Happy Birthday to my Mother!

We love you and hope your day has been filled with extra special blessings!!!  Hugs and Kisses from all of us!

You'd have thought I made him clean it with a toothbrush!

"I wish I didn't live here.  Then I wouldn't have to do the floor." he spluttered as he drug the rugs to the back door and picked up the broom.  Good grief!  He has had an easy week with chores...and maybe that is the problem!  All play and no chores makes for a very ornery floor boy.  He did end up doing a nice job...and then got to go outside...but at first listen...

you would have thought I made him clean the whole house with a toothbrush while I sat and ate chocolate!

Obedience is more than doing what you are told!  It is doing what you are told at the right time and with the right attitude.  That is what our children struggle with the most in our house...and what Mom struggles to be consistent in dealing with in the right way!

Second to the last game...

and only three players for our team showed up!  It seems that everyone has just given up!  We are NOT impressed with the way AYSO handles things at all...but then again...the ethics, committment, and professionalism of people is almost non-existent these days.  Due to the lack of discipline in adult lives...these boys missed out...and have learned some bad habits from the adults!  "It's not that big of a deal...they are kids...they are resilient...they don't care!"  Hmmm...yeah...well, there were several kids who watched and learned from the poor examples...THEY NOTICED and it affected their energy level.  How would you feel when only two guys on your team show up...ready to play...and you have to have guys from the other team be on your team so there can even be a game? 

Oh...there is a whole lot more to the story...it just is sickening to rehash. 

I had fun playing with the shoot and select function on our camera tonight.  I got some good action shots.

The last game is next week...we wonder if anyone will show up!?  I don't understand why people sign their children up to be part of a team...and then don't follow through and show up to play!  I guess some people have money to just throw away.

We know the coach won't show up...and the one man...who all of a sudden is the authority on how things are to be run...has shown up once. 

The only one that has been there to stand in every time...is our Daddy. 

It was another fun-filled day!

Alisa went over to visit Grandma and I called her back after setting up a little pampering for her.  She told Grandma that she thought she was in trouble!  I told her she had an appointment.  We popped in a movie as she soaked her feet in the bubbly bath.

She looks relaxed to me!

Her appointment lasted all the way through lunch...open-faced sandwich while lounging.

Pink toes!

Brother came home and thought it would be fun to soak too.  He just got clean feet and clipped toenails.

After her birthday supper of chicken, we headed to Teddy's soccer game.  Her auntie spoiled her with candy and a pop.  An executive decision was made to have our birthday treat on Friday night!

We stopped at Papa's to help with a little project.  Teddy and Alisa ran around catching lightning bugs.  Grandma grabbed a jar and made a quick lid with foil.  It seems as though "Bob and Alice" were able to escape through the holes or when they were adding some more friends.  Alisa couldn't be sure..."but maybe Alice just died."  It was a sad ride home...for the bug catchers!

Time for Alisa's gift from Dad and Mom...a new Bible and butterfly cover.

A big girl gift and a card to read...by herself!

I think Alisa had a good day!  She was smiling alot!

A little birdie told me...

that she saw Ashlynn today...and she looks and sounds like she is doing well!  A different birdie saw her yesterday...and said the same thing!  I can't wait to hear her re-accounting of the week! Ted and I get to ride the bus to help pick up our campers.  They all have been on our hearts this week.  We have been asking God to do a work in their hearts as they are all pulled away from the every day routines and cares of life.

20,000 visits

I decided that the 20,000 visit requires a special "post prize"...

as a thank you for spending time visiting with us today! 

I don't ever know exactly who stops by to visit on occasion, but I can see the city and state. Sooo...this afternoon...someone from Lancaster, CA, stopped by for a visit...and if you email me...I have a special treat to share with you!  If you were to literally stop by today, we would have shared a lemonade and summery dessert...this is the next best thing!

It is a beautiful summer day...which calls for cheerful hellos, sunny smiles, and grateful words!

The smile of approval!

"Home isn't just a style or an address, it's a feeling of comfort we all strive to create. A place where memories are made and legacies are formed." ~Lynette Jennings
I read this quote today and it made me appreciate the grin across the table this morning!  It is those little things that we do as mothers that let our family members know we love them.  Today...it was her favorite breakfast on the special plate and drinking milk out of the fancy glass...to celebrate the blessing of her.  It is the little things that she appreciates.  It shows when Alisa does things for others...she copies what has been done for her!  A continuing legacy...

"It is a Happy Birthday, I am not the same age as Teddy anymore!"

It's true!  Early in the morning...eight years ago...Alisa made her entrance into this world and our family!  She has been busy ever since.  We are thankful for her sparkly personality.  She is our dress-up queen and enjoys any and all girly-girl thing.  This week...she has been playing with her dolls and their new bed.  She makes sure their hair is just so and their outfits are fancy.

She has definite ideas about how today will go.  We will find out exactly what is on the agenda...right after a breakfast of puffed pancake!

She was on a mission!

Yesterday, Alisa and I had to run something out to Daddy at work...which is in the vicinity of the mall.  Since it was just girls, I asked her if she wanted to walk around at the mall.  DUH!  Alisa asked if she could bring some of her spending money..."some dollars and four quarters".  She had a plan!  Grandma and Little S came with us.  We shared a sandwich and walked around a couple of our favorite stores.  We stopped at the candy globe display which are placed strategically around the mall.  Alisa spent two quarters.  She had two quarters left...and she wanted to "ride something".  Such decision making!  Um...I think we are a little too big for these now!  Her choices were limited to what she thought would hurt her knees or not.  We also learned the price has gone up to three quarters. 

My girly-girl is growing up...we know this because we spent a long time trying to decide which lotion/shower gel/spray smelled the best! 

The nicest vehicle he'll ever affordably own!?

Birthdays are fun.  Gift certificates are fun.  Uncles and Aunts are fun.  An Uncle and Aunt who take you out to spend your birthday gift certificates...even more fun!

Lights, sounds, remote...the fun won't stop...till the battery needs to be re-charged!

When a day starts with thunderstorms...

you know it is time to slow down and enjoy inside activities!  I have some ideas of things to do, but I will just keep them to myself right now.  We are going to keep things simple today...yesterday was full of fun...it is time to take a break!  We each have claimed a comfy place to sit and watch Curious George.  Soon...someone is going to want breakfast...

My flowers are enjoying the rain, heat, and humidity this week!  Tomorrow is supposed to be a little cooler, so that means I will have a lawn to mow and weeds to pull.

Alisa is quite the little babysitter!

Little M is so grown up...and buuuusy!

Little S is busy rolling and giggling.

It is fun to have little visitors and help Grandma out every now and then.  "Just call me anytime, Grandma.  I am available to play with Little M and S anytime this week." instructed Alisa.