Ice in South Georgia!

Hey, look! It's ice on the trees....in south Georgia....no, really....take a look.

I haven't seen icicles since last winter when we were in Atlanta. Aren't they just so pretty? Not very big, but we don't see these here very often. The only reason we had these was because our neighbors sprinkler was on the night before and it froze on the trees. Maybe I'll just do that more often!

Happy Birthday to Leah

Happy Birthday to Leah. She's 15 today and ready to take on the world. It seems only yesterday that she was a baby and relied on me so much for everything. Now, she's becoming a beautiful young woman. The Lord is working in her life and I'm happy to see the lady she will soon be.

Decorating for her party:

The cake and birthday wishes: (mom didn't get to make the cake this year :( )

The wrapping of Leah: (the foam wrap comes from Claire's. This was really funny!)

It was a great time!

Orange is the new Pink!

Well, I don't know if that is true with all of the "officially-dubbed fashionistas" out there - but according to my daughter, who originally wanted to go with a pale pink and chose this bright orange instead, it's the new pink.

Needless to say, I was leary, VERY leary, about painting her room this color. I mean....look at it! That's orange - Orange Julius orange! I kept asking her if she was SURE she wanted to paint her room that color. She kept assuring me that she was positive (ever seen the movie "...." where Batty says "even fools are positive!" Yeah, that fits here.

The next morning I went to get her up and noticed a glow coming from her room. Through the closed door I asked why she'd slept with the light on. She said, "Mom, it's not on."

Now on to the detail decorating. We've got to do something about downplaying these really bright walls.

101 Things to Be Happy About

I was inpired today to create this post. Over the years, I've gathered ideas about how to be happy and listed them on my computer. I try to find happiness in the little things but, like everyone else, I forget sometimes. I hope this list will be an inspiration to you.

1. A beautiful sunset.
2. waking up to the smell of coffee in the mornings.
3. the birth of a child
4. a hug
5. a smile
6. your child’s first word
7. holding hands with the one you love
8. the smell of French fries
9. making your goal weight
10. fitting into that smaller size
11. the smell of fresh, clean laundry
12. teaching your toddler to sing

13. walking on the beach

14. no dishes in the sink

15. a phone call from a friend

16. not having to make dinner

17. a clean house

18. the sound of a child's laughter

19. laughing with your significant other

20. laughing with your children

21. fresh clean sheets

22. a cup of hot tea

23. a good book

24. a good movie

25. the kids are being good

26. the loss of the first five pounds

27. making new friends

28. a sunny day

29. the smell of cut grass

30. the soft patter of rain

31. nothing to do

32. eating ice cream

33. listening to thunder

34. a nap

35. an autograph

36. a night alone

37. family game night

38. reading a great blog

39. listening to your favorite song

40. dancing with your husband

41. dancing with your children

42. sitting in the grass

43. eating stew in the winter

44. the birth of a grandchild

45. success of a new recipe

46. a night with friends

47. a note from a friend

48. a field of flowers

49. learning something new

50. giving to charity

51. volunteering

52. eating cheesecake

53. the smell of a new car

54. sleeping late

55. breakfast in bed

56. good dreams

57. meaningful conversations

58. fingerpainting

59. getting a manicure

60. getting a pedicure

61. a massage

62. having someone play with your hair

63. getting your back scratched

64. discovering a new talent

65. the smell of cookies baking

66. holidays spent with family

67. life

68. hotdogs over the bonfire

69. roasting marshmallows

70. grilling out in the summer

71. staying in

72. going out

73. a new outfit

74. your old jeans

75. a pair of comfy socks

76. eating chocolate

77. organizing a pile

78. family dinners

79. a toast

80. a sense of humor

81. sensitivity

82. buds in the springtime

83. new life

84. watching wildlife

85. festivals

86. a completed project

87. being in love

88. a hot shower

89. pizza the next day

90. reading a book together

91. chocolate milk

92. winning the lottery

93. a bubble bath

94. comfortable silence

95. an epiphany

96. learning a new joke

97. a new pair of shoes

98. discovering a new route

99. swinging on the front porch

100. taking photos of your kids

101. being yourself

Check these out!

Check out these really cute bows made by Monica! They're having a giveaway here! Go see what's there. You'll love it!

And Monica makes the awesome bow hangers too. Aren't they sweet? I like the Diva one - it shouts Ainsley all the way! And pink and green are her colors.

Homeschool Memoirs #14: Award The Categories

What a fun post! Let's see if I can come up with some interesting awards for my family.

Check out Homeschool Blog Awards if you want to play!

Best Painter: Dad

He has so many talents it's hard to name just one. He works hard with two full time jobs, rarely sleeps because he's providing for the family, teaches history to our girls because he's a history buff, orders fantastic pizza from Dominos, and likes to debate about politics. But, his passion is his artwork. He's done murals, model cars, real cars, signs, garbage cans, tool boxes....basically anything he can get his hands on. And did I mention he's a wonderful Christian man and father?

Most Improved: Zach

Zach is the one we would consider most improved. He works really hard at his job and loves his family unconditionally. Went through a rough time for a while, but now he's on a good track, finding the Lord again, and discovering who he is. (This photo is a few years old - he's almost 22 now) I got your back, Son!

Funniest: Kyle

Kyle, at age 20, is most definitely our funniest child. We've said over the years he could be the new "Jim Carrey"! He's goofy to the point of being "slap stick". He loves to tell jokes and make people laugh. There's not been a dinner at the table yet where I haven't nearly choked on my food from laughter. You can even see it in his eyes!

Most Devoted to Horses: Elizabeth

Elizabeth is our horse lover - and that's putting it mildly! She loved volunteering at a local rescue barn in the Atlanta area and leading the little kids around (her sister, in this photo). She really has a heart for this animal and can spout off trivia about them like she was the inventor of the breed. She's also a great artist, like Dad. Her medium is usually pencil and her equine drawings are just amazing! She's actually considered a professional artist now - she sold some of her artwork at a local art show that she entered when she was 13. She was quite proud of herself, and so were we! Visit her blog at Wild Horsefeathers!

The Next Best Super Model: Leah

Leah is our resident model and performer. She's started taking modeling classes and has done a couple of fashion shows already. She's also discovered a love of performing on stage in plays. Currently, she plays a part in the Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol". We're expecting great things from her. She can take care of her dear ol' parents when they are old and gray and she's rolling in the dough! See her blog: Inside and Out.

Most Talented Drama Queen: Ainsley

At three, she is a combustable combination of all the kids rolled up into a little package of dynamite! She has her big brother Zach's sensitive side, brother Kyle's goofyness, sister Elizabeth's artist abilities, and sister Leah's flare for the dramatic. She loves, loves, loves to be the center of attention and now aspires to be a model like sister Leah. Keep an eye out for this one! 'Nuff said!

Congratulations to all the others out there who have just won these prestigious awards!

Tuesday Tidbits - November 18

This is my first attempt at having my own regular "column" on my own blog. I guess we'll see how it goes.

Tuesday Tidbits is about, well, tidbits of this and tidbits of that, every Tuesday. Stay tuned as I'm working on adding more regular columns shortly. Tuesdays will be my time for everyday ramblings, I suppose you could say.

So, on with the show. Today's topic: Twittering

I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to talk about today. Sometimes I have so much to say and other times it's all jumbled in there together and I can't sort out what's what. So, I figured I'd say a few things about this new Twitter thing. Ok, maybe it's not that new to you, but seeing as how I just joined, it's a new toy for me.

When I first began blogging not too long ago I was simply amazed that people were so curious about other people they didn't know or had never met before. Blogs have grown like weeds since the concept's inception. Now - there's this new thing - Twittering. People actually want to know what you're doing at any given minute of every single day. Amazing! Is my life and times so interesting to others? I don't know...but I can say I'm fascinated at what others are doing! The strangest thing about it for me is that I don't know these people beyond the Net. So far I have no immediate friends or family that I follow or is following me - I don't even know if they know that Twittering exists!

Well, anyway, for me the world just got a little smaller! And if you're still reading this rambling...thanks! Let's Twitter!

Dana