The Ussery Update

If you know me much at all, you know that one of my favorite things to do is cook and bake.  I've always loved being in the kitchen preparing yummy food and tasty treats. When we found out we were pregnant with Parker, I was already dreaming of the fun he and I would have in the kitchen.  From a very young age, younger than the ripe ol' age of 3, Parker has been my little sidekick in the kitchen - my own personal sous chef!  Obviously when he was younger and smaller I would sometimes hold him or give him very basic, doable tasks for his little hands.  As he gets older and taller, he's standing on chairs and stools and getting to do more and more in the preparation of our meal or dessert. What I love most is that he really enjoys helping me.  If I ask him if he wants to help me with something I am making, it's always "YES"...especially if I am using the mixer.  His favorite thing is to use the stand or hand mixer.  I couldn't be more proud. I

For Parker's 3rd birthday back in February, we bought him a swing set (all of the grandparents pitched in too).  Parker prefers to call it a "play ground" ~ Parker's Playground. Between the weather, various things going on and not a good block of time to work on it, it's been sitting in a box in our shop for the last 3 months waiting to be put together. John's Mom and Dad (Grandma and Grandad) graciously offered to keep Parker over Memorial Day weekend so we could have a good amount of time to focus on the swing set and not have to worry about Parker...or him getting into the nine million pieces.  We also got to have a date night and have a fun weekend together.  We may or may not have gotten out the Scrabble game too - we really know how to party! We got started bright and early Saturday morning after breakfast and a good cup of coffee.  The weather for Saturday didn't look so good with rain predicted all day, but we decided to work until we needed

I know what you are thinking - two blog posts within a week?!  I know, I know - miracles do happen folks. There are but a few pictures to share with you today, but a special time to remember. My Mom was able to be here for Mother's Day this year and it was great!  We have not spent Mother's Day together in several years. She came into town on Friday and stayed until the following Wednesday.  We had a lot of fun while she was here. On Saturday, John took care of Parker so my Mom and I could spend the day together shopping and eating lunch.  We were able to go to some of our favorite stores, use a lot of our coupons and do lots of talking and catching up.   She also came to church with us on Sunday.  This is the first time she's been to our church so it was neat to share where we worship each Sunday morning.  (I apologize for the quality of some of these pictures.  It was rainy and yucky so we didn't have the best lighting)  This was my fourth Mother's