The Chappell Family

Playing outside

2009-06-17T09:26:00.004-04:00

My ladies love to play outside!
They are great little girls. I love being their mom!

Neilie was trying to get a drink from the hose.

Neilie accidentally sprayed Claire with the hose... of course this made her cry... everthing makes Claire cry. :)

Relay for Life 2009

2009-05-23T23:52:00.002-04:00

In Loving Memory of Little Donna!

This year my mom was the team leader for the Fairforest Elementary School Relay for Life team. She worked so hard on this whole project! This was a whole family experience in so many ways. Here are some pictures. Hope you all enjoy!

Autumn was spoke during the opening ceremonies. She gave her fantastic testimony! She truly shows no fear in front of all those people... Amazing!

They had two walks at the beginning of the relay. The first walk was for survivors. The second walk was for caregivers. Preston, MaMa, mom and Autumn walked in this walk. I got the best picture!

It happened to be Preston's b-day the same day of the walk. So we had B-day cake! YUMMY. It came from Costco. I highly recommend their cakes!

GuGu and Neilie!

This is the Fairforest Elementary Banner... Give Cancer the Boot!

BathTime in "Mommy's Tub"

2009-05-12T20:25:00.003-04:00

For Claire's birthday, Gugu and Papa gave her a swimming baby. Neilie and Claire wanted to take a bath in the big tub so they could let the swimming baby could swim. While they were in the tub, Neilie wanted me to turn on the jets. This is what happened to the bubbles when you turn on the jets!

Here is Neilie when nthe jets are turned on... she loves it when the bubbles get higher!

Here is Claire with the bubbles. She wasn't too sure about the jets but Neilie reassured her that all was okay. Neilie is such a good big sister!

Oh and they named the swimming baby, Sarah the Swimming Baby.

Neilie Meets Cinderella

2009-04-29T21:39:00.003-04:00

We took the ladies to Chick-fil-a on Tuesday night to meet Cinderella and Belle. There was an extremely long line to meet Belle (if you wanted to take a picture). The line to meet Cinderella was not long at all. So we chose to meet Cinderella. Here are the pictures from Neilie meeting Cinderella. It was precious!
I didn't get the front of her face but I thought this was a sweet picture too.

This is a picture of the 2 princesses comparing dresses... how sweet!

Notice the look on Neilie face. It is really sweet.

I think GuGu said it best when she said, "Her dream has come true!"

Easter 2009

2009-04-14T17:17:00.003-04:00

Here is a picture of what the Easter Bunny brought the girls. They were so excited about getting a new movie! The Care Bears were a big hit with Claire Bear... imagine that?!?!

This is the only picture we got of both girls in their dresses. Don't you love the hairbows... GuGu made them. I think they are great! Neilie loved hers. It took some getting used to for Claire Bear.

Here is the bunny cake that MaMa made. It was a surprise to all of us. The girls were so surprised. They loved it... we all did. It was yummy!

This is Claire's reaction.

Here is the family photo from the dock on MaMa and DaDa's lake. We had a nice day eating lunch with the family.

Happy Easter!
Love,
The Chappell Family

Easter Eggs

2009-04-12T00:06:00.004-04:00

Hi all,

So sorry it has been so long since I have posted. The video of Neilie singing is just a no go! It is precious and I just hate that you won't be able to see it on the blog.

Here are some pictures of the girls dying Easter Eggs at GuGu and PaPa's house. This is the Saturday evening before Easter. Neil had to work and I didn't want to brave 6 containers of watery-non-washable egg dye, 4 little hands to my 2 hands... so we went over there and invaded their house. It was great!

Here is Claire doing all the work. I made them wear the cute little aprons. Neither of them really loved the idea of wearing the apron.

Where is Neilie you are asking.... here she is, reading books. She just couldn't stop reading to come and dye easter eggs. I think she just didn't want to put the apron back on.

Hope you all enjoy the pictures. There will be more to come tomorrow. The Chappell Family hopes everyone a very Happy Easter.

"I know my redeemer lives!!!"

trying to post... having issues

2009-04-02T21:46:00.001-04:00

Ok so I have tried to post this thing about 5 times now and am getting a little of Blogger telling me there is an error. I will be trying again later but not now. My computer is too expensive to throw across the room... which is what I would like to do at this point.

What I have been trying to post is the sweetest video of Neilie singing "Jesus Loves Me". Maybe you will get to see it... maybe not... we shall see!

~ Abee

Locked OUT!!!

2009-01-01T23:23:00.003-05:00

Ok so there are no pictures for this post but a great story.

First of all, this is totally off the subject but I just wanted to say that my baby girl, Neilie can use the big-girl potty totally by herself. I know that is probably too much information for you all but I am so proud of her... that is a huge step in our house!

Ok here is the real story.

Tonight we were on our way home from visiting GuGu and Papa (my parents) when I realized that I didn't have the normal keys that I use to drive my car. These keys did not have a house key. We were locked out. I wasn't sure how we were going to get in. I was a little panicked. I told the girls I would leave the car running and check the windows to see if I could get a window open to get to the back door and unlock it. I pushed up the screen and pushed on the window... locked.

I went to the other window on the other side of the door (even if I could get this window open, it wouldn't be much help since it was on the side of the door that the hinges ... not the locks were on). Ok so, I pushed up the screen, then pushed on the window... it is unlocked. So the window is up... now what?

This window is so far off the ground, there is no climbing up to it without a ladder. No ladder in sight. I am thinking how can I climb in this little-bitty window? Then it hits me... NEILIE! I can send her through the window and she can unlock the door! I can tell her what to do! She can do this... she is smart! (this is me talking myself into this).

I run to the car, get her out and explain the whole thing to her. She says, "I can do it Mom!" So I lift her in the window. She is now on top of the washing machine and terrified to get down. I hold on to her arm and lower her down.... right into the dog's water bowl... she didn't like this. Ok, after she got over having wet feet, she went to the door and started trying to unlock it. I kept saying, "Turn the lock, turn the lock!!!" She kept jiggling the handle. Ok this is not working, I am thinking.

Then, I remember, Neil's truck keys are on the counter! I am thinking, "Oh this is great, YES!" I tell Neilie to go get the truck keys and bring them to Mommy in the window. She goes over to where they are and says, "Well I can't find them." and starts to walk away! I start banging on the door saying, "Neilie come back, Mommy is cold out here!" She comes over to me and says, "Mommy, its not cold in here." "Ya think?!?!?!?" I am thinking... but do not say of course.

So I tell her to go and try one more time to get the keys. She does and this time actually gets the keys and brings them to me. I try the first key that I think it is... doesn't work! "WHAT?!?!?!?!" I am thinking. Then I try another key. It works we are in!!! I come in, close the window, lock it back, hug Neilie and thank her for saving the day. She said, "Mommy, since I saved the day, can I have a chocolate peguin?" She has been asking for this candy for a while now. I say, "of course!" and she kept saying, "I saved the day Mommy?" My response is, " Neilie, I am so proud of you!" She was beaming!

What a great way to start 2009!

Christmas 2008

2008-12-26T21:24:00.002-05:00

I thought it would be fun to decorate some cookies... but we ended up decorating some rice crispy treats that I made. (Neilie calls then rice Christmas trees!)The girls helped me for about 2 seconds then all they wanted to do was eat the icing. I had a hard time putting any icing on the rice "Christmas trees". I don't have any pictures of the finished product but they turned out cute! My favorite was the train. We decorated the engine, a car and the caboose. It was really cute. We left the train for Santa. He ate all the caboose, the car and most of the engine. He must have been hungry at our stop!

Our family tradition is to go to Nanny's Christmas Eve evening and we eat finger foods... and lots of them. At 8:00pm we start watching "A Christmas Story". The whole family gets a kick out of that movie!
This ended up being a great picture. This is my Nanny and all her girls. I am the oldest granddaughter. Then Shelley is next oldest. She is sitting beside me. Then Haley is the baby (of us)... she is sitting beside Nanny. Then of course Claire is sitting with Nanny (no place she'd rather be) and Neilie is sitting with Haley. Haley was the first name Neilie ever said.

I think Santa did a great job this year. Both girls got an American Girl Bitty Baby. Claire loves hers... Neilie likes hers. She is more excited about the CandyLand game. They had a really good time waking up to Santa this year.

Ok after we see what Santa brought, we get ready and head over to MaMa and DaDa's house for a delicious breakfast. MaMa can really cook a fantastic breakfast!!! This picture is of MaMa, Autumn and Preston. What was funny about this picture is, I tried to take it several times and MaMa never would look at the camera, then one time she started drinking coffee. She said, "Oh you are taking a picture!?!?" We all just laughed. So this was the best I could do. Autumn said, "I think I am the only one who knew you were taking a picture!" HAHA! I love my fam!

Ok, Next stop is Noni and Poppi's house. This is Neil's mom, Noni. She and Poppi got the girls an "All in One nursery" for their new babies and an ironing board and vaccum. They have really had fun with it.

My Baby in the hospital!

2008-12-22T20:26:00.003-05:00

Last week, Neilie (along with the rest of us) had the stomach virus. She started throwing up on Saturday and by Wednesday was hadn't stopped. I took her to the doctor and she was visibly dehydrated but the doc wanted to try some medicaition and lots of water at home before putting her in the hospital. By Friday, she was still throwing up so we went back to the doctor. This time, she was so dehydrated she had to be hospitalized immediatly!

She had to have an IV in her arm right away. She had some blood work done and it came back with elevated white blood cell count. She was also running a pretty high fever. These two symptoms indicated a slight infection somewhere. She was started on a saline solution through the IV.
After she had been on the IV for about 12 hours, 3:00am Saturday morning, she sat straight up in her bed and said, " Mommy, I need apple juice!" Those were her first intelligible words in days and days.

Dr. Haddad came in and looked at her blood work on Friday evening, then looked and both of us and said, "I am glad she is here!" He said that her electrolytes, potassium, calcium, etc... had all bottomed out. She literally had nothing left!

After a few days on IV and apple juice, she began sitting up on her on. Neil brought her tea set up to the hospital and she, Claire and Neil had a tea party. It was so cute!

This big pink teddy bear was brought up to the hospital by Ms. Julie from Sunday School! She brought her a pretty pink teddy bear, some pretty carolers, and a pink rose. Ms. Julie held Neilie's hand and prayed for her.

It was so sweet. Thank you Ms. Julie.

Neilie is now home and doing better. We are praying she never gets that sick again. It was just awful seeing my baby so sick. She is a trooper and really pulled through.

One evening, Dr. Berry was in there to check on her. As he was leaving, she said, "Dr. Berry... you have really cool stuff in your pockets!" The nurses said that made his year! They said he was out there talking about how cute that little girl in 620 is!

Stomach Virus... all of us!

2008-12-14T20:34:00.001-05:00

My mom has been here all day caring for all of us who are sick with this terrible stomach virus. I can't even tell you how bad it is... like you want to know!

Anyway, just wanted to say thank you to my Momma without whom I would have no one to care for my sick family.

Thanks Momma!

luv u
mean it,
~ Abee

There is nothing more precious than FAMILY!

2008-12-11T13:28:00.004-05:00

My most precious memories are hearing my DaDa playing the piano. In my grandparents' old house, he would play in the formal den and I would sit on the white couch and listen. This is a memory from my childhood that I will always treasure. I am so grateful that my children will have the same memories of listening to DaDa play the piano.

This is such a precious memory.

You all that read my blog know how important family is to me.On this day, DaDa was playing Jingle Bells and my girls were "playing" with him, rather than singing.

Thanksgiving 2008

2008-11-28T16:19:00.002-05:00

What a joy it is to have family together. We weren't all together this year, the Fosters were celebrating with other family members. We missed them so much! We were happy that Shelley and Haley stopped by later on though, that was a nice treat.

Here are two very important men in my life, my hubby and my grandfather, Dada. I am so blessed to have my grandmothers (on both sides) and my grandfather (my Mom's father) alive and well.

...and here is the other important man in my life... my Daddy! Of course, he is hanging out with Claire Thomas. She LOVES her Papa!

Ok, this was great! Neil and I have a timer on our camera so we set it and I ran like crazy to be in the picture. It worked and this is the picture of the whole family (minus the Fosters).

From left to right: Robert, Autumn, Preston, Dada, MaMa, Nanny, Claire, Mom, Daddy, Me, Neil, Neilie.

This picture turned out fantastic! This is Preston and Autumn. What a great picture of father and daughter. My family is great. When so many families dread getting together for the holidays, we look forward to it. We were all so excited to be with each other for this holiday. I am so glad we could get together and make new memories. (Autumn, how does that tree in the front yard smell?)

After we ate until we couldn't move... we decided we would play outside with the girls. Here is Claire wanting Guh-Guh to chase her.

Keeping my day job....

2008-11-22T22:17:00.006-05:00

So, I thought I would save some $$ by taking pictures of my girls in my church lobby in their Christmas dresses. I really wanted them in front of the big Christmas tree in the front lobby. That really didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. We did get one that we liked out of all these shots with the two of them together.

Oh and you'll notice the date is wrong on all the pictures... this is obviously last week sometime... not Jan. 1 2006 (or whatever date it says)

Here is the sweetest thing ever...
When you turn the corner, there is the biggest Christmas tree you have ever seen... my girls were more excited and more interested in baby Jesus!!! Isn't that precious?!?!

Here is Neilie wanting to hold the baby Jesus because, "He's so cute, Mommy!"

Claire was excited because Neilie was excited.

Here is Neilie showing Claire how "cute" the baby Jesus is.

This was Neilie's reaction to the biggest Christmas tree she had ever seen.

This is one that I thought was cute... the girls were laughing at my mom who was playing peek-a-boo with them through the stair rail.

Merry Christmas Ya'll!!!

This is my Claire Thomas... that little crooked smile...I could just squeeze her!

Better Late than Never... Halloween Pictures

2008-11-16T20:13:00.003-05:00

Here are my girls on Halloween. We went to my parents' nieghborhood to Trick - or - Treat then to Amanda and Greg's for a Halloween party. We had a great time. At my parents, there was a guy who riding kids around on a hayride. In a couple of years that will be much more fun.

I am not sure why the camera says that the date is 01/01/2006... this was obviously 10/31/2008! I think it may have something to do with me dropping it and then Neil dropping it on the road and it rolling down the road. We thought it was okay... guess not!

This is a picture of Neilie and me just before we got on the ride.

This is a picture of Neil and Neilie...his little princess.

This is pretty much how Claire felt about the whole Halloween experience!

Here is Neilie... she said she was Sleeping Beauty. I think she looks the part! :)

Claire Thomas was Tinkerbell... this picture was taken before she saw anyone else dressed up. That is when the crying began. She looks precious with that KiKi... that is what she calls that pink blanket she carries around EVERYWHERE!
(see it in the Elmo bucket?)

It wasn't the ghost (or Fairy)

2008-11-14T21:02:00.003-05:00

I had left the camera in a bag in the laundry room!

What a bummer... I wanted a good story.

I'll post with some Halloween pix soon.

~ Abee

The Ghost (or Fairy) of Wick Drive

2008-11-09T20:40:00.003-05:00

So I haven't posted anything in a while...
Here's the deal:

I can't find my camera to upload the pictures from the stuff we have done lately... I am totally bummed about this situation. I will keep you all updated on the camera mystery.

Now for those of you who do not know this... we have a ghost in our house... well Neil calls the fairy because he doesn't want to believe that we have a ghost (but we do).

Here is the story about the ghost.

Before we had the girls, Neil and I went to the beach for a week of vacation. Before we left we dumped out our HUGE change jar that was so heavy it took both of us to carry it (that will be important later in the story). My mom was coming daily and feeding Sarge and Dilly (our dog and cat). The first day my mom noticed that the towel was missing from under Sarge's water bowl... no biggie she thought. A few days went by with no major events. The last day that she came over... she walked in to my kitchen and a crystal cake plate that was my Nanny's was shattered in the middle of the kitchen floor. Now if it had been sitting on the counter or something that would be different... but it was tucked away in the cabinet (for safe keeping)! Ok so, the change jar.... before we left we had left the change jar sitting on the dining room table. When we came home, it was gone and we have never seen that change jar again. Now remember we rolled all the change in it and used that as our spening money on the trip. It was basically empty. We asked my mom and she said she doesn't remember seeing it at all. Ok so...

anyway, I think the ghost (or fairy) has our camera and perhaps it will show up again.

... I hope

My baby is THREE!

2008-10-25T13:38:00.004-04:00

I can't believe my babygirl Neilie is three years old. She was born at 5:41 pm on a Monday afternoon. I went to school that morning and told my principal that I wasn't feeling well but today was my due date so I was sure that I could not possibly be in labor. :)
Of course, I was in labor! I called my friend Rhonda Coffey who came to the school and confirmed that I was in labor... we went to the hospital and after many hours... I had my Neilie Carolina Chappell. This is a picture of Neilie and mommy leaving the hospital.

Here are a few more of my newborn baby Neilie!

This was Neilie's party at Chick-fil-a. It was actually on her birthday! She was so excited to be there and for her friends to come.

This is Ella Grace both Neilie and Claire were excited when the Skippers came.

Here is my Claire Thomas. She is never quite sure of herself around people and loud noise... but I think she had a good time.

Here are Kayla and Luke Chappell. These are Neilie and Claire's cousins. They hadn't seen each other in so long. They were so happy to get to play together.

My baby girl blowing out the candles. I can't believe she is three years old. She is getting to be such a big girl. Thanks to all who came!!!

I made it!!!!

2008-10-22T10:58:00.002-04:00

This is Neil with big news. To all of my closest friends you already know about my promotion. To all of our other friends her is what happened: About 6 months ago i applied to the Sheriffs Office traffic unit. I was passed over at that time. Well recently I was approached about the same job again. This time I was accepted. I just want to make it known that without the support of my beautiful wife, family and friends I would not have been able to take the job. My new postion is in the Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Sheriffs Office. I will be investigating collison and DUI enforcement along with other traffic related enforcement. Thanks so much to all of you who believed in me.

Michael Buble Concert October 04, 2008

2008-10-18T13:42:00.003-04:00

As you all know, a few weeks ago, Neil and I went to the Michael Buble concert. He surprised me with a limo and dinner at Soby's in Greenville.

This is a picture of us in the limo. We set the timer on the camera and set it up on egde of the bar in the car, and hoped for the best.

It worked!!!

This is a picture of the screen from before it started.
He was GREAT!

" Birds flying high, you know how I feel. Sun in the sky, you know how I feel. Breeze driftin' on by, you know how I feel. Its a new day! Its a new dawn! Its a new life for me...... and I'm feeling good!"

The next 2 pictures were taken when he was singing with a group...Naturally 7. They had no instruments... but sounded like it!!! They were unbelieveable! Together with Michael Buble... and unbeatable combination!

We really had a terrific time.
Thanks to my parents for watching the girls so we could go.

Our friend Adam's birthday party

2008-09-27T14:16:00.003-04:00

Last weekend we went to Greer and celebrated Adam's 2nd birthday party. Adam's mom, Melissa and I worked together at Carlisle Foster's Grove Elementary (and left the same year as well, Praise GOD from whom all blessings flow!!!!!!!)

Anyway, Neilie and Adam are close in age and play together from time to time. We took a couple of pictures at the party and I thought I would share them with you all.

Here is Adam about to blow the candles out... look at the anticipation on Neilie's face!!!

Neilie is so excited about Adam blowing out the candles... Claire is thinking, "Let's Eat!!!!"

The friends discussing a party hat...

The cake came from publix, Melissa said... it was sooooooooooo delicious!!!

Happy Birthday Adam... we had a great time!

Autumn McAbee, Miss NGU!!!

2008-09-16T20:33:00.005-04:00

So those of you who read my blog know all about my cousin Autumn. She was in Miss North Greenville University...... and WON!!!!!

I have posted a few pictures from the big event! She is now headed to Miss South Carolina in July (i think).

This picture was us waiting for the pageant to start. I had to take this picture twoce because the first time my mom and MaMa looked totally bored!!! So this was the result of telling them to look HAPPY!!!

My family cracks me up!!!

Contestant # 7, Autumn Michelle McAbee

This next picture was neat because the girl that was sitting in front of us was a queen from some other pageant. Anyway, I didn't realize the picture was going to turn out with Autumn in the center of the crown!!! Was this an indication of who was going to win?!?!?! Just a thought.

"With a broken wing, she carries her dream! Man you oughta see her fly!"
Autumn sang sooooo much better than Martina McBride!

Ok so when Autumn came out for the evening gown competition the people behind us said, "Whoa look at her dress!" Then after Autumn left the lady behind me, leaned forward and said to me, "She is beautiful!" I said, "We think so!"

This last picture shows how pretty Autumn's dress is!!!

We are so proud of you Autumn!!! Congrats, Miss North Grenville! Best of luck in Miss SC!!!

Happy Birthday Little Donna!

2008-09-12T21:58:00.005-04:00

Many of you that read my blog know all about my sweet aunt Donna. She suffered with cancer for over 20 years of her life. She was first diagnosed as a teenager, then time after time, another cancer. Today is her birthday and she is always remembered! What is great about my family... we remember the funny things and the happy things.

I might get in trouble for sharing this memory but it is too funny not to share... Preston, Donna and Autumn lived in a neighborhood when Autumn was young. New neighbors moved in that happened to be African American. Apparently, my uncle knows several men named Barry. One day, Preston was telling Donna something about a "Barry", Donna didn't know which Barry he was talking about so she referred to all the Barry's she knew... finally describing the new neighbor, "Black-Barry". I am laughing just typing this story. She could always make us laugh!!! The things she would say were priceless.

Here are some pictures so you all can see how precious she really was!

This picture was at a family reunion in August of 2004. She is with Autumn and they look great. I also have this picture up in my therapy room at school! What great memories!

This picture was taken Christmas 2004. We all miss her very much.

Donna left such a legacy behind when she passed away! Everyone that knows her or knows of her is thrilled to know that she is praising Jesus while seeing him face to face right now... and there is nowhere else she had rather be!
What a blessing and an honor that I am Donna Fulbright McAbee's neice!

Another Memory Shared:
I remember a time when I was about 6 or 7 years old... we were all at the beach and it was raining! My parents, my grandparents and my uncle Preston and my aunt Donna were there. Autumn wasn't born yet, I didn't bring a friend and was getting very antsy to do something... anything! I can't tell you how long Donna and I played make-up and hair that day. I will never forget that memory of her playing with me. I have nothing but great memories of Donna.

I hope this blog was a tribute to her, she meant so much to me!

My First day of preschool!!!

2008-09-07T22:57:00.003-04:00

Neilie had her first day of preschool at Covenant Child Development Center on September 2. She helped me make pink princess pudding to go in her lunch box and was excited to go.

Her daddy helped her get ready for the big day.

She was ready to tell us BYE!!!

She went right in and started playing.... she loved it!

They spelled her name wrong (story of my life...). Anyway, I suppose it is our fault for spelling it weird... Neilie Chappell.

This after I picked her up... we went to Nanny's house. This picture was on Nanny's front steps. Neilie looks like such a big girl! I can't believe my baby is a big girl! WOW!!!

Paula Deen LIVE

2008-07-31T13:30:00.005-04:00

I have been meaning to blog about this so that everyone could see my cool pix!

So last year my grandmother (MaMa) took me to see Paula Deen Live!!!

Last year on my anniversary (June 29), MaMa, Julia (my g'ma's friend ... the one who got the tickets) Julia's mother Ann, and I went to see Paula in Charlotte.

Which if you are reading and know anything about me... you know I am a foodie!!! I LOVE to cook and create new recipes!

The stage was incredible!

We sat in the balcony but Julia brought her binoculars and my camera could really zoom! We got some great pics of everything that was happening on the stage! We had a great time!

This picture is of Paula, Michael(in the blue shirt) - her hubby... in case you've been living under a rock and don't know who he is... just kidding! Oh also, here is her brother Bubba (in the pink shirt)

This picture was of Paula... being Paula! I am not sure what this was all about but it was funny! The guy in the background is the host of the show! He was funny too.

Tha last picture is of Paula cooking. The camera guy was driving her crazy by being over her shoulder! Too funny!

The whole place smelled WONDERFUL! Paula made fried pork chops, turnip greens, macaroni and cheese and corn bread (i think). She chose certain people from the audience to come up and be on the stage while she cooked and then they got to eat it! Not me... but would have thrown WW out the window if she would have called my name!!!

As if Paula weren't enough...secretly, Neil had arranged this whole dinner for our anniversary and had the house all set up. He had a chef come to our house and cook the dinner, he arranged babysitters! It was great! Last year was our fifth anniversary! This is what my dining room looked like when I came home from Paula! What a great guy! That's my fine china that we got as wedding presents and have never used!!! Isn't he thoughtful?!?!

"I'm too busy"

2008-07-20T17:36:00.004-04:00

This has become Neilie's new phrase when I ask (tell) her to do ANYTHING!

Yesterday, she was coloring (like on paper in a coloring book... not on walls or furniture, etc) and I asked her to go potty... her response was, "Not right now MOM... I'm too busy coloring!" First of all she called me MOM... not mommy! Next she said she was too busy to go potty. So i just said okay... we'll try again in a few minutes. She isn't even 3 years old yet!

I got the camera and started taking pix of this... the first two are Neilie coloring she was working very hard!

Next is Claire... when neilie got the coloring book out, Claire got her one and started flipping through the pages. She wants to do everything Neilie does... it is precious!

Next is Claire crying after I took the crayons away from her because she was eating them!!!

The last pic is just too cute of Claire Bear not to post! I took the crayons away from Claire becuase she was eating them... after her little fit of crying, she walked over to me (where I had the crayons) and looked at me with this face! The "Who me... eat crayons?!?!" face!

Ring Pop

2008-07-16T15:09:00.004-04:00

This was messy but fun! Claire had her first Ring Pop today... Neilie has had one before. Claire was a complete mess! These pictures are great! Both girls got a bath when the ring pop was over! They had a good time.

Here is Claire's red tongue! She had a cherry ring pop!

... Neilie's was watermelon!

YUM!

Did you forget something?

2008-07-14T13:31:00.004-04:00

The other day Neilie was wanting to go somewhere. She had on her pajama top... Ariel... the favorite for today. She found her new red crocs and she found a book. She put her shoes on and went to the back door. She said, "I'm ready to go Mommy!" I went to the back door to see this! I said, "Neilie, did you forget something?" She looked down and we both started laughing. She said, "My shorts... I forgot my shorts!!!" I am telling you, this kid cracks me up!!! I told to her I had to get a picture of this! I just had to share.

Enjoy this pic!

4th tree to fall in our yard!!!

2008-07-09T21:49:00.003-04:00

We moved into this house on Labor Day weekend 2003. Since we have been here we have had four trees to fall during storms!

Here are some pictures of the latest tree that has fallen during a storm. This one missed Neilie and Claire's swing set... I don't know how but it missed. We were very fortunate on this one. It took out the neighbor's old (a nice way to say rotten) wooden fence but overall not much damage. We weren't home at the time. We came home to see the MESS!!! Neilie wanted to play in it!

Neil called his parents and mine and the Skippers. My parents came, his parents came and Rick came to help in the mess. We are so fortunate to have family close and kind! They just dropped everything to come help us when we needed them. What a blessing!

The pictures are kinda hard to see. Neil, my daddy, Larry (Neil's dad), and Rick have already cut it up and moved it into our yard... when it fell it was in her (the neighbor's) yard too. They were pretty quick about it. Neil's plan is to clean the rest of it up this weekend when he is off again.

WW progress

2008-07-07T12:39:00.004-04:00

I haven't blogged lately about my weight loss progress but I have been attending the meetings faithfully and last week I lost 5.8 lbs. I am sure it had something to do with the stomach virus but I was also trying very hard. A short history... when I began WW, it was Memorial Day weekend 2007. Claire was 3 weeks old. I weighed in at 214 pounds!!! I have been doing WW now for over a year and currently my weight is 150.8! I know most women would not be happy with 150.8 but I am! It is not my goal but so much closer than I was. The weight range for my height is 109 - 137. So my immediate goal is 137 but overall I would like to be 125 - 130. I will continue this process for as long as it takes!!! So far so good! :)

Oh this pic is of my weekly "Continuing Membership Book" The ladies behind the scale write my weight in this book each week. It has been a long time since I have seen 150lbs. I am wearing a size 10... again most women not happy about a size 10 but when i began WW, my size 16 clothes were too tight!!! YIKES! Size 8 is my goal... once again, closer now than I was a year ago!!!

4th of July at GUP (Great Uncle Preston)'s house

2008-07-06T14:20:00.002-04:00

Here are some pictures of our 4th of July festivities at GUP's house.

My girls love Preston's stairs. The whole time we are there they want to climb up and come down. We just take turns making sure they don't break their little necks! (haha)

This was Preston's turn

When Neilie wants donuts... she will do a donut dance. She shakes her bottom really fast... too cute! Anyway, Autumn asked her to do the donut dance!

I am not really sure what was going on here. I know Autumn was trying to take a picture with Neilie and it wasn't working. I think this is the best shot. Pictures with 2 year olds is never an easy task!!!

In this picture, Autumn's boyfriend Robert, was about to catch Neilie... she was unaware! Not too long ago, we could ask her who her best friend was and everytime she would say, "Robert!" It was the cutest thing!!!

Ok this picture is kinda funny. I didn't even realize it was on my camera until I put the pix on the computer!!! This is my cousin Autumn... but you all may know her better as Miss Boiling Springs 2006 (i think it was 06) Hahahahah... luv ya Autumn!

BEEutiful Claire

2008-07-05T14:27:00.002-04:00

So many times I blog about Neilie and not about Claire... so here is my cutie ClaireBear!!! This is after bath wrapped in the bee towel. Looking oh so cute!!!

More bee towel... couldn't you just (as my friend Mia says) sop her up with a biscuit!

ClaireBear is a Mommy's girl! She wants me to hold her all the time. I try to appreciate it because I know it won't last forever. She is precious. She likes to cuddle and snuggle... me too!

The Beach trip we will not soon forget!

2008-06-30T22:07:00.003-04:00

So our beach trip with my parents was eventful to say the least! Neilie brought along a stomach virus that was passed around to me, Claire, and my mom! Now this is your ordinary 24 hour bug! When I called the doctor they said it was a 7 DAY VIRUS!!! Are you kidding me!?!?!? Who gets a 7 day virus on the first night of vacation? The Puckett/Chappell Clan thats who! Talk about a bummer! We still made a good time of it. we were able to get a little time on the beach.

Isn't that a sweet baby!?! This was pre-stomach virus... just a tired little one!

Neilie didn't love the beach! She had rather swim in the pool but she made the best of it.

Ok this is my little ClaireBear pouring buckets of ocean water on herself. She loved it! When she would run out of water she would hand them to my mom for her to go fill up. My mom tried to take her with her but she was terrified of the ocean!!!

Check out this "Big Girl"! She is into that now. Anything she does is the Big Girl fill-in-the-blank! Oh and by the way... she is really into Peter Pan. I told her this was a balance beam but she said she was having to "Walk the Plank!" I love her creativity!

The last pic is one of Claire and her favorite person... her Papa!!! She loves him. Her name is Claire Thomas after my daddy... kinda likes she knows she is his namesake! Neat, huh!?!

Overall we had a good time but next year... we are bringing more towels!

Neilie and Claire on the Beach

2008-06-29T21:42:00.002-04:00

We just got back yesterday from the beach. We went to Myrtle Beach and stayed in Oceanside Village. We loved where we stayed! It was quite an eventful trip though. More to come later and I will have more pix but wanted everyone to see my cuties on the beach! Enjoy the pic!

New Georgie jammies!

2008-06-20T16:28:00.002-04:00

Here are Neilie's new Curious George Pajamas. Neilie calls them Georgie Jammies. She does this little dance (shaking her hiney) when she gets to wear them. Too cute! As many of you know, Neilie LOVES curious george. It is super hard to find girl Curious George stuff. She also like spiderman and wants a spiderman gown and panties (if anyone reading this ever finds girl spiderman gown or panties... please buy it and i will pay you back later!!!) Anyway, we found these girl georgie jammies and had to get them.
Enjoy the pix!

This one Neil said, "Neilie look at the camera and say cheese!" She did!!!

This is my Guh-Guh face

2008-06-16T15:38:00.004-04:00

For those of you who may not know... GuhGuh is what Neilie calls my (Abee's) mother. My mom is notorius for making this face with her lips pursed together so tightly that a piece of paper couldn't get in there, chin down, and eyebrows up! We have those sliding doors on a closet in the girls' playroom. Those closet doors are mirror from top to bottom (make a note for those of you without children... kids love mirrors). My kids are no exception. Neilie was looking at herself in the mirror the other day and she said, "Mommy look, this is my Guh-Guh face." Trying not to laugh, I called Neil in there to see this newly found face. I told Neilie to make her Guh-Guh face... she did and he hysterically started laughing! It is unbelievable how much she looks like my mom anyway... but when she makes faces like her... unreal! We started taking pictures with the camera and our phones and started sending. I knew my daddy would have much more appreciation for the face than my mom! He said he couldn't select save fast enough on his phone. This pix is from the side. I couldn't get a good one straight on. I did on my phone but can't upload pix from my phone (long ... and boring story). Anyway, those of you who know my mother can truly appreciate this one.

Here Tis

weight loss

2008-05-29T21:00:00.003-04:00

I maintained this week. Not up and not down... I'm okay with that. These have been some very busy weeks!!! I am looking forward to school being out!

Total weight loss = 60.8 lbs.

That to me is pretty exciting. This week at WW marked one year of going to the meetings weekly. I have made some great friends there. I only have 14 more lbs to go before I am at the top number in my weight range for my height. We all had to make a goal tonight in my meeting. This goal is to be acheived by the end of July! My goal is to lose those 14 lbs and be at the top number of my weight range... then i become lifetime member of WW and don't have to pay for the meetings. That is exciting also! I want nothing more than to be thin... my whole life!!! Maybe this time I can succeed!!!

Thanks for all the support I get from all around... it really means so much!

~Abee

Claire Bear's Party

2008-05-13T20:43:00.010-04:00

Just as promised lots of pictures of my Claire Baby's B-day party. This is Claire with her cupcake!

We had so many friends to come. Here is a picture of Adam... he is Melissa and Ben's son. Melissa and I worked together at Carlisle - Foster's Grove! We left the same year... to nobody's surprise! Anyway, this is Adam making a break for the water! He really loved the boats!

Then there is Noni, Aunt Cindy, and Nanny. Next is a picture of Maddie and Ella Grace. They are the twins of Ashley and Rick, our friends from (most recently) church.

Next are Amanda and Greg's kiddos, Averi and baby brother Aidan. We were so happy to see them. Amanda and I have been friends since high school. It means so much to have our kids play together

Ok... I know when you get to the picture of the guy on the slide you are thinking who is that person... he looks so familiar... well he is the one, the only, Todd Summers and his cutie little one baby Jackson!

Then there are a couple pictures of Neilie in the mix. You will see Guh-Guh (that's my mom) holding Claire to see the full outfit she bought her.

Then there is Christie Summers, Todd's wife. Christie, Melissa and I all worked together at CFG. We were all more than happy to leave! We were trying to get both of our children to look at the camera... lost cause there!

Moving on, there is a picture of my Daddy and GUP (Great Uncle Preston).

There is also a picure of Neilie flying a kite with her Poppie. He really fixed hers so it would fly. It stayed in the air for the majority of the party!!!

The last picture is of Anchor Park, the sign when you entered the park area. This is really a great place to have a party!

Claire's Birthday is tomorrow!

2008-05-10T09:03:00.004-04:00

I can't believe my baby will be one! Her birthday is on Mother's Day this year. We will be eating at my MaMa and DaDa's house. We had her party yesterday evening at Anchor Park at Lake Bowen. What a great place to have a birhtday party. It really was stress free... and for you parents who have had parties in your home... you understand the stress I speak of!
Last year, she was born on a Friday afternoon. I worked at school all day (in labor)! Around 2:30, I went to my mom's room and asked for a piece of paper to write down my contractions. She had to go to car duty... I begged her please do not tell anyone that I could possibly be in labor! In about 10 minutes... here comes all the girls we work with. Our friend Alice said, "Oh how fun... I've never seen a woman in labor before!" It was quite funny. So when I realized that my contractions less than 10 minutes apart and pretty painful I decided to call my friend Rhonda Coffey. She is the nurse that delivered Neilie and Claire. My mom taught her son at Roebuck Elementary. Rhonda told me to DO NOT DRIVE MYSELF but get to the hospital ASAP! So I sent my mom to get Neilie and I drove myelf home and got my stuff... my pillow, my bag, my book to read... and then drove to the hospital. Rhonda was waiting on me when i got there in a panic. Neil met me there in his patrol car. He was working that day. I was admitted to the hospital around 4:30. I got an epidural around 4:35 (literally... i don't take any chances). Claire was born at 8:53 pm Friday night May 11, 2007! We named her Claire Thomas (after my Daddy)!
In this picture, Claire is about 1 hour old. (Our camera put the wrong date on everything... it wasn't 2006... it was 2007!) Technology is great when it works!

up a little... bummer

2008-05-04T22:32:00.003-04:00

So this week at the WW, i was up .8... bummer! Oh well, better luck next time. Neil got me my massage (thanks to the cuz Shelley). I will be going to The Heights of Converse for my massage in a few weeks. I will most certainly wait until after the big birthday party. I am still holding on to the 60 lbs. lost though. i had lost 60.8...now it is just 60... but 60 nonetheless. More to come as the birthday party week unfolds!

I Made it!!!

2008-04-27T14:10:00.002-04:00

I made it to 60 pounds. This past Thursday evening I weighed in at WW and had lost 1.6 which put me over 60 lbs. My mom is calling for my massage appointment for this friday. I am so excited about that. I haven't had a massage since i was pregnant with neilie. My next goal is 15 more lbs. I need to lose the 75 lbs that i put on when i was pregnant with neilie and didn't lose before i got pregnant with Claire.

Speaking of Claire... her birthday party is coming up May 9th. We are having it at Anchor Park at Lake Bowen. Her actual birthday is May 11. She is such a precious baby. I can't believe she will be one year old in just a few weeks. Don't worry i will have tons of pics that i will post. Sorry no pics lately. i will post some soon, i promise. thanks for reading.
~ abee

weight loss update

2008-04-18T06:12:00.002-04:00

I apologize for not posting in a while. We are SOOOOOO busy (just like the rest of you)!!! Anyway, i had my weigh in last night and i was down 4.2 lbs. I know that sounds like a lot for one week and it is... kind of. I have been on a plateau for the past couple of weeks... up .2 one week and then down .6 the next and then up .8 and down .6. it has been very frustrating. I have really tried to focus this week (which has been difficult). My current goal is to lose 60 lbs. When i have reached that goal I am going for a full body massage! I can't wait! My overall goal is to lose 24 more lbs.

My current weight loss is 59.6 lbs. I am so close to 60!!!! Thanks for all your continued support with this weight loss journey!
~ abee

LOOKING FOR BLOGGER?

2008-04-09T09:41:00.004-04:00

Hello this is Neil it has been a few weeks since our last blog and we are very sorry. I hope that all of our friends are doing very well. We are all doing ok. Neile has had a bad round of allergey this week and has not been very well. Our biggest news is that Abee got accepted to GRAD School at USC. When she completes this 3 year program she will have her Masters plus 30. We want to ask that you all pray for her as this will be a very stressful and busy three years with her going to school. I want to say a very special thank you to Rick and Ashley for inviting us to Sunday School and being so supportive our friendship we enjoyed it and plan on coming back. To everyone else we love you all and hope that you are doing well and are healthy.

Easter 2008

2008-03-23T22:17:00.002-04:00

You will notice the dates on these pictures are from yesterday...

I got the girls all dressed up yesterday when it was warm outside and took some pictures because I knew the weather would not be as warm today. I think the pix turned out pretty cutie!

This picture is of Neilie at my mom and dad's house. It was acutally taken today (Easter). We are very fortunate... we have all our family here close to us. My family is here and Neil's is also. We are able to spend time with everyone on these special occasions.

Here is my favorite picture of Claire Bear! She is precious! I can't believe how much she has grown. She is growing so fast! What cuties Neil and I have!!!

This is the first picture of just the two of us in probably a year or more. It is nice to see the two of us together!

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Laundry day!

2008-03-17T20:53:00.004-04:00

So are you all ready to see the cutest girls in the whole world?!?!?! These girls are taking turns riding the laundry basket. Of course they were helping me with laundry! Hope you all enjoy the pix. They are too cute!

Long time - no post

2008-03-13T21:30:00.002-04:00

There are a couple of things I want to share with you all. the first is....

The FLU!
I will begin by telling you all that we are just now getting over the flu! Last time I posted, I thought Neil had a stomach virus... turns out it was the flu. My sweet Claire Bear was the next to get it on Sunday. I took her to the doctor on Monday and they tested her nose and said it was the flu. Then on Tuesday, it was Neilie's turn. We called the doctor, they called Tamiflu in for her but it made her soooooo sick. I wasn't sure what was worse the flu or the throwing-up. I knew it was coming I tried to ignore the signs. Thursday morning, there was no denying it anymore... I had the flu too. I was out of school on Thursday and Friday then had the weekend to rest up. The doctor said with Claire it would be 7 days maybe longer before she was back to feeling good. That has been the case for all of us. As the 7 day mark comes for each of us there is improvement. It was a "bad-kinda-sick"!

Next is...

Weight Loss update.
I didn't go to WW last week because I thought I was dying from the flu. I went this week and lost 1.4 lbs. That puts my total at exactly 57 lbs. I have 20 lbs to go until I am at the top number of my weight range. After losing 57 lbs... 20 seems to doable! I do not want to become over confident with this program. It is a program that works if you do it correctly. From past experience, when i get to this point.... i begin to get over confident and mess things up. Actually, I have never lost 57 pounds before! That is a huge accomplishment for me. I know this is probably TMI... but i am wearing a size 12 comfortably ( i haven't done that since before I got married!) I was wearing a 14 on my honeymoon! I am just so excited about that... I have to share!

Last to share is...

My sweet baby Claire Bear turned 10 months old on March 11. She will be 1 on May 11! I can't believe how this year is flying by. My baby isn't so baby anymore. She is crawling, trying to walk, pulling up on things, saying MaMa, DaDa, NaNa... something that sounds like "sister". She has four teeth and is getting more in. I have a cure picture of her in the laudry basket. I will post it next time I post. Hope you all enjoyed the update.

Love you guys!

Come on DOWN

2008-02-28T22:18:00.003-05:00

So this week was impressive if I do say so myself! This was my birthday week (and i do mean week) Neil and I ate out twice, we had cake and ice cream, My sweet MaMa and DaDa made me a birthday dinner, my sweet Nanny made me an ice cream cake, My sweet parents cooked supper for me on Tuesday night. (one of the perks of being an only-child) NEway... I am down 2.8 lbs. I was totally prepared mentally for gaining this week. I am so excited. My total weight loss is 55 lbs. YIPPEE!

So speaking of coming on down... Neil has come on down with the stomach virus. He has been so sick for the past 12 hours. He is just now beginning to feel better. He finally broke his fever and I think he is on the road to recovery!

The DOWN low!!!

2008-02-15T21:16:00.002-05:00

Finally over the hump... this week at WW I lost 4.4 lbs!!!! I am so excited. I guess I am making up for the 3 bad weeks I had. I am at a total weight loss of 53.6 lbs. I weigh about 20 lbs. less now than before I got pregnant with Neilie. I am so thrilled. People are noticing and it is really nice to know that other people can tell that I am working hard. Still drowning myself in water everyday!!!!! that is such a chore but i do it... daily. I don't love it - at all but i do it! I will not weigh in next week because I am going to SCSHA (South Carolina Speech/Language and Hearing Association) Conference. It is 3 days in Charleston.... don't worry, I will be in classes the entire time. My feet will never hit the sand... isn't that a shame?!?!

Thank you all!!!

2008-02-11T17:04:00.000-05:00

This is Neil and I want to say thank you to my wonderful wife. She has been so supportive of me. I did get a call back about the traffic postion and they went for the other officer whom they said had a little more expierance than me. They did say that they were impressed with my interview and resume and that they will have another postion opening very soon and want me to apply again. I dont think I am going to give up yet. Thank you all so much for believeing in me. Have a wonderfull day!!!! Neil

Officer Chappell

2008-02-11T16:00:00.000-05:00

I wanted to take a minute to say how proud I am to be married to a police officer! Neil had a very important interview today that will effect his job greatly. I am not sure just how much I should or should not say about it. Just know that it was huge and I am so proud that he stepped out (and up) and did this interview. I believe in him 100% and know that he will be the best one for the position. If you read this blog I am sure he would like an encouraging word.

You can leave a comment by typing your comment then typing that funny-looking code (a bunch of mixed up letters and numbers) then click annonymous. If you sign your name we will know it is you!

Keep him in your prayers, we are anxiously awaiting a decision.

I am sure he will appreciate your support with this huge effort.

We'll keep you "posted"!

~ Abee

A Tail of a Tale

2008-02-10T11:05:00.000-05:00

I promised a better attitude for my next post... so here goes. This is a funny story that I have been meaning to share with you all.

For those who don't know, we have 2 pets... a dog named Sarge and a cat named Dillon (we call him Dilly).

Dilly stays inside all the time. His food is in our hallway along with his bed and litter box. Neilie and Claire leave the litter box and bed alone...

but the food is a different story. Neilie refers to Dilly's food as "cat cookies or cat pood". (don't worry that /p/ for /f/ substitution is developmentally appropriate, wink wink).

Back to the story... one day Linda, my mother-in-law, a.k.a. Noni was keeping the girls at our house. She had been having trouble with Neilie attempting to eat the cat food. Noni kept telling her not to eat the cat food and she kept trying to eat it. Noni had tried lots of things to keep Neilie from eating it. Noni had one last resort... as Neilie picked up the "cat cookie" and held it close to her lips, Noni said, "If you eat cat food, you'll get a tail!". Noni said Neilie froze with the cat food piece right at her lip. She slowly turned to face Noni cutting her eyes right through Noni and in her most serious voice Neilie said, "I like-a tail!!!". We haven't stopped laughing about that since!

What's UP??????

2008-02-07T20:50:00.000-05:00

So I went to my WW meeting and was up again!!!! Only .6 but still up. I am so frustrated with this whole plateau thing! I am changing everything I am eating, I am drinking all 64 oz of water everyday!!! I am doing everything in my power and still going up. People at WW say don't feel bad about it... well i wanna feel bad about it because I am putting forth great effort to lose the weight and not seeing the results. it would be different if i was eating junk and drinking soda! Please pardon my frustration. One of the ladies at WW said this could go on for 5 or 6 weeks. I am on week 3 so maybe only 2 more weeks of this. I am going to try my best next week. It is hard to keep on keeping on when you don't see results. Gain or lose I will find a better attitude for next post... I promise! Thanks for all your support no matter what!!!

Weight UPdate

2008-02-01T21:35:00.001-05:00

So my meeting wasn't as successful as they have been in the past. I was up .8 and not thrilled about it. Everyone says you reach a plateau and i guess this is mine... and it is not fun. I am working really hard and drowning myself in water everyday... just a little frustrating when you don't see the results. Oh well, I am changing up everything I can think of for next week. I will keep you "posted".

Thursday 01/31/08

2008-01-31T12:04:00.000-05:00

Well today Abee has her Weight Watcher Meeting and I want to wish her good luck (which she does not need) and to say that we love you and are proud of you.

I have had the pleasure to spend two weeks with my little girls and it has been great. We all say hi and wish you all the best!!!

Glasses

2008-01-28T20:51:00.001-05:00

The Fosters (Les, Donna, Shelley, Haley... well and Doug and BJ) got Neil and me a Costco membership for a year for our birthdays. Neil's birthday is 1/14 and mine is 2/25 (go ahead and mark your calendars... haha). We went for the first time over this past weekend. We bought things we needed and decided this Costco thing was going to be a great thing. One of our purchases was apple juice. There were two big jugs of juice held together by a yellow plastic "thingy". While we were putting things away, Neilie picked up the yellow plastic 'thingy' and said she was wearing glasses. It was so cute i had to take a picture. (We think everything she does is cute... we're her parents)

Saturdays

2008-01-26T20:38:00.001-05:00

Last Saturday we went to visit with Amanda and Greg and let our kiddos play together. Amanda has a little girl, Averi, she is 4 months older than Neilie. Her son, Aidan, is 1 month older than Claire. Neilie and Averi are just now getting to a point where they acutally play together. It is so cute. I went to Amanda's new house and the girls went in Averi's room to listen to the Doodlebops. We heard them laughing. Then we went to see them and they were dancing. It was so cute... i just had to snap a pic. I am so happy these girls are going to grow up friends. I couldn't ask for a better friend in Amanda.

Today, as most Saturdays, Neilie wanted to watch Curious George... the movie. She only gets to watch the movie on Saturdays. She loves it so much we try to save it for Saturdays so it continues to be something special. I snapped a few shots of the girls while they were watching it. I got a picture of Claire making the funniest face. She is such a cutie!!! Enjoy the pictures.

Daddy Daycare!

2008-01-25T09:14:00.000-05:00

This is Neil and I wanted everyone to know that I am sooo proud of Abee on her weight loss journey. With her doing this the whole family (Neil, Neilie, Claire) all eat better and feel better. I also wanted to let you all know that it is the best thing in the whole world to be married to my BEST FRIEND!!!
As for everything else. I am taking two weeks off from work to stay home with my little girls. Georgia had surgery on her foot yesterday so i need to stay at home. I am fortunate that I work for a man like Chuck who values family and was able to take this time off. To all of you thank you for being friends and family. Neil (Daddy)

weight loss update

2008-01-24T21:38:00.000-05:00

So far I have lost 50.6 pounds. Last week it was 2.6, the week before that it was 2.8... this week it was nothing!!! No gain but no loss. I maintained at exactly 50.6 lost. I am not sure what is up with the plateau but i will try something new/different next week. I think this week I got lazy and a little comfortable in the program. I will keep you all updated with next week's weight LOSS (not maintain, or worse... gain). Thanks to everyone for the encouraging words!!!

~abee

my mobile baby!

2008-01-19T13:52:00.000-05:00

We have been waiting, knowing it would be soon and today was the day! This morning Claire saw a toy she wanted that was just out of reach and she got on her hands and knees, started rocking and before we knew it she put one knee in front of the other and she was mobile! I don't have a picture of her crawling yet but when i do i will post it. I can't believe my baby is crawling. Happy and sad all at the same time!

weight loss update

2008-01-18T20:43:00.000-05:00

I meant to blog last night my results of my weigh in at WW. Last night was a huge night for me... I lost 2.8 lbs last week for a total weight loss of 50.6 lbs. I am so excited. I got my 50 pound marker for my key chain from WW. I have been telling everybody at school today. I have about 25 more lbs to go before i am happy. I gained 75 lbs when i was pregnant with neilie and only lost 45 before I got pregnant with claire and gained 30. I will be happy with my clothes that i wore before I got pregnant with neilie are too big! i am almost there!

SNOW DAY!!!

2008-01-17T11:15:00.001-05:00

People who work in the schools have a dream... waking up to a blanket of snow on the ground! I was so happy to see that this morning at 3:00am. I was up feeding Claire and looked out the window to see the beautiful white stuff falling from the clouds! YIPPEE, I thought a day with my family. Neil is off today so we are all home. It is great! We went out to play in it. We took some pics so I will attach those. This is really the girls first snow. When Neilie was 6 weeks old we had that terrible ice storm back in 2005 but of course it wasn't snow and she didn't get to play in it. Then last year we had a little ice storm that she didn't get to play in and Claire wasn't born yet. So this is officially Neilie and Claire's first snow. The pictures Neil took are beautiful. Neilie is wearing some snow boots that are too cute. Hope you all enjoy the pix.

Happy Birthday!

2008-01-14T11:02:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to Neil!!! He is 29 today! I am so proud to be his wife. He is such a fantastic daddy! He continues to work on our marriage and I know that together we will be a great team for a long time.

He deserves nothing but the best.

Happy Birthday H.L. Muffin!

I love you more than you will ever know!

The pic is the night Claire was born. He was so pumped to be a Daddy again!

This is Neil also known as Daddy

2008-01-12T20:45:00.000-05:00

Hello. I am very excited about my lovely bride doing this blog thing. We love to share our life with you all. I am the proudest Father and husband. I am so proud of my wife losing almost 50lbs on weight watcher. She has always been beatiful to me no matter what.

Most of you know that I am a Police Officer. I have been working the UNA area for about 5 years. I have applied to be on the County Traffic team. This will be a change for me i will no longer answer 911 calls, instead I will be looking for traffic violations such as DUI and Speeding.

Thank you all for your support and for being our Friends and Family.

Weight loss and my girls update

2008-01-10T22:06:00.000-05:00

So i went to my meeting this evening... I lost 2.6lbs for a grand total of 47.8!!! How exciting to be this close to losing 50 pounds!

Neilie and Claire update: Neilie is wearing "big girl panties" for the majority of her day now!!! YAHOO!!! we are so excited about that. what a $$ saver that is. my sweet ClaireBear is so close to crawling it is unbelievable. like i don't want to go to work tomorrow because I am afraid I am going to miss it. Having children is the most incredible experience that life can offer. I can't begin to express the joy that these two little girls bring to my life. It is amazing how such small little babies can make adults so strong. These girls bring out the best in me. I am so blessed to be their mommy. What a true joy. this past weekend, I went in to wake up Neilie and I got to the foot of her bed and she crawled over, hugged me, and said, "My mommy, I so glad to see you, I love you Mommy"! It is hard to imagine anything in life being more precious than that. what a true blessing.

wednesday

2008-01-09T21:31:00.001-05:00

I am thinking that maybe you all don't know that I am a weight watcher! I have lost 47lbs since the first week of June. Last week I had gained a pound... how disappointing. I had prepared myself (mentally) for the week of Christmas but not the week after with all the leftovers. The former leader of my WW meeting would say that is mostly mental... she is so right!!! Now my mantra is "Its just food". I try to use that often. My new years resolution was to drink the 64 oz of water that we all should have... I have done that since Friday of last week. Hopefully it will make a difference this week. My meeting is tomorrow. I will post the results.

First post

2008-01-06T14:29:00.000-05:00

Hi all,
We're the Chappells! Today is Sunday and I am enjoying a relaxing day at my parents house. My two sweet baby girls are asleep and so is my dad. My mom is out walking with a friend and my hubby is working. I can tell already I am going to love this!!!