Adios Septembre!

Goodbye September!

You confuse me!  You have days that are like summer then the next is very Fall-ish.  What good a month are you anyway???

Oh yeah.  My sweet Grandma Edna was born in September, and that should be a national holiday.

Happy October Everyone!

Cheers!

W.A's Momma

Life's Theme Songs

Have you ever heard a song that immediatley puts a flutter in your chest?  It is that song that when singing it in your head, forces you to hold your chin up a little more and raise your shoulders back?

I call these songs my Life's Theme Song.  It changes over the years or even months.  This time around it happens to be "Magic" by B.O.B.  I dont know why, but it boosts my mood and my confidence.

Next time you feel down and low, start singing YOUR favorite song and I guarantee, you will feel better.  Just try it!  It is also good to do when you're nervous.

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma

Lowcountry Crab Boil

You always eat good on vacation!  Here is our best meal: a Lowcountry Boil!  Recipe will follow the pictures!

Our Lowcountry Boil!!  Yummmm!

Can you tell I am ready to eat?!?!?

Get a big pot and throw in some red potatoes and sausage with enough water to cover them.
Make sure you shake in some old bay seasoning, or crab boil seasoning to taste.
Add some corn on the cob (make sure you cut them in half).
Add in your crab and shrimp when your potatoes are almost tender.  It only takes the crab and shrimp about 5 minutes to cook!

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma (and Daddy)

Shenandoah National Forest

Hi All!

We had an itch in our pants for everything fall: colorful leaves, cooler temperatures, and hiking!  So...we went to the mountains where we could experience all three! 

It was a good 14 degrees cooler on the mountain than at our house.  The leaves on the mountain top were already starting to change too!  It was gorgeous!  We did some sightseeing off the Pass Mountain Overlook and learned about mountain "gaps".

We took a picnic lunch and then did some hiking on the Appalachian Trail!  We didn't go too far, I did not want to encounter any black bears! 

There are over 500 miles of trails at the Shenandoah Natural Forest.  Hiking is a must with all of the beautiful flora and fauna!  If you don't like to hike, don't despair, Skyline Drive is beautiful with many overlooks to pull off the road into and get a great view (even if you stay in the car)!

Admission for a 7 Day Pass was only $15.00.  Pretty cheap!  If you do not want to take a picnic lunch, like we did, you can stop in at the Skyland Resort and get a bite to eat at their restaurant.  You can also get some great information from tour guides there as well.  And for you boozers, there is a taproom!

If you want to stay overnight and aren't a camper (like me) you can rent a traditional room, cottage or even a suite at the Skyland Resort!

Enjoy the pictures!

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma

HHI 4: We have to leave...

W.A., W.A's Daddy and I are all packing up to leave tomorrow.  We'll miss the morning runs, the bikerides, the beach, the Salty Dog, but most of all, we will miss all the family we have been surrounded by...

Cheers!

W.A's Momma

1 of 3 zillion reasons...

I love my sweet husband...

We went on a family bike ride yesterday.  We passed a family of 7 on their bikes.  The father was on his cell phone doing business.  He couldnt hang up for one lousy hour to share time with his wife and children?  My husband hasnt made one call or text.  Im glad I chose a man who puts his family first.

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma



HHI 3: Coastal Discovery Museum

The Coastal Discovery Museum has two locations on Hilton Head Island, and is dedicated to everything Lowcountry, both past and present.

W.A.'s Daddy and I loaded W.A. and his cousin Asa in the car.  Asa's mommy needed a serious break, so off on an adventure we went!

The museum is housed in the most breathtaking old plantation home I have ever seen.  It was beautiful and was surrounded by the largest magnolias!  Spanish moss was draped everywhere!  I was IN HEAVEN!

There is a "discovery house" in the main quarters of the old home.  It has a gift shop and exhibits dedicated to the people of the Lowcountry with a special interest in the "Gullah".  There was even a Gullah cooking class, but it was over by the time we got there.  There were three piers that went out over Jarvis Creek and the marshlands on the property.  We toured two of them.  The first was the Osprey Overlook and contained an abundant amount of information on local birds.  You could even hear a sample of their calls by pressing buttons on an information kiosk. 

The second pier we toured was the Oyster Overlook.  Here, you could find information on local mollusk life in the marsh.  The more information W.A.'s Daddy gave Asa, the more he wanted to know.  That little Asa is a sponge.  He is going to make his momma very rich one day.

There is a butterfly enclosure also located at the Coastal Discover Museum.  You can learn anything you ever wanted to know about butterflies and caterpillars in this place!  And it kept the boys totally captivated.  Something us mommas just love, right?

Asa referred to the lush grounds as "a Jungle".  It always amazes me what capacity for imagination that children have!  Here is Asa going into his "jungle".

Of course, we had to get our picture made before we left.  The boys and I thought these steps were the perfect place with such amazing vegetation and beautiful architecture behind us!  We also bought some homemade pepper jelly in the gift shop before we left.  Mmmmm good.

We still have two more days here and lots still left to discover!

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma

My Family's Boys Club (Hilton Head Island Part 2)

We have a very small boys club in our family. The number of girls FAR OUTWEIGHS the little boys.  To be exact: there are 5 boys and 13 girls. It started with my Grandma Edna who had two boys to raise.  My Aunt Cindy next, followed by her daughter, then my sisters and I.  Miranda (my cousin Kenny's wife) rounds out the most recent, with KBT III being about 2 months old now, WELCOME TO OUR CLUB, MIRANDA!

Zizzy (Grandma)  and Trace

I love having the support of so many mothers to toddlers in my extended family.  I grew up "Southern" and in a southern family, your cousins are the same as your syblings.  I don't mess around with that "second cousin" business...all of my cousins are either "Aunts" or "Uncles" to MY little boy...

HHI is definetly a rare treat when we have 9 toddlers out on the beach just enjoying so much of eachother.  I even got to spend some one-on-one time with little Millie walking the beach to find seashells for her mommy (my cousin, Samantha).

L-R: Miranda, Stephanie, Me, Zizzy, Keri.

Here is the Boys Club of our Family converging on Hilton Head Island for our Annual Family Reunion.  The little girls are as cute as can be, but this blog is about boys remember!  Dont worry, I'll be posting about the little girls too!  Enjoy!


Cheers!

W.A."s Momma

Hilton Head Island: Part 1

As you can plainly see, our boys are having a grand old time here at the beach.  My sister and I are going to quit our jobs, move our families here, and have our husbands be stay-at-home dads while we relax everyday.  We'll have to figure that whole money thing out later...

Hope you all are enjoying your families as much as W.A. and I are.!

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma

REPTILE LAGOON, Pedro's South of the Border

I want to apologize in advance for the pictures you are about to see.  I left our camera battery at home and didn't realize it until we were 4 hours away.  I had to use my outdated cell phone!

If you have ever traveled I-95 South you've come across Pedro's South of the Border!  It is an enormous tourist attraction and to call it "cheesy" would be an understatement.  It's that hidden gem, that total tourist trap, but worth the bucks you spend on it!  We decided to shell out the $16 at Pedro's Reptile Lagoon.  It was a great way for W.A. to burn off some steam after being strapped in the car seat for 4 hours, with another 4 still to go.

Every alligator, crocodile, and snake was behind a double chain link fence or double pane glass.  There were also sea turtles in aquariums and a huge tortoise at the end of the exhibit.  It was a winding path of reptiles and no where but straight to go.  So we just let W.A. do his thing.

The most exciting part of this lagoon was that there were TWO green mamba snakes.  If you aren't educated on snakes, the BLACK mamba is the most poisonous snake in the world.  The green mamba comes right behind.  I am NOT  a snake lover, but I had to admit even these snakes were beautiful creatures.  It was also nice to learn about these snakes from their owner, a Tanzanian man who was right there on duty.

Another perk was that we made it during feeding time for one of the smaller snakes: gross, but totally a "boy" thing.

Pedro's South of the Border is a great place to break up a long trip with a toddler.  I wouldn't make it a final destination!

Cheers!

The Gift

The day I brought W.A. home from the hospital was the day I got the most precious gift in my life.  I wanted to give my son a big gift in return.  So...

I quit smoking.

Everyone out there who smokes has tried to quit, I'm sure.  And they know how hard it is to quit.  It is not only an addiction but a coping mechanism and relaxer (at least for me).  It was hard, but I did it.  I wanted to share "how" since you already know the "why".

First, I gave up all of my triggers: wine, coffee, sugar-free Red Bull, late night phone calls with my sisters, and huge meals.

Second, I replaced the physical habit with something else.  Every time I felt like reaching for a stogie, I reached for my "friendship bracelets".  You remember those bracelets we made in high school with embroidery yarn?  Yeah, that's them.  I had three or four around the house and a couple in the car.  I joked with everyone I knew that they would be getting a "friendship bracelet" or keychain for Christmas and birthdays.

Third, I did yoga.  Instead of a relaxing cigarette and glass of wine at the end of each night, I did some yoga and had a cup of Sleepytime hot herbal tea.

It wasnt easy, but I did it.  Sure I've had some relapses, but instead of just folding and being angry at myself and smoking more, I started over.  It worked. 

And those patches arent cure-alls, but they sure did take the edge off so I didnt bite off my Kentucky Gentleman's head.

I've been running alot lately and I notice the increase in my lungs' capacity every week.  Exercising more and drinking more water each day surely wards off those cravings.  It is getting a little easier, but there are some days when I just want a good old cigarette.  I loved smoking, but it will surely kill me.

I want to see my son go to college, get married and have children.  And I want that huge Cadillac my dear husband promised me on my 65th birthday.  So I plan to make it! 

Cheers!

W.A.'s (Smokefree) Momma

Special Aunts

In a couple of recent posts, I have mentioned my sisters and how important they are to me, and William's secial aunt Jen.  I wanted to tell you more about the special women in my life and WHY they are so special.

My Kentucky Gentleman (my husband, not the bourbon) and I have wanted to be parents since the day we married.  We were together for years before we even got married so we did not think we needed that "newlywed time" that comes after the honeymoon.  God had other plans for us because we got 5 years of newlywed time before we became parents.

Those five years were great with my husband but he was a man and did not understand the longing, the yearning, the "biological clock".  There were times I was in a very sad place.  There were days when I was so very close to just "losing it".  However, I had some wonderful women friends, that I just HAVE TO mention.  They helped me keep my sanity, and my anger in check.  As anyone who has gone through infertility knows, it can test a marriage.  Luckily, I was blessed with these women to "slap me straight" at my lowest times so I did not take it out on my husband.

I met Lori G. in Atlanta 10 years ago.  She is only slightly older than me but has the amazing ability to put things in prespective for me.  I will forever listen to her advice!  I met  Jen S. 8 years ago while we waited tables together.  She has been the person to lift me out of the rottenest of moods by bringing on whatever I needed at that particular moment to get me out of my "funk".  And then there is Morgen R. (soon to be Morgen S.) who is the friend we all need, the one who will slap you silly for being an idiot.  The friend who will tell you to "shutup", "suck it up", "stop whining".  I know you're thinking, "wow, this Morgen sounds like a real witch".  Quite the contrary, she is also the one who wiped my tears away and told me "this will be over soon and it WILL happen."

I couldnt write a piece about my sisters, and then leave out these three women.  They are so important in my life and even though we all have traveled seperate ways in life, we still find a way to keep in touch and stay close no matter how many miles come between us!  They will ALWAYS be "Aunts" to my son because of how special they are to ME.

I love you girls, and I am so happy and blessed to have all three of you in my life!

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma

And we're off...(almost).

W.A., Hilton Head Island 2009

Good evening mommas!  We are off to beautiful Hilton Head Island this weekend for some great family fun!  I'll be busy packing all of W.A.'s gear (and Daddy's too) up in preperation for the drive and FULL WEEK stay!  This should certainly be an adventure with 9 toddlers in tow.  I can't wait to tell ya'll about all of our adventures there when we return!

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma

Two things I always knew...

There are two things I always new to be true and have never questioned.  First, that my sisters are my best friends.  And second, that I would be a mother to a boy.  So it was an added bonus that my sisters both had boys the exact same year William was born!

My sisters and I have always been close.  We have talked eachother through so many difficulties, such as deployment, infertility, severe health problems,  etc.  There have been small things (fights with husbands) to big things (pediatric heart attacks) and we stood by eachother, hugged eachother, stayed on the phone hours at a time with eachother, or just held eachothers' hand.  I am so blessed to have my sisters.  Its a special relationship that comes with a special kind of love I wish EVERY woman had.

What made this bond we shared even more special was that we all had boys within the same year.  So now our boys will be just as close (we hope). 

Asa, Gavyn, and William.  October 2009

My sweet William was the last to come along.  I had my struggles with infertility and while God was putting me through that, my beautiful sisters were already getting started expanding their families.  They were so kind and sensitive to me during their pregnancies.  Don't get me wrong, I was EXTREMELY happy for them.  I had already resigned myself to being the best damn Aunt to these little boys even if I was never meant to be a mother.  And then this happened:

William and me, November 2008

When I was a child, all of my dolls were my "little boys" or "my son".  When I was a teenager and daydreamed about the family I would have someday, it was always a little boy included.  I cannot explain it, I just always knew.  Please don't misunderstand me, I think little girls are wonderful, I have two nieces I love very much but I always felt deep in my heart and soul that I would be a mommy to a boy!  And I am JUST AS close to my sister who has a daughter but while she is raising her diva, the rest of us will be raising the hellraisers.

William and Gavyn, June 2010

Asa and William, September 2009

This post was inspired just by me thinking how mysteriously God works out His plan and all those times I questioned His purpose for my life.  Now I know it couldn't have turned out ANY sweeter.

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma

Young Lives 5k and Tot Trot

W.A. and I had a GREAT day today!  We started our day at 5:30am in preperation for our first race!  Young Lives is a Christian Ministry in the Fredericksburg Area for teenage mothers.  Learn more about this fabulous ministry at http://www.younglife.org/

I ran the 5K with W.A.'s special Auntie Jenn (aka, FunJen) and all three of us finished up the tot trot!  Although none of us placed, we got out of the bed early on a Saturday morning to run for fun...something FunJen and I thought we would NEVER do.  We joked that we should go back and tell our 20-something selves that "one day you'll be getting up to run 3 miles for fun at the crack of dawn on a Saturday".  This is hilarious because: Auntie FunJen and I drank beer at 9:30am one Super Bowl Sunday morning while watching a bunch of old (meaning 40-45 yr olds.) dudes play flag football!

Hope ya'll enjoy the pictures!  W.A. had a great race even though he came in last place.  Hey, he was BY FAR the youngest one there!  GO W.A.!  Oh, and yes, Momma framed his first race bib!

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma

For Mommas of Boys: PANIC

A Special Adventure from one mother of a boy to another...

As mommies of boys we use this word often to describe how we felt when he did something new and dangerous.  I don't mean dangerous as in running out of sight in a mall or into oncoming traffic. I mean small things, boy things, slightly dangerous things, like climbing trees, swinging too high on a swing  or riding his bike down a steep hill .  Do we really sit back and think what it means "to panic" for real?  When do we come to understand that mothers have that anthropological, scientific, biologic fight or flight/survival mode?  When did it "click" for you?

Pre-mommyhood I was the type of girl, and woman, to freeze when traumatic events unfolded.  I remember at 20 years old I was hit by an oncoming car doing eighty miles an hour.  I was at a steady 75 miles an hour being on the opposite side of the median on Interstate 575 in North Georgia.  I saw the tail end of the car coming at me and then...I froze.  That's all I could do.  I just grabbed the wheel, froze and uttered two phrases that spilled over each other repetitively: "oh shit, oh God".  Over and over again I said these words for what seemed like minutes though it was only seconds.  But the point is, I froze.  I panicked.  I didn't know what else to do.  I didn't know the technical tasks of righting my steering, easing off the brake, etc.  Luckily, I was completely fine, albeit shaken.

At 30 years old, my dear sweet husband and I were enjoying a meal on a patio of a local restaurant.  The patio overlooked a semi-busy street in the commercial development where the restaurant was located.  As we were eating, a car skidded around the corner and slammed into an electric pole.  I froze.  And for a few seconds stared in disbelief.  As I came out of my stupor my husband was screaming "Mallorie, call 911".  The driver of that car, a young father of a small boy, was not so lucky.

I recall these events as I sit here after giving my own son his bath, where he fell, legs splayed upward, hitting the back of his head on the bottom of the tub.  I know now that he slipped on a washcloth but it took me a nanosecond to grab him, wrap him in a towel and whisper calmly, "Its okay, buddy.  You just inhaled a little water.  You'll be fine."  I DID NOT panic.  I DID NOT freeze up.  I was not rattled.  I checked him from head to toe as I diapered and lotioned him.  He was fine.  My heart was in my throat for a few moments, but he was fine.

It always amazes me what a different person I have become since becoming a mother. I thank God  for that "fight or flight" reaction he gave ALL mothers to get us through those "crisis" situations that involve our sons.  It fosters security in our boys and assures them they can always trust their mommies (hopefully).  My son is the best part of my life and I could not imagine how life would be without him as I can't remember what my life was like before him.  Sons are THAT amazing!

And 3 hours after his little "bathtub accident" I am checking in on him for the fourth time.

God bless all of you Moms!  And the glass of wine after bedtime routines doesn't hurt!

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma

Point Lookout, Maryland

Point Lookout, Maryland is located between the mouths of the Patuxent and Potomac Rivers at the Chesapeake Bay.  It is a beautiful state park with campgrounds, picnic areas, civil war museum, and beach area.  The views of the Chesapeake Bay are simply breathtaking!  But there is a personal story here for our family.

George Christopher Whitmire, 1908

George Christopher Whitmire, a soldier in the Confederate Army with Company I, 38th Infantry, was captured in Strasburg, Virginia on August 19, 1864.  He was released at Point Lookout, Maryland on June 22, 1865.  George Christopher Whitmire was W.A.'s Great-Great-Great Grandfather on his mother's side, so we took this trip in honor of him.


Point Lookout, Maryland was a Union stronghold during the Civil War and was also where a Confederate Prisoner of War Camp was located.  Over 3000 soldiers perished due to conditions of the prison camp.  There is also a memorial located there for the civilian men, women and children that perished due to the conditions as well. 

W.A. and his Daddy enjoyed running around the beach area annoying all of the fisherman.  These fishermen were out in droves due to the fact that bull sharks were being caught at the mouth of the Potomac.  This is the first time since 1974 that sharks had progressed that far north in the Bay.  Bull sharks happened to be one of the third most dangerous sharks in the world and often prey upon humans.  Therefore, we did not get into the water!

W.A. and his family!

We will be heading out to Hilton Head Island just a few short days from now for our annual Whitmire Family Vacation.  W.A. and I can hardly wait to tell ya'll about all of our adventures there!  W.A. will be surrounded by ALL TWELVE of his second "Whitmire" cousins!

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma

Solomns Island, MD

Ma Jolie

W.A.'s Daddy owns a sailboat (or as we like to call it, our vacation condo on the water), so of course we have a sailing adventure for ya'll!

Ma Jolie is parked at Zhanisers Yacht Club and Marina in Solomons Island, Maryland. Solomons Island is located on the Patuxent River where it meets the Chesapeake Bay (a short 1 hour and 30 minute drive east from our home). This town boasts a gourmet grocery store, restaraunts, boutiques, and a boardwalk along the river. The island is also home to some outstanding Regattas! Annapolis, the sailing capital of the United States, is just north about 30 miles.

Photo Courtesy of Zahnisers Marina

Zhanisers has an on site salt water swimming pool, full service restaraunt, two bath houses and a playground. We enjoyed the pool weekly this summer! It's never crowded and salt water pools are the best. There is also a poolside bar for W.A.'s Daddy and me. We love our "on draft Amstel Light, please", and the poolside bartender, Beth, is the best bartender east of the Mississipi (or should I say Patuxent?)!

Down  the boardwalk, sits Stony River Restaraunt, home of the "Orange Crush" and "Rockfish Bites"! Soooweeeee! The orange crush is a refreshing orange vodka drink (that W.A can enjoy in about 19 years and 2 months) that pairs well with their fried rockfish pieces (aka, bites) served with hot wing sauce and blue cheese. So, yes I know, this is more of an adventure for W.A.'s Daddy and I, but W.A. is still having a wonderful time checking out the young and pretty waitresses. Did I mention my little guy was a ladies man? Yes, last time we were there, I caught him "carressing" our waitress's leg!

A trip to Solomons Island would not be complete without a visit to the "Tiki Bar". Again, more of an adventure for W.A.'s Daddy, but worth mentioning. The Tiki Bar is a seasonal bar with opening weekend drawing more than 3000 people to the island. Its a straw hut type place that serves beer IN CANS! Hey, you go for the experience okay?

Photo courtesy of the Tiki Bar website.

Before we head home from this adventure, we let W.A. burn off some serious steam at the playground. He just loves those slides!!!

Solomons Island makes a great family destination because it is jam packed with things to do! There is Calvert Maritime Museum, Solomons Island Winery, and concerts year-round.

This place is definetly worth a day-trip.

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma

W..A. and his Daddy aboard Ma Jolie

Football Season is here!!

Football season in our house is a crazy, crazy time.  It is a good ole SEC smackdown here every year!  Only because W.A.'s daddy is a Kentucky Wildcat (and avid Redskins fan) while I love my Georgia Dawgs (and my Atlanta Falcons).  I cheer for the Redskins, but I was born and raised in Atlanta so I have to stay true to my dirty birds! 

W.A.'s Daddy has to work on Saturdays (the pains of a restaraunt owner) while W.A. and I enjoy some good ole southern pastimes during football season: tailgating (although doing this at home since we are 543 miles away from Athens), chicken wangs, burgers, and beer!

Kickoff at Sanford Stadium (aka, "between the hedges") is 12:21 pm!  With the Georgia fight song blaring in the background, W.A. and I will don our Red and Black!  GO DAWGS!  We will relax in our cozy family room while following the game on the radio.  Yes, satellite radio.  It was $135 to order this game at our house.  I know, I know.  You are thinking "a real Georgia fan would open up her pocketbook".  However, that is 6 cases of diapers, folks!  Mothers keep things in perspective.  I brought in some chicken wings and bacon cheeseburgers and will top it off with some good ole Miller Lite!  Enjoy the game, ya'll!


W.A.'s Daddy will get his chance with W.A. donning his Kentucky blue during basketball season.  While the Wildcats aren't cut out for football, we can't deny that they have a great basketball program.  W.A.'s Daddy worships Tubby Smith and loathes Christian Laettner!  Here is a "Go 'Cats" just for Dad (and Aunt Laurie, Uncle Corky, Grammy and Poppa, too).


W.A. and I wish all of ya'll a great football season with your families and their favorite teams.  Football prepares us for Thanksgiving (one of our favorite holidays here at the Webb house) and family comaraderie.  It is a special time where a simple (note to my Southern folks:  it aint simple) football game can bring us all together over great food and good drinking.  However, there can only be ONE winner SO we (W.A. and I, not Daddy) are pulling for our University of Georgia Bulldogs!  GO DAWGS, SICK EM, WOOF WOOF!

Brian West and his son, Asa

I want to dedicate this blog post to my Brother-in-law, Brian West, serving in our U.S. Military in Iraq.  Although he loves to serve his country, I'm sure he would love to be in HIS family room, with HIS family, curled up on the couch drinking beer, while watching The Dawgs put a whippin' on the other team!  Love and miss you Brian and can't wait to see you "between the hedges" when you return home in December!!

Happy Fall (and Football Season) everyone!




Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma

P.S. Ladies, while you're preparing your fashionable outfits to tailgate for your favorite college teams this year, be sure to check out The Southern Peach's blog about fashionable collegiate inspired clutches at http://www.yoursouthernpeach.blogspot.com/  Just click on "Football, Fashion and Oatmeal Lace".  Tell her W.A.'s Momma sent ya!