Happy New Year

I wrote down a 13 for 13 way back on the 13th of January - I shan't revisit the 13 since I'm fairly certain the only thing I accomplished on that list was to learn to knit. I'd give a 14 for 14 but that's a ton of things to think on and knowing me it would take me until the 14th of February to finish and post given my track record. It was bound to be a banner year since I ended 2012 with winning the 5000th Twitter Fan Carmike Contest which remains the coolest and only thing I ever did win. And now I give you . . .

Thirteen Things From 20-13:
 * Thanks to our movie pass for a year we saw way more movies than I think I've seen in one year in my LIFE. It has been a blast to have dates and to see things long before they come out on regular TV!

* We frequently heard how Awesome The Boy was "because it's just so hard to think of another adjective." He continues to keep us on our toes and ask Big Questions, some of which we have to Google the answers.

* We visited old friends. The zoo and lunch after was a blast and the surprising was even more awesome. We spent time with our good friends, spending summer nights at Sweet Frog even when it started to sprinkle. And we swam, visited Six Flags and seriously rocked a pick-up baseball game birthday party

* We got a new puppy! We thought she was deaf but she was just a punk. She ate homework, 239487234 pairs of headphones, rolls of toilet paper and boxes of tissues, the box of plastic spoons and let us not forget the baking soda. Maggie (better known as Petunia Picklebottoms) brought some spunk back to old Mildred Louise - she's keeping her young. And by young it sometimes means escaping the back gate and running through the creek.

* The Boy continues to crack us up with Jethroisms. My favorite quote from The Boy this year: So are you born a vegetarian or vegan or is it a choice? Because I didn't know if the doctor passes you the baby and says 'it's a boy and he's a vegan' or something.


* The Boy learned to ride a 4-wheeler. He crashed nearly every time he rode. Thankfully he did not break anything.

* We played a lot of baseball. Spring the weather was awesome, we came in 4th place and it was fun. Fall we played every single Friday and learned to play every position and it was fun. Now we are getting geared up for B-Ball in the Spring and well it might not be too fun in the way t-ball isn't always fun. Like watching paint dry? Maybe not but B-Ball seems to be a game of Walking and Stealing.

* The Boy finished 3rd Grade and had many accomplishments. The Boy started 4th grade and has learned a ton about space. He's also back to reading again. We may just get that Balloon Walk yet! This is the year for Real Grades and we couldn't be more proud of how Awesome The Boy is doing

* We went to our first Braves game together! It was just as awesome as we thought it would be. And in honor of Father's Day The Boy and Dave were able to run the bases together after the game!

* Got rid of the motorcycle, added on the Explorer. Dave and The Boy were sad for the loss but I Hate Motorcycles So I'm All Good.

* I joined a book club - and I swear I'm not just in it for the adult interaction but HELLO what a plus. I joined a co-op and am loving learning new recipes for the different veggies we have here. And I bought my first pair of cowboy boots.

* Dave stopped working at the shop. And quit dipping. I don't think I've ever been more proud of him. Ever.

* We began the foster care process and felt led to do Resource Parenting instead of Straight Adoption. It's a scary decision but we hope that God has a special child He plans to stay here forever. We attended class every Thursday. We survived two home inspections. We waited not-so-patiently for approval. And then we had a respite weekend and a weekend with two little boys that I thought were going to do me in. I'm happy to report we finished our required hours to stay active in the nick of time (read: last night) and we are good to go for starting back in January.

There were hard parts to the year - I was pretty sure November wanted to destroy me between losing my friend Carla, the tough time with the foster kids, the hot water heater exploding and a bunch of other stuff. I could have done without all the health stuff we had going on. And my ever-present being behind on all things paperwork. I wish I would go to bed earlier and exercise more - drink less coke, more water - learn to like running. But thinking back on all the things we did in 2013 - I'm glad for my family and friends. And memories. And laughs.


So in looking forward to 2014 I have a few hopes - to laugh more & cry less; to work hard and do my best; to read the entire Bible; to visit with friends, to spend time with family. I want to start taking pictures again. And keep my room clean. Hahahahaha yeah I'm just joking on that last one.

I'm hopeful 2014 will be our Best Year Yet and I'm excited to see what God has in store for us. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year. Much Love ~ Shan. 

Adventures of Gabe McSparkle

Night 6 - Gabe thought the deer statue in the master bedroom was the perfect Rudolph and he want for a ride!

Night 7 - Gabe thought he'd have a little fun and surprise The Boy when he gets a drink in the morning!

Adventures of Gabe McSparkles

Night 4 - Gabe climbed to the top of the fridge & helped himself to the rest of the Fruit Loops - but no worries because it meant we got to have cinnamon rolls for breakfast!

Night 5 - Gabe built a 'snow fort' and 'snowman' of marshmallows and proceeded to have a 'snowball' fight with the little nutcracker!

Being Thankful.

The Boy in return challenged me to name some of the things for which I am thankful so in no particular order . .

I'm thankful for my family. David makes me laugh, makes me want to pull out my hair, understands my need for COLD, pushes my buttons, brings me chocolate and Dr. Pepper and loves me despite my many annoying traits (organized chaos, always hot, need to take pictures at all occasions). I love him a fat ton. The Boy is the best thing that ever happened to me and while he, too, can push my buttons? I love him with every square inch of my heart. He brings me joy, he makes my heart smile. And each time I want to pull out my hair I remember there will be a time when he doesn't want to hang out with me. I'm thankful I have been given the privilege of being his mom. Jethro is awesome and I so love him more.

I'm thankful for my parents, who are always there when I need them. Who take joy in The Boy and have him over for sleepovers or Early Release Days or random Wednesdays I have to work late. Who bring me a coke every Sunday morning to make my morning's go smoother. They are awesome and I love them, too.

My brothers (and their wives) - because I know that right this minute if I called and needed them they would help. Except Matthew might make a fuss about it but deep down I know he loves me, too. And I'm crazy thankful for them giving me awesome nephews. Tyler and Kaleb make life even more fun and I can't wait for the day they call over to Auntie Shan and Uncle Dave and ask for a sleepover. We are So There.

I'm incredibly blessed and thankful that we had a family vacation to the beach with awesome friends. It was a wonderful week of relaxing and laughing and fun. I look back over the pictures and see how carefree that week was and I'm thankful we had the chance to do it. I've always loved the beach and it's my Happy Place. Makes it even more awesome to go to your Happy Place with friends that are like family.

I'm thankful for my job. While I don't know what the next week, month, year holds? I am doing something I Love and I'm thankful that Monday through Friday I am able to do it. I am thankful for the families I am allowed to work with and help. I'm thankful that some days I do make a difference.

I'm thankful for coworkers who've become friends. I'm thankful that I laugh each day. I'm thankful for Friday lunches and long trips with Paternity Test Tuesdays. Listening ears when I need to vent. Help when you need to phone a friend. I'm thankful that some coworker friends have become like family.

I'm thankful for cars that have heat and air & run each day. I'm thankful for a house, my bed with my favorite covers. For the dog that alerts me when something is amiss (but not for the same dog when she gets in the trash and shreds it all over the house *ahem*). I'm thankful for my red chair. And the freezer full of rice socks that help me make it through the night.

I'm thankful for books to read to get lost in a story - and I'm thankful Dee Henderson wrote a new book. I'm thankful for my Kindle on which I can read the awesome books. And for the awesome apps like Words with Friends and Diner Dash which allow me to pass the time and detox from a rough day.

I'm thankful for my camera and the gift of being able to take pictures. While I sometimes wish it was in the plans for me to do it More or even as a side job, I take joy in knowing that I have managed to snap many memories over the past 8+ years. I love looking through the drive and seeing the images captured.

I am thankful for my kids at church. For the now 3rd Graders that were in our first class and the kids we have now. For the joys I have each Wednesday night in Awana. For the group of kids that faithfully come on Sundays to sing in the musical. I'm thankful that they love and accept me even though I'm far from perfect.


I'm thankful Christmas. It's my most favorite holiday in the world. I put the tree up the first week of November and enjoy it for two straight months. The hymns and songs at this time of year are The Best. I cannot imagine what it was like that first Christmas many years ago. How Mary felt knowing that her son was here to save the world. I'm thankful for traditions and magic and hope and love.

I'm thankful for miracles. For the fact that I am here but even more recently for the fact that my friend's daughter was Healed. I'm thankful for community - for knowing that sometimes it is bigger than you can imagine.

I'm thankful for chocolate and for Mojo's that makes good chocolate. I'm thankful for Dr. Pepper and fountain cokes. I'm thankful for water with Propel. And Moe's burritos. And Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs. Amen.

I'm thankful that Kleenex put lotion in the tissues so I don't rub my nose raw. And that there are products that help tame my hair from being an out-of-control-nest. And vanilla-scented sanitizer.

And for a Heavenly Father, His Son and the empty tomb that third day.

Thirty Days of Thankful - The Rest.

I have tried my hardest to blog each day. In a perfect world? I would have posts like these typed ahead of time and scheduled to post. But let's all be honest here - I'm a procrastinator! I thrive on last minute! There are a billion other things I need and want to do! I admit I chose playing on the Kindle instead! I'm always at the last minute with things - well, except for putting up the Christmas tree . . .

So I'm lumping together a bunch of thankful for the remainder of the month because I'm awesome like that. And because this is the last of my extra free time before getting back to the grind after the holiday . . . 

After inquiring the things The Boy is most thankful for? I give you Thirty Days of Thankful - The Rest. 

Day 13 - Legos. They are the single greatest invention in The Boy's Life. He thinks they are awesome except when he tries to play with them because then they break. He thinks he might want to have a Lego birthday party next year . . .

Day 14 - The DS. Santa really got it right when he brought the 3DS last year! Favorite game is currently Monster Jam but The Boy has high hopes for a WipeOut game this Christmas! When his nose is not stuck in a book or racing on the Kindle, he has the DS in hand. And he has chronicled all the things he is thankful for using his DS camera!

Day 15 - Lego Ninjago. By far the best show next to Annoying Orange, WipeOut and the Turtle Man, The Boy was on the edge of his seat for the Epic Battle. On this year's Christmas list are several Ninjago sets! It will be no surprise that the red ninja is our favorite.

Day 16 - Shooting in tournaments. The Boy was able to participate in the Kid's Appreciation Night at The Shop and had a blast. He shot well for having not shot a bow in 23497 years a good while. Even won a door prize!

Day 17 - Double Thankful! Part one is Hunting - The Boy went out with Dave this morning to hunt and while they only killed time and a wasp? A good time was had and plans are already in the making for the next trip. And then part two was Jeremy's birthday party at Oxbow where The Boy touched a plethora of snakes and even a tortoise. He is thinking that Oxbow might be a good birthday party choice, but I'm fairly certain this is only so because the birthday boy gets to briefly wear a snake around their neck!

Day 18 - The Boy is thankful for the Ice Rink. It's one of his favorite things to do whenever he gets the chance to head downtown to ice skate. I admire his ability to skate because I feel like even if I had a walker? I'd still fall down!

Day 19 - Jack & Annie Books. Magic Tree House books are a go-to for The Boy this year as he works to soar through AR points. There is a Braves game on the line if he gets to 200. And a Lego when he gets half-way. So far his favorite book has been Afternoon on the Amazon.

Day 20  - Annoying Orange. Yeah please let the record reflect I'm certainly not that thankful for this but every kid has that one annoying thing they enjoy that pushes their parents over the edge. For some it's Barney (thank you Jesus it wasn't for us) others it's Elmo (been there, done that). And remember those stinkin Teletubbies? Yeah. Now it's Annoying Orange the dumbest show on the planet. He's thankful for it, loves their Gangnam style parody and looks forward to new episodes.

Day 21 -  Kaleb. The Boy got to spend the day at BigMama's and Kaleb was there as well. The Boy states every time I go to BigMama's I mostly see him and sometimes and I get to play with him. It's about to be his birthday in December. He normally plays with his toys or sleeps. And I love him.

Day 22 - Thanksgiving - The Boy says Every Thanksgiving somebody in your family has a Thanksgiving party and you can go there and eat turkey. The Boy had a blast this Thanksgiving when he went hunting with Daddy *and* they got a deer! Then we all had a fun time and good food at Auntie Amber & Uncle Matthew's. The day was rounded out with playing with the neighbors & spending the night in the living room while watching Wipe-Out. The best part was that the entire house was asleep by 9:30!

Day 23 - Diary of a Wimpy Kid - It's the best time ever since there is a new Wimpy Kid book! And bonus? UPS brought it to our doorstep Wednesday night! The Boy could be found curled up with the book when not speeding in a race on the Kindle Fire. Tonight before bed as he read he told me I can't believe I am already half-way finished with this book!

Day 24 - Mommy - Most of the time I spend time with you and all the time you take care of me. You watch TV with me. I love you because you love me too And then I melt into a puddle of love. He's Awesome.

Day 25 - My Uncles  (and Aunties!)- They are wild and I'm pretty sure you don't like that. Sometimes they just get so wild you get on to me for it (me: is it that you wanted to point that out? or maybe you could just tell us why is it you are thankful) - They are wild and most of the time I go to their houses they throw the football with me. And I call them Auntie because Matthew taught me who to do it. And I love them.

Day 26 - Grandparents - I get to spend the night with them some nights. 

Papa: he plays cards with me some nights when I spend the night. BigMama: because I mostly help her and sometimes she helps me and she makes me cheeseburger macaroni. 

Granny: I barely get to see her and I hate that. We get to go camping with her and when I go to the lake every morning I get up and go to her camper and I always sit with Papa Ronnie and watch TV

Day 27 - Tyler -Cousins are awesome. The Boy says: Every time I see him he likes to throw the ball with me or wrestles with me. I also try to hold him but he won't sit on my lap. That's all.

Day 28 - Daddy - He takes me to the Archery Shop and he's also the music teacher at my school. And he watches Wipeout and Call of the Wildman with me. And I love him.

Day 29 - Friends - I'm thankful for my friends and they are Alex, Jaxon, Aidan, Riley, Garrett, Jeremy, Tripp, Owen, Max, Nathyn, Landon. Jaxon first moved to Texas and then he moved to Tennessee. If I could have one thing for Christmas I would go visit him. Alex goes on vacations and stuff with me. The only thing that stunk about our Six Flags trip this year was it rained. Aidan use to go to school with me and he came to church but then he moved schools in 2nd grade but now in 3rd grade he came back to church. At my birthday this year I hope that Jeremy, Garrett, Riley and Landon can sleepover.

Day 30 - God - He created the earth. Hey did He write the Bible? Oh wait no Moses wrote Genesis. We go to church to worship Him and learn about Him. My favorite verse is For the God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son - that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 

And there you have it - The Boy's Thankful Thirty. He challenged me to list the things I'm thankful for as well. They can be found HERE 

Thirty Days of Thankful Day Nine

Each afternoon when I ask The Boy about his Thankful Thing of the Day, he always takes a minute to ponder. Today was no different. On the ride home I went ahead and asked if he knew what he wanted to talk about and he said he was Still Thinking. And then we pull in the driveway and he doesn't hestiate as he stresses how thankful he is for The Turtle Man.

 I was him for Halloween this year. He lives in KY and he catches animals, which he calls critters. He has a dog named Lolly. Sometimes I call my dog lolly because I like him. The funniest episode was the one where he goes to the carnival. My favorite critter he catches is racoons. 

There is a lot to be thankful for - and tonight? It's Live Action and critter hunting. Be safe and make good choices ~ we're off to watch some Call of the Wild Man! ~ Shan.

Good Intentions

I always have such good intentions of blogging more. Then I spend 23482734 hours billing in BIBS and typing reports and working on case notes, playing Words With Friends and Draw Something and Bubble Something Or Another., reading book, watching important shows like The Bachelorette and The Glee Project. And if I didn't need this pesky thing called sleep I feel confident I would be posting every day. And speaking of sleep, I've been rather lacking in that department and it shows - this morning I washed my hair then when I put some soap in my hands? Washed my hair again with the soap. Not to be confused with waking the other day and not knowing what day of the week it was. But I digress. 

We've been busy and having fun around these parts! There are many nights spent working on Legos (added bonus is when Lego Ninjago is built while watching Lego Ninjaog - Winning)

 

 

There have been birthday parties - with slip & slides!

We've spent time hanging with family and friends - with a ton of that time spent swimming

 Trips to Chill with good friends where we write things like Little Red Wagon all over the wall

 And just the other day we celebrated the 4th with a low country boil!

I would say that I pinky swear to blog more - but instead I will be honest with myself and say I Will Try To Blog More Soon. Big fun coming up for our family with our Annual Trip To Six Flags, a vacation and gearing up for starting back to school! Y'all be safe and make good choices. I'll be back soon. ~ Shan.

The Best Cake I Ever Had

Wednesday night around 6 p.m. The Boy decided that his birthday would be The Best Ever if he could just have Avenger Rings on his cupcake. This idea stemmed from his Papa's birthday cake the day prior. And I'm all Are You Serious? And he's all Yeah. And then I beat my head against the wall.

This left a Hunt on Thursday that spanned the entire afternoon and all areas of town. Big Mama & Papa took care of scoping out Winn Dixie, Sams, Wal-Mart & Hobby Lobby. Meanwhile I was visiting Publix, Michael's, Dollar Tree, Target and yet another Wal-Mart. I happened to walk on inside Big Mama's Wal-Mart and left a message with their bakery. It seemed The Genius that happened to be working on cakes that day couldn't decode the inventory list and boxes. Genius tells me she's sure they have the rings 'because this paper says so'  and we all know if the paper says it it must be true. She then says she will have the person in charge call me back after she gets back from break. We then spend 4 hours some time with her trying to write Hardegree as I slowly spelled it a billion times four times before I, in true Job-like-patience fashion said You Know What Just Put Shannon. I would like to stress how my confidence in this bakery employee made me feel like them decorating my son's cupcakes with wording might result in a cake wreck of epic proportions but we were desperate. All other places turned up Avenger Ring Empty. And this was our Last Hope.

A few hours later (man I need breaks like that) someone who mumbles their name calls me back. The conversation is as follows:

Mumbles: Hey this is (inaudible mumbling) with the WalMart bakery department
Me: Yes Ma'am how are you?
Mumbles: Yeah um I have this order that you want 24 cupcakes but I only gots 12 rings so I can't do no 24 cupcakes.
Me: Okay.
Mumbles: So do you just want 12 cupcakes?
Me: Um no. I need 24. Do you have an Avenger cake?
Mumbles: Oh yeah we have a cake. It has a shield and then the four figures - it don't have all those figures but it has four and hey can I call you back? I gotta go to the bathroom. I'll call you right back.

And she then hangs up.

No really. I wish I was joking.

Thirty minutes later Mumbles calls back like WE NEVER STOPPED TALKING.

Me: Hello?
Mumbles: Hey so yeah you want to do a cake instead? The Avengers one?

I will say that I was hesitant and worried and all kinds of adjectives that weren't hopeful when I picked up The Boy Friday and we headed to the old Wal-Mart. We walk up and they ask for the name and, really, what else could I say but "I'm pretty sure she only has it under Shannon"

The look on The Boy's face was Pure Joy when she handed over the cake and he got the first look. He then exclaimed Oh Mommy - this is the Best Cake I Ever Had - THANK YOU - I *love* it!

He'll look back some day and remember the Awesomeness That Was His Avengers Cake. And me? I think I will just hope that some day he has a little guy that asks for the seemingly-impossible days before the big day - and that just as I did he has a Cast of Fun to help him achieve and make dreams come true. And I also hope between now and then all bakery departments employ people with manners that can spell. Amen.

On Best Days Ever

The Boy had the best game ever - hitting the ball, getting on base, playing catcher and clearly tagging a player out at home when the umpire apparently left the game for five seconds because SERIOUSLY how could you call that kid safe?! The Boy was the winning run following hits by Andrew and Cole. When your Non-Hitters win the game for you? It is awesome. 20-21 over the Dodgers! You can always tell how awesome the game was by the dirt on the face. This time we have dirt on the face AND covering both arms. He left an orange and brown ring around the tub!

And Dave. Oh Dave. His dream came true making it his greatest day ever

I hope we can name this cycle something awesome like Minerva or Maggie (Short for Margaret). Or Magnolia Rose (Mags). Or Liza Jane. Or HAZEL. Or Nora. Penny. Stella. Ruthie.

No best day ever for me. I have high hopes for this week though. Until then, woohoo for the fellas!

Happy Mother's Day: On Rocketships & Jesus

It's Mother's Day! I had grand intentions of busting up in here with a post about Mom. I was going to thank my mother for being the one that picked up the trash we hid in cushions, who washed all our clothes and made our dinner. The mom that painted my toes when I was in a hospital bed, who took care of my own son when I was unable to. I had intentions of blabbering on about What The Boy thinks of me and to include a drawing of Me as a Lego Ninjago as depicted by The Boy just this afternoon. But what I think I will do instead is leave a gem from 2009. It touched my heart today and I hope it touches yours, too.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Originally posted September 2009:

Wednesday night after church we caught every single red light on the ride home. This means Prime Thinking and Talking time for The Boy.

Him: Mommy? I keep praying and praying for a brother and Jesus keeps saying no. And Daddy said it was because your body is broken. Why did your body break?

Me: (pause thinking do we really have to have this conversation now?) Well I got sick when I was at the hospital when you were born.

Him: But HOW did you get sick?

Me: I got an infection. (As soon as I said it I knew the next question)

Him: What's an Infection?

Me: When you get a germ and it makes you really really sick. I almost died and went to heaven but then I got better.

Him: But if you died then I wouldn't have a mommy. And that would be sad.

Me: But I didn't die and you do have a mommy. But my body is broken and you can't have a brother.

Him: But HOW do you know it is broken?

Me: Because the doctor told.

Him: But HOW did he sound when he said it.

Me: (wondering why this conversation tonight) He just sounded like a doctor son. He just said "I'm sorry but there isn't anything we can do you're broken"

Him: But I really just wanted a baby.

And then he starts to cry. And, well, my heart breaks. But he quickly stops.

Him: Mommy is heaven just beyond the clouds?

Me: What?

Him: Is heaven higher then the clouds and right before the outer space?

Me: Heaven is where Jesus is baby. I don't exactly know Where it is and you can't See it until your battery dies and you go live with Jesus.

Him: I think it is higher than the clouds and right before the outer space and the meteors. And you know what mommy? I am going to get me a rocket ship and I am going to fly up to heaven and you know what I am going to do? I am going to find Jesus. And I am going to talk to him. And I am going to ask Him where my baby brother is.

Me: Are you now. Well baby God knows what is best for you and it isn't always what you think is the best for you. Just because you want something doesn't mean it is the best thing.

Him: Mommy is that my verse for next week?

Me: Um No.

Him: Then can you tell me that one more time please?

Me: Just because you want something doesn't mean it is the best thing. God knows what is best. And right now he thinks it is best for it to be is a Mommy, a Daddy and you.

Him: Yeah. But I still want that crazy baby.

And what I wish I could do a million times over is grant that one wish the little boy who wants to get on his rocket ship to fly to Jesus wants.

But, you see, these? These are the conversations I am having with my 5 year old.

And I can't help but think to myself that someday?

Someday this little boy is going to do great things.

Speaking from the Heart

The Boy: Dear God thank you for today. Thanks for letting everybody in the class get to play games except me*. I really hope they had fun. Please help Ryan and Rachael get better. And please don't let Cameron start annoying me again because he annoys me Every Single Day. Help Marixa get some water. Amen.

*Please note Mr. Holland did not let every child in the class play except for The Boy - The Boy just "didn't want to play any of the games that were left" during game time and truly he was peeved he couldn't go play on the playground because they were out of time. Instead of playing games what he really wanted to do "is Journal" but he also left "my new Super Mario notebook at home." And he "couldn't READ" because he had "already taken FIVE AR tests" and needed "a little break" from the reading. Ahem.

Reason 23849832498723 The Boy is Awesome

We worked on The Boy's Sparks book tonight. The Boy is starting the jewel that covers missionaries and I showed him pictures from when a group at church went to Peru. Part of the assignment was to write a letter to a missionary and pray for them - and here is what The Boy wrote

Dear Dr Sims I saw pictures from when you went to Peru on mommy's facebook page. Did you have fun there? I can't believe that you saw a monkey. What kind of medicine? Oh and I'll pray for you and the people in Peru. P.S. You should come to Awana because it's fun.

The picture is a scorpion vs a rattlesnake, with the rattlesnake declared the winner!

Thank Yous and a Letter!

Imagine our surprise to open the mailbox and find a letter addressed to The Boy! It was his BFF that moved to Texas Jaxon and the letter was well-received! Funny thing is, The Boy and I were JUST talking this weekend about Jaxon and he said he wanted to send a letter. Awesome timing!

So after doing all the chores and such (ha! like we live on a farm or something) The Boy curled up in The Red Chair and wrote Jaxon back!

And since we were doing 'all that writing' we went ahead and worked on Christmas Thank You Notes - "Mommy I am *only* doing four tonight because my hand hurts from all this writing." The first card? He stated he needed to thank Santa Clause. He wrote his note to Mr. C

The letter and thank you cards will head out at some point this week. And The Boy has big plans to do a few more Thank You's later this week!

Aquarium Anniversary Trip

This year we had a blast on our 9th Wedding Anniversary when we drove to the ATL to visit the aquarium! The Boy LOVED it and has grand plans to return for his birthday!

Happy Anniversary Dave! Here's to many more!

Thirty Days of Thankful: Day Sixteen

Know what Mommy? Today I'm thankful for you. I'm thankful that you always go places with me and do stuff with me. And I love you.

(Note: I melt in to a puddle of sappiness)

Know what? He's my favorite son. And I'm incredibly thankful that I get to be his mom.

Two Worth Remembering.

The Boy: So you know Noah and all? I bet that was a hurricane.
Me: It was a flood son. It destroyed the earth.
The Boy: EVEN THE UNITED STATES?!
Me: Son. Remember? Everything. People, land. All but Noah and his family.
The Boy: Oh yeah. And two of all the animals. Except for unicorns and dragons because they were off playing and missed the boat.
Me - shaking my head - because I don't know what else to do.

Going over Awana verses with The Boy and we listened to the Awana CD to hear the story of the Centurion. When it was finished I said "So what amazing things did the Centurion see at the cross?" which is a question he will have to answer tonight. The Boy quickly replied 'A GIANT WHALE.' I racked my brain trying to figure out the whale and then said "oh um no son - that was that Jesus WAILED - he cried out Forgive Them Father not said Forgive Them Father while a giant whale went by."

Best Game EVER

Friday evening late we got a text from Coach saying he was sorry The Boy didn't get to play in-field during the game but to have him be ready to play 3rd on Monday. We quickly sent back a text saying it was not necessary, made a decision to not say anything Just In Case it didn't come about, and then I, MOTHER OF THE YEAR, got up early (for me) on Saturday and took The Boy to the field to learn how to play 3rd base. Forty straight minutes of practicing there - scenarios, what do you do, get your glove on the ground. And then he wanted to have some batting practice - we won't talk about how the first pitch I threw I nailed him in the back, thus crashing all my dreams of being a C-ball coach in the Spring - but batting wasn't as fun with just The Mom and The Boy so we decided to call it a morning. I would later realize one of the reasons I Could Not Move Saturday afternoon was directly related to this intense 3rd Base Introductory Session.

But then we got to the game Monday night - the late game mind you - and Coach says to The Boy - "You're Starting On Third!" and his smile was as big as the infield! Meanwhile my stress-level was as big as the outfield. He made a play or two and learned a few things like you can't block the bag and all-in-all did a fine job over there on third. And he later moved to catcher and then back out in the outfield. Hit the ball each at bat. Just had a fabulous game all around (which if we're going by the State Of The White Pants it was incredibly awesome - I'm not sure Shout! can get it all out).

We lost by one point to a team that beat us by 10 the first time they played us. Go Astros! And the game ball of the night? Went to THE BOY! Super psyched for a job well done. I can't believe how much The Boy rules!

We have a few days off from practice. We're taking some time to do things like Go To Bed At A Decent Hour and Get Our Homework Finished. Just normal run of the mill 2nd grade stuff! But here in the Hardegree Diaries we are CRAZY PROUD of The Boy for playing 3rd and getting his first game ball! Rock On!

And since the back to work blues are making me exhausted I leave you with this: Be Safe, Make good choices, Pray that mountain moves. We'll be back soon. ~ Shan.

Chocolate Cup of Awesome

Four weeks post-op from the eviction of the girl parts today. One of our biggest blessings so far? The meals so many kind people have made for us. And just last night some of our favorite people ever cooked us up a meal. But these Favorite People also made a most special prize for me -

Behold - I give you Chocolate Cup of Awesome

The picture does not do it justice, unless you take in to account the fact that half of said cup of awesomeness happens to be missing. Imagine, if you will, Heaven in a cup. Imagine a chocolate party in your mouth. Imagine the greatest dessert you have ever tasted IN YOUR LIFE. Chocolate brownie muffin with chocolate icing with crumbled snickers on top and oh my stars I wish I could have one EVERY DAY

Pretty much the only thing that could be greater than a Chocolate Cup of Awesome? Would be if Jesus Came Back.

You should go Right Now and check out Mojo's Bakery. They also have the best cake balls you have ever tasted and do not even get me started on the all kinds of awesome the caramel cake is because there aren't enough adjectives.

So much for Wordless Wednesday - but honestly how can I be so quiet about the awesomeness that is that dessert? So there you have it. And I only wish I had managed to stretch it out so the above would have lasted me through the weekend.

We love the Leary's! And We Love Mojo's!

I am off to try and sleep. Y'all be safe and make good choices.

~ Shan.