An Arbitrary Recap of Pieces of May

Life in a family accelerates to warp speed in the month of May. As a result, all kinds of things happened that never rose to the level of having their own blog post. Since this is my children's only semblance of a scrapbook, please pardon me while I recap a few things:

1. My R, who is showing a lot of interest in music these days, performed in a cello concert earlier this month without removing his camo sunglasses. We were indoors in a gorgeous chapel. He was out of my reach and never chose to make eye contact...so I watched in wonder. Strong willed little future rock star?

2. My K is showing interest (and talent) in photography. She borrowed my camera for a bit recently and returned with several cool shots--including this one of our sweet Haley dog.

She's so comfortable in front of the camera, it is interesting to watch her transition to behind it. :-)

3. P is blossoming into a much more confident (and active) fella--and it is fun to watch. His introversion and sedentary nature is still dominant--it is the way he's wired. But I am happy to see him showing more interest in being outdoors some as well.

Dropping him off at sleepaway camp for NINE DAYS was a source of anxious anticipation for me for months but he truly seemed to show signs of readiness right before my very eyes in the 7-10 days before he left. There is SO much to be said for leaving room for our children to rise to the occasion. 

It was a true answer to prayer for this Mama (and his Daddy too.)

4.  These two really are pea and carrots. So sweet!

I can't help but think they will marry people with personalities that mirror each other. Only time will tell. 

5. Having 20 boys over for a Nerf birthday party in our backyard was epic...but at 5'2" I had ZERO control or voice. Many of these 9-10 year old boys are my height already--and they definitely are louder! Daddy took over leading the games and it was a testosterone fest to be long remembered!

6. Our 'girl party,' a photo scavenger hunt downtown, was also an active, memorable hit.

 The greatest souvenir for us, were some hilarious pictures of K's friends being their silly, sweet selves. 

7. iphones don't fare well in washing machines..especially when they go through the spin cycle.

And there you have it, a totally random wrap up of loose ends--a pretty accurate depiction of my Summer brain!

Thought on Planes (the movie)

Friday night, as a last toast to Summer break, my husband and I took our children to see the movie Planes. It was basically another version of Cars, an innocent and cute way to spend a family night. The children enjoyed it. It kept our adult attention and there were some nice examples of friendship, sportsmanship and the importance of honesty.

The plot centers around a rural crop duster, Dusty, who dreams of being a world class air racer. Dusty goes to great lengths in the movie to leave his identity behind in pursuit of his goal.  It seemed like just another movie about making dreams come true until a line near the very end of the film that was offered as somewhat of a moral to the story. One of Dusty's fans offers accolades along the lines of "from all of us who also dream of being more than we were created to be." (paraphrased)

I confess to sometimes being overly analytical, but this phrase really bothered me. 

I believe it is essential to the Christian worldview to recognize that we were each created by a Creator...on purpose and with a purpose.  Isn't the insinuation that who we were 'created to be' is somehow restrictive and mediocre a dangerous idea? I hate the notion that those to be lauded are those who take matters in their own hands and go beyond the original plan. (Garden of Eden, Tower of Babel anyone...)

Why not encourage Dusty to instead fully be who he was made to be with joy & excellence? Truthfully, we all know that wouldn't sell. The world views that as 'boring' and uninspiring.

The sad reality is that the majority of folks never even scratch the surface when it comes to using their gifts and being who they were made to be. We'd much rather attempt to reinvent ourselves into false, less effective characters more in line with what we wish we'd been made to do.

The result is a life of frustration.
We want to do more. God wants us to do US.

I'm not a conspiracy theorist. I don't believe someone actively sought to write a script to lead children down a path of wrong thinking. I do think it is a reflection of the accepted thinking of our times and a reminder that our Christian world view is different than that of the secular world.

So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.
Romans 12:6 The Message

Now I'll hop off my soapbox. :-)

"Stranger" Danger

This is a bit off the beaten path of my typical posts, but I came across a link tonight on facebook and felt strongly about passing it on.

My heart for ministry tends to be with women & youth. For the last 9 years I've served in a group home in my community for abused/neglected/troubled adolescents. As a result of this experience my eyes have been completely opened to the fact that 'the stranger in the white van' is not usually the perpetrator of abuse against minors. The vast majority of the time (93%) it is a trusted adult with access.

If you think this doesn't apply to you, I'd like to share these sobering statistics from this GREAT site:
* 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will have been sexually abused by their eighteenth birthday.
* Only 1 in 10 children reports the abuse themselves.
* 22% of abused children are under 8 years old.
* The average age of abused children is 9.
* 34% of victims are abused by family members.
* 59% are abused by people the family judges to be trustworthy. In fact, it is a common tactic of abusers to first establish a trusting relationship with the parents of the child.
* Many young children are abused by larger, older children.

This post, Tricky People are the New Stranger, is an important reminder about a blind spot in safety conversations many adults are having with their kids. I am by NO MEANS an expert and generally refrain from offering parenting advice because I am in the test kitchen just like everybody else. I am also aware that we all have our own communication styles and varied family dynamics/personalities. Now that I have all those disclaimers on the table, I will share a few things that are working  for us at age eight.

1. When my children were very young (3 maybe) we started having conversations about "safe side adults," "kinda knows" and "don't knows" after watching the Safeside Super Chick in this safety video. It is a great starting point for conversations with kids.

2. Since my kids don't understand the birds and the bees, we have simply always talked about 'privacy' and the fact that there is no reason an adult other than a parent or a doctor (with a parent present) would ever need to see/touch the areas their swimsuits cover. In the last couple of years I have taken it a step further to explain simply that "some people try to hurt kids in private places."

3. I have emphasized over and over again that "there is nothing you could EVER do to make me love you any more or any less" & "if anyone ever tells you that something has happened that will make me love you any less they are lying and trying to trick you." To go along with this, I have added that there is nothing an 8 year old should ever have to keep secret from Mommy except a gift. We tell each other the truth because we know we will be loved no matter what. (This happens much more frequently than safety conversations because it is an important foundation for most every parenting issue...not just this one.)

4. I have explained that some people hurt kids then try to trick them that they (the kid) will be in trouble if it comes out. I tell them emphatically that is a lie.

I also try to employ words like 'tricky' instead of 'bad' because I think it teaches them to pay attention and helps them feel empowered instead of scared. We talk a lot about 'tricks someone might try' and how to not fall for it. It seems a lot less frightening to talk this way.

5. I unapologectically limit access to my kids. I read in another child abuse curriculum that the #1 prevention for abuse is to limit one adult/one child situations. It seems so simple, but think about it.

I know this is an especially touchy topic, but I have also heard a fair number of stories (including from real people I know) of inappropriate kid/kid interactions (yes, at the elementary age with 'nice' families in the suburbs) that make me very leery of sleepovers and slumber parties at this young age. I am not just referring to crude humor. (This feels like a good time to emphasize again that this is all personal choices...not judging what anyone else chooses to allow for their people. :-) In my mind there are PLENTY of years ahead for slumber parties--they don't need to start when there is still so much innocence and vulnerability. As of age 8, mine have not yet spent the night with a friend.

6. Most abusers are not obsessed with a certain kid as much as they are looking for an easy target. Watching a Dateline episode several months ago I learned that something as simple as eye contact with adults makes your child appear more confident and less likely to be targeted. To reinforce this, I now reward my kids when they can pass a 'post adult encounter pop quiz' by answering one simple question: What color were his/her eyes? It's worth a quarter in our home. (My kids think this is just about manners.)

7. Make it an ongoing conversation...not an emotional, taboo topic. I try to bounce around and cover ALL KINDS of safety topics like guns, taking others' medications, crossing the street, fire hazards, etc. Abuse scenarios are mixed right in so it feels less stressful to bring up.

8. Role Play!! We keep this really informal. It is almost always in the car or around the dinner table when I ask, "What should you do when an adult pulls into the driveway while I am inside? What if it is someone you know?" Again, I mix this in with other types of threats like "Johnny offers to show you his Dad's gun collection, but says you can't tell anybody..."

Reading back over this, I fear it sounds like I am neurotic or stressing my kids out...but I don't see any signs of that being true. They are outgoing little people who I'd like to think are being equipped with some tools to be less fearful and more confident. We only talk about this stuff every few months--and the looks on their faces seem to convey interest.

In the end, I trust that God is writing their story and know that I cannot bubble wrap my people to protect them from every threat. I do think, however, that I have a responsibility to equip my little sheep before I send them out among the wolves.

I know there are probably tons of great resources out there. Feel free to pass them along in the comments.

Seasons

Next month marks 6 years that I have been practicing this almost daily discipline of blogging. It is funny for me to go back and look at how the blog has evolved and changed since I started irregularly posting random pictures for the benefit of family and friends (pre-facebook).

As my children have gotten older and our lives have gotten busier, I have found myself writing less about them and more about what I am learning about life and faith in general. I have mentioned before that I don't ever want to dishonor anyone (including my husband and children) by telling stories that aren't mine to tell.

In the last couple of weeks I have hit a dry spell when it comes to writing. I have been praying, asking God how He will have be proceed with this blog. I have never wanted it to make money or make me famous. I don't work to promote it. I have simply enjoyed it as a keepsake and an outlet for what I am learning and an opportunity to learn from others. It is the 'hobby' nature that has made this relaxing rather than taxing.

A funny thing has happened as I stopped spending as much time writing...I have instead spent that time reading...Piper, Smith, VosKamp, Stanley, Tripp. I have been learning some huge, challenging lessons. God has been exposing some dark corners of my heart that need His attention. It has been like I left a dry desert and entered a monsoon season of truth.

When the time is right, I hope to write about the things I am learning...but I will give you some headlines: pride, grace, relationships and the power of my tongue!

In the meantime, I am trying to enjoy Summer with my family and feel free of any pressure or expectation to post daily. I want to be intentional in my publishing...using this space to add encouragement, grace and truth to the world--not just being one more noisy voice in an already crowded Internet.

Basically, I am simply saying that I don't know what this season will look like or how long it will last. My posting may be sporadic. It may be much more link-y than usual...or it may be exactly the same. Just know that I am committed to being prayerful about it.

Stay tuned and we'll see. (And we'll see what happens with the blog formatting too. :-)

Photo Potpourri

This afternoon I uploaded pictures from my phone. They are a random, but funny, look a moments of real life in the past few weeks that made me smile. A true slice of life!

Silly P and sweet K!
A few weeks ago riding bikes on a nearby park trail.
My boys made storm trooper masks out of printer paper recently.
Don't you love how P fitted his for glasses?
I cannot get this one to turn the right direction...but love R's expression so much I don't care.
It was a bit chilly for K's soccer game a couple of Saturdays ago. When you show up to play like this, it might be time for the season to conclude!
This little stowaway rode along to school with me for lunch today. At least he knew to sit in a car seat!
Me & my girl at Nana's birthday party last weekend. None of my three have lost any teeth yet (at 6 1/2) but this one gives me a glimpse at what K may look like as a snaggle tooth!

This is a little trick of mine in public restrooms. When it is my turn to go, everyone has to stand outside my door where I can see their feet. (This also ensures they aren't touching lots of random things.) :-) I am not sure when we might outgrow this little trick, so I snapped and included this for posterity.
A few weeks ago when K had her hair trimmed she asked if they would blow dry it straight 'like Mommy.' It aged her too many years!
My precious friend Emily and me at the Alabama Homecoming game. We met our freshman year of college because we were next door neighbors in the dorm. I am so thankful God brought us together!

The Floor

I have spent the last 2 hours spread out on my living room floor with my to do list, my calendar and a dozen loose ends that need tying up. One of the few advantages to a husband who sometimes works late into the night is the ability to sit with a cup of tea in a quiet house and get caught up.

So, why I am on the floor, when there is seating for 11 in this room? I like it here. I have my first evening fire of the Fall, the carpet is soft and the floor just seems to always be a place where I can spread out and just be.

I had a relatively new friend over this afternoon. When she arrived, I escorted her into the living room (the most formal spot in my home). As we started to get settled in, I started the fire and suddenly we were both looking longingly at the rug.
"Is it weird for us to sit on the floor, " I asked her.
"No, I would love that," she replied with a grin.
It was then that I knew we were real friends--shoes off, legs crossed, on the floor.

Genteel women everywhere are cringing.

I appreciate decorum. Manners are important to me. But the older I get the more I realize that true hospitality has far more to do with creating a space where a guest feels relaxed, welcomed and comfortable than sitting upright on stuffy furniture so nervous we might break the rules that we can't get enjoy authentic conversation.

It probably goes without saying that my guest today was young and able-bodied. I will certainly not expect my 84 year old Grandmama to give up her seat at Thanksgiving--even if she did recently send me a facebook friend request!

Falling or Floating

This morning I was getting some work done upstairs in my office when I was struck by the beauty outside my window. It was a gorgeous, crisp, sunshiny Autumn day. The wind was gusting with a fair bit of force so leaves were swirling and floating down from the trees in my backyard by the dozen.

It struck me how strangely beautiful it was to watch. The leaves were brown and burnt orange, crinkly, crunchy, dying. On the trees they weren't much to look at, but their descent was breath-taking. They twirled and dived gracefully in the breeze. Rather than falling they appeared to be floating. Once they hit the ground their individuality was lost--but on the way down, their final dance was a grand finale.

I thought about it from the trees' perspective. (I know...it is a stretch, stick with me...) Each Spring, fresh, green growth occurs. You are drenched by rains, warmed by the sun, tested by winds and grow towards the light. Then Fall arrives. Your color starts to change--sometimes into bright, vibrant hues you never even knew you had in you--until the cool breezes start to blow. Your leaves hold on as long as they can and then one day, inevitably, they fall.

You go through the coldest season with your limbs that were once lush and full now barren and exposed. Why couldn't you just pause in any of those more bautiful seasons and stay there forever--revelling in new growth, gorgeous hues?

It is the cycle of life.

And while the changing of the seasons might terrify the one who is shedding, watching pieces fall away, from the perspective of the one who is looking through the window it does not appear random. It seems synchronized and even beautiful. For the one watching knows that there is truth in this world. Some things can be counted on. Time marches on. There is hope. In the Spring there will be new growth--but only because the old has passed on.

(And, no, I did not find it a coincidence that my window left me watching all this through a cross. That perspective changes everything.)

My Random Life

If I ever doubt the randomness of my daily life, I just flip through the pictures on my iphone. Here are a few snapshots from the last couple of days in my exciting life...

This is the sight that greeted me when I peered outside my bedroom window this morning. A massive branch fell during the night and destroyed my children's playset. It is hard to tell from this picture, but there was once a fort, climbing wall and slide attached to those swings.

Living around all these huge, old trees I am learning that there is seldom any rhyme or reason to when they fall or drop branches. Last night was clear and calm--there hasn't been rain or wind in days. The branch was just too heavy and overextended.

P & K cried.
"I loved that swingset."
"Daddy is going to be soooo sad, Mommy. He worked really hard building that."
"Oh, no, we have to go make sure there weren't any baby birds or squirrels in there when it fell."

I love those hearts.

Tonight during bedtime prayers my husband said, "Thank you, Lord, for protecting, K, P & R. Thank you that they were not playing on the playground when the branch fell...." When he finished P looked at him with a grin and said, "Dad! The limb fell in the middle of the night. We never play on the playground in the dark."

Also experiencing a close call today was our male kitten, Boo. This morning while working on the computer, I glanced out my window to see him hanging UPSIDE DOWN from these ropes attached to the back of a workman's truck in my driveway. Somehow he got his tail and two legs tangled in this mess. It was a sight! (I do have my limits to photography. I rescued him before it occurred to me to photo document the incident.) Boo just used one of his 9 lives--only 8 more to go little guy!

And this one just sums up what a little man I have in R. I have noticed both boys have new, unique ways of writing his name on his work at school. P has cut his name down to just his initials. Every paper he brings home says "CPS." R has taken a different approach. I hope you can make it out in this picture...
"Mistr Scott"

Just in case you were wondering how to address him. :-)

Random Things I Like About God

Sometimes I get deep here on the ole blog, but tonight I was just thinking about some of the really random things about creation that make me smile.

Like beatboxing. I know, I told you it was random :) But, as I was watching videos with my boys of people making incredible music with their mouths I thought, Wow! We serve a creator who designed mouths to make all these incredibly interesting sounds.

And babies...I mean, isn't it incredible that people start in such an interesting way? Small, helpless but cuddly, pudgy, soft and cooing. What a gift!

Then, they start to grow. Watching children mature and grow is simply fascinating. Through it all, the Spirit is so gracious to gently point out how similar we are to little ones as we learn to stand, walk, run, all while stumbling and learning to recover.

How about mountains and oceans and sunsets? Caves, clouds and deserts? Stars, thunderstorms, snowflakes?

Smiling, giggles, deep, full body laughter.

The way two young people look when they are first falling in love--and the way two very old people look after decades of life together?

Trees in the Fall--the brilliant colors and differently shaped leaves on the ground.

All the different sights and sounds of nature--the incredible variety of creatures--the level of detail involved in each one...

Relationships, friendships and ministry...God allows us to need each other, to serve and to be served, to encourage, sympathize, protect, pray with and for each other. The older I get the more I am astounded by the incredible way God wired us to be in relationship with Him and with others.

Food. The fact that rather than just giving our bodies nourishment, God created ways for it to be an enjoyable experience as well. The same is true of procreation. We serve a God who shows an appreciation for pleasure.

I could go on and on.

Tonight I praise a thoroughly imaginative, ingenious and astoundingly GOOD Creator. His detail, excellence, care and sovereignty is apparent everywhere we turn. If we pay attention there is no denying that, truly, even the rocks cry out. (Luke 19:40)

I received this story in an e-mail a few days ago. (Thanks, D.) I have found it reposted in several places around the Internet with slight variations in each, but no author attributed. I am thinking it is more parable than true story. Nonetheless, I loved the illustration and wanted to pass it along:

THE SCARS OF LIFE

SOME YEARS AGO, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

HIS FATHER, working in the yard, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could.

HEARING HIS VOICE, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him.

FROM THE DOCK, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go.

A FARMER HAPPENED TO DRIVE BY, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

REMARKABLY, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father’s fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved.

THE NEWSPAPER REPORTER who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, “But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Dad wouldn’t let go.”

YOU AND I CAN IDENTIFY with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let you go. In the midst of your struggle, He’s been there holding on to you.

THE SCRIPTURE TEACHES that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril – and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That’s when the tug-of-war begins – and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.

RIGHT NOW, someone needs to know that God loves them, and you love them, too – enough to not let them go. Be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through.

FINALLY, never judge another person's scars, because you don't know how they got them.

Wisdom for All

I love giving gifts, so this has been FUN!!! I just wish I could give them to everyone who entered.

Since we like to do things in triplicate around here, there will be three sets awarded. (and if each of these ladies share them when they are finished it will be the gift that keeps giving!)

Drumroll please...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

1 Hallie 

14 Rock (Sarah) 

122 DNJ 

Timestamp: 2010-05-13 16:02:47 UTC

But wait, there is more...

Thanks to my friend Holly I have GREAT news!!! You can listen online to these for free in thirty minute increments. Check out this link.

Wisdom for everyone! 

Get Wisdom (a drawing)

My Wednesday morning group has almost completed Beth Moore's Wising Up dvd series on Proverbs. The last three videos (How Wisdom Looks on a Wife, Wisdom for a Wife's Sexuality and Wisdom for Moms) have been incredible. The dvd today on motherhood was especially rich, encouraging and affirming. 

I will attempt a post with notes later, but the entire thing was so full of truth I am not sure I can accurately capture it. As I was listening I was thinking "I wish every woman could hear this." The discs come in sets of three, so the price is a little steep ($30).

So, I would like to have a little giveaway. Leave a comment below if you are interested in getting Part Three of the Wising Up series, which includes the three sessions I mentioned above. Please make sure I can get in touch with you if you win (i.e., having an email attached to your blogger profile if you do not have an actual blog). Drawing will happen based on comments received by Noon EST tomorrow (5/13/10). 

And even if you don't win, track down these videos yourself. They are worth it!

GGGRRRR!

I just spent 45 minutes on a post and as I hit the publish button blogger hiccupped and deleted it.

I can either stay up past my bedtime to rewrite it or go to bed and try again tomorrow. I think I am going to go to bed.

The funny thing is that I actually pray daily about what I write here. I feel like God has given me a voice and audience. I want to be a good steward of that. My post was not really controversial, but I cannot help but wonder if God just didn't think I was on the right track tonight.

Random Thoughts from 30,000 Feet

Honestly, I am primarily writing this post because the thought of being able to do so while flying fascinates me. :-) Technology has been a real gift to this Mama throughout our trip--using Skype to talk to the kids was awesome!

We have had an incredible trip. After I wrote on Saturday, my husband and I were able to work in a fun date night in Cabo (where a waterfront restaurant prepared the Mahi Mahi he caught a few hours before). Talk about fresh fish!

Later we wandered into a bar to take in the local flavor and I realized just how much of an old prude I have become. I am not sure if it was my tailored capri pants when compared to the more revealing attire of the fellow female patrons or the look on my face, but I was not called upon to participate in any of the tequila-powered performances. We didn't stay very long.

I have been serenaded in Spanish by sweet Mexican men with guitars, tried my hand at bargaining with local merchants in broken Spanish (I wasn't very good at it), fought off ridiculously persistent time share salesmen at every turn, read a book and a half and made a couple of new friends, stared at the sea for hours and taken long walks with the man I love.

Sunday afternoon I had one of the most amazing experiences of my life. My husband and I went on a whale watching excursion. It was a small group of only 10 in a small outboard engine propelled 'ocean rider.' We were treated with a marvelous show by 16 humpback whales over a two hour period. Apparently, Cabo serves as a mating ground (and place of childbirth) for humpbacks migrating down from Alaska to the warmer waters. As the excursion was coming to a close we witnessed to sunset on the horizon from the water and found ourselves surrounded by a school of 20-30 playful dolphins. I cannot wait to show K, P & R the video! (I did realize about an hour in, as we were battered about by the waves and nausea overtook my body that I do not have a career ahead of me as an ocean adventurer!)

Today was spent enjoying a few hours more of delicious tropical fruit and idyllic weather. Just for good measure I had guacamole and pico de gallo with my breakfast. Something tells me canned pineapple, store bought orange juice or Moe's burritos aren't going to seem very appetizing for a while.

Our mission as accomplished! We have talked about everything we could come up with including our vision as parents and plans for the future--the kinds of conversations real life with chatty children so often makes impossible. When we finally reached the subject of dark jeans for men I realized we had truly covered everything else of importance.

We are well rested, a little tan and very excited about returning to the 'real world.' I know it will likely be years before we are able to make a trip this extensive by ourselves, so I am grateful. The next time I deem it 'too complicated' to get away with my husband, even for a night, I hope I am reminded that the benefits far outweigh the effort required to make it happen.

Complete Randomness

I wish I could formulate a coherent post right now, but I have too many random thoughts. It is list time.

1. In the last three days I have wrapped so many gifts my fingers are still tingling from the tape. I realized that I have a real problem with my love for paper. Even after wrapping 4 dozen gifts I still have several rolls leftover...and I didn't even buy any this year. I must remember to just say no to clearance sales this year.

2. My progress on gift wrapping has a direct negative correlation on my progress with Christmas cards--and laundry for that matter. Ugh! Must catch up...

3. We are forecast to get snow in the morning tomorrow--a completely unusual occurrence for our region. The difficult thing is that we are scheduled to leave here early tomorrow to make it to Atlanta for the Rockettes' Christmas Spectacular. We are so excited about it, but it will be a bummer to miss playing in the snow. My children have still never had an opportunity to experience more than a slight dusting of snow.

4. Tomorrow after the Rockettes we will be heading to the SEC Championship...Can't wait for football and fun with old friends! Roll Tide!!

5. Is anyone else looking forward to the Sing Off on NBC December 14th like I am? I cannot explain how much I love watching people use their God-given talent. American Idol, Glee, musicals, I love them!

6. My little R has become quite the fan of baking. His class made gingerbread Wednesday and he brought the recipe home begging if we could make some more. We went to Kroger bought all the ingredients, came home and baked for an hour. Tonight I noticed Kroger had slice and bake gingerbread for cookies so we tried that....much easier, very tasty and not nearly as many dirty dishes!


7. Sunday morning we are teaching 4 year old Sunday School, then have brunch with Santa followed by a fundraiser for Sweeney and another fundraiser for the children's home...this is clearly our busiest weekend of the year.

8. I am falling asleep as I type, I can only imagine how you feel reading it. :-) Goodnight!

Dear Summer

Dear Summer,
After nine months of my children in school 30 hours a week, I eagerly awaited your arrival. This was my first Summer without a regularly scheduled babysitter. It was just the trio and me with 12 weeks of adventures to find and memories to make. We experienced great Summer day camps, fun playdates and a few fantastic trips. You did not disappoint!

As we return to school tomorrow, our skin is tan, our swimsuits faded, our flip flops well worn and our spirits relaxed. Now it is back to bedtimes and real baths at night (not just the pool), packing lunches, evening homework, dance practice, and shoes with socks.

We now look forward to enjoying you on the weekends, with some structure during the week for good measure (and Mama's sanity). Soon you will slip away for nine more months--and as ready as we are to see you leave, we will anxiously await your return come Spring.

You have been good to us, and we are grateful. Thanks for the memories!

Randomness from the Sick Bay

Day Four of dealing with the recycled stomach contents of my children has worn me down. Just when I think we are in the clear and hours have gone by with no action, someone gets sick again. I am not feeling so hot tonight and I honestly cannot tell if it is out of disgust, exhaustion or true illness.

So, instead of thinking hard tonight, I opted to share some of my latest distractions with you. (I have spent A LOT of time at home in the last several days.)

First of all, these sticky mosaics were a birthday gift that we have enjoyed immensely during these long days at home. I found several different sets online for both boys and girls. They are great for developing fine motor skills, matching and they have kept my children absorbed and busy for hours!!!

We have also discovered Tom & Jerry cartoons. It would have never occurred to me that my children would enjoy these oldies, but after seeing them at a friend's house they were hooked. I found some at Target and believe it or not at my offensive magazine-free Kroger! They have also discovered Wipeout.

At least two hours have been spent making our own t-shirts thanks to a kit the children received from friends for their birthday. K is all about as much color and decoration as possible. Her three shirts have each taken almost two days to dry because of the amount of paint she uses. I am a minimalist. I am getting strong signals that she is definitely not! P designed one that says "I love blowfish" and another that has buttons all over the front like a robot. R made one with his name and his adoration of blowfish as well. (Unfortunately, it is not the real creatures in nature they love...it is a game on my iphone!)

We have also loved watching our skyscraper sunflowers bloom outside the sunroom window. We planted two packs of seeds on Earth Day. In 2 1/2 months they have grown to 8 feet tall! I am not really a green thumb at all. These have been so easy/low maintennance to grown and amazing to watch.

I am off for an early bedtime in hopes that health lies on the other side of this day (and mindful that it could always be worse!)

Real Life: Photos from my iphone

I was planning to post tonight about yesterday afternoon's activities (K's first pedicure) but when I went to my iphone to retrieve the picture, I found a few other gems that were too entertaining not to share.

So, straight from my phone to this post...real, everyday life as recorded in pictures.

I snapped this one a few weeks ago of my front seat. It occurred to me as I glanced over that it is a picture of a Mama's life. Make-up bag, purse, wallet on the seat, baby wipes on the floorboard, random toy on the center console, phone charger and HOLY COW at the caffeine...three coffee cups and two Diet Cokes. For the record, that was 3 days' worth. :-)

I found this, randomly snapped of P in the middle of WalMart.

And back to yesterday's activities...The boys were invited on their first ever all boy playdate. K was a little disappointed, so I took the opportunity to satisfy a promise I made to her a few months ago...a pedicure after she turned 5.

I think she liked it...and check out those precious painted toes ready for a flip floppy Summer!

Meanwhile, when we went back to pick up the boys I found them having a blast in the sprinkler and rehearsing sounds of bodily functions. Ahh, boys!

Names

This is very random post (aren't they all?), but we are in full Summertime mode and my brain is fried from entertaining energetic children for 14 straight hours today.

This weekend our cousin Scott was remarking about all of the lovies that my children have collected in recent months. (It has gotten a little out of control.) He challenged me to name each one. Ever the competitor, I started spouting off their names and could not help but giggle at the ridiculous names some of them have.

Even more entertaining than the names are the stories behind them...but I will spare you that.

For posterity (and perhaps a little giggle) I present the random monikers of my children's beloved stuffed friends:

P loves: Oreo, Stitches, Ralphie, White, Spotty, Night Night, Dark Snow, Chomp, Squirt, Black Spot, Haley, Doggie Dog, Wacky, Bumpkin, Pokey, Basketball Bear, Crush, Duckie

R loves: Sunny, Chimpanzee George, Milo Tiger Cat, Ry the Lion, Batty George, Baseball Frog, Uga, Curtis, Baseball Dog, Snakey, Spot Spot

K loves: Baby Jenny, Chicken Bone, Piper, Baa Baa, Lambie, Cherry Pie, Hootie, Cottontail, Ruffie, Tutu, Gilbert, Rammy, Black Sky, K Bear, Roo, Blankie

I fear what my grandchildren will one day be named. :-)

Random Things

I have a lot of balls in the air...and am glued to the American Idol final...so tonight's post must be a list.
1- I am have packed 30 party favor bags tonight for the trio's birthday party this weekend. I am praying for good weather for our 'football/cheerleader party.' There is no way I can pull off the numbers or the activities inside my house!

Our sweet friends Lucia and Rick kicked off the birthday celebration early tonight with their gift: a football autographed by UGA head coach Mark Richt. It is personalized with Happy 5th Birthday, KP&R on it. What a special treat!

2- I love American Idol. Really. I cannot help myself. It is a cheesy sickness. I am so thrilled for Kris Allen! What an awesome guy.

3- We have a very fun surprise gift being built in our backyard tomorrow...a tree house! I am so excited. It is going to take some serious work to keep my little people distracted for the next 48 hours so we can have a big reveal this weekend. Here's hoping we can pull it off! It was my husband's idea, so I really want him to be here to see their reactions.

4- I have been exhausted for the last couple of weeks. I keep telling my husband I am afraid I have mono. He assures me it is just '5-year-old-triplet-o.'

With that outburst of randomness, I am off to bed.