It is late. My brain is pretty much mulch.
Our Saturday was filled with such exciting and labor-intense activities as yard work (that was John), cinnamon-roll making (that was me), garage cleaning (that was me and John) and drinking free Slurpees from 7-11 (that was all four of us).
But because we had two more littles here with us tonight while their mama and daddy went on a date and my own sweet guy is getting a late start on organizing and practicing his music for church tomorrow, I feel it my duty to not fall asleep on the couch. Which means–get ready–HOORAY! You get to read a post that won’t make a lick o’ sense! I know, just what you were hoping for this fine weekend.
Do remember, of course, that my mind is mulch. (Isn’t mulch a fertilizer or compost or something like that? Wouldn’t that mean my mind is, in fact, ripe and fertile soil for grand and lofty thoughts? Perhaps I should say my brain is mush. That would make sense. But I’m too lazy. And tired.) Due to the mulchy-ness, I’m going to simply give you a list of updates on Some Things Some People Pretend to Care About and Stuff.
Thing 1–The Books
Lo and behold, you people DO actually read stuff that isn’t on the computer! I think half our country has forgotten that the written word used to be solely printed on actual pages and bound in a fashion requiring hands to hold them and fingers to turn each page. But y’all know how to do you some real READIN’. I don’t remember the last time I was so excited to read all night long until my eyes are burning.
Anyway. Thursday morning I embarked on a literary journey when I loaded up the boys and, list of books from ye olde comment section in hand, headed to the library. We met a friend and listened to a wonderful toddler story time, colored pictures, looked at picture books… and then went upstairs to the adult section to look for books for mommy. All I have to say about that is–being that it was lunch time by now, with one child who past his naptime, only an umbrella stroller to keep the two sets of little active legs contained and only the most vague sense of the whereabouts of most books in this library–EPIC FAIL.
(What, by the way, does epic fail mean? Is it from a game or movie or community or something? Or just exactly what it sounds like–a failure of epic proportions? I’m clearly not “up” on the current lingo. I just pretend.)
We didn’t walk out with a single book. Nor did we walk out with the mama’s sanity. I’m happy to tell you it was recovered a few hours later, though. During naptime, incidentally.
Monday morning will find us trying again, this time with the double stroller (unless we’re all rested and fed and I decide to make this another training session that will not punish the sweet and not so sweet library-goers) and only one goal in mind–FIND SOME BOOKS. I’ll let you know what we carry home. If anything. Ha.
Thing #2–”The Sitcheeashun”
So many of you have contacted me asking how my sweet and wonderful and amazing mama is doing, and I know I’ve slacked in not always responding to every inquiry. Do know that we appreciate your prayers and encouragement more than you even know. Also that, even though I’m sorely behind on The Email and The Facebook Messages and The Twitter DM’s and such, and I don’t write much or talk much about all of it, this is a day in, day out THING we’re all dealing with, and though I feel that I, personally, am making a few baby steps toward a more healthy personal life in this “post-my-parents’-separation-and-divorce-proceedings” state, it is still so very consuming, so very hard, and so very, very heart wrenching for all involved. Just because I’m not talking much about it here doesn’t mean there’s not much going on with all of it and that it’s not a huge part of my daily life.
Thank you so much for your care and concern–we love each of you dearly. The Lord uses every one of your emails, or messages or whatever the form of contact to encourage me, often right when I’m needing it most. Just knowing there are so many people out there loving and caring and praying both near and from afar is like balm to my sometimes so weary spirit. But rather than me giving you an update on my mama, who I know is just as blessed by all of you, I’ll let her do it, being that she posted tonight herself.
Thing #3–Will Work for Free Food
Many of you probably heard that yesterday (Friday) was “Cow Appreciation Day” at Chik-fil-A. Being that we are shameless and can’t turn down something labeled FREE, we totally dressed ourselves in cow attire and got ourselves a whole heap’a free chicken. And fries. And milkshakes.
Just look at how much grub we scored. We didn’t pay a penny. The only thing we spent was the gas to drive the couple miles over there.
Some people would call it exploitation of minors. I call it, “Get your costume on, child, if you want to eat tonight.”
Yes, Troy is saying “Mooo.” I think he was implying we’d all have morphed into what our costumes portrayed by the time this meal was over.
We kinda did. See?
We take it all quite seriously.
But hey, not only did we get a free meal (or four) out of it, but we got to hang with The Cow himself. See, we weren’t the only people wearing cow costumes.
We actually weren’t. There were MANY people who had heard the news and were far more decked out than we were. A literal herd of cows. Or, you know, people-cows.
If this isn’t enough cow-age for you, see more in the video below, in which it’s proven that we’ve trained our children well AND in which I actually do call my child, well… a cow.
Thing #4–The Lobster
SINCE you all begged.
AND you begged so nicely.
AND you won’t let me hear the end of it.
I’m obliging you.
Behold.
(Click to make larger. If you dare.)
You’ll be happy to know that it has darkened MUCHO since then and has evened out with many trips to the beach and pool. But you can still see the teensiest bit of that hand print on there.
Thing #5–This is the end
Just because I like the number five better than the number four. It’s a nice odd number. I’ve always preferred counting by fives to counting by twos.
THE END.
Rebekah says:
Cute costumes! I totally forgot they were doing that until after the fact. No free chicken for me :(
It's ok though.
Glad to know that your skin is more evenly toned now. But you can always say he left his mark on you! :-)
Rebekah
July 12th, 2009 at 12:10 am
Becky K. says:
The cow outfits are great! How fun that must have been.
I read your Mom's post. It is so obvious that God is with her. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, as well. I have no advice…what you are going through was probably my number one fear as a teen. But, I admire your family and how you have drawn together in love and support.
I do hope you find the books you are looking for. Timing..is…everything…with toddlers…isn't it?
Have a blessed Sunday.
Becky K.
July 12th, 2009 at 4:23 am
LeAnna says:
Oh my goodness, the hand print on the sunburned skin is PRICELESS. Too funny…
Ya'll looked cute in your cow costumes, what fun family memories!
July 12th, 2009 at 5:50 am
The Panhandler says:
Cute video!
I gasped when I saw your back and proceeded to show my husband the picture, too. I have also been the recipient of lobster burn, only it was on my tummy. And we were on our honeymoon. The hand print/finger prints are priceless!
July 12th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Heather says:
:) Loved all of it…it's so nice to "catch up" with you in your daily goings on…miss and love you much((hugs)) heather
July 12th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Ashley C says:
Don't know if someone else recommended it, but "Christy" and "A Man Called Peter" are two excellent biography type books. =)
Thanks for the handprint!!
July 12th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Elizabeth in Alaska says:
Your trips to the library sound like mine! I have taken to buying (cheap) books online because it is so much easier to check my mail box than it is to take two small fries to the library. ;)
July 12th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Anonymous says:
Priceless! Loved the post.
Robin
July 12th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Gretchen Acheson says:
Does your library have a website, girl? I use our library's site to put all my books on hold so I can just pick them up when I get there…since my daughter likes to make herself heard whenever things are too quiet (like in, you know, a Library!).
Loved the pics and all… HUGS
July 13th, 2009 at 6:31 am
Anonymous says:
A must-read for your summer reading list should be 'The Promise of Zion' by Robert Elmer; teenage-books, but terrific and absolute page turners!
Your back looks painful! Thanks for being brave enough to share it so that we could all make sympathetic comments! :) I burned by legs badly last summer, because I'm fair skinned, and that was … esh! I couldn't wear shoes for like, two months!!
Have a great summer, Ashleigh!
July 13th, 2009 at 6:35 am
bessieviola says:
Oh, I LOVE THIS! I love that you dressed up – you all look so darn cute!
And I am totally cringing at the lobster burn. OUCH, my friend! OUCH!
July 13th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Katie says:
Jealous – there are no Chick-Fil-As around here… I'd totally dress up as a cow to get all that food!! :)
Still praying for you and your mama – hope heavenly peace keeps coming down on your family.
Oh – and tell me I'm gonna survive the first few months of being mama to 2 under 2 – starting to get a bit nervous about this bebe's arrival!! :)
July 13th, 2009 at 8:23 am
Samantha R. says:
I saw Crystal P.'s girls costumes on her blog the other day. Your costumes are SOOO cute!!
We have no Chick-Fil-A's around here :(
Loved the video too…
Looking forward to hearing what books you pick up. I hope your search goes well :)
Thanks for sharing "the hand print"! So cute ;) and I'm glad your sunburn is about gone now.
Sounds like you've been really busy lately! Whew.
And last but not least, thanks for updating us on the situation. I went over and rad your Mom's recent blogs; I checked just over a week ago and had really been thinking of her a lot and so I was glad to get an update.
I'll continue to hope and pray with you. I know the situation isn't necessarily getting easier just because another week has gone by… you are all still very much in my thoughts and prayers.
Lots of love,
Samantha
July 13th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Jen says:
Have to say, the burn photo made me laugh and cringe at the same time! I feel your pain!
July 13th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Ginger says:
I love this post!! (Well, okay I love all your posts.) But this post was just so much fun your burn photo maybe me ache and your cow pictures made me laugh! If we had that restaurant near us I am sure my family would have done the same thing!
Praying for you and your family!
Ginger~
July 13th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Trish says:
You are just so adorable! I read your blog often, but this is the first time I've actually left a real live comment :-)
Your stories always warm my heart and make me smile. I've kept you in my prayers with all the family stuff…hoping y'all feel the comfort of God wrapped around you.
I LOVED the cow adventure — how fun! I'll bet that will always be a fun memory for your family!
Your words are a blessing :-)
Take care xoxo
~Trish
July 14th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Jennifer says:
I loved the costumes! Too cute!
July 15th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Anonymous says:
I really am blessed by your blog. God bless you and praying for you all.
Numbers 6:24,25,26
Alice x
July 17th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Tiffany says:
I love all your pictures!!!! Your back looks like its in serious need of some aloe!!!
July 18th, 2009 at 3:28 pm