Brandon and I decided to have our long overdue yard sale this morning. I had originally planned to have this back in June, but things were so insanely crazy that month that we decided to wait until it cooled off a little. I have participated in a yard sale before, but never had my own. My friend Joia was going to come bring some things and set up a table with some of her tutus, etc. as well and I was very excited about that. I already had most things stored in a closet ready to pull out, but not everything would fit in there.

Yesterday I cleared the kitchen table and piled it up with little goodies and treasures that I felt we needed to part with. I went to self help (a place on base where you can "purchase" things for your base housing or "rent" them to do yard work) to pick up the yard sale signs that I had been told we needed to use. They had passed out letters months and months ago telling everyone they could not use our own yard sale signs, but had to use theirs. So I went on Thursday and got two and then went back yesterday for more b/c I wanted to give others the opportunity to advertise as well. The kids were so excited and Sophie fell flat on the pavement and skinned both knees pretty bad. (this is key later) We got our signs and went to get the cash. The bank on base won't give me cash b/c we don't have an account there. We do, however, get to watch an excavator tear down an old building which almost blew Christopher's cute little head off his body. (You just have to see his excitement in person, priceless!) The BX wouldn't give me quarters and after I complained enough-- and the kids acted up enough-- they decided to help me out.

We come home, it's pouring. Literally sopping wet, pouring outside. I started pricing things and saying little prayers that it will not rain the next day and our yard sale will be a success. It stops raining long enough for us to run around the neighborhood and drop signs off to proudly announce our yard sale the next morning. A couple hours later I'm frustrated with the house being filthy (due to the enormous amounts of rain we've had lately), my children talking non-stop for 8 hours straight, not being able to eat lunch without someone needing something, laundry everywhere and toys covering the floor. I woke up in a good mood and excited about the day, but the rain is quickly turning my mood in the wrong direction. None of these things had bothered me until the afternoon. Next thing I know, some man has pulled up in front of my house and is carrying all of the yard signs I'd put out. I open the door fuming and he informs me that you are not allowed to advertise for yard sales on base. THEN shows me, in bright yellow highlighter mind you, where this is written in the hand book. If my child wasn't standing at my feet and I knew nothing would happen to my husband I would have clocked the guy right there for him just telling me the most idiotic words I have ever heard anyone say. I calmly, but sternly, tell him that I have seen other people use these signs and other ones and he tells me that they were wrong too. I think I just said something like, "FINE!" and slammed the door in his face. To use the words of an old roommate, "WHO DOES THAT?????" Seriously, that is the stupidest rule I have ever heard.

Anyway, last night, Brandon and I get the kids to bed, he's exhausted, but we go out and pull out all the big pieces that are in storage that we wanted to try to sell and get to bed around 11:00. We wake up early this morning and I go back out and put the signs out again, b/c I don't care and nobody knows where we live so how else will they find us. Joia arrives with all of her cuteness in tow and we sit and wait. It's drizzling out, but we are hopeful that people still come. Around 7:30 a woman shows up, looks at some larger pieces and you can tell she wants them, but is afraid to buy without checking with her husband first. She leaves with a toddler puzzle and I'm left with $1. Nobody else comes for almost 30 more minutes and those three people leave empty handed. Around 8:30 we decide to close up shop and Joia heads home. Not after a cute little photo session with Sophie first, but the photos have not been downloaded yet. Another car pulls up, the wife gets out and buys a bouncy seat that my friend Wendi left for us to sell and I'm left with $5. We put everything that is not fabric into the storage place outside and close the doors feeling defeated and frustrated.

We had such high hopes for this day. It just wasn't meant to happen. We decided that instead of going out of town next weekend we are going to try again, but at Joia's house. She doesn't live on base and it will be much easier to advertise. And here I was thinking that we'd be buying that deep freezer we've been wanting for years. Oh well. I shouldn't have been thinking about that new vacuum we really need but can't afford b/c that's what I really wanted. No more carts before the horse here guys. It hurts. SOOOooooo..... if you live in the area and would like to come check it out, or know people who love yard sales, tell them to get in touch with me. It's really good stuff, not junk we are selling. We just literally have no more room in our house and have got to get these things out of here. Some things are still in the original boxes and we only need so many candy dish sized glass bowls. (We have roaches here guys, and you know how I feel about candy anyway, so we have never and will never use them!)

I guess there's always Craig's List.....

2. Favorite guilty pleasure?

I have a few of these. Relaxing on the couch and watching Hulu (we don't have cable). Staying up late reading a really good book. Putting my kids to bed and having the chance to read a fun book and talk about the day. I love each of these and if I can do all three in one day (rarely happens) it's been an awesome one!


3. Have you ever....? Don't lie!

Sorry, Sass! I had to delete this one b/c I know who reads this blog and they will be more embarrassed than I was to read it.


4. If you could be famous for something, what talent would you choose?

Owning a bridal boutique. I worked for a wedding planner for a little while when dating my husband. I loved everything about it! But I have to say that the dresses (not part of the job) was my favorite. I went to one store, found my dress and it was the second one I tried on, ONLY b/c I was just curious was the first one would look like. I had my dress and the bridesmaids' picked out in less than 2 hours. My sister-in-law almost killed me b/c she spent a lot more time, and headaches from what I remember her saying, tackling this huge task. I love working retail and this would be just the perfect job for me. I don't have to put outfits together, which I'm terrible at doing, and can help you find something you are very excited about buying.


5. Would you rather be invisible or be able to fly?

FLY FLY FLY FLY FLY FLY FLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to be able to fly. I think that's why I love swinging so much, it's as close as I could get to soaring in the air. I've always wanted to try out those little cable things that people, like Peter Pan, wear on stage to help them fly. I'd be flipping around and going back and forth like crazy!


6. What are the top 3 things every relationship needs?

Love, patience and lots and lots of laughter.


7. Who do you think is the most annoying 'big' blogger?

Not sure. I hear that Perez Hilton annoys a lot of celebrities so maybe him? Did I even spell that right? Oh, and people who have these incredible blogs with the most gorgeous photography of their beautiful family and their lives look perfect in every way. Come on guys! That's not real! Yes, you take pretty pictures and yes, your family is perfect looking, but I want to hear that you felt like throwing a dish against the wall to get your kids attention when they wouldn't stop fighting (which I have never done, but thought it might work, except I'd have to clean it up later). Or that you are totally annoyed that the dog shot poop across the carpet... again. Or that you like running to the grocery store by yourself b/c you get tired of it taking 20 minutes just to get in and out of the car with all your kids.


8. Do you love me?

I feel like it's too soon in our relationship to discuss that. I do love tagging along on your trips with Tony to gorgeous places around the world. (I have my own room, don't worry!) Oh, and that we are spies on undercover missions. I still love that you act like one sometimes to freak people out! I love to think that I could keep up with you, but this old gal just has her hopes up. I love that you are so adventurous and that you love Tony's girls like they are your own and that you seem to have no fear when it comes to life and that you give great beauty tips and that you are tough, but have the softest heart. Does that work?

Sorry I don't have any questions to pass along to you, but feel free to answer these. Plus I'm a little distracted b/c as soon as I finished Sophie came up with a baby doll that is half her size and said, "Mommy, you put this baby in my tummy please?" then held her shirt up. I better go. Later ladies!!

I thought I would take the time to give you a little update on the kids, along with some photos.

First up is Christopher and preschool. We love it!! He's starting to make some friends finally. One is a little girl he talks about, but said he doesn't talk to. Another is a little boy that likes Thomas the train. I know this b/c that little boy brought it for show and tell the first week and it was the only thing Christopher talked about. I told him that he should ask the little boy about his trains that he has at his house and tell him about the trains we have at our house. After school yesterday he was so excited b/c they talked about it and now he wants him to come play at our house. He said that little boy already invited him to his house. Not really sure how that works since the parents never get to see each other, but we'll find a way.

Another thing that he has learned is how to write his name. We are on week 3 and he has been doing this since week 1 was over. Seriously? I almost cried I was so proud of him! I was told that he would learn a lot this year and I can already tell. He wants me to write names for him to copy, not trace, copy onto a different piece of paper. He tells me to write notes to put in his bag and then wants me to show him what the words are. This is his first year of preschool and I'm blown away. Last year they taught them a little bit in Mother's Day Out and had them trace lines to connect pictures and a few other things, and I was just as proud then. The great thing for us is that Florida will pay for your child to go to 4 year old preschool, up to a certain amount. I was told that this was b/c people were not sending their children to preschool and therefore they were not ready for Kindergarten. I can see why they started doing this! The boy has been in school for less than 3 weeks and is writing his name already!!! (I know, I already said that, I'm just really excited.) He still doesn't know what letters are what, which is funny b/c he has been singing the alphabet for years and knows which letter belongs to who. I've tried teaching him, but he didn't care. I think that some kids just have to learn from someone else. His teacher told me that he came up to her one day and said he didn't have room for his name. She looked at his paper and was trying to write his last name too. He had to go around the corner. I think this must be the page she was talking about. I found it in his folder today when we got home.



Now, on to Sophie. The kid just cracks me up. Yesterday afternoon I went back on my bed to check my email and she came to find me. She hadn't napped all day and I was waiting for her to either crash or just go to bed early after a meltdown. She hates when I get on the computer. She found a bracelet on my side table and played with it while putting her legs all over my arms trying to get me to stop checking my email. All of a sudden I realized that she wasn't moving. She had one leg across my wrists and was still holding the bracelet with both hands. (see below, but picture me next to her and her positioned like described above. The only thing that has moved is her leg and her hands.)


I wanted to yell to Christopher to get the camera b/c it was so cute, but was afraid I'd wake her and that he couldn't find the camera. I got down to get it myself and found the little man doing the following:

While I was chilling with Sophie, he found a leftover single serving of vanilla ice cream and helped himself to some sprinkles. Not really sure what he was looking for at this point, but we got down. I found the sprinkled ice cream that night in the fridge. It was pretty colorful!

And finally, here's Sophie doing some kind of trick. She was making a really funny noise and kept picking her leg up and moving her hands. It was cute so I had to get a picture. This new dress was bought b/c we went to the mall, had an accident and I forgot a backup. Thank goodness for sales at Old Navy!


It's stinkn' hot in our house right now. It's been hot outside a lot lately, but I think it's our turn for the a/c to freeze over OR just not have the ability to cool the house down. It's not fun! I have chicken I need bake and clothes I need to dry, but I really don't want to make the house any hotter than it already is. Fingers crossed the problem goes away when the sun goes down!

Our little Sophie had her first modeling gig this morning. My friend Joia sells the cutest tutus and more here and she wanted Sophie to come model some new crochet hats that she has added to the mix. She has great prices on all her items and are really well made for the price you pay. I've seen much more expensive ones out there and they are not anywhere close to the quality that you will find here. (plug plug plug) So check it out and grab a little item for the little girl in your life! (Whether she's yours or not!)

The kids just informed that they killed the lizard they found in my bathtub and have squirted lizard soap in the water. That would be sunscreen guys. Now time to bathe them and pray I don't find the now half of a lizard they said they took care of. I must live somewhere that does not have tropical type things in my house when Brandon has to deploy b/c I will most likely pack up the kids and go to a hotel for 3 days and then come home in hopes that whatever was visiting got bored and left before dying. I hate critters. Actually, that doesn't begin to describe how I feel. Basically, if it's not a pretty dog, it needs to stay away.

Ok, I'm back again to show you one of the cutest little girls that I have the honor of being related to. I have 4 nieces, so I have several to brag about, but this is the only one allowed to wear these colors. My sister made another fabulous outfit for her little one and I just had to brag on her. How cute is that?!?! Both the kid and the clothes. Waaaaaaaaar Eagle, HEY!!!

Now this first one if for all of you who either rolled your eyes at me or told me, "Just wait. It'll happen whether you want it to or not." but Sophie now owns her first princess dress. Cinderella. For some reason she thinks that only Cinderella is a princess and the others are not. (Probably the same part of the brain that has Christopher convinced that Percy is a girl train and not a boy train.) She is very excited about this. She went with me to a friend's house on Tuesday to babysit and she and the little girl played dress up for most of an hour. They were cowgirls, Minnie Mouse, ballerinas, and each other. It was adorable! That night we went to buy Christopher a basketball and I found a Snow White costume, that I must say, was beautiful. But she's "not a princess." Brandon didn't care and bought it anyway. The next day I went to Target and found Cinderella and bought it. I called Brandon to tell him what I bought and he told me that I have to find a place at Disney to take her to eat with all the princesses, no matter what it costs. I found one place that had two openings and booked it. That night we pulled out the new princess dress. She loves it, but says it's itchy. It's a little big so we will wear a shirt under it. Now she tells me randomly during the day, "Me go eat food wive a pwincess." She's so cute I can't stand it!



Also this week, the kids decided they wanted to share a room. Christopher has been trying to talk Sophie into this for a while and she finally agreed. Last night I finally got everything switched around. I have pictures, not b/c the room are "done" but b/c the floor is clean. And if you are a mom, you understand where I'm coming from. The floor of the playroom will probably never been this clean again, so if I want a picture it had to be now.

Here are the kids sound asleep in their beds. I started to hang girl things on her side and move his stuff to the other side. I'd put a picture of their dressers, but hers is in the process of nothing matching yet. I have lots of painting to do. I was going to do it in the spring but we went from 32 degrees to 90 degrees overnight and I never had the chance. Hopefully this fall I can. Plus I have to drill new holes and fill the old ones and I don't have the ability to do that yet. (Not that you care.)

Here's the new playroom from the doorway. This room is tiny and there is no way to take a picture in here so this is the best I can do. Ignore everything on the walls or stack on top of a bookshelf b/c it will be removed or hung up later. I'd painted the room blue for Sophie and put up some really cute wall stickers, but the kids removed parts of them about an hour after I put them up. I was mad b/c it took a while to do this and it was really cute! Oh well.


Here's Christopher's bookshelf that bumps up to the door. His train table is next to it and under the window. (see below) I know there are pink curtains and the picture is too small, but we are moving in less than a year so no effort will go into buying now stuff for this room.



And here's Sophie's side of the room. This stuff was already here so I didn't have to touch it. This wall and the wall across from it are made of concrete blocks so nails break like a toothpick if you try to hammer into them. I had to buy a drill bit specifically for these walls and needed help centering everything and have not been able to find the bit or a person to help so nothing hangs here. The mirror is hot glued to the wall. Yup. That's how you do it if you want it done. Hopefully my in-laws can help me with that when they get here today.

I haven't had breakfast and am in some serious need of caffeine right now so I better go. Hope you have a great weekend! I'm spending the night away with some friends tomorrow and really excited about it. We have a meeting all day tomorrow for MOPS and then some of us are going to stay the night. (Thanks Brandon!!!!)

To say that this has been a good week doesn't cover it. It was fabulous! And we needed it. The summer was a long 10 weeks of Brandon being out of town for a total of 6 weeks and 4 weeks of working longer hours than I think he ever has before, so he was not seen a whole lot. By the final week I was fried. The kids were fried. And Brandon was happy to be coming home. He was wonderful and let me have some much needed time to myself last weekend. After a good cry (you know what I'm talking about, those out of nowhere, reached the end, can finally let it all out cries)I was better. Brandon doesn't get it because I'll break down and sob for about an hour and then all of a sudden pop up and say, "Wanna watch tv?" with a big smile on my face. Meanwhile he's left wondering what the heck just happened. I felt refreshed and ready to face the week now.

Christopher started pre-school this week and I was very excited for him. I wasn't sure how he felt because my kids always yell, "NOOOO!!! I don't wanna go to the playground/park/splash pad/library/etc..." when it's Mommy that comes up with the idea. He didn't know anyone in his class, but thankfully he knew his teacher. We are supposed to drive them up to the door and drop them off with a huge line of teachers who take them out of the car and lead them to his/her room. But the first day we can walk them in. I wasn't planning on doing this because I thought he'd be upset about me leaving, but at the same time I just couldn't have some stranger take him from the car crying either. Sophie had to potty, so in we went. He did great! Sat down and played with some blocks and off the little girl and I went to the bathroom. Then I had to drop her off so I could go to the pre-school breakfast meeting they had. She was NOT having that, but I'm not one to have enough pity on them that I cave.

The meeting was great (so was the food) and I enjoyed catching up with moms I hadn't seen in months. When it was time to pick Christopher up that afternoon, I got in the pick up line and as soon as I saw him it took all I had to not roll the window down, wave my arms like a crazy fan and yell, "Hey Christopher!!!!!! Right here!!!! I love you!!!!!! Whheewwww Hoooooo!!!!! Over here!!!!!!! Hey buddy!!!!!!!!" I had a feeling he'd probably refuse to get in the van and say he didn't know me. So I didn't. We had a friend's baby boy with us too and he was crying so the whole way home Christopher and Sophie were trying to entertain him. Sophie started saying, "Judah stop crying! Mommy, he too loud!" I looked in the rear view mirror to see her sitting there with he hands pressed against her ears. I died laughing because he had nothing on how loud she could, and still can, cry.

The rest of the week went about the same. Minus the extra baby we were borrowing. Sophie went to mom's day out two days and did NOT want me to leave her and would wrap her entire body around my torso, arm or leg. Somehow I was able to slip out of her grip and get away. She did perfectly fine, like I knew she would. We would get short, hilarious updates from Christopher about what he did that day. One was about singing Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, but he would hum it as fast as he could and act it out just as quickly. Another was about Show and Tell day and I got updates on what everyone brought. I asked him if he talked and he said no. No surprise there.

Sorry if this post has been really boring to you, but I just wanted it to go down so I could remember we had a good week. I'm excited about our activities starting up again, (have I said that yet? I'm kidding!) and looking forward to a good year. Next week Christopher starts basketball which I'm sure will be very fun to watch. Not really our game, but they don't offer soccer or t-ball this time of year. Well, I better go get ready. We are going to open gym at a local gymnastics place and I need to get dressed so I can hear the kids yell, "NOOOOOOO!!! I don't wanna go run around and jump on things!!!!" Ahhhhhh..... sweet children.

I figured I could just try to put photos on here in multiple posts instead of trying to do all of them at once. The first round will be from our time in N.C. with my Grandpa...

Grammie holding Sophie at Grandpa's work desk. And trying to keep her from getting into everything. It's a full time job with that little girl!


Grandpa giving Christopher his first art lesson. Christopher really enjoyed painting. When we finally made it to IKEA, I saw an easel and just had to get it for them. They love it and I do too!


Sophie taking her turn at painting. We were laughing b/c she only did straight lines from the top to the bottom of the canvas. We had to turn it sideways just to get a different direction going.

School has already started here in our little area of Florida and I kind of feel bad for the kids b/c they only had about 6 1/2 weeks off for the summer. But here's how I look at it... it has been such an incredibly hot summer, and with the oil spill - which didn't seem to stop some people, you might as well go back inside! But I'm not one of them and they probably aren't thinking like I am.

This is kind of a big year for us b/c Christopher starts pre-school this week. I'm hoping and praying that it goes smoothly and he doesn't freak out on me. His best friend William moved about 5 weeks ago and he told me the other night after his open house that William wasn't here to go with him so he's shy. I wanted to cry for him. I knew the move was going to hit him at some point and had a feeling that it was going to be when "school" started back up again. But he'll be fine. He's my shy/nervous one, but gets over it quickly. Plus, he's going to the same place that he has gone for mom's day out the last 2 years. But if you are in pre-school, everyone has a matching t-shirt to wear, a matching bag to carry and we drop them off/pick them up at the "drive-thru" with the teachers there to help. He doesn't know any of the kids in his class, but Sophie's teacher from last year has decided to go back to teaching and I'm very excited that Christopher will have her this year. She is fabulous! (Actually, we haven't met one yet that we didn't like!) Sophie will keep going to mom's day out and thankfully they opened more days up so I will now have them there on the same days. I was kind of looking forward to having her go on Mondays so Christopher and I could have some one-on-one time, but I thought having them there the same time might be easier.

I'm looking forward to MOPS and Bible study starting up again. I'm going to head up the crafts again this year with my awesome friend, Bobbie. I'm really, really, really excited to have a partner this year and I already love her so I know working with her is going to be fun. This morning I ran into both of the women who lead my Bible study group last year and it made me even more excited to go back. This summer I tried to work on the one that I missed a year ago and I think it has helped get me in the mindset of setting aside time each day to study.

I'm just glad that everything is starting up again b/c I'm not a huge fan of summer, even though everyone else is. I love having things to go do and our church, like most churches, takes the summer off. It's just been too hot to go out and do anything here. Everyone knows why the beach was not much of an option, although lots of people went anyway. I was in the middle of potty training Sophie and didn't think running back and forth in the sand to the bathroom with both kids was the best idea for us. We don't have a great pool here on base (my son calls it the "racing pool" b/c that's pretty much the purpose of it) and the next closest one we can go to is about 40 minutes away and didn't open until lunch time. At both places we had to pay each time we went b/c a membership just doesn't make sense at either place. (So, yes, my children still don't know how to swim without a life jacket on.) I'm sure I'll change my mind when the kids are older and we spend the school year running around to multiple activities. I'm sure by then we will welcome the break that summer brings, but right now I'm a bigger fan of running around with things to do.

The first time I started to write about this trip it was really long and I knew that nobody would really want all those details. But I've told enough people about this trip that I pretty much have it summed up now. Here it is:

Sunday - The kids and I load up and head to my parents' house a day early. I was very glad my dad suggested this b/c we needed to get away.

Monday - We play around and relax at the lake and Brick is in heaven having other pups around to play with.

Tuesday - We hit the road at 9:00 a.m. Not as early as we thought we'd get going, but what can you do when you have 2 kids and 2 women to load up. (My mom is a super good packer, so it was never her we were waiting on.) We stop on the other side of ATL and have lunch at Chick-fil-a and let the kids play in the play area for about an hour. Our final destination ends up being Charlotte, NC when I saw an IKEA on the side of the highway and thought I could tackle it here instead of D.C. We grab dinner and go to bed.

Wednesday - We hit the road at 9:00 again and are laughing b/c we see the first trend in our trip. Drive thru for breakfast and arrive in Cary, NC at my Grandpa's house and have lunch. We head to the hotel to rest, we think, and end up all swimming in the pool for a few hours before going to my aunt and uncle's house for supper. Aunt Jean is the ultimate hostess and the kids were on the best behavior I have ever seen. She even had little toys pulled out for them and gave us a gift card to a local toy store so the kids could get a treat for the trip.

Thursday - My grandpa is an artist and he wanted to give Christopher an art lesson. I remember painting with him as a small child and I was bursting when I watched him paint with my little boy. Then Sophie wanted a turn too. The kids loved it! It's really hot so we decide to just go to the toy store and a local mall for lunch. Then we head back to the hotel to swim some more. Back to Grandpa's for supper and then drive around to look at houses when the kids become too excited for his little apartment.

Friday - We hit the road for D.C. and finally arrive around 3 or 4:00. It was great to see Brandon finally after being apart for 2 weeks. We grab dinner and then take Grammie to her hotel. (Brandon was supposed to be staying in Bethesda, but was moved to Rockville - about 20-30 minutes farther away from downtown).

Saturday - We had originally planned to hit the zoo this day, but since it was supposed to be around 102 degrees we figured the museums were a better and safer bet. (It was about 95 degrees by 9:00 in the morning, just so you have an idea of how hot it was.) We finally get downtown, make it to the air and space museum and it is so crowded that the only things I saw were the bathroom and a room off to the side that had the most incredible photos of the moon and the planets. We eat lunch and then go to the museum of natural history. Again, extremely crowded. (Note: NEVER go when they are having the Boy Scout Jamboree, which brings in about 10,000 boy scouts, PLUS it's the end of summer vacation. BAD combo!) Didn't remember anything I saw in there either b/c you just follow the crowd, make sure your child wasn't swallowed by the crowd and never bother looking up to see what you are passing. We went home after this and the kids napped in the car. We decided to swim at Mom's new hotel (moved her closer to us) and then went to get dinner at the shopping center next to her hotel. Sophie was sitting in Brandon's lap the entire time, until I finished and took her so he could eat. I asked her if she needed to go potty to which she said no and then peed all over my lap. It looked like I had wet my pants she was positioned so well. I switched into my bathing suit and cover up so we could go to Target. (I forgot to mention that Sophie woke up that morning covered in a rash and it lasted pretty much the whole trip.)

Sunday - This morning it's only 83 degrees when we wake up so we decide to hit the zoo. Let me just say that the homes that you pass on the way are ones you only dream about living in. Gorgeous and each so individual. The zoo was great b/c it had most of the animals indoors and it was mostly shaded. It did start to get hot and since you don't do a complete loop we passed on some of the exhibits and decided to turn back and go home. Brandon finds a great pool that we can go to that has slides and other fun features so we decide to check it out. We are there maybe 20 minutes and then I think I hear thunder. They come over the loud speaker and tell everyone to stay out for at least 30 minutes and we decide to just leave b/c it looks like it's going to rain. By the time we get to the covered entrance it is pouring. The kids are freaking b/c of all the lightning and thunder. I told Brandon to just take Christopher to the car, I'll stay in line with Sophie to get our money back b/c it can't get any worse. I turn around and it's literally raining and blowing so hard you can no longer see the parking lot. Perfect. I finally get passes to come back another day (great b/c we don't live here) and it lets up enough to run to the car. By the time we get out of the parking lot the rain has stopped. The whole way home we are laughing at all the downed limbs and trees. It only rained for 10 minutes, how could that happen? We get back to the hotel and see the power is out and the fire alarms are going off too. We hang out in the car for a while, then go get my mom (also without power) and bring her back b/c we were going on a date that night and she told us to just go ahead. We go downtown, grab dinner then walk over to the mall to see the white house and the monuments. Mom calls later to tell us that her hotel has to be evacuated b/c they don't even have backup power. (The generator was struck by lightning) We get home and I take her to her place and the power comes on while we are sitting at the light. I stay with her to make sure she doesn't need me then finally head home.

Monday - We have made plans to go to IKEA with my friend Kara, who used to live here and her husband is also there for the course Brandon is taking. We go get breakfast then meet Kara and drive over to where IKEA is. I'm bursting b/c I'd never been to one before and have my list in hand of things to buy. We walk through and then as soon as we get to the end of the showroom area Sophie pees on the floor and the power goes out. I have nothing to clean it up with and have to use a spare t-shirt and a pull up. They move us to a part of the building that has light and then tell us they have to close b/c they can't get the power back on. I didn't buy anything. We go back home and the kids nap in the car. They never napped at the hotel b/c it took about 45 minutes, on average, to drive everywhere and they'd slept long enough when we got back home to just stay awake. Brandon is off work early and I'm defeated at this point. We finally decide to go back to the pool and take Mom this time. Still have to pay, even if she isn't swimming. We are there less than 20 minutes and some idiot kid poops in the pool and everyone has to get out. We just leave b/c they are closing soon anyway. Right now my thoughts are, just screw it. This trip sucks.

Tuesday - Mom and I decide to just find a park and let the kids play since we are going to be in the car all day the next day. We both do searches and I find what seems to be one of the coolest parks I've ever heard of (they have tennis, summer camp, indoor ice rink, nature center, etc.) and it has a really huge playground in the woods. We drive over only to find out that the playground is closed due to downed trees from the storm on Sunday. My mom is dying laughing by this point, I have steam coming out of my ears. I think I was growling too. We find another one and start to head there, but have to stop for another potty break and just pull off at the next exit and have to wind around forever to get to a bathroom. BUT this place/neighborhood has a park, in the shade, and we stayed for a while and then headed back for lunch. I did laundry at the hotel next door to ours and it still allowed smoking on half of each floor. We packed our things and loaded the car as much as we could too. Brandon came home and he and Christopher went to a baseball game with some of the guys. Grammie, Sophie, Kara, Crew and I went back to the shopping center near mom's place (a HUGE life saver b/c we went here almost every day!) and played on the playground and had dinner.

Wednesday - We left at 8:30 this morning and I barely stopped for anything. We drove through for every meal and only stopped at IKEA in Charlotte to walk around. We made it to the Clemson exit in SC and spent the night.

Thursday - I woke up so exhausted that I could barely see and we had to drive thru to get a coke just so I could function. I wouldn't have been any help if Mom drove b/c I would have just fallen asleep and not been able to help with the kids. Thank you to whoever made caffeine! We stopped in Auburn and had lunch with my sister and niece. Then followed each other to the lake. Finally at "home" around 1:30 that afternoon. It felt good.

Friday - We just played and swam at the lake.

Saturday - Played and swam some more. I decided to head home on Sunday instead of Monday b/c the kids were getting restless and I just wanted to get them out of everyone's hair.

Sunday - We load up the van and I talk to my in-laws and find out my sis-in-law and her girls are coming to visit for the day so we decide to stop and have lunch too. I asked if we could just spend the night b/c I was not up for getting home at night after being gone for two weeks.

Monday - We hit the road around 9:30 and make it back to our house early afternoon. I was afraid the power would be out or the a/c was broken, but I think God knew that I'd been through enough and went easy on me. I love Him for that! (and many other things too!)

My mom summed the D.C. part of the trip really well when she said, "You know, I just wake up in the morning and think, what is going to happen today." She was much more cheery than I was, but she also had no plans other than tagging along for the ride. I'd had so many people tell me about how much fun D.C. is and that there are so many cool things to do and see there and we are going to love it. Well, I didn't. I know it had nothing to do with the city and the things that happened were totally out of my control, but that's why I have low expectations for things. When I have high ones, this is what happens. I definitely want to go back. But NOT in the summer. And I'd love to go with just Brandon and stay in the city. There were so many museums that I didn't get to see and I hate that the trip kind of went downhill, but I am thankful for the time the kids and I got to spend with my mom and my mom's family. That I wouldn't trade for anything!

Brandon will be home at lunchtime tomorrow and we can't wait to see him. It's been a really long 4 weeks with him gone and everyone moving and all the changes that have happened this summer. But we are alive and healthy and have so much to be thankful for. I'm just glad they are behind us now.

The kids have been playing together this morning and I just walked out and heard Christopher say, "Slam! I closed the door Sophie, we're at church now. Let's go." I just pretended that I didn't hear them b/c I was afraid they would stop playing. Then Sophie follows me into the kitchen and says, "We playin' a car, Mommy!" Then Christopher yells, "We're pretending to go to church, Mommy!" I told them I was so glad b/c that was a good place to go.

I've also learned in the last day or two that if I ignore them when they are fighting, they will usually get over it or eventually start playing together. So ignoring them I will! Right now, Christopher is laughing and chasing Sophie down the hall yelling, "I love you, Sophie!!" and she's saying, "no love you." Followed by her telling me, "My little bit grumpy, Mommy." Crazy kids.

Does anyone have one of those speaker things that you put an iPod touch or an iPhone in? My computer is pretty shot after being used for over 10 years. I really miss using it to listen to things like Pandora and my favorite two fat guys, Rick & Bubba. I figure that thing has got to cost a heck of a lot cheaper than a new computer. If you have one that you like and has a good sound please let me know. I'm over buying the cheapest thing out there and having to replace it later or it just being low grade. Supper is ready and it's hard to type this much on a phone. I don't know how those silly teenagers do it! I'm going to need bifocals soon if I keep this up!

We are finally back home. The kids and I have been gone for 2 weeks and it's nice to be back. Not in a dirty house or with a pile of laundry or beds that need to be changed, but it's nice to be back. I started a post about our trip but it's really long and I'm working on editing it. Also, I have no pictures to post b/c they are all on the laptop that is with Brandon. Hopefully I will find time to tackle the post soon.

The only thing that happened while we were gone was some animal found my little shop vac and decided to chew off the hose. I told Brandon at least it wasn't the cord b/c I'm thinking a plastic hose can cost you that much. And I'm a little afraid that Brick may have fleas. He's scratching and I've never seen him scratch before. My mother-in-law has me paranoid b/c a bug was on her in the van yesterday and she thought it was a flea. I checked him, but didn't see anything. Ok, I found two of the tiniest little bug on his fur, but I was checking him while he was lying in the grass so I wasn't sure if they were just your typical bugs you find outside or something worse. Maybe it's b/c he just spent the majority of two weeks outside and he only goes outside at our house to pee. Who knows, I'm just praying really, really hard that it's not fleas. I'm not sure that I'm up for that. I better go and try to tackle cleaning the house b/c it's making me feel gross.

I'll be back soon!