Our New Addition

Since no one else has posted this, I will because it is certainly good news worth posting! Evan Mateo Dowd (I hope that's right) arrived yesterday morning, February 20, 2008, weighing in at 6 lbs. 14 oz. and 18 in. long. I'm sure he's beautiful! Congratulations Jamie and Lili, and Congratulations to Big Brother Parker!!! This is Grandmama's 10th great-grandchild!!!!

Recovering...

Hello again! Just thought I'd give everyone an update on our week from "you know wherre" last week. Monday night, Allie threw up everywhere...3 times. I stayed home with her Tuesday and she slept all day. Wednesday morning, I got up sick and Mama came and got Allie for me. I threw up a total of 6 times. Then, Mama got sick and I had to send my in-laws to go get Allie. Then, Wednesday night, Allie threw up again! Brad stayed home with her on Thursday and she slept all day. In the meantime Mr. James got sick. Now, keep in mind that in the midst of all of this I had to have circle meeting at my house on Tuesday night and we were preparing for Ms. Mickey's surprise birthday party on Saturday night, at which poing her sister from Cali was surprising her by being there! Then, Thursday night, Brad got sick! Friday morning, Allie had a fever. I took her to the doctor to find out she had an ear infection in both ears! Then Saturday morning, she was fine and we went out to breakfast. Later on, when Brad put her in the hi-chair to feed her her luch, she threw up curdled milk everywhere! I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. On top of all of that, the poor child is teething like crazy! Anyway, we still made it to Mrs Mickey's party, except for poor, sick Mr. James! She was shocked! It was great. I think everybody is about back to normal now. Hope you all stay well! Love you all!

Mardi Gras

Hi guys. I had a joyous weekend by myself while my parents and Jared were away to Charleston. It was quite fun. Jared talked about his experience at Mardi Gras and the only words I can use to describe the trip was educational and interesting. It was educational because I came to the conclusion I don't want to become drunk enough to think that dressing up as Superman and running through the streets is acceptable. It was interesting because of all the um... unique people I met. I believe any 83 year old man who is comfortable wearing just a pink teddy and pink hat is unique. I wanted my picture taken with him but the chaperones wouldn't let me. However, Mr. Thomas let other people have their pictures taken with naked cowboys. I honestly believe hanging out with the old man was better because you didn't run the risk of being lassoed just to hear cow pokes sing a song about how wonderful life is wearing boots. The only disbelieving thing about the cowboys singing about wearing boots was the fact that they weren't wearing boots, they were wearing nothing accept a hat. I went on a really cool boat and now want to be a sailor when I grow up. The trip was truly amazing. I saw drunk people, got pelted with beads, assaulted a police officer (twice), took a picture of Mr. Thomas wearing a zebra looking cowboy hat, watched a fellow band member toss his cookies over the side of the boat and saw some really amazing sites. I screamed my lungs out when I saw the Go-Gos, one of my favorite bands of all time. I couldn't speak for a while, of course though I found my voice when I felt the need to ask Mr. Thomas why in the world we play Rocky Top when we don't live in Tennessee. I just got stared at. I'll tell you there is nothing like New Orleans the trip truly was amazing and some things beautiful. While my parents have been away I have decided that I want to start back with piano lessons. I won't be able to though because there is no one to teach me around here. I have also decided that for my 15th birthday I would like Melodie to come to my house and fix easy mac for me and for us to watch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. School is fine and I am glad this week is short. I can't wait till Friday because I miss Suzi. I am also looking forward to seeing Meredith. Just to let yall know I enjoyed seeing a lot of you this weekend and I would much rather have done that then seen College of Charleston in the rain. Have a good week!!

I'm 18

First off thank you all for my cards and birthday wishes they ment a lot to me. As I'm sure you've heard I spent my eighteenth Birthday in New Orleans. The Festivities began on Friday when a band of old men called me on stage at Mid-City Rock and Bowl and then sang Happy Birthday to me. Then on Saturday we marched in the Krewe of Iris Parade and a group of drunk LSU fans sang Happy Birthday to me during the parade, that was fun. Then saturday afternoon we saw the Endymion Parade and I saw Kevin Costner, The Go Go's and The Doobie Brothers. That night we had cake that Mama brought with us with the whole band in the hotel lobby. The next day we marched in the Krewe of Mid-City Parade and this really pretty blonde girl came from the crowd hugged me and gave me beads then told me happy birthday. I think someone may have told her it was my Birthday. Also in that parade this really nice bald girl and some of her friends congratulated me on living a whole 18 years and then they gave me their beads. Drunk people are so nice. I got my acceptance to Clemson today. I was excited because at least now I have choices. I got into College of Charleston, Tulane, and Clemson now. Tulane was kind of always too expensive for me to go there so now that I got into Clemson I get to choose between Clemson and College of Charleston. If you're interested I'll post my pro con lists so I can get some feed back. I'm going to tour Charleston monday and Clemson again next weekend so we'll so how that goes.I miss everyone and I hope you are all doing well. I'll distributed pictures of New Orleans throughout the blog.

We're back!

Yes, it does look like we have all been slack and have not kept this up. We have not had our internet for a while since we had to cut back on our expenses while I was out of work. BUT WE ARE BACK ONLINE! I started working yesterday (YAY!) and we immediately got the internet reconnected. I am so happy to have a job and really feel like this one is going to be really good! I am doing the same kind of work (workers compensation claim adjusting), so the work will be the same, but I think I am going to enjoy the people that I will be working with. I am driving to Fort Mill, SC, which only takes about 25 minutes, so the drive is not bad at all. As Grandmama says, "everything happens for a reason" and I think I will be in a better situation now! Taylor got her 2nd quarter report card today and our little scholar got all 3's, which is the highest (consistently meets expectations for Grade 1). Her teacher says that she has mastered the math concepts and is reading above grade level! We are so proud of her! I don't know where she gets it from... :)!!!!