Sundays with Ralph

Hudson has acquired a new nickname this week, Wreck-It-Ralph.  It is a very fitting one, trust me.  So, now Hudson Cash Kent will be answering to Hud, Huddle, Hudbud, Hudster, HuddleCakes, Mr. Huddlesworth, Dennis, and Ralph (and El Destructo, forgot that one).  We have always nicknamed our kids and I love that.  I think nicknames are so sweet and funny.  For Jillian, it was Jilli, Jilli-bean, Jilli-bean-oh, and it was just Bean for a year or so....she would even say her name was 'Bean' if you asked.  Josie is usually Jos, but sometimes it's Josie-Jos, Josephine, Josie-pooh.  I even have my own set of nicknames and I like that.  Chris and cousin Ferne call me Jolene, Ferne calls me Jolenie Bolenie, sometimes just Bolenie.  My mother-in-law calls me JJ sometimes.  Hannah always called me JoJo and the twins call me that sometimes, too.  Just remembering that Chris calls me Joe-Loe.  Shortly after we were married, some telemarketer called and asked for Joe-Loe Phillips, which we thought was hilarious, so the Joeloe stuck.   I think nicknames are endearing, even Wreck-It-Ralph....I mean, you've seen the movie.  He was a sweet guy.  Just big.  And destructive. 

Well, that was a nickname tangent but the story here is SUNDAY.  Like, today Sunday.  I have always loved Sundays, however, since becoming a mother, I have realized that Sundays can be extremely stressful for a mommy, especially if you have a Ralph, as do I. Trying to get myself and three kids ready for church (one of them being Ralph) is no easy task.  Chris usually cannot go with us because of his work schedule so it is just me getting us all ready and this morning was no different. 

I just thought I would share my SUNDAY MORNING with you......there were several EVENTS and they shall be numbered:

1.  BREAKFAST:  I fixed breakfast and usually it's a different meal for everyone.  We can never agree on food.  This morning, Jilli and Josie wanted waffles and milk.  Hudson wanted a pop-tart (organic, do I get bonus points for that?) and I had toast and coffee.  After eating, the girls went in to watch a little tv and I was trying to clean up the breakfast mess, which included syrup.  I had to have a quick bathroom break and when I returned, I discovered Ralph had poured out all of the leftover milk from the girls' cups.  It was all over the bar, the stools, and the floor...but as a bonus, he had also poured the leftover syrup into the milk.  It was everywhere...and he was LAUGHING so hard.  He has this weird laugh now.  He has discovered he can laugh and he will just laugh and laugh and not stop.   It is usually cute and funny, but not-so-much-this morning.  Anyways,  about the mess, I can say I was not surprised because this is just Hudson.  He is very mischevious and makes lots of messes so I spanked his bottom and gave him a good talking-to.  I tried to wipe him off a little and then put him in his room to play so I could get things halfway put together.  The syrup mess was so bad and I knew I couldn't leave it or I would come home from church to find hundreds of roaches and mice and other breeds just-a-swarmin' so I'm thinking, ok, no biggie...this will only take a minute and we can get back on 'operation church attendance'.  No problem.  It didn't take a minute, it took about ten.  

2.  BATHTIME:  Well, after the syrup incident, the bath was non-negotiable.  I cannot deal with sticky.  Sticky skin or nasty fingernails, can't handle.  Well, Hudson is always very excited to get in the bath so he ran to the bathroom and had promptly removed his dirty diaper (of which I was unaware) and got in the full tub of lavendar bathwater (trying to calm him down....with my oils...cause I'm all organic and stuff, not really, just the poptarts).  Of course, he got to the bathroom before I did, so upon entering the room, I realize that there was NUMBER TWO everywhere.  It was on the side of the tub, in the tub, and all over Hudson.  I wanted to cry but I held it together.  The girls were gagging and trying to puke.  The only help they could provide was to sling a food city bag into the room to contain the mess.  I got him out of the tub, cleaned him up with wipes, trashed the mess, drained the tub, cloroxed the tub, re-ran the bath, added extra lavendar and started over.  I knew right then that I would have to cry at some point before church.  But we were STILL GOING!  I was going to get my children ready and we were going to the Lord's House TODAY!!!

3.  OUT OF BATH:  Clean baby- check.  Clean tub- check.  Sane mother- semi-check.  After I got Hud out of the bath I ran to get his clothes (only gone thirty seconds or less)....MEANWHILE, he sprayed out half a can of fabreeze into the bathroom and hall.  I smelled the fumes and came running.  There was literally a cloud of fabreeze and he was holding that trigger like a semi-automatic weapon.  He could have cared less about the fumes.  It was that spray action that had him mesmerized.  I have said before that having this son of mine certainly explains so many things about the male population.  (You know, how most of what they do doesn't make sense..)  I knew I had to get the floors wiped up and quick because they were wet with fabreeze and I knew one of us would 'be killed' (as my mom says)...Before I could get a towel to get up the mess, naked Ralph goes running.  Through the tears, I started laughing.  I had to take some pictures of him.  I couldn't even give him a spanking.  I was crying and laughing and taking pictures of this naked baby.  Acting like a crazy person.

I had to step out to the screen porch for about ten minutes of fresh, unscented air and calm.  The girls agreed to watch Ralph so I could gather myself.  After breathing some good breaths, crying a good cry, and praying some good prayers, I felt better.  I knew that God knows my heart and He loves me and helps me through all of this hard stuff.  I may not be making casseroles, teaching Sunday School, or being an A plus church member right now, but I am being the best mommy I can be and I know that God is walking with me and He is gracious and merciful.  Church attendance is important but sometimes, it just ain't happenin' and that is OK. 


                                  Beauty Shop Ralph:

 

DJ RALPH:

 

 

 

Plumb Tuckered Ralph:

 

 

                                               Can't stay mad at this guy......  :)  Bless it.

My Christmas List

Chris and I aren't exchanging gifts this year, and we usually don't...but if we did, and if we had lots of money, and if we had already tithed and given to the needy and to missions and taken food to the food bank and fed the shut-ins and stuff, then this is what I would want:

Dyson DC35.  This thing is the answer to all of the problems I face in life.  Well, at least ten percent of them.  It is CORDLESS.  That is the most amazing thing to me.  And it HOLDS CHARGE for a long, long time.  It can go from rugs to hardwood and then you can remove the tube and it works like a shark...and you can suck up the crud between your couch cushions.  I know this.  Because I have read the reviews.  All 462 of them.  It doesn't lose suction either. Never.  Ever.  And they wouldn't lie.  I know they wouldn't.  They couldn't.  You can't lie about a vacuum.  Can you imagine the possibilities?  I can.  

And I mean, look at this lady.  She looks so stress-free...notice that pleased look on her face. This could be ME, people!!!

Simply Vera Pajamas.  I NEED more of these jammies.  They are so soft and cozy.  I would like two pair because mine are starting to get worn out and a little nubby.  Yes, two pair.  Remember that Nelly song....from like ten years ago?  "I need two purr, give me two purr...(he was talking about shoes though, I think)"    That was a catchy song.  Seriously. And you can just trust me on that and don't google it or anything cuz it might have bad words.  And I'm a Christian and a homeschool mother and it would be totally inappropriate for me to ever listen to a rap song or mention a rap song on my Christian blog so let's just get back to the Simply Vera jammies from Kohls.  I need them.  And, by the way, I'm a size Large, El Grande, yes.  Two purr.

I love this little Pandora ring.  I saw it at Lemon's and it is the most beautiful thing.  I would like it for my pinky.  Size 4.5.

But I also liked this one.  Hard to choose.  Especially when you are buying neither.

Anyone that knows me knows that I love Ugg boots with all of my heart.  I would like to mention at this point, however, that I have never, NEVER bought regular-priced Uggs.  I always shop off-season or wait for a hard-to-snag-coupon.  6pm.com has good deals in the spring and summer or sometimes you can catch a deal on ebay.  I don't want people to think I'm a total diva and just splurge and buy Uggs whenever I want.  Cuz I don't.  But I do have six purr, but they have been collected over the past six or seven years, and I didn't pay full price, so please don't think I'm an Ugg diva.  But aren't these beautiful?  They are so ME.  And a size 10 :) ....which is even more beautiful because I usually wear an 11 but not in Ugg...I can wear a 10....they run a size large!  And for a brief moment in time, I feel.... so....petite...

 

 

I love J.Jill but never buy anything because it is too expensive.  I just love to look at the book and get ideas and try to find the same look at Target.  Doesn't happen.  Plus, I spend 90% of my time in yoga pants and hoodies so it is silly for me to splurge on a fancy wardrobe.  I do have some nice things for work and church but don't typically spend lots of money on my own clothing.  J.Jill is just my style though.  I love the long tops and unique, almost hippie-type looks.  Currently, I am loving this sweater, however, I'm not sure Wise is ready for such....and Chris would probably make tee-pee jokes. 
 

 

This is actually on sale today for $69.99 less 25%, plus FREE SHIPPING.  Hmmmm.  Maybe. 

       I also love this scarf!  And look at these GLOVES that match!  The sweater actually has little dots.  Can you see the outfit here?  LOVE this color!

Well, I would like to end this blog with a quote from my mom. "YOUR WANTS WON'T KILL YOU!"  and that is SO TRUE.  I'm just a browser.  Nothing wrong with window shopping and appreciating the beautiful things. 

 

photo therapy

Aren't we all a little vulnerable in one area or another?  As sane as we all try to act and as 'normal' as we all want to be perceived, I would say that most of us deal with a thing or two.....I, personally, have dealt with a thing or fifty.  Our human minds are fragile things.  I am most thankful for the overwhelming peace and joy that comes from knowing God and walking with Him daily.  He always reminds me that this is the stuff He will use.  We all know the song.  The 'stuff' that drives us a little crazy is what He will use to make us the person He wants us to be and allow us to minister to others in special and unique ways.  So, here we go with some of my 'stuff'.......... :) And I realize this is very, very small 'stuff'.  So many friends of mine deal with serious 'stuff' (illness and loss).  :(

Now, I have phobias-a-plenty but I thought I would share an interesting one with you sweet friends of mine.  This post and what lies herein will be very therapeutic for me and you all should definitely get a good laugh so the way I see it, it is win-win. 

I was always a quiet child (imagine that) and painfully shy.  And I was chubby (or as Josie would say, 'shubby').  Now mom didn't always make the best judgement calls in clothing and hair-do's either.  I always liked my hair long but obviously it was too much up-keep for mom so she chopped er off when I was in first grade and I was left with a bowl cut.  Also, my cheeks were very fat and the kids always made fun of me.  In addition to the bad hair and shubby sheeks (and let's not forget my bladder control problem), I also sucked my thumb.  Yes.  For many, many years (don't ask how many because it is shameful).  On top of that, I was oger-ishly tall, only second to Lynn Deloach but she only had me by an inch or two.  So, basically, I was just an open target for the popular kiddies who were skinny with good hair and normal height.  As I hit the teenage years, things just got worse and worse in the looks department.  There were the braces and the zits and the bad bad hair.  But, you know, I never worried about what I looked like.  I ate lots of pop tarts and Hardees Big Cookies and I never looked back or worried about my waist-line.  I had parents who loved me and an occassional dorky boyfriend and I was quite happy with my life.  I never worried that I didn't fit the perfect teenage mold.  Yes, I was made fun of quite often but I figured everyone was teased for one thing or another.  I was pretty happy with my life.

As an adult, my appearance changed.  I lost weight and changed my hair...not intentionally, either.  I got sick when I was twenty.  Mono hit me hard and I was sick for over a month.  Even after I recovered, I had a messed up metabolism and cystic acne covered my entire face (the bumps were size of nickels).  I lost 1/3 of my hair and quite a bit of weight.  I had to go on heavy medication and hormones to control all of this weirdness but after the bumps went away and I chopped off my hair because I was practically bald, I looked like a different person....I bleached my hair to camoflauge my scalp showing through.  When I would come home from college, some people didn't even recognize me anymore.  I wasn't thinking I looked that different, however, everywhere I went people were bragging on me. I didn't know what to think of this, I thought I looked pretty bad, actually.  But the compliments were nice.  They embarassed me but I liked it.  And for the very first time, I was starting to feel pretty.  Shortly thereafter, I began to have an issue with old photos and videos of myself. I don't know why.  I had never had all of this positive attention before and maybe I thought people wouldn't like me as much if they knew I used to look so different. I mean, I realize that noone likes their old photos and I probably didn't look a whole lot worse than anyone else did in elementary and high school but I actually felt deeply ashamed of them.  I didn't want to look at them and I didn't want anyone else looking at them...especially anyone that did not know me during my childhood or teenage years.  If someone was watching a video of me as a teenager, my heart would start pounding and I would get hot and I would have to leave the room.  I had deep shame and extreme anxiety.  I wanted to burn and destroy every year book, every home video, every photo.  I remember I cried when I showed Chris these old photos because I really thought he might not love me the same if he knew what I used to look like.  Isn't this ridiculous!?!  And I know it sounds very shallow but I don't feel I have ever been that kind of person.  It was a problem in my mind and I couldn't help it.  Over the past ten years, I have been working through this.  I get the pictures out and leave them where I can see them, where the kids can see them.  I have even started showing them to close friends that didn't know me before.  I know all of this sounds crazy to most of you because most people are embarassed by old pictures, but my problem was beyond that.  I was so ashamed of the person I was.  What I have come to realize is that God had a plan all along.  I looked dorky for a reason.  I was teased and that made me a more compassionate person.  I was ignored by boys and often mistreated by them and that made me appreciate my sweet, kind husband.  God preserved me.  I have always said that.  God preserved me and I bloomed when He was ready for me to bloom, so to speak. Not in terms of beauty, but maturity and understanding of His plan for my life and what is important and what is not important. 

That is one thing my parents never even talked about, physical beauty, and I'm glad.  They just let me be the person I was.  They taught me what was right and wrong, taught me about the love of the Lord and the Bible.  I never cared what I looked like until I realized how important it was to the rest of the world and that is when I started having that shame.  I hope I can instill in my children that their beauty comes from the inside....I don't ever want them to feel their worth comes from their appearance but from the spirit inside of them and God working in their hearts and lives to fulfill whatever purpose He has for their lives.  The world puts such high merit on physical beauty....to a point where it actually messed with my mind and that is pathetic.  I am so thankful to be able to free of this silly fear.  So, let's have a few laughs, shall we?

So, at this point in time, we are going to walk down memory lane in photos and this is therapy for me and it actually feels wonderful to do this.  We will start with baby Joelle. Cute, huh?  Looks just like Huddle, I think.  And little girl Joelle, ready for church (of course).

Now, this is where things started going downhill.  Post-haircut and post-way-too-many- twinkies...love you, mom....  ;)

Here in this photo you can appreciate not only one, but also a bonus view of just the bangs.  Those photographers were genuises, huh?  Noone does the floating head anymore, what has photography come to?

Me and Lynn always had the best view.  And mom obviously never realized it was not a good idea to dress the chubby kid in 'Cookie Monster' themed clothing.  I'm sure this wasn't a good day for me.  I'm just there was major thumb sucking at nap time. 

But my patriotism was always a strong suit, as evidenced here in my second grade school pic.

And high school Joelle:

But in the end, I win.  Cause look at the hottie I scored. ;)   I love you, Chris Kent!  Thank you for loving me and all of my crazy.

Speaking of teachers....

I always thought my kindergarten teacher was an angel.  She was the most beautiful, gentle, kind soul and she took care of me.  She was my 'school mommy' and she wiped my tears away.  She LOVED me...I knew this. That's the funny thing about teachers.  I don't think teachers always realize how children do not soon forget them.  How many children, like me...hang on their every word, remembering and cherishing those encouraging words, and being totally torn down by the negatives.  Every teacher I have ever had left an impression on my life, not always a good one, but I have never forgotten a single one of them.  Teaching is probably the most important job a person could have.

When I climbed on that big yellow cheese wagon to head to kindergarten, I was scared to death.  I remember how high those bus steps seemed and how totally unprepared I was for this whole 'social' thing.  I was so shy, painfully shy, and on top of that I was a pretty-plus-sized thumb sucker with a bladder control problem.  Now I'm just speakin' the truth here..the five-year old Joelle was a mess (and I know you're thinkin'..STILL IS, right? wink wink)  Of course, mom was all over the pee problem and she had met with my teacher, Mrs. B, before the school year started.  So I felt a little better knowing that if I did have an accident, I would have 'backup' bottoms to change into.  Just so you know, I'm leading up to my 'most embarassing elementary school moment' and it's pitiful so you might want to grab some tissues.  Seriously sad.

It was still warm, maybe late September, and we were still having playground time, which I hated.  I could never run fast enough to score a swing and I have never been able to do monkey bars.  The half-moon climber was fun but I was too embarassed to climb alone so I would usually just sit on the bench with my sweet Mrs. B.  Of course, I wasn't adventurous enough to tackle the merry go round.  No way.  The round and round would make me nauseous and I wasn't going to get on there not knowing who the pusher-around-er would be.  It could be one of the very wild little boys that wouldn't let me off.  And that would be..well, the end of the world. I have always been a very 'safety first' type of gal...'born to be mild', as my friend would say.  This particular day, however, Mrs. B decided she was going to get the whole class on the merry go round and she talked me right into hopping on.  I knew I was in good hands and I was actually glad to get off the bench for a change.  Plus, I knew we couldn't go very fast with the whole class crammed on that thing...I had convinced myself to finally have some playground fun.  I was 'participating'...making progress!!!  Anyways, I was one of the first ones on the merry go round so I ended up in the very middle, as the others piled on around me.  Oh, everyone was so excited.  Cheering and laughing.  Mrs. B started pushing...round and round we went.  I was actually having quite the enjoyable time but was starting to get concerned as my classmates were getting more and more excited and LOUD.  "FASTER!", they shouted.  "Faster!"  "Faster!"  We had already been spinning for a while now and I had already sensed the pee pains but I tried to ignore them.  Round and round we went, I was dizzy, I was nauseous, I had to pee, I couldn't hold it.  More spins, more dizzy, more pee pains.  I tried to get Mrs. B's attention but she couldn't hear me above the roar of the kids' laughter and screams.  It was too late.  The deed had been done.  It was almost an out of body experience because I couldn't believe this was actually happening.  I popped in my thumb, with tears streaming.  I was in total panic.  My pee was running all over the merry go round and all over my classmates' shoes!  They were standing in my pee puddle!  'JOELLE PEE'D, Mrs. B!'  'GROSS!!.  EWE!!.  PEE!!!'  'JOELLE PEE'D, Mrs. B'  'EWE, IT'S ON MY SHOES, Mrs. B'   And it went on and on and on and I was horrified.  Mrs. B stopped the merry go round immediately, she grabbed me up in her arms, pee britches and all, and carried me into the school.  She made sure I got cleaned up right away and held me.  She held me for a long time, wiping away my tears.  She could have made me stay the day but she knew I needed my mom and wouldn't want to be subjected to the teasing that was bound to go down that afternoon.  Before I knew it, my mom had pulled up out front in her burgandy Oldsmobile to check me out of school and take me home. 

After one of the most horrible days of my life, Mrs. B had made everything better.  SHE was the only reason I would be able to get back on that big yellow bus the next day.  SHE was my special person.  It didn't matter if the other kids didn't love me, SHE did.  I had HER and she thought I was smart and sweet and special.  I knew it because she showed me every day.  I love you, Mrs. B.

Homegirl got her groove back....

One thing for sure..my house is filled with laughter and that is a blessing, indeed!  I thought I would share a convo from lunch today.


Josie:  Whatcha eatin, dad?
CTK:  Chicken.  Josie, did you know this chicken actually came out of another chicken's butt?  It was actually an egg, but it came right out of a chicken's butt.  Yes, and then it hatched open, grew up into an adult chicken, someone killed it, and now we get to eat it.  And it's soooo good!!
Josie:  GROSS, dad (gwoss, rather).  Ewww, is this true, mommy?  It's not, is it? 


This was concerning for me because Josie only eats about 1/4 cup of food per day.  Two bites of a waffle.  Three goldfish.  And some chicken.  See my concern...take away the chicken and what do we have left?  No nutrition.  Good one, daddy.  Let's hope she forgets the whole chicken butt thing by tomorrow....or we can forget her eating chicken or EGGS or any other animal byproduct ever again! 


Well, things have been hectic here at our house.  We have celebrated two birthdays since my last post.  Jillian and Chris have birthdays one day apart.  You know, I was induced with Jillian and I got to choose the date.  I sometimes wonder if I chose the right one.  I could have chosen 12/11 and they could have shared a birthday, but I really felt like she would want to have her own day.  I hope that was good mommy thinkin'.  I do get concerned about the fact that Chris never knows his age.  Test me on this one.  Next time you see us, ask him how old he is and see what he does....he looks at ME!  (like I don't have ENOUGH to keep up with!)  At first I was thinking dimentia but at this point I am blaming it on excessive meat consumption.  I mean, think about it....meat, meat, meat - all day long.   (low carbin' it, he is)  Now he occassionally will add in an egg or a slice of cheese, but it's pretty much straight meat.  He does take vitamins though, so that makes me feel better....a little.  I think we both could benefit from some gingko billobongo-or whatever that stuff is called- I just asked Jillian to pass me the candle, when I really needed the butter.  Not good. 


And I have just been slacking about my blog, but I think I've got my groove back.  I really do love to write but I just haven't felt inspired for the past couple of months. One thing I did feel inspired to share were some old facebook posts....I had read some old ones the other night and was cracking up remembering all of this funny stuff...I hope these make you laugh because they sure gave me the giggles.  Plus, I just wanted to transfer these from my fb to my blog so I would have them in one place.  I will cherish these.

Jillian is practicing her Awana verses. She always calls Psalms 'possums'   right now, she is trying to learn Possums 23.

As I was explaining Easter and Jesus raising from the dead to Jillian.....Josie says 'yeah, Jillian...Jesus had to get back up to heaven so he can fix our food and give us money when we get there...and he don't want us to be alone when we get dead'. Lol..she's not too far off base though.

‎'I'm not saying that I'm awesome at tying or anything, but I probably can tie better than anyone in Bear Creek...I mean I might even be able to teach some people to tie up here, like maybe if they don't know how to tie yet like me. (and this is the best part coming up) I'm not twying to bwag or nuthin', mom.' The All-New-Improved-Shoe-Tying-Josie!'

Jillian: 'Mom, it's about time you say two words to me and I will give you a hint about what they are. They rhyme with CHANK and WOO'. (She had just watched the baby so I could take a relaxing bath and felt a 'thank you' was obviously in order). Josie just said 'Mom, I can't eat this healthy banana as a bedtime snack because it hurts my lungs....well, not my lungs exactly. It could be my tooth.' then Jillian says 'Shew, just hurry up and eat it Josie, the fruit flies are going to get us.' No, Jillian, we cannot put a certain family member's gas problem on the prayer list. Mom, you have to remember God made your feet that big for a reason.....Jillian is so sweet. I still wonder what that reason might be. Jillian's response to the tooth fairy this morning....comes out with a disappointed look on her face: "Ten bucks!?!? Way to dig deep, dad...I was hoping for THIRTY!!" ‎'In what way do I sound different from Adele, Jillian?' 'In every way, mom. No offense though. pause. Love you, mom.' Me: 'Jillian, can you all please go in your room so I can have some quiet time? Hud is asleep and mommy needs a break.' Jillian: 'Mom, honey, this is the LIVING room. And I gotta LIVE, ok?' Josie: mom, how do you spell FANKS? Like FANKS for being my frand? I got F-A so far, is that right? Jillian: 'I'm sure that robber wasn't always mean. It's like this: babies-always nice and good, kids-still nice and good, teenagers-start being meanie butts a little, adults-some get real mean and start robbing banks.' I just walked through the house feeling heavier than usual....upon looking down, I realized there was a pee diaper hanging from my hoodie string. This sums up my day to a tee.   Jillian: 'Mom, you need to let dad go buy a gun or a truck. It's not fair. I mean, look at all of your new dishes everywhere.' Josie kept singin 'I uhv my baby daddy' over and over at the dr office. very embarassing for the homeschool mom. :) I love my baby daddy...??? After about five minutes on the treadmill, Jillian looks at me and says: 'Mom, you are going to faint.' She is definitely not going to be a personal trainer when she grows up. I have decided to sit down and eat some Bugles. ‎'Mom, I have something to tell you. It's very important. pauses her movie. I believe in GOD. What I don't believe in is the tooth fairy, passy fairy, Santa, Easter Bunny, or Valentines Day person, but I do believe in GOD and I wanted you to know. That because he is a real person who died on the cross for us and I know he is REAL.' Jilli.. I think she was six. I probably have the only homeschoolers who have a T-Pain microphone on their Christmas list...lol.... -Shawtaaaay-Sing like a pro- Jillian just told me that her Papaw (my dad, a preacher) saw her and her cousin dancing the other day..He says 'Girls, that kind of dancing isn't going to bring you any closer to the Lord.'...I love Jillian's reply: 'Papaw, I'm as close as I can get.' Jilian and Josie made a turtle for their puppet show...well, they decided to call the turtle by a nickname....which was the first syllable of the word turtle (plus the D sound). They do not know what that word means and they did not understand why I could not stop laughing during their show. It was so hilarious. They are so clueless and I love it.

Happy Birthday, my angel baby

Hudson is ONE today!  Happy Birthday, weetie-pie!  Here are a few of my favorites from the past year:

Why yes, I do have perfect cheeks.  Thanks for noticing.

I'm starting to get rolls, which my mommy loves.  I also have a dimple and amazing pig meat aka neck sugar.

 Yes, mommy, you can eat my thighs....but make it quick.

I can even make man boobs look good and that is no easy task.

 I miss these days when he was only rolling over, not eating dead moths and sea shells.

Keep the prunes comin', this I pray.

Nose sugars.

I like to be naked, ok?  I sweat a lot, give me a break. 

Huddle's TO DO list:  Wrap daddy around little finger:  CHECK!

Wrap mommy around little finger:  CHECK!

Somehow get OUT of this crib and IN that big ole comfy bed mommy sleeps in:  CHECK!

This is the grin that gets me lots of neck sugar.

Naked again. But it's August, people. 

Calm down, dad, I am secure in my manhood.  I can rock a hairbow every now and then.

 I like to drink the tub water and get totally strangled at least five times per bath. 

THE onesie. 

If spatulas are wrong, I don't wanna be right.

Yes, I am heading toward the husky department and I'm ok with that.  Me and mom prefer elastic, one of the many things we have in common.  Also, please notice that I am an avid reader and quite limber.

Puffy, Puffy, Puffy Stuff...I just can't get ENOUGH ENOUGH!!!  You will only understand this if you watch Little Bill.  And we do.  Huddle loves some PUFFS!!!!

I rule this house.  I sleep where I want.  I am too cute for a crib.

The oven drawer.  My current favorite place to be.

This is my sugar-high face.

This is one of my two tricks.  I can show you my teeth and point to my nose.  Stay tuned:  more tricks coming soon!!!

Happy Birthday, Mr. Awesome!  You have already taken ten years off my life with your dare-devilish-ness, but I have loved every minute of it.  We are so blessed to have you.  God gave you to us in a special, miraculous way and I will never stop praising Him for the gift that is YOU.

Few days, full of trouble....

Well, I hate to be a Debbie Downer on this post but I have just been thinking lately how this life is full of problems....problems we don't expect, problems we aren't prepared for, and problems we don't know how to solve.  Thankfully, my little family has not had to deal with anything serious.  No major illnesses or anything like that.  And Chris and I both have good jobs and good insurance.  I realize so many deal with serious health problems or financial issues or they have lost parents or siblings or they don't have health insurance.  I know that kind of stuff is BIG, really big and I don't know anything about that kind of hurt or frustration at this point, and for that I am thankful.  That is why we really need to thank God for each day that we have and try to just see the big picture.  This world is not our home.  We are just passing through, but we are not walking alone.  OK, I'm about to break out into a hymn here.  Where's that pitch pipe?  lol.  Doe So Me Doe (then the 'hummmmmmm'). 

In my life,  most problems lately have involved dealing with PEOPLE and that is what makes them so difficult and emotional.  Over the past few years, problems have arisen that I did not see coming and  I really did not do the best job in handling them. Here are some things God taught me as I dealt with this stuff and these were hard lessons to learn:

1.  I don't have to always tell people how I feel.  Like every thought in my head.  I am an open book and I am honest and I have always thought that was one of my good qualities...Weeell, I have learned that being open does not alway have to translate into dislodging every thought from my brain and spilling it out of my mouth.  Sometimes keeping the old mouth shut can be a good thing.  My dad always quotes the Bible 'Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent'. (Proverbs)  I need that on my fridge, for real.

2.  I should not be surprised when problems arise.  I should expect them to arise.  The Bible says that life is a few days and full of trouble, however,  it also says we should praise God anyway because these trials work patience in us.  No wonder I am having extra trouble--duh!  I am the most impatient person EVER.  Again, I am so thankful for Chris because he really does help me with that.  He never over-reacts.  He usually just lets things work themselves out and is not confrontational at all.  That's a good thing, I have learned.  I'm just a fixer, what can I say...workin on this but it's a struggle.

3.  I have to go with the flow and not have an 'admit me to Marion' breakdown every time someone doesn't think I am MissWonderfulness or hurts my feelings.  People hurt each other.  Christian people hurt each other, unintentionally most of the time (I would hope).  We are just imperfect and we act emotionally instead of patiently and prayerfully (preaching to myself here).  I have to forgive and move on and not hold bitterness in my heart because that is just plain old sin. I shouldn't be waiting for apologies or acceptance or a lovey dovey hug fest. As long as my heart is in the right place, a place of love and compassion, then I am pleasing God and that is most important.

4.  I have to realize that I cannot be close friends with everyone I have always been close friends with.  People change.  Times change.  God moves us around in life.  I have great, close friendships in my family and I am thankful for those. 

5.  I always want things to 'get fixed' when problems arise, whether it be problems with the house, relationship problems, whatever.  I want the world to stop and all of the bad to go away and get some super glue and have some heart to heart talks and fix fix fix.  I have realized that most stuff, big stuff, especially the relationship stuff, can take days, months, even years to 'fix'.  God works differently in everyone.  But I will tell you this:  ME?  I like to make-up right away.  No matter what.  It makes my stomach hurt to be at odds with a person or a family member.  I want things to be back to normal and perfect.  It doesn't always work that way with every person (can't imagine) but some people just like to woller in it (and that is one of my favorite words, woller...just wish I got to use it more often). 

6. OK, here is a recent one and it should not bug me but it DOES:  It seems like everywhere I go lately, there is a homeschool buzz-killer.  I mean, here we are having a great time, my kids are learning, I'm having fun teaching, and things are going relatively smoothe...then along comes Miss or Mr Negg (ative) 'Are you getting them involved in enough activities?  You don't want them to be UNsocialized, now that's real important.  You do get their vaccinations now, don't you?  Will they be able to go to college with that homeschool degree?  What about their prom and stuff?'  I am serious.  This happens all of the time.  Random people.  At Lowe's.  At Kmart.  It's bizarre.  I need to realize that not everyone is going to think it is super duper that I homeschool my children.  I have realized that I don't have to explain in great detail why I do it or defend why I do it to anyone.  The truth is, most people DON'T think it is the best choice (and that is ok because it is certainly not for everyone), however, I am only being obedient to what God has called me to do.  I only answer to God and my husband...and us three, we are all on the same page so that's all that matters.  I saw a tee shirt that was awesome...It said 'Ask me why I homeschool!'  Then underneath, 'On second thought, DON'T'.  That is so true because it is such a touchy area for people.  I have found many people are offended because of the 'If it's good enough for mine, why isn't it good enough for yours?' thing.  I have told my children that public school is not a bad place, there are great teachers and great kids and they have lots of fun.....it's just the teacher's not as great as ME, the kids aren't as great as YOU GIRLS, and they don't have as much fun as US.  wink wink.  Plus, we get to learn God's word and that is something that can't be taught in the public school.  We get to learn every subject from a Biblical view point and that is just plain awesome.  So, here would be my advice to the HSH mafia (home school haters)---- you know the old saying 'if you can't say anything nice..' (you should know the rest)----well, that would apply here. 


God bless you all. 

Shewww.  Now, I'm really depressed and I'm going to have to go to DQ and buy a blizzard from the guy with the crusty fingernails.  Next blog----HAPPY THOUGHTS!