Awesomeness

This was an incredible weekend and even a good "Tuesday" (felt like Monday). Friday night Hallie visisted her dad and Ethan visited his grandma, so Randy and I had the night to ourselves. We ate with friends, went on a walk after dark and even made a midnight run to the 24 hour Sonic drive-in for some much needed ice cream. I swear, Randy and I cannot go two days without junk food. Anyway, we stayed up late, slept late and then picked up Ethan and drove to Cracker Barrel for a healthy breakfast of pancakes, grits, eggs and biscuits. Yes, food is my love language and it's a beautiful one at that. Anyhoo, the three of us went on a bike ride and then settled in to watch Auburn (#4...yeah!) stomp Washington State. Of course, Alabama won, too, but you can't have everything.

On Labor Day we took the kids to the Botanical Gardens and had so much fun. It was still a little warm, but it has definitely cooled down, especially at night. That evening we grilled out and once again dined on some really healthy portions of hotdogs, hamburgers, potato chips and cupcakes. Today Ethan and I did some much needed shopping for pants that don't end up around his ankles (the kid is skinny) and he was such a good boy.

This afternoon Hallie brought home her first progress report and not only does she have all A's, but all 100's or 98's. We are so proud of her! She is a very good reader and has picked up on math like a whiz. She is also about to test for yellow belt in karate and she is very excited. If it seems like it took a long time, you are probably used to hearing about Taekwondo where the ranks go much faster and are easier to obtain. In Shorin Ryu, it takes grown men training 20 hours a week 4 years or more to make brown belt (think Mr. Miagi). So, you can see this will be a great accomplishment for her after only four months. She says she is going all the way to tenth degree black, and we don't doubt it. When that girl sets her mind to something, she goes for it all the way.

Okay, I have to go do some writing that actually pays something society will exchange for goods. Here is a picture of the kids from yesterday. I hope all of you had as great of a weekend as I did!

Aware

For my children...

Somewhere between clay and form,
A candle, lit but not yet formed by
The waxy pattern that will surround you.
You are not blank, only impressionable.
In a world dying to impress.
You will not know all the answers,
But when one eludes you,
You will sense its absence
Like a word that is on your tongue
But not making a sound.
It will scream at you in silence.
You will hear it and turn your head
It will be a tinnitus that never ends,
That has no cure save one-

Discovery.

Please take this offering from me,
The gift that will save you from mediocrity.
The word your ancestors exhale in their muddy regret
daring you to listen.
Put your ear to crest of their tomb.
. . .Can you hear it?

It Was a Good Day Because...

Randy is upstairs unloading the dishwasher as I type. I love that man.

Our homeowners insurance is replacing our entire hardwood floor (5 rooms!) due to a leaky fitting under the sink that damaged a small portion of it.

I had a professional clean my bathrooms and floors today. Ahhh, that was nice.

Ethan and I took our lunch to the waterfall and had a lovely picnic and nature walk.

Ethan picked a wildflower just for me.

Ethan found an acorn that he has decided a squirrel and chipmunk will share. He left it outside for them to find. *Note to self: move the acorn before tomorrow.

I realized that Hallie has made a 100 on every assignment in first grade so far.

During karate tonight, Hallie floored her dad (literally) after both the boys failed to do so. You go, girl!

Randy has decided to test Hallie and the Brashiers for yellow belt in a few weeks.

I unexpectedly met two friends in the coffee shop and had some unexpected adult conversation while Ethan drank his chocolate milk and ate his fruit.

I got a peach smoothie from Sonic. Yum!

While watching Ethan at soccer, I felt the first cool breeze of the season and was actually comfortable outside for the first time since April.

Tomorrow is Friday!!!

And last but not least, five years ago today Randy and I met on the great information highway we know as the internet via Yahoo instant messenger. They have been the most meaningful and happy years of my life.

Has anyone ever....

made the mistake of buying their child's halloween costume two months early resulting in the inability to peel it off of the said child who is melting inside his astronaut flight suit while it's 95 degrees outside?

Maybe it's just me.

Noooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay I am NOT in a very good mood. I just had 3 paragraphs written and when I added the pictures, the text disappeared. *@#*@**#!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway, I am not taking the time to rewrite at this time, so just enjoy the pictures! It's Ethan's first day of preschool and soccer practice.

Book MeMe

1. One book that changed your life. "Cosmic Codes" by Chuck Missler

2. One book you've read more than once. "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith. I have read this book about 4-6 times a year since I was 14 years old.

3. One book you would want on a desert island. "The Problem of Pain" by C.S. Lewis

4. One book that made you laugh. "The Nanny Diaries"

5. One book that made you cry. "The Bridges of Madison County"

6. One book that you wish had been written. The one I've been working on for two years!

7. One book you wish had never been written. "Mein Kampf"

8. One book you are currently reading. "Love and Other Impossible Pursuits"

9. One book you have been meaning to read. "The Road Less Travelled" by M. Scott Peck

10. Three people I tag to do this meme: Jana, Mel, Rachel

My Look-alikes...

Below are pictures of Scott when he was younger (well, he's always younger...lol) and Ethan. I think the resemblance is remarkable, especially considering they are half brothers. Of course, it helps that they both look just like Randy.






This picture posting problem is annoying. I am having to write my own html and I don't have time for this! Is anyone else having issues?

Random Thoughts

Just to let everyone know, Hallie is better today and will be able to go to school tomorrow. Thanks so much for your concern.

Okay, I don't know what is going on with Blogger, but I have been trying to post pictures all day with no luck. I really wanted to show ya'll Ethan's first day of preschool and soccer, but it just isn't working out. Maybe tomorrow...

Well, it looks like their may be five of us under one roof again. My stepson, Scott, has asked if he could move back home for a while so he can save money to buy a car and go back to school. Randy and I have talked about it and think we may agree. He has made a lot of positive strides lately and really seems to be headed in a good direction. He enjoys working for his dad and is actually very talented. I always knew he was intelligent, just challenged in certain areas. I am glad he has found a place he can excel. If we do this, the kids will be thrilled, especially Ethan. He cries like a baby every time Scott visits and then leaves. They also look a lot alike, which I could show you if I could POST PICTURES!!! Anyway, we are praying about it. We sure have missed him since he moved out. We'll see....

They arrested someone in the JonBenet murder. I have to say, the police and DA's that terrorized that family for so long ought to be hung out to dry. I never thought those parents were guilty and I cannot imagine losing a child and then having to deal with that crap. I'm ready for some justice, how about you?

Okay, I'm tired. I hope you enjoyed this post consisting of four totally disjointed topics. Night-night!

A Post About Nothing

Well, nothing terribly exciting, anyway. I was up all night with Hallie who had nausea and fever. I "slept" in the guest/Marshall's room (who left on Sunday,BTW) next to Hallie's room, but I really didn't get much rest. I am always on edge when I have a sick child, especially when they tend to run fevers of 104+. Anyway, I hate that she had to miss school so early in the year, but such is life I suppose. We spent all morning in the doctor's office just to make sure it wasn't strep since she was also complaining of a sore throat. It wasn't...thank goodness, but I really do not like the nurse that swabbed her throat. Hallie was naturally not doing cartwheels over the whole thing so the lady told her she would call "Mr. Reynolds" (think huge bouncer type) from the lab to hold her down and it would take "a lot longer than 3 seconds." In other words, lets make my already fearful child even more terrified by threatening her with the Incredible Hulk. Hallie even complimented her on her Poohbear scrubs and she pretty much ignored her. Not cool.

Well, Hallie seems to be feeling better but still has a fever. I think we are all going to lie down and rest. I wanted to post pictures from Ethan's first day of preschool and soccer, but I can't go downstairs right now. Maybe later...

Summertime Blues

Wow...today's heat index is 95 instead of 105. Is fall in the air already?

Hah...August is not my favorite month. I haven't allowed the kids to play outside all week due to temperatures of +100. We've colored every picture imaginable, flown paper airplanes, explored the contents of several closets, ran through the house screaming and taken lots of Advil. It didn't help matters that the elusive scorpion has managed to escape capture and I still haven't reopened the basement to people under 5 feet tall. Someone tell me I'm overreacting...please? Actually, we did venture out one day to nearby Cathedral Caverns where it actually gets down to 55 degrees inside the cave. We almost decided to move in.

Whew. This summer has exhausted me in every way and I am ready for it to be over. I want cool breezes, football games and days where I actually have time to be semi-productive. 41 days and counting...

First Day of School! First Day of School!

"We're off to learn to get some knowledge!"

And if you haven't seen Finding Nemo, then you just think I am insane and that's okay.

Hallie had her first day of first grade yesterday. She was fine until time for me to leave and then the tears started. Man, did I have a difficult morning worrying about her! I was quite relieved, though, when I picked her up and she said "I can't wait until morning so I can come back!" I can't ask for more than that!

Here's the little sweetheart on our porch before leaving. Notice the gap in the smile...she sure is proud of that!

Reasons why the last 24 hours have been interesting...

1. Hallie, with her brothers in tow, discovered a scorpion in our basement, which, according to Hallie was 3 inches long.

2. I looked for this houseguest for an hour with one of my husband's shoes and had no luck.

3. I am now restricting the children from the basement out of fear, whether rational or not, until this pest is found and destroyed.

4. Ethan had diarrhea during his nap and didn't make it to the bathroom.

5. Our new carpet upstairs now has its first blemish.

6. The brand new Buzz backpack that has been glued to his shoulders also has its first blemish.

7. I used an entire box of wet wipes before I got him in the tub.

8. I will not let Ethan eat three servings of fried okra any more.

9. Herman the crab had a birthday party since "he may not make it to his real one", whenever that may be. The kids and I sang "Happy Birthday dear Crabbie" at the top of our lungs while Hallie presented him with a present (a shell from the beach) packaged in a cough medicine box and a homemade card.

10. Apparently uplifted after his party, Herman the crab managed to escape his confines (mainly because Hallie forgot to put the top back on) and was missing for about 10 minutes in which I made the kids sit on the couch with their feet up while I frantically searched for him, praying he wasn't already carpet blemish number 2.

11. I found Herman safe and sound on the other side of Hallie's bedroom in her Polly Pocket mini salon. Hmm......

12. I made two fudge pies and a crock pot of homemade macaroni and cheese for the school picnic tonight. Okay, one pie is for the picnic. The other is in case there's no leftovers to bring back home.

13. I sold my first item on ebay for $79.00. Not bad...

A Pensive Evening

Ahh, a moment to myself. The kids went to band practice with their dad, so I am here all alone and wondering exactly how I should savor this moment. I love my kids dearly, but since becoming a mom, it's amazing how little time I have spent without another body within 10 feet-usually less.

I used to have lots of alone time. I used to spend hours alone everyday. As a kid and teenager, I would walk to an abandoned park down the street from my house with my walkman and tackle box full of tapes daily (think small town-no crime). I would listen to music for hours, just sitting on a swing imagining stories in my head. Many times I watched the sun go down and many times, much to my mother's chagrin, I would go out hours after dark. While most kids were sneaking out to drink and smoke, I was sneaking out to listen to music and dream. I think I went through at least 7 walkmen and had a collection of about 50 tapes, mostly movie soundtracks, that were covered in a fine film of dirt. That's what happens when you expose them to the elements, I suppose, but that was just wear and tear as far as I was concerned. Who knows how many "novels" and poems I wrote down there. I even thought about naming my first child after that park, although I am sure Hallie will one day feel quite relieved she doesn't bear the name "Meadowbrook". I know, it sounds kind of crazy and I am sure I looked sort of crazy. There I was everyday, that strange girl that swings by herself at the park. I think I became sort of a public monument to southern eccentricity, but I didn't care. I have always felt older than my years and I guess that even as a teenager, I knew being different wasn't necessarily a bad thing. It wasn't just that I had OCD, although I am sure it's all connected. It wasn't just that I had a job from the age of 12. It was how I got goose bumps from songs that spoke to me. It was how the sight of an old wooden bridge made me weep. It was the lump in my throat every time I heard church bells or wind chimes. It was how I read the last page of "These Happy Golden Years" over and over and circled the tearstains in the margin. Mostly, it was my depth of feeling and desire to always feel more...to go beyond where most people said was enough. I didn't just want a casual relationship with the world or with myself in it. I felt things deeply, believed things passionately, and placed great value on the power of imagination and the human soul. The ability to create was paramount to me. If you didn't create things in some way...writing, music, art, etc...then I would find you rather boring. I had no use for any discipline that didn't have a little room for interpretation or originality.

Well, what am I getting at here? I suppose I am just reminiscing about who I was and realizing who I have become. Fundamentally, not much has changed. I still get the goosebumps. I still reread all my favorite novels several times a year. I still devour history. Weeping Willows and church bells still affect me. I still believe deeply in creativity and imagination. I still think the written word and music are man's greatest gifts to ourselves. I'm still "different", although I don't think about it quite so much. Why? Well, mostly because I am pushing the swing instead of sitting in it and although it's a move of only a few feet, the view has changed. I keep getting "distracted" by these two precious kids (often 3,4 or 5) that keep hovering around me, demanding my attention. Yes, I like my alone time...every now and then. But nothing compares to what I have. It's a charmed life, indeed.

Man's Best Friend...

I can't believe I bought bottled water for a hermit crab. Yes, that is correct. That and about ten other things hermit crabs apparently can't live without. Like a piece of tree bark. Yes, I paid four dollars for a piece of tree bark. Why, you may ask, didn't I just go pick up a piece of tree bark outside? Well, this one was shaped like a tunnel. Don't you know that hermit crabs really need their privacy? Come on, the fact that they never come out of the shell on their back doesn't count. Oh, and I had to splurge and get the calcified sand because the sand I buy for my children isn't good enough. No, hermit crabs need special sand...special sand that costs ten dollars a pound. I also learned today that they need a wall in their "habitat" to climb in order to get enough exercise. Apparently sitting in one spot with your head in expensive sand isn't enough activity. And did you know that hermit crabs need treats? Not just regular food, but treats. I am just waiting for him to roll over, sit up, and play dead on command. Oh, wait a minute, he plays dead all the time! How many pieces of dried fruit does he get for that?

But, wait a minute... maybe Hermie is so sedate because I didn't buy the six dollar sea salt soaking solution. That must be it! Ah, the pang of regret. Sleep will elude me tonight for sure. :o)

Politics and Mel

Wow..lots of crazy stuff going on in the world today. The fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah has really gotten me thinking about the end times. I know, I know...every time a major conflict occurs people start saying "this is it". I'm not jumping on that bandwagon. I just can't help but reflect on the books of Daniel and Revelation when I see what I'm seeing on the news. Frankly, it saddens me because I know that when we do get to the end, it's going to get a lot worse before it gets any better. As a Christian, I know I have nothing to fear for myself, but the eventual fate of the world distresses me greatly. I can't help but feel that the media isn't helping matters. They just keep reporting the same story over and over again...showing the same footage over and over again, just as the terrorists want them to do. Somehow the acts of the terrorists themselves get lost in the world's outrage at the usual suspects...the US and Israel. Forget how many missiles Hezbollah has fired into Israeli villages. Forget the horrible lack of respect for humanity these groups have shown in the past throughout the world. For some strange reason, the world just keeps giving these people the benefit of the doubt. The UN just passes ridiculous resolutions that they never intend to enforce and countries everywhere condemn the actions of a nation forced into fighting for self preservation. I don't like violence. I hate the thought of innocent people being killed no matter where they live. I'm not going to stand here and debate who has the right to do what and who has gone too far. I will say, though, that it distresses me that people just don't think anything is worth fighting for any more. Life, liberty, justice...they're all good when you have them handed to you. When someone else did all the fighting 50 or 200 years ago. When you don't have to take a stand and risk the wrath or condemnation of the world. When you can be PC and eat your white bread and apple pie and talk about peace with your mouth full. It's a whole different matter, however, when its you, your countrymen and a great big world that thinks you have no right to exist. Think about it.

Oh, and thanks a lot Mel Gibson. Finding out that my favorite actor was a drunk and an anti- semite in one day was not fun. Not fun at all.

This is our sweet Alex...

Big News!!

Hallie lost her first tooth tonight! I can't believe what an odyssey that was. It seems like that tooth was loose forever and the last few days we have really been encouraging her to pull it herself or let us do it. I admit, I really encouraged Randy to do the deed. I did not relish the idea of doing it myself. So, after days of high resistance, she finally let him put some floss around it tonight and before she could say anything, the tooth popped out. She looked really surprised and even had to ask, "Is it out?" She didn't feel a thing! Of course, the tooth was so loose it would've come out if she had sneezed hard enough, but I am still proud of her.

Today I also took Alex to have her senior pictures made. I can't believe she is starting her last year of high school. We had so much fun and she made some beautiful pictures. I can't tell you how much I love that girl. She is such a blessing to this family. I am so lucky to be her stepmom!

Well, I just had to share. I hope you all have a good night. Thanks for the comments!

Yikes!

Well, that was scary. My entire blog, sans the title bar, disappeared from cyberspace for several days. Luckily, I was able to tweak some html, republish and breathe a sigh of relief. I have been so busy that it took longer than I'd like, but I hope my (former) readers didn't give up completely. Sorry for the long delay. More later!!

Indigestion...

Ugh...the Quesadilla Explosion salad I had for supper isn't feeling at home right now. I'm just hoping it doesn't decide to make an exit any time soon. My digestive issues aside, things are okay. After my last post, I'm sure some of you were wondering. My stepdaughter, Alex, is here and we are very close. We have been this way since we first met and having her here during the day has lifted my mood. Other than the fact that I will be crying my eyes out for a week after she goes back home, things are good. I did end up increasing my medication, which meant I didn't sleep for 3 days, but it's worth it in the grand scheme of things. There are bigger things than my problems going on right now as well. I won't get into all of it, but I'll just say that Randy is really stressed and I am worried about him. It's mostly work related, but he is so hard on himself and he really needs to relax and give it up to God. Ha, I should take my own advice, huh?

Well, I am going to take some Pepcid and cuddle up with the man himself. I did watch "Schindler's List" last night which is a good reminder that I have never really had a bad day in my life. It's a good eye opener.

Have a good evening....

Feast or Famine

It's always one or the other around here. At least this summer, anyway. I either have 3 or 4 children to care for and more activities than I can handle or it's just me and my two children rattling around this house with no reason to get out of our pajamas. Honestly, I handle the former situation much better. I am a gem when it comes to chaos. I have people ask me all the time, "How do you do the summers? How do you do Christmas? How do you feed, bathe and bed all those kids? How do you do all the holiday shopping?" Well, it's a lot of work, but that is where I shine. I'm all about a flurry of activity. I'm all about baking cookies, pillow fights, bubble baths, cooking big meals, late night girl talks and I can find, purchase and wrap the 35 odd Christmas gifts with perfect timing and accuracy. I may be stressed during all this. I may talk about how busy I am. I may even border on obsessive perfection in my expectation of myself. However, I am happy. I am ecstatic. I have purpose. I am doing something that wouldn't get done without me and it feels good. It's a feast of necessity and rising to the occaision. What I don't handle so well is the famine. After the kids are gone, or between their visits this summer, it's all I can do to go a day without crying. I get so sick of being in the house, but I have no where to go. I am not good at creating purpose. Not that I don't have tons to do to my house, but that's not exactly what I mean. I spend the mornings reading, painting, coloring with the kids. We play word games. We do flashcards. We play Hi Ho Cherrio and Chutes and Ladders. The kids do their chores. I inspect and praise their work. I do my chores, although I can't ever seem to get caught up. I am devouring a book a day instead of sleeping. Maybe it's because I have more time to reflect on my shortcomings. Maybe I miss the kids. Maybe I am just spending too much time in my house. Probably, it's a combination of all these things. Whatever it is, I am sinking into a depression and I don't want to go there. Randy wants me to increase my medication, but he doesn't understand that I can't do that. That will only prove that I am failing at something I should be able to do.

Alex is coming today. I can't wait to see her. Of course I will pull it together. I have a whole list of things for us to do. I just wish I wasn't like this. I wish I wasn't so hard on myself. I wish I could cut myself the slack I cut others. Oh well, live and learn. I will keep trying.