Things I Learned Today

This Memorial Day was one of a few firsts for me...

I learned that hot air balloons only launch in the best of weather. If you take your three children very early in the morning to a Hot Air Balloon Festival and the skies look rather stormy, you probably won't see any hot air balloons. However, you might get to enjoy a new park and have fun visiting with a handful of other families who were also quite optimistic about seeing hot air balloons. (In addition, your husband will greatly appreciate sleeping late.)

It is possible for a car (ours) to show up on the stolen car list even though you've owned it for six years. In fact, it's possible for two police cars and one police motorcycle to pull you over while you innocently drive to Walmart to buy cages for your tomato plants. It's still bizarre to think it happened. I truly had no idea why the officer pulled me over and he wouldn't tell me right away. Fortunately everything got cleared up and I didn't have the kids with me. Still very weird.

The Chick-fil-A parking lot is actually not too bad of a place to see a concert. We enjoyed hearing Phil Stacey before heading in for our chicken fix.

Target's return policy stinks. If it's no longer "in their system" there is nothing they can do about it unless you have the receipt. (Of course the item was a birthday gift for my son and he already had the toy. We didn't have the receipt or we would of used it!)

Target can have whatever dumb policies they want, because we all know at the end of the day I'm still going to shop there all the time, for everything. Sigh.

And finally, regardless of all the bad things that go on in our country, I'm still very, very glad to call this home. I'm also very grateful for all those who serve our country and keep us safe.

Happy Memorial Day!

If You're the Only Boy

You get creative. If you need to fly and there are nothing but fairy/butterfly wings available, you grab the least offensive color and make the best of it. Then, you promptly strap on a belt and tuck in your sword.

A boy has gotta do what a boy has gotta do.

Buck's New Friend

We've added to our family and we're pretty excited about her. Her name is Daisy and while we're thrilled to give her a home, it is bittersweet since we adopted her from a family who was moving and couldn't take her with them.

Calling her Buck's new friend is a bit of stretch, but the rest of us are happy about her!

In fact, today when I asked Jane my customary, "Who loves you," she said, "Mama." Then, in an excited tone that clearly implied she'd thought of something better, she said, "Daisy!"

I said, "Daisy loves you?"

Jane replied, "Uh-huh, soooo much!" Too cute!

We love that our kiddos can grow up with pets. It's such a treat.

Oh and Buck, don't worry old dog. You are irreplaceable.

Asking Her Father for Help

If my kids aren't doing something crazy, funny or just plain cute, then they are saying something crazy, funny or just plain cute. For quite a while, I've been meaning to jot down some of the things they say. Of course, by the time I make time to do just that, I've forgotten what they said! However, today was different. I knew I didn't want to forget what my daughter said.



Due to some poor planning on my part, we found ourselves south of town on an empty stretch of highway with very little gas. I was starting to get worried that we might actually run out of gas and said so out loud. After just a few minutes (during which I was praying), my five year old daughter said, unprompted, "God will help us."



After we talked for a bit I learned that she had been praying "in her mind" that God would help us make it to the gas station. A few minutes later I saw the sign that the nearest gas station was only four miles down the road. I smiled, but not just because I was pretty certain we weren't going to be stranded on the side of the road. Rather, I smiled because my daughter knew what to do in a time of need.

Watching her learn to read has been a thrill, but it's nothing compared to seeing her learn to ask her Father for help. Talk about a great day!

My Favorite Picture of the Big Kids

I took this on a recent trip to Colorado. The kids loved hiking! (Calling it hiking was a stretch, but hey, it's a start!)

We were pleasantly surprised to see how long the kids wanted to explore and take in the new sites of Colorado. (A bit different from the Midwest!)

Big Girl is Getting Bigger!

Lately, I'm learning that it really is true when they tell you the years go by so quickly. They do!

A little over a week ago, my oldest child finished up Preschool. It's been a little over eight months since she posed for this picture. It was her first day of school! She was so excited!


Here she is eight months later eating ice cream after her last day of school. I told her if she keeps looking so old, I'm going to stop taking her picture. (That was a big fat lie if I ever told one!)

Finally, here is our big girl showing off her Pre-Kindergarten certificate.

Even as I sit and look at these pictures, I can't help but smile. It's hard to be sad about time going so quickly when your heart is bursting with pride. I'm not sure why God chose me to be this girl's mama, but it's an honor!

We love you "Big Girl!"

Good Night Traditions

I've sung "Jingle Bells" to my children at night more times than I'd ever imagined possible. Yet, I wouldn't trade those precious before-sleep moments for anything. Read more here.