Got a chance to try Nestle Splash through Influenster and it is delish! Have to admit they sent me the orange flavor and David got to it before I even got a chance to try it! He loved it, so I bought more. I bought the strawberry melon flavor and mmmmmm it's good!  Great flavor that makes water a bit more interesting!

Influenster is so much fun, I love trying new products and giving honest feedback. I received my Nestlé Splash products complimentary from Influenster and am entering the Brand Challenge for a chance to win a prize.

My #WellnessVoxBox

Thanks to my #WellnessVoxBox I got a chance to try out the new @JergensUS #WetSkinMoisturizer for free! I've been seeing the commercials and was wondering how it would feel to #ApplyBeforeYouDry! It is a weird feeling at first, but really does help to keep you hydrated all day!

Bedtime shinanighans

Bedtime around our house is always a small battle. Getting Briggs into the bath, into pajamas, brushing those teeth, reading two (or seven) books, and then turning out the light and leaving.

David is quite a sucker and often stays in Briggs' bed long after multiple books to give backrubs. Many times he sticks around for a catnap of his own. This is one of our biggest disagreements.

Last night I was on bedtime duty as David was getting some things done outside. I had to go back in a few times to tend to a crying little man who wanted daddy to come rub his back. 

At one point, Briggs was quite upset and sobbing wanting daddy to come to him. I asked him why he was so upset and didn't brace myself for the big guns he was about to pull on me. 

"I don't know if my daddy's dead!?" 

I had to hold in my chuckle and assure him that daddy was just fine and would in fact be in to say goodnight when he finished working. 

Oh daddy is creating a monster!!

Potty Training Giggle

In the innocence that is a two year old who is potty-training, here is a great outtake that simply must be documented.

I am currently out of town attending a conference so daddy is in charge of potty training. David got Briggs settled on his little potty, then needed to go as well.

Briggs: "Whoa Daddy, that's a big wee wee right there!"

David: "Don't worry son you'll grow into yours"

In the Saddle

On Saturday, April 12th the Clemson Equine Center held their annual open house event.  Briggs and I come out to be supportive and also to enjoy the new babies and Kayleigh's ride.  Briggs decided he was ready to get in the saddle and did a GREAT job for his first ride!!   Thanks to CU Equine Center and that sweet boy Charmer for the ride!!

Time is Precious

I am going to be super sappy and cliche in this post, you've been warned.

Several recent events have reminded me of what a precious commodity TIME has become ... especially now that I am a 30(something) with my own little family. I just wish I had a pause button.  Next week Briggs turns TWO and throughout the first three weeks in September, I have travelled to NY twice for some major events.

The first trip was a super happy event to watch a childhood friend get married.  This is one of those we-go-way-back kind of friends, we literally shared a playpen and diapers.  The Amelio family is so special to me, all SIX of them.  I could plop down in their living room today and be right at home ... even though I haven't spent significant time with them since the early 90's.  Andi Amelio taught me everything I know about being mischievous and possibly gave me some skills in quick-whitted humor. Although I may only ever match 1/16th of her mastery.

While on that trip with my parents - we visited a part of the state where I have never been before. A place where my Dad's family has some deep roots.  This sort of trip would have been torture for me years ago.  However, I really and truly enjoyed it (again proof of my age).  We searched for family headstones and places where the Hulse family first took claim in the States.  My father never met most of his family and his own father died when he was young.  Watching him connect, and also myself connect, all the dots was priceless.  I will even admit that I also truly enjoyed our jaunt to FDR's homeplace and Presidential Museum.

Headstones for my great, great grandparents
(Top marker also includes my great grandfather Wellington)

Headstones for my great, great, great grands 

After being back in my own bed for only two nights, I received one of those dreaded phone calls.  My Aunt Sandy had passed, just 46 years young.  As a kid, Sandy always seemed OLD to me. Even though she was just 14 years older, she was just always miles away from where I was in life.  She was going to Senior prom when I was learning to ride a bike.  She was getting married when I was learning about boys.  She was having children just when I was losing interest in dolls.

 

Three years ago, Sandy moved to SC and we all had the chance to reacquaint after years of living thousands of miles apart. She moved into my parents rental property and right back into our immediate family. The 14 year age difference was so different now than before. We still weren't at the same place in life, but we shared so much more than before. She took a front seat in Briggs' life. She was literally the first person who knew we were trying to get pregnant and she was so supportive throughout my pregnancy. She arrived the day after his arrival to help us transition home and all the way through, she has been there to help me and to spoil him.

Her sudden departure returned all of us to NNY.  My parents, Krista and Rick, as well as David, Briggs and myself.  While it was under horrible circumstances, it gave me the chance to take my little family back to the town, the people, the places, and the tastes that are such a part of who I am.  The three of us spent 30hrs of quality time together in the car and my family spent a few days bonding in a small fish camp with one toilet.  Briggs had the opportunity to meet most of my dad's family.  My dad's aunts, uncles, and cousins are all like aunts, uncles and cousins to me.

My family has had some tremendous losses in the last year. Both my grandmother and my aunt slipped away too soon.  I know that this won't be the last time that I experience loss - I just hope that I am able to show all of the people in my life just how much they mean to me between now and then.

With all the hustle and bustle of our day-to-day here in Clemson.  I only get a handful of hours each day to spend with Briggs.  During this trip, I really realized just how far he has come recently.  He has SO many words, can properly use possessive pronouns and is stringing together sentences all on his own!  He is really starting to gain control of his emotions and while mostly he uses them to manipulate me - he is now also starting to have real fears and concerns.  Although he doesn't have an elaborate vocabulary - he has amazing recognition. He can pick out animals and objects and catches on SO quickly.  That toddler brain is just amazing!

We all know that you can't stop time, you can't turn back the clock, and you can't get back what is gone.  I tried my best to enjoy the time I had with family and friends these last few weeks and I am really going to try my damnedest to let the dishes pile a little higher and the laundry a little deeper so I can savor all of Briggs' childhood.  Just a few more days of having a one-year-old ... unbelievable.

Blog guilt

Most of my diary entries started out with "Sorry it's been so long"or "I promise to get better" and I always seem to feel like I should to start my blog posts the same way. Looks like things haven't changed much since I was 8-yrs-old ... well ... except I no longer have to trick my babysitter into letting me stay up late to watch scary movies.

Although it has only been two months since my last blog post, it feels like so much more time has gone by when I think of all that has happened since then. We have survived the "summer-of-relentless-rain" in South Carolina. The stat I saw tonight on the news said this summer we've had 82 flash flood warnings versus the 13 we had last year.  WOWZA!!!

With summer ALMOST over and football season literally just around the corner.  Here are some of my favorite pics and videos from our fun summer of 2013 ...

For the longest time Briggs wouldn't wear a hat. Now we love the hat ... clothes ... optional.

Maggie Valley Camping Trip - July 4th

I've never been so soggy ....

Hollywild Animal Park

A non-profit wildlife preserve. When I get rich, I'm buying them some concrete.

We made it to the safari bus literally seconds before the downpour hit.

When we got to the car, my feet were so muddy.  

David was nice enough to let me wash off in a roadside puddle.

Swimming in the front yard

At the Greenville Children's Museum with our buddy Charlotte

Refused a nap this day, the lawn mower ride did him in though!

Beach Day @ Lake Hartwell!

Washing the trucks turned into hose fun!

Dixie (the worldest sweetest and most patient dog) came to visit!