Getting Ready

Vacuum Marks Make Me Happy

There's just something about the evenness of vacuum lines that makes my OCD heart happy!

Bugs

We have seen some of the biggest bugs this summer and this one is no exception. So far, we've found a Japanses Beetle over an inch long, a dragon fly with a wingspan of about 5 inches and now this thing...it was creepy!

Reunited at Last

And no, I'm not talking about Dan with our family. I'm talking about my sweet Allie girl and her friend, Alex. A couple weeks ago, I emailed his mom to see if we could set up a play date. Allie has asked to see him on several occasions. It took us several back and forths to find a date that was good for both of us - I'm not the only one keeping my kids as busy as possible. So anyway, after swim lessons yesterday (our last day!), we met Alex and his family at the giraffe park to play. It was a hard play date. Allie and Alex have a lot in common, including their emotional meltdowns and easily hurt feelings. They were both off by themselves crying on more than one occasion. It was crazy. First Jack, Alex's twin, was pushing my kids on the tire swing and Alex was upset "they weren't playing with him." Allie got off and he wouldn't talk to her so she started crying. Finally we got them playing together and then something happened and Allie was off hiding under something with tears streaming down her face. If relationships are this hard at 6, can you imagine 16? They ended up the play date on a good note, sitting on a blanket talking because they were tired. Jaelyn enjoyed playing with Jack (Jack and Alex have an October birthday so they are just a little behind Jaelyn) and Caden and Timmy (their 4 year old brother) had fun playing together as well. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures...I forgot my camera. Can you believe it? I was so mad at myself.

And it wasn't the only thing I forgot yesterday. I also forgot Jaelyn's dentist appointment to get her sealants on her molars. I called, apologized profusely and now the appointment is rescheduled for April??? Thinking we need to find a new dentist. Also thinking I need to locate my brain! It seems to have left the building.

Broken Chain

Catching Up

Dan will be home in under 5 days. I can't believe it. I should be busy getting the house cleaned and organized, sorting out our closet and fluffing his pillows :p. It doesn't seem to be happening though. I even put off grocery shopping this week because our babysitter couldn't come on Tuesday. The thought of taking the kids to the commissary made me tired so I took them to the swimming pool instead. We've been to the pool just about everyday for the last week. It's finally warmed up and feels like what I think summer should feel like. We hit 96 one day. I love it.

My Grandmother is doing much better after having her gallbladder removed last week. There was a low blood pressure scare the day after her surgery and then she had a heart attack a few days after that. There was probably some heart damage, but for now they aren't doing the heart catheterization one of the doctors wanted. I'm glad. There's no need putting her through that if they aren't going to do anything to fix any damage she might have. She's being released from the hospital tomorrow and will go to a rehab type place to help her get her strength back. I'm hopeful she'll be back in her own home again in a few weeks, just in time to celebrate her 90th birthday...which Dan is letting me go to...BY MYSELF. I'm excited to go home for a few days to see my family and just relax. Of course, Jen and I have booked a spa day at our Destin spa. I can't wait.

My Grandfather is doing well too. He started his treatment yesterday for bladder cancer. He has 5 more treatments over the next few months. I don't have an update on Doris so I think she's healing well from her surgery.

Dan's grandfather, Daddy Doe, is back in the nursing home. The mass they removed from his prostrate was benign. We are so thankful for that. Best of all, Nana has stayed well!!! Thank you for your prayers for all of them.

Seriously? Shopping Gone Very Wrong

I don't know what was the matter with me today. I hardly ever buy sugar laden, fattening food. And then to super size everything...crazy. I was on a roll today when we zipped through Walmart. I even had a list...oops!

Game Night

I can't decide which picture I like the best....
I like the crisp car driving towards me with the blurry Monopoly box in the background.

I love the lighting in this picture. It's just a coincidence of the flash because my camera is on auto and I have no clue what I'm doing, but it looks like a bad storm is rolling in to Monopolyville.

Prepared for My Day

Old CDs

Back to School Shopping Well Underway

Relaxing By the Pool

This picture was inspired by Dawn's :).

My New Favorite Flower

Shasta daisies used to be my favorite flower...well before Meg Ryan's quote about them in You've Got Mail. I've grown black eyed susans for the last 3 summers and this year they have been so beautiful. I think shasta daisies just got bumped down my list.

Sweet Potato Rolls

I made sweet potato rolls today and they were so good. The best part, the kids ate them AND LIKED THEM. Jaelyn's the only one who knows she was eating sweet potatoes.

Sweet Potato Rolls (courtesy of Aubrey S. from the Immanuel Baptist Church's Cookbook - and special thanks to Kelley for getting me the cookbook)

1 .25 oz pkg active dry yeast

4 tbsp white sugar

1 1/2 c. canned sweet potato puree

1/2 c. warm water

3 tbsp butter, softened

1 tsp salt

2 eggs

3 c. flour

Dissolve yeast, warm water and 1 tbsp sugar in a mixing bowl. Let stand 5 minutes. Add remaining sugar, sweet potato, butter, salt and slightly beaten eggs. Stir to mix well. Stir in 3 cups of flour. turn out on a lightly floured surface; Knead 2 to 3 minutes, adding just enough remaining flour to prevent sticking. Do not knead too heavily. When smooth, shape into a ball. Place in an oiled bowl and turn to coat the surface. Cover and let rise about 1 hour or longer.

Punch down and allow dough to rest for 2 minutes. Divide into 16-20 balls and place on a greased cookie sheet or in a 9x13 pan. Allow to rise until doubled. Bake at 375 for 12-20 minutes. Serve Warm.

The recipe was really simple, just a little time consuming with the rising. The rolls were so yummy with a little butter melted in them. I can't wait to have one warmed up with jelly for breakfast.

Explosion...Toy Meets Wall

Not the clearest picture, but it's a 2" gash in the wall where a baby doll crib landed. This definitely shows the essence of my day today!

Kitty Taco

Fun with the Life Guards

This post is going to make me sound so old. There's a group of about 6 life guards that rotate through the base swimming pool. We've gotten to know them pretty well through lessons. They are all in college and just seem like good kids (That's the sounding old part. I'm calling young adults "kids" but that's what they are to me. They seem so young.). Two of the girls, Caroline and Josie, are cheerleaders and one day they got in the pool and used Allie as the top to the pyramid. They lifted her up and threw her around. She had the best time. Today, one of the guys, Mr. Lee, got in the pool during his break and played tag with the kids. They had so much fun jumping and splashing him and he was good natured enough to let them. And what was I doing while my kids were being entertained? I was enjoying sunning in a lounge chair with a good book. I heart our life guards!

Tackling Mt. Neverest

No matter how often I do laundry, the mountain just keeps growing and growing and growing.

Caden's Funny of the Day

While riding in the car to take Anna our babysitter home in a torrential thunderstorm today, Caden says "The cloud pee is doing a great job of getting our car clean!" Priceless...I will admit I've teased them about the clouds peeing on them on a few occassions to get them to laugh about getting wet rather than cry when running into the house from the car in the rain.

I Think He's Laughing At Me