Nights with my Jackman

I lay down with Jackson every night when he falls asleep. I never did this with the girls. As a matter of fact, I was adamant about them going to sleep on their own.

Jackson was my baby. I thought he was the last. Even though I dreamed of adopting, I never thought it would be possibly financially.

God showed me:-) (That's another story for another time.) Huh?

I still lay down with Jackson until he falls asleep. I usually tinker on the laptop while he fires away questions. His questions crack me up so I thought I'd share some. Some I try to answer, some I honestly don't know the answer, so I just say, "I don't know."

Just call me Einstein.

(My answers are in red.)

What are teeth made out of?

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Are walls just really hard paper?

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Can fish hurt you?

Some fish.

Cat fish?

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What is glass made of?

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Does anyone giving fishing poles for free?

Probably not.

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Do you think I am going to Heaven?

Yes, buddy. You prayed and asked Jesus in your heart. And, sometimes, others can tell you Jesus is in your heart if you love others and if you obey Jesus.

Do I obey?

Yes, but I think it's something we can all work on, obeying Jesus and loving others.

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"Mom? Can I use your toothbrush?"

"Why?"

I just want to try it."

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"Mom, how old will you be in 4 years?"

"41. Why?

Will you be all wrinkley?

I hope not.

Good.
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Is O'Criminey a bad word?

Well, we probably shouldn't say it?

Adam says it all the time.

That doesn't mean you should say it.
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Mom? Why are you under there?

Under where?

You said underwear! Get it! Underwear?

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This is just two nights of laying with Jackson.

I LOVE THAT BOY!

Thoughts from the week

I've had a post for several days now... but it seems that the two adults in this house do not have the wherewithall to charge a video camera and then bring it with them. We either charge it and leave it at home or we take it and it's not charged. The bottom line is... I need the video for my post to make any sense and we don't have enough sense to get the job done. Or maybe I have 4 kids with 5,000 needs at any given moment.

Plus, in the summer I become a pool rat. EVERY morning we have swim team from 9-11. On days we don't have swim team, we go back to the pool after lunch. Then, sometimes we go after dinner t00. Basically, my kids are raisins in the summer.

Then, on days we have a swim meet, we have to be at a pool at 3 pm for a dive meet, followed by a 5 hours swim meet. Seriously, we usually get home at 10 pm.

And, as I was sitting at one of those eternal swim meets this week, I thought about the ludicrousness of swim meets. We set at a pool for 6-7 hours for a meet. Our kids swim..... MAYBE... MAYBE.....3 minutes each. 3X3=9 (I am really good at math.) I see my kids swim for 9 minutes! Are you KIDDING me? Since Jackson is now diving... I can tack on 2 more minutes for his 3 dives. Now, we're up to 11 minutes. (Told you I was good at math!) I spend 11 minutes out of the 6-7 hours, to watch those kids of mine swim 3 minutes each.

I am starting to think swim team is a waste of my time. So much so that we are trying to decide if at least one of our children should swim year round. (Definitely not my idea.)

The other thought for the week: I just want to share with you that it really stresses me out when people drive in the wrong lane. For instance, if I know a right turn is coming up, I get in the right lane way ahead of schedule. But, when I am in the car with PEOPLE who know a right turn is coming and they stay in the left lane, I start getting really antsy. I can't concentrate; I can't have a conversation. My body is so tense until that person gets in the correct lane. I even kind of lean in the direction I want the car and the person to go. I've got issues. I realize that. Just remember this if you ever drive me some place.

Finally, I made a trip back to the OBGYN this week for my yearly checkup. 2 visits to those kind of doctors in 3 weeks is WAY too much for me to handle. I decided after today that I am going to have a convention for OBGYN doctors. There are things they need to know that apparently no one bothered to tell them in their 24 years of school. 1) We do not want to have a conversation with you. 2) When you pull the gown back to expose the hoochie mama's and start pressing on them, please do not say, "So, what are you doing this weekend?" (This wouldn't be an issue if rule #1 was followed.) I don't want to talk about what I am doing this weekend because I DON'T EVEN REMEMBER WHAT I AM DOING THIS WEEKEND BECAUSE YOU ARE LOOKING PLACES AND TOUCHING PLACES YOU SHOULDN'T BE UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES!

It will be a really short convention.

rtukb84iv9

My dear husband

If Paul and I were having a competition during out marriage to see who could out vomit the other, he would win hands down.

In our almost 13 years of marriage, I have throw up 3 times. Once was because I took a prenatal vitamin on an empty stomach (3 pregnancies=one vomit). I threw up again about 18 months ago because I took a sinus medication on an empty stomach. Finally, I threw up our first morning in China. A 24 hour flight, a severe headache, and sinus medication on an empty stomach... that'll do it to me.

Paul on the other hand.... I think he throws up about once a month. He'll probably kill me for saying this....(Airing our dirty laundry, hence the title of the blog, people!) But, sometimes, I don't think he realizes how hungry he is, so he eats too fast, it builds up in his throat and then he has to run and get rid of it.

The funny thing is... he'll run to the bathroom, yell for "Ralph" a bit and then come back down like nothing happened and start eating again. I just stare at him because the whole scenario never ceases to perplex me.

Slow down FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY!!!

ANYWAY........

This past Thursday morning, after about 4 hours of sleep, he woke up at an unholy hour, drove to the airport and flew to Colorado for some meetings. He called me at his first layover and then called me when he arrived in CO. I answered the phone and said, "Are you alive?"

He said, "Funny you should ask."

Then, he starts into this story about how he was hungry at his first stop so he ate some eggs.

That was his first mistake.

One of these days, he is going to realize that eggs, traveling and Paul do not go together. (2 years ago we drove to Florida to go on a cruise for my brother's wedding. We ate breakfast with a friend on the way. 2 hours later, we stopped so Paul could get rid of that breakfast for the next 20 minutes.)

Mistake number 2:

He drank 2 big glasses of water because he was trying to avoid the altitude sickness that usually accompanies his trips to Colorado.

Paul does not drink water unless it is the only liquid within a 20 mile radius. (Most adults start their day with coffee; he starts his day with Mountain Dew.)

3rd mistake: Paul must drink a carbonated beverage when and if he does eat eggs.

Well, he gets on his plane headed for the Rocky Mountain state and he is NOT feeling good. Immediately he asks for a barf bag. Can you imagine being the poor lady sitting beside him? She must have thought he looked terrible because she poured water on her sweater so she could put that across his forehead.

It was to no avail..... He felt better when his eyes were closed. But, he remembered his phone was on so he had to open his eyes to help the poor lady turn his phone off.

LET THE PUKING BEGIN............

Meanwhile, I am on the other end of the phone, picturing this scene.

I am in no way surprised by the story up to this point. Although we have flown many times and I have never seen him throw up on a plane.... something about the scene is all too familiar to me and I am in no way alarmed.

But, then I said something and his response was, "Oh, it gets worse."

"How much worse can it be?", I am thinking. "Did you projectile vomit over rows and rows of people?"

I don't like ANY public attention. So, the thought of even looking sick with a plane full of people around me, mortifies me.

But.... then he tells me, "All of a sudden, I woke up with this guy yelling in my face: 'DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE?? DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE?"

"Yes! I know who I am!"

The guy goes on to tell him that his eyes rolled back and that he had a seizure. He had vomit all down his shirt. People were scrambling around. And, they asked if he wanted them to turn the plane around.

He did not.

Some poor guy on the plane gave him his shirt to wear. Then, the plane and all it's people continued on their merry way to Colorado.

Can you imagine?

The story did scare me. I told him, "Don't you go dying on me now!! You don't have any life insurance!" (That's another story for another time. He can't get life insurance.)

We have concluded a number of things from this incident: (1) It was like the perfect storm: very turbulent first plane ride, eggs, water... (maybe bad eggs, etc...) (2) His stomach was REALLY hurting; it felt like a knife ripping through his stomach. So, the pain, combined with not trying to vomit, not being in a comfortable position, etc... caused him to faint.

He did see a doctor in CO, but without a lot of tests, one can only speculate: seizure or fainting.

We really, truly believe he just fainted.

He has felt great since the whole ordeal minus very sore stomach muscles.

Meanwhile, I am at home on a heavy antibiotic for tonsillitis and on cough syrup with codeine for what looks like the beginning of bronchitis.

NEVER a dull moment with the inhabitants of this house.

P.S. For those keeping records, this is the 8th time I have been sick since coming home with Emme.

Facts about the Human Body

Tallest man and shortest man... right now

We studied the human body this year as part of our schooling... or maybe I should say we sorta studied the human body. I am not sure we did anything 100% for school this year.

I'm not gonna lie, this was a hard, hard year. Between trying to feed a severely malnourished child who desperately tried to throw up every meal and changing burn bandages for 6 weeks on my poor baby I spilled hot water all over... school was about the last thing on my mind.

I would have these really elaborate plans for school projects. Ha, the human body!! After all, it seemed we really needed to study the body because we were certainly having a plethora of issues with body around here. I planned for us to put together a human skeleton (plastic of course), make a lapbook (click here for an example of a lapbook) on the human body, learn about all the systems (digestive, respiratory, skeletal, muscular, nervous.=, etc...) Seriously, all of a sudden I decided these kids should be in med school.

In the end, I decided it was most fun to skip to the back of the book and read the facts, figures and records.

Here are some things I think you should know. Please, don't ever say my blog is not educational!

Your mouth releases about 3 cups of saliva a day. (Gross!)

Food takes about 3 days to pass through your digestive system. (Eat some corn and count the days, baby!)

There are more bacteria living inside one person's intestines than there are human beings on Earth. (I don't even know what to say about that!)

Shortest man: THE shortest man who ever lived was Gul Mohammed of Delhi, India. He lived from 1957 t0 1997 and measured 1 ft, 10.5 in tall. (Seriously!?)

Shortest woman: This was probably Lucia Zarate, a circus performer from Mexico. She lived from 1864 to 1890, and was said to be about 1 ft, 8 in tall

Oldest person: There are many claims to the longest lifespan, but the oldest person for whom there are reliable records was Jeanne Calment from France. She was born in 1875 and died in 1997, at the age of 122, and she was active throughout her old age. She was still riding a bicycle at the age of 100, acted in a film at the age of 114, and released a pop record at the age of 121. (I am guessing I didn't hear about the record because it wasn't that popular???)

Most children born to one woman: A Russian woman named Mrs. Vassilyev, who lived from 1707 to 1782, gave birth to the greatest number of children on record- 69 altogether. They included 16 sets of twins and seven sets of triplets. (3 words: SHOOT ME NOW!)

DID YOU KNOW:

You are taller in the morning than in the evening. During the day, the cartilage in your spine squashes down by up to 0.3 in because of the effect of gravity. At night, when you lie down, the cartilage expands again.

You spend a year of your life with your eyes closed because you are blinking.

In one day, your blood travels a distance of about 12,000 miles as it is pumped around and around your body.

Children have a better sense of smell than adults. It is at its most sensitive when you are about 10 years old, and then gets worse as you get older. (My husband would tell you that my sense of smell died altogether when I was 30.)

Human bone is stronger than concrete or steel.

At the age of about 30, the human body starts to shrink. (DEPRESSING!)

FYI... by the grace of God, my children scored very high on this years' Stanford Achievement Test!

If you need a Honda.....

     Someone asked if I could give the information about where we purchased our van.  So here it is....

Dave Carothers Custom Auto Sale LLC

4045 County Road 130, BelleFontaine, OH 43311
Call Sales & Service at: 1-888-422-7019

Click here for the link.

The link above is the only way I can get to a website to look at all his cars/vans.  If any of you ever do business with him, please tell me.  Also, please tell him we sent you.  

P.S.  If you don't see something you are looking for, call and tell him.  He will get what you want.  He did for us.  

Just wondering....

Hahaha!! Incontinence... can you hold? HOLD!! Get it??!! Hahaha!

I am assuming the vast majority of readers of this crazy blog is women.... minus the guy who is one of my followers. I have a hard time understanding why any man would want to read this blog. Sometimes, I wonder why any of you woman read, but right now that is neither here nor there.... (Guys, just giving you time to bail. Don't say I didn't warn you.)

So, I have been having some issues of the female kind. It's recurring and it's VERY ITCHY .... and.... I think I have said enough.

We have some really good friends, Jim (male) Kris (female) (Hey, just didn't want any misunderstanding. After all, Kris Allen is a guy.) OK, Jim is an OB GYN. Awhile back, I called Kris to ask if she could have her husband call me in the one dose pill that would clear up the issue. He did and it worked for awhile.

The issue is back. I called Kris again. Kris said, "I'll call Jim."

A little bit later, she called me back and said, "He thinks you need to be seen. He said he's in his office at the hospital if you want to run down."

Um, excuse me?

NO! This is where I draw the line. I am all about saving money and that was a really nice offer, I think. But, if I went to visit Jim for THAT, our friendship would be over. I could no longer sit around having a nice dinner with Jim and Kris... ever again. OR do a Bible study or go to their house on a lake for a little vacation.

And, do you know that my husband could not understand why I wouldn't go? HELLO! We are not talking about an issue with my big toe.

Honestly, I will never understand guys.

Ladies, would you go have your yearly exam with your guy OB GYN friend? If this doesn't get some comments.... NOTHING WILL!!

Walking or Zumba

I have noticed that I have been taking fewer walks this spring/summer. Part of the reason is that I have been doing the Biggest Loser workouts at home-love them! And, thanks to my good friend Amber, I have now taken up Zumba.

I have to talk about Zumba. Have you ever seen it or done it? It's crazy! I'll be honest. I almost didn't go. Because I didn't know what it was, I looked it up on You Tube. One look and I said, "NO WAY! I could never do that. PERIOD!" " And, I certainly could never do that in front of other people." But for some reason, I went anyway. The lady who teaches the class I have been attending... I have never seen anyone do those things with their hips. She's amazing and she is a fantastic teacher. I am hooked. As long as she never expects my hips to move like that... because they won't. If they ever do, I'll need hip replacement at the ripe ol' age of 37. And, there are some moves... I just draw the line and I don't do them. I would even goes as far as saying... it may be a sin to move like that. Or maybe I just want it to be a sin- then I can have an excuse for never even trying to move like that. It is my prayer that no one ever videos me doing this new exercise class. I am positive I stand out like a white woman in a gospel choir. But, my shirt is always soaking wet when I leave so at least I am burning calories looking like an idiot.

Ok, back to my walks... that I am not taking.

I used to walk all the time. However, I had an incident last year and maybe I should have gone to therapy when it was all said and done.

It was early in the morning. And, it was the kind of morning that when you stepped out the door, even as early as 7:30 am, the sweat beads would start rolling down the forehead. The air so stifling it could be cut with a knife.

I started walking at a good clip, sweating profusely.

When I can, I always walk on the sidewalk. However, there are older sections of our neighborhood without sidewalks. In that case, I hug the curb as I move about. Occasionally, I have to leave the safety of the curb and move around a vehicle that is parked on the road. For some reason, in our neighborhood, there aren't a lot of cars on the roads, but every once in awhile, I have to zigzag past one.

I was chugging along a good 25 minutes into what I planned on being a 45 minute walk. I noticed that up ahead a car was parked on the right hand side of the road, same side I was walking on. If the car were to start to drive, it would drive away from me. As I approached the car, I had to pass on the driver's side.

This is my old van. Just using it as an illustration to show how I had to pass.

As I am moving past the driver's seat, in very close proximity to the car, my eye unconsciously glanced into the car. (Some would argue about this being unconscious or conscious because I do tend to err on the nosey side. However, it's my story and I know it was an unconscious glance.) As I glanced, I might as well have stuck my finger in a light socket because my body jolted as though I had. I sort of jumped to the side with my shoulders and hands pulled in, hunched in fear. Just imagine yourself walking and glancing down to see a snake. Only, in this instance, I wish it had been a snake.

Because as I passed and turned around to see what had jolted my system, I saw a very old man. His head was tilted back, his eyes closed, and his mouth was open.

I kept walking. I made it about 3 minutes down the road and I had to go back.

I kept my distance, passing the car on the other side of the street. I stopped and took a good look. All the windows in the car were rolled up. I moved a few feet into the center of the road to get a better look. The old man was wearing what looked like a wool suit. And, it was hotter than Hades outside. He had to have been baking in that car. Right then and there, I decided the old man was dead.

I tried to use my phone. And, I know this will surprise you, but it had gotten shampoo in it from my pool bag and so it wasn't functioning at capacity. (Are you starting to see a theme in my life?) I desperately wanted to reach Paul, but I just couldn't get my phone to cooperate. I stood there for a good 5 minutes thinking.... "surely someone I know will drive by at any minute."

NO ONE drove by.

So, I did the only thing I could think of, I started to run. I don't really love running... unless someone is chasing me. But, desperate times call for desperate measures. I probably ran a good half mile to my house.

I practically fell in the door trying to open it. After all, I was gasping for breath.

Paul just happened to be in the living room that is right inside the front door. He looked up at me with a stunned look. I bent over, put my hands on my knees, gasped for air and tried to start talking.

"I....(breath, breath) was walking.........(gasp)......a couple....... streets over.....and (breath, gasp) I saw...... an old man........(heavy breathing)........ in his car.......... windows were up (still gasping)...... he had on a wool jacket.........(gasp).......... his eyes were closed...... mouth open.....I think he's dead. (long pause for breath) What..... should....... we do?"

Paul was looking at me with that are you serious look. But, it wasn't the are you serious look that raises an alarm. No, it was that...... are you serious..... you're an idiot kind of look.

"Did you knock on the window."

"No way! I think we need to call the police!"

"I think you need to start with knocking on the window. Why didn't you knock on the window?"

"Because... what if he jumped out of the car and started running after me or something?"

He gave me a very long blank stare.

Then, he turned and started walking up the stairs because it was clear he didn't have time to have this conversation with his crazy, too-much-tv- watching wife. And then, do you know what he said to me? He said, "Well, if you can't out run an old man like that, then you deserve to die."

Can you believe that?

I went and grabbed my car keys. I drove back to the site of the scene. I slowly passed the old man's car and stared in to get a peek at him. I had another jolt of electricity run through my body.

His eyes were wide open, but he still had his head back and mouth open.

I drove to the end of the street. I sat there for a few minutes. Turned around and went back for more.

This time, the old, old man was getting out of his car to go meet some kind of handy man guy who had pulled into the driveway of the house.

I went back home. Walked into the house looking for Paul. He was so concerned about me that he was taking a shower. I yelled over the sound of the water, "He's dead. There was an ambulance there!"

I am not sure he fell for it for one second.

The moral of the story is: I may be safer in the Zumba class- looking like a freak show- than on the streets of my neighborhood.

Van shopping

       If you've spent anytime at all on this blog, then it shouldn't surprise you that my quirkiness extends in all directions. (Why do you keep coming back here?)  Including van shopping.

       First, you should note that, I didn't want a new van.  I was perfectly happy with the one I had.  However, when recently told that my van needed more repairs than it was worth, the decision was really made for me.

     Since we really didn't know where to start, we started with test driving 2 new cars:  the Chrysler Town and Country and the Honda Odyssey.  

     That was stupid.  Who goes and test drives brand new cars when they know they can't afford them?

    Uh, that would be us.

    We were quickly jolted back to reality.  Can you say sticker shock?

    We moved on to the used Town and Country.  It seemed as though we could not even afford a used Odessey.

     We found a 2006 Limited with the leather seats and a DVD player, so we went to look at it.

     It was beautiful from the outside.  I was so excited about it.  Low miles, 2006, Limited, leather, dvd, very few if any scratches.  I opened the driver's side door.  My eyes were immediately drawn to the front.  Wood grain paneling... it was beautiful.

     But, then, my heart about stopped.  I look at the area between the drivers seat and passengers seat.  I saw this plastic, mountain- shaped,  center console.  

Sorry, it's a bad picture of it.  

    Besides leather and a dvd player, I had dreamed of a center console.  Don't laugh!  You have taken your center console for granted.  I have never had one.  I had this mickey mouse thing that pull out from the passenger's seat on my old van.  90% of the time, it wouldn't stay out to hold the drink, the drink would fall, and so there are lots of stains all over the floor.

     I couldn't fathom buying that van with that ridiculous looking console in it (sorry Town and Country people).

    Anyway, I got behind the steering wheel and tried to enjoy the test drive, but my heart was sick.  It also smelled a bit like a wet dog.  NEVER a good thing in my book.

    I drove the car for........ MAYBE 5 minutes......... Maybe.

    We went back to the dealership and walked over to the desk where our little salesmen sat.

     "Oh, I loved the way it drove, but I am just not sure."

     "Not sure!  What are you not sure about?"

     "I don't really know."

     All huffy and puffy he said, "Well, I have never heard anyone say they liked the way a car drove but they didn't like the car."

    If I were a smart alec... like I REALLY want to be sometimes, I would have said, "Welp, now you have!"

     We walked outside, talked some more, yada, yada, yada.

    Finally he said, "Why don't you take it home, drive it longer in an area that if familiar to you.  If you like it, bring it back Friday (it was Wednesday).  I am off tomorrow.

    "Well, if I don't like it, I'll bring it back tomorrow when your not here."

     You think I am kidding.  I'm not.  I really said that.

     When we returned home with the Town and Country, I got on my blog and a good friend had left me a message about her Odyssey and how much she loves it and that it has 180,000 miles on it and it's still going strong.

    I knew then and there and probably way before that... that I only wanted a Honda.

    Well, lo and behold did God have a plan for us.  That same night we found the EXACT Odyssey we were looking for AND we could afford the price.

    We called the number the next day at 8 am on the nose.

    The guy informed us that it was pending.  He and Paul talked for a good 45 minutes.  In the course of the conversation, we found out this guy was a believer.  He was headed to an auction that morning for corporate leases.  He told us he'd look for a van with the things we wanted.

     At 10:2o am, he called to ask if the color gold was ok.

    At 12:09 pm, he called to tell us he was able to purchase it.

    We drove up a week ago Saturday, loved the van, loved the guy and so we bought the van.

    This guy began his little dealership not too long ago when he lost his job.  He and his wife taped Psalm 138 to their computer screen and held on tight while praying to God for wisdom and success.

     Their goal is to get families into Hondas who could otherwise not afford them.  They make money on quantity.  They live near a Honda plant; they go to the auctions and buy the corporate leases.

     I've never found another Odyssey for the price he gave us.  He also allowed us to purchase the extended warranty for his cost $500 (original cost $1500).  This warranty is good for an additional 100,000 miles or 5 years.

  

    And, guess what?  I have the Mac Daddy of all center consoles.  I can have 6 different drinks at my disposal... if I want.

   Ladies and gentleman, may I present to you:  MY 2005 HONDA ODYSSEY.

A glimpse of the long awaited center console.  In the picture, sitting on my console is A) an iphone that no longer works because it was dropped in the toilet (By the way, it was dropped the night I came home with that Town and Country...grrrr) and B) some hair gel for Jackson. (Slimed some gel on his hair on the way into church on Sunday morning.)

Shelby the Reporter

     Shelby has been in Awana since she was 4 years old.  Awana stands for Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed.  It is basically a program where kids memorize lots of scripture and play games.  There are rewards etc...

     Anyway, back in the very early spring, she had an assignment where she could choose one thing out of a list of several things.  She, of course, chose the one that she would be able to star in.

     She chose to do the story about Jesus taking the loaves of bread and feeding the 5000+ people with it.

     Please note:  1)  She did not have a script.  This is totally fly by the seat of her pants reporting.  2)  The children have plates with a bit of bread on them and a goldfish cut out of construction paper. (Yes, in one scene, Gracie is eating the paper goldfish.)  3)  She got all dressed up and had me do her hair so she looked like a professional reporter.  4)  This is the kind of stuff she gets kids in the neighborhood to agree to all the time.

Things I Love About Gracie

     Gracie turned 8 last Friday.... time for me to tell you all the things I love about her.

     1.  Gracie is a servant.  She is the first one to jump up and help.  She's always getting things for people.

    2.  She is very thoughtful.  For Shelby's birthday, she got up and made her breakfast in bed... she did the same for me on Mother's Day.  At dinner, when I am always up getting things for people, she will often say. "Guys, quit asking mom for things so she can set down and eat!"

     3.  She knows where EVERYTHING is.  And, if she doesn't know where something is... it's likely not to be found.    Once, Paul asked me if I knew where he could find a coupon for an oil change.  She piped up, "I KNOW!"  She ran over to a bookshelf, took some books off the shelf and.... behind the books, there was an oil change coupon.  

     4.  She's like having a personal assistant.  A couple of years ago, we were getting off a cruise.  We grabbed our luggage and we were heading through the turnstiles and she says, "MOM, we forgot the blue bag."  

     I was like, "What blue bag?"  

    She said, "The one we borrowed from Miss Jennifer for our dresses."

    I totally would have left it sitting there in Tampa.

    Recently, when I went on a trip for Shelby's choir, Paul said she was like having a nanny.  She got the diaper bag ready complete with diapers, wipes, and toys... oh, and extra clothes in case she had an accident.

     5.  She's so funny.  If you haven't read the Bobawhite story.... you must click here.  

          A couple of weeks ago, my mom took us girls to a dinner theatre.  On the way home, we were listening to the new Lady Antebellum CD my mom got Shelby for her birthday.  (By the way, if you haven't heard them, you must.  You tube them.  And, here's a huge name drop... we are friends with the girl, Hillary Scott.  (Check back for pictures of the girls with Hillary).  I will add them later.  I need Paul's computer.) (So, we are a little partial.)  Anyway, on one of the songs, the guys sings something about cursing someone's name and Gracie said, "Geesh!  Cursing her name... that's a little harsh.  So, I said, "Um, it's 2am and I'm cursing your name... Taylor Swift song..."

      

     She replied, "Yeah!"  "2am!"

      As if somehow the hour of the curse makes the difference.

     She also gets tickled at little tiny details in books no one else would probably ever notice.

 

     She has her own language... too difficult to explain.

     Bottom line... she's A LOT of fun!

      6.  She's very sensitive.

     7.  She knows every word to every song that is even remotely popular.  How?  She's homeschooled for the love of Pete!  (Ever wonder who Pete is?)

     8.  Have you ever heard the words... something up her crawl.  I don't know how to explain this... but she frequently gets something up her crawl.  It's not a bad thing either.  It's like she gets these energy spikes and she has to squeeze something or scream or... I don't know exactly... but I totally get the term now.  She defines it.

     9.  She loves her sisters with undying emotion.  I would pay a million bucks for a sister like her!

     10.  I love it that she watches medical shows and baby stories and mystery diagnosis stories.  She's unique.  How many 7/8 year old sit around and watch some shows like that?

      God has big plans for her... I am sure of that.

     So, so thankful she was given to me.  What a gift!

    Grace.  Perfect name.

P.S.  Big surprise.  Here is Gracie singing.......... wait for it............ Taylor Swift.  

Be prepared for videos the next couple of posts.  The other day, when I put up the first one, I spent 3 hours.... working until 1:30 in the morning.  Gracie was up at 6:20 am the next day. Good times.  I deserve to post some videos.

Sorry about the blurry factor!  I'm gonna have to work on it.  Anyone know why it's blurry?

Oops!!

     Oops!  Didn't mean to take a blogging break.  Just sorta snuck up on me.  

    Gracie has been sick.  Fever on and off.  Headache.  Stomachache.  Really tired.  She was even sick on her birthday.  So, if I can get this video posted, you will be able to see that she didn't go as crazy about the tickets as I thought she would.  I also think she was in shock when she realized she actually got tickets to the Taylor Swift concert.  I mean, I only told the poor kid 1,000 times that the concert sold out.

     As the day went on and as this week has went on.... she has become increasingly more excited.  Sometimes, I will say to her, "Gracie."  What mom?  "We are going to a Taylor Swift concert."  Then, later on in the day, she will say, "Mom.  We are going to a Taylor Swift concert."  She just beams. It's our little thing.

     The blog has also been on hold because a)I dropped my iphone in the toilet and b) we have been on a mad hunt for a van.  I immediately put the phone in a bag of rice and let it set on the dryer for 4 days. (Rice to absorb water, dryer for heat and shaking the water out??).  So, it works now... sort of.  It needs to be plugged in to work and it won't turn off.  Anyone have any Apple connections out there?  Someone who would be willing to exchange my phone?  Anyone? Bueller?  Bueller?

     I'll tell you about the van tomorrow.

      Before I try to get this video posted.  You should know what I went through to buy these tickets.  

     First, I bought tickets for a concert that she wasn't going to be at.  I thought she was touring with Keith Urban all summer, so I bought tickets for Keith Urban.  Turns out that when it says something like:  Keith Urban with Jason Aldean .... it means Taylor Swift won't be there.  I thought when you toured with someone... you toured with them.  Geesh!  Why does this have to be so complicated?

    Thankfully, I have a good friend who is a Keith Urban groupie.  She didn't have tickets for this particular concert, so she took pity on me and bought them from me.  After watching Keith perform with Kris Allen on Idol, I think I am going to try to buy them back.

     Ok.  I'm not.

    To get the Taylor Swift tickets, I scoured the web.  Got the Taylor Swift password and bought presale tickets.  The morning they went on sale, I sat in my room armed with my computer and Darja's computer (she lives with us).  I worked both computers until I got the best tickets I have ever had for a concert,

    I know!  I am such a good mom!

     P.S.  After I bought the tickets, I immediately put our names in for the meet and greet.  Is it wrong to pray that Gracie would get to meet Taylor Swift?  

  

        And Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's People.