Dear Friends,

I noticed an unusual knot on my neck a few weeks ago but thought nothing of it. Later I felt that it had grown. I looked in the mirror and saw that it was visible. I immediately thought it was a goiter, possibly related to a thyroid issue. So, I googled "thyroid symptoms" and thought I had a good bit of the ones listed. I had lab work done that came back normal. This was discouraging because I was hoping it was something simple. After talking to others I still made an appointment with an Endocrinologist so that maybe they could do further tests. BUT, that appt is not until JULY! So, being slightly concerned, I decided to make an appt with a general physician and see what he thought. I was pleasantly surprised that I will be able to get in on Monday!

Pray with me for wisdom and health

Circa 1857

I am going here this week. I am so excited. We do not have an actual bed with a head and footboard, only a frame. We are looking for something to hang on the wall to act as a headboard or focal point. Chip saw something like we are looking for at a restaurant and asked the owners where they got it. They gave him two places to check. This looks like my kind of place. I prefer old to new. I like rustic and worn. I am sure I am going to find too much stuff. Lets hope it is affordable.

Coffee Mate

I have a tiny coffee pot that only I use, and I only use it sometimes. Well, my little Ella has become a fan. Apparently she snuck a sip at some point. Now she sneaks gulps on a regular basis saying, "we share it!" Today she asked if I had any coffee for her. I guess she will be little coffee drinking buddy since Chip is not.

God's Providence

Monday we randomly started looking in the paper for a truck for Chip. His car has not had air conditioning for a few years now. Plus he has started cutting a few yards in our neighborhood. He literally walked the lawnmower down the street the other day. That is just too embarrassing in my book. So, we found one and went and looked at it. It seemed great. We agreed on a price with the owner. We were thinking we would just take the money out of savings and put it back when Chip's car sold. The next morning I put his '97 Accord on craigs list. It was sold within a few hours for the exact price we were paying for the truck. So, Chip took the cash from his car and paid for the truck. It did not cost us a dime! Plus, he now has AIR!!!

that must be it

I have decided my kids are collaborating against me. I really think they plot ways to make me nuts. Earlier today my house got quiet. I knew Streed was outside and Ella was inside. Silence is scary. So, I call her name. Nothing. Call it again. Nothing. I find this in Streed's bed under the covers.
This my friends is mascara.

After cleaning her up and inflicting a little punishment for getting into my make-up bag, again, i go outside to put sun block on Streed. Moments later I turn around to find this. The pictures do not do it justice. It is everywhere. I have to capture all of this because I know one day, in maybe 3+ years it will all be funny.

just pretty

coffee call

We have our own version of Cafe du Monde here in Baton Rouge. It is Coffee Call and it is super yummy. The kids and I went one morning with some of our friends here. It actually went fairly well considering there were 6 kids (Streed being the oldest) between us. Amazingly the fried dough dipped/drenched in powdered sugar kept them occupied for most of the time. Streed and Hannah had a cozy moment in the newspaper bin.

ella's room

Here is Ella's room after a little work. We painted it a really pale pink and moved her old iron bed back in there. Chip's mom bought her a chenille bedspread to go with her duvet from her first room (3 houses ago--that is ridiculous!) It is not done but it is definitely a lot farther than where it started.

so far today

--this morning i asked streed if he wanted eggs. i told him i was having eggs on an english muffin. he said he wanted grits. i told him eggs or cereal were his choices. to this he replied, "i want eggs. scrambled. not the english kind." i had to laugh to myself.

--i have said multiple times, "ella what happened to your panties?" this does not mean they are wet, this means they are missing. ella does not like clothes. i thought to myself that it is abnormal so ask what happened to your panties that many times in one day. so, i then gave up.

--it is super sunny today. for once i put sun block on the kids while they were playing in the yard. they have such strong skin that i usually do not think about block unless we are at the beach or a pool. but, i have become super sun conscious since working for CLINIQUE. i see the affects of the sun on others and myself. so, after blocking them up, i put some on me as well. i was proud of myself. i even put on a hat and sunglasses. since i have had kids i have been wearing spf 50 while in the sun. i still get sun but i am blocking the bad rays. i recently learned that UVA are the rays that age you and cause cancer and UVB rays are the one that burn. so, look for block that blocks both.

Gift with Purchase

Macy's Clinique is in Gift with Purchase through this weekend. Spend $21.50 or more!

Products I love:
NEW Turnaround Body Smoothing Cream It is an amazing lotion. It really softens as it says it does.

3-Step Skin Care System Cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize according to your skin type

Almost Powder Makeup SPF 15 I wear this on days I want to get ready quickly and on days when I want a foundation-like finish. It covers great, is oil-free and has SPF!

All of these are also available here

Monday--My favorite day

I love Mondays because they are relaxing. They are relaxing because there are only a few things on the agenda. The events on the agenda are all of my own choosing. My hair is up, pajamas on, make up off. I usually clean. Because there is nothing I "have to go do" I am able to stop cleaning and read a book or stop straightening and play outside. Every day is not like this. Tuesdays we usually have a play date, Wednesdays we have BSF, Thursday is a ladies bible study at church, Fridays soccer practice, Saturdays games, Sundays church. All of these are great but they involve getting myself and the kids ready for a certain time. This involves getting them all dressed, packing a diaper bag ready, strapping them in the car...usually with some yelling along with me telling myself it is just easier to stay home. My personality fails to think ahead. I realize some of these other days would be less stressful if I would get some of the things ready the night before. But I always tend think of that in the midst of the stress. So, I look forward to Mondays.

He's just so big

My baby is big. He is looking so grown these days. I think it is the big boy hair cut. Plus I am sure he has grown a bit since his last check up. I guess I would know if I would ever take him for his one year appointment. I think the fact that I spent $358 on co-pays and prescriptions during the first quarter of the year gave me some anxiety about setting up his appointment. But, it is done. He is going in a few weeks, when he is 14mts. I figure since he went twice while he was 11mts that he is fine.

Miss Independent

Ella can put on her own flip flops. See. If only she could scrub her toe nails.

Happy Easter from the Crooms

We took both of these with the timer. I love doing that. We could not get Nate to look at the camera. But, I think the other two kids did great in both pictures. If you have known me for more than 10 years you probably remember this dress. I actually have not worn it in years. I just pulled it out of a box this week. If you have known Streed for his entire life you will remember his shorts. He has worn them every Easter since he was 18mts old. Yep. They are size 18mths. They started out half way down his shins. Poor baby has a tiny waist.

Who Hates a Bath

Good Morning Ella

Easter Party

Friday we had an Easter Party at our house for our buddies. We read a Jesus story and then thanked Jesus for dying for our sins. Then we colored and hunted for eggs, made and decorated cookies, and ate pizza. It was a great way for the kids to spend Good Friday.

my new rug

enjoy

enjoying a yummy cake at a party in Hammond

enjoying some yummy coke at a park

enjoying my streed in the back yard

enjoying sibling time in the playhouse

enjoying LA strawberries with a good friend

enjoying wearing the same jacket

Shorts and Shin Guards

they were all in such a good mood after the game
Streed's team is purple so Chip and I are sporting our new LSU gear--AHHH!

new buddies taking a break

smiley streed

sharing a laugh with dad

casey and nate

the sideline sista

practice

Streed had his first soccer practice and game last week. Chip is an assistant coach. It is actually micro-soccer...meaning it is for ages 3-4...meaning it is really cute! Ok, so the pictures are are not in the right order. practice is at the bottom. If you look closely Nate snuck in to hear what the coach had to say. Thankfully some of our friends from Hammond came to see Streed play which meant they also helped me with Nate and Ella. I don't know what I would have done. There are few picture of Streed playing because I was taking video. Oh yea, my title is in honor of Streed's size. Notice there are no knees visible.