Boy, Girl, Twins, or Triplets

Boy: I helped with a surprise shower for my sweet friend, Erin, who is having Cole in July! We have been friends since our mamas were pregnant together, got baptized a week apart, got married a week apart, and now are having babies together! She and her husband are moving from Chicago to Louisville. I am so glad they are going to be closer!

Mama and Kate

Me and the Mama to be

Adrienne, Aunt Kelsey, and Erin (does she even have a belly?!)

There it is!!

Girl: Our friends, the Middlekaufs, welcomed Baby Natalie on May 29. Kate and I went to visit, and they hit it off immediately! It is amazing how much Kate has grown since her birthday, and how tiny they start out.

Baby swap!

Natalie's first Sunday at church:

Twins: Kate's other BFF, Mary Magers, came over for dinner last week with her parents, Darrow and Sissy. They just so happened to have the same dress, and Kate insisted on changing clothes to match her friend. Any girl that was once a little girl probably remembers the novelty of dressing alike. I still see tweens matching and it makes me smile!

Kate loved MM at first!Then she realized there was another cute chick in town with bows as big as hers.

Friends again!

Triplets: My mom and I had Margarita Monday with Jennifer, her girls, Aunt Julie, Aunt Kelly, Lauren, and Sara, and once again, Kate matched! Maggie and Evie were so sweet to their newest cousin. They were so good, and then I got to play with them outside. They are just developing little personalities and are precious!

Giving sugarWho is this imposter? There should only be two of us!

Fudge, fudge, call the judge! Look at all these babies! Wrap it up in toilet paper, Send it down the elevator! Boy, girl, twins, or triplets?!

Me-ology

FOOD-OLOGY

What is your salad dressing of choice? runny ranch What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?hmm...El Porton What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of it? I'm with Heather, Mexican, duh.

What are your pizza toppings of choice? Supreme deep dish

What do you like to put on your toast? like butta TECHNOLOGY How many televisions are in your house? 1 What color cell phone do you have? black What does the first text message in your inbox say and who sent it? that is classic (a reply from luke when I texted him :I just pulled an opossum out of the pool)

Who was the last person to call you? Kath BIOLOGY Are you right-handed or left-handed? right Have you ever had anything removed from your body? wisdom teeth and a baby What is the last heavy item you lifted? two love seats, a couch, and a chair (furniture from the fam in Tupelo) CRAP-OLOGY If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? no way If you could change your name, what would you change it to? I wouldn't! I like my name! Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? heck yeah! DUMB-OLOGY How many pairs of flip flops do you own? At least 12...I love flops in the summer Last time you had a run-in with the cops? It's been a while! Last person you talked to in person? Jake Favorite Month? April and October CURRENT-OLOGY Missing someone? Nope Mood? hungry What are you listening to? Cartoon Network (Jake's watching it) Watching? my computer Worrying about? nothing! RANDOM-OLOGY What’s the last movie you watched? 24 DVDs Do you smile often? Smiling's my favorite Do you always answer your phone? If I can find it It’s four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it? A nursing friend or cousin (we are the only ones awake at 4)...or Blake (my college aged bro) If you could change your eye color what would it be? green like my Mama's What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? Route 44 Strawberry Limeade is the way to go Do you own a digital camera? several Have you ever had a pet fish? yep Favorite Christmas song? "Oh Holy Night" What’s on your wish list for your birthday? Something sparkly Can you do push-ups? Can I, or do I? Can you do a chin up?Heck o no...I was the girl that "hung" during the presidential fitness test Does the future make you more nervous or excited? excited Do you have any saved texts? yep, pics of Bandit and Kate Ever been in a car wreck? two, at the same intersection one year apart Do you have an accent? southern accent. I love southern accents What is the last song to make you cry? Something at church when little Noah was singing with his hands in the air Plans tonight?Jake's bball fame Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? not yet Name 2 things you bought yesterday. Sky, surf, and turf from El Porton You ever been given roses? yep Current hate right now? rude people Met someone who changed your life? yes What song represents you? Eternal Flame What were you doing 12 AM last night? Getting into bed What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? She's hungry again?!

Wedding Bells

Notice anything on Grammy's left hand?! She and Benny are getting married in June! She is moving to Leesburg, FL which is a little NW of Mickey Mouse's house. They are so excited!!! We went to Tupelo to meet Benny and to introduce Kate to the rest of the family. We had a lot of delicious desserts. I think I went back for thirds! Amy and Benny Kate smiling away! Shh! Some people are trying to sleep! Kate chillin with Aunt Hilda after eating her famous caramel cake Kate in the bed her Daddy slept in

“A wedding is a start of togetherness... of walks in the rain, basking in the sunshine, shared meals, caring for one another and sensing the love that a marriage carries.”

Sip and See

We had a lovely Sip and See in Tremont with the Cantrell side of the family. As always, it was so good to see everyone, and we had a lovely time. Luke's aunt, Janette, made Kate a beautiful hand embroidered dress, bonnet, slip, and socks. She looked absolutely precious! With her cousins, Ethan and Madison Kate. With Papa Q With Aunt Jan, the seamstress of the dress Four generations of Cantrells

“Let us make one point, that we meet each other with a smile, when it is difficult to smile. Smile at each other, make time for each other in your family.” -Mother Teresa

Alabama

Everybody! When Jake was little, probably three or four, we were heading to the beach, and as soon as we crossed over the AL line, he held his nose, and very nasally said, "ALABAMA EVERYBODY!" Now, everytime we cross that state line, everyone in the family imitates that precious little boy. Where did he get that? I guess the same place he decided to get on one of our shoulders and yell, "Get off my yand (land)!" as if he were a giant. Anyway, we scooted on down to Winfield, AL and had a really good visit with Sherrie's family. There was plenty of good food to go around, including fried okra (my favorite), and pork chop casserole! I need to get some more pictures from Ashley. I was too busy eating to take anymore! Sherrie, Hayden, and Kate Hayden and Kate rockin the vans (that Hayden got her!) Patsy, her earrings, Tommy, and Kate Oops! I just realized it made it sound like Jake thought AL was stinky. I think he just did it to make his voice sound funny! haha!

"Alabama Everybody!" -Jake Bousson

April Showers bring

incredible rainbows and a really busy May! We have been enjoying lots of time outside, our families, cooking out, and a few changes! Hope you enjoy some pics of what we have been up to (well, of course you will enjoy this; there are Kate pictures everywhere)! We have a four legged house guest for the summer. She is my brother, Blake's, dog, uh...puppy, which means she still chews on things she's not supposed to and wakes up rather early. She is the sweetest thing, and Bandit has really learned to love her! Isnt she pretty? Kate at ten weeks! Bath time with Dad Visiting Aunt Megan's school to see the 5th grade musical. She wrote and directed it and it was precious! They performed for the whole school and all the kids loved it. We had a relaxing Memorial Day sitting by the pool. Kate has been in a swimsuit three times, but has only gotten her toes wet. She didn't really care for the frigid waters. We also visited Uncle Jake's school for the 5th grade bridging ceremony. I cannot believe he will be in Middle School next year! He and Kate have such a sweet relationship. Everytime she sees him, her face just lights up...and vice versa. He loves her so much! Proud Uncle Lady killer...His girlfriend, Amanda, had been saying she was going to break up with him before school was over. Instead of breaking up with her first, he let her, and she chose in the middle of this ceremony. Afterwards, he said, and I quote, "I hope when she sees my face it gives her hell." Hahaha...if you haven't heard this song, it probably isn't very funny that an 11 year old is cussing, but after he got in trouble, we all laughed hysterically! Jake's Field Day. They had to wear pink, and he wore his shirt from the day Kate was born! Cruising around campus on two wheels picking up ladies. Kate at ten weeks I helped with a shower for my friend, Janet. She has had sweet Natalie, and I will post some pics of her later. We have already decided Kate and Natalie will be BFFs! Kate had fun playing with Kara during the shower. I also had to say bye to my sweet friend at work, Lynne!! She was the only other full time night nurse with me, so we spent LOTS of time together. I do not know what I am going to do when I have to go back without her!! Her and her husband are moving to Johnson City for his residency. I know there will be some roadtrips to meet up. Love these girls! Night crew rocks! Lynne, me, Rachel, and Aundrea (I will soon join Rachel and Aundrea's schedule and work a few nights a week. WOOHOO!) The night shift is a whole different world. We eat A LOT! Knowing this, I showed up on Lynne's last night at shift change (about 11). Rachel showed up too! Lynne and I both burst into tears, and then quickly went to the break room to feast on the yummy food everyone brought! I had to leave when Luke called at 1:30 and told me to get home. He isn't used to me being gone at night anymore. I am sure I make him feel so much safer...or he didn't want to sleep since Kate was there with him. You know it's the last day of school at Germantown when... your pony is your transportation home. "Car riders, walkers, and equestrians...you're dismissed!"

“Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not all still friends.”

Why Luke won't wear PJs...

to the PJ Party we are going to tonight. He said the last time he wore pajamas to a party, he was put in the paper! I guess some people at Town Hall got a hold of a copy...Oops! http://www.commercialappeal.com/photos/2009/jan/23/100170/ The Parsons and Bousson families of the Collierville and Germantown area enjoyed their 26th annual "Breakfast With Santa" last month. The group includes Jake, Blake, Megan Bousson, Lauren Parsons, Amanda Bousson Cantrell, Trey Parsons, Luke Cantrell and Will Parsons. Their parents Bucky and Kelly Parsons and Jeff and Kathy Bousson met 26 years ago when the men were playing softball for their work team when both families' daughters, Lauren and Amanda, were infants. Kelly said, "Our families have been 'family' ever since ... and began going to the Downtown Goldsmith's department store Enchanted Forest for Breakfast with Santa in 1983." To complete our families came the births of Trey, Megan, Blake, Will, and Jake," she said. "Since our meeting, we have come together for yearly gatherings to celebrate friendship, birthdays and the spirit of Christmas."

Happy Friday, yall!

“Once a guy starts wearing silk pajamas it's hard to get up early”

Eddie Arcaro

(American Jockey who was the first to ride five Kentucky Derby winners and two US Triple Crown champions. 1916-1997)

It's lovely to be loved

I had a wonderful 1st Mother's Day! I was woken up with breakfast in bed after 10 hours of straight sleep (ok, ok I was feeding Kate when breakfast was being prepared), but it was served in bed! It is a tradition in my family to serve my mom breakfast in bed with her Diet Coke in her Waterford. I was treated to the same sweet treat with chocolate covered strawberry crepes and my pineapple OJ in Waterford! Good job taking notes, Luke. It was delicious, of course! I then recieved a gift certificate for a mani and pedi, and one to one of my favorite clothes stores. My card said Kate snuck out in her stroller while I was sleeping...that little clue right there tells me that the cutest boy in the world was the actual culprit. As if she could be awake while I was sleeping :) After breakfast, we went to church and had our directory picture taken afterwards. My mom tried to wrangle us into her picture (I think she just really wanted Kate), but we took our own, for the first time! We are really our own family now! We ate lunch at Crescent City with my family and Nana and Ned. We had four generations of girls at the table, Nana, Mama, Me & Meg, and Kate. In June we are going to Newton, MS to take a five generation picture with Nana's mama, Grandmother. I can't wait to see how they turn out. After lunch, we showered my mom with gifts, and then Luke headed to Tupelo to see his Mama. We visited with my dad's mom, Nannie, on Saturday. She had been in the hospital all week, and I think our visit definitely cheered her up (well, let's say my mom dancing a jig cheered her up :) We are surrounded by so many wonderful mothers. It is such a blessing to be included in this group this year. Being a mom is the most selfish thing I have ever done! Last weekend, we went to a Kentucky Derby party at our dear friends, The Harvilles, house. We had such a fun time dressing up in big hats and drinking Mint Juleps (with fresh blackberries, none-the-less!) Elizabeth is a mini-Martha Stewart, and we always have a good time at their house. Walking into their house was like walking into The Great Gatsby (and I did have on my "Daisy" dress!) with the record player playing JT softly in the background, everyone in seersucker and hats, and the yummy drinks. With the soft drizzle of the rain on the screened in porch, it was a cozy afternoon. Kate really got into the spirit as well, and I had a matching magnolia on the back of my hat. I don't know what I am going to do when she is big enough to pull these things off her head. We just got home from her 2 week check-up. Can you believe it? I can't! Here are her stats: Weight: 9 lbs 14 ounces (50%) Height: 23 1/4 inches long (90%) HC: 37 1/2 cm (50%) She also got three shots and an oral vaccine today :( She was not happy about any of the ordeal, but she calmed down quickly afterward and has been an angel ever since. Dr. Hanson said she looked perfect (duh), and the way she opened and controlled her hands was advanced for her age (duh). We go back in two months for another round of shots. Boo! She is smiling alot now, and is starting to "coo" and make other noises. Kate also has great head control and likes to be where she can see what is going on. She is still not sleeping through the night, but she goes back to sleep quickly once her tummy is full. These days I feel like her tummy is never full :)Let me brag on Megan for a moment: Here is a video on of the permanent subs made for the 4th and 5th grade teachers last week for Teacher Appreciation Week. You will see my cute lil sis several times. She also got her writing scores back today and everyone of her students is proficient or above! This is really good news for a first year teacher! From her email: 6 is the highest score and it goes down from there. 5s and 6s are very advance, and a level 4 is competent. 3s are limited and she had NO 2s or 1s yay!! Out of both classes I had: Score 6= 2 !! Score 5= 6 (SO AWESOME) Score 4= 28 Score 3= 8

Kate's first Supper Club at Benihana!

Valorie, Whitney, Me, Laura, Tracy, Amanda, Hallie, and Jacqueline

I thought my mom's whole purpose was to be my mom. That's how she made me feel. Natasha Gregson Wagner