Life of the Busy Family

What's new!

Emma has learned how to give High Fives! So cute! She is needing less and less sleep. I know she is getting older so the two naps are about to go to one. But 6 am this morning she was up and screaming with happiness! Cute now, but not so much at 6.

I have been working like a dog on our master bathroom. The wallpaper in their wasn't bad, but I HATE wallpaper. So almost three weeks ago I started pulling and pulling in down. Just when I would think I was getting somewhere I would find a new layer. Whoever invented wallpaper should be strung UP!!! just kidding but it is horrible. I am going to paint the walls coco brown (dark brown) and do turquiose accents (shower curtain, and towels) I think! Was trying to get it done before Lindsey's shower this saturday. A.......not going to happen!

Still trying to finish shopping for Addie (so excited). I keep saying this is the last thing I am buying but then I buy something else.

My dad and mom are both going to be home this weekend. SO EXCITED! I don't think he realizes how much he is missed, and has missed out on the little ones. But soon he will be home and those little girls will definitly get to hang out with Poppy!

Work is great! I think I have found a way to continue working in LR after the grant is over.

Anyways, Have a great week!

What's new!

What's new!

Emma is too funny! We have a slide in the living room (I know it is supposed to be outside but it is more fun inside) she climbs up the stairs and stands and screams (excited) and then sits down and slides. Sometimes she claps when she gets to the bottom!

In about two weeks she will be 1. It is crazy! Time has really flown! She is having a Luau birthday party (pool party)

We went swimming for the first time yesterday. It was cold at first but as soon as you got in it it was wonderful!! Emma loved it. She was so tired that she had long nap. So I decided to lay out, and fell asleep so I got some sun! I am loving our new house!

THis weekend a couple girls and I had a girls night out. Aaron basically has to make me go do something without Emma. (love being with that girl) We went to Willy'D in Little Rock. It was funny! But a late night.

I am debating on what to get my new niece (Addie) she is coming in about two months. Lindsey is having a baby shower in two weeks. And I don't know what to buy yet. I am thinking a high chair, and I know that I will make Addie a personalized diaper bag. (probably make Evie, and Emma one too so they won't feel left out) Can't wait to go to Hancock Fabrics and look at what cute material they have.

I want to find some dog, and a firefighting material. Since her daddy is a firefighter.

My mom is off again to Texas. It sucks when she leaves, though I know dad needs her. You would think that the gas prices would slow her down. But not yet.

Anyways, That is all for now!

Melissa

First 5K

So I did it! I successfully did my first 5K. It was really fun!. At one point I thought I am so tired! But when little kids are doing it I knew I had to keep on going. So I finish 31.00 something seconds. Don't remember. Aaron's sister Dana also did it. Though she finished about 2 minutes before me.

My goal was to finish without stopping. I did stop to tie my shoe but that doesn't count. I am signed up to do the DINO DASH. That is in a few weeks. Hoping to do better!

More later! At work and have alot to do!

Melissa

Little deep for me....but oh well.....

So my question is do we take life for granted...... for me it seems like lately I have taken life, people and family for granted. We are all so involved in OUR life to notice what is going on with other people...... We don't realize how quickly we can lose someone that is so dear to us.

Perhaps sometimes we hit the "ignore" button on our phone because "WE" don't feel like talking. But what if that is the last time you would/could talk to someone that you love. For this I am GUILTY of. I am wrapped up in "Melissa" world. What is melissa world...emma....aaron.....a few close friends....and some of my family. For being so into myself and my little world I am sorry.

So what can I do diffrently.....I am going to work on my communication skills and tell people really tell them how much I love them, appreciate them, and need them in my life. I have several relationships that need repair and attention.

Leaving with this......What if tommorrow never comes, would that person know that you loved them.......... I want to say YES they knew!!!

Melissa

So what is new for the potter family............ UCA will be complete til the Fall after I turn in the final grades. This marks two full years of teaching. HOORAY!!! I love it though.

Emma walked all the way across the Kitchen last night! She is such a little mess. She loves the pool, she will get right up to the edge and look in and then will try to make a nose dive in (we never let her get close without us). Anyways, she also loves kicking her feet in the pool. Fun times.

We started working room by room on some changes we wanted to make. New window treatments.....and random little stuff. So far we are still on the first room.

These new pictures are from Cousin Evie's 1st birthday party. They had so much fun! More later.

New stuff

Let's see......Emma has really started walking. My friend Traci was over here and she witnessed the first set of cluster steps (more than four in a row). She has really taken off.

I have started really running. I borrowed a jogging stroller (once again Traci) and Emma and I have already enjoyed it.

Emma is a little under the weather. She has a ear infections and is really snotty. (lovely) She can now say bye bye and wave. And has started saying Ma Ma. So cute!!!

I know this is short but she is getting mad and has food from head to toe!!! TO THE tub we go......

Evie's Birthday, Sunday, and random stuff

So this weekend was busy. My niece Evie turned one, and had her first birthday party!! It was too fun. We left super early saturday morning so that Emma and Evie could get there pictures made together. They are so so cute. They put little fairy wings on them, and all sorts of cute stuff. We got Evie a bunch of cute summer clothes. Which probably is not fun to a one year old. But it was fun for ME! Anyways, it was too fun. There was alot of people...and alot of food. YUMMY!

Sunday....Dana and Justin came over to visit. We played some games and played alot with Emma outside. Aaron decided that it was time to clean the pool and get it running. So after it was shocked and running he jumped in ! (it was 65 degrees outside) But someone had to scrub around the ladder. Anyways, it was so funny! Needless to say I think it will be awhile before he does it again.

Since the walking trail is in our backyard. I started running last night. I didn't go far, or last long but you have to start somewhere. Dana and I are going to run the Toad Suck 5K. That is in a month so I am going to try and go everyday! Should be interesting to see if this lasts, but I think with a partner it will be good.

melissa

Moving

So we started moving yesterday afternoon. And today ....and tommorrow.....heck forever! Right now I am typing this and I am not sure how.....so tired....irritated......and our internet is disconnected for the move so I guess I am gettting a signal off of someone else. But oh well.

So moving was going great! Til Emma decided that she didn't want anyone besides Aaron or I. So that made it a little difficult but I don't blame her too many people, and too much noise. The new countertops are going in at the old house. So there is a mess everywhere I look. I don't like messes, can't concentrate on anything else until the mess is resolved. So this moving it SO tough on me.

We walk in the back yard to find the pool pump running and the blower not working. So new probelm that we will have to fix tommorow! Hopefully it is just something minor. All we have left is our beds (emma crib and our huge bed) the tv and living room furniture. I think that is pretty good considering that we didn't have a huge amount of help. But what do you expect when you move in the middle of the week.

Anyways off to relax......til the madness begins tommorrow!

See ya

Walking? Moving? Babies?

Update on the Potter Family (or could be known as the BUSY family)

So Emma took her first step (3-19-08). Of course she will stand by herself for a while when she doesn't realize it. When she realizes that she isn't holding on to something she quickly holds onto something. She has grown up way to fast. She is going to a birthday party tonight at Playworld I bet she will have a ball.

Next week the moving begins. Should be interesting...trying to get it all moved, cleaned, and organized .......and keep up with little miss thing. I am going to paint Emma's old room on saturday.:( It REALLy makes me sad, because my best friend spent so much time painting and working on it. It turned out perfect, and now I am going to paint over it.... To bad I can't find renters that have a little girl named Emma. THat would be perfect. (not going to happen)

So we closed on the house on wednesday! It was very very exciting! Though way too many papers to sign and it was a big effort to not let Emma get ahold of them and rip them up.

Our dogs are going to stay with a lady I work with while we move. Going to see how they get along with her family. Perhaps they could share custody of the dogs with us, so it wouldn't be so hard on them/us to give them away. Dobby (older male dog) is very mean to Emma. But Darly (the younger girl dog) does really well with her. Anyways......

Still looking for REALLY GOOD renters if anyone knows of anyone.....

Aaron has worked almost 70 hours this week in 4 1/2 days. (though the money is GREAT, and it couldn't come at a better time) but he hasn't been around alot. We are just seeing each other in passing. He got tickets to watch the NCAA (first round) at Alltel for his birthday. So that is what he is doing today, and his mom had Emma.

BIG NEWS! My little sister is pregnant again. She is due at the end of July and is having a girl!!! I am so excited for another baby. They are such a blessing and I can't wait to see what personality she will have. We were talking the other day and this Christmas we will have 3 LITTLE GIRLS!!! Crazy FUN! I really have to work on DaneDANE! (I know you read this, I love you, but yall would have some cute babies)

what a weekend

Man!! Time flies when you are having fun!!

Saturday we went to eat with Jason, Shante, Dana, Justin, Lindsey, Roy, Lana, Jeff, Austin, Anna....and the girls. It was fun! We went and got Lindsey registered at BabiesRUS. It was so much fun. They have some of the coolest stuff. Evie and Emma once again got to play together. Though I don't think Evie girl felt good.

Sunday afternoon the kiddos were together once again. It was very nice to spend time with family. I just wish my mommy was there. She is sick, but has Emma right now. Nothing can keep her from those kiddos. Aaron is working overtime, we are trying to play catch up since buying a house. Also trying to find some good RENTERS!! So if anyone knows of someone: quiet, clean, and pays there bills on time. Let me know.

750 a month
3 bedroom
1 1/2 bathroom
big living room and kitchen
Wood floors in everwhere but kitchen and living room.
AWESOME NEIGHBORS!!!

You can call me at 733-2899 if you have any questions.
I have to get to class at 5. I will post some KIDDO pictures later. (maybe!)

Life

Man life is great!!!!

I absoluetly don't think I have ever been so happy and at peace before. And alot of that has to do with Emma. When she laughs or smiles all of my insecurities and worries disappear. Aaron and I were talking about what a blessing she is.

Aaron's dad was down last night, and he told me he was tired and worn out. But with Emma he seems so at ease and relaxed. Seems that way for everyone. My mom says she wishes she could bottle the happiness that both the girls have.

On a excited note......My little sister is going to have another baby!!! YAY!!! We are so excited! She has a little girl that is almost a year! So all three of the kiddos will be close in age.!!!! Can't wait to find out if it is a girl or boy!!! Think we need a boy in this mix.

House is coming along great! I have everything but the kitchen packed up. Except for everyday stuff and emma's stuff. Our house looks sad with nothing on the walls. But we are on to new things!!!

More later!!!!

Very interesting

So today I have been packing up stuff, throwing stuff away, and taking stuff to Goodwill. My mom told me about this website that you can join it is called freecycle. Bascially you put a email out in your area (conway) and people let you know if they want it.

So I put a email on there for a glider/rocker and within 30 minutes someone had emailed me and came and picked it up. It saved us from a taking it the dump or moving it to have a yard sale. Someones trash is anothers treasure. It worked so good that Aaron was then asking what else do we want to get rid of. (couldn't think of anything besides a x-box )ha ha!

Emma has learned how to say dada! So cute, but I wish she would say mama! She is so active. I know I say that everytime but she is everywhere and is only still when she is eating. Too much fun!!!

More later!
Melissa

Emma Girl

So what is new with Emma.........she loves BASKETBALL! Or at least we think so, she went with us to my basketball games and she loves to watch. I mean actually watches the ball and us running up and down the court. She is so much fun!!

We are getting excited about moving, just trying to figure things out. We want someone to rent our little house that loves it. It would really bother me if someone messes it up, or doesn't take care of it. Everyone keeps asking us if we are ready.... but true be told we are going to miss our home. There is a diffrence in a house and a home. But it is going to be great with so much more room.

I am posting my new favorite picture of Emma girl. It is my screen saver at both jobs... It is impossible to not look at it and not smile!!!!

BIG NEWS

So my last post I was talking about the possiblity of us moving.......well we bought a new house. (not new, but new to us).........It is so cute....It is about seven hundred more square feet than our house now...side entry..corner lot....and very charming.....oh and it has a inground pool!

In a way I am sad....I mean I love my little house....it is just little.....going to be a hard transition. But I know that it was a smart decision.

Emma update......her cousin Evie came to visit this week. And they had a ball. Those two can play. At the end of the night they both fell asleep in Emma's bed together. So So cute! They are so diffrent in ways, but are both little charmers. Evie got to staring another couple at dinner on friday night, it was so cute. She stared at them for what seemed like 15 minutes. Needless to say everyone around thought it was cute. It is so fun for them being so close in age!!!

More later! I will post a new picture of the house later......But I will leave you with Emma and Evie sleeping together!!!

House, emma, taxes, work ! random

So I think Aaron and I have finally made a decision! It is time to move.... perhaps it is the space..or the nice neighbors (lol)......or just time for a change. We love our house....I mean it is were we brought Emma home too.....and has been great for over 4 years. Truely are blessed to have a roof over our heads. Anyways,......we will see though. I am bad at making huge lifelong decisions.

Emma is still everywhere. The lastest is the Dobbie our dog bite her!!!! Yes BITE HER!!! Didn't leave a mark...... but that is not the point. She had his favorite toy and he wanted it back. It got it back ........and then I banished him to the laundry room for the rest of the day. I have a friend who would do great with them... but it is hard for Aaron to give them away.

Work is busy this week. Glad it makes the long (thurs,friday) go fast.

Update my mom did our lovely taxes and we have to pay !!!!!!!!! UGH!!!! Oh well! I knew it was going to happen. No shopping for me for a while. But that is okay....I haven't have the urge lately... think I have just been too busy!!!

More later!

melissa

Taxes

So I have been not be very responsible this year. I never looked at my check stub (electronic) the whole year... I now know I should have. I didn't have any fed. taken out!!!! Holy cow! So I called my mom stressed (which I do alot). She didn't seem worried (she does our taxes) so perhaps I won't worry til she does....

Emma is so active, Aaron called earlier and said that he gave her a bath just to slow her down a little.
Aaron had a game last night, and won! Emma, me, and Dana (or Aunt DANDAN) went it was really good. Tonight we play... one of my best friends team should be interesting. It is the end of January and I don't even know where it went....

I just read a email about a man that says when he wakes up in the morning he tells himself he has two choices...
1. be mad and have a bad day
2. or live happy
he says he always chooses #2 so I have tried this approach (except with taxes) I am going to live HAPPY!!!
I have such random thoughts....
Another note UCA and U of A have messed up my pay (papers that go b/w uca and u of a) and I haven't gotten payed from UCA in almost 2 months... Sigh....Guess that is what I save money for.... a rainy day .. or rainy two months..

melissa

So nice to be lazy! We rented movies and watched Good luck Chuck! Really cute! Little too much nudity... but oh well. Emma is napping and Aaron is washing bottles. (Glad he likes to do them, hate it) Started babyproofing the house today... Emma has a little bruise above her eye but it is from her own toy. Started putting up things like the bouncy chair, and the bumbo seat. She would rather crawel on them and try and stand then sit in them. So Big!!!
Aaron's best friend Jason and his wife Shante are coming up tonight... think Fuji's and a rented movie is in the works. I think we eat a fuji's to much but Emma loves the show with the fire and the people that cook. Anything to keep her entertained.

Plans are in the works for a Super Bowl party....trying to come up with something other than pizza to order. Perhaps something healthier.... ( i don't even know who is in the playoffs, but I guess that is not the point)

More later!!!

UGH!!! We lost last night! Too some old women!

Emma--Has decided that she would rather play than sleep. UGH! She stood up in her bed at 5:20 and wanted out! So needless to say when Emma's up she is up......Aaron has a game tonight so we are probably going to watch that and might go out to eat. I am trying to cook more often... doing good...we haven't ate out all week. So if anyone has any easy recipes let me know!

My first UCA class met on Wednesday! They were FABULOUS! So organized and excited to learn. Hopefully my monday class will go the same way! I have a friend who I told I would post about all of the good deals/bargains. So I bought my sister in law a bag from target (for her birthday, then ordered myself one) that was orginally 50.00. On sale for 7.00 (OMG) with free shipping. So cute--work bag (trying to LOOK professional)

I have a few friends that are building homes, and one that is looking right now, very exciting. I wonder if Aaron and I are being silly not taking advantage of the low interest rates...My goal is to stay at our house (which is great) til Emma is 2 years old. Perhaps interest rates will stay that way for a while. I must Babyproof the house this weekend! I can't believe I have yet to do it! Any suggestions are welcome!

This is an older picture of Emma! She is so diffrent now! I will post some new ones later today!!!

Pictures

First Time

Hi everyone!

So I was talked into doing this by a co-worker. After I thought I while I decided I would be a great idea. So everyone can keep up with what the Potter Family is doing.

First, we shall start with little Miss Emma!!! Who is FABULOUS!!! She was born June 8th, 2007 and is SUCH a blessing! We can't imagine what we did without her. She is almost 8 months old. Her newest thing is crawling and pulling up to stand on anything that is stable (or unstable). She has grown up so fast. Now when we go get her out of her bed she is standing there waiting (almost looking at us like where have you been) She has me and Aaron wrapped around her little finger.

Second, Me I am still teaching part-time (three classes) at the University of Central Arkansas, in the Family and Consumer Science Department. I teach a class called Interiors and Appearl Construction I. And I love it. It is frustrating sometimes when something seems so simple to me but is so hard for someone else to understand...I remind myself that we all learn differently. And I love what I do, and when the students are so excited about the projects. I also work at the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service on a Marriage Education Grant. It is a great job, with WONDERFUL people. I am very lucky to work with such wonderful and talented people. In my spare time (not much) I love to shop (for bargains), and play basketball. Right now, I play on a City League basketball team, we have a game one night a week.

Last but not least Aaron. He is still working at Stephens Inc as private armed security. He loves his job, and they take good care of him. He is also playing for a city league team, and still plays alot. He has a great schedule of working 3-12 hour days and one six hour day. So he is home all day thursday and friday. Emma gets to hang out with him when I work in Little Rock. He enjoys those days when they just do whatever they want.

Life in general---We are extremely blessed to have a great family and extended family. God has truly blessed us with a wonderful happy healthy little munchkin!!! Anyways, I am going to try and post every few days, so check back and see what Emma Grace is up too!!!