Weekday Getaway

Since 2012, our family has experienced a series of stressful and kinda odd medical issues. After a while, the stress builds up and really makes you tired. Even if the medical issues aren't yours, when it's people you love, you still take it on.

This week, mid-week, mom and dad were able to getaway to the mountains for a few nights and just be together. Funny, they spent time updating their will while they were there. But, when your kids of 34, 39, and 43 are still being given a guardian should you pass away...it's probably time to update. Problem is, when do you have time for those discussions? So they made time. I'm so glad they were able to go enjoy themselves mid-week when the crowds were non-existent. 

So because I'm not posting regular, I'm not keeping up with what pics I've already put here. Hopefully, these aren't repeats. 

Mom an Dad got Macy a swingset for their house. An early birthday present. She calls it her playground and absolutely loves it! She's not quite tall enough to get on the swing and seesaw alone, but that a good thing. Maybe she won't outgrow it so fast! 

Mom and Dad in the mountains :)

Sweet Niece AH is home! So glad - she spent most of yesterday at my house. She's so talented. She and Macy painted something for Katie for Mother's Day. Then Aliah painted something for her mom. She did a jam up job and I'll share once they are gifted. :)

So my parents found several old wedding photographs at a yard sale a few years back and bought them for me. They figured I could find something crafty to do with them but I haven't done anything with them yet. Any ideas? 

Ok it's time to get out of this bed and get moving. Church is in a few hours and I need a shower and breakfast. See ya later, alligator! 

Rain Rain, Go Away

We are about to wash away here, it's rained so much! I'm one of those people seriously impacted by the weather and I'm just saying- something has got to give...and soon. We have been under flood warnings and tornado warnings - I'm ready for some sunshine. Not 100 degree temps, just some sun!

Mom said Macy wasn't scared during yesterday's storms, thunder and torrential downpours. Looked up and said, "MawMaw, your flowers are growing!" Haha drowning is more like it but I'm glad she wasn't afraid. 

This was Sunday. Macy gave her froggie rain boots a workout stomping in all the mud puddles. You know I've mentioned how close we all live. Well, I'm at Mom's house and at the end of the driveway, my house is to the left and Katie's is to the right. Yes, I moved three times and never left the driveway. :)

MawMaw and PawPaw have Macy an early birthday present. She calls it her playground and moved her little slide next to the swingset. Then her sandbox had to be moved, too. She was so excited she couldn't stick with just one thing, she would swing, then slide, then glide, the slide, then swing! 

I have a video of her at the top of the slide, she would tell us to cheer for her ad we would. Then she yells, "Louder!!!"  And we would. And when she reached the bottom of the slide she stomped her foot, jumped up and yelled, "Yahoo!!" Hilarious!!!!

Y'all I don't have new pics of AH - she is having a tough time right now. Her grandmother, who she lives beside, has been give months to live. I can't imagine how tough it is on the whole family, but to a 13-year-old, it must be even tougher to grasp and understand. Please pray for her grandmother but for the entire family and medical personnel, too. 

As for me, it's time to get ready for work. Y'all have a great week!! 

Blowing Flowers

I got out of the office today at 5:10- I wanted I rush home and try to see Macy before she went home for the night. I'm so glad I had some time with Mom, Dad, Katie and Macy in the great weather this evening. Macy entertained us with her antics. Hilarious child.

On the way back to our houses, Macy picked "blowing flowers" from the driveway. Her curls were covered in dandelion tufts before it was all over. She cracks me up. 

Katie is still recovering well, so thankful. I know she's looking forward to the summer. Heck, I don't even get a "summer break" and I'm looking forward to school being out. Hopefully things at my office will be calmer by then, too. 

Anyone else out there watching the Voice?? I'm all about Mia Z ... A few others, too. I'd buy that girl's music. Good stuff. I like Blake's entire team pretty good. Any of you have a pick?? 

As I'm sitting here typing this, Mia hasn't made the cuts yet!!! Nail biter! Oh my gosh, I have to go tweet and save this girl. I adore her voice!!! 

Wandered away

Katie did great in surgery - thank you for your prayers. This one was much better than the last one over the summer except the migraine that had her so sick from 10 am - 1 pm before they gave her anything. We are so hopeful things will calm down for them!

Yesterday was my brother-in-law's 40th birthday. He hit it five months before me so I've been giving him a hard time :) here is the cake I made - kinda like an oversized shortcake. It was pretty good. 

A leftover Easter pic of my cousin's son and Macy. Love his expression. He isn't totally sold on hugging his cousin, is he? 

My devotional this morning was about how we sometimes feel God has left us and we think, "God!  Where are you!!" The example they used was of a small child in Walmart. They kept telling him to stay with them and yet something would catch his attention and keeping up with his parents was the last thought on his mind. Finally, the father got out of sight I the son and watched as, once his curiosity over the latest distraction was satisfied, the son realized he was alone. And he freaked, of course. The father reappeared and emphasized again, you must stay with us in the store. Etc etc. 

The example to show us when we feel like God isn't right here with us, it isn't because He has left us, but because we have strayed from His side. Something has caught our attention and distracted us from the path. It's so easy to do, isn't it? To wander off, then look around and wonder what happened. But the whole time, God is there, waiting for us to come back to Him. 

I thought it was such a simple but powerful message. Decided to share. :)

Since I have a meeting about two hours from here today, I should get moving. Y'all have a great weekend and again, thank you for your prayers for my sister an for me. :) 

Where oh where are you tonight?

Do y'all remember Hee Haw? And they'd sing, "Where oh where are you tonight? Why did you leave me here all alone? I searched the world over, I thought I found true love, you met another and *bblllttthhhh* you were gone!"

Sorry, just a little random thought from my head. A friend told me she hadn't seen a blog post from me in forever and she missed it. I would never imagine people would miss these random posts of mine. I'm very flattered. 

So I'll share a few Easter pics first - my heart beats the names of these two girls. 

Ok enough of that. Sorry - I had a great week with them. Took a few days off during their spring break to spend with them. We headed to a children's museum - Edventure- and had a pretty good time. I think they were prepping for summer so some exhibits were closed. Oldest Sweet Niece and I caught Cinderella - a MUST for Downton Abbey fans!!! She loved it and I loved it. 

These kids really do crack me up. 

Baby Sweet Niece went to a birthday party for Ellie Bellie, whose family are huge Clemson fans! The Clemson Tiger Cub made an appearance and he was great. 

So yes, you would think life revolves around these two girls and it sometimes does. But we have other things going on. Like my sister is having some surgery tomorrow, please say a prayer for her. And I have this annoying pain in my left side about all the time. It's achey and not very much fun (imagine!). I've also discovered berry flavored Tums and they are my friend. 

But on a lighter note, I'm currently wrapped up in The Voice - if you are addicted, too, give me a shout out. I have a few favs already. This show is just packed with talent. Seriously. 

Of you read- thank you. I'll do a better job of posting :) sweet dreams, peeps! 

I made a new play friend!

Happy Sunday! I'm not ready to start a new week but here it is, ready or not! I want to share a new scrapbook with you - I haven't scrapped in a while but this was great fun. It will go to a teen girl that bought all this stuff and never did anything with it. She sent it to me because she knew I scrapped. So I turned it into a book for her and will send it back to her. :)

It was a lot of fun to put this together for her. I was home sick with the stomach bug, which I give to my brother, too, (aren't I nice!?) and knocked this out.

My weekend was a rough one. My heart took a few whacks - ok smacked me sideways - and I'm still pretty sad. God has a reason for everything and hopefully it's lessons learned on all sides. 

But then I also had a wonderful time watching Macy on the mall playground making friends. She walks up to a girl, gives her an awkward hug and says, "I love you!"  And they played chase and slide and hop and just had a great time. As she's running by me and mom she yells, "Look y'all! I made a new play friend!!" There were actually two girls - sisters - and when they left Macy cried that her sisters had gone. Hahaha I had to explain they weren't HER sisters :) Too funny! 

Check out the cake I made for my brother and sister in law. White chocolate pound cake. I didn't really get to taste it (stomach bug) but hopefully her coworkers enjoyed the leftovers.

Ok I'm ready to pack this weekend up and put it away. It's bedtime for me. I'm zonked. Sweet dreams friends. :)

Marching Forward

How the heck did we end up in March already?  Heaven help, the time is zipping by and I feel like I'm getting left behind in a daze.

One thing that has me out of it - my health is having weird issues again.  Tummy and chest, scary stuff when you say chest issues.  I'm still trying to pay off the crazy bills from June so I really don't want to go somewhere and have more bills pile up.  I'm trying to stay calm and convince myself it's all tummy related like I was told it was so quit worrying that my chest hurts, too. *sigh* Do you pray? And if so, can you say a prayer for me? Thanks.

I also have an acquaintance - the wife of an old boyfriend (99% of the time I end on good terms, so no hard feelings) - she has some serious health issues with major surgery coming up at the end of the month.  March 23 to be exact.  I told her I believed in God and was sending up prayers for her, her family (they have three kids) and the doctors.  It's really serious stuff, so if you wouldn't mind saying a prayer for them, too, that would be great.  I appreciate it greatly.

I'm so excited - I introduced one of my online friends to one of my real life friend's online store and she loved it! I mean, I love her stuff, but it was so cool to connect someone else to it, too.  You are welcome to visit - she was interested in calligraphy and it just so happens my friend sells calligraphy teaching kits! I know, how perfect!  www.leenmachine.com Go ahead and click it - you know you want to. :)

Have you heard about these people who role play online by stealing other people's photos of their babies and children and such? They make entire role play lives around these photos of kids they don't know.  Seriously, go to twitter or instagram and look for #rpbaby.  Completely terrifies me of having pics of the sweet nieces online.  I'm sure someone thinks that's harmless, but I think it's horrible. Thoughts on this anyone? Because I'm half tempted to just take down the blog and keep my private instagram and private facebook.

On a much happier note, I'm heading to my brother and sister-in-laws for supper tonight and I'm taking Vulture Dip.  Sounds totally gross but it's yummy.  My brother is bonkers for it.  Just so happens I found the exact recipe I use online - here it is.  The blog is called "Food from the Forest" but she has the recipe there if you'd like to try it.  Think spinach, cheese, tomatoes, picante sauce... it's good, trust me.  I'll probably pass on it to play it safe, but I'm glad to bring him something he loves.

Ok, let me go get ready to head for their house.  I'll post cute pics again soon - once I figure out how to easily watermark them before posting. :) Happy Hump Day!