The Rays of Sunshine

Almost a year in the making, and I can proudly say, WE ARE BUYING A HOUSE! We are so excited. We started this journey in the summer 2015, and after looking at 20 houses, we are finally under Contract. A few of the houses we looked at, we thought could be " the one," but so did other people as well and they were ready before us. I am so happy that I have been able to be on this journey with my best friend. The hard work, on his part, has paid off, and we are ready to move forward. If everything goes according to plan, we will be home owners on March 24th. I will post updated once we are moved in!

Ok so I have gotten way behind on the updates with the book, so here we go short and sweet. During this section of the book, Scarlet visits Rhett in the jail just like in the movie, but getting to Rhett was much more complicated that how it was in the movie. Also while Mammy does come to Atlanta with Scarlet, she does not go to the jail with her, as Scarlet sneaks away with out Mammy. She also intended to wear gloves because she knew the shape her hands were in, but she was not able to find a pair that would fit her hand. While in the jail there is more said, but the movie does a good job of relaying the message. The one thing the movie does downplay, is the offer Scarlet makes to Rhett about being his mistress. Much bigger scene in the book. After she leaves the jail, she walks to Franks store, that is where she runs into him, and all the talk is in the store, not in the carriage like the movie. Scarlet goes on to marry Frank for the money for Tara, but she does not return to T...

These chapters were kind of boring, as in there was a lot of information but it seemed to be kinda slow. Throughout Scarlet's stay in Atlanta, she has is enjoying her time there, being pampered and enjoying parties. Once the war beaks out, thing begin to change as she sees the world around her change.  Rhett shows up to take Melanie, the baby, Prissy, and Scarlet to Tara. This is accurate to the movie. After Rhett leaves Scarlet on the road to go fight in the war, the story continues for Scarlett as she has to find the rest of her way to Tara. She struggles with the beat up wagon, no food, and having to hid from the Yankees on the road. There is not food, and during the cold nights, Scarlet is fearful for their lives, or that a Yankee will find them. Once she makes it to Tara, she is greeted by Gerald, Mammy, Pork, and Dilcery, a character that didn't make it to the movie. This is how the baby survives. Dilcery, recently had a baby and took to nursing her...

Over the past few months  we learned about a Little Kicker's soccer program. We quickly signed Derek up for a few reasons. We knew some of his friends would be there, and knew this would be a great opportunity for the kids to socialize and make new friends, as well as planting another root in the area where we plan to stay. It also gave us the opportunity to grow relationships with other parents with kids the same age. Derek was ready to play soccer. The first practice went OK. Derek was on the team with some of his friends from daycare, but we learned  very quickly that he didn't follow directions very well. He was more concerned about kicking the ball into the net, than listening to his coaches. As you can see, he needed to be right at the net before he would kick the ball.  The last 2 practices went OK, although he was more interested in running around the field than actually kicking the soccer ball. He did listen to his coaches better, as they were...

We are Potty Trained!!! What a relief it has been, but what a journey. I have made several attempts at potty training since Derek turned 3, but me and Derek were not fully committed so we keep getting back into diapers. Every time I would buy a box of diapers I would say in my mind, "maybe this will be the last box of diapers I buy, " only for a month later, be buying more diapers. Well one weekend, Ricky had to work, and I knew I would have Derek all day, so I decided to give it a try. We made it through the whole day, and a trip to the mall with no accidents. As Sunday rolls around, I am feeling good about my progress, and by 10AM we had two accidents. By the end of the day and a few more accidents, I was done. I knew he would have to go to daycare tomorrow, and so I backed out. After talking to daycare about it, they said if we were ready, they were ready. The very next weekend, I was in " no turning back" mode. We were doing this. This is how I fe...

I have had a hard time getting through chapter 10-20. There is a lot of detail, on one area. In a way I can understand why it was not in the movie. These chapters focus on Rhet, and the war. With plenty of detail on what Rhet does as a blockade runner, how he has made his fortune, and the relationship that he and Scarlet have developed. Right after the Bazaar, Scarlet's father pays her a visit, and plans to bring her home, but after a night out, he comes home to Aunt Pitty's broke and drunk, and Scarlet helps him to bed, with the agreement, that she will not tell Ma, if he lets her stay. For the rest of the chapters, we get a clear understanding of the war, and how Rhet is able to make a lot of money by blockade running, and how he does not support the war, only the fact that he is making a lot of money from it. During these Chapters Melanie becomes pregnant during a visit from Ashley, this part is in the movie, and there are many other visits by Rhet, and we learn...

Every year we look forward to Halloween, not only because we get to dress up, and get lots of candy, we know that it is the kickoff to the Holiday season. We love this time of year. Before we get wrapped up in the busyness of the holidays, look how my little guy has changed over the years. Isn't he the cutest thing?