The Last Day

Today, Tait will have her last blood work drawn for her Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome. The blood work is done until the child turns 4 (she will turn 4 in July). Although we have to continue with the abdominal ultrasounds until she's 8, we're thrilled to get the blood work past us. One step closer to not having to worry about any cancer issues that are associated with BWS. Plus, ultrasounds don't hurt and Tait doesn't mind them.

Pray for good results. As usual, I'm nervous. Didn't sleep much last night. It's just seems messed up to have to screen your child for cancer.

Praise Him for the good results so far. My God is faithful and I trust that she will be fine again today. I'll letcha know something when we know something.....

Beach, Torture, And My Chance To Meet Reba. Yesssss.

I told you last week that I would be spending a lot of this week at the beach. Remember? Without kids? Well, we got back yesterday. And it. was. heavenly.

We drove down on Tuesday, and were able to spend a little time on the beach. The crowds were minimal, the weather was a little cloudy, but warm, and the beach was empty. Nice.

Then, Wednesday, Spencer went to work while I slept in (Amen), and then went to the beach alone. I was actually a little concerned that I would get bored. I thought I'd get restless.

You know what? I did not get bored. I did not get restless. I didn't even get up out of the chair. I took a cooler with 3 bottles of water, a bag of pretzels, and a Snickers. I rented a chair from the beach guys. I had a book, my scripture memory cards, and my iPod. I called and texted some friends. And. I. Sat. There. All. Day. Long.

I think I'll make it an annual event.

Believe it or not, I have been doing other things besides practicing my skillz as a beach bum. Namely, Shredding. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, I gave into the craze and began Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. And let me tell you something. I am not one who usually gives into exercise crazes. An "eat chocolate" craze? I'm there. A "watch endless re-runs of REBA" craze? Sign me up. But not an exercise craze. You know what? It has totally and completely kicked my butt. I have laughed. I have cried. I have avoided stairs at all cost because I didn't think my jelly legs would support me. I have sore muscles in places that I didn't have muscles. But if I can have a body like Jillian, then it's worth it.

Oh. My. Goodness. I cannot wait to tell you the next one. About 2 weeks ago, I received an email from a Casting Agency about an invitation only Reba concert. They were casting audience members for a very small, intimate concert that was being filmed by CMT. We were supposed to email back if we wanted to be considered (duh). I found out later that this email was sent to over 20,000 people. I received an email yesterday saying that I had been chosen as an audience member! SHUT UP! I have been told the time and place to meet the Production Director, and what to wear (dark, solid, "club attire"). Y'all. I am, of course, thrilled. Here's my dilemma. Club attire. Have you met me? If you consider Publix, Target, or the softball field a "club," then I'm all set. If not, then I'm seriously in a bind for something to wear. Where is BigMama when I need her? The exact words used in the email are: "Dress like you are going to a nice club or event. Wear black to dark colors. No white. We would like everybody to look sharp for the show. We want Nashville to look good. No formal wear or worn out blue jeans. NO LOGOS ON YOUR CLOTHING! NO OVERALLS! NO SUMMER WEAR THAT REFLECTS CASUAL! An upscale look has been requested by Production. Solid colors look better on camera." Got that? Suggestions, please. I don't do sleeveless and could be standing the entire time or sitting the entire time depending on where I'm placed in the audience. I'm so excited and I can't wait to tell you how it goes.

M'kay. That's me right now. What are you up to? And please feel free to give wardrobe suggestions in the comments. BigMama? Are you there?

Here's The Latest Episode Of The Random.

I've said it once or 27 times that I'm a lot random. I wish I had a dollar for every time I've said something random to Spencer and he's said back to me, "now how did your brain get to that thought?" It's a gift, I tell ya.

But since you're sitting on the edge of your seats waiting to read my latest random thoughts, I won't keep you hanging any longer.

You're welcome.

1. The noise level of the neighbor's weed eater is directly proportional to how much Tait and Camille need a nap.

2. I have decided that I will spend much of my kids' college funds on toenail polish. My girls want their toenails painted a new color every day.

3. My neighbor found some high end toddler clothes for ridiculously cheap prices this week at Costco. Rock that.

4. I need to write that neighbor a check for the clothes she bought for Camille. TO DO LIST.

5. I need to make a To Do list.

6. My prissy 7 (almost 8) year old, who has been praying for 2 weeks for a warm enough day to wear her cute new black dress to school, finally got her warm, sunny day today. But she decided to wear shorts instead so she could compete better at kickball in PE.

7. I am completely amazed and blessed by my blog friends. They have become some of the closest friends I have ever had in my life. And the funniest thing is that only 2 of them live within an hour of where I live. The others live in TN, GA, TX, KS (soon to be CA), FL, AR, & other parts of AL. I miss them a lot right now and would love to be in the same room as them ALL AT ONCE and hug their necks.

8. I need to paint my toenails.

9. I also need to clean my bathtub. Totally not related to the toenail painting need.

10. I have a full out flip flop tan already. And my ballpark life is just beginning to get really busy. By July, I'll take a picture so you all can marvel at it.

11. I miss my Tallahassee peeps and would like to hang out with all of them soon.

12. I'm entering into the phase of my life where the kids are starting to argue with each other and push each other's buttons and drive each other crazy. AND I DON'T LIKE IT. Advice welcomed.

And I'm gonna end on that one, since I'm now headed to put Tait and Camille in separate corners.

I Can Hear The Waves Crashing Now

Spencer works in the Pharmaceutical Industry, which means he travels a lot. One wonderful thing about Spencer's job is his territory. Part of it is the panhandle of FL - ie: BEACH. So, especially during the summer, if he has to go work down there for several days, the kids and I will pack up and go with him.

I know. It's rough.

But as much as I love the beach, these kinds of vacations aren't exactly relaxing. Spencer works all day, which means I tackle pool and beach, sunscreen, bathing suits, potty breaks, lunch breaks, snack breaks, building sandcastles, dusting off sand, burying people in the sand, nap breaks, carrying sand toys, snacks, towels, blanket, and camera all by myself. It's tiring. I definitely don't get to sit and read a book.

Next week is his "panhandle week." Because Mary Emma and Tait are in school, we can't go with him.

Or so I thought.

Spencer called yesterday and said that he had talked with his mom about coming to the house and staying with the kids while HE AND I GO TO THE BEACH ALONE.

Did you hear what I just said (typed)?

I will be at the beach next week for 3 days sans children. I will be able to sit on the beach and read a book or sleep or listen to my iPod or DO NOTHING. I won't have to build a sandcastle - except for the fact that I like to build them, so I might just do it anyway. Spencer will be working during the day, and then we get to go to dinner together (alone) at night. The break will be exactly what I need because our "busy time" -aka All-Star softball season (yes, Mary Emma made the team! WOO HOO!) is about to hit us square in the face.

But I'm not worried about that. I get to go to the beach.

I cannot wait.

Thank Him in the Small Things

I was taking Tait (3 1/2) to school today when she saw this in the sky...



She got so excited because "God drew a T in the sky just for me!" So I pulled the car over (you know - gotta make the most of that moment) and took a picture and we clapped and cheered and said, "Thank you God for writing a T in the sky!! YAY GOD!"

Then she said, "Mommy, where is God?" I told her "He's in Heaven and He sees you and loves you all the time." (remember, she's 3 - can't get too deep). Tait said, "No he doesn't. He lives in the TV in the big room at church with Jesus."

Well, she kinda gets it. It's a start, right?

Good Friday

Spencer and I were in San Diego in January, and we had a chance to visit Mount Soledad. Mount Soledad is a Veteran's Memorial that sits on the highest point near San Diego. It has an AMAZING panoramic view of the city, the mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. It's absolutely breathtaking.

While we were there, we took a zillion pictures, including one of a helicopter flying below us (awesomeness). But one picture stood out as my favorite.



This Good Friday is different for me than any other one for several reasons.
1st, my oldest daughter really UNDERSTANDS Easter this year. It is a fun, humbling experience to see Easter through a child's eyes. And for it not to be centered around the Easter Bunny.
2nd, we are joining our new church Easter morning. My oldest will be joining with us. She made her profession of faith and will soon be baptized. PRAISE HIM!! We are so very excited to be where God wants us and are excited about the future at this church!
3rd, there seems to be a new level of tragedy going on in the world right now. Maybe I'm plugged in (Twitter, Facebook, Blogging, etc.) more than I have been in the past so I'm hearing about it more, but the news seems to be jammed with senseless tragedies. Daddy's killing their entire families and then themselves. Plane crashes and car accidents. A President who has absolutely no regard for human life and is creating laws and regulations that make it easier to kill an unborn child. I am also brought to my knees over stories like Sweet April and her Mommy, Stellan, and Audrey's family.

Sweet Jesus, come soon.

And I am reminded of a song that I used t listen to as a child. Here are some of the lyrics that ring SO true today.

When problems try to bury you, make it hard to pray,
It may seem like Friday night, but Sunday's on the way!

Happy Easter, my dear friends. Tragedy happens. The world finds a way to get rid of God. But He sent us His Son. His Son gave up everything for us so that we might be free! THE Sunday is on the way, friends. And I cannot wait!

My "Review Blog"

I was talking with Mary yesterday about the opportunities (or lack thereof, in my case) that people have to review products on their blogs. I've had a couple of requests to review things (one in this post) and would welcome the opportunity to do more. Hint hint. I think they're fun and Mary Emma LOVES the opportunity to tell anyone exactly what she thinks about something. Ahem.

Anyhoo, not too long ago, Corrine, from Turner Publishing Co. in Nashville contacted me about reviewing a new book that was coming out. It is a coffee table book entitled Historic Photos of Birmingham. It immediately caught my attention because 1. I love coffee table books of any kind, 2. I love old pictures, and 3. I live in Birmingham. Score. Score. Score. Of course I said yes and she immediately shipped the book to me.



Y'all. It's a beautiful book. The pictures are mostly from the Turn of the Century - Great Depression era, but some are also from the Civil Rights era through the late 70's. My dad, who was born in Birmingham and spent a lot of his childhood here, absolutely LOVES the book. Many of the pictures are of the coal and steel mills, which is the foundation on which Birmingham is built. There are some awesome aerial pictures, including a picture of The Spirit of St. Louis flying over Birmingham during a visit by Charles Lindbergh, himself. There are pictures of celebrities, including Bob Hope and Doris Day, during a visit to Birmingham. It's fascinating. If you live on Birmingham or are from Birmingham, you will really enjoy this book. It's sitting proudly on my coffee table even as we speak.

The second item I'd like to talk about really hits a sensitive part of my heart. It deals with our children and their knowledge of stranger safety. My biggest fear (and probably yours, too) is for someone to take one of my children. It's a scenario that I don't even want to think about, but one that I feel compelled to teach my children about. But there's the fine line where I want to make them smart and aware, but don't want to scare them. So I researched and found this DVD.



It's called The Safe Side: Stranger Safety. It was developed by John Walsh, host of America's Most Wanted and the parent of an abducted child, and Julie Clark, creator of Baby Einstein. It takes a scary subject and makes it completely kid-friendly. They don't use the word "stranger" because that word generally makes kids think of a mean, scary-looking person. They categorize adults into 3 categories: 1. Safe-Side Adults, 2. Kinda Knows, and 2. Don't Knows. They teach your child what to do in a "Kinda Know" situation as well as a "Don't Know" situation. The mood is kept light-hearted and funny so the kids aren't scared. Safe Side Superchick, the main character, is ultra corny, but the kids LOVE her. My girls giggle and laugh and love watching the DVD. And when I pop-quiz them on "stranger safety," they understand what they've been taught. I cannot recommend this DVD enough. It is absolutely fantastic. If you have kids, this should be a part of your movie collection. If you don't have kids, buy it for someone who does. Consider it your acceptance of the challenge.

That's all for now. Hope to have more stuff to review in the future.

Until then, have a good one.