Emiley's Day...

(Sorry some bathroom humor to follow. Yes, it even happens with little girls.)

"I had gas really bad today. But Momma, you would be so proud of me. I held four toots until I got out to the playground."---Emiley

Happy Weekend!

Fun on the Homefront...

Silly Ms. Lainey who took this pictures from the Homefront.
Our largest watermelon so far!
Love this bush right out my front yard.
Pretty Miss Em.Jack Dog with Princess sunglasses.
Look at all that watermelon vine...

Corporal Punishment...

We have dove head first into school around here. I think the first few days the parents have more homework than the kids. Each child had over ten forms to sign and fill out over the last few days. Emiley's teacher had to send one of her forms back because I failed to fill out the back of it... Oops :)

Anyway, one of the forms had to do with corporal punishment. You had to check Yes or NO for them to be able to spank your child at school. I checked Yes and signed my name. The girls also had to sign their names on that form so that they were aware of the fact that they could be spanked if the time ever arose. Now I do not think that my kids will ever be in that much trouble at school, but it sure scared them. Lainey cried at the thought of having to be spanked at school and I had to coax her into picking up the pencil and writing her name of the little line. Abbey didnt cry but had a death look on her face when she realized that it was "for real." Well, the corporal punishment form was the one I forgot to sign for Miss Emiley. So as we were cleaning out lunchboxes and folders and doing homework, I explained to Miss Em that she could, in fact, get a spanking at school if she needed it.

Emiley replies, "I am not scared of no spanking!" And signed her name with pure confidence. I hope they dont have to pull that piece of paper from her file this year!

Happy Hump Day!

Where in the World?...

Where in the world did I get IT you ask?

How in the world did I get IT you ask?

Why in the world did IT have to get me you ask?

What in the world is IT you ask?

It is SALMONELLA. Yep, the tests are in and that is what almost killed me last week. (OK, maybe not killed me, but believe me I was ready to move onto the other side this time last week!)

They have all left the nest...

All my little ducklings have left the nest. I have such mixed emotions today. On one hand I am so thankful that I have had the time with them at home to raise them into beautiful, young, responsible ladies so that they would all be ready for the school transition. On the other hand, I am so sad to see this phase of life end. I know I am still their mommy, but they just dont need me as much and man, is the house lonely without them. I have sacrificed so much of myself over the last nine years that it is hard to realize and embrace that it time for some "me time" again. I have been pondering this blog on Holy Experience for many days. Head over and read it yourself. Just Click Here. It talks about a mother's sacrifice and love for her young. Enjoy...

(Of course blogger wont let me get all my pics downloaded today.)

Happy Birthday Abbey Grace...

On August "tenty-terd" (the most precious way Abbey use to tell everyone when her birthday was) 1999 my beautiful first born was born. She was two weeks past her due date and just waiting to bring joy to Will and I. It was the day graduate school was to begin at ACU and the doctor had finally decided to induce me after being two weeks past due. The doctor's plan was throwing a kink in our plan. Anyway, after laboring from 10 pm on August 22 and "Praising God and Thanking Jesus" (a small personal joke) Abbey was finally born by C-section on August 23 at 3:45 p.m.
She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Of course I didnt get to see her until almost eight o'clock that evening because they knocked me out after the C-section because it was an emergency. We chose not to find out if Abbey was going to be a girl or a boy so we had not really decided on a name yet. When I woke around 8, Will presented me with the news I had a daughter. I dont think he admitted that he was wrong... Will had the whole town of Abilene convinced she was a boy and her name would be Will Garrett. We decided to name her Abbey Grace, which was my number one name for a girl. It means "father's joy."Abbey is a huge blessings in our lives... well, not really only our lives but every one's life she comes in contact with. She is one of a kind in so many ways. I cant believe she is turning nine. I still remember holding my blond haired, brown eyed baby like it was yesterday. Abbey is the definitely the big sister and does an amazing job at it even if she says she wishes she was an only child. In celebration of Abbey Grace's 9th, here are 9 things I love about Abbey.
1. Abbey is a leader. She is not afraid to do the right thing no matter what. Her teachers love her!
2. Abbey is so athletic. She is good at every sport she tries...soccer, softball, swimming, running, etc... Her favorite sport is still soccer and she is already getting sad that she only has three more years to play. She is fast!3. Abbey loves everyone. She takes even the hard to love and puts the under her wing. She will accept even the bullies in her class. Abbey tries to keep the trouble makers out of trouble in even the sweetest of ways. 4. Abbey loves God and her church. She is always the first one to learn her memory verse I present here at home. She tried to earn the "fruit of the spirit" plate every night. Abbey's new favorite thing is to have me right down verses from the Bible and see how long it takes her to look them up. She is doing great about learning the order of the books and "working" her way through the Bible.
5. Abbey is always happy. She is a joy with a constant smile on her face.
6. Abbey is a huge help to me. She takes responsibility for her things and is bit of an organizer.
7. Abbey says she is a tom-boy, but she LOVES fairies. It is really the only thing "girly" she is into, but she is into them whole-heartedly.
8. Abbey is patient beyond belief. It take a long time for her fuse to blow.
9. Abbey is so loving. She is still my little cuddler even at nine. It wouldnt surprise me to have her crawl up in bed with me. She loves her family and is dedicated and devoted to us and her place in our home.

I LOVE you Abbey Grace and I am so proud of the young lady you are becoming. Happy 9th birthday.

Home Again, Home Again...

Praise the Lord, I am home!

Happy Weekend!

Laugh your socks off...

http://www.hallmark.com/ECardWeb/ECV.jsp?a=EG3103822912188M270376902Y&product_id

You must click on this link and see the FUNNIEST get well card EVER!

Thanks Miles and Gina! You really brightened my day!

While I am on here I will give you and update. My white blood cell count continues to drop... this is good. I ran fever again around four o'clock... this is bad. The Dr. said I must keep the fever away to be able to go home tomorrow. I ate solid food for dinner. For those of you who know me know I dont like roast or meatloaf. Guess what my first REAL food since Monday was... Yep, roast. It was DELICIOUS! And so were the mashed potatoes and okra. I passed on the fruit cocktail and milk. Just pray I keep it in me.

Here a a short list of things I did not expect to think about this week...
1. I need to shave my legs.
2. I want (and need) to take a bath.
3. I miss my tweezers and so do my eyebrows.
4. I am thankful for my hubby because he brought me my lotion, carmex, and socks.
5. I LOVE roast. (at least for today and only if it stays down)
6. I hope I dont look like a druggie with all the holes in my arms.
7. My friends are the best.
8. The girls will survive open house without me and my hubby and MIL will remember to take pictures so that this blogging, picture freak mommy will feel better about not being there.
9. I never want to smell chicken broth again or eat anymore red jello.
10. Flowers and visits and phone calls make my day.

Now click on the link and LAUGH your socks off!

Taking up residence...

Well, it seems as though I am taking up residence here at the hospital. I am still having trouble keeping fluids in me. ( I will spare you all the details.) My IV backed up in my arm last night so I am now sporting another "hole" in my body as if the other five were not enough. I had fever again last night and a pretty good headache so it appears that those things plus a few others warrant me to be in the hospital a bit longer. I am feeling better just still weak.

My heart is breaking because today is the girls' open house at the school. Please pray for me to remain strong... I HATE that I wont be there~Especially for Miss Em who is starting Kindergarten. I was also anxious to meet Lainey's teacher since she is new to the district. Oh yes, and Saturday is Abbey's birthday so I really dont want to disappoint her on her big "9 year" celebration.

Pray for healing, strength, patience, and peace the next few days.

(Wish I had my camera so I could share my beautiful flowers with you all! And really... how cool are laptops)

I Am Alive...

...but barely. I am now spending some time in our local hospital. It appears I have an infection my body cant take. I have been poked in every area, had a CT scan, and am now resting comfortably with some DRUGS. The best thing in all of this is that I have shed five pounds in less than 24 hours. OK, well maybe this is the most painful way to shed the pounds, even more painful than running, but hey, you must look on the bright side as you lay in the hospital half dressed being completely invaded.

Prayers would be good!

PS. Maybe I should not have complained so much about my Monday, because Tuesday and Wednesday got even worse :)

Is It Monday?...

Is It Monday?

Is It Monday? I have already graciously handed out a few spankings, and its only nine o'clock a.m.

Is It Monday? The girls have tracked in half of the mud from the yard this morning and some how there is even some on the walls and door facing.

Is It Monday? Abbey woke up with her eye swollen shut.

Is It Monday? The laundry is overflowing from the hamper.

Is It Monday? The girls have already started setting the timer because they need their private time in the bathroom.

Is It Monday?

How Do You Do It?...

I know you have all been on the edge of your seats waiting for me to post about what we were making in our kitchen last Friday.
Well, the time has come to fill you in one of our little summer projects.
Many of you guessed it. We were making rock candy. One of the books that Lainey got from the library was all about crystals. In the back of the book there was a recipe on how to grow your own crystals and make rock candy. So we gave it a shot. Our candy is not perfect but it tastes good and was fun to watch grow. Here is what you do...place 2 and 2/3 cups sugar in a pan and mix with 1 cup water. Stir and allow it to boil. Then pour it in a glass cup, place a cardboard circle over the top of the cup with a stick (we used chop sticks) placed down in the mixture. Allow to sit for one week and watch your crystals grow. The girls LOVED it so give it a try!

I have also been asking myself "How Do You Do It" everytime I watch the Olympians compete. They are amazing athletes. And "How Do You Do It"... How do they not cry like little babies up on the podium while our country's song is playing? How do they not sing the anthem at the top of their lungs? How to they control their excitement? I am jumping with excitement in my own home with my hand on my heart and singing "Oh Say Can You See..." and the tears keep rolling with every medal and every story.

Happy Weekend...

TOO Much Melon...

Is there such a thing as having too much watermelon in one summer?
We have eaten our fair share of watermelon on our front porch this summer.
We have eaten so much and spit so many seeds that there is now watermelon vines overtaking my flower beds and YES, growing out of the cracks on the front porch.

Maybe we will produce our own melons and have more seeds to spit and more melons to grow, and more melon to eat, and more seeds to spit, and so on and so on and so on...

Happy Hump Day!

A Texas Tuesday...

"Tri" Again...

Well, I think I may be a bit crazy, but I did participate in another triathlon this weekend. It was another small one in Temple, TX. I completed a 350M swim, a 9.3 mile bike ride, and the most horrible two (plus) mile run ever! The run had a huge MOUNTAIN at about the beginning of mile two. I mean STRAIGHT UP! I dont think I saw many people run up it... most of us were doing the "lean forward and hope you dont fall flat on your face" all the way up it. It is a great feeling of accomplishment to have competed and completed it. It was a great Sunday morning :)
There were LOTS of people from Hamilton who participated. Here we all are... Luke and Betsy, Will and me, Tracy, Alicia and Jay, Sheena, Jennifer N., and Lee Ann. Jennifer C., Chase, and Becky were also there but missed the picture :( What fun!
Thanks Babe, for motivating me to get out there and do it "Tri" again!

Happy Monday...

08.08.08...

In case you havent heard, tonight is the opening ceremony for the 2008 Summer Olympics. I have always been a huge Olympic fan and I cant wait to "overload" myself with sports of any and all kinds, hear all the inspirational stories, watch all the medal presentations, and maybe shed a tear and laugh a good laugh with the rest of the world.

I have been trying to share my excitement about the Olympics with the girls over the last few days. I have been telling them that the Olympics start tonight and I cant wait to watch them.

Emiley says to me earlier today, "Momma, we better hurry and get dressed and get ready to go to the Olympics."

I asked her what she was talking about.

Emiley said, "Mommy, we need to get dressed and get in the car and head to the Olympics in China. You have been saying we are going to watch them."

My sweet Emiley, I wish we could go to China and see the spectacular performances, but we are going to watch them on our comfy couch.

I really think I broke her heart when I told her we werent going to watch "in person." Emiley then said, "If we lived in Dallas or somewhere we would probably get to go because it is closer to where the Olympics are."

Emiley then said, "Well Momma, are you and daddy going to do your triathlon this weekend in the Olympics on TV?"

No, Miss Em, I hate to break the bad news to you again, but we are NOT anywhere close to Olympic athletes. But thanks for believing that I am! She is our #1 fan!

Enjoy the Olympics in your own living room everyone. And if anyone has an extra ticket to China, please consider taking Miss Em!

Happy Weekend!!!

Friday Fun...

Just for fun... here are the girls' new backpacks, complete with their monogrammed names for the fast approaching school year. Abbey chose a camo saddle pack with her name in green, for Tinkerbell of course.
Lainey's backpack is so cute! I love the cherries.
Miss Em chose monkeys... she still loves monkeys. I love all three choices and think they show their three different personalities :)
Now, can you guess what we are growing in our kitchen? Stay tuned for the results and the recipe...

Happy Weekend!

God Gives the Relief...

Yes, that is a FULL rain gauge! As I was posting about the heat yesterday morning, we were receiving the left over rain from tropical storm Edouard. The rain storm sat right over our country for almost six hours and we received over five inches of rain. It was so wonderful. This is our front pasture... full of water. Needless to say, we didnt have to water our yard last night :)
This is the run off from our tank that is located on the other side of that brush. Beautiful site!
And here is the other side of the road. It was so hard to believe we had received so much rain after having numerous days over 100 degree temps. Actually, our small county had had fifteen days of fires. We have lost a very prominent business to fire, a building that belongs to one of the largest employers in our community, a barn not far from our place that caused six blocks of homes to be evacuated, and over 400 acres burned just down the way. We were in a dangerous situation. We are rejoicing because of the rain!!

Yesterday our temperatures did not get over 76. I pulled back the curtains and opened the windows as if it was the first day of fall. Yesterday afternoon we got out to go to the library, do some AR testing, run to the post office, and make a trip by Sonic during happy hour. We were heading home and the thermometer in the suburban said 76... it had said 106 not forty-eight hours earlier.

Thank you God for the break from the heat and all the moisture that our dry land received. God is so Good!

Beat the Heat...

This is how we have been beating the heat...

How have you managed to beat the heat?

Girlfriend Get-A-Way...

I came away from last weekend with lots of realizations... The first is that I do not even THINK about getting my camera out of my purse unless my cute, photographic children are around. These are the only two pictures that I took! That is so sad because we actually got "all beautified" Saturday night to go to dinner downtown. Anyway, here are some of my other realizations from this weekend with some of my best buddies in the world...
...I realized I LOVE IKEA! I have always known that I liked it but I can truly say, "This store is one of the best." I got some great bowls with lids, small juice glasses, a new red colander and cutting board, some rugs for my sunroom, and two fly swatters for $ .25. This trip to IKEA was especially fun because Steph. and Betsy had never been before. And I had never experienced the IKEA restaurant. I highly recommend the Greek Salad. At one point in our over two hour IKEA experience, we all asked each other how we grew to LOVE all things homemaking :)
...I realized my buddies must use way more deodorant than I do! No, I dont stink, but I do sweat more because I dont drench myself in the roll on white stuff.
...I realized I loved Ester's Follies. Lots of Laughs!!!
...I realized Roux is a great Cajun Food Place.
...I realized that $7 cheesecake delivered by roomservice at 2 am is the BEST!
...I realized I dont need as much sleep as I thought.
...I realized friends that I have had since 2nd grade are the best and we hit it off just like we did at China Elementary way back in the '80's.
...I realized it is HOT.
...I realized I love to bargain shop even when it is hot and I have only had four hours of sleep.
...I realized I am still a nervous, little chicken and Kelly still loves to scare me.
...I realized I love strawberry banana smoothies.
...I realized you should pay attention to those row markers at large parking lots like at the Round Rock outlet mall because you might lose your car and there are lots of tan suburbans and it is even hotter walking the parking lot searching for your means of transportation.
...I realized Betsy and I truly do attract "strange people." Every where we go... It never fails.
...I realized I always miss my kids and hubby when I am away from them, but they can survive without me and we can survive a weekend without doing any dishes or laundry.

On the Road Again...

Well, I am on the road again this weekend... Headed to Austin to "reconnect" with some of my buddies from good 'ole BHS. (GO DOGS!)

Anyway, I was breaking the news to the girls that I would be heading out tomorrow to spend the night in a nice hotel with just my friends...no hubbies, no kids allowed. Lainey started crying and said, "Momma, I dont think I can make it through the night without your bedtime kisses. Please dont go!"

Lainey, you make it hard for me to leave!

Happy Weekend...

Summer School 101...

I think this week has been the first week this summer that we have not had something to do ALL WEEK. I think the girls have enjoyed it as much as I have... We are "Just Being" this week. No real schedule, no place to go, nothing pressing. The girls have enjoyed just being at home so much that they havent even wanted to go swimming. We have literally stayed home most of the week. Yesterday, they were ready to do something! Abbey suggested we go to the public library get some books on a topic of interest and then do a report. OK with me if they want to be educational this last month of summer!
So we headed to the library, checked out books, went to the local dollar store to get poster board, then headed home and turned the living room into a school room. The girls got busy reading their books, sketching their animals on their poster board, looking up information on the internet, and having a BLAST! The spent most of yesterday working on their projects and even about three more hours on them this morning.
Abbey chose to research Giant Pandas. Lainey did her poster on elephants. And, Miss Emiley did hers on horses. I am so proud of them and their work and LOVE of learning. Way to go girls!