Out of the mouths of babes.

"Thank you for mommy's long hair, and Bubby's soft hair, and my pretty hair, and daddy's tickle hair." (tickle because there is very little still there) ~ Isabelle

"Babies go to the potty, but big girls go to the restroom." ~ Isabelle

While riding in the car : "Momma, why is it raining" ~ Isabelle
"Because, the grass and trees and animals need water." ~ me
"Why do they need water?" ~ Isabelle
"Well, they get thirsty just like we do and they need it to drink and grow" ~ me
"Oh! So is our car thirsty and how big is it going to get?" ~ Isabelle

"Momma, I know what 3+3 is. It is 6 " ~ Camon
"Good job! ~ me
"Momma, I know what 6+6 is. It is 12" ~ Camon
"Momma, what is 12+12?" ~ Camon
"It is 24" ~me
"Momma, what is 24+24?" ~ Camon
"It is 48." ~me (etc. etc. etc.)
"Momma, what is 1536+1536?" ~ Camon
"Camon, I need paper if you are going to get much higher. I am not sure right now."
"Well, I guess you're NOT the smartest mommy in the world." ~Camon

A visit from the Tooth Fairy.

Well, Camon lost his first tooth (on Clint's birthday - and not because his daddy knocked it out after the truck incident). If you will remember, he has a new tooth growing behind his baby teeth. Unfortunately, it was not the tooth in front of that. But it did make that one loose - yea! It took about 4 nights of Clint trying to get him to be still enough for it to come out. He was so proud. So proud in fact, that he did not want the Tooth Fairy to take his tooth. He told me that he was going to hold it in his hand and not put it under the pillow. And if the Tooth Fairy wanted it, she would have to find it. Well, she found it but left it with a note explaining that she knew he wanted to keep it and so he should put it up in a safe place. She is such a sucker for that sad face. Anyway, the next morning I asked him why he thought that he got to keep his tooth and get money. He said, "Because momma, the Tooth Fairy takes your old teeth and gives you new ones. I already have new ones growing, so I did not need to trade." Wow! What an explanation.

A birthday that Clint will never forget.

Last Thursday, September 20, was Clint's 31st birthday. It is one that I do not think he will forget for a while. Not because he had a super surprise party or got the gift that he always wanted, but because his children and nephew decided that his truck windshield looked like a pretty cool slide combination trampoline. We do not know who's bright idea it was, and actually never got anyone to fess up that Camon was even involved. But, Isabelle was caught and Aaron admitted to being involved. Needless to say Clint was a little upset when he saw the huge dent/scratches in his hood. What can I say, when you live in the country you find creative ways to entertain yourself - it would have been cheaper to buy a slide/trampoline combo for them.

The funniest part (well, I guess the only funny part) is that yesterday Clint picked Camon up at school. As they were headed home, they saw a truck just like Clint's. Camon pointed it out and said, "Look daddy there is a truck just like yours, but it doesn't have a dent in the hood."

Eight Random Thoughts about myself !!

My friend Meredith "tagged" me with the following chain. Here are the rules...

1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write a post on their own blog (about their 8 things) and post these rules. (if you don't have a blog, e-mail me)
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they are tagged, and to read your blog.

1. There are 2 things that I hate most about being a mom/wife: grocery shopping and cooking. I hate that I even admitted that, but I would rather be fat and sassy on fast food everyday than plan and cook a meal. I do it, but only for the benefit of Clint and the kids. Do not get me wrong, I enjoy EATING a homecooked meal much more than eating out and I enjoy the family time spent while eating at the table or now and then when I get brave and let the kids help out. But, it is just the headache of deciding what to cook, buying the ingredients, and cooking it.

2. I hate to have ANYTHING touch my feet while I am sleeping. And unfortunatley, Clint has this habit of "needing" to touch my feet with his. I do not even like the covers on my feet. I sleep with the covers up to my chin, but my feet are sticking out of the end. It is not so much the feel of something on them, but I do not like for them to get warm. Sometimes when they get really warm, I go get a cold rag and sleep with it on my feet. This really drives Clint crazy.

3. I am in the 1% of Americans whose brain processes thoughts and actions using all 4 of the learning/leadership styles. I am analytical, structural, social, and conceptual. Most would think that this is a good trait to possess. But, it is not - just ask Clint. I want to think logically, but am a visionary. I want to follow guidelines, but I am sympathetic to others. I want things to be familiar, but I always want change. I want to be organized, but I know that it is a waste of time to get that way. I am cautious of new ideas, but I enjoy the unusual. I could go on, but I know I need to stop. You see... I am a confused individual.

4. I love to travel. From the beach, to the snow covered mountains. From the big city, to the camp ground. I love it all. I think that you can learn so much, while having so much fun in a place that you have never been. My favorite places that I have been are : Lake Tahoe, Cancun, New York City, Disney World, Breckenridge, and anywhere (including my backyard) in a tent.

5. I am a numbers nerd. I love MATH. There is no other subject that gives you so much satisfaction out of "figuring it out". I studied math/statistics for 6 years in college, taught math for 7 years at a college, and am now in Institutional Research (which is nothing but reporting numbers). I just love it.

6. I love to read. Some of my favorite authors are Karen Kingsbury, Lori Wick, Liz Curtis Higgs, And Francine Rivers.

7. I do not watch much television. The only things that I watch are game shows or reality shows. I love "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?", "Deal or No Deal", "1 vs. 100", and the oldies, too. My favorite reality shows are "Dancing with the Stars" and "Nashville Star".

8. My greatest pride is my husband and children. My greatest desire for my children is for them to know Christ and live in His will. Their dad is an excellent example for them to follow.

Okay, so there you have it. Eight random facts from a random person. Tag - Mandi, Rhonda, Nancy, Christina, Jonnie, Grace, Nathalie, and Emily.

GEAUX TIGERS!!!!!

I guess that you noticed I have not posted anything in a week. That is because I was traveling with work all week. I left on Sunday, returned Friday night, slept in my bed one night, loaded the family up and headed for Baton Rouge, Louisiana to see the Fightin' Tigers play football. Yes, we are LSU fans. The strange thing is, we do not live in Louisiana anymore and worse than that, I attended college at another SEC school. But the Tigers RULE!!! Camon went to his first college football game and had a blast. I knew that Isabelle was not quite ready for a 4 hour sit, so she and I went to the pre-game pep rally and then went shopping. But, she loved the time that we were there. She had on her cheerleading suit and I think she thought that she really was an LSU cheerleader. (and still does) She chants everything that she says now, and usually does hand motions with it. And of course, Camon has decided that he wants to play football for the Tigers.









Camon had been to the campus before, but I guess there is just s different feeling on game day. He was so excited to see all of the people, flags, tents, and everything purple and gold. When we first got there, he said, "This place is awesome!!". He was then talking to Isabelle and he said, "This is where they teach them to play football." Forget the school work, they learn to play football here - with a mind set like that, he may be an athelete after all. Clint said that he was cheering during the game and so excited to be there. He said at one point, he looked up at him and said, "Momma and Isabelle should be here for this." He was so sweet to think of us. He also saw a woman that looked like me and wanted to go sit with her. Anyway, he made it through the whole game and had a blast. I think we may be able to talk daddy into season tickets after all !!!

Fun at the Lake!

This past weekend, we went out on Deda and Mimi's boat. We had a lot of fun swimming, tubing, fishing, and riding around with the Cabana cousins. But I think that the most fun they had was walking through the woods at the cabin and finding cicada shells. I think that there was a recent plague of them at this lake. I bet they found 100 shells in a 3 acre area. And, those were just the ones that they could reach.

The Flip-Flop Queen!

For those of you who did not believe me that my 3 year old owns 30 pair of flip-flops. Well, you were right she ONLY has 24 pair. Yes, 24 pair of flip-flops for a three year old. This does not count the 2 crocs, 5 tennis shoes, 2 sandals, and 1 pair of slippers that this child has. And, that is only the shoes that still fit her. I am in this "cleaning out the clutter" mood and have started cleaning one room at a time. This weekend, it was her's. Once I had gotten rid of the shoes that no longer fit her, this list is what was left. Why you ask does a 3 year old have THAT MANY shoes? What can I say, she is a girl! We all NEED shoes, right? Actually, she is just spoiled rotten by grandmothers and aunts (I might have a little to do with it). I think that I should begin praying now for her future husband. I will apoligize now! I just hope that he does not mind supporting this problem. Anyway! The picture above is of the flip-flops that were at home on Saturday. There were 3 pair that she had with her at the lake with my parents. Now, do you see why I let her choose her shoes and then I choose a dress to match them???? My mother-in-law thinks that flip-flops are damaging to our feet, so Isabelle if you are reading this 20 years from now and having feet "issues", I am sorry. But they are just too cute!!

I am not looking forward to the cold weather when she has to wear "real" shoes. That reminds me of what happened last winter when flip-flop season ended. Isabelle wore flip-flops until I just could no longer justify her feet freezing in the cold. So, one morning, I told her that she HAD to wear tennis shoes. She had a brand new pair of Reebok shoes. She fought it a bit, but put them on. That afternoon when I got to the daycare to pick her up, she was outside playing with Camon. As they jumped off of the tricycle and came running to me, I noticed that she only had socks on. I asked her where her tennis shoes were, and she replied, "In the trash.". I then asked Camon if he saw her take them off and he said no. Unfortunatley her teacher had not paid close enough attention to her, and did not realize that my child was playing outside without shoes on. I told her to show me the trash can that she put them in, and she led me straight to her room and opened the can. YOu guessed it, the can was empty. The janitor had emptied the trash already. We found him and asked if he saw them and he said no, but of course the trash had been hauled to the dumpster. He said that he would be glad to go with us and help us dig through the dumpster to find them. NO THANKS! I just decided that cold feet or not, she could wear flip-flops. So, we will see how this winter goes. Luckily we live in an area that does not truly see "winter".