Hilarious

Isn't this picture just the cutest? A bunch of my friends and I get together once a month to play bunco. We have the best time, not really playing the game, but getting to eat a meal together and sharing with one another about what's happening in our lives.



Now, this is what happened just seconds before that cute and so well-put-together picture was taken. We were still having fun. Just hilarious! Thanks Connie.

Dragon Boat Race Silver Medalist

Dale and a bunch of his co-workers participated in the 2nd Annual Nashville Dragon Boat Races last Saturday. Dale and his friends placed 16th overall last year. This year, they took 2nd PLACE! Can you believe it? We had so much fun. And the best part? the competition benefits the Cumberland River. And, if you live anywhere near Nashville, you know that the Cumberland River could use a little benefiting. Congratulations Pollution Prevention Pirates! Just in case you wanted to know, the Nashville Outlaws Rugby Club took 1st place.

The Pollution Prevention Pirates sport their 2nd place medals!

Dawson's Big Boy Room

Dawson needed a change in his room decor (ok, so it was me that was needing the change.) Either way, we made the switch from barnyard animals to cars and trucks. All this was done for about $35 (consignment sale bedding included quilt, fitted sheet, pillow case and flat sheet used to make curtain - $5, new bookcase - $20, cars/truck wallies - $5.75, custom room art by moi - $5). I just had to share it with you. Enjoy!

Brrrrr...snow cones

Who can resist a snow cone on a hot, August day?



Uh...no one here!

Interesting...check it out

69 As a 1930s wife, I am Superior Take the test!

Awwww! I wanna go back

Dale and I totally enjoyed our weekend away atop Lookout Mountain, near Chattanooga, TN. We have such beautiful scenery so close to us to enjoy. We spent much of the weekend lounging around, seeing some of the local sites, but mostly just hanging out together. We missed the boys and were ready for us to be together again at home. But, there have been moments this week when I have felt like screaming..."I WANNA GO BACK!"

Next Racing Legend? Maybe!

Enblazened on the package was a picture of a bright red, number 8, Dale Earnhardt Jr. car. I was secretly hoping the package was mistaken and inside was a bright blue and other multi-colored, number 24, Jeff Gordon car. Ugh...it was not! But Dawson loves his new car that he received from my parents for his birthday. I'm still dealing with the trauma of having a red #8 in our yard! I'm not, however, abandoning my roots and letting Jeff Gordon down. I'm just letting Dawson ride it until my parents decide he's "tough enough" to drive a #24 car! Maybe he can hook up with his friend, Reed and they can be the next team of racing legends.

A prayer

Dear God,

Thank you for our friends.

Amen

Bowling

The boys had their first experience bowling at a friends' party a few weeks ago. It was so funny to watch.

Caiden liked it right off the bat and "experimented" by using the ramp some and trying to throw the ball on his own.

Dawson did not like it at first and then after awhile, I could not pull him away.

It was much fun. We'll have to go again sometime soon.

Oh...and yes, they served cupcakes too (thanks, Lesley!).

R&R needed here

It seems like we've just been running to catch our breath this summer. So many things have been going on, good and bad, that we are in need of some r & r. There is nothing like getting away for a weekend and reconnecting with your spouse. We'll probably enjoy some hiking, some resting and some good eating too. Enjoy your weekend!

Melissa Wins!

The only tv show that I've paid any attention to this summer is "Nashville Star." (Cheesy, I know.) I'm excited that Melissa Lawson, a mother of 5 young boys, won. Check out her new single, What if It All Goes Right, on Itunes. I'm going to download it to my iPod (wink, wink).

We're getting published

I received notification yesterday from Parents magazine that a "It Worked for Me" tip of ours is getting published in the September issue. We're so excited! It was Dale's idea so I can't take any credit for it, other than I took the pictures and wrote the email. Here is our tip:

When our son switched from having milk in a bottle to a sippy cup, we found that the sippy cups were so hard to clean. So now we use a pipe cleaner (available in the craft section at most stores) to clean out the straw of the sippy cup. Makes clean up a lot easier and helps keeping the sippy cups smelling fresh.

An iPod Story

I have been wanting an iPod shuffle for quite awhile. Although they aren't that expensive, I have not been able to truly justify going to the store and buying myself an iPod, especially since there are so many other "essential" things I could spend $50 on. Someone heard my request and the following took place.

I found in my mailbox at our church office a white envelope with my named spelled out in little silver stickers on the front. When I got to my office, I got busy with other things and the envelope, along with the rest of my mail, got shoved off to the side. Just before getting ready to go home, I opened the envelope. Inside was a $50 Visa gift card, along with this typewritten note:

Heidi -

Thank you for all you do for the Family Ministry.

Please do not be "practical" with this gift card.

Please shuffle to the store to get something for you.

WOW! I felt completely humbled by the fact that someone cares enough about me to take time out of their schedule, purchase a gift card and drop it by our church office; all the while not intending to be noticed or thanked for their kind gift. I went the next day and bought an iPod shuffle. It will forever remind of the true generosity and sacrificial gift I received on this day.

If you purchased this for me, thank you. You'll never know how much this means to me.

Happy 2nd Birthday Dawson!

Shortly after you were born 2 years ago, we knew that you were going to give us a run for our money. You rejected everything your brother enjoyed (i.e., the paci, baby food, etc.) and wanted to forge yourself a new path. There would be no following in anyone's footsteps from you. Now, you've become this devoted, totally determined lil' boy that makes me laugh every day. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for your life. We can't remember what our family was like without you. We love you. Mom & Dad

Peer Pressure

I have recently discovered that peer pressure in my child's life (at least at his age) is a good thing. With peer pressure, Caiden has learned how to ride his "big" bike and swim better. Because of peer pressure, we believe that Dawson talks more and wants to do everything his big brother does.

Positive peer pressure isn't too bad for us adults either. I have two groups of people that hold me accountable on my weekly time spent with God. In the past, I have had accountability on my weekly weight loss goals. In all instances, I try my best to do well for the week because I can't bear the thought of having to explain to my accountability group that I failed or didn't spend enough time with God. That is peer pressure and it keeps me on my toes. I think that accountability, positive peer pressure, is something that God truly intended for us to have and experience.

I also know that peer pressure can be negative in a child's life. I forever wish the day when the positive peer pressure turns to negative wouldn't come for my sons. However, isn't it because of peer pressure that we experience things and learn to do what is right? We just have to remember as parents that we have to have a positive impact on our child's life and make sure the "peer pressure" turns in to "pure pressure." One way to do that is to guide them according to what the Bible says.

There's your thought for the day.