The Birdwell Family Goes Hollywood. . .

I keep getting asked why we decided to try out for the show, "My House Is Worth What?" so here is the story. . . . . .

Way back in October of 2008 I was looking around online one afternoon, killing time.  I came across an article in the Tallahassee Democrat about HGTV's "My House Is Worth What?" show looking for families in the Tallahassee area to cast on their show.  Of course there was a link given to the application you had to fill out.  I didn't think much of it until. . . I just happened to mention to Paul later that evening that I had seen that article.  He said to me, "hmmm. . . that sounds interesting but you couldn't possibly get us on that show."  HA!  What did he say to me?  Of course I took it as a challenge at that point.

In months prior to that I had been contacted by a national magazine about our recently built home and they ended up putting an eight page article in their magazine and even putting our home and a picture of Paul and me on the front cover!  If I could swing that then why would a national TV show be to out of the question?  I was on a mission to show my husband up!

I filled out the application but had one small problem.  Usually the people on the show WANTED to sell their house and therefore wanted to know its worth and their equity in it.  We, however, had no plans to sell.  So, I just decided that the perfect story line could be that we might ONE DAY want to sell it when Zachary was of school age in order to move to another school zone.  That was my storyline and I submitted the application, pictures and home video to Pie Town Productions in Los Angeles, CA.

A month passed and I never heard anything from the show.  I had actually forgotten about it!  Then, one day, around 5pm (I was at my husband's office) the show called my cell phone.  It was the producer telling me that they loved what I submitted and wanted to interview us to see if we would be a good fit for the show.  I was so excited!  Paul was dumbfounded.  In the next few days we had a conference call with them and Paul and I passed the test.  They told us they would be sending a film crew at the end of January.  So, we had very little time to get the house ready.

They filmed in January and it was an EXHAUSTING day.  I don't remember EVER having my legs and feet hurt that much.  I was literally standing up from dawn until dusk going through millions of "takes".  I have to say that by the end of the day I was NOT finding it enjoyable anymore.  I don't think I would be good at making movies and being famous.  But, it was an interesting process and even Zachary was filmed for a few minutes.  It was something different, a new memory to make!

The show is ONLY 30 minutes long and our segment is only 10 minutes long.  Why it takes ALL DAY LONG to film 10 minutes is mind boggling.  But, it did!  (And, they even complimented us by telling us we were easy to work with and made everything go so quickly!)

The show was suppose to be aired about 6 months after filming.  That time came and went and then they told us it would be another 6 months.  That time came and went.  Eventually we were told the show was cancelled.  That was about a year ago.  A couple of weeks ago I started seeing the show back in the TV listings so I did a little bit of investigating.  Sure enough, the show is back with new episodes and we are scheduled for Monday, April 11th.  The show is airing at 7:30 AM though.  I guess we will be DVRing it and watching it that evening with our friends and family.  We plan to have a viewing party of course!

It will be interesting to see ourselves on TV.  It will be even more funny to see Zachary when he was not even 2 years old!  We are looking forward to alot of laughs. . . .

AirDate: Monday, April 11th

Time:  7:30AM

Channel:  HGTV, High Definition Comcast Cable Channel 415
or Comcast Cable Channel 56 (not high def)

Here are some photos from when the film crew was here. . .

Beth with SuperDuper Spencer Cooper!

Filming outside and trying to quiet the neighbors down.

Jason Naumann was a trip to work with. . . .hilarious!

The show's producer, Dominique Anders was so nice and friendly.

The "mike guy" was actually named Mike!

Finally finished! Whew, what a long day!

A picture of our magazine cover.  The Birdwell's get involved in all sorts of stuff!

A 370 Mile Train Adventure For Zach. . .

Last Friday, Zachary enjoyed his annual train adventure day with Grammy and Papa.  They left around 9:30AM on Friday morning and returned around 10:15PM that same evening.  Over 370 miles traveled!  Wow!

Zachary has been waiting, sometimes impatiently, for this day to arrive.  A few months ago Papa told him that they would take him as soon as the time changed and there was more daylight.  Finally the day came and he was so excited!!

First they visited Rice Yard (a huge train depot!) in Waycross, GA and they saw many many MANY train engines and various cars.  Different activities were going on like trains moving and hooking up to other cars, other cars being moved to other areas of the yard, etc.  They then visited the Heritage Center in Waycross that has a museum of old things from our heritage, but of course the main thing Zach was interested in were the old train cars.  There was an old steam engine, box cars, passenger cars, and a caboose.  After leaving Waycross they got back on the road headed to Blackshear.  There was a McDonalds there that was decorated with all train stuff.  They ate dinner in what felt like a train car! There was a signal light, a little train going around a track at the ceiling, etc.  Zach LOVED it!!

After Blackshear they headed to Folkston, GA.  I had given him some spending money so he bought a little train and got some pens (for me, Chase, and Daddy) from the visitor center (an old depot).  He also got a couple of calendars with cool train pictures to hang up in his room.  They saw a couple of trains come through the station and another train parked down the side track.

Zachary took a nap on the way to Folkston and unfortunately missed a couple of trains.  Bless his heart, he did not want to leave Folkston!  He was so wound up on the way home to Tallahassee that he didn't sleep at all!  Grammy read books with him and played different games to pass the time.  370 miles was a BIG trip for one day but he THOROUGHLY enjoyed himself.

When he finally got home that evening he snuggled in bed with me and Daddy and told us all about his day.  He showed us the pictures on the camera and explained everything.  Of course he had to give us our surprises (pens) that he got for us.  He was so proud of his calendars and toy train too.  He finally went to bed around 11pm and slept soundly through the night.  He was pooped!!

Thank you to my sweet sweet parents for planning that special day for him!  He loves you both SO much!!!  You are wonderful grandparents and have created so many wonderful memories for him.

Here are a few pictures from their trip and a cute video. . .

A Great Week With My Boys. . .

Zachary, Chase and I have been enjoying our Spring Break week.  Since the weather has been awesome we have enjoyed a lot of time outside.  I wish this cool weather would LAST!!   The boys have been enjoying the bouncehouse (we even eat lunch in it!), the sandbox and sand/water table, playing golf, playing ball, riding bikes, taking walks, etc.

Zach is having fun at Grandma's today playing with his cousin Trevor.  Tomorrow he is headed out of town with Grammy and Papa on a train adventure.  They are visiting Rice Yard, Waycross, Folkstone, Blackshear and who knows where else!  He is SO excited to go.  He's been looking forward to this for a while and waiting on the time to change so he will have more daylight to enjoy everything.   When he gets home tomorrow night I'm sure there will be NON STOP chatter telling me and his Daddy about every single train he saw.   He has a big time when he goes!

Chase and I are just getting back from a nice walk and about to have lunch.  He is being such a sweet baby boy and I am loving every second with him.   A few months ago when I was feeling very stressed with trying to get used to having two kids I started praying that God would give me an overwhelming love for my children.  All of us, of course, love our children with our life, but instead for specifically praying for patience (which I've learned can be very dangerous!) I asked Him to really help me focus on loving them.  While I am fortunate and blessed to be able to stay at home with my kids it can be nerve racking so some days it is really hard to "feel" that overwhelming love.  Not saying that I never get cranky or snappy with them but I have noticed that He is helping me FEEL that love for them all day long.  In return, I think I at least TRY to have more patience with them and try to focus more on having fun and doing my job as "mom" better.    Some days I'm dying for them to take their nap and then find myself missing them and wishing they would wake up!  

It's sometimes hard to remember that I have a heavy responsibility and a very important job in always striving to set a good example for my children.  I fail miserably often but I'm thankful to have God to help me.  (Along with a couple of sets of awesome grandparents!)  :)

I do love my boys!  I'm sure you can tell I'm very proud of both of them by the "few" pictures I take.  Here are a "few" more from our fun together this week. . .

sweet moments like these makes all the stress well worth it!

enjoying lunch in the bouncehouse!

love this sweet little face!!

love this sweet little face too!!

chewing his toys with his one tooth!

Poor Kitty's Days Are Numbered. . .

We have two VERY lenient kitties.  They have treated Zach with the utmost respect and he, in return, has been very kindhearted to them (most of the time!).  However, with the newest member of our household I think it's going to be a different story.   I see how he tracks them as they walk by, eyeing them as he's plotting.  He is mesmerized completely.  He simply is itching to get to them!  He has gotten a tail in his hand before and several million hairs were removed.

Pootie, our black cat, especially loves Zachary.  He puts up with monster trucks being rolled all over him, his tail being used and abused and Zach laying all over him.  He always comes back for more.  Blue, however, has a little to do with Zach, but not much.  I think they both think that Chase is going to be kindhearted like Zach.  I have my doubts.  First of all, Zachary has my gentle kindhearted nature (ha!) and Chase DEFINITELY has more of his Daddy's personality.  From the stories I have heard of the abuse that Paul gave his animals when he was a toddler, I think the kitties better run for cover!

Here are a few cute pictures I caught recently. . .

My Baby's Blues. . .

What beautiful, innocent, sweet eyes.  My baby (well he's a big boy now!) definitely has a gorgeous set of blues thanks to his Daddio!  

I love Zachary Thomas Birdwell!!!  Am enjoying spending spring break with him.

Balls, Balls, and MORE Balls!

Almost every single day without fail we have races around here.  Either at our house or Grammy and Papa's house.  It's been happening for months!  Papa and Zachary (and sometimes Grammy and Mommy and Daddy) have races with 12 balls.  These 12 balls all have names, personalities, and voices.  There are even two sticks that have names too.  Their names are Alex and Jessi, lovingly named after our two basset hounds.  One stick is the start line and the other is the finish line.

Don't ask me how this all got started.  It is a "Papa and Zachary" thing. . . those two come up with some crazy stuff!  Zachary has been known to do these races back and forth in the yard for hours at a time.  Literally THREE hours one afternoon with very little breaks!  The little dude just loves it.  Anything he does with Papa he loves.  He and Papa are best buddies for sure.

Papa and Zachary with their beloved balls. . .

Zachary with Beachball, Orangie, Soccie, Fiery, Basket, Rainbow, Orangaide, Lightening, Cougar, Scooby, Colorie, Wingie.  (Ok, SOMEBODY is NUTSO in this family!)

Of course, treats are needed for energy to race!!

Taking a break with baby brother.  He loves to watch the action!

I joke alot and give my father so much grief when it comes to these crazy things.  But, in all seriousness, I love and am thankful for all the time he spends with my sweet boys.  They LOVE LOVE LOVE their grandparents so much!  It takes a village to raise children and my, what a WONDERFUL village I am blessed with.  Thank you Daddy!  Love you.

Anniversary Celebration Videos. . .

Here is a video of my parents releasing their anniversary party balloons. . . . cute!!

Before she left to travel back to Tennessee, Kelsey decided to try helium for the first time.  She wanted me to do it with her.  Clearly after watching this video you will see that I found out I was way too old for this stuff anymore!!  HA!

Finally A TOOTH!!!

Chase has his first tooth!  Yipppeee!!  After months of chewing the little guy finally can say he has a tooth. It's on the bottom center.  :)

A Party 50 Years In The Making. . .

Today we celebrated my parents' 50th Wedding Anniversary.  Their actual anniversary is March 12 but we had a party in honor of them today.  It was fantastic!  The weather was awesome, the food delicious, great friends, and loving family that were gathered all made it a wonderful, memorable day for my parents.

The party was held at our home and I had so much help from my brothers, my husband, and most of all, my sweet sister in law, Deke.  The house was decorated with gold and ivory satin balloons and fresh flowers.  My parents were surrounded by close friends and family, some of them who they had not seen in years.  It truly was a fantastic day.

After the party and luncheon most of us headed down to Wakulla Springs for more fun in the gorgeous sunshine.

Here are a few pictures from the fun day.  All of these plus many more are posted on Facebook.

My brothers and I gave Mom and Dad this frame with the "Harwood Street Herald".  We each wrote articles with memories of our parents while living in our childhood home on Harwood Street.

Mom and Dad enjoyed themselves so much!!

What a FUN FUN day!!  I love you so much Mom and Dad!!