Entertainment With Flavor

Did you know that bubble gum can entertain babies? Good thing we have some serious gum skills over here. When the bubbles pop, they giggle. It's mesmerizing.


If I would have known that these twins would bring us so much joy, I would have made my sister have them years ago. One of these days I'm going to have to break it to her that I'm keeping them. I'll just explain to her that "whats mine is mine, and what yours is mine". I think it will go over well.

Add In 80% Humidity

Picture from inside my car:At what temperature does clothing become optional? Tell me. Please. Because this is crazy hot. Not just regular hot. Crazy hot. The radio reported that when you add in the humidity, it "feels like" 108 degrees. For reals? Are you kidding!? I "feels like" walking around in my underwear.

I've started sweating in places that I didn't know existed. I now know that I do indeed have a boob crevice. Not cleavage by any means. Just a mere crevice. That's kind of an exciting discovery for a girl like me. That "feels like" fantastic.

The heat has driven me to act irrationally. I haven't been wearing earrings for weeks. Oh, the insanity, I know. It's just too hot for fashion accessories. It saddens me. And just over the last day or two I haven't been able to bring myself to wear makeup. I know, I know, again, the insanity of it all. Maybe the heat is sucking out my brain cells. It's either that or my kids fighting.

I think I'm going to start wearing a Survivor buff. On TV it looks like it covers a good amount of skin. You won't even be able to see my crevice. I swear. Just for sake of modesty, I'll double up on the buffs. I'll layer them. After that, I will only need a good breeze to keep me cool. I think that "feels like" summer just got a whole lot lighter. Bring it on.

The 3rd Violinist

She has been begging me for over a year. It's taken me exactly that long to bring myself to grips with 3 children practicing before school and 3 girls I shuttle hither yonder to lessons each week. When we were finally at the violin store, her excitement was bubbling out of her pores. As she was measured for the tiniest violin ever, she couldn't even stand still.

She told everyone, and I mean everyone, that she was starting violin lessons today. Sam and Makell just looked at her and shook their heads. I could almost read their thoughts...."oh, you have no idea what you're getting into...." I watched her and marveled at this bright, eager, beyond determined 6 year old. She was so cute I wanted to just squeeze her.

One lesson down and numerous more to go. I wonder if she'll be this cute after a month or two of practicing with me. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Lessons

Father's Day has become an altogether different day for me. It's a day where I long to call and hear the voice that brings me home. Yet, I can not call. I can not send a card. And so I think. I think of all the lessons I have absorbed over the years.

Because of my father, I have learned various things: football is sacred, peanut butter and jelly taste better mixed together, Rolaids and duct tape are always the answer, you should never miss a day of work and loving your family and serving the Lord is always, always the path to travel.

When I was a freshman in high school, I went shopping for my first prom dress. My mom and I went to store after store and tried on dress after dress. I fell in love with a white, strapless dress. I felt mature and beautiful, older than my years. After a modesty discussion with my mom, we went home without a dress. I persisted, and a few days later I returned to the store with my dad. I modeled the dress. He remained silent and told me that we needed to think about it.

The following morning I woke up to find a note in my bathroom. It was from my dad. He spoke to me of being a righteous daughter of God. He expressed his concern that my choice of dress might not reflect my own ability to remember who I am. And I knew he was right. I bought the pink dress with lots of ruffles instead.

'Remember Who You Are' still rings in my ears. He said it to us continually. I think he tried to put a little more strength into those words as we headed out the door with teenage friends or dates. And he even said them when I was choosing a prom dress.

The lessons my dad has taught me are endless. Some more colorful than others. But the one that seems to stick the most is 'remember who you are'. So today, on Father's Day, that it what I shall do. I shall remember you. And in that memory, I can so vividly see who I really am. I will always remember. It is written on the bracelet I wear, it gives life to the voice in my mind and it is forever etched in my soul.

Happy Father's Day dad. I live my life to be with you again.

Make A Wish

The Girls: "What is that?"

Todd: "A wishbone."

Girls: "Ah, like from a chicken? Seriously? That bone is from a chicken?"

Todd: "Yes. You make a wish and then you pull on it. Whoever gets the top section will receive their wish."
Me: "Yay Addie! You get your wish. What did you wish for?"

Addie: "That a real live Sponge Bob will come over to our house."

My kids are definitely high achievers and deep thinkers. Oh ya.

She's Home

Celebrate The Sparkle

She's 10. My girl who sparkles in all that she does, whether I want her to or not. I never thought she or I would make it to 6, let alone 10. But, here we are together. Celebrating the joy she brings into my life. A perfect day.

I win the 'cutest mom' award for having her 4 yr. old picture turned into a puzzle.
Kellie's party was at IT'Z--lunch, games, roller coaster ride, more games, more rides. I'm dizzy. She's in her element.

Her friends all joined forces to buy her a Ripstick. She could hardly breathe from the excitement.

A momentous day all around. Keagan and Riley had their first french fry!! Tomorrow I'm going to try and slip them an Oreo.

Makell has a slight obsession with gum and Funyuns. Today she was rewarded.

Happy Birthday Kellie.
May your sparkle always show me the way.