A Happy Chappy

Alright, so the other day I went to Home Depot to pick up the beetle bug bags that trap the little jerks that eat everything green in my yard, and was feeling extra nice so I figured I would get Chap a fun surprise. I had heard him and my dad talking about this great 'tree saw' when we were doing yard projects last Sunday, so I thought I'd check out this awesomeness myself. Well, this tree saw not only has the ability to prune dead tree branches with one attachment while sawing it away with another attachment, but it also has the ability to make Chap the happiest boy on earth. I put the tree saw, beetle bug bags, and bug spray (this last item was really more for me, but that's beside the point...) on the couch like it was Christmas morning and Chap was so excited when he got home from class! It made me wish I could do fun surprises like this every day (though I'm not sure we'll ever be able to afford that type of surprise every day so I'll just have to get creative). Anyway, if any ladies are ever looking for a fun surprise to get husband, you might inquire of his interest in the 'tree saw' because this along with a plate of spaghetti might make him a very happy husband (that does dishes, and doesn't mind watching 2 hours of The Bachelorette with you!! )

Husband Tag

What is his name? Larry Chapman Rollings. I really love the name Chap, I had never heard it before I met him…it’s unique, just like him!

How long have you been together? Married for 2 years.

How long did you date? Very good friends for 2 years, then dated for 3 years.

How old is he? 28 (I think…)

Who eats more? I am pretty sure I eat more. I usually have at least 2-3 more meals a day than him. He likes to make fun of me for this.


Who said I love you first? He did, it was really sweet actually…this was a big deal for him so he wanted to make it special. He sent flowers to the restaurant I was waiting tables at, and wrote it on the card. I cried bunches and called him immediately to tell him I loved him too!

Who is taller? I’m almost 5’8 and Chap is about 6’2 so he’s taller but when I wear heels we make a good dance couple =)

Who is a better singer? Well, unless it’s Dixie Chics we’re singing along to, I’d have to say Chap is the better singer…by far. I pray our kids have his musical talent. He is a one man band, plays the acoustic guitar and sings. He often performs at weddings, rehearsal dinners, local establishments, etc. I love listening to him and his sisters sing together, they make me cry.

Who is smarter? Hmmm…he wins at Jeopardy and I win at Wheel of Fortune, so I’m not too sure. We make a pretty good Golden Tee team though! =)

Who does the laundry? We both do this, and we both dread this.

Who pays the bills? I do!! I was worried Chap didn’t know what a bill was before we were married. On-line payments make this very easy though!

Who sleeps on the right side? I do, it’s closer to the bathroom and I’m a potty pants.

Who mows the lawn? Chap does, but since we got the riding mower I like to play around on it sometimes =)

Who cooks dinner? We usually take turns. Nights he has class I cook, and the nights I have class he cooks. He loves when I try to spice up Hamburger Helper…those nights are always an adventure!!

Who drives? He does, I just get lost.

Who is more stubborn? I definitely win this one, Chap is the most laid back person I know. I tend to over analyze and over worry, so he balances me out in a good way.

Who proposed? Chap did, he called my dad to meet him for lunch so that he could ask permission. As soon as he got my dad’s blessing he came to pick me up from shopping, drove me to a garden/park in Rock Hill, and asked me to marry him. After I said yes, and cried a lot, I heard clapping and cheering in the background from my dad. Chap had asked my dad to be there so he could watch his ‘pumpkin’ get engaged. It was really sweet and special.

Who has more friends? Oh wow, I’m not sure?? We have a lot of the same friends so it works out really great!

Who is more sensitive? That would be me. I am really good at being sensitive, but I must say, Chap sheds more tears as time goes by! I think I am rubbing off =)

Who has more siblings? He does, in my family it’s just me and my little brother, Normie. Chap has two sisters, Keesha and Krissee…but they are my sisters now too =)

Who wears the pants? I think this is a toss up, we usually agree on most everything, but if there’s something that I want I usually sugar coat it till I get my way =) He does the same though, so I think we share this title…unless I’m hungry then I get a little mean and bossy. Sorry Chap.

This was a fun tag, thanks Dionne and Jamie!!

Hooray for Summer Weekends!!

After an exhausting week at Challenger, this weekend is exactly what was needed! We had a full day at the lake on Saturday (thank you Todd & Tammy!) We found a GREAT Catfish Cove which made Chap’s entire week! Four huge catfish later we went tubing and had a blast! I’ve never been tubing with Shelly but I quickly learned that like me, she giggles the ENTIRE time! Needless to say my face and my arms are still sore today =) After a long day at the lake we cruised to T-Bones to fill the bellies and try not to fall asleep at the table, a hard goal for some to achieve. =)

Sunday my dad came to Rock Hill for a visit since we weren’t able to make it home the weekend before for Father’s Day. We had a really nice day working on yard projects, eating lots of yummy Catfish Stew, and swinging on the porch swing! I love you dad, thanks for all you do!

Weekends like this make me a happier teacher for the upcoming week =)

Mike's Fish

My Fish

Chap's Fish Shelly's Fish (the biggest fish!)

Giggle Box #1 and Giggle Box #2

Some serious tricksters!

Cruising to T-Bones, hooray summer!!

On Saturday we had a shower for Krissee at my house. Smith and Addison got so many adorable things; I swear I think everyone was partially pregnant when they left from all the cute baby stuff! Anyway, it was a great time that turned into a great evening (once the boys were allowed home from fishing!)

I can’t wait to be Smith and Addison’s aunt!! It’s so much fun watching Krissee and Daniel prepare for parenthood (though I’m not sure anything can prepare them for twins =). Just from talking to them you can feel their excitement and eagerness. Daniel is very calm, but pumped! He whispers secrets about Krissee to Smith and Addison through her belly, I think he's preparing them for their new mom =) Krissee is so funny and the most honest pregnant person I've ever met. She showed us her ‘morning waddle’ this weekend and now I can’t help but walk like this when I first wake up in the morning. Thanks Krissee, Chap thanks you too =)

Krissee and Daniel, I love you guys so much and am so grateful to have one of my best friends as my sister!! I know Smith and Addison are going to be very loved children, I already love them so much I can hardly stand it!

A 'Double Day' shower for Smith & Addison!

Yummy food with a chocolate fountain in the back!

Daniel's sweet letter to Krissee with sonogram pics of Smith and Addison.

'Peek-A-Boo I see Two' invite with double dipped pretzel sticks (blue and pink) for favors.

Baby Converse, best gift ever! Good job Colly!

Me and mommy =)

Super cute baby stuff! I'm not sure there's anything more fun than twin gifts!

Krissee and the hosts, these girls make giving showers fun!!

Visit To Meet Carter

Chap and I went to Columbia last week so that Chap could meet the sweetest boy in the world, Carter. We had such a great visit with Scott and Amber! It was so much fun to see the new family and watch their wonderful parenting skills! They surprised us while we were there and asked us to be Carter’s God Parents, and of course we were honored and delighted (after Chap found out exactly what it meant…=) I believe his exact words after hearing the responsibilities were, “So, if Carter ends up in jail one day we’ll be the people he calls??” Haha, I laughed because I figured if Carter goes to jail our kid will probably be right there with him! Anyway, we are truly honored and blessed to have such a wonderful new spirit to support and watch grow up! We promise to do our best to ensure he never ends up in jail! =) Thank you Amber and Scott for allowing us to be a part of Carter’s life!!

Chap's face cracks me up here, he looks really comfortable doesn't he?? =)

Yes, I had an "I love Carter" t-shirt made with his b-day and birth weight...I completely understand why rednecks have to airbrush shirts and license plates now!! (no offense to any of you rednecks out there...I really do feel your pain!)

Me and Carter, how sweet is he??

Happy BIRTHday Carter!!

Carter Sean Rankin graced us with his sweet presence yesterday, June 3 at 3:13 p.m. weighing 8 lb 1 oz (AND he was a week early!!) I was lucky enough to watch Carter enter this world and it was the most AMAZING thing I’ve ever witnessed! Amber was such a champ…she made the whole baby making thing look WAY too easy!

She was 4 cm dilated at 12:30 p.m., they gave her an epidural (took two times to work). As soon as this began to work, she took a nap for about thirty minutes while I rubbed her head. When the nurse came in to check on her, she quickly woke Amber up because she had progressed quickly and was already at 9 cm!! (Amber always was really good at sleeping!!) The doctor and nurses quickly came in, set up, and then we started pushing! Alright, I actually just sat in the corner for the first 10 minutes crying hysterically and shaking uncontrollably…go figure! But then I got my head in the game, was able to get behind Amber and cheer her on!! It was so exciting!! My favorite part was when the doctor’s cell phone started to ring just before Carter came out…how about the ring tone was set to the Carolina Gamecock theme song ‘2001 Space Odyssey’?? It was fantastic; Scott, Sandy, and I got really pumped up!! So, after about 30 minutes of pushing, some Gamecock spirit, a little bit of crying, and a whole bunch of cheering, Carter decided to check out what all the fuss was about. What an amazing experience, to watch a sweet and beautiful spirit enter the world…it makes me cry just thinking about it!

Scott was such a great new daddy! It was fun to watch him check Carter out…he was pretty amazed with his strong muscles, head full of hair, and his adorable little/big feet! He was so proud of his new son and his strong wife! Uncle Sean, Marion, Grandpa Roger, and I all watched through the nursery window as Scott stood by to observe the nurse poke and prod at Carter to make sure he was a healthy little boy. I guess Carter could sense he had an audience so he decided to put on a show by peeing on the nurse…it was hysterical (especially since the nurse had just finished giving him a rectal temperature check…guess he didn’t like that so much!) Anyway, we all cheered with excitement learning that Carter's pee pee works!! =)

Amber and Scott, thank you so much for sharing this wonderful experience with me! It was the MOST amazing thing I have ever experienced. Amber, your strength and grace truly amaze me. Watching your confidence and determination made me so proud to be your best friend! You are already a natural and wonderful mother! You and Scott are awesome parents with so many friends and family who are going to love and support you through this exciting journey! I can’t wait to see that little man again…I already miss him so much!!!

Scott and Amber meeting their new little boy!

My first time holding Carter was the best feeling in the world, I love him so much!

Scott had a little chat with Carter about fly-fishing and how important it was =)

Scott gave Amber her WELL deserved push present, diamond earrings! Good job Scott (I think I am going to ask Chap for a push present too b/c I pushed really hard for Amber!)

The Rankin boys checking out the newest Rankin addition!

Shelly, Erica, and Mike drove from Rock Hill for a surprise visit to meet Carter! (Side Note: I kept this a secret Justin!)

Krissee and Daniel came to meet the little man too! Get ready guys...you're next!!!