Life with my sister

1-Daniel thinks David can read his mind. I think this may be true. 2- Anna let Daniel pull her front tooth after 16 days of it hanging loose. 3-Samuel's voice has changed. I don't recognize him anymore. 4-I threw away a pair of Easter socks last night that I've had for two years. It seems by the holes in them that I wear them at other times other than Easter. 5- I took the boys to a local barber college to get haircuts. We were the only white people there. The students that were going to cut the boys hair had never used scissors before and couldn't understand why they should cut their hair wet. It was one of the funnest times we've had, they even told us to come back! We will! 6- If you were to get pregnant this week you could very well have your baby on 12/12/12. If you do will you please tell me?! 7- I finally got a bread starter from a friend. I really wanted a sourdough starter, but I got an Amish one and it is so good. It tastes like a cinnamon roll. I think on...

Remember this post? Well, I told my friend Stepanie about the story Thursday afternoon while the kids and I were visiting with her and her kids. She laughed and thought it was funny. I mean, who wouldn't? Her husband called and said he needed to run by some a church members home. And guess who the church member was. Yes, you guessed it, the McDonald's couple! Stephanie was so excited. She couldn't wait to tell them. She texted me and asked if I minded if she printed the story out and showed it to them. She then texted and said it was too late she had already done it. I was eating during both texts! She said they enjoyed the story, I'm a little nervous about seeing them. Ha!

The other day we had used up all of our plastic cups and our regular glasses. I don't know what it is about our family of six, but we can go thru glasses and cups like crazy. I'm pretty picky about my cups. My favorite cup is a red plastic cup. It reminds me of my local Pizza Inn when I was growing up. I have a history with these cups. When we were first married I accidentally took one from a restaurant in our small town. I was mortified and returned it quickly and quietly to the owner. He, however, didn't let it remain quiet, and reminded me frequently of my accident. He knew I wanted that cup. We had these same cups at our last church, I took one home and intended to take it back. But since I didn't know my last time there was my last time there I still have it. And I love it! But, back to the story. I was thirsty, I had no can coke and no plastic cup. (HORRORS!) I was becoming stressed about the situation. My thirst won out over my need to drink from my favorite cu...

Do you remember my post from last week about the people at McDonald's? I wrote about the hostess and a man that flirted with her. Well, there is the rest of the story. ( I said that with Paul Harvey's voice in my head.) The kids and I went to a local church Sunday night (without Stephen, he had meetings to attend and we chose not to go with him) and I saw a lady that looked familiar. The kids didn't know her and I stood during a couple of songs trying to figure out who she was. Don't you hate it when you do that? I finally figured it out! She was the hostess at McDonald's. And the man sitting next to her? He was the man from McDonald's! They are married! I laughed out loud. I thought it was the funniest thing. I told David and he didn't seem to care, I told Samuel and he got it and laughed with me. We were the only people laughing while the congregation was singing Crown Him with Many Crowns. Irreverant? Maybe. Funny? Definintely. I'm sitting here at McD...

I do most of my blogging from a McDonald's. I come here after I drop the kids off at Liberty for school on Tuesday. I park in the same parking spot, order the same thing, and sit at the same table. I am not the only one with a routine here. There are four tables full of older men, drinking coffee and talking. They aren't longtime friends. Many of them don't know each other outside of this restaurant. But they laugh, and share stories like they've known each other forever. My favorite person here is the hostess. She talks to the women and flirts with the men. Once those men sit down they never have to get back up again, she refills their coffee for them, fetches them napkins and cleans up their messes. She smiles, and laughs with them and seems to love this job. There is one man here that is sweet on her, he is always trying to steal a kiss from her. It makes me smile everytime he tries. There is always a policeman or 2 or 3 here also. They are friendly and likable, I...

Thanks to Pinteres t I have a post for today. I am in a witty mood and have little to post about today. So, here we have it: This is so true....so.so.so.VERY true. I am Abby and I am a Diet Cokeaholic. This makes me laugh and there is really no need to leave me comments about it...I know, I know. But you know... I need this on my my email signature. I apologize for my misuse of grammar for past and all future posts, emails and Facebook updates. I was an English scholar back in the day. That day is gone. This makes me laugh outloud because it hits real close (Love ya, Mama!) You know it! Everyday. Every stinkin day I am Snufflin like a rock star! And can I get an AMEN!! There is not enough Germ-X to get us to Spring. Abby

These things have been on my mind recently... ** Why must they sell clothes to fit seven year old girls that look as if they were made for ladies of the night? Seriously! ** My sister is the sweetest thing. Her birthday post for me made me smile. I'm so glad I don't have to do life without her. ** School starts for my children today. We are doing a few new things this year, I'm hoping they take to them well. Schools are always doing new things, why not us?! ** My kids are the best at celebrating birthdays! I had streamers, balloons, breakfast in bed and cupcakes made for me, all by the kids. It's great being me! ** We are headed to the beach in a few weeks and I can't get it out of my mind. I'm making lists in my head of what to take, where I want to eat, what I want to eat in the condo, and if I should buy a new swimsuit. ** The answer to if I should buy a new swimsuit is going to be a big no! Good grief, I must go on a diet! ** I get to se...

I don't know if this will be good for the soul, but I'm willing to give it a try! 1. I have nine fever blisters on my bottom lip. Nine on one lip. I don't know why, but I don't like it! 2. I may have caused a little pool drama the other day. I didn't mean to. I'm so sorry! 3. I hate conflict. 4. I blame the dry cleaners for shrinking my clothes, when actually they could seem to be smaller because of what I eat. 5. I spend too much time on Facebook , but I'm not alone so I don't feel bad about it. 6. I miss Samuel. Still. But, I'm not crying. 7. I kind of lied in number 1. I think my crying caused my fever blisters. I'm blaming them on Samuel. 8. VBS isn't my favorite week of the year. But I love what happens in the hearts of children when they attend VBS . That's why I go. 9. I love to lay out by the pool. I know I'm old. I know the kids would rather me not. But I do. With sunscreen of course! 10. I haven't folded clothes this we...

***The devastation and loss in Joplin upsets me greatly. The outpouring of support from the people of Arkansas is heartwarming but the support of those just affected by tornadoes in Alabama just blows me away. (Bad use of words.) ***Our cousin Hollye's husband Matthew was in a car accident this morning. He is very sore and will be for days but thankfully came away from flipping his car, and sliding down the expressway with just soreness. We are so very thankful to God that no one else was hurt and that Matthew was able to walk away from the accident. We love him so much, he is one of us. Poor guy! ***Stephen preached on the return of Jesus Sunday. I am so excited about seeing Jesus's face. Can you imagine? Getting to see Him face to face? It's more than I can fathom really. ***We drive by the pool everyday to see the progress that is being made for our summer of swimming! Yesterday they were power-washing it. Painting is next and then it gets filled with water. My excitemen...

These two give me purpose and I am so thankful for that! Henry and his Daddy wear me out, but make me laugh most of the time. They are two peas in a pod, that is for sure. Henry loves going on truck rides with his Daddy to his plots. This one was ready to plant, so Daddy's crew is actually there right now planting beans and corn. The great flood of 2011 had been so sad and stressful for those around us. The flood may be sad, but this picture of 3 generations of Rives boys makes me smile. Randall's Grandad's house butts up to the White River and it is now in his backyard. They were checking it out. His house is not in danger, in case you are wondering. No worries...it is just a sight to see! Thankfully it is going down now. I love looking out my kitchen window and seeing this. Randall tried to dig this flower bed up last year because he wanted a deck, but I saved it from ruin and I am so glad! He sort of likes it now too, but he won't admit it. I planted bulbs a few w...

Stephen came out of the bathroom last week holding out a bathtowel . It was an extra-large navy blue towel. He held it up, turned it around, he resembled Vanna if she had ever held up a towel on Wheel of Fortune. And then the light hit the towel just right and I could see THROUGH the towel. Point made. We've been married 17 1/2 years and have acquired 6 new towels since then. But we have also acquired 4 new people in that time. We are towel poor. And I hadn't even noticed. So, Stephen told me to buy towels. Now we just don't go out and buy things willy- nilly around here. We do research. We check websites, blogs and consumer reports before we buy. We research washing machines, dryers, hair dryers, irons, coffee makers, and sheets. And we've never been disappointed. Consumer Reports has never done us wrong. So, I went to research bath towels. Consumer Reports has done no research on bath towels. How can that be? How am I to know which towel is best? Which brand is going...

I have so many things rambling around in my head. I'll give you just a few. **Daniel lost his tooth Friday. The Tooth Fairy still has not visited our home. This morning David woke up and his tooth fell out right into his hand. Now what is the Tooth Fairy to do?? Come tonight? Won't that make Daniel feel bad? Won't that make him feel like the Tooth Fairy likes David more than him? Should the Tooth Fairy come to Daniel tonight and wait 5 days to pay David for his tooth? Oh, I just don't know! I'm thinking that the Tooth Fairy may need to come clean. But, they're just nine years old. It seems a bit early. I don't like the Tooth Fairy! **Yesterday I started thinking about believing God. Sure, I believe God. I have faith. But do I REALLY believe God is going to provide for my needs? Do I REALLY believe God is going to take care of me no matter what HE sends my way? Do I REALLY believe God? My head says yes! My heart says maybe. Am I the only one? I have so many f...

The Pioneer Woman has a post the other day about Sonic. I was so excited to read it when I saw the title. I love Sonic. I've always loved Sonic. I remember goin to Sonic with my Mamaw when I was a little girl. It was spring and I thought the napkins said Happy Easter. I remember thinking how nice it was of Sonic to have Easter napkins. Mamaw told me to read more carefully. Indeed, the napkins said Happy Eating. Well, Happy Eating or Happy Easter, I like Sonic. Here is my Top 10 list 1. Rt. 44 Coke. Oh my! I love Sonic Coke and Sonic ice 2. The fact that in some towns (not mine) Sonic is a drive thru and a drive-in. You get a choice of how you want to receive your food. Their is a Sonic in central Arkansas that has indoor seating too! Oh, the choices! 3. The Chili-Cheese Coney. There really isn't anything else to say about the wonderful goodness of the Triple C. 4. Tator Tots. The french fries at Sonic aren't consistent in their tastiness but the tots. Well, they nev...

We are getting back to normal here in south Arkansas. We are doing school, keeping up with laundry, cooking, eating at home, and playing games. It is life as we know it. The best part is that there is nothing left on the calendar for this week. Well, I say that now but we know how that goes. When I got home from Daddy's Saturday night I turned the calendar to January and looked at the first week and it was blank. BLANK! I had nothing to do the whole week. It was bliss for just a moment. Then I remembered I had scheduled a quick meeting on Monday night. So, there was something on the calendar. And then Samuel has a hurting tooth and he has an appointment today. So, there was something else on the calendar. And one of our church members died Sunday so there will be a funeral this week. My calendar got written on, but not much. I will have time to dust, vacuum, sweep and mop, clean bathrooms, and bedrooms. Oh, I wish my calendar was full!! Housekeeping really isn't my thing. Julie

I love a list! Hope you do too. ***I love the women at my church. We had a Christmas party Thursday night and had almost more than the house could hold. We laughed, and talked, and ate. Oh my! We ate. We laughed. We exchanged ornaments. What a great time! ***Friday I was privileged to go with our Student Minister and his wife shopping with three teenagers that deserved a great Christmas. We shopped for hours and had fun bonding with them and seeing God's love made known to some kids that needed it! ***I missed out on our Deacon and wives dinner Friday night because I was sick. I started feeling bad when we hit the first mall that day and didn't get better until Sunday afternoon. Man, I don't know what it was but I texted Abby and my mom a few times and let them know that I was dying! It wasn't pretty. I'm not a good patient. ***I will finish up my Christmas shopping tomorrow. Well, I plan on it. I know some people enjoy having it all done before December 1, but I ...

The week after Thanksgiving and I am so very tired of a casserole . I didn't serve one vegetable that wasn't casseroled . My Grandmother would have been so proud, but by Sunday I was craving corn from a can! Samuel made it home from his Boy Scout trip at about 10:30 Sunday night. One of the cars in their convoy kept breaking down, which made them much later than anticipated. He had a great time, even though he didn't call me. Not one time. He says that no one brought their phone chargers on the trip, and the phones were all dying. I think we need to conduct a class on always being prepared for these boys!! HA! Our house is decorated for Christmas. I have scaled back on my decorations over the years and don't have very many any more. I was thinking about having a party but I only have one room decorated. That wouldn't make for a very fun party, would it?! Well, it might be fun but not very festive! Tonight begins the hurried, busy time of December. I'm so excite...

I am thankful for this cute little booger bear...my sweet baby boy. Abby

A few random items ! ***Stephen has started cooking supper for the AWANA workers on Wednesday nights. Can I tell you how excited that makes me! I don't have to cook on Wednesday nights! ***Anna was singing, Stephen asked if she was trying to "match pitch", she answered "you never let me pitch. I always had to play in the outfield and it's itchy in the outfield" *** I love ribbons. Anna has started wearing ribbons around her ponytails and I just can't get enough of the cuteness. ***We saw the Duggar's at a Razorback game a few weeks ago. Not all of them but a few of them. Too fun!! *** This week was my mother's birthday. I missed not being with her on that day. Makes me sad that I don't live closer. ***We love that you read this blog. We love writing it! Julie

Just so that you don't forget who the other sister is on this blog, I will give you a random list of my life in the last week! ***Anna decided she can swim without her floaties . She is jumping off the diving board and swimming in the deep end now. Oh, if she would only decide she could do a couple of other things! ***Samuel is getting ready for a ball tournament and boy scout camp. He has a jammed thumb but insists he is fine. ***On our flight to Orlando the TSA checked my checked baggage. While doing so they unzipped my makeup bag and took the lid off of my brand new full can of hairspray. When I got the bag after the flight it reeked of hairspray. The bottle was completely empty after spewing its contents on Stephen's shorts and shirts. His only casual clothes for the trip. ***Somehow my clothes were unharmed but lay right next to his. I had to go buy another can of hairspray ***Yes, we went shopping for some casual clothes. ***I still haven't developed any Disney pictu...

I need a camera. I seriously need a camera. I have three pictures of birthday week. Three. And none of them are of Anna. I need a camera. We leave for Disney World (is that supposed to be one word? I don't know) in 18 days. I need a camera. I'm sure you're saying "go get one!" But you know my history with cameras, right? I have broken my last three cameras. The first one I allowed my kindergarten son to use and instead of pushing the button to take the picture he was pushing the power button. After about 15 minutes of that, the camera shut down, never to open up again. I was sad, it was my favorite camera I've ever had. The second one, I broke. The battery compartment door broke off. When the compartment door is off the batteries don't stay in. This is a huge problem. The third one I had less than a month. I allowed Anna to take a picture with it while we were on vacation. She was taking a picture of a cat, a man came around and said "BOO", scar...