Mark and I spend quite a few minutes each evening repacking plastic shopping bags into our hand-crafted bag holder. Guess why??
Thank you Uncle Robert for this handy gift! We could have never imagined the entertainment it would provide for Turner on many evenings while we are cooking dinner and cleaning the kitchen!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Life at the Armstrong house...
...is very interesting these days! This post may be lengthy, but I will try to catch you up on what's been going on in our lives for the last couple of weeks.
The House (9/29/08)
The roof is complete, electrical and plumbing jobs are 95% complete, windows and bricks were started today (Monday) and if all goes as planned we may be getting sheetrock by Friday of this week! It is moving along rapidly and we are busy making decisions on cabinets, counters, paint, flooring, etc. Fun - but slightly stressful when combined with all of our other commitments! Here are a few pics taken this past Saturday when we walked through.
First Steps We knew she was getting close to walking, but Turner has really taken off in the last couple of days! She's been strong on her legs for a while, but last week she finally mustered the courage to take a few steps on her own. This past weekend(9-27-08) she walked a great deal more than usual around the house - it's all we can do to chase behind her and try to prevent dangerous falls as she perfects this new skill!
Clapping We had no idea how much we would fall in love with this new trick! The moment we saw this we were both overcome with what a miracle Turner is and how she's changing, learning, and growing each day.
Our funny girl Here are some random pictures of Turner that show her true personality! We are enjoying every moment of this journey of parenthood! She is a wonderful blessing!
Funny face while sitting on Daddy's shoulders
Showing off her new skill of standing up 
Turner is obsessed with leaves! (And pretty much anything else outdoors.) Last Sunday night, she grabbed a leaf and before we realized it had the entire thing in her mouth trying to eat it! Thankfully we heard the coughing and spitting and were able to get it out. Here she is in the yard...you guessed it...picking up leaves!
Her pacifier was on a clip attached to the stroller. Upon seeing this, Turner decided to crawl to the stroller and attempt to get the pacifier in her mouth. When it was a little too hard to get it with her hands, she just dove down into the stroller with her mouth! (And yes, I am aware she's looking a little redneck wearing only a diaper...)
The House (9/29/08)
The roof is complete, electrical and plumbing jobs are 95% complete, windows and bricks were started today (Monday) and if all goes as planned we may be getting sheetrock by Friday of this week! It is moving along rapidly and we are busy making decisions on cabinets, counters, paint, flooring, etc. Fun - but slightly stressful when combined with all of our other commitments! Here are a few pics taken this past Saturday when we walked through.
First Steps We knew she was getting close to walking, but Turner has really taken off in the last couple of days! She's been strong on her legs for a while, but last week she finally mustered the courage to take a few steps on her own. This past weekend(9-27-08) she walked a great deal more than usual around the house - it's all we can do to chase behind her and try to prevent dangerous falls as she perfects this new skill!
Clapping We had no idea how much we would fall in love with this new trick! The moment we saw this we were both overcome with what a miracle Turner is and how she's changing, learning, and growing each day.
Our funny girl Here are some random pictures of Turner that show her true personality! We are enjoying every moment of this journey of parenthood! She is a wonderful blessing!
Funny face while sitting on Daddy's shoulders
Showing off her new skill of standing up 
Turner is obsessed with leaves! (And pretty much anything else outdoors.) Last Sunday night, she grabbed a leaf and before we realized it had the entire thing in her mouth trying to eat it! Thankfully we heard the coughing and spitting and were able to get it out. Here she is in the yard...you guessed it...picking up leaves!
Her pacifier was on a clip attached to the stroller. Upon seeing this, Turner decided to crawl to the stroller and attempt to get the pacifier in her mouth. When it was a little too hard to get it with her hands, she just dove down into the stroller with her mouth! (And yes, I am aware she's looking a little redneck wearing only a diaper...)
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Saturdays in September
Our Saturdays in September have been filled with good food, great friends, and SEC football. Here are some photos taken of Turner last Saturday before the Auburn vs. LSU game.
Monday, September 15, 2008
This year it wasn't so hard...
Mark and I are both big sports fans and we really enjoy college football. On one Saturday each year, we are wholeheartedly cheering for different teams. Well, that's not exactly true - two Saturdays a year we cheer for different teams...when the Rebels meet the Crimson Tide, I cheer for Ole Miss and he cheers for Alabama. But you get my point. I decided when Turner was born that when this game rolled around each fall she would wear the colors of the home team. That way both of us would have the opportunity to enjoy her representing "our side."
This past weekend we went to Starkville for the game (really it's more about seeing good friends in Starkville than the game), but we decided that Turner would probably be better off staying at the Swann's house and playing with her buddy Phillip than going to the stadium and possibly being really bothered by the noise. (Read: LOUD cowbell ringing) I made Mark promise to talk to me during the game if we weren't taking Turner, since for the last six years he's barely spoken to me during this particular game. I am one of the only people wearing orange and blue in the MSU section...so it's not like everyone is jumping to talk to me anyway.
Fast forward to the 4th quarter of the madness that was Saturday night in Starkville...Mark and I were definitely talking to one another. In fact, we couldn't stop talking - almost laughing - about how utterly horrible both teams were playing. Seriously - THREE to TWO??!! By the end of the game neither of us really who cared who won, we just wanted it to end! And on the way home Sunday, Mark actually looked at me and said, "I had a great time this weekend!" Again, the fellowship is more important than the football.
*If you don't like football, or don't know the game you may want to skip this paragraph. If you do, here are some of my thoughts after the debacle Saturday night:
1. LSU is going to embarrass Auburn on national TV this weekend if we don't have a major offensive overhaul. Defition of overhaul: figure out what in the world we are actually doing.
2. If we run it up the middle on 3rd and 24 every single time this week I think I might throw up. For goodness sake, stop giving up and try something on 3rd down and long...ANYTHING!
3. If you are going to completely change offensive philosophies, you should probably recruit players who have the abilities necessary to make them work. Bless his heart, Todd looked tenative and confused throughout most of the game. I am afraid there might be another "Honk if you sacked Brodie" type display this weekend...but I am afraid it might not be in our favor.
4. I hope I am wrong about this weekend. If I am not, it's going to be a VERY long season.
We did get the opportunity to go to MSU's campus on Sunday morning to snap a few pictures of Mark with Turner. This is the first time she's really been on campus with her Daddy and it was special for me to be able to watch him with her in a place he so dearly loves. Here are a few pictures of that special time.
WAR EAGLE and GO DAWGS!!
This past weekend we went to Starkville for the game (really it's more about seeing good friends in Starkville than the game), but we decided that Turner would probably be better off staying at the Swann's house and playing with her buddy Phillip than going to the stadium and possibly being really bothered by the noise. (Read: LOUD cowbell ringing) I made Mark promise to talk to me during the game if we weren't taking Turner, since for the last six years he's barely spoken to me during this particular game. I am one of the only people wearing orange and blue in the MSU section...so it's not like everyone is jumping to talk to me anyway.
Fast forward to the 4th quarter of the madness that was Saturday night in Starkville...Mark and I were definitely talking to one another. In fact, we couldn't stop talking - almost laughing - about how utterly horrible both teams were playing. Seriously - THREE to TWO??!! By the end of the game neither of us really who cared who won, we just wanted it to end! And on the way home Sunday, Mark actually looked at me and said, "I had a great time this weekend!" Again, the fellowship is more important than the football.
*If you don't like football, or don't know the game you may want to skip this paragraph. If you do, here are some of my thoughts after the debacle Saturday night:
1. LSU is going to embarrass Auburn on national TV this weekend if we don't have a major offensive overhaul. Defition of overhaul: figure out what in the world we are actually doing.
2. If we run it up the middle on 3rd and 24 every single time this week I think I might throw up. For goodness sake, stop giving up and try something on 3rd down and long...ANYTHING!
3. If you are going to completely change offensive philosophies, you should probably recruit players who have the abilities necessary to make them work. Bless his heart, Todd looked tenative and confused throughout most of the game. I am afraid there might be another "Honk if you sacked Brodie" type display this weekend...but I am afraid it might not be in our favor.
4. I hope I am wrong about this weekend. If I am not, it's going to be a VERY long season.
We did get the opportunity to go to MSU's campus on Sunday morning to snap a few pictures of Mark with Turner. This is the first time she's really been on campus with her Daddy and it was special for me to be able to watch him with her in a place he so dearly loves. Here are a few pictures of that special time.
WAR EAGLE and GO DAWGS!!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
The house on Sutherland Court…
After almost 2 months of searching for plans, choosing a builder, customizing plans, and selecting a lot, they finally broke ground on our new home on Thursday, August 28! After getting the lot cleared and hand-picking which trees were to stay, the footings were poured on Tuesday, September 2, foundations were dug and blocks were laid on Wednesday, September 3, and the framing began on Monday, September 8. Mark and I were able to walk through an almost fully framed house for the first time on Friday, September 12. We returned from our weekend travels today (Sunday, September 14) to find the house fully framed and ready for the next stage of building! So, that's 16 days from "nothing" to "something"! We are so pleased with the way the lot and house are shaping up!
The lot prior to any clearing.
The Armstrongs with Pop after the first lot clearing.
The foundation.
The fully framed house!
The lot prior to any clearing.
The Armstrongs with Pop after the first lot clearing.
The foundation.
The fully framed house!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Back to Louisiana
Labor Day weekend we headed toward Mark's hometown of St. Joseph, Louisiana for a quick visit with Granny and Grandpa Armstrong. We are constantly amazed at how well Turner travels. We figured that this trip might be more difficult than previous trips since Turner is mobile and really on the go these days. In typical Turner fashion, she was an angel. She never really fussed or cried, and she used the travel time to take a couple of long naps! Absolutely amazing...
On Saturday, Mark drove to Ruston, LA to meet up with several Mississippi State friends to watch the MSU vs. Louisiana Tech football game. Let's not talk about the outcome of that...nor the fact that when I asked Mark about it almost 24 hours later on the way home I was told, "I don't want to talk about it." Turner and I stayed behind with the Armstrongs and watched the game while listening to the Auburn Game.
Here are a few pictures from the weekend. If you'll notice, a few of these were taken on the Armstrong's pier while we were feeding the fish. Just 48 hours after we left, Hurricane Gustav had rolled through Louisiana and this pier was completely submerged.
On Saturday, Mark drove to Ruston, LA to meet up with several Mississippi State friends to watch the MSU vs. Louisiana Tech football game. Let's not talk about the outcome of that...nor the fact that when I asked Mark about it almost 24 hours later on the way home I was told, "I don't want to talk about it." Turner and I stayed behind with the Armstrongs and watched the game while listening to the Auburn Game.
Here are a few pictures from the weekend. If you'll notice, a few of these were taken on the Armstrong's pier while we were feeding the fish. Just 48 hours after we left, Hurricane Gustav had rolled through Louisiana and this pier was completely submerged.
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