Sam's 4th birthday!

Today was Sam's 4th birthday party and what a B.E.A.Utiful day it was. We started the day with his favorite breakfast; biscuits and gravy with eggs and sliced strawberries. To aid with digestion, we all went out and and played with a ball by the warmth of a burn pile. Around 1:30 we came in and got ready for the PARTY!

We had chili and an ice cream cake. I actually caught a shot of him blowing out the candles!



He opened his gifts and played for a while before we went to Deer Park for more time in the autumn sun.

I really hope he had a great day! We did.

I can't seem to get any pictures posted at the moment, but I will soon.

Scott's 36th birthday!

We had a quite family birthday for Scott today. The boys got him a hat and lounge pants. Now the sun won't bother as much outside and he can be comfy inside. :)

I love you!

Disney 2010

There were a lot of pitfalls to this Disney vacation. My hope is that the boys were able to have some fun and can look back on it with a smile. ;)

New Smyrna, FL.

The boys had a great time running and falling in the surf! They were SOAKED by the time we left which was just long enough to get wet and enjoy the nice beach breeze. Sigh.... Next time we will stay until the twitch in my eye is gone. ;)

Franklin, NC

It's been quite a while since I've posted anything.

We spent the afternoon in Franklin, NC. panning for gems and getting in some much needed family time. Andy seemed to really get into the whole idea of panning for a semi-precious stone. Sam was more interested in playing in the water and eating grapes. LOL! That's ok. They both will remember it for years to come.

It's so nice to see the boys play without a care in the world.

I am in one of those moods....

"Your life is a sacred journey. And it is about change, growth, discovery, movement, transformation, continuously expanding your vision of what is possible, stretching your soul, learning to see clearly and deeply, listening to your intuition, taking courageous challenges at every step along the way. You are on the path... exactly where you are meant to be right now... And from here, you can only go forward, shaping your life story into a magnificent tale of triumph, of healing of courage, of beauty, of wisdom, of power, of dignity, and of love."
Caroline Adams

Missed Opportunity...well not really.

Missed opportunity implies that there was a chance. Let me tell you, there was NEVER a chance that I could afford the trip tickets. A bunch of KMM fans are leaving in a few days to tour Scotland and I REALLY would like to go. Inverness UK is on the must see list and, as far as I'm concerned, the only place to go.

Never one to wallow in self-pity, I've chosen to watch Inverness videos on Youtube and to look at Inverness pictures on Photobucket. You know, live vicariously through others.

Look Here

Oh well, the trip wouldn't be much fun if Scott couldn't go with me. One day we will take the trip of a lifetime. Right now we are having the trip of a lifetime raising two boys.

Name Change.

I was waiting for inspiration to help with the title of my Blog. The 4th of July was my inspiration. Hope you like the new name.

Fireflies and Firecrackers

The Fourth of July is my son's favorite holiday and after this 4th, I can see why. It was a WONDERFUL day for us. We stayed at Pat's house and celebrated with family and friends alike. Our day was filled with food, laughter and playing in the pool. About 9:30 the fireworks show that Pat's neighbor always goes overboard on, officially started. Though Sam didn't make it to see, from my less than favorable vantage point, it was grand! Andy was able to get a front yard seat and watch the action. Boy I tell you, he's going to remember it for the rest of his life. The actual fireworks were HUGE and lit up the night sky with a rainbow of colors. My view was obstructed, but there wasn't a place on earth that I would rather have been. The quiet of the house, Sam sleeping upstairs, the fireflies fluttering by the window I was looking out and the oohs and ahhs from the family members who braved the outdoors, will replay in my mind for years to come.

It's Stinking HOT!

Ethan's birthday party was at Taylor Elementary School. Under the pavilion and in the shade, it was about 95 degrees. Amy, Ethan's mom, said it best, "sweating just makes you appreciate the breeze more!" When the breeze finally did blow, I REALLY did appreciate it. The kids found some relief from the heat by playing a water game and consuming copious amounts of sugared beverages. LOL! I think with the gentle breeze, great conversation's and great friends, the afternoon was quite enjoyable despite the heat. I hope it's a sign of good things to come.

Andy and I decided that the only way to truly cool off was to go for a dip in Nana's pool. It was just what the doctor ordered and was a great ending to a hot day.

Somewhere down the road...

I'm going to smile retelling this story.

I will start by saying that it takes me an hour to get to work. I should leave the house by 6:45. That gives me plenty of time to drive the speed limit and not worry about traffic. It takes almost 25 minutes to get to my mother-in-laws house, five to ten to get the boys in there and settled down and another 20 minutes to work. I should also say that I never get to leave MY house at 6:45.

So, I needed to get gas this morning. (Yes, I should have done it last night when I had more time.) I left the house at 6:50 and went to the BP on Hwy. 411. I took the keys out of the ignition, and locked the doors. (I usually just turn the van off and hop out, but due to a Honda glitch, and Sam being a door opener, I took them out and put them next to my cell phone.) I got out and start pumping gas and decided to clean the back window. I squeaked by the open door and get the squeegee. Squeaking back by my open door I go to clean off the back window. Click goes the gas handle and I put the squeegee back. It's then that I notice that I didn't quite "squeak" by the open door, I accidentally bumped it shut. I've just locked my 2 and a half year old in the van. Well, he knows how to unlock things so I didn't panic. I convince him to unbuckle and get into the front seat. During that process he kicked my coffee over and it spilled all over some borrowed shorts and all over the floor. I started by saying, "Sam honey, unlock the door for mommy." He played with the blinker, the CD changer and every button he can reach. Instead of unlocking the door he mashes the button down a few times just so I know that he has NO idea of that I'm asking him to do. I walked into the gas station and borrowed their phone to call Scott. He's wasn't home I hoped he hadn't made it to work already. Luckily he answered his cell and was pretty close. He pulls in, rolls down the window and hands me his keys. At that very moment, Sam goes to the passenger window and leans on the arm rest unlocking the doors.

I was only 7 minutes late to work.

Scott's 35th Birthday

Wow! It's hard to believe that Scott is 35 and that we've been together since he was 24! He started his day by taking Andy up to Reliance to go trout fishing. Andy caught the first and only trout on the first cast of the day! Yea for him, showing his daddy how it's done!

I had toyed with the idea of making sushi for his "special" dinner. I bought Scott a sushi kit for Christmas and we've made it several times but have decided that it really is a LOT of effort. Needless to say, we ended up grilling out at his mothers house. We grilled steaks, salmon, hamburgers, hot dogs and corn. We also had steamed vegetables and chips.

The kids spent the day in the pool. (Ah, to be young again and to really enjoy summer vacation. Everyday was a vacation when you didn't have school.) Andy is our resident diver and Sam has discovered the enjoyment of floating around with the current.

It was a long and enjoyable birthday for Scott. He said it was happy because he spent time with us. Isn't it nice to get older and just appreciate the time God has given you with the ones you love? I think so.

An Eventful Day!

Today was Andy's last day of second grade and we couldn't be more proud of him. He will be bringing home two A's and two C's. Knowing where he has come from and how hard he has worked, grades don't get much better than that. Scott and I hope that we can help him build self confidence this summer.

While Andy was getting loose ends tied up with second grade, Sam and I met Amy, Ben and Micah at Deer Park. Sam climbed his little legs off. (You should really see how he crashed and burned tonight. No fuss, no toys, no nothing. His little arms and legs are flung out and he is in deep dream mode. I bet he is dreaming of sunshine, slides and playing with Ben and Micah. Add a dinosaur in the mix just for good measure too.) His little day was just so full of wonder. I hope we can spend more play days at the park with good friends. Thanks Amy!

Today was also my niece Madison's 10th birthday. We went to Logans and ate till we were all miserable. Sad but true. Instead of the waiters singing her a song they had her hop up on the chair and we all said, "Happy Birthday and Yee Haw". The look on her face and her posture was priceless! LOL! Wish I had the camera there.

After Logans we headed back to Polk County. It was SUCH a beautiful day today I wasn't ready to come home. We went to Sonic and got some treats and then drove up Chilhowee. The view was great and the company was exceptional! The drive served as a family outing and scouting.
We are thinking of taking on a "family" hobby. (Is that possible?) I've thought about camping. Let's build self confidence in Andy and get me out of my protective box. ( FYI, said box doesn't include spiders and bears.) So, we are starting from scratch. We have access to a tent, but have no idea where said tent is. We have "a" sleeping bag and matches. That's it. I've suggested we start small by sleeping in the van. It can be done and keeps afore mentioned spiders and bears at bay.

I think we all had a very complete day. Milestones and memories were made. It's going to be a great summer!