My baby is THREE!

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!!!!

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

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

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!!!

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!

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!!!

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!!!