Bronchitas, Breathing Treatments, and Weddings

Well this past week has been an exciting one at the Akins Household. Madison came down with bronchitas on Wednesday, and we have been in and out of Dr. office's all week!! They have put her on a breathing treatment machine folks (every 6 hours), and let me just tell you, that is absolutely NO fun to give to a 20 mth old. Can you imagine the first few times we tried to do this to her, she fought us like we were injecting her with needles! It was definately a 2 person job. She has now gotten use to the machine, and as long as I give myself some of the treatment and swap it up with her, she is good to go. But an adventure it was at the beginning!!

We went back to the doctor today at lunch, and they are going to continue the treatments until the end of the week, and hopefully by then she will be completely better and back to her normal chipper self.

On a happier note, Saturday came and we were hoping she would be feeling better and walk down the aisle with Ellen for Carrie's wedding. It didn't quite go as planned. She did good getting ready, and was all prettied up, but come game time, she was having no part of it. She did not want to be away from Mimi, and they made the judgement call to cancel that part, and I think that was probably the smartest decision. She did relativly well during the wedding (no major outbursts), but I was getting nervous towards the end, as she was getting restless.

The wedding and reception was great and Carrie was a beautiful bride. I wish them both the best and hope they have a lifetime of happiness together. I am especially thankful to Carrie and Chris for remembering Scarlet on her wedding day. Carrie had a pink candle at the front of the church to remember Scarlet and also included Madison on her special day.

That's about all I got from this weekend. Enjoy the pics, and here's rooting for MSU to take down the Reb's on Wednesday night, and Also for the Vols to put an end to Memphis's pipedream.

JA

Congrats to Carrie & Chris Dawkins!!

Madison and Mimi getting ready for wedding

Princess Gracie!!

Ellen coaching MGA pre-wedding

Madison loved her pretty flowers

The family with a pic by Scarlet's "rememberance candle"

Jody and Bride 08'

Carrie and her Bridesmaids

Ear Infections, Cow Sounds, & Smiles

Well January has came and gone, and it was an interesting one. Madison battled multiple ear infections for most of the month, so we were in and out of the doctor office alot. I would think it was getting better, only to find out it had moved to the other ear! Then of course the antibiotic tore her butt up, and she could hardly sit in her high chair or take a bath without hurting. The joys of having a toddler!!

She's all smiles now and back to her normal cheerful self. That girl just amazes me day in and day out. She is really starting to talk alot more now. She is learning new words, and epecially one that is gonna get her in trouble here pretty soon.....NO! It is helpful sometimes, like when you ask her if she wants something else to eat or something to drink. However, I feel the time is approaching when she starts saying NO, to things she is not suppose to. The Terrible 2's are coming before I know it.

I'm convinced that she is gonna be a professional cook when she grows up. She has 3 kitchen playsets among our house and all the grandparents. She knows how to use the oven, microwave, and wash the dishes (she even makes the water sound!!).

She knows how the cow goes, and also what the duck does! It is pretty hilarious. She goes Mooooooooooo!! Gets me everytime :)

That's about it, just wanted to post this morning and let everyone know that all is well in the Akins House. Until next time.....

Jody & Madison

Cooking at Steve and Vic's

She loves her hoodie...

All Smiles :)

Happy Anniversary Car-Car!

Well today is a very special day for me. Today would have been Scarlet's and I's 2nd Anniversary. I sit back and think how things would be different now if she were still here, and it really gets me upset. Scarlet was such a perfect wife for me, and I miss her dearly!!

I know I am a firm believer in signs from up above, and I see this morning as no different. When Madison went to bed last night she was so tired and irratable. One would just assume that she would still be cranky the next morning, but not this morning. I guess God knew today would be tough on me, and when I went in this morning to wake her up, she greeted me with the biggest smile. And not just a big smile, but the Smile that I think looks just like Scarlet's! That right there folks, gets me every time.

And to top that off, on our way to Colliierville this morning, I heard "Home" by Michael Buble on the radio, which was one of the songs played at Scarlet's Memorial. That one brought tears to my eyes again!! I just smiled, and blew her a kiss to the sky! I hope she got it.....

JA

Happy Anniversary Car-Car!!

B-day Party Time @ the Cole's

On Saturday, Madison was invited to Airey Cole's birthday party in Collierville. We went and had a great time. Madison liked it because Airey had alot of different toys than she had at home. She was very curious and took her awhile to warm up to everyone. Airey had a great party, and got all kind of neat stuff. Thanks to Roger and Sara Ella for inviting us.

Here are a few pics from this weekend....Enjoy.

JA

Mimi putting Madison's bow in her hair

Madison playing with Elmo with the Birthday Boy Airie!

Ella Katherine Lynch was in attendance

Playtime @ the Cole's

Airey and his "Moo-Cow" Cake!

MGA did not enjoy the hats :(

And here comes the "Crazy Face" Again!!

10-3 Good Guys!!! LIBERTY BOWL CHAMPS

Well, it wasn't the prettiest win....but it was a win, nonetheless! We had a great time at the Liberty Bowl parade, and also the following day at the Tailgate and ballgame. Below are some pics from both, Enjoy and GO DAWGS!!!

"The Tour" invades Beale Street for the parade

I mean really, are we going to be outdone by a "Clapper"???

Dad getting everything setup for the tailgate!

RF & Paige chilling at the tailgate

RF and "Coach" doing the Cupid Shuffle

Reese made Ryan Lynn model his customized Liberty Bowl Blanket

We won!!!!!!!! Go Dawgs

Couple more Christmas Pics

Here are my final Christmas pics that include Memaw's Christmas Party and Christmas Morning at Mimi's with Madison!

JA

Crawling thru her Dora Tunnel that Santa brought!

Riding her Rocking Unicorn

Coloring with Mimi

Drawing on her toy that Santa left

Santa leaves Madison a bunch of goodies!!

Madison and Daddy having a conversation on the phone

Madison & Memaw (Christmas 2007)

Showing off her mom's grin :) :)

Christmas Recap (Part II)

Christmas has came and past at the Akins House! I wasted no time taking down my tree and Christmas decorations. My house is back to normal, with special help from Mom & David. Madison is still looking for Christmas lights on the staircase when we go upstairs! I'm pretty sure she is not happy with me for taking them down so quickly. Oh well!! We had a GREAT Christmas, and my house is now stocked with new toys and clothes. ** A special thanks to all of you who got her toys that make alot of noise!! (I will remember that) **

Our first party on Christmas Eve was at Memaw's. After I got off work, Madison and I left Collierville and headed to Southaven. Everyone was there, and we were all thankful to see Memaw in such better health after her recent hospital stay. Sometimes, we all get wrapped up in the gifts and presents during the holidays, and forget to just take time to thank God for our health and being with our family. We truely take that for granted!! We had a huge meal, and everything was delicious as always! We exchanged gifts, and man did Madison and Sara Reye rack up. Madison got alot of new toys, and some cute clothes. She has been wagging around her Dora phone for the past two days! Nancy monogrammed her a really cute garment bag, and also her favorite gift was from Memaw, a soft pink blanket (which Madison carried around, and has been sleeping with). All in All, we had a great party, but Madison started to wear down around 6pm, and became a fussy lil' girl. She had had enough fun, and started grabbing me by the hand and walking to the door, and saying "Bye, Bye!!" (or more like, screaming Bye-Bye!). So I took that as my cue to head to Collierville.

From Memaw's, we headed to Mimi's for more food and family. Uncle Reese was in town, and he wore Madison down the rest of the way. We ate again, and watched some old family videos of Reese and Scarlet. Safe to say, I have tons of new ammo to use on Reese whenever needed!! His Pretty Woman inpersonation will be stored in my memory for a long time....Well done, Reese!! (Work it......) Madison crashed hard, and for the first time I got to play the role of Santa!!! I really enjoyed putting all of Madison's stuff together with Mimi. I know Scarlet would have really enjoyed doing this for Madison too! She was such a fan of Santa and Christmas, and I know she was smiling when she watched Mimi and I get everything ready for Gracie. It was quite the task!! :)

Well, Christmas morning came, and Madison was up bright and early. We all got our Camera's ready, as she decended the stairs and saw all the new stuff in the living room. She really didn't know what to think at first, but then began to explore. She went from toy to toy, and was really making sure that Mimi and I approved of everything as well. She got sooooo much stuff and should be entertained for a few weeks anyway. I would list everything, but you can check it out in the pics below. We all exchanged gifts in the living room, and then followed that with a delicious Christmas breakfast thanks to Mimi and Nana Bledsoe. Yummy!!

After breakfast, everyone went their own ways, and it was nap time! Madison crashed for a long nap, after playing so hard that morning. You could tell she was exhausted! We met up again at 3pm at Leigh Leigh's, for Spaghetti and Meatballs and other appetizers. Madison got a new rocking unicorn from Steve and Vic, and also several other "noisy" toys! I decided she could keep those at their house.

We finally made it home around 5:30, and we unloaded the car, and took a sigh of relief that all the parties were finally over. I feel like we have took the tour of Memphis and North Mississippi in the past 5 days. I am extremely grateful for all we received, but am also glad to see it over with too!! Grandy and Pop arrived around 5:30 and helped me take down all my decorations, and get my house back to normal. Madison got to show them all her new toys, and they of course enjoyed this. Around 7:30 she crashed, and I got no resistance from her as I laid her down to sleep. She told me "Night Night", and she found her thumb, and off to sleep she went. Sleep tight Gracie!

Well, that is all I have for you. Enjoy the pics below, and I hope it lets you see how WONDERFUL of a Christmas we both had.

Jody and Madison

Madison showing off her new "crocs"

Madison visiting mommy, and pointing at her pic :)

She had to smell the tree!!

She was showing Daddy her new gloves and hat!

She loves her Mimi!

Hey, there's Rudolph!!

Pretty girl!!

Just hanging out on the stairs!

Madison and her crazy hair