I Know, I Know

It's been over a week since my last post. But I have an excuse! I've been in Florence visiting my family while Chad was in Selma, Alabama for his last audit trip. Hooray! I haven't been chained to my computer like I usually am. Lola and I are gearing up for a new campaign, so in the interim I'm trying to get in all my visitin'.

My first day at my grandparents, my Grandpa patted my belly, thinking I was pregnant. I quickly scolded him and informed him that pregnancy was being prevented and that my empire waist shirt was completely in style right now. I also told him NEVER to assume a woman is pregnant until she tells him herself. Men!

Avery has been honking like the geese in the lake out back, but not on purpose. She has a cough that is finally breaking up, but now she's got a mid-grade fever and hasn't been interested in food (which is TOTALLY not like her!) She's pitiful. I just hope she sleeps well tonight.

No pictures today -- again. Sorry! I've gotta upload the latest when I get back to Nashvegas. Till then . . .

Missed it

I completely missed it. It will possibly be one of the most talked-about news stories of the week. Sanjaya is gone.

I really wish I had been able to tune in to see him get the boot. Since websites are regulated to keep results secret until the west coast feed, I had to wait until JUST NOW to find out. I hope my eyes aren't playing tricks on me.

All I've gotta say now is: Shine, Melinda, shine! Be sure to vote, everyone!

Reading out loud

I drive my sweet husband crazy every night when I read through all my favorite blogs. I laugh out loud and then proceed to read the blog to him so I can share the hilarity with him. He usually doesn't get it. He's not the stay-at-home mom who relates to all the other stay-at-home moms who have kiddos who do funny things.

Thank you, blogger moms, for sharing your kids' funny stories. We need the laughs (sometimes just to get through the day and know we're not alone.)

My other babies

Thursdays are my favorite! I volunteer in Mrs. Jones' kindergarten class at Kirkpatrick Elementary and love (almost) every minute of it. The kids are hilarious and so much fun, even though sometimes they have a tough time behaving. Mrs. Jones is a great teacher and gives these kids every chance in the world to thrive.

THANK YOU to everyone who has kept Avery for me so I can volunteer at Kirkpatrick. I'm so sorry for begging all the time. Please know that you are a ministry to me. I love you!

I also look forward to The Office & Grey's Anatomy and this week, Notes from the Underbelly! Loafing with my girlfriends in front of the TV this week!

Here are my Kirkpatrick babies:

Asma, San'Twan, & Tyssa

Reginae & Liric

Terelle & Michelle

Javontae

Terelle & Ashton

Fun with Crayons

Avery has taken interest in crayons lately. I'm not exactly sure she knows what to do with them, though. She knows they draw on paper, but she hasn't figured out how to use enough pressure to make the markings dark enough to see. At least she can't draw on herself! She mostly likes to empty them out on the floor and put them back in the box and hide them in the fireplace. Sounds fun, eh?

I'll leave you with a sweet photo of part of our bedtime ritual. We read a book and sing a prayer before bed. Tonight's book was Touch and Feel Baby Animals.

Still here

Hi blogger friends. We've had a very busy last few days. We're glad to have a lighter schedule, but I'm really going to miss rehearsal for the Easter concert.

Yesterday will go down in history as my favorite morning of worship EVER! It was wonderful and a very encouraging way to celebrate my birthday. We capped off the day with a concert that night. I am so blessed to sing with all those talented people. Brandon deserves some high praise for all the work he does, the hours he puts into it and the selfless heart he has for the ministry at Otter Creek.

My parents were in town this weekend. We went to Florence for a couple of hours on Saturday to check in on Nannie and Grandaddy and found them both doing well. We had lunch at Grandma's and braved the cold while the kiddos hunted eggs. Even though it was pure chaos there, I loved having everybody together. I miss my parents so much and hate that we live so far away. We're planning our next trip to see them. It won't be soon enough.

I'll leave you with some pictures to enjoy. Thanks for checking on us!
Avery (and her funny pony tail) at the hospital waiting for Caroline's birth

Enjoying the warm weather and soft grass

Exploring the zoo (on the most crowded day of the year)

Hot tubbin' with my college buddies at Tickled Blue Cabin on Center Hill Lake