We are so thankful to that Rodney is working at the Miracle because he gets in FREE to many of the
attractions in the area, which means mommy and Selah do too. Of course, we had to go to Dollywood and see
how Dolly was doing. The morning started off great, until Rodney decided to go get a coffe and
leave mom with all the stuff. The train came by, no Rodney. So, Selah and I pulled all of our belongings
onto the tram and went to the amusement park. Rodney joined us a little later, hence my happy photo.
Then I decided to take a serious picture next to a pretend memorial, later Rodney told me that
it was a REAL memorial. I felt kinda bad, but thought I could shed light on the fact that J.D.
Sumner is dead, many of you may still be in the dark. I am so sorry for your loss.
With Rodney's new job, we are just rolling in the dough, so he thought it would be a good idea to get a new car. That's right, folks! So, why did he pick and old one? Men, I will never understand them. Actually, that is just an old car 0f Dollys, she no longer needs them so she keeps them for others to see. I think it is very GREEN of her that she doesn't want to add them to the huge pile in the many garbage dumps of America.
Then we decided to go on a whirlwind tour of Europe (I told you we were rolling in the dough). It was really fast, but we got to see Italy (loved the spaghetti), Great Britain ( I practiced my accent), India (again, I know), and Ireland (so green). It was so fast that we were still in Dollywood by the time it was over so we decided that was enough for the day. Oh, but we had to get our little girl on at least one ride before we left. The calmest one we could find was the tride and true carosel. Selah doesn't look like she was having much fun, but she couldn't stop talking about it afterwards. Well, that is the summary of our trip. I will just add some fun pics to the side so you can see what else we have been doing. I hope you like our family portrait, it's not picture perfect, but neither are we.
One interesting thing that happened to us...when we got to Dollywood, I noticed that the tires on our stroller were completely flat (it was a jogger). I asked a lady if she could find someone to pump them for us...AND SHE DID. Talk about the kindness in the South. I think if I would have been at Disneyland, they would have laughed at me!
We have now found out that when you have a child, there is really nothing to do at an amusement park except go to the shows. I think next time we will have to give Selah to Oma and Opa and then trek over to see Dolly. Just in case you end up coming, Dollywood has a LOT of water rides, so be ready to get wet. What they do have that Rodney and I loved, was a craftsmen area. Men and women who are skilled in certain crafts like blown glass, leather, copper, ice cream (hey, that's a great skill) had demonstrations of how to make things in their craft. What an excellent way to teach kids and give them an opportunity to decide if that is something they want to try. I also got on the Dolly train, no not at the amusement park. She has a great foundation for kids 0-5 years of age who live in Sevierville, which I do. She gives one free book a month to every child who signs up and it is completely FREE! We are blown away at her generosity and the positive ways that Dolly gives back to her community. If you wanted to meet her, she will be in town April 11 (along with the rest of the world) to have her parade (Rodney will actually be in it). That's all for now!
"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits. The God of our salvation! Our God is the God of salvation; and to God, the Lord belong escapes from death." Psalm 68:19,20

Well, Selah found a new friend! It's herself, but she doesn't know it yet. It's pretty cute, she gets up close to the mirror and just starts smiling and laughing at this cute girl that she hopes will stick around. I am not sure if that means Rodney and I need to start working on another one or if I should just find some friends with kids! Someday she will have to find some new friends, but in the meantime this helps Mommy get a lot done around the house.
The other picture is of Mommy and Selah! I just love taking pics with my little girl and this was too stinkin cute not to post. It was pretty funny because Oma and I took her to her first Easter Egg hunt. Those things are crazy if you have never been. They actually have different areas for age groups so children don't trample each other, I am sure they found that out the hard way. We gathered up four eggs because she really couldn't care either way. Unfortunately, we got Mommy's least favorite candy, Maltballs (sick). I will post some other pictures on the side of Oma's great idea. Let's put the 3 month old by the very large air-filled chick and see if she sits up by herself. Well, needless to say, after she fell underneath the chick's rear end, Oma decided to help her sit up, it was quite funny.

Highlight Hoedown!

Well, my mother and I are at it again. 10 years ago I decided to use one of those boxed highlighting kits (you know, the ones with the caps). I was 18 and totally didn't have enough money to spend on a salon...so my mom graciously decided to help me. Well, I vaguely remember thinking, 10 minutes, that doesn't sound like long enough to color my hair and when I washed it, I looked like Marilyn Monroe...not too cool (unless you're into that sort of thing). SO, 10 years later I get the itch again and funny thing, I still don't have enough money to go to the salon...my mom graciously came over and pulled my hair out of the infamous cap for about an hour. We used the $7.50 hair color and prayed like you wouldn't believe. Now it is your turn to tell me if you think it worked. I think I look a little more like a hip mommy with a little lighter face. Hey, if I can't lose it on the hips right now, I want something to be excited about!

Life in Pigeon Forge TN,

Well Rodney, Selah and I are enjoying our new life in TN. Rodney has already started saying Ya'll and getting back to his roots. Speaking of roots, Selah is growing like a weed. She is only almost 3 months and she already weighs in at 13.5 pounds! I saw a 4 month old the other day and she was only 10 pounds, I think my daughter might be an amazon! Well, hopefully with her good looks that won't matter.
Rodney is working hard at the theater and having lots of fun doing it. He likes the people he works with and hopes that many people will come and see the show (that means you people who are reading this right now)!
Melanie is getting used to life as a mother (hence why I am making this blog). I want to keep in touch with all my friends and family and this way, I won't have to explain things 14 times to too many people, I can now say, check out my blog! That sounds so impersonal, I can't believe it.
I will be adding pictures and figuring this stuff out so be patient with me.