Without Words...

The prompt was, or my interpretation of the prompt was: Who or what occurance has left you speechless?

Laid in bed last night going through the "to do list" in my mind. That led me straight to Kristin and the countdown list of needed items and things to do beforehand. No problem there, just get through that list and off we go to do the 1000 mile drive to Florida and she reports to her college, unpack everything, go through her orientation, run around with last minute items we can buy down there. Hang out in her dorm room and get a little knowledge about her dormmate. All that sounds good, methodical and a pleasant new adventure.

Then it hits... full force... stomach goes into nots, throat goes dry and closes... ringing in my ears.. tears and horrible horrible pain. and the question that runs over and over again... "how am I going to get on that plane and leave her there?" "How am I going to do that?" How am I going to be able to tell her how much I love her and am going to miss her? How am I going to get on that plane? I am without words...

IM Conversation with Dad

John Paul arrived at my Dad's last night for the weekend. His 26th birthday gift was a round trip ticket for this Florida trip... here's a glimpse of long distance family gabbing....
Dad: hey
me: hey
me: is he still sleeping?!
Dad: howdy your son just got up
me: fun
Dad: we had a late dinner at applebys and home at 12
me: were you guys out last night?
me: ahh
me: sorry.. Kristin's on the phone... brb
Dad: havn't firmed up plans for today,probaby beach ,where is kris?
me: shes getting her new car
Dad: ahhh MUSTANG?????
me: was running to the bank for the cash...
Dad: ahh
me: she and her father are going
me: John Paul eating bagel?
Dad: tell her to pick some up for ME
me: she's gone now...
Dad: not yet he's on the THRONE
me: ahh...TMI!
Dad: i think he slept perrty good
me: lol... he's easy to please...
Dad: yep
me: very low maintenance...
Dad: yep
me: he'll be in heaven there with you!
Dad: like ALL your kids
me: well, I wouldn't say that!!
Dad: what do u have planed today?
me: recovering from the carnival... we were there until after 11 pm... Hannah won a goldfish ...
me: as did Bre
me: grocery shopping... the usual
Dad: neat guess she was excited
me: oh yeah... now we have to get this poor thing some goldfish food...
me: how are u feeling?
Dad: cool something for the CAT
Dad: i'm fine
me: you mean cat's "s"... lol
Dad: yep
me: lol.. there's always the bay... think it'd live in the bay?
Dad: one way to fine out
me: you are so bad!
Dad: throw the dog in too
Dad: just kidding
me: not nice... poor Jax.. everyone has it in for him these days..
Dad: gotta go...fix the young man some breakfast
Dad: luv ya bye
me: have fun ... D
me: luv ya bye too, hugs & kisses to JP too... enjoy your day!

{All In A Day}

My yesterday was a busy one. Terrible fight with Michael over Jax. Found out Kristin's dream car sold an hour before we were to get there to possibly buy it... poor Hannah whined and fussed all day awaiting the time to go pick up Bre to go to the carnival. Kristin actually found the car of her dreams same year, a little higher mileage but better shape and silver loaded with sunroof and leather instead of black. John Paul flew to his Grandfathers for a first time weekend visit from the round trip ticket we got him for his birthday. Ha, what to get the 26 year old who has everything! Funny, John Paul called to let me know he had "made it" and was standing with his Grandpa Jack at the airport while Hannah and I were on the tilt-a-whirl and watching the fireworks. Speaking of the carnival rides... that was so fun. The lights, the families with their kids, the teenagers running around, the candy apples and hot summer night air, there's something really intoxicating about carnivals with their dirty ride operators and neon light pacifier toys. Bre loved riding the zipper and rode it twice. Hannah rode everything that she could ride for her height! She and Bre even won goldfish which we got the pleasure, Michael and I, to lug around all night. One thing though, nothing like riding those unbrella things that go up and around. I thought I lucked out when they didn't have the ferris wheel running - hint, hint, something's broken! Well, Michael rode the unbrella ride the first time with the girls and when they decided that was the ride of choice for the last ride he declined to go again so I rode with them -- Talk about scared... I screamed and hollered like I was on the biggest roller coaster on earth. I was simply terrified. Something about the way it dipped and swayed so high up in the air - I was for sure we were going to come unbolted from one of the little bolts holding this travelling ride together! Must have been quite amusing to my Michael far down below ~ oh the small revenges of marriagehood.

The Whole ShaaaaaBang

Here's a rare photo of my munchkins all together - oh boy do they grumble when I gather them around for one of these- came across it yesterday looking for a header photo and thought I'd share.

Advice for my younger self...

Ok, well this list is probably going to be long.

1. Try not to grow up too fast, there's plenty of time for that.

2. Never forget that you matter and you can make a difference in this life so believe in yourself.

3. Decisions you make may effect the rest of your life so make them wisely.

4. Find a career that you love and never let go of it. Establish routines that work for you and save for retirement.

5. Learn to be still. Contemplate the world around you.

6. Eat healthy and drink lots of water.

7. Give more than you take.

8. Be a good friend at all times... you can never have too many friends or be a friend to too many people.

9. Be honest always with others and with yourself.

10. Surround yourself with children and pets and people you love and never forget that you cannot take "things" with you when you leave this world. What matters is your soul. Leave this world the best of you.

Tag!! We're It!!

Tag!! We're it! Stacey42 tagged us with an Internet meme! Copy and paste this into your blog and answer the questions, if you want to play along!
1. Have you ever been searched by the cops? My car has
2. Do you close your eyes on a roller coaster? Why yes, yes I do…and scream too!
3. When's the last time you've been sledding? Wow, it’s been 10 years!
4. Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone? With Hubby of course!
5. Do you believe in ghosts? Yes, in the spiritual sense.
6. Do you consider yourself creative? Yes, but only recently.
7. Do you think O.J. killed his wife? Absolutely!
8. Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie? (silly, I know ... but very "now") Jennifer. I believe woman should stick together and NEVER take another woman’s man.
9. Can you honestly say you know ANYTHING about politics? Only that I think having the two parties is stupid and allows people to side with a “party” rather than debate each issue on it’s own merit.
10. Do you know how to play poker? Yes but I’m a blackjack girl really.
11. Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight? I have 4 children, need I say more?!!
12. What's your favorite commercial? The back to school Staples commercial
13. Who was your first love? John Roberts
14. If you're driving in the middle of the night, and no one is around you, do you run a red light? nope
15. Do you have a secret that no one knows but you? Of course… but just one
16. Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees? Baltimore Orioles!
17. Have you ever been Ice Skating? Yes
18. How often do you remember your dreams? Not often
19. What's the one thing on your mind? My family and where’s my camera?!
20. Do you always wear your seat belt? Sadly, not always
21. What talent do you wish you had? Singer22. Do you like Sushi? Nope!
23. What do you wear to bed? T-shirt – big one!.
24. Do you truly hate anyone? People who hurt children.
25. If you could sleep with one famous person, who would it be? Tim McGraw
26. Do you know anyone in jail? yes, from church actually.
27. What food do you find disgusting? Sushi, fish, mussels, brains, liver
28. Have you ever made fun of your friends behind their back? Yes (blush)
29. Have you ever been punched in the face? yes ex's are ex's for a reason!
30. Do you believe in angels and demons? yes angels and .. please refer to #29.

{My Contribution to the Freebie World}

Here's my exciting news... I hope you all like it! You can download it here.

Kielbasa Dinner - Family Recipe

1 pack of kielbasa
1 large can of cream of mushroom soup
1 cup of red port wine (most of the time I just use my zinfendel)
4 cups of boil in the bag rice
1 can of green beans

slice kielbasa into 1/2 pieces, fry until brown, add cream of mushroom soup and wine, lower temperature to simmer and simmer for atleast 20 minutes. Boil rice. Heat up green beans. Serve keilbasa over rice with green beans as side item. We like to add bisquits with honey as well!

There Goes My Life

Kristin found out yesterday that she got the job at the college too so instead of reporting on 8/20...she now has to report 8/16. I know, it's only 4 days. But for a mom who is really struggling to come to grips with my daughter leaving home, going a thousand miles away... 4 days is another punch in the stomach. My baby's leaving home...

Credits:
Artsy Smartsy page and elements Created by Elisabeth Weaver
flower photo corners by Angie Briggs
doodles by Rene Bross
Your Are My Sunshine Patch & yellow flowers by One Fine Day Element PackCreated by Stacey Jewell Stahl
Fonts: Old Script, & my shoes

Hannah's Dancing...

As far as Hannah was concerned... there was no place better to be at the reception than on the dance floor! She danced with everyone and to almost every song and snagged Seth for the slow ones!

Back to the wedding...

Amy's wedding was, I can honestly say, one of the best wedding's I've ever attended. The church was relatively small and intimate and the reception was within walking distance. Unfortunately the weather at that hour of the morning (11 am - a rant unto itself!) was rainy and with the heat we've been having... can u say muggy! The wedding was so "nice", there was no appearance of stress - it was simply wonderful. And Amy was such a gracious bride. She never showed a moment of irritation with the kids as they scampered around her constantly seeking her attention. Congratulations to the newlyweds!

Sunday Ramblings...

Pastor Jeff asked, "What are you living for?" and he asked are you living your life "your way or the High way?" and also talked about "living the High way will be free but will cost you everything". What a strong impact all of that was on me. Everything and how I am living my life came into question, some things in focus and some very abstract and yet unreachable. The essance was really about being unselfish and putting others first. Being Christ-like is what being a Christian is suppose to be. When I see what Christ did for us, it's not hard to understand why I should fall on my knees for him. He did the ultimate, he gave his life for me. He loves me and has mercy and provides me with a beautiful place to live. That verse in a song, "The universe declares his majesty" really hits home with me. I mean, I know realistically I can't even begin to do for others what he has done for me. Yet, there is still so much I could be doing. More time I should be spending just with my family, more devotion to my husband, more time to those who just need someone to show they care. How about my million dollar home on the water? My SUV with the tv in it for Hannah's enjoyment? Move to Alexandria to be closer to my husbands work so he wouldn't have to commute 3 hours a day? Of course that would take Hannah away from her father and cause a custody battle that I would have to trust in God's hands. Would Christ do all of that? Yes, I believe he would. What am I living for? Isn't it amazing how you can sit in on a sermon and feel it's being spoken directly to you - don't know if it applies to the rest of the congregation..but it sure applied to me.

Family Fun Friday...

We had such a fun day yesterday... Everyone's getting ready for Amy's wedding tomorrow - my second cousin's wedding. It's an early one at 11 am today. I can't imagine getting married at this hour of the morning..but ok! Anyways, Grandma Mary gets her hair done here on the island so she was planning to stop by afterwards. Hannah was so happy about her Grandmother coming over...she was up early at 6:45 am and by 9 am she couldn't stand it anymore and called Grandma's cell phone. Grandma didn't answer but Hannah was really upset and complaining to me about how "mean Grandma didn't answer her phone!" so my mom called her back immediately as soon as she could get outta the hair salon. It was so funny, Hannah was so happy to talk to her on the phone, "Grandma, when are you going to be here? I've been SOooo missing you!"... and oh boy the greeting she received when she got here! All the years the boys and Kristin were growing up they never really had that relationship with their grandma - not to say that they aren't close now because they are. But Hannah absolutely adores her Grandma and I would venture to say that my mother has never received the greeting from anyone that she receives from her granddaughter Hannah. We convinced Grandma to get in the pool with us and then had lunch, Hannah got a nap and Grandma left to go finish her "wedding grooming preparations!" When Hannah woke up she asked if we could go to the park which sounded good to me (if we could stand the heat). We met Keiley at the park and when the fun turned to thunder storms Hannah invited Keily back to our house. They ended up playing and romping until 8 pm. Kristin has had Emily here all week while her family's been on vacation which has been nice. Thursday was Kristin's last day at Harris's so now it's up all night, sleep all day... She and Emily went to the grocery store and ran errands to the bank and post office if I'd agree to make "breakfast for dinner" which I did. Hannah and Keily weren't that interested in eggs and bacon for dinner so on the way taking Keily home, we did a Mcd's run for some of their favorite foods... yes of course, "chicken nuggets and french fries". Off to get ready for the wedding ... Have a great weekend!

She Dances....

Very Best Advice....

I've been married 4 times. I have 4 children, 2 from my first husband, 1 from my 3rd and 1 from a man I never married but was together with for over 10 years (my 17 year old daughters father). To say I'm not very good at taking advice would be a gargantuan(sp?) understatement! Let me just say this, I like to learn things the hard way. Truthfully, it has been my children who have paid the price. I look at them with amazement and a gratefulness to God for making them turn out as the incredibly wonderful people that they are. God's grace is a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful thing. Having said that, maybe it explains why I think the best advice I ever got isn't so great really, but it did help me along the way. It came from the very first Alien movie (I know, gotta chuckle on that one... anyhoo... there's a scene in the movie where they are being attacked by the aliens and one of them says, "We can't afford to let even ONE of them get in here!" Well, I have heard that comment going around in my head ever since... "pay the bills, can't afford to even have one of those bill collectors get in here!"..-- Ok, so I've confessed my most shameful life choices and spoke of aliens all in the same paragraph, how scary is that?! Now giving advice, Oh in retrospect I'm probably worth a fortune in all the things "NOT" to do! If given the choice though, I can't imagine changing anything about my life if it meant altering anything about my children.

He proposed....

lol...which time?!

Michael and I had only been dating for 6 months when he proposed to me after dinner at a wonderful restaurant in old town Alexandria. He had the ring and the truth was, he just couldn't stand it anymore trying to wait and just "impulsively" jumped up, got the ring and dropped down on one knee... Poor man, didn't even begin to know what he was getting himself into!

Here's a picture of us taken by Kristin the night we were headed out on a date to see Tim Mcgraw in concert....

I love you Michael!


And thanks you guys for all of your nice comments along the way... Have a great day!

New Favorite Layouts....

The Expression

"You have GOT to be kidding me!", "What in the world?", "Hello, do you not hear what I am saying?!" "Give me a break!"... Yep, that's me. Now that I see this in type (and yep, I did take Stacey's Journaling class - wonderful highly recommend that class!) it seems to me that I walk around in amazement most of the time. LOL... one prompt I'm the one who's nuts... the next, it's everyone else! That can't be a good sign. On another topic. Kristin's soon-to-be college roommate called this morning to introduce herself. I feel this strange panic coming on. Rationally I know that I can get on a plane and be there with her in a couple of hours. It's her not being her. Her not coming the door after work or being here in the morning to let Jax out. I keep pushing the reality off into the distance, yet within a month, it'll be here.

Tim McGraw Faith Hill Soul2Soul Concert Sucked!

I could rant and rant, but I won't.... Just vented "creatively" and now I'm better :)

Too Much In My Head

The things going around in there are just plain nuts. Church and Michael. Hannah and dealing with Gene, Kristin and getting her off to college next month, worrying about the boys and their landscape work in this heat, the new website. Someone once mentioned ADHD... maybe that's what it is. Can all of that fit in one head? Won't it explode or something? Meg's prompt is about the human body... that just takes me to spirituality. Want proof of a higher power? Carry life within, give birth, hold a newborn child in your arms. "We" are a amazing. I seem to lack the words sitting here shaking my head in frustration. Just the use of our hands alone boggles the mind! Atleast mine anyway...and mine's too full right now to begin with~

God Bless the Butterfly

She's so beautiful....Just had to post this again... thanks for indulging a very proud mom. And she's a Graduate of High School too! I must write that story next...