September Desktop

It is September so I am changing my desktop wallpaper. Why not when The Shabby Princess makes it so easy with their free downloadable wallpaper? I have been reading some C.S. Lewis so I used some of my favorite quotes from him to help customize along with pics of my cuties.

When Fay Came Through...

When Hurricane Fay came through it took down part of a tree and a small portion of our fence. Tonight I am keeping my eye on Hurricane Gustav and remembering Katrina and watching our shutters being sucked out of the brick and flying through the air. Oh, man, no amount of cooking, cleaning or stocking up of supplies can get you mentally prepared to do this again.

Big Guy watched from a safe distance (out of the rain). He is approaching this storm the same way.

I think we are all getting ready in our own way. Boys are playing to stay busy and stay out of the way of their crazy Mom. Dad is checking to make sure everything is secure and I'm just checking, checking, checking.

Being Prepared Without Panic

Everyone in our area is glued to news coverage concerning the arrival of Gustav. A lot of people are very panicked. Panic is not going to help anyone. Being prepared will. Staying busy before the storm arrives will help you avoid the "worries" also.

Here are a few things to do:

1. Stay in tune with your radio or TV for information, but don't become obsessed.
2. Check to make sure that items on and around your home are secure. If there are things that might go flying in high winds, move them inside.
3. Turn your refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting. That way if the electricity goes off the food will stay good longer. Keep the door closed!
4. During the storm, avoid using the phone except for serious emergencies.
5. Make sure you have an ample amount of water for purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill your bathtub and other large containers with water.
6. Have some cash on hand. During Katrina, electricity outages were a problem and using debit cards were impossible.
7. Charge the batteries on your phones and cameras. Make sure you have extra batteries for important items such as radios.
8. If you haven't bought a weather radio... NOW is the time.
9. Double check your medications. Do you have enough to last you a week? During the last storm we had a hard time getting medication refills because of computer issues.
10. If you are leaving your home to go stay with someone, let your family know.
11. Fill your vehicles with gasoline. If you haven't already done this, be prepared for long lines.
12. I'm checking my Disaster Box: water, food, first aid, flash lights, blankets, socks & underwear, cash, meds, spare keys
13. Laundry. Catch up on your laundry so that you have plenty of clean clothes. If there is no electricity for a few days it will feel good to have clean clothes to wear.
14. Friends and Neighbors. Check on your friends, family and neighbors to see what they are doing. Take care of each other!

God is in control! Keep praying and preparing!

Saturday Savings: Eating Out

When I am eating out I want to enjoy my meal. I don't want to stress over how much money we are spending or how much cheaper we could have made the same food at home (yes, I do that!). Here are some of the way that we make the most of the money we spend when eating out.

Buy an Entertainment Book - Typically these books cost about $20 and they are full of BOGO coupons for restaurants and entertainment. Our area schools sell these so it is a bonus in that we are giving to our local schools plus saving money on eating out.

Order water - It is amazing how much money they charge you for soda and iced tea. Ordering water can save you as much as $2 per person. I carry flavor packets in my purse (Crystal Light, Kool Aid) for days when the boys just don't want water so they can add these to their water. Also, I will ask for lemon in my water and add a little sweetener for a light lemonade.

Share - At most restaurants the entrees are huge. My husband and I typically split an entrees. My boys are such big eaters that if they can agree on what to eat they can do the same thing.

Order Appetizers or Lunch Portions - This way you don't pay for or eat food you don't want or need.

Plan on leftovers - If you aren't sharing your entree, take half home for lunch the next day. That way you are getting two meals for the price of one.

Kids Eat Free - What parent doesn't love this phrase? The key is just making a list and keeping up with your local restaurants and which nights this offer is available. In general, Tuesdays are "kids eat free" days. Here are a few "Kids Eat Free" deals:

Champps -- Kids eat free on Tuesday evenings (two kids per paying adult)
Chick-fil-A Family night on Tuesdays: buy one combo and receive a free child's meal.
Denny's -- Kids eat free on Tuesday and some Saturdays from 4-10 pm
Golden Corral -- Golden Corral has prize drawings every 30 minutes on Tuesday nights for kids, plus balloons and kids eat free.
IHOP -- Kids eat free on Mondays and Tuesdays
Jason's Deli -- Kids eat free on Wednesday Evenings
O'Charley's -- Kids u12 and under eat free every night of the week (up to 2 per paying adult)
Pizza Hut -- Kids eat free as on Tuesday nights (varies by location)
Pizza Inn -- Kids eat free on Monday nights (varies by location)
Roadhouse Grill -- Kids eat free as on Tuesday nights
Check for Kids Eat Free special in your area at this website.


Take home a menu!! I keep a folder with menus from all of our favorite restaurants. When I get stumped for meal ideas, I browse through some of our favorite restaurant menus for some ideas.

How do you save money on eating out? Share! Share!

7 going on 21

I can't believe it. I really can't. You can't be 7 years old today. The day Daddy and I found out we were pregnant with you we couldn't believe it. You are the piece that completes our puzzle and God knew that when He was knitting you so completely and perfectly. You display your Papa and Cousin Randy's sense of humor on a daily basis and that thrills me. Your hair has the exact same birthmark that my uncle's has and I think that is fascinating. Your intellect and ability to learn things comes from your Daddy. Every day I see more and more of how God is shaping you and I am in awe.

Somewhere today Trent Lott is celebrating his granddaughter's birthday too. How do I know that? Because his daughter arrived just before us and got the absolute last birthing room at the hospital which is why you were born in a utility closet that they cleaned out and put a bed in for us. (No, I am so not kidding!) She is also the reason that they delayed a decision for me to have a c-section after 23 hours of labor and you being stuck on my pelvic bone. They let her go first in line for the O.R. which allowed me to beg my doctor to try ONE MORE TIME to deliver you naturally. He relented because what else was he going to do with me holding him by his forearm pulling all the hair off his arm? You do NOT deny a woman who has been in labor that long without an epidural. [Oh, yes, I wanted an epidural. Tried to get an epidural. My epidurals never took because of the medications I take for seizures.] Yes, I can really thank her for all of that because if I had had a c-section I would have missed "the moment."

"The moment" was just after you were born. The doctor said, "It's a boy!" and I had just caught a glimpse of you. Donald said, "Hey, Little Guy!" You turned your head around and looked straight at your Daddy. Our doctor said, "Did you see that? He looked straight toward the sound of his Daddy's voice. That was cool." Yes, it was.

The first six years of your life have been full of "cool" moments. We can't wait to see and experience so many more.

Happy Birthday, Little Guy. We are so proud of you!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Tagged!

I'm it! Sara has tagged me, so here it goes. :)

Six Things You May Not Know About Me:

1) My ears were "virgin" until just last summer. When I was growing up I begged my Daddy to let me get my ears pierced, but he said I had enough holes in my head. Ha! As I grew older, I started wearing clip earrings and just lost interest. Last summer my Mom mentioned that she was thinking about getting her ears pierced and I said, "If you do it, I will." So one day we told my Dad that we were going to town and we just went and did it. He says that he will never trust us alone again! I'm glad I waited because it was so fun to do with my Mom.

2) One time when we went on vacation to the mountains, we stopped in this little souvenier shop. It was such a cool shop kind of built log cabin style. I fell in love with this little Indian girl with a baby on her back. I wanted it but Mom said no (probably because she had already bought me too much). My Daddy bought that little doll and gave it to me later. I still have that doll although the baby must have grown up and gone to college because I can't find it anywhere.

3) I play the piano. I played for that group that went to New Orleans to perform for the World's Fair and I used to play for church every Sunday. I love to play. Although I don't play as much as I used to, I have a piano in my living room and when no one is at home I love to sit down and just play and play and play.

4) I had more than one doctor tell me that I would NEVER, EVER get pregnant. Doctors may go to medical school, but they are not God -- the GREAT PHYSICIAN. Never trust a diagnosis until you get it from Him. And never, ever get in the way of a praying Mom. While we were in the seven year wait for our Big Guy, my Mom bought us a Noah's Ark nursery set as a "seed" gift. She did it as an act of faith. We were proud to bring both of our boys home to that nursery set and put them to sleep under that comforter that reminded us every night that "God always keeps his promises."

5) I am not a follower. If it is a BIG book, BIG speaker, BIG fad or BIG anything I will probably be skeptical of it. Rick Warren's book? Sorry. Threw it in the trash after the first chapter when he wrapped the Scriptures around his purpose. Joel Osteel? Sorry. Jesus did not come to preach a prosperity Gospel.

6) And finally, I have never watched the movie, Titanic. See? I told you I am not a BIG follower. Plus, I already knew how it was going to end.

We Can't Ignore...
1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Post the rules to your blog
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Officially we are supposed to tag six people, but I think everyone I know that blogs has been tagged so if you haven't let's hear from you!!

Everything's Going To Be Alright

This test told me so! (RT told me to take this test.) What is your personality type?


Your result for The Perception Personality Image Test...

HBPS - The Optimist

Humanity, Background, Big Picture, and Shape

You perceive the world with particular attention to humanity. You focus on the hidden treasures of life (the background) and how that fits into the larger picture. You are also particularly drawn towards the shapes around you. Because of the value you place on humanity, you tend to seek out other people and get energized by being around others. You like to ponder ideas and imagine the many possibilities of your life without worrying about the details or specifics. You are in tune with all that is around you and understand your life as part of a larger whole. You prefer a structured environment within which to live and you like things to be predictable.

The Perception Personality Types:

Take The Perception Personality Image Test at HelloQuizzy

Word Filled Wednesday

WFMW - Frozen Fruit Kabobs

My boys tend to be a little picky about the fruits they eat, but I like them to try new fruits. I have discovered that frozen fruit kabobs are a great way for them to enjoy not only fruit, but to try new fruits.

I usually pick up wooden skewers at the end of summer sales for a quarter and store them in my kitchen drawers. When we buy fruit, the boys enjoy making fruit kabobs. As you can see below, it can be a very intense process.




When we are finished we have a tray full of fruit kabobs to put in the freezer. Everyone looks different, but that is O.K. We usually wind up eating as we talk and have no rhyme or reason to our process.

I wish I had taken a pic of our favorite way to eat these frozen fruit kabobs, but I didn't. We buy a bottle of chocolate Magic Shell. We pour a general line of chocolate over the frozen kabob and wait for the chocolate shell to harden. Oh, my! Soooooo good!

Word of the Day: Specificity

When at Saddleback, Obama couldn't answer the question, "When does life begin?" but as this video clearly shows he hasn't always had such a problem answering that question. While Obama found it "above his pay grade" to answer this question, it is ironic to me that it isn't above his pay grade to strongly back a woman's right to have an abortion or support the Freedom of Choice Act.

In Obama's book he states that he believes that "all roads leads to heaven." This is the simplest description of universalism and ultimately heresy. As a Bible believing Christian, watching the Saddleback debate only more firmly entranced my belief that Obama is definitely NOT the person to be the next president.

Open the eyes of our heart, Lord.

New Word: Habitual

The boys have a way of picking up a new word and saying it over and over again. Using it all the time. Lately the word of the day has been "habitual". That really didn't strike me as funny until I saw where one of the boys had written it on a piece of paper.

habitchual

Oh, boys! Where is the dictionary? I think you need to look up your new word.

Every Little Kiss Is For You

"Well I still remember the first time I felt the power of your kiss

It hit me like a bolt of lightning

I said I never will recover from this

And like the words from the mouth of a prophet

I have lived to see those words come true

Just look at me now, I'm still reeling

With every little kiss I'm reminded how wonderful it is to be in love with you

With every little look. With every little touch. With every little kiss.

Like a moth being drawn to a candle this is something that I can't resist

I guess you could say I'm addicted cause I keep coming back again and again

And after all of the storms we have weathered

All the seasons of change we've been though

Well Somehow the flame keeps getting brighter

With every little kiss I'm reminded how wonderful it is to be in love with you

With every little look. With every little touch. With every kiss."

(Every Little Kiss, Steven Curtis Chapman)

Yes, Hubs, That's You! You are my best friend, my husband, my confidant, my cheerleader, my lover, and my encourager. There is no better husband or father on the face of the earth. You are truly in your element when you are with our boys. Just seeing you with them makes me fall deeper in love with you.

Have a great day! Let's plan on going to supper early and getting the boys to bed even earlier, O.K.?

Give Until There's Nothing Left

This song has spoken volumes to my soul over the past two weeks. It is by a great group called Relient K. It says what I feel about the situation I am in right now. I will give until there's nothing left.

What Would Your Cardboard Say?

I saw this on Melissa's blog and loved it. What would your story be?

Saturday Savings: Clothing

It is time for back to school shopping and with that comes back to school clothing. I am reassessing and trying to figure out how to make the most of my clothing budget.

1. Before you start your shopping, you should start in your closet. Inventory! Organize to see what you really do and do not have. Pull down those boxes of stored clothes from the attic and look through those too. You may think you remember what you have, but it is always best to double check.

(So if you logged on this morning you realized that I forgot to finish this post. Boy, my brain has been fried lately. Here is the rest of this post. Thanks to all of you who have posted great suggestions on saving money on clothing! Make sure you check the comments.)

2. Set up a swap with friends and family to trade clothes with children who are slightly older than your children. For example: I save my boy's clothing for my friend's little boy. My sister saves my nephew's clothing for me.

3. If you are hooked on certain brand clothing (Ralph Lauren, Hilfiger, etc...), you will save up to 50% by shopping at the outlet stores.

4. Shop end of season. Right now stores are getting rid of summer inventory to make way for fall and school clothing. You can get great bargains on swimwear and beach items for next summer.

5. For new clothing, buy your clothes off season when they are on sale. Stock up on commonly worn items (t-shirts, underwear, jeans) when they are on clearance.

6. Buy versatile clothing that can be used in more than one outfit, black slacks can be worn with different jackets and tops or shirts. When buying clothing that you wear a lot, it often pays to buy quality brands that will hold up to frequent wear.

7. Sell clothing that you no longer use at a consignment store or a garage sale. Clean out your closet at the end of every season. Use the money you earn to buy new clothing.

8. Donate used clothing to charities for tax deductions.

9. Don't "kill time" in clothing stores or you may buy things you don't need. (This was directed at me!)

10. When shopping, have a definite plan and stick to it.

11. Buy men's suits & coats in February, April, November & before Christmas.

12. Buy women's winter coats & suits in November.

13. Buy men's shirts, socks and underwear before Father's Day in June.

14. Remember that high price does not necessarily mean good quality.

15. If you cannot find what you want, go home without it.

Don't Fence Me In

Little Guy hopped on his stick horse and road off into the, uh, sunrise for school this morning. Today is rodeo day in 2nd grade.

Thanks to my wonderful friend, Shane, we had an authentic cowboy hat and a rodeo buckle for him to wear. She also helped me finish our homemade stick horse. (Yes, I know you can buy them at the store, but Little Guy and I love crafts and wanted to make our own.)

Last night as we were trying on his outfit and taking this picture I asked him if he had everything he needed for the day.

He said, "Mom, I don't have a snack."

"What do you mean? You guys have already eaten all the after school snacks?"

"Nooooo. I don't have a cowboy snack."

Think quick. Think quick. "How about trail mix? That is a good cowboy snack."

He grinned and said, "Cool. Do we have stuff for that?"

I said, "Let's go."

I grabbed a ziploc bag and started throwing stuff out on the cabinet. I told him that the cool thing about cowboy trail mix was that you got to put in what you wanted. I told him to go to town.

Out of the cabinet I grabbed: Welch's dried berries, cashews, Ritz bitz crackers, mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, Hidden Valley Ranch oyster crackers (we made them Sunday), granola, cheerios

When he left for school he thought he had the coolest cowboy snack ever and I thought I had the cutest cowboy ever.

Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys! (Especially if your cowboys' belt buckle shoots lasers... Little Guy said his belt buckle had that secret power. Bet you didn't know that, Shane!)

For Pink Mud Puddle

Through It All

Two weeks ago today I woke up and life just changed. Sometimes it just happens like that. Your phone rings. Someone knocks on your door. A car crashes. A doctor walks through the door. Whatever the moment, your life is changed.

I don't know what you do in moments of crisis but my instinct is to run. Run to my Daddy. Ask him to make it better. Run to my husband and ask him to hold me. Run to my God.

My God... He has been infinitely patient with me these past two weeks. I have whispered so many questions and requests in his listening ear. I have soaked his comforting shoulders with tears. I have beat on his broad chest as I asked "Why? Why?". I have wrapped my arms around his waist and asked him to hold me when I ran out of strength. Some moments have even found me hiding behind his knees like a little scared child. I have grasped His strong hand through every minute of the day and allowed Him to lead me like the Savior that He is.

Through each and every situation His grace has been sufficient for me. His love has been strong and tender all at the same time.

I know that the road ahead of us is still long, but it gives me great comfort to know that He is walking right beside me.

Word Filled Wednesday

What Olympic Sport Are You?

You know how addicted I am to the Olympics. When I saw this quiz I couldn't resist. Badminton... I can live with that although I have always DREAMED of doing synchronized swimming!!

You Are Badminton

You are quite talented but not very appreciated. You are detail oriented, very focused, and agile. You are happy to forsake glory for success in something you truly love.

What Olympic Sport Are You?

Flying to the Moon? Check Out This Movie Review

Tidbits

Carrie AND MS Mom tagged me and asked me to post six random things about myself. I can't even remember how Carrie and I ran into each other in this blogging world, but we have discovered that we could really be good friends. And not just good friends, but the kind of friends who could stir up a LOT of trouble together!!  MS Mom is one of my favorite stops of my blogging day.    She is funny, smart and amazingly witty.    


1. I have jumped off an Olympic diving board. Our church's World Youth Congress was held on the grounds of Oaxtepec, Mexico which was the site of the 1968 Olympics. I still remember the stark fear I had standing up there and shaking trying to convince myself to jump off.

2. My husband asked me to stand on a couch for our first kiss. He is 6'5" and I am 5'2". We had been on a couple of dates and when he decided to kiss me he sort of leaned over and then backed up and said, "Would you mind standing on the couch?" (I tried not to jump up there too fast!) Oh, man, can he kiss!

3. I performed in the 1983 World's Fair in New Orleans. I was in a song and dance troupe with my high school and we were asked by the Governor to go and be a part of the entertainment for Mississippi week. It was so much fun missing school for a multi day "field trip", performing a couple times a day and then exploring the fair and the city the rest of the time.

4. Growing up I wanted to be a nurse. I volunteered as a candy striper at our local hospital. Two events made me realize I couldn't cut it: 1.) Fainting at blood and 2.) Doing service at the E.R. and seeing a gunshot victim and a car wreck victim. My heart couldn't take it.

5. Bridges and tunnels give me the creeps. I dread driving through Mobile just because I hate driving through that tunnel or over that long bridge... same thing with going to New Orleans. I am so paranoid I have window punches in my car.

6. Before I was born, my Grandmother wanted my parents to name me Opsie Lee. Thank GOODNESS my parents didn't listen to her!

Fill In The Blank

Outside My Window...
A flower bed planted by my husband and boys as part of my birthday present. Right in the middle of it is my cat sleeping very lazily.

I am thinking...
about the after school snacks that are in the oven baking and about my boys.

I am thankful for...
that God truly never leaves us or forsakes us.

From the kitchen...
I am baking a new batch Hidden Valley Ranch oyster crackers for the boys. I also have ribs in the crock pot.

I am wearing...
one of my husband's t-shirts and a pair of shorts.

I am creating...
a big mess in the kitchen with the cooking.

I am going...
crazy. I am just not good at being out of control and there are just some things in my life right that I have no control over.

I am reading...
Presumed Guilty by James Scott Bell.

I am hoping...
to get the house clean. Maybe it's more of a wish than a hope. Maybe it's science fiction. I'm not sure.

I am hearing...
the clicking of the keyboard, the sound of the air conditioner and my prayers running through my mind.

Around the house...
there are pockets of "to do's" that I just don't have the energy for right now.

One of my favorite things...
The way my husband's face feels after he has just shaved.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
For now I am just thinking about "now". One step at a time. Moment by moment. The rest of the week will just have to take care of itself.

If Heaven Had Voice Mail

Thank you for calling My Father's House.

Please select one of the following options:
Press 1 for Requests
Press 2 for Thanksgiving
Press 3 for Complaints
Press 4 for All Other Inquiries.

I'm sorry, all of our angels are busy helping other sinners right now. However, your prayer is important to us and will be answered in the order it was received, so please stay on the line. If you would like to speak to:
God, Press 1
For Jesus, Press 2
For the Holy Spirit, Press 3

If you would like to hear King David sing a Psalm while you are holding please press 4.

To find out if a loved one has been assigned to Heaven, Press 5, enter his or her NRIC number, then press the # key. (If you get a negative response, try area code 666.)

For reservations at "My Father's House" please enter J-O-H-N followed by 3-1-6.

For answers to nagging questions about dinosaurs, the age of the earth and where Noah's Ark is, please wait until you arrive here.

Our computers show that you have already prayed once today. Please hang up and try again tomorrow.

This office is closed for the weekend to observe a religious holiday.

Please pray again Monday after 9:30 AM. If you need emergency Assistance when this office is closed, contact your local pastor."

Saturday Savings: The Best Time To Buy

Did you know that there is a best time of year to make purchases to get the best price? If you look at the "best" times you will notice a pattern. It is always during the off season when the item you need isn't in demand. For example, right now it is summer and blazing hot. Who wants to guess we could get a huge deal on a winter coat and snowboards?

Air conditioners Best time: winter

Big appliances Best time: September and October

Bicycles and outdoor gear Best time: January

Boats Best time: January, February and March

Cars Best time: September

Cell phones Best time: any time

Computers Best time: July and August

Cookware Best times: April and May; October and November

Furniture Best times: January and July

Gas grills Best time: winter

Jewelry Best time: Avoid the holidays, Valentine's Day and
Mother's Day

Linens and bedding Best time: January

Mattresses Best time: always

Real estate Best time: spring

Recreational vehicles Best time: fall and winter

Toys Best time: October and November

TVs and home theaters Best time: winter holiday sales and January

Vacuum cleaners Best time: April and May

Wedding Best time: winter


Best Time Source

Made in China

You know how addicted I am to the Olympics.     I am glued to the television for every Olympic event.   I have even converted to watching the Today Show in the morning just to hear Olympic tidbits.   (That is a big change since I am not a big fan of Matt or Meredith.)

I must admit that if I were an Olympic competitor I would not be happy about being in China.     I am one that sees the tag "Made in China" on everything here in America and just cringes.     

Watching the Olympics has not improved my feelings?     For every amazing athlete, there has been a disappointing "fake".

Opening ceremony fireworks -- It didn't happen at the Olympics.   It was all fake and added digitally for the viewing of foreign audiences.
Fake singer - How sad is it that they thought that precious little girl wasn't "cute" enough to sing the song for the opening ceremony?
Atmosphere - Do you seriously think that what we are seeing on television is "mist"?   It is POLLUTION!
City - China went so crazy trying to modernize Beijing that critics are saying that many of the historic neighborhoods have been destroyed.
Athletes - There are age limits on events in the Olympics, but the Chinese are skirting that rule by several years.   It has been proven several times.    The IOC's response?    Oh, well!    
Freedoms - Have you seen the video of the reporter being arrested for trying to cover a protest?   

Politics - It is a communist country!    I still am appalled that we would even dignify China by selecting them to host the Olympics.

I am so proud to be an American.    Go USA! and when you shop please buy "Made in America" products!

Flashback Friday: Oh, Baby!

Yes, that is me. 18 months old and a complete hand full. If my Mom would let me post a picture of her you would see that she was a tiny, itty, bitty, petite girl that weighed (as my Dad describes) "90 pounds soaking wet". I always have been a strong willed person. Mom said that the only way I could learn anything was to do it the hard way.

My parents have many stories of me being a baby:

* Not wanting to go to bed and jumping up and down and throwing a tantrum. Daddy wasn't going to put up with that. He let me know in no uncertain terms that I was going to lay down and go to sleep. I tested it -- of course - and he proved that he doesn't bluff.

* Apparently I was a free spirit in my baby days since they tell me I would strip down naked and go running down the sidewalk before they could catch me.

* My Mom said that my Pappaw called me "Buffy" after the little girl on the television show (pic to the right). She fixed my hair in ponytails like hers.

* "I do it" must have been one of my earliest phrases.

* My Mom's calm, sweet spirit and my bull headed strong willed spirit caused many a conflict starting at an early age.

I think that every adult comes to a point in his/her life when she realizes how much they appreciate their mom. I have appreciated my Mom for a long time, but never as much as this week. She has listened, cried, talked and just sat with me.

Oh to be able to turn back the hands of time and take back all those moments of distress I gave her.

Mom, I love you. I wish everyone had a Mom like you.

BFF

I received his cute award from my blogging friend, Lisa. Lisa is a sweetheart whose positive outlook despite her husband's job loss and search inspires me. She conducts a "Tempt My Tummy Tuesday" recipe linky every Tuesday. Oh the recipes you can find there!



Now it is my turn to be able to pass this award on and here are the rules as they have been explained to me:




- Only 5 people are allowed to receive this award.
- 4 of them followers of your blog.
- One has to be new to your blog and live in another part of the world.
- You must link back to whoever gave you the award.


I would like to give my award to my following friends:


Felicia - Her husband moved her two hours away for a flimsy excuse like a job, but distance hasn't changed the fact that we are friends. Fe is the only person who has read more books than I have and is as addicted to books like I am. Maybe reading all of those books is why she hasn't updated her blog? Ha! Ha!


SM - She doesn't have a blog. She is just my most loyal "lurker". She is so loyal that I have joked that she needs to create her own blog -- "Lurker Status" maybe? Really and truly SM is an amazing friend. Without her I would be totally crazy right now... however, I may owe her some money on all the text messages I have sent her this month!


Steph - I love to cook so I am always browsing cooking blogs. Steph has a great blog. Great food, great conversation... just wish we lived closer to each other so we could share recipes in person!


Krisa - Well, technically, yes she is my sister, but isn't it great that we are friends too! I think so too!

And when I realized I had to include someone new to my blog who lives in another part of the world I decided to browse through my Statcounter. I'm not sure if I read that thing correctly or not, but boy was I amazed at some of the countries visiting my blogs are from: Germany, Singapore, Perth, Andover, and Canada!

Broken Man - is from England and expecting a new baby any day. He calls himself a "lapsed athiest.... and now Christian". God has a plan for your life, Broken Man. Because of Him, you are Broken no more!

Just A Little Quiz

Long day and I really just wanted something to do while the house is quiet for five minutes. Crystal had this survey on her site so I decided to try it myself... Humor me... These past five days have been hard.



1. Have you ever told someone to their face that they were ugly?
This question makes me think of the cheer we did in elementary school: "You ugly. You absolutely ugly. U-G-L-Y you ain't got no alibi. You ugly. You absolutely ugly. Woo!" If you count that then I told an entire football field of players and the opposing team. Who thought that cheer was sportmanlike?


2. Do you chew with your mouth open or closed?
CLOSED!! That is just nasty.


3. Is your bed against more than one of your walls?
How would you make your bed if it were up against more than one wall?


4. Have you ever been attracted to someone's parent?
Again... NASTY!


5. Are you currently in a relationship, single, or married?
Married.


6. Have you ever pole danced?
I admit it. I danced around a May pole when I was in school!!


7. Do you think the legal drinking age should be changed?
Yes. It should be raised to 100.


8. How much water do you drink daily?
Is my doctor making up these questions?


9. Are you scared of people that don't have eyelashes?
Out of all the things I am scared of, that is not one of them.


10. Do you normally say "cute" or "hot"?
It is Mississippi in summer.... you say everything is "hot" right now.


11. Have you illegally downloaded anything in the past 24 hours?
Is this entrapment?


12. What color are your eyes/What color do you wish they were?
My eyes are blue or green depending on what I am wearing. I haven't ever cared one way or the other.


13. Something you really want right now?
An answer to the prayer I have been 24 hours a day for the past five days.


14. Do you think you've changed over the past year?
Most definitely. You are either going forward or going backwards. There is no such thing as standing still in life.


15. Have you ever broken into someone's house?
Yes, but I had permission. Neighbor was locked out and we broke in to get her spare set of keys.


16. Do you currently have feelings for anybody?
Silly question. If you are breathing you have feeling for somebody.


17. Have you ever traveled out of the country?
Yes.


18. Would you ever kiss your best friend's boyfriend/girlfriend?
No, no, and no.


19. Do you give up easily?
Hard headed as the day is long.


20. What are you going to do when you're done with this survey?
Go to yet another appointment for a family member. Pray some more. Take things step by step.


21. Have you ever swallowed a watermelon seed?
It is a summer rite of passage. I am sure I have a watermelon growing in my stomach as we speak. ha!


22. Would you rather meet the President or Paris Hilton?
The President.


23. Are you currently looking forward to anything?
The arrival of my twin nieces who will be here at Christmas


24. Have you ever had a bubble blowing contest?
Everything with my boys is a contest.


25. Do you wear a hat or visor daily?
no


26. Have you ever wished for something and it came true?
Wishing doesn't do you much good. Now prayer... that is the ticket!


27. Do you regret anything about your past?
There are definitely some decisions I wish I hadn't made, but I also know that the decisions I made brought me to the life I have which includes my amazing husband and two beautiful boys. I don't regret that at all.


28. Would you forgive your best friend for sleeping with your fiance?
Forgive, but that would be the end of the trust and relationship with both.


29. Where were you on your 18th birthday?
In my senior year of high school.


30. Are you scared of being hit?
By a person? No, not really. By a vehicle? I would prefer not!!


31. Would you fight just about anybody?
To defend my boys -- definitely.

32. Have you ever seen a live bat?
Yes, but I didn't like it.

33. Do you find it in your heart to forgive?
Forgiving.

34. Would you rather not eat or not sleep?
How long are we talking? I would rather not eat. I am TERRIBLE when I can't get my rest.

35. Do you care if people talk badly about you?
I would like to say no, but that would be a lie. It would be nice if I could say no considering how much trash talk has been done about me over the past year. Yes -- you know who you are and yes I know from my IP address tracker that you read my blog. Isn't technology great?

36. Are you in a good mood?
Yes

37. Do you think people will exist forever?
I definitely believe in eternity: heaven and hell. Jesus answered, "No man comes to the Father except through me." Your choice: heaven or hell.

38. Would you rather skydive or bungee jump?
What kind of choice is that? If you make me make a choice, I would bungee jump.

39. Does the number 23 have any significance to you?
Not unless you are going to put a $ in front of it and million behind of it and say I won something.

40. Be honest, do you like people in general?
In general -- yes. Take blogging. You meet so many different and amazing people.

41. Big or small dogs?
No dogs

42. Are you taller than 5'6“?
Maybe if I stood on a chair.

43. Do you like the color blue?
The color of my boy's eyes, the sky, the ocean, cotton candy, crayons.... pretty good color.

Word Filled Wednesday

Have you ever had a nightmare and you wanted to wake up but you just couldn't make yourself wake up? That is the way I feel right now. I feel like I am living in a nightmare and no matter what I do I can't wake up.

All of a sudden our life has been picked up, shaken like a snowglobe and sat down. The pieces are fallen down around us, but it looks nothing like that pretty snow.

While all of that sound very doom and gloom, God has been so faithful to me. Sermons that seemed preached just for me. A phone call from a friend I haven't talked to in 20 years. Someone giving an article that came out "amazingly" at just the right time. A friend who knew just the right person and has texted me countless words of encouragement.

That is why I chose today's verse for today's Word Filled Wednesday. Right now we are "going with what we know". It has become our mantra. And what I know is that I can trust in the Lord with all my heart even when I don't understand.

In My Own Suffering, Through Every Pain, Every Tear
There's A God Who's Been Faithful To Me
When My Strength Was All Gone
When My Heart Had No Song
Still In Love He's Proved Faithful To Me
Every Word He's Promised Is True
What I Thought Was Impossible I've Seen My God Do
He's Been Faithful, Faithful To Me
Looking Back His Love And Mercy I See
Though In My Heart I Have QuestionedAnd Failed To Believe
He's Been Faithful, Faithful To Me!

-- "He's Been Faithful", Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Sophisticated Taste

My son has sophisticated taste. When we went out to eat the other night, the waitress commented on the fact that our six year old ordered sweet tea with his entree of Asian Grilled Salmon topped with shrimp and a side order of rice pilaf and steamed broccoli. (Yes, he ate all of it!)

This afternoon I needed to run to Barnes and Noble so I told the boys that we would grab a snack. When I asked Little Guy what he would like to have as a snack, I am glancing over the cookies, rice krispie treat and other sweets when he walks up to the counter and tells the lady that he would like to order a spinach and feta cheese stuffed pretzel "warmed slightly".

He ate the entire thing telling me about his school day and said that he thought that the pretzels would be a wonderful thing to add to the school menu. Hear that Madison County Schools?

On the way home he asked what we were having for supper. When I admitted I hadn't thought that far, he asked how I would feel about trying to make a grilled tomato, egg and brie sandwich.

Yep. My guy. He is a sophisticated one. His birthday is coming up. Can't wait to hear what he wants for his birthday supper. I can assure you that we won't be going to Gattitown of McDonald's. I just hope we can afford it!

What's Your Theological Worldview?

I took this quiz and found it very fascinating. One of the reasons I liked the quiz is because it isn't your typical four question test and they stereotype you. It is a 63 question very specific test. While no test is perfect I thought this one did a very good job. (Thanks, Broken Man!)

Here are my results...

What's your theological worldview? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavly by John Wesley and the Methodists. Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan 93% Fundamentalist 61% Reformed Evangelical 54% Neo orthodox 43% Charismatic/Pentecostal 36% Classical Liberal 36% Emergent/Postmodern 29% Modern Liberal 14% Roman Catholic 14%

Andy - "The Plan"

As soon as Andy's pancreas and lung issues have been resolved 100%, he will be moving to the Veteran's Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center at the James Haley Veteran's Hospital in Tampa, Florida. This is an intensive rehab program that is designed especially for soldiers with spinal cord injuries. He will be in this rehab program for about 4-6 weeks and then he will be moving to Dallas for his "long haul" rehab.

Even though there are still concerns about Andy's lungs and pancreas, they are still reporting victories in the areas of mobility and with movement of his arms.

Sarah says that Andy is watching a lot of Olympics in between his therapy. Go USA!

Shopping for Baby: Lamp Dimmer

You remember the days. You sweet little baby starts crying in the middle of the night for his feeding so you get up and get the routine started. Everything is going well until you turn on the crazy lamp. Why is that so bright? All of a sudden those tiny little whimpers go into a full on scream and instead of a quick and easy routine it is a long drawn out process of getting sweet guy back to sleep.



Next night, you try to do the routine without the lamp but in the dark you stump your toe on the dresser and scream which in essence provokes the same full on scream from baby so you are back to square one.



Where was this little device when my boys were little?
A manual lamp dimmer switch.


It is going on my shopping list for baby sister.

Andy - In Trouble

Just a short note to say that Andy has a collapsed lung. Received this news this afternoon. No other news than that but to say PRAY!

Here I Am To Worship

Even though I am holding an umbrella in my life doesn't mean that I don't have things to praise my God for in my life. Sunday is a day of worship and I am going to focus on doing just that.

*Afer days of unbearable waiting, prayer and preparing for the worst for my friend, the test results for her grandmother came back perfect. Only God!
* My friend Bill's grandmother fell earlier this week. When they went in for surgery they said that her face was "pulverized" and they needed a specialist. When the specialist arrived he said that her face was miraculously healing -- better than a young person's could. Only God!
* Our nephew was born this week. No complications. Perfect. Only God!
* Through the miracle of modern technology, we got a sneak peak at two amazingly perfect twin little girls who will be born in December. Only God!
* My phone rang on Saturday night- the voice on the other end was a friend from high school with the words that would give me the comfort I needed to hear. Thank you for listening to God.
* A smile on a face that hasn't smiled in nearly two weeks. Thank you, God!

Saturday Savings: Buying Gifts

It is a great feeling to give someone a gift. However, the chunk of change it can take out of your wallet is not such a great feeling. Having a plan when it comes to gift giving can keep the joy in the event.

Create a budget - I make a list of all the people that I am going to need to buy for during the year (birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas) and try to create a rough budget for how much money we are going to spend on all of these gifts.

Gift Closet/Nook - I am always on the look out in the clearance aisles and sale sections for items which I can tuck away in my gift closet. Some of my favorite things to pick up are things like games and small candle sets. The things that usually catch me off guard are birthday invitations or new neighbors who move into the neighborhood. Having items in my gift closet helps me to be prepared. Be way to stock our closet is at sales, after holiday sales and even yard sales (I have found plenty of unopened items).

Gift List - On the door of my gift closet, I keep a list of all the gifts I expect to buy this year. When I have made a purchase I write down what I have purchased. If it is something for the boys I just place a check mark.

Check out the Checkout - Stores typically put a lot of great deals around the check out counter.

Buy Bulk - If you find a great deal, consider buying several. Will you be giving the same gift to a lot of people? Sure. But is there anything wrong with that?

Share - Want to buy something a little more expensive? Consider sharing the cost with someone. Chipping in our money has allowed my sisters and I to buy some nicer gifts for our parents.

Consider Making Gifts Baskets (Here are just a few ideas):

• Favorite Things Basket - One year I collected items that were my favorites (coffee, books, a condiment bowl, etc...) and made a basket out of the items as a gift. Because these things were my favorites I knew when they were on sale which made it possible for me to give a personalized gift at a reasonable price.
• Movie Basket - Movie Rental Card, Popcorn, Bottles of Soda, and boxes of movie candy from Dollar Store
• Princess Basket - Princess Night Light, Princess Crayons, Mirror, Brush and Hair Band Set, Princess Necklace, Jump Rope, Shampoo, Conditioner, Hand Sanitizer and a Scented Pink Candle.
• Snack Basket (Great to send Hubs at work!) 2 cokes, 2 small Rold Gold Pretzels, Nacho Cheese Dip, Hot Bean Dip, Planters Peanuts, Single Serve Oreos, Microwave Popcorn, Peanut M&M's, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, Nestle Crunch Bar, Skittles all in a basket.
• Get Well Basket - Plush Toy, Green Tea, Sunkist Fruit Gels, Get Well Gummi Aides, Fig Newton Cookies, Healthy Traditions Granola Bars, Ritz Peanut Butter Crackers and Word Search Puzzle Book all in a Gift Box.
• Garden Basket - Decorative Gardening Gloves, Decorative Gardening Tool, Instant Ice Tea, Hand Lotion, 2 oz. Crunchy Caramel Corn, Berts Bees Lip Balm, Chocolate chip cookies, 3 Seed Packs all in a Water Can.

Indulge Their Interests - I am addicted to books. My sister collects teapots. My mother loves bracelets. Keep in mind the things that your family and friends enjoy. When you are shopping

Don't Wait To The Last Minute - This is probably the worst problem with gift giving. When you wait to the last minute then you get frustrated and you get stressed. That leads to impulse buying and over spending in your budget.

Personally, I hate crowds. If I don't have my Christmas bought by Thanksgiving I feel out of sorts. With a plan, my gift closet will be overflowing and I will be able to enjoy baking Christmas cookies and hot chocolate!

8.08.08

Today is the first day of the Olympics. What an athlete goes through to prepare themselves for this competition is astounding to me.

My baby sister competed in gymnastics when she was little. She ooozes talent. She went to Bella Karoli's gymastic camp in Texas. She was Olympic material. Had she made that decision we would have supported her, but making that decision is a BIG one. These athletes give up their life to live the life of an athlete. More often than not, they leave their family to live and train with fellow athletes.

Watching those athletes in their discipline and perseverance makes me think about my relationship with God. God has so much to say about the race we run each day:

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? - Galatians 5:7 (This one has really been bothering me because I have had a couple of "whos" that I have allowed to cut in on me. They stole my joy and more importantly threw me off course.)

[ God Disciplines His Sons ] Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (The Bible is my course map and compass. Sometimes I actually forget to use it. - Hebrews 12:1 How can I be so silly? Of course, sometimes I get the sad reminder that there are people out there who consider the Bible to be just a book of stories and myths. How they manage their path without a compass I am not sure, but I will pray for them as I follow the "Word that is light to my path".)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. --2 Timothy 4:7-8

I have never been much of an athlete, but when it comes to races the one I am most concerned about winning is the way that is talked about in 2 Timothy. I want to finish the race having fought the good fight and having kept the faith.

Doing that is better than any Olympic gold medal.

P.S. Steal & Deal

I did manage to get out to get a little "happy" for the boys for their first day of school today. A few weeks ago I pre-ordered the Third Day "Revelation" CD from Lifeway Christian Store. It was $7.99 to pre-order the CD plus you received a $5.00 gift card and a FREE t-shirt. That was a pretty sweet deal.

Today I went and picked up my CD and used my $5.00 gift card to pre-order my next CD, Chris Tomlin's "Hello Love". Since it only cost $7.99, I only paid $2.99 for it plus I received another $5.00 gift card. Woo-hoo! I am liking this new way of buying CD's!!

1 Down. 179 To Go.

We survived. Barely. The first day of the new school year is over. When the alarm went off this morning we all got out of bed and headed out the door. Yes, me too because I knew that I could not stand sitting in the house fidgeting and fretting the day away. Yesterday, the office staff at Little Guy's school asked if I was available to help them out this morning with the inevitable crush that arrives on the first morning of school. yes, YES. YES! So glad to have something to do to keep me busy.

Little Guy was jumping and ready to go. He was hopping around my bedroom at 7:00 yelling, "Who's ready to party?" He gave me a minute by minute update until we walked out the door. Watch out second grade.... he is sooooo ready!

If looks make the man, Big Guy was a knock out. So handsome on his first day of school. Unfortunately, that calm cool exterior didn't match his quivering interior. Poor guy got his nerves from me. He fought anxiety all day. All those new teachers, new classes, new hallways, and tons of different rules about did him in. He was done in by the time school ended. Middle School is quite a transition.

Thankfully, tomorrow is Friday. There is wisdom in breaking in the school year with a short week. I am already emotionally worn out. Going back to school wears a Mom out!

Wisdom From Calvin's Dad

Big Guy is a HUGE fan of Calvin and Hobbes. We surprised him with the boxed set for his birthday. We actually bought it at Christmas but saved it until his birthday because we were afraid that he wouldn't get any homework done if we gave it to him at Christmas. He has been reading my old Calvin and Hobbes books since he was old enough to read. Hubby bought me a cartoon book for Valentine's Day one year after I fell in love with the cartoon in our local paper. I admit it. I love comics. It is one of the many things my Daddy and I share. We both love to read the comics and we both love to laugh -- out loud! Laughter is good for the body and the soul. When Donald asked me to marry him he promised me that he would make me laugh every day for the rest of my life. I was hooked and he has made good on that promise.

I ran across this website of "Ask Calvin's Dad" and knew that Big Guy would get a kick out of it.

Here's to you boys as you start your first day of school. May each day be filled with some laughter, learning and lots of friends!

Calvin's dad answering questions, quoted from various Calvin
and Hobbes books by Bill Watterson.
Q. Why does the sun set?
A. It's because hot air rises. The sun's hot in the middle of the day, so it rises high in the sky. In the evening then, it cools down and sets.

Q. Why does it go from east to west?
A. Solar wind.

Q. Why does the sky turn red as the sun sets?
A. That's all the oxygen in the atmosphere catching fire.

You can read all of them here.

Latest on Andy

The good news--the excellent news is that Andy's best 2 days since the attack were Sunday and Monday.

Today he sat up in the cardio today and the the occupational therapist helped him to get dressed and took him downstairs for a haircut and shave. Talk about feeling like a new man.

He is sleeping a little better which for Andy means less pain and fewer nightmares. Family reports that he is more alert and responding to his surrounding more. These are all very good things.

Although they didn't explain a lot, there seems to be a lot of frustration right now surrounding the decision regarding where to move Andy. Andy and Daniel are examining the options and trying to make a decision about what is best for Andy.

Thanks for your prayers. Each day is progress, but sometimes even progress can seem painfully slow.

Cue The Spy Music!

Lately, Little Guy's imagination has had him traveling around the world as a spy. He has been flipping over furniture and ducking around corners to avoid all the bad guys. Just recently he told me to "Get down! Get down! Incoming!!" I covered my head as he made all those great boy noises.

I was able to grab this photo of him as he was sending a message to his contact while in the midst of a covert operation.

I hope I don't compromise his location by posting this photo!

Sure would hate for him to get burned! We've seen how bad that can be, but if things get tough he says will call put in a Michael Westen. On second thought, maybe we will just go ahead and call him just for some advice. (Smile!)

The life of a spy is dangerous but somebody has got to do it!

Word Filled Wednesday

Introductions and French Kissing

In just one moment, hub's little brother changed from "baby brother" to daddy when we welcomed our newest member of the family to the world.      Cute!   Cute!        Lucas Daniel and his sweet Mom are doing great.      His Dad has a major case of "new daddy" protectiveness, (passing out hand sanitizer and showing seasoned parents how to hold the baby), but he will mellow out -- maybe.    

Welcome to the family, Luke!    One of the greatest things about becoming a parent is discovering just how much God loves us. We only thought we knew before children.   Seeing Him through our children's eyes is a whole new discovery.

Tonight we went to meet Little Guy's second grade teacher.      I was the only one with a case of nerves.     This is the person who is going to be responsible for my son for the next 180 days.     It is a big deal to me.    Little Guy seemed very pleased with his teacher.      She seemed very sweet and he is now officially ready for the first day of school.      

Little Guy with his teacher, Mrs. Rives

There was lots of conversation going on in the car.      Hubs and I were chatting and the boys were chatting.     It totally caught our attention when Little Guy announced that he knew about french kissing.

"Oh, really?    How do you french kiss?"

"Well, Mom,  you just kiss with your mouth open.    Let your tongues touch and then do a body slam.    That is french kissing."

"Interesting description.    Who told you about french kissing?"

"A (my 14 year old nephew) told me all about it."    (Hey, sis!   Hear that?   A is a barrel of information.   Thanks!)

When I dropped the boys off to pick my car up hubs was picking on me.  

Parting words:  "You better leave me alone or I won't body slam you tonight."

Dumpster Doug & National Night Out

Dumpster Doug.... That was the nickname I gave to my parent's friend, Doug Arp, who decided to live in a dumpster for a week to promote National Night Out.        Mr. Doug has done some crazy things to promote National Night Out.      

Let's see.    He has lived on top of a billboard, lived in a water fountain, lived covered up in a pit in the ground with just a peek hole for fans to communicate, climbed inside of a car and then had the car hoisted 60 feet up in the air (his escape was to jump down to a air bag)....  all to get people to notice and be aware of National Night Out.      Some may think Mr. Doug is just a daredevil, but he really has a heart for this program.    As a retired Vicksburg police officer, Mr. Arp knows just how important neighborhood programs really are to the safety and protection of our communities.

As you can see from the pic above, the dumpster is your typical Waste Management, six by six dumpster.   Nothing special with the exception of the fact that they had washed it out.    Mr. Arp doesn't leave the dumpster for anything and I mean ANYTHING -- bathroom breaks, showers, sleeping, anything.    He depends on the "community" to provide for him which is what my parents were doing when they took him something cold to drink.

Mr. Arp said that a tarp had been provided to cover his dumpster and a small air conditioner had been given to him because on the first day the sides of the dumpster had gotten so hot you couldn't even touch the sides. 

Every child who visits gets a balloon and gets to try to guess the number of balloons that are stuffed inside the patrol car.      Here is Little Guy trying to count so he can make his guess....

The last thing Mr. Arp asks is that everyone sign his banner.     As you can see.... Mr. Arp (affectionately known as Dumpster Doug) has a lot of fans!

Tonight is National Night Out!     I hope that you will follow Dumpster Doug's example.    Turn on your front porch light!     Make up a gallon of lemonade, sit on your front porch and invite your neighbors over.    As Mr. Arp says, the police can't do it all and we really do need each other!

A Visit from Uncle L

(Uncle L, Hubs, Little Guy and Big Guy

Ignore the date -- I really need to reset Little Guy's camera.)

Someone extra special came to visit today... Uncle L.     He had frequent flier miles to use so he came over for the weekend and made the rounds to see family.    The boys jumped out the bed this morning and were giddy because they knew that Uncle L was coming.     When he pulled into the driveway I did a "duck and cover" move for fear of them plowing me over to get to the back door to let him in.

Since we don't get to see Uncle L very often the boys had lots to show him.     First they had to show him all their bike and skateboarding tricks....

Uncle L had heard about Guitar Hero, but he had never experienced it.    The boys were oh so glad to show him and even give him a chance to try it out for himself!    Not too shabby, Uncle L!

Before we dashed out the door to grab lunch, Little Guy just had to show off the Lego Soccer stadium that he is building...

All too soon it was time for Uncle L to head to the airport.      We really hated to see him go, but I know Aunt D will be glad to see him get back home.     (Thanks, Aunt D, for the Clemson baseball caps.   The boys love them and look adorable in them.    I'll take a picture of them in them and post a pic for you soon.)