Life with my sister

I debated sharing my heart about this, but I just have to. I want all of you (whoever you are…we know we have lots of lurkers and we are thrilled you like us!) to feel my heartbeat at this amazing, scary, fun, life-altering, God-given and stressful time in my life. Tomorrow is my last day of work at ECS. My Mama and I were talking via cellphone during our commutes home this afternoon and she asked me if it would be an emotional day for me and I said "Nah, it shouldn't. I cried all the way home one day last week and got it out of my system". I actually believed those words until I sat down to type my boss, Rex, a good-bye letter. The past year has been an unexpected Gift from God. From the day my Aunt Babs emailed me while I was sitting miserably at the very worst job in THE world to tell me of the job opportunity at ECS, and until this very moment. I have become stronger, confident, sharper in my God-given talents, and rich in friendship because of (as Rex always says), ...

Oh my goodness! Abby and I found out about this book titled The Shack a couple of weeks ago from a fellow blogger and friend of Abby's. We looked around in a couple of bookstores and couldn't find it so she ordered it from Amazon(because she is an Amazon junkie! but that is another story!). When she was here for the birthday weekend, she let me borrow it since she was going to be reading a book she was getting from me(but I forgot to give her, again that is another story!). I started reading it Tuesday afternoon and finished it today. I would have finished it sooner had I not been so sleepy last night. It is a must-read book guys. One of the endorsements says that it is this generations Pilgrim's Progress and I think I agree. This book will touch your soul and change your heart. I loved it and will read it again just to see what I missed the first time. Go and get this book, read it and let us know what you think!!! Julie

Warning!! It is lawn mowing season again. Please be careful when mowing around your vehicles or this may occur. Julie

Two nights ago as I was tucking the twins into bed, David said his prayers. He prayed that all the flood and tornado victims would find shelter. And then he prayed this "shelter even better than what they had". I was blown away by that, how sweet that he would want them to have better than before. Last night as I tucked him in and he prayed, he prayed the same thing. So , I asked him why he wanted them to have better shelter than before. He said "so next time a flood or tornado comes they will be safe." I don't talk a lot about the twins different personalities, but David has a tender heart. He feels for others and wants the very best for everyone. He prays that everyone in the whole universe(he says he prays for the universe in case their are astronauts in space) will be saved. He isn't even a Christian yet. He is really a sweet boy, I can't wait to see what God has in store for him. David's mom-Julie

Egg Drop Goodness - August 2007 I feel terrible for not saying “Thanks” sooner to Lindsey for making our header. (She made 4 of them, actually!) Lindsey is super special to our family. Everyone that has met her from Memphis to Fort Smith has fallen in love with her and always asks, “How is Lindsey?” Her family is just as special too and I have a pretty good feeling they ask her, “How is Abby?” We will be friends until Jesus takes us home! She was/is my fellow bulk mail girl, brownie concrete companion, personal photographer, fashion & design expert, China Town patron, a firm & soft shoulder to lean on, a road trip buddy, a “Friends” watch party host, my laundry mat, a dance partner, a beautiful bridesmaid and one of the greatest friends I have ever had. I could go on and on about her, but I won’t because I have to get back to work. I just wanted to give her a little “Thanks” for always being so sweet to take pics and design things for us out of love. Linds, know that it never...

Whew! Birthday week is over! I think it is safe to say that we are all thankful that it is now a normal week at our house. There are no signs of streamers, wrapping paper, company, birthday cake, candles, or gifts! It is like regular. I am so glad. As much as I enjoy celebrating the births of my children, it is tiring. Planning, buying and stressing about it takes its toll. Stressing? you might say. Stressing? Yes, I say. I stress about the number of children that will attend the birthday party. I don't want my kids to be disappointed when no one shows up. Two of their friends didn't show up this year. I was surprised, I guess I should have reminded the parents, but I didn't and they didn't. Oh well. They had plenty of kids at the party and just enough cake, I think that if anyone else had been there there wouldn't have been enough cake. Speaking of cake. It was so cute, and just what the boys wanted. Thank you Aunt Abby!!! Well, I'm going to go relax! ...

We had a fun weekend celebrating birthdays. I love being with my fab four, my sister and my Mama. I always feel so loved for just being "me" when I am with them. Here are some snapshots from my camera. It was fun times! The Birthday Boys enjoying candy straws at the ballpark The Birthday Princess admiring her new mirror from Marmie My first Nephew is my special buddy...Love this boy! Loving that blue icing Birthday boys and the Blue Angels cake made by Marmie & Aunt Abby Pinata Fun - I love how this pic captures the excitement Camping at Cane Creek on their Birthday Birthday Princess with her cake made by Anna & Aunt Abby Abby

...Because we can get 3 sacks full of stuff at the resale shop for under $15, stay up until midnight redecorating/rearranging her house, sing like rockstars in her van and because one of my little loves will always end up in the bed with me before morning's light...Love it! Abby

Well today is David's birthday and Daniel's birthday. They are 7 years old! David, It is because of you that your birthday is today. You just had to see the outside world sooner than we had planned. You love the number 24, on a race car or on the back of your baseball jersey, April 24 th is definitely your day! You are a funny, feisty kid. You are always moving, unless you are snuggling up to me and then you are calm and quiet. You love to read, you are devouring books so fast I think we are going to run out of things for you to read, I love that!! Your imagination can not be rivaled. You love to build things, robots, forts, etc. You are a good student and are making good grades, I'm so proud of you. You are very loving and good at making friends. Your feelings get hurt easily because you have such a caring nature about you. God has given you a tender heart, I can't wait to see how He uses you. Daniel, Wow, you're 7! You are so excited! You wanted to know if...

It is 2:15 and I am up. 7 years ago tonight I was up at this time too. That night it was David's fault-he just couldn't be still, tonight it is post-nasal drip. I can't believe 7 years have past. I know people always say that, that they can't believe so many years have past, but I really mean it. I remember 7 years ago so clearly. Daddy was visiting and kept Samuel while I went to the doctor for an amino to see if the babies lungs were developed enough for me to deliver on that Friday ( it would be 4 weeks early. When the doctor looked he saw that in all of David's movements the night before he had turned upside down(which was not right side up!) and said that I needed to deliver that day or the next. Stephen was at school in Memphis and had actually driven his carpool that day. I called him on his cell phone from a pay phone at the doctors office to tell him that I was headed to the hospital. He didn't answer, ...

Meeting D&D at the hospital 7 years ago I was sitting at my computer in my apartment at school when my sister called me and said " There were 2 heartbeats...we 're having twins!!!". I cried. I then sat in that very same spot when she called me that Spring evening to say, "They're here!!!". I cried again. I then jetted out after class that next morning to go see my newest little loves, David & Daniel. When they were babies, I loved holding them at the same time and trying my best to get one on each hip with ease just like Julie (She rocks!). I loved smelling their little bald heads while I held them. I then enjoyed protecting their little bald heads from foul balls at Redbirds games. Their little laughs and huge smiles melted my heart in an instant (and still do!). They are not those cute baby boys anymore, they are now handsome 7 year old big boys! They are alike yet so different. I love when David gets excited and hustles while holding his mouth in...

You won't believe this! Abby just emailed me and told me to write something because, " it is all me of late, and that is a little too much of me" Is anyone gasping besides me? I'll give you a moment to catch your breath after such a stunning sentence............ I didn't think it was possible for her to ever think that there was too much of her! This is a breakthrough!!! (Abby, I'm just joking) We are in the middle of birthday week at our house. Sunday we celebrated Anna's 4 th birthday complete with presents, cake, candles, lunch out, and most importantly streamers on her door. Streamers on the bedroom door is a tradition that started on Samuel's 3rd birthday. We were having his fireman birthday party at our house and in order to separate the dining room from the living room (which was just one big room) I attached red streamers to the ceiling and they hung to the floor. It looked a bit like a 70's beaded curtain minus the beads. When we were pl...

Mrs. Carolyn (my dear friend at work-read past posts) gave me a letter this morning with thirteen lessons to always remember as I journey on into my new path in life. I want to share them with you. My life will not be an apology. It will be a statement. Jehovah moves mountains to create the opportunity of His choosing. It is up to you to be ready to move yourself. Serving is a way we can place value on one another. A wise man is a server. A leader must encourage others to struggle and assure them that the struggles are worthwhile. Do battle with the challenges of your present and you will unlock the prizes of your future. My past can never be changed, but I can change the future by changing my actions today. I am who my friends are. He who serves the most grows the fastest. I will look to open the door for someone. I will not be distressed when no one is available to help me-I will be excited when I am available to help. I will be a servant to others. I will listen to the counsel of w...

This gives me goose bumps! This Young at Heart group will "ignite your bones". Wow! Abby

Anna, 4 years, nine months and one week ago today I found out you were going to be a part of our family. I was at Friends for Life the day I found out I was going to have you. Your daddy called and asked "Is this the crisis pregnancy center?" I said "yes" He said" I have a crisis. My wife isn't pregnant" I said " yes, I am" He said(after a moment of stunned silence) "Is it a girl?" I said " the line was pink!" You were unlike the boys. They loved to be held and loved on. In the hospital you were crying and your daddy and I didn't know what to do with you, so we laid you down in the bed and you immediately stopped crying and were perfectly content. You must have known I needed you to be a good baby. You were the best baby we had. You completed our family and as Aunt Abby once said, added a softness to our home. I never dreamed I would hold a little girl and call her my own. I thought our family was finished when the tw...

Today (4/20) our sweet little Anna K. is 4! She is my only niece. Because I am the only sibling for both Jules & Stephen, I am her only aunt (she has many fabulous great aunts though). She stole my heart from the moment I saw her in the hospital nursery with a little pink bow in her hair. She is sassy and stubborn just like her Aunt Abby...and spoiled rotten to the core! I love that she looks just like Jules and acts just like me. Her little personality is contagious and that sweet little face always melts my heart. I love that her Uncle Randall fell in love with her just as fast as I did. It thrills my soul that she loves Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears and Barbies just as much as me. I love that she has a huge imagination and has a healthy relationship with her imaginary friends. I love that she loves her nails painted and requires a spritz of body spray after dressing for the day. I love that her brothers adore her and let her rule the roost. I am so glad God gave Jules & ...

I looked out my kitchen window this morning and said (outloud) to myself, "What a hottie!". Rand came home to do yard work this weekend and I am so glad. I miss being at home with him. This will be his last time to do yard work here...so, enjoy the picture ladies! Abby

Here is one last blessing for the week. It is a little deeper than the three previous ones I have posted. I am blessed to have the life I have. I know, it sounds silly and a little crazy coming from the girl who has been a basket case these past few weeks, but yesterday I realized that I am truly blessed to have this life. Yesterday I sat in my car and rationalized with myself: I need to sell my house, buy a new one and find a job. I can choose to get overwhelmed or I can place it in the palm of my Provider's hands and let Him handle it. I am now choosing to hand it off to Him each morning, it works better that way! So, now you ask why I all the sudden feel so blessed to have all this pressure? Let me tell you. Last night I was working late at school. Mrs. Carolyn and I were walking to the parking lot when we noticed a middle school student sitting on a bench. (It was 7:30pm, school gets out at 2:45 ish ) We found out that he stays this late most everyday waiting on his ride. Th...

I remember when I was a little girl, old enough to know better, but not smart enough to do anything about it. I was spending the night at Mamaw and Papaw's house, it was one of my favorite things to do. Scene: I don't know where Papaw was this particular evening but Mamaw was on the phone and I was taking a bath. While in the bathtub I found her razor and decided that I wanted to use it. So I did, and yes, you know what happened! I cut my leg good!!! I cried (probably screamed) and Mamaw had to get off the phone and settle me down, clean me up, and dry me off. She took care of me, loved me and decided that I had learned a big enough lesson about razors that I didn't get in to much trouble. Fast forward 30-33 years Scene: I am sitting on the couch trying to be still so my back doesn't hurt so bad and I hear Anna ( in the bathtub) talking to David (who had gone in to see her). Anna: Go get mom please. David: What? this was all very calm Anna: Go get mom please. I go in...

I am trying to finish the week out by listing a few blessings and I am coming up short today, as you can see! :) I think it is okay to have big and little blessings. Today it is a little one. I have found a good eat that I want to rave about. It is the Morning Star Ginger Teriyaki Veggie Cake. I am so thankful to have a new lowfat protein staple in my freezer. Yum! The biggest blessing is that they were on sale for $1.50 and it is a box of 4! It has made heat and eat meals I have been making for myself these past few weeks much more enjoyable than the old, tired Lean Cuisines. Now, if only it would pay off in the waist band of my capri pants! I hope to have another blessing for you tomorrow....hopefully it won't be food related. P.S. Pray for my Jules (she is a HUGE blessing to me). Her bowling injury really is more serious than she let on in her last post. She is going to the doctor today. She really needs not bowl ever again. It is funny, yet so sad. She is in more pain than sh...

Today I am counting my blessings again (it helps keep me sane right now). I am thanking God for my Mama today. (She is Julie's Mother too...I just wish not to share her in this post!)I am not going to get all mushy with this post (I could, but I won’t). I just want to introduce you to the great lady I call “Mama”. I was three weeks late and determined not to come out when I was forced to arrive here on earth in 1978. I think Mama knew then that I was going to be high maintenance. I was nothing like my older sister and Mama had to learn how to manage two girls that were total opposites. I hated school. Mama had to walk me to school for a while because I would not get out of the car at the crosswalk. So, we walked instead. She would walk me the back way to the playground where I was forced to cross a small ditch into the playground. She made me cross the ditch alone and I was not allowed to re-cross it once I got over it. I would usually cry like a fat child as I watched her on the ...

Today I have decided to count my blessings and name them one by one (are you singing it with me?). One of those blessings is my BFF , Melissa (A.K.A. “ Licca Lou”, “Lissy” or “ MJ ” – I use all these names. It is a bit insane, I know). She is going to be embarrassed that I am writing a post about her, but she will get over it! Melissa became my friend when I was 4 years old. We lived in Sutton Estates together. We lived behind one another. She was in Kindergarten at FSC and I thought her uniform was really cool. She had the best play kitchen. It was very modern for the early 1980’s and I loved playing house with her. I was very shy (hard to imagine, I know) when I was a little girl. Her family has laughed many times remembering me knocking on their back door with my head down whispering, “Can Melissa play?” Fast Forward 5 years: Melissa had moved out of the neighborhood and I had moved onto another street in the neighborhood (We lived in 3 different houses in the same neighborhood w...

Saturday we took the children from church bowling. My kids were so excited. Papa had sent them each money to bowl and for a snack while we were there, you would have thought he sent them $100.00!There were about 23 kids and 4-5 adults. So the adults decided to bowl together. I was up for that. It turns out I do have a competitive spirit, it just doesn't get to shine much, because I'm not very good at games, or sports. I picked up the bowling ball, walked up-I have a particular set of steps that I must go through before I throw the ball-and threw the ball. While I was throwing the ball down the lane-for a gutter ball-I hurt my back. But, my competitive spirit came out, and I bowled the rest of the game. Coming in not last but not first! I am in so much pain!!! Stephen reminded me that I don't have the best of luck at bowling alleys. About 12 years ago, we took our youth group bowling and while stepping down into the actual bowling pit(or whatever they call that area), twis...

Rand paid for his first haircut today! A huge milestone in our lives. (I took a pic of it and embarrassed him to death. It is on my phone and I can't get it to transfer to the computer...oh, well). Leaving the comforts of LaRue's (his mom's salon) is going to be a small shock to the wallet. I understand that I am still driving to Memphis or to the lake to get my hair done...it is free, you see! I love my hubby's tight wallet and my mother-in-law's awesome color jobs. Abby

That is what it feels like. I am so exhausted from the ride I am on right now. It is not only exhausting; it is also fun, exciting, annoying and scary...but worth it. Exhausting . I have our home arranged like a model home (lots of HGTV viewing and a professional stagger came to our home) and I am living in it at the same time. My agent tells me she is amazed that I am living in the house with it setup like it is and the buyers agents have been in awe also. I am not bragging, just trying to stress that it is not a comfy place to live. It is a chore, I must admit. I am ready to start living in Rand's apt. in J'boro in a few weeks (he has a housekeeper) and not have to wipe down any trace of life each morning before I leave the house. It is so exhausting. Fun. Seeing Rand on Friday evenings after being away all week, shopping for a new home, exploring new shops and eateries, and finding a church is funtimes but also annoying. Annoying . All the things I described as fun are also...

It is feast or famine around here. Either we post 3 a day or we don't post for 3 days, I have decided to not let it happen this week. I really don't have anything to say. Things here are pretty dull actually. Stephen is going to work and the kids are having school and I have laundry. I did 12 loads on Tuesday. Did you get that? 12 loads of laundry in a day. Unbelievable. Samuel gets to take the Iowa basic skills test next Tuesday. He and I are a little nervous about it, but I have promised him lunch out after he takes the test, so he is already feeling better about it. It's amazing what food can do! He's taking the test at the village here in town, and they have a great sandwich shop(along with a great bakery, steakhouse, and catfish place) there. He and I are really studying hard so he will be ready for the math part of the test. I don't know why I'm nervous, he will do fine, even better than fine. He is really a good student, I'm proud of him. I should go ...

Last summer when my cake decorating instructor asked all the students why we enrolled in the class I answered, “So I can make my nephews and my nieces birthday cakes”. Last year Julie realized that D & D think I make all their cakes (which is not true). We laughed and said they must think I work in the bakery at Wal-Mart, since this is where they usually go to pick them up. I decided then that I must not let my babies down. Claire ( my 2nd cousin and almost niece) has been the only one of my kiddos to receive an Aunt Abby cake (it was a Hannah Montana guitar) so as you can imagine, I am super stoked about being able to make 3 more of the 5 cakes this month! (All 5 kids are in the above pic. Aren't they super fine!) D& D are getting a Blue Angels cake with a runway (they get a more complicated cake because they have to share it. Bad for me, lucky for them). They were both so cute when Jules and I were looking up cakes on the Internet together (4 hours away from one another)....

Oprah has A-HA moments-here is one of mine. I realize that some of you have never seen me or haven't seen me in a while, so this may come as a surprise to you, but I'm not the skinniest person on the block. In fact I have never been the weight I am now, and I have had 4 children(2 at one time)! The other day Samuel was in the room with me while I was using my new flat iron and had these words of wisdom: "your hair is already straight". I tried to explain to him that this neat little device (that I love!!!) actually adds a little body to my hair. He wanted to know what that meant so I began to tell him that I use shampoo that adds body, mousse that adds body, I blow my hair dry upside down to add body and use a hairspray that is supposed to hold the body that the other products put in my hair. It then dawned on me- that all these products have added body-TO MY BODY!, not my hair. It isn't the food I've eaten or even the cokes I...

I ate oysters last night and found a pearl in one of them! How cool is that?! Abby

This weekend I went to the Women of Faith conference in Little Rock with 5 ladies from our church. We had a really good time. Nicole C Mullin was UNREAL. I tell you that girl has some lungs and some arms! Wow, I wish I had those arms. Anyway she was fabulous, fabulous! Go see her, buy her CD , listen to her on the radio. She is the bomb! Anyway, I am on here to tell you this story. Before we all met for dinner on Friday night, two of the ladies and I went to a little boutique to look for jewelery . One of the ladies was buying earrings to go with her daughters prom dress. She had a picture of the dress that she had downloaded from her computer with her. It is a strapless, short black sequined dress with a pink sash. Beautiful! So we all walked around the store looking for earrings, and found nothing. So we walk up to the counter and my friend says, " I'm looking for earrings to go with my daughter's prom dress, this is the dress," and then shows the saleslady the pic...

I was trying on a new shirt(new to me, not new to fashion) and asked the kids if they liked it. Anna came up smelled my shirt, and my jeans and said, "yes, they smell like mom!" The boys didn't like it, but Anna apparently thinks that since they smell like me, they look like me! (But her "mother" also has a shirt like this so I guess she thinks it is a mom shirt!) I know you are asking yourselves "doesn't she have anything better to do than blog funny statements by her kids." Well, I do. I have to pack and get the house in shape to be gone for 24 hours. Take a shower and get ready. So, now I'm off to do anything better! Julie

Isaiah 40:11 ... he gently leads those that have young . As a mom of 4 children I often have mothers of older children tell me that "they grow up fast" or "enjoy them while they're young" or "it's just a season". My response to them is usually a curt smile and sometimes I will say "but they're young now" or "do you not remember this season of YOUR life". I am around my children all-I mean all-the time and at times I grow weary. I at times want to give these older, wiser women more than a curt smile. I want to stand up to them and ask (loudly) "Help me then!" "What did you do?" I want to ask those of you that are older to not just give us younger moms a smile and a quote from above, but maybe a smile and a verse that got you through this time in your life. Or take one or more of our children for an hour or so. Younger moms, I ask you to remember this time in your lives. I often ...ponder these things in (...

Why do so many people in my generation not send thank you notes? It is terribly rude. Whether it is for a gift, a friend who picked up a dinner tab or lent a helping hand, or any other thoughtful gesture…a thank you note needs and should be sent. I have blogged about this before. It is one of my hot buttons. I know we don’t give (or we shouldn't) to receive praise for the gift…but a thank you note should not be debatable. Not saying "thanks" in the proper way sometimes tarnishes ones reputation and the odds of ever receiving anything again is just shot all to pieces. How sad, really. I am tired of spending my resources and hours of my precious time on creative gifts for friends who don’t appreciate them! I am fixing to start giving gifts from the Dollar Tree, unwrapped! (ha ha, but seriously) And don't start freaking out...this is more than likely not directed at you! Most of my friends and family were raised right...hee hee. I just had to get on my soapbox to make my...

In case you didn't know, my big sis and I LOVE a consignment sale...or any sale for that matter! Last night I went to the preview sale of a large consignment sale in Memphis. One of the girls at my work owns this consignment sale. It was amazing! I have done a few of these sales with Jules and love the hunt, the bargain and the fight for survival. Jules had given me a list of specific things she needed for each child. She was on the phone with me as I described the clothes I was flipping through on the rack. It was most fun and it was like she was right there. We are both so cheap, it is funny! I am so glad she trusts me to shop used clothes for her. Aunt Abby will not be buying any trash for her babies, that is for sure! I bought a lot of cute things and spent right under $30! Jules had done most of her shopping already and only needed a few more things to dress them for the Spring/Summer. I can't wait to take my laundry basket ( belt attached for pulling), my bag on wheels an...

Aren't they great??!! I wish you could really see them, because they really are quite fabulous, shiny red patent leather heels, Mamaw you would be proud!! I wore them Sunday with my black dress-you remember the black dress story and comment right?-. I wish I had a picture of the black dress, but my photography skills are lacking. I also wish I knew how to link a picture of the dress from the White House Black Market website, but I don't- so there!! I do wish you a great Tuesday and that you get a great pair of red heels!!! (Yes, you too Chip!) Julie

I got tagged too?!!! Thanks Mandy-what an honor!!! My six words are: Loud Tired Loyal Loving Kind Sweet (these 2 were given by Daniel) Julie