Mini Me

Looks like I'm not the only one who is scared of horses...

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.  Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NLT)

Kinda Scared of Horses

Ever played the game Two Truths and a Fib?  It's the get-to-know-you game where everyone announces two truths about themselves and one fib and the rest guess which is false.  Recently I orchestrated this game at our church youth retreat.  One of my truths is that I am kinda scared of horses.  Horses are large, they have very large heads and extremely large teeth.  Sure, they are some of God's most beautiful creatures...particularly when grazing in a far away field. 

The day after the youth retreat I was in the parking lot of a local grocery store with four of those kids that heard my fear.  A horseback riding group happened to be taking a rest and having a snack in a grassy patch by the store.  (Yes, I reside in the boonies.)  Our youth group was then invited to go horseback riding in a few weeks. 

One modern day cowboy said, "Hey, why not hop on one now?"  Gulp.  Four sets of eyes found their way to me.  Er, uh, umm.  A sweet little angel in my group said, "I'll ride!" which bought me some time to think.  Oh no!  I have to do this.

God used me that moment to show these young people that it is OK to have fears.  We also learned it is OK to face your fears as I placed my shaky foot in a stirrup and found my way in a saddle...on the back of a horse!  It wasn't so bad.  A nice slow short stroll was all.  Thankfully, I didn't have to take the advice of another cowboy who grinned and said, "If he takes off start hollering.  He goes faster when you holler."

For the Love of Nature

God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.  Genesis 1:31

Snaggle Tooth

Which of these is not like the others?

Pretty Fruit Pizza

Easy, quick recipe!

crust = sugar cookie dough cooked on pizza pan
sauce = 2 packages of cream cheese mixed with 1/2 cup of sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla

toppings = colorful fruit

Kindergarten is for Real

Dylan walked five paces before me the entire way to his first day of kindergarten.

On the third day of school he did not want me to walk him to class...so instead of crying when I got home I cleaned his room and sewed Boppy's dangling leg. Lame, I know, but look...

Shut the Front Door Frozen Peanut Butter Pie

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 cup and 3 tablespoons powdered sugar

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup milk

10 ounces whipped topping

2 graham-cracker crusts

1/2 cup chopped peanuts

Whip cream cheese at low speed. Beat in sugar and peanut butter. Slowly beat in milk. Fold in whipped topping. Pour into crusts. Top with chopped nuts. Freeze until firm. Makes 2 pies.

(from Our State magazine...I altered the title)

Enjoy!

Big Girl Bike and Bubble Gum

Emory is now three. I swear she seems so grown-y since she reluctantly gave up her paci (for bubble gum) just a few days ago. And she rides her new bike with no fear. Where did my baby go? She copies her five year old brother, covers her mouth when she giggles, and savors all things sugary. I love her so much my heart could burst. If I could freeze time I would just to remember her tiny painted toenails and long messy hair and the smell of her favorite blanket.

Smack Your Mama

Have you ever tasted something so delicious that you would be willing to smack your own mama for another bite? Sounds ridiculous, I know, but sometimes food can take a hold of your taste buds and make you do crazy things. Like eat three large pieces of corn bread in one sitting.

Witness our vanishing Smack Your Mama Cornbread from last night's dinner...

1 box of Jiffy corn muffin mix

1 egg

a little more that 1/3 cup of milk

1/2 cup of grated cheddar cheese

2 heaping tablespoons of sour cream

bacon grease from about 1/2 lb. of fried bacon

cast iron skillet

______

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat grease in skillet in oven while preheating (for 10-15 minutes). Mix top ingredients. Pour mixture in hot grease, spread evenly, and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Holy moly. Enjoy.

Golf

Instead of staying home to clean up this

I begged Hubby (a.k.a. Skinny) to take me to play golf while our kiddos were at church camp for a few hours. Smacking the ball with a driver is tons of fun but after that things get a little sketchy. My handsome hubby was very patient with me today. The first few holes were moving right along and I was hanging in there.Then things took a turn for the worse. On hole #7 my ball hit a tree then bounced off the golf cart and Hubby had to jump out of the way so it could land 4 inches from where I started. After those, uh, we'll say 10 strokes I started thinking about this blog post and how I needed some pictures.

Hubby thinks I'm crazy.


My score card thinks I need not this hobby:)

Really?

Who wears high heels with bathing suits? Really? Why in every swim suit ad is the model wearing stilletos or crazy tall wedges? Do people really stroll down the beach in those things? Do women really lounge by the pool in heels just so their legs look longer? Really?

Hey marketing peeps! Please let me see someone wearing a tankini and maybe, I don't know, flip flops building a sand castle in your next magazine spread. Or how about a mom going down the pool slide with a kid or two. Really. Then I might buy your stupid bathing suit...

if it hides my stretch marks.

Kindergarten

For several weeks now I have been asked by numerous folks if I was sad that Dylan was going to Kindergarten. "No," I would say, "he's ready and excited. I'm just happy for him because he is looking forward to square pizza and really wants to ride the school bus." Last night was a different story.

At his preschool graduation sweet songs and a slide show paired with Dylan leading the Pledge of Allegiance brought on the tears. God has guided me to many awesome places but being a parent has by far been the best journey!

(Let's see if I feel the same way when my babes are teenagers!)

Where do You Want to Be?

Today I want to read my new Bible study of Ruth by Kelly Minter here(in the hammock).

Then I'd like to cruise around The Tar River

in this. Yes, I'm aware it is an ocean kayak but ya work with what ya got.

Maybe during naptime...a mommy can dream, right?

The Week of Me

For my birthday Hubby gave me a new camera. It's a Canon Power Shot and I've had tons of fun taking crisp pictures. However, my kiddos like to make these faces everytime I attempt to capture their, well, sweetness.

Despite turning 29 for the 6th year in a row this birthday week was the best I can remember since 4th grade. It started with a clean house, some pampering, meals at two of my favorite restaurants with my favorite people, and ended with a fun night of beach music.

Thank you, Hubby, for allowing my birthday to drag out. You are the best!

Water for Elephants

Oh, I'm so excited to see this movie! The book by Sara Gruen is a SPECTACULAR page turner. Movies usually aren't as good as the written word, in my opinion, but this one has Reese and Robert in it's favor:)

You Say it's Your Birthday!

Tomorrow Dylan turns five and I just made my first birthday cake. It's no prize winner but it was fun. We will begin the day with The Beatles and pancakes, two of Dylan's favorites. Then we'll go pick out some summer pj's (the boy loves casual wear) and the 2nd Boxcar Children book. The real fun starts at Chuck-E-Cheese (your prayers are appreciated) with family for a pizza dinner and games galore!

Happy Birthday, Buddy! You make me so proud. I'm thankful for your hugs and snuggles, your silly jokes, and your desire to do the right thing. God blessed me when you were born. I love you!

Fundraising

Our preschool is selling Krispy Kreme goodies to raise some much needed funds. The product pretty much sells itself and when you pair that with Emory's big eyes and sweet voice saying, "You want some doughnuts and coffee?" our victims are powerless. Yesterday we hit up the neighborhood and our family and scored big.

Roller Skating

When was the last time you laced up a pair of roller skates?

Aside from today, I think I was around 12 years old and listening to Slippery When Wet in a friend's driveway. She had a pink Sony tape player propped in her bedroom window so we could sing "Livin' on a Prayer" as we practiced shooting the duck.

Today Justin Bieber took the place of Jon Bon Jovi and a wooden rink replaced that concrete rectangle. The biggest difference, however, was the pain from falling. My 33 year old bones do not bounce like those of a preteen. I only fell once (and blame it 100% on my son, Dylan) but will feel the bruise for days to come.

Despite feeling ancient (from the pain and when the rink DJ called Will Smith's 1995 hit "Miami" a classic) I thoroughly enjoyed roller skating. I wonder what other kid activities I've been missing? Being a parent sure is a great disguise!

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for Emory's blood platelet count being normal (for the 1st time in a year!)

I'm thankful for Kris' endoscopy results being nothing of concern.

I'm thankful my brother is helping my mom with her retirement and social security because the details of it all drive me bonkers.

I'm thankful Dylan is growing into a thoughtful little boy who loves to learn.

I'm thankful for girlfriends who make me a laugh.

I'm thankful for this rainy day so I have time to snuggle.

In a Big Country

Share In A Big Country by moe.

The original was by the 80's band Big Country but I LOVE this version by moe. It makes me want to drive around with the windows down:)

The Best Vacation Ever

Hubby's parents took us to St. Thomas. I know, how lucky could a girl be?! I was a little worried about Emory on the plane but she did wonderfully.

Dylan was a traveling pro...Ipod and all.

God delivered this beautiful gift the first morning.

Meet Iggy. He looks a little scary but this lizard actually lives a life of luxury.

This is Iggy's home.

Our favorite day was spent scuba diving from a 60 ft. sail boat.

This was our captain. His name is Jack (as in Jack Sparrow).

We all loved traveling in the open air cabby. I like to think that Hubby was saying he loved me but actually he was attempting a hang loose sign...too many drinks on the boat.

I love this picture of Emory and her Mimi.

Hubby and I even got to go on a date. This was the first time I wore make-up all week. Now thats what I call a vacation!

I'll close with a few more of my favorite pictures from

The Best Vacation Ever!

Scarlet Fever

Both of my kiddos have scarlet fever. I'm not kidding. Who gets scarlet fever anymore? I feel like Paw should be riding out on his horse to tell Doc he needs to come quick. Thank God for modern medicine.

For a few days I tried to keep Emory away from Dylan with grand thoughts that the yuck wouldn't spread. No such luck. Since Tuesday we have gone through four boxes of Klenex, a bottle of Children's Tylenol, and are working our way through two antibiotic prescriptions.

Both kids finally feel like playing with each other. This morning Dylan said to me, "Mom, I gave Emory a little hug yesterday. I wanted to take away some of her germs so she wouldn't get too sick," and my heart melted.