Fabulous Friday Favorites!

For the two of you who noticed, sorry I missed Thankful Thursday!

I was cleaning.

Sad, huh?

I have a lot to be thankful for, too.

Like having my family back together. Like Son (#4) having Fifth Disease but finding out it's not contagious, anymore (that's a story!). Like the fact that one more week of school activities is over. Like that I finally got my new dust ruffle hemmed and back on the bed. AND for a clean house! Or mostly clean. Or at least MORE clean. OH and the plumber came and fixed some pesky problems that have been bothering us since we moved in two and a half years ago! Yeah!

But on to Friday!

I have been trying to talk about items that are relatively cheap and readily available at your local Wal-mart Supercenter.

But this week I have something even better.

When our 2nd through 7th babies were born, we lived in a wonderful old house - built in the 30's - in a charming old neighborhood.

OH how we loved that house! It was full of character. AND next door to my grandfather, our children's great-grandfather and baby boy's namesake. He still lived in the house where my mother had grown up.

And did I mention it was a mile from my parents house? The house I grew up in?

It had a HUGE yard - which always surprised everyone because of the location. The Coach worked on that yard and it would have won any contest you could have thrown at it.

Not only that, but the guys built a playset that my dad designed in the backyard. We had a stone patio that the Coach put in for our cattle tank pool (best thing ever, by the way).

We had a huge deck, too. And some of the BIGGEST trees our plains state has to offer.

And inside it was darling. We painted and fixed up every room. Even gutted the kitchen and half bath and put in all new cabinets. It had a million windows and hardwood floors in the WHOLE HOUSE.

Which brings me to my point.

Let's just say that with the age of the home, the creaky stairs and the hardwood floors that caused children's running to echo, naptime was a challenge.

Fortunately, we had these:

This is a Sound Screen. You can find them here. And I'm sure lots of other places. And yes, you can also find fancy electronic jobberdoos that look really high tech. But here's the secret. This just sounds like a fan. And it's not loud enough that you have to worry about long term hearing loss. Which at the Troops is a legitimate concern.

Anyway, because of these wonderful objects, I could have children sleeping in both the girl's and boy's bedrooms and the baby sleeping in our room. Peacefully. In an old, creaky, loud house.

And we use them still.

Because they are wonderful.

Even with a bigger house that has carpet and hall doors that I can shut for naptime (somebody say AMEN!).

So share with us what YOUR Fabulous Friday Favorite is today! Be sure and link to you specific post. And tell us about something you have actually used. And leave comments. Because we love comments, don't we?

Happy Friday!

And maybe, if I'm not cleaning like a mad woman, again, tomorrow, I'll show you that wonderful old house. Would you like to see it?

An Author, a Medieval Lady, a Musician and a Monkey

Son (#4) read his book that he wrote and illustrated at the 1st grade Author's Tea, Tuesday night. It was about playing basketball.

Daughter (#2), holding Baby Boy while portraying a medieval lady at the 5th grade Medieval Fair on Tuesday.

Son (#3) plays "Amazing Grace" on the recorder with his 2nd grade class during Mother's Day chapel, Wednesday morning.

Baby Boy demonstrates his astute climbing skills in our Master Bath. Yes, he did this by himself. And no, he didn't fall while I ran for the camera!

Happy Wednesday!

I knew it all along. . .

Turns out, the Coach, well, he's a hero.

Of course, this is not news to me. After all, he fought for me and won my heart over 13 years ago.

And every day he rescues me from all kinds of overwhelming discouragement.

And, HELLO, he bathes the kids, helps around the house, supervises the dinnertime chaos and clean up, takes the kids to school every day and so much more.

And have you SEEN our yard?

To give a disclaimer, I wasn't THERE when these events happened and I am certainly aware that other people were involved.

But my Coach, he's amazing.

During the Washington D.C. trip, the two buses were traveling from Philadelphia back to Virginia to spend the night after a day touring. One of the bus drivers became ill, radioed to the other bus and planned to pull over to the side.

Before he was able to come to a complete stop, he passed out.

Cold.

While driving the Coach, my in-laws and a bus full of parents.

The Coach was able to bring the bus safely to a stop (which in a miracle in and of itself - angels, people, ANGELS), while paramedics were called and I'm sure (my own words here) chaos ensued.

Of course, after the driver was taken safely to the hospital (and he's fine, now, by the way), the bus was left standing there - with all of the passengers on the side of the high way a LONG WAY from where they were headed.

But wonder of all wonders (sit down, this is amazing), the Coach has his passenger CDL.

I know. I told you it was amazing.

So after a phone call and being hired by the bus company right on the spot, he was able to drive the group the rest of the way that night.

Great story, huh?

The next day another bus was secured, another driver sent up from here to take over for the sick one and things returned to their usual schedule.

"For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash they foot against a stone."
Ps. 91:11-12

Sometimes, gratefulness just isn't a big enough word.

Growing kids and a BIG puppy!

Whole Again

The Coach and our eldest son made it in late last night.

My response was not what I thought it would be.

I bawled like a baby.


Today has been beautiful. It's a gorgeous Spring Day. We took a walk, had a big Roast for lunch. And, of course, I'm doing laundry from their 10 days of polo shirts. Thank heavens for my big washer and dryer.

And we took naps.

Beautiful.

Baby Boy was thrilled to see his Daddy. I wasn't sure he would be, but he held onto him like he was afraid he might leave, again. I completely understand that!

And don't get me started on the stupid dog. There's no question in this house who that dog loves!

And now I'm going to go fold more laundry and gaze at the Coach and be glad I'm not alone, anymore.

Beautiful.

Fabulous Friday Favorites!

It's really Friday! I thought it would never come, but here it is. And I'm still tired. But OH the anticipation of only ONE MORE NIGHT before the Coach gets home. I really expected to miss him, but I had no idea how MUCH I'd miss him. Even more sad, is that we have kind of gotten into a new, depressing, life without Daddy, routine. Like we've adjusted. Ugh! Glad he's coming home tomorrow night.

OK. For today's post, I'm really not feeling inspired. But here are two things I absolutely CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT. Well, truthfully, if the Lord called us to some remote area to tell people about Jesus, I'd stock up, but I'd survive without it.

First off: This hand lotion.
My hands really take a beating every day. I've found that keeping them moisturized really helps me fight the other problem I have with eczema. So I put this on every time I'm in the car (at a stoplight or waiting for the kids in carpool lane - not driving, of course) and before I get into bed. It's not greasy (I love Aquaphor, but hate the greasy feeling) and really does the trick.

And then there is Chapstick. But not just ANY Chapstick. THIS Chapstick.
I can't stand to have dry lips. I keep this in the kitchen, my purse, my bathroom, everywhere I might need to grab some.





And that, my Dear Friends, is all I have for you today.

Jump right in with something inspiring! I need it!

Remember to post about something you use and like - and be sure to link to your specific post and not just your blog.

And leave comments wherever you go!

Because they make me happy!

Comments make me very happy!

(do I sound desperate, yet?)

Happy Friday!

Thankful Thursday - Late Edition

Happy Thursday!

I know it's almost over at this point, but give me credit for doing this at all today!

What a crazy week.

Today I'm thankful:

1. That my red Williamsburg quilt - brand new and beautiful, except for the Cheetos from Daughter (#7) - is WASHABLE.

2. For Spaghetti. So little effort - so many filled tummies.

3. For Cell Phones. Any one remember the days when a trip across the country meant only one or two expensive long distance calls?

4. That I didn't shoot the dog this morning when he got out for the 10 hundredth time and jumped up on me with muddy paws when I was loading the kids to go to the dentist.

5. For our wonderful pediatric dentist. He takes care of all of our kids. Thanks, Dr. Roberts!

6. For 24 hour Wal-mart Super Center. And milk for breakfast.

7. That I only have two more days as a single mom.

8. That there is only one more ballet class for the year (after tonight).

9. We have LESS THAN three more weeks of school.

10. For reservations for vacation in Breckenridge. Yeah!

11. For Nieces and Nephews who can DRIVE - and who have been taking my kids to and from school this week. Wonderful.

12. For beautiful weather.

13. Only two more days.

14. Seriously, I wanted to shoot the dog.

I digress.

15. And last, but not least, for sisters-in-law. I didn't have a sister as a child, but I'm blessed now with ELEVEN of them. All precious. All kind. All wonderful mothers. And what an encouragement they are to me.

Leave me a comment and let me know what YOU are thankful for.

And maybe tomorrow I can get my act together and post EARLIER for Fabulous Friday Favorites.

See you then!