Longest day of the year!

Saturday the 21st of June was the longest day of the year. We celebrated by going to the Yogi Bear waterpark in Pelahatchie. It was so much fun. I didn't get the camera out much, so these were the only two pics worth posting.

I hate that Paiz's cup is in her face, because she was so very cute in her suit!

My mom and dad got an awesome hammock for their front porch. My kids loved it, but they love their Nonna more!

Dad fixed the tire swing. It used to be on a rotted rope, now it's on cables, and really swings out far. It's a playland at their house!

VBS is going great. Michael comes home tomorrow. I've kept the house mostly clean. Except for a little weariness, we've had a great week. Today Aidan and Molly played in shaving cream, and the word on the street is that they had a blast! Paisley has found a friend in Mary Alice and gets toted around the church, spreading the joy of being Paiz. The ladies in the teacher's lounge can't believe how big she is. Last year, I worked in there and she was about 4 weeks old. What a year we've had since then!

I can't wait to see Michael. I hope I sleep tonight, knowing he's flying all night. Tomorrow will be a happy day.

Roll with the punches...

Today was the first day of VBS. Actually, I'm with the 5th and 6th grade, so that would be VBX, Vacation Bible School Extreme. We had an awesome day. I met some really great kids. They were so funny! My group played Truth or Dare, and they were such good sports and we laughed a lot. I guess my kids had fun. They tell me nothing. But they were all smiles at pick up time, so I take that as a good sign.

Michael left yesterday before daylight for another trip. He's got a lot going on these days. We're fine, but today we had a van issue that really made me wish he was here. Our air conditioning has been going out on the van lately. Michael takes it to this place in Canton to get it fixed. Today when we left VBS, it was hot again. So I drove straight to the mechanic to get it fixed. They told me to go inside and wait for a bit while they "looked at it". I woke Paisley up, got the kids out and sat in the waiting room for quite a while. After 45 minutes, I asked if they would be done soon, and they said, "oh no ma'am. Probably another hour or two." At this point my kids were crying from hunger and pretty much running wild in the waiting room, so I asked if I had to stay or if I could call someone to come get me. The man (who is so nice) realized that I was standing there with 3 screaming kids and offered to take me home. He promised he wouldn't kill me (and I did ask) and I accepted a ride from a stranger for one of the few times in my life. He brought us home and said he'd call when the van was ready and somebody would come pick us up. I got the kids in, fed them, put a movie on, and tried for a long time to get Paisley back to sleep. Around 3:30 she finally crashed and then the guy called at 3:45 and said someone was going to come get me to pick up the van. In my nicest voice, I told him I had just gotten the baby back to sleep and he immediately said they'd just bring it to me. So Paiz got her nap, I got my van, and the kids went to bed early. All in all, not a bad experience. But in the moment, I was getting a little frustrated.

Now all the kids are fed and sleeping...so I have a choice to make. Do I exercise, watch tv, read a book, clean my bathroom, take a shower, or just sit and do nothing? I'll enjoy getting to choose!

A Renaissance Day

I don't know why I can't get my pictures to line up the way I want them to...but oh well. These are in backward order...


Yesterday, Michael took the afternoon off and we went to Renaissance. We ate at Sweet Peppers (I was really disappointed in the chicken salad) and then let the kids get wet in the fountain. We brought towels and changes of clothes, and they had a wonderful afternoon. We changed their clothes there in the little plaza behind a curtain of beach towels. So now my kids have been naked in a mall. I figured we'd get it out of their systems now so when they go to college, this will be one less stupid thing they'll need to do.

Aidan loved just running through the water at full speed.

This would be a cute pic except for the water drop on my lens right on Aidan.

Molly was shocked that I let her wear that dress. She asked if I was sure she could get it wet. I told her, "just because there will be pictures, darling!"

And I'm thinking she was ready for those pictures!!

Paisley was a happy, happy baby.

She was fascinated by the water. She loved just putting her hands in the spray.

Paisley had a bit of trouble keeping her footing. It was really slick, and she busted it many, many times. But she never cried. Apparently the fun of it overruled the frustration and pain of falling.

I wish I had gotten her face up close. She was joyful. That's the only word I can think of. Just completely joyful.

Aidan doing a little fork and knife action.

Molly was mad because the food wasn't there. I was trying to make the best of it. We had to go ask for crackers to get us through the wait.

Paiz loves the crackers.

Today we went to the Yogi Bear campground waterpark. I'll post the few pics I have later. We had a great time there. We saw my sweet cousin Jenni with our friend Leslie and their beautiful girls. The kids wore themselves out. And I've got a nasty sunburn. I was so worried about getting sunscreen on the kids and Michael...I forgot to put it on myself. It was cloudy, so I didn't feel the sun on my shoulders. Next time, I won't forget. I just get so caught up in getting everybody ready, it's amazing that I get out the door with pants on! Anyway, we had a great time. I want to go back with my family and stay in a cabin. It's very relaxing and kid-friendly, except for one thing. There are NO diaper changing stations anywhere. And there were babies everywhere. But not one changing table thing. And the lady acted like I was crazy when I asked if they had one. Yogi apparently was thinking like the boy bear he is and forgot that detail.

So that's our weekend. Tomorrow will be a good day...except that Michael is going out of town again. That's always a bit sad. But a day at church will be wonderful. I look forward to it so much.

Have a happy Sunday. Rejoice!

Lunch break...

yesterday when Michael came home for lunch, this is what we did..

For Father's day...Michael and the kids!

Some of these are repeats, but worth repeating!

Michael's dancing with Paiz here. I love the look on his face!

At Pump It Up, sliding with the girls.

On top of Monkey Hill with Aidan. New Orleans Zoo.

Climbing the web at the zoo in N.O. There are so many I could post! But these I think show how much fun he has with our great kids.

My Father's Eyes

Happy Father's day to the dads that read this! (That's like, 2, right?)

I'm home with a stomach virus while Michael took the kids to church. They didn't rush this morning to make Sunday School. They played go fish, read books, ate breakfast, played Molly's dice game (long story...) and basically just enjoyed the morning together. The most special thing about this is that this is not a rare, abnormal thing around here. Michael is a wonderful, caring, hands-on, loving father. Our kids are so blessed to have him. He does so much to show them he loves them. Actually, if we were younger, we probably would have more kids, primarily because Michael loves being a dad. The day after Aidan was born, we had about 2 hours when the room wasn't full of family and friends. Michael sat in the rocker with our new baby on his chest and didn't move. I remember seeing his face filled with the peace and wonder of knowing he had found his greatest purpose. And I've grown to love him more in the past 5 years than I ever thought I could. He doesn't feel like being superdad all the time, but yet, he always is. If the kids want a story at bedtime, and I'm folding clothes, he's right there to read. He throws the baseball to Aidan on his lunch break and then when he gets home. We chose this house in Canton mostly because of Michael's relationship with the kids. He wanted us to be close to his work so he could come home every day at lunch and see us. We'll have to move next year for school and that will be the hardest on Michael and the kids. I'm so proud of who he is as a man, and a father.

I also was blessed beyond words with a father who is almost indescribable. People tell me all the time, "Oh, your daddy is so _______." Words like wonderful, special, kind, funny, giving, selfless, great, and unique fill that spot. My favorite part of the quote is the word "your". I'm so glad he's my daddy. I don't know anyone who loves people like he does. He loves the Lord and wants everyone to know how great our God is. In my lifetime, many people have come to know Jesus in a personal, real way because dad shares him in such a transparent way. I pray I can learn to do that. He taught me how to shoot a can off a stick, how to fish, how to play a Bach Minuet in G, how to project my voice on stage, how to handle a beligerent teenager who breaks curfew every weekend (yep, that was me), how to pray through hurt feelings, how to make sugar cookies, how to love people wholeheartedly, and so many other things. He embarrassed the mess out of me when I was an adolescent. He offended my need to be cool at all cost. Looking back, I see how boring I was and how awesome he was. Being cool is way overrated. Dad taught me that what other people think is pretty much a nonissue. The only identity I should care about is my identity in Christ. Am I glorifying him? Who does God say I am? What does he love about me? I can answer those questions now and it really puts the right perspective on things. My dad is a grateful man. He is so thankful for his family, his home, and his work. He never really complains, and I've never heard him EVER talk bad about people. He keeps a secret locked up tight, and is the most humble, selfless person I've ever known. I admire him. I thank God I get to be his. He answers his phone when I call, even when he's busy, just because I might need something. He told me when I got my first boyfriend in high school, "this makes me just a little sad, because now you love someone else besides me". I knew then that if I ever met a guy that I could love more than I love him, we'd get married. Michael Albritton is the best friend I've ever had. He has so many of these same qualities my dad has. I didn't mention it in the last paragraph, but Michael spends as much time in God's word as he can. So does my dad. Neither men are pompous, or self righteous, or think they're better than anybody. They just have discovered a power and a love and a peace that comes from knowing the Perfect Father. I think their lives praise God in so many ways. They aren't perfect, but they are connected to the source of perfect love. And they share that love with us. I am so grateful.

Happy Father's day. I know so many people don't have the same experience I do. But there is a perfect Father who loves unconditionally and accepts you just like you are. Know Him, and you will know a love beyond comprehension. His love makes any earthly father pale in comparison. And he sees us each as his child. I'm amazed at that. I'm God's child. Even more than I'm Mark's child, I'm God's child. Mark, Michael, and the other family I have don't make me who I am. Belonging to Jesus makes me who I am. Loved, accepted, forgiven, cherished, I am all those things, just because Jesus lives in me. I pray you know this. I pray that no matter what your earthly father looks like, you know your Heavenly father.

My Favorite song!

Just a bit of news about Brad Paisley and his new video and single. This song is on his Time Well Wasted album, and he's repackaging his new album, 5th Gear with this song on it. He's releasing it and just made a video...read about it.

http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1589080/brad-paisley-films-new-video-with-andy-griffith.jhtml

This is my favorite country song. I can't wait to see the video.

Dreams and imaginings...

If you know me well at all (and seriously, how many people really know anybody well?) then you know that Nashville was my City of Dreams when I was a kid. I remember the day vividly when my dad brought home a record, Amy Grant's Age to Age. It changed my whole life. Up till then, I knew Sandi Patty songs and stuff my mom sang, plus a lot of kid stuff. But I had never heard anything quite like Amy Grant. I had a lower voice register than any other girl (and most boys) my age and for the first time, I could sing along with the record! I learned every word, every note. I read everything I could find on her. My wall became adorned with posters. I found out she lived in Nashville and had attended Vanderbilt. I had no idea what Vanderbilt was, but I wanted to go there. I read that she was 16 hours short of graduating. I had no idea how hours were counted in college and wondered for years why she didn't just go back for 16 hours and finish. That's like, 2 days, right?

Anyway...when I was 9 or 10, we took a vacation to Nashville, and I made my poor parents drive around till they found her house. Bless them. Then at her concert in 1989 (?) I got a backstage pass and met my hero. I was in 7th grade then, and after I met her, the magic faded. I discovered country music then and became aware of women like Barbara Mandrell (who I had watched on tv growing up, but had no idea of the extent of her ability), Reba McEntire, Kathy Mattea and Anne Murray. I couldn't sing Reba, but I wanted to perform like her. I watched the CMA awards EVERY year (still do!) and would write my acceptance speech for my future award in my diary. Although I think I was very aware that I would never do anything like that with my life, it was a wonderful dream, and I am thankful that mom and dad let me imagine like that and didn't treat me like I was an idiot.

So Nashville has always been the place where my childhood dreams led me to. I get goosebumps when I see the skyline and the "batman" building. The Opryland hotel is magical to me. My first time to go there was late, late at night with some of my most special friends in college. Oh, the adventure! We roamed and laughed and ate ice cream in that wonderful place. I can't go to Nashville without taking a walk through the atriums and thinking about how if I were a princess, this would be what my castle would look like.

So Michael and I had a wonderful time. I came home so relaxed and happy. I know I missed my Bible study night. I'm glad everyone had such a good time Tuesday. I just could not miss this opportunity. And honestly, Michael and I needed to just spend time together and finish our sentences, without being interrupted. I told him last night, "I think I've held your hand more this week than in the past 5 years!" I was reminded how cute, kind, funny, affectionate and crazy about me my husband is.

So this is me..Outside the country music Hall of Fame and museum. I love this quote, and I love the lady being quoted.

Our friends, Robbie and Jill Armstrong were in Nashville, too! Robbie was speaking at a camp, and I'm sure doing an awesome job. They have a precious little girl that I wish lived closer to Paisley. Her name is Hannah, and she's adorable. She loved the monkeys in the Rainforest Cafe.

I won't ever make it to the stage (that's an understatement!), but I made it to the steps. Next time we go, we'll see the show. Nobody I had heard of was performing last night, and we didn't have time to get the tickets.

Me, by a fountain in the Opryland Hotel. There are just so few good pics of me these days, I thought I'd include this one.

The kids have had a good week. However, last night Aidan woke up with a stomach bug and was sick all night. My dad had to take Aidan and Molly to my inlaws house so they could go to work. I'm so thankful that all worked out. Michael's folks brought them all to us this evening. I was so happy to see my sweet kids. They're feeling better and tomorrow will be business as usual, except that maybe I'll be a little more patient, a bit more relaxed, and hopefully a lot more fun. Aidan asks me a lot what I wanted to be when I was a kid. I always say a mom with great kids like them. Maybe tomorrow I'll tell them that I wanted to sing. And that God's plan was for me to sing to them. And that's the best stage and audience I could ever have.

Blissful day...

I have gone swimming 3 times today. I have read my Bible and my new book. I have been to the mall, twice! We ate at The Melting Pot downtown tonight. I'm so relaxed I feel like I could just float. I don't remember the last vacation I had like this...let's see...2 years ago, Michael and I went to Six Flags in Atlanta and then white water rafting. It was awesome, but very tiring. This may be the first time I've chilled out in years.

I wish some miraculous fluke would cause me to run into Brad Paisley somewhere...but I know that won't happen. It's fun to think about what I'd say to him, though. Michael says I'd ramble on and on and on. I think I would just tell him we named our baby girl at his concert. Maybe next time, he'd throw a guitar pick to me, just for doing that.

We were walking downtown tonight and heard a really drunk guy singing Johnny Cash in a karaoke bar. It was hilarious. I was asking Michael what I should sing if I had the guts to get up there. I didn't do it...but maybe, just maybe, I'll work up the nerve. I'll let you know. Any suggestions as to what I should sing? The problem is that they pipe the singer out on the street, so everybody hears it!

It's really late, I'm really sleepy, and who knows what I'll say if I keep writing. I'm passing the laptop to Michael so he can see how much golf balls are selling for on ebay. By the way...we look like the Cleavers. The only room his office could get is a 2 double bed room. So we each have our own bed. Nobody steals the covers! I'm feeling very 1950's with this setup. Maybe I'll buy a ruffly apron tomorrow at one of these country stores in the Opry Mills mall.

If we take any pics, I'll post them...Country Music Hall of Fame tomorrow. Michael thinks I'll cry. I always cry at stuff like that. It's pathetic.

night night!

Music City to my ears...

Michael is in training in Nashville this week. He's probably really bored right now! I'm with him. The kids are well taken care of, thanks to my sweet family. My folks have Aidan and Molly and Michael's parents have Paiz. I'm on my way to the pool. There's plenty to do here...but I really don't need to shop, and I'd rather go out at night with Michael. So for now, I'm going to do what I can't do at home! Sit and read by a beautiful pool! Maybe tomorrow I'll break out and go to the country music hall of fame by myself, but for now...to quote Elmer Fudd, "West and wewaxation at wast!"

aaaaahhhhh.....

Mid-afternoon thought break...

Swimming lessons, business trips, playdates, doctor's appointments, sports camp, piles of laundry and dishes..that's what's been happening at the Albritton's this week. I've enjoyed the busy pace, although I'm behind on housework. Michael and the kids don't enjoy it nearly as much as I do. They would much rather stay home and play. I understand that. They're still really young to go and do as much as we do. So we're working on a balance. We have managed to not eat out once this week. I've fixed lunch and supper every day. Hopefully our wallet and waistlines will see the difference!

I've been contemplating my career as a stay home mom. Not because I have nothing better to do, but because it comes up in conversation a lot. I've been told by lots of people, "you should be so thankful that you get to be with them all day." Now I know all of the strangers in Walmart who tell me this will not be reading this blog...but I'm saying it to those who do: I am so thankful. My life is my children. They are not my identity, but they are the focus of all I do right now. I am grateful for my sweet husband who is willing to work really hard so we can live on one salary. He never really wanted to go back into engineering, but he did in order for me to be here. We don't do or buy a lot of things other people have in order for me to be home, but God has taught me so much through that. It's amazing what I really don't need!

But I do have rough days. My kids are 5, 3 and 1. They are still mostly dependent on me for everything. I spend all of my awake time doing what they need or want me to do. I'm not a pushover, they just need a lot! I'm teaching them to do things for themself, but that means there's a lot of messes to clean up after them. So not much else gets done. My leisure time is usually filled with guilty feelings for leaving them (I do this to myself, Michael is great about this), but I know I have to do a few things without them. When I'm with my kids, I try to spend a lot of time talking, playing, laughing and teaching. Because I know that when they go to school, or anywhere they are not with me, how they behave is a direct reflection on what I do every day. So I have to be mentally "on" at all times, and that is very draining! Right now, Aidan wants to play on the computer, and the girls are asleep. I'm talking to him about taking turns as I type!

So I am thankful. I love their faces, their dance moves, their laughs, their artwork, their "contraptions" that they love to make, their jokes, their movie quotes, their hugs and kisses, their snuggles and so much more. I'm so glad I get to be a part of who they're becoming. I see so much promise in my kids, and I pray every day that God will manifest Himself in their little hearts and they will know his perfect love and acceptance and never look for it anywhere else. I didn't want 3 kids this soon. I didn't see this for myself. I confess I'm worried about when I do go to work, what on earth will I do? But right now, I'm where God wants me to be. It's a crazy life. I have done nothing to deserve such great kids, but God has been more than gracious to me. All I can do in return is praise him with everything I do.