We're back and recovering from a whirlwind week at Resort Mitchell

We're back from a fun week at Resort Mitchell with our friends Stephanie, Robert, and Michael.

This is what most of our week consisted of

Charlie enjoyed playing in the shade and trying to drink as much pool water as possible while in the pool. Michael also enjoyed playing in the shade and attempting to rip his hat off whenever the opportunity presented itself.

Here is almost three year old Robert. Notice the life jacket, swimmies, and floatie. His mommy is a little over protective. Haha! Just kidding.
Robert insisted on wearing as many flotation devices as possible. It was kind of nice actually, since we knew there was no way he could sink, we didn't really have to watch him (Ok, you know I'm kidding!)

This is one of my favorite pictures; it really sums up our week.

Out of 5 children, Melody was the only girl. You better believe she got princess treatment all week. (Well, when doesn't she!?)

And we did manage to get a shot of all 5 of them. They're a cute bunch aren't they?

Thanks again, Grammy and Granddaddy!

(I have a feeling that next year when we come they will go on vacation that week!)

PSF - what a difference a year makes

This was Jack last summer

This was Jack today.
(He's pretending to be a dog. The fun-noodle is the tail.)


The pictures are almost the same. The one detail that's missing is that little float. It's just a small detail, but it makes a big different. My big guy's a true swimmer this year and so proud of himself.


Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

ww - because everyone deserves to be a princess once in a while

True Story Tuesday - I threw an egg at my husband

It's True Story Tuesday over at Once Upon a Miracle. Head on over there for some more true story fun.

Ok, I can't believe I'm actually admitting to this. It's pretty bad. I'm sure I'll get a lecture from my mother about being nicer and not throwing things. In fact, Mom, just don't read this.

Saturday morning, I got up about 6:30 for a cool early morning run and quick stop to the grocery store. When I went downstairs, Jack was already up and I asked if he wanted to go with me. Just a little tip, it's tough to run while helping a 5 year old with his newfound bike riding ability. I alternated between sprinting, walking while pushing a bike, pushing a 5 year old on a bike while running, and just some plain old jogging. I'm pretty sure I burned enough calories to equal at least one bowl of ice cream though!

Anyways, all my other family members were alseep, so as Jack got dressed I left a LARGE, BOLD note for Alex on the couch in the family room.

I'm sure you're asking why I didn't leave it on the kitchen. I have left notes there before and Alex has missed them. He has told me that he's not expecting to see a note. As our kitchen counter was somewhat cluttered (*gasp* I know, I'm such a neat freak and I had a moment of weakness!) I figured he would miss it. Since our family room as very clean it seemed like there was no way he could miss it.

He did.

(This is the super clean family room. Do you see the note?)

About an hour later, as I'm checking out in Kroger, in comes a barefoot and completely frantic Alex, holding Melody and Charlie and the relief at seeing Jack spreads across his face.

He apparently got the other kids up and couldn't find Jack, did not see the note, didn't know where Jack was and panicked. (The irony of this is that he told me he did look all over the kitchen counter for a note!)

I got angry with him for not seeing the note I went to such great pains to place in a totally obvious spot!

We went home irritated. Then we argued a bit. Then I threw an egg. Which actually bounced off my husband and cracking only when it hit the wall, splattering egg everywhere. Yes, I cleaned it up. I'm pretty sure Alex took a lot some slight joy in watching me do this. By the way, egg is really hard to clean off of wooden blinds, windows, paint, and baseboards.

So there it is. That's a true story and a pretty big confession all in one.

Babe, I'm sorry that I was angry with you. I should have just seen the humor in the situation and been happy that you love our child so much that you were willing to walk into Kroger barefoot to find him.
I'm sorry I didn't control my temper better.
I'm glad you saw the humor in the egg throwing.
I'm glad we made up.
And I'm really glad we finally designated a place to put all notes!

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And in other news...anybody see The Bachelorette last night? I know y'all aren't going to believe this, but I actually thought what Wes did was pretty funny and I thought that Jillian had it coming. Had this been 5 episodes ago, I would have sided with Jillian. But, seriously, how many people warned her? Yet, she kept "following her instincts". Um, well, Jillian, it looks like your instincts lead you to make some pretty poor choices.

Friend Makin' Monday - Are you calling Ms Lauren?

It's Friend Makin' Monday and since Kasey it out of town on her awesome 35 day road trip, Kelli over at Outside my Kitchen Window is hosting today.

Kelli's topic for FMM is your best friend. Where did you meet your bff? and was it love at first sight? And what makes this person so special?

My BFF and I met at a Bible Study several years ago. When I graduated college, married, and moved to Atlanta, I joined a women's Bible study to get involved and make some friends. About a year later, in walks this new girl who says her name is Lauren and she just moved here after graduating from Alabama. I roll my eyes towards another close friend of mine and think something along the lines, "Alabama! I'll never be friends with her!" I'm glad I was able to get over it, because despite her bad taste in college football, Lauren rocks!

Since that day, we've been extremely close and sometimes it seems like we do everything together. When I was 8 months pregnant with my third child, and Lauren had just discovered she was pregnant with hers, my mother actually asked if we had some kind of contract or something saying we had to be pregnant at the same time! You would think given this.

Lauren has a fabulous fashion sense and has introduced me to the color purple. As she told me today, "how can you not love the color purple? It's the color of royalty!" We also share an obsession deep love of purses. She also introduced me to Twilight...come on, you can't find a better friend than that! There's not many things that she does that I don't do...in fact, don't be surprised if you find me using cloth diapers soon!

Lauren and her husband Brad have the same values as Alex and I. I know that when I come to her in need of advice or with a problem, shell listen and help me with a true Christian understanding. She's also one of the most honest people I know; she will always tell me the truth, even if it's not what I want to hear. She's also very trusting. In fact she trusted me with the biggest secret ever!

Since I have two boys and a girl and Lauren has two girls and a boy, I'm hoping we'll get lucky and find a match there somewhere! It would be great to not only have Lauren as a friend but also as a family member! I have brothers but no sisters, so my girlfriends have always been important to me. Lauren is the the sister in my life. Despite the miles between us, we are fortunate to see each other on a relatively regular basis. And when we're not together we're probably chatting on the phone. In fact, frequently when I pick up the phone to make a call, one of my children will ask, "Are you calling Ms. Lauren?"

This photo was taken at the 2007 Auburn/Alabama game. It is one of the few photos we have where neither one of us are pregnant. Lauren is holding Jack, who was 3, and I'm holding Melody was about 10 months old. (I got pregnant with Charlie the following month!)

headed out of dodge

We are on our way to Resort Mitchell for our annual trip with my friend Stephanie. I look forward to this trip every summer. Stephanie (and her husband, Scott) are godparents to Jack and Alex and I are godparents to their son, Robert. A few years ago the Maceks moved to Dallas. Since then a gathering in Jackson has been our consistent opportunity to get together. (You know, I will never forgive my friends who move away! You know you who are.)

We have had a great time getting together every summer!

Over the past few years our families have grown quite a bit. This is 2007 with Rober (10 months), Jack (3) and Melody (6 months).

We both had babies in 2008...just 5 days apart!

It will be interesting to see what this year's "vacation" is like with 5 children ages 5 and under!

Oh, and in an effort to keep the chaos down as much as possible (yeah, right!) I did ask my mom to please put away the walker!

Happy Birthday, America

We went to a neighborhood 4th of July party this evening and had a great time celebrating America's birthday.

Really, what's more American than hot dogs

and apple pie?!

Let's not forget the fireworks. Jack and I stayed late to watch a great fireworks show. And before the show started (while we were waiting for it to get dark) the kids played with sparklers and other fun, easy fireworks. This was Jack's first experience with fireworks and he was absolutely crazy about it!

Despite the fact that we stayed out until almost 10 pm didn't seem to bother him. I was practically falling asleep, but Jack was his usual silly self!

Hope you all had a happy Independence Day!