Life is a Picnik...

I want to tell you all about my latest obsession. It's this amazing photo editing website called picnik.com, and the best part about it is its FREE. You can pay to upgrade to their "premium" package, but the free package is super-dooper-fun. Unleash your creativity on this website because you can do anything you want to from adding effects, text and embellishments to creating fancy collages, adorable funky scrapbook pages, holiday cards and so much more. Its also one of the easiest programs I have ever used in terms of editing my photos. (cropping, red-eye removal, rotating etc) Printing your creations is a breeze. You can save them to your computer or you can print straight from picnik. Its FAAAANTASTIC. Here are a couple of my creations and it took me only moments to make both of these.

Before Picnik:

After Picnik:

---

Family Friday Night

Okay...since I am new to the whole blogging scene, and I am BEHIND on adding posts, I am going to do a couple of separate posts so I don't bore anyone...and so that one post doesn't seem like a novel. I will start with our Family Friday Night. We just hung out at home and relaxed, which is usually not something that we get to do at this time of year. I was super jealous of my hubby because he took his state qualified power lifter to Perini's (which is my FAVORITE place on earth) and I stayed behind to keep Jolea. I know he ordered all of my very favorite things and he was even mean enough to send me a picture of his plate from his cell phone, just to rub it in. Anyway when he got home, we played with Jolea. She was obsessed with dragging out all of her bows and trying to put all of them on at one time. It was hilarious. I decided I would help her and then take an adorable picture. After she took all of her bows off of her own head, she wanted Daddy to wear them. "What baby wants baby gets" so Daddy put all of them on and let me take his picture too. HILARIOUS!!! Macy-May the family dog even put on a bow in good spirits.

After we let Jolea wear herself out from playing so hard, we decided to watch Fireproof. Our church was scheduled to show this movie on Saturday night, for free, as an outreach service for the community. We decided that its an intimate and personal movie and we would rather watch it at home...all curled up on the couch...in the privacy of our home. We really enjoyed the movie and although the acting was a bit "cheesy" it delivers a powerful and special message. I would highly recommend it whether you've been married for 10 months or 10 years!

Ps...these posts are out of order...this is the Friday night post and Happy Birthday Pepa is the saturday post...Ooops!!

---

Happy Birthday Pepa...Saturday

Today we went to my Mema and Pepa's house (Jolea's very PROUD Great Grandparents) to celebrate Pepa's 75Th birthday. It was really nice to see everyone and play catch up. Even though most of us reside in Abilene, we are all so busy and sometimes its hard to get together if its not some kind of holiday. Turning 75 is a big deal and I am glad we got together to visit and eat lunch. I only had one "requested" picture while I was there and it was a "4-generation" picture. After a little bit of arm and leg pulling, I finally got them all lined up. This is Pepa, My Dad, Me and Baby Jolea...I thought it was a precious moment.

Here are some other sweet pictures from the time we spent together today. Andy is missing in all these photos because he had to tend to the State Power lifting Meet that was here in Abilene. I think his lifter ended up getting 10Th overall, but Andy was pleased that he had 2 "personal best" lifts. Now that we have power lifting out of the way, we just have to finish up the baseball season.

Saturday night, we went out with my cousin Bren and her boyfriend James. They are such good company and we had a lot of time playing shuffleboard, Foosball and darts! Surprisingly I am not good at any of them.

---

Its a ZOO in here...

I know this will make the second post in one day, but I cant help it. This little video is so cute and I was so proud of how smart Jolea was I had to post it. She was in her highchair finishing up on her supper while I was cooking mine. We were just playing and talking and when I asked her about all of these animal sounds, I had no idea she would get them all RIGHT! It was such a sweet moment! She says the kitty cat meow's, the puppy dog ruff ruff's, the snake goes Ssss, the cow goes Moooo and the duck says quack-quack! So cute! I tell ya, this sweet girl has learned so much just in the last few weeks. I love watching her learn...it brings me so much joy. Turn up the volume so you can hear her sweet voice.

I got home to Grammy's tonite and this is what I found! Jolea's favorite drawer is the one that we put all the leftover plastic grocery bags. She loves pulling them out and hates putting them up. Go figure. She thought she was really funny sitting right in the middle of her big mess.

I wanted to add this little video too because its just so funny. Her daddy stayed home from work to keep her one day a few days ago and it looks like they had a lot of fun together. In addition to knowing all her animal sounds, she also knows all her body parts too. I think we may have a genius on our hands and its certain that she got her brains from her mama.

---

Abilene's Newest Country Radio Station...96.1 The Wolf

YeeHaw...I couldn't be happier to be a part of Abilene's newest country station. Ahhhh Yeah! I am a country girl all the way and now when I am at work I am jammin to my favorite tunes. Its awesome! I have gotten some calls at work from people who are "not pleased" to put it "nicely" about the change, but hey we cant please everyone and country music is the hot ticket right now...especially in West Texas. The stations focus is on the TOP artists in the country music industry. That means you will hear lots of Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Brad Paisely, Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts and lots more. The Wolf also highlights the best Texas Country music as well. I am in heaven. There is just something about good country music...it tells a story and is so easy to relate to. So tune in and check it out!

---

I Cant Believe My Baby is 17 Months Old Today...

It seems like I start all of my blogs off the exact same way...talking about how fast the time flies. Well tonight is no different. I cannot believe that my sweet little angel baby is 17 months old today.

Its hard to believe! She is getting so much bigger and she is changing so much. She is actually turning into her own little person. I even just "love" her dramatic hissy fits which have reared their ugly head over the past month. When she doesn't get her way, she will bend her knees and put her head down (maybe headbutting something) on to the ground. It's so dramatic. (I have video...if anyone would like me to post it...ha ha ha)

Her vocabulary has grown alot, but I still worry it isn't a big as it should be. She now tries to put her "t's" at the end of words. One of her favorite words is "bite" with the "t" at the end. She also loves "uh oh." She loves kisses and is usually willing to give us kisses, but when she isn't in the mood she just turns away as if she wants nothing to do with us.

Jolea loves to be outside! LOVES IT! Even when she's tired or hungry, she has a complete meltdown when we take her back inside. It doesn't matter if she has been out for 3 hours! She hates going inside!

There are so many things I could go on and on about! I snapped these sweet pictures last night as I watched my baby girl "snoozing" away. She was so peaceful and so "sprawled" out. I cant wait to see what is in store with the next 17 months, but I am trying to hold on to these moments as tight as I can

.

---

So Muct To Talk About...And So Little Time

First off let me say..."Is it really already fixing to be Monday...Again?" Man the time just flies right before my very eyes. The Ward family had an emotional and busy week this week. As I posted earlier this week, Andy's MawMaw unexpectedly passed away on Wednesday and we attended her funeral service on Saturday. My sweet husband was already in Decatur (to be with his family) and I was going to drive up there on Saturday morning by myself. Well I get a call from him on Friday afternoon at about 1o'clock and he tells me he is on his way back to Abilene...I asked him what for...and he says "I didn't want you to drive all by yourself, so I am coming to get you and we will ride back in the morning together!" Isn't that something that a true gentleman would do? I sure thought so! Here are a few pictures of Andy and his siblings.

Friday night Jolea and I went with Grammy and Poppy to Lytle Land and Cattle! Jolea was a pretty good girl, although we did have a few "moments" that we had to work thru. I did learn that my child likes "salad" of all things. Once she started eating it, we couldn't get her to stop...she loved it...and if you look really close in the picture, you can see that she is wearing a ranch dressing mustache. (cute) I managed to get one cute picture out of the deal.

On Saturday morning before Andy and I left for Decatur we had a special delivery. My dear sweet friend Cherie and her family had sent us the most beautiful geranium. I don't even think she knows that geraniums are my absolute FAVORITE so it was such a nice surprise and so very sweet of her to think about us during this time of loss.

These are just a few pictures we snapped before church this morning...Grammy and her Girls. By the way when we got home this afternoon, Jolea was carrying around her Bible and I asked her what book she was reading and she very clearly stated "Bible!" Yea for a new word!

Lastly, we just got home from the grocery store! Don't you hate it when your fridge gets so bare, that you dread opening it. That's how it was at our house, but its all better now. I find myself being so busy with school, work, Jolea and all the other daily chores that going to the grocery store sometimes ends up on the back-burner. Here is my sweet Jolea helping her Daddy put away the bottled waters! She loves to be a big helper.

Speaking of school, I just registered for classes for this summer and the fall semester. One work...YIKES! In order to graduate next May I have to take 12 hours in the summer and 19 hours in the fall! So with all that said, can somebody please say a prayer for me? I'm a little nervous about it, but I have the most amazing support system, so I think I will be okay. I know that God wont give me more than I can handle, so that is always so reassuring. Well... considering that I still need to give the baby a bath, study for an exam tomorrow, pack my gym bag and watch the Sunday episode of Brothers and Sisters...I had better get off the computer! Duty Calls!

---

Please Pray...

I am saddened to write about the passing of Andy's grandmother (MawMaw). She fell ill unexpectedly and things went from bad to worse very fast. Andy has left Abilene to be with his family and Jolea and I have stayed behind until the funeral. The service is set for Saturday. I am asking you all to pray for my sweet Andy and his family during this difficult time. Losing a loved one is never easy but we can take comfort in knowing they are in a better place in the hands of our maker.

---

Fit throwing, Sunday lunch and a pedicure...

Oh goodness...what a weekend...do you remember that sweet little slide show that I posted just a few days ago about my little darling angel face? Well on Friday afternoon...she officially learned how to throw a head turning, shrill sounding, everyone look at us...FIT!!! OMG...I could have crawled under the shelf's at Sam's just to escape the burning stares! I don't know where she learned or how we are going to break this habit but referring back to the song, I can only hope "It wont be like this for long!" So far, all of my sweet friends who have children have just encouraged me to take it one day at a time and that she will "grow out of it!" So in the meantime I guess we will just lock ourselves in the house like hermit crabs until its safe to take her in public (ha ha ha). I am posting a few pictures of Jolea in her new bikini too...she is gonna look like a little bikini baby on the cruise...and would you look at those abs?

On a lighter note...Sunday after church, we came home and made a delicious meal at Grammy's house. We have really appreciated coming home and cooking Sunday lunches instead of going out. We don't have to fight any crowds, we get to put on our sweats and it frees up a little extra Sunday napping time. Today we had k-bobs...don't they look so yummy!

I also got to spend some really nice time with my sweet friend Alison and my Mom. We made a date to go and get a pedicure...and boy-o-boy was it nice. I always do french on my toes and this time I got cute little rhinestones to add a little "Bling"

Its back to reality on Monday for me, but Andy is on Spring Break this week. I would hardly call it a break considering he has baseball on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday! I think he is free this weekend for the first time in a long time...so we are wanting to do something fun together. Anyone got any good ideas? Anyone want to go on a double date? Just let me know! I will end with this "oh so sweet" picture of my two favorite people.

---

It Wont Be Like This For Long...

I was on my way to work this morning and I heard this song on the radio. Its titled It Wont Be Like This For Long and its by Darius Rucker. He isnt new to the music business, but he recently joined the country music scene. It wasn't the first time I had ever heard it, but for some reason today it really caught my attention. I was watching Jolea sleep in the back seat and it just "hit" me like a ton of bricks how big she is getting and how fast it is happening. Its a bittersweet kind of feeling to know that there are so many things ahead of us, but we only have pictures and memories to reflect on the things that have already happened. There are so many "firsts" in a new child's life and you don't want to miss any of them. (I guess that is why we have thousands of photo's on our desktop) My eyes just filled up with tears and I tried to sing along, but it just wasn't working out. Everything in life is about "phases" and "nothing lasts for long" I think the song is a perfect example of what raising a child is all about. They are born so tiny and innocent and you never want to let them go. I want to protect her from this world and all the "bad" that is in it, but I know she is going to grow and blossom and I will have to let her go to be the woman that her father and I spent so much time trying to raise. I know she is just a baby still...but when I listened to this song this morning I realized that I only have her to myself for about 17 more years. In reality that is merely the blink of an eye...especially to a parent. These pictures represent some of the fondest memories we have had over the past 16 months...and I cant wait for more.

---

Big Shoes To Fill....

Jolea and I stayed home last night while Andy was coaching a baseball game. We decided to have a little photo shoot. (well maybe I am just having so much fun blogging that I am looking for an excuse to take pictures) Her Daddy will be so proud when he see's what she is wearing. I am looking out the window right now and am Thanking God for the rain that we have needed so badly. This weather makes me wish I was at home, nestled up in one of my favorite blankets with a warm cup of coffee and a crackling fire in the background. Too bad that's not going to happen, considering that I don't have a fireplace at home...Ahhh...but I can dream. Speaking of things I "don't" have, the willpower to get my rear out of bed and into the gym is also on that list. Its spring break and I have completely fallen off of the "healthy living" wagon. I know I will pay for this next week, whenever things are back to normal. (For those of you who might think I go to they gym because I am a "health nut" please don't get the wrong idea!) We are going on a cruise in May (details to come) which means I have to buy a bathing suit...YUCK! Thank Goodness when you go on vacation...no one knows who you are. It makes the thought a little more bearable. We are so excited and we cant wait. No big plans for the rest of the week! I am hoping Jolea is all the way better by the time the weekend rolls around and maybe we can do something fun...like go to the zoo.

---

Just Another Day...

Well so far no bites on the house, but several fliers have been taken! Its kind of exciting to wonder where we will end up next. Its stressful no doubt, but deep down its kinda neat to know that we will be moving somewhere new and exciting...hopefully. My sweet Jolea is home with her Daddy today. She is still feeling pretty icky and running a pretty high fever. Its so sad when they are sick and there isn't anything you can do for them. Its also kind of nice that when she is sick, she lets me love on her and she likes to cuddle. (that doesn't happen very often) I hope she gets better soon...she is so cute when she is running around the house like a crazy kid. For those of you who don't know, my Mother a.k.a Grammy keeps Jolea for us during the day. She got a much appreciated day off today, even though I know she wishes her day off didn't come at the cost of our baby girl being sick. "Enjoy your day off Grammy...and Thank You for all that you do." Andy has a baseball game tonite and Thursday night and then he has the regional power lifting meet in Lubbock over the weekend. Doesn't sound like we are going to get to spend much time with him over the weekend...Boo Hoo!!! Spring Sports are wild and it will be nice when summer gets here and we can relax a little bit. I guess that is all for now. I have posted a few pictures of the house...enjoy!!!

---

"On the Market"

Another weekend has flown right by. This past week was kinda crazy for the Ward family. My hubby is the head power-lifting coach and he is also the JV baseball coach. Right now, the 2 sports are overlapping and we barely get to have him home with us. Jolea and I spent the day together on Saturday. We went to Kohl's and to the mall for a cinnamon pretzel! She was a little doll! Everytime I take her anywhere, people just "Goo" over how cute she is. (I must say I totally agree.) I made a boo boo on Saturday night and forgot to spring forward...which means we missed church on Sunday morning. I was not happy about it! What a silly mistake to make especially after reminding everyone else about changing the clock! Silly Me. On Sunday, Andy and I had a workday around the house. Jolea went to Grammy and Poppy's house and had a BLAST playing outside all day long. We were recently informed that due to "major budget"changes they will not be able to renew Andy's teaching/coaching contract. He and 2 others are the "lowest" on the totem pole and will have to be let go. Its not easy and its not fun, but it is the life of a coach. Andy has been a little upset about it, but I think he has finally accepted that God has better things in store for our family. We will just have to wait and see where He wants us. Its a tricky sitauation, because I am a full time student at McM and I only have 1 year left. We need to stay around here so I can finish! Andy has always sacrificed staying in "West Texas" for me, so that we could be near my family. Considering I am a born and raised Abileneian, its hard to imagine leaving. I am so close to my parents (My Mom is my BEST friend) and they play such an important role in Jolea's life too. Anyway we cleaned and prepped the house to go on the market. It amazed me how much "junk" we got rid of! I consider myself to be a pretty good housekeeper, but goodness gracious...we had so much "stuff!" I went to bed at midnight...and felt so accomplished! Andy worked so hard too...he did the outside stuff while I did the inside stuff. He even stopped to cook me a steak and baked potato for supper! Yum! So wish us luck on selling the house...and keep our family in your prayers during this time of transition. I have posted some pictures of all the hard work we did this weekend. Can you decide which picture was Before and which picture was After? Yikes!

---

What we did this weekend...

Well, this weekend managed to "FLY" right by. My Mom and I decided to help work the Dittos for Kiddos sale here in Abilene. For those of you with children or those of you expecting...its your one stop to shop to all the baby goods you could ever imagine. Lets just say, working the sale was well worth our time, and we do plan on doing it again. We met some really nice ladies and it was actually a fun time. Andy had a baseball tournament on Thursday and Friday, then on Saturday morning it was a power lifting meet in Sweetwater. When he got home Saturday night, it was just good to see him, and Jolea was thrilled to see her daddy. This is such a busy time of the year for a coach! Spring Sports...Yippie! Spring Break is right around the corner, and I am counting down the days and seconds till it gets here. Being a full time student on top of everything else really wears me out sometimes. Anyway I guess overall it was a really boring weekend in the Ward's World, and hopefully I will have something more exciting to talk about soon. I have posted a few pictures of Jolea, playing with her new vacuum cleaner that she got from Dittos! She thinks she is such big girl when she vacuums the floor!!! Now if I can just keep her that excited about it as a teenager.

---