Water Baby

It's summer, and William loves the water. He is digging his new bathtub, he enjoyed swim classes with mom in April and May and he loves the backyard pool. Beat the heat, and enjoy splish-splashing with William!

The Remaining Days of Lent

Santa's gonna put me on the naughty list b/c I fell off the wagon, but my remaining days of lent were spent being thankful for all the many, many family members I have. We were able to see many of them over the Easter weekend for both Easter celebrations and William's first birthday. A big kiss and hug to those of you who we did not get to see. I'll be posting this week a recap of William having fun turning one and enjoying Easter! Cheers to being thankful.

Days 36 & 37 - Bootcamp & Ballpit

To each his/her own for lots of things in life including how he/she likes to work out.

For example, I like to get my fitness fix by either running (aka jogging) or taking a class. To jumpstart my health and physique for the spring and summer, I am currently enrolled in a bootcamp. It meets 3 times a week, and it gives more than a gentle nudge to my not-so-in-shape tush. Wow, I don't always like it, but I do love it and am thankful for it.



William prefers to get his fitness fix in his ballpit...his upper arm strength is incredible. He can throw the balls out at ya with incredible speed and precision. We're headed for D-1 ballpit throwing, I just know it. He's thankful for the exercise, and I am thankful for the activity that makes him happy.

Days 31-35...Lots of Thankfulness

I know, I know, I know...I'm behind AGAIN. My excuse this time...a NASTY, NASTY, NASTY stomach bug hit not only me but also William over the weekend, and it wrecked our world. The father of the house was on a dude weekend, and the mother of the house (aka me) had a friend in from out of town...and then IT hit. IT was awful, and I do not wish IT on any soul living on this green earth. Poor Willie-Bob (aka William) got so sick and had no clue what was going on...just nasty, nasty, nasty.

Anyhoo, we will not reflect on the past...we will respect the future!

I've said it before, and I will say it again...I am thankful for family and friends. (Days 31 & 32) I am so thankful that the grandparents rallied and came to the rescue of William, and I am so thankful that my friend was a trooper and came to the rescue of me. Wowzers...and thank you.

Day 33 is dedicated to my thankfulness of modern medicine...no need for my tummy to ache and ache and ache when there is medicine to help. I am thankful for medicine.

Day 34 is dedicated to health; I am thankful that by yesterday both William and I were back in the land of the living. Being healthy is a beautiful thing, and we are thankful.

And day 35...just like that, we are back on track! William and I are thankful for spring. We went to the flower festival this morning with our good friends, Carrie and Claire, and look at the fancy pics we took. Enjoy and be thankful!

Days 28, 29 & 30

I'm doing yesterday, today and tomorrow b/c I have a thought process that goes together. I am thankful for sugar, spice and everything nice. I LOVE FOOD. I love it, love it, love it. Many of my most favoritest memories involve food. I am not a "sweets" girl, and I am not a "salty" girl. I am an "all accepting, all loving" kind of girl. I heart a good meal. There is this book, My Last Supper: 50 Great Chefs and Their Final Meals / Portraits, Interviews, and Recipes, by Melanie Dunea, and it is really pretty and delicious to read. (Notice I used the word delicious.) All these famous chefs share what would be their last supper.

Anyhoo, if someone ever asks me what my last supper would be, here's my answer.

I would begin with a glass of champagne. I would also have a cool glass of water with my glass of champagne b/c sometimes I get thirsty when I have champagne. I would enjoy a cheese plate with a variety of cheeses and perhaps even some anti pasta treats as well. I would enjoy all of this in a casual setting - like a den or something.

Then I would move to a really nicely decorated table, and I would have some fresh greens with a light bodied red wine. It would be a nice cleansing after all that cheese. Then I would have served to me on the finest piece of china I own a fan-tab-u-lous meal of one of the following depending on my mood at the time: chicken spaghetti served with really good green beans, chicken tenders served with the really good green beans and homemade mac&cheese or a juicy, tender steak served with the really good green beans and really good mashed potatoes. With my main course, I would enjoy a glass of a splendid California cab.

I would cleanse my taste buds with some lemon sorbet, and then I would have a HUGE slice of white cake with white icing along with a very cold glass of champagne. After dinner I would enjoy a chocolate mint (aka a handful of m-m's) and some lovely conversation with family and friends.

I am getting hungry just thinking about it, and I am so thankful for good (good not always meaning fancy) food. :) Off to eat some lunch...

Days 24, 25, 26 & 27 - The Parental Units

Matthew and I both are so thankful for our parents, and William LOVES, LOVES, LOVES that he has so many loving grandparents. They might spoil him just a teeny tiny bit. Ha! A picture of each grandparent with his/her name is below. Thank you and lots of love to all of you!!

Gigi and her books...


Mia and her cool new wheels and a good looking sonic drink...


Grams and Pops with Uncle Hamp at their crib...


Grandad in action...


Nana in action giving me some luv...

Days 21, 22 & 23 - The Three B's

I am very thankful for my newly formed Book club, my Bible study group and Birthdays. I thought of the three B's day before yesterday, and I had to wait to post...to make it a clever entry.

Anyhoo, first B - my friend, Leanne, and I have started a book club to challenge ourselves to read a variety of books and to channel the inner literary critic in us (little joke). We met for the first time mid-tornado on Wednesday, and it was lovely. We read a children's classic to get the ball rolling, and we have a whole list of fancy and fun books to read over the coming months. I feel like a real intellect now that I am in a book club. Yahoo! Second B - My bible study meets every Thursday, and it is fantastic. We did a study on Esther last semester and are currently studying Isaiah. It is an amazing praise and worship time PLUS we learn. Yahoo to that! And finally, third B - birthdays rule. I went to a friend's birthday dinner last night, and it was hilarious. Girl time + good food + a little wine + a birthday celebration complete with cake = thankfulness indeed.

And a little picture happy for you on this Friday morning...William has discovered the stairs!!

Day 20 - Daddy Barnes

My grandfather, Daddy Barnes, turned 88 today, and his three daughters (my mom and her two sisters) plus me, my brother and William went to lunch to celebrate. Daddy Barnes is a widow to a true domestic goddess (Mama Ruby), a father of three daughters, a grandfather of six grandchildren (3 boys and 3 girls) and a great-grandfather of five great-grandchildren (3 girls and 2 boys). He is a retired pharmacist, an avid golfer and a true gentleman. I love and respect him, and I am very, very thankful for him. Happy birthday to you, Daddy Barnes!

Day 20 - Pedicures

Love pedicures and am actually very thankful for them! Don't even need to post a picture b/c we all know what a pedicure looks like, and I don't think anyone wants to look at my toes. Why am I thankful for them? B/c pedicures relax me - the whole experience is very zen for me, and I am thankful for little pockets of relaxation in life. We can all get pretty busy, and it's nice to find things that are relaxing.

And just for giggles, here's the family...

Day 19 - Running

I know, I know, I know...I'm late again, but I have a very good excuse AGAIN. I ran in the LR 1/2 marathon on Sunday, and I have been too sore to walk let alone type every since I finished the race (little woo-woo to me for finishing.)



Anyhoo, I am very thankful for running. I truly, madly, deeply love it. As I like to say to anyone who asks, I am not good, and I am not fast, but I am consistent. I am like the turtle in the race...slow and steady. I love the gear and the outfits, and I love being out on the streets just cruising along in my own little world. I am so thankful for my friend, Cassie, who got me back out there post-baby, and I am so thankful that LR has such an amazing and tough race - it rocks to have the experience right here in my own "backyard."

Cheers to running and to the LR 1/2 marathon!

Day 18 - Saturday Morning Walks

Been thankful for "the" Saturday morning walk a long time, and William and I had a great one this morning with a dear friend of mine and her son. I LOVE being up, I LOVE getting out and getting moving and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE having the much anticipated cup of coffee once I am done. (The coffee should be of no surprise to you; remember a few days ago? It made the thankfulness report before the walk did.)

Sometimes I'm thankful for walks alone b/c I can jam to my awesome tunes on my ipod, but I think my favorite walks are walks with friends. Gab, gab, gab, gab, gab - if only walkers could rule the world, it would be a better place.

Disclosure: The below picture is not from this morning's walk but from William's first walk ever in his whole life!!

Day 17 - The Sunshine

You know that slow and rather sultry song, "Stormy Weather" by someone or another back in the day? Anyhoo, it could be the theme song for the month of February in the Rock, but March's song just might be "Sunshine Day" by the Brady Bunch. Loving this sunshine, and aren't we just all so thankful for that first taste of Spring? It gives us hope, it gives an excuse to daydream and it reminds us that if we were not so opposed to tanning beds, it would be time to jump in one.

Thankful for the sunshine, and pez out...it's time to go enjoy it.

p.s. picture is very little...took it from facebook for a quick upload.

Day 16 - Iphone

Gonna keep it brief and a little light for day 16...I am thankful for my iphone. It rocks, and it is my newest technology toy.



I know we've all got to walk a fine line with technology and not let it run our lives, but the iphone is just too stinkin' fabulous to not give a little shout-out to it. I resisted it, I did not want to love it and I resisted it some more. But then she (her name is Pearl) came into my life, and she even has a really cute pink cover. I heart her, and you can laugh...but I am thankful for her and all the many doors she has opened for me. Cheers to Pearl!

Day 15 - William

This post was supposed to be my March 3 entry...once you get behind, it is so hard to catch up. Today's my catch up day.

Anyhoo, March 3's person of thankfulness is none other than WILLIAM TERRY MARKS.



William is one incredible little boy. It is so freakin' cheesy to say, but it is so true...over the past 11 months he has taught me more than I ever thought I could learn. He has tested me, and he has made me a better person. He's a dumpling doo, and he's my new little bestie. You know those dolls from the 80's called "my buddy" and "kid sister." I had a "kid sister" doll (of course), but now I have a real life breathing "my buddy." Wherever I go, he's gonna go. (Sing it like you know you want to...)

I could gush and gush, but I'm sure all 1 billion of my devoted followers don't want to hear how perfect William is...at least not for more than one paragraph. So instead, I will give you a short explanation of his name and a brief insight into his current hobbies.


WTM is named for his great-grandfather, William Hastings, and his grandfather, Terry Rasco. William was an Airforce man and was father to five children including Matthew's mom, Nancy. I think I have finally found a fantastic picture of William from his Airforce days, and once I have it scanned into my computer I will post. He definitely had that old-fashioned movie star quality about him. The picture really could be a movie poster...makes you think of WWII, heartbreak, ultimate victory and American pride...all in one black and white photo. Both Matthew and I thought William would be a strong name for a first born son, and while I never knew William Hastings he definitely had a character worth honoring with a namesake.

Terry is my father, and he will have his own day of thankfulness...but I love him dearly and also believe he has a character worth honoring. He is an architect here in LR, is a husband to Mary Lou, is a father to me and Hamp, stepfather to Elizabeth and Vance, father-in-law to Matthew and is a grandfather to a host of grandchildren including W. Terry (as he likes to call him.) He has a natural ear for music and can play any song on the piano after hearing it just once, and he is an entertainer. He loves to host people and create memories for family and friends.

I hope William grows up to be his own character worth imitating, and I hope that Matthew and I create a home where he can be who he is created to be.

And to wrap up, WTM's current interests include his ballpit (imagine showbiz but better), crawling, exploring anything he should not, eating everything in sight, reading stories (especially ones with Elmo), clapping his hands in celebration and shrieking like a dragon (Claire taught him this trick; it's hilarious.)





Countdown is on to his first birthday, and we are so thankful for him every single day. XXOO!!

Day 14 - Hamp and Easter Seals

Oopsie, I did not post last night, but I have a great excuse. It was the annual dinner for Easter Seals, and it was a late night for this sleep-lovin' gal. Anyhoo, yesterday's entry is now today's part one. My brother, Hamp, is seven years my senior, and he is a royal hoot. He is the biggest social butterfly I know, and beware if you ever give him your number...he will call! He loves to chit-chat, and he also loves to keep everyone informed about the happenings about town. He has a police scanner, and b/c of that delightful device nothing much gets past him. He is truly one of the most loyal and wonderful human beings I know...love him very much and am very thankful for him every day!


Also, very thankful for Easter Seals which is where he lives. You can read more about Easter Seals if you like....http://www.easterseals.com/site/PageServer. It is a wonderful place, and my entire family benefits from Easter Seals daily. Last night the annual dinner raised over $500,000 for the children and adults of Easter Seals. Yahoo and thankful indeed!!

"We have but one life to live. We get nothing out of that life except by putting something into it. To relieve suffering, to help the unfortunate, to do kind acts and deeds is, after all, the one sure way to secure happiness or to achieve real success. Your life and mine all shall be valued not by what we take...but by what we give." Edgar Allen, Founder of Easter Seals (1922)

Day 13 - Bella

Today is Bella's day. Sweet Bella Marie Marks was born on November 23, 2006, and we adopted her on January 28, 2007. She is the sweetest 5.2 lb cockapoo you will ever meet, and what she lacks in pounds she makes up for in spirit. Well, actually she's pretty much a lapdog, but it sounds better to make her out to be more spirited than she actually is.



Poor thing...she still woes the day that William entered our house, but I think slowly but surely she is getting used to the idea of him. And now that he eats table food...and maybe drops some of his food on the floor...I think she might even like him...just a little bit. Ha!




Anyhoo, I heart me some Bella, and I am also proud that she is a member of our family b/c it took some work on my part to convince the hubs that we needed her. Don't worry...no mountain high enough to separate me from her. Yahoo for Bella!

Day 12 - PHUMC & Foundations Class

I am soooo thankful for our church, Pulaski Heights United Methodist, and our Sunday school class, Foundations. We did some church shopping when we first were married, and we finally found our church home at PHUMC. Our Sunday school class is pretty big and is comprised of young married couples (most with children but not all.) We knew of some of the members in the class before we joined but by no means were we besties with anyone...anyhoo, we've just LOVED our experience with our class and the church as a whole. Today I spent some time with fellow children's council members cleaning the nursery/children Sunday school area, and then tonight we hosted our home group (Sunday school small group) for taco supper. We had 8 adults and 4 little boys over (including William), and it was too good of a time. Very, very thankful for all of our friends at PHUMC and for the establishment itself.

And William is most thankful that we met a certain young lady's parents in Sunday School. Miss Claire is William's bff and lovebug. They are only four days apart, and they are hilarious together. William is the serious half of the pair, and Claire is the social butterfly. Doobie doobie doo!!!

Day 11 - Matthew

Earlier I did a day dedicated to my sweet little family, but I would be remiss if I did not give them each their own day. To begin....I'm very, very, very thankful for my husband, Matthew.



I've known Matthew since 7th grade, dated him since I was 15 (with a five year hiatus during the college days - teehee) and have been married to him for about 3.5 years. He's my best friend, the love of my life and my rock. He is also a wonderful father. I was dazed and confused the first few months of William being home; I am the youngest child and did NOT earn my fair share of pennies babysitting, so I was clueless. Matthew, on the other hand, has a host of younger brothers and sisters, and he's a natural. He is so loving and engaged with William. They have been best pals since the beginning.



Both William and I are very blessed by and thankful for Matthew. And we are also very excited to have Matthew home...he recently traveled to China for work, but now he's back in the homeland...yahoo! Lots of love and thankfulness for Matthew.

Day 10 - Education Part Two

"That good ole' song of Wahoo-wah, We'll sing it o'er and o'er, it cheers our hearts and warms our blood to hear them shout and roar. We come from old Virginia, where all is bright and gay. Let's all join hands and give a yell for dear old UVa. Wahoo-wah, wahoo-wah, Uni-v Virginia, hoo-rah-ray, hoo-rah-ray, ray! ray! U-Va!"

It is sunny today in Little Rock, and the sun is sooooo refreshing. Whenever there is a sunny day no matter where I am, I stop and I smile. The sun shining is such a welcoming feeling, and a good sunny day makes me think of my time at the University of Virginia. I truly believe the sun shines brightest there...


I will never forget my first visit to UVA. For spring break 1997, my mom took me on the quintessential college roadtrip. We visited most of the schools in Virginia and North Carolina, and it kept raining and raining and raining. Despite the rain, each school became my new favorite, and I did not know how I would ever decide where to apply.

And then as we drove into Charlottesville, the rain cleared (no kidding - this is a true story.) We came in from the South of town, and we drove straight to the Lawn so I could take a good look at everything before we settled into our hotel for the night. My first impression of UVA remains my impression today - what a magnificent, glorious, perfect piece of delicious delightfulness!!!!!

In the fall of 1998, I began my adventure at UVA as a first year (we can never be seniors in learning according to Mr. Jefferson, and therefore we are never freshmen), and while the first year was a bit rocky (small fish in big pond syndrome) I grew into my own and have claimed UVA as a prized possession ever since. Why am I so thankful for UVA? Well, I am glad you asked...

The University of Virginia was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson. The University is distinctive among institutions of higher education - it sustains the ideal of developing, through education, leaders who are well-prepared to help shape the future of the nation. The University is public, while nourished by the strong support of its alumni. It is also selective; the students who come here have been chosen because they show the exceptional promise Jefferson envisioned.

For Jefferson, the college experience should take place within an "academical village," a place where shared learning infused daily life. Plans were developed for ten Pavilions—stately faculty homes with living quarters upstairs and classrooms downstairs—attached to two rows of student rooms and connected by an inward-facing colonnade. Each Pavilion was identified with a subject to be studied and inhabited by the professor who taught that subject.

At the head of the shared lawn would stand the library (not, as in most other colleges and universities of the time, a chapel), its dome shape inspired by Rome's Pantheon and symbolic of the enlightened human mind. The plans grew to include two more colonnades of student rooms facing outwards and attached to a set of "hotels" where private businessmen served food for the students. (The UVA description was taken from the school's website, but I don't think I could have said it any better.)

So, today my thoughts are not necessarily written in my own style or words, but Mr. Jefferson's vision of what the university experience should both look like and feel like are why I am so thankful for my time at UVA...my time at the University was SUCH an amazingly well-rounded experience, and I am eternally grateful for it.

And to close, a quote by Mr. Jefferson..."But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine." I would be remiss if I did not mention that while the sunshine does make me think of UVA, it is my friends from UVA that keep the sunshine alive for me on a daily basis. (And hopefully I will get good with the scanner and can upload a few more photos that I would like to share that show my actual time in college. Technology just keeps changing on me.)

Day 9 - Education Part One

Today I received an invitation in the mail to attend the annual Lenten evening of reflection at my high school; it made me stop and think how thankful I am for my high school. Not only was my experience while I was a student amazing, but then MSM was also an incredible place for me to work for three years.

When I think of high school, I immediately think of my friends. I am very lucky and beyond thankful that a number of my best friends have been my friends since high school; we define knowing each other through thick and thin.

To illustrate...below is a picture from our 10 year high school reunion, and I am working on uploading one from high school as well...with these same fine ladies in it. :)



I could go on and on about my friends, but I did that yesterday and will no doubt do it again in some form or fashion during Lent...but...today is an expression of thankfulness for the actual institution that educated me during the high school years (hence the education part one title...part two will serve to honor and give thanks for the home of the wahoos!!)



Mount St. Mary Academy was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1851 and is the oldest school in continuous operation in the state! The Sisters of Mercy were and continue to be very forward in their thinking, and it shows in the school. The Sisters are big believers in the education of women and advocate strongly for the rights and dignity of all. MSM is unique given that it is the only all-girls school in the state of Arkansas, and while it is a private school the classes are rather large - I graduated with 140 (give or take; I cannot remember the exact number) young women.

Given its age, it is no surprise that the school is rich in tradition, and the tradition is what makes us Belles stand apart. (Yes, MSM's mascot is the "belle." I just love it; I always have thought of myself as a Southern belle, and I have the school t-shirts and sweatshirts to prove it.) I loved all the rituals at the school and the sense of sisterhood that came with such a long-standing institution.

Anyhoo, I received a wonderful "book" education, but more importantly I believe I received a wonderful "life" education. The confidence gained in an all-girls environment during the formative teen years was priceless, and the opportunities the setting gave me were immense - still are today. Very, very thankful indeed!

Day 8 - Friends

I heart my friends, and I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO thankful for them. I am super impressed, in awe of and wowed by what my friends are doing both personally and professionally. Life is just better with friends...and way more fun.

I recently took my annual pilgrimage to NYC to see some of my gal pals, and a group of us journeyed via the train out to Tarrytown, New York and enjoyed one of the most divine culinary experiences of my lifetime. (Food will have to be another thankful entry.) Anyhoo, we took this picture as we headed in for all of the deliciousness.


And a couple of quotes about friendship and THANKFULNESS that I really like...

"Thank you for being a friend
Traveled down the road and back again
Your heart is true; you're a pal and a confidant.

And if you through a party
Invited everyone you ever knew
You would see the biggest gift would be from me
And the card attached would say thank you for being a friend."
-The Golden Girls

"I thank my God every time I remember you."
-Phil 1:3

Day 7 - Coffee

Close your eyes and imagine the scenes from all the Folgers commercials..."best part of waking up; pause; is Folgers in your cup!"

Very, very thankful for a morning cup of joe, and not afraid to admit most mornings I am thankful and enjoying some Folgers original roast. This is a picture of me, but I posed with brown hair to maintain a sense of privacy.

Day 6 - TV

I am not ashamed to admit that I really like TV, and even more, I admit that I am thankful for it. It is an escape, it provides storylines that are easy and fabulous to follow and even gives me an excuse to laugh out loud or shed a tear if I feel like it. I have loved TV my whole life - even before I really should have, and I think DVR/TIVO is one of the better inventions of modern history. Now I can watch "my shows" at the best time for me, and I don't have to have 6,000 videotapes stacked up with my "to be watched" items recorded on them.

Anyhoo, to publicly record my thankfulness, here are my top 10 shows (in chronological order of me discovering them.) And please note, the list was VERY, VERY hard to put together.

1. Punky Brewster - she was my idol; she was soooo cool. Her fashion alone speaks oodles of the times.


2. The Cosby Show - all life lessons were better taught by the Cosby family. Rudy was my hero.


3. 90210 (the original) - all life lessons were NOT better taught by Brenda, Brandon and the crew, BUT they sure were fabulous tv characters. I like the new one too, but it does not make the top ten. I gotta stay true to my roots.


4. ER - I watched it from the start to the finish. I liked it in the good times and the bad. Very interesting sidenote...the final episode aired the night before I delivered William...the first aired while I was in high school...STRONG!!!


5. Friends/Sex in the City - It's my blog, so I can cheat. These two shows were my college and post-college girlie shows. I loved to escape to them. And they both idolize NYC; yahoo!!!



6. Law & Order - I like all the shows all the time. Name me a marathon time, and I will watch it...and love it. I discovered Law & Order late; well, I did not discover late, but I feel in love with it a little slow to the punch.


7. Gilmore Girls - OMG, OMG, OMG....I want to be them. I heart this show with all my might. Seriously, it is just so freaking deliciously marvelous. In my imaginary land, I am besties with them both!!


8. 24 - Wahoozie, what a ride. Jack Bauer and friends are amazing, and despite how hilarious this post is (insert laugh and snicker)...they entertained me during a very hard surgery recovery period, and I hold a truly special place in my heart for this show. All those hours on the couch were well spent trying to figure out what Jack would be up to next.


9. The Closer - Brenda Leigh...you are my Punky of the modern day era. Nuf said. And Fritz reminds me of Matthew; too cute!!


10. The West Wing - It's my new love...we are still in the crush phase. I'm mid season 6, so (a) if anyone actually reads this blog and (b) knows what happens in the end...shame on you if you ever tell me. I need to go now; must watch an episode to celebrate my thankfulness.


p.s. There are soooo many honorable mentions...I really feel bad for not including them, but sometimes in life there has to be a top ten. To all my other favorites, I offer my apologies, and here's to next year. A girl can always change her mind.