Spring Break

A great week with Great Grandparents, sand, water and hushpuppies can make you feel like this:



There was a lake a few houses down from us that washed a channel straight to the ocean after a storm. The result was lots of wildlife : The kids caught this flounder and 3 others, tons of crabs, minnows and a bass.
Both kids made friends which made it awfully nice for the adults to sit on the edge of the lake and take a break from burying in sand and jumping waves.



Surprisingly, LInley was our ocean baby and wanted to be in the water constantly. Jackson knows what lives and stings in the ocean and is a little more tentative. This girl, however, does not care what lives in there or that she can't swim well.


Of course a highlight of the trip was hanging out with the Great Grands, riding John Deere's and Jackson helping to lead music at the small country church-truly precious.

It was a very picturesque and perfect week, but no worries as soon as we arrived back in Tennessee the bickering resumed:)

What my son taught me last night

I know that I am a selfish person and I give my kids a hard time for being selfish and spoiled, but I love it when God teaches me a lesson through them.

Last night our family helped to feed a group of homeless men. The men ate with us and we talked, Linley hugged and gave them pictures and commented on how young they were. It was a great meal.

When we got home and I climbed on top of Jackson's bed to read the most depressing book ever I asked him why his pillow was at the foot of the bed. He said to me, "mom I want to see what it feels like to have to sleep at night with no pillow."

I called Darrell later, who was still visiting with the men and told him what Jackson was doing and we both commented that at 30 something years old neither of us have ever wondered that.

I love this guy for the things he teaches me.

I love...

...fancy FREE dinners!

Smelly Good Food

In an effort to keep Darrell and I on track with our new nutrition plan I have been experimenting with new foods. Most of them have turned out yummy.

Take for instance Kale chips: they are quick, easy and are gone before I get them off the cookie sheet. Even Linley loved them:


On the other hand there was last night's dinner. It had nothing unusual in it. Just onions, zucchini, peppers, garlic and some other things, but pretty typical ingredients. It even tasted good as I ate it. But all night I woke up still smelling it, then Darrell called this morning and said his coat smelled like it, but here is the best part:

I get this text from Linley's teacher- "I don't know what Linley ate for dinner but she is sweating onions. haha"

I immediately start laughing and respond to the teacher and then get this message:
"That is too funny. You should have seen me looking all over my room for an onion"


Anyway, I will be opening all the windows and doors and febreezing the whole house today. Anyone want the recipe or leftovers?

and one last picture just because I love him and his best friend.

102 Things to do with a Bridesmaid dress

#102 thing to do with a bridesmaid dress: Teepee Covers!

Aren't they cute?

My Baby is 8

Somehow over the past 8 years I got old. And this man did it to me:


...and mostly because he made me eat nasty Cincinnati Chili. Just kidding (about him making me old, but not the chili-yuck)

For Jackson's birthday this year we went to an indoor waterpark in Ohio. It was so very fun and I took only 2 pictures. the kids bunk beds:


and a picture of them passed out midday after sliding a hundred times down the slides:-aren't they sweet when they are asleep? I need to look at this picture often.

Jackson's birthday breakfast in bed:

and surprise cake and ice cream with a few neighbors, family and close friends.

After 8 years I feel I know less about parenting, but am infinitely more aware of God's grace and hope sincerely that it covers over all of my failures in motherhood.

The Best Workout

The best workout EVER...


... is the one where you take a 4 year old

... and a 7 year old ice skating

... and only the 7 year old is any good!
The little ice skating referees had to help Linley and I off the ground MANY times and I had no shame in accepting that help. Linley and I were both covered in ice and sweat at the end of our hour.