it was awhile ago....

A few nights ago at dinnertime, Emma Shea had her hand on her cheek as she chewed.

I asked her if her ear was hurting.

She said, "No, my mouth."

I told her that maybe her 6 year molars were coming in.

She informed me she WAS NOT 6 yet so she could no tbe getting her 6 molars!

She then asked, "Does it hurt to get your 6 molars?"

I responded by telling her I could not remember because it had been a long time since I had gotton mine.

Her response.....

"Did you get your 6 year molars when the dinosaurs and unicorns were still here?"

Yes honey, at least that long ago!!!!

wordless wednesday AND wordful wednesday...

wordless wednesday

wordful wednesday

UPDATE:A statement released D'Antuono now claims the artist chose to cancel the event after being flooded with thousands of emails, phone calls, online blogs and other forms of public criticism, all within 48 hours of releasing the controversial image online.

On his 100th day in office, President Obama will be "crowned" in messianic imagery at New York City's Union Square.

Artist Michael D'Antuono's painting "The Truth" – featuring Obama with his arms outstretched and wearing a crown of thorns upon his head – will be unveiled on April 29 at the Square's South Plaza.

According to a statement released about the portrait, "The 30" x 54" acrylic painting on canvas depicts President Obama appearing much like Jesus Christ on the Cross: atop his head, a crown of thorns; behind him, the dark veil being lifted (or lowered) on the Presidential Seal. But is he revealing or concealing, and is he being crucified or glorified?"
www(.)worldnetdaily(.)com

I am disturbed by the implication that this man is the Messiah.

Please tell me this is a sick joke.

a disclaimer...

I feel bad....

Anyone reading yesterday's post, that does not know Michaela, would think that she was a disrespectful, trying child.

and she really is not.

She is tenderhearted, caring, and giving of herself.

She is patient with her sister and fun to be around.

And because she is generally such a sweet girl, the times when the preteen demon take over are unexpected and difficult to handle.

~~~it doesn't help that she is SOOOOOOOOO much like me that we butt heads~~~the 'not so great traits' she has acquired that is:):)
{there is no denial on my part about that}

Emma Shea on the other hand....

You are going to give us a run for our money!!!

But... you have been giving us a preview of the teen years for the last 5 years...

so we are ready!!!

the joy of.....

parenting.

Parenting is hard...

why doesn't anyone ever tell you that BEFORE you have children!??!

Since I was a perfect child and NEVER gave my parents a worry, I did not realize the mental strain being 'Mommy' puts on a person.

ahem, okay back to reality!!

Consistency is exhausting.

Discipline is depressing.

No wonder we go grey and looney!!

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being a parent...

most days!

Other days... I would rather be in a padded room eating jello.

Today would be one of the padded room/jello kind of days.

The morning was good.

Had the normal 5 year old not wanting to get up for school..

and the moaning, groaning and drama that can only be "Emma" getting dressed, her teeth brushed, and her hair fixed.

and then the drama over having to take popcorn for snack (because all of the fruit and veggies were gone) .

and then there was peace and tranquility for hours.

And then at 3:00, preteen, on the brink of sending her mother over the edge of a cliff with the eye rolling, arguing, nasty tone daughter arrived home from school.

Within 30 minutes of being at home, Miss Attitude had lost going to her dance class because she thought "Get ready for dance class." meant go and lay down on the bed.

my words have become optional of late.

Within an hour she had lost the privilege of the FC lock~in that is next week because she had found my diary from high school in a box downstairs and instead of asking if she could read it, she snuck it into her room~~and had been skimming through it.

taking liberties NOT hers to take has become the norm of late.

{Um, I just skimmed through it and there are definitely things in there I would NOT want her to have read! I think it is going to be burned.}

Spanking was so much easier. You spank, they cry, they pout (one much longer than the other!) and then it is over.

Taking privileges away~~especially good wholesome young Christian get togethers~~is excruciating, they mope for days and then the day of the event they are miserable~~and try to make everyone else miserable.

So Michaela hid in her room for a few hours doing homework...

realizing she was probably less likely to lose any more privileges if I could not see her.

Well, Emma must have seen me hanging right on the edge of complete frustration...

and she decided she needed to push me completely over!

She went outside to play with the neighbors.

I went out to mow the weeds that have grown since Saturday.

Out of the blue ~~and over the sound of the mower~~ I hear her crying.

I turn the mower off, ask her what is wrong, and want to scream when I hear...

"I (sob)miss(sob)my friends(sob). I want (sob) to go back(sob) to England (sob sob sniffle)."

Mission accomplished...

complete frustration obtained!!

I think I will reserve my padded room now!!!

and strawberry is my favorite flavor!!!!

what do you do when it is 88* in April....

well...

You dig your bathing suit out of the summer clothes...

because it's APRIL and still SPRINGTIME and your summer clothes are not out yet!!!!

(we just planted the knockout roses you see in the background.

Soon they will be big and cover up those ugly utility 'thingys')

You hook up the sprinkler in your frontyard...

because it's APRIL and SPRINGTIME and the pools are NOT OPENED yet!


And you run through it....

for about 2 minutes!!!

because it's APRIL your friends are inside eating and your sister is at a friend's house for the weekend~~and you do not play well by yourself!!!

And then,

you hook up the sprinkler to water the shrubs you just planted told your husband where to plant and then stood and watched him.

and watch the dog go CRAZY in the water!!!!

sibling rivalry to the extreme...

Having our daughters 7 years apart was never Steve and my plan.

But we are not always in control!

The age difference has brought about some situations that I would never have to deal with if they did not have the large age difference.

The age difference has been a blessing in some ways~~and I couldn't imagine having had them closer together.

I know I will never have the arguments about wearing each other's clothes....

liking the same boy will not be an issue...

even disputes over who will get to drive the car will never be a problem...

I was feeling pretty confident that I would be avoiding the normal bickering, arguing, and sibling rivalry...

But of course I have Emma Shea...

and nothing is ever predictable!!

Yet NEVER in my wildest dreams did I expect to confront sibling rivalry over THEIR BIRTHS!!!!

Yesterday, as Emma and I were driving to dance class, I hear her make her 'grmmph' sound~~I knew before I even looked in the mirror that she was aggravated about something...

I couldn't imagine what the aggravator could be since it was just she and I in the van and nothing had happened in the last 10 minutes!!

But with Emma Shea you never know!!!

I brace myself for the impending drama that is about to unfurl...

and I look into the mirror!

Her face is squished up, her arms are crossed, and she is AGGRAVATED!!

Me:"Emma Shea, what is wrong?"

E: "Why did Michaela have to be the good baby and come out through your privates. Why did she turn upside down? Why did I not want to be upside down and be sideways?"

Me: thinking: WHAT!!!!!!!!!! Are you kidding me~~she is mad because of her birth? And where in the world did this train of thought come from?
"Well, Emma, some babies just don't like to be upside down."

E: :"Was she born first too?"

Me: "Yes hon, that is why she is older."

E: "hmmmph."

Okay, that is taking this rivalry thing to a new level.

Lord, please give me strength to survive the next 13 years with her!

wordless wednesday AND wordful wednesday...

wordless wednesday

as soon as I figure out the scanner

wordful wednesday...

This is my oldest daughter~~Michaela

I personally think she is beautiful...

but I am her mom and I am somewhat biased!

We have never stressed an importance in outward beauty...

we talk about being beautiful in heart and soul.

We just do not spend a lot of time thinking about how she looks.

unless, you know, she has food stuck in her teeth or is having an extremely bad hair day:):))

So, while we were at the mall the other day...

I was slightly taken back when several guys were 'checking her out'!

and of course, she is oblivious to it!

EXCUSE ME!!!!!

she is only 12!!!!!

Keep your eyes to yourselves!

Oh my, I am really NOT ready for this.

I will be keeping her locked up from now on:)

children are a blessing from God. children are a blessing from God.

The Images of Mother:

4 YEARS OF AGE
My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE
My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE
My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE
Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE
Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE
That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 YEARS OF AGE
Well, she might know a little bit about it.
35 YEARS OF AGE
Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion
45 YEARS OF AGE
Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE
Wish I could talk it over with Mom.....

Author unknown

***Nothing like having two daughters that see me from either end of the Mommy~spectrum:)

A Parent's Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray my sanity to keep.
For if some peace I do not find,
I'm pretty sure I'll lose my mind.
I pray I find a little quiet
Far from the daily family riot
May I lie back--
not have to think about what they're stuffing down the sink,
or who they're with,
or where they're at and what they're doing to the cat.
I pray for time all to myself
(did something just fall off a shelf?)
To cuddle in my nice, soft bed
(Oh no, another goldfish--dead!)
Some silent moments for goodness sake
(Did I just hear a window break?)
And that I need not cook or clean--
(well heck, I've got the right to dream)
Yes now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray my wits about me keep,
But as I look around I know--
I must have lost them long ago!

Author unknown

facebook....

So, as I mentioned last week, I now have a Facebook page.

I never intended to get on to Facebook, but awhile ago a friend (I met in SC in the 8th grade) emailed and asked if I was on and that another friend from that 'era' had asked about me...

so I decided, "Hey, why not!"

I signed up...

and then began the craziness that only those who have been on Facebook can relate to.

Let me interject a brief background of my life....

My dad became a preacher when I was 8 and we moved around a lot after that~~~usually every three years or so.

Moving to so many different states was great in that I got to meet so many new people.

In the course of my family moves, I went to three different high schools~~BHS in South Carolina for 9th and 10th, SHS in North Carolina for half of 11th, and Laurel Park HS in Virginia for the last half of 11th and 12th.

I went to school with A LOT of people!!!

Moving that often also created a difficulty in maintaining those friendships~~~life goes on and keeping in touch (especially as a teenager) is not first priority when you are trying to adjust to a new school and life in a new place.

And sadly, friendships are lost!

Okay...

The first night I got onto Facebook I was just going to look up a few of the people Facebook came up with that I may know and call it a night.

Well, HOURS later (5:00am), I had looked up the people FB had recommended~~ I even had to go to the basement and pull out my yearbooks because Facebook was showing me these people I should know, but I truthfully could not remember what school I went to with them (one of the other drawbacks to moving around, the people and places run together~~into one time and place, known as 'the past').

I searched for people as I looked through my yearbooks.

I searched for more people.

I made friend request...

wondering if the people would remember me after 20+ years...

wondering if they would accept my friend request...

and if they haven't, why not??

Kind of takes me back to the first day of school as 'the new girl".

So...I am on Facebook.

and I enjoy hearing from the people from my past...

and keeping on touch with the people in my present...

And while I can see how it can become addicting...

I will NOT let it take over my life...

I already have the 'blogger' world for that:):):):)

friday frivolity...

Wow, I never realized the government worked quickly on anything...

Steve submitted our taxes (Turbo Tax) at 2:30am Tuesday morning...

and our refund from the state was deposited yesterday!!!

That is some quick service!!!

It is amazing what you find when you upload your pictures!

This is our well trained puppy...

up on my kitchen chair!!!

I DID NOT take this picture...

nor do I think her nasty paws on my furniture or her big slobbery tongue THAT close to my kitchen table is photo worthy.
Look there is hope.

Emma can actually go out and unhook Cali...

without Cali trying to flatten her!Michaela can be found here...

on Facebook!!!

she is looking pleased because she is talking to a friend she had not heard from since we decided not to worship at our former congregation.

They told me she was a pure bred Newfoundland when we got her.....

but I am beginning to wonder of she has some goat or cow in her!!!

SHE LOVES GRASS!!

are you going to finish strong???

wordless wednesday...

i have joined facebook....

LATER~~~Can I just tell you 6 hours of Algebra and Chemistry is enough to fry your brain!!! And it was only the first day of classes~~9 1/2 weeks to go.
~~~~~~

And I have a post about it...

but I was up until 5AM looking up people from my past...

and now I am off to Algebra and Chemistry class (UGH!!! New term started yesterday)...

so my post...

will have to wait!!!

um, yeah...

Who gave you permission to grow up so quickly?

easter~in pictures.....

Saturday evening....

Coloring the eggs for the Easter bunny to hide while we sleep!

**Emma was very worried about whether or not the Bunny would have to come into her room.


Sunday morning...

searching for hidden baskets and eggs!

off to get ready...

and of course a photo shoot....

**the sun was BRIGHT today~~not conducive to taking pictures. Some of these were taken this evening after 2 church services, HOURS of play~~BUT with better natural light!





heading out to our normal Sunday church service...

lunch and egg hunt at the Allison's~~after worship service...

back to evening worship service...

back to the Allison's for leftovers while teenagers have their devotional...

home......FINALLY!

Until next year!!

mechanics of a flip....

Michaela style...

begin jumping to obtain necessary height...

jump and tuck...

bring your body around...

prepare to land on your feet!

Emma style....

jump to obtain necessary height...

place your head down on the trampoline....
roll over!!

***I am thankful our neighbors have a trampoline. The girls spend hours out there!

*** I am also thrilled that our insurance will not allow us to have a trampoline~~so we do not have the neighborhood kids in our yard trying to break their necks!!!

saturday...

Today has turned out to be a beautiful day.

sunny blue sky...

slight breeze...

perfect day to be outside!

***and we are THRILLED that Emma {our lazy child} has finally decided she could pump her legs and make herself go higher on her own.

WOOO HOOO for swinging independence!!!
~~~~~

I am off to help get the Easter bunny ready for tomorrow!

CUZ' YA' KNOW, PROCRASTINATION IS MY MIDDLE NAME!!

I hope to actually get some pictures of the girls posted today...we will see!!

Should I be worried that Emma is downstairs singing, "I am a beautiful girl! I am a beautiful girl!" over and over:)

Time to hit Target and a shoe store. (can I just say, I am sooo happy that I am able to go out to buy shoes and dress socks the day before I need them and KNOW that I will be able to find what I need~~somewhere! So different from the last few Springs!!!)

life is more interesting when you are happy....

Earlier today, the Harris family buried their daughter, Kelsey.

Kelsey had been battling brain cancer for quite some time. She lost the fight on Monday.

I did not know this 16 year old girl personally.

I only knew of her by the example and influence she had on so many of the young adults at churches of Christ around the tri-state area who knew her.

Even as she fought for her life, she was content with her circumstances~because as she said often, "Life is more interesting when you are happy!".

She knew that when she lost the battle here on earth, she would be entering the bosom of Abraham.

She had the confidence that with God's mercy she will hear the words, "Well done my good and faithful servant..." on the day of judgement.

Her time on this earth was short~~but she packed as much LIFE into as she could.

IN 2009 I WANT TO…

Write something worth reading
Read something worth sharing
Say something worth repeating
Give something worth getting
Choose something worth keeping
Sacrifice something worth giving up
Go somewhere worth seeing
Eat something worth tasting
Hug someone worth holding
Buy something worth treasuring
Cry tears worth shedding
Do something worth watching
Risk something worth protecting
Listen to something worth hearing
Teach something worth learning
Be someone worth knowing.

Kelsey Harris

Our prayers go out the Harris family.

it's not always as it seems...

Many things in life are not what they appear.

We often enter into situations that look appealing, desirous, and harmless...
But once we have had an opportunity to examine the true surroundings we find ourselves in...

We see that what was alluring to us from a distance, is nothing more than destructive, unwanted ugliness.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy-keep thinking about these things. {Philippians 4:8}