Monday, November 7, 2011

Oh, John William

John William is my youngest, but definitely no longer a baby! He is quite a talker and talks in full sentences. I definitely understand him, but sometimes other adults need an interpreter to grasp all of his words.
He is a very sweet and sensitive little guy, very curious and always asks, "Mommy, what you doing?" it is hysterical and borderline annoying sometimes, but definitely very inquisitive! He is starting to play tough and I frequently need to remind him about not throwing balls in the house. He is the toughest 2.5 year old and he can hold his own, but he is definitely a sensitive little guy. If Thomas or Elizabeth say they don't want to play with him and say "John William you need to go take a nap". Mr. Tough Guy will run over to me in tears and need love and attention....and most likely a nap!
Weight: 33 pounds (Same as Elizabeth and thomas is 29)
Favorite Foods: Rice, steak, cheesburgers, hard boiled eggs, waffles, cheese, ice cream
Favorite Color: Blue
Nap: Yes - every afternoon for 2 hours and needs at least 12 hours sleep at night! Loves his big boy bed
Favorite Activity: Outside - anything!!!
Favorite Show: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
On the covered playground at school
John William and Mommy celebrate at his first school Halloween Party!
Decorating a pumpkin with sharpies - never a dull moment!
Halloween party was a success and loooved the super goodie bag!!!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Fall Festival with my Multiples Club

Thomas "Buzz Lightyear", Elizabeth as Snow White and
Dr. John William reporting for the party! Cotton candy is one way we will sit down for a photograph. This is one of my favorite pictures of Thomas - he is sooooo hard to photograph.
I think the costume gave Buzz some super powers - is never gets his face painted.....
but maybe it had something to do with what she was painting!
Face painting was a H-I-T! John William wasn't sure what he wanted, so
Nothing better than a little face paint to match your White Coat!
Check out this pretty girl!
Do you think we go to Chick Fil A too much? Thomas was in love!!!
Many thanks to the current IAPOMC board and all the volunteers who helped make this fall festival a huge success! If you know of anyone in the Atlanta area expecting (or already has) multiples - I highly recommend the Intown Atlanta Parents of Multiples club www.atlantamultiples.com.

Decorating for Halloween

Getting ready for Halloween!! One after the kids made a "Fall Box" and filled it with all sorts of fall things - nuts, acorns, pinecones, pinestraw, flowers and beautiful leaves - I wish I would have taken pictures - they did an excellent job decorating and had a blast! A little spooky October treat I made for their classrooms...

Elizabeth's favorite pose while seating anxiously awaiting Chapel. How cute is everyone praying???

A Party fit for a Princess

It was such a treat for Elizabeth and I to attend a "just girls" birthday party -
can you guess the theme?? In reverse order:
Off go the lanterns...
Only one lantern fatality before a successful launch Elizabeth and Savanna, the birthday princess
Check out that BLING!!!
Elizabeth walking into the Rapunzel Party

Many thanks to the super amazing hostess, party planner, baker, decorator extraordinaire - Natalie Dorsey!!! We had a wonderful evening!!!

2011 UA Homecoming with the Complete Powell Crew!

IT'S GAME DAY!!!!
It took us a minute, but we are FIRED UP for our BIG day in Tuscaloosa!!!
No more pictures, Mom - let's go!
It was a quick easy drive to Tuscaloosa - right at 50 minutes and everyone was super in the car. Who knew it would be so hot!! We are camped out in front of Rose Administration to watch the parade.
A few Powells with Denny Chimes
We parked downtown and had to stop at the BP to pick up a few supplies and pose for a picture!
ROOOOOOOOOOOL Tide ROLL!
Mom and the twins in front of the AMAZING AXO Lawn Decoration!
....and Homecoming Winners!
Mom, Elizabeth, Thomas, Pledge Sister Holley J. Grainger and sweet baby Ellis!!!!
Mom, kiddies and Pledge Sister Erin B. Hamby and Baby Rebekah are ready for the parade!
Sweet Hamby Family!
The Parade is about to begin....or so we hope! Just because it starts downtown at 1 pm doesn't mean we will see anything for a good hour! Who knew traveling that 1.5 would take so long.
The Parade was a hit and we HIGHLY recommend it! Much better than when I was in school and actually entertaining for all ages!
We finally returned to Papa and Mia's house - no naps, very dirty, tired, hungry and have completed a day of tailgating - we survived almost 7 hours on campus! What a day!
The Powell family on the steps of the AXO House
Just the kiddies
Will's beautiful birthday cake that made quite an impression on our Alabama gear. Dark colored icing and children do not mix very well.
The beautiful lawn decoration
Roll Tide Roll!!!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Training for Thomas

I felt very prepared and physically ready for the run today. Of course I stayed up until midnight getting things ready for the kids and making a sign for me to wear during the race. Fast forward – it’s 5:30 AM and alarm is buzzing. I had a super night of sleep with an extra child in my bed (are you picking up on the sarcasm?) I get my gear on and head downstairs. I decide to snap a quick picture of my race number and my signs. Everything is laid out so there is NO chance Tom can forget anything when he packs up the kids and I will see them at the finish line.

16106 - my new lucky number!

Cute sign I made at midnight

I thought I would need some extra support from my fellow runners to make it to the finish line.

I leave the house at 6 AM, head downtown to park and cannot figure out how to make it to my parking area, due to the road closings. My GPS thinks I am crazy, I keep circling the place I need to get to but due to the one ways, I never make it. I am irritated I don’t know my way around downtown better, I am driving Tom’s monster truck and cannot fit in a deck. I am starting to get flustered and I finally give up and pay some guy to park in an open lot. Suddenly, I realize – I do not have my race number or sign for my back!!! WHAT?!?!? I mean really, who forgets that??? I immediately burst into tears and start doubting even doing the race. (Looking back, lame – I know!!!) I start to gain a little composure, then I realize I forgot my wedding rings (I haven’t done this in years!!!) and now I am in a full blown meltdown and I don’t want to get out of the car. I let the tears flow for a minute and then I start talking to myself and realize – get it together, it’s okay. I need to get out of the car and head toward the start line because the race begins at 7 am. Still tearful, irritated and mad at myself I head towards the Adaptive Learning Center booth….of course I had to call someone at the booth and they practically escorted me there, because at this point I probably couldn't’t find my way out of a cardboard box! We make our way to the start line and off we go, next time we are back at Centennial park we will have run 13.1 miles. I thought the course was great, downhill the first couple of miles and slight hills throughout – nothing too major. The crowds were awesome and so enthusiastic, that definitely made the race fun for me. I find my pace and things are going great, I don’t even look at my watch until mile 8 and I am actually a little ahead of schedule. While running, I whip out the phone and text Tom “At 8 and I feel great!” I run through Little Five Points and all the cute neighborhoods, then at the water stop I hear “One more Mile!” What? Already?? I am super pumped and feel good. Next thing I know the crowd is getting larger and then I see my dear, sweet, friend running towards me with my number!!! I see Berkeley before she sees me – she gives me the number with pins and everything. I don’t stop and I frantically pin all four pins on moments before I cross the finish line. I may not have my exact time – but I have my number! As I cross over the finish line I hear Kindrea, Berkeley and Elizabeth shouting my name, I waive and finish strong – I did it!!! My family and cheering team come and find me after Publix hooked us up with a bag full of groceries. I am so thankful for my sweet hubby and kids making my day special. I am absolutely grateful and blessed for my friendships with Kindrea and Berekely – they are incredible friends and we have been through so many experiences together….how many friends will leave their three young children at 7 am on a Sunday, drive in from the country to come watch their friend breeze through a finish line in seconds? ...Kindrea will!!! With just a couple hours of sleep, how many friends will come out and cheer you on while watching all three of your kids? ....Berkeley will, not to mentioned she sprinted about two miles, glad she had her tennies on!!! I love these girls so much and now I am ready to cheer them on – so let’s sign up for race!

My cheerleaders!Daddy and crew

I mentioned Thomas was my motivation for the race. I built a website, Training for Thomas (it will be active until the end of April), check it out and please share it with others. The Adaptive learning Center is an extremely unique organization and want people to know its out there! many thanks to all of you that have supported me during training, over the website and your sweet messages on facebook - it has been an adventure and I hope to keep up the training, any recommendations on another race?

I was so excited and just saw my cheerleaders!
Family shot immediately following the race.
Me and the best friends a girl could ask for!!! I love you Kindrea and Berkeley!!
So here is my sign and my precious motivation!!!
My favorite picture of all times!!!
Thomas is so happy and I am ecstatic - there is daylight between my legs!!!
Family shot headed to the Adaptive Learning Center tent.
Charlie loved playing with the kids and I wish we could have had Thomas in the picture too - he was making everyone laugh with his crazy dancing!
Here a picture of Thomas entertaining the crowd....such a ham!
How cute and happy is the little guy?
The ALC is getting ready for a group photo op
We came, we saw, we rocked the run!!
Go team go!!!
Not sure what we were laughing at, but here is my favorite tractor broker!