Candy Land 1st timer

Courtney experienced the timeless Candy Land the other night. I think we tried it with her once before and she just didn't get it. But the other night she did. We started off with a minor hick-up...NO CANDY LAND MEN were in existence here at the Pursley home. But that was OK, the players from Chutes and Ladders were happy to play a different game. So, we got our men out and explained to her how to play. She got it! I was so proud of my little girl. She knows her colors and was a patient player too. Daddy even tried to skip Mommy and Courtney was not having that!

The winner and her Daddy. :-)

This picture was that night. She was just having so much fun.

Family Photos Fall 2009

October 24th was the big day. Yes, my little brother turned 21 but it was also family picture day. Oh, the dreaded family picture day. The day that I look forward to for weeks. I pick out matching yet still super cute outfits, think of how I will do Courtney's hair and how we will get Ethan's hair cut. That part is all so much fun. But it's also the day that I dread. The day Paul will get frustrated with me because I want him to wear something he never ever wears. The day Ethan looks at me with the strangest look when I tell him "don't get dirty" and of course the day that Courtney does not take a nap. Oh, the joy of family pictures! God was with me this time though. He had a will and it was done! Our family pictures turned out awesome! Kimberlea Bass took us down to the railroad tracks in Fayetteville and captured some super cute moments of the 4 of us. The hardest part of that day? Deciding what to order! Here's what we decided on:

Crazy Courtney

Ohhhh. My sweet baby girl. Always crackin' us up! Seriously, how can you ever get angry at this little girl. Daddy says "put your panties on". She says "ok"...and look where they go.

Mommy says "go to bed". She says "ok". And comes out like this.

Mommy calls out "baby where are you". She says "right here mommy".
**notice all 4 toothbrushes are out and toothpaste ready. Her Uncle Garrett would be so proud.

Mommy takes her to a photo-shoot of friends and she says "take my picture mommy".

I must admit. I absolutely love my little girl.

Halloween 2009

Introducing our little "Conductor". What a fitting costume this year as she seems to conduct our life each day. As I contemplated what to dress my little 2 year old as I cam across Ethan's tux from when Paul and I got married. For kicks I had Courtney try it on...and it was ADORABLE! It hit me, "she'll be a conductor!". She is totally in love with Little Einsteins and she is constantly 'conducting' her stuffed animals and babies. So, Halloween night we headed over to the music store and got a conducting wand. Guitar Center did not carry them, they are too cool.

Courtney loved it! We headed off to Grace Point church for Trunk-or-Treat with James and Shanna and we had fun. Daddy was in OKC for a job and missed the night, so we took a lot of pictures for him. Courtney was so patient waiting in line for her turn and when they told her to take 'some candy' she took 'a lot of candy' but they didn't mind. I would say her favorite part was the BIG SLIDE. She climbed right up there and flew down. Immediately she looks up and says 'I want to go again, Mommy". Our little dare-devil, I tell ya!

Lombard Shoot Preview

This evening I did a photo shoot of the Lombard family. Amanda and I have been friends for almost 2 years and her kids are just precious. The girls were both so photogenic today until the end when Annika was just flat tired. We had fun though and got some cute pictures. Connor also cooperated well; he's 1! That little boy is just amazing and really well mannered. Hope you guys like the pictures. Here is a little preview.

mega post! I'm back...FINALLY

Wow, it's been WAY too long since I posted. But we have been SO busy! We MOVED!!! That's the biggest and best news I have to post. Seriously, it's amazing. We are in town and LOVE it. It's been a great experience and we are very happy. Courtney had a tough time with it as she didn't quite understand but it's been 2 weeks and she's adjusted. The day we packed her 4-wheeler, she lost it. Leave it to my daughter to break down over a 4-wheeler. :-) Her room was the first to go together so she could settle in and get comfy at her 'new house' as quick as possible. The rest of the house has come together well. Still re-arranging stuff though. You just don't know where to put dishes and silverware and cups! I tell ya! So here is our new house: isn't it pretty?

Kelsey (my friend, Blaine's gf and Courtney's new best friend) made these two signs for Courtney. Aren't they so cute? I love them!

Last weekend we took the kids to the pumpkin patch with MY BFF Shanna (and her family :-))It was a little cold and I almost bailed out but decided to stick it out and got some super cute pictures of the kids and Shanna even took a cute picture of us as a family. Brady was not as happy as our kids, but we still got a cute picture of him...crying but still cute.

My sweet baby girl. Courtney is absolutely a blessing from God. I know I say that so often but only because it's true. She always makes me smile and laugh all the time. She is amazing and growing way too fast. Here are a bunch of pictures I've taken of her lately.

Each year, Shiloh Christian puts on a Grandparents Day show. The 3rd graders put it on so this year Ethan was in the show. They did a Wizard of Oz theme with the golden road leading to God. It was done really well and was cute. Paul's parents have made it a priority to fly out for Grandparents Day and are close to the 'furthest traveled' for the day. This year my parents came out too. We had a lot of fun and Ethan really enjoyed having his grandparents there. We all went bowling afterward at Fast Lanes. I will spare you all the photos from that event. :-)

Here is Ethan doing his 'freestyle' dance...the sprinkler.

Ethan and Andy were asked to help hand out flowers.

Becoming Martha Stewert. I had a blast learning how to sew. Ok, that may sound weird but I really have wanted to learn for a long time. Finally, I got the chance. When my parents came out for Grandparent's day I had my mom bring her sewing machine because I really wanted to make Courtney a nap mat for KDO. She did and she taught me to sew. She explained what we were going to do, she set up the sewing machine and she sewed an inch...stopped....and then it was my turn. Ok, seriously. Not what I expected. But I managed to do the rest with her guidance. I think it turned out pretty cute for a first timer. Courtney loves it, which is ALL that matters and has consistently taken naps at KDO since it's been done.

The End

Dear 80 year old follower of Christ

Last weekend we went to see my Grandma. She has been in the hospital for pretty much 2 and a half months. She finally went home a week and a half ago and I was so excited because we were going to be able to see her at home instead of in a hospital. I didn't let her know we were coming, although I did try to call but I guess she was too busy having movie time in the theater with her friends. They were watching Titanic, very intense, no phone calls allowed. :-) When we got there we went to her room first, no Grandma. Back to the theater room, there was Grandma. Still watching Titanic and not even noticing the 2 year old running around. Finally she realizes that it's her great-grand-daughter and is shocked. Oh what a feeling to see her (Grandma's) eye light up with joy when she realized we were there. She looked towards the door and saw myself and Paul and smiled again. It was awesome! I had called ahead and let the girls know we would be there for dinner. Usually they set me up at the table with her and whoever she is sitting with that month but this time was special. They put the 4 of us in the 'conference' room with just us. Now, don't think conference room like metal table and yucky chairs. This is not the type they have. It was more of a 'meal at home' feel. (other than the food :-)) We sat and visited and got the scoop on how Grandma is feeling. Oh, she cracks me up! She says (with a small voice) "these girls are so much nicer here". After we ate, we went back up to her room to visit before we made our 4 hour drive home. I had read something on a friends blog that I just had to write to my own Grandma so I got a card and wrote this:

Dear 80 year old follower of Christ:

So, how have you done it?
How have you managed to maintain your faith in Christ all these years?
How have you handled the changes that you have certainly seen in your 80 years on this earth?
How have you dealt with the heartaches that you’ve most assuredly endured?
How have you chosen to trust God when everything around you seemed to be in shambles?
How have you done it?
Because, quite frankly, I want someone to ask me this when I’m 80 and I’ll need to know what to say.
You inspire me

And I meant every word of it. Even if I didn't come up with the words myself. As we sat with Grandma at dinner we talked about her following of Christ all these years. Which, still baffles me. Not that one would follow Christ (because I couldn't live any other way) but the faith of an 80 year old. Makes me want to be 80 to know what it's like! As we talked though, she told me that this last stay in the hospital she had an argument with God. At one point she was in so much pain she asked God, "Why, what have I done to feel this way?". At another point she asked God "Why? Why won't you take me home?". She continued to talk to us and she knows that He is not ready for her. She may not understand why not, but she knows in her heart that she is still here on earth for a purpose, HIS purpose.

"There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven; a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot" Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Grandma's time is still here "under heaven". I know the Lord is using her for His good every day and I am so thankful that He has used her in my life. I love you, Grandma and Courtney and I pray for you every night.

Courtney showing her Great-Grandma the animal magnets off her refrigerator and telling her what they say. I just love Grandma's reaction.

The next two are some of my favorites. Look at the way Grandma looks at my sweet baby girl. Such interest, such joy, pure love in her heart shining through. I have pictures from when I was a child and Grandma and Grandpa both were always looking at me that way. Something you simply can not fake.

Courtney so excited and loving the moments with her Great-Grandma.

A picture truly is worth 1,000 words.

Ethan's 9th birthday

Ethan is 9! Oh my time flies! When I first met Ethan, he just about to turn 2. He was so stinkin' cute. I remember he was so little and loved to run. I'd take him for a walk and he would say 'c'mon, Annie, run!'. Well, he's a little older now and has moved from running to riding. This year, Stefani and I put on his birthday part at the bmx park in Lowell. It was awesome! G&G Pursley gave Ethan a bike for his birthday and all his friends brought their bikes. They rode around the track for about an hour until all of them were dripping with sweat and ready to just play on the playground.

new bike: personalized number plate (919=his birthday)

all lined up, ready to race

ethan and trevor: bff

all the sweaty boys

ethan and stevie

courtney and hallie playing in the water: they figured out how to squirt each other

team pursley shirt i made for courtney

Beautiful Daughter

The Lord has blessed me with an amazingly beautiful daughter. I might be just a little biased but she is amazing in my eyes. Last week I took her into Kimberlea Bass Photography for a mini-shoot and she did an incredible job. Within just a couple of minutes Courtney was playing peek-a-boo with her and having fun. Thanks again, Kimberlea, you are awesome!

3 weekend of Les Mills training...COMPLETED!

So apparently I got the fitness bug somewhere and it has fully attached to me and isn't letting go! 3 weeks ago I went into Fuel Fitness to sign up for the Body Pump training and some how I let them convince me to also sign up for the Body Combat training. That was the hardest training I have ever done...it was also the first training I have ever done. If you don't know what Body Pump is, I would explain it in Layman's terms as "Tae Bo on steroids". It is literally 55 min of intense moves and heart racing energy...NO BREAKS! I was not ready for that AND teaching at the same time. I got a 'resit' in that class. Les Mills is very positive and therefore there is no "fail" in their classes. I would have to do day 2 of the training again to get a pass. I'm not sure it's for me anyway, but eventually I will pass it completely.

The next weekend Kelsey and I headed to Tulsa, OK for Body Pump training. Now that was AWESOME! I absolutely love Body Pump and was so much more comfortable teaching it. Kelsey and I both passed that class and have moved to team teaching at Fuel. We both will have our own classes starting in October, so check it out!

After passing Body Pump I was convinced that I should keep going and just this last weekend was RPM. WHOA! Again, out of my 'comfort zone' being all cardio and all, but it was also Awesome! We had the same instructor: Justin Sanchez. If you ever do a Les Mills training, I would suggest going to his class. He knows what he's doing and is very helpful to pull you along as far as you can go in 2-3 days. Yeah, did I mention these classes are 3 days, 9 hours each day? RPM was only 2 days at 9 hours a piece though. :-) Kelsey and I also passed this module and will be team teaching for a few weeks.

I'm all done now, passed and ready to get learning all the tracks to teach on my own. But, back to being a Mommy on the weekends! I MISSED my baby!!!!

1st Day of KDO 2009

Yesterday Courtney started her 2nd year of KDO and I started my 1st! Last year I worked KDO so yesterday was, well, weird. Being on the other side of the door was refreshing and nice.
The morning started off weird...I had to wake Courtney up. She was so excited though. I asked her "are you tired"? She says "yeah". I say "do you want to go back to sleep or get ready for school"? She says "I wanna go to school, and play with my friends, and be nice to everybody". Oh yes, she is constantly reminded to be nice to EVERYBODY! So we get up, have some eggs and ham and get ready to go. She looks sweet as can be and is just as excited. About a mile down the road I think I forgot to give her milk...GOOD, she won't barf. I WAS WRONG! She barfed about half way there (yes that is 20 minutes into a 40 minute drive) and she was excited no more.

We did our usual, get naked in the truck in the parking lot and have many people (who don't already know my daughter was born to barf) look at us weird. But that was ok. She walked right into her class and had a great day! We borrowed a Nap Mat because mommy thought for some reason she would still be in a crib...maybe mommy needs to be in a crib. But we are in the process of learning how to make a nap mat...which means we have bought the fabric. :-) All in all, good day for us both. She enjoyed school and I spent time with my brother while I used his washer and dryer to wash Courtney's car seat once again.

Courtney and all her craziness

Oh my my. Courtney has been an absolute riot and so much fun lately. She seems to have entered a new stage of little girl. She is so independent, getting herself dressed constantly, wanting to get her own snacks, help get drinks, and much more. She has also seemed to develop this amazing knack for just down right having fun. I would honestly say the last few weeks have been the most fun I've ever had as a mom. Every part seems to be my 'favorite' during the time, but this has been such a fun time. I have spent many moments laughing. And not just the 'ha, that's funny' laugh, but the genuine, laughing because it's really funny. It seems like every time I walk around the corner she is doing something that just cracks me up.

Here we got done painting a stool for her to use to wash her hands and she wanted to "paint Courtney". So, we went outside and she did just that.

I always go in and kiss her good night and whisper "i love you sweet baby" before I go to bed. This night cracked me up as she was sleeping with her remote control car. Daddy was so proud.

Courtney and Daddy spent last weekend working in the garage. They changed the oil in my truck and a few other things. She is my little tom-boy who doesn't mind getting dirty (as long as her clothes don't get dirty). She has daddy put gloves on her and she 'helps'.

This is HILARIOUS. I am getting ready to give some stuff away and sell some stuff at the Rhea Lana sale. Courtney is now in love with her baby swing, which, she HATED when she was an infant. I don't think she spent 3 hours in it total when she was little. Now though, she has spent 3 hours in it in 2 days! She sat in it while I organized stuff in the garage then she had me bring it into our room so she could swing while she watched Alex (Madagascar). She even talks about the 'baby's swing" when we are in town. Almost like she can't wait to get home and sit in it. Oh how I love my baby girl!

These are the moments I LOVE! Mostly because we all have these memories as children so it's awesome to know she will have the same. Courtney is really picky on what she eats. If it doesn't look like she thinks it should, she doesn't want anything to do with it. Somehow I got her to taste cake batter this evening and there was no stopping her! "Just one more lick, mommy" she kept saying.

Again, just something funny. This is her first baby ever. We found it the other day and she is in love with it again. Oh, and I can't forget "nemo". That is a nemo boo boo thing. You know, the one you freeze for when they bonk their head. Yeah, she now sleeps with him, but only if he is frozen. I found "little baby" and "nemo" in the pantry yesterday.

First time she sat still for me to do her nails. Usually she sits just long enough for me to slap some on there but never long enough for it to actually dry!

No boobie shots on this site!

Awe. My sweet motocross baby. She rides and rides and rides. She sings "i'm going in circles" as she rides too. This day she felt it was a little dangerous with how fast her 4-wheeler now goes so she (no, not me) put Ethan's old life jacket on and a motocross helmet.

I love my baby girl! And I love being a mommy!

12 rules for raising children - by Ann Landers

From the blog of Cindy Beall. - Who by the way has a great blog worth reading.

"My mother gave me a newspaper clip when I was visiting her recently. It it torn and tattered for sure. I was amazed that she’d kept it after all these years because, you see, it was published in 1971.

I was a year old.

I’ve scanned it into this blog post and hope you glean some good advice."

Nitro Courtney

hail storm madness in...

Yesterday we had a crazy hail storm here in the town we live. (I'm not allowed to say per my husband, he thinks there are crazy people out there that will come get us:) It was nuts, I tell ya! (the storm, not my husband) The kids and I were outside on a nice, warm, humid as all heck day when a storm rolled in. I let the kids play in the rain until the lightening came along. Then, the hail started. I looked at my mom's car in the driveway and thought about my truck sitting out back. "They'll be fine" I thought. Then the hail continued, and got bigger. I decided to put a bucket over my head (yes, litterally) and go get my truck. I am SO thankful my mind said 'they won't be fine, annie'.

the pillow case

July was one of the hardest months I have ever had. It started with my Dad having another heart attack and open heart surgery. For those of you who have never had a parent sick, I envy you. My dad is my rock, he has always been and always will be. Honestly, until I was 26, I didn't have a true disagreement with him. I honestly have the best Dad ever! The day he had his surgery I was scared. I know God has a plan, I know we don't have a say in that plan, but I wanted one! He came through the surgery fine though, triple bypass surgery. Healthy heart. New arteries. He is good to go. But, when I walked into his room before he woke up, I lost it. There was my dad, on the bed with tubes every where, a tube making him breath, and there he layed. I knew he would be fine, the nurses assured me he would be fine. I didn't feel fine though. There was my rock, laying on a bed, not even able to breath on his own. The next time I saw him it was even harder because he was trying to wake up and his heart rate would get to 125 and they would have to sedate him again. This time I was holding his hand and just looking at him. My mom talked to him and I could see his forhead moving. He could hear her, he knew we were there but he couldn't wake up. That was the hardest moment in my life with my father. I just couldn't get through to myself that the same man that has always been there for me, that has never said a bad thing to me, who is so gentle and loving was laying there like that. He was at a Baptist hospital in Little Rock and the next time I came in he had his "heart pillow". A pillow they give him to hold on to against his chest to help with pain and pressure. On the pillow the nurses put two Bible verses: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phil 4:13 and "Trust in the Lord with all your heart" Prov 3:5. I got tears in my eyes again. I told my dad "Phil 4:13 is my verse. That is the verse that I lean on every day. And Prov 3:5, Courtney sings a song of that almost every time we are in the truck." Last week when I visited my Dad, my mom gave me the pillowcase to his heart pillow. Some how that is the most important thing I have from my dad. I love you, Father.

summer happenings...take 3

boats, jetskis, friends and family. What summer with the Pursley family is all about. Oh, and naked babies. We have been having a blast this summer on the lake. We are all getting a little more daring and even dumb at times. (see picture below of Paul standing on a kneeboard). As you may have read before, the competition is on wakeboarding between myself and Paul. Well, he did do better this time (than last time, not than me) BUT for some reason, some how. No pictures were taken of me. Hm. That is odd. Maybe that's because I am just better. :-) There will be pictures for proof next time.


Ali and her new board.


Courtney's first tube ride with Daddy. She did awesome!

I'm not one to say my kids are good at everything they do, but Ethan ROCKS at wakeboarding. He spent last year working on getting up on the water. This year he took one trip to do that and now gets up every time. He looks so good out there and is starting to see what all the hype has been about.

After watching me do this once, he goes out and tears it up!


THIS is where Paul rocks. He has been riding this thing for 20 years...litterally. And it shows.


Not as good here. :-P

Grandma and Courtney.

Kaylee, Carter and Courtney had A BLAST playing the first night they stayed. I have never seen Courtney so excited.

Brady just chillin'....with his tongue out.


Courtney and her other mommy!


I love this boy's smile. He's so precious!

...and the crazy, naked (most of the time) baby. This night Court decided to put 2 pairs of daddy's socks on. What a ham.

The other day Courtney got a travel bed for her babies...maybe she didn't understand that is was for "her babies". Not my baby.

...and naked, of course.

for paul and james

is our dog big?

summer happenings...round 2

Having a 2 year old seems to keep a mom busy, even in the summer. Last week we were at Kid-a-polooza (VBS). Courtney had a blast! Every day I would go get her and she was wired! She saw me teaching my class on Thursday and did not even care to see me. She was polite and gave me a kiss but went right back to her teacher. I went and watched her with the other preschoolers as Ms Gina danced and sang...and Courtney danced too. I think she was one of 3 others that were standing up and dancing. Even then, she gave me a kiss and went on back to dancing. She was super excited to make her crafts and show them to us when we got home too. The first day she made a creation hat. (which was later tortured during a fit at nap time)

This picture cracks me up. Looks like she is about to dive off the couch, I promise she didn't.

Day 2 she made a hand print painting and day 3 she planted another flower. We are expecting to have a full garden by kindergarten. She now has 2 plants to water each day and is on a break from drowning them 2 days ago.


One of her new things is to sit on daddy's head. And obviously touch the window behind her!

Day 4 she made a heart with her picture on it. Here she is putting her heart on her heart where Jesus lives.

And Courtney's new kitchen. Paul's parents got this for her while they were here as a late birthday present. She LOVES it! If you ask her, she will say "I lobe it, mommy. I lobe my titchen". I simply can't believe her imagination already. She pays so much attention to me, I better watch it! She washes her dishes and puts them away. She gets her baby a glass of water from the sink. She will wash her hands in the sink and get soap from a button on the microwave...the same button every time. She likes to make chicken and bananas. Both baked.




Big girl bed. Why oh why did we do this? No, she wasn't climbing out. No, she wasn't having a fit. Yes, she was sleeping just fine. Why? I don't know now. We made the switch though. The first night when great. Even the next morning she woke up and was crying for me. I walked in to find her sitting on the bed. I thought 'this is going to work great'. Oh, I was wrong! Nap time rolls around. 2.5 hours later, I give up! Everything from, "I have to go potty" to "my pull-up is wet" to "I'm hot" (seriously, hot? does she even know what she is saying). I walked out once to her dancing in the living room. So cute, how can I get upset over that? I walk her back to her bed. I come out again and she is swiffering the floor. I say "what are you doing, Courtney" "I'm cleaning, Mommy" she says. We go back to bed. "I want water"....you know the drill. We are still working on nap time. Actually right now, she is sleeping on the couch. But, night time is going well. We have taught her that she can come in our room when it's light outside. I must say, I do love her walking up next to the bed and me opening my eyes to her smile. That is a gift from above!

This was this morning. Just relaxing! This is what summer is all about. Eating peanut butter sandwiches, watching Little Einsteins in our jammies!

summer happenings...round 1

Tonight, sitting at dinner, I looked at Paul and told him "we have an incredible life". And we do. How blessed we are and how much we take it for granted! I'm not talking about our material things (though those are nice too), I'm talking about our life. Our marriage, our children, our friends and our family. What an incredible life! Summer time is always awesome at the Pursley house. With Paul's job, Courtney and I are able to spend so much time with him. Last week we made a trip to Texas for 2 days. It is about a 5 hour drive down there and Courtney really did well. We stayed in a super nice hotel which I (Annie) love! Courtney gets excited to go on a 'trip in Daddy's truck'. When we get there she is excited about the 'big bed'. She really is amazing and is growing so fast. When we got to the hotel she asks Daddy "play monster trucks with me". Yes, our little girl is a monster truck fan.


The other morning Courtney and I were relaxing and taking our time to 'wake up'. One of our favorite parts of summer. I walk into the kitchen to find this: a feast? I'm not sure who she was expecting but they never showed up.

Our little mechanic. She IS her daddy's girl, 100%. She gets tools to 'fix' things all the time.

Driving back from Texas. What a cutie he is! For those of you who don't know...I am madly in love with my husband again...no, not again...more than ever, there is no again. This feeling is a first and the most incredible thing I have ever experienced. I have found true love....right in front of me!

The first official lake trip was today. We had so much fun! It was a pretty good day, kinda cloudy, kinda sunny, but warm. Courtney did amazing. She didn't whine or cry and just hung out on the boat while every one wake boarded and skied.



Yes, I am better than Paul...there will be pictures to prove it as the summer grows older.

Ethan officially got up on his wake board! He is the cutest thing ever. A couple of years ago he was trying to explain something to us and didn't know the word he wanted to use. He said "i get this funny feeling in my legs". We told him that is anxiety and nervousness. On our way to the lake, Ethan told us "I'm getting that feeling in my legs again". Too cute! He did really well though.

We tried to teach Shanna to wake board today...not sure why she couldn't get up...is it because she is facing the wrong way?!??!? :-)

Ethan driving us back to the boat launch.

....priceless

She was exhausted!

picky sleeper no more

My daughter never has been one to sleep anywhere she was. Since she was a few weeks old, her bed was the only place she would close her little eyes for the evening. I think things are changing! The other night this is what we ended up with at dinner time. I've always secretly hoped she would do this as every child needs this photo in their album, don't they?


This is also a rare find. You see the pack-n-play to the right? Yeah, she wasn't having that once she woke up and saw we weren't at home. My mom took this picture the next morning...I don't sleep on my back, EVER. Can you imagine how this night was?!? Sure do love my little girl and her strange sleeping habits that seem to be poking out.

Birthday shoot

Courtney's yearly photo shoot on her birthday. We are on a roll for the 2nd year in a row. :-) The weather was bad so I set up a 'studio' on the back deck. Here are some of my favorites. 

overflowing creativity

As I mentioned before, the creativity is getting a start in this house. We are going to do crafts until we can't do crafts anymore this summer! Courtney is so excited (and I am too actually) about her 'flower'. We made this the other day and she has patiently waited for the grass/flower to grow. The other morning her and Daddy went to see her flower and she came running back to the bedroom "mommy, mommy. Courtney flower grow." She is sure she waters it every day and checks on it periodically throughout the day. We planted grass which is sure to grow and even needs to be mowed already but we also planted some flowers in there...will they grow? We shall see.

those are her hand prints...(hard to see here)

holy smokes!

Seriously, it has been way too long since I posted. Many many times I have been driving and thought 'I have the perfect post, I'll do it when I get home'...but then I get home and that doesn't happen. I have even had some clever titles, but now I sit down and the best I can come up with is "holy smokes". Lame. Oh well. For now, I will post pictures, lots of pictures. And from now on I will try to post my clever postings and my insane thoughts more often. 

Here is Courtney sporting her new tattoo. 

Shanna and I took the kids to the park the other day. They sure had a blast and so did we. Brady wasn't so sure about the grass at first though but LOVED the swing. 

Courtney likes to put Ethan's hair cutting cape on and..well...wear it. With rain boots. Naked. And go outside.

She is potty trained! Well, mostly. We are still working on in the car and over night. Nap time is complete and home/school/church is 99%. We are so proud of our baby girl.

Seriously, isn't my husband hot? Ethan has begun his baseball season. Here are some pictures from the first game. Courtney can't wait to get out there too!

My creative side is poking out...I sure hope it gets better but here is my start...This is our board at KDO of our kids. Hope no moms get offended. :-)

Flowers for Courtney's hair...I made them all.

K. Blogger has quit working...guess I'll add more later. Yes. There is more.

Easter weekend

Easter weekend at our house was great fun! Even though it was pouring rain on Sunday that was all fine and dandy here that the Pursley residence. We had my parents out and our good friends - The Greers - came over after church. Church, was awesome! We absolutely love when Nick Floyd speaks. He really seems to speak to us. Not that we don't love Ronnie, we do love Ronnie, but Nick is just amazing and different of course. Also, it was the last week of the drama of Christ being crucified. Holy smokes, what an incredible thing to watch in person. I can't even begin to imagine what it was like really being there! As we watched Jesus heal the blind, make the crippled walk and heal the leapers, we all had tears in our eyes! The first week was absolutely amazing and made it so real. The second week of the last supper. As we took communion and watched them reenact the last supper on stage, my heart was filled with the Holy Spirit. I felt so different that Sunday than any other Sunday. Not that is makes it mean any more to be watching a reenactment...it's hard to explain. Then Easter Sunday; the crucifixion and the resurrection.  OH MY WORD! What an incredible display of the truth. How great is our God!

Here are some pictures of our weekend:

Courtney looking for her basket...

Daddy helping Courtney look for her basket...

'reading'

Daddy reading her new Bible.

The best picture of the dress...it was cold and raining.

BFFs

still having fun looking for eggs...

seriously?

all the way up there!

Paul with his "peeps".

Us and the Greers - we love you guys!

microwaving more peeps!

Courtney asking Bopa for some dog food...

...to feed the dog! 

Gilligan - aka Little Buddy: I don't like dogs and this dog is CUTE!

dyeing eggs for the first time

yes, she is picking her nose while WE dye eggs

this just cracks me up, it totally LOOKS like she is about to slap Nana

my parents got Courtney this huge lamb that is just precious

awe

the rare picture of mommy and courtney: thanks Daddy, we love you too

Easter Contest...will we win?

Angela has challenged some of us moms and I came through. Don't believe it? I will prove it with pictures! I am one of those moms who always has ideas to do with her children. I even go out and buy craft supplies and cooking supplies to do these amazing ideas with my children, yet for some reason, we never get to these things. This Easter, Angela challenged us to do a baking craft with our children, post it on our blog and win a prize. Little did she know that I already won the prize; the smile (and funny frown in our case) of my daughter. Thanks so much, Angela. We had a blast and will have memories for a life time.

Mind you, Courtney is not even 2 yet. I wanted to come up with something she could actually do herself. I am sure this is not the prettiest, craftiest or any of those 'iest'. But, she did it and didn't like it! Oh she is a riot. I love my precious little baby girl.

told ya she didn't like it.

all clean, and happy

This is Daddy's version.

daddy/daughter time

I love Daddy/Daughter time! I was taking a nap Sunday (another post, but I believe God meant for us to REST, aka SLEEP on Sunday:-)) I woke up to Paul handing me my camera. "Handing" as in setting it on top of me and abruptly waking me up. Paul and Courtney had been putting his new bbq together, and yes, in the living room. She was really helping and he was loving it. She had her cup full of nuts and her cup full of screws. Daddy would ask for which he needed and she would get the correct part and hand it to him. Then she would say 'Courtney do it'.  At the end of the afternoon they completed the task and I was proud of them both.

Playing in her 'house' during the building stage.

All done!

my sweet baby girl

Oh how dearly I love my baby girl. She is absolutely amazing and lights up my life each and every day. From the second she wakes up she has a smile on her face. What a relief since her daddy is not a morning person! Each morning she lays with me in bed and grabs my face, looks in my eyes and kisses me. It could make a grown man's heart melt. Don't get me wrong, she has her melt downs, her fits, her tantrums but those aren't the moments that I think of at night when I am remembering our day. She is our little lover and I could not have asked for a more precious gift from God.

We are currently potty training...we have been 'in training' for training for a while and she has done great! She is now pretty much #1 trained. Even takes her diaper off to go in the potty at times. On to #2...or maybe not...whichever works for her. :-)

The other night Courtney fell asleep with "blah blah" (what she calls Blaine for those of you who don't know and it's here to stay). She just does not do that. I believe that was the second time in her life that she has fallen asleep somewhere other than her bed. (other than as a newborn of course) But, she simply adores her "uncle blah blah".

She is also our funny little baby girl, she is always making me laugh! This day was a gorgeous day outside (I believe it was shortly before our March snow here in Arkansas) and Courtney thought her outfit was complete with socks and all-stars. That's it. She was out on the back deck fully clothed and came back in like this...here she is watching her favorite (and only) show. Little Einsteins.

Mathew 21:22

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." - NIV

I pray, I pray a lot, I pray alone, I pray with Courtney, I pray with friends, I pray when I eat, I pray when I'm in bed, I pray in my car. But, so often I wonder if God even hears me. I'm sure I'm not the only one to feel this way but I do feel this way some times. I know God hears me, God hears me when I forget to pray. I guess I don't really doubt he hears me, I just wonder why His way is so different than mine some times.

Today I don't feel that way. Today I was reminded that God does hear us and God does answer our prayers. God is listening and God is doing what is needed on His time.

I have a friend, a wonderful, godly of a woman friend. She prays for her son every day and God answers her prayers. Not only has he answered her prayers once, but 4 or 5 times in just the past few months. When she is concerned, she prays for something specific and I tell you what, God answers that specific prayer, literally.

When I get her text messages (today's said "Prayer Rocks") I know the Lord has been listening to her and just blessed her with an answer. What an amazing God we have. What an amazing friend in Christ I have.

photographers dream...

So, being the photographer of the family I NEVER get my picture taken. As I remember my childhood, my Dad was always on our vacations yet he's not in any of the photos. Now, that is me. I am always behind the camera. Hopefully my kids will remember me there in their hearts. :-) Anyway, we had a photographer come to MOPS this month and she took pictures of us all. She did a great job, thanks Kimberlea Bass!

ode to Ethan

So Paul is super into fishing since his cousin Mike is here and Mike is a 'fisherman'. He (Paul) has been fishing, oh, A LOT lately and just not really getting anything. Ethan on the other hand, well, see for yourself. I think Paul was proud, I know he was proud...but I think he was kinda jealous too.

This is just a super cute picture. It's spring break and we get to have Ethan all week. I woke up to him and Courtney layin' in bed with me today. I love Spring Break!

things i love...things i hate

Some things I love:

1. taking photographs of my beautiful children



2. my husband


3. orignal nintendo (check out the remote)


4. watching courtney ride her 4-wheeler like a pro


5. my brother


things i hate:

1: artificial sweetener


ok, that's pretty much all i hate and i hate it! i tried to like it. in juice, gross. in tea, gross. in cookies, gross. it does NOT taste like sugar. give me my sugar.