G.R.A.N.D. S.L.A.M.!!!!!

Josh's baseball team faced a team from Pleasant View this afternoon. It was hot as all get out too. We were ahead 1-0 for quite a while and then it was tied up. Then the score went to 3-2 and then tied up at 3-3. It was likely the last inning due to time and the Mets were up to bat. The bases were loaded with two outs and Josh was up. He had an important role to play -- if he struck out, we went down as a tie and might have another inning and lose. If he got a base hit and brought a runner in, we won. There was the possibility he could hit and it would be caught and we'd end up in a tie. So much on the line -- too much drama for the mama (I have GOT to get that Drama Mama t-shirt!!).

Josh had a ball, then a foul (strike), then another strike. UGH. Drama. And then, it happened ... just the right ball crossed the plate at just the right place and, as Josh put it, "I just did what Orlando taught me and hit it at the mid-point of the bat." The crack was loud, the arc was beautiful and we all knew it was out of the park.

JOSH HIT A GRANDSLAM!!!!

This happened to him last when he was six years old and playing for Coach Bumpus.

As he was rounding the bases, I grabbed my camera -- that I took saying, "just in case something exciting happens" -- and started snapping away. Through the viewfinder, the photos were fantastic of him rounding third, crossing home with all his teammates patting, congratulating, hitting him on the helmet and the million dollar smile on his face. I took several pictures (great too, by the way!!) afterward. Then I got home ... no memory card in the camera. If I could have been sick right there, I would have.

So each of you have to use your [very creative] imaginations to envision what it MIGHT have looked like. Since it seems to happen only every six years, we might not see it again. *sigh* Let me (as the VERY PROUD mama) say, it was a BEAUTIFUL thing. Beautiful.

Ellie's "Cover Girl" Cover

Last summer Ellie got the opportunity to model for Lifeway's preschool curriculum for this year. She was the summer cover for the Babies Leader Pack. My friend, Diane, emailed today asking when it would be out. I thought it was a good reminder to post about it now that it's finally out. The link to the cover is here. It's funny looking back at her that long ago because she looks SO different!!

Josh's First Pitching Game

Last Saturday, Josh got to pitch in his first game since he's started taking pitching lessons. I could tell he was REALLY nervous at first, but he eventually settled in and had two strike outs. The opposing team only scored two runs while he pitched, so that was good. He's got a strong arm and can put the ball across the plate really fast. We have two more weeks of lessons before we are off for the summer. I think we'll probably let him go back for a "refresher" in January-February before middle school baseball try-outs since he wants to do that this year. Here are [a lot of] photos of my pitcher!!

Earn Free Movie Passes

Looking for some free summer movie entertainment? Who isn't with movie prices being what they are!! We have been "collecting" free movie passes for a month or so now and are currently up to six. I thought I'd share two promotions that are currently going on where you can earn free movie tickets simply by purchasing things you likely already buy.

First is the Publix Family Movie Night promotion. Collect rewards codes from products at Publix. Right now, they have them on the fruit snacks products (Fruit Roll Ups, shaped fruit snacks, Fruit by the Foot, etc.). Buy six (but DEFINITELY use the $.40 off coupon which will double to $.80 at Publix). Bring your codes and receipt home and go to THIS REDEMPTION SITE and enter your code. You will get an email from ClickCallMail giving you details on how to print out your free movie ticket (valued up to $10).

To identify specially marked General Mills products, look for the Family Movie Night offer on products in store. Movie offer details can be found on the back panel of specially marked cereals or on the peel-off on the front panel of specially marked products. Keep your receipts and codes.
Offer expires 10/31/2010. Limit 5 redemptions (Five (5) $10 Movie Vouchers) per household. Movie Tickets valid between 04/01/2010 and 11/30/2010.

The second is PopTarts Flavor Call promotion.
How It Works
It’s easy to earn funtastic rewards while discovering the over 25 delicious flavors from Pop-Tarts® toaster pastries in the Pop-Tarts™ Rewards Program. The more fun flavors you discover, the more codes you collect, and the more rewards you can get! BUY and enjoy different flavors of specially-marked Pop-Tarts® toaster pastries. LOOK for the 16-digit code printed on the inside panel of the box. ENTER the unique 16-digit code printed on the inside panel into your Pop-Tarts™ Rewards account – you are allowed only one code entry per Pop-Tarts™ flavor. Last day to enter codes 09/29/2011. REDEEM 5 different Flavor Codes for 1 of 5 Pop-Tarts™ Rewards. Last day to redeem codes 09/30/2011. Limit 5 Pop-Tarts™ Rewards per person.

Of course, this promo also had additional rewards including free PopTarts, ringtones, photo prints from Snapfish and movie subscriptions, but I prefer free movie tickets -- also good for a ticket up to $12.

Be sure to pick up some blinkes for $1/2 boxes of PopTarts at Publix. PopTarts are currently $1.95 a box at Publix and 3/$5 at Kroger. Using the above coupons from Publix (a manufacturer's coupon), you can score 10 boxes of PopTarts at Kroger for $16.66 (less $5 = $11.66) and then get two free movie tickets. Basically that makes ALL the PopTarts FREE plus you get an additional movie ticket free!! Win-Win. Summer is coming so I'm sure your family will use the Poptarts for the kiddos!

Enjoy some free movies this summer!!

Fun at the Park With Addie

Thursday was a fun day for Ellie and Addie as Dee'Anna and I took them to the park to play. They had fun for about an hour before they decided it was time to go. Aren't they the sweetest girls??



















Afterwards, we went back to Dee'Anna's house and made hairbows while Addie napped and Ellie had "quiet time" on the couch watching Dora. Each of us made about 20 hairbows/clippies each so the girls are set for summer.

Comment Moderation

Sadly, I've had to turn on the comment moderation feature for the blog. For some reason, there are those of you who think that it's really cool to leave links to "girly" type site links in the comments section in HOPES that someone will click the link and go to your site. Fortunately, I'm quite "computer leary" of all things such as this and have yet to be led into one of your less than desirable sites. I do not want my readers to be led to those sites either so I have been deleting your comments and links. I'm tired of doing that so your actions have caused me to censor all my comments. A sad shame, really, that you feel that it is your RIGHT to post things as comments on MY BLOG to link to sites that I would NEVER approve of or support. This is a blog about family and our family DOES NOT APPROVE of the activities that you are trying to force down our and our readers' throats. Please, go somewhere else, or better yet, go away.

So That's the Problem ...

A friend sent me a link to tell me how many days old I am. I think I've discovered why parenting is so hard lately. The results indicate:

You are 15480 days old.

That's 2211 weeks and 3 days.

(Darn, that sounds old!!)

Interestingly enough, it says: You were born on a Monday, your last birthday was a Friday and your next one will be on a Saturday.

Want to find out how many days old you are?? Click here to go to the site and check your information.

Man, This Parenting Stuff is HARD WORK!!!

I'll admit it -- the two children are wearing me down. It's not often I'll readily admit all out defeat, but I'm pretty much there.

It seems lately the two-year-old can't stand anything the twelve-year-old (but often acts two-years-old) does and the twelve-year-old can't seem to stop doing things to aggravate the two-year-old.

Call it old fashioned sibling rivalry, love-hate relationship, whatever psycho-babble term you want to label it, but it is just about more than I can stand some days.

Ellie has this ear piercing scream that she lets out regularly. Many times I don't think Josh even does anything, she is just ready to get him in trouble. Other times, I see him pestering her just to get a reaction. What gives????

Add to the "terrible" twos (which really haven't been all that bad yet -- famous last words), a boy going through puberty who thinks he knows everything and has the mouth to back it up and WHEW!! by the time the day is over both mine and Kevin's nerves are just worn to a frazzle.

Don't get me wrong -- I LOVE my kids more than life itself, but these days I'm finding that I am not liking their behavior and choices very much. I'm exerting so much energy playing referee between them and getting "lip" from Josh that I'm exhausted.

Today, for example, we were leaving school and Josh had taken the headrest off the back of the seat in the car. I simply said, "Please put the head rest back." He went into this tirade about how he "only took it off for a second (insert LARGE HUFF here)" and he didn't know "why he had to use it anyway" to which I replied, "Josh, I don't want to have to tell you to put it back. My life would certainly be easier if I didn't have to tell you to put it back. Honestly, I don't care if it's on or off. However, if we had a wreck and your head snapped back and it wasn't there, you could end up in a wheelchair for the rest of your life or dead, and since you are my responsibility and that is why they put the headrest there, it's my job to tell you to put it back. Oh, and by the way, put your seat belt on too."

Every interaction goes like that. There is no simple, "just do it". It's like having the three-year-old who asks "Why???" all the time -- except in a twelve-year-old's body.

But then, he'll come home and I'll make a comment about how I wish someone would cut down those little tree saplings growing in the flower gardens and he's right on it and does it just like I ask him to. I can never predict or figure the "triggers" that will start the defense mechanisms to go up. Of course, I also can't figure out what will trigger the screaming fits in Ellie either. Tonight it was because we wanted to change her diaper. Then it was because we wouldn't let her have a stuffed dog she wanted. Then Josh comes in and drinks her drink -- knowing, of course, that will get her started crying, which it does -- and leaves the room. She then get it and spills it all over her and we have to change pajamas.

It's all small stuff, I know, and one day I'll "miss this" all but some days the drama unfolding in these kids' lives is just more than one mama can handle. *smile* I know, I can get a t-shirt that says, "Drama Mama".

Yes! They Will ~~ and No, They Won't

You'll remember a few days ago I spent some time wondering if Cheatham County schools would go back and finish the school year or request a waiver and not go back.

We received word this weekend that the northern portion of the county (our part) will return to school on Wednesday, but the southern portion of schools will not go back this year.

I know this must have been a hard decision to come to for the school board and others who were involved in making the decision, and I think they made the best of what they had to work with. I, personally, am glad that our kids are allowed to return and finish their last few (11) days of the year. I am sad that the children on the southern portion of our county didn't have that opportunity and even more so that they had to endure this disaster at all.

Our church is having a training tomorrow night for folks who are interested in going out as a group to work in clean-up efforts. I think Josh and I are going to go. I think it is our responsibility to help where and when we can. We are both able and have time and were spared. I would hope that our "neighbors" would do the same thing if it were out home. I know they would.

We are so blessed to live in a county/community/part of the country where everyone is so helpful in the midst of a crisis.

Happy Mother's Day

The reason I'm allowed to celebrate today ...





Happy Mothers Day!

How to Help - Relief Efforts in Cheatham County

HANDS ON CHEATHAM COUNTY

http://cheathamchamber.org/
Flood Victims Please call EOC at 615-792-8964.
They need to have your contact information.

List of Items Needed

TARPS *** TARPS *** TARPS *** TARPS
Non-Perishable Ready-to-Eat Food
Disposable Gloves & Work Gloves
Baby Wipes / Hand Sanitizer
Diapers 5&6 / Pull-ups
Cleaning Supplies / Surgical Masks
Personal Hygiene Items
Laundry Detergent / Dish Soap
Sunscreen / Bug Spray
Mops, Brooms, Buckets, Garbage Bags, Shop Rags
First Aid Items

Gently Used Furniture or Appliances can go to the Frey St. Location.

Please take clothes donations to the Bethesda Center

Drop-Off & Assistance Sites

354 Frey St, Ashland City (Next to Tractor Supply)
Hours: 8am -8pm MON- SUN

Harpeth Middle School,
170 Harpeth View Trail, KS
Hours: 8am - 6pm

Monetary Donations
Make checks payable to:
Bethesda Center
write in memo line: "Disaster Relief Fund - CC"
Mail to:
PO Box 354,
Ashland City, TN 37015


Good morning Cheatham County! feel rested now...if you want to help today...here is what I suggest 1) make sure you put out some non perishable food items in a bag by your mailbox if you are in Pleasant View, Ashland City, and Chapmansboro. Bethesda needs this food to help the flood victims...

Bethesda has hit the ground running! We will be giving out clothes today. Any clothing, household goods needs to brought to the alley for donation. Any food can be dropped off out front where the blue tent is.

Residence who have suffered loss or damage in the flood please be advised that there are individuals roaming about impersonating FEMA workers asking residence for personal information. PLEASE ask to see identification that can prove their affiliation with the FEMA organization. FEMA does not go door to door. They set up a location...

National Day of Prayer

It seems that it couldn't have come at a more opportune time for Nashville and surrounding areas, but today was the National Day of Prayer.

There are so many things here locally to pray about -- so many hurting, needing and devastated by their losses, so many trying to recover from the flooding of last weekend.

And while I have certainly prayed about them, I think my focus today should be on my attitude which I have found is pretty stinky lately.

A speaker at church on Sunday indicated that we are either in the middle of brokenness (hurt/trying times, etc.) or about to go there. I suspect because there has been a quite a bit of drama in the last few years at our house (adoption and job loss to name a few), we are certainly celebrating being "out of the brokenness" cycle for right now. Which, of course, means ... But, I have always said that during times of goodness, we (humanity) tend to fall away from God. Crisis, unfortunate situations, illnesses -- all kinds of trouble bring us back to God. It's a shame that's the only way He can get our attention.

Because of this time of relative goodness in our lives, I think my attitude should be one of thankfulness, blessing and praise. Instead, I find myself complaining over the most meaningless things, about people that bother me, about issues that bother me -- just anything -- and I need to stop.

So today I am praying that God will help me become more positive, more uplifting, to praise more and complain less, to be more thankful and generous with myself and my words, to be more empathetic of what others are going through and less self-centered. Wow, that sounds familiar: to be more like Jesus.

I'm reminded (it's currently 'playing' through my head) of a song by Michael W. Smith called, "Draw Me Close" whose lyrics are:

Draw me close to you

Never let me go

I lay it all down again

To hear you say that I’m your friend

You are my desire

No one else will do

Cause nothing else can take your place

To feel the warmth of your embrace

Help me find the way

Bring me back to you.

Will They? or Won't They?

Much discussion is abounding around "these here parts" about whether or not Cheatham County schools will resume or simply cancel schools for the remainder of the year.

Last night, Fox 17, the local television news station, indicated the possibility that the schools might not re-open at all.

While either option is fine with me and our family, it started me thinking about all the things that the year-end brings that so many students will miss out on and so many complications of just saying, "Hey, we're done." with no notice.

I do so much of my thinking in the shower and when I'm drying hair. I joke that it's the only time my brain cells are stimulated. I've compiled a list of things that kids/parents will miss if schools don't resume this year.

• Returning your over-due library book.
• Spending the (pre-paid) money in your lunch account.
• Kindergarten graduation
• Senior skip day
• Cleaning out your locker
• Returning your school books
• Final exams
• Field day
• Field trips (pre-paid as well)
• Yearbooks and yearbook signing (particularly sad, to me, for the seniors)
• End-of-the-year teachers' gifts
• Bringing up those "oh, so close" grades (there was still three weeks to bring them up!!)
• Saying good-bye to your friends for the summer

Our county is large and is separated by a river (obviously -- the one that overflowed). The northern part of the county (with the exception of Ashland City) was not hit nearly as badly as the southern part. Only one school, that I'm aware of, has major flooding damage on the north side. The south side, however, has many schools that are flooded or had water damage -- so bad, I understand, that kids couldn't go back for safety reasons.

With only two and a half weeks left of school, one has to wonder what will happen. My understanding is that the board of education will have to meet and decide. The current Director of Education for Tennessee (who, interestingly enough, was slated to become the Director of Schools for Cheatham County), has indicated in the local papers that he will allow waivers for schools who ask for them. My understanding is also that because we have been deemed a federal disaster area, school days missed do not have to be made up.

So it remains to be seen whether children just got an extended summer break. I'm sure those children who live in the southern part of the county need the extra time off. There is the very distinct possibility that don't have the things they would need to actually go to school at this point.

We stand in limbo waiting to hear.

Ellie's and Josh's Photos

Today we went over to MeeMee's house and took some pictures. I haven't had time to do any work with them yet, but wanted to post just a couple of my favorites tonight. Let me just say that Ellie is the fastest, quickest moving girl I believe I have EVER seen!

This are my two favorites of me and Ellie and of me and Josh. Ellie loves to give me "lips" (i.e., kisses). This is her giving me "lips".











Funny note. Today a friend was over playing with Ellie and she said, "You were so worried that Ellie wouldn't talk and now she doesn't stop." I said to Kevin later, "When she really gets to talking she's never going to stop." He looked at me with a huge smile and said, "She's her mama's girl." She never stops. She talks all the time. She is such a mama's girl too. She wants to be touching me pretty much all the time, sitting on the couch, walking and holding hands, sleeping with me when she can. Sweet, sweet times. However, the down side of that is that she is not very fond of Josh or Kevin right now. *sigh*

If my "girls" are reading this, I call this photo my girl's "Sharon" pose. They'll understand.



****
UPDATE:
Edited a few pix and decided I liked the kids and mom in B&W (and will probably frame and hang these). I also edited another that I liked of Ellie picking flowers.

More Flood News

Piranha Escape at Opry Mills, CMT.com

A pair of piranha reportedly escaped from their aquarium during Nashville's recent flood. According to police reports quoted by television station WKRN, at least two flesh-eating piranha slipped out of the huge 150,000-gallon tank at Aquarium Restaurant in the Opry Mills mall and are swimming in the flooded hallways, where water remains waist-deep to neck-deep in spots. Piranha are freshwater fish, native to South America.

School Year Might Be Over

Students probably will not be asked to stay late because of flooding, as state and local officials said they are not inclined to extend a school year.

Officials at Metro Nashville Public Schools said they plan to ask the Tennessee Department of Education for a waiver from the state's minimum number of school days, as floodwaters followed heavy snows in forcing the district to run through all of the extra days built into the academic calendar.

Representatives for other large local districts likewise said they plan to seek waivers or would not need to do so to end on time. Education Commissioner Tim Webb said Tuesday that he intends to grant waivers to any district that asks for one because of flooding.

Teen Wonders Why She Lived and Others Didn't -- The Tennessean

Remember the photo I posted a few days back of the boy and girl clinging to the top of a Jeep? This story is about her.

Photo by Rick Murray/Tennessean

Andrea Silvia and Jamey Howell clung to the roof rack of a Jeep Cherokee, the furious waters of Lower Station Camp Creek pulling at their shoes.

It started as a trip to church, stalled by a flooded road near Station Camp High School that Howell hoped his Jeep could handle. As the water rushed inside, they called 911 and their parents.

"I talked to her about survival. To fight with everything she ever had," said Silvia's mother, Angie Silvia. "I threw myself on the floor of the house and cried, begged and prayed to God nonstop."

For more than an hour, the couple clung to the Cherokee and each other, screaming for help and praying. Their relatives looked on in terror from 200 yards away.

Then Silvia, 19, and Howell, 18, had an idea. They'd release a backpack and see which way the current carried it. If it veered into power lines, they'd know they couldn't let go.

It went the other way.

"People think we were taken by the current, but we decided to jump on the count of three," Silvia said. "I am so confused on how we lived and other people didn't. We never talked about dying."

They swam with the current for about a mile, making for the shore at a clearing. They dragged themselves out of the water, and Silvia began crying. A lady in a nearby apartment complex let them use her phone. Family was there with towels in less than five minutes.

Post Flood Clean-up Begins

Sanford Myers
Joe DeGuira, a chef at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, cooks a big breakfast on his grill for his family and for anyone who needs a bite in the Somerset development off of Coley Davis Road in Bellevue Monday, May 3, 2010. The area was hard hit by flood waters. Tennesseean

President Declares Federal Disaster

As of today, President Obama has declared several counties in Tennessee as federal disaster areas. Cheatham, Davidson, Hickson, Williamson, Montgomery and Dyer Counties are included. The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the six counties authorized to date, including both individual and public assistance.

A dollar amount was not tied to the president's announcement. Assistance can include low-cost loans for uninsured property owners, funds for temporary housing and home repairs, and other programs for residents and businesses.

State and local governments, as well as nonprofits working with the affected counties, also may be eligible, according to a White House news release.

Preliminary damages estimates are $1 billion dollars.

Laughter -- Good for the Soul

In the midst of such bad news each day, I've found a few comedic videos that I wanted to share. Take a moment and laugh. I know I did! When I get old (er), I want to know that my wrinkles are from laughing!

The first is Anita Renfroe with "Don't Breathe"




And, in honor of Mother's Day, also by Anita Renfro: Momsense



And, for equal time, Dadsense



Perhaps, in light of my previous wrinkling comment, some of you, um, over-40 group, might enjoy Anita Renfroe's parady on Beyonce's "All the Single Ladies" entitled, "All the Wrinkled Ladies" *snicker*

More Flood Photos

More photos of the mid-state's devastating flood from this past weekend courtesy of The Tennessean.

Vietnam Veteran's Parkway going from Goodlettsville into Hendersonville. It is fully underwater in this photo.

Homes in Goodlettsville

Farther on down the Cumberland, in Montgomery County, Clarksville experienced extreme flooding as well.

Pennington Bend subdivision near Opry Mills/Opryland Hotel.

Wal-mart in Ashland City.

LP Field -- home of the Titans.

Stage entrance to the Grand Ole Opry.

Exterior shot of the Grand Ole Opry

Downtown Nashville near the River and First Avenue.

Opryland Hotel - inside.

This photo was taken of rescuers boating up Interstate-40 trying to rescue homeowners in Bellevue.

This is what the clean-up efforts look like once the water recedes. Who wants THIS office chair?

Another very real problem is the instability (or even absence of) the roads after they and the ground underneath have been exposed to so much water and the force with which it was flowing. Here a road is buckled and crumbling.

This is one of the homes in Bellevue.

Today I heard that Tennessee has been declared a Federal disaster area and FEMA help is available. I read this at the Tennessean's website today and it shames me to know that insurance companies can be this callous:

"Yesterday, people worried about their lives and the lives of their loved ones," Mitchell said. "Today, people are returning and everything is under water. They're calling their insurance companies and being told, 'That's too bad.' "

Additional stories report:

"As soon as we rounded the corner, we were in a whole different world," Mataya said. "It was all river. You could only see the second floors of these homes. We steered the boat up to the first window we saw and pulled people out. We kept yelling to people 'We're coming back.'"

We've already been notified that there will be no school this week. I suspect it will be longer than that. With only a few weeks left until the end of school, one wonders if they might just not go back at all.