Memorial Day Weekend

Wow! What a blur of fun these past 4 days have been! Thursday morning started out by me going to the gym for my last (augh!!) workout before our little “vacation” began. Then it was back home for a quick shower and we were off. Me, my mom, my grandma and Brooklyn were all going to my nephew’s high school graduation 3 hrs. away. But first, we dropped Grant off at my good friend, Amos’s house so he could stay home with daddy that night. (Thank you so much Amy!) He wasn’t too sure what was going on and when daddy came to pick him up after work that day…he was not very happy that us girls had left and went without him.
We got to our hotel in just enough time to get changed and head off to the graduation ceremony. I wondered as we sat there in the muggy, standing-room-only auditorium if ANYone, included the 269 graduates, enjoyed this…!!?? I mean, most of those kids are probably just ready to get out of there…and all of the friends and family, at least everyone I could see, looked bored and were fanning themselves with the graduation program paper. It’s a shame that such a special event has become such a “ritual.” (here's a pic of my nephew, the graduate-Christian with his girlfriend, Lauren who is a model!)Anyhow, after that we went to his graduation party at Buffalo Wild Wings. It was fun. They have a trivia game that the whole restaurant can play by using little hand held buzzers and reading the trivia questions on the over-head TV screens. Very cool.
Friday I did get up and go to the hotel’s fitness room for a 20 minute jog, some push ups and a little bit of weights. Then me and Brooklyn went and checked out the pool. I jumped in where it said 5’ thinking that my head would be above water. But…no, instead I went right under, and since I wasn’t holding my breath or holding my nose---I think I sucked in half the pool. Ewww! Plus, I felt like SUCH a dork! There were lots of people in there and I probably looked like I was about to barf with all the coughing and sputtering I did after that! Ha ha
After that we spent the day hanging with my family and did a little shopping. It was a great, relaxing day. I even managed to fit in one of my P90X videos that afternoon! Woohoo!
MEANWHILE, while I was doing all that, Matt and Grant got up early Friday morning and headed North 2 hours to pick up our new boat! Thankfully, Grant slept the whole way there. As soon as Matt pulled onto the road with the boat, he got a flat tire (on the boat trailer) and had to pull over on the side of the road and change it. (stink!) Once they got home and unloaded the boat and put the cover on it, they loaded up all their stuff and headed 3 hours South to where me and Brook were. He met up with us at my brother’s house and had dinner.
That night we headed over to my MIL’s house to spend the night and I ended up sleeping on the couch because the kids watched Jumangi before bed and were too scared to sleep. I woke up feeling HORRIBLE. Totally sick to my stomach, achy neck, skin felt raw and sore and I had no energy whatsoever. Like seriously, brushing my teeth wore me out. I don’t know what was up, but I dealt with that all day long until it all finally culminated into one miserable moment at Wal-Mart later that day. I made a mad dash for the bathroom and I believe I may have lost a few pounds in there. That afternoon we had lunch at Matt’s grandma’s house and got to visit with her a little. Matt’s little brother was there with his wife too so that was nice. Later that night I was still feeling pretty miserable so Matt and his grandma laid hands on me and prayed for me and almost immediately I started feeling better. By this morning (the next day) I woke up feeling GREAT! Not just “better” but totally terrific and full of energy. I have no idea what the problem was yesterday but I am SO glad it’s over! (Thank you Lord for healing!) Today we went to church with my MIL—which is also the church Matt and I were married at. It was a little weird at first….we haven’t been there in a long time, but it only took a minute to feel like we were back at home with all the people we’ve known (but haven’t seen) in so many years. There is something to be said about small towns, that’s for sure. People are definitely more down to earth and friendly than what we’re used to (for the most part).
Anyhow after church we had lunch with Matt’s mamaw and then we headed to the park for a little party for Grant’s birthday and Jaxon, our nephew’s, birthday. We got a Spiderman cake and some drinks and it was a lot of fun. My kids SURE do love their cousins. I don’t know if being related has anything to do with it or not…but they have more fun with them than any other kids ever. Too bad we live so far away….
Anyhow, that’s what we’ve been up to.
Tomorrow, Memorial Day, we are going to take the new boat out on the lake and test it out. I hope it’s everything we’ve dreamed it would be! Hope you’re having a great long weekend and will take a second to thank God for the soldiers who have given their lives for our freedom.

Here's a pic of Brooklyn--always posing! Here's Jaxon, celebrating #6 and Grant, celebrating #4. Happy Birthday you Big Boys!
Grant, a.k.a. Bible Man!! (new BibleMan mask, cape and sword!)
Buddies! Coco, Brooklyn, Jax and Grant on the slide.
My hunky monkey!
Here's a pic of all the Jones men! Cale, Grant, G.P. Jaxon & Matt.

And here's a pic of all the women in the group. Lindsay, Me, Laura and Mamaw Ruth.
Mr. Jones and me! Like teenagers--so in love we can't keep our hands off each other!
And here's more of the gang! Larry and Tara (matt's little sis), Laura (matt's mom) Matt, me, Brook and Grant.

Kids!! Gotta Love Em'!

At this very moment, I am laying out on my lounge chair getting a tan while I type a post on my blog and my kids are in the FREEZING ICE COLD swimming pool!! How cool is that!!??!! I cannot believe the kids are in the pool! The water is at about 73 degrees right now...which might not sound "that" bad...but I promise you...it is! About 82 is where I like the water to be. I would get in if it were 80..and at 86..it's starting to get too warm. But no way on earth could you get me in there right now! But you know how kids are...nothing bothers them like it does us old fogeys. The pic of the 2 girls is Brooklyn (the shorter one) and her friend from next door, Taylor-also a red head.)
Speaking of kids, I took Grant for his 4 yr. check up this afternoon. He is such a scrawny little fella. He's fiesty...but skinny. He's at the 15th percentile for his weight and at the 60th percentile for his height. Tall and slim...what every WOMAN wants! ha ha
While we were there, the doctor asked me if he had ever had his you-know-what's checked to see if they had descended. I said no...as he has not had a well child check since he was about 18 mo. old. She said we probably needed to go ahead and do it and told me to tell him what was going to happen. So...first of all I sent Brooklyn out to use the restroom. Then I said, "honey, you are going to have to pull your pants down and the doctor is going to feel of your private parts and make sure everything is good and healthy, ok?" Then I pulled his pants down and she did the exam. While she was doing it, she was explaining what she was doing. She said, "You know how you have those little things down there, like marbles or little balls? Well, we have to check to make sure they are in the right place." He didn't say anything for a minute and then he looked at me with this look of utter amazement and said, "Mommy, I have BALLS??" He was so excited! ha ha ha. The doctor and I both starting laughing so hard she had to leave the room. He kept asking (and in all seriousness) "Do I really have marbles in me?" HA HA HA
On a more serious note:
After the doctor had done everything, she left the room for a minute..and I figured she was going to get his shots ready. (all FIVE of them!!) but instead she came back in with another doctor. I thought that seemed strange...but whatever. The guy started listening to his chest--front and back--high and low--over and over. Then he looks at me and says, "Yes, there is definitely a murmur there. We probably need to get that checked out with an echocardiogram." I'm like "Say WHAT?" I had no idea anything was even wrong. After he left, our doctor sat down and explained it to me a little more. Apparently a heart murmur isn't "that" big of a deal--usually. They were a little bit more concerned since he's never had anything but a perfect heart until now....and then all of a sudden..he's developed one. Anyway, they are going to call me in the morning to schedule the echocardiogram with a pediatric cardiologist. Please just keep him in your prayers that everything will come back fine. Hopefully this is just a "functional murmur" and nothing that needs any attention.
Okay, well, I better get off here and get dinner started! Love you all!

What's New?

What's new around my house? Well, here are a few things:
We bought the boat!!! We almost lost it. The guy e-mailed me last night and said he was sorry...but the first family that came and looked at it bought it. I was SO bummed. But then he e-mailed back later on and said that they'd changed their minds and that we could have first dibs on it...but that there were 7 other people wanting to come and look at it. We had already made up our mind that we were going to buy it...so we told him YES! we want it! We are going to have to finance a very small amount for probably a year. No big deal...not for the amount of fun we are going to have on this thing. Plus, I am fairly certain we could sell it at any moment if for some reason we didn't like it. But I don't see that happening. Matt is going to pick it up Friday morning!!

Matt and I both got our P90X tank tops in the mail.Also, my Uppercase Living order came in. These are the 2 I got this time: (this one is in my master bathroom in the little niche that is chocolate brown)
This is one I put upstairs in our playroom.

Boats & Bikini's

So, a friend of mine called yesterday to tell me that her neighbors are selling their boat. She knows we've been wanting one...but it's really only just been a dream. Until now. We went and looked at it this morning and now we pretty much have the "fever." We looked on Craig's list and found another one that is the same price...but is a little bit older but in better condition. We are trying to decide if its the right thing to do or not. We JUST got out of some debt by paying off the van....but this would be a very small investment as we could pay for half of it cash and would only have to finance a very small amount. Also, it would be something we could have fun with ALL summer long and even into the fall months for fishing. On one hand, I think we should wait another year or two and for now, just focus on getting out of debt. But, on the other hand, I think...the kids are at the perfect age for this right now...and I don't want to "waste" 2 or 3 more summers when we could easily afford it right now. erghh......


And, for my second subject of this post: The Bathing Suit Poll is IN.

(yes, I know, I am WAY behind...)

Anyway, it looks like the majority of us will be covering it all up this summer.

9 of you said you'll be wearing a tankini
6 said you will wear a conservative bikini--meaning boy shorts or skirt bottom
4 of you said you'll be sporting a one peice
3 people said you're taking maximum coverage by wearing a t-shirt and shorts
and 3 BRAVE people (me included) said you will be SHOWIN' YA STUFF OFF this summer in a Teeny Bikini. (of course, mine totally depends on the outcome of my P90X journey! :o)

This was a fun poll. I am glad so many of you voted. Now it's time for a new one.....hmmm....

Sunday's are SWEET!

Today has been beautiful! The weather is perfect, church was great, our lunch was awesome and now it's 5:38 pm and I am sitting down at my desk to do a little work...in the house, all by myself! Yay!

I just thought I'd show you a little project I've been working on for Brooklyn's teacher for her end-of-the-year gift. (I am the homeroom mom). I sent home a peice of special paper with each child and asked them to write a letter to their teacher on it about what they liked about this school year. Then I compiled them all into this nice notebook and then scrapbooked the front cover for her. I got a copy of their class picture in B & W and I think it turned out really cute. I've also collected $65 from the parents to purchase her a gift with. I think I will just get her a gift card so she can spend it however she likes. I did find a really cute gift bag with all different colors of paper clips on the outside of it and I also found some REALLY cute note pads,funky pencils, colored paperclips in a chinese take out box, a candle and some body butter for her to go inside the bag.

Also, I made up a little bag for each kiddo in the class with some left over snack stuff that had been donated earlier in the year. They each got a bag of chips, a kool-aid drink, a tape-roll of gum, a bottle of bubbles and some sidewalk chalk. Also, I am letting Brooklyn have an End of the Year Swim Party on June 6th for her WHOLE class!! AUGH! We are going to serve hotdogs, chips and popsicles. I have no idea how many kids will actually come...but I hope at least a FEW show up since she will be crushed if no one comes. I don't see why they wouldn't. It's practically like free babysitting since they don't have to bring anything...it doesn't cost anything..and the parents don't have to stay. We are doing it from 3 -6 pm so hopefully it will be nice outside and everyone can stay outside the whole time. (that will be one of the rules).

Anyway, here is a pic of the book I made for the teacher.

Also, yesterday we went to a picnic at our church. It was SO MUCH FUN. They had a clown there painting faces and Brooklyn got this beautiful butterfly on her face.

Here's a pic of my handsome hubby!

And finally...the pool is OPEN! It's freezing...but hey, its up and going and the water is clear and looking good! I can't WAIT till it warms up and we can get in!

Ring*** Ring***

Me: Hello?

Yes, hi. This is your new bikini calling. I just wanted to check in with you and make sure you remember that I'm still in here in your closet where you stashed me more than a month ago. I have yet to be worn. You do realize that my big day is coming, don't you?

Me: Swimsuits have a "day?"

Oh yes, it's most commonly referred to as Memorial Day, though we like to think of it as our first unveiling--the day all the public water parks open and we get to see our first rays of sun.

Me: Ohhhh...ya...that day. Uh, well, I'm not quite ready for you yet.

Alrighty then, just don't forget what a fortune you paid for me. I do expect to not only be worn...but to look good, so please, get busy doing whatever you need to, to be ready for me.

Me: {sigh} I'm workin' on it...

Hey you...your swimsuit is calling.....

Monkey?

Okay, I've heard the word "monkey" used several times in the past week or two...and none of them have meant the animal that goes oou-oou/ah-ah.
What the heck does "monkey" mean?
I've heard it said:
"We've had kisses and hugs and we've had monkey."
"You're my monkey."
"I wanna see your monkey."
"He's lookin' at my monkey."
I have several un-educated guesses...but is there some meaning out there I should be aware of? I tried looking it up on Wikipedia...but all I got was varieties of the animal.

Grant's "party"

We didn't really have a "party" for Grant's birthday this year. We just invited some friends to come play with us for a drop-in playtime at a blow-up place and then we had lunch together at McAlister's Deli. Here are a few pics from the fun.
Our first stop was a haircut for the birthday boy. I have been trying to decide whether to cut it our let it grow out into one of those cute wispy longer cuts the boys have these days...but I couldn't take the "mess" anymore...so we went short with it. Plus, he wanted it short.

My Big Boy

4 years ago on this day at this time, I was laying in a hospital bed, looking like a beached whale about to give birth to the little guy who would hold the key to my heart forever. Grant Harrison Jones was born at 4:44 on May 13th, 2004. I didn't have a digital camera back then so I don't have any newborn shots to show you...but here are some pics of him when he was just a little toot.





And here he is now....such a big boy!

Momma Bear

Today when I pulled up at the school to pick Brooklyn up, I could tell right away something was wrong. Her eyes were red and glassy. Instantly my protective instincts arose. I asked her what was wrong and she could hardly get the words out through her sobs. "I didn't make it."
Huh?
So she hands me a legal-sized envelope with her name on the front and I open it and read the letter:
Dear Brooklyn,
Thank you for trying out for our school talent show but I am sorry, you didn't make it. Try again next year!
Ms. Hall, music teacher

Wow! I don't even know how to describe the wave of emotions that came over me at that moment. Sadness, fury, disappointment, compassion, disgust. She cried hard and solid for about the next HOUR. When she finally settled a bit, I asked her how it made her feel. She said "Like I'm not a good singer."
Poor girl. How ridiculous it is that they even do this.
I mean, I have put myself in the teacher's shoes. She probably only has a limited amount of time for the talent show and she can't very well let EVERY child in the school perform who wants to participate or they might be there all day. What other way to determine who will make the best show than to have try outs. right? Well, this is what I think: I think if they are going to tell 1st graders that they aren't good enough to be in the talent show..they could AT LEAST have the decency to let them try out in private. I know that a big part of what is making Brooklyn so upset is the fact that she had to try out in front of her whole class...and now they all know that she's "no good" because she didn't make it. Only 3 kids in her clas even tried out and 2 of them didn't make it. I'm really trying not to be the over-protective momma bear here and I'm trying to understand this from the school and teacher's point of view...but I just don't see the good in something like this. Her confidence is GONE. Yes, they may have a great show now...but who gives a rip? This isn't American Idol or Star Search for crying out loud. It's friggin elementary school.
Grrrr.....
Anyway, I'm sure it will all be okay eventually..but right now I'd like to pop Ms. Hall right in the nose!

Happy Mother's Day!

Here are a few pics from my Mother's Day so far.
This first pic is of me and the kids this morning before church.

Now here's one of us being silly.

This is after church...My mom, my aunt, my grandma and then there's me squatting in front of them.

3 generations: Me, mom and Brooklyn.

My hubby did SOOOOOOOOOOOO good this year! He and the kids got me a new pair of Skecher's tennis shoes (for chillaxin in), a pair of white/grey Nike Camo athletic capris that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE and a set of 10 lb. dumbells! The man knows what I like!!! One of my favorite things was something my daughter gave me. It was a plant they've been growing at school..but attached to it was a little bio sheet she did on "her mom". It said: "My mom's name is: Jinifur. Her age is: 29. She has blue eyes and brown hair and her favorite food is: Heelthy food."
Hooray!! I AM making an impression on her!

Mishap

Long story short, Brooklyn got in trouble at school last week for "wandering eyes" and talking while the "offices" were up and they were taking a test. Basically her and the boy next to her ended up missing like 24 of a 29 question test and all their wrong answers were the same...so one of them was copying off of the other one. No one knows whose to "blame" but the teacher was pretty upset about it. Brooklyn promises with complete confidence that she did NOT cheat. Whether I believe her or not...hmmm, I don't know. But anyway, I made her re-do the whole test and we talked about why it's wrong to cheat. After all was said and done, she called me outside to come and look at a message she had written. This is what it said:
I love you parents and Mrs. Jenkins,
I am sorry for what happened today. I hope you still like me. I still like you. Love, Brooklyn
I had to take pictures because her spelling is just too cute!

5 pages in 6 hours

So, last night I got to get away with my girlfriends for a night of scrapbooking (6 pm to midnight). It was a lot of fun and I felt pretty inspired right from the start. I think my pages turned out cute. What do ya'll think?



Here's a pic of Tori working hard on her CUTE pages!

Here's a SILLY pic of Amy!

Teya puttin her hair up.

You're not MY mom

How many of you women have ever heard your husband say this to you when talking about Mother's Day? I remember a few years back when I was being a crybaby about not getting anything for Mother's Day....my hubby's response was "Well, you're not MY mom". Of course, that only upset me more then...but now that it is 2 days before Mother's Day and I am thinking about the fact that he's been working all week looooong hours and probably hasn't had an opportunity to get or do anything for me for Mother's Day...I am thinking...really...I'm NOT his Mom. Of course, we can't expect our young children to do or buy us gifts...so that's why the husbands get the lucky job. When thinking about Father's Day though...I pretty much treat it just like a birthday or anniversary. I rarely ever include the kids in what to get their daddy...I just go buy him whatever I think he wants or needs.
Anyway, I was just curious...how many of you give (or receive a gift from) your SPOUSE on Mother's Day (or Father's Day)(from you--not just from the kids).
Personally, I appreciate the opportunity to take one whole day to show my hubby how special he is to me and to tell him what a GREAT daddy he is to our kids. The bigger of a deal I can make it---the better. If possible, I would prefer to pamper him from the moment his eyes open on Father's Day until the minute they close again that night. But--that's just how I am..and I know it's a little "over the top" to some people (especially my hubby).
Also, while we're on the subject...I wanna know...how many of you have to buy your MIL's Mother's Day gift/card without any help or input from your hubby?
(sorry men, I promise I'm not trying to dog you...I'm just curious if I'm the only woman out there who thinks about this stuff...

TryOut results

Well...not sure what to think about Brooklyn's tryouts yesterday. I should have gone and helped her, I think. She said they could barely hear her and she was shaking. She has no idea whether she "made it" or not or how she'll even find out. She still wants to do the Talent Show, even though she was so nervous at try outs, which I am glad about. I know that sometimes having to perform in front of a group of people (especially your peers) can zap all the confidence right out of you. It sounds like that is what happened during tryouts yesterday. She had to do it in front of her whole class.
I think I'll go up to the school today and try to find out how they decide who gets to participate in the Talent Show and whether or not she "made it." (that just sounds so weird when you're talking about little kids...they should all "make it" if they have enough guts to get up on the stage, I think).

Try-Out Day!

Well, tryouts are today for Brooklyn's talent show at school. We got out our karoke machine last night and she practiced for quite a while. She's doing great. She sings perfectly in tune...and the song is completely within her range...so that's great. Her only "problem" is that she isn't sure when to start the verses. I'm trying to help her...but she just gets exasperated with me and thinks I am telling her she is doing badly. How am I supposed to help her get better if I don't point out her mistakes to her?? All she see is me criticizing her..although I tell her every couple of breaths what a good job she is doing and how great she sounds. Grrr...7 years olds. or should I just say Girls!! ha ha...so touchy!
Anyway, we prayed together before she left for school this morning, so I am confident that she will do great. She's a confident little girl and she truly beleives she's good.....which will take her way farther than a terrific voice with no confidence would. (I think anyway). Besides, she IS good. I think this is going to be the start of something she'll pursue much, much more in the coming years. The child has been singing, dancing and performing since she was old enough to stand and talk. I'm not saying that I think she'll become a star or make this a career...but she's got the same kind of determination that her mama has and when she puts her mind to something (or enjoys something) she goes after it whole-heartedly. I love her for that!

I'll let you all know how it went later on today when she gets home from school and gives me the report!

My Motto: Tell me I can't, I'll show you I CAN!

I LOVE this picture! (and her guns are almost as big as mine! ha ha)

Who wants to cook MY dinner???

It's like this:
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week at Brooklyn's school. I know parent participation is LOW in our school, so I signed up to bring something every day this week. Then yesterday, the chairperson called me and said she was worried we weren't going to have enough, so could I bring two things tomorrow? 2 main dishes. That I can't eat a single bite of! So, just tonight alone I cooked 1) chicken quesidillas for the kids dinner 2)Beef stir-fry for our dinner 3)stock pot full of Chicken Tortilla Soup for the teachers 4) Bowl of fresh fruit salad for teachers (and some for us) 5) a pan of brownies for the teachers. Whew! Then on top of all this cooking, I am bringing dinner to some people in our Sunday School class who just had a baby. Add all that to the fact that I am having to cook these complicated, unusual meals for us for our nutrition plan we are on...and I feel like I never leave the kitchen. (well except to work out and do laundry, of course! ha ha)
Why do I always over-commit? Logzie and I have talked about this a lot since we are so similar in this area. I keep trying to not let this happen anymore..and then before I know it, I'm knee-deep in responsibilites again. I just can't stand to see a need not being met. Especially when I know I can do it. If only I could remember how much my family suffers when I take care of everyone else AND try to take care of them.
Anyhow, Grant is out of school now which, so far, has been great. It's just easier not having to get him all "ready" every morning too. Now he AND I can both wear our jammies to take Brooklyn to school in the mornings! ha ha
Only 10 more days of school for Brooklyn~! That's CRAZY! I can't believe Summer break is almost here. Augh! What am I going to do with these kids all day long? I hope we get to open up our pool soon so I don't go crazy! Plus, I could really use a tan. I'm still using my Dove energy glow lotion for now. Are you guys using yours?
Well, I am watching American Idol right now and now matter how hard I try--I just can't get into it this year. None of them really impress me. I guess David Artuleta would have to be my fave..if I have to pick one...but really I couldn't care less who wins this one.
Guess I should turn off this computer and the tv and get some shut eye. It's up at 4:45 am to do Shoulders & Arms and Ab Ripper...so I'm gonna need my rest.
(I can't WAIT to go scrappin with my friends on Friday night!! WOOHOO--6 hour crop!)
Yah baby! If I can just keep myself away from the snack table!!!

Living a double-life

Okay friends...the truth be told---I am posting a lot more often on my other blog these days than I am on this one! It's all boring stuff though, so don't worry too much, but I just thought I'd let you know that right now...with so much of my time being devoted to exercise and nutrition, most of my posts are going to be on my new blog http://p90xourjourney.blogpsot.com. I am really trying to save those of you who don't care to hear about my weight and exercise and food-intake some boring reading by doing it this way...but I can't help but miss the input from my regular readers over on that blog too. Anyway, tomorrow will be Day 8 on our P90X journey---and is also WEIGH DAY!! I am anxious to see what kind of improvements we've made in this first week's time. So, if you get a chance, go check me out over there and let me know what you think of it! (there is a link at the top right of this blog)
Love ya'll and good night!!

A vase full of "Spring"

Yesterday morning our doorbell rang. I was greeted at the door by our neighbor's grand-daughter who was bringing me this bunch of fresh cut irises from their garden! I was so pleasantly surprised. Not to dog my husband or anything (you know I love you babe)...but I haven't had fresh flowers in oh---probably a good 3-4 years. I forgot how much I love having them in the house. It just brings a sense of livliness and spring and beauty to the room that nothing else quite can. Maybe next year I'll try to grow some so I can have them for free whenever I want some!

12 --- Twelve --- 12

12 is the number of loads of laundry I have done in the past 7 days! NO WONDER I feel like I wash, dry and put away clothes all the time!! Only one of those loads was of sheets/towels. All the other 11 were clothes!
I did 5 on Monday, 3 on Wednesday, 2 on Friday and 2 on Sunday (today). Whew!

Some of you know this...but I am obsessed with the smell of clean clothes---particularly Downy. I could probably sit with an open jug of Downy up to my nose for hours and just inhale the clean, fresh goodness. (but I refrain since someone told me that Downy contains carcinogens). Anyway, I like my clothes to smell WONDERFUL so I am picky about my detergents and softners. I have figured out that if you use the same thing over and over...even if your clothes DO smell good...you can't tell because you get used to that particular scent. So, now I have 2 different kinds of laundry detergent AND 2 different kinds of Downy at all times...so I can rotate back and forth between them! (high-maintenance, I know)

Anyway, it sounds like together, we do a heck of a lot of laundry in a weeks time and I totally envy MLM whose husband offered to do it all for her years back. NO FAIR! ha ha
Thanks ya'll for keeping track with me...and if you haven't finished your "week of counting" yet...just leave me a comment on this post when you get done!

Check this out...and get a tissue

I've heard this song many times...even could sing some of the lyrics...but had no idea what it was about. When Matt told me it "really hits home" for him, I decided to pull it up and see what it was all about. Well, I sat here with tears streaming down my face the entire time and I have a whole new perspective on today...just from taking 3 minutes to listen to this song. Please, if you are one of my readers, do this. I promise, it won't take too long and you'll be glad you took a minute to get your perspective.
http://www.cmt.com/videos/trace-adkins/217378/youre-gonna-miss-this.jhtml

sorry, I can't find a way to get the song to play...so you'll just have to copy and paste the link!

Let me know what you thought of it!

The un-love note

Usually I get little notes from my daughter with pictures of our family all with big smiles and words like "I love my family" or "I love my mommy" but occasionally when she doesn't get her way, I get notes like this:

My little graduate!

Last night was Grant's preschool graduation. He will officially start "real" school this coming August. (Pre-K). It's hard to believe my little guy is in NO way a baby anymore. (well, except for all the crying and whining he does!)
Here are a few pics from the ceremony. He was QUITE bored with the whole thing...as you can see by all the yawning! ha ha (he's in the purple shirt)




My pretty girl watching her "baby" brother graduate.