Happy Valentines and Such!

Happy Valentines Day! Valentines is my second favorite holiday. I love everything about it. What it represents, the chocolate (of course), the pink and red hearts, the little paper valentines you exchanged in elementary school, the flowers, etc. Kelly and I had Valentine breakfast this morning after he got off work. This has become a tradition of sorts since he has had to work Valentine’s night for the past few years in a row. We had breakfast casserole and fruit & yogurt parfaits! Yum! I hope everyone reading this has had a wonderful day with someone you love. On a different note, I know I haven’t posted anything about our house in FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!! I promise to get some pictures up soon. As much as I would like to say that we are living there, we aren’t. :( However; I can honestly say that I am beginning to see the light at the end of this very long and drawn out tunnel. We lack minor things now such as installing the kitchen appliances, countertops and sinks, stair fixtures and two toilets. This has been a VERY VERY long process, but I know it’s worth it. The pictures above are of JonParker and his Favorite Aunt (Please disregard his expression indicating otherwise!)He was three weeks old yesterday and is continuing to do well. More posts to come!

JonParker is Here!

I’m so behind, I know. The past month has been extremely busy for us. Perhaps I can get back into the routine of things now. JonParker Fikes was born January 23 at 10:04 am weighing 6lbs 4oz. and 20 ½ in. He and Jill did great and are continuing to do so. We are all absolutely in love with him. I had to work in Jackson over the past two days, and I missed him terribly while gone. His big brothers are pretty smitten with him too! So far, he is sleeping and eating well. He is also really strong, already trying to lift his little head up! His eyes are dark blue right now. There is a debate among us about whether they will remain blue or turn brown. My brother-in-law and Brandon have blue eyes, and my sister and Westley have brown eyes. Brown is the more ‘dominant’ gene, so we figure they will turn, but they haven’t yet! Time will tell! Some of you may recall reading in a previous post about having another little Fikes in the family. What a blessing our family has received. Thank you Lord! Thank you!

January 23!

I got wonderful news this afternoon that an official date has been set for JonParker’s arrival! He will be here on January 23! I can not wait!!! Time will seem to creep so slow until then. Jill went to the doctor today, and everything looks great. I will be an Aunt of three in only a few more weeks!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I can’t believe it is 2008 already. It seems as if 2007 flew by so fast! Christmas was very busy hopping from one family function to the next, but it was well worth it as always. The top picture is of me, my sister, Mom and aunt. A few years ago, we began a tradition where we all wear matching Christmas shirts on Christmas Day. I am not really a “Christmas Shirt Wearing” kinda girl, but I make an exception one day a year. ;) The middle picture is of me, my sister, Mom and Dad and the final shot is of me and my nephews. Kelly had to work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so I went to his Grandparent’s on his Dad’s side Christmas Eve night as well as my Grandparent’s on my Dad’s side. Then, I was at Kelly’s Grandparent’s house on his Mom’s side for breakfast Christmas morning and to my parent’s house for Christmas lunch. Then, we had Christmas dinner and Kelly’s parents. So, I kept the roads hot and ate until I thought I would explode! Kelly and I were in Memphis with the Gaskins for New Years. We went up early for the Liberty Bowl and stayed through New Year’s Day. We had a lot of fun bringing in 2008! Of course, I forgot my camera at home, so I don’t have any pictures to post. I generally always have New Year’s resolutions, but I honestly haven’t made any this time around…other than to get in our house before 2009 (I’ll save that for a future blog!). 2007 was full of many blessings for which I am so grateful, having another nephew on the way and the construction of our new house are just a few! Kelly also has a new cousin on his side of the family and another on the way as well. We are looking forward to what the future has in store for 2008! From our home to yours, best wishes for a blessed new year!

Attention Ladies

This is a poem by MAYA ANGELOU titled: To My Dear Lady Friends. I absolutely love it and think every word is true. Enjoy!

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
Enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a youth she's content to leave behind....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a feeling of control over her destiny...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without ruining the friendship...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect. But it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW..
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW..
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table... or a charming inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...

Scrooge Yourself!

This is the funniest thing!!! I just Scrooged myself! Click on the link below to see how you can Scrooge yourself too!
http://www.scroogeyourself.com/?id=1223900356

Thanksgiving was very nice and relaxing this year. Since both sides of our family live locally, we didn’t have to travel far. Unfortunately, Kelly had to work. He will have to work Christmas too! :( It has been this way all but one year since we have been married. It just so happens that the shift he is on works all of the major holidays…which equals = major bummer…I know, but we have gotten somewhat used to it by now and have found ways to schedule family time around it as best as possible. He could take vacation; however, several of the guys on his shift have small children and like to take their vacation at this time to be with their little ones. I certainly don’t blame them. Naturally, not everyone can take vacation at this time, so Kelly works.
Anyway, the above picture is of me, Jill (with JonParker) and Mom that we took on Thanksgiving Day. This is the first picture I have posted of Jill and JonParker, but rest assured that there will be many more to come! As you can see from the ticker above, it won’t be long before he is here! Jill went to the Dr. for her checkup last week, and she got a very good report. Her due date is January 30, but the Dr. said that they could actually pick the date that they would like to have JonParker’s Birthday as she will be having a surgical delivery. I can’t wait! It is going to be so much fun to have a baby in the family again. So, on a different note before I close, Christmas is almost here and I have SO MANY gifts left to buy! UGH!!!!!! I love Christmas shopping but really, really, really don’t like trying to figure out what to get everyone. Each year, I start early and declare that I will FINNISH early. Yeah, right. I am always the week of Christmas getting done. One day, I will succeed! Until then, to all of you out there who have already finished or only lack one or two gifts to completion….BA HUMBUG!!!!!!!!! (I’m really jealous). ;) Oh, and the other picture is of Kelly and Jade. We went to the Egg Bowl game with the Gaskins and had a great time. Kelly and Jade had a bet that if Ole Miss won she would put a "Rebels for Barbour" bummper sticker on her car, and if MSU won Kelly would put a "Bulldogs for Barbour" sticker on his truck. I suppose you can tell who lost the bet!