Well, now I've seen everything

My last official, paying job was a school bus driver for a local school system. Because of the timing of the three different schools we had up to 30 minutes after we dropped off the high schoolers and before we picked up the middle schoolers. A group of us would meet at McDonald's and have breakfast and talk. Many times it was to get warm or cool because of the temperature inside the bus. There was a worker there who dressed for every holiday. Even Flag Day. She had an outfit for everything. After I had Reagan I became a full time domestic goddess and gave up my job and breakfasts out each morning.

Imagine how happy I was when that little lady became the greeter at the Wal-Mart I visit. And of course, the costumes came with her. She even created some more. Today I just had to take a picture.Really, I don't have any more words.

Just visit here for more Wal-Mart folks. My little Christmas tree lady has nothing on some of those people!

Some more suckers!

Okay, they're not suckers...they're a sweet family we go to church with:c)

Since my friend Beth and her family took a chance on my photography and editing skills and liked the outcome, apparently she's been talking. One of our mutual friends asked me to do theirs! We worked for almost a month for the weather, clothing options, hair appointments, and life to align and finally got together last week.

Since Craig is a local football coach we headed out to the field for some awesome end zone pictures. Awesome in my head; not awesome in real life. Apparently here in Oklahoma, grass dies. Who knew? The end zones weren't painted and there was no signage at all with the schools name on it. Luckily having the coach with us helped. He got the wrap out of storage that goes around the bottom of the goal posts. Guess it wouldn't feel very good to run right into a big hunk of metal. Personally I've run into a brick wall and lived to tell, so I think that tough football players could handle it.

Caleb wasn't really sure that he wanted anything to do with me at first. For every calm picture I took I had to promise him two silly ones. After a while though he started posing for me and striking the most hilarious poses. I finally whined enough that Craig and Amy even joined in. Rocket ended up being the hardest one to photograph. Apparently when you call a dogs name to look toward you he actually wants to come toward you. When the dog is taller than you when standing on its back legs, this can pose a problem.

Still, I think we got some good shots. I'm still not a professional by any means but I'm cheap and fun to work with! And so far I've been blessed with good friends or family who are willing to take a chance on me.

Just What I Needed

Sing with me. "It's just what I needed!" I honestly can't remember any other part of that song except that. And I don't know who sang it. Or when it came out.

What is wrong with me?

Oh, that's right. It's that crazy time of year when I don't know how I'll ever get everything done. Today I read a Facebook status that said there were 9 days until Christmas. Can I tell you that I almost passed out. I had to pull out my calendar. And calculator. But it was right, 9 days. To make matters worse, that's only 2 school days. 2! I have 30 teacher gifts to make and 2 parties. Oh, and I have to finish Christmas shopping and plan and shop for all the food. Oh, and make goodies. Oh, and have several gifts ready for an all day pre-Christmas celebration with Shawn's family. Oh, are you tired of me saying 'oh'? I know I certainly am.

Moving on.

Monday morning my head was spinning with to-do lists and thoughts of how to pack lunches when I was out of old fashioned oats, hadn't made bread, and had no idea what to pack in lunches. I ran outside to scour the freezers for a spare loaf and stopped dead in my tracks when I saw this.I think my socks froze to the ground while I stood and just stared. I needed this. A reminder from God that He is greater than everything.

Everything.

He's just what I needed:c)

You can't beat free help

A recent Facebook status of mine said, "If I have three children why do I have to load my own car after major purchases at Sam's"

I have permanent stretch marks, a scar, and excess weight gain. Doesn't that mean they should serve me the rest of my life??

I thought so.

So since that day we now all help. And when we get home I let them unload the car and I put it away.

Someone though thought I needed a little extra help.

I found this in the refrigerator the next day.
Yep, my canned mushrooms. Wrapped in plastic and resting on their cardboard base.

But chilled. That's the important part.

And since the labor was free (except for the perfect misshapen body) I'm not saying a word.

Isn't he wonderful?

Reagan's betrothed, Evan, had quite a surprise for her the Sunday following her birthday. She came running to me afterward with a gift bag and couldn't wait to show me. She pulled out a note and a pink little box with some red curling ribbon taped to it. Inside was a silver key chain with an engraved 'R' and a rhinestone. She was smiling from ear to ear and a bit shy when telling me about it. Then she pulled out the note. The perfectly worded, handwritten note.How sweet is he?? His mom (one of my oldest and sweetest friends) e-mailed me and asked what I thought of the little gift. She told me that it had all been his idea and he'd used his own money. She also mentioned that they didn't know what was on the note but said he'd needed help spelling a few words. We quickly scanned and e-mailed it. I also included the compliment to her husband for obviously being a romantic since Evan had to get it from him.

Here is her hilarious reply.

Oh my word!!!!! That is a line from "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" which was on TV this weekend.
Evan watched a bit of it with us (edited for TV, of course...not a movie we would normally
let the kids watch.) He is such a cheese ball!

There we go. That boy doesn't need his father as an influence! He is 8 years old and he is using lines he hears in a movie!! I am impressed and very worried about them in a few years.

But I just fell a little deeper in love with the sweet boy that chose Reagan when he was 2. Whether they end up together or not, we will have the sweetest memories.