Be Anxious For Nothing

Yeah, right. I wish I could! I've been waking up at 4 or 4:30 for at least a month now and just would love to sleep until 6am.

I'm thinking about the house, cleaning the house, decorating the house, moving away from the 'ham (that's Birmingham), and worrying about jobs and such. I'm breaking out like a teenager and my house is a wreck. Poor Corin is having a hard time with moving away from everything we've ever known. Last night, I went to his class at church to make sure he had made it there and he looked at me and said, "See ya in three years, Mom!", which, ironically, is the amount of time that Quinn has left in Seminary. Silas is totally fine with everything, which means that he hasn't thought about it long term yet. In about a month he'll look at me with tears in his eyes and tell me he misses his friends. Felix is.... hungry. "Momma, I want a snack." He'll probably be more sad to move back to Birmingham because Jackson will be the place he remembers.

Today, we are heading off to close on the house. We're taking a whole bunch of boxes (thank you, dear friends, who've helped me pack) and I hope to bleach the toilets and windex the counters and shelves in the closets. I WISH I could have the carpets cleaned today, but we do not have power or water at the house yet. We need to take care of that today. It's a packed day! Better get started.

Party, Party, Party

This is Scott. He likes to fish. Can you tell? He calls me Hollywood occasionally. I think he called me Brittney Spears once when I wore a white linen suit. Yeah, he's like an older (much, MUCH older) brother. He has a lovely wife. Her name is Melissa. I do not have a picture of Melissa. She is funny, sarcastic, and endures Scott for a husband. They have a good story. They are also throwing a Bon Voyage party for Quinny (as he occasionally refers to my husband) and me on Friday night from 6pm until whenever. He asked me to post the info on my blog for all of my non-Community-Presbyterian-Church-friends to see and to let them know they are invited. Hop on over to his blog to get more info. Just click on his name.

PS... There is no childcare... hence, I need to find a babysitter.

WE GOT IT!

This is a completely different house than we had looked at before and I hinted to it on Saturday morning's blog, but was hesitant to mention it. It is a foreclosure and we are taking it as is. It's very big (for us) on the inside and it's in a gorgeous neighborhood. A contract is being written as we speak and we are closing on Thursday sometime. There will be before and after pics coming soon. Thank you for praying; the Lord is gracious! And if you have been around me this past week, thanks for not shooting me. (I've been a little emotional- a little over the top, if you will). I'm very glad there is closure and we actually have a place to move to one week from today. YEA! I'm so EXCITED!

Hangin' out with O'Jay and Chelle

O'Jay is what my babies call Quinn's cousin Jason. I think Silas did it. Jason and Michelle had us over for dinner last night and it was fabulousness. They are our only blood family in Birmingham and I'm sad that we're leaving them. However, the consolation is that Grandma's house is in Mississippi and we congregate there for holidays. I feel bad for people who don't get to go to Grandma's in Mississippi.

Brittney (my oldest niece) cut my hair last night (you can kind of tell in the picture) and I love it! Shorter, but not as short as I was thinking earlier (I chickened out a bit)- I can still pull it up in a ponytail- but with lots of layers. Michelle dried my hair for me using a round hairbrush (the way her hairstylist does it) and I really want a round brush now. I am a bit of an idiot with a round brush, since it gets caught in my hair everytime I use one. But maybe next time...

It was good to sit with family. We laughed and joked and had general good times all around. I love that we've gotten close to them. I actually refer to them as brother-in-law and sister-in-law and my children have always known them as Uncle Jay (O'Jay) and Aunt Chelle. I love that they love my kids. Thanks for having us over, guys. We love you all...

Happy Mother's Day!

A day lily always reminds me of my mom. I know we had them when I was growing up. There's something understated and beautiful about them that reminds me of her. So from the daughter who always required much attention, I love you. The older I get, the more I see you knew. Thank you for your sacrifice, your consistency, your kindness, your creativity, and your love. I appreciate and love you.

Love always,
Kimmy Sue

Boys will be Boys

We had an awesome day in Jackson yesterday. I do have news about a maybe house, but I've decided I will be superstitious and not jinx things up. There. That's a logical, adult decision. I'll let you know more details if things pan out.

Observations from yesterday:

Jack Sullivan and Dowell Davis are two of the funniest human beings ever. They had a ton of one-liners. I laughed all day.

Dowell Davis occasionally watches Jackass on MTV. He's a grandpa.

The previous observations lead me to believe that boys will be boys. Really, boys don't ever get past 12 years old. I mean, their bodies do, but, nope, not their brains.

Chick Fil-A's newest milkshake is awesome. It's like Jamocha Shake on steroids. And it's only 500 calories! Unfortunately, that kind of ruined it for me, but it was still good.

Men like to drive around and look at stuff.

The original Dreamland Ribs in Tuscaloosa is a dumpy hole-in-the-wall, but the ribs are awesome.

I like that my husband holds hands with me in public.

I need a haircut.

Happy Anniversary to us!

Nine years ago tomorrow I married a man who loves me for who I am. He is gentle and kind and an excellent father. He is far above me. For real, am I dreaming? I love him. Happy Anniversary babe.

PS... control yourselves, ladies. I know he's hot.

As Inigo Montoya says, "I hate wait..."

The last few days have been difficult. It has been hard for me to trust in God that we will have a place to live. Married housing is available, but only the two bedroom. I am tired of waiting, but waiting is what is on the agenda. Tomorrow we head out for Jackson to see what we can find. I have been encouraged by friends who have told me how quickly they were able to acquire their houses. I'm very blessed to be in my church; friends have jumped to help with the children while we are gone. Thanks. I'm praying for resolution.

On a different note, I'm in love with big rubbermaid containers that match. I like stacking them and I like putting them in my closet. This is a new concept for me; everything used to sit in laundry baskets or old boxes. With my friends Heather's help, I organized my closet, organized pictures, and boxed my shoes. I keep looking in my closet because it is so organized. And pretty! Perhaps this will spur me on to future organizational efforts. Everything is ready to pack in the moving truck, with the exception of clothes. Clarify, everything in my closet is ready to pack. I'm nowhere near done with the house. Yikes. Maybe more today. For the first time in our moving history, I have cleaned out closets and under beds BEFORE the day of the move and I hope it makes a big difference in moving day. What usually happens is that there is junk everywhere the day of the move and it fills up most of the van. And it takes me hours to clean up. I am hoping we can avoid this.

So another day goes...

Disappointed

We didn't get the house. It was sold to somebody else who was countering the same time as us. So that's it.

I guess.

Welllll....

I know you all are just WAITING by the computer to hear my news. What IS she going to say? We are waiting on a closing date. We have agreed on a price and will hopefully close soon. Wow. As promised, here are some pictures of the inside of the house.

It's a great house and I'm excited. We are in no lack of dark panelling, as you can see. And textured, gold wallpaper in the master bath. I do not have pictures of the bedrooms (there was one of the master, but I can't find it in my pictures) and I have not seen the house personally. Quinn says that it has big bedrooms and that the living area is very roomy. I did go look at Pergo yesterday and I like the hardwood (looking) floors. How can they make it look so real? Anyway, we will paint the kitchen cabinets and the panelling. The bedrooms, foyer, and hallway also need painting. The Pergo will go from the kitchen, through the dining rooms, into the living room and foyer, and then down the hallway. We will replace the carpet in the three bedrooms. We will probably use all neutral colors (for resell), but neutral colors do not make me happy. Life goes on.

Speaking of going to look at flooring yesterday, remind me next time I want to go shopping with no stroller and my other two kids, that it is NOT a good idea. Just tell me, "Kim, why don't you wait until Quinn comes home?". Pretty frustrating. I think I actually growled at the children.

Last night, we celebrated Cinco de Mayo (we're all such big celebraters) with the Claytons. We had fajitas and other yummy latino cuisine. And then dessert. Maja made something called Chocolate Swiss. It was chocolate merengue with cut-up (non-cooked) apple, a scoop of ice cream, and homemade chocolate sauce. Delicious. The apple really added a touch of tartness that was surprisingly good to this non-apple loving gal. It wasn't that hard to make (who doesn't have chocolate merengue lying around their kitchen) and I wanted to lick the chocolate sauce out of the sauce pan. Maybe I did, a little.

I'll let you know more details of the house as they come.

House Anticipation

We're still waiting on word about the house. Quinn says he thinks we'll get it. Maybe we'll know today. I have a feeling the next two weeks are going to be CRAZY.
I kind of hope so, actually. I think crazy-busy is the only way I'll be able to not think about leaving my world of security and jumping into the black abyss of the unknown. (Maybe a little overdramatic- maybe).

I have library books to return today and I'm thinking of going to Irondale to return them so that I can swing over to the Habitat for Humanity Outlet store. You can donate stuff for the cause of Habitat for Humanity, but you can also buy their surplus for super cheap. It's like a thrift store for housing items. If we get the house, we'll probably get our floors (brand new Pergo for CHEAP)and maybe light fixtures and fans (we'll have to see what's available) from there. I'm fighting the urge the go to Sam's and buy enough toilet paper to stock us for a year. We're almost out again. AGAIN! I hate buying toilet paper. I also have this thing (in my crazy head) that I have to have everything we'll need this summer BEFORE we move into the house. Why can't I go to Sam's AFTER we move in? Because I know where the Birmingham Sam's are located. That's a good reason. I AM going to Aldi before we leave to get milk at $1.99 each. We'll chunk it into coolers for the four hour drive to Mississippi so that I'm stocked for a week and a half. I will miss Aldi's cheapness. I actually did speak to an Aldi bigwig this week (at Roebuck's Grand Opening store) and asked when there would be an Aldi coming to Jackson. Not anytime soon, unfortunately, but for you folks in St. Clair county, there's something in the works!

Hopefully, my next post will be something like "We got the house!". Stay tuned...

Unbelief

I would, but cannot, rest in God's most Holy Will. I know what He appoints is best, and yet I murmur still. Yet I murmur still.

Help my unbelief.
My help must come from Thee.

Being a Girl

I love being a girl. I like heels. I like make-up. I like to wear a dress. I love wearing an apron when I'm cleaning or cooking. I like hot rollers and hair spray. I like being told when I look pretty. I like shaving my legs. I don't like plucking my eyebrows, but I don't like a unibrow even more. I actually enjoy the strenuous effort I put into making myself up. I love shopping. I love finding an incredible deal. I like standing in my closet trying to decide color combinations and shoes. I like listening to pretty music and imagine myself running through a field somewhere with my arms spread open wide (no snakes or bugs, of course). I like to do a random cartwheel. Or cheer. Or dance. I like to sing broadway tunes and songs from Disney movies. I like being romanced. I like costume jewelry. I love that it's me who does the mommy thing. I like being the nurturer. I like crying over girly movies. The whole thing. I love it. I love being with girlfriends who know me. I love to laugh with them and be silly. I love to talk about real life and struggles and know that they will encourage me and help me see Christ. I love being treasured and loved and held. I love that my husband loves me. I love being a girl.

Still waiting...

Things are still working for the house... The back and forth thing is happening right now. Patience, patience.

I found this picture yesterday when I was looking for something else. "Kim and her trusty Windex will save the day!"

A House?

I am sipping my coffee and thinking what I have to do today. I am NOT packing today. Tomorrow I'll slip back into cleaning out another closet. Today I may go to the thrift store to look for bar stools and maybe a book shelf. Bar stools and a book shelf? (you may ask) Well, we have made an offer on another house in Jackson. Can you say 2 1/2 weeks? Yes, because that's when we're moving there. I'll let you know what works out. I actually really like the house. It's a 3 bedroom, 2 bath (2 car garage) house in a neighborhood with sidewalks. It's in great condition, but is very outdated on the inside. You know what that means: HARD WOOD PANELLING. Lots of it. So, my ideal dream is to close on the house next week (sometime) and then replace all the carpet and linoleum (which looks original in the 1979 house), paint the walls, kitchen cabinets, and panelling before we move into the house on May 19th. Doable? We'll see. I will post pictures of the inside if we get the house. I'm trying to not be panicked about the whole thing (whoever heard of closing on a house a week after making an offer?), but I know we're going to move SOMEWHERE two weeks from next Monday. Our other option is married housing, which appeals to me, but is small and we wouldn't be able to resell after seminary. What does my life look like a month from now?

Thanks!

Thank you blog friends and family who wished me birthday greetings.

Thank you to my husband who got me my own computer stuff for when we move (he'll take the laptop to class). Who knew I'd ever want my own computer?

Thanks, Ma, for a gift certificate to LandsEnd. Woo hoo! I'll be heading over to the Overstocks in just a sec.

Thank you to all my wonderful, lovely, generous friends who helped make my birthday such a lovely day. Right now I feel like a child at the end of her birthday who is sad that it is over.

Thank you Missy for surprising me today with your super-sweet, awesome, homemade ice cream cake. And casseroles! You are my Petunia and you are the best.

Thank you Paige, Heather, and Missy for helping me pack today. And for my sweet gifts. We got a lot done. I'm proud and relieved to see all the stuff that was packed away today.

"Dan in Real Life" is an awesome movie. I want to get the sound track. Thank you, Laura Morgan, for not allowing me to be alone on my birthday evening. I would've been miserable. And she knew it. Thanks to Boo, Kim P, Ginger, Laura, Jenny, Whitney, Heather, Maja, and Katrina for coming to watch it with me. And bringing yummilicious snacks. It was a blast!

Thank you to Maja for hand embroidering me a gorgeous jewelry bag with a drawstring pouch. Um, wow. Thanks Heather and Boo (and Lana) for giving me jewelry to go in my new, hand embroidered jewelry pouch that Maja made for me. Today. No, really. She started it this morning. Amazing woman.

I'm anxious to hear about my hubby's trip to Mississippi to see how everything went. His job interview was with UPS, which would be a great parttime thing for him to do while we're at seminary.

Oh, I'm so full of food! Tomorrow I'll be running a wee bit faster. Sleepy girl needs sleepy. Oh, after I go to LandsEnd Overstocks, Ma!

What a lovely day!

The Birthday Invite

Laura told me that she is going to bring "Dan In Real Life" over to my house tonight around 8ish to have a Ladies' Movie Night. Sounds good to me! Come over if you'd like to participate!

There may be some chocolate involved. And laughter. And general good times. Just saying...

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today I turn 33. Quinn left a couple of minutes ago to go to Jackson, MS for a job interview and to look at houses. He will return late tonight. We went out last night for my birthday to Macaroni Grill at the Summit in Mountain Brook and then we walked around the summit. Actually, he asked me if I wanted to go to some shops, which is when I shot my eyes at him and said, "uh, sure". So we walked and I talked to him about stores, clothes, and shoes, which I'm sure he found completely enthralling. He nodded and smiled at appropriate moments. I saw an %80 off sign at Liz Claiborne shoes so went in there to take a look and the following conversation occured:

Quinn: "So, what are those naked shoes you were talking about?"

me: "huh?"

Quinn: "You know, those naked shoes you were talking about in your blog."

me: "Do you mean 'nude'?"

Quinn: "Yeah, same thing. Well, it means the same thing."

me: Nope. "It's a color, not a state of being."

Quinn: "Oh. What are they?"

So I show him. It was very sweet of him to offer the gesture of shopping for shoes. He hates shopping. HATES IT. He's fond of the term "I'd rather be drug out to the street and shot" when he thinks of shopping. After a while, we walked into the Gap and I found a cute pair of nude flats for $12 and he told me I should get them. It was very unlike Quinn, who would usually say something like, "Do you really need ANOTHER pair of shoes?" That answer, of course, is YES. It's okay if he doesn't get it. And, of course, I can't ask "Do you really NEED another Theology book?", because his answer is also YES. So, we're even, kind of. I have a slightly uncomfortable feeling that his obsession is better than mine.

Today will be a day of getting stuff done. Heather and Paige are both coming over to help me pack (thanks, ladies) and Corin has SAT testing at Crossroads. Even though we'll be busy, it will still be fun and I'm looking forward to it. Paige and Heather are both CRAZY cleaners, so I'm sure we'll have a lot done by this afternoon. Woo hoo! I told Quinn what we were doing today, to which he responded "you better go to the liquor store this morning". I looked at him with confusion. "What? Why?". I'm thinking this would not help me at all. He looked at me. "You can always get good boxes at the liquor store." Ah. I looked at some of the boxes we've already packed and most of them are whiskey boxes and Crown Royal boxes. So, I'm going to trek over to the liquor store this morning, with my three children, and get some boxes. Is ABC Liquor even open in the morning?

Changed it Again...

Can you tell what I've been doing? I like this look, it seems more me. Not doing what I need to be doing, I'll tell you that. The house looks like a warzone.

My hubby is taking me out for my birthday tonight. Woo hoo! I'm guessing Macaroni Grill (we have a gift certificate) and maybe he'll want to shop for some nude stilletos with me (oh, yeah, that's gonna happen).

I guess I need to get moving. Oooh, I just wanted to share this pic.... It's Missy and me from at least 12 years ago in college riding in her Connie Cellica (that's the car- my car was Dottie Datson). A friend of mine from Facebook sent it to me. Crazy times. Can you believe she and I were never allowed to room together at our small, private college because we were a "bad influence on each other"? Me???? Innocent until proven guilty is what I say!

Of a Book and Tears

I just finished a very strange, horrible, warped, sad, completely addictive book called The Book of Lost Things. I highly recommend it. It's one of those kind of books that I could absolutely not predict the ending and I had to continue reading it until I was done, which was last night at 11pm.

I've been weepy for three days. Maybe longer than that. Just at the drop of a hat, I start the waterworks. Maybe it's the move and the strangeness of it all (Jessica, we're moving to Jackson, MS so that Quinn can finish seminary). I feel very selfish about the whole thing and have been feeling the urge to detach myself from anything concerning it. Except that now the move date is so close that I feel the pressure to actually make sure I get things done. I feel like I am being unsupportive and cruel to my husband, who is pursuing a call to ministry. I love him and want to stop being an emotional wreck.

Pooh.

Roaming Thoughts

I made coffee that's too weak this morning. Too lazy to remake more.

The house is very quiet. Quinn took the boys camping. Except for Beex who wanted to sleep with me. I consented and slept with feet in my face all night.

I can make a really good S'mores. Toasting the sandwich over the fire on fork tongs to melt the chocolate is essential.

Again, wanting a haircut. Short and choppy.

I would love to find a pair of nude stilleto heels. I've been looking for them everywhere. Tried to look for them online but got discouraged. Do not Google Nude/Camel Stilletos. I think I screamed out loud. Quinn said, "Type Shoes! Just type shoes!".

I haven't been to the thrift store since Tuesday. I think I'm having withdrawals.

Birmingham was named as the most indulgent city this week on the Today Show. Really? I'd like to know how they did their research. Just not seeing it.

My birthday is this week and I will turn 33. I'm getting crow's feet and I have a dimple on my face that used to not be there. Oh, and more weird facial hair. Fabulous.

Three weeks and two days until we move.

Gotta get "bekfast" for the sweet cheeks Beex.

Si-Guy's Birthday Party

We decided this year for Si's birthday to invite some friends from church (and a few others) for a bonfire/cookout. We had a blast! The Sullivans (a generous couple from our church) let us use their lake on their property to fish and do a bonfire. The kids had a great time and so did everybody else. Here are the pics...

Insane

Today, today, today. Busy, busy, busy. Doctor's appointment yesterday was fine. Somehow I always forget that Dr. Radbill is super-excited all the time. Whenever we've been pregnant (which, I'm not now, btw), Quinn always hummed a little circus song and walked around pretending to bang cymbals together after Dr. Radbill left the room. Strange line of work for extreme happiness, but I'm glad because he always sets my nerves at ease. The scale wasn't so bad (I guess all of my OCDness worked, ha!) and I was in and out pretty quickly. I found out that my issues were probably related to stress (what????) and that everything looked fine.

Man, my house is a mess. Again. Maybe it's just the boxes. I'm going to defer to the boxes. Pretty much until we move.

I'm having some trouble with making links. And with pictures. It shows all the script instead of just underlining the link or showing the pictures on my draft page. Can anyone help me out?

Must go bake.

OOOOOH-BEEEE

You're supposed to say the title like a horn from a boat that would be in the harbor. You know, like that old B-O commercial from a long time ago. I'll give you a sec. Get it?

I'm going to my doctor this morning. Yuck. I do love my doctor (he has delivered all three of my children), but I DETEST going for a check-up. It has been almost three years since my last check-up and I have kept putting it off. Honestly, I'm going now because we're about to move to another state where said doctor does not practice. And I have questions about stuff. Yes, yes I see your wide-eyed looks of horror, gentlemen, and I'll refrain from discussing it. And I really don't hate it because of what they do (thought that IS a bit uncomfortable); what I hate is... being weighed. For two weeks, I have waited in quiet dread about getting weighed at the doctor's office. I skipped dinner last night and I have already started drinking water this morning (I will stop promptly at 7:30 to give my body a chance to rid itself of it). I cannot skip breakfast (ever) because I'm STARVING. I hate stepping on the box (with clothes on and everything) and having the nurse write down what she sees. Don't they know that clothes weigh ten pounds? I think everytime I go to the doctor, I request that the scales be put in a room where I can put on one of those lovely patient gowns to get weighed in. The nurse usually just smiles. I did have one fellow blogger suggest that I turn around on the scale to not see what I weigh. Yeah, can't do that. MUST KNOW. I know that I'm not overweight. It's the numbers that bother me. Why can't they be less? Why must I weigh that particular number? I don't like it. I will be relieved when it's over.

Super, Amazing, Spectacular

May I now present to you:



Fried Macaroni and Cheese!
Can I get an Amen? I say-a A-ya men-a. I do not know why it is so good. But it is SO good. It actually came with four, but they looked exactly like that. Delectable. Sounds weird. Sounds gross. Sounds like something a kid would make up. My assumptions came crashing to the ground. It is super crunchy on the outside with creamy macaroni and cheese on the inside. It is swimming in a sea of creamy marinara. Can you use the word delectable two times in one paragraph? Probably not. Thank you, Mona! After dinner last night, I need a couple of extra laps around the gym this morning. I'll see you there!

Friends

Two blogs before 7 am. That's what I call efficient. Or Obsessive.

Anyhoo...
Do you love becoming friends with somebody through their blog? I have become friends with Jawan through reading her blog and her random visits to our church. Her husband pastors a church in Columbus, GA, but he used to be the used the youth pastor at our church moons ago. Jawan is crazy with an acute case of verbal diarrhea. I love her.



This is Felix with Maggie, Sarah, and Gracie. He's George Washington. Duh.



Thanks Jawan.

Reality

So, we're moving to Jackson, MS. In a month from yesterday. Quinn and I packed six boxes last night. We had a good time going through CD's, packing books, and talking without the ever-addictive television being on. It's been nice having cable at the poolhouse, but I'm looking forward to having my six channels again when we move. I just don't watch TV as much when nothing is on my six channels. Back to boxes. I don't like seeing the boxes, though it does feed my instant gratification complex (ooh, empty box-full box). Other than that it is untidy (y'all know how tidy I am), the reality of moving to a new place is now always here. In my living room.
I am excited about Quinn finishing seminary. I am excited that I am his wife and we are venturing on this dealio together. I know that the Lord has called my husband (and me) to do this and I am excited what will happen next. I am not excited about leaving my church and the place (B'ham) I've called home for eleven years. It's hard to imagine what my life will be like without Community Presbyterian Church.

Preach it!

My hubby preached his very first sermon today. You know I was proud. I cannot wait to see what He will learn in seminary and see how the Lord will use him after. Quinn has the ability to speak clearly, without being condescending. He is wise and he loves the Lord. He is humble, kind, loving, and speaks with grace. I admire him greatly. You're my hero, babe!

The Seminar

Our church's Ladies Luncheon was yesterday. Everything was lovely. This table was done by Kristie Lawrence. Red is her signature color. Her table was my favorite. She did the frames herself! We had two different time slots for seminars before the luncheon and then we had a lovely lunch of chicken salad, pasta salad, fruit salad, blueberry and banana nut muffins, pound cake with strawberries, iced tea, and coffee. We then had a forum style question/answer session with several ladies from our church and that was great. It is encouraging to see how the Lord uses things in our lives to shape us so that we may be able to teach others about His sufficiency and grace. It also scares the crap out of me. How will He use to me to show His sufficiency and grace? How will He teach me? What is my life going to be like? I pray that the gospel would radiate from me and that I would be teachable and that I would not be foolish in my own wisdom. This world is not my own.


My fashion seminar went very well. I was terrified to speak in front of adults (I teach four and five year olds), but I was thinking that there would be less than ten ladies in my class. There were twenty-five. I had to hurry and make more copies of my handouts before class to make sure there would be enough to go around. I was very nervous at first, but eased into it and have been cringing over my verbal diarrhea ever since (it's an illness). Anyway, I talked about knowing what your shape is (which helps shopping go soooo much easier), color combinations, accessories, and great ways to find bargains. It was fun and people who didn't come to my class asked to get a handout for it! Thanks to Anne Marie, Mrs. Morgan, Jan Witt, and Maja Clayton for letting me use their dressforms. Thanks also to Virginia for helping me gather my thoughts and loaning me a ton of stuff, Leigh McKibben for lending me (and causing me to covet) her jersey dress, Crissy for lending me her lbd, and Laura Morgan saving my booty by lending me her cool fashion books. It helped so much!
Just let me know when you're ready to shop!

Happy Birthday, Silas!

This is last year on his fifth birthday...

This is him this Easter... What a difference a year makes! He's so big...

A Break from the Madness

Wait a sec...

Are you telling me that I have NO children this morning? Felix is going to Mother's Day Out and Daddy is taking Corin and Silas fishing.

Oh yeah, baby.

Social Security Office, here I come. That sounds dreadful. Maybe I'll get a gyro.

I have to at least top that off with a gander around a shoe store or something.

Ooooo, maybe I'll take a book to the SS office so that I can endure my wait that way. How exciting!

Going to make coffee now!

Hodge Podge

Well, I'm looking at MT. TOO MUCH LAUNDRY. It is clean and plopped on my "folding bench" where all my laundry sits for too long every week. I'm learning not to see it. It is starting to lap over to the couch. I think it's coming alive. ALIVE! My house is a wreck. I'm a one track mind, baby. Concentrating on Saturday (see previous post) means everything else gets neglected. Wait, I had three kids yesterday; did I leave one somewhere? Of course, I'm just kidding. I think.

Corin had a soccer game last night and his team won! AND he scored a goal! AND I missed it! Yep, I missed the whole game. Why? Well, because I didn't find out about the game until 6:30 and both the other children were still taking baths and Quinn called me from practice telling me that Corin had a game in 30 minutes and he needed his uniform pronto! Oh, pooh! So I put the other (wet) ones in their jammies and tore through MT. TOO MUCH LAUNDRY to find Corin's uniform and then tore over to the field to get Corin his uniform JUST in time for the game. The other two were still wetheaded from their baths (and clean, btw), so we went home. I hate that I missed him score. He has been skittish on the field; not wanting to be aggressive about the ball, so this is a big deal!

Yesterday, I went to Accessory City, at Patton Creek to get some prizes for my class on Saturday. This is a great store! Super cute jewelry for cheap, CHEAP! They have a 3 for $5 jewelry wall, a 2 for $10 jewelry wall, scarves 3 for $10, sunglasses 2 for $10, lots and lots of bags, shoes, hairclips, kidstuff, WOW! I recommend it. I think you can shop online, too. On that same line, I added a new link yesterday. Fab Finds for under $50 has a lot of great finds online. I also like how she (Kimberly) puts things together.

Today is Wednesday, which means day of insanity. Must get started right away. Maybe I'll have a chance to ignore my laundry for a little longer. Yeah, probably so.

An Event to Look Forward to

I've been preparing for my "fashion class" today. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then PLEASE, let me explain... Every year our church does a seminar/ luncheon thing that is so FABulous. Good seminars, good speaker, and EXCELLENT food. I am doing one of the seminars this year. I've been a tad bit nervous about it, but today I've put in some brain time (with Virginia's help) and am excited about my class. If you're looking for some tips on how to look longer, leaner, and more fashionable, then this is the class for you! Of course, with this "research" comes a tad bit of shopping; which is just SUCH a labor of love for me (oh, you know I have just collapsed on the couch from sheer exhaustion). Somebody bring me a pretty drink. Anyway, I have looked far and wide for fun things and have got some tricks up my sleeve... Well, not rabbit tricks (I certainly did NOT run over a rabbit the night before Easter last year- I resent that you brought that up), but you know what I mean.

Here's just a sample of some of the stuff we'll be talking about...

Pants that make you look thinner (oh yeah, they exist)

belts and scarves

Stilletos (not as uncomfortable as you think- no really!)

dresses like this... (which I REALLY want to buy that one particularly- excellent price!)



color mixing (deliberately NOT matchy-matchy)

Rouching a belly.... (I'll let that one linger)

I'm excited! You certainly do not have to be a member of our church (or Presbyterian for that matter) to come and the luncheon is free (childcare is $5 per kid-must reserve your place).
Join us!

Morning Sounds

I'm listening to the sounds of the morning in my house...

Starfall being played on the computer...

The shower running...

The coffee pot gurgling...

A two-year old's lisp for more "bekfast- in a cup, Mommy"...

Sleepy little boys making breathing sounds on the couch, with covers and their mommy close by...

It's nice. I don't want to start the day. I like sitting here. Today's a running day. Busy, busy week this week. Five more minutes...

Booooring...

So I changed my blog stuff for spring. But it's not very exciting. As a matter of fact, it's kind of boring. However, I just spent a great deal of time changing it and do not have time to change it again right now.



I guess it's not horrible, but it's just not POW!. I'll be back in a bit...

Spring Formal

So last night I went to help Emma with her hair for the Spring Formal with our homeschool group. Who knew a hair cascade would be so difficult? Anyhoo, I always have fun doing that (even though it still surprises me that she asks me to do it) and I ended up doing Kara's hair, too. I took pictures. Lots of pictures.

This is all the girls ready to go! Don't they look great? To me, it is still fun getting dressed and ready to go somewhere special with a bunch of my friends. The bedroom reeked of hairspray, nail polish, and girliness. It was fun!

Boot Camp

I have appointed myself as everyone's coach. Fashion coach, 5K coach, "you need to drink more water" Coach, etc. Pushy? Me? Alright. A little. Of course, I'm referring to here and here where I am referred to as running a boot camp (one of 5K training- doesn't that make you want to run?- and one of thrift store shopping). I DO cringe when I think of lambasting people with my opinions of a jacket or skirt. Poor Whitney. She is a new girl at our church who is sweet and eager to be friends. She doesn't know how "lovingly" I lambast people. Sorry Whitney. I was lambasting her with my self-righteous fashion sense. Can I just say... I love to go thrift store shopping with people. Tell me your size and I'm all about finding you some cute stuff. And then I will run over you with how you should wear it. Seriously, Mack truck of fashion coming through. Cringe. Anyhoo, I hope she'll be my friend. She's fun and adorably cute. And cool.

I have no defense for the 5K boot camp (did I have a defense for the thrift store boot camp?). I'm kind of a control freak with the stopwatch and I like to be on the outside of everybody who is running. mmm, fun. I'm not helping my cause of "getting more people to train for a 5K", am I? Or maybe you need someone like me to boss you within an inch of your life.

Speaking of running... I'm due at the gym in 25 minutes. Better go fetch my whistle and baton. Get moving!!!!

PS... I love my friends, and I'm grateful that they want to be friends with a crazy, bossy, pushy, cynical, OCD person like me. They show me grace. Teach me more!

New Read and An Insecure Moment

I am reading "The Reason for God" by Tim Keller. I am loving it. Oh yeah, I'm still in the introduction and it has made me tear up. Tim Keller is a pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. He's an amazing communicator who was told that starting a church in Manhattan would be "a fool's errand". Now his church has about 5000 attendees (skeptics- it is New York, after all, and believers in Christ alike) and his church has started sister churches. The book (it seems) is written for both skeptics and believers as well. If you've never heard of him, or have heard of him and don't know anything about him, I'm gonna highly recommend his book. I'll let you know how it finishes.

On a completely different note, the walls are closing in on me about moving. For those who have asked, Nope, we don't know (still) about the house. We have sent in a deposit for married housing (which would be fine), but it is a bit unnerving to not know where we're going to live. My heart starts to beat fast and my eyes get wide-eyed when I think that about moving to a new city, where we don't know where we'll go to church, my kids don't know any kids, my husband doesn't have a job (and neither do I), and he'll jump into going to school. Full-time. My life is about to be REALLY different. I'm not comfortable with that. I'm scared. What is next for us? Man, I'm such a drama queen. I know that the Lord will take care of us- He has always provided for our needs. I have a feeling that the next three years, although different than we've ever done before, will be an entirely new adventure. Maybe I'll grow up a bit.

An itty, bitty, chubby man just climbed into my lap (no, not Quinn) and I've got to smooch his cheek.

My Busy Boys

I wanted to post some pictures I took of the boys yesterday. Felix was in a photo shoot yesterday for Sew Beautiful with an outfit of Maja's. So, we all drove to Huntsville to do the photo shoot and the photographer graciously allowed me to use my own camera to take some pictures. It was fun!

We had a great time, especially with the rabbits!

I also wanted to post about a new training session for our 5K group! Next Monday (the 14th), there is a new group starting the "Couch to a 5K" training. We train Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in the gym at Community Presbytarian Church at 8:30. It's easy and fun to do with a group of women! Our next 5K that we are planning to do (which the new group may or may not want to do) is on May 10th. It is sponsored by the Birmingham Zoo and it costs $25 (pre-registration- $30 at the event). If you don't think you would possibly be able to do it- surprise yourself and try it for a month and see what is accomplished. Join us!

Picture Day and Springtime

Another day has ticked by. Thanks to those who stopped by to "help me eat my cheesecake". What a burden you bear! Oh, how you sacrifice! I'm wiping tears away right now thinking of how you laid aside your own home burdens to come and choke down some cheesecake. Thank you, Thank you! (snort)

I took some pictures today of little Lana (ballet pics-aren't those bows terrific?) and her big brother, Logan...

and some of her just being cute...

We had a good time, except that both of her costumes were, "too itchy, Kimmy!" (I love that her and Logan still call me Kimmy- left over from long ago).
Of course, there are approximately 75 pictures of Lana and maybe 5 of Logan. Girls are so complicated! "Kimmy, I don't want to sit there, it looks too itchy!" I'm sure I was NEVER was like that. I also took pictures of Zach and Eric (we had a big picture day at my house). It was a fun day! And yes, that is a frog in that picture with Zach. Cool, huh! I have to say, I love to take pictures (of little kids especially), but I abhor burning it on a CD; there are still some things that illude me on the computer. Like I had to burn all the kids on one CD; (instead of giving the mothers just their own kids on one CD) I couldn't remember how to do that on the 'puter).

It was lovely walking around the yard and seeing the things in bloom. I love seeing the south in bloom! I think wisteria is just about my favorite thing that blooms in Alabama. I remember the first spring that I lived here (in '97) that I was amazed by the beautiful blooms. I had never seen anything like it. They grow wild (everywhere) and they just appear out of nowhere and last for about two to three weeks. I think I freaked out everybody I would ride in the car with by screaming "THERE'S MORE! IT'S EVERYWHERE!" I still do that occasionally. It's just so pretty. And the smell! You cannot imagine how yummy it is. My first spring break in Alabama, I made a trip back to Orlando to visit the fam. I traveled with Missy, Michelle, and our friend, Debbie. I just had to pull over on the side of I-75 in Georgia to clip some wisteria to take home to my mother. We clipped quite a bit and there was no room in the trunk to store them, so we put them in the back window of the car. It smelled pretty good at first, but then it started to be overwhelming. I think we all had an enormous headache by the time we got to my parent's house. And the wisteria had all wilted. So now I just wait for it to bloom and admire it until it disappears. I hope you're enjoying spring where you are!

Updates

We got home a little bit ago from community group. It was lovely and we had a great time. The Webbs really know how to host a party! It was great hanging out with our friends and bittersweet knowing that we have three group meetings left before we leave for MS. Well, I do run with the women from our group, and I see them nearly everyday, but it just seems as if our time is slipping by.

I can't believe we're moving. And I haven't started packing yet.

The 5K was awesome yesterday! The picture is tiny (not sure why), but that is Heather, Paige, and me. I beat my time by one minute, which completely shocked me. I'd like to do another one before we leave. The Birmingham Zoo is hosting one on May 10th. It is such a great feeling to finish. I highly recommend it. When we move, Quinn wants to start training with me to do a 5K later this summer.

Tomorrow is Monday. Sticking my tongue out and make a pffft noise now. Maybe people should come help me eat the rest of my cheesecake tomorrow. Otherwise, I'll eat it myself.

Sooooo sleepy. I'd really like to sleep past 4AM tomorrow morning. Really. No, really. I think I was done with breakfast by 5:30. Again, I'm sticking out my tongue and making a pffft noise.

I think I'm grouchy. I'm going to bed now.

Things I am thinking about...

I wish I could open the windows, but everytime I do, there is a fine layer of pollen dust on everything.


I updated a couple of fashion links. Whimsical Nerd has become a new favorite. She's witty and she dresses cute. I think that probably her style is more Madison Russell or Ashley Brumlow (some cute teenagers at my church who like vintage eighties clothes) which I could NOT pull off (I'm too old), but I love her writing style. Blog Fashion is definitely more my style of dressing. I certainly love her shoe collection. I have a host of other links I need to add, but I don't feel like doing it right now. I promised Laura Morgan I would post the link to Whimsical Nerd.


I've been feeling kind of blah since our company, Weyland and Katie, left. I cannot post about their situation, but please be in prayer for them as they are trying to adopt a baby.


I'm still wearing my pj's.


I made banana bread with my boys earlier and it smells delish. I'm very proud of my boys. They are sweet and smart. I'm so thankful that God gave me my family.


I need to take down my Christmas card wreath. I don't know why I like to leave it up. I like to look at the pictures of my friends and family, I guess. Quinn just looks at the wreath (you know the look), then looks at me (you know that look, too). Maybe tomorrow.


I want to go to the beach. And read a good book.


I found an ENORMOUS, white, floppy hat the other day at Walmart for $2.00. I love it! It just reeks of "Hello, dahling... please bring a lovely iced tea whilest I lay here on the lounge... thank you, luv". I will be called snotty this summer for wearing it, but I don't care. I really just don't want anymore ENORMOUS freckles on my face.


On April 19th, our church is hosting our famous annual women's luncheon. I look forward to it every year. This year our theme is "Life, Joy, Pleasure". There are different seminars before lunch (this year I'm doing a seminar about dressing fashionably for cheap- nope, not at all nervous about that). Different women host tables (set with their own china) and we have a fabulous speaker and great music. If you'd like to come, just let me know. Childcare is $5.00 per kid. It's always a good time.


I'm excited about running a 5K on Saturday with Paige and Heather. Again, if you think you could never, EVER start running, then take a look at this link on training for a 5K. The title "The Couch to a 5K plan" should encourage you a little... I've loved training for it again.


Well, it certainly is nearly 1:00 now and I'm still in my pajamas. My kitchen is gross and I probably should vaccuum and sweep before piano lessons at 2:00. The banana bread is distracting me; I must go cut a slice...

Later peeps.

Do Not Read This Ginger

I just ate a bug. Accidentally. Scott Holmes called to speak to Quinn and I took a bite of taco soup while I was speaking to him and my bite crunched. I thought that it was the skin of an onion, so I spit it in the sink and it was a beetle. BEETLE! Of course, I'm doing all these things while Scott is talking on the other end of the phone and I'm trying not to wretch in the kitchen sink. I'm actually still trying not to wretch just thinking about it. So I suddenly announce to Scott, "I just ate a beetle!" To which laughter is the reply. To which I reply, "must... have... Listerene..."

I have clean breath now.

I think I will probably do mouthwash again though.

It was crunchy, but it didn't taste like anything.

Well, maybe taco soup, a little.

John Piper on the prosperity gospel

You may have seen this before. It is appropriate today. Quinn and I have watched a loss, witnessed deep grief, and have seen that Jesus is enough. Today. And I am sad. But, He is still sufficient. We are praying still...