Friends

So for the past two weeks I've been feeling a little funky. I told Jay last week that I really miss my friends. It had been a long time since I'd just gotten together with someone for fun and relaxed and talked. So God answered my prayers and put it all in the 24 hours. God is so good like that.

Yesterday I got to visit with my friend Sue, even for just a little bit. But that's okay,it doesn't take us long to start sharin', talk a mile and minute and laugh a whole lot. Her husband had to get tough on her and make her go home! Too funny.

Then this morning, Lynne and I were finally able (yeah, right, we finally got our keesters out of bed) to go for our walk. Then hung out at her house decorating and re-arranging things.

Cathi called Dave and found out I was down there, so she came and crashed our little party. Too funny.

Cathi and I realized we hadn't really visited since before she went to CA, so Dave and I went over to their house and played and had lunch.

Next we had little Bryan over to play and I got to visit with Theresa for awhile. And then we got to embark on a little adventure that only we can ...

The neighborhood scary dog, Chester was seen walking down our street with a large 'who knows what' hanging from his mouth. When Theresa went to leave she found that he had left 'it' in the middle of the street not quite dead yet. It was a guinea (we have a flock of them that live on our street under some trees). Being the sweetie and sensitive being that she is, she couldn't just leave it there. So we embarked on 'taking care of things'. Since Jay has hidden all tools from me we had to use two pizza boxes to scoop said large bird and place him in the safe creek bed in my forest away from any dogs. We knew it was dying but neither one of us could do the deed of putting the poor thing out of it's misery. So we left it there, along with the pizza boxes (why? I don't even know.)

When Sweetie is out of town, Don (his best friend down the street) is in charge of taking care of all my problems...lucky guy! So I called him and left him a voice mail. He didn't call. So I nagged him. (I can do that to him, he's not my husband.) Since it had been a few hours, he told me to go check on the bird and he'd load up his gun. Lovely. Sadly the bird had already died. And no, we aren't having guinea stew for dinner tomorrow. But still, do I bury it? And how with no tools at my disposal, do I use a spoon to dig the hole. Do I just leave it there to stink? It's going to be 80 degrees tomorrow. Do I use the pizza boxes AGAIN and scoop it up into a trash bag and take it to the dump? Is that allowed? Is Stupid-Scary-Chester-Dog going to find it and finish it off? Why do these lovely things happen to me when Jay is out of town??????????? Ugh!

All this to say, it was a good day. The blessing of friendship is so huge, I am so thankful that God heard my minuscule cries and pleas last week. What timing He has.

Oh and because my parents like me to post pictures...here's what I got today.



While I was making Dave & me breakfast, Dave made me in a lego kitchen. That's me in pink. Aren't I cute? Check out how slim I am. I love legos. And for the record my hair was up in a pony tail today too. The boy is completely accurate in his lego building.



And these are all the people that have come to my diner to have breakfast, because my waffles are THAT GOOD!

I know, I know, it's not a picture of the Dave, but it's a picture of me (sort of) and isn't that even better????

An Idea on How to Make Some Money

While deep-cleaning the boys upstairs rooms I got a grand idea. Instead of having to dust all their little 'special treasures' I can sell them on Ebay! Not only would it de-clutter their rooms, it would make us a whole-wad of spendin' cash.

I first need to install a lock on my closet. Otherwise I'll be seeing my shoes and purses being sold on Ebay as well. And that just won't do.

Maybe I'll just continue to let them store their junk, er, I mean treasures. Forget I ever said anything.

Half Gone, Again

This is the Davester and me, today. We're missing half of our family, and we don't know what to do with ourselves.

I bribed him today with a hotdog from Sonic and his favorite slushie so he'd go run errands with me. He's a great co-pilot, taking nonsense pictures of sports cars on the road and crossin' stops off our list.

Then we finished the day off by stopping at the video store to get our stack of videos; this is what me and the boys always do when Sweetie is out of town, it keeps us busy and out of trouble. :o)

So we were all ready to come home, snuggle up on the couch with our popcorn and 'Beverly Hills Chee-wa-wa' (don't blame me, the kid wanted to rent it!), but Dave got a call to go be a buddy's friend at Awana tonight.

SO I was stuck at home by myself to watch my chick flick...'Nights in Rodanthe'....NOT A GOOD IDEA TO WATCH THIS MOVIE WHEN YOUR SWEETIE IS OUT OF TOWN! Poor Sweetie got a blubbering wife callin' him in the middle of dinner at his sister's house (sorry Vicki). I should have known, I sobbed like a baby during the book, what made me think that the movie wouldn't do the same thing.

(spoiler alert)

Dave came home right at the end when I was at my worst, and was instantly concerned. (the poor kid is known to burst into tears anytime he sees me cryin', but he held it together just fine...I explained the movie to him and he was all aghast...'so basically they fall in love and then the guy dies? what a lame movie, who would write such a lame movie?' Yeah, what a guy he's becoming, sounds like his father!

Love Language

We've been together for almost 22 years. That's a whole lotta time. But he gets me. He totally gets me.

Not only did he surprise me by coming home early today. He then took me on a long drive around the area looking at the snow, or what was left of it. He knows I love going on a drive. He then took me to dinner at our favorite restaurant, so yummy.

That would have been enough, but then when we got home he was the ultimate husband. He completed all ALL of his chores on his 'Honey-Do-List' that has been on his bulletin board for like a month. He did them all!

I was sitting on the couch sewing buttons back on his suit coat (it's a long story and not at all interesting) when I see him walk in with the ladder. I'm like, 'it's 9pm what the heck are you doin?' He first replaced all the can light bulbs that had burnt out, there were like 6 of them.

He then was prepared to dust the VERY scary picture ledge in the stairwell, but I explained that between me, Dave & Calvin we got 'er done last week.

He then fixed the lamp that was broken by some precious little pumpkins during a party at our house awhile back. Fixed it, put a new light bulb back into it, put it perfectly on the table and plugged it back into the floor socket under the couch. Aw, the room looks all symetrical again, I can sleep.

Then he fixed the under cabinet light that has been danglin' ever so classy over my countertop. What a gem he is, I was starting to get all cozy with the lovely danglin' light, but he went and made it right again.

He replaced the lightbulbs in the front porch lights, so I can see the little cuties from down the street that come to see me and stare at the dogs when they are wanting inside.

Next, he went upstairs and fixed the towel bar in the boys bathroom. Who knows where they've been keeping their towels...I don't even want to think about it. But now, as long as Dave doesn't try doing pull-ups on it again, the bar should be good to go and let's hope the towels will be hanging there from now on.

So let's face it, Girls; flowers, candy, jewelry, it's all good...but it really doesn't come close to doing chores around the house without having to be nagged.

I love that guy and if you'll excuse me now, I've got to go figure out what his love language is. Hee-Hee....

Thankful Monday

1. Waking up to snow this morning. We didn't think we were going to get any, but sure enough. It's gorgeous.

2. Sweetie working from home today. I love Mondays.



3. I got a hug from my sister, even though it was via facebook.

4. Yesterday, Jay and I had nursery duty at church, what a blessing to hug on some cutie two year olds.



5. So thankful that we get to live in the country. Where my neighbors won't see me running around the yard in my bathrobe & bed-head.

6. My 2 1/2 hour nap yesterday afternoon, while it rained outside, and my boys were playing MarioKart in the living room. Such happy sounds.



7. The peace that God gives even in the midst of trials.

8. Our warm house with food in the cupboards.



9. My boys all snuggled in our bed watching a documentary on George Washington off the History channel. Homeschoolin' can be so cozy.

10. The puppies freshly bathed and brushed taking naps on the couches.

Just Another Saturday

It's chore day around here. We're all working really hard.


Not really, it looks like THIS outside, so no yard work again this weekend.


Jay had Calvin teach our morning devotions one day this week. He did really well. We're so proud of him. Yes, it was Wednesday Waffle Day.


Dave and I made Caramel Apples today. We were gonna make cookies, but these sounded like more fun.


The boys had basketball again this weekend. But I couldn't get any pictures of my boys, I kept watchin' these little cutie-patootie's. I always wanted to be a cheerleader. They were adorable. Jay tells me my time of doing such things has passed. He's such an encourager.


Happy Saturday to y'all.

I'm Back!

First there were the pleas from my mom. Then there was a lovely email from Sara, saying 'when the heck are you going to blog again, oh, and I miss you'...then another plea from both my parents this morning, with instructions to at least post some pictures. Then my sister calls me, with the news that she's joined facebook and when was I going to get myself out of bed and start blogging again. Whatever!

Second, but this should have been first, let me just say a big thank you for all of you that prayed. I want to give you an update. Sweet little Ella passed away in the arms of her would-be adoptive Grandma. What a sweet little story that both her Grandma's were able to be with her in the end. John & Courtney have received another referral and are trying to move forward as best they can. Their hearts are torn, as you can imagine.

Troy & Lori are in CA awaiting the birth of their second child, which could be VERY soon.

And the court battles on for little Makayla. They were postponed from a few weeks ago and actually in court all day today.

Your prayers would still be appreciated.

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Now onto the not very exciting news that has been our lives this past month.

Where did we leave off? Let me see...ah yes...the snow day...



this is my snow angel, what you don't see very well is the VERY LARGE inprint of my butt in my Levi's that Dave was so kind to point out. Such a lovely child. But at least this is proof that I did indeed go outside, chased the boys around the property, had a snow ball fight with them, made snow angels and freezed my little be-jeebers off.



The Davester's snow angel, no he didn't make such a big inprint. He takes after his mother.



Calvin's snow angel, he was a VERY serious angel maker. There was so much snow flyin' and the thing was really big. Don't mess with the Calv.



Aren't they precious. This is right before they started chasing me and throwing snow down my pants. They aren't such cute little angels after all.



The icicles that hung from the eaves for three days, they kept getting longer and longer every day. A little freaky, but kinda fun to watch from my kitchen window.



Miss Gina came and got the boys and drove all the kids down to the best sledding spot on the street. They all spent the day at different houses, drinking hot chocolate, doing puzzles, sitting in the jacuzzi (yes, outside) and doing 'double-dog-dares' to each other (you know, like 'I dare you to run barefoot in just your swim trunks to the tree and back')...yeah, they had a blast!

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(my mother is going to kill me for posting this picture, but it is my favorite, absolute favorite, look how sweet they are.)

Four days after the snow, my parents landed. They came for 10 days and we were in heaven to have them here. They are too much fun and indulged us, by letting us torture them aplenty.



We introduced them to MarioKart on the Wii. The boys found out where I learned how to scream. (thanks, Mama)



They helped us celebrate Calvin's 13th birthday. The boy got muchas mas legos. He was very happy.

After a morning of laying around, having breakfast, watching a movie and opening presents, we went to 'Fat Daddy's' for lunch. Notice my double fisted french fry eating, it's an art form. Calvin had free reign of the camera all day and I got a lot of self portraits, he's a gem.





They started their basketball while Mimi & Papa were here. This is Dave going in for a basket, he nailed it. (I think, I actually wasn't there, hee-hee.)



Calvin trying to get the ball, be very afraid.



Next, it was time to celebrate Dave's birthday. He picked Cracker Barrel for breakfast, love that boy. After fillin' up with good viddles, it was time for Mini Golf.



Papa-Bear, showing us his skills. He's purty durn good at the mini golf.



Then there's this guy, he makes my heart go flutter.



Yep, it's true, we ALL went on the go-carts. I had the most fun, tryin' to get the perfect shot of my mother flyin' past. She's got herself some serious drivin' skills. But it's just wrong that she's looks classy drivin' the go-cart.

Next we all played laser-tag. I didn't get any pictures as I was just tryin' not to pee my pants every time Jay jumped at me from around a corner. Whatever!

Next up for the week was the big bowling party with our friends. This was a total blast. I got no good photos of this trip, sorry, all except one, my mama, she just loves me with a camera! :o)



My parents left the next day. It was so sad to see them go. But I really think they were happy to leave. You see, we trashed them (as Dave put it). Let me explain...

The Trashing of Mimi & Papa...

- first, my Dad went to work with Jay and Don one day and tweaked his back. Yes, Jay and Don got a verbal mouthful from me on the proper care of my Dad.

- next, my Dad came down with a case of his vertigo, a bad case. Again, I blamed Jay & Don, they probably hung him upside down from some ladder 1/2 the day. So Daddy was sick in bed all day.

- after he recovered from that, we made him run around and play laser-tag in the dark. AND, jossle around in a go-cart.

- last but certainly not least...while bowling he re-tweaked his back and Mama pulled a muscle.

To see them hobble off to get onto their plane was a very sad sight indeed. Especially since they missed their plane TWICE and had to sit in the airport all day waiting for a flight.

They are no longer eagerly racking up the miles points on their visa card, in fact their next vacation they are planning is to drive to Death Valley and they are actually excited about it....we really know how to lower ones expectation on vacations, don't we?

Anyone wanna come stay with us for awhile?

This post was seriously long and I've got to go spend some quality time with my boys before the day is over, not really, I'm just cravin' some hot chocolate and can hear their movie in the other room and would rather be layin' on the couch with them.

Thanks for readin'.