Man Sold Life on Ebay

I read this article on the news this morning & thought it was interesting... sad & yet creative. Let's pray together that the right people come into his life to share Christ's message of "hope & a future."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7479836.stm

Charlotte's Visit

Ellie & I like bugs....and photography...and Charlotte's Web (thanks Mimi). Tonight when the girls & I were swinging in the back yard I noticed that hanging from the treehouse was a spider who was busily wrestling a grasshopper (I think) in her stickiness. Ellie and I (mainly I) watched in amazement as speedy "Charlotte" battled the grasshopper that was 3 times her size. The grasshopper finally gave up and the rest...well, he became dinner, I assume. Pretty cool.

I was trying to capture unique photos of this insect battle, but I wasn't happy with the pictures using the automatic setting on my camera. So, for the first time, I ventured out to use the manual setting. While the pictures I took aren't completely clear, I'm pretty happy at my first attempt at manual photography.

Summertime Sisters

My Little Saed-Saed

RC Cola & Moon Pie Festival

This past Saturday the girls & I went with our friends, Jen & Emmy, to the 14th Annual RC Cola & Moon Pie Festival in Bell Buckle, TN. Can you believe there's an actual festival to celebrate the moon pie? We thought it sounded "weird southern" so we decided to check it out. To our delight, we enjoyed shopping the local vendors, eating real BBQ, & laughing at all the fried food options to choose from (fried snickers, fried moon pies). The festival was pretty crowded, & the girls were tired by the end of the day, so we missed the "cutting of the world largest moon pie ceremony," but no regrets, right? I must say, though, the highlight of the day for me was the drive to & from the festival, simply spending quality time with Jen & getting to know her at a deeper level. I'm truly blessed to have Jen as a friend (not everyone would dig a 2 hour drive with 3 girls under the age of 3... just to check out a Moon Pie Festival...you rock!).

We found a local park for the girls to wear down at & as you can see from the first picture, the girlies were wiped out.

Emmy is too adorable to let this picture slide.

Jen, sampling the delicious Lemonade.

Calling All Moms! Calling All Moms!

So, today I had a special date planned with Ellie- a trip to the waterpark with her good friend Brooke. I made plans to have Saedi in hourly care for about 6 hours to give us enough time. I dropped off Saedi & then Natalie, Brooke, Ellie & I headed out to Tie Breaker Water Park. The girls were having a great time (mainly eating each others snacks) & it was good for the two older girls to have time with their Mommies & no baby sisters.

We had been at the waterpark for about 2 1/2 hours when I received a call from hourly care saying that Saedi had been fussy all morning, they were pretty sure she was hungry, but she wouldn't take her bottle...nor would she take 2 others that they tried! Last week a similar incident happened, but I figured it would pass.

Now I'm not sure what to do. Ellie had no trouble taking a bottle, & Saedi never used to either. I'd like to continue nursing her, but I also want the freedom to be away from her for a feeding or two. What do I do? I'm thinking of trying to give her a bottle myself so I can see what she does. She's always taken a bottle from Riley, although not always very well. Do I spend money on new bottles in hopes that they work? Will a baby give in & eat if she really is hungry?

So, moms, I need any advice you're willing to dish out!

Ode to Natalie

So today I was not a pretty sight. It was one of those days where things just kept going wrong. The line for the oild change/tire rotation was long. My appt for my non-working air conditioner was a no-show, and the appt for the in-and-out internet service was also a no-show. What are the chances of a two in one day??? Then, Riley called saying his school was longer than he thought & he wouldn't be getting home until the VERY end of August. Ellie wet her pants several times today, & Saedi was fussy from being so hot.

God is faithful, though, and he sent Natalie to my rescue. She listened to me vent on the phone & then was over to the house within 15 minutes to watch the girls so I could let off some steam at the Crossfit gym...by myself! When I came home, not only were my girls happy, but their hair was styled in matching pig tails & my house had been picked up! It would not be fair for me to declare this day "A Wreck" like I was so tempted to do before a faithful friend stepped in.

So, Nat, you always make fun of me for being cheesy, but "This One's For You!"

"If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls & has no one to help him up!"

Ecclesiastes 4:10

THANK YOU!