Friday Fill Ins 9/25/09

1. One week ago it was September 18th. I was looking forward to date night with my husband.

2. I felt very loved and secure when I was young.

3. Mama told me I'd have a child just like me one day. Oh, how right she was. Thanks, Mom. ; )

4. Just between you and me, I think some people need to keep their noses on their own faces.

5. Take your time is always good advice. Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

6. This, too, will pass! And then I'll probably look back and think it wasn't so bad after all. That could probably be said about most of life's little bumps.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a nice, quiet Friday night at home with my family. Tomorrow my plans include cleaning up the playroom, then church and Sunday, I want to hang out with my family!

And the hits keep on coming...

Lillian's on a comedic roll lately.

Last night at dinner she said, "Hola, Daddy! I want you to sit by me! Do you know what I just said to you, Daddy? I said, 'Hello, Daddy! I want you to sit by me!'"

Yesterday afternoon she was singing a song called "Mighty to Save". We sing it in church. The lyrics go:

Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.

Lillian's version?

Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty insane,
He is Mighty insane..

Stolen From Facebook

I've been a bad, bad blogger. I'm sorry. Life is happening fast here. I wish I had more time to write, but I don't. I'm throwing you a Stolen From Facebook bone today. Here you go:

1. What was the last thing you put in your mouth? Chicken Minis from Chick Fil A. I had to eat something before I went to the dentist this morning, because that stupid, tastes like ear wax sedative he shoots into my gums before a filling makes me shaky and woozy if I don't eat.

2. Where was your profile picture taken? My Facebook profile picture is my 4 kiddos at the zoo in July. It would've been a much better picture if Aiden had smiled. He hates having his picture made. He usually hides, but he couldn't escape the camera that day, so he just frowned.

4. Name someone who made you laugh today? Can't say that I've had a laugh yet today. I'm sure that'll change as soon as I pick the kids up from school. Someone always says something funny in the car.

5. How late did you stay up last night and why? I think I was asleep before they announced the last Emmy category last night. Glad to hear "Mad Men" won, though. I love that show.

6. If you could move somewhere else, would you? Gulf Shores, Alabama. I'd love to see the ocean every day.

7. Ever been kissed under fireworks? Probably... we always see fireworks @ Disney World, and I usually feel so happy to be there that I would be likely to kiss someone.... one of my children or my husband.

8. Which of your friends lives closest to you on facebook? My husband and my daughter.

9. Do you believe exes can be friends? Probably, but it's awkward.

10. How do you feel about Dr Pepper? Meh. It makes me burp worse than any other soft drink. I don't usually drink Dr. Pepper or any soda for that matter.

11. When was the last time you cried really hard? Hmmm.... when we thought our cat, Beeson, was having a stroke and that it was quite possibly his last day on earth. Turned out to be a seizure, and thankfully he hasn't had another.

12. Who took your profile picture? Me.

13. Who was the last person you took a picture of? Our guests @ Lillian's birthday party yesterday.

14. Was yesterday better than today? Yes. It was a Sunday. I slept late (one of the benefits of going to church on Saturday nights!). We went to Golden Corral for breakfast (Lillian's choice for her birthday), then we had her party and church community group. Today I had 2 fillings filled @ the dentist. Yesterday wins hands down.

15. Can you live a day without TV? Funny, because our satellite is down right now so I'm sort of forced to live without it until either the weather clears or the repairman comes on Wednesday, whichever happens first. I'm happy some things are viewable online.

16. Are you upset about anything? Currently? No. I've had some stressful moments in the past couple of weeks, but nothing monumental.

17. Do you think relationships are ever really worth it? Yes.

18. Are you a bad influence? I don't think so. You know something I don't?

19. Night out or night in? Really depends on several factors. Is it raining? Then definitely in. Good concert or movie? Out. I like going out, but I probably stay in more than I go out. I'm usually beat by the end of the day.

20. What items could you not go without during the day? My computer and my car.

21. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital? I honestly cannot remember.

22. What does the last text message in your inbox say? I don't text, so there shouldn't be anything in my inbox.

23. How do you feel about your life right now? Content.

24. Do you hate anyone? Extremely dislike, yes, but hate, no. That's a very strong term.

25. If we were to look in your facebook inbox, what would we find? a message from a friend telling me that the lady in front of her in line is tweezing her eyebrows (this friend and I both have issues with stray hairs. I keep tweezers in the car so I can pluck my brows in carpool line. I know... sick.), a message containing an important phone number and another message containing important addresses.

26. Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass? Yes.

27. Has anyone ever called you perfect before? I'm pretty sure the answer is no.

28. What song is stuck in your head? I don't think there's anything stuck there now 'cause the iPod is playing and it's hard to have a song stuck in your head when you're hearing other music.

29. Someone knocks on your window at 2:00 a.m., who do you want it to be? I was going to say Ed McMahon (with his big, fat Publisher's Clearing House check) and then I remembered that Ed is dead. I don't think I want to see Ed at my window holding anything @ 2 am.

30. Wanna have grandkids before you’re 50? Let's see... I was 25 when I had Camryn, so I guess technically I could be a grandparent before 50. I'm hoping she waits a little longer to have kids than I did.

31. Name something you have to do tomorrow? Not sure. Laundry is always on the list, as are dishes. So those are always a definite must-do in this house.

32. Do you think too much or too little? Too much. Always.

Little Miss Misspoken

Lillian was doing her "homework" just now (coloring a little booklet full of things that start with the letter P) and as she was coloring, she was singing:

"My God is so big

So strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God

Cannot do!

The mountains are His

The valleys are His...

The stars are his HANDIWIPES too!"

After several rounds of "THAT'S WHAT MRS. HOWARD SAID! HANDIWIPES!" I gave up and let Lillian think that God uses the stars to wipe His hands.

I guess He can. After all, He *is* God!

Sign of Fall

I did a little Target shopping yesterday. By myself. That was a treat by itself.

Then I stumbled across these little treasures and grabbed them quickly.

I love this stuff. Sugary goodness that is a sure sign that fall will soon be knocking on my door.

I cut the bag open this morning and ate a couple of handfuls. I love the pumpkins the most, but the chocolate flavored candy corns are delicious, too.

It may still be 80 degrees outside, but in my mind it's a crisp fall day.

Brach's Autumn Mix: one of the many things that make me smile.

Manic Monday 8/31/2009

Are you usually late, early or right on time?

I like to be a little bit early. I'm hardly ever late. I think it's rude to be late, honestly.

What would be harder for you, to tell someone you love them or to tell them that you do not love them back?

It would be harder to tell someone I don't love them back. I don't think I've ever had to do that.

Which would you rather have: a high salary or job satisfaction?

Job satisfaction. There's no point doing a job you hate, even if it's for a ridiculous sum of money. Too much and stress resentment comes along with that.

Friday Fill-Ins 8/28/09

1. He was a size 2.5 when I took him into the shoe store yesterday. We walked out with brand new size 5.5 tennis shoes for Aiden! His poor, scrunched up toes were screaming, "Thank you!" Funny thing is, I had to drag Aiden into the store. He swore that his old sneakers were fine, but I could tell he was walking funny.

2. Being on a regular schedule and getting the children back in the routine of going to school is what I look forward to most this time of year.

3. My best friend is my husband.

4. The house is kind of too quiet with the kids gone, to be honest with you. My mom was right!

5. Appearances can be something people put too much emphasis on.

6. The last person I gave a hug to was Quinn, last night before bed. He gave me one, then came back a few minutes later for another. It was a long, "I don't want to stop hugging you" snuggle hug.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to not having to make 4 lunches! Tomorrow my plans include sleeping late, spending the day being lazy, maybe by the pool, and keeping the babies in nursery @ church! Sunday, I want to get the house tidy because community group is meeting here.

Guess What?

I'm not doing a meme today! You get an actual, true life, it happened to me story!

Dinnertime lately has been a battle. Three of my children are pretty easy going when it comes to what I cook. They'll usually try everything on the plate without much hassle. It's just the one (ahem, Camryn!) that raises her nose in the air and refuses to even consider touching food to her tongue if it's not something she LOVES to eat (chicken nuggets and pasta, anyone?)

I'm at my wit's (wits'?) end with this child. I have tried everything I know to make this a tolerable situation, short of just making her favorite meals every night (that's not really feasible, nor is it fair, really). I didn't know what else to do.

My husband finally suggested that we let Camryn be involved in the menu planning and/or cooking. No, we're not having pasta and chicken every night, but at least she can suggest things she'd like to try to make and eat. Okay. Now we're getting somewhere.

Tonight she helped me peel, slice, boil and mash the potatoes. She added the butter, salt, mayo & milk and whipped up some great mashed spuds. They were tasty.

I made fried okra. She added the flour and shook up the bag. Then I showed her how to know when to add the okra to the oil and how to turn it and brown it.

I made a grilled chicken using an Asian flavored marinade, and Camryn actually complemented it. She ate the potatoes and all of her okra. It was the nicest, most controversy-free meal we've had in a L-O-N-G time.

So as we were eating dessert, I commented on how pleasant dinner had been. I said, "No one argued, no one left the table in a huff, no one slammed a door in frustration...."

And that's when Aiden said:

"NO ONE HAD TO CALL ANIMAL CONTROL!"

And that was it. We dissolved in fit of laughter.

It's been a great day. I hope it was for you, too.

Friday Fill Ins 8/9/09

I know it's Sunday, but here is this week's Friday Fill Ins...two days late.

1. Sleeping late and not having a set schedule are my favorite summertime pasttimes.

2. My favorite John Hughes movies is Some Kind of Wonderful.

3. My kids' hair is something I love to touch. I love snuggling them on the couch, because they put their heads in my lap while we watch TV and I can run my hands through their hair until they get sick of it.

4. The full moon is so bright it lights up my kitchen at night (we have a Solatube in the ceiling).

5. I am hungry right now. We didn't eat lunch, which is typical of Sundays around here. We are headed somewhere (don't know where yet) for supper soon.

6. When daylight fades it means the house will be quiet soon.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____! (I'm leaving this blank 'cause it's irrelevant now.)

The Australian Judge Gives It a 9.6

As I travel along this path called Adulthood, I gain more and more insight about the reasons for the things my mother always did. Things I never understood.... until I started (gasp) becoming my own mother.

For instance, I always thought that my mom got up at an insanely crazy hour. I like my sleep, and I have always been good at sleeping. I practice a LOT. I don't like waking up early. Mom was usually up around 5:30, I think. I was always asleep, so I'm not 100% sure of her wake up time. I just knew it was really freakin' earlier than I'd ever consider being up and about. She still rises with the sun. Crazy.

For two weeks now I've had a bad cold. It's the kind of cold that keeps you awake because you're so congested you cannot breathe, whether you're reclining or sitting up. You lay in bed trying not to wake your spouse with your throttling nose blows. You drain the dregs of what was a glass of tea at midnight (but is now a flavorless puddle of tea-flavored water) in an effort to wet your dry throat and stifle your hacking cough. You finally give up trying to go back to sleep (sleep is hard when you can't breathe, no?) and seek solace in another part of the house. My solitary place is my office.

Three times this week I've been up before the sun. And you know what? I've discovered that Mom is a genius.

It's Q-U-I-E-T before the break of day. I can actually think and spend a few moments collecting myself before I'm hurled head first into the insanity of my daily life. I can imagine it's a lot like the few moments a competitive diver spends collecting him/herself before diving into the pool below. Time to concentrate (all alone) on the task before you gives you so much clarity. It's amazing.

I think I'm going to set a goal for myself for the coming school year. I am going to try to wake up at 7 am in order to give myself 30 solitary minutes to just chill before I start the day. I'll be able to greet each child with a smile instead of barking at them to get up (because I'm mad that I had to get up only 2 minutes before). I think it might just make life a little smoother and happier.

We'll see.

Thanks, Mom.

Manic Monday 8/3/2009

Would you rather go a week without bathing, but be able to change your clothes, or a week without a change of clothes, but be able to bathe?

I can't go a week without bathing. I hate having greasy hair and a stinky body. I would much rather wear the same clothes everyday for a week than not be able to bathe. ::Shivers::

If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which show would you choose?

Don't laugh too hard at my answer, please. I would choose to be on Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood. I got addicted to that show last summer amd turned my husband onto it this year. Tori & Dean just seem like they're so real, so fun, so.... normal. I mean, Tori makes her own baby food fer crying out loud (with veggies she buys @ the Farmer's Market, where she goes without an entourage...just her and the kids and the camera crew.) That might all be staged for the show, but I think they'd be a riot to hang out with. I just finished Seasons 1 and 2 that I got from Netflix and I think I just have a big ole Tori & Dean crush. (That's Tori Spelling & her hubby Dean McDermott for those of you who have no clue what I'm talking about...)

Friday Fill-Ins 7/31/09

1. It's time for these children to go back to school. I'm starting to hear choruses of "I'm boooooooored!" They start August 24th. I'm already starting to go to bed earlier in anticipation. Maybe when the kids go back to school I'll have more time to blog. All I've managed this summer are these Monday & Friday memes.

2. Birmingham; it's not a bad place for a girl to grow up, but I love South Carolina. Never thought I would, but I miss the Palmetto State when I'm away from it.

3. I must be getting better. I haven't coughed as much today as I have for the past week. I hope the worst of this sudden summer cold is over. I hate being sick. I've felt so drained.

4. Being a wife and mom is the best thing I have ever known.

5. My key to happiness is simply to try and find the positive in everything.

6. The last time I laughed really loudly was today at lunch when Stan sat down and had Craisins on his salad plate. "They have Craisins!" he said. That's funny because the other night on In Plain Sight (one of our favorite TV shows) Marshall ordered oatmeal in a tiny diner and asked the waitress if they had Craisins instead of raisins. Guess you had to be there. It made us laugh.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to working on my scrapbook layout for the Sketchapalooza class I've been taking at Feeling Scrappy. Tomorrow my plans include taking the kids for a swim (hoping it doesn't rain again tomorrow) and Sunday, I want to start working on a plan to move my office to the kids' playroom. It will be half playroom, half office. Then we can either give Quinn his room back (if he wants it) or make this room into a guest room.

Manic Monday 7/27/09

What is one thing that you would change about yourself if you could?

The ability to trust people without hesitation. I wish I could take people at face value without wondering what their ulterior motives are, but we are selfish creatures. We all have ulterior motives of some sort or another.

Name three exotic countries you would like to visit:

Bali, Indonesia; Vietnam; maybe the Seychelles?

What do you think the secret to life is?

Lots and lots of laughter. And don't take things too seriously. And be nice, even when people aren't nice to you.

Friday Fill-Ins 7/24/09

And...here we go!

1. Despite the way some people are acting, Michael Jackson's death is not the end of the world.

2. Sitting here, listening to the sound of rain falling, I wonder where you're sitting, because it's not raining here. It was last night. I wish it was raining right now, but it's a sunny 90 degrees outside today.

3. That first ice-cold glass of tea in the morning tastes so good!

4. Sometimes, putting others first is soul satisfying. As a mom, I usually do put others' needs ahead of my own, but I'm learning to take care of me, too. I've been getting regular pedicures and facials this summer; I also finally (after 4+ years) have found an awesome lady to cut my hair. She's at the same place where I get the pedi and facial. When the kids go back to school I'm going to do a monthly spa day: haircut, pedicure, facial and 1 hour massage. Heaven.

5. Hearing "I love you, Mommy!" is breathtaking, really. You can keep your sunsets and mountain views. Give me a tender, heartfelt expression of love over anything nature has to offer anyday.

6. Well, maybe there is time to take one more short vacation before the kids go back to school. I'm thinking Atlanta: the Georgia Aquarium, the Egypt exhibit, maybe a quick stroll through the World of Coke. Sounds good!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to bed early (again; I need to catch up on some sleep!) Tomorrow my plans include sending Lillian to a birthday party, plus church and Sunday, I want to get my office cleaned out, spend some time scrapbooking and perhaps some time in the sun and the pool!

Friday Fill-Ins 7/17/09

1. Hot dogs and Bush's baked beans make a quick and easy dinner.

2. Julie and Julia is the book I'm reading right now. I want to read it before I see the movie.

3. July brings back memories of sitting on the roof of the Caprice Classic wagon we owned as a child while watching the fireworks shot off of Red Mountain.

4. That Camryn was sick when I picked her up at camp on Wednesday was obvious. I just wish she could've recuperated at camp and finished the week. She was 100% better as soon as she had something to eat.

5. They say if you tell your dreams to your children, they will laugh at you, especially if you confess to dreaming about dancing, sweatband wearing chicken nuggets.

6. I watched an episode of "My First Place" on HGTV last night, and the lady in the episode lost 3 great houses because she always had to have a night to think it over. She was driving me NUTS.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to maybe getting some time alone while Stan takes the kids on a bike ride (crossing my fingers). Tomorrow my plans include packing for a trip to Birmingham, then keeping the nursery (2 year-olds) at church and Sunday, I want to get an early start on our Alabama trip. I'm hoping to stop in Commerce to shop a little bit ; )

Friday Fill Ins 7/10/09

1. The last thing I ate was French toast and syrup.

2. Kleenex is something I recently bought. Really. My life is THAT exciting.

3. When it rains, it means a quiet afternoon inside.

4. My husband was the first person I talked to today.

5. Hugs are better than drugs. Remember that slogan?

6. I'm always on the hunt for things that give me extra comfort.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to finishing a book I've been reading (Black Water Rising by Attica Locke... a GREAT book!) Tomorrow my plans include packing the kids' bags for camp (Camryn & Aiden) and a trip to Grammy & Poppy's (Quinn & Lillian) and Sunday, I want to meet my parents in Atlanta to drop off Q & L for their week in Alabama.

Manic Monday 6/29/09

What is the longest love relationship (partner) you have had, and if it has ended, why?

I'm married to the partner I've been with the longest. We met August 19, 1994 so as of August 19, 2009 we've been together 15 years, married 13 1/2. Wow. Doesn't seem like it's been that long!

What is on your bedside table?

Gawrsh. Let me see if I can remember. There is an alarm clock/sound machine/CD player thing (I never use the CD player part!). I have a bottle of the Drenched in Pink Victoria's Secret lotion, some Target brand Aveeno-type lotion for dry skin (for my feet!), a cordless phone that needs to be replaced because the one we have doesn't live long once it's off the cradle (and it needs to be hung on the WALL to give me more table space!) a box of tissues (rests on top of the alarm clock), a lamp and both sets of TV buttons (TV ones and DISH network ones... I hate having 2 sets of buttons!)

How many pillows do you have on your bed? Do you make your bed every day?

I don't know how many pillows are on the bed. I would guess about 6 or 7. My husband only needs one of those to sleep. The rest are mine. I have to have one to hold onto and usually stack three up to sleep on. I cannot sleep flat on my back, and I do not stay still at night. My husband sleeps on his back in the same position all night long and falls asleep really quickly. I envy his ability to do that.

Friday Fill Ins 6/26/09

1. She had a great time at camp. I knew she would! Now she's home and she loves what we did to her room. I missed her so much!

2. My husband is by my side, always. Maybe not physically there all the time, but I know he'll always be there for me.

3. I know this: I have been blessed beyond measure and I have done nothing, not one thing, to deserve it all.

4. I have a hard time sitting still for long.

5. These words apply to me: happy, content, amazed.

6. This morning the sun was shining.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going out to the restaurant of Camryn's choice to celebrate her homecoming from camp. Tomorrow my plans include finishing the many loads of laundry that have piled up this week while I was playing decorator, and of course, church! Sunday, I want to do nothing!

I once was lost but now I'm found...

You know what that is right there?

It's a pink iPod (and a very poorly lit picture, I know).

It's been MIA for a couple of months or more, last seen in the garage.

We looked high and low.

We looked low and high.

But not high enough.

Because today when the hubby went out to fetch some tools off a high shelf, the iPod jumped on him.

Camryn is going to be over the moon when she gets back from camp tomorrow.

Welcome home, tiny pink Nano. We missed your Hannah Montana, your Demi Lovato, your sounds from the threshold of teenagerhood.

Good to have you back, because we missed being ignored under the guise of Camryn listening to your tunes.

Manic Monday 6/22/09

Do you usually wear perfume/cologne? If so, what's your current favorite?

I don't wear it on a daily basis. I do use perfumed lotion, and my current favorite is Drenched in Pink from Victoria's Secret. I also have the body spray in that scent. I have 3 bottles of the lotion stationed in convenient places: the den table next to where I sit on the couch, my bathroom counter and beside the bed. My skin is so dry in the winter and gets dried out when I sit in the sun. I like having the lotion handy.

What's the last book you've read that you thought was really good? If you don't have one, what looks promising on your to-be-read list?

I just finished Columbine by Dave Cullen. It was really fascinating and disturbing at the same time. It gave me a fresh perspective on the Columbine High School tragedy. Hard to believe it's been 10 years since that happened.

Fill in the blank: I wouldn't be caught dead _________.

...wearing black pantyhose with white shoes.