Fat Girls Ride Free!

Who woulda thought? Hollywood meets Rockwood! Last night Jay, Eli, and I went to eat dinner in downtown Rockwood at Ivans (FYI - avoid the chili at all costs). While we were there we noticed that the main street in Rockwood was closed and there were tons of people and camera equipment set up down the block. We thought it was probably one of those hometown commercials, or maybe a smalltown documentary. We were wrong! They were shooting a MOVIE! HA! One of the main characters is played by Hal Holbrook (married Dixie Carter). I didn't recognize the name, but definitely the face! It was really neat to watch them film a scene and holler "ACTION" and "CUT"! The main prop in the scene we watched was an old taxi and across the back window was the phrase "Jesus saves receipts, fat girls ride free". Thus the title of the post! Below are some pics that I took, and a brief synopsis from IMDB. Yall keep your eyes open for Rockwood on the big screen!






Abner Meecham flees the nursing facility in which his son has convinced him to live and returns to his Tennessee farm to live out his days in peace. Upon returning home, Abner discovers his son has leased his precious farm to an old foe and his redneck family. This sets up a ruthless grudge match between Abner and Lonzo Choat, the white-trash patriarch, each man rightly claiming the land as his own and each refusing to leave. Finding no help from his son and haunted by recurring visions of his dead wife, Abner resorts to his own methods of reclaiming his life.

Calling all moms!!

Okay, so I am finally at the place where I can look forward into motherhood and not just survive one day at a time! It seems as if the first 3 months are all about finding your foothold and discovering new things about yourself, your partner, and your child. You figure out your philosophy in parenting: whether your going to be more protective or more laid back, whether you can listen to your child cry himself to sleep, how to integrate others into your child's life, how to keep your marriage relationship a priority, how to deal when you need some "me" time, and most importantly how you are going to direct your child in a relationship with God. A few years ago I got to watch as a friend of ours announced that her child had accepted Jesus as her savior and wanted to be baptized! I get tears just thinking about it! If I could succeed in one thing as a parent, I want it be this! So.... looking ahead! Eli and I journeyed to the Lifeway Christian store last week and found some boardbooks and a set of sing-along dvd's. Eli loves the illustrations in the boardbooks, and he will sit and watch the kids sing on the TV for 30 minutes! So we have developed what I like to call "Praise and Worship Time" in the mornings. The songs even get stuck in my head! Try being mad or stressed out when "Father Abraham" pops into your mind! So my challenge to all you moms out there.... come up with your own "Praise and Worship Time" or something similar with your own kids! I look forward to this time with Eli and I know that I am making a difference in his life by showing him how to incorporate praise into his day!

Ribbit!

Isn't he the cutest little froggie you've ever seen! I love Eli's Pottery Barn frog towel!

Jumparoo lives on!

I can't believe it... the Jumparoo lives on to bring joy to another Owings child! This hand-me-down was one of Cole's favorite toys and he has enjoyed it until he can no longer fit in the seat! His loss, Eli's gain! I can tell that the jumparoo is going to be one of Eli's fav's too. He loves kicking his legs and he loves music, so this is the perfect combination. We will take good care of it until we can pass it on to the next Owings/Hinch child! Thanks Aunt Kellye for the loan!




Here's a video of Eli's first time in the Jumparoo! It's taken a few tries, but he's finally figured it out and now LOVES it! (Except when golf is on... I'll post that video later).

Jon and Kate Plus 8

What an inspiration! For those of you who have not seen the show "Jon and Kate Plus 8" on TLC, you don't know what you are missing!! This young couple have 7 year old twins, and 3 year old sextuplets. Can you imagine?! Kate is a stay at home mom, and she survives thanks to friends and her faith. I encourage you to read their story by using the link below and watch them if you get a chance on TLC. It is incredible to watch Jon and Kate interact with each other and with each of their children! Whew! It is exhausting just to watch!

http://www.sixgosselins.com/Our_Story.html

Looking at the world from a new direction!

Eli is becoming such a big boy! Just this week his head control has gotten better and he doesn't mind tummy time so much. He used to pitch the biggest fit for me to roll him onto his back, but now he will actually lay on his stomach and look around. He especially tries to find the TV!! (I hate that, but what are you going to do?)

SHMILY

SHMILY.... Google the word and read the story! Too sweet! Pass along your own "shmily"!