A day in our life...

our new normal

2012-01-17T21:00:00.002-06:00

1. I know that eventually we will be able to talk on the phone without crying. We will be able to hang up the phone without crying. The tears will just stop.

2. I know that some days they really do just want their daddy. And when they hold on to the Daddy dolls like a life preserver, it's the next best thing.

3. Two more Daddy dolls are on the way but you can't overnight or Express ship those things because every other kid requesting a Daddy doll wants it for the same reason we do. I should have invented those things.

4. Every day I will choose joy. Some days it will be harder than others but I will choose joy. At the end of this, I will not have sad, bitter children.

5. The one thing I know without a doubt, my children know sacrifice. They know service. They know courage. They know honor. They will be proud.

They know these first hand more than some adults will ever know.

6. On week one day, day one, our car battery died. The kids were loaded in the van, ready to head to dance and straight to church. We weren't going anywhere. I pushed the van out in the driveway, with Sammy steering and her mom helping. The battery was so dead it couldn't even be jumped. I hitched a ride to buy a new battery while Sammy watched the kids and her dad came over to change it in the freezing cold.

7. On day 1, reduex, the vacuum cleaner died. If this didn't happen every.single.time I would probably cry. I actually laughed. It happens every time. I can now fix vacuum cleaners and jump car batteries. Pretty soon I will be a mini electrician and a plumber.

8. People ask what they can do to help. When someone starts puking here, that's when you can help. Jason handles all the puke.

9. The kids are fighting less than I thought. They are all very excited to help each other out and help me do things. The girls actually enjoy getting Drew dressed in the morning.

10. Sometimes people come out of no where to help you. To bring you coffee, to hug you when you when you need it most, to say nothing when that's what you need to hear, to laugh at with you when you flush markers down toilets, to stand in your driveway in the pitch black to change a battery, to feed you cheeseburgers. We are blessed beyond measure and I thank God for all of you.

Ten on Tuesday - combined

2011-12-05T21:11:00.000-06:00

1. Well we have managed to survive another year of funrun fundraising at our house.. barely. I am totally serious when I say that Bella is like living with the Kirby salesman during the week of the funrun. And in all seriousness, I would almost rather roll the dice with the door to door salesman. At least I know at some point he is leaving..

2. After gathering her pledges, I sent Bella to school with a word of caution one day. "This is it. Do not come home again asking me to call anyone else asking for anymore money. I don't care what they tell you, this is what I'm telling you." My friend tells me that they are like frat boys of fundraising and she isn't kidding because wouldn't you know my sweet obedient 6 year old walked in the door and said they told her she needed just one more pledge. Next year the week prior to the funrun you can find us at the beach. Or maybe Disneyworld..

3. Isabella entered a Christmas card contest at Poppy's plant three weeks ago. She had to draw a Christmas scene on an 8x10 sheet of paper and the contest was for anyone from three to ten years of age. We found out she got 2nd place!! She was so excited!!

4. We packed up our Halloween candy and took it to Mr. Rowe and his fireman this week. Will decided that the firemen could eat on their way to save the people in the fires and if you've been reading long enough, you know there is nobody better than Mr. Rowe as far as Will is considered.

5. To make Will's day even better, Mr. Rowe brought Will his very own fireman shirt. We can barely get it off of him. Mr. Rowe really hung the moon now..

6. Today at school our CD player didn't work. I told my kids I would have to sing our morning songs rather than listen to the CD like usual. One of my little boys said "Oh no that's terrible" I asked him what was wrong and he said, "well you can't sing but you sure are pretty". I love my job and the honesty of kids. They always make me laugh!!

7. My parents closed on their house last week. Yay!! So nice to have them less than five minutes away from us. We went over as soon as Bella got off of the bus today to take dinner and help with unpacking... so fantastic.

8. The kids went with my parents to Indiana for a Christmas party this weekend. They had a fabulous time and loved taking a road trip with Nene and Poppy.

9. Will sang in the choir performance before church on Sunday. I have to give it to him, he looked so cute singing and dancing up there. We were so proud of him!

10. Bella finally lost her top front tooth last week. It was literally just hanging on waiting to fall out. So disgusting. Last Thursday night, I told her it needed to come out and she finally just pulled it out with her bath towell. Finally!

Giving Thanks..

2011-11-25T09:38:00.000-06:00

1. In the words of Amelia, when you ask her every time what she is most thankful for she will respond first with Jesus..because he died for us.

2. My husband. People were shocked that we got engaged after three months of long distance dating but marrying you was the best decision I ever made..

3. My mini-me, southern belle, cowboy and silent operator. They bring continued joy every day into our life and I will be forever grateful that I was chosen to be their mother.

4. My parents, for always loving and supporting me and finally moving south to be with us. I guess they realized we really weren't leaving..

5. Southern weather.. I'll take the boiling heat for no snow. Or snow that comes once a year.

6. My church family. I love my church and the people in it. I enjoy being there everytime the doors are open. I hope you feel the same way about yours.

7. My work family. I always knew that I probably wouldn't be a big career driven person. I wanted to be a mama. This job, while I'm not making decisions that change the world as a whole, gives me the opportunity to change individual worlds.. It is the best job I have ever had and I love it. I love the women I work with and am thankful for the friendships I have there..

8. Our military. So many men and women have fought and continue to fight to give us freedom. There is no way to ever repay them for the sacrifices they make.

9. My friends. They are like the sisters I never had. I love you all.

10. The teachers that teach my children. You are giving them a foundation of learning and loving them when I can't. I will be forever grateful for the hard job that you do, every day.

Veteran's Day Parade

2011-11-11T15:28:00.012-06:00

Today my biggest girl and I walked in the Veteran's Day parade. Bella has been waiting to participate in this parade since we started watching it several years ago. Finally her day came. She was able to ride for her Daddy, her Gramps and both of her great-grandfathers. We wrote all of their names on the papers and stuck them on the float. She was super excited and road through the parade saying Happy Veteran's Day. She was so proud and excited to honor her Daddy. I know a lot of people are proud of their veterans but no one more so than my Bella. She is so proud of her Daddy. Jason will very rarely offer up the information that he serves his country but his children proudly will..
We love you Daddy and are so proud of all you do for us and your country!!

costume day at school

2011-11-06T15:46:00.000-06:00

I love the ladies that I work with..we always have such a fun time. On Monday all the children and most of the teachers wore their costumes to school. Here are a few pictures.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-10-17T20:12:00.000-05:00

1. This week one of Will's little friends said, I'm going to marry you Will. Will, as serious as can be replied: I'm already married to Chloe. You have to marry someone else.

2. Will told his Daddy when he was helping him cook dinner that "Chloe is the love of his life" I tell Will he is the love of my life in case you're wondering who he hears that from.

3. I'm not sure when we willl stop talking about Chloe like Will just sat and played with her this afternoon, but it's going to be a sad day for this mama.

4. Amelia is learning letter sounds every week at school. I asked her before school the other morning if she wanted to wear a dress and she responded with "Ja-Ja-Ja-jeans please."

5. It's fall and in the fall I get to hear one of my favorite songs ever. Mr Turkey Big and Fat. The Drew Ross rendition is just about the cutest thing I've ever heard.

6. Drew also had a birthday party at school this week. A birthday party in two year old land is a b.i.g deal of fun. So much fun that Drew sang Happy Birthday to me for two days after the party.

7. We began our fall break this week.. Will and Amelia headed to Nene's Ohio house for hopefully the last time. Yay!!

8. Bella is enjoying the extra time alone with Jason and I. We have gone out to lunch, for icecream, met her at school for lunch and went to the PTA meeting - something she always requests. I asked her if she was having a good week and she said Yes! I get all this time to myself, I don't have to share the TV and by the time they come home, Drewbie is going to like me the best!

9. After two days of two kids, Jason and I are a little shocked by how easy two kids are. We would be totally bored as a family of four but it really is a nice little vacation..

10. Nene and Poppy signed papers on their house this weekend!! YAY!! They will be moved in hopefully the first weekend in December! We are so blessed and so excited to have them here with us soon!!

remembering you..

2011-10-10T20:30:00.000-05:00

When I was little I spent every weekend at my grandparents in the summer and several nights through the week. I don't see these little creatures very often but when I do, I think of my Papa. They were always in his backyard and around side deck. Sometimes he had them in jars with ventilation and I'll be honest, they were not my favorite. In all actuality I was terrified of them. I can remember my Papa telling me that female ate the head off of the male and that was enough for me! I was terrified of them eating me. And oh yeah, they are super ugly.
Fast forward to my freshman year of high school and we had to collect 100 species of dead bugs and identify them. We got bonus points for Praying Mantis but we had to bring them in alive, in a jar. Just like my Papa. No thanks.. I haven't seen one since high school thankfully.
Tonight I went out on the deck after dinner and what's on the BBQ waiting for me? You guessed it, a little praying mantis. Two things happened. I immediately thought of my papa and I reacted like I saw a python on the deck. Yes, it was little but yes, I still hate them. Guess who loves the little guy?

Drewbie really liked the little guy and played with him for several minutes. Until he jumped on his motorcycle for a ride. Then he grabbed the praying mantis, threw him on the ground and said "NO motorcycle!!" and gave him a pretty mean skunk eye. He didn't want anything to do with him after that either. Can't say I blame him..those things are ugly!!

Ten on Tuesday

2011-09-26T12:12:00.001-05:00

1. Well the days of scamming my dear youngest son are over. After dinner each child is sometimes presented with two cookies. Drew is still little and gets one. Saturday he actually met me in the pantry for his treat. I handed him his cookie, he pushed it away and said very loudly "TWO COOKIES. Please." There you have it..

2. Drew has always been more of a noticer than anything else. I picked him up from school this week and said "how was your day?" He said "Miss Laura no school" with the strangest look on his face..

3. Bella has been cracking us up with her comments lately. There was a coloring contest at school and when she told us what the prize was she said "that's not really the prize I was looking for."

4. Bella has set her sights on a certain second grade teacher for next year. This is going to be her teacher and she has told me frequently already. I have explained that she may not get the teacher she wants etc. Bella said, "Oh don't you worry Mama. I'm praying about it and this year I got a head start."
Oh dear..

5. Amelia and I went to the pumpkin patch on Monday with her pre-K class. A fantastic time was had by all. Amelia said "this was the best day ever" It made freezing in my wet jeans totally worth it.

6. Amelia asked me to take her shopping for a new shirt for her favorite team. She is a fan of the LSU tigers now. Oh brother.

7. The "the house divided" flag really is not large enough to accomodate our household now. Auburn, LSU, Ohio State and Oklahoma State. Still waiting on the boys to determine their teams..

8. Since the baby shower, the girls are obsessed with all things baby. Seeing pictures of me pregnant, when they were born, where they were born, which of their friends were born in the same hospital as them..

9. Can we have another new baby puh-lease? Negative Nancy. The baby factory has moved on to another section of town..

10. Bella was looking in her baby book and asked if she was born in "PM" and everyone else was born in "AM". I had to explain that she was supposed to be born in the AM but oh yeah, there was a tornado the night before Bella was born. I spent the night hiding out in the bathtub, listening to the sirens, and when I went in for my scheduled c-section I had to wait 5 hours longer for an anesthesiologist and was just lucky they didn't cancel my procedure all together. It probably says in her baby book somewhere - I hate tornados. And I still do!

Ten on Tuesday.

2011-09-20T15:09:00.000-05:00

1. I swear that Amelia is going to kill me with her lunchtime eating habits. She eats two bites of her sandwhich at school and maybe two grapes. She is responsible for her own lunch and eating it..

2. Let me just say that this is not my first rodeo and said lunch contains all items that Amelia should and will eat. It doesn't contain weird things that a four year old would be opposed too. Amelia just chooses not to eat them at school.

3. Imagine how happy she is when it's snack time every day and she is presented with her lunchbox and an array of lovely options.

4. Bella announced yesterday that she was tired of big, enormous, curly hair. She wants flat hair. Well kiddo, you better just embrace the big hair on your head and do your part to bring the 80's back..

5. In case you are wondering, Will is still in love with his boots.

6. Only in the south can you go swimming on September 17th. This is why I will never live in the north again if I can help it.

7. Grami arrives Thursday to visit..

8. Amelia scored too many goals to count this weekend at her soccer game. This weekend we're going to work on winning modestly.

9. Miss Casey came back from Texas this weekend. Only one thing is better than Miss Christina at our house on Saturday afternoon for a party according to the girls. When Miss Christina brings Miss Casey!

10. And finally people..we achieved an impossible task. Will grew an actual watermelon this summer. I can't even tell you how many times he and his sisters went and checked on their garden. I can tell you that, I forgot to water the garden. The garden was planted in my landscaping, a place I was super excited about. The watermelon is the size of a lime..but it's a melon. Will is overjoyed :)

Ten on Tuesday

2011-09-14T21:13:00.000-05:00

1. Drew is talking. I mean really talking. He says many more words now than no, yes, Mommy/Daddy (still what he calls me sometimes.) He says come here, stop that, no thank you and I do it. He sings the wheels on the bus, ABCs and he is counting. I love our school and the ladies that love my baby..

2. This morning I woke up at my usual 5:30 and am washing my face and I feel this tap on my leg, "good morning Mommy" It was Drew, just standing there smiling like it wasn't 5:30 AM.

3. Will looked at my wedding picture this weekend and said, "hmmm. When you marry someone they live with you right? I think I will just marry my Chloe now. I love her and then she'll come back. We'll be married, she'll has to. Can you text her and let her know." He misses that girl something awful..

4. Sigh, I miss her mama something awful. And little Chlotilda and her big sisters.

5. Bella now takes spelling tests. One of her words this week was "too" She asked me which "too" The question honestly stumped me and I had to think how to explain this to Bella. Finally she looks at me and says, Too as in also?

6. Will purchased his cowboy boots last Thursday at the cowboy store. He even talked his Daddy into his very first real hat. As Jason says, it was like taking a 3 year old to Nordie's. Having not been in Nordie's myself in almost a year I fully understand Will's excitement and the experience.

7. Will has decided that he now needs a lasso and a belt buckle and he wants to be a real cowboy. When he's bigger he will get to have a cowboy gun but right now he can just have the lasso.

8. Family pictures were this weekend..I anxiously await the day when the kids just sit there and smile for pictures without me having to jump around like a zoo animal and sing off-key to accomplish this task.

9. By now you all know Jason is in college and in a study group with his classmates. This time he has three other girls in his group, one of them says to Jason "are you even worried about turning 30?" Ummm hello, 30+7..

10. We are still praying for our good friends that lost their house in the tornado on the 27th, I know many of you have continued to pray for them too. I am happy to say this week the walls started going up on their new house. Praise the Lord!

borrowed from the pigtail pals..

2011-09-10T13:39:00.000-05:00

Waking up full of Awesome by the Pigtail Pals.

There was a time when you were five years old,
and you woke up full of awesome.

You knew you were awesome.

You loved yourself.

You thought you were beautiful,
even with missing teeth and messy hair and mismatched socks inside your grubby sneakers.

You loved your body, and the things it could do.

You thought you were strong.

You knew you were smart.

Do you still have it?
The awesome.

Did someone take it from you?
Did you let them?
Did you hand it over, because someone told you weren’t beautiful enough, thin enough, smart enough, good enough?
Why the hell would you listen to them?
Did you consider they might be full of shit?

Wouldn’t that be nuts, to tell my little girl below that in another five or ten years she might hate herself because she doesn’t look like a starving and Photoshopped fashion model?
Or even more bizarre, that she should be sexy over smart, beautiful over bold?
Are you freaking kidding me?

Look at her. She is full of awesome.

You were, once. Maybe you still are. Maybe you are in the process of getting it back.

All I know is that if you aren’t waking up feeling like this about yourself, you are really missing out.

Amelia says Good Morning.

Ten on Wednesday

2011-09-07T21:17:00.000-05:00

1. I decided to switch it up this week and post Ten on Tuesday on Wednesday. I wanted to see if y'all were paying attention and even reading..

2. Really, I'm kidding. We are all back in school, dance, soccer, choir, GA's, mission friends, AWANA.. running around like LUNATICS. I'm doing good to remember where I'm supposed to be when. I am a slacker. I'm having a t-shirt made.

3. I am so proud of my Dad and so excited for him to begin his new job.

4. We can hardly wait to welcome for Nene and Granny to move here. The kids literally ask me every day on the way to school where there neighborhood is going to be. Such a blessing for everyone.

5. Will is going with his Daddy tomorrow for a brand new pair of cowboy boots. Be jealous. And afraid.

6. Jason's heart broke a little last week when Drew said "You're mean Daddy". Now we frequently here you're mean from the other kids all the time. I am mean, now go to time out and now you're getting an extra minute for your sassy mouth. But never sweet little Drew.. Ahhh, that boy's growing up.

7. Bella loves dance. She is super excited to be in dance with our neighbor Sammy and so many of her friends from school. So glad she is finally in the right place..

8. Amelia is loving Pre-K. She loves her friends and her Ms Holly. She would go to school every single day if she could. I hope it continues to next year.

9. I have the sweetest group of my own students and I adore them. I am excited and know we are going to have a fabulous year..

10. Our friend "Little Will" as the kids call him has come to play with us this week. Bella said if you refuse to have another baby at least you let little Will come to play with us. I'll arrange a play date every week sister..

First day os school pics part duex

2011-08-21T08:31:00.000-05:00

Here we are on the first day of preschool.
Amelia started Pre-K, Will is in the 3s and is pretty excited to be upstairs with the big kids. Drew is in the two year class. It's our last year with Mrs Laura and I'm pretty sad about it already..
I know all the kid are going to have a great year and they are so happy to be back at school!

the ones who love them..

2011-08-16T18:00:00.001-05:00

I love my kids teachers, probably because of how much they love my kids.
Here are the people who spend so much face time with the little people in my life.
Mrs. B

Will and Miss Robin

Miss Holly

Miss Laura..this is our third year with her. LOVE her.

Miss Chew-dy and Drewby.

2011-08-11T08:31:00.000-05:00

The recent helicopter crash in Afghanistan brings back memories of a helicopter crash that took place just over five years ago, killing 10, also in Afghanistan. Jason was just back from his second deployment in Iraq when we received news of the crash. A crash that took 10 lives this time. This time one of these men happened to be one of Jason's friends. He left behind a wife of almost 20 years and his four week old baby girl who he had never even met. Five years have past and this year that little girl would most likely be starting kindergarten. Just like her Daddy, I have never met her, but I think of her often. Probably because I have two little girls myself. Most likely because their Daddy is a soldier too. I think of exactly what her father sacrificed for his country. What his daughter gave up for hers. I remember how my husband took the news, just a few weeks back from a deployment himself. He had spoken several times to his friend just before he left and I think he was shaken up. He couldn't attend the funeral and I think that made it harder for him.

We are at a most difficult time as a nation. In Washington everyone seems to be pointing fingers and no one can balance a budget if their life depended on it. At this point I don't really care who is actually at fault, only that the problem persists and that on each side there seems to be no resolution. Fingers are being pointed, names are being called. As a nation, is this what we have come to? Is this what men are dying to protect? Is this what little girls are growing up without fathers for? We as a country don't want to be at war anymore. And we are bringing our troops home because we can't afford it. But we aren't thankful, we're just tired of "wasting money".

Jason has told me time and time again, that I do not understand the brotherhood of soldiers. That he can go weeks without talking to them and one phone call it is like no time has passed. That if he really needs something, these men will do anything they can to help other. It comes from being in battle together and it is a bond like no other. We witnessed that a few weeks ago with our last assignment cycle here. In the middle of the drama, Jason received a phone call from his cousin. I hear Jason in the midst of his own personal fiasco tell his cousin there is no greater Army, there will be no greater friends, there is no greater country to serve.

I wish that Washington and the American people, would put on a pair of combat boots for just one week and walk in these men and womens shoes. Maybe then they would understand a little better the true meaning of the loss of just one of these soldiers. They are someone's son, someone's husband, someone's father.
They aren't just a good story to run for a week and be finished with it. For their families this story will run forever.

The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.
Douglas MacArthur

Ten on Tuesday

2011-08-10T14:47:00.000-05:00

1. So tonight at bedtime Will decides that he is going to pick out his own pajamas. What does he choose? Of course, pajamas with feet. We are in the middle of heat advisory and have 100 degree weather and Will wants to sleep in fleece pajamas with feet.

2. Will decides to zip himself into a cozy pair of 24 month sleeper feet. Let me just say that Will and is size 12 foot left 24 months a loooong time ago. But he insisted and I needed a good laugh so I let him walk around in them. Although, walk isn't really the correct term. He looked more like the hunchback..

3. After he gets tired of hobbling around he decides that it is time to take off said pajamas. Maybe they were finally cutting of circulation to his feet. Maybe it was the neckline cutting into his skin. Literally his feet are stuck and he is so sweaty they aren't coming out. Will's answer to the problem, "Maybe you should call Mr. Rowe and he can come over and cut me with his pocket knife." Now, if you know Mr. Rowe, he is pretty handy. Will loves Mr Rowe and his pocket knife.

4. Bella and Amelia have a Secret Bedtime Reading club complete with secret handshake. I put them to bed at night and then they get into one or the others bed to read. It started out "secret" and grew from there. Bella loves to read and I love that she is reading to Amelia.

5. Jason finished accounting Thursday night. I may just throw a party to signal the end of both of our misery..

6. We attended a birthday party for Miss Taylor B last weekend. Her Daddy and a few of his friends got out their guitars and banjo to play for the guests. Bella thought it was the best thing ever. The next morning she said, Don't forget to hire that band to play at my next birthday party. I loved them.

7. We called Nene on Saturday morning. When it was Amelia's turn to talk to Nene, I handed her the phone and said "guess who it is". Nene disguised her voice and started talking. Amelia got mad and started crying and wouldn't talk at all. Nene and I are still laughing..

8. Drew went to bed last night with Amelia's version of the Daddy Doll. He was eyeballing Bella's and Amelia willingly gave up hers for the night. Drew said over and over, Daddy doll Daddy Doll. He put it in a bear hug got in bed and that was the last we saw of him until 6:30AM.. I'm ordering him his own.

9. Bella is excited to be in the first grade. She has told me every day she has been on her best behavior, listens and doesn't talk when she isn't supposed to be. She also told Will her busdriver is a real cowboy. He is pretty jealous.

10. Will was in the bathroom with me this morning and told me that my belly has "more cracks than the sidewalk" I bet all of you are jealous :)

First grade..

2011-08-08T15:41:00.000-05:00

Today was the first day of school. Bella is finally in first grade. She is very excited and couldn't wait to get back to school. While we enjoy summer and have a great time relaxing, swimming and spending time with friends, Bella does much better on a schedule. She enjoys going to school and learning every day.

It's not goodbye friends, it's see ya later

2011-08-07T21:24:00.004-05:00

Well the time has finally come. I have put it out of the back of my mind and have kind of lived in a state of denial all summer long. One of my closest friends is finally leaving. I have barely allowed this fact to register probably because a part of me has held out some great hope that things would change and they would stay. Probably because I can function better for myself and for my friend, if I am not a moping and crying all summer. Seriously who wants to come swim with Eeyore? I wanted this summer to be normal. I didn't want every conversation to be about moving. Or leaving. Or think about August where my friend would just be gone. I tell her to sneak out in the middle of the night without saying goodbye. And I'm serious, and I may have to hunt her down at the same time. I hate goodbyes. Especially with one of my closest friends who I am going to miss every single day..
.

I know it probably may sound bizarre to some people. But I love my friend. I love her girls. She is one of the sweetest, kindest, most giving people I have ever met. I am a better person for knowing her. She keeps me grounded. She makes me laugh. She keeps my head from spinning off of my body some times when I am seeing red. I will miss her most a week from Monday when we go back to school and I don't see her every single day. When I can't walk out my door and see her or talk to her on the playground everyday. She will not be Will's teacher this year or Drew's next year. That makes me sad. I will not get to have Sassafrass in my class like I thought. Sassafrass, who tells me, Mrs. Erin sit by me I'm your very best friend in here. Bella and Amelia love her older girls and I know there wouldn't be two sweeter friends for them to have. Her husband was a good man and I am sad that he and Jason didn't have the opportunity to spend more time together before he left.

Sigh...As sad as I am for myself and as much as I will miss my friend. And believe me, she will be greatly missed, I know that there are great things awaiting my friend and her family. There are great people waiting to meet her. I tease her that I'm not going to like her new friends and I'm waiting to see who the new "me" is. But I know they will be wonderful because she is that amazing. I will miss her every single day. I am happy for her and can't wait to see and hear about the great things they are going to do.
We will be here cheering you on, louder than anyone else.

It's not goodbye Reinaldas, it's see ya later. We love you.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Ten on Tuesday

2011-07-28T21:40:00.000-05:00

1. The girls got their back to school haircuts yesterday. Both girls decided to get two inches taken off. Thankfully it was enough to get the green out of Amelia's hair.

2. Drew is now sleeping in his big boy bed in his big boy room. With his big brother. That's a lot of big. And that means we're officially finished with the crib.

3. On the very first night in his big bed, I heard Will say "Drewby get back in your bed now. You aren't allowed to get out of your bed and run around." He is such a good big brother.

4. I have slowly been weaning myself off of Diet Mt Dew for almost three weeks now. I got it down to one soda a day, at dinner and it started keeping me awake at night. So for the past five days I have only had water to drink. NOTHING but water. This is huge for me. I love Diet Mt Dew..

5. I am really hoping these kids learn to sleep through the night again sometime soon. I like sleep. I like getting around 7-8 hours of sleep but definitely 6 hours uninterupted. I do not like wiping bottoms in the middle of the night. Especially when I'm not drinking any caffeine.

6. Sammy is finally back from the beach. I thought she moved there forever.. This is what Will told me this week. Will will be extra happy to see his Sammy this week. It's a good day when Sammy and Christina come over, I tell ya.

7. I have a slight obsession with Pinterest. If you haven't checked it out and you aren't on it, you need to. It is fabulous and I can't get enough of it. And no, it is not like facebook..

8. We have chosen Isabella's first day of school outfit. If you know Isabella, this is a big deal. We shall see if this is in fact what she actually wears to school.

9. Isabella asked me this week if she is actually attending school on the first day like everyone else or if she has to wait until the second. She also asked if I was absolutely positive that Mrs. H wasn't moving up to teach first grade with her. I wish!!

10. We enjoyed a lovely summer of Mother's Morning Out at church. Thank you to all involved in this program and for taking care of my children. On the last day I enjoyed eight hours to myself - went shopping, had lunch and laughed with my friend! It was fabulous!!

Ten on Tuesday

2011-07-19T08:37:00.000-05:00

1. There is nothing sweeter than hearing "I love you" in the softest little voice by my now two year old boy Drew.

2. Ahh, Drew is two. How in the world did that happen? I'm still kind of on the fence about it honestly..

3. In all seriousness I am not one of those "Let's be 25 forever" kind of girls. But but I kind of think of myself as 25 because that's when I got married and started having kids. Rapidly. Except now I'm actually not close to 25 anymore.. I'm 25 plus seven. And let's be serious it stinks to be in the 25 plus seven box..

4. School starts in three weeks. I know it will be a little sad but I am ready for some structure to come back into our lives. I am also ready for Jason to not be in class 4 nights a week.

5. Jason finally received his RFO and is awaiting actual orders. A huge sigh of relief. We will begin shipping some household goods as soon as his orders are received.

6. Mr. Leith has arrived back in town for the next month to attend school. He is a fan favorite with my kids and the only thing that would make them happier is if he was staying with us or if his entire family was moving here.

7. Nene, Poppy and Granny surprised us with a visit for Drew's 2nd Birthday! The kids were excited to see them and spend the weekend with them.

8. We have been working on writing with Will. He really get very frustrated with the W and sits and pouts about it. He repeatedly asks me to help him which really means he wants me to do it for him. I just wish he could write already :)

9. Yesterday we went swimming at the wilderness pool aka our neighborhood pool. Seeing as I'm such a wilderness girl, it's perfect. Last year, I had to chase a huge skink lizard out and this year we've had frogs and worms in the water. So there I am standing in the water with the girls and what comes running in towards us? A huge squirrel. Seriously?

10. I am not sure if I have mentioned it or not but at the beginning of the summer I bought Will a brand new orange bathing suit with dinosaurs on it. Super cute. I was sure it would be his absolute favorite because it is orange. Every single day I get the suit down for him to wear and he refuses. He asks for the blue suit or the turtle. Finally he says, I can't wear the dinosaur suit Mama. Dinosaurs have sharp teeth. They are scary. That bathing suit scares me. I can't wear it.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-07-06T18:49:00.001-05:00

1. Yesterday was Independence Day..my absolute favorite holiday besides Christmas. I hope that you stopped to remember the soldiers who have fought and those that continue to fight to keep our country free.

2. We went over to our neighbors house for some fireworks and sparklers. Will was waving around his old fashioned enormous sparkler like a wand and one of the girls said touch my head like the Fairy Godmother does. Will replied, I can't. I'll catch your hair on fire.

3. Amelia did twirl and wave her sparkler around like the Fairy Godmother and the tip went flying off right into the grass, setting it on fire. Bella did the same thing and sent sparks flying into the "audience"..

4. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday I walk in the morning with my neighbor Heather at 5:30. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday I do not get a hug first thing in the morning when the girls come running down the stairs to see me. I stink and need a shower. They blow me a kiss and tell me they'll hug me later.

5. Amelia announced this week that it is time for us to have another baby. I said we can't have anymore babies. She looked at me rather puzzled and said just go to the doctor and pick one up..

6. Amelia was practicing writing her letters and a few words yesterday. She wrote several letters and then looked up at me and said how do I write "LMNToe-P"

7. I have never seen two girls fight over a boy like my girls fight over Drew. All I can say is I hope that some day they don't happen to actually like the same boy when they are older because we will be in trouble..if this is how they argue over their brother.

8. I am starting the search for Beyonce's brother. Except I want Beyonce's brother to be ENORMOUS and paint him to look like Kiss. Maybe 10 feet tall not five. I am going to name him Gene Simmons and plant him outside the office of my most special friend. 15 years is big metal chickens don't ya know.

9. Amelia has been swimming so much this summer that her hair has turned green. It happens to everyone but was honestly a first for us. We're treating with a special shampoo, conditioner and leave-in spray..

10. A surprise visit next week from Nene, Poppy and Granny Willy.. The kids don't know but Will is going to be surprised when Nene shows up for dinner on Thursday night for Drew's birthday cake.

a must read..

2011-06-28T12:32:00.005-05:00

So I didn't write this and it does have some swearing if you are easily offended it may not be for you. But this is seriously the funniest story I have read in awhile.. I literally was crying and laughing out loud when I read it..

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http://thebloggess.com/2011/06/and-thats-why-you-should-learn-to-pick-your-battles/

Ten on Tuesday

2011-06-28T06:39:00.000-05:00

1. I believe this is my third ToT post that I will speak of Jason's job.. Still no news..myabe we'll hear the final word that they told us we would hear at the end of May by the end of July. The longer this crap..and yes, it is total crap..goes on the more furious I become.

2. I think the only person that could maybe be more furious about this job situation than the soldier is the soldier's wife. And when my kids are four weeks into not seeing their daddy and crying their eyes out?
Mr Assignments Officer, responsible for all the crying? I'll be calling you with the crying kids.

3. And don't you think for a second I won't.

4. Drew has decided that his oldest sister's name is Belga. He yells up the stairs "Time to eat Belga." or "Read me a book Belga".

5. Belga isn't so sure about her new name and wants to know how long he plans on calling her this..

6. This week I told Will I loved him and he said..I love you to Mama but just so you know I am marrying Sammy. I love her.

7. This week Jason explained to Bella that when he was little he used to hang his clothing outside on a clothes line to dry. She looked at him really confused and said, Was the dryer not invented yet?

8. Amelia has made a new friend at the swimming pool. A little kindergarten boy from our neighborhood that she calls her boy. Tonight at dinner she said, I have two boys now. Jack and Lee.
I said you have a lot of friends. She looked at me funny and said, Jack and Lee are not my friends they are my boys.

10. We are almost at the end of summer dance. The girls have really enjoyed themselves and are learning a lot each week. I really need to work on my bun technique..it is sad.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-06-21T09:17:00.000-05:00

1. Jason reached fifteen years of service on June 1st. I am so proud of him and all that he has accomplished along this long selfless road..

2. 1820 days until retirement. After the weekend and week that we have had, it can't come soon enough. We will have one more PCS after this and then it's peace-out..

3. Still waiting on final word on where Jason is going. Again. I will go on record as saying the assignments guy - especially one that's been on the job for two weeks- is my least favorite guy in the army..

4. I hope that all the Dads out there had a Happy Father's Day.. We spent Sunday at church and later the best Daddy in the world took his favorite kids to the swimming pool..

5. In honor of Father's Day I didn't want to disappoint my own Father and decided that Ten on Tuesday better actually show up on Tuesday this week when the World's Greatest Dad likes to read it. Happy Fathers Day Poppy, we love and miss you!!

6. We have been swimming every day since last Monday. Will actually puts his face under water now and is working on opening his eyes. Drew can blow bubbles in the water and Amelia now has the confidence to swim across the pool completely by herself. She could alawys swim but just wasn't so sure about herself.

7. Bella has been reading Junie B. Jones every day this summer. She is now reading "quietly in her head" some days which makes me laugh to myself.

8. Yesterday I asked Will what he would like for breakfast and he replied, Nene..I miss her. Not pancakes or eggs for Will. Nene.

9. Drew is slowly but surely talking more. Last night he said "Bella read me." and handed her a book.

10. Drew is also the only one of our kids that is brave enough (or crazy enough) to sneak my Diet Mt Dew at the swimming pool. It is in a cup with a straw and he likes to sip away. The other kids have never liked anything with carbonation..Drew could care less as long as it comes with a straw!

kindergarten

2011-06-13T10:22:00.001-05:00

You looked so little when I dropped you off on your first day of school. It was really the second and you being you were a little annoyed that the boys got to attend school and meet your teacher before you did.. Patience was something that I new you would learn in a class this big and you did as well as a six year old can. I'm so proud of you and all that you accomplished.

Your teacher had curly hair and you were really excited about that. I was excited that she treated you like a little person, responsible for your own actions. You needed to be able to do certain things for yourself and you were responsible for your behavior. No one was more upset than you on the few days you had to move to yellow.. It was like the world had ended and in all honesty I wanted you to think it had. You are responsible for your own actions.

The best teachers teach from the heart, not the book. And that was never more apparent than after April 27th. While she taught you to read and write and count higher, you learned a invaluable lesson about life from Mrs H.
One that I hope that you will always remember. I know that your Daddy and I will.

We are so proud of you and we love you.

VBS

2011-06-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

Vacation Bible School or VBS or The Big Apple Adventure was this past week.

The kids loved going every single day. Every day they got up before me and were ready to go before me. They were excited and ecstatic and couldn't wait to get there. They loved the worship rally, snacks, crafts and hearing about Jesus..
On Friday night the girls cried because they weren't going back to VBS on Saturday. On Saturday they cried because it wasn't Sunday and they weren't going to church.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-06-10T22:10:00.000-05:00

1. Sammy the superstar babysat last week. Oh do these kids love their Sammy. She plays with them and lets them have popcorn and oreos for a snack.

2. We have seen and played with Miss Sammy and Mr Nate at the pool almost every day since Tuesday. Will thinks thats just about the best thing since Christmas.

3. Will loves Sammy so much that today he said, Mama please go somewhere so my Sammy can come over.

4. This morning when I was putting on applying my make-up powder Will asked "Why are you putting that dirt on your face when you always wipe the dirt off of my face?"

5. Amelia has been carrying her lunch to VBS in differnt lunch box than normal. Apparently her good friend Molly has been eye-balling the new bag and came home and told her mom about the special brown paper bag, with Amelia's name on it that she gets to throw away every day after they eat.

6. Will's class talked a lot about Jesus at VBS. They went around the classroom and church looking for pictures of Him.
Will's teacher told me Will kept asking when Jesus was going to get there. He was waiting for him to walk through the door.

7. Bella misses her friends at school and Mrs. H. I knew it wouldn't be long. Homework in the summer is "boring" and "she's not learning anything."

8. Will has decided 5:30 is his new time to get up in the moring. He comes downstairs and jumps on Jason's chest and announces, "the sun is shining, the sun is up. It's time to get up."
I hope he is ready in about 12-14 years because this is going to come back to haunt him..

9. Amelia has some new green earrings that she isn't allergic to. We put them in without incident and so far so good. If you are thinking of piercing gold is the only way to go.

10. We ended the week just like we began on Monday, listening to our VBS cd. There is a certain agreed upon order of songs from the kids and we must en with "Yes to VBS" cranked up as soon as we begin to turn on the church road.
Today I started my turn and didn't immediately change the song. I hear Bella say, We're turning. We're turning, turn it up please Mama. We need to sing yes to VBS as loud as we can. We need to really be ready for VBS on our last day."

Dance recital pictures

2011-06-02T20:42:00.000-05:00

So proud of my girls!! Thanks to Grami, Nene, Poppy and Granny for coming to see the girls dance.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-05-31T15:28:00.000-05:00

1. We have been swimming and swimming and swimming this weekend. I will lose count of the number of times I say that word over the summer.

2. On Saturday at lunch, Bella very matter of factly asked me if I would take her to the p-o-o-l during naptime.

3. "Someday you're going to be some girl's prince charming. No I'm not, I'm just going to be Will R."

4. We went to see Will's Miss Robin at school her school for a few minutes today. Miss Robin teaches PE and gets to wear a whistle that Will was pretty impressed with. On the way home, he asked Miss Robin gets to blow the whistle at the kids? Yes. Loud? Yes. She dosn't get in trouble for blowing the whistle inside? No, that's part of her job. Wow..

5. I now officially have a first grader. I am so proud and a little bit sad about this.

6. Jason and I enjoyed a lovely evening to ourselves celebrating the marriage of sweet Miss Casey on Saturday night.

7. I hope that everyone had a Happy Memorial Day and took a minute to realize and honor the true meaning of the day.

8. To my very own veteran, thank you, for 15 years of service.. We love you.

9. For the bargain price of $2 we have our new VBS cd in the gray bus and ready to go for next week. I know you are all jealous and ready to come cruising with us.

10. Still no news on Jason's next job..

365..

2011-05-26T18:54:00.002-05:00

Somedays I pick up my phone to text a picture of the kids and still add your name to the recipient list without even giving it a second thought. A few times I've forgotten and hit send. It feels like a little stab in the heart when that message comes back "undeliverable". I know that on the Verizon commercials when that annoying man says can you hear me now, that applies to heaven too.

I just can't bring myself to remove your name from my contacts list because to me you're still here, you'll always be here.

When Drew locked us out of the house a few weeks ago, I knew that no one else would think it was as funny as you would. Each time one of them does something really ornery, I can hear you say "Give 'em hell boys". They are and I know you would be laughing louder than anyone else.

Will keeps a picture book of you in his room and looks at it before bed a lot of nights. When he says your name, he says it like he just saw you that afternoon.

I wish you could see the almost two year old with the curly hair just like yours. I wish he had the same memories of you that the other three have.

I know that the boys favorite cars are the ones with the chipped paint that look like they came from the matchbox junk yard. I know that when I turn them over, it is your handwriting I will see engraved in the bottom of those cars forever.

I know that when Bella stands with her hands on her hips and that stubborn look on her face when I ask her to take her picture, you would see the same little girl that used to tell you she was "too busy". And that would make you tease her more.

And Amelia. She and Granny are joined at the hip when they are together. Amelia sobs extra loud when her granny leaves. I know that you would love that, too.

I miss you. Every. single. day. I miss you.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-05-24T12:30:00.000-05:00

1. Granny, Grami, Nene and Poppy have come and gone. So have the smiles and now the tears.. Grandparents are much more fun than Mama and Daddy.

2. School is out and the youngest three chilren have started summer vacation. Bella begins hers next week.

3. Someone asked me yesterday if I was excited about summer vacation.. I'm excited to sleep in. I am serious when I say that I would sell an internal organ for a nanny and a cleaning lady to help out with the creatures that overtake my house during this lovely so-called vacation.

4. On the first day of vacation Drew locked himself in the upstairs bedrooms six times before 10AM and then screamed until I came and let him out. Each time I left him in there a little longer to get my point across. Mean, maybe but I knew where he was and that boy has got to learn.

5. Amelia has a horrible habit of getting out of her bed every night and at rest time during the day. I am tired of dealing with it and the new solution is, no pool time for her the next day if she doesn't stay in bed.

6. Dance recital was Saturday. THe girls did such a great job and I am so proud of them!

7. We find out this week where Jason's next job assignment will be.
Maybe. This is the Army we're talking about after all.

8. Bella's end of the year program was on Friday. She was so cute singing with her class and so happy to have all her grandparents there to watch her perform.

9. Tornado sirens went off here again on Sunday. I thought my heart was literally going to beat right out of my chest when I heard them. Three of the kids were with my parents and I was terrified. Thankfully nothing came of it but if I never hear another siren again it will be too soon.

10. We had AWANA awards on Sunday. Bella completed her entire book and the review! Amelia completed her first year for Cubbies. Both of the girls love AWANA and are sad to be finished until fall.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-05-10T20:35:00.001-05:00

1. It has been twelve days since the tornados hit..the little kids everywhere to include my own are used to hearing talk about it now. When they are playing you can hear, "take shelter the tornado is coming" "you'll have to go to your own shelter, this shelter is full" "look at all the damage the tornado left"

2. After several rides with the Red Cross I never, thought I would ever look at a house with tarps nailed to were the roof used to be and think..well this damage isn't so bad..

3. After every ride I took with the Red Cross Bella would ask me when I returned, "Did you help Mrs. H tonight? Did you make it to her house?" Every night I would answer, "not tonight baby." and she would say, "well there's always tomorrow night."

4. On my last and final ride, on the very last street we turned onto the very first house was Mrs. H's..and I couldn't stop the tears. After we finished the route, I got out of the truck and stood in that front yard and just cried..for Mrs H and for all the people of Alabama.

5. My children have seen enough pictures of the devastation that they want to give away their own belongings to help some of the other children. Bella would single handedly sponsor little Luke. And I would second the nomination..

6. The past fourteen days has given me a new perspective on things and what is important. Family, friendships, material things, and people in general. People always say if you lost everything what would you try and save. If you were faced with disaster what would you do?

7. Bella had field day today in the toasty 90 degree heat. She has enjoyed every second of kindergarten and hasn't realized that she will be leaving soon.

8. I have 7 days of school left. I love it but yes, I'm counting. The pool is calling my name and Amelia's and Will's. We are ready.

9. Two days until Nashville. I'm looking forward to a weekend away with some of my favorite girls.

10. Jason is really looking forward to being home alone with four kids this weekend. To top it off - 8AM soccer game. Fantastic. He's super dad..he's totally got this.
10.

Never Let Go

2011-05-08T18:46:00.002-05:00

the week after

2011-05-06T13:38:00.001-05:00

- 5000 people came together at a little community center to help the people. This community center was a central point for the entire community and operated completely by a generator. A generator, I was told, that was funded and installed just four days before disaster struck.. That's how amazing God is.

- We were without power for 5 days but not for lack of trying from the TVA and the line operators. I talked to a few of the men and they said their shifts start at 6AM and go until 3AM. They are then back working at 6AM. They've been working these hours since the 28th..

- I worked the community center and helped to sort through and entire gymnasium full of clothing donations. It warmed my heart to see the generosity in those gymansiums.

- Helping people "shop" through these items to find themselves some new clothes to take home, when they have lost everything is the hardest shopping I have ever done.

- I have always had the utmost respect and admiration for the Red Cross and was thrilled and humbled to work with them this week. I will never forget my trips with Bill and Greg from Fort Collins and Tom and Phill from Pittsburg.

- Hearing a woman tell me that her brother was in that house and then pointing to nothing but a slab of concrete.

- Seeing another woman walk for 20 minutes amongst the disaster pile that was left of her belongings still looking for anything she could take with her.

- The young man that said he heard God through this tornado tell him to be still and appreciate life and what he has a little bit more. And he's going to listen.

- The tents pitched on slabs of concrete because the families have no where left to actually live.

- The family living in a house with no roof because that is all that they have and they can't even afford to tarp it.

- The family that lost every single thing they own. And the mother walked up to our truck from a dirt driveway and still said, "God has truely blessed me and we have everything we need" If she can say that some of us really need to evaluate what we choose to complain about in life.

- The compassion, selflessness and generosity of the Red Cross members. They treat these people like they are their best friends and have known them their entire life.

- The Yellow Hats as Amelia calls them who have been at our church for over a week now. Preparing food and organizing the disaster relief.

- The tireless effort of our ministers and my church family. I've seen them out in the rain, some of them shaking from the cold. Sawing and chopping and picking things up.

I hope that if disaster ever strikes your community you are lucky enough to live in a community like mine. In the beginning I couldn't forget the horrible sound of the sirens and the images of the storm. Now I'll never forget the blessings and the people helping each other. I'll never forget the faith and strength of the people affected the most..

Ten on Tuesday

2011-05-04T20:40:00.001-05:00

1. My bathroom conversation with Amelia.."When I get bigger I'm only going to have one baby. I don't want my belly to look like yours." Lucky for you sister #2, I was willing to sacrifice my six pack.

2. I think the only person more excited in our house for me to get my hair done is Amelia. She knows that when I see Miss Kris I will return to the house with straight hair and for a little while she and I will have the same hair.

3. When we arrived in Ohio, from our tornado damaged state we didn't know how long we would be here. My mom gave Will a huge hug and said "I am so glad to see you and I am so happy you are here. What happened?" and this is what he said, "Alabama is broken."

4. I have to admit that my brother's "siren" ring on his cellphone wasn't the least bit funny last Thursday night. The first three times I heard it I literally scanned the area for my children and looked for an escape route to the pantry. And I'm not kidding.

5. The boys are no longer afraid of the 5 pound attack dog Tinkerbelle that terrified them when we arrived at Nene's. Will walks her around on a leash now and Drew says "NO". Amelia bosses her around like she is the queen of England.

6. My niece is an only child. Obviously my children are not. Parker was greatly offended when Will told her she was "stinky Parker". In true Will fashion, once he found out it bothered her, he told her again.

7. School begins on Wednesday. Please keep these children and the teachers in your prayers..especially Bella's teacher.

8. I am amazed by this little community that I now call home. You haven't read about or heard much about us on the news but BIG things are happening here. The people take care of one another and it is a-ma-zing.

9. The death of the most wanted terrorist is a victory for our MILITARY.
It is a win for the men and women who have fought this war, with their hands and with their blood.
It is not a victory for a politician, who voted against this war and just three weeks ago thought it was okay, under the stress of the budget for the same Navy Seal team 6 and their family to go without pay.

10. If #9 becomes the saving grace for said politicians relection campaign I'm going to have a heart attack.

waking up with sirens

2011-05-01T12:25:00.003-05:00

When you live in Alabama, tornado sirens are a normal thing. We hear them frequently throughout the spring and fall. We found out Tuesday that Wednesday's weather wasn't expected to be fantastic and we were under a severe weather alert and we were under a tornado watch. It rained hard all night and we woke early Wednesday morning to the sound of the tornado sirens. Jason grew up in Oklahoma and is pretty good at reading the weather radar. He said, that we were not in the path of the storm and we were fine for the moment. School was put on two hour delay and we prepared to start our days behind.

I left for work with the three youngest kids at 8:45. I didn't want to send Bella to kindergarten Wednesday. I knew she would be safe at school but I really wanted her with me. I just knew the weather was going to get worse and I had a feeling we would be releasing early. I would be in the county responsible for the kids I am teaching and my child would be in the city, waiting for me to pick her up off the bus. Probably with sirens blaring. What I imagined in my mind was so much better than what actually happened.

At around 11AM, we were told that the county schools would be releasing early which meant we would be closing at 12:15. My friend, lives 20 minutes away from our school and had to leave immediately to pick up her children and get home. Our kids were watching a movie and I had a list of two classes..Then the sirens started going off. We took the kids into the designated emergency rooms and waited out the storm. And we waited. I was able to text Jason but no phone calls were going out. He told me the tornado was headed right for us and wanted to know where the kids were. I had Amelia with me. Will and Drew were with their teachers in different rooms. I prayed. They were safe and happy and no idea what was going on. The power went out and the kids did great. They sang songs and told stories by flashlight. When it was over, I still don't think they really knew what happened and what had occurred. We had only a little while to decide what we wanted to do. Stay at the church or go home. I waited until some of the people cleared out and then we left for home. Still they saw our broken building and the trees. The drive home was horrible. Trees in the middle of the road, power lines down all over the place. It was horrible. We arrived home at 1:45 just in time to see Bella's bus come down the street three minutes later. I will say huge things for our school system and the teachers.they kept our children safe. And calm, when I talked to Bella she said they just had to sit in the hall quietly in the "tornado position" and she demonstrated. The school system did their best to release them early and shut buses down immediately during the warning. They made the most out of a desperate situation and I am thankful.

At around 4PM we were put under another warning. I was only able to text message two of my good friends to find out were they were and if they were safe. One of my friends had been in a closet with her two kids since 11AM without power and was asking for updates. We still had power and she wanted to know when the next one was coming. My other friend, I wanted to make sure she and the kids had made it home and were safe. Our sirens started going off again and we went back into the pantry. We had already put blankets and pillows and flashlights in there. Our power went out. Jason went out on the deck to look and I went out to get him. We saw the tornado go over our neighbors house and I literally was screaming at him and to come back inside. It touched down not far from us and the loss is devastating.

We were able to get in touch with most of our friends throughout the night thankfully and most of them are okay. Some have a little damage but they are safe. We are without power for 5-6 days at least, maybe longer because the storm hit the power plant here. They said to leave town if you needed to, to help conserve water. We came to my parents. The destruction in Alabama is unimaginable. I felt guilty leaving because I know that there are so many people that need help and I feel like we could have done something. Driving out of town, brought tears to my eyes and left my mouth hanging open. There are foundations where there used to be houses..

The only person that I hadn't heard from and had no idea how to reach because the power was out was Bella's kindergarten teacher. I am sure that it may even seem strange to some to inquire about the where abouts of every single person you know, but this was mass destruction and my children needed to know that every single person they knew and loved was okay. I checked on all of our friends by text since that was our only form of communication. Bella continuously asked if I had heard from Mrs. H or about her. I had not and even went as far as trying to look her up on facebook.. I assured Bella that she was probably safe with her family and we would keep praying hope for good news soon. And then the call came. And that's the first time in this entire ordeal that I fighting back tears. This isn't just someone on the news. This is someone that my child loves. Having to break the news to your six year old that her teacher's house has to be rebuilt but she is safe is an almost impossible task as a parent.

This is not my picture. I assure I wouldn't be brave enough or maybe even crazy enough to be the one to take it. This picture was taken maybe 10 miles from our house. I'm not sure if it was taken during the first or second tornado to hit that area. So many people I've talked to over the last few days have asked me if the tornados "in real life" are like you see in the movies. I can tell you I don't ever want to see another one. Two in one day is more than enough for me. I promise you the damage left behind from this storm is massive.

Thank you to the people have called, emailed and texted. We are fine. Our hearts are broken for our friends and our state. We are praying for all who have lost so much..
especially Mrs. H..

NeedtoBreathe..More Time

2011-04-27T08:16:00.003-05:00

Ten on Tuesday

2011-04-26T06:40:00.001-05:00

1. When you repeatedly tell someone how awesome you are, you're probably the only one that thinks so.

2. I am thankful for true friends that keep me grounded, make me laugh and always give sound advice and are just here for me whenever I need them. You know who you are and I love you girls.

3. My first week of teaching my own actual class went very well. I love it there and hope I stay for a long time. I love those kids and it was a great week.

4. We took the kids to the gardens for the annual egg hunt and their quest for a new pet continues. Will is interested in "goosies" and Amelia had a thing for turtles or ducks. I had pet ducks as a child so don't get any ideas Popstar.

5. My children do not like Mascots and only Bella would go near the Easter bunny. Amelia admired from afar and Will made a run for it as soon as he saw that Easter Bunny. He said, that Bunny man better not come over here.

6. This week I wore a pair of pants that had a very small hole in the leg. Bella said "why do these pants have a hole in them?" I answered, "These pants are older than you. I even wore them when I was pregnant with you." Bella thought about it for a minute and said, "How old are they 10,000 years old?" At least she's learning her numbers.

7. And out of no where Drew is back to sucking his thumb. I'm serious when I say we're going to need a "thumb sucking patch" to break this boy..

8. Drew is talking more and more. One of my favorite words he says is, "Wheel". We're staying in the south so I might as well work on the accents.

9. Jason downloaded a new version of IE for the laptop. Now to publish to the blog, I have to type of the posts and then log in through the Ipad to publish. Honestly, not a fan of this new process.

10. This ones for my MZBC friends..hopefully you'll enjoy the new section in the church magazine because someone, who reads here - and I will find you, recommended me to write a column there.

locks..

2011-04-24T14:33:00.005-05:00

The weather has been amazing here. I really can't say enough about how beautiful it has been..sunny and 85 degrees. On Saturday after there naps I took the boys outside to play for a little while. Jason was at the library studying for a final exam and the girls were the neighbor's house. The boys were playing on the deck and riding their bikes. I had just taken in the spare house key and my cell phone and gone back out to check on them. Will asked if they could stay out for five additional minutes before dinner and I agreed and sat down for a minute. Jason came home and wasn't even completely in the chair when Drew started in the house.

I said..I don't have my key.
Jason..me either.
Drew..closes the door as Jason gets up.
Me..he's locking us out
Jason..Yes, he did.

So for the next 30 minutes on the Saturday before Easter we tried to talk our 21 month old into unlocking the door. It didn't work. At first he remained calm and smiled and didn't think anything about the fact that he was inside and we were all outside. And then he realized that we weren't coming in and he couldn't come out. And the crying started. And then the screaming. And he started shaking the door handled and twisting himself in the blind. And beating on the glass like a prison inmate you see on TV. I'm not kidding either And there I sat on the other side of the glass, rubbing it and trying to calm him down. Seriously, the only thing missing was a telephone and orange jumpsuit.
Our neighbors tried to call a locksmith. No one answered on the Saturday before Easter. We called the FireDepartment and they could jimmy the door open. Jason called the Police Department who showed up and was willing to kick the door in. And then our neighbor came over with a trick he learned on CSI and he got into the house..thank the Lord. Our door frame is still in tact and I didn't have to keep eyes on the baby so my door could be kicked in..
It was a stressful 30 minutes. I've always expected one of my kids to do this but I have to say, I always thought it would be Will..

Happy Easter!

2011-04-23T14:28:00.002-05:00

Happy Easter!! Here are a few pictures we were able to take before church this morning. The kids were more interested in the RollyPollies that Jason had shown them than in getting their pictures taken. I hope everyone enjoyed the day!!

Ten on Tuesday

2011-04-16T21:09:00.008-05:00

1. So Will tells us last week that inside his underwear are some Pomegranates. And proceeds to ask if everyone has pomegranates in their underwear? Oh by the way, he's talking about the purple man on his Fruit of the Loom tag.

2. It was 85 degrees here and sunny today. Woohoo. Summer is a comin'. After all the snow this winter, bring it mother nature. We're ready to hit the pool.

3. Amelia is now not only afraid of the cat she's also afraid of a crow. I'm telling you we are animal people here. And the animals can feel it..

4. Last week I received a text from one of my best friends..Will's girl Chloe was at the eye doctor getting her eyes dialated and this is what she had to say, "I don't love anybody. I don't love anybody but Will."

5. Come August you're going to have to pick a certain 3 year old boy out of a great big puddle in the floor when his future wife pulls outta town. Amelia and I will probably be laying down beside him..

6. I feel like we've gotten more than our fair share of disappointing and stressful news lately. Best friends leaving, surgeries, medical procedures, unspoken prayer requests, dealing with the uncertainty of Jason's job. I try so very hard to be a positive, encouraging person for the people around me but lately I feel like we are being smothered from all sides. The smile on my face is getting a little tighter and inside my heart is almost breaking.

7. I know that God doesn't give us more than He thinks we can handle but I keep asking him to lighten up a little. And I'm asking you "my people", if you've got sad, disappointing or bad news for me..see me in 2012.

8. Isabella/Nene and Amelia/Granny had an art contest on Saturday. They had to make a sky/nature scene completely out of construction paper. I will try to post pictures of their finished masterpieces.

9. Today at school Amelia caught a ladybug on the playground and carried that thing around for 15 minutes. She said is anyone allergic to ladybugs? Can this ladybug please be our pet?

10. And oh the budget. I pray that this mess is taken care of and our country can get back on track. I pray it is a country that I can once again be proud of. A country that will pay the soldiers protecting it's freedom regardless of what's going on in Washington. Our soldiers sacrifice enough..they don't need to give up their paychecks too.

an Easter tradition

2011-04-16T20:41:00.005-05:00

It is no secret that I have a sweet tooth. I personally could do without the "vegetable" group and move right on over to "sweets and junk food". If you know me really well you know that I'm not kidding in the least bit. You also know that the Easter aisles of the local Targets stores almost make me giddy this time of year. All those brightly colored Peeps and Bunnies just waiting to be put into my shopping cart. Now, the Peeps are much better than the bunnies but I cannot and will not play favorites. It is probably also known, that once the package is home I slit open the cellophane so the peeps can start to get stale. Because nothing is better than a stale peep. Before I had kids and I wasn't as good at watching my blood sugar, I would buy multiple boxes of peeps and wait until June/July to eat those little birds. Oh were they good. Now, I have kids. And don't ya know they love a Peep too. And do you think that they have the patience to let my birds "cook" on the back of the counter? No. My children do not understand nor do they fully appreciate the way a Peep should be eaten. They just know they like them and they have no time for "cookin birds".
Here is my Drew-boy and his first Peep. It was a proud moment because he couldn't be bothered to even touch it. He just shoved the entire thing in his mouth. His immediate response was "More. Mine" and he pointed to the pink Peeps sitting on the counter. I'm doing my best to raise them right..

the one he loves the most

2011-04-13T12:06:00.004-05:00

Drew is the fan favorite in our house. He really is spoiled by his sisters and brother. At preschool last week we had cake before school and there sit Will and Amelia feeding Drew like he is the King of England. Often times at dinner, they pull him up to the table and give him whatever he wants. They read him stories and play with him whenever he wants and are spoiling this kid rotten. Drew has a definite favorite too and chooses this person over anyone else.

He loves him more than the rest of us and he lets you know it.

Drew is the fan favorite in our house. He really is spoiled by his sisters and brother. At preschool last week we had cake before school and there sit Will and Amelia feeding Drew like he is the King of England. Often times at dinner, they pull him up to the table and give him whatever he wants. They read him stories and play with him whenever he wants and are spoiling this kid rotten. Drew has a definite favorite too and chooses this person over anyone else.

He loves him more than the rest of us and he lets you know when he swats you away and says "mine and no." when I try to take him away or even give him a hug.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-04-13T02:31:00.001-05:00

1. Will's favorite color is orinch not to be confused with orange. He loves to wear orange as often as possible and you can usually spot him from across the room - or parking lot - the shirts are so bright. His shoes are also "orinch" if I haven't mentioned that before.

2. In the morning, after prayer meeting he gets two skittles from his Mrs. Laura. Every day he gets orange and on the really great days he says gets excited and says "Hey they match my shirt. Or hey they match my shoes." I love that Mrs Laura knows that my boy will ask for two orange skittles every day.

3. The point of the orange shirts.. One of his shirts has a very large Phoenix on it and a a bunch of stars. I didn't go for design, I went strictly for color. Will and Jason have had many discussions apparently about this bird and Will can tell you that it's a Phoenix on his shirt. Last Wednesday, he told my mother in his most serious voice: This bird on my shirt is very angry. This is a mean bird on my shirt. I seriously almost cried laughing.

4. It was a beautiful weekend here. Sunny and 85..everyone in the neighborhood was mowing their yards to include Will. Everyone else was swinging and sliding and Will was mowing.

5. Drew woke up in the middle of the night last night hysterically crying. The kid could not be calmed down and screamed for 45 minutes. We offered him water, tried to get him to go back to sleep, pulled out all our best tricks. Finally, desperate Jason set him down to see what he actually wanted and he ran into the kitchen for one specific sippy cup. I'm telling you this kid is stubborn.

6. I realized yesterday fall break and spring break have both been spent on my couch. My next break better be somewhere with a better view and ocean waves and not a pitstop at the hospital.

7. This was my morning conversation with Bella yesterday. Names changed to protect the innocent.."Mama, did you know Sally and Suzie are BFF? They are BFF. And Frank broke up with Jane because she was too flashy. Frank doesn't like girls that show off."

8. The girls are coming to Nashville in just under a month. I am seriously beyond excited as I haven't seen them in over a year now. These were my best friends for years. We went everywhere together every single weekend and most days through the week. I know that laughing will be done until we cry and I can't wait.

9. Amelia was sitting on the deck eating her popsicle when the crazy cat lurked into our backyard. Amelia doesn't trust nor does she like the crazy cat. It jumps on our deck and poops on her toys. She's out there minding her own business and at this point so is the cat. She opens the door and says "that cat is bothering me". We really aren't animal lovers here. I don't know why that cat doesn't understand he's not welcome.

10. We are now a gate free household. We decided there wasn't really a point to having the gate up when Drew was climbing over them to get to what he wants. Or the girls were lifting him over them. This boys is growing up and it's making me sad.

Soccer

2011-04-11T00:35:00.005-05:00

We began spring soccer three weeks ago. Our first game was rained out and the second week we were closed for field maintence so this week was actually our first game. Both girls are playing and have been beside themselves with excitement. Jason and I love soccer and so we're excited that this is the sport they've chosen to play. It was 82 degrees here for the first game and absolutely beautiful. I am trying to stay off my feet as much as possible and knew I would not be able to sit through two back to back games in the heat. I sent Jason with the camera and told him to take a lot of pictures. Y'all have heard me say before how important pictures are right? Especially of Amelia's very first soccer game ever? Well here is day captured in the eyes of Isabella.

two boys

2011-04-10T20:46:00.008-05:00

I took a few pictures when it was just the boys a few weeks ago. More pictures than I have time to take when it is two boys and two girls. Life with two boys is a piece of cake..even when they are my boys. I mean it seriously felt like I was on vacation that week with just two kids. The boys probably thought they were on vacation too except Will missed the girls (yes, that's really what he calls them) tremendously.

Will got to make an entire breakfast by himself. Now, if I was a better mother and most importantly a better cook, I would make said breakfast from scratch rather than a plastic bag. I would be making groundhog pancakes from scratch for crying out loud. My kids accept my kitchen abilities for what they are. As long as I buy the cinnamon rolls that come with the white in the bag and not the kind that come in the paper tube and they get to put them on the tray, they are pretty happy.

Will took his brother out for neighborhood drive. Take note of the two crazies standing up in the vehicle, yes those would be mine. Will insists on wearing a helmet every time he drives. He's concerned about his safety I guess.

Drew helps himself to whatever he wants in the pantry if the door isn't locked. If Will's around, the door usually isn't locked. Drew is smart enough and courteous enough to close the door behind him thinking it will buy him some time until he's caught.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-04-08T20:08:00.004-05:00

1. These have not been the easiest two weeks for me - hence the lack of posts. Last Tuesday I had an unexpected colonoscopy. It was absolutely horrid and miserable.

2. Poor, sweet little Will was really worried about me and told me as I sat gagging and fighting back tears on the floor, "Just ask Daddy to get you some new juice Mama so you don't have to drink the yucky juice anymore."

3. Along with drinking the delicious gallon jug of juice, I got the added bonus of puking too. The nurse told me as I was waiting for the procedure and about to have another nervous breakdown that no one had ever thrown up before. I hadn't eaten 9 hours prior to even starting the "juice"..by the time of the actual procedure I was at 22 hours. I was sedated before I even entered the procedure room.

4. Hernia surgery was up next on Monday. It has been just about as much fun. I got sick coming out of the anesthesia and they admitted me. Apparently my insurance only pays for 24 after surgery and they discharged me at 4:53AM. You gotta love Tricare.

5. Up next in the long line of fun I'm having this week..an allergic reaction to the 14 steri-strips that are covering my stomach. I have hard, blistered welts all over.

6. Just when you think things can't get any worse, one of your best friends calls and tells you they will be moving by the end of the summer. I took the news in a medicated stupor and was just thankful I didn't start crying on the phone.

7. My friends don't move away from me. I move away from them. For me personally this is going to be miserable and I am going to miss my friend like crazy. And I will cry because I can't see her every day anymore. But deep down I am happy for her and I know that this is what they need right now.

8. Drew is enjoying his time with Nene and Granny. He is a little bossy with Granny and is always telling her "NO".

9. There is no use putting up a gate anymore, Drew climbs right over it and up the stairs.

10. Bella's reading is improving every single day. She gets off the bus most days reading her library book and still enjoys reading to her brothers and sisters.

11. Please pray that a budget is passed soon. Our family, along with countless others, livelihood depends on this.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-03-22T12:30:00.001-05:00

1. The girls returned with a ginormous Bullseye for Will. I'm talking 2.5 feet tall for him to ride around on. Just what everyone cowboy needs.

2. Drew also thinks this Bullseye belongs to him. He yells "Mine" as he grabs Will and drags him off the horse. I guess when you're the fourth child, there isn't much you're afraid of.

3. The girls returned from Nene's house with a box of books and 13 pairs of new shoes. Yep, you read that right. Thirteen.

4. I told Nene before she took the girls not to send them back with any "junk". I guess shoes and books do not qualify as "junk" to Nene. We don't call her NeneClaus for nothing.

5. Drew woke up at 5:50 on Saturday morning. Drew. The same kid who we wake up Monday - Friday at 6:20 and rolls over in his bed giving us the skunk eye and says, No, no, NOOOOO.

6. He was less than pleasant and I was ready for him to go back to bed at 7:15AM. When he unloaded the dirty dishes in the dishwasher for the second time he bought himself an early nap at 12:20.

7. Spring Break!!! Panama City!!! is in full effect here.

8. Jason returned from class last week and told me he offered one of the college girls our guest room. She's looking for a new place to live and apparently wasn't so excited about rooming with a 20 month old..that now wakes up at 5:50.
I mean what doesn't sound appealing about that?

9. I was cursed with rolling veins. While I am aware that I'm not a nurse, these veins have been rolling around for a good twelve years. I assure you they aren't going to sit still for "the one stick wonder". I also can tell you that everytime someone tells me they are "one stick wonder" I'm assured a good three sticks just for fun. Three if I'm lucky..

10. I found out on facebook yesterday that my cousin has colon cancer. He's in his early 40s and he's pretty optimistic about it. I have huge family and we don't see them very often anymore. When I was explaining which cousin it was to Jason, his response "oh the really nice, quiet one". It kind of made me laugh because we are a lot of things but my family is not quiet except for him.
Cancer doesn't discriminate. Cancer sucks. Praying for peace and strength buddy.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-03-14T20:35:00.001-05:00

1. "We're all indians Mommy and you can be the cowgirl." - Will age 3

2. Bella's reading is improving every single day. She reads her library book when she comes home from school every day and she is now in charge of reading the bedtime stories to her brothers and sister.

3. Bella is on spring break this week and took an impromptu trip to Nene and Poppy's house. They found out Saturday she was out of school for the week and drove down Sunday to pick her up. I'm sure she's having a great time being an only child for the week.

4. It's spring break and I sent my kid to her grandmother's house with homework and books to read. Hopefully she's doing it every single day :)

5. Amelia was so hysterical about not being included in the week long get away that we sent her too.

6. We're back in a man-to-man defense for the first time since 2006. I think we could do this with one arm tied behind our back and half asleep people.

7. Amelia's beloved Bear-bear did not make the trip to Nene's house. Ugh-oh. Seriously, Amelia hasn't slept without Bear-bear since 2006 :) It might make for an interesting night for Nene and Poppy.

8. Will has asked several times to go to "the Ohio" maybe a we do have a future Buckeye on our hands.

9. Drew loves to be outside. If he wants outside, he brings you his shoes and your own and stands, beating on the back door yelling "side, side".

10. Drew also finally made huge progress last week and asks for a drink rather than just crying until he's blue in the face and we have followed him around the entire house trying to figure out what he wants. He now simply says "drink". Communication is an amazing, wonderful thing!

picasso

2011-03-10T20:19:00.005-06:00

My girls love art. They love it. Painting, drawing, creating. Every day during naptime Amelia goes upstairs and draws and colors multiple pictures. Every day when Bella comes home from school she begins drawing too. Today, this is what we found.

I should point out, that Amelia gets in trouble the least around here. She hasn't yet found her sassiness. She's so afraid of getting in trouble, not to mention emotional anyway, we usually only have to tell her one time to do things. She is honestly, very rarely in timeout which makes this pictures very funny. That and the high heels, which I pull out of the closet Sunday mornings only. Mostly because I'm too lazy to get my pants hemmed.

learning little

2011-03-10T14:43:00.003-06:00

1) This kid gets whatever he wants from his sisters.
2) This is probably why my kids can locate and navigate youtube by the time they are three.

my two little dancers

2011-03-10T14:28:00.006-06:00

this first picture shows how Amelia really feels about that dance costume.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-03-09T13:30:00.009-06:00

1. Before you send out the search dogs, yes I know it's Wednesday and I am a slacker.

2. I believe that Joy is a choice. You may not choose when you're going to get promoted at work, or the current state of our economy, or enjoy paying $3.49 for one gallon of gas. Buy you wake up every day and choose whether or not you are going to be happy. I choose not to be friends with the Drama Llama's and Negative Nancy's of the world.

3. When you start feeling sorry for yourself read this story of survival:
http://www.beinthemomentphoto.com/blog/
and remember to be grateful for the things and people in your life that you do have..

4. Will has gotten a little bit fancy with his dancing in music class. Last Friday he danced around the room with his little friend Miss K and decided to actually dip her twice.

5. I knew eventually Will would take the departure of his favorite Sunday school teacher, who just had a baby, kicking and screaming. He woke up ready to see Miss Robin, only to be told for the 6th week in a row that his buddy would not be greeting him. His response "Is that baby NOT bigger yet?"

6. I've got two words for dance pictures on Friday night. Hot mess. I pulled Amelia's costume out of the bag and she threw and ever-loving fit. It has tights, a bowtie, sequins, ears, fur, gloves. She told her teacher Monday morning, I have to wear that thing one more time and I never have to see it again. My thoughts exactly sister.

7. Drew continues to blow kisses by clicking and clucking his tongue really loudly. I really need to get it on video soon because when he actually starts kissing people it's going to be a sad day for Mama.

8. Jason's spring break is in two weeks and he put "SPRING BREAK PANAMA CITY!!" on our calendar. I'm thinking he can work on that tan by landscaping those flower beds or something equally as super.

9. Bella lost her second tooth last week and it took me several days to find it. In case you're wondering, Amelia is still terrified of flying fairies.

10. Last week for Dr. Suess week at school Bella had to dress up like her favorite word. She chose apparrel and the only thing I could think of was Joey Tribiani and an episode of friends where he said "could I be wearing anymore clothes."

lucky number 7

2011-02-21T19:57:00.002-06:00

Today is our anniversary and I have probably spent maybe three hours with Jason today, thirty minutes of those while we were both actually awake. Our lives are just in a crazy place right now and we are lucky when are paths spin in the same direction for a few minutes the first few days of each week. I am also not a sentimental person and I don't get bent out of shape if I can't celebrate the actual event on the actual day. I'm just thankful that my husband loves me and that he tells me that every day. Most times several times a day.

This morning my friend and I were waiting for the kids to come to school. We usually stand outside the door and greet each one of them. Two of the boys arrived together, and trailing them were their dads and one of the little boy's moms. One of those dads was in full uniform and he wore a look on his face that I've seen before. His parents hugged that little boy, and his mother's voice wavered but did not crack. My friend and I were the ones trying not to cry as this little boys family was so brave.

Spending my anniversary with husband this year, in the same time zone on the same continent is just an extra blessing that I've learned along the way to not complain about and be thankful for.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13

the letterman list of retail

2011-02-17T19:52:00.003-06:00

My friends and I always said that we would write a book about the retail lovelies that we encountered on a daily basis in the store. Some of our favorite stories that you may not believe to be true unless you actually lived them, because if you don't work in customer service, it's hard to believe that people are actually that special. For those of you that have never actually experienced the joy of serving the public in this capacity I'll give the letterman list of retail.

10. The lady who wanted to return a pair of shoes that were eleven months old because they were "too squeaky". Never mind the fact that these shoes looked as if the child had used them to train for a marathon in mud puddles and oh by the way, came into the store wearing them. I returned them. Sweaty feet and all.

9. The lady that wanted to return two pairs of pajamas at full price. Only she had one top and one bottom from each set.

8. Skeletor..theif extradoinare with her tinfoil bags. She makes the list because she's the first person to ever call me a honky and a cracker all in one sentance. Impressive.

7. Cleaning up bloody and peed in underwear left in the dressing room. Probably TMI and you would think given my weak stomach this would be closer to #1 but sadly, it is not.

6. The man that wanted a specific pair of boots located on Christmas Eve, after said boots were located by some miracle of God himself at a store 15 minutes away Mr. Crazy wanted FedEx to pick them up and deliver them on Christmas Day. Yell at me all you want buddy, I don't work for FedEx.

5. The teenagers lovebirds that took turns masturbating in the rounders.

4. The original PITA that came in almost every Sunday night at 5:45pm with her twin daughters to have a forty-five minute fashion show and never bought a single thing.

3. The lady that ran under the gate as I was closing it on Christmas Eve screaming that "AT&T said she had 1 minute left to shop!" and wielding a cell phone at me like a sword. Do you think she left the store in one minute?

2. The crazy lady that screamed at me and banged her fist on my counter of the registers calculations of discount coupons, meanwhile her child is breaking the window apart and her other child is robbing me blind. She ends up throwing two bags of clothes across the counter at me and has to re-enter the store four times to return stolen items from the clepto.

1. The lady that insisted we were having a huge sale. We were not. She wanted the coupon and the discount code we were offering to our customers. I didn't have a code. There was no sale. She left, she would be back with the information. She returns and show's me the calendar in our catalogue. The huge sale she's interested in...Daylight Savings Time

My tolerance for nonsense is pretty high. Extremely high in some cases. That being said I am also a stickler for good customer service. If you can't even make an effort to provide it, I would prefer you not even waste my time and get me to someone that can help me. Jason has been waiting on his cellphone to be delivered since Monday. It was supposed to arrive on Tuesday but we found out it was shipped to the wrong address. When I called the "customer service representative" she suggested I go take it off of the porch of the house it had been delivered to. Seriously. I mean, a customer service representative advising stealing. Does it get any better? I kindly explained that it was about a 35-40 minute drive in rush hour traffic with 4 children and I didn't think stealing a phone off of someone's porch and getting arrested was the correct approach and was there another option? Her response: Just be quiet and let me think.. Okay this is going downhill fast and she must really, really be having a bad day. I ask to speak to her supervisor. No.
Excuse me? Are you going to help me or not? Her response "Helping you would require that I leave my desk, and I'm not going to leave my desk right now." Enough is enough is enough. I can say that in all of my years of retail and customer service I would never have spoken like that to anyone. If I would have I would have been looking for another job. And people say they can't find good help?

and then there were none

2011-02-16T19:13:00.003-06:00

Almost two weeks ago Will developed a horrible case of strep throat. Jason took him to urgent care on a Saturday morning and they put him on antibiotics. On Monday he was still running a pretty high fever so back to the doctor they went. At that time, our pediatrician decided to treat Drew as well because of the close quarters and the fever he had been running.
Drew as you may all know is a thumb-sucking extradodaire and we washed his hands like crazy. We also covered him up in germex if we couldn't get to him with actual soap and water. Everything from under the sun is going around here right now:strep, stomach bug, flu, chicken pox, a fever virus that last 7-10 days, you name it I don't want it. Anyways, we are sanitizing that kids hands like crazy. About the same time Drew stops sleeping at night. He starts waking up every single night between 12 and 2 am screaming at the top of his lungs. If we get him and bring him to bed with us there is a fifty percent chance he will go back to sleep. If we leave him up there hoping he will go back to sleep on his own he just screams. Jason and I are baffled. This is the same kid who has slept completely through the night since he was about 8 weeks old. What in the world is going on?? It has to be a lot worse than teeth. He also stops napping and just screams for the entire two hours. Regardless of what we do, he just yells and screams. We have tried everything and the screaming continues. After 8 days of not napping he is pretty grumpy and falling asleep at school during lunch. Jason and I almost feel like we have a newborn.
We're eating breakfast on Monday morning and look over at Drew. Usually when he is finished eating, he sits sucking his thumb and twirling his hair. It really is the cutest thing ever. There he sits with his hand on his chin just sitting there waiting. Jason tells me to look at Drew. He's not sucking his thumb and he hasn't been for days. He's just sitting there with his hand on his chin in his highchair. Waiting patiently like he's been doing it every day for the past 19 months. What?! This is a baby that was literally born sucking his thumb. And he quit? Overnight? We are baffled and a few days later Jason applies some germex and accidentally gets some in his mouth. Drew quit sucking his thumb because germex tastes absolutely horrible.
On Tuesday night Drew wakes up screaming again around 1. We are used to and usually wait him out a little bit hoping he will fall back asleep. The kid doesn't nap and we are exhausted. The screams get louder and all of a sudden we hear a huge crash. Drew has thrown himself over the side of the crib, opened the door and is coming down the stairs. Ugh. Let me tell you this night is getting better. Jason and I discussed what are best option was and we decided to turn our crib into a toddler bed. No more baby beds at our house. Drew went right up tonight, got in his big boy bed and even put all his stuffed animals inside his bed. A huge difference from last night and the nights before when he gets mad and throws them out. I kissed him goodnight and shut the door. He did come crying at the door for a few minutes and then he went and got back in the bed. Thank goodness naptimes are the most brutal parts of the retraining him to sleep again.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-02-14T20:28:00.003-06:00

1. If you thought you were going to get through a weekly post without reading about someone else being sick again this week you were wrong.

2. Isabella won a prize trip to the ER on Sunday night with a fever of 104.6..can you feel my excitement about another sickness through this post? I'm feeling the love.

3. We have now taken a quarantined household approach. Isabella is upstairs. Amelia is sleeping in the room with Will. No one is allowed to go by Isabella until she is fever free for 24 hours and I am draining every last drop out of the antibiotic bottles. I also feel somewhat like the medical professionals at the hospitals, washing their hands on the way in and out of the rooms.

4. Would you believe that in between all the sickness and the trip to the ER, Jason also lost his Blackberry? Well he did and then it got ran over into one hundred pieces. Who's laughing now? Probably everyone but a) the person who's phone got ran over b)the person who didn't realize they cancelled the insurance.

5. I would say it's now considered a family war against the Blackberry handheld device. I've never been so excited to see the release of the IPhone4 in my life.

6. Will received a toy firetruck from Mrs Joan yesterday. His sirens and his firemen have been working ever since. If he quiets down enough to show you the truck, he'll slam it on by to tell you it's Mr Rowe driving..

7. Will is serious about two sounds, horses and fire sirens. No one, and I mean no one makes a better fire siren than, Will.

8. I have worked and worked with Drew on located his body parts for the past several weeks. We've finally got ear, nose, mouth and eyes down.

9. Drew has decided that he is against napping recently. He is also against sleeping through the night. He cries and cries and cries. Awesome.

10. We made our fourth attempt at heartshaped cookies last week. I finally found the perfect size cookie cutter here in town. I'm getting much faster at icing them and iced approximately 35 cookies in an hour. Not bad :)

ten on tuesday

2011-02-08T15:14:00.000-06:00

1. Let's have a little state pride in our weather..this is getting saaaad. If we can make it through the rest of the winter with out the dreaded white stuff falling I'll give you a War Eagle and a Roll Tide. But only one.

2. Unless you're a bear hibernating in the woods, what exactly is the point of winter anyway? We drive by the pool every day on the way to school. Amelia and Will say every single day 1)Hi pool. 2)Is our pool open today.

3. Drew went to see the pulmonologist and was officially classified as a level four asthmatic. One step away from being the worst. We're on a new plan and our goal is to have him not coughing and congested every single day like he is now. Right now he sounds like he needs to cut down pack of Marlbolo Reds.

4. Our anger reveals more about us than it does about others. I read this on Patsy Clairmont's page and I've been pondering it greatly. As a mother I try very, very hard to choose my words carefully each time before speaking. A far cry from my late teens and early 20s when I would have just open my mouth..

5. So what sounds more appealing on your weekend that strep throat and an ear infection? Anything.

6. Amelia lost her earring somewhere, somehow yesterday. I check those things regularly and noticed after her bath last night. Do you think I have one single stud earring in the house that's not an actual diamond? No mam. Super Sammy to the rescue again. I'm thankful for the supersitter living a block away.

7. I overheard this last night "Wheel (other people pronounce this name Will) if you don't bring my baby down here, I'm fixin' to come up there. Do y'all hear me?"

8. That pretty much covers all questions regarding the children's accents. Yes, they have them.

9. Amelia told her teacher at school today that I quit cooking dinner two weeks ago. Jason does do most of the cooking right now and you can't get anything past that girl.

10. We checked Will's tonsils yesterday to see if there was any improvement in the swelling. These things were massive and he was still running a fever after three days on the antibiotic. Anyways, Jason feeling around on his throat and Will's response "Daddy, it's not nice to touch your friends. You have to keep your hands to yourself."

Ten on Tuesday

2011-02-01T13:42:00.004-06:00

1. I celebrated my 32nd birthday on Sunday with some Gigi's cupcakes, my four amazing children and my awesome husband.

2. My goal was to give birth to four kids by the time I was 30 years old. I missed it by six months. Now that I'm 32, I'm going to sit back and enjoy the show.

3. Bella completed her entire AWANA book last weekend and is now beginning her review sessions. This was a huge accomplishment and we are very proud of her. I'm not going to lie, she was pretty proud of herself.

4. Bella woke Drew up this morning and he buried his face further into his bed with a firm, uh-huh. Oh good, a morning person..

5. I went to Nashville this weekend for VBS training. I am meticulous about packing my suitcase and arrived with just enough time to freshen up before running over to our first meeting. I pull out my toothbrush case and low and behold..no toothbrush.

6. Swiper the Fox in this case is a certain boy with blonde curls that adores brushing his teeth. And probably cleaning the toilet with my brand new tooth brush.

7. Purchasing a tooth brush in a hotel gift shop should be illegal. $4.97..they must really like their toothbrushes and know that we are desperate.

8. I went to five different meetings while at VBS training and I guess I got a little excited saying "ye-ye-ye-YES to va-va-va-VBS" because when I come out of the first meeting my good friend says nice facebook status update. Interesting I say.

It looks a little like this..qwhwshdioshsi sdoiowiaoiewu oaiuwoaw

I am a stickler for locking my phone and think I somehow must have forgotten.

9. Day two, another random post. My friend teases me and asks if I'm actually paying attention and asks if my account has been hacked. I begin to wonder because I am positive it's locked and has been all morning. Other than the notifications from the people wondering what in the world "qwelsiQAdisldi qtisdlsdi" is supposed to mean. I call Jason and have him change my password just to be sure I haven't been hacked.

10. After arriving home, I log into my account and look at the weird messages. I see that a few pictures have been posted to a few of my friends pages. All have the mobile Iphone stamp underneath. Ahh, mystery solved. My account was compromised after all..by my crazy kids!

rosebud

2011-01-31T20:36:00.005-06:00

Rosebud drove home to our house for the first time when I was about six. (Of course this was long before the time she would come to be known as Rosebud but that's neither here nor there at this point.) Rosebud was a lovely, sparkly shade of blue and she was brand new. She smelled lovely. She was a two door hatch-back and was super cool to my six year old self. The town we lived in hosted an air show every summer. My Dad loves airplanes and flying and we went every year. The first week that Rosebud lived with us, the weather was probably somewhere in the 90s. We were of course going to the airshow and I had decided to occupy myself with some take along "art". I did not share my dad's love of airplanes at all and knew I would be bored in 3 minutes flat. I climbed into sweaty leather backseat, we rode there and sat in the car drawing as the rest of my family watched the planes performed. When it was time to get out, I guess I didn't clean up my supplies very well because when we returned my crayons were melted to the back of my Dad's brand new car. A lovely, rainbow colored puddle. I am a parent now and I am sure that my Dad was furious but he didn't yell at me that day, he just shook his head and said look what you did to your car.
I am here to tell you that 10 years later when I learned to drive, she was still around and Rosebud was formally named. Her crayon puddle was still clearly visible in the backseat. I drove my dad around and sometimes rode with him. Putting my feet on his dashboard or up on his seat, writing on his clean windows. He would always say, "Wait until you get your car. Wait until I ride with you." And I would just laugh because my car would surely be clean.
That was before the days of Milkshake,Chicken Nugget,Sucker Stick and Save the Trees paper decided to ride along with me.

Poppy obviously has my kids on his payroll and I'm desperate to get them removed.

a day with Daddy

2011-01-27T21:46:00.004-06:00

My children will tell you that they have the very best Daddy in the entire world. They adore him and the time they get to spend with him. Yesterday our heat went out again and the house was freezing. The kids woke up to a roaring fire and immediately wanted to roast some marshmallows for breakfast. The middle two kids and I left for school with a promise of smores as soon as we got home.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-01-25T19:26:00.000-06:00

1. My sweet friend had her very first baby last week. We're a bit biased towards Wills in this house but he might be one of the cutest babies I've ever seen.

2. Will has decided he's now going to be called "great big Will" so you don't confuse him with "little baby Will".

3. Drew currently is working towards a career as a locksmith or maybe an engineer or possibly a catburgler. I'm really, really hoping for engineer here people.
I have nothing against locksmiths, I'm totally biased towards catburglers.

4. My public health announcement for the day..you are all contagious 24-48 hours after anyone in your house is vomiting. Even if you're not vomiting. I don't want what you have, please stay home.

5. Lysol is not my favorite hair scent. If it keeps the stomach but out of my house, I'll take it.

6. I realized that by the time you get to child number four, you could care less if they sleeps in pink pajamas if that's what is clean and within arms reach when you pull them out of the bathtub. The color blue would never have touched child number one until it was clear, she was a she.

7. I'm heading to Nashville this weekend to kickoff training for VBS this summer. I'm very excited about it.

8. If you go to our church you should be excited about it too because I'm coming after you next for help :)

9. Drew reminds me a little bit of Forrest Gump these days. Everywhere he's a going he's a runnin'.

10. I'm going to give a salute to the good old southern weather that I've come to know and love. A good old snow delay over a little bit of rain. People complained about it but I'll take it, any day of the week. Tick, tock..

ten on tuesday

2011-01-18T14:52:00.002-06:00

1. I never want to see snow here again. Ever.

2. Did I emphasize the ever part?

3. Living in city, that houses a major federal installation, that shuts down for five days because they can't properly and efficiently remove snow is embarrassing.
I pay my taxes and I'm entitled to my own opinion.

4. Until this week, I haven't been told I "sweat the small stuff" since 1997.

5. Will greets naptime and bedtime every single day like it is the end of the world. I have never seen such a dramatic, opposition to naptime.

5. We attempted to get rid of his nap today in hopes that he will go to bed easier at night and sleep better. He's doing great and loves being a big boy.

6. I'm not sure I'm really ready to have only one child napping.

7. School starts back for all of us today. I'm not sure who is more excited me or the kids.

8. Drew's new favorite word is nuh-uh. I know this is terrible English but for a little boy that doesn't talk very much, I'll take it.

9. Amelia and Isabella are single handedly spoiling their baby brother.

10. I realized last night that Drew is now 18 months old. Bella asked me last week when we were bringing another baby home. It made me laugh but at the same time made me realize in her six year old head, it's about that time :)

Every cowboy...

2011-01-13T19:34:00.003-06:00

Needs their horse.

Look closely, really, really closely and you might see Mr. Man's. His Rah-Rah gave him a stick horse this summer and he became entirely too brave and road the top of our bannister like the stick horse. After that, the stick horse was permanently stabled in the garage. Will, however, remains determined and his loved of cowboys true. Nothing makes this kid happier than riding his horse "Bullseye" around the living room. He could care less that Bullseye is the size of his shoe.
Yeehaw!!

11 step program for first time parents

2011-01-13T13:19:00.005-06:00

A little how to for first time parents or people thinking about having kids. It was too funny not to repost!
Lesson 1
1. Go to the grocery store.

2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.

3. Go home.

4. Pick up the paper.

5. Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2 Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...
1. Methods of discipline.

2. Lack of patience.

3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.

4. Allowing their children to run wild.

5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.

Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

Lesson 3 A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...
1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly. (Eat cold food with one hand for dinner)

2. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.

3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.

4. Set the alarm for 3AM.

5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink and watch an infomercial.

6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.

7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.

8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.

9. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive)

Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together.

Lesson 4 Can you stand the mess children make? To find out...

1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.

2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.

3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.

4. Then rub them on the clean walls.

5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.

6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5 Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.

1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.

2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out.

Time allowed for this - all morning.

Lesson 6
Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.

1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment.

Leave it there.

2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.

3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.

4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

Lesson 7
Go to the local grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice). If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat. Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 8
1. Hollow out a melon.

2. Make a small hole in the side.

3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.

4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.

5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.

6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.

You are now ready to feed a nine- month-old baby.

Lesson 9Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street , Barney, Disney, the Teletubbies, and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney channel or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you're thinking What's 'Noggin'?) Exactly the point.

Lesson 10
Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' repeatedly. (Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy'; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required). Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years. You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 11
Start talking to an adult of your choice. Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy' tape made from Lesson 10 above. You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.

This is all very tongue in cheek; anyone who is parent will say 'it's all worth it!' Share it with your friends, both those who do and don't have kids. I guarantee they'll get a chuckle out of it. Remember, a sense of humor is one of the most important things you'll need when you become a parent!

waiting

2011-01-12T14:36:00.003-06:00

We're anxiously waiting on the snow to go away. Drew has been stuck inside for three days and is now shaking his finger at the window outside and saying "no, no, no". Poor little bug..it breaks my heart for him.

second snow day

2011-01-11T13:27:00.007-06:00

We thought we would make the most of snow day number two and I sent the kids out with their Daddy for some fun. A few of you have asked where the wee-est member of our family is and he's usually watching from the windows. Somedays screaming, somedays trashing my house. That's a different post for a different day. I know these pictures aren't the best because I'm shooting them from inside the house. I still couldn't resist catches these images of my kids and there Daddy in this crazy southern snow.
Amelia saw me in the window in these photos and decided she was going to have a snowball fight with me. I love the determined spirit of that girl and the hard work it took to get through that snow. She laughed as she came running and even got a little frustrated at how hard it was to throw a snowball up. Let's be honest, she got even more frustrated when the snowball she was throwing at me came back at her and I was howling from the window. She also ate snow for the first time and laughed hysterically at that.

Bella decided she was going to shovel the snow away. Big job ahead of her ;)

Here is the "sled" the kids played in all day. There aren't a lot of actual sleds around here. We've got plenty of beach gear and pool toys but the sleds were few and far between. I saw lots of cardboard boxes, plastic lids and innertubes out this week. The best we could come up with is a wading pool. The kids had a ball and I know they will remember it for years.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-01-11T09:07:00.000-06:00

1. I love my husband. He is the sweetest, kindest, best guy and I am so lucky to have him as the father of my beautiful babies and my partner on this crazy journey.

2. I do not understand how someone that works in multi-million dollar technology - I'm talking big stuff - can't set up a Leapster Explorer.

3. The techno guru is also at war with my blackberry. In trying to help me with fitting the charger through the protective case, he got out his exacto knife and cut his own hole. On the wrong side :)

4. We finally had a Gigi's. I have the biggest sweet tooth around and I'm sad to say it didn't really live up to the hype.

5. Since we got hit with a winter blizzard worthy of New York state, I'm wondering if mother nature's going to give us some mild humidity this summer? She'll probably make it 98% just to prove who's boss.

6. The kids snowpants are currently in route from my parents house even though the mail is not currently running. I will not be unprepared next time.

7. Let's hope there's not a next time.

8. I went on a corndog run Sunday night after church and the grocery store was completely out of bread. I mean maybe 5 loaves on the shelf. Craziest thing I've ever seen.

9. Yes, I feed my children corndogs. I know they're full of toxins and not even made out of real hotdogs. My kids love them.

10. Jason is currently singing along with Barbie and the Diamond Castle DVD. It sounds lovely. Have I mentioned yet how much we need to go back to school tomorrow?

the pit stop

2011-01-11T07:58:00.001-06:00

When we arrived in this little place in the world that we now call home, it was a temporary stop. When you are a military family you never get too comfortable anywhere because you never know when you're leaving. Three months, a year, two? Jason had lived on three bases, done three overseas tours and I can't even count how many schools before I met him. I met him when he returned from Irq at the end of '03on his way to yet another base. We moved five times in 26 months and for the first year of our marriage resided on different bases in different states, eight hours away from each other. The army has a funny sense of humor sometimes. As Jason finished up another tour in Iraq at end of 2005, he reassigned to a different branch and we were up for another yet another move. He put a lot of time into researching the jobs hoping he wouldn't be chosen for anything that would immediately send him back overseas again. I was more interested in the location, even though I knew it was going to be a temporary stop. A pit stop on our journey to the next destination. I didn't care what his job was, he wasn't leaving me in the sticks again. My requirements were 1)a Gap 2)a Target 3)an actual grocery store not the super walmart 4)no tornados 5)no snow 6)I must be able to drive to my parents in 8 hours alone with the baby. He looked and looked over all the jobs and made his selections. We waited and waited to see where he would end up. He returned to the states and finally got a telephone call asking if he would be interested in coming here. I remember looking at him and saying are you crazy? You aren't even a pilot and you're going to an aviation unit. There?! That place wasn't on our list and we just came from a terrible place and now we're going to another one. I braced myself and tried to be excited..it was four years, afterall, and I could do anything for four years. It was four years closer to getting me "home". I could do it.
We arrived and for the first two years here I wasn't a big fan. The heat was miserable. We chose to live in the country and it just wasn't the right fit or us. There weren't any kids to play with and I had a hard time making friends. Jason went to school, got sent overseas some, and traveled all of the time. Note, we have a difference of opinion on his traveling but when you're the one at home with the kids, it was a lot of travel. Let's not forget the blessings that arrived eleven months apart. And the last one that arrived a mere 15 months later. I am a planner and an organizer and I took a lot upon myself. I was counting the days to leave. We were at two years, and then three. And I remembered a something an old friend of Jason's told me, "You can't make a home anywhere if you're always waiting to get somewhere else." Around our third year here we sent Bella to preschool and she fell in love with the ladies there. We decided to try the church and felt at home, we've been there ever since. And slowly "here" has grown on me.
The friends from our past started arriving too. Their stays are brief, usually a few months for school, or at most a week to check on their systems and programs. They crowd around our dinner and become fan favorites of our kids. They all fight over who gets to sit by them and in the case of our good friend Leith, you're requested at bedtime for kisses and for bathroom/bottom duty because they love him that much. When June and Scott left, the kids cried and I'm sure it's going to be that way for Tyler too. I get to hear the funny stories that Jason tells only when his old friends are around. The college stories that are even more amusing hearing it from someone else that experienced it too. The older the story, the more entertaining it is. Hearing two men tell it, that are more like brothers, makes my heart smile. And I'm happy that we are here to provide a home away from home for our friends. I know, now, that's one of the reasons we are here.

Be strong and courageous, for the LORD will be with you wherever you go
Joshua 1:9

snow, part duece

2011-01-10T19:57:00.007-06:00

We have been under a threat of winter weather since last Tuesday. They've been warning us it's coming. Get your milk. Buy your bread and eggs people. The snow is coming. Sunday morning the thermometer read nineteen and the chance of wintry mix was one hundred percent. Super, just what I wanted to hear. We headed to church that morning and by that afternoon, without a snowflake in sight, school was cancelled. The snow started falling as soon as we got home from AWANA that night. I had to run to the store for some must have items and it started on my way home. It came down fast and furious and the flakes were enormous. We had thundersnow, something new, even for me. We woke up to eight inches of snow and I heard the squealing as the little feet came pounding towards my door Monday morning. They could hardly wait to go outside in it!! Jason took them out to build their snow person and our awesome neighbor came over to help him shovel our driveway. (Thanks Charlie! You're the best!) Now, we did have fun today and I'm sure we'll have fun tomorrow. But we really need to be back in school on Wednesday so lets warm up a little bit mother nature.

Amelia is really distraught over how the snowman is accessorized. Obviously, Will is too :)

The finished product..wearing her shirt per Amelia's request and we finally put the fish headband to good use! Swim little fish, swim on!

Ten on Tuesday

2011-01-04T08:57:00.000-06:00

1. It has been brought to my attention that some of you don't know who Kit and Ruthie are..what planet are you living on and how do I get there?

2. I would like to say that we are no longer technological dinosaurs and welcomed technology into our home with an IPad.

3. Jason and I need to take a class to figure out how to turn the thing on and off. The kids can be found on youtube.

4. Now taking suggestions for delicious New Years Day food items to bring me luck for next year. Blackeyed peas and pork-sauerkraut dishes need not apply.

5. Way to represent, BIG10, in the bowl games. If my Buckeyes lose tonight I may take the very last seat on the Auburn bandwagon and call it a day.

6. Thanks to the lovely lady that sent us five pounds of gummy bears. Amelia saw the bears and knew immediately who they were from. I'm firing up my treadmill now.

7. Most annoying saying of Christmas break "You're not invited to my birthday." I guess when you're 3 and 4, that's about as terrible as it gets.

8. Jason taught a class that required his uniform yesterday. When he returned the kids said "Did you go to the Army today?" They've adjusted to college life rather well.

9. Bella started back to school today. She got up at 6:15, ate, brushed her teeth and was dressed by 6:35. I think she was a little excited to get back.

10. Has anyone tried the couch to 5K program? I used to be a runner but need to start slowly..I'm much more comfortable walking now.

swan dive

2011-01-01T14:41:00.001-06:00

Jason took the kids out for a daddy date yesterday. They went to eat more chicken and to see Tangled. Seeing as how Will usually chooses Barbie movies anyway, he was equally as excited as the girls to see Rapunzel. They enjoyed the movie and of course stopped at their favorite chocolate store for a truffle on their way out. They also had to make a wish in the fountain, another tradition, before leaving. Apparently this time however, Will decided to climb on top the fountain wall to throw his penny in. The fountain wall = forbidden territory. They were with Dad and he might not know such things. His rules are sometimes not as strict as mine.
Well just in case any of you are wondering about the mythological story you hear from your parents..kids really do fall in those fountains. Yesterday that kid was mine.
Will went in head first, fully submerged and arrived home wearing nothing but Jason's sweater. Jason said there were little wet foot prints leading all the way out into the parking lot.

four

2010-12-28T16:17:00.004-06:00

This morning you came into my room, with four little fingers displayed and a huge smile on your face and all you said was, "FOUR!".
This year you have come into your own and I'm so proud of you. I am so proud of your independence because I feel like we've both worked so hard for it to get ready for kindergarten next year. You can write all your letters and your name like a champ. I hold back a smile every time you shock some one by spelling out a big word and asking them what it says or remembering the road signs as we drive down the roads. You are the Queen of questions and I know this your way of soaking up every single thing you can. It takes you a little while to warm up the situations still and that's okay. You still don't like change but you're slowly getting better. You are the most tender-hearted of them all and still cry when someone else is getting in trouble. Even if they're getting in trouble because of something they did to you. You look out for everyone and always try to make everyone else happy first. You love to play school, babies and mommy. School and church is your favorite place to be. I always worried that you would think having a birthday two days after Christmas would be terrible but so far you think it's so special that your birthday two days after baby Jesus' birthday. You are the best big sister..probably because you can't remember a time when you weren't a big sister. You have the most contagious laugh. I love you and I'm so proud of you of the little lady you've become. Happy Four sweet girl.

Ten on Tuesday

2010-12-28T14:27:00.005-06:00

1. My Dad says I'm slacking on posting lately and everyone knows I hate disappointing my Dad. So I'll try and step it up a notch in the New Year.

2. We are in week two of Christmas vacation. I am personally going to need a vacation from the vacation.

3. Still snow on the ground here but the weather man says 63 on Thursday. Ahh, that's more like it. I prefer traveling to the snow and attaching skis to my boots if I have to be in it.

4. Kit and Ruthie have been residing with us for four days now and it's almost like having two more children. Except they don't talk or fight. I still have to pick up after them and fix their hair.

5. Drew's newest trick is climbing on top of the table. He swings one knee on to the chair and is on the table in about 2 seconds flat. If it wasn't so dangerous it's rather impressive.

6. Taking bets now on how long until he's crawling out of the crib.

7. We have watched Woody and Barbie and the Fashion Fairytale at least 25 times since Friday morning. I know you're all jealous.

8. The tooth fairy came and went Saturday night. Since Amelia was so terrified of her arrival, Bella agreed to put the tooth outside the door "just so Amelia would be quiet and finally go to sleep!"

9. Continue to pray our troops overseas. Even if you don't know them, they are someone else's husband or Daddy, or son or brother and they are risking their life for your freedom.

10. Will and I have now fallen victim to the dreaded stomach bug going around. It terrible and was a really rough 12 hours. Super Dad came to the rescue and took care of the kids today because I could barely move and we were trying to limit my contact with them. I'm expecting the other three to fall anytime now :(

yes. we live in the South.

2010-12-28T06:32:00.001-06:00

While I know most of my Southern friends were extremely excited to wake up on Christmas morning and see all the snow, this girl was not. I heard several people say "I have prayed my entire life for a white Christmas and finally this year it happened". I'm going to tell you something, if you move north, it will happen every year. If you move to the south, you don't want to see a white Christmas. Or a white day after Christmas. Especially when a little bit of snow means everything closes.

My parents were here a few weeks ago and did I have them bring our snow pants? Nope because this is the south. There is global warming. Who needs snow pants I ask you?And our snow boots and good water proof gloves? They're on the way to Minnesota with our good friends because we don't ever use them here. So 3-4 inches and some rain boots later this is what you get. It's not the snow at Santa's village. It's just as cold here now as it is at Nene's and I'm counting down to pool season.

Here's how Drew got to spend the day..watching his brother and sisters from the windows. It's too cold for him to be outside.

she's been waiting

2010-12-27T09:07:00.002-06:00

Bella's been wiggling and waiting. Her friends have all lost teeth, some of them multiple teeth and still hers didn't want to come out. Finally on Christmas day it decided to fall out. She was so excited that the Tooth Fairy would come the night after Santa Clause. She looks so different to me with a missing tooth! The big tooth is already poking through in the back. She's started wiggling the other loose teeth and she was really excited she got five dollars for her first tooth!

so this is Christmas

2010-12-26T20:38:00.007-06:00

I didn't really spend Christmas Eve the way I had envisioned I would. I originally had planned to spend a lazy day at home with the six of us before getting ready for the five o'clock candlelight service at church. Drew, however, had been having problems breathing all week and we had already taken and emergency visit to the doctor for a lung check and increased our breathing treatments. After speaking with the doctor that morning he thought it was best we head to the pediatric ER for treatment. Six hours later they finally agree we can come home but we are supposed to limit Drew's contact and keep him indoors.

Christmas morning comes and Jason has been sick all night. g.r.e.a.t. I relinquish my rights to the camera to try and make it easier on him. (Let me know if anyone wants to hire him for photos)

If you asked Will what he wanted for Christmas all he wanted was Woody, his horse and Buzz. He got Woody and his horse. Santa didn't bring Buzz because he already has a Buzz. He did bring the new movie but Will of course wants a new Buzz :)

Bella has been requesting anything Fashion Fairytale for months now. We had an almost meltdown when she didn't receive it for her birthday and she later gave it to several friends. "She didn't even get the Barbie! That is so not fair!" Then Amelia's birthday came and she got several of them. Oh, the drama. Little did she know I've been sitting on this DVD since it released. And the ornament too.

Amelia and Kit..

The girls checking out Ruthie. They were very excited about these dolls and have been playing with them since yesterday morning. I can't tell you how many times they've changed their clothes and brushed their hair already. Ruthie especially is sporting an afro.

Drew opening one of his little trains for his new table.

Let me say kuddos to all the cooks out there who actually enjoy preparing a big feast and spending hours in the kitchen doing so. I don't really fall into this category. I am capable of cooking and not so bad at it. Liking it is a totally different story. Late Tuesday night I was reading FB and saw a friend of mine planning a special "Christmas feast" since they were celebrating alone this year and she would be doing all the cooking. I commented something or other and went to bed. As I started to fall asleep, it came to me. I should be preparing this same special Christmas feast for my family and I got nothin. No ham or turkey or sweet potato in sight in this house. I could rummage up the always staple crescent roll but that's about it. To be honest I would be just fine with a Christmas pizza but the kids' memories are more important to me. So Jason went out and bought all our supplies and I cooked for five hours on Christmas day. It was a labor of love for the ones I love. Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

Christmas party and program

2010-12-26T20:01:00.005-06:00

We love our teachers. Here are some faces with the names you hear so much about.
Will and his Mrs Laura.
Mrs. Cha-diddy aka Mrs Charity

Amelia and her favorite Mrs. Joanne

Will's best friend Addie. She has a Stinky the garbage truck too. They're going to have a playdate with two Stinky's this week.

my reindeer girl. She made her own shirt.

Will really got into the motions of the songs!

This is the part of the son where the daddy's were snoring. Will was snoozing away.

All the little reindeer babies road in on their sleigh.

the cutest reindeer ever.

the wonder boy is THREE!

2010-12-26T19:08:00.007-06:00

You came into this world screaming. Literally screaming. Your Dad walked you down to the nursery and when he came back he said he left you screaming. I remember sitting in recovery and what do I hear coming down the hall? Your brand new little wail, wheeling my way. I looked from your dad to the nurse and asked if that was really my baby. The cry baby. And had he really not stopped screaming yet. We made every phone call announcing your arrival with you doing the actual announcing in the background. You cried for over three hours that day and then you just stopped and barely made a sound after that. You were the best baby and I could have had ten of you. I wasn't prepared for the sweet baby to turn into the busy one year old. Or the even crazier antics of two.

At two, you taught me that boys really are different from girls. It's necessary to suck on the fruit snack before sticking it in your ear and then shove the rock on top just to make sure it's not going anywhere. Things out of the trash taste better than things off the breakfast table..it doesn't matter to you if said food has laid under a dirty diaper or not. That just adds to the flavor. Water is the same if it comes out of the toilet or the tap, you really could care less about the sanitation process or the need for it. Your favorite hide and seek spot is wedging yourself between the sofa and the wall and hanging there by one shoulder and your neck. The best place to pretend to ride a horse is from the very top of the nine foot bannister, overlooking the entire great room. Who am I to argue with your appreciation for a good view? Giving your mother a heart attack simply involves riding a bicycle at top speed, down a hill, into the street. Learning to pee standing up warrants an "I did it" at top volume and TWO high fives. When I give our telephone number to poison control, the friendly workers always ask if it's you I'm calling about. A kiss is not a kiss, unless it's smack dab on the lips and there's a little (well a lot of wetness) behind it. You still want to be an Indian when you grow up. I love to hear you talk about your great, BIG friend Marticus and your Cha-diddy. I know that eventually you will start using their actual names but I adore the names you've made up for them now. When you get bigger you want to marry me and Chloe. Someday you're just going to want to marry Chloe but right now we're still package deal and I'll take it.

You are fearless. Someone told me once I didn't have to worry about you because you are so fearless and so tough and those are the people that always come out on top. Let's hope they were right. You can hold your own. I don't worry about you as much because because I know you can take care of yourself. You can throw a ball better than any three year old I know and have been dribbling a soccer ball since you were one..only another year to play! I hope three is everything you want it to be buddy! to infinity and beyond..

recent pictures

2010-12-26T18:30:00.005-06:00

Here are a few pictures from visitors week at dance. I am happy with both of the girls progress. Bella is turning into quite the little dancer and shows promising technique. I'm so proud of her. Amelia is doing fabulous as well. I had decided in the spring to repeat her in preschool I so she wouldn't be the youngest in the next class. She is also a great little dancer and I'm now wondering if I should have just sent her to the next class. She is definitely the first to follow directions and totally understands the class this year.

Here is the only picture that turned out from the Christmas program at church. It was very cute but a little too dark for pictures.

I took the girls to see the Princess' on Ice for their birthday. Our seats were right on the ice! They loved it and the show was fantastic.

Outside Opryland before we saw the Rockettes.

Ten on Tuesday

2010-12-01T15:16:00.003-06:00

1. We enjoyed Thanksgiving with our friends. I do not care if it is in or out of the bird but I do like my stuffing. I'm not so sure about this dressing business. I chose wisely when choosing the house of a fellow Yankee.

2. It is a tradition at my friends house that you eat pie for dinner. While this completely stumped my children at first they quickly got on board. Seven pies to choose from, what else could you really eat?

3. Black Friday was a successful shopping experience. My alarm went off at 2:30 and we pulled into Target at 3:50 and got a front row spot. I would bypass Target next year and head straight for the mall. I did come home with two singamajigs - the only thing I was looking for - so the trip was completely successful.

4. A crazy lady shoving a pair of boots in a poor man's face with her eyes bugging out of her head and a vein exploding at her temple made me realize I do not miss working retail even a little bit.

5. I received a telephone call at 6:59AM that the computer crashed. I purchased a removable hard-drive and my friend's brother in law came to the rescue.

6. We went to see the Rockettes Saturday. One of the best shows I've ever seen. Someone asked Amelia about the show and she said "I saw dancing, Santa and baby Jesus!" What day is better than that.

7. The birthday post and pictures of the Rockettes will arrive later when I'm not on Jason's computer.

8. Will got himself out of bed last night to use the bathroom without me hearing him. By the time I went to bed around 9:15 I heard him yelling for me, Jason went to check on him and didn't see him in his bed. This was Will's response "I have been up here for hours waiting on someone to come wipe my bottom."

9. Will to his little friend at preschool today "Lucy I'm hungry, please bring me some dinner."

10. Isabella turned six on Saturday. We celebrated with a big Yeehaw at Logans on our way home. I caught it on video and will try and post it once I get our regular computer back.

through the years

2010-11-25T19:30:00.001-06:00

On our first Thanksgiving I was 272 days pregnant and 2 days away from delivering my first baby. I had spent the previous 3 months on bed rest splitting my time rotating like a rotisserie chicken from my left side to my right, evenly distributing my time between the couch and the bed. Jason was TDY in Texas the entire time and I was allowed 1 weekly trip to Wallyworld to buy groceries and to the doctors office for a check up. By the time Thanksgiving rolled around, I missed my family, I missed my friends and I wanted to go home. Home was not Arkansas and I I could barely get out of bed that day without sobbing. Our friends invited us over to their house but didn't want to sob through dinner at someone else's house in front of strangers. I opted for a turkey-less thanksgiving of chicken parmesan and what would be one of our last meals just the two of us.

Our second Thanksgiving we tried to cram an entire years worth of time into two weeks. Jason came home for R&R for Isabella's very first birthday and of course, arrived two days before Thanksgiving. (See people sometimes those there is a bonsu to a holiday baby!) What I remember most about this year was wanting to stop time. It just couldn't go slow enough for me. 14 days really isn't enough time when you haven't seen your husband for 9 months and you still have 3 months to go before you know you will see him again. The actual Thanksgiving feast was the first time Bella had actual real food and of course wanted nothing to do with anything Gerber related after that. Still, we had a lot to be thankful for because we were actually together when so many of our friends and their families were not that year.

Our third year we celebrated in our first house here. We celebrated with a ham here and Bella's birthday. The theme this year was a Dora birthday cake and I remember she recieved a Dora tricycle. We completed the day hanging Christmas lights in 70+degree weather. I remember sending family and friends pictures of our lights and the clothes we were wearing during the adventure and people wanted to know where exactly we moved to. It was sunny and we weren't wearing coats?? Welcome to the south.

Thanksgiving number four found me pregnant for the third time. Seriously are we sensing a pattern people? And because all bakeries in this city seemed to shut down after Thanksgiving, I was stuck ordering a cake from Sams. Who in their right mind attempts Sams one week away from delivery with a three year old and an eleven month old all in the name of a birthday cake? A complete moron that is who. (note: this is when a Thanksgiving birthday is not so helpful.) I am prepared though and take coloring books for Bella and toys for Amelia. Walking into the store, I immediately take a shopping cart to the stomach by a lunatic six/seven year old running down the aisle. I stood there in pain and looking between my legs just waiting for water to come gushing out like you see on TV, that's how hard he hit me. After I caught my breath and was sure I wasn't in labor and could actually move again, I waddle myself back to the bakery and begin my wait for the birthday cake I ordered. I'm waiting with about 30 other people. Of course, it's Thanksgiving after all. This is the point of my story, I should point out we were teaching Bella about manners. A lovely old man decided to pass gas. Loudly. Very loudly. Bella's little head shot up and she stands up in the cart and begins to look around to identify the culprit. No one is owning up to it. She knows who it is, points him out and just as loudly as the gas was passed announces "Papa pooted. Excuse him please."

I found out I was pregnant with Drew the week before Thanksgiving number five. Yep still pregnant..it's my lucky holiday I guess. Jason's mom, cousin and her daughter were coming into town and we weren't ready to tell anyone our news. I did the best I could and ate what I could but I had never felt so sick. Poultry is never my friend in my first trimester and this was awful. The smell of the cooking meat and the taste was not my favorite. I remember everywhere we went and everywhere we ate, praying I wouldn't throw up on myself. I was most thankful for Zofran this year.

The sixth Thanksgiving we broke one of our golden rules and traveled to Jason's mom's house. There were two weddings we always said we would go back for and this was one of them, Thanksgiving weekend or not. We enjoyed the wedding and enjoyed spending a lot of time with family that we don't get to see very often.

This year I am not cooking a thing for Thanksgiving. We have been invited to our friends' house and I am beyond excited. She is seriously one of the best cooks I know and has been cooking for two weeks. Five pies await my arrival. FIVE pies and only six adults. Pretty good odds for my sweet tooth. This year I am most thankful for the healthy children who call me mama. The husband who is finally home enough that we actually get on each other's nerves a little bit. To live in a place that finally feels like a home and for the amazing friends we've made here. I'll miss my family in Ohio but I'm happy to be home with my family here too.

Ten on Tuesday

2010-11-23T15:46:00.000-06:00

1. Well I tuned in Sunday night for my regular scheduled programming and was greeting with the music awards. I can now tell you what Justin Bieber looks and sounds like. I swear that's a toupee he's wearing. I don't get fanfare to the voice or the hair. It's like Hanson all over again..terrible.

2. Black Friday shopping is this week and we're starting at 4AM. I'm completely finished accept for a few stocking stuffers but I can't resist the urge to go out into the complete madness with a few of my favorites.

3. We (I'm using the term loosely as my participation was limited to unscrewing and screwing in one bolt) finally hung the kids television in their toy room. I'm excited to get the tv off my closet floor. They're excited to have their own tv.

4. One of Will's favorite things to do at church/school is to ride "the alligator" known to most of the world as the elevator.

5. Bella is getting closer every day to reading. We play a little game every time we're in the car. Amelia asks how to spell a word and Bella spells it out for her.

6. Amelia loves playing school. So much that one of the mom's of her little friends at school asked her teacher who Miss Amelia is.

7. Bella has now memorized all 27 books of the New Testament..pretty good for a not quite six year old.

8. Will loves his cowboy boots. Loves them and wears them every chance he gets and stomps around just to hear the noise they make. Super.

9. A random orange cat has chosen our deck as it's new winter residence. Let me tell you the only thing I dislike more than my own cat pooping on my deck is someone elses. Oh that's right, I don't have a cat. I also really enjoy the cat scaring the crap out of me at night by jumping on the deck AND throwing himself at my back door. I mean, I think we're being robbed and have been close to calling 911 but oh now, it's the cat.

10. If you're going to squat on someone's deck and poop all over someone's toys, and slam your entire body repeatedly into someone's backdoor, you should at least choose a house that likes animals. We do not apply. I mean do animals not have a sixth sense about these things? Amelia's reply when she sees the cat "Daddy get your gun, that cat is back to poop on my stuff again."

painting rainbows

2010-11-21T20:58:00.003-06:00

Saturday we had Bella's birthday party at the art gallery. She invited 10 of her little friends from school/church and dance. It was a great group of girls and they seemed to have a lot of fun painting. Bella choose what they were going to paint beforehand and she chose to paint a rainbow. I must say it was the quietest birthday party I have ever gone to. All of the girls were concentrating very hard on their paintings. It was really interesting to see each girl's interpretation and artwork come to life.

a rainbow for the birthday girl

2010-11-20T14:15:00.004-06:00

I am not a crafty person. I also do not enjoy baking. Add those two things together and you have a miniature disaster. Bella is having a painting party for her sixth birthday and she has chosen to paint rainbows. A friend of mine (who used to bake all my birthday cakes) found these beautiful, lovely rainbow cupcakes on a food blog she follows. She thought they would be perfect for the party and she was right. What she overestimated was my baking skills. And patience. Still it was less than half the price of ordering a cake and they were super cute and absolutely perfect. So I thought I'd give it a try. How hard can it be? Says the novice, non-crafty baker.
I started the process on Thursday around 1pm and didn't finish my second batch of cupcakes until 5:30. I only made 22. I had to dye 6 different bags with gel food coloring and kneed it together. I was out of purple food coloring and instructed by the professional baker to mix red and blue together. Mine turned black. I was completely out of batter at this point and had to go back to the store for another cake mix. Restart for purple..ugh. The first batch I made ended up a little big and the food coloring made them really, really moist.

My friend came over on Friday night and helped me make the handmade chocolate rainbows to go on the top of the cupcakes. She also added the cloud frosting.
Bella thought they were the most beautiful cupcakes she had ever seen. Her friends loved digging into the multicolored rainbow cake. Amelia has already placed her order for her birthday.

a little more bling

2010-11-20T13:56:00.004-06:00

Bella has been asking me since the beginning of school when she could get her ears pierced. After a little discussion, Jason and I decided that for safety reasons she had to wait until the end of soccer season. Soccer ended the last weekend in October and I decided to wait her out a little bit more. I wanted to make sure this was really something she wanted to do. More importantly I wanted to make sure that this time she was going to go through with it. You see, when she was about four she decided that she wanted her ears pierced.
Her dad was out of town, of course because when all drama related incidents occur Jason is always out of town. Bella had been asking to get it down then for about six weeks and one day at the mall she asked and I said fine, lets go. So off to Libby we go. She sits in the chair and they mark her ears off. All goes well. We pick out the earrings. We look at them again and make sure those are the ones she wants. She watches them pull them out and load them in the instrument. They put them up to her ears and she starts screaming like a banshee. I mean literally carrying on. I used to pierce ears. Lots of ears. This is not a big deal and is over in a split second. I calm her down. I have her sit on my lap. They draw the guns again and the banshee is unleashed. Again. She carried on so much that her baby brother and sister were now hysterical and I rode the elevator down with three screaming kids. Once I got to the bottom, the makeup ladies were talking about the screaming kid who didn't want to get her ears pierced. Hello, let me introduce you to the screaming kid. I swore that she would not get her ears pierced until she could sign her own legal paperwork permitting her to do so. I asked her about it every once in a while and she gave me an adamant "No. I am not getting my ears pierced. Ever."
Then we start kindergarten and she starts talking about earrings again. I have flashbacks to the Libby incident and just in case the Hulk comes out again, I sent Jason. Of course this time she is calm, doesn't even cry and gets her ears pierced. The Hulk is no where to be found and neither are the tears.

Ten on Tuesday

2010-11-09T14:25:00.004-06:00

1. Thanksgiving is in two weeks, a little crazy if you ask me. We're going to our friends house to spend Thanksgiving with them. She asked me what I would like to eat. I don't care as long as I'm not cookin'.

2. I finished my Christmas shopping for the kids in one final click on amazon last week. Now I'm just waiting for the wrapping party and then I can really relax.

3. I've now been subbing at the preschool for three weeks. I love it and the kids love that I am there too.

4. Drew has started saying a word that sounds like Amelia. He especially likes to yell for her when he is downstairs and she is upstairs to see how fast she'll come running. That really makes him giggle.

5. It is getting a little cooler here. My true southern gal is less than thrilled with the weather change and is throwing a fit every morning about the socks and shoes she has to wear. She wants to wear flip flops and no coat. It reminds me of the song "Some beach, some where".

6. A friend of mine just gave me some Bob books for Bella. She read two of them completely by herself as soon as she saw them

7. I am ready for the Halloween candy to be out of this house.

8. On the way to school today, the light turns green and yet we are still waiting for the people to finish running their red light. I hear from the backseat drivers in my car. "Do these people even know HOW to drive here?" "The light is green, GO mama."

9. What is the actual point of daylight savings time? I certainly can't find one.

10. The kids are all practicing for their Christmas program at school. Amelia won't tell me what she is singing. Will is pretty much an open book and sings the songs daily.

the veteran's daughter

2010-11-08T07:59:00.009-06:00

A couple of weeks ago Jason went and spoke to Bella's kindergarten class during community helpers week. For those of you that know Jason you know 1)he doesn't like being the center of attention 2)he was a little leery of what types of questions he would get from kindergartners. As a three time combat veteran he has often heard, even from adults "have you ever shot anyone?". He was really nervous about the little kids. What would they ask him? How would they react? We pulled up pictures and he prepared his presentation about what it is to be a soldier and how the army helps the community, our country and other countries. He made sure to steer clear of combat related information even though that is a ten year part of his army past.
He said the kids listened very well and asked a lot of questions.

He came home with a piece of paper from Bella's teacher. She asked him if he would return it with a picture of himself to put on their veteran's wall at the school. Jason as you may have guessed, was less than excited. He put the paper in a place where I think, he thought I would forget about it. He moved it a few times and even thought I did ask him about it at first, I eventually forgot. I worked last week. I have four children to get here. And there. I think Jason was perfectly fine and honestly, a little relieved that I forgot. He was counting on it.

Isabella came home on the exact day that I forgot about turning in the paper and asked where the picture of her veteran was. I explained that I hadn't printed a picture yet and she explained that she needed one. Soon. Her veteran had to go on the wall. She was so excited and so proud that I stopped what I was doing and ordered the picture immediately. I sent the veteran himself to pick it up at the one hour photo shop. He was less than excited about the public attention. But this one's for the veteran's daughter and the many sacrifices she makes for our country's freedom. This one's for her first year..
If you're reading this blog, you most likely know our story. You know that this picture is the first picture I took of Bella with her Daddy in nine months. He left when she was six weeks old, saw her two weekends after that, two weeks before he deployed in February and then when he returned for R&R five days before her first birthday. 4 weeks with her Daddy out of 52. This Veteran's Day, I'll remember our friends overseas. The ones that just left and the ones that just returned. I'll also remember the little people in their lives who sacrifice just as much,if not more, for our freedom.

"The Soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the Soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war." Douglas MacArthur

Halloween 2010

2010-10-31T20:54:00.005-05:00

What a busy weekend. Saturday was the annual Fall Festival at our church. We have been attending for three years now and this was the biggest that it has ever been. They were expecting 300 people to attend and they're now estimating between 600-800 were there. It was crowded to say the least but a lot of fun. The kids enjoyed dressing up in their costumes two nights in a row, playing games, seeing their church friends and getting even more candy.

Tonight we had trick or treat. One of Will's little friends came over and walked around with us. He enjoyed having her with him and kept saying "Come on Addinison" (when he says it Addison somehow sounds more like cinnimon.) Either way after almost two hours ten little legs were tired of walking, bags were stuffed and we decided to call it a night. Happy Halloween from the Cat, Cowboy, Ladybuy, Cow and our friend Princess Presto!!

glitter anyone?

2010-10-26T21:08:00.004-05:00

Isabella went to a rockstar birthday party over the weekend for one of her great friends. I mentioned it previously in one of my ToT posts. "It was the party that she was waiting her whole life for. Seriously she would be devastated if she missed it." Who talks like this when your almost 6 is all I want to know.
The gals met up at the Party Palace (the actual name) and got to choose any costume they wanted for the party. There were over a hundred to pick from. They had their hair fixed, makeup done, nails painted and oh yes, I almost forgot, glitter applied to every attachable body surface. Then they went to stage where they could watch themselves on a large television or in the full panel mirrors, all the while dancing away and singing their hearts out. It probably is every girls dream. Cake was served with actual stemware dusted with red crystals at the top and sprite. Bella was in heaven.

Ten on Tuesday

2010-10-20T12:20:00.000-05:00

1. Will and Amelia made a visit to the pumpkin patch with Nene last week. Amelia chose a white pumpkin and Will picked one with bumps. They also picked a white gord that looks exactly like a swan for their big sis.

2. I don't think we're going to make it to the huge pumpkin farm for our annual adventure this year. I just don't think I can walk around for that long quite yet. I'm disappointed to miss out on the "how tall this fall pictures".

3. We continue to lock ourselves in or get locked in to the childproofed rooms. We are s.m.a.r.t at this house.

4. One of my favorite babysitters called me this week to interview me for a school project. The one qualification: I'm in my 30s. I'm not just 30. I'm in them. It reminded me of when I was in my early 20s and had two very good friends that were 31 and 32. I thought that was SO old. I'd like to retract and previous statements made against 30 year old-age.

5. My girls have jumped on the Auburn bandwagon. You have got to be kidding me?!

6. Sunday was theme night at church. Amelia was supposed to be a farmer and dressed up like a cowboy. Bella was a superhero. I'm not really up to date on current super heros and we don't own a single costume. At the last minute I pulled together a cat-woman costume and was pretty proud of my creativity. Bella was so impressed that she's now decided she wants to be a cat for Halloween. I need to take my creativity down a notch.

7. Today is Cowboy day at school. I think I need to send Will to school with a disclaimer. I'm sure he's going to "shoot em up" and decide some of the other cowboys are Indians and tackle them. Great day to be a two year old teacher!

8. Yesterday was a our first day back to normal. Other than bedtime, it went pretty good. I'll be so relieved and happy when I can lift again.

9. Jason and I are attending an adults only Halloween party next weekend. Jason is not very crafty or creative with costumes so this should be interesting. I always regret my costume choices. If I dress up as a funny character people are barely dressed up. If I show up in a lame costume, people go all out. We're going middle of the road this year.

10. The girls and I are heading to Nashville with our favorite redheads to see the Rockettes. I used to want to be a Rockette and I can't wait to finally see them in person!

Ten on Tuesday

2010-10-12T06:03:00.000-05:00

1. We are now a completely childproofed house again. Immediately after the bedroom door lock was installed Drew decided he would show us a thing or two about childproofing. He decided to shut the door with Jason, my mom and myself in the bedroom. We couldn't get out. Granny couldn't hear us knocking on the door. We yelled and knocked for the girls and they couldn't "break us free". Finally Jason found a pocket knife and used that. I see myself climbing out my bedroom window so the girls can let me in the front door one of these days. Super.

2. It is no secret that Drew loves to suck his thumb. He especially likes to suck his thumb with some of my mother's knitting yarn. Jason decided to use one of said pieces to tied the fireplace doors together so Drew couldn't open them. I looked up from the couch and their is Drew, head up against the glass, sucking his thumb holding on to the very small piece of ribbon tied to the door.

3. Bella is the fly killer at our house. She can't stand them and it becomes her mission to get rid of the fly. She waits for it and then somehow swats and kills it with her bare hands. It's amazing.

4. We have a little soccer player on our hands. She has scored at least one goal every game this season and this week she scored two. On the way home from the game she said, I really like soccer and I'm actually pretty good at it. We'll work on modesty next..

5. Halloween is just around the corner. I'm proud to say that all costumes are purchased or recycled in the Ross house and we're ready to go.

6. I began Christmas shopping while I was in the hospital. What else was I going to do? I bought the gifts from my parents last week and just need to order ours now. Amelia will be excited to see more of the QPS man at our house.

7. Pinkalicious anyone? I think everyone in our house has officially read Pinkalicious more than once. Gran (as Amelia only calls her) has read it so many times that she made my mom take her to the bookstore to buy Amelia some new books. And every day she tells Amelia I'm only reading Pinkalicious one time today, so you pick the time. Any other book she'll read anytime.

8. Will missed his friend so much last week that he sang an entire song with only one word..Chloe.

9. We had a lazy fall break. Most of our friends were off at the beach at some time or another. The only thing exciting around here is Will can now pee standing up. It's a big accomplishment that he announces after every trip to the bathroom. I know deep down you're all extremely jealous. I'm sure his teachers will be super excited to hear the good news tomorrow ;)

10. Bella has an exciting social calendar with birthday parties this fall. Sadly they all have all coincided with soccer games. She and her good friend have been talking about the party palace for months. (I'm totally serious.) The invitation arrives for the party and she immediately started getting upset thinking she was going to miss it too. We're letting her skip this one game for the party. I can't believe I'm doing it but at 6 I don't want her resenting soccer, something she really enjoys, because it makes her miss out on everything else.

the pumpkin patch

2010-10-05T15:38:00.006-05:00

Today was Bella's class trip to the pumpkin patch. She went last year with her preschool class and we go every year as a family. She was even more excited to go this year with her kindergarten class. She was SUPER excited to ride the bus there and that her Dad was meeting her there. Her exact words this morning "This is the best day ever Mama." The pumpkin patch is an actual working farm in our area. The kids took a tour of the farm and saw all the little critters, rode out into the fields and picked their very own pumpkins. You can pick whatever pumpkin you want but YOU have to be able to carry it yourself. They also have a maize, corn cribs, tunnels and all sorts of other fun activities that the kids love. I can't wait to take our entire family in a few weeks!

Ten on Tuesday

2010-10-05T09:10:00.007-05:00

1. Oh dear. I spent the better part of last week drugged. Let me just say that I am too type A to be under the influence of drugs. Even prescription pain medications that I'm supposed to be taking. The entire time I was in the hospital the pain medicine they had me on wasn't really working. They decided to put me on not one but two pain medications. At the same time. Then I was nauseous from the dual medication.

2. Bring on the visitors. If you came to see me while I was in the hospital or called, I'm sure you were in for a real treat. My mouth was like the Sahara and I couldn't talk without constantly eating ice. The nurses told me no one ate more ice chips than I did. I ate so many of them that they didn't come into my room without a gallon bag of ice chips. I also couldn't form the basis of a sentence if my life depended on it. By the end of the second day, eyes watering, vision blurry, I took to just nodding my head and trying, like my life depended on it, to follow the conversation.

3. At this point, you're probably thinking why was I seeing visitors when clearly I should be scheduling an interview with a producer for Intervention. And WHERE was my common sense husband and why was he allowing people past the door? Home. Sick. He left the hospital throwing up as soon as I got into my permanent room. He doesn't remember driving home and passed out for hours once he was there. Monday might be one of the all time worst days ever. If I could fully remember how terrible it was.

4. My fantastic brother and sister in law sent me beautiful flowers. As your brother pointed out, you are one flower arrangement away from being tied with him for "total number of flowers sent during our relationship". My lovely mother and father in law have bi-passed my husband in the flower department. (I think they're up by 3). It is a long standing joke that within a meek of meeting Jason, he told me he doesn't send flowers. Joey doesn't share food. Jason doesn't send flowers. Same, same.

5. A little piece of advice to all my smart-phone loving friends. Back that thing up on your computer. Frequently. My phone is my life. Every single event, contact, email, birthday, appointment. Whatever, whoever, wherever is in my phone. And it erased on Monday. Completely erased and I was sobbing hysterically. I took a major hit to my body and my phone erased. Monday = worst day ever.

6. Another piece of advice..if you don't remember someone's password don't try to hack into their phone. It will erase. It's apparently a security feature set up by the genius's in charge at the cell phone company. The owner of that phone will probably act like a crazy person when they find out you erased their phone.

7. Amelia decided to give herself a mini hair cut last week. NOOOOOOOO. This is one of my worst nightmares come true. Thankfully it wasn't too bad (you can't really even see it) and I think my mom scared the daylights out of her enough that she won't be doing it again anytime soon.

8. Will had a fantastic time at the birthday party this weekend. I posted a few pictures below. He told me when he grows up he is going to marry Chloe AND Addison. Great, the new star of Sister Wives 2030.

9. Drew loves Granny. There is nothing sweeter than seeing baby boy walk up to my 80 year old grandmother and flap his arms and yammer away because he wants her to pick him up. It makes my heart smile every time.

10. Voluntold..the act of telling someone else you have volunteered them for a certain activity without asking them. Bella had an apple activity at school and I I wasn't able to make it. I immediately responded to the email volunteering Jason. I knew Bella would be ecstatic. The kids were were going to taste four different kinds of apples and apple cider. They also learned about the oxidation process when you cut an apple open. Bella really liked apple cider and enjoyed having her Daddy help out.

11. Wow, I must have a lot to say this week :) Nene went and had lunch with Bella last week. Bella loves having someone come and eat lunch with her. If you visit on a weekday, be prepared for the delicious, quiet lunch invitation from your favorite almost six year old. And ninety-five of other kindergarteners..

recent pictures

2010-10-04T08:23:00.009-05:00

A few pictures of the birthday party. Amelia and one of the big girls she looks up to.

Will's best friends, the birthday girls. He tells me every single day how much he loves them.

Drew absolutely loves playing in the cabinets.

Drew's first haircut

a few pictures from Women of Faith. We went with a group of 22 and there were 18,000 women there.

Ten on Tuesday

2010-09-28T10:01:00.000-05:00

1. On the first official day of fall it was 97 degrees. Seriously, enough already. This northern girl is ready for real fall weather and some apple orchards and pumpkin picking. Enough with the tank tops, flip flops and swimming pool for a few months. Just a few..

2. Drew is finally adjusted to his big boy sneakers and he loves them. He really does think he's a big boy now running all over the place in them.

3. Every time we're in the van Amelia reaches over and holds Drew's hand the entire ride. It really is one of the sweetest things I've ever seen. I look in my rear view mirror and I see the two of them, holding hands and it makes my heart melt. This morning, I looked up just in time to see Drew reach his chubby little baby hand over to grab his sister's first.

4. We enjoyed a visit from one of Jason's army buddies last week. Sometimes I forget now that he's on the civilian side of the Army world, that I married a rockstar. My husband is very humble and sometimes it takes someone he's served with to come around to remind me of what a great soldier, and more importantly human being, he is.

5. I had a fabulous weekend in Atlanta with some of the best friends a girl could ever have. It was an uplifiting, inspirational weekend and I am so grateful that I was able to be a part of it. I laughed harder than I have laughed in a long time.

6. The speakers and the music were phenomenal. If I could have put Patsy Clairmont in my pocket and brought her home with me, I would have. In a New York minute. Seriously loved her. And the Chapmans were fantastic. Their music and their story. If this is an event in your area, I urge you to attend. Your spirit will be uplifted.

7. Jason did an awesome job holding down the fort while I was gone. As I was getting ready to walk over to the arena my phone rang twice in 30 seconds. The reception was terrible and as it started ringing again, I thought to myself, who is calling me three times? Bella's school. It could only be Bella's school. And it was. She had gotten sick AT school and they wanted me to immediately come and get her.

8. Jason spent the two days I was gone with a sick and recuperating child. I would like to say I'm surprised but I'm not. Everytime he goes TDY someone gets sick or a big disaster happens. This time he was the one home dealing with it.

9. I can't for the life of me understand why parents think it's a good idea to have a toddler spend the night with them in the hospital. This maniac has been running around screaming and randomly coming into peoples rooms yelling. Really not necessary.

10. The kids are so excited that Granny and Nene are here for a few weeks. I'm pretty excited to because I really underestimated this surgery. It's going to take a little while longer than I expected to get back on my feet. Thanks to all of you for the prayers, concern and food to help us out.

Simplicity By Christy: watching them grow up |Huntsville Children's Photographer

2010-09-23T11:21:00.000-05:00

Simplicity By Christy: watching them grow up |Huntsville Children's Photographer

baby Taylor

2010-09-21T14:03:00.005-05:00

Here are a few pictures of our visit with sweet little Taylor. The girls seriously can't get enough of her. She is pretty sweet and almost makes me want to have another baby. Then again I don't believe in uneven families and because there is always an odd man out and that would mean TWO more babies. And that's definitely not happening. So I'll just hold Taylor and so will the girls. All of the time. They're like professional little mothers. Forget baby dolls, they want the real thing.

Drew gives Haley his best smile.

Ten on Tuesday

2010-09-21T11:02:00.000-05:00

1. Drew's surgery went very well Friday. He had no issues whatsoever with the anesthesia and I worried about it for weeks, for nothing. The anesthesiologist checked on him numerous times throughout the recovery process and said he was one of the best asthma patients he had ever seen. Yay Drew!

2. I gave Drew his first haircut. His sides were getting a little long and Jason thought he was looking a little too girlie with the long curls. He really looks like a big boy now.

3. Family pictures were this weekend. It was a bright and early start at 7:45AM. It's still in the upper 90s here so I'm glad we started early. Kind of crazy since its 90 degrees but I'm super excited to pick out my Christmas cards with my new pictures..

4. I'm heading to Atlanta in three days with some of my favorite girls. I'm talking big girls not the little ones I see every day.

5. Jason will be home alone for three days with the kids. Oh to be a fly on my wall and see how this goes..

6. Bella has been working really hard in AWANA learning her verses. Last night was her first night to cash in her hard dollars and she came home with a gift she had purchased for Will. She felt bad that he has to stay home every Sunday night while she is having so much fun learning about God at church.
My cup runneth over.

7. I get bombarded with mail order catalogues daily. I'm not sure how or why but I do. Today I got the strangest one ever for actual Witch and pirate clothing. And I'm not talking about costumes. This was a full catalogue of apparel and shoes for wizards. If anyone needs a full length purple hooded velvet cloak and some pointed witch boots, I can now point you in the right direction.

8. Drew's new favorite thing to do is clean. He gets in the cabinet, gets out a napkin and starts cleaning away. I love that boy.

9. Will is invited to a birthday party for his two girlfriends. Yes, he has two. He saw the invitation and said that's a party for Addie and Chloe . I said yes it is. He said "You need to take me to the store please. I need to get them some good presents."

10. Bella continues to love playing soccer. She scored another goal this weekend and is really improving this year.

Ten on Tuesday

2010-09-12T13:26:00.003-05:00

1. We enjoyed a visit from little Miss Taylor and her mama last week. It was promptly followed by the girls requesting another new baby brother or sister. I think Taylor's going to have to visit more often. The stork is finished making deliveries at our house.

2. Part of Bella's homework every night is listening to letter sounds on a specific computer game. She needs to know the exact letter sound each letter makes and has become quite addicted to the website. So has her little sister. I'm glad they're learning but every time I sit down to do anything on the computer one of them wants on it too.

3. The boys are both recovering from sinus infections. It's that time of year again.

4. Bella came home from school today and told me that "Susie is in love with Johnny. Really, she already fell in love with him. Can you believe it!?" What!?

5. Birthday party season is upon us. I wonder how many times I'm going to hear is "You aren't invited to my birthday party". I'm paying for the party, siblings are always invited.

6. Drew's surgery is scheduled for Friday morning. It's not a long procedure and we're hoping it's complication free.

7. We are having our first official family photo taken Saturday. I'm pretty excited about this. Silly I know but it's been two years since we've had a family photo taken and we only had a small snapshot done after Drew was born.

8. Nene and Granny arrive in two weeks. The kids know they are coming and are already asking if today's the day that Granny is coming to their house. They're excited to say the least.

9. Halloween and Christmas decorations are already making there way into the store. Halloween I can handle. The kids have already chosen their costumes and are ready to hit the sidewalks on trick or treat. We have the perfect neighborhood for it this year and we are excited.

10. Amelia learned about community helpers this week. She is pretty fascinated with police men and was full of information for me when she got in the car after school. Her teacher's husband is a police man and I asked her if he was going to be visiting the class (I know he's done this in the past). Her reply "No. He's too busy keeping the crazy people off of the streets."