Recap

July has been a month to remember. Westley’s 11th Birthday was on the 11th. Here are a few pictures of him at the family party. He went to culinary camp a few weeks ago. Cooking is his new favorite hobby, so among his gifts were an apron- so he could be stylish while in the kitchen- and cookbook- so he could make something really tasty and invite me over!


I’m also a little behind in posting a picture of our new ride! After the car accident left our car totaled, we had to get something else. Kelly’s truck is about to bite the dust. It may have another year or so left on it, but not many. So, we were looking for something that I could drive for a year or so and then pass on to him. Kelly has always liked jeeps. I must admit that I was a little apprehensive about owning one at first, but I like it now. We’ve had some fun times in it and more to come no doubt! The cats seem to really like it as well! We have to put towels down in the seats at night when the top is off!

Kelly and I went to the beach with Jason and Jade again this year. I’ll have to post a few pictures of our trip later. Until then, have a good rest of the week!

Long Time, No Post!

Well, hello! I suppose for the very few of you who read this blog on a regular basis you likely have given up on me ever returning. I don’t blame you! Life has been very hectic for me since February, the last time I posted anything. Just to catch you up on what has been going on…Spring is an extremely busy time of the year for me with work. I was in Orlando, FL for a few days before leaving for Philadelphia, PA, where I spent seven days. I finally returned home and back to a normal work schedule, FINALLY! JonParker is growing like a weed, and we have had so much fun loving him since he arrived in January. His features seem to change everyday. He smiles a lot and makes sweet little sounds in an effort to ‘talk’ to us. He is sleeping through the night for the most part so his Mommy and Daddy are pretty happy about that! Brandon had his 15th birthday March 30. He now has his driving permit which is still hard for me to believe! We also celebrated Kelly’s 26th Birthday on March 18. Westley has been busy with baseball. April 15 marked a year of construction for us on the house. So, needless to say I am more than a little proud and relieved to announce that we are officially living here, in the new house! I know, can you honestly believe it!!? We spent our first night here May 9!! It is ironic how that happened. We had already planned to begin moving that weekend anyway. Our bedroom furniture was delivered that Friday morning. By Friday afternoon, the air conditioning in the old house went out! It DIED!!! The house was like an oven by 10pm. So, we got in the car and came up to the new house with nothing in it but the bedroom furniture! We have been here ever since. I suppose if the air conditioner had to bite the dust, that weekend was the best time! We are still very far from having everything in its place, but that will come with time. We get more and more accomplished each weekend it seems.
I suppose you could say our priorities were changed for us too. On Memorial Day weekend, Kelly and I were in a car accident. To make a long story short, we were basically run over by two cars that were attempting to race down the highway. Kelly and I were in the right lane, and I was driving. I had just a few seconds to see them flying up behind us in my rearview mirror. They were trying to share the left lane. One of the cars apparently lost control and ran into us. Sending our car flipping into the air and back down onto the ground. We then slid off of the road and down into a deep ditch. The car that hit me also flipped and the second car got away somehow. We later learned from the accident report that the cars were going about 100 mph. According to several nurses at the hospital, racing down this particular stretch of hwy is becoming increasingly common as we weren’t the first ones they have seen this happen to. The driver who flipped along with us was “too intoxicated to give a statement” and arrested. To our knowledge, he wasn’t hurt. Of course, he also had NO insurance. I was discharged from the hospital the same day of the accident with a few scrapes and bruises, a jammed finger and some minor damage to my teeth.
I now have a nice little row of braces on the inside of my bottom teeth. Yep, I sure never thought I would have to revisit the braces era but here I am! The orthodontist seems to think that I will only have to wear them for about 8 weeks. I hope he’s right! Kelly, on the other hand, wasn’t as lucky. He had to stay in the hospital for two days for a severe concussion, more than 30 stitches to the forehead and broken teeth. Needless to say the dentist has been our new friend over the past few weeks. There is no doubt that our guardian angels were with us that afternoon. I can’t help but think about how bad it really could have been. If there is ONE good thing that has resulted from that experience, Kelly now beats me putting his seatbelt on! So, to those of you who have read this long post, THANKS! I have honestly missed blogging and reading about everything that’s been going on in everyone’s lives. I am recommitting!

Random Post of the Day!

Has anyone else tried Kellogg's Special K Cinnamon Pecan cereal? I had it for the first time last night, and it is WONDERFUL! If you like cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, you will love it! I consider this the healthy, grown-up version. The only problem is it comes packaged in such a tiny box! There just isn’t enough to last a full week in my house! It has definitely become a favorite for Kelly and I. Anyway, on a different note, two of my sweet friends have created family blogs! Take a moment to visit The Normans and The Lotts when you can. They will certainly be fun families to blog-stalk! :) Have a great day!

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!