Why does a 37 year old woman who is babysitting her sister's children raid the pantry like she did when she would babysit as a 16 year old?
Ummmm, can you say popcorn, pretzels, beer and ice cream?
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Straight chillin' in Columbia
The kids and I are in Columbia for the week and we're having a great time. Missing Ian a TON, but having fun nonetheless. Last weekend he was here with us and we spent the weekend at Jeannie and Kelly's house with just the younger kids. The older kids were at the lake with my parents at Camp Gammy and Doc. They had such a blast. Maggie called me every night and it went something like this...
"Mom, guess what?! I've got a surprise for you....I found PIRATE TREASURE!"
"Mom, guess what?! I've got ANOTHER surprise for you...I skied!! Gammy said I went almost as far as a football field!"
"Mom, guess what?! I've got one more surprise for you...I went FISHING with Doc. And.....I caught a fish! The biggest one out of the whole group!"
I can't tell you how happy it made me to hear about all her surprises. She was so excited and it just made me smile because I know she was able to relax, have a blast, and just be a six year old girl. They just played. And played. And played.
The reason I love it so much for her is because my sweetest memories from growing up are from time spent at Nana and Papa's lake house at Lake Murray. We went there almost every Sunday afternoon when the weather was warm, and often stayed a few days if we could talk Nana into keeping us for longer. Every time I am on the water riding in the pontoon or sitting in the porch swing at my parents' house I get this "little girl" feeling again. My memories of being at the lake growing up are just so peaceful and so relaxing. And so full of fun and laughter...and food. But I digress...we've already covered the Sloans' obsession with all things Southern and fried.
On Sunday we all met up at my parents' lake house to pick up the "big kids" and watch them do all their tricks they learned at camp. We also gathered because it's my parents' 40th wedding anniversary. Yep, I said 40. Wow. Don't see that too much anymore.
When Nana and Papa had their 40th we all went to the lake and had our picture taken. That was probably 1987 and let me just say that for a picture taken in the 80's it's really not too terrible. My hair, though sprayed within an inch of it's life, is still relatively normal looking. Anyway, that shot hangs in all it's glory at every Hair/Sloan/Stanton/Meyer household in the southeast. Sooooo, Jeannie got the idea that we should do the same thing for Mom and Dad. We did and let me just say that it turned out ok. Granted, there are a couple kids in the pic who are either not looking or are making faces like serial killers, but overall I think it turned out pretty good. To see the pic, just go to my sister-in-law's site because she has it posted from the weekend. http://www.ashevillesloan.blogspot.com/
Poor Ian, though. He was only going to be at the lake for a few hours on Sunday before he drove back to Jacksonville. And that time got shortened considerably because our van battery decided to die so he and my Dad spent the afternoon driving to and from Wal-Mart to find and replace the battery. I have to say that I love my husband for so many reasons, but when he takes care of things like that for me I just want to give him a big wet kiss on the mouth. I was single for a long time (at least it felt like a long time) and I had to take care of a lot of things on my own. I remember what it's like to have to haul things by myself, to call tow trucks, to pump gas when I'm all dressed up for a wedding or something. I know those are little things, but they sure do spell out love to me. I'm just grateful for this hunka hunka burnin love that God gave me.
Gotta run. I'm at Jeannie's tonight with her kids while she's at Bible study and Watts and Nate are upstairs going ape in their bunk beds. It's time for me to regulate. I so love that I am here...I never get to do these normal everyday life things with them, like threaten them within an inch of their lives.
"Mom, guess what?! I've got a surprise for you....I found PIRATE TREASURE!"
"Mom, guess what?! I've got ANOTHER surprise for you...I skied!! Gammy said I went almost as far as a football field!"
"Mom, guess what?! I've got one more surprise for you...I went FISHING with Doc. And.....I caught a fish! The biggest one out of the whole group!"
I can't tell you how happy it made me to hear about all her surprises. She was so excited and it just made me smile because I know she was able to relax, have a blast, and just be a six year old girl. They just played. And played. And played.
The reason I love it so much for her is because my sweetest memories from growing up are from time spent at Nana and Papa's lake house at Lake Murray. We went there almost every Sunday afternoon when the weather was warm, and often stayed a few days if we could talk Nana into keeping us for longer. Every time I am on the water riding in the pontoon or sitting in the porch swing at my parents' house I get this "little girl" feeling again. My memories of being at the lake growing up are just so peaceful and so relaxing. And so full of fun and laughter...and food. But I digress...we've already covered the Sloans' obsession with all things Southern and fried.
On Sunday we all met up at my parents' lake house to pick up the "big kids" and watch them do all their tricks they learned at camp. We also gathered because it's my parents' 40th wedding anniversary. Yep, I said 40. Wow. Don't see that too much anymore.
When Nana and Papa had their 40th we all went to the lake and had our picture taken. That was probably 1987 and let me just say that for a picture taken in the 80's it's really not too terrible. My hair, though sprayed within an inch of it's life, is still relatively normal looking. Anyway, that shot hangs in all it's glory at every Hair/Sloan/Stanton/Meyer household in the southeast. Sooooo, Jeannie got the idea that we should do the same thing for Mom and Dad. We did and let me just say that it turned out ok. Granted, there are a couple kids in the pic who are either not looking or are making faces like serial killers, but overall I think it turned out pretty good. To see the pic, just go to my sister-in-law's site because she has it posted from the weekend. http://www.ashevillesloan.blogspot.com/
Poor Ian, though. He was only going to be at the lake for a few hours on Sunday before he drove back to Jacksonville. And that time got shortened considerably because our van battery decided to die so he and my Dad spent the afternoon driving to and from Wal-Mart to find and replace the battery. I have to say that I love my husband for so many reasons, but when he takes care of things like that for me I just want to give him a big wet kiss on the mouth. I was single for a long time (at least it felt like a long time) and I had to take care of a lot of things on my own. I remember what it's like to have to haul things by myself, to call tow trucks, to pump gas when I'm all dressed up for a wedding or something. I know those are little things, but they sure do spell out love to me. I'm just grateful for this hunka hunka burnin love that God gave me.
Gotta run. I'm at Jeannie's tonight with her kids while she's at Bible study and Watts and Nate are upstairs going ape in their bunk beds. It's time for me to regulate. I so love that I am here...I never get to do these normal everyday life things with them, like threaten them within an inch of their lives.
Friday, July 24, 2009
A great summer day...
The last day of Jeannie's visit was spent basically at the pool and outside. The kids had a blast and were wiped out (which was the plan all along). I love the pics of the kids snarfing McDonald's...is there anything better after swimming for four hours than some yummy nuggets and chocolate milk? Seriously, I used to HOUSE some Mickey D's after swim meets when we were growing up. That's where my affinity for Big Mac's started - and continued with voracity during my pregnancy with the twins. Hmmm, maybe THAT'S why I'm having to do Weight Watchers...ya think?
Burn it, swim team.
Our summer...
We like to start em out early(Thanks Uncle Kelly)
Maggie, Amelia and Elizabeth putting on a show
Mom and Tori on the train at the mall
Jeannie's oldest boys, Watts and Nate
Here are some random pics from the summer. Some are from our last trip to Columbia - that's me and Watts, my nephew, making faces. The others are of the girls in our "outdoor shower" (aka nasty roof runoff water).
Things have been going pretty well around here. Last week my mom was visiting and we had a really great time. We took the kids everywhere, but we didn't have an agenda, so it was really nice. We even got a sitter so we could have some girl time (without the girls). We went to the mall twice ( 'cause "Women Be Shoppin") and they have a new train there that takes you all over the bottom level of the mall. It's a trip and really fun...unless your child decided she wants to ride in the front "coal carrying" car that is not covered and is out in the open so everyone can see you as you ride by each store. It was fun, though.
This week the fun continued as Jeannie came to visit with her boys. Man, there were a lot of kids in my house. They were so good, though, and really ilarious. The older three just stuck together and swam until they turned into prunes. The younger three were content to just run around in circles and crack each other up. I loved every minute of it (except when I would lose my cool). I would so love to live in the same place as my sister and her kids, and my brothers and their kids. It's something that will always be a dream of mine, though I know it's unrealistic...but hey, a girl can dream.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
I'm a Slacker
Hey you guys. Sorry I haven't blogged in a while. No excuse, really. Just kinda enjoying a laid back summer.
I do want to thank you for voting for Miss Nancy! She won the voting and is waiting to hear if she won the whole contest. (At a closer look we realized that, amazingly, the Ouidad people could finagle it so that they choose the winner. Vague. We're still holding out hope that she wins since she totally killed everyone in the votes and she's got a great story). I took some pics of Tori and Nancy when we were there last week. Maggie went too because it's basically like kid paradise at that place. There are tons of cool toys and gadgets, tiny workout machines and gym mats. The pics of us wearing crazy glasses is a game that somehow helps your eye coordination or something like that. No clue really, but it looked funny and it was fun.
Stay tuned for some funny videos. I have been trying to get the girls singing Hannah Montana and I think I finally got one.
I know, I know...2 year olds singing Hannah Montana. It could be worse people. At least it's not Flo-Rida.
I do want to thank you for voting for Miss Nancy! She won the voting and is waiting to hear if she won the whole contest. (At a closer look we realized that, amazingly, the Ouidad people could finagle it so that they choose the winner. Vague. We're still holding out hope that she wins since she totally killed everyone in the votes and she's got a great story). I took some pics of Tori and Nancy when we were there last week. Maggie went too because it's basically like kid paradise at that place. There are tons of cool toys and gadgets, tiny workout machines and gym mats. The pics of us wearing crazy glasses is a game that somehow helps your eye coordination or something like that. No clue really, but it looked funny and it was fun.
Stay tuned for some funny videos. I have been trying to get the girls singing Hannah Montana and I think I finally got one.
I know, I know...2 year olds singing Hannah Montana. It could be worse people. At least it's not Flo-Rida.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Numero Uno!!!
You all are amazing! Nancy is in first place. Yesterday at 3:30pm she had 13,492 votes...now she has over 20,000!!! I am sure this is directly related to all you folks checking my blog! Just kidding. I do think we've really helped a ton, though! Ian put it on IC (inside Carolina message boards) yesterday and that, along with some emial and facebook pleas, has launched her to the top! Woo Hoo!
Thank you so much for doing this. Remember you can vote once a day and tomorrow is the last day. Can't wait to let you know how she did!
Thank you so much for doing this. Remember you can vote once a day and tomorrow is the last day. Can't wait to let you know how she did!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Nancy's #2!
Holy cow. I really can't believe this! Please scroll down and vote for Nancy as much as you can. Only four more days.
She has moved from #14 to #2 (and I'm sure it's because of all the "Sleepless" blogettes). Thanks for supporting Tori by voting for Nancy!
She has moved from #14 to #2 (and I'm sure it's because of all the "Sleepless" blogettes). Thanks for supporting Tori by voting for Nancy!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Nancy's up from #14 to #7!
And I attribute that completely to all my peeps in blogland! Don't forget to vote for my little curly headed friend/OT! Scroll down and click the link...you'll see it.
Monday, July 6, 2009
All about "being healthy"
I don't like talking about my weight on here. And don't worry, I won't do it a lot. I just have to say, though, that it is just way too easy to slip back into old habits all too quickly. Like tonight after I got the kids to bed...are you ready for this...I turned on my gas stove and roasted marshmallows so that I could eat not one but TWO s'mores. Somehow I don't think that's going to get me to my goal. I know now why they have weight watchers meetings every week. It really is like an addiction sometimes. I am not comparing my plight with Hershey's to the struggle of alcoholism, but I do see that the 12 steps guy was onto something. There is just something important about being in it together with other people who share your struggle and are going to urge you on.
Once again, Troy and Gabriella of the High School Musical trilogy had it right when they proclaimed the universal truth, "We're all in this together."
Where would I be without HSM? It leads me and guides me - it plays over and over in my head and on my van DVD player each and every day.
Anyway, long story longer...I need to get back on the WW wagon. For my own sake!
Once again, Troy and Gabriella of the High School Musical trilogy had it right when they proclaimed the universal truth, "We're all in this together."
Where would I be without HSM? It leads me and guides me - it plays over and over in my head and on my van DVD player each and every day.
Anyway, long story longer...I need to get back on the WW wagon. For my own sake!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Miss Nancy
So Tori has just the best Occupational Therapist ever here in Jacksonville. She is kind and generous, and she's exceptionally good at her work. She really cares for Tori and for our whole family. She's not just concerned with "her portion" of Tori's care, which is such a blessing for me, but she really involves herself in the whole self of Sweet T.
Oh yeah, and she has really beautiful curly hair. Which brings me to my point...
Nancy has been entered in this curly hair contest and she'll win a trip to NYC, a makeover, tickets to a show, some moolah, and a bunch of other stuff if we vote her in. I normally don't do stuff like this, but I am asking all you in blogland to just click on the link and vote for Nancy. She, like all of you, has been such a part of Tori's growth and development and I would LOVE for her to have this treat! Here's the link so you can see her cuteness and vote.
Right now she's number 14 out of 551 so maybe we can put her over the top!
Oh yeah, and she has really beautiful curly hair. Which brings me to my point...
Nancy has been entered in this curly hair contest and she'll win a trip to NYC, a makeover, tickets to a show, some moolah, and a bunch of other stuff if we vote her in. I normally don't do stuff like this, but I am asking all you in blogland to just click on the link and vote for Nancy. She, like all of you, has been such a part of Tori's growth and development and I would LOVE for her to have this treat! Here's the link so you can see her cuteness and vote.
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Right now she's number 14 out of 551 so maybe we can put her over the top!
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