Feet

These are the feet of a 100% BOY!

Two weeks ago...

It's crazy how time flies by me. I was just commenting to Michelle yesterday, that summer is already zooming past! Or at least it feels like it. In reality, it's only been two weeks.

Two weeks since Ellie finished kindergarten.

Two weeks since the BIG dance recital.

Two weeks since Janelle's baby shower.

Two weeks that I've been meaning to blog about all of the above!

I'll start with the first one today...

She's a kindergarten graduate! I never thought I'd see the day...

Oh, I kid! I was nervous though, when Ellie started kindergarten last fall. I wasn't emotional, or even all that sentimental, just nervous. She's a unique girl, with many great qualities, and many difficult qualities. I feared for her, her teacher, her classmates, and myself. I prayed that she would get the teacher she needed, that she would learn how to handle herself better.

And you know what? She did! She got a teacher who managed her well. A teacher with a quiet voice, but enough firmness to keep Ellie on track. We had a few rough patches, but nothing that lasted.

After spring break the real change occurred, and it seemed like a switch flipped in Ellie. She seemed able to catch herself before a meltdown happened. I was able to reason with her. She seemed happier and more at peace with herself. The reason for the flip? She accepted Christ! I have never seen such a tangible change in someone before. Ellie started asking deep, pointed questions just after Easter. We began having some talks, and she said she wanted to be a Christian. I, however, questioned her. Did she really understand? Was she ready? She's only six! But as I prayed, and did a little online research, I realized that she DID understand, as much as a six year old can and should, and who was I to hold her back. So we prayed, and she asked Jesus to live in her heart, forgive her of her sins, and to help her grow into a strong Christian girl! I am so proud of her, so excited for her! Since that day we prayed, she has been happier. Happier with herself, with me, with life. Not perfect of course, far from it. She still makes bad choices sometimes, still loses her temper, still gets very frustrated with me and her daddy and her siblings. But the anger she had, the extreme anger, is gone. And in it's place is a Peace! One week from tomorrow she plans to be baptized at our church, in the big swimming pool outside. Unconventional? Yes! But OH so special!

Life with our strong willed girl is still not easy, but it is much easier. I have always known that she needs to grow into her personality, and now it seems like she is starting to. We are leaps and bounds ahead of where we were just a few months ago. I am excited about first grade! Not nervous! Okay, a little nervous, but a good nervous.

She's a work in progress, my Ellie, as we all are!

Austin's Antics, part 2.

Ya know how I often refer to Austin as "active" or "crazy"?

Well, I took this video of Austin a couple of weeks ago.

You be the judge.

Simplicity is sometimes best.

A one word meme. This is doable, so I am doing it.

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse.
2. Your significant other? Sleeping.
3. Your hair? Ponytail.
4. Your mother? Fun.
5. Your father? Caring.
6. Your favorite thing? Quietness!
7. Your dream last night? Non-existent.
8. Your favorite drink? Coca-Cola.
9. Your dream/goal? Fit!
10. The room you are in? Office.
11. Your hobby? Blogging.
12. Your fear? Ridicule.
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Here!
14. Where were you last night? Friends!
15. What you are not? Sensitive.
16. Muffins? Yes!
17. The last thing you did? Laundry.
18. What are you wearing? Make-up.
19. Something you are not wearing? Bra.
20. Your mood? Satisfied.
21. Your summer? Unpredictable.
22. Person you tag? Pressure!

Thank you, and good night!

Welcome summer.

Picture this...

There's this mom. She's at the pool with her three kids. She's in the deeper water, because her oldest child, a six year old, wants her help swimming. She has a three year old clinging in fear to one hip, and a one year old trying to squirm free on the other hip. Her legs are being used as a way to shove off for the six year old, and her swim suit top keeps inching down, because all three children are using it to hold on to. Soon the frazzled mom climbs out, and settles her children down with a snack. A man arrives, he appears to be the husband and father. The mom is pleased to have help, and starts to relax. Just as the mom leans her tired head on the chair, taking a brief rest, she hears a dreaded sound. Gagging. It's coming from the baby. She jumps to her feet, and he loses his lunch. He's covered, his stroller is covered, and there's a nice pile on the ground. You watch in fascinated horror as she mops everything up with beach towels. The father helps by standing back and saying... Gross.

I am that mom.

Those are my kids.

That is my husband.

Welcome summer.

The Graduate!

My beautiful cousin (and favorite babysitter!) Lane, just graduated from college!!! We are SO proud of you Laney!!!

There's nothing like a cute pair of shoes to drown out the screaming...

Well it seems it's time for the great Bloggy Flip Flop Carnival!

Which seems fitting, this being our first Monday of Summer Break!

Whoo Hoooooooo.

Really.

Can you catch the sarcasm? It's hard to type sarcasm.

I really am excited that summer is finally here, it's just that as I type this, the girls are screaming at each other, and I'm already tired. Which isn't good considering it's 10:08 am.

But it's going to be okay. Really. I just keep telling myself that.

On to the cute flip flops!

First, Thank you Alana, for hosting this fun little swap!

I was thrilled when I received mine! I had purchased my pair to send, but hadn't sent them yet when mine arrived. I wasn't sure what was in the box the babysitter found on my front porch, but decided to open it anyway, even though I was running late. I figured it was some random part for something my husband had ordered. I had all but forgotten that I'd be receiving some flip flops. So when I opened the box and saw some of the cutest flip flops I'd ever seen, I squealed with delight! Along with the shoes was an adorable card. Look closely and you can see that the card has a beach bag with flip flops, a book, and a towell sticking out, HOW CUTE!


Thank you to Denise, my flip flop swap partner! I hope you like yours! You have an adorable blog that I plan on reading more, now that summer is here! (if the screaming ever ends!) I was blessed by your thoughtfulness in choosing such a cute pair of flip flops.

Here are some close ups...

Thanks again!!!