be Santa, Santa Claus

2011-12-14T23:48:00.002-06:00

MG posing in a pair of my boots before getting ready for her Christmas program. I don't know where this pose came from!

Posing with Lola who looks so happy.

Ready for the program.

Mark and MG (she ended up not wearing the beard and glasses during the program).

MG got this cool shark helmet for bike/scooter riding from Uncle Daniel, Aunt Lynn, HK and Reed (thank you!!!).

It comes complete with a fin on top!

Our Christmas card photo taken by Sarah Ashley Photography. Such a great picture!!!

#3 of How did we go from this...

2011-12-13T05:00:00.002-06:00

To This:

And Now This???

Happy Birthday to the "baby" in the family who is turning 6 years old today!!! We love you and hope that you have the best day ever!!!

Weekend Recap

2011-12-11T22:49:00.003-06:00

It's been a busy weekend for us! First, Mary Glenn brought her costume home for their school's Christmas program. Yep, she is going to be Santa Claus, NOT Mrs. Claus, but Santa Claus. The teacher kind of lets them choose who they want to be, and that is what she chose.

She makes a pretty darn cute Santa.

I'll post some pictures after her play on Tuesday night which also happens to be her birthday!

Flashback 3 years ago and guess who also played Santa Claus in the school Christmas program? Yep, her big brother. Wonder why she chose Santa? Ha!!!

Friday night, Mark had a spend the night party celebrating his birthday. I took all of the kids bowling, and we went and ate at McDonald's. Here, we are singing Happy Birthday to him.

Blowing out his 9 candles.

Saturday morning, MG and her daddy went to meet Santa and make gingerbread houses.

Sitting in Santa's chair.

And Saturday night, the kidlets stayed with Mimi (Thank you, Mimi!) while Mark and I went to a wedding and the reception.

And Sunday, we all went to Jackson to do some final shopping for gifts. It's been a busy, but fun weekend!

And this, my friends, is my Christmas gift to myself. A pair of Old Grinco cowboy boots. I realize they are a little wild, but I love them!!! What are you getting for Christmas???

A Sweet CeCe's Birthday Party

2011-12-07T05:00:00.004-06:00

December is a busy, busy month for us. Besides all of the normal holiday parties, decorating, shopping, etc., Mark and MG both have birthdays. And our anniversary is in December! Whew, it wears me out thinking about it! We had MG's birthday party at Sweet CeCe's yesterday which is a neat yogurt place here in town. MG and her friends had lots of fun, ate lots of yogurt, and MG got lots of cool presents!

Waiting on the guests to arrive.

Eating yogurt and cupcakes.

Singing Happy Birthday!!!

Blowing out her #6 candle. (I can't believe my youngest is turning 6!)

In line playing games with her friends.

With Mattie.

And with cousin Hannah Kate. All in all, I would declare the birthday party a success:)

During Thanksgiving break, this is the snaggle tooth after her big sister gave her a makeover.

#2 of How Did We Go From This...

2011-12-04T05:00:00.001-06:00

To This???

Happy 9th Birthday to our only son, Mark, III!!! We love you so very much and hope you have the best day ever!!!

Happy Black Friday

2011-11-25T13:43:00.000-06:00

Mark with the doe his daddy killed this morning! I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday!!!

Happy Thanksgiving Week

2011-11-19T16:25:00.000-06:00

From our little pilgrim to you!!!

Halloween and the Indian Mounds

2011-11-07T22:47:00.000-06:00

Mark getting wrapped up like a mummy at his Halloween school party.

Mummy!!!

Mark, Mattie, MG and Reed about to head out on the hayride to go trick or treating.

MG playing ball in the front of Daniel and Lynn's house while waiting to go on the hayride.

MG and Mark getting some candy.

This is what MG did pretty much most of the time - run like wildfire to the houses.

Mattie and her daddy.

Last Thursday, I helped take some of MG's class on a field trip to the Winterville Indian Mounds. This is MG inside of the museum.

Face painted like an Indian.

Bow and Arrow shooting. Out of about 30 kids, MG was the only one to hit the target!

Snack time. The Indian Mound we climbed to the top of is in the background.

And just guess whose class went 3 years ago in which I also helped take some students??? Mark...

MG went with us then too.

November 2008 watching the Indian dance.

The 89 (yep, I counted) steep steps to the top of the Indian Mound. That's MG at the bottom with her Dora backpack on.

MG with the Indian performer in 2008.

The Mad Scientist

2011-10-30T22:42:00.000-05:00

On Friday, MG got to be the mad scientist of her class. She got to pick out an experiment to perform in front of her class, and she had her daddy there to help. She showed the class that you can make a penny shiny again by putting it in a mixture of some vinegar and salt.

And guess what??? Her brother did the same experiment exactly 3 years ago!!!

He also got some help from his daddy. Look how small MG is here!!!

Thursday night, Big Daddy came and we went to watch MG play soccer. Then, we headed to Doe's to eat and celebrate his birthday which was on Friday!!! We love you, BD, and hope you had a great birthday!!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

MG's school program

2011-10-25T23:09:00.000-05:00

MG had her Fall Open House and Slide Show last Thursday. The children sang several songs and then there is a slide show of all of the children in the school doing their day to day activities. I whispered to Mark during the slide show that this is our last Fall Open House and Slide Show to attend. I got a little teary eyed! I can't believe MG will be in first grade at Washington next year. All 3 kidlets will be in ONE place!!! She is really enjoying kindergarten right now, and she is learning SO much.

Before the show.

The 3 kidlets at St. James before the show.

Eating her snacks after her wonderful performance.

On Saturday afternoon, Mark was invited to a birthday party to see a magic/spooky show called Frightmares. It really was super scary but neat to see at the same time. MG ran out during the show, came back, and ran out again! It was really dark with spooky music and different scary things going on. Here are Mark and MG with the magician after the show.

Flu shots

2011-10-20T10:17:00.000-05:00

I'm sure all of you that have children can relate to this video! Can you say stressful? I am trying to be cool under pressure, but it's tough. MG totally puts up a fight when it comes to shots. Mark doesn't like them but ends up doing okay. And Mattie would rather HAVE a shot than take medicine when she is sick so... I know the Doctor and Nurses love seeing us walk into the office. Oh, well, we all have gotten our flu shots for the year. Hopefully, they'll work!!!

Mark was staying in the corner out of sight, but once it was his turn, he sat down and got his shot without any hollering.

Poor MG despises shots - she talked about getting that shot all day before we went - but after it was over, she was completely fine and just wanted her candy!

Celebration!!!

2011-10-16T18:10:00.000-05:00

We started off Mattie's birthday night by going and watching MG play soccer. She scored 2 goals for her team, but also scored a goal for the other team. That's okay though. She was just trying to keep them from scoring.

Ready and waiting.

Mattie at the soccer field.

Reed and MG.

Then, we headed to the Mexican Restaurant to eat supper.

The waiters sang Happy Birthday to Mattie.

And then she got whipped cream smeared on her face! Ha!!

Love the sombrero.

Mattie and Mark at the field.

Then, we went to the house - HK and Mark in the camo tent that is set up in the play room.

The best part - opening presents.

The BIG present - a cell phone!!!

I think Mattie almost fainted!

And we finished up with a delicious cake Mimi made and some ice cream. I'd say it was a BIG day for Mattie!!!

How did we go from this....

2011-10-13T04:00:00.000-05:00

To This??????? So Quick????

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER, MATTIE!!!

We LOVE you so much... And Hope your 12th Birthday is extra special!!!!

Delta Cotton Belle's

2011-10-08T22:47:00.000-05:00

Today was the annual Delta Cotton Belle's tennis tournament. Jen came again this year to be honored as one of the breast cancer survivors at the luncheon. There were many survivors honored that have been survivors from four months to 41 years!!! This is the fourth year for the tennis tournament. The first year of the tournament, $16,000 was raised, and to date, over $100,000 has been raised. It is for a great cause which is providing free mammograms for working, uninsured women in the MS Delta. And it is also implementing other programs as well!!! Fun Day!!!

Jen, Mattie, MG and Mark in front of some of the pink tribute bags which people purchase in memory/or honor of loved ones.

Jen with MG and Mark after her survivor walk through.

MG and Mark getting their mini massages.

In front of more tribute bags.

Mark and Jen

Jen came Friday night, and we went to eat at Doe's - yummy!!!

Losing Teeth, Plays and Soccer

2011-10-03T22:42:00.000-05:00

Guess who lost their first tooth??? MG! She was so excited about it. Here she is posing as a snaggle tooth. This is RIGHT after her dad pulled her tooth so she is still a little freaked out!

Mark had his play at school last Wednesday. He played a chairman of a committee and got to wear one of his Sunday suits. He did great, and the play was super cute.

Soccer season is now in full swing. Mark and MG are playing this year. Here is Mark at his first game.

Mattie watching her brother.

Mark and me while he is taking a break.

MG at the fields.

Big Weekend!!!

2011-09-26T04:30:00.011-05:00

On Friday, MG got to go on a field trip with her class to pick some cotton:

Friday evening was Mattie's first middle school dance to attend (OK, where has the time gone?). She had 5 girls to spend the night to also celebrate her 12th birthday which is coming up in a couple of weeks.

Before the dance - minus one girl. It was neon theme if you can tell.

Blowing out the candles on her cake.

I love this picture!!! Here are the girls headed inside the dance. They had the BEST timeand cannot wait until the next one...

While we were at it, we let Mark have 2 boys to spend the night too. This is pretty much what they did the whole time - play the wii. If you do the math, that is 7 extra kids at our house!!!! Yes, we survived, and they actually were not bad at all!!!

MG in the floor of the car, silly girl.

Saturday, we went to Leland for the Kermit the Frog Festival. It was celebrating the 75th birthday of Jim Henson, founder of the Muppet's, who was from Leland.

MG got her face painted with a picture of one of the Muppet's.

And this, my friends, is MG in her Halloween costume. Dear Lord, help me - Ha!!!!

And a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Aunt Glenda today!!! We love you and hope your day is extra special!!!!!!

Tennis and Cheerleading

2011-09-21T14:57:00.002-05:00

Some pictures of the kidlets at their weekly tennis lessons. I hope they grow to love tennis as much as I do! It is a sport that you can play throughout your lifetime!!

And some pictures of Mattie cheering at Washington's 5th and 6th grade boys' football game:

MG watching in the stands.

Busy Friday

2011-09-11T18:23:00.000-05:00

Last Friday was MG's circus day at school. She had to go dressed as a clown. Luckily, we knew someone with this clown collar and hat. So we painted her face and off she went.

Headed to school with our clown outfit looking thrilled.

With big brother.

Friday was also homecoming at Washington School. Since Mattie is in middle school now, she has a lot more things she can participate in. There is a powder puff football game between the middle school girls that she played in. She got to wear her jersey to school that day.

Mattie with the girls in her class - #41.

Ready to play.

And this is what her brother and sister did while she played her game - played on and under the bleachers with me telling them not to!!!

Hanging around.

Trying not to have his picture taken.

Still hanging.

A few blasts from the past that I found:

Easter Egg hunt at the church - March 2008

With her Tinky Winky slippers. Those went through each kid. They loved them...

With Hannah Kate - March 2008.

Halloween 2007!!!

Finally...

2011-09-03T23:05:00.002-05:00

All of the kidlets are in school!!! MG didn't start her pre-school until August 29th so she has been home for the past 3 weeks while Mattie and Mark have been in school. This will be her last year at the pre-school. She is the big kid this year as a kindergartner! So far, she loves it.

Headed out on her first day.

No bows, frills, pink, lace or frou-frou for this girl on her first day.

And Mark, III, dove hunting today with his new shotgun. He and his dad had a fun, long day!!!

Swimming

2011-08-25T22:47:00.000-05:00

We've been swimming the past couple of afternoons after we get home from school and get all of our homework done. Soccer and tennis are about to start up which will keep us busy during the evenings for a while.

This is the first picture I took with my new camera that I got for my birthday!

This is how Mark was looking a couple of weeks ago (notice the bucket). He had been in school 3 days and got sick! MG then got sick with the stomach virus soon after this.

MG's handmade hideout.

Peeking out!!!

Turning 4-1!!!

2011-08-14T23:02:00.000-05:00

I'm officially the "Old Lady" in the house. That's what my kids call me! Wow!!! Am I really 41? I don't feel like I'm that old...Ha!!! I've had a great day. It has been pretty low key. Little Mark and MG both got sick this weekend so we have been indoors vegging out. I did go see "The Help" this afternoon, and it was wonderful. I highly recommend it. I had read the book a while back which is also great! I got some great jewelry, nail polish, a new camera, money, and a McCarty pitcher for my birthday. And Mimi made me a cake - Yum!

Blowing out my candles...

Listening to "Happy Birthday" being sung to me by the family.

Opening some presents and cards first this morning before my run.

And cute MG blending in to the couch.

First Day of School

2011-08-10T20:46:00.000-05:00

I took this picture of Mark this morning on our way out the door. He is in 3rd grade this year!!!

And I took this picture of Mattie, my middle schooler!!!

Mattie's class had a back to school swimming party on Monday afternoon. She is on the upper right side.

Last weekend, we played in the Parent/Child Tennis Tournament at the country club. The kids have been taking tennis lessons all summer and have really enjoyed it. Mark played with Mattie, and I played with Mark, III. We all played in the beginner level. Mattie and her dad played in the finals, and she won this plaque! Mark, III, and I played in the consolation finals. It was a fun weekend!!!

Turning 4-1 on 1-4. If you recall, I got this awesome purse from Big Daddy last year for my 40th birthday....

Well, this year, I got this lovely wallet to match from Big Daddy!!! Thank you, BD.....

Last of the Vacation Pictures...

2011-08-05T12:22:00.000-05:00

Out to dinner by the ocean...

Playing at the playground.

Zip lining again and...

Not holding on.

At the Baytowne Wharf of Sandestin.

At the arcade.

Last time to zip line.

Fun times!!!

A Special Day!!!

2011-07-31T22:42:00.000-05:00

Mattie got baptized at the church service this morning. It also happened to be the Lord's Supper so she got to partake in that for the first time too! Here are a few pictures from her special day...

In her white robe waiting to be baptized. She also has on her special cross necklace that Papaw gave her.

Mattie and her friend who was also baptized.

Mattie and Big Daddy

Before we left for Sunday School and church.

Mattie and her daddy.

The fam...

We went to eat at the Country Club after church.

Reed loving her ice cream!

Picture of Hannah Kate taken by Mary Glenn.

The Hooker grand kids.

We are so very proud of you, Mattie, and love you!!!!

Stay tuned... I have more vacation pictures coming up in the next few days!!!

Vacation Pictures, Part III

2011-07-29T23:35:00.004-05:00

Me scared to death about to zip line!

There I go...

Mark's turn...

And MG's turn.

At the Baytowne Wharf.

Mark patiently waiting in line for one of the bouncy things.

MG and Mark waiting for the go ahead.

Mark sliding..

And MG sliding.

Having fun!!!

Having LOTS of fun!!!

About to go eat...

At Graffiti's, one of our favorite places!!!

Vacation Pictures, Part II

2011-07-26T16:24:00.000-05:00

Mark and MG out in the water trying to catch a wave.

Swimming in the ocean.

Building sand castles.

Mattie playing in the sand.

His shark fin he built in the sand.

Mark admiring an alligator sand castle. You can see how crowded the beach is!!!

Mark still working on a sand castle with Mattie in the water behind him.

What happens after a LONG day at the beach.

Waiting for her turn on the euro bungy jump.

Mark jumping.

And MG jumping!!!

Vacation Pictures, Part I

2011-07-24T18:55:00.000-05:00

Yay! We are there and ready to head to the beach!!!

On the balcony.

Headed to the beach.

Slowing making their way into the ocean.

Posing with seaweed on her head!

Fun in the waves.

Mark's spot.

Mark in the "hamster wheel" about to get in the water.

MG taking her turn in the "hamster wheel"

Our dinner the first night! Yum!!!

Mark on the surfboard. He did great and only fell off once!

MG had a harder time staying on.

Fun on our first afternoon that we arrived.

MG loving it!!!

Tennis, anyone???

2011-07-14T11:49:00.000-05:00

This summer, the kidlets have been taking tennis lessons on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. I think they really enjoy it. I would LOVE for them to LOVE tennis as much as I do!!!

Mary Glenn (in Mark's old Eli Manning jersey) and Hannah Kate playing pass the tennis ball game at their lesson.

She's got good form! Just like her mom - ha!!!

Mark getting some instructions on his serve.

Hannah Kate eating her snow cone after their lesson.

Cute cousins!!!

The kidlets put on a show for me one day. I can remember putting on MANY shows for my mom too!!!

Self-photo.

We are leaving on Sunday for the beach!!! We will be gone all of next week so be sure to check in after that for our vacay photos!!!!!!

Quick overnight trip to Jackson

2011-07-02T17:50:00.000-05:00

Friday afternoon, Mark, the girls and I left for an overnight trip to Jackson. We had to be at Twin Lakes on Saturday morning at 9:30 to pick up Mark. So we decided to go the night before, eat and shop a little.

MG riding her bike while we were waiting on her daddy to get home to leave. Look who is watching from the window!

Picture Mattie took of me.

Beautiful Mattie.

Still riding.

Dinner at PF Changs.

At dinner.

Chilling in the vehicle.

Picture taken of self.

Hugging after a long week apart.

Mark looks kind of tired! But Happy to see us!!!

Mark and his best buddy signing themselves out.

With their counselor.

Together again!!!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!! HAVE A GREAT LONG WEEKEND!!!

Another Send Off

2011-06-28T23:14:00.000-05:00

Monday morning, we headed out bright and early to take Mark and his friend to Camp Twin Lakes which is south of Jackson. They both went last year and had a blast! Once we got them to their cabins and settled in, we headed out. I've been thinking about Mark a lot and what they are doing. I wish I could be a "fly on the wall" when my kids are away to see what they are doing and how they are acting. I guess you have to let them go little by little as they grow up, and pray that you've raised them right! Now, I'm also a worrier. I worry about the craziest things, and my kids are usually in these worrying moments of panic. I am really praying about that and trying not to be such a "worry wart" as my mom used to call me! Most of all, I just hope he is having FUN!!!!

Headed to check-in.

I'm so glad they have each other there, and they also get to meet new friends!

Pic right before we left. They look excited!!!

I found the following 2 surprise photos on my camera!!!

Photo of self taken by MG.

Goofy face.

Blast from the past - spring 2003.

Another blast from the past - summer 2007.

AWE, I LOVE THEM!!!

3 Big Things!!!

2011-06-19T15:45:00.002-05:00

The 1st Thing:

Saturday evening, Mattie and I were shopping in Steinmart. We were at separate registers checking out. When I was done and walking around the counter, a lady that I knew ran up to me and said that Mattie had fainted! I freaked out!!! They had her sitting in a chair, but she was out of it and sweating, etc. A doctor happened to be in Steinmart and came to help. Basically, Mattie was dehydrated! After an ambulance ride to the ER, and a bag of IV fluids, she was discharged home. Thank you, Lord, for letting her be okay!!!!

It was a long 3 1/2 hours in the ER, but I still loved seeing that smile :)

Just waiting for the fluids to go through!

The 2nd Thing:

Mattie became a Christian while she was at camp this past week and joined our church this morning. I had been praying about this, and the Lord answered my prayers! We are so very proud and can't wait for her to be baptized very soon!!!

Proud mama and daddy!!!

And the 3rd Thing:

Happy, Happy Father's Day to all of the wonderful fathers out there that I know!!! I hope that your day is terrific. We as kids, and now as parents ourselves, could not make it without y'all!!!!!!

Picture Catch-Up

2011-06-13T23:14:00.000-05:00

Well, t-ball is over. I'm glad but kind of sad too. It was an exciting season, and Mary Glenn absolutely loved it. Softball is also over, Vacation Bible School is over. Maybe now, we can wind down and relax a little and enjoy our summer! I realized I had some pictures on my camera I had not posted so I wanted y'all to see...

Mattie leaving for camp with her roommate for the week.

MG saying goodbye to Mattie.

Look a likes...

Mark found a good seat while watching Mattie playing softball.

And MG found a good tree to climb while Mattie was playing.

Mark at his field day at WS.

Mark in the paintball tent on field day.

Patiently waiting his turn.

Mark playing 3rd base for his team.

Running to stop the ball.

Isn't he cute in his uniform?

Big bass that Mark caught at the Fishing Rodeo at the Country Club.

And MG's big bass she caught (she didn't want to hold it).

Happy, Happy Birthday to the Hubster!!!

2011-06-07T05:00:00.003-05:00

He turns 39 today. Yep, he's still in his 30's! We had a family birthday get together Sunday evening at our house. After swimming, we cooked out, opened presents, and ate 2 different cakes and ice cream. Lots of fun!!! Happy Birthday, Mark... We love you!!!

Mattie and Reed.

Hannah Kate, Mattie and Mark

HK and Mattie

MG helping Mark open presents.

More helping... I do believe she had already told him everything we had gotten him anyway.

Trying on his new flip flops.

Happy Birthday to you....

Peace Out from HK and Mark...

Randomness

2011-06-03T23:24:00.000-05:00

I hope you are all staying cool. It's almost too hot to even breathe down here in the Delta! We haven't stopped since the kids have been out of school - tennis lessons, baseball camp, swimming, more t-ball, baseball and softball games, etc... The games finish up next week (hopefully). We also have Vacation Bible School next week which will keep us busy.

MG on second base ready to run.

Playing first base in the field.

Taking a good swing at the ball.

Jen came to watch the kids play ball. It was only 100 degrees outside, and we were at the ball fields for over 3 hours! Lovely!!! Thank you, Jen, for coming to watch!!!

Mattie got a pink streak in her hair - you can see it under her chin. It's really cool!

Jen and Mark

Jen and the girls.

An old photo my Aunt Glenda sent me - Aunt Glenda, Richard, Robyn and Aunt Margaret at Glenda's 41st birthday party! That's what I'll be on my next birthday!!!

MG getting instructions at the Y Baseball Camp - yep, she was the only girl.

Big Daddy in his marine uniform!

My Nanny and Paw with my aunts. My dad must not have been born yet.

I loved seeing the old photos - so neat. Also, one of my distant relatives on my maternal grandmother's side brought me a huge genealogy/ancestry book that she put together tracing my family from that side way back! So it has been neat looking at that too...

Have a Wonderful Weekend!!!

Our Impromtu Memphis Trip

2011-05-27T23:41:00.000-05:00

I hope you all survived the storms if they came through your area on Wednesday night, May 25th. Now, I'm not one that usually freaks out about storms. As long as I am in my house, I feel like all is well. That night though, I was scared! Around 9:00 p.m. when the tornado warning went out; and, it was hailing outside; and, it felt like our windows were about to shatter; we decided to get into the closet. After about 15 minutes, all was well except for no electricity! We are a family that likes to sleep with our fans and noise machines on at night, so it was pretty rough night without our white noise and no air. The next day when we were told it was going to be another day and a half until our electricity was restored, we packed up and headed to Memphis. The kids were so excited, and we really had a great little trip!

Thursday night, we shopped at the mall and went out to eat. MG loved the spider jump.

She has no fear.

Mark and MG built their own bear at Build a Bear.

They both got camo bears.

And Friday morning, we headed to the Zoo.

The weather was perfect, it was actually a little cool outside!

This photo and the one below are in the same tree, but....

3 years apart. This one is from May 2008. How much have they changed????

In front of the polar bears.

The bear having fun splashing in the water.

Mark had 2 birds on his feeder.

MG with hers.

I got a white bird to land on my feeder!

Mattie got a blue bird...

And MG got another one.

By the giraffes.

And the gorillas were my favorite. We got to see the Zoo keepers feed them. I thought it was neat how they ate and interacted with each other. The male (in the middle sitting on the big rock) was definitely the head honcho!!!

All About Mattie...

2011-05-23T23:09:00.000-05:00

What has Mattie been up to lately?

Taking self-portrait shots while manning the camera.

I love it when I find all of the different pictures on my camera the kids have taken, like this one of Mattie's cute feet!

Graduating from elementary school.

Posing with friends after graduation.

Displaying her Accelerated Reader plaque - 650 points for the year!!! Wow!!!

Posing with all of her awards and certificates.

Watching her brother and sister play ball.

Having fun at field day.

Having a water fight with the other 5th graders at field day!

Designer of the field day t-shirt. You can see her name as one of the designers, pretty cool, huh?

Posing for pictures with her soft ball team.

Playing right field.

And slamming the ball!!!!

And pretty much just growing up WAY TOO FAST!!!

All about MG...

2011-05-19T23:29:00.003-05:00

What has Mary Glenn been up to lately?

Sprinting to the finish line to finish 6th overall in her age group in the Cotton Classic.

Attending her St. James end of the year pre-school program.

And posing next to her picture in the hallway.

Attending her end of the year party at one of her friends barn. They got to ride horses!!!

St. James Pre-School Pre-K class.

In the batting cage practicing.

Watching her friends play ball and waiting on her game to start.

Playing 1st base!!!

And singing her heart out at her end of the year program!

All about Mark, III

2011-05-14T18:05:00.001-05:00

What Mark has been up to lately?

There was his end of the year Boy Scout Banquet. Lots of fun and games with the other boy scouts.

Tug O War - younger scouts vs. older scouts

I guess he was NOT going to let go of that rope!

Getting one of his many badges.

And then there was the Mother/Son Bowl a Rama that we attended on Friday night. LOTS OF FUN where you get to bowl 2 games, eat and get a picture taken together. We were also supposed to dress alike. We bowled a combined score of 261 after 2 games. Not so good, but definitely a fun time!!!

On our way. We wore our matching Cotton Classic t-shirts from last weekend.

Mark waiting patiently for his turn.

Waiting and watching.

And then, we attended his art show today. Mark takes art every Monday afternoon throughout the school year. He is very talented if I must say so myself!!!

The face picture and the double butterfly pictures in the back are his.

Standing next to one of his pieces.

Very cool!

Standing next to his fish art work.

He also received the 1st place award in his age group. There were judges who looked at about 6 pieces of art work of each child and gave them a score of 1 to 10. He got the overall highest average to win 1st place! So proud...

Mother's Day Loot

2011-05-08T23:23:00.000-05:00

I racked up today. Below are all of my cards and presents I got for Mother's Day. We went to Sunday School and Church, and then went and ate the Mother's Day Brunch at the Country Club. Mimi (Mark's mother) went with us. It was great!!!

I would have to agree "Mom Rocks" (made by Mattie)!!!

Before Sunday School and Church.

Picture taken by budding photographer MG.

I don't know if yall know about the newest fad, but it is having a feather in your hair. Mattie has been wanting one, and we found a vendor doing them at the art festival Saturday. Pretty neat. You leave it in all of the time even when you wash and style your hair.

Last Wednesday was MG's star day at school. I sent her favorite snacks (cut up strawberries and hot fudge sundae pop tarts) and favorite drink (Capri Sun's) for her class. She also took this board with pictures of her favorite things to do on it. And you can see her Diego doll peeking out from behind her. Diego also went to school with her that day.

The back of the board. Of course, her favorite things to do are play basketball, climb trees, play t-ball, ride her bike, etc. She also has a picture of her and Lola and a picture of her with her brother, sister and cousins.

Super Saturday...

2011-05-07T20:57:00.000-05:00

Today has been a busy day! It was the annual Cotton Classic Race. I've run the 10K (6.1 miles) the past 2 years. I really haven't been running alot lately, but I figured I would give it a try. The kids also had a one mile fun run after the 10K

Me coming up to the finish line! I know I look like a total goober, but I guess who looks that great after having run 6.1 miles...ha...

MG and Mark showing off the Hooker Engineering sign.

Mark getting ready to start his 8 and over boys race.

MG and her bud Nathan before their race.

Mark headed to the finish line.

Mattie and her friend with their teacher encouraging them to make it to the finish line.

Mattie with her medal.

AND just guess who came in 6th overall in the 7 and under girls fun run...yes, MG! She won this cool cotton bale with a gold engraved plaque on it!

AND, guess who came in 3rd overall in their age group - females 40 to 44, yes, Me!!! I guess it pays getting older!!!

MG and I showing off our trophies. Yes, MG looks thrilled in this picture.

I also scored this cool cross at the arts festival which was also being held today.

This afternoon, we headed over to the E. E. Bass children's museum to listen to a concert on the lawn. MG with her face painted is taking it all in while eating her snow cone.

MG is in the middle of the picture behind the lady in the white hat.

This picture is out of sync, but here is Mark with his medal after the race.

There was a great crowd, beautiful weather, and an overall wonderful day!

Also, Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers out there. It is hard to believe this is my 10th mother's day without my mom. The last mother's day I had with her was May 14, 2000. She died 16 days later. I still think about her all of the time and miss her like crazy...

More Photography by MG

2011-05-03T23:27:00.000-05:00

I found more photos on my camera taken by the photographer MG. They always make me laugh!!!

Crooked picture of Mark while he is on the computer.

Posing with Mattie's cheerleader picture button.

More posing.

I think it's time for a haircut.

Don't ask, because I have no idea???

AND:

Mark and Mark, III, went on a boy scout camp out for the weekend. Mark, III, had a blast and was literally worn out when they got home. Here is a photo of all of the tents set up.

And Mark at the camp out with his best bud.

Makeover Madness

2011-04-28T18:25:00.003-05:00

Mattie and MG gave each other make overs the other day, and the following pictures are the results. I don't think MG exactly knows where all of the make up is supposed to go just yet (take a look at Mattie's face and you will see). But they had fun and did some sisterly bonding:

Mattie even cut up this old t-shirt for MG which she loves and sleeps in.

I love those few freckles on her nose.

MG made Mattie look like she has a mustache.

Fun, fun...

And then MG had some time bonding time with her brother outside sans shirt.

Happy Easter!!!

2011-04-24T23:10:00.000-05:00

Mark listening to the Easter story at our church's Easter Egg hunt.

MG with her empty basket (Spiderman, no less!) before the start of the church hunt.

Filling that basket up!

Filled to the top!!!

Mattie and friends at Mimi and Papaw's neighborhood Easter Egg hunt.

Mark found the golden egg at the neighborhood hunt!

Lola with a beautiful bow in her hair. She looks so thrilled...

Easter morning before church. Yep, Mattie's doing rabbit ears on MG.

The kidlets in their Sunday finest.

The fam in front of the flower cross.

And Mattie looking lovely in front of the cross.

Happy Easter!!!

Catch Up...

2011-04-17T22:58:00.000-05:00

Well, between all of our extra curricular activities, we have been super busy. We have gone from being home every night in the winter - being able to eat supper (me even cooking some!), bathing and getting in bed at a decent hour to now having to grab supper on the go, rush to bathe and getting in bed at a later time. And we are still in the practicing stages of ball. Games haven't even started yet! I counted how many days of school are left, and there are only 23! Woo Hoo, said Little Mark when I told him that. I had to add a few fishing pics:

Mark with a nice one.

And another nice one...

And MG with hers!

This Saturday was the Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale. Now, we have been to this every year for the past several years, BUT this is also always the weekend of the biggest tennis tournament in Greenville. Last year, I told my family that I was going to play tennis in 2011. I really missed playing in the tourney. It is a lot of fun. SO, Mark took the kids and met up with Big Daddy, and they walked around the festival while I stayed in Greenville to play tennis (and lose 3 out of 4 matches, I might add.). I did not do well at all, but I still had fun; and, they had a wonderful time at the festival. Below, are some pictures of MG on the rock climbing wall. Mark said she scaled up that thing like it was nothing!

And a couple of pictures of a tired MG after the festival.

Easter is coming up this weekend! Hope you all have a wonderful, SON filled day!!!

Birthday Celebration

2011-04-10T17:56:00.000-05:00

I made a quick trip to Clarksdale Friday night to go out with friends to celebrate Jen's Birthday! It is actually on April 12, but we decided to do some early celebrating. It was so much fun. I had a great time going out to dinner and seeing lots of friends I had not seen in a while!

Me and the Birthday Girl!

With Jen and Val

The whole gang...

With Val and Teresa

Happy Birthday to You!!!

And, I had to add a few fishing pictures from a while back. This is at the pond across from our house. We are now super busy with 2 softball teams, baseball and t-ball. So the next 2 months should be wild and crazy (or crazier than usual) at our house...

Our house in the distance...

Cotillion

2011-04-01T23:29:00.004-05:00

Mattie had her final night at Cotillion tonight in Greenwood. The parents were invited to come so that they could dance with their children. Mattie attended 5 cotillion classes in Greenwood over the past couple of months. She was in a class with 5th graders from all over the Delta. They learned proper etiquette including table etiquette and different dances such as the foxtrot and the waltz. Mark danced with Mattie, and I danced with one of the boys whose parents weren't able to attend. Mark, III, and MG sat on the side lines and watched. Mark, III, is already asking when will he be able to go to Cotillion! It was a fun time, and in taking her to Greenwood for the classes, I got to see and visit with a lot of my friends from Clarksdale and Grenada!

Heading in to the Cotillion with their dancing shoes on! Mattie looked beautiful, of course!

Mattie and one of her best buds.

We got MG to wear a dress, believe it or not! All women and girls had to wear dresses. So we told her she had no choice. She looked so cute.

The kidlets after it was over posing in front of the fountain.

The whole Fam!

Swimming during Spring Break

2011-03-26T23:54:00.000-05:00

One day during Spring Break last week, Mark and I took the kidlets to Clarksdale to eat lunch with Big Daddy and to see his new office (which is super nice!). Then, we headed to Tunica to swim for a bit at the indoor Aquatic Center. The kids loved it, and it just made them more ready than ever for summertime and swimming!!!

MG jumping off of the diving board.

Mattie and Mark playing a game.

Having fun!!!

Don't know what kind of face this is of MG's?

MG with Mattie and Mark in the back ground.

Time to head back to Greenville!

More fishin'

2011-03-20T18:51:00.003-05:00

Mark has been taking Mark, III, and MG to the country club to do some fishin' in the pond there. They caught a few good ones:

Mark and his bass.

And his bream.

MG got one.

And Mark with the monster bass!!!

Look what MG taught herself to do...

2011-03-18T11:34:00.000-05:00

Ride her bike with no training wheels. Yep, her dad and I did not help her at all. The other day Mark, III, came inside and told me to come watch MG's new trick. I went out to see, and she took off on her bike! I was pretty amazed that she did it all by herself, she is one determined little girl!

And I also think that she is part monkey because she LOVES to climb trees and scare me to death!

MG's been riding one of her big brother's bikes that has no training wheels. So he decided to get out the wrench and take off the training wheels on her Diego bike. He got a little help from a neighbor's furry friend.

Fishin' Time

2011-03-05T16:54:00.001-06:00

Mark and his daddy have been spending some time at the pond across the street from our house doing a little fishin'. There are actually some pretty big fish in that pond! Little Mark even gets his pole and goes over there by himself to fish after school. I asked him what he was going to do if he caught a fish 'cause mama wasn't going to touch a fish and get it off of the hook! He said he would get them off by himself and throw it back into the pond, and he did. Here are a few of Mark's catches over the past few beautiful days:

It's Been a Long Weekend!

2011-02-27T18:00:00.001-06:00

Friday night, Mattie had cotillion in Greenwood. This week, I took her and went in to watch. It was really neat. All the 5th graders from around the Delta learning good etiquette, manners, and how to dance! Mattie looked beautiful, of course! She has 3 more classes with the last class being parents night where they come and dance with their kids. That ought to be fun!!!

Then, on Saturday, Mary Glenn had basketball at our church at 11:00 a.m., then she had two birthday parties to attend back to back which was pretty much the whole afternoon. I'm not gonna lie, I was worn out after them! At least it was a beautiful day for parties!!! The first party was at the carousel which was lots of fun for the kids.

MG laying down on the seat of the carousel. Think she was already tired by this time too.

Then, the second party was at their school's play ground. It was a pirate theme so all of the kids were dressed up in their pirate attire.

MG had to show me how she could climb the tree.

Yes, that is a painted on mustache with black eye liner. Her brother had dressed like a pirate for school one time and wore the mustache so she insisted on one too!

Mattie with her hat and hook.

And a video from the basketball star:)

Shootin' Hoops, Part 2

2011-02-22T21:29:00.000-06:00

Mary Glenn had her last basketball game at the Y tonight. She did great making 3 goals!!! She is also playing basketball on our children's church league, and she made 5 goals in that game last Saturday. She really loves basketball, and I can see a bright future ahead for her in this sport!!!

In the second video, she had just sunk a shot (I only got the part where the ball is going in the goal, but one of her team mates grabs her and hugs her. It is so cute!!!

In the third video, she is all over the court dodging the other team. She finally breaks free to shoot. I told her coaches that there was no way she was going to pass that ball because she wanted to shoot it herself and try to score!!!