WOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!

NEW YORK Apr 18, 2007 (AP)— Sanjaya Malakar, the under-talented but unflappable singer who horrified and captivated millions in his improbable "American Idol" run, was finally voted off the show Wednesday night. "I'm fine," he told Ryan Seacrest. "It was an amazing experience." "I can promise you: We won't soon forget you," Seacrest replied.

HALLELUJAH!

Country??

Well, if we have to stomach him for at least one more week, we might as well get some entertainment out of it! This is country week, you know!! What in the WORLD will he be singing??? I can't wait to find out. I think this is the first (and only) week I'm actually looking forward to hearing Sanjaya!
Stay tuned...I still believe that before the season is over, we'll find out that Sanjaya is, in fact, a female.

Donkey Tales!

HA! I bet those of you that don't go to Cross Point to church are really wondering about the title of this post. This is the name of the children's play that we just completed. It was SO cute! The kids worked so hard, and we really enjoyed seeing the fruits of their labor! Of course, I was extremely proud of Macy. She didn't have a big speaking role, but she had 2 solos. I was so proud that she did it without any hesitation...and she was really quite good! I'm not just saying that because she's my daughter, either! Here are a few pictures from the production:


We also enjoyed some Easter fun this past weekend. My brother and his family were here, so mom went ahead and passed out easter baskets, since they won't be here this weekend for Easter. Brady's favorite gift was this frog:
Here's another one of the favorite activities at Mimi and Papa's...the boys are enjoying it together:
Lastly, what post would be complete without a picture of my little "ladies man?"
Have a great rest of the week and a blessed Easter!

My Handsome Man

I thought it was time to shift the focus from my drama queen to my handsome devil! Not a whole lot to post about, I just wanted to post a new picture of him!

We've got an interesting week coming up...Macy is out of school for spring break. I'm sure this week will produce some sort of crazy thing to post about! Have a great week, everyone!

C'mon, Vogue!

Well, I just thought I'd post a couple of new pics of my little drama queen. She's just found her sunglasses that she'd lost, so she wants to wear them all the time now....here she is posing:


There will be pics of the drama KING coming soon. For now, I'll just tell y'all a story. It's funny, but not really. I guess it just sounds funny and very typical BOY! When I picked him up from pre-school today, his teacher said that he and a couple of other little boys had to sit in time-out for wrestling on the playground! WHAT? If Macy had to sit in time-out for any reason at school, it would just kill her! I guess this is what I have to look forward to. I had a little chat with him. He told me that it hurt his feelings when he had to sit in time-out. Well, guess what? Don't do anything that's going to make you have to sit in time-out, son!! He now knows the good 'ol "if you get in trouble at school, you'll get in trouble at home" rule!

One last funny about him....now, keep in mind he's THREE. Today, I asked him if he wanted me to send $1 for pizza or if he wanted me to pack his lunch. He informed me that he wanted me to pack his lunch because "I don't feel like pizza today." Sheesh!

Before Hyperactivity Sets In

I thought I'd share the sweet scene that I encountered when I went in to wake Macy up this morning.

It's this type of sweet calm that I enjoy briefly before I pick her up from school and utter chaos ensues!!

More On Growing Up...

Well, check her out. She lost her first tooth a little over a week ago. She pulled it herself! Wow... it really makes her look grown up.

Also, we're officially out of diapers/pull ups at my house (with the exception of overnight...he wakes up dry most mornings, but I really don't want to change sheets in the night, and since he crawls in our bed in the middle of the night most nights, I don't want to change OUR sheets)! It's bittersweet....I don't have a baby anymore, but the good news is, I DON'T HAVE A BABY ANYMORE! It's so nice that he'll just go to the potty on his own! I wondered if this day would ever come! I have Macy's grown-up looking picture posted, but I don't guess I'll post a picture of Brady in his underwear in case there are any perverts looking at this blog! :o)

Not much to report around here. Just thought I'd add a new post and get away from the somewhat depressing little book that I posted last month! Now...I have a couple of "lasts" to blog about....the last time he wore diapers/pullups and the last pictures we took of Macy with all her baby teeth! Time flies! But I'm enjoying the ride!

If You've Got A Minute...

Well, I'll go ahead and tell y'all that this might be my longest post to date. First, I'll fill you in on a couple of things going on with us lately.

Last night, I went with a bunch of girls from church to see "Dreamgirls." I've been wanting to see it, but it took forever to come here. I liked it a lot...it was a typical musical...so if you don't like musicals, you won't like it. They do sing several of their conversations (in case you didn't know, that's what happens in a musical...HA!) Also, (knock on wood) Brady has decided that wearing underwear and using the potty aren't so bad! He's been doing great with his pottying....FINALLY! I think it clicked. Just one accident in the past several days! Yippie!

OK...now for the lenghty part! I took the kids to the library yesterday, and I found a book that I want to share. The title caught my eye, and then, the author. Karen Kingsbury. My mother-in-law is big into her books, so I was interested in what she had to offer in a children's book. It is great! If you don't have kids, you might not give a rip about this, but if you do...I think you'll enjoy it! My only mistake was not reading it myself before I sat down to read it to the kids! It was all I could do to muddle through it without crying like a baby! Enjoy!!

Long ago you came to me,
a miracle of firsts:
First smiles and teeth and baby steps,
a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away
and leave to me your past,
And I will be left thinking of
a lifetime of your lasts...

The last time that I held a bottle
to your baby lips.
The last time that I lifted you
and held you on my hip.

The last night when you woke up crying,
needing to be walked,
When last you crawled up with your blanket,
wanted to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me,
still small enough to hold.
The last time that you said you'd marry
me when you grew old.
Precious, simple moments and
bright flashes from your past--
Would I have held on longer if
I'd known they were your last?

Our last adventure to the park,
your final midday nap,
The last time when you wore your favorite
faded baseball cap.

Your last few hours of kindergarten,
those last days of first grade,
Your last at bat in Little League,
last colored picture made.

I never said good-bye to all
your yesterdays long passed.
So what about tomorrow--
will I recognize your lasts?

The last time that you catch a frog
in that old backyard pond.
The last time that you run barefoot
across our fresh-cut lawn.
Silly, scattered images
will represent your past.
I keep on taking pictures,
never quite sure of your lasts...

The last time that I comb your hair
or stop a pillow fight.
The last time that I pray with you
and tuck you in at night.
The last time when we cuddle
with a book, just me and you.
The last time you jump in our bed
and sleep between us two.

The last piano lesson,
last vacation to the lake.
Your last few weeks of middle school,
last soccer goal you make.

I look ahead and dream of days
that haven't come to pass.
But as I do, I sometimes miss
today's sweet, precious lasts...

The last time that I help you with
a math or spelling test.

The last time when I shout that yes,
your room is still a mess.
The last time that you need me for
a ride from here to there.
The last time that you spend the night
with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster,
stealing precious days that pass.
I want to hold on longer--
want to recognize your lasts...

The last time that you need my help
with details of a dance.
The last time that you ask me for
advice about romance.

The last time that you talk to me
about your hopes and dreams.
The last time that you wear a jersey
for your high school team.

I've watched you grow and barely noticed
seasons as they pass.
If I could freeze the hands of time,
I'd hold on to your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning,
you'll be going far away.
College life will beckon
in a brilliant sort of way.
One last hug, one last good-bye,
one quick and hurried kiss.
One last time to understand
just how much you'll be missed.
I'll watch you leave and think how fast
our time together passed.

Let me hold on longer, God
to every precious last.

The Traveling Penguin

This is the name of the book Macy will be studying at school this week. We were asked to make a suitcase out of a cereal box, so that as they study this book, they can stop in different "countries" and put something from each "country" in their suitcase. Now, I am what I like to call "creativity challenged." I was a little worried about this project. Now, this is a holiday, and I refused to go to Wal-Mart and spend a lot of money (well...ANY money for that matter) on a bunch of stuff for this project. Considering my "challenge" and the fact that I used only stuff I had around the house, I'm quite happy with the way it turned out! Behold, the suitcase!

There are just a few touches of glitter glue around a few of the flowers...you can't really see that in the picture. I am a little jealous that one of my friends (though she did go to Wal-Mart) hot-glued a drawer pull on the top of hers for a handle! I had to settle for some ribbon!

In other news, I start back to work VERY part time tomorrow. Brady will start pre school Tues. and Thurs. from 9-1, and I'll work during that time (at my old stomping ground...insurance office of a local home health care business). I'm looking forward to it, and I think Brady is really looking forward to school. He'll do great, but I am having a little trouble believing that he's old enough to go! My babies are just growing up too fast! Macy will cheer at her first "jr. pro" basketball game on Saturday! Pictures to come. Have a good week...AMERICAN IDOL IS BACK!!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Update...

Well, I don't really have much to post about, I'm just getting sick of looking at that picture of all the Christmas cookies!

We had a good and BUSY Christmas and the new year has started out ok...unless you count Brady's bout with bronchitis. Here he is giving himself a breathing treatment:

He cracks me up! He's had to take them in the past, and he's always done well with them, but it was really funny to just hand him the mouthpiece and watch him sit there and take it himself!

We had a good time with all of our family over the Holiday. My brother and his wife were able to stay for several days. It was great to spend time with them. The kids get along SO well! Sam just LOVES my kids! He follows them around and is thoroughly entertained by them! It's great to see them interact. We enjoyed being with my in-laws as well, but my other nephew (bless him) had bronchitis over Christmas, so he wasn't himself! We look forward to getting those kiddos together again very soon!

I'll leave you with one of my favorite pictures that came out of the whole weekend! It's amazing that we were able to get a picture where all three of them were smiling so big and naturally! I guess when you're watching your Papa act like a gorilla, it's likely to make you laugh!!!

HO!HO!HO!

Well, here is a picture (although it isn't great) of the baking project that I had going yesterday, and the one that I've done today...who knows if it will be worthy of having it's picture posted! I've worked off and on ALL DAY on a snowman cake. My brother and his wife gave me a very nice snowman cake pan for Christmas last year. I haven't ever used it. They are coming into town tomorrow, so I thought I'd whip up this cake! HA! It is a snowman that stands up! I got it all put together, but my icing was too thin. I was making it work, it just wasn't gorgeous, but it tasted great. So....I had it going pretty good...went to give Macy a bath...came back to the kitchen and the thing had broken in half and fallen over. I tried to put it back together with toothpicks and a lot of icing. I put it in the fridge in hopes that everything will "cement" itself!

This is a picture of the cake pan...followed by what the cake is SUPPOSED to look like:

HAHA! Yeah, right! That is the "easy" version...sprinkle it with powdered sugar. Well, that would be great, but then, how do you cover up the "seems" where you've "glued" the two halves together? We'll just say that mine doesn't look very good. It looks OK from a distance! When I get him out of the fridge tomorrow, we'll see if I can get a good picture of him! Happy Holidays!

KA-CHOW!!

OK...so if you haven't seen Cars (then shame on you...it's a great movie!), the title of my post means nothing to you. If you have seen it, then you realize how clever I am having come up with that title for my post! HA!

So, here's a picture of what I've spent the majority of my day doing...

I must say that this is the cake that I'm probably proudest of to date. I'll tell you that I am NOT an artist at ALL...and when I got the cake out of the pan, I couldn't see any of the details. I pretty much did this whole thing looking at the picture (if you look at the lightning bolt behind the 95, it might be more obvious to you). Brady's birthday is Tuesday, but his party is tomorrow. I decided to go ahead and do the cake today because it is so time consuming. He loves it, and is ready to put the candles in it right now! Maybe I'll have more to post after his party tomorrow. Meanwhile, here's one last picture of the kiddos in their new shirts:

Time For A New Song!

We're getting ready to head out early in the morning to go to Georgia and visit Calloway Gardens. My husband and kids, his parents, and his sister and her husband and son. We're looking forward to it, and I hope I'll have some fun pictures to post when we get home. Until then, it's time for me to post some lyrics! I can't get these out of my head! I can listen to them over and over, and never get tired of what they say. It's amazing to me that someone is able to come up with all these different descriptions of God. Isn't it amazing how we veiw Him differently at different times in our lives!? This song makes those visions SO clear to me.

Pencil marks on a wall

I wasn't always this tall

You scattered some monsters from beneath my bed

You watched my team win

You watched my team lose

Watched when my bicycle went down again

And when I was weak, unable to speak

Still I could call You by name

And I said, Elbow Healer, Superhero

Come if You can

And You said, I AM

Only sixteen, life is so mean

What kind of curfew is at 10pm?

You saw my mistakes

Watched my heart break

Heard when I swore I'd never love again

And when I was weak, unable to speak

Still I could call You by name

And I said, Heartache Healer, Secret Keeper

Be my best friend

And You said, I AM

You saw me wear white by pale candlelight

I said forever to what lies ahead

Two kids and a dream, with kids that can scream

Too much it might seem when it's 2am

And when I am weak, unable to speak

Still I will call You by name

Oh Shepherd, Savior, Pasture Maker

Hold onto my hand

And You say, I AM

The winds of change and circumstance blow in and all around us

So we find a foothold that's fimiliar

And bless the moments that we feel You nearer

When life had begun, I was woven and spun

You let the angels dance around the throne

And who can say when, but they'll dance again

When I am free and finally headed home

I will be weak, unable to speak

Still I will call You by name

Creator, Maker, Life Sustainer

Comforter, Healer, my Redeemer

Lord and King, Beginning and the End

I AM,

Yes, I AM

Thankful

Obviously, we've all just been through a week where the focus was on being Thankful. I like to think that as Christians, we don't limit our thanksgiving to one week of the year! I know that when Thanksgiving rolls around, it does make us focus more on the things that we give thanks for. Among the more obvious ones for me: healthy kids, family, friends, church family, health...that list can go on and on. But one thing that I have come to realize lately that is SO important to me, and that I'm SO thankful for, is music.

This might seem strange (to some of you, I know it doesn't, because some of you love music as much as I do). I can't remember a time in my life where music didn't play a huge role. My dad has been a song leader all of my life, and for a large part of my life, was a choral director. I grew up with that. I have a tape of my dad and I singing together when I was 2 years old (we played it at my wedding just before he walked me down the isle). I took piano lessons for 9 years. I sang in chorus from 7th grade until I graduated. I sing on the praise team at church...music is probably about the most consistent thing in my life! There isn't a day that goes by that I don't hear music, play music, or sing music. Thank God for the gift of song!!!

I have really come to realize lately that music is the way that I communicate best with God. The praise songs that we sing (and that are a constant on my car radio) say exactly what I would like to express to God! Music/song is MY best form of worship...it's not for everyone, and each person has their own personal way that they feel most comfortable worshipping, and mine is speaking to God, and crying out to Him, through song. Sometimes, when I beat myself up for not praying as often as I should, I remind myself that I've been in prayer while I'm listening to or singing these songs to God.

There have been several times when I've posted song lyrics as my post for the day. I have been listening to a CD lately that has several on there that I would like to post at some point, but today, I thought it would be fitting to post one called Gratitude.

Send some rain, would You send some rain?

'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again

And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade

Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?

Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down

Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid

But maybe not, not today

Maybe You'll provide in other ways

And if that's the case...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude

For lessons learned in how to thirst for You

How to bless the very sun that warms our face

If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread

Bless our bodies, keep or children fed

Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight

Wrap us up and warm us through

Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs

Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time

Or maybe not, not today

Maybe You'll provide in other ways

And if that's the case...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude

A lesson learned to hunger after You

That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead

And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between

Everything we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace

Move our hearts to hear a single beat

Between alibis and enemies tonight

Or maybe not, not today

Peace might be another world away

And if that's the case...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude

For lessons learned in how to trust in You

That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream

In abundance or in need

And if You never grant us peace

But Jesus, would You please

The Lion King

WOW! It was fabulous! I am so glad that I was able to see this play! For those of you that don't know (and might not even care...but humor me) my mother-in-law took me and Macy to Nashville last night to see The Lion King! It was amazing! What a spectacle! That's the only way I know to put it! The costumes were incredible... the set....it was all so neat. Macy loved it too. We didn't get home until 1:15 this morning, but it was worth it. She slept all the way home (yes, it was a school night, but it was the only night we could get tickets) and she woke up happy this morning...mainly because she got to wear her Lion King t-shirt to school! I intend to take a nap today when Brady does! It's a nice gloomy day for it!

One of the highlights of my evening was running into several people that I knew. It is funny that in a place that size, I was able to see 6 people that I never get to see. The funniest was that 2 of my...well, let's just call it what it is...pretty much 2 of my extended family members sat RIGHT IN FRONT OF US. What are the odds? In that huge theatre? So, hello again Ben and Laurie (if you happen to be reading)! It was great to see y'all!

Well, that's about all I've got to say. It was a fantastic theatre experience that I would highly recommend to you all! Thanks to Nana for taking us!!! Oh, and here's a picture of me and Macy ready for the trip to Nashvegas!!

Throw Back to American Idol

DISCLAIMER: If you didn't follow American Idol, or if you cannot even stomach the thought of country music, this post is not for you!

Well....I've got to say that, for the most part, I really enjoyed the CMA Awards last night. I don't listen to country music nearly as much as I used too, but I tuned in last night because I am fond of several of the people that were scheduled to perform. Then, I heard that Carrie Underwood was nominated for some of the "biggies." "Jesus, Take The Wheel" was nominated for a couple of song awards (which Brooks and Dunn beat out with the song that just wouldn't go away...but I'm happy for Craig, Brad!!). She was also nominated for the Horizon Award and Female Vocalist of the Year! Now, I know Martina McBride has won this award 4 times in the past. Here was her competition: Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Gretchen Wilson, and Faith Hill. SHE WON! She beat out these women that are all so great (with the exception of Grethen Wilson, in my humble opinion). I was glad for her...I've followed her since her American Idol days! So, here's my little shout out to American Idol and Carrie Underwood! Not to mention that she also took home the Horizon Award....also some stiff competition in that category!


OH, and speaking of American Idol, did anyone notice who it seemed Carrie had brought along for her date? Remember him?

Anthony Fedorov! Pretty good picture, huh? I'm looking forward to kicking off another season in January...right? I think that's when they start showing all the crazy auditions! They came to Birmingham this year! I can only imagine the people they'll pull out to make Alabama look like a bunch of rednecks! Great!

Trunk or Treat!!

We've had a big day! We started off at Mars Hill (where Macy goes to school) for Punkin' Day (games, food, etc...kind of a small scale carnival). We were there several hours. Came home for a rest, then got ready to go to our Harvest Festival and Trunk or Treat at church. It was great! It is a FABULOUS outreach...I will be anxious to hear how many people came. Last year, we estimated around 1500. I believe it was bigger this year. The kids had a great time...and looked cute, if I do say so myself! Tomorrow, we're headed to Huntsville after church to see Disney on Ice! I think me, my parents, and my husband are just as excited as the kids!! I'm also quite excited about the time change! After this crazy day, I welcome the extra hour!!

Farewell, Overnight Guest!

Well, our little "friend" finally left. After Jarrod pushed his "house" outside, I kept checking throughout the day, and he never moved. He slept most all day. When I got ready to leave for church Wed. night, I checked on him one more time. That's when I took these pictures. He was obviously awake, and just looking at me! It was starting to rain, so I figured that he would be gone when we got home from church. I was correct. I guess he just waited until dark to move...how often do you see opossums in broad daylight? It was a very interesting experience, but needless to say, I'm a little jumpy when I'm in the garage now!

Plenty to post about!!

Do me a favor...fight the urge to look at the picture until you've read all the story leading up to it! You'll be glad you waited! You wouldn't want to ruin the excitement!!!

Well, as you've all noticed, I haven't been at a loss lately when it comes to posting. Thanks to my mischievous son, I had a good story to tell yesterday. Well, thanks to God's wonderful creatures, I have a whopper of a story to tell this morning.

I was going out the garage to get something out of the car this morning. When I opened the door, I immediately noticed something was not quite right. Let me start by saying we have lots of random things stored in our garage...First of all, (and this isn't too random) Jarrod keeps a pair of old tennis shoes on the back step that he mows in. The first thing I noticed was that one of them was lying on the ground, nearly under my car. Then, I noticed that Macy's beach chair was lying flat on the ground (it's usually standing up against the wall). Thirdly, we keep our recycle "stuff" beside the back door...there was a box that had been scratched and chewed on. So...obviously, we had an intruder. I was thinking it was probably a cat. Then, I glance over to the other side of the garage...where there ARE lots of random things. I had a paper grocery sack full of baby shower invitations (to explain...a lady that I go to church with used to restock cards and she gave them to me because I'm in charge of the baby showers at church. I cleaned out the trunk of the car and just sat them in the garage against the wall). OK...this paper grocery sack was shredded. There was also a plastic Hibbitt bag with a shoe box inside it...yes, more randomness. This sack was also torn up. So, I'm thinking..."OK...something is going to jump at me any minute. I'll just open the garage door and watch whatever it is go running out to his freedom!" Well, nothing ran out. So, I tiptoed over to the shredded sack to see what I could find. Any guesses? Well....here you go:


THERE WAS AN OPOSSUM IN MY GARAGE ALL NIGHT!!!!!!! How crazy is it that he found that box, chewed through the bag, through the box, moved a shoe, and made himself a little house. Wild! Jarrod was supposed to be home from the fire station any minute, so I called and told him not to pull all the way into the garage because he had a job to do when he got home! So, he got a shovel and pushed the box all the way outside, and the opossum never budged. I took Macy to school, and when I got home, it was still curled up in the box out in the yard!

Well, there's another interesting day in my life! I don't know if my next post will be quite this exciting! I almost hope it isn't!

Two in One Day

Well, I just thought I had nothing to post today. Leave it to Brady to give me somthing to post about! Now, let me say, I've had to go back to yesterday's post and look at the sweet picture of his hands...when they WEREN'T getting him into trouble! Oh how quickly he can go from sweet to horrid!

He's nearly 3 years old. He's trustworthy most of the time. I shouldn't have to stop everything I'm doing around the house to babysit him. At least I didn't think I should. I was going about my business this morning...checking email, getting ready to do laundry, cleaning up the kitchen a little...etc. I got ready to go back to the back of the house to gather up some laundry, and he came walking toward me from his room. Something didn't look quite right about him, but I thought it was the way the light was reflecting on his face. Then, I realized that his nose what kind of white...and so were his clothes. Then, I looked to my left, and here is what I found:

That would be Baby Gold Bond Medicated Powder! I don't know what's different about it than regular baby powder, but it doesn't clean up quite as easily. It "bonds" a little more! Sure, I know you're looking at this picture and laughing, and that's OK...it is a little funnier now than it was several minutes ago. Hopefully he won't give me anything else to post about before this day is over! Luckily, this is Tuesday, which around my house is referred to as "Nana night" (my mother-in-law gets the kids after school and keeps them until bedtime). Tuesday is quickly becoming my favorite day of the week!!!