Remember Me?

We've been busy!  I know, I know...this is the story of the rest of my life.  Or at least until my kids move out. 

Lacrosse is over for the season.  :-(  It's bittersweet.  I am glad to have a more free schedule, but I'm sad to not be cheering on the Dragons.  The good news is that there is a fall ball league starting up...and I'm thinking that sounds good. 

Some good news is that my favorite twins in the whole wide world have started baseball!  I love cheering them on every bit as much as I do cheering for the Dragons.  And tonight, they made some amazing plays.  This is a phenomenal little team, and they play their hearts out.  Jonah just so happened to make an amazing catch tonight...making it three outs in the last inning and ending the game at a whopping 16-3.  Go Tigers!

I am officially over this school year.  It happens every year around this time, and it doesn't always mean that something has happened...it just means that I'm ready for them all to be home with me.  At least until they start bickering, then I might be ready to send them back.  ;-)

Watching television has become something of a chore.  I've been reading way more than I've been watching tv lately, and I'm so far behind on my shows that I'm about to just give up on them.  Todd's watching Deadliest Catch right now, which I'm watching with him, in between words.  I've almost given up on DWTS, too.  Time is precious right now, and honestly...I'd prefer to read a good book. 

Speaking of...I've been reading Kristin Hannah lately.  I read a lot of her stuff in high school, and she's kind of grown up alongside me.  Her books are more mature now, and they are amazing!  The last one I read by her was Homefront, about a military family.  I cried most of the way through it.  I don't mind crying in books...lots of people I know don't like that, but I don't mind.  I feel like I know the characters by the time I reach the end, and I'm usually sad to say goodbye. 

Did you know that I get seasick?  And air...and car...and any other time, but seasickness is not something I enjoy.  I'm watching Deadliest Catch with my hubby, and I am thinking back to our mission trip to Iceland, and our four hour ferry boat ride to the Westman Islands.  I was so deathly sick that I had to join our missionary wife, Sheila, below deck in a room with bunk beds.  Apparently I turned a ghastly shade of green...and our missionary, Mike, led the way to my downstairs suite.  Oddly enough, once I was flat, I was fine.  Grown men were throwing up over the side of that huge boat...the North Atlantic Ocean was crazy rough that day, and I should have known better than to tough it out when I got sick before we even left the rocky barrier. 

Lovely.  But what fun times, and amazing memories.  :-)  How many people can say they were on  a ferry boat in that ocean???  In Iceland, for goodness' sake?? 

It was amazing. 

I told you...our own private quarters. 

Well, this has gone about a thousand different ways, hasn't it?  I just thought I would stop by and write so you would know I'm still around.  Busy, crazy, but around. 

Love to all. 

thoughts

Drew, Graham and I almost all took a bath with Crash last night.  He is really hard to bathe now that he's gotten bigger.  They used to be able to manage just fine, but not anymore.  I had to assist.  The part he loves is the blow drying of his hair afterward.  He feels like it's a puppy massage, I'm sure.  :-)

Noah woke up sick in the wee hours of the morning.  I hate that he didn't feel good...but I enjoy our time at home together, alone.  I'm not sure how Jonah will feel about going to school without him, so please pray this morning!  They get really upset, usually, if one of them misses and the other one goes.  It's only happened once or twice.  It's the twin thing I always talk about.

Jonah wanted to be number 8 on his baseball jersey....like his big brother, Drew.  Isn't that precious?

And Graham was a wonderful older brother last night, helping Drew with algebra homework.  Todd can do it, but it had been so long since he had tried it, he had almost forgotten.  Graham was a trooper and did his homework and helped Drew all at the same time. 

Drew cleaned the kitchen last night...for no other reason than just because he loves me.  He told me so.  :-)

Well, this morning is Bible club, so I have to get them to school.  Happy Friday and love to all!

Thursday

I've started and stopped several posts this week.  I can't bring myself to finish one...this happens every once in a while, and I figure it's the times like that when I shouldn't be saying anything.  Keeping my mouth shut...something I'm not quite as good at as I used to be.

It's been another busy (yet uneventful) week.  Uneventful because nothing major has happened.  Busy because of Lacrosse and baseball.  Supposedly, Jonah's and Noah's first game is this Saturday.  Along with another of Graham's and Drew's Lacrosse games.  I'm not complaining, please don't take it that way, because I will be so sad to see Lacrosse end.  We're halfway thinking about letting them join a fall league, in fact...because once a year is too short! 

It's just been busy.  Crazy busy, in fact, but I know it's only for a little while.

I'm so excited for Jonah and Noah, though in my mind, I keep wondering how in the world I will make the transition from watching the exciting game of Lacrosse to watching a (boring and slow) game of baseball.  There is no comparison.  Lacrosse is addicting.  I would never say this to Jonah and Noah...all they know is how excited I am for them.  And I am!  These two sports are like night and day, though. 

Moving on now. 

My sweet hubby is staying home with the boys tomorrow night while my best friend and I go to dinner and a movie.  :-)  I think he's looking forward to actually being at home this week and sitting down before eight o'clock at night.  I don't know for sure where we're eating, but we're going to see The Lucky One.  :-)  I read that about a year ago...it was a night that Todd and I were out on a date.  We went into Barnes and Noble and when I stopped to read the cover and then put it back down, he bought it for me.  I love how sweet that gesture was...because he doesn't share my love for books at all. 

Anyway, I saw the preview for this with Amanda a long time ago, and we decided then and there that we would see this one together, too.  And Todd is considerate and is always encouraging me to get out. 

What has your week been like? 

Happy Thursday!  Love to all. 

the weekend

I can't believe it's Sunday night...and here I am on here, and instead should be coming up with our meal plan for the week!  I need to be more prepared this week...with all of last week's craziness, we didn't eat very good.  This is my priority for tomorrow...to sit down and decide what we'll be doing for dinner every single night this week. 

Sounds exciting, huh??  I actually do enjoy doing this...I love thinking of what I'm going to cook for my family, and I always try to make things I know they'll all enjoy.  And if they don't like it so much, soy sauce and hot sauce can cover a multitude of sin! 

The weather this weekend was beautiful.  We spent literally all day outside at games yesterday, and it couldn't have been any more perfect.  We all got a little sunburned, though.  I had raccoon eyes when I went to bed last night, but they've faded already.  :) 

This week, my goal is to be more prepared for the week.  It's like my brain wasn't working last week and I just couldn't get it all together in my head.  This week, I am determined it will not be like that. 

Todd, Jonah and Noah had a blast at the A-Day game.  They left at 6:45 Saturday morning and returned around eleven thirty last night.  They enjoyed tailgating with friends, and Graham's and Drew's former fifth grade teacher, they bought some goodies in The Trunk (our favorite shopping stop), they met some players, watched some football, then went to the softball game.  They ate it up.  It was a great day that they all enjoyed...and when they came home, they all (we all) slept like babies. 

Today we went to church, then had two more lacrosse games.  We finished our day with dinner with Mimi and Papa at their house.  It was nice not having to worry about dinner.  We rented a movie on the way home, Jack and Jill, but I fell asleep four times, at least.  The parts I saw were pretty funny, but I think the kids liked it more than we did.  Drew was laughing hysterically through most of it, if that tells you anything.

I'm already ready for Friday...and the week hasn't even started.  Are you?  Please pray for us...we're in the middle of a huge decision right now and need all the prayers we can get!  It's something we cannot seem to definitely decide on...and I just like we need guidance from above. 

Thank you.  I hope all of your Monday is wonderful.  Love to all. 

Thankful

It is a gorgeous day!  I am writing this before seven a.m.  I just sent Todd, Jonah and Noah off to the A-Day game...Alabama's spring training game day.  I kissed goodbye three very excited boys...because Todd is just a big boy himself.  I'm really not sure who was more excited.

While those boys are out having fun watching football, Graham, Drew and I will be at the lacrosse field.  A.L.L. D.A.Y.  It's okay, though...I wouldn't have it any other way.  At least all these games today are at home.  There are three...one at nine, one at eleven and the last one is at five.  Yikes...in between these, I need to feed them and go to the grocery store!  If we want to eat tonight, that is...and we do. 

I'm feeling thankful this morning.  I remembered a verse that I would like to share:

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:18

In everything...be thankful. 

I am sure that I take for granted all these little moments to be thankful for...and when it's something that's not entirely pleasant, that is the last thing I'm thinking about.  But in everything...in all circumstances...we are to be thankful. 

So today, I am thankful that I have a wonderful husband who is also a wonderful father to his boys, and who is active and involved in their lives.  He is their dad, their coach and their biggest advocate. 

I am thankful that he is healthy enough to be able to keep up with them.  And healthy enough to enjoy them. 

I am thankful that my boys are good boys...I "catch" them doing good things when nobody else is watching.  When nobody else is even around.  My dad can attest to that. 

I am thankful that they are polite, respectful and know how to have fun. 

I am also thankful that they are laid-back.  They always have been that way.  Don't get me wrong, there are moments when they can act crazy, but for the most part, they're pretty mild mannered. 

It's another day to be alive...it's another day to make the most of. 

How will you? 

Love to all. 

no other words...

...but these.

Enough said. 

Love to all.

thoughts

I am glad I didn't finish the post I started earlier.  After work.  Hmmph.  I'm glad my attention was diverted. 

Because, really...that would not have been a very nice post.  And I am all about being nice...or keeping my mouth shut, otherwise.  I feel like my mouth might have gotten me a little bit of a bad reputation earlier...and with someone I really only met formally for the first time today.

Oops.  Oh, well. 

Other than that...I'm so glad this week is almost finished!  It's been a little too crazy for my taste. 

I even had two days off...but it was the extracurricular activities that were making me crazy.  I even forgot one of the children I pick up at school yesterday!  I cannot believe I did that...I am totally mortified, and when I saw her today, my heart sunk to the floor.  I pray that her mom forgives me!!!  Ahem...if you're reading this...

;-)

Whew.  Tomorrow is Friday!  My daddy comes over, and our weekend officially starts.  We have GO FISH! at church, too...and those are always so fun.  I can't wait.  My kids can't wait.  The neighbor's kids can't wait.  It's going to be fun! 

We've also started lining up our summer activities...camps and stuff like that.  We're all going to First Kids' Camp...two as campers and the other four as counselors or counselors-in-training.  Fun!

Saturday, Todd is taking Jonah and Noah to the Alabama Spring Training day...otherwise known as A-Day.  They are so excited...but it is going to be one long day.  That's okay, though...it'll all be worth the looks on their little faces as they tell me about it when they get home.  I have three lacrosse games on Saturday...one early, one in the middle and one later.  I guess it's a good thing I don't have anything else to do!

I am just ready for our weekend.  Are you???

As I write this, my house is silent...except for Klove that I have playing in the kitchen with me.  Todd and all the boys are at church having baseball practice.  Jonah and Noah are ready to play for real...they're ready for some attention on them for a while. 

What are your plans for the weekend?  Share the love and comment!

Love to all.  

Today...

has been a really good day.  I took the day off from work so that I could go to the funeral of my friend Andrea's husband.  I posted about him earlier this past weekend.  Andrea and her sweet girls were in church on Easter morning, which I was so glad to see.  And his funeral today was a wonderful celebration of his life and his walk with the Lord.  I have no doubt that he is smiling down on today from Heaven.

Please continue to keep Andrea, Ashton and Rebekah in your thoughts and prayers.  I'm sure they will need it in the days to come.  Long after the last of the food has been eaten and the guests have gone back home is when I would imagine it might start to sink in a little.  Please just join me in praying for them.

Talk about a wake-up call, though.  I caught myself this past weekend getting aggravated at my husband for something really trivial.  Then in the next breath, I would thank the Lord that Todd was here with me...and that I wasn't having to plan his funeral like my friend. 

Sometimes God does that...uses an event to wake us up. 

I'm feeling a lot more grateful than usual...in fact, that day that he died, Todd was having a dad/son day with the boys.  I sent him a text and thanked him for being that kind of dad...and as my fingers tapped out that text, the tears were streaming. 

We should all stand back and evaluate our lives.  Our words.  Our actions.  Are we building our spouses up?  Or are we tearing them down? 

Proverbs 15:1 says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

Are we gentle?  Or harsh?

Are we praying for our men?  That God continue to let them be Godly heads of our household? 

Trust me in knowing that I am preaching at myself here.  I just want you to prayerfully consider these words, though.  It's worth thinking about.  In the midst of Brian's funeral, I heard these phrases:

Live life to the fullest.

None of us are promised tomorrow...for God has numbered our days. 

It's worth thinking about.  Wouldn't you agree?

I am so thankful that our principal let me have today off.  I was very happy to have been a part of our Sunday school class, and the fact that we were well represented there today for Andrea and her girls. 

And a little late lunch with the girls never hurt, did it?  What a treat!  To have lunch out, and with a group of Godly women.  I was so blessed by this day.  I pray we were a blessing to Andrea.  I know hearing Brother Tommy speak today about the life Brian led blessed me. 

If you're married, take a moment and squeeze your loved one a little extra hard tonight before you go to bed.  I know I will. 

Love to all. 

Monday...Again?

The more time we have off, the faster it goes.  Such is the case for this past Easter weekend.  As fabulous as it was, all good things come to an end. 

But today, being a Monday and all, was really good.  I have nothing to complain about.  I haven't posted about cooking in a long time, but I'm still on the path to making meals almost every night.  Some meals are fancy, some are not.  Some are simple.  Some are difficult.  Aside from tilapia, I've only made one meal twice...and that was the Creamy Chicken Casserole from my Southern Living cookbook.  It was requested. 

Tonight, however...I took the easy way out.  We had breakfast for dinner.  It's been ages since we've had that for dinner, and I do mean ages.  I was going to make eggs, bacon and pancakes, but I decided to just make it bacon and pancakes.  I apologized to the hubby for a not-so-fancy meal, but trust me when I say that nobody was complaining.  Everyone inhaled everything.  Including me...I love pancakes.  What a comfort food they are!

We have such a busy week...multiple practices, games...and now, we've added baseball to the mix!  It's a little crazy in my world right now.  I just keep trying to memorize my calendar that my amazing hubby put onto my phone for me.  :)  God love him...he's a keeper.  I am all about the little acts of kindness, and he is so great about showing me those.  I pray that I treat him the way he needs to be treated...with respect. 

And...did you know that when you treat someone the way you want to be treated, they usually reciprocate??  Just a thought...and one that is very, very simple.  I have to remind myself of this constantly...and then I remind myself of my word for the year (committed), and how I committed to being a more Godly wife and mom this year. 

I've taken to praying this lately:

"Lord, clothe me in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Help me to forgive the grievances of those around me.  Help me to forgive and to love.  Above all, help peace to rule in my heart." 

That's taken straight out of Colossians chapter three.  Verses twelve through fifteen.

Because let's face it.  People annoy me.  I have really bad days and the way the wind blows might irritate me.  But...I have to suck it up and pray through it...and remember that those around me do not deserve to be punished. 

It's humbling.  And I admit it to everyone.  I am flawed.  And I know certain ones around me are the same...and I have to remember this.  It's why I've just started praying that prayer.  Lucky for me, God loves me the way I am.  And when I ask with a sincere heart for Him to change me, He does.  You can't walk with Him and not change.  We're to show to the world what His love looks like...and the last time I checked, He was not crabby.  We should display the fruits of His Spirit...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  We can't just pick and choose the ones we show...we're to show all of them.

ALL. OF. THEM.

Anybody with me? 

There are days that I don't know how I can possibly show all those...but you know what I do?  I shut my mouth and just don't say anything.  I don't call anybody, I don't make polite conversation, I just keep to myself and pray my way through it. 

And God never disappoints...He always comes through for me. 

Have you tried Him lately? 

I challenge you to...the only thing you stand to lose is a bad attitude. 

I don't really know why I got off on all that...as usual, my brain works in crazy ways.  But maybe someone needs to read this.  You can join me in my many imperfections!  Can I pray for you? 

Love to all. 

HaPpY eAsTeR

Today is a gloriously beautiful day...and I am so thankful that my Lord and Savior is alive and living in me.  Church was so good this morning...we sang some sweet songs, Brother Chuck preached a wonderful sermon, and after it all, we had a continental breakfast in our fellowship hall. 

And it's ten-oh-two a.m. and we're already home. 

We got to church at seven thirty, so we could get a parking spot and good seat, and attend the eight o'clock service. 

And I have to say...it's kind of nice.  I have plenty of time to heat up the green bean casserole that I'm taking to my sister's house for lunch.  And about that green bean casserole...shut your mouth, it is amazing.  I used Pioneer Woman's recipe for homemade (all from scratch) green bean casserole. 

Along with my casserole, we're having ham and dumplings, squash, potato salad, deviled eggs (I think we should call them Jesus eggs today), rolls and salad.  And I think my stomach just growled. 

Enjoy your day today!  I hope you spend at least part of it in church.  And I hope you spend the rest of it with family.  We all should be so lucky.  I'm feeling extra grateful this morning for my family, our extended families, and the sweet principal I answer to.  She has blessed me by letting me have two days off this week...one for Brian's funeral and the next for Jonah's and Noah's field trip.  I appreciate her thoughtfulness...because she doesn't have to be like that.

Happy Easter to you and yours...may you know that the reason we celebrate is all because of the Lord.  He sent His only Son to die for our sins, so that we could live with Him in eternity.  And He's not dead!  He lives inside of us...if only we ask Him.

I dare you.

Love to all.

Good Friday

Why do we call it Good Friday? 

The day my sweet Jesus was crucified on a cross...an innocent man. 

I've always wondered that.  But today I heard an explanation.  It's because on that Friday, horrific though it was to all that observed Him being flogged, beaten, and nailed to a cross, it was also a triumphant day.  That was the day that He overcame the world.  He overcame sin.  The grave couldn't hold Him.  Death couldn't keep Him.

He rose again, made Himself known to a few select people and then ascended into Heaven.

I would have loved to have been there.

I am extra emotional today.  I'm, at best, an emotional wreck on most days, but today is an exception.  I'm way worse than usual.  It all started when I was reading my Bible this morning.  I was in 1st Samuel with my chronological plan, and I got this text that set the tone for the rest of my day.

A dear friend of mine found her husband dead this morning.

I love this sweet lady, and her two daughters.  I have a real connection with one of the girls, the one in fourth grade, and I love and hug on her all the time during her lunch.

I cannot imagine what she is going through today.

She never knew that her life was about to change...that she was about to become a widow.  I wonder if she had known, would she do anything differently?

I cannot stress this enough...do NOT wait another minute to make your life right with God.  We never know when we're going to breathe our last.  His word says that He will come like a thief in the night...like He did for this man last night.  Don't wait until you're "good enough".  We'll NEVER be good enough.  We are all sinners saved by grace.  He wants us to come to Him as we are, sins, faults and all.

You see, we have to lean on Him.  We don't get into Heaven because we're good.  We get into Heaven because of our relationship with Him.

Do you nurture your relationship with Him?  Have you prayed lately?  Have you read His word to us?

I urge you to think about it.

Get into church!  Going to church won't get you through the gates into Heaven, but we are called to have fellowship with other believers.  I know my friend is thankful for her church family today...if not for that, I wouldn't even know her.

If you have un-forgiveness in your heart, I urge you to forgive.  If you need to ask forgiveness, then ask!

You might not have another day.

Live each day like it's your last.

How are you living?  

Take an extra few minutes and thank the Lord for your loved ones.  I pray I never take mine for granted.

Love to all. 

Thank You, Lord, for this glorious day...sad though it may be for my friend.  Thank You that her husband knew You and loved You...and thank You that today, on this beautiful day, he got to see Your face for the first time.  Be with my friend, Lord, and her two precious girls.  Strengthen them and help them.  Hold them up with your victorious right hand.  Thank You, Lord, for paying the ultimate price for ME...thank You for dying on a cross so that I might have eternal life with You.  I love You, Lord.  Amen.

just more stuff

Tonight, Graham Douglas had a lacrosse game.  They played the St. Louis Saints (original, I know).  Even though we lost, they played a great game, and even managed to score three goals.  And they held the other team off for the entire first quarter.  I was proud.  Still am, in fact.  :)  Go Dragons!!

We were starving while we were there, and Jonah, Noah and Drew managed to talk Big Daddy out of some money for snacks and drinks.  Sucker.  ;)  It's okay, though...I'm kind of a sucker, too, when it comes to them.

Drew asked for Subway on the way home tonight.  I cannot believe that this child has never had Subway in his twelve years.  I introduced him to it tonight, and as my Facebook status says, "He has a new love.  Her name is Spicy Italian with Everything."

Did you know that puppies love new dog beds?  Well, puppies and old dogs.  Because of Andy the Wonder Dog having a "stomach issue" last night and today, him and Crash were treated to new beds today.  Not one, but two.  So now, there's barely enough room to walk.  But it's okay...because all is well in doggy world. 

I'm reading the story of Easter in the New Testament.  I love YouVersion...have I told you that?  They have many options for great reading plans in the Bible...and I'm the kind of gal who needs a "plan".  Anyway, I decided to read the story of Easter.  It started in John 13...and today (day three) had me reading John 17 and 18.  The more I read about Jesus...His life and His years spent walking this earth, the more I am in love with Him.  I cannot get enough of Him...reading His word brings me so much closer to Him.  I never really thought that until I started faithfully reading His word.  And all of a sudden...it's like I'm taking part in the greatest romance ever written...but all of it is for me...and you, if you want.  Explaining what a relationship with Him is like trying to explain the colors of the sunset. 

It's virtually impossible...you just have to experience it yourself. 

Drew decided to have a nice birthday dinner out with just Todd and me.  :)  His choice...but I'm not sure he knows which option he's picking yet.  We are celebrating tomorrow night. 

I have a pet peeve.  Imagine that.  It's the issue of height in my children.  Todd and I are not tall people.  Never have been, and never will be.  Therefore, our children are not going to be tall people.  I'm okay with that.  They are okay with that.  I get mad when people talk about height around them, though...and if they don't stop, it's going to give them a complex about being vertically challenged.  You know what I want to say to people like that?  Shut up.  Just shut your big mouth up.  (My blog, my thoughts.)  I cannot stand it when society makes our children think less of themselves...whether it be because of height or weight.  Each of us are individually and wonderfully made...and I am pretty sure God knew what He was doing when He created my vertically challenged children.  And tonight, one of my sons was made to feel like crap because of his height.  Or lack thereof. 

Hmph.

Maybe I need to pray about my anger.  But darn it...I am the only person on this earth (well, and their dad) that is going to take a stand for them.  And this mama bear has her claws out...so when it comes to my kids, I would watch it.

Not that this person ever reads my blog, but it sure (I almost typed 'sho) made me feel better to type it all out.
 Feel free to type anything you feel on your blog.  I highly recommend it.  Since I'm non-confrontational and all.  

I almost channeled my inner Madea. 

Hmph. 

Well, the hubs is wanting me to pay attention to American Idol with him.  So I'll go.  Love to all. 

things I did in the last 24 hours

Sang songs to my kids.
Re-painted my fingernails...I got a fun, new shade at Target yesterday.
Bought something to wear for Easter...and a couple little extra things.
Said I was going to chop my hair off.
Decided I was not going to do that.
Wished I wasn't wishy-washy and such a girl about stupid hair. 
Read the Bible.  Today my Bible plan took me to 1 Samuel, then for Easter, into the book of John. 
Cried.
Worshiped the Lord.
Kissed my husband.
Kissed my kids...multiple times.
Got yanked around by my (not so small) puppy.
Prayed for my husband and my kids.
Folded laundry.
Made four lunches.  Graham is buying today.
Sent Drew off on a field trip to the Pink Palace and grieved a little at the realization that this is his first field trip without a parent.  :-( 
Noted that now my kids are thirteen, twelve and nine.  Where in the WORLD has the time gone??? 

Lord, help me treasure these moments.  All of them.

Love to all.  

He...

is full of joy and life. 
loves to laugh, and is constantly cracking us up.
loves food as much as he loves me.
loves to share the nachos from McAllister's with Big Daddy.
plays defense for his lacrosse team something fierce.
is as gentle as a teddy bear.
has often been described as a bull in a china shop.  Since the age of eighteen months.
has a really good singing voice, but you won't ever hear it.
is very smart...although a little 'blond'. 
was told by a doctor when he was four that he was gifted.
loves girls and calls them 'spicy' (instead of 'hot').
has tons of friends.
has three best friends...Will, Nate and DC.
loves to read nonfiction books...one time he read everything he could about Al Capone and Alcatraz.
loves to watch movies...in the theater and at home.
used to love The Incredibles.  It might still be one of his faves. 
had every single McDonald's toy from that movie...and still has them.
sleeps with my Prayer Bear.
is by far my most tenderhearted son. 
once cried during an animal abuse commercial.
prefers to be barefoot.
once got burned by a sparkler on his heel.
once stuck his finger into his Mimi's cigarette lighter (along with a Hershey's kiss wrapper) and got shocked.
loves to shake his booty.
cannot blow his nose without coughing his head off.
gives me kisses.  All the time.  :)  On my chin, my cheeks, my nose and my forehead.
loves when I talk baby to him.
talks baby back to me.
loves soft drinks, but his favorite is Dr. Pepper.
is amazing.
is Drew.

Happy birthday, my sweet Drew.  I love you so much and have thoroughly enjoyed the twelve years on this crazy journey called your life.  Thank you for the joy, the smiles, the laughs and the tenderhearted kindness that you show to everyone who comes across your path.  You will always be that cute kid who sang Up, Up and Away by Go Fish in my car...the same one who does impersonations at the drop of a hat and who is not afraid of showing his sensitive side. 

I hope this is the best birthday ever.  :)

a quick edition of random

I am having a hair crisis.  I'm totally thinking of chopping it all off.  Once again.  And thus the battle with hair continues.

I also desperately need to color it...my greys are shining through but I'm waiting until it's cut.  I'm too cheap to buy two boxes of hair color.  Because for this mop at this length, it would take two.

Have you noticed how green the world is right now?  All of a sudden, everything was green again.  I love it.

I'm counting down until Friday.  I am dying to have a girls' night with my best friend.  :)

I need to find something to wear for Easter.  I also need to pick up something for the boys.  All 5 of them.

I'm very frustrated with the children that aren't mine right this second.  Very frustrated.

Today was a gift to me...no kindergarten kids, no parent visitors this week and a 4 day week!  Woohoo!

Tomorrow is Drew's birthday...I cannot believe he is turning 12!!

Our amazing neighbor, Mr. Paul, is giving my boys tomato plants again.  I cannot believe his generosity and kindness...what a treasure that sweet man is.

This morning, Drew could have won the funniest home video award trying to chase Crash.  Poor Drew...not a good way to start off a Monday.

That's about all I have time for...happy Monday!  Love to all.

#1040

Yup.  That's how many posts. 

The rest of our weekend was really good.  Saturday we spent running errands that don't get run during the week (which was Todd's thing yesterday...and which I so appreciate) and cleaning.  I'm determined to de-clutter and organize my house...one room at a time.  I'm also deeply cleaning each room.  Yesterday I worked in Graham's and Drew's room.  They helped.  Drew cleaned out their closet and threw away a bunch of junk, we got piles of books ready to donate and their clothes are all nicely put away. 

Graham cleaned their bathroom while Drew did the closet. 

I also cleaned my bathroom and our bedroom.  I always put those off, because by the time I get around to them I'm usually too tired to continue on in there.  I guess I figure that I'll get to it later.  

Then, later never comes.

Are you bad at procastinating?  I am sometimes.  Not all the time, but I am sometimes.  I tend to bargain with myself.  For instance I'll think to myself, "I can have two cups of coffee and check my email, then I need to get up and start moving."  And usually, it works. 

I always tell my kids that if they'll take a few minutes everyday to put away clothes and neaten their rooms, then it won't pile up on them, like it did on Graham and Drew yesterday. 

Also, as a general rule of thumb, I try to always keep my kitchen clean.  I don't like to see dishes in the sink and I try to have it cleaned each night before I go to bed. 

Anyway...I don't know why I wrote all that. 

We celebrated my dad's birthday last night.  He requested that we not give him presents...just cards.  So, we obliged.  The boys enjoyed playing in his huge yard, and after a yummy dinner of Mexican Chicken Casserole, they hunted for Easter eggs.  :)  You are never too old to hunt for Easter eggs...did you know that?

Today we went to church.  It was amazing...Geron Davis was there with a group that he sings with, Kindred Souls.  The music was phenomenal.  Brother Chuck preached an awesome message on The Cross.  By the end of the service, when the choir and Geron sang the last song, tears were rolling down my face.  The anointing was so real this morning...hence my tears.  I don't always cry in church, I promise, but I couldn't help it this morning.  I love times like that. 

This afternoon Drew had a lacrosse game against MUS...one of THE toughest teams in the city, but it was against their B team.  But still.  We won!  The final score was 10-9, in our favor.  Amazing!  I was so proud of those boys.  They scared me at the end...I thought they were going to let MUS score to tie it, but the buzzer rang just in time. 

It's been a great weekend.  Our issue with un-sportsman-like conduct was resolved...at least for today.  Although, we did sit alone.  ;-)  The icing on the cake for me this weekend was seeing one of my best friends, Christa and her hubby, Jason.  They came to the last half of Drew's game, then we went to Baskin Robbins to celebrate the win after.  They were in town for this weekend, and they stopped by to see us on their way back to Springfield.  It was so good seeing them...I miss that girl something fierce.  I cannot wait until June, and our vacation, so we can spend more time with them when we go to Branson. 

How was your weekend? 

Love to all.