Can You Be a Country Superstar AND Also Be Totally Down to Earth?

Can You Be a Country Superstar AND Also Be Totally Down to Earth?

Just in case you've ever wondered.... the answer is a resounding yes!

If you're new to my blog, we are friends with Hillary from Lady A. She dated a very good friend of ours several years ago. She came to our house several times and hung out with the family. She was about the sweetest thing I ever met. She doted all over the kids; bringing them gifts and being very attentive to them. She even sat with Shelby and wrote a song in the book she gave her for her songwriting. At the time, Lady Antebellum was just starting. Her boyfriend at the time would say, "They're going to be big." But, it was one of those things where I was like, "Yeah, do you know how many people think they are going to make it big?"

I did know she had an amazing voice. We asked her to sing for us and she sang a song she wrote for her high school graduation. We were blown away by the voice and the song.

When Hillary and our friend broke up and we were devestated. We loved Hillary and the guy she was dating. I decided I wanted to stay in touch with her. So, we exchanged so emails and I committed to pray for her on a regular basis. I can only imagine how tough the music industry is. AND......

Do you know how big Lady A is? Do you see what happens when I pray??? Ha!

ANYWAY.....

Hillary, being exactly who I thought she was way back when, has remained in touch with our family... even facebooking with Shelby the day after winning Grammy Awards and once while walking out on stage for a concert. Who, that busy, has time for a 12 year old?

Shelby never gets tired of seeing Lady A in concert and apparently, Hillary never gets tired of Shelby asking for tickets because she gives them to us regularly. Sunday, she was at a fair near our house. Hillary left us tickets at will call and we planned on seeing her at some point in the evening.

After a series of unfortunate events including cell phones not staying in range, we were not able to see Hillary. I had 3 disappointed girls, as Shelby had brought a friend. I also had one disappointed little guy. Disappointed... but they handled it very well.

Being an adult, I totally understood. Plus, I'd just be sick of people if I were her.

But, do you know what Hillary did Monday morning at 10:30 am after driving through the night all the way home to Nashville? She called our home and talked to all of the kids and apologized all over the place for not being able to see us the night before. She and I were then able to catch up for the next hour.

Are you kidding me? She absolutely did not have to do that. We totally understood PLUS would it even have mattered if we were ticked off about it? She doesn't need us.

But, that's the kind of character that is Hillary Scott and that is the reason I liked her the moment she walked through the door of my house. Our conversation reaffirmed that she is the real deal.

So, if you have a daughter that needs a famous role model, I know one.

And, once again, there is at least on Country Music superstar who is as down to earth as they come.

Go LADY A!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hillary with the girls a couple of years ago when we went out for pizza after one of her concerts.

I LOVE That Dog, I Love That Dog, I Love That Dog

I LOVE That Dog, I Love That Dog, I Love That Dog

At least that's what I keep telling myself.

One day last week, we went to the pool for 2 hours. 2 HOURS. I didn't know what to do with the dog because we'd taken her with us wherever we went over the weekend. So, I put a long leash on her and roped her to the banister in the kitchen.

This is what my carpet looked like leading up to the kitchen when I returned from the pool.

Thankfully, our friend who gave us the perfect dog, has some experience laying carpet and we just happen to have an extra piece.

The next time we left her we put her in a cage I borrowed from my cousin. When I pulled in the driveway and opened the garage door, who should come running out of the garage? Oh, well it would be THAT dog,! Taffy. She somehow got one wall of the cage down. AND, since she was out and about, she decided she would claw at Paul's red Buckeye door.

The next time I left her I went to Zumba. I looped a ribbon in and out and in and out of the cage and then I tied it around that particular door so that she couldn't get the door down. When I came home from Zumba and opened the garage, guess who came running out?

Good guess!

Oh, and since she was out, she decided to go ahead and work at that door a little more. There was some nice red wood shavings laying around the garage floor. To get out, she somehow managed to chew the ribbon off despite the fact that it had to have been almost impossible (I said... almost) to even get her teeth to the ribbon. Once again, the door was lying down flat.

Today we went to church and I decided to use a steel- linked chain collar to hold the door together. No way can she chew through that! Go ahead and try!!!

When we came home and opened the garage door, Little Miss Houdini came trotting out of the door with a look on her face like, "Is that all you got?"

Oh yeah! There were more wood shavings and since that must be getting a little old by now, she decided to do some jumping and try her mouth at the blinds that stand 4 feet from the ground and used to cover the whole window.

The cage door... bent. I'm not sure how she squeezed her ever-loving body through it... I just hope she tore some flesh on her way out.

Seriously, does God just sit up there cracking up at me?

I thought this was the perfect dog. I mean... I'm gonna go out on a limb and say this dog has some separation anxiety. Yep, she's got issues! That's for sure. Then she trots around the house looking all innocent and sweet. Curls up next to Jackson and gives me the look like, "All little boys need a dog."

Someone needs to tell her that one year....I gave a dog to my kids for a Christmas gift, and then 4 or 5 months later, I gave her away. I've got no heart. She's living here on borrowed time.

I Lost

Despite my picketing, my threats to never again do laundry or make dinner, and my promise to leave the country, we have a dog living in our house.

I guess, if I am going to be truthful, it's partly my fault.

I always have a story.......

Paul started this whole thing a couple of weeks ago saying he'd found the perfect dog. One of the guys he mentors and his new wife, felt horribly sorry for this perfect dog because they were gone all the time. By the way, the perfect dog, according to my husband, does not bark, chew, run away or eliminate it's bodily fluids in the house. The perfect dog according to me... lives anywhere but this house. Anyway, he asked if we could have the dog and despite desperately trying to obtain the dog, the dog had been given to someone else who would not give it back. (I did the silent cheer.)

But, Paul was convinced that Jackson needed a dog. "He lives in a house full of girls and we hang out with friends who mostly have... only girls. The boy needs a dog! All boys need a dog!"

Yeah, whatever.

The kids got wind of this perfect dog, which is another story, and they began scouring the internet for another perfect dog.

Well, Friday, I was on Facebook and I saw a friend who was trying to give away a Cocker Spaniel that was supposedly a great dog. "Yeah, well, then why are they getting rid of it?"

But, something possessed me to call Paul and tell him about it.

Now, why would I do that?

So, he called and then calls me to tell me, "April!!! It's the perfect dog!"

All these perfect dogs are appearing out of nowhere.

I agreed to go "see" the dog. It just so happened that we were going to my mom's that night and our friends and the dog only live 5 minutes from my mom.

We stopped to see the dog.

It was like seeing Emme for the first time. I couldn't believe how little the dog was and I couldn't believe how cute the dog was.... and I don't even like dogs FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!

We took her out into their huge, unfenced backyard that connected to endless soccer fields. Our friend would walk far away and yell for her and she would would run right over to him. I could tell right away that she was a sweet dog... and then I heard her story.

Her name's Taffy, by the way.

Our friends, Jacob and Sheila, just moved back to our area from the deep south. They have 4 children under the age of 6, and they are living with her parents until they find a house.

They were not planning on a dog. One day, however, they went out to a farm to buy something. On the back of the property, Taffy was chained to a pole. She was matted and had at least 20 ticks on her. She had two gashes in her back because the neighbor boy would come over on occasion and beat her. Taffy, was used to breed, and since the last batch of her pups didn't sell well, they were done with her. "You can have her if you want her" the farmer told Sheila and Jacob.

Sheila, also not a dog lover, looked at Jacob as tears ran down her face and said, "We can't leave her here."

Taffy has been living in Sheila parent's house for the last 3 weeks. Despite being a great dog, she is just too much for them right now.

We left Sheila's parent's house with Taffy in the back seat nestled between my 2 dog loving children, Gracie and Jackson.

We've only had her for 2 days and the family is in love with her.

Even I love her... but only a little bit:-)

I lost the battle. I swore we'd never have a dog. Darn it!

That Oreo is about to Blow

Part of the problem with my quirky personality is... I get overwhelmed really easily. For example, if my house is a wreck, everything in me says just to sit down and read a book. I know that makes no sense to ANYONE including myself, but... just being honest.

This has carried over to my blogging. When I haven't blogged in awhile, blogging overwhelms me. I feel like I have too much to say... so I say nothing.

Yeah, don't ask questions, just take it for what it's worth... which is nothing.

Anyway, I have to show you what we found on Craigslist tonight. My family is obsessed with finding a dog... which means they must be intent on getting rid of their mother/wife. I have not agreed to this and so I am totally protesting. I have been walking around with a picket sign that says NO DOGS ALLOWED. They pretty much act like they don't see me, but let me just say this, "If mama ain't happy, nobody ain't happy."

Anyway, so the family is looking at dogs on Craigslist and they found the following dog with the following listing. Take caution in viewing this dog. He looks like he swallowed a giant marshmallow. His name is Oreo and I am confident he is going to blow at any minute.

Dog Needs Help (That is the title for the Craiglist posting)

This dog belongs to my mother in law. she has had him since he was a pup. But she does not know how to properly care for him
he looks as if he is a jack russel/chi mix.
she has over fed him since day one, constanly feeding him treats and table scraps
he is extremly over weight
she has never clipped his nails and they are far too over grown and i can tell he is in pain
his name is oreo.
he hasnt been trainned for commands such as sitting, ect
but he is house broke
i talked her into getting rid of him but instead of listening she just went out and got another dog. so now oreo is getting less attention and he has to face the fact that his mom got a new dog and got rid of him
he needs a loving home, somebody that will get him back to his right weight and groom him right
he is black and white
a big attention hog
very good with kids, we have an eighteen month old litle girl that pulls on his ears and everything and he just sits there
he does let you know when somebody is coming by barking
i feel so sorry for him. i have done my best to try explaining to her how to take care of him
my landlord doesnt allow pets or i would put my experience into work.
if we dont find him a home, i am going to have no choice but the pound
im done watching poor oreo suffer.
he is in serious need of a good home.

20 dollar rehoming to cover gas, because i will be willing to deliver.

I know it's sad, but aren't you cracking up? $20 fee... just for gas cause this desperate lady is willing to bring Oreo to whomever. Oh my!

Playing with the Minds of Quirky People

A little over a year ago, I read a book by Francis Chan called Crazy Love.  

Did I like the book?  I think so.  Although, it moved me way outside of my comfort zone.  I can't remember specifics right now.  I just know I was really convicted about my love for God and people.

Something really cool about the book though was the author asking readers to visit this link:  http://www.crazylovebook.com/videos_awe.html  

Now go visit it.  

I can't imagine not believing in God after watching this little 3 minute video.

I also can't believe the conversation I had with Paul when we discussed the video.

Before I tell you about the conversation, I just want to revisit a comment I made about myself in the previous post.  I'm quirky.  I'll be the very first person to admit it.  Part of my quirkiness involves some odd thoughts I have.  I shared one with Paul the other day.  It was a thought I had about 15 years ago.

15 years ago, I was engaged to another guy (not Paul) (I need to share that story sometime, huh?) (I called it off 3 weeks before.) and the relationship was sending me over the edge.  I was living in a state of panic/anxiety/depression.  While I was headed over to do something with this other guy I was engaged to, I was analyzing my thoughts.  But, I really didn't want to think anymore.  It occurred to me at that moment that I can never get away from myself.  

I shared this intimate moment of my life with my husband and he looked at me like I suddenly had a horn sprouting from my head.  He said, "I wish I had known this a long time ago."  

It was as if sharing this with him would have altered the course of his life with me.  He just can't let it go either.  He brings it up to me all the time.

Does anyone understand this thought but me?

I just meant... I can't get away from my thoughts.  I can't ever stop myself from thinking.  Ok, so I also told him that that thought made me panic, but we've been married 13 years and 8 months now.  And, I am pretty sure he knew I wasn't normal when we were dating.

Really, all this is beside the point now because, he said something to me recently that may have made me 2nd guess my decision to spend the rest of my life with him... so I think we are even.

 But, that's irrelevant right now.  The point is... I am quirky.  I don't like thinking of the abnormal.  I don't like thinking about end times even thought I know we win.  I don't like imagining eternity in Heaven because... well, that's weird.  Eternity?  That word stresses me out.

He knows all these things!

So, having that knowledge of me, why upon discussing the video that you were supposed to go watch... why would you say, "I think there is other life outside of earth."

"What do you mean?  Like life on other planets?"

"Well, like there are so many galaxies out there that we don't even know about.  I bet there are other solar systems with other earths and those earths are full of people."

"WHAT?!!"

"Yeah.  God loves people.  Why would we think he'd just make one planet full of us?"

Now do you see what I mean?  Would you share that with someone who is disturbed enough to admit that it makes her panic to know that she can't get away from herself?  I can't get away from people in general and now I have to think about other solar systems floating around out in space with other earths full of other people?

And, then I just have all these questions that no one can answer because no one knows!  Does the earths look the same?  Are the continents and land masses the same?  Are the ethnicities of people the same?  What about the geography?   Do they deal with the exact same issues?  Did someone get in a boat one day and discover the American on that earth?

See what I mean?  The list goes on and on and on.  Why?  Why would you share that with someone you know is quirky.  I can't get past things like the People of Walmart website? http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/  Why people go out in public the way they do.  Now I have to imagine that there are other earths full of the same people.

Do other earths have Walmart?  See, it never ends.

Jackson's 7th Birthday

3 of my kids were born in May.  

Yeah, don't ask.... or comment.  I've heard them all.  

Jackson's birthday was May 2.  He turned 7.

If I had to sum up Jackson's 6th year of life in one word, the word would be quirky.  The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree... and this time... I'm the tree.

But, right now, that's beside the point....

Sometimes, I don't even know how to talk to him.  The whole crying before EVERY day of school; I mean that's enough right there.  But then there were things like....

1.)  We'd had our old van sitting in our driveway for about 6 years.  It wasn't able to be driven because of squirrels.  (Click here if you haven't read this story.)  So, we were having it hauled away and as it was leaving the driveway he came running into the house crying.  I was like, "What's a matter buddy?"  He said, "I've had that van since I was born!  And, now it's gone!"

  

Wailing!

Seriously, how do you talk to that?

2.)  We were talking about getting new furniture in our living room.  Simply talking about it.  Again... burst into crying.  "You can't get rid of that couch!  Can we put it in the basement?  Can we put it in storage?  I've had that couch since I was born!"

3.)  "You can't take out those bushes!!  They've been here since we moved here!"

4.)  I think the real clincher was tending to a kid who spent 162 out of 180 days of school crying... all so that he could cry on  the last day of school.... because it was over.

I'm just going to start saving my money now for the counseling.  Forget college money.  We need a shrink!

So taking this and a multitude of other incidences that I didn't mention into consideration, I'm not sure why it surprised me when I asked Jackson who he wanted to invite to his birthday party, he would say,  "I don't want a birthday party."

"You don't want a birthday party?"

"NO."

"Not even with just a few friends like Andrew and Drew?  We could go to Chucky Cheese?"

"No."

Ok.

So, the night before his birthday he said, "Can we go to Chucky Cheese tomorrow for my birthday?"

"Sure buddy!  Do you want me to call and see if Andrew can come?"

"No.  Can I invite Mr. Jim and Miss Kris and Janae's family?"

For real?

I get wanting to invite Janae's family.  We spend a lot of time with them... they have two girls and no boy...but I totally get why he would want them.

Kris helps with our ministry and her husband is the OBGYN who put stitched up his eye on Christmas Eve. (Click here for that story.)  They have an 18 year old son and a 14 year old daughter.

Ok... so...

Let me just recap this for you... my almost 7 year old son wanted to invite my friend and an OBGYN and his wife to his birthday party at Chucky Cheese.

Would you know how to deal with him?

Kris and Jim couldn't come (Big surprise).  Jackson celebrated his 7th birthday with his family, Sue (our exchange student from South Korea) and Janae, Michael, and their sweet girls.  

When it's your birthday, you can do what you want... I suppose.

I wish someone could explain to me the peace/V sign from the Asian culture.  I just don't get it!

WOW!  Now that's a face!

I'm not sure what was going on with the icing at this party.

I'm gonna go with Janae was copying off Emme and not visa versa.

Happy 7th Birthday Buddy!  Quirks and all I think you are about the coolest boy ever!  You wear me out but you are a blast to watch!  I can't believe I get to be your mom!

Do 3rd graders....?

If there were 180 days of school this year, Jackson cried before 162 of them.  

He's had a whole 3 days off now, so we decided to send him to Bible school tonight.  

Yeah, that pretty much went over like a lead balloon.  But, guess what?  He doesn't make the decisions in this house (all the time), so he went.

We did give into his pleas and we said he could go into the same class as his sister, Gracie.  

While I was registering them, that seemed like it was going  to be a bit of a problem.  But, after checking with some of the "powers that be", they consented to a 1st grader going into the 3rd grade class.  As the lady was finishing the paper work, I got my serious face on.  I am pretty sure I even pointed my finger at him and I said, "I'm telling you what buddy... you better act like a 3rd grader."

He looked back at me very intently and gently nodded his head in agreement.  The wheels were spinning and with a very serious look on his face and a very serious tone of voice he said, "Do third graders fart?"

"Because what if I have to?"

I thought I was going to die!