Painting & Pointless Trips to the Mall....

What a title!!! LOL I couldn't think of anything else to call my assortment of stories. This morning after I dropped Noah off, I went to Different Strokes to meet some of the neighborhood gals. They have a coffee get together every Friday morning and one of them had suggested we paint coffee mugs. I got there late which as a newbie, I should have known better. It is always best to arrive on time when you don't know everyone. It was kind of awkward when I walked in and they were already all painting and chatting. Let me clarify that they are all extremely NICE, it is just me who feels like the outsider. I have to kind of sense my way around the group and know exactly when to talk and when to just shut up and listen. Does anyone understand that awkward feeling of being the new kid on the block??? Somehow, I managed to paint a decent mug. I chose to do some sort of glaze thing that is very simple. I hope it turns out ok. There were a couple of times where I said things and then wondered if people thought I was an idiot!!! I HATE THAT FEELING!!! I just don't know them well enough yet! To make matters worse, the one I am closest to did not show up. Oh well, I survived and I should have a cute mug to show for it!!!

After the painting party, I ran to the mall. I have been out of my hairspray for almost two weeks and the only reason I went to the mall was so I could go to Trade Secret. Well wouldn't you know it, their debit card system was down and of course I DIDN'T have my checkbook. I tried to go get cash out at the ATM machine nearby, but they were down as well. I left without my hair products and trying not to throw a mini temper-tantrum!!! Somedays are good, somedays are great, and some like today you just shrug your shoulders and thank the Lord for a house you can retreat to! ;)

Did someone declare it "whiney day"?

Seriously!!! All 3 of my children woke up with a bad case of it! The twins were incredibly hard to pull out of bed...yes I said PULL!!! Then they complained about what we had to eat, complained and whined about their clothes, whined about how tired they were, etc. Noah whined because I couldn't "hold" him. He did this while I was driving and I tried to explain to him that mommy can't hold him and drive at the same time!!! Then he whined because he said his shoes didn't match his outfit. I don't know whether I should be more upset about the whining or that he was worried about color combinations!!!!! Good grief! No one was happier then I after dropping all of them at their respective schools! I got myself a LARGE at Seattle Drip and ran to the grocery for a few things. Since it is "whiney day", then I will not buck the trend. My whine is this: why are organic and "healthy" foods so darn expensive??? why does Brookshires *insist* on taking your groceries (even if you only have 3 things) to the car for you???, and why do big large vans always seem to park next to me and make it incredibly hard to pull out??? OK, done.....now back to regular Wednesday. I declare "whiney day" officially over! ;)

My House: The Keeping Room

Here in the South, all of the new houses have what is called a "keeping room". It is basically a room connected to the kitchen with a fireplace and a space for your tv and sitting area. It is one of those "all purpose" rooms where you do alot of "living". I had a keeping room at my home in LA, but we didn't use it very much as there was no tv and it was a different layout. In my new home, this is one of the things that I love the most. We really do spend alot of time in the kitchen and the kids are eating their snack at the table, etc. They can see the tv and if I am cooking, we are all together! It is so nice to have this space. I just got my bamboo blinds installed last week. I get them in every house it seems and I just LOVE them. This room is basically finished. I would like to eventually get a rug and a really cool painting of the kids to put on one of the bare walls. Of course, I can't do that right now, so this will have to do!!! Click on the pic to see it larger! NOTE: ** I think the small boy seated at the table adds a decorative touch...don't you agree?

Thursday already?

Where did my week go? Seriously, it has been so busy around here that I feel out of control. I can't stand that feeling. I never intend to be super busy, but I have a hard time saying no to things. We are gradually getting back into the school groove, but it has been difficult. Noah goes to school everyday and while I LOVE the 3 hrs every morning, I feel like I live in my car. I have some *potential* plans to start teaching dance again but I will post about that when all the details are worked out. I took a few pictures of a room in my house that is near completion ( every other room has something left that needs to be hung or is lacking decor,furniture, etc). I will try to post today! HAVE A BLESSED THURSDAY!

Weekend Fun...

I am alone in my house so I thought I would blog! This week just flew by! It seems like I say that alot now! It is shaping up to be a nice weekend, but a busy one. Last night was an evening my girls have been looking forward to. Can you guess what it was? They have been counting the days until the debut of 'High School Musical 2'. We were invited across the street to a HSM party! Apparently, the whole neighborhood decided to come too. I was quite impressed that my new friend S had this at her home. It was packed with kids running everywhere, popcorn all over the floor, and lots of great food! We had a really fun time and I am starting to feel like I know more of my neighbors now. This morning the twins had their first soccer practice of the season. Dad took them so I will be anxious to hear about it when they return. This afternoon, they are headed to a pool party at one of their friends homes. I am going to take them to that and it will be fun to visit with some of the other moms. Tonight, we have a sitter coming and are going to meet some friends for dinner. Tomorrow will be church and hopefully some REST! Greg is headed out on Monday for a week to go to a meeting in CA! It would happen to be a week when I have school functions on two of those nights! Oh well, we will manage. I hope all my friends and family enjoy a nice and relaxing weekend! :)

Look who is in Pre-school.......

Today, my little boy started pre-school. He is going to go 5 days a week in the mornings and then starting in September he will go until 2 on Wednesdays. He had a wonderful first day and is now exhausted! Noah was the teachers helper today and he also sustained a small *injury* to his hand that required a bandaid ( by that I mean a small scrape). Apparently, he and his new buddy Jake were ramming their trucks too hard. All in all, a great first day. What did Mommy do with 3 hrs to herself? Well she went to Walmart alone and then enjoyed some quiet time at home. Can't wait for tomorrow! ;)


THEN...


NOW....

*** If you want a laugh, remember this post....

http://andrea-livingalegacy.blogspot.com/2007/02/i-said-i-wouldnt-do-it-but.html

Pass the Ibuprofen please...

Shopping with two almost 10 year olds is not fun. I don't know why I told myself that it would be. Saturday afternoon, we left the house on a mission....or so I thought. I told the girls that we were looking for long shorts, not toys! HA HA! I was the one in the crowded store doing a juggling act with all of the outfits. The twins were the ones casually browsing through all of the *cool* accessories, "high school musical" stuff, and Webkins! I tried to keep my calm, but I just don't do well in crowds. I think I blogged about that once!!! It took an act of congress to get them to try things on and we had major disagreements on what was cute and what wasn't. They certainly did not like most of the tops that I thought were cute! To say that they are picky would be an understatement. FINALLY, we made our selections and then stood in line to check out. After they picked me up off of the floor ( that would be due to the total, that I still don't understand), we left the store. How can four little outfits cost that much money??? They said "thanks mom" and I told them that I think I will stick to shopping for them on my own. I honestly don't mind having to return things 5 times, IF it means I get to shop in peace!!! REALLY!!!!!! ;)

First Day of 4th Grade........

Today is the day! The girls woke up with no problem and they were both a combination of nerves and excitement. They ate a little of the special breakfast I had made, brushed their teeth, made their beds, and posed for the obligatory pictures! They picked out their own "messenger bags" and also exactly what they wanted monogrammed. Meredith just wanted her initials and Madeline wanted her full name. I can't wait to pick them up this afternoon and hear all about their day!

Meet the Teacher...

I don't know how it happened, but I now have two fourth graders! I also don't know how my summer flew by so quickly, but it did. The girls and I were talking tonight over dinner and we went back over all of the wonderful things that we did this summer. Here is a brief recap:
~ Two week trip to Sue-Sues which included a beach trip. They had so much fun!
~ They attended an awesome VBS at the big Baptist church that we do alot of our activites
~ The next week they attended the same churches sports camps...Madeline did cheerleading and Meredith did Basketball
~ We had a wonderful family beach trip to Gulf Shores. We enjoyed lazy days by the beach and pool!
~ They went on their very first overnight camp experience. They attended Twin Lakes for an entire week and had a blast! They can't wait to go back next year.
~ They went to VBS with a neigborhood friend! FUN!
~ Last but certainly not least, we moved and they have been having a blast playing with all of their new friends.

As you can see, we had a fabulous summer. The classroom is calling again though and it is time to start studying those multiplication and division facts....eek! Homework, spelling words, carpools, and the soccer field are about to be on the agenda. I am ready ( I think)! This afternoon we went to the school 'Meet the Teacher' night. Madeline and Meredith are in different classes and each one has at least 3 friends in their room. Madeline is even in the same class as our new next door neighbor. I think it is going to be a FABULOUS year. I felt such a sense of peace being back at this school. So, get ready everyone for those first day of school pictures. It is time for me to blow the dust off my camera that I have been neglecting for the longest time. My little girls are not so little anymore. They are about to embark on a year full of adventure and fun! I am praying that they will learn and grow not just intellectually, but they will cultivate sweet and compassionate spirits and be a shining light in their respective classes!!! HAPPY BACK TO SCHOOL everyone! :)

Back to Blogging....

Whew!!! I need to catch my breath! What a busy past few weeks! We are gradually getting settled into the new house! We LOVE it! One of my friends said this and I totally agree...."it looks like you custom built it"! It really does, BUT we didn't have to go through the crazy building process. I tell you, when I look back at the 10 months that I fretted and waited rather impatiently, I can see how God's hand was on this situation. This home is just perfect for us and can I tell you how blessed we are to be in this neighborhood? Let's see, I think at least seven different people have come over to greet us. Friday night, we were invited over to our next door neighbors for dinner. They grilled out and made us some frozen drinks! It was heavenly after a busy week. The best part is that they are wonderful Godly people and just as sweet and down to earth as can be. I have also been invited to a weekly ladies coffee. All of the stay at home moms get together once a week at different houses to visit. I am so excited about that. Madeline and Meredith are surrounded by friends to play with. Across the street and next door are fourth graders....and they are GIRLS!!! Hooray! Gradually, I am seeing an end to the boxes. We still have a long way to go, but it is starting to feel like home. Unfortunately, I had a minor accident last week and either broke or jammed my toe. It is quite stiff and very difficult to walk around with! I pretty much hobble around lugging boxes and junk out to the garage. Of course, there are three steps that lead down to the garage so this is no easy feat! Oh well, that is life, & I am not complaining. I feel too blessed to do that! I hope all of my family and friends are off to a great start with their week! :) I look forward to posting on a more regular basis!