Shiloh's Diamond Castle Party

Pin It Now! Our Diamond Castle set up...

Mama and the birthday girl--just look how big she is!!

Four dazzlingly beautiful princesses--Livi, Shiloh, Kaiya, and Sophie

Here, I am reading the Diamond Castle Barbie story to the sweet, little girls
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Making necklaces just like Liana and Alexa in The Diamond Castle.

Princesses proudly wearing their necklaces. (The Diamond Castle Soundtrack is playing in the background.) :)

Time for presents!!! Yeah Barbie Rapunzel--another one of her favorite movies!!

Mirror decorating--a mirror was a very important part of the movie.

I don't think there is a Barbie trapped inside this mirror...

Princesses showing off their decorated mirrors

Last--time for cake, the messiest part of the party. Time for edible sparkles to end up all over the floor!!!!!!

Singing "Happy Birthday" to our very own princess!!

What a fun party. Can't believe my baby girl is 4!!!!

Caramel Apples----Supreme!

Pin It Now! Gotta unwrap the caramels first...

Sweet Sue being so careful...

Mmmmm, caramel apples with chocolate, white chocolate, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, pecans, and coconut. (Pecan ones are on the plate--separate from Lincoln's apples)

Silly me forgot that you can't just melt choc. chips on the stove. The chocolate got so stiff and hard to manage. Was I supposed to add crisco or something? Guess I need to refresh my memory on how to successfully melt chocolate!!!

Yep, these are a bit messy to say the least.

Lincoln did not want a dirty face picture!

Hmmm, will she even be able to get to the apple?

Torture Tuesday

Pin It Now! We changed our "No TV Monday" to "No TV Tuesday" a couple of weeks ago. Works out better for us, but I might as well just call it Torture Tuesday. Seriously, I am sick of the complaining and whining, mostly from my younger two, but sorry for my kids, I ain't no give in Mama!

What did I do after breakfast this morning? Took all my kids on a bike ride, well, I was the only one not on a bike. What did I do when we came home all hot and sweaty? I read to them from our summer read aloud, Hugo Pepper. Oh, and a Care Bear book for Shiloh. What did I do after that? Made Apple Spice Drops (cookies) with them. Okay so, I had a big, fat mess to clean and I expected the kids to find something to do and leave me be. Goodnight Moon! It was like I had sent them to the dungeon to clean dragon dung or something.

My kids know that I don't really allow complaining--yeah, Shiloh still doesn't completely get it, but she still has to go to her room if she won't stop. Then I just get to hear her fake crying--so irritating!!!!!! Mullin, I have to admit, does a pretty great job of entertaining himself. Lincoln, knowing that I really can't stand complaining, just kinda goes around mumbling under his breath about how there is nothing to do. It's like I got my own Kreacher hangin' around. Ugh!! (At least Lincoln's a lot cuter!)

I know it is HOT outside and we don't have a car etc, etc, but it's just one day of no TV or video games (unless they are educational). And I shouldn't be the one throwing out tons of suggestions and ideas either!

Okay so... Why can't kids just PLAY these days? Or DRAW? Or WHATEVER? There's this thing called i-m-a-g-i-n-a-t-i-o-n-----USE IT!! You're only a kid for such a short time--if they only knew how short!!!

Kids and people in general are just so LAZY-it drives my insane. I think the big, black box is turning my kids' brains to mush, at least when it comes to using their imaginations on a regular basis.

Next Tuesday... they will have an assignment. They don't know it yet, but they will.

How did I miss this one?

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Happy Father's Day

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Up bright and early to wish Daddy a Happy Father's Day before he left for church. He is so easy to please--Starbuck's card and a push broom. Yes, he is quite obsessed with sweeping up outside.

Well, it's an easy day for me since Mark wanted to grill out. All I have to do is heat up the fries and beans. He even went to the store to get what he wanted for his dinner. :)

So, Happy Father's Day, Babe--you're the greatest!

Birthday Bash

Pin It Now! Celebrating my dad's and Connie's birthdays at our house. Here we are singing "Happy Birthday"!

Two princesses giving Grandpa hugs.

Entertaining the kids with the blow up slide.

Jacob, Lincoln and Aiden--love Aiden's pose in the background. :)

The twins even enjoyed the pool. Aunt Brandi did have to get on to them for flooding the yard, though. "No, no, twins!"

Towards the end of the party the twins got brave and wanted to climb up, but Mullin and Christian had to help them.

Only one would actually go down the slide--I believe the brave one was Ryan.


This was the party for which I made the Paula Deen coconut cake with Barefoot Contessa icing. It was pretty good, but I don't think I have found the perfect coconut cake yet. Well, not unless you count the Cheesecake Factory's coconut stuff!!!!!

How Dare She

Pin It Now! How dare she die while I am in the middle of baking a triple-layer coconut cake from scratch.



How dare she leave me stranded in my own home just 2 weeks into summer break.



How dare she give up on life now, especially when gas is cheap and I can afford to drive the kids around.



How dare she!!!!!!!!















Here she is, the little silver Taurus, all broke down in the middle of the desert. Broke down for good. Caput.





As we all know, life just isn't always fair. The lack of fairness seems to want to linger around here for a bit. We are back to one car, and while I do understand it isn't a true NEED, it sure isn't fun or very convenient. The kids and I always look forward to summer since we don't really get out much during home school season. Sigh.



When we first moved here and were staying at my mom's house, I didn't have a vehicle. So, for about 5 months, I just felt stuck. Then my sister's husband gave us one of his old, company cars, which was an incredible blessing. Last summer it began having issues and for a short time I was again without a means of transportation. Driving Mark to work last summer was completely out of the question, as he worked an hour away. Four hours of driving just to have a car during the day-- I don't think so. Now, he is only about 35 minutes away, so if I really needed to have it for something important I could take him to work and pick him up.

As I was typing this, my laptop died again. Funny thing is as I was typing this post, in the back of my mind were the thoughts, "I wonder what else God is going to take away?" Guess I got my answer. (Hopefully it will have a second resurrection!) I am on the computer that won't let me upload pictures. Ugh.

I still have plenty for which to be thankful. Praise God we still have our home, our health and full tummies. Praise God for our amazing and supportive families and our faithful friends.

Thinking About Candy

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I remember when these tasty butter rum lifesavers used to sit on the shelves at the check out lanes. What happened to them? I want some.


And Bonkers? Anybody remember those? Strawberry and grape were my favorite. The old soda fountain drug store on the Collierville Town Square used to carry them. I want some of those, too.

I am ready for M&Ms to bring back the TAN, even if it would just be for a little while. I must be getting old if I can remember eating the bags of M&Ms without the blues.


Anyone else missing candy?

Gettin' All Growed Up

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Feels like I am writing about some other mom's son, because I know mine can't be old enough to hold a gun let alone shoot one. He gently reassured me that it's just a BB gun--okay whatever.

While my mom, sister, sister-in-law and I were out eating lunch together, Grandpa D was taking Mullin to get his hunting license. Of course when I got back to my mom's house, Mullin wanted to show me some of the skills he'd learned. I stood there honestly not knowing what to think. I mean, my son, the kid who just yesterday was lining up Thomas trains shouting, "Choo, Choo!" was aiming and firing at cans in the backyard.

It's like he went from trains to guns in 3 seconds. I've been told many times by many folks that baby raisin' would fly by in a flash, and sadly it has. Yesterday it was the trying twos, today it's the confusing tweens. Usually I am looking for the MUTE button, but today I just want the PAUSE button. You kids are growing up too fast! Just stop it, why don't ya!!!!

Seriously, I haven't seen Mullin this excited in a while. He needs zero motivation from me to complete the on line safety course etc. He's anxious to go on his first hunt in October, I believe. All this mother hen can see is a bunch of wild chicks with guns. Oh me, oh my! Can't Mullin just stay under my wing for just a little longer? Oh drat, I just felt another apron string loosen a little. Mothering definitely doesn't get easier as the kids get older. Sigh.

***I did have the foresight and wisdom to go ahead and warn my son that there will be NO animal heads in my house, thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!

Face in the Window

Pin It Now! After a quick run to the grocery store the other day, I pulled into the driveway and saw a precious little face peeking through the blinds in the upstairs window. A smile stretched across the little face and then a small hand waved. It was my daughter.

I smiled back and waved. I pulled into the garage and quite unexpectedly, I had to catch my breath. I swallowed hard trying to push away the lump that was forming in my throat. My eyes began to sting, too. Good grief, all I did was wave at my little girl in the window and I was turning into jello. In a split second the past decade had literally flashed right before my eyes, and my heart felt heavy. Every now and then something out of the blue jars me and slaps me in the face saying, "They won't be this little forever." That day, it was her little face in the window.