Hot pursuit on the Sabbath -

Today was the "day of rest". Ha! I was sooooo tired. During the last hour of church, I was seriously nodding off ... and not just because we were talking about how to store a year's supply of water.

So I came home and had a lovely grilled cheese sandwich prepared by my lovely daughter. I cleaned the kitchen up, started the dishwasher, began a load of wash because I have mountains of dirty laundry that didn't get done yesterday ... and I floated down the hall to my comfy bed for a nice little nap.

I was fast asleep, when a convoy of children (video camera in hand) made their way into my area of slumber as they screamed ugly names and violent threats to one another. So glad we have that on film!

Long story short, teasing turned into fighting and Garrison took the wheels right out of his Heely's, packed his bag, hopped on his bike and ran away ... again.



This is where the remaining fruit of my loins decided that they hadn't been very supportive of their little red-headed brother and redemption had to be made (even though Kacey, Matt & myself were all asleep during the onset of this tumultuous Sabbath experience). Kacey hopped in her car, Matt hopped in his, Keaton and Jake got on their bikes and high-tech Verizon telecommunications aided in their sibling hunt.

Meanwhile, I was still in my bed, still trying to wake up and definitely still wondering what the heck just happened and where I had failed. For any of you who witnessed the trail of Shaker's running amok on wheels throughout the hood ... now you know. Mission was accomplished ... little red was apprehended.

Currently, I am listening to two dogs howling (at the prompting of my oldest son), a rooster crowing (because that's what he does all day and all night long), Jake performing some kind of Gwen Stefani "Sweet Escape" version of the 'WEEOOOOOH WEEOOOOOOH" part only (over and over again because it prompts more howling from the dogs) ... and Garrison has locked himself in the shed in the back yard. Throughout all of this, a request for dinner has been mentioned 13 times.

I think Garrison has the right idea. I'll either be joining him shortly in the shed, or running away myself.

Aaahhhh, the day of rest.

Take a listen to my boy ... and help him win!

I'd rather be ...

Today I found myself wishing that I could run away.
Visions like these ran through my head ...

1.

2.

3.

I decided on all three ...
and I'm cravin' a vacation something fierce!

What three pictures would describe
your perfect get-away?

Giggles ~

I had the most delightful weekend with my sister and three of her wee ones. Since I'm pretty much single these days ... my room was made into THE room. Julie shared my bed (which I won't normally allow with anybody except my husband, but now that she lives in Yuma she gets what she wants. Who am I kidding? She has always gotten what she wants.)


Little baby Jack (who has the best dang cheeks and mouth for smooching) was on the floor with some comfy blankets and Boston was at the foot of my bed in his very own cot. Little Kristi shared a bed with Kacey (or Kace as she calls her).

Lucky for us, all of Kristi's doctors are in Phoenix so they are forced to visit us regularly. If you recall, my sister's name was Kristi Lee ... and she passed away from Breast Cancer. We were sooooo happy to have another Kristi Lee in the family, and unfortunately she was dealt Tuberous Sclerosis. The moral of this story ... do not name your daughter Kristi Lee! But little Kristi seems to be progressing wonderfully. We occasionally sneak across the border to get her "Mexication" for seizures ... which works perfectly. She has her regular visits with the Neurologist, Eye Doctor (whatever ologist that is), Cardiologist and most recently the kidney doctor (yet another ologist of some sort). They keep an eye on her tumors and make sure that they aren't interrupting her organs. She's in the best hands ... and she's a sweetheart.


Not too long ago, I received a package in the mail from the above mentioned sister. I opened it up and found a LARGE, LARGE pair of purple underwear. The size was politely left off of the Walmart tag (who says Walmart doesn't have class), but here is Kacey modeling them to give you an idea of their massiveness.



The underwear came with a note that simply said "IT COULD BE WORSE!" I don't recall having a need to be cheered up that day, but when this package arrived, the giggles were heard from here to Yuma and all the way in between. Who doesn't need giggles?! My Grandma happened to be at my house when I opened the package, and rarely have I seen her giggle like this ... almost to the point of being unladylike!

Laughter is always something that my family has relished. We utilize it so much that we may be called irreverent on occasion, but it gets us through stuff ... lots of stuff.

I think everyone should have these three things in their life ...
and if you don't ... go find them!

1. Cheeks to smooch.

2. Little people around that remind you to have fun.

3. Somebody that creates laughter in your world.

I have all three ... I'm so dang blessed!

Combo Deal ~

My daughter is a fox, and my cousin takes a good picture. They're a great combination! Check 'em out HERE!