A Little Southern Comfort

Karson has strategically wrapped herself in the Strawberry Shortcake blankie warding off all kinds of scary happenings.

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Years ago when I was a tiny tot, I would lay in bed and imagine all the frightening things that could happen during the night: the Bell Witch midnight event, my stuffed animals coming to life, werewolves roaming the streets, Poltergeist moments from my TV, scary monsters in my closet, my carpet would turn into water (it was blue shag) and I would float away. You get the picture. I always found comfort in my protective Strawberry Shortcake blankie that my grandma Pogue made me. I would roll it up into a long snake and wrap it around my body like a rainbow. I have NO IDEA why I thought it would protect me from any and everything, but whatever it was, I believed it was magical. That's why I'm not surprised that my daughter has taken up with it. She calls it her huggie blankie. My sons also have their blankies. What is it about pacis, blankies, loveys, toys that give our kids that kind of comfort??? Just a random thought that was floating around my head this morning during my walk.

Isaac uses a blue fleece blankie, a giraffe and CARS fleece blankie for nightime protection!

Miles's defense is an argyle blankie and his temper =).

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Speaking of comfort, I also made some yummy comfort food this afternoon. CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES!!! Come on over and grab some while they're HOT!

Pass the Lemon Butter

Karson's bedroom BEFORE
Isaac's BEFORE
Let me start off by saying this weekend was an absolute blurrrrr. Although I've wanted to give Karson a new room by August, my project got pushed into HIGH gear this weekend. I ordered her mattresses from Ford's on Thursday and had to do a double-take when they asked if I'd like them delivered today. Of course I said yes, like a big dummy. Saying yes meant that I'd need to paint her room and get everything done by the time her mattresses arrived. Don't get me wrong, I'm not the procrastinating type, but I certainly hadn't planned on such a speedy delivery and knew there was A LOT to be done in order to prepare bedrooms. SO, I started moving furniture out, removing fixtures, blah, blah, explained to Karson that Grapalicious wouldn't work on the walls with her green furniture and new Cats comforter, and she decided on a shade of yellow--Lemon Butter to be exact. Before you get to excited and want to dip your crab legs in my paint, I learned in the Psychology of Sales Behavior that yellow is supposed to make people irritable. I've also heard that it sparks curiosity and stimulates creativity, loads of classrooms and nurseries are painted in this color, but unfortunately, the irritability factoid has stuck with me and was certainly true this weekend. I started painting on Friday while the kids were with Matt's Granny. I went to Lowe's and ordered a gallon and a quart of flat Lemon Butter paint. The guy asked if I wanted it washable--DUH! I asked if it would cost extra, and he said not today. I'm thinking he's going to mix in some additive to make it more washable??? I get home, Mom comes over and the painting begins. Painting over Oh So Pink with yellow wasn't giving us the coverage we needed, and I decided that we would probably need another gallon. BUT, I needed to go get the kids, and we were at a stopping point. I went back to Lowe's later that night and got another gallon of flat paint. When I got home, I noticed that the dude from earlier in the day had given me flat ENAMEL paint and not basic flat. UGH! I called Lowe's to see if I could return the basic flat because I knew the sheens would be different. They said fine. I took the paint back the next morning and made sure the new person (apparently tons of employees man this section) selected the flat enamel paint. Little did I know he mixed the wrong color =(. I came all the way back home and was about to pour the paint when my Mom yelled, "no, no, that's not the right color!" It was certainly yellow but not Lemon Butter yellow. The title was totally different too. I thought to myself...are you kidding me? Gas is $1,000,000 a gallon and I have to drive all the way back to Lowe's AGAIN! Ugh AGAIN! I watched EVERYTHING carefully this time and checked the title before leaving. It was a two day work-out! After camping out on the heating pad, taking four Ibuprofen, I was feeling more like myself Saturday night. The kids spent most of Saturday with Colvin and Debbie. They adopted two puppies, Jack and Jill, from the Humane Society last week and got to pick them up on Saturday morning. My project is officially complete. It was worth it despite all the paint drama and irritating yellow events.

Karson's bedroom after

My first experience with painting furniture. I do believe I'm addicted!

Miles testing out the bed.

Isaac's (mini makeover) AFTER

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Sunday was busy as usual. After church, Karson went to a pool party at Russell Sims. I have never seen so many people at a waterpark in my life. It was crazy. We stayed for about two hours, rushed home, got cleaned up and went to an Ice Cream Social at the Brumit's house. Afterwards, Karson's cousin Elizabeth came home with us for a sleepover. Meme offered to take Isaac home with her. Good ol' Meme's! Karson has talked about having a sleepover since March when a boy-friend at church had a Scooby Doo birthday sleepover. Her little wheels started turning, and she was ready for a sleepover of her own. Being that almost all of Karson's closest friends are boys, I couldn't figure out how to pull a sleepover off??? She has a couple of girlfriends but none that had ever done that kind of thing (and most of which she isn't that close to anyways). Sometimes I think Karson believes she is MUCH older than she actually is. Anywho, Elizabeth was a willing participant last night. Thanks Elizabeth for making Karson's sleepover dreams come true. Of course, I had to take Elizabeth home at 6 a.m. this morning when it was storming and she was desperately missing her Mama. Our mattresses arrived at 11 a.m. this morning, and Karson's new room is COMPLETE.
Our sleepover on air mattresses =)!

Two More Bite the Dust

Karson's dental trauma is over (at least for now). She went in this morning and ended up having a couple more cavities filled and two more baby teeth extracted. Her permanent tooth was/is growing in behind her two front baby teeth. I asked Matt to take her again this time. He's a pillar and has more self control. I fill compelled to punch everyone, including non-cavitiy-filled patients, in Dr. Barbee's office when I'm there =). Not really, but being the facetious person that I am, I told Karson tonight (how I wanted to punch Dr. Barbee in the face) and she said, "Mom, he's not trying to hurt me. He wants to help me." I have such a neat daughter -or- cool kid as Ms. Laura would say.

Bone Thugs-n- Harmony's newest member

My sweet daughter, the collector, checking off her list of BratzlilAngelz. She got one the other night at Wal-mart with her Pap. She and Matt got three more after this morning's visit.

Speaking of missing teeth and all, Mabel the Tooth Fairy and How She Got Her Job, is an awesome book. Check it out from the library especially if you have an upcoming dental visit with your kid. Thanks again for all the prayers lifted for Karson!!!

Welcome Summer, You're a little Early

I don't know about you all, but our summer has begun FULL FORCE despite June 20. I try my best to keep a schedule during the school year just to have routine, but the summer is a different story. We've been everywhere: Nolin Lake, Myrtle Beach, Barren River, Kung Fu Panda, bike rides over a Plano School when the sun goes down, birthday parties, doctor visits, the pool, playdates, and the list goes on.

Naps are a requirement during the summer.

John and his girlfriend Laura. Laura and I met at the pool yesterday. She brought her nieces Emily and Avery. I was hoping our kids would be as excited about the pool as they were in Myrtle, no dice though. We took off without the swim bag =(, and it took them a while to warm up to the pool sans their own water wings. Other water wings aren't sufficient, ya know. We did have a nice day and nice time though.

My brave one's riding with Seth on the horses Maggie and Lil.

Our neighbor Mia came over for a cook-out tonight. Matt's burgers are the bomb.com =)!

Isaac sportin' a Little Mermaid Swimmie =). I guess the pirate tattoo on his leg gives him an extra boost of confidence.

On top of the busyness, I also have my projects for the house. I love house projects. Numero uno on the ol' agenda is giving Karson an updated room before kindergarten. I want her the have a new, special domain for her transition. I ordered her a quilt covered in her favorite animal cats from The Company Store. She has picked out a new wall paint called Grapolicious (the jury is still out on this color. I like dark shades because they mask dirt but this is about as purple as purple gets--GO BGHS!). I finished painting my dresser, mirror and bed in a soft shade of green. I'll post before and after photos once the task is complete =). I came across the coolest dinosaur 6-piece bedding set from Kohl's to spruce up Isaac's room. I don't think pink gingham is his style, and he, being the younger brother, will inherit Karson's Big Lots twin bed. I'm not quite ready to put Miles, who will inherit Isaac's CARS bed, in a toddler bed. He's cozy in his crib and is basically trapped when he is rarin' to go at 6:00 a.m. But, we may try it out this fall. I would love to have both boys in bunk beds in the future since they share a room. They are both big chickens, and I don't think either one would take the top bunk.

Happy 17th Birthday Ben. It's hard to believe Ben was Karson's age when Matt and I started dating. He will be a senior at Greenwood this year.

Okay, I know this isn't safe, but Miles so wanted to ride between his brother and sister last night on the way home. I'm not sure why, but it was good having a buffer between K and I. Fortunately, we only live about 1 minute from Pap and Nana, and I thought this picture was precious.

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Prayers are once again solicited on Karson's dental behalf. She has a Dr. Barbee visit in the morning. Ugh.

Donuts for Dad

Donuts for Dad was a simple of way of honoring our Daddy's at church this morning. A table in the back was set-up with a mound of glazed, iced, frosted, chocolate, crullered goodies as a way of saying thanks for being so wonderful! The guys did the same for us ladies with Muffins for Mom's on Mother's Day. It's great being a parent and even greater sharing it with your spouse. Our kids have an amazing Dad. He's a Dad that's patient, never raises his voice, is available when Mommy is losing her sanity =), a provider, shows compassion and sensitivity when needed, bathes the kids nightly and gets them ready for bed and makes them breakfast in the morning, and the list goes on. Matt talked this morning about how being my husband and being the kids father is the only job that he can do. Each of us wear many hats, but the most important hats are the one's that cannot be filled by any other person. I feel very fortunate sharing parenthood with Matt. He's the person I admire the most, and it's my hope that our children (especially our boys) will emulate him in every way and that our daughter will (one day) find a spouse exactly like him!

Myrtle Beach or BUST

May 31 - June 7, 2008

Our home away from home:

Our gang:
(which includes: our five, my parents, The Maglinger Crew: Steve, Vicky, Sue, Jennifer, Paul, Shannon, Evan and Elizabeth, The Garcia Crew: Daniel, Lisa and Samuel, The Pogue Crew: Jackie, Lois and Kenton, and The Wilson Crew: Micah, Brittany, Luke and Tucker)

Day 1: We woke up at the crack of dawn, 4:30 a.m., to be exact, and headed for the beach. We arrived at 3:30 p.m. and broke EVERYTHING in all at once bouncing from one pool to the next, one hot tub to the next, one water wing to the next. We dined next door at the River City Cafe and crashed. It was a long day (mainly spent in the car).

Day 2: We spent most of the day in the sun and then took the kids to Rainbow Falls for some miniature golf. Miles was THRILLED to have his very own club and green golf ball which he clutched with a death-grip the entire time. We ate at Zaxby's and then I caught up with the girls for a late movie.

Day 3: Shannon, Lisa and I did some shopping while MeMe kept the kiddos at the condo. The guys spent the day playing golf. The ladies spent the day in the sun chasing kids around. It was Steve Mag's birthday so we celebrated at Red Lobster that night. Karson made him the most precious drawing complete with Steve's mustache =). We also managed to get a great shot of all the kids too.

Day 4: More sun, more golf. My Mom took the kids to an activity time at the hotel where Karson and Isaac made us Koozies. They were very proud of their glittery, gluey creations. We took the kids to Ripley's Aquarium at Broadway on the Beach that afternoon. Miles was foul the entire time we were there. And, although, I would've loved to hung around with my sis, Paul, Matt and the kids, Miles was wearing me down. There's nothing like a screaming kid to make you want to jump off your balcony. I decided to pack him up and call it a night. He went down at 6:20 and didn't wake up until the next morning at 6:20. 12 hours of beauty rest certainly helped his temperment.

Day 5: More beach festivities and sun (thank goodness for wonderful weather). BIG bummer on this day--I stumped my big toe playing around in the kiddie pool. Ugh. It started bleeding pretty bad, and I do believe I will be losing my toenail at some point. Yeah for a big black toenail just in time for summer sandals =). Karson wanted to hang out with her cousin Elizabeth for dinner and eat spaghetti. We (me, Matt, and my parents) took the boys to Joe's Crab Shack at Broadway. Matt took Miles home afterwards to avoid another meltdown. Pops, Meme, me and Isaac went to IT'S SUGAR a gigantic candy store and dentist's nightmare. It was awesome. Then, we took Isaac to see Sea Monsters in 3-D at the IMAX. He really liked it, but I think he liked his M&M semi-truck more =).

Day 6: Karson started to get brave in the water and jumped in. For those of you that know Karson's water fears, that was quite a feat for her. She was VERY proud of herself. I was happy for her too and would love to see her warm up to the water more. She has improved immensely this week. Hopefully, we can enjoy some summertime pool fun this year without two kids sitting on the steps the entire time. Happy 9th Anniversary to Matt and I. We went to the Bonefish Grill for dinner which is definitely in my top 5 favorite resturants. We did some shopping at the outlet mall and went to ColdStone for some ice cream. Pops and Meme took the kids to Broadway to ride rides. Mom called to tell me how much fun Isaac was having. He's fearful of rides and has never liked them (not even the carosel or Christmas train at the mall). She told me he was riding everything. Hooray, we can do Disney now. I'm not about to tackle a trip like that with a kid who doesn't enjoy rides. Miles spent the evening dancing in front of a dutch accordian. He danced for an hour solid. They told us he pretty much entertained the entire park with his moves.
the music maker

9 baby!

Day 7: Our last vacation day. The kids were starting to wear down at this point and lounged around the condo with Matt resting and watching TV. I braved the ocean with my sister, Steve and Vicky. The salt water seemed to help my bum toe. We all went to Captain Bennett's Seafood Buffet at dinnertime for one last hurrah! Miles was foul again and decided to squeeze his styrofoam cup and busted Sprite all over himself. He can be such a little turkey sometimes. He has quite a temper especially when it comes to food and beverage. He thinks NOTHING of dousing you with a CapriSun or hurling food through the air. One time this week, he got REAL mad and picked up a handful of Fruit Loops and threw them. He did this two more times before we took action, and he ran out to the balcony (which became his solace this week). We spent the remainder of the evening at Broadway riding rides.

Day 8: The LONG trek home. The kids did great traveling. When we got back, we went to visit Nana in the hospital. She had a partial hysterectomy on Friday. We showered her with flowers, drawings, chocolate band-aids (from IT'S SUGAR), kisses, hugs, a balloon and magazine. It's good to be back, and my flowers aren't dead thanks to my kind neighbor Jennie =).