Home Sweet Home!!

We are home from St Louis and had a great time away from the everyday grind here at home. We got re-energized, rest, good food, great company, special treats, and a fun time! Thanks to Mimi and Granpie for a wonderful visit. Here are some pics from our trip! Blogger will not let me upload pictures for the 100th time- so they are on my facebook page!

Headed out of town...

So we have packed up and landed ourselves in St Louis for a short visit. Several reasons to come: Mimi and Granpie, a break away from the grind and money pits, new tires, new water pump, air condition restored to Todd's truck... We needed some things so we headed here to get them! I know it sounds absurd... but only we will understand!! Thanks, Jarrod!!!
And it is raining raining raining!!! I wish for some sunshine- maybe tomorrow?
And the kids are being weird about their beds here? I mean can you not adapt to a different bed? I guess not. I am hoping for a better nite sleep without little ones tugging on my PJ's..."go home to my bed"!!!
I'll post pics when I can... Gigi got a haircut- Sassy and Cute!!
She is mastering this potty training business!
Parker got a cap gun with some "Buulllets!!!" (they think he sounds so southern?!)
His tooth is turning darker?!
I got a pedicure! Thanks, Dad! He was the one who treated! He knew that I needed a vacation!
Todd got some good best friend time and work done to autos. This makes him happy!
Headed to bed!!! Nite, Nite!!!

Happy Memorial Day!!!

First a thank you to ALL those who have served and are serving our country so that we may experience Freedom! It is a blessing to be an American. Thank you to those men and women.
Secondly, we had a stormy day here in Bama! But between the rain and storms, we managed to get in some outdoor fun. At lunch we played outside at a neighbors. Parker had an accident. He fell on the slick garage floor and hit the concrete- FACE FIRST! Parker cried, no screamed longer than any other time he has gotten hurt. I was not sure if he had really hurt himself or he was just mad. After the crying drama, I noticed that his tooth had been knocked back. He got a ugly scrape to his chin, hand and foot and a swollen busted lip! It is cute, though, to see him with that pouty lip! Tonite his tooth is turning grey- not good- think I need to call the dentist tomorrow.
And then when it rains... it pours... but God is teaching me to trust Him. I had a bad attitude in tithing yesterday. Money has been tight and several unexpected financial matters have arisen lately and so I needed to keep that money and not give it to God. I thought if I could just keep this we would be a little ahead. But with out bitter attitude I wrote the check and put it in the basket. It bothered me all nite. Then today I went and started my car and it made a terrible noise and then antifreeze went pouring out underneath the car. It would not crank. After Todd worked on it this afternoon to find the problem- the water pump broke in half. Now I do not know much about cars, but when he found out what happened he was shocked. The water pump is made of a hard metal that I think if you threw against the brick wall it would not crack. And it was only 6 months old. Todd was puzzled. But I know that it is God saying to me- Trust me... I'll take care of all your needs. I struggle with this daily and he brings me back to Him daily. Thank goodness. So- I am trusting that God will provide, because we do not have the money right now to fix it. This is the place that he likes to bring me to- total dependence on Him. And I need to depend on Him- completely. I am stranded at home... but that allowed me to get alot of projects done at the house today that needed to be done, but I am normally too busy. God has a plan... I must listen and follow His will for me.
To end this fun day- Pap, Mum, Jen, and Keith B came to cookout. Pap grilled out the best pork chops and Mum and Jen made all the fixin's!! I made dessert, Remember orange dreamsicles? It was a spin on a classic that I loved from childhood. It was delicious! We took a walk after dinner and then sat outside and talked! Thanks for the fun and tasty time! Happy Memorial Day!!

Gotton Behind...

I have missed a few days... but still loving our summer. The rain has set in and so we spent the last two days inside! There seems to have been some chores that have been neglected and needed tending too! So I made a fun game out of it and the kids helped out!! We used old socks for dust cloths and turned up the music and did a little cleaning dancing!! They loved to spray the spray bottle cleaner and then I wiped things down. Gigi got her vacuum and "vacuumed" along side me!! We had fun tackling the chores!! And then came the big day... Parker's first T-ball practice!! He has been so excited for Friday to get here. We had a countdown going and he has been begging to put on his baseball pants and cleats!! So, Friday was all centered around baseball. Time came to go and Parker was fired up!! Chanting and singing in the car, dressed in his "uniform" and bat, ball and glove in hand! When we arrived, we met and mingled with the other parents and team players. Parker seemed shy. It was his turn to bat. He did great and hit all three of them right off that Tee! Then came time to go out into the field and catch balls. Parker decided that he did not like catching balls. He was upset and did not want to play anymore. He told us "I do not want to be a baseball player anymore!" I guess he realized that batting was not all there is to baseball!!! He pouted and got alittle mad, but finally participated with his team! Mum and Pap met us there and then we all went out for some Mexican!! Yum Yum!! We love to meet and do dinner on Friday nites... tradition is good! And then home it was. Parker got home and wanted to throw some balls with his daddy. They rolled the ball in the hallway and played " alittle ball"! He told me before bed, that he had fun and does want to be a baseball player! I guess I will not call and ask for a refund!







What has miss priss been up to?... well she is learning to use the potty! I swore against little pottys and would not have one with Parker. However, G is afraid of the big potty and since she is about to be 3, I figured we must get this girl out of diapers. So a little potty it had to be! She has been doing great and is motivated by GUM!!! So each time she "goes" she gets a piece! She is getting the hang of it... it will just take time!!



We are doing house projects today... inside... it's raining!

Another Day Outside!!

And yes... we went outside again today!! The weather has been wonderful and makes us want to go outside and soak it all up...especially before the rain comes tomorrow!! So today we went to a friends house and played outside and had lunch. I stopped at a little produce stand and bought some delicious red tomatoes!! Ummm they were delicious on a spinach, bacon and mayo sandwich... right Ash!!!




We came home for an early nap and then woke up to make as Parker says,"banana pudding without the bananas"!!! The kids helped me and were such great bakers!!




We then enjoyed it with friends over brats and hot dogs!! We had so much fun being outside playing till 8:30pm!!! What a fun time with neighbors!!

We went to the Park today and had a blast in the cooler weather! The weather has been so nice and early spring like since Sunday!! We have gotten out and enjoyed it each day! The park was windy and we had to wear long sleeves. A far cry from the 80 degree weather we have had! So we played and played and then had a picnic!

It was delightful to be outside and soak up some sunshine and eat some food!!

Monday Disaster

Monday was off to a usual Monday start. We had slept in till 10 am because we were out late after Church with some friends for dinner and the kids did not get to bed till way past bed time. But.. I'll always take a morning to sleep in. We got up had breakfast, started some laundry, straightened up here and there and then decided to take our old bread to the lake(or pond) and feed the ducks and fish. The pond is right outside our street and in our neighboorhood. So I fed the kiddos lunch, gathered our bread, jumped into the car, buckled the kids, and headed for the pond. As I pulled out of our street onto the main neighboorhood street, I passed a police car and put on my seat belt, It kind of prompted me to put it on, but I also had just gotton a second to tend to my own needs- moms you will understand this! I drove through 4 stop signs and turned into the pond area and up behind me is a police car with its lights on. He proceeds to my car. I am thinking did I run a stop sign? What did I do? And then apears Mr. Officer. Wow. I went to high school with him. So I told him who I was and refreshed his memory of how we knew one another. He asked for my license and insurance. Parker is hysterical in the back seat crying- " Don't take me or my mommie to jail"... over and over. And G is saying "Is that Daddy?" So I proceeded to tell the officer that Daddy is a police officer too! And he kindly told me that my insurance card had expired. I told him it was all legit, he could verify that with my husband who is a police officer at_____. He never acknowledged me and told me he would be right back. He returned with a TICKET for me because he had seen me without my seatbelt on and had seen me put it on! What? Are you kidding me? Am I on a funny prank show? He asked where I work... I told him I was a nurse- figured that might help me out since I worked at the ER where they would bring his wounded body into. Nope- not a bit of grace. He told me to sign here and to go to court on this date and then have a nice day. I was furious. Now do not get me wrong. I waited to put my seatbelt on after I had begun driving my car... but come on- in my neighboorhood not a mile from my house? And I am feeding the ducks with my two kids while my police officer husband is a t work. And I am a nurse? Does any of that not warrent a warning? I guess not. Parker is still upset and talking about mommies ticket! We went on and fed the ducks, but in my anger I ddi not take any pictures. I was too busy telling Todd my story. Well see....

Weekend getaway!!!

The kids have been at the farm with Mum and Pap since Saturday!! They are having a wonderful time as witnessed when calling to check on them:
Parker: Hi Mom! I want to stay down here forever and ever! Wanna talk to Mum!!!
Gigi: Mommy I wanna stay and wanna go home here at the farm with Mum... Okay?!
So it sounds as if they want to stay there forever!!! I love them so much... but gosh a break is great!! It also though told me it is not always greened on the other side of the fence. So many times I think back to my life without kids and escape there for just a second. I think about not being responsible for two others that are totally dependent on you. I think about being on my own schedule. I think about quietness. I think about organized. And then I experience that life is slow and boring without them here! Gosh- I never thought that I would think that. Now do not get me wrong... I slept in(much needed), I got my whole house cleaned... I mean really cleaned, I ran errands, took a nap, took a shower and shaved my legs, and got to church!! All of those things were a blessing to me, but it just half the fun with out the kids!! I think that I prefer life with them in our busy, crazy, loud, and chaotic life better!! It was quiet here... almost too quiet. It was organized... until they came home. I was rested.. till I cant sleep and am up typing this at 2 am!!! It was a wonderful weekend and a much needed break, but I was happy to see the kids when I went to get them!!! Thanks to Mum and Pap for taking care of them and meeting all their needs. They do that in a wonderful spoiled grandparent way!!! They love you both so much... and so do I!!!

Friday Play

Today was a perfect day to get outside. We had a birthday party this morning... great job Lindsey!! It was the perfect party... and then came home to hot and sticky weather outside which can only mean one thing- get the little pool out!! Now I am a huge fan of the "little pool". I buy one every summer and discard at the end of the summer. It is durable to with stand Parker jumping into it, sliding into it, and sitting on the edge! It has so many functions. Last year, I bought it alittle early in the season for warm weather and so we used it in the garage and filled it with plastic balls!! I love to sit outside and put my feet in it as well! I think you can't beat a "little pool"... there $10 at Walmart.
I was also cleaning out my cabinets in the kitchen...thanks to Ashley for an amazing spring cleaning of my kitchen... and saved all my unexplainable items- two sets of plastic measuring cups, odd and end spoons, bowls, plastic cups... I decided that if you want to make sand pies it would be more fun to make them using "real" items. So the kids "baked" the afternoon away!! It was so fun to see their little imagination growing and them playing together so well!! Even though Parker was making cupcakes!! They would bring me a homemade treat once in a awhile as I was catching up reading in my Southern Living!!

It was off to a nap and then Pap and Mum came for dinner!! The kids were worn out and tierd from a busy day, so baths and bedtime came early!! Thanks Mom and Dad for dinner!! We love our scheduled Friday nites with y'all!! And Jen Jen came too!!!

Parker and the Ark!

Today was Parker's musicial at school and it was so wonderful. They had graduation for the K-5 class and I cried the whole time. I did not even know a child in it! I was just sitting there thinking to myself that Parker and Gigi would be there shortly and then all this time that I have with them during the day would be spent with a teacher at school. Made me even more attached to my time with them this summer and to hold on to the time that I have with them- no matter how many things they spill, no matter how many times they say MOMMY, no matter how much I cant get done. No matter what... God gave me this time to be with them and I need to treasure it and fill it with quality time.
We were so proud of Parker as he sang songs and recited a narrative. The title of the program was Noah's Ark and he wore his rain boots and rain coat. He was handsome! Well see for yourself!








We had a lot of fun and even enjoyed lunch out with MUM!!! What a special treat! Thanks Mum!

Rain Rain Go Away... Oh forget it we will just go out and play!!!

It has been raining all day!!! We are having rain from today till saturday and tonite the weather man even mentioned into Sunday! So what is a mom to do?
I could have done this:

Or even this:

But I choose to go outside with the kids and do this:






Play in the rain!!!!
It was so much fun to just be outside even in the rain. They enjoyed running around in the rain and they both love to put on their rain boots! So we stayed outside for a while and then came in dried off, ate lunch and took a long nap!!! That is one wonderful thing about the rain- dark room + cool + constant sound = long nap!! And I needed a nap today. I just felt really tierd today, maybe it was the rain!!
So nothing got done today at the house and you know what? I am okay with that, because at the end of the day I felt like I had accomplished much more than some chores. Parker told me while saying prayers and reading a book, "Mom we had fun today, can we do it again?!" Sure we can- we are going to do it all summer!!! And hopefully the house will not fall to pieces in the process, but if it does- oh well!!

On the mend..

We are all finished with antibiotics today!! Everyone finished their last dose before the last day of Mother's Day Out!! It is bittersweet. I hate the rush of getting ready and the need to be out the door at 8:55, but I love the freedom that comes with being kid free for 4 hours. So... although I will not have to get up early to get to school, I also will not get a break two days a week. I am excited though. I want to truly use this summer to be WITH my kids. I want to experience life with them on a day to day three and two year old way! Oh that rhymes!! I want to do things with them rather than to just occupy them. I want to spend time with them rather than hope for the time to pass. I want to enjoy them. I have been so convicted of this lately. I just feel that they are growing up so fast and I have a long list of things to do that never seems to get any shorter. I focus more on the things to do and the things in my life. They love me so much and want so many times for me to "watch mommy" and I do not just take the time to sit in the floor and see what it is that is intriguing to them . This summer I want to see what those things are. So in the spirit of wanting to capture these things in their life and hold on to these precious memories I am going to post everyday.. yes everyday... so that I can have a "journal" of this special time with the kids. Hope that you will read along as WE enjoy our summer!!!

Update

It seems that Parker's sugar is doing better and we are not leaning in the direction of Diabetes. We are going for and Ultrasound of the kidneys, abdomen and bladder on Wednesday. Please think of him on Wednesday at 9 am. I just wish we could get to the bottom of this. In the mean time... Todd, Gigi and I have the "flu"? Not sure what we have but we feel aweful. Thanksfully Parker is not sick( at least right now) and if he is still fine in the am he is getting shipped to the farm. Gigi is running a 103.7 fever and just feels lousy. Todd and I feel like an elephant is standing on us and we hurt everywhere. I had no idea that my eyelashes could hurt! Todd is nauseated but thankfully I am not. My throat is sore but Todd's is not. Swine flu? No- We have not started snorting or squealing and there is no pink curly tail from behind... yet!