Rated PG-13 for Language

I just spent an hour plus tearing up my hands (and fingernails) trying to thin our monkey grass. During the process I decided it should actually be named "Pain in the A$$ Grass." Brad said that probably wouldn't sell as well.

Catching Up

I've been a little quiet lately. Not in real life...just in blog life. I'm never quiet in real life! I've thought of many things to post but most of it seems trivial after my last post. However, a very very important little guy made his entrance into the world since my last entry. Welcome Cade Matthew!!! Maci and I can't wait to see you in a couple weeks. (and finally kiss those cheeks!)

Jana didn't have the easiest labor dealt to her. Actually, she endured alot of pain, alot of frustration, and a lot of plain ol crap BUT she did a fabulous job and I am so very proud of her. The end result was a healthy momma and a healty baby. Who could ask for more? I gotta say this was one of the very hardest times for me to be 1000 miles away.

School is winding down which means we are CRAZY busy with lit cards, math summatives, DRAs, writing assessments, non negotiable lists, monster spelling tests, and cummulative folders. Here in Union County we believe is assessing, assessing, and then assessing some more. As big of a pain as it is, it is also very rewarding to compare the data. These kiddos have learned sooooo much which means I must have taught them a thing or two. ;) Now it's time to show off with our Kindergarten Celebration. (my favorite day of the year!!!)

I'm still walking around here saying, "I love this house." I don't want that to come out wrong...it's just that truly...I love this house! Typically the new house giddiness wears off after a few weeks but not with this one. Sure we love all the space but I think what I love the most is all the color. If you don't LOVE your house, figure out why and change it. Please don't be afraid of paint...that could be a whole entry in itself....and I think it will be....

Here is the song for the day....must be listened to LOUD...

He Is

It's been one of those times lately. As I am praying for the total healing of one of my friends and for a family that just lost their child, I am struggling to speak the Words of faith. I often go to music- music that speaks the Word so I can get that tune in my head and sing it over and over. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word. Nothing is better than memorizing and speaking the scriptures of promise. But this song is the one I am also replaying over and over right now. I hope you will too.

Agree with me in prayer. He is. He was. He always will be. His promises are true.



I disabled my playlist for awhile. Use the popup links after this video to listen to other Mark Schultz songs- like Love Has Come.

Forgotten Favorites

Before the move, I scavenged the internet for decorating / organizing ideas. I even created a folder for the saved pictures. Fabulous idea. If only I had remembered. By accident I came across the folder tonight and thought, "what's this?" Yes. I really did think that. My ADD seems to be getting worse these days as does my short term memory.

Anyway....where was I....oh yes....so I found these pictures of fabulous ideas. I especially love the shutters for mail holders. I still might implement this. You know I actually saw shutters for sale at my favorite consignment store last week when Kendra was here. I didn't buy them. Dadgumit.

Here are some more ideas I'm really going to try hard to remember...these are easy little summer projects.

Why I Love Spray Paint

I found this beaut at the Salvation Army for $50. I talked him down to $25 (go right at closing).- It's solid wood. It was one of those pieces that I didn't know exactly where it was going to go but I knew it was a deal. There were doubters (*cough*Ashley*cough*) that thought it was junk. Sure, it stayed in the garage at the old house for awhile. Then it moved into the garage at the new house. Finally an opportunity presented itself- TV/Wii/Xbox/whatthecrapever-other-game-systems-we-have-up-there stand for the playroom. One can of spray paint later and I think it looks fabulous. Judge for yourselves...

Random

I stole this from Jana's blog and then added a bit of commentary and trimmed off the ones I wasn't so crazy about to accomodate my apparent ADD.

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die. (at least the catty emails)

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

7. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection . . . again.

8. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

9. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

10. Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it. (or any episode of Threes Company!)

11. I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in. (this is soooooooo me!)

12. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text. (or waiting to dip my Chick filet nugget in the sauce)

14. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

15. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

16. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

17. Even under ideal conditions, people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet my last dollar everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!

18. Even when opportunity knocks, you still have to get off your rear end and open the door.

Sickies

It's a bit sicky around here. Andy started it Saturday night and Aaron had an encore presentation last night. Why does it always strike at night? This thing seems to come on quickly and I've already warned Maci that sleeping in her loft bed may not be wise for the next few nights.

I remember Kate Gosselin catching flack for haivng her kids sleep on the bathroom floor when they were sick. That is a bit extreme but I did move the extra mattress into our room and put it right up to the bathroom doors for easy access. In fact, Andy was still sleeping in there last night when Aaron came in. No problem, I just pulled his mattress off the frame and moved him in too. I'm loving this big bedroom! This morning looked a bit like an infirmary (spelling?) but it served the purpose. Today everything was washed on the sanitary cycle and the Sprite is flowing. I even got a little Windexing done.

However, no one is in the mood for bbq sandwiches or chicken enchiladas so tonight is a cereal night. But hey, is that really a problem? I think not!

Gameroom Before / After

Before...

Baby blue...soooooo not me....the only room in this house that I just couldn't live with...

After- faded clay. I so love faded clay. I so love this chaise sofa too!

We added the scoreboard as well. LOVE chalkboard paint. Maci is going to work her artistic magic on the board when we get the chalk markers but until then I had to improvise. BAMS needed a sign! What is BAMS? Come on now...Brad, Aaron, Andy, Maci, Mindy, & Spicy!

So my daddy might be mad that the baby blue is gone but even he will have to admit that the faded clay is sooooo much better in here!

My Love/Hate Relationship with Pier 1

I love Pier 1's stuff.

I hate their price tags.

I love the clearance items on their website.

I hate that you can't shop off the website.

I love that the store has a clearance section too.

I hate that I can never find the same fabulous things in person that I do online.

I love that they have so much cool stuff though that there is always something great on clearance.

I love the new orange and yellow throw pillows I got on clearance for the gameroom.

I hate that the room is only 1/2 way painted and so I can't show it to you yet.

I love the huge chalkboard I painted with chalkboard paint in that 1/2 painted game room.

I hate that it has to dry for a few days before I can try it out.

I love that this is my blog and it doesn't matter that this post ventured off topic. At least I posted!~

Charlotte- We Have Snow

It started yesterday afternoon with these decent sized flakes. Lots and lots of them. Lots. In a couple hours the flakes had been supersized and just kept on falling down. You could hear the excitement of all the neighborhood kids. Anticipation was building...

Here is the view out of the game room (sunroom) window. See? Pretty decent amount of snow! Certainly the most we have ever seen here. I don't know how long it will last but for now it is pretty. Great Saturday "snuggle down type of weather". Not so great- "Andy's birthday party will most likely be a bust weather". I'm trying to prepare Andy for a slim turnout...like maybe just the two boys from next door. People here don't drive in snow. They just don't. Unless they are driving to Harris Teeter for an abundance of bread and milk. That is common. Bless their hearts.

More good news, we found a great deal on a game table on Craigslist yesterday so the game room actually has a game table! And Andy has a distraction from his party issues. Oh, and let the record show that I beat Brad AND Aaron in foosball last night. Twice.

That picnic table snow looks perfect for some snow icecream...hmmm....where is that recipe....I'll have to google it.