Erik's 17th Birthday

I have a hard time believing that my baby is 17!! This little boy that used to lay on the floor and play with matchbox cars for hours is now driving all over town. I love you and I'm very proud of you Rik Rik! :)

We had a very low key birthday this year. We took him out for a big steak dinner and then came back to the house for cake & ice cream. He asked for clothes for his birthday so that was his gift from us. He always has to look cool, ya know? Thanks to everyone who sent him gifts on his birthday. The thank you notes he wrote are still hanging out in my purse waiting patiently for stamps and to be put in the mail.

As you can see, my cake decorating skills have NOT improved... but this was Erik's request. Lemon cake with cream cheese frosting.

This is what 17 looks like... you can't tell by this picture but he's sitting in bed with his laptop. He loves to play his WOW game. Another 3 month subscription was part of his birthday gift too.

Prom 2009

Erik and Jordan (Coker) went to their junior/senior prom a few weeks ago. She goes to West Florence HS and Erik goes to South Florence HS, but they opted to just go to her prom, which was held at the Florence Civic Center. They ate at Myami's before the prom with Erik's best friend Kenny Lee and his girlfriend. Erik claimed before the prom that he was "not going to dance." He told us later that night when he got home that they danced the night away! I am posting the pictures that Jordan's Mom took since they are much better than mine! Aren't they a gorgeous couple? I LOVED seeing my boy all decked out! He's so handsome. And Jordan was absolutely beautiful and I loved her dress! By the way, whatever ideas I had that prom was cheaper for the boys than for the girls were definitely put to rest. It's all expensive. But so worth it, especially since they had such a good time! :)

My pretty girl...

I don't know if I ever posted this photo of Lauren. It was one of Lauren's after photos from Welch & Bonds (orthodontists) that they sent in the mail after her treatment was completed. I'll never forget how it caught my breath when I saw it. She's so gorgeous. In a week my baby girl and her best friend will be getting their own place. I'm so scared for her. I worry so much, mostly about her safety. Everyone say a prayer for her. It's so hard to let them out and watch them spread their wings. Any words of wisdom on how to handle the feeling of anxiety that makes it hard to breath will be well received! Breath in.... breath out. One day at a time. Anything else?? Lots and lots of PRAYER!!!!!

Long time no post...(especially for Uncle Jim)

It's been so long since I've posted that it will take me a while to catch up. Big surprise, Lee and I went on another cruise. I know, hard to believe. No kids this time (again) just Lee and I and his lifelong friend Louis Anderson (single-but looking). Sorry Big Lou, I had to throw that in for you. :) Anyway, this time we went on the Carnival Glory for 7 days. Too long without the kids and I worked myself into a headache every night but of course they were just fine without us. We went to Belize, Cozumel, Costa Maya, & the Bahamas.

Sleep study

Lee went and did a sleep study last Sunday night. Those who know him well know that he snores like a bear! Turns out he does have sleep apnea and is going to have to have one of those C-Pap (?) machine. I don't think there's any way that I could have slept with all of those wires connected to me & knowing there was a camera recording me. He was so tired from installing our laminate flooring in the den all weekend that he slept like a baby! He said he thought he looked like the dude from the "Hellraiser" movie. Anyway, I'm so glad he finally had this test done! I've been worried about his oxygen levels at night. Less snoring when he gets the machine will be great for me too. :)

Prom and weddings

Friday after work I picked up Lauren & Erik to go pick out Erik's tuxedo for the prom. I think that is the first time I've had them both in the car with me in forever since they have both been driving for a while. Pretty cool. We went and picked up Jordan (Erik's girlfriend) so that she could help Erik decide and help match the tie and vest with her dress (Carolina red). I have to say that this couple of hours spent with them was so much fun and I can't remember the last time I have laughed so hard! Jordan has such a vivacious, bubbly personality that she just makes everything that much more fun. I just love that girl! Erik picked out a sharp looking suit, vest and tie (we couldn't talk him into a bow tie). I can't wait to see him all decked out! It was hilarious watching him be fitted and measured. Turns out that he wears a size 40 suit coat and the one that finally fit him in the shoulders was way too short in the arms. It took some explaining to convince him that the one he was trying on wouldn't be the actual one he'd have to wear on prom night. Erik tends to have his blond moments like his mother.


While we were there the girls were automatically drawn to all of the wedding dresses, invitations, tiaras, shoes, etc., etc. It's so much fun to see my little girl dreaming about her wedding, which of course is WAY WAY off in the distant future. :) She's decided her bridesmaids dresses will be black because she said they will be sophisticated and practical. The invitations and her bouquet will consist of Calla Lilies and lavender accents. Oh, and she will have a tiara and a veil. I knew her wedding was going to be a big deal when I bought her that "my size" bride barbie for Christmas when she was 4. She insisted on wearing that Barbie wedding dress and veil everywhere for a month.

"THE" wedding dress

Erik is 6'1" and Jordan is pretty tall herself so she made him come stand beside her while she was trying on her shoes to make sure she won't be taller than him on prom night.

Ok, Erik didn't wear socks and had to borrow one of those little nylons we women are used to using to try shoes on. We had to tease him about it of course!

Way too short!