What's around the corner?

Well... it's December... October and November flew by and we are still going strong.

Ed left to go to Ft. Bragg, NC the 29th of November. He was being prepped to go to Afghanistan. Fortunately for me, they sent him home December 8. He is now non-deployable. He is having too many migraines. His back is not in good shape and the Army decided he couldn't go. He has given 22 years to the United States services and now it's time for him to slow down and grow old with me. I hate that he has all these problems with his headaches and his back but together we will get through this too!

Hopefully ... soon... I will find out if I am going to be Mimi for a second time. Matt and Tiff think they are pregnant!!! I am so excited! They are too! Tiff is going to the dr. soon and when she does.... I'll let everybody know. (I'm hoping for a little boy) lol

This is Alyssa's first Christmas! We are so excited! Mimi has sorta gone overboard with Santa... but hey... it's my perogative. I am so excited that Ed will be home also for Alyssa's first Christmas! She has been such a blessing to all our lives. It is so amazing the way she is. We have people... strangers... walk up to us and tell us how beautiful of a baby she is. They are amazed at how happy she always looks. That's because she IS a happy baby. She has a wonderful mother.... that loves her more than life itself. Lauren is a terrific mom.... and it shows on Alyssa's face. I could not imagine my life without Alyssa in it. She makes getting up everyday a wonderful thing to look forward to. She is growing up so fast.

Well.. as for me... I'm still the same. I love my life... I love my family. I miss my mom really bad. We are going to try to go home to MS for Christmas. Don't know how it's gonna work out but... if it's God's will for us to go.. then we'll go.

Here are a few new pics of everybody.... Enjoy!

Alyssa's first Halloween

Here she's showing some attitude! lol

Here Alyssa and Tiffer's are getting ready for Trick or Treating!

Matt & Tiff had a contest at work to dress up for!

Alyssa's first Christmas pictures.... 6mths old
15lbs 6 oz.... 27" long


She looks like an angel!

Trick or Treat.... ???

Life in Laredo is good. Everybody is working, everybody is healthy and everybody wishes gas prices would go on down.

Ed is getting his gear ready for the "big trip". They are having inspection of all their gear this weekend and then he goes to Austin for about a week for SRP. That is where they check all the unit from head to toe and all in between to see if they are "fit" to go. If they are looking for people with lots of hair.. that leaves Ed out... lol.

Alyssa is growning by leaps and bounds! She went to the doctor today for her 4 month old checkup. She weighs 12 lbs and 11oz and 24.8 inches long. She is soooo long and thin! She gets to start on cereal. We had already given her a little this past week and she seems to really enjoy it. lol.. She gets that from her Mimi's side of the family... we love to eat! She got her second set of shots.. (kinda sounds like a puppy, huh?) (she drools like a puppy)lololol. She didn't quite like that but she only cried for a few seconds and it was over. She's a toughy!

Halloween is coming up at the end of the month. Alyssa has decided (with a little help from her Mimi) to dress up as Minnie Mouse!!!! I got her the cutest outfit ever!!!! She is gonna be soo damn cute! Lauren is thinking about dressing up with her. Lauren and Frank and Alyssa are going Trick or Treating. They are going to take Frank's nephew, Jr., with them also. We'll see how that goes... lol. Here's a few pics of Alyssa flashing part of her costume!!

Summer is winding down to an end....

Well.. it's almost Labor Day! No more white shoes or white pants, huh? lol Summer has been really busy for us this year. We've had additions, subtractions, multipliers and dividers. We've added a new baby to the family, a new daughter in law, a new boyfriend and we have bought a new house. Whew! I'm tired.

Alyssa will be 3 months in a couple of days. She is growing so much right before our eyes! She is changing everyday and she is discovering new and different things each day. We went and had her ears pierced this past weekend. We had 14kt gold diamond earrings put in and they are absolutely precious!! She whimpered for a second and it was over. It just didn't seem to matter to her. She's a toughy! She is learning that she has hands and feet. She enjoys looking at her feet. She has learned that if she kicks in the bath tub it makes a splash. lol.... She has figured out that she can make her hands do things. Not quite sure what all they can do... but they move. lol She also learned how to roll over all by herself. It shocked her the first time she did it but after that she really likes knowing she can get around.

Alyssa and her glow worm! She loves when it lights up!

Alyssa rolled off her pallet when she rolled for the first time!

Alyssa laying in the floor playing with her friends.

Matt and Tiff are doing great! Tiff got a new job and is sooo excited over it! She really likes it. Her supervisor told her she was doing a wonderful job and that she was catching on so much faster than everybody else. Matt starts his new job next week. This is his last week here working for me. I'm gonna miss him but I understand his thinking. He and Tiff move into their new apartment on the 8th of September. They are so excited and I am excited for them. I'm sure gonna miss them. But.... we all have to do what is good for each of us.

Well... I probably ought to get back to work. If you would like our new address.. email me. I would love to pass it on. Our phone number will stay the same.

Well.. it's Wednesday again...

Things are a little chaotic right now in Pleasantville. Lauren has come down with the flu. She has lost 30 pounds in 3 weeks and it hit her system pretty hard. So she is at home in bed... starve a cold, feed a fever (or however it goes). So, Alyssa went to Ms. Dora's today so that she isn't around Lauren to catch the flu. Keep your fingers crossed that Alyssa doesn't get the flu.

Lauren has got a new fella in her life. She is dating a SUPER great guy! His name is Frank. They seem to hit if off really well together.

Ed's girls are here visiting for the summer. Ed and I put them to work at the office. They are earning some summer pocket spending money. They have enjoyed our swimming pool and have met some new friends here. They will be going back home the middle of July.

Well... not much else is happening here. We are sitting here waiting for it to rain! Here's a couple new pics of Alyssa I took. I was messing around with her when she came to the office to visit one day. Enjoy!

Look how much she's grown just in 3 weeks!

I'm learning how to take Mimi's job!

Everyday brings something new...

Well.. I got home from work yesterday to discover that Miss Alyssa has her own belly button! Yep... her little "tail" that came attached to her when she was born now has fallen off! We were so excited... (it doesn't take much to excite us..!). Anyway.. we took a picture to remember it by. Since we were messing with the camera .. we decided to click another photo or two. (kinda get camera happy) Anyway, thought I would share our moment with you.

My new belly button!

Chillin on Mimi's bed...

A lot of heaven in 2007!!

May 29, 2007 - Alyssa

Well...where do I start. On May 29, 2007 my whole life changed! I became a grandmother for the first time. I can't really find the words to describe the happiness and joy that came into my life at that very moment. Alyssa Hayes Norman became a part of my family. She touched alot of people in very many different ways... but she reminded me what life is really about. Family!





Alyssa weighed 6lbs and 10oz. She was 20" long. She was born at 6:14 pm.

May 2007 - Matt & Tiff

While we are watching Miss Alyssa grow and develop her own little personality, Matt asked Tiffany to marry him... It was GREAT! Matt asked Tiffany to marry him while they were visiting with us in May. Tiffany was at a complete loss of words!! All she could do was cry!

He gave her the most beautiful ring!! Princess cut 1 carat blue sapphire with 2 white sapphires on each side. It is absolutely breath taking. I was sooo proud to be able to be a part of his surprise! So... August 4, 2007 I will gain a new daughter in law! They have planned a beautiful wedding and I am so excited and so proud of these two!

Matt and Tiffany!!

Summer of 2007

Amidst all this excitement and wonderful chaos, Ed and I are taking a cruise this summer. We are going to Cozumel and Playa del Carmen. We are soooo excited! We never had a honeymoon when we got married because the Army decided he needed to go to Iraq. So we are going to go on a wonderful trip and relax and enjoy the sites. I have never been out of the country so I'm a little nervous. Excited and scared... lol. I'll post pics when we get back! I'm just about ready to pack my clothes. I have shopped and gotten everything I need.... (including new Minnie Mouse flipflops!!). I am so glad to be given the chance to go on this trip.... and I am so excited it's with the man I love, the man who takes care of me and loves me beyond limits. I love you so much Ed!!!