Re-arranging

I guess if I learned anything (silly, Of course I learned many things) from my mom, it is...re-arrange your furniture if you have nothing else fun to do!!!! I love this about my mom, she just up and moves things and it always looks so great. Now my dad (and therefore my husband) are not so fond of re-arranging day, as they have a lot of pictures to move and holes to fill and big things (like a mattress and box springs) to carry to the attic!! But I love transition and then I am a little demonic (again, like Linda) about getting everything finished before you can go to bed!!! So although my kids were ready for bed...Too bad!
Anyway it was my 8 year old who said to me "mom, lets re-arrange when we get home" And I thought sure why not! (she looks all Rose, but underneath she is 100% pure Nana!!) hahahaha
So she has decided (Kennedy) that she wants her own room, and this is something we have been talking about for a long time, only I thought we would wait until we moved again (unavoidable) and then let her have it...but then I was thinking, what if for some (God) reason we don't move this year, why shouldn't she get her own room now??? So I moved Emerson's crib into Macguire's room, only Mac had 2 twin beds in his room (Emy is not quite ready to be on the loose) so I had to dismantle that one and get her crib in the door. And can anyone out there please tell me why cribs always have to be like 1/2" too wide to fit through any doorway?? So I had to take 2 doors off their hinges (the lesser of the 2 evils, taking a crib apart ranks right up there) and roll the crib through and then clean everything, re-arrange and finally kids are in bed and all is well. So here is the scene, Mac (will be 5) and Emy (will be 2) are sharing a room, and Kennedy (8) now has her own room! But here is what happened...Mac came into Kennedy's room to check it out and Kennedy asked him if he wanted to spend the night in her room!!! So I pulled out her trundle bed and got it made and they are still slepping in the same room! Emerson is probably really confused about why I put her in this boy room, and she is by herself! Crazy!!!!! Kennedy siad to Mac "you are my best brother" and I was like awww sweet, even if he is your only brother!!
Macguire scored 3 goals today! He had so much fun! And when he wasn't playing Corey told him he had to cheer for his teammates and he was yelling Go Team , Go Team and it was so cute! He is finally wearing size 4 T pants!!! This is a big deal for us, he hasn't grown in like 2 years! On the other hand I cannot get Kennedy to stop growing and jeans my mom bought her last year at Christmas are so short on her!!! She's getting tall! And then my Emy, 21 months old and weraing 12-18 month clothes, obviously takes after her brother! I have a friend who has a 6 month old who weighs the same as Emerson! Oh well
Seriously about Linda and re-arranging... I am a little nostalgic right now so I will just say, she could really transform our house into a great place for the holidays!!! It is always so comfy and homey and peace-like and I know she spends a lot of time making it so nice, and it truly is! I am so happy by this and am so looking forward to seeing them next month!
Okay lets talk humidity! I am sorry to complain about things but really...for 5 days straight it has been about 82 degrees and humidity of 100% That is really pushing me to my limits!!! When I walk outside, my hair curls, I breathe in water, and am instantly glistening with sweat. Yuck! I was so happy that we finally got the rain part of humidity tonight! Hopefully that has broken the spell.
Speaking of spells reminds me that 2 girls who go to Belhaven are going to a costume party next week and one of them is dressing up as a "Hooters" girl. And I am seriously thinking what is this about? Also I am secretly wondering why she thinks she will have to dress any differently then she does everyday!!! Okay, that wasn't too nice sorry!!
There is no glory in practice but without practice there is no glory!
Loving my life

Affirmation

Like everything else, it feels good to be re-affirmed as parents! We had parent/teacher conferences with Mac and Kennedy's teachers and both were so positive and it seems like we may be doing something right after all!
Mac's teacher was saying he was such a happy, adjusted child with very polite manners, all the kids like him and he plays well with everyone! Of course since he is 4, and I have known him since birth, I sort of anticipated this about him.
Kennedy, being 8 (again knowing her since birth) has such a different personality, I wasn't sure what the teacher was going to say! She said "Kennedy is filled with the sweetest disposition!" I will say I was a tiny bit shocked, but then again I live with her at home with her younger brother and sister that she doesn't always want to be around! And she also received all "A"s on her report card, and even then I couldn't give her the credit she deserved...I am a bad mother, always thinking down on her... Anyway in my mind I am thinking "who doesn't get all A's, it is the third grade for goodness sake" but apparently, this is a great job on her part and I stand corrected! Don't get me wrong, Kennedy is great, she has so many good qualities about her, I REALLY think it is hard to be the oldest child (Wendy?)...So many expectations...But she is strong and beautiful and caring and mentally competitive and she is sweet and loves to snuggle and loves to be loved... Anyway, I love being her mom and I treasure the time I have knowing that all girls eventually do not like their mothers for some reason... WHY???

yikes!!!

Note to self... do not try to take a 21 month old to the DMV again.

At what age?????

At what age age am I going to have to slow down? Stop doing stupid things like... Pushing Emy in the baby jogger for 5 miles today, and now I cnanot even sit still because my legs hurt so badly!!! Or Spot someone in a back handspring that weighs at least 20 pounds more than me and is 4 " taller? Again something I did today, so not only are my legs killing me but my arms as well!!! Scary...
I will have to work out the rest of my life, I feel great about that!! In fact I am excited by it, that I will be healthy and feel good etc... but it sure is hard to fit in everyday! And some days, if I don't go, well then I certainly can't eat right! Anyway...
Sorry about my fine display of (psycho) anger from my last blog. I really want you all to understand that I truly wanted to run into that car, I am not kidding, I really wanted to! I think I have some issues (duh) and I am trying to sort them out. I do not have road rage, as in when I am driving, I am not angered by people, and I am generally just like whatever, so why should this get to me? I am not sure. May have been the combo effect of children misbehaving, trying to get back to Kennedy's game and of course the car in front of me. Why was my anger not directed toward the McD employee???Not sure about that one.
Okay, so loving my husband today! He is beyond words, always helping me with the kids, the dishes, the laundry, the cleaning etc... I am amazed everyday and I am grateful and lucky and happy that he is mine! When people see him, they may think he is cute (oooo he is!!!) but that is just the wrapping, he is so much better than what he appears! That is truly the reason why I love him. The whole package deal. He is great!

Great Weekend

I just love it when my husband is home all weekend and we are able to be together the whole time. He is very nice to spend time with, to talk to, to hang out with and to watch movies with!
Saturday Mac had a soccer game and he actually scored 2 goals! I was very impressed! Especially since it was pouring down rain, and everything was a big slippery puddle. He actually dribbled down the field, like past other players, and shot. He was so cute! Kennedy also had 2 games and I think she scored 3 times total, I did not get to see her first game since Mac's was at the same time. Emy and I agai, hid out in the car during the games, since it really poured the entire time we were at the field. Emersons favorite thing is NOT sitting in a car "watching" soccer for 3 hours and she was extremely crabby! After Mac's game I went home and decided to get some dry clothes for all, and on the way back I went through the drive through at McDonalds, and this is where I almost made the evening news...
It was only 11:21 and when I pulled up there were 3 cars ahead of me, and they had all ordered, so I was glad thinking that it wouldn't take very long to get food. Emerson is hysterical and screaming "chicken" and doesn't understand why they are not producing it faster. At 11:29, there are still 2 cars in front of me, Emerson is still screaming "chicken" and then crying, she thinks I am purposefully withholding chicken from her? Anyway, I am starting to sweat, getting a little unnerved, and then another car pulls away, so only one car remains in front of me. It is 11:35, we are still behind one car, the lady inside is passing out drinks one by one taking a full minute in between passing them out, and Emy is screaming and Mac is singing and I had to seriously consider ramming the car in front of me to get through! I am not kidding, I actually wondered what it would be like, and what it would accomplish, and I could see it happening in my mind. Now realistically, it is not the fault of the car in front of me, but my anger is directed toward them! (I also wanted to just back up and leave, but I had already paid, and I didn't want to be out the cash) 11:38, the blue van finally pulls away, I pull up to the window and the lady says "did you have "...And she repeats my order, which she did not even have ready!!! Oh the agony! I really felt like I could lose it, I tried to be nice, I managed a small smile even and I bit down on my tongue to keep evil from spewing forth! After all, it was a lady about 55, and how could you yell at your mother??

the daily grind

I find that my days are basically filled with the same things in and out. I wake up I get the kids ready for school I work out I pick up Mac from school I make lunch and put Emy down for her nap and then I have 1 1/2 hours of "free" time then I go to work then I come home and go to bed. WOW that is sad! I need some variation, you know? So today I skipped working out (one day will be fine) and I took Emy to the mall, and we just walked around looking at all the stuff (Christmas decor already) and then we came home. So that was something...
Question, has God's word ever come to you, pointing out an area in your life, requiring you to yield it to him? I mean how can God really require something? What is He going to do to enforce it? How serious would we be to completely submit that area to God? How scary is it? VERY!!
I have been having some thoughts lately, and I have been praying and spending time with God figuring some things out. Feels good, yet scary.
Question (not as serious) what in the world does all this "cyber talk" mean? Some of you "hip" people are going to hae to fill me in!!! I mean this girl will email me and always have a D after certain sentences, what in the world is that about? I do not even know what LOL is supposed to stand for! I need a cyber dictionary I guess!

A day of soccer

Such is the life of a soccer mom and coach's wife!
Macguire had the first game of the day (be ther @8:45) and he actually scored a goal! He was so excited!!! He was much improved over last weeks game, he dribbled and kicked and did, well you know, normal soccer things! Unfortuately, his team lost like 20-5 or something like that, but he doesn't even know/understand this. He is only happy that he scored!
Kennedy played at 10:00 and 11:30! They won both games (even with a sub coach, since Corey was in Mobile) and Kennedy scored 6 total goals!! So she was happy as well. I am telling you this to give out a warning to anyone who might ever play against her, she is tough. I saw her flatten a girl today and the look on her face, well it was not love. It was something completely different. (although she did "take a knee" while the girl cried on the ground) But, she was playing defense and if you say "do not let anyone score" well, she doesn't. She's scary.
So, Emy and I endured all of this in th 97 degree weather and although we were both crabby and tired, it was fun.
Corey and his team travelled to Mobile Alabama and they played at their Homecoming! How intense! Well, they WON in overtime, and Corey seemed very happy. He is now 5-2, and this again makes him happy.
Well, Emy is crying from her high chair, I guess done with the fabulous gourmet (frozen) pizza I served for dinner!!! Got to Go!!!

catch up!

Yes, Kelly it has been a long time and there is always stuff to write about but no time to do it! Emerson is a computer magnet and if I sit down even for a minute she is in my room, then in my bathroom entertaining herself (which basically means unwrapping all my tampons, or licking all the cough drops, or at this exact moment, pulling out all the dental floss from the container( and this is unwindable)) So that leaves, nap time or bedtime and I really have so much to do during these times already...okay blah blah blah, everyone has their issues.
What I would really like to be doing??? Taking my kids to the country and walking through the leaves and picking out pumpkins, picking apples (something we did every year growing up), having campfires, baking treats, and generally just relaxing. Sounds like the life...where do I sign up? I love the fall, I dislike the fact that in the South fall is short and doesn't even start until November!!! Although since it has been down to 65 at night, people are pulling out all their winter gear. I am still sending Kennedy to school in shorts and a tank top (it is still 87 during the day) Funny things...
Kennedy has hooked up with another girl one year older then her and they are at the stables every day, caring for her (the other girl) horses. Kennedy is loving it, and we have already been asked for a horse for Christmas!! She is learning so much and the other girls mom, is very patient and a great teacher for Kennedy. She will ride this Friday, and she thinks it is about time! But she has learned to care for the horse and the stable (yes, mucking the stall) and she is excited to be rewarded by riding tomorrow! They also have chickens that lay eggs, and she is so funny "Mom they are brown!!" And she brought one home and cooked it for breakfast and thought "it is definately better than the white ones from the store!"
She is one tough girl on the soccer field!!!! Last weekend she scored 3 in one game and 1 in the second game. She loves playing and she is really good. Her cheerleading is taking 3 seat to soccer and horses! But she is working on her tucks, and is having fun.
Macguire... what a trip! He had his first soccer game last Saturday, in which he touched the ball once and that was only because someone accidently kicked it to him! He just ran along the side of everyone else (I think he was just protecting them!) but he thought it was so serious, and he was giving us thumbs up the whole time, like he had scored 20 goals!!!! He is sweet. At least he isn't twirling around on the field like Kennedy did when she was 4.
Emerson is sick! She had high fever and throw up yesterday, and although no more throw up, she still has a fever. So who knows how this day shall progress!
Corey is playing the #15 team in the nation today, and he is a little worried about how this will work out, I hope I get to go to the game! Wish my mom could come over and watch the kids! Oh yeah, she lives 10 hours away!!! Guess not.
Well, Emy has now brushed her teeth with both mine and Corey's toothbrushes, so I guess I should go and get her! Later times!

a little bitter...

Well, some of my friends and family know that I had a great time sending in an email to the Oprah Winfrey show! Yes, it is true, I was at Oprah.com and I sent in an email to be on the show and they called me twice and asked me to send them things (and yes, they did say I have a very cute family) but I do not think they are going to use me on the show! At least not right now... I am a little bitter but, oh well, It was fun while it lasted! If you ever want to sound completely dumb on the phone, just let the Oprah Winfrey show call you. I was like "uh, sure, okay uh-huh" It was awful and then after I hung up I was like, why didn't I say this or ask that??? Oh well...
Busy day tomorrow... Corey has an away soccer game, I coach cheerleading from 3-5:45 and both Kennedy and Mac have soccer practice from 6-7, and I guess I will be coaching Kennedy's team, since Corey is her coach and he will not be there! Also I did not work out today, so I feel the need to do that tomorrow and my Tuesday am bible study is tomorrow so we will be grooving along all day!
I am reading a great boof called Your Girl and it is written by Vicky Courtney, it is a great study for all moms of girls, and you cannot begin to read it too soon! I tend to give direction to Kennedy without incorporating the biblical WHY into it. and how am I going to do that out of the blue when it is a "big" issue? Begin small, build on that. All things are related to the Lord, and if I can make that connection to her, I can expect her to make it on her own in the future(?)!!! I hope ...

Always my highlight

Macguire, so sweet...
Always my highlight of the week, Friday and Mac saying his bible verse!
This weeks verse was "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you"
Mac's version "Draw to God and He will draw you"
I am thinking of starting a new translation...

great friends

It is good to have great friends!!! I have been blessed with good friends my whole life. When I think back to my friends from elementary, they were my same friends in high school, they are my friends right now. When I went to college (actually 3 different ones) I found great friends that I still am relating to! Let me tell you why people need friends...you need someone else to talk to beside your better half (I mean they are great, but who are you supposed to complain about them to?)...you need someone to listen and possibly give their feelings on the subject (not someone who listens then tries to solve your problem, I mean some probloms are unsolvable, that is the "fun" thing about them)...women need to chatter: about size, shape, hair, kids, the lady next door, etc... while men do not care about any of the above. Seriously, I asked my husband today if I should cut my hair (it is half-way down my back) and he said "Look, I like it any way you do it, it doesn't matter, it always looks good" then when I asked my friend, she said "yes, you should cut it, are you trying to be 20 or 37??" Men do not chatter, their topics are concise and direct and their is no warning, just boom! there it is.
Anyway, back to having friends...I have not found this great selection of friends here in Mississippi, and I feel like I am worse for the wear. It is sad that on any given day I can make 10 long distance calls, yet only one local call (to Corey of course). Life is strange...I am so thankful that I have those friends to rely on, when the selection here is dismal. Thanks to all my friends for loving me, suppporting me, chattering with me, and thinking of me also! I am so blessed!

a day in the life...

I just want to preface this by saying, I know this is "normal" and that you are all doing the same thing!
I woke up at 6:15am, got Kennedy awake, made coffee, fed Kennedy, got her on the bus by 6:45. I then emptied the dishwasher and sat down to cup #1, while I watched the beginning of the Today show. Mac woke up then and had "tee-teed" in his bed, so I got him in the tub, stripped his bed and got his laundry going. I washed him, got him dressed for school and fed him breakfast. Emerson woke up and I got her in her high chair, waffle (Corey did get her breakfast), and I got dressed to work out, got my contacts in etc..., got Emy dressed, switched the laundry over (Corey mowed the lawn...yes at 8:00am) and got into the car at 8:10 to take Mac to school. Dropped him off at 8:30 and Emy and I went to Walmart to pick up those stray items that I always forget! We get to the gym at 9:10, I jump in to an aerobics class (that started at 9) and do that for 45 minutes, then get on the treadmill and run 5 miles (I am training for a tri-athalon...right Molly?) then do a 45 minute "total tone" class, which is weights, and abs. So then at 10:55, Emy and I leave to go to the library, where we quickly select 2 videos (like she even watches anything except Barney) and I get 2 books, and we go to pick Mac up by 11:30. Then we go home, I make them lunch, and I start making dinner (tonight is lasagna/salad/bread) because I will not be home from the cheer gym until 8:30. So then at 12:30, Emy is ready for her nap (me too!!!) and Mac is playing on the computer, so I make dinner and confirm with my babysitter what the plans are and at 2:35 I have to leave to meet her (the babysitter) and she is taking my 3 kids to a soccer game, and then meeting Corey at 6:00 for Kennedy's soccer practice (he is the coach) and they practice until 7. I drop them with Ashley, go to the cheer gym and coach my first team 3:00-5:00 (they are short a base, so of course I fill in). Then a class from 5-6 and a team from 6-8. I have completely forgotten to eat today, wait that is not true, somewhere I squeezed in another cup of coffee and 2 (yes 2) pieces of birthday cake! So I got home at 8:30 and I just had lasagna, and another piece of cake (whoa...too much cake eating going on). I have taken the trash out and started the laundry again, and now I am checking email! I stink (did I mention that the cheer gym has NO AIR CONDITIONING!!!!! oh yes, and we live in Mississippi) so it was hot and muggy and disgusting. So I am going to take a shower and go to bed, hopefully before 10! Because my 6:15 calling will come too quickly!

Hottie!

Funny how you can look at someone everyday (and night) for the last 12 years and still last night he looked so hot! What a cutie!!! We were going out for my birthday dinner and I was sitting on the couch talking to our babysitter (who is one of his soccer players) and he walked into the room, and I said "Oh isn't he so cute?" And of course she didn't know what to say, about her coach and all...funny. What a cute husband!

mac's 2 bible verse

Now what is this about! The first verse he says "all sheep gone astray" and his second verse "But He was wounded for our transgressions" What kind of a verse is that for 4 year olds!!! Whew, this was a hard one, he didn't get it until Thursday (he has to say them on Friday).

old age

okay, when I wake up in the morning, I will be 37 years old! Crazy, but this seems old! The last time I had a "problem" with my birthday I was 30, and my friends (who were all quite younger than I) consoled me and said it would be fine...and it was. When I was 35 I was pregnant with Emerson and therefore distracted from thinking I was old(er). Last year I made a huge road trip to Texas (Corey was on a soccer trip) and I did not want to be in Mississippi on my birthday by myself! So (logically) the only thing to do is pack up a 7, 3 and 9 month old and drive 8 1/2 hours, spend 2 1/2 days and drive back!!! So this will be better, Corey is home, I will wake up in my own bed and I am sure my family will dote on me all day! Regardless, I will still be 37 (and then 38, 39 ...) and I am now old enough to have birthed some of the cheerleaders I coach!
I just thought of this song that is on the kids cd "Jonah was a prophet Ooooo Ooooo But he never really got it Sad but true" Anyway the sad but true part is where I am going with this...it can be sad but it is the truth and you cannot change the truth!

Mac teaches mom

Today when I picked up Mac from school, he was recounting his day and telling me everything!!! At the end he said "and I did not run or talk and I didn't throw anything, whew, how much more do I have to do that?" And I didn't have the heart to say "for the rest of your life baby!" So I said," let's just try again tomorrow and go from there". He is so sweet!!!! One day at a time...

Lost apples

Today Mac has "lost his apples"!!! After four days of eating and playing at school, he has now lost his apples. This is a disciplinary procedure, and this is what happened. He was running, talking, and throwing things (I am not sure what), and he would not obey. So his apples were taken away. Which means that he had to sit down during outdoor play time. So I drive up to pick him up and he is practically crying with his bottom lip stuck out so far, so I say what is wrong and he says "I lost my apples" and he is SSSOOOOO sad, and the lady buckling him in the car says "Oh he lost his apples, thats not good" And I do not even know what this is, although I have figured out, not good. So I asked him what he did and he told me and then I say, well you will need to apologize to Miss Margaret, and he says I did, but she told me to sit down!! And I said well, you cannot disobey, she is your teacher and you need to listen. He says "well, I just wanted to have fun!" But he is still upset, and very sensitive about the whole issue. Then he tells me "the boy in the black shirt and the one with brown hair lost their apples too" Funny? I don't know. I do know that he was very upset about being disciplined, and this is his first time! I told him he would have to tell his dad what happened today and that he was sorry etc... and he said "daddy will be mad at me" and I said "No, he will love you anyway!"
I will say that out of my three children, he is the least expected to act out of line, so I am curious to see where this may lead.

Why I think living in the South is so funny...

1. I met a lady today who had three sons: Jacoby, Jacorey and Jacody. (I know Kelly beats me at this, she had some strange names from where she worked)
2. The weatherman actaully says things like "we will be having abundant sunshine today" or even this "we have southern fried sunshine today!" I mean what is that? I am still trying to figure out this southern dish: chicken fried steak! Say what you mean!!!!(is it chicken or steak?)
3. Speaking of saying what you mean, I actually heard the Governor of Mississippi say "It might could be that ..."
4. I coach a VERY wealthy private school here in Jackson and these are Three of my best excuses of "why I wasn't at cheerleading practice"... "my parents took me to Germany for a long weekend" "I was at surf school in San Diego"(going to be real helpful in MS) "I had to get my nail tips done, because if I don't then I bite my nails and then I get an infection, my mom says I have to have them"
5. I am helping to open a cheer gym and we are setting up tumbling classes, and I have a beginner, intermediate, advanced, and elite class. Well, someone suggested I should call beginner intermediate because "the North Jackson moms don't think their children are beginners at anything" And literally I changed the name of the class, and now it is full!!
Funny times!
Again my son continues to give the highlight of his day as "I play and eat cheese crackers" Although today he had goldfish, and this was even better!!! He actually learned a bible verse, probably the first he has memorized, and it is Isaiah 53:6 "All we like sheep have gone astray" and he says "all sheep gone astray" Interesting!

The Reservoir

So strange, I remember visiting here and some guy (his name eludes me) was actually driving around my whole family, and he was showing us different ares where we could live. And when he drove across the reservoir, I remember thinking "I am not living out this far, what a long drive with 3 children, and so far away from the college" Well, you can guess what happened. The reason I thought of this today was because I was driving to my home which IS across the reservoir! I am so quick to make decisions and I want them to be firm, yet I didn't even ask the One controlling the world what He wants!!!!

Sooooo cute!!!

I have the cutest, sweetest boy!!
His first day of pre-school was today, and he was very excited! Neither of my 2 pre-schoolers were scared/sad to go to school, they both just went in and began to play! So at 11:30, I picked Mac up and I said"So, how was it??? What did you do?" and my 4 year old said, "we played and had cheese crackers!!" So, I am thinking great, I pay 120.00 monthly so my child can play and eat!!! Then I said, what else did you do? and he said we had to sit down, and then well, we had to sit down again etc... I will not bore you with the details, but he was so funny trying to put his day back together and tell me what was going on. Anyway, I asked him if he wanted to go back again and he said "mom, I have to!" So, he is very funny.
WOW! Middle school is probably the worst age!!! I coached a MS team today, and I really had to pray for love. It was not coming out very well. The girls are crazy and they do not agree on anything and they are ALWAYS ALWAYS talking!!!!! Arg! My pastor said if there was a person who was "on your last nerve" that you should put a positive buffer between you. Like, instead of thinking "she's on my last nerve" think, "well she does a great job breathing, she has got that one down, does it everyday and every night, she really does a good job at that." So I am thinking this and then when the girls are conditioning, I am thinking, "wow, they are breathing and much too heavily, they are out of shape, they do not care, they are in MS, they are on my last nerve!!!!!!!!" So I have a hard time not connecting thoughts and then making them back into negative ones!!! I need to work on that.
so, all for now, Emy needs a bath!!