Precious Moments

I must admit, I'm almost envious of the technology we have to capture moments with Jack...I wish we had this kind of stuff when I was a baby. What I wouldn't do to have moments captured of me with my grandparents. It is going to be so neat for Jack to look back at these videos and pictures that he has of spending time with such special people in his life, like his grandparents.

Grandpa stayed with us a couple of weeks ago...I posted a picture of him singing to Jack...but now, I'm adding video. Such a priceless moment. I honestly was tearing up watching this sweet encounter. 

9.13.11

First and foremost, on Sunday our nation memorialized the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2011. The entire week leading up to that day was an emotional roller coaster. Many thoughts and feelings and vivid memories of that day came rushing back to you at the most peculiar times...a phrase, a scene on television, a song....would rush memories back and you would feel as you were the person you were 10 years ago.

On Saturday, September 10th, the Razorbacks played at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The theme of the day was "Razorbacks, remember." The fans were told to dress in red if their seats were in even sections, to dress in white if their seats were in odd sections and to dress in blue if their seats were in the student section. I must say...I think Razorback nation pulled it off.

On Sunday, the 11th, the Squirrels had a kickball game. One of our "Nuts" is a firefighter for the LRPD. He brought out some equipment and set up this memorial for 9/11. Never forgotten.



Squirrels were home team...




Baby Deacon--1 month old on Sept. 7, 2011...isn't he just the cutest, sweetest baby on the planet??? Love him.

Saints Opener--9/8/11 at the Rafferty house. Standard wings and cheese/sausage platter present.

Fuller family came to watch the game with us. Aren't they cute???

Crowd at the Raff house watching opening game.

Crowd from another angle.

Sam was fed up with the Saints...she went to bed. She fortunately left BEFORE we lost on the last FREE play of the game. I won't even go there...

First tailgate of 2011: War Memorial Stadium. Razorbacks Remember. (me, Becky and V)

Tim and I have been busy bees. We listed our house TODAY. Think good thoughts...and if anyone has a spare St. Joseph...send him our way!! ;)

Finally, it's been five years since we lost Ms. JB. Just as I posted last year, I know she's always watching over us. We love you Ms. JB!!!

11.17.10

On November 9 my brother headed out to Ft. Sill to partake in BOLC--which is some Army talk for some kind of school??? I don't know. (I know, I'm a great sis, aren't I?). Anywho, he'll be there til April doing Army things (he gets to come home for holidays and such--and will be back in plenty of time for Miss V's wedding, so no worries...well, except SIL is at home-by herself-with three little ones...). On the Sunday night before he left, the Pickle people threw him a little going away party. Here are some pics I got:

Me, my brudder and Miss V.

Steve's Mom, Steve and V...


Mimi (Steve's grandmother) and Moogie


Brooke, Brudder and Christopher

SIL and Lindsey

Action Shot...

On October 31, our good friends, Brad and Jill, welcomed precious little Olive into the world. We went to meet her last week. Look at Timmy with that baby...he's going to make such a wonderful daddy someday!!

Daddy figuring out his precious baby daughter. :)

mrs. jb

I can hardly believe that today marks the 4th year since we lost our Mrs. JB. Sometimes it feels like only yesterday...while others it feels like a lifetime.

I'm comforted knowing that no matter how old we are--she'll always be watching over us. We love you Mrs. JB!!!

Happy day seester!!

Today is my baby seester, my very best friend's birthday--so just wanted to say happy day! I'm going to celebrate her day with her tomorrow, hopefully I can find a yummy chocolate cake for her on short notice. :)

the rainbow bridge

For those of you that know me well--and even those of you that just stop by--you know that I am an avid dog lover. I have always needed the constant companionship of my four legged babes. As long as I can remember, I've had a dog. Because of their devotion and unconditional love--they are simply the most simple, amazing creatures on this planet (in my opinion). And when they go--they cross the Rainbow Bridge into their own perfect world and await their owners to join them. All dogs go to Heaven. To me, Heaven would not be without the love of our pets. I believe, believe, believe that when it is my time to join the Angels, I will first be greeted by Chang Hai, Zinger, Chewey, Rach, Wendy--and all my babies that I have loved so truly and dearly in my lifetime. Without their greeting my Heaven would not be complete. And...what a perfect place--that I can have so many pups with me at one time without anyone complaining. :)

Yesterday, my parents finally decided to send our Wendy girl to the Rainbow bridge. She had been one sick pup and it was time to say good bye. While we know it is best for her, it still stings the heart to know I must now wait until my own journey to the Rainbow Bridge to see her sweet face again. The loss of a pet is always, always hard on me--and I know it will only get more difficult when the days come that I have to say good bye to the ones I have raised and loved with my whole heart...(I will not think of that right now).

This is a picture of me and Wendy Whiner when we were both just "pups." Don't you love the outfit???? Nope. That would be the uniform Chick Fil A required me to wear...uh. Disgusting. But HOW CUTE IS THAT BEAGLY PUP?!?

Rest in peace my sweet, sweet Wendy Whiner. I know you're in a much better place, where you can run and "wrrooooopppp" all you want. You will always have a very, very special place in my heart my little beagly girl.

Here is a poem that brings peace and comfort to the hearts of pet lovers--and to my own.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

happy birthday little man!

Today is our cousin Maxx's birthday. He is such a cute, cute little man and I absolutely adore him! He is such a little cheese and he will, without a doubt, be a heartbreaker! Amanda, you're definitely not biased, I think Maxx is pretty fantastic, myself!!

Last year, it was as if he KNEW that his "Uncle" Tim and "Aunt" Shay were in town because he surprised us all by arriving early! His mama even called me to tell me that she wasn't going to make it to the lunch that we had planned because she was in the hospital (I still get a great laugh over that phone call, Amanda!!). We were beside ourselves thrilled that he decided to come when we were in town so that we could meet him.

Tim and Maxx, February 2009

Mr. Maxx, February 2010. Does that little face not just melt your heart?!?!

Christmas 2009

I can't believe that Christmas has already come and gone! Where oh where does the time go!?! This is my absolute FAVORITE holiday. For every reason that comes along with the season. The birth of our Saviour, spending time with family and friends, finding that perfect gift for your family. I LOVE to see the smiles on their faces when they open their gifts! Lots of food and no guilt in eating it! :) I could go on and on...

This year was a first for me--as I hosted our family's Christmas Eve get together. Christmas Eve is the night the Paulsons all get together and exchange gifts, eat gumbo, chili, ham and lots of junky snack foods, and enjoy one another's company. I was thrilled how the night went and got TONS of pictures...

Christmas morning we checked out the loot Santa brought the pups and Tim and I exchanged our gifts. Then we headed over to my grandfather's house to eat brunch with him. We finished the day with going to see the movie Sherlock Holmes and then spend the rest of the day being lazy! PERFECT CHRISTMAS.

Here are some of the pictures I took during the Christmas festivities:

Me, John and Lizzy

Steve got "big boy" panties, just like what John wears!!!

He was so proud! He just had to model them!

Veronica and Nick got a pretty neat gift, too...since their old tv died on them. :)

I love my sissy!

And my Timbo...

Miss V, daddy and mama

Miss Lizzy is a huge fan of shoes. She was modeling my new boots for us all...

Ty was very intrigued with the little ones.

But then it was exhausting keeping up with them. Thank goodness for Moogie's lap!

Christmas Morning we had to check out what Santa brought us...as usual, he did pretty good!


Ty's candy cane rawhide is as long as him!

Our new doormat. :)

This is a print for the 2007 National Championship LSU team. Tim got to go to that game, so I figured he'd like to have the print. It's going to hang in the office (out of my line of vision)...

The BESTEST gift...a photo shoot with our wedding photographers. I had originally opted out of engagement photos, but began to regret that decision. Thankfully, I have an AWESOME fiance and he got me the shoot for my Christmas present!

Pippi enjoyed Ty's candy cane, as well. Santa did good. ;)

Not really sure what this face is...but I got a snuggie. And it's pink and fantastic!

Since I had soo many pictures from Christmas Eve, I put the Christmas Eve pictures in a slideshow (I'm just too lazy to upload all those pictures!!).

trip to who dat nation

Last weekend Tim and I loaded up the pups and the car and headed down to New Orleans. I took the first driving shift which is all of 65--and I usually detest making that part of the drive. However, luck was on my side and not Timbo's for this drive...the second Tim got behind the wheel, rain started falling. And it fell and fell and fell. From Tallulah, LA to New Orleans. Over three hours of Tim driving in torrential rain. Needless to say, he wasn't too pleased with the drive! (who could blame him).

On Friday, my mom, Tim and I met up with MawMaw El, Will, Amanda, and Maxx and had YUMMY poboys from Parkway Bakery and Tavern... Then Tim and I wondered around the French Market for a little while. Friday night, mama cooked up a delicious meal to celebrate my dad's birthday (and Linda's...though, she was absent from the festivities).

Saturday we headed down to the CBD early and enjoyed the pre-game festivities. We won't talk about the results of that game. But...I will say we had so much fun. After the game we met up with Amanda, Scott, Rachael and Will (they were downtown for a wedding). It was SO MUCH FUN!!

Here are some pics I got (and "borrowed") from the weekend.

I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL Christmas!!


One of the CUTEST little boys in the whole wide world (don't let that face fool you--he's such a happy little man!) with his Mama and Uncle Will.

Me and Tim with MawMaw El. Her face is FUNNY!!!
El and Tim playing with Maxx.


My time management disabled mother....didn't have the table set about 30 minutes before the guests were to arrive, so I set the table for her. Isn't it pretty?!?
Mama and Timbo outside the Dome.

Me and Tim outside the Dome.

Inside the Dome. For those of you that have heard the story...you can see the Witten family right behind us. ;)

POST GAME--at the Sheraton with the fam...

Tim and his (our) cousin, Amanda (thanks for the pics, Amanda!!)

Sad cousin Will because of the Saints loss. :(

Me and Amanda...I can't wait to be a part of ya'll's fam!!! Love you!!