Ten on Tuesday

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..

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

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

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