Pickle Juice

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!!!

this is a test.......only a test

Beeep......beep..........beep...............(envision those ugly vertical stripes here)...............

This is a test - a blogging test

I haven't posted in what seems like years, so it is only safe for me to test the waters.

Here's a lightening speed run through since September:

First - - football. This was a hard season to watch. I had to sit (with a closed mouth!) as my third son did not get fair playing time and had to sit the bench. Ugh. So painful. Then, it was a hoot to watch my 50 lb youngest one play. He thought he was big bad stuff.
 

Later this month, my sweet husband & best friend threw me a surprise birthday party. I will post those pics later. They are a hoot!

Once football ended, then basketball for Hannah started. I just love watching this girl play! Their season didn't go as well as last year, but she just loves the game!

Then Halloween - otherwise known as a progressive dinner for kids. I have a rule for the older ones - they can't pillage the neighborhood for candy *UNLESS they wear a costume.

This usually results in them rummaging through the"dress up box" to find some sort of sad get up.........................................................
.......................

the defense rests
 









November - a wedding that we looked so forward to!
Congrats Jim - she's a beaut! We drove to Orlando &
back all in one weekend - we were tired,
but it was worth it!

Going to Orlando got us all excited about
our trip we would be taking to Disney
over Christmas. This would be a first -
we were going to spend the Christmas
holiday *at the park. We have always been
at home. Since I was working this year, we
had a few more dollars to spend toward this
endeavor. Woohoo! So, this brings me to December:

We stayed at the Nic hotel - so fun! It was wonderful!

The first day at the park, I thought Hannah was gonna die - there
was a High School Musical parade - she was all smiles - - - and then
there was Nathan - - he thought he was going
to die for another reason!

So, we went on to some rides, for
everyone's mental health. :)

We went to lots of parks,
but this time we also went to Universal. It was fun - but
we have been so spoiled by Disney for so many years, that it was apparent we weren't in Kansas anymore Toto. Don't get me wrong - it was fun, but it didn't have the *magic*






We even had time to squeeze in a great dinner
at Disney at the Hoop De Do Review - - what fun!

Wienies, school & heel clicks

One of our family traditions is to relax at our neighborhood pool early in the evening the night before school starts.

So we are at the pool and Ben is playing with his cousins and in his usual victim way, starts to do his best Jan Brady (oh woe is me) impression. I look at my husband and do what I usally do - - blame it on his family. After all, that's where all the bad genes come from.

me: why is our son acting like such a weinie? He gets it from *YOUR side of the family you know.
D: my side?! Are you sure about that?
me: yeah, he got the weinie gene from your side
D: you may want to think about that one. Isn't it *you that hates to sweat, camp or get dirty in any form or fashion?
me: yeah - but as long as I don't camp, I can avoid all three at the same time.
D: stunned glare******
me: yeah, ok - he gets the weinie gene from me

and then back home we went to prepare for the first day of school. I tried to contain my joy.  They were all excited and a bit nervous about the first day.

Ben giving the thumbs up
for first grade!                               

then my sweet Zack -
all ready for his second year in
middle school

and then.................



there is this child who insisted on wearing this "gangstah" shirt on his first day to middle school. Let's all take a moment of silence for the school.

He will take that school by storm! :)
Go get em kiddo!


I don't mean to be insensitive - because I know that some moms
are at the bus stop with tissues in their hands.

I'm just not one of them.

I love my kids, but I am with them 24/7 and well...I look forward to the first day of school. Getting back in the routine and all that stuff.

and now - my celebratory heel click!

The stars at night, are big and bright........

clap - clap - clap - clap DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS!

I will try to cram my whole week in TX in to this one post (lots of pics – for those that easily bore J)

I was able to stop & see my sister and family for a few days. Seeing them was so good – I miss them so much!

After the visit w/my sister, I drove to

Dallas to see my parents.

My dad was so sweet because he found a few activities that involved trains for Ben. Ben was beyond thrilled!

My dad took us to a neighbor’s home that collects trains and Ben looked at everything as close as possible. The couple also has pet chickens & one token duck. For these two boys that have been raised on cement, the chickens were the biggest hit!                  

Nathan attempted to be the “chicken whisperer” but looked more like a chicken ninja instead. 

Nathan was bound and determined to touch one of them and as you can see from the chicken’s terrified take off – he was successful!

This couple also had a pond where the boys were able to feed the catfish.

At one point, Nathan decided that instead of feeding them slowly as instructed, he felt they needed a buffet. *sigh*

 

In my last post (before the trip), I mentioned about how my dad emailed Good Morning Texas about my visit. He sent them all the info about the book and they decided to have me on. Must have been a slow news week. Heh

I was interviewed by Brenda Teele, who is as professional as they come.

She had me so relaxed that I didn’t think about needing the big barf bowl once! She is also very petite – like Polly Pocket petite.

I begged her to wear heels and I wore flats and still managed to look like a giant mammoth next to her!

While waiting in the “green” room, I saw this couple and thought how familiar they looked, then I realized “Oh man – those are the Sonic people”! I took this pic while they were filming the intro.

My kids think I have landed into rock star status now that I’ve met them.

I also took a pic of this dude, but I don’t know who he is.

He is a day time television actor and well…I don’t watch daytime TV – ever. So, I have no idea who he is. I think they said he had been on One Life to Live.

It was a very fun experience and I hope to do it again one day!

The Great American Scrapbook Convention went very well – I will post about it tomorrow.

For today though – please check out Fiskateers Blog Woohoo!! :)

Ancient Chinese secret huh!

Ahhhhh - it's official, Summer is here. The smell of cook outs in the air, kids laughing outside and.....blood on the carpet.

Yep.

Blood on the carpet!

I went on a quick errand with my oldest son yesterday and left daughter at home w/my younger two (11&7).

They decided to play “Ancient Chinese Master”. I’m not sure how the game is played exactly but it involves a robe, one stuffing his shirt with pillows (Sumo) and a large bean bag.

Somewhere in there, my youngest was sitting in the bean bag (I’m taking this means he’s the Master?) while the other (Sumo) dragged him around the room. He fell out of said bean bag flying at top speed and hit his head on the chair. Ben screamed – Hannah ran – Nathan panicked. Hannah flipped out because she said “blood was squirting everywhere” and she couldn’t get a straight answer from Nathan. Nice. She is always so leveled headed and very calm. She called me on my cell and told me that she had called 911 and Ben hurt his head and to get home quick. I was expecting to walk in and see Ben holding his head by how she described it. The paramedics had to explain to Hannah that head injuries bleed a lot and look a lot worse than what they really are.  Now she knows and we get to pay that nice bill. *sigh*  I did tell her that she made the right decision w/the info that she had.

As I looked at my son w/blood all over his white shirt and his head covered in white gauze, the paramedics told me that it wasn’t a big deal.  I wanted to ask them if either one of them were ever a mother.  Anyway, they said that all we needed to do was take him to the pediatrician and let them look at it. Hello – it was 4:45, no pediatrician was still open. So Doug (who rushed home from work during this time) went to the ER with him.  It would have only cost $20 in the office, but the ER will cost tons more. *sigh*  He got 4 stitches at the ER. He can take showers but can’t swim until June 5. He can put his feet in etc. – but can’t go under. L

Good times.

I never saw anything like this in any other those summer lemonade commercials. What a crock!

On the flip side, I’m leaving for Texas tomorrow at the butt crack of dawn. I will get to see my parents and teach at the Great American Scrapbook Convention.

My dad, being the proud papa that he is, called a local TV station and gave them my book information, so thanks to dad, I will be on Good Morning Texas while I am there. Me on TV - what a hoot.  I will either stand there like a robot or talk like Ellie Mae Clampett.

Either way – not pretty.

In June, I will be teaching this class – Just Black & White at Scrapbook Expo

Off to pack!

Vacation - all I've ever wanted

We got to spend some family time at the beach – a little chilly, but we still had a wonderful time. I think I got a little sun tan line around my parka. J

We went to an area near Destin,FL but was a little more off the beaten path.

We have gone on vacation with extended family and with friends before, but when you keep it just as your little fam – sweet miraculous things like this happen.

Shocking - his sister was scared of going too deep, so he extended his hand. Warmed a mother's heart!

Some pics:

some dolphins spotted from our balcony on the 13th floor :)

 

One of God’s beautiful creations –

and on the 8^th day, God created the idiot. A few guys gathered some shells and we spotted their “creation” from our balcony.

Need I say more?

The fable of the donkey

Every year our family celebrates Passion Week with some fun activities but one tradition remains the same. The family devotion that my husband leads every night.

Conversation from 2 years ago between my husband and our son who was 9 at the time–

D: why don’t you read this passage

N: Dad, I can’t there’s a cuss word in my Bible.

D: There isn’t a cuss word in your Bible, but bring it over here to me so that I can take a look.

dad overlooks passage and discovers the word in question (“ass”)

D: That word isn’t a bad word, but the world has made it bad. When ever you see it, just remember to always use the word donkey instead.

N: Yeah, I agree. I guess it would be bad it you asked someone for a ride on their ass.

mom and dad exchanged stunned glances

Fast forward to this year - -

We seem to be improving a little.

This year my 6 year old yelled at the dinner table “Oh oh I know this part! It is when Jesus rides into town on a big honky”

so there you go.

30 Junior Bacon Cheeseburgers

I am inspired by music of all sorts and I as soon as I saw this video by

Sarah McLachlan World on Fire, I was not only inspired, but reminded how we as Americans are so spoiled and have no idea what it means to truly want.

Sarah donated to several charities but one that my family gives to on a regular basis (besides our church) is World Vision.

“World Vision helps transform the lives of the world’s poorest children and families in nearly 100 countries, including the United States. Our non-profit work extends assistance to all people, regardless of their religious beliefs, gender, race, or ethnic background. World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty.”

With World Vision, we get letters and drawings from our child that we support and my children are just fascinated by this. I chose a child born in the same month and year as one of my children to give a personal connection to my kids.

For $30 a month I can get my nails done, get cable or change a child’s future. As a “rich” American, I don’t have to skip the other two. I am blessed.

Sarah’s video is a strong contrast to a Wendy's commercial regarding their dollar menu, a driver reads a speeding ticket and exclaims "Seventy-five Junior Bacon Cheeseburgers?".  So, for the price of 30 Junior Bacon Cheeseburgers, our family supports a child.

I hope you will consider World Vision this year – it is a blessing, and unlike the cheeseburgers…it is fat free!

Things aren't always what they seem.......

Things aren't always what they seem.

For instance - take this great photo of this lovely girl - .....

  so sweet

so pleasant

so poised....................

BUT......

it was really just a pause from her Cheez-It marathon

  GET YOUR OWN BOX.

My Dad ROCKS!!

My father taught me the love of music.  As a teen in the 80s, his love of country music just humiliated me.  I loved Billy Idol and he liked Charlie Pride.  I bet I am the only person of my generation that knows who Box Car Willie or Slim Whitman is!  I can’t say I was a fan of his music, but then again, what teen likes what their parents listen to!  Growing up I watched him play the guitar and harmonica and play along with my grandfather on the fiddle and how he could get him to laugh like no one else.

Music even played a part of our family routine.  I remember having to go to bed (8:00) after Hee Haw went off and when we went on a vacation to Nashville, I fell asleep while we were at the Grand Ole Opry.  He never once cringed when he heard me blast play my 80s rock music. He must have hated it but never complained.  He allowed me to dance to my own beat and encouraged me to be who God intended me to be.

I am now a stay at home mom to 4 sweet kids and while driving my mini-van, I must admit the station sometimes goes to a southern dial that sports country tunes.  Even though my Billy Idol days are long gone, my Dad still ROCKS! 

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD!!