Silliness

Monday, I took Little K to VBS, knowing he would love all the fun activities and learning about Jesus.  On the way home, he stated "Jesus is mean!"

"Um, what are you talking about?  Jesus loves us and cares for us greatly!"
"Well, He told Zacheus that he couldn't play in the tree anymore and had to get out!" Little K stated.

Needless to say, we went back over that event and made sure he was clear on what really happened.

*****************************

Day one and lego hand is forming

Two weeks ago, I had my first surgery for Carpal Tunnel.  Youngest has been so impressed with my Wolverine scar and my Lego positioned hand.  Not what I was thinking when he asked to see it, but the humor was welcome. 

I decided to watch some of my old DVR shows, after having carpal tunnel surgery two weeks ago.  I happen to be  watching one from Christmas  from the Hallmark Channel, when Youngest walked by and a Countdown to Christmas ad was playing.  "Are you kidding me Hallmark Channel!!!  It is not even the end of June!"

******************

Paul and Tracy

Sunday, we attended a "sending off" to some dear young-at-heart, recently retired friends, Paul and Tracy, who are just the dearest.  Many people were there, telling stores, sharing a meal, and singing songs lead by Paul.  Tracy has been the biggest encourager to me in regards to surviving being a mom to boys, plus she loves to sew and do embroidery work on her machine.  I can't wait to hear of their new adventures as they travel the US.  There were not a lot of dry eyes, and my heart was aching a bit, but I'm thrilled for them.  After telling hugging Tracy, she looked at me and then at Youngest and laughed:

  "You know, the memory I will always laugh at with Youngest was during church.  He decided he wanted to sit with me during service, he must have been 3-4 years old.  Someone had made a hilarious comment during service and the auditorium was filled with so much laughter, but I looked down and he was completely stone faced.  So I asked him what was wrong and he said "I'm laughing inside my head."  I just lost it!  

I'd never heard that story before and was so thankful to hear it now.

************

Went to the Farmers Market this morning for some yummy corn and potatoes, and whileYoungest was buckling Little K back in his carseat... Little K said to him: "Don't mash my Peter." Lol!  Oh the joy of boys!!! 

Would you care to share a funny story that has happened lately?  Have you had a good belly laugh?  I'd love to hear it! 

Dinner with a smile

Youngest's Grilled bacon cheese sandwich

Tonight was Youngest's turn to fix dinner

His menu of choice? Grilled cheese and bacon sandwiches. It's hard to step back and let them create and learn, but he did well and his new wisdom was "making dinner tonight is like a vacation compared to homemade chicken nuggets! I can do this!"

We had a whole lesson on burns, cuts, safety, ecoli, staph, botulism, and other wonderful food things... He kept calling botulism "chewbotulism". This kid even had to insert his personality in it as well!

He makes me smile!


If you would like the read the story on how we have "guest chef's" four nights a week, click over here

Pinterest tape?

Tallgrass Prairie Studio using Painter's Tape

Honey and Youngest were watching football, when I mentioned that I needed to get some smaller  painter's tape to use for an upcoming quilt.  I currently use the wide painter's tape when I put my quilts together and tape the back to the floor.  Recently I read on Tallgrass Prairie Studio about using painter's tape to help with quilting straight lines.  Genius!!!  

Anyway, back to my story.  Youngest looked up a little confused.  "What's Pinterest Tape?" 

Obviously we talk about Pinterest a lot here, and camping all weekend in the freezing temps, PLUS being around guns has skewed his brains and hearing.

$2,000 can of 7 oz Pepsi

Our most expensive can of Pepsi

 A little over a month ago , Honey told me his eye appt revealed he had a cataract.  Yes, I know, 45 isn't really THAT old, but we certainly felt old after this! We were a slightly stunned, but relieved that the issue he was having was fixable.

He was actually quite frightening before his surgery.  Think about it.  Here is a stubborn, quiet, dedicated man, who scared the daylights out of me when he drove because he couldn't see and didn't want to admit it. There was a horrible glare on his at night, and to make matters worse, he began to GLARE at me each time I suggested or hinted that I would like to drive.  When we drove up to Springfield, MO for a car show Memorial Day weekend and to visit with siblings (it was a blatant, "we're leaving the kids home alone, in order to get away by ourselves" weekend) I was terrified. I literally was so thankful for my iPhone and all the books and games on it, because I couldn't stand to watch the road and how bad his driving had gotten.  All I could think was "Our children are going to be orphans and will have to move to TX to live with family."  To say that Honey was more quiet and apprehensive leading up to his July 5th surgery was a gross understatement.  He had not had any type of surgery since he had his tonsils out as a young child.

Our experience?

1. They don't knock you completely out for this type of surgery.  This part really freaked him out before they gave him the meds. After the meds he cared less and says all he saw were "pretty rainbow colors". 
2. It takes less than 20 minutes to have this done (barely time to open a book or let family know he had gone in).
3. Honey is a blast under anesthesia (somehow took on the sense of humor of his older brother), which made him even more funny.
4. His demands of Sweet Tea via I.V. (after the anesthesia hit and prior to surgery) were not met and then said he could not trust me to drive him home.  He really thought he was going to drive himself home until our pretty nurse told him to hand over the keys. I did stop on the way home at McDonalds and got him a sweet tea "because I need it," he demanded.
5. Honey's complimentary can of "you're waking up from surgery, drink this, keep it down and you can go home" can of Pepsi cost us $2,000.  He swears it was awesome!  
6. I laughed so hard just trying to get his shirt back on him, I cried. I'm sure we provided MUCH entertainment to those around us. Next show will be Aug. 2.
7. He accused me of driving like Mario Andretti going over every speed bump I could find.
8. After sleeping from 1 p.m. until 3 a.m., he couldn't sleep anymore and decided to go in to work to do some paper work.  Seriously!!!  The man thought he was going to DRIVE himself!!!  Rather than argue, I got up and took him.  I was awake anyway from his mumbling and trying to find his wallet. We finally got back home at 5:30 a.m. at which he promptly went BACK to bed and I was WIDE awake.  ARGH!!!  
9. We have the sweetest friends who came over that same morning to help organize and put stuff back in our attic (another story).  What did Honey do during this?  He sat AT the kitchen table, calling customers, letting them know their vehicle was ready, giving estimates, and updating them on progress of their vehicle. We were all literally shaking our heads in disbelief. !   I really think he wanted to keep busy because he wasn't able to help or "take charge" and wanted to keep his mind off what we were really doing.



Honey's attractive eye patch and attire

10. The eye patch???? We're keeping it, so I can paint it black and he can masquerade as a pirate at his next birthday.

  We've seen such a remarkable improvement in his vision now from -200 something (he couldn't even see there was a wall with a Big "E" on it)  to 20/30 without any type of corrective lenses that he is actually looking forward to having his other eye done.  I kid you not!   We are incredibly thankful for all the prayers and God's hand in all this. 

 I'm fairly confident he'll never read this post, but please don't forward it to him.  We still have his other eye to have surgery on and I really want to stay married to this man. 

My delightful Irish Twins

My oldest two have been close since Only was a wee child.  Oldest has never known a time when she wasn't part of his life, and many times I have been questioned whether they were twins.  They are kinda - Irish Twins I mean, but that is not the gist of today's post.  It's the uncanniness they have to wear the exact same shirt on the same day, though neither have planned it at all.  I mean how uncool is it to plan to wear the same shirt as your sibling??? 

This isn't the first time it's happened and each time we just have to laugh. Have you ever had something similar happen to you?  I'd love to hear your story!

Easting Frosty

My kids are to the age that I can't easily "Wow" them at meal time,but I keep trying to make them smile.

 Tonight I used:

• pancake batter
• cookie cutters
• cooking spray
• chocolate chips
• tongs

To put a smile on your family members face, dig out your cookie cutters, and find some with a nice shape or two.  Remember, you want it big enough to make it worth while to spread some butter on it!

Pour in some batter

1. You MUST spray the cookie cutter inside with cooking spray or the batter will cook and stick to the cutter.  You'll be left with a huge mess and yucky looking "fun" shape.
   
2. Put the cookie cutter in your heated skillet and pour enough batter to cover the bottom part of the cutter. Sometimes I like to add a variety: pour batter in part of it, wait a few seconds for that to set, and pour the rest of the batter in. 
   
3. Let it cook until the batter is set.  I use tongs to pull the hot cookie cutter off the batter and flip your pancake over.  The batter should not run when you pull the cutter off.
   
4. Take your hot fresh pancake from the skillet, add what ever toppings make you happy!

   

   Remove the cutter

 Sometimes I like to add a variety:

• Pour batter in part of it, wait a few seconds for that to set, and pour the rest of the batter in. 
• add a few chocolate chips, blueberries, sprinkles, etc

  

  Stacked men

 That's how we ate "Frosty" tonight, what different ways do you try to put a smile on the faces your love at meal time?  I'd love to hear how you do it!

Taken Hostage

 Poor Honey was startled this last week

to discover this critter was using 

our TRASHCAN for it's latest home

unwelcome visitor

 Yes, that is a possum that crawled INSIDE a plastic bag on some cool night

seeking shelter in the midst of our trash and baby diapers

 Our family was taken hostage this last week, by the most vial (think skunk smell) and ugly creature, forcing us to store our trash in the garage. Oh, we tried a variety of methods to make it leave

• we asked it nicely (by leaving off the lid)
• not too nicely by kicking the can
• We made fun of it
• we gawked at it
• took pictures
• poked it with a stick
• Honey got out  his BB gun and shot it several times
         (those who may be with PETA please stop reading)
• and put the lid back on. 

Guess what?   Last night when Honey checked on it last night, It was playing possum,  literally!  It had crawled out of the bag and found a more comfy place. When he moved the can it merely stretched like a lazy kitten blinking it's eyes as if to say "Is that all you've got?"

Playing possum

Growing tired of this situation, Honey and Oldest put on their brave faces, took the can and our stinky visitor to the stream beside our house, tipped it over and waited for it to get the hint. 

It did not. So grabbing the nearest eviction notice (a big stick), they prodded and drug it from it's slumber, until it finally had enough.  Our trash can now has a vacancy and we're not looking for new tenants.

 This is probably the most gross thing I've written about and it's
kinda silly that we let such a ugly little creature hold us hostage.  I know there is a spiritual thought tiptoeing quietly through my head, but with a 3 day migraine, it's all I can muster at this point.


We're all laughing about it now, but it was quite the stinky situation!   Have you ever had an unwanted visitor and what did you finally do to get it/them to leave? Would love to hear your story!

Just ask

Last night, 

a sweet friend, Melissa and I 

had a girl's night out

just the two of us

Delicious Stuffed Chicken Marsala

We had the best time!!!

Not as two moms,

or as someone's wife

just two good friends

good conversations

delicious food

Want to hear the funny part? 

Both of us 

share the same wedding anniversaries

June 23

19 years apart

our oldest children are dating
and our daughters are best friends
(it's complicated)

Stay with me...

So I had to ask...

yes, I did!  

I asked our server 

if we could have a dessert 

to celebrate our anniversaries!!!

No, our husbands were not present

Guess what???

This is the yummy celebration dessert we received!

Our celebration dessert

"I don't want to judge..." she started

We had a little explaining to do

We are not married to each other 

GASP!

 "Our husbands are unavailable to celebrate

One is at boy scout camp and the other doesn't like Italian

It's Girls night out!"

Oh so delicious and rich!

We gave our sweet server an bit more of a tip

took our dessert to Sweet Bay

got a coffee and chai

two forks

and each had two-three bites

more good conversations

two good friends

Ah, we must do it again soon
for we had to go home way too soon.

Broadsided by Monday?

Whew!  Today has literally exhausted me!  I know, by looking at the calendar that it is not Monday, but it sure feels like it!  If you had peeked in one of my windows today this is a snapshot of what you would have seen:

• The Princess literally THREW her ham and cheese tortilla across the kitchen.  "I don't like it!" she cried. She ate it anyway.  We're trying to get her to realize that not liking something and being full are two different things.
  
• "Why is there poop on the light?"  That is not POOP, Oldest was a messy painter and got brown paint on the bulb. I ended up taking the light out and letting her touch it...  Now how did she think that poop was going to get on the light up by the ceiling?  She must think we are more exciting than most people!
  
  
• Our newest little one, Princess AB wore the dog out chasing, hugging, kissing (yes, she was actually kissing Lady), and touching her.  Lady ended up begging to be let outside so she would have some reprieve.  I think she ended up taking a sun nap in the quiet outdoors - this is something she NEVER does because she believes she is my shadow.
  
  
• With three little sweeties, we have three different sippy cups, all filled with apple juice.  Mind you, they all look different, but they are all PINK. So imagine my frustration when I tried for 10-15 times to get a lid on a sippy cup and it not fit.  Give it up to some blond root I wish I had, but I had the wrong lid for the wrong cup.  Duh!
  
  
• Do you know how quickly three little girls can totally DESTROY a place? It was like a tornado unleashed times three and picking up while they were here would have been as pointless as shoveling snow during a blizzard.

• The Princess messed in her diaper (that's what they're there for right?) so I proceeded to change her. In the midst of that, I became aware she wasn't done, so I popped the potty seat on the toilet and plopped her on it.  I stood there waiting, forgetting I left the DIRTY diaper (with poop in it) on the counter.  I usually put the poop in the toilet if I can to cut down on the smell, but hadn't had a chance. She's sitting there doing her business when she suddenly looked over - a look of stinky horror replaced her silly smile.  "EWWW!  Why is there a snake in my diaper?"
    "Sweetie, that's not a snake, that your poop!
    "No, it's a snake!"
    "No, it's not a snake, really. It's your poop!"  
  
  There - I blogged about poop.  TWICE in the same post!  Never thought that would EVER happen.  Please forgive me or laugh with me.

The blessing in it all?

• When Oldest came home,  it was a joy to watch him and Youngest shoot hoops outside in this beautiful weather.
  
• "W" was able to moderately concentrate in the midst of the chaos, learn, comprehend, and even crack a smile.  Amazing!
  
• Taking full advantage of the special deals by text message that McDonalds offers (we typically don't even go there) has been doing each Thursday, Honey spent $10 for 40 pieces of chicken nuggets and provided dinner for all 5 of us. So it probably wasn't the healthiest, but with a day that we've all had, we don't care at the moment.
• Through most of this, Only and I were able to laugh about most of it.
  
• All three girls and "W" went home by 5 p.m.   *sigh*
  
• A little humor: During a very relax dinner, The Princess' sweet momma sent me the following (she said I could post this)  

"Count "L" out for quiz bowl next year. Dinner conversation:
       "L"- "My class is studying the United States. Everyone drew 2 states to study. I drew Colorado and Vomit. My friend drew New Hamster.
       Momma: I have laughed until tears were rolling down my cheeks."

         Our family about laughed until we were laying on the table.  Hope you got a laugh from this!

How was your Monday Tuesday?

Living with a WHAT?

There has been so much going on at our house that I completely missed it. 

I was caught completely unaware until someone pointed it out to me. 

Actually, we were at a meeting when it was ANNOUNCED in PUBLIC! 

What could have possibly distracted me from knowing such important news? 

Oldest and "J" went to their first ever prom, 

which turned out to be a first ever date for either of them.

I thought they looked so sweet! 

But that's not the news...

 

We've got a potty chair in the house once again, 

*sigh - I'd forgotten about potty training*

 Honey wants to know how we're supposed to use our toilet with a cute little potty seat on it...

But that's not the news...

I made 9 jars of strawberry Jam

I've never done this before

My family agrees that it is a VERY GOOD THING

But that's not the news...

 

Only and I traveled to Little Rock for a Girls Day Out

to meet Christian author Kaye Dacus

We even got to eat lunch with her!

What a fabulous time we had visiting and asking questions

But that's not the news...

I've been creating, sewing, ripping out, and re-sewing

on a special quilt for a special little baby born with Downs

But that's not the news... 

 I thought for some reason that I needed to try to make Thin Mint cookies, 

just to see if I could.  I can, and they were good,
but it is way too much work. A little too much chocolate in the dough.  
Support the Girl Scouts and save yourself some time.

But that's not the news...

Youngest went on an 18 mile hike last month (in 2 days)

and just returned from a 3-day canoe/camping trip

But that's not the news...

At the Band Banquet last night, it was a great night of reflection and revisiting some great accomplishment. 

Awards were given to many students

Oldest was given two! 

Outstanding Musical Achievement

(he's played the trumpet since he was in 3rd grade)

But that's not the news...

Oldest was voted by his peers as.... 

VBHS 2010 Band Male Hottie!!!  

GASP! 

How could I have NOT known this? 

That's the news! 

I thought I was going to fall on the floor laughing... 

I should have known.

I'm living with a teenage Hottie!!!  

Dancing in the kitchen

There is something familiar and fun that happens when my kids get in the kitchen with me, particularly with Only.  When I start banging around pots and pan, the food is sizzling, or the bread is raising, a little dancing starts.

It all starts when she sashays into the kitchen with "Whatcha fixin" or "Mmmm, that smells good." Then before I know it, the radio magically comes on (usually to some country station or Air 1), and she's sidling up beside me with "Can I help?"  Somehow my quiet kitchen explodes with busy hands, music breaking the silence of my  thoughts, sometimes some toe tapping, or "I love this song!" Before I know it, she's taken over making biscuits, or preparing some other dish.  Somehow she knows just where I need help, or what to do and that's where the dancing is. 

It's not some two-step, hip-hop jazz, the cha-cha, the tango (though we do get in a tangle from time to time), Salsa (though we love homemade salsa), swing, or ballet.  It's more of a rhythm of movement of bodies working in time and together...  reaching, borrowing, side-stepping, occasionally dropping stuff, and creating while cooking.  I can tell you we would not get a "10" from Dancing with the Stars or So You Think You can Dance, but I don't really care.  For me, it's about the fun, laughter, creating, and memories. 

But truth be told, Only did confess that she likes to help because our rule is: If you cook, you don't have to clean up.   Oh well, we're having fun anyway!

Fighting in the laundry room

Last night at 10 p.m, there was a fight, wrestling match, whatever you want to call it, it happened.  It started simply and ended with a tangling of bodies much too big to be settling it in the laundry room.  I'm sure the laundry room creatures feared for their lives.

Some do-hickey part in the washer went on the fritz, so Honey got out his JB Weld, (he claims it is supposed to fix anything) and started working.  There was a lot of banging going on in there and the laundry room is MUCH cleaner than it was to start with when Honey pronounced it done, but we must wait 24 hours. So we waited with much anticipation for those sweet words to come out of his mouth... "You can use the washer."  You would have thought we were on the Amazing Race! 

Well, since Honey took the boys to a friend's to work on a project and Only was out with her d-Group (discipleship group), I took advantage of the time to do some much needed laundry.  Let me tell you, if we don't do laundry for a few days, it piles up like a train wreck!  So when everyone finally got home and I said those fateful words "The washer is free!" there was a stampeed between Only and Oldest...

Only slid in first with a grin of triumph, but Oldest started pulling and pushing her out of the small room.  I was cornered in front of the washer and could only lay on the washer laughing.  Who would have thought teenagers would be clamoring to use the washer! Honey was no help because he was laughing just as hard and kept reminding them they had ALL Spring Break to do laundry, but nope, it wouldn't wait.. I wish I'd had a video camera.  Only was threatening to use her new-found self-defense skills and Oldest was defending with "brute" strength.  So much for the "No Doing Laundry after 10 p.m." rule!

In the end, I was blamed for making such a silly announcement, Oldest washed his WHITES in cold water just to prove he could use it first, and Only gave me "The Look" and a hug.  We tried to tell Oldest that you don't wash whites in cold (and such a tiny load as it was), but he just flipped the nob to hot and as the tub filled the final 2 inches.  "See, it's HOT," he claimed with a smirk.  I'm thinking the bunny on the wall was glad he was just a flat bunny! 

I got flowers from who???

Today was a very off day for our house.  I got flowers today, via a nice UPS man, who just wanted to make sure our German Shepard didn't get a piece of him before you gave me my box. 

"Oh, Daddy sent you flowers", Only proclaimed!

"No, he's not supposed to do that" I said thinking of our supposed budget that got out of whack because I forgot to put stamps on two bills  - that's another whacky story...

Opening the box, 18 beautiful purple, peach, and pink roses peeked from under their protective wrap.  Pulling the card out, I was stunned...

"We love you with all of our hearts"  - Heidi, Cindy, and Sue

Who in the WORLD is Heidi, Cindy, and Sue???  Beats me!  I do know a Heidi (she was 7 when she was in my wedding), Cindy - I have a cousin named Cindy, Sue - I do have an Aunt Sue, but honestly!  The relatives wouldn't know Heidi, so I called my Aunt. She who wished she would have sent them, but thought it was hilarious! 

Long Story short - I called Pro-Flowers, the lady was really nice, we got it figured out.  She read the card that I was SUPPOSED to get complete with Honey and I's pet names for each other...  Honey and I had a good laugh from it, and the nice thing is Pro-Flowers refunded a portion of the what Honey paid. I'll never get the special card he sent with the flowers, but that's okay, I got the guy!

Right now, some lady out there is wondering who sent her flowers, and who is BBW and Sheep and three ladies are out there wondering why their friend has not called to thank them for the flowers!!!

Oh well... Gotta go and get ready for my date with Honey... Maybe we'll run into someone trying to sole the mystery of flowers from some person who has a great wife named Sheep!

My nose won't fit

In case you need a laugh today, I thought I would go back a few years for a story that was included in Liz Curtis Higgs book While Shepherds Washed Their Flocks. 

When Only was little, probably 3-4, she was having a very rough day.  I really don't remember what she did, but it warranted some discipline

    "Only, put your nose in the corner",  I told her.
 

"But Mommy, my nose won't fit!"