Monday, May 31, 2010

Memorial Day Weekend

What a crazy week and a half I have had!  The last day of school, as well as both my Daddy and Granddaddy's birthday, all fell on Friday, May 28th.  The last day of school was very bittersweet for a multitude of reasons.  Getting to go home to family made all the difference.  Being able to celebrate such an exciting occasion (the birthdays) with the ones I love, I was able to realize very quickly how lucky I am and that outside negativities, whatever they may be, shouldn't matter because my family is my rock.  I am SO blessed to have the FRIENDS and FAMILY that God has given me.... Yes, I do realize this may sound like a slight tangent.   :)

To celebrate my Daddy and Grandaddy's birthday, my family did what we do best... GRILL! Yummy!  It was especially fun because we got to splash around in the new pool and just hang out and relax... something I think I almost forgot how to do....  I don't think I have "blogged" this before, but if I have, please pardon me.  I just think its pretty funny.  I tell everyone, I have asked for a pool for approximately 20 years.  I have a baby, who at 9 months old, starts swim lessons and LOVES it, so my parents then decide to put in a pool!  Oh- the power of grandchildren!

Sunday was a great church service, then party number two to celebrate little bitty's birthday.  We had all of the family over to help us celebrate.  Perry got lots of new, cool toys including a little four wheeler and radio flyer wagon.  (His lookout treehouse was already at Grammie and Grampie's house.)  Thank goodness one of Mommy and Daddy's gifts to Perry was a new Monogrammed toy box!  Perry had so much fun partying it up that he went to bed at 5:00 and didn't wake up until 8:00 the next morning.  This amount of sleep is truly unheard of for my little guy!!!

Memorial Day Monday was a good family day as well.  We slept in until about 8:00, then went up to Grammie and Grampie's house for a delicious brunch of omelets, oatmeal, and crescents.  After deciding a zoo trip wasn't the best idea due to the rain, we decided to head to Trussville for small shopping.  However, it turned into BIG shopping!! :)  I was SO excited to get some clothes (for all three members of our family), much needed Perry essentials (and a few toys, of course), and a very cool lamp for my and Justin's bedroom!  (I forgot to previously mention that we moved in half of our new bedroom furniture Friday afternoon as well.  So far, we have our new armoire  and dresser, both a distressed black finish.  I am very excited about this new furniture.  After donating Justin's old childhood furniture to our church youth's yard sale, we have been without bedroom furniture for approximately three months now.)

All in all, it was a perfect start to summer vacation.  Even though I have a two week math workshop to go to, I'm still considering it vaca.  I don't have to be there until 8:30, I get to eat out for lunch, I get paid to go, AND I get to spend some much needed time with my good friend Kristi.  Nerdy as it sounds, I'm looking forward to it.

And yes.... I PROMISE to put birthday pictures up SOON!!!

With Love! :)

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Happy Birthday Mr. Perry!!


Happy Birthday Little One!!
May 22, 2010. A very important and happy date for the Murphree household.  The day that my precious, tiny, bundle of joy turned ONE!!  Oh my goodness how time has flown!  It seems like only yesterday that I found out I was pregnant. 
Looking back on the year, I can easily smile, as it has truly been the very best year of my life.  Welcoming Perry into our family is the most joyous thing that has ever happened to me. Since then, we have experienced so many firsts.  It was so much fun to watch him learn to sit up, crawl, cut his first tooth, give kisses, wave bye-bye, hug, call “Grandaddy” and “Einstein” (the dog) say Da-da and Ma-ma.  He is absolutely so much fun to watch grow up.  In fact, the night before his birthday, he surprised us by walking!!  He was able to show off big time on his birthday!
To celebrate the day, we began by going to swim class, which Perry LOVES!  Then, we did a little bit of running around town, going to the pottery place to do his one year hand/foot prints, picking up the cookie cake (Perry’s own cake was the topper to the cake that was at his baby shower.  Though very sentimental, it tasted quite nasty after a year in the freezer, so Perry graciously partook in the cookie cake, as well.), then going to grill out at Grammie and Grampie’s house, and doing a little bit of swimming in the new pool… Perry’s Pool, of course.J
Although Perry thought devouring his cake and cookie was yummy and fun, by this time of the day he was getting pretty sleepy.  And if any of you have met Perry, you know he DOES NOT like to sleep.  So instead of wanting to open his birthday presents, he just wanted to be held.  Since we were also on a time schedule due to a good friend’s wedding that I was singing at at 6:00, we decided it was best to just make a weekend celebration of it and let Perry open his presents on Sunday. 
Thankfully, Perry slept the thirty minutes it took for us to get to the wedding and was an angel throughout the night.  I felt so proud to be his Mommy.  Especially after numerous strangers came up to tell us what a cute, well behaved baby we had.  Well, that all changed as soon as we got home and I took Perry upstairs to go to sleep.  The day had absolutely exhausted my little bitty, who refuses to sleep, and I saw a tantrum from him that I didn’t even know was possible.  We’re talking screaming (and yes, I’m sure he was screaming at Justin and me), arm flailing, leg kicking, back arching tantrum.  It was heartbreaking.  I felt terrible that I had not made time and absolutely insisting on him taking an afternoon nap.  He had had all that he could handle and was willing to put up with.  After about ten minutes, I finally took him outside to calm him down.  As soon as he was settled, he would do this precious little sniffling, look at me, then ‘give me lovin’ (this is giving me kisses, then snuggling his had down on my chest and wrapping his arms around me like a hug…It’s seriously precious!).  I took him back up stairs and laid him on my chest in the bed (yes- he sleeps in the bed with us EVERY night.  Something we are planning to work HARD to change this summer) where he proceeded to give me hugs and kisses for the next thirty minutes, until he finally fell asleep snuggled in the arms of the one who loves him most.  It was at this point in our One-Year-Old’s-Birthday that I finally started to cry. 
Happy Birthday Little One!  Mommy and Daddy love you to the moon and back!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Wordless Wednesday

Perry's First Trip to the Lake



Snuggling With My Puppy Dog



I Got Too Fat For My Giraffe Costume, So a Honeybee I Am!



My First Time to Swing



My First Snow



Giving Mommy Lovin'



My Trip to the Biltmore....
the Coldest My Mommy has
Ever Been!!!



Freezing!!! Why isn't my Bear Hat on Mommy??!!



Playing on My Rocket Ship




Napping With My Daddy



Ducky Tub




Swinging at Playdate

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Gotchya Day!!

Everyone who truly knows me, knows how dear to my heart adoption is.  Almost daily, I check adoption blogs to see all the new "gotchya days!"  In fact, many nights after Perry is all tucked in bed, I will curl up on the couch to check out these blogs.  Just last night, Justin caught me with tears in my eyes as I read of a little girl who met her forever family just yesterday morning.  He looked at me, gave me a little laugh, and then hugged me and said, "Don't worry baby.  You'll get your baby too one day!"  Please don't underestimate my love for my biological son, Perry.  Some people may look at this adoption obsession as not being satisfied with what I have, and that could not be further from the truth.  I love Perry more than I knew I could love anything!  He is beyond my pride and joy.  It's just that, looking at Perry and knowing all the love that I (and my family) have for him, it breaks my heart to know that there are children out there who do not have someone to love them like this.  I can't wait to one day give that love to a child who otherwise would not experience it.  With that being said, I also frequently visit waiting child photolistings.  Why I do this, I have no clue.  Justin and I are not quite old enough to adopt yet, and all it does is pull on my heart more.  Anyway, I have been following this PRECIOUS, chubby faced, little girl for months now.  I am constantly showing my co-workers how incredibly cute she is!! Just a minute ago, I decided to check this particular website to see if any other children have been added to the site.  Although no new children have been added, little miss now has a flag by her picture that reads, "I now have a family!!!"  What an amazing ending to this day.  To know that another little one has a family ready to welcome her with open arms.  Through reading MANY different adoption blogs, I completely get that the process is long, expensive, and daunting... but what a reward at the finish line?!!  I cannot wait until it is my time to run this amazing race!!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Tasteful Tuesday (Just a Bit Early)

I. Love. To. Eat.  It's an addiction.  My friends at school think my "double dinners" are hilarious.  I think I'd be 20 pounds lighter if I didn't absolutely adore fast food.  So, I figured I would share a little bit of my love of food with you.  This one's quick, easy, but most of all, DELICIOUS!!

Buffalo Chicken Dip:

1 can of chicken (or two boiled, shredded chicken breasts if you're the Betty Crocker type) 
~1/4 cup of ranch dressing
~1/4 cup hot sauce (I prefer Moore's, but anything will suffice)
**I never actually measure, just pour until it looks good**
Mix all ingredients together and put in a casserole dish.
Sprinkle Monterrey Jack Cheese on top and broil in the oven until bubbly.
DELISH!! :)  Hope you enjoy!!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

I am who I am....





  
All about ME blog.....


I am...a daughter, sister, and MOMMY!

I think... about how past friends are doing, taking photography lessons

I should...give more, exercise more

I dream... of adopting a baby from Asia

I want... a happy, healthy family, to learn photography, three children, a new camera

I know… that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life

I don’t like... mean people, seafood

I smell... laundry detergent and my baby’s breath

I hear...the fan and humidifier

I fear...losing someone I love

I usually... am wishing I was with Perry, am smiling

I search... for adoption agencies

I always... love my family

Our first trip to the beach when Perry was 2 months old

I regret... not saving more money

I wonder... how someone can not believe in Jesus Christ, what it would be like to be a photographer, if I will ever get the opportunity to travel to Europe

I crave...MEXICAN!! hot sauce, lemons, vinegar, cheese dip, and rice

I remember... how it feels to fall in love, the first time I felt my baby in my arms

The first time I held Perry in my arms

I need... to be more thankful, to try to keep my house cleaner, to give my husband more praise for all the things he does for me and our family

I forget... LOTS!  Especially, where I put things... (just this past Saturday, I got Perry all ready for swim lessons and jumped into the car, only to realize I had just locked my keys in the house.  I dragged the HUGE ladder to our front porch, climbed onto the roof, broke into my own house through my bedroom window, searched the house high and low... only to find my keys... in my car.  Yep- I sure did!!)

I feel... blessed, curious, excited about the future

I can... twirl a baton, tumble, and carry a tune, say the alphabet backwards, monogram, and cook

I can’t... stand shots!! (Understatement of the Century!)

I am happy... most always, when I'm with my family, playing with our doggies, online shopping

I lose... EVERYTHING!  (see above)

I sing... Christmas songs

Perry's First Christmas

I sometimes.... laugh in serious settings

I listen... intently

I shop... online

I eat... Mexican, rice, lemons, HOT stuff!, steak, chicken, noodles, fruit, nachos and cheese

I love... God, my family, my precious baby, our poochie pies, and alliteration

Friday, May 14, 2010

Sad Day....

Ok- I need to take a deep breath....So if you truly know me, you know I get every bit as excited over "ice cream day" as my students do.  I never forgo the amazing dreamsicle popsicle and truly look forward to it all....week....long.  So, you can imagine my irritation when I got to our cafeteria to make my purchase.  I bought my lunch and then politely told the lunchlady I would come back to get my ice cream after I got through eating.  She then proceeded to tell me I would not be allowed to purchase ice cream for the day because it is 75 cents and after my lunch payment my account would only hold 65 cents.  Argg.  So I promised (politely, of course) to send my ten cents back down to the cafeteria after we got back to the classroom.  She (politely of course) declined that plan.  She explained to me that her "rule" is that no one over fourth grade charges anything, for even 5 minutes.  Uhg.  So, I explain the situation to my good friend Leslie, who knows the DIER need to feed my insane dreamsicle addiction.  She volunteers to watch my class while I RUN to my classroom to get TEN CENTS.  Once again, I shall say Umph!  So I get back to the cafeteria, present my ten cents to the lunch lady and go to get my ice cream.... THEY ARE OUT OF DREAMSICLES!!!!  UBER FRUSTRATION. I know there is more to life than a popsicle, but I'm having a terrible time seeing past that at this instant.  Your prayers would be appreciated.....

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Livin' in Fast Forward

Today is such a breath of fresh air. As soon as Monday arrived it was FAST FORWARD at the Murphree residence. As we are preparing for “the state” to come visit our school, paper work has all but quadrupled. Thankfully, I am pretty “on my toes” whenever it comes to documentation in my classroom, so all I had to do was rearrange and gather up, and get it all to where it needed to be to be checked.



The Red Thread (the monogramming “business” I started to help raise money to fund our future adoption) had several new orders for this week, so I spent most of Monday night fulfilling orders. Then Tuesday night was supposed to be a night of rest and relaxation. However, those plans quickly got changed when a friend of mine had a true “monogramming emergency!” I had to monogram three graduation sashes for the Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Historian by THIS MORNING!! It was a mad rush to get them finished, but they turned out fantastic! The best part about the whole fiasco though, is that I might possibly get to do all of the Herf Jone’s sashes in this area for next year! What a blessing that would be for our “adopt a baby savings account!”


Planning Perry’s birthday parties (yes, three different ones) has also been a priority for this week. Who knew there was so much to go into planning a little one’s birthday party? However, despite the slight stress it has put on me, it has been a whole lot of fun. I’m planning on a monkey theme since our little monkey loves to go bananas!


Also along the party planning lines, Justin and I are celebrating our third Wedding Anniversary today. I am so blessed to have married my very best friend. Although we have experienced our ups and downs, there is no one in this world I would rather share my life with. He is such a blessing to me, and I feel so lucky and proud to call him my husband. Happy Anniversary Love! I look forward to a lifetime more!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

What an AMAZING Weekend!!

My first Mother's Day weekend was absolutely one to remember! It started out with a Mommy and Me swim lesson and a fantastic play date with 9 of Perry's best friends. (For those of you who don't know, Perry's playgroup consists of about 15 babies who met while in their mommies' tummies at Prenatal Water Aerobics.) It was such a blast getting to catch up with everyone after a few months. The babies are getting so big and their mommies have such a good time hanging out together and taking GREAT pictures.... thanks Darci!! ;)


Arriving at Curran's House


Annie Wilson loves to share.


All of the babies except Lillian


Perry, Annie Wilson, Curran, and Harrison


After playdate, Perry and I took a quick trip to Homestead Hollow for some strollin' around. This was about the ONLY thing I could think of to get my little guy to take a nap! We walked around for about 20 minutes, then little bitty decided to wake up and help me shop. We bought him a tiger passy pal (we knew that would make Daddy happy!) and Grammie a cute, monogrammed tote. Then, we shared a cup of homemade ice-cream. I know it sounds like a very uneventful time, but sharing that ice-cream with my little boy made me smile from ear to ear! It is a memory I will cherish for years to come. If only someone had of been there to take a picture..... Anyway, after Justin's long night and day of fishing tournaments, we decided to spend the night with my Mom and Dad, aka Grammie and Grampie. When we woke up for church this morning, Perry and Justin had a sweet surprise for me, and later that day, Perry and his Grandmommy and Grandaddy went for an infamous "gator ride" and picked me some wildflowers. It was so precious!! I truly feel beyond blessed that God picked me to be Perry's mom. I love him more than words can say and love every second of being a Mommy!! Happy Mother's Day!!






Friday, May 7, 2010

Faithful Friday



Sometimes, I can hardly believe I have made it to Friday. This week, is definitely one of those times. With 15 days left of school, we're ALL feeling SUMMER fever! I sometimes tend to throw a bit of a pity party for myself and all the things that are piled up on my plate. "Wow! For Real?" I catch myself thinking things like this lately. And then I realize how spoiled I truly am. I have a GREAT God to serve, an AMAZING family to lift me up, and the BEST friends to make me smile on a daily basis. I'm blessed more than I could ever imagine, and chances are, you are too. I may not be a millionaire or famous celebrity, but God has given me all I need and more. I need to do a better job of showing joy and love on a daily basis instead of getting in a grump over a mountain of paperwork or stressed out by a messy house. I am reminded of a verse that really stops me in my tracks:


To whom much is given, much is expected. - Luke 12:48.

Today, I will resolve to be more grateful for what I have and to share it with others.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Welcome to Murphree's Moments

Hello Everyone!! I am officially in the blogging world, although I truly have NO clue what I am doing yet. I have realized quickly that I am no where near as "techy" as I thought. To give you a quick intro into me and my world, I will do what I do best... make a list.
1. I am married to my best friend!! Justin and I will celebrate our 3rd anniversary May 12th!
2. We have a precious little boy named Perryman (my maiden name) Phillip (after his daddy) "Perry," who will be ONE on the 22nd! WOW! What a BIG boy!!
3. Justin and I dream of one day adopting a little baby from Asia...CAN'T WAIT!! :)
4. I love monogramming and taking pictures.
5. I am shamelessly addicted to reality TV- especially Tori and Dean!

Our Adoption Timeline

  • June 19, 2011- We are officially "Paper Pregnant!" We have submitted our Waiting Child Application to Holt!
  • July 5, 2011- Submitted our formal Home Study Application to Villa Hope
  • September 6, 2011- Submitted all of our paperwork for our Home Study
  • October 8, 2011- Completed our First Home Visit
  • October 17, 2011- Completed our Second Home Visit
  • November 14, 2011- Home Study Approved
  • December 1, 2011- Filed our I600a
  • February 1, 2012- I600a Approval Letter
 
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