sensational Saturday and Sunday

It was such a wonderful feeling Saturday morning waking up knowing that Jason didn't have to go to work!!! Besides the fun of having him around, he had to hang out with Sam while me and the girls went to two birthday parties. The first was our lovely little friend Anna Grace's Fancy Nancy party! Her mama went all out! The girls weren't real sure about their tutus and tiaras at first but they warmed up to their outfit and had a great time. After cupcakes, cookies and several hersey kisses, there was no napping to be had before heading out to our next shindig. This party was for Haley's BFF at school, Peyton. Peyton immediately took to the girls when they started at Noel. She would walk them around and tend to them like baby dolls. She and Haley remain extra close as they are still in the same class and Gracie is in the other room, but they all have a great time together. Peyton's mommy was so excited to see us because she said Peyton had been talking for days about Haley & Gracie coming to her party! It was at a new indoor inflatable jump house in Bossier and in the past, the girls have been reluctant to jump. But, wow...this was a new days. They jumped and slid down the biggest slides...some that frightened me a little! We had a great time. Come 4:00, with a day full of fun behind us and no naps, I just knew they would crash when we got home. No such luck! After lots of screaming and tears, Haley watched tv in the den and Gracie finally dozed off in our bed but not for long. Surely, they would be ready for bed. Again, false assumptions. Somehow, my sweet little girls who used to go to bed so early and so easily have turned into little demon children that are now scared of the dark, must have at least 3 books read to them and still holler loud enought to be heard down the street. Haley has even spent several nights falling asleep on the floor in front of the door. Anyway, I hope this stages passes. They finally quieted down about 10 minutes into the LSU game so Jason and I were able to enjoy the steak and chicken fajita dinner he made for me. It is great having my own personal chef!!

Not to forget about Sam, he went with daddy to get a much needed haircut. He was given very explicit instructions on how the haircut should look upon completetion with major threats made if they butchered my baby's hair! Everything went great and Sam can now see without his hair in his eyes. After that outing the boys had a little lunch at Chick Fil A. While the girls rested post party #2, we played outside and snapped a few shots of the new do!

Sunday was just as enjoyable as we got to enjoy more family time. Jason was able to mow the lawn, sweep off the roof and clean out the cutters.

We continue to be so thankful for the blessings God has given us and providing Jason with the job that enables him to be home with us. It was a wonderful week and we look forward to many more.

Oh as a p.s., looks like we're getting closer and closer to keeping puppy...he is getting very comfortable and doesn't even mind when Sam and Gracie pull is ears, his tale and anything else they can get their hands on!

a big weekend

Our weekend started off with bells, whistles and the angels singing!! Jason finally got the phone call we have essentially been waiting for for 5 years. He is now officially a food sales rep for Ben E Keith food distributors!!!!! Beginning tomorrow at 8:00 am, he will be working pretty stable hours of 8-5 Monday through Friday. Praise God, praise God, praise God. This blessing is a true testimony of the power of prayer, faith and perseverance. We could not be more thankful and more thrilled at this new endeavor in our lives.

So to celebrate the good news, we went out to dinner Friday night with my parents which lead us to the next adventure in our weekend. As we were leaving the restaurant, we had to cut through the back way to get to our car. As we went merrily about our way, the cutest little puppy emerged, out of no where. We said hello and continued towards our car. The puppy followed. We tried giving him some of our leftovers, but he was more interested in going with us. The parking lot was packed and he is so tiny so I could not in good conscious leave him there. We ran by the grocery and picked up some puppy food on our way home. We gave him a good flea bath, introduced him to the trio and the little stinker ended up sleeping in our bed. Let's keep in mind that Haley is pretty scared of dogs. She has had a few bad experiences with Lily and the smallest of dogs freaks her out. She was a little hesitant Saturday morning but by the night she wasn't screaming every time he would chase after her. Sam and Gracie, especially Gracie, have really enjoyed life with a small pup. They are pretty rough on him, but he doesn't seem to mind. Jason and I tossed around keeping him, but the responsibility of a little animal is simply more than we can handle right now at this stage in our lives. When we can have more time to devote to training a puppy, it is good to know the kids will like it. So tomorrow morning, it will be with great sadness that I call our local no kill shelter to come get "puppy". We've only had him for a few short days but he has already carved out a little place in our hearts.

In the midst of the madness, we took the trio to the Revel on Saturday morning as it was the last day of the outdoor festival and we had not been. I thought they would have great fun in the mini "Brookshires" shopping for groceries. Sam loved devilishly pushing the little cart around even as he ran all over anyone in his path. Then he collided with his sister, fell down, scrapped his knee and then he was done with that. Lots of little people there so we moved over to the sand boxes. They got a real kick out of that and I enjoyed watching them play peacefully until Sam started eating the sand and pouring it down his shirt. So, onto the next activity. They wanted no part of the "triage" area. Gracie promptly took her little hospital cap and threw it back at the lady...so nice. She really just wanted to roam about which was fine for a short period of time. Then it was time to eat and back into the strollers we went. You would have thought we cut off Gracie's last arm with the way she acted. Screamed and hollered. Made our way to the food area so there was a brief calm as we chowed down on hot dogs, grilled cheese and muffaletta pizzas. Back into the strollers and then came the mother of all melt downs! I am so glad a very loud gospel choir was singing as we left because the girls were wailing!!! Anyway, it was fun, but way more work than I had wanted to endure on a Saturday. At least they took good naps.

Then there is Sunday morning. We were already moving a bit slow and missed Sunday School but we managed to get ready for church. We were dressed, ready and about to walk out the door when I heard Jason gasp from the playroom. Apparently puppy, who is not potty trained, had decided to poop on the playroom floor...not a place I thought to check. Well, Sam did and Sam smeared it all over his precious blue and white checked longall! Not only was it disgusting but we then had to clean up Sam and the ensuing mess in the playroom. I did not walk into the church service with a joyful heart!! I was over it a short time later, but wow...not how I wanted to start off my day!! Life with children is never dull! I can look back at the crazy weekend and laugh but in the moment I loose my patience and find no humor in the situations. I continue to pray for patience each and every moment of each and every day!