eppsAcurious

Marlee Sue is a MODEL!!!

2009-08-21T17:38:00.004-04:00

OK, so let me be a tickled mom for a minute.......... You know how you sign those "media release forms" for school and daycare? Well.........Marlee Sue Epps is a "model" for Discovery Point Child Development Centers! It's the place where she stays, and they had a professional "photo shoot" a week or so ago. Two photos of Marlee Sue were chosen for the inside of the brochure, which will be mailed out to, like, 5,000 addresses! Her profile photo is in the front, and the two little eyes looking up in the middle photo are hers, too.The little boy is named Rahim, and he's about 15 months old. He's in the room next door! No, we didn't get paid or even get a discount, but it was a nice surprise and we are really flattered! Here's the brochure and you can visit their site at www.discoverypoint.com/dp11

They may use the photos there, too!
Thanks for letting me brag with wild abandon! LOL! I'm so excited!

My sweet baby girl!

The very first tu tu!

2009-08-02T19:20:00.007-04:00

Marlee Sue has a Tu Tu! What a perfect accessory for a little girl! My baby girl is almost 9 months old, today is my 34th birthday and I go back to school tomorrow. Wow, how time flies!! Sure do wish I could freeze my daughter for just one year and enjoy this precious stage. I love the 7 to 12 month range! After that, I could let her grow on up, but I can't help but pine away for those sweet baby days. She is, after all, my last........First tu tu!!

Summer is over.....and it ain't even hot yet!

2009-07-28T21:06:00.006-04:00

It's true. Summer is almost officially over, and I'm shocked at how mild it's been--- For Georgia, anyway. I go back to school next week, Garrett the week after. Tomorrow is a "stay home day," Thursday, Todd is taking Garrett for his first visit to Six Flags, Friday-- another "stay home day."
I am watching with mixed emotions as the final grains of sand from our beach trip wash off the bucket, as the final days of our vacation change into busy school days, and as the wonder and joy of a summer full of days at home with my precious big boy son and my darling infant daughter slip right through my fingers. Oh, where did the time go? And how can I get it back?

The Birth Announcement

Laughing and rolling in the grass

Family photo-- Garrett at 15 months

Soccer Player

Family snapshot

You've lost your cell phone----What can you do??

2009-07-19T15:04:00.002-04:00

You can always ask someone nearby to dial your number so that you can follow the ring, but what if you are home alone? Assuming you have access to the internet in your home, you can visit:

www.wheresmycellphone.com

Enter your number and get a free call from a private number! It's cool, and it works!!

JUST FOR FUN-- To send a free, personalized birthday call to a friend's cell phone, visit

www.birthdaydialer.com

That's all for now, folks!!!

It's been a long time.....

2009-06-28T08:19:00.005-04:00

Marlee Sue is rocking out on her shovel guitar!
Garrett explains it all! Marlee Sue's first Sand Castle--still rocking out on that shovel!

She loves the sand-- especially the way it tastes!

My sweet and handsome boy will soon be seven.

Where did the time go?

How sweet it is.....

2009-05-23T22:59:00.001-04:00

TO BE LOVED BY TWO!!!

Mother's Day 2009

First summer off since 1999!!

2009-05-08T21:26:00.004-04:00

I can't believe it-- in just 8 days, my son will be out of Kindergarten, and the students will be gone from school for the summer. Although we staff members have to go until May 26, this will be the first time I've been off for the summer since 1999! I miss North Carolina more that I ever thought possible, but there is SOMETHING to be said for now being a 10 month employee in a traditional calendar school as opposed to years of being a 12 month employee in a year round school! I love the year round schedule, but WOW-- the summer off! I won't know what to do with myself!! Actually, I am sure I will be JUST FINE!!

Marlee Sue- 6 months
Garrett- 6 years

That's a big chocolate bunny!!

My Public Service Announcement

2009-04-30T15:20:00.003-04:00

SWINE FLU UPDATE

The Swine Flu appears to be spreading rapidly. Because of the nature

of our profession, the following Center for Disease Control

link has been shared with us. Every day at 11 am EST, the "tally" is updated

by state. It includes number of cases confirmed, and deaths if any:

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

Look Mom, no training wheels!

2009-04-26T11:32:00.002-04:00

Having been so into his Razor Scooter, Garrett lost interest
in his bike before he learned to ride with no training wheels.
Last week, he took them off of it himself and brought me the pump.
"Mom," he said,"Please put air in my tires. I want to ride my bike."
I have to admit I was worried about helping him do this with
Marlee Sue strapped to me in the Baby Bjorn. But, I held the handle
bars as he peddled off. I jogged along, then something told me
to JUST LET GO. I did, and my independent six year old boy
who just yestrday was my new baby boy, rode without
training wheels--- on the very first try.

Masterpiece Theater

2009-03-12T21:55:00.005-04:00

Garrett's Monster-- He calls it "Fire Boy!"

Starry Night, by Garrett

Video Game Character, by Garrett

Live Easter Bunny

2009-02-25T08:15:00.002-05:00

Marlee Sue is having her photo taken at daycare

today with a live bunny. She will be wearing this

little toile dress-- so sweet!

HOWEVER.......

I can't stop thinking about the killer bunnies in

Monty Python:

Comments for the week

2009-02-15T08:46:00.003-05:00

Our six year old son is a wonderfully intelligent and funny little guy. He has the ability to reduce me to giggles with his comments and observations. A couple from this past week that I can't resist sharing:

On the way to school on Tuesday, we had to stop at the railroad tracks behind a beat up white van that was obviously the driver's "work vehicle." Garrett is very interested in trains, telling me whether the passing one is a cargo train or a passenger train. That day, however, his interest was on the van. "Mommy, that van is making me nervous." I took a closer look then said, "Why, buddy?" His reply: "Well, since it's right in front of you and has 3 ladders, a wheelbarrow and a christmas tree on top, you should be nervous, too."

On Thursday, as we left school, Garrett noticed a worm stranded in the sun on the sidewalk. "Oh, an earthWORM." (I put worm in all caps, because he pronounces "earthworm" with the accent on WORM.) "Yes, I see him." I replied. "He needs the dirt, or he's not gonna make it. I'm going to help him out." And with that, my little buddy scooped up the sticky worm poked his finger in the dirt under a plant, and returned the worm to a safer environment.

I was proud. My son is kind and compassionate toward living things. It made me think of the following story that has circulated in print and on email for years:

One day an old man was walking along the beach. It was low tide, and the sand was littered with thousands of stranded starfish that the water had carried in and then left behind. The man began walking very carefully so as not to step on any of the beautiful creatures. Since the animals still seemed to be alive, he considered picking some of them up and putting them back in the water, where they could resume their lives.
The man knew the starfish would die if left on the beach's dry sand but he reasoned that he could not possibly help them all, so he chose to do nothing and continued walking.
Soon afterward, the man came upon a small child on the beach who was frantically throwing one starfish after another back into the sea. The old man stopped and asked the child, "What are you doing?"
"I'm saving the starfish," the child replied.
"Why waste your time?... There are so many you can't save them all so what does is matter?" argued the man.
Without hesitation, the child picked up another starfish and tossed it back into the water... "It matters to this one," the child explained.

Salma Hayek is AMAZING!

2009-02-12T06:43:00.003-05:00

Look what she did for this infant in Africa. Would I do this? IN A HEARTBEAT. This is one thing I am good at, and if I could help a starving baby by sharing in this way, I would. Right here in America, there are infants who could benefit from donated or shared milk. Too bad it's not "the norm." Salma's tender and compassionate gift to this mother and her child brought me to tears, and I think she's to be commended.

Read the story here:

I now realize....

2009-02-11T06:34:00.003-05:00

How boring my life really is! I am struggling to find something to blog about, but things of interest are escaping me. I know the reason-- I get up at 5 am to pay bills, pack up the pump and have a minute to myself before the day starts. Then I shower and dress, feed Marlee Sue at about 6:30 and put her back down. I check my email, then wake Garrett to get him ready for school. We eat breakfast, sometimes in the car and go to school where he is a kindergartener and I am the librarian. At the end of the day, we leave and get Marlee Sue, then go home and make dinner while we wait for Todd. On Mondays and Wednesdays, we have Karate. By 9:30, Marlee Sue and I are headed to bed and Garrett is long since in bed. I don't even have a good book to recommend, because I haven't read anything. Nothing terribly exciting ever even happens at school! Today is early release, so the kids go home at lunch and the staff stays to work and conference with parents. Garrett and his friend Cooper will hang out in the library, but that's about it. Boy, I can't wait for summer break!!

I will say that my experiences as a parent are both challenging and precious, as are every parent's. Garrett's teacher brought him to me yesterday because a kid kicked him and he kicked him back. Worse, the teacher saw him do it and yet he denied it. He spoke to her disrespectfully, saying "What? What?" when she corrected his behavior. I took away the important stuff-- TV time, and no computer for the evening. This hit home, and I got a few tears. Later in the car a little voice says, "Mommy, when I am bad do you still love me?" Now my tears spring up. I fight them back and say, "Nothing you could ever do will make me stop loving you." The reply: "I'm glad."

Here are a few recent photos. My kids are growing in front of my eyes as time marches on.

The BUMBO seat! They didn't have these
when Garrett was a baby!

Marlee Sue is wearing a pair of booties
a little old lady knitted for my mother
when SHE was born! So special!

Can you tell I am back at work??

2009-02-04T15:41:00.001-05:00

Being back at work means that I have not had time to take photos, upload photos, or post to my blog. Boy, do I feel disconnected. I am proud to say that my step sister Andrea and her hubby Bryce had a beautiful baby girl yesterday! She was 8 pounds, 5 ounces and her name is Daisy Bryce Northen. I can't wait to meet her! Hopefully she, Marlee Sue, and my nephew Ian will enjoy growing up sharing the same grandparents!!

I am halfway through my second full week back after a most enjoyable maternity leave with my new baby girl. She sleeps from about 10 or 10:30 until 3 or 3:30 at night, then wakes for a feeding. I get up at 5:30 to get ready for work and then feed her again at 6:30. That said, I am getting pretty much all the sleep I need. After I leave, Marlee Sue and Todd sleep on until about 8:30, when she wakes up. He works a later shift, so she doesn't have to go to daycare until about 9:45 each day. So, my post for the day is to say how very very thankful I am to have a healthy, wonderful and easy baby. I know that I am lucky, and I know it can change at any minute. Garrett is glad to have mommy back at school with him every day, and life rolls on.

I've been tagged!

2009-01-15T13:36:00.006-05:00

I've been tagged by Kristi with the following instructions:
Go to your 4th folder and open the 4th photo. Post it, and describe it.

When Garrett was a wee one-- about 9 months here--we had a baby gate to keep him confined to the family room and away from the stairs. The afternoon sun would stream in, causing the back of the sofa to light up with brightness and shadows. Here's the record of the first time my baby boy actually noticed his shadow. So sweet, and such a proud moment for me to witness his early exploration and development.

I tag:
Jamie

Tabby

Jen

Kristen

And I was ALSO tagged by Melissa for the Lemonade Award (Thanks, girl!):
For special people out in the blog world!
#1 You must link back to the person you received the award from.
#2 You have to nominate bloggers who are deserving of this award!

I tag:
Jessica
Gen -who deserves just about every award out there!
Jamie
MA
Jennifer
Kristi

Marley and Me

2009-01-10T15:50:00.008-05:00

I told Todd that if he named

our daughter Marlee, everyone

would think of either Bob or this

movie! It hasn't been too bad....

YET!

We went to see this movie today
and boy--what a tear jerker!
I've read the book, and personally think

that the movie did a good job
of staying true to Grogan's original
words. While John Grogan is most
likely honored by Wilson's and
Anniston's portrayal of him and
his wife, the two of them did make
life at the Grogan house with
the "world's worst dog" seem a
little too perfect. Aside from that, it was a
real blockbuster, and I loved it!
The best thing about the flick? Its effect on
our six year old. He asked me,
"Mom, if we get really lucky,
will Shiloh never die?" I
explained that dogs like Shiloh
only live 12-14 years if you're lucky,
and that Shiloh is 10. As bad as it hurts
me to see my child sad, I am touched
by his display of compassion and
tenderness. He's spent a little
extra time with our old Dalmatian today.

And other events of the week:

Ready for Karate!First step: Earning the white belt!
Garrett and Marlee Sue
ready for a bedtime story!

Zero Gravity car! A cool Christmas
gift that works on
the walls and ceiling!

The crib is not so bad!

The best feeling in the world......

2009-01-06T20:06:00.007-05:00

next to holding my own child......

Mommy and Marlee Sue
Mommy and Garrett at the strawberry patch.

is holding my brother's child.

Aunt Sue meeting nephew Ian for the first time.

Hope Santa was good to you all this year!

2008-12-27T14:58:00.005-05:00

He was good to us! We've spent a wonderful 3 days with my brother and his wife Tabby and my new baby nephew Ian! It's been so much fun to have everyone here at my parents' house to see the two new cousins-- Ian and Marlee Sue. Garrett has had a great time with his new Santa toys, and we also got to bring our grandmother over from Mississippi to see her two new great grandchildren. Todd had to work Christmas Eve and the 26th, but he made it over Christmas Eve night and stayed for the day's festivities. I went to see my maid of honor and sorority sister Betsy and her new baby son Ben, and I am going to see my best friend since 2nd grade Krista on Monday. Ricky and Jamie came over with their little one last night to see the new babies and overall, it was a wonderful holiday with family and friends. I will post great photos soon-- left my camera cord in GA and I am in Birmingham!

Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T08:57:00.005-05:00

Merry Christmas!!

A year ago, I was packing our house in Raleigh while Todd jetted back and forth to Georgia trying to get his new job squared away and finding a house that we could "rent for 6 months or until ours sold." HA! After many adventures and moving to a second rental house that forclosed 3 weeks after we moved in (what a mess), then moving yet again (4 addresses in 4 months) we are somewhat settled in a brand new rental house in Johns Creek, GA. We've never lived in a new house before, so I've enjoyed that a lot! The owners of this house are super nice, our age, and NOT in danger of foreclosure. The house in Raleigh never did sell. We are thankful to have found good renters who pay on time, and we are taking that one step at a time. Shortly after we moved to Georgia-- SURPRISE!! After nearly 6 years, we were expecting a new baby! Marlee Sue Epps was born November 15, and since then, I've enjoyed every minute of being home with her. I go back to work in January, and while I'd much rather just be a mommy right now, I am going with the hopes that 2009 will be a wonderful year full of wonderful things. For me, all it would take for that to come true is for the entire year to be nothing more than blissfully boring and predictable. Here, here! I'll definitely toast to that!!

2008-12-19T09:09:00.010-05:00

Just outside Athens, Georgia.
Too bad it's not named for us!

Garrett and his Playstation Portable.
He got this for his birthday and is
really good at it! It's a pretty amazing
little gadget. What will they think of
NEXT??

Yes, I stuffed my baby inside a

stocking. She didn't cry, but
I am not sure she enjoyed it!

Much happier OUT of the stocking!

Sweet little Bailey Brothers gown--a

Christmas gift from a dear sorority sister!

I have taken a lot of photos lately, so that is what my blog consists of. Honestly-- my thoughts are pretty one track right now-- enjoying my baby before I have to go back to work. I sure will miss her during the day while I am away. Christmas is coming and it makes me sad that a week from today, it will be all over again for another year. This time last year, we were trying to get our Raleigh house ready to market as we prepared to move to Georgia. We had NO IDEA that in November, we'd be joined by Marlee Sue!! I feel like I completely missed Christmas last year, because I was stressed and distracted by other things--then a big move followed by a challenging pregnancy made for a very tough year for me. But look what I have to show for it! Now that we have Marlee Sue safe and healthy, all I want for Christmas is the promise of a smoother ride in 2009. Speaking words of wisdom, Let it be.

Big Brother is already watching....

2008-12-14T22:29:00.003-05:00

Our 6 year old is really doing great in his new role as Big Brother! He loves to rub Marlee Sue's head and call her "Marlee Mouse." When she fusses, which is only when she's hungry, he comes running and says, "What's the matter Miss Marlee?" I know there will be times when she gets on his nerves--and at some point, he'll probably ignore her. Right now, however, I am just proud of my big boy.

Marlee's First Christmas

2008-12-12T14:39:00.002-05:00

Marlee Sue Epps

This precious dress is handmade
with hand smocked Christmas trees
and trim. The sleeves also have
hand smocked detailing. My mother
bought this dress for Marlee Sue
at a consignment store in Birmingham.
We were delighted to find it! We can
tell that someone spent a lot of time
making this beautiful little gown.

Can certain foods really induce labor??

2008-12-10T10:44:00.004-05:00

A co-worker told me about a place here in Georgia called Scalini's that serves a dish known to induce labor. This dish is commonly known as Eggplant Parmigiana! Unfortunately, pre-eclampsia got me before I had a chance to try it. A lot of the friends and family I told about this amazing culinary creation laughed at me. Click here for another blogger's story about this stuff!

Sweet baby days....

2008-12-06T17:16:00.003-05:00

I simply cannot believe that my baby girl is three weeks old today. I also cannot believe that on January 2, I have to go back to work. I had hoped to return the first of February, especially when we realized that an early birth was likely, but those hopes were dashed due to policy and politics. Because I have not been in my current job for 12 months or longer, I have been informed by human resources that I "have no rights." I have to return to work on January 2 or be "terminated." Even a letter from Marlee's pediatrician did not buy me a few more weeks to be home with her and get her stronger. I like my job and don't want to lose it. I've always been pround of my career and committed to it, but those feelings are second to my committment to this tiny baby. Also, I live in America, and I don't like being told by someone who doesn't know me or my situation that I "have no rights." Aren't rights what this country is built upon? I am having a hard time not feeling as if I am abandoning my daughter-- leaving her to fend for herself in an uncertain world way too early. Honestly--it's hard to be a mom for so many reasons. I feel like Marlee's precious moments as a soft snuggly baby will pass me by while she spends her day in a public daycare perhaps missing the way her mother holds her and loves her.

An email I shared with my sister in law inspired some of my thoughts today. It makes me sad to think of how quickly these sweet baby days slip by-- you blink and they are gone. There are wonderful and amazing things about every single stage in your child's life, but the early baby days are just so magical-- sleep or no sleep. Having Marlee Sue has brought back all of the wonderful memories that had been "filed" since Garrett was a new baby. Looking back now, I remember how much I enjoyed his infancy, but the day to day joys and sometimes pains since then have caused those memories to take a backseat. I am really trying to burn each moment of Marlee Sue's infancy into my memory. Those funny sleep faces, squeaky noises, and the way she "roots" when she's hungry. All of these things are so precious and unforgettable. I am not ready to be away from her.

Christmas photos

2008-12-05T11:25:00.003-05:00

I promise to actually write soon

and stop just posting photos! Marlee and Garrett deck the halls!

Marlee Sue in her basket

Big Brother is a great helper!

Photos from this week

2008-12-04T12:26:00.004-05:00

Marlee Sue Epps

Garrett and his friend, Catie

Big Brother Garrett holding
his baby sister

Iron Bowl, 2008

2008-11-29T09:47:00.003-05:00

Marlee Sue says Roll Tide!

Love in our bond.....

2008-11-27T14:10:00.005-05:00

On Saturday, a dear sister from my Alpha Gamma Chapter of Phi Mu pledge class came by on her way out of town for Thanksgiving with enough homemade food for at least 4 meals. Yesterday, two more girls from my 1993 pledge class came by bearing Thanksgiving goodies, right down to the sweet tea and pie. They also brought food and a beautiful baby spoon from another sorority sister who couldn't make it. It's been over 15 years since we met on Bid Day, and still the sisterhood and friendship is strong. I am so thankful and appreciative for the generosity and kindness we've been shown during our last few bumpy weeks, but the girls may not be aware of the most important element they brought to Thanksgiving this year. They brought me laughter, cheer, and sheer delight at being loved.

Marlee Sue in mid-yawn held by Kristen and Joella

KY: A multi-purpose jelly

2008-11-26T10:41:00.007-05:00

When I found out I was having a girl, I got it in my head that she needed to start wearing bows right away. When I was a kid, I had a bald headed Cabbage Patch Kid and I stuck a variety of bows to her head using a peel and stick bit of Velcro. But how do you fix a bow to a LIVE smooth little head that has very little hair? As I pondered this dilemma, I happened into a Chick Fil A one day and saw right away a bald headed baby girl with a precious tiny bow right on top of her head. "But how?" I asked the mother. She cupped her hand around her mouth and leaned forward, "A dab of KY-Jelly!" You have got to be kidding me! I thought that stuff was for....you know.....OH-- and making the ultrasound wand slide along your belly. Imagine how I looked in Target as, 9 months pregnant, I purchased a tube of the stuff. Yesterday, I pulled the bow off the tag of an outfit I got for Marlee Sue at Janie and Jack. I got out the KY and put a tiny dab on the bow and stuck it to our baby's head. Low and behold-- IT WORKS! Needless to say, when her father came home, he was none too pleased.........

"Suellen, this is one step removed from

a stretchy headband."

"Mommy-- what in tarnation IS that stuff??"

I have a lot to be thankful for, and one thing is that my sweet number one son Garrett will be home from Thanksgiving with his grandparents on Friday! Then the fun really begins......

Home from the NICU!!

2008-11-23T14:32:00.009-05:00

Marlee Suzanne Epps

We are sooooooo happy to have Marlee Sue home from the NICU! Boy, has it seemed like a long week! She's so sweet and tiny-- 5 pounds, 6 ounces when we left yesterday. I am so very thankful that she is healthy and perfect--especially considering how scary it all felt last weekend when she was born. They showed her to me for a split second then took her away. The next time I saw her-- there were all these tubes and wires covering her pretty face and tiny body. As bad as it looked and as scared as I was, I now realize that Marlee Sue's underdeveloped lungs were a minor problem as far as newborn issues go. Each day, though, she got a little better-- and by Wednesday, tubes and wires were disappearing one at a time. It was wonderful and exciting to bring our new baby girl home for good yesterday!

Garrett giving Marlee Sue a bottle

in the NICU. He'll be a great big brother!
She's doing great with her feedings-- both ways!

Aba (my mom) has become a
grandmother twice again since
Ian was born Nov 10 and Marlee
Sue on Nov 15. Is there a sweeter
sight than a baby with her grandmother?

Now, after a very happy ending to our stay in the NICU, I must say that my heart goes out to all parents of critically ill NICU babies. I know that babies are born way before 36 weeks ALL THE TIME. I know that there are many, many babies born with problems that can't be fixed and I want the world to know how very grateful and humble I am to have been given a beautiful and healthy little girl to love and raise. Even a slight brush with danger is more than a mama can handle.

Holding her pacie
all by herself--
INDEPENDENT ALREADY!

We might make it home today!!

2008-11-22T10:14:00.002-05:00

The neonatologist in the NICU began discussing homecoming plans with us yesterday morning! He said that Marlee Sue might get to come home and join our wild and crazy family if she "behaved herself" all night. We are heading to the hospital in an hour to find out. Hopefully I will be posting lots of great homecoming photos soon! Thank you all for your support, prayers, emails, calls, blog posts, and everything else. It means so much to me to have friends and family backing us from far and near! The last week has been very weird. Bringing a new baby home is always an adventure and an adjustment, but boy--- AM I READY!!

Special special thanks and love to my parents Suzanne and Doug for saving the day on NUMEROUS occasions and for making sure my number one son is taken care of and happy during the long strange trip we've been on. I love you guys and will NEVER be able to thank you enough!

Our baby girl

2008-11-18T20:25:00.005-05:00

Marlee Sue is doing better every day. I will still have to be discharged from the hospital tomorrow without her, but we are so happy that she's getting better! (please disregard any poorly spelled medical terms!) The doctor ordered surfactant for her lungs, and that brought about a large change in her X-Rays. She has also been taken off the "Bubble C-Pap" breathing machine and is now using a breathing cannula only! This means she is breathing on her own with no more than a tube that blows "room air" into her nose. Room air is canned air that has the same concentration of oxygen that is in the air we all breathe. This is great because it means that she is able to keep the correct level of oxygen in her body on her own! Because she is not on the breathing machine anymore, she's become more alert, her facial swelling has disappeared, and she has had her eyes open frequently. She's making eye contact with us every chance she gets. We are looking forward to the moment that we'll be able to hold her without all the tubes and stuff that's covering her now. Here are a couple of photos for you! Thank you for all of your prayers, emails, calls, and support. We can't wait to have our little one home!

My first time really holding Marlee Suzanne.
She is on the "Bubble C-PAP" machine.

She's beautiful, but could I POSSIBLY look any more
exhausted??
Maybe it's just time for a highlight.

No more Bubble C-PAP!

My future's so bright....I gotta wear shades!

Look at my itty bitty feet!

Photos of Marlee Sue

2008-11-16T19:30:00.002-05:00

Getting weighed just after delivery
Beautiful bow on the door!

They finally let me hold Marlee Sue for the first time

when she was 31 hours old.

Marlee Sue Update

2008-11-16T14:05:00.003-05:00

Hi, everyone-
I want to give you all an update on Baby Marlee Sue Epps. She is beautiful and precious, and we are so glad to have her! When we arrived this morning for our first visit to the NICU, they had just finished checking her blood pressure. Because of being "bothered," Marlee Sue was very active and wiggly. I walked up and said, "Hey, baby girl," and both of her eyes flew open and she cut them in my direction and looked right at me! She stared at me for a few seconds and then closed them again. Todd was on the other side of her, and he said "Hey there" to her. She immediately did the same and made eye contact with him! Her nurse said that this was a great reaction because it means that she is alert in spite of all her connections, and that she can definitely see and hear! It was a happy moment for both of us since we have been unable to hold her so far. We felt assured that she recognizes our voices. A few minutes later, I got to change her diaper. Funny how you can actually ENJOY doing that!

As for her status--Marlee Sue is stable, thank goodness. She is holding her own on the machine and her respiration and lung condition have visibly improved. Dr. Wallin, the neonatologist, spent quite a bit of time with us and explained the X-Rays they've taken of her lungs along the way. Any improvement means she's getting better, so we were so relieved to see progress. However, Dr. Wallin also informed us that while Marlee Sue is developmentally and physically at or past the 37 week mark we thought she was, her lungs are behaving more like 33 or 34 weeks gestation. For some reason they can't explain, her lungs are a bit behind in development, which means they are not doing everything she needs them to do. The dr says this would most likely have been true even if my pre-eclampsia had not resulted and Marlee Sue had been born at 40 weeks. The awesome news is that she will get though this with little risk for future problems. The not so awesome news is that she could be in the NICU for as many as 10 days or more. When I am released on Wednesday, we will have to go home without her and this is going to be very hard for us all. Fortunately, Northside Hospital at Forsyth makes it easy for parents of what they call "Special Care Babies" to be with their baby as often as possible and to stay overnight even. Each baby in the NICU here has his or her own private room fully equipped for the care of preemie babies with way more challenges than Marlee Sue has. The hospital provides a parent bed with a privacy curtain, a restroom, and a rocking chair right in the baby's room. Because the NICU is not super busy this weekend, Marlee Sue even has her very own nurse named Janice, who is extremely attentive and concerned. While we are sad that she is having to start out this way, all of these special touches make us feel better about what's to come.

She's Here!

2008-11-15T13:28:00.001-05:00

Marlee Suzanne Epps arrived Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 9:39 am weighing 5 lbs. 14 oz. and measuring 18.5 inches long. I only got to see her for a few seconds because unfortunately, she was admitted to the NICU due to breathing problems. The dr. said that she will be fine and is otherwise perfect, but it could be a few days to a week before she is released from NICU. This is terrifying for me as a new mommy, but everyone assures me that Marlee Sue will be just fine. My mom and Garrett are here with me and Todd has been with his baby girl almost every second. Photos to follow as soon as possible. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Suellen

Saturday's the big day......

2008-11-12T22:38:00.004-05:00

At today's appointment, Doctor Barrett said he'd like to give me until Friday to see if my condition improves--but then he got my bloodwork back from the lab. It seems that I can't get through this without drama! Dr. Barrett called me back this afternoon at about 3:30 and informed me that he believes it is too risky for me to wait much longer to deliver our daughter. The baby is doing fine, but I am having some "ill effects" (as he put it) from the preeclampsia. That said, I am scheduled to go in for a c-section this Saturday morning at 9:00 am. Sooooooooo........I'm nervous and a little worried about her coming early. I know babies come early all the time, but I can't help but be concerned about her lung development and her size. Thanks so much for your prayers, thoughts, kindness and support. I feel bad saying this since I just pledged to be drug free during my school's Red Ribbon Campaign, but I will be pretty doped up Saturday and Sunday!! My nephew Ian and my daughter will be 5 days apart in age!

Happy BIRTHday, nephew!

2008-11-10T18:38:00.007-05:00

I am so pleased to announce the arrival of my nephew!

Ian Malcolm Williams

Monday, November 10, 2008

12:37 pm

8 lbs. 2 oz.

21 inches

Proud parents are my little brother Kirk and his wife Tabitha! Delivery was pretty quick and the new family is doing well. Of course, Ian is beautiful and perfect in every way!!

Ian Malcolm Williams

Ian's first bath given by Dad, Kirk

Bedrest has finally happened.....

2008-11-08T16:44:00.001-05:00

Unfortunately, I have been placed on strict bedrest until the end of my pregnancy. Fortunately, we only need to make it to Nov 24, which was the regularly scheduled c-section date. I've had high blood pressure for about the last 8 to 10 weeks, but as of Thursday, I was at the borderline for preeclampsia. Yuck. I am so glad it's only about 2 weeks instead of two months! Thursday was kind of scary because the doctor told me to "Assemble the troops-- I will probably deliver this baby tonight." My mom came flying over from Birmingham to help with Garrett and about half an hour before she got here, the dr decided to sent me home for the weekend. I go back Monday morning to see how things are, and I hope we can go a few more days at least. My mom stayed, but is going home tomorrow because my first nephew--her second grandson-- is due to be delivered Monday, and we want mom to be there!! Anyway, I appreciate your thoughts and comments-- I need some good stuff to read while I am laid up!

Breastfeeding Basics

2008-11-05T18:27:00.005-05:00

DISCLAIMER FOR ANY GUYS WHO READ MY BLOG-- STOP HERE IF READING ABOUT THE REAL PURPOSE OF BOOBS BUGS YOU!

This is from an email I sent my sweet sister in law, Tabby, who is due today with my baby nephew! She didn't ask for this advice, and neither did anyone else-- but I am revisiting it for myself and maybe someone else will benefit!

I got to thinking about it and since I had such a close personal relationship with a milking machine for so long, I thought I'd offer some unsolicited advice. You will hear and read soooo many different things-- and there is no right or one way to do it but here are some of the things that worked for me!

Have the pump available before you go to the hospital if you're buying one or plan to rent one at the hospital. I didn't take mine to the hospital because your milk doesn't usually come in until 3-4 days past delivery anyway--but when it does WOAH! It's like getting a special visit from a special fairy, but she doesn't leave you money! The bad thing about this is that I'd spent 4 days getting the baby to "latch," but those boulders suddenly made this impossible for him. He cried and fussed and I got frustrated and worried. Enter the magical breastpump. Because latching suddenly wasn't working, I used this machine to "pump off" some of my newly formed milk, thus softening the boulders and making the latch easier. Not perfect, but easier. (Imagine yourself trying to suck water out of a rock that is bigger than your head.) The thing about breastfeeding is once the milk comes in, you may have to re-teach the baby to nurse. While in the hospital, ask if they have a "finger feeder, " or Supplemental Nursing System, you can have. This is a gadget made by Medela that has a tube you tape to your pinky finger. The other end screws to the pump so you can pump right into it. This is a lifesaver while you are learning to deal with boobs that you no longer recognize after all these years! When the baby nurses your pinky (closer to the size of the real thing than a bottle or pacie), the milk comes down the tube so he doesn't starve while you work on the latch. I say ask at the hospital, because I have been unable to find this contraption anywhere else. They gave it to me at Duke, and I will use it again if necessary.
Hand pump: You may need one of these, too. Sometimes, it's hard to get your milk to let down for the artifiial action of a mechanical pump. You'll get something, because the durn thing sucks like a Hoover, but if you don't feel the "let down reflex," then you are not going to get it all (therefore decreasing you milk supply.) I had a Medela manual pump hooked to a bottle and I used it for a minute or so until I felt the reflex. This happens pretty quickly since the uneven motion of the manual pump more closely mimics the baby's nursing pattern. Then, I quickly picked up the Medela Pump In Style (which was all hooked up and ready), switched it on and we were in business. Sometimes, I'd have to use the hand pump on the other side, too-- but often both let down at the same time. I have a double pump, but I almost NEVER pumped both sides at once. Also-- my right one always made an ounce or 2 more than the left! My manual pump looked like the plunger in a big syringe. This is way more effective than the one that works like a spray bottle.Avent bottles have an adaptor that will hook them right to the Medela or hopsital pump. I loved these bottles. They rock! The big neck makes them easy to clean, and the lack of small parts makes them quicker.
Holding a nursing baby: The two holds that worked best for me were the cross hold for the right one, and the football for the left. It's weird that something that sounds so natural is so awkward! A Boppy pillow is your friend--One upstairs, one downstairs.
Feeding: For the first 6-7 weeks, I nursed only. This is how long it takes for you and the baby to get used to this action (in my opinion). After that, I began a pump and store method so that someone else could introduce a bottle and so that I could prepare for my return to work.
Pump and store: As with everything, it's different for everyone. BUT--- here are some ideas that worked for me and may help you. By 8 weeks or so, I would feed Garrett as much as he would take from both sides, then pass him off to Todd or someone else. I'd hook up to the pump and take off whatever was left. Usually I got between 2 and 6 ounces combined. I would take the milk I got from this pumping and pour it into a ice cube tray and freeze! HA! Once I had "breast milk ice cubes," I would take them out of the tray and store them in Ziploc freezer bags-- double guard kind. I used a Sharpie to label the date and would add the cubes from that day to that bag. Later, I got to where I'd do two or 3 days worth in one ziploc. I discovered that the particular trays I had held 1.5 ounces per ice cube. So, I knew that defrosting (in the bottle in warm water) 2 cubes would give me 3 oz, 4 cubes for 6 oz, etc. There are all kinds of milk storage bags, but they create a lot of waste, and TRUST ME-- you'll start to think of this stuff as liquid gold! Some people think Ziplocs are not clean enough, but I have a healthy child who thrived from milk stored in them, so I beg to differ. I think that the ice cube method reduces waste. By the time 12 weeks rolled around, I was able to pump and store a lot of milk as well as feed Garrett.
Returning to work: I didn't go back to work until about 7 months, so this time will be a challenge to figure out. BUT-- when I did go back, I used the freezer method for a while, then got good enough at pumping to pump today what Garrett needed at daycare tomorrow. This way, I never had to freeze it. I just put it in a rubbermaid jug that had the oz. marked on the side, and Miss Cathy would pour him 4 -6 oz at a time.
Emergencies: Feeding emergencies will happen. I kept those Enfamil single serves and a bottle of water (I always just used tap water) in my diaper bag. This way, if you are caught in traffic or somewhere that it's hard to just whip them out, you can mix a bottle of formula at a moment's notice and serve it at room temp. There were a couple of times I was so glad for this and they were lifesavers.
Boiling nipples: I never ONCE boiled a nipple, pacie or a bottle. I used tap water, and put all nipples and bottles/pacies in the dishwasher in a special rack designed for washing these little parts. There are folks who believe that NOT boiling actually strengthens immune systems of babies and reduces allergies. I am definitely a believer in exposure. Too "clean" may create more problems than we realize. The exception would be if you are on well water, but maybe not even then.
Washing clothes-- I washed baby clothes in the same Gain I wash our stuff in, not Dreft or anything. Never had an issue. I had some Dreft and love its smell, so it definitely got used!
Diapers: Pampers gave Garrett diaper rash. We used Huggies. I liked pampers wipes and huggies wipes.
Desitin is AWESOME for diaper rash-- and if I may say so, it also helps for certain "bottom issues" that may develop for the mom after a vaginal or c-section delivery.
The bottom line: Breastfeeding is the best thing for your baby. He will be healthier and smarter. Your chances of getting Breast Cancer go down by about 50% if you nurse a baby for 6 months, 70% if you make it a year. It can help you lose weight. It's the best decision you'll ever make. I have accomplished many things in my life, but nursing my baby for 11 1/2 months (until he weaned himself) is the thing I am most proud of.

And last but not least-- to give you an idea of just how much milk you can make-- my all time record for a single pumping session was 12 ounces-- PER BREAST!!

Halloween Fun!

2008-11-01T11:01:00.012-04:00

Todd used one of those Pumpkin Masters Carving Kits
to punch out a pattern on Garrett's pumpkin. GARRETT,
however, carved it himself!! It's called "Two Face!"

Halloween this year was spent at some friends' house in Cumming, Ga. We built a fire, grilled hotdogs and let the kids run around. Later, we took the kids trick or treating, then they all played outside in the dark until they were exhausted. I took my shoes off when I got home from work and my feet puffed up so much and so quick that I couldn't get them back on! It was 45 degrees outside, but I pretty much just sat by the fire with my big swollen feet in my flip flops while Todd Vader and Garrett Skywalker ran around! Todd thinks this is the best example of "what goes around, comes around," because back in his 70s childhood, Todd was completely carried away with Star Wars. Now Garrett has committed himself to The Force. It was a fun night!

Time to see a specialist...

2008-10-30T17:33:00.004-04:00

At today's visit, my blood pressure was not quite as bad as usual. That's good news! However, my doctor is sending me to Atlanta Perinatal Consultants, which is "dedicated exclusively to high risk pregnancy patients." I asked Dr. Barrett what he meant and he said that hypertension alone has placed me in a "high risk" category. The nurse is supposed to call me tomorrow and tell me the time and date, because Dr. B has ordered a high level ultrasound to check for the following: enough fluid around the baby, proper blood flow in the umbilical cord, and size and growth of the baby. Not knowing a lot about this stuff, I asked him if there was something to worry about. Naturally, it makes me wonder why he'd send me to a high risk specialist. He assured me that, no-- if there was something specific to be concerned about, he'd tell me. The baby is active almost all the time, she gets the hiccups every evening, and I see little parts poking out here and there. From what I can see, all signs point to normal and healthy. Our two previous ultrasounds show a normal, healthy baby--small, but within the normal range. He said that at this point, he won't stop labor if it starts and that if the hypertension doesn't "turn a corner," then he'd go ahead and do the c-section. That is a bit alarming because I know this baby needs to stay put at least 2 more weeks so that she can grow. My hope at this point is that the baby is fine and healthy and that my health will improve enough to avoid some type of emergency. You hear all the time, "My water broke at 35 weeks, my baby was 5 pounds, and she's fine!" OR, "My baby was born at 33 weeks, and she's fine." I am not opposed to a slightly early delivery, but only if the little one is ready. It's in my nature to worry. I can't help but feel a little worried now.

Barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen.....

2008-10-29T20:44:00.008-04:00

For a good cause! Our school is having a bake sale tomorrow to raise money for books, technology and new school programs. (I can't attend because I have to go back to the doctor.) Teachers and PTA members have been asked to make and donate baked goods for the fundraiser. I got really creative (for me) and made "deluxe graveyards." In each small clay pot I put a large homemade Rice Krispie Treat that I rolled in crushed Oreo "dirt." The krispie treats are made with those new "Choco-Nilla" Rice Krispies. After putting the treat in the pot, I topped each graveyard with sour Gummi Worms and a tombstone eraser and put a Halloween sticker on each pot! I had a wonderful little helper named Garrett! Please remember that I DO NOT bake, so this is about the extent of it! HA!

Enough already!

2008-10-28T06:36:00.003-04:00

Yesterday's weekly check-up landed me in the hospital for monitoring again. The appointment was right after school, so Garrett was tagging along. Thank goodness for the Playstation Portable Todd gave him for his Birthday! After fighting the traffic, Todd made it and was able to take Garrett home. Anyway, when I got to the dr's office, my blood pressure was 154/100 which is too high for someone like me who's normally in the 112/68 range. In fact, it's probably too high for most anyone. Soooooooo, over to the hospital we went--to be hooked up to the monitor. The baby is fine-- she's tiny but growing! I on the other hand learned that the low back pain I've been feeling lately was caused by some minor contractions. As soon as I settled in, I began a pattern of firm but not uncomfortable contractions--EVERY THREE MINUTES! After about an hour, they began to space out to every 8 minutes or so, and finally just a random squeeze here and there. A "check" revealed that they were not productive, so no real labor, thank goodness. It's still early, and baby girl is small. I was sent home with the following info: "Another week or two would be good, but in 5 days she'll be full term at 36 weeks, so we won't do anything to stop labor. Try to take it easy, drink twice as much water as you do now, and call us if you have any pain, bleeding, dizziness, or if your water breaks. See you on Thursday!"

So, I will be back in the office on Thursday to see if the BP still sucks or if it might possibly level out some. I am exhausted, overwhelmed and just plain worn out. Still, I am going to work. I am glad we have election day off next week. I need a day of rest. The weekend just doesn't cut it!

6 today! Happy Birthday to my little boy!

2008-10-23T06:44:00.003-04:00

Garrett is 6 today! I can't believe how time has flown! 6 years ago today, I was holding a little 7 pounder and feeling amazed at how tiny he was Now, I can't believe he's the same baby we brought home from the hospital!! I love my Garrett!Sky Hike!
Tree Climber

Sleeping Angel

Proud dad

Meeting Mom for the first time

Birthday Party and October Photos!

2008-10-20T19:39:00.005-04:00

Taken at Pumpkin Fest, 2008
Garrett's buddies from school at his birthday

party at Jump Zone in Duluth, GA.

Skull Birthday Cake designed by Garrett and
made at Kroger!
Happy Birthday to you-- CHA CHA CHA!

I can't believe my baby will be six on Thursday!
We had the party today because of schedules. In
just 5 weeks, this big boy will be a big brother!

NAME THE BABY

2008-10-15T20:31:00.002-04:00

Online Surveys & Market Research

My Old Friend.......

2008-10-14T20:36:00.003-04:00

Had to dig this out of the closet for cleaning and inspection! It's been five long years since I put this old friend to rest. Hope it serves me as well as it did before. Pretty soon, I'll once again be "going down to the farm," which was my co-workers' code for pumping! HA! No shame talking about TITTIES and the functions they have besides filling a bikini top! It's the best thing I've done for my son!

Love the name of this machine:
Medela Pump In Style
(I have yet to figure out how you can do this in style, though)

Baby Decor

2008-10-11T15:14:00.026-04:00

My mom is an amazing seamstress, having hemmed or reworked each and every prom/college formal gown or bridesmaid (8) dress I wore. One empire style bridesmaids number, she took apart at the "waist" and hemmed from there so that the bottom would look like everyone else and the stays would hit me in the right spot! She also altered my way too long petite size 4 wedding gown (a VERY distant size memory) and reworked the veil my grandmother made for her to wear in 1972 so that I could wear it. Currently, she is taking a smocking class to refresh her skills so that she can sew and smock an Easter dress for my baby girl. In addition to the bedding (quilt, bumper, skirt and accessories), she made a pad, bumper and liner for a white moses basket I found at a yard sale 3 years ago for $5.00. I've got the quilt already because it's the first thing she finished, and the Moses basket is ready. I sure wish I could sew, but it's so super special to have things that my mom has made! The crib bedding is "patchwork" French Toile, and toile is a pattern most people either love or hate. I LOVE IT!!! There are squares of sage green toile, pink and brown toile, and pink and white baby toile all patched together and quilted with a white muslin. The sage green toile is the border, and the bumper and skirt are made of the pink and white baby toile. I can't wait to see the entire ensemble all put together! The Moses basket has a pink bumper tied on with white satin ribbon. The fitted cover Mom made for its pad is soft and has tiny rosebuds. She also made a solid pink fitted cover. I know baby girl will only fit in this tiny basket for a few weeks, but how precious!! Garrett ended up in the basket we used under our entertainment center for pillows and blankets. Mom fixed it up with folded towels and a soft baby blanket. It later returned to its home under the entertainment center and became a toy basket. Now it's a toy basket in Garrett's room! It was very cute to see Garrett snoozing in that funny basket, though I am excited about the Moses basket. We spent so much time on Garrett's nursery, and this time-- not so much. Since we are living in a rental house, we won't be painting or anything, but I'm going to make Todd put together Garrett's crib in the next week. We need to make sure it's still sturdy and has all of its parts, or I guess we will have to get another one! Hope not! Garrett's "theme" was airplanes-- complete with the Pottery Barn bedding and airplanes painted on the walls. I really loved it and thought it was perfect. He still has some airplane things--sheets and shams on his bed, and a couple of antique airplane prints I got on Ebay. Hopefully we will be out of the rental house by the time the baby really cares what her room looks like! For now, I am thrilled about the pink, green and brown toile bedding and I'll post Garrett's nursery photos for my own trip down memory lane!

On a different note, I've been playing with Google's free photo
editing software, Picasa 3. My college friend Jen gave me some
pointers after I was amazed by her photography. Here are some of my first attempts at the trendy black and white with a color focal point:

These roses were on the table at
the baby shower thrown for my
sister in law Tabby. Her friends
did such a nice job! Can't wait to
meet my nephew due Nov. 5!

Gorgeous gardens at The Blockade Runner

on Wrightsville Beach, NC. Flowers are

easy to practice on, but I really like the

way this one turned out! Might have

to have it printed!

A family pumpkin patch photo from two

years ago! This one was hard because

I couldn't keep the orange from spreading

to Garrett's hand.

Another hard one-- too easy for
the red to "bleed." Check out
those precious chubby hands!

What do you SAY when.....

2008-10-06T20:14:00.002-04:00

So in the last week, at least 4 different people who don't know me or don't know me very well have said something along the lines of, "Oh! When is your baby due? Seven or eight weeks? WOW! Is this your first? Oh? How old is your first? So they'll be six years and one month apart?" And here's the kicker:

"DO THEY HAVE THE SAME FATHER??"

FOR PETE'S SAKE!!! What makes people say stuff like that? Is it lack of raisin'? Lack of home trainin'? Or just plain stupidity? Anyhow-- good thing I can be somewhat good natured about it, so here's where I need your help:

What I've BEEN saying is, "Yes. We'll have our eleventh anniversary in March." What response do you think I should give the next time someone says," Do they have the same father?"

Some suggestions I've gotten:

"Yeah, I'm sure they have the same father, but I'm not sure I'm the mother."

"Shhhhhhh! We're gonna go with that and hope no one notices!"

"Well, with so many roosters in the henhouse, who knows?"

Amazing Earth

2008-10-05T09:47:00.004-04:00

Here are some photos from a recent trip to Chattanooga, TN, to "See Rock City" and visit Ruby Falls. It is amazing to me that such things can occur naturally and deep inside the earth!

Ruby Falls

Flowstone

Active formations--They're still growing!

A column is formed when two

formations meet

Can't wait.....

2008-10-03T16:33:00.003-04:00

I reminded Garrett today that in a little over 7 weeks, he'll have a new baby sister. His reply: "I know, and I can't wait to see her little wiggly self!"

Brought a smile to my face!

BABY NAMES

2008-10-02T15:11:00.000-04:00

Naming a baby can be difficult! This site cracks me up!

Click the link and enter your last name. Choose how many other names (first only, or first and middle) you want and let the computer pick a name for you!

http://www.behindthename.com/random/

It's now OFFICIAL, official!

2008-10-01T20:33:00.006-04:00

My doctor's office called today and Nurse Leslie informed me of the following:

"Don't eat or drink anything after midnight on the evening of November 23. Be at the hospital ready to go by 7:30 am and we will begin your scheduled c-section at 9:30. If you go into labor on your own befor then, come straight to the hospital since you have had a c-section before and we will evaluate things from there. See you soon!"

I have to admit-- I AM A BIT SCARED! Last time, I was drugged up after many many hours of labor and hardly of "sound mind and body" when they did the surgery. This time, I will be fully aware! I can't help being fearful! EEEEEKKKK!!!

Also, forgive me as I wax nostalgic, but six years ago today, I visited my wonderful and lovely doctor at Duke University Medical Center, Anne Drapkin Lyerly, MD, and she found my blood pressure to be 142 over 115. Straight to the hospital it was for me, three weeks and one day before Garrett actually arrived (9 days late). Dr. Lyerly said to me, "Just so you know, if your blood pressure doesn't stabalize, we'll have to deliver this baby tonight. Dr. Wroth is waiting on you in labor and delivery."

WOW-- it was a wake up call. Fortunately, the BP fixed itself and I was sent home on partial bed rest until delivery. During this partial bed rest time, Todd would go to work and I would arm myself with a well charged cell phone and go to the 11 am movie almost every day. I saw about 20 movies in 3 weeks! It worked out for the best, because on October 23, 2002, (5 months pregnant herself and the day before her own birthday) Dr. Lyerly delivered us a healthy baby boy. Even 9 days late, Garrett was only 7 pounds! Hope my blood pressure holds off for the next 5 weeks at least. D-Day is seven weeks from Monday!

"I HAVE GAS!"

2008-09-30T07:54:00.005-04:00

On the way to school this morning, I FINALLY spied a Shell station that appeared to be stocked with gas. The line didn't appear to be too long, so in I pulled. I immediately realized that the 10 or so drivers waiting for various pumps were distracted by the following scenario:

Some woman in a small Toyota is half in/half out of her car, trying to pull around three other waiting cars to get in a spot at the opposite end of where she's waiting. She's pointing her finger and shouting over and over," MY GAS TANK IS ON THIS SIDE!!" I roll down my window to get a better idea of what's going on and see that some other lady who doesn't seem to understand her is finishing up her pumping at the coveted spot. If crazy woman would shut up, she would see that SO IS THE LADY DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF HER! The woman keeps screaming and pointing about her gas tank being on a certain side, so the gas attendant comes rushing out, obviously cussing in a different language, also pointing at the confused lady and shouting, "LET THIS ONE IN HERE!" The confused lady finally finishes, all the while glancing over her shoulder like she's about to be jumped, and quickly gets in her car and speeds the heck out of Dodge. The crazy Toyota lady zooms around 3 waiting cars still half in/half out of it, as the lady who was just seconds ago DIRECTLY in front of her pulls innocently away. The attendant holds his hands out to the side and shouts, "EVERYONE JUST CALM DOWN. I HAVE GAS!" To which I--in my infinite maturity-- burst out laughing loudly. He gave me a go to you-know-where look, resumed cussing in his language, and stomped back into the station. The funniest part of all of this was that there were thirty or so guys sitting around the perimeter of the gas station, and their heads turned (in tandem) back and forth between the players in this hilarious production of "I Have Gas." Ebert and Epps give it TWO THUMBS UP!!

No gas for Atlanta

2008-09-27T15:54:00.004-04:00

There is no gas in ATLANTA

Cars waiting in line at a newly stocked station.

Note that the cars are IN THE ROAD, not the

station parking lot!

I have 3/4 a tank right now, but here's a
snapshot taken from my back window as I
wait in the traffic jam caused by those waiting
for gas. Upper left corner of the photo shows
the gas tanker truck pulling out of the station
where people are already waiting.

The Kroger station was tanked up this morning.
The cars waiting are blocking 2 lanes of a 4 lane
major highway- Peachtree Boulevard. The cars
waiting are wrapped around the Kroger lot twice
and I heard someone say the wait is 3 hours.

See the cars lined up? Not shopping at the
Kroger-- just waiting for gas!!!!

I can drive back and forth to school for about a week and a day or so, but after that, I am just hoping that the school buses run out before I do. We can be assured that if the buses have a way to get gas, teachers better find a way to get it! This has got to be one of the "Seven Signs." Will update later.

Halloween in review!

2008-09-24T17:40:00.020-04:00

First Halloween! 2002

8 days old!

Second Halloween! 2003 Third Halloween! 2004

Fourth Halloween! 2005
So tired!!

Fifth Halloween! 2006

Sixth Halloween! 2007

It's official!

2008-09-18T20:56:00.003-04:00

Baby Girl Epps will be born on Monday, November 24, 2008 via scheduled c-section. Dr. Barrett officially put us on the hospital calendar-- kind of like a "lunch date." Scheduled c-sections get bumped as more urgent cases arrive-- in other words, those who are in active labor-- so we may have a really early "lunch date" or a really late one! Dr. Barrett is a wonderful young doctor with the best personality! If you have to choose someone to cut you open, I will venture to say he is a good candidate. The practice I use just began delivering at Northside Hospital at Forsyth in August. The brand new facility is clean, bright and state of the art. Northside Hospital in Atlanta delivers more babies each year than just about any other hospital in the country. Having the Forsyth facility just makes it easier for moms from the North Georgia area to get the care they need.

About my blood pressure--it stayed in the 128-138 over 92 range today. The doctor said not to get terribly worried unless it fixed above 100 and stayed there. He added, "Of course, our schedule all goes out the window if your blood pressure doesn't cooperate." We'll hope that is not an issue in the coming weeks!!

DIY Recollections....

2008-09-17T20:45:00.021-04:00

Ripping up the shoe moulding to get ready

to pull up the vinyl peel and stick that was

in our 1981 house when we bought it.

The five (COUNT THEM-5!!) layers of vinyl

flooring we encountered and then scraped off

of our kitchen floor in preparation for installing our own

red oak hardwood flooring plank by plank.

The original island in our kitchen just before

we drug it out into the garage to serve as storage.

Notice the far right side of the photo features the

raw, unfinished red oak flooring we'd installed so

far. On the left, you see the sub flooring covered

with bits of glue and vinyl leftover from 25 years

of BAD DIY "flooring upgrades."

AHHHHHHHHHH..........
Beauty at last!! A gorgeously finished,

solid red oak hardwood floor lovingly

installed by Todd and Suellen! Notice on the left

the drop leaf butcher block top we first put on the island.....

The hardwood floors of which we are so proud and, after a change of heart, the kitchen island and its NEW GRANITE TOP!!

NOW SOMEONE TELL ME WHY THIS
HOUSE WON'T SELL!
We live in Georgia now, and our
house is in Raleigh, NC!

We hope 2009 brings us
a buyer!!

Spirit and Image....

2008-09-16T21:23:00.003-04:00

My baby discovers his shadow.

They walk alike, they talk alike.

Spirit and Image

2008-09-16T20:59:00.011-04:00

To capture a moment in black and white is to forever preserve the Spirit and Image of the subject.

I've loved black and white photos since my friend Kristen took them of my brother and me for my mom's birthday in 1996. She later took my black and white engagement photos! Since then, I've often tried my hand at black and white photography, enjoying every moment of it. Though it's no more than a hobby, I have managed to take a few that move me:

What an amazing thing to behold in person! I took

this photo on a trip to France and am still shocked at how

majestic The Eiffel Tower is!

This is the 15th century knocker on the door
of the Church of the Holy Trinity at
Stratford-upon-Avon. Inside lie the remains
of William Shakespeare.
His grave bears a marker that reads:

Good frend for Jesus sake forbeare,
To digg the dust encloased heare.
Blest be ye man yt spares thes stones,
And curst be he yt moves my bones.

This whimsical sign is on most every lamp post you pass.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea wants to make
sure no one steps in a steamer!!

All is well...........

2008-09-13T10:14:00.007-04:00

Well, we had a bit of drama yesterday, but everything is great now. Toward the end of the school day, I suddenly developed some severe swelling from just below my knees down. I've pretty much had swollen feet since the "onset" of this pregnancy, but yesterday was a bit more. My legs looked like my GRANDMOTHER's!! Anyway, I showed a couple of my co-workers, and one of them made me go to the school nurse. Sure enough, my blood pressure was through the roof. My bottom number is usually 75 or lower, so being above 95 was really high. The school nurse took it every ten minutes over about an hour, and it didn't come down. At the insistence of my concerned co-workers, I reluctantly called my doctor and explained the situation telling him, "I really don't think it's a big deal, but you said to call if it got above 90." His reply was, "We can't take any chances with pregnancy induced blood pressure problems. Meet me at labor and delivery right away." Great. I was expecting a, "Put your feet up and call me if it gets worse." I called Todd, told him the story, and he met me to take over Garrett duty. I then drove myself to Northside Forsyth Hospital and was hooked up to the baby monitor and the BP cuff. Over about 2 hours, my BP inched its way down to normal. The baby's heartrate was between 139 and 146 the entire time, and the monitor registered her every kick and push. It also measured all these Braxton-Hicks contractions I've been having. They look like little hills on the printout, and I can feel them, but they don't hurt. In the end, no big deal and the Dr. sent me home with no restrictions. He did give me a list of things to call him about including spots before my eyes, dizziness, sudden headache, or any other random symptoms. This same thing happened with Garrett, but not until I was 37 weeks. Though I am NOT opposed to delivering a couple of weeks early, I need my body to cooperate with me for at least the next 9 or 10 weeks!! Alls well that ends well!

Where were you?

2008-09-11T16:54:00.004-04:00

Where were you and what were you doing on this fateful day seven years ago?

I was......

At our tiny 980 square foot house in Homewood, Alabama, dressed and ready for work. As I fed the dogs, our neighbor Lani came walking by with her dog. "Something's happened," she said, "A plane crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers." Shocked, I ran inside and turned on the TV just in time to see plane number two come in and crash--fear, confusion-- How could this happen? What was so wrong with air traffic control that they could allow TWO planes to go off course?? I watched and watched, waited and waited. Then the first tower fell.

Just like my mom will never forget where she was when President Kennedy was assassinated, I will never forget where I was the day the Challenger exploded. Or when Columbia did. Or when the Oklahoma City firefighter carried that baby out of the bombed wreckage. Most of all ingrained in my memory is 9.11.01. Time heals, but how can we forget?

Big Brother is Watching.....

2008-09-09T20:05:00.008-04:00

Tonight Todd had to work later than usual, so Garrett and I hit the Chic-Fil-A at Johns Creek for their weekly family night. It was raining a little, but the playground outside is covered, so we sat there to eat. Garrett finished and took off to play, and I just sat and listened to the rain on the metal overhang, and watched as other people came out. After the third little girl zipped past me, leaving her dad at a table, I realized that I was the only mom there and Garrett was the only boy! So, it must have been daddy/daughter night, and I didn't get the memo! Since we are expecting a girl in less than 12 weeks, I began intently watching-- maybe even staring at these girls and their dads. It was really sweet overall, and I began to get excited about the relationship I hope Todd will have with his daughter. One beautiful little girl came out in her dance outfit complete with tutu and I thought, "Her dad will be meeting lots of boys at the door one day!" Another little girl came out and played quietly by herself, occasionally running over to hug her daddy, who looked pleased as punch to be with her. A third little girl of about 6 came out and her dad talked on his cell phone while she bossed the other little girls all around. I heard her saying things like, "Move. I am going to slide there." and "Don't touch my bear." All the while, I'm thinking, "How 'bout 'excuse me?" Finally, a dad about our age came out with two little girls of about 2-- Identical twins! They were so cute running around in their denim mini skirts and babydoll tops! One climbed to the tippy top of the tower and we heard a small bump followed by the inevitable crying. Without missing a beat, Garrett stopped his boy play (you know-- rolling around on the dirty wet ground) and raced to the top before the twins' dad even made it over there. I walked over, too, and heard his sweet voice, "What hurts? Did you bump your head?" Then, he took the little girl's hand and escorted her down from the top of the tower where her dad stood waiting. The guy ruffled Garrett's hair and said, "Thanks, man!"

I think this kid is gonna be a great big brother.

eppsAcurious

2008-09-07T19:39:00.006-04:00

I've gotten a couple of emails asking about our "blog name," so I am going to repost my first ever post on this blog. I've been blogging for a while, however, I blogged under the subject of DIY. I retired that blog in May, and have since been in the driver's seat of "eppsAcurious." It's been fun, and I hope having another baby won't cause me to have even less time to blog.............

Why the name? Well, our last name is EPPS, and we are A CURIOUS family--in more ways than one! Curious, in that we have our own set of special idiosyncrasies and habits, and curious in that we enjoy the new and different (most of the time)!

Epicurus (341-270 BC)
http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/Epicurius--Greek philosopher, founder of Epicureanism, who held that all things are made up of atoms. His theory of knowledge stresses the role of sense perception, and that the most desired condition is a serene detachment based on the avoidance of anxiety and physical pain. (DUH!!)

Seems fittin' though-- and a play on words that's somewhat catchy? That's my style!

Photo from http://farm1.static.flickr.com/140/401102220_4c7af6d2df.jpg/

All tied up!

2008-09-07T09:44:00.008-04:00

Garrett is forever building things, making things, and is frequently "all tied up!" He loves ropes, tools, screws, nails, pulleys, and anything of the sort. When these items are not available, he makes his own. His creations and constructions always have a very practical purpose, and in a weird way-- kind of make sense. Recently, he asked, "Mom, can I build something on the stairs?" I thought for a minute and replied, "Sure, but things left on the stairs can cause people to trip, so you'll have to clean it up after you're done." "Ok," he said, "But will you take a picture first?" Such an imagination!

Funny Business Slogans

2008-09-03T19:52:00.002-04:00

"Call the best, flush the rest!"
"Where a flush beats a full house!"

Royal Flush Plumbing, Inc.
Atlanta, Georgia 770.385.5911

"We're number one in the number two business!"
Bobby Davis Septic Tank Services
5835 Family Farm Rd
Morrisville, NC 27560 (919) 481-6929‎

Know of any more??

The FACE in the Courthouse Window

2008-08-28T20:35:00.007-04:00

CAN YA TELL WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT HALLOWEEN BEING 2 MONTHS AWAY?? Actually, it won't be as fun as usual for me since I will be VERY VERY preggo by then.......

I first read this story in Kathryn Tucker Windham's 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffery. Pretty stinkin' real, and pretty stinkin' amazing. The truth is that this is probably a "photo negative" created by the lightning........
The following info is from wikipedia, which from a librarian's standpoint, is not usually the best source of information, however, I know this story to be true and this particular segment is well written:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickens_County_Courthouse
On November 16, 1876, the people of Carrollton, Alabama watched helplessly as their courthouse burned to the ground. The Pickens County Courthouse had been a source of pride for the people of Carrollton. Their first courthouse had been burned down by invading Union Army troops during the American Civil War, an act that seemed to serve no purpose other than to inflict humiliation on the town. In the difficult days of the Reconstruction, when materials were scarce and money was even scarcer, rebuilding the courthouse seemed to be an impossible task. Yet, through hard work and deep personal sacrifices, the courthouse was somehow rebuilt. It stood as a testament to the perseverance of the town, and a symbol of defiance even in the face of defeat at the hands of the Union soldiers.
Yet, less than twelve years after Union troops had set fire to their first courthouse, the new one burned to a pile of smoldering ruin, apparently the result of a burglary gone wrong. Even as work began on a third courthouse, the townspeople demanded vengeance for the horrible act. Their vengeful eyes finally settled on Henry Wells, a freed slave who lived near the town. Henry Wells was no angel. He was said to have a horrible temper, and there was no denying he had been involved in several brawls. Rumors went even further; people said he constantly carried a straight razor, and was not afraid to use it. Despite the rumors, however, there was only vague circumstantial evidence against him in the burning of the courthouse. But it was Alabama in 1878, and Henry Wells was a black man accused of burning down a symbol of town pride. He was charged and arrested on four counts: arson, burglary, carrying a concealed weapon and assault with intent to murder. Ironically, he was taken to the sheriff's office, located inside the newly completed courthouse, to await trial. As word spread through the town of Wells' arrest, the sheriff could sense trouble brewing. The mood of the town seemed as ominous as the dark clouds gathering in the late afternoon sky. As the first few drunken men began heading toward the courthouse, the sheriff took Wells to the high garret of the new courthouse, and told him to keep quiet. But as the angry mob gathered below, Wells' fear got the best of him. He went to the window, and looked down on the crowd. He yelled defiantly, at the top of his lungs, "I am innocent. If you kill me, I am going to haunt you for the rest of your lives!" Just then, a bolt of lightning struck nearby, flashing the image of Wells' face, contorted with fear, to the crowd below. The lynch mob forced its way into the courthouse, and took their victim outside, even as he continued to proclaim his innocence. His cries went in vain, as the mob meted out its drunken vengeance, and dispersed. None of them even considered Wells' predictions of hauntings as they passed out in a drunken stupor. At least not until the next morning, that is. Early the next morning, as a member of the lynch mob passed by the courthouse, he happened to glance up at the garret window. He was shocked to see Wells’ face looking down at him, just as it had the night before, when it had been illuminated by the flash of lightning. He rubbed his eyes and cursed his hangover, but when he looked back up, there was Wells. He screamed, and as others arrived, they all remembered Wells prediction. “If you kill me, I am going to haunt you for the rest of your lives!” The face remains in the courthouse window to this very day. No amount of washing has been able to remove it, and on at least one occasion, it is said that every window pane in the courthouse was broken by a severe hailstorm; every pane, that is, except for the pane from which Wells continues to look down accusingly on the town that put him to death. Another local version of this story is that while Wells was awaiting trial for being falsely accused of raping a white woman, a lightning storm brewed, and an angry mob gathered below to lynch him, and he told them, " If you lynch me, you will forever see my face." At this time lightning struck the very window in which he was standing. From that day forward, no amount of washing, or replacing that window, has been able to remove his face.

L-O-L-A, LOLA!

2008-08-26T21:01:00.003-04:00

You know that great song, "Lola," by The Kinks? Well, it's on our Ipod so it plays with some regularity and the other night, we heard it while we were sitting outside enjoying pizza at Johnny's. We were all singing along somewhat, including Garrett when that awesome line played at the end that goes, "I know what I am- I'm a man, I'm a man.....and so is LOLA!" Without missing a beat, Garrett said (loudly), "LOLA's a MAN???"

Uh-oh.........

Sign your blog

2008-08-24T19:34:00.000-04:00

Lissa posted these great directions for using a signature on your Blogger posts:

1. Go to here and design your signature.
2. Go through the whole process and at the end it will have the option to generate the code. Copy that.
3. Go to your blog's Settings.
4. Click on Formatting.
5. Paste the code in Post Template.
6. Ta-Da... your own personalized signature. It will come up at the top of your posts, so just type your post above it!

Here's to old friends.......

2008-08-22T06:59:00.002-04:00

Jaime, Me and Rebecca last August in Raleigh, NC

So much has changed in just one year! Jaime got a fabulous new job, I moved away to Georgia and found out I was having a baby, and Rebecca got engaged. WOW. Life happens fast.

In Memory......

2008-08-20T20:43:00.005-04:00

Farewell forever to the awesome and multi-talented LeRoi Moore-- The sax, the penny whistle....... the SOUND of The Dave Matthews Band will never be the same. In the true spirit of this dynamic group, DMB played their regularly scheduled show last night in LA. The show will go on.

First day of school

2008-08-19T18:51:00.004-04:00

The first day went really well for our big boy! It was pretty good for me, too. Just really busy! Anyway, Garrett loves his teacher and teacher assistant. They are both really neat ladies! That in itself will enhance the year--they are young and pretty and both full of energy. They sing and dance in class every day, and get lots of encouragement. Rules are set and enforced, and good behavior is rewarded. What 5 nearly 6 year old wouldn't love that??

You can't drive anywhere without seeing......

2008-08-19T18:34:00.008-04:00

You can't drive anywhere without seeing one of these three things:

1. A hard hat: Blown off someone's work truck? Or maybe their head as they rode with the windows down? Why do they always seem to be on the right hand shoulder of any highway you travel or on the right hand shoulder of a bridge or overpass?

2. A random single shoe: Can be seen on nearly any highway, road, or thoroughfare-- but how did it get there? Where is the other one? Is someone missing it? Every now and then you see two........

3. An unraveled VHS tape: Why is it there? Did someone lose it or throw it out on purpose? Did they toss it because it was broken or did they break it and then toss it? And the biggie-- WHAT IS OR WAS RECORDED ON THAT TAPE??

Skyhike at Stone Mountain!

2008-08-10T17:55:00.014-04:00

As season pass holders at Stone Mountain Park, we go pretty often! We went two weeks ago to check out the new SkyHike attraction there. It's a very cool tri-level ropes course that is 12, 24 and 36 feet above the ground. They harness you up with climbing gear, then attach you to a line that travels along a track above your head. This way, you can't really fall as you climb. We did see a couple of folks stumble, but the harness and rope keep you up on top. Garrett is definitely part monkey, so this was about an hour and a half of great entertainment for him and Todd. I did some of the course, but mostly just took photos!

Today, we went back to Stone Mountain. That season pass is really worth the small amount it costs-- you get to do everything without paying, so all we spent for an afternoon of fun was the gas it cost to get there! We rode the sky buckets to the top and walked around for awhile. It was very clear, low humidity (rare), and only about 85 degrees (also rare) today! This made the top of Stone Mountain an awesome place to be this afternoon! Garrett climbed the "rock wall" and rung the buzzer when he got to the top. Like I said, he's pretty much a monkey! Well, school starts tomorrow for me as the librarian and Garrett as a student. I can't believe that it's time already. Seems like just yesterday that the kids were all getting out for the summer, and now the summer is GONE. A lot of my friends have been back teaching for a week now, and my traditional calendar friends in Raleigh don't start until the 25th of August. This time last year, I was a 12 monther in a year round school, so I am looking very forward to next summer when I will be off for 8 weeks with Garrett and a new baby girl! I just hope I can have the energy it takes to be "on" all the time for the kids at school. Being preggo has really slowed me down. Only about 16 weeks to go, and I am thinking that it will pass quickly!

Never underestimate......

2008-08-08T16:46:00.002-04:00

The lack of intelligence around you! HA! Two of my favorite bloggers each posted a funny about crazy things people do. Lissa posted about how she hates it when people go "in the out" door at Target, and Kristi posted a photo of a cake that someone decorated......Anyhow-- as I prepare for our students to come to school on Monday, I could NOT resist posting this old Far Side comic:

I thought about this today…..

2008-08-06T10:09:00.001-04:00

A couple of years ago, I went to pick up my son from North Raleigh Country Day School after I finished work one day. He was soooooo excited and said, “Mommy! I have something to show you!” I said, “What is it?” He replied, “It’s a surprise! Come on!” So he took my hand and led me across the parking lot to the railroad ties they use to border the spaces. He pointed to a bunch of little red and black beetle looking bugs and said, “Look! Double bugs!” I could hardly contain my laughter! Some of the bugs were not “double,” but a great majority of them were! I happened to have my camera in my purse, so I whipped it out and snapped a photo of Garrett’s “Double Bugs.” I gotta hand it to the kid—he calls it like he sees it!

As Summer draws to a close.......

2008-08-05T13:38:00.005-04:00

Not because it's getting cooler, but because school is starting next week! HA! There is no such thing as "COOL" in Georgia!

Anyway, I can’t believe that the summer is almost over!! As a school librarian, this is my first “official” week back, though I have LIVED at school for about 3 weeks! On Monday, August 11, 2008, our sweet little boy, who was only a baby yesterday it seems, will begin as a student—AT MY SCHOOL!! So, I will be a parent and a teacher at the same school for the first time! WOAH!! We are thrilled with the class he’ll be in—he has been placed in the class of an experienced yet still young Kindergarten teacher and her Paraprofessional, who is a native Spanish speaker! Both of these ladies are smart, professional, cheerful, and beautiful. What other characteristics could you hope for in Kindergarten teachers?? I am certainly viewing this placement as a blessing and I think that it has worked out in the best possible way that it could have. I am hoping for a great year for both Garrett and me!

Happy Birthday to.......

2008-08-02T15:39:00.005-04:00

ME!! I'm 33 today!

Here's a photo of us at the

Colorado Rockies Game

last season!!

Happy Birthday to Kristi!!

2008-08-01T07:12:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday to my

Blogger Buddy Kristi!

May your days be happy

and may your years be long

and healthy!

Bottle Mouth??

2008-07-30T16:30:00.003-04:00

This morning on Atlanta’s 92.9 Dave FM radio station, I listened to a segment with a local dermatologist about a new phenomenon called “bottle mouth.” This is apparently a growing condition that people, mostly women, are coming to dermatologists and plastic surgeons about. The dermatologist speaking on the show said that when he first noticed this “trend,” a patient was in his office complaining about the lines around her mouth. He said, “Well, you really should stop smoking cigarettes.” Offended, she retorted, “I’ve never smoked in my life!!” Then, she reached in her bag, pursed her lips, and took a swig from her WATER BOTTLE! In other words, there is a chance that adopting a healthy habit like drinking water all day from a bottle instead of a soda or other high calorie drink could STILL require you to make a sacrifice! In this case, it may give you smoker’s lips even though you are not a smoker! If it’s not one thing, it’s another, I guess!!

Oh, look.....

2008-07-28T20:54:00.004-04:00

Yesterday we made our first visit to the pool of our new neighborhood. We punched in our code and headed toward the pool and as soon as we appeared among the other sunbathers (all of whom were South Korean), we hear this sweet little voice no more than 4 years old pipe, "Oh, look! Americans!!"

We cracked up! It was rather cute, actually! It's even funnier since this is Atlanta, Georgia, which is part of America (last time I checked)! It just goes to show that we are not the only ones who notice that the old School House Rock video was true-- this is a Great American Melting Pot!

THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART

2008-07-22T17:38:00.003-04:00

I would like to post a very very special thank you to two wonderfully amazing women-- Kristen and Kelly. These girls are two of the kindest most giving people I have been around lately. I have known Kristen since our freshman year of college way back when, but Kelly, I just met today! Upon hearing of my difficulties with the moves, being pregnant, and having to reshelve over 12,000 books in an un-air conditioned school after a summer overhaul, Kristen contacted her sister in law, Kelly and told my tale. Kelly called me this morning and said, "I've been there. I've moved like that, and I know how you feel." This angel girl showed up at my school having never laid eyes on me!! She brought Panera sandwiches, chips and chocolate chip cookies. We sat and chatted like old friends, and she shared with me some of the details of her crazy move a few years back. A few minutes later, in bopped Kristen, and these two girls helped shelve books in a school library that's not even in their county, for a girl one of them doesn't even know, and I am not sure how I can possible let them know how much it means to me. They were sent by God, and I am humble and thankful. I love you ladies!!

Memory

2008-07-22T17:37:00.001-04:00

Let's see how many folks come out of the woodwork! HA!

Here’s a little game! Leave a comment on my blog of a memory involving me that you have. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time, or a long time--anything you remember!

Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. Ready, Set, GO!

Old friends.....

2008-07-21T16:50:00.006-04:00

Upon moving to Georgia, I was surprised and happy to learn that six girls from my
Phi Mu pledge class live within a 10 mile radius! WOW! I saw three of them in 2005 at a "beach reunion" trip, but I have not seen the rest of these girls since we graduated in 1997. Kristen got everyone to meet for breakfast one morning at J. Christopher's in Duluth. It was a very special reunion! I really enjoyed seeing these girls and hearing about what's going on in their lives now. A lot has changed, but then again-- not much has! I can't wait to see them again!

Left to Right:

Joy, Joella, Krista, Tracey, Kristen, Me, and Karen

Let's Eat!!

2008-07-21T16:38:00.003-04:00

We recently went to a cool place here in Alpharetta called Let's Eat! It's one of those places that you go to put together meals to freeze and cook at home. There are many, many of these types of establishments out there-- so let me tell you why we chose this one:

The menu looked tasty and seemed more likely to appeal to kids and meat-n-taters guys than other places I've tried.

It was new and clean and close by.

It's the only Let's Eat in Georgia

The best part--THEY LET OLDER KIDS PARTICIPATE!!

Garrett had such a great time putting together the meals-- especially rolling the meatballs! We froze most of the food, but we've cooked a couple and they are very tasty and VERY handy!

I've been tagged......

2008-07-19T18:00:00.004-04:00

By Lissa at The Anderson Clan!

8 things I am passionate about:
1. My family (includes husband, kid, kid to be, and all my wonderful extended family)
2. My friends
3. Reading
4.Yardwork
5. Music of nearly all kinds
6. Finding peace in my life
7. Becoming debt free
8. Simplifying things

8 things I say a lot:
1. I have no idea.
2. Actually......
3. To tell the truth....
4. I wish.....
5. Fabulous!
6. It's a miracle!
7. Awww, man!
8. Ya think?

8 things I would like to do before I die:
1. Buy a big fancy camper in my retirement and travel the USA with my hubby
2. Read everything John Steinbeck has ever written
3. Get back into my wedding dress--and stay able to do so!!
4. Take communion in Westminster Abbey. Again.
5. Go to Martha's Vineyard for a month in the summer.
6. See my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren become adults.
7. Become utterly organized.
8. Get my PhD

8 books I have read. Oh, Lordy-- this is a BAD BAD question to ask a Librarian!! Let's make this recent AND favorite reads:
1. All Over but the Shoutin' by Rick Bragg
2. The Corporate Veil by Scott Ricks
3. Tender by Mark Childress
4. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (3 times)
5. Harry Potter (all titles in this series-- I'm addicted)
6. The Sunday Wife by Cassandra King
7. I Know this Much is True by Wally Lamb
8. Christmas Memory by Truman Capote

8 movies I have seen 8 times:
1. Shrek--HA! I have a 5 year old boy!
2. The Neverending Story
3. Dirty Dancing
4. Top Gun (Tom Cruise was HOT back then)
5. The Princess Bride (My favorite!)
6. Gone with the Wind (of course)
7. Shawshank Redemption
8. Tombstone

People I'd like to tag: Supposed to be 8, but I don't know 8 who would maybe participate!
1. Kristin
2. Kristi
3. Tam
4. Jennifer
5.
6.
7.
8.

Checking in!!!

2008-07-17T09:02:00.004-04:00

Hello out there! I am just checking in---my friends and family are wondering why I haven't posted in awhile! Where have I been? We moved 3 weeks ago into a rental house. Unfortunately, the owner of said house is in some type of trouble with the Homeowner's Association, and last week we began getting letters and calls from an attorney. We were told that we would have to begin sending our rent money to an alternate location (rather than to the owner/landlord) in order to satisfy his financial obligation beginning August 1, OR we'd be held responsible. We were also told in this letter that if the owner disagreed and if we did not pay our rent to cover his debt, that WE WOULD BE EVICTED!! That was all it took. The owner is in breach of our lease agreement, the property may enter foreclosure for all we know, and we believe we have a right to live free from contact concerning someone else's troubles. We sent a certified letter to the owner and the attorney informing them that we would be vacating the property prior to August 1. Well, to make a long story short, on Tuesday of this week we signed for a new house, and yesterday, Two Men and a Truck (Thanks, Joe, Jimmy, John and Jeremy!) packed us up and moved us to the new property in 8 hours. WOW! That doesn't eliminate all of the stress, but it sure did help! These guys ROCK!! Anyway, thanks for your thoughts, prayers and support. I need a lot of "comments" right now!

IT'S A.....................

2008-07-08T08:24:00.004-04:00

Yep-- we are having the first girl in the Epps family as far back as we can remember!

Thunder on the Mountain (and other stuff)

2008-07-08T07:31:00.011-04:00

Hello! Garrett and I spent the weekend in Birmingham, AL, at my parents' house. Since Todd had to work, this was a quick and fun way for us to "get away!" We drove over after work and school on Thursday and came back on Sunday. Thursday night, we grilled hamburgers out on the deck--and boy were they good! You know-- I honestly think that a home grilled burger is one of my favorite foods! They truly were "Cheeseburgers in Paradise!" On Friday, we slept late (except for Garrett who rose at 6 am to watch TV with Grandad) then made a quick last minute run to the grocery store in anticipation of all the relatives coming over for a fabulous feast of Full Moon BBQ! Those of you with any Birmingham ties know about this stuff-- it's slap your granny good!! It was great to see everyone-especially my brother and his wife whose first baby is due 4 weeks or so before my second! My sister in law is tall and skinny.......so jealous! I'm barely 5 feet, therefore more round and roly poly. We had a great time flipping through all the mags and catalogs. I was surprised at how much has changed for babies since I had my first nearly 6 years ago! That night for the 4th, we went to see Thunder on the Mountain, Birmingham's big fireworks display. It was super fantastic!

Saturday, my brother and mom took Garrett to Lowes to purchase what Garrett calls a "bitty fan" (little bitty fan) for his bedroom at the grandparents' house! While my bro installed the fan (very handy, that one), my sister in law and I hit Motherhood Maternity, then Gap Maternity at the Riverchase Galleria and did some damage, then we headed to The Summit for Pottery Barn Kids and Restoration Hardware. We hoped that RH would have some of their new BABY STUFF in the store, but no such luck. Click HERE for a Restoration Hardware Baby catalog!

Sunday was a slow and lazy morning-- except for my mom who so kindly hemmed my new Gap Maternity clothes. Yes, I even have to have her hem capris! We had lunch at Taziki's, then Garrett and I headed back to GA to spend the afternoon with Daddy. A fun weekend for sure! Each time I go, I am reminded what a fabulous city Birmingham, Alabama, is. I took living there for all those years for granted. It's a neat place!

Prayer for Georgia

2008-07-02T12:53:00.002-04:00

(Borrowed and adapted from an email sent to me by my brother in law)

Bless this house, oh Lord, we cry.
Please keep it cool in mid-July.
Bless these walls where termites dine,
While ants and roaches march in time.
Bless our yard where spiders pass,
Fire ant castles in the grass.
Bless the garage, a home to please--
RATS, beetles, ticks and fleas.
Bless the love bugs, two by two,
The gnats and mosquitoes that feed on you.
Millions of creatures that fly or crawl-
In Georgia, Lord, you've put them all!!
But this is home, and here we'll stay,
So thank you Lord, for insect spray!!

(and RAT TRAPS. And Lowes. And husbands. Amen.)

RENTAL HOUSE

2008-07-02T10:14:00.015-04:00

We are currently residing in a rental house. Let me begin by saying it is a large rental house in a nice area in Alpharetta, Georgia, called Johns Creek--which we are told is the “Heart of North Fulton.” Well, the “Heart of North Fulton” has almost given me a heart attack! Todd was relaxing in front of the TV on Sunday night after Garrett and I had turned in. He heard a strange scratching noise coming from the garage. Curious, he opened the door and flipped on the lights. There sat a big fat RAT (not a mouse) eating out of our SEALED dog food container! It’s no longer sealed, because the RAT chewed a big hole in the top of it so he could squeeze his disgusting body inside!! Todd grabbed the hoe and chased the RAT around the garage, but of course it got away.

RAT- 1 Todd- 0

On Monday, we went to Lowes Home Improvement and purchased a very large RAT TRAP and some poison pellets. We thought we’d try the trap first and hopefully take care of business without the use of poison. Todd baited the trap up with a delicate combination of peanut butter and dog food and set it in the place where the RAT was first seen dining. Tuesday morning:

RAT-2 Todd-0

I am beginning to see a pattern here. Anyway, we are not used to having a RAT as a house mate—though LET ME STRESS THAT HE IS NOT INSIDE THE HOUSE! The garage only! Still, it’s too close for comfort, and he is not welcome!! The worst part of this whole thing is that when we warned Garrett and explained the trap to him, he said, “Awww….Templeton!”

Templeton the Rat from Charlotte's Web, by E.B. White

On Tuesday evening, Todd adjusted the trap, checked the bait, and set it again. Wednesday morning:

RAT is OUT OF THE GAME!

Whew!! Now, we just hope he didn't have friends!!

Rat Facts

1. A Rat can survive being flushed down a toilet (depending on the toilet...and the rat of course)!

2. Ganesha, the Hindu god of prosperity, new beginnings, and luck rides around on a rat!

3. Rats have glands on the bottom of their feet, so they leave a wet scent trail wherever they walk!

4. Rats are intelligent, make good pets, are trainable and actually keep their “homes” clean. (Ours better start working or start moving!)

5. It is estimated there is one rat for each person in the United States. (We have one too many!)

6. Because of their large numbers they can kill larger animals, like lambs, pigs and poultry!

7. A rat can swim for three days before it drowns (read it and weep, Mr. Pied Piper)!

8. A rat could survive a fall of about 20 feet!

9. Rats use their tails for temperature regulation and communication as well as balance!

10. And for my collective noun-loving friends: A group/pack/herd of rats is called a Mischief!

20 things about me

2008-07-01T11:26:00.002-04:00

In no particular order and of no particular importance:

1. I am named Suellen after Scarlett O’Hara’s younger sister in Gone With The Wind.
2. We got married at 22 and 24 and have remained happily so for over ten years. I don’t know—just seems like a pretty cool accomplishment in this day and age!
3. During those 10 years, we have lived at 8 different addresses—four of which we have actually owned.
4. Those 8 addresses have been spread out over Alabama, North Carolina and Georgia—but between us, we’ve lived in those three states plus Mississippi and South Carolina.
5. My husband has worked in the same field since he finished college, but he’s worked for 4 different facilities doing the same thing (that’s why we’ve moved).
6. I earned 2 Master’s Degrees by the time I turned 26—mainly because I couldn’t decide what I wanted to be when I grew up. (I’m still not 100% sure). I am still paying for both of them.
7. I was featured as the “August 2006 Jane of the Month” on the Bejane website for being a DIY Diva! http://www.bejane.com/august_2006
8. My secret goal is to become perfectly organized and uncluttered at home. Really. If I could make this happen, I would, because it would simplify my life so much.
9. My not so secret goal is to become debt free and therefore nearly stress free!
10. I’d like to take a REAL vacation with just my husband before our second child is born in November. I want to GO somewhere—not just to the beach or our usual minor travel.
11. I wish every member of my family could blow off giving each other presents and go on a Christmas Cruise together in the next couple of years.
12. Cancelled postage stamps fascinate me and I save and collect them for different projects. Soon, I’ll post one really cool project I did! Stamps are like mini works of art!
13. I am still in regular touch with the girl who has been my best friend since second grade. I wish I saw her more, but we are still the best of friends!
14. My second grade teacher is now the assistant principal at my elementary school! I’ll be 33 in August, so she’s been at it for a long time!
15. My Grandfather’s family on my mom’s side owned and operated the Philadelphia, Mississippi, Coca-Cola Bottling Company until the early 1980s, when they sold it.
16. I have a bottle of Coke that has December 25, 1923 stamped into the glass. It’s older than my grandmother and it still has Coke in it!
17. You know how many cities are having artists decorate large fiberglass figures for different festivals and fundraisers? Well, my Aunt Marjorie and Uncle Richard are both artists and have had several designs each chosen over the years . They have submitted Butterflies, Clowns, and Swans. The butterflies can be viewed at http://www.kaleidoscopelakeland.com/butterflies.htm MonaRch and Flying Flowers are their submissions.
18. I like to read lots of different things, but my current genre of choice is Pulitzer Prize winning fiction. My husband reads mostly non-fiction—especially about history of civilizations and the Civil War.
19. When I was a kid, I once saw a whale beached on the shore. It made me sad and I still think about it.
20. I discontinued my subscription to the newspaper 5 years ago because seeing stories about terrible things people do to children was having a negative impact on my daily happiness.

Picture Promised!!

2008-06-30T07:34:00.011-04:00

Here's the most recent photo of our NEPHEW! My baby brother is going to be a DAD! I can't believe it! Just yesterday, he was shorter than me, still in elementary school, driving me crazy, and watching Star Trek, wasn't he?? Where did the time go?? I guess it flies.....

I CAN'T WAIT to meet this baby and hold him and spoil him and give him everything his parents say NO to! HEE HEE! Just so everyone knows-- these two freaks held MY baby down, made him cry, and dressed him head to toe in AUBURN gear! Paybacks are heck, I'm warning you! ROLL TIDE, little man! Aunt Sue has been shoppin' already!

God Bless the USA!

2008-06-28T11:25:00.002-04:00

I'M PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!

THERE'S NO BETTER PLACE TO BE-

THAN THE HOME OF THE BRAVE,

AND THE LAND OF THE FREE!

Happy Fourth of July week!

First time on a boat!

2008-06-27T07:16:00.009-04:00

During our visit to Pensacola Beach, we took a "3 hour tour" on a boat called "Chase-N-Fins!" It's an early evening cruise designed to get non-deep sea fishing folks out on a boat in the bay. They promise you'll see dolphins on your first trip, or you can come back a second time for free. We saw dolphins! They were just off the side of the boat! I did take photos, but these guys are slippery and move so fast that there's only one decent picture. Garrett, however, enjoyed his very first boat ride and stood at the rail the entire time! We all had a great time, and it was so relaxing!

KING OF THE WORLD!

We're having another.....

2008-06-25T07:12:00.002-04:00

BABY!! I must admit, we are both a little surprised--maybe even a little shocked! We started our 17th week today! With all the crazy change that has happened in our lives lately, this is definitely a happy little surprise! Not expected at all! However, parenting is the greatest and most rewarding challenge and we accept it with excitement and joy over what's to come! The coolest thing is that my brother and his wife are due 3 or 4 weeks ahead of us with their first. This Christmas will be a fun baby Christmas at Aba's house!! Honestly, we had begun to think that Garrett would be an only child. I never would have imagined having kids 6 years apart!! We are slowly beginning to realize that we don't get to plan everything our way. That's a bit hard to swallow, isn't it? Most likely, I will have a planned c-section just before Thanksgiving. I had one with Garrett, and the general idea is that it is probably safer for all to just have another one. The first time, I didn't have a choice. This time, the thought of going in to WILLINGLY be cut half in two is a bit daunting. Regardless, we will pray for a healthy baby and are looking forward to calling our new addition "him" or "her." We find this out in July if the baby cooperates. The naming part will be hard!!

Fire Alarm!!

2008-06-24T14:49:00.006-04:00

Ever since I entered second grade at Indian Valley Elementary and noticed the beautiful, red, shiny box on the wall, it has called to me. I'm talking about the fire alarm. You know, that thing that they tell you not to pull unless there is a fire unless you want to risk being taken from your parents and held forever in the county jail? WELL---All my life, I have had a "burning" (pun intended) desire to pull the heck out of that thang when there wasn't a fire! Each year as I progressed through school, I would sneak a glance at the red box at least once a day. When I went to college, it retained its power over me. When I entered a career in education, it tourtured me still. Today, I accomplished my life long dream of pulling the fire alarm. Don't worry-- there wasn't a fire! During a test at work, the Quality Control Officer, who had been informed of my secret desire, asked the Fire Marshall at Alpharetta Fire Department if I could be "THE ONE." He laughed and said, "Sure, go ahead." I can't describe the elation I felt as my fingers closed on that cold metal handle and I pulled with all my might!

I am thankful for the small things in life! (Wink, wink!!)

Castle has been overthrown....

2008-06-24T12:47:00.005-04:00

During our wonderful trip to Pensacola Beach a couple of weeks ago, we spent a lot of time just having fun. On Friday night, we went out to the beach as the sun was going down. I always like to sit on the beach until dark on the last night before we have to leave. It's a great way to reflect on the time spent there and also get one more fix from the sand and surf. We combed the beach in front of our place looking for the last shell or other treasure. What did we find? A sandcastle in slight disrepair due to the water's attack on its moat. Since the tide was going out and the artist was not in sight, Garrett was able to overthrow the castle, in a sense, and he began to reconstruct its peaks, walls and features. He built bridges on all sides of the castle and gave it some new seaweed and shell features. Thinking back on it, I realize that a sandcastle is a good teacher. You build it up and put your all in to it, and when it breaks or crumbles, you rebuild it. When it finally washes away, you move on to something new, bigger and better. Such is the way of life.

This just in......

2008-06-20T14:50:00.004-04:00

IN NOVEMBER, WE WILL BE THE AUNT, UNCLE AND COUSIN OF A................

LITTLE BOY!!!!!!!

Yes, that's right, folks!! My little brother and his wife are expecting their first kiddo and found out today that it's a boy!!! I am so excited! Will post a photo when I get one!!