Can you guess who this is? There is of course one dead give away. And that's your only hint. Good luck!

Many Happy Returns

Thursday June 29th

I set a goal for myself today. It was totally impromptu and I hope it's achievable. I think it is and I'm living like it is until I prove myself otherwise. Which is NOT what I am trying to do.

We finally visited Yogurt Story today with some family. I think just because of the green chairs I prefer it to Cherry Berry. The only reason I feel compelled to compare the two is because I left the country for two weeks and came back and there they BOTH were. It's like they are in a competition already so I may as well make the comparison.

Camille these days?

She can sport these now. These were her very first pigtails.

She also speaks in twos. Mommydaddymommydaddymommydaddy. Her version of Grannypapaw sounds more like this Ninnypapa-ninnypapa-ninnypapa. She starts rattling it off as soon as we turn into their sub-division. As soon as we pull into any sort of drive thru she starts in with MmmmDUmmmmmDUmmmmmDU. Which is also what she chants when I get her up in the mornings. MmmmDU stands for food or eat (mmmmmm) and DU (do) is for drink or juice which is what she calls any drink or swimming pool or pond.

You should see her when we walk up to the pool. MommyDU MommyDU!!!

Yes,Camille I see the juice. Let's go swim!

She also says baby. A LOT!

Nighnighbebe-nighnighbebe if she is asking for her blankie and soft rattle doll or bebedah-bebedah if she wants any other baby doll.

Didn't notice until bedtime but baby-nigh-nigh seems to have vanished.

Tuesday June 3rd

As we were getting ready to go watch Sherman's big firework show I looked in the bottom of the closet way in the back for a pair of pants I thought I would try to wear. I hadn't been able to wear them *yet*. I didn't find them on a hanger which is why I was crawling around in the floor of the closet when I stumbled across long lost baby-nigh-nigh.

I was so super happy to scratch that off of things to be sad about from my list. I told Shiloh right away I found them and he got out of the shower super quick (which if you know him you know that is not normal) and we reunited Camille with her snugglys. She was perfectly content to lay on the front porch snugglin away and sucking her thumb until we actually left for fireworks.

Nap and bedtime just hadn't been the same without dear baby-nigh-nigh. She had adopted a substitute from our friends house but it wasn't really the same after all.

On the way to the show Silas said 'I wish we could watch fireworks in 3D'. I told him simply 'We can,bub.' and he was happy.

Wednesday July 4th

Today Silas said to one of the girls 'You did that on carpus!'

I giggled quietly and he asked me "Mom,what's 'on carpus?' "

'On purpose? That's when you do something intentionally. Like you meant to do it.'

Oh,well what's accident?


That's when you do something unintentionally. Like you didn't mean to do it.

Then he continued talking to himself and I kept hearing him compare the two words carpus and accident.

Later that day...

I overheard a conversation between Clara and Silas as they were picking up the living room.

It's purpose,Silas!


No it's carpus!


Clara laughed and laughed and said

I don't even know what carpus means,Silas! What is carpus anyway?


It's when you meant to do something,Clara!


No Silas, that's purpose!

Clara giggled and they went about their business.

Friday July 5th

Went out to help plan a romantic date for two friends. Fine china in an old falling down gazebo. Exactly my style.

Saturday  July 6th

Put the finishing touches on the romantic one year anniversary date. Decided to do something big for my birthday tomorrow. Hint: it's sparkly and semi-permanent. Watched Camille play in the shower from the living room. She opened the curtain and called me. When I didn't go she got a cup of water and poured it onto the floor.


 I used my super stern voice and said Camille! No,ma'am!

Of course being the two year old that she almost is she quickly scoops up another cup full and dumps it out in the same spot. I opened my mouth and Shiloh quickly got up to go in there and the little twirp you know what she did? She said (and I quote) 'na-na-doo-doo'

Which in Camille speak means 'nana nana boo boo'

Two.

Oh dear.

It was so funny and so not funny.

And now I must go and plan my birthday menu of events tomorrow. I'm getting a jewel!


Saturday July 7th

30.

ew

the end


Sunday July 15th

Sometimes you know how you just want to do something snotty but you don't because you don't really want to and then you are glad you didn't but you kind of still want to anyway?

In other news (ahem) Cecily had a run in with a dog today. She is okay but late last night when she was still up Shiloh and I had her sit with us to see how she was feeling. She is fine but a little nervous to be around this certain dog. While we were chatting we talked about all the animals Grandma has. There is one cat called Lokey. He's a little feisty and he sometimes hisses at the kids.

We spent the night there not too long ago and Lokey found his way into our room. We awoke to find him sitting on his perch staring down into Camille's pack-n-play. I got nervous that he was about to preform a swan dive into her bed and so I tried to shoo him out. He was batting at me and so I woke Shiloh to get him out. He meowed loudly when Shiloh tried to lift him and ran back to his perch. Shiloh put his hands into the legs of his jeans he picked up off the floor and grabbed him that way so he wouldn't get scratched.

As we talked with Cecily we told her of that story and she told us she thinks Lokey is freaky. She doesn't like sleeping in the guest room because Lokey spends his night gazing at her atop his perch. Shiloh then told her what type of cat he was and told her that those cats tend to be a little different. He had one when he was young he thought was crazy. I asked Cecily if he Lokey lets her pet him. She said no. I asked if he lets Grandma pet him. She said 'Oh yeah! Grandma plays with him a lot. She just makes sure to put her gloves on first.'

Shiloh and I died. For some reason the thought of his mom putting on gloves in order to be able to interact with her cat seemed hilarious. Perhaps because Lokey is quite a meanie and tends to scratch even the hand that feeds him. Our laughter sent Cecily into hysterics and when we settled down I asked her if she knew what was so funny. She didn't which set us off again. Again we settled down but kept talking of cats in general. Shiloh told Cecily that cats who are abused as kittens might grow up to be really mean and not let people near them. It was quiet for a minute us all thinking about the seriousness of someone abusing a kitten and then Cecily spoke.

'I wonder what happened to Lokey?'

And then she laid back and rolled in the floor with laughter. Her delivery was perfect. Like in Mary Poppins when they have to think sad thoughts to be able to come down from the ceiling. It's quiet for a second and then they just can't help giggling some more Shiloh and I laughed and laughed and I was only able to squeak out 'She made a joke!' we laughed until I had tears and if any of us looked at one another we would laugh some more.

When we finally got it together I asked her again if she knew what was so funny and she said 'yes' and still laughing told me 'because Grandma had Lokey since he was a kitten!!'

I'm not sure if she intended for it to be a joke. I think not. But as soon as it left her mouth she realized how absurd to think Grandma would do any harm to a poor little kitten and then she realized just how funny what she said sounded. What was most funny to me was the way she made herself laugh. Though Clara is usually the joke teller Cecily has been laughing since she was only a couple of days old and has never stopped.

I'm enjoying her nocturnal ways.

Many Happy Returns

Sunday June 3rd

During a long weekend camping Silas laid on a rock sunning himself and peering into the river. Watching carefully for any sign of a crawdad he sighed and said 'I'm the luckiest boy in the world'.

The boy loves anything that pinches,pokes,or cuts. Which is why he recently cut his own hair which is why very soon I have something to show you. :)


Monday June 4th

Monday Monday. I just discovered I can blog while looking at the ceiling. See? I just did. That's helpful when your neck gets tired. Add it to your list of helpful lifetime hints.

I thought about a friend today that I really miss. I imagine him to be just the same as he always was. But I have no idea.

I began another juice fast today. Because this time I want to reach my weight goal. Day 1 I felt completely normal. And guilty when I tried a bite of our first tomato from our garden. I didn't really feel guilty. I had just had tomato juice and it was full of pulp so I chewed the tomato bite well and pretended it was juice too.

My big kids are spending the night with their cousins. I'm glad they have so many cousins so close to their own ages. They have 9 so far.

Tuesday June 5th

I think you never outgrow MCS (middle child syndrome). I think I know you don't.

Clara said something today that I really wanted to remember. I forgot anyway...

Day two juice all done. Same as yesterday normal with a headache at the end. I tried running while on a juice  fast today. I had other reasons why I wasn't able to but I'm going to keep trying because I want to run with Abbie before she moves away.

Went to a going away girls night for Abbie tonight. Scored lotion,a candle,and some sweet earings. Our friend Lori is sweet....and Abbie and Blake are still moving. Despite all the goodies and sappy memories.

Blind smelling tests are actually really fun. And can help you make good lotion and candle choices.

Wednesday June 6th

It's raining today. We leave for camp in four days and I have nothing packed. Those two things are completely unrelated. I tend to disregard things like proper paragraphs and punctuation. Which is why you may notice sporadic commas and.....quotation marks "get on my nerves". So I use italics 'or these' instead. I think indenting looks too formal. I do wonder though if it makes it harder to read or for readers to get what I'm saying.

hey at least i use capitol letters. some people don't and that's okay. i just happen to like them. JUST NOT TOO MANY OF THEM CAUSE THEN I FEEL BAD. LIKE YOU ARE SCREAMING AT ME.

I have no idea where all of that just came from.

Good night!

Thursday June 7th

Juice Day 4 done. I have both friends and family juicing along with me...and it is much harder this time. I think it's all mental. When things are a little topsy turvy you just want to eat. But it's only two more days left and the scale is being nice to me. I'm planning breakfast already....

Clara told me today she is ready to shave her legs. I told her of how the hair would grow back all pokey and how often she would have to do it. I offered to make sugar wax and wax them for her and she said 'okay!'. Well,okay...I guess it's a date. You may see her running around soon with only one strip clear. :)

Two friends celebrating nine years of marriage today. When they got married I had only a tiny baby Cecily growing inside my belly. I didn't yet need a maternity bride's maid dress. I still have that dress. I wonder if I can fit it...

Road Trip Part 2

We messed around after lunch for a while before heading to the wax museum. There was ping pong, checkers,pool,and puzzles.

The wax museum was super fun. Kind of eerie. All those waxy celebrities looking all different in real life.

When we walked in guess who we ran into first?

Get it? It was fitting considering the whole reason for our trip. Sometimes we say we are 'just Gumping it' if we are going to run a long distance.

Watch out. We who never need an excuse to act silly were given plenty of chances while we toured these waxy creations.

         Remembering that we were supposed to overuse the word halvsies I couldn't resist snapping these.

 I know it's hard to tell who that is serving ice cream. But take a closer look to his face on the right. That's right Mr. Hunk 'O Hunk O' Burnin Love himself.

 Oh Mister Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiilllllllllllllson!! Yeah we made sure to do lots of menacing things here.

The boys did not want to pose with these racers. They were like no grumble pout kick stomp grrrrrr. We went round and round with them....and then they did it anyway. They are winners. Someone get them a trophy.

I wanna be Kate,no me,no me...That didn't happen. We all shared Leo to pieces. And John's drunken sailor is the best.

All I have to say about these last three is: if my pants were a little looser I would've chambered that kick way better...

...that face looks eerily similar to my 'I just completed a half marathon face'...

...and Charlie,if you're ever in the neighborhood....We are so hard-core.  

The house of mirrors was fun too. It was my first time through one and it was tricky...until I figured out if you see yourself then just don't go that way. It sounds easier than it looks.

 Here we are getting in some pre-run activities,loosening up a bit.

Silly runners.

Then it was back to the hotel for some pasta (again?) or some ceasar salad with spinach. And more water. Four runners and two cheerleaders went through 5 gallons of water in 24 hours. We take our hydration very seriously. Some of us take our pasta very seriously. One of us is scared of carbs and eats lots of lettuce.

The runners turned in early (it was 9-ish) and Blake and John went out beef jerky shopping. Or something. We anticipated not being able to fall asleep but the next thing we knew it was 2:15 am. Time to rise and shine. Yawn....



                                             No statues were harmed or even touched on purpose during the duration of our tour.

Getting There...

How do you begin a road trip with many friends?

Fuel and then gas. If you're toting four about to be half marathon runners you also need to add in a good amount of water along with the fuel. But never put water in your fuel. Or something like that.

Armed to the hilt with sturdy snacks,catchy tunes and an air of excitement this road trip would prove to be epic. I can't even begin to count all the inside silliness that would mean exactly nothing to someone who didn't know us. Imagine passing that group of guffawing-loud-don't-care-who-can-hear teenagers and then imagine yours truly with a can't-get-any-higher-bun giggling right along beside them.

Laura,Heather,Jennifer,Jonathan,Jeff,Zed,Lemmi and Aleymayhu may be able to conjure up a similar image.

We teased each other about music choices and whined that some tunes were simply not singable. Or maybe that was just me. We eventually settled in and all agreed on a mix disc that was full of music from our teenage years.

In honor of our half marathon we also agreed that we would over use the word halvsies as much as possible.

Once we were settled in and sufficiently seventeen again and belting out tunes had quieted to simply humming along,we were well down the road. It was dark,we had almost settled on a temperature that would suite us all and you can imagine were not a bit sleepy.

With a few rounds of Would You Rather under our belts we shared with each other what things are on our bucket lists. We carefully chronicled them on Abbie's iphone so that later we could come back and scrutinize our choices. We could come back to edit the list or not. Maybe the list would prove to be motivating in the future. However it would work four of us were well on our way to marking-running a half marathon-off our lists.

Three of us have worked for well over a year to achieve this goal. One of us chimed in for the last three weeks or so and completely showed up us girls.

I don't make this stuff up.

All that coffee and water prompted a pit stop somewhere in Arkansas. The hand dryers in the women's restroom were just shy of being classified as an F1 tornado. We were amazed at the size of the circles the forced air pressed into our forearms.

Yes,I imagine by this time it was late. How could you tell?

Never passing up a good photo op we made these.

*We are mostly friends because we are similar in height. We don't have much else in common. *wink*

Seven...the amount of things I could have still fit into my hoodie pocket.

When we finally made it to MO and at long last found where we could check into our home away from home well, everything was funny.

Driving off when I got out to read a sign? Giggleable. Not so funny when that screeching car started to act all weird. Was it?

Making up our own conversations for the two friends who went in to check in based on their body language as we watched through the glass. Hilarious.

Going for a walk once we unpacked the van,sitting near the water fall and making up more conversation of the security guard who passed by. Laughable.

We were reluctant to settle down and sleep but felt that we should not loose too many winks considering we were technically still in training for the run that was only one day away.

Next morning began with someone's alarm clock going off. Up and at 'em. We all showered and dressed and made a grocery list of foods that would suit all of our desires. The girls went shopping leaving the guys to check out the amenities. They did a great job. We had a heck of a time finding a grocery store.

We checked out the sights as we drove from store to store and found some things that we might like to do later. Branson had a fair amount of damage from recent tornadoes but still offered plenty of fun looking attractions.


Back with the groceries we rustled up some grub and the boys cleaned up the mess.

**Let's title this photo shall we?

The big one. Come on interact with me. Leave me your wittiest title in the comment section and I will pick a winner and let you all know soon.

Then we came up with a plan for entertainment for the day and headed out on the town.

Everything in Branson seemed a bit more confusing than it needed to be but we finally figured out how to spend our bought online tickets and went in to the local wax museum.

I know you would probably like to see those photos so don't worry as the title of this post suggests I'm getting there. This post will most definitely have

...to be continued.

*We are not actually that similar in height but it was late and it seemed hilarious to us at the time to make photos of us all looking as if we were in fact similar in height. Which it totally was.

**Don't forget to name this photo. Please.

Many Happy Returns

Monday May 21st

Camille woke up calling 'Mommy Daddy Mommy Daddy Mommy Daddy' When I went to her she was standing in her crib arms folded and hanging over the side rail. I love Camille.

Answered a cry for help over at a friend's blog by making up a word for her new super amazing life work. You can find my word here and also read about her upcoming adventure. I love adventures.

Learning about more and more people everyday who are inspired to juice fast or run because of me and my fellow roadrunners. I'm BIG on connecting with people. It's the reason I wanted to travel to Ethiopia,one reason I blog,and something I value a lot within my relationships. I love people.

Making new friends around the world,across the nation or right in my own town (I've done all three very recently) makes me happy and inspires me to keep learning and growing and makes me more open to all kinds of people. I love friends.

It seems like much longer ago than just 2 days that I was running 13.1 miles. I love my medal. *big cheese grin*

Tuesday May 22 nd

A strange-ish day around here. Ever hear something you aren't sure how to react to?

Grandma has made sure all 7 cousins will be sleeping in coordinating prints.

I tried to run but found my knees not quite recovered. I worked out my arms instead.

Chai tea with friends is good. And yummy. I know because I've had it twice in the last two days.

Silas is a good big brother. Today he taught Camille how to get down stairs when she was too stubborn frightened to do it on her own. He sang a little song and hopped a little Tigger down along side her.

Wednesday May 23rd

Today I'm just...quiet. That's not so strange is it?

But I do remember this. Silas was being tickled by a friend. He stopped the torture and Silas pointed out his many owies. The friend pointed out a bruise on Silas' leg and asked what happened. Silas casually remarked 'Oh,that's just a gray spot'

Oh,of course. We should have known.

Thursday May 24th

Clowned around on bikes at Granny and Papaw's house with the kids.

Paid off my credit card and with my points I'm itching to go to Disney again.

Friday May 25th

Told Clara today (playfully) to zip your lips and Silas chimed right in with "Yeah and close your eyes and glue them shut!"

Visited legoland with the kiddos and had a fun time but learned that our kids aren't really into legos...yet? They wanted much more to go across the mall to the aquarium. The aquarium wanted an arm and a leg for the aquarium entrance fees so we decided to keep our appendages and drive back home.

Played a bit of island tag then went and winged it up at Buffalo wild wings. They have sports all over the walls there.

Saturday May 26th

Silas came in too early for a cartoon morning (especially after an island tag night) and said "Look,Mom! It's magneted to me!" I pried my eyes open and saw part of a safety pin stuck to his thumb. "Oh,how'd you do that,Bub?" "I just stuck it through a little piece of my skin!" "That's nice go watch cartoons....zzzz"

Had some mentally draining conversations. ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz.

Didn't do a single constructive thing to the house. Happy that tomorrow is still the weekend!

Sunday May 27th

Shiloh took the kiddos and I'm at home all day cleaning and doing laundry.

Oh and playing my own version of words with friends. Two friends. Lots of words.

Hope you all had a memorable week as well!

Many Happy Returns

Sunday May 13th

Happy mothers day to me. Things that made me feel special today were going to bed at 8:30 am and then sleeping until 11:30. Waking up to an omlet (as requested) and some grapefruit juice. Some roses and a round of hand made cards. Silas kept repeating over and over as I opened the cards one by one 'It's a weally monster a weally monser!I drew a weally monster!' He always replaces an R sound with a W sound and I couldn't figure out why his grammer was so bad 'It's a really monster a really monster. I drew a really monster...?' That doesn't make sense... I looked at the drawing and then it made sense. It was a stick-ish monster with circles all around the perimeter. Oh,a wheal-y monster. Of course.

My friend texted me happy mother's day x 4. He is a friend that doesn't text often and it was special.

Cecily went home with my parents and took a bag packed all by herself. I don't know if she took enough clothes but I imagine she will make it just fine. Grandmommy has a washing machine.

Monday May 14th

Spent the day dressed in Shiloh's clothes cause mine were ALL dirty. When I say all I mean anything I would want to wear.

Woke up to a strangely quiet house at 10:30. TEN THIRTY?!? okay now I'm awake. Went searching for children and found Clara had used quite an elaborate system that involved a kitchen stool next to Camille's crib to get her up,feed her cereal in her high chair and then dress her complete with shoes. Silas made his own breakfast too and I was oblivious to it all. On the to do list is fix the baby monitor.

Took Clara for a pedicure treat. She love the massage chair and has added -Massage Chair to her birthday list along with -Pet Mouse. She chose dark blue with zebra stripes on her toes and dark blue with glitter on her fingers.

I chose glitter only.

Tuesday May 15th

Again Clara played Mommy and I slept in. Thinking about taking fix the monitor OFF the to do list. Perhaps I need to go to bed earlier?

Bought some eggplant,cauliflower and yellow bell pepper for the garden. It's gets addicting growing foods and plants. Just wait 'till I find some on sale strawberry plants.

Wednesday May 16th

Had one of those just need to get out of the house days. It had something to do with waking up to find the kitchen swarming with flies. Did you know I detest flies?

Ohhh I should get a venus fly trap...yup addicted.

Got a nice surprise on my face book wall. And another in my e-mail inbox. It's good having friends all over the nation. It makes my insides toasty.

Thought it about time I hop on the skinny jeans boat. And so I did. One big roll,a pair of Sanuks and I'm good to go all summer.

Thursday May 17th

Packed for our out of town half marathon. Didn't want to forget running shoes,shin sleeves,camelback,honey stix,extra hair bands,and a few good clothes and accessories.

Eyebrows are waxed,I shaved my legs and I'm as aerodynamic as I'll ever be!

ROAD TRIP!!! Loaded up the swagger wagon with five great friends,pumped up the music and sang our way all the way to MO. I seriously felt 15.

Friday May 18th

Went to the grocery store with the girls to fill our home away from home with foods to prepare. Asking questions in MO proves to be an interesting experience over and over again. Chugged water all day. Four runners went through 5 gallons of water in 24 hours.

Visited a wax museum and posed with the stars. Stumbled our way through a house of mirrors and laughed at images of ourselves in curvy mirrors.

Self inflicted a 9 pm bedtime on ourselves while the non runners went out jerky shopping.

Saturday May 19th

Woke up at 2:15 in the MORNING to drive two hours to our first half marathon in Joplin MO.

Met a trained killer.

Ran our hearts out. Had an unexpected emotional experience at the end. Decided to wear our medals ALL day despite what anyone would think.

(planning to blog our run to bits as soon as I get my photos)

Stayed awake for  24 hours in the name of hanging out...since we can't just do that back at home in Sherman.

Sunday May 20th

Left Missouri. Texas bound.

Decided the best pit stop on the way home would be hiking in the mountains.  I could barely manage stepping off a curb for sore muscles and joints but figured a little rock climbing would be just what the Dr. ordered.

Entertained ourselves by impersonating each other. Almost died from laughter on the way home. Someone should do a reality show about us. Seriously.

Brought home giant pickle souvenirs for the family.

My mind is spinning about future blog posts. But at least for now I have recorded these moments.