Alone for a week...

Mark and the kids left this morning headed to Mobile. In 6 years, I have never been alone in my own home. This should be an interesting week. I have ideas in my head of things I would like to get done this week, but haven't put them on 'paper' yet. This list includes:
-stripping wall paper off and painting (more than one room, high expectations)
-sewing
-reading
-organizing closets
-cleaning out toys

I am sure there are many other things I have thought of and that will come back to mind. Maybe I will start a list on actual paper and have it with me to add to it when I think of something else.

They left at 9 am, I went to church, and now I am at home. Not sure what my afternoon will hold. It looks as though it might rain, we need it here.

Is It Friday Yet?

All week...each day as we turned into the driveway, E has asked "is it Friday yet?" She knows that Mark is coming home today. He has been gone since Saturday. So, this morning, she came downstairs and said "Mommy, is today Friday?" Yes, I tell her, it is. She begins a song and dance that I wish I had on video tape! She started dancing around and singing, "today is Friday, daddy, daddy, daddy, today is Friday!" on and on. I really wish I would have been able to record it and show it to Mark.

It's Dark Outside

E is so afraid at night right now. It is as if when the sun goes down, she wants to be inside! Tonight was much worse. She was crying, saying how afraid she is that someone is going to come into our house. I am so sad for her. I asked her where she got that idea and she said she doesn't know. She came to our room a little bit ago at 11:30pm to get in bed with me. She said that with all of the lights off she is just scared. Poor baby....I have tried to explain to her that we have the doors locked, we keep her safe, there is no such thing as monsters (as she knows them in her mind). I hope this is a quick phase.

Ultrasound Update

I have a niece or nephew on the way, and we won't know for several more weeks if this sweet baby is a he or she. My brother called me today on his way to work after their first ultrasound. It is so exciting to hear him tell me about this baby. He was amazed (as all of us who have been where he is) to see/hear the heartbeat, to see 2 arms, 2 legs and the 2 sides of the brain developing. Just amazing. I want this baby to know how excited his/her parents were on this day and the days to come. I pray for them and the baby. Jenny is somewhat relieved, but at the same time, she is worried/nervous. I remember this feeling all too well. I was reminded today that I was so nervous throughout both of my pregnancies - only to realize that the real nervous feeling came when the babies were here. I knew there was more to worry about. Kyle's first comment was well the little peanut is 38 (I think) mm long. He was carrying one of the photos to work with him. I am just overjoyed for them!!

It really is amazing to consider the miracle that we as parents participate in when we are able to carry our own children.

The Rest of the Weekend...

So, B and his friend ended up staying here all night Friday night. They went to sleep around 10:30, but they both say that the friend didn't sleep at all. Although he was asleep when I came downstairs. They were so funny. They both slept in B's twin bed, one with his head at the "head" of the bed and one flipped with his head at the "foot" of the bed. They were up at 6:30. I did make them the eggs, biscuits, & sausage. They played here until around 11:30 when they went swimming with his mom. E and I joined them after running some errands.

G (mark's mom) arrived around 3:30 and swam with us for a while. The kids were so excited when she arrived. She left this morning when the kids & I left for church. It was a short visit, but the kids will take any amount of "G" time.

We all 3 took a nap this afternoon which was really nice. Mark has called a few times, he is safe and sound in Martha's Vineyard. He complained tonight that the house they are staying in does not have A/C and it is humid. It is supposed to cool off tonight, but they are all uncomfortable in the "heat". Can you tell that I do not feel sorry for him yet? He IS in M.V. for goodness sakes. They have to walk about a 1/2 a mile to get to their meeting site. Imagine....walking on a white shell road past northeastern cottages while families play and you smell the sea air. I don't think I would complain. I would rent a bicycle with a basket on the front and ride all over the place!!! I will go someday, right? A girl can dream!!

Summer Evening & ER Visit

B was going to spend the night with a friend tonight - 2nd attempt, 2nd friend since school has been out. They are both back here with us. But prior to them coming here, Mark, E & I went to the arts downtown tonight. We had a great time, not too much humidity! Outdoor music, art vendors, and a children's area with a lot of fun things to do. E made a flower and a newspaper/tissue paper sun hat, and had her face painted. She also drew on the street with sidewalk chalk. All of the main streets in downtowm were closed off. We had dinner at Mellow Mushroom - mmmmm.....

We were walking around and ran into the Judds. Mark was having trouble with his eye and said it was really painful. After taking his contact out, it didn't get any better. So, we headed to his office and he washed it out with water, I looke all around it and we put eye drops in it. By the time we left there, the white of his eye was swelling - looked like a jellyfish around the color of his eye. We drove around our small town for 40 minutes and went to 3 Urgent Care offices all of which were closed. So, E & I came home and he drove himself to the ER. Turns out he has had an allergic reaction to something. I was afraid he had a cut or tear on his eye. Luckily, he has to put special drops in it (that taken too frequently can cause blindness!!!), put cold compresses on it and take benedryl.

He leaves early in the morning for a conference/meeting in Martha's Vineyard. He will be gone until Friday. This is the only time I have really been jealous of him going on a trip and me not being able to go with him. I have always wanted to go to MV and ride a bicycle with a wicker basket on the front! ha ha ha And to see the beautiful place that it is that I have only seen in photos.

His mom is coming to visit tomorrow afternoon after her meeting in M'tgy. We will swim and swim a little more this weekend. So, that is our night and forcast for the weekend. B & his friend are still upstairs in his room at 10:15 pm with a flashlight telling stories. I told them that if we are to swim tommorow, they need sleep. They want sausage, biscuits and scrambled eggs for b'fast!!! We will see what happens on that front when the sun rises in the morning. Happy weekend to all.

OH and HAPPY 21st ANNIVERSARY to Holly & Robert!

WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!!!!!!

I got a call from my brother, Kyle, tonight. He wanted to tell me that his wife, Jenny, is expecting thier first baby. Guess when, EDITED January 23rd. If I remember correctly, this is Mrs. B's birthday! I am just so excited for them, I don't know what to do. I want to get a box of goodies together that are "baby" and send to them. They have their first ultrasound next week. Maybe I will wait until after that visit. She will be 10 weeks next week, so it will be another month and a half before they will find out what it is - even if they choose to do that.

I told him that I was so excited and his reply was "you can't be nearly as excited as I am!!!" I can't wait to watch him and see him as a daddy!!!!

How old are my things???

OK, so Holly got me to thinking today. Not just my wallet, but so many things I own, I have owned since I lived in Atlanta. We were married June 7, 1997 and moved to Atlanta July 4th weekend of that year. We were there for 3 years and moved to Opelika in June - August 2000. So, I have thought of things that I have and have had that I purchased there or in Mobile before ever moving to Atlanta. Here is a list of material things I have and when I purchased them. Interesting to think about, really.

-my watch - I bought at Eddie Bauer in Lenox Mall 1998 or 1999
-my wallet - we all know - 11 years ago at Parisian in Phipps Plaza
-Burberry Look A-Like Purse - given to me by ChE faculty member 2003
-Small Black Purse - purchased at Dillards Columbus, GA with a gift card from my dad and his second wife, Brenda - 2003 or 2004
-Summer Hawaiian print purse (haven't used in several years) purchased at K-mart before E was born
-Brown and Orange felt purse made by my sister 2002
-I have 5 dresses hanging in my closet - all purchased in Atlanta prior to moving back to Alabama
-black, red, & white striped sweater purchased in Atlanta in store on Pleasant Hill Rd. near mall
-1 black dress bought last year for an even with Mark's work
-two linen tops purchased at JCPenney at Northlake mall in Atlanta 2000
-several pair of levi's all purchased in Atlanta and haven't fit in SEVERAL years

I have bought 8-10 articles of clothing in the last 3 or so years. I just don't buy a lot of things for myself. I talk myself out of most all purchases for me. That is why I can stand in Kinnucans for so long trying to decide on a print to buy a wallet in - the longer I stand there, the easier it is to talk myself out of buying it! I buy more for my kiddos and Mark than for myself. Yes, something I should work on, but haven't and probably won't do it either. Oh well.

Now, for Holly's benefit (and mine), here is a list of things I want. No, I do not need them and in the grand scheme of life, are not important to my existence or true happiness. These are just wants along the way:
-wicker furniture for my front porch
-ferns to hang on the porch and back patio
-wood patio table and chairs
-wood fence on front and side of back yard to completely enclose
-bedroom furniture for B's room that matches
-comforter or quilt for E's bed
-a smaller waist
-fireplace screen
-large candle holders to place on the hearth
-smaller upper arms
-lots of black photo frames of all sizes to put photos of the kids or their artwork in
-new flatware
-new everyday dishes - something with color
-something to hang on my bedroom walls
-new comforter or spread for our bedroom
-updated light fixtures in our house
-3 diamond ring

I guess that is all that I can think of right now. But, my eyes are very heavy.

Until next time...

Girls Night Out

I went out this evening with two dear friends, Julie & Lynn. We were celebrating Julie's new job that she will begin in a few weeks. The funny part is that we are excited she will have e-mail at her new job - she hasn't had this at her current job. This is odd to me - I thought everyone had e-mail until she went to work at this drs. office. So, we are happy we will be able to keep up with her during the day.

First we went for pedicures and then to eat at Logans. We had a wonderful time. Throwing ideas at one another, sharing family stories (thanks for listening), and laughing. I love when I get to see these two ladies and spend time with them. It is just rare that we all 3 have a night that we can go.

It all started when I met Julie at AU. She was working upstairs, me downstairs. Not long after, she started a Bunco group and this is where I met Lynn. Several years later, here we are...sharing our stories with one another as friends.

Thanks for the fun evening and the wonderful conversation!

More of us...

B asked me this morning how much longer summer will last, so I said counting this week it is 8 weeks. It is flying by to me and I am sure it is to him too. This week he is with our friends, the Cannons. Their 14 year old son is watching him for several hours each Tues, Wed & Thurs morning until Anitra gets home from caring for the babies at Parkway Baptist for the summer. Then on Mon & Fri she is there all day with them. They will be swimming a lot this week too.

We had a restful weekend, which is unusual for us. On Saturday we hung out at home, I ran errands and purchased photo frames for our photos we recently got from Danette Anderson www.ensepiaphotography.com. Now, that they are in frames, I need to put them up on the walls. After lunch, we went to swim at Samford pool (where the high diving boards are). B jumped and jumped and jumped off of the hi boards. Once I get my camera back, I will take photos of him jumping and post them here. He has no fear and is so brave! He started jumping off of these hi diving boards last summer! Mark doesn't like to jump off of them and I haven't even attempted it. I doubt that I will!! I wanted to clean out and organize closets, I didn't get to that. Sunday was another restful day for us. I prepared a father's day lunch and after that we went swimming with a friend at their complex pool. When the dark clouds and thunder rolled in, we headed for home. Mark took a nap, I read the paper and the kids played. B had his friend come over after we cleared the pool, so they played a lot. It was one of those afternoons where I thought someone might end up with a cast on an arm or a leg. They were playing so hard.

That is all that has been going on with us. As you can all tell, swimming and more swimming for us. I love it, the kids love it, so why not. It keeps us all cool.

Snaggle Tooth

B lost his first tooth this morning. It has been loose for some time now. Excited isn't a strong enough description of how he feels about this change in his mouth. He kept looking in the mirror, and said, "mom, look, I can suck my lip and cheek through the hole in my teeth now!!" Such a boy. He wants everyone to know about it. He can't wait for the next one to get loose and fall out too. I really can't believe my baby has lost a tooth and that he is getting so tall. Really, I can't. How can he be 6 years old? How can he have lost a tooth? How can he be starting 1st grade in 9 short weeks?

My lens is at Nikon now, but since it is away, I am using our film camera. So, once I have the photos developed and put onto a disc, I will post pictures of the before and after mouth. It will never look the same again. The new teeth will be so much larger and bumpy looking in his mouth of baby teeth. Aaaggghhh....they are growing up.

Eleven Years...again...

I purchased a Brighton wallet at Parisian at Phipps Plaza when we lived in Atlanta. Yes, 11 years ago. I have had a couple of people poke fun at my "old" wallet. I guess I just never thought I should buy another one when this one is in perfectly fine shape, right? Well, it met its demise today. The zipper pull & zipper came right off of the wallet. So, I will have to retire this one and finally get another one. I hope the new one will last as long or longer than this one. That would put me well into my 40's before I would have to buy another wallet.

Holly, this post is for you!!!!

Summer of Swimming

We are swimming like crazy this summer. Not today though. We had other errands to run and take care of this afternoon. We went to one of the Auburn pools yesterday to swim. E has been wearing swim "wings" to swim - last year and now this year. Prior to today, they have allowed her to use the wings and the Auburn city pools, but not yesterday - nor going forward. We tried a life jacket, no good - flipped her over on her back. Then we put on a suit that has the floating 'stuff' inside of the suit - that didn't work, made her roll over too. So, I had to hold her most of the time. Until she decided that wasn't good enough, she wanted to swim. So, off she went. Blowing in the water and swimming. After an hour and a half of being there, she was pushing away from me and swimming. Face down in the water, kicking her feet and using her "ice cream scoops" [hands with fingers together and not separated] to swim. I won't let her get far from me, for quite some time but she is doing a good job so far. Maybe by the end of this summer she will be swimming really well. Hope everyone is handling the heat as well as you can. I hear for those of us in AL we should have some relief later this week with cooler temperatures in the lower 90's.

Eleven Years

...ago today I was getting ready to marry my wonderful husband. We had a such a fun wedding and reception with so many of our friends and family there. It has been the best 11 years of my life!!!

7:30 - Two days in a Row

I have made it to work for two days at or before 7:30 am! Yay me! Today I had to take B & E to their daytime locations b/c Mark is out of town today - in Tuscaloosa. I left at 7:00 took B to Sullivan's house and then E to daycare. I did have to park at a meter, but I made it to my desk before 7:30. This isn't a big deal to anyone but me. But I am happy I have done it both days so far.

On another note, I forgot to register B for summer camp for 2 weeks with the parks and rec department. So, I called yesterday to check on availability and guess what - full! I had a moment of panic yesterday when I realized that is two weeks I have no where for him to go. I think we have it figured out, but it was a bad feeling when I hung up the phone.

It was nice to leave work at 1:30 and pick him up from the Britnell's. We had an ice cream treat before getting E from daycare. I know I sound like an awful mom leaving her there instead of enjoying ice cream with us - BUT, she is allergic to ice cream (milk) and she was still napping at her daycare. :)