Looks like Africa

It has now become the biggest bruise I've ever seen. Check this out:

And She's Down

Today I was setting up my preschool room and got this great idea for hanging something above the door. I pull over those itty bitty kiddy (not kitty) chairs to stand on - mistake #1. I put the chair on the non skid-proof mat in front of the door (mistake #2), and get to work.

I reach to tape something up and BAM- I'm on the floor. The itty bitty chair had slipped on the non no-slip rug and I'm down. Luckily, Maggie's playtime was not interrupted by my fall; no need to see if Mommy's O.K.

I am left with the funkiest bruise ever on the side/back of my thigh. Brad felt I must blog about it. He insisted on a picture with a pen to show scale. So here it is, my current ailment. I'm sitting on a bag of ice, not directly touching my skin of course, as I type. Too bad you can't see the swelling for full effect.

Happy Birthday Diane!

This post is a little late, her birthday was August 20th. I've been a bit busy being busy, but wanted to wish Brad's Mom a Happy Birthday for all to see.

She was gun-shy about having her picture made, so this is all I could come up with on her birthday. Further down is a better picture.



I wanted to say what a wonderful mother-in-law she is. I hit the In-law Powerball with her and Wayne. Diane is such a loving force in our lives, and for that I am truly grateful. She has really come through for us on so many occasions I cannot count. She and Wayne have come over at the wee hours of the morning when I was ill and hospitalized and when I went into labor with Maggie. There are no words to describe what it means to have people you can truly depend on, especially when your own children are involved. I have no worries (even though I may call like a maniac) when my girls are in her care. I grew up 2 doors down from my grandparents and wanted so badly for my girls to have the same kind of relationship with their grandparents as I did with mine. It warms my heart to see it become a reality. Every night Georgia and Maggie say their prayers and thank God for Granny Di and Poppy, and so do I.

When I think of Diane, so many wonderful things come to mind, but one particular memory pops in my head first. Shortly after Brad and I were married and living in Atlanta, we came to Nashville for Christmas. Diane had made my favorite cake, red velvet, and it said 'Happy Birthday Elisabeth'. My birthday is Christmas Day and so is my brother's. My entire life I have always shared a cake with my brother, and it always said 'Happy Birthday Andrew and Elisabeth'. I was touched to tears by this red velvet cake. That Diane had done this for me on such a busy and very important religious holiday meant so much, and I don't know if I've ever told her that. It sounds sorta silly, but really it's not. It's the kindness and thoughtfulness behind the act that meant so much. Thank you, Diane.

Okay, enough with the ushy-gushy stuff.

I also love that I can call her up about anything. She has a fantastic sense of humor and can take a joke. If you can't laugh about stuff, then life's no fun!



So Happy Birthday Diane! Know that you are loved and appreciated every day.

Rock With the Red and Roll With the Blue

The Brentwood Blaze had a pep ralley Friday night for all the football players and cheerleaders. It was actually really fun. Poor Georgia's uniform is too big, so it's pinned to stay on. It made the night a little difficult for her. It's interesting being the parent at these events now versus the child, because I remember this kind-of stuff so clearly from when I was in Grade School (as it was called before Elementary School).

The cheerleaders did a few cheers and then formed 2 lines for the players to run through. It was great, although Maggie was only there for the snowcones (she had 2). It got everyone pumped for the season, including me. I now go to bed with these cheers in my head and wake at 4am with them in my head.

I told Brad seeing all those cute litte boys in their uniforms almost made me want another baby. ALMOST.

House Party

Georgia comes home from school every day thinking that Maggie and I have been living it up while she's gone. Like Disneyland is 3o minutes away and we head there as soon as the bus pulls off. The reality is more like this:

Maggie eats cereal out of the box while standing on a chair. If this plus doing dishes and laundry is exciting stuff then the party is definitely at my house.

Back to School Again

The day has arrived. Loved by many, dreaded by many more. The first day of school. The anticipation, the picking of the right outfit, the perfect backpack. You remember those days.

Georgia rides the bus every day. Today she and Maggie waited at the bus stop together. The bus stop is basically at the end of our driveway. It's technically the driveway across the street, but depending on the direction of the bus it either picks up or drops off in our driveway. PERFECT!

I went to the school after she got on to take her school supplies for her, since they weigh too much. She got off the bus and was greeted by her Kindergarten teacher from last year. She was so excited to see her.

And here she is looking no so happy to be there. Maggie and I were happy though! We headed to Chik-fil-A for breakfast.

Whirling, Twirling Cartwheels

Georgia is cheering this Fall for football. She loves cheerleading, and this team is all about doing things right. So, pretty much everyone but Georgia can do cartwheels, flips, roundoffs, back handsprings, etc. YIKES! We're now working overtime trying to get her up to speed. Needless to say, I have never in my life done so much as a cartwheel. Apparently Brad has. This is news to me, so I had to document the feat.

He finished it off with a round-off. Perhaps Brad leads a double life that I know nothing about that includes megaphones and tight shorts!