Tidmore Family

Shout Out to Jamie

2010-10-27T10:12:00.000-07:00

I would like to give a big shout out to Jamie Boemer - Apparently she is a follower (the only one) of this BLOG -

Way to go Jamie!!! Also - I hope that "Pink" allergy clears up!

We love you girl!

We are still here

2010-10-27T09:49:00.001-07:00

The whole King / Tidmore clan at Orange Beach

Sweetie Pie Olivia when she turned 6 - she is 7 now!!! She needs to stop this growing up! I had a hard time this year on her Birthday. No idea why it hit me so hard, but she said - mommy, it is okay - I promise that I will not go off to far to college. I do not believe her for a minute. I have a feeling, with her spirit, dreams, and goals she will be all over the world.

Collage of pictures from our February Chattanooga Vacation. Liv loved everything - Felicity LOVED that penguin!

Panoply 2010 - My Friend called this the worst Panoply ever due to all the rain and storms. This is Felicity and her "Cinderella" that she said would keep us from having to leave due to rain. Felicity was referred to as "our calm child" until about 2 months ago. She now gives Liv a run for her money in the drama department.

Olivia at the Pumpkin Patch in October 2010. I got to go with her class, and this was one of the best days ever. We had a great time.

Mom and Liv at a put-put golf course in Orange Beach - October 2010. I just LOVE this picture of the two of them.

My silly precious girls. They make us laugh all of the time. I just thank God for the two of them!

The Girls pretending to be Old Navy Models. Filly actually fooled me for a minute. I am kind of used to Liv doing this.

Matt and I - isn't he cute!

Our Family at Orange Beach in October 2010. I wanted to stay forever. We love being social with our friends and family, but we just love to be the 4 of us too. I am so thankful for all of the time the four of us get to spend together, I know a lot of families do not have that luxury. I also am well aware that as the girls grow up, we will not get this time back. We are trying to make the most of every adventure Saturday, silly dinners, game nights, and family walks while we can!

Random collage of pictures from early 2010

"Crazy Bird" by Olivia Taylor Tidmore

Felicity with her awesome 4th of July glasses

his is a random Easter Collage - I think this was Easter of 2009.

Hello all -

We are still here. And to prove it, here are some photos.

This is us last Christmas for the Believers Bayou Family Christmas show. We love working in the Rock Family Worship Center's Little Praisers Ministry. These are some of the puppeteers and other Coordinators for the Bayou.

I have no clue how to get the pics where they should go, so we will just go with this....

I would say - I will try to do this more often, but we all know I will forget and will not keep it up, so we will just let it be a surprise on when the next update will be!

Felicity

2009-02-17T09:53:00.000-08:00

Being a ham in her pretty new hat

She loves to look at books.

Her favorite game is to play chef. She always needs someone to taste her creations.

So sweet!!!

And mischievous!!!

I Love my girls so much, but sometime poor Felicity being the youngest gets lost in the background. That happens when you can not talk as much as a big sister. Here are some great pictures of our Filly Bug.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOo STEELERS!!!!!

2009-01-27T09:42:00.001-08:00

1 800 Flowers Coupons

Disney Vacation

2008-11-20T08:17:00.001-08:00

Please head on over to http://www.xanga.com/YahYahKing for more pictures and to read all about our Magical Trip to Disney world!

Surgery and Pictures (not of the surgery)

2008-08-17T07:31:00.000-07:00

I had surgery (tonsils and adenoids removed, both sides of deviated septum broken then shaved, then straightened and a bone spur removed from my nose - PAIN) so mom stepped in and took great care of my girls, Matt and Me! (We would not have survived without her!) While she was here, she took them and had their portraits taken. Here are some of the shots. I think they are great. I would type more, but time for more pain meds….

Olivia & Felicity

2008-08-17T07:22:00.000-07:00

More Cute Shots!

1 800 Flowers Coupons

Beach Pictures

2008-08-17T07:11:00.000-07:00

This is as close to the beach as the poor girls get. Due to my whale phobia, they have not seen the real sandy shores. We do hope to take them soon.

Felicity: wait, I don't think this is real sand....

Olivia: Ummm, if this ends up on a Cracker Jackbox, somone is gonna pay!

1 800 Flowers Coupons

Hoppy Easter!

2008-03-20T08:18:00.000-07:00

1 800 Flowers Coupons

A picture is worth a thousand words...

2008-02-29T14:59:00.000-08:00

Mommy: Let’s take a picture with silly faces

Liv: Cool, Mommy – blllllaaaaa

Felicity: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change…If anyone out there can hear me – Heeellllpppp. I do not belong with the crazy people.

2008-02-12T08:37:00.000-08:00

1 800 Flowers Coupons

By: Matt Tidmore

On January 7th my wife, Traci and our four-year old daughter Olivia were in a nasty car accident on Memorial Parkwayafter a long day at work and school.
The car was hit hard but both appeared to be free of severe injury. As a precaution Olivia went to the emergency room via ambulance. Not long after meeting up with them at the hospital, I escorted Olivia down to the ultrasound room so they could check for an internal damage.
Always the inquisitive one Olivia asked what parts of her body we were looking at on the monitor. We saw her liver, her kidneys, her spleen and her stomach. After looking at all of that Olivia asked if we would be looking at her heart. The ultrasound technician told Olivia that getting a peek at her heart was not in the plan.
Olivia then asserted herself and plainly asked if she could see her heart. The technician wanted to grant the request of a child who had just been through a traumatic experience so she moved the wand on the machine so we could all get a look at Olivia's heart. Once the picture of her heart was in focus Olivia simply stated,
Jesus lives there and I just wanted to look and see him. I don't see him though. Can I have a sticker now?
Proverbs 14:30a says "A heart at peace gives life to the body."
Olivia's heart was at peace because as far as she was concerned Jesus lived in her heart and with that security no danger brought on by a car accident could take away the life in her body. On the way back to her room I thought Olivia might be concerned that she didn't see Jesus in her heart on the ultrasound. So I reminded her that even though she didn't see Jesus in her heart that he certainly was in there. Olivia's reply:
"I know daddy. Jesus is always in my heart. I think he was just sleeping when we took that picture. I want Skittles when we get back to my room."

Check out Believers Bayou for more great stories about the AMAZING Kids at the Rock Family Worship Center: http://www.believersbayou.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=88888895&Itemid=88888908

Tick-Tock

2008-01-30T14:13:00.000-08:00

The Girls laughing at silly Momma

Olivia: Momma, what does the clock say
Traci: It says tick-tock
Olivia: No Mom, what does is Say
Traci: It goes Tick-Tock
Olivia: No!!! What does it SAY!!!
Traci: Olivia, I don’t know why you keep asking this, the clock goes tick-tock, you know that, honey.
Olivia: ok, mom, what to the numbers say on the clock!
Traci: Oh…..What time is it, it is 8:15Matt (as he us cracking up): I was wondering when you two were going to speak the same language!

Aunt Judy

2008-01-04T12:21:00.000-08:00

Please be praying for Matt's family. Matt’s Aunt Judy passed away suddenly yesterday. She leaves behind a husband, daughter, and son-in-law. Please be praying for all of Matt’s family as they mourn for another member of their family. This is the third loss in less than three years for this precious family.

Matt will be speaking at the memorial service. Please pray that God will use him during this time to minister healing into the lives of his family and the others that attend.

My Girls!

2007-12-31T10:14:00.001-08:00

Felicity is ready to Celebrate Christmas!

To read about Christmas at Yah-Yah's house, click on her Xanga -

http://www.xanga.com/YahYahKing

The Girls hanging out under the tree, Filly loved the lights!

What a helpful big sister!

Chillin' with George and Daisy

More Pictures

2007-12-31T10:12:00.000-08:00

Here are some shots a friend of mine to of Felicity:

I LOVE my girls!

2007-12-14T09:28:00.000-08:00

I am so blessed. Felicity and Olivia are amazing. Sometimes it is wild, but we get moments that are just magical too! Merry Christmas!

Olivia's School Birthday Party

2007-10-19T09:13:00.000-07:00

Olivia introduces her sister to her classmates

Handing out the plates for her party

Mrs. Lacey hands out the cupcakes

The class recites their memory verses

We had a great time visiting with Liv's class. Mrs. Lacey is a wonderful teacher and Liv is receiving great instruction both educationally and spiritually.

The Girls Visit Dr. Ellis

2007-10-19T07:23:00.000-07:00

Waiting for Dr. Ellis to arrive

Liv is trying to figure out her chart

After Dr. Ellis listened to Liv's heart, she insisted that she needed to listen to his as well.

A little sister love and comfort after getting shots!

Taking both girls to the pediatrician at the same time made for quite an afternoon...not for me and Yah-yah...but for Dr. Ellis! Ha!

A Family Affair

2007-10-19T07:07:00.000-07:00

Birthday Makeup

2007-10-19T07:03:00.001-07:00

All Birthday girls need a bit of Sparkle!

Olivia Taylor's Fourth Birthday

2007-10-19T06:54:00.000-07:00

Broken Wrist

2007-10-05T18:54:00.000-07:00

On September 17th, Olivia broke her wrist in 2 places when she fell climbing up a ladder to slide on the playground at school. She had to have a cast and chose a pretty purple one.

Yesterday, she pulled her cast OFF!!! After she did it, she freaked out, and shoved it back on with the thumb hole the wrong way. The school called us and we had to take her to be re-cast. She selected a bright red cast this time.

The excuses for removing the cast have ranged from:

- I was hot

- I was itchy

- I wanted a red one for Alabama

First Days At Home

2007-10-05T18:49:00.000-07:00

Felicity on her Bili-Bed

Felicity in her Moses Basket

Sisters, Sisters, There've Never Been Two More Devoted Sisters

2007-10-05T09:43:00.000-07:00

Sharing, Caring, Every single Thing That We Are Wearing.....

Olivia got to see her little sister in the NICU right after she was born. These pictures are from the second day. Liv got 15 minutes with Felicity a day while she was in the NICU. Even though the time was short, I think they bonded. Anytime another baby cried or a monitor alarm went off, Olivia would comfort Felicity and glare at the offending party that dared disturb her sister. Olivia is so proud of her little sister, and we are so proud of the way she has transitioned into her role as big sister.

4 Day Stay in the NICU

2007-10-05T09:32:00.001-07:00

Felicity had a 4 day stay in the NICU, but Praise The LORD, she did very well and came home with us on Friday, which none of the doctors expected would happen. We know this is due to all of the prayers of our friends and family. We can not thank all of you enough for covering Felicity in prayer during this time.

All of the nurses that cared for Felicity were amazing! It is so hard not to get to care for your own baby, but they loved on her and gave her so much attention, that is really made the scary time much less stressful.

Felicity Corinne's First Week

2007-10-05T09:19:00.001-07:00

Felicity Corinne's First Week - a Picture Review (I am to tired to string sentences together)

In the O.R.

Happy Birthday - 09/25/07 7lb 6 oz

(No idea why the date on all of these says 02/22/07 )

Liv

2007-08-17T14:23:00.000-07:00

1 800 Flowers Coupons

Introducing Felicity Corinne Tidmore

2007-08-07T10:04:00.000-07:00

And here she is!!!

We are expecting this little one to join our family around October 9, 2007. We are all very excited, but no one is more excited than Liv!

Live with Regis & Kelly!

2007-02-03T13:55:00.000-08:00

My Mom has wanted to enter Liv in the Live with Regis and Kelly Cutest Baby competition since before she was born – They did not take ultrasound pics….(darn – she would have killed in that category!)

Anyway – this year we finally remembered. Mom took this shot – isn’t she cute?!?!

Happy New Year~

2007-01-02T10:50:00.000-08:00

1 800 Flowers Coupons

Merry Christmas

2006-12-14T07:46:00.000-08:00

This is Hannah and Liv after their Christmas program. All of the children sang Christmas songs. It was wonderful! Liv did a great job. I guess the teachers told them to open their mouths wide and sing. Liv took that very seriously and she looked like a wide mouth bass during most of the program. She sang very loudly and had a great time. We were so proud of her!!!

Funny Livey

2006-11-10T06:49:00.000-08:00

Below is a list I have been compiling for a while. Hope you enjoy.

Things Liv does that crack us up:
- Says things are “crack-a-lackin” – think of Madagascar
- Sings “Dumb Dog” from Annie at the top of her lungs
- Learns songs from school quickly – but not all of the words so we get some interesting car
music on the way home (Oh Deard one fell off and Oh deard one fell off and Oh Derar…..) she
says this song is about a guy named Deard and he was sleeping on kittens and they moved so
he fell off….I see therapy in her future – do you???
- Counts like a dancer – a one and a two and a three and a four
- Wants everyone to play Littlest Pet Shop. Her favorite thing is swinging the bird on its swing
until it flips upside down. She will laugh so hard that she falls backwards
- Must wear lopstock (lipstick – it is really bath and body shimmer gloss) and glitter for every
occasion – even bed time
- Takes her hair “creations” very seriously. We have the following styles:
- Puppy ears
- Mickey Mouse ears
- Firework Hair
- Kitty Ears
- Is very concerned about the well being and whereabouts of the “Critters” in Believers’
Bayou (the Critters are different animal puppets in our children’s church)
- Tells Matt and I that we are “crazing her out” or “giving her the crazies” when we are not
100% focused on what she is doing
- Instead of cupping her hands around her mouth to project her voice, she cups her hands
around her cheeks and then just yells really loud – this is done while watching the Mickey
Mouse Club House show and calling “Oh Tootooles!”
- Sings Christmas Carols all wrong – we don’t correct her because it is soooo cute
- Joy to the World
- Joy to the Whale, the Lord has come let her see her P
- Let Heaven and anchors sing
- Rudolph the Red Noise Reindeer
-Rudolph the Red Noise Reindeer, had a very shiny noise, and if you see him, you
can see it BLOWS
- She is the MEANEST waitress in town. Come and eat at her restaurant at your own risk!
- Insists her Power Play Teacher’s name (Mrs. Sirotie) is Mrs. Macaroni

Precious Things about Liv
- Prays for her friends at school in the morning – she will actually pray (or tell me to pray)
specific things over her friends and teachers
- Sometimes ends her morning prayers and with “and tell Grandmother Livey Taylor Little
Tidmore says Hello – Amen!”
- Takes the Bayou and learning her memory verses very seriously
- Is the number one boo boo kisser!
- Will look up at you at random times and say – I love you

2006-11-02T14:04:00.000-08:00

1 800 Flowers Coupons

Carolyn Marie Tidmore

2006-10-28T14:34:00.000-07:00

I wanted to thank you all for the prayer and support you have given us through this time. We may not have been able to personally speak with each of you, but we feel your prayer support so deeply. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. Our family now will face moving back into our normal daily demands as well as handling Carolyn’s final affairs. Please pray for wisdom, grace, and peace as Matt begins this task.

The visits, phone calls, cards, flowers, meals, and other outpourings of love have been overwhelming. Thank you to my Mom who ran non stop around our house so that Matt, Liv and I were cared for when we could barley think straight. Mom, you have been such an amazing strength and blessing to us during this time. There was also an anonymous gift to our family that has amazed us – if you are reading this; we are truly honored by what you have done. We truly appreciate what you all have done for us. It has meant more than words can say to us. We feel truly blessed to have a support system in our lives that carries us through these times.

The Memorial Service was wonderful – I know that is an odd thing to say, but Matt wanted the people to leave the service thinking “this was the best funeral I have ever been to.” I think if you were there you would agree.

Matt and Marcie felt it was important to make this time a celebration of Carolyn’s life. There were pictures displayed of her with the people she loved doing the things she loved. The focus was on living a live now that will glorify the Lord!

Bill Fowler opened the service by playing and singing “I Can Only Imagine”. This song was beautiful and it set a wonderful tone for the service. Past Keith Hodges gave a brief introduction and the Jamie Boemer blessed us by singing “The Lord’s Prayer”. Pastor Keith then spoke a great message and after that Matt spoke about his mom. It was so moving. Below are his notes for the service. It is long, but please take the time to read it and be inspired by Carolyn’s life. After Matt spoke, Jamie sang “Come Just As You Are.” Jamie was amazing and her heart and spirit touched so many people. One person, close to our family, shared with us that they were moved by Matt’s words; and while Jamie sang, they felt the Lord speaking to their heart and for the first time they accepted Christ as their Savior. What and amazing time it was! Thank you to all who could be a part of the Celebration of Carolyn’s Life and the Savior for Whom She Lived!

Thank you again for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support you have shown our family.

Matt Tidmore - Remember My Mom and The Savior, Jesus Christ, She Lived For

2006-10-28T13:54:00.000-07:00

I know it’s not common for a son to stand up and speak at his mother’s funeral but there was nothing common about my mom and I’m here to do what she would want me to do.

Neither of us really cared a lot for the traditional things people do after someone dies and I’m not here to mourn or boo-hoo or talk about death. I want to remember my Mom and the Savior Jesus Christ she lived her life for. If this doesn’t seem like a typical funeral or memorial service then I’ve done what she would have wanted me to do.

She was not even 5-feet tall and barely 100 pounds. She was probably 100 pounds if you include the heavy coat she had to wear to stay warm in my cold house. She was the runt of the litter. The world looked at her and saw a small quiet, fragile woman. I feel sorry for anyone who only looked at her through their physical eyes. They missed out.

For you see God looked down on her and was struck with the same notion as when he looked down on David. David was the smallest of Jesse’s 7 sons and a little Shepard boy who appeared to be nothing special.

The world saw a Shepard boy and God saw a King. David was far from perfect but in him God found a great king and a man whose lineage would birth God’s son, Jesus Christ. The world saw a cashier at a dry cleaners, the world saw a woman whose little frame could be knocked over by a gust of wind but not God. God goes deeper he looks into the spirit. In Mom he saw a humble heart, a prayerful spirit, and belief that stood 10-feet tall and would not be shaken by the strongest storms of life.

These things are what carry on even after she is physically gone. No man would have seen here and chosen her for a battle but God would put Mom on the frontlines any day.

As I look upon three crosses that stood atop the hill at Calvary that Jesus left when his life on Earth was done. My mind goes to the three grandchildren Mom so deeply loved and left when her life on Earth was done.

For each cross and for each of her grandchildren I give them a trait Mom exhibited during her life that each would carry on as she has taught them.

1. Alysa- (Freedom) Grandmother wants to tell you that in John 8:36 it says he who the Son has set free is free indeed. Nothing in this world can keep you from being free to accomplish all the desires of your heart. If anyone ever tells you that you can’t do something because you are small, or because you are a girl or because you have to take medicine for an illness. You tell them that Jesus has set you free and your Grandmother has laid down the foundation for your life to be victorious and no one can take that away from you.

Isaiah 40:28-31
The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary, his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint, and to the one who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary, and the young shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lordshall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

2. Kyle- (Forgiveness) Grandmother never held a grudge. There was no bitterness in her. It says in Eph 4:26 In your anger do not sin, Do not let the Sun go down while you are still angry. Anger is natural and people are imperfect and hurt each other. Your feeling will get hurt and people will disappoint you. When that happens look to Grandmother’s example.

Deal with your feelings, forgive those who have wronged you and when the Sun goes down rest your head in peace knowing you have done just what Jesus and Grandmother would want you to do. These verses reflect how she would want us all to live.

Colossians 3:12-14
12. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

3. Olivia- (Faith) Grandmother was a woman of immeasurable faith. She truly believed nothing was too difficult for God. Her faith defined who she was and it was the one thing that sustained her regardless of what challenges she was facing or triumphs she was rejoicing in. Galatians 2:20 says that I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live be FAITH in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.

Grandmother’s faith influenced and strengthened others to no longer live but allow Christ to live in them. Her faith told her that she was here on Earth to serve God and when she was finished with his work here then she would be called to her eternal home and begin to serve him there in Heaven.

Olivia, embrace the word, let it strengthen your faith and share it with others. Reflect the faith of your Grandmother. Never sorta believe, never kind believe, with every fiber of your being believe 100 percent that it is by faith that you have been saved and that all people can be saved.

2 Timothy 4:7-8
7. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

No one gets to decide when they are born and their race begins and no one gets to decide when their race ends. Some people need 80 years to accomplish the mission in life God has for them. My mom squeezed all of God’s work into 54 ½ years of life. I’m thankful for the 30 years I was allowed to spend with her and though you may not understand why, Monday, my 30 birthday, was not one of my worst birthdays, it was my best birthday ever.

My mom planned on living many more years and she never saw her sickness coming but when it was her time, God had decided and no one could stop him. It doesn’t matter what she or anyone else did.
Now is not the time to ask, why?, now is the time to ask yourself, Am I ready?

When God calls you home, there is no stopping it and I know my Mom is now feeling a happiness and freedom that is not even known on this Earth. She lived each day like it might have been her last until it was.

God allowed her to be on vacation from work the last week of her life and spend that time with her Grandchildren. When her final hours came all of her family was able to gather around her and give her a farewell. It was not time for me to say ‘goodbye’ just ‘see ya again soon’.

As my mom lay in that bed I told her everything that I could have ever wanted to tell her. As I spoke in her left ear I was able to usher her into Heaven as her spirit, her soul, the part of her that everyone loved most was called up into the beautiful presence of Almighty God. She left behind the physical body she knew here on Earth. It stopped living but my mom for the first time ever found out what eternal life felt like.

She was prepared and as much as she loved those she left behind she has now gone to the place she belongs. She wants you to be ready. She wants you to be prepared too. Anyone who is here can see her again. Jesus died for all our sins. He died for mom and he died for you. You can have the freedom, forgiveness and faith my mom had. She found them all at the foot of the cross.

Don’t think about whether or not you are worthy or deserving of Heaven. None of us are and God does not require us to be. You don’t have to be in a pew or in a church or with a preacher to accept Jesus as your personal Savior.

All I know is that Mom didn’t have time to think about dying before it happened and you could be anywhere at anytime when God says your race has been run. Don’t wait till then. Don’t wait for anything. Right now where you are sitting you can make your life right with God. All he is asking is that you come just as you.

Prayer Request

2006-10-24T20:07:00.000-07:00

Matt's mom passed away yesterday morning. We thought she had a cold and her daughter took her to the hospital for fluids because she seemed dehydrated. It turned out she had an infection in her body and her organs started failing as her body began to shut down. Even though it was very sudden, the peace of God has overwhelmed us. Matt has been amazing in making all of the arrangements and assisting all of his immediate and extended family through the grieving process. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to walk through this.

Yesterday was also Matt’s 30th birthday. Matt said this may have been his best birthday ever since he was able to hold his mom's hand as she was ushered into Heaven.

If you know Matt you already know this, but I am married to an amazing man.

The Memeorial Service will be at Herigiage Funeral Home in Arab, Alabma at 11:00 am on Thursday 10/25/06.

Thanks, Traci

Mad at Mommy! - First of many times I am afraid!

2006-08-18T08:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I woke up late – so I rushed around and got myself ready for work in about 5 minutes. When I was ready I ran in and woke up Liv and started rushing her through her morning routine. Liv put this on, Liv put that down, Liv be still while I fix your hair, Liv just choose a vitamin they are all the same, Liv brush your teeth faster, Liv hurry up. After about 5 minutes of this, Liv put her hands on her hips and looked at me like she was very perturbed. “Mommy!” she exclaimed, “I am mad at you because you run me too hard!” I told her it was ok to feel mad at mommy, but I needed her to do it faster. Another 5 minutes, in the same hurried manner, passed and we headed out the door towards school and work. In the car I asked Liv if she was still mad at Mommy. She replied, “Nope, I’m over it now.”

Moral of the story: Wake up a bit earlier so you don’t run your kids so hard in the morning

Annie

2006-07-22T15:30:00.000-07:00

Matt has won father of the year – no need for any other dads to try. He bought Liv Annie and introduced her into the wonderful world of musicals. She watches it EVERY DAY!! LOVES Annie!!! She can even sing some of the songs. I better start saving for those singing and acting lessons…..

Kitties!

2006-07-22T15:23:00.000-07:00

A few shots of Liv playing at Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw’s with Rick-Rick’s kittens. She named one of the kittens Maggie.

Sister Trip 2006

2006-07-22T15:17:00.000-07:00

I would love to explain these pictures from Gatlinburg, but there is one rule on our Sisters Gatlinburg trip – If you tell what went on during the trip – you aren’t invited back!! Therefore, there will be no explaining why my grandmother’s head is hung in shame of those around her in the bottom right picture, or the Taboo Chicken, or Big Booty, Big Booty, Big Booty, I have a Big Ole Booty...

Matt and Liv telling me bye as I left for Gatlinburg

2006-07-22T15:11:00.000-07:00

4th of July

2006-07-22T15:05:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from July 4th. Matt’s Dad and Donna have a cook out every year at there home. My family never misses it (unless deathly ill – poor mom – she missed the one on 05). We always have a great time, hanging out, watching the kids swim, eating too much, watching people in the Nathan’s hot dog eating competition eat too much, and catching up with one another. This year Rick-Rick had new kittens that were a hit with the kids!

Weekend at the Peter's

2006-07-22T14:40:00.000-07:00

We were able to go to Atlanta the weekend of July 1st. We had been telling Liv that we were going and Matt was calling it Hot-lanta and the ATL. Liv's teacher asked me what we would be doing in Atlanta for the weekend - I knew Liv had to of been doing something "Livey" to make Ms. Jacci ask - what has she been saying I inquired - Ms. Jacci said she kept telling everyone (with lots of attitude), "Tonight I'm goin' to Hot-lanta in the ATL!!"

We had a blast. We stayed with Michael and Aimee Peters. We were up late talking on Friday night. On Saturday we went to visit our friend Emma. She could not get over how grown up (and feisty) Liv was!

That after noon a bunch of our old friends gathered at Aimee and Michael’s for a get together – we had so much fun playing games and catching up with people. One of my favorite parts was watching the video where Aimee had won the final show case on the Price’s Right! It was classic!!!

Sunday we went to Andy Stanley’s church. It was wonderful, very large, but the message was great. The nursery was full so Liv accompanied us to service. She would watch other people and then imitate their behavior. For example, she would nod in agreement with the minister after he finished a point – hilarious.

After service we went to Boca Di Bebos (doubt I spelled that right) for a wonderful Italian meal! We met up with Nathan (NaNa Toergerson) there. Liv was so excited to see him – she peered up at him like he was a member of a famous boy band! You can see in one of the pictures where they were playing hide and seek and she was skillfully hidden under the table.

During the rousing game of hide and seek, Michael and Matt put this tuff in our AC and made it work like new!!! It was a life savor because the AC was blowing hot air and Atlanta is not called Hotlanta for nothing!!

It was a great weekend to get away and relax with good friends. Michael and Aimee, thank you again for your wonderful hospitality. Your home is not only beautiful, but it is warm and inviting! We had a wonderful time and hope to return the favor soon!

“A Fishy Story” - by Phyllis King

2006-07-19T17:08:00.000-07:00

Happy 29th Birthday, Traci
“A Fishy Story”
By Phyllis King

Recently I visited Traci in Huntsville in order to celebrate her 29th (she really can’t be that old!) birthday. I traveled up on a Thursday afternoon in order to have time with Olivia that evening before Traci and I were to head to Nashville the following day for the weekend. I wanted to treat her to a birthday weekend of shopping and sleeping in as long as she wanted. However, Mother Nature had different plans.

That evening after Olivia and I had played so much we were both worn out, Traci, Matt, and I settled down in front of the TV after putting Olivia to bed upstairs in her room. We were intently watching the weather updates that indicated that Huntsville was potentially going to have severe weather beginning some time the next day. Traci had hoped to work at least part of the day on Friday before I picked her up at the office which would begin our Nashville get-away that we had looked forward to for weeks.

The dilemma began…do we leave early and get ahead of the weather or take a “wait and see” approach. (Fortunately, we took the “wait and see” approach.) The next day, Traci & Matt went to work & Olivia went to preschool. I went to some of my favorite shopping places in Huntsville that morning and noticed that the wind was continually picking up. Upon returning back to their home, I turned on the TV to hear the weatherman announce that there was a tornado on the ground in Nashville! Needless to say, I called and cancelled our hotel reservations and learned from the man I spoke with that the weather coverage I had heard was incorrect…there were SEVERAL tornadoes on the ground in Nashville!

Traci, Matt, and Olivia returned home that evening, and the 4 of us watched continual weather coverage as the skies darkened on Huntsville. We put Olivia to bed upstairs and did a repeat of the night before…keeping our eye on what the weather was doing which continued to deteriorate. It seemed that Nashville wasn’t the only city to be visited by tornadoes. We learned they were approaching right where Matt and Traci live!

Traci decided to set up Olivia’s Pack and Play in the kitchen and move her downstairs with us. The poor child was so exhausted from a day at preschool and playing again with her visiting Yah-yah that she only raised her head a little to wonder where she was and why was she in the kitchen. She was too tired to ask and went back to sleep.

TV weather coverage continued, and we gave it our rapt attention. Matt suddenly announced that we needed to get in the kitchen bathroom…the safest place in the house. I had already turned the bathroom floor into a huge pallet. Traci scooped up Olivia out of the Pack and Play, and all of us hurried into the smallest room in the house. This time Olivia stirred, raised her head, and wondered why in the world were we all on the bathroom floor with candles??? Living with her Mom and Dad means her life is a constant thrilling journey…so she didn’t question it and lay down.

After an hour or so in the bathroom and listening to the worst sounding wind I’ve ever heard, things settled down and we left our place of safety. The deck was covered with debris but there was no damage. Olivia was returned to her own bed, and the rest of us followed to ours.

Traci and I decided that we would just stay in Huntsville to celebrate her birthday the following day. The plan was for Matt and his mom to take care of Olivia for the entire day while Traci and I began our day out with breakfast followed by shopping at all of Traci’s favorite stores that she can’t take a 2 ½ year old in and concentrate on what she is doing, and then end the day with dinner out that evening.

We set out the following morning that turned out to be a beautiful day. We had a leisurely breakfast and then shopped, shopped, shopped, and shopped. After each store, I would ask Traci where she would like to go next. We visited stores for purchases and stores just for looking around, laughing and having a good time.

While we were in Kirkland’s, Traci noticed a box that contained an unusual fish bowl. She wondered who would want such an odd bowl. I commented that the picture on the box just didn’t do the bowl justice. One of my friends has the same fish bowl that sits on a beautifully carved wooden stand of a Japanese gold fish. Traci took the bowl and its stand out of the box and fell in love with it.

She said that she and Matt had wanted to get Olivia a pet and thought that all of them could easily handle the care of a fish. The gorgeous bowl was on a great sale, so she bought it to take to Olivia.

We didn’t return home until nearly 9:00 that evening, so Olivia had already gone to bed. Traci showed Matt her purchases and my birthday gifts to her that were also bought that day…clothes, of course! :o) The last thing we opened to show him was the fish bowl which after assembled looked lovely in the middle of their coffee table. The wooden fish stand matched their table perfectly. After the bowl was placed upon the stand, it stood nearly 18 inches high and awaited the purchase of a fish. I told the two of them good night and went up to bed.

The following morning was Sunday. I went downstairs to make coffee while Traci was getting ready for church and was soon followed by Matt and Olivia. (You must remember that we had forgotten all about the gorgeous and very breakable fish bowl on the coffee table.) While I was in the kitchen, I suddenly heard Matt yell, “NOOOO, Olivia, don’t touch that!!!!” I squelched my desire to immediately run into the den, see what was going on, and take care of the situation. I quickly reminded myself that I was just the Yah-yah, and Daddy could handle whatever the situation was. Of course, that didn’t mean that I wasn’t listening intently to whatever was going on around the corner from me.

I then heard Olivia’s little voice question, “What is it?” I, of course, would have given her a long dissertation on it being a special home for a fish, her Mommy bought it for her, wasn’t it pretty, and that it was very, very breakable and should only be looked at, not touched. But Daddy, being a man, only said, “It’s for fish.” That’s all he said…”It’s for fish.”

Well, I MADE myself stay in the kitchen even though I desperately wanted to explain in great detail to Olivia about the fish bowl. A few minutes later after she no doubt had studied the bowl for a while, Olivia entered the kitchen. Now was my chance to explain it all to her! I was standing by the refrigerator, which has the freezer on the bottom by the way…

Olivia came over to me, and I asked her if she had seen Mommy’s gift to her on the coffee table. She said, “Yes,” and then began pulling on the freezer door. It is not unusual for Olivia’s “10 arms and hands” to be pulling at something or be into something while she is having a conversation. I leaned against the door and kept it closed with the weight of my leg pushing against it. I rattled on and on about the bowl wondering why Olivia wasn’t the least bit interested in my explanation. Finally, I became frustrated with her continually pulling on that freezer door.

I said, “Olivia, why are you pulling on this door?” She raised that angelic little face up to me and said, “Yah-yah, I get fish for my bowl!”

I wondered what in the world she meant…then I began to laugh hysterically. The only fish Olivia has had exposure to are frozen fish sticks! She wanted a fish stick from the freezer to put in her bowl. When I explained to Matt what Olivia had done, he got her, found an Elmo book, located a picture of Elmo’s fish, Dorothy, and showed her how the bowl was to be used….a home for a real fish!

That afternoon Olivia was taken to the pet store after church, and her new fish was purchased which she named…..Dorothy. You can often find Olivia sitting on top of the coffee table with her little legs folded, hands in her lap, and tousled head staring over the top of the bowl as she talks to Dorothy. But she doesn’t touch that bowl…she was listening to her Yah-yah after all. :o)

Father's Day Weekend for Papa

2006-07-16T05:20:00.000-07:00

Yes – as you see Jeffery is still alive and kicking (well maybe not kicking, but he is still alive – Sorry Mom) If you were in Masters 95-96, you will remember the great Pugnapping that occurred!

Anyways, this is Liv or as she and her classmates call her “Livey Taylor Tidmore” and Jeffery aka “Puppery” (Pup-pery) swimming at Yah-Yah and Papa’s house. She loves this pool they got her and, as you see, it is a thrill for Jeff too! This was the weekend after Father’s day - because for the actual Father's Day Matt's present was to watch golf in his comfey chair. It was a great relaxing day and we had an awesome cook. Mom set the table in a beautiful patriotic theme (think tablescapes) and we all had a patriotic candle by our plates. Liv asked me if it was everyone’s Birthday and if since we all got candles did we all get a cake!! I wish Ihad a picture of the table, mom if you took one send it to me and I will post it.

The great dinner that evening was followed by everyone’s favorite - HOME MOVIES!!!! Poor Matt and Amber had to suffer through a few hours of remember when we ______. They were troopers and seemed to enjoy it and I have to say it was a bit enlightening for both of them!! Now they know why we are the way we are.

Great weekend Mom! You are the greatest hostess in the world!!!

Memorial Day Part II

2006-07-15T20:19:00.000-07:00

Mom and Liv Checking out a bear

Amber and Jeremy at the Cemetary

Memorial Day Weekend Part II

A lot of these pictures are at the cemetery where we have out annual memorial service with the Wells family.

Memorial Day Weekend Part I

2006-07-15T20:12:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day weekend we went to Kentucky for our annual family reunion. Liv and I have a great time. Matt was unable to go since he had to MC the Cotton Row Run. We were able to spend time with my extended family and Liv had a great time being spoiled by everyone. We even played ball onthe capitol lawn. I think her favorite part of the trip was to the Game Farm. We saw elk, bears, bison, deer, and other animals that are indigenous to Kentucky. It was great to see her have fun with all of my Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Mamaw. She especially got to know Uncle David and his wonderful talent of bird calling on this trip!!! Speaking of birds, no trip to Kentucky is complete with out going to Campton to visit Brid and Helen, my mother’s cousins.

Re-Post of Regan and Liv

2006-07-15T15:09:00.000-07:00

I posted this earlier, but it is not showing up. These photos were taken at Kingwood after Regan’s dedication. I hope the girls grow up to be great friends like their mommies!

We are still around - I promise

2006-07-15T15:06:00.000-07:00

Ok - I have tried to catch up the Blog to about mid May. I will try to add Memorial Day weekend to current photos soon! Hopefully Mom will write the Liv and the Fishbowl story soon for posting - it is a classic!

Traci and The Fam

Liv's First Family Vacation

2006-07-15T14:45:00.000-07:00

For Liv’s first vacation we meet up with Mom, Dad, and Amber (Jerm had to work) in Gatlinburg at the chalet that I spent many a family vacation. Liv had a ball! We went to build a bear. We walked the town. We watched a man make taffy. We pet every dog in site. We went to a kiddy park and she rod a ton of rides. On the last day she told me she loved Gat’bird and wanted to come back again tomorrow.

As wonderful as it was to watch her enjoy her first vacation, the best part was a fight between by Dad and a raccoon (which can be seen in the first photo). Not sure if I can capture it in words, but I will try.

Dad purchased birdseed for the feeders at the chalet. He had just put the new birdseed in the outside trashcan where it is stored. The raccoon must have heard this because it saunters up, undoes the wire lock on the trash can, and dives in to have a snack. This makes dad mad so he runs out onto the deck to shoo away the raccoon. The raccoon then pops its head out of the trash can and spits at dad pppppllllbbbbb. At this point dad is not just mad, but flaming mad, so he garbs a broom to show the raccoon who is boss. Now the raccoon decides it is not wise to stay in the can so he hops out and glares at Dad. Dad, with broom still in had, closes the trash can lid and rewires it shut. The raccoon decides he is not happy about this and charges dad. Dad spins around – broom still in hand- and grabs the grill lid in the other hand and strikes a fencing pose. So now Dad and the raccoon go at it in a jousting like fashion. We are all cracking up, but Liv in a very concerned voice asks, “What is Papa doin’ to that RatCat???” Before things take a turn for the worse, we grab some food for the “RatCat” and throw it to the side of the deck so he could eat in peace and Dad’s bird seed could be saved for the birds. Just seeing by Dad and the “RatCat” in fencing positions was PRICELESS!!!

Puppy Love II

2006-07-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

This is Liv on a play date with Aimee Underwood's boys Luke and Ian. I love the one where they are shocked and trying to run out of the bathroom - We found them playing in the water! Too funny!

and they call it Puppy Love

2006-07-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

This is Liv on a Play date with Jamie Morrison Boemer's little boys. Aren't they too cute!!! I think this was some time in April. Jamie do you remember when this was??? Liv was very impressed by Tres's muscles!

Family Shot

2006-07-15T14:22:00.000-07:00

Our Faux Vacation

2006-07-15T14:19:00.000-07:00

This is about as close to the beach as we are getting this summer! We are not big on the heat and sand.... Maybe one day we will get there, I think Liv would love it!

A Prize Inside!

2006-07-15T14:17:00.000-07:00

Loving the salior Dress Mom got her!!! This is my sweet Cracker Jack Girl!

The last few months in Pictures

2006-07-15T14:15:00.000-07:00

Photo shoot! This one really captures her personality! This was back in March I think..... Bad mommy - I should remember these things...

Happy Birthday Jamie

2006-02-15T14:28:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Jamie!!!

For those of you who know Jamie, check out her sites and all the exciting things going on in her life!!

http://www.kidsrealityandmore.blogspot.com/

http://www.elmusicgroup.blogspot.com/

I think I am it, but I will tag others later

2006-02-02T01:07:00.000-08:00

Once you're tagged, let us know what your top 5 pet peeves are! Then tag five more. Don't be a pary pooper!
Jamie taged me on 01/23 so here are mine

1) Not having time to catch up on BLOG reading. It makes me feel unconnected to everyone – I still have not gotten to finish all of the stories on your BLOG Jamie
2) Not being able to sleep before big meetings – note it is 3:00 AM and I have been down here checking company email and working out mess for a case meeting with the Alabama PSC because I can not sleep
3) sinus infections – also adding to the can not sleep issue
4) Kodine – don’t know how to spell that – it is in the cough medicine I was purscribed and it is making me climb the walls instead of snooze peacfully – was that a pink elephant that just walked by?????
5) Noot beiing ablle tto spellll – thiis issssue iiss compouounnnded wheeen sppell checkcker iiss noot workinngg inn Wooord – Again – not sleeping tonight may be another major contributor to this issue

I am too out of it to think of 5 people so I will get back with you on this. Ok, I am not going to finish reading Jamie’s Blog.

Jamie's answers are below - I don't have links to other sites - another pet peeve - I can not figure out how to add them -

Once you're tagged, let us know what your top 5 pet peeves are! Then tag five more. Don't be a pary pooper!1- I hate when you call someone and they say "I was just about to call you..." Cause even if they were just about to call you, it always makes you wonder.2- I can't stand it when someone with well over 10 items is in the '10 items or less' line at the grocery store. It's called an express check for a reason people. 3- It bothers me when someone leaves their blinker on when they aren't turning. it can literally make me tick!4- I don't like it when someone only calls you when they need something (babysitting, recipe, etc.). I try my best not to be this person. And if you are calling just because you want something... don't try to soften the blow by making small talk up front. Just ask and get it over with.5- It grosses me out when someone talks with food in their mouth.6- (One to grow on!) Word Verification. Come on people... I don't get hit with spam very often. And when I do, I just delete it.Okay... I tag Danielle B, Nicole T, Jennifer, Eric, and Traci

Pictures - YEAH!!!

2006-01-14T18:50:00.000-08:00

I know you thought it would never happen, but we have pictures!! Can you believe it! You can thank a one Matthew Tidmore for showing me how to do this. Now that we have the digital camera it is a snap! Hope you enjoy.

2006-01-14T18:47:00.000-08:00

Yah-Yah has a special tree every Christmas for Olivia. It is a gumdrop tree. Liv loves it so much that she will pull up one of mom’s kitchen chairs and stare at the tree. I have never seen the child be still for that long, but the tree is so pretty is mesmerizes her. Isn’t my mom great!

Jerm and Livey Time

2006-01-14T18:43:00.000-08:00

This is Uncle Jerm and Liv. They are playing the “Melmo” game on the computer. Liv loves playing this game especially if she gets to play with Uncle Jerm. It is called Elmo’s Keyboard-O-Rama and for those of you with little kids, below is the link to get to the game. When you press a letter or number on the key board, Elmo tells you what it is and shows you either an item that begins with the letter you selected or he counts to the number you entered. Fun time!

http://www.sesameworkshop.org/sesamestreet/games/flash.php?contentId=9495524

Regan & Liv BFF

2006-01-14T18:39:00.000-08:00

After Christmas, Rachael Cleckler Dooley and I were able to get together. We had a wonderful time catching up and remembering hysterical things from the past. Here is a picture of her Daughter Reagan and Liv. We thought since we became friends while we were babies, they should too!

Christmas at the Kings

2006-01-14T18:35:00.000-08:00

2006-01-14T18:33:00.000-08:00

Christmas at the Kings

2006-01-14T18:21:00.000-08:00

This is our Christmas with Yah-Yah and Papa. We had a wonderful time. There were a lot of people there. Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Amber – aka Uncle Jerm and Aunt Bamber. Our Kentucky family was also there. Mamaw Wells, Uncle Mike, Aunt Mary, Evan, Jessica, and Noel. Yah-Yah read the meanings of our names and a bible verse and a prayer for us in 2006. It was so thoughtful and very meaningful to all of us. We also opened presents, ate yummy steaks and side dishes, and then we played games. Everyone had such a great time!

2006-01-14T18:13:00.000-08:00

This is Christmas at Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw’s. We had a great time!
Aunt Bailey, Uncle Shawn, and the Epplings were there.

2006-01-14T17:47:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Eve, we had Christmas with Grandmother, Aunt Brenda, Aunt Judy and Uncle James, Uncle Erin, Aunt Marcie, Alysa, and Kyle. We read the True Christmas Story and then had a cake to celebrate Jesus’ birthday.

2006-01-14T17:41:00.000-08:00

This is when we went to Horse Shoe Bend. It is a street near us that everyone visits to see the lights. Some nights they have live reindeer. We went with Matt and Amy Castleman (My Matt and Mamie) and their nieces. Liv thought it was great and we had to convince her that she could not stay in the decorated Elmo house.

Liv and her "Baby Sister"

2006-01-14T17:39:00.000-08:00

Matt told me he has been hearing Liv call this doll "Baby Sister"!

2006-01-14T13:41:00.000-08:00

Matt & Matt on remote at a Kroger in Madison. They and their listeners raised money for Can Hunger 2005.

Liv's earrings

2006-01-14T13:37:00.000-08:00

Liv with her new earrings!

Pierced!

2005-12-24T06:14:00.000-08:00

No, not the Audio Adrenaline song - Liv got her Christmas wish. (Let me be clear, it was not the live baby she asked for, check back in a couple of years for that one) She got her ears pierced! She was such a big girl. We covered that fact that it would hurt and that it would make a loud popping noise. She seemed to understand this and when we the Merel Norman lady put her up in the chair she informed her that, “I get earrings, but they hurt first.”

She sat perfectly still while the ladies marked her ears. When they pulled out the earring guns she did not even flinch. She let them line them up on her ears and then she helped them count to three. When they shot the earrings in, she looked at me like, Oh! Man that HURT! You were not kidding Mommy! She started to cry for only a minute and I hander her Blank, her special blanket, and one of the Merel Norman ladies gave her a handheld mirror. That was the end of the crying. She smiled and looked at her ears and was so proud!

She did begin to pretend cry and I asked her what was happening. With a big frown, she said, “Mommy no kiss ears.” I forgotten that I told her it would hurt, but Mommy would kiss her ears and they would be all better. I kissed her ears and she told me, “They all better Mommy, I see!” Then she looked in the mirror at them again. As we walked through the mall, she would stop and admire them in anything that would give off a reflection.

They are cute on her. I am glad we decided to go ahead and let her have it done. She seems really happy with them. I will ask Matt to post a picture of her with her new earrings, but don’t hold your breath! We have not posted pictures since last year!

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday and that your Christmas wishes come true as well!

To Pierce or Not To Pierce - That is the Question

2005-12-21T07:34:00.000-08:00

Liv desperately wants to get her ears pierced for Christmas. (That, and she wants a baby – We thought she meant a doll, but she means a live baby – so she will be sorely disappointed on Christmas!) We just do not know what to do. I have found some bezel set pearls that are very tiny that I think would look classy, but I am still a bit hesitant. It is almost like if I pierce her ears then she is officially a big girl! Any advise from you Mommies of little girls or any Mommies that remember being a little girl?

That’s My Mommy!

2005-12-20T14:59:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, I was in the Christmas play, The Gospel According to Scrooge at the Rock Family Worship Center.

In the play I was Mrs. Fezziwig. Mr. Fezziwig and I sang a song called “Celebrate.” The last line of the song is, “Join the Celebraaaaaaaaaaa (pause one count for big breath) tion.”

Well, on Saturday night Liv came to see the play. She did not do well sitting in the audience because she felt she should also be on stage with the singers and actors. Matt brought her to me and I kept her in the youth sanctuary and she watched it on the big screen where, without disturbing others, she could dance and sing along with the characters.
When it was time for me to go on stage, Matt took Liv back into the main auditorium. Well, during the last line of the song the audience and the performers heard, “ Join the Celebraaaaaaaa (THAT’S MY MOMMY!) tion! Fortunately the lights immediately go out after that last note because I fell out laughing so hard.

Searching for the Christ Child

2005-12-20T14:57:00.000-08:00

I know it has been a while since I have posted, but I just have not felt like posting because everything seems so trivial compared to the deep sorrow our friends Dan and Maria are going through. We continue to keep Dan and Maria in our prayers. Please visit their sites and learn of their story if you have not already spoken with us and are praying for this precious couple and their family.

http://www.spanishlady.blogspot.com/

http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=BroDTA

Even though this is a sad time, I think I will now share some of the wonderful and precious things that are happening at the Tidmore home…….

I have begun to relate with the Wise Men who sought the Christ Child. No, there is not a shining star appearing to me and I am not carrying around the traditional gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but I am constantly on a search for the Christ Child.

You see; He is missing. He is always missing. On occasion, if I look closely, He will appear, but for the most part He is missing. Before you call Brice Hospital and book me a room (for those of you not in the state of Alabama, this is the largest mental institution in our state), let me explain. We have a beautiful nativity in our den. We have discussed the TRUE story of Christmas with Olivia. She is fascinated with Baby Jesus. She has decided that He, as Alpha and Omega, should not be restricted to the manager and she takes Him along on all of her adventures. At times I have found Baby Jesus nestled in His “Birthday Tree”. Liv likes for Him to see the twinkling lights. I have found baby Jesus on the tray of her play high chair with a plastic mushroom as big as him sitting by him on a play plate. I have found Baby Jesus “swaddled” and lying in the baby doll bed.

In the mornings before we go to work and daycare, I ask Liv to locate Baby Jesus and return Him to the nativity stable. She is happy to run of and retrieve Him from some special location, give Him a kiss, and place Him by his “Mommy” and “Daddy”. She also gives Him one of her favorite toys to play with while she is at school. As soon as she returns home, the first thing she does is run to the nativity to give Baby Jesus a kiss!

It really blesses my heart to see her already love Jesus and literally walk and talk with Him!

So, if you visit our home during the holidays and you spot a crayon or miniature doll in the nativity, you will know that Baby Jesus did not only receive traditional gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but He also received a special gift from a wonderful toddler.

Interseting Two Weeks

2005-10-16T19:36:00.000-07:00

We are sure missing all the folks in our lives that are not here in Huntsville. I hope you are all well. The stories below will give you all a glimpse into our lives here in this town. If any of you are so inspired by the story that you would like to move there, my office is hiring a new Regulatory Manager because my co-worker was terminated – that however is a totally different story and not at all as interesting as what is below…..

We have had a really busy couple of weeks.

Last weekend was Liv's second birthday and I spent a lot of the week getting ready for the party. I will try to talk Matt into attaching some of the pictures mom and dad sent me. I think everyone had a great time and Liv seems to really enjoy her party. The highlight of the part was playing Pin the Tail on the Pig. You need to see the video. Too funny!

This weekend was pack too. On Saturday we went to Tate Farm's Cotton Pickin Pumpkin Patch. This is a place where the main attraction is taking a hay ride to a pumpkin field and picking your pumpkin right off of the vine. Liv loved it all except for tripping over pumpkin vines. While you are there you have tons of other stuff to do as well.

Liv and her cousins, Kyle and Alysa, when to a petting zoo and played with goats, rabbits, puppies, and a horse. They also played in a huge bin (one bin could fit about 20 kids at a time and there were several bins) full of dried corn. There was a cotton gin to climb on and slide down. There were hay piles to jump in. A "space bounce" that was really all cotton to jump in. (I'm telling you this place should have been sponsored by Zertec!)

Liv's favorite thing was the hay bail maze that she and Alysa would walk through. It was a pretty long maze and we would let the girls think they were going in alone. (There was always a parent a few feet behind them just out of sight.) They really thought they were big stuff. Marcie, my sister-in-law will be emailing me photos, so I will try to have Matt add those to the blog as well. It was a great day and we were all tired and worn out that evening when we got home. Matt and I had a date night planed, but we were too tired to get ready to go out so we ordered a Pizza in and watched an Alfred Hitchcock movie.

Today we went to a confederate burial. (It is going to be weirder that it sounds.) We began the day by going to Guntersville, Alabama to Matt's great-great-great-grandfather's burrier sight. To get to the sight we had to hike though a cow pasture that had briers and overgrown trees and bushes. (oh, did I tell you we had all three kids with us?) When we got through the pasture, we had to climb over a bob-wire fence. (Thankfully someone thought to bring a ladder long). We then went through some trees to get to the Fowler cemetery. The newest headstone was from 1912. Many were so old you could not read them and even more were so old they had crumbled. There Matt’s great aunt read about Josiah and explained how we were all related to him. We also hung a sign that said Fowler Cemetery on a tree so that the next time we all decide to do this we will not get lost trying to find it. (I left the getting lost part out didn't I..... Oh, well moving on)

After going back over the bob-wire fence, through the cow pasture, and a barn full of horses, we headed to Oneonta where Josiah's wife is buried. Here is where the confederate soldiers were waiting for us. We placed a new headstone at the grave sight and the confederate soldiers fired their guns multiple times. All children, except Liv, had run to the van to hide by this time. It was a very interesting day. And a wonderful time was had by all. Again, I will try to have Matt put the pictures on the sight. (Don’t hold your breath though, the most recent picture on the sight is Liv’s one-year old picture and as you just read above, she turned Two last Friday.)

There were many times during the past two days that Liv looked and Matt and I as if to say, "Really, we are really doing this, are you too sure you know what is going on here." We would look back at her like, "no, we have no idea why we are out here, except that we are family and a family sometimes does weird things together."

Love you all and hope to get to go pumpkin pickin’ and Confederate burrin’ with you all soon.

Love, Traci, Matt & Liv

South Beach Sundays

2005-09-18T13:45:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't been as faithful to this as I initially meant to be. I weighed today and I have lost 15 lbs total. I have 15 more to go to reach my initially goal and my first "reward"!

Recipe for the Week:

Spinach and Cheese enchiladas

Combine frozen spinach (1 box), mozzarella cheese (1cup) and ricotta cheese (15 oz) in a bowl with oregano, basil and other seasonings to taste.

Spoon mixture into low carb tortillas.

Arrange in a 13x9 pan. Pour one can of enchiladas sauce over the dish. Add another sprinkling of mozzarella cheese over the top and bake covered for 20 minutes on 350.

YUM!

Whole Wide World

2005-09-01T20:02:00.000-07:00

Matt and I have been engrossed with the coverage of hurricane Katrina and the devastation of the Gulf. We are cutting back on the amount of coverage we are watching because we are finding ourselves totally overwhelmed instead of praying for the people like we need to.

I see the children and I cannot wrap my mind around what it would be like to not be able to provide for Liv. I see the looters and wonder, if I could not feed her, what would I do. Would I steal? Would I kill people attempting to come near our family to take the last supplies we had?

After those questions, I began to wonder where was God? Why did this happen. Why are so many innocent children suffering? This is only in the Gulf. What about the children in Iraq and the Middle East who are blow to pieces when they are just walking to school? What about the people that are still displaced because of the tsunami? What about the children in Africa who are dying of aids in a war-ridden country? What about the children of India who starve while fattened “sacred” cows roam free? The list goes on and on. God, where are you? What are you doing? Why do things like this happen?

As I was thinking these things, from the back seat Liv said, “World, Mommy!” I know that world mean she wants me to sing one of her favorite songs. So I began, “He’s got the whole world in His hands, He’s got the whole wide world in his hands……”

I began to cry and ask thank the Lord that in the midst of chaos and in things we don’t understand, He has it all under control in his hands. Our personal circumstances that seem small to the world, but seem like they are closing in on us, they are in His hands. The major events that rock nations, they are in His hands. Things may appear to the natural eye to be in turmoil and chaos, but………He’s got the little bitty baby, in His hands. He’s got the whole world in His hands!

First South Beach Sunday

2005-08-28T17:53:00.000-07:00

Ok, so no one wants to South Beach with me, I am still going to try to post on Sunday's for accountability.

This week I lost 3 lbs and to make a total of 12 lbs lost. (I forgot I gained one last week, so I was at 9 lost goining into this week.

Tip for the week: I am loving the sugar free pudding and a tbs of peanut butter mixed in. It is a nice sweet for very few carbs.

TT

South Beach Sundays

2005-08-25T21:06:00.000-07:00

Anybody want to South Beach with me?

I stated the south beach diet about 4 weeks ago and I am enjoying it very much. Besides feeling better and not always being hungry, I have lost 10 lbs. I was wondering if any one wanted to join me on this journey.

I am trying to get healthy and fit so that I can enjoy life and have the energy to do all I need for my family, job, and church. I don’t like having that draggy feeling all the time. I have noticed when I replace the bad carbs with protein it has changed the way I feel.

However, feeling better does not seem to be enough motivation for me. If I am accountable to you in cyber space, maybe I will find the stamina to stick with this and accomplish my goals.

What I was hoping to implement with South Beach Sundays as a place to state how much you lost the pervious week and how much you have lost total. Might be a nice way to stay accountable. I also would love it if people would post tips, recipes, and secrets to their success.

For example:

Tip – I found if you use sugar free chocolate pudding mix instead of the coca powder in the ricotta cream cheese desert, it tastes great and still has few carbs.

Recipe - One of our favorite meals is Spaghetti squash with marinara sauce loaded with veggies. We also sauté veal patties, that you can get in the meat department of the grocery store, and add that on top of the “pasta”. Delicious and you can make it in less than 15 minutes!

I would also love any weight watcher recipes or anything that is healthy and low carb.

So whatcha’ think??????

Cucumber Baby

2005-08-24T19:58:00.000-07:00

A nice lady that works in my office (one of those people you pass in the hall, but don’t really know) asked me if I wanted a cucumber she had grown in her garden. I said no thanks, but she insisted I take the cucumber. When she pulled it out of the Wall Mart sack, it was the biggest cucumber I have ever seen. This is weird, but ok I thought.

Well I went to pick up Liv. When I was putting her in the car, she saw the cucumber (how could she not, it took up the entire backseat) and wanted to hold it. It was a bit heavy for her, so I helped her place it in her lap for the ride home. She jabbered on to the cucumber and we had a nice ride home.

That evening we went to her aunt and uncle’s home to play with her cousins. When we got out of the car, she insisted that the cucumber go inside with us. I thought this was a reasonable request, because no one wants a cucumber in their sweltering car when it is 90+ degrees outside. So, the cucumber went inside. Everywhere Liv played, the cucumber had to go too. The Eppling family now thinks we are weird, but I think we just confirmed what they already suspected.

When we got home that night, I placed the cucumber on the counter and did not think much about it. Liv started to wail. I could not determine what the spontaneous outburst pertained to. Then it hit me that she wanted the cucumber back. I gave it to her and she took it into the den (only after she dropped it about 10 times getting it to the den; I meant it, this is a seriously large cucumber.)

Once she and the cucumber were in the den, she began to wrap the cucumber up in a blanket. After the cucumber was properly bundled, she placed it in her baby doll stroller. She then got it one of her pretend bottles and began to give it a drink. At this moment Cucumber Baby was born.

That night, I was almost asleep when Matt got home. He crept into the bedroom and kissed me on the cheek and asked, “Why is there a ridiculously large cucumber in our daughters “princess” stroller?” I responded, “it is not a cucumber, it is a baby,” then I drifted off to sleep.

Later that week, the above-mentioned Epplings came over to swim. Her uncle, Erin, noticed the cucumber in the stroller wrapped in the blanket. He went over and picked it up and commented he could not believe we still had the cucumber. Then he pitched the cucumber back into the stroller. Matt and I both yelled at the same time, “you put the baby in upside down!” At that moment we both new, the cucumber had to go.

It took us a few days to get up the nerve, but one night the cucumber disappeared. I am not sure Liv will ever be able to play with, I mean eat cucumbers again……..

Liv's Favorite Things

2005-08-24T19:50:00.000-07:00

Things Liv Loves that makes her so LIVEY
-Singing one-word songs that she makes up. The songs consist of one word that is repeated over in over in varying lengths, tones, and volumes. Below are her favorites:
-Grandparent Songs consists of the name of a grandparent over and
over
-Food songs list her favorite foods, cheese, ha-heart (Pop-Tart), and
juice are the three songs in this category
-Classmate Songs: This song consists of a classmate’s name. The
options for this song are as follows: Rio (by far the most popular), Hanna, Aric, Gabriella (Gabby is the name in the song), and another girl in her class that rarely makes the songs is Alivia. We think Alivia is not making the song rotation because Liv is confused as to why someone else has a name that sounds like hers.
-Puppy Song. This song breaks the rules; at times actual names of puppies she likes are thrown in instead of puppy. I am assuming Jeffy, Marnie, and Sadie are the verses and Puppy is the chorus in this song.
-The University Child Development Center
- Liv is really enjoying her school. Above you see her classmate’s names. Ms. Jackie is her teacher. When she says Ms. Jackie is really sounds like Ms. Daddy.
-She loves school and is doing well with counting, animals, and animal sounds. She starts Abeka curriculum in September. I think it is weird that she will actually be working in a curriculum before she is 2.
-Dancing
-Indian dancing around a tent in our den. We dance to the Phoenix Master’s Frontline CD. She loves it. We mainly dance to the first 3 or 4 songs on the CD before we collapse. After the dancing fun, Liv’s wants to worship to her favorite song “Come Walk With Me”
-Doing dances / hand motions on the hearth of the fire place (this weeks favorite is “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”
-Dancing in her car seat to any and all types of music
-Getting down to fast praise music at church
-Dancing to the music in her head. I mean it, she will just start dancing and there is no music on, she just hears the beat in her head.
-Cooking eggs with Mommy
-Wearing Mommy’s shoes
-Fireworks, anything with a firework on it, and pretending to be a firework
- Harassing Marnie
-Harassing Daddy
-Riding on Mommy’s back like a horsey
-Hopping like a kangaroo or frog
-Sitting on the front porch and waiving to the cars that go by
-Eating Lucky Charms cereal
-She eats the marshmallow pieces and gives the cereal pieces to our
dog Marnie

Update

2005-08-09T22:06:00.000-07:00

Ok, don’t everyone fall out because I have actually posted something on my blog. It has only been 8 months since my last post. That is not unreasonable is it?

Anyway, since my last posting a lot has happened.
I quit my job at BellSouth
Matt quit his job
We moved from Atlanta to Huntsville
Matt stated working for ESPN radio. You can catch his show at www.espn1450.com
I started working for ITC^DeltaCom. I would tell you what I do, but no one would understand it, and by the time I finished explaining it, you would all be asleep
Liv has started daycare at the University of Alabama Huntsville – yes, she is that smart, already in college. Well, she thinks she is

So as you can see, it has been a bit busy. And all of the above really only happened since the middle part of May.

We miss the youth group and all of our friends in Atlanta like crazy. The youth group there is amazing and the leaders are amazing too. I miss seeing them on Sundays and working with the youth band during the week. I also miss my work friends like crazy. I am enjoying my new job, but BellSouth people are a different breed. The people at ITCD look at me like I am from Mars. At least at Bell I did not stand out that much. Those of us in Sales op / Marketing were all pretty weird. Miss you guys.

Even though I do miss my ATL friends, it is so nice to be back in Alabama. It is wonderful that my parents are only 2 hours (and no ATL traffic) away. I have been able to see them a lot since we moved here. Matt’s family is all here in the Huntsville area. Having my support system so close to me has been wonderful. I don’t know who I did it before. Liv loves seeing all of the family more often.

Matt is doing well. The radio show is really taking off. His co-host is Gary Darby and the producer is his long time (20 years) best friend Matt Castleman. The three of them make a great team. I love listening to the show, and I am the one that can not stand to listen to talk radio.

Liv is doing well. She will be 2 in October. She is such a girl. She will not leave the house without her purse stiffed full of hair bows, and dress up jewelry. She is a hoot. This weekend we took her to the Huntsville bicentennial celebration. She loved the parade and has marched around like she is in the marching band. We them went to the children’s discovery museum (can’t remember the name of it). She and her cousins played all over the place. It is such a wonderful thing to step back and watch you child play and learn. My Mom was in town and we had the best time watching her interact with the other children and activities. That night we took her to the fireworks. We have been preparing he for this by asking her what the firework says. The answer is of course, BOOM Sparkle, sparkle, sparkle. Once the fireworks started she was so excited and kept yelling BOOM Sparkle, sparkle, sparkle. She thought they were great. It is a moment I will never forget. Matt, Liv, and I were all curled up on a blanket watching the display and at that moment, nothing else mattered except being together. I looked over at the two loves of my life and saw them smiling and enjoying the moment as their faces were lit by the different arrays of color from the fireworks overhead. I’ll never forget it. I am so blessed with an amazing husband and child.

On Sunday, I had to explain to people why my child was yelling BOOM Sparkle, sparkle, sparkle as she walked though the church. She of course was pretending to be a firework.

I will try to be better about posting. After working on a PC all day, I really do try to avoid our office. I will ask Matt to post some recent pictures of Liv.

Traci

2005-01-06T17:43:00.001-08:00

Olivia- One Year Old

2005-01-06T17:43:00.000-08:00

Olivia and Santa 2004

2005-01-06T17:42:00.000-08:00

Family Christmas 2004

Olivia's list of Words and Accomplishments

2005-01-06T17:24:00.000-08:00

Words I Can Say

• Momma
• Daddy
• Bye
• Hi
• No
• Yeah
• Maw-Maw
• Paw-Paw
• Poppa
• YaYa (Nonna)
• G (Grandmother Carolyn)
• Kyle
• Fish
• Santa
• Sadie
• Ball
• Eat
• Pig
• Kitty

My (Olivia) Favorite Activities

• Running
• MC Hammer Dance
• Sliding
• Playing in the sand box
• Playing in leaf piles
• Licking like Marnie (dog)
• Rolling a matchbox car or ball with Marnie
• Giving Marnie treats
• Opening and closing doors
• Playing in my play house
• Doing laundry with mom (removing items from the washer)
• Singing in my microphone
• Eating!!! Especially Cheese and Graham Sticks
• Flipping through books
• Brush my teeth

Holiday Happenings

2005-01-06T17:14:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to All!

We had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

We started the Christmas holiday with Matt’s Dad and step-Mom. We had a wonderful time at their home. We celebrate Christmas on December 23rd with them every year. We deem the night “Holiday Extravaganza!” We had a wonderful time. Shawn and his fiancé Bailey, Marcia and Erin, and Alysa and Kyle were all in attendance. We had a wonderful time opening gifts and spending time together. Some of the most interesting gifts of the night included a coconut bra, a 6-hour CD of the Pope reading the rosary, and a DVD about David Hasselhoff.

On Christmas Eve, we were able to have a nice quit lunch with Matt and Amy Castleman at Cracker Barrel. We had a wonderful time. Thanks to Marcie volunteering to keep Liv, we were able to eat without someone screaming “EEEEEAAAT at the top of her tiny lungs.” We then went to their home. Amy has an awesome collection of nutcracker figurine displayed. Again, thanks to Marci keeping Liv, they were all intact when we left.

On Christmas Eve night, we had Christmas at the Epplings. Marcie, Erin, Alysa, Kyle, and the star of the night Grandmother Carolyn were are there. We had a great time with the kids opening gifts and hanging out. Marcie made white chili and broccoli cornbread. (Marci, if you read this, I need the recipe so I can post it for others. It really was delicious.) Olivia ate a ton of the broccoli cornbread. I think she ate more of it than the rest of us combine. All the time she ate she would yell her “EEEAAAT”. For those of you that have seen her eat, this is even worse than the constant “MMMMMMM” sound she usually makes while she eats.

Olivia, Matt and I spent the night at Grandmother Carolyn’s on Christmas Eve. Liv slept great so Matt Carolyn and I were able to have a great time visiting. On Christmas day we had the Gaddis traditional Christmas Breakfast. The breakfast consists of muffins, smoked ham, sausage, bacon, eggs, and the famed biscuits with Chocolate gravy! The gravy is delicious. At one point I counted about 30 people Carolyn’s house. We were packed in. We played dirty Santa. The girl’s game was very polite. We all liked the gift we opened and there was minimal trading. Not so for the guy’s game. A dart board was the hot item and I have never seen so much trickery and cheating in my life : )

Around 11:00 we packed up Olivia and headed to Nonna and Poppa’s home for Christmas day. We had a wonderful time with them. Liv renamed Nonna to YAYA. That is in all caps because Liv can only say it at the top of her lungs. She loved climbing mom and dad’s steps and peaking though the bars and yelling YAYA, YAYA for her Nonna to come and see her. Jeremy and Amber joined the party around 5:00. We had a blast opening gifts. After all of the gifts we received this Christmas, we are set for all of 2005! The best part was watching Olivia ooowww and aaahhh over her presents. Dad grilled out some delicious Omaha steaks and mom had a bunch of side dishes prepared. It was great. After dinner we played a highly competitive game of 90’s Trivia Pursuit. Matt and I had the victory because the Booty Monkey was on our side. : )

The next day, Liv and I visited Rachael Dooley and her family. She is looking wonderful! I am so excited for the birth of Baby Girl Dooley. That night mom and dad kept Liv while we went out on a date. Yes, a date!!! The first one I can remember since Liv was born. It was wonderful.

It really was a wonderful holiday season. Matt and I are so blessed to have such a wonderful family. I see these shows on TV about coping with holiday stress and your family and I realize even more how blessed I am. We had nothing but peace, joy, and Christian fellowship during the holidays. No, our lives are not perfect, but God has blessed us so much with great family and friends that no matter what we do face, they will be there to walk through it with us.

Thank you all for such a memorable Christmas!

Humidifer Story

2005-01-06T17:12:00.000-08:00

Humidifier

Well, if you are reading this blog, you probably already heard this story, but here it goes again.

We had our wonderful friends the Underwoods – Brian, Aimee, and Luke over a few weekends ago. (We made Sushi and Pad Thai- It was wonderful) I moved a humidifier that is normally in Liv’s room to sit on a toy box in our guest room for Luke. When the Underwoods left on Sunday I did not move it back and she would go in the room and look at it and look at me as if to be thinking, “This does not belong here where I can reach it, it should be up high where I can not pull it down.”

On Monday morning as I was getting dressed for work, I noticed Olivia was being sneaky and leaning against the wall and looking longingly at the humidifier. You see; the humidifier is a Taboo item. She is not allowed to touch it. With it so close within her reach, how could she not pass up this opportunity? Being the mean mom I am, I waived my finger at her and said, “Olivia! No, no, do not touch that humidifier.” Liv looked at me and seemed to be thinking; how can I still get away with touching the humidifier? So, Olivia extended her pointer finger and slowly inched it towards the humidifier. She touched it softly and quickly and had a look of pure glee on her face. A second later she scrunched up her face, took her other finger and waived it at the finger that touched the humidifier, and scolded it by telling her finger, “No! No!” Smart kid. How could I get on to her after that!?!?!

Prayer Request Update - Josiah

2004-11-18T19:07:00.000-08:00

Please see the web sites below for the Josiah's progress.

Thanks, Tidmore Family

www.xanga.com/brodta

www.hopecs.net/josiah

Prayer Request - Josiah

2004-11-17T19:39:00.000-08:00

Below is an address for the Atchison’s if you would like to send a card or letter of encouragement.

Thanks, Traci

Rev. Dan and Maria Atchison
1739 South Greenwood Ave.
Clearwater, FL 33756

2004-11-17T07:21:00.000-08:00

Olivia sitting on a rock just before her first birthday

2004-11-17T07:18:00.000-08:00

Olivia at 7 months enjoying a meal with our dog Marnie

2004-11-17T07:16:00.000-08:00

Olivia at the hospital

Prayer Request

2004-11-16T19:15:00.000-08:00

Many of you know Maria and Dan and are very concerned about the situation with Josiah. Crystal Culver Conner is in contact with them and is sharing the progress with many others and me via e-mail. I will post the updated she sends on the blog. Please continue to pray for this precious family. They are a wonderful godly family that is working as Master’s Commission directors, yearlong discipleship and ministry equipping program, in Clear Water FL. Maria and I were roommates when we were in Masters Commission in 95-96. Dan was the only second year at that time.

I just keep praying that, “the peace of God which transcends ALL understanding will guard their hearts and minds.” I don’t know how a parent gets through something like this, but the Bible says that, “The Lord will not give you more than you can bare.” It really makes me want to place Liv in a bubble and not let here even breath the air, but the Lord did not give us a spirit of fear! I know he can heal Josiah and I pray also that he will give Dan and Maria supernatural strength to come through this and be able to share a miraculous testimony with millions of people.
Please share their story with others and let’s cover them in prayers. This really puts into light the things that are truly important!

I will post their address soon if you would like to send a card and words of encouragement.

Thanks, Traci

Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2004 2:51 AM
Subject: Prayer Request Update

I'm sure most of you have already heard about Dan & Maria Atchison's, little boy Josiah (he'll be 5 yrs old in March).
I talked to Maria alittle bit on, Monday night.
She told me that Josiah has a tumor the size of an egg at his brain stem.
She said that they would be meeting with specialist on Tuesday, to go over all the options.
Wednesday, Josiah will begin radiation & chemo.
Josiah is in one of the best Childrens hospital's in the US (not sure which one, but will find out the name). They are in ST. Petersburg, FL. And Dan, Maria & Ben are staying at the Ronald McDonald House.
I plan on talking to her again today. So I'll e-mail everyone with any new info, I get.
Just please continue to lift them up in your prayers & thoughts.
Thanks,
Crystal Conner

Olivia / Weekend Update

2004-11-16T16:05:00.000-08:00

This weekend my parents came to visit and we had a wonderful time. On Friday we put Liv to bed early so that when mom and dad arrived she would not be cranky. When Mom and Dad went to wake up Liv, she was hilarious. She would look up at us like, excuse me; I am trying to sleep here; and then would roll over and go back to sleep. Mom and Dad kept talking to her and she would get a little more awake every minute. Then when she finally woke all the way up and saw who was rudely disturbing her sleep, she got so excited. They played and she showed them her room and her toys.

When we sat down to eat supper and Liv looked at us like we were out of our minds. I think she thought this is the strangest night I ever had, or maybe she was thinking this is the shortest day I ever had. After dinner, she sang in her microphone for everyone and acted silly like only a Livey can do.

On Saturday we took her to be fitted for her first pair of StrideRite shoes. She had a ball in the store. She LOVES socks and was just giddy that a place would have so many socks. If I turned my head for a minute she was tossing socks out of displays. Mom got Liv two pairs of shoes at the store. She thinks she is big stuff in her new shoes. They must be comfortable, because she wont let me take them off. She used to pitch a fit and kick off her old shoes.

While at the mall, she rode in a kiddy Garfield ride. It looked like she was taking Garfield on a joy ride. I wished I had a camera. I know Jeremy, my brother, would have loved to see it. He loved anything Garfield as a kid.

Well, Liv is getting into the terrible twos early! I am not sure what we are going to do with her. I guess love her and, train up a child in the way she should go.” That verse is so true, because if you are a mom, you know that all they do is GO!!!

Sunday is when the misbehaving began. When I was brushing my teeth that morning, I saw Liv about to throw her hair bow in the toilet. (This is after telling her about 10 times to not unroll all of the toilet paper and to not get under the sink.) I quickly intervened and made it clear that throwing things in the toilet was a no-no and that she should back away from the toilet. She responded by fussing. Then when I wasn't looking she opened the lid and threw her hair bow in closed it real fast and looked at me to see if I saw her. She had to get a small swat on the bottom for it and I put her in her crib to cry it out. THEN on Sunday night, Matt and I heard her go to the bathroom with a toy. We followed her and got there just in time to see her throw her mirror in the toilet and start laughing. She looked up and saw us and ran to hide behind the shower curtain. She had already started to cry because she knew she was in trouble. Matt had to get her out from behind the shower curtain, show her the mirror, and give her a little swat on the behind. I hated to punish her for it, but she can't be throwing things in the toilet. The hardest part about the whole thing was to not bust out laughing when she tried to hide behind the shower curtain.

On Monday, I got Liv’s first negative progress report. My ANGEL had thrown food at her table mate, knocked down a boy, took toys from others, and kept pulling on her friend Abby’s shirt to get a bow off of it. I was asked to not bring this child in but to bring Olivia back. I hope she was better today!

Good old Liv>>>>>>>>

Finaly Did It

2004-11-08T19:28:00.000-08:00

Finally Did It

Well, I finally did it. Jamie has wanted me to start a blog for some time now. I thought now that Liv is one I really should do it to capture many of her great memory.

I will need you all to help me, I don’t know how to get the pictures in and I was trying just to reply to Jamie’s blog and I ended up creating my own. Not sure how that happened. Anyway, I wanted to tell Jamie how cute her kiddos were and I loved the pictures and reading what was going on with everyone.

Tidmore update:

We have been living in Atlanta now for two years. We still miss Alabama and all of our family. I don’t think we will ever really get used to this city or being away from our wonderful friends and family.

We do have a wonderful church home. We attend Metropolitan Church of God in Duluth GA. The pastor is Chick Ramsey and he is a wonderful man of God. We are youth leaders and the church just recently hires two Master’s students from Phoenix to be the youth pastors. They are pastor JR and Aly Dakin. They are wonderful. The Lord is really blessing their ministry and Matt and I are so glad to be a part of it. We are really seeing the kids grow in the Lord.

Olivia is now a year old. She is walking everywhere. She really is the joy of our lives. We have a blast all the time. She now has 6 teeth and is working on about 3 more. Her favorite thing to do besides play with Marnie and eat cheese is to sing in her microphone and play her piano. It is the funniest thing I have ever seen.

Well, I hope to keep this up. I will try to update at least once a week. I can see this being good therapy!

Thanks, Traci