And He Liked It

On the way home from school yesterday, Parker told me a secret. "Guess what Mommy? I kissed a girl!" He proceeded to tell me all about it. It was in my classroom, after school, three times. I was relieved to find out it was just a kiss on the cheek, but my oh my, he was mighty proud of himself. While retelling his romantic escapade to Brian, we found out that she actually kissed him first! I'm not a bit surprised because who could resist those beautiful blue eyes and handsome cheeks?

So Brian is walking around singing "He kissed a girl, and he liked it". I'm wondering how I'm going to handle the teenage years when he will probably be kissing girls and not running home to tell me all about it. Parker, well, he's just pondering this one pressing dilemma he's now faced with, "Mommy, now I have two girlfriends".

How blessed I am, even if only for a little while, to be the one he runs to with his secrets...

Better Late Than Never

I'm a week behind, but I still wanted to share our fun from last weekend with you. We spent last Friday night at Brian's mom and dad's house in anticipation of the Blizzard O' 2010 Part II. Parker and Claire were extra excited because they got to spend the weekend with their cousins. Here's some of the fun that was had by all...

Nothing like some indoor (lots of breakable stuff around) football

Wii fun

Some laying around

Here's what we woke up to Saturday morning. It wasn't as much as predicted, but we still had A LOT of snow.

The frozen pool

Claire spent a lot of time loving on Meg and Oreo.

I read magazines

And finished my book

Then in was time to play outside ~ lots of flying snowballs

Parker had to eat a big chunk of course

Time for hot chocolate

Hot tub felt great

Even though we could have easily made it home Saturday, we stayed all night again because the kids were begging us and having so much fun.

And finally...

Look who finally lost his tooth!

He was the proud owner of a new dollar which he promptly spent on a bad of gummy worms. It became apparent that we are only amateur tooth fairies. Our experience involved three unsuccessful attempts only to never actually find the minuscule tooth that night (he refused to put it in a bag or pouch). I found the tooth on the floor at the END of Parker's bed the next morning. I have no idea how in the world it ended up way down there. I guess we will have lots more practice over the next few years.

Weekend Happenings

This weekend went by so fast! Friday night we went to O'Charley's with the kids. Yes, it felt all wrong since Friday night is most definitely pizza night. We broke tradition, and it was quite tasty indeed.

Mom made a HUGE breakfast on Saturday morning, and we couldn't turn down the invitation. We spent most of the day visiting at mom and dad's house. When we had an unexpected offer to watch the kids for the evening, we couldn't turn it down. Brian desperately needed some new dress clothes, so off we went to the mall. I couldn't help but take this picture to share with you. Just look at all of those rips in those leggings. Oh my! We weren't starving since we had such a big breakfast, but we stopped by Stir Fry for some egg rolls. If you had told me a few years ago that I would be so crazy about something with cabbage in it, I would have laughed in your face. These little beauties are DE-Li-CI-Ous!!!

We also ran into Barnes and Noble for a few minutes where I got 25% off since it was Educator Appreciation Week.

Today was Friday Girls Day! After church, all the girls in my immediate family went out to lunch and to see Leap Year. It was a cute movie, and we had a wonderful time together!

Miriam and Megan

Amanda and Me

My mom and aunt (who technically isn't a Friday but we let her go with us anyway)

Amy, Karen, and Miriam

Good night! I'm off to set my alarm clock~

The Faith of a Child

My sweet Parker,

Tonight you asked Jesus to come into your heart to save you. I am overjoyed! I have prayed that Jesus would call you, and you would accept him since long before you were born. As you gradually began to question months and months ago, I knew Jesus was beginning to gently work in your little heart. Your questions got deeper as did your understanding. I knew the time was soon, but I was still shocked when your little voice exclaimed, "I want to do it tonight"! Your daddy and I are so proud of your decision, and we love you more than you can possibly imagine.

Happy (Spiritual) Birthday Parker!!!
(Here's his reenactment)

Thank you Jesus for your faithfulness!

Snow No Mo'

I had to change my background because I really don't want any more snow around here, therefore I don't want to look at a snowy picture on my blog. Enjoy the hearts!

She Put My Creepy Ears Down

Once upon a time I found what I like to refer to as a great "hair lady". My hair doesn't just automatically look great no matter who cuts it, no matter the style, not matter the length, no matter the phase of the moon, although I know a few people with perfect hair (ahem, Amanda). In fact, it seems that all conditions have to be exactly perfect for my hair to look half-way decent. At least that's my belief. Having lived 34 years with this head of hair, I have learned that my hair indeed requires a miracle worker. So back to my story (this could get long)...

I found a perfect "hair lady". I was almost always pleased with the results she gave me. Like a rebellious teenager, I got the urge to see what else was "out there" a couple of years ago. I don't know what made me do it, I just did. Actually, it had a little something to do with a VERY short haircut, but everybody should be entitled to at least one little slip up!

First, I went to a man my mother-in-law was just loving. My hair looked ok, especially if you like the shade of snow with some polar bear highlights and a bit of a "I'm the best guy in town" attitude. I guess some hair relationships are made to be broken.

Next, I went to a VERY expensive yet lovely salon with a very skillful stylist. I found her highlights and cuts pleasing most of the time. At first. Near the end of our time together, I started feeling like she was rushing my cuts (which can never be good) and I just wasn't loving the way it looked. May I remind you about the little issue called MONEY? I just realized that I didn't want to continue paying so much and leaving less than happy. Considering I was paying her children's future medical school tuition with every visit, I really needed to be happy. She is a very sweet person, and I wish her well. We had a good run...

So, I did it. I picked up the phone and made the call. I am the prodigal hair client. My "hair lady" didn't even yell at me for leaving or any of the other million things I imagined her doing. She welcomed me back with open arms. Before long, I was all caught up on her kids, her ever-changing love life, etc. I was home again.

My hair received at major chopping. It is quite shorter than when I walked through her door. When I got home, Parker told me I looked creepy and said something about that lady putting my ears down. He went on to talk about it looking kind of like a boy and kind of like a girl. Then he said it looked great and he loved it. Go figure. I made Brian take about ten pictures so I could add it to this post, but none of them were deemed acceptable. In my opinion, it really isn't all that different than some cuts I've had in the past, so don't get too scared or excited. I can only imagine what you're picturing after Parker's vivid description.

Moral of the story: The grass is not always greener on the other side.

The End

A Good Monday

We had a good day today! It was fairly uneventful. I felt like I was so busy ALL DAY LONG! Since we were out of school on Friday, I wasn't as prepared at school as I like to be on Monday mornings. Everything went fine, but I felt a little more disorganized than usual. I really don't like that feeling at all! I actually wonder sometimes how a disorganized person could EVER be a teacher. Anyway...

I come bearing good news! Parker ate a small piece of lettuce and TWO, count them TWO, bites of an orange. Guess what? He did it willingly and didn't even gag. I'm praying he is starting to realize that some things really are good if he will just give them a try. We all did a silly dance to celebrate with him. Now we just need to work on increasing the amount from one or two bites. Baby steps...

Facebook friends keep telling me it's snowing again. I haven't been brave enough to look out. When I taught in a different school system, I'd be hooping and hollering at the slightest mention of the "S" word. Now that I have to drive in it instead of staying all warm and cozy in my bed, I just can't get quite as excited.

One last thing~ my Blackberry is not behaving today. I am starting to have withdrawals. My emails and texts show up, but I can't open them. Anyone else having this problem?