hey, bus driver!

I spent the last week having the experience of a lifetime. It's not every day that you get to take an active part in something as big as this:

But that is exactly what Joey and I spent last week doing. It was amazing. I haven't really known how to blog about it. So much happened in such a short amount of time that it was hard to process it all. Everything started back in February when one of our 4th grade students was struck by a truck while crossing the road heading to the bus stop. She had many internal injuries and had to have her leg amputated, BUT she saved her younger sister's life in the process. The house she was living in at the time was in really, REALLY bad shape. Worse shape than you can even imagine and was deemed condemned. So, she couldn't move back in. Several guys in our community nominated her family for EMHE and she was chosen. That began the whirlwind! I watched a lot of dirt go to this on the first day:

And by the end of the week, it looked like this:

It had trees, flowers, was fully furnished, accessorized and everything in between. I got to walk through the house on the final morning before they did the big reveal, and y'all, it's something to be seen. I can't discuss any of the specifics of the house, but it is gorgeous!

Christen was in charge of the VIP tent all week, and I kind of made myself her right-hand man all week. I tried to help her out in any way that I could. Most of that time it was just being a "do-girl" but that was perfectly fine by me. The VIP tent was for the sponsors, donors, and other major organizations in our community. They could come eat, hear entertainment and watch the build going on across the street. The tent was air conditioned, had windows, and even had a little living room area that we enjoyed on several different occassions.

Along the way, I got to meet several different celebrities.

On Friday night we had a community wide benefit concert with Drivin' and Cryin' and Ty even sang a couple of songs with the band.

I didn't see nearly enough of my husband and when I did, it always seemed to be from a distance.

He was pretty much in charge of the "worker's holding" tent all week during the daylight hours, and was everyone's "ice boy" so he stayed busy. I think he was only in his office for about 4 hours the entire week. He was outside braving the scorching temperatures and trying to keep the guys that were building the house hydrated and as cool as possible. But we did manage to hang out for a bit at the concert, so that was good.

Saturday was the big reveal day, and we were all anxious to yell the infamous "move that bus"! But, it took forever!!! We were there from 10-7. They finally got the family there at about 6. They do take after take after take of like almost every single scene. But, they only shoot the scene of the family seeing the house for the first time once. I wish I could have seen there faces, but I was obviously behind them.

Once Ty escorted the family into the house, we started cleaning up and taking down. It was amazing. Absolutely amazing. Something I would do again in a heartbeat even though it was stressful and tiring. On Sunday night, Joey and I went to the post-production wrap party and that was a ton of fun too. It was really cool to see all of the production staff and security in civilian clothes without all their cameras and wires and everything attached to them like limbs.

So, I guess to end a week like this, there is only one thing left to say. Welcome home, Rucker family, welcome home!

sweet dreams

This is a night I have waited for! Tripp invited Makinley to sleep in his bed with him. I have suggested on more than one occassion that the kids sleep together, but Tripp has always vetoed it rather quickly. As I have well documented on this blog, it hasn't been easy to get Makinley to sleep in her room over the last 6-8 months. It has gotten better this summer because she has been so tired from not napping, but I'm still laying with her until she falls asleep. Not tonight! She was so excited that Tripp was letting her sleep in his bed with her that she layed right now, gave me a kiss, and didn't make another sound!

 Of course I snuck in and took a picture of these two sleeping so sweetly together.

Now I guess the test will be to see if they last in the same bed together all night long.

baxter: more than a street name in athens

In order to cure our children of their overwhelming fear of dogs, we took matters into our own hands. Enter, Baxter:

This sweet boy joined our family on Friday night, and we LOVE him. He is a golden retriever and he is such a good puppy. The breeder that had him crate trained him from the beginning, and it is obvious. Both nights we've had him, he has slept in his crate from 10-6:30 without making a sound. And he willingly and easily goes into his crate throughout the day if we need him to. He's doing really well with pottying outside as well. He has had two small accidents in the house, but that was completely our fault for not paying attention better. He is calm and not a barker at all. He does chew some, but we are able to deter him easily. He is going to be HUGE when he is full grown. But, I've always wanted a big dog, so I'm excited about it. I can already tell that he is going to be a wonderful addition to our family and the kids love him to pieces. Tripp has really taken well to him. Makinley still has a few moments of fear every now and then, but I know that will get better. She just doesn't understand that when he nips at her heels, or jumps up at her, that he's just playing. Welcome to our family, Baxter!!

feel the love

 A typical Sunda afternoon! Tripp was trying to play a game peacefully on the computer and Makinley was sitting beside him watching him. The next thing I know, she has crawled behind him in the same chair he is sitting on. At first, he didn't seem bothered by it. He continued playing his game and talking to her. Then, she started kissing him. She was kissing his head, neck, shoulder, arms, etc. And he was having none of it. So, what started out as a peaceful computer time, turned into all out war. Makinley thought it was hilarious and kept saying, "Mommy, look! I been kissing Bubs" while Tripp was getting madder and madder. I couldn't help laughing. Of course I grabbed the camera real quick and captured some real life moments between the two of them. All in all, they really played well together today. I was telling Joey that Makinley idolizes Tripp and will do pretty much anything he wants to do, anytime he wants to do it. So, she basically spends a lot of her day playing his games. But, today, he actually played hairdresser and restaurant with her. He used her straightener and her blow dryer on her hair and helped her feed her babies food from the restaurant. I realize that these aren't very "manly" games for him to play, but I could care less. I love seeing both of them play the things that the other loves. It makes the moments like these:

a little easier to handle!

not just a counter

Both of my kids have found a new favorite place to sit. I only have a picture of Makinley sitting there, but they both love it. I promise I teach them better!

princess for a week

Makinley had princess dance camp this week and today was the day that parents could come see what they worked on. It was hilarious. Makinley wanted to dress as Belle today, and I love her Belle dress, so we went with it.

 Comparing her Belle dress to another little girl's in her class.

 All the princesses!

 The royal walk

 The royal wave.

 The walk again.

 Her transformation spin into a princess.

 Skipping around the room.

 Just a sweet picture.

 Shaking her hips!

Makinley was about a head taller than most of the girls in her class. She looked huge. At this age, her birthday really shows because she is so much older and bigger than some of the other three year olds. She loved it and she was in her element all week!

a family reunion

We ended our vacation with a family reunion with my mom's side of the family. I haven't seen her side of the family in years. It was great to get to see them all for a little while!

Makinley took right to her cousins, Jordan and Morgan.

My sweet nephew. I love this boy (and please excuse the baby food on the blanket!)

My mom's sister, Peggy, and brother, Franky. Her other sister Pat and her other brother Danny weren't there.

Joey and Mak looking out at the water.

The Shenemans.

My cousin, Chris. When I was little, I loved him to pieces.

This girl loves her Uncle Trey....

and her cousin, Bear!

And Tripp loved throwing rocks in the lake by my uncle's house!

Hopfully, we don't go so many years next time without seeing family. Thank heavens for Facebook, or I would never know what is going on with them!