Awana Awards

The kids always love Awana Awards night.  But they weren't the only ones getting awards this year. . . Daddy-oh was too.  He got a pin (I think??) for helping with game time this year.  He truly is the biggest kid out there.

Sweet Kaitlyn got the Christ-like award.

Both of the girls got several awards.  Ash worked really, really hard this year and got the Timothy Award AND Most Outstanding.  This one totally took us by surprise.  This award goes to the child who has memorized the most scripture.  We were so very proud of her!

I'm so very thankful for this program, and I pray that my girls don't just hide God's word in their heart to get awards or recognition, but that it will take deep root within them. . .that it will change them and transform them to be more like Christ. . .to fall in love with him more and more every.single.day.

That Kid!

You know in the movies where the kid is in the musical and during the musical she throats up?

Well, Hanna was That KID!!!

Before she threw up we did get a good laugh at her eagle hat.  Melissa thought she looked more like a moose.

Ash wasn't an animal.  She was a business lady.  We were so grateful she was no longer contagious from strep.  She had a lot of lines in the play, and I don't think anyone could have taken her place if she were still sick.

Look how happy she looks. . . all before the throw up.

It was during "Bullfrogs and Butterflies" and then boom. . . she throws up.  Jon just froze.  He didn't know what to do.  He heard our pastor (David) tell him, "Jon go get her."  The show must go on. . . and it did. . . with the throw up there and everything.

After the song was over, Hanna went off stage to Jon.  Then our music pastor, kids pastor, and youth pastor all looked like a pit crew out there cleaning up her throw up.  It was hilarious.

I ran to the foyer to get her.

Our children's pastor is so sweet.  He actually sat down with her that Wed. night and talked with her about. . . no big deal. . . don't worry about.  I think he even told her a funny story about something he did when he was a kid.

My funny friend, Dana, has had to clean up Hanna's throw up before too.  She said they all now belong to an elite club "HUH" . . . Hanna's Upchuck Helpers.  Hilarious!!!!!!!!!

Back to the Land of the Living

About two weeks before I left for Uganda all three of my kiddos came down with strep throat.  I'm the kind of mom that I want everyone to get sick all at once. . . I don't like sickness dragging out.  The problem was is that I was supposed to get my yellow fever shot that Monday.  Well, I knew my immune system would be weak from trying to fight strep throat.  No big deal, except yellow fever is a live virus.  After research and prayer, I opted to not get the shot.  Although this blog was in the "draft folder" I decided to relive our time of sickness and publish it on here. 

I think Hanna was the first to get sick.

I felt like a nurse.  I had to write down which child had which medicine at which time.  I crack myself up.

Alec was so funny.  He was determined not to get strep, so he started drinking pine needle tea.  Come to find out the Indians actually used it to ward off sore throats.  It didn't ward off strep throat though. . . oh well!

Filled to the brim with pine needle tea.

Ash is such a sweetheart.  I must say, I don't like the kiddos being sick, but I loved our cuddle time and down time.

For some reason I didn't get a picture of Alec. . . probably because he likes to remain incognito from the camera.

Grateful that we all survived and we are now back to the land of the living.

Too Pooped to Pop - July 4th Edition

Well last year for this day, Jon and I and some friends were all running the famous "Peachtree Road Race".  It was fun, so we signed up this year.  However, running wasn't what we did today.  After I got back from Uganda, Jon and I both decided we needed to get this house on the market.  Therefore, we needed to take the advantage of having a day off and make the most of it.  Finishing up our master bathroom is what is the hold-up is.  It is almost finished, and I must say my husband did an a-m-a-z-i-n-g job.  He has impeccable taste.  So, while he was finishing the bathroom, the kiddos and I and Gigi and Granddaddy all did yard work. . . and boy, oh, boy was there a TON of it!!! We worked in the yard ALL DAY LONG!!!

I have the best in-laws in the world.  Gigi made homemade ice cream, pimento cheese, chicken salad, and spinach dip. . . brought it all over here, worked in our yard all day, went to Home Depot and bought us pine straw to put out.  She is such an amazing person. . .someone I love dearly and look up to. . . . after all, she is the one who coined the phrase "too pooped to pop".

Fingernails are full of dirt.

Head is full of dirt.

Face is covered in dirt streaks.

I am stinky from sweating all day.

My body aches, and I'm pretty sure I will be much more sore from all the yard work I did rather than the 10K I could have done this morning.

My heart is so full.  I'm so thankful for Gigi and Granddaddy.  They are both wonderful examples of being a servant, going the extra mile,  and LOVE!!!!  I know we will all sleep well tonight.

Happy 4th!!!

Back to the Blogging Board

Oh how I love the days and the weeks when I blog everyday. . . about the goods, the bads, the uglies, the happenings, the not happenings. . . . all of the moments that make up our lives because it truly is the moments that make up a lifetime.  When my kiddos remind me of things long ago. . . some I remember, some I forget . . . it makes me kick myself when I've gotten away from the 'ole blog.  I have several catch-up posts to do of the "bigger" things going on in our life. . . but what I really love blogging about is just the everyday. . . same ole, same ole.

One major thing to blog about is my mission trip to Uganda.  I actually made a list of "thanks", so I'm hoping just to transfer them over from paper to this blog, and, of course with many, many pictures.  To try and put my trip into words is almost impossible.  Yesterday, our youth pastor "interviewed" us that went (4 out of the 7 people on our team work with our youth).  It was such a sweet time, a time of remembering, a time of trying to fight back tears, a time of just letting tears freely flow.  I just can't believe that just 2 weeks ago I was there in Uganda.  Never, ever, ever in a million years would I ever imagined myself stepping foot of USA soil.  God is greater than my never evers though.

Well, 'nuff about that (for now at least).

Yesterday was a sweet day at church. I must say the Sunday before I felt so out of place, so like I didn't belong, so like I fit more in at the Ugandan church.  Weird emotions, just plain weird.  In fact, I almost busted into tears when my dear friend, Lisa J., hugged my neck. . . not sure why??  Just a safe place to land with her, I guess. . . familiarity since we have been friends now for 14 or so years.  You know you've been friends with someone a looonnnnggg time when many years ago they gave you a picture of your little boy peeing in the yard and then just a few nights ago she says to you, "Alec looks like a man."  How thankful I am for my precious friend.

I got to see my 3 girls. . . Shelby, Jaimie, and McKayla . . . and oh what a delight to my ears it was to hear them say, "I need Bible study.  When are we starting back?"  Precious, precious girls. . . oh, how I love them.

Alec spent the night with Griffin and the girls and I came home along with Abby, Julie, and Kara Jane.  What a sweet time with a house full of girls. . .  I napped and they. . . well. . . they. . .I'm not sure. . . but they were quiet while I slept :)  Oh yeah, the older girls made a cake for when Jon and Greg got home from flipping out of town.  The younger girls?  Not so sure about them.

After my nap I decided to channel surf.  Very rare for me to sit in front of the TV at all.  I got caught up in the middle of a Lifetime movie of all things?  I haven't watched that channel since I was a teenager.  It actually made me chuckle that I'd gotten all wrapped up in the silly movie.  It was pretty good though.

The girls continued to play and then my love walked through the door.  I always love it when Jon gets home. To love and to be in love. . . head over high heels love, that is. . . . what a wonderful feeling!!!  As I cleaned the kitchen he sat down and we just talked and talked.  Then, Faith and Steve came to get KJ. We all sat around the table and talked.  It was so much fun.  It's been way too long since we've just sat around and chatted about this, that, and the other.

After they left Jon, Alec, and I piled in our room.  Jon and I drifted off to sleep, then the phone range around 10:00 ish.  Steve was bringing Hanna home.  She didn't feel well.  Oh no!!! I got that sweet little thing in the room with us.  I tried to get her to get in the bed with us, but she wanted to be on a pallet on the floor.  I drifted off to sleep again and then woke to her snoring.  So funny.

Well. . . off to start my Monday.  No job right now.  When I got home from Uganda, my boss lost our biggest client.  Thing is, I'm not freaking out. . . just applying for new ones, trusting the Lord with ALL things.   When I got back from Guyana last summer my dryer totally went kaput. . . no big deal after all the Lord had done in my heart.  This time?  No job.  Still, no big deal.  Remember???  God is bigger than my never, evers.

"For my heart rejoices in Him, because I trust in His holy name."  Psalm 33:21

Happy Monday!

What a Tuesday With Grandaddy Looks Like

What exactly DOES a Tuesday with Granddaddy look like?  

Well, first of all after I work I try and squeeze in a quick workout.  Today, it was a quick 3-miler.  I then try and get ready.  I just feel so much better with hair, makeup, clothes, the whole works on. . . makes me not feel like such a slob (today, i went the slob route though). 

It takes us all of 3 minutes to get to their house.  Sometimes when it is really nice outside and we don't have too many school books, we walk.  They live about a mile from us. 

We get there and Granddaddy always greets us with a smile, a hug, and an "I love you." 

We head to the kitchen, and sweet, sweet Gigi always has such a spread.  She really spoils my kids' taste buds.  See what I mean?  She has enough food there for a small army. 

She also always, always leaves me a note. . . explaining to me what everything is, where everything is, and most of the time she'll put me something to read (mainly articles about children in poverty or some chain email encouraging story she's gotten).

The girls then help me prepare and we get ready to eat.

We always have our same spots at the table.  I fix Granddaddy up.  We all sit down and pray and then chat.  Normally the children are excessively chatty.  This seems to entertain Granddaddy.  After we eat (normally a pretty long lunch), we then head to each of our spots (Ash -office, Alec- dining room, Hanna - breakfast table) and do school.  When it's time for me to read the girls their read-aloud Granddaddy most always is in the living room with us.  My reading, almost every time, without fail will put.him.to.sleep.

Sometimes the girls will even take their reading books outside and read on the hammock.  Sometimes I will even sneaksie out there and do the same :)

Granddaddy sleeps a lot these days, so he's not very chatty.  He does enjoy us being there, and I'm glad Gigi gets to go out and have some time to herself.  We are so blessed with our "Tuesdays with Granddaddy".  I know those are memories my children will always remember.

14 on the 14th

Since I've been a little busy and absent from the bloggy world, I thought I'd post 14 things we've been up to. 

1.  My Hanna and my niece LOVE playing dress-up in MY closest. 

2.  The following day I took my friend, Kim A. out for lunch for her birthday to this sweet little tearoom.  I couldn't find what I'd planned on wearing because of the dress-up palooza.  Kim and I had such a sweet time.  . . we got there when they opened and didn't leave until they were closing up.  Time flies when you're in the company of a dear friend and good conversation.

3.  We also went to what I referred to as "Black Friday for Nerds" AKA the Homeschool Fair.  Loved every minute of it.  This was Ash's first year, and it was a treat having her with us.  She helped me so much! This is always such a fun day.

4.  We've been fishing at my friend's pond. Such fun.  Hanna was a hoot.  She was trying to be so very patient to catch a fish.  When she saw someone catch a fish, she'd go to the spot they were fishing.  Bless her heart. . . she didn't get the first bite!

5.  Alec's been building a campfire stove out of an aluminum can. My boy is quite the inventor and survival man.  It actually worked!  Science without the books- I LOVE IT!

6.  Picnic at Piedmont Park.  We met Jon for lunch and packed a picnic.  It was such a fun day.

7.  We played a game of woffle ball in the yard.  It was fun.  When I came up to bat Jon would yell, "Easy Out."  That's why I run, folks.  The boys slaughtered the girls.

8.  Jon's been working hard on our bathroom.  He's almost finished, and this house will be on.the.market.

9.  Hanna Boo has been sick.  Just hoping she feels better soon, and the rest of us don't catch her bug.

10.  I got a hepatitis A shot.  Yikes.  That thing hurt like the dickens.  I was a little tense anyway because there's no way I'm getting the bagillon shots they tell you to before Uganda.  I'm getting yellow fever and then I decided to get hepatitis A.  i don't want to be loving on a child, and then when I lay my head down at night wonder what in the world I could have caught.

11.  Speaking of Uganda, I've been preparing diligently.  I can't wait, yet I hesitate all at the same time.  More on that later.

12. I've been slowing down. ..  refusing to hurry for anything. . . therefore, I get lots less accomplished. . . sometimes more of a head struggle than anything.

13.  We celebrated my grandmother's 83rd birthday.  She is doing wonderful, and I love her so much.

14.  When Jon is home, we soak him up like a sponge.  Therefore, I need to get off this computer.

Ta ta for now.

To Which I Almost Convulsed into a Seizure

Monday, Monday. . . oh dear, Monday. . . just like you I always have my days planned.  Not much flexibility here for this gal. . . no sir re. . . spontaneity is NOT my middle name.  In fact, it's really not apart of my vocabulary.  She kinda gives me the hee-bee-jee-bees.

On Monday's list was testing for all 3 kiddos, then I was going to finish, by-doggy, painting my room that has taken me more than a week to get finished. 

I awoke that morning and turned on my phone and had several texts come in. . .one of which was my little sister, Kristen, saying she was down for the night and wanted to know if we wanted to come and meet them for dinner. . . "eww, no, I'm sorry. . . that's  NOT on the calendar" was my initial thought.  Then I thought of my hard working hubby and knew it wouldn't be fair to ask him to drive an additional hour to my mom's after he'd already been up past 10:00 p.m. Sunday night grouting the travertine for our bathroom and on top of that drives an hour to work every day.  So, I told her we were testing, but would come sometime after lunch.

I may have twisted and I may have had chills go up my spine to break my already pre-conceived plans, but it was worth it.  I got to see my sweet chunka chunka burnin' love and my get fish kisses from my precious Em, have sweet conversations with my little sister and dad (James).  It was a wonderful afternoon.

When I was leaving Kris told me thanks for coming.  She knows how much I don't like breaking away from my plans.  To which I then joked and told her I nearly went into a seizure going against what I had planned for the day.

That is why I have hanging in my kitchen a chalkboard that has the heading "Blessed are the Flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape."  I'm always in constant need of the reminder. . .

Week in Review

Since I've haven't been on the blogging bandwagon this week, I thought I'd do a quick run down of what we did on our spring break.  Well, obviously, from my last two posts, Alec was in Alabama on a mission trip.  My mama's heart beamed with joy as Pastor David, Pastor John, and Brother Jim all approached me at separate times today to tell me what a good job my boy did.  PD told both Jon and I that Alec represented his Lord and his mom and dad well.  He also told us he was a little sweet on a couple of pretty girls down there.  He'd teach them both how to fish. . . too shy to do anything else.  PD said it was really sweet.  Makes me want to shed a tear.  My boy is growing up.

Monday - Jenn B and I spent the day cooking.  This day is always so very good for my heart and soul.  It's just always such a time when we laugh and share our hearts.  I'm so thankful for Jenn.  Her friendship is more of a blessing to me than I could ever put into words. 

Tuesday - Noelle wanted the girls to spend the night.  I painted Jon and I's room part of the day, then took the girls to Melissa's, then ran with Becky and Ang.  Jon worked with Greg that night, so I was by myself.  I painted until I was too tired.

Wednesday- I went to get the girls and Melissa and I took all the kiddos and went shopping.  She's going to be a photographer for the makeup artist on "Bridezilla" so she needed something cute and comfy.  It was such a fun day.  I'm so glad our relationship is good again.  

Thursday- Jon's work had a "Bring your Child to Work Day" so the girls were all over this.  They had to get up at 5:30 a.m., but were up and at 'em.  Here they are before they left the house. 

 Jon would send me text updates.  They all got a shirt and the hawk from Atlanta Hawks came.  They took a tour of his work and got to eat breakfast and lunch with Jon which Chick-fil-A and Moe's catered.

It just so happened that was Lydia's birthday so I texted her and told her I'd love to take her to lunch to a little tea room we both love. I was so glad I got to share part of her birthday with her.  Although, many years separate us, our hearts are very close.  She's such a blessing to me. . . not just someone I study God's word with, but my dear, close friend.  Isn't is amazing how God joins people together?

 After I got home I tried to finish up painting, but didn't get much done.

Friday- The day my boy was coming home.  Man, when I saw him he looked like he had grown an inch.  I was so glad to have him back home with us.  I threw Ms. Jennifer's chicken pot pie in the oven and made chocolate delight.  A dessert around here is a rarity. I was so glad to have the "Fab 5" back under one roof again.  Did my mama's heart so good.

Saturday- I had a meeting for Uganda. . . which they are always so very, very good.  Always a sweet time.  I came home and then we all went and worked at the Bungalove. . . picking up stones from the fireplace and cutting grass.  It was fun to all be working together.  We got home, everyone cleaned up, then we went and rented some movies and picked up pizza.  Jon and I did fall asleep during the movie, but, again, we were all together, and that's what counts.

Missing Him

The "Fab 5" (Jon's name for our family) just isn't complete or whole when a member is missing.  Things just seem a little out of place.  It's Thursday. . . only one more day until my boy his home.

I heard his voice on Monday.  Todd, our youth pastor, made him call his mama.  Our conversation? Short and sweet.  In fact, I could tell he didn't want to talk.  Oh. . that breaking away. . . that desire for independence.  I remember it.  It's buried deep within my blood.  In fact, now, the older I get the more I need my mama.  In my brain I actually need my mama more now at 35 than I ever thought I did at 14, 15, or 16.  It's a season, and I know that.

As the girls and I have gone throughout our day, here's some things I've missed.

**When the girls spent the night with Melissa.  I called to check on them and almost asked about Alec.

**When I went to pick them up. . . I expected to get Alec as well. . . weird, just weird.

**Every night we call crawl in Jon and I's bed together and watch TV, read a family book, or just laugh and giggle.  Each person has their place on our bed. . . especially we firstborns who love order and routine and hate change.  I'm on the end closest to the window with my head at the headboard.  Alec's feet are always near my head.  He lies on his belly and props himself up, on the edge, right beside me.  I've missed his size 13s in my face.

** I've missed hearing the shower run for 30 or so minutes every morning.

** I've missed kissing the nape of his neck when he greets me good morning.

** I've missed his smell (Old Spice body wash).

**I've missed just him telling me about this, that, and the other.

**I've missed seeing him at the school table diligently doing his schoolwork.

**I've missed seeing him plopped on the couch while the girls and I make dinner.

**I've missed seeing him sit at his place at the table.  He left his bag right beside his seat.  I left it right exactly where I put it.

**I've missed kidding around with him, playing popping his arm when he says something to make me laugh.

**I've missed seeing him go in the pantry 100 times a day.

**I've missed him telling me he's hungry.

**I've missed hearing his loud music from his room.

Although I will restrain myself so as not to embarrass him, I can't wait to see him and wrap my arms around him. I hugged him tight Sunday before we left for church.  I knew he'd be mortified if I acted that way in front of everyone.  In fact, I was hanging out a little bit while they were all eating lunch before departing.  He very sweet and very respectful quietly said to me, "Mom. . . you can leave now."

I then saw him sit at a table by myself.  Ouch.  That hurt my heart.  I'm acting like he's 5 and he's going to Kindergarten.  While that would mortify me, I then remembered that he probably wanted to sit at a table by himself. I then saw his buddy, Noah, join him.

Although I've been tempted to text Todd, I haven't.  I did however, send an APB out to Alec's 2nd mama. . . my friend, Faith.  I told her to shhh, but I was missing my boy.  She reported back that he was doing great, doing everything he was asked, telling me she sure did love him.  Shew. . . brought relief to my heart.