Mike the Tiger

Chip's parents visited last weekend. While they were here we took them to see LSU's tiger on campus. I had only been to see him once and it was in the middle of the day. We heard that evening was a good time to go because he would be more active. Oh my goodness it was amazing. I was like a little kid. He was walking all around, coming up to the fence, looking people in the face and just putting on a show. His home is awesome. It is wide open, lots of grass and foliage, a pool and a waterfall by the shady rock area. There are two sets of fences keeping the general population from him. However, you can get face to face with him at the glass wall by the pool.

Papa & LuLu's

A couple at our church invited us all the come swimming two Fridays ago. They have a daughter who had a daughter the age of Ella. They are getting to be big buddies. The kids all had a blast playing in the fountain and then in the grass after they ate good ole hot dogs. This was Nate's first time in the pool and he loved it. Bob & Lucy (aka Papa & LuLu) invited us all over again this past Friday afternoon. The daddies got to come this time. Again the kids had a blast, as did the adults. After the pool and pizza the kids played in the sand box and sang "The foolish man built his house upon the sand". It was really precious.

medical minute

Thanks for all the concern regarding the mysterious lump on my throat. I have not updated before now because there was nothing to report. After becoming a squeaky wheel I finally got some grease. The doctor himself called me back! He said my blood work looked normal but the ultrasound did reveal that the mass was attached to my thyroid. So, he is referring me to the doctor I have the appt with in July. This was exactly what I hoped was going to happen. Now I am just waiting for the endocrinologist to review my file and set up an appt. I called them this morning and they said I should hear from them by next Wed. Now, I am going to pray that I get an appt before we leave for the beach project on May 27!

my camera

people often ask about my camera. well, it was $88 and i got it two and a half years ago. it is your basic digital. i would absolutely LOVE a digital SLR but that will come later. it is all about getting on the kids level and filling the frame with them. and, it does have a "macro" setting that allows you to focus up close. that is what i had it set on for the pic of ella.

natural beauty

i love natural light photography. but, with kids it is hard to get them to sit still long enough for the shutter to capture the picture. however, i did get this one the other day of ella and i just love it.

saturday morning fun

My favorite picture from today

let the festivities begin

yesterday i got flowers from a sweet friend and today i got a gift card for coffee in the mail...(which translates to me a little two-hour getaway). so, since monday includes a trip to the doctor i am going to celebrate from here until monday. thanks for the early gifts!

almost

Nate is getting closer everyday to walking. He will take a few steps when coaxed. But, he is not really a big fan of it yet. He gets going good when he is pushing something. Here he is in one of Streed's old outfits. I want to go get some more of these from Carter's. Nate gets blazing hot outside so I figure these would be good summer attire.

our friday find

We went to Circa 1857 on Friday. It was a really neat store that I am sure I will go to again. (Hopefully when April comes and visits!) They have really pretty decor. Some of which is overpriced but some is not. It is one of those stores where you say, "I could make that". Anyway, we found a door that we plan to use as a headboard. I saw this on a show or in a magazine a long time ago. I went looking for wrought iron but it was way too expensive. The door has an outer layer of flaking paint but underneath that is a great already distressed door. It has original hardware that we are leaving on. Our plan is not to paint the door. I also plan to hang something from the door knob. If you are a visual processor you probably have no clue what I am talking about. But I am sure all of my do-it-yourselfers (aka: my poor friends) know what I am saying.

those kids today

I love some things my kids say, especially when it is so above their age. I am sure you can all relate.

A few weeks ago I was throwing the ball to Streed in the yard. I was also in the middle of a text-message conversation. So, I had to keep pausing our game. At one point Streed said, "If you would quit texting we could play."

Yesterday, out of the blue, Ella told one of our twenty-year old college friends, "I don't know how to play wii." We cracked up and told her we didn't either. A neighbor boy that Streed plays with has one and I guess she has heard them talk about it. It was just so funny to hear such a young girl say that.

Please share personal stories as your comments.