Baby Dolls

Being a parent is not at all what I thought it would be. I can remember being a little girl and pretending with my baby dolls. They always did what I said. They never talked backed. they never cried or needed anything. They only did what I made them do and for this reason we should never buy our little girls dolls. I think people have learned this over the years and now have invented annoying baby dolls. Daughter has these dolls that cry, crawl, poop, pee and need to be fed. I asked daughter the other day why she wasn't feeding her "eating" babies. She told me, "I get tired of feeding and cleaning up the mess. So I turned the baby off!" I laughed out loud. All those annoying baby dolls have a on/off switch.
Lately, my sweet little girl has been 4 going on 16. If I have wanted her to do something, it has not happened. If I have drawn a line, she has crossed it. I remember 4 with son. I remember I told others he would not make it to 5. My daughter lost all her babies this weekend. The babies she plays with everyday, all day. I have punished her and taken away things but never her favorite thing. She lost babies for 3 days. DEVASTATION. I now know why my mother said she did not like punishing me. I have missed those annoying baby dolls even if they are from the devil.

Ball Time

My big boy is back at it on the baseball field. He has probably grown a foot since last season and looks so tall and skinny out there! How cute are little boys in their baseball uniforms? My grandmother will be the most excited to see him in his Atlanta Braves outfit. We had his first game tonight and son had a huge fan base. So thank you, the Brakefield army, Nana, and son's kindergarten teacher. Mrs. Thames just came walking up. I thought she was there watching her child but no, she came to watch son. He told her he had a game at 7:00 and if it was not her bedtime, she could come. How sweet is she to come watch him? I wish she would move up to first grade. Husband is back out on the field assisting the famous KAINE MARTIN. We really love this time of year. It is crazy and we are always on the go. But it is the most fun to be at the ballpark. I love watching and cheering for the kids. And you see everyone you know at the ballpark . . .LIKE MOLLY! The kids were so excited to watch Molly play tonight. Daughter was in awe! I know she will be wanting to play before long. Good Stuff.

Last Lunch

Scene: Me and daughter eating supper by ourselves at the dinner table tonight.

Daughter: Mommy you should be sad when you eat.
Me: Why?
Daughter: You should be sad every time you eat for the next few weeks.
Me: Why?
Daughter: Because Jesus is eating his last lunch with his friends.
Me: His Last Supper?
Daughter: No last lunch with his friends. He is in a room with all his friends. They are eating bread and juice. It is like his body and blood.
Me: Did Mrs Jo tell you this story today?
Daughter: Yes and it is sad. Jesus will die in a few weeks mommy. It is called Easter.
Me: Well He already died.
Daughter: No mommy. I am trying to teach you. I will tell you the whole story on Easter.

Praying for Baby Eli

This is Wendy who works with me at the NOOK in the baby room! Her son Eli is 6 months old. He was born with one kidney that had two lobes. The top lobe is non-functioning. Today Doctors at UAB will remove that lobe and possibly the whole kidney on that side. He will undergo a six hour surgery starting at 11:00am. Please join me in lifting them up in prayer today.

Summer Cuts

Sandy always loves her summer do. She gets a little spunky after a hair cut. Sandy will be 14 this year and has never played with a toy a day in her life. Her one true love was Macee. She tolerates Yoda and only gets excited for walks, rides or birds and squirrels. The groomer loves her. She just lays there when they cut her. She goes to sleep when she gets blow dried. She is the sweetest. Husband says its because there is nothing going on in her head.

Yoda on the other hand, wants to tell you the difference between a good hair cut and bad hair cut is two weeks.

Spring Break 2009

Son : Daddy why can't you go to the beach when we go?
Husband: Because daddy does not get spring break as vacation like your momma.
Me: If you are jealous, I can get you an airbrushed thirst.

I am almost 32 and I am going on Spring Break. Friends, life is good. I still get Spring Break. Husband needs Spring Break. We all do. A time to catch up, let loose and be free to do what we want! No alarm clocks. A break to say we survived the winter crud, the annual winter stomach bug, the snotty noses, the it's to cold to go anywhere days... So if you do not get Spring Break, I will celebrate extra for you.

I will be unplugged for six days and this will be a record. I keep telling the kids, there will be NO NOGGIN. I am not sure they understand. I pray I wear them out so they don't notice. I know these days are priceless and I will miss this one day. One day they will be bringing friends on Spring Break and not want to hang out with me.

I had typed the previous post Sunday night not knowing 30 minutes later I would be tested on CONTENTMENT. I have had a day. Daughter has bronchitis and I got nothing I thought I needed to do today done. But it could be worse. I am beach bound!

To be continued....

Memory Verse #6

Philippians 4:12 (New International Version)

¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

I am very blessed and know that each and every day when I wake up. I would like to meditate on the word content for the next two weeks. I have so many friends who are suffering with job loss. I have friends in risk of losing their homes. I have friends who don't ever get to go out to eat. And yet, I complain when I can't find anything to wear in my closet! A closet full of clothes! I wonder what my Savior thinks when he hears me whining in my closet. I am able to take a mostly free beach trip this week besides my food and gas. I will not have cable, Internet or phone service. I am really nervous what it will be like being unplugged for that long. I pray I will learn to be CONTENT and focus on what maybe I have been missing while I have been plugged in! Husband is praying I figure it out sooner in the trip then later so I don't have a HUGE cell phone bill. He is thinking of a pay-as-you-go phone for my trip for some boundaries!

Frankie, Forty, Fanny Pack and Fun,

I have a friend named Frankie. She could be one of the funniest people I know. Her husband...even funnier(even though he is an AL fan!). Her daughter . . . the sweetest and has been in my Awana group for 3 years. Well Friday, Frankie is Forty! Frankie and I go way back. She was a chosen high school girl that my mother loved and you may have read my mother drugged her with Vitamin C. Mother also chose her to "entertain" me. (Frankie says I was too old for a babysitter but mother still wanted someone with me!) Frankie is also one of my pool buddies. She is one of the few mommies at the pool who will slum and talk to me, the new mommy in the neighborhood. She gives me the best advice and is always such a good listener. My kids think she rocks! And she will kill me for this post and pictures. So last night, I was so excited that we got to celebrate an early birthday for my sweet friend. I had a blast buying gifts for my friend. The picture above is Frankie and her Fanny pack. My mother did send Frankie some Vitamin C but wanted me to know it was not chewable. She wrote Frankie a note telling her she had to swallow. I told mother, I think Frankie has reached the age to swallow vitamins.

Jenny and I got Frankie some Depends, Metamucil, reading glasses and Polident. I was so hysterical buying the gifts that after I paid for them I almost ran out of the store. Then the young cashier said, "Mam, you forgot this..." It was the Depends. I did the walk of shame in Target. So I was more embarrassed buying my gift then she was receiving. I hope you have a happy birthday Frankie!
I bit the bullet. Son finally had desire to ride the bus. I talked to the school, to parents, to his friends on the bus and I let him. I was sooo nervous. Daughter and I waited for him in the driveway where they let off! He was so excited his ears were red. His teacher, his Nana, his daddy, his Aunt all called to make sure he made it home. I think I might like the bus riding after all . . .
This is where I find daughter on many afternoons. Holding Yoda and taking in the sunshine. Life is Good.

Who is smarter then a 4 year old?

Well I am not sure what daughter is going through but she is winning. Every time I leave her she has started this screaming fit. I mean wrap her hands around my neck and latch on for dear life. She begs me not to leave her. She will even ask to go see Nana and then when we get there screams for me not to leave her. Some of you are thinking sad, sweet, bless her heart...I am not thinking those things. Because I know what happens after my departure. Blissful laughing. She laughs! So this morning I decide I have had enough of it and I will try calling her out on this torture she puts me through.
She was crying about not going to school. I park the car and have her come sit with me while we were waiting on Bre to pick her up. I look her in the eye and say in my stern but loving voice, "Listen, you can not scream every time I leave you. I know what you are doing when I leave. You laugh. Mommy loves you and sometimes we can not be together and I miss you too. But you can not cry and scream just to make me stay with you and then laugh when I leave. I am smart and I know what you are doing." She then looks me in the eyes and says, "Well, you are not too smart because I have been doing this a long time!"

Memory Verse #5

Westwood Baptist Church Sunday morning in the snow!

My memory verse is out of Matthew again. And I like it for many reasons but to remind me why we were designed to serve.
Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Not only do you get to serve others as Christ did but you get to serve in the snow with fun people. How cold do we look in this picture? This is me, Jenny and Missy!
And then you get to serve with these people! Just Kidding! Mark got me good! He brightens most of my Sunday mornings with his funny stories.

You didn't think I would let him get away with it? I didn't! Thanks to Stu for all the pictures! It was a Sunday I will never forget.

Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For Aunt Pam

Aunt Pam needed some snow pictures and here they are. Son took this of mommy and daddy. I was like a little kid. I got up at 3:00 am and 4 and 5 and then woke husband up at 6! I waited until 6:30 to wake the kids and they were pumped!
Our snowman looked like ET but he was cute.
The kids dressed themselves and we are not prepared for snow...This is daughter, our little snow angel. I know mother is dying...no coat.
Snow sledding, Alabama style. Good ole boogy board.
Yoda loved the snow. He lost all control. He wore his sweater and ran as fast as he could. He ended up with tons of snow stuck to him. I had to use hot water and a blow dryer numerous times that day for him.
The Roach Plantation.
Sandy said, no thanks to the snow. She likes to lay in both beds to prove she is in her retirement home and Yoda was not invited.