Lazy Sunday afternoon walk with my girlies

We took a walk in our neighborhood and enjoyed the sights of Spring - these girls are great sisters

An interview with an amazing little girl

Favorite color - purple
Favorite book - Little House on the Prairie
Favorite movie - The Lego Movie
Favorite thing I did with my family this year - Went to the zoo
Favorite foods - Kung Pao Chicken noodles with Egg rolls
Favorite number - 7
Who is your best friend? - Bekah D. and Annabelle
Favorite game -  Hide-n-go-seek
Favorite thing to play or do in free time - play CoolMath.com on the computer
Favorite person to play with - Lydia and Annabelle
What do you want to be when you grow up? - PRESIDENT of the United States and an archaeologist
Where in the world do you want to visit? China and Australia
What are you most grateful for? Jesus
What is your favorite holiday?  Thanksgiving and Easter
What is your favorite type of flower? roses and tulips
What have you enjoyed learning about this year? Sacagewea
What kind of car do you want when you grow up? a limo and an old jeep
What is your favorite dance move or type? Jazz
What is your favorite song?  "Everything is Awesome" from the Lego movie
What is one thing you want to do this year? Go to Stone Mountain and Mexico
What do you want to learn how to do better? learn how to skate, how to bike
If you could tell your 25 year old self something what would you say?  "you need to learn how to become president! You just need to get a fancy limousine, go drive and get a lot of paper and write stuff down, I would get people to vote for me by telling them we were going to have a National Chocolate Day on April 22 - Lydia would definitely vote for me since that's her birthday!"
If you were to perform in a talent contest - what would you do?  Hula hooping
What is your favorite chore? Least favorite? washing to car is my fav and cleaning the stinky bathroom is least fav

Happy Birthday Sweetie Girl!

It is her 7th birthday today and we celebrated...Frozen style

Lots of giggling girls, cake and cheetos and doritos

The Birthday girl!

Freeze dance/sing-along to Frozen songs

posing for the camera like snowflakes

As with every birthday we're all about the friends, cake and some games.  For the 3rd or 4th year in a row we played a version of "Mother May I?" - in the past w've played "Zookeeper may I?", "Fairy, May I?" and this year "Elsa, May I?"  what simple fun.  And who could resist singing "Let it GO!" at the top of their lungs inside on a rainy day with 11 other girls...so much drama.  We ate cake, played and enjoyed the simple games of childhood.  Sweet girls!

Yard work

We've been working on the yard for a few weeks - digging holes, putting up barriers, weeding, etc. Today the girls helped me put in the last of the azaleas and crepe myrtles.  They were super helpful and most of all cheerful while they did it!

Every good country girl has a hat with mesh on the back and advertising for a fireworks place

The girls and our work

Lydia's pic of me digging more holes

Lucy being creative with the stakes from the trees and making "scooters" to scoot her along in the play grocery cart.  Maybe a new olympic sport!

The week in pics

I got to have a "piclic" with my curly que

And without even being asked the big kids cleaned their closet - amazing - truly amazing!  So grateful for their initiative to take care of their things.

Lydia and I chaparoned a field trip with one of Jeremy's classes to the Cultural Arts Center across the street from his school - the art was great and Lydia especially loved sitting in one of the chairs and then picking dandilions in the field in front of the school

The girls spent 2 hours making sand castles at Samuel's baseball game today - imaginations running wild

And our big trip this week was to visit Big Papa and Aunt Kim and Aunt Vicki.  We were so glad for an afternoon hanging out with family.

Movie Extra

I don't think I told you - I got to be in a movie last year.  Part of the film, PRISONERS, was filmed at my hospital and I got to spend a couple of days hanging out with Hugh Jackman, Terrance Howard, Viola Davis, Jake Gyllehal and Maria Bello.

Last March some administrators at my hospital walked through the ER and asked if anyone would like to be an extra in a movie they were making in the hospital (they wanted real nurses and docs to be extras).  Always up for a new adventure and learning the inner working of the process - I said yes!

I never blogged about my three days of stardom.  It's a great story.  Now that the Oscars are over and I didn't win the Oscar for "best 1 second in a film" - I thought I would record the events for posterity.
 

One of the doctors and nurse from my hospital that were in the movie with me!

I played a nurse in a hospital - Big stretch to do the acting but I managed.  We weren't told the story line except for the short scenes we were in.  We spent 15 hours the first day and most of the next two days filming short scenes and waiting/sitting around and more waiting for the filming to take place.

So my big scene is when Hugh Jackman runs out of a hospital room and down the hall.  I'm the nurse that comes out of a room on the right of the screen and Hugh Jackman almost runs me over and I stand on the left side of the hallway while Jake G. runs by.  I'm on screen for maybe 1 second, you can only tell it's me by my red hair - but I actually had to act to do the part.  We filmed that scene 6 times ( a couple of times Hugh really almost ran me over and came back and said "are you ok?").  I was told I didn't react enough when people ran down the hall (I only stepped out of the way the first time) - the director asked me - "is this what you would do if someone really came running down the hallway - throw your purse in the air or something?" I said "Yes, I work in the emergency room - I just step to the side and let them run!"  So I worked on acting a bit more surprised and ended up in the movie.  The funny thing is - as I watched the scene I realized I was also at the other end of the hall at the desk directing patients when the camera looks the other way (scene filmed at different times).  Only I would notice it was me.

And probably the star of the show was my little tan Honda.  She got to be in a close up - in the parking lot as Hugh Jackman drives away and jumps the curb with my Honda just to the right of his truck after a red car moves out of the way.

I got to see how meticulous the art of film making is.  Reconstructing and making details that never end up on the movie (like re-numbering all the files in a closet that was never on film), details like how even the parked cars in the movies are staged and the "random" people walking down the street are intentional, how making a real IV bag drip not just hang.  Talking with the stunt men about how crash scenes are done.  And, the process that I've always wondered if it was real - yes, they say "quiet on the set" and "action,"  yes, they have doubles for all the characters, yes, people are very particular about the food they eat on breaks - no phones or cameras on set or you leave the film immediately.

I did get to hobnob with the stars - While taking a break at the coffee/snack table I bumped into Viola Davis and her daughter, eating in the massive circus size tent in the parking lot I ate meatloaf with Jake Gyllenhall, Terrance Howard entertained us with jokes while we waited for a scene.  One scene I was at the nurses station and had been right in front of Hugh Jackman's double for a couple of hours, I looked up and then there was Hugh.  He talked to the three of us and later came and played hearts at the computer at the nurses station while we all waited for the next scene.

We ate incredible meals with the crew and cast and got to see the process and hardwork of film making.  So glad for the opportunity.  So if you Redbox the movie you can see my short stardom at around 1:58 until 2:01.  The movie itself is a bit different artistically but an ok movie.

Baseball

Baseball season is here again and we'll be enjoying the spring sunshine at the park. This league is coach pitch and adds some intensity to the play.  Samuel is enjoying the game and still batting from both sides of the plate. His skills are improving and he really enjoys the game.  We're enjoying his delight.

At the first game Jeremy and I were reminded of the drama of the game. I heard Jeremy sum it up concisely - "there are alot of angry people in the world and I don't want to be one of them". Whew! 6-8 year old baseball should not bring out that much anger and frustration in parents.  Please Lord, give me patience, JOY and gratitude that I would embrace with joy these learning years and speak words of truth, encouragement and peace and not be angry person - at home or at the field!

On deck.

Batter up!

Adoring crowd

Surprise visit

We had a pleasant surprise last Friday when Jeremy's brother, Eric, and his family came for an unexpected visit.  We enjoyed getting to see them and meet little Khaleesi for the first time.  Leila has grown so much since the last time we saw her and it was great to let all the girls all play (they of course were instant friends).  I'm glad Eric and Rachel and their girls were able to stop by and hope its not so long before we see them again. 

The brothers

 All of the cousins

 Slumber party!!!

Did you enjoy your St. Patty's day?

I got this text while at work yesterday - my Irish cuties enjoying a Shamrock Shake from McD's with Daddy (Thanks Valerie for introducing me!).  I smiled at the attempt by soon to be 7 year old to wear everything green - green pants, Christmas skirt, Lucky tshirt, hair bow and hat...2 year old cutie had on green tights and green striped shirt under her sweater and brother's green Irish necklace broke off somewhere at school.   I like getting glimpses of these three - especially on Monday's in the ER - it keeps me sane.

Speaking of Mondays...

FYI - Friendly tip from your neighborhood ER Nurse - avoid the ER on Monday's if you don't have an emergency - Monday's are busy.  If you've had a knee-ache for 3 months and finally decided to have it checked out - don't do it on a Monday.  If you think you might have a bug bite you got from a mosquito with rabies last week - google that thought and then stay home on a Monday.  If you haven't been to the dentist in 15 years and have a toothache - one more day at home probably won't hurt - don't call an ambulance - call a dentist and stay home on a Monday.  If you do decide to come with one of these problems (we never turn you away), please remember - being impatient and yelling or cussing out the nurse who is busy with real emergencies will not get you seen earlier - these are just some tips for your information. 

NOW, If you have a complaint that began on Sunday or Monday and it might be a heart attack, stroke, fracture, appendicitis, AAA or a REAL emergency (such as but not limited to - acute headache, acute abdominal pain, acute chest pain, infection that is not improved, seriously ill child, or trouble breathing)  PLEASE brave the ER on a Monday (or any day any time) and come as soon as possible.  You should even consider calling 911 and get and ambulance to take you (just hope someone with a toothache didn't get your ambulance first!). 

Line in the sand

As with every child - they like to test limits - especially soon to be 3 year olds.  Earlier this week while I swept and mopped (it had been a week since I swept downstairs but seriously - where does it all come from)...

While I swept and mopped - I sent Lydia out to play on the porch.  She was excited to go outside but really wanted to go out in the yard.  I told her "Play on the porch and enjoy outside but don't go down the steps without Mommy"  When I went out to check on her I saw her lying on the porch with her arms hanging off the edge of the steps.  I could imagine her thinking "I'm not going down the steps but I'm just here admiring them longingly until I finally get to go down them - and I'll touch them and just look at them"  She's a sweetie and is learning to obey but those lines in the sand are so tempting!

Images of wildlife

I've had this thought before but never shared it (maybe I shouldn't :).  While working out today I had a chance to capture my thoughts in film...

When working out with curly-headed two year old I often feel (and probably look) like a Mama orangutan moving around with a kid crawling all over her - this is why I use videos at home and don't do this in public - atleast, until said two year old is grown.  

It's also why I secretly count my workout as harder than the lady in the video (even if just a .001 of a point harder) -
Extra point for mom who
1. did the workout when she had a gazillion other things to do (or just didn't want to)
2. doing pushups while toddler is "pushing down" on mama is a little harder - planks are double hard.
3. watching kid do workout while sucking thumb and not actually having to work to kick legs, lean forward, jump up and down requires focus and composure - seriously kid, I know you're not trying to mock your mama.
4. dog breathing on face during workout - more focus- reminder - brush teeth after workout.

Here's to healthier Mama Orangutans everywhere!!!

Some of those happy sounds...

This is what I listened to while I cleaned the kitchen tonight...joy to my soul.

More happenings from last week!

And last week we had a playdate with some of the girls from Lucy's class and then went to the school for the science fair projects in 3rd grade.  We got to see Samuel's buddy Matthew and his precious little sister - she is gorgeous!

Random - really Random

Long rambling...

1. Lydia calls chapstick "lips" and loves to put it on.  Her bestest friend, Regan "Way-gun" gave her a stuffed unicorn named Sparkle that she loves to take everywhere.  Lydia believes herself to be Batman most days - "I not Lydia, I Batman!".  Therefore, yesterday Batman left the house riding her pet unicorn, Sparkle with her "lips" in her purse.  And while at the thrift store looking for a lamp I noticed them putting out swimsuits - Lydia said "can I have a Batman bathing suit".  I'm not sure if they make Batman bathing suits for little girls but I may have to look.

2. I've thought often in the last few months how grateful I am for our Honda Civic- at 14 years old and within 500 miles of 200,000 miles it's been a reliable ride for me as a single person into marriage and now as I haul three kiddos in the back.  It's dingy with age but I love that car - it was the first car I bought on my own and the CD player I paid extra to have installed in 2000 still works.  This week we had to have some repairs after someone Reversed into Jeremy while in the drive-thru at Chick-fil-A.  Fortunately, it was a pleasant process and got the car back this week.  The car hasn't been that clean in forever - I guess that's what happens when you have someone over the age of 8 in charge of washing and cleaning!

3. We both got smart phones this week - I know, I know - that is so 2007 - and I'm still trying to figure out how to use it.  My old cell phone is so old they can't even transfer contacts into my new phone so I'll be slowly adding as I go.  Seriously folks, I feel like I'm Dorothy entering Oz in the full color of technology.  But don't worry - we'll still be grounded - my skills in using rabbit ears for the TV will still be in use.  Those skills were honed in the trenches on the farm when I was growing up and I'm glad they still come in handy all these years later.

4. Samuel starts baseball today.

5.  Lucy made some homemade chocolate bars in PC this week - they made recipes, packages, personalized marketing, etc.  She was super excited about "Lucy's Gooey, Chewy Bars" with her favorite animal on the logo - a Cheetah.

6.  I planted some azaleas in my front yard and I'm itching to plant and garden and be outside.  But first I MUST hang something on my walls.  I just can't get it done.  I keep thinking about what I might do and then I can't get it done.  After getting our house painted last year, I like the simplicity of the empty walls - nothing to dust, clear space that is not cluttered like my brain but it's just a wall - it says nothing.  I need my walls to say something.  I need them to remind me of what I treasure, what is beautiful to inspire the daily.

7.  Oreo was left out several weeks ago and peed upstairs - I've worked HOURS to get rid of the smell.  My children believe I'm obsessed.  Maybe I am.  I can't handle the smell.  I think we're finally on the back end of the cleaning - I think.

8.  I have wanted to love oatmeal for a really long time.  Y'all - I'm a cheesy grits kind of gal, but oatmeal is so much better for you, so cheap, so easy and I just could never make myself even eat more than a bite or two of it.  I'm not totally oat adverse.  I like Oatmeal crumbles on cobbler, oatmeal cookies and oats in granola - so I knew it could be overcome.  I'm not much for Beginning of the Year Resolutions - but my unspoken goal this year - to like oatmeal (Defined as "being able to eat a bowl of oatmeal without gagging and hopefully enjoying it")  I think I'm there.  Again - my children think I've become obsessed.  My strategy (mind you, this strategy was not thought out ahead of time it just evolved) - Eat Oatmeal every day until goal is reached.  I like oatmeal, can eat it with little added but love it with some pecans or berries.

9. I heard an interview on the radio about pleasant/happy sounds  - I didn't hear all of it and I'm not sure what it was about but it made me think of what might be my most pleasant sound - something that makes my heart smile, something that brings me joy everytime I hear it.  Rushing river? Tweeting birds? cello music?  the ocean tide? were all things I thought might make the top of my list.  I thought of it on my way home from work the other day.  My happy sound would be the happy contented play of my children as they talk, dream, laugh, sing - often in the background of my daily chores around the house - their voices in the yard with the windows up, her 2 year old chatter at the plastic critters at her feet in the living room, her creative songs while dancing upstairs, his joy at playing ball with those boys down the street.  That is the pleasant sound that fills my days, that is the sound I will miss one day and need to soak up and enjoy.

10. Glad to be home on a Saturday and not at work.

11. Yesterday we got a package from Papa and Grandma - the kiddos LOVED it and now we're ready for March 17!

 

picture taken with my new phone :) and now successfully made its way to the blog!