Not Just Because He's Hot

There are several other reasons I LOVE my hot hubby....

THIS

is one of them.

Our little pal Zach inspired us to have a challenge

to our KidsPoint kids,

that if they raised enough money,

I'd shave Jeff's hair into a faux hawk.

and just like every other hairstyle he has,

he looked delish this way too.

Man!, he's a dreamboat.

Favorite Parts of Vacation

There are a few fav parts that stand out in my mind.





One was being able to relax.

Totally relax.

And do so, without feeling guilty for it.



When the kiddos went down for nap, sometimes we did too! And as I would lay there on that couch, I didn't think about laundry, or work emails, or making my bed (shh, secret -- we never made our bed on vacay, not once!!).

Sometimes we read or just aimlessly surfed the channels.



That was one favorite part.



The ocean / beach was another favorite part. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the beach. It defines beauty. And when I stare out into the horizon, that seems to drop off beyond the last drop of ocean, I am quickly reminded of God's magnitude. How cool that He made something like that for us to enjoy. It's all just so huge (for lack of a better word).



Then there is the pure lack of schedule. Oh sure, we still kept a naptime, and a bedtime....but we left in the morning when we wanted to head on down the beach, and came back when the kids' tummies were growling, or when I felt they had had enough sun (PS these kids were coated w/ 45 SPF & 1/2 the time I even made them wear a shirt). There was no rush to get out the door first thing in the morning & we let fun dictate our whereabouts & whenabouts (is that a word?).

Also, things that stand out in my mind are when Flynn asked to swim in the kitty-cat pool (her take on Kiddie Pool), and when Gabe stood in awe at the advertising planes that flew over.

When we go through great pains (like a 14.5 hour car trip) for family fun, I keep in the corner of my mind, how they'll remember this. Yes, they're small; but, I have memories of a trip 'out west' that the Simpsons took when I was almost 4. I have so many flashbacks of that (one is being horribly car sick in our '78 emerald FORD van). But I also remember Sea World & a Penguin character who stood behind me while my mom was taking a picture....and he removed my sailor hat which was very offensive to me at the time (I went through some kind of obsession with wearing a sailor hat, don't ask). I was a weird kid with a very active imagination & an imaginary friend named Sherri (she passed us on our trip, her family drove a wood-paneled station wagon).

My mom thinks we run the roads too much. I think that I'll always do what I can to give these sheltered kids some life lessons & rich experiences. Some times that means the beach 12 hours away. Some times that would mean taking them to see Shrek 3 (which we plan to do today after nap). Soon, I'll be working full time again, and our time & energy will be limited to preparations for the following day. I want to squeeze every drop out of life. On our trip, I was reading a magazine with advice from seasoned moms. One said, "The day is long but there years are short." It's so true. Even in my 4 short years of being a mom, I've seen that as truth.

Beach Blanket Bingo

Look at this beach....

THIS is "Shell Island", a fabulous deserted island, literally.

And I {heart} deserted.

The boat that took us to the above mentioned island.

One of Flynn's favorite beach activities, was to dig a hole, let it fill up with ocean, then jump from one of our chairs into the hole. note: couldn't we do that at Goose Creek?

He's not as tough as he looks.

One of the man breathtaking sunsets, taken our first evening there.

This was taken right after feeding cheetos to the birds. The boat's em cee (unaware of the toxins of cheeto dust) first offered Flynn to opportunity....after I gasped with horror, I explained that being in the middle of the ocean wasn't the best place for her airway to close.

More great shots at S.I.

It's amazing the fabulous backdrops that putt putt courses provide.

Perry feet.

Clouds make the best sunsets!

This one's going in a frame!

Our last evening at the beach...sniff - sniff

Beaching It

Apologies for a lack in posts....our lives were just crazy this past week.

Other than finishing up a KFC (VBS, just not as 'churchy'), and packing up for our big trip, we also had a computer issue (thinking a virus).

Anyway, if I could, I would add photos, as there are many & they are fabulous.
For now, you'll just have to take my word for it that we are having so much fun, the weather is terrific, and the kids are in beach bliss.

Mystery Solved

I just learned that the dance of WALK IT OUT, was from Ed Sullivan..."Mexican Breakfast" was the name of the original song & here it is!

Random Family Pics

Nana recently put her photos on a disc which she shared with me.

These are pics from the family bday for Hannah's 16th.

Hannah recently went on her first date.

Boys are intimidated by her beauty.

Bubs seems to have pollished off his plate!

I actually think this one is from KK's bday.

I'll get you in here with me if it's the last thing I do.

You're never to old to be a Meme's girl.

Hair

Oh hair, glorious hair...

the bible makes reference to hair being a woman's glory,

well, Flynn's hair is my glory.

Except lately, she's been TWISTING & making nots, or rats as I often refer to them as.

So, last week, I'd had enough & cut 2 inches off.

But then, today, I spent 2-20 minute sessions on untaggling. Not fun. So I'm leaning on taking a few more inches off.

Butterflies & Mud Puddles

It sounds like "What Little Boys Are Made Of"...

or the name of a child's resale shop,

But it's actually just a typical evening at Nana's.

Check out the air my girl gets in this shot!

I'm thinking Olympic long jumper? (I did the long jump in track, but I wasn't in the Olympics)

Bubs would rather submerge himself in the mud,

That way he gets dirtier....right down to the diaper.

Random Summerness

Flynners & Gabe taking a dip w/ Cousin Nezzies (as Flynn has dubbed her).
Sidewalk art at Nana & Papa's.

My Strong Dislike for Squirrels

really started when we got a bird feeder.
Before then, I just thought they were curious little fellows & enjoyed lying on my back, staring up at the trees, watching their leaps & peculiar habits.

Then, we started feeding the birds squirrels.

For a while, we'd quickly slide the door open, maybe make some startling noise.
But that only scared the neighbors, who probably dropped their cigarettes or wrecked their bus.

Then, we started throwing rocks at them. We even kept a rock stash right by the door, for even quicker shots.
But, then one day with my perfect shot, I cracked the glass of our $30 birdfeeder.
It made my hatred for the yard rats, all that much more intense.

So we bought a plastic one.

And then, my wilderness loving MIL, gave us her old bb gun.
And the fun began.
I longed for the chance to shoot those things, as they stole food from the birds.

They thought they were so smart, running off as soon as they heard me cock the gun or touch the handle of the door.
I even had Flynn's help, "MOM!!!! It's a SKA'WIRRELLLLLL! SHOOT IT!!!!"

One day, when we have a little more time, we're going to do something about them. (clicky click)

Walk It Out

This (clicky click) is a little like a train wreck - it's a tad creepy, but I can't help but watching it -over & over (& it's in my head!!)...someone took this old vid & put it w/ a new song.

Mom & MIL, do you remember this?...supposedly from some old tv show (I know Lawrence Welk & I'm thinking this was a little too racey to be on his show)....Bob Fosse choreographed it, & lead dancer is Gwen Verdon?

Things that add to its creepiness include, but are not limited to, their eyes, which seem to not exist (remember the old Annie comics?), & the fact that it really seems like they're putting on their moves to UNK's music. I also think it's strange that the middle ones glasses are lost in her fro AND that they do those sets of kicks way too many times in a row.

I'm so into it tho, I'm contemplating memorizing the routine..I might even bust out my old poms.

note: I tried to post the vid actually on my blog, but that rarely seems to work anymore, so you'll have to outclick to youtube, which will hopefully work for those of you accessing from work. Meanwhile, I'll keep trying.

In A Box

HONESTLY, He wanted to get in the box.

Because We Can

Why do we go outside in just our undies?

or diaper...
and drink juice boxes...
in a do-rag?...

"Flynn, you look so pretty....

Let Momma take your picture."

"Flynn, stop being silly, let Momma take your picture."
"PLEASE look at me & let me get a good picture of you."
"There, Much better!"

FREEDOM

The kids made a flag this morning. As I showed Flynn a 'real' flag, I felt the need to explain what it symbolized. I told her about the stripes & stars & what they each represented. When I was trying to explain the concept of states (remember, just a year ago, Flynn thought we lived at Home Depot), I thought I'd best explain it by, "We live in Missouri, but people like us live all in other states. Mommy has a friend in Texas."

"I have a friend named Alex."

I could see I wasn't really getting anywhere.

So I started talking about freedom. I told her that in America, we're so lucky because we can do all sorts of things & get to have a lot. I pointed to the backyard, at the plethera of playthings, "In some countries, little girls like you don't have things to play with outside. Some can't even play outside."

That kinda struck home with her.
"But why?"

"Because, it's not safe."

It got me thinking...

We aren't rich, by any stretch of the imagination. As a matter of fact, I'd be willing to wager that we fall in the lower bracket. There's a lot that we can't afford to get; even what some people consider basic stuff like cable, electronics, a tv from this decade, etc.

But there is so much we have....

We get to get up on a Sunday morning & go to church.
We get to go to the doctor, one of our own choosing (with a lot to choose from!!).
Then, we're able to go get medicine.
We have a slew of stores to choose from, as we grocery shop, with coupons I might add.
There are parks, safe ones, that we can have fun at.
There are garage sales, and hand me downs, and great things that other people don't need.
There are libraries, where we can enjoy literature, and No David (my fav) board books.
We have two vehicles (well, the bank owns them, but are letting us pay them for the cars, and letting us care for them and ride in them).
We can go on a vacation, drive across the country, and not have to pass a border or explain ourselves to someone who could just deny us our trip.

We don't just have enough, we have plenty.

And, if we were by chance born in another country, one without the fine things & opportunities that ours offers,
Flynn might not have lived when I gave her the wrong cookie.
Do you think Ethiopia has epi pens?
Would I be able to get a cortisone shot in Zimbabwe?
If Flynn was born prematurely in Nairobi, would she have lived? Would I have died of a preclamptic stroke?

My prayer is that I remember those things, when I start foolishly feeling sorry for myself because we live check to check. Or when I groan as I adjust our "rabbit's ears antenae", as we're only able to receive 4 channels. Or if our current state of flat broke means forgoing next year's vacation or declining on invitation to join someone for dinner.

Blessed beyond measure...
2 CORINTHIANS 4:
7However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves.
8We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair;
9We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed;
10Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the [[a]resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies.
11For we who live are constantly [experiencing] being handed over to death for Jesus' sake, that the [[b]resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced through our flesh which is liable to death.
12Thus death is actively at work in us, but [it is in order that [c]our] life [may be actively at work] in you.
13Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, I have believed, and therefore have I spoken. We too believe, and therefore we speak,(B)
14Assured that He Who raised up the Lord Jesus will raise us up also with Jesus and bring us [along] with you into His presence.
15For all [these] things are [taking place] for your sake, so that the more grace (divine favor and spiritual blessing) extends to more and more people and multiplies through the many, the more thanksgiving may increase [and redound] to the glory of God.
16Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day.
17For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!],
18Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.

Thank You God for our freedom & for the plenty.

Big Boy Haircut

Yep, first haircut & not until almost 2 years old.

We'd been toying around with the idea of cutting it for a while.

I was tired of his hair looking like Frank Barone.

And always said that the only thing worse than THIN hair, is LONG THIN hair.

So, yesterday, Daddy insisted that we do the summer 'do.

So we did & Gabe did exceptionally well to have large clippers buzzing in his little 22 month old ears. I guess it helped that Mommy was the barber.

At first I didn't clip the curls in the back...I guess I thought I was going to get to leave them there. But after I'd buzzed the sides & top, it became clear to me that I'd just given my boy a mullet.

I'll admit that it made me sad to watch the curls fall from the clippers....knowing that was a part of him from when he was an infant.

But man, he looks good with big boy hair.