Uncomfortable

Do you ever have a question from someone that 'catches you off-guard'? What do you say? How do you react? This just happened to this lady and she wasn't prepared for the question and she surely wasn't prepared for an answer. She's expecting her 9th blessing in December and her experience makes you uncomfortable for her. But the outcome....beautiful thoughts. So all you pregos out there, you've got some material to work with when you're sprung upon!!

May Perpetual Light Shine Upon Them -

If you've never heard of Mike Gallagher [conservative radio host], his wife, Denise, was diagnosed about a year ago w/endometrial cancer - stage 4, I believe. Well, she just passed away on June 29th, unbeknownst to me - until I read this this morning. Get your tissue/s ready. He put in some really tender thoughts in his public good-bye.

Love, Laugh and Live!

May God Bless You and Yours!

"Panda"...

... may he Rest in Peace.

Wednesday we had to put Therese's hamster down. It was such a sad day for this little eight yr old animal lover - and so hard for her mother and older sisters to see her in such heartache.

Panda's leg swelled up like a balloon - seemed like overnight - and he was crying in pain. I prayed that he'd just 'go on his own', but that was not to be.

We found a vet's office who took in exotics [seems like anything other than a cat/dog is an exotic] - and they said there is nothing they could have done. After he was put to sleep they told me that it was indeed a tumor as opposed to an absess [which was just as bad - really no treatment for a hamster].

We opted for the "Take the Pet Home, Burial Package" [as opposed to "Group Cremation" - a little more money - or the "Private Cremation" - the most money....and yes, I'm serious.]

So yesterday was the burial. The entire family trekked to the backyard where Paul dug the hole, said a few words, we prayed an 'Ave', Therese and Dani threw their flowers on top of Panda's box, and then the 3 boys replaced the dirt. Done.

And if you're wondering why it took so long to bury him - 4 days: Wed. Therese wasn't 'ready' and it's been raining a lot here. So Saturday was chosen b/c the garage was smelling to high heaven. It was definitely time.

Therese has been coping well. She likes to hold Sophia's Fuzzy - who doesn't get held by Sophia, b/c she's afraid that it'll go potty on her.

I told Therese on Wednesday, "You just tell me when you're ready to get another hamster". She said later that night, "I'm ready". :o)

Crafty Bloggin' Women

I was looking on Hobby Lobby's website for their locations for you poor souls that don't even know *if* or *that* you have a store near you - anyways, I came across their Project List. There are some pretty cool things to do. Maybe R can chose some of them for her up and coming schoolyear so she'll have some things to post about. Maybe Hank's MOM can make a dog collar [too cool and easy]. Maybe Mom to Five Minnies can make some of these for all those summer birthday's. Maybe Katherine's Mom can make some of these for her when she gets of age to wear flip flops [who's still inutero] - the girl's gotta keep up with her four camo-wearin' brothers. For all you manicurists out there, there's this. For all you girly girls how 'bout some cool jewelry? Maybe Miss Crocus could make one of these and then utilize it when she has a baking kick! And finally, The Crazy Skinny Running Half Marathons When Her Baby Is Actually Still A Little Infant Mama could make this so she can catch up on whatever it is she does when she's not running!

The list is a long one, so have a fun-filled crafty summer!

[i think i just wrote a country song! cool!]

Father Corapi

Not that I'm doubting the person who told me that he was sick, but is there something out there that states that Father Corapi is ill and they don't know exactly what it is?

I Woke Up This Mornin'...

...to a sun-shiny face
he kinda looks like the 'Dunkin' Donuts' man - "I made the doughnuts..."

Pictures from the Last Couple Wks

oh, blackberry pie -
blackberries from our yard, picked by the kids -

mama and chawee

cleanin' cousins
searchin' for grasshoppers to feed to the lizard
john paul - 5yo
...who brought me a 'blower'

Speechless...

This Post Totally Deserves the Title: "Barfaroni"

...and it's not even really a post, rather a link to the 'barfaroni'!

Reminder Post

This is a reminder so that I don't forget to check this out!!

Multi-tasking Babe!

[the boy, not me!]

....sorry to disappoint! LOL

Deck Decor

Okay, here are the photos I said I'd post - the table set I got at Target. The decor I got from Hobby Lobby. If you don't have a Hobby Lobby ..... I'm so sorry, and you'll be in my prayers :o)

[this little guy I've had - he's just got a new home now :o)]

Independence Day!

HAPPY 4th to y'all!!

This Just In...

Joseph the 3yo at the lunch table:

BURP!!

"I have thunder in my mouth!"

Fyi - he did say 'excuse me Mommy' :o)

Beautiful Day!

This is ideal weather here in Hotlanta today. Who could resist 81 degrees on July 1st!? A rare, beautiful, sunny, and cool July day!

Undercover Brother -

Who do you think the joke was really on?

I love the violin - I hope that I would've at least stopped to enjoy the beauty of this soul-stirring concert!

h/t: Blair

Our Day in Pictures:

What Kayla did.....

What John Paul did...... [now that's what I'm talkin' about!]
What Joseph did......... [pretending to 'vacuum' with blocks]

What Hannah did..........

What I did....and a little of this..........

What Dani did............I also did a little of this............

and a little of this...........What Therese and Sophia did............
and we ended with this............

Note: if you don't have flour for pizza dough...don't try Kroger brand pancake mix, unless you like biscuit pizza. At least it was tasty and cheaper than 3 pizzas from Papa Johns!!

En Francais ~

This morning I was doing Sophia's hair. I put a French braid in it. Here is the little exchange between Sophia and Therese:

Sophia: [feeling the back of her head, speaking to me] Oh! You put a braid in my hair!

Me: Yes, it's a French braid.

Sophia: What's a French braid?

Therese: It makes you speak French!

Sophia: [saying in a "you're teasing" way] Therese.

Therese: See, you just spoke French! You said, "Therese"!

[Her name is the French pronunciation]

They are the Best!

I love my parents!

Aren't they just adorable?!

Again, this is one of my "cool" shots taken on Father's Day.

We are so very blessed to have them over for dinner every Sunday - okay, not *just* dinner :o) This is a gift my kids will always remember - the gift of knowing their grandparents. Really knowing them. Thank you God for this gift.

This is one of my favorites from the day!

No Way!

Well, it was bound to happen! I just can't believe it happened this soon!

I love you

and

Happy 40th birthday, Paul!!!

40? Really? 40? It's a good round number! I like it!

[and you're gonna do somethin' 'bout those sideburns?]

Wake me up before you GoGo....