Look-a-likes, frogs, and floppy hats

This is a picture McClain took of herself a few days ago. I think she looks like Maggie Sharp.

I couldn't resist this picture! I stole it from Anne Marie' slide show. It is what Josh looks like while he lounges around the pool. Kim had to fight him to get it back. We all know this is her favorite poolside accessory.

And the dead frog....This is the end to a long and painful (I'm sure) death. Josh slashed it with the weed eater. Landy actually enjoyed poking it with a stick as its guts were hanging out. Poor thing. Then she ran inside with this picture and wanted it on my blog. So...there you go.

Oh, gotta publish fast Josh just realized what I'm doing....

Christian the Lion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkglYMYbyeo

I couldn't get this video from youtube on my blog, but here is the link.

It's a "feel good" video. Interesting story. Snopes.com says that it is true.

Blogging without obligation...

Leslie B. would be disappointed in me...because I feel the need to blog. No, I don't feel like it's an "obligation", but I know people check my blog and get tired of seeing the same 'ole thing. So I'll let you in on a little of my "uninteresting life".


Humm.....went to Wal-Mart today. I really don't like Wal-Mart. It is the "hundred dollar store". I rarely get outta there without spending too much money. Sure, I really needed that cute little dinosaur gadget that cuts the crust off the kids sandwiches. That's why I really like Aldi. Get in get out...fifty bucks and all of it is FOOD!


Speaking of money. I have to go buy Landy a flower girl dress today at David's Bridal. It is for my half-sister's wedding in September. I'm not complaining (because what if she reads my blog!) wedding stuff is just expensive. :)


I talked to Kim yesterday...I can't wait for Camp Cornerstone!


I have to put a link on my blog to my friend Emily's blog. She was my best friend in high school. We haven't kept in touch much over the past few years, but thanks to the blogging world, we are talking a lot more now. She has some interesting posts. You should check it out. She is "princess motormouth" on my comments. Which cracks me up, because it fits her to a tee!


Star wars is on. I'm sick and tired of Star Wars.


Emily was talking about being particular about things. I also read a post by Steven Gables recently about things he is particular about. It made me think about things I may be particular about. So, one night I ask Josh to tell me some things he thinks I am particular about. His response came in about one second..."Nothing, absolutely nothing", he said. He says my heart beats about once every 15 seconds because I am so laid back. Is this a good thing? I guess it is in a lot of ways, but not in many others. So I am on a quest now to find things that I am particular about. I'm sure you are all dying to know so I'll have to post a list soon (if I can actually come up with a list)


My kids love tattoos, it scares me...



One last thing that's on my mind. Landy starts school August 8th. I'm really excited about it and feel that it is definitely the right thing for us to do now. But I am beginning to get stressed about it. She went to play at Isabella's house last week for a few lours. Honestly the first time she had ever gone to some one's house, other than family, to play without me. She cried and acted like she was going to be separated from me for months. I get very discouraged because I just don't understand the mind of this 6 year old. I was encouraged that she actually stayed for a few hours. Thanks to Laura for being so kind and gentle with her. I know it can be frustrating. I just pray that school will not be overwhelming to her. I know she'll adjust after some time. I'm just not looking forward to the "adjustment period".... We'll need your prayers!

I must go clean the M&M chocolate off Carson's face and wipe the snotty nose (I hate summer colds!)

Long, Long Ago In A Galaxy Far, Far Away...

Actually, it was three years ago in St. Vincent's hospital. Through a very painful and epidural-FREE labor, (yes... NAT-U-RAL) a beautiful baby boy was born! This year we celebrated his birthday at home with a Star Wars party. We had been planning to have a party at the gym at church. We had even planned on having a friend of my step-brother's come to the party in a full Storm Trooper costume and take pictures with the kids. We started talking to Carson about this a few weeks ago and he emphatically told us he DID NOT want a storm trooper to come to his party and he wanted it at his house with his family. Which really surprised us because he is a huge Star Wars fan. I think Josh was a little disappointed he couldn't hang out with a Storm Trooper (oh, come on, you know you were, don't deny it). I, on the other hand, thought the home party was a genius idea. We had a great time and Carson received plenty of Star Wars goodies. Here are a few pictures!

Just to let you all know

.....NO we are not going to Disney in the heat of the summer. I know better than that. Everyone gets ill when it's 100 degrees. We are going in early December when the temp and the crowds are lower! I'll be one of those bad parents that takes there kid out of school for a vacation.

Planning the magic

As all of you know, unless you have not been around me at all over the past 3 months, I am planning a trip to Disney World. I have been a couple of times before, but the last time was about 11 years ago. I am SO excited. Josh thinks it is a little ridiculous. He is no where near as excited as I am. In fact he isn't really excited at all. I don't know, maybe it's a cover up. You know, a guy thing, "Oh, I'm not excited about Disney World. I'd much rather be camping or in the mountains or something." ( said in his deepest, manly voice) But he's got to be a little excited. So that is my main objective now. Not to get him pumped up about going, but to plan it very well, so that he does have a really good time. I want it to be as stress-free as possible. This makes men happy , right? I also want to go again in a few years, so this trip better be good. No pressure. I'm planning and budgeting everything from the big stuff (hotels, gas, food) to the small stuff ( stroller rentals, ice cream and Mickey Mouse ears). Heather N. laughed at me because I am pre-purchasing souvenirs at the Disney Store in the Galleria (she knows how thrifty I am.) They have things on sale a lot, and I know it will be way more expensive in the parks!

Anyway, I have really enjoyed researching everything. I was a little amazed at all there is to do and see. I never planned any of the other trips. We just "went". Which you can not do. Well, not without missing a lot and adding a lot of stress! If anyone wants to plan a trip any time soon. Let me know. I can be your personal travel agent. If anyone has been before and has any useful tips, let me know!

I was over at Leslie B.'s house the other day and discovered they will be at Disney the exact same week we will be there! Isn't that ironic...don't cha think? ( by the way Alanis Morissette has a new CD out)

Now at least Leslie and I can get Josh and Jeff excited about hanging out together some. He shares in Josh's lack of excitement. I guess they are just "taking one for the family"...yeah, right.

Moving On

Well, I made it through the "good-byes" without any convulsing. On the other hand, I did embarrass myself quite a bit. I totally ignored Kim all day Sunday, until she finally came up to me and said, " Stop ignoring me!" That's when the water works began for me. I honestly couldn't stop. A little embarrassing. But I feel better now. Although, I still get teary eyed when I think about it. Sounds a little "over the top", I know. I wish I weren't so emotional. Just ask my poor husband.

We left for the beach immediately following the fish fry. We got stuck in traffic in Alabaster. After sitting still for thirty minutes we decided to go on the shoulder to the next exit, like many, many others were doing. The exit was close and we were, of course, going very slow. And then it happened..."The Slapper" appeared out of nowhere. This man jumped out of his car and began hitting my mother's truck with his hand, screaming at us. We thought something may be wrong so Josh stops and opens the door. This guy was a lunatic. He began screaming and cussing at us. It was a little scary. Josh exercised some of the most patience I have ever seen. He simply told the guy to mind his own business and get back in his car. (He later told me how difficult it was not to get out and pound the nut.) The guy threw out the "F" bomb, and we drove away. Poor Landy was scared to death. People can be crazy. She also got to experience college graduates on the beach funnelling beer, throwing up, and dancing wildly. This all took place quickly and we had to divert her attention and then get the heck out of there, too! (She really wasn't aware what all was going on)

Other than that, we had a great trip. The weather was great for two days and nice the rest of the time. (A little on the cool side for me) We found at neat beach on the "Wildlife Reserve". There was nothing around. Very serene. Much better than the bumpin' and grindin' scene at the public beach. We even saw an alligator in the swamp nearby.

Glad to be home. Missed church yesterday, which makes me feel totally disconnected from everybody. Hope to see y'all soon!

(my email still isn't working!)

Big, Black Cloud

There are literally big, black clouds out today. But I am speaking of the one that has been hanging over my head for months now. I know it is there, but I have just avoided looking up. I can't avoid it any longer. May 19th is too close! That's the day our dear friends will be heading west. Wow, I am such an emotional person that I am really scared to go to the party after church Sunday. We will be leaving for the beach soon after lunch, so this will be our final good-bye to the Hills for a while. I am afraid I may really embarrass myself. So consider yourself warned. If you see me and I can't talk, or my eyes are red and swollen, or I'm convulsing a little, you know what's wrong. (maybe I need to be medicated)

I wish I could put in to words what the Hills have meant to my family, but I cannot. I just can't explain what an impact they have had just by living out the gospel in their lives. They are dear friends and we will miss them incredibly.

I HATE TO ADMIT IT BUT...

I like country music...

I take Flintstones Vitamins...

I locked Landy in the car with the keys when she was a baby...

I haven't been to the dentist in...a very long time...

I am a huge procrastinator...

I am horrible with geography...

I wish I had had children when I was younger...

I can't sleep if I don't wash my face first...

I'm turning gray...

My laundry "scares" Kim Hill... it gets bad...

I want a mini van...

Leftovers anyone?

How can I be tired? Honestly. I slept until after seven. I went to exercise. Since then I have been home, hanging out with Heather, Ginger, and Boo. The kids played. I didn't have to chase them around too much. But I am am exhausted. I'm probably just crashing from a sugar high. I did eat one too many Cinnamon sticks ( from Aldi, pre-cooked, absolutely delicious, just heat 'em up in the oven).

Thanks for hanging out today girls. I'm thankful for the opportunity to just hang out with friends. I stepped a little "out of my box", as Mia talked about in her hospitality seminar Saturday. I didn't have any lunch planned. I just opened up my fridge and put out left overs. I usually feel like I must have things planned if I am going to invite people over. Why? I don't know. I know these girls could not care less about how "planned" it is. I love the comfort in that. I have learned a lot about hospitality from ladies in our church. True hospitality. Crissy opens her house every Friday night to whoever wants to come. Kim Hill invites people over spur of the moment all the time because she has left over cheesecake. Mia invites church visitors almost ever Sunday for lunch. They show true hospitality.

I'm not sure if I have the "Crissy, Kim, and Mia gift of hospitality" (actually, I'm pretty sure I do not.) But I am so thankful God has given them this gift. I'm thankful for seeing that hospitality doesn't have to be this perfect package with a big beautiful bow on top.

It felt a little awkward for Kim to not hang out with us today. She had other plans. We missed her. Josh mentioned not long ago that we should try to spend a lot of time with Kim and Quinn because they would be leaving soon. I said, " No, I actually probably need to start weaning myself away from her." It was kind of funny then. The closer it gets to May 19, the less funny it becomes to me. I haven't weaned. I will miss her greatly. To use a Forrest Gump quote, "That's all I got to say about that!"