Our 2nd Annual Bunny Cake Bake

Last year, Ava and I made a cute little bunny cake for easter from a recipe my aunt deborah sent us.... she LOVED it. So this year we had to make another one. She helped me mix and pour and do the icing.... she also dedicated this cake to POP since his birthday is tomorrow. She told me that I would have to be very careful and would need to hold this cake all the way to Alabama and daddy could drive us... so we could sneak in and put this cake in mimi and pops fridge... "he's gonna be so 'cited" she said. So POP - here is your birthday cake 700 miles away.. i am sure Ava will let you know how it tastes - if she lets us try it... she has already told brannon that its pops cake and he cant have any....

We love you POP - Happy Birthday Tomorrow.....

Random Pictures of the Girls

Anna Kates first pigtails....



sweet sisters before ballet class





The girls after their brownie last night...




Anna Kate in the washing machine this morning... ava thought this was so funny

We are still here .....mom.....

Everyone has reminded me that I havent updated the blog in a while. Hopefully for some (you know who you are) this will make for a good start on Monday, since you have something to read to make you look busy :)

We havent really been up to much lately... we did take the girls to Disney on Ice.. they loved it.






Then today, our neighborhood had an easter egg hunt... with tons of candy filled eggs, games and a petting zoo.... neither of the girls were too wild about that... but they did love the eggs... If you ask Ava she got 25 9 eggs yes thats right, twenty five nine... whatever that means... i think its just ALOT






I will try to update more often....I promise. This week I am sure we will have lots of pictures, easter party at school, dyeing eggs, the easter bunny and numerous egg hunts around the house... Hope eveyone has a good week -

Lori Needs .......

To a certain someone with clostrophobic feet - its not exactly a survey but an update none the less - i will try to find a survey soon - hope this makes you smile.....


Fun game I got from a friend's blog....

Google "your name" and "needs" and write the first six things you see.....
kind of funny....

1. Lori needs - a diet (actually it said angry diet - that sounds scary although true)
2. Lori needs - to vent (VERRRRY TRUE)
3. Lori needs - HELP - ok is this a joke, really - what are the chances this would say help - I am sure alot of people agree :)
4. Lori needs - loads of laughter - that would be nice
5. Lori needs - a gelato machine - no really i dont
6. Lori needs - magic - that sure would come in handy now wouldnt it.....

Try it!!! See what you get!

Maddox Elise Hodge

Thank you to all my friends who have prayed - Please continue to pray for Loni and Justin and our family.

The following is from Loni's blog......


maddox elise hodge was born yesterday afternoon at 1:20p.m. weighing 14oz and was 12 1/2 inches long. this, of course, was when her body was delivered, but we were told her little soul and spirit met the Lord several days ago!


after the sweet nurses got her cleaned up and dressed in her beautiful pink gown, we were able to see and hold her, and get some beautiful pictures of her. our time together was sweet and beautiful, I held the most gorgeous baby i had ever seen and i thanked God for him allowing me to be her mommy. i am blessed so much by that tiny little girl.

God is truly amazing. He formed this beautiful little girl and made her perfect in every way. she had gorgeous light brown/blonde hair like her daddy and she also had his nose. she had the sweetest mouth and hands. i think the only thing she got from me was her feet, they were huge!!! she is truly a MADDOX, because my great grandfather, Leslie Maddox, who would be her great great grandfather had 2 webbed fingers on one of his hands...and don't know you that this little maddox had on her right hand her middle finger and ring finger webbed just like her great great papaw...and now they are in heaven together and he's lovin on her and they are fishing and she's also up there with my grand father, L.B. Lamons, and God only knows what kinds of stories he's telling her!!! But regardless of that fact, i know that maddie is heaven with some people who were much loved and still missed here on earth and i know that she will be well taken care of. our Father in heaven is the best father she can have and He's right there with her, loving on her, hugging her and keeping her safe.

arrangements for maddox elise have been made and they are as follows:
Grave side service tomorrow, Saturday (2/21/09) for family and friends at 1:00 at the Highland Memorial Gardens in Bessemer, AL (3115 18th Avenue North, Bessemer, AL 35020). We will have interpreter(s) provided. We have asked that in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alabama School for the Deaf - High School Department's Indigent Children Fund in memory of Maddox Elise Hodge. For more information on that you can contact Mrs. Renee Payne at 256-761-3246.

Thank you all again for the blessings that you have been to justin, our families, and myself. we'll never be able to repay you, but you'll always be in our prayers....

Jesus, I know you are watching out for my sweet angel, but please take care of us too. her mommy and daddy are down here hurting and sad and it's all we can do to carry on. Lord please hold our baby and tell her how much we love her and miss her and how excited we are to be her parents. we look to you to provide comfort and peace to us in this dark time of need. Lord, we cry out to you to heal our hearts and walk with us every step of the way. the healing process is only just beginning and we are lost without our little girl. PLEASE PLEASE hold us and heal our broken hearts. Jesus, I praise you in this dark time, and in this valley, for i have so many things to be thankful for. i praise you for a husband like justin, who is strong and encouraging and i thank you for allowing maddox the opportunity to have a daddy like him. i also thank you for the most wonderful friends and family that you have blessed us with. Lord for each person that has prayed (and we know many have been), for each person that has called, sent messages, cards, flowers, or visited- Lord i ask that you bless them in a supernatural way. that you would show favor on their lives for the consideration and love they have shown to us. keep us strong and together for the coming days. Lord be with BJ has he leads maddie's service tomorrow. please speak through him and use Him to tell the great news about Jesus! Precious God, i have no more words, only cries for help. i'm trusting you more now than ever before and i know that you are going to bring something wonderful out of such a tragedy. Lord, let Maddox's story live on forever, and let people know what a great and powerful miracle she was to so many. You work for the good of those who love you and we CLING to you now in this time....i ask all these things in the powerful, mighty name of Jesus.....AMEN

Scrap

I was tagged by Lacy to "honestly scrap" about myself.

Who knew there were rules for "scrapping"? They are:
A. First list 10 honest things about yourself - and make it interesting, even if you have to dig deep!
B. Pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap.

Lori's Scrap

1. I cannot believe that I am going to be 30 years old this year. I dont feel that old, and i dont think I look that old. I just dont think the i have met my own expectations about where I would be at 30, but I cant tell you what those expectations are either... I know WIERDO

2. Even after living in Texas (away from my family) for 7 years, I still cry when I leave them to come back here after a visit. And in any conversation, if I say HOME i mean mom and daddys house.

3. I am hard on myself for not being the wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend that I think I should be.

4. Even at 30 years old, well almost, there are things that I wont do or say in front of my parents.... out of respect I guess, or fear they wouldnt approve... Lacy thinks that is the DUMBEST thing ever, she always says your almost 30...

5. When i say I love you, i mean it. Not just a little, not saying it to have something to say. I mean it and can back it up. And I get annoyed when I can tell people just "say it" and dont really mean it.....

6. I am turning into my mother... grey streaks and all...

7. I wish I could go back and do College again..... with the knowledge i have now..

8. I love 90210, the old and the new....

9. I want to be the example to my girls that my mom is to me, and a good mom to them like lacy is to Emma and Ella, and as strong and giving as Loni is with Maddie

10. I am hurting for my sister and Justin and Maddox more than I've ever hurt for anyone, but this situation has brought us closer than we've ever been...ever...and I'm thankful for that. This was lacys answer but is mine as well.....i have never felt this way before and dont know how to deal with it.

Let's see......how about:
Angel Hill
Lynn Pruitt
Lindsay Lovoy
Lyndsay Cunningham
Anne Yarbrough
Stephanie Drew

Be Patient

I am trying to update the look of the blog and dont have all the time i need to finish it today - (or the know how)

January 2009

Its hard to believe that the first month of 2009 is over. Its been fun since christmas... we have played with new toys and riding our scooter, and Anna Kate is learning to color and having a good time. Brannon and I celebrated our 7th anniversary on 1/19 - its doesnt seem like 7 years (ok, sometimes it does :)) Anna Kate got her 2nd haircut on 1/22 and I am posting pictures of before and after. Ava got a haircut too and it looks cute this shorter length. We have already been to 2 birthday parties for Ava's friends and have more lined up. I can tell this winter/spring is going to be busy. We already have our next trip home lined up as well and we cant wait. Ava keeps saying "when i wake up were going to mimi and pops?" you cant make a 3 year old understand time.. you know!

We are continuing to pray for Loni Justin and Maddie.... and hope you will do the same. We know that God is in control, and he has known the plan since before anyone was every thought of. Nothing is impossible with HIM

Hope everyone enjoys the pics - hope February gets off to a good start...

I..........

Found this on another blog - thought I would do it too....

I..

I live: in Texas :(

I work: at home taking care of a house, husband and 2 kids. I worked in Accounting before them.

I smell: supper

I listen: to everything from country to rap - no heavy metal

I hide: money in special spots in my wallet

I walk: all over the house chasing 2 kids

I write: dumb blogs

I see: things that need to be cleaned

I sing: in my head... no one wants to hear it..

I can: listen really good

I watch: my kids play

I daydream: often

I want: my children to see me as an example of a strong christian woman, like i see my mom

I cry: about EVERYTHING - i am a crier

I read: emails and blogs

I love: with all that i have -

I rode: in the car for 10 hours to get home for christmas

I sometimes: replay scenarios in my head

I fear: lots of things, but death is way up there

I hope: the girls dreams come true

I eat: when I'm bored.

I drink: sweet tea

I play: school or make up shop with the girls

I miss: my family

I forgive: too easy

I drive: a 4 runner

I lost: my ability to make selfish decisions when i had kids

I dream: wierd things

I kiss: the girls all the time and brannon some.... :)

I hug: everybody - LOTS

I have: been Forgiven

I remember: everything.... I mean EVERYTHING - its really a curse

I don't: like 100 + temps

I believe: God can do the impossible.

I owe: God and my family for sure

I know: i am wierd

I hate: how OCD i am

I wish: I could stop people from hurting

I wear: jeans almost every day

My ex: is a good guy

Maybe I should: clean house

I don't understand: why good people always get the raw deal...

Life is full of: surprises

My past is: my past - behind me but i have reminders

I get annoyed when: people are in such a hurry to get places

Parties are: fun to plan

Tomorrow: is not promised

Never in my life have I: meant to hurt anyone or lead them astray...

When I was younger, I: wanted 3 boys.

When I'm nervous: I ramble and twiddle my thumbs

When I was 5: I was a big sister to 2

My life is not complete without: my family

If you visit my hometown: you could meet my grandparents :)

The world could do without: bad people

If I ever go back to school: I'd want to teach school or go to culinary school.

And, by the way: you should do this too. I would love to read it.

Long Overdue Update

First of all let me apologize for not updating in over a month. There really is no excuse, except theres really not much for me to write about that anyone would really care to read.... but I am over that now. We had an awesome christmas, it seemed to last the whole week. We got to come home and thats always fun. Brannon and I had our 7th anniversary on the 19th of this month. Time flies doesnt it? And this month started the year of the 30's. I have a few friends who are already 30 ...you know who you are... then my bestest friend from high school turned 30 on the 15th and my one of my bestest friends from college turns the big 30 on the 31st. WOW - i still have a few months but its coming for me too.... I dont know about them, or anyone reading this blog, but I sure dont feel thirty. What does 30 feel like? To me its just as you are growing up, you have these ideas of what you will be doing at a certain age... and i dont feel like I am there. at 30 do you still miss your mom and dad so much you cant stand it? do you wonder what the next 30 years will be like? do you rejoice in new friends and wonder what happened to others? I guess so because thats what I feel like. In some ways my life isnt what I thought it would be at 29 and counting... but in other ways it is SO much better. So for all my friends who are 30 and are turning 30 this year - Happy Birthday. Hopefully these will be the best years of our life.

I dont really have any new pics... i know mother, i am terrible. So i thought i would go through some OLD pics and share those. Hope you enjoy.

More pics - Singing Happy Bday to Jesus

And enjoying chocolate cupcakes with sprinkles....

more pics Ava School party

More Pics - pictures with santa

more pics - Ava Dance Program

more pics gingerbread house