Hands-On Homeschooling

If anyone were to ever ask me which way I love teaching and which way my kids love learning, I would have to say . . . hands-on, hands-on, hands-on. Unfortunately hands-on learning requires:

• lots of preparation
• lots of time
• lots of organization

I will go through spurts where I am a better teacher than others. But, last week the kids and I both got to experience hands-on homeschooling . . . and I didn't have to do a thing . . . well, show up on time, but that's it.

I'm a member of 4 homeschool groups. . . I know, talk about wanting to give your kids every opportunity out there. One of the groups I'm a member of had a field trip a local veterinarian's office. It was one of our best field trips yet!!! We got to see a cat get spayed

Here are her ovaries and uterus. Thankfully I have my mom's stomach when it comes to gross things. After all, when you grow up seeing fish cleaned and deer gutted your whole life . . . you kinda develop a strong stomach.

The office manager who lead us around the vet's office was so informative. She would give the kids all of these interesting facts and then later ask questions. When they got one right, she'd give them a folder.

She made sure EVERY child got a folder. Hanna, who is super shy and speaks to NO ONE would not even make eye contact with this sweet lady. I answered the question for Hanna as she looked at the ground . . . that way every child got something.

Did any of you know that you are supposed to get your dog's teeth cleaned? Yep, once a year. We got to see a teeth cleaning be performed on a dog.

I'm not goin' lie. . . when she opened this dog's mouth it STUNK!!

Both Alec and Hanna had queasy stomachs. . . they take after their Dad. But, my mini-me, Ashley, made me proud. She was right in on the action. I often times tell her she would make a great nurse, just like her Nanna.

We then got to see all sorts of things they passed around the room . . from eyeballs, to heart worms, to huge ticks . . . it was very interesting. Here is an eyeball Ash wanted me to take a picture of.

And here is a boy part which I posted about here that we refer to in our family as peas.

At the end of the field trip the tour guide wanted to introduce us to someone very special. It was her dog who had been brought into the clinic after being mauled by another animal. They had to do numerous surgeries on this sweet dog, one that required him losing one of his legs. . . out walked this sweet, 3-legged, German Shepherd who was appropriately named,Chance. The kids and the moms went crazy over him.

One of my very favorite things of the field trip was I got to spend some time with my dear friend, Tammy.

Capture the Flag

Have you ever played it . . . Capture the Flag, that is? It is one of those old-school games like "Kick the Can." A few weeks ago my SMB (sister by marriage) and her boys were visiting. On Sunday afternoon the kiddos and Max took on the Moms . . . yep, all of us . . . the matriarch (Gigi) and Holly and I. It was so much fun! Below are just a few pointers and warnings if any of you decide to play . . .

Get a good hug before you start . . . you will need it when you play 5 kids and a dog.

Make sure you have some super-fun kids who know how to strategize. It makes the game much more challenging. . . .

When you fall to the ground, and you will . . . . make sure you laugh . . . ALOT . . .

Adding a dog on the opposing team makes the game much more interesting . . . plus it adds ALOT more laughs . . . and . . . who doesn't love to laugh, right?

Make sure you don't go on a 6-mile run with your hubby before you play. Otherwise, you will be really worried about your body odor . . . even with family. See that sour look on my face. I was so sweaty I could even smell myself . . . YUCK!

Hang on to your partners super tight. The kids are VICIOUS . . . look at that little one and big one underneath us trying to pull our feet out from under us. . . .

If you can tickle the opposing team . . . it really helps . . .

When you can . . . take the flag and . . . RUN. . . those kids are FAST. Oh, and . . . cheer for your team mates. Look at Holly go!

I JUST HAVE TO VENT

Two posts in one day . . . yeah. . . I just have to take a moment and vent. I'm having one of those days when I am just plain exhausted. So many irons in the fire and I just can't keep up, no matter how hard I'm trying.

Work is on my case . . . I'm making mistakes like crazy. Homeschooling is behind this week, 1/2 marathon training is behind also. I should have run 4 miles yesterday and didn't get to it. I tend to be a stress eater, so my jeans are too tight. Trying to balance it all, all by myself is very hard. Jon is working a lot lately. Praise the Lord for that. But I am practically a single mom and have been for the last 3 weeks. He leaves at 5:30 AM and isn't home until 8:00, which is the time we try and get the kids in bed.

I'm trying so hard to be upbeat and peppy, but between balancing ballet, basketball, soccer, and swim (which is 30 minutes away), ballroom dancing lessons, train for a 1/2 marathon that is 2 weeks away and my longest run has only been 9 miles, being behind on homeschooling, trying to be an attentive mom to my children, I feel like SCREAMING!!!!

Oh yeah, the dog chews on every. single. thing he sees. My house is a wreck. Church is tonight, and church in itself is a WHOLE other issue. Honestly I don't want to even darken the doors right now. There is ALWAYS something going on and sometimes I just get to a point where I am fed up and I want to go to a big church where I don't know what goes on behind the scenes. But I sure do love Jesus and I want to be obedient to Him. If it were not for the smiling, sweet faces of the children Tiff and I teach on Wednesday, I'd just stay home tonight.

One more thing . . . our house is on the market, the stress of renting/leasing/selling it while we are trying to purchase another house. The lender needs all of this paperwork and I feel like a complete idiot because I don't even know where to find what she needs or what it looks like. Jon handles all of this stuff. I had to confess my ignorance to her yesterday. I really felt small AND stupid. The worries of being a real estate agent and knowing that you can get to the closing table and not close on the house of your dreams. UGGHH!!!

Thanks for hearing me vent. Sorry if I've been a "Debbie Downer" or "Grumpy Gracey" today. . . but unfortunately these days do come . . . and . . . Praise God . . . they do GO!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Look what Hanna learned to do after months and months of trying. . . my baby girl can blow a bubble now. After she learned to do this she must have blown 100 bubbles . . . no lie!

Celebrating the Ones I Love

I know this is a tad bit late . . . typical me . . . but I've been super busy. . . more than normal this week. I still didn't want the week to go by without posting about our Valentine's Day.

We made love notes for one another. Everyone had a heart with their name on it and we sent our hearts around the table for everyone to write something nice about one another.

Valentine's Day started off with this sweet little thing helping me make my yearly strawberry muffins . . . yep, it was a prepackaged mix . . . can't a girl have fun and let her hair down? *smile* My kids LOVE them. Honestly they are much better than the homemade ones I make, much lighter and sweeter. . .. not nearly the fiber though *grin*

The smell of the muffins woke this sweet thing up. He then went back to his room, grabbed his guitar, and serenaded all of us with a song. It went as follows:

"Happy Valentine's Day. Happy Valentine's Day. Happy Valentine's Day." You get the picture.

After breakfast the girls and I got all dolled up and my mother by marriage (you know I don't like the term mother-in-law) picked us up and carried us to a Victorian Tea Party. What fun! We learned about how tea time originally developed and proper tea etiquette and went on a tour of the amazing house it took place in. Sometimes I think I should have been born back in that era.

Next, we headed to a Fresh Market before going home. I must say I have never been to one and I was super-impressed! The smell of coffee when I walked through the door had me sold. We spent more time than we should. I got several things to make a special Valentine's Day meal for Jon and we picked up pizza for the kids.

For dinner I made Jona nd I grape tomatoes with feta cheese, baked sweet potatoes, salmon with fresh spinach and feta, and chicken breast with sun-dried tomato and feta. I thought the meal was super yummy; however, I have a hubby with simple taste. He actually liked the kids pizza better.

After dinner we headed outside for a silly string fight. Max joined in on the fun.

Truth-be-known it lasted all of 30 seconds, but it was a lot of fun. We then went inside and watched Madagascar 2. Super-cute movie! We put the kids in bed and Jon and I put on The Notebook. Can you believe neither one of us have ever seen it? I've read the book. The movie was so sweet . . . . a little depressing though. I told Jon that if he ever got Alzheimer's I would read him my blog. He then told me I might be the one to get it. W-H-A-T? He must not be listening to me when I tell him I will be teaching aerobics in the nursing home when I get old. Whatever. . . I did make him promise me though that if I get Alzheimer's he has to read my blog to me:)

Hope all of you had a wonderful day of celebrating the ones you love!!

Memorization Monday

Okay, so I'm cheating a little bit, it is really Tuesday, but I am back posting this for Monday. My memory verse for the week is:

"Daniel said, 'Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him.' Daniel 2:20

Peas, Carrots, and Roast Beef

Our dog, Max, loves to lay on his back and us rub his tummy. With the floppy jaws of an English bulldog his mouth will look like roast beef when he is upside down on his back. One day after we first got him, as Jon was rubbing his tummy, he said, "Let me see that roast beef." It just kind-of stuck with our family and so this is what we say when we rub his belly.

One day as Hanna was rubbing his belly she saw his boy parts. She told Jon, "Daddy, Max has peas, carrots, and roast beef." I'll let you guys use your imagination and decide which part is the peas and what part is the carrot. This is another one of those things that have just 'stuck' . . . Max has peas, carrots, and roast beef.

Yesterday we took him to get neutered. The day before Max was to go to the vet the kids had lots of questions about him getting neutered. I started explaining to them how it takes a male and a female to have a baby. A male has sperm and a female has eggs. A sperm has to fertilize an egg in order for a baby to be formed, and the vet was going to make it to where Max couldn't participate in having babies. . . . blah, blah, blah.

Yesterday morning, as we were hurrying to get out of the house to take him to the vet, the following conversation took place.

Alec: "Mom, are they going to cut Max's peas off?"

Me: "No, baby. They are going to leave his peas and his carrots. They are just going to kill the sperm."

Ash: "Yeah, Alec. They are just going to make it where he can't be a fertilizer."

**Shows you what I know . . . I've had a terrible "blonde" moment (I don't have a hint of blonde in my hair but I DO think like one) . . . . I just assumed neutering was like a vasectomy. After talking to my mom yesterday she informed me that "Yes, they do remove the peas." Oops! Better go tell the kids:)

I Came, I Saw, and I Conquered

THIS

What I refer to as Mount Vesuvius in our home. It is constantly being erupted with little and big hands trying to find their clean clothes (yes, these are all clean). However, the "lava" never gets put back up. It will just stay all over the ground, until I come and pile it all up again.

Laundry is the never-ending chore around here. . . between working, homeschooling, ballet, basketball, ballroom dancing lessons, swim practice, and church, it is so hard to stay on top of it. . . at least we're out living life, right?

But today, I went downstairs and saw it, but before I conquered it . . . it erupted with this little one hiding from her big sister.
I can keep up with washing and drying. It is just the folding and putting away part that is tough. Praise God it is all folded and put away now! Please don't judge me *smile*

My 100th post

In honor of my 100th post I have decided to celebrate by posting 100 random things about me. This was much easier than I thought it would be.



1. I play with my hair when I am tired.



2. I have always wanted to be a mom.



3. When I was little I always wanted to have glasses, braces, and a broken arm. I never had ANY of them.



4. I used to hate having red hair, freckles, and being tall and skinny as a teenager. Now those are the things I love the most about my appearance.



5. The beach is one of my most favorite places in the world to be. I can literally be out there from sunrise to sunset.



6. I love running. It is some of my best time with the Lord. It is the only time of day when I am all by myself. Running gives me time to pray and LISTEN. I love especially running outside where I can gaze at God's masterpiece of creation.



7. I grew up eating deer meat, squirrel, dove, and quail. My stepdad loves to hunt. I actually loved squirrel. One day my Granny told me it was a rat. I disagreed heavily with her, then looked it up in the dictionary. Beside the picture of a squirrel it said rodent. I have never eaten one since.



8. Well water is some of the best tasting water in the world to me.



9. I never could have imagined marrying a man as wonderful as Jon. He really is my Prince Charming and my best friend.



10. Jon and I met where we worked. He had graduated from college, and I was a freshman. He was my boss. We were great friends for a long time. At that point in my life I dated LOTS of people. I started dating this guy I really liked alot. Jon knew this. He decided to make his move. The rest is history!!!



11. Our first date was to The Roxy in Atlanta to see Candlebox. Honestly it really was not a very good date until it was time for him to take me home. I told him I was sorry that the date hadn't turned out so well, but I really valued his friendship and I didn't want anything to mess that up. He replied by asking if he could kiss me . . .



12. My parents divorced when I was 3 and my sister was 1. Growing up I resented this alot. I can remember telling God that if He'd make my parents get back together I would give up all of my Christmases for the rest of my life. Now, as an adult, I am glad they did. If they didn't, I would have grown up in a home where my dad was abusive to my mom. I would have never had the privilege of being loved by my stepdad, who means so very much to me. I love him as much as if he were my biological father. I would not have my little sister Kristen either.



13. I was a majorette in high school. My senior year I twirled knives.



14. I bleach my teeth way too much.



15. I obsess at times about exercise and food. I go through periods where I really have body image disorder and pick my body apart.



16. I love to laugh.



17. I love children, not just my own, but other children also.



18. When I found out I was pregnant the first time I knew I wanted a boy. I didn't grow up around boys very much and thought a boy would be lots of fun.



19. I gained 40 lbs. my first pregnancy and thought I'd be able to wear my regular blue jeans home. I actually packed them in my suitcase. Imagine how upset I was when I tried Jon's on and couldn't even wear his!!!



20. To lose my weight I wanted to take diet pills. Jon said no. I then had to learn about the healthy way to lose weight. . . . exercising and dieting.



21. I have white eyelashes and I look very different without my mascara on. It is the one makeup item I must have.



22. My mom has the best cooking in the world. I love going home to one of her home-cooked meals.



23. I love my stepdad dearly. He is such a great Papa to my kids. They all are just crazy in love with him. Nanna and Papa's house is one of my kids very favorite places to go.



24. I tend to keep myself busy. I think I thrive on busyness. I used to think it was b/c I had LOTS to do. I now think alot of things I create myself to keep busy. I struggle with what Beth Moore calls the "captivity of activity."



25. I watch really little TV. If I had to total my hours of TV watching in a week I would probably guess 2 hours or less, unless we pop on a family movie. I fall asleep easily in front of it.



26. All of my kids names have stories behind them. I love a good story!



27. The first apartment Jon and I lived in was a DUMP! I don't even think it had a name. I just remember calling it Mrs. Parker's apartments (that was the name of our landlord).



28. I love living close to my family, even though it is an hour away from my parents.



29. I wish my parents would move closer to us. I love the town we live in, and although I love going back and visiting my hometown, I would never want to move back there.



30. My mom married my stepdad when I was 5. The first memory I have of him is he bought Melissa and I a doll called, "Tippy Toes."



31. When I was little my Grandmama would tell Melissa and I that we would be the best of friends when we grew up. We fought like CRAZY with one another. I would tell Grandmama, 'NEVER, EVER'. . . . Grandmama was right.



32. I have great memories of my grandparents growing up. They instilled in me alot of the values I have to this day. Some of my favorite memories are . . . watching Braves baseball, The Price is right, Tom and Jerry, and Sanford and Son with my Papa, putting Dippy Do in his hair, painting his thick, yellow, crusty toenails (YUCK), waking up to the smell of my Grandmama's cooking, her listening ear when I was sad about my parents fighting, she always dolling Melissa and I up in pretty dresses, going to the nursing home with her to see my Great Grandmother.



33. A good salad is one of my very favorite foods. Growing up we had a salad at every meal.



34. I had never eaten chicken wings, feta cheese, or mayonnaise on saltine crackers until I met Jon.



35. I quit college with only 8 months and student teaching to go before having my Bachelors in Education to be at home with Alec. I have never regretted being a stay-at-home mom.



36. I never in a million years thought I would homeschool my kids.



37. I never knew I could love a dog like I love Max.



38. I wish I were more organized. Getting organized is not the problem. . . staying organized is.



39. I drink lots and lots of water, most always with lemon added.



40. I have to repent alot about my feelings for my Dad. I wish he would change. There are some days when I feel like his biggest cheerleader and others when I never want to see him again. I have to depend on the love of God to love him. He seems to get worse and worse as the years go by. I have always held onto this hope that he would get better.



41. I wish I talked to my little sister Kristen more. I wish I made more of an effort.



42. I would love to travel anywhere and everywhere. I have a taste for adventure.



43. Growing up I was a daredevil and afraid of very little. When I had Alec I became afraid of just about everything. I am slowly, but surely breaking free of that.



44. I have a selfish side of me. My children teach me about 'dying to self' everyday.



45. I drive a Yukon Denali that we call "Noah's Ark"



46. I have been to Disney World 8 times as an adult and once as a child.



47. I love to play board games or cards with my family.



48. I love to read.



49. I love blogging and reading blogs. I really need to control this addiction of mine.



50. I tend to be a very driven, motivated, and disciplined person. Those are all good traits; however, I tend to couple all of them with being stressed out. I wish I could be these things and still be carefree, silly, and laid back. . . . that is the balance I am trying to obtain.



51. I love Jesus with all of my heart, soul, strength, and mind. I truly don't see how people make it without Him!!!



52. I serve in the Children's ministry at church. This is where my heart is. I love each and everyone of those children dearly.



53. I straighten my hair with a straightener. If I don't, it will be frizzy-izzy and BIG!!!



54. I love laying out in the sun by the pool in the summer.



55. I love to paint rooms in my house. . . weird, huh?



56. Growing up we had these neighbors that we thought were so weird. . . . they homeschooled their kids, they put honey in their tea instead of sugar, they were very strict about what their children could see on television (including commercials) . . . . little did I know that I would turn out to be just like them!!!



57. I am grateful that I moved away from home. I miss my mom, but I believe moving away allowed me to grow and develop my own identity in ways I don't think I would have if I'd stayed at home and had the same environment, influences, friends, etc., as I did in high school.



58. I love to decorate.



59. I don't like cooking, but I think it is because my kitchen is super-tiny.



60. I started drinking my coffee black about 4 months ago and I love it.



61. I use coconut oil as a moisturizer.



62. I take off my makeup religiously every night. I started doing this once I read that it ages your face 3 days for every night you sleep in your makeup.



63. I am an avid flosser. If I don't floss my teeth before I go to bed it drives me crazy.



64. I very rarely dream at night. If I do, I don't remember them.



65. I wear way too much black.



66. I kiss and tuck my kids into bed every night.



67. I wake up during the middle of the night to check on them.



68. Then I get up at 4:00 a.m. to work.



69. Jon and I pray with our kids every night.



70. My constant prayer over my children is this, "Lord, where I fail them or others fail them in life, I pray you will use that for your glory." It helps me deal with "perfect mom syndrome."



71. My first name is Anna, and I am called by my middle name. I am named after my Granny (mom's mom) and my Dad.



72. I love to scrapbook and sew.



73. Very rarely do I remember mom cooking dessert growing up . . . it is probably why I could leave it or take it.



74. I will never forget the day I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I was 10-1/2 years old. It was in July. I told the lady at church who prayed with me that my Dad is on drugs. I can't remember a time in my life where I have not hurt for him.



75. I remember visiting my Dad one time in jail. My Grandmother, Faye, took Melissa and I to see him. She was a special, special lady. I named my Ashley after her. She taught me about the love of Jesus and took me to church and to Sunday School. I believe she is the one who instilled in me a love for children.



76. I picture myself growing very old and teaching aerobics in the nursing home.



77. Jon and I didn't have cell phones until 3 years ago. He hates monthly payments and we never had a need for them until we got into real estate. I think it was a happy day for Mama, Tiff, and Melissa when we got them!!!



78. We had a ski boat growing up and I LOVED to ski. I looked like a Q-tip on skis. These are some of my favorite childhood memories, being at the lake camping and skiing.



79. I have memories of my Dad being abusive to my mom and stepmom. He never ever was physical with us, but I remember being very afraid of him as a kid. My Grandmama and Papa's house was a safehaven for Melissa and I.



80. I have prayed many, many prayers over my Dad. I have fasted and prayed. I've prayed scripture over him. I've read books on spiritual warfare. About 2 years ago my prayer became very simple and has stayed that way, "Lord, please do your will in my Dad's life."

81. Jon and I always wanted 4 children, Hanna cured us of that.

82.. There are times when I feel my family is not complete . . . that thought really scares me! My mom would kill me!

83. I LOVE being a homeschooling mom and I wouldn't trade all the tea in China for it. Watching my children learn and grow is a precious gift from God.

84. I tend to overextend myself ALOT.

85. I tend to be a worrier. I have to take my thoughts captive to the truth - what God says in His word.

86. I am so addicted to coffee and really wish I wasn't.

87. My church has A LOT of ups and downs, and at times I get frustrated and am ready to throw in the towel and go somewhere else. . . I am thankful that Jon is a committed person. Our church is an extension of our family and I love each and every person there dearly.

88. Melissa, my sister, knows me better than I know myself. She can call me out on things in 2.2 that I would even deny to myself.

89. I love PEOPLE - all kinds, those who agree with me and those who don't,those who are like me and those who are not. I don't consider myself a judgemental person at all. People tend to energize me! I tend to make friends easily and am definitely a social butterfly.

90. When my children are grown I would love to be a personal trainer or teach aerobics at a senior citizen's center . . . to help people get healthy and be healthy . . . like Bob on Biggest Loser. I'm not tough enough to be Jillian.

91. I am a priss-pot. I love to wear my high heels - EVERYWHERE!!! I refuse to become a frumpy mom.

92. I hate going grocery shopping. I spend way too much money and have absolutely no fun doing it.

931. I love my Mom deeply and don't know what I'd do without her.

94. I love having a son. Most of the time I don't understand boys, but I love him to pieces.

95. I hope and pray as my children grow I will remain a steady and constant, positive influence and role model in their lives. I pray that our family of 5 will be the best of friends with one another for our whole lives.

96. I love to study the word of God. I would spend hours upon hours if my day would allow. Kay Arthur Bible studies are my favorites (they teach you to dig into the truth yourself and not rely on what a teacher says) and I really enjoy Beth Moore a lot too.

97. I have wonderful in-laws. I really don't like the word "in-laws". It sounds so forced to me, like you just HAVE to be family with someone. I prefer to refer to them as my "parents by marriage". They are wonderful, wonderful people and love me like one of their own. They teach me more about the love of God than they could ever know. I am very privileged to carry their last name. I feel the same way about my "sister by marriage" Holly. She's a great big sister and I look up to her and lover her just as much as Jon does. The same goes for my "brother by marriage", Lee. I love having a brother. He is such a great guy. I'm so glad he is happy.

98. I tend to overextend myself ALOT, and I have a hard time saying, "No."

99. I really like for people to like me and if they don't, it bothers me.

100. I love my girlfriends dearly. They mean so very much to me!

Memorization Monday

Here is a good time for some honesty. . . I didn't memorize my verses from last week. I got about as far as "wanton creature." Every time I got this far I started thinking about Chinese food, which grosses me out! Honestly I didn't make a whole huge effort. So, I am just going to use that one again for this week's verse. Here we go . . .


8 "Now then, listen, you wanton creature, lounging in your security and saying to yourself, 'I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or suffer the loss of children.'

9 Both of these will overtake you in a moment, on a single day: loss of children and widowhood. They will come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and all your potent spells.

10 You have trusted in your wickedness and have said, 'No one sees me.' Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, 'I am, and there is none besides me.' Isaiah 47:8-10

Gotta go Memorize!!!

More Kid Talk

Jon was not very happy with me and the girls this weekend. The house was a bit of a mess which normally doesn't bother him. But our house is on the market, so it is important it stay clean. He went through the house cleaning (which I do the majority of and the stressing out of). I couldn't help but get tickled at him being so grumpy about cleaning. In fact, I was in the bedroom giggling as softly as I could so he couldn't hear me. I was thinking, "At least I'm not the only one who gets grump when I clean house."

The girls very rarely see this side of Jon and were somewhat in shock. We got in the car (the girls and I) to head to Jon's parents house. Ashley was ranting and raving about how grumpy her daddy was.

Hanna: "Mom, are you and Daddy going to get a divorce."

Me: "No Baby. Just because Daddy and I disagree or get into an argument doesn't mean we don't love one another. We really aren't fighting. Daddy is just aggravated with Mommy. I'm not upset with him though. No, Hanna, we are not getting a divorce."

Hanna: "Well, if y'all do, I'm goin' live with you because Daddy is being mean."

After Jon was in a better mood, I told him about this. We both just laughed!! Art Linkletter was right when he said, "Kids say the darndest things."

Kid Talk

Ashley has held the heart of this one certain boy for as long as each of them could talk. Through the years he has told his mom often how Ashley is his girlfriend. When she would get a new haircut, he would notice, and tell his mom that he thinks she is pretty. We went to church with this family for about 5 years. This little boy's dad used to lead worship at our church. They have since left the church, so Ashley and this boy, whose heart she holds, see very little of one another. This little boy has a girl in his neighborhood that comes to his often to play. He's made it very clear to her that he has a girlfriend, and her name is Ashley. This little boy's name is Benjamin. Just a precious thing he is.

When I was leaving church today his Mimi stopped me and told me about the following conversation they had:

Benjamin: Mimi, I saw Ashley the other day at the basketball game and she was looking hot.

Mimi: Benjamin! You'd better not say that to her mother or she might get mad at you. That is not a word that a young boy should be saying.

Benjamin: Well, Mimi, what if I said Ashley looked like a foxy mama?

The Results are In

I have to say my bloggy girls really pulled it out for me . . . all but Tiff; no worries, Tiff, you're certainly forgiven *smile*. I said the couch was an olive green also. Jon is saying brown. I went all through different places on facebook and on my blog and tallied the votes.

Meredith, I counted your first vote, since it was your FIRST one and it agreed with ME!

Rhonda, I counted your vote as olive green too since it agreed with ME!

Melanie, your comment meant so much to me. I tried to find you in the bloggy world to let you know how very sweet you are, but I couldn't find you. Thank you for your encouraging words. I love that there is another mama out there wearing high heels and funky earrings to soccer games, ballet classes, and mommy & me classes! You make me smile!

Tiff, you were all over this girl. BUT, I only counted your vote once since it agreed with Jon.

Before I let y'all know what the color the sofa is based on the vote of the people I had to copy and paste this thread on facebook. It had me laughing so hard. It is really indicative of my personality because I can jump from one subject to a totally different subject in a matter of 2.2.

Nicole at 8:54am February 6
camel

Melissa at 9:02am February 6
It's kindof a tan with a greenish tint. Why?

Michele at 9:03am February 6
read my status

Melissa at 9:04am February 6
what color do you say it is?

Michele at 9:07am February 6
I'll tell later. I'm going to blog about it. Don't you dare call me a dork!

Scott at 9:09am February 6
I am thinking Tobacco.

Melissa at 9:10am February 6
I'm going to take a picture of my sofa today too. Who knows, I might blog about it.

Michele at 9:12am February 6
Scott and Melissa, y'all are so funny! I am laughing so hard right now!! I don't know what color tobacco is? My memory has escaped me from the time Melissa chewed it when she was in 2nd grade (she's my little sister, Scott)

Stephanie at 9:12am February 6
LOL at Melissa!! I think we should all take pictures of our sofas and blog about them!!

Tiffani at 9:12am February 6
taupeish/brown, dear.

Scott at 9:13am February 6
Tobacco is pretty much the color of..... your sofa!

Melissa at 9:13am February 6
me too. tiffani thinks your sofa is NOT green.

Melissa at 9:15am February 6
seriously, tobacco? it's not that dark. by the way michele that tobacco was peach flavored. james tempted me with the peach flavor. he just wanted to see if i'd throw up.

Tiffani at 9:15am February 6
I think it's a little lighter than tobacco, Scott. But, def. NOT greenish at all, Melissa! I'm sticking with TAUPE...it's a little darker than ACTUAL taupe but not dark enough for just BROWN!

Michele at 9:17am February 6
my kids are starving and i can't seem to pull myself away from this computer b/c y'all have me laughing so HARD!! Next week I'll post carpet samples for our new house

Scott at 9:18am February 6
Clarification... cigarette tobacco. No idea what peach flavored chewing tobacco looks like... EWWW!

Melissa at 9:18am February 6
i think i'm right. i have to stare at that thing while i'm laying on the chrisitan women's center mattress everytime i spend the night

Tiffani at 9:20am February 6
Melissa, PEACH tobacco may actually BE that color!! You Jones Co. girls are certifiable! :) That couch is in the DING DANG brown family no matter WHAT tobacco you chew!

Michele at 9:21am February 6
For the 200th time, Melissa, those mattresses DID NOT come from CWC. I bought them from Teresa. We see with the same eyes Melissa. It must be from all the deer, brains and eggs, squirrel and dove growing up . . . uh!oh! I'm telling WAY too much about our childhood!

Melissa at 9:21am February 6
i agree in the brown family, but it does have a green tint

Melissa at 9:22am February 6
or maybe it's our lack of all that yummy stuff as adults.(jk) you do know that when we came home i ate some squirrel just so i wouldn't seem snobby. never forget your roots:)

Michele at 9:24am February 6
Yuck. I can't muster up enough to do that since Granny told me it was a rat. Definitely has a green tint!

Tiffani at 9:24am February 6
Scott, while chewing tobacco is a bit darker, cigarette tobacco is more chocolate brown with hints of gold....this couch is not DARK...how can one look at this couch and not think "taupe"??? Melissa, however does have the upper hand while laying on the Thrifty Mattress, but mind you these girls drank the same water growing up... :)

Michele at 9:25am February 6
Well water that is!

Melissa at 9:26am February 6
definitely a green tint. I know. i was trying not to gag.

Michele at 9:27am February 6
Will you email me your profile pic, please Melissa? I want a copy of it so I can order an 8 x 10.

Melissa at 9:27am February 6
oh my goodness. i love mama's water. it's better than dasanti.

Melissa at 9:28am February 6
you want me just to upload it somewhere for you. the quality will be better.

Tammy at 9:28am February 6
Yall are cracking me up, Michele I hope you are getting the answers you are looking for (NOT)! I agree with Tif, its in the brown family. And if you chew tobacco you will turn green!!! :)

Melissa at 9:29am February 6
please go make my nieces and nephews breakfast. i can hear alec right now in that southern voice."mawma, we're starving"

Michele at 9:29am February 6
Upload it to Walmart.com. you know my password.

Michele at 9:30am February 6
Actually is it Hanna who is starving.

Tiffani at 9:30am February 6
TAMMY GOT IT!!!! You girls chewed the tobacco so that is WHY you see it GREEN!!!! hahahahahaha! And, Michele this stream of comments cannot be about emailing pics...we are on a roll here!

Michele at 9:31am February 6
Tiff you know how easily side tracked I get. For the record, I never chewed the tobacco, but I do remember Melissa throwing up from it.

Michele at 9:32am February 6
Scott, where are you? Is cigarette tobacco your story and you're stickin' to it?

Jennie at 9:35am February 6
brown

Melissa at 9:41am February 6
I uploaded that picture. It should be ready in an hour. I put for you to pay in store.

Michele at 9:43am February 6
Did you do an 8 x10? Sorry Tiff we've changed to subject on ya! Love you bunches though!

Terri at 9:49am February 6
Definitely camel...

Melissa at 9:49am February 6
yes, you should get an email confirmation

Haley at 10:42am February 6
Girl....who would have thought so many comments about ur couch color in such a short time. I am sticking with the dark khaki.............of light camel.

Melandie at 10:55am February 6
It's actually the same color as my living room sofas... it's brownish with a dark olive tint...(That's my official opinion)

Nicole at 11:02am February 6
Looks like a brown/green/yellow color

Nicole at 11:05am February 6
maybe take a picture without the red pillow...sometimes it can pick up hues from something else on top of it...maybe that's where the confusion is coming in LOL

Suzanne at 11:39am February 6
light brown....what a controversy!

Monica at 2:23pm February 6
I think I have those same pillows....but as for the sofa color...I am going with olive green with a hint of khaki!

Molly at 3:22pm February 6
My mama has these couches and, I definitely agree with the olive green part... I'd say med/lt coffee with olive green!!! Ya'll are too funny with all the "Wayside" talk... I grew up there too!!! Completely understand the well water and deer talk!!! DO ya'll remember Mac having the squirrel stew every year???

Christine at 6:26pm February 6
lol I asked Robin what color the sofa was, he's usually pretty good at colors, he looked and said "Gray or Brown or Tan". So much for his opinion

Christine at 6:53pm February 6
Here's my two cents worth - I'm going with warm golden brown

Christine at 6:53pm February 6
or.. that could be worn golden brown

Robin at 8:44pm February 6
that definitely has a greenish tint...i would not call it taupe

For the results. . . . drumroll please. . . the winner is . . . BROWN!!!! Jon won. Brown had 13 votes. Olive had 12. It was a close one. But, if anyone at all said greenish tint, I counted it as olive so it probably wasn't as close as it looks. I guess I've just discovered I'm color blind:)

Thanks for participating everyone. It was alot of fun!!! You all made me laugh!

Bloggy World I Need Your Help

This is the sofa in our downstairs family room. Jon and I have been debating on what color it is. I'm not going to tell anyone what we think until late this afternoon or tomorrow. I need y'all to tell me what you see. I've already posted this on facebook. If you're my friend over there go and read the comments on the album called debate. It will send you into a laughing fit. If I can figure out how to post it here I will do so later on today. I first want to see what you guys think.

Can you tell I am desperate for someone other than my sister to see it like I do?

Help me blog friends, help, help me blog friends.

FREEZE

Do you ever just wish you could freeze time? I do . .. quite often actually. My baby is growing up. Honestly, she gets away with far more than she should, but . . . she is the bbaaaabbyyyy, as I tell her probably more than I should.



I just can't believe this one is 5 years old. When Alec was 5 I can remember looking at him and thinking he was so grown up. But now that Hanna is 5 I look at her and I see a baby. Truth be known, I treat her like she is still a baby. I still hold her on my hip just like a baby. By the time Alec and Ash were 3 years old I always had another baby, so their days on the hip had subsided. Hanna, however, . . . I often think at 10 years old she can look at me and say, "Hold Me," and I'll scoop her up into my arms on put her on my hip.



This past Saturday at Ash's basketball game this precious little girl of mine fell asleep in my arms. I cradled her like I did 5 years ago when she was a mere infant. I kissed her forehead many, many times throughout the ballgame, just like I did when she was a baby. I just looked at her and admired her precious chubby cheeks.



The 3rd child. . . that easy going one. After all, they hardly ever get their way. They don't make demands of anyone because they know better . . the 1st and 2nd children are always doing that. They do a great job of entertaining themselves . . . after all, #1 and #2 get so much attention from Mom and Dad that if the 3rd child wants to have any fun at all . . . they have to learn to have fun all by themselves. Jon is a 3rd born . . . just like our Hanna . . . Me? a 1st born. Maybe that is why I am so uptight and he is so easygoing?



Very rarely does Hanna ever get the both of us by herself. Well . .. this weekend Alec and Ash both have sleepovers to go to. We are going to make this night so special for Hanna Boo, and I CAN'T WAIT! I asked her today what she wanted to do. Poor thing . . . she jotted out a list so quickly, I think she's been waiting for this moment her whole life. Here it goes . . .

• Go see Hotel for Dogs.


• Paint on paper.


• Paint on paper plates.


• Do some crafts that are in our craft closet.


• Play with sidewalk chalk.


• Make brownies (so she can wear her new apron -Thanks Aunt Melissa)


• Make cookies

I don't think she realizes it will be tough to squeeze this all in, but you'd better believe this overextender, overachiever, doesn't like to say no to anyone (this includes my kids), Mom,is going to do my best. I just am going to soak her up like a dried out sponge. I can't wait!!!

Tagged . . . .You're it

I've been tagged by my bloggy friend, Bella.

Here are the rules:

1. Go to the the 4th folder where you keep your pictures on your computer.

2. Post the 4th picture in the folder.

3. Explain the photo.

4. Tag 4 fellow bloggers to join in the fun!



Okay . . . this picture. Unfortunately I feel it is pretty boring. My husband flips houses for a living. Yes, just like the flipping shows you see on TV. This is one of the houses he has flipped and, Praise the Lord, he has sold. I am his real estate agent. This is one of the pictures I took to put on the MLS.



Since I feel this is a boring picture, I'll dispel some of the "myths" about flipping and add some extra truth:

• It is not as glamorous as TV makes it looks. It is very hard work and very, very stressful. Around here people go around stealing the air conditioning units of vacant houses, so just about every home we buy we ALWAYS have to put a new unit in. . . it stinks b/c that sucks up about $4000 worth of potential profit.


• The profits are NEVER as good as what TV makes them out to be. What they don't include on the TV shows are taxes, insurances, carrying costs, agents fees, taxes you have to pay on the money. Even though I am a real estate agent I still have to pay my broker, and almost always there is another agent involved. Therefore, they have to be paid too. The money is good, just not as good as television makes it out to be.


• I happen to be the maid for most of our houses. At times I've really hated this b/c some of the houses are just plain nasty. But, this gives me the opportunity to pray for the family who lost their home to foreclosure. I pray for God to bless them. I pray for their salvation. I also pray for God to send new buyers and for God to bless them and for their salvation also.


• It really stinks when you get tired of the same paint color you use and then you change it. . . only to find that you hate the new color and decide to go back to the old color.


• We are better buyers than sellers. We tend to give in a bit much to the buyers. . . . desperate real estate markets call for desperate measures which sucks into profit.


• I pray the market picks up soon. God has been very faithful to us and our business though. Times are tough, but they certainly could be much, much tougher.

Any questions, please feel free to ask.

Okay, as far as me tagging 4 people, I'm going to bend the rules a bit. I tag anyone who has read this. Leave me a comment though and let me know you are going to do it, so I'm sure to pop over and check out your picture.

Memorization Monday

Yesterday, after months of God probing my heart, I finally started Beth Moore's study on the book of Daniel. I really love Kay Arthur's Precept-upon-Precept studies. You dig into God's word for yourself and search for truth. She guides you through it, but you certainly rely more on the Holy Spirit to lead you. I just happen to learn best this way. I do love Beth Moore though. Months and months ago I did Kay Arthur's Bible study on Daniel. It is divided into 2 parts. I completed the first one and now I am going to do Beth Moore's part 1 of Daniel. I just want to know God's word back and forth, upside and downside. After completing Beth Moore's part 1 of Daniel, I will then study part 2 of Daniel with Kay Arthur, and then go back to Beth Moore for Daniel part 2.

With that being said, my memory verse for this week is a long one, but I know I can do it. It is what Beth is referring to as the Babylonian motto:

8 "Now then, listen, you wanton creature, lounging in your security and saying to yourself, 'I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or suffer the loss of children.'
9 Both of these will overtake you in a moment, on a single day: loss of children and widowhood. They will come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and all your potent spells.
10 You have trusted in your wickedness and have said, 'No one sees me.' Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, 'I am, and there is none besides me.' Isaiah 47:8-10

One thing Beth encourages us to do is fast from something worldly. During this particular study she fasted from rich meats and invited us to join in if we felt led. I certainly felt led to fast during something worldly, just not meat. I don't feel that is sacrificial enough since I can be pretty disciplined when it comes to eating.

God laid on my heart that I needed to fast from buying clothes. My clothes-buying addiction is almost as bad as my coffee addiction. I know I have mentioned several times in my posts that when I look in my closet sometimes I feel ashamed of how many clothes I have, and I'm a stay-at-home mom for crying out loud!!!!

The hardest thing for me to resist with clothes buying are bargains. I'm so seriously addicted!!! I don't spend much money on things, I just happen to buy more than I should. I can find any excuse to buy a new clothing and/or accessory item.

This is where I need you guys. I'm studying Daniel solo. My church is doing Esther, but I couldn't participate corporately because of Alec's swim practice; but, I didn't feel led to participate at home either. God has really been leading me to do Daniel for quite a while now. That being said, you guys have to keep me accountable. When I do my memorization Monday blog I will let you know how I'm doing. If I don't, comment and ask me, PLEASE!!! I need so badly this accountability. For my friends who see me, if I have something that looks like it is new on - CALL ME OUT on it!!!

So, for the next 12+ weeks my closet will remain as is. I know some of my clothes will get tired from being worn so much. I know some of them will be itching for new friends to come in and join them. I know some of them will cease being lonely since some have never been worn. The hardest time will be when spring hits . . . oh no. . . . maybe I can study Daniel on super-speed *smile* Just Kidding!!!

The Celebration Continues

Please don't think I'm self indulgent about my birthday, but I DO LOVE birthdays . . . not just mine, anyones. . . I'm a girl who loves to celebrate life. But I do promise this is the VERY LAST post about my birthday . . . that is until next year!

Thursday, my dear, sweet friend Jennifer had us over. She made my very favorite birthday cake, salad, and chicken salad. She always makes me a cake and birthday meal every year. She is such a dear friend, and I love her to pieces. We had lots of good girl talk and hopefully we will carry through with a few of the MANY things we talked about. Jennifer is my only friend who is actually taller than me . . . I like to refer to her as my "tall" friend.

Yummy birthday cake. The icing is to die for.
Me and Jennifer

Silly Faces

Saturday some other friends of mine and I went out to celebrate again . . . this time Mexican . . . oh so yummy to my tum-tum-tummy! We had lots and lots of laughter . . . the kind that makes your stomach hurt.

Julie, Steph, Lisa

Candis, Me, and Tiff

My friends like to tease me about how I turn my head to the side when I have my picture taken. They say it is like a beauty pageant pose. So . . .

I did it even more so than before to ham it up a bit.

Julie and Tiff look so pretty in their pink and black

The Gray Girls (believe it or not, none of this was planned)

Crazy, and I do mean, crazy, Stephanie . . . Between she and Candis there was NEVER, EVER a dull moment. These girls are the life of the party and make me laugh like crazy. This was Lisa's first time I with us. I hope she wasn't too overwhelmed. I hope she'll go out with us again for Tiff's birthday in a few weeks.

I don't know at what part of the night they told the Mexican band I was there to celebrate my birthday. . . . maybe it was on one of my five trips to the bathroom. I laughed so hard if I didn't go frequently I probably would have tee-teed (mommy language) in my pants.

When the band was finished playing I asked the singer if he could take a picture of me and all of my friends. Well. . . I guess he didn't understand English b/c he just stood behind me and smiled:)

The girls informed me that I wasn't supposed to ask the band to take our pictures . . . whatever!!

I think we spent about 4 hours there. We celebrated like crazy. Thank you girls for such a great night. I asked that there be no presents . . . I just wanted us all to get together. . . NONE of them followed the rules. Here is a breakdown of what I got.

• Tiff - a very fashionista monogrammed necklace and "Joy Jar" . . . more on the joy jar later. It deserves a post on its own. Thanks Tiff!
• Lisa - a soft brown blanket (matches my bedroom) and a candle in a beautiful jar . . . she said it was for me to curl up with a good book and light a candle and relax . . . Thanks Lisa!
• Julie - a candle for my home office. . . actually my new favorite kind of candle. Thanks Julie. I'll be thinking about you when I light it up in the early hours of morning. It helps me to relax and not be so high strung while I'm working. Thanks Julie!
• Steph - 3 cute necklaces and matching earrings - Girl you never disappoint me with the accessories . . . you and your ever so stylish self. You know I'm always checking you out so I stay stylish. Thanks Steph!
• Candis - 3 very cute pair of earrings . . . One pair is actually a color that I was about to buy for myself. Key ring holder. Just about everytime I'm on the phone with Candis I can NEVER find my keys. What a perfect gift . . . she told me I had to hang my keys there for a month. I love it. Thanks Candis!
• Jennifer- although I celebrated with Jennifer earlier in the week she got me a Busy Mom's Guide to Wisdom by Lisa Welchel (I just love her) and a calender big enough to keep up with my crazy schedule. Thanks for your thoughtfulness Jennifer!

God has blessed me with wonderful girlfriends. I have such special stories and friendships with each one. I love you all dearly!!! I can't wait for Tiff's birthday for our next night out. I think Tiff decided it would be Crackle Barrel . . . we'll see though.

The end to a fun, fun night

The girl taking our picture was so much fun. She told us we had to do a sexy pose. So here we are being sexy - Lisa and Steph were doing a great job. The rest of us just looked like a bunch of goofballs!