Vacation Bible School

Madeline had a great time this week going to two Bible Schools. I didn't get pictures from one, but she had a fabulous time, and is now excited about going to school there in the Fall. Tonight we went to the final night of the UM's, and they had a big time playing in a big bouncy thing and doing a dunking booth. I truly think that Madeline loves those bounce houses more than almost any other thing, and tonight seemed to be no exception :-) Check out the smiles! I am glad to have my child back now though, we've missed her this week.

An airplane flew over town VERY low this evening - here is a picture of that. Can anyone tell me what kind of plane this is?

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday, Dad! We love you!

Quiet Week

I am having a very quiet week! This week Madeline is going to Bible School each evening, and Steven is away on a business trip for a couple of days, so I am home by myself! I have been lying on the couch, blogging, watching TV (currently "Inside Edition" - QUALITY PROGRAMMING) We had a big rain and hail storm yesterday, and afterward I took a couple of pictures of a the double rainbow that followed. The other picture is Madeline's reflection in Steven's car - it has to be the shiniest car on the planet! I'm enjoying my week, and Madeline loves Bible school so far.

Date Night!

Steven and I had a date night at home last night - we got take out for dinner, and ate downstairs at the bar for a change. Then we played darts, which we hadn't done for a long time. It was lots of fun, and I actually won a game to the shock of us both! We listened to some good music, loud, as always. Get this - I got my clarinet from high school down and I can still play a song. I was quite proud..... (even if it was "When the Saints Come Marching In) I am ready for Madeline to get home now, she should be here any minute. Its good to have grown up time every now and them, I'll be less of a stress monster when she gets home.

The Box Post Post Script

Rebecca, some of us don't need boxes :-)

The Box

Many have asked about "the box" from my last post - here's the answer:

I would say Dad is the expert on the box, but basically, when you are totally stressed out about something you take that thing, put it in a mental box, and seal it up :-) I have many boxes, but the idea never fails to help me if I truly do it! It's the best advice I ever got from Dad.

More Father's Day

All right, I'll admit it, I looked at Rebecca's Blog and realized that yesterday I left out two very special Dads on Father's Day. My Dad knows, though, that he is one of my best friends in the whole world. I have looked to him for help and advice in almost every aspect of my life, from my work to my marriage and parenting. Dad always knows when to tell me to "Put it in the box" , when to say "come on Janie, get tough". He also knows when to tell me that no matter what, he will always love me. He is a tough act to live up to for the husbands of the Asher girls in lots of ways, but our husbands have been able to do it! I think that because of his example of what a man should be we were able to find good men as husbands and fathers to our children. At my wedding my song for him was "Wind Beneath my Wings" I still feel that way today! Dad, for all that you are, for all that you have been, I love you!

Now, Johnny came into my life later of course, but he has been there for me in more ways than he knows. He has been through a lot in the years since I've known him, but in all things he shows that when he makes a commitment, he sticks to it! He is quiet in the way he shows his love, but it is always there, you can count on it! Plus, he knows when to make fun of me :-) Madeline adores him, and calls him her "Sweet Granddaddy" Thank you Johnny for your friendship and example!

SuperBunny Saves the Day!

SuperBunny is the world's best animal that can save anything! Today, Superbunny is going to save a little tree from Atlantica. The tree is about to freeze in, freeze out and everywhere, so SuperBunny is going to use a gimungous cover to warm the tree. He has to pack forty nine things on top of his supercar to use to help. Super Horsey is his superattendant, he helps SuperBunny. He gets up on places using the flying crystals that he gets. They will take their super robot to help them too. They put SuperRobot in the back so she can watch over the things in the back. Superhorsey laughs as they save the day (He He He He). They bring their little pets too. They are all done saving the day. The End.

A story by Madeline Hite

BTW, check out Steven's Blog - he finally has a cool new post :-)

We Learn As They Grow

Thinking about Father's Day today, I couldn't help think about how much we learn as our kids grow. I remember how scared Steven was about being a new Dad. As women, we experience the growth of a new family differently than a man. By and large, based upon speaking with men I know, most all of them are afraid when they found out they are going to be a parent. They asked how they will be as a Dad, how they can support a family, what will they do when she wants to date?!? Steven was like those guys. But one thing that I knew then, and what I know for sure now, is that Steven is a great Dad! When I am impatient, he is patient. When I am weak, he is strong. When she hurts, you can see it in his eyes how much it hurts and upsets him. Watching him be a Dad has been one of my life's greatest pleasures, and a source of great pride for me. Steven is the most moral and steadfast guy I know, and Madeline knows she can count on her Daddy. She does this little quiz thing, who do I love the most? Daddy! Mommy! Who loves me most? Daddy! Mommy!

What a wonderous gift a family is, and how blessed am I to have such a strong life partner. I have always told Steven that I thank God every day for sending him to me. Today I thank him once again for the most wonderful of gifts, the love of a good man and such a good example for my sweet baby girl!

Rebecca & Mark Visit

Mark & Rebecca are here to visit for a couple of days, and I am SO glad to see them! I have been missing my little sister, especially right now while she is pregnant for some reason. She looks great, and Mark has been great with Madeline as always. We had fun playing at Mom & Dads - Madeline says she wishes they lived here all of the time! I'll have more pictures after tomorrow, I am sure.

Fun with Girlfriends this Week

The picture is actually from the night of the recital, but I needed a cute picture of Madeline and Buckley because Buckley has been at our house tonight playing. It is so cute to listen to these girls play - they were calling each other "Best Friend" - ie - can I have that doll Best Friend? Sure, Best Friend, etc. They had a big time playing house in our camp tent, which we have once again erected in the living room. It was pretty cute, they had a table, vanity, a bed, a craft center, and tons of other toys. Actually I was beginning to wonder if the girls would fit in there after they put all of that stuff in there! They had a big time all around.

Last night I went to Havana Rumba, a Cuban restaurant in Louisville with my law school girlfriends. I have to say I wasn't the biggest fan of Cuban food, but it was good to be with those girls - it's kind of grounding to be with them, since we've been friends for 15 years now, we can all be honest with each other. Steven was a great Dad, and hung out with Madeline while I went out, which I really appreciated. Good Girl friends are great, whether you are 5 or 40!

Much Less Hectic

After the crazy day we had yesterday, today was much calmer :-) We basically relaxed in the morning, went to a Baptism in the afternoon, then relaxed again! I think we all needed it. I did move Madeline's furniture around, though. She was pretty excited, and apparently didn't have trouble falling asleep in the new configuration, as I haven't heard from her so far (knock on wood).

My hubby is out making a last minute run to Walmart to buy wallpaper remover for Larry Crow (our near resident handyman) to use in remodelling Steven's bathroom. Actually, remodelling is probably too strong a word - since we'd have to take a wall out to take the shower out, we are basically just repainting, putting down new flooring, and putting in a new vanity and medicine cabinet. Still, that bathroom really needs it, so it should improve the house quite a bit. I need to get down there and take a "before" picture, but I might be too lazy - you may just get an after!

Hope you all have a great week!

A day in the life

of a crazy Mommy!

Let's see:

5:45 a.m. get up, go through VCR tapes to see if we can sell any in yard sale
6:10 a.m. empty dish washer
6:30 a.m. talk to Mammaw Baker on phone while pricing school uniforms
6:45 a.m. talk to Steven, take shower
7:15 a.m. put together lemonade stand stuff
7:20 a.m. wake Madeline/give her bath
7:30 a.m. Steven takes bath
7:40 a.m. braid hair/dress/dress Madeline/talk to Steven
8:00 a.m. walk to Margaret's for yard sale
8:15 a.m. Steven brings over yard sale stuff, goes to get hair cut
9:25 a.m. help girls make lemonade, set up stand
9:45 to Noon help girls sell lemonade
11:30 p.m. Steven comes over, buys lemonade, helps collect my stuff, takes Madeline home for down time
12:00 p.m. I help take down yard sale, girls collected $5.75 each for lemonade work
12:25 p.m. I collect $66.50 yard sale profits
12:30 p.m. make Madeline lunch at home
1:00 p.m. take Madeline back to Roby's
1:15 p.m. we travel to Lowe's in Etown, buy vanity, mirror, flooring, plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, light bulbs, handles, towel & toilet paper racks, ceiling fan for bedroom
3:30 p.m. arrive back to pick up Madeline, Steven unloads stuff
4:00 p.m. Madeline rest/watch movie, I figure out playlist for blog, Steven to Grocery
5:15 p.m. make dinner
5:30 p.m. Roby Girls come back
5:45 p.m. eat dinner/clean up
6:15 p.m. girls make poster, I make cup cakes, Steven brings up play kitchen, builds tents
7:00 p.m. ice cup cakes/decorate them
7:20 p.m. play in tent city
7:40 p.m. play in camp tent
7:50 p.m. girls polish nails/watch Madeline's recital video, I wash dishes
8:10 p.m. girls dress up, we make dancing stage with bunch of flash lights
8:40 p.m. girls put on gowns, watch Dora, I clean up
9:00 p.m. Margaret gets here, girls leave, Madeline keeps watching Dora
9:20 p.m. Madeline to bed (very late) I put on gown, start blogging
10:00 p.m. I type this entry (why, because I'm addicted!)

tomorrow, begin again! I LOVE this life! (I really do, isn't that great!)