No pleasing this girl

For weeks now I've been dragging my sorry carcass around in this heat, counting down the weeks until it cools down. Well today was the day. We were done with church at 11:00 at it was in the mid-80's. Sounds lovely, right? I was freezing! I had to run home and put my sweats and long sleeve shirt on. Guess I have acclimated to Phoenix. How could I ever move back north?

While I am here, I have to complain about a couple more things. Bear with me. What is up with Hootie and the Blowfish and Kid Rock on my country music stations? His name isn't Kid Country. And Hootie? What? Go make money in your own genre. Another thing. My Dr. Pepper cans look like footballs. Please, please, don't mess with my soda.

Whew! I feel better. Please excuse me, I need to go put another log on the fire.

Three weeks of Blessings...Part Deux

I am a slacker. I am well aware that I have many blessings, but procrastinate posting them every week. I will do better next week. Here we go ...

Rain

This week we have received an abundance of rain. One day we even got two storms. In one day! For a girl from Utah where the weather changes every 3.5 minutes, this is pretty exciting. The weather here never changes. While sunny and warm is nice and lovely, I like the weather to shake things up every once in a while. So we have had rain every day this week, I believe. I am also grateful that our home was one of the lucky ones that didn't have to go without power, have a tree blow down, or flood. Just the good stuff:)

My Ward

I truly love the people that I serve and worship with. We had a BBQ last night at Sister Brook's house for all of the Young Women leaders and their families and I was struck by how wonderful everyone is. We all have a lot of fun with each other and we care for each other. I love the people that work with my children, who love them and teach them about Christ. I'm grateful for the girls and women that I serve with and I am constantly in awe of them and how great they are. I hope they realize that.

We've made many good friends living here. Friendships that I treasure and cherish. I feel blessed to live where we do.

Blogging

I have to put down blogging. This is my 300th post! Who would have thunk I would of stuck with it like this! Thanks to Cara and Lori who introduced me to the world of blogging. Since my first post took me two days and a lot of swear words, I wasn't sure if this was the thing for me. I am so grateful for the outlet blogging has been for me, the cute stories that I would have forgotten about, but since I typed them I can always remember them! Blogging has helped to forge friendships near and far. I count some people as close friends and I've never even met them!

VP

I had the news on this morning when I heard that McCain finally announced his running mate. I realized it was a woman and I have to admit, I told Nate that to McCain it probably didn't matter who it was as long as it had woman parts. But then I listened to her and LOVED her! I loved how she sounded, what she said. The way she looked. What I mean by that is she has a soft yet no nonsense look about her. I always thought Hilary looked sooooo hardened! And hey, she has a daughter named Piper, how bad can she be? Now I am even more excited to vote Republican this year.

Thank you thank you

I received such a nice gift today from a blogging friend! We've never met, yet through the wonders of technology, she brings me smiles and laughs. Em K Dub, you are so sweet! You seriously made my day.! She gave me this!

A blogging award! Me! Seriously! You give this award to blogs that inspire, or help you smile, or give you a big belly chuckle. And now I get to pay it forward by passing it on to seven lovely people. Thanks Em!
Cara
Diane
Laura
Lauri
Marie
Nate
Jeff

I love you all. That is why you are on my linky. But the rules say ONLY 7. But they can pass the love around.

That's gonna leave a mark

Nate has softball season coming up so he has been meeting a friend at the park so they can practice together. He takes the girls with him and they all have a great time. They went last Sunday night and Nate was hitting the softball and Megan was out in the field. He hit a pretty good one and right away he knew something was going to happen. Too fast for him to do anything about it. That whole slow motion everything fast sensation. Megan was in the outfield and tried to get the ball. And she was hit with the ball right in the shin. Let me just say, I'm glad I wasn't there. Here is a picture taken about 1/2 an hour after it happened.

See those red marks? That is from the stitching in the ball. It hit her so hard the stitches left red welts! Here is a side view, you can see how it was swollen.

The next day...
And the next...
I wish my pictures could do the bruise justice. It is pretty growdy and cool all at the same time. But she doesn't complain:)

Explorers Day

In 5th grade they have been studying explorers and stuff and they had an assignment to make a caravel. Or for those of us that speaky normal, a boat. (Maybe you knew what a caravel was, I didn't.) Megan was very excited for this project, she loves stuff like this. You could make it out of anything, but it could not exceed 12 inches in length or height. And you had to work individually. She came up with the idea all on her own and got to work a week in advance.

She painted

She consulted with dad (Nate made one too. We don't do pinewood derby around here, so he needs to get these projects done with the kids.)

And we have a floater! Heehee

And she really did do it all on her own. With minimal help with the rubber bands and the hot glue. I went over to watch her race this morning and got there right after she was done:( She did good! She won her first race and then in her second race another boat ran her into the wall. Booooo! I took a picture of the boat at school so I could pretend that I had been there. Good job Megs!

We tell ourselves....

We tell ourselves that when they start sleeping through the night it will be easier.

We tell ourselves that if we can get past the toddler stage, it will be easier.

We tell ourselves that when they can communicate clearly it will be easier.

We tell ourselves that when they start school it will be easier.

We tell ourselves that if they will just walk through the school doors it will be easier.

I know the teenage years won't be easier.

Being a grandparent will be easier, right?

Grumpy

The last few days I have been feeling very grumpy. And out of it. I haven't felt like blogging or catching up or anything. And I love blogging!

My family was very grateful for this. I guess they were. I've never been convinced that Midol can make you feel cheerful, I think they are like a sugar pill and they mess with your mind so you feel like you are doing something to make yourself nice. Whatever it takes. I had a couple of things contribute to the crabbiness.

This tragedy.

ARghhhh! I love my nails. They are my vanity. And my middle one is always the one that breaks.
I thought I would get a head start on dinner for the next night, so I made a marinade and some K-Bobs. And then I spilled them all over. And Megan being the true daughter of a true blogger grabbed the camera and got a picture:)

It was a long mommy day yesterday. My kids prefer to use psychological torture on each other, but yesterday moved on to the physical. Well I hear screaming coming from the end of the hall and realize that Sammy has pulled Megan's hair and slammed her head into the bed. Thank heaven they were on a soft mattress. Hello? Where is this coming from? This came after I realized she had tried to make a bid on ebay with my account and cut her hair. (She still hasn't admitted to the hair even though part of her bangs are missing and I found the hair in the sink.) Can you say grounded? I really couldn't take hearing Mooooom! again. The three members of the family thought it would be fun to tease me last night, but they quickly realized I wasn't in the mood.
I have to admit that something did help. We had a baptism to go to yesterday and I felt emotional from the moment I stepped through the door. All the bad feelings that I had been struggling with yesterday fell away when I allowed myself to feel the sweet spirit of the Lawsom family. It was a beautiful experience and I am so glad that I was able to go and partake.
Last night Nate and I watched Lars and the Real Girl. Have you seen it? This movie was so quirky and lovely. I cried as I felt the love and compassion this little town had for one of their own. If you want to borrow it, let me know.
And then this morning came bright and early. I am feeling happier and enjoyed church. And I got to hold Baby Jack for most of the time! I pretty much swooped in and stole him from his parents. Hope they don't mind:) A sweet little baby can only make you feel happy.

The kids are being really good today and Sammy must of been acting out from being tired. She took naps yesterday and today and she is as sweet as can be today! Here's to a good week!

Good Morning

This morning I was awakened a lot earlier than I like. Which would mean a bad morning. Not a morning girl. But Nate came in to our room today and handed me Stanley!

He's back!

He is way skunky and dirty and stinky. I am thinking he was locked in some one's garage. He has that oil smell to him. I know he hasn't had anything to drink because he can't stop drinking. We are so happy! The kids were kind of rotten yesterday and I know it is because they were worried about him.
The girls did tell me that they both said a prayer last night that he would come home. Thank Heaven for answered prayers!

I AM

Tagged again! This time by Alicia. Fun stuff!

I usually: have a Dr. Pepper near by.
I search: for my keys.
I wonder: how I lived before the Internet.
I regret: not relishing every moment of my kids when they were little. Time flies.
I love: my family.
I care: about my pets.
I always: clean my tub and scrub the floors. Hahahaha.
I worry: about my kids. Always:)
I am not: strong willed.
I remember: Pre-school and Mrs. Finnegan.
I believe: That I am loved.
I dance: never. White girl has no rhythm.
I sing: only when I am alone in my car with the radio up loud.
I don’t always: clean the bathroom when I should.
I argue: Rarely. Usually with Sammy.
I write: Rarely. Usually I type.
I win: Rarely:)
I lose: Usually.
I wish: My girls could go through life easily.
I listen: To strangers who think I am there to listen to them.
I don't understand: why strangers think I am there to listen to them.
I can usually be found: on the computer.
I am scared: of crickets.
I need: a Dr. Pepper. But it is almost 11:00.
I forget: what I need to do as I am walking there to do it.
I am happy: A lot of the time.

I wanna tag....Piper, Beth, Melanie, Cara, and Diana.

Week of Fun (with a touch of sad)

My fun started Friday night. I was invited to join a new Bunko group and I had a blast! What a nice surprise to go and see Laura there! We meant to get a picture together, but alas it didn't happen. The dinner was catered and so good. And I like that everyone gets to leave with a prize. Yipee!
Saturday was a prep day. And a baptism day. I went to Dallin Nelson's baptism and it was lovely! When he came out in his shirt and tie my eyes teared up. And his little sister Elaine gave the closing prayer. It was really nice.

My brother and his family drove down from Salt Lake to spend the weekend with us. Any time someone wants to visit in August it is special:) We had dinner that night at the Keg Steakhouse. Yummy yummy yummy. It was an hour wait unless we were willing to eat outside. So even though it was 105, we ate on the patio. With the sun down it really doesn't feel that hot. Seriously. But being the fool I am, I can't resist French Onion Soup. So I ordered the nice hot soup. I was sweating up a storm! We asked our server to take our picture, but he was really weird about it and he never did. So we took pictures one side of the table at a time.


Then we headed across the parking lot to the Cheesecake Factory for dessert!

The next morning we went to the Farmhouse Grill for brunch. Well worth the wait. In fact, Nate and I loved it so much that we went back the next day for brunch! It was a great visit and we can't wait for more in the future! I am loving Nate's Mondays off. We can do leisurely brunch and catch a movie. No hurries or worries.

Sammy came home with some good news. Which is so awesome since she has had a few struggles with this new school year. She was voted to be on Student Council! She is very excited and I was as well since it is a position that your classmates vote on. It goes to show that she has more friends than she thinks:) A girl in her class was telling her that it isn't a big deal or very hard but Sammy corrected her and told her that you have to be a good example, go to meetings, get good grades and so on. I'm glad she realizes all that goes with the position. Hopefully she'll be a good "roll model" :)

Yesterday was a fun lunch at our R.S. presidents house. She has a lunch for birthdays. I think she does it quarterly? There was a good turnout and it was nice to get to know some sisters that I've never had the chance to chat with before. Thanks Tina!

I had a very happy surprise this morning! A loud knock on my door at 8:00. I opened it up and there was Lori LLK! She handed me a loaf of her beautiful bread that she bakes and told me to have a great day! Heck yes I will! Not many other ways to beat a morning like that! Thanks Lori!!!!

And for my sadness. I have to admit it is weighing me down, perhaps that is why Lori brought me some bread...my little kitty Stanley is missing. I love this cat. I miss this cat. I've driven around, walked around, I've gone to the animal shelter and I can't find him. He better come home. I spent money to get him neutered, immunized and fixed his pelvis when he was run over. I have a lot of money in that little guy! Last time I saw him was on Sunday. Hopefully he is out sowing his wild oats or something. Perhaps he will come home acting like nothing is wrong. So if you live around here, keep your eyes out please!

Tonight, Book Club with Breaking Dawn discussion. Fun fun!

Just Do It

I've been talking about doing something for about a month now. I was going to do it. I was. Well, today Nate called me on it and told me I should just do it. No, it isn't cleaning the tub. Or washing the dog. But those both need to be done. But this thing....it was just time to do it.
So I asked Nate to take these pictures. It made me feel better.




And then we went here...

And this was the result.

I admit, I didn't go nearly as short as I was going to. Chickened out. But baby steps. Next time I'll go shorter with a whole new look. Here it is now, keep in mind that it air dried and I'm a little fuzzy:)

I just couldn't take the heaviness and the hotness of it all anymore. And it feels so good!

Friends n Family

I'm managing to stay busy while school is in session. I'm actually in the process of trying to get a job with Hallmark that would be about 10 hours a week plus I'm signed up to do a lot of volunteering in the school. Can't wait for it all to come together!

Yesterday Lori called and invited me furniture shopping. We went to the Potato Garden. Or is it Patch? Can't recall, but the furniture there is fabulous. So much fun. I could redo my whole house from that store if I could be so lucky:) It was fun. Lori got some fun things for her house. I have a confession to make. We were at Kirkland Home and I almost bought a Christmas decoration. Almost. Then I realized that it is still August and I reigned myself in. Afterward I headed over to Paradise Bakery to grab a sandwich. I came home, ate half and then ran across the street to Diana's real quick. Came back home and realized that my dog had jumped up and stolen my sandwich off the table! ARGHHHH! All she left were the tomato slices and I don't like tomato slices either. What a putz. I was so mad. But then I babysat Baby Jack for a couple of hours and was in Heaven! I love that little guy. After school we went and hung out with Diana for a while. Love having her across the street!

The girls and I rode our bikes last night and we were out and about when a storm rolled in. The wind was blowing and we had dirt in our eyes and big tree branches we breaking off! Scary! But we got some rain out of it.

I have a new linky on my list. My brother Scott has been sucked in to the world of blogging:) I now have both my brothers and my hubby on the linky. Now I just need to get my sister on the bandwagon.

My brother Jeff is coming down tomorrow with his family. How fun to get visitors in the summer! That doesn't usually happen at my house. It will be great to see them even if I can't talk them in to staying longer. Drive safe!

Strange

Sammy brought a student council paper home from school. It was explaining the requirements the school has for any student to be on student council. The usual. Good grades, participation, good citizenship. But there was one requirement that baffled me. It said you have to be a good roll model. Huh? Like this?




Now that's just discrimination. No way Sammy could pull that off. I hope I don't need to call my lawyer.

Maybe they meant this?





Would she have to carry these around the lunch room? Hmmmm. I would think they would want someone in student council that was a good example to others. Shows what I know.

A Woman Scorned

Nate and the girls were out on the side of the house tonight, passing time until it was time to go to bed. Nate had his racquetballs out and they were just throwing them against the house. Sammy was afraid that the ball would hit her and it would hurt, so to teach her that it doesn't hurt, Nate lobbed the ball at her. Unfortunately, I picked that moment to round the house and she saw me so she had to pretend that it hurt really bad. She put on a sad face and went running into the house.
A moment later the garage opened up and she came out with her bike. I said something to her, I can't remember what it was, but she was all huffy with me. I replied that she shouldn't be mad at me, I didn't do anything to her. She then replied in her mad voice, "Yes you did, you married him!" She then proceeded to try and run Nate down with her bike, but luckily he is faster than she is:)

Week 32

I have been trying to come up with something positive to say about having 8:00 church. (For some reason we switch church times when the new school year starts.) I think I have it! And I love it and am so grateful for it. The Sunday Afternoon Nap! I love me a good nap, and it is great to take one and still be done early enough in the day to still enjoy the day. Win Win.

Perhaps this is just a way of giving thanks for being lazy. Whatever works. If I need to wake up early, I need my reward:)
And check this out! Nate was out in the yard when he noticed something strange on our little orange tree.
We only have 3 or 4, but how exciting! To me it is. I had no idea they were even growing! I'm sure in a few years I will be cursing them as the tree produces waaaaay to many to eat, but for now we will baby it along and enjoy the fruits of our labor.

Childs Play

So I was eavesdropping on the kiddos today as the were playing with their friend Claire. They were pretending to be poor. I made a comment to them that I found it interesting that they would pretend to be poor instead of rich. Sammy then informed me that after you are poor, you then become rich. Ohhhhhh! So that is how it works! If only I had known the key to richness years ago!
Busy day today. Up early to help clean the church, then the girls had a Stake Activity Days thingy. It was on manners, and modesty and taking care of your body. They had a great time and when I went to pick them up I practically had to drag them off of the runway. They were working on their America's Next Top Model walk. After the activity, we headed out to make all of Megan's wildest dreams come true. We went and got her a cello for 5th grade Strings. She has already worked out how to play Twinkle Twinkle all by herself and she is so proud! Renting it was quite interesting. The place I found to rent it that actually had a cello was in the VF Factory mall. Sammy asked me if it was a "poor mall". Hahahaha. The man working their was kind of quirky and didn't seem to know too much about string instruments. Hmmmm. But we got it, know I need to go to another music store to buy all the stuff that music store didn't have.
I got to spend a lot of time hanging out with Diana today. She lets me come over and steal Baby Jack and I love it! So snuggly! Love it!
So we DVR'd the Olympics and pounded it. Highlights: Mens rowing team :) (still holding out for the Norwegian team) and Womens Beach Volleyball. GO USA!

Am I smarter than a fifth grader?

Perhaps. But you wouldn't have known it last night. Megan brought her homework to me last night all excited about what she had learned. Palindromes. Know what they are? They are words or numbers that can be read from either direction, such as MOM, DAD, 101, 2002, etc. (I'm copying this info from the newsletter) Well when you are doing the math you take a number, then flip it and add those two numbers. Until the answer can be read front and back the same way. So you would go like this...
100+001=101. Then that would be done. She had to do that 1-100. No big deal until you come to the number 89. It takes 24 steps! Megan kept getting mixed up, so I gave it a try and when I got to step 27 I realized I must have made an error. Of course Nate got it right. He had a little smile on his face all night. So as Megan was working on it, he would check her work. But we didn't do it for her! Even though we had googled the answer and it would have been so easy. We didn't let her quit and she finally got it. Well, she came home excited because she was the only one in her class that had done it! She got extra credit for it.
The first week is o v e r. Sammy said it went really fast. I didn't point out that it was only 3 days. Aside from her crappy first day experience, I think they are doing well. Just tired and having a hard time getting into the new schedule.
I got my bathroom all painted up this week! I love the new color so much more than the blue that it was. I need to get a new shower curtain and then I will post pics. I even hooked the toilet back up all by myself! This time it leaked a little though.
We went swimming with my new friend Diana today. Her in-laws live just a couple miles away and they have a beautiful pool. So we tooted over there after school. The in-laws are out of town, so we were going to go through the garage. Well, the code thingy had a dead battery, so we had Megan hop the fence and unlock the gate. I guess the neighbors didn't think we looked too threatening with all the kids and swim toys. Diana has the cutest little Baby Jack and he got to swim too! I could just hold him all day. Love to snuggle up to these little babies! It was a great afternoon and it felt so good to cool off. And wear the kids out for an early bedtime!

Tender Mercies

I wonder sometimes, is tough love harder on me or the kid I am using it on? I am pretty sure that it is harder for me.
The kids got home yesterday, both telling me that the first day was A-OK. Yay! A couple of hours later it came out that Sammy had had a not so great experience with another girl. It is hard at this age, when one thing happens and it feels like no one wants to be your friend and you feel all alone at school. Even when you do have friends. She was crying last night and saying that it is hard to be away from me and she didn't want to leave me today. While I am happy to hear that she loves me and enjoys being with me, I know that it is important for her to go and learn not only school lessons, but life lessons.
I knew she had a heavy heart this morning, I could see it in her eyes. Every morning before I send my kids out the door, I have a prayer with them. I prayed especially hard today. Then I put some kisses in her locket, love in her pockets and a hug in her heart and sent my little girl out the door. I am tearing up thinking about it. And then....I hear a voice yell out from the bus stop. "Sammy!" and a little girl jumped up and waved her over. And then another little voice called out for her. And my daughter walked down to the bus stop and never looked back. I hope and pray that today will be filled with fun and good experiences. I have a good feeling about it.

On a side note...Sammy said something kind of funny the other day. She told me she wished that the middle finger was the hardest finger to put up. I thought that was an unusual thought so I asked her about it. She told me then it would be hard for people to flip the bird!

*UPDATE* The girls got home from school, both wearing big smiles and reporting good days! Whew!

School Days

The other night we went to meet the teacher night. I must admit, teaching school has changed a lot since I was in school. A LOT! The teachers had their power point presentations for the years curriculum. They are using a lot of technology in the rooms. I remember in 4th grade when our school got its first computer. The whole school got A computer. It was on a cart and we all had to take turns with it. They now have laptops in all the rooms. And Sammy's teacher was talking technology in the classroom in ways that my non-techno mind can't comprehend. It will be a good year.

Well, it is finally here....the first day of school! I feel very lucky that my kids love to go to school and that they look forward to it so much. They couldn't sleep last night because they were so excited and then they were up at 6:30! They are getting so grown up. I think it is fun to see them doing their own hair and using the round brush to blow dry their hair:) We were ready for school quite a bit early, something I don't think will continue as the year goes on. (Usually we are dashing for the bus as it drives by, luckily the bus stop is a few houses away.) But since we were ready, I thought I would take some pics. Bear with me, there's a lot! I tell myself it is for the grandmas, but it is for me too!
















Just for today we can pretend that we walk to school. The kids were thrilled when they learned they would be bus riders. That has worn off, now they want to be walkers.


I swear, every year the night before the first day of school, it rains. Which is wonderful, I will never turn rain away. However, it makes for a hot and steamy first day of school, trying to find your way through 1000 kids and their parents. All the cute hair dos had melted by the time school started. Megan and I had the unfortuneate experience to be swarmed by fire ants. They hurt so bad! I bent over to brush her legs off when I discovered something.....she had shaved her legs! HUH?!?! I don't mind that she is shaving her legs, I was ten when I started, but that is one of those things that you want to share with your daughter the first time. Teach her how, give her the foundation for a good shave. She did a good job. She was embarrassed when I asked her about it though:)
Then the bell rang and my babies were off.


Good luck today girls! Have fun and learn much! I will be okay here at home. I will do my best to stay busy and not miss you too much!

WaaaaaHooooooo!

Yesterday I had the bestest birthday/anniversary present EVER! Nate gave me indoor sky diving and the four of us went yesterday for our fun adventure. It was absolutely amazing. The girls came with us and they did it too! The girls did 2 one minute sessions, but Nate and I got 2 two minute sessions. And to be totally honest, I don't know if I could do more than 2 minutes at a time! It isn't quite as easy as it looks:) I feel like I've had just a taste of it and I want the whole meal! I could go back again and again. So much fun. Thank you Nate so much! This was the best gift ever!
Nate worked really hard and put the video on You Tube. Megan goes first, then Sammy, Nate and then me!

Nate was teasing me, even when "sky diving" I am pigeon toed!


The day Sammy turns 18, Nate and I will do it for real! 9 1/2 years to go!

With this ring...

Today I am a lucky lady for sure! It is the 13th anniversary of the best day of my life! I can't believe that we've been married this long, the years have literally flown by. I don't really remember what I thought marriage would be like before I got married, but I do know that it is waaaay better and so much more fun than I expected. I feel so lucky and blessed to have Nate in my life. I love his quirky sense of humor. I love what a great dad he is. I love what a great provider he is. I LOVE what a great hubby he is. He makes being married fun, that is for sure.

About 5 months after I graduated from high school, I was out country dancing with my friend Alicia. Across the crowded dance floor, I saw this really cute guy. But he was leaving! So I told my friend we should go and we were in my car driving down West Temple when I saw him again at a red light! We started talking to each other at all the red lights and finally exchanged phone numbers. Well, I had to wait quite a few weeks. Nate called me and asked me out on a date. You can imagine my mom's horror when I told her I was going on a date with a guy I met at a red light on West Temple. Boy was she relieved when he showed up at the door all handsome and clean cut! Imagine my mom's horror 6 weeks later when I announced that I was getting married. (Nothing against Nate, she was worried because we were so young.) Yes, we were young and optimistic and in love and nothing was going to stop us. And here we are; two kids, two cats and a dog later. And some alleged gray hairs, but no one has been able to prove that in a court of law. Living the American Dream baby!Love you Shmoopie. Here's to 50 more years!

3 Weeks of Blessings

I am slightly behind on my 52 Blessings Project, so I will do a 3-in-1. Here we go.

Week 29

Since we went camping and all, I must give thanks for indoor plumbing.

When we were camping I felt unfulfilled every time I went to the restroom and couldn't flush. There is something satisfying about taking care of business with no flys or odor. And I am thankful for toilet paper. I'm glad I don't have to use leaves or cloth. And so grateful for running water! I would not make a good pioneer, that is for sure.

Week 30

This one is kind of out there, but I am thankful for the boy scout program. I never realized I was grateful for this until going camping. I had no idea how much knowledge Nate has accumulated. Knots, fires, camping common sense. He had great scout leaders that instilled this knowledge and love for the outdoors in him.

Week 31

I am grateful for fun new neighbors across the street. At our house in Utah, we were friends with everyone on our street and we were always outside talking and playing with each other. Well, suffice it to say, we don't have that here on our street. Or we didn't. It is so great to wander outside and have great conversation with great people while all the kiddos play together. Great neighbors are priceless!

Free Day!

Well, I had a fabulous birthday filled with fun and free stuff! The girls and I were about to head out to lunch when I saw a coupon in my purse that my friend Erin had given me. It was from the Glitterbox and it was for FREE up-dos. Well, it was the perfect day for it, so we headed there first. My girls have been dying to do this, but at $36 a pop, I wasn't going to take them. So thanks to Erin for the coupon! Their hair turned out so cute! I love it.



Sammy took her hair out last night and boy did her head hurt! But Megan opted to leave hers in. She actually slept on it and kept it in all day. In fact, we went to a swimming party today and she wouldn't get in the pool in fear that her hair would get ruined. She just barely took it out tonight because I told her she HAD to wash her hair for church tomorrow.

Anyway, after the cute hairdos it was time for lunch. It was already 2:00 but Sam said we should call Nate and see if he had already had lunch. What do you know? He was just leaving work to go and grab some lunch so he was able to join us. We headed to Joes BBQ since you get FREE lunch on your special day. Since I didn't get the birthday lunch (I like the 1 lb. baked potato) they gave us $10 off. WooHoo! Lovin' it! We weren't done yet. After lunch we went over to Krispy Kreme. I walked in there, told them it was my birthday and they handed my a box filled with a dozen glazed donuts for FREE! Yummmmmmy!
I was nice enough to share, by the way. We took some in to Nate's work and shared with our friends across the street.
I want to thank Lori so much! She picked up my girls last night to take them for shaved ice and then took them back to her house to watch Penelope. Thank you thank you thank you! Nate and I had a lovely dinner, just the two of us. Nothing was free:( but that is okay.
I want to thank everyone for the phone calls, gifts, and well wishes. I am truly blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family! They make getting older worth it!

Nineteen seventy something...

Today I turn 29, which means I was born in 197- um, lets see...it was...okay, I am not 29. Sigh. I am 32 today. Which means I was born in the year of the dragon. The year of our country's bi-centennial. However, that does not mean that I was red, white, and blue when I came home, right Jeff? Hahahaha. I have to say, I am enjoying my 30's much more than I did my 20's. I feel more comfortable in my own skin than I ever have. So far a great day! I have had great messages on a couple of blogs, and I was up early with Nate this morning and he gave me my present and I am soooooooooooo excited about it! It is the ultimate gift. (And I have to admit, I was nervous, I told him I wanted roller blades and I was afraid that he would go and get me some.) This is what he is giving me. How much fun will this be? And we have appointments for all 4 of us. WooHoo!!!!
The girls gave me mucho presents this morning.
Isn't this cute? I'm not sure when they wrapped them all. I was touched by what they gave me. Sammy gave me her favorite story book and Megan gave me a panda bear. I got a lot of coupons for free foot rubs, neck rubs, and back rubs. I'll for sure be using those all day! (I'm still trying to recover from sleeping in a tent.)

So I will be off today getting my free lunch at Joes BBQ and my free donuts at Krispy Kreme. MMMMMMmmmmm.