New Favorite Saying

“The grass may be greener on the other side, but you don’t know how much manure they used to get it that way.”

Everyone I know has something different they pray for. I pray for contentment. It is something I have struggled with for years. I assume I always will. I have made giant strides over the past year, but I have a long way to go. I am going to start a Bible Study (actually I was planning on starting it this morning but Satan had his grasp on me as I hit the snooze button twice!) that is entitled "Get A Life"- Debunking 6 Myths in the Quest for Contentment.

My prayer is that God will continually work through me as I try to focus my life on Him and set an example that my girls will learn to follow. Not by word, but through deed.

Next study......"The Frazzled Female."

Somehow, I think they both apply to me perfectly!

Singing in the Rain

Yes, I do have a thing for Show Tunes. I know it is obnoxious, but at least I don't make you listen to them with me!

Last weekend it rained on Saturday. It actually only rained for a little while in the morning, but it was enough to rain out Ella's soccer game. While I was busy posting pictures on my blog of the past week's activities, Erik took the girls outside to play in the garage. At least that is what he told me. When I looked out the window, I see Ella and Lucy half naked riding scooters in the rain. I was worried it was too cool, but it obviously was not bothering them in the least. As you can tell from the pictures, they had a lot of fun.

Crocs...For Better or For Worse

Ok, so I totally realize that those are wedding vows. I would never intend to belittle the very vows I recited with my wonderful, loving husband. However, I have another love in my life that I must tell you about. We have had a relationship for over 2 years now. "He" has witnessed the birth of my second born child and has stuck with me through the days where I have been on my feet all day long. Doing dishes, laundry, etc. "He" is a great travel companion and "he" is the first thing I need in the early morning.

"He" is my favorite pair of Crocs flip-flops. I am not sure why I assigned them to the male gender. It does make for a better story, though.

I woke up on Monday of this week, Monday of all days, and rolled out of bed. The first thing I always do is put my Crocs on. (I have bad arches, so I HATE to walk around bare-footed.) As you can tell from the pictures, the toe-thingy broke right in two. I could have cried. Needless to say it set the tone for my whole Monday.

For Better for For Worse. I am not giving up on Crocs. Diligently, I went to Stockdales this morning where they have all their summer Crocs 50% off. (don't get too excited, because unless you were a size 11 or 12 women's, I bought the only remaining size 7). I am not sure I will ever love my pink Crocs like I did my brown ones, but I am going to try.

Wish my luck as I begin this new adventure in a relationship with my new shoes.

Young Republican

We can now give a new meaning to the word "Young Republican."

I promise that I did not coerce her into this. She came home from school, where she carried her red school bag with a McCain sticker on it, and asked to put this sticker on her scooter. It was all her idea. Watch out Palin. She's starting young.

The clincher:
She then said "we are not for Ovama." (Yeah, she pronounced it incorrectly.)

Sarah, please don't turn me in for child abuse :)

Take the Politics Test

http://abcnews.go.com/politics/MatchoMatic/fullpage?id=5542139

If you are even some-what politically minded, you should take this short, fun test. It gives quotes from both candidates anonymously and you have to pick which one you agree with most. Then at the end it will give you your score. I only missed one (in relation to McCain). The test is only about 4-5 min. long.

Have fun! Let me know how you scored. Some of you may be surprised when you take the person speaking and his dynamics/lack of dynamics out of it.

Let's Go To The Movies!

Once again, I have an Annie showtunes in my head...."Let's go to the movies....let's go see the stars." Oh, I digress...

Friday was a yucky day; rainy and quite dreary. I knew it was going to be a long night if we did not find something to do. So, Erik and me and the girls played outside all afternoon. We read books in the rocking chair and rode bikes till we were tired. Then Erik grilled dinner and we put the girls in for an early bath. After bath, we had a surprise for them. I had set up the playroom like a "theatre" with a big fluffy blanket spread on the flooor, a huge bowl of popcorn and dimmed the lights. We had our first official "Family Movie Night." We watched Shrek 3 and all had a great time! Lucy was most excited because she had never had popcorn before. (she has recently grown out of a corn allergy)

Ella has asked twice already for another movie night. I can guarantee you that Family Movie Night is now a tradition.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

There is not much that I can say about these pictures except that nothing warms my heart more than the sight of my peacefully sleeping babies. They are sleeping more restfully than I have in years. They have no worries to keep them up, nothing to cause bad dreams. All their needs and wants are provided for them. Oh, what innocence.

Always kiss your babies goodnight...even if they are already asleep. It is a ritual at my house. I absolutely cannot, will not go to sleep until I have kissed my sleeping children one more time.

Me and My Sis!

I think one of God's greatest miracles is a sister. Don't get me wrong, I have greatly disliked my sister a lot throughout my life. Primarily between the ages of well, 5-18. Sisters fight. They fight over dumb things. They fight long and they fight hard. HOWEVER, the miracle is that as you grow older you start to realize how cool your sister is. You realize that God made her so different from you and they He blessed her with totally different talents and emotions and thoughts. You realize how wonderful she is and how caring she can be. You come to know her for who she is now, not who she was when she was trying to steal your clothes or listen to your phone conversations.

I love my sister so much. We have truly grown to love and like each other over the past few years. I can honestly say that I could not ask for a more perfect sister than my sister Rebecca. I am so grateful that my own girls will get to experience what it really means to be "sisters." And this is the part where I break into showtunes singing "Sisters" from White Christmas. Sing it with me, Bec!

p.s.- she is the most hilarious person I have ever met!

Making Memories

When I started my Blog this summer, I decided that I would print it every year and it would be a scrapbook of sorts. So, for those of you that take the time to read it, thank you. I enjoy sharing with my friends and family how "cute" my girls are. Every now and then one of them says something really funny and I feel the need to write it down. Not that you will be able to appreciate it the way I do, but for the sake of remembering those cute moments when I am too old to remember anything else. This week, Lucy said two things that were hilarious.

1. I was getting ready to take a shower this week and asked Lucy if she wanted to join me. She proceeded to take her clothes off and then said "I ready. I got my neki on." Neki=naked. When she was smaller she would take her clothes off and run around dancing singing "Neki Neki"

2. I was reading to Ella yesterday on the front porch. She was sitting on my lap in the rocking chair. Lucy came around the corner and said "I read Mommy. You got a leg for me?"

Have I mentioned that I love more children so much?

The Family that 4-Wheels Together......

I grew up riding a 4-wheeler. My Dad says I was driving a 50 when I was 3. Doesn't surprise me, really. He loved riding dirt bikes and 3-wheelers, so of course he was anxious to have a "riding buddy." After the combine experience, we all took a brief ride around the fields. My girls just love riding.

Been Farmin' Long?

I took ella to the Dr. on Thursday and when we got home she and Lucy played at Nanny and Pops' house. Ella and Lucy ended up riding 4-wheelers with Pops and the following ensued... Mr. Wade Cromwell was harvesting corn and the girls were fascinated with the combines. Mrs. Lisa came over and asked if they wanted to ride. Well, of course they did. Nevermind that the girls had never met Wade before. They both jumped into his arms and off they went. He let them ride for probably 20 min. or so. He is SO cool! He even had snacks in the combine. How did he know to be so prepared? They both cried when my dad took them off.
Thanks Wade and Lisa for making my girl's afternoon!

Publish Your Blog

http://www.blurb.com/

Hey fellow blogging girls! Go to this website and you can read about publishing your blog. I have been looking for a way to do this since I started my blog this summer. I knew there was a way, but could not figure out the right way to go about it. I happened across this and then found some good reviews. My goal is to print once a year - like a yearbook!

My Funny Little Lulu

If I had had a blog when Ella was born, I would have posted beautiful pictures of her everyday. She has been so photogenic since the day she was born. I have photo albums full of pictures of her. I never scrapbooked, but I can organize a photo album with the best of them! So now that Ella is as school every morning, Lucy and I have a lot of time to play. And that's what we do! Play!

I have told you before that Lucy is my clown. She loves to laugh and make you laugh. She smiles this adorable smile with her crooked teeth and squinty eyes. You just can't help but love her. I wanted to share a couple of pics I took of her being "her." Silly and all! The last pic, however, is the beautiful Lucy. The one I love more and more every day.

Do You Know the Muffin Man?

Who lives on Drury Lane? Lucy watched Shrek this week with Ella and apparently she really paid attention. I asked her what she wanted to eat for lunch today (yeah, I know she's 2 and I'm the mom) and she kept saying "Muffin Man." After about 5 minutes I figured out she wanted muffins. Since Ella came home early from Preschool with a yucky tummy, I thought "why not." So, we had muffin man and oranges for lunch today. Hey, it can't be any worse than nuggets!

!

God Bless Gladys!

Every now and then you need a good laugh. You know, one of those laughs that makes you have to cross your legs so you don't wet your britches (if you've had children you know what I am saying). Sarah S. sent me this and I actually opened it and watched it. So glad I did. Enjoy!

http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2007/ellen-gladys-hardy-p1.php?

Rollies...With a Facelift

For those of you who grew up in Covington, the name Rollies probably brings back very fond memories. I know they do for me. Rollies used to be THE place to go for roller skating and hanging out. I was too young to go to Rollies on Friday nights. That is when all the older kids went. I think there might have been some kissin' going on :) he!he! Anyway, us young folks would go on Saturday mornings. We had the best times and I have so many happy memories. I could go on forever, but if you were there, you remember...

I had been wanting to take the girls bowling for some time now. My initial plan involved driving to Cordova and bowling with the cool bumpers and black lights. However, with gas prices as high as they are and after a long day of soccer, we made the decision to check out the "new" Rollies for bowling. They, too, have bumpers; just not as glamorous as Cordova. All and all it was a fine experience. I would go back there again--especially with gas prices like they are.

Ella prepares for a "bowl"

Impatiently waiting on the ball to magically appear

Lu jumped up and down the whole time the ball slowly made its way down the lane

Computer skills at work

Mommy helps Lucy get the hang of things.

Bain of My Exsistence..Warning to Other Moms

Ok, the first one to guess what this is wins a prize. Any guesses? Going once, twice....

That, my friends, is the very bain of my exsistence!

What, you might ask, could be so wrong with a horse, a purple miniture hairbrush, a pink thing and who knows what that is....?

Oh, how much you have to learn about little girls. You see, those are not just ordinary toys. That is not just an innocent little horse. Please don't let him fool you. Those, dear friends, are the miniture toys that come in McDonald Happy Meals, Polly Pockets, Puppy in my Pocket and every other cheap idea that is fabricated somewhere in China. All of which resides at my residence. Uninvited I might add. Try as I might they just keep reappearing.

Every other month or so I step on one and it becomes that oh-so-unfortunate straw that breaks mommy's back. I then commence the total cleansing of evil from house. No small toy is safe.

Please take a look at this picture. Study is very closely. Memorize it. When she comes knocking on your door, please don't let her in. She looks cute, I know, but she is EVIL! Her only intentions are to wreck havoc of your house and life. Whatever you do, do not let your daughter see her in Walmart or Target. She speaks to your children from the shelves in her little cardboard home. And then, something happens. You, the mom, the one in charge, turns to mush and says "sure honey. it's only $5." What a sucker!

Don't let this little home-wrecker fool you either. She comes with more cheaply made clothes and 1/8" accessories than one could possibly imagine. We have a closet full of these things that never get played with. What did I ever do to Matel? I just don't understand!

To the makers of Polly and Puppies and Barbies----Please, Please Go Away!!!!

HSM on Ice

For those of you who are lucky enough to be totally inundated with High School Musical, you knew what HSM meant. For those that don't....I am sorry. It's actually a great movie http://tv.disney.go.com/disneychannel/originalmovies/highschoolmusical/ (well, 2 movies). The third in the series is due out in October. http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/highschoolmusical3/



So, anyway, the whole family can sing all the songs (that includes Erik) and we know all the catchy lines by memory. It's just good ol' wholesome fun--basically Grease, but clean.



A big group of mommies took our daughters to see HSM on ice at the FedEx Forum last week. We had a blast. We let them get all dressed up in their HSM shirts (thanks Laura!) and even sprayed their hair pink and purple. We met up at McAlister's Deli for dinner and that gave the mommies a time to hang out.


The whole group at McAlister's Deli!

Waiting on the show to begin

Me and my Ella

Party #3!

It has become quite a joke around our house that it's not Ella's birthday until we have celebrated at least 3 times. Her 4th birthday was marked by 5 occasions; each one with a different cake. It just seems that having your birthday on a National Holiday weekend lends itself to a lot of celebrating! So, this year we had a party on Friday night, a party at the lake and then a party at school. Pretty lame year for us. Only 3 parties! Here are some pictures of the school party:

Lulu loved every minute she spent in Ella's classroom. She immediately went to "centers" and I had to drag her out! Isn't the U of M outfit cute? Don't look closely at the collar, as it was the first one I did when I made this for Ella.

Taking the Plunge...

I realize that mixing politics into friendly speak is like mixing water with oil. You just don't do it. However, a Blog it isn't necessarily polite conversation. It's me voicing my thoughts, concerns and opinions with no intent of getting into a policital debate and with no intent of harming friendships. We all have the ability to chose our politics and the reasons for which we believe. I have been amazed at the vast differences between the two major candidates this fall. In my opinion (which I surely have one) there is no way you can ride the fence between these two. It's either black or white; Republican or Democrat; McCain or Obama.

The biggest decision affecting my vote this year is morals. I know. I am simplistic, unaware, uninformed---call me what you will. However, I am a mother concerned for the future of her children. I am not ashamed of my views and only wish the world thought just like me. I don't live in a bubble; although I would like to put my children in one.


I am completely selfish. I don't really give a rip about criminal civil rights, terrorists having current visas or the next child sex-offender getting a good nights sleep. Just not some of the things keeping me up at night.

If you did not get a chance to watch Gov. Sarah Palin speak the other night, I am sorry. You missed a real treat. I have to admit that the things she said were quite consistent with my beliefs. She opposes abortion, favors vouchers for schools, promotes creationism in schools and actually believes that "individuals can make better choices than the government." How can you argue with that?!

I agree that socialized health care is a losing proposition and that the only way America is going to change is when individual people start being responsible for their own actions and start making good choices with the God given talents and resources that He has blessed us with. No social program is going to change the mind-set of a generation of Americans who feel entitled and oppressed by the government and American way of life.

Now, here is the clincher: (this was taken from the blog of a fellow Christian)

As much as I care about politics (which is more than some and less than others), I do not believe that being heavily politically involved is the ultimate answer to what ails our country. Someone is going to win the next presidential race and when that person is chosen to be our leader, it will not surprise God. He allows leaders to be used in this world for all sorts of reasons. And all for His ultimate glory.


I could sit here all day and try to get you to not vote for Obama, or to agree with Sarah Palin. But I won't! Because I believe God has bigger things for me to do.

Who you and I choose to spend our eternities with after we die is ever so much more important than who we choose to serve the next presidential term.

Halloween Costume

Ok, so my OCD really comes out around holidays and special occasions. I can plan a birthday party for months and look out at Christmas! I walk around with a to-do list for weeks on end. Anyway, Ella has been wanting to be Ariel for Halloween for a while now. I think she realized it was just a way to get a cool costume. I bought it a couple of weeks ago and she wears it almost daily. Since that time I have been stressing out about what Lucy might "be." Found it!!!!! It should arrive by next week :)

Super Lucy

Tonight Erik was wrestling with Ella when all of a sudden Lucy comes running in saying Superman and tries to rescue her. This is not the first time she has made reference to Superman. We still don't know where she would have heard of him. Having all girls in the house, we have not spent a lot of time in the realm of Marvel Comics or Superheroes. I started working on these capes the other day after being inspired by my friend Sarah. Grandma helped me cut out the letters and now all they need is a final stitch or two. I will post more pics once the Supergirls in our home are wearing them!

Bye Bye Fa-Fa

As I have mentioned before, my girls are as different at night and day. For instance, I could not get Ella to take a pacifier to save her life, or mine! However, my Lucy not only takes a pacifier, or fa-fa as she calls it, but also has a blankie and baby doll. I have known for some time that it was time to do away with the fa-fa. I kept saying that after our last big trip of the summer I would fight the battle. I knew in my heart though that I was just not ready to. To me, it was not that big of a deal. I actually kind of liked it. I reminded me that she was still my baby.
Part of mine and Erik's decision for me to stay at home was so that I could be the one to nurture my babies on a daily basis. I am the one they get to go to when they are sad, happy or scared. That fa-fa was a comfort to Lucy. It would calm her down almost instantly in any situation. Sleeping on her own was never even a big deal because she had it. Now, everything is different.
This weekend at the lake her fa-fa fell into the water. I knew that even though I had 2 more in my beach bag this was a sign that it was finally time. We told her that Nemo ate her fa-fa and that it was gone-gone. Do you know that she has never checked up? Kept going on like it was no big deal. This whole time I expected it to be a huge ordeal..... maybe I even wanted it to be a big deal. She went to bed the first night without it like a big girl and I cried. If I am honest I will admit that I am still sad about it. I am the one who misses fa-fa. Or do I just relish the idea of my lu lu growing up?

More Pics of Party Weekend