Wordless Wednesday

Something to Think About

Today I stumbled across this site. I knew that I was blessed with the things I have in my life, clean drinking water, food to eat, a roof over my head, and I could go on and on. This site really put our lives into perspective. Visit and then count your blessings and let me know what you think.

Monday Morning Mirth

Watch What You Eat

For those of you who watch what you eat... here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting medical studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.
3. The Japanese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans
4. The Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

Thanks Tank Thursday

Wow, another week is almost over. With all the activities the kids, Matt and I are doing the week really seems to just fly by. This week has been filled with many things and happenings that have made me thankful. So on that note I will start filling up the Thanks Tank.

1. Beautiful weather has made me especailly thankful this week. The kids and I have all made the most of the beautiful weather by spending as much time outside as we could. It has also lifted my spirits. It's amazing how sunny weather can brighten your outlook on life.
2. Getting to my outside chores has been a wonderful relief and one that has made me feel lighter. I have managed to paint most of the wrought iron furniture that needed it, restain the swing set, weed my flower beds, and pruned the shrubs in the front yard. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done around the house but I am so glad I have made a small dent in the ever growing list of thins to do.
3. BUNCO with newcomers is always a wonderful opportunity to get together and just chill with other women. This month the hostess' house was within the neighborhood. It was really nice to get out of the house for a bit.
4. The Prospect of a new BUNCO group as a way to get closer with the women in our MOPS group dropped in my lap after hosting our last game night here. We had several women who were interested in getting together monthly. This week we passed around a list to see who might be interested in a monthly Game night/BUNCO. We had 24 women sign up. This is something I am thankful for because it really gives us a chance to get to know each other better and to make new friends in a more relaxed social setting.

5. Gabriel taking time out to read. This week I have "caught" Gabriel reading on his own accord several times. He is beginning to love to read and I love hearing him do it! Now if he would only develop a love for writting. ; )

6. Play time. I have really enjoyed play time this week with the kids. I have felt more relaxed this week and have allowed myself to enjoy just playing with my kids. I have ignored that call to clean the house or to do laundry and just enjoyed my kids.

7. Dad's Surgery going well. I am thankful that the removal of the screw from dad's pelvic bone went well. It seems that that was all that was need to get rid of the shooting pains down his leg that he has been contending with since September.

8. The things kids say. Do I really need to say more?

9. Rocking My Baby. Tonight as I put Elizabeth to bed she let me rock her. It is really specail because even as an older infant she was never much of a rocker. She went to bed especaillyearly tonight because of no nap today. Her choice, not mine.

I hope you take the time to be thankful for something today. If you have a blog and post a thanks tank let me know I would love to read yours. Have a Blessed and Wonderful day.

Wordless Wednesday

Monday Morning Mirth

Foul Mouthed Parrot

A young man named Wally received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of this bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. Wally tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by constantly saying polite words, playing soft music, and anything he could think of to set a good example. Nothing worked. Finally, Wally got fed up and he yelled at the parrot. And, the bird yelled back. Wally shook the parrot, and the bird got angrier and ruder. Finally, in a moment of desperation, Wally put the bird in his brand new, and freshly stocked, refrigerator freezer. For a few minutes, Wally heard the bird squawk and kick and scream... then suddenly there was quiet. Not a peep for over a minute. Fearing that he'd hurt the bird, Wally quickly opened the door to the freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto Wally's outstretched arm and said, "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I am truly sorry, and I will do everything to correct my poor behaviour." Wally was astonished at the bird's change of attitude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behaviour, the bird continued, "May I ask what the chicken did?"

The Daffodil Principle

This morning I stumbled onto this story about a grandmother who kept putting off a trip to see the daffodils here daughter kept telling her she had to come see. She finally made the two hour drive in the fog and rain and still didn't want to get back in the car to go see the daffodils. Her daughter insisted and took her anyway and the mom was glad she did. Click on this link and read her story and enjoy the beautiful pictures of this daffodil garden.


"The best time to plant a tree was 35 years ago. The second-best time is today."

Thursday Thanks Tank

Today's Thursday Thanks Tank is going to be a little different. Today I want to express the thankfulness I have for my husband, Matt. It's funny how different Matt and I are but how well we get along, at least most of the time. Matt and I in many aspects are opposites of each other. Examples of this are: Matt likes Heavy Metal and I like country. Matt is a night owl and I am a morning person. I like really hot showers and Matt likes cool ones. I like things to be picked up and put away and this doesn't seem to bother Matt, unless it's really bad. Matt is definately more fiscally focused while I am not. I am optimistic and Matt is pessimistic. But despite thses differences we have learned how to get along with one another. We have also learned to respect or accept that we will not always agree with each other and have learned to work that out.
Early in our marriage we had to learn how to work as a team, fight together, make up and just plain live with one another. Our first year of marriage to be quite honest was rocky. I have often said that I was glad that we didn't get pregnant until later since we had to learn all of this first. I think that because we were able to learn all of these lessons together we have made our marriage that much stronger. We still fight and we still have our differences but we have learned how to fight and how to work out those differences, and then how to make up. I think that one of the most important things we learned is to respect one another by not airing our dirty laundry to others, especially family. We do sometimes find the need to vent and do so but try to do it in a respectful way. We have also learned how to help each other and not always ourselves which is very important. All the little things we do for each other are not always recognized but we do them all the same.
Lately Matt has been so busy with work and school that he has had little time for himself much less his family. I think we are all counting down the days to his graduation. Despite his lack of time he is finding as many opportunities as possible to spend with us. He is setting aside time to not only spend fun time with us but to help out with menial jobs like cleaning the kitchen, bathing the kids, reading stories, tucking in children, picking up around the house, mowing and an abudance of other household chores I generally try to take on myself. He also trys to make a point of being home for dinner every night, which I find extremely important. I am so thankful for his willingness to help me in all these ways. I am also thankful for his willingness to watch the kids so that I can attend my monthly BUNCO games or Mom's Night Out nights. He understands that these nights are not only fun nights for me but also nights I need to maintain my sanity. Matt is such a wonderful, generous, loving and kind man. I am so thankful that God put such a man in my path to marry and spend my life with. I'm not sure what I would do with out him.

Wordless Wednesday

Getting to Know You (I mean Me)

I hope this might give you so additional insight as to who I am. I got this from Jane Anne over at Gravity of Motion. If you have a blog and post this on yours I would love to read your just leave me a comment and let me know where you are.


Have You Ever:-Gone on a blind date: Yes, and it wasn't much fun.
Skipped school: Yes, once in high school and lots in college, mainly b/c of Matt.
Watched someone die: No.
Been to Canada: No.
Been to Mexico: No.
Been to Florida: Yes. Almost every summer when we were younger. Going this year with my parents, sister's family and possibly my brothers, depends on wether they make it back from Japan in time.
Been on a plane: Yes, but only on three different trips. Once to Tampa, Orlando and then Japan.
Been lost: Yes.
Been on the opposite side of the country From where you live: Yes, if you count a layover in Texas on my way to Japan.
Been to the capital of your country: Yes. But only once. Matt's brother lives there and we plan on visiting them soon.
Swam in the ocean or waded: Yes. I love the ocean. Just don't read any shark books if you are going to swim in the ocean.
Cried yourself to sleep: Yes.
Played cops and robbers: Yes. As a child and I am sure as a mom.
Recently colored with crayons: Yes. I'm a mom we color a lot.
Sang Karaoke: No.
Paid for a meal with coins only? Yes.
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? Yes. Mainly things my parents or other parents I know did and I said I would never do that and then found myself doing it as a parent myself.
Made prank phone calls: No.
Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose: Yes. Just ask Matt. He has ways of making me laugh.
Caught a snowflake on your tongue: Yes! I love snow! I think I did this the last time it snowed.
Danced in the rain: Yes. I even have several different pictures of the kids doing this over the years. This is one of my kids favorite things to do. Everytime it rains they want to dance in the rain.
Written a letter to Santa Claus: Yes.
Been kissed under the mistletoe: Yes.
Watched the sunrise with someone you care about: Yes. My mom and I often do this when we are at the beach together. Matt is not a morning person so I doubt I'll ever do this with him unless it's because we stayed up all night together.
Blown bubbles: Yes! I was blowing bubbles with Elizabeth just yesterday. Though I don't think the kids enjoy it as much as I do.
Gone ice-skating: Yes! In Gatlinburg with my church youth group as a teen.
Been skinny dipping outdoors: Yes. And got caught. But not ever with Matt.
Been out of North America: Yes. But only to Japan.
Been in detention: No.
Regretted something you blogged: No. I am who I am.

Hand Me Downs

It's always nice to have hand me downs, at least from my perspective. It helps us to save some money, but I do have to say it does not help to save time me time. Going through the clothes, washing them, folding them, and putting them away take a lot of time. Last night I went through the hand me downs from my sister's daughter Karoline for Abby, the hand me downs from both Abby and Karoline for Elizabeth and then also went through the clothes of Karoline, Abby and Elizabeth for our new niece Rexi. It's amazing how stains can appear on clothing while in storage, thank goodness for meat tenderizer and shout with Resolve. Now everyone is clothed for Spring, that is if it ever gets warm. Now I have to finish assessing what Abby and Elizabeth need. Cover your eyes Matt. I really want to go shopping, even if I'm not buying anything for me.

Monday Morning Mirth

Laundry is my least favorite chore followed by cleaning the bathrooms. It seems like someone else agrees with me on laundry being the least favorite chore, check out the Poll to the right of your screen and vote if you haven't already done so. Baby Blues one of my favorite comic strips. They hit the nail on the head with this one, at least my washer and I agree.

Easter In Chattanooga

Gabriel and Abby loved looking and finding their Easter baskets and the goodies inside. They both got books to read, Moon Sand, bubbles, and assorted candies and gum.

Below my parent's house is a creek. I have many fond memories of playing at the creek. I had climbed out on this fallen tree and Gabriel and Abby decided to join me. This is the same part of the creek that Abby fell into one winter, I think 2 years ago. Matt was extremely nervous once again because I was doing something he thought was crazy with his kids.

This is a group picture of all the cousins, grandparents and sons and daughter in laws, it's funny that none of us kids made it into that picture. I guess we will have to try again next time we are all together. This was taken right before we headed to the creek on an egg hunt. Even Chance the dog found and picked up an egg on this trip.

Elizabeth is enjoying all the goodies in her Easter basket from my parents.

This is all the cousins playing on the swing set together. It is really a lot of fun to watch the dynamics of whom will be playing with whom from hour to hour. The older two are really pretty good about watching out for Elizabeth when she joins them on the swing set.

Our Little Vacation Into the Smokies

During our visit to Tennessee we decided to take a impromptu vacation to the Smokies. We drove up one morning got a hotel and then drove to Chattanooga late the next morning. We both commented that we needed to visit the Smokies more often. We had a great time on the walking trails, visit the Sugarlands visitor center, and driving up to Newfound Gap and the picnic area below the Chimneys.

This was our view coming into the park. We took the road that by-passed Gatlinburg. We were going to be staying in Gatlinburg and didn't see the need to drive through it.

Gabriel and Abby posing as airplanes. They had a wonderful time just running and playing on this easy, paved hike. It was a perfect path for us to enjoy. We were able to use the stroller when needed.

Gabriel and Abby love to have their pictures taken. They are often very silly during their pictures. I loved the posing in these pictures. They have so much fun together too. I am glad we have these pictures so they can remember that.

Elizabeth stopping for a pose. Not to be left out Elizabeth insisted on getting out of the stroller so that she could explore too. She enjoyed crawling over rocks. All three kids wanted to play in the water. We will really have to try anothertrip during the summer just so they can do that.

You can't tell from the picture but there is a drop-off behind and to the left of us. Matt thought I was crazy getting the kids to sit on this tree with me. I thought the tree was cool and the kids needed some adventure.

Matt and the kids posing on a lookout just inside the park. The kids really enjoyed looking a Gatlinburg below them. They kept asking where our hotel was down there. The clouds were so thick once we got up to Newfound Gap that we couldn't see anything. We should have realized it especailly with this picture.

This picture of Matt and the kids is one of my favorites from the whole set. This was taken by the creek just off the path we were walking. I hope the kids enjoyed this trip as much as Matt and I did.

Thanks Tank Thursday

After two weeks of no posting I am back with my Thursday Thanks Tank.

1. No Training Wheels: Yesterday we took the training wheels off of Gabriel's bike. We still have a lot of work left to get him riding without us holding on but he is making progress. Though my back certainly protests the practice.

2. Haircuts: Everyone in the family now has new haircuts. Last weekend I had enough of Elizabeth's rat tail, Abby needed a good trim and both Matt and Gabriel were due for their monthly haircuts. I got my haircut before we left for Tennessee for Spring Break. Which by the way I love the cut. Everyone did really well sitting still and cooperating. I didn't even have to hold Elizabeth.

3. New words: Elizabeth is developing new words everyday. I am always surprised with each new word that comes out of her mouth.

4. Nice compliments: Today out of the blue Gabriel gave me a wonderful compliment.

5. Helpful Husband: The last couple of weeks Matt has been such a tremendous help. Not to say he isn't normally but he is doing even more.

6. Green Grass and Warmer Weather: The weather had been getting me down lately. The last couple of day we have had beautiful Spring weather. I have enjoyed being outside without coats or jackets. I also had more energy and my spirits were lifted.

7. Recipes: I am putting together a cookbook for my MOPs group. I have enjoyed everyone's participation and willingness to share some of thier favorite recipes. I am so thankful for new recipes to make for my family.

8. Helpful Abby: I am thankful for the assistance Abby gave me in cleaning my room this week. I have let several things, including the state of my room fall to the wayside. Abby helped me to remedy the unsightlyness of my room.

9. Spring Cleaning: I have been working on my Spring cleaning. I have cleaned out my side of the closet and have several bags waiting to be taken to betaken to Goodwill.

10. Giving up responsibilities: I have enjoyed many positions on several boards this past year. I am currently giving up several of those positions. I am looking forward to less responsibility so I have more time to enjoy the clubs I am involved in and have more time with my children.

11. Vacation Plans: I am purchasing a plane ticket to Atlanta for July. I will be spening part of a week with my mom and sister in Atlanta at Market. I am really looking forward to spending sometime with them without the distractions of my children. Now I just have to get in shape to be able to walk the towers.

So there is my list for the week. I would love to hear what you are thankful for. Let me know.

Easter In Knoxville

In the effort to get caught up with everyone I am going to share three different sets of pictures in the next three days. Here's the first set. These are from our Spring Break/Easter trip to Tennessee.
Gabriel is hunting for the eggshidden in the bushes. He has a really good eye for finding the eggs. The "Easter bunnies", Sarah, Aunt Cathy, and mom hid the eggs high, low, hard and easy. We even had to play hot and cold to find some of them.

Abby is so proud of her haul. She stops hunting long enough to have her picture taken. It wasn't until later that she found the egg on the tree behind her.

Elizabeth caught on really fast to finding the Easter eggs. Sarah is putting another one down for her to find. She needs her basket though since her hands are now full.

Everyone dressed up in their Easter outfits. Everyone looks so nice!

Cousins dying Easter eggs together. In the attempt to avoid stains we removed clothing. Egg dying was an experience with this group. Everyone dropped eggs in colors and then want to remove them. They eventually caught on. Sarah had dyed hands for church the next day.

The group gathered around the table. Eggs are in and children are waiting anxiously to be able to drop in another egg and see what the previous egg looks like.


Matt enjoying a hug with his mom.


Matt and his dad posing for the camera.