SSI

Our home away from home. We are so very thankful for Jon's parents and their graciousness to let us come anytime to SSI. Not only are they gracious, but when they are there with us Gigi cooks for us the entire time. We are so blessed by them.

Usually this time of year even at the beach is too cool for water, so I planned things to do that wouldn't require our bathing suits.

Mr. Weather had a different idea. It turned out being in the 80s. We did make it to the pool, but this Mama in High Heels didn't get in. I curled up in the sunlight with a good book one day and the other I watched Jon and the kiddos play. When I saw their lips quivering b/c they were so cold I knew then the ice box of a pool was.not.for.me. I did laugh at them though as they played. There was one time when I was afraid Jon might overpower me and throw me in. . . thankfully, he didn't!!!!

One of the things I had planned was letterboxing. We took Gigi and Grandaddy with us.

The first series had 6 different letterboxes in its series.

This is what Grandaddy was doing. . . he loves Cookie!

Here's Jon reading the clues. I really think Jon likes it as much as I do. . .

Hanna found the 2nd one.

See how hot it is. We walked from their condo and ended up walking much more than we expected.

Gigi would take us on "shaded" routes, which meant longer. . .

Here's the 3rd one

This is how Cookie letterboxes. . .

Gigi and the kiddos. . .

Here's Ash finding the next letterbox.

Cookie's cooling off again. . . poor dog never gets walked or anything. . . this walk was the walk of his lifetime. We were all too pooped to pop and were so very grateful when we saw this sign. . .

The next day we headed over to Jekyll to "Driftwood Beach". . . all of these cool trees are just growing up on the beach. Scott told Jon and Alec that the next X-men is supposed to be filmed here or something. . .

This was just amazing to me! Jon and Grandaddy.

See this sundress I'm wearing. Jon bought it for me before we left for SSI. We were in a store and he said, "Come here. I really like this. What do you think?" I told him I liked it so he told me to get it. His thoughtfulness just warmed my heart.

Hanna Boo is the "one who wants to be me" (as her Daddy says). . .so any attempt to get my sunglasses she's going for it!!!!!! My and my mini-me!

The boys . . . 3 generations here!

Back when we got over to SSI there was another letterbox I wanted to find. This one had 3 in the series. The very first clue we read had a movie line on it. Alec said, "Mom, that's what they say on Princess Bride. All of the clues and stamps were around this movie. We love it Princess Bride! INCONCEIVABLE!!!!!!!

I was so excited Jon liked it and got into it with us.

Poor Grandaddy. He grabbed Gigi's shoes going out the door. His poor feet. He was such a good sport about it. Bless his sweet heart. He is doing so much better though!

Here's another letterbox!!!!

The kids out in front of the marsh!

They had to look under this bench for the 3rd box. . . i kinda got the heebijeebees b/c I thought "What if there is a snake under there?"

Normally we love ZuZu's ice cream. However, move over ZuZu's there's a new kid in town. . . MooCow ice cream. In the 4 days we were there we had ice cream twice. The first day I had avocado. . . it was really good! They had this one flavor of bacon. . . I sampled it . . . GROSS! Some things you just don't mix together and bacon and ice cream is one of those things.

Next, we headed over to East Beach (we knew the crowds wouldn't be there) and went to fly kites. . .

I just love feeling my toes in the sand . . . goodbye shoes!!!!!!

Grandaddy and I hung out and "people-watched" Jon and the kiddos.

When we got back home this is what awaited us. . .

Gigi had a scrumptious dinner ready and waiting on us. She's wonderful, isn't she????

Wordy Wednesday

**As Jon and I are planning our trip to Sodom and Gomorrah (more on this later) we have researched 2 things so far. . . well I guess you could say 2-1/2 . . . restaurants and running trails. . .Our hotel is like a 5-star resort, so I could probably never leave it and be completely fine. At the hotel is also where Jon's school/conference is taking place. They have some really cool running trails. . . one is through a canyon (how cool would that be?). However, there was a warning to be aware of coyotes. . . YIKES!!!!!!! I might have to borrow Faith's bear bell. You think a coyote would stay away if he heard a bear bell? The other 1/2 thing we searched were shows. . . YIKES again at how pricey they are. . . we probably won't take any in. . . that's okay, I'm just excited about having 5 days with my hubby no matter where we are;) However, I have requested that we go and see an "Elvis Chapel" b/c I'm a dork and I really, really (I'm serious about this) want to watch "Vegas Vacation" (national lampoon) before we go. We're a little like the Griswold's so maybe they could give us a few ideas. More on all this later though.

**Remember my Monday's To-Do List? Well, I only accomplished a little over half of that on Monday, a little more on Tuesday, and plan to mark everything off and throw that bad-boy in the trash today!

**I've been thinking about going back public on my blog. . . only b/c Jon likes to read my posts (he says its the only way he knows what's going on in our lives. . .ha!ha!). However, although I've invited him to be a reader, he can't figure out how to get here. I think I've figured out how to make my pictures so they can't be copied and pasted. . .something happened before that threw up red flags (that's why I went private) from a creepy guy who started "following" me (on my blog, not in real life). Plus, Melissa made me a little paranoid about it.

**I'm so glad I'm back in the habit of talking with Mama in the mornings. We used to talk, if not every morning, then every other morning. Work got so incredibly busy for me that I stopped having time to talk. I'm grateful things have slowed down some and I get to talk to her in the mornings.

**I've been trying to pursue my dad more (both in prayer and in just having more of a relationship with him). Our relationship is so surfacey. After we talk about his work, my work, what the kids have been doing. . . there's nothing left. Often times I feel so bad about this. My dad was a great dad growing up (as good as you can be not being a Christian and only seeing us 2 weekends a month). I think he loved the fact he provided us with worldly goods (my mom and stepdad hardly had any $$$) and that we needed him. I think he feels we don't need him anymore since we both are married and have husbands???? Who knows??? I have 2 accountability partners who are holding me accountable for this. I left him a message, but he hasn't called me back. This Saturday is Grandmama's b-day celebration. I'm sure he'll be there, but I've already made plans. . . so Melissa and I are taking her to a tea room on Friday to celebrate her life.

**A rarity just happened in this house. Jon asked me where his work clothes were. Normally they are A) in the washer, B) in the dryer, C) on the laundry room floor, D) in a laundry basket, or C) on our bedroom floor in a big pile waiting to be hung up. Jon just asked me, "Hey babe, where did you put those clothes for work?" My answer. . . drum roll, please. . . . I think I sat up a little taller when I made this announcement, "They're hung up in the closet." Ta-da-da-da!!!!!!!!! I'm taking a bow now. . . no need for applause. No, really. .. stop it, stop it!

**Alec's voice is cracking me up right now. He is getting that squeaky-boy puberty voice. He honestly gave me so many fits from the time he was 8 years old up until the last year. (if you've read my blog for awhile, you know my struggles with him.) However, his teen years have been a pure delight. He's very affectionate now, will come up to me often and lay his head on my shoulder for a hug. He seems to be more in control of his emotions. Yesterday, he just warmed my heart so. . . he's been discussing some "theological" things with his friends Eli and Levi (they've all been friends since he's been 5). Yesterday he was on www.blueletterbible.org looking up words in the Greek. Oh Lord, please ignite a fire in him for You that cannot be easily put out.

**The girls got in MAJOR trouble last night. Jon had all of the kids at Wal-mart and (although Ash said she told him), he couldn't find them. They had gone 6 aisles over (at the checkout) to look at webkins. . .I don't think they'll be doing that again! Thankfully Alec saw them and kept his eye on them. Although, he was told as well, that it is his job to stop them.

**I'm really looking forward to this Friday & Saturday night. Communion on Friday night and Seder supper on Sat. night. I've been reading the crucifixion account to my kiddos this week, from each of the Gospels. Each sheds it in a different light. Ever since I taught a Sunday School lesson on the greatness of our salvation, I've gotten into the habit of thanking God for saving me. . . something we should NEVER, EVER, EVER take for granted. I heard this quote somewhere and I don't know it verbatim or who said it, but it went something like this. . ."imagine, if all you had today is what you THANKED God for yesterday".

That Hanna

That girl is a hoot and a half. Here's some of the funny things that's coming out of that witty girl's mouth. . . so much like her Daddy!

Jon gives his mom a hard time about financially supporting Benny Hinn. So, of course, the kids hear this and asks us questions. At the dinner table one night Hanna said, "Somebody needs to talk to Gigi about giving money to Benny Hinn. I bet he reads "The Message" Bible." (we've stressed to our kids what a loosey-goosey translation "The Message" is).

One day Hanna and Ash were fussing and fighting. I told them both to stop that one day they would be the best of friends. . . just like Aunt Melissa and I. . . Hanna said, "Oh no I won't be her friend. I'll move to Guyana before that happens." Of course, I busted out laughing and told her to be nice. She then said, "I'm so mad at her I'm not even going to be her friend on Facebook."

I was kissing Hanna goodbye the other day as she was going to her friend's house to play. She was already buckled up in the back of their van. I told her to come and kiss me b/c she only has one mama (which sooooo sounded like something my own Mama says). Hanna replied, "No I don't. I have 2 Mamas." ME: "Oh yeah, well who's your other Mama." Hanna: "Aunt Melissa."

Monday's To-Do List

1. Write a check and leave it out for Griffin Glass. They are coming here to fix Jon's windshield on his truck, so we can get that baby up for sale and SOLD!

2. Work out with weights.

3. Transcription work.

4. Get kiddos started on school.

5. Write thank you notes to those who have sent me $$$ for Guyana.

6. Call Melissa and ask her about Grandmama's b-day and Sat. afternoon.

7. Call Aunt Sharon to find out if she and Grandmama can have lunch at Twila Faye's tearoom to celebrate Grandmama's birthday. . . curbs my guilt on missing the family party on Saturday.

8. Get ready.

9. Make copies of closing papers from last week for Jon.

10. Go into office to drop off folder from closing.

11. Meet Meredith and Aaron at house. . . hopefully this is the one!

12. Get luggage from Meredith.

13. Spend time in prayer and study the Word.

14. Prepare for Growth Group tonight.

15. Text my Mama that I love her.

16. Get laundry washed and dried.

17. Hang up clothes that have needed hanging up for 2 months now.

18. Have a talk with sweet Ashley about some heart and friend struggles she's having.

19. Get upstairs picked up and vaccumed.

20. Cook dinner. . . a different twist on what we had last night . . . using leftovers.

21. Growth Group.

22. Determined to get finished by 8:45 tonight.

23. Walmart. . . NEED toilet paper desperately.

24. Take movies back to Red Box.

25. Get Shelby's birthday present.

26. Go by car wash and get it cleaned out and vaccumed.

Now. . . let's just see if I can accomplish all this today.

So far all I can cross of are #2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 18.

Sunday Rest

Wow. . . to actually have a Sunday and have rest is a rarity. My day tends to start at 5:00 a.m. (if it is my week to teach Sunday School. . . if not, then 6:00 a.m.). We go to church, get out around 1:00-ish. . . Sometimes we eat out, sometimes not. . . even so, some Sundays I get a nap, sometimes not. Most Sundays (if I nap) I have to set the alarm or have Jon or the kiddos wake me up. . . Then, it's time for Sunday Unite. . . get home around 8:00-ish. . . wolf down dinner, brush teeth, say prayers, and off to bed.

Today, though, was unique. . . different. . . a Sunday that actually involved rest . . . I know, don't gasp too loudly. . .

This Sunday I got up at the same time.. . went to church, came home and ate here at the house. Jon and I crawled in the bed and watched a movie while the kiddos did their own thing.

Ahhhhhhhhh. . . . so.very.nice.

I drifted off to sleep during the last 5 minutes of the movie. . . kind of intentional so that way I was sure to get a nap . . . hee!hee!

Jon and the kiddos went to Home Depot to order a shower pan for our shower. They then went to Walmart and got frozen pizza, Ben & Jerry's, peach pie, and ice cream. . . sounds like a fabulous Sunday night dinner, right?

It was!!!!!!!!!

After dinner we all piled onto the sofa together and watched "Tangled". Such a cute movie if you haven't seen it.

Now, the kiddos just brushed their teeth. Hanna is playing a board game by herself. Alec is testing out his new boxing tape . . . like tape around your hands before you box . .. his new thing right now. Jon is on his computer, and here I am blogging. . .

Ahhhh . . . yet again. . . Sunday rest. . . such a rarity, but such a precious thing. Jon and I both talked tonight about how much fun we have doing nothing.

I think we're going to put on another movie . . . we'll probably fall asleep to it. . . just to ensure we get more Sunday rest.

americas

Day with Hanna

So Hanna Boo and I got a day to ourselves. I wanted her to tell about it in her own words. Actuallly, I was secretly hoping she would say what a great mom she has, how much she loves me, and how special this day with her was. . . nope. . . my girl is a girl of few words (UNLIKE her mom). This is her story (unedited as you will be able to tell by her long, run-on sentence and lack of punctuation) of our day together. Pictures to follow. . . .

first we went to get our nails done. then we went walmart and got popcorn,candy and got open season 3 and secretariat and then we went dr.kails

Foolin', Gettin' Pranked, & Prankstin the Prankster

I just love April Fools' day. . . and, yes, . . . this post is exactly 15 days behind. . . y'all know by now that is how I roll. . . after all if I'm 15 minutes late for something (or someone else is for that matter) I still consider them on time. . . This year I didn't do every trick I had up my sleeve. However, as soon as Alec got up and tasted his cereal . . . he looked at me and said in a very "ha, ha, ha, mom, you're so funny" voice. . . "April Fools!"

Hanna got a chuckle out of it too.

Wanna know what I did? I poured their cereal and milk and froze it overnight. I even put the cereal box and milk out on the table to "pretend" like I fixed their breakfast for them.

Well, since I didn't fool them I told them to let's get Ash. So I repoured normal cereal for Alec and Hanna. Ash then comes down to eat breakfast .. . sticks her spoon in her bowl. . . and it abruptly stops her for eating her yummy corn flakes. . .

"Uh, uh, Mom, what's wrong?"

April Fools!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Next, it was lunchtime. I was so afraid I wouldn't be able to get away with this one, as most days when I fix lunch the kids are in the kitchen with me. I knew I had to work and work fast.

Yummy grilled cheese. . . right?????

Wrong. . . how about angel food cake with orange-colored cream cheese icing buttered and fried on a pan. . . the kids were so funny. Before they ate it they were saying, "This cheese looks funny." I told them it was a little old, but it was okay. That's all we had and the heat of the stove cooked out any bacteria or germs. . .

They actually loved the taste!!!! However, I can't fool these kiddos. . . they knew before they tasted it I wouldn't serve them food that was questionable. . .

Well, that night the "Birthday Crew" (we've all been celebrating one another's b-days for years by all going out to dinner together. . . has become sort of tradition). .. we were all taking Jenn. B. to Bonefish to celebrate her birthday. She is the ultimate prankster. In fact, she's the one who inspired to me always try to fool my kids on this day.

I actually had hardly eaten all day long b/c I was saving up for Bonefish. Jenn gets in the car (Lisa and Faith were already with me) and says, "I made some homemade donuts. Anybody want one?" I was starving, so I was all over having a delightful, light, yummy piece of homemade sweetness in my mouth. Funny thing is I had JUST finished telling Lisa and Faith my April Fools tricks on my kids. I fell for Jenn's trick hook line and sinker. I bit into that donut and spit that thing out. It tasted like playdoh. Faith was a sucker too. She fell for it as well! Lisa was the "oh wise and discerning one."

We had such a fun night. However, we had a few tricks up our sleeve for Ms. Prankster herself. I knew the girl would be ordering sweet tea. So after she ordered I "pretended" to go to the bathroom. I went and found a waitress. . . told her our waiter's name (I didn't want Jenn to see me talking to him and think something was up). . . and asked him to only bring Jenn unsweet tea.. . no matter how many times she asked him to take it back, just always bring unsweet tea. It was so funny. One time I had to cover my face with my menu b/c I was about to lose my laughter when Jenn said, "Y'all, this tea is not sweet at all." Lisa also made Jenn one of her favorites. . . blackberry cobbler. . . well, Jenn. does not like cool whip on her cobbler, only ice cream. . . Lisa brought out the cool whip and said, "I got your favorite."

Jenn was fooled. We told her our tea trick at the end of the night too. She laughed so much. . . couldn't believe we pranked the prankster. . .

We all laughed so much and so hard throughout the entire night. . . we even wondered if people would think we had been drinking or not . . .nope, just water and sweet (or unsweet tea if you're Jenn. B) for this group. It's so true what they say about laughter being good medicine. I think we all needed a good dose of this medicine.

Hit the Ground Running

Or. . . I guess I could say. . .

Pedal to the metal. . .

OR MAYBE

Flying by the seat of my pants . . .

OR

Around the world in 180 days. . .

Any of these could be used to describe my day. . . so far. . . Well, all except the last one. I just added that one because I'm a tad bit on the dramatic side and I needed to add it all for a little flare. . . dressing it up . . .you know?

I should have known it would be one of those days. . . isn't that Murphy's Law or something. . . you go on vacation, get really well and rested, all to come home and almost be punished for it. . . NOT REALLY. . . but, sure does seem that way sometimes.

This morning old Mr. Alarm Clock started his mess about 4:00 a.m. Well, my body discovered over vacation how much it likes . . . excuse me. . . loves sleep and rest. . . and it just was in a rebellious mood this morning.

So my hand . . . uncontrollably, of course, turned off the alarm. . . reset him to 5:00 a.m., told him he must behave, reset him and my body just crawled back into bed.

Felt so.very.good.

Then that alarm clock started his mess AGAIN at 5:00 a.m. My hand. . . again, uncontrollably, unbeknownst to me or my brain, slapped him a time or 2, turned him off, and then reset him to 6:00 a.m., told him to behave. . . oh, and then back to the warm, comfy, cozy bed. . . she was just calling my name.

6:00 a.m. . . . you guessed it, AC started his ranting and raving mess. This time I'd had just about enough and decided to obey. . . reluctantly so. . . I should've, could've, and would've known I'd be punished for my 2 hours of sleeping pleasure.

And. . .

I was. . .

I had a little work from Dr. B. I started to finish him up, and as my brain was recalling the things that I knew I had forgotten to do today. . . a biggie came up. I won't bore you with the details. . . but it involved me driving to Atlanta, scarfing down lunch with Jon (although it was quite enjoyable), putting the pedal to the metal on the minivan, dropping off some very important papers at a friends/business partner's house, and heading home.

So thankful I have kids that know how to go with the flow. Othewrise, we'd all be in a big heap of mess.

No need to make a mountain out of a molehill. . . just laugh it off, laugh at yourself. . . it is what it is. . . Oh, and try to do beter next time.

Everything that needed to get done got done. However, I have laundry that smells like a Mexican restuaurant that needs washing. I have laundry sitting all over my family room that needs folding and putting away. I have dinner that needs to be cooked. Thankfully Truitt's is having customer apprecation night with $0.89 hamburgers. . . so I'll send Jon adn the kids to eat that while I go to Growth Group. I'll just eat the rest of my lunch I didn't have the appetite to finish. Oh, my house also looks and smells like a trash dump. . .

So, the things that needed to be done got done today. However, the things that I wanted to get done DIDN'T!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's not about me, though. Thankfully, I have a gracious husband who could care less what the house looks like. He knows how hard I work and appreciates all I do for our family. . . so I rest there. . . well, until tomorrow anyway.



256. For gracious kiddos.

257. For $5 burritos from Moe's.

258. For $6 parking (all b/c we got a good spot and I didn't hit anyone else's car trying to park).

259. For my husband's flexible boss and schedule.

260. For a hubby who wants to eat lunch with his kiddos and wife.

261. For being at Colony Square and having the only kids in the whole building (love that we homeschool).

262. For day #2 of dirty hair. . . this is the day I like it best.

263. For making it just by the hair of my chinny, chin, chin to get some important papers somewhere.

265. For Ashley not tee-teeing in her pants until we got to a gas station bathroom.

267. For a son who holds doors open for his sisters and I.

268. For a mini-van that is dependable.

269. For my cell phone.

270. For a list that was really long at the beginning of the day that got everything crossed off it.

271. For remembering Eph.4:29 when I was tempted to voice my opinion (which really doesn't matter at all).

272. For jeans that aren't so tight today :)

Betcha Didn't Know

***Betcha Didn't Know. . . that I really know that Christmas doesn't happen in March, nor did the snow, or other events that just overloaded my blog. I'm so anal (hope that's not a bad word) about this whole being being in blogging. It's like I just can bring myself to blog consistently until I get caught up.

***Betcha' Didn't Know. .. I sorta wished I felt that way about myself. You know, like I couldn't do anything else until all the chores were done. But, I don't. . . and probably, won't . . .

***Betcha Didn't Know . . . I didn't realize how concise and unwordy I could be when I've been bitten by the blogging bug again and am so anxious to stay current on my blogs. Either my memory is terrible (partly true) or I really can be concise (only if FORCED to be and when it is absolutely necessary).

***Betcha Didn't Know. . . that at this moment my girls are on the computer and Jon and Alec are at a house ripping out the carpet. . .

***Betcha Didn't Know. . . I have NO idea why I just told you that. . . . other than I'm really trying to get some mundane back onto this blog rather than events. . . I tend to treasure the mundane a little more when I go back and read my former posts over the years. . . . weird, huh?

***Betcha Didn't Know. . . that we just got back from SSI and I'm really going to try hard to blog about our trip (with pictures) this week.

***Betcha Didn't Know. . . I really wasn't quite ready to come home. However, I'm so glad that Jon has a job that he doesn't dread going back to (as has been in the case in the past).

***Betcha Didn't Know. . . I'm about to tell my girls to go and brush their teeth, call Jon and find out if the carpet bogey monster got them (they've been gone for awhile), go take this makeup off, brush my own teeth, and hop in the bed.

***Betcha Didn't Know. . . Jon and Alec just pulled in the driveway and Cookie ran down the stairs to greet them at the door.

***Betcha Didn't Know. . . It's time to end this post and hopefully see you tomorrow.

***P.S. Betcha Didn't Know. . . Jon just asked Hanna why she was running around naked and I had no idea the girl was naked. . . (shows you how much attention I was paying to the girls)