Girls, Girls, Girls!

me & Jamie Jamie & Micki
Lisa

Autumn & Mandi me, Misty & Lisa

There are several of us girls that have been friends since...well, forever. We all go back to at least junior high. Knowing each other for about 20 years now, we have been through a lot. We get together at least once a year, but now, we finally took a trip together - as adults! We haven't done anything like this since our senior prom..and my, oh, my, how we have changed.

We have grown up (somewhat). We have husbands, kids, jobs, school, volunteer work...and each other. We can drive each other cRaZy (right, Mandi?), but we all love each other.

We hit Branson in mid-April for a long weekend and we had a great time. We ate and we shopped. Then, we ate and we shopped some more and hit a show. We stayed up too late and got up too early.

We should have done this a long time ago. It was great and we plan to do it again.

A big thanks to Mandi for planning our trip and chauffering. Autumn - it wouldn't have been right without you...thanks for driving up by yourself. Micki, Jamie, Drope & Lisa...I think we pushed Mandi to the edge of her sanity and put her "comfort zone" to the test. And, I hope you all learned your lesson that just because you put me and Lisa in the backseat, you still can't control us!

For those of you that didn't make it, you missed a great time...and I bet your ears were burning.

Who's planning the next get away?

Easter 2009

Easter 2009

updating!

playing with Papa
sharing kisses - and chocolate - with Libby

showing off her new 'do

playing with Leah on the top bunk

2 pairs of sunglasses, mama

mugging for the camera first thing in the morning

Tazz won't eat from anyone else's hand...only Emalyn's...sweet boy.

her and Daddy relaxing in his rocking chair from his childhood...we don't know who it belongs to now...Daddy, Emalyn or Tazz?

snuggle time!

my mini-me. what can I say?

popcorn and coke at the play area at the mall - one of her favorite things to do right now!

rocking and singing to her Elmos

lipstick or Wiggles?

learning with the lip gloss...and loving it! my girlie girl!

relaxing with popcorn, party mix amd some chocolate milk...in her pretty new jammies, hot socks and shiny shoes!

getting all pretty for bed

she fits!

Em & Bailee sharing some chicken and french fries.

long hair...bye, bye.

So, I have gotten behind on my posting...sorry! But, here are some pictures and happenings from the past month...my baby is growing up so fast (and her attitude is getting big, too!)!

I'll get Easter pics up soon!

Making A Difference

I just wanted to thank all of you who donated to the March of Dimes! Emalyn raised $564 - which is $100 more than she raised in 2008!
I'm so excited and I hope that we do this each year!

Emalyn is raising money for the March of Dimes Northeast Arkansas March for Babies, coming up on Saturday, April 25th at Craighead Forest Park.

Almost all of us know someone affected by premature birth or a birth defect. Today, 1 in 8 babies in the United States is born too early and 1 in 22 children is affected by one or more birth defects.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. The organization’s mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The mission is carried out through research, community services, education and advocacy. March of Dimes researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health: prematurity, birth defects and low birthweight.

We are raising critical dollars for research to give all babies a healthy start in life. We want to help further this research as well as research on many critical issues, such as Down Syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis, Cerebral Palsy and Autism. Your donation, even if it's just change, can make a difference.

Please reach in your pocket and support research that saves babies. Donations are tax deductible.

Make a difference.

Please send your check made payable to March of Dimes to:
Emalyn Street
500 Shadow Ridge Drive
Jonesboro, AR 72404

Donations are requested by Wednesday, April 22nd.

Thank you in advance for your support.
Emalyn, Becky & John

Saving Babies, Together.

Sissy's Tree

When I was a small child, my step-sister passed away in a car accident. Someone sent a beautiful Norfolk Island Pine to her funeral and it ended up coming to our house. That Christmas, we decorated it with ornaments. That started a tradition and for many years, we decorated it each Christmas. We called it "Sissy's Tree" and my sister Virginia and I looked forward to decorating it each year.

I hadn't seen one of these trees (I assume it's actually a plant, but I'm gonna call it a tree) in many years. Just a few days before Christmas, John and I come across these beautiful trees and I told him the story of my sister. Having the wonderful husband that I have been blessed with, I ended up with one of these trees for Christmas.

Well, to keep a tradition of my family and to start a new tradition with John and Emalyn, we are now decorating our new Sissy's Tree for each holiday (or almost each holiday). We didn't decorate for Valentine's Day, so we are starting the decorating with Easter. As you can see, Emalyn really got into it and enjoyed it. I hope this is something that her, her daddy and I can enjoy for many years to come.

John's surgery

John had to have sinus surgery yesterday. It went smoothly and, so far, his recovery has been good. He come out of surgery feeling good and told us that he wanted to take home whatever pain medicine they had put in his IV...actually he told everyone in the post-op area...I don't think he realized just how loud he was talking!

Since we've gotten home, he has slept and ate a lot of pudding pops and other cold items. We were only up a couple hours during the night, so I think that's pretty good.

Emalyn stayed with her Meme and Papa lastnight, but she's coming home tonight, so I'll have my hands full with both of them wanting Mama to do what they want me to do and do it right now! But, that's ok, I miss my Poo.

I have attached some pictures of John...as you can see, Libby and Tazz Cat helped me take care of Daddy!

What 'cha doin', Mama?

Ok, so we still had ice in some places yesterday and I was in a parking lot trying to get to my car, holding Emalyn. Well, we had almost got to the car when my foot flew out from under me. I bumped Emalyn's head and then slammed my face into my car. When I say my face, I mean my right eye, my nose and my forehead. It hurt. So, I didn't fall and as I regain my balance, my daughter says to me "What 'cha doin', Mama?" I told her I was trying not to fall and her response is "Don't drop me, Mama." As I made sure that I didn't hurt her head when I bumped into her, I assured her that wouldn't happen and got her in the car. I went around the car and got in, got her strapped in and had to sit there for about 5 minutes to get my head cleared. I thought I was going to throw up or pass out...and during this time, Emalyn is sitting in the backseat eating pretzels and singing "Jesus Loves Me."

So, anyway, I'm fine and Emalyn's fine; I just have a headache. But, I just wanted to share what Emalyn's thoughts were as I was trying to knock myself out in a parking lot...with an audience. ;)

Oh, and John didn't seem worried about me when I got home...I still had to cook dinner, do the dishes and the laundry!

Emalyn at the Fun Forest

10 Random Facts

John's Additions
1. I call my daughter "Poo" all the time. People think I'm saying "Pooh" (as in Winnie the Pooh), but it's not...it's short for "Pooter"...she can really let 'em rip! I also call her "Angel Bear," which is what she calls her baby dolls when she is talking to them or rocking them (soooo sweet!).
I call her Baby Doll, but...she can really let 'em rip!

2. I have 31 years, 10 months and 6 days until I reach 65 and can afford to retire (based on my pay now and my current cost of living).
I have 61 years, many months, and many days until I can afford to retire (based on my current pay and Becky's current rate of spending).

3. When I first met my husband, we were in college (1998 or 1999) and we didn't like each other AT ALL. I mean, really, not AT ALL.
I didn't know Becky was old enough to have been in Vietnam, but she still has flashbacks from time to time. I have yet to determine what triggers them, but I am hoping for my safety that I do someday soon.

4. My husband's name is John. I have a brother-in-law named John. My brother's name is Jon. My father-in-law's name is John.
I was an only child growing up, but the voices in my head made up for that. The funny part is I grew up and the voices went away, but Becky (who has many siblings) must have found them because she carries on conversations with herself all the time. I don't have a problem with the voices, I just wish they would either agree from time to time or Becky would wait until after their closing arguments to decide which one she agrees with.

5. I have 2 moms. Yes, 2. That is possible. And, I have a mother-in-law.
I only have one mom, but I have two mother-in-laws and I am related to Frank and Jesse James.

6. When I was in high school, I said I wouldn't get married until I was out of high school for 10 years. I did it...not because I said I would do that...because that was what God had planned for me. I got married 10 years, 2 months and 2 weeks after I graduated high school.
I think Becky had a 10 year countdown clock built in her head, because I had to chase her for over two years before she finally opened her eyes and said "man, he's hot! I think I'll quit running."
DALE WHO?

7. No, I've never been married before. John is my first and last husband. Yes, he is still my favorite.
It's true, I am her favorite, but she was my favorite first. If you have any questions refer to number 6.

8. Yes, I have converted to Catholicism. Don't knock it until you understand it. Ask me questions. If I can't answer them immediately, I'll find the answer.
Translated: she will call and ask me if she can't find it on the internet.

9. My daughter's name is Emalyn (pronounced Emma Lynn). Yes, you can call her Emalyn or Em for short. Not Emi or Ema...we named her what we wanted her called. Her middle name is Bella...you can call her Emalyn Bella if she is in trouble.
I would like to veto the Em. I agree with everything else.

10. I work at Farm Credit Midsouth as a Customer Service Representative. I answer the phones, take money, disburse money, balance the money, etc. I don't have an important job that is "climbing the corporate ladder" - I used to want that and I was doing it...then I became a Wife and Mom...my priorities changed. I do like my job. It's low stress and it's 8am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday, so it is family friendly. If my kid is sick, they understand. I work with good people.
Becky is a lot happier when she comes home from work than when she was climbing the corporate ladder. I am glad that she works for a good company, with good people and likes her job.

Blow By Blow!

Emalyn has started narrating now...every little thing. It's cute and funny, but sometimes she repeats herself several, several times.
Some of the things I have heard recently:
"Daddy cut wood."
"Mama take Libby outside."
"TazzCat eats."
"Papa drive truck."
"Emalyn ride in Mama's truck."
"Emalyn watch Bella (which is her word for Cinderella!)"
"Emalyn and Meme cook."
"Emalyn potty with Mama."
"Daddy gone to kitchen."
Yes, it know is it so sweet and she is learning so fast to put sentences together, but sometimes the narrating grates a bit on Mama's nerves!

Christmas!

Click on each picture to see a larger view...

So, I'm a little late posting pictures from Christmas...it's been a heck of a holiday scene for the Streets. But, here are a few of my favorites...hope you enjoy! I hope that you and your family had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you and your family well for 2009.