D604, D608, D611

D604. . . that was our number at the DDS. . . you know the place for your son to get his learner's license.

I must say Alec and I were both excited about him getting his license.  Someone joked with me and said I would probably be crying baby this day.  Surprisingly I wasn't.  I was just filled with excitement for him.

Well we made sure and double sure that we had all the correct paperwork.  I even took extra just in case something didn't make the cut.

Anytime I'd ever been to the DDS I walked right up and took care of business.

My friend, Dana, was having several of us over to swim that day.  I told them I'd be a little late, but honestly, I didn't think it would take more than 30 minutes to get his license.


We walked in and there was just about standing room only.

If was a girl who watched the news I would've expected this.  However, since I never know what's going on in our world. . . just know what's going on in my own little world. . . I didn't know all the new restrictions that hit the market starting July 1, 2012.

Wow-wee. . .

The problem was our number wasn't a number like 1 through 40 and when they called 35 you knew you were close.  They called them in the order of your arrival; however, depending on what you were there for depended on your letter (i.e. ours was D).

The kids were in absolute misery having to wait so long.  I actually got some time to read a book . . . actually Lisa and I's book. . .so it was nice for me.  However, I did threaten the kids that I was going to start using this place as punishment.  When they misbehave I'm telling them we're going to the DDS and pulling us a number. . .we'll never actually know how long their punishment truly is. . . it will be all determined by the numbers.

Fast forward two hours later. . . D604 was called.  Alec and Hanna and I (Angela L came and got Alexis and Ash for me to take to Dana's) started clapping like we had won bingo or something.

Close. . . oh so close for my boy to get on the road.

The lady (who Hanna claims looks like the easter bunny from "Hoodwinked") said I didn't have the correct documentation.  WHAT?  You mean to tell me the birth certificate the hospital mailed to me when my boy was born wasn't the correct one?  You mean the attendance form (when that is what your web site stated) isn't enough. . . not even our Declaration of Intent (I told you I was extra prepared)???

Such disappointment. . . Insert sad face :(. . . or if you are Alec insert eplosive burst of anger mad face :-/

I let my boy vent. . . I knew how terribly disappointed he was.  I was too.


D608. . . Two days later. . . We're back!!!!!!!!!!! This time I told Hanna, "Count all the people there.  Every time a number is called, we'll get a good idea how much longer we have."  She's my list maker and list checker, so this was right up her little "organized on paper" ally.  Only 30 minutes this time. . . s-w-e-e-t!!! 


Correct paperwork??? Check after $25 more dollars spent on another birth certificate and a trip to the Board of Education to get a notarized copy of being a homeschool student.  We are in business now baby!!


Watching my boy sign his John Hancock and having his handsome picture taken was just great.  I was trying to soak the moment in.


Hanna and I sit.  I read.  She??? Well, I don't know?? Drew on paper, maybe??  Anyway, Alec comes up to us. . . 


"I failed."

Me:  "You what?"

"I failed."

Me:  "You did not. You're joking."

Then I saw the crocodile tears in his eyes.  My boy who never has to study for anything.  My boy who scored post high school on his standardized test.  However, Jon and I had warned him he needed to study. . . so much so, in fact, I told him we would pay for the first test.  He'd have to pay for it after that.

So we go and see Ms. "Easter Bunny from Hoodwinked" (yep, we ended up at her window AGAIN), find out what we need to do, and then leave.

Alec just moped all day long.  He later told me, "Mom, I think this happened to humble me. . . and it worked."

He studied so hard that night.  He took on-line practice tests.  He studied and studied and studied.

D611 - after meeting Jenn. B and kiddos at Chick-fil-A for dress up like a cow and get free food day, we took Griffin with us and headed back to the DDS.  I was beginning to feel like I was starting to smell like the place.

This time Hanna just made a list of all the numbers called.

Griffin had his face painted like a cow.  When he turned to ask me something I busted out laughing.  His cow face was really cute in Chick-fil-A.  At the DDS?  He just looked like he was crazy.  There was even this little Chinese lady laughing at him.  I tried to explain to her why his face was painted.  She just smiled and laughed.  I don't think she understood English.

Hanna was thoroughly convinced Ms. "Easter Bunny from Hoodwinked" was bad luck for Alec.  She was hoping we wouldn't get her again.  I decided right there in the DDS Hanna has my mom's funniness in talking about people and Jon's quick wittedness. . . which really makes for one hilarious individual.

We hear "Now serving D611".  Our turn.  And guess what?  A brand new lady.

This one was my new BFF.  She said I looked more like Alec's older sister than his mom.  I almost jumped over her desk and gave her a big hug.  Obviously her eyes are bad because she didn't see the deep lines in my forehead.  Hey, I'm good with looking like an older sister . . .hee!hee!

We know what the drill is.  We are pros now.  After three trips to the DDS I feel like we should be handed over an award or something. . . at least a free Coke.

Signature with fat pen. . . Check.

Remove bangs enough to see above eyebrows for picture. . . Check

Test time.  We all prayed before we got out of the car.  I steadily prayed as he was taking his test. I also read too :)

Not a long wait and he comes out, "I made a 90."

That's my boy!

I promised Jon I wouldn't turn him right loose on the road, so we went to an abandoned parking lot.  I then let him drive into our subdivision.


Putting on his seat belt.  Safety First!

 Adjusting seat further back 'cause his legs are way longer that mom's.

 It's not 10 and 2 anymore?? Who knew?  Something about the airbags. . .

Kiddos doing their pretend "I'm scared because Alec is driving 5 miles an hour and pounding on the brakes in an old parking lot" faces.

See what I mean about Griffin's face?

So Full of Talk

For the girl who wants to blog every day or at least every other day, I'm doing a terrible job.  So, what have I been doing?

Working on the house.

Working on the house.

Working on the house.

Hoping this baby will be on the market on Monday.

As far as the kids?

They've been engrossed in everything electronic. . . so much so they've become obese with electronics. . . grotesquely obese. . . which really creates, in our household, at least. . . some 'tudes. . . by that I mean attitudes.  Goodness gracious!!!

Ash . . . . .well, she's been working on learning new songs on the piano.  I'm so proud of her.  I admire her persistent and determination. Also, as always she is consuming "Adventures in Odyssey" like I am salsa and chips right now.

Hanna. . . well, she's been cracking me up as always.  Here's some of the recent funnies.
- Talking about the hair on mom's leg while camping.
- Telling me that when Papa wants you to know something he'll tell you 20 times.
- When talking about the "terrible 2s".  She asked me if there is a "terrible 15 because someone in our house sure has the grouchies."
- When at the DDS to get Alec's learner's permit there was a man who clearly was from a foreign country.  He had what almost looked like my African dress on. . . except it was more wrapped around him. . . Hanna whispered to me, "Mom, why is that man wearing a sheet?"  Her whisper was loud enough for the man next to me to hear.  We both couldn't hold our laughter in.

Alec . . . well, my boy is into making knives.  We got him some kind of thing-ma-gig. . . i.e., tool. . . so he could make knives out of steel.  He spends lots of time in the garage.  He needs to be finishing 9th grade.  He keeps telling me every week. . . "One more week".  Well, one more week has run out!!!

Jon. . . work, work, and more work.  I don't think I've mentioned he's become a coffee drinker.  I know!!!!!! I can't believe I just typed that.  He's not the 4-cup a day coffee drinker that I was. . . Notice I said that I was (Had to drink decaf in Uganda for 2 weeks. . . decided not to reintroduce myself to my addiction. . . I'm a hot tea girl now).  Jon limits himself to only 2 or 3 cups a week.  However, the other day I got a text from him saying it was probably going to be a 2 or 3 cup day.  You know things are mighty serious when he goes to drinking more than 1 cup a day.  Bless his heart.  He's working so.very.hard.

Me . . . well, I've been trying to adjust to being an American again.  Yep, one of those.  Really, really, really. . . did you hear me say. . . really???? hard to do. Not so sure I want to.  Sure, I am so thankful and I love being back wtih the Fab 5 (wherever they are is where I want to be), being with my family and my friends. .. . . but I never, ever, ever want to forget my precious friends in Uganda. . . never want to not wonder what they are going through today. . . never want to forget that they are eating beans and rice and posho. . . and that's those who have it to eat. . . never want to forget their dusty roads, the sound of their African voices, their faith, their humility, their tiny homes with dirt floors, their struggles, their loneliness, their pain.  I never want to just resume my life here and not think of them. 

Also, I finally got another job.  This early bird is going to have to turn into a night owl. . . yikes. . . hoping I don't switch to coffee to keep me awake as I type away on the computer at 9:00 all the while my body is craving my bed and my head is yearning for my pillow.  Coffee may have to be my comfort until I adjust . . . see, isn't that a true addict?  Always looking for an excuse to go back :)

Also, I think I have found the trick to get my girls to want to take a shower.  Yep. . . Alec is tried and true and faithful to the shower. . . loves it.  I never have to remind him or fight with him or threaten punishment if he doesn't bathe.  The girls?  Totally different story.  However, I have found out what will work.  I bought both of them new panties.  Mainly because Hanna was still wearing size 4 and her poor circulation was being cut off. . . I kid. . . kinda. . . They both needed new panties. . . I told them only clean hineys could go in new panties.  It worked with Hanna through and through. Ash?  Well, she isn't putting up a fight. . . so that's a good sign:)

I'm for real. . . really for real. . . really want to blog about the mundane. . .hoping I'm not just full of talk this time.  Hoping to blog to you tomorrow. . . whoever "you" may be . . .  

Mother to Son

I had this little pocket book called "Mother to Son" by Melissa and Henry Harrison.  A friend of mine was getting ready to adopt a little boy, so I thought she would really appreciate reading it as she prepared to bring her boy home.  However, there were some things I needed to remember and be reminded of. . . so I typed them all up.

For those of you with sons. . . here they are.

• If he becomes paralyzed when a girl says hello, you'll know he's discovered the opposite sex.
• Inevitably, a girl will break his heart.
• He will need you to explain the way girls think.  His  dad can't help him there.
• You can't stop him from falling for a girl whose life is in chaos. But you can explain what her life is doing to his.
• Don't be surprised when the girl he introduces as his future wife is uncannily similar to you.
• Believe in him. More than he believes in himself.
• Remember, you're still one of his most important role models.
• Praise him for his qualities, not only his accomplishments.
• Try to see things from his point of view.  Sometimes.
• Tell him often what it is you respect about him.
• Find out what motivates him, what inspires him, what fires him up.
• Don't expect all of his actions to make sense.  In many ways, he's still a child.
• If he knows he can come to you with a problem, he will.
• Appreciate his accomplishments.  Your opinion means everything to him.
• Learn the difference between supporting him and rescuing him.
• Hold him accountable for his actions.
• He will always need you when he is in pain - emotionally, spiritually, physically.  Always.
• If he loses your trust, let him earn it again.
• Expect success.  Expectations have a way of becoming a reality.
• Don't feel sorry for him.  That doesn't do him any long-term favors.
• If you're criticizing him constantly, the problem is you.
• Make him talk to you.  Don't let him shut you out of his life.
• He will want to talk at the most odd, mysterious, inconvenient times.  Stop what you're doing and talk.
• Remind him to smile.
• Don't hold him back.  Let him be independent.
• Make sure he knows that he who he can be doesn't depend on who he has been.
• If it's dangerous, life-threatening, and makes no sense, he will love it.  Brace yourself.
• Don't defend his mistakes.
• Tell him you're proud of him.  Tell him why.
• Learn to listen without judgement.  Or even without talking.
• He will spend hours obsessing over cars you will never buy for him.  It's a guy thing.
• Remind him that each time he loses his integrity, it becomes harder and harder to find.
• Teach him that sharing what he has is one of the keys to happiness.
• Remember, the stronger a mother you are, the stronger a man he will become.
• Treat him like the man you want him to become.
• Hug him fiercely.
• Remember, he'll be back.  He's hungry.
• Let him go.

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.