I'm blue...

*Sigh*

I'm trying hard to act normal but life is anything but normal right now. I am kind of in shock and trying to keep it all at arm's length but that can't go on for much longer. Auntie is sick. She is very sick. My brother and I are the next of kin and my brother isn't very much interested in the situation. Thank God for my dad. He has been running this show since the beginning and is trying to figure out how to do the best thing for all of us. My heart just breaks thinking about my aunt. I never thought it would be like this. I just thought she would go quietly when her time came. And now here we are. She can no longer live alone. She will have to have rehabilitation. She will need long term care. Physically - she seems to be okay. Getting better and will probably be able to walk, talk, dress and feed herself. Her mind is what worries me. She is disoriented, confused, easily agitated, she is definitely a handful. And forgetful. I have been unable to think of much else since last week. All I can do is pray that the right choices will be made clear to us and that we will have a peace about the decisions we have to make.

School is out for summer! Can you hear the song playing in your head? We have been trying to have fun. There's been lots of swimming going on! Alex is already super tan - the girls aren't far behind. Mary has picked up her swimming right where she left off last summer. It is so exciting to see her swim back and forth. Of course Liv is a very strong swimmer - she never had a lesson in her life but she just learned on her own. My dad came up yesterday to take us out to lunch. We went to Zaxby's and then to Bruster's to have ice cream. It was a good day. Before that we went to Tribble Mill Park for a nature walk. We went off the trail and got lost so the adventure lost a bit of its charm because it took a bit longer to get where we wanted to be but all in all, we had a good time. We saw a deer run right by us and a snake snuck up on us too. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed it. I wish I had taken the camera...

Just Finished....

This is an excellent book! I just couldn't put it down. Exciting, sad, funny, suspenseful....just all around a great read. This is the second book I've read recently that has to do with King Henry VIII and his many wives. Exciting stuff!

Summer...Here we come!

Today was my last day of work and the big kids last day of school. We are officially on vacation now. I am looking forward to lounging by the pool and not a whole lot more than that! Lame? I think not. The kids will be getting fresh air and exercise, I will be getting "adult" time, it's free entertainment. It's all good!

berries, low country boil, graduation

We finally went berry picking at the Strawberry Fields. The funny thing about living right by the Strawberry Fields is that since we see them every single day that there is never really an urgency to go and actually pick the berries! We see everyone having so much fun out there picking and we just drive on by. The farm says that they are having their best season ever and they are bursting with sweet delicious berries.


I daresay they are right! The berries are delicious and plentiful. We just happened to go the day after a huge storm so it was muddy and cold too. We didn't care. And it wasn't crowded either (since it was Friday afternoon). Jay said he has never gone berry picking so we waited until he got home from work and took him (and Ashlyn) along.

The girls had fun stomping through the mud to try to find just the right berries.

Before we knew it, we had filled three buckets!

After picking berries, we went next door to a low country boil. It was a feast! Shrimp, crab legs, sausage, potatoes, corn...we were stuffed! It was a good time - thanks Turners!

Liv's 5th grade graduation was last night. It was a big event at the First Baptist Snellville church. Dad offered to take us to dinner before and it was her choice - Steak and Shake. We met at 5:00 so that we'd have plenty of time to get to the church by 6:30.

We had great seats and we settled down for the ceremony. 243 graduates later...and it was almost 9pm! But my sweet girl came away with an award in Music - for achievement in singing, playing instruments, and composition. We were very proud!

And here she is with Mrs. Davis

I was so happy that my dad came out to support her. He is always there for my kids and I am so grateful for that.

Two more days of school.....

The Sunday Night Blues

Well, it's Sunday again. The last Sunday before school is out. Yeah! School is almost out! Three more days....and it's all over. Today was a long day for me. I got up and out early today since I had to be at my last Sunday morning choir practice. Today was Patrick's last Sunday. It was sad, emotional, blue, tense, and just exhausting. There were tears for a good two hours. Not for the whole two hours but they were definitely there. Jay was sweet to cover my 3rd Sunday class so I could sing in Patrick's choir for the last time. Keri was a basketcase the entire time. I actually stayed with Seth's sermon for the entire time (big surprise there!) and was so pleased when three people actually came forward at the end of the service. One couple officially joined the church and then my friend Gina decided to be baptized. It was wonderful. Her two daughters were brought in to witness the baptism and they were so excited! A perfect ending to the service. Afterwards, we had a SOAR meeting that lasted a good four hours. But we got a lot of stuff done, including putting coloring books together. It was good. Liv and I went shopping afterwards because of course she had to tell me at the last minute that she wanted a new outfit for her graduation tomorrow. We had luck and found one on sale. I have to admit...she looks very good in it!

Saturday we had two parties for Mary to go to. She was off and on not feeling well towards the late afternoon. While we were at a restaurant for dinner, she vomited all over herself, me, the table, the seat...YUCK! Obviously we had to go home right away. But, the good news is that she instantly felt better and has been great today. She did get to sleep in our bed last night so that was a treat for her.

Random Pics

I have a lot of random pictures to post. I've been neglecting my pictures because I generally post from the laptop and the pictures are all on the desktop. So, let's see what I can find to put on here...

These two are of Olivia and Alex at their school art show. We ended up buying both of their framed pictures because they were so proud of their work. And now that I'm looking at that pic of Alex, I see what sticker he was wearing that went through the wash and left a sticky, gooey mess on that green shirt.

Here are some outdoor pics from one beautiful afternoon. We were lounging in the backyard and I spent a lot of time watching Mary. She took a lot of enjoyment from just being busy - picking flowers, pulling leaves off the trees, running in the grass, chasing the cat, "sweeping" the patio - it was endless.

Mary went to her friend Aiden's birthday party last week. There were a lot of classmates there so she was in her glory. It was a beautiful day and we had fun.

Megan, Mary, and Katie

The three in the middle - Aiden, Maryelizabeth, and Mary

Going for a swim...

Well, it's been a very exciting few days around here! Of course, all that excitement was in my head so no one else felt it except me. It's all about me....right?

I was finally baptized into Christ tonight. Full immersion. Not just a sprinkle but a full fledged dip! It was a wonderful moment. Acts 2:38 says, "Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit". I wanted to be right with God. I knew in my heart that infant baptism is not biblical, but that full immersion baptism is. I understand that taking a dip is symbolic of Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection and signifies that I have been reborn in Him. I also understand that baptism is a public affirmation that I am IN CHRIST and that I have been obedient to His word. There were many people tonight that told me that they couldn't believe I had not already been baptized. I kind of felt bad about that, like I had been perpetrating fraud or something. I guess it all had to do with timing, of how the Lord had placed it on my heart, and how I was ready to submit. So, tonight was the night! The best part? Patrick baptized me. It just had to be him. I couldn't imagine anyone else doing it. I felt so at peace about it that I knew it had to be the right thing and the right time.

Here's some pics of some of my friends that came out to support me. Wow! It meant the world to me to have my church family surround me and share the moment with me.

Melinda

Keri and Wendy

My Chase

Thanks Patrick!

Monday

Monday, sweet Monday. My last Monday solo. The only day of the seven that I have a few hours to myself. And now it's over. *sigh*

Mary and I headed out early this morning. We went to Wal Mart to pick up plates and napkins for her "Birthday" party at school today. On top of everything else that we have going on, I had to stage a fake birthday. So, we did that and then headed on to school. Her next to last day of preschool ever. I normally head to a 9:45 Pump class on Mondays but today the new priority on my list was to get a pedicure. It was URGENT! So, I ditched the Pump class and headed for a pedi. Again at Wal Mart. I saw Cindy Parker and her new baby, and then I saw Darlene - a lady I met about 4 years ago at Lilburn park. Wow - great memory Darlene!

I had time to go home for about 30 minutes before I had to take the Doll Cake to school. Mary and I worked hard on this cake - it was my first doll cake. She was so excited! She couldn't hold in the grins when I walked in with her cake! It was a fun mini party and then we hi tailed it out of there for our next date. Field Day at the big school.

1st grade had their Field Day from 1-3pm today. We were able to stay for most of it. We saw McKennah there. A lot of the 5th graders were helping out at the different stations. I found out that Liv had helped out with the kindergartners earlier in the day. Poor Alex. Athletic he's not. Coordinated...not really. Graceful? Nah. But he tried. He even tried to hula hoop. And he had a great partner - Luke. Luke encouraged him and tried to help him out whenever he needed it. And they both tolerated Mary. Would you believe that she was the one who told them which station to go to next? I can't tell you how many times I heard Luke say, "Mary told us we have to go to this station". She was totally in charge and loving it. What else is new?

Happy Mother's Day!

Well, today was the big day. The day I had been waiting for. Breakfast in bed, flowers, candy, gifts galore, extra special treatment all day long.

NOT!

There was no breakfast in bed. Hell, there was no breakfast period. No flowers. No candy. I did get a gift (and I did love it), but no special treatment. In fact, I spent most of the day alone, bored, flipping channels. Now Jay, he had a great time. He and Alex went to a movie together. I did tell him he could go but only if he took all the kids. He didn't. We went out to lunch -but we always go out to lunch after church. Dinner? No, there was no dinner. Jay, you owe me a make up day bigtime.

The weather is weird. It was beautiful but extremely windy. Weird windy. And it's still weird windy. We have a lot of trees and they were very bendy today! I was a little worried. Keeping my fingers crossed...

We had a great lesson in Sunday School. Patrick is such a good teacher. Who knows who is going to take his place, whoever it is, it just won't be the same. The sermon was preceeded by a little Cherub Choir treat. Mary outdid herself. She looked pissed off the entire time she was on the stage. I video taped it but don't really feel like I need to share it with anyone. It was very disappointing. I wish she wouldn't act like that. I wish she would at least try. I wish she didn't have an attitude a mile wide. I wish she would just act normal for a change. Sometimes it's cute, it's funny, it's endearing...NOT TODAY! It was annoying.

Yesterday, I took Mary to her friend Aiden's party. She is very particular about who's party she goes to. It was very nice see her actually interacting with the kids. She actually gets along well with the kiddos in her class. It's a different side of her. It was nice to see.

Mother's Day is still hard for me. It's hard to hear all the hoopla and have absolutely no one to think about on this day. I didn't have to worry about what to get my mom, I didn't have to worry about carving out time to go and see her, I didn't have to take her out to lunch. It sucked. It's the worst holiday of the year for me. It's the one where her absence is all the more pronouced. Because it's Mother's Day and I don't have a mother anymore. Will I ever get used to that?

Saturday

Big News!

This week has been such a busy week for me. I just have too many projects that I've committed myself to and they are all overlapping. This morning I woke up and was feeling very panicky because I just didn't think I could get all that I had to done. At the end of the day, I did get most of it done. The rest, well, tomorrow is another day!

I had to put together and fill 75 favors for the baby shower tomorrow.
I went to help prepare the food for the shower tomorrow.
I went to Target to buy the rest of the favors.
I delivered six petunia hanging baskets (after putting the awesome bows on that Stacey made for me.)
I took Mary to school.
I taught three Spanish classes.
I went to another Target to buy labels.
I went to Keri and Melinda's to ask them to print my labels.
I came home to pick up Mary from Stacey's but met them at the playground instead.
I finished putting the boxes together (w/ Stacey and Lisa's help).
I took Mary to her soccer game at 6pm (big news involves this part of our day!)
I went out to dinner w/ my family and the Turners.
I made chocolate soccer ball lollipops for Mary's soccer party tomorrow.

Big News:

Tonight's game was a good one. Coach Hawkins told Mary right away that "no flapping tonight" which was great because she hardly flapped at all. Well, all of a sudden, there was a "new ball" and it ended up right in front of Mary - she took a shot on the goal and SCORED!!!!! Her first goal ever! Okay, it was totally a set up but it gets better. She scored a SECOND goal!!!!! And it was all her! What excitement! Way to go #5!!!!! Her last game is tomorrow. (And then the baby shower, a birthday party, the end of season soccer party, picking up Olivia, making a cake for Mary's class on Monday.... it never ends!).

Oh, hello there!

Where have you been? You mean where have I been? Honestly? I've no idea what's been going on. I don't think there's been anything newsworthy to blog about. Life is life. Last week we had some wonderful weather and it was great for the kiddos to all be outside until we had to absolutely drag them in. Friday night we sat out in Lisa's driveway and the kids played and played and played. They didn't have toys but they managed to amuse themselves for about 4 hours. When Ashlyn and Mary were rolling down the hill, I couldn't help thinking to myself, "oh, to be four years old again!" What fun that would be! Mary was filthy when we went in and had to have a good soak in the tub. That little girl can get dirtier than any little boy I've seen! But she has a great time doing it too.

Wendy came to see Mary's game on Saturday. Can you say disaster? Addie was over to hang with Liv and Mary just loves, loves, loves Addie. So Mary wanted Addie all to herself and didn't feel like playing soccer. She flapped around the field so much I ended up calling her Flaperella. Ugh. I just love it when my kids show out in front of my friends. Later that day, we went to meet my dad, uncle, and my brother's family for dinner. There were 11 of us total and it went very well. My dad says if he doesn't invite my brother and his family out to eat, he would never get a chance to see Hannah. Sad but true.

I was blessed to be able to sing in the choir on Sunday. I had not been to a rehearsal in weeks because of VBS planning but I took a look at the music during Sunday School and decided to give it a whirl. It was great! I am really going to miss singing in the choir when Patrick leaves. But who knows? I may just keep on singing with the new music minister. I had a Women's Leadership Team meeting immediately after worship and we were invited to join the Visitor's luncheon - fabulous food provided by the Boone's - and then we retired to the Legacy Room for our meeting. We are busy preparing for the Mother's Day Event this weekend - we are having a baby shower honoring the Atlanta Pregnancy Resource Center. It should be a wonderful event and we are expecting a great turnout.

Today was Monday - you know I love my Mondays! I went to the 9:45 Pump class and then hit the Wal Mart afterwards to do some grocery shopping. We finally have food! Unfortunately, I was out of just about all my cleaning things. And paper towels, tp, napkins, soap, etc. Pantry is stocked now.

The End of Year Shakedown is in full swing. Coach's gift is taken care of. Now we are on to teachers. 5 teachers. Yikes.

Another Week

This past week has been difficult at best. For lots of reasons. But there have also been happy moments. This week was Teacher Appreciation Week at MCCS. The kiddos always make me feel so special. They gave me flowers, gift cards, lotions, candy, and I even won a door prize. Yeah me! They talk when they don't need to. They don't listen half the time. They want to talk about stuff that has nothing to do with Spanish. But they are all so special. I love hearing their little opinions and their reactions to the things we are learning. Excellente classe!

Thank you Lord, for planting joys among my sorrows. You always take care of my every need.

"Our joys are made better if there be sorrow in the midst of them. And our sorrows are made bright by the joys that God has planted around about them." (Streams in the Desert, M. Cowman)