Missing Papaw

Today marks the one year anniversary of Papaw going to Heaven.  I can't believe it has been a year already. 

The twins and I went to the flower shop today and got some flowers for Mamaw and for Papaw as well.  We walked in the small flower shop and began to look around for the perfect surprise for Mamaw when she got home.   (I realized I still have a key to the trailer so I was able to set out gift on her coffee table.)  As we were walking around the ladies that worked in the back came out to talk to us and visit with the kids. 

Anthony and Addison each picked out a flower color.  Anthony of course chose blue, Addison pink and for Victoria I picked out a big bright yellow daisy.  While waiting Anthony heard Lady Ga Ga playing on the radio and he began to dance in the middle of the store.  The whole staff and another customer came over to enjoy the impromptu dance off between Anthony and Addison. 

The sweet lady in the back finished up our arrangement and Anthony began to explain to me that he NEEDED a root beef float.  We walked around to the cash register and the kids chose a card to include.  Anthony an I love you and Addison a Happy Birthday.  The began to write.  Addison scribbled and read out loud "Thank you for all of my family that God gave me. I love them in Jesus name Amen."  Anthony showed off his new skill of being able to write his name and ran out of room when he hit the H.  Lol!

The lady that arranged the flowers asked for Anthony to do his dance moves for the other staff again and then Anthony began to sing "Soul Sister" to them.  The customer that was standing by reached in her purse and said "You know what?  I think with that performance you have earned your root beer float." and handed him a $5 bill.  Anthony just stood there in disbelief.  You mean I can get money for this stuff?????  He thanked her and strutted out to the car bragging that he got a "pay check".

We walk into LJS for lunch and our float and my phone rings.   My sister called to let me know that my wood is getting cut for kitchen to cover the wallpaper boarder.  WOOHOO!  While on the phone Anthony apparently told the staff of LJS that he has a job. (speaking of his first paying gig)  They laugh thinking that he is asking for a job and by the time I get off of my phone from my 3 minute phone call the whole staff including kitchen staff is out front at the counter.  They have giving Anthony and Addison applications and a pencil each and they are filling out their application.  I have tears streaming down my face from laughing.  They were a riot. 

The root beer floats were amazing as always and we leave to take our flowers to Mamaw and Papaw.  When we pull into the cemetery to take the daisies to Papaw Addison announces that she has to poop and asks if she can just poop in the grass next to Papaw.  Hillbilly much?  I assure her that she  can hold it and we sing Rock-a-bye baby to Papaw, Addison's pick. 

It was a great day of remembering and missing. I was happy to have funny stories to tell as Mamaw called in tears to thank us for the flowers.

Elwood

There have been some peculiar things going on in our home here recently.  While Christmas shopping James and I ran into Santa at Target.  He gave us a box with this little guy inside.  We brought him home and read the instructions enclosed.  We immediately gave him a name as instructed.  His name is Elwood.  His favorite movie is Blues Brothers and he loves fried chicken and dry white toast.  :)  The kids didn't believe the magic at first especially Addison.  She was my super skeptic. 

Yet I found her waving at the box when she thought she was "alone" in the room. She became a true blue believer when she woke up the next morning and found Elwood's box on the ground busted open and this... 

 

Apparently Elwood likes his name and was kind enough to make me some coffee before I woke up.  Anthony found it funny that he stole his Superman mug to drink some coffee himself.  Addison's eyes were the size of dinner plates. 

Anthony woke up the next morning with airplanes all over his room.  They were stuck in his Christmas tree, in his dresser, blinds and then he looked up and found..

 Our prankster Elwood hanging from his light fixture.  Anthony turned purple laughing at this one.  The following night Elwood decided to be a bit mischievous and mysterious.  He taped popcorn up on my shelf in the living room with a note that said pop me at 9:30pm.  We did and just sat down to see what would happen.  We ended up turning on the TV waiting for the "surprise" and what do you know?  Elf on the Shelf was on TV.  He is so sneaky.  Shame Anthony crashed early that night.

   Then it happened I knew it would eventually.  Elwood was on the fireplace snuggled up with a washrag for a pillow and blanket when I went to bed that night. He made the mistake of "borrowing" Addison's little stuffed doggie to snuggle with.  When I woke up Elwood was half drugged out of his bed and the doggie was gently pulled halfway out of his arms.  I asked Addison if she touched him and after a few attempts to change the subject she confessed that she wanted her doggie back and Elwood shouldn't have taken him.  Elwood disappeared that day mysteriously as we were cleaning house.  He had to stay at the elf hospital for a day or two to get his magic back.  But he returned in his prankster way. 

Crazy elf came back with band aids all over him and turned my coffee filter wreath into a chair.  Nice glue stick picket sign.  :)  The kids had thought that they had seen it all until they woke up to find Elwood taking a pillow stuffing bath under the Christmas tree. 

Night of fasting and prayer

Today the kids and I participated in a church wide fasting day.  I have never fasted and I couldn't decide to go with the traditional food fasting or of my second love.  My computer, TV and phone.  I decided to just do it all.  I spent the day with the kids baking for my sister's Thanksgiving feast and my buddy Felecia came over for a haircut.  Poor thing was in a panic not being able to reach me via FB.  Not to worry girl I gotcha!

In the middle of the day before nap time I asked the kids to each go into their room and spend some time with God.  I spent my time going over scripture on anxiety and just spending some time quiet listening to what God has to say on the subject.  My biggest hindrance.  In the process Anthony whips open the curtains over his door and says "HEY MOM GUESS WHAT? ME AND GOD ARE FISHING!"  Way to be fisher of men little buddy.  Addison said that her and God played and they had a good time.  Victoria said that she spoke with God about her fears and enjoyed sitting her room praying. 

Church had a service tonight to break the fast as we all shared communion together.  Anthony sat down in the sanctuary and was checking the place out.  The kids were so excited as the first song we sang was "I will follow you" one of the kids favorites.  Anthony is scanning the room as George our pastor comes out so speak and Anthony spots the sound booth in the back of the room.  He turns to me grabs a hold of my sleeve and whispers in my ear.  "Mommy that is where the judges sit!  That guy is going to wiiiin!  He is going to go to Hollywoooood!"  Guess that fasting from TV was a good pick for the kids as my son think that our church is X Factor.  During the time of communion Addison decided that she is wanting a snack as well.  She starts crying for a piece of bread.  She sees everyone in front of her getting a piece and dipping it in a wine glass.  Anthony, my take charge boy, leans over to her and says "You don't want that.  That dip is spicy." 

What an incredible day with God and my little ones.  I have needed the quiet in the house and the time to get my head wrapped around some things going on.  I feel better and know that I am in good hands no matter what the conditions.

Embarassment at Target

The kids and I had to go to the pediatrician for Victoria's med check appointment.  On the way out of the school parking lot from dropping V off Anthony said "Go fast mom!"  I told him that I couldn't because a cop would pull me over and I would get a ticket.  He just looked out the window disappointed and said "Hmm when I tell Grandpa to go fast he just does it."  Thanks for making me look like a party pooper dad.  lol

We took a quick lap (quicker than I had originally wanted) through Target today.  My son loves Thomas the train.  While walking through Target he spotted Percy.  His poor speech problem proved to be quite entertaining in the toy department as he is saying VERY loudly "I love p*ssy!"  We didn't stay in Target much longer.  I could feel the blood rushing to my face as I made a b-line for the check out.

When the weather calls for it.

After our shower today Anthony comes running in the bathroom with only underwear on and asks "Mom is it gonna be worm cold today?"  I tell him that it is supposed to be pretty warm.  He takes off running out of the bathroom singing "YEA! I GET TO WEAR A TINY SLEEVE SHIRT TODAY!"

The hip bone is connected to the

WARNING this post is PG-13, you will pee your pants but just a heads up!

Anthony was riding home in the back seat of my mothers car and according to her they were driving through Crescent Hill where they have all of the Halloween houses.  They kids saw a skeleton in a yard and they began a conversations about bones in your body.  There is a bone in your arm, your neck, your leg etc..  Anthony chimes in "There is no bone in my pee pee I checked it!"  Addison pipes up "Yep there is no bone in his pee pee."  I can only imagine the day when I hear him coming running up to me saying........

So long October.

Hello there November!  I would like to take a moment to say that I will miss this past October as it was AMAZINGLY filled with fun stuff to do.  The zoo, Harvest Homecoming, Church functions, Contests won (Anthony won a 50 savings bond at the 4H fairgrounds Halloween festival), the purchase of my little SIG mosquito,  and some great quality family time.  I am sad to see it go but the beginning of November means we are quickly approaching my sisters annual Thanksgiving dinner and it is always SO GOOD!  I am ready to put the Christmas trees up but I will let November have it's time and then I will get to decorating. 

I have had a bad case of Strep this week.  It began on Wednesday.  James took me to the indoor range to break in my new little toy and on the way I began to have a sore throat.  It got progressively worse to a 102 temp by the end of the night.  It didn't affect my aim though ;). By around 10 I was head to toe aching and couldn't get warm to save my life.  I was miserable.  I am NOT a good patient when I am sick and James was more than patient with me through it.  Thank you honey!  I am now on the mend with some antibiotics and some 800 mg Ibuprofen for the pain.  They have defiantly helped me feel more human.  I have been without my little ones since Thursday after Grandma finished working and I have missed them so.  Victoria and I have done some bonding through some movie watching and her being mommy's little nurse.  She really should look into being in some kind of nursing career when she gets older.  Having those few days with just me and her has allowed me some freedom to take a nap when my body needed to and not worry to much about my house being destroyed and nobody to watch the little ones.  Thanks Grandma!  I am now feeling about 80% better and my kids are home.  I sit snuggled up on the couch in my immaculate home.  Victoria and I busted our butts today , all day, cleaning every inch upstairs while trying to keep up with laundry downstairs.  I am talking serious cleaning!  We cleaned the air filter in the air purifier.  Moved furniture and vacuumed under it and dug toys out from under the furniture and returned them to the twins' rooms.  Steamed the kitchen floor, bleached out the tub jets, the works.  I even put a battery in the clock above the fireplace ( I have tortured people enough with it).  Having the house as clean as it is, is almost as great as sitting on the couch being smothered by my little ones while watching Wizard of Oz tonight.  Life is good!