It's Over!!

Well...it's done! One of the places I probably dislike most in this world, and I've managed to go there, get it over with, and not have to go back for a very long time (if ever)!! I told you all in a previous post that Macy did so great getting her shots, so this was her reward. It really wasn't too bad. We got there right at 11:00 and there was only 1 church group there! Luckily, they were older than Macy and Brady, so they were playing some of the games and things that my kids didn't care much about. The main time I started to get a little restless was standing in line behind a million pokey kids waiting to cash in the tickets. You know, they have little "counters" now, so all you do is feed it your tickets and it spits out a receipt telling how many you had, then you take it and collect your trash, I mean prize. So, they were selling cotton candy for $1.99. We only had 84 tickets, and all we could get for that was junk. What Macy really wanted was the cotton candy, so rather than stand in line behind all the same kids that had been in front of me at the ticket counter, I just pretended like I used the tickets to get the cotton candy! Pretty clever, huh?! Then, everyone was happy! The kids were really great...they didn't whine when I said, "Here is your cup of tokens and that's all you're getting." They didn't whine when I said, "When I say it's time to go, I don't want to hear any complaints." And they didn't even whine when I decided that it was time to go because it was starting to smell like dirty, sweaty children!!

So, now on to one of my more favorite places to go and somewhere that I don't get to go very often at ALL...George's. For those of you that don't know, it's a steakhouse, and it's YUMMY. My in-laws are taking me for my birthday (since we left for the beach the day after my birthday, this is really the first real chance we've had to go out). I'm looking forward to a nice quiet dinner without electronic mice, dogs, and gorillas singing to me and a bunch of kids running around yelling and emitting their germs all over everything! Have a great weekend!

Determined!

I've never posted twice in one day, but I've also never been so determined to get my pictures posted! So, I have decided that you all WILL look at every picture that I wanted to post on this crazy blog!! I just thought I'd give it a whirl one more time and see if I could get the last one on here, and it finally worked! This pictures is blurry, but I love it SO much! I guarantee you that Brady will hate it one day! OK...I'll spare you all anymore pics from the beach! Hope you all have a great Wednesday!!!

A Couple More

I don't know if I'm the only one, but I've been having all sorts of trouble posting pictures the past couple of days. Yesterday, I was going to try to post a few more pics, and it wouldn't let me. Today, it will only let me put two. I realize that I told you in my last post that I had 2 more to share. Well, I realized it is really three...but since it'll only let me post 2, I'll save the third for another time!!

This one really captures Brady's flamboyant personality!


This one was just too sweet not to share!


I thought I would brag on my sweet Macy. She is SO excited about starting kindergarten in a couple of weeks that she's been asking to get her shots! Can you imagine?? Anyway, Monday was the big day. She was ok all morning...she said she was a little nervous, but she never really got "freaked out." I had heard horror stories from friends and family about how their kids behaved when they took them to get shots...just ask my mom about the experience she had when she took my brother! YIKES! Anyway, I was a little worried that she might freak when we got there, but she was great! I couldn't believe how well she did. The funny thing is, after it was over, she said, "Next time, I will NOT be asking to get my shots!" Now, I know some of you reading this are thinking, "Oh shut up! My child was awful, blah, blah, blah!" Well, to those people, let me remind you...I still have another child that will have to have his shots in a few years. I have a feeling that I've probably got it coming to me! He'll be the one I have to chase around the room and then me and 4 nurses will have to hold him down! I'm going to start praying now that it doesn't happen like that! What a nightmare!

Look Out!!

Well...here it is! I'm about to flood you with pictures of our trip to the beach. We had a great trip. It was hot, but is there anywhere in the US that ISN'T hot right now?? The kids had a great time and we took so many sweet pictures of them that I can't help but share!! We're glad to be back with our friends, family, and church family, but it's always sad to leave the beach!!

A day at the beach


Beating the heat


Enjoying the view


Playing in the sand


Fun in the ocean


My beautiful beach babies


How sweet it this??


Well, there are two more that I really wanted to post, but it won't let me. Maybe I've met my quota. Don't think for a second that I won't make you look at them...they will come in a later post. Thanks for letting me share some pictures with you.

A Big Day

Well...here it is. My 30th birthday. I guess that it's not a huge deal! Some people really struggle with it, but so far, I don't think I'm going to be one of those people. It is just a strange feeling...thirty. It's NOT old....no matter what we used to think. It just seems like you are really a grown up when someone asks how old you are and you say, "thirty." Lucky for me, I'm going to be too busy to dwell on it anyway.

We leave at about 5:00 in the morning to go to Gulf Shores. I cannot wait, but I have got SO much to do to get ready. I wasn't really able to get a whole lot done to get ready for the trip yesterday, because I felt like all I was doing was playing referee to my kids. They were nuts yesterday! For example, Macy comes to me crying because Brady has been hitting her over the head with a roll of wrapping paper! Good grief!

Last night was really nice. Mom and dad took the family to Olive Garden for my birthday dinner (side note: if you like mushrooms, you really must try the Ravioli di Portabello...YUM). It was actually quite funny, because the main reason we went there was because mom and dad had a gift card that was going to pay for most of the meal. Well, they lost our ticket in the kitchen, and we had been there well over an hour when we finally got our food, so it was on the house! Lucky for Al and Lou!! Then, we went back over to mom and dad's for cake and ice cream. I knew my in-laws were going to be there, but I was quite surprised that my accountability group showed up! It was fun. I got some nice gifts...money, jewelry, and the husband did great by getting me a massage and manicure from the new spa! Yeah! I must include a picture of the gift from mom and dad. I was SO happy!! I've been wanting this for probably 3 years or more:

I was very excited. Thanks mom and dad...what's a special gift for a special day! Thanks also to those of you that were there. It was so fun.

Well, I really must go. I'm sure you won't be hearing from me for over a week since we'll be at the beach. I don't think I'll have internet access, so until next time...

Birthday Girl!

Wow...two days in a row! I must really have something to say. Not really, I just wanted to share a little more about Macy's birthday. I have a few pictures from her party to post, and a picture of her playing with her early gift from Nana and Pawpaw (the in-laws). She is SO into the Food Network (she'd rather watch that than Nick Jr.) that they couldn't have picked a more perfect gift for her. She had a great time at her party...

More To Come

Just so you know, this will be the first post about Macy's birthday. Her actual birthday is Sunday, but her party is tomorrow. As many of you know, I started making her cakes from day one...as I sit here, I'm thinking about posting pictures of them all...and I just might. Her first year was easy...it was just a small heart.

Second year, Cinderella.



















Third year, Dora, although because of her obviously very dark skin, my brother affectionately named her Tomeka the Explorer!!














Fourth year, a butterfly...probably about my faviorite so far.

And...coming soon to her fifth birthday party...is the least detailed, but no less time consuming.....SOCCER BALL!
I've let her pick out her cakes every year, and this year, after UPWARD soccer, she was very hung up on the soccer ball. She loves it, and it thrills me that she seems so appreciative of the hard work. It melted my heart on her second birthday (my first attempt at a birthday cake, and I had to do Cinderella) when someone asked her what her favorite part of her party was...and this was AFTER she had opened all her gifts, and she still said, "My cake." That made the arthritis in my hands worth it! I know that we'll have more pictures to post from the party tomorrow, so just get ready! Have a great weekend.

What The...?

OK, I really thought that I wouldn't be posting any more about my wrist, but here goes! I had to go back to the doctor today for a follow up. It's been six weeks. It is doing really well, still a little sore, but over all, better than before the surgery. So, when I went 2 weeks after surgery, he told me that he wanted me to be massaging the scar to keep it from fusing into place. I've been doing that...at least once a day. So, when I get to the office today, I didn't really know what to expect. I thought he might comment about the fact that there still seemed to be a little swelling around the scar, but that was about all I could imagine. So, much to my surprise, and dismay, he commented that the center of the scar was a little "stuck." He said, "Now, that's not a huge deal, you could live with it, but I'd like for it to be perfect, wouldn't you?" I said, "Yes, that would be nice." So, he continues by telling me that if I would let him give me a cortisone shot IN MY SCAR that it would loosen it up. YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!! I gotta tell you people, I've had this shot twice before, and it isn't pleasant. Now, I've had the stinking surgery, and the last thing I expected was to ever have to have another one of those shots. Well, I can handle it one more time, I guess. So, the nurse comes in and preps me for the shot, the doctor comes in and sprays it with the very cold "numbing" liquid, and proceeds to shoot... it was hellish! Can I say that?? Much worse than ANY of the others that I've ever had. Then, as if that wasn't bad enough, he takes the needle out and says, "I'm going to put one in the other side now!" SO, two doses in two areas of my scar. But it's over, and I didn't even cry. He hand me my paperwork and tells me he'll see me in a month. He wants me to really give the 'ol scar a work out now...massaging it like CRAZY so that it will loosen up and not fuse. Fine...

Fast forward one minute. I take my paperwork out to the check out desk ready to hand it to the receptionist to file and make me another appointment. There were 3 ladies up there and they were all busy. I stood there waiting. One lady said, "I'll be right with you." Ok, that's fine, but I'm feeling a little nauseated. No big deal, it'll pass. Wait a minute, it is hot as blazes in here... and why am I feeling like there's someone standing on my chest? You know what, I think I'll have a seat! So, as I'm backing up about to take seat in the chair against the wall, the lady said, "I can help you now." I said, "You know, I think I need to sit down for a second." She looked really concerned and said, "Do I need to get you a nurse?" Nah, I'm fine, I thought as I continued to fan. Meanwhile, she proceeded to go get a nurse (whom I happen to go to church with). She took one look at me and went to get me a cold rag. They were all talking about how pale I was. After I sat there a minute, she asked me if I felt like walking back to a room where I could lie down...so I did. It was all SO strange. She said that sometimes those shots can do that to a person, but I thought it was weird that it was the third time I'd had the shot and it had never bothered me before. It would've almost been funny if it wasn't so embarrassing! So, there's my fun story for the day! Strange, strange happenings. I still haven't figured it out. I'm not one to have reactions like that to anything, usually. I passed out once a long time ago from getting too hot, but it wasn't quite the same. That time, my hearing went, and then my sight, and boom...I was slumped against a wall. This was strange. All I knew was that I better sit down. I thought, "Either I'm about to pass out or I'm having a heart attack." Luckily, it wasn't the latter! The whole ordeal only lasted about 10 minutes or a little more...I'm not one to let people to make a big fuss over me...so I agreed to lay down just long enough to please the nurses! All is well....my wrist bled like nobody's business! I had to change to band-aid as soon as I got home. Gross, huh? SO, if you see me, please remind me to be "manipulating my scar" (as the doctor so eloquently put it!!).

Ready??

Well, it's time to post some more lyrics! Yes, Brad, this time, they're yours! I can't get this song out of my head. I wish you could all hear it...it's quite a catchy tune, and the words are awesome! If I haven't already shared it with you, let me know and I'll play it for you (assuming you don't mind, Brad). A friend of mine wrote this song, and I think that it is such an amazing sentiment. I'm ashamed to say that the the first verse seems to express where I seem to be in my life right now! I pray that I can get past that point and move on to being READY!!! Thanks for sharing, Brad! You've challenged me to be fearless and bold for the sake of His kingdom!

I’ve made excuses, time after time.
I’ve been a fool and believed the lies.
I’ve straddled the fence with half-hearted faith
I’ve taken advantage of Your grace.
I’ve gone down a thousand dead end roads
But I’ve turned around and I’m gonna follow.

I’ve been holdin’ back, I’ve been to afraid, Lord
But I’m ready now
You’ve opened my eyes
I’m layin it down, Lord,
I’m ready now
I’m ready now

And now I surrender, I’m finally done
Fighting the battles You’ve already won
I wanna be fearless, I wanna be bold
Led by Your Spirit wherever I go
And every step in this race I run
For the sake of Your kingdom,
Let Your will be done

I’ve been holdin’ back, I’ve been to afraid, Lord
But I’m ready now
You’ve opened my eyes
I’m layin it down, Lord,
I’m ready now
I’m ready now

Why Is It??

I thought it was about time to share a recent picture of the kiddos! Unfortunately, sometimes when I look at these sweet kids, I wonder why it is that we pass along the traits about ourselves that we like the least?!? I've noticed that about myself...the traits that I didn't want to get from my parents seem to be the the things I notice about myself! You would think that I would really strive to stop that cycle! Don't get me wrong, my parents are wonderful, godly people, and there aren't any deep, dark things that went on in my childhood that I'm trying not to allow to happen in my house. It's just things like my temper...I don't like that I have a quick, bad temper...and I'm seeing signs of that in my nearly 5 year old daughter. I don't like that I can be a real smarty pants (I think you all know that I'm being polite by saying "smarty pants") and my kids sound as hateful as I do sometimes. I don't like that I yell at times, and I'm seeing that in my children! Those are the things that I didn't want to inherit, and now, I've got 'em...and if I don't really watch out, my kids are going to have them too! I know that there are good qualities about me, too, but I fear that the things that will leave the biggest impressions on my children are the yucky ones! Any advice? Wow...confession is good for the soul, I guess. I'm really hoping that some of you can give some advice, or at least say that you've been down this road.

We're having a great summer...we're spoiled to the grandparent's pools. We've got a busy rest of the summer, and then it'll be time for school to start before we know it! A week from today is Macy's birthday party (her actual birthday is Sunday, 7/9). I am sure I'll post some pics from that. Then, we have VBS at church the 10th-12th. My birthday is on the 14th, and we leave on the 15th for the beach (and I KNOW I'll be posting pics from that)!! I think school starts on August 7th! And, if you haven't already heard, I'll be going to see the American Idol Tour in Birmingham on Aug. 8!!!! WooHoo! I just mainly wanted to fill you in on my upcoming schedule so you'll know why I might not be posting quite as regularly!! I hope you are all having a fantastic summer.