The Giveaway Car- Day 1

As most of you already know, my dad (better known as PawPaw) builds hot rods full time at his custom shop. The name of his shop is Ronnie's Hot Rods. He started his first business when I was in Kindergarten, and finally reached his dream when he was able to open up the hot rod shop. My dad has worked his whole life to create a successful business to support his dreams and his family. My brother, Casey, works for him at the hot rod shop. His brother, Ken, works for him as well. It's a family affair at Ronnie's Hot Rods. Along with blood family he has a crew that he thinks of as his family. The men that work there have become so special to not only him, but to mom and I too. They help him make his dreams come true. The highlight of Dad's career came about last year. NSRA (National Street Rod Association) approached him about building a car to give away at the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, KY. When I say "give away", I mean give away... He had sponsors to help him with the materials for the car, but all the labor was totally free. He and his crew built the car from the body's hull to road ready in a year. He spent many, many long hours on the build of that car. He also took the car all around the country to show the followers the progress of the build. After a year of seeing this car transform into such a beautiful piece of machinery, we all had grown attached to it. It was like a little piece of our family by the time it was time for it to go to its new owner.

The original body was not this color. He chose this color.

Frame.

Dad chose to build a 1932 Ford for this project. He was allowed to build it without any stipulations. The car that he built was 100% his choice. I heard him say to someone that if he could build himself a 32 Ford, that it would look exactly like the giveaway car. He picked out every single piece of that car as if it were going to be his car to keep forever.

We had been talking about making the trip to Louisville to support dad and the guys from the shop since May. I asked for permission to be off work the first two days of school, and they shockingly approved my absence. From the day they told me I could be off until the day we left I thought about all the things that could go wrong, how stressful it would be, and if I really wanted to even tackle the project of taking Suzy along with me. Up until the day before we left I was going back and forth with the thought of backing out. I just couldn't do it, I had to go and I had to take Suzy with me. I was super nervous about all the things that would be different for her and stressing out about her schedule. We had planned to leave early Wednesday morning, so I took Suzy to daycare the Tuesday before departure. I packed, cleaned, organized, etc. I got in the bath tub at like 3:00, and as soon as I had lathered my hair up my cell phone rang. It was dad. He was calling to tell me that we needed to leave right then. I quickly finished bathing, grabbed all our stuff, threw it in my car, headed to town to get Suzy, and started loading up. We had made arrangements to ride with mom and dad in his big truck. He bought an 18 wheeler that has a living quarters in the cab. It is equipped with a bunk, couch, kitchen table, kitchenette, a full bathroom, and a TV with a DVD player. Riding with them seemed like the only feasible way for Suzy and I to go.

This is one of the magazines that they are in for this build! So exciting.

So proud!

We finally got everything in the truck and pulled off at 5:30'ish. I thought Suzy would easily fall asleep in the truck since she could watch TV. I was wrong. She didn't go to sleep until about 11:00 PM. She cried for at least an hour, because I was trying to rock her to sleep. I finally gave up and let her stay awake. She finally wore herself out and slept from 11:00 until we woke her up around 6:30 the next morning. We made it to Louisville around 3:00 that morning and dad parked the truck and trailer in the parking lot of a stadium that was close to the event. We all got a few hours’ sleep, woke up, and headed to the event headquarters. We were at the doors waiting to be let in at 8:00.

The stadium we woke up to.

Dad's truck and trailer had to be inside of a building where all the exhibitors were located. There were tons of people already there and set up, so it was a bit unnerving to watch him back that huge truck and trailer through a building full of vendors and very expensive cars! He did it with ease. He constantly impresses me.

She needed a drink. Her was thirsty!

We got the trailer unloaded and the display set up, and we were all ready to go to the hotel to get some rest. While we were resting some more of the group showed up. Shirley and Jesse Danford, Mike Irby, and George and Melanie Lynch had arrived by the time we had woken up.

This is the final product!

 

When he got the truck and trailer unloaded this was the final set up!

Suzy was tired and ready to go take a nap!!

Monkey Butt

Little Miss Ella Sue has had a rough couple weeks. She has been cutting her bottom and top back teeth. When she cuts teeth she has terrible, terrible bowel issues. Her little booty became raw within the first day. We started letting her go diaper free as much as possible to help with the situation, but we couldn't let her go to sleep that way. One night, it was so bad that Scott had to go to our neighbor's house to get some Monkey Butt for her. Every time she would pee or poop she would just scream bloody murder. There were several times that I teared up at the sight of her hiney and the sounds of her screams. It was so sad. We spent as much time in the bath tub and swimming pool as possible to try to help out with her little problem. If she was in the water, she was happy. Our bathtub was turned into her playpen for a solid week. Now, she thinks that is where she is supposed to bathe all the time now.

Our typical day consists of waking up, having breakfast (her new favorite meal is cereal with milk), playing a little while, running errands, nap, then pool time at Mimi's or Back Acres Country Club. We love going to BACC because there are lots of Mamas that I can talk to, and lots of kiddos that want to entertain Suzy. Will and Emma Kay Moore help me with Suzy a lot. They even got her to go down the big girl slide last week. It almost gave Ali and I a heart attack, but my fearless child did it.... I am going to be in HUGE trouble. She is scared of nothing.

When she is finished with her cereal and milk this is what my floor looks like. I sweep and mop constantly. 

Speaking of being scared of nothing..... She has gotten extremely comfortable at Mimi's pool. She just walks off the side of the pool (she thinks she is jumping in) whether anyone is there to catch her or not. She has started having to wear her little float contraption at all times, because it is nothing for her to just barrel off into the pool without anyone looking. This is the process of her fun... over, and over, and over, and over.......

Suzy is really starting to talk a lot. She says 2-3 word phrases and her vocabulary grows by the day. Along with her vocabulary growing, her temper is growing as well. She is B.A.D. news!! Last week, I had a melt down and sent Scott and Mimi a text telling them that she was going to daycare all week this week, because she has just become too attached and spoiled being with me this summer. We didn't keep our schedule like I should have, which resulted in a week full of fits, no naps, yelling, and screaming. By Tuesday of last week I was at a breaking point. It was all my fault. There was no one else to blame, but I had had enough of her behavior. She was throwing herself on the floor, telling me "no" constantly, and pitching little "Amy fits" as my family likes to refer to them as! She is a wild woman, I tell ya! I am happy to announce that I got her back on her schedule and she is doing much better. No schedule= unhappy Mama and Sue.

They had water day at Tattle Tales last Friday. Her sweet teachers sent me these pictures of her having fun!

Not only has Suzy had a fun summer, but Scott and I have too. We have been trying to get out and enjoy as much as we can when he is at home. Last weekend, BACC had a golf tournament that him and Hollywood played in. While they were at the course Kalon, Mrs. Hollywood, and I laid out all day.

We took a break around lunch to go get refills and a snack :) Of course, we had to take Mimi's Happy Car. 

When the boys finished up the tournament Saturday night we all headed to the clubhouse for dinner and a band. It was a ball. I am the first to admit that you have to pay for the fun you have as you grow older. It took me two days to recover from that Saturday night.

Mrs. Hollywood, KK, and I 

Kent was in town!! 

Mrs. Hollywood and I. 

My sweet, sweet KK. 

My better half. 

We have had such a fun and tiring summer. It is hard to believe that my summer break is almost over. This is my last full week of summer. I will be spending it at the schoolhouse doing all sorts of fun decorating and organizing.... ohhhh the joys!!

Independence Day Celebrations

Mimi, Suzy, and I loaded up early Tuesday morning to head to the lake house to meet Memaw and Papa. We made our usual stop in Tupelo to stretch our legs and get some last minute goodies. Suzy scored on her shopping trip to Toys R Us with Mimi. They went in there on a mission to find a nice new riding toy.... I think they succeeded.

Later Tuesday afternoon Teresa, Chuck, and Charlee Beth showed up to join us. The following day the rest of the crew showed up: Papaw, Jon, LaKay, Ryan, and Scott. Unfortunately, they didn't bring good weather with them. It rained the whole entire time we were at the lake. We had a few windows of fair weather, but it wasn't many. I'd say it rained 90% of the time we were there. The other 10% of the time we took advantage of the weather and headed out on the boat. Suzy loves riding in the boat. She came downstairs from a nap one day and said, "Papaw. Boat. Ride. Go.", so that is just what we did....!!

This is her "wow" face!

Of course, she had to be the co-captain.

Ryan Moore finally got the opportunity to hit the water on his wakeboard.

Sweet feet. 

Pick-a-boo!!

 We came back from our boat ride one afternoon, so we could swim with Sue. She wasn't as into swimming as she usually is. I think she has gotten used to the Country Club pool. She can touch the ground in it, so I don't think she likes not being able to touch the bottom of the lake. She finally got used to it and played with me a little bit.

We are trying to teach her how to kick. I am usually the only one who is kicking! 

 I'm telling ya, when it wasn't raining we were enjoying the water life to the fullest. Memaw and Papa tried their hands at fishing, we sat around on the dock watching the boats, swam, or just piddled around close to the water. We were really hoping and praying the weather would turn pretty. We just never saw our hopes come true that week.

Chuck and Charlee Beth!

All the rain apparently washed a little critter into our yard. Suzy was in love with the little fella. Sonny B, on the other hand, was not a fan of the little duck! She yelled "quack, quack, quack" while Sonny B stared at the duck like it was his next meal!

Oh the joys of a rainy lake trip.

She the duck in the distance? 

Memaw takes her cat with her to the lake. He is like 100 years old.....

Since we were stuffed inside most of the time we spent most of our time consuming a lot of calories, playing cards, and chatting/playing on the porch.

Yummy corn on the comb!

We broke out the blow up swimming pool while it was sprinkling one day..... Anything to keep her busy! 

A nice game of Phase10.

Papa and Suzy having some ice cream!

Suzy learned many new things from all the people that were at the lake. She is getting pretty good at "Row, Row, Row Your Boat", telling me "NO", calling her Mimi, and she got a lot of good practice on her sweet new trike!!

Last year our cousins from Georgia were at the lake house with us. She took some awesome pictures of Suzy for me. I wish that I could have gotten some as good as she did last year, but hey I tried.... AND it is great to compare the differences in her now!

July 4, 2012

 July 4, 2013

Chocolate Chip cookie face :) 

 We planned to go to the fireworks show July 5th at Duncan Bridge Marina. They usually take the boat to see the fireworks, so that is what we had planned on doing. I was already way out of my element, because the show didn't start until 9 o'clock. Suzy is usually asleep by then. Then, it was raining and we were still going to the show, which really threw me off. We all loaded up in the cars after a last minute decision was made that we were going to Duncan and we were not taking the boats. Suzy was in her pajamas and Jon didn't even have any shoes on. We looked like a bunch of hobos.... We went, we saw, and we got soaked!! The bottom fell out and we were drenched. Suzy loved the fireworks. I was shocked she didn't get scared, because they were extremely loud!! She did great!!!!!

My little rednecks :) 

She had to play in the dirt while we were waiting on the show to begin. 

Best seat in the house!

Not a great picture of the fireworks, but you can see all the boats that still braved the weather and  came on the water!

 We had a terrific time at the lake even though it wasn't great weather. Suzy was a perfect baby girl and we got to spend some quality time with some great friends and family! I cannot wait until next year :)

The view from the boat house/swim pier. 

The front of the house. It has the main living floor with the master bed and bath, upstairs is 4 bedrooms and full bath. The back of the house looks like a 3 story because of the basement. The basement will eventually be a bunk house/game room/bar area..... They hope to have all that completed soon! This house has been a MAJOR project for them! They've done a great job!!