Just Imagine

This past Sunday our church launched a giving goal called Just Imagine: God's Gift of Play to our Children's Ministry.  It's part of our building campaign that has just begun!  I must say that I'm very passionate about this campaign...Why?  Well, because for 3 years, the Hubs has sacrificially woken up at 5am in order to set up church at a local high school.  And, we leave church at about 1:30pm after I tear down children's church and he tears down the worship room.  A very long day, but it's where we feel God calling us to serve. 

Sunday's campaign was launched to our kids along with lessons in giving.  They've been challenged to raise money to go towards a playground at the new building.  My girls have totally gotten into it and are begging for ways to raise money.  Especially Chloe, which truly shows her heart.  In all reality, she will be half way through 6th grade when the building is complete (we pray) and will probably never use the playground!

The Hubs told her she could pick weeds for $4 a bucket...our yard is covered in them (sorry neighbors, weed service is not currently a 'need').  Not too bad, but remember, as you add them to the bucket, they wilt and compact thus it takes A LOT of weeds to fill one bucket!  Rylie also decided to join in. 

Chloe was not happy that I had the camera...shhhh, don't tell her!

In all, they filled about 4 buckets, maybe 5 and collected their earnings.  It took them 2 days, but they worked hard!  I was a proud momma.  I only wonder what the neighbors thought! hee heee!

The Redneck Zoo

I'm sure you're all dying to know what the heck the Redneck Zoo is!  Well, let me first tell you a story.  See, I have this fabulous friend who knows every bargain to be had in Atlanta.  I was dying to visit the discount fabric store she gets everything at...ya know one of the places designers would never go because it's like across Atlanta, you have search through piles of fabric for hours, and well, it looks like thrift store meets big lots!  Sounds like fun doesn't it? 

Anyhoo, I was dying to go because it's like super cheap and I'd never drive myself.  We finally made a date and took the kids and went.  But first, she wanted to treat us to the Redneck Zoo...ummm, I mean The Yellow River Game Ranch.  Let me tell you, it was redneck all right, but so much fun! Complete with stray chickens chasing each other just like in the cartoons, hand written signs, and Christmas trees lining the entire park.  And no, I'm not kidding.  And no I have no proof because I didn't capture that via camera.

Back to the Redneck Zoo.  It was the most relaxed place and I'm sure the girls could've spent hours there feeding animals, chasing rabbits, and playing in the dirt.  Apparently my dear friend has taken her kids there for years.  Later I learned that it was always followed with a 3 hour trip to the fabric store.

 In addition to having wild chickens and Christmas trees (dead of course), they had a bazillion peacocks running wild.  They were beautiful!

The coolest part, is you could buy peanuts for 75 cents a bag or bring your own crackers, carrots, or bread to feed the animals!  How totally cool for the frugal momma!

We got to pet a 2 day old baby goat...so stinking cute.  Can't do that at those fancy zoos.

 I'm wondering if the above donkey was a relative to Mr. Ed the talking horse.  Remember him?

 What zoo would be complete without a big ole' fat pig!  Which I have to mention my girls asked if that's really where our bacon comes from and if so, do we really eat all that fat?  For the record, no, we do not buy pork bacon and that is why!

 This gorgeous goat reminded us of one of our favorite friends, Mr Hutson....Sorry, Matthew, but your "goat" (gotee) has nothing on this goat!

 
And did I mention this place has a celebrity?

 He lives here...the best house on the property.  And here is his sign:

General Lee, the official groundhog of Georgia.  You probably can't read the sign, but it says, "in recognition of 10 years of service"...for weather predicting.  Only it's dated 1991.  So, since this southern girl is so smart, I did the math.  That would make Old General Lee about 31 years old.  I had to ask, was that darn groundhog that they shove out of it's hole really 30 years old?

The sweet, honest grounds keeper told me in a few words, um, no.  His exact words were, "well, we keep several just in case."  I think he was referring to in case one dies maybe?  Or in case General Lee won't come out of his hole?

Oh and in case you decide to go visit General Lee, don't expect him to come and greet you. Apparently, he only comes out after the park closes at feeding time!

The Greatest Show on Earth

The month of February is not my favorite month.  Why, might you ask?  Well, let me tell you,  it is typically rainy, cold and yucky here in Atlanta and I do not like that kind of weather.  I do not.  I usually end up in a funk which is code for grumpy.  The month does have a couple nice days...like my birthday and Valentines Day.  Oh and winter break for the girls.

This year, the weather has actually been quite mild and winter break translates into a break for me since there is no school work to teach.  Woo, hoo!  So, this year February hasn't been all that bad.    However, we usually spend winter break in sunny Orlando, and well, for many reasons (budget, old van, etc.) we are staying put this year.  That makes me sad, but we're making the most of it.

That said, we started off the break this year with tickets to "The Greatest Show on Earth."  Or as most know it, the Ringling Bro's and Barnum Bailey Circus!  Unfortunately the Hubs couldn't join us, but Uncle Kris offered to drive us all and so we went (I do not drive downtown and those of you that witness my driving know why).

  Since I was so deprived as a child (hee hee I kid!) and have never been to the circus, I had no idea what to expect.  Let me just say that I was like a little girl again, mesmerized by the show!

We attended the pre-show which was well worth the early departure.  The girls were able to meet a few performers and walk down on the main floor where all the animals would later poop.  And yes, that was my thought as we were standing on the floor. 

The elephants amazed me as they stood on their back lets and even circled around.  It was like Dumbo come to life!  

This is my favorite picture...Rylie took it and I'm thinking she just loved the lady's hair do....I joke!

For our cheap $11 tickets we had fabulous seats close to the floor thanks to Aunt Tamara!

The girls sat entertained the entire time.  I was so proud of them, not because they sat still ( uhh, they should it's not like they are toddlers), but because they never asked for a thing.  I mean seriously, they know I'm not going to shell out $10 for an icee in an animal cup, nor am I going to pay $7 for popcorn.  They were more than content with the granola bars I smuggled in!

cutest dog ever!

I just had to share a picture of our beloved Bella...seriously the cutest dog ever!  All 2 pounds and 4 ounces of her!

loving Daddy

Hope ya'll had a fabulous Valentine's Day...the Hallmark Holiday as the Hubs calls it!  We had a quiet normal day...girls had school at school (I know makes no sense what I just said), I worked at the school and we just had a normal dinner.  Nothing fancy.

However, on Monday, the girls and I decided to surprise the Hubs with a special dinner and decorations.  Since there was no way I could do anything on Valentine's Day (we get home late), I figured we'd do it early and he wouldn't suspect a thing.

So, our plan was to cook shrimp alfredo, decorate the kitchen table, get all fancied up and celebrate how much we love the only man in our house!

We were successful...he was excited and surprised!  It was a fabulous night complete with a dance show from the girls!

the girls picked out all the decorations and worked hard setting the table

Rylie worked hard cutting all those strawberries and kiwi

love that man..yes, I do!

A Little Behind!

Ok, so I realized during one of those recent nights in which I could not sleep, that I never officially wrote down my new year's goals, nor did I take time to jot down my Thankfuls for 2011. Yeah, I know.  It's February 2012.  Well, I'm a little bit behind and, better late than never.

Even though 2011 won't go down as my favorite year, it does deserve some reflection.  So here is my list of Thankfuls:

My salvation that comes through Christ - without it, I don't know how we would have survived this last year of uncertainty!

Thankful for a God-fearing husband and all he has accomplished this last year of craziness!

A beautiful 10 year old daughter that has grown up so much this past year and warms my heart with each sweet question about life.

A sweet, spunky  8 year old that keeps me laughing and helps me remember to treasure the small moments.

And, that God has given me enough...all that we need and some wants along the way.  Thankful that God has carried us and our faith has been strengthened more than ever before.

For 2012 I decided to set some simple goals.  I NEVER, and I say NEVER write resolutions nor do I make lengthy goals.  No reason, really.  I just don't.  That said, I did jot some things down about a month ago that I'd like to try and stick to:

Spiritual:  stay committed to my sweet bible study group throughout the spring and fall
               read one Christian book per month (hey, I hate to read..baby steps here)
              strive for daily quiet time
           
Wife:      pray for my  husband every day
             continually work on communication (I forget that he's really not in my brain)
             atleast try and have a dinner plan for each week (this goes along with reading, I hate cooking and
             shopping for food)
             date night 1x month

Mothering:  daily devotions with girls
             character training, one trait per week from Dugger chart
             figure out a better home school schedule
             praying head to toe each week

Personal:  run 3x week
             blog 3x a week (yea, all ready blew that one)
           

I know that some weeks I'll accomplish my goals and some weeks I'll fall way short.  The point is that I've put them down on paper and am doing my best to accomplish each one.  It's a place to start and I'm perfectly happy with it!

Ice Skating

A few days after Christmas we decided it was time to shower and leave the house...we had been in Christmas PJs for 2 days, really it was time to enter the real world!  Those of you that really know me, know that's a huge deal since I've been known to wake my kids from dead sleep to make them shower!  Anyhoo, we figured it would be fun to ice skate in Centennial Park. 

We had a blast despite the frigid temps and wind.  The girls did fabulous and my dear Hubs blew me away with his skill.  He skated like he had skated his whole life! I mean seriously, did he have to show off and do cool little zippy turns while I did well to just stay upright?  So unfair I tell you!  I, of course, have very little coordination, but I did maintain composure and skate without falling until my dear child knocked me over.

We truly had so much fun!  In fact, I'm hoping to add it to the list of Christmas traditions for next year.  Any maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to skate better than the Hubs!