Isaiah strikes again!

I was on the phone this morning with Julie when Jacob comes running down stairs to tell me what Isaiah did. This is what I found...

But don't worry, he was "fixing" it!

I have said it before...

and I'll say it again

I LOVE IT WHEN I FIND AN OLD FRIEND!!!

When I was in middle school (maybe younger) I remember seeing an ad in a magazine for pen pals. I thought sounded fun so I sent in my information and they sent me a pen pal. We exchanged letter after letter, pictures, keepsakes, even talked on the phone. We knew everything about each other and never met! High school came and we lost touch but thanks to facebook we have reconnected. Last night, when I sat down to send her message, I felt like a kid again.

Last week, I reconnected with one of my best friends from high school. We were in cosmetology class together. There were about 4 of us that became really close. That class was full of cliques, I wonder how many of them actually work in a salon now? I remember being so upset when she moved to Florida. Like I have said, I have never had a lot of friends at one time but the ones I had I love! Anyway, for a while, we wrote to each other but life happened and we lost touch.

I look forward to catching up with these girls they both meant a lot to me at different times in my life. I just wished we lived a little closer to each other!

Chips on the table

The other day, I babysat for my friend Julie.

Her family is going through a really rough time right now. If you believe in the power of prayer, I ask that you remember her family when you pray.

When she brought the girls over I have to admit, I had no idea what to do with preteen girls??? They eventually talked us into opening the pool, the water was 73...too cold for me. I set out some chips in bowls on the picnic table, found some clothes for them to swim in and had a little pool party. The next day, Julie sent me an email an told me of this conversation she had with her 6 year old that night at dinner:

Kassie: "Mommy, ...ya know what?"
Me: "What sweetie pie?"
Kassie: " Sherry Loooooman REALLLLLLLLY knows how to take care of kids. She left the chips on the table."
Me: "What do you mean she left the chips out on the table?"
Kassie: "I don't know but she just left the chips out for the boys and that was SO good."

Now, let me tell you...I reallllllly didn't know what to do to take care of them!!! I was confused! But, what I think is amazing about this is...Kassie is so quiet and shy but that day I think I broke the ice and she talked to me. Not only did she talk to me but about me and wants to come back. It only took almost a year but we are moving forward!

By the way, I don't have that many o's in my last name. That is just how Kassie says it!

Strange...

So, today I took my kids to the park. I usually meet my friend Julie but she had some family things to deal with so I went alone. I was sitting at a picnic table watching my kids play in the sand box when this man and his two kids walk into the park. I watch as his kids go and play in the sand box and then he comes and sits at the picnic table with me. The park was empty, plenty of benches and tables to choose from but, no, he chooses mine. First, he says "Oh? It's not eleven, that is why the pool isn't open." (It was a couple minutes after 10). Then, after some small talk about the pool, it was on to his story. For the next hour, I listened to this man talk in detail about his former wife, his daughter, where he shops, cell phones, and where he is hoping to get a job. I didn't know what to do, I felt very strange sitting there but afraid to be rude and move. My kids were playing nice with his so I couldn't use that as an excuse. I don't think he meant any harm, just a single dad with his kids but it was strange. I think about all the times I have been to play lands or parks and see other moms and I don't sit next to them. I purposely keep my distance not because I am unsocial but it is out of my comfort zone. But, anyway, his older son ended up throwing sand at Isaiah and he decided it was time to go. After he left, I packed up my kids and went home. Even though he seemed harmless, I will admit I checked my rear view mirror a few times on the way home and kept my husband on the phone.

My heart smiles

when I see them smile...

My kids love the water. I am afraid of it. When I was young, my mom wanted to protect us from everything and water happened to be one of those things. When we first got our pool and Bill threw our kids up in the air, you can bet I cried. It scared me. But the other day, he caught me wipe a tear for a different reason. I was standing outside the pool in amazement as my kids did cannon balls, flips, and handstands. Part of me is a little jealous because I can't do that stuff but the other part is so happy to see them have so much fun. I am glad that Bill has taught them to not be afraid.

Joshua just gets braver everyday. In this picture he was going under the water and jumping up (I would have to plug my nose!).

Jacob is happiest in the water. We have not been able to find many things that keep him occupied but he will swim all day!

Isaiah has just started getting very brave. He does cannonballs just like his older brothers. I chose this picture because if you look close you can see a drop of water falling off his ear!

Then there is Tyler, he also loves the water and enjoys being with his brothers. He has come a long way in the water. He used to be like his mom but now he will jump right in with the best of them!

Yesterday

...I was a little hard on him. Today, I will show you how cute he can be.

This is Isaiah helping his dad cut the grass. If you notice the Fisher Price popper in the background...that is his weed whacker. He holds it upside down and makes a "weed whacker" sound as he follows his dad around. Too cute!

Now, here he is "helping" Bill fix the faucet. Earlier in the day, he broke our old one off and water sprayed across the kitchen. I really don't think it was his fault, it was on it's last leg. I think it was going to happen to the next person who touched it. It just happened to be Isaiah.

Back to the reason

I named my blog the way it really is...

So, where to start?

Isaiah seems to be a good place to begin...

I have never quite seen a boy like him. Where there is action, he is in the middle. Where there is a screw, he unscrews it. Where there is a faucet, he turns it on. Where there is a switch, he flips it. Where there is handle, pulls it. Where there is shampoo, he dumps it down the drain. Where there is a wall, he writes on it. Where there is a lamp, he pours water into it. Where there is a hot tub, he poops in it.

The other night we had friends over for a cookout/pool party. It was too chilly for me to get in the pool so we decided to go in the hot tub...me, my neighbor friend, her daughters, and Isaiah. The wine was great, the water was nice, the dogs barking next door were annoying, but nothing breaks up a hot tub party than...you guessed it!

Then there is this morning, I had just got done saying to myself..."how cute when they play nice, they are having a picnic on the landing, pretend food, blankets, stuffed animals, see, they can be good." I take a minute and clean up the dishes then MOM! ISAIAH DID SOMETHING REALLY BAD! is what I hear Jacob say. He decided they needed some water to go with their "pizza" and he poured it into the cylinder lamp on the shelf on top of our plasma television! Luckily, the lamp was well sealed and the water stayed in.

As if that is not enough just a little bit ago...Bill called. I am telling him that story along with a few other things Isaiah had done today when I check on him in his room, he peed his pants...par for the course. So, I get him new clothes, tell my husband I have to go and change him, I go down stairs to find my son has went outside, around to the front yard, with no pants on! It is a good thing the neighbors are at work and the policewoman who sits in front of our house, almost daily, to catch the cars who roll the stop sign had left to go catch another law breaker or it would have been me you read about in the paper!

By the way, if you are wondering how I can write this with such a trouble maker...he is sitting right here, messing with all the USB cords hanging from my computer!

The weekend in a nutshell...

This 4th of July weekend was very busy but, it was better that way. It kept my mind off of my sister, for the most part, I had a breakdown Saturday night...my poor husband!

Anyway, Friday we decided to go to Blossom with the Miller's. That may just be a new tradition. you pay to get in to see the orchestra but the view of the fireworks was worth it! These pictures do not come close to showing how close we were...the kids thought the sparks were going to land on their heads!

Saturday, we had breakfast at our house with the Miller's and Uncle Jon. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, and Delilah made sausage gravy and biscuits. A breakfast of champions! Then, it was off to the parade...

The kids look forward to playing in the street!

Isaiah is looking for Ninja turtles

I am sure this has something to do with America's birthday!

After the parade, it was nap time...of course, for only the kids! Then, we had a cookout that included a nice fire, steak, and some tasty punch.

Sunday, well...we went to Home Depot to pick out some paint colors. I want to redo the bathroom...in green, like Crayola crayon green! I want a pedestal sink and my kids hand prints on the wall!

Bill took Monday off and as you know we went to the Safari I will share more about that later. It has taken me since yesterday to upload these pictures.

Happy Birthday to...

AMERICA

and MY SISTER, MY FRIEND

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbye
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now


In memory of my best friend, my sister. This day will never be the same but today and every birthday from now until I see you again...I will celebrate your life!

I think it is funny...

Do you??

That is Tyler painting the garage while his friend lays on the concrete driveway with a skateboard pillow and bicycle ottoman!