Missing Pooch

Well, it might have finally happened. Our little dog, Princess, is keen to escape our backyard through a hole in the fence. She usually gets brought home by a caring neighbor or scratches at our front door. Sometime early yesterday, one of the girls let her out in the back to do her business and she hasn't returned since.

Kayleigh is taking it horribly. She couldn't sleep last night because her mind kept going to her best buddy, wondering where she was. I was suddenly struck with the fact that this is the first time something has happened to her that I couldn't make things all better. If this dog doesn't come back, she will have lost her best friend, and I will have no answers to make her feel relieved. I was also struck with how much I miss the little one. She usually jumps up into bed with me and sleeps on my legs. I miss being pinned in, like a prisoner.

Come back, little friend....

Mommy's friends....

Well, I had such a fun night tonight! I hung out with just about the coolest girls ever. I haven't giggled that hard in a long time. There is definitely something to be said for having girl time! Being able to share stories of crazy child behavior (and crazy mom behavior) with people who are in the same place in life, and walk with God was definitely a blessing to me, one that I've definitely needed lately.

Dionna, Reese, Laura, (and Shelli who couldn't be there, but I love you anyway girlie), thanks for reminding me that I'm not alone (hiding in the bathroom...). Yes there's an inside joke there somewhere, but don't try too hard to figure it out...



I love you guys.



me

Grill or Die tryin'

How far would you go for a good meal? I mean, would you consider spending a lot of money on a gourmet meal at a restaurant? How about putting up with a big crowd at a popular eatery? Just how much does a delicious dinner mean to you?

Both my dad, and my husband were off working (or something like it) yesterday, and my mom and I decided to have dinner together. It has rained and rained and rained here in our area these past few weeks with hardly a day of respite, so my mom and I decided that since there was a break in the clouds and we thought we might have recognized a clear sky, we thought we would take the initiative to enter "man's domain" , otherwise known as the grill. Feeling very confident, we lit the easy light charcoal and waited for the little broquets to get ready for cooking and we waited, and waited, and waited. After several attempts at lighting them, we saw progress, and smoke. We were on our way. What do you think happens next? Well, thunder rumbles in the distance. "hey, no problem, we've got time". But, no way. Soon it begins to drench everything. Now, under these circumstances normal people might give up. (Lightning and 65 mph winds tend to make most people shy away from the out of doors). But my mother, nah...She slaps on a windbreaker (i use that term loosely) and a ball cap and marches back outside to flip our pork chops. As I watched in amazement (from inside) she battled the strong winds, and the lightning and the rain to whip up some tasty vittles. It was quite the spectacle, and quite the meal. Here's to my (slightly insane) mother...

Children of Summer

When I think back to the summers in my childhood, I think of swimming in the river, and listening to the crickets and wipporwills singing at night and sure, we took the occaisional vacation to a theme park. But what I remember the most is just going outside and playing. Playing in the woods, playing in the front yard, and just goofing off with my baby sister. How can I give that to my kids? We live in a community of fences. I long for the winding dirt road that I grew up on. Not only because it provided easy access to imagination, but also freedom from the oppression of urban sprawl. My kids have never looked up into the sky and actually seen the stars clearly. They see the lights of the city reflected off of the black canvas in the sky. I know that there are pros and cons to each situation and the grass is always greener, yadda, yadda, yadda. But yeah, maybe I would actually like to see grass that didn't come from a "grass farm" for a change.

Small World

It makes me feel so small and yet so happy to be part of God's world.

A picture of sunset from above...

Ella Time

Just hangin' with Mommy while the big sisters are out playing with their friends.





Good times. :)

A warning for candy lovers everywhere

I am a candy lover, yes it's true. So, when we were in the store and the girls started begging for a treat, I (wonderful doting mother that I am) wanted to oblige. So, at my subtle suggestion the girls chose Twizzlers "rainbow twists". I thought "ooh, Twizzlers and fruit flavor". Much to my disappointment, however, this particular brand of Twizzler tasted more like rubber feet than a sugary delight. Just a warning. (after all, it's all about the children, isn't it?)