things that make me smile ...

... in pictures. 

A completely random and certainly incomplete look at things (in no particular order) that make me smile. 

Enjoy!

A Daddy/Daughter date

The kids helping their Daddy

Mama and her sisters

Going places with the family

Operation Christmas Child

Kids being silly

Kids really helping!

Completely wiped out kids!

daybook

#20 for 2010
Visit Peggy at The Simple Woman for more daybooks.

Outside my window ... it is quite warm and the grass needs to be mowed again.

I am wearing ... khaki capris and an olive green t-shirt.

I am hearing ... blog music and the boys watching Fetch up front.

I am going ... possibly to my parents' garden and pick string beans.  JW was supposed to make up his rained out baseball games tonight, but they have been cancelled again.  We didn't think that they would make them up at all, so we were surprised to find that they had rescheduled them.  We aren't sure why they were cancelled this time, but it takes away my excuse for putting off picking the beans today.

I am noticing that ... there are quite a few classics that I haven't read.

I am creating ... a list of books that I want to read this summer, both for myself and for the kids.

I am reading ... Around the World in 80 days and Pride and Prejudice.  And yes, this is the first time I've read either of these books ... I know, shame on me!

I am hoping ... that our tomatoes begin to ripen soon.  I am really ready for a fresh tomato sandwich...yummy!

I am remembering ... how much I disliked working in the garden as a kid, and yet how thankful I am for the lessons I learned during those times.

Counting my blessing ... time spent with Ronnie's mom and cousin this weekend, including a great time on Sunday night with Ronnie's family and my parents at our house, hearing Ronnie preach this weekend,  books to read, gardening to be done, teaching the kids to pick and snap beans.

On my mind ... Daddy's knee surgery next week.

From the learning rooms ... nothing today, we'll hit it again tomorrow and begin reading a new book together, though I haven't decided which one yet.

From the kitchen ... leftovers from the grill for tonight.  Beyond that, I just don't know yet.

Around the house ... nothing out of the ordinary.

A few plans for the rest of the week ... continue with school and the garden ... not much else on the agenda.

One of my favorite things ... Ronnie cooking on the grill!  He finally got a new grill this weekend and I'm looking forward to him using it a lot this summer.

A picture to share with you ... actually, pictures ... my two boys and their different approaches to eating watermelon!  D is all about getting every bit of the goodie he can from one of his favorite summertime treats, while JW is trying to be less picky and try new things.  You can tell he's not too sure whether or not he likes it though.  He did try a bigger piece later, but I don't think it will replace apples as his fruit of choice.

I hope you have a great week!

right before my eyes

This past Saturday night, LB danced in her sixth dance recital.  She was 5 the first time and I was just as nervous as she was. 

Two years ago she danced a tap solo to Singing in the Rain.  It was cute and she did great. 

Last year, LB and her good friend LK did tap duet to Sea Cruise.  They found out that it is harder to cover up mistakes when you are dancing with someone else.  Still, it was a good learning experience for them and they had fun working together.

This year was different.  From the first time we talked about it, she was determined that she wanted to do a ballet solo this year.  One of her classmates had done a lyrical ballet solo last year and she really liked it, and then this year her class began working on their own lyrical ballet to Amazing Grace and she was even more sure that this was the kind of dance she wanted to do.  So, when the time came, we talked to her dance teacher, Mrs. Gerry, and asked her to choose a good song for LB.  She chose Love by Chris Tomlin.  I had never heard the song, but it was a good choice.

I guess I am sharing all of this information with you because of what happened to me as I watched my baby girl dance on Saturday.  Some of you probably already know that I am not given to tears.  I don't think there is anything wrong with tears, they just don't come naturally to me (unless I am angry).  So, I was surprised to find myself tearing up when LB danced her solo.  She looked so beautiful and so confident as she waited for the music to start.  I don't know what she was thinking about, but her poise astounded me. 

My baby girl isn't a baby anymore, and yet even as I realized that she looked so grown up, she still looked like my little baby girl to me.

I knew that I wouldn't be able to find words to express how this moment touched my heart, but I also knew that I wanted to try.  It is as if that tiny baby that I brought home 10 years ago is transforming right before my eyes.  Each year, as I look back at the recital pictures from years past, I see the baby disappearing and a young woman struggling to find her way into the world.  Just typing these words brings tears to my eyes again.

I don't want to rush the process that is taking place in my girl, but I don't want to spend too much time trying to hold on to the past either.  I just want to enjoy this moment with my beautiful baby girl young lady, who will always be my baby girl.

night song

This is a picture of a Northern Mockingbird, the state bird of Mississippi (and several other states as well).  He's an interesting little bird.  Just this morning I have read several differing accounts of his ability to "mock" the songs of other birds, as well as, other sounds he hears.  Some say he can actually reproduce sounds he hears while others say that it just sounds as if he is repeating the sounds of other birds because he has a repertoire of about 200 sounds.

The fact is, I don't know whether he's mocking other birds or not, but I know that at least one of these little guys has found a home in a bush that sits at the back corner of my house, just outside my bedroom window.  Last night, under a bright moon, he chose to serenade me with his vast repertoire of songs.  My first instinct was to blame this little guy for my sleeplessness last night, but, truth be told, I don't think he was keeping me awake.  I did listen to him for several minutes while I couldn't sleep anyway, but it really wasn't an unpleasant sound.  I grew up in the woods, so animal sounds in the middle of the night are common place, but I don't recall the birds keeping me awake.

At least tonight, if I am again awake in the middle of the night, I will know what kind of bird is serenading me!

And, just so you know, I didn't take this picture (big surprise, huh?). 

daybook

#19 for 2010

Hosted each week by Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook.

Outside my window ... the sun is shining down on freshly mowed grass.  The wind is blowing through the tree in my neighbor's back yard, reminding me that I love windy days.

I am thinking ... that I didin't make the coffee strong enough this morning.  I am not a fan of weak coffee.

I am thankful for ... playdates in the park.

I am wearing ... blue plaid lounge pants and an orange t-shirt.

I am creating ... neat and organized rooms for my kids ... at least I am trying AGAIN to accomplish this goal.

I am going ... nowhere today, Ronnie has my van since the air conditioner isn't working in his truck.  We will all be going to JW's last baseball game tonight, assuming it doesn't rain today.

I am reading ... Esther by Charles Swindoll.

I am hoping ... that JW enjoys his last baseball game tonight and that LB enjoys her last dance class of the year today.  Her recital this weekend will mark the end of her 6th year of dance. 

I am praying for ... our pastor, Bro. Don, and our friend, Brad, who leave today for a mission trip in Kodiak, Alaska.  They will working at the Crab Festival, doing construction on a parsonage, surveying a neighborhood, and/or anything else that they are called on to do.  Their prayer is simply that they do it all in the name of Jesus.

I am hearing ... only my typing. 

From the kitchen ... there is bread rising in the bread machine and we will be having leftovers for lunch.  I'm not sure what we'll be having for supper, but it will be something using the ground beef I have already cooked in the refrigerator.

From the learning rooms ... LB begins learning "jingles" today in her grammar lesson.  I am not exactly sure what that will be about, but I am looking forward to finding out.  Otherwise it is just a normal day.

Around the house ... there are a few more projects I want to complete before my parents come for supper on Thursday night and Ronnie's mom and cousin arrive for the recital on Saturday.

One of my favorite things ... children sleeping peacefully, especially when they are all in their own bed!

Counting my blessings ... a sweet church family who surprised my hubby (and our music minister) with a birthday celebration after church Sunday night, time spent with friends yesterday, watching the dirt run off my child and down the drain after a long, fun day playing, completely exhausted kids who fall into bed and sleep peacefully all night, not having to get those kids up at any particular time this morning.

A few plans for the rest of the week ... Keeper's meeting tomorrow, LB's dance pictures on Thursday and recital on Saturday.  I am hoping that sometime this week I'll get to take a drive down to see my new nephew.

A picture to share with you ... my all time favorite dance picture of LB

I hope you have a great week!

my dancing girl

Today has been a big day already and it is only 10:00 in the morning. First, I got a call about 7:45 to let me know that I have a new nephew ... Asher Gallatin (I hope I am spelling that right!) born at his home early this morning ... mom and baby are doing well. LB is already over the fact that HE isn't a SHE ... the girls are seriously outnumbered in our family ... 12 grand kids, only 3 girls! But a baby is a baby and my little girl LOVES babies, so even a boy is better than nothing!

This morning was the morning that LB's dance school does a recruitment day at the local elementary school ... no, they don't call it that, but I am sure that is the purpose. We don't mind, it is fun and it gives the girls a chance to practice in front of an audience before the actual recital. This year, LB's class danced their tap number ... I don't know the name of the song they were dancing to, but the girls did a great job. There are six girls in the class and only two of them could be there this morning, so LB and LK danced a duet. These two girls have been dancing together since they were six years old ... they have known each other all their lives because LK's mom and I have been friends for most of our lives, specifically since about 3rd grade. I videoed the girls dancing, but when you watch it, remember that there are supposed to be six girls doing this dance!

One final note before the video ... if you like giveaways take a moment to visit Blessings at our House and check out Donna's giveaway in honor of her 100th post.

Without further ado ... here is my dancing girl!

daybook

#18 for 2010

Hosted by Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window ... another beautiful day.

I am hearing ... kids' praise songs playing on JW's cd player and the kids talking up front ... I think they are lamenting their copy work ... it is not their favorite part of the school day!

I am wearing ... my pj's.

I am going ... to take JW to his last speech class of the year and LB to her next-to-the-last dance class of the year ... things are really winding down around here!  LB is getting her hair cut today ... she never wants to get any length cut off, but I think it is too long, so we'll see how this goes.

I am noticing that ... we have a couple of overdue library books around the house that I need to gather and take back today.

I am thinking ... about the piece I just saw on the Today Show about the two families who are bound together by the mistaken identities of their daughters ... it is amazing to see what God can do through that pain and loss for one family and joy for the other.  The testimony of the family whose daughter died nearly brought Matt Lauer to tears as they shared their story.  Amazing.

I am hoping ... to get to go to our last Mom's Night Out meeting of the year tonight.

I am reading ... The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo with the kids and Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity by Charles Swindoll.

I am creating ... nothing, right now.  I really want to make LB a sundress and am hoping to start on that next week since the majority of our activities will be over.

I am remembering ... that today is Ronnie's birthday!

On my mind ... my sister-in-law ... who is still pregnant!  We are all hoping that baby makes an appearance soon!

I am praying for ... the two men from our church who will be leaving a week from today to go to Alaska on a mission trip.

Counting my blessings ... celebrating my hubby, who turns 43 today!  Ronnie is the most even-tempered person I have ever known, which is a good balance to my hot-headed nature.  He works hard at a job he doesn't always enjoy and where he is rarely rewarded just because it is the right thing to do.  He doesn't mind helping me at home and can knock out a sink full of dishes in no time.  He has always been the bath-giver for the kids and they love it ... they'll tell you anytime that Daddy is more fun than Mama! (It is kind of sad that that era in our lives is almost over ... we only have one child that still needs to be bathed and he is fast approaching when he'll be able to do it on his own.)  I am so thankful for the husband God gave me ... Happy Birthday, Ronnie ... I love you!

From the learning rooms ... just continuing with our summer school ... LB is supposed to be setting long-term and short-term goals this week ... it should be interesting to see what she comes up with.

From the kitchen ... Ronnie requested cube steak for supper tonight and I think I'll do roasted potatoes and maybe some peas to go with it.

A few plans for the rest of the week ... LB will be dancing at the local elementary school on Friday morning, JW has baseball games tonight and Friday night and baseball pictures Saturday morning.  I need to spend some time in the garden this week, too.

One of my favorite things ... hymns.

A picture to share with you ... LB with her taco casserole

Thanks for stopping by ...

have a greak week!