Libby

Libby -

You made my college days fun, enjoyable, encouraging, and meaningful.

I hope your family gives thanks this day to God above for you...I know I do.

I love you.

Happy birthday.

Um, I got a little something but it ain't much

My middle child is staying the night with his grandparents and cousin tonight. I miss him!

Our other two children are sacked out in their beds and I think I hear Mitch in one of their rooms snoring. He must have fallen asleep snuggling with one of the kiddos.

My head has been hurting all day. Not a headache but kind of like a swimming thing. You know, every time you bend down and the pressure increases in your body, your head feels like it's about to pop!? Or, when you turn your head too quickly and the swoosh happens in your brain? Yeah, that's what I'm experiencing. I'm gonna go pop some more Tylenol before crashing in the bed.

I just finished reading a piece of fiction that has taken me six months to complete. I love to read but my time is usually spent reading news online, newspapers, and magazines. Long stories have got to be REALLY GOOD to keep my attention...or to keep me from falling asleep in the bed as I turn the pages.

You know, sometimes I dread writing for this blog. I mean, who really wants to read about what I did with my time today? Who really wants to know that my head hurts? Who really cares that I don't have time to read long novels? I'm not fishing for feedback....just tellin' it like it is.

Just chillin'

It was a hot spring afternoon in Georgia when three little monkeys gathered on their back lawn to enjoy a banana Popsicle together....in silence. SLURP!

Just a peek...

I am almost done editing your photos, Danielle! In the meantime, here's a VERY small peek.

This past week in pictures

I take so many pictures. I delete a lot but I love browsing through them and remembering the moment, even if that moment was just watching my children eat their afternoon snack together in peace. Here are just a few pictures of our life this past week.

Planting seedlings in egg cartons. They are still alive and have been replanted in a larger pot. I guess I have a minimal green thumb.

Eating lunch every Monday, just daughter and mom.

Hunting bugs for our "bug playground".

Hunting for more bugs.

Watching the birds in our backyard feeder.

Eating pistachio nuts in the yard.
This photo is weird.
Why is Abigail wearing her arm floats?

Climbing the neighbor's fence.
Sorry, Jamie!

We have a few tadpoles that we're watching daily
to see when they're gonna sprout their legs.
I'm just surprised they are still alive.

5 I can't do without

Becky has tagged me and asked that I share the 5 wardrobe items I couldn't live without. Glad to do it!

1. khaki capris
2. U-G-L-Y, but comfortable, house shoes
3. clippy for my hair
4. black sundress
5. black, green, and purple hoodies

Gosh, I need more variety in my wardrobe. I'm drab and boring!

Funny video

Ok, I'm giggling....



HT: GirlTalk

Wanna know where Mama shops?

While pushing her stroller around the house.....

ABIGAIL: Mama, I'm taking my baby for a ride!"

ME: "Oh, where are you going?"

ABIGAIL: "To Walgreens."

Reptile Fest

Oxbow Meadows, a regional hands-on nature center, sponsored by CSU, had their first ever REPTILE FEST two weeks ago. Our family ventured to see the turtles, tortoises, alligators, and snakes. EWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!

Snap, Snap!

Petting the tortoise named Samson.

Jason, from Snakes Are Us, educates the audience about snakes. You can see him in action on his TV show SnakesKin, on Animal Planet.

Luke is intently watching!

Abigail plays the "Alligator Eats the Chickens" game.
She fed him well!

His Eye Is On the Sparrow

This is a song that reminds me of my childhood. My mother plays the piano beautifully and she would often play this song when I just wanted to "hear something". Of course, I didn't (and still don't) sing it this good!

Mississippi Children's Choir:

Ready for some pessimism?

I have homework for my photography class that I haven't finished yet.

I have piles of dirty dishes waiting to be washed sitting in my sink.

I have a hall bathroom that reeks of little boys, if you know what I mean.

I have a master bedroom that has been the "catch-all" for all things random since the day we moved in three years ago.

I have an art class to teach tomorrow and am still putting the final touches on my lesson plan tonight.

I have a regional newsletter to design that is due in seven days. I haven't started.

I almost never read my material or listen to the assigned MP3 beforehand for Bible study. That's awful, isn't it?

I am losing four close friends in the next two months...they are all moving to galaxies far, far away.

After playing a game of Frisbee with a few friends tonight, I had to come to terms that the game of ULTIMATE is no longer an option for me.

I can't find a pen or my phone in my purse due to all the receipts and coupons sticking out at me.

I owe the library some money. Books overdue. The library is near my house. Don't ask.

I have gift cards to Amazon and Parable but I can't seem to find anything I need....only things I want. I'll keep waiting.

My son has been assigned his first big research project (kindergarten). I don't even know when it's due. I was a school teacher for two years and I'm now the parent that I used to sinfully roll my eyes at for not being "responsible" with their child's academics.

On my TO DO list contains items such as "make tea", "finish 1 load of laundry", "unload dishes", and "vacuum car". Those feel weird to write on my TO DO list when the rest of the list reads "call ____, email _____, make dental appoint., invite ____ for dinner", etc.

I never pre-plan our meals. This is something I'd really like to change as I'm seeing the impact it's having on my time management. What's time management?

I mopped my kitchen floor for the first time in .....well, I'm not gonna admit how long it's been. If it weren't for dinner company, it would still be un-mopped.

I want to visit my hometown more than I've ever wanted to, but gas is expensive.

No matter how much I de-clutter and purge, there are still piles to go through, drawers to empty, and things to trash.

It's 11:34 PM as I type and I need to get to bed. I think I'll just save this post in DRAFTS and decide later if I'll publish it. I crack myself up.

Thinking 'Bout Something

Hanson.... all grown up from their MMMMBop days. Here's their latest - and I LOVE it! It makes me wanna shake my groove thang. For some, just tapping your foot will suffice.

Thinking 'Bout Somethin'

HANSON | MySpace Music Videos

Sing it, girl!

Party at the park

It's been a week and a half since Andrew turned 6 years old, but today was the first opportunity we had to celebrate with friends and family. I think he enjoyed this party more than any other. We simply found a green field area at the park and set up for a game of kickball, conversation, and nibbling. It was a NICE 80 degrees...couldn't have been nicer (click on any picture to enlarge).

Andrew said he wanted to have a UGA party and agreed with my suggestion to ask all invited to wear an article of clothing with their favorite sports team identified. We had ALOT of UGA fans in attendance (Go Dawgs!), a good many Florida Gators, two Alabama "Crazies", and a sprinkle of faithful Georgia Tech followers.

When I asked Andrew what he wanted to play with at his party with his friends, he spouted out a list: the football, Frisbees, kickball, sandbox, bubbles, hoola hoop, and tennis balls. He had a plan!

The kickball game was the highlight and I think the adults enjoyed it more than the kids! Nikki had a competitive spirit and gave the game all her might! Chad nor Mitch held back in their power....good thing Austin and Nathan were there to TRY to catch the some of the throws (bad Gator!).

Bacon Band-aids for boo-boos!

There were church and school friends there but Andrew seemed to be overly thrilled when two neighborhood families came! Even at his young age, he's already being mentored by his elders in his life on a regular basis. He's learning much from the twins and some of the fathers in our church. I hope he looks back at these pictures and has a great appreciation for these friendships.

My mother, sister, brother, and pregnant sister-in-law were able to come as well as Mitch's sister's family. Birthday parties three times a year creates more opportunities for me to see these precious people. I know that they are precious to Andrew as well. He loves them so much..even the dog, Einstein.

Tonight at bedtime (8PM!): "Mom, Can I have a pug puppy on my 7th birthday next year?"

Hmmmmmmmmm.......

Will you please pray for Olivia?

Often we are asked to pray for people we don't know. Tonight, I'm praying for two year old Olivia, even though I've never met her. She recently fell into a pool and was discovered at the bottom of it a few minutes later by her father. She is currently sedated and is having some major issues with fluid and food in her lungs. Nothing other than that is really known. Her friend, Amy Beth, is writing about the days she's spending with Olivia in the hospital room.

You can read Amy Beth's words about Olivia's history and current condition starting here and then progressing to here, here, and so on as you refresh the blog. You can subscribe to a reader so you can be updated on Olivia's progress without having to remember to check yourself.

A late Easter post (one of many)

MeMe and Pop have an amazing backyard, making play all the more fun. Hunting eggs was a real treat! Flips of craziness followed white Mitch relaxed on the back porch watching LIFE in Hi-Def.

First homework assignment

NOTE: Andrew's tongue is bright red because he just finished eating a red popsicle. His tongue isn't really that freaky looking!

I was told in my photography class to read my camera manual from cover to cover. I'm almost finished with that assignment. It's been hard to get through since I'm a visual learner. Give me "hands on"! Also, we were instructed to take a photo and make note of our settings so we can share the information with the class tomorrow evening in a PowerPoint slide.

Here's my attempt and I'm very disappointed with the quality of the picture sharpness. I have so much to learn about my settings...I haven't a clue when to use what!

Camera: Canon Rebel XTi
Exposure: 1/50 sec
Aperture: f/6.3
Focal Length: 70-300 mm
ISO Speed: 200

BEFORE (SOOC)

AFTER (Edit)

Following in their footsteps.

I guess talent on the piano skips a generation because she doesn't get it from me. She's following in the footsteps of both of her grandmothers! Maybe she'll also be a church pianist one day.