The Pierce Press

New Bike Rider

2009-03-05T15:07:00.002-06:00

Abby learned to ride her bike this past weekend without training wheels. I think she must've been ready because it didn't take much. I figured she'd get out there and talk her daddy into quitting, but she didn't. By the time I got the camera and got outside, she did it! That night we fixed cupcakes to celebrate and the McKees came over for burgers. What a fun Saturday!

Oh No!

2009-02-16T22:40:00.003-06:00

I've become what I don't like... that's a person who has a blog, but NEVER updates it! Well, I don't have an excuse anymore. I know how to update it, and I have more time now than I used to so I HAVE NO EXCUSE!!! The entire family arrived in Orlando on December 30, 2008. It's hard to believe we've been here almost 2 months now! Since moving, here our some highlights from the past two months 1. Abby started a new school called The First Academy, otherwise known as TFA. 2. Doug got another motorcycle. 3. I celebrated my 34th birthday at Magic Kingdom while Doug was in Germany for 10 days. 4. Abby and Doug attended First Orlando's Daddy/Daughter date night. 5. We bought annual passes for the family at Disney. That last one is probably the most exciting of all of them! We plan on visiting one of the parks at least once a week. We'll see if we actually do that. Once summer rolls around, it may be too hot! Here's a few pictures of what we've been up to!

FINALLY!!!!

2009-01-11T14:22:00.003-06:00

Most of you probably thought we've fallen off the face of the Earth! We're back. I haven't been able to update my blog because I couldn't figure out how, but thanks to my Memphis friend, Kim McMillen, we're back in business! For those of you who haven't heard, we're in Orlando now. Doug is a worship leader at First Baptist Church Orlando. He moved down here in November, and the kids and I joined him after Christmas. Since I haven't blogged since Abby's first day of school in August, I've got way too much to catch you up on! I promise to NOT wait 5 months to blog again!!

Abby's First Day of School

2008-08-22T21:49:00.003-05:00

Well, it's official! Abby's a grown-up now. For all you moms whose kids haven't started yet, just wait. There's just something about "big school" that makes a little girl lose her innocence! She absolutely loves it though. She loves her teacher Mrs. Ramsey, too. She came home the first day and said she could read. She could read her book "School Time," but she has no idea that she really can't read. She wants to read a book to Elliott every night, which is really sweet. As I'm typing this I'm just about to doze off since this week has been so hectic. I guess we're just getting back into the swing of a daily schedule and such. Here's a few pics from the first day!

Beach Fun

2008-08-01T09:34:00.003-05:00

We recently took the kids and headed to Rosemary Beach for some much needed vacation time. We had a blast!! The beach was beautiful, and the kids enjoyed it as well. Not only did we play at the beach, but I think one of the highlights of the kids' week was riding go-carts for the first time.
Here's a few pics...

LOVE

2008-07-19T23:24:00.004-05:00

This is true love!!

Take a Look at This!!!!

2008-07-13T22:22:00.004-05:00

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE Elliott! But... he's a boy... and totally different than his sister. I'm not going to compare them throughout life and give him the, "I'm never gonna be as good as my sister" syndrome. But Abby would've NEVER pulled a stunt like this one. Can you guess what that lovely white stuff is all over his mouth??? FREAKIN' WHITE OUT!!! What you can't see is the white out that's on the roof of his mouth! I immediately called poison control. Luckily, the man didn't think he got enough in him to make him sick. You can see how he thought the entire thing was hilarious! I guess I've got to start reading Dobson's "Bringing Up Boys" quicker than I thought!

Mud Island Fun

2008-07-13T17:01:00.003-05:00

On Saturday we headed over to Mud Island for a family outing. Abby has been wanting to ride the tram for a long time, so we finally found time to go. We were pleasantly surprised! Next time we go we'll definitely put swimsuits on the kids. As you can see from the pictures, fun was had by all... except for the pedal boats!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

2008-07-05T22:02:00.003-05:00

We went to my parents' house in Jonesboro to celebrate the 4th like we normally do. We didn't get to participate in all of the festivities (swimming) like normal because of Abby's surgery. It really didn't matter since rained most of Saturday anyway. Here's some of the better pics!

Abby's Surgery

2008-06-30T22:29:00.003-05:00

Abby had her tonsils out today. It was a rough road for us all, but overall she was a trooper. We could hear kids screaming in recovery, but Abby was just her sweet little self. Hopefully she'll be like that the rest of the time.

Brenly passed her "earmuscles" down for Abby to use if needed. Bren had her tonsils out a month or so ago. She used the earmuffs when her ears started hurting. When she heard Abby was having surgery, she asked Kim if Abby could use the muffs. Isn't that sweet! She's also been praying for Abby.

Speaking of prayers... words cannot express how thankful we are to have such wonderful friends. Many of you prayed for us, called, sent texts, or emailed to check on us. We appreciate all of you! We love ya!!

Last Hurrah before Tonsils Are Gone!

2008-06-30T22:17:00.004-05:00

Well Doug and I took Abby out the night before her surgery. She's always wanted to go bowling so we went to Jillian's to eat, play games, and bowl. We finished the night at The Crepe Maker. Notice the score- I beat Doug by 20 points, plus I had 4 strikes!

My Kids Love Spaghetti!

2008-06-23T21:59:00.003-05:00

That's about all I have to say about that. Abby informed me her favorite thing that I cook is spaghetti so I fixed it the other night. You can see the mess that Elliott made!!

Doug Is the Best Dad!

2008-06-15T16:14:00.005-05:00

I have to let everyone know what a great daddy Doug is to our children. God has blessed me with not only a loving, caring husband, but He has blessed me beyond measure with an awesome father to my children.

I have to say that I was a little worried about Doug being a daddy. I mean, he never really liked kids to begin with. When I was pregnant with Abby, he would change the subject whenever anyone would talk about parenthood and the upcoming change it would be in our lives. You know how people are when you're pregnant. They say things like, "Oh, your life will never be the same." or "You better enjoy each other now because when that baby comes..." All that talk literally scared the crap out of Doug!!!

But as soon as Abby was born, he found a love that neither one of us could explain or have ever imagined, and he has never once thought about anything other than being the best daddy possible to both Abby and Elliott. I just want him to know that he is the best daddy EVER, and I could never be prouder!

Redbirds Game

2008-05-20T20:59:00.004-05:00

Saturday night we went to the Redbirds game with my parents. Boy, was it crowded! We are so use to going on a week day, but since my parents were in town, we decided to go with them. Both kids LOVED it. As you can see, Elliott didn't like Rockey too much!

Zoo Field Trip

2008-05-12T19:55:00.004-05:00

I went with Abby on her first and only field trip of the year. We went to the zoo, and the day couldn't have been more beautiful! I can't believe she'll be starting kindergarten in 3 months!

Dance Recital

2008-05-12T19:46:00.003-05:00

Abby had her first dance recital last weekend. For the exception of the black hootchie mama dress, we had a WONDERFUL experience. She was a little star! Hope you enjoyed the photos!

Date Night

2008-04-27T19:38:00.003-05:00

We had what I guess you'd call a "date weekend" this past weekend. Friday night we went to Love Shack at church. We also grabbed some Starbucks with friends afterwards. Saturday night we ate dinner at the Crepe Maker downtown, then watched a couple of movies. It was great to have some quality time without the kids, but I did miss them! I think Abby grew a foot while she was gone!! Here we are at the Crepe Maker. Talk about some fattening desserts!!!! I probably gained five pounds!!

Almost Time for "Big School"

2008-03-27T23:12:00.006-05:00

Today I took the kids for their yearly well check-ups. Abby was also having her "Kindergarten Screening" visit. To be five years old and almost ready for school, she is still scared of certain things and one for certain are shots!!! This time last year she was fine with it. She got all the necessary immunizations last year (which parents who have four year olds, do that). It was a good thing because she pouted all the way to Memphis. Then, she bawled and squalled as soon as we entered the door of the doctors' office. She wouldn't go back from the waiting area. She was screaming, "I don't want a shot!! I don't want a shot" Not only was I frustrated, but it was a little embarassing. I'm used to this type of behavior from Elliott (which is acceptable for a toddler), but not Angel Abby. She finally stopped crying till Dr. Scott came in. She still cried even after the doc reassured her there would be no shot today! You see, she's had Strep Throat 3 times in the last 9 months. Which means she's had a shot each time. I can honestly say that shot was a doozy...I'm the one that gave her strep the second time. So I guess she has legitimate reasons to hate shots... it still makes for a stressful time at the doctors' office. After all the drama, Abby got to show how smart she is!! She read the eye chart and knew all the letters. Dr. Scott asked her to count to 5. She did, then said, "I can count to 20." She had several show-off moments, which made me both proud and sad. Sad because it seems like yesterday when we were blessed by her birth, now she's starting school.

Bunny Run

2008-03-24T10:21:00.004-05:00

Doug and the kids participated in the Special Kids and Families Bunny Run on Saturday. They were on Team Cooper (Savage), which won the award for the largest team. I hate that I missed it, but I had a previous school commitment and was unable to participate. They enjoyed breakfast at IHOP afterwards.

Easter 2008

2008-03-24T09:12:00.005-05:00

I had a real hard time figuring out what the kids needed to wear for Easter. One thing, the weather has been crazy!! Another reason is that I'm trying to let Elliott grow up a little when it comes to his outfits. I told Doug I wouldn't dress him like a "girl" past the age of 2 (which was Friday). I did ask Doug about the outfit and he approved it (shockingly). I know the sweater was probably the "girliest" thing I ever put on him, but oh well! It was from last year, and it still fit.

It was great to hear Abby talk about the real meaning of Easter yesterday!! Let me tell you, if you're looking for a church home that will reach your small children, Highpoint Church is where you need to be! She learns so much, especially during KidCity time. I pray that we as parents can determine when she is old enough to truly understand when God is tugging at her heart.

I you enjoy some pics of our fun day!

Our sweet girl is growing up way too fast!!

2008-03-19T19:29:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Abby had a little injury at dance class. She was hurt pretty bad for a 5 year old. When we got in the van she said, "Momma, can you pray to me to get better." I did and when I was finished she said, "What's heal mean?" I explained it to her, and she seemed cool with that. This morning she said, "Momma, I think Jesus heard your prayer because I feel a lot better, and I think he healed me!" Children are such a blessing and remind us each day of how blessed we are. If I could only have faith like that!

First post

2008-03-18T20:12:00.000-05:00

So, I'm gonna try this whole blogging thing. Myspace is not fun anymore, and Facebook is okay...I think this will be better! Today is actually Abby's 5th birthday, and Doug is in Colorado skiing. We celebrated the kids' birthdays last Thursday night at Chuck E. Cheese's after the snow postponed it the weekend before. Take a look at some of the fun we had!