Throwback Thursday Dating Style

Take a good look at these two people.  Yes that Me and Brett ten years ago and 60ish pounds ago.  We've added a marriage, home, two boys, career changes, work location changes, renovations and many other things.  But it had a place of beginning.  This photo was taken a week after we met.  I think we had a date every night that week and then headed to the beach with one of Brett's friends.  Still getting to know each other and quickly learning that this was going to work.

So, how did we meet?  I honestly cringe every time I hear that question.  So many friends were set up by mutual friends, or just spotted each other at an event, or my personal favorite, met on a mission trip.  Nope not us.  We do it old school college even though we were out.  We met at East Village on July 19, 2003.  Only months after I graduated from Meredith and a couple of years after Brett graduated from NCSU.

That night I did not want to go to EV.  I was at Bogarts with some girlfriends when my friend Frank called to encourage us to head to EV.  EV?  Ew.  No!  That's a college bar.  He offered us a ride as a DD.  That was the kicker.  We did need a ride.  On the way, I asked who was going to be there.  He told me his friend whose house he had just moved into.  Oh yeah.  That friend I hadn't met yet.  He was a college graduate, owned his own home, car, and had an adorable black lab.  Man that guy was sounding good on paper.

When we got there I recognized and noticed a few people I knew and tried to make conversation.  But the guy standing next to me was loudly talking about going to the beach.  I asked which one and we immediately started talking.  Also I might add, with the encouragement of many of his friends trying to sell me on all of his wonderful qualities. (Ahem, Steve Chilton)

While we were talking he asked me out.  Then stopped himself and said, "Wait are you a UNC fan or State fun."  I answered that indeed I pulled for the wolfpack.  A look of relief flooded his face.  Ladies play close attention to what me focus on during early conversations.  You could be talking about a large part of the rest of you life!

That week I called my mom and told her I thought I met a guy who I might marry one day.  She said, "You've dated a lot, and I've never heard you say that."  I replied, "I know."  And that was that.

Monday Marbles Madness

Traditionally, Marbles Kids Museum downtown, is not open on Mondays but they change the rules for the summer.  So on those Mondays you can play without a field trip being there in the morning!  YEAH!!  Oh, and I used our "rope drop" practice here too.  We show up early and move on through.

 This is a good indication of what trying to keep up with kids is like at Marbles.  A BLUUUUUR.  I was a little freaked, but my friend Diane who we were there with used to be a lifeguard so her kid watching skill rock.

 Scott and Moses played hockey a long time.  Mainly because they were the only ones in there and could play a manly game.

 Sutton could not decide what he wanted to be all day at the museum.  He took care of the animals downstairs.  Played on the ambulance, worked in the grocery store, made and delivered pizzas and helped count the money.  He was a busy boy.

The activity that Moses seemed take with was the lemonade stand.  He played there and served for a long time.  My wheels started turning that he needed to turn this pretend play to real.  We can set up our salesman a lemonade stand in our yard by the golf course.  Turn lemonade into gold!

Fourth with my Firecrackers!

As usual, we spent July 4th in Emerald Isle.  It is SO nice to be able to only travel by boat for the weekend with a few exceptions.

 Sutton spent a lot of time trying to take some calls on this funny phone he found.  Why would it have a cord?

 I could NOT get these two to sit and take a photo together this year.  Last year we got some really great ones.  This year?  NOPE.  So this is how it ended up.  We did a lot of boating and playing.  Then things got a little bit crazy.  Friday, my grandmother was taken to the hospital.  He had fallen the day before and when you take blood thinners you have to watch that.  Her oxygen levels were low so she went to get checked out.  They determined a few changes and luckily sent her home that night.  I know mom was worried sick, but we were all relieved it just a quick visit.

 Sutton looked, and for the most part sounded just fine despite a runny nose.  He woke up with a slight wheeze so we gave him a breathing treatment which worked for a bit.  But we realized he would need an oral dose of steroids and we had left that medication at home.  So Brett first left with him and I followed behind later leaving Moses with my parents so we could focus on our sicky poo.

As you can see he rebounded just fine.  We met gaga in Kinston so I could retrieve Moses and had some Chic fil a.  By the way you guys, when you grew up in a small town every.single.person you see or run into has some sort of history with you or your parents.  Because your parents and their parents and their parents all grew up in the same town too.  Like mother of daughter I don't remember, father's coworkers, father of girls who I taught dance to, and the most favorite, the girl who didn't like me ever.  Must remember to look cuter/thinner/more put together next time.  Le sigh.

More Summer Time Fun

My entire Summer goal has been this:  When my kids are asked, "What did you do this summer?" by no means can they answer, "nothing."  So that's how we are living our life!

 It's been hard to get to the pool this year because it has been cooler and wetter than normal.  I do NOT do a cold pool.  I am that mama who is in the pool pretty much the entire time (always with Sutton) and I do not like sitting in cold water.  The rain has also been constant, but upside now that the weather has risen to sweltering, the pool remains cool.  The kids LOVE it.  Disney has a term called "rope drop" which means opening.  That is the way we live our lives.  We are early risers and we are at the pool when it opens.  The result, an empty pool with no one else to worry about for at least half an hour.  The boys can practice their swimming and it is so much easier to keep a good eye on them.  Moses is doing a great job remembering his swimming and Sutton is a pro in his "puddle jumper."  That thing rocks.  So wish I had known about these for Moses.

 Another great early morning activity has been painting.  Both boys love it.  They can make all sorts of things and be free.  We just get out our washable paint and as you can see strip down.  I love this for early because we can do it outside before it gets hot and follow up with playing in water which washes the paint away.

 Another small town fun place is Sunni Skies in Angier.  They have over 100 different flavors of homemade ice cream.  Oh yum.  We had four tickets for free scoops so those bad boys had to be used.  It made for a very happy family.

I also try to do something "pinteresting" once a week.  Two weeks ago I tried the spaghetti/hot dog octopus.  The boys liked it I think but it did not look quite like I thought it would.  Not quite a failure, but a very mild success.

On to more summer adventures!

I'm Blue...

People who I am friends with on facebook but don't see as often are constantly asking me, "Did that really happen?"  Umm, yeah.  I can't make this stuff up.  I'm not that creative.  Last weekend I literally slept till 8am, which left Brett to take care of the boys.  He gets up with them most every morning, but I guess without the motivation of work he was not as attentive as normal, because well....just look at the photo.

After an extensive talking to, Moses insisted Sutton painted himself.  He said this with a sort of straight face.  I'm not totally buying it.  I think it might have occurred with at least a little prodding from big brother.  How much time do you serve for aiding and abetting a toddler?

Father's Day Weekend

 Really, there is just no better place in the world to celebrate anything.  So off to EI we went to celebrate our main men.

 We were boat ready!  After a little island hunting (currents and dredging change things often) we found ourselves a perfect little spot.  Of course that meant Sutton fell asleep.  Just as he did last year.  Two hours later, he was up and ready to role.  This kid and sleep?  AWESOME.

 Both boys fished with Daddy and Papa.  How lucky are we to have them?  Dad is pretty much known for his fishing skills.  Sought out for them is putting it mildly.  He hand makes all his lures.  Like his daddy did.  PS My Dad's boat name > and other boat name ever.

 Moses loved fishing and throwing his cast net.  He checked on the bait fish constantly and looked for crabs.  Even took a little time for a tan.

 Mommy took a hot minute to tan her pale, pale, pale self.  It was BAD folks.  Whew!

Of course, the main event was watching the wolfpack play and WIN during the College World Series.
The boys picked out birdhouses they painted for papa, pops, and daddy.  They are fab!  My gift to Brett and my dad was to clean and wash their cars.  I was doing great.  Then I realized.  I locked our keys in the car.  On a Sunday.  On a male holiday.  Fail.  My mom called one of customers who owns a body shop.  Sweet man sent this little guy to unlock my car and said he would "get with my mom another time."  I can only take this as thanks to me, mom's on free hair cut duty for awhile.  I think my car wash business is closed.

Beginning Of Summer

So, I realized I skipped a good portion of our Summer from the last post.  As long as I get it all down it won't count right?  Hmm, ok sure!

 We spent Memorial Day weekend in Emerald Isle.  The weather here was oddly mild in April and May so we did not do as much boating as we usually do.  Boo.  We still managed a good bit of fun though!  We also stopped at Brett's family reunion and at some Wilbur's BBQ.  YUM.  Look at all those cute (thirdish, fourthish?) cousins!  And Sutton's hair in this pic?  STOP IT.

One of the best parts about my parent's house is their outdoor kitchen.  It is on a screened in porch directly off their indoor kitchen and it overlooks the water.  It's awesome!  You can cook seafood, bacon and other smelly things that tend to linger out there.  Sutton works on his music....

 And his....birdwatching?  Yeah we'll go with that instead of spying or stalking...

 The night we came home, after the best naps that were even taken, Moses and I booked it over to the essential places.  Target and Teeter.  When we got back, We saw fireflies.  Moses even managed to catch one.  Summer was here loud and clear!

 With the weather being delayed, so was the strawberry season.  They came late but sweet.  We always head to Porter Farms on Hwy 42.  They have a huge field, plenty of other produce, fresh herbs, flowers, and an ice cream and lemonade area.  Stop, make that the best homemade lemonade you have ever had.  I watched her squeeze the lemons, add sugar and water.  Did I want to add cherries?  Oh, yes I do.  We had a blast!

 You will pretty much only see pictures of the boys getting along because when they look so sweet I can't even stand it.  I have to take a picture and over share.  Because ya'll, when it's bad, it's really bad.  But when it's not, heaven on earth.  Those boys love each other something fierce.  But when you love so much some times I guess you just get annoyed with each other!  Some days we will take time apart so that we can recharge our batteries.

 Our new summer addition is adding sand to the underneath area of the playground.  They love it!  Quiet happy play with trucks, shovels and buckets.

 We've been working with Moses on a chore chart this summer so he doesn't get too off a routine.  We've always had rules.  Like the one they are skirting two photos above.  Food only in the kitchen, porch and outside.  One on the chart is also get dressed.  One day Mr. Ambitious got his brother dressed.  Minus the diaper.  Oooops.

 When we went to pick up the sand at Home Depot, we also picked up a bird feeder.  Squirrels have staked it out for themselves.  It is a true Mission Impossible task.  We have yet to figure out a plan B.

Basically, since we (kids up, we're up) are early risers we have a lot of time to fill during the day.  I take the farm approach.  Get up.  Get going early.  Get outdoor activities/work started first when the heat is not oppressive.  We lunch it up.  Watch a show and color.  Nap, snack and outdoor playground time because it's nice and shaded.  Dinner.  Daddy time.  Sleep.  WHEW.