Summer ends...Fall begins

Summer is coming to an end and there is now a nip in the air of what's to come. One last summer picture to bring it to a close. Happy Fall!

Summmmmmer!!

I can't believe it's been so long since I posted! I'm not going to post again for a year. At least that's what I'm going to say. When I say I'll post more, it never happens so I'm going to try a little reverse psychology. Maybe that will work! This summer is going by so quickly! I looked at the calendar and realized how soon it will be over! Four weeks from today and my two oldest will go back to school. I know, I know...FOUR weeks?? Yes, we really have four more weeks. I know a lot of people are going back next week and some have been going back for a couple of weeks already! But we didn't get out of school until the beginning of June so therefore we go back later than most. Anyway, the girls are excited about the new school year but are definitely not rushing it. They love their summers too! This is the first time I've been home with them and not working. And I have to admit, I LOVE IT. Seriously. I LOVE being at home with my girls. I look back and don't know how in the world I had time to work a full time job AND be a full time mommy! And trust me when I tell you that this beats any desk job ever and the rewards are so much greater! Without further ado, here are some pictures from our summer so far...and we still have FOUR more weeks!! Enjoy!

Nothing better than dirty little feet on the table while you eat!


Brayden is learning to cook! She's doing great!


Cooling off in the kiddie pool!


Gwinnett Braves Ballgame...it was HOT!


One lost a few teeth while another is still waiting (impatiently) to get that perfect smile!


Pool time!


Helping dad!


Family visits from Louisiana. The girls had so much fun!


Sharing some snuggle time!


SPRINKLERRRRR WOOOOHOOOOO!


A couple of lazy afternoons...


Picnics, waterfalls, hiking trails...just all parts of SUMMER!


Remember those old tin slides that would burn the skin off the back of your legs back when we were kids? Well, they still have those around...just ask Ben...




Thanks for looking! I'll post again in July of 2010!! (reverse psychology, remember?) Until then, enjoy school sessions starting back up!! We still have FOUR weeks!! Heh.

May Madness!!

I've been such a blog slacker lately! I'll blame it on the month of May. It's extremely busy with the kids as everything is going on preparing for the end of the school year and SUMMER! We had dances, field day, concerts, awards banquets and so much more so I thought it would be fun to share just a small portion of it with all of you. I can't believe I now have a Sophomore in high school, a second grader and an almost three year old!! Where is the time going and why is it doing it so fast?? My babies aren't babies anymore! I hope you enjoy looking at these memories as much as we enjoyed making them. Time is so bittersweet. Treasure every single moment.

Just having fun!










Brayden went to the 2009 ROTC Military Ball with her boyfriend, Cole. She was absolutely breathtaking...





Brayden also had her last band concert as a freshman :(



Baylee had Field Day!






Baylee also had Awards Day! She received one award for reading 248 steps in the 100 book Challenge, one Laffy Taffy award for her funny laugh and one trophy for having perfect attendance all year long! Way to go, Baylee!!




Brayden also had her band awards banquet! She received three awards! One for marching band, one for concert band and one for her outstanding ability to play several different instruments...some of which she taught herself...and actually played in performances! Way to go, Brayden!!



Whew...that just made me exhausted all over again! Happy Summer!

Seriously??

So lately, I guess I've either been super bitchy, super annoyed, super easily entertained or a little of all of it, at some of the things I witness in public. Some things gross me out, some things make me cringe and some things make me laugh out loud. Here are a few things that have made me think 'Seriously??' while in public.

1) Cashier at the grocery store - So yesterday we went grocery shopping. You know, where there's food and stuff. Well, the cashier (bless her) had something terrible going on with her scalp. I have never seen anything like it. First, I noticed the while flakes everywhere and just thought 'gracious'...then I noticed the big bubbled pieces of skin in the part and thought 'oh man, hope she doesn't scratch or touch her head'...then as I walked up to the counter where you pay, at her hairline (which was pulled back nice and tight where you could see everything real well) there were the flakes, the bubbled skin and these HUGE red, puss filled blisters all along the hairline. Seriously?? WHY would they put her working as a cashier? I understand that everyone deserves a fair chance and that she probably needs the job but isn't there something available, say in the stockroom or something?? SERIOUSLY?? She's touching my food!! She was a sweet girl, very talkative and even gave Brenley a high five *secret cringe* and I felt sorry for her. But I guess it's the germaphobe in me. It seriously grossed me out. Good thing I had hand santizer on hand. And I did notice she used hand sanitizer before checking us out. Hope she finds something to ease that. Bless her. And thank you, cashier, for not scratching while scanning. Seriously.

2) Overweight women in anorexic womens clothes - Seriously?? What's up with that? If you're overweight, no matter what you wear, you will still be overweight. Don't buy something that would fit your 7 year old daughter and squeeze into it. I'm not being snobby and I'm not sitting here in a size 6 myself. I'm just saying, if it isn't REALLY your size, don't put it on. Yesterday, my husband was waiting in the van with the girls while I ran in Walgreen's for a couple of things. As I was coming out the door he looked at me funny and kind of nodded his head towards something behind me. There, in all her glory, was a lady that was probably a size 22 or better, in a pair of shorts that were probably a size 10. On top of that, she had on a spaghetti strap tank top. As she leaned over to get a bag, one of her girls just fell right out!!! (Boob for those that don't know what a girl is) Seriously?? She yanked on her tank top and flopped it back in and kept right on going. Now me personally? Unless you're about to attach a beautiful baby to that boob, it shouldn't be coming out of your shirt until you get home! I didn't want to see it, didn't need to see it and certainly didn't want my kids to see it! My husband thought it was funny (aren't men great?) and he thought it was gross (yeah right) at the same time. So remember ladies and freaks of the female gender, if you're a big girl, be proud, look good and rock some awesome outfits! Just do them in your REAL size. Please. Seriously.

3) GET A ROOM - I do not, never have, never will grope my husband in public. I know some teenagers think it's cool to be seen making out or kissing or whatever. Hopefully, they'll grow out of it. As for a couple we saw at a Mexican restaurant, I think it's hopeless. Picture it...overweight bald guy in his 50's with gold chains and his shirt unbuttoned halfway down his brillo looking chest. Younger female in her 20's, mini skirt, low cut shirt, hooker heels and so much tanning bed she looked like she painted herself with cocoa. Standing in line to pay, she was standing in front of him with her hand behind her cupped on his junk. And as you probably know, when men are touched that way, things happen. And he wasn't ashamed. Proudly stood there paying while umm camping (pitching a tent) for the world to see. Gross? Yes, very. Funny? To my husband, yes. He's twisted though. So please, people. Keep it at home, at a hotel, in a car even. Just don't bring it in the restaurant. Seriously.

Well, that's the top three as of late. The list could go on and on but I'll spare you. Just please remember, if you're scalp is mangled, if your clothes won't fit and if you can't stop acting like circus freak long enough to go out and enjoy a meal, please stay home. People WILL stare, snicker, be grossed out and maybe even blog about you. SERIOUSLY.

The Little Moments Matter Most

The weather here has been great! High 70's to 90's already and it's Spring! When Ben decided it was time to wash the truck, the girls were all over it! They love helping and getting soaked playing in the bubbles! They washed the truck, the house and the cat! Here are a few pictures of their fun! Ahhh...the simple pleasures in life. One of those little moments that really matter and they'll remember forever. Keep it simple, folks. Turn the tv and video games off and get those kids outside! Give them a bucket of soap and a couple of rags and let them go! They're washable and they'll love it! Just remember, grab your camera! These moments go by so quickly these days. My oldest is 15, has a boyfriend, friends that always want to go places and do things. Hanging with mom and dad just isn't as cool as it used to be. I adore each moment she shows me there's still some little girl left in her. I love it when she still needs me. Here's a poem I found, to remind us all that right now matters. Not tomorrow, not ten years down the road. Right now. Cherish and love it and let it grow. Let's just hope it grows real slow! Enjoy...

I guess that I can hold you
one more time before you grow.
And tell you that I love you
so that you will always know.
Please let me tie your shoe again.
One day you'll tie your own.
And when you think back to this time
I hope it's love I've shown.
Can I help you put your coat on?
Can I please cut up your meat?
Can I pull you in the wagon?
Can I pick you out a treat?
One day you might just care for me,
so let me care for you.
I want to be a part
of every little thing you do.
Tonight could I please wash your hair?
Can I put toys in the bath?
Can I help you count your small ten toes
before I teach you math?
Before you join a baseball team
can I pitch you one more ball?
And one more time can I stand near
to make sure you don't fall?
Let's take another space-ship ride
Up to the Planet Zoor.
Before our Cardboard Rocket
doesn't fit us anymore.
Please let me help you up the hill.
while you're still too small to climb.
And let me read you stories
while you're young and have the time.
I know the day will come
when you will do these things alone.
Will you recall the shoulder rides
and all the balls we've thrown?
I want you to grow stronger
than your Dad could ever be.
And when you find success
there will be no soul more proud than me.
So will you let me carry you?
One day you'll walk alone.
I cannot bear to miss one day
from now until you've grown.

Baylee's Spring Cookout!

On Friday, Baylee's school had their annual Spring Cookout. Here are some pictures from the fun!

Baylee's teacher always emphasizes the importance of healthy drinks and water. So here's her healthy drink for the cookout! :) I can't believe the kids (especially Baylee) haven't called her out already! ha!


Baylee Bug growing way too fast!


Brayden & Baylee


Brenley enjoying her hamburger


All three girls in Baylee's classroom


Baylee's recycle idea. She really did this at home long before she made this poster...which is proudly displayed right next to the main office. She was thrilled!


And because daddy didn't make it to the cookout due to work, we went out for Mexican food that night as a little treat. Here are the girls enjoying it!




Happy Spring!

First 5 Players...COME ON DOWN!!

~quietly chanting "Tami's fault! Tami's fault!"~

I hereby pledge to make something for the first 5 persons who respond to AND agree to the conditions of this blog/offer.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:

* I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.

* What you get is what you get. It could be a papiermache statue of me, or a haiku, or a doll made of toothpicks. Or something that you have always yearned for in your secret heart but didn't even know until I gave it to you. Or something else.

* What I create will be just for you. One of a kind!

* It’ll be done this year (2009).

* I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be. Unless you live near me, it will be something that needs to be mailed, so you’d have to be willing to provide a viable address.

* In return, all you need to do is post this text into a blog or bulletin of your own and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to your note under these same conditions.

IMPORTANT: This offer is null and void if you do not post your own blog/bulletin to pay this forward.

So come on...reply to this post! First 5 gets the prize! :)