Seriously?!?

Haha... the real story is that Grayson was yelling "CHEESE" (which sounds more like, "chaa-aszzz")... but still... funny stuff! 

Tough Times

Tonight I googled my own name and I found this photo... 

I wish I could tell the girl in that photo how everything will eventually wind up being okay even though she will relive the experience from several months ago for many more years...

I wish I could tell her that I am proud of her strength during those times.

Wow, that was a tough ride.

The Most Random Blog Post Ever

Since I left you:

Grayson and Gordo decided they kind of love each other... 

I took 50+ eighth graders to Atlanta for the weekend to compete in a concert band competition!

We spent some time at the park!

Okay... back to more regularly scheduled blogging... :) 

New Plants

Today I went to our local nursery with a few photos of our front yard and a confused feeling. I found a guy who looked like he worked there, looked helpless, and said, "YES!" when he asked if I needed help!

I showed him the photos of our front yard in its former state. He brought me over to a table, sat down and began drawing. Minutes later he had developed a plan for my yard. What a cool guy!

THEN, he took me around, showed me the plants that were in his plan, and picked out the ones that looked the nicest for me.

I thought this was going to be difficult!!!

Anyway-- I paid for everything, helped watched the guy load it into my truck, and headed for home. I laughed when I thought of what Jason's face would look like when he saw how full the truck was. Then I called mom to tell her all about what I had purchased.

I am NOT a plant girl... and since I'm pretty sure that I'm going to forget what is in my yard in one day (In truth, I don't even remember now-- I just currently have the guy's sheet of paper near the computer.) I've decided to take pictures with plant names and links to care instructions, lol... I have to make this easy for myself.

We still have things to do... mulch and my favorite annuals to put out... but our yard is getting there. I bet our neighbors are so thrilled! :)

OH- and anyone with tips... PLEASE SHARE!! I have a 1 year warranty, but I'd LOVE to not have to use it!

Encore Autumn Twist Azalea

Degroot's Spire Arborvitae

Gumpo Pink Azalea

Gardenia

Loropetalum

Harbor Belle Nandina

Don't Put Laundry Detergent In Your Dishwasher

Otherwise you'll end up with a sea of bubbles in your kitchen. 

Seriously... it is too stupid of a story to even get into... just don't make my mistake. Ever. 

When A Plan Doesn't Work...

I am a planner.

In everything that I do, I strive to have a plan.

Sometimes this is good: like when I'm planning the 8th Grade Band's trip to Atlanta, or figuring out how I'm going to get a ton of things accomplished in one week's time. Other times a plan just isn't all that it is cracked up to be.

Potty training is one of those times. 

I studied, made a plan, purchased supplies, read and rehearsed... I was ready.

But today, Grayson wasn't.

After an hour an a half, he was done. Actually, he was done as soon as I pinned his shirt up just like the book instructed. He didn't like that one bit.

So-- now I just have to figure out where to go from here. Do I try again tomorrow? Do I give it a rest until the summer? Do I try to find a preschool that doesn't require my son to be 100% potty-trained when he enters in August?

Spring Break Day #1

Today was the first day of Spring Break. I didn't want to start potty training today, since I still had supplies to purchase and Grayson was still exhausted from yesterday.

Instead, we enjoyed some fun in the park with Kaci, Thomas, and Henry, went shopping, and then went to Mom and Dad's to play with the dogs!

Easter in Columbia

Sunday we traveled down to visit Jason's parents. Our first stop was at PawPaw's house. We spent time playing outside, catching up, feeding the fish, and enjoying lunch. 

Of course, I spent the day playing with this new little guy that lives at PawPaw's house.

Then we traveled to JuJu's for some Easter Egg hunting and a trip to Monkey Joe's! 

This little stinker didn't really "get" Easter Egg hunting. He would find an egg, eat the contents and leave the "shell". 

I love that little guy!!