Easter + Family Date Day + Lots of Pictures

We celebrated all of our extended family Easter celebrations earlier this week, so we had Easter all to ourselves as a family. This is our first day in a while where we have been able to spend an extended period of time together due to work schedules. It was so nice.

Church 

We started the day heading off to church in our Sunday best. 

Say Cheese!

And Flip Flops! 

The Easter Bunny brought flip flops, and they instantly became our new "church shoes."

We are so fancy!

In Sunday School this morning, my class made crowns of thorns. I was so surprised with how cool they turned out and the kids LOVED them. Helped them understand what Jesus did a little more.

Typical Easter?

After church, Brooks and I did our duty as parents and fed our kids (Sonic of course. They serve an amazing Easter lunch of cheeseburgers, popcorn chicken and hotdogs.) then headed off to the tool store!

They were having an Easter Sale.

"I think this one, dad."

Sadie is "painting" Brooks with a paint brush. He is so patient. She did this for MANY isles before he finally asked her to stop. I on the other hand, would have grabbed the brush after two strokes and thrown it in the buggy. 

Daddy's little girl.

Purple Egg

Then we were SUPER parents and hid eggs for the kids in the backyard. 

They are all happy and ready to go!

Brody was capped on the number of eggs he could find within 2.32 seconds of starting.

Then things got UGLY!

You can't tell from this picture, but if there was audio it would sound something like this:

"WAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH (deep breath) AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH (deep breath) WWWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHh (sucking of air) IIIIIIIIII want want want want purple eggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg (hyperventilating) WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

So, being the intellegent parents we are, Brooks and I pointed out all the remaining eggs and declared egg hunting over. 

Off to Family Date Day!

We have never taken our kids to the movies. 

Other people have, but not us.

It's expensive, but we made the matinee.

You know since the whole egg hunting thing didn't work out so well.

We saw The Croods.

It was so cute, the kids loved it. One of my favorite thing about kid movies is when you hear all the adults laugh at something and not one kid. This makes me smile. Not because the kids aren't happy, but the joke was most likely put in for the parents because those who make kid movies know the kids are going to see it with the parent and they should give us a little something special. AND the parents are sometimes more into the movie than the kids.

This movie will make you laugh. Good. Clean. Fun.

Did we stop there??

Next we built a wood airplane

(Brooks is realizing, Brody's airplane has to be glued. . )

 and cicadas.

   

And now a story of two cicadas.

Once there were two cicadas. 

They had a tremendous battle one Easter afternoon.

As with any good battle, One is victorious.

And one is not.

One broke a rib.

And needed a nose job.

Well that sounds better than Addy accidentally broke her cicada in the making process.

HAPPY EASTER!

CHRIST HAS RISEN!

For those who serve

I am proud to say the company I work for kicked off a program recently which allows families of deployed military to be members of our facility with no charge.

I myself can not serve for this great and mighty country (remember the arms fall off), but have a tremendous respect for those who chose to make that sacrifice.

If you know me, I cry every time the national anthem is played or at patriotic services/ceremonies.

So I would like to thank those who have proudly severed our country and their families who supported them.

I am proud to thank my personal relatives who served and my Uncle Tim (mentioned below) who helped me gather my history:

Captain Scott M. Fitzgerald, US Army.  Combat in Desert Storm (US vs Iraq, 1991).  Aviator.

Lieutenant Colonel Timothy P. Fitzgerald.  No combat duty.  Served in the US Army during various actions including Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Just Cause, Provide Comfort, among others.  Quartermaster Officer.

CPT Patti Fitzgerald, combat duty, Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Baghdad Iraq.

Tech Sergeant Frank B. Fitzgerald, Jr.  US Air Force.  No combat duty.  Served during the Korean War.  Stationed at Biloxi, Mississippi and Donaldson Air Base, Greenville, SC.  Trained as a radar repairman but served mostly as a Drill Instructor.

War of 1812:  Captain Edmund Fitzgerald, Jr.  

Civil War:  Samuel Fitzgerald (born 1843), Served with Company I (Spring Garden Blues),  18th Virginia Infantry Regiment.  Captured at Gettysburg, probably released in a POW swap, and captured again the battle of Saylers Creek, (Amelia County, Virginia) three days before the surrender at Appomattox court house. 

Revolutionary War:  First Lieutenant "Old" Edmund Fitzgerald (called such because he lived to be 103 years of age). 

Moses Ayers, Army, rank unknown (same as below)  Buried in Hart County GA (just across Hartwell Lake)  

French and Indian War:  Moses Ayers, Army, rank unknown.  Said to have served under George Washington

And to all the friends and acquaintances who are currently serving or have served.

Thank you.

I am proud to be an American and I thank you for defending our future and freedom.

Take that Martha Stewart!

Cooking

I just made white macadamia nut cookies with the kids for my Friend's wedding shindig on Saturday. 

The girls love cooking with their hands.

I bet Martha Stewart doesn't have adorable helpers like these!

Brody-Man even got in on the action.

In addition we also made red velvet and white chocolate cookies and Bourbon Bacon Brownies.

Addy took this picture of Sadie.

Decorating

1. I found someone who still has their Christmas decorations up. On the outside of their house. Yeah, I beat someone!

2. The girls helped my take down all the snowman/snowflake things from around the house. Yes, we found a few Christmas items we had not put away yet. We put them away.

Wounds

This is my friend and co-worker Jenny. 

Jenny is pretty.

Jenny is smart.

Jenny stood on a chair.

Jenny fell.

Jenny got a free ride to the Doc in a Box.

Jenny got two stitches.

I wasn't the patient! YIPPIE! 

Jenny is healing well. It looks like she will make a full recovery!

Side note: I did have a moment today where putting my hand in the pan which was frying the bacon to retrieve the bacon was a good idea. It was not.

Bonus!

Our grocery store gives out free popcorn to kids under 12.

Right on!!

What I did today.

 Forgot to take my child her book bag which she forgot to take to school.

Walked to work today despite the fact that it was chilly and raining. I figured this out about 2 mins into my walk. Did I turn around? No. That would make WAY to much sense. I guess I could have determined it was rainy and chilly as I dropped all the children off this morning with the heat and windshield wipers on.

Determined whether or not my niece needed stitches in India (yes, the country) via text message.

Sat on a ball at work all day.

Ate a Swiss Roll the proper way.

My mommy drove me home from work since the whole cold and rainy things had only become worse in the hours I was at work. Apparently there is this thing called a weather forecast. Who knew?

Sent a child to shower in the storm.

Informed by my child that it is not safe to shower in a storm.

Agreed with my child that showering in a storm which seems to be parked on top of house was probably not safe.

I apologize to all who have to be around my children tomorrow. They are dirty. We will try again tomorrow.

Determined how far away the storm was by counting between thunder and lighting. It was easy since they happened at the same time. No counting needed.

Listen to my child tell me the best part of their day was when their MeMaw was taking care of them. If I can't be there, I know they have the next best thing. Someone who loves them.

Cried watching the Biggest Loser.

Attempted to explain why my children would not be struck by lighting in their beds. Not sure I was successful.

Read How to Catch a Falling Star, but ended up confused. . .by a children's story. I thought the squirrel dropped another leaf and not the leaf on the tree. But then the leaf on the tree was gone. I am confused.

And today I loved, was loved, and blessed.

Life Lessons from Today

1. Lesson #1: Choose wardrobe carefully.
At an awards banquet tonight for our company's involvement with a local school, we decided to take a picture.

I learned NEVER wear that dress again if pictures will be taken. Officially: Worst. Picture. Ever. It's okay, you can agree. I know it is.

2. Life Lesson #2: Own Polarized Perspiration Sunglasses.
They are AMAZING! You should not live your life without them. I want to wear them inside and outside but Jodie told me I have to take them off inside. She is obviously not cool, because all the cool people wear sunglasses inside and at night.

3.Lesson #3: Laugh now, no matter the stress.
I want to have MORE fun with life. I have fun, but the past few weeks have been extremely stressful. So I was reminded today, as we shot this other extremely NON-Flattering picture, that if I don't laugh now, I will miss the opportunity. My arm looks the size of my HEAD!

4. Lesson #4: Remember your shampoo if you want to shower after working out.
I think that one is self explanatory.

5. Lesson #5: Life is full of surprises, expect them.
So if you expect a surprise, does it not negate the idea of a surprise? Is this like planing for the unexpected. I am not 100% sure how to do this. Will let you know when I figure it out.

Life with 4 year old

This is how we pray

A while back I told the kids they couldn't use "Now I lay me, down to sleep. . " as their prayer for bed time, so this is how Sadie prays now:

God, Thank you for my Addy. Daddy loves me. Brody loves me. Addy loves me. Mommy loves me. I love me. Daddy loves me. Memaw loves me. I love me. Daddy loves me. Mommy loves me. Papa loves me. Kayden loves me. Courtney loves me. I love me. Mommy loves me. I love me. Daddy loves me. Addy loves me.   AMEN!

Well at least she knows she is loved and does not suffer in the self esteem department.

Chickens

Only while working with 3 and 4 year olds, or on a chicken farm, will this statement be over heard:

"And do not put your hands on anyone else's chicken!"

The Food

Upside to life with four year olds. . .GREAT snacks! This week we had cupcakes, goldfish, and candy and that was just Sunday.

Advantage

I'm the tallest. I am taller than all the 4 year olds I know. This is like double bonus points.

I'm the smartest. Sometimes.

Laughter is never in short supply.

Neither are hugs.

They can play Old Maid with their Sheep.

My cup runneth over. I am so blessed and honored to not only have a four year old but the privileged of working with four year olds each week.

I thought it was normal.

I have a special relationship with Swiss Rolls
(and other sugar products, but that's for anther day!).

We love each other on a deep level.

Since I share this incredible connection with Swiss Rolls (Little Debbie not the knock off, they taste different), I feel it is my responsibility to show you how to eat a Swiss Roll properly, because I have been advised by two trusted sources that apparently the rest of the world does not eat Swiss Rolls the way I do.

I find this VERY hard to believe.



Step 1: Select one of the two rolls.

Step 2: Eat the hard chocolate outer shell. Eat ONLY the hard outer shell.

Step 3: Make sure to remove the hard chocolate from both ends of the rolls.

Step 4: Begin to unroll the roll.

Step 5: If it begins to break, you may eat the soft chocolate layer which has broken off.

Step 6: Use your finger to wipe, or lick, the exposed white filling.

Step 7: Once unrolled, repeat Step 6.

Step 8: Eat soft chocolate layer. I will spare you the picture of the rolls entering my mouth. You are welcome.

Step 9: Pick up the 2nd roll and repeat beginning with Step 2.

I am glad I could make each of you aware of the proper way to eat a Swiss Roll. My good deed for the day is complete.

Good Day.

Disclaimer:

Only two rolls lost their lives for your education, but in every experience there are sacrifices one must make. Difficult decisions which must be made for the greater good of all. I made the judgement call, for your education, the the lives of two Swiss Rolls were necessary.  Have no fear, I am not selfish. I too sacrificed for this post. I felt in order to truly expose the proper way to eat a Swiss Roll I myself must eat them. Someone had to do it. I stepped up for the team.

The Good News is. . .

The infamous Bride's maid's dress is not to small. Which is actually REALLY good news since the whole working out thing didn't last long. My J-O-B kept getting in the way. Ironic isn't it since my J-O-B is at the workout facility. Smile.

AND

I can turnaround inside my dress without it moving. Smile? This is very helpful when zipping the zipper. Not so much on the remaining clothed part.

AND

It came with a sash/shawl/random piece of fabric. Grin.

I think we should wear it on our heads. It's where I like it best.

I'm CERTAIN the bride will agree!

Smile.

This is an awkward picture and 

if you look close you can see the scars on my shoulders from some of my surgeries.

Shawl has to be a southern word.

Look at it.

Now say it with a southern accent.

Go ahead. I will wait.

HAHAHAHAHAH! It's hilarious to hear in a southern accent.

Yes, I am laughing and saying it over and over and over.

I am hilarious in case you were wondering. I know you were. No need to wonder any longer.

You're welcome.

A Girl Named Gordon

For the past three plus years our family has been blessed with a Godly, unique, everything-I'm-not, coffee drinking, inspiring, cloudy-day-loving Gordon.

Gordon came into our lives about three years ago (or more, I'm not really sure) 

and we have been forever changed.

We knew her when she was a single lady. 

When she met her dream man.

When she was an engaged woman.

We watched her walk down the aisle. 

We watched her rejoice.

We watched her grieve.

We look forward to continuing watch Mrs. Gordon as she continues to inspire others. 

But this week our lives have taken new paths and unfortunately we will not see Mrs. Gordon as regularly as we do now.

Our family is sad and happy all at the sad time.

Sad as we will miss her.

Happy remembering all of the wonderful things she brought to our lives.

Perfect for our family.

Gordon is artistic. 

Mommy doesn't even play with play dough because it's too close to art.

Gordon does nails and hair. 

Mommy wears a pony tail every single day of the week.

Gordon plays classical piano. 

Mommy played in a piano recital once with one hand because the other was in a cast past the elbow. 

Gordon loves the cold and rain.

Mommy loves the sun and warmth.

Gordon is patient. 

Mommy is not.

Gordon buys Icees for the kids.

Mommy buys Icees for Mommy. 

Gordon filled the gaps where Mommy was not strong. 

Gordon has cared for our children as they have grown. 

She learned ways to work with Brody and brought great insight from her own experiences. 

She watched Sadie develop from a child in a silent world to one overwhelmed with noise. 

She is not satisfied with just being 

but encourages our children to be the best and try harder.

She was willing to learn sign language and ABA therapy.

She was with me when we discovered "The Great Flood" of Halloween 2011.

She prayed for our family through some of our toughest adventures.

Forever Grateful

We have never been able to pay Gordon what she truly deserves or reward her for the incredible impact she has had on our lives, and yet she still loved us unconditionally.

The Very Beginning

My favorite story of Gordon was how she came to us.

We were searching for a new 'nanny' as our previous one had a child and was moving out of the area.

We put the word out that we were looking for someone. My parents told their Sunday school class where someone told their neighbor who happen to know Gordon. I think.

They gave me Gordon's name and number, and my first thought was "Humm, is this a girl or a boy. Is it pronounced Gordon or Jordan?"

(Said inside my head) Oh no! What do I say when I call??

Thankfully I called and got her voice mail. All questions were answered. Gordon is a Girl and she pronounces it like it is spelled G-or-don.

I don't think I ever told her that story. Now I have.

We love Gordon. 

You will never be out of our lives and you could never leave our hearts.

God Bless a Girl Named Gordon.

It's been awhile

and oh how are lives have changed.

Brody did a GREAT job as Christopher Columbus at school. He did a full report on him and dressed accordingly. Little do you know, those sleek black pants are really football pants. I'm sure that's what Christopher Columbus wore.

I was one proud mama!

Addyson has sprained her wrist. No worries. It hasn't slowed her down one bit!

I pray everyday she has Brooks's joints and bones and tissue and strength and shoulders and wrist and you get the point. Not looking so good.

The good news is she just has to wrap it up when she is doing gymnastics, also known as any time she is awake since the child does not actually now how to walk three consecutive steps. She walks foot, foot, double foot hop, hand (sometimes no hands) foot, foot, jump, jump, one hand, start from beginning.

She landed 9 cartwheels in a row on the balance beam today. Go Addy!

Speaking of balance beams. I have a hot pink one in my living room. Doesn't everyone. Who needs a coffee table when you can pretend to "Walk the plank"? I choose the plank!

I own a McDonald's cup and use it. I don't know what this says about me.

I have the infamous bride's maid's dress. . .haven't been brave enough to actually put it on.

My whole life and every post should be titled Squirrel.

Sadie is finally set for her first A-Team meeting to discuss putting in place a formal 504 or IEP for her speech therapy and services to follow her to Big Kid School in the fall. Her speech has improved so much in the last 15 months, especially since she began the school district's K4 program. The program is designed for children who are considered at risk either for demographic purposes or because of developmental delays. It has been a blessing to our family. We are grateful.

Oh and the Big Kids school was on national TV today and you can see them in the background.

Did you follow all of that. Welcome to life inside my head.