How to Celebrate Turning 4!!!!

Have you Mama make you a Super Mario cake, made as preservative-free as possible. . . because right after Jesus, you love Mario best.

Invite your cooler, older cousin who can sometimes aggravate the mess out of you. . .

Have your sweet sister and cousin gaze at your cake and wonder what a cake made with goat's milk is going to taste like.

Gaze at the pretty candles. . . can't wait to blow them out. . .

A little smoke, but not nearly the smoke from Uncle Jon's birthday party a couple of weeks ago.

Open your Mario book bag from super cool, Aunt 'Chele and Uncle Jon. Trying to pretend like you were surprised and 'you'd wanted this your whole life' because you saw your present earlier in the day.

Hoping your preggo Aunt KiKi doesn't eat all the birthday cake.

Having Nanna and Papa and Nana T. come and celebrate 4 years of your life.

Hoping Aunt 'Chele will stop calling you "Beans". . . knowing that nickname came from a surprise of Mom's 30th birthday. . . 'cause you spilled the beans. . . with "Aunt 'Chele out there".

You know Aunt 'Chele has to ham up a picture. . .

Having a sweet Mama that worked so hard all day to get your birthday party ready. . . on top of having some health issues. . .

Being a sweet boy and letting the girls play your new monkey game you got for your birthday. . .although the grownups did decide it must be a game that trained terrorists. . . pretty scary for a bunch of kids. . .

Forgiving your Aunt KiKi when she fusses at you because SHE wants to be Mario at YOUR birthday party.

We all love you so much JS!!! Happy Birthday Buddy!

P.S. Melissa, please don't KILL me for putting these pictures on here!

Random Thoughts

No catchy title here. Just wanting to document and remember some things going on in our lives right now.

• I'm putting Noah's Ark for sale today. Gas is way too high, especially since I've wanted to escape to SSI over the last 2 weeks and spend the whole summer down there. I actually told Jon the kids and I may head down there without him. He said it was okay. He's super swamped with getting a house on the market. However, I couldn't leave him. My own self-induced guilt couldn't go to our very favorite place on earth without the love of my life. . . so, here the kids and I stay.. . sorry, I digress. . . back to Noah's Ark. She's super clean and we've put her at a really awesome price. If she sells GREAT, if she doesn't that's GREAT too, 'cause she really is my dream car :).
• Back to SSI. . . We are going to SSI in about a month or so with some of our dearest and closest friends. I'm so excited about that I could literally do cartwheels around my house. It's our family and 3 other families. I wish we could ALL just spend all summer down there!!!!
• I've been a little blue the last few days. I really am not a "blue" kind of girl. I feel pretty happy most of the time. Thing is, I wish I could blame it on PMS. . . can't though. . . I really wish I could just pinpoint what it is. I am feeling a little better as the day goes on, but I still feel like a little dark cloud is following me around.
• I'm really grateful for the time I've gotten to spend with my parents lately. Between helping them move and riding to my nephew's birthday party (2 hours away), I've really gotten to be with them alot. I'm so very blessed to have a Mama like I do. She loves me to absolute pieces. . . even at the ripe age of 33. . . and will drop anything and everything she's doing in a heartbeat for me. She'll also shoot it to me straight!!! We've had a lot of fun over the last couple of weeks.
• Jon and I have a really big decision to make by Friday morning. Any and all prayers for wisdom and discernment will be appreciated. I'm so thankful for the people who are carrying this burden with us. I love y'all!!!!
• I'm loving the once-a-month cooking meals I did with my friend Jennifer. It is wonderful to just pull something out of the freezer and pop it in the oven. It's allowed me to sneak in watching "Glenn Beck" while dinner is cooking.
• Although our life is really in such disarray right now, I don't know if Jon and I have ever been as close to the LORD as we are now. We are growing and things are certainly being thrown our way to test us. He sent me a text today that said, "I luv you now more than ever." (I don't say that in a boastful way. . . I just want to remember it when I'm old and gray).
• I'm thankful that God is confirming over and over again a call He has placed on my life. I'm the kind of girl that needs reassurance like that.
• I'm learning to listen more intently to the Holy Spirit. . . knowing that when I make "excuses" for something. . . then more than likely I have no business doing it. Sometimes I can be pretty hard headed.
• We're finished with school and have had some lazy days here at home. It's been great, but I do like to stay busy (maybe why I'm blue?!?). I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE POOL TO OPEN!!!!
• I wish I was the person to invent silly bands. These people are making a killing. . . gotta be. . . b/c my kids have bought enough to last them the rest of their lives.
• I love how last week my sweet Ashley came to me and said, "Mama, I really want to study my Bible. I just don't know where to start." She and I've started a Bible study this week. I pray my kids always want to know God's will and God's ways.

Enough for now. I think I may whip out my sewing machine today, or maybe not?!? Maybe I'll read a book?or work on a 500 piece puzzle with the kids?or take a bike ride? or ALL of the above? Ohh. . . I feel my blueness leaving me as I get geared up for busyness. . . ha!ha! Not really, just tryin' to be funny. I'm telling you this, I don't like this feeling of BLUE!! I'm hoping it will shake from me soon.

Oh No, it's the Big 4-0!!!!

When 2010 hit I knew this was the year Jon would be turning 40. I'm a birthday girl. I LOVE THEM!!! But, the big birthdays. . . I especially love!!





So in January I started thinking and planning what I would do to celebrate. A surprise party really isn't Jon's cup of tea. You see, unlike his darling wife, he does not like to be the center of attention. But, my man loves to vacation.





So. . . I started checking into cruises. Oh baby, I picked out this 5 night cruise to Mexico!!! I started savin up my money. . . and BAM. . . no dice. Unfortunately, we have to scrimp and save every single penny we have right now.





However, I couldn't just let his 40th birthday come and go and not CELEBRATE in a very big way.





The next thing that came to my mind was a surprise party.





Now, there is no way I could've pulled off this thing on my own. I had LOTS of help.





Doug helped me get him out of the house and back into the house.


My mom made the cake.


My dear friend, Lisa, made MOST of the food. She loves to cook and was glad to do so. Everyone LOVED all of her goodies. She clearly outdid herself.


Jon's parents came and made sure my yard looked good. They weeded my flower beds, picked up limbs, etc.


I had other friends offer to help bring something, but I really wanted this to be an event that everyone could just sit back and enjoy. However, when they all got here, I did put them to work -Hee!Hee!





Remember, a few years ago when I planned to surprise him with a trip to Grove Park Inn (can you tell I like surprises?). Remember he found out?!?! I can hardly ever surprise the man, even with a Christmas present. So, I really wasn't too sure how I'd ever pull this thing off. I really felt like Sherlock Holmes except rather than trying to solve a mystery, more like create one.





THE PLAN





I knew Jon would be suspicious as soon as he saw cars in the driveway. I'm all the time having get-togethers here at the home. The day before his party was the big homeschool conference. I told him some moms were coming over to discuss what they bought at the conference. To not make me a liar, Lisa and Faith and I DID discuss what we bought.





Doug scheduled for he and Jon to run at his house at 3:30 that afternoon. He left the house. I screamed to all the kids (we had 2 of the kids' friends here with us), "Operation Surprise Party is in Effect." We all started boogying. . . pulling out decorations (from suitcases, cabinets in the garage, hiding place in the laundry room), putting out food, putting out plates/cups/napkins. I was bubbling with excitement.





Everyone started arriving. I put just about everyone to work. I everyone park on the side lot of our house other than just a few cars Jon would expect to see.





When Jon and Doug were finished running Doug texted me to let me know they were on their way. Jon's sister arrived just in the nick of time. She literally got here just a minute or two before they got here. When I saw her car, I ran and said, "Come in, quickly. They're coming."





We all anxiously go into our kitchen 'cause I knew Jon would come in the back door. He walked in.


We all yelled S-U-R-P-R-I-S-E!!! He said at this point he was thinking, "What are we celebrating?"

After greeting everyone he ran upstairs to take a shower. I followed him to make sure he wasn't going to divorce me.

Here are lots of pictures from the party. They are in no particular order.

My sweet nephew started hiding as soon as they got here. Bless his sweet heart. After about 45 minutes he started to give up. He wanted so badly to jump out and yell surprise!

Check out Hanna's tongue as she's eyeing the cake!

Those are 40 candles. . . trick candles. . . which means FUN!!!!

The kids and I put a tribute to Jon on poster board. . . a "Jon through the years".

Some of the decor that hung from the ceiling.

Hanna and my sweet niece. My sister drove all the way from Columbia, SC that day.

Putting them to work. I have such GREAT friends!

Mama and the girls putting candles on the cake.

Lisa, Ms. Chef Extraordinaire, made Jon's favorite dessert. There were 2 of these. See the "4" spelled out with grapes? The other one had an "O".

One of the tables of food.

More food. . . See the girls in the background? This is where we were looking to watch for him to arrive.

Me and Gigi (Jon's mom). She's so precious and wonderful!! I'm so very blessed to have wonderful in-laws. Gigi also brought a good bit of food. She has a thing with these hats these days. She just got back from SSI and has several of these in all different colors. Must be an island thing?

A little mingling before the party.

Sweet girls.

Me and my sister-in-law, Holly. Doesn't she and Jon look a lot alike? I think Hanna favors her alot.

More 40 decor.

Jon and Doug. . . a pair of "deuces".

Me and Lisa. Such a precious friend to me! Lis, I COULD NOT have done this party without you!!!

Lisa and Tim. . . They were Jon and I's first friends when we moved to Griffin (or Jon moved back). I just loved had God has kept us together all these years. . . what is it? 11 or 12 years now?

Me and my sweet friend Jen G. I am so blessed by her friendship and her family.

Nanna and Hanna

Darren and Karen. Really sweet people. Darren and Jon are in the same core group together. I just started getting to know Karen at the pool last year. Very sweet folks.

My parents.

Jon and Greg. This is Jen. G's hubby.

Melissa took so many pictures for me. Thanks girl!

Holly, Jon, and Lee. Jon is the baby.

Jon and his best friend, Stacey. They've been friends since ???, well since they were little. Stacey was in our wedding. He lived above us in our first apartment. He's like family.

Holly and Granddaddy. A precious, precious picture!

Meanwhile, my brother-in-law, channeled his inner kid and kept alot of the kids busy outside playing football. My friend, Jennifer B's, son said, "Mama, I really liked him. He was so much fun. He's like a big kid."

What happens when you blow 40 trick candles out again and again? You get a smoky room.

Jon wanted Alec to help him blow them out. Alec blew out his gum on the cake. . . gross!

40 candles sure will light up a dark room.

The Birthday Boy

Candace, Angela, Suzanne

Barron, Greg, and Tripp

Jon, Melissa, Doug

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????

That's exactly how I feel about our life right now. Nevermore in Jon and I's married life have we ever felt like we were just wondering. . . with no direction. . . no guidance .. . no clue to how this thing is going to turn out.

Last week he and I were very excited. About 1-1/2 months ago a friend of his had offered him a job. Jon was hesitant. . . first, because he didn't want their friendship affected in a negative way (often times business and friendships don't mix). . . second, because he was really hoping to get a teaching job. Over the course of the last month and a half he and I have been praying about it. Well last week Jon told his friend he'd take that job if it was still available. . . it wasn't!!! Shoot! Until Tuesday. . . on Tuesday a guy walked into his office and quit. We just knew that was God.

Although this was not the ideal job. . . we didn't care. Jon just needs a job. This came at teh perfect time, as we have 1-1/2 months worth of salary left in our business. On Wednesday I got an email from a friend of mine who is a vice principal at a school telling me she was sorry about Jon, but they've been put on a hiring freeze for all TAPP applicants.

Jon and I just took this as another sign that God must want him to work for our friend. We both started dreaming about having a steady income once again. Everyone who is self employed knows it is either feast or famine. . . we've been okay up to this point. . . but we're getting on teh brink of famine here.

On Monday Jon's friend told him his boss wouldn't let him do anymore hiring. We were both just crushed. . . so very thankful for our friend, yet still crushed.

So, here we are again. Jon just paid himself for the 2nd part of May. We literally have 1 month's salary in the bank. Even if I worked 40-50 hours a week with my job, I wouldn't make enough to support our household. On top of that, I made some mistakes with an account I was on. . . my boss had to take me off of it. Honestly, at the time I was kind of glad. It was a very demanding account and it really stresed me out. However, this morning I have a total of 70 lines. I've bascially gone from 1200 lines a day to 70 lines (I'm paid by the line).

Jon is applying for jobs all over our state . . . everything from a car salesman to a cable technician to a commercial/consumer credit analyst. He's taken a test for a bank examiner with our state (which he passed with flying colors). He has his bachelor's degree in finance and has a wide range of experience in both consumer and commercial credit. He also has project management experience. I would be devastated if we had to move. . . but we've gotta do what we've gotta do.

He does have a house that is about to go on the market (hopefully). In July/August we have a house that we are leasing that should be purchased. Although our profit on this house isn't very much we put a good bit of our own money in it, so we should get a good bit of money when it closes. We're also going to probably put our house on the market. We got it at such a good deal, if it were to sell, we would make a pretty good profit.

So, here we are. I have NO idea what God is up to. I have NO idea in what direction we are heading. I have precious friends and family who are praying for us, which I am forever grateful for. Last night Jon came home for working on his house. I could tell he is just very heavy. This is not like him. He is normally very easygoing and "happy go lucky".

I keep reminding myself of how God provided the manna for the Israelites daily. He didn't "stock their accounts up". God has shown and proven Himself faithful to our family over the years, and I know He will this time. Now, how His faithfulness will come, I have absolutely NO idea, but I know that it will.

I can't wait to see how this story unfolds. . . Meanwhile, we are trusting, thanking, and loving our LORD!!!

The Busy Booger

She's been with me since I was 22 months old. I think my first words about her were, "Mama, get that baby out of my bed." We played a lot together as little girls.. . riding bikes, riding 4-wheelers (one time I actually ran over her head), jumping on the trampoline, playing Nintendo, watching TV, being at football games together (I was a majorette. She was on the drill team), going to the mall, stealing one another's clothes. We also fussed and bickered and even said we hated one another growing up. I'm the big sister she's always looked up too. She's the little sister who's loved me unconditionally. . . without fail.

We've fought over friends growing up. We even once dated the same guy (not at the same time). We've been mistaken as twins more times that we can count.

I remember my Grandmama telling me when I was a teenager, "One day you girls will be the best of friends." . . . "I'm NEVER going to be her friend," I said to her in my snottiest, brattiest voice.

Grandmama was right!!! She is one of the dearest and closest things to my heart. She can make me spit fire mad in a heartbeat. . . yet I'd give my very life for hers, without hesitation, in a heartbeat. I hurt when she hurts. I've cried more tears over her in the last 2 years (because of the pain she has gone through) than she'd ever know. I'm excited when she's excited. . . and when the two of us are together there is unmistakable bond between the two of us.

We can be in a room full of people and never speak 2 words to one another, yet it is known how close we are. We can be the silliest of the sillies when together or the serious of the serious. I safe with her. I always know she's on my side and she ALWAYS has my back!

About a week ago for 2 weeks prior to that I was super busy.. . more so than normal. I was trying to get ready for a homeschool fair plus pull off a surprise birthday party. You'd think I could have at least called her and said, "I love you. I'm sorry I'm so busy. I can't wait to see you."

Instead, she'd call me, and I'd be snappy. Ugggh, I so HATE that about myself. When I get in "so busy I can hardly think" mode, I tend to be snappy and snotty and just a plain booger to those I love most. . . I remember even snapping at my mom one morning. The next time she called I apologized for being a busy butthole (that is such an ugly word in my house).

So last week things were back to normal between the two of us. Sometimes talking 4 to 5 times a day, other times going a few days without talking. . . As we were "catching up", she told me, "I just cried to Scott telling him how much I missed you. I know you were busy, but I missed talking to you."

Let me tell you. . .

This BROKE.MY. HEART.!!!!

I told her how very sorry I was I made her cry and apologized for being such a booger when I'm so busy. I hate to the very core of my being hurting someone's feeling. This may sound honorable, but, trust me, I'm so guarded about other people's feelings, it is almost a character flaw on my part.

Thank goodness she loves me without fail. Otherwise, because of my ugliness, she'd written me off the first time she slept in my baby bed.

I love you Melissa!!! I promise from now on I won't get too busy to talk to you (Mama, that goes for you too:))

P.S. I also have a little sister, Kristen. I love Kristen dearly too. She and I both stay so busy and "get that" about one another. There I go, not wanting to exclude or hurt anyone's feelings, so I just wanted to tell Kristen (if you read this) I love you dearly and always love talking to you (even though it isn't as frequent as Mama or Melissa). You are my "bibbity, bobbity, boo".