Catchin' up 14th & 15th

I'm behind!  Ugh!- Sorry no pictures.

November 14- We didn't do school.  We could have, but I decided to take the day off.

Aussie has been working hard on his blog.  He wants to delete all the posts that I made him do for school.  Bah humbug! He cracks me up, he told me he is now following my blog.  I guess I better watch what I say.  He also said, that Gramma is only following Mason's blog and not his or Ashley's.  So Gramma you might want to do something about that.

Yesterday, I got to sit in and watch the kids practice for A Miracle on 24th Street.  It is coming along nicely and everyone is doing a great job.  Ashley is a little upset that she doesn't have much to do in the play.  But they needed boys and Ashley just got to be in it.  All of these musicals are really getting me wanting to try out for something myself.  I've never really been in a play, but I think I would enjoy it.  Especially if it was a musical.  Maybe the next time auditions are held for some musical I'll audition.  One that would have children in it as well so all of us could go together.

Today, I am thankful that I can be flexible with homeschooling.  Even though it is not my favorite thing to do, it still has quite a few perks.  Plus, this year is going so much better.  The kids are more independent and can actually do several things by themselves.

November 15-  Today was a pretty good day. We did do school.  Ashley must have been under the weather today, because she was really difficult today, but we still seemed to get quite a bit done.

I just thought wow I'm kinda tired and I looked at the time and see that it is 1AM.  I suppose I should go to bed.  I am downstairs and Greg is rocking the house with his snoring. I think he has a mild case of sleep apnea, but he refuses to believe it.

I got a GORGEOUS birthday card from my Mom today.  I need to work it into my November Daily book somehow.

I put on Facebook that if anyone liked  Christmas decorating and would want to help me let me know.  I got 2 people saying they would like to help.  I'm stoked!  I'm always the one to do EVERYTHING at Christmas time around here.  It should be a lot more fun having a friend or two to help out.

Today I am thankful for Ghiradelli chocolate chips.  Mmmmmm!  OK  that had nothing do with today, so here's one that can somewhat relate.  I am thankful for MY CPAP machine.  It helps me get a good night's sleep.  I sure wish the person who sleeps next to me would get one, then I would get an even better night's sleep!

Celebrating 39! (again)

Today was Harvest Sunday at church.  It is one of my favorite Sundays.  Our church collects over 650 bags of groceries packed with specific foods that make up a Thanksgiving dinner.  Our family brought 5 bags, one for each person to carry to the the front.  These bags are then distributed out to those in need.

After church, my in-laws took me out to eat to one of my favorite restaurants, Logans for my birthday.

Mmmmmm.....I got a delicious Filet Mignon!

Ashley made me a sign that said, Happy Mommy Day!

 Leftovers!

The kids

 had play practice today and then Greg took them to Lipscomb Middle school open house.  Ashley and Mason are excited about the fact that they may be going there next year.  Aussie is not happy about it at all.  He wants to be able to pick his own classes.  I didn't get to go with them because I was absolutely exhausted and had to take a nap.  After the play last night I came home cuddled with the kids and then went out to get groceries for Harvest Sunday.  On my way out Greg called and said some of them were going out to eat.  So I joined them.  Well I still needed to get groceries so I went to the store at 1:15AM.  I got home a little after 2AM.  Since my in-laws are in town and are sleeping on the couch bed in the living room I was trying to be super quiet.  But wouldn't you know I accidentally pressed the car alarm button.  In the morning they said they didn't even hear it.  Greg did though from upstairs.  Needless to say, I didn't get very much sleep last night.

After dinner we celebrated with an ice cream  birthday cake.  Mason wrote Happy on this one and Ashley wrote Mommy on another one.

Delicious!

Today I am thankful for having good in-laws.  

The Big Day- MYTH reading

So Saturday was THE BIG DAY!

Greg had his first public reading of his original musical- Myth.

What that basically means is that instead of it being a full production of the play it is read from scripts.  The cast had 6 days to prepare.  The story is completely written, the lyrics to the songs are completely written, but the songs themselves are only about half done.

This is Greg and Wes Driver (his writing partner) and Michael Slayton their music composer.

I took lots of pictures.  Here are just a few:

 There were 29 actors and they doubled up on some parts.

 Ben Van Diepen played the Greek god, Apollo and he was AMAZING!  Jamie Farmer played Tressa and she was pretty good too.

 Joanna Hackman played Acacia and Rick Seay played the Greek god, Zeus.

Ross Bolen and Mike Baum played brothers Kakisto and Kallisto

 Brad Forrister played Oinophilus.

 Caleb Pritchett played Neomoros the ignorant fool.

 Wesley Payne played the goddess Hera.

 Patrick Kramer played the Greek god, Hermes.

The reading was very successful.  From what I could tell most/if not all people could follow along.

The music was fabulous!  Ben had his songs memorized and he performed them beautifully.

I think I already said that I am thankful for my husband, so this time I will say I am thankful for his creative talent.  This musical is amazing and I hope someone out there will fund it!

Today was my birthday.

I was a little bummed at first.  Greg had rehearsal.  I had plans to go out with some girls but they cancelled.  The Greene's offered for me to go out with them.  They were taking the kids to see Puss and Boots and going to Chick Fil A.  But I just didn't want to celebrate my birthday that way.

So I went out by myself.

On the way out I called a friend who has moved away to tell her I was feeling kind of sorry for myself.  She made my night! She texted me something that can't be repeated here.  I laughed so hard I was almost crying.  But I did a 180o turn around, and the rest of the night was tons of fun.

I treated myself to Rafferty's.  I got a french dip sandwich which was pretty yummy.

Then I went to Brushfire and painted a plate.  If you have never painted pottery it's a little weird.  First of all it is fun!  I love it. But it's also just a little nerve wracking.  When you paint the colors are very flat and you are never quite sure what it will really look like after it gets glazed and out of the kiln.

Here is what I painted.  I think it will look nice.  I only wish now that I would have painted the string to Santa's bag brown instead of black.  Looking at this photo it sticks out like a sore thumb to me.

Now it is the waiting game.  I pick it up next Friday. and I'll make sure to take a picture so you can see the finished product.

After painting, I then treated myself to The Cheesecake Factory.  I got a piece of chocolate raspberry cheesecake.  Mmmmm!  It was divine!

Today I am very thankful for my dear friend Dana, who can make me laugh even from miles away!

Nana and Papa are here

Nana and Papa made it here safely. They brought Meggie with them.  Izzy is scared of her, but she keeps getting closer and closer and she has swatted her paw a couple of times.

Nana and Papa brought Christmas presents.  Aunt Kristen works at the Under Armour so they bought each of the kids a hoodie jacket.  Ashley LOVES it and put it right on.

While we were at the Sam Davis home today, one of Ashley's friends came to get her picture taken and they both put one of the bonnets on from the gift shop..

I am thankful for cars and paved highways. Without them we would still be riding horses or in buggys.  A trip from Florida here certainly would take much longer than a day.

Oops I for today's gratitude entry

Today I am thankful for the Internet including blogs and Facebook and smart phones. It's tough when family lives so far away, but it is really nice that we can share pictures and talk to people within minutes.  It's so much easier to stay in touch these days!  And I love Facebook where you feel like you really get to know people better.

What a day! :(

Wow! Just Wow!

  That pretty much sums up my day so far.  I've been "taught" when you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all.  But um...I live under the policy, if you don't have anything nice to say come sit next to me.  :) 

Today has been rough with a roller coaster of emotions.  We had family pictures taken today (in the rain).  I certainly hope they are better than what I got today.

I do think this picture of Ashley taking a picture with my big camera is cute.  She is quite the little photographer.

 By the time we got to the place to get our pictures taken both Ashley and my hair was frizzy because of the weather.

 Aussie was not happy with what I chose for him to wear.  He wanted to know why he couldn't pick it out.  I told him he picks out his clothes every other day and I get to choose on picture day.  He would be in black from head to toe if he picked it out himself.

I'm pretty much drained, but I have a ton of things to do today. See you tomorrow.

Today has been an extremely busy day.  And even though it was busy I really don't have much to say.  Today has been filled with school, running errands, cleaning, taking the boys to play practice and calling people to remind them they have their yearbook pictures taken tomorrow.

This is not my cat.  This is the stray cat that hangs out at the theater.  He/She is extremely friendly as you can tell.  It jumped up in my lap as I was sitting down waiting for play practice to start.  All the kids love it.  NO I'm not bringing him home! NO NO NO I refuse.

Tomorrow we are supposed to be getting yearbook pictures taken and yet again it is supposed to rain in the morning.  And even though I don't like the idea of having to reschedule ANOTHER day and getting everyone to sign up, I'm secretly wishing our time slot is cancelled.  I just have too much to do to take out that much time in the day to get pictures.

My in-laws are coming on Thursday.  They will be here for the reading of Greg's BIG musical on Saturday.  I'm really looking forward to hearing what people think of this show.  I really like it and I sure hope a lot more people like it too.  I'm really proud of Greg and Wes and Mike (for the music).  It has changed A LOT since Greg first had the idea, but this is the first story he told me when we were dating.  So this idea and script writing has been around for a very long time.   Pray that it goes well .

I am thankful for my very talented husband.

 Busy, busy, busy!  That would explain our life right now.   I have felt tired all day.  I can't believe that one little hour change can mess me up so much!

 I took Izzy to the vet today to get fixed.  I couldn't help my eyes filling up with tears as I dropped her off.  I had to explain why.  I was scared.  I had to regain my composure before walking in the door so the kids wouldn't see me upset and ask why.  I didn't want them to worry, so I didn't tell them.  The doctor called from the vet around 11:00 to tell me Izzy was doing well.  She said that we could probably come pick her up today and to call at 3:00.  So we did.  We picked her up.  They shaved her tummy so she looks a little funny.  She seemed mad at me for bringing her.  They told me that each cat is different and it could take a few hours or a week for the cat to feel back to normal.  When we got home she ate a little food and then she was as spunky as ever.  Trying to get her to slow down and not play is impossible.  

Tonight the boys had play practice and Ashley did not.  That ruined my plans of going home and watching a movie.  What to do with a little girl with little money?  Well I took her to Sonic to get a cherry slush.  I let her sit up in the front seat while we were there and she felt like she was in heaven.

She dreamed about Photoshopping this picture to look like it was day and we were driving.  She wanted to tease Daddy that she was sitting up front without a carseat or a seat belt on.

The boys didn't have to be a play practice for very long tonight so after Sonic we just hung out at the theater.  Ashley had to go to the bathroom really bad, but the women's restroom was closed and blocked off.  So we decided to let her go in the Men's room.

No one was in there, but she came out and said none of the doors locked.  I walked down to the girl's bathroom to see if there was a note on the door telling us of another restroom in the building, but it did not.  So I said, "Come on Ashley, I will stand outside and not let anyone in."  In that short amount of time someone went in there.  And she would not go.

So on the way home as she is rocking and whining, she said, "Mom I really have to go I don't think I can make it until we get home."  OK I said, we will stop at the next gas station.

Wouldn't you know it-BOTH bathrooms were out of order!

Thankfully she made it home!

I am so thankful for indoor plumbing!

And I am really thankful that Izzy is doing well and is at home.

Saved by the Cat

You may have noticed that this is titled Saved by the Cat.  That would be because up until an hour ago the best picture I got today was of Greg's toe.  He thinks he may have broken his little toe getting out of the shower this morning.  It looks terrible!  It is all swollen and purple.

Then for the gratitude journal I was going to write:  I am thankful it is not MY toe!  Of course I would have written JUST KIDDING really big beside it.

But you are in luck because something much cuter happened that was picture worthy.

My little Izzy cat is like a puppy.  She runs from one room to the next so fast.  She climbs the backs of chairs that we started calling her an acrocat!  At night when the kids go to bed that is when she becomes lovey.  She will let you hold her and pet her.  If you try during the day she wants to get down and play.  We have to put her up at night because she likes to pounce on us in the early morning hours.  And if you moved in your bed, you would be sure that she would attack your toes.  But she also likes to play fetch.  Many times I see her bring stuffed animals from upstairs downstairs.  Many times they are twice her size.

Today she is bringing this Build-A-Bear cat down the steps and I caught her in action.

I am thankful for our furry friends.  They are certain to bring us a smile.

Please pray for Izzy tomorrow.  We are taking her in to get fixed and to get her shots.  Pray for us too.  I haven't told the kids yet.  See the last time we took a kitten in to get fixed she died there.  I am nervous!  We are obviously taking her somewhere else.  She will need to stay overnight.

On a brighter note- I loved the songs we sang in church today.  At the end of service we sang my very favorite church song, This is how we Overcome.  In the chorus it says, You've turned my mourning into dancing, you've turned my sorrow into joy.  I picture Greg and myself dancing in the mornings (& evenings) with our triplets when they were babies.  I so desperately wanted kids and God answered my prayer right down to the little detail of having a girl first.

I am so thankful God gave me my heart's desire!

Saturday Fun

 It's the first Saturday of the month and that means a new project at Home Depot.  When I remember I take Ashley and Mason there, while Aussie is at Chinese class.
Today they were making picture frames.

Then we went to pick up Aussie.  I thought this tree was pretty outside of his school.

Aussie was in a Chinese Art class.  Everyone had different characters to draw.  He was given the word, six.

Oh I forgot to do the gratitude part of Thursday and Friday.

Thursdays:  I am thankful that Pizza Hut has a reading program that allows kids to earn a free individual pizza a month and I'm thankful they allow homeschoolers to participate.

Friday: I'm thankful that I don't have to teach Science at home!

Saturday: I'm thankful for FREE Home Depot projects.  I'm thankful that we got Aussie into Chinese at a young age.  He loves it and he excels at it.

and an extra one for Wednesday:  I'm thankful we have nice police officers who serve and protect us.

November 3 and 4, 2011

Thursday, Nov. 3 was a very busy day and the main thing of the day was even cancelled.  I am somewhat in charge of yearbook/school pictures.  So I was supposed to work our first day of school pictures.  But it rained so we had to reschedule since all of our pictures are being taken outside.  Since it rained I decided to take the kids to Pizza Hut.  They had earned a reading coupon, so they could get a free individual pizza.  

 We took our History homework with us and did it while we were at the restaurant.  It was much longer than usual and all of us were exhausted by the time we got finished with it.

That evening I got to go to Jenni Bowlin's packing party.  It is once a month and I enjoy it so much.  We help her pack up the scrapbooking kits she sells and in return we get to keep one of the kits.  It's just a really fun girl's night out.

Friday, November 4

This little stinker tried to get out of touching a dissection.  Luckily, he didn't have to touch it.  But I was talking to his Science teacher and she told me what he said and it absolutely cracked me up!

He said, "Miss Tammy, I need to talk to you.  Um..My Mom is allergic to fish so I don't think we should touch it!"

Apparently, all of my kids have an aversion to dissection.  I guess they get it honestly, because I didn't like it myself.  I remember getting physically sick when we had to dissect a worm.  Luckily, I had  a partner who didn't mind doing the cutting when we did the frog.

Wed. Nov. 2 continued

 Wednesday, the Girl Scouts visited the Smyrna Police station.  It was REALLY interesting!

Here they are in a jail cell.

I think most of them look a little too happy to be in there.

Officer Gibbons gave us the tour. He was showing the kids the wand that they scan over your body to see if anyone has a weapon.  He showed how it beeped when it went over his gun on his hip.  Then he went down his leg and it beeped again, he said and that is where my knife is, and then he scanned his other leg and said, and I have another gun here.  It was silent and Ashley broke the silence and said, "Now THAT's disturbing!"  Everyone had a big laugh.  He said that was the right answer and that what she said was the best thing he heard all day.

November Daily

Well it is the 5th of November and I have decided to do a November Daily.  Most scrapbookers know what a December Daily is.  If you don't know, it is when you document or scrapbook each day of that month.  Scrapbookers usually do December because we have so many events going on that month.  Well that is just the reason I don't want to do December.  I don't know many people who have actually finished their December Daily book.  So I've decided I will do November.  And maybe I'll make it a gratitude November Daily.

I need to go back a few days.  The only picture I took on November 1st was a picture of some clothes to ask my Mom if they matched.  We were going to have family pictures taken this week, but we were rained out and we have to re-schedule.  I will have to remember what else we did on that day, since I really don't want to start off my scrapbook with a pile of clothes.  Oh, Oh Oh- I remember what happened on Tuesday.  Early Tuesday morning (night time) Mason came into our room crying.  His ear was hurting.  Mason is not usually the first one to get sick, but he is typically the child who would get an ear infection.  So Tuesday I took him to Greg's work clinic.  He indeed has an ear infection.  Poor little fella! Tuesday night was our typical Chick Fil A night.  We were over-charged.  I have yet to see the charge come off my bank account yet.  Gee! Maybe I should start with the clothes picture. HA!

Let's see, I am thankful for Doctors and antibiotics that can make it so an ear infection is rather a minor problem.  I'm thankful for technology that when I don't have a girl friend around I can just snap a picture and send it to my Mom.  And I'm thankful for my Mom who can still be the girl friend that I need even though she's far away.

November 2, was a fun filled busy day.

Ashley piled up a bunch of leaves that had fallen on the trampoline and she came in and said MOM-get your camera. 

 And the boys had to join in the fun too!

  This picture to the left makes me smile!

I sure wish I had gotten out earlier this year to take Fall pictures.  There was one tree that I passed by everyday that was absolutely gorgeous.  But now it has rained and gotten colder and the tree is looking fairly bare instead of full of color.  I'm glad Ashley got me to take these fun pictures.

I am thankful for the beautiful colors of Fall!

More to come...I need to take my kids to Home Depot.