A schedule.

I love a schedule. I hate a schedule. Summer is a wonderful time for me to reflect on this love/hate scenario.

Seriously, I love the lazy days of summer, I do.

But I must say, there are those moments, when the wise old owl inside of me begs for the scheduled days to show their face again....to get back in a real routine.

It is then that I tell the owl to SHUT IT.

Being Free.

July rolls around and what first comes to mind?  July 4th. Family. Food. Fireworks.  Normally in that order. :)  I also think of Freedom.  Freedom to spend time with my family.  Freedom to eat as much as I want of blackberry cobbler, homemade ice cream, and BBQ ribs.  Freedom to watch the night sky lit up with all variances of color bursts in a display of American beauty. Freedom to attend church.  Freedom to pray to an Almighty God.  The one and only Almighty God.  Without fear.

And these freedoms I speak of...well, at times, myself and many others, take these for granted. We've always had this opportunity to live in the land of the free, home of the brave.  Freedoms that our service men and women have sacrificed their time, their families, their comfortable way of life, their air conditioned, king size bed, hot water, slow drive on Sunday afternoons, firefly catching with their kids, grilling hot dogs by the pool, having an afternoon nap because they splurged on the ice cream, watching all the cousins enjoy that brief moment of sparklers before someone gets burned by a fly-a-way spark.   Yes, all those freedoms that our soldiers have to miss out on, so we can sit back enjoying our American life, while they guard the heart of America.  

Man, I'm thankful for our freedoms.  I'm so thankful for the folks who have given so much of themselves to serve others, those who have sacrificed it all, so we can continue to say we live in the land of the free, home of the brave. 

But let me tell you what all of this has to do with our H3 verse for the month.....oh, yes, it's about freedom, but I bet you could have figured that out by now, right?  While the freedoms we have here in the good ol' USA are wonderful, they are nothing compared to the free life offered to us by the blood of Jesus.  

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

~John 8:36

Have you been set free by the Son?  If not, please do so.  One man gave his all for you.  Like many of our war heroes, He sacrificed his life, for your freedom....your freedom that doesn't just matter during your life in this country, but rather for all eternity!   

For July, and all year really, remember to thank those who serve or have served under our stars and stripes, remember to pray for them and their families. 

And for July, all year, the remainder of your life, remember the words held in John 8, verse 36.  Tell them to a friend.  Share them with someone, anyone, don't keep them to yourself......encourage others to know true freedom. Freedom in Jesus.  Forever.

Happy Anniversary to my sweet husband!!

Proverbs 19:22

"Every man longs for a love that is everlasting...."

I thank you for giving me that very love.

AU Football Camp + a free ride.

Elder Son and his friend & fellow teammate are attending Auburn's Football Camp this week.  It's Elder Son's 3rd or 4th year....he loves it.  Me?  Not so much.  I mean we discussed this before, here on the blog, in fact I think we've cried it out a time or two.  His first year when we left him, Baby Girl cried more than I did and wanted us to turn around to go back and get him.  She (just as her mama) did not understand why we should just drop him off on the corner of a college campus, neatly set up his bathroom supplies, bedding essentials and match up his blue shorts with his orange shirt, only to merely drive away and leave him there ALONE.....as if they knew how to take care of him, or as if he knew how to take care of himself, or as if he'd ever survive without his MAMA.

The sad news to Baby Girl and I.....he did indeed survive.  And has requested to go back to camp every year.....away from his little sister and his mama. Hmph. That's all I have to say about that. Actually, I'll say this.....in all fairness, Elder Son is growing up....and year by year it's been a bit (but really only a smidge) easier to kick him to the curb with a sleeping bag and a pair of cleats and holler "HAVE FUN"..."AND DON'T FORGET TO TEXT ME EACH DAY"....than I ever thought it would be.

Part of growing up, I guess you'd say, for the both of us.

Temple was super impressed with my behavior upon our departure this time around. He stated he was really proud of me for not crying.  I said, "what can you do when he's as tall as I am?"....

As for Baby Girl....she didn't shed a tear either.  But of course she was too busy enjoying the day,  and not having to walk all over campus in the blazing heat.....she's cute enough in her Hollywood shades to catch a ride.  

Mickey Mouse, a birthday party, swimming and spit.

This weekend, as you know, we traveled to my sister's for a lovely couple of days of family fun.  Which included a rat themed birthday party for my adorable niece and one of Baby Girl's BFF's. Or BCF's. Best Cousin Forever. They are quite a pair.

All was well on the homefront until the birthday party rat pack huddled up in the pool to devise a plan.  A plan that included a college aged cousin taking turns throwing all the little kids for a splash in the pool. 

Really it's all fun and games.....you know the story line....

Yep, it's all fun and games until someone almost LOSES THEIR SHORTS....

And the birthday girl spits all over the cake.

For the love of Pete, can we just use regular candles next year so she doesn't have to spew saliva to put the fire out?

If there were ever any doubts....

I was there.  I know I birthed her.  And I know she has half my DNA.  Many folks think she looks and acts very similar to me at this age....

But it was her plate at the birthday party that cinched it for me.  A girl after my own heart....why should we have to agonize over choosing between a good ol' grilled hot dog or hamburger....when you can just take both?

1, 2, 3...JUMP.

We've been staying a couple of days with my sister and her family.  Cousins playing together is always a big hit, and there's also a birthday party thrown in this weekend as well, so FUN GALORE!! 

Late night swimming last night followed up with a morning swim earlier today.  Last night I set a bad example by jumping in the pool with my clothes on because I was too lazy to go ALL THE WAY BACK INSIDE to change into a swimsuit....plus I like the surprise factor on my kids face when I barreled in for a splash. Well, this morning, wouldn't you guess that they all decided it was probably easiest to just jump in with their clothes on, because why bother with trekking back up the deck stairs into the house, walking all the way down the hall, just to find a swimsuit that was probably still wet or damp and cold from the previous night?  

I was watching from the deck this morning without the kids knowing I was there....it's fun to eavesdrop like that sometimes. Here's what I heard:

Cousin S:  "I'm not gonna change, I'll just jump in like this (she had on long black knit pants and a t-shirt)"

Baby Girl:  "Okay, on the count of 3.....

• 1
• 2
• 2 and a quarter

By this time, Cousin S is beyond ready to jump...but she's patiently waiting with her back against the rail ready to run as soon as Baby Girl says 3.....

and then I hear Baby Girl continue yelling off the countdown with this:

• 2 and two quarters
• 2 and three quarters
• 2 and A DOLLAR......

And she was in the top of her class? Maybe we should stick with ready, set, go.

Delightful. HE certainly is.

I promise....these months fly by from 3rd to 3rd.  Do you not agree?  I hope you are still staying with us and focusing on each month's verse.  I know it's hard to memorize them all....but I also know the Lord doesn't ask more of us than he thinks we can handle. Although believe me...I question him about that ALOT at times. Like all during the month of May for instance!! :) 

Maybe not every verse speaks to you, and that's okay.  But every verse speaks to someone.  Somewhere. 

This month's verse, I think, will speak to everyone. It would be near impossible for it not to.....because everyone falls into one of these categories.  Daily. 

• You asked the Lord for a blessing of some kind and HE delivered. Naturally, he would.  He's in the business of bestowing blessings.  Sometimes though, have you ever noticed, HIS blessings may not come at the time desired by us, or in the manner we may have chosen, but they always exceed what we deserve.  
• You are currently seeking the Lord's guidance for future blessings. They just haven't arrived yet.  And some are going to just KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF!! 

And here's the verse to remind you of these moments in life: 

"Delight yourself in the Lord

and He will give you the desires of your heart."

~Psalm 37:4  

I know many of you probably already have this verse memorized.  We see it often in nursery decor, on baby announcements, etc.  It's definitely a popular verse, and rightly so.  But let's go deeper with it this month.  Let's really focus on allowing the Lord to give you the desires of your heart.  Certainly, for many women that desire is for children.....a baby to call their own.  Nothing is more precious. 

 But what about our friends and family who are waiting for the blessing of a spouse. I have several on my own heart that I pray find their mate that God has in store for them.

And what about the reconciliation of marriage as a whole, as God designed it? Divorce rates are ever climbing.  It's a scary world.

And what about those burdened with finding work to provide for their family during this economic time? So many without jobs. 

And what about our military families, their safety abroad and at home? Wives and children who have experienced many deployments of their loved ones, and those whose reality was the ultimate sacrifice. For my freedom and yours.

And what about your neighbor who's reached the last stages of cancer, hospice has been brought in, the family have all collected together? I hear of this all too often now a days. 

And what about just wanting to have some peace of mind?  Do you have concerns, worries, problems in life that seem overwhelming at times? All the time? Me too.

Do you have any of these same desires?  Do you know others who do? 

Oh, you get the idea.  The list could go on and on really.  Our desire is basically just whatever I am praying for.....whatever you are praying for.....whatever he/she/we/them.....are praying for......and the list of desires is endless.  So, this verse encompasses everyone.  Or at the very least, anyone who is praying to the Lord for their desires to be met.  For their heart to be heard by the only One who can heal it.

My focus for this month, and what I hope yours is as well, is not so much on the desires portion of this verse.  I know the Lord has seen my desires, even those I think I've managed to wedge deep in the crevice because they seem so selfish....yea, even those, he's seen them.  He knew they were there before we did. He knows our desires long before we speak them aloud.

Instead of worrying about presenting my desires so boldly....I want to focus more on the first half of the verse.....delighting myself in Him.  Spending time at his feet, daily.  Spending time on my knees, daily.  Spending time delighting myself in Him, His blessings, the small and big--from the breath he gives me each morning, to the coupons in Sunday's paper, the laughter of my children, to the safety of my husband, the health of my parents, to the popsicles on a hot day, the joy of friendships, the fun of flip flops in summer......for each and every moment.....DELIGHT in Him.  The one who makes every moment happen.  Not by chance.  But by His divine nature.

I chose this verse because I have a lot of unspoken requests on my prayer plate right now.  Some serious points I'm laying before the Lord and asking for help, for His help.  But I also chose it because it's summer.....and I love summer, in fact I'd say that I think summer is just DELIGHTFUL.  And it made me think of this verse. 

Go ahead....summer is here.  Delight yourself in the Lord.

He already gives us the answer as to what will happen next. He will give us the desires of our hearts.

Here's to a DELIGHTFUL summer for us all!!!  Don't take a break from soaking up the real SON this summer.

Gymnastics Banquet

A few weeks ago, Baby Girl and I attended her annual Gymnastics Banquet.  Unfortunately this event always coincides with her brother's baseball games.....so, not everyone in the family can attend to support her, but we're awfully proud of her just the same.

This year, we are happy to report that among other awards,  she received 3 awards for being in "Club 9.0".  This means that during this past competitive season she scored a 9.0 or higher at competition, not as easy of a feat as it may sound.   She received it in Bars, Beam and Vault.....watch out Floor---we're coming after you hard this year!!

Way to go, Baby Girl.....and congrats on having a great season!!

The College Roomate gets married....finally. Plus a great story.

                                                      

WAY back in the day....many decades ago, in fact it was even LAST CENTURY....I met this girl in class at Auburn University....and we became fast friends.  Later, we even roomed together for a couple of years.  And we had fun....lots of fun....more fun than should be legal. Okay, maybe some of it wasn't legal...but that was so long ago, I can't really remember the laws of the land during that time period. :)   Moving on..... here we are at Jenny's wedding....a day in which we both were happy to have arrive.  I have prayed for her to find that man and to enjoy the happiness of having him to share her life.  And that prayer has been answered. 

Certainly then, this was an event not to be missed!!  We headed out to the Gulf Coast one weekend at the beginning of May for this wonderful day! It was to be a small wedding, at a sweet location, very casual.   Our hotel was only a mere 3 miles from the site of the wedding.  That's important to note.  We left the hotel at 3:30, a half hour before the ceremony was to begin so we'd have plenty of time.  Our GPS decided to take us the long way around to get there.  I hated our GPS at that moment, and that's important to note.  If we're being honest, I was super glad we were near the beaches and I needed my shades, because I had tears rolling out of my eyes when I saw the clock tick closer and closer to time for the wedding and knew we were no where near the site. To say my heart was heavy, well, that would be an understatement.  I've been waiting YEARS for this day to come, and I was missing it.

When I saw 4:00 hit the clock in the Tahoe....I thought I would lose it.  The kids were quiet as little mice in the back, they knew it was a sad moment for mama.  And all of the sudden my phone rang.....it was 4:02....and it was the BRIDE calling.  As I described it to her later, it was like a surreal moment, experiencing two polar opposite feelings all at the EXACT same time in one millisecond.  When I saw my phone pop up "Jenny's calling".....I felt SO STINKIN' BAD because we were late to the wedding and she was having to call me to see where the heck we were.....and in the same instant, my heart was so full because THE BRIDE WAS CALLING ME.....when she was supposed to be walking down the aisle already.  :)  Instead, she was reaching out to find us, because it was important to her that I be there. 

Now that's just pure sweet friendship, y'all.  That's all I can say about it.  And here's proof....this isn't my pic, but she posted this online and I thought I'd steal it to show y'all.....

                                                          

I answered the phone and said, "Jenny, we're LOST!"....as if she hadn't already figured that out.  At the time of her call, we were still several miles deep in LOSTVILLE.....and probably still 15 minutes or more away from her wedding site.  I could hardly talk I was so upset so I gave the phone to Temple to handle things.  The conversation ended like this:

Temple: "We're on the other side of this highway....still have to come back into town, cross over the main highway, and then start over again....it's gonna be at least 15 minutes, but I can't even say for sure."

Jenny: "Well, we probably can't keep making everyone wait (please keep in mind the groom was expecting to have a bride at 4:00), so we'll probably have to start without y'all."

Temple: "Okay, just WALK REALLY SLOW down the aisle."

And with that, they hung up and my husband broke a few road laws.  Mainly ones that involved SPEED, in regard to it's limits as sanctioned by the D.O.T.

And I am happy to report, that yes, although we were many many miles from the wedding site, and our Tahoe may have arrived sliding into the area on only two wheels in a sharp turn, and no one even breathed in our car during the time the phone call ended until we departed the vehicle for the wedding, and fortunately the Lord saw fit that no police were in our path, and the Lord decided to bless us even more because miracles never cease ...... we were able to see this:

                                                         

That's right.  From the car as we slid into the site, we could see the guests being seated outside.  We unloaded the car and went running to get a spot....and I saw Jenny's sister walking towards me...."go see her, she wanted you to be here so badly, let her know you're here".   So I took off running in to find her and as soon as I stepped in and looked up to say hi I heard the WEDDING MARCH beginning to play!!  I ran in  to give her a big hug....and I got to see her one last time as just Jenny....before she became an old married woman. :)

Later in the night, while getting her ready to leave the reception, we both cried about it.  About how it doesn't really matter if you live in the same town, the same state, or the same area of the nation......or if you get to see each other every holiday or not.....or talk to each other daily, or even weekly at times.....good friendships last no matter the circumstances. 

No matter if the wedding invitations were sent weeks before and the time was set for 4.....and your friend is horrible for not making sure she had the directions correct BEFORE the day of your wedding!!!

We pick up wherever we leave off....it's like time knows no bounds....it's what a real friendship is about.  I am blessed to have her friendship....and to have a new friend in the groom who was willing to put up with such shenanigans!!  Everyone I met at the reception would say, "oh, so you're the Kimberly they were talking about".....or    "you're the one who made us all have to keep waiting for the ceremony to begin"......how embarassing!!! Eventually, by the end of the night, I think I had talked to just about everyone on the bride and grooms respective sides to apologize for my time management/directionally challenged shortcomings.  And they were all sweet to forgive. :)  In fact, they even let us have some cake!!

At the reception, not only was the chocolate fountain with fruit a big appeal to our kiddos, but they loved the BBQ....and it shows.

Baby Girl with Aunt Jenny....pretty brown eyed gals!

Baby Girl could hardly wait to jump into the pool at the clubhouse during the reception.  But you can't keep her off the dancefloor, even dripping wet and a bit chilled, she had to stop and join in a round of dancing before heading out again! Certainly, getting to swim at a wedding made this move to the top of the kid's BEST WEDDING EVER list.

The wedding was beautiful, Mrs. Patsy made me laugh out loud on more than one occassion, the reception was great, Mr. Bo's gumbo was divine as usual, lots of memories were made.....and my kids had a blast dancing the night away with "Aunt Jenny".  This laughable moment may have came upon Middle Child returning from the pool to the dance floor to show his latest party trick....the stomach roll.  Which had many folks cracking up....including the bride.

                                                   

Later in the evening, I had a chance to grill the groom, Thor--   sure he may have played collegiate football, and he's a big guy, but he doesn't scare me, not one little bit.   I laid down my demands and he assured me he's gonna take good care of my Jenny. I believe him. 

Jenny......best wishes as Mrs. Thor. :)  I love you bunches and miss you already!! 

Tonsillectomey, Smonsillectomey.....she's still at the top of her class.

                                                               

Yes, she survived her surgery.  Yes, she stayed out of school the full week, just as the doctor suggested.  And to be honest, I think that hurt her worse than the surgery itself.  However, she diligently contiued her studies while homebound.....inquiring every afternoon of her brother if he had stopped by her classroom to gather her work for the day. She LOVES school....in fact, I'm certain she'd be the only child I have who would volunteer to go year 'round if it were offered.   

At any rate, she did great work all year and on awards day it paid off.  In her classroom she received a multiplication award which included a free movie rental, as well as the classroom "cheerful cheerleader".  That's her alright. During the school awards assembly, she received All-A Honor Roll, Highest Academic Average in Language and one that encompasses more than just her academics, several other factors are taken into account as well, Most Outstanding Student. 

She just smiled so brightly when we were at home later in the day.  I said, "Baby Girl, do you realize you have gotten that award every single year you've been in school?"......To which she replied, "Yes, m'am....I don't know how I do it.  I just do my work every year the same way."    

I guess every year she just has the best teacher ever who prepares her for the upcoming year to be the best she can possibly be.   I know you all probably get tired of seeing this similar post year after year, but undoubtedly, Baby Girl has been blessed with having the BEST of the BEST every year.  Seriously, her first 4 teachers have all been PHENOMENAL.....and we couldn't have asked for more than PHENOMENAL, now could we? 

A big thanks to this fine lady, Baby Girl's teacher, who consequently also taught Elder Son at this age.  She's the cream of the crop and Baby Girl loves her so much!

Now, let me say, my boys received awards as well.  However, they don't feel the need to be photographed so much anymore.  In fact, I bet if I'd walked into the high school with my camera for awards day, Elder Son would have acted as if he didn't know me!  However, he doesn't scare me, but it was coming an absolute downpour and thus I didn't bother with the camera. 

Elder Son did receive honor roll this year....A-B honor roll.....of which I'd like to take this moment to clarify the "B" portion of that....but don't get me started.  Let me just say that he finished the year with all A's as his final scores in every class.  Regardless, we are proud, first year of high school, very involved in sports and activites, honor roll....nice job!  Plus, he received an even better award than that....I know he's smart, I don't need the honor roll certificate to tell me that, but he also was awarded the Good Citizenship award.  Way to go, Elder Son!

And what about Middle Child?  Oh, he did well too, but like Elder Son, he's not so much into the getting your picture made business. In fact he was more worried about getting back to his room after awards assembly because his class was having a grill out party.....clearly he has his priorities in order....it is food that fuels the brain afterall, right?  :)  He was awarded All-A honor roll and was also recognized for having been chosen by Duke University, for the second year in a row, to be tracked due to his high scores on the national testings.  You must score in the 95th percentile in Math and Science for this recognition....meaning that you have scored better than 95 percent of the nation in your age group.  Middle Child scored in the 99th percentile. 

Way to go....smart like your mama....or maybe not. I know, I know....it really comes from your father, but unfortunately your father doesn't have a blog, so I can say whatever I want!   Actually, what your father always says is that he doesn't put much stock in those test scores....so maybe he'll let me take the credit just this once.  ;)

Tons to report....

but not a lot of time to get it accomplished. 

However, I do intend to work hard this weekend getting some overdue and some current posts together, and reading up and commenting on all my friend's blogs.  I just need to gather my thoughts....and my breath.....you know they say a brain works better when it's not depleted of oxygen. :) 

I do have some FANTABULOUSO (it's a word, trust me) news to report to you rightthisveryminute......

We are not entering this new season as we did last year....with our now infamous event on the last day of school that kicked off our summer!  Even though we survived, a stressful couple of days at Children's Hospital, two surgeries during the last year, and a lot of inactivity for my precious Middle Child......I'm ever so grateful for that to all be behind us. 

And just for good measure, I went with the kids to their last day of school, and allowed them to walk very gingerly down the hallway to deliver their teacher gifts.  Of course, we checked in just in time for Middle Child to attend PE class.....ooops.  Although I would have liked to have wrapped him in bubble wrap and sent him on his way (Little Giants...cute movie), I let him rip and romp like any normal boy would.  But only for a short time.....I checked them right back out shortly thereafter, there's no need in pushing my luck.  Or at the present, pushing my limit, my stress limit that is. :)

We survived another year......and can't wait to get this party started for summer....with no broken femurs to get in the way! :)

Because there is an end.

Currently I stay behind.  Behind on laundry.  Don't even ask how many loads, I'm scared to think about it. Behind on the blog.  Behind on taking pictures, real pictures instead of blurry phone related ones.  Behind on emails.  Behind on mailing out our H3 scripture cards for the month. Behind on texts. Behind on having all our end of year teacher gifts complete.  Behind. Just behind.

Is this fast pace consuming you as well?  Raise your hand if you feel like you're running EVERY WHERE YOU GO???  Even in my sleep.  Because really, does it not seem like we/they or whoever, pack aboslutely anything and everything we can, usually about 2-3 months worth of stuff, into one little three letter word on the calendar----MAY.

And then I say to myself.....and to several other friends.....just hold on....MAY will eventually come to an end.  It has to.

It's what you call a DYNASTY.

Cleverly enough, these two fine friends have paired up together since Kindergarten, for one particular race, every year when FIELD DAY rolls around.

Undisputed blue ribbon champions....for what is now the 6th year in a row. See, I told you it was the makings of a DYNASTY.  Why they might even start naming it after these two. 

And might I add, there's yet to ever be a "close" second.  I tell you they stand head and shoulders above the rest, or, at least Middle Child's friend "Big E" stands head and shoulders above the rest.  Middle Child just holds on for the thrilling 16 second ride of a lifetime! 

(P.S.---this is how crazy my life has been lately....again these pictures were taken with my phone...excuse the quality.  I am just too busy to remember the big camera, or too lazy to lug it around to everything.  And sadly, these are the only two photos I have of the day's events....which happened a couple of weeks ago...I stay so behind these days.  However, I am happy to report that the children from House of Bowling did not disappoint in their quest for the best on Field Day....Baby Girl and Middle Child brought home blue ribbons in almost every event they entered!)

Baby Girl Update

Just to let you know that the post-op visit went well.  The Doctor said her throat doesn't look "good", but it certainly looks as though it is healing as it should.  It's just not a pretty picture in there.  However, pretty doesn't matter right now, but recovering the best way possible....it matters.

She's been doing awesome....basically surviving for many days on sweet tea!!!  Each day she's eating a little more but we're trying not to push it.  And each day, she's talking a little more.....or a lot more. ;)  In fact, that's one of the stories she told the doctor:

Doc:  So, do you have any questions?

Baby Girl: (raises hand) (even though she doesn't have a ? but does have something to say)--You know what my Uncle Will said yesterday?  Well, I was at my Granny's and I started talking a lot, and my mama said "now you know you're not supposed to be talking a lot", and my Uncle Will asked why and she said, "well the first sentence on the instruction sheet says to KEEP THE PATIENT AS QUIET AS POSSIBLE".  And then you know what my Uncle Will said?  He said, "well, she's YOUR daughter, so that's impossible, isn't it?"

Yes. My brother is a laugh a minute.

They can remove her tonsils but they can't take her spunk, that's for sure.

We even let her out of the house for a couple of hours....late in the evening, so she wouldn't get overheated.  She sat through one inning of Middle Child's baseball game, and then through a couple of innings of Elder Son's baseball game, and then PawPaw took her home to rest.

Spoiled, yes.

Loved, even more.

She's really doing well. We did have a bit of a setback last night with her waking at 3AM for pain medicine.  She's been sleeping through the night for a few days without needing anything.  A minor setback though, she's back doing great again today.....and beating me at Mancala numerous times.

Guess what we've been doing these past few days.....

First off....excuse all these pics.  They were taken with my phone and I realize they are not the best to put on the blog, but I've been too tired to pull my NIKON out for over a week....call me lazy if you must, but I have taken the easy road for a change and if all that suffers are a few posts on the blog with blurry photos then so be it!! :)

What's been going on at the House of Bowling has involved a whole lot of this: 

as well as this:

Okay, so really that picture of the ice cream is a lie, you can almost always find that much in our freezer if not more on any given week, but lately we've been stocked up because of this sweet Baby Girl:

Who you see in the photo above, all ready to be wheeled back for her surgery last week....with her pink polka dot blanket tagging along to the operating room.  This was very early in the morning....before roosters crow, even.   And doesn't she look like a beauty queen?....oh, to be youthful again, with unblemished skin and bright eyes. 

I did not take a photo of her after surgery....why? Well, frankly it was because she was crying and upset and a little scared. Not a pretty picture.  Her surgery was done as an outpatient at a surgical center instead of at a hospital.  It was a great experience.  Instead of having to wait until she had been in recovery for an hour after surgery, the doctor came out to speak to us as soon as he degloved from the operating room, and shortly thereafter a nurse wandered back to take us to Baby Girl.  So we were able to be the first people she really saw once she was waking up.  Actually, I was the first person she saw, or remembers seeing, and she scared me half to death.

She had huge tears in her eyes and was trying to talk to me.....very much animation. I, of course, couldn't understand her because she was only fresh off the the cutting block, and her throat was extremely swollen, she was still a bit out of it, and was in some pain.  In fact, she wasn't supposed to even be trying to talk to me....but please remember who we're dealing with....she's a talker, regardless. 

I kept leaning down getting right in her face trying to understand her.  I was worried she was trying to tell me she was in serious pain, or that she couldn't breathe or something like that.....so I kept asking her to repeat herself. 

She just kept saying...."wonk wonk wonk wonk, wa wonk wonk wa".....like the teacher in Charlie Brown.  :)

Finally, after about 10 tries, I figured out word by word.....and she said:

"You've got four eyes!!!"

Oh, anesthesia, how I love thee.

Really, Baby Girl did great before, during and after surgery.  And she's been a real trooper of a patient here at home.  She's resting a lot and trying to follow the doctors orders.....but being "as quiet as possible" is quite an undertaking for a girl like her.

We've played a few rounds of this:

As well as many lessons from her brand new dry erase board.... while we are having "homeschool"....the only catch, she's the teacher. :)

So far, I've had a refresher course in shapes, addition, subtraction with borrowing, line segments, homophones, vowels, etc.etc.....and to think she's only had the board for a few hours......

......oh, the fun this week holds. Imagine how smart I will be by Friday. Pray for me.

Actually, don't worry about me, I can handle it. Surely I can survive this. Right? 

Do pray for Baby Girl.  Specifically, for her to recover quickly.  She's already on the mend.  Her surgery was actually more than we knew it would be until that morning when they checked us in....she had her tonsils and adenoids removed, and she also had her uvula (the thing that hangs down in the back of your mouth where your throat is) cut down a little and then cauterized.  OUCH!

We have a post-op visit scheduled for today and hopefully the doctor will give Baby Girl a good report.  We'll let you know. 

However, I might not be able to have much computer time.....what with all my nursing skills to tend to, the tivo'ed episodes of toddlers and tiaras we have to watch, making big piles of macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, and rolling up bread into little toddler size bites, plus the various homeschool lessons....there's not much time left in the day for the blog.  Maybe the "teacher" will give me a break for free time soon and I'll talk to you all again ASAP!!

Family Carnival

Last week we had company....grandparents and great grandparents....the best kind of company to have!  Of course, my kids love to entertain....and we had yet to have a Family Party for the month of May.....so their creative minds came up with a carnival.

Complete with every stray piece of something they could drag out to the front yard......8-10 giant orange highway cones,  partial pieces of a LL Bean croquet set, some plastic milk crates, various balls, frisbees, bats, bottles, and tons of recycled prizes for the guests!!! :)   Recycled prizes from our garage and toyroom.  For instance, Grandmama (83) and Grandaddy (82) played two carnival games and each won a pair of roller skates.  Well, let me take that back, Grandmama won a pair of white roller skates trimmed in pink with pink wheels and butterfly designs.....and Grandaddy won a rocking pair of black and blue roller blades.  Roller blades.  I bet they are on the wish list of every elderly person, right??  :) 

The guests were offered free admission, but had to purchase their supper plates, drinks, and snacks from the carnival concessions.  Money makers.  The manager (Middle Child) said he had to charge for something because he had "hired" out various acts to perform for all of us. Oh, the joy of waiting for those said performances....we were all waiting at the edge of our seats!!! :)

• The Carnival manager.  Nemo cup = the bank vault.  Numerous quarters and a few dollar bills are inside the colorful clown fish.

• Our first act....a show stopping gymnastics performance starring Baby Girl!!!

  

  
  

  
  

  • Act #2---Elder Son gave an awesome Yo-Yo show!!!   

  

  
  

  

  
  

  And these folks couldn't have had more fun if Barnum and Bailey would have pulled into the front yard.
  

  

  
  

  In fact.....I'd bet a 1000 to 1 odds those folks at our family carnival would call our evening under the stars....the absolute GREASTEST SHOW ON EARTH!!!

Science Fair.....a "Tweet Treat"

Baby Girl just so happened to win 1st place at the Science Fair at her school in her grade division. YAHOO!!!!  And that meant she was to compete in the County Fair against other schools in her grade division.  Where sadly, she did not place in the top 3, but her project still rocks if you ask me....the mama....who thinks her kids and their projects are awesome regardless of the opinion of others. 

So, here I present to you, "TWEET TREAT".....a science experiment involving different bird seeds and the most popular choice of the birds who hang around our neck of the woods.

Seriously, look how precious this "take a look" note....that leads you to view her adroably cute bird inspired science journal that holds all the data she gathered for over a week of observation, her conclusion, and a special page where she states why she thinks the birds didn't eat a lot of birdseed during this experiment.....reason #1--thunderstorms.....reason #2---Mr. Jingles, our cat.  :)  Gotta love some kid humor thrown into the science fair!!!

Can you read this side of the project board....with the Question? and Hypothesis displayed.....

Baby Girl gives her scientific guess as to which birdseed the birds will like best (she thought it would be the fruit and nut blend) based on this thought "it's like a mixture of joy to the birds". 

So maybe it wasn't the MOST scientific reasoning....but she's 8 and adorable and had the best time feeding the birds and crafting this project with brightly colored feathers and using all manner of markers and paper and glue and such and presenting her science project to the judges, that sweet little voice.....

and to me.....that just makes her a pure mixture of joy to my soul!! 

I'm proud of the first place blue ribbon she won at her school and proud of her efforts at the County level as well.....but most importantly, I'm proud of Baby Girl just for being Baby Girl.