Just do it!

I'm going to share with you about one of the two greatest things I've ever done: I let the cleaning lady go!! I have been without a "cleaning lady" for about a year and a half now, and I HIGHLY recommend it! During the past 8 years, I've had five different cleaning ladies. (Good help is hard to find!). Anyway...I was always disappointed. Always complained about what they didn't do. And always felt guilty for complaining because...hello...it's a cleaning lady, for goodness sake, and I should be thankful that I have (had) one! But typically, the days that the cleaning lady came were the most stressful days of my life. They always want the clutter picked up before they clean.Let me rephrase - they want YOU to pick up the clutter before they clean. So I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to find a place for all of the clutter that collected on my kitchen counter. I frantically unloaded the dishwasher , then re-loaded it so that she could clean the sink and wipe the counters. And don't dare askthe cleaning lady to clean the inside of the refrigerator - they don't do refrigerators. I had one who didn't do windows, either (even though all 4 of my child en were under 36 inches tall and left sticky,nasty fingerprints and lip-smudges on every window). Half the time I couldn't even get to the playroom to pick all the clutter off of the floor so that cleaning lady could vacuum. I'd shut the door and say, "Don't worry about the playroom today." Then my 4 little kids would follow her around all day trying to "help". So when I wasn't running around picking up the clutter that four kids can produce, I was running up and down the stairs trying to keep the kids out of cleaning lady's way. And I'd usually end up making all of the beds so that the pile of pillows wouldn't be on the floor. One cleaning lady told me that she fired one of the lady's she cleaned for because there was too much clutter and she couldn't spend "that much time" picking up clutter and cleaning. I took that as a warning to PICK UP MY CLUTTER!! And the whole time she was there I felt embarrassed - embarrassed by the clutter, the piles of laundry, the pace at which I was trying to stay ahead of her so she could clean the next room, the random wet diapers here and there, the pile of clean (yes, CLEAN) laundry that was on the foyer floor because I had thrown them over the balcony to get them back downstairs (our laundry room was UPstairs). And when she'd leave my house would look so good -except for the windows - so I'd spend the next 2 hours cleaning windows. And I'd have two or three children behind me asking if they could "spway" too! It wore me out! The cleaning ladies WORE ME OUT!!
And to make it all even worse- I didn't even like myself when I had a cleaning lady. I found myself running my finger over the furniture to inspect for dust. I even found myself with my face flat against the hardwood floor so that I could look under the sofa to see if cleaning lady had cleaned under the sofa! Who cares?!?! Let it go! I was like some snooty doctor's wife! HaHa. Hee Hee. And I couldn't "let it go"> I would tell myself it didn't matter if there were 3 sippy cups and 2 racecars under the sofa - "pick 'em up and move on", I'd try to say to myself. But deep down it would drive me crazy that I'd just paid cleaning lady close to the cost of a monthly mortgage and there were 3 sippies and 2 card still under my couch!?!
And what would really get me all worked up was when I'd wake up four hours early to start working on the clutter, and then she WOULDN'T SHOW UP (OR CALL!).
My other "favorite" ...the time the cleaning lady used Pledge furniture polish (the spray in the can) on my hardwoods floor to give them "some extra shine." I had two children at the time who were learning to walk. They could not STAND UP on the floor without falling flat on their poor little faces! Even M. fell. I spent hours on my hands and knees trying to remove the furniture polish off of our floors.
So now ...my house is a mess. But I don't feel bad about it. When I had a cleaning lady, I actually felt guilty aboout my house being a mess because well...I had a cleaning lady - I should be able to keep it clean! But the best part - when my husband says something about the kitchen or the bathroom or the bedroom being a little messy...I just look at him like he's lost his mind. After all, I don't have a cleaning lady!
And I'm much more likable - I have lots of stuff under my sofa to prve it! Just last week I found a banana peel!
So ladies, do yourself a favor ... let her go! (Or if you have a REALLY GOOD ONE who picks up clutter, call me and share her number! Shhhh.)

Sidenote - I remember complaining about the windows with the yucky fingerprints on them to an older lady in our church. She told me that one day I was going to miss those fingerprints on my windows. ( The jury is still out on that one).
Sometime in the near furture I'll address the second best thing that I've ever done and highly recommend!
Thanking God today for this messy family of mine!

Sunday Sunset at Lake Martin

Wow!!

Works for Me Wednesday!

Today's Works For Me Wednesday" is all about the Kroger bakery. I love it there!
1. Did you know that Kroger's bakery sells their disposable cake pans for $1.00!?! They don't advertise that they are for sale, but just ask the lady behind the deli counter. These are GREAT if you are taking a cake to a friend who just had a baby, to a potluck lunch or dinner, or sending a cake to school with your child. Your friend won't have to worry about returning it to you, you don't have to wait until the potluck dinner is over to politely take your cake dome home, and you don't have to worry about your child losing your cake dome!

2. Kroger also sells their icing (the icing that they use to decorate their birthday cakes) by the pound. Again, this isn't advertised. But just ask the lady behind the counter. She'll scoop some out of her 5-gallon bucket and put it in a small container. They have a ton of colors. I usually make my children's birthday cakes because we don't like the taste of any other cake besides Betty Crocker. So we get the taste of Betty Crocker and the look of professional icing!

Also, as a side note, cutting your brownies with a plastic knife(like the kind you get in our Take-Out) makes an increidble difference. Everyone else out there may already know this trick, but I was 35 years old before I discovered it! Anyway, you'll never use your stainless steel butter knife again to cut your brownies!

Head on over to Rocks in My Dryer to see what works for others!

You Might Be a Redneck If........

Sunshine and I were having a conversation about nothing today when she suddenly called me an "old grandmother." She giggled and I continued doing the dishes. AAA asked, "Did you hear what Sunshine called you?" I said, "Yes. But I really am old enough to be a grandmother." She didn't believe me but I went on to explain that if I had had a baby when I was 18 and my 18 year old had a baby, then I would be a grandmother. She said, "Yeah - but you'd be a redneck." O.Kay.
Sunshine asked AAA, "What's a redneck?" AAA replied, "Like when a boy wears his pants down real low. Or when your grandmother pulls off on the side of the road and goes Tee-Tee in the bushes." WHAT?!?!
I called Mimi to make sure she wasn't a redneck!
(She says she's not).

Thanking God today for silly conversations with my kids! And for AAA not believing I'm old enough to be a grandmother!

Enough with the Pennies, Already!

Apparently yesterday's post caused a little controversy! I'll try to post about something simple today, like the "pennies" Elizabeth mentioned in yesterday's comments! (And, Mimi, you already know this story!)

When KitKAt was two years old, Sunshine was about 15 months old, Little Man was 4, and AAA was 5. Needless to say, I was busy and tired! Kit Kat was in pre-school on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Well on Thursday mornings, the little toddlers had chapel and would bring their pennies to chapel for the offering. As soon as I started dressing KitKat, she started asking for "pennies". I kept telling her that I would give her some when I dropped her off for school. I gave her breakfast. She asked for pennies. I brushed her teeth. She asked for pennies. I buckled her in her car seat. She asked for pennies. I took her into her classroom. She lifted up her little smocked dress and said,"I need some pennies". PANTIES! She needed some PANTIES! I had misunderstood her all morning -she wanted PANTIES- not PENNIES! Bless her heart! (And mine!)

Have a great day!

Thanking God today for those cute little bottoms that go into those size 2T Dora panties!

To Blog or Not to Blog....

I received an interesting e-mail from my mom last night with the subject being "Hurt feelings." I haven't talked to her much lately so I couldn't possibly imagine how I could have hurt her feelings. Little did I know that it's because I haven't talked to her lately that her feelings are hurt. She doesn't like the blog because I don't call her 5 times a day anymore. Well the reason I don't call her 5 times a day is because I figure that she can check the blog to see what's happening in our lives. I called her early this morning to tell her that I really created the blog with her and my other family members and friends in mind. I thought it would be a great way for friends and family to keep -in-touch. Mom, however, says that when she reads my blog, there is no one in the background yelling, "I wanna talk to Mimi. Can I talk to Mimi?" She misses the more personal phone calls where she can actually hear my voice and her grandchildren's voices. So now what am I to do?!? I have a dilemma on my hands! Mom couldn't believe that she had to READ that I had a fender bender on Monday and that I didn't call to tell her about it.

I'm sure there are a few people out there who LOVE the fact that they can't hear my children in the background. When I'm talking to my sisters on the phone, it goes something like this.

Sister: Hey. What are you up to?

Me: I'm walking into Kroger.

Sister: I found out I'm having a GIRL!

Me: Oh, sister, I'm so happy for you!! I can't wait to meet her!

Me: No.

Sister: No what?

Me: I was talking to AAA. She asked for Teddy Grahams. No.

Sister: Now no what?

Me: Sunshine was asking for fruit roll ups. Hand on just a second. KitKAt, take that out of the basket. Everyone put a hand on the basket and let's stay focused. O.kay. Sorry. I'm back. Now what were you saying?

Sister: I'm gonna have a girl.

Me: Oh I'm so happy for you. I want to help decorate the nursery. Stop that.


Sister: Stop what.

Me: Oh Lil Man just pulled KitKat's hair to get her attention. Sorry. So how many weeks are you? AA, grab some Apple Juice and put it in the buggy please. But back to the nursery. Have you thought about it?

Sister: I think I want it t be pink and green,


Me: Oh - it'll be darling. I'll sew for you. KitKat, can you pick up that cereal?

Sweet Sister: What?


Me: Nothing. Is Husband excited?

Sister: Yes! He can't wait.


Me: Don't touch that. Have ya'll told mom and dad yet?

Sister: I tried to call them but no one answered.


Me: Pardon me. Oops.(whispering to sister) I just clipped the heels of that sweet old lady with my grocery cart. Have ya'll told mom and dad yet?

Sister: I tried to call them but no one answered. I'll try them again in a little while.


Me: AA, can you grab a pack of hotdogs, please?
KitKat, get your peanut butter and your jelly.
Can I call you back? I'm about to check out. But hey, congratulations! Love you. I'll call you right back, when I get to the car."

And two days later, I remember, "I told my sister I'd call her right back. ( Did she say she's having a girl?)"

It must be exhausting to have a conversation with me! My sister probably needs a nap after she gets off the phone!

So I think I'll keep up the blog AND call my mom.

Thanking God today for my sweet mom and my sweet sisters and friends who continue to call me even when they can harldy get a word in!

Mommy Who?

When I was 9 months pregnant with Sunshine,the rest of the family and I were all sitting on the bed, just talking. M. was leaning against the headboard, AAA and my Little Man were sitting in the middle of the bed, and I was sitting on the edge of the bed (at the foot), holding 6 month old KitKat in my lap. All of a sudden, I began to lose my balance. I tried to hand KitKat to Mark before falling backwards off of the bed. M. knew what was happening - he reached for Kit Kat and I had my arms outstretched so that he could take her. We were successful with the "baby hand-off"but I continued falling backwards.


The fall did little more than knock the wind out of me, but because it did knock the wind out, I couldn't talk. This caused M. to panic a little. He thought I was going to go into spontaneous labor right then and there. He ran and put KitKat in her bed and yelled to AAA and Li'l Man to go to their rooms, and ran back to me. By now I could mouth, "I think I'm O.Kay", but I still couldn't talk. M. managed to help me back on the bed - this time lying down. Within a few minutes I was back to "normal" and the children came back in to the room. AAA looked at me and ever-so-sweetly said, "Are you Okay, Mommy? It scared me. I said a prayer to God... I thought you was dying and I didn't know WHO was going to brush my hair!"


Well O.Kay Then! I see where my place is in this family... I understand my value.


Little has changed in the 4 years since that incident. After yesterday's little fender-bender, one of the children told me that she was glad that I wasn't hurt in the accident because "Daddy doesn't make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches like you do, mommy."


Thanks.


Thanking God today for ...hmmmm...


Thanking God today for being here and being able to fix hair and make peanut butter & jelly sandwiches! I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Look at what the cat drug in!

In reference to last week's post, "Time Is On My Side," I must clarify that time, most definitely, is NOT on my side!

M.'s parents came to town Sunday afternoon. We had a fun visit and celebrated Sunshine's birthday AGAIN. They had offered to take KitKAt and Sunshine back home with them for a few days. I was excited about the idea of having some time to myself. But KitKat had other ideas. She said, "I don't like going to people's houses really." So she stayed home and had mommy all to herself. Well I must give her some points for being honest. Sunshine , however,buckled herself in her car seat and blew me a kiss goodbye. I was " having a moment "as I watched her drive away. I thought, "There goes my baby. And my baby is such a big girl."

Well, lo and behold, a few hours later I received a call from M.'s mom requesting that we meet halfway so that they could return Sunshine! It seems as if my baby wasn't sucha big girl afterall. Apparently Sunshine began feeling really homesick during their drive home. They have raised 6 children and have 18 grandchildren - they know a case of homesickness when they see it! They diagnosed her with homesickness and prescribed her with a return visit to home.

So after picking up the older two children from school, I jumped back in the car and headed to Box Springs, Georgia (you know, right outside of Upatoi, Ga.). It rained cats and dogs the entire way! I was about 10 minutes from my destination, stopped at a red light, when all of a sudden a little old lady rear ended me! I jumped out of the car in the POURING rain and discovered, much to my delight, that there was no visible damage to my car and only minor damage to little old lady's car. Apparently the tow-ball thingy protected my car because her front bumper was molded perfectly around it. Little old lady apologized and explained that she had just started driving again after her surgery and that she was still having problems with her vision. SCARY! I called the police and then M's parents to tell them I'd be a little late.

FINALLY, I arrived at the Box Springs United States Post Office. We had to wake up Sunshine to put her in my car. She was NOT happy. But guess what...neither was I! So we drove home in silence. I guess I should be thanking God for that hour of silence 'cause it looks like that's the only hour of silence I'll be getting all week! I can forget about the pedicures and long, hot baths.

Not gonna happen!

Thanking God today for that hour of silence, for a minor fender bender that should've been much worse (since little old lady is having trouble with her vision!), and for a little bitty girl that missed her mommy! Have a great day!

Disco Duck

KitKat and Sunshine have been asking me if they could take ballet. I 've tried to ignore their request because I really don't need one more place to be in the afternoons, but they are persistent so I'm about to give in. There are only two or three ballet studios in town and I must confess that I will not be walking into the one that starts with an "N"! And it really has nothing to do with the ballet studio or the instructors. I think I have a bad reputation there and I'm too embarrassed to return!

Here's the story: I was 9 months pregnant with Sunshine when it was time to register AAA for ballet. A dear friend volunteered to not only register AAA for me, but to also take her and pick her up from dancing lessons all year long! (Her little girl was in the same class as AAA). So of course I accepted the offer. So I bought AAA the cutest little leotard you've ever seen, along with a matching scrunchy,a tiny pair of pink ballet shoes, and shiny pink tights. And ,of course,she had a darling little ballet bag with her name on it. Well...about 4 weeks into ballet, AAA decided that she wanted some tap shoes. She talked about them ALL the time. Well by now Sunshine was here and I was sleep deprived and I was tired of hearing about the tap shoes. One night at dinner she said, "Everyone in my ballet class has tap shoes. I need some tap shoes." Well I couldn't believe that she flat-out lied to me about the tap shoes. Surely she was not trying to manipulate me into buying her some tap shoes! So I said, "AA, do not bring up the tap shoes again. You are taking BALLET. I know that everyone in your ballet class does NOT have a pair of tap shoes. Please drop it!"

Well about 6 weeks later, my friend told me that it was time to pay for their costumes. $75 for the ballet costume and $75 for the tap costume. I quickly replied, "Well AA just takes ballet, so just $75 for me." She said, "Tiffany, it's a ballet/tap class. They do ballet for 30 minutes and tap for 30 minutes." What?!? I wanted to die! My poor little girl had been tapping in her ballet shoes for almost 3 months! I wondered why her teacher hadn't called me so I quickly hung-up the phone with my friend and dialed the ballet studio. I spoke with her teacher and blamed the whole thing on Sunshine! Lack of sleep. yada yada yada. She said, "I asked AA why she didn't have tap shoes and she told me that her mommy said she wasn't going to buy her any and to not bring it up again." The ballet instructor NEVER laughed. As terrible as I felt about it, I still had to laugh. It was, after all... funny. However,I knelt down on my knees that day and looked AA in the eyes and apologized to her for not listening to her and not believing her. I asked her, "What did you do when everyone else was tapping in their tap shoes?" She just looked at me and said, "I tapped in my ballet shoes." What else was she supposed to do?!?!

The year just went downhill from there. By the time January rolled around, I was having to force her to go to ballet. We still had 5 more months of this. But I was locked in because of the small fortune I'd spent on the costumes.. the TWO costumes! May finally arrived but she did NOT want to dance in her recital. Of course I didn't give her a choice, but on the night of the recital, she said, "I'm so excited!" I knew it! I just knew she'd be excited when she put on her costume and matching feather head piece! I said, "I'm so happy that you're excited!" Well that little Disco Duck looked straight at me and said, "I'm excited because I never have to come back here again!" And after the embarrassment of being known there as the mom who refused to buy her little girl tap shoes, I was kind of excited, too!

Thanking God today for that little Disco Duck and for ALL little ones who so easily forgive their mommies! Maybe I'll do a little better the second time around!

Yesterday some friends and I held a Surprise Birthday Brunch for a dear friend who lost her dad less than a year ago.We had no idea how much it would mean to this dear friend. Our friend called later and said that this was her best birthday ever. I am sure that she thought it would be her worst because her daddy wouldn't be there to tell her ,"Happy Birthday". Besides that, her birthday is on 9-11, so ... it's not the best day for a birthday, anyway! She said that she had already cried on the phone with her mother earlier in the morning. Her mother was also feeling especially sad and lonely without her husband there. After all, this is their firstborn. Her daughter's birthday was always special to them as a couple. My friend was excited about telling her mom that she did, in fact, end up having a great birthday. She thought that it would help her mom have a better day, also. Yesterday served as a gentle, wonderful reminder to me to be obedient to what God places on my heart. So many times I have had good intentions but just get too busy and/or lazy to act on my thoughts. I often think to myself, "I should send her a note." "I should take dinner to that family." "I should call her to see how she's doing." "I should offer to keep her children." But that's as far as it ever gets. So my point with this post is to encourage all of us to follow through with what God places on our hearts! You never know what He has up His sleeve!

Thanking God today for sweet friends and for God nudging us to be obedient!

Have a great weekend!!

Time is on My Side

My husband's mother sends us a letter once a week. A handwritten note delivered by the postman. Snail mail. It's quite extraordinary to receive a handwritten note in this day of e-mails, voice mails, texting, face books, and even blogs. It's always a treat and always the first piece of mail that we open. M. has always said that there are three things in life that he knows he can count on : death, taxes, and a letter from home.

When his parents were celebrating their 50th Anniversary, one of M.'s sisters asked each of the siblings to write their parents a note with some of their fondest childhood memories. M. wrote that when he was in college, feeling a little lonely and homesick, he especially loved receiving his parent's letters -" it was like receiving a little piece of home."

M is one of 6 children, and they write to each of their children. Usually there is an update about one of the other children or one of their 18 grandchildren. Yesterday's letter was pretty much the same as any of their other letters: the oldest grandchild seems to be adjusting well to college, their hometown high school football team lost their game this past weekend, and the wedding shower that she helped host went very well. But she also asked if they could take our two youngest children back home with them for a few days after their upcoming visit with us this weekend. Now I have to tell you - when I read that, I suddenly felt very nervous! But not for the children ...for myself!! I haven't been alone - by myself - in my house in EIGHT years!! What do people do in their house all by themselves? This is just too much for me! Do they clean house all day? That seems like such a waste. Do they take long baths and give themselves pedicures? That seems a little indulgent but I guess once every 8 years is O.Kay. Do they wander aimlessly from room to room trying to figure out what to do? Do they waste their day away playing Tetris and their kids Webkinz games? (Now who would do that ?!) This is just more time alone than I can imagine!

What ever shall I do?? I'm sure I'll figure it out. But if you have any suggestions...do tell!

(Maybe I should take a cue from my in-laws and catch-up on my correspondence!)

And just an update - Sunshine came home today! It's awesome having her infectious laugh back in our house! M. put a grape under his lip during dinner - you would've thought he juggled the grapes with his tongue! She gutt-laughed like crazy. The rest of us couldn't help but join in the laughter. I assured M. that the grape under the lip wasn't really THAT funny - we just couldn't help ourselves because Sunshine got such a kick out of it! We missed her! (I hope M. doesn't put a grape under his lip at a cocktail party or office function - I don't think he'd get the same reaction!)

Thankin' God today for bringing Sunshine home safely, for handwritten notes that you pass down to your children , and for time to catch up on a little R&R.

*Happy Birthday, A.T.!

Guilt Shmilt!

Yesterday I met with a group of moms to discuss a book we're reading, "The Most Important Place on Earth" (still don't know how to underline!). Basically the book is about creating a Christian home, with home being "the most important place on Earth." During our discussion, one of the moms brought something up that we didn't really address at the time. However, throughout the course of the day, I found myself thinking about it over and over. She said that she really suffers from guilt when it comes to her children. She "beats herself up" with questions like,"Did I spend enough time time with 'Child A' today?" "Did I talk on my cell phone too much while we were in the car?"
I think the reason that I kept thinking about it yesterday is that I have SO been there. However, I'm not there anymore. But I didn't realize I wasn't "there" until yesterday. So what I've been asking myself is,"Why am I not there anymore? What has changed? How did I get here without realizing it?" Of course -it's because I have the whole parenting thing figured out - I'm perfect, so there's nothing to feel guilty about! NOT!! I'm FAR from perfect and I fall short and fail miserably everyday.
But somehow along the way I've discovered God's grace and I feel completely "covered" in it. I spent many YEARS beating myself up over past failures and mistakes that I had made. I wasted a LOT of time feeling guilty and being upset when I could have been enjoying life the way God intended. Maybe I've impressed these lessons on my children enough that they're finally beginning to rub off on me! So to any moms out there who live under a cloud of guilt, I'll tell you like I try to tell my children : when we make mistakes and sin (whether it was ten years ago or ten minutes ago), we ask for forgiveness. Then Jesus forgives!! And then he forgets!! He wipes the slate clean. God's mercy forgives and restores! So RECEIVE His forgiveness and enjoy life the way God intended when He sent Jesus!

Can I get an "Amen"?!

Thanking God today for His mercy and loving-kindness!

Good Books!

It's only my third day of blogging and I've already run out of things to blog about. So I'm going to take this opportunity to recommend a few good - no GREAT - books that will leave you feeling all warm inside. You may be asking yourself, "What qualifications does she have that she feels she can recommend books? Is she an English major? " Um..No.. I have no qualifications. I just loved these books and I want everyone I know and love to read these books. They will bless you, I promise.
The first book is "Same Kind of Different as Me". (I don't know how to underline on this blog). It is a touching TRUE (that would be non-fiction) story about a modern day slave and a millionaire art dealer - about their relationship with each other and their relationship with God. But let me warn you - this is the kind of book that once you start, you will not put it down until you are finished. So be sure the kids are fed - you will neglect your children AND your husband! And don't make plans for the morning AFTER you finish the book - you will look terrible. Your face will be red and splotchy and your eyes will be swollen shut. But trust me... it's a good cry! You will laugh and cry and pray and think and cry some more.

If you've already read the above book, then read "The Shack" (again, I can't underline). It may be a little more controversial, but I adored this book. And I have to warn you about this book, as well. In the beginning, you may be asking yourself, "How could she recommend this book?" A terrible tragedy occurs that no parent ever wants to think about (I know I shouldn't end my sentences with a preposition, but it just works here). However, as terrible as that tragedy is, the rest of the book - and especially the end- is equally as beautiful. Again, you will laugh, cry, praise, pray, and cry and laugh again. I tried to read this while "watching" the children swim, but it just didn't work. Your children need to be asleep or at school. It requires a little more thought .. a little more attention. If you try to read it with your children around you, your children will get on your nerves. Trust me. Put the book down and pick it back up when they aren't home. Save yourself a meltdown.

If any of you fellow bloggers know how to underline, please leave me a comment explaining how.

And as a follow up to yesterday's post...I called my parents today to talk to Sunshine. She didn't want to talk to me. That's it ... she's never going back there again!

Thanking God today for time alone with my 3rd born (while Sunshine is at my parents and my older two are at school) and for books that somehow manage to change your heart and bring you closer to Him. Happy Reading!

And if you have a good book or two that you could recommend, please leave them in the comment section. Thanks!

Par-tea!

Yesterday I called a dear friend to tell her about how CUTE my goody bags/party favors were for Sunshine's 4th Birthday Party. I told her that I knew she'd be at the party in less than 24 hours and that she'd see them for herself then, but they were so stinkin' cute that I just had to tell her RIGHT THEN! (She was a great sport and played along well...thanks A.T.). And then I remembered...HELLO...I have a blog...I can brag to many people at once...PERFECT! So here's a picture of these cute goody bags folded and stapled to resemble large tea bags - complete with a grosgrain ribbon attached to a nametage where the "Lipton" label would normally be! >

Now enough about me and my tea/goody bags! Sunshine turned 4 on Friday and we celebrated today with a tea party. Lots of little princesses running around and a few cute-but-stinky boy cousins chasing after them! But guess what...Sunshine had such a great time with Mimi and Papa that she went home with them! We're all a little sad and lonely around here without birthday girl's love and laughter! The "problem" with her visiting her grandparents is that she doesn't miss me NEARLY enough! The last time that she visited them, she told me that while she missed me "A lot", she missed daddy "A LOTTER!" Well... I'll miss her "A LOTTEST!"

Of course I can't put a picture of my party bags in here without a picture of the party girl. So she's here too.

And a picture of her sister helping(?) with cake and cupcakes.

And a picture of the cake!
And I have no idea how to post more than one picture in some sort of order...hence the collage!

Thanking God today for Mimi's and Papa's everywhere, and for another beautiful year with my now 4-year old baby! How sweet it is!

Dawgs

My first post and I can already add pictures! WOW!

The guys headed to Athens early this morning with a cooler full of cokes, cookies, chocolate, and chips! The girls stayed behind to do..well..you know...girl stuff- laundry, cooking, cleaning. Just before M. walked out the door this morning, he showed me where the stash of emergency cash is hidden (for those who don't know, M. had his identity stolen a few weeks ago so we're operating on a cash only basis for now). I looked straight at him and said, "I feel an emergency comin' on." So...without further ado, I'm outta here because ,"IT'S AN EMERGENCY!"

And oh yeah, "How 'bout them Dawgs!" (Did I really just write that?!)

And mom, before you pick up the phone, I know, I know...I shouldn't have told people on the internet that we have a stash of emergency cash. For all of you who know us well, you know M. so you know it's not much. And for those who don't know him, trust me...it's not much!

Thankin' God today for "emergencies" and for "Little Dawgs" (I could eat him up!) Have a great day!