Presley G turned 29 on the 17th

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear PJ! Happy Birthday to you!







PJ turned 29 years old this past weekend. Kyle drove down Friday night to hang out with some old friends at PJ's. I had a long busy day at work and didn't feel like going Friday night pretty late. I got up early Saturday morning and headed down there. I got there around 1 pm. PJ's uncle died earlier in the week, so he was attending a funeral at that time. Kyle, Douggie, and I ran to get me something to eat. Kyle let Douggie drive his car (6-spd), which was an interesting ride. Douggie just turned 21 and learned to drive a stick at 16 in a truck. He was shifting like he was driving his truck, and you could feel every gear. Kyle had to coach him that an A-4 is a little different than his truck. He was like a kid in a candy store driving Kyle's car. He said that he needed one of those, but he thought he would get too many speeding tickets. I can see why since at one straight shot he thought it was be fun to go about 100 mph. He looked in the mirror at me in the back seat for that motherly shaking of my head, like you had better stop. I know he enjoyed himself. I love driving my car even though it is not a 6 spd like Kyle's. Our cars hug every curve and have the ability to take off pretty fast. They can be fun, but I don't push my limits. I like to drive safe. Douggie said I needed to give him my car because I don't drive it fast enough. Even on the way home, Kyle and I left Birmingham at the same time. We at one point called one another, and he was 5 miles ahead of me. What the heck happened there? Obviously, I was doing the speed limit or within 5-10 over. I am safe!




Back to Saturday night. PJ had a lot of friends over to his house in Alabaster. I only knew a few of the people that came over, so I tried to hang close to Kyle aka my comfort zone. So, I ended up playing Tonk and Spades. I actually did pretty good. I played on Kyle's team for two rounds until we lost. We were playing to 5 points - 7 books = 1, 8 books = 2, 9 books = 3. After Kyle and I lost, we let others play. No one else wanted to play, so I teamed up with another guy and played 2 rounds with him before losing. We had a good time. I probably went to bed around 1 or so.

Sunday, we all got up and ready to head up to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch Sunday football - Cardinals vs. Eagles. I can't tell you much of what happened in the game, because I was playing the Texas Hold 'Em on the TV. I was in the top 5 for a minute. Then, how about when we are leaving I went all in to get rid of my money and won the round! Oh well though, it was time to head home. Although Nate and Dad came to let the puppies out while we were gone, they sure were happy to be out and with their mommy and daddy.











Luckily, I was off Monday to get to sleep in one more day. Kyle and I went to Movie Gallery to grab some newly released movies (don't tell Netflix). We ended up choosing 4 movies, and I wanted 2 things of candy - Sno Caps and Gobstoppers! Kyle went to the truck before I was done paying for everything. And here comes the decisions! If you know me, you know I am not good at those. She says to me that my current total is $22 and they have a $24 party pack. I looked hoping Kyle just so happened to come back inside, but he hadn't. Oh no, this meant a decision on my own. Ha! If you know me, you now that is me. I am going back and forth with the little me on one shoulder and the little Kyle on my other. I was saying do it! That is only $2 more. The deal was 4 movies, 4 candies, 4 popcorns, and 4 drinks. That is a lot for $2 more. The little Kyle on my shoulder was laughing at me that I couldn't decide and that I am always talked into paying more money for something just to get a perk. I always do that! I walk to the car with a, I forgot to mention, free tote full of stuff. He is looking out the window with his jaw dropped. I opened the truck door and said hush! He says, I have never come out of movie gallery with a big blue tote full of stuff. I just busted out laughing and told him that he shouldn't have left me alone to make a decision. He did finally agree though that it was a good deal for all of that stuff and that I made good choices on the candy. Yah! I did it all on my own. I had to decide what other two candies, 4 drinks, and between absolutely butter and butter popcorn. So, my final decision were - 2 Sprite, 2 Dr. Pepper, Sno Caps, Gobstoppers, Strawberry Sour straws, Milk Duds, 2 Absolutely butter popcorns, and 2 butter popcorns. I think I did an excellent job! Baby steps, baby steps.

Precious Moments

I love my dogs! They know how to make me feel so loved. I have 3 pitbulls, and they are all big babies – especially when it comes to their mommy! I spoil them so bad! Each one of them has a special ritual or thing they do with me at different times of the day.

Jigga is my morning baby. Not because he is the only one up with me, because the others are up too playing around. He just likes to do the morning rituals with me. He sits in the corner of my room by the bathroom door until I am ready to get in the shower. When I go to close the door, he refuses to be shut out. He jumps right up and squeezes in the door before it shuts. He then will curl up on one of the two rugs in the floor. For a while, I laid a towel down for him because he likes to bunch the rugs up into a bed and I hate fixing them all the time. This morning there was no towel. This morning Jigga was extra needy. He went from rug to rug and wouldn’t lie down. When I took my pajama pants off, he rammed his head into them. I was holding them in my hands and he rubbed his head on them again and looked at me. I knew exactly what he wanted. I normally put them on the counter, but this morning I laid them in the floor. He immediately lied down and put his head and front two paws on top of my pile of pants. I guess this is a like a security blanket for him. Not only are they probably warm from me wearing them, but he has comfort in knowing those are his mommy’s pants! I just thought it was the sweetest thing…call me stupid. haha He waits until I get out of the shower and head for the door before he stands up. Then, he will go out somewhere else in the house for a while. Yesterday morning, he wanted to put makeup on with me. He especially likes or maybe it is that he hates my makeup brushes. I pick at him with them and brush his nose or whiskers and he will slowly bite at them. So, yesterday, he got his little nose powdered. He sits there and leans his head all the way back and just watches me put my make up on, so what am I to assume besides that he wants some too! haha

Serenity, aka Licky Floy aka Penny, is Jigga’s mom and my oldest of the three. She will be 8 years old this July. She is getting a little grouchy in her old age. Her ritual with me is at night. She loves to be under the covers by my legs. She jumps up on the couch and stares at me. If I ignore her, she rams her head into me and leaves it there. She is telling me to lift up the covers, please. If I don’t, she will literally stand there forever with her head pressed against me. So, I lift up the covers and under she goes. She’s one happy puppy then. She will sleep forever under there and even sometimes dream. She will eventually get hot and start panting so I have to make her get down. We really have tried to stop them from getting on our couch, so she doesn’t get to do this often any more. They have their own bedroom with their own sectional couch. They all have their own blanket in there. So, when I put them to bed at night I usually cover her up and she is set for the night.

Beyonce aka Be is a special dog. She is so different that I don’t even know how to explain her. I think she is very needy because she is the third and youngest dog. She fights for attention really bad with the others. She likes to hit me if I am not paying her any attention. She really hates when I get on the laptop, so she will sit and stare at me. If I ignore her long enough she will do this talking growl thing. It is so funny, but sometimes so annoying. I have to make her lie down to stop starring at me. I can’t really think of a ritual with her unless you count the bathroom. She likes to go in the bathroom with me. I will kind of push the door to as I am walking in and half the time it shuts on her because she is trying to squeeze in before it closes. I know this is probably not the best to talk about on here, but it is funny. While I am sitting, she will come up and put her paw on my leg. I don’t know what her deal is with that. I push it down and she puts it right back up there. I guess she thinks I am sitting to pet her or something. She is so funny. She is a totally different dog than my other two. You just have to know her. I guess I could say another thing with her and me is that she wants to lay right on top of me. I held her almost the entire time she was a puppy. I was the one who rushed her to the hospital and babied her when she was bitten as a puppy. I guess we just have that special lap dog relationship. So, she never gets to get on the couch with me because she suffocates me. She no longer is a puppy and is now like 60-70 lbs. She wants to pile up in a ball on my chest. The more I tell her to get down, the more she inches up closer to my face. She is special to say the least. haha

So, those are my precious moments with my furry children. They are something else. They know how to pick me up when I am down, love me unconditionally, and they need their mommy’s love!

I like to read, maybe?

Ok - So, I thought I hated to read. During the process of Heather's wedding back in August, Jessica told me about this book she had been reading that was about a love story of vampires. She said trust me, I know it sounds so stupid, but I hate to read and I love it. I just kind of brushed it off until one day Jessi said she started reading it too. I was like ok - I hate to read, but what is the title again and I will go buy it. TWILIGHT!! By Stephanie Meyer.

OMG! I was amazed. I read the first book Twilight in no time, and for me that is amazing. I fell in love with Edward and kind of had a secret crush on him. ha! I then rushed out to buy the second book as soon as I could - New Moon.

I think I read a couple hundred pages of it on one Sunday. Kyle and I hardly spoke a word to one another that day, which I think he was ok with. He played xbox all day while I read my book. I rushed out to get the third one - Eclipse so that I would have it on my trip to Orlando for the Shuttle Launch.

I started reading it and have only gotten into the first couple of chapters. I have put it down for about a month or more now. NOT because it is not a wonderful book, because it is...but just because I don't want it to be over. I really still have a whole other book after this one, but I can't make myself pick it up again. Jessi, Momma Jernigan, Mrs. Paula, and I all went to see the movie when it came out. We FELL IN LOVE! The movie doesn't fully do the book justice like they never really do. If you have never read the book, you would think they were really bad actors. They are not! They are acting how their characters are portrayed in the book. Did I mention how hot Edward is in the movie too?? Some things from the book were changed around for the movie, but it was still awesome and anyone who loves Twilight should agree. Anyway, I guess I filled you in on what happened a few months ago to tell you that I just saw this bulletin on a website! I am so excited that the DVD is coming out.

I will buy it so that I can see my Edward whenever I want! haha I am sure you are wondering what Kyle thinks about this, but Bella is one of his favorite actresses - so its all good. Just can't wait for New Moon to come out this November. It has a new director this time with a new Jacob playing the part. That's ok though because the first Jacob looked like an American Indian with the baby face and long hair. The new Jacob is pretty good looking I believe if I remember correctly. So, that is totally fine with me. I can't wait for the rest of the movies! Jessi, Momma Jerni, and I all giggle like school girls over it. So much fun!! You should definitely read these books if you haven't already.

Fanny & The Hendersons!

Last week was awesome!! I got to spend time with my brother/sister-in-law and of course their three sweet children - our nieces and nephew. I was so excited to see them. It was the first time I had seen them since our wedding two years ago, and only the second time I have met them. My in law family consists of Kyle's mom Barbara, Kyle's brother Kacy, his wife Fanny, Javier, Elena, and Tatiana. We are all one big melting pot! Of course, I am Caucasian/American Indian, Kyle is African American/American Indian<--(I think), Kacy...duh, the same as Kyle, and Fanny is Panamanian/Mexican/Chinese (Fanny - correct me if I am wrong). How awesome is that! So, I have to brag that they make one beautiful family.

**Kacy/Barbara/Kyle**

I am known to them as Aunt Melissa (Or as Elena spells it - Ant Melissa - so precious). I don't think they completely understand how special they make me feel. I am one of two sisters, and as of yet she has no children. I am sure one day she will, but so far Kyle's are my only nieces and nephew. They make you feel important just to be called Aunt Melissa. It makes my heart melt. Just ask Kacy and Fanny how much those babies had me wrapped around their fingers. I couldn't put them down or stop hugging on them. They are the three sweetest kids ever. I took off last week, all but Monday, to spend time with them. I am so glad that I did. I don't think I mentioned yet that they live in Killeen, Texas, where Kacy is stationed, so it has been few and far between that they have been to visit. I have been with Kyle for 5 years in April, and like I said this is only the second time I have seen them. After this past week though, we promise to try to get together more often.

We all met up in Montevallo on the Sunday after xmas for Kyle and Kacy's granddaddy's 90th birthday! **Happy Birthday Granddaddy!**

He is one man you can learn a lot from. He is full of advice and funny sayings. We celebrated with him, the family, and many of his church members and friends at Shiloh church. Anyone who wanted could get up and tell how they felt about granddaddy aka Mr. Acie/Mr. Brantley. It was wonderful to hear all the great things about him. I learned a lot that I didn't know about Kyle's family. They almost brought tears to my eyes. They even read his life story to everyone. I never knew granddaddy had accomplished all of those things. He has definitely lived a fulfilled 90 years. After that shindig was over, we all went back to Aunt Freddy's house to finish up the fellowship. We finally left around almost 7 to head back home to Huntsville/Athens. I had to work the following Monday morning, so I didn't last long.

**Pictures drawn on the ride home - Tati**

**Elena - Reads: To: Ant Mlissa From: Elena


Dear Ant Mlissa, I love you your the best. Thank you for invite us over. Love, Elena


OMG - Melt my heart!

**Javy got a NDS Spiderman game**

**Elena got Snap and Pop Polly Pocket**

**Tati got Bratz Lil' Angelz Bath Time**



Monday - Kacy and Kyle got up with me for work, except they went fishing on his NEW BOAT from Kacy. After work, I met up with Kyle to head to his mom's house to open gifts with her. The kids were already playing with their gifts from Grandma Barbara.

Tuesday - Of course Kyle and Kacy went fishing again while Fanny, the kids, and I went to CHUCK-E-CHEESE!!! I swear I believe I was more excited than they were. I had a few left over tickets that I had found in my purse after Tripp's 5th birthday party. Tati and Elena kept riding the tricycle thing that goes up high and back down. Of course, those don't give you any tickets. They loved it though. Javy was playing other games all over. After ordering pizza for lunch, Fanny and I decided we had better win the kids some tickets. We played the game that you try to stop the light on the certain spot to hit the jackpot of tickets. Well, we never hit the jackpot, but we won a good bit of tickets. We then both won 60 tickets a piece by rolling a token straight up and down through one little bitty slot on this one game. We are pros! We turned the tickets in for an amount of 700 something. All 3 kiddies got a handful of fun toys to take home. It was great. I treated them to ice cream cones at Marble Slab Creamery. It was something they never had. They really wanted Dairy Queen, but we pushed them to try something new. I want to say Javy got Cotton Candy, Elena & Tati - I forget their flavors, but I remember it had gum on top!! Fanny got cheesecake and coffee with some sprinkles I think. I got cheesecake with lots of chocolate syrup and sprinkles. Yummy!! Are you hungry yet??

Wednesday - Fanny and I took the kids to Sci-Quest in Huntsville. They had a blast. There was so much stuff there that I can't even explain it all. I was most amazed at the magnetic sand. It was literally sand that was magnetic. You could sculpt the sand in the section between the two magnets. They kept drifting back to it after a while. We were in a simulated earthquake, and Javy/Elena were in a tornado. We got to play the floor piano like on the movie Big. It was so cool! Of course, Wednesday was also NYE. You probably have already read that blog. I left Fanny and the kids around 3 to get to the salon by 4 or so.

^v^v^EARTHQUAKE^v^v^

~~TORNADO~~

*Life size Operation - how cool - bbbzzzzz, bbbzzzzzzz*

*Can you hear me now?*

*The coolest black magnetic sand*

Thursday - In my last blog, you saw where we stopped by his mom's to visit them all. The whole family went up to the mall to eat in the food court where everyone had a choice. The kids can't go to the mall and leave without getting a Great American Cookie!!! Then, we went bowling!! You would think that would be extra hard for a hung over person after NYE and little sleep, but we actually had a lot of fun. The kiddies had their own lane with bumpers, and Kyle, Kacy, Barbara, Fanny, and I all had the other. The girls needed help most of the time rolling the ball. I think they may have all gotten a strike at least once, but I am not sure. Elena's ball would go .0000005 miles per hour and finally make it to the pins. It was so cute. Kacy won our first game, and I won the second. Whoop! Whoop! I think we came home and crashed after that.

Friday - We spent the majority of our day in the bank getting the loan for the boat. It took FOREVER! Fanny, Kacy, Kyle, and I all had lunch at Casa Blanca afterwords. They took the kids some McDonald's and Fanny stayed with them. Kacy came back home with us for the Alabama vs. Utah game at our house...Roll Tide - except we sucked badly that night!

Saturday - This was the day they were supposed to drive back to Killeen. They stopped by to let the kids tell us good bye, and they just couldn't leave Alabama. They decided it was too late to leave and stayed another day. Kyle and I took them to my parent's house to experience where I grew up. They got to walk through cow poop filled pastures, dig for worms, try to fish for brim, run around the screened in porch, and of course play Guitar Hero! Ok, so I didn't have that growing up, but we bought that for mom this xmas. I know that sounds stupid, but my mom really does play PS2. She loves music, so I thought what better than that. I beat my song on Medium without getting booed completely off the stage. Kacy was booed off and so was Javy. I win again! haha

Sunday - They really did leave, and I missed them already. I went to bed thinking of those sweet kids and how I wish we lived closer to Fanny and Kacy.

It was an action packed week. We got a taste of what is it like to have 3 kids running around. They are old enough though that they were very well behaved. It is something though to go from nothing - to two sisters arguing in the back seat because the other one touched her. I just kept laughing because it was funny to me. I loved every second of it to see each of their little personalities come out.