I Am Blessed

My house is a mess...seriously...it is a wreck! There is laundry to do and clothes to be ironed. There are 12 Barbie dolls and 3 Barbie horses sitting in my living room floor. The trash can is overflowing, shoes and hairbows are strewn all over...but you know what?? It is o.k. Because I am trulyAnd yes, my car is dirty too :) I'd much rather be outside on a beautiful afternoon playing with this cute pie than inside putting Barbies in a rubbermaid, washing towels, and ironing bishops.

And it is much more fun to watch this Spiderman-clad cute thing riding her Spiderman scooter than to be fussing with a bed that needs to be made up or dishes that need to be washed.
Had to throw in a picture or two of my pink geraniums and my potato plants just because they make me smile when I drive up in our driveway...thanks, J!

Read this note that Macy wrote her friend Anna about pulling her tooth...

This is my favorite part..."I felt it but it did not hurt 'cause my Mom was holding me." Now if that doesn't make me feel blessed...

this toothless grin sure does...

as well as a big grin from this chunk of love...

I AM BLESSED!!

"Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings, see what God has done. Count your blessings...name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God has done." Amen!

Meet Miss Snaggletooth and Future Miss Meteorologist

This picture cracks me up...check out that dangling tooth. Macy looks more like "little hillbilly." This picture was taken about 2 seconds before the next one...

Meet Miss Snaggletooth :) This picture is a little blurry, but it was too cute not to post. Check out that huge hole!! And actually, this time, the whole tooth pulling process was not so painful (or didn't seem to be). The screaming was pretty mild, and there were no tears. And of course the toothfairy came :)

Meet future Miss Meteorologist. This child is OBSESSED with the weather. As soon as the paper comes everyday, she pulls it open to the weather and says "Mommy! It is going to be sunny! Do you see the little sunshine?" or "Mommy! It is going to rain! Do you see the little raindrop?" It is so cute and so funny. I guess she gets this obsession honestly from her weather-obsessed Mommy :)

I picked up the girls' handprints from the Carousel yesterday...I love these (as I love the silhouettes as well). They are done by Mitzi's Handprints...she comes twice a year to do them at the Carousel (I'll keep you posted...she'll be back in September). I have a collage of them hanging in the girls' bedrooms. These could be used for Christmas ornaments, but ever since the year that our semi-mammoth tree fell over (we have graduated to the full-mamoth trees now) and ornaments were broken, I just can't hang them on the tree. Plus, I like them out all of the time. And check out the seersucker dishtowel they are laying on...I love it...picked it up at Target the other day :)

My, oh my...the girl even has to sleep in layers now!

Have a great week!!

Farmer's Market, Roly Polys, and Small Town Fun

Today started early for us...Macy played the violin at The Farmer's Market this morning (and made the WCBI evening news!). It was so much fun! We always enjoy a chance to play there. Can you believe that I did NOT have my camera with me? Macy got her first taste of a real cream soda and Lucy ate almost an entire pint of strawberries. Lucy politely asked some sweet people who were selling farm fresh eggs if she could buy one egg...they so nicely gave her a "polka-dot" egg (one with speckles). She has also decided that she wants a real chicken to come live at her house so she can collect eggs everyday :)

I had an obsession with roly polys growing up. My Nana used to live in a house that had more roly polys than you can imagine. Every time I would go over to her house, I would find me a mason jar in her utility room and fill it up with those cute little creatures.. We don't have many roly polys around our house, but I did find the girls one this afternoon. They loved it :)

We went up to the Caledonia Elementary School's spring carnival with my good friend, Michelle and her little boy, Loren. The girls had a blast playing fun little games and winning fun little prizes.

Then we went to the Ola J. Pickett park for "Movie on the Mound". Talk about fun! The park rented a giant inflatable movie screen and projector from Alarm One in Columbus and played "Bedtime Stories" tonight. They set it all up on a baseball field, hence the name "Movie on the Mound." We were there with Michelle and Loren, and my brother's family met up with us there, too. The kids had a great time (as did the parents!). Michelle is my friend who covers ALL the bases...she had a huge rubbermaid tub filled with drinks, snacks, popped popcorn (in individual bags so everyone would have their own), candy...you name it, she had it.

***Needless to say...I got NO laundry done this weekend. Take that back...I did get ONE load of bath towels washed and dried so we wouldn't have to use beach towels again :) I've got some major housework to do next week!!!***

Bippy's Here, Swingin' in Brown Mary Janes, and I Must Do Some Laundry

I think this is one of the funniest pictures of Macy that I have ever seen...I think this just might be one of the funniest pictures of anybody that I have ever seen. This is Macy's reaction to Bippy picking her up from school today. Do you think she was excited? Maybe just a wee bit :) Bippy is in town this weekend for one of her best friend from highschool's wedding. We do have to share her a little bit this visit, but that's o.k...she's HERE!!

Of course we HAD to celebrate Bippy in town with happy hour at Sonic after picking up Macy at school :)

So Lucy was looking all cutey-cute today in a polka dot skort and a pink top...THEN she INSISTED wearing her brown Mary Jane shoes to go outside and play in. I couldn't resist a picture of those chunky legs hanging out of her swing with those brown shoes on that she so adores (and I am really not sure why).

And it just MAY be time to do some laundry when you have 16 plus bath towels in the house...ALL dirty...and you have to pull out beach towels for bathtime. I really should get busy...it has just been such a beautiful week...who wants to be inside doing laundry??!! Have a happy weekend!!

Bes-A-Boo, Flowers, and a Funny Story

My sweet friend, Amy Sumrall, and her precious little girl Bes trekked out to the country yesterday to spend the day with Lucy and me. We ate it up at Mi Toro, talked until we were blue in the face (and there were a hundred and fifty things I thought about after they left...isn't that how it always goes?), and even shopped a little...if you live in the area, you should check out "The Ka*Ty Company" in downtown Caledonia...cutest little shop...cutest little shop owner...cutest canvases, jewelry, children's items, pottery, and candles (just to name a few of the things she carries). Bes was dressed just for me!! She was adorable in her TURQUOISE GINGHAM dress with a PINK "B" monogrammed on it...those colors together make me mush. Pink and turquoise is MY pink and green :) Here is Bes standing on our front porch in front of the flowers that I had Jason to put in my pots to impress Amy...just kidding...actually we have been meaning to plant something in those pots since it has gotten warmer...I know Amy loves me just the way I am...it doesn't matter what is in my pots :)
And while Bes was all into posing for some pictures for me...Lucy was into it notsomuch. I will give her a little credit for how she was behaving...within 4 seconds of Amy and Bes pulling out of the driveway, Lucy was in a deep sleep...she was T.I.R.E.D and needed an N.A.P.

Jason brought me home flowers yesterday...wasn't that sweet?? Actually his Mom had done arrangments for tables at church and was sweet to share one with me. The basket goes perfectly with my decor, and the flowers are so pretty.

As for the funny story...Lucy and I were doing some banking yesterday morning. We always have to "visit" while we are at the bank (aka loading up with candy from the "nice ladies who live at the bank."). One thing I love about my bank is that the president is like the nicest (and like the nicest-looking...I did NOT just say that, did I?) man on earth and always comes out of his office to greet us. As we're chatting, Lucy so sweetly looks up at him and says, "My Mommy is going to have a baby." Of course, he looks at me with this sweet, warm look on his face...as I am turning beet red (because Mommy is NOT having a baby) I have to say "I'm really not" to which Lucy decides to argue, "Yes you are, Mommy" to which I say "No I am not, Lucy" and the argument continues until she huffs and crosses her arms and rolls her eyes. Lucy, Lucy, Lucy.

Beautiful Weather

We have had absolutely gorgeous weather! Yesterday and today, we were outside until dark thirty...makes for some fun times and some good-sleeping little girls :) We are one month minus a day away from summer time...Macy last day of school is May 20th, so we are definitely on the countdown around here!!

This girl (Abby) loves this kind of weather too because we are outside throwing her a tennis ball every 3.2 seconds...most energetic dog I have ever seen. Notice I said "most energetic", not "most annoying". I really love her most of the time, Jason :)

This is what we see every evening from our kitchen table this time of year...the picture doesn't do it justice. The sunset is so beautiful from our backyard...every evening it is like seeing something brand new. God is so good!

And look who is on the cover of "Ladies' Home Journal" this month!

Little Miss-Matched, Dresses, A Movie, Entertaining an Angel, and Birds

Sorry for the wordy title. You are probably wondering what on earth it all means. This post may be a bit jumbled, but that's o.k. by me, after all, it is my blog and all. We have had a fun-filled, blessed weekend, and I just couldn't leave anything out :)

Here is my little Miss-Matched :) I have a thing for Garanimals clothing at Wal-Mart. The more colorful, the better. And while I prefer the colors and styles from last year over those of this year, Lucy and I still managed to find her a couple of things Thursday. Luckily, Lucy is still wearing the same size in Garanimals as she was last year, so we have plenty of options already in her "comfy clothes drawer." However, she instantly picked up these striped pink short and this striped pink shirt THAT DID NO GO TOGETHER AT ALL, but what does it matter?? The top will go with her solid color skorts from last year and the shorts will go with her solid color tops from last year...although in her mind, she has to wear THIS top and THOSE shorts TOGETHER :) And that is o.k. with me.

So while we were headed back to the children's section, I was perusing the lady's section with my big eyeballs...when I spotted these fabulous dresses...for me!! My blogger friend, Kelly from Kelly's Korner, is always talking about shopping for clothes at Wal-Mart (she lives in Arkansas...the hub of Wal-Mart) and always looks like a million bucks (although she honestly professes that she only spends a few bucks). I had been browsing walmart.com and had seen these dresses, but not knowing what size to order, I chickened out...who likes having to send something back?? So when I spotted these in our Wal-Mart, I had grabbed up about 6 dresses and was in the dressing room in about 6 seconds. Now some people I know wouldn't dare shop for clothes in Wal-Mart, and I really never thought I would find anything in Wal-Mart that I liked (o.k. loved) so much, but I am not too proud to say that I do shop in Wal-Mart. I am actually proud of the fact that I do shop in Wal-Mart for clothes for myself :) These dresses are cute, feel great, and at 14 bucks apiece...I'll take one in every color, thank you very much. So I left the store on Friday with the brown one, the black one, and the red one. I've already worn the brown one (with a long sleeve tissue tee underneath...I loveth my arms notsomuch) and the red one (which I am still wearing as I type this...wore it to church this morning, and it is just too comfy to take off).

And I just might have to have this blue one...I have shoes that will match it perfectly. That'll be this week's purchase :)

I took Macy and Lucy to see "Hannah Montana the Movie" yesterday. It was great! I was a little hesitant to go see the movie because we have a ban on the t.v. show in our house right now. I think she is a little too much of a smarty pants on the show for my girls to watch at their ages. I talked to a friend of mine who knows how I feel about the show, and she told me the movie was totally different...and it was...it was actually fabulous!! The music was great, especially the "Hoedown Throwdown", so we went straight to KMart and bought the soundtrack.

Now on to "Entertaining an Angel"...Hebrews 13:2 says "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it." I think I spoke to an angel yesterday evening...that angel came in the form of a 9 year old brown-haired little boy wearing a red Atlanta Braves t-shirt and denim shorts. I didn't notice his shoes, but I would suspect they were worn tennis shoes showing the signs of the many miles that boy had trekked outside. This little boy was the nicest most polite little fellow I've ever met...he took my hand and wanted to know my name and if I would like to come over to his house for dinner...he was having fish and would love for me to join him. I had never seen this little boy in my life...I know of his family and know some of them o.k...but I never knew this little boy...until now. And I think I am a different person for the few minutes that I was around him last night.

As for the birds...I painted these canvases on a whim...they actually have about a hundred coats of paint on them, because they started out as one thing, then they were something different...neither thing was I really crazy about. So now I have pink birds with brown feathers on a green background. I want them to have on the front doors, but Jason says "chickens" won't look right on our french country-syle house. He is not so crazy about anything hanging on our doors, although I love the cozy feeling it gives when you drive up in our driveway. I really love the verse and specially chose it with Jason's help..."O give thanks unto the Lord; for He he good: for His mercy endureth forever." Psalm 136:1 Maybe I'll hang them in the girls' hallway or playroom...what do you think?

Hope ya'll had a wonderful weekend. We're looking forward to a great week! My laundry room is calling my name very loudly, so off I go to tend to some clothes...my favorite household chore!!

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday to Aunt Leslie! We hope you have had a wonderful day!! We love you!!

Mud, Steam, Cutie-Patooties, and Sweet Silhouettes

I am missing the storyline of one of my most favoritest reruns "Reba" on Lifetime because I cannot get over the cuteness of this picture :) Lucy is into making some mudpies, BIG TIME, and I think this picture is priceless. It is going to be the first picture that I e-mail to my Nana...yes...I said E-MAIL my Nana. (Jennifer Cavender, I am sure your mouth just hit the floor...I am laughing just thinking about your face right now). My (almost) 98 year old grandmother has hit the world wide web and has her very own e-mail address! Maybe I can teach her a thing or two about blogging :) Oh, and Heidi...we southerners not only know how to fish in smocked dresses, we also know how to dig in the dirt and make mudpies in them too :)
It bothers me NOT that my girls love writing on my bathroom mirrors when they are steamy. Bippy...these pictures are for you...Macy sends you a heart, and Lucy spelled your name...with no help! She is ALL into spelling words lately, and her favorite letter is "Y"...I must get to thinking of a "Y is for ???" craft! Any suggestions?

My little cutie-patooties :)

These just might be the cutest Easter egg candies I have ever seen...cute colors and polka dots...can chocolate get much cuter?? Let me say that I have taken the week off of Weight Watchers, and quite frankly, I am eager to start counting points again...tomorrow morning. I have eaten more chocolate, peeps, skittles, and cheese puffs (not to mention cookies, monkey bread, and mexican food...did I mention we have a Mi Toro in Caledonia??) and consumed more Coca-Cola Classic than I care to think about right now. It is all in a ploy to make myself sick of eating, so getting back in the WW groove won't be so hard. I am actually craving lemon water right now because I haven't had a sip since this time last week. I am probably going to throw my body into some sort of shock come tomorrow morning, but it needs it!!

Let me tell you about some of the sweetest pieces of art I have in my house (besides the artwork by my children)...SILHOUETTES. Clay Rice is a world renowned silhouette artist who comes to the Carousel once a year to create these masterpieces. If you have never had one done of your child...do it this year! If you have had these done every year...do it AGAIN this year! These are timeless pieces of art that will never go out of style. I love them. I love comparing them each year when I have new ones done. I just love them...have I already said that? Clay Rice will be at the Carousel in downtown Columbus on Monday, May 11th from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Appointments are made every 5 minutes. To make your appointment, call the Carousel @ 662-327-1101 or e-mail Megan and Donna at info@thecarouselkids.com

Have I mentioned I love these things?? You will too!!