Is This The Cutest Picture You Ever Saw!!

I think so!!

My sweet Bubby Boy when he was a wee one.  This was taken shortly after Sissy was born.  Can't help but say my boy is adorable!

Pretty's...Her Way

I don't know how many times I have gotten on the boys about putting the markers away, where Sissy can't reach.  This is almost a weekly occurrence in our home.  We are just lucky she chooses to color on herself rather than the furniture...most days.  I'm half tempted to get rid of the things.  I have at least taken all Sharpies out of circulation so now it only takes a bath or two to get the Crayola off rather than  a weeks worth of scrubbing to get Sharpie off.

 

She thinks it is so funny that is for sure.  She came running in saying, "My Pretty's!!!"  I know it isn't her fault...she is only two.  So, sigh, I just take a picture and give her the stink eye to never do it again.  Which I know she will, if the opportunity arises.  Inevitably with the boys around...it will.  I give up I tell you.  I cannot tell you how many times I have told those boys to put these away.  I seriously want to knock them upside the head some days...

A Five Star Read For Sure!!

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Absolutely 5 stars hands down!! I hope there is a sequel so I can hear what happens to each of the characters.



A great book about the Help AKA the colored house maids to the white folk of the 1950's and 60's in Jackson, Mississippi. All around great read and enlightening too. I've never considered myself a prejudice person. I've never really understood why the color of someone's skin can make such a difference to some? I guess a lot of it comes from ignorance. Not that I am excusing anyone for their ignorance...

There are so many great stories good and bad that opened my eyes to what really did go on in some cities like this back in the 60's when Martin Luther King was making his debut with his speeches and the civil rights movement was going full force. I loved learning more about these women. I know it is a historical fiction, but I can only assume what went on in this book is very similar to what really went on... I was so happy to read of the good white folk who treated their Help with dignity...they treated them like equals...But don't be fooled there are a lot of heartbreaking sad stories too, of down right mean and prejudice people.

Some of my favorite parts of the book I have quoted here. Now it may not be exactly as it appears in the book as far as spelling and punctuation, because I listened to this read.

In this part Miss Skeeter(Eugenia) had been called ugly by a boy at school. Her black maid Constantine comforted her and they had this conversation:

Constantine: "Well...is you?..."

Miss Skeeter: "Constantine sat down next to me, at the kitchen table...she pressed her thumb hard into the palm of my hand. Something we both knew meant, listen...listen to me...

Constantine: "Now you looka here Eugenia...Ugly live up on the inside, ugly be a hurtful mean person...Is you one of dem peoples?..."  "Every morning, until you dead in da ground, you gone have to make dis decision...you gone have to ask yo-self...am I gone believe what dem fools say about me today?"

Miss Skeeter: "She kept her thumb pressed hard in my hand, I nodded that I understood. I was just smart enough to realize she meant...white people. And even though I still felt miserable, and knew that I was...most likely ugly. It was the first time she ever talked to me like I was something besides my mother's white child. All my life I'd been taught what to believe about politics, colored's, being a girl, but with Constantine's thumb pressed in my hand, I realized I actually had a choice in what I could believe.

I Loved hearing all of the wisdom in Abilene's stories to May Mobley. I wish I had bookmarked all of them here is one I did book mark:



One of Abilene's stories to May Mobley:

Once upon a time there was two little girls, one girl had black skin, one girl had white.
Little colored girl say to the white girl "How come yo skin be so pale?" White girl say, "I don't know, how come yo skin be so black? What choo think that mean?" But neither one of dem girls knew, so little white girl say, "Well, let's see..You got hair, I got hair," Little colored girl say, "You got a nose I got a nose," little white girl say, "I got toes, you got toes." So we's the same, just a different color, said the little color girl, the little white girl, she agreed and they was friends.

A quoted portion of the book I liked Miss Skeeter saying:

I can't help but think what my life would be like if I hadn't written the book? Monday, I would have played bridge, and tomorrow night I'd be going to the league meeting and turning in the newsletter. Then on Friday night Stuart would take me to dinner, and we'd stay out late, and I'd be tired when I got up for my tennis game on Saturday...tired and content n' frustrated, because Hilly would have called her maid a thief that afternoon, and I would have just sat there and listened to it, and Elizabeth would have grabbed her child's arm too hard and I would've looked away like I didn't see it. and I'd be engaged to Stuart, and I wouldn't wear short dresses, only short hair, or consider doing anything risky, like write a book about colored housekeepers...too afraid he'd disapprove. And while I'd never lie and tell myself I actually changed the minds of people like Hilly and Elizabeth, at least I don't have to pretend I agree with them anymore.
-Miss Skeeter

View all my reviews

Sibling Rivalry At Its Best...

That's right...that right there is a tire mark from Tom's(AKA the oldest) bicycle.  He ran right over Bubba's (AKA the younger) back!  They both survived with only minor scratches;)

When Dave started asking questions, Bubba said in a tired crackled voice, "Ohhhh, my back hurts...it's real sore..."  Dave says to him, "Hey can I get a picture of it?"  Real quick he perked up and gave Dave this pose:

I think he'll be just fine!

Summa Time at the Pool!!

It was the first time swimming with the children was somewhat relaxing for me. Sissy can now swim without my help as long as she has her life Jacket on.  She loves hanging out along the sides of the pool.  Every now and again she will jump into the middle of the pool, but she quickly swims back to the ledge she likes standing on.  The boys, they do just fine on their own too.  The oldest likes diving for the diving sticks, while the younger has fun getting out of the pool, jumping in the pool...getting out of the pool, jumping in the pool...repeated as often as he can.  So after getting them settled in the pool, I watched them from my lawn chair and enjoyed listening to my book.  Now all I need is a smoothie!!

Nabloplomo For June

I have fallen off the blogosphere radar when it comes to blogging and let me tell you what...I've got a million pictures just a waiting to tell their story in our lives!  So I thought I do the NaBloPloMo challenge again.  Last time I did it it was a huge success!!  Got me back in the rhythm of blogging on a regular basis *snap* just like that:)   So today, I am committing to posting once a day for an entire month!!

So today I wanted to post about my newest Nieces! 

Alia JoAnna Carlile and Elsie Lavinia Carlile

Born May 28th, 2011

They were born ten weeks early and are in the NICU.  We are so excited to welcome them to the world and to our family!  We are going to be keeping them in our prayers to stay healthy and to grow healthy and strong!!  We can't wait to meet them and can't wait to hold them!!

The proud Momma!!

We can't wait to meet you Elsie and Alia!!

Congratulations to Mike and Joelle! They have worked hard, prayed hard, and endured much over the years to get these sweet baby girls!! We love you! We miss you! Now, we are praying for healthy growing babies over the next weeks to come.  Get growing fast so we can see and hold you both!!

What's Another Birthday?

 What is a Birthday? 

From the writings of Emily Matthews

Dreaming big and reaching far,

Wishing on your own bright star,

Celebrating who you are-

that's what a birthday is.

Doing all your favorite things,

Touching all the joy life brings,

Hearing how each moment sings -

that's what a birthday is...

Setting this one day a part,

Looking deep within your heart,

Believing in a brand-new start -

that's what a birthday is.

The big 3-0!!!

My Aunt Rose sent me a card with this on it and it absolutely made my day!!  Can I just say, I LOVE getting stuff in the mail!!  I love checking the mail!  First thing I do is follow the mail man after he's delivered my mail for the day everyday!  Who doesn't like getting greetings in the mail! 

Well today on a day I leave my twenties  I did exactly all of these things!  I got to sleep in today one thing I love doing but don't do very often.  Then because I had run my long run last night, I decided to get the kids settled in their activities: Spence off to school, Drew doing his preschool, and Lila watching Ponyo.  Then I hit the bed, with my girl by my side, to rest my legs and watch a show with her while I started giving my thanks to all my Facebook peeps for the birthday wishes. That I've decided will have to be done in shifts:)  So many great friends who have given me a smile!  I think Facebook is definitely a plus on birthdays!  I mean really!  When we are adults birthdays aren't quite the same as they were when we were kids, but FB brings a little of that back don't cha think? Hehehehe... 

This has been the best month of my life!!  I celebrated 10 years of marriage to my sweet heart Dave!  Let me tell you what!  It has been one hell of a great up and down ride...mostly up ride!  I think I am more grateful for him now than I ever have been.  We have sure learned a lot about each other since we have moved here.  It has probably been the most beneficial thing we have done for our marriage!  Not really knowing we were actually doing anything for our marriage.  It has helped us grow closer as a couple and stronger as a family. Not just because of the move, but because what it has forced us to realize and work on.  I have sure learned a lot about what is really important in life.  I'm so grateful for him and for how he has helped me see so many things in a different light.  I have realized I am not so right all of the time.  And most of the time I need to let the pride go and leave the selfishness at the door.  He loves me for me and he always has regardless of what my old not so secure self has told myself.  I feel like the old not so secure self is a thing of the past.  And I can thank Dave for that! 
Here's a pic of us on our ten year anniversary!

Today I just looked at the laundry that needed folding and that is about it.  I despise folding laundry, so on this day, the day I join the big league 3-0 club...it can wait til tomorrow:)  Maybe the husband will even do it?  Hahahaha...ya right...I've learned they do things when you ask them too, not when you hint at them too;)

After I spent the day with the little kiddies playing outside and finishing the birthday cake. 

When Dave got home we headed to one of my faves...La Fra AKA La Frontera.  We all had ourselves the yummy smothered burritos! YU- UM!! I must say this day of turning 30 was actually quite nice!  We then came home and had cake and ice cream!! 

Note to self:  never give my children Sissy, sugar after 7 PM again!!!

They She was a real treat to put to bed to say the least.  But I must say she did say the sweetest prayer before bed.  Dave and I both were sad we didn't have it on film.  It was so so cute!!  I love how she says, "Plea bwess..."  After reading and prayers, I layed with the boys and tickled and scratched their backs as usual.  Love this time with my boys.  It is a time we talk and a time where they let me cuddle them.

After getting the kiddies to bed we watched a movie.  It was a lovely day that is for sure!!!

Dave got me a cute decoration for the kids to put their hand prints on.  I can't wait until it is done!!  The oldest wanted to give me his own gift, so he gave me a wrapped up paper and this is what was in it. 

So cute huh!!?  It was three dollars he had saved in his piggy bank.  Kids are the sweetest I tell you!

The second saw the gift and felt bad so Dave whipped up a few dollars he could give me too.  I just love these little bubby boys of mine!!

Onto a new decade of my life!!  Here's to enjoying the now and looking forward with hope for all the days to come!!