Spring Break fun with DD!

We had a fun week for Spring Break - we took bunnies - will tell about that in another post and show some of the great pics, but we also got to visit with DD. He just retired so Richard and I loaded into the car and went for a visit. DD always brings a smile to Richard's face because he plays ball with him - one of Richard's all time favorite activities. These are just a few pics of Richard at mom and dad's playing with his wooden cars from Dr. Mc, beating (definitely not playing) the xylophone, and playing ball. Thanks DD! Sorry you had to work that day MeMe.

Picking flowers for Mommy - or pulling weeds for Daddy?!?!?!

Last weekend (after all the major weather) we had a pretty afternoon on Sunday. When Richard woke up from his nap he wanted to play. First thing on the agenda was to find a hat to wear - after said hat was selected, it was time to find one for mommy, and of course daddy needed one to - only problem was daddy was no where to be found so Richard decided to go "side" interpretation - outside.... ahh we found daddy! After playing on his slide for a bit he discovered all the flowers/weeds that had sprouted in the yard after the refreshing rain. His childlike enthusiasm delighted my heart as I watched him run to each flower, carefully pluck it, and happily run to mommy with a new "gift" which of course was rewarded with a kiss. He helped daddy walk around and decide where to put a fence and once he tired of that he was back to picking flowers again - after we ran out he even "borrowed" a few from our neighbor's yard. I love the picture of his sweet little hand with his treasure trove of flowers we collected on top of mommy's hat. Daddy said not to put the picture of my two guys on my pages at myspace or facebook - he didn't mention the blog - and I couldn't resist...I'd rather have a husband who joins in the fun with our little boy regardless of how ridiculous he may or may not look than one who scoffs and crushes a little one's heart. Of course before we went back inside, Richard had to appease his obsession with letters as he proudly called them out from the truck - and oh happy days - there were letters for the name of truck, a bumper sticker, AND on the tag = what a jackpot!! It was such a simple afternoon but one I treasure for the silliness of it from our hats and his mismatched outfit and shades to the sheer childlike love of bringing mommy presents...I still have them on the kitchen counter - dried and lifeless, but full of memories.

I Know...I Know - I have a lot to catch up on...

First I will respond to Robin "tagging me" - here goes... hmmm 7 things about myself that people might not know!

1. A big part of my childhood was spent growing up in Malawi Africa - I was born in Mississippi, but moved to Africa when I was four. LOVED IT! Wouldn't trade my experiences for anything.

2. I am the baby of my family - I have one older brother - we used to call him the "old man" of our family because my mom is the baby of her family and my dad was the baby of his family.

3. Due to starting my schooling in Africa in a British school system (and with my December bday) I graduated high school at 17.

4. I am VERY afraid of heights - I fell from my aunt and uncle's attic/playroom and have NEVER liked anything high since then...NOT even glass elevators - absolutely HATE them.

5. No surprise because of number 4 but I am NOT a thrill seeker and don't like amusement rides like roller coasters, my husband on the other hand is an adrenaline junkie!!!

6. I used to model in high school - LOVED being paid for dressing up and wearing fashionable clothes - Pamela Nail, was who I trained under before we moved to Louisiana. Hard to believe now but even through most of college I was the one who wore three inch heels and had purses to match every outfit - most everything was also dry cleaned - WHEW - my thoughts on clothing have changed a lot!! LOL

7. I am currently growing my hair again to donate - I donated 10 1/2 inches when Richard was born two years ago and am planning on cutting it again at the end of the summer.

Not very earth shattering revelations, but I did finally respond to you Robin. :o)

Now I tag: Cindy....

Where Does the Time Go/ Sweet Innocence

Where does the time go? The work week was a short one but was so busy...it caused me to be reflective tonight. I cannot believe how quickly time passes...Ty and I have been married over eight years now and our "baby" is not a "baby" anymore - he is growing up so quickly! You look towards the milestones - sitting up, crawling, walking, talking and zoom they come and go so quickly that it is easy to forget that just a few months ago they could do none of that. I am so thankful for the blessing of Richard. I pray that God continue to equip me (and Ty) to be parents that will nurture him, encourage him, and lead him towards the path God already has planned out for him. Last weekend when we were at my in-laws house Richard's sweet innocence brought me to tears. It was bedtime and he was really restless so as is custom I cuddled him and sang to him (the same songs as when he was growing inside of me and then when he was a newborn) to this day two of his favorites are "Jesus - there's just something about that name" and the Doxology - go figure that one LOL .....anyway -even after singing he still was tossing and turning, so I began softly talking to him about the things we had done that day and then told him that even though it wasn't meal time we could talk to God and asked him if he wanted to - he said yes enthusiastically - we proceeded to "tell" God about our day and say thank you for all the different blessings God has given us - MeMe, DD, Poppa, Pat-Pat, the pretty weather, bunnies, friends, food, and even Elmo - I could just feel his little body begin to relax so I asked him if he wanted to tell God goodnight and he said -"luv u God nite nite" - y'all I lost it- I laid there in the dark with tears rolling my cheeks and thanking God for the sweet innocence of my child and asking that He give me what I need and guide me so that the longings and yearnings to have a walk with the Lord will grow inside of my precious angel's heart. All that being said - I leave you with a couple of pictures that show Richard's outward growth from the past year...well - I tried to place them at the bottom of the post but be patient for some reason they are at the top and I am tired and headed to bed because it is now the wee hours of Saturday morning.

P.S. The AWESOME bunny pics from this year were taken by Monique McGonagill - she is incredible and patient and Richard loves her - I will try to get a link up to her page but you can find her at McGonagillphoto.com (I think - I will double check).

That's What Friends Are For...

Getting dirty right?!?!?! After leaving Mrs. Beth's house today, we scooted through Bop's and picked up a nice cold strawberry-banana smoothie for Richard and then headed on over to the park to play with Emma, Manze, and Wes. We stayed for almost an hour and a half and when it was time to leave Richard screamed and cried so hysterically that I just knew someone was going to think he was hurt- no - just his feelings. He cried all the way home and in between sobs he cried out Emma and Manze's names. Once home we shed out of all our dirty clothes and got cleaned up....only to go eat at Ichiban and get covered in sticky jello and need another thorough cleaning! Oh well - life is short! Thanks for meeting us at the park - and Tommy, thanks for being game and joining us so that Manze could join in the fun of giving Mrs. Michelle a dirt/sand pedicure!!!

Here goes.....I've made the leap.....

Well - after much prodding and encouragement I have finally jumped into the "blog" world. Robin and Cindy - you may regret telling me I should do this! LOL I can't wait to have some time to play around with it and figure it all out! To start with, for those that don't know me.....
My name is Michelle Sullivan.

I am 34 years old.
My dh is Ty and my adorable son is Richard.
I am a public school teacher and this is my 13th year! WOW!
I love the way that the Internet has kept me connected with friends all over the world - I grew up in Africa....and I love meeting new friends.
My family and my walk with the Lord are the two most important things in my life.

I hate to admit it, but I better log off and I have only just begun...it is "bath and bedtime" around here.

Have patience and I'll try to get all the cutesy frills added soon!!

These pics are two biggies in my life - when Ty gave me my claddagh at Disney World and when Richard was born!