Saturday, August 30, 2008

Tag...you're it!

I have been tagged by Becky.

The rules are:
1.  Link to the person who tagged you.
2.  Mention the rules.
3.  Tell six unspectacular quirks of yours.
4.  Tag six bloggers by linking.
5.  Leave a comment for each blogger.

1.  I can't stand overhead lights.  I have lamps throughout my house and like a warm, cozy atmosphere supplied with lamps and candles.  Even my own daughter said the other day when I had turned the overhead light on to cut kids' toenails, "Mom that is way too bright!"

2.  I organize in my sleep!  I organize every area of my life...my drawers, clothes, bills, cans, office supplies, spices, towels, and so much more.  I often have dreams in the night and wake up with a new idea!  When I pull out the labelmaker, my husband just grins because he knows I am in organization mode!

3.  I love coffee.  I drink it every morning (at least 2 cups) and sometimes 2 cups at night (decaf).  If I let myself, I could drink it all day long.  I do like the taste but it is how I reward myself sometimes.  If I have finished a major personal goal...I love to sit down and relax over a cup of coffee.  Also I relate it to so many good friends of mine and the many wonderful conversations that we have had over a cup of joe.  A starbucks card was the single best gift I ever got from my students!

4.  I take a picture of everything.  My children are trained and know that I have my camera with me at all times.  Brayden immediately says, "Cheese" when he sees it.  Karis has gotten to where she will do something and then say, "Mom, you should take a picture of THIS!"

5.  I love blogging.  It is my way to document things that happen in my children's lives that I might not otherwise write down.  I am horrible about writing stuff in the baby books...I hate to write and love to type.  I also love checking updates on other blogs.  My husband says I am a "compulsive blogger."  I tell him it is just my hobby!  I don't hunt, fish or play video games...this is just what I do for fun!  One day he will be glad to have all this documentation on the kids' lives that he has forgotten!!!

6.  I hate my carpet because I can't see lines when I vacuum.  Most people would love it because you can't even tell when it is dirty and the upkeep is minimal.  Me, on the other hand, I am weird.  Someday I hope to have the "line" carpet again!

Church at Riverbend Block Party

We had our last block party for Azaela Ridge Apartments today (5 of 5) and we had some great contacts with the people there.  We have made some great friends!

Because it was the last week we had some extra fun things for the kids and a cookout for their families.  The fire truck came which was Brayden's personal favorite.  We even got to get it and play and take a ride in it!

Ethan

Me and Brayden in the fire truck

Ethan (this fire truck was dedicated to his granddad)

Karis driving the fire truck

Karis and Brayden

The hat she made during craft time

The fire truck turned on the hoses and the kids went wild!


David and the band

The bouncers

Mrs. Candy and Jennifer

Our humble cooks (Todd and Terry)

Brayden and his new friend Devin

Craft table

Karis and Ellie playing in the water
We look forward to starting a Bible study within this complex soon and getting to know our new friends better.  We know that the Lord has started some neat things in the weeks we have been there.

Redbirds game

Our family, Lolli, Pop, Nonnie, Pop-Pop, and the Morris family all went to the Redbirds game last night and it was so much fun.  We had been given 6 free tickets from a friend and Jay's mom had 6 (or more) free tickets so we just had everybody come that was interested.  The kids had a blast (what kid wouldn't with their friends and both sets of grandparents there?).  Of course the adults did too.  

Brayden and Drew saying, "Go Redbirds!"

Lolli and Pop

Rachel and Jack

Nonnie and Pop-Pop

Go Redbirds!

Karis and Kendall playing dolls...who said you have to actually "watch" the game?


This was too funny...Kendall and Drew were rolling down their buns to get to the hot dog!

Lolli and Brayden

Kisses or a secret?  Not really sure!

Me and my man

Brent and Jack

Sweet!

Friday, August 29, 2008

IGoogle

My friend Leslie introduced me to IGOOGLE through her blog and she and I are much alike in our "organization" skills a.k.a. OCD.  We both like to organize every area of our life and I was so excited to hear about this.  IGOOGLE is part of google where you can organize all your favorite things on one page.  On mine, I have my gmail, facebook, facebook chat, google reader (all my blogs are updated on one site so that I don't have to individually check them), weather, news, bible verses and so much more.  There are thousands of different things you can browse through and add according to your interests.  It is wonderful!  Thanks Leslie!

My "helpers"

We spent most of the day working outside doing lots of fun things....washing the interior and exterior of the car, cleaning up the yard and cleaning out the garage.  I had lots of helpers!


Breaktime for a popsicle (popsicles to be exact)

I guess they are taking a bath...they were dirty but not sure the water bucket for the car would get them clean...


Chalktime

There is actually a lizard in this bucket that Brayden was trying to pick up.  His daddy found it for him and captured it and Brayden and Karis both touched it!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Our trip to the zoo

Our trip to the zoo today ended up being a 7 hour adventure.  We went with our friends, Ashley Clark and her 3 (Thomas, Maggie and Mary Taylor), Rachel Morris and her 2 (Kendall and Jack, Drew was at school) and then me and my two.  We had quite the caravan in all of our strollers  of kids 4 and under.  It was quite hot today but not crowded at all today so that was wonderful!!!

Karis and Kendall 

Jack...he stayed in the stroller the whole time...what a trooper!

The kids watching the lions and tigers.


My favorite little boy and girl in the world!

Thomas, Karis, Kendall and Brayden in the aquarium.

Maggie and Mary Taylor Clark

Watching the Bonobo monkeys...

The girls said the zoo "stunk."  Unfortunately they were very right!

The kids as we took a break from the heat to eat lunch and watch the sea lion show.


Karis and Kendall at the sea lion bubble.

Thomas was using a bright hand-held fan and the sea lions were performing and doing flips for the kids.

Our Caravan

The kids in the butterfly exhibit.




The pandas...

After leaving the pandas we went in the gift shop (Rachel's bright idea) and of course we ended up coming out with a "little" something.  The girls got small pandas.

And Brayden got this fish...

The kids in the petting zoo.  Notice the girls are carrying their pandas in their shirts like kangaroos.  They said their pandas were "cold."  In Memphis August heat...doubt that!


We also bring an extra change of clothes (and a swim diaper for Brayden) so that they can swim in the fountains.  They were shocked that we let them swim in their clothes.  Karis came up and hugged me and said, "Mom thanks for letting me swim in my clothes. You never have done that before!" 



Then they got to play in the wishing well and find all the money.  Don't worry...we made them put them all back before we left.   OH!!! And notice what my daughter is doing...organizing her money.  SHE IS SOOOO MY CHILD!

My soaking wet children



What a fun day...thanks gals!