A Sampling of Grandma's Talent

I created a name for our homeschool last summer and designed a "logo", I guess you could say. Next I found a trial version of some software that will convert a jpg image into a cross stitch pattern. I then went to the craft store and purchased everything I needed to complete said project and promptly handed it over to my sweet Mom, who lovingly gave of her time and talent and presented me with the finished product upon completion of my first full year of homeschooling. I considered it our first year because Mary turned six and thus was required to be engaged in formal education. Of course we've been educating from the beginning, but it feels more official now. Anyway, I wanted to show off the beautiful piece of handiwork that represents my life's mission. We're looking forward to a successful and productive year two...

A Night To Remember

American Idol: Before, During, and After

4:17pm - Preparing to leave Nissa's house for the Toyota Center.
8:26pm - It's intermission and we've just heard Brooke White and an awesome INXS medley.
11:40pm - Clearly we've passed the point of no return. We were slap happy and dripping wet. This was during the autograph session after the show in 90 degree heat with 1000% humidity.

More details about our Idol experience to follow...

Columbus, Day Three or Happy Birthday, Scott!

Day three of my trip was a Wednesday and it happened to be Scott's birthday. We got up in the morning and my cheery hostess again asked me over breakfast how I was doing and what I felt up for. We went back to the zoo, much to the dismay of little Jared, but to my delight. You see, I absolutely love zoos, but I have to DRIVE a distance to a decent zoo or catch one on a trip - Brevard Zoo is one of my favorites. We go there when we go to see my grandmother. Anyway, it was a big treat to be a short few miles from an awesome zoo and be with a friend with a season pass. We could come and go as often as we pleased. So we did. Our first stop on this day was the gift shop. I bought a few goodies for the short people I left behind and for the silly monkey-haired one that I brought with me. She's holding the thing backwards, but you get the picture. Once we made our gift shop purchases, Evie and I stopped out front for a little self portrait action.Please ignore the splotchy red nosed state I was in. What can I say? I was a walking snot factory. We strolled through the reptile house, Evie's favorite, checked out the penguin exhibit, passed the monkeys and the Komodo dragon, and rounded out with the aquarium and touch pool. Yes, Teresa, it is taking everything in me not to post animal pictures that no one gives a rip about but me. By that time, the short ones were exhausted and hungry so we headed back for lunch and nap. I can't resist the urge to post a flower picture since everything here where I live is just burned to a crisp.After some afternoon down time we picked up Mr. Brown at work and drove to Der Dutchman for a really nice birthday dinner. The food is described as "Amish Kitchen Cooking" and it was really fantastic. I especially loved the roast beef and the mixed veggies. Scott was serenaded by the most reserved and harmonious waitresses I've ever seen and given a pretty little cake to share with us all. We strolled through the gift shop afterward and I brought myself to tears enjoying the sweet friendship that I've shared with Teresa over the years. I told her I wish that having supper with her and killing time in a pretty little gift shop planning purchases we'll never make was NORMAL and not the rare treasure that it has become given the distance between us. Oh, I took a picture on the way to this cute little restaurant of a pizza joint with a live bait VENDING MACHINE sitting in front. What a hoot! It's late and I have unfortunately let too many days pass since my trip and things are getting a little fuzzy. I would assume the day ended like this. We put the kids to bed, snuck bites of brownies and more great ice cream and hung out in the living room watching more Lost episodes and giggling about the skiing birthday boy.

Columbus, Day Two

This post is sponsored in part by 12-Hour decongestants. Great for congestion, not so great for that sleeping thing...

So, I didn't magically wake up healthy on my first morning in Ohio. I did, however, wake with joy in my heart and a measure of determination to make the best of things and enjoy the time with my friends. After a slow start and some much needed coffee, we made it to the zoo. Can I just tell you what a noticeable act of service I think it is for a friend to make another friend a fresh brewed cup of coffee - and not even make some for herself?!? It didn't go unnoticed or unappreciated, even though I didn't exactly have the presence of mind to articulate it in the moment. We took the kids to the Columbus Zoo, a beautiful zoo for a self-proclaimed nature lover. I was armed with a pocket pack of kleenex and a pocket full of cough drops. We enjoyed strolling through the zoo leisurely thanks to the flexibility afforded by a zoo membership. This ended up being the first of three visits to the zoo that week. After a couple hours there we headed back to the Brown home for lunch and some rest. While the little girls napped, Jared showed me THE BASEMENT of their house, which was enough to bring tears to my eyes. They have a good sized playroom, a big workshop space for the man of the house, a modest crafty room for Mom to hide in on occasion and a big storage room where outgrown clothes, holiday stuff, and pantry staples resided. Not only was I just thrilled with the novelty of this little world beneath their house, something unheard of here in Central Texas, but I found myself wishing that my garage full of stuff could move down below so my VAN could live in that space. After nap we piled the kids in the car and drove to a cute little brown and pink bakery that was tucked in a little space one might easily overlook. Sugardaddy's makes the most incredible brownies the world has to offer and I had the privilege of going there with my kindred soul of sweetness. The rich mint edgeless brownie my hostess recommended was about the yummiest thing I've ever tasted. We rounded out the day with a fantastic home cooked meal - Teresa made HOMEMADE noodles and meatballs that were the perfect comfort foods for my sore throat and stuffy head. One all the short people were fast asleep, Teresa and Scott showed me Wii Fit and I giggled mercilessly watching Scott virtual ski jump. I think we might have even snuck in the beginning episodes of the Lost, Season 1 marathon compliments of Netflix. Nothin' like some good ol' fashioned DOWN TIME with an old friend to put a smile on your face.

Evie posed on the Komodo Dragon sculpture.
Their zoo has a neat kangaroo exhibit where you can enter into their little habitat and walk around.
Teresa and her older two enjoyed a spin on the teacups before we headed home for lunch.

Columbus, Day One

Here's Emmie playing with Mommy at the gate as we waited for our flight.

I learned a few things on my recent trip to Ohio. The first is that flying with a sinus infection is just plain silly. Mind you, I wouldn't have dreamed of postponing my trip and I don't regret going, but the pain and mind-scrambling that resulted from the descent into Columbus was indescribable.

I had all sorts of expectations about what my reunion with the Brown family might be like and none of them involved feeling like I was underwater and in a vise grip. I smiled, nonetheless, and felt like I was in another dimension when my friend and her precious children were actually standing before me. We drove home to their house for City Barbecue that Mr. Brown graciously picked up on his way home from work. The mustard-based barbecue sauce was out of this world, and I really enjoyed dinner - except that I could hear myself chewing. More on that later. As if the barbecue weren't fantastic enough, my hosts also provided Graeter's Ice Cream for dessert.

You know you're really sick when you tell your friend you've barely seen in two year, "No, thank you. I'll wait on the ice cream. Could you drive me to urgent care?" We arrived literally as the not-so-nice people at the clinic were about to turn out the lights and lock the door. I saw a doctor who confirmed I had a raging ear infection. He prescribed antibiotics, suggested decongestants, and sent me on my way. The nurse even gave me some numbing drops so that I had some measure of relief and hope of sleeping. After a yummy bowl of ice cream I crawled into bed and prayed that I would begin feeling better in the morning.

Today's The DAY!

I haven't blogged about this for fear of "jinxing" it - silly, I know, but I've felt a little gun shy about getting my hopes up. I am taking my sweet baby to the airport this morning and we are going to Ohio to visit one of my favorite families of all time. I was supposed to go on Memorial Day weekend, but my trip was canceled when George had his car accident.

Every item on my to do list prior to departure has been checked off except for one. I was unable to beat this nasty cold before I leave and I'm ridiculously sad that I'll be taking it with me. Hopefully airplane air might do the trick and I'll feel great by the time we land. (Can you sense the dripping sarcasm?)

Teresa, I can't wait to share in all the hugs and giggling. To gaze at your beautiful baby girl, to listen to whatever stories Jared might have for me, and to watch Miss Evie in action. I look forward to green grass, slightly cooler weather, and the fine hospitality of one of the most outstanding women I've ever known. And the man of the house is having a BIRTHDAY while I'm there. How cool is that? Happy Birthday, Scott! You feel 40 breathing down your neck yet?

Hope you've got the LOST DVDs ready and lots of chocolate, 'cause I've packed my bags and I'm on my way!!

Footnote: It became obvious to me last night as I was tucking my little boys into bed, that this is a REALLY long time to be away from the remainder of my brood (five days, four nights) and that I will miss them terribly. That's a good thing. Hopefully when I get back I'll be re energized and relaxed and I can rejoice in the reunion.

Prayer Request: I'm a little nervous about what my house might look like when I return. Dad's in charge. It could be interesting. Pray that I might not have a total freak out when I walk through the doorway of our humble abode.