Belated Congratulations!!

Sunday was a special day. My cousin Cindy and her husband Chris celebrated their anniversary. I don't remember exactly how long they have been married, but I think it is 14 or 15 years. Happy Anniversary Cindy and Chris!! May the next 50 years be better than ever!!

Also, Cindy's sister Stephanie got married today to James Baker. Congratulations Stephanie and James!!! May you have a lifetime of happiness together.

Hannah's Team Party

Hannah had her team party tonight at the local bowling alley. It was lots of fun. Hannah did pretty good. She was either the first or second highest score for both games. (This was playing against her team mates.) Mike, Andrew, Will and I played on the next lane. Because it was so crowded, we played with three other people. Andrew would bowl during my turn. Will did pretty good. Mike did okay but he wasn't that pleased with his score. Andrew and I did pretty good, with me getting a spare in the tenth frame and 9 in the extra frame. One of the players, a little girl named Macy, decided she didn't want to play anymore, so we let Andrew have her turn. After a little bit, he and Will found the pool table behind us more interesting. Mike took over Will's turn and I took over Macy/Andrew's turn.

The team paid for two games but the girls had to stop during the 8th frame. Pizza and drinks were waiting for them in the party room so Mike and Andrew finished their game. Andrew had a blast. He would roll the ball then cheer it on. Mike said one frame Andrew actually got a spare. He knocked down five pins the first time and the rest on the second bowl. Will sat with me while I waited for our pizza to come. We all were (are) tired!! We had to be there at 6 p.m. and didn't get home until 9. We didn't even eat until 8:30 due to a mix up on my part. Hannah and Will are both fighting a cold and went straight to bed when we got home. I think Mike and I are headed that way soon!!

Busy and Productive Day

Ever have one of those days where you worked and worked and worked but felt like you had nothing to show for it? That's how I feel about today. I finally got caught back up on the HUGE pile of laundry. Everything is washed, dried, folded and put in its place. The dishwasher has been emptied and refilled. The dog pillow covers and dog towels are washed, dried and put up. The hall bathroom is clean and put back together again. Mike put a window air conditioning unit in our bedroom while I went through about six or seven bags of odds and ends. Busy, busy day. I still have lots to do: sweep and mop the kitchen, vacuum the house, finish the dishes, dust the living room and clean the master bath. A woman's work is never done!!

Here are some pictures of our new hall bathroom. Mike and I took down the striped wallpaper. He painted the walls and installed the new tile floor. I think he did an excellent job!! I don't have pictures of the old bathroom but here a some of the new:

Sorry for the glare in these two pictures.

It was hard to get a good picture without it.

Here are some pictures of Hannah in her softball uniform.

There is black under her eyes put there by one of her coaches.

Hannah

#3

Hannah and the boys

Frustrated

There are two different reasons I am frustrated: AT&T and sunburns. This post will be me venting. I am not looking for any advice, just an opportunity to get this off my chest. If you choose not to read any farther, I will not be offended (btw, the rants will be clean, not filled with profanity).

I use three different e-mail addresses for different things I do. There is my gmail address for my blog and Facebook; one AT&T email for junk mail and subscriptions and a second AT&T for Mike and my personal use (don't laugh; Mike has three also: work, junk and home). AT&T and I have been going round and round regarding my junk mail address. Recently they made changes to their website and I have not been able to add the update due to unknown reasons [I think I know why; AT&T doesn't know why or won't admit to it (that's another long story)]. Because of this, for a while I was unable to access my junk mail account. After spending about 45 minutes on the phone with Tech Support, I was able to access my account. They gave me a temporary password and told me to try to change it a few days later due to some updating of their system. That was a week or two ago. I can access my e-mail but still can not change my temporary password to one I want. So, I called them back today and, 46 minutes later, nothing has changed. I still cannot change my temporary password. This Tech Support person suggested I try a different internet server, like Firefox. Since we only have Internet Explorer, I don't know what I will do. This is not the only time I have been frustrated with AT&T. They get my dander up quite often. Since we don't like any of the other phone company options available to us for different reasons, I guess we are stuck with them for a while.

My second rant is about sunburns. Mike and the boys make me jealous because they don't burn. Their dark complexions just gets darker. My fair complexion burns at the drop of the hat. A couple of weeks ago, our church had a picnic to raise money for the college kids' trip to Uruguay. Mike, I and the kids spent about an hour there after church eating and participating in the dunk tank (the kids wanted to dunk our pastor). We went home and I finished cleaning a bunch of big toys to give to my niece Jessie for her new baby, Riley. Dad and Joan came down and we all sat outside enjoying the beautiful weather. Guess who got sunburned? Me!! My upper back and the upper part of my chest got burnt, with the worse being my back. It has finally stopped being sore just a few days ago. (No, I did not have sunscreen on at the time. Yes, I know I should have; I just didn't think about it at the time.) Yesterday, the kids and I went to the Y for 1 1/2 hours to play in the outdoor pool (check yesterday's post.) Before we even left the house, I put sunscreen with a 50 spf on everyone, even myself with Hannah's help. Guess who got sunburned? ME!! I don't know what happened? I felt fine. Then, when I was changing clothes for our Women's Board Appreciation Dinner, I noticed the redness. My whole back, shoulders and upper chest got burnt!!! OOOOHHHHHH!!! Mike was online last night looking for sunblock of 70-80 spf for me to use the next time I go out. Only me!!

Okay, now I'm done. I feel a little better. Thanks for letting me have my say!!!

Friends

This morning I took the kids to swim at the local YMCA. They have a great outdoor pool area and the kids have been begging to go. Now that ball season is over with, I thought we could enjoy an early afternoon of swimming, before it got too hot. We arrived at the Y at 11 a.m. Some of the signs on the way were showing the temperatures between 96 and 100 degrees. I don't think it was that hot but it was warm. We played for about one and a half hours then decided to head home to eat lunch.

While we there, I ran into a few friends. Ann and I did a Mom2Mom bible study this Spring. She and her two kids were there. After talking to Ann, I saw my friend Leslie. She and her husband moved houses and switched churches a few years ago. They now have two kids - Isaac, who is about Will's age, and Ruthie Ann, who is Andrew's age. We are hoping to get together one night and catch up. My friend Stacy from MOPS was there, too, with her two children. We had a nice time and are planning to meet again tomorrow for Story Time at the library. All in all, it was a great day!!

The Sparks Did It!!!

We won!! We won!!! We beat the Red Hot Chili Peppers and we won!!! The Sparks are second in the league!! YEAH!!!! It was a close game. The final score was 21-20. The Chili Peppers started the game with five runs. We got three runs our first time at bat. I don't remember the rest of the stats from the game. We did get a couple of innings were we got the five run limit. Another time at bat (I think it was during the second inning), all three of our batters got out at first base. We did hit a few into the outfield, too.

Hannah hit the ball straight down the first base line her first time at bat and got out (she was one of the three I mentioned earlier). She got a single off her next time then eventually made it home for a run. During Hannah's third time at bat, she knocked it into center field and made a triple.

I am sooo proud of our girls. We ended the season 10-3. Go Sparks Go!!! YEAH!!!!

Check Out Mich's New Blog

My sister-in-law, also Michelle Jinnette, just started keeping a blog. It is called "The Happenings with the Jinnette's" and is found at www.thehappeningswiththejinnettes.blogspot.com. Check it out!!!

Love it!!!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to Mike, Dick and Daddy and all the other fathers in our lives. You are great examples of what a godly man, father and husband should be. We are all thankful God put you into our lives to share your wisdom, knowledge and love.

Psalm 1:1-3, 6 (New International Version)

1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

Sparks vs. Fireballs

Hannah's team played the Fireballs tonight in a make-up game. At first, they had us a little worried. These girls were hitting the ball and we were having trouble fielding. Then, we got a second wind and started hitting the ball out of the park (figuratively, not literally). Hannah got two hits. The first went straight down the first base line and she was tagged. The second went into center field and she made a double. We got our fifth run in so the inning was over. The Sparks won 20-7.

Hannah and her team play their last game this coming Monday against the Chili Peppers. This will be an important game. If the Sparks win, they will be in second place. If they lose, the Chili Peppers will be in second and the Sparks will be in third.

Go Sparks!!! You can do it!!!

Pictures

Here are some pictures from the last month or so. Hope you enjoy them!!

Andrew either trying to become a member of the Maori tribe of New Zealand or practicing for his future as a tattoo artist. He even colored the soles of his feet.

Will and Alyssa at her graduation party

Hannah and Alyssa at Alyssa's graduation party

Alyssa, all grown up

Nathan playing with our water fountain

Andrew playing with the water fountain

Michelle

taken at the Hermitage

Nashville, TN

Mike

taken at the Hermitage

Nashville, TN

Sports Camp, Alyssa and Sam's

This week Hannah is doing a sports camp at Melanie's church. It is for kids who have completed 1st through sixth grades, so, unfortunately, Will isn't able to go. Each day, they have two different sports that they participate in, along with a couple of water breaks, snacks and a devotional time. Yesterday, all the girls in Hannah's group picked to play football instead of cheerleading. (Yes, Hannah picked football. This is the child who was upset with me when she found out that Upwards soccer had cheerleading and I had signed her up to play soccer instead.) She had a blast!!! Hannah told us she learned how to throw and catch the ball. That's my girl!!! Mike and I laughed because she was soo cute when she told us about it.

Yesterday, Alyssa came over and watched the kids for me. I needed to get two new tires on the van. Since it always takes about three hours at Sam's (and I knew the kids would be very bored), I thought they would enjoy spending the time with Alyssa. Since Hannah was at camp, the boys played and watched t.v. until Hannah was finished. After they picked up Hannah, Alyssa had to get gas for her car. It was really hot so Alyssa took all three kids with her into the station to pay. She said everyone gave her strange looks. (I guess they thought all three were hers. HAHAHA) Alyssa and her boyfriend Eric took them to the McDonald's in Olive Branch because it has a big play area. The kids had a blast. Andrew even climbed up in the equipment and went down the big pink slide. After I was done and back home, Alyssa brought them home. They enjoyed spending the day with her and I enjoyed going shopping and spending three hours at Sam's by myself.

Two new tires for the van: $211
Niece to babysit the kids: $40
Three hours to shop at Sam's by myself: priceless

It's Gone!

No, not the cabin. We sold our pop-up camper. A young guy and his girlfriend bought it to use when they took their 2-year old son camping. Our camper was a 40-year old pop-up that a friend of ours called "a tent on wheels." Dad found it for us and it was nice to sleep up off the ground. It suited our needs until we had Andrew, then it got a little tight. Mike would sleep with one child in one bed, I slept with another child on the other side of the camper, Andrew slept in his pack-n-play in the middle and the dogs were on the floor. We still have our big tent to use when we go camping. Mike will like parking his car under the carport again.

40 Minutes

That's how long Hannah's softball game lasted tonight. They played the Hot Shots and won 17-4. Hannah's first time at bat, she hit the ball and it looked like it was a foul. Not sure what to do, she ran a short distance, then started back to home plate. Once she and the coaches realized it was a fair ball, she started running to first base. Unfortunately, the Hot Shots first baseman got the ball then tagged Hannah. During her second time at bat, Hannah ran to first then was waved to head to second. One of her teammates made it to home plate. Because it was the fifth run in, the umpire called the inning (they have a five run limit in each inning for each team). Just before Hannah went up for her third time to bat, the game was called because of the five run rule and Hannah's team won the game. Hannah's team is now 6-2. They play the best team, the Lady Sluggers, on Monday night. The Sparks have at least three more games: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday of next week. They have one more game to make up but we don't know when it will be played. GO SPARKS!!!

Will's Birthday Party

Yesterday morning (around 6:45 a.m.), when I went to get Andrew out of bed, Will sprang up and said, "Mom, it's my birthday!!!" He ran into Hannah's room and told her the same thing, even though she was sound asleep. While Mike and I were getting dressed in the back, Will opened some of his presents in the Living room and started playing with one. We got him a Play dough activity set called "Coco-nutty Monkey," a set of Cars sheets, and some play dough. We took the package of play dough with us to his party because it was the one he did not open.

At Bounz, the kids played on the giant inflatables for about 1 1/2 hours. They have a big slide called "The Titanic." Andrew climbed up it as soon as he walked in the door and had a blast. There was also one that had an obstacle course with two sides. Matthew and Nathan raced each other with Nathan the winner. Once Andrew got a little help with it (some parts were a little big for him at first), he wouldn't get off. There were a couple of other inflatables (one where the kids could act like gladiators and the other one was just to bounce in) where the kids all played. We had cake and ice cream after Will opened his presents. Melanie and Nathan bought Will a Play dough "Ice Cream Shoppe" Activity set. He also received gift cards to Target and Dollar Tree, a Cars Tire Fishing game, Optimus Prime Transformer, and Sticker Play set, and some money. Will is in heaven. He loves all his toys and started playing with them as soon as he woke up.

Happy Birthday to Will!!!

Today is Will's 6th birthday!! He is really excited. For his birthday party this year, we are going to Bounz (it has three huge indoor inflatables) instead of doing the water party in the backyard. Since we've had his party here at the house every year since he was born, he decided to do this instead. Happy Birthday to my little man!! I can't believe you are growing up so fast. Daddy and I love you very, very, very much!!

Fun and Kids

Hannah and Will went with Dad, Joan and Nathan camping in Kentucky at Columbus Belmont State Park. A few friends of Dad and Joan's went also with kids the same ages as ours. There was a playground across the street from their camper, plus all the games, bicycles and toys that were also brought. Joan said Will loved a game called "Hillbilly Horseshoes(?)." I don't remember the exact name but Joan said Will played it all the time. You have two stands that have three bars each. You throw a rope with a bead on each end and try to get it on one of the bars. The bars are worth different points.

Hannah played with a little girl about her age named Brittney. They rode bikes and played a lot. The campground also had a miniature golf course. The kids had a ball playing on it too.

Andrew was with Melanie for the weekend. Friday night, they went to the drive-in with our cousin Cindy and her boys. Melanie said they got home around 10:30 and Andrew was still awake. She finally laid him down about 11 p.m. and neither one woke up until 11 a.m. Saturday morning. (I wish he would do that here. No matter what time he goes down, he's usually up early.) They went to Matthew's baseball game where Andrew played. Matthew showed Andrew how to spit and his football stance. Melanie said it was funny watching Andrew. Alyssa was working in the concession stand and ran out when she saw Andrew. He didn't want to have anything to do with Alyssa until she asked him if he wanted to look for Matthew. Andrew grabbed her hand and they went off. Sunday, after church, he and Mel went to the Collierville mall. On the way home, he fell asleep. Melanie wanted to take him to Chuck E. Cheese but he didn't fully wake up. She even went as far as to unbuckle him but he didn't want to go (this is really unusual for Andrew-He LOVES CEC!!!). So, since he wasn't quite awake enough, they went home and watch some movies and played. Melanie said Andrew talked her ear off. They both had a great time together. Andrew loves his Meme!!!