Not For A Weak Stomach

This past Friday started out great! Taylor didn't have school, I slept in till 8 and the weather was beautiful...then Camryn woke up. She was snotty and cranky. She wouldn't eat and cried a lot! I quickly discovered a 2 year molar poking through. I thought, "Of course she would start teething today. Today is the first time I'm getting her picture taken since she turned one.". If Camryn is involved, something crazy or out of the ordinary or embarrassing happens. You can always expect a good show. I just knew picture day would not go as I had hoped. After a good nap and a dose of Tylenol we were off to the mall. The girls were super cute in their Easter outfits. Both of them were in great moods and it made mommy happy. Taylor was a super model. She did exactly what the lady asked her to do. She smiled big and was very patient with her little sister. Camryn on the other hand...

Every time she was asked to smile she would do this big cheesy grin with her lips closed and her chin up. The lady would say, "I'm gonna get you." to make her smile. Instead, she would get a mean face and shout, "No way!". Each picture she was supposed to be in by herself she would lift her dress up and rock back and forth. The lady said she had never met a child who liked to lift her dress up as much as Camryn. Such a proud moment. Believe it or not, we got some really cute pictures. While the lady got the computer ready for me to pick out pictures, I changed the girls into their play clothes. I gave them each a juice box in hopes of them sitting down and behaving while I made the tough decision on what pictures to purchase. I had not even started when Camryn coughed, burped and threw up! She did it over and over and over again. I had immediate flashbacks of lunch with the Finks...

A few months ago we went to eat lunch with some friends after church. Camryn woofed down a pizza when I realized she hadn't had anything to drink. I gave her my drink and kept chatting away. Before I could blink my eyes she had finished off the whole glass of tea. I picked her up out of her highchair and in mid air she coughed, burped and threw up ALL OVER ME! I'm talking hair to toes, over and over and over again. It was one of the most disgusting things I had ever seen in my life! I couldn't do anything but hold her while she puked all over me. I turned to look at my family and friends only to find the table EMPTY! They all ran away! People eating in the restaurant wouldn't even look at me. I saw Taylor and her friend Hannah sitting at another table talking about how gross it was. Then the adults came back. They had gone to get help and cleaning supplies. They hadn't deserted me after all! Jason took Camryn outside and took all her clothes off while I took the very long walk back to the car with vomit dripping from my hair and clothes. The only thing I could change was my shirt. So right there in the parking lot I took off my shirt and put on the fleece. Unfortunately I had to sit in the car on the way home with a lap full of Camryn's lunch. Taylor was talking about how bad it smelled, Camryn was pretty satisfied, Jason was laughing his head off and I was hanging my head out the window. Yes, all of this flashed before my eyes when she lost it at the photo place.

Positive side, Camryn did not have the stomach bug, she did not ruin the backdrop, and she did not ruin her Easter dress! Perfect timing!

Lesson learned, never go get pictures taken of your kids when you are the only adult. Take help! Do not give kids drink or food until you have left the building.

I'll have to get them to pose for some pics here at the house so I can post a pic. They really are beautiful in those dresses!

Me, Myself, and I

I set aside a day this week to go shopping for myself. I very rarely do this and when I do, I end up with clothes for the kids. I was determined to find a dress for me, myself, and I. I was quite successful! I found an awesome dress for less than $30 at Banana Republic. Their dresses and blouses are 50% off right now. So I bought myself a dress and blouse. Jason's mom bought me another dress so I scored big time! To top it all off, Jason loved everything I brought home. He's usually super picky and it's hard to please him. He gave me a compliment I prefer not to repeat but in man language it meant...I like it a lot! The whole day made me so happy I think I'll go "me" shopping again very soon! Sorry I'm so excited about this but I shop so little for myself that I'm still wearing jeans I'm pretty sure I wore back in high school. I've had them for a very long time. New clothes make me smile:)))

You're Going To Hollywood!

Aunt Cindy (famous singer/song writer:)

We were listening to the radio when Taylor asked why Aunt Cindy's songs aren't on the radio. I told her that Billy and Cindy's songs ARE on the radio. It just isn't Cindy singing them. She said, "Well, Cindy needs to be on the radio. Then she could go to Hollywood. She would be a great GREAT singer." She is so right. We should all be listening to Cindy singing those songs!

When I Grow Up...

Taylor has condensed her list of things she wants to be when she grows up. Here it is...

1. Horseback rider (we all saw that one coming)

2. Teacher (thanks to Monica and Pam)

3. Doctor (we've had a long week with lots of appointments)

4. Judge....on American Idol (you laugh but even my 6 yr old knows when a person should and should NOT be singing)

If I had to pick one of these, I would say she would end up being a teacher. But I think her true calling is a mom. She's so good with her little sister. You can just tell she'll be a great mom. I'm not rushing things though. She told me yesterday that she will be grown up soon and not need me anymore. It made me want to cry. I've had her home almost every day this week. It's going to be hard enough taking her back to school on Monday.

Picnic at the Plantation

Wouldn't it be cool if she got married here and I
took a pic of this same pose?

Picture perfect day

Enjoying her sucker

Cuties

Silly smile

Sisters

The girls

Petting the deer

This one cracks me up for some reason.

Saturday was a beautiful day. It was sunny without a cloud in the sky. So I told Taylor to help me get a picnic together and we could go eat next to the horses. I didn't have to say it twice. I think we may have had lunch together in record time. The three of us went to Magnolia Plantation. Man was it gorgeous out there. Both the girls were so excited about seeing the animals they barely ate their food. They talked to the horses and donkey for a while then we headed for the petting zoo. We were met by very loud turkeys. It startled Camryn but she was brave. They both ran to pet the deer and I just loved watching them enjoy every second of it. After the animals we went to the gift shop. I bought them each a sucker and we went for a walk to find alligators. We didn't see any but the flowers were starting to bloom and it was so peaceful on the trail. We, of course, had to make one more trip back to the horses and then packed up. I had such a great time with them. I'm so thankful for memories like these.

The Horse Whisperers

Hot Dog Hot Dog Hot Diggity Dog

Amy and Camden


Minnie and all her friends

Camryn got to see her princess

Me and my baby


I don't take Camryn out to do something special very often. Not too long ago I was thinking about all the things I did with Taylor when she was this age and started feeling really bad for Camryn. Her highlight of the week is going to Target or picking Taylor up from school. Right about that time my friend Amy asked me if I wanted to take Camryn to the Mickey Mouse Roadshow. So off we went. I had high expectations(as I always do) of Camryn's reaction. Well, she stayed true to her personality. The first half of the show she just fussed about Minnie being too far away. She crossed her arms, lifted her elbows in the air and said in a very upset voice, "I want to say hi to Minnie. HUMPH!!" And the arms came crashing into her chest. She did this at least 20 x's. She was so mad Minnie was not visiting her personally. So I finally taught her how to wave from a distance and just when she did...Minnie waved to the audience. She finally got over her disgruntled mood and chilled for the rest. She did eventually enjoy the show believe it or not.

Taylor's Thoughts

Mommy, I'm glad I came out of your belly. I'm glad you married daddy. He's handsome. When you saw him, did you ask him if he would come with you to the marrying prom?

Mommy, how many more days till K4 is done? I don't want to go to another class. In 1st grade, 2nd grade, and even 3rd grade, you have to open your own milk carton!

DRAMA

Does drama follow you? It follows me. It's not like I'm out there looking for it. It just shows up as if I've invited it in. Already it's been a challenging year and I feel like it just got started. Sometimes I wonder why I'm trying to get back into therapy. Therapy means helping others. Helping others is what brings on the drama. I try to do what's right. I try to help someone in need of a job or someone in need of a friend and the next thing you know...BAM...they are taking advantage of me. I'm starting to feel like my whole approach on friendships needs to be changed. Maybe I should just stick to the small group of friend who I know I can trust and forget about the rest. I try to follow the golden rule... do unto others as you would have them do unto you. How is it that I keep getting into friendships with that in mind and then(pardon my wording) get screwed in the end. Thankfully, the drama I've been living through has not been directly to me but I was hurt both times. Unfortunately it just means other people were hurt even worse by my "friends". I'm not trying to come off as the perfect friend. I know I've done and/or said things I shouldn't have so feel free NOT to point that out:) This most recent DRAMA is something I just can't seem to wrap my head around. I feel so lost as to how I should react. I've been praying about it but the answer right now just seems to be "Keep your mouth shut". But all the emotions of anger, disappointment, sadness, frustration and confusion are really hard to keep to myself. Thank the Lord for a husband I can confide in. As a true man, he thinks I should just be able to cut off all emotions and move on with my life. As a woman I'm thinking, fat chance. Am I right ladies? I think the most frustrating part is that these "friends" call themselves christians. How on earth can people do the things they do and think that it's okay. Or even worse, do the things they do, realize it's not okay, and then not care. Do they not have a conscience? Well here's a quote for you. "Conscience is Gods built-in warning system. Be very happy when it hurts you. Be very worried when it doesn't.". If you do something wrong and have no remorse, you better recheck your believer status. I'm not usually one to vent on a blog open to everyone but I have so few followers I'm not sure any of you really care. And if I have offended you....TOO BAD!:)
Let's end this on a positive note. A big THANK YOU to all the family and friends who are true friends. I couldn't live through the DRAMA without you. I love you dearly!