Hot... and in need of rest

Did you know that it is hotter than a goats hiney in a pepper patch down here in Georgia.

Seriously, we are sweating it out.

I am envious of all my "just pretendz bloggy friends" who live in places like Ruralville or up in Northern Idaho. I get the sense that Summer may have just arrived for you.

And when I say Summer, I do not mean, 80 degree weather.

God Bless you sweet people, but 80 degrees is not Summer.

The hubs had a mandatory work function at the church last night, so in an attempt to cool the kids off, I took them to a local park with fountains. It was an amazingly good outing considering I was so outnumbered. Sassy was in true form... singing, dancing, playing in the fountains, and her little shadow was imitating her every move.

Chilli fell asleep in the carrier.
I love that kid.

Sassy was putting on some type of musical production.

She was totally in her own world.

Once again, I love that she is oblivious to the fact that she marches to a beat of a different drummer. I hope that her spirit isn't ever squelched.

At one point, she decided to lie down on the ground.

Of couse Jenkins joined her.

But it was funny because the rest of the kids were running around all over the place and she and her brother were just lying down... it was almost like I was watching special effects in a movie, where the main characters are fixed and still while the world buzzes around them in a frenzy.

I have often commented that this stage of my life does not seem to provide a lot of opportunity for reflection. That's not to say that there aren't plenty of things to reflect on... it's just that in between feeding the family, dressing children, changing diapers, cleaning up endless messes, doing laundry, and, and, and... I confess that most of the time, I'm too exhausted to reflect.

However, as I watched my kids lie down in the midst of chaos yesterday, I did have a small reflective moment.

How awesome that in the middle of all that insanity, they were able to block out the noise and be still.

Granted, they were probably just pretending to "take a nap" but for me it was the visual image that caught my attention.

I am desperate for some stillness in my life.

Even though it is crazy and I know there is so much to do, I know I need to be still more often than I am.

Like, not just when I am asleep!

My quiet times have been short, rushed and infrequent. I hope I can be still enough this week to lie down in the middle of all the madness and enjoy some time with the Jesus.

I pray I might rest in the Secret of his Presence as Sandra McCracken sings about in this song.

In the Secret of His Presence (click to hear the song).
In the secret of His presence
How my soul delights to hide!
Oh, how precious are the lessons
Which I learn at Jesus’ side!
Earthly cares forever vex me,
all my trials lay me low;
But when Satan comes to tempt me,
To the secret place I go.

When my soul is faint and thirsty,
‘Neath the shadow of His wing
There is cool and pleasant shelter,
And a fresh and crystal spring;
And my Savior rests beside me,
As we hold communion sweet;
If I tried, I could not utter
What He says when thus we meet.

Only this I know: I tell Him
All my doubts and griefs and fears;
Oh, how patiently He listens!
And my drooping soul He cheers;
Do you think He ne’er reproves me?
What a false friend He would be,
If He never, never told me
Of the sins which He must see.

Would you like to know that sweetness
Of the secret of the Lord?
Go and hide beneath His shadow;
This shall then be your reward;
And whene’er you leave the silence
Of that happy meeting-place,
By the Spirit bear the image
Of the Master in your face.

words by ELLEN GOREH, music by CHRISTOPHER MINER



Maranda

Apple Jacks and Tiny Hinies

You do know that we have 3 children, right?

I feel like lately I have only blogged about Sassy and Jenkie and yet, there is this perfectly precious other little person in my life who I love dearly.

It's just that with all the antics from the others...

 The Apple Jacks Catastrophe of 2011

And the running episode of "What not to Wear" that occurs daily at our home...

This sweet little dumplin' of love often gets left out.

Oh how I love her.

Did you know that she is starting to crawl?

Please pray for me.

We had a nice weekend. My Dad was in town from Texas for a few days so we hung out with him. In fact, one day we loaded car seats into his van and went to lunch and ran some errands. The person with the smallest hiney got the privilege of squeezing in between the two car seats in the back row.

And the winner was...
Not me!
Did I mention that I have three kids? A three-kid-bearing-mommy-hiney is not a likely fit in that space.

My sister Marissa was the winner.

Bless her.

Marissa is not the only one to ever have to share a row with my kids. A few weeks ago, Jenkie and Sassy went to the Beach with Grammy and Stacey. This time, Missy was the big winner.

I made Jello Jigglers with Sassy this weekend. We had fun and she was in rare form... making some uber weird faces.

We started out okay though.

Awww... isn't she cute?

Now here is where it starts to get weird.

I mean... that doesn't even look like my child?
Does it?

She has been more and more silly lately.

Which honestly, I love.

I am pretty insecure and easily embarrassed and it just seems like she has an independent, free spirit that isn't too concerned about the opinions of others. I wish I was more like her in that respect.

My prayer is that she would maintain this perspective, not worrying about what others think of her and certainly not letting others define her.

Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man lays a snare,but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.

I hope she does care about God's opinion of her through.
You know why?
Because I think He loves her to pieces.

To close things out I will leave you with Sassy's fashion montage from this evening.

Here we find Sassy sporting one of "mommy's" shirts that Sassy is convinced looks just like Fiona's dress in Shrek.

My favorite part is the look that Chilli C is giving Sassy! And Poor Jenkie looks like he is worried there is going to be a throw down!


Nighty night my Bloggy Friends,
Maranda

'Fess up Friday

Hello Bloggy Peeps... Hope you've had a good week! Here is the weekly confessional!

Don't forget to check out Kira's blog for more hilarious 'fess ups. 

Do you people know about this?

I admit...
I have been a fan of the Batter Blaster for some time.

I initially mocked its existence thinking it to be yet another highly processed convenience food.

And, it probably is, but at least it is organic!
It really is organic... isn't that weird?!

Plus, it's not like I am a health nut by any stretch... you have heard me mention my Sonic addition have you not? You know that ain't nuthin' but some liquid sugar (with extra ice of course).

Anyway, I was at the grocery this week and found the chocolate variety... I can't wait to try it! I can't wait for the kids to try it!

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Outfit of the week:
This is a hard one to chose...
Oh wait, no it's not.

Things to note:
1. Wearing PJs.
2. More specifically, wearing her brother's PJs
3. Wearing Tickle Monster Gloves... on all four "paws"

Yes, we are very silly.

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I took Sassy to get her hair cut today.
She loved it.

Guess who did not love it.

Do not be fooled by my smile.

I am crying on the inside.

Also, for those of you who have begged me to NOT cut the boys fuzzy locks... rest assured.

No cutting took place.

One would have to be still in order for that sort of thing to occur.

My friend Mrs. Bone suggested that perhaps the Jenkie boy could be tamed if only his hair was cut. Maybe like Samson lost his strength when his hair was cut, Jenkie would lose his crazy if he received a trim.

It was a tempting idea, but alas, the crazy prevailed and he is no less hairy... and certainly no less crazy.

Oh Mr. Jenkins... once again, it is a good thing you are cute.

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'Cause you sure are naughty.

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Recent conversation with Sassy -
Sassy: I'm a person who is supposed to give gifts and then hide behind walls.
(Please do not ask me what this means... I am just as lost as you are)
Me: Hmmmm, that's interesting. Why?
Sassy: Because Jesus made me that way.

If we could only all be so sure of our calling in life.

Happy Friday!
(Oh and by the way, are you so proud of me for actually posting on Friday?!)
Maranda

Babysitters

Bless their hearts...

You know who I am talking about...

The kind souls that watch the wild ones for us. 

Because we are so fortunate to have family close by, my mom is typically the one who is blessed subjected to "babysitting" our kids.

Have I told you that my mom has a strict policy that she will only watch 2 at a time?

Never 3.

She is a woman who knows her boundaries.

She is also a woman with a hot pink spike of hair!

Anyway, last night we had sitters come and watch 2 of our 3 kids as well as a friend's daughter. When we arrived home we received the following report:

• After eating dinner, Sassy was given a small slice of ice cream cake. When she finished her piece she informed the babysitters, "I usually don't get another piece, but mom and dad are not here, so I think it is okay."

          It's like she was honest... but not.

• Mr. Jenkins wiggled so much during his evening diaper change that he obtained a wedgie that caused him much discomfort. He was agitated and annoyed until the babysitter was able to pick the wedgie/straighten the diaper for him at which point he was greatly relieved and nuzzled down in his crib to sleep.

• The other little girl who was here with our kids is named, Matea. 

          Such a cute name.
          Sassy however cannot seem to say it.
          So, for the whole evening, she referred to Matea as Potato.

 Maranda

"Fess up Friday

 Once again, I am coming late to the party... I can't seem to get my act together on Friday for the official 'Fess Up.

Maybe I should come up with a special daily posting of my own.

How about...
Procrastination Saturday!

Gee... that's super clever. I'm sure it will catch like wild fire.

So, Let's see what I've got for this week... oh and don't forget to check out Kira's blog to see what everyone else has been up to!

1. So, it was a brutally long car ride back from the beach this week.

On these long car trips, I often have to remind my children to mind their own business. Sassy and Jenkins are talented contortionists and can manage to kick, hit, pull slap, steal food, etc, while strapped into their respective car seats.

I don't mean to brag, but they are pretty gifted.
Ahem.

Anyway, at some point, from the back of the van I hear Sassy cry out, "Mommy!! *Mr. Jenkins* is all up in my business!!!"

It made me chuckle.

2. In other Sassy news, we went to a park while in St. Simmons, and in a weak moment, I allowed Sassy to wear her princess dress up shoes.

You know the whole clothing thing continues to be a struggle for us. I guess I was just excited that she was wearing real clothes... not pajamas... (and more importantly, not naked!), so when she asked if she could wear the dress up shoes, I gave in.

Good news for me, she ended up being pretty miserable in them, so I don't think she'll ask to wear them again.

3. I came home to some yummy tomatoes from the garden!

I seem to have a knack for growing some funny looking tomatoes.

Sassy and I have started to refer to this type as the "hiney tomato".

I'm sure you can't guess why.

They certainly look weird... but they taste delicious.

4. I think Sassy may be an artist. This morning at breakfast, she created the following master piece with her toaster strudel.

She told me it was Mickey Mouse.
I think I see it...
I don't really see it.

Actually, upon further inspection...I really DO see it!
She's a genius!
I see a college scholarship in her future!
Good thing... she's gonna need it! 

5. I'm not too sure Lola is happy that we are back. She has quickly resumed her role as random imaginary playmate. Here she is at the "dentist" office. According to Sassy... you have to have a bib at the dentist office and so Lola had to remove her collar and was promptly fitted with a baby bib.

6. I leave you with one simple question...

Why? Dear Lord, why?

Well... I feel like this wasn't so much of a 'Fess Up Friday post... it seemed to me like more of a...

I don't know....

Maybe a... "Procrastination Saturday List"???

Do you see how I did that?

You know I have just coined the next new thing in blogging don't you?!

Whatever.

Maranda

Sweet Summer Days

I love the beach.
Maranda

Interesting

Did you know that there is a gas station on I-16 that is running a little racket off of weary travelers?

They are taking advantage of poor souls with car loads of kids who haven't stopped asking, "Are we there yet?" since the parents pulled out of the drive way.

They are putting the BP across the street out of business.

Want to know why?

Because they have this guy:

Oh yeah.
That's one ugly Llama.

Don't tell me you wouldn't pay $1 per person to feed this handsome face!?

Well, let me rephrase that...

Don't tell me you wouldn't pay $1 per person for the opportunity to get your kids out of the car to do something "interesting" for a few minutes to break up the 6 hour car ride to the beach?

That's what I thought.

They also had a few other assorted beasts to throw corn at and so we managed to kill a good 45 minutes at this gas station stop.

I think we got our $3 out of it.

There was an exciting moment when one of the goats in his zeal squeezed his fat self out of the fence and came after Sassy and her bag o' corn.

In this shot he is actually looking at me because I have snatched the corn from Sassy in an attempt to protect her. Mr. Jenkins appears to be trying to figure out how in the heck the goat got out.

As was I.

Fortunately, no one was nibbled to death by any escapee goats and we made it to St. Simmons in one piece.

I love the beach!
Maranda