Dirty

Two things I am morally opposed to . . . . . . out houses and aquasox . . . . and last week, I had the opportunity to use both . . . . . several times.

a close-up . . . for your viewing pleasure

Although I hate camping . . . I LOVE my family, so this years family reunion was well worth it. It was tons of fun . . . . . excluding the whole outhouse thing, the constant dirt between my toes, a screaming baby ALL NIGHT LONG, and that barf incident outside my cabin door.

My cousin brought her karaoke machine, so we were able to listen to eachothers miserable singing. I was fortunate enough to get to perform "my humps." I'm pretty sure I sound exactly like Fergie.

There is absolutely no way I could go four days without rice crispies. NO. WAY.

Of course we had another talent show. Our family is so talented its almost unbelievable. All of the amazing animal/bodily function sounds we are all able to make just cannot and should not be contained.

Fun slide . . . hence the aquasox. They were a must if you wanted to go down it.

My brother came home from Iraq after being there a year, got off the plane and then joined us for the last night. Yahoo!

I am so grateful for fun memories . . . . . and my bed, and my bathroom, and my shower.

Celebrating

There are many things I cherish in life, two of those being freedom and family. We just had a great weekend celebrating both.

I am so grateful for the many men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our freedom. I have three brothers (two who are in Iraq as we speak) and one brother-in-law in the military. Words cannot explain my gratitude to them for helping to protect our country and preserve our freedom. THANK YOU!

A fun filled Friday at Roaring Springs Water Park. Too busy having fun for pictures. This was the only one I took!

A ginormous Block Party. Over 100 people there. My sister and her husband do this every year. FUN . . . FUN . . . FUN!

Quad rides around the block.

A friendly game of Volleyball. (Not pictured: Brett smashing Bekie in the face ON PURPOSE)!

Snow-cones

Big time slip n' slide.

Apparently Lila didn't like said slip n' slide. Notice her death grip on daddy?

Baby Wedgies

Congratulations to Beadsa! She lost her 2nd tooth on July 4th! Her first one was lost on Wednesday night before we left and both of those precious teeth were pulled by Tia Bekie. Thank goodness. There are two things I REFUSE to do as a mother. 1. Pull Teeth (thank you for taking over that responsibility Tia) 2. Teach my kids to drive (thank you in advance Damon, that one has your name written all over it).

Nothing like a neighborhood coming together and lighting off fireworks for over an hour and a half!

Not pictured: Ugly Chin contest. This is something you DO NOT want to miss. I will post those epic pictures at a later date (as soon as my sister relinquishes control of her camera card).

Aaaaaaannnnnnddddd . . . once again, some VERY tired little ladies. It made for a peaceful first hour of the 4.5 hour drive home!

Next year, it would be AMAZING if every one of my 14 brothers and sisters could be there. Those of you who couldn't make it this year . . . you were TRULY missed.

Success

HEAD . . . . .

....... successfully pulled out.

As you all know, I am mediocre at most things, but one thing I totally excel at is feeling sorry for myself, complaining, and being a straight up witch.  After a severe scolding of my own self, LOTS of exercise (what keeps me sane) and realizing being happy is 100% MY RESPONSIBILITY, I think it is safe to say that I am back to my old self.  PHREW!

 (Thank goodness . . . or all that money I spent on therapy years ago would have been a total waste).

I have also been focusing on some VERY important things, LIKE . . . . .

*Playing with my kids.  We are having a delightful summer. Swimming, watching movies, going to the park, hangin' out with cousins, anxiously awaiting the Saunder's arrival (hurry up). I am beginning to love Summer more than I love Fall . . . and I LOVE fall, so thats saying a lot.

We picked cherries tonight at my parents orchard.  Let me know if you wants some, cause there's still TONS.  

*speaking of movies . . . . Mastering "Live Long and Prosper," NOT and easy task.  FYI . . . I make fun of Trekies (sorry Tanisha), but I saw Star Trek, and I cannot believe how much I LOVED it. Who KNEW??  I may give Transformers a shot!  

*Voice lessons . . . . . simply because I don't want to be mediocre anymore.  

*Running . . . for reals this time . . . . except not on the beach . . . . (dang), but at the gym.... on the treadmill . . . and soon around my town, when I won't actually pass out after three miles and embarrass myself.  Like I said, exercise is my medication.  As I am now unemployed (Hallelujah), I have time to do this.  I did a total of 12 miles this week, and it makes me HAPPY!!!!  As a matter of fact, My sisters and perhaps a couple of my brothers are going to be running half marathon in September, so I am going to enjoy the next three months training for that.  Wish me luck.  This outta shape crazy mama is gonna need it.

I will do the best I can to keep my head out.  I can almost guarantee that at some point I will be in another crazy funk.  I guess thats just part of life.  But at least now I know that I am not alone, that I am human, and that I am striving to BE and DO better.

Funk

Have you ever had one of those days when . . . . . . .

*you wake up pissed for no apparent reason

*the thought of getting three kids ready in thirty minutes (you are so tired you can barely roll yourself out of bed), including breakfast, teeth brushed, hair combed and in the car seems more difficult than running a marathon.

*if you have to listen to one more second of crying and whining, you might curl up in the fetal position and throw a giant fit of your own

*if you trip over one more pair of shoes that someone so kindly left in the middle of the floor of the kitchen, you might just throw them out the window

*you can't remember the last time you took a pee by yourself

*just when you think you could not be anymore impatient . . . you dig down real deep and . . . . HELLO to some more impatience

*your house is filthy, yet you refuse to clean it one more time

*the thought of going to work and finishing up the ONE LAST THING you have to do before you officially quit makes you want to vomit
*If anyone crosses you, they run the risk of getting a karate chop to the face

*the mere thought of your husband breathing could send you over the edge

*you can't sit down, because if you do, you might fall asleep

*you keep eating your brains out, because for some deranged reason you want to re-lose that 8 pounds you lost

*you want to pull your hair out and scream because apparently no one is listening to a word you say

I have.

Actually, the last two months have been like this. I have been in a crazy FUNK.

I realize this post may sound a bit psychotic, but you should know by now that I'm not one to sugar coat things. Apparently one of my endearing qualities is that I am painfully honest . . . . (so I've been told). I suppose I say it how it is. That's how I roll.

I wish I had a good reason why I have been in said funk . . . . like say. . . . . pregnancy (actually, I DO NOT wish I were pregnant, but then at least I would have a good excuse as to why I have been so crazy). But I don't.

Well . . . . . I guess I do, but its just taken me a long time to figure it out.

Too much on my plate.

I just can't do everything.

I have got to relax. My kids don't need to be in every extracurricular activity. Who cares if we have peanut butter and jelly for dinner. Doesn't matter if I have a muffin top. Showering everyday went out the window a LONG time ago. Its okay to eat fast food every once in a while. Some people are stupid, and I can't do anything to change that. Quit turning on the news . . . It only gets me more irritated. Having a clean house all the time is very unrealistic. Big deal if my kids hair isn't brushed. The sound of my own complaining is just as about as annoying as my kids whining. The world does not revolve around me. Serving others really does make me happy. Who cares if I rent for another 4 years. Life is no fun when you are stressed out all the time. I don't want my kids to resent me when they grow up. Its okay to ask for help.

Now excuse me while I go pull my head out, quit feeling sorry for myself, find a better attitude, and tame my inner beast.

Summer Lovin'

Sun

Planting my first garden. Isn't she cute?

Watermelon is my second favorite food (next to avocados). I spend gobs of $ every summer on this ball of deliciousness, and all of it goes into my belly.  It is safe to say that I can polish off a whole (seedless of course) watermelon by myself in one sitting.  If you don't believe me, fine.  But I speak the truth, and I challenge you to a watermelon eating dual (I will win, no one stands a chance).

Naked babies eating McDonalds ice cream.  Another of my favorite summer (actually any season will work) treats. 

Friends with pools . . . I wish I had something to offer them, besides my sparkling personality and an occasional glimpse of my hot body. 

Pool Hair

Wedgies

Scooter Riding

(you're welcome....... for shaving my pits today).

Backyard daddy/daughter soccer.  It usually includes an amazing fit thrown by Ava. 

My Gorgeous Girls . . . . .(no, i didn't plant these, but its a chore keeping them this gorgeous, so i will give myself credit, where credit is due).

Not pictured: my filthy, neglected house (too busy swimming), walks around the loop, my non-bikini body (still working on that), going to bed late, sleeping in, and being plain lazy. 

I love you Summer.

Four

Four years ago today, May 15, 2005

at 5:30 pm

Ava Allene

aka . . . "Bayba" was born!

(I know....... her cheeks were, and are still absolutely amazing)!

Ava is my number 2 little lady. Many of you know her, and if you don't, you are TRULY missing out . . . . as she is definitely ONE OF A KIND!

*She was by far our best baby. Great sleeper, great sucker, mellow, laid back. . . . (gone are those days)!

*Ava is our "spirited" child

*she loves to sing

*she is one SASSY broad (i am certain she inherited that trait from her daddy)

*she loves her sisters

*she loves her friends

*loves Ms. Beckner (her preschool teacher)

*loves Sister Wilder (her Sunday School teacher)

*loves her aunts and uncles

*she loves the stage, and is constantly serenading us.

*she has one volume . . . LOUD

*she is very determined

*wants to "do the drums" when she grows up, as well as working at the studio (like mother like daughter)

Words cannot describe how much I love this little Bayba.

Happy Birthday to Bayba..... Babalicious.......Cutie Sweetie....... BaybaLoo!

My Precious

Many of you are aware of the very unfortunate event that occurred in my life not too long ago. I lost my wedding ring. I cannot even begin to describe the panic that I felt as I went to put it on one day, and it was nowhere to be found.

I will admit, it was 100% my fault. I have been careless with it and I can't believe this is the first time that it has gone missing. I tend to take it off a lot, you know, to wash and lotion hands. Also, I am pretty much in sweats every day and for some reason, I feel like it is unacceptable for me to wear my gorgeous ring unless I am wearing real clothes, and I have my hair done (a rare occasion). I'm weird, I know. We've already established that.

To my credit, when I do take it off and 99% of the time I put it in 1 of 2 places. The kitchen window seal or my bathroom drawer.

So I went to put it on, and like I said, NOWHERE. My heart sunk. Of course the first thing I did was ask my kids. They have been threatened to NEVER play with Mommy's ring. I am pretty scary, so they usually listen, especially when they know I mean business. After looking everywhere I could think of, I had to get going, as I was on my way out the door, so I decided to continue my search later, but I was crying on the inside. For reals. Damon sold his car so he could buy me that ring. He flew all the way to Hawaii when I was in college and proposed to me on Sunset Beach with that ring. It means the world to me.

Days later . . . . no ring. I was secretly hoping Damon had taken it and was doing the upgrades I am going to do for my prize when I reach my goal weight. (No, haven't reached it yet, still working on that, but I thought he just might be surprising me for Mother's Day). I knew deep down that he wouldn't do that though, because I would kill him for spending that kind of money without me knowing . . . . but still, I was holding out hope.

Today, while getting ready, I was especially sad, because I always wear it to church. I decided to look some more. No luck. I had pretty much given up. I know Damon is so disappointed, but would NEVER make me feel bad or guilty.

So I get to church (late of course, that's how I roll). I usually sit in the back. That's what happens when you have three small children. My sister Mamie happens to be in the back row too. She has this look on her face. She tells me she has a surprise for me, and points to her hand. I look down and SHE. IS. WEARING. MY. RING!!!!!!!!!

You are NEVER going to believe where it was .. . . . . . IN HER NEIGHBORS Jan's YARD! What the HECK???? Then it all started coming back to me. We went to dinner at Mamie's two Sunday's ago. I must have taken it off (like usual) and put it on her counter while preparing food, and totally forgot about it. One of our little darlings (my best guess would be Ava or Evan, but both deny it) must have been playing with it and thrown it in Jan's yard as to not get caught.

I was SO HAPPY, yet SO UPSET at the same time. Happy that I had my ring back, but upset that I have been so careless, and that I might not have ever seen my ring again if Jan hadn't have been pulling weeds in that ONE LITTLE SPOT and looked down and saw something shiny. Phew. Someone is looking out for me.

Never again will I be so careless with (best Gollum voice here) MY PRECIOUS.

I think I will bake Jan some cookies. . . . oh wait, I don't have that kind of self control. I think I will BUY Jan some cookies.

Welcome back Beautiful . . . . I missed you.