The Haun House

More pictures of my Granddaughter!

2011-11-28T03:42:00.000-08:00

Sophia Claire Sims. 9-14-11, 7 lbs. 1 oz., 20.5 inches long. So much in love with my Grandchild!

2011-09-22T03:57:00.000-07:00

2011-03-29T18:49:00.001-07:00

Britt & Mikey's wedding, 3.26.11

2011-03-29T18:44:00.000-07:00

Julia and Julia

2010-09-15T03:02:00.000-07:00

If you haven't seen the movie Julie and Julia, you have to see it. I don't remember ever laughing so hard. It's the story of a woman (Julie) who blogs about cooking her way through Julia Child's first cookbook, while also telling the story of Julia's life. Anyway, one of my favorite scenes is when Julie screws up a recipe and has a full blown 3 year old tantrum on the kitchen floor. I don't know why I liked that scene so much. Maybe because I've had my own share of tantrums like that in the past and could relate to that feeling of having no other option but to throw a tantrum because things were going so wrong. Maybe it's because I no longer have a 3 year old and I don't have to deal with tantrums anymore. Either way, it was great.

I tell you all of this to say that I'm thinking of blogging my own way through a book. NOT a cook book, as that is my husbands department. A craft book, because that is what I like to do in my free time. I have a ridiculous amount of free time since my kids are 18 & 20 and on autopilot. I mean, they still have to come by to "refuel" when they run out of money or food, whichever the case may be. Hunting season is back in full swing so I won't see my husband again until January. So - I've decided to deviate from my love of all things paper and try to work my way through Martha (the female MacGyver)

Stewart's book, Encyclopedia of Crafts. It has 32 chapters of projects and I am going to try something out of each chapter every week, so it ought to keep me busy for a while. Plus, it will take me out of my comfort zone of working only with paper. I did try to sew last week and Sox decided it wasn't a good idea. He just loves the tissue paper that the patterns are printed on and HAD to lay on it!

So here we go, inspired by the 30 day creativity challenge and bored with making cards, I embark on a new journey...

30 Days of Creativity Challenge - day 6

2010-09-13T14:42:00.000-07:00

Last night, after cleaning house for 2 days straight, I decided to try out my new scoring board that I've had for many months. I must say that I LOVE that thing. Pretty cool effect! I used my cricut "wedding" cartridge for the heart, and I used my new stampin up stamp that my Aunt sent me. She also gave me a catalogue since she sells stampin up and I think I want one of everything in there! Right now though, I'm trying to concentrate on not buying anything new and using up everything in my stash, including scrap paper!! I'm forcing myself to stay out of Hobby Lobby. If only eBay wasn't so easily accessible...

30 Days of Creativity - day 5

2010-09-11T12:31:00.000-07:00

Here's the card I will add to my son's next box of goodies that I send him at college. Sure do miss my boy! I used the "country life" cartridge for this one. I'm sick of coughing so I'm going to take some medicine and take a nap! Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Way to go Gamecocks on our 2nd win of the season!! Woot Woot!!!

30 Day Creativity Challenge - day 4

2010-09-11T10:54:00.000-07:00

I'm in LOVE with my new "rock princess" cartridge! I'm also loving my new karaoke DVDs I won on eBay. Of course I can't sing very well, but singing karaoke on the weekends is mine & my hubby's favorite past time!

30 Day Creativity Challenge - day 3

2010-09-11T08:20:00.000-07:00

Here's a card I made for my friend Jessica who's due in October. I used the cricut cartridge "new arrival." So cute, just like Jessica!

30 Day Creativity Challenge - day 2

2010-09-11T08:18:00.000-07:00

Normally I'm a hot weather fan, but as of late, I am sooo ready for it to cool off! So here's a card I made using the cricut cartridge "winter frolic" while I was dreaming of cooler weather. Our downstairs air conditioning wasn't working for a couple of weeks and it's finally working again. We don't get much snow here in South Carolina, so we DEPEND on our A/C!!

30 Day Creativity Challenge, day 1

2010-09-11T08:14:00.000-07:00

This card was made using the cricut cartridge "everyday princess." I cut out the mirror part with silver reflective cardstock, so in real life you can kind of see yourself in it. :)

Magnets

2010-08-18T17:29:00.000-07:00

I found something to do with those marbles left over from flower arrangements. I cut pictures out of magazines and used a hot glue gun to glue the pictures to the flat side of the marbles, then hot glued magnets to the back. I would like to print pictures but I'm out of ink for my printer right now. These would make great gifts! :)

USC move-in day!

2010-08-15T05:38:00.000-07:00

Well, we moved Erik into his dorm yesterday! It was a sad & happy day. (A SAPPY day?!) Anyway, we started the caravan with 4 cars (us, plus Jordan & her family) to Columbia at 6:30 in the morning. Thank goodness we started early because it was overcast with a little breeze so it wasn't hot! There were so many volunteers there that were so nice! It moved along pretty quickly.

This was on Erik's desk when we got there. A gift from his room mate's Dad. :)

They had a pretty cool system, you drive up and drop your things off at the door and then have rolling carts that you put everything in to roll to the elevator and up to the room! Easy!

For a while Erik disappeared. He had to go get his key and check out his room to make sure everything was in working order. I finally went to find him and there he was, just hanging out in the room checking out the view. He's so excited! At least until the reality of Biochemistry sets in. :)

So they have this cool "loft" thing that you can get to put the bed up higher so that you can put your desk underneath it and have more space in your room. We went to pick it up and poor Lauren didn't have much room on the ride back.

I had to run across the street to the financial aid office to take care of something and left the kids to put the loft together. I figured I would be gone for hours but USC ROCKS because I was in and out of there in less than 15 minutes!!! YAY. Seriously, I thought I'd be in there all day. Anyway, when I got back, Lauren & Erik just about had the loft all put together. I discovered something about my daughter yesterday. She works a mean allen wrench!!!

We told Erik he's going to have to be very careful sitting up in bed! Not too much space up there! Can't wait to hear how his first night sleeping in that thing went!

His new space...

I promised myself I wouldn't cry, and I didn't, at least not until it was time to say good bye. Luckily he's only an hour away, so there will be lots of trips to Columbia in the near future. So proud of you Rik!

The time draws near...

2010-08-11T16:56:00.000-07:00

I got a cool sticker for my car in the mail from the parent's association at USC. Strange how such a little sticker makes my heart stop. Anyone who knows anything about the past 6 years knows that the teenage years with Erik were somewhat of a challenge. A little less than a year ago, we had such a big knock-down drag out over a cell phone that he went to live with his friend Kenny for a week. If you had asked me back then if I would be sad to see Erik go off to college, you'd have gotten a vehement "NO!" Since then, things have changed for the good. He's changed, or maybe I've changed. Or maybe we both have. The past eighteen years are playing like a movie in my mind. The day my sweet boy was born. The look he gave me when I had to get on a plane to leave for 8 weeks of military training when he was 18 months old. The way he didn't come to me at first when I came back. All the times we played basketball in the driveway. Countless soccer and football games. Christmases, birthdays, times he was sick, all the times he made me laugh, and cry. And angry. The times I cried myself to sleep worrying about if he was going to turn out OK. I was, after all, a second time mother when I had him at 21. He witnessed his parents divorce when he was only seven. He had to move around several different places while I was in the military. Got a step dad, and that wasn't easy for Erik or for Lee. At any rate, we prayed, we cried, we got counseling, but most of all we LOVED. We never gave up on each other. I think all of the trials have made Erik and I so much closer. He's not only my son, he's my friend. I'm going to miss him so much. The last couple of years he's grown so much. He got really serious about school. I think that had a lot to do with his girlfriend of nearly two years, (Jordan). I'm so proud of him that there are no words to explain how thankful and blessed I feel. Erik, if you ever read this I want you to know that I'm so proud of the man you are becoming. I KNOW your heart is good and I know you will be successful in whatever you do. Stay on the right path, and don't forget that beach house you promised me you would buy for me when you get rich. I LOVE YOU!

Kayaking

2010-07-03T17:13:00.000-07:00

I'm determined to run in a half-marathon my friend Amy told me about coming up in November, so my fitness routine began today. I finally started running again! After running this morning, Lauren and I decided to go to Lynches River State Park and do some kayaking. She has kayaked before, but this was my first time. It was as much of a workout as I expected it would be, but I got the hang of it after going about the first 10 minutes in the wrong direction and running into tree limbs. :) Once I got the kayak turned around in the right direction it was a lot of fun and very peaceful out on the river. Now I'm looking forward to finding more kayaking trips!

My first sewing project!

2010-06-20T09:09:00.000-07:00

Jenny came to visit and taught me to sew. We had so much fun making my pretty apron. Thank you Jenny!

Erik's graduation!

2010-06-20T07:44:00.000-07:00

My boy is all graduated from high school! I'm so proud of him!

Jordan's graduation was the same day, just a couple of hours apart. Erik graduated from South Florence and Jordan from West Florence. They will both be attending USC in the fall.

This past Friday I went with Erik to orientation at Carolina. It was fun to see how excited he and Jordan are. It was great to hang around with Hal and Mandy too (Jordan's parents). Erik and Jordan are both Nursing majors and got their schedules all set up. They found out which dorms they are assigned to and I got to see what Erik's room will look like. He will be staying in Columbia hall with his best friend from high school, Kenny. Jordan will be staying in Bates. I'm so excited for them!! Now there's just the matter of paying that bill.... for 4 years! yikes!!

Max Lucado

2010-06-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

You are Special...

If you have children, you have to run out and get the book, You Are Special by Max Lucado. Last night I went out to dinner and to Barnes & Nobles with my friend Dee and she introduced me to this book. Okay, so I'm not a child anymore, but this book has an awesome message so I just had to buy it! Thanks Dee, you're awesome!

http://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Special-Lucados-Wemmicks/dp/1400304148#reader_1400304148

More fun with my cricut. :)

2010-05-15T07:57:00.000-07:00

Paper Dolls

2010-05-11T18:50:00.000-07:00

I just had to share the paper dolls I made tonight. Aren't they just too cute?!

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day everyone. I have the best kids ever!

My new rainbow flip flops the kids got for me. :)

Lauren bought these at Kirkland's. I acid etched the words myself!

Party & Wedding favors.

2010-04-25T15:53:00.000-07:00

I just discovered that I can make party/wedding favors with my Cricut machine!

ZERO calorie cake! Each slice of cake can hold a party favor.

Gift boxes...

In the bag...

2010-04-10T05:16:00.000-07:00

Babysox had to have surgery this past week to get "fixed." Lee had to drop him off at the vet since I had to be at work early that morning. Apparently the girls at the Vet's office got a good laugh at Lee carrying this bag. I don't see what's so funny. ;) I'm happy to report that Lee and Sox both survived the very traumatic day. Hehe!

A day at the dog park

2010-03-26T17:29:00.000-07:00

Today after Lauren & I had a nice girls day, (lunch, etc.) - she suggested we take Zach and Jake to the dog park for the afternoon. So we loaded the boys up and attempted to wear them out. They wore us out instead. Those boys love to swim and fetch!

Here's a little video of Jake. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj5XYdSDzu4

Change

2010-03-21T11:47:00.000-07:00

Since I finished all of my chores yesterday, I got to play in my scrapbook room today. Such a quiet, lazy day. Lauren is working. Erik is in Augusta, GA for a month working security at the Master's tournament at the Augusta National golf course.

Sox waited patiently with his mouse while I was scrapbooking.

Lee, being the wonderful husband that he is - went grocery shopping and made us shrimp for lunch. Love that man!!

virtual piano

2010-03-17T13:31:00.000-07:00

I've always wanted to take piano lessons. I've done some checking around and $75.00 a month is about the best deal I can find. That is out of the question! I had a blast playing Patte's keyboard when I went to her house, but I just don't see how buying a keyboard fits into the budget anytime soon. Soooo, I was playing around online today while I was home (still sick, blah) - and I found this virtual keyboard. I found a group on facebook that posts letters in numbers that you can type into the computer keyboard and it sounds like songs on the piano. It's about as close as I'm going to get to playing the piano. I'm sure all the kids would love it - so I'm posting the link, and also a portion of the song "Greensleeves."

http://www.virtualpiano.net/

type this combination in for "greensleeves"

oPsd-Dds-pi-opP-ooIop-iy-oPsd-Dds-pi-opPpo-IuI-oo-ddsa-pIy-uIoo-IuI-op-ddsa-pIy-uIoI-uYTY-Y

WOOT WOOT!!

2010-03-16T10:46:00.000-07:00

RIK IS GOING TO CAROLINA!! He's been so nervous because everyone else got their packets before he did. I knew you'd get your "YES" package in the mail too Son. I'm SOOOO proud of you. GO GAMECOCKS!!! :)

Lucky card

2010-03-14T18:17:00.000-07:00

This is a card I made for our friends Patrick and Jennifer. We love them!

Cherry blossom card

2010-03-13T08:55:00.000-08:00

I made this card for my neighbor. She is going through cancer treatments right now. :(

Bird card

2010-03-08T17:09:00.000-08:00

Here's a card I made last night for a certain special lady. She'll be getting it in a couple of days. :)

Glass etching!

2010-02-22T01:18:00.000-08:00

While Jenny was here this weekend we tried glass etching. She picked out a design from one of our cricut cartridges and we cut it out on vinyl with my cricut machine. Then we put the vinyl onto the glass candle holder and painted the etching paste onto the stencil and let it set for about 15 minutes. Then we washed it off and removed the stencil and TA-DA!! This is so cool! No glass surface will be safe from here on out! So fun!!

Look what I got!!

2010-02-21T05:13:00.000-08:00

Jenny came to visit this weekend and look what she brought me!! She's been quilting for years and I've always wanted one of my very own. She knows me so well to put flip flops and sunglasses on mine. When I look at this and see all of the detail and realize just how much time she spent on it I just appreciate her so much. Thank you Jenny. I love you!! xoxo

This is the label on the back side of the quilt. :)

Mary and Jenny brought the twins to my office several months ago. This was my Christmas present from the both of them. I can't wait to hang it in my office! Thanks girls!

Lee's Valentine

2010-02-15T18:23:00.000-08:00

This is an idea that I found on scrapbook.com. I cut everything out in white and then colored each piece in with chalk. Of course Lee was once again mesmerized by my artistic abilities. ;)

Valentine's weekend in Savannah

2010-02-14T17:23:00.000-08:00

This year Lee and I decided to go to Savannah for our Valentine's weekend getaway. It's somewhere I've always wanted to go and it isn't too far to drive (about 2 1/2 hours). I fell in love with Savannah. It's so beautiful there and the people are so friendly.

This was the hotel lobby. We stayed at the Marriot on the Riverwalk. As usual, Lee found us a deal on priceline.com. The hotel was fabulous! :)

Outside the hotel on the riverwalk.

Lunch in town

I'm guessing that the push pins in the ocean indicate that they live on a boat???

I had the shepherd's pie. YUM!!

The people in Savannah are so artistic! I was loving looking around in the galleries. Some of the artists were there working and we got to watch them work.

How do people learn to do this? Amazing!!

After walking around town we went to Forsyth Park. This house was one that was across the street.

The live oaks with Spanish moss were just beautiful!

There were tons of people out with their dogs. These little guys were just too cute!

Lee the lion

We went in a shop downtown that was a French / antique shop. Here are a set of Skeleton platters. Suddenly I've lost my appetite. Strange. Also $900.00. Really?!

Lee said he had a little car like this when he was little.

Something for Angelene. A piece of furniture to store maps.

Here's Lee telling another shopper that if he knew antlers sold for $95.00 each like this set, then he needed to start selling his!

The shop also had a little cafe' in it so I had to have a mocha! :)

I think I could make this if I could learn how to bend the wire.... Very cute!

You gotta love ordering dessert from room service at midnight! Diet starts back tomorrow. ;)

I hope everyone had a very happy Valentine's Day!

Babysox & Talon (R.I.P.)

2010-02-08T16:20:00.000-08:00

The other day Lauren & Cameron were on a date and she called me to see if I wanted her to bring me some food home. (Isn't she sweet?) Anyway, I'm not one to turn down a meal, so she got me something to go and brought it home in this paper bag. I got the food out and threw the bag on the floor and Sox claimed it right away. Now he has a new game. He not only fetches his mouse, but now he runs in the bag and "hides" until you throw it again. Crazy little guy. So now I can't possibly throw the bag away.

New trick. He's jumping on top of Lee's dresser. I suppose the top of the fridge is next...

The day after we got back from the cruise Lauren's kitty Talon (aka Luther) passed away. We still aren't real sure what happened. The vet said it could have been several different things. Very sad!! Sox sure is missing him because as you can see they had become close buddies. Lauren is so sad she says she never wants another animal, and if you know Lauren that is not like her at all. Hug your pets today!!

Fun Valentine cards.

2010-02-07T18:18:00.000-08:00

Having fun with my new cricut cartridge (paisley). Poor Lee - he's such a good sport by feighning excitement over all of my creations. ;)

Mary's cupcake & card

2010-01-31T09:45:00.000-08:00

This was the gift card holder for my sister Mary's 29th birthday. By the way, if you are in a hurry and don't have time to go get a gift card it will hold money just as well. :)

This is her birthday card. I came up with the idea of making the numbers into the antennae all by myself! :)

The canvas can do miracles...

2010-01-31T08:28:00.000-08:00

Cruising again - in 2010

We are back from a glorious week cruising in the Caribbean. We got off of the boat in Miami yesterday to weather in the 80's so of course we were in flip flops and shorts. We came home to freezing rain and temps in the 20's. Yuck. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted. Poor Erik is really going to miss the food on the ship. He was in Heaven. As for me, I am looking forward to eating VERY light for a while.

This begins the pictures of Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. It's a private island owned by the cruise lines. It's so small that you have to take a tender boat over to it because there's no dock for the cruise ship so they have to drop anchor away from the island. Anyway, we LOVED it and it was so beautiful. Lauren loved being a little island girl and exploring all day.

Ok, so one night I made everyone get dressed up for formal night. On the way to dinner we noticed that many people were wearing jeans or dressed very casual. Turns out it wasn't formal night after all. For some strange reason the family didn't trust me for information for the rest of the cruise.

Lauren & I on "formal night."

St. Thomas

We took a catamaran named Castaway Girl to a little island to go snorkeling. This was my favorite part of the whole trip. I want a sailboat!!

THE CANVAS!!

It's not far down to paradise

At least it's not for me

And if the wind is right you can sail away

And find tranquility

The canvas can do miracles

Just you wait and see

Believe me

(from Sailing - Christopher Cross)

Look at how happy they are! :) Yes, of course they get along this well ALL of the time. ;) haha!

This begins the Puerto Rico pictures. If I ever go there again I will take a cab somewhere and get out of San Juan. Not a very nice area. I wanted to go see the house I lived in when I was little and the school I went to but it was an hour long cab ride away and we didn't have much time there.

My all time favorite flower. I remember these growing all over the island in various colors when I was a kid.

Jumbo tron TV out on deck where they played movies.

This is Grand Turk, the last island we went to.

Lauren watching the band before dinner. This time it really was formal night. ;)

39? What?!

2010-01-21T03:56:00.000-08:00

Hard to believe I'm the big 39! Funny, I don't feel old yet! Ok, well for the first couple of weeks of this new year I felt really old. For starters, I slipped and fell from the top of the stairs in our house and was sure I broke a rib. After a couple of days I went to the doc for x-rays and it turned out the pain that started in my back and wrapped around my left side and front wasn't a broken rib. It was shingles! I have a new sympathy for people that get this. I believe it ranked right up there with childbirth as far as pain goes. Lee kept teasing me and saying he thought I had vinyl siding and not shingles. Anyway, my family was so sweet taking care of me. Luckily a close family friend gave me lots of herbal supplements to take along with the medicine from the doc. I highly recommend taking vitamins/herbs if you ever are unfortunate enough to get the dreaded shingles. They say it can last for 6 weeks or more but mine was of short duration and the pain is almost completely gone! :)

Thanks to all that texted, emailed, sent cards, called and facebooked. I had a great birthday even though I had to work both jobs. It should be a law that you don't work on your birthday. Went out to eat with the family at the little Italian place that Lauren works at. She couldn't eat with us but she was our waitress.

You gotta have chocolate cake on your birthday!

I love getting cards in the mail!

Sweet card from my dental hygiene students!

Flowers from my baby girl

CCU

2010-01-15T13:49:00.000-08:00

Just had to share the news! Rik got his first acceptance letter for college today!! It's for Coastal Carolina University (where Lee graduated from in 1989). Erik is not as excited as I am though. He's still waiting to find out if he's been accepted at USC (his first choice). Either way, I'm so excited, and so proud of my boy! And I will be scrapbooking the acceptance letter. WAY TO GO RIK!!

Sox

2010-01-12T16:07:00.000-08:00

True Colors

2010-01-10T12:12:00.000-08:00

This is a "scraplift" of a layout done by WeeFaerie on scrapbook.com. She's one of my favorite artists! Her ideas are so original & beautiful. I have having so much fun with my cricut! :) A cricut is an electronic cutter that you can use different cartridges of fonts, etc. and it cuts shapes and letters out for you. So much fun! Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

Rik & Jordan

2010-01-03T12:36:00.000-08:00

Erik just emailed me this picture of them from Christmas from his new IPOD touch. They are both wearing apple stickers since they both just opened their new ipods. Lauren got one too. I'm getting one next. Those things are just too cool!

Christmas

2010-01-02T17:03:00.000-08:00

This is Lauren's new cat (Talon). He is 5 years old and she rescued him from the shelter. Lee (for some reason) calls him Luther. So far Talon and Babysox aren't BFF's but they tolerate each other.

If you leave a box out Sox will jump inside. He'll lower his face thinking he's hiding. He doesn't realize he has those big ears sticking up and we can still see him.

Wii wish you a Merry Christmas. :) We all love our Wii that we got as our "family" present. If I'd known it was going to keep everyone in the same room for hours at a time - I'd have bought it a long time ago! So much fun! Although, I must add.... We also got the Wii fit and it holds you accountable for every pound. It will actually ask you what the reason is that you could have gained a pound. Hmmm. I wonder??

My Christmas china that I bought at Kolh's on sale last year with my gift card from my Father-in-law! I love Kohl's sales!!

This was our first attempt ever at building ginger bread houses. Looks ok in this picture but we never could get the frosting to set and hold the roof on. Eventually all of our houses fell apart. We had a good laugh over it though and it was fun trying.

This year I decided to try to make my own backdrop for our Christmas pictures on the back porch.

I love having kids that are good at photoshop! The finished picture was cropped and in black in white since we didn't exactly match!

I did do some baking. These were snickerdoodles requested by Lauren. I always thought snickerdoodles had something to do with chocolate or snickers candy bars. Oh well, they were still good anyway.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas. Happy 2010! :) xoxoxo

Cupcake!!

2010-01-02T16:19:00.000-08:00

I saw this cupcake gift card holder on youtube and I just had to make one. The link is below the pictures if you want instructions to make one. Time consuming, but very cute! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkVm1Tif6gI&feature=player_embedded

Babysox playing fetch!!

2009-12-17T18:52:00.000-08:00

I never had any idea that kittens played fetch! Isn't he just too cute?! I love my Babysox!! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Um0jh-JQa8

Christmas decorating

2009-12-06T06:30:00.000-08:00

Sox was worn out today after helping with all of the decorating...

Mantle. It looks better in person. Notice the temperatures on the TV? You gotta love SC in December. :)

I was a little apprehensive about what kind of damage Sox would do to the Christmas tree. So far there are no glass ornament casualties...

His favorite place to be when we are on the computer.

Whenever you take a load of warm laundry out of the dryer Sox will find it and jump in!

Sox was a big help with checking the Christmas lights before we put them on the tree.

Thanksgiving at Mom's (TN).

2009-12-06T05:59:00.000-08:00

The plan was for me to come to TN the night before Thanksgiving to help Mom cook but she did all of the cooking and I mostly watched and made Christmas ornaments. It was a wonderful dinner! Thanks Mom!!! xoxo

Jennifer's hubby (John) carved the turkey.

potatoes

2009-11-29T10:04:00.000-08:00

Today my husband is cooking for our family Thanksgiving dinner. He starts cooking the potatoes and it takes me back to a few days ago. A memory. I'm peeling potatoes at Mom's house for Thanksgiving dinner. Out of the blue, for no reason whatsoever, she comes up and hugs me and kisses me, and tells me "I love you." And then she walks away. I'll never- as long as I live- peel a single potato, without remembering that moment. I love you too Mom. Always. I love you too.

More Sept. pics

2009-11-22T06:08:00.001-08:00

These are more pictures from our Sept TN visit. I love the age the twins are at right now. They love to play outside and everything is an adventure to them. Reminds me to enjoy and appreciate the simpler things in life. They are so much fun!

Great form Savannah! I think the girls will be athletes like Daddy!

Future vollyball player!

Don't you just want to pick her up?!

Hopscotch :)

This picture reminds me of how Lauren was when she was little. She loved getting all dressed up in a fancy dress and then going outside to play in the dirt or catch critters.

Chalky face!

Savannah looks just like her Mommy in this picture!!

Sisters

2009-11-22T04:34:00.000-08:00

Jenny and Mary surprised me and came to stay with us for 4 days this past week! There are no words to explain how happy that made me. I can never get enough of you two and wish I lived closer! Thank you so much for coming and come again soon!! I love you! XOXOXO

Mary brought the girls for their first dental visit. It turned out to be more of a "play" visit because I only polished about two of Hannah's teeth. Savannah did let me "count" her teeth but that was about all. Maybe next time they will be a little more comfortable with the whole idea. :)

Look at Hannah in the background looking at herself with the mouth mirror. Too cute!

Tattoos!

This is when it kinda went downhill... Poor Hannah. After that face I called it quits.

They loved helping make garlic bread for dinner!

Tuesday they all went to the zoo. Wish I could have gone!

Monday they went to Myrtle Beach. I had to work. :(

Again, thank you for coming to visit. I had the best time with you girls! xoxoxo

Sumter

2009-11-08T15:24:00.001-08:00

Today I had to go to Sumter to take Erik to his Grandparents house. They are taking him to Disney World this coming week and I am beyond jealous!! While I was in town I stopped by to see Dad (Mr. Harris) & Patte. I was thrilled to see how good he is doing! He's like a new man! He's even back to his hobby (making western gun rigs). :) I love you so much Dad & Patte! So great to see you!! xoxo

Another HHS Reunion

2009-11-08T06:30:00.001-08:00

This month our "HHS-GNO" (Hillcrest High School Girls Night Out) included some of the guys which was so much fun! Alyce organized a trip to Jillians in Columbia since Brice King was going to be in town. He lives in Idaho but had to come to USC for Forensic Computer training. We had so much fun and it went by way too fast!!

In this photo: Me, Dee (Jowers) Hoehn, Alyce Winn, Becky (Patchin) Hurley, Michelle (Lee) Long. Michelle calls this our "bridesmaid pose" that we do every time we get together.

Rhonda Austin (Howie's wife), Michelle, and Howie

Brice King and Howie Austin

Michelle & Howie

Dwight Mooney, Howie, Jarvis, & Brice

Alyce, Rhonda & Dee's husband Shawn

Becky's husband Collin, Michelle and Larry

Dee, Me & Becky

Justin Martin and Jarvis

Clemson

2009-11-08T05:10:00.000-08:00

On Halloween this year we went to Clemson for the Coastal Carolina vs. Clemson game. As you can see it rained the entire game! Still, it was so much fun to finally get to see "God's Country."

We sat right behind the band so we had very good seats right in the end zone. This is Coastal's mascot "Chauncey."

"Death Valley" is exactly right! We did manage to score a field goal, but that's it.

Sopping wet! At least it wasn't cold!

Balloons!

Halloween 09

2009-10-29T19:26:00.001-07:00

Not sure why this photo turned out so dark. This is not Lee's Halloween costume. This time of year this camo is pretty much his uniform until hunting season is over.

This is what Sox was doing while we were carving pumpkins when he wasn't batting around pumpkin seeds.

Rik's pumpkin

My Tinkerbell

Notice Erik's new haircut! I think it makes him look younger. Shh! Don't tell him!

Have a happy and safe Halloween everyone!

Just part of the decor...

2009-10-25T17:04:00.000-07:00

Isn't he just the sweetest thing?

Fun Halloween cards!

2009-10-25T16:40:00.000-07:00

Today I found a fun idea for cards on my scrapbooking website. I think they turned out pretty good! If you want to try it then go to the following link to learn how:

http://craftiblog.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/2009-04-23-quad-fold-card-sample-tutorial/

Lee's Album

2009-10-24T07:09:00.001-07:00

This is a mini scrapbook I made for Lee recently. I love the new clear scrapbook albums! :)

State Fair 09

2009-10-24T06:14:00.000-07:00

Good Morning from Sox! He says he's bored with blogging...

Lauren, Cameron & I went to the state fair last night. I'm usually not a huge fan of the fair. Long lines, strange food (most of which is deep fried) and parking is such a nightmare. We ended up having the best time! I still love riding all of the rides and I loved looking at the Art Exhibits. My favorite thing in the exhibit was the photography section and I begged Lauren to enter some of her photos next year so hopefully she will. One of the best photos I saw was similar to this one below. How cool is this????!!!

Surprisingly, this was the ride that scared me the most. It was so high up! Lauren & Cameron were in the swing right in front of me and she snapped this picture. I look happy because we are on the way back down!

This bunny weighed 19 pounds!!

Sand sculpture!

On the way there we were a little worried that it was going to rain the whole time. Instead the sun came out and we saw this rainbow! :)

Happy 42nd Birthday to my best friend!

2009-10-20T18:23:00.001-07:00

Lee has turned Sox onto his favorite song, "Soulshine"

Since I had to work today - Erik and Cameron took care of the decorations while Lauren took care of picking up the cake & ice cream and balloons! Everything was done by the time I got home! :)

I didn't get a picture of it but his present was a new watch.

Okay, so with a new scrapbooking room you would think he would have had hand made cards...

Happy Birthday babe! We love you!

Sox

2009-10-19T02:42:00.000-07:00

For a couple of years now I've been begging Lee to let me get a cat. He's more of a dog person and has never had a cat so until last week he's always told me no. I wasted no time once he told me yes and a friend of ours, Amy, found Sox for us. He's from Murrels Inlet and he's just so much fun! He does, however, pounce on me at 3 am wanting to play. We need to work on that. Where did MY new kitty spend all of yesterday? In Lee's lap watching football. Who knew he would be a cat lover? ;)

Just finished reading...

2009-10-14T19:20:00.000-07:00

This is a great book I read recently by one of my favorite authors. I learned a lot about OI that I didn't know. Makes you appreciate being healthy and having healthy children!! Here's what Stephen King said about it:

“You men out there who think Ms. Picoult is a chick thing need to get with the program. Her books are an everyone thing, and the current offering — about a little girl whose bones are so brittle that they break almost at a puff of wind — is her best since My Sister's Keeper. It's a legal/medical thriller, but at bottom it's a story about the American heart of darkness: a small-town marriage under stress. Picoult writes with unassuming brilliance and never descends into soap opera.”
—Stephen King

Scrapbooking room

2009-10-14T18:42:00.000-07:00

I turned one of our two spare bedrooms into a scrap booking room! :) Now, instead of having all of my supplies scattered throughout the house and hidden in various closets, I have everything in one place and it will be much more convenient! I'm super excited about having my new room. I think I turned out pretty well!

TN visit

2009-10-14T18:30:00.000-07:00

Lauren & I went to TN last month. What a great time we had with everyone. It's never long enough. I wish we could spend a whole week up there one of these days!! Funny story about Hannah & Savannah: Lauren and I decided to wear dresses to travel in since dresses are so much more comfortable than jeans. Well my dress was long and reached the floor. The twins called them "big" dresses, meaning "long." Well they were so fascinated by them (especially Savannah) that I went to Belk the next day and bought them "big" dresses too. I think my sister had a tough time getting them out of them for the next few days. :) Here's a picture of them in their dresses. They get more beautiful and smart everyday. They LOVE to play outside. We played on the swings, played chase, and played ball. Can't wait to see them again!!

What's been going on?

2009-10-14T17:58:00.000-07:00

I see I have slacked off on the blog yet again. Nothing much has been happening here. Everyone is back into a school/work routine. It's starting to get yucky outside which makes me a little sad. I'm happiest in my flip flops in the sunshine. We did have one last summer trip. My husband (aka Mr. Sociable) coordinated a carnival cruise with 20 of our friends. I was a little nervous at first feeling like it would be my duty to help entertain everyone and be Mrs. Sociable. It was such a blast and I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would and I wish it was just a couple days longer. It was a 4 day ("party") cruise to the Bahamas out of Jacksonville. These are a few of the more "tame" pictures. ;)

More Rik pics!

2009-08-05T12:12:00.000-07:00

Here are the rest of Rik's senior pictures. I'm posting the proofs because there's no way we could afford to actually buy all of these pictures. That would require mortgaging the house, or- as the woman that I talked to as Prestige Portraits told me, "You can split it up into 6 payments." Um, no, that's ok. I'll just order the proofs, thanks. They did ask for me to sign a release to use Erik as a model for their advertising. So I'm thinking that would get me a discount. Nope. Anyway, enjoy. He's such a great looking kid!! And smart. He registered for his senior year on Monday. He is taking Probability & Statistics (yuck), Biology 2, and Family/Community Health. He'll be getting out at 1:00 everyday and will finish the school year in December, like his sister did. Where have all the years gone?!

Sensory Garden

2009-08-02T09:43:00.000-07:00

One of my patients is the head RN at the McLeod Hospice House. I was very curious about why she chose this area of nursing. Did she stay depressed being around people that are dying day in and day out? She told me that she loved it and I thought she was nuts until she told me why. She told me that it's the best time to witness to people. The ones that are dying and the family members that will be left behind need to be surrounded by loving, caring people like her. She described death as just another phase of life that could be peaceful and that's what they try to accomplish there. Then she told me about the sensory garden beside the hospice house that was made for the patients and families by donations from the community. Later in the week I met the above mentioned nurse's sister and she told me that her sister was chosen as nurse of the year. Doesn't surprise me. It warms my heart to know there are people like her that are passionate about what they do and bring comfort to others in their time of need. Last night after dinner I took Lee by the hospice house to explore the garden.

I love this lamp-post. I just learned that the pineapple means "welcome."

Fish pond

Roman numerals 1-12. Not sure about what it means. Gospel of John maybe?

Recreation of the "beach" with water and sand. I told Lee to make one of these for me in the back yard. :)

I don't know if you can enlarge this poem and read it. It's beautiful.

There were tons of benches all dedicated to deceased family members.

Erik's senior pics

2009-08-01T10:43:00.000-07:00

Oh, how many times have I gotten this look?! :)

Holden Beach 09

2009-08-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

This was the highlight of Lauren's vacation. We went to the T.I.G.E.R.S. Preservation station at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach. The kids loved having their pictures taken with the animals. Lauren has since decided that she wants to go out to Ventura, California to get her EATM certification (exotic animal training & management) and then a degree in Biology. Yeah, ok, I'm telling her to follow her heart and all that but I really would love for her to stay here as previously planned and finish her degree in nursing. But seriously, how can you look at her big grin in these pictures and not tell her to follow her heart??

The finished product. It really did look better in person.

Me working on our sand castle.

Lee & Erik getting their tan on.

Lauren & Cameron

Lauren & Cameron trying to get the nerve to skim-board. It wasn't pretty.

Lauren & Cameron's shadows. Cool!

How about breathing, is that ok??

This is why we chose Holden Beach for vacation this year. No hotels, very peaceful! :)

Excuse me, are you talking to me before I've had my coffee?!

What I read on vacation.

Lauren loved feeding the birds!

One of my favorite things on vacation. SCRABBLE. He didn't win. I don't know why they continue to challenge me, but I'm glad they do! :)

I don't know who he was, but he looked so lonely.

The inside of the Oak Island lighthouse. Erik really wanted to climb up to the top but you have to have an appointment and they were 4 weeks out.

PF Changs (again)

2009-08-01T07:56:00.001-07:00

I went to Greenville for my friend Sheri's 40th Birthday. I also got to hang out with Teresa and Anna Victoria again. FUN!!

You gotta love Karaoke! I love it so much I have a machine at my house. If you come to visit you WILL be forced to sing! :)

Cool cake!!!

20 year High School Reunion

2009-08-01T06:45:00.000-07:00

Those of you on Facebook have already seen these pictures. I had a BLAST going to my 20 year reunion. It's been so much fun re-connecting with everyone! :)

You need your eyebrow done...

2009-08-01T06:31:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things to do is get a pedicure. For some reason the girl always tells me "You need your eyebrow done." Just one? I don't have a unibrow do I? Anyway, I get that done at the beauty shop so I always turn her down. Lauren just likes the massage chair so last time she didn't even let them pain her toe nails. She just soaked her feet and got the massage. I'm posting this so late that it's already time for another pedicure. It's one of the things on mine & my friend Alyce's to do list today after lunch and the movies! :)

A Rik story...

2009-07-11T06:19:00.000-07:00

I was sitting in bed reading one night when Erik came home from work a couple weeks ago. I look forward to our conversations late at night so I can hear all about his day. Somehow we got on the subject of unfortunate things that happen to people and how there is a lot of good in the world but a lot of evil too. He actually thanked me for always protecting him and keeping him safe while he's been growing up. And I quote: "I mean it must have been so hard on you Mom. You were so young and had to do so much on your own, and you did such a good job taking care of me and protecting me." Wow. Of course I had to tear up at that. I thanked him and hugged him, and I reminded him that I may have gotten him this far, but that it's up to him now to be safe and stay on the right track and continue to make good decisions. I love my boy!

Update minus pics...

2009-07-11T05:36:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since my last post so I'll try to catch everyone up. Let's see... Erik has a "newer" jeep. It's about a 98 model I think. Main thing is - it has A/C that works! Woohoo! :) It's a gas guzzler for sure, but now that Jordan (Erik's girlfriend) has a car too, he doesn't have to drive as much.

Erik stopped working at Taco Bell a while back. Well, with our whole "If you don't work you don't drive" rule, he decided to find another job. He now works as a host at Stefano's (a yummy Italian place not far from us). He looks so handsome (if not a little like Johnny Cash) in his all black host attire. I'll have to get a picture later.

Lauren has switched her major, again. First she was an early education major, then graphic design, and now has settled on nursing. Apartment living is not all she thought it would be and she's mentioned maybe moving back in when her lease is up in a few months. I'd be thrilled of course if she moved back in (seeing as how I never wanted to let her go in the first place) - but now I'm going to have to let her have her closet & dresser space back that I kinda took over when she moved out. :) Anyway, I'm not really counting on her moving back in. I'm sure she'll change her mind again, as we women are prone to do. Lauren is still working at Ruby Tuesday but she has also started her training to work at Stefano's (where Erik works) as a server. It's so great to see them get along so well together. They have become such great friends and Erik helped her get the job there.

I can tell hunting season is on the horizon again when Lee starts going to do work days with his hunting club, like he has this morning. He's like a kid in a candy store ever since he got his four wheeler for Father's Day. I can't wait to ride it myself! I'm looking forward to our beach vacation week after next so he can have some forced relaxation. The man works too hard, even on the weekends!

As for me, I'm doing well. Working, playing, going to the beach when I can. Life is good. Here are a couple more funny patient stories from this past week:

Most of you are familiar with the Panoramic x-ray machine that you stand in at the dental office, and it takes a full x-ray of all of your teeth & jaw at once. You have to stand there and hold on to the handles and be very still while it moves all the way around your head and then back around. I took one on a little boy last week and here is the conversation we had while I was positioning him for the x-ray:

Me: "Ok, now hold real still while I go out of the room and push the button."

Patient: "but my nose itches!!"

Me: (I reach over and scratch it for him)

Patient: "NO!! It itches on the inside!!"

Me: "Umm, that's where I draw the line, you'll have to do that yourself!"

I always love the little ones that come in for their very first cleaning appointment ever. One little boy I had yesterday was just so smart and so good, and he did everything I asked without any hesitation or trouble! Here's our conversation after the cleaning:

Me: "You did great! Now that wasn't bad at all was it?"

Patient: "No. But I really don't like cherry flavor" (the polish)

Me: "Oh, ok, next time we'll use another flavor and you can tell me which one you want."

Patient: "Yeah, ok. My Papa told me about everything you were going to do, and I think you did a really great job."

So good to get compliments from the patients but I must say one coming from such a little person was a million times better!!! :)

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-20T05:59:00.000-07:00

One of the hardest things in the world must be trying to raise someone else's kids. The deck is already stacked against you. I mean, how do you ever really feel like you are "in" the inside circle of a family unit that you marry into? I have no step children so I don't know. Lee has stepped up and been Lauren & Erik's Father for 11 years now. He's been there through the temper tantrums when they were little. Through good times & bad, he's been there steadfast, my rock and support system. He's the one that was firm but fair when I was exasperated and ready to throw in the towel when Erik and I were going through our tough years from the time he was 12 until he was about 16. I'm not proud to admit this, but there was a time that I decided that I just couldn't "parent" Erik anymore. I actually kicked him out. I was so angry and frustrated and scared that I decided this was the best option and was ready to just give up and admit that I was a failure as a parent and keep Erik and I from verbally and physically hurting each other. It was that bad. Lee was the one that came home and told me how wrong I was for giving up on my own child and took me up to the police department and tell them what I had done so they could get us some help. Luckily Erik was just up the street at his friends house the whole time and he was back in his own bed the very same evening that I kicked him out. What I'm trying to say is this: It's tough being a parent when the children are biologically yours. It seems like it would be a whole lot easier to give up if they were your step-children. Lee has never given up on them and chastised me for doing so. We owe so much to him for how much of a positive influence he has been in our lives. He is very generous but at the same time he teaches them a good work ethic. For example, he bought them both a car but insists they pay for the insurance and maintenance and taxes, etc. He truly loves Lauren and Erik and wants the very best for them. Thank you babe, for all that you do. We love you!!

That being said I must say something about the man that raised my wonderful husband. Lee's Dad (Harry) is definitely one of the best people I've ever been fortunate enough to know. He is without a doubt the most dependable person I've ever known. He has this "tough guy" exterior but there isn't anything he wouldn't do to help someone. I see that by all of the things I know he does for others. I know that every week he is going to call or come visit and that if we needed anything he would be a phone call away. He's the hardest working man I have ever known and I see that this is where Lee got his work ethic from. Happy Father's Day Dad! We love you.

I have to talk about my own "Step-Father" who became my Dad when I was 3 years old. Again, he stepped up and became a Dad and was very good to me. He didn't have to be. Thanks Dad. I will always love you.

And last but certainly not least....My second Dad. This man took me in as a teenager and treated me as his own child. He gave me a safe haven when it was crucial and changed my life. He's the most sweet, gentle soul I've ever met and an angel. I love him with all my heart. I love you Dad. A million thanks for everything you did to help me. Happy Father's Day!!

Fun in Greenville!

2009-06-06T08:41:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I went to Greenville to have dinner with some of the girls I graduated high school with. I also got to stay with my friend Teresa and her family for a couple of days since she lives there. We had an awesome time catching up and hanging out in the hot tub!! :)

This is Teresa's daughter, Anna Victoria. She was too funny wanting to wear her spongebob pajama pants everywhere she went!

I was so impressed with Teresa's green thumb, her flowers were beautiful!!

Love this girl!

Kids say the darndest things...

2009-05-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

Today I had a patient that brought his 4 year old daughter with him to his appointment. The idea was for him to get his teeth cleaned first so that she could see that he was okay and then I would clean her teeth next. While she was waiting for me to get finished, she wandered back and forth from coloring her dental worksheets that I gave her to coming to see what I was doing and asking questions, etc. The following conversation ensued:

Little girl: "Guess what my Daddy has?"
Me: "What?"
Little girl? "A peeeenisss"
Me-(LAUGHING!!)
Little girl: "You know why he has a peeenisss?"
Me: "why?"
Little girl: "because he has a x chromosome and a y chromosome"
Me: still LAUGHING but very impressed.
Father: "bet you never thought you'd hear that today!" (as he turned 10 shades of red)

Apparently they went to a bbq over the weekend and the kids were asking about the difference between boys and girls. She paid attention! Too funny!!

Deep sea fishing trip

2009-05-25T10:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Lee went on a deep sea fishing with his friend Dave, who chartered a fishing boat out of Calabash, NC. They went out about 7:30 am and were out all day. About 10-12 people went and Lee said about half of them were sea sick because the swells were about 4-8 feet and tossed them around quite a bit. You wouldn't catch me out there!! So today we will be grilling/frying some fish!

Grouper

Sea bass

Red snapper

Shark

Shark

Happy Memorial Day everyone! “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”

-Joseph Campbell

Lazy Sunday...well sort of.

2009-05-24T10:56:00.001-07:00

Happy Sunday everyone! I'm here alone at the house today since Erik is in Georgia and Lee is in NC deep sea fishing. So since I could sleep in of course I wasn't able to. I've been working on some projects around the house today. Here are a few of them...

This is a picture frame my sister gave me. Nope, those aren't pictures of us. I'm just still waiting for my ink cartridge to arrive in the mail. I didn't realize that when I got my cool new Kodak 3-in-one printer that the only place you could order ink cartridges from was online. They don't carry them in any stores. So, until that arrives, the good looking people get to remain in the frames a little longer.

One of my favorite quotes. I found this when my friend Karan went on our monthly shopping trip to Hobby Lobby Friday.

I finally put my memo board up above the computer. Now I have a home for my stamps & little photos.

I found this iron scrolley thingy at Hobby Lobby too. Not sure Lee was too crazy about it but he let me put it up over the front door anyway.

Another favorite saying. You know I've run out of space to put things when I start hanging things above the doorways. A trick I learned from my friend Andrea. :)

These planters & flowers for the deck railings were my Mother's Day present. I love them!

Flowers Lee bought for me yesterday, just because. :)

Self portraits never turn out well do they?

Okay, so now that I've done everything around the house I must do the thing I avoid most and make a run to wal-mart for Jake and Zach's dog food before they go on strike. Have a great weekend everyone! :)

Lauren update

2009-05-16T14:29:00.000-07:00

Lauren is starting to feel a little better. I managed to get some mashed potatoes and pudding in her earlier today. Her right side is still very swollen so she's alternating the ice packs and the heating pad and still having to take her pain meds. Thank you to Cameron for the very pretty flowers and to Papa & Patte for the sweet card. :) I'm hoping by tomorrow she'll be mostly recovered.

Godspeed

2009-05-15T12:45:00.000-07:00

Amy had this song posted on her blog and I had to swipe it. It goes out to all of my family and friends that have a little "Superman" sleeping on their couch. Very sweet song.

Oral Surgery day for La...

2009-05-15T07:49:00.000-07:00

This morning Lauren had her wisdom teeth taken out. Poor thing. She's pitiful right now with that ice pack wrapped around her head. She only had 3 wisdom teeth instead of 4 (for my dental friends - she was missing #17). I think she was dreading getting the IV in her arm more than anything else. She was hard to wake up from the general anesthesia and they said that she may be sleepy for several hours. The nurse and I were doing our best to wake her up enough so they could clear her to go home, but it was really hard. Lauren & I have a habit of keeping a rubber band around our wrist to pull our hair back. As I was trying to rouse her after the surgery, I noticed it on her wrist and knew she wouldn't need it so I took it off of her arm and threw it in my purse. She opened her eyes and started crying and reaching for it. I can't wait to tell her about that in a few days when she's better. So anyway, she's in there asleep on the couch with the elastic back on her wrist. I hope she recovers soon! It will be ice cream and mashed potatoes for the next few days.

Happy Mother's Day!!

2009-05-10T15:54:00.000-07:00

I've had a wonderful day! My sweet husband made me my favorite dinner, burgers on the grill with all the fixins'. YUM!!

This is the sweet card Erik made for me. Don't tell him I told you this, but I think he inherited the "scrapbooking" gene from me. Shhh!

What's really sweet about this is that he actually read my last blog post. Wow. I love you Erik!

Yellow roses from my sweet daughter. She knows these are my favorite!

I also got my beautiful Mother's rings a couple of months ago. (I couldn't wait!) :)

Happy Mother's Day everyone!!

Remember these?

2009-05-10T06:52:00.000-07:00

A friend and I were talking a week or two ago about Tupperware of all things. I was telling her how much Tupperware we had when I was growing up and that my favorite of all time was the Popsicle makers, and how I would love to find a set. So guess what she brought me the other day?! I know this may not seem too exciting to most but I was thrilled! I used to love making pudding pops, or kool-aid pops for my sisters and I during the summer. Can't wait to have pudding pops later today. Thanks Greta!!

Why didn't you tell me it was this hard???

2009-05-08T16:32:00.000-07:00

Someone once posed that question to me about motherhood. "Why didn't you tell me it was this hard?" At the time I was thrown off guard by it. Now I just know there are a lot of things that we don't tell each other about motherhood. We just do most of it without thinking like we are on autopilot. You get in a routine and it seems everyday just repeats itself over and over. Maybe since I was the oldest child I kind of had an idea of what to expect. I knew how to handle the diapers, the crying, and numerous other tasks that come with babies and toddlers. Plus, like most mothers, the first thing I did when I found out I was pregnant was go out and buy the book "What to Expect When You're Expecting." Now I see that they have the book "What to Expect the First Year." So I'm pretty sure that since this book was published many moons ago that these people have grown children now. So why didn't they finish writing the whole series? Where is the book "What to Expect When They Start Dating", or "What to Expect When They Wreck Their First Car", or better yet -"What to Expect When They Move Out." This will be my first Mother's Day with only one of my children here. Wednesday after work I helped Lauren finish moving into her apartment. We went to Wal-Mart and got her stocked up on dishes, silverware, food, etc. etc. I'm here to warn you, it's hard. Really hard to let her go. I read an article in She magazine (a local women's magazine here) the other day while they had me sitting under the hair dryer at the beauty salon. It was of course the Mother's Day issue so there were a lot of articles about mother's and daughters. There was an article where this woman was describing the void in her life since her daughter moved out and I couldn't even finish reading it because I didn't want to become a blubbering idiot right there in the beauty shop. Anyway, she said she wished she could have a "Do-over." ME TOO!!! I miss her car sitting out in the driveway. I miss my hug and kiss goodnight. I miss seeing that once again she's taken my hairbrush or makeup and forgotten to give it back. I want her to be little again and ask me to read to her or watch "Jungle Book" with her for the third time in one day. I miss her. Thank goodness she's still here in town. So here's where I learn to let go and just take a supporting role. Wednesday after I came back to the house after she was gone, I went into her room and sat on her bed. It was so empty. That's when I noticed a little statue on the dresser that she had left behind. An Angel, kneeling - holding a nest with two little baby birds in it. It reminded me of something someone told me once when I was nervous about letting my kids start driving. She said that you had to give them wings and let them fly. So true. So I went and found my one little bird that is still living in the nest. I have a whole year left with Erik before he moves out. It's his turn to be an only child. He's pretty okay with that. :)

So to all of you Mother's out there.... Take this opportunity to watch that movie with them again, or to read that SAME book they love so much one more time. Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-04T18:23:00.000-07:00

Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification

Next time you dread housework and laundry...

2009-05-01T18:16:00.003-07:00

Ok, usually I do NOT blog this much...it just seems I have had a little down time to catch up lately. Can't promise the "blog bug" will continue too long though. Lots of times I feel like I can't keep up with the housework and laundry in my house. It's so overwhelming at times that I don't know where to start, and a lot of times things get pushed to the side during the week while I'm working. Plus it's a rare weekend that I'm actually home to catch up with everything. Needless to say most of the time I dread going home and seeing how much needs to be done at the end of a long work day. Today though, I have a new perspective. As I'm sure all of you have heard, many homes in North Myrtle Beach were destroyed by the fires. Tonight after dinner, Lee and I drove through the hardest hit neighborhood. It was devastating. About 80 homes were burned to the ground. Those people lost everything. It's amazing how we can take things for granted. I'm thankful that I have a (messy) house to go home to. P pray that these people are able to put their lives back together as soon as possible.

By the way, on the way out, there were two fire trucks still working to put out the remaining flames. This fire has been burning for a week. They are still having to close highways during the day because of the smoke.

The jeep...

2009-05-01T13:41:00.000-07:00

This was the blog entry that I tried unsuccessfully to post from my phone the other night. I was taken the evening we went out for Lauren's birthday dinner. I happened to end up behind Erik and Jordan at a stop light and took this picture with my camera phone. It's still amazing to me that this little boy that used to sit in the floor playing with his matchbox cars for hours on end, is now driving around all over town. Hopefully this old Jeep will hold up for a little longer. It's a 1990 model and Erik is a 1992 model. Yikes! He never complains about it and is just thrilled to have a car. :)