What A Weekend!

I can't believe that it's been over a week since I got a post up on the blog. The week has flown....thanks to all sorts of excitement around the ole Mileski hizzle! We are soooo busy. Work, school, talent show rehearsals, school projects, church stuff, sniffles, 911 calls, household projects, birthday festivities, snowdays.....whew! B.U.S.Y. !!!

This weekend was all kinds of fun though. Snow....

WE. HAD. SNOW!!!!

Greer and Daddy marched around in it for over an hour before the big kids finally made it home from school. They managed to make it for over half the day, and enjoyed a snowy recess....a rare occasion here in the deep south! Days like these are what memories are made of! Right? Right!

Gotta love a snowy sunset......something we rarely may never, ever see again.

I want to freeze this picture in time! Gorgeous, huh?

....or maybe this is the most gorgeous photo of the weekend!

Chris and I went out for our Valentine's date last night (more on that and the 911 call tomorrow)....

....but today we made it special for the kiddos!

It was cold and dreary this afternoon, so I decided that an afternoon at the movies was the perfect solution! I took the big kids to see "The Tooth Fairy" while Chris and Greer set up for an awesome candlelit dinner at home! The kids LOVED it!

Dim lights. Candle-light. Cheesy, dollar-store gifts and decorations. Plastic Champagne Flutes filled with sweet tea (we forgot the sparkling grape juice). Norah Jones on the Apple TV. Jarred Spaghetti (their favorite). Paper Napkins. Mom and Dad waiting on them hand and foot (we had the waiter and waitress thing down pat!).....

Lucy said, "Y'all are the best Mom and Dad, EVAH!"

Reeves asked, "Are we Rich? Are you our Servants?"

Chris said, "Yeah Buddy, something like that...."

I really need to tell you this....

Chris and I make a good team. Always have. It's an especially amazing blessing now that our kiddos are going a million different directions. And lately, it seems like one of them is always sick....that's just a little bonus!

Lately, I feel like God has been trying to remind me of how awesome my husband is.

I know I take him for granted. I do. All the time. I'm trying to do better....I promise I am.

He's a dedicated father, husband, provider, child of God. He puts up with a LOT of junk from me.....I mean, really! I'm not the easiest person to live with, ahem, but he loves me and our babies ferociously.

For 3 and a half years, he took care of the kids every weekend while I worked (thank the good LORD I don't have that same schedule these days) and he tells me almost every day how much he appreciates what it takes to be with the kids all day long. Do you know how awesome it is to have a husband who has literally walked in your shoes? Amazing.

He coaches 3 little league teams, makes pink pancakes on the weekends, and makes the bed. He works 3 jobs and meets the kids at the bus stop and combs hair into ponytails. He prays for me when I'm struggling and worries about the kids when they are sick. He unloads the dishwasher and wipes down the counter and pays the bills. He stays up all night to put together a video for worship. He yearns to know God more and to be the best man he can be. He gets up at 3 am everyday so that he will have time to spend in communion and prayer with God.

He doesn't get mad when I drop my cellphone in the pedi-bowl or blow my tire out for the 4th time because I seem to always run into the curb.

No, he's not perfect.

Sometimes he gets on my nerves. He leaves the seat up and the wet towel on the floor and the milk on the top of the refrigerator.

No, I'm not perfect either.

I nag him about leaving the seat up and the wet towel on the floor and the milk on the top of the refrigerator.

We both screw up. A lot. But you know what I know I know is true?

He loves me.

He loves us.

He loves Jesus.

That's it. And that's enough.

Lazy Sunday afternoon....

.....yeah RIGHT!

So, maybe we've bitten off more than we can chew for this fall, but I'm determined that it's all worth it! See, this is the first time in a really, REALLY long time that I haven't had to work every weekend (or every other weekend) during a "fall-ball" season. So, when it came time to sign the kids up for sports, I decided that it would be "do-able" to have Reeves in fall baseball and flag football.

Sure, we could handle that.

Little did I know, Lucy had some big plans of her own.

This girl was determined to play a sport this fall. How could we possibly deny her? She has never shown an interest in sports until this year, and she asked all Summer when it would be her turn to "play baseball like Reeves". So, Chris and I thought about it and talked it through, and decided that this would be the perfect time to sign her up for some softball.

So, here we are!

Saturday mornings at the flag football field (well, if it ever decides to stop raining here in Alabama): Reeves playing, Lucy cheering. Sunday afternoons at the baseball park AND softball park. I know....we're nuts!

Or are we? I bet there are some brave souls reading this blog who do WAY more than that. God Bless You!

Reeves was exhausted this afternoon, so we let him skip out on baseball camp. Since we had already arranged to have a sitter for Greer (don't even get me started on how nuts we would be to take her to the ballpark!), we let him stay home with them. They both slept the afternoon away while we hit the park with Lucy. What a big day for our girl!!!

I have a picture of Chris working with Reeves that is almost identical to this one. I HAVE to find it so I can show you. My sweet husband is so patient as the batting coach. Doesn't she look like a natural?

I know, I'm biased. Who cares? It's my blog, right?

Check out that determination! Man, does she love it! I really can't believe it. Chris said, "Man, she's really a natural. I kinda feel bad for not working with her sooner!" Guess all three of them will be heading to the batting cages this week!

Plenty of time, plenty of time.

You wouldn't believe how cute they all are out there! Their age group ranges from barely 4 year olds up to 6 year olds. Some are veterans and some have never held a bat. Lucy is loving it so far, and we'll see what happens. It was just the first game. Next week she may be soooo over softball.....

....we'll see!

One of the cutest things they do happens after the game is over. The teams line up and have a relay race with the softball. I think they enjoy this even more than the actual game!

Check out that number 24. If you know my husband at all, then you know that isn't a coincidence! Ha!

...and I haven't even mentioned that we're co-leading a married couple's small group or that we're super involved with church on Sunday mornings (which is an amazingly good thing).

Whew! Would God be disappointed?

Please tell me "NO"!

Speaking of rain....

The girls are still sleeping and Reeves just left for school, so I'm stealing a few minutes to post a little life update. After several days of fever and coughing, I decided it was time to take Lucy in to see our pediatrician. Turns out, she has mycoplasma pneumonia, but she should be on the up and up as soon as these antibiotics kick in. I am praying that this will be our last illness for a while....we haven't had 1 week since school started (that's almost 6 weeks) when all of us were well. Here's hoping for health and wellness!

Speaking of rain (I wasn't speaking of rain, you say?)....I have a confession to make: I have a love affair with rainy days. Give me a rainy afternoon over a bright sunny morning almost any day of the week. I know, weird.

I love the way the dark clouds make the light look on my walls. I love the sound of the raindrops on the window panes and the wind chimes. I love the flash of lightening and the roll of thunder. I love having a good excuse to stay under the covers or head out for a movie. And of course, I love any excuse to wear these....

However....

....I'm as sick of the rain as I am of my family being sick. As much as I've loved crossing a few things off our busy schedule, I am dying to watch Lucy play in her first softball game and Reeves in action on the flag football field. It's too wet to even practice! Here's hoping for some relief from the wet stuff....soon!

I need to call my sister in Atlanta today to make sure she hasn't floated away. Pray for that city (and all those under water)....I can't imagine how devastating it would be to lose precious memories and loved ones in flood waters. Have any of you been devastated by flood or fire? Chris' house burned down when he was in college and his family lost everything.....there are only a handful of pictures of him as a little boy and I don't know that I've ever seen a baby picture of him. It makes us both sad.

So stay dry and stay well and stay safe. And hug on your people....that's what I'm gonna do today.

A Brief Update on My Life

Sorry for ye bloggy absence....it's been a busy few days!

Where to start? Well, the sickness found us me and Reeves, and we've been pushing through. I refuse to let it get me down, so I have tried to let every non-essential in my life go undone while I heal. It's the best rest we mothers can hope for.....it is true what they say! Nope, no rest for the weary.

I did have quite a motivator for getting well, though. Our bestest friends came in to town for a visit (remember the ones who moved to Raleigh), and we had some good times. I am dying for Amy to post the Flip Video she caught of Jake surprising Reeves at our front door. Priceless is all I'm gonna say. I promise to post it as soon as she does!

Tomorrow is a big day for me! It's my first workday (I work 2 days a week as a labor and delivery nurse in case you didn't know...) since the kids started back to school. And since Chris has to be up at the Rick and Bubba Studio bright and ridiculously early, it will be my sole responsibility to get the rest of us up and at 'em....and neatly deposited at said schools. I am a wee bit nervous about pulling it off. I have run the route a few dozen times, though, and if we can pull out of the driveway by precisely 6:53, then we should all make it on time. I'll be sure to keep you updated on how it all goes down.....

So....the bags are packed, the animals are fed, the clothes are laid neatly on the dining room table. That reminds me, I need to go set the coffee maker. The children are nestled all snug in their beds....drugged on cough medicine and hot cocoa. Pray that they don't fight me in the morning. Or have any major meltdowns concerning hair tangles, toothpaste flavors, or sock comfort. But mostly, pray for sweet Greer! She is going to be in for a rude awakening come 6:40....that girl hasn't woken up before 9 am in over a year! She's my happy girl, though, she'll be fine! Good thing she adores her school (have I mentioned that? Well, she does.....she calls the place "PLAY"! Hallelujah & Praise the Lord)!

Sweet dreams y'all!

Guest Posting, Randomness, Prayer Requests, and a Giveaway!

How ya like THAT for a Title? I probably could have simply titled it "Randomness", but that would have been just plain boring! This way, you know exactly what you're getting, right? Right. Here we go....

My Fabulous Friday post is up over on Danielle's blog. I was honored when she asked me to join in, but had a tough time coming up with a topic. I hope I haven't disappointed her readers with my sappy, sentimental topic {Fabulous Teachers}! Usually, her blog is all fashion and fun and I go there to keep myself feeling somewhat cool. Won't you please head over, poke around, leave a comment? You know the drill. There's even a chance to win something sort of yummy, too! You'll have to click here to see what's up for grabs!

Yesterday, another cellphone (owned by yours truly) fell prey to death by water. Yes, friends, this is the third phone I have killed in a year. My friend Lauren thinks I keep doing it to get a new phone (it has worked out pretty well for me thus far), but I promise I'm innocent. The hassle and stress it causes isn't worth all that, now! Thankfully, I keep a backup around just for this very occasion (you know, when I decide to wash my phone with my favorite jeans or drop it in the pedi-bowl....), and Chris managed to reactivate that old Razor for me to use in the meantime....

....while dear old Palm Centro dries out in a tiny tub of orzo and wild rice.

I didn't have much rice.....do you think it will do the trick? I've heard I need to leave it alone for three days (anyone else see the irony in that) before I see if it will live. I'm not counting on a second resurrection, but you never know!

On the bright side, turns out Chris is eligible for an upgrade. This very afternoon, I may be the proud owner of a slightly broken-in little Blackberry. Lauren, I promise I didn't know!!!

Speaking of great deals (that's what I was speaking of, right?)....do you Woot? We've been Wooting for a couple of years now, and Chris just loves it. I have to admit, I rarely see anything that really blows up my skirt, but they have finally gotten my attention. This week, our friends over in Wootland (hey, they have clever words to go along with their posts so I can too!) have launched a new site....

Kids Woot!

Genius I tell you! Great deals on fun toys/products for kiddos. You can bet I'll be clicking over every day! Maybe it'll inspire me to start my Christmas shopping before December!

And now for my last random thought today.....

Please say a prayer for my sweet grandmother, Bubba, as she recovers from rotator cuff surgery. My mom will be taking care of her for a few days and she could probably use some prayers, too.

And pray that my house gets rid of the sickies over the weekend....there's a suspicious tickle in my throat that is making me nervous!

Hope you have a happy, healthy weekend friends!

Dear Birmingham....

I promised to keep posting the videos from a2's latest series here on the blog, and I shall not disappoint (or like that awesome billboard just south of B'ham says...."The Devil Will GET Me!"). Check out Chris Goins' blog too....he posts some awesome stuff there. He even makes a cameo in the video posted below....see if you can catch him!

The guys did a great job with this one (did I mention that my sweet hubby, Chris, is filming and creating these videos....with the help of many more talented peeps at a2 Church)! This one is funny and nostalgic for those of us living here in the 'Ham!

***don't forget to scroll down and pause my playlist first!***

Dear Birmingham - Part 3 from Chris Goins on Vimeo.

This weeks' service was light and fun! A Rockin' time celebrating our youth, children, parents, and educators as we head back to school this week. I have more on that later, but we have a little bit of homework to get to tonight.....

Catch y'all later!

Tonight, I might meet my boyfriend....

***Update****

The concert was every bit as amazing as I had hoped it would be....and more. If you ever have the chance to catch David Wilcox, you should go....he really is an unbelievable artist. I mean talented and real and pure and full of faith. And WorkPlay is an awesome venue....I can't wait to have a reason to go back soon. Some old friends just happened to be there, too, and we had a great reunion of sorts. It felt fresh and real and it filled us up.

It's rare for Chris and I to get out to do much of anything alone, but this date was extra special. We are in a better place in our marriage than we have been in a really long time, and we have a lot to be thankful for. I've never felt more at peace in my marriage than I have lately....

What a wonderful privilege it is to share my life with my best friend.

So below the picture is my original post from Saturday.....

I didn't get to meet him, but just being there was gift enough. What an amazingly talented soul!

....just kidding!

well sorta. I do love him!

I really would love to meet him. I've been a fan since the early 90's and I know the words to every song he's written. I follow him on twitter, and he's even tweeted me back a few times....I know. It's sorta sickening. I don't care. He is amazing.

Chris is aware of this love affair I have with David Wilcox music. He tolerates it like I tolerate his love affair with Jane Seymour, Steve Green, 24, and Russell Crowe (don't ask....).

So, David is gonna be in town tonight (at WorkPlay if you're a local), and if it weren't for my sweet friend Katherine, I might have missed him. I haven't been keeping up with his tour schedule quite as diligently as I did in college when I went to see him anytime he was within a 100 mile radius. I think it has a little bit to do with having little kids and forgetting what it means to be an actual adult.

An adult who goes out for dinner at an adult type restaurant with her husband. An adult who goes to a concert that features an actual musician and not a ginormous muppet! I've already picked out my outfit and booked a babysitter (helps that I have the most amazing live-in babysitter on the planet)! We'll eat dinner without wiping mouths or cutting meat or breaking up a fight.

Bliss!

Nothing can bring me down today.

Save My Sumatanga

I got 5 million chigger bites standing in the Chigger Bowl in a ring of candle-light after a powerful evening program. I know right where the jar of soggy cotton balls are that will take the itch out.

Jesus lives at Camp Sumatanga and every time I am there I feel like I am closer to Him. The view from the Chapel is more breathtaking than can be described in even the most beautiful poem. I hiked that trail up the mountain every year, and I have scars from all the rock bites I got along the way. I can't even count how many times I sat in that primitive stone Chapel looking out over the lake while enjoying a soggy peanut butter and honey sandwich and weak pink lemonade. Up there, the air is different.

I can still taste it.

I traded warm fuzzies. I waded in the creek. I painted on rocks and sent them home to my little sister. I waited to find mail from home on the pool table after lunch in the air-conditioned Dining Hall.....mealtimes were some of my favorite times. I sang my blessings and now my children sing all those old songs when we sit down for meals at home.

"Thank you God for giving us Food!!!"

I played four square in the breezeway and softball in the chigger bowl. I got sent back to my cabin to get my nametag before they would let me into the dining hall for a meal. I bent down to feel the cool spring water air on my face after a sweaty hike to Air Conditioned Rock.

I rehearsed interpretive dances to perform at evening program. I sat on the cool concrete floor in the Assembly Hall and listened to Nina Reeves (our son's namesake) say "Whammity Bang, Whammity Bang...". Oh the stories she could tell.....and the lives she touched. Seeing her at Jenny and John Paul's wedding brought tears to my eyes. What a beautiful soul (and tough one) she is.....

I danced to Buttercup and Alley Cat and Amos Moses till I could do it in my sleep.

I prayed and prayed and listened and learned sooooo much about my Sweet Jesus. I got to share my faith with boy-crazy 13 year olds and prayed that they would "get it". I think about a few of them still and wonder how they are doing. Some of them are still my friends.

I get my best night's sleep on a top bunk in Cabin 7. I can still feel the dirt on my sheets from sandy concrete floors. I can still hear the hum of the massive fans that circulated the heavy Alabama night-time air. I prayed that there wouldn't be a spider in the shower and that the two toilets shared by 30 squealing 12 year olds would not stop-up.

I listened to great and powerful music and was introduced to David Wilcox.....my most favorite musician of all time. The sweet sound of music filling the woods would bring tears to my eyes.

At Camp Sumatanga.....I met my beloved.

This is My Sumatanga.

And it is in great danger of closing. I can't imagine my life without it, and I want my children to grow up there like Chris and I did. I want others to find Jesus there. Please pray for Sumatanga....

If you live in Alabama and are looking for an amazing place to have a retreat for your church (every denomination is welcome), I URGE you to introduce your leaders to this amazing place. You will NOT regret it.....and if you visit there or you have your own memories of Sumatanga, I would love to hear your stories. What is YOUR Sumatanga like??

And if you feel led to give to Sumatanga.....well that would just be amazing!

...."Let no one say, and say to your shame, that this was a place of beauty till you came."

Happy Father's Day to Our Hero....Daddy!

Reeves and Chris....circa, 2007

Swirly....

I haven't really been around these parts too much the past few days.  In fact, the past few weeks have been a bit crazy.  I have so many things that are heavy on my heart....lots of little pieces of me that I want to share, but I've just been too darn busy to get my writing act together. 

I'm getting there though....stay tuned. 

The best I can do is post a few pictures of our days and some sweet commentary to go along with it.  I guess that's all well and good, and there's no going back, but I really want this to be about more than just that. 

Don't get me wrong.....

This blog is mostly just for me (and I mean that in a good way not in the totally narcissistic way it sounds).  I go back and look at what we were doing this time last year and it is so wonderful to have it all here in one place.  I know I am going to treasure this for a lifetime and that was my sole purpose for starting this blog.....

I don't scrapbook, and I am horrible at keeping my pictures organized.  Lucy's baby book is barely halfway finished, and Greer's is simply stuffed with hospital bands, footprints, photos from friends, check-up notes jotted by my pediatrician, and ultrasound pictures.  I have yet to write a single thing down.  Reeves, the typical first child, has a book that is filled to the brim with all sorts of details like "June 18th, 2003....the day I finger-painted for the first time"....Yes, it is sickening in a totally good way!

Erin, I promise to finish Greer's book.....I PROMISE!

Mom, I totally get it!  Totally!

So what have I been up to?  Well, if you really want to know....

I'm enjoying some time with my middle sister who lives far away.  I've enjoyed holding my almost brand new nephew and laughing with my nieces.  I'm snapping lots of shots of them, but not enough.   I'm leaving my cell phone in my mother's car and feeling naked without it.  Eating shaved ice and letting Lucy discover things like "Mr. Pig"....she thinks it's delicious.  I'm taking my kids to Costco and spending 3 hours discovering all sorts of awesome treasures (have you SEEN the new bandaid package?  It is amazing!!!).  Grilling steak, folding laundry, organizing toys, bathing Greer and tending to her bug bites, making Reeves and Lucy clean up their rooms, enjoying a glass of wine on the deck and talking to Chris about our day, watering my new flowers and taking out the trash....and those are only a few of the things I did today!

Other than that....

 I'm planning a going away party for my best friend.  Teaching her how to blog....since I gave her one as a going away present!  Don't worry.  She was planning on starting one anyway....I just wanted it to be gorgeous.  Danielle worked her magic!  Speaking of Danielle....I've been praying for her.  And Jen.  And Mary.  And Adrienne 

And I just found out that Sweet Stellan needs our prayers right now!

I'm diving into our new church head-on.  Singing in the choir, leading VBS on our block (later in the Summer), joining a small group, befriending new church friends on Facebook and Twitter.   Knowing that where we are is because it is where we were called to be.  ....a place that is:  Amazing.  On-fire.  Real.  and Right for us.  We have nothing but love for all the people at our old church and it will always have a special place in our heart.  We are grateful for our friends there and for all it has been to us and so many others through the years.  May it grow and prosper and bring people to Christ. 

I'm trying to keep up with all my dear old friends (not that they are old.....really, just forever friends).  Making a list of all the thank you notes I need to send and all the gifts I need to buy....but knowing that I'm really the only one who's worried about that.  Pacing myself is my new motto!  Feeling guilty about all the extended family that we need to visit, but knowing that they love us no matter how often we call or visit.  Grateful for understanding...getting away to ANYWHERE with 3 small children is a feat!

Working 2 days a week at the hospital, and trying to do better at my "paying" job every time I am there.  It's not too hard....since Nursing and Labor and Delivery are a calling for me.  I am so thankful to have a wonderful career that allows so much flexibility with amazing benefits and rewards.  God is so Good!  Not that I didn't know that already!

I'm reading to my children, praying with and for them and letting them enjoy a carefree summer.  I'm letting them stay up late and hoping they'll sleep late in return.  That isn't happening very much.  Well....except for Greer.  She is a sleeping machine.

and on the other side of the coin....I'm losing my cool more often than I'd like to admit, and doing my best to be more patient.  I'm asking my children to forgive me when I fall, and working on being more consistent in my discipline techniques.  I'm focusing on my marriage and praying every day for my precious husband.  What a blessing he is to me, and I am sooo very proud of him.

I'm trying to stay cool as the weather gets more miserable, but grateful that I have an awesome pool to go to every day.  I'm letting my kids eat ice-cream for lunch and breakfast for dinner.  I've fallen off the Weight Watchers wagon and gained 5 pounds back....Summer months are the hardest for me when it comes to dieting.....

This list could go on and on and on.  

I'll be done for now.  

Bet you'd prefer the pretty pictures and happy commentary!  Night dear friends....I feel better now!

My Sleepin' Machine

Or as Chris likes to say.... the "rack beast"!

Greer has always been a great sleeper. From the very beginning, she was very predictable with her naps and nighttime sleeping. She consistently sleeps 18 hours a day (between nighttime sleep and naps), and has been known to sleep up to 21 hours in a day.

I know I shouldn't complain about this....believe me, I'm not complaining...... just concerned. I've asked my pediatrician about it, and my dad (who is also a pediatrician). They both said, "Well, it's not usual", but they didn't seem concerned. She is meeting all her developmental milestones and growing just fine!

I guess I shouldn't be concerned either, but there is always that naggy mom guilt/worry thing floating around in the back of my head (I think that might just be the bad guy trying to creep in) that makes me question all the little things that could be wrong with her.

But, above and beyond everything, I trust my Father in Heaven. I have prayed for peace and comfort for sweet Greer from her very first days. Maybe all this good sleepin' is simply an answer to those prayers. Who am I to question her heavenly Father.....my heavenly Father? I know that she is in His hands no matter what.

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have seen my tweets about how much food she manages to ingest following a long night (and by long....I mean going down at 7 p.m. and waking up at noon the following day). She is literally shaky when she wakes....I am convinced that her blood sugar level must be close to 30 after all that time!

I have actually started giving her Orange Juice first thing....while I prepare her monster morning meal. Or should I say meals.

Today (these pics were taken this morning), she consumed the following (in a matter of minutes).....

6 ounces of Orange Juice

4 ounces of Whole Milk

A fistful of blueberries

Large container of peach yogurt

2 Strawberry Waffles

3 scrambled eggs

4 large strawberries

1 Cheese stick

I kid you NOT!

2 hours later.....

Chicken noodle soup

Boiled egg (she likes eggs)

Cherries and Strawberries

Oh, and she had her first Cherry Lime Shaved Ice somewhere in between!

So, thanks to all my friends on twitter who offered support and reassurance that it does happen.....and that their babies are just fine (and to all my IRL friends who have given me the same reassurance). I am going to just enjoy all the time it allows me with my older two, and the time it gives me to rest and get things accomplished. I'll just keep counting my blessings!

Changing my expectations...

I may have been a bit premature in my especially optimistic post about the coming days of summer. What I mean is, I may have counted my chickens before they hatched.


This summer may not be quite the relaxed, laid back, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants experience that I had mapped out in this post. No, it seems I have my hands full.....

Or should I say my toilets full!

(and no, Daddy wasn't happy when he saw this pic!)

Greer has hit a whole new phase of toddler-hood. It seems I forgot how terribly exhausting busy this stage can be. See, before I'd even had time to take a good swig of my first cup of coffee this gorgeous first day of June, Greer had....

mounted the dining room table, splashed her brother's milk all over the living room carpet, spilled my fresh cup of HOT coffee all over the floor (and couch), and managed to drown one of Reeves' Gameboy games in the remaining contents of said coffee (I'm praying it will work again once it has had time to dry out)

Later, at the pool, I chased her endlessly around the pool deck, attempted to force her to enjoy the very expensive floatation device that she so loved last year, and rescued her from the men's room.....

Yes, I had to chase her out of the occupied men's room! It was a humbling experience for all of us!

So, at the end of a very busy summer day, I am tired. I'm just gonna let you know, up front, that this may be a sparse blogging season for yours truly. I'm doing good to brush my teeth 'round this crazy house! I'm just praying that I can get myself into a good, more relaxing groove. It's a challenge having every child around, all the time....but that's a post for another day!

I'm just too tired to go there yet! Night friends!

Settling in

No pictures for this post....I'm actually doing good to get a post up at all.

We had a tolerable pretty decent drive home (it actually seemed to go pretty quickly). The kids were not as amused with this drive, but it was "OK," considering. Chris got a bit outdone with Reeves kicking his seat, and I was not amused when I had to unbuckle to find the Nintendo DS and the green crayon, but all in all, it wasn't too bad.

I did make a pretty good dent in the second Twilight book....that was a big 'ole bonus ('specially since it is a recent development for me to be able to tolerate reading while driving....I have a bad history with car-sickness). I may have been a bit more snappy than I would normally be as I got deeper and deeper into the story. And, maybe I hit my "mommy breaking point" a bit prematurely!

Thankfully, before long we found a Chick-fil-a, some sweet tea, and remembered who was waiting for us back home. The further we got from Orlando, the more excited I was to see my sweet baby girl......it was almost more than I could bear.

I'd be lying if I said that her reaction didn't break my heart.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't cry.

She's 16 months old.

16 month-olds have major issues with separation anxiety and latch on to their immediate care-giver.

I know that.

But,

It. still. broke. my. heart!

Greer didn't want me. She didn't seem to know me. It took 30 minutes for her to warm up to me.

She reached for my mom and cried when I held her.

I cried.

But, she finally warmed up to us (Chris first....he wrestled with her on the floor), and before long, she was showing us all her new tricks.

Rocking her to sleep was bliss, and I can't wait to see her in the morning. I know it's all par for the course, but it still stings. It wasn't something I was prepared for, and I can't say I wasn't shocked. I just can't wait to spend some time with my baby girl, and I can't wait for her to really get excited about us being home.

But you wanna know what I am thankful for? I am thankful that she felt loved and cared for by her grandparents. For they love her as much as we ever could, and with them she felt safe. and loved. and secure.

That's what matters most.

Life Lessons: Baseball

Last night was a really hard night.  And at the same time, it was a night of a million lessons.  I am immeasurably proud of both my husband and my son.  They fought their hearts out against a really great team, but in the end, they lost the game.  

Our group of underdogs fought the good fight.  They came into their own late in the season against some of the best teams in the league.  They gave it their all, and they loved this game.  Their coaches cared about building a team and molding their character.  The focus was on the basic skills, respect, life lessons, teamwork, and discipline.  

When they fell short, they were encouraged.  When they did well, they were exalted.  When they were hurt, they were shown mercy.  When they got too big for their britches, they were reprimanded.  It was the perfect example of what our Father in Heaven wants for us in this thing called life.  

Team sports teach lots of lessons.  In my opinion, team sports are a must for every child.....  

But, it still breaks your heart when your little boy cries! 

Thank heavens Daddy was there to tell you how awesome you played.  How proud you make him.  That the loss wasn't because of you sure feels like it when you're the last one up to bat.  That you fought the good fight, you never gave up, and you gave it everything you had in that little body and soul!

And when it's all said and done, your Daddy takes you out for ice cream.  I bet God wanted to take Jesus out for ice cream a few times!  

Great Game, Reeves-y!  We love you sweetheart!  

In our hearts....You are the greatest 1st baseman who ever was!!!

Head on over to Angie's place for more

Wordful Wednesday pictures and stories!

If things weren't already interesting enough....

..... my Chris is back on staff with these crazy guys! 

He couldn't be happier to be back in the director's chair, and we look forward to spending more time with the guys (they are sincerely some of the most wonderful people you will ever meet). The show will be back on television in the coming weeks and Chris will be directing it....if you listen, his moniker is "Christopher Columbus" (and no, Columbus is not our last name).  Some guy actually thought he was the director by the same name.  That cracked me up! 

Know what else it means?  My life is no longer my own!  Yesterday they had a few laughs at my expense and it was just like old times.  Yes, they are likely to discuss anything if it's good for a laugh, and I suppose I give them some great material.  Good thing it doesn't bother me (and it is all true....there's no denying it)!  Yesterday, they talked about the time I was responsible for the death of one pet frog named Spiderman (belonging to a sweet 2 year old Reeves).  I made the unfortunate decision of placing his aquarium on the deck in the blazing hot July sun....yes, I fried the frog.  That "bit" made a best-of CD if I'm not mistaken.  It is sort of funny now I guess!

So, if you happen to be in a Rick and Bubba market and you hear my sweet hubby's voice, I'd love it if you'd shoot me an email and warn me of my forthcoming embarrassment.  I don't usually get to listen to the show with my crazy brood running around!  If you are NOT in the market, click here to see who in the heck I'm talkin' about...they are a pretty awesome group (and they seriously love them some Jesus, too)! 

Click on that cute button up there to check out a great blog 

and read some more funny stories on your Friday!

HIGH low

6:13 HIGH Phone rings, mom's voice, Rachel is having a baby today! 7:01 low Lucy in tears, not wanting to go to school....again 8:11 HIGH Greer still sleeping, pour my second cup of coffee, work on my Praise Baby post 8:38 low Chris races upstairs, beckons me to basement, Maximus (Landon's cat) has passed away in the night....the tears flow and flow and flow 9:37 HIGH Phone rings, mom's voice, It's a BOY!!! 9:45 low Try to call Erin and Landon to tell them the news, tears of joy over my new nephew, tears of sadness....decide to call my mom back instead 9:58 HIGH Phone rings, Rachel's voice, praising God, joy JOY joy!!! 10:25 low laundry taking over my house, tears still overwhelming me as I think of talking to Erin and Landon, praying for my friend Mary as she is in surgery, praying for peace 11:39 HIGH hot shower, washing me clean 12:40 HIGH Check email, "David Wilcox is now following you on Twitter"....what??? One of my HEROES!!! 12:48 low Phone rings, Erin's voice - filled with sniffles and the sound of tears, mom has told her, we both cry, she says she's coming down 1:09 HIGH low See Lucy's face, quickly realize she had a bad day, my heart is breaking, tears flowing, I try to make a joke (and it's pretty pathetic) 1:21 HIGH Lucy is happy and laughing and excited about her new baby cousin 1:31 HIGH gymnastics, visit with friends, play with sweet baby Greer 2:49 HIGH home, Greer down for nap, Lucy tucked in to my bed with juice and Little Bear 3:08 HIGH Reeves walks through the door, we talk about his new baby boy cousin, we read and talk about multiplication...he knows what 10X10 is! 4:21 low HIGH Erin and Landon arrive, sadness, we load up Maximus in their car, they say they are so sorry it happened on my watch, I tell them how horrible I feel, we talk about how elated we are about Henry, Rachel sends a picture on the phone...he is GORGEOUS! 5:00 HIGH girls still sleeping, bags packed to go out for Reeves' first baseball game 6:13 HIGH Chick-fil-A drive thru 7:02 HIGH friends, red dirt, packed parking lot, strollers, ring pops, baseball bats and gloves and balls....it's Opening Night at the ball field 8:32 HIGH low Ballgame! the score is NOT in our favor but the smiles on those little boy's faces tell me that they know they played their best 8:49 low Lucy is already crying about having to go to school tomorrow HIGH we say a prayer together on the drive home and talk about the things she has to look forward to 9:38 HIGH everyone is asleep

A Little Message for our Favorite Guy....

Love, Reeves (aka Lloyd Christmas), Greer, and Lucy

(and Mommy, too)

We promise to bring home some of these!

Dinner and a Movie

I had a date with my brand new camera husband last night....

All three of us had quite a fabulous time!

(actually, Chris helped me learn how

to do all sorts of cool things with it)

"Mommy getting ready!"

photographed by Lucy-Lu

(she's a girl after my own heart)

As soon as Honey arrived at the homestead,

we hit the highway headed for

My Favorite Part of the Date...

Shortly followed by

Chris' Favorite Part of the Date.....

Don't you just love Date Night?!