Mission Complete!

Well...my Secret Mission to get the offensive magazine covered up in grocery stores is complete!! And I am proud to report that now all the grocery stores in the Madison area have plastic shields over the offensive magazine so that our children will not be reading the "B" word in the checkout line! The only grocery store that I found that already had this done was Publix, so YEA for Publix!!!!!

Dinner With My First Grade Peeps

My sweet First Grade co-workers and I went out to eat last night at Logan's together. It is our end-of-the-year tradition. Actually this is only the second year to do it, but traditions have to start somewhere, right? I absolutely love this group of ladies. You just do not know how much I love and appreciate them! When I moved from Kindergarten to First Grade, they helped me out so, so much!!!!! I just wish I could repay them for all their kindness.

From left to right: Beth, Ashley, Petra, Nakita, Mary Beth, Jennifer, me, Thea, and Debbie

2 Field Days in 2 Days!!

My school had the Kindergarten and First Grade Field Day on Monday. Yes, it was a very gray, yucky day to have it, but unfortunately we don't get to choose the weather. We had a lot of fun running races and just being outside ALL day! It does wear this teacher out though.

Here is my triumphant class after winning the tug-of-war championship! Can you tell how excited we were to beat ALL eight other first grade classes?!?

Then today, I got to play Mommy and join Caitlin for Field Day at her school. The weather was much, much nicer!

Caitlin's class winning at tug-of war. (Caitlin is in the purple t-shirt.)

Caitlin took a quick break from the action to pose for a picture with me.

Caitlin and Daddy

I also got to play wife today! It's always fun interacting with Randy's students, and they think it's hilarious that there is a "Mrs. Hollingsworth!"

Me and My Sweetie

So I have had two VERY busy, but fun days. I am pooped!!!! Anyone want to join me for a massage?

Happy Mother's Day, Part 2

The rest of our Mother's Day was spent like this---

Lunch out with Randy' Mom

Aren't they sweet?

We got to give her some presents to tell her how much we love and appreciate her. Caitlin and Harrison had to help!

Dinner over at my sister, Dana's house

All the grandkids waiting for my Mom (Ma-Ma) to open her presents

Dana, my Mom, and me celebrating Mother's Day together

Happy Mother's Day!

After struggling with infertility (not once, but twice!), I have been very blessed by God to get to celebrate Mother's Day nine times! I feel like this is the greatest job given to me, and I take it very seriously. I absolutely love it and wouldn't trade my babies for anything!

My very first Mother's Day with Caitlin. (11 months old)
The wind was blowing something awful, and she was pulling my hair!

My first Mother's Day with Harrison. (Caitlin-5 years, Harrison-11 months old)

It was pretty and bright that day!

My Mother's Day today-2009 (Caitlin-8 years, Harrison -3 years)

Kisses from my babies!

I hope you have had a wonderful Mother's Day with your family!

Bachelor Party, Birthday Parties, and the "B" Word

You may wonder what these things have to do with each other...well, they all happened within the last 24 hours.
First, Randy was invited to a Bachelor Party for his good friend, Joe, whose wedding he happens to be in on Memorial Day weekend. Oh, and did I mention that is Caitlin's dance recital?! Anyway, he felt as if he should go since he is a member of the wedding party. He told me this morning that it was a low-key Bachelor Party. Now is he telling me that just to ease my mind?????
Then today we had two Birthday Parties to attend. These were very special friends whose birthdays we wouldn't miss for the world! The first party was Alex's. His party was at the Madison Bowling Center (fun, fun!) where we celebrated him turning five years old. He got lots of cool boy toys!

Look at the concentration in those eyes!

Look at that form!

"What's in this one?" Notice Harrison is wearing his new fish shirt we purchased at Target yesterday.

The second party was Annie's Birthday at the Ice Complex. We got to celebrate her 8th birthday with some cool ice skating!

Caitlin started out a little bit shaky, but after she went around a few times with the "walker" she was skating like a pro! She wants to go back next Saturday.

Happy Birthday Annie!

And I know you are wanting to know about the "B" word. Well after we finished partying, we had to run by the grocery store to pick up a few things for supper. Caitlin said that her legs were hurting from ice skating, so she rode in the buggy. As we were waiting in the long checkout line, she was reading all the headlines on the magazines. Luckily I spotted one before her. It had the "B" word boldly written on the front cover!! I was able to quickly place another magazine over this offensive magazine so that she didn't see it. After we paid for our groceries, I walked over to the Customer Servicer counter and asked to see a manager. I took the Assistant Manager over to one of the offensive magazines and pointed it out to her (very nicely of course). I told her that I knew it wasn't her or her store's fault that this magazine chose to print that word on their cover, but I wanted them to be aware that it was being shown at eye level to children so that they could do something about it. I told her that I am not a prude or a naive person, and I know that my daughter will one day read that word and may very well one day say that word out loud. But I choose to stay away from movies and literature (and grocery stores) that have cuss words in them right now so that she is not exposed to it.

So now I am curious if other stores have that magazine out for little eyes to see?! It think I will investigate further.....

Living Room Tour

As you know by now, I am following along with Kelly's Korner blog and inviting you into my home for part of her "Show Us Where You Live" series. Today is Living Rooms, and here is a glimpse into my well-loved space. We spend a lot of time in this room. It opens into the eating area and kitchen, so a lot of activities happen here.

This is the view from the eating area. I collect lighthouses, and my in-laws gave us this entertainment center one Christmas so that I could have a place to display my collection.

This is the view from the entryway. This couch is so wonderful because it has recliners on both ends. It was a fantastic place to recover after my hysterectomy last Spring. We use our fireplace almost every night in the wintertime. It makes the house so cozy, plus Caitlin and Harrison love making s'mores! The little end table was my Grandmother's. It has a match sitting on the side of the rocker. That has been a well-used rocker for both of my babies!

A view of the fireplace from the eating area. I really don't know what to do with the mantel. I love displaying family photographs on the table. The ones out right now include my babies' 6 week portraits, our very first Christmas together picture, and the grandkids' Christmas portrait.

Our very favorite chair and a half with my 2 babies loving on each other on it. The ottoman is great because it opens up for lots of extra storage space.
Thanks for visiting!!