Birthday Party

Blakley's birthday party was so much fun! She had quite a few friends and family there- 32 total! We got the whole thing on video- which will be great to watch later! LOL...Surprisingly she knew how to open presents and didn't hesitate pulling everything out! Her excitement overflowed with each gift and she honestly loved every single one of them! She got lots of books, some very stylish outfits (thanks Aunt Linda and Aunt Hannah- you guys pick out very cute stuff), a playhouse from Uncle Nate and Aunt Beth, a red wagon from Grandma and Poppa Dave (and a silver dollar), a talking tea set from Grandma Donna, a singing elephant and doll (and money) from Grandma Oden, a rocking horse from Mimi and Paw, a savings bond and a UT outfit from Grandpa, diamond earings from Uncle Brandon...just to name a few things!

The best part about the whole day was the cake! Aunt Beth made a beautiful Winnie-the-Pooh cake, but Miss Blakley had her own sugar-free cake! She dove right in- smiling at the camera- and eating about as much of it as possible! She is a big "ham" when the camera turns on!

After the party, Jason had to leave for a tournament and was gone all night...but Blakley was so exhausted she didn't mind. Jason has been so busy with wrestling- traveling or being gone to Bristol every weekend...but we're managing fine. It's an adjustment, but as I've learned- everything is an adjustment. I am enjoying every minute with her right now- she will be grown up too soon. It's so hard to believe it's been a year since I had her. She changes everyday and makes me laugh when I need it most. Her spirit is so colorful- I am so thankful to be her mommy.

We're gearing up for the holidays- ready to start decorating! We'll spend Thanksgiving in Tennessee and Christmas Eve here, but we're heading to Aiken the day after Christmas!

Work is going good for me- my kids are really enjoying the literature circles we are doing this year. It's seeming to create interest in reading in almost all of my students! There are kids coming to me begging for the sequal to this book or that book, or asking for another book in the same genre they're reading...it's truly amazing! Of course, I am still searching for work in Bristol or Johnson City, but there has been no luck there. I continue to pray about it and am working hard at leaving it in His hands. A few years ago I would cry at the thought of leaving Maury because I was so comfortable here, but as the years have gone on...I realize that comfort is where I am...and that I shouldn't let a place make me comfortable- I should be comfortable anywhere. I know that a move is what's best for my family, and that is the most important thing in life.

Enjoy the second half of the week- and I wish you all a beautiful weekend!

Love, Amanda

Birthday Extravanganza!

My very first birthday was yesterday...and guess where we went...Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg! Mommy and Daddy took off work to take me there, and it was the best birthday ever! Mommy fed me pancakes and syrup for breakfast (since it was my birthday and all), so I didn't nap all morning. I screamed almost the entire 2 hour trip to the aquarium, but once Daddy got in the backseat with me and held me I fell asleep snuggled in his arms. The ride alone wore my mommy and daddy out, but once I woke up, I was ready to see some fishies! The aquarium was so cool- I got to see big sharks and turtles..and my daddy explained everything to me! I even got to pet a horseshoe crab! All the colors were so bright, and I was so talkative! We got ice cream after lunch- which made me happy- I love ice cream! We got plenty of pictures of the whole day so I can look back on my big day in the future! On the ride home, we wanted to go out to eat...but we were all just pooped! At home, Mommy and Daddy gave me a bath- I got a new book at the aquarium to play with in the bath. I was so tired that I went to bed at 6:30! Whew, what a fun day:)

My birthday party is Saturday! My aunt Beth is making my cake for it- it's Winnie-the-Pooh! She is really good at baking! I hope there are lots of people there- my mom invited 30 people! For lunch, we're having chili- my mimi is making some and so is my grandma! I am especially excited because I get to see my great-grandma oden from Indiana! I haven't seen her in a long time! My family from Knoxville is coming too- I haven't seen them in a while either! There are also some family members coming that I have never met, so that's the most exciting part! I can't wait to open my presents and show everyone how good I can walk and talk!

My mommy and daddy say I am the cutest thing in the world...especially when I dance and sing to the radio. My favorite songs are "Cowboy Casanova" by Carrie Underwood and "Honky Tonk Stomp" by Brooks and Dunn. I will dance to almost any song though- and I love the guitar! Hopefully someday I can sing and dance on a stage!

Well, that's all for now- I'll update soon!

Love, Blakley Kate

Update!!!

Hello Everyone!

It's been too long since the last post, and I assure you that I'll do better with my updating! Things have moved way too fast over the past few months- Blakley has gotten four teeth now and is cutting four molars and two incisors at the same time!! She's a trooper though- nothing a little Ibuprofen hasn't taken care of! She is walking now- she really doesn't crawl at all unless she needs to get somewhere fast! She says a few words: momma, dadda, dog, ball, hot, and I think she tries to say bird...but that's to be determined. Her first birthday is tomorrow and her party is Saturday! We've had ups and downs since my last post, but life has been so wonderful. It seems as though things are just becoming easy now- maybe because we're now getting into our "parenting groove" or maybe because we're just on the down hill of our roller coaster ride as parents! I'm certain the next climb is fast-approaching! Part of the issue may have been my health though- I recently found out that my thyroid is underactive (actually almost dead) and was put on Synthroid last week. I'm not one that has had many experiences with sickness or anything of that nature, and the thought of being on a pill everyday for the rest of my life is scary...but I cannot begin to describe how differently I feel! I have not felt this clear-headed or energetic since before I was pregnant! It really has made a huge difference in my everyday life...so, all these issues with being tired and rundown may have just been my health! Whew!
Jason is doing great- his team had their first match last Saturday against Missouri Baptist and Oklahoma Central (I think). They lost, but they really put up a fight against both teams. He is so busy- I honestly don't think I've ever seen him this busy! He's doing a great job with the girls, and I am so very proud of him. He's really been a trooper lately with all the car trouble we've had. He's helped me to remain calm and just "weather the storm".
Colt is really hanging in there considering that having a new baby around WALKING everywhere is tough for any little brother. He's still a little nervous about being around her, but he's been very patient to say the least. He's getting a little more exercise since we can let him out without the leash now- he roams for a bit and then comes back.
The new house is doing great- Jason keeps the yard lookin fantastic, but I am not much of a flower person, so the flower beds are pretty much non-existant. I wish he would just mow them all down! I have actually asked him to do that, and I think I almost have him convinced!
I sure hope everyone is good out there- Hope to see all you folks in Aiken during Christmas! Love ya'll

Ebate Coupons

Check out this site for great coupons!

http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=cl7GVFfJLJH4WYIxl5mKWA%3D%3D

April Update

So..April is ending and May will begin..We are finally closing on our house tomorrow!! Yay!! I have been so excited that I can't sleep:) Jason and I just can't wait! We drove by it last weekend and it looked so pretty in the sunshine, and of course, Jason is pumped about the yard! I'll have to attach some pictures when we finally move in. King had their wrestling banquet last Saturday night and I have to say that Blakley was exceptionally good! We worried that she might be fussy since it was in the middle of her "wind down" time...but she ended up falling asleep on my chest before it was over. She's still going through this phase of hers...I hope it ends soon! I was excited this morning though- she almost crawled! I think she is very close!! She'll get up on her knees and go back but not forward- ha! I signed up to market a product line called FreeLife, and I'm pretty pumped about it. Learn more about it at www.amandamoorman.freelife.com! If you go there, let me know what you think! I hope to be updating you very soon with pictures of our new house and maybe a crawling story of Miss Blakley!

Love, Amanda

Moving Day Excitement

Well, we are getting closer to our moving date and I have to say...we are totally excited about our new house! Our living space has been invaded by boxes and ,not to mention, the baby stuff we've accumulated over the past 6 months!! Our actual closing date is next Friday, but our move-in date is May 15th...I know it's weird, but it's a long story. I have grown fond of the little town called Fall Branch that we've called home for the past 9 months, but I think we're going to enjoy Chuckey (Greeneville) even more! At least there's a Wal-mart there! I think Jason is more excited about eating at new "mom and pop" restaurants than anything else..LOL!
Jason is becoming more and more busy at work with his new women's wrestling team at King. He's recruiting and preparing for next season almost 'round the clock! Not to mention his real estate has really taken off this past year! I am extremely proud of his accomplishments and look forward to seeing how his new team takes off! He really is an incredible coach! He and Nate are already doing a fantastic job with the men's wrestling team there at King! They work hard all the time trying to improve the existing program, and I have to say, they have come up with some pretty creative ideas for practices and conditioning! My pride just overflows for them both!
Miss Blakley is growing like a weed, and getting more and more spirited as each day passes. I can't help but notice her changes every night when I lay her down. She is really trying to crawl....having trouble going forward but no trouble at all moving in circles or backward! Ha! She's already wearing 6-9mo. clothes and is in the 60th percentile in weight and the 90th percentile in height! She's eating baby food now and seems to really love it! Her mouth pops wide open before I can even get the food on the spoon! She sure is a talker and makes her debut most mornings with loud yells and grins! She is definately going through a "stranger danger" phase which makes it hard on me right now because she won't really go to anyone but Jas and I...but I know this will pass.
I hope everyone has a fantastic week! Enjoy this warm weather!!

Love, Amanda

First Update

Hey ya'll! Now that I have a little time to be on the computer....maybe we could all communicate a little easier:) Well, our lives have become so much fuller over the past few months with the addition of Miss Blakley Kate! She certainly adds excitement to everything we do. Being a mommy is the most rewarding thing in my life. Although tougher at times than I ever thought it would be, it's truly the "easiest" thing I have ever done. Blakley was born on November 4, 2008, which makes her 4 months old. She learned to roll over about two weeks ago, and now we can't keep her from it at the most inoppertune times (diaper changing, etc.)! She has already went to potty on both Mommy and Daddy prior to bath time! It's a lot funnier after the fact:) Her smile is the cutest thing in the world, and when she laughs we can't help but laugh with her. Recently she has discovered her own voice, and everyday while driving home I get to listen to her "sing" to me for 45 minutes or so. On our trips home we talk about our day, about life, about troubles, gossip about people we know, and we even talk about Daddy a lot! In the mornings, we say a prayer together (most of the time she sleeps through this)...and we listen to the radio. Daddy is learning so many new things and actually doing lots of things quite well! Her favorite thing to do with Jas is dance in the kitchen to the radio- and she normally falls to sleep. She has so much spirit and what an Irish temper!!! She is cutting teeth which makes life very, very interesting (LOL) and God has shown me much about the virtue of patience in this process to say the least! All in all, I love every minute of everyday and I wouldn't trade it for anything in this world. God has blessed us in so many ways and we are thankful for our little bundle of joy! We miss all of you and hope to see you very soon!!

Love, Amanda