Who's That Girl?

I found this old photo of myself this morning. I sat staring lost in wonder....who's that girl? Where did she go? Hers is definitely NOT the reflection that stares back at me now. The longer I look the more reflective I become. I can't help but wonder if this is some profound admonition, my birthday so close at hand. So much has changed in just six short years. It's not just external but internal as well. I leave this deep reflection with a quote from the lyrics of a song my Auntie sings "I'm not where I'm headed but I'm not where I've been." Thank you God!

P.S.
All seriousness aside, I wouldn't mind being thin again! LOL!!

The Smithlings.....or The Sterlismiths?

Hey guys and dolls I'm back! I've been snuffed, snotty and tired but here I am! I'd like to say Happy Birthday Mom! Ok now getting back to the post at hand, did you notice the title? This morning as I browsed the MSN home page I happened upon a very interesting article. I fear if I copy and paste the entire article I may end up in some sort of "trouble"! You know copyright laws and such! LOL! Here's the link, http://www.slate.com/id/2147875/?GT1=8483 I can summarize though, apparently there have been couples throughout the last few decades who've decided to merge their last names post nuptial. Now, they have chosen this in lieu of hyphen or no name change etc. Hmmmm.... very interesting. I've heard of hyphenation and even oddly enough the man taking the woman's name but merging?? So, intrigued by this new revelation I humorously encourage you all to decide on a "merge" of your own and then post the results in my comment section! There's no prize for the winner (sorry :( just a great laugh for all!

An Update

UPDATE:Just wanted to let everyone know that Brock had the best first day of second grade ever! He says his teacher is really nice and likes his classroom. He was thrilled to find out that he has gym twice a week. There are a lot of kids in his class he knew from last year. I think this is year is going to be an exciting adventure!

The First Day Of Second Grade

Awwww......have a great day honey! It's back to school for Brock. He isn't shedding tears over it! As a matter of fact, he's been excited for weeks. He patiently counted down the last two weeks day by day. He woke up in a fury of anticipation, so much so that he combed his hair pre shower! LOL! So now at last, off he goes fully supplied, belly full, and all smiles! It's strange, a part of me is still a little sad even though we did all of this last year. I suppose it's just part of being the mommy. I can't wait to hear all about the first day of second grade.

Fun Fact Friday

Fun Facts About ME!
Did you Know?

I have fours sisters and one brother.

I despise picking up the tv remote and finding it's full of greasy finger prints. (ICK!!! Thanks Honey!)

My parents are Southern Gospel singers.

I lost both of my grandfathers in the same year within one month of each other.

I must have the toilet paper roll placed with the paper over NOT under. (Seriously I'll change it!)

I've had two c-sections.

I played the violin in the sixth grade.

I don't eat or consume chocolate in any form.

I love nail polish. ( I don't think my nails have seen the light of day for more than 10 minutes in *years*!)

I hate the sound and feeling of fingernails on fabrics of any kind.
(Like when someone scratches an itch through their clothes.)

In my late teens I refused to eat beef for two years.

To my father I am known as #3.

I am often called Mandy, Randy, and Brenda.
( I do have an older sis named Mandy.)

When I was 18 I bought and drove a 1979 Gold Chevy Cheyenne pick up truck.
(Geez that truck was fun!)

I am blessed and thankful to God!

Hodge Podge.......Of Thoughts

My loving sil Jen razzed me about razzing my lil' sis for taking too long to blog, so here I am. I must warn you though as the title says, it WILL be a hodge podge of random thoughts.

I can't believe school starts on Monday. Brock is very excited and we've already checked out his class room. How do kids grow so fast? One day you're bringing them home from the hospital and it seems the next dropping them off at school. Where does all that time go? It just doesn't seem like seven years have gone by. I'm thinking of checking into pre schools for Ty. Sniff Sniff.....both my babies in school, could I handle this?

What is the deal? Why oh why won't my son use the potty for #2? I don't pretend to understand my little man but something has go to give! Help!!!

Ahhh....it's beginning to feel a lot like fall! Mmmmmm! I love fall, don't you? The leaves are already beginning to turn and fall here. The air even smells different! I think camping will be in order soon!

Last weekend we rented Gods and Generals. I've been wanting to watch this movie for a long long time. I enjoyed it immensely. I give it four stars. I have to admit I didn't know what to expect. The movie really is a focus of the lives of these generals (Lee & Jackson) who for years (I feel) have been painted as monsters. That's not to say that I agree with their points or motives but I do think my teaching may have been biased? It was nice to get to see them in a truer light. This movie of course (nor any other movie) will not replace my favorites: Glory and Cold Mountain. They have however become a welcome addition to the family! LOL!

www.apple.com/trailers/wb/gods_and_generals

www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/cold_mountain

www.imdb.com/title/tt0097441

Well, I could do this all day. I have about a hundred million random thoughts bouncing of the walls of my mind like hyper children at any given time. (Ok mostly at night when I'm trying to fall asleep!) Arrrgggg that annoys me! Ok seriously I could do this all day but I'll spare us all!

What Do Dinosaurs, History, Bob The Builder, And Too Much Chlorine Have In Common?

Well the answer is our latest mini-vacation! We took the kids to The Children's museum in Indy this week. I remember going to the museum as a class trip in elementary school. I don't think it was nearly as cool as it is now! Of course things have changed in the world since then! Brock really enjoyed the Dino World exhibit. I have to admit I was equally impressed. The light and sound really completes the atmosphere. Ty was a little freaked out but survived! LOL! His favorite was the Bob The Builder exhibit. Mom and Dad enjoyed this room least of all! Try to picture a room filled with life sized models of all the characters, a building station, Bob's workshop (complete with kid sized drill, saw, drawing board), Wendy's paint shop, and Farmer Pickle's water pumping station. Now picture all of this in one room and add about 50 screaming children all running around and around and around!!!!! I've never seen my husband as frazzled in all the years I've known him! I particularly enjoyed the History exhibit because yes as you know I love History. (In particular the 1800's.) So over all we really really enjoyed the museum. After many hours of exploring all four floors we decided to head towards our hotel. We checked in, got settled and decided on pizza for dinner. The kids were very excited because we picked a hotel with an indoor pool. After dinner we all got ready to go swimming. We took the elevator to the lobby and Tyson was so so excited. We got into the pool and within five minutes my eyes were burning. I told Spencer that something was wrong this never happens to me ever. All of a sudden I had trouble breathing. I decided to get out and try the hot tub but it was worse. Not even two minutes later Spencer motioned for me to come over. When I reached him he told me his eyes were on fire and that he was concerned at what effect it could be having on the kids. It was horrible. Tyson screamed all the way back to our room. He was so angry at us for not letting him swim. It's hard to explain something like that to a three year old. So needless to say we won't be staying with that particular hotel again. We did have a great time and that was really the only disappointing event. Well unless you count the fact that it cost 25 bucks to rent a pedal boat for the canal. I find that to be outrageous!! No thanks we'll walk! We did find out though that there is an indoor water park (closed of course on the days we were there!) and that's good to know for next time. Check out our trip photos on our photo blog (link on my side bar) The Life In Pictures.

Fun Fact Friday

Fun Facts About Indiana


The first rapid fire gun was patented by Richard Gatling of Indianapolis in 1862.

The first diesel powered tractor was produced in 1930 in Columbus Indiana.

Nancy Hanks Lincoln, the mother of Abe Lincoln is buried in Lincoln City Indiana.

Theme parks were invented in Indiana. Santa Claus Land opened August 3rd 1946 in Santa Claus Indiana. Today Santa Claus Land is called Holiday World.

Indiana is the 38th largest state in the U.S.

Famous Hoosiers:

Larry Bird
James Dean
David Letterman
Jimmy Hoffa
Shelly Long
John Mellencamp
David Lee Roth
Jane Pauley
Jim Davis
Bill Blass