Initiation Into Motherhood

Yesterday evening was so nice that despite all of us having colds we decided to play outside in the back yard. Heath was up on the hill with Ava and Colton and I took Bart out of his cage to let him play. I was walking Bart around the yard on his leash. Colton comes running up to me holding a dandelion (the seed ones that you blow) so I bend down to his level to remind him what to do. I then notice that he is gagging. He evidently remembered from last year that you do something with these but didn't quite remember and he inhaled instead of blowing out. He had the seeds all over his tongue. This boy goes nuts when a hair is in his mouth and freaks out. The seeds were no different. I told him to stick out his tongue so I could wipe it off with his shirt. I didn't get the words out of my mouth and he threw up all over me. This is the first time I have been puked on by one of my kids. Now I can't count the number of times I've been spit up on but actual throw up, this was a first. I felt sorry for the neighbor guy who was eating his dinner outside and saw the whole thing.

Babes, Bags, and Bed Bugs

This past weekend I along with 13 other girls from our congregation took a girls only trip to St. Louie. It is the first time I have done anything like this since having my babies. A very sweet sister kept Ava for me so I could go. And Heath kept the Bean.

We left around 8:00 AM on Friday since the stores open at 10:00. We shopped all day and then had dinner and shopped some more afterwards. Then we went to Embassy Suites where we had 4 rooms. At about midnight we had security called on us. So we went to one of the other rooms to continue our party. When the girls sleeping in that room were ready to go to bed we all went back to our room. I haven't laughed so hard in a very long time. It was a blast. This is a crazy bunch! We finally went to sleep at 3:00 AM.

We got up at 8:00 the next morning and the girls from the room we went to when we had security called on us were complaining about there being ticks in their beds. They said that they moved really fast though. I had recently read an article on bed bugs and this is exactly what they were. It said that most people mistake them for ticks. They have become increasingly popular in the US again because of international travel and the ban of a pesticide that had eliminated them pretty much from here. They are horrible little critters that feed on your blood while you are sleeping. They first inject into you something in their bodies where you don't feel them biting. Many times you take them or their sticky little eggs, home on your luggage without knowing it and then you have them in your home. They are extremely difficult to get rid of. Ever since I read that article I have been so phobic about them. Since I found out they were in that room, I have not been able to sleep. I will never stay there again and absolutly dread staying in a hotel again. And hooray, the one we are staying in for Circuit Assembly and District Convention is right across the street. I will not sleep until I do a thorough check of the mattresses. I am so OCD when it comes to bugs.

We had breakfast and then shopped some more. Then it was back home.

Other than the bed bugs, our trip was a blast. I got to know some sisters better that I didn't know very well, and just had a great time with the ones I know well. I came back with lots of bags of loot (mostly for Colton and Ava) and lots of memories that I will never forget. I hope we can do it again soon.

Church Signs

Brooke and I for several years call each other when we see a great church sign. So I thought I would post a few of my favorites.

I have seen this one twice now on different churchs, it's the best one I've seen in a while. Peanut butter isn't the only thing being recalled by it's maker. Other ones that really make you think are... And you think it's hot here (of course this one works best in Summertime), Come in for a faith lift, and my personal all time favorite, Go Jesus Go (displayed at Christmas time) Where exactly is Jesus going? Or is this a Jesus cheer? If so, let me get my pom poms. I guess you have to go in to find out for sure.

Hooray for Free Stuff

Everyone that knows me well knows about my love of free things. Whether it is dumpster diving for whatever treasure might be found to surfing the net for free samples. I have found some really awesome things. My best web freebie was my SonicCare Electric toothbrush (AVR $80) and my Senseo Coffee Maker (ARV $50). Yesterday when I heard UPS drop a package I had no idea what was waiting outside my door. I knew right away when I saw the package. It was my free Starbucks tee shirt. Starbucks had a promotion a couple of weeks ago where you designed a shirt with your favorite drink on it and they gave away a very limited number of them. I just happened to get in at the exact moment they came available. Well, I was so excited to get my shirt that I didn't notice at first a little card inside the envelope. It is a coupon to get the drink on your shirt at any Starbucks when you have the shirt on and present your coupon. And Turborip, I know your little one is into Thomas Trains, they have a promotion now to get a free Thomas wooden engine. This is how Colton has gotten most of his Thomas trains. You just pay $2.99 for shipping, but seeing that they are anywhere from $13-$20, it's a good deal. To anyone who enjoys getting cool freebies in the mail, here is the link where I get most of them. http://www.freesamplesite.com/ydf/forumdisplay.php?forumid=1