the chicken

Now you are about to read just how uneventful my life is that I would even consider blogging about this subject; but, I'm just so excited over it I had to share! I bought a chicken this week at Kroger. You know like a whole chicken - it was $9.00 actually, one of the big birds! I brought little missy home and washed her, then threw her on the stove to cook for a few hours. I'm just thankful I didn't have to chop her head off and pluck out her feathers. I remember chickens running around my grandparent's yard all the time and being just a little frightened of their spastic chases. When grandpa would cut one's head off the bird would keep running around until it fell over. Nice picture, huh?
Well, I cooked that chicken and then pulled the meat off and chopped it up. That was on Monday! On Tuesday I made chicken and rice soup with half that chicken - it made enough soup for 4 people to eat 2 meals out of! Then on Wednesday I learned unexpectedly that I was to bring food to a couple (I've never met) who had a baby in our church....so I got out the ??? you guessed it, chicken. I made chicken and black bean enchiladas for us all. 12!!! That's right TWELVE enchiladas! Enough for a whole family to have 4 - then our family had them for two nights in a row! That's 5 meals out of a CHICKEN! A $9 CHICKEN! I just really hope that that sweet bird lived a peaceful life of eating corn and visiting with her lady friends. But I shouldn't go there should I? Let me know if you want a recipe! Maybe I'll buy a chicken a week - this will be a new goal of mine. How many meals can I get out of a bird! I could write a book about it...wow I am boring. Sorry!

emotions of seven year olds

Lately some friends and I who all have seven year old boys that hang out have been trying to organize the gang into a somewhat entertaining group for the upcoming talent show at school. They were all in it last year and were hilarious but I believe this is how it goes with the second time around right? Like all those part two movies and so forth...better to leave it on the high note then try and repeat it only to bomb? Wow I'm sounding negative! This was our second attempt at corralling 4 seven year olds and three 5 year olds (plus one little sister - Finley can't forget you) in a living room to 'try' and learn a dance. All they wanted to do was absolutely act crazy: jumping, throwing themselves at each other (perfect for a mosh pit) and karate chopping whoever might be near enough to take a kick! After an hour of coaxing, yelling (sorry other moms - I lost it), crying (the boys not the moms), cheering them on, doctoring many boo boos...we gave up! No one could agree on anything and they just couldn't focus all at the same time long enough to do anything worth showcasing! It was sad b/c they really pulled it together last year but I believe as one mom said, "they really didn't know what they were getting into last year - they were in kindergarten!" Now they do...now they are seven - with attitudes, emotions and pride! How many more years of this do we have? Oh yeah, it's just the beginning - DRAMA!

Ian's birthday suit

I first noticed it when we were at his 4 year old check-up and he was getting 'undressed' in the doctor's office. When he sliped his pants off there was his cute white hiney blazing for all to see. So when we slipped on the gown we had to keep his backside covered up - we all got a great laugh out of that one. Then there were other occurrences...he would be getting dressed in the morning for school and I would happen to notice before he left that HE HAD NO UNDERWEAR ON. Sometimes I would catch it before he got out the door. Other times I wouldn't notice until he was stripping down for a bath that evening! But lately what our free spirit likes to do is wait until he is in bed and then take everything off to cozy up under the covers. I discovered it tonight when in the dark I leaned over his little body to cover him up and noticed something very white shining in my face...a naked booty! What is it with this child? I hope this isn't a foreshadowing into his future interests......

an unusal date

I read there was an event this Saturday called "an aerobic triathlon" at our community "Sports Com." I approached Nate to see if he would want to join me in this interesting endeavor. He was all for it. So we lined up childcare Saturday morning and were off. 2 1/2 hours of working out - 45mts aerobics, 45 mts weight training, 45mts of yoga. Sounded like a good time to me...
When we pull up to a packed parking lot Nate commented under his breath "I hope I'm not the only man." I hadn't thought about that??? Well, bless his manly heart he was! But he was a trooper! A packed room full of middle aged women already sweating to the teacher's instructions over the loud speaker, we walked in late - for all to watch! Once we got warmed up in our place on the back row I realized this was going to be a long morning! But it was a lot of fun. I was so proud of Nate for trying something new - step aerobics really isn't his fortet but he was a good sport. I almost died during the weight training (as Nate lifted the heaviest weights in the room and I held tight to my 3 and 5 pound bars!). But the yoga was my thing - loved it! It was funny watching Nate hold the awkward poses - bless him! =)
All in all it was a nice long break from the kids and some quality time doing something fun with my husband. The best part was when it was over and we pigged out at Wing Stop on fried food! No better way to finish up an aerobic triathlon!

Love summed up from a 5 year old

I have the news on in the kitchen this morning as the boys are eating breakfast. A preview for Gray's Anatomy comes on and Ian looks over at it then says to me, "I know what that shows about." I said, "Oh really? What?" Note: I've never let him watch nighttime t.v. so I KNOW he hasn't seen the show. Then Ian says, "It's about a man who loves this girl and she doesn't love him so he goes to talk to a nurse. She broke his heart." WHAT????? I didn't know whether to be impressed that my child could explain a t.v. show to me that he had never seen or sad that he was paying that close attention to a preview on t.v. while eating breakfast. I'm just glad he didn't add all the other details about that show like "and the doctor can't make up his mind what woman he likes so he kisses all of them and...."

Hosting a tea

Well being the good sister in law that I am to Nate's youngest sister who is about to get married, I offered to host a bridal shower for her. I decided after receiving some advice from a friend that a bridal tea would be appropriate due to the fact that she was inviting around 70 women to it. I sent out some beautiful invitations (thanks Beth) that were designed for the bride and I've even given some serious thought to the menu. But tonight I realized the 'tea' is in 2 weeks and I needed to get busy planning what to serve. So I google tea parties...OH MY GOSH!!! I'm not a fan of googling. There is just too much information out there and it overloads my brain every time leaving me more confused then I was to start with. I just spent an hour reading different sites about the proper etiquette for hosting teas, which included what type china to serve your tea in, the proper foods to serve with certain teas, flower arrangements and table decor how to and even a blog post specifically talking about the language servers use these days to women "What can I get you guys?" instead of calling us ladies? (which hey I agree with that - I do like to be called a lady!) So now I'm baffled about which cucumber sandwich recipe I should make, don't know how many tea's I should offer, have no idea how I'll round up enough china cups for all those 'LADIES' and for goodness sakes where will I get my white linen napkins?

Random thoughts today on this cool Tuesday

It is quiet right now and I should be folding those 5 loads of laundry that are sitting in my living room! But instead since sister girl is sleeping finally (looks like a long nap in the making) I'm entertaining myself by reading face book entries, blogging and eating lunch. Things I'm thinking about this morning in the solace of my house...
1. Do you ever get over feeling bad making your child go to school when they hate it? Poor Ian, everyday now has been begging me to let him stay home. I admit I wouldn't want to go either to his class. There are some real hoodlums in there and as Ian told me "I already know my letters" which appears to be the extent of their phonics learning...Will he ever enjoy school? Do I chalk it up to a bad year? I know he'll love Campus school where his brother is if he can just hold out till the end of May!
2. Elizabeth is the best night time sleeper I've ever had. I'm not kidding now...the last three nights she has slept 12 hours straight! 7pm she is READY for bed...I nurse her, lay her down and boom she is out. I go in at 6:30-7:00 am the next morning and she is smiling and laughing at me like "Oh, there you are mom!" My theory on this is that she doesn't take long daytime naps b/c they get interrupted by taking and picking up kids at school, playing outside or even loud inside play during the afternoon, running around some during the morning time.
3. I have ventured out to Kroger again by myself with little bit - yesterday I waited till she was fed and good and tired and we headed out to Kroger for a long grocery trip. Would you believe she fell asleep in the van, stayed asleep the 45 mts I walked through the store and didn't wake up till we were almost in the driveway! Hot Digity Dog!!!
4. I'm making Ian learn to ride his bike by himself. I have this theory that I can do it with less emotional scarring then Nate b/c he just cuts to the chase and makes them ride (screaming and all). I got out the bike yesterday after school (Elizabeth was taking a nap inside) and told Ian he had to get on it b/c all his friends could ride by now and we couldn't take bike trips until he was able to ride for goodness sakes boy....please!!!!!!!!!!! He was scared to death (just like he was last summer when we tried this). I held onto him around the yard (that is the hardest but most comforting place to ride) until I talked him into the street. We made it down and back with him telling me the whole time "I can't do it..don't let me fall!" He is so dramatic I think "I just might die!!!" (I don't know where he gets it from????) He did great but upon my promise to him I didn't let go. I'll try again today - I figure I'm at least burning a bunch of calories right?
5. I'm off to Zoomba class again tonight! I can't wait...I'm going to wear my pedometer so I can count my steps for official work out credit for my exercise girl who is using me for her dissertation.
OK......I guess I'll go fold laundry so it looks like I did SOMETHING today besides sit at the computer and play with Elizabeth.

Random 25 things...most of you have read already on facebook!

1. I don't eat hard shell tacos b/c of a horrable acciden in kindergarten with me, a hard shell taco in the cafeteria and white pants...it scarred me for life can you tell?2. I met my husband in 1st grade so I hear, when his mother pointed me out to him and said "be nice to her b/c one day she'll be real cute."3. I went to the Jr. Prom with my husband as "friends" and I don't believe we even danced or talked to each other the whole night...our next 'date' wouldn't be for 4 more years.4. In high school I was leader crazy: captain of the cheerleading squad, student council president, blah blah blah. I got a leadership scholorship to college and was burnt out by the time I started. So, I spent all four years doing the bare minimum to keep my scholarship. 5. The summer after I graduate high school I waitressed with two of my best friends at a brand new restaurant in our small town. I was so bad & would mess up people's orders all the time. But I learned to eat raw oysters from the giant black man that served drinks at the oyster bar.6. I went to a liberal arts women's college with about 500 students in Macon, Ga. It taught me to be a wild, southern liberated thinking lady...Go Purple Knights!7. I found a lot of things in college: my freedom, my wild side, my brain (never knew I had one before) and my faith in God.8. I love making speeches in front of groups.9. I love mothers of preschoolers b/c I truly believe that is the hardest stage of life a woman/mom will ever go through.10. I love writing.11. I had a job in high school where I was a t.v. host on our small town cable channel. I interviewed the local strawberry farmer, a band director and a factory manager. I know of at least one person who watched me...my mom.12. I appear outgoing but really I cringe in large crowds when the spotlight is on me. When I was pregnant I almost died of embarresment everytime I went into big groups b/c I could feel people staring at my belly!13. I love making new friends...I could never have too many girlfriends.14. I love organizing things: closets, toy boxes, parties, new groups.15. I love my husband who I became best friends with first the summer of our Junior year in college when we lifeguarded together in that same small town I've mentioned before.16. When I lifeguarded I was the worst swimmer. We had to swim laps each morning and I often swam the side stroke b/c I was no good at any other strokes - don't ask.17. I married my best friend one month after I graduated from college in my parent's yard/field. It stormed all morning but then quit and was the most beautiful day.18. During my wedding reception I had a breakdown in my house b/c everyone was staring at me and I was so hot from that huge Cinderella dress in 100 degree weather that my aunt stripped my clothes off and threw me in the shower to calm me down. I changed clothes and was fine after that.19. My first job after college was working for the Boy Scouts of America: Good things - I made a lot of money for a 21 year old with a communications degree; I was the first woman to hold my position in my county; I learned to start a fire with a flint stick. Bad things- I often had to wear a boy scout uniform; I had to hang with the good old boys who didn't appreciate 'women's rights'; and I had to camp outside without a tent and beside about 50 men/boys one time.20. I became a stay at home mom when my first born came & then started on the road to odd jobs in order to make extra money and escape from the home: instructed water aerobics to old people back in said small town where you didn't even have to know what water aerobics was to teach it. I loved those 'students' of mine! 21. I then taught developmental writing at a community college where I most of my class was older or the same age as myself. I had to teach myself the grammar rules before I entered class each night-WORST JOB EVER!22. I tried to sell children's books through home book parties - I am not a salesperson!23. My last job was teaching 2 year olds at a church preschool. I thought I could teach them how to read and add but only made myself frustrated when they constantly wanted to chew on the books!24. I ran a 5K in 2007 & I remember my husband asking me ever so kindly if I thought I could go a little faster during the race (I think he was embarressed that an old lady passed us). I want to run another one this year but my body seems to be falling apart.25. I secretly wanted to have a baby girl so bad that I prayed and prayed for her. I have enjoyed having her so much in just the few short months I've been with her!

Pinewood Derby

It came and went. The cherished moment where father and son bond together in the work shop. Mentoring takes place as father teaches son how to handle the carving tools and other objects that hang in that mysterious room called the garage. It must look like a beauty shop always looked to me as a young girl with all its glittery and alluring objects that I knew somehow could transform me into a beautiful woman. The prelude to the pinewood derby at cub scouts was quite exciting at first. The kit had to be purchased. Ideas were researched on the Internet. Plans were drawn out by the Tiger Cub himself showing his big dreams for the future winning race car. The first meeting for fathers and sons to start working on the actual carving of the derby car should have been a clear foreshadowing of what the future derby countdown would hold. I heard the boys lost interest after the first half of the meeting, when the tools lost their fascination and the desire to chase each other around the room became greater.

Little by little the derby car was carved away, painted, wheels attached and stickers placed on. I won't sugarcoat the project by saying a good time was had by all through the process but it got done (at the last moment - I mean last moment...right before and then after the weigh in....minutes before the big race). The boys were excited to be in their uniforms all looking alike and showing off their cars. You could see the pride in the experienced fathers as they sat back and watched during the weigh in. And then there were the novice dads...their faces couldn't hold back the tinge of nervousness and a little frustration at their sons who cared more about playing outside then putting the finishing touches on the cars. But the race happened and everyone cheered the cars on. All the cars made it to the end of the track (there was genuine worry about that) and the boys learned to win humbly and loose gracefully among their friends.

Getting back on the right track....

I had an ah ha moment recently. My life has changed pretty dramatically in the last 4 months from what I've been use to. What was my life like prior to 4 months ago? Play dates, one child at home most of the time, teaching preschool, coordinating MOPS, going to church and teaching Sunday School on a regular basis. Then everything changed; which I knew it would and I was excited and ready for it. Ian went to school full time. I quit working. I became just a member of MOPS. Then I had Elizabeth and of course that crisis with her which rocked my world. Since then life has slowed down and I'm getting accustomed to this new way of day to day living. It's quiet during the day while the boys are at school. I'm not really in charge of much outside the house except one thing with MOPS outside our own group; which really just puts me at the computer more then I would usually be. Church attendance stopped for awhile and then when it did resume we kept Elizabeth with us to keep her out of the nursery, which really means I was there in body but not in mind! I'm not in a bible study for the first time in a long time and I just started returning to Sunday School but am having to really try and focus on the lesson b/c of little miss. All this to say what? Well, I realized I was feeling disconnected with the bigger picture of life. I was focusing on the trivial, the little stuff that really wasn't that big of a deal. I hadn't been feeling 'happy' and 'joyful' during the day lots. And then it hit me -well it brought me to my knees actually! God...oh yeah, Him! I had needed Him completely to get through the Fall with Elizabeth and her surgery/recovery but once things got back to normal I didn't need Him so much. Or so I thought. Sometimes when one's life starts unraveling at the seams it makes one look at what that thread is that was holding it all together. For me I had let God go. I was just fine without talking to Him daily, studying His word or being in communion with other believers to be held accountable. Or so I thought. When I called out "God where are you? You've left me all alone." You know what I heard..."no, I've always been here. You are the one who went out on your own." I say this personal story only because I'm sure everyone has gone through this but we don't hardly make ourselves so vulnerable to confess out loud "I thought I could do it on my own without God." Well I'm doing it. It's a start for me to get back on track. I needed Him when I was way down and totally out of control with the outcome of my daughter. Not because I wanted something from Him but b/c I wanted Him to hold me through it. It's the times when we think we are okay that we forget about Him. That is why I'm feeling empty, focusing on the mundane, looking inward instead of outward out Him. I believe that is what we were created for to have a relationship with our creator and not live life solely for ourselves, which leaves us empty and wondering what the purpose is. Whoaaaa I'm going off on a tangent. If you are a praying person please pray for me as I try to refocus and get back on the right track of life.