Spring Break sample platter April 14, 2010

Sorry I’ve been MIA. I have several invitations and place card jobs lined up and have been finishing up some other wedding projects before the new ones roll in. But Iwanted to show everyone some pics from the last couple of weeks around here. Spring Break weather was beautiful, with the exception of record-breaking pollen- but I am not going to mention it to God, because the temps were perfect.

I spent some time hanging out in the dining room, just enjoying its "almost" completeness.

 

And while I was enjoying the dining room downstairs, someone else was breaking the law upstairs.

 

We planted some lettuce and spinach and had #3 water them. Sorta.

 

This picture makes our yard look so big, but trust me, it is an illusion.

RIght before school let out, we went to their "Art in the PArk" to see some of the stuff they've been working on this year. This is #2's pinch pot.

 

And #1's mask

 

As you can see, the week was pretty laid back. Here are the boys with one of our neighbors making lemonade on the front porch.

 

And of course, we had some goodies on Easter morning before heading to church to celebrate the risen Saviour.

 

Along with a goodie bucket, the two little ones went shopping with us to buy all their spring/summer clothes. We haven't gotten to #1's wardrobe yet. He is pretty picky now.

 

#3 definitely knew what was going on this year.

 

Sorry, she's so darn cute, I can't help myself...

 

Mom, recognize the dress? This was from when me and little sister were kids.

 

We decided to go for a mountain hike later in the week.

 

The weather was gorgeous and the trail is totally shaded.

 

Someone offered to take our picture. Of course we were all sweaty and gross by this point.

 

I love taking pictures like this!

 

A view of the metro area.

 

Probably shouldn't have looked directly into the sun...

 

Civil War battle site.

 

Just a little bit tired when we got to the top. All of them did the hike themselves with little to no complaining.

 

This could be dangerous...

 

Like I said, tired.

 

Since working on the house defines our lifestyle- I had to include a pic of #1 sanding the mantel for me. He did a pretty good job.

 

And by the end of the week, we had leaves on all the trees and azaleas were starting to peek out.

Well that’s a smaple platter of our Spring Break. We had a lot of fun and relaxation. Originally, we were going to camp for a few days, but quickly decided that plan was NOT relaxing.

On another note, now that we are wrapping up the downstairs projects and only small details remain, we have been discussing where to go next. I thought I would venture upstairs, but in reality, it doesn’t make sense to buy carpet or put in a nice new bathroom when the kids are still quite destructive. We are going to (que some John Williams music)

MOVE ON TO THE EXTERIOR R R R R R  (echo, in case you didn’t know)

I am actually very excited about this. We have decided to hire a professional to come in to replace all the rotten wood and siding on the house. Then we are going to have a houe painting party. We will later get new gutters put on professionally, as well. Right now, I am saving up the cash to have the work done as I have already received a pretty fair quote. We are picking out colors and making plans for the front. Be back soon with some of the options!

New Year, new dog January 8, 2010

We signed the adoption papers for Dixie on New Year’s Day while we were hiking at the rescue club’s New Year’s get together. Everyone drove in from wherever they live, and brought all they’re dogs to this giant piece of land on a lake. We hiked and chatted with other people who had adopted dogs. Some were horror stories. We were happy to report that we got the laziest couch potato weimaraner in existence. She is training easily and just seems to “get” it.

We hiked for awhile and just let kids and dogs go free. Did I mention that it was freezing!

 

 

Dixie loved being off the leash. She stayed close to us, but loved running around with the other weims.

 

 

This was the fattest coonhound I have ever seen. He needed to run about 18 more miles through the woods...

 

 

Overall, this was alot of fun for everybody. Husband wants to join this woodland facility this year. There are roughly 200 acres of protected woodlands along the banks of a lake where you can kayak, canoe, swim, hike, camp, etc. Sounds fun, right? Maybe in the summer.

Holiday Staycation January 8, 2010

There’s no place like home for the holidays. It was nice to sit by my fire and be with my kids and my husband and just breathe in all of Christmas. However, this also made it very noneventful with little to no drama. Now some people would love to come out of a holiday season with that kind of report. But for me, I’m used to drama and constant commotion.

We had some heated games of dreidel, with the chocolate coins and everything.

 

Husband "supervising" the dreidel game so it doesn't get violent.

 

Dixie was watching Dreidel, and hoping someone would forget a chocolate coin on the table...

 

We all laugh at this nativity set now, because the little present that the black king was holding broke off last year while packing it away. Now it looks like he is just holding out his hands asking Mary if he can hold her baby. Wow, that is creepy.

The week before Christmas, I was surfing Craigslist and hit gold. I found the two fireside chairs that I had in my mind for awhile. Originally, I had wanted french bergere chairs or even leather parisian clubs, but the price tag ran me off. But these were priced right and they are really antiques from France. Now, of course, they will be reupholstered because they look like the granny special right now. But the finished product is already in my mind. I just need the funds and time to put it together at some point. Anyhow, Husband and I spent the entire holiday sitting in these by the fire, talking and reading together. Good times.

Beautiful french chairs.

 

I know the pillow doesn't go, but seriously, what would go with that fabric?

 

Christmas morning came and the kids woke up around 6:00. Well, probably earlier, but they aren’t allowed to wake us up any earlier than 6 and they can’t open gifts until we are awake. Scrooge, I know, huh.

 

 

I was tired and fell back asleep on the couch with the "wiggling" pillow.

 

 

OK. Don't laugh because he gets really defensive. Husband decided to make his own slippers. They are one size to small, so his toes bust through the seams at the ends.

Hope everyone had a great holiday season this year. Sorry I haven’t blogged, but I have been spending all the minutes with my family.

Rocking around the Christmas Tree December 15, 2009

Not really. But the tree was rocking since three kids were pulling on it at the same time.

We ended up buying a new tree this year, because the other one had lots of mold on it. I was trying to remember if I ever sprayed that fake snow on it, but no- I didn’t. And the mold wasn’t fake. It was real. And we don’t want brain damage. I cannot afford to be any dumber than I already am. So I let the kids pick out a new tree at HomeDepot. For the record, if you let kids pick something out, be prepared. It is going to be tacky. We now have a short tree with lots of multi-colored lights. I let them decorate it too, which pleased them very much. Even #3 helped out, hanging about 12 ornaments on the same limb. Anyway, they had fun and and I had fun watching them have fun.

 

I was a little nervous that Dixie would eat the tree or something, but this picture demonstrates her level of interest in the tree.

 

I came downstairs later just to make SURE that Dixie wasn't eating the tree, but she had more interest in the laundry than the tree.

 

Oh, and it "snowed" for like nine minutes one day last week.

 

The wet nasty weather has left us to entertain ourselves.

 

More goofiness.

 

And after a few days it is STILL standing!!

11 Hour Drive December 9, 2009

Yes, 11 hours in a Honda Accord with three children. Ain’t life grand? Actually, to my surprise, they did very well this year since Husband bought them two little movie screens to hang on the back of the seats. They must have watched 6 or 7 movies on the way there. Most of the time I was watching the scenery out the window. Most people think I-20 is boring, but I am fascinated to see how the little towns along the route are expanding. Unfortunately, I’m guessing that their cute little downtown areas aren’t thriving anymore  since Old Navy/Target/Barnes & Noble came to the service road…sad. Anyways, we had a great Thanksgiving with Husband’s family!

Are we in Louisiana yet?? Yeah, right after this big ole bridge.

 

We took this same shot last year.

 

Best BBQ place ever. period.

 

Cousins were playing t-ball. Sorta.

 

The little ones were very busy.

First Thanksgiving for our newest cousin.

You can tell I am getting old, because all the pictures are of the kids. Here is their Thanksgiving table.

 

#3, under the slide with her cousin born one month before her.

 

#2 on the swings

 

#1 with his cousin.

 

Husband was playing "keep-away" and the kids never could catch him.

 

Don't worry, #1. You will definitely catch him next year. He is slowwwwwing down. Getting old, you know.

 

We took this right before heading back to Georgia.

 

Our college campus. "Lady of the Mist" I must admit, I was a little surprised that she had her nose and that no one had drawn black marks on her chest (if you know what I mean)

#2 and #3 crawled around the Lady of the Mist about 100 times. I just knew one of them would fall in, but no one did. I know, I don't believe it either!

I spent MANY hours in this building, singing my heart out.

 

It was almost midnight when we pulled into the garage. Amen for safe trips.

 

Also, I have to tell y’all about our new “almost” addition. And no, we didn’t build onto the house. Here is a little preview:

Ich. It’s that kind of day. December 8, 2009

Hi friends. So much has happened in the last couple of weeks and I have not had the chance to update everyone. Today is an icky day with blustery cold wind and rain. I have a camera loaded with pictures that I need to blog about, but I don’t feel like waiting for my crazy-slow computer to eat them all up. And I just got back from the grocery where they were playing obnoxious holiday music. And there were no REAL sales. On the way home in the rain, the engine in the Jeep missed a couple of times because Lucky13 HATES the cold rain (can you blame the thing?!?). Dishes are piled high in the kitchen and dirty clothes have piled up since husband has been very occupied with work and school. There are Christmas lists to be made, but we haven’t had a chance to sit down and talk about it, because #1 had a humungo Civil War project to work on for the last few nights. Sigh. Then there is the issue of Christmas…I mean, didn’t school just start? Seriously. The kids are dying to decorate the place like a wonderland, but I’m just not into it yet. And we have to throw away our artificial Christmas tree because it has been victimized by mold. Nothing like brain damage for Christmas (the gift that keeps on taking). The worst part is that this would be the SECOND time I am throwing away my Christmas tree before Christmas, but I won’t depress you with THAT story. Ok, so the plan is to get a real tree and let the kids do whatever they want to it while husband and I sit back on the couch (which is finished, by the way) and sip apple cider in front of the fire. Well, I hope to post some pictures of all the happenings lately, whenever I don’t feel icky. And today is not the day. So happy holidays to every other grump in their pajamas right now…

Labor Day happenings September 7, 2009

I’m sure there are plenty of families basking in the Florida sun right now, but we are on a staycation at the Miller Homestead. #1 is playing with all the neighbors on bikes, #2 is sick with fever putting together a puzzle, and #3 is very busy following me around and making little messes. It has been an eventful weekend already.

Friday night, we had some neighbors over for dinner. Their daughter is #2′s newest love interest, and also happens to be in his kindergarten class this year. #1 went to a neighbor’s swim party that same night and didn’t return until 9PM.  (I guess this is the start of waiting up for our kid to get home…)

Saturday, husband worked under the crawl space of our house, reinforcing the beams in the foyer. Soon he will be able to lay the floors in there. The dining room floors are done and look fantastic. So check! Two rooms done and two more to go (the foyer and front office).

Looking into the dining room from the kitchen doorway

 

Looking into the dining room from the foyer

Last Sunday we joined the church we have been attending all summer. This was a very big decision for us! I, personally, have not been a formal “member” of a church since we lived in Lousiana. Yesterday, I sang a solo in front of the whole early service congregation and during the invitation, #1 walked up front and asked to be baptized. When the pastor talked to him after the service, he commented on how well #1 knew his stuff. So he will be baptized next Sunday morning. We are so excited! Then when we got home from church we noticed that #2 was burning up with fever.

Today, #2 woke up with a little bit of fever, but not as much as yesterday. He’s seems to be fine now, and husband bought him a new puzzle to work on.  On another note, this is the third day we have not had air conditioner downstairs. However, it really hasn’t been a big deal because the weather has been crispy cool. Windows have been open since Thursday morning. But the air conditioner guy came over this morning, armed with twisties and duct tape, ready to fix the problem. Turns out, the motor in the fan is caput, so he will bring another one by tomorrow and install it. Whew! Thank goodness this didn’t happen in the middle of July. We are expecting this ac to die soon, considering it is about 22 yrs old.

We’ve also spent most of this morning working on the yard. Husband just pruned the peach tree. I’m really hoping this thing will actually produce something other than yellow golfballs. They don’t make for good eating… And I transplanted the blueberry bushes to the front yard so they would get the sun they are desperately crying for. All the fruit trees and bushes got some plant food spikes for added nutrition. This is the time of year where I start getting excited about the upcoming weather, and all the things I want to plant in the spring. I will start making sketches and lists. We never had a chance to take out the trees this summer. It will have to wait for the when the money comes. But it is the next project on the que after finishing the the floors. After the trees are taken down, we will begin saving for a complete gutter and siding overhaul. Yay! Now doesn’t that sound fun?!

Pruning the peach tree in the backyard

 

Husband with his new pruning weapon. And I should mention how ridiculusly predatory the mosquitoes are in our backyard!

 

New location for the two blueberry bushes- now next to the fig and apple tree

Memorial Day in the South June 4, 2009

What do you do with your kids on Memorial Day when it has rained for many days in a row. No, not build an ark…

Take them on a day trip! So we decided to drive out to a little hole-in-the-wall town near the Alabama border just to see what it was all about. I have actaully read about it on the internet and found the town to be quite charming. Cave Spring is a little place known for their natural spring water that gushes out from a cave. The town itself is a sleepy place that nestles in the Coosa Valley with historic houses and rolling farm land. We went to the park that is on the center of town. As soon as we got there, a little church congregation was gathered around for a baptism at the creek that wound through the park. After watching, we walked over to the cave and then played in the water.

 

Part of Main Street

 

#2 posing inside the pavillion at town center

 

Historic bed and breakfast in the middle of Rolater Park

 

Scary little cave dwellers

 

Inside the cave, looking out

 

#1 on the playground

 

#3 has decided that "swings" are on her most wanted list.

 

More playground.

 

I'm not sure that you can see from the pic, but the spring empties into a large outdoor swimming pool shaped like the state of Georgia. I think it is the largest spring fed pool in the state.

 

These ducks were more domesticated than my dog. They would walk right up to people.

 

Wading in the spring. Can you guess who "accidently" fell in twice?

 

She was very pleased with herself that she got wet up to her stomach. Well, until she had to get back in her stroller in wet pants. That part was not so good...

Word to da Muthah May 10, 2009

Well, since both of my moms are hunmbly bowing in church pews right now, I thought I would say a few words about them in honor of this very special day.  Here are some things that I love and appreciate about my moms:

- She can go to the grocery store eleven times in the same day and still forget the main ingredient to the meal.

-She can find a pair of shoes that she loves out of a Goodwill pile or maybe even a pawn shop.

-She can tell a long entertaining story that has no point, no moral and no real ending.

-She can worry enough for all the people in small country put together.

-She can watch all the grandkids, cook a holiday meal (without the timer on) and whistle at the same time.

-She can laugh even when she is the brunt of the joke.

-She can pick out the most sappy sobby card ever produced by Hallmark and mean every word on the page.

-She can work until her back breaks, but still find something to smile about.

-She can handle all the hardships that her children bring, but still be a unconditional giver of herself.

Moms, I hope that in time, I can hold a candle to the legacy you are leaving.  Praise God for making women who spend their life pursuing the balance between strength and submission. Thank you for being an inspiration.

Happy Mother’s Day.

Birthday Babe March 29, 2009

Wow, hard to believe, but two years have passed by and #3 is celebrating her 2nd birthday. So today we made a strawberry cake with strawberry frosting- the boys picked it out at the store because they thought she had to have pink. And she knows that anything pink pretty much belongs to her. We had neopolitan ice cream to go with it. But the real treat was when husband gave her one of my coffee mugs with milk in it. Those mugs are off limits and I have caught her on several occasions sneaking a gulp or two out of my coffee when I wasn’t on guard. But today was special! She got her own mug – and you just try to take that away…After cake and ice cream (which was dinner tonight) we all piled into the Wagoneer and went to Target to get her a gift. What do you get a 2 yr old that doesn’t play with toys? A potty, of course. So #3 has a new toddler potty. I also tossed a few cute outfits in the basket, because after having 2 boys and being deprived of the little girl clothes shopping experience, I have been splurging a little on her whenever she needs something.

 

She kept squealing, "hot! hot!" at the candles on her cake.

 

#2 kept talking about what we are going to do for his birthday this year. Sibling rivalry at its best.

 

Oooo, that's some sweet cake.

 

#1, who is now very confused about how to smile.

 

An attempt to touch #3's mug turned ugly.

 

That is not a mole- it is a gob of cake. And she smiles this big cheeser on command.

 

Wouldn't you cry if you only got a toilet for your birthday? I promise this is not child abuse. Okay, well maybe a subtle form of it...