Welcome Seester!

I'm so happy to have drug my lovely seester into the world of blogging. I'm looking forward to some great posts! Be sure to check her out at http://www.greenseester.blogspot.com/ .

I would like to take this opportunity to brag on my dearest seester. She is one incredible lady. (She'll probably kill me for the above posted photo, but the truth be told I think is represents her quite well...friendly, cheerful, kind, fun and funny.) She is always there to help; physically, emotionally and spiritually. We have the best times together. (the teen years were a bit rough...there was some hand-to-hand combat regarding wardrobe sharing...not so much any more...now we just deal blows at the thrift store over who gets the good shoes!)

I love her so much and have to say that she is definitely my very bestest friend forever (BFF!). I simply love hanging out with her. She is an awesome wife and mother, incredible volunteer (this girl can get things done!), great friend to many, wildly creative and talented and a delightful child of God. I am proud to call her "seester".

It is my prayer as that someday we will have the opportunity to live closer to one another. Ever since I got married we have lived very far apart. I miss her soooooo much. Honestly, there are many days I wish that I could just drop by her house...or meet her down at the best thrifting spots or have a regular Saturday morning coffee and garage sale date. Our geographical distance is one of my greatest sadnesses. My sister brings me such joy and I love her so incredibly much.

My lovely seester...I love you with all of my heart! I always will...thank you for always loving me! - your big sis -J

No a-Way!

My youngest has picked up a new expression...instead of "No Way!" (which I believe may be one of my favorite verbal reactions to anything they say that is relatively exciting) he will exclaim, very passionately, "No a-Way!" The first time I heard it I asked him to repeat it..and sure enough there was the "a" in front of the "way". Makes me smile everytime I think about it!

The transition to school has been steady. Today was in fact the first day B actually entered his classroom, hung up his backpack and sat in his chair to start the day. Our normal routine last week was..."mommy, drop me off by the door and tell Miss Christa not to touch me." I then left to him crying either on the floor by the door or on the floor in some other random part of the room. But today, he marched in confidently and told Miss Christa, "I'm not shy anymore!" Well, hallelujah and hot-damn! I wish I could share some incredible parenting tip that brought about this change, however, I seriously think God gave me a break because He noticed my mental health was taking a blow and I needed a pick-me-up. Now mind you...I will be holding my breath tomorrow morning...because as we all know...the planets may not be aligned properly and the wind may be blowing in the wrong direction and well that can mess everything up!

My biggest prayer is that we will make it through an entire week of school before another hurricane shows up....Hanna is starting to hammer down (I hear the rain right now)...behind her is tropical storm Ivan (?) and then Josephine is lining up nicely off the coast of the Bahamas...welcome to the beginning of school and hurricane season!

J's teacher asked for a baby picture to use on a project...I started looking through stuff...is this the same kid who confidently waltzes off to Kindergarten?

Here's Mr. "No A-way!" not even a day old....time certainly does fly....
It seems like yesterday....no a-way!