Can I get an AMEN?!

Usually Mondays are my work at Eclectica days. 

I take Isabella to school, take Sam to my mom's and then I go to Eclectica 

to cram as much work as I can into a few hours. 

However, due to a medical emergency, my mom was not able to keep Sam today. 

So Sam and I took Isabella to school and then went to what I like think is 

a little piece of paradise on Earth:

What is it about this place? 

Why is it that I can walk around aimlessly for hours in here? 

Why can't I ever walk in for just a few things without spending a lot more money 

than originally intended? 

Why have I never felt this way about any of the other similar stores? 

K-Mart ~ Bleh! 

Walmart ~ Eww!

And finally, why is it that in a sea of check-out lanes, 

there are only usually no more than two lanes open?

There are 24 check out lanes total. 

And the only one open was #1.

I mean, seriously?!?

Who's in charge of scheduling cashiers?

And why is it that no one seems to think it's an issue?

True story: One Christmas season a few years back, a friend of ours was at Walmart (where they have even MORE registers) standing in "the longest line of his life". Apparently, it was December 23rd, the lines were of Disney World proportions, and there were only about 5 registers open. Anyway, he asked to speak to the manager. Upon the manager's arrival, he asked why they had SO many check out lanes? The manager responded they were there to accommodate shoppers during busy times of the year. My friend put his arm around the manager's shoulders, turned him to face the mass chaos of people waiting to check out and said, "Now, I'm no Harvard Grad, but would you think THIS might qualify as a busy time of the year? I mean, it is CHRISTMAS and all!" 
HA! Every single time I remember this story, the thought of my friend's arm around the manager makes me chuckle.

Happy Mother's Day, Chickies!

I hope everyone had a wonderful day today. 

Especially all you super Mommas out there!

Our day was a very laid back kinda day.
Which is just what the doctor ordered.

Presents and cards for Mommy

Church

Lunch at Bonefish Grill

Two-hour nap

Drinks Happy Hour at Sonic

A nice long ride

Dinner at my parents' place

I'm looking forward to this coming week. 

It should be a lot less hectic than last week.

Less hectic = Really good!

I don't know if I've shared this with you in the past, 

but I happen to collect chickens and roosters. 

But they're not your ordinary every day chickens and roosters. 

Oh no! 

They have be everything but ordinary.

They have to be FUNKY chickens and roosters. 

And my mom just happens to know this little fact about me. 

And she gifted me this perfectly funky chicken and rooster set for Mother's Day today:

Are these not Ah-Mazing?!
I cannot even begin to tell you how much I so totally L♥VE them!

I might just have to share my funky chicken/rooster collection with you guys one of these days.

Please send help!

Some say a messy desk is a sign of a messy mind...

Yeah, I think I'm in trouble! 

I normally would be embarrassed to show such a mess, but hey, this is my reality right now.

I spent all week working on being consumed by two HUGE projects:

(1) organizing and executing Teacher Appreciation Week for both Isabella and Sam's class,

and

(2) designing and kitting a National Scrapbook Day Special Release mini book for Eclectica.

In addition to being a chauffeur, secretary, nurse, cook, maid, teacher...

All of this while Scott was out of town.

Believe me when I say this:
(1) Being room mom is for the birds,
(2) I will never do another mini book again.... EVER,
(3) It's good to have Scott home (who is busy refereeing a big ol' fight/melt down as I type),
(4) I am giddy it is ALL over, and
(5) I'm off to a 12-hour crop, where the rules are no children, no whining,
no crying, cut your own food and wipe your own behind.

It's gonna be a good day!

Love/Hate Relationship

The kids and I love them!

 Scott hates them!

The end.

Who knew?

I'm not really into birds.

I've never been big on bird watching.

I can't for the life of me identify most birds. 

Apparently, it's just not my thing.

Which I guess is why Scott was shocked when I bought this 

lovely bird feeder at Lowe's some time ago.

It is quite big.
It hangs right outside our kitchen window.

It is always filled with bird food.

It is quite the popular spot for our neighborhood birds.

And the kids and I could sit and watch it for hours.

Who knew watching birds would make us all so happy?!

Oh, and BTW, happy Cinco de Mayo!

When the boys are away...

the girls will play!

Scott was out of town on business.

Sam was spending the night at my parents' place.

Isabella said she didn't remember the last time it was just the two of us at home.

With NO boys!

So we decided to have a GIRL'S NIGHT IN!

On our agenda:

(1) Going to Walgreens to pick up some new nail polish in FUN colors, her choice

(2) Coming home and listening and dancing to REALLY loud music

(3) Doing each other's nails

First, I did hers:

Then she did mine:

Don't they look SO purty!

(4) Then it was time to take the party into the bathroom
and groom my sweet little sheepdog with a quick bang trim:

Ahh, SO much better!

(5) Then it was time for bed.

And we had a little bit of pouting.

Until I told her she'd be sleeping in my bed.

(6) Then all was right in the world.

How I love spending time with my sweet little girl!

I look forward to our next GNI,
we'll just have to figure out where to send the boys!

It's good to be them

Historical Moment

WOW!
Talk about a busy weekend in history!

Although this is probably the strangest photo I've ever shared on the blog,
this was our reality yesterday.

This is what took over our home last night.
We were glued to the TV... for hours!

Now let's finish this, bring our troops home, and get a grip on our economy!

And may God bless America!

Mud Puddles

Leave it to me to post my very first photo so late in the day.

This wasn't exactly how I had planned it, but then life got in the way, and what can you do?

Anyway, moving on....

As adults, we can't help but be deeply saddened by the loss and devastation all the tornadoes, storms, and rain have left behind. And scared by the thought of what's yet to come.

My heart goes out to all the people who have been affected by this recent tragedy. I can't help but think about how it would affect my family if we were the ones being evacuated from our home. If we were the ones leaving behind everything we own, without a clue as to what we'd find upon our return. If we were the ones who have lost loved ones. My heart is literally breaking for these families... families in TN, MS and AL. And I pray for peace, healing and resilience, emotional and physical, for every single one of them during this difficult time.

But I am blessed to belong to a church that is not afraid to step up and stand out during times like these. Hope Pres is currently sheltering 170+ people in their gym, and anticipating more will need this assistance in the coming days. So they are busy teaming up with other local churches to establish more shelters in order to house all the displaced people from Memphis and the surrounding areas. And as for me, I am currently trying to figure out how best I can offer myself and be of assistance.

**********

In the midst of all this, I also can't help but love the innocence of children. 

Because regardless of what is happening all around them, 

kids are able to view everything as an opportunity for discovery and fun.

And Sam was a great example of this in the last few days.

He made sure to take advantage of every possible moment he could be outside.
In our backyard.

Playing in ALL the mud puddles. 

And yes, there were many!

He's had to be hosed down quite a few times before coming back in the house.

And he's loved every single second of it.
And I've loved seeing my boy experience unbelievable joy in the simplest of things.
Like playing in mud puddles.

Our washer and dryer, on the other hand, had their work cut out of them.

But luckily, they've risen to the occasion.

Get your cameras ready!

Can you believe it's already the last day in April? This year is just flying by! It's CRAZY!

Anyway, the time has arrived... and tomorrow is the official kick-off for 2011's "A Photo A Day In The Month Of May". YAY!

This is such a fun way of documenting bits and pieces of our every day lives. I've embarked on this fun little endeavor for the last couple of years (you can see 2010 posts here and 2009 posts here) and I have loved every second of it.

A few of you have mentioned that you'd like to join/rejoin in the fun this year. For those of you who have asked, no, you don't have to have a blog. If you have a Facebook account, just create a "A Photo A Day In The Month Of May" album and post all your photos there. I am SO excited and I can't wait to see your pictures!

I've created this fun little button this year:

Feel free to add it to your sidebar if you are playing along.
The code is on my sidebar →

Have fun clicking away...

See you tomorrow!