At the park. I totally didn't plan it that we all had red shirts on. Hmmmm, what do you think my favorite color is?!?! :P 

Mama and George 

Mama and Ian 

Mama and Gracie 

The kids and the Easter bunnies on Easter morning. 

This was on Easter evening at Karen and George's house. 

Okay, this was the picture I put in the w@h "photo day in my life" right after the positive pregnancy test. Surprise, another baby is on the way. I will be 9 weeks on Tuesday. :) 

Well, I figured since it has been about a bajillion years since I have blogged, I should do so. I have a few minutes here, while the boys are eating and Grace is still sleeping. We are full into the "busy season" at Nate's work. He was able to come home at 7 last night and that was the first time he'd really spent any time with the kids since Sunday. They had so much fun. He was just spinning them around and carrying all three at once and wrestling and tickling them all...you know, all the things I don't do. :P They were all laughing hysterically, it was great. We were all so tired and cranky last week we didn't go to church, and this week, we are skipping again!!!! to go to the circus. (Just slightly ashamed at writing that, but not really!!) Someone gave us four free passes to the Shriner's circus and midway in Marietta and Sunday will be the last day they are there. I will miss going to church, but I think the investment in our family will so be worth it. "Where two or three are gathered in my name..." could certainly apply to our family of five, and the precious time we get to spend together as a family sure does make me praise the Lord, just as much as if I were to be singing in the church building.

I got to go out to lunch with my dear friend Amy last Saturday. We went to Chili's, and had such a nice visit. It was wonderful!!! I am so thankful for her, and I am going to miss her so much when they move. They've been having a lot of people come look at their house lately, too.

Speaking of friends, Misty and her family are on the road to Disney right now. I am praying they have a wonderful trip. I know they will. I would love to go back to Disney World some day. We ended up having such a fabulous time there last year. I hope we do get to go again.

Nate said he thought our trip to Maine this fall will work out, for which I was SOOO thankful. It will be so great to be up there, and I am hoping this will be the year George makes his inaugural trip up Borestone Mountain. He really wants to go, and I have told him he needs to walk a lot and exercise to make his feet and legs stronger so he'll be able to do it. Nate will probably end up piggybacking him a lot of the way, but it'll be a great experience for him anyway.

Well, I have lots to do, I'd better go. You know, some people have really intersting, edifying blogs that people actually like to read....that just makes me laugh when I compare mine to theirs...Oh well!!! :P Happy Saturday!!

Apparently, I have dimentia, since I keep blogging about the same things over and over....duh!
Or maybe that's just a sign that not enough actually goes on in my life, I have the same things being repeated over and over again. Even though I feel busy most of the time...hmmm.
Anyway, it's 8:40. The kids are in bed, the living room, computer room and dining room are picked up, and I have no idea where Nate is. I tried to reach him a few times today, to no avail. They started summer hours this week, open til 7 on weekdays, 6 on Saturdays, but as Esther brought up with ill feelings the other day, the way the Douglasville store works is that intead of locking the doors promptly at closing time, they let people keep coming in, and wait until the last customer has left to actually close. I think it's good business. Kind of sucks for the employees, but good business.

We are having Easter dinner over at Nate's house Sunday late afternoon. I am making rolls, a vegetable dish, and maybe a dessert. I haven't decided yet. One year I made a super cute bunny cake with coconut all over it for fur, twizzlers for whiskers, m + m's for eyes, nose and mouth, and chiclets for teeth. It was beyond adorable. I usually get all excited about doing an easter egg hunt for the kids, but this year, for some reason, I don't feel any peace about doing that. I think we will still dye eggs, but no candy or hunt. I am excited to dress them up, though, if I can just find Grace's little lavender hat. I got her the cutest dress, it is so adorable, and the boys will wear the ties they picked out last year. The best, most inspiring salvation message I have ever heard was done by Pastor Carl two years ago on Easter. Last year I was in the nursery, but I am looking forward to the service this year.

I asked my mother in law tonight about her watching the boys during the day so I could go out to Colorado to see my friend and possibly be with her while she delivers. I still haven't checked into tickets. I know it is a long shot, but if Karen says yes, I will see about going. I will take her negative answer as a definite closing of that door. She's thinking about it, and will get back to me. I do hope it works out, but I won't be terribly disappointed if not, it just won't have been meant to be.

Well, I should go, I have laundry to put away, and I might try Nate again. Happy Friday!

Okay, I refuse to start every post with a revisitation of why I don't post that often. I just don't anymore, that's all. There, now I have set my psyche to rest. :P It's been a busy week. I went Tuesday morning to run some errands, including buying paint for the bathrooms from Lowe's. It's a beautiful color called "spring spirits." Translation: light green. It was totally one that just caught my eye, I picked up the paint card, fell in love with the color, went completely against my nature and just trusted my first instinct and didn't deliberate or think who would like what color better, I just knew I liked it, and bought it. I think it will look so pretty with the Southern Living bathroom set I got, too!! I am so excited to have it done. I also have my wallpaper for the dining room to put up, but Nate hasn't had time to help me do it yet, and it's definitely a two person job. We talked about colors of paint for the living room and hallway, too, but that will defnitely be a bigger project. I soooo need to do some realy spring cleaning, like washing walls, dusting high corners, scrubbing cabinets and doors, etc. I think I might ask Karen if she could watch the kids some Saturday morning, that would work out well if she could.

I need to take pictures of George with his Awana grand prix car. He won first place for design, (tied along with two other boys) and second place for speed. He was so excited with his ribbons. Nate helped him make a Buzz Lightyear. It looks really cool. Buzz is in the front window and the little three eyed aliens from Toy Story are waving from the sides. We wrote "To Infinity... and Beyond!" on the doors, and George wanted to write "Star Command" on the back.

Women @ Home has moved again. I was a little disappointed not to be able to go see all the old posts and all, but we'll make new ones. I can't imagine the work the admins must have done just to get the new board set up again so soon, and how disheartening that they just had to do it a while ago when the first board crashed. I think it's one of those I didn't really know how much it meant to me until I thought of it not being there anymore, kind of things. I kept meaning to actually copy and print what everyone was so gracious to write about me when I was the w@h woman of the week on Wednesday or whatever. I couldn't believe how generous people were with what they said, it was amazing, humbling and really really treasured by me. Oh well, at least I still have the memories, and the knowledge that "You like me!!You really, really like me!!" :P

Anyway, I must go, on to better things, or at least different ones. :) Happy Thursday!

It's Thursday morning. I need to go buy bread because we are going to Douglasville to have a picnic with the Calkins at Hunter Park and well, I just gave our last two pieces of bread to the boys as toast, and poor planning me, doesn't have enough time to make any before we have to leave. I have felt a bit nauseated since yesterday afternoon. That has nothing to do with the first statement at all. Hmm, I'd better do bullets, you can get away with having no continuity in your thoughts better that way:

*I need a haircut. Like, badly. I'm starting to look Amish with split ends.
*Grace is finally, finally walking more than she is crawling.
*I am seriously considering going about 7 states away to be a doula at the birth of my friend's third child in a few weeks.
*I really want to teach Cubbies next year in Awana, only so it gets done better.
*That's not a real gracious statement, but still true.
*Nate and George worked on George's Grand Prix car Monday when he took half the day off
*George wanted a lion car, but has settled for a race car since Nate had no idea how to do a lion.
*Nate wanted to put a little Brown's Pools logo on the car, but I wouldn't let him.
*I was so proud of Nate yesterday, he really addressed some issues with people that needed to be addressed, even though he hates conflict. He did a great job.
*The boys are watching "Toy Story 1" for about the 47th time since we got it from the library last week.
*Grace woke up at 5:30 to nurse and is sleeping still right now.
*My brother in law had a court date a few days ago, and has his second in a few weeks.
*He is thinking of joining the military, and I don't think it will be good for him. at all...
*My other brother in law is graduating from high school in a few weeks.
*I talked to my brother Dan on Saturday.
*I should call David.
*I should email my grandparents.
*I am thinking of getting an elliptical machine.
*I think Cheri is an absolute beautiful genius.
*Misty and her whole family are sick, but hopefully getting better now.
*I wore shorts two days this week.
*I put a skirt on for the fun of it on Saturday, and when Nate got home, he decided to take me out on a date!!!! It was wonderful!!!
*I am so not "ready" for the busy season, but I am getting there.
*Nate didn't get home until 9 on Tuesday, and won't be home til probably later than that tonight
*The Newnan store preparations are going forward, though :)
*Esther is in Disney World right now, and I am jealous :P
*We still have the Happy Birthday sign up from Karen's birthday party last Friday night. It was the Hot Wheels one I got for Ian's birthday last year.
*I want to get Ian a Thomas track for his birthday this year.
*George is doing great reading, and has started reading words he sees all over the place.
*Ian is starting to try to say letter sounds, mimicing George and it's so cute.
*My hot tub is empty right now. Nate drained it on Monday and hasn't cleaned and refilled it yet. :(
*I had ordered border for Grace's room, they sent the wrong one, I sent it back, got the right one, and now I wish I had the first one. The room is painted a light lavender. The border is light greens, with a thin light blue edge. I thought it had more colors in it, like the lavender, but it doesn't really, and now I don't know what to do to get the wall to match the border. I'm stumped.
*I got my wallpaper from country house, though for the dining room, and I love it!!!
*Now I just have to get Nate to help me put it up. Maybe Sunday.
*My mother's birthday is on Saturday. I sent her present already, but my printer is broken, so I haven't been able to make her a card.
*I found Psalm 116:9 in Hebrew and I so want to get the first part of it tattooed on my foot.
*Ian has finally started communicating verbally a bit more since completely regressing while he was sick.
*Grace has started throwing temper tantrums. Face on the floor, high pitched screaming ones. I can't help but laugh at her.
*I can't wait to paint my house!!! Spring Spirits in the bathroom, Ponderosa Pine three feet up in the living room, then the rest of the walls and hallway a coffee color.
*I so need to start working out again. I'm running out of excuses for not doing it!!
*Okay, I have to go. Happy Thursday!!! :)

Misty driving. We had a total blast, and she didn't even break her record of NEVER being pulled over...and we even went through Whitesburg!! 

In the restaurant. Susan, Misty, me, Becky and Ashley 

Susan, Becky and Ashley outside Rigatoni's 

Ashley fixing us fabulous chicken tortilla soup, Yummy!!! 

At Becky's house 

Look how cute Ashley is!!!  

I have blogged so much in my head, there's not much more to actually write down. Kidding. :P Really, since I have started doing this, and have fallen out of the habit of actually doing it, I think of things that would make great blog entries, and compose them beautifully (and without spelling errors) in my head. It would be just so much easier if I could just plug a cord into my head and download my thoughts, like I do with the pictures from my digital camera. Speaking of which, I will post some from my fabulous weekend trip to Alabama. :) Alas, there is no such technology yet, that of plugging your brain into the computer and having it blog for you, so I will have to settle for insubstantial posts, few and far between, and just live with the knowledge that I really know my brain is teeming with brilliant discourses on a myriad of subjects that alas, will never be known to the general populace. What a shame.

Anyway, my children are screaming around me, I am still in my pajama pants. Grace was practicing throwing a tantrum closeby, then noticed that no one was looking at her, and got up and crawled off to play. The boys are playing with some cute little bath tread ducks I got yesterday. I'm surprised they're not asking for lunch yet, but that's why I stole a minute to write some. I got all of Grace's clothes sorted, organized, packed away and hung up this morning. That was a job that had been needing to be done for weeks, and I am finally done it. Which brings up the subject of the hour: procrastination. I have always struggled with this, but I think I have excused myself a bit because I am so incredibly much better at it than most of the people in my family, where it is a veritable plague. Yet, still, I do succumb to the temptation to "put it off" far too often. I have kind of turned a blind eye, conviction-wise, to it, but recently, it has really been made clear in my sight. It is very hypocritical in me to espouse honesty as the virtue above all others that I treasure in people, and yet, when I procrastinate, or say I am going to do something ,and then do not, I am being dishonest myself. I'm lying to myself, I am lying to others. Even if it is only a goal that exists only in my own mind, if I set out to do it, I am accountable before the Lord to get it done. There is no excuse for it to be otherwise. I'm not talking about taking care of sin or facing Biblical truths that the Lord brings before me, I am just talking about everyday things that I set as goals, or say I want to accomplish, then let them go by the wayside. For example, I had verbally set as a goal to get some things listed on eBay in the month of February. I got one thing listed. Misty even came over and helped me take a bunch of pictures and showed me how to set everything up, and I never followed through. I find it far too easy to make excuses and let other things get in the way. You know, I hate it when Nathan does this. I absolutely can't stand it, when he says he is going to be home at a certain time, or accomplish a project at a certain deadline, and it doesn't happen. That bothers me so badly. But, when I do this, how am I behaving any differently than what I despise in his behavior? I'm not. I don't really have any right to expect him to be "honest" with me in this respect, when I am not honest myself.

On to happier, (and less rife with conviction) subjects. I had an incredibly relaxing, fun, wonderful weekend!! It was so neat to be in on the surprise for Becky's birthday lunch and to meet Susan, and Ashley, and Becky. Not to mention being able to spend that much time with one of my favorite people on earth-Misty. We had such a blast. I could talk to and listen to her for hours. We talked and laughed and sang, (Okay, she sang, I wasn't going to put her through my singing!) and the time went really quickly. We stopped at Edgars bakery in Birmingham, which was so beautiful and you could just smell the calories in the air. They had all manner of confectionary delights. I got some cinnamon rugelach for Nate and some chocolate lollipops for the boys. I haven't given them to them yet. I think I might wait til Easter. They've got adorable little frosting bunnies and chicks on them. We ate lunch at Rigatoni's Italian restaurant. It was fabulous. Becky was so sweet, Ashley was so wonderful, and Susan was an all out trip, so funny and great. It was wonderful. Then we went shopping and met Ashley's husband and daughter and went to Becky's house, where we met her sweet family. Her boys are so cute!! She let me squeeze her little one's cheeks before he went to bed. I'd been dying to all evening. We sat and talked and fellowshipped and had a great time, then went to stay at Ashley's parents house, who were out of town for the weekend. It was great. Some leftover pizza and cinnamon rolls for breakfast and we were on the road. I was sorry to see it all end, although of course I was happy to get home.

Nathan had made bread, had the house cleaned, and all children present and accounted for when I got home. It was so sweet of him to let me go, and I had such a good time. George told me when he got up from his nap that he didn't miss me, though and no one missed me. Not meanly, just very matter of fact. He did start crying as soon as he saw me, and whimpered for a day and half after that, too. Sometimes, I just don't know how to help that kid. Ian made up for any lack of welcome elsewhere, though, he was SOOO excited to see me and just kept hugging me and then holding my face in his hands and hugging me some more with a huge grin on his face.

The kids are finally completely, I hope, over this stomach virus that they passed along for a week and a half. Ian got it first, then Grace, then George. George was the least sick and the most wiped out. Grace got over it in two days, but Ian kept hanging on to it for about 5. I did about three loads of laundry or more everyday last week, and my hands were raw from washing so often, but we kept from getting it passed around again, and from Nathan and I getting it, so that was worth it. I think we picked it up from going to BK and the boys playing in the playplace. I guess I hadn't really thought of it, I just assumed they must clean and sanitize those things, but sources tell me no. :P I don't think we'll be doing that anytime soon again.

Well, I must go, the posse is getting hungry and I need to do some laundry so I have some pants to wear tonight to Awana. I am wondering whether or not I want to be in Awana next year and have my kids in it. Nothing against the program, I just am starting to feel questioning that that will be the right thing for us. I guess we'll see. On another note, Nate and I had a great talk last night about his Bible study. It's so seldom he feels the freedom to talk to me of things of that nature, it was just nice to hear his perspectives on what they are studying and what he contributed to the study last week. Just the fact that he is going is a surprise to me, and I am so glad. I think it is really good for him, socially, and Spiritually. I hope it is a benefit to him. And with that, I really am going now!!!!

Out of the mouths of babes.....

Grace spilled a container of snacks the other day, all over my freshly vacuumed floor. To which I replied, "Oh, for crying out loud." George frowned and said "Mama, why did you say for crying out loud?" I told him that was just something people said when they were frustrated. To which George sagely said "Mama, you shouldn't be frustrated with people when they do naughty things, because you still love them." Lesson taken, thankyou Lord. Isn't it just interesting. (read: super convicting) when your children bring up to you the lessons you have taught them. It's one thing to teach your children that they can pray to Jesus to helpe them anytime, it's quite another to hear your 4 year old quip "Mama, I really think you need to stop and ask Jesus to help you." And he's not just repeating, he's paying attention to what I am doing, and concerned that I am practicing what I am preaching. And then when he makes deductions himself, apart from what I have taught him, and then asks questions that seem like the Holy Spirit is speaking right through him. I have said before it is an awesome responsibility to be the primary example to a child, but it's even harder to have them begin to apply what you are teaching them, and actively look for the same in your life.

George is a perfectionist. He so should have been born to a different mother, because I so am not. Yesterday morning I got the boys some juice and handed them their cups. George immediately cried out "Mama, oh no, you gave us the wrong cups!" I had switched them in my hands. I switched them back and said "No problem, sorry." George said incredulously "Why did you make that mistake, Mama?!?!?" I said "George, Mama makes mistakes all the time." To which George just sighed and shook his head, like "What am I going to do with you?" It was quite funny. ;P

I think the busy season is here already. I really do think it comes earlier every year. Part of it is Nathan's notoriously bad job of delegating, (why should he give a job to someone else that he can do better), and part of it is just the business's natural growth. He didn't get home til 8:30 on Wednesday. It's piling up already.

I've been doing this juice fast this week. Tuesday I started out. I have made carrot, celery, tomatoe, radish, cucumber, broccoli, cantolope, apple, parsley, lemon, orange, pineapple, strawberry, and banana juice. Not all together. I really thought I would feel more intense "detox" symptoms, but the worst of it was a stuffy nose, peeing ALL the time, a vague headache and bit of hunger. Shannon thought maybe there just weren't that many toxins in my body to get out. I think the good bread I eat does such a good job of that, that's why it wasn't worse. I don't know. Anyway, I did it for three days, all juice and lots of water, and no solid food. I felt really good yesterday. I felt pretty good the whole time. I will definitely do it again, and probably longer. Now that I know more about it. I want to make juicing a part of everyday, although I have to say I like the fruit juices more than the vegetable ones. I think carrot, celery, tomato, and apple is my favorite veggie one, and pinneaple, orange, lemon, strawberry is my favorite fruit one. That was absolutely awesome, and it made me feel so energized and wonderful. It was a whole pinneaple, 2 oranges, 2 lemons, and about 10 strawberries. Then I crushed up ice in the blender and blended it with the ice to make a smoothie. It was wonderful and made so much juice, it was great!!!

George has been doing great in school. I call it school, but it's only about 45 minutes a day in "Teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons" He doesn't like the writing as well, because he has to be quiet, but he does very well. We've been doing his writing in the afternoon, and the reading part at 8 in the morning, then he gets to watch Dragon Tales at 8:30 for a reward. That's his favorite show.

Krista told the Bible study last night that she is expecting. I am so happy for her, but I know the fear that early pregnancy can bring when you have had miscarriages in the past. She thinks she's about 7 or 8 weeks along. Someone said the other day that after Summer has her baby at church, the pregnant streak will be broken. At least one person has been pregnant, and usually mroe than one, the whole time we have been coming to Grace, which is over 2 years. 2 of those pregnancies were mine. Maybe Krista should start coming to out church. :)

I'd better run, I've got juice to make, I think I'll do orange, lemon, banana, strawberry. Yummy! :) I've got to get another pinneaple, that was so incredibly good. Have a happy weekend!!

I don't have time to blog, which is, of course, why I am doing it right now, haha. :P

How about bullets:

*Am I the only person who thinks Eeyore sounds a really lot like John Wayne?!?!?
*I haven't done Nattie's Friday Felicities in a long time, I guess this is Monday's Meanderings
*Nate got the lawn, both sides of the driveway cultivated, limed, seeded, fertilized, hayed and watered in the last three days.
*He just drove up the driveway
*I am making him spaghetti as we speak
*That last statement made no sense whatsoever!
*My friend Sarai, who was my roomemate for two years in college and one of my bridesmaids, is getting married in May, in Oregon
*I want to go to the wedding
*In less than two weeks, I am going on a fun trip, and I can't wait!
*Several friends of mine are expecting babies, and or children, and it's very exciting.
*I am starting a juice fast tommorow
*Nate is going to flip out when he sees how much I spent of veggies and fruit today
*I ate a nutty bar and Little Ceasar's pizza today.....healthy huh?
*My super wonderful husband mixed up and kneaded bread dough for me today and there are three loaves of it in my kitchen, which makes my heart at peace.
*He volunteered to do so, to my shock and delight
*He just came up behind me and kissed me, and when I looked at him I laughed out loud because he has a really big grease spot on his nose
*He spent the late afternoon and evening working on the junk car he bought last fall which is at his friends garage in Carrollton
*Ian went pee on the potty yesterday
*Grace put away her own pajamas all by herself this morning
*George wrote five rows of letters today and did a great job
*But we didn't do the actual reading lesson
*I got out my summer clothes and they are tight
*I have gained probably 10 lbs since November
*My husband doesn't like my gut
*but he still loves to see it uncovered
*Several people in the last week have asked my advice on things, and that just always surprises me, makes me feel inadequate, and honored and burdens me in a prayerful good way
*My kids ate Little Ceasars for supper while watching The Clifford movie on a blanket in the living room
*I got the new Country House catalog today. I want their "Always Kiss Me Goodnight" curtain and their swirly berry wallpaper
*I must go, supper is done for Nathan, and I want to go be with my man
*:)