Tag! Great name and great game.

Thank heavens! I have been tagged by Bee at Will Blog for Shoes--(you have got to check out this post of hers.) My bloggin's gone stale and needs a pick-me-up. So here goes.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?
1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts.
2. Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.
3. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog-post containing your own middle name game facts.
4. At the end of your blog-post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

My middle name is RAE. I love this name. It was my Great-Grandpa's, my dad's, mine and now Loulabelle's. I love the way it sounds with a long first name. Janelle Rae. I like it.

R...Raisins are yucky. Give me chocolate or give me death! But don't ever try to sneak an Oatmeal Raisin cookie in on me. P.U.

A...Average. Average height, average weight, average shoe size, average hair length, average grade point. Average. The only thing above average about me is the way God loves me.

E..."Ever After" is my favorite movie.

Girls, join in if your bloggin is stale and you need some fun! I would love to know your middle names. Consider yourself TAGGED.

It was easy!

Jumped on the bling bandwagon.

Thanks, Alana and Dawn and Melissa!

Mission Impossible

My mission: Wash Loulabelle's blankie.
Level of difficulty: Hard to Why-do-I-even-bother-to-get-out-of-bed Hard.

Loulabelle is a closet blankie lover. She is not one to carry her blankie to many places. Most of you probably have never seen "blankie". She is content to keep it at home or in the car. But try and wash it and you have yourself WW3.

I know I am not alone in this.

I couldn't take it anymore. It was FILTHY...beyond filthy. I had to do something. Today was the day. The only hard thing was stealing it away from her unnoticed.

My first approach was to tell her the truth about her blankie and it's lack of hygiene. The minute I said washing machine, Lou produced enough tears to actually give the blanket a good soaking.

Oh, the drama!

But alas, my resolve was stronger than her resistance. I will wash the blankie which has started to mildew from the flood of tears and spit and snot. Forget the truth, I am going for the bribe.

TV for blankie..."NO!"
Play a game with mommy while blankie has a bath...."My BLANKIE!"
Go for a walk..."NO, NO, NO!"
All the M&M's you can eat...."Can I still have M&Ms if you don't wash blankie?"
Paint your toenails..."BLLLLAAAAANNNNKKKKIIIIIIIEEEEEEE!"

Well, bribing did not work. She is one tough negotiator, meaning she never negotiates. But I am still smarter and more determined than ever. This blanket will get clean. TODAY.

Time for school pickup and she starts to load the car with none other than blankie. She makes one last addition of 3 bears, 2 babies and Candy Land to take with us for the 10 minute drive. As she hauled half her bedroom into the car, I ever so slyly tucked blankie into my purse. Buckled her in, took purse inside and dumped the blasted blankie in the washer. HA!!

Mission accomplished.

------------------------------------------

"Moooommmmmm? Where's blankie?"

"Oops, I guess we forgot it!" I say smugly as I eat all the M&Ms I want!

A week in review, and yes there will be a test at the end.

I am actually sitting. For what seems like the first time since Z started school. It is nice. I have my feet propped up and the computer comfortably positioned on my lap. I have forgotten what this feels like. I just sent Z out the door with my carpooling buddy. If you haven't heard me say this before...carpooling is a beautiful thing.

Anyway, this may turn out to be the longest post ever since all I can think of is the whirlwind week we have had. I thought I would do a review of our highlights. People. It would not hurt my feelings one bit, if you left me now. Unread. Honestly.

Thursday was the start of school. My body is getting acclimated to the early to rise, early to bed rule. I am not a morning person. Neither is my son. Needless to say, I have to wake him up 15 minutes early just so he can lay on the bathroom floor. It is sloooowwww going in the morning. But so far, his attitude has been very cheery. I can handle slow with a smile. He is loving school, although I hear about that through the grapevine. Z tends to be tight-lipped when it comes to, well, everything. That is another reason I love carpooling. He will giggle and tell his friends all about recess, or music, or PE. I feel like a spy as I listen to the backseat. It is very tricky driving with one ear 3 feet behind me. Believe me.

Friday after school, Z had a birthday party/sleepover for a great friend of his. Since his friends have great parents, Skip and I stayed for most of the party. The boys, most of them 2nd graders, had a blast playing video games, air hockey, basketball, baseball, wrestling, Guitar Hero. Really it was a dream come true for the male species. Food, technology, and a chance to show of their "muscles". What more could you ask for? While the boys and dads played, the moms had a great time talking. It was a great night!

Saturday was a great family day. We relaxed and played together. It was one of those magical days with the kids. They actually played TOGETHER all day with little fighting. Rare, but oh so good. Later that evening we had a family birthday party for our nephew. One thing is true about boys, no matter the age they love the same things. Food. technology and a chance to show off their muscles.

Sunday, we scrubbed up the kids and headed to church. After church, the kids went to their cousins' house and Skip and I headed to the lake to meet our Supper Club. Every summer we rent a pontoon for 4 hours without kids. It is amazing what 12 adults are like without their little people. The talking, the giggling, the vegging, the junk food snacking. I think all of us needed a breather after the hectic first days of school. The time went by quickly but left me feeling refreshed. Ready to start another week.

That just about sums up my last several days. For those of you that stuck around to read this, I give you an A just for being a good friend.

Now run along and go read a better blog!

Thursday 13...School Edition

13 Things about the 1st Day of 1st Grade

written by Z-Man

1. I wore a nice shirt.

2. I put my school supplies in my cubbie and my desk.

3. I fell and hurt my knee. (ahhhh...sad face from mom!)

4. We had music class.

5. My teacher looks like she is about in her twenties. (she is precious!)

6. I played with J and B at recess.

7. I sat by A at lunch.

8. We had a visit from our new counselor...Miss Bee.

9. I did worksheets...monster ones.

10. I don't like that lunch is so short.

11. I just ate a couple of grapes and my M&Ms.

12. My least favorite thing was sitting.

13. My favorite thing was my locker...number 60.

Well, looks like I was worried for nuthin! We are off to a good start.

Wrestling

For the last few weeks I have been a nervous wreck waiting to hear who Z's teacher is. I wrestled with God for days on end. Literally beating a dead horse. My biggest struggle is trusting God with my kids. I give them to Him, but I take them right back. Whatever the circumstance is. Give, take. Give, take. When will I trust with my whole heart that His will is better than mine? When will I release them completely without hesitation? Here is proof of His faithfulness.

Father, I am so nervous for Z in 1st grade. I pray for a kind and compassionate teacher. I pray for friends in his classroom, I pray for an easy transition. I pray that his heart and mind will open for learning. I pray that he will be motivated and willing to do the work. Father, I am anxious for this year.

Do not be anxious about anything.

I don't know what I am nervous about. But I have heard that this could be a hard year. Oh, how I pray that his teacher will love him and encourage him to be his best. Lord, I am nervous to find out who she is. Father, hand pick his classroom for him. Please.

I have it all under control. Trust Me.

Trust? I do trust You. I think. But do You know what he needs? Do You know how shy and sensitive he is? Will you pick his teacher based on that?

I know every hair on his head. He is fearfully and wonderfully made.

You are right, Lord. You created him to be the boy he is. I just don't want him to struggle.

Peace.

Peace? Why don't I feel peace? All I feel is worry and anxiety. Is Your peace really there?

My peace surpasses all understanding. It will guard your heart and mind. Take it, daughter.

OK, Lord. I will chose to trust You. I know You will take good care of us. I know that You have Z in the palm of Your hand. I just don't want him to struggle.

Tribulation brings perseverance. And perseverance, proven character. And proven character, hope. And hope does not disappoint.

Lord, you are right. I do want him to develop all of that. I do want him to become stronger. I don't want him to be too comfortable so that he never grows. He will have to face challenges. He will struggle. He will fail and face heartache. Oh, will I be able to take it?

Be strong and courageous. I am with you wherever you go.

Oh, Father! I can't believe how You provided for us. You did listen. You did hear my cry. Thank You, Lord. I am in awe. Not only did you provide a sweet teacher, but You also gave Z some friends. Thank You for Your favor. You are good. I am sorry that I didn't trust You. I am sorry that I couldn't release Z into Your waiting hands. I am sorry that I got in Your way. Please forgive me. I have so much to learn.

For I know the plans that I have for you. Plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find ME when you search for Me with all your heart.

Thank you, Father.

Manic Monday

Apparently I don't say this enough.

If you read my last post about the battle over snack foods, then you saw my struggle with having to tell my kids NO all day. Sometimes I feel like a big meanie. I wonder what they think of me. But that is a whole nuther blog post, I am sure!

So today in the car, Loulabelle asked if she could take off her shoes. I said YES.

Apparently it was the YES heard round the world, because my kids were shocked.

"Yes? Mom, did you say YES?"

Hmmmmm...maybe I should say it more.

I can't wait to be a grandma

Because I will never have to say the word "NO."

I have found myself in a battle of epic proportions. The battle of the snack food.

Today we had plans to swim with some of our friends. Before going to the swimming hole, we decided to get lunch. My hope was that a full belly would delay the snacking at the pool. Usually a fool-safe plan, but today my kids decided not to eat lunch. Here is a snippet (albeit onesided) of our conversation at the local burger joint prior to swimming as said to both children.

"Please eat your lunch."
"I said eat your lunch."
"Eat your food and stop playing."
"Stop playing and eat your food."
"If you don't eat your food, there will be no snacks at the pool."
"Are you throwing your food away?"
"If you are done, that's OK. But there will be NO snacks at the pool."
"Is that your decision? To throw your food away?"
"OK, but do you understand that there will be NO snacks purchased at the pool?"
"Do you understand me?"

They said they understood the no snack policy, but in reality they were hoping that I had forgotten that the policy was put in place. We did make it a whole 2 hours before the battle begun. Once it started, it was ugly.

Pick your battles. Choose them wisely. Once you start something, hold your ground. There is no turning back.

"Can I have a snack?"

"No, you may not have a snack. Remember the lunch you threw away? Remember that I said if you don't eat your food there will be no snacking at the pool?"

"Iwannasnack."

"I am sorry. There is no snack."

"I'm really hungry."

"You should have eaten your lunch."

"IWANNASNACK real bad!"

"The answer is no."

"Moooommmmmmmm. Iwannnasnack."

"Go play or we are leaving."

Well, the battle was won. In overtime. By me. It drug on for hours. Both kids held their own. In the end....I hope they learned a lesson.

But I am too worn out to tell you what that lesson is.

Fragrant Aroma

A log cabin in the midst of a beautiful forest. A wraparound front porch with swings and rocking chairs. A place for gathering and celebrating. An imperfect church for imperfect people. My favorite place in the whole world.

There are so many reasons why I deeply love our church. One of them is that we are not like the majority. We are not stained glass and fancy clothes. We are not ritualistic and legalistic. We are not organ music and stuffiness. We are real people loving a real Savior dealing with real life. We are imperfect.

I never realized what having a personal relationship with Jesus was about until I stepped through those doors. Our pastor is a teacher. He makes God's Word come alive and teaches us how to apply the scriptures in a life-changing way. For me, our church is intimate and comfortable like a good pair of shoes. It is our home.

Last night we gathered together for a prayer service. The lights were off. Candles and oil lamps lit up our beautiful sanctuary. Walking in the room, an immediate sense of peace rushed in to greet me. All around I saw people kneeling and praying and crying and worshipping. It was beautiful. I found my place on the floor,and spent an hour in His presence.

I imagined all of our prayers drifting to heaven and God being honored. In a world that doesn't honor Him, I know in that moment He was soaking up our prayers and smelling the fragrant aroma.

As I sat there last night, I realized that there is nowhere else I would raise my children. I want them to know what a personal relationship is all about. I want them to feel what we did last night. I want them to love the Lord with all their hearts. I want them to feel safe when they walk through those doors. I want them to know that we are imperfect and in need of a perfect Savior. I want them to have a passion for the Bible.

The good news is that God wants that for them as well.

The big question?

I am finally coming out of the fog from the worst headaches in the history of the world.

Maybe I am being a tad dramatic. I woke up this morning free from the throbbing pain I have known for the last week. Oh yeah, I am doing the happy dance.

My big question....

Is it possible to lose the bloggy feeling? It has been days since I thought of something interesting to write about. In the past, I have been able to think of several topics per day that I would love to pen. And the worst of it is, I haven't even wanted to read any blogs.

FOR SHAME!

Maybe the head squeezing pain has altered my state of blogginess. I hope so!

Please remove my head from the vice!

This has been a week of headaches. Not the manage-with-drug kind, but the full-blown-knock- me-upside-the-head-with-a-frying-pan kind.

I don't know if it is the heat. The sun. Or that I have stopped drinking caffeine. Probably all the above.

Whatever the reason, it is bringing me down. I don't feel "myself", I feel blah and super crabby. I have snapped at my husband, my kids, my dog, the lifeguard at the pool. Everyone is on my hit list.

But seriously, the lifeguard probably deserved it. One of the qualities I look for in a possible life or death situation is the ability to see. Call me picky, but I like my lifeguards to have their hair out of their eyes so they can actually see my child, or the pool, or anything further away than an inch. Maybe my standards are just set too high.

Somebody please make it stop hurting! WAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH.

Deep Dark Confession

I have a confession to make. One that might send a few of my friends into severe anxiety. I am not a shopper. I have lost my love for shopping. There I said it.

Jen, are you OK? Sarah?

There was a time (Before Kids) that I loved to leisurely stroll from store to store and buy the cutest clothes for Skip and I. There was a time when shopping for my house was a dream come true. The most perfect day would have been antiquing at a variety of favorite flea markets then coming home to decorate with my new finds.

I really don't know what happened to me. I still like to be cute. I still love beautiful home goodies. I still love children's clothes and shoes. But I don't love the process. Maybe it's Skip's mantra that he has drilled into my head the past 11 years. "Good bye. I love you. Don't spend any money."

His idea of a "budget" must be paying off because I just spent a lovely day in local BIG city (ha!) and my idea of a good find was my library book. There was not one thing I wanted to buy at the beautiful home store. There was not one clothing store that I HAD to go to. Even when I do, I hear him in the back of my head saying "DON'T SPEND ANY MONEY."

What has happened to me?

I guess the genetic gene pool in which we created our children holds the same shopping aversion. Yesterday I was taking Z to buy school supplies. By the second store, he informed me that he was getting "store sick". I begged him to tough it out because it was stuff for HIM. He told me that I had 10 minutes.

Don't think I didn't fast forward his life in 40 plus years. He will be the grumpy husband sitting outside the store waiting impatiently for his wife. Because he will be "store sick".

What is the cure? I really don't want to be "store sick" the rest of my life. I guess in the meantime I will be sitting here NOT SPENDING ANY MONEY and wearing my clothes from the Y2K collection.

Cry Me a River

Attention all mommies sending their kids off to school for the first or 11th time:

This book, The Kissing Hand is a must read.

I can't read the following words without shedding a tear and wondering how I will manage my time apart from my kids this school year.

Mrs. Raccoon smiled. "Now," she told Chester, "whenever you feel lonely and need a little loving from home, just press your hand to your cheek and think, 'Mommy loves you. Mommy loves you.' And that very kiss (the one she pressed into the palm of his hand) will jump to your face and fill you with toasty warm thoughts."

I felt so safe last year sending Z to Kindergarten. I knew he would be safe in the environment that I taught in. I knew the teachers, staff and principal. I knew they loved him and loved on him. It was a great year filled with so many wonderful memories for both of us.

This year, I am finding myself becoming more anxious with each passing day. This is a year of change for both kids. Z will start 1st grade and L will start preschool.

Loulabelle will have the time of her life this year bossing er...I mean, socializing with all the other kids. She just has that way about her. I don't really worry that she will get into a situation she can't handle. I will miss our time together, but she will be just fine. She will thrive. She will be in her element. I love her preschool teacher and trust that she will care for my sweet girl. I am so excited for her to start this new chapter in her life.

But Z. I worry about him more. I worry because he worries. He worries because I worry. We worry together about what his teacher will be like. Will she love him? Will she care about him? Will she listen to him? Will she see that he will blossom and change if given the opportunity? Will she protect him? Will she push him and encourage him? Will she know how special he is?

Will I trust the Father's plan for him?

My heart is anxious. I don't want to let my kids go just yet. I want to hang on to them as long as possible so they know that "Mommy loves you. Mommy loves you." But I know I can't. I know they must become the boy and girl that God created them to be. I know that means they have to learn to fly...

OK...I'm pathetic. Me and "Aunt Flo" are going to go have a good cry now and maybe drown these tears in chocolate.

Good night!

What do you get when you cross...

...a horned frog, robot hand and bass fishing? A family vacation, of course!

Summer would not be complete until we hit the road. This year we decided to do an extended road trip starting in Ft. Worth and ending in Hot Springs. We loaded up the family and set off for maximum togetherness. Some was good...some was not. Here are the highlights complete with pictures and embarrassing moments. Our family trip would not be the same without some major humiliation (but you will have to wait until the end, folks!)

First stop, Ft. Worth. Skip and I lived in Texas for 5 years (not long enough to qualify saying "ya'll", but long enough for us.) We graduated from TCU and thought it would be fun to show the kids our alma mater. Hindsight is 20/20 in this case. They did not appreciate the froggie tour. In fact, it was awful! The kids had a hard time understanding how important this was to Skip and I. They didn't care to see where we slept, ate or played tag football ten plus years ago. They only cared about food, shade, water, gum, swimming, drinks, snacks, TV, mud, etc. We did manage to get a few pictures here and there.

Here is Loulabelle in front of the famous Horned Frog. The TCU tradition is to rub his nose before a test for good luck. I have many a hand print on that ugly thing! If you are wondering where Z is for this picture...he was getting "talked to" by daddy. One of many that day, until we found this tree.

Finally, a smile-ish. If you are wondering where Loulabelle is for this picture...she was crying as a result of a "talking to" from daddy. Can you see a pattern here? After our horrific trip down memory lane we ate at Uncle Julio's. The kids had a blast watching the homemade tortilla machine while Skip and I drowned our sorrows with chips and queso. It was like manna from Heaven. Speaking of manna, the next day we ate at La Madeleine's. Our raw nerves were soothed with some of the finest food ever made. Even the kids loved it! Most of our raw nerves came from our hotel room. When using Priceline..."you get what you get and you try not to throw a fit." Picture the 4 of us sleeping on a FULL sized bed. I felt like a sweaty hot dog in the package. So, we were anxious to get started the second morning and head to the Ft. Worth Museum of Science and History for the Star Wars exhibit.

Any one that knows us knows my boys are Star Wars fanatics. FANATICS! Skip was so excited to take Z to this exhibit. Let's suffice it to say that his expectations were set a tad too high.

The exhibit contained the real props and costumes from the most famous movie series ever. What we didn't expect was that Z would be completely overwhelmed with how the museum could get the "real" stuff. Poor thing. This was too much for him to process. We saw the real costumes that the characters wore. He couldn't believe it because in most cases the characters died so how could we be looking at the real outfit, or light saber? This picture is of Luke's robot hand. Z stared at this hand and started to yell that it wasn't the real hand from the movie. He was angry at this point. I think we may have ruined some of the "magic" for him. Once Skip and I understood his confusion and anger, we made a readjustment. We stopped telling him that it was the "real" object and started saying it looks like the real one. Then we started to have fun! It is amazing how letting go of expectations can turn into a real blessing.

Next stop, Hot Springs. The real reason for the trip. My step-dad (aka, PA) is a professional bass fisherman. This week was the FLW tournament with the pot of $2 million dollars. Now that is a reason to start fishing! The tournament was a four day event with 81 of the best anglers in the US. Two days, all 81 anglers compete. Then they narrow the field down to just the top 10. Pretty tough competition.

After day 1, Pa had 7lbs worth of bass. Not bad, but is it enough to keep going?

The PA-parazzi.


My kids are crazy in love with their Pa. I think it goes both ways. Unfortunately, he did not catch enough in 2 days to compete on Saturday and Sunday. He finished in 42nd place and we are so proud! Fishing is harder than it looks. I certainly couldn't wake up at 4:00am and fish in the HOT sun for 10 hours only to catch 5 fish. Not a chance! Pa makes it look easy and the cool thing is that he is teaching Z how to fish.

Our accommodations in Hot Springs couldn't be better. We rented a 2 bedroom condo so we have LOTS of room to run around. No sleeping in one bed here! Our days have been filled with major relaxation and family fun. We sleep in, play games, watch movies, take naps and blog. It is perfect! Most days we get out of the condo and go play in this fun town. One day we went back to the FLW tournament trade show where they have a "Family Fun Zone." Z had been wanting to climb a 40 foot rock wall sponsored by the National Guard. Being the fun mom that I am, I decided to climb with him. YEAH, RIGHT! I was FORCED by a Guardsman. As he was putting the harness on me, he laughed. It was pure evil! What I wouldn't do for some Mommy Love. I almost made it to the top...it hurt so bad!

Warning: Objects in picture are really smaller ( I hope) than they appear!

Hook Me Up

78%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Sacramento Singles from Mingle²

^{Thanks, Alana! I would have thought you were more addicted than I. Although I am on vacation...and still blogging.}

Quick Vacation Survey

One of my most favorite things about a road trip is stopping at the gas station for snacks. I debate far too long on gum or candy, soda or slushy, water or juice. The choices abound. I love it.

My all-time favorite roady snacks are:

--Starbucks Frappuchino's Vanilla or Caramel
--Hot Tamales (or for Pam...HOT TAMALE!...scream when you say it...very fun!)
--Twizzlers
--M&M's
--Chili Cheese Fritos
--Pepsi...with lots of ice
--Hubba Bubba strawberry...it's pop-a-licious

I am curious. What are your favorite travel snacks? For you, not the kids!

Thursday 13...vacation edition

We made our list, checked it twice. Washed, ironed and packed our clothes. Remembered every toiletry item possible. Negotiated which stuffed animals to pack and which to stay home. Recharged every battery and made sure to have every cable/cord. The snack bag is reminiscent of our Y2K stash. We have more gear than one family needs, but the thought of leaving it at home sends chills down my spine.

Along with our daily "essentials", we also packed an armory of parental one-liners. You know what I am talking about. They are the ones your parents used on you. But this is not the 70's, we have revamped some of the classics.

Here are 13 of our most repetitive parenting phrases. And by repetitive, I mean this is all we have managed to say in 4 days. Over and over and over....

1. Please be patient.

2. DON'T fight with your brother/sister.

3. What does 'cooperation' mean to you?

4. Say what you want to say in a nicer way.

5. Do you ever get what you want when you talk like that?

6. Do I need to take that away from you?

7. When you are ready to talk like a big boy/girl, I will be ready to listen.

8. Please share...24 crayons should be plenty.

9. I said...BE PATIENT.

10. NO means no. You don't have to ask 100 times. The answer is still NO.

11. S.H.A.R.E!!!!

12. Have a happy heart.

13. Good manners show you care about people.

And when 1-13 fails...

"Because I said so!"