ZOO

Last night we had to pick up Kevin from the Nashville Airport, so we we decided to go a little early and do some fun things with the kids. I had to work before we left, so we got kind of a late start, but we finally made it to the zoo around lunchtime. After waiting out a quick thunderstorm under a cute little grass hut, we roamed the zoo for hours. We've been to the Nashville Zoo several times, but have never made it all the way through. We always walk through the main part and then Drew sees the gigantic play area and we end up spending the rest of our time there, but this time, we made the long hike to the back of the property and walked through the African safari area. It is now by far our favorite! It's like you're walking through the grasslands and then you stop under these huge tents with over sized benches to sit and watch the animals roaming around in huge fields. Awesome. After our safari, we toured the home of the family that donated their land to the zoo. The home was 199 years old and had 95% of its original furnishings. It was fun to explain things to Drew like why the kitchen wasn't attached to the home, what the well was for, and why there were no toilets, bathtubs, air conditioning, light switches, or refrigerators in the home. He just couldn't believe that people used lived that way. I was so humbled to walk through that 'mansion' and realize how truly blessed I am. I can't imagine having to go outside to get water one bucket at a time for my family to bathe, cook, and clean with. I can't imagine using an outhouse or having to use cloth diapers and clean them without a washing machine and detergent! It just made me realize how lucky I am to have all of the things that I so readily take for granted, and how easily they could all lost... one horrific natural disaster and I'd be reading by candle light and running to the Flint River trying to scrub dirty diapers clean. We are so blessed! I am so blessed. After the tour, we hit the 'jungle gym' on the way out. We took turns playing with Drew and watching Maddi because she fell asleep in he stroller after puking on the 200 year old hardwood floors right in the middle of the tour of the old homestead. Ugh! So, when it was my turn to play, Drew took me up and down and in and out of all of the holes and tunnels and passageways. Our favorite part was the huge nets that hung out over the river. You had to climb through them to get to the other side, and I really felt like a monkey swinging around on the ropes. Each area made you feel like a different animal wiggling your way through. It was really fun.

When we left the zoo, we went to downtown Nashville. We were looking for a place to eat and thought we'd walk around downtown for a while 'til it was time to get Kevin, but let's just say that downtown Nashville isn't exactly family friendly. We couldn't find a place to eat that wasn't a 'saloon' and there wasn't a single stroller or child out on the sidewalks. There were, however, lots of scantily clad ladies, men in their finest cowboy hats and boots, and even a man puking all over the road. Yum. So, we decided to head to Opry Mills instead. We found an awesome place to eat called the Rainforest Cafe. The food wasn't great, but the atmosphere was AMAZING. It felt like we were sitting in the middle a rainforest with huge trees, waterfalls, fish tanks, animated jungle animals all around, and rain showers created by lighting and sound effects. The kids really enjoyed it.

So that was our day. A little bit of rain, a whole lot of fun, and a bit of humble pie. A perfect day.

simple.

I'm a simple girl... especially when it comes to my flower garden. Simple is my friend. I'm not one to weed and water and fertilize, but I do enjoy beautiful flowers... a bit of irony I admit. So, there's only one kind of flower that I plant. I guess I like the continuity, and it is hearty, blooms every year on its own, requires no maintenance, and is gorgeous. Sadly, I always forget its name, but I still love you exotic, elegant, sleek, and slender beautiful flower. You make me smile every time I walk outside :)

Memorial Day

I took the kids and my sisters to Kids Kingdom on Memorial Day to play. Sean was working with my parents at the new BBQ place we just started... I'll post more details about that venture and a link to our website as soon as I get the site finished, but we had fun together anyway.

I am so grateful for the men, women, and families who have sacrificed their time, their energy, their loved ones, and their lives to provide me with freedom and safety, and even more personally, I thank Papa Bill, Grandpa Glouner, John, and Bishop Winters. My life is better because of your sacrifice; so, thank you and Happy Memorial Day!

Rolling Over

Maddi rolled over for the first time on Saturday, AND I MISSED IT!!! We are dog sitting Kevin's two precious little pups, and Maddi adores them. I had to finish getting ready to go to work, and no one else was home to entertain her while I got ready, so I laid her down on her back beside the dogs' cage and went to my room to finish getting ready. I heard her squealing and cooing and laughing at the dogs the entire time I was in the other room, and when I came in to check on her, she was on her tummy with her little hands in the cage laughing while they licked and nibbled on her chunky little fingers. If only I could have been there to see her.... but her huge gummy smile when I walked in the room and caught her petting the puppies was priceless.

desire.

I've had this secret desire... this thing that I hoped for... even prayed for... a wish that meant too much to utter aloud. It was a silly something really... not nearly as grand as I'm making it seem, and life was still so wonderful without it that at times I even forgot it was missing, but occasionally the bitterness of it's absence felt like a weight in my heart. I honestly believed that I didn't deserve this special little gift. My life is already so amazing that sometimes I would feel a little guilty for wanting more, but God loves me and gave me the gift that I've secretly craved for YEARS. It came in a way that was completely unexpected and at a time when I wasn't particularly searching for it. It was simple yet profound and nothing like I imagined it would be. It wasn't epic or climatic, but it was exactly what I had secretly desired. I am humbled to be loved by a God that knows me so well and shows such compassion and charity toward me. My heart is full, and I am grateful for my own little miracle.

Bookworm

To celebrate Drew's completion of first grade and his magnificent grades, he got to go to the book store and buy a few books. He chose Fudge-a-mania, Super Fudge, and Double Fudge by Judy Blume. He thinks they are hilarious! Sean read them as a child and loves them too, so they've been reading a few chapters together at bedtime every night. I love that Drew loves to read, and I must admit that my heart even flutters a little when I look over and see him nose deep in his book mouthing the words and giggling at the adventures of Fudge and Pete.

Walls

My SIL gave me some vinyl lettering to put in Maddi's room. I put it on the wall over her crib, and I LOVE it!!! Honestly, I was amazed that I could do it because I am so not crafty, but it was really easy and oh so cute. Thanks Candice :)