Backyard blast!

They look like they're whining in this picture. They probably are.

This is Michael, getting his slide on.

The kids had a blast.

Yep. I can do more than just stand around with a camera. We didn't get pictures, but Michael and I were working some really cool stunts. We were sore the next day...but it was worth it.

The Princess and the Birthday!

Maggie, my sweet niece, turned 3 and had a Princess birthday party at Strawberry park last Saturday. The kids had a great time, and JM and Sharon did a wonderful job. The girls were each given one glass slipper and they had to go hunt for the other one. The boys were given their helmet and shield, and they had to find their sword. It was fun for everybody. Even Molly, who is channeling her inner Maxwell Smart and using her slipper as a phone.

Aidan loved being a knight. He's bound and determined to save the world one day. Either as a superhero or a knight in armor. If I could just get him to save his bed from being unmade, that'd work for me!

Max is simply the greatest kid. Everything about him makes me smile. And my favorite part? He loves to give hugs and kisses!

Maggie looked beautiful. Her cake was befitting a perfect princess. I think my dad was sad that fondant icing just isn't as delectable as buttercream...he's seen too many episodes of Ace of Cakes. He was sure that it tasted just like regular icing!

This was a great start to our busy weekend. It's been so hectic around here that I'm looking another weekend in the face and I'm just now processing the last one! On Friday night of last week, Michael and I saw Indiana Jones. I loved it. I mean sure, it was a bit farfetched at times, but all the elements of a good Indy movie were there. Madelaine kept the kids, and that is always a great time for them. She's awesome. Then on Saturday after the party, we played in the yard. Slipping and sliding all afternoon. Then a trip to the ER that night with Paisley. I thought she had a broken collarbone. Michael was here with the kids, so my folks met me there so I wouldn't be downtown by myself. Turns out she had "nursemaid's elbow" which apparently means some tendons got stretched and her elbow popped and caused her some pain. The bill that I'll get for that will cause me some pain, I'm sure! On Sunday we went to church then over to mom and dad's house, where more pool time and haircuts were on the agenda. We stayed till suppertime, then went home and chilled out for the night and all the next day. Michael went out of town on Wednesday, and will be home tonight, right before Tatum and Trevor's (cousins) birthday party at Pump It Up. So another busy weekend ahead! But lots of fun. More pics on the way!

BILL COSBY HIMSELF

This happened to us today...Molly ate watermelon, then wiped her face on her pink smocked Easter dress that was hanging to dry in the bathroom. When I asked her why, she said, "I don't know!" I had to turn around and walk out of the room.

The rest of the Bill Cosby video is just funny.

"I hate snakes!"

yeah, me too. See, I have so much in common with Indiana Jones! He hates snakes, me too. He runs screaming from 10 ton boulders, me...well, okay.

We preordered our tickets, got a babysitter, and we're off to see Dr. Jones be his wonderful self tonight! I'm so excited. I really wanted the recessional of my wedding to be the theme of Indiana Jones, but Michael (and mom) just didn't get on board with that one.

7 more hours! I'm so excited!

Let them eat cake!

Taste testing...

Bobbing for birthday cake!

I think she likes it!

The end result...then off to the tub!

Fun First Birthday!

Last night was Paisley's first birthday party. We had some sweet family come over to my parents' house and we had a great time.

This is her paisley cake and plates! Naming her after a pattern was a great idea, don't you think?! Suzanne made the cakes, and they were precious and yummy!

This is the birthday girl in her outfit. My friend Tamah did the monogram, and although this outfit gave her fits, we're so happy with the outcome!

This is Aidan, Max, Molly, Tatum and Trevor. Happy cousins, having fun. They love each other so much, and I'm so glad. It used to be chaotic when we were all together, now it's just fun.

And this is baby Jack. He's just taking it all in. Sweetest little guy, ever.

Purple Tutus!

Molly's first recital was last night. She did a ballet and a tap dance. The teacher, Mrs. Donna Hatten, is a precious lady who wants the production to glorify God first and foremost. The girls have fun, get to dress up, and dance to sweet music about Jesus. My kind of show. Molly did really well. She remembered every step, and when it was time to do a turn, she spun on one foot really fast. It was hilarious. She almost took out one little girl next to her. But she did 6 of those spins, and it became her signature move. Our favorite part was the little girl who did her whole tap dance facing the backdrop. Everyone in the room was laughing. It was a really fun night.

This is my girl. She and I spent a lot of time together this weekend getting ready, and I was so proud of her. I could tell she had fun, and did her very best.

Aidan and Molly with their Nonna. It's always fun to have her around!

This is her teacher, Mrs. Donna. She really does a great job with the girls, and teaches them about what's most important.

Before the show...

I've got sunshine...on a cloudy day

My girls!

I've got a question!

Check out the leg propped up. If my legs were that cute, I'd show you too!

Cheese!

Last day of School!

This is Mrs. Debbie, Aidan's teacher. This was her first year to teach, and she has done a wonderful job. Aidan really loves her, and she has really taught him a lot. Her note on his report card said lots of nice things, but then she wrote, "Even when he makes me mad...he still makes me laugh!" Yeah, I have that problem, too.

This is Mrs. Patterson. She is a special, special lady. Molly has bonded with her big time. Molly and Samuel Wadford were the oldest ones in the room this year, so they got to be helpers a lot. One day, Mrs. Patterson had to go down the hall for a minute, so she told Molly, "Molly, you be the teacher while I'm gone." When she returned, Molly was telling all the other kids, "Now put your finger on the RED bird on the page!" She took her job very seriously! It's obvious that she had a good example.

These are some of Aidan's buds. I'm so glad he found some great little guys to hang out with. They've had a lot of fun, and I hope we see them over the summer!

Star wanted a picture with Paisley, and Perry was happily joining the party. Molly wanted to be in the picture, but I have no idea what this pose is. She's a crazy one, that girl.

I cried at the end of the school day. I felt stupid for crying...but my children are the most important things in the world to me. They drive me bananas, but I could not be more blessed, proud, and happy with the 3 that God has given me. I don't think I could let just anybody teach my kids. Their little minds are too vulnerable, too innocent. But I trust these teachers, and believe that God has them there for these kids. There are some children in the school who don't receive a lot of love at home, but I know they get it from these wonderful ladies. If I am going to send my kids away from me every morning, I'm so glad they are where they are.

I've looked EVERYWHERE...

and I can't find my battery charger for my camera. And the battery is dead. This is a dilemma for several reasons, the first of which is Molly's dance recital is Saturday, and I have to have a camera! Secondly, if I can't take pics, then all of you will be forced to read about what I think. This could be good some days, and bad some days. Are you willing to take that chance? I would feel much safer knowing you are just seeing pictures of my sweet children, and keep my thoughts (mostly) to myself. Thirdly, I hate losing things. It makes me tense and I lose sleep. So if I find the charger, I sleep. Reason enough, right there.

I haven't checked the van yet...no telling what I'll find in there!

A day in Meridian

Before we moved back home to the Jackson area, we lived for 2 and a half years in Meridian, MS. While we were there, a really special girl (and some other really special girls...but they didn't get married today) babysat for us pretty often. Aidan loved her and so did we. She got married today, in a sweet, worshipful, precious ceremony at Midway Baptist Church. I'm so proud of Morgan. She has let Jesus guide her through her teenage/college years and has always tried to seek him first. God has truly blessed her for it. It was obvious from the people there that many people love her, and they should. She's openhearted and giving. She has a genuine smile and spirit about her that just endears her to all that know her. I wish her God's very best.

I have to be candid and admit that we approached today with hesitation. Can we go back there? Will people be nice to us? Will they even care if we show up? By all means, the day was not about us at all...it wouldn't have mattered if nobody had even said hello. But because we invested so much of those 3 years there, we hoped that we would be received with gladness and not a cold shoulder. So we prayed. We prayed about today, that it would go beautifully for Morgan and Carl. We prayed that we would see sweet friends and it would seem as if no time had passed. And God answered our prayers completely. I saw so many people who I dearly, truly love and will always love. It was so nice to be hugged and loved on again by those sweet people who were our family. Everyone was so kind and wonderful. It was a great day. My heart feels peaceful about our time there...where as before it didn't. Praise God for his love and his hand on all situations.

I believe with all my heart that if you love God, love people, and your motivations are pure, then God will bless you. God blessed us today. Lord knows, we made mistakes. We always will! But I felt like today was a confirmation that we did the right thing...living there, and going back there today.

I don't know if Morgan reads my blog or not...but I pray that God just rains blessings down on her and her sweet new husband.

for Nicki...ahhh, the memories.

My friend Nicki Glenn asked me to tell her what happened on my honeymoon...most of you may already know...so you don't have to read this unless you just want to laugh at me again.

We got married on July 10, 1999. After the wedding, which was a well-orchestrated circus, we headed for Memphis. The next morning (notice the lack of details about day 1), we drove to...I hate to even say it...Eureka Springs, Arkansas. We spent most of the day on 2 lane highways weaving through rural Arkansas. We actually spent most of that time behind a maroon Dodge that was apparently on a Sunday drive. We finally made it to ES and checked in at our beautiful cabin on a lake in the mountains. It really was pretty. But the first thing I noticed was that the bathroom area had no doors at all. None. You walked into the bathroom (no door in the entrance) and there was a huge tub, adjacent shower, and toilet, all right there. It was pretty, and well decorated, but I really like to go by myself, thanks.

Anyway, Michael, my sweet husband of about 28 hours at that point, decided to run a bubble bath for us in the jacuzzi tub. He didn't read the instructions on the bubble liquid and poured probably a cup of the stuff in the running water. Bubbles were POURING out of the tub. But it was sweet, so we got in. He lit candles everywhere and we were being so sweet and newlywedish. After a few minutes, Michael said, "do you smell something? I smell something burning!" My hair had fallen in a candle (it was very long then) and was on fire. I started to panic and he yelled, "Get under the water!" The tub had about 18 inches of bubbles, and about 4 inches of water, so he pushed me under all those bubbles into the little bit of water on the bottom. My legs were up in the air, I was covered with burned hair, sooty stuff and bubbles. I came up sputtering and probably crying.

The next day we saw the sights (all 3 of them, ha!) and went to the Passion Play, which we didn't love. We chose a restaurant for supper and when we got there it said, "closed on Monday". Every day that week, the place we chose to eat was closed on that particular day. It was like a practical joke! We ate at these family restaurants with all these screaming kids on vacation.

On Wednesday, I got in the shower, which only had 2 walls and a door, it backed up to the tub. Right as I started washing my hair, the owners of the cabins started construction down the mountain on some new cabins. They turned the water off. The water I was rinsing my hair with came out muddy. I climbed over into the tub, turned on the faucet and there was more mud. I started to cry. Then started to bawl. Michael came in the bathroom, put a towel over me, and let me cry. There were other things too...the cabin didn't have individual phone lines, just a party line, so that was weird. People asked us everywhere we went, "so why did you come here on your honeymoon?" I got carsick EVERY time we went anywhere, but held it together for most of the trip, until the last night. We were all dressed up, going to a fancy place that was actually open, and right before we got to the restaurant, I got sick all over the gas station parking lot. What a romantic evening that was!

We were supposed to stay 2 more days, but we left early Thursday morning and came home.

I look back on this week...this half nightmare/half wonderful experience, and it always cracks me up, but it makes me so thankful that Michael was the one I shared it with. He can laugh at it now and has never seen it as a failure, or a waste. He just chalked it up to just one of those rotten experiences. He has always said that if we survived that week, we can do anything! He has promised to make it up to me next year on our 10 year anniversary. We hope to move to Madison then, so we'll see. I may get a house instead of a trip...and that's okay.

So there you go, Nicki. That's what happened. I hope to post again in a year and tell y'all about our lovely anniversary trip to...??

Now I have dishes to wash and towels to fold...I almost would rather be sitting in a hot tub with my hair on fire.

Hollywood is calling for the movie rights...

Saying "baby, let's keep in touch, hey baby, let's keep in touch"

I have had that song in my head for 2 days now. Thanks Blues Traveler, for singing such a catchy tune that it sticks with you for days and days.

It's a new week. We had a great weekend. Michael and I had a chance to lead the "More than a Marriage" weekend for engaged couples at Pinelake. Even though we don't attend church there anymore, we were invited to come back and do this. It went great. There's something about spending hours talking about marriage and dealing with topics like communication, Love Languages, conflict resolution, and why God wants more for your marriage than just the vows and commitment that keeps our feet to the fire and makes us stronger. Michael and I came away from it better able to talk about some things that needed to be addressed in our own relationship. We both are committed to not just being married, but consistently striving to make this the best thing either of us could do after following Christ. It was fun to relive funny moments from our own newlywed days...our honeymoon story is always fun to tell, and now we can finally laugh at it. When your hair goes up in flames on the second day of married life, it takes a while to get over it.

Sunday was a great day. I am thrilled, excited, tickled to death about the direction that our church is heading. I am excited about how Michael and I can serve. I'm excited about how my children will be affected spiritually. I'm hopeful that new families will come serve with us and excited about the prospect of making new friends.

As much as we've moved in the last 9 years, it's been hard to form lasting friendships. I still pray that as we invest our life in this place that we will find people to invest in. Both of our hearts are big enough for lots of people. We want to constantly be expanding our circle of friends. I realized recently that I tend to open myself and my heart up quickly when I meet new people. I love being around people that make me laugh, or make me think. I don't have anything to hide, and I have no problem stating my faults, so I just jump into friendships without a second glance. I think this is a wonderful part of life. I mean, we make friends every time we change schools or neighborhoods or cities as a kid. But as an adult, we tend to keep the friends we made in college or right out of college and just kind of hang there. I just never got to really do that. I LOVE my college girls dearly, and would do anything for them. But we've never lived close since those days. So now, I'm over 30 and finding myself dealing with the "new kid" syndrome much more than I expected I would. And being the person I am, wearing my heart on my sleeve, I probably trust too easily, open up too quickly and my feelings can be hurt. But I'm learning to brush off the dirt, and move on. It's all part of the experience of life, right? Learning to love others, be a godly, trustworthy friend, and finding the ones who will stick. Ultimately, I probably think about it too much. I think about everything too much. Therefore the reason for this blog. If I get it out and share it with you, my mostly anonymous readers, then I don't have to think about it anymore. It's therapeutic.

Michael got his golf clubs today. I'm happy for him. He got some really nice Callaways that are just slightly used. Tomorrow is the kids' school fishing trip. All of us are going, and Michael will fish with the kids, and I'll try to keep Paiz from jumping in the reservoir. Oh, at the top is a pic from the trip to the Ag museum...this is Molly posing by the flowers. I just love a 3 year old that can "smolder".

"Like a game show contestant with a parting gift, I could not believe my eyes..." There's that song again.

I guess that means I need to go to bed. I'll go sing Blues Traveler to Michael. He'll love it. By the way...singing with Randy was probably the highlight of my year so far. So. Much. Fun. I honestly am so grateful for that opportunity. It really blessed me and the song we sang, Livin' in the Rain, was so true about this time in my life. So many blessings, I feel like I'm standing in a downpour of God's goodness. So much mercy, so much grace, so many wonderful people and opportunities. I love my life.