Chapel

Here is a short video of my sister doing chapel at her school. This is part of the opening skit. I wish I had videoed the whole thing.

Samuel

My nephew, Samuel, is one funny kid. He's 5 and full of energy and truly says the funniest things. Here is a short video of him with his latest "thing."

Day Eight--a picnic at the Yellow River

We loved the spot for our photo shoot so much that we went back today with a picnic and bathing suits. Again the weather was wonderful and the kids had a ball!

Can you see how red my hair is?????

Two Hours

That's how long I waited in line for gas today! Two hours. Joe and I went this morning and he watched Lord of the Rings in the backseat while I listened to my book. I have a full tank and I'm ready to hit the road in the morning!

Gas

Not that kind! Don't be gross! I'm talking about fuel, the gas that I need to put in my car so I can drive home. In case you haven't heard there is a gas shortage in Metro Atlanta. I'm down to less than half a tank and need to fill up before heading home. Easier said than done. Most of the gas stations have no gas and the ones that do have lines at least a half hour or more long. So, tomorrow morning I am on a mission. I'm heading out early and I'm gonna go until I find a gas station with gas and wait as long as I have to. I'll take a book to pass the waiting time. I'm hoping that with it being early Sunday morning there won't be much competition for gas. So, I know that there are lots of way more important things to pray for but if you are so inclined you can send up a prayer that I am able to find some gas to get home.

Day Seven--Pictures, a movie, ice cream, and a birthday

Today was another really full day. We began our day getting up and getting all gussied up for some pictures. My family and I went in together to hire a photographer to take some pictures. We went to a beautiful park not far from my parent's house. None of us even knew it was there, it's hidden back in a neighborhood. It was on the Yellow River and absolutely wonderful. We took lots of pictures and I can't wait to see them. We should get a CD at church tomorrow. I'll share some on here eventually. After our photo sesssion my sister and I took the kids to the $1 movie to see Kung Fu Panda and then out for ice cream. I had bribed them with ice cream to secure their cooperation for the photo shoot. After ice cream we went back to my sister's and hung out there for a while. Grace and Joe love her dog. Later we went to a dinner for my cousin's birthday. Grace and Joe again spent the whole time in the yard with a dog. This time it was a German Shepherd. They had a blast and Hannah and I enjoyed talking with everyone. She and I are good at that. We are finally home!

Day Six--Chuck E. Cheese and Football

The last two days have been crazy busy and I've had no time to post so I'll catch you up. I know you are all just dying to know what we've been up to. Ha! Yesterday we met Aunt Lane at Chuck E. Cheese for pizza and fun. My kids have only been to CEC one other time (the last time Aunt Lane took us) and were so excited to get to go again. It's nice to go during the week, we practically had the place to ourselves. We loaded the kids up with tokens and off they went. Hannah's main goal was collecting tickets. She quickly figured out which games gave the most tickets. Joe mostly did the rides and video games. Grace did more of a combo. After spending a couple of hours at CEC we came "home" to rest for a little while before going to Harrison's (my nephew) football game. He is in 9th grade and playing on the varsity team and got to be captain last night. The boys played behind the bleachers and the girls chatted and watched the game, always scanning for #70. It was fun to get to see Harrison play, we usually miss all that kind of stuff.
Here are some pictures from the football game. The one below is Harrison sitting on the bench after getting "clocked" that's football talk for getting hit really, really hard. He got hit in the head and was seeing stars for a little while.

The Office

I loved the season premiere of the Office last night. It could have been funnier but it was just great to have my show back on. I cried at the end--am I a loser or what??? I was nervous that Pam was going to find new friends at school and not love Jim anymore but he sealed that deal--woohoo! And what's up with Angela? Is she actually going to marry Andy? Surely not! And Ryan--back as a temp again! This season should be fun.

Day Five--the mountains!

Boiled peanuts, Yoo Hoos, fried peach pies,... that should have been my title. We spent the day in the North Georgia mountains and had a wonderful time! The weather was cool and crisp and very fall like. Our first stop was a big produce place. They sold the best fried peach pies and fried apple pies and boiled peanuts of course. We got some of each and some apple cider to wash it all down and off we went. Our second stop was at a store called "Mark of the Potter." They had a back porch that overlooked a stream with big fat trout. We bought fish food and helped to make them fatter. Then we went to Moccasin Creek State Park for a hike. The hike was great, lots of logs to climb, rocks to hop, and beautiful scenery. No bugs and no mosquitoes! I can't seem to type in between my pictures today--but notice the picture of fall happening right in front of Grace's face. I took the picture and didn't even realize that a leaf was falling right as I took the picture. After our hike we had a picnic lunch and then went to the Old Sautee Store. There we got a Yoo Hoo (coffee for the grown ups) and then went looking for a geocache. Pop and the girls found it and retrieved a little plastic frog. On the way home we stopped back by the produce stand for some veggies to bring home for a salad. We got more fried pies and some muscadines too. Yum! It was a great day!

Day Four--A Hodgepodge

We didn't have one big event today but it was a busy day nonetheless. It's always a busy day when we are in GA. We started our day at my sister's school where she teaches drama. Every Wednesday she does chapel for the elementary kids. It is WONDERFUL!!! They do music, skits, learn Bible verses, character, more skits, and more music. Today's topic was self control. Joe said he didn't need to hear that. He'd already "got past that." He learned all about it in preschool and he had it mastered (ha!). I would love to someday do a homeschool chapel and follow my sister's model. She said she'd even come train me and some other moms. Who wants to sign up? After chapel we picked up Aunt Mandy and Brayden and went to Fernbank Natural History Museum. We ended up only seeing the IMAX movie--Wild Ocean. My pass wasn't reciprocal at the museum, we would have had to go to the science center down the road. None of us was up for that so we saw the movie and headed towards home. After some downtime at home we spent an hour or two at a playground. The weather here is beautiful!! I am loving being outside. We spent the evening at an old friend's house. She and I had a blast going through Facebook. She isn't a member (yet). So, we were checking out some of our classmates. After that we bowled, played tennis, and finished off the evening with some boxing. You guessed it...Wii. That thing is sooo much fun! I think I'm gonna be sore tomorrow. I boxed like it was nobody's business. My arms are already hurting. I think tennis was my favorite. So, it was a great day and now I'm off for some rest. Tomorrow...the mountains.

Day Three--A photo tribute to the boys

Happy Birthday Pop!--that would be my dad!

Day Three--It's all about the girls--part three

It's Hannah's turn! She had her hair straightened and styled.

Day Three--It's all about the girls part two

Well, I did it. I now have dark auburn hair. I have to say that I do like it. Definitely better than the highlights. It's a little dark but it will lighten pretty fast. It washes out after 28 washes. Cheryl, Mandy, and I laughed and goofed around and had a ball. I did a lot of screaming.

The peanut gallery.

Day Three--It's all about the girls--part one

Today has been all about hair and nails and beauty from the outside. Aunt Mandy took the girls to have their nails done in a real nail salon. They had a ball and have been feeling so girly and dainty since they had their nails done. We went out to lunch, off to Wal-mart to pick hair color, and then to the library and then home to do hair. Grace had hers curled and as we speak Hannah is having hers straightened--pics will come later. When my sister gets here later we'll be coloring mine. There wasn't much to choose from in the "semi-permanent" selection but I settled on a light auburn color. It was either that or cinnaberry and I'm not ready for cinnaberry yet. I was also too chicken to go with anything permanent either. I'll post pics afterwards. Even if it is a disaster (maybe).

I told you her knuckles were fat....just sayin'

Day Two--The Zoo

We had a good day at the zoo today. The weather was perfect. The animals were active and fun to watch. We got to see lots of babies too. Three lion cubs, a baby warthog, two baby gorillas, and a baby panda on a live cam that was just born on August 30.

Joe wanted to know if this is how people watched tv in the rainforest.

Here's daddy lion watching over his family. Mom and babies were curious about a wheelbarrow and were making quite a racket and the daddy stood up to check things out. At that point Mom and babies all sat down and did nothing.

See the elephant in the background?

Brayden had his first cheeto and loved it. He also got to try Nilla wafers and thought they were pretty good as well.

A Simple Woman's Daybook

A Simple Woman's Daybook for today--September 22, 2008

Outside my window...something different to report. I'm in Georgia so outside my window I see a couple of oak trees and a hummingbird feeder. The morning is nice and cool. Perfect for the first day of fall.

I am thinking...that I'm going to really enjoy this weather while I can.

From our homeschool...school on the road this week with lots of field trips.

I am thankful for...the time I've been able to spend with my family. I am thankful that we all get along and really know how to have fun together. I am thankful that my kids are so comfortable here.

From the kitchen...picnic lunch to take to the zoo today.

I am wearing...green shorts, blue t-shirt, tennis shoes, and my hair in braids. Perfect zoo outfit. I'll fit right in.

I am reading...a book that my great aunt wrote about Growing Up Southern. It is full of her memories of her life growing up in Georgia.

I am hoping...that my hair coloring will go well. I'm going for the auburn color.

I am creating...memories.

I am hearing...Sid the Science Kid in the background. My kids LOVE this new PBS show.

Around the house...my dad and brother are downstairs working--my dad has a glass and mirror business. My mom is getting ready. The kids are eating and I'm trying to get in a few minutes of computer time.

One of my favorite things...vacation!

A few plans for the rest of the week...the zoo today, celebrating my dad's birthday, the science center, the mountains, going to see Mamma Mia with my Mamaw, lunch with Aunt Lane, coloring my hair, watching my nephew play football, lots of cuddles from baby Brayden, laughing at his brother Samuel, eating my mom's cooking, wearing a jacket, spending time outside.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Okley's been sleeping with Joe and Joe loves it!

Day One--Baby Shower

After going to church this morning we headed over to Aunt Cici's house (my sister, Cheryl) for cousin Jill's baby shower. The kids were thrilled to see her dog, Cammie and jump on the trampoline. They played while we got ready for the shower and then the boys got sent upstairs to watch a movie while the girls visited. It was fun to see some family members that I don't see often and of course to "shower" Jill. We just got home a little while ago and I can hardly think straight much less come up with something wonderful to write about our day. So, I'll let the pictures do the talking.

I love Samuel's expression behind Grace! In case you've forgotten or just didn't know. Samuel is my brother and his wife, Mandy's son. His other son is in the pic below with Hannah. Little Brayden.

Grace with my cousin, Ashley. And my sister, Cheryl, and Mandy.