U
Unrealistic excpectations - okay, so I didn't finish the alphabet of me by the end of the week. So, I shall try again to finish it this week. I only have 5 letters to go!!

V
Very thankful - When my parents were choosing a name for me, their top name other than Allison was Claudette. I am very thankful they chose Allison.
Vacation - 4 weeks from today hubby and I will be packing up and heading to Asheville for a little R&R and I can't wait. We haven't had a true "getaway" since the kids were born, so we are thrilled to have some extended time with no agenda.

T
Two years ago - Two years ago today our family packed up and moved to Nashville. Can you believe it's been 2 years? It seems like a lifetime ago that we were living in Birmingham. It really has been a long 2 years, but good in the fact that we have learned so much about ourselves and our Lord. We have definitely had our share of trials, but also our share of grace and gaining wisdom. This is not the path we would have chosen for ourselves, but God has been with us through the tears and the joys. We do hope to return to Birmingham sooner than later, but until then we are grateful to be where the Lord has us - Nashville in the fall is so delightful!

R
Revenge - We've all done something on our lifetime to get revenge, right? When I was little I often sought revenge on my sister. Once I peed on her brand new bike because she wouldn't let me ride it. I definitely had an evil streak in me back then! What about you? Anyone have any proud moments of revenge to share?

S
Shenanigan's - The name of the dance club in Rome, Ga that we went to every Monday night during the summer when I was in high school. It is also the location of my first (and last) "girl fight." Yep, that's right. Along with a few other friends, we got in a brawl with some of the big haired girls from across the tracks. Hair pulling, scratching, hitting and, my personal favorite, the pulling up or down of skirts. That night I had on a cute little dress. Hiding underneath, though, was a lovely pair of granny panties. "Who's going to see these anyway?," I thought to myself as I put them on. Only a few hours later, there I stood in the parking lot with my cute little dress pulled up over my head. The white granny panties were quite the site for all who were looking on. Not my finest moment. The entire night was so out of character for me. When I got home and told my family they all laughed and called me Rocky.

P

Priceless -

A new Tennessee License - $12.50
A new Tennesee Tag - $49.50
2 kids at the DMV for 2 hours - Priceless

O
Over - I confess that I am ready for the alphabet of me to be over. I never dreamed it would take me this long!! I am making a vow to myself to finish by the end of the week so that I can move on.
Oh the joys of raising a 2 year old - we have had some sleep issues this past week with little miss neily. she has started crying at bedtime for up to an hour before going to sleep. For the first few nights we would go in and spank. That only made things worse. Then we started going in every 10 minutes or so to reassure (just like we did when she was a little baby). That helped some. Lastly, we have tried motivation by the way of food. She is like her mommy and can often be swayed by a tasty little treat. After minimal crying for her nap yesterday she got a cookie and 2 stickers on her Happy Sleep Chart. Last night there was no crying for the first time in over a week!! Now she has her eyes set on an ice cream cone which she will get tomorrow if she does well tonight. This has definitely been a learning experience for us and has tested our patience with our little girl. Funny how a week of something like this can feel like a month!

N

Neily -

My sweet little girl whom we affectionately call "Peepie" and "Pickle." You love to talk and you love to sing. You love to snuggle and an hour doesn't pass when you aren't asking, "Mommy, what you doin'?" You have the most fun when we are playing outside or when you are playing chase with Jakey. You could swing for hours and never pass up going on a walk. Cookies are your favorite treat. You are growing up fast and what a privilege it is to love you through it all. I love you to the moon and back.

M

Melancholy - this is my personality type, or so the book says.

Magazines - I love taking a hot bath and looking through a new magazine. My favorites? Southern Living, Cottage Living, Martha Stewart and, when I want to know what's up with Brittney (just kiddn), People.

Munchies - I am usually attacked by the munchies when the kids go down for a nap. I am tired from the morning and am so thrilled to sit down and eat something without tiny vultures, I mean children, eyeing my every bite.

Montana - I have not had the pleasure of travelling to may places, but I have been to Montana and it is beautiful. I hope to go back with hubby sometime to fly-fish and enjoy the scenery.

L

Laughing -

K

Kiss - I got my first one when I was seventeen.

Krystal - It was always such a treat to go here when I was a little girl. Krystal burgers (if you can even call them that!) were my favorite. Can't say I recall going anytime in the past 10 years.

Keeps me going - 63 degrees, beautiful blue sky, a gentle breeze. Days like today keep me going. I absolutely love fall and when the kids and I went on a walk this morning, I noticed an extra spring in my step. Something about this weather makes me feel renewed. Goodbye 104 degree days!!

J

Jake -

My sweet little boy who will warm a heart with his smile. With dimples that you can't help but kiss and a laugh that is contagious. You love the broom and the mop and to wear anyone's shoes but your own. You would rather eat a pickle than a pop-tart and you want to be wherever the action is. Your favorite word is bye bye and you will say it to anyone, coming or going. Your blue eyes are striking and are noticed by all who meet you. Affectionately know as "Jakey" by your sister, you bring so much joy to our family. Thank you for the morning snuggles and the spontaneous kisses. You are one of a kind.

H

Hiatus - Sorry for the lack of blogging lately! We had sick kids, then friends in town, and we headed out of town for Labor Day. So, we are back home and all is back to normal.

Honeymoon - Hubby and I can't help but laugh when we think of ours. Being that we were broke, we went to Mentone, AL where one of my dad's acquaintances let us stay at their house for free. The house was repossessed from a drug dealer and was decked out in 70's decor. Our favorite? A water bed with pink satin sheets, light bulbs across the top of the headboard, and heart cut outs up the side. We ended up sleeping in the bunk house which was a large room with 14 twin/bunk beds. All of the restaurants in Mentone were closed due to a big festival they had the weekend before, so we ate most of our honeymoon meals at the McDonald's in Fort Payne. I got stung by a bee on my ring finger, had to go to THE doctor twice during that week, and it was so warm while we were there that Mitch literally almost passed out after attempting to "relax" in the hot tub. We had so much fun that we decided to come home a day early. Maybe one day Oprah will give us a honeymoon redo!

Having fun in the tub - Here are N and J pretending to have a snack in the tub.

I

"In the Ghetto" - the name of the song playing on the radio when Mitch proposed. Romantic.

Indigo Girls - The tape I listened to most in high school.

"Ickle me, pickle me, tickle me, too" - When I was a kid, this was one of my favorite poems by Shel Silverstein. Did anyone else read "Where the Sidewalk Ends" as a kid?