Rainy, lazy days

Well, nothing extremely exciting has been going on around here lately. No mower incidents, celebrity sightings, nothing!! I have a sick baby girl, but other than that...just no good blogging material. Emma is still enjoying school! She is learning her vowels in cursive - she is really a neat writer. And she could hardly wait to get into the van yesterday before telling me that one little boy in her class had to move his card ALL THE WAY to red! (It's a stoplight and they start on green every day, move to yellow, then red, if they don't behave.) She was tripping over herself to be able to tell about what he did! His infraction - choking her cousin Logan for NO REASON! "Honest, mom, Logan was just sitting on the reading carpet, obeying the teacher, and Matthew just decides to start choking Logan! Logan couldn't breath and so I raised my hand (I told her next time there's a life or death situation, just speak up!) and told the teacher that Logan couldn't breath!" There is the first "plus" to having Logan and Emma in the same class!!

Maley has been not feeling good the past 2 days. We are usually a very well bunch, but since I've started blogging I've had 2 sick girls, hmmmm - is this a coincidence?!? Trying to get mama's attention?!? She has been in her pj's the past 2 days (different ones, with a bath in the middle :P But yesterday I went to get her up and she didn't have any underwear on under her pj bottoms. I asked why and got the very simple, "Because I don't want to." She didn't feel good, so I cut her a little slack and didn't fight with her to put any on - we were just staying home and she did have pants on! But I think that she enjoyed going commando and little too much. It was a small battle to get the underwear on her today! We went to get Emma yesterday from school and she wanted to get out. I said, "No, you don't feel good and you have pj's on and no panties! I will just hop out and open the door for Emma." "Why, mama, you have panties on?" Yes - I guess you can't get out of the car unless you have panties on!! I knew about the "clean underwear in case of an accident" rule, this must be a new one to add!

Well, we have had the effects of this tropical storm, or whatever it is. Rain, rain for the past couple days. Makes justifying a nap in the afternoons sooooo much easier. The good thing is is that we are far enough inland that all we usually get is a little wind and rain. Nothing to be too concerned over.

Something else - we just finished watching Pollyanna the other night - highly recommend that movie if you've never seen it. (Just between us - Scott actually enjoyed it, too!) Since it's been so rainy, we had it for the girls to watch with popcorn the other night and I told Scott to just sit with us and he could go to sleep. We could only watch 1/2 of it the first night and once we got the girls in bed Scott asked if we could finish watching it - it had him on the edge of his seat!!! It is a very cute movie and nothing to be concerned over young ears hearing. Emma thought their telephone was funny and we loved seeing all the women in their hats - some were awfully big, though. Anyway, I think we're going to get the old "Shaggy Dog" and the "Shaggy DA" for the weekend. I'm sorta enjoying all the rain after so much sun, heat and humidity! Looking soooo forward to the fall - that's my favorite time.

Anyway, it's time for lunch and I've heard myself ramble enough. I will try to do better in the near future with keeping up to date.

First Day of School

So, my girl is off to school. (I wish I had a picture I could post - she was so excited with her new book bag!) She is sooooooo happy to be going back. We decided instead of getting Maelynn up and making a hectic morning more hectic, Scott would just take her in like normal and I would say my good-byes here. He just called to say that she gave him a quick kiss and hug and then walked right into her class. She knows alot of the kids in her class from last year so that is good and her cousin, Logan, is in her class this year. There are only 12 kids in her class, but there are 2 kindergartens - I'm not sure how many are in the other class. She really likes her new teacher and is excited for that.

Emma always likes to make cards for everybody - I probably get 5 cards a day. Yesterday she was in her room and had made a card and brought it to show me and silly me, thought it was mine. But she had made it for her new teacher to give to her last night at orientation. That's my girl, get in good early!!!

I am so happy for her and it makes me feel good as a mom that she is able to walk right in to those situations and have the self-confidence to meet the world. There was one of her friends last night that didn't want to sit in her seat and was shy, standing by her mom and Emma walks into the room and finds her seat and seats down and then I see Grace sit in her seat, across from Emma. Grace's mom told me afterward that Grace did not want to sit down until she saw that Emma was there and would be across from her. (Can you tell I'm proud of my girl?)

She is alot like Scott - she is a leader and we try to make her aware of that and to always do what is right and to be respectful because people do look at her. Well I must end, I need to get my other girl up and ready. It won't be long and we will need to go get the school girl. I can't wait to hear about her day, I'll probably pass the details onto you!

Lost: One Sister-in-law with brown curly hair

Has anyone seen Tracy? Rumor has it that she went to Nova Scotia, there have been actual sightings, but I've yet to find her. If she is, indeed, OK and able to get to a computer, please give us a sign so we know that you are still with us and that your burn has not gotten the better of you!

**I want to see some pictures of your trip ;)

I am a sad Mama

Well, today is the last day of summer vacation and Emma will be starting kindergarten tomorrow. I am having such a hard time with this. She went to pre-school last year and I don't remember being this poopy then, but she only went 3 mornings a week and this year it will be EVERY DAY!! Boohoo...

Thankfully, her school has started 1/2 days this year so she will still be able to come home at noontime to eat lunch with us and have some time. That is the only factor that is keeping me from breaking down. By next week, everything will be OK, but still...

It hit me yesterday that we are 1/3 of the way to 18!!! How scary is that? We only have to do what we have just done one more time and she will be 12 years old. That frightens me. And then the teen years...auuuugggghhhhhh! My sweet little girl will turn into a monster (I know I'm being dramatic) She is such a sweet little girl. Yesterday we got all her stuff together for school. I put Maelynn to nap and we sat down and she had all of her stuff gathered on the floor around her and she looked at me and said the words I love to hear..."Ok, mama, let's organize this!" We got her pencils sharpened, glue, crayons, erasers, scissors...all her things labeled and into her pencil bags and her brand new book bag and she's ready to go - I'm just not. I will not cry in front of her tomorrow, it will only make her sad, I will wait until they leave and then I will have my own pity party just for myself. And then before I know it, it will be 11:30 and I will be able to go get my girl. And, of course, I will have a little bundle of energy to distract me from my pity party, called Maelynn!

On to other things - last night I went to my sister's for a jewelry party. Maelynn came down and saw that I was getting ready and said, "Where oo goin?" To a party. "With us?" No. "Why?" Because it's just for mommy's. "Why?" Because it just is. "Oo leave us here by meself?" No, silly, I'm going to wait for daddy to come home to keep you. (Big smile and starts to laugh) "Oh, good. Emma keep me." No, Emma can't keep you yet - daddy will be home soon. "OK." Then, when I got home I went up to kiss them and Emma wanted to know who was there, what we ate, did I have pop, what I bought...and Maelynn was just glad to see me. I walked into her room and she said, "Oo home now. Good, I sleep." And she needed a "rug" (hug) and a kiss. We laugh at that all the time - a rug and a kiss before we leave. So, it's nice to come home to such a welcoming!

Ok - I may need some more therapy later, this has helped to give myself a little pep talk before tomorrow! Until then ~

Happy 30th Birthday, Tracy

We hope that you have a great 30th birthday! We wish that we could see you today. Have fun at the water park and we will call you later today. The girls want to sing to you :) Have a great day!

We love you!
Scott, Christy, Emma and Maelynn

I am inspired by Lyndsie...

I am not ashamed that I am hopelessly and embarrasingly addicted to celebrities...

When we were in NYC we went to see "Chicago" and Wayne Brady was in it (from Whose Line Is It Anyway?) and I waited in line after to get his autograph (Scott thought I was ridiculous) but he dutifully held the camera for a picture. Did I mention that we were the only ones in line that was under the age of 65? And Scott and our friend were the only 2 males in line? Anyway, when I got up there to Mr. Brady my neck had turned 15 shades of red and he was like, "Did you enjoy the show?" "Uh-huh." "Do you like NYC?" "Uh-huh." "Do you want my autograph?" "Uh-huh." (Because I was still holding the program and had not handed it to him. I was just standing there just staring at him.) And on and on - you get the picture. The picture Scott took of me and WAYNE - I look like a deer in the headlights. I was so excited, I got on the phone to my sister and was like screaming telling her about it and she is like, "WHO? I don't think I know who that is." Boy, that did not make me happy - you want someone to know who you are talking about and be ENVIOUS! I called my mom, same situation, "I don't know who that is." Talk about getting your bubble burst. Anyway, I'm going to see if I can find the picture for your viewing pleasure (or laughter)!!!

(Go ahead and laugh)

My day...

1- Got up
2- Had a shower
3- Had a cup of coffee
4- Got Maelynn up and dressed
5- Got Emma up, sick so I gave her medicine
6- Cousins came to play
7- Emma laid on the couch
8- Emma still in her pj's at lunch time
9- Got lunch ready
10- Put Maelynn down for a nap
11- Tucked Emma in for a nap, laid down beside her since she is sick. Woke up 2 HOURS LATER with my arm asleep from being crunched onto a twin bed with Emma and her 10 blankets and 8 stuffed animals
12- Fixed supper
13- Cleaned up throw up
14- Continued supper
15- Cleaned up throw up
16- Ate supper, Emma asleep on the couch, still in pj's, finally not throwing up
17- Maley and Scott is reading a book
18- Cut cucumbers off my plant
19- Mom & Dad stopped by
20- Went for a walk with Mom and Maley
21- Cleanded up throw up
22- Put Maley to bed
23- Put Emma to bed
24- Got Emma up
25- Put Emma to bed on our floor
26- Cleaned up throw up
27- Blogging
28- BED

How exciting is that?!?

Just to make you laugh...

At age 4 success is . . . not piddling in your pants.

At age 12 success is . . . having friends.

At age 17 success is . . having a drivers licence.

At age 35 success is . . having money.

At age 50 success is . . . having money.

At age 70 success is . .. . having a drivers licence.

At age 75 success is . . . having friends.

At age 80 success is . . . not piddling in your pants.

HAHAHAHA!

Maley's boo-boo

Maelynn fell from her trike onto the driveway...the bath was very painful :( (It looks worse in real life) She is trying to look especially pitiful while Emma doesn't have a care in the world!! I told her I wanted a picture so I could put it on the computer so everyone could see her boo-boo. She said, "Aunt Tacy?" Yes. "Unca James?" Yes. "Unca James say, poor Maelynn Grace." She sure knows how to get the sympathy!!

After a hard night of playing and push mowing!!! AAAUUUGGHHH!!! Maley still looking very pitiful...

Back by popular demand...

Ok, Ok, I've had a busy weekend. And I just couldn't take Emma's cute face off of the first slot just yet! We did nothing earth-shattering this weekend, just relaxed by sleeping in Saturday (until 10:30!!!) playing, sitting by the pool, shopping and going to church. Emma and Maelynn went to my sister's church for their VBS Friday & Saturday nights, so Scott and I had some time to just go out to eat together (2 nights in a row!), catch up with old friends and buy some new perfume!! (I love Victoria's Secret!) By the way, who is Victoria and what is her secret?

So, for my funny story of the day...
I LOVE to mow! I love everything about it! Occasionally I'll do it during the day while the kids are playing so Scott doesn't have to do it when he gets home. And we just bought a new ride-on mower that I love to use!! So, Scott said that he was going to mow tonight, so I asked him if I could help. (He said, "Sure, enjoying push mowing!" He was, of course, kidding) So, we are working away as a team. He is cutting out with the push mower, I am enjoying my view from the ride-on and then I hear a loud bang. I stop, turn around, see that it was not a small child that I had ran over and so kept going. The mower didn't sound like it was running quite right, but it was still moving forward, so onward-ho. (I'm slightly worried, but Scott evidently did not hear the bang and so I was trying to act casual.) I then come to an uneven patch by the swingset and it gets stuck - in a place it normally goes right over. I immediately cut the thing off and look behind me. I am mortified. Scott's very nicely manicured lawn has got a strip cut through the side yard, down the back to where I am sitting. I had bent the blade WAY back in the front yard and had been mowing unevenly, so I scalped a line in the yard. I put my head onto the steering wheel and said a very urgent prayer (I'm paraphrasing here but something like, "Please don't let Scott kill me. Please let me look up and the grass has grown back.") Well, it hadn't when I looked up so I figured I needed to go and face the music. So, I very humbly walk to the driveway where my loving husband is and I say very bluntly -- I had decided on the blunt tactic while walking my last mile from where the lawn mower had stopped -- and said, "I broke the mower." He said, "What?" I said, "I broke the mower." He starts laughing, "How?" And so I tell him, I don't know what I hit - we always run over the water meter thing in the ground and never had this happen before!!! So, I'm standing with my head in my hands and Scott says, "That's alright. Let's go look." He's finishing up what he is doing, I'm devastated and I hear him singing under his breath, "Just the way you look tonight..." I started to smile - I was going to live another day!!!! That is just the kind of wonderful husband I have. He never gets upset at the stupid, silly things that only I could do! We both had run over the exact same spot every week of every summer and THIS is the time that it bends the blade!!! On the NEW MOWER!! So, we go and look at it and Scott reassures me that it's no big deal, it can be fixed, don't worry! And so, now my lovey husband is out there finishing up our yard with the push mower. What a guy!

One, two, tie my shoe...

I love teaching my kids things. I love feeling that feeling of knowing I've explained something well and PATIENTLY and then seeing that little light going off in their eyes and it CLICKING. I just taught Emma to tie her shoes!!!! In this day of velcro, flip flops, slipping Skechers on, I had sorta forgotten that she didn't know how to tie a shoelace yet. I had to dig out an old pair of shoes that I don't wear anymore (that actually has shoe laces!) and showed her and she did it the first time!!!!! She is so excited to show Scott, but I thought I would come down and share the good news. She is just beaming with her new found skill!!! Way to go, Emma!!!

Tea in a mug

We had strawberry shortcake last night for dessert and our tea was in a mug. Sorry, can't find pretty tea cups around here. We drink our ice tea from Mason jars....hahahahahaha.

Todd Agnew's in Town!

Emma is so excited that the "real man" is going to be in concert singing. August 27th we're going to Mt. Airy (yes, if you have ever seen the Andy Griffith Show that's the same) to hear him...and the best part for mama - IT'S FREE! We're excited. I don't usually get too into particular artists, but he is really good. He writes all his own songs, which I like. Someone isn't just singing someone else's words to make a good song - but it comes from their heart. Anyway, Erin did you get around to listening to your CD? Hope you enjoyed it, if you have. I'm feeling poopy today, so I have nothing extremely exciting to write. I've been trying to think of a blog all day and you see what I've come up with - NOTHING. So, I must go get the corn ready for supper - oh I could give you my corn recipe...it's the best. Sounds like it would be yucky, but really good, if you like corn.

Parmesan Corn
8 ears of corn (duh)
limes cut into 4ths
Parmesan cheese
mayo (Real mayo not the low fat yucky stuff)

Pull the husks down and take the silk off of the corn and pull the husk back up. Soak in water for at least 5 minutes. Grill on the barbeque ~10-15 minutes. Remove husks (you're hands will burn off, you may want to wait, we never can though) Then put the mayo on, sprinkle the cheese and squeeze the lime all over. So very good on a hot summer night when you're not really hungry.

Well, I'm off. Has anyone tried the Monkey Bread yet? Send me some funnies...I'm not feeling very funny today :(

Monkey Bread, Part 2

My sister, Amanda, asked me to make Monkey Bread last night for her husband's birthday. It is his favorite dessert and this would be his "cake" after Cracker Barrel. No problem! I had my timer set on my stove to come on at 8:00 pm and to bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees, had the coffee pot set to start perking at 8:15 pm so when we came in the dessert would be just finishing baking, the house would smell of dessert and fresh coffee. We arrived at 8:30 pm, everything was just as it should be. The kids were playing, the coffee perking, the Bread baking...just like Better Homes and Garden. Right. Anyway, at 8:35 I take the Bread out of the oven, perfectly done, wait the proper amount of time before flipping it onto my platter. Perfect. Then I ask Amanda, do you want me to put candles on it (since it is his "birthday cake") "Sure, just put 5 or 6" So, I do. The kids need us for something so we leave the kitchen to attend to the darlings. We come back in, and my candles are flopped onto their side. "Who did this to my candles?" My mom thinks, "Looks like something Scott would do", but doesn't say that. "I don't know who did this to my candles, but it's not funny." I go to set the candles upright and (you probably already know what happened - it takes me a minute with some things) THE CANDLES HAD MELTED IN THE CAKE. ALL THAT WAS LEFT WAS THE STRING. (If I had a digital camera, there would be a picture to go along with this entry). I looked at my mom and said, "You know I will blog about this tomorrow." We ate the Monkey Bread - there were some parts that were a little bit "waxier" than others!

**So, the moral of the story, if you are using the Monkey Bread as a birthday cake, WAIT until it cools to put the candles on. Or do what we ended up doing, letting Emma, Maelynn and Logan each hold a candle and letting Kyle blow it out that way. My dear, sweet sister looks at me and says, "Good thing you didn't put all 29 candles in." Thanks, Amanda.

Monkey Bread

2 packages Pillsbury buttermilk biscuit dough
2/3 cup butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
1 cup brown sugar

Quarter biscuit dough; shake in a bag with cinnamon and white sugar. (I always have to sprinkle more cinnamon in the bag once I've put about 16 quarters in, if they start looking more white than brown, put more cinnamon in). Put in a well greased bundt pan. Mix brown sugar and butter in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Pour brown sugar mixture over biscuits. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes. Immediately remove pan to cool. Cool about 5-10 minutes before flipping it onto a plate.

Hope everyone enjoys.

The Benson Gang

I think everybody knows all of these happy people

This is my mom in the black and my sister, Amanda and her husband, Kyle. The lady in the background with the Minnie Ears...no idea. We were waiting for the 4th of July firewords. Maley was enjoying a big treat from Gramie!

Link list

I don't know about all of you, but my fingers are tired of typing in everyone's blog address when I want to catch up with you. Does anyone mind if I put their link on my page so I can just click your link and save me some arthritis in my joints? Just let me know if you care or not. And I don't mind being added to your list, if you want. I need all the blogging buddies I can get (as long as your sane and not on the insane list) I'm off to get ready to go to Cracker Barrel for supper for my brother-in-law's birthday. I haven't been there in so long! And I've made Monkey Bread for after, yummy! Until later ~

OK, did any of you see this too?

OK, Proverbs ladies, let me just say that yesterday morning, my mouth fell open. Did anyone else see this?!? Proverbs 6:16-19? "There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: 1) a proud look, 2) a lying tongue, 3) and hands that shed innocent blood, 4) a heart that devises wicked plans, 5) feet that run rapidly to evil, 6) a false witness who utters lies, AND 7) one who spreads strife among the brothers." (Numbers and capitalization added by me). OK - I have never taken the time to look at this list...OK, don't be proud, don't lie, don't kill,...wait a second. Pride and lying and gossiping (spreads strife among the brothers) is up there on the list with KILLING?!? I'm sorry, that was an "enlightening moment" (thanks, Charmin, for the term) for me. We have just been through something at our old church that no person within a body of believers should have to go through. Of course, when I saw the lying and the strife spreading I thought of one female in particular that has done just that in this situation, but then the Lord pointed the finger at me. Have I been adding to the strife by reliving it, by trying to "clear my name" instead of leaving it alone? Just letting the Lord handle it in His time? By secretly wishing bad things on her and her family? As Jesus was being tried and crucified did He try to "clear His name" even though He knew He was right? Did He think, "Well, one day you will get what you deserve"? No! (and trust me, I am not Jesus, but we are supposed to aspire to be like Him) And I have a long way to go. I had never thought that the Lord HATES these, that in our eyes killing is the worst possible sin, but according to this in His eyes, pride, lying, a wicked heart, a false witness and gossiping is right up there with "the worst of the worst". WOW.

I will have to say that reading Proverbs was well worth that insight. I'm sure that there will be more to come.

WHERE IS EVERYONE?

Does anyone even know how sad this is? Who do I have to blame for this? It's a Saturday night, my svelte husband is upstairs, all alone, and I am so tired I can hardly hold my eyes open, but still I sit on my bum at this computer constantly hitting "refresh" hoping someone will have posted a new blog, or a new comment. Is there a bloggers anonymous group I could attend instead? Scott is IMing me from UPSTAIRS! to talk to me. What kind of technology age are we living in? Who is responsible for introducing me to blogging???? And why can't I turn the thing off? I just keep typing. Someone help me - I can't turn my eyes away.......................

Disney pictures

You can tell all Maelynn wanted to do was see "Prince Charming"!

They were so excited!!

Scott thought she was creepy!

On the Monorail together.

Emma on the monorail in FL

The 3 "goofs"

Back to School Shopping!

Well, we did it! Emma is ready for school. My mom and I took her shopping today and she felt like the queen of the world. It was a real blessing for the 2 paying because it was a tax-free weekend on clothing and school items! Which would mean a whole bigger savings for my Canadian friends! (I do not miss that outrageous % of taxes!) She got some new skirts and tops, matching headbeads and tights, of course, and new tennis shoes (sneakers) and Mary Janes. She was on cloud 9. She loved coming home and showing daddy and trying things on and twirling (the girl needs twirling skirts!). She was in a panic trying to decide what to wear tomorrow to church! We had a great day. Next year we will need to plan 2 days since Maelynn will be starting pre-K. Of course Nana had to buy 2 new outfits for Maley - she couldn't feel left out!! We had a great day and a restful night at home watching Tom & Jerry. What a classic!

Inside pictures

Our kitchen table (scott has done all the painting) he did a great job!

Maelynn's room (it's purple with flowers and butterflies) She is proud of it!

Emma's room (it's ladybugs) sorry it's so dark. she is sitting here with me and was excited to get her picture on here.

Our bathroom

Grocery Shopping

I am a little weird, I buy groceries only once a month. This takes planning and a whole day of stress, but then it is done. Only 12 times a year - this is my justification. But I have to make a menu of what we will eat each night and a grocery list (with categories and aisle by aisle of what I need). And we're talking major workout to push 2 buggies FULL and load them, unload them, bag them, reload them, load them into the car, carry them into the house and put them away. But what a good feeling I have now with a house full of groceries and another month of not worrying about it. Yesterday, I was dreading it, today I am glad it's over. Without fail, the cashier always says some snitty comment (whew, had to make sure I didn't have a typo on that word). "how many people are you buying for?" "do you like in the boonies?" "why do you have so much food?" "I was just heading home." And people will push their buggies quickly into my line because nobody is ever behind me and see my 2 carts, make a nasty face and back out of the line. A girl could get a complex, ya know. Anyway, grocery shopping is done for another month - YIPPEE!!

More outside pics

These are my herbs and massive cucumber plant. I did not realize that they spread so much!



And our backyard.

Our home, outside pictures

Since most of you have not seen our place down in the sweltering summer heat, I thought I would post some. Anytime you want to visit...probably my Canadian friends would prefer our winters for a visit :-)

I have other pictures, but this crazy thing is taking FOREVER. Does it usually take awhile? Everytime I try to do 3 pic it seems to lock up - or am I not being patient? Haven't read that in Proverbs yet to work on it. Couple more days before I have to work on it, I guess. More pictures later, I'm sure you're on the edge of your seat, biting your nails.

Australians and Guns

Quick post (I'm skipping doing my grocery list and I must get back upstairs before I get caught...does this sound like addiction, anyone?) Anyway, I put a radio/alarm clock in Emma's room yesterday (she's horrible to get up and when school starts I will need the aid of electronics). So, I put it on our BBN station last night because at that time classical music was playing. This morning Emma was listening to her 1965 radio (and feeling very much like a "teenager, not a 5-year-old") and came downstairs with a serious expression on her face. "Mama, there has been an accident in Greensboro". "Oh", I say, "hope everyone is OK." (Remembering at this point that BBN is mostly all news in the AM hours). As she gets ready to walk upstairs she turns around and says, "And people in Australia want to have more guns." I will end on that note...

Displayed for all the world to see

For 31 years I have been trying to beat my dad at Putt Putt (or mini-golf, for my Canadian friends). Well, it has been done...This is a little blurry, but I have been waiting for the right public moment to share in my triumph. What better way than on MY OWN blog where I have full editing privledges. If you will notice, I beat him by a full 9 strokes. I love friendly competitiveness. (If anyone sees an addition error which is not in my favor - please keep it to yourself - I don't want to have to eat crow after this :-)

Chirp, Chirp

What is the worst sound to be woken up by at 2:00 AM? It's the batteries going dead in the fire alarm RIGHT ABOVE YOUR HEAD. And it only chirps every 2 minutes so you are actually thinking maybe it has decided that it will, in fact, not go dead and 2 AM and you're drifting off to sleep only to hear CHIRP. So, I go get a chair out of the kitchen (in the dark) and very quietly carry it into the bedroom and climb up on it (in the dark) and am trying to figure out how to open the thing (in the dark) without waking up Scott. He awakes and thinks its Emma (no just your crazy wife standing on a chair at 2:00 AM in the dark above your head). So, I can turn on a light now - still can't get the crazy thing to be quiet and so now Scott does have to get up and figure it out. (Why do these things never start to go dead in the AFTERNOON?) So Scott gets the thing off (rips it off) and gets the battery out of it. Lay back down and get cozy and the thing CHIRPS again from the bathroom with NO BATTERY IN IT. The thing was possessed! So, Scott gets back up and takes the thing downstairs to the basement and covers it over with a bunch of pillows - maybe it will die now. Then we go back to sleep and I have a dream about an alligator in my parents backyard who can climb trees...Yes, climbs trees...THIS is my life. I woke up at 3:30 scared of a tree-climbing alligator. Scott laughed this morning when I told him (yeah, its funny in the light of day, but pretty spooky at 3:30). Sorry, no pictures to go along with this blog - Emma could probably draw a pretty mean looking tree-climbing alligator though.

More pictures...

This picture was taken while Emma was getting ready for Tracy's wedding. I just love it!
While we were in Nova Scotia the last time...
Meet my dad...he forgot to come to the princess party dressed up...we had to make do. I thought this would embarrass him!!!

I have my 9 rolls of film...Beware!

This is Maelynn's 3rd birthday party - a princess tea party. All the little girls came dressed as a princess...

My Newest Babies...

Who knew I was a gardener. First year I've tried my green thumb with vegetables and we have been well supplied this summer with cucumbers. Next year I will try some more. These were my firstborn twins...

My mom is cool!

My mom now is blogging (last week when I told her about mine, she went "WHAT is that?" And now she has herself set up and running. She's linked in as Nana's Corner, she's super cool!

Out of the mouth of babes...

Is this a hint? Maelynn touched my leg tonight and crinkled her nose and said, "Ouch, it bite me!" It's only been 1 day, kid!

YEAH - I know how to fix my links!

I'm so excited that I figured out how to fix my links. Problem: I have nothing to link it to. You can see Emma's school that Scott and I have designed the website for...small side hobby of mine. If I think of other links, I know how to do it now. i love figuring out things on my own, it makes me feel smart!!

Grace Like Rain

It's amazing how often we sing hymns in church and not really pay attention to the words we are singing. Scott and I have discovered this awesome artist, Todd Agnew, and listen to his songs constantly. (How awesome it is to hear a 5 and 3 year old singing along with songs from the backseat) Today I was taking the girls to a movie and we were listening to this artist and he has this song, "Grace Like Rain" where he sings "Amazing Grace" but with a different melody than what we are used to singing with an added chorus. It is amazing that just changing the beat of the song could make me stop and take notice, more than just singing the same rote song that I have been singing since I was 3! And when you stop and think of the words - I almost had to stop the van. Just take a little read:

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now I'm found
Was blind but now I see so clearly

Hallelujah, grace like rain falls down on me
Hallelujah, all my stains are washed away, washed away.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Hallelujah, grace like rain falls down on me
Hallelujah, all my stains are washed away, washed away

When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing Your praise
Than when we first begun.

Hallelujah, grace like rain falls down on me
Hallelujah, all my stains are washed away, washed away.

WOW - there's nothing left to say...until another time...