Butterfly Kisses

How I Know It Is Fall ...

2008-09-14T15:30:00.006-04:00

#1 - these:

and yes, those are pink! We wanted total pink shoes, but they were out of our size :(

And then there is this:

And finally this:

We are up to our ears in school and practice schedules. Between all 3 playing soccer, we are at the fields 4 nights a week and then games on Saturdays and Sundays - and some of those may be out of town. Last weekend, we were in a jamboree and played 4 games on Sunday afternoon! I sure was ready for a bath and bed by the time we got home. I did learn one thing though - umbrellas aren't just for when it's raining - they're great for shade while sitting through numerous games on a hot day!

And then we also have Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for the kids and of course, my Junior Service League meetings.

We've also had a new addition to our family - meet Sonny...

Long story short - my oldest had fallen in love with a cat that was through the Humane's Society - they were outside Kroger one Saturday morning - I waited to long to call about adopting the cat (2 days!) and he had already been adopted. My son was heartbroken. I put out feelers to some friends about the specifics we wanted in a cat - not a kitten, orange, fixed preferably, etc. One friend is a vet and the very next day called that someone had brought in a cat matching my criteria that they could not keep. They had actually rescued the cat themselves - it had gotten dropped off on the local college campus. I'm sure whoever dropped the cat off figured some college student would pick up the cat and take care of it. So, we adopted the cat. And my child used all of the remainder of his birthday money to pay the adoption fee! That is a huge thing if you knew my child and how he feels about his money. So, Sonny became ours the Wednesday before Labor Day weekend. We want him to be an inside/outside cat. The vet told us to keep him in for about 2 weeks to make sure he knew we were his family so that once he got outside he'd want to come back. We haven't let him out yet. The kids are so afraid he will 1)run away 2)get run over or 3) get eaten by a dog. Any suggestions about how to do this?

Live and Learn (& Help Needed)

2008-07-28T10:53:00.003-04:00

I need some help here.

How do you cook fried okra?

I got a whole mess of okra last week from a local farmer and was so looking forward to having some for supper.

Well, I fried up some and it was just awful!

So, how do you cook fried okra?

Lordy Mercy!

2008-07-03T12:56:00.003-04:00

Has it really been since May that I posted? I'll be surprised if anyone out there is still poking around - I don't blame you - I've been such a slacker at blogging lately. My apologies.

No excuses really - just enjoying my summer with the kids.

Last year when I started blogging, I posted regularly every night mostly, but I remember putting my kids off saying, 'Just a minute, just a minute, let me finish what I'm doing.' Now that I think back on it, I feel so bad. They are my children - not this dang computer. They deserve my attention.

I always get guilt ridden since I work full time and they are always at day care or after school care. And then in the summer, full day camps. They don't 'get' a summer - they still get up every day and are gone from the house by 7:30 am! Just like during the school year. And we don't get home until 5:30 pm. Will they ever get to sleep late? Lay around the house complaining of being bored?

So, this summer I've tried to make it a little more fun for them. We got a membership to a pool and go just about every night after work. I figure that they enjoy the refreshing cool water of the pool after being outside at camp all day long in the hot GA sun. They love it! And most days, there is only 1 or 2 other families left at the pool at this time of day. Everyone else has packed up and headed home after spending the afternoon there. It is so peaceful! I really feel like my $$ has been well spent. And then we go as a family on the weekends also.

So, no excuses besides just spending time with my kids - which I think is well worth it.

We're heading out of town for the 4th and I'm really looking forward to it. The kiddos got a fun break from their summer routine and went a few days early to spend time with the various grandparents and cousins. This is the first time in 8 years that I've had no children at home - all gone at the same time overnight! But I sure do miss them. The house was way too quiet last night - I think I was actually bored myself.

I can't wait to get some hugs and kisses tonight. :)

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-11T21:23:00.007-04:00

Happy Mother's Day to all you mom's out there. I still have my mom and my 91 year old grandmother who is in extremely good health. I have lots to thank these special women for. They have the most faith and gentle spirit's of about anyone I know. If I could be even a quarter of what they are, I would be so better off. I personally have had a great day. The weather was sunny, although a bit windy. To church and out to lunch. And then home for a relaxing afternoon. And then grilling out for dinner. What a day.

Of course, I should now get the bad mother award for this:

Yes, they are playing in a Ninja turtle sprinkler and it was way too windy and chilly outside to do it. But I let them anyway. At least I didn't have to hear them whining if I'd told them no. And it is Mother's Day and all - I deserve no whining for at least 15 minutes!

A while back my sister came up and we did a fun project that I've been wanting to do for a while... doing a little work around the mailbox to make it look better. Tell me what you think:

Before:

After:

And yes, ignore the child in the background who is creeping into the trees.

We had so much fun doing this and I never realized how heavy those individual bricks are - try pushing a cart at Home Depot with 30 of those and 3 kids sitting on it. Man, we got our workout!

My friend had her premie twins several weeks ago. Please visit her caringbridge site and keep them all in your prayers. I don't know how they do it. More strength than I could ever imagine having.

I feel like life is winding down some now - soccer is finally over, baseball is down to maybe 2 weeks (3 games left and then a tournament), school is out in 2 weeks, summer camp schedules are planned, and our pool package is all set up for the summer at a local pool. I know it won't be long now ... before the ants invade my house as they do every summer! What I have to look forward too -

Maybe I'll just spend all my time at the pool...

It's that time of year...

2008-04-09T18:43:00.002-04:00

for that yucky yellow stuff that makes everything else so pretty - POLLEN! Ugh!! It is all over everything - the cars, windows, even my shoes when I come in from outside. Besides just needing the rain after the drought we've had, I pray for a hard downpour to knock some of this stuff out of the air. Maybe then I could breathe a little better...and sleep a little better... My poor man is just miserable this time of the year. His allergies get the best of him. Back when we got engaged 10 years ago, we even planned our wedding around allergy season - I did not want wedding pictures with him having red, watery eyes... Call me crazy.

I'm sitting here craving warm weather to get here and stay and then lo and behold I look at the calendar and realize school for the kids is going to be over in a little over a month! And that means summer is here! Woohoo!

I'll be sooo glad for no real schedules for them - except for going to day camp each day. We are in the midst of baseball and soccer seasons and I need a separate calendar just to keep up with practices and games.

Prayer request - I've got a friend from JSL that is almost 24 weeks pregnant with twin girls. She has been hospitalized for the past several weeks with intense contractions happening. She and the babies are astonishing the drs in Atlanta since she hasn't delivered. Please pray for those baby girls to stay in where it's safe until time for them to arrive, their mommy and for their entire family.

Gotta go - the kiddos are calling for me to feed them dinner!

Wordless Wednesday - Party Girl

2008-04-09T18:41:00.001-04:00

Can you guess who got to go to a dress up party?

Some memories are hard to replay...

2008-04-03T19:16:00.005-04:00

If you have been over at Rocks in My Dryer today, you know that Shannon posted about her first pregnancy that ended badly. There were so many comments that just brought tears to my eyes - not only because it was sad that so many had lost a child - but because I too have been there.

I still can't stand the 4th of July just because that is the time mine happened.

I'd become pregnant for the 2nd time. And we were so excited! But in retrospect I should have realized something was wrong. I didn't have morning sickness, but I just didn't feel good. I'd have sharp pains in the abdominal area and just really didn't want to eat b/c it made me all the more uncomfortable. I'd gone to my 1st doctor's appt and all had been well. We didn't hear a heartbeat, but weren't concerned b/c it was so early and we knew we wouldn't hear one until I was so many weeks along.

Then here I was almost 13 weeks. We went out of town for the holiday to my in-laws house on the lake. I had a dr's appt the next week. But then I woke up to blood. Not a lot. But enough to make me call my dr. who was 3 hours away. They tell me to come on in for an ultrasound. I had to explain how far away I was and what the earliest it would be getting there. I was told to then go the hospital for my ultrasound when I got in town since the office would be closed by that time.

Off we go with scrambled packing, no showers, pulling my husband in off the lake. Skethchy explanation to all the extended family who was all there for the weekend. On the drive, silent tears fell. I just had a feeling this wouldn't be good. My 1 1/2 year old didn't understand why we'd had to leave his cousins. And we were on the phone trying to find someone back home who was in town(since it was a holiday weekend) who could watch my him while we went to the hospital...and having to explain what was going on. We found some friends who agreed without a 2nd thought - and boy did I feel bad when we pulled up in their driveway - they were all dressed up and had been heading out for the evening. But they dropped their plans for us.

Once we got to the hospital, they sent me on up to L & D. It was change of shift time so we kinda had to wait around for our doctor. And we had to explain why we were there since it was a different dr from our group than who we spoke to on the phone at the office. Finally down for the ultrasound. I should have known once the tech told me she needed to do a vag* u/s instead.

Back to my room to wait on my dr. to tell me the results I already knew in my gut. Finally he came with the sad news that I already seemed to know without any medical confirmation. I was given a choice: go on into surgery for a D & C or I could go home and 'wait for nature to take it's course.' I am not a waiter. And then the dreaded phone calls to our family who hadn't heard from us in about 7 hours. And to our friends to see if they could babysit for a little while longer while I was in surgery.

That is the worst emptiness I have ever felt. And guilt - even though I did nothing wrong and there was nothing I could have done to prevent this. All I wanted to do was let my silent tears fall and rock the one baby I did have and mourn for the one that I'd never hold. I remember not wanting to talk to anyone - friends, family, anyone at all. It's still hard if it gets brought up. The tears fall down my cheeks even now as I type.

Will I tell my children later about the sibling waiting to meet them in Heaven that they never knew? Probably. How will it get brought up? I have no idea. How do I explain to my daughter that if this hadn't happened she wouldn't be here since that pregnancy would have continued? She is my miracle baby in her own story to tell later -

Enter to win

2008-04-03T19:13:00.002-04:00

Head over to Trista's to enter to win a new blog design - she's giving it away in honor of her 500th post!

Personality Test

2008-02-29T08:00:00.001-05:00

This is such a neat personality test - I could do it over and over just to listen to the music playing in the background.

http://memoriter.net/flash/test.html

The Story of Hope

2008-02-11T19:00:00.000-05:00

Hope - what a special word.

And in our family, what a special dog.

And let me just say before I get this story going, she is a Catahoula Leopard. Nope, I'm not making this breed up - that really is a dog. We even bought a dog breed book to read up on her.

The summer of my engagement to Superman almost 10 years ago is when this special little dog (then, not now) came to be mine. My sister and I had gone to meet up with a co-worker of mine at an outdoor flea market one Saturday morning. We were there to try and sell or trade the Ty Beanie Babies we had acquired (this was during the huge Beanie Baby era). I think I actually got the Beanie that was in memory of Princess Diana while there and sold the rest of mine for cash. I was getting married in 2 1/2 months, so cash was very nice to have when you're handing over large sums to various florists, caterers and photographers. Anyways, while we waited on my friend to show, we walked around the outskirts and had a look around. And there we saw her.

There was a rescue shelter group there with a pen of puppies. I've always loved dogs. I'd stoop down and put my fingers through the chain link fence and scratch this dog and then that dog. Then I'd move on to the next side of the fence to give all the puppies some attention. I told you - I'm a dog fool. And this little odd dog just kept following me to whichever side of the fence I went to. I'd pet her and go on. Then my friend showed and off we went to do some Beanie Baby bantering.

End of the flea market. Out to the gravel parking lot we head and pass by the rescue pen again. And stop to pet the dogs again. (I know, we're suckers). This little dog comes back up to me again. And then my sister starts in on how I need this dog. Every couple needs a dog. I already had a fenced in back yard (true, we'd just closed on the house we'd bought). And my friend started in too. And then my sister did it all - told me the dog was mine - she was giving it to me as a housewarming present! So, out the puppy came and into my arms. They told us they had named her Hope - reason being she was in very bad condition when they rescued her and they were 'hoping' she would live. I believe someone had tried to drown her. Which is somehow probably true, being she is scared to death of water to this day 10 years later.

Off we went to Pet Smart to buy a few things for my new puppy. Then back to my parents house where I was living up until my wedding (I'd given up my apartment that spring). Of course, my parents were on vacation at the beach so I called to tell them I had a new puppy in their backyard. You could have heard their surprise over the phone!

Then it was time to tell my fiance we were now the owners of a dog. He was also out of town. He called that evening and asked the normal "What are you up to?" When I replied playing with Hope he thought I was babysitting or something and asked:

Who's Hope?

Our dog.

Our what?

Our dog. I got her today at the flea market.

You got a dog at the flea market? What kind of dog is this?

Well, they said maybe a mix of blue heeler and daschund.

Do you know what a blue heeler is? That mix is not possible.

We'll she's cute and she's mine.

Fast forward to my parents coming home and meeting Hope. They loved her. Oddness and all.

Fast forward to Superman showing up and seeing her for the first time:

That is one strange looking dog. And there is no way that dog has daschund in her - those legs are way too long.

That was a true statement - the dog had legs longer than her body was long!

She has gone from digging the most holes in my parents back yard that I've ever seen (and I had to fill every one of those holes back up with dirt), putting holes in every pair of socks I owned while herding me and nipping at my ankles, to chewing the wood on the side of the house to being my SNAKE DOG!

Yep, Snake dog. She find snakes in the yard and barks her special bark while staying with the snake. I've only heard the bark 4 times and every time she had a snake. She killed 3 out of the 4 snakes. Three out of four were just king snakes (non-poisoness), but one was a copper head that bite her in the gumline at the same time she bit the snakes head and killed it. That required an emergency trip to the vet on a Sunday afternoon for some anti-venom and an overnight stay. I'd never seen a dog's body react so fast. She looked like she'd had a stroke - one entire side of her face was all droopy and her neck was swelling - off came that dog collar. And we know for sure that it was a copperhead - we put the dead snake in a Kroger bag and took it to the vet with us.

The 4th snake was huge! Hope was up under our deck doing her special snake bark. I was hugely pregnant at the time and immediately called Superman at work and told him she had a snake. No problem he said, she'll kill it or it will get away. Just watch her in case she gets bit again and it's poisonous. The joy of a cordless phone - I stood on my deck and told him each move she was making. She'd come out from under the porch but was up at the edge of deck where I was standing next to the house. Holy cow - here came a snake slithering on the brick of my house parallel to the ground (I didn't know a snake could stay on the side of your house that way) - and the sucker was bigger around than my arm! I kept telling Superman I could see the snakes head - now part of the body - and it just kept coming! That sucker was long! Superman hung up on his now hyperventilating, pregnant wife and rushed home. By this time, the snake had dropped off the house and slithered under our privacy fence towards our driveway.

Superman found the snake in the bushes. Told me it's just another king snake. It'll keep all the bad snakes away. He did not want to kill it. I did want it DEAD. I told him if he could get it across the road and down the street in the woods he didn't have to kill it. That wasn't happening, so he killed the snake once I went inside. Then he called me back outside - he wanted to give me a lesson on how you can look at the shape of a snake's eyes to tell if it's poisonous or not - forget it, I wasn't getting close enough - EVER - to look at a snakes eyeballs. Just kill them all. Even with this snakes head chopped off, this thing was longer than my hubby is tall when he held it up by the tail and stretched his arm up. He said that was the only reason he killed it - that it was so big. Nothing to do with his pregnant wife who was freaked out beyond belief. I don't think I ever walked fearlessly in that yard ever again. I probably never stepped off the porch again. Oh yeah - I found a broken shovel in my front yard after that - he'd broken the shovel while trying to chop off it's head!

If it hadn't been for Hope and her special bark, I might've been out in the yard and those snakes could have snuck up on me and you'd never know this little story of Hope because I'd be dead from having a heart attack.

She is also a life saver. That first year we had her we also got a 2nd puppy who was so tiny she could squeeze through the holes in the chain link fence. It was winter and we had an in ground pool. That was covered. And there was standing water on top of the pool cover, as that happens. New little puppy foolishly steps off the concrete onto the pool cover - and it starts going down! Hope sees this and forgets her fear of water - she steps out herself and grabs new puppy by the neck just like a mama dog carries her puppies adn pulls it back to safety! I watched this all happen from my bedroom window - it was so quick and happened in an instant! My mother cried when I told her this story of how Hope saved the new puppy.

Back to her breed - after we got married and moved to our current town, we had her out at the soccer fields one afternoon and someone asked my husband where we'd gotten our Catahoula. He'd never heard of the breed before and made sure he told me what someone had said when he returned home. Then we took her to get established with a vet here. And the vet asked the same thing. We figured that if the vet thought she was one, then she must be. And then we got the dog book. And there she is in it. All the charactistics fit her to perfection. The only thing was that I now had to give up my theory of what she was . My standard answer to 'What kind of dog is that?' was 'She's God's dog - cause God only knows whats in her.'

She's getting older now. Hard to believe she will be 10 years old this May. Makes me sad to think we're probably on the downhill with our time with her. She's a good 'ole girl.

It's raining, it's pouring...

2008-01-19T12:50:00.000-05:00

SNOW!!

I'm sitting here typing while watching the snow just fall from the sky. And it's coming down pretty quick and lots of it - even though it is little flakes. It is so pretty!

The kids have been out in it already and thrown, no smushed, a few snowballs in each others faces (which ended in tears of a 3 year old). Nap time is on the horizon for 2 little ones, a book while curled up in the recliner with a blanket for me and probably disney channel playing in the background with the oldest.

Sounds like a heavenly afternoon....

Christmas 2007

2008-01-02T19:50:00.000-05:00

Christmas has come and gone. So has the year 2007. It was a good year. That will be another post for another day. You know, I've got lots to share considering I haven't posted anything at all since the first of December. I have been reading and commenting some, but just not posting myself.

We have gone from this:

to this:

We had a wonderful Christmas! Considering I had to work the day after Christmas, we got to stay home this year and not travel on Christmas Day. We spent the weekend before celebrating with my in-laws on Saturday and then my family on Sunday. But then we got an extra special treat - both sets of grandparents were there for Christmas Day! My in-laws came up Christmas Eve and spent the night and my parents came up Christmas morning. Once everyone left, we relaxed and then played this surprise gift left by Santa:

And boy oh boy was my husband every surprised! I never buy things like this for him. We have had so much fun as a family playing. And if you've ever played Wii before, you know it is not a sit on your tail kind of game. It is very interactive. I think, no, I know, hubby worked up a sweat boxing and playing tennis the other day. Overall, bowling is our favorite so far. We've even taught the little ones how to bowl! Thank goodness you hook the wrist strap to your arm or I probably would have a few broken lamps or other items from flying remotes!!

My favorite thing is probably this (sorry in advance for the bad picture!):

We were so overdue for a new table. My old breakfast table only sat 4 and with 5 in the family we needed more room. It was fine when we had a highchair to pull up for the 5th person, but since we now need a chair space, it just wasn't working for us anymore. We love the high chairs and bar height table. The kiddos have no problem climbing up or down, which was a major concern of mine. But once they climbed up and down on every table at the furniture store while I was trying to look, we determined it would be ok. The only problem is it puts them much closer up to the chandelier that they like to make swing!

Here's a run down of our favorite things Santa brought:

We had a great holiday season - but I am so glad my house is back to normal - you know, crazy and messy without all the Christmas decorations! But I'd have it no other way!

In like a lion...

2007-12-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

What is the saying people say in March - something like March comes in like a lion and out like a ....?

That should be true for December too. The month and the holidays are here and have covered me up until I feel unable to breathe - and it is only December 3rd!

But I can say that Santa is finished with the kids already - woohoo! I put this on myself and try to get those things finished before Thanksgiving. I hate getting my heart set on something special to get them and then being unable to find it due to everyone else wanting it too. But I am still having to go back to the stores since they are putting some of my already purchased items on sale - just take that receipt and ask for the price adjustment. Or you know, if they are giving you a hard time about doing the price adjustment, return the whole item and then make them turn right around and re-ring it up for you at the sale price. Makes double work for them. I'm sure Toys R Us hates to see me coming.

I've still got to buy for some of the adults though. But that is pretty easy and less stressful for me. And I've got an awesome gift for my husband that he will be completely shocked with since I don't normally buy such things. You'll have to wait until after Christmas to hear what it is - just in case he decides to drop by and read - which he probably won't, but just in case, I can't tell yet...

I still like to go out into the craziness and watch all the others battle it out. And that is what I did the day after Thanksgiving. My sister and I were at our first shopping spot at 3:45 am!!! And if you know me, I do not like to have my sleep interrupted. But I did it in the name of fun. Electronics departments were nutty - those people are ruthless. But we had our game plan mapped out - we knew what store opened when and what we wanted at each - so it was a quick in and out for most places once we got in the door. I think we were only in Toys R Us 20 minutes tops. But I definitely needed a nap by lunchtime - thank goodness we were done! I got some great deals - of course, it was on things I had already bought - but when it's on sale $20 dollars cheaper than what I paid, it's worth it to return the original one.

We got the Christmas tree up already and the kiddos are loving the train around the tree. Ya'll and the best thing ever is a remote control to cut your tree lights on and off. My father gave me one of these last year and it so beats climbing behind the tree to plug and unplug the lights! Just don't let your kids get hold of the remote. Mine kept playing a trick on me making me think a strand of lights had gone out by hiding behind the corner and clicking it. As soon as I'd go over to the tree to fiddle with the lights, they'd cut them back on. And so it went until I heard the snickering... Those crazy kids!

I cut back on my other house decorations. It looks pretty while its up, but I sure hate putting it up and taking it down. So, I just didn't pull some stuff out this year. Of course, we have our Little People Nativity Scene out - that has been the best $20 I ever spent 6 years ago. The kids would play with it all year long if I'd leave it out. But I don't want the pieces to get lost. And this way, they have the anticipation of it being pulled out each year.

So, between shopping decorating, eating and visiting friends and family - my holiday season has started full force. And this weekend starts all the Christmas parties that we 'have to' attend. If only for a short while - but it still entails having to line up babysitters which can be hard to do during the holiday season. And then I'm co-hosting a Cookie Swap on Sunday. At least I'll get to take home lots of different cookies that I didn't have to bake!

Favorite Ingredient Friday - Muffins

2007-11-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Wow - another week has gone by and I have posted - NOTHING! This has got to change...

Overwhelmed with Joy is hosting her Favorite Ingredient Friday today (you know, since it is Friday and all). Today's theme - muffins - and guess what? I actually have something to contribute. Yea!!

Ham and Cheese Stuffed Muffins

Jiffy corn muffin mix (made per the directions with milk and an egg)
2/3 cup diced cooked ham (maybe a little more)
1 cup shredded cheese

Mix up the muffin mix. Add the ham and cheese and bake per the package directions. Viola! You are done.

How easy is that?

This recipe came compliments of my friend Tammi who only referenced "I found this while hunting for recipes'. So, thanks goes to whoever out there put it out there for the rest of us to enjoy.

Your kids will eat these up. They'll think they are getting something 'fun' to eat (hence, the muffin) and it can actually be their meal (of course, you may want to add some kind of veggie in there - or not!)

Be sure to visit Overwhelmed with Joy for more favorite muffin recipes!

Happy Friday!

Favorite Ingredient Friday - Cookies!

2007-11-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

Favorite Ingredient Friday

I've got to get back in the swing of things and start putting some yummy things out there for you to try. I promise to try better. :)

SKOR Cookies

1 3/4 cups (10 ounces) "Skor" candy
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter ( 1 stick)
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl, beat butter, two kinds of sugar and vanilla. Add eggs. then gradually add folur mixture. Stir in chopped "Skor". Drop teaspoonfuls on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake 9 to 11 minutes.

Yield: 3 dozen cookies

These are so yummy! Try and enjoy!

What's your name and shiny hinies

2007-11-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

Lately, we've been working with the little ones to know their full names - first, middle and last. And we made it more confusing for them since 2 out of the 3 go by nicknames (you know, ex: Matt for Matthew).

Roo has it down pat and has for several years, so he was trying to help the little ones. Bless his soul - he got in so much hot water last week that he is trying so hard to be good and do all he can to help out.

Anyway, Little Man was first up. When asked his name, we'd get his first name. Ask again, we'd get first and middle. Finally, on the 3rd time we'd get the whole thing. Then we moved on to asking what was my name and my husbands. Answer 'Mama xxx' (sorry, I'm not putting my last name out there). And the Daddy answer was the same.

So, last night we gave it another whirl. But the answers changed. Our new name is 'mama mama' and 'daddy daddy'. Oh yeah, with a huge belly laugh followed right behind it.

*******************************************************************
On another laugh note, my boys were being boys and were wild and crazy last night. Bath time was announced to be forthcoming and to head upstairs. The next thing I know, there are 2 naked boys running laps through the house. If that wasn't enough, I was summoned to the kitchen by the youngest (who is still naked - thank goodness he's potty trained) who wanted me to come to the kitchen door which leads to the garage. There stood NAKED older brother in the garage. Little one thought it was a good idea to lock him out. And need I say it was a chilly night?

Hope you got a good laugh like I did.

'Tis the Season...

2007-11-06T12:00:00.000-05:00

to be thankful.

My thoughts have been running amuck lately of all that I have to be thankful for and I was going to do a list of my 'thankfuls'. But I decided not to. Save that for another day - maybe next week...

Ya'll, I had the wonderful opportunity to spend the day ALONE this past weekend. That doesn't happen often for me with three kids. But I sent everyone with dad to the soccer game and just had me time. It was great. I went Christmas browsing for gift ideas for the kids and other family. It was great to walk as slow as I wanted and not be rushed, not have to take someone to the bathroom, and not try to keep someone (or two) contained in a shopping cart. After stopping to grab a bite to eat (and not a Happy Meal), I rented not one, not two, but three movies that I wanted to see. No compromise with anyone. I've only made it through 2 of them, but maybe I'll get the last one in tonight. They aren't due back until next week anyway.

But I have to tell you about one of them. Go rent Two Weeks. It has Sally Field in it along with some other great people - I just dont' remember their names. And it is a tear jerker. So, grab the Kleenex along with your Diet Coke and get ready. This isn't spoiling anything by telling you this (it's on the box) - Sally is dying and her 4 children have come home for what is her last two weeks to live. It's all about the tears and joys that happen in those weeks between family. It really makes you think about things and be thankful for your parents and loved ones. Crap happens, but you still need to be thankful for what you've got. Just watch it and you'll see what I'm talking about. And then go call everyone you love and tell them.

The Pursuit of Happiness with Will Smith and his son was my 2nd viewing. Another great movie. The kids were home by the time I got into this one. And you know, it did my 7 year old good to see this. They take so much for granted and he realized that he is well blessed with all his 'belongings'. Now he realizes that some people really have no where to sleep and no where to go. He has a lot to be thankful for. And you know, he is still talking about parts of the movie to me. I'm glad it made an impact on him.

Not a listing of my thankfuls, but I sure do have a lot to be thankful for and need to remember them each and every day. You know, it's kinda chilly here today and the week is going to get cooler. I've got plenty of coats to keep me warm. I think I need to go pull some out and pass them along to those who don't have a warm coat or place to stay.

Halloween 2007

2007-11-01T13:36:00.000-04:00

BOO

When I was a kid, Halloween was a one time thing. You went trick or treating one time, in a plastic costume with a mask that came in a box at the store. And that mask was held on by a rubber band that always broke. And your face would sweat to death behind that mask that had two very small holes to breath out of.

It seemed like Halloween lasted for a week this year. And that equals way to much candy for this Mom to deal with at my house. (It will end up going to work for everyone else to munch on - that is after I pull out all the Reese's cups and snickers - those are for me only!)

We started out with the first annual Trunk or Treat at our YMCA - it was a blast. Besides the trunk or treating, there were crafts, a hayride, costume and pumpkin carving contests and then a dive-in movie. And of course, FOOD. Hubby wanted me to only buy him a mask to wear while handing out the candy. I did a little bit better than a mask....

What do you think?

The rest of us looked ok -

The week wore on with sending bags of candy with each child to school. The little ones have very small classes, so when it was all divided up, they basically came up with the equivalent of another bag of candy - EACH! That went straight into my bowl for trick or treaters. (Minus if there were any Snickers of Reese's)

Finally, October 31st was upon us. It started out awful. Roo threw the fit of all times (all over his costume that fit too tight over his clothes he had to wear to school). Let's put it this way - he almost didn't get to go trick or treating last night, has had a birthday party taken away this weekend and is grounded for a month. I ranted and raved so much on the way to school, he had tears as he got out of the van. Enough was enough for this mama!

But, upon returning home that afternoon, Roo was on his best behavior. I'd picked up pizza for a quick and easy supper. While chatting with my parents who were here helping me with the kids while hubby is away, Roo set the table and asked if we were ready to eat. That child has never set the table in his life! He was really trying to earn points back. And yes, I did let him go trick or treating. But all the other punishments stick.

(Excuse my wonderful hair in this picture, it was all I could do to get this trio dressed and ready - forget about looking even presentable - plus I figured it would be dark soon and no one would be able to see me!)

So, off we went once everyone was all costumed up again. But it didn't last long until Bee decided it was time to start vomiting in someone's front yard! Yes, you read that right - in the front yard of some poor neighbor with other kids walking up - she pukes her guts out for everyone to see! So, we start heading home with Roo pouting the whole way since he'd only gone to maybe 4 houses. Luckily, we ran up on some friends who let him continue with the fun with them while I took the others home.

After a few more bouts of running Bee to the bathroom, we made it into bed. I'd warned the boys - do not come to my bed tonight, your sister is sick and I don't want you to catch anything. But who wakes up around midnight sick - ME! So, the girls have been home today from school and work trying to recover from this stomach bug. Roo actually had it Sunday/Monday, so I should have known it was coming. Now to just wait for Jman to come down with it. Wait and worry. No, wait and vomit I should say.

And to top it off, my parents who'd been visiting and helping me with the kids this week, had to leave before they'd planned to. My poor father got into the halloween candy early and decided to eat some Laffy Taffy and pull one of his crowns off his tooth! So, as soon as we'd gotten back to the house with sick Bee, he and my mother headed out the door to their hometown 2 hours away so he could be at the dentist this morning.

And who's to say my life is dull and boring?

Read and be blessed

2007-10-23T10:42:00.000-04:00

I go t this in an email today and just wanted to share with all of you:

This is an absolutely incredible interview with Rick Warren, author of "Purpose Driven Life." His wife now has cancer, and he now has "wealth" from the book sales. In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren, Rick said:
"People ask me, "What is the purpose of life?" And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven. One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body--but not the end of me. I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal.

God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity. We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense. Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one.

The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort. God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.

We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christlikeness. This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer. I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore.

Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life. No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.

You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems. If you focus on your problems, you're going intoself-centeredness, "which is my problem, my issues, my pain." But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.

We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her. It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people. You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life.

Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy. It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease.

So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money,notoriety and influence. He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72.

First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit. We made no major purchases.

Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church. Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation. Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free .

We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions?Popularity? Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?

When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list.

He's more interested in what I am than what I do. That's why we're called human beings, not human doings.

Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD. Every moment, THANK GOD. "

A friend sent it to me, I shared it with you, now pick friends that you want to bless.

Gripes and Complaints

2007-10-20T20:24:00.000-04:00

Forewarning - this is going to full of my gripes and complaints right now - but for those of you who continue reading - maybe you can offer some suggestions...

Roo has an awful teacher this year. I have tried all year to like her and I just can't. She isn't mean to my child which is her only plus in my book. She just started out unfriendly. And hasn't improved. And we (I'm including other parents here) have issues with her 'classroom teaching'.

Let me interjek here that I am not a school complainer. I do not send notes to teachers, call the principal, etc. But I have always had WONDERFUL TEACHERS in the past years. Maybe that is what makes this woman stand out so much more in my disliking.

Here are my complaints:
1. No instructions on homework. She said 'I told them what to do and expect them to remember.' These kids are 7! Some may be 8, but mine has just turned 7. I really don't think these kids are going to remember numerous, detailed instructions for multiple papers once they get home at night - especially when it's given out in the a.m.

2. We have homework agendas the school system provided - but they do not get used! This would certainly let us parents know what to check on the homework - or if there even was some. How can I be an involved parent if I don't know what we're working on????

3. Pencils, lead and erasers - what is it with these cheapo pencils these days that smear awful when you erase? Anytime we erase, the lead smears on the paper and it always looks messy. And she takes off b/c of the erasing - even if the work is correct! I don't know how many papers I have gone back and tried erasing the 'smears' just so we don't get counted off. How in the world do you expect these kids to learn (ex. ABC order of your spelling words) if you can't correct your mistakes without getting counted off - ya'll the other week we had to erase 4 words b/c we messed up - the smears would not come off the paper - we made 100 % on the homework - nothing was marked wrong - but were given an 85% with the comment 'why so much erasing?' This is getting on my last nerve!

4. We had teacher conferences with our first report cards this past week. She set a timer and when it went off, she was finished with us whether we were done or not. I understand that there were other people scheduled, but at least ask if there are any other concerns and schedule another time with me if needed. Act concerned for my child!

5. She has my child scared to death if he forgets something. One morning he couldn't find his spelling list that we study from each night. No big deal. I knew the spelling words and would be able to call them out to him that night. He went crazy - didn't want to go to school b/c she had told them that if they don't bring things back to school each day they will be sent to the principal. It was all we could do to get him out of the car to go into the building. I'd sent a note asking for another list to be sent home. He didn't even want me to do this - he'd get in trouble. this was a spelling list - not homework, not a book, good grief!! He has always loved school and never not wanted to go. He's always looked forward to going.

I am not the only concerned parent. Others I know have had meetings with the principal, but are still unhappy. And today I heard even more concerns. I'm wondering if it's time to talk to the principal. I'm getting worried that we won't learn everything we need to this year and get the scores on the CRCT we need. hmmmm.....

Lord, please be in constant control of this situation. I need to trust in You. Be with my child and all the others in this class and open their eyes and ears to all that is being taught. Be with their teacher - I pray for her understanding, patience, and guidance. Help me to be more understanding also. Forgive me for the awful thoughts and words I've had about this woman. Amen.

He got it!

2007-10-20T20:09:00.000-04:00

Yes, he got the permanent director position! We are all so excited. I am so proud of him. He has worked for this for the past 15 years and put in many hard, LONG hours. No one deserves this more than him.

Most people who know us know how hard my husband works and the many hours he puts in. But for those of you out there in bloggy land, here is just an example: He goes in to work just like any other normal person by 8 am each day and works a full office day. But then, he moves on to the numerous activites that occur at nighttime - until almost 9 o'clock each night! That makes for a long day! And a lot of it is physical work - not just sitting there at the desk. And then he has games ALL day on Saturdays - usually finishing up around 6 pm or so. And sometimes there will be a few hours on Sunday afternoons. Ya'll - that is a lot of hours to put in!

With his new position, he will at least be in the office during the day and I don't really know what the evenings are going to turn into. But the Saturday's should fizzle out. So at least we will get a weekend. Just while he's been doing this position in the interim, the weeknights have gotten better. He's at least been able to get home in time to help get everyone to bed and settled down. The weeknights have been a big thing that I've needed help with. I don't know what I'm going to do when all 3 kids have homework each night. It's all we can do walking in the door at 5:30 each night to get supper and baths to get into bed by 8:30. Luckily, Roo does most of his homework at afterschool care each afternoon. I usually just have to check it over and read his story. And work on our spelling and vocabulary words for the week. Bee is only in pre-K, so she doesn't usually have 'homework, although she likes to practice coloring and writing her name. And Jman has nothing at all - thank goodness.

Last night I asked if this new position meant I could quit work now. TOTAL SILENCE was the response I got. Then came 'Well, not yet. (laugh, laugh) by the time you can quit, the kids will be older and not need you to stay home...' Oh well, I tried....

Today is the day...

2007-10-16T08:54:00.000-04:00

A while back I posted about some job issues that were causing my dear, sweet husband a lot of stress. Most of that has been resolved, but there will always be those who complain about, well, the sun shining or anything else for that matter.

Background on this: non-profit, Christian organization that had a director retire after 30 years. Hubby has been named the interim director since late Spring. This was to be until January. I do believe that they have moved up the meeting to TODAY to decide to offer or not the permanent position to hubby. Please, please say a prayer for those making the decision and for my husband also that this be what he desires and needs. He's worked at this for the past 15 years of his career. We aren't positive that the decision is being made today. But we have reason to believe it is. They are having a closed board meeting (he can't attend) and then a 2nd meeting that he can attend right after.

Lord, please let your will be done today in this situation. If this is where my husband can best serve You, then I know it will happen. No matter what, please look over our family and show us Your guidance and patience.

And the winners are:

2007-10-11T08:50:00.001-04:00

Lauren at Baseballs and Bows of Are you kidding God? Me, a Prudent Woman
Cynthia at Springmont Cottage of 3 Seconds
Diane at Diane's Place of Every Breath She Takes

Ladies, email me your address and I will get your new reading material in the mail to you!

Congrats!

Am I dreaming....

2007-10-08T20:47:00.000-04:00

I don't want to wake up if what I experienced at the beach can't continue. Total relaxation (with 3 children), peace, solitude, happiness, a breeze blowing wisps of hair into my eyes while the ocean lapped at my toes.... It just doesn't get any better - wait, it does - a husband who played in the ocean with the kids so I could read while sitting on the beach (or just taking pictures) and my in-laws being there and helping with the kids so hubby and I could celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary. Wow!!!

The trip was wonderful if you haven't gathered. I would go back again. Four days doesn't sound long, but it was just enough for my kids before the whining started from being off their routine, sleep disrupted and total excitement and overwhelmingness. (is that even a word?) We had a blast.

I had some of the best fresh seafood! I am a seafood girl. Always loved it. I guess that comes from having grandparents who lived on the Atlantic coast while I was growing up and always having fresh seafood at hand. To just show you how fresh we always had our seafood, how many of you have ever been on a shrimping boat (think Forrest Gump) in the middle of the night? I can raise my hand to that one. And then deheading and cleaning them for a meal. My father who is close to 70 now still will travel to his twin brother's house near the coast at the drop of a hat when he gets the call that 'the shrimp boat will be in tomorrow morning.' Throw a change of clothes in the car with several coolers and he is on his way. And fresh shrimp packaged by my wonderful aunts is brought back ready to go in my deep freezer. Yummy! (My dad's family is another post waiting to happen - 10 kids, 2 sets of twins back to back - my poor grandmother is all I can ever think.)

We played in the sand, ate, saw lots of ocean creatures (sting rays, eels, dolphins, fish), swam in the pool, shopped and ate some more. And no one managed to get sunburned with us being outdoors all day long. My kids bodies didn't adjust to Central time. They stayed on EST - so we started our days bright and early. Normal wake up is 7 am - so they were up and raring to go at 6 am CST. A little early even for me to head to the beach.

We've already decided we will save our vacation time each year to head to the beach late September/early October when the kids get their Fall break from school. Besides getting a deal on your condo, there is hardly no crowd. And that is a plus when dining out with small children who don't understand the whole wait to be seated issue.

This was the first time for them to see the ocean (actually the Gulf of Mexico) - and it amazed them to realize the vastness of it. And that God created something so huge that you couldn't see it all. It put them out of their 'little box' that was so needed. There is so much more to this than what is in our own little box. We just need to open our eyes to all that is around us - whether it be at the ocean or just in our neighborhood - and take in all that God has given us. And be thankful.

Three Books for Giveaway!

2007-10-04T17:19:00.000-04:00

Ok - in my previous post I reminded you about the book exchange that Overwhelmed with Joy hosts each month.Ya'll, it's a great way to get a gently used book for FREE! And you'll usually get some great comments about the book from other readers. I've got 3 books for giveaway!

This month, I've got the book 3 Seconds by Les Parrott that I won from Lauren at Baseballs and Bows during I think the very first Pay it Forward book exchange up for grabs. Leave me a message in the comments and I'll enter you - please be sure to link me on your blog also.

Here is the book description from Amazon:

Just three seconds. The time it takes to make a decision. That's all that lies between settling for "Whatever" ... or insisting on "Whatever it takes."
3 Seconds shows how to unleash the inner resources that can move you to a whole new level of success. It comes down to six predictable impulses that most of us automatically accept without a second thought. You can replace them with new impulses that lead toward impact and significance. For instance, it takes Three Seconds to ...
Disown Your Helplessness: The First Impulse: "There's nothing I can do about it." The Second Impulse: "I can't do everything, but I can do something."
Quit Stewing and Start Doing: The First Impulse: "Someday I'm going to do that." The Second Impulse: "I'm diving in ... starting today."
Fuel Your Passion: The First Impulse: "I'll do what happens to come my way." The Second Impulse: "I'll do what I'm designed to do."
Inhale ... exhale ... the difference of your lifetime can begin in the space of a single breath. The decision is yours. Start today.

Next, I've got a book I won in the Dog Days of Summer Giveaway over at Shannon's. It's wonderful - Are you kidding, God? ME, a Prudent Woman by Melissa Jansen. I LOVED this book and just hate to part with it, but I know I need to share.

Last up is a fiction novel that I've had for years and read and reread from the bookshelf. But, it's time to make room for new books and declutter some. Every Breath She Takes by Suzanne Forster - if you want steamy suspense and breathless thrills, this is a book for you. And no, by steamy and breathless, this is not a smutty book.

From Library Journal: A killer is luring stalkers to their deaths, and Los Angeles homicide detective Rio Walker's investigation into what the press cleverly calls the "Femme Fatale" murders leads him to Carlie Bishop, a best-selling author and stalking expert, who quickly becomes his number one suspect. Forster leads readers down a serpentine maze of deception and sensual passion in this steamy thriller, which pairs a handsome, brooding hero with an intelligent, courageous heroine. Amidst all the thrills and chills, the author also skillfully illuminates the hell that stalking victims go through.

I'll do the drawings individually for each book. And I'll enter you in each one unless you tell me otherwise. Only one book per winner.

I'll leave this open until next Wednesday, October 10 until 8 pm EST.

Pay it Forward

2007-10-04T08:38:00.001-04:00

It's that time again - Overwhelmed with Joy is hosting her October Pay it Forward Book exchange. Go here for a chance to win some great books. I'll be posting my books tonight, so come back and sign up to win them.

Busy Times and Relaxation...

2007-09-27T08:51:00.000-04:00

My heart hurts - baby Copeland has gone home to heaven as of yesterday. I just can't fathom what this family is going through. Please continue to remember them - even long after this moment passes. Their hearts will hurt forever.

Little Ashley is still in need of our prayer too. Please go visit with Trish and keep them uplifted also.

And as for me, I have been a little crazy in our neck of the woods. Seems like that is what I keep posting about - being sooo busy. I think it is time to slow down a bit - but where do I draw the line? I have to work, have children to take care of, a husband to love and a home to care for. (Don't you like how the house is last - it gets cleaned when the other things are taken care of...) It is the least of my have-to's. I used to think I had to this and had to that, but you know - other things are more important than my swept floors.

The kids are each involved in activities. Roo has one sport and Boy Scouts. Bee and Little Man have a 45 minute gymnastics class once a week (at the same time) and if we feel like going pre-school soccer. But it is stringing me out. And them too. We are always on the go. But I feel they need that exercise. And it's good for them to interact with the other kids. And Scouts is important too. It teaches such good things. So, where do I draw the line? We still have homework each night and need a reasonable bedtime.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who deals with this constant on-the-go issue.

It always feels good to slow down, stop and just relax. Our bodies and minds need it. As we were preparing to head to the beach, I wanted a book to take along. I looked over several people's Fall Reading Lists for suggestions of what might be good. But no one lists books as 'mindless, easy reads' (don't I sound lazy even in my reading?) But I just want something that doesn't require me to THINK and still enjoy. So, if you've got a suggestion, let me know.

And if you send me a good suggestion that I end up taking with me, I'll think about you as I mindlessly read while the wind blows through my hair, my toes play in the sand, and my brain takes in the sound of the waves lapping at the shore.... oh what goodness God has given me to enjoy and relax with!

Contest!

2007-09-25T08:30:00.000-04:00

Hey guys - are you ready for a change? Head over to Splat Designs for a chance to revamp your blog look! I've already been!

Go and Pray

2007-09-20T08:49:00.001-04:00

Please, please go here and read. This family is really in need of prayers right now. Baby Copeland may not be here for much longer. I do not know this family personally at all but my heart has been with them all week. I don't know if I could be as strong as they are and have been given the situation.

You should also go over to sweet Ivey's web site and read this. I have seen read this before and love it. It really makes you think. For those of you who do know me personally, this is my friend Gwen's baby that we have been praying for ever since she was born a year ago. And look at her now! Wow!

Little Ashley is also very sick and needs prayers that this is just viral that is making her so sick and that she isn't rejecting. Her mom Trish is very, very tired and so is Ashley.

Where oh where has this blogger been?

2007-09-16T20:36:00.000-04:00

Once again I've been missing - from the bloggy world that is. And you know, once you get accustomed to checking the blogs you normally read, you really do miss it. I couldn't wait for the weekend to get here so I would have time to catch up on what everyone's been up to.

And then the weekend started. And it has ended. And I didn't get much blog reading or commenting done once again. Or posting either. And now it seems I've forgotten every thing I was going to post about that I thought of during the week.

Let's see if I can remember:

1. Sweet prayers from Bee again. 'God, thank you. Amen.' And that really does say it all - thank you. Simple words that mean a lot.

2. Roo had his first official bike wreck/accident. We thought he was just going to ride over this little dip in the yard at a friends. But unknowing, there was about 3 inches of an old tree stump in that dip and when he hit it, over the handlebars he flew head first. Scared me to death. Luckily, it only knocked the breath out of him. He didn't cry at all surprisingly. I would have. And not a scratch. The angels were there to catch him and carry him to the ground safely. And I'm not just saying that. If you could have seen it, he looked like he was soaring with his arm stretched out and just landed. Amazing! :)

3. Roo also got to go to his first college football game. Not his favorite team (he's a Bulldog fan) - this was the Ga. Tech game. But he survived. He really enjoyed eating at The Varsity in downtown and was in awe of the stadium and just the vastness of it all.

4. Soccer started - and Roo scored the first goal! He really is good at the game (no, I'm not biased b/c he's my son) - the coaches are thinking of reorganizing the way the teams are balanced at practice tomorrow to more evenly distribute the kids to make the games more fair. Bee and Little Man's soccer got rained out on Friday, but we sure were glad for the rain. And I didn't mind one bit just going home.

5. Oh, we went to the dentist about Bee's tooth. They are going to try and save the tooth and do a 'baby root canal' on it and back it with a filling next week. We may still have to pull it later, but this is going to give us a little more time. They said something about if we pulled it now, that the space would have about 2 years or more before the permanent would come in and it could 'fill in with bone' and therefore make it hard for the permanent tooth to drop in. Therefore requiring some gum cuttage to allow it to fall. We just opted to try the procedure and hopefully get more time before we have to pull it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

6. WE ARE HEADING TO THE BEACH! -- in two weeks that is. The kids will be out on fall break from school and we decided to head down to Destin, FL. The kids have never seen the beach before. It is time. Hubby and I figured it out - WE haven't been to the beach since 1999! And we used to go every year. But since we had kids, we have just done other things instead of hauling them and all the baby paraphanalia down to the sand and right back up since it was nap time and back again. I am so looking forward to this. My in-laws are thinking of heading down also. That will be nice. My MIL always helps out with the kids during nap time so I can have some time to myself. We are also hoping to get a night out to dinner by ourselves as our 9th wedding anniversary will be the day AFTER we get home from the beach.

7. Lucky 7. What's lucky about this number? Hmmm - that is the number of miles I rode on my bike today with a group of people who have started a Sunday afternoon ride each week. I thought it was only going to be ladies, but there were families there too. I didn't think it was a bad ride at all. But as I made this last trip upstairs tonight, my legs and behind were telling me otherwise. Man, am I going to be sore in the morning... But it will be worth it when my rear gets a little smaller....

Have a good week - hopefully I will get to post a little more this week. :)

Free Food!

2007-09-10T08:48:00.000-04:00

I love Chick Fil A and so do my kids. A friend emailed me the link below to get a free meal. So, enjoy!

Go here to get the free coupon for a chicken sandwich and drink. And I'm so sorry if you don't have a Chick Fil A in your area - they are sooo good.

Favorite Ingredient Friday - Chicken Parmesan the easy way

2007-09-07T09:16:00.001-04:00

Food, food and more food. I think we bloggers like to eat. This week's theme for Favorite Ingredient Friday is Italian. I love Italian and it is something my kids will eat too - as long as it has cheese, they are willing to try it!

This is my super easy chicken parmesan recipe. I wish it tasted like Olive Garden's, but I'm sad to say it doesn't. But it is good.

Baked Chicken Parmesan

4-6 chicken breasts, boneless and skinned

spaghetti or marinara sauce

mozzarella slices (for each piece of chicken)

oregano or other Italian seasoning that you prefer

shredded Mozzarella

Preparation:

Line your casserole pan with foil (this makes for easier cleanup). Spray with non-stick spray. Place chicken breasts in pan and sprinkle with your choice of Italian seasonings. Layer each breast with sliced mozzarella (I like for each piece to be really covered). Pour your jar of spaghetti sauce over the chicken (or if you made homemade sauce, ladle it over the chicken so it is 'sitting' in the sauce.) You want to have plenty otherwise it will be dry. Sprinkle shredded Mozzarella over the top. (Again, the more cheese, the better). Cover with foil and cook as you would normally bake chicken until done. Remove foil for the last 15 minutes.

Serve with a side of spaghetti (to make it seem like you're at Olive Garden) or just with a salad and bread.

It's Friday, it's Friday

2007-09-07T08:42:00.001-04:00

Another Friday is here. We always look forward to the weekends at our house, but with sports season upon us I think the weekends are busier than the earlier part of the week.

First things first. Head on over to Overwhelmed with Joy just as soon as possible today. She is hosting her Pay it Forward book exchange (details there) and there were at least 17 books up for giveaways as of yesterday. But some of the entry deadlines are today, so hurry, hurry hurry on over.

While there, be sure to look at her Favorite Ingredient Friday's here. This is a great spot to get new, good and tested recipes. This week's theme is Italian. Yum, yum. I'll be linking mine over there just as soon as I decide what to post.

To have or not to have...

2007-09-06T11:51:00.000-04:00

Teeth - what a thing to not have in your mouth. We need them - they are important.

Bee is probably going to lose one of her front teeth - and it isn't time for it to fall out yet. She chipped it last summer and it has been fine. Now just since last week it is starting to turn grayish. I called the dentist and they said the tooth had given up and is dead. We have a cleaning next week anyway, so they are going to take a look at it. Probable xray to determine if there is damage 'near the permanent tooth' that could damage it. Really all that they can do is 1)pull it 2) root canal (I don't think I'm going to put a 4 year old or my wallet through that) 3)some kind of $300 cover so mama doesn't have to worry about her baby girl have a blackened front tooth for 2 more years until it falls out on it's own. No matter what, dentistry is not cheap on the wallet!

The real question is what is best for her - not that I wouldn't be able to stand my Princess to be a snaggletooth for the next two years if they did pull it and I don't want her to 'that kid with the black front tooth'. She's just way too cute to have that in my biased opinion.

I always groan when it's time for dental cleanings. Roo has always been the child that had cavities. This last time he went he had either 4 or 5 cavities! They had to break it into 2 appointments since there were so many to fill. And these are all in baby teeth still. And I swear he brushes and I even go behind him most times. Luckily the other 2 haven't had any cavities yet. But Little Man - I am so thinking he will at this next checkup. He HATES to have his teeth brushed. The other night I had to pin him down on his bedroom floor, throw my leg over his legs to hold them down and the other 2 came in to hold down his arms and hold his head still. While I pryed his mouth open enough to squeeze the toothbrush in and move it around some. IT'S NOT GOING TO BE GOOD WHEN WE GO - I'VE JUST GOT THIS FEELING...

Our dentist does have a 'No cavity club' though as an incentive for the kids - no cavities, you get to put your name in the monthly drawing for a gift card to Toys R Us. Forget all the posters of the gross, black, gunky teeth they have on the walls of the office to scare the kids into brushing. Bribing with a gift card is better!

One thing that has helped my older two is the Tooth Tunes toothbrushes - the ones that play a programmed song while they are brushing. We've got Hannah Montana and High School Musical. It seems to help out with them. So worth the $10 you have to pay for it. Luckily, they each got one as a birthday present and love it!

Bad teeth do run in the family - their granny on my side had awful teeth as a child no matter what she did. Just a mouthful of cavities and then even had to get dentures in her early 20's. Somehow, I got great teeth. I had some cavities as a child, but knock on wood, only 1 cavity in my mouth now. Woohoo!

What do you do to get a squirmy, fighting child to brush? I don't have a money tree in my yard this year with this drought going on to fork out lots of money to the dentist.

Works for Me Wednesday - Brand Loyalty

2007-09-05T08:40:00.000-04:00

This weeks theme for Works for me Wednesday, which is hosted by Shannon at Rocks in my Dryer is Brand Loyalty. I had to think about this one for a while because most times I will just buy whatever is on sale since my grocery bill is always atrocious.

Kelloggs Poptarts - my kids know the difference if I buy store brand - and they really do taste different, even I can tell. So, we just go with Kelloggs. No need buying generic ones if they aren't going to get eaten. Same thing goes with frozen waffles.

Aquafresh toothpaste - I need that fresh mouth feeling - don't give me the sweet taste - makes me feel like I haven't even brushed my teeth yet. Yuck!

Kraft salad dressing - what can I say about dressing...

Angelsoft Toilet tissue - this is soft, but not too thick - the plumbing tends to get stopped up with the thicker tissue and this one still gets the job done

Ivory soap - I don't like the perfumey soap - they tend to make me not feel clean. This is just good, clean soap.

Pampers diapers - I was so loyal to this brand for the past 7 years! (Last one got potty trained this summer or I'd still be buying them). These were the only ones that never leaked for my boys or my girl. Every other one did.

I guess that's about enough for this WFMW - be sure to check out all the others over at Shannon's.

It's a cold snap and projects waiting...

2007-09-04T15:02:00.000-04:00

A cold snap has hit - just kidding - it's only in the 90 - 100 degree range here now and that just feels down right chilly after the heat we've been going through. On a serious note, I did have to pull up the quilt (a new one!) on my bed during the night... oh, those Fall nights are coming.

I used to LOVE the summer - it couldn't get too hot for me. I would sit in the sun all day long with my book and it didn't bother me. I'd hardly ever even get in the water at my in laws house on the lake (but there is that fear of what's IN the water that I can't see that keeps me out too). But now, hot is HOT and sometimes I just prefer sitting in the shade (still with my book). Not that I get to do much reading with 3 kids playing in the water. I still love summer, but the South needs to cool off just a little for me. Or just get rid of the humidity and I'd be a little happier. But don't send cold weather my way either. I DESPISE cold - once I get cold, my body literally doesn't warm up until June.

We had a pretty uneventful Labor Day. We ended up going to the in-laws at the lake. I almost stayed home to work on my unfinished bathroom-wallpaper stripping project that has been going on way too long. But I went along with them anyway. The kids had a great time even though we had some rain and clouds. But now, I'm home and this bathroom has got to get finished - 30 minutes at a time a few days a week just isn't cutting it. I've got all these painting projects in my head and want them all complete and finished NOW (or better yet, yesterday).

Our house has lots of dark painted rooms and I can't stand it. Give me some lighter colors to make it look more spacious and not so like a cave. I've got one room that I call the man cave because it is actually hubby's room - recliners, big screen tv, etc. It's on the front of our house, right off our front porch area. There is no overhead light in this room - just the 2 front windows - so the blinds usually stay shut so people can't see in. But that makes it sooo dark. And the walls are dark also - so be it, the cave. And to make it worse, when I do get around to painting this room (and it will happen), there is some work to be done b/c the 'sheetrock was hung horizontally instead of vertically' and something isn't right b/c you can see the edges of the sheetrock tape. WHATEVER ALL THAT MEANS. In my mind I just put putty over the seam, sand and paint... but supposedly that isn't what I'm to do.... any suggestions? We are not the handy, dandy Home Depot do it yourself people at our house. My 70 year old father is Mr. Fix It, but not hubby. He always says if you want something broke, give it to him and it will get broke somehow. He can break anything, but not fix it. Put it this way, he went to clean the gutters and somehow they pulled OFF of the house! Just picture that! So, that is now added to our projects list.

Come back by tomorrow for a WFMW tip. I've got to come up with something tonight...

Favorite Ingredient Friday

2007-08-31T08:42:00.000-04:00

I haven't tried this yet, but my mouth is drooling just thinking about it (maybe I need to go wipe the saliva off my chin before it drips) - but this is definitely going to be made this weekend. I've just got to decide if I'm going to make the 'original' recipe or a more 'healthy' version that a friend gave me with some improvisions to make it fit her Weight Watchers diet (I really gave up WW for now...)

Drumroll please.... Mississippi Sin Dip

I got this from Big Mama the other day here. And I think she got it from Jennifer at Mississippi Girl. Nothing like bloggy sharing of recipe greatness.

Here is the original recipe as Big Mama typed it:

Mississippi Sin Dip

1 loaf french bread

8 oz. container of french onion dip

4 oz. can green chiles, drained

1 package of bacon bits

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

8 oz. package of cream cheese, softened

And yes, all this cheese makes it seem very fattening, but think of all the calcium!

Plus, the bacon bits provide some protein.

Anyway, cut out top of french bread and scoop out insides. Mix all other ingredients together in a large bowl. Put the dip inside the loaf of french bread and put the top of bread back on. Wrap the whole thing in foil and bake 1 hour at 350. I personally love this served with Fritos Scoops, but it would be great with crackers too.

Doesn't that just sound heavenly! Of course, I emailed this to several friends (you know, since I want to share some good fat with them). And here is the 'healthier' version one friend sent back to me with her substitutions:

8 oz of Fat free sour cream

1 pkg of Lipton onion soup mix

2 cups of 2% or fat free cheese

Turkey 'bacon' bits

8 oz fat free cream cheese

1 loaf of some 'wheaty' type bread - (something other than white bread)

Follow same directions.

Take your pick as to which you would make. I'll probably make the original one first - and then try the healthier version later.

WFMW - quick breakfast

2007-08-29T09:46:00.001-04:00

Breakfast Burritos

I am so glad I started blogging - otherwise I never would have come across this quick breakfast that is awesome!

Barb over at A Chelsea Morning posted this breakfast burrito recipe and it is great. You make these up (and it makes 20+ burritos) and freeze them. Thaw in refrigerator overnight and just pop in the oven the next morning to heat up. And you are ready to walk out the door with breakfast in hand. The kids can even eat while riding to school if you are running late or eat at the bus stop.

I thawed 2 out for my husband and he ended up only eating one since it was so filling. And he is a big eater. These use the big size tortilla's, but I think next time I make some I'll use the smaller size and make some up for the little kids since they wouldn't eat a whole one of the big size.

I'm definitely making more of these. Thanks to Barb for the recipe and ya'll enjoy!

My first meme

2007-08-29T09:09:00.000-04:00

Diane tagged me for this really fun meme and since it's the first time I've ever been tagged since I started blogging - of course I'm going to do it! Here goes:

Accent - purely Southern to the core (i've had people tell me that they just love to hear me talk to get the full impact of my accent)

I Don't Drink- Alcohol, makes me way too sleepy and never liked the taste of anything I ever tried. Milk is a close 2nd runner up. Don't really like the taste or texture of it either. But chocolate milk if I have to choke some calcium down.

Chore I Hate - Dusting. UGH! Give me anything else. I think I'd even rather scrub the bathroom floors on my hands and knees with a toothbrush than dust. Where is that Dust Shield stuff everyone is talking about? I can't find it!

Pets - 2 dogs, an Australian shepherd and a Cattahoula Leopard dog - anyone ever heard or seen one of those? It's a strange, but beautiful, dog. Did have a cat until recently and she had to be put to sleep for um, her bathroom skills seemed to change and prefer my furniture, bed and clean baskets of clothing. We'd already tried hormone shots with her hoping it would help - the vet said she could be in menopause!

Essential Electronics - cell phone for me and dvd player in the van for the kiddos

Perfume - nothing currently - stopped wearing it when I was nursing my kids - something I'd read about allergies and your babies being up against your skin in contact with it.

Gold or silver - I have both. But I'm leaning more toward silver these days.

Insomnia - Never! I could sleep standing up!

Job Title - Wife, Mother, Paralegal, Friend

Most Admired Trait - I am very dedicated to what I do - if I start something, I'm going to finish it whether I like it or not

Kids - 3 in all - 2 boys and 1 girl, ages 7,4 and 3

Phobia - SNAKES - I can't even see one on tv without having a bad dream about it later that night

Religion - Methodist all my life

Siblings - an older sister - and people say we look just alike - years ago we were at the beach and people thought we were twins!

Time I wake up - Normally between 6 and 6:30 am. Weekends - by 7:30 if the kids will let me sleep that late.

Unusual talent/skill - I really have no idea. When I did gymnastics and was really limber back in the day, I could sit on the floor in a stradle stretch and lay my chest completely flat on the floor. No way I can do that now - I tried - the kiddos are in gymnastics class and I was trying to show them how to stretch.

Vegetable - I love squash, cucumbers and broccoli. I hate tomatoes (just fresh ones, their ok if they are cooked in something).

Worst habit - probably gossiping

X-rays - normal dental xrays, broken toe, wrist, do ultrasounds count as an x-ray?

Favorite Meal - my mama's meatloaf and mashed potatoes. I had her make this each time she came to visit when all 3 children were born. A good steak and baked potato are a close 2nd.

Ok - I'm going to tag some people, but feel free to grab this and do it too! I tag:

Lauren at Baseballs and Bows
Overwhelmed with Joy
Tricia at Me and the Other Three
Trista at The Pumkin Patch

Prayers of a Child

2007-08-28T08:11:00.000-04:00

Last night we were going through our normal bedtime routine - you know, the yelling, pleading, get your bottoms upstairs in bed routine - sorry, the 'it's time to go to bed' and off they scamper routine.
I was actually trying to get them in bed a little earlier, altering the routine, just to see if I could get a normal peaceful morning. I took Bee off first since she is the easiest. You really just tell her it's time for bed and off she goes without complaint. As long as you come do prayers, kisses and a story. At prayer time, she has seemed to get into a bit of a 'routine' of her own and says the same thing every night (God bless mommy, daddy, Roo, Little Man, granny, granddaddy, etc etc etc. It was time for a talk about her prayers. I told her to talk to God just like she would talk to me and tell Him what she was thankful for, upset about, whatever. You can tell God anything you want. We sat and held hands while sitting indian style on her bed. I prayed for her first. Then it was her turn:

God, thank you for our church, our homes.... and for gas stations!

She did continue to thank God for her individual family members and pets and friends - but the first part was just incredible to me. I was impressed when she thanked God for our church - something I don't say but should. She came up with that on her own. But the gas stations - where she got that I have no clue - but I guess she is smart in the sense that she knows we have to have gas in our car to get to where we have to go!

Have a great Tuesday!

Menu Plan Monday

2007-08-27T11:13:00.001-04:00

I'm sure as the world goes around that if I'd plan this out every week I could save some money at the store by not buying things we aren't going to eat...

Monday - leftover lasagna from Sunday dinner (and there will probably still be some leftover)

Tuesday - corndogs and fries

Wednesday - Broiled tilapia, broccoli with cheese sauce, steamed squash

Thursday - Roasted chicken, green beans, mac n cheese

Friday - eat on the road since we are heading out of town for Labor Day weekend

Sat. and Sun. - eat at my in-laws

Have a good week!

Where have I been?

2007-08-26T19:50:00.000-04:00

I feel like I haven't been around lately - posting or making comments. School is back in session, ball schedules, homework, laundry, and working a full time job have my time zapped!

And now that I actually have a moment before getting the kids off to bed, I can hardly type for the pain - my finger and a Pampered Chef gadget decided they didn't like each other very much last night and went at it! I think the Pampered Chef Slice n Grate won. At least it got a good chunk of my finger as a prize. Ya'll, I'm not kidding here - after getting the gushing to stop last night, I still have it bleeding today. Ring finger on my dominant hand injured does not make it easy to do anything - especially wash my own hair -just try not using that ring finger when you are in the shower next. Or letting anything touch it when you've got a flap of skin hanging off. I know - sounds realy pretty - hope no one was eating while reading. Hubby always says I give TMI. Oh well, I like for you to have the whole picture and story.

Me and short stories - that's something you'll never get. My mama used to tell me as a little girl that if I couldn't tell her the story in 5 sentences or less, then don't tell her at all. I am not known for skipping details.

On a fun note, we finally went and got Roo his new bike yesterday - it was his birthday present from last week. The bike shop just didn't have any kids bikes in, so we had to wait. A church friend of ours actually just opened the shop a few weeks ago. So, it was great to give him business. And that we did because I got a new bike too! Ya'll I haven't ridden a bike since I was probably 13 years old! But that old saying is true, once you learn how to ride a bike, you never forget. We went out with the kids and had a blast riding around. I guess I have no reason to not get my rear end in shape now. If I have to pay good money for it, it will be used whether I like it or not. Does anyone else ride?

Gotta go - teeth brushing and bed time is calling the three amigoes names. And I've got to really check on Bee's teeth - call in to the dentist tomorrow about a year old chipped front tooth that is now turning gray...:( I know that means it is dying or has already died, but what do they do about it? She won't lose this tooth for probably 2 more years... I'll update on it once I know something, but if you've got any suggestions or have had this happen, let me know...

Favorite Ingredient Friday - Strawberry Glaze

2007-08-24T08:24:00.000-04:00

It is Friday once again (thank goodness!) and time for Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Overwhelmed with Joy - so be sure to go check out all the other recipes once you are done here!

Sauces... this is really a glaze, but it works just as well in this category I think.

Strawberry Glaze

1 c. sugar
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 cup water
2 Tbsp. strawberry jello

Mix sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Add 1 cup water. Stir to start 'dissolving'. Cook on medium high until semi-thick. Turn off heat. Stir in 2 Tbsp. of strawberry jello (more or less depending on how rich you want your color). Let cool slightly and pour over your strawberries that are already in your pie shell. Don't let it cool too much - this thickens quickly as it stands and it will be too thick to pour evenly. You can also use this over a cake - but I'd let it really thicken, you don't want your cake to soak it up and become soggy.

This tastes so much better to me than the store bought containers of strawberry glaze. And it's much cheaper and easier too!

Works for me Wednesday - sore noses

2007-08-22T06:00:00.000-04:00

Cure for Sore Noses

There is nothing worse to me than a good ole summertime cold. And I have a hum-dinger of one right now which has made me think of this tip to give ya'll.

I hate it when my nose gets all red and raw from constantly having to blow my nose. Go and pull out the Balmex and smooth a little on before bedtime - when you wake up, you'll feel like you've got a whole new nose! No soreness or redness! The skin doesn't feel raw anymore! Just like it helps a baby's bottom! Don't rub it all the way in - leave it pretty thick just like you would on your baby. You're about to go to bed, so it doesn't matter what you look like!

Several years ago a co-worker gave me this tip and I swear it really works. It probably works with Desitin as well, but Balmex doesn't have the strong smell like Desitin does. But I guess you could use the Desitin to open up a stuffy nose just like putting Vicks under your nose. We just always had Balmex. I even did this some during the work day - just be sure to rub it in good and put a little powder over it - no one wants to go around with white stuff under their nose (unless you want your co-workers to point and stare at you!)

Hope this helps - my kids even ask for it since it makes their noses feel so much better. And it uses up those leftover tubes of cream you have if your little ones aren't so 'little' anymore.

7 years ago...

2007-08-18T16:30:00.000-04:00

Seven years ago today (at about the same time as I'm starting this post), my oldest was born into this world. Wow - where has the time gone? He is still my golden haired child with those bright baby blues. How I love him!

Quick story on his birth - pretty uneventful 9 months of waiting - except having to deal gestational diabetes, but diet control worked for me.I was induced on a Thursday morning, but nothing - and I mean nothing - happened all day while I was on pitocin. Around dinner time, my doctor and I decided to take a break from it for the night, let me eat some dinner and do some cervadil during the night. We ate and rested and started back with pitocin around 6 the next morning. Still nothing. Finally about 9 am things started progressing. Around 2 pm they finally started getting my room ready for delivery. Man, this had been a breeze so far, not knowing that a hurricane was about to hit. Never having had a child before, I was clueless about what the nurses were discussing. All of a sudden, I am having an oxygen masked slapped on me and extra nurses are coming in. And then a doctor who wasn't from my doctor's group runs in and while throwing a gown on says 'I'm Dr. XYZ and I'm going to get this baby out no matter what'. And baby boy was born just a few minutes later with much tearing and cutting I might add to make you cringe. Right about that time, one of MY doctors comes in and finishes up.

We didn't even know the baby was a boy. We hadn't found out - someone had told us this in Sunday School - there are so few surprises in life - let this be one of them. So, that's what we did. Once we made sure he was fine, I finally asked 'So, is it a boy or a girl?' Later on, my mother told me that in that few minutes right before his delivery, there really were issues going on - the nurses had run out of my delivery room and were yelling down the hallway 'I need a doctor - any doctor now!' I had gotten the oxygen put on me because Roo's heartrate was really low - the cord had gotten wrapped around him. And no, my doctor wasn't being lazy not being there - he has in the OR doing a c-section. They had gone to get him and he'd just made his incision and couldn't stop. Therefore, that's how I got a doctor from a different group. Everything turned out just fine and there were no problems with baby Roo. He even had 8 and 9 apgar scores with the cord issue.

I always like to tell him he is going to be the one to always give me scares - since he wasted no time in getting started!

Tomorrow, we will have a pool party, but tonight we're heading over to our local YMCA for a big High School Musical 2 party - swimming, pizza, games, and watching the movie (again - we already watched it last night) on a big projection screen with about 100 other people.

It really won't be that bad...

Happy Birthday Roo! I love you!

Favorite Ingredient Friday - Ham and Swiss Rolls

2007-08-17T08:40:00.000-04:00

I'm so glad it's Friday and feel the urge to post something since Overwhelmed with Joy is hosting her Favorite Ingredient Friday's. I have been out of the bloggy loop this week - just busy with work, 3 kids in school, everyone has a nasty summer cold - you name it and it got in the way of me checking in.

Ham and Swiss Poppyseed Rolls

2 pkgs dinner rolls (rectangular shaped in foil pan)

1 pkg of thin sliced ham (or deli ham if you prefer)

1 pkg Swiss cheese slices

Sauce:

1 stick butter

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. poppy seed

1 tbsp. onion salt

1 tsp. mustard

Stand rolls vertically and slice without separating them individually. Layer ham and cheese. Spread sauce over and top with other half of rolls. Bake at preheated 325 degrees for about 20 minutes.

These are really yummy. Great for an appetizer to take to a party since they break apart into finger size portions. Or even better - child size little sandwiches! Mine love it! Enjoy and be sure to check out the other FIF recipes shared over at Overwhelmed with Joy!

Life and Love

2007-08-13T14:05:00.000-04:00

Do you ever wonder what your life would be like if you didn't have your children? Or what your life would be like once you have children?

What little girl doesn't play with her dolls and pretend she is their mommy? I know I had dolls, blankets, bottles, and a stroller for my baby dolls and my own little girl has those same type things now to play with. Is it just 2nd nature for us to take to caring for our children? If these little girls don't 'see' someone caring for a child, where does she learn this 'mothering' instinct?

It breaks my heart to know there are children out there that feel 'unloved' by the parents who are taking care of them. But shouldn't 'taking care' include loving them unconditionally?

Even when I am in the disciplining mode that has to happen when a child is in the wrong, I am always reminding them that I still love them, no matter what. No matter what they do, I will always love them. They can't make me love them any less than I do at that moment. My love only grows.

We all need to be told we are loved. Everyday. Don't assume your kids, your spouse or your family know you love them. TELL THEM - FREQUENTLY.

For a really good read, head over to Antique Mommy's and read her story, The Box. And bring along the kleenex.

2007-08-10T08:22:00.000-04:00

Salads in the summer are a must. It is just too hot to eat sometimes here in the Deep South. So instead of just not eating because we are too hot, something lite and refreshing is always good. And this little dish was taught to me by a friend's mother-in-law from Maine of all places! Here goes...

Summer Pasta Salad

2 cucumbers, peeled and diced

2 tomatoes, diced small

1 small box of pasta (your choice as to the type - I let my kids pick)

1 purple onion, chopped

garlic salt, salt and pepper to taste

1 bottle of coleslaw dressing (I use Kraft)

Cook pasta as normal. Drain and add all the above ingredients. Add coleslaw dressing to the 'wet' consistency you desire. Chill and serve.

There you go - super easy, yummy and pretty healthy if you find low fat type dressing.

Enjoy!

It's hot, hot, hot

2007-08-08T21:02:00.000-04:00

Oh my goodness, I don't think I really knew hot until now - and I've lived in the South my entire life. It reached I think 101 today with a heat index of about 108! The air conditioning has been running non-stop and my upstairs is like 80 degrees still! I hate to see the next power bill...

After dinner, the kids were really wanting to do something. You know, besides homework, bath and bed. And it was only 6:45 still. So, we filled up some water balloons, put on bathing suits (them, not me) and headed outside into the heat abyss.

Ya'll, the balloons wouldn't pop even when they'd hit the ground! It was hilarious to the kids and it gave us some extra playing time since they got 'extra throws' in on each other. I'd figured that with the heat and all they'd pop quick for sure.

And then we (I) decided to turn the water hose on them. You know, just good 'ole fashioned fun like you use to have as a kid before everyone had a pool in their backyard or better yet - a slip-n-slide! And let me tell you how talented I am - I was spraying them with the hose WHILE TAKING THE PICTURES with my other hand! Who said mom's can't multi-task with the best of them? Of course my arm is in a few of them, but who cares! They were having so much fun.

Then we just did some bubble blowing fun. They love blowing and trying to catch the bubbles again. We actually were blowing them over our fence and watching our 2 dogs jump at them. It was some good times. :)

We may have gotten in bed a few minutes late, but it was worth it.

Works for me Wednesday - Bookbags and Such

2007-08-08T08:51:00.000-04:00

I just love WFMW - I find so many things that are helpful. So I hope that my tip helps someone too!

Mine is dealing with the clutter that bookbags, lunchboxes and shoes make in my house. In the past, I only had one child's 'things' to contend with cluttering up the kitchen (where all things seem to gather at my house!) But it was manageable - shoes were lined up by the door and the bookbag was hung on the doorknob - ready to go for the next day.

Fast forward to this year... school just started last week and now I have 3 children's shoes, bookbags and lunch boxes to contend with. I had had it. Off to Walmart for a solution --- I bought (3) 2-pronged coat hooks and had hubby hang them in the garage right outside the kitchen door. At a child's height for pete's sake. They have room to hang their bags and a coat for when it gets cooler here in the South (but today we're dealing with 101 temp's with a heat index of 108!) And they are to place their tennis shoes under 'their area' so there is no yelling and screaming of 'Mom, where are my shoes?' as it is time to go.

They love feeling independent and I love them being responsible. In just 4 days of school, this has helped the morning stress at our house and cleaned up those little things that leads to big clutter!!

Hope this helps someone!

Help.... and prayers

2007-08-07T13:31:00.000-04:00

I want to update some things on this little blog of mine - can anyone tell me how to get that cute cluster map or the sitemeter that tells you how many people or where your visitors are from? I am html illiterate in case that makes a difference. I would need baby step instructions...

On a more serious note, my hubby is going through a rough time with a new position at his job. His co-workers are just not being nice. Any changes that have been made (by recommendation to him) they are taking personally against him. (He's had to do some layoffs.) I'd really appreciate ya'll's prayers for peace and guidance for him and his co-workers. He was to the point last night of wanting to decide if the place needed him more or those workers. He can't afford for them to all resign (they are acting very rash about things) - so would it help the situation if he left instead if they are thinking he is the issue. The higher ups like the job he's doing, but it is very hard to work with the hostility of those who were his friends and now treat him as a traitor.

I had found a great verse from scripture for him last night - I believe it was 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxieties.... for He cares about you. (I can't remember it exactly). Please pray...

Friends are friends forever...

2007-08-06T18:50:00.000-04:00

I got the best news this past weekend - my best friend from childhood is planning a move and will only live about 45 minutes from me! Whoohoo!!! I am so excited.

Angie and I have been through it all together - we started out being friends in those lovely middle school years. You know the ones - braces, wearing glasses (just me, not her - except I think she does have reading glasses now), liking boys and wearing makeup.

We then went on to our much beloved high school where we had a fabulous time (but wouldn't go back now if you paid me). We had our group of friends that always hung out together, went out to eat at our favorite T.P. Phelans restaurant after every Friday night football game - to which Angie I don't think ever missed a home game that I was cheering at. She was my own personal cheerleader in the stands holding her breath when I was at the top of a stunt until I was safely on the ground again. (I once was small in my lifetime - not so much now after 3 kids though - but I'm working on that). We made good grades and didn't 'party' like some of our other classmates. But we did our fair share our senior year of checking out of school 'sick' and just going to one of our houses to lay out in the sun! I wonder if the school ever caught on to us following in one another's footsteps to head to the office to call our parents to allow us to check out - this was at least a once a week thing for us the Spring of our Senior year. (And yes, our parents knew what we were doing and let us - we were good kids and had good grades - we were just taking what we called 'crap' courses those last few months - we'd already met our requirements.) They probably wondered how we had such great tans when we were at school all day and both had jobs after school....

We made it through high school and went on to college - and were roommates all 4 years. I don't know how many times people told me that was the wrong thing to do - if you live with a friend, you'll wind up NOT being friends. SO NOT TRUE! We lived in the dorm one year and then moved onto an apartment off campus with 2 other roommates. It was a townhouse type apartment with 2 bedrooms - so we still had to share a room since there were 4 of us girls. Good ole Southridge - we thought it was the best and most happening place. And it was a good place. We both met our future husbands at this apartment complex. Those 4 years off at school were memory filled.

After college, Angie got married, but still lived in our hometown where I was living (with my parents) while looking for a job. The job market there wasn't panning out for me, so my now hubby got me to start looking closer to where he was living (2 hours away). God had it planned for me to work there, because I found something almost immediately. But for the first time, Angie and I wouldn't be living near each other.

We have each had a lot happen in our lives over the years and shared it with each other - she was one of the first to call me when I miscarried with my 2nd pregnancy - it still brings tears to my eyes to think about her message she left - she could hardly get through it for her tears for me. (and here I am now needing a kleenex just writing about this.) There have been divorces in our families, deaths of grandparents, babies born. Two of our children even share the same birthday - though a year apart. We have made it through - and are still friends.

I love her dearly and cherish each and every memory I have of us together (all 20 years if you can believe it!). With our busy lives, we don't see each other often or even get to talk on the phone like we used to, but when we do, we've still got it going on like not a minute has passed.

She will always be my BFF (I had to bring a bit of the 80's into this you know!) Ang - I can't wait for you to move closer!!

What a weekend

2007-08-05T18:09:00.001-04:00

It's over - almost over - the weekend that is. Tomorrow starts another week of work, of school, of appointments to attend to, another week to figure out what in the world am I going to fix for dinner.

That's funny - today I am looking at the upcoming week in it's entirity. Come bedtime tonight, I will probably be looking at just tonight - in minutes - until everyone is peacefully asleep and the house is quiet. As I type this post, the kiddos are sounding W-I-L-D across the hall in the boy's bedroom. It is probably a disaster area and in need of a major picking up before bedtime. Tomorrow morning will be nuthouse time again - and ticking off the minutes until we have to get out the door to get everyone where they are to be on time.

I am so thankful I changed jobs last year. I had previously worked for a medical uniform manufacturer for 12 years (ever since I graduated from college) and had worked my way up from peon to 2nd in charge of the facility located where I live. I had great hours and was off by 4 pm every afternoon. (I did go in at 7 am though). But as it always happens, things change. We had a lot of changes going on and it really wasn't a place I wanted to be anymore with some of the management changes. (Our new corporate boss was a real pain in the a** if you know what I mean - and I can get along with dirt if I have too, but he and I just didn't jive). I was unhappy all the time. I prayed about it and thought I'd just put some feelers out there to see what options I might have if I did decide to do something. Someone from my Sunday School class called me and asked me to come talk to him - just to get more details of what was going on to see if he could help me if he heard of anything (I'd been very brief and general in my email to friends.) He just happened to be a lawyer and there was no way I was dressed appropriately to even walk in his firm (I got to wear a shorts or jeans to work.) He said it didn't matter - this wasn't like an interview or anything - he just wanted to talk to find out what was going on. So, off I went during my lunch to 'talk'. He ended up taking me to see their office administrator to talk to!! I about died. Here I was in my shorts and tennis shoes! Long story short, God was working His ways with me and the situation. They didn't have anything at the time open, but wished me luck. On my way home that night, I got a phone call from that office and they wanted me to come in for an interview with 2 of the firm's partners - the administrator said she'd just been thinking about me and my situation all afternoon and just went to talk to some of the partner's to see if there was anything they could do. And they thought they could. So, off I went to interview with them (this time dressed appropriately). And got called back again - to talk with several of the other partners. And I got offered a job. God was watching over me. I work with a wonderful group of people. And I get to take my kids to school and pick them up each afternoon. And I hear there have been even more changes at the old place in the past year that I wouldn't have been able to do - longer day hours, expected weekends, etc. That just wouldn't have worked with me having 3 small children and a husband who has a work schedule where he is gone most Saturdays and not home until 7 pm. God is so good and had this all planned for me to get 12 years of wonderful management experience before moving on. And who knows if this is where He has planned for me to stay.

Ok - I have no idea where all that came from (kinda like these pictures I've put in that have nothing at all to do with this post - I just liked them and wanted to share). This started out as a post on my weekend and upcoming week and you got some past history instead. I'm sure you are ready for bed now.

Let me tell ya'll - I am reading some great books right now that have come from you fellow bloggers. I should finish some of them in the next week and then I'll host a giveaway to pass along to one of you. I got 2 packages in the mail this weekend from giveaways I won from the Dog Days of Summer. Hubby wanted to know where and how I was getting all this stuff - he'd already forgotten about the Bloggy Giveaway the other week that I'd told him about (or else he had selected hearing when I was telling him). I'm sure no one else has a spouse with selective hearing do you?

Have a good week!

Today is the Day!

2007-08-03T14:00:00.000-04:00

This was it. They ALL went off to school today. And mama didn't even cry.

Roo left with a flip of hand as a wave goodbye as he got out of the car. So much for missing us. He's just gotten too big.

The little ones went a bit different than I anticipated. They are so accustomed to being together all day long, so it was TRAGIC for them to be separated and to go to different classrooms. And it was actually Bee who shed the tears instead of Little Man. And she is the older sister. Little Man was enthralled with his sea-world classroom. 'Mom - look at the fish, there's whales, an OCTOPUS!' And then to check out all the new toys to play with - he didn't give me a 2nd glance, so I slipped on out the door. (This could have changed when he realized I was gone though.) I peeked in at Bee and she was still sitting with her teacher like she was upset. But Miss Teresa saw me and just waved me on. I hope the day goes well. I'm debating calling the school director and checking in to make sure she has settled down. I hope she has a good day.

I wonder if this is any indication of how the day is to go for Little Man - not wanting to start it at all...

Where has the time gone? How are they old enough to not need me so much? I was over at Big Mama's earlier and today is her baby's birthday. It seems her mind has been going over all the childhood memories of past and how they grow so fast. The manuevering to fit in our laps to hold and rock them (try that with a 7 year old!), snuggling, smelling the shampoo in their hair as they nestle in your lap, privacy in the bathroom, and the 'I do it myself' attitude. (And then the sassy mouth, 'I don't have to do it' comments, etc - they are here to stay). Our favorite one to hear at our house when they are mad at us and don't want to follow the rules is this: 'You're not the boss of me - God is.' How true that God is our ultimate Father and parent. But how my child came up with that statement astounds me.

And the winner is...

2007-08-03T13:25:00.000-04:00

Lauren at Baseballs and Bows of my Pay it Forward Book Exchange - the book was Dead Eyes by Stuart Woods. A great mystery type book.

Congratulations Lauren!

Take a moment...

2007-08-02T11:03:00.000-04:00

This whole bridge collapsing in Minnesota is awful - it just brings tears to my eyes and a knot to my stomach just thinking about it, not to mention seeing updates online and on tv. Please take some time to remember these victims and their families in prayer. And for those families that are still waiting on word from loved ones that they are safe.

I actually just sent out an email to a long-time friend (who started as my pen pal in 4th grade through Weekly Reader - I'll post about that neat story later - I'm sure she wouldn't mind) who lives in Minneapolis. I have no idea how close she is to where this has happened. I am hoping and praying that she and her husband and their families were no where near that bridge.

Praying.

**UPDATE**
I have just had an email back from my friend and she is fine. She travels that bridge every day to work and luckily she worked late last night or could have possibly been on the bridge on her way home at the time of collapse. There are angels out there watching!! One of her co-workers did lose a cousin in the collapse though, so prayers for them would be appreciated.

School's In !! (almost)

2007-08-02T09:01:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is a big day - school starts back in session for my kids. And actually this will be the first time all 3 will be at a school instead of a home day care.

We have had a very special lady keep our children since they were infants and I had to go back to work. I took my camera yesterday when I dropped off and took pictures of her with the kids. She has played a big part in their lives and taught them many things. We will miss 'Miss Meredith'. :( We'll still see her of course since her children (all 4) play soccer with my husband, our kids go to the same school, and most importantly, we are friends. One of the other mama's that is leaving also (her kids are starting school too) and I have decided that the 3 of us are just going to have to plan a girls dinner/movie date night to stay in touch. We've been kidding with Miss Meredith that she has a whole new bunch of mama's to 'break in' now that we are gone. This is the first time in 7 years that she has had 6 all new mama's and children. And this year it's ALL boys. Whew - that just makes me tired! God bless people like her.

Tomorrow morning should be interesting. Roo is an old pro (you know being a 2nd grader and all) and will do fine dropping him off at school. He's pretty excited - we get to go to 'Meet your Teacher' this afternoon and drop off our supplies. Now, it's the 2 little ones, Bee and Jman) that will put out the tears probably. Actually, that's not a probably, but a CERTAINTY. They are going to be at the same school, but different classes. Bee got to meet her teacher and see her classroom last week. Little man didn't go with us yesterday when we met his teacher b/c our appt. time with her was during my lunch hour and he was napping at Miss Meredith's (and I don't mess up nap time if I can help it!) But his room is super cute - the walls look like an aquarium with fish, an octopus, etc. painted everywhere. They'll get to be together when I drop them off early and then the teacher's will come get them to go to their respective rooms. I'm hoping that will help with the tears and clinginess - them getting to stay together when I leave. I'll post 1st day of school pictures hopefully later that night.

Ya'll be sure to enter my book giveaway by tomorrow so I can include you!

Have a good one!

There's a tv giveaway going on too!

2007-07-28T07:59:00.001-04:00

There is a tv giveaway going on over at 5 Minutes for Mom - go check it out - you've got to link to them in your own post about it as well as leave a comment to enter. I think we'd all like to win this!

And the Winner Is:

2007-07-27T22:27:00.001-04:00

And the winner of my book giveaway in the Dog Days of Summer is ...

Overwhelmed with Joy -- email me and get me your address and I'll mail this off to you!

Congratulations!!

Pay It Forward - Book Giveaway!!!!

2007-07-27T18:23:00.001-04:00

Ok guys, we all have been busy week with the Dog Days of Summer - boy, did we have some fun. I know I had a blast checking out new blogs while trying to win a prize.

I've now got a book thatI'm putting out there in the Pay It Forward Book Exchange that Overwhelmed with Joy has set up. It's been on my bookshelf for a while, but I always reread my books and am just now willing to part with it. What I've got is this: Dead Eyes by Stuart Woods. It's a mystery:

The notes are signed "Admirer." At first respectful, they become increasingly bizarre and are accompanied first by roses, then by other, more macabre offerings. Chris Callaway, a rising young Hollywood actress, finds the letters irritating, then frightening. But when a freak accident makes her even more vulnerable Admirer turns her world into a nightmare. Jon Larsen, the Beverly Hills Police Department's one man stalker squad, begins his hunt for Admirer, helped by Chris's closest friend, Danny Devere. But Admirer cunningly mocks Larsen's efforts, and soon Larsen is desperate-not only to save Chris from Admirer but also to save his own career from his inability to corner the stalker. The only answer is a trap, and Larsen knows the bait will have to be the nearly helpless Chris. What he doesn't know is that he has made one big mistake.

Has that got your attention now?

I'll open this up and take comments until 8/3/07 and then draw a random winner and send it right out to you. Please leave an email if you don't have a blog to link back to. Thanks!

(And sorry there isn't a picture - I took it, but then couldn't figure out how to get multiple images in my post -it kept throwing it to the top. So, any blogging help out there would be appreciated!)

Favorite Ingredient Friday - Cinnamon Cake

2007-07-27T09:30:00.000-04:00

I actually posted this late last week (like on Sunday), but never linked it over at Overwhelmed with Joy. And it is just so good, I figured I'd put it out there again for ya'll to enjoy. And we actually eat this for breakfast some too.

Cinnamon Cake
1 yellow cake mix
1 small box of instant vanilla pudding
1/2 c. oil
8 oz sour cream
4 eggs

Mix well. Add 1/2 of side mixture (see below). Pour into greased bundt pan. Add remaining side mixture, sprinkling over the top. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Side Mixture
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. cinnamon

This is so yummy. We first had this after the birth of Bee. A friend brought it to the hospital when she came to visit. Somehow, I didn't get a bite of it. Hubby ate it all before I got a chance! I had to tell her what happened and ask for the recipe. Now everyone loves it. The one from this afternoon is 1/2 gone already. And it was supposed to be for breakfast this week for the kids! The other one is going to our new neighbors who have moved in next door. This is super easy and soooo good. I have also given this to the kid's teacher's at school for Christmas and end of the year gift. Put it on a pretty plate (I usually get some great ones at TJ Maxx for around $2) , sprinkle with powdered sugar (for eye appeal) and send it on. I have gotten such great thank you notes on this. My mother worked in the school system and loved getting food items instead of little knick knacks. I know I love it too when someone else does the cooking and I get to enjoy it!

It's a Wiggly Birthday

2007-07-26T18:32:00.001-04:00

We had a wonderful time last night celebrating little ones birthday with a few friends and family who came over for some pizza, cake and ice cream. (Even though, I think the kids only took 1 bite of each thing and jumped down to go play.) At least the grownups got to sit down, relax and just visit with each other for a little while.

I just can't believe the time has gone by so fast. I can still remember all the details of his labor and delivery like it was yesterday. He was such an easy delivery - I never even knew I was in labor! And to think he was the 3rd and I'd been through this before. But the story goes like this - (and I have to back up to Bee's birth to put this in perspective) - Bee was born almost a month early. I went in for my normal check up appt and was chatting with the nurse while having my fetal stress test (I had gestational diabetes and had this at all appts) - it was early in the morning and there weren't really any other patients there yet. Anyway, I was telling her how I was just so tired - Roo had had his tonsils and adnoids out almost 2 weeks before (at age 2) and had just been whiny and clingy since and so my back hurt from being 8 months pregnant and carrying him around. My doc is in the hall and hears me say this. He comes in and asks some more questions and just says he wants to check and see if anything was going on. Lo and behold, he says I should go on over to the hospital - I was already dilated to like a 3 or 4. But no, I didn't go. Hubby and I had tickets to a Braves game that night and we wanted to go. The next day, my friend Gina insisted that I go to the hospital and let them check me out. She even came and kept the Roo for us since we didn't have family here. Long stroy short, Bee was born that afternoon! I didn't feel the contractions one bit!

So, getting onto Jman's birth, since I never knew I was in labor with Bee and she was a month early, I insisted at 36 weeks that they start checking me. I was like a 2 or so. The next week I was a 4-5 and they said I could go on to the hospital (this was a Friday). Of course, I didn't go. Saturday rolls around and my same friend Gina insists again I go to the hospital.. I do, but we get sent home after several hours since nothing was going on (besides being dilated to a 4). We go to church the next day, give everyone an update, etc. Gina insists we go back again that afternoon (the dr. had told me on Sat. that he was on duty all weekend and I could come back on Sunday if I wanted him to check again). So we did. We filled the nurses in on what was going on. Everyone was looking at me like I was crazy - 3rd baby, no contractions, being sent home the day before and here I was again! The nurse checks me before bothering the doctor - and gets the wildest expression on her face - the head was right there and ready! But my water hadn't broke yet. My doctor comes on in and since I wasn't hurting we agreed to let him deliver the baby in the next room (at any minute) then they'd come in break my water and we could deliver. Well, the nurse comes in and assumes I was having the bay naturally since I was to a 9 - wrong! I knew pain was coming. Luckily I got some drugs, they broke my water and there was the baby! We even had a med student in watching and learning about the delivery. It was all so easy (unlike Roo's birth which is a whole nother post in itself and teary).

And he has been a relatively easy child - I guess 3rd's about have to be! He is so sweet and rotten to the core! cutest smile in the world that would melt your heart. How I love him! Happy 3rd birthday little one!

Today's the day!

2007-07-25T08:40:00.000-04:00

No, it's not the time to announce the winners yet - I'm still taking comments through the end of the week.. Be sure to tell everyone to stop on by for a chance to win - I'm at 70 comments and I'd really like to get to 100!

Today is my baby's birthday - he is turning 3. That just doesn't seem like a baby anymore. We're having a Wiggles party tonight with a few friends and family to celebrate. I'll see about posting pictures if I get any good ones.

I told ya'll yesterday that little one had burned his hand (reached up and put it on a hot eye) - last night at Walmart I went to ask about some ointment for it and the pharmacist said she was really supposed to 'turn me in' since she now knows about a child being burned. I've neer heard of such. I know there are crazy people who burn their kids on purpose and they should have something done to them. Anyway, she didn't get any information from me, so I guess all is well. I'd just never heard such a thing. I guess I'm just naive.

See ya!

God is so Good

2007-07-24T10:42:00.000-04:00

I got this as an email at work and loved the story and just wanted topass it along.

Dad and Cheyenne

"Watch out! You nearly broad-sided that car!" My father yelled at me.
"Can't you do anything right?" Those words hurt worse than blows. I
turned my head toward the elderly man in the seat beside me, daring me
to challenge him. A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes. I
wasn't prepared for another battle.

"I saw the car, Dad. Please don't yell at me when I'm driving." My
voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt.
Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back.

At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside. To
collect my thoughts. Dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise
of rain. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil.

What could I do about him?

Dad had been a lumberjack in Washington and Oregon. He had enjoyed
being outdoors and had reveled in pitting his strength against the
forces of nature. He had entered grueling lumberjack competitions, and
had placed often. The shelves in his house were filled with trophies
that attested to his prowess.

The years marched on relentlessly. The first time he couldn't lift a
heavy log, he joked about it; but later that same day I saw him outside
alone, straining to lift it. He became irritable whenever anyone teased
him about his advancing age, or when he couldn't do something he had
done as a younger man.

Four days after his sixty-seventh birthday, he had a heart attack. An
ambulance sped him to the hospital while a paramedic administered CPR to keep blood and oxygen flowing. At the hospital, Dad was rushed into an operating room. He was lucky; he survived. But something inside Dad died. His zest for life was gone. He obstinately refused to follow doctors orders. Suggestions and offers of help were turned aside with sarcasm and insults. The number of visitors thinned, then finally stopped altogether. Dad was left alone.

My husband, Rick, and I asked Dad to come live with us on our small
farm. We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him
adjust. Within a week after he moved in, I regretted the invitation. It
seemed nothing was satisfactory. He criticized everything I did. I
became frustrated and moody. Soon I was taking my pent-up anger out on
Rick. We began to bicker and argue. Alarmed, Rick sought out our pastor and explained the situation. The clergyman set up weekly counseling appointments for us. At the close of each session he prayed, asking God to soothe Dad's troubled mind. But, the months wore on and God was silent.
A raindrop struck my cheek. I looked up into the gray sky. Somewhere up
there was "God." Although I believe a Supreme Being had created the
universe, I had difficulty believing that God cared about the tiny human
beings on this earth. I was tired of waiting for a God who did not
answer.

Something had to be done and it was up to me to do it. The next day I
sat down with the phone book and methodically called each of the mental
health clinics listed in the Yellow Pages. I explained my problem in
vain to each of the sympathetic voices that answered. Just when I was giving up hope, one of the voices suddenly exclaimed, "I just read something that might help you! Let me go get the article." I
listened as she read. The article described a remarkable study done at
a nursing home. All of the patients were under treatment for chronic
depression. Yet their attitudes had improved dramatically when they were
given responsibility for a dog.

I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon. After I filled out a
questionnaire, a uniformed officer led me to the kennels. The odor of
disinfectant stung my nostrils as I moved down the row of pens. Each
contained five to seven dogs. Long-haired dogs, curly-haired dogs,
black dogs, spotted dogs - all jumped up, trying to reach me. I studied
each one but rejected one after the other for various reasons, too big,
too small, too much hair. As I neared the last pen a dog in the shadows
of the far corner struggled to his feet, walked to the front of the run
and sat down. It was a pointer, one of the dog world's aristocrats. But
this was a caricature of the breed. Years had etched his face and
muzzle with shades of gray. His hipbones jutted out in lopsided
triangles. But it was his eyes that caught and held my attention. Calm
and clear, they beheld me unwaveringly. I pointed to the dog. "Can you
tell me about him?" The officer looked, then shook his head in
puzzlement. "He's a funny one ~ Appeared out of nowhere and sat in
front of the gate. We brought him in, figuring someone would be right
down to claim him. That was two weeks ago and we've heard nothing. His
time is up tomorrow." He gestured helplessly.

As the words sank in I turned to the man in horror. "You mean you're
going to kill him?" "Ma'am," he said gently, "that's our policy. We
don't have room for every unclaimed dog."

I looked at the pointer again. The calm brown eyes awaited my decision.
"I'll take him," I said. I drove home with the dog on the front seat
beside me. When I reached the house I honked the horn twice. I was
helping my prize out of the car when Dad shuffled onto the front porch.
"Ta-da! Look what I got for you, Dad!" I said excitedly. Dad looked,
then wrinkled his face in disgust. "If I had wanted a dog I would have
gotten one. And I would have picked out a better specimen than that bag
of bones. Keep it! I don't want it." Dad waved his arm scornfully and
turned back toward the house.

Anger rose inside me. It squeezed together my throat muscles and
pounded into my temples. "You'd better get used to him, Dad. He's
staying!" Dad ignored me. "Did you hear me, Dad?" I screamed.!!!!
At those words Dad whirled angrily, his hands clenched at his sides, his
eyes narrowed and blazing with hate. We stood glaring at each other
like duelists, when suddenly the pointer pulled free from my grasp. He
wobbled toward my dad and sat down in front of him. Then slowly,
carefully, he raised his paw. Dad's lower jaw trembled as he stared at
the uplifted paw. Confusion replaced the anger in his eyes. The
pointer waited patiently. Then Dad was on his knees hugging the animal.
It was the beginning of a warm and intimate friendship. Dad named the
pointer Cheyenne. Together he and Cheyenne explored the community.
They spent long hours walking down dusty lanes. They spent reflective
moments on the banks of streams, angling for tasty trout. They even
started to attend Sunday services together, Dad sitting in a pew and
Cheyenne lying quietly at his feet.

Dad and Cheyenne were inseparable throughout the next three years.
Dad's bitterness faded, and he and Cheyenne made many friends.
Then late one night I was startled to feel Cheyenne's cold nose
burrowing through our bed covers. He had never before come into our
bedroom at night. I woke Rick, put on my robe and ran into my father's room. Dad lay in his bed, his face serene; but his spirit had left quietly sometime during the night.

Two days later my shock and grief deepened when I discovered Cheyenne
lying dead beside Dad's bed. I wrapped his still form in the rag rug he
had slept on. As Rick and I buried him near a favorite fishing hole, I
silently thanked the dog for the help he had given me in restoring Dad's
peace of mind.

The morning of Dad's funeral dawned overcast and dreary. This day looks
like the way I feel, I thought, as I walked down the aisle to the pews
reserved for family. I was surprised to see the many friends Dad and
Cheyenne had made filling the church. The pastor began his eulogy. It was a tribute to both Dad and the dog who had changed his life. And then the pastor turned to Hebrews 13:2. "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers..." "I've often thanked God for sending that angel," he said.

For me, the past dropped into place, completing a puzzle that I had not
seen before: the sympathetic voice that had just read the right article
~Cheyenne's unexpected appearance at the animal shelter ~ His calm
acceptance and complete devotion to my father ~ and the proximity of
their deaths. And suddenly I understood. I knew that God had answered my prayers after all.

****************************************************
Isn't that an amazing story of how God really does work in our lives and we don't even realize it? Isn't God good...

It's time for a Birthday!

2007-07-24T09:48:00.001-04:00

My little one will be having a birthday tomorrow - he is growing so fast. I am trying to take advantage of these last 'baby' days - and last night I got the perfect opportunity to cuddle and snuggle and comfort. Little one was watching me cook dinner and decided to lay his hand flat on the hot eye of the stove! :( He was so pitiful. I know it hurt something awful. We did the whole first aid bit of running cold water over it and then wrapping ice in a towel and putting it on the hand. And tylenol. He cried and cried and only wanted me to hold him. Roo and Bee were so upset that their little brother was hurting and crying. They just wanted him to feel better. I think we let the hand get too cold. Once we took the ice away and some of the numbness went away, he really started crying. I guess because he could really feel the pain in it. As of this morning, he just has a blister on his thumb and then there is some 'wrinkled' looking skin on the pad of his hand just below his fingers and above his palm. He can wiggle everything araound, but just doesn't want to hold anything in that hand. I guess that's understandable - I wouldn't either.

Do ya'll have any suggestions on anything to make it feel better?

I'm hoping with his birthday tomorrow that the distraction of cake and ice cream will lift his spirits. We decided to not do a big party like we usually do for the kids. That just gets so expensive. And afterall, he is only going to be 3. We are having a Wiggles birthday cake and ice cream (and pizza). We've got 2 cousin families in town who have little ones, so they've been invited over along with 2 friends from the baby sitter's house. I had a hard time trying to figure out what to get him as a present. With having 3 kids, our house could be a store room for Toys R Us already.

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Have ya'll checked out all the giveaways in the Dog Days of Summer being hosted by Shannon? I am #62 and there were well over 300+ listed this morning. I think she said she is going to close tomorrow for listings. So, if you've got something you'd like to giveaway, head on over and sign up. I am going to look for another giveaway to do - so check back again!

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Dog Days of Summer giveaway!

2007-07-22T18:48:00.000-04:00

It's that time - the Dogs Days of Summer carnival hosted by Rocks in My Dryer is starting in the morning.

I've got a book that I've had on my bookshelf and read numerous times. But it's time to pass it on to someone else. My shelves are overflowing and it's just not fair to keep good reading to yourself.

I've got New Year's Eve by Lisa Grunwald up for grabs. You can go to the link on Amazon and see some great reviews on this book.

Leave me a comment up through Friday, July 27th at 10 pm EST and I'll pick a random winner and post it on Saturday morning.

Go on over to Trista's for lots of different items. Go visit LisaCate to see what she has to offer also.

Good luck and be sure to check out the other giveaways at Shannon's.

Much of Nothing

2007-07-21T08:51:00.000-04:00

Not much but the normal has been going on here. Working, cleaning, and getting the kids ready for school to start school in 2 weeks! Where has the summer gone? And why do they start back so early? I remember as a kid school didn't start until the end of August in our little Georgia town. Bee and Jman are so excited as they get to attend school for the first time! Roo just rolls his eyes about their excitement about! going! to! school! (You know, he is older and wiser about these things.) We've got the backpacks and lunch boxes ready, supplies have been bought and some new clothes are hanging ready in the closet.
I have my own excitement - I won 2 diffferent giveaways and am just waiting on them to come in the mail. You'd think it was my birthday or something. I told hubby about winning last night and he just didn't understand it at all. He thought I'd won b/c I'd written something 'wonderful' and my 'writing' had won a prize. What a laugh I got out of that! This is very boring writing I do. But on the topic of giveaways, don't forget that Rocks In My Dryer is hosting a giveaway carnival starting on Monday. Go on over and check out the rules and think of a way you can participate.
We've got a big week coming up - Jman has a birthday! We're just going to have a little family celebration with cake and ice cream. But we are having a Wiggles cake with the Big Red Car on it! He is going to love it. The Wiggles have been a constant source of entertainment in our house ever since Roo was little. As much as we get tired of hearing the same songs over and over, it does give me a little time to myself (you know, to wash dishes or fold clothes - things that relate to my own well being, you know FOR ME). We haven't decided what to get him as a present. I'd thought about a bike, but I think we're going to wait and see if Santa will bring that later. I may just have to go browse Toys R Us later this weekend. Part of the problem is his being a 3rd child - we already own every toy imaginable. I feel like I have more toys than Toys R Us!

Bee is all on her own being the only girl in the family (besides mom). But she even has the boys liking Hannah Montana. Even little Jman likes her and sings and dances to the songs. Maybe that's what we should do for the party - karaoke! They are all little performers. And Roo is so waiting for High School Musical 2 to come out in August! He loves it. Once again, they all do. How I love The Disney Channel. I know this has sounded like all we let them do is watch tv, but for this summer that IS what they have done in the evenings. They have been attending outdoor camps since the end of May and are outdoors ALL DAY LONG in this humid, barely bearable GA heat. And they are just dog tired when they come home. They are there from 7:45 am until about 5:15 pm. That is a long day to be in the heat and playing hard. So, I just decided that this is not going to kill their brains getting to just sit, relax in the A/C, and do whatever they want to chill out.

Gotta go and get my weekend going! Have a great one yourself!

Works for me Wednesday - Saving $$ on kids clothes

2007-07-18T07:11:00.000-04:00

I know we all like to save money (or at least I do) and making some with little effort is even better. What I do is sell my children's outgrown, reuseable, clothing in local consignment sales in our town twice a year (and usually make over $100)

Here's how it works:

Sort clothes into appropriate season (we do fall/winter and spring/summer sales). The clothing is then labeled with 1/2 of an index card with appropriate info requested (girl/boy, size, brief description and selling price) and then safety pinned onto the garment. The people who run this give us certain days to 'drop off' items. And then they and their volunteers do all the work sorting and running the sale. And being a contributor to the sale, I get to go back and 'shop' before they open the sale to the public (those who don't contribute items.) Most times items are priced really cheap (I know I do b/c I want my stuff to sell) - usually just a couple of dollars depending on what the item is. And when your stuff sells, you receive a fixed % of your total sales. This has been kept track of by your seller # that you were assigned and you wrote on each of your tags. When the items are bought, the tags are removed and returned to you so you can see what was bought of your stuff.

I've been doing this ever since my oldest who is now 7 was born. Between the items I sell and then what I buy, I usually break even --- which to me = clothes for free!! I get rid of things I was going to get rid of anyway and got stuff I would have had to have gone out and bought.

My local sale takes everything from kids clothes to toys to maternity wear. I love it! I just store the kids outgrown clothes in tubs until the sale and sometimes go ahead and label them as I go. Then come sale time I just pull it out and put on hangers and take it on over. It is so easy to shop - they have the location divided up into girls/boys/toys/etc sections and the clothes are racked by size. So, you can go straight to the size you need and shop away.

The sale I do is owned by several ladies who run this like a business (they keep 20% of the sales dollars, I get 80% of my stuff). But our sale has over 500 contributors, so you can imagine the volume of stuff. But I do know of several churches that do this same type sale each year as a fundraiser for their churches programs. And they usually do a % based system also - but their profit goes back to the church instead of the few owners.

So, if you are interested in doing this for your church or other organization, leave me a comment and I can get you more information on how the one I shop at run's.

Menu Plan Monday

2007-07-16T10:39:00.001-04:00

Ok - here goes - let's see how well I can stick to our menu this week - somethng always seems to happen that changes this:

Monday: Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole ** recipe below
Rice
Green beans

Tuesday: Chicken tenders
French fries
corn

Wednesday: Baked Tilapia with lemon
yellow squash
green beans
sliced cucumbers

Thursday: Leftovers from the week

Friday: Go out

Saturday: Grill something I haven't bought yet

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

1 8 oz cream cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup
4 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1 cup shredded cheese
2 packs of wafer thin ham, shredded

Mix cream cheese and soup with mixer. Stir in chicken. Place into casserole dish. Spread shredded ham over the top and sprinkle cheese. Bake for 20 minutes at 350.

Pay it Forward Book Exchange

2007-07-16T09:47:00.001-04:00

I am so excited - I have one a book from Lauren over at Baseballs and Bows!

There are lots of book give aways going on through this exchange started by Overwhelmed With Joy - so go on over and check out the list she has compiled letting us know of some of them!

While you're at it, go check out Quiet Time with Carolyn and Stitch in Time and sign up for their book give aways too!

Favorite Ingredient Friday

2007-07-12T13:17:00.000-04:00

I got this recipe at one of my Weight Watchers meetings back during the winter months. This is so good. It doesn't taste like it 'a good for you' item. This can either be used as a dessert or a side dish. Enjoy! (And I think it was only 1 or 2 points for a 1 cup serving for those who follow WW)

Orange/Pineapple Fluff Salad

2 cans mandarin oranges, drained

16 oz fat free, vanilla yogurt

1 tub fat free cool whip (16 oz)

1 can crushed pineapple, drained

1 large box white chocolate sugar free pudding mix

Mix all together and chill.

Thursday Tidbits

2007-07-12T10:21:00.000-04:00

1 - Summer vacation is almost over here in my neck of the woods - school starts back 3 weeks from tomorrow

2- I swear I live in the most humid place on earth

3- Homegrown veggies from my dad's garden always taste the best (I just can't get enough squash and cucumbers!)

4- My kids are growing up way too fast - little ones legs seem to have grown a foot overnight

5- Why are plantar's warts so hard to get rid of?

6- There seems to be a dirty clothes tree at my house that just keeps on sprouting more dirty laundry - we certainly don't wear that many clothes...

7- Good friends are hard to find, but when you do, they last a lifetime.

8- Sweet tea is the best drink ever!

What is going on for your Thursday?

Wordless Wednesday

2007-07-11T09:14:00.001-04:00

Nothing like 3 generations of fishermen.

WFMW - Tub cleaning

2007-07-11T08:44:00.001-04:00

Tub cleaning - how I even hate to hear those words and always think 'Is it really time to clean it, again?'

When we moved into our new 'older' house a few years ago, the tub was probably the dingiest I've ever seen. And no matter what cleaner I bought and how much elbow grease hubby (yes, I gave him the job of cleaning bathrooms!) put into it, that soap scum would not come off. You could scrub with all your might with the stiffest bristled brush and it would still not come off. I seriously wanted to move again it was so bothersome to me.

Until I read somewhere to use those Mr. Clean Magic Erasers on your tub! Now, I'd used them everywhere else in the house (walls, kitchen counter w/ sharpie marker on it, etc), but I had never thought about the tub. And let me tell you, that soap scum just balled up and rolled right off the sides of the tub! I had to yell for hubby to come and check out THE TUB - IT IS CLEAN!!!!!! You would have thought I'd won the lottery.

Try it - this makes hard bathroom cleaning oh so much easier!!

Giveaways

2007-07-10T15:56:00.000-04:00

There are so many giveaways out there right now - you'd be crazy not to check out these sites and enter!

Go check out the designer apron giveaway by Shak n Style - it is awesome!!

And for those of you who'd rather read than cook, you really should get involved in the Pay it Forward Book Exchange that was started by Overwhelmed with Joy. Several others have also joined in and are doing their own book drawings.

Be sure to check out A peek at my Bookshelf and Bright like the Son to get in on their great giveaways too.

While you are at it, go on over to The Flip flop Mamma! at get in on her give away contest of a Winnie the Pooh DVD! Remember moms, get your kids this dvd and then you can sit and enjoy the book you might win!

(I sure hope I am getting these links right since I just started blogging!)

One problem solved (quick fix)

2007-07-10T10:54:00.000-04:00

Thanks to those who replied about my blogging questions.

I did find an answer to my title field question (as you can see since this one actually has a poated title) - although it is just a quick fix - seems there is something with Blogger with a change they made last Friday and they are working on fixing it. Whohoo!!!

I'll check out the other recommendations - I've looked at Blogging Basics and just couldn't get the instructions to work for me... I'll try again.

2007-07-09T08:56:00.000-04:00

Ok - I need help here since I don't know much about blogging, etc. My posts aren't letting me type in a title in the title box today. what's up with this?

Also, call me clueless, but I have been wanting to add one of the little cluster maps where you can see all the locations you're being looked at from. (I think it was through sitemeter...) Anyway, I've even gotten the instructions with the html code that I'm to copy and paste, but where do I put it????

While I'm at it asking for help, I want to list the blogs I read in my sidebar, but once again just haven't figured it out. Suggestions?

2007-07-09T08:46:00.000-04:00

Be sure to go on over to www.overwhelmedwithjoy.blogspot.com and join in on the book exchange giveaway! Sounds like fun to me since I love to read!

Favorite Ingredient Friday

2007-07-06T08:39:00.000-04:00

Buffalo Chicken Dip

2 10 oz cans chunk chicken, drained ***

2 8 oz cream cheese, softened

1 cup Ranch dressing (or blue cheese)

3/4 cup hot sauce

1 1/2 cup shredded cheese

Heat chicken and hot sauce until heated through. Stir in cream cheese and ranch dressing. cook, stirring until well blended and warm. Mix in half of the shredded cheese. Transfer to casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top. Place in 350 degree oven and cook until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with crackers or your favorite dip chip. (We use Fritos scoops alot).

*** I don't like canned chicken - so I buy a rotisserie chicken at Kroger and just pull it off the bone in shreds.

This is yummy and so good. You can moderate how 'hot' it is based on your taste by cutting back on the hot sauce or adding more if you wish. Just make sure you have something to drink to cool your mouth off!

What starts well, ends well

2007-07-05T15:39:00.001-04:00

I've been scarce for a few days because of the 4th of July holiday. We were able to get some time off from work and head down to hubby's parents lake house for some R & R with the kids (is that possible? R & R with 3 little ones under the age of 6?)

Great times were had fishing in the early morning hours, swimming, boating and playing in the sand. I, of course, preferred to stay out of water when I can't see what's down there and just soak up the sun while watching the kids play. And play they did. (There's another post about things in water that I can not see!)

Lots of food was taken in - too much in fact that I hear Weight Watchers calling my name again... oh well, it sure was good while it lasted.

If you notice the title of the post, I don't mention that the middle was 'well'. This 'middle' included me getting stung on the scalp by a bee, getting my face in the way of a flying football, and my nose being 'head-butted' by a child we were trying to teach to dive. If only I could have been run over by a semi truck....

And then there are always the days of over-tired children. Roo was our early bird fisherman, no napper and want to stay up late kid - youknow, he is 6 afterall. Well, we had a few too many times of not minding his parents and grandparents and we had to have a little 'talking to' about raising his voice to us. His response - 'Well, you know I have to talk loud (to his grandparents) - they can't hear'. I told him they can hear and you don't raise your voice to anyone. Reply - 'Well, I have to talk loud to Pawpaw - he can't hear and everyone else talks loud to him so he can!' True statement. Mawmaw had a fit laughing when she heard this and said so true, so true.

Little Jman loved riding fast on the boat. Only thing was - it would usually lull him to lullaby land and then we'd be in big trouble at nap time - meaning, nap on boat = no nap in the bed. And that spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E. Besides his naps being messed up, we also ended up giving up our paci while away. What a blow! We forgot to pack one (even though I thought there might be one in the bottom of my purse somewhere - just didn't look for it) and just decided to try and do it. I now need to scour the house and look for all those 'lost' paci's that I know he will find at some point when he gets home.

Little Miss Bee was just as good as gold. She didn't give any problem to anyone. She is off at Granny's house rounding out her vacation just like Roo got to do last week. I can't wait to hear about the tea party she was going to have with her Granny and GG.

I have had to return home and finish out the week working - quiet house all to myself... See, I told you - what starts well, ends well...

Contest giveaway

2007-07-05T15:36:00.000-04:00

Go over and visit the site below for some new giveaways!

http://pinksandbluesgirls.wordpress.com/2007/06/30/the-body-shop-vera-bradley-contest-giveaway/

Sweet things said (and some not so sweet!)

2007-06-29T09:33:00.000-04:00

Roo is doing fine at granny's house. He was having such a good time last night when they called me that I hardly got a complete sentence out of him before he told me 'here's granddaddy - talk to him'. Come to find out, he was watching Disney channel and one of his favorite shows had just started. I guess I see where I stand! (hmmm - Mom or Disney?)

After I got off the phone, Jman wanted to know who had been on the phone. When I told him it was Roo, his got this sad, teary look and said 'I miss my bru-ther,I need Roo, he is my friend'. How sweet was that from a toddler?

But when I announced it was bedtime, I found once again where I stood. The reply I got was 'I don't want to go to bed - you not my friend.'

But as of this morning, I was in the midst of being his friend once again - 'Come tickle my belly mommy, I'm hiding from you'.

Favorite Ingredients Friday

2007-06-29T08:21:00.001-04:00

Hot Onion Dip

3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened

1 onion, finely chopped

2 cups grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup mayonnaise

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease a medium baking dish.

In the prepared dish, mix the cream cheese, onion, Parmesan cheese and mayo.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned.

Serve with crackers.

This will be gone quickly it is so good!

Join on In!

2007-06-28T13:20:00.000-04:00

There are lots of contests out there right now for chances to win lots of stuff! 5 Minutes for Mom is hosting some great ones - go on over and check it out!

WFMW - ANTS!

2007-06-28T10:37:00.000-04:00

Late post, I know it is Thursday. But this is too good to not pass on.

Ants.

How I hate them.

But how they love my house every summer here in the HOT South.

We get these pesky, little black/brown sugar ants every summer. I've tried everything from sprays, traps, etc to get rid of them, but they keep on coming. (I guess our house is just a very welcoming place!)

The other day I was once again spraying the window sill with any spray and remembered this tip from somewhere -- sprinkle baby powder where ever you see the ants. The powder is so silky that they can't get traction to walk! I thought this was crazy, but was at my wits end and tried it anyway. And guess what - I haven't seen an ant in that window since!! The baby powder is still there too.

I don't mind doing this - #1 no smell, except for that baby powder smell that we all love #2 you can't see it on my white powder on my white sill #3 it isn't poison, so I don't mind leaving it out with kids in the house.

I've also heard of wiping down with a vinegar/water solution, but don't know how well it works. But it's cheap and worth a try!

Three down to Two

2007-06-28T08:57:00.000-04:00

The house is a little quieter - child #1 has gone to stay at his grandparents for a few days. I know he will have a blast getting so much one on one attention from them and his GG (great grandmother).

Did I say the house is quieter? I must be crazy - on the way home from dropping off Roo (this is going to be his nickname used here), Bee and Jman (I had to give the other 2 names also - you know, once you give to one you can't leave the others out!) sure did make up for Roo's lack of presence with their jabbering. Maybe it was easier having all 3 at one time??? It was total chaotic noise in the van driving home. Nothing bad, just loud and continuous. Bedtime was a blessing of quiet.

I knew Bee and Jman would miss Roo and be upset about not getting to go to Granny's too, so I had picked up a little surprise for them at TJ Maxx earlier in the day. (I do love TJ Maxx!) When Bee saw her new Disney princess nightgown, she had the biggest smile and hug for me. I got big hugs and then she looked at me and said " Can I close my eyes and let's do the surprise over again!" We did this 3 times and then she had to get Daddy to close his eyes for her surprise too. Sweet times!

Little Jman is a whole different being. Sweet as honey, but can be wild as a buck. Especially at bedtime. He acts like a monkey as soon as he is put in his bed - jumping up and down, laughing at nothing, just being plain silly! He never got his surprise as I couldn't get him to calm down enough. Oh well, he'll get it later I guess!

Haven't heard from Roo or Granny, so last night must have gone well with no issues. Roo's a great kid - he'll be fine.

By the way, check out overwhelmedwithjoy.blogspot.com - (sorry, I don't know how to link yet) - she is doing a book giveaway and has some other links for giveaways - check it out.

Off to a day of work.

Clothes War

2007-06-27T12:11:00.000-04:00

Why in the world would you go to the store to buy new clothes and not try them on before buying them?

Hubby will not try on at the store and it drives me crazy! Just try it on then and save yourself the hassle of having to make another trip and return it and start the process all over of having to find the right size. Simplify, simplify, simplify!! Just last night he bought some new work clothes - 2 pairs of pants and 3 shirts - and how many of the items fit? - Only TWO!!! One pair of pants and one shirt! How is that possible when it is all the same size? I know, I know - different brands run different for sizing. (I personally know I like, no love , to buy those brands that I fit into a 'smaller' size. Who wouldn't?

So, what do you do when shopping - try on or just buy and hope for the best?

And how it all began...

2007-06-26T14:24:00.000-04:00

Once upon a time there was a little girl who dreamed of the day she would find 'that special boy', fall in love and get married and have children. That day finally came and after a long courtship, the marriage took place in what her little girl calls her fairy tale wedding. The children came one by one by one and have filled her life with happiness (and the occasional wanting to pull her hair out!). That 'special boy' is still as special as the day they met and much more. And the butterfly kisses they receive from those 3 little butterflies are the icing on the cake for every day they live.

I know that seems like a fairy tale life - but it is my life - even with all the mountains to climb and holes to dig out of. I have so much to share with all that just goes on in our every day lives that I could go on and on forever - some funny, some sad and then the rest is just US.