Kid's Say ~ ~ ~

Jackson has been asking a LOT of questions about asking Jesus into his heart. I was talking to him on the way to the coast and I asked him if he knew what a sinner was ~
"Oh yeah Mama! You know, like the art center, the block center, the science center..."

I gave MDD a Wiggles bowl that we got a LONG time ago ~ I think she was 2. She looked that bowl over and made a face and said, "I think you could say we got our money out of this one Mama."

The kids were talking in the pool and MDD asked JDD if he liked a certain girl. He said, "Oh no! She is a gold digger!" I asked him what they meant and he said,
"You know, digs for gold in her nose Mama...picks boogers."

NICE.

MDD was trying to talk JDD into letting her look in his treat bag from the party. He said she could have ONE piece of candy, BUT she could not hold the bag because it was special. She said, "You have an emotional attachment to everything these days!"

Not too sure where she heard that one!!!

We are enjoying being at home this week! Yesterday, we spent SEVEN hours in the pool ~ pure bliss I tell you! Today, we ran some errands, went to lunch with Dalton, went to story hour at the library, DQ for ice cream and then to the park!!! It has been a FULL day already!!!

Whooty Turns 6 & Quick Trip to the Coast~

Saturday, our special friend ~ Whitney Sue (Whooty) ~ turned 6!

She had a swimming party and the kids had a BLAST!

(Whooty, Jax, MD, Sidney Clair) ~ Southern for sure...lots of double names! ;)

A couple of older girls were there and introduced our children to the fine art of "chicken fighting"

Notice Mary Dalton is NOT in this picture ~ nope, not my girl ~ wayyyyy to rough for her!
As soon as the party was over, we drove to the coast. Dalton had a bow fishing trip planned and with our summer QUICKLY disappearing, I wanted to be sure I got to go down at least once!
Dalton's mother is an AMAZING decorator! Seriously, this house looks like it should be in Southern Accents or Veranda! The colors are beautiful and she can put things together in a way I would NEVER think of doing! I told her she needs to come "re-do" my house! ha!
This is mine and Dalton's room ~ I hated to get in the bed...it was so pretty!!!
She took the laundry room and turned it into a bunk room for Mary Dalton & Jackson!
They LOVE their little nook at the top! We store their clothes and toys in the baskets. She even squeezed in a potty and a sink in the closet ~ she is good! :)

The opposite wall ~ Love the pics of them! :)

On the coffee table is the NEVER ending game of Monopoly we played! The kids were REALLY good! It's such good math practice that I did not mind playing, but I did "add" to the rules after 4 hours (over 3 days) of playing...if the rent was $2 (yes, some rent was $2!!!) ~ you add a zero...this helped us MOVE some money a weeee bit quicker!!!

Mary Dalton won!!! She was SOOO proud!

The other "fun" was the new tub! It has a "bubble maker" button like no other! It also has lights which = HOURS of entertainment!!!

You can't really tell, but I took this picture of MDD looking down at her...I have NEVER seen that many bubbles!!!!

We had a great time even if it was a quick trip, but I was glad to be home to see Dalton! We have a pretty low key week ~ I am doing some tutoring and also am going to start working on my lesson plans for my second session of summer school. I have this week and next week and then it's back to school pretty much full time for me! Can't believe the summer is flying by!!!

Future HOARDERS BURIED ALIVE Star

I got the wild hair yesterday to rearrange the living room. I am about to get my sofa recovered and wanted to change things up a bit! When I went to move the sofa...look what I found....

OH. MY. WORD.

All this time, I have fussed at MDD about complaining when I ask her to put her things up...at least she PUT them up! When I asked him about this he said,

"Well, you told me not to put anything under my bed, but you didn't say the couch."

SERIOUSLY???

I have to spell everything out for this kiddo!

In the loot ~ 2 pair of shorts, 5 socks, a rope, bug collecting kit w/2 dead bugs, I pod touch, the game operation, 3 books, a Nerf gun, bullets, 5 Star Wars men, a pack of airheads, and NUMEROUS papers/instructions ~

Funny thing is he did not even ACT shocked...he knew EXACTLY what was under there and where it was....

Look for him on an upcoming episode of HOARDERS BURIED ALIVE.

We had the BEST day yesterday! After the couch fiasco, we swam and then headed to the farm to cook out! The kids rode the Gator 1 mile to the end of the road and back...I wish this thing had something to count the number of miles they have driven ~ They LOVE it!!!
My Little Hoarder who INSISTS on wearing his shirt backwards ~ not a battle I'm fighting.

His sister, however, is VERY embarassed by it. After LOTS of pleading with him to turn it around she said, "Fine. If you want to look like an idiot, go ahead....wear it backwards."

And I didn't say a word...the girl has got a point...a good one!

New arrangement ~ This picture is standing at the door coming in from the pool ~

The bottom picture is standing at the dining room door ~

I like it for now, I am sure I will change it again!!! :)

MDD was playing Barbies and I hear ~

"This is the best one on one date that I have ever had...will you accept this rose?" ha!!

**We were swimming and JDD said,"Mama is your swimsuit too small?" I said, "No...why?"

He said, "I guess your boobs are just hanging out because they are the size of a bowling ball then?"

(please remember we have our own pool! I wear whatever suit is clean...no one sees me but the kids...guess they are tough critics though! ha!

JDD ~ "Mama, where are a chicken's fingers?" I told him that they don't have fingers.

"YES they do!!! I eat them all the time!" I didn't have the heart to tell him that he was eating the "leftovers" from a chicken ~ that's one of the few foods he really eats!

We are headed to a birthday party this afternoon and then to the coast for a few days! I will start back tutoring this week, so it will be a quick trip,but lots of fun! :)

Sallie Ann ~ Oh We LOVE This Girl!!

6 years ago, I called this sweetheart to help me out in a MAJOR crisis! I hardly knew her, but needed a sitter for 30-45 mins to watch my new baby while I ran an errand...I was desperate, but God knew EXACTLY what He was doing! Sallie Ann has been a part of our family ever since! She has babysat for us for 6 years and can run my house/children as well as I can.

She is 22 and just graduated from nursing school and works as an ER nurse.

She is active in her church, loves to go out to eat, going to the movies and animals.

She will be an AMAZING wife and mother! My children ADORE her (and I am pretty crazy about her, too!)

She also enjoys watching a good baseball game and spending time at the lake.
Because she is working crazy hours, she doesn't really have to chance to meet anyone! We also live in a REALLY small town, so the pickings are somewhat slim! ha!

Just leave a comment if you are interested and I will be SURE to pass it along to her!

Feels Like Summer ~ FINALLY!

This has been my 1st week at HOME ~ I have been teaching summer school or in MS ~ so it finally feels like summer...swimming, play dates, sleeping in, LOTS of popscicles, projects, etc! I have enjoyed these 4 days SOOOO much!

Last night, Dalton grilled at the cabin, so we made a night of it and spent the night!

Love my babies' baby blues!!!

They had the best time together ~ they laughed and played and laughed some more!

I pray that they will always be close!
Jackson got to practice using his new bow Pawpaw made him and we rode the golf cart until the sun was no more....

Woke up this morning to yummy doughnuts (thanks Daddy!)

jackson LOVES a doughnut ~ when he says it, he puts the accent on the 1st syllable and it's too cute!

Quick Gator ride before heading home!

Once we were home, a former student came by selling knives from Cutco ~ For $700 you can have a set! ha! I did not buy or refer anyone, so she was probably wishing she would have picked another victim! ha!

I was able to do a few things in the yard and the kids squeezed in a 30 minute swim before the rain set in! I read my ENTIRE Southern Living and caught up on laundry.

It has been the perfect summer day!

Father's Day, Big Girl, A 1st, Library & Turkeys!!

I think this was the 1st Father's Day ever that we did not go to church.

I did not feel 100% when we were in MS and woke up not feeling well. A big storm came up on Saturday night and we did not have power, so we headed to the farm where we DID have power!When we woke up, I was feeling pretty crummy so we stayed home. We packed up and headed home so the kids could give Dalton their gifts they made him.

(we don't buy gifts, just make them!)

Jackson was SO proud that he thought to wrap his gift in an Easter egg!!!

Dalton is ALWAYS so sweet and appreciative of his gifts that the kids make him ~ and they are always SOOO proud to give him their gifts!
LOVE this picture ~ You can see Dalton's sweet face and his excitement! :)

He managed to get TWO full size sheets of paper in it!!! Now that's talent!!!

Dalton and Mary Dalton ~ she taped candy on every paper she drew for him!

Love this picture! Mary Dalton was BEAMING!!!

She gave him one her prized Air heads ~ now THAT's LOVE!!! ;)

Today, we went to the library! both kids got their own cards and LOTS of books ~ 32!!! They have been reading for one hour now!!! I am so thankful that they love to read! I also got 2 books I can't wait to read!!!

Jackson is doing SO well with his reading, too! He wants to read "quick" like his sister! He is working so hard and will be reading "quick" before we know it!

I can't believe I have not posted this yet! This was from this spring ~ my friend Tammy and her daughter came to the farm for a playdate and Dalton brought home his kill! Of course, we had to take a picture! :)

What a Southern Gentleman ~ Riding his lady around on his Gator with his kill in the back! :)

FIRSTS ~ ~ ~ ~

I knew that this day would come...Jackson HATES to go in the girls bathroom with me! At the library today, he had to potty. I walked him to the girls and he started to complain...I gave in.

I decided that this would be a GREAT trial run. I would like to add ~ no one was in the library but 3 Menonites and 2 old ladies. I opened the men's bathroom door ~ looked for feet under the stalls ~ CLEAR! Gave him instructions to go quick, flush with you foot, wash your hands WITH SOAP ~ use the paper towel to open the door....and you know what....he did it! :)

I would NEVER (or at least not for a long time) try this somewhere big, but I was proud of my buddy...and me too.....this was a big step for us both! :)

WHO IS THAT BIG GIRL IN JEAN SHORTS?!?!

Mary Dalton is getting SOOOOO grown up! She does not give me ANY grief about ruffles, bishops, lace trimmed socks, or hairbows....however, she is growing up. Bottom line. I bought her this outfit a while back from The GAP and she is SO proud of it! And I must admit ~ my big girl is pretty cute in anything she puts on ~ so I like it, too! :)

I told her since she was going to be in 1st grade this year, she did not have to wear a "Back to School" bishop like she has every year since she was 2. She could wear ANY OUTFIT in her closet for her 1st day! She is SOOOO excited...and I am going to stick to my word! I can't wait to see what she picks out! :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I went to the Dr. today and what I thought was confirmed, I have a really bad UTI. I am laying low today ~ started on meds and drinking LOTS of water ~ hoping I feel better soon! It's been going on about a week now, so I am ready to feel better! Dalton is cooking steak at the cabin tonight, so that will be a great treat to perk me up! :)

Enjoy your day!

Mississippi Part Two ~

As you can tell, this trip was all "Indian" ~ pawpaw showed Jackson how to use an indian drill and how to make fire ~ he was VERY impressed....

and pretty good at it!!!
the "real" teepee was a HUGE hit!

They could not wait to get inside!!!

Jackson said his indian name was "Howling Coyote"

Mary Dalton's name was "Bubbling Brooke"

There were frogs EVERYWHERE on the nature trail ~ JDD picked up SEVERAL along the way!

The museum was a big hit ~ learning to make corn meal ~

(his hat was a craft from nashville and he was SO proud of it!)

A great time was had by all!

Thanks Nana and Pawpaw!!!

Mississippi Trip Part One ~

To say I worn out, would be a HUGE understatement, but boy did we have fun! I wanted to post my pics, but blogger is SO SLOW today! :( So....I decided to do a few today and more later on this week! Since I already wrote about our week, I will briefly caption these pics and then share some funnies that happened along the way! :) (tree house fun~ they spent HOURS in the tree house! MD showing her card for aunt tasha!)

**As we were driving along I20, I was getting the kids to read the signs to me. Jackson said, "Mommy! Please let's go to the "love stuff" store and get Livi something!" ha! Mary Dalton said, "The sign said that they have videoes, too and you promised us a new movie!" They just could not "get" why we could not stop! ha! Reading can be dangerous!

(mail box they made)

**We went to visit my great aunt winnie (willena is her real name) ~ I told the kids where we were and asked them if they remembered her....MDD said, "I bet she love hotdogs!"

(bowling fun ~ she was smiling bc she had not tried to bowl yet....)
** "If you can see in your own ear...that's REAL talent, huh, mama?" ~ JDD

(JDD was AWESOME at bowling! mama and I was cracking up! Every roll was a strike or spare!)

Nana and Mary Dalton ~ As you can see from the picture below, she was LESS than amused!

Going for a spare!!!

Even if Mary Dalton had a crummy time ~ we still had fun! :)

It makes me SO SAD that we live so far from Reagan! They had the BEST time together and I know if we were closer, they would be the very best of friends just like JJ and I are! At least, we got to spend the day with her! :) Those 2 are gonna break some hearts with those baby blue eyes!

Playing water games!

We enjoyed a picnic at the creek ~ nothing like a fresh tomato sandwich!

They played and played....tried to catch fish with a cup.....key word TRIED! ran and raced....

and tried again to catch a fish...no luck!

MDD was looking at pics and was VERY impressed that I used to wear my hair curly ~ my mom would roll it on bobby pins. Nana did her hair! You roll it wet and then sleep on it ~

and Tah-Dah!!!!

CURLS galore! This was taken right after we took the rollers out ~ they loosened up! ;) She was LOVING it though ~ looking in every mirror she passed! ;)

Headed home we were loaded to the BRIM!!!!! And let me say, it was the PITS unloading and putting all this stuff away, but I have worked ALL day and it is DONE! Woohoo...time to play and enjoy summer!!!!

**Last story ~

On the way, JDD asked me why someone had a "fake daddy" ~ although Dalton does do some divorce work, they have never asked about it, nor have we talked about it. I went on to explain VERY carefully that sometimes people do not the best choices and that causes parents not to stay married. I then went on to explain that their Daddy and I made a promise not only to each other, but to God that we would stay married until one of us died. I also added that Nana and Suz both prayed for each of us to find a good, Christian husband/wife and that God made me for Daddy and Daddy for me. They never said a word as I talked a good 4-5 mins and then I said,

"I pray for both of you, that one day you will find a spouse that loves you SO much, but loves God more. I pray that he/she is being raised by Christian parents and that God will bless your marriage and give you children."

SILENCE ~ ~ ~ ~

Jackson says, "Well Mama, I can tell you now, you just go ahead and give all my prayers to Sissy...I don't need them. I already found me a GREAT wife ~ she is beautiful, kind, she loves God, and she loves me...so just give Sissy mine because she needs them more!" :)