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...."

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This is too funny not to share (and it's one of those funny things I never want to forget)! It was one of those "must write it down" moments....you know what I'm talking about!

Reeves lost his third tooth a few weeks ago.....

....and we've been waiting to see the new tooth that will take it's place. This morning after he brushed his teeth, he came running into the kitchen.

"Hey, mom!," he screamed.

"What buddy?," I asked.

"LOOK," he exclaimed...and with a giggle in his voice he pointed to the new little tooth that was just breaking threw and proclaimed....

"It's LOADING!"

....get it? How clever! He's a kid after my own "techno-savvy" heart!

Happy New Year....In Pictures!

We stayed up late....

....and partied HARD!

Happy New Year, Y'all!

(p.s.....it was only sparkling grape juice!)

A whole lot of random...

...coming your way! No pictures for this first post of 2010, but I promise to dig up a few very soon....we've had a blast over the past 2 weeks! Now to catch you up and give you a giggle...

School's out till tomorrow, and it's freakin' freezin'! I mean seriously cold for these parts. We may even see the white stuff by the end of the week! I would really appreciate a snow day Friday since my kiddos probably won't make it to school before lunchtime anyway. Seems we have a rather important obligation this Thursday night! Can I hear a Rooooollllll Tide, Roll?!

My kids almost ended up at school today cause it seems I was a little confused about the actual "post holiday return date". Wouldn't it make since to start back on a Monday? Turns out that today was a teacher work day....I suppose they need to ease back in to the whole school routine, too!

So, we partied hard for 2 weeks, and I had a full "work weekend" to start the new year. Just so you know.....

....I really do love my job. If only for the entertainment value!

When I work in the maternity ER, one of our duties is to answer phone calls from the patients. Many of the calls are legitimate and straight-forward. A handful of them are little pearls meant to keep us on our toes and to give us a little chuckle during a long, hard shift! I thought you might get a kick out of a few that we got this weekend....

"How you doin'? I had my baby a couple of weeks ago.....is it OK for me to wash my hair?" Me, "Yes, honey, that's an old wives tale....PLEASE wash your hair!"

"Hey, how you doin'? I really want to have a cup of hot tea, is that OK, or will it burn my baby?" Me, "No, honey, it will NOT burn your baby. It isn't growing in your stomach!"

"Is this a nurse?" (my friend Amanda took this call), "Yes ma'am, this is a nurse, how can I help you?" Patient, "how you doin'? I have a headache. Can I put a cold cloth on my head or will it give me a seizure?" Amanda....

...."seriously?"

??????

A trip to meet Santa....

....this is as close as I'm gettin'!

A funny story to start your week....

....I totally meant to get this up over the weekend, but I got sorta busy birthin' some babies (and cheering on my team....Roll, Tide, Roll)!

The past 2 weeks have a been a whirlwind for us! As if it weren't exciting enough, the week of Halloween was also Red Ribbon week at the kids' school. They had a theme every day (hat day, team spirit day, etc...) and on Friday the entire school dressed up in "high" '60's fashion to celebrate the decade that brought us go-go boots, tie die, and peace signs.....

....it was fun dressing the part! The funniest thing to me was that we were celebrating the '60's during "Drug Free" week! Anyone else find that as ironic as I did? Gave me a few good giggles all week long!

So, here's the funny story I wanted to share with you write down so I wouldn't forget it....

One morning last weekend, I was pouring my first cup of coffee while the big kids were enjoying their breakfast.

"MOM!," Reeves screamed, "You're drinkin' DRUUUUUUGGGGGSSS!"....

"Huh?"

"Yeah, Mommy, they taught us at school this week that caffeine is a drug....and you're drinkin' DRUGS!"

"Yes, baby, caffeine is in coffee, but I promise it's OK for Mommy to drink it."

"Yeah, Reeves," Lucy corrected firmly (and if I'm not mistaken, there was a wiggle of a finger and a hand on her hip), "Remember.....

....It's an adult choice!"

Love it!

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!

Wordful Wednesday....Lovin' Kindergarten

After that emotional post on Friday, I thought you might enjoy a more cheery story about how kindergarten is going for our Lucy. I am happy to report that there have been no more morning tears since that fateful day, and we are getting in our groove around here. Now if I can just keep them well....Reeves is home sick today (just a little bug I think, he's feeling much better today)!

One of my prescriptions for sanity in the morning (did I mention that the bus comes at 7:05) involves the laying out of clothes at night. I have learned the hard way that when we don't get everything together the night before, our day has the potential for disaster (and don't believe for a minute that boys don't care what they wear). We pack up our homework, pick out our snacks, and set the coffee maker. I've even started polling them to see what they might like to eat for breakfast....anything to save some time in the a.m. You wouldn't believe how the anticipation of warm cinnamon rolls will motivate a groggy child, just so ya know!

So, we have our nightly routine down to an art already. The kids have gotten pretty independent with their responsibilities, and the past few nights I have simply found their clothes in the dining room ready for the next day. Just in case you're wondering who Lucy takes after.....

Yes, she's a woman after my own heart. This is totally something I would have done at her age. Right, mom? It made me LOL, and I couldn't resist snapping a picture (or waking Chris up to show him, ha!)

And yes, she also has the greatest kindergarten teacher evah! Look at what fun she had with bubbles yesterday (thanks for sending me this picture Mrs. K)....

I miss kindergarten sometimes, don't you?

Head over to Angie's Blog for more

Wordful Wednesday

pictures and stories!

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!

Not My Child!

Did you almost die of embarrassment when your child walked in on you and your husband doing you-know-what? Want to scream bloody murder when your toddler colored on your floor with a Sharpie? Feel like a terrible mother when your kid used a swear word in front of your in-laws? Well don't! Mothers aren't perfect and neither are children, so today I thought we'd switch things up a little and do a Not my child! Monday!

That's what MckMama wants us to do today, and well, if you come here often (or follow me on twitter) then you know that my children do NOT provide plenty of material for this fun bloggy carnival.....

For me, the hard part was narrowing it down to the top 3 or 4....I could write a BOOK, y'all!

Here are a few of the best from this week!

Lucy has NOT become fascinated with breasts lately. She has not been asking me all sorts of questions about how they work, what they're for, and when she'll be getting some ("Hopefully not for a while, sweet girl, you're only 5")! So I was NOT completely surprised when my mother-in-law told me that she had some questions for her, too. What did surprise me? She told her, "When I get boobies, you'll be dead!" I sure hope not! Lucy is NOT into brutal honesty lately!

Late Saturday night, Reeves did NOT open my bedroom door and poke his little messy haired head in the small crack just so he could announce "MOM, I Pooted"! He did not quickly close the door and then crack it back open (just far enough to fit his marker stained fist through) with a big "Thumbs Up" gesture. It did NOT make me laugh out loud! Gotta love little boys!

And Greer, my immensely joyful child, who rarely cries much less throws a tantrum did NOT decide to have the most massive 18 month old meltdown today right smack dab in the middle of her check up. She did NOT attempt to shove our pediatrician off the rolling stool and when she couldn't make her budge, she did NOT melt into the floor in a puddle of kicking and screaming. I did NOT know what to do but laugh which is probably NOT the kind of reaction my pediatrician was expecting.....I just couldn't help myself. It was just so NOT like my sweet baby G!

But as all of you Mommies out there know, a little dum-dum does NOT save the day in situations like these. Dear old inventor of the dum-dum, you sir or madam, are NOT a Saint! Whatcha wanna bet it was a madam?

Our brown blue eyed girl.....

(make sure to go down and pause my music at the very bottom of the page before you click on play.....)

We had a big night partying at the pool. Live band, lots of food, friends, fun....Greer even mastered dancing while swimming. She's a girl after my own heart! I am so proud of my little fish! Couldn't you just eat her up?

Yep, she is pretty much that yummy all the time! How did I get so lucky blessed?

Fabulous Friday: Fabulous Photos!

I love this fun little Fabulous Friday event, so I decided to join in again this week!  Danielle is asking us to share fabulous photos.  I'm in the process of organizing all my photos (it is turning out to be an enormous job and it is my summer project for 2009....I've just declared it!).  I'm taking a walk down memory lane and loving it.

I didn't start this blog till right after Greer was born, so there aren't any pictures of the older two in their younger years.  Maybe I'll start some Flashback posts to share some older pictures of them.

For Fabulous Friday, I've decided to spotlight some of my most favorite photos from 2006.  I especially enjoyed seeing how Lucy's hair evolved during that year.  There's hope for Greer yet!

Enjoy....

March 2006, The first time (yes she has broken both of her legs) Lucy broke her leg.  Right before our trip to Walt Disney World (don't worry, we left her behind with my mom).

March 2006, Reeves and Chris in Walt Disney World.  

May 2006, Lucy on her 2nd birthday.  She was absolutely hysterical at that age....well, she still is pretty funny and fabulous.  And I loved that bathing suit....it was fabulously adorable!  Speaking of fabulous...

June 2006, Sitting on the countertop at our new house (we moved here in April of 2006).  I don't think I ever noticed the knives before....yikes!  I still love this one.

August 2006, You won't believe what a big day this was in our world!  This photo was taken on a day that marked both the end of diapers for our first girl AND her first haircut.  It was a huge day in our little Lulu's life!  If you can't tell, she was pretty proud of herself.

October 2006, I took tons of pictures of my kids with my nieces when my sister came down that October.  I have got to get snappin' while they are here this time!  These photos are some of my favorites!

No WAIT!  This is my absolute favorite from that year!  You wouldn't believe how Lucy worked that Captain Hook costume!  They were hilarious and stayed in character for all of Halloween.  We even had our own Nana (yes, she was named after the beloved pet from Peter Pan).  Reeves was obsessed with Peter Pan that year!

December 2006, Merry Christmas Y'all!  I can't believe how much they grew that year!

Wanna join in?  I would love to see your fabulous photos....and you'll love getting to know Danielle.  She is precious!  Click on her cute button below to check it out!

Have I mentioned that I love Chick-fil-A?

....and I do believe that Tim Hawkins loves it as much as I do (or my sister, Erin....she is more obsessed than me)!

Scroll down and pause my playlist at the bottom of the page.  This is precious (meaning competely, hilariously perfect)!  Sorry the video takes over the whole posting section....promise you can still see everything in the video.  I tried and tried to make it not do that.  I am a bit of a challenged blogger, ahem.

P.S.  If you don't have a Chick-fil-A near you, well, you're missin' out on a little piece of heaven on earth.  Make it your mission in life to have you some Chick-fil-A before you die.  Trust me!

P.P.S. Do you find yourself craving it like cah-ray-zee on Sundays, too???

Y'all, this is so funny!

You have to read what my haven't met her in real life but we live right down the road from each other, went to the same college, and have lots of mutual friends friend Katherine had to say about this picture. I seriously can't quit laughing about this....it is hysterical!

Just when you thought you'd heard it all!

I am proud to say that in 5 years of preschool/elementary school, none of my children have come home with head lice.  I know it's bound to happen, and we've had several notes home announcing that the inspections should begin.  One such note even suggested searching your child EVERY night as part of the bedtime routine. 

Supper, Bath, Story, Brush Teeth, Prayers....

Lice Check

That lasted about a day....didn't exactly illicit sweet dreams and

peaceful slumber, ya know???

So, my mom (that's her with my niece Caroline cooking cornbread dressing) spent the past 2 weeks up in Northern Virginia with my sister Rachel and her family.  Big sisters, Caroline and Olivia, were so excited to welcome home a baby brother, Henry.  The visit was wonderful, and the girls loved their time with Charcey.  I can't wait till I can get up to love on my new baby nephew (and did I mention how excited Reeves is to have a boy in the mix?).

Just two days before my mom was supposed to come home, they discovered that Caroline (who is in Kindergarten) had head lice.  Not just a few....that girl was COVERED in the little boogers.  I mean, check out that hair.....it's a dream home!

So they set to work, and in Rachel's words.....

It was a complete and total NIGHTMARE!!!

scrubbing, professional treatments, combs, mayonnaise, shower caps,

big black garbage bags, dozens and dozens of loads of laundry,

vacuuming, cleaning, and worst of all.....

Pick, Pick, PICKING!

(and did I mention that they had a newborn and a 

3 year old around, too)

Good Heavens, bringing a third baby into the mix is stress enough!  I felt sooo sorry for my sister so many miles away.  It was horrible!

When I hadn't heard from her in a few days, I assumed that the ordeal was over, that the lice were long gone.  I decided to phone her last night on my way home from work, and didn't expect what I was about to hear!  I will admit that I found it quite hysterical, and I am still not over it!

Rachel spent 6 hours (and $250) visiting a professional nitpicker!  Yep, that's right, there are people who do that for a living.  Can you imagine?  First of all, can you imagine listing that on your kid's preschool application:

Mom's Occupation:  Professional Nitpicker

I seriously wonder if they would accept your kid if that was your job I am totally joking, but seriously!!  And how creepy would you feel all the time?  I mean, the thought of the lice gives me the geebs....I can't imagine touching those things everyday.  To each his own, to each his own.  

Rach said it was actually pretty cool.  Caroline got to watch "Camp Rock" on a big screen while the nitpicker got to work (with magnifying glasses and bright lights).  Poor thing had the baby and the 3 year old in tow, too, but she said it was worth every minute and every penny.  They found 3 nits in Olivia's hair, and now she is being treated.  Thankfully, Rachel and the baby are fine.  She made it home with some cool tools and peace of mind.  Those nasty boogers are finally gone!

I did a google search, and so far I can't find a nitpicker in my area.  Do you have one in yours?  Let me know....I am fascinated by this.  What gets you into that line of work?  

I did find this article though, and it shed a little more light.  Learn something new every day!!!

Friday Funnies - Maybe I'm Not the Only One Who Needs Therapy

Lucy

4 going on 33!

So yesterday was Lucy's day off from school, and we always have a blast. Usually, we have playgroup with some of our favorite buddies, but most of us have been sick this week. We canceled the usual get-together, so that meant a morning home for the girls!

We had a great day, and when Lucy is in charge...there will always be some laughs. Yesterday was no exception! Lately, this girl has put the D in Diva!!!

After breakfast, I promised we would play a game....her choice. While I was cleaning up the disaster dishes, I sent her to the game closet to pick something out. I was trying to get a lot done, really fast. My hands were full when she started pleading for me to come reach a game on the top shelf. I kept telling her I'd be there in a minute, but she is about as patient as your average 4 year old (who knew?)!

After about the fifth or sixth time, she finally decided she needed to insert a phrase that might actually get my attention. Boy did it ever!

Maaahmaaaaa!!!

You better get in here before I have a

panic attack

(pronounced pah-AN-ic ATTACK)

insert major attitude

Where in the WORLD did that come from???

As soon as I got in there, we were both rolling with laughter.

That girl has the most contagious laugh you have ever heard!

Click on that cute little button up there to read more

Friday Funnies

over on Amber's blog!

Pictures of Motherhood & Friday Funnies

Last week, I posted some pictures and stories about a day in my crazy, little life! I posted a few pictures that weren't the typical perfectly posed snapshots of childhood (or mommyhood for that matter)! Wanna see some from this week? Well, here ya go!

These might look like regular old action figures to you, but to me?

Well, they are my shower buddies most days of the week!

When you are sick with a temperature of 103 (like sweet Lucy was last night), you might get to fall asleep on the couch...whenever you feel like it (even if it's 6:30 in the evening and all you had for supper was a popsicle and hot chocolate)!

And, when the kids are all sick, and Daddy gets to be in charge while mommy is at work...

You might see a note on the fridge that looks something like this! Turns out, Mommy won't be working after all. Reeves woke up in the night with a raging fever and cough, too.

I just couldn't bring myself to leave Chris to deal with all 3 of them sick like this. Sometimes you just need your Mommy!

I know it's not something I should laugh at, but my kids are hilarious when they have a high fever. They are overly polite, sweet, and say some of the funniest things.

When Lucy was in a state of high temperature delirium (sometime around 3:36 this morning), I got some ice cold water for her in a sippy cup that she could keep right beside her. I snuggled up next to her and could feel her heat through my own pajamas. A few minutes went by, and I thought she had fallen asleep. I opened my eyes and she was leaning over me with cup in hand. In the sweetest little voice, she said....

"Mommy, could you please put my cup on the table?"

"But Lucy, aren't you thirsty?"

"Yes, Mommy, but this cup is colding me!"

I think it was meant to be some combination of touching me and cold.

It made me giggle!

Think my little moments were funny? (or completely pathetic)....

Check out the Friday Funnies over on Amber's Blog

I promise you won't be disappointed!

It's actually pretty ridiculous!

If I told you the amount of mobile phones Chris and I have managed to go through in the past several years, you probably wouldn't believe me. Most of it is because Chris has to have the newest thing as soon as it hits the market (except for the iPhone....he's holding out till he can have it without having to go to AT&T).

When one of my phones has to be replaced, it's usually because of some sort of tragedy. Before the latest one, the last phone I lost was washed and dried after I left it in my back jean pocket....lovely!!!

Since I now have my new phone in hand, I can laugh about it all. I am going to try not to let history repeat itself....again! I will say, though, I got some crazy advice from a few friends that I just have to share. Desperate times call for desperate measures (or really good insurance!)....

If Your Mobile Phone is EVER Submerged in Water.....

Take it apart as much as you can. Wrap body of the phone in a towel and put the whole thing in a pillowcase. Place in the washing machine on the spin cycle (without water) for a few minutes (apparently this slings the water out). Blow hot air from the hair dryer in all visible holes.

- Matthew, my pedicurist (claims it has worked for 3

customers so far!) In my humble opinion, I think the

Salon should do a better job warning their customers

not to leave their phone in their lap during a pedicure!

Now THAT would be customer service!!!

Take it apart as much as you can. Bury in rice for several days. Remove and blow off all visible traces of rice and rice dust. Put everything back together.

-Angela, one of my best girlfriends (this one worked for her!)

toughgirl11 @HOLDitUP take the battery and sim card out of phone and oven or toaster oven @150 degrees for phone for 20min. x 2 if 1st doesnt work!!
9:08 AM Feb 15th from web

-April, a crazy real life friend via a Twitter message....I

was too chicken to try this one!!!

Anyone else have any brilliant advice???

Friday Funnies - Modesty

Feeling the need to lighten things up a bit after that last post...it was good for me though. It brought me to my knees and I asked a lot of questions. In time, I know there will be answers....there already have been. God and I are on a journey, and I am thankful and willing to let Him lead the way.
Now for the Friday Funny....
I have spent the past couple of days with my good friend Angela and her precious kiddos, Maddie and Ben. What am I saying...we spend almost every day together in one way or another! A lot of times, Ang and I swap our kids so that we don't have to hire babysitters. It works out really well since our girls and babies are the same ages. Reeves is the entertainment and the "big boy helper".
A few months ago, Angela was taking care of Lucy, and the girls managed to get dirty enough to need a bath. After a good cleansing and great big soggy mess fun time, Angela decided it was time for them to get out of the tub.
She reached for the towels and said, "Hey girls, let's get out and put our towels on like Mommies do"! And she proceeded to wrap the towels around them just above their soon to be girl parts. The girls giggled and thought that was funny...especially when Lucy announced....
"That's not how Mommy does it, that's how DADDY does it!!!"
For Lucy knows the truth of our house....
Mommy is VERY immodest (aka, no towel needed) and Daddy is VERY, VERY modest (dressing as SOON as he exits the shower, underneath a "girl style" towel wrap)!!!
How embarrassing for Chris, not me!!!