Cars...Frogs, Snakes, Birds....& a Wedding

Friday night was an entertaining evening. Randy and I went with the Urban's and Eshleman's to WCS.....Wake County Speedway....and for those of you that know me well, you're probably falling out of your chair right now....knowing that I'm such a big race fan and all. Yeaaahhh...rriitttee....BUT...I must say, it's definitely an experience. Now I KNOW several of you are wanting to know when you can go....So here's the deal...Friday nights....qualifying/practice starts at 6-7ish and racing at 8ish...done by 11ish...The people watching is fantastic and the earplugs make the noise bearable. For you folks that enjoy the sounds of motor revving and tire screeching....seek help... ;-) kidding...but you'd be a happy camper at one of these events. The best race of the night was the last....in my opinion. These were the "little cars".....such something like a civic or an accord ...or even an old sentra..etc. Of course they are a little spruced up, but it's quite an event to watch. From a distance it looked like a bumper car circus. Twas' great!! And YES...there are some female drivers as well.....All in all a fun evening with good friends, some great entertainment, and even after all the bumping and wrecking.....there were no driver injuries :-) Oh yeah...and I have to mention...there's NO OTHER event that I can say I've ever been to that offers fried bologna sandwhiches....that was appetizing...so much so that they sold out!!...lol...I chose to go with the good ol' hotdog instead!! Now...on to Saturday. We were up early had breakfast and off to target to get Skylar a kite! With a little guidance from her daddy, she picked a kite with Elmo, Big Bird and other such characters on it. So we took her to lake Benson to fly her very first kite. She was very excited and thoroughly enjoyed it.....for about 15 minutes....And then it was on to a new event....I think if the wind had cooperated a little more she'd lasted a little longer with it, but Randy sure had fun with it! ;-) We'd packed some bread and so we went in search of some lucky ducks to feed. Apparently, we were looking in the wrong place or the ducks were hiding...no ducks to feed! BUT we did come accross quite a few critters. On our eventful nature walk.....we saw some turtles, threw bread to some imaginary fishies, chased a little frog off the trail so he wouldn't get smushed by any runners.....and at then end of our walk....we got to see something I wish I'd had a video camera for. A snake and bird!....We are guessing the snake had been messing with mama bird's nest because she ....at least it reminded me of a mama fussing ;)...she was running back and forth "fussing" at the snake. I mean she was throwing a fit. And at first the snake was coiled up head out the top....but then he stretched out...and when he did...boy was she giving him a piece of her mind. If you look in the pic...the snake is stretched out to left of the bird....(Note to those freaking out at this point....Skylar was not near this...She could see it....BUT...Randy had her in his arms and at quite a good distance...some runners had forewarned us of the snake that was perched in the woods off the side of the paved trail.) I didn't have my big camera but I took a few good shots with my smaller one. Now, I'm not as afraid of snakes as I am spiders...but I sure wasn't looking to get close enough to see his eye color.....So this pic will have to do. After our hike through the trails we ended the trip with a quick stop at the playground for a few rides on the little animal things the kids can ride on....I have no idea what you call them...and Skylar of course wanted to slide a few times. We then headed home for lunch and then her naptime....she was quite ready for some sleep time and took a long 3 hour nap! Randy and I had to go to a wedding in Colfax, NC...about an hour 1/2 away...So we left a little before 4 and Skylar got to spend the afternoon/evening with her Nana. They had such a great time as they always do! From what I understand Skylar kept Nana running....and even tried to teach her how to work the remote for the TV :-)The wedding was for my old roomate Alyssa who now lives in Colorado and it was at Magnolia Manor in Colfax. What a neat place...They got married under the "sweetheart tree"...which was a very cool tree...Hopefully you can see it in the pic. It was huge!! Alyssa made a beautiful bride and Randy and I also got to spend a fun evening with Amy&Patrick, and Sharon & Michael.....It was great to see them and enjoy some fun, dinner, and dancing....I was quite proud of myself for staying in my heels and not resorting to my flip flops by the late evening....By the time we got home, Randy and I were ready for some sleep!! Sunday was a relaxing day....just hung out with Skylar...which of course I don't guess you count as "relax" time...but it's always an enjoyable time....she teaches us something new everyday...I did have to go to a baby shower in 4Oaks while Randy and Skylar napped....but that was the extent of my travels on Sunday. And...now...Here comes Monday!!!....

I'm thinkin'

I'm thinkin' that I'm tired of seeing article after article of people hurting people and people hurting kids. Especially kids. Now, I'm not a violent person by any means ....BUT...If you hurt a kid, intentionally, I have some REALLY good ideas on how you should be dealt with....and if my solutions were ever put into action...I'm willing to bet there'd be a lot less crap like that going on!! Eye for Eye.... Sound harsh? Not really! Have you seen the news lately. Babies are miracles....true gifts from GOD. And to hear news of people hurting them....Burns me up. There's always some sort of story about some child being abused or someone getting shot etc. And what REALLY ticks me off is these offenders are generally repeat offenders or have some sort of criminal history/record. And if they don't, yet, it's likely just because they just got caught. Way to go there court system of ours. Don't get me wrong, there are good judges, cops, etc. But there must be a breed out there of them that truly stink at their jobs. So yes, I think the laws should be tougher....and more importantly....followed...And I don't think it should take a year to get ANYONE to trial....Out on bail after doing horrific acts to other human beings??? I THINK NOT!! Apparently somehow, "the punishment should fit the crime" has gotten lost in the paperwork.....red tape...call it what you want...I call it BULL, for lack of a more approriate word to post on my site. Pointing fingers? Am I? Sure am. Why? Because I can.....but never will I do so without trying be part of the solution.....So, what can we do about it? What can I do about it? I could never be a social worker. God bless em'. I'd be in jail for going after idiot parents. Next option?? Court system? Politics? I'm thinkin' NO!....My mouth would get me in trouble there....Kid's are my passion....well not all kids..the bratty ones get on my nerves.... ;-) and as such...teaching is not an option....not with the mouthy disrepectful kids that our educators have to deal with these days. I so admire teachers....the good ones anyhow....Seriously though, I hate it when kids get lost in the shuffle or there's a lack of loving parental involvement in their lives...which of course often contributes to their issues as they grow up. So anyhow, what I've come up with so far is to continue to donate time and money to the organizations that support children....in church...in the community....and anywhere I see fit for me to get involved in. The way I see it....the treatment, spiritual-emotional-and intellectual education of our little tots growing up will help mold their futures....I'm no saint.....and can't save the world...that's God's job. But I sure can try to do my part in the lives of our kids....our future leaders....If anything I do, keeps one single kid from growing up leading a life of crime...or protect one single child from abuse....then that's what can I do. I'll leave the rest up to God, but He sure did give me the good sense to know I need to get off my butt and do SOMETHING.....And........That's what I'm thinkin'!

Weekend Fun

To the left we have the most adorable hula girls ever! This is Skylar and Katelyn last weekend over at K's house playing dress-up. They had a great time together and from what I hear, the most fun was had fighting over the potty.....or seeing who could go the most times from what I understand.

So for this past weekend....where do I start....what a fun weekend! Saturday morning we got to celebrate Katelyn's 2nd birthday with her at Falcon Park. Skylar loved playing on the slides and climbing anything and everything. Katelyn got lots of neat presents and even let Skylar help her open some...it was really sweet :-) Katelyn seemed to be having a fantastic time with her sand table, the slides, and all the bubbles too! Below we have Madelyn and Skylar enjoying some tastey cupcakes! How cute! After the party we headed home for lunch and then naptime. Skylar woke up just in time to get a bath and all dressed up for her first....shall we say entertaining...evening at Angus Barn for Dah's birthday...aka...my Dad..her grandad....We all enjoyed the dinner celebration and Skylar especially loved playing musical chairs throughout dinner....as most 2 year olds do I suppose. She delighted herself in eating everyone's crutons off their salads....a little spinach here there...and loved the cheese/alfredo ravioli. Suprisingly enough... she refrained from standing in the chairs to perform any musical concerts for the crowd. Their loss of course, but we were really ok with that ;-) It was a great evening and Dah had a fantastic bday celebration. Sunday morning came early....slept in until 6:45...though...and yes I do mean AM.....that was nice....lol....seriously...it was...We managed to make to our 9:00 service at church, then a quick trip to Lowe's, then home for lunch and nap. Mommy and Daddy got to nap too...or we did nap...could have done a thousand other things around the house but oh well! The afternoon was full of fun with bubbles, taking Caffrey and Skylar for a walk, and Randy planting his garden! Let's hope for some yummy veggies this summer! Skylar also enjoyed some swinging time in her new swing her Uncle Stewart bought for her....deprived child I tell you...no toys at all ;-)...rrriitteee..... After we all got cleaned up and dressed for dinner, we were off to Outback with the Sperry family! Joe, Kate, and yes "baby Lily" as Skylar likes to call her. It was a great evening but we were all ready for bed when we got home! And now....we're at Monday!...Another "fun" filled week of work....at my $$ paying job....yeah that one that pays the bills. But I know the week will be spectacular at my "mommy job." I'm quite sure we're in for some quality comedy acts and a few random concerts....and at least 2 or 3 tantrums... from our 2 year old.......everyday brings something new!! I like this mommy job though...pays a lot better and the benefits are more than I could ever hope for!! ;-)

Welcome Home Mommy!

So this past weekend I had a weekend with the girls at Wrightsville Beach for Sharon's bachelorette party. (Sharon used to be my roomate for my last semester in college and after college and I also met my husband Randy through her.) Thanks Sharoni! I know many of you are wanting to see fun pics from the weekend. Once I get one of the ones of the group I can post...but I'll let Sharon send the rest! The pic to the left is my favorite picture that I took all weekend. It may be a little hard to read....but it says "Welcome Home Mommy!" And mommy was glad to be home! Randy and Skylar had some art time with sidewalk chalk while I was away and they made me a sign. Skylar did the directing I'm sure......as she often does. ;-) Some call it bossy...I call it the makings of a leader!! Anyhow,...the two of them did tons of fun stuff together this weekend like playing on her new swingset, jumping through tons and tons of bubbles with her new bubble machine and they even got to spend a fun afternoon/evening with the Riffle's. While they were having fun, I was with the girls hanging out on the beach catching some sun and then out to a nice dinner. After dinner we got ready and went out on the town in downtown Wilmington. Sharon was quite the good sport about doing the dares we gave her. I tasked her with standing up in the middle of a crowd and singing "I'm going to the chapel and I'm gonna get married!"....And she did it, with a little help...but she did it! Was really cute.......The weekend was a lot of fun and I think Sharon enjoyed it, which is the most important thing! But I'm certainly ready to resume my 9:30 bedtime. Not that 31 is old...but it's definitely not the new 21...not for me!! I sure missed my little munchkin...and yes Randy too! But it was great to enjoy some fun at the beach and good for Skylar and her daddy to spend that special time together.

Need a little Inspiration?

Take a seat and watch.....

I'll leave you to your thoughts........comments will come later :-)
Inspire someone today!

The years have flown......

My baby is 2! Skylar's posing for a quick "ccheeezzee" on her birthday! She's been enjoying her new swing set as much as she can despite the recent weather see-saws we've had. Next time we run into a drought season, and/or you think the weather is too warm...buy a swingset. Plan an outdoor event. Plant flowers. Do these three things, and a little rain dance if you're feeling frisky...and I promise..it will rain and temps will go down into the 40's. Seriously. It did for us! We had grand plans for Skylar's birthday party to be outside. There were bubble wands....coloring tables...a new playhouse from Nana Jan and Papa Joe...the awesome new playset with climbing wall swings..slide and such...and the biggest thing...a moonwalk bouncer that looked like a crayola crayon house! Didn't happen. Weather went from 70's and sunny to low 50's and rain. Fun stuff. Soooo...we improvised. I set up a coloring table..(ie. covered in art paper coffee table) in our living room and brought out the markers and the finger paints! I know what you're thinking...am I kidding?? Would I do that? Absolutely....and I did. BUT...it was color wonder paint and markers! This stuff is the neatest. Only paints on color wonder paper. So not on clothes, furniture, or anything else....ummm I did say it won't "paint" on anything else. This is not to say the greasy concoction won't "get on" other things.....or in my child's case...she opted to use it as "ipstick" and "cheeks"....ie..lipstick and blush....at the end of the party....(She's seen me put on makeup too much I suppose!) The kids loved it anyway...or at least I think they did. We also opted for some bubble blowing in the living room. My carpet needs a good shampooing anyhow! Played some hokey pokey bday party music in the background and just let kids have fun. If nothing else....all were well fed and Skylar had a blast. :-) Now she's 2. Wow. Doesn't seem like she's been here 2 years already. Time flies...cliche' yes...but it's true. Life goes by us so fast. Age creeps up on us....years pass and we keep looking to tomorrow. Should we? Or should we stop and just be thankful for today. Live in the moment. I admire those that can do that. And sometimes, I do that. But I do so love to plan the next event.....or look ahead to what's coming the next week. And truly...I see no issue in that. As long as I'm living today "in today" and being thankful I woke up today. I think we should all plan for tomorrow...plan for the future....but take care to use our time, talents, and resources for what we can do today. Right now. Not tomorrow. In the words of Erma Bombeck in her battle with cancer....she wrote :

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER
By: Erma Bombeck
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the "good" living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching TV - and more while watching life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love yous"...more "I'm sorrys"...
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it...live it...and never give it back.
I think we can all take a little piece of something away from her inspiring words. Soo....draw a big smiley face in the dust covered end table, leave those cute little handprints on the front door, take your shoes off and dance barefooted in the rain...(or the pollen covered grass)...take your pick ;-) I'll do the same............but I'll be wearing flip flops....

Have a happy TODAY!