MUD & FLOWERS!

OK leave it to my twins and especially Mags to come up with this one. Sit back and enjoy as I explain the funniest thing Candy and Barbara Parker have ever heard!

First off my girls love to go to Bible class on Sunday morning and LOVE their teachers Ms. Barbara and Ms. Candy. Last weekend Candy told a story on my girls that if you know them is just too hilarious.! I laughed and I cried. Oh the minds of innocent children.

We are still trying to understand the concept of death at our house, particularly the twins. So in Sunday school a couple of weeks ago Maggie announces to everyone that her Grandmother is very sick and that "She Died." So Candy being the sweet and loving person she is said to my girls, "Oh yes she did but she's in Heaven now with Jesus." Both of my twins corrected her and said no "she died." And to that they add that Grandmother is "in the MUD with the FLOWERS." Candy is now confused and tries to direct their thoughts and being as sensitive as she can says, "Well Yes she is up with Jesus now." To which my Maggie points her finger at Ms. Candy and (as I'm told) gets frustrated and tells her,

"NO, SHE is in the MUD with the FLOWERS!!"

Now to explain that, we did take the girls to my granmother's grave site so they could pick some of the flowers from the arrangements to take home and keep. So there is the FLOWER portion of their explanation. Also, we had to explain to the best of our ability that she had been buried under all the dirt that was with the flowers.

And there you have it. When you DIE you go to the MUD with the FLOWERS!!

You may not think this is as funny as we did but again if you know my girls especially Maggie you will understand!! It's a special memory that at times when I feel sad about my loss I can think about this and have a smile. I know my Grandmother would think this was funny.

Oh the heart of a child is Golden!

Fancy!

I took CP with me to Lowe's the other day to pick out some new lighting for our house. We were looking and she saw a rather formal chandelier with orange crystals on it that she liked a lot. I told her we would go look at it when I was finished with my choices. So while we are admiring the big gaudy crystal chandeliers I tell her that these are too fancy for what we needed. I explained to her that we just weren't fancy people. My Clara Paige said to me, "But Mommy, I am a fancy people."
And I looked at her and said, "Yes you certainly are." I guess I should speak for myself from now on.

the Last of Gatlinburg

Here are some final pics from our Big Gatlinburg trip. Enjoy! Notice Maggie's Hannah Montana Tatoo. All the girls got one and they were so big we had to put them on their bellies. HA HA! Have a great weekend everyone!

American Idol - Maggie Style

Awesome Graphics at pYzam.com

One of the things me and my girls have started doing over the last few years is to sit and watch American Idol each week. We've been watching off and on since the first season. We've cheered on Reuben (who went to my high school), loved Bo Bice, voted vigorously for Taylor Hicks (no relation) and love our Daughtry CD.
If any of you remember, Clara Paige's first boyfriend was Bo Bice. She was probably not much younger than the twins and she and I were watching American Idol and my sweet baby looked up at me and matter of factly told me that BO was her boyfriend. It was a priceless moment for us.
Anyway, tonight as we all sat in our living room watchin our show, Maggie was in my lap. She looked up at me and with her big blue eyes said, "Mommy one day when I'm on Idol I'm gonna sing Hannah Montana ok?" Of coarse I tell her she can sing whatever she wants to when she's on Idol. Thinking that I have satisfied her whim she comes back several minutes later and touches my face so I will look direcly at her and she asks me, "Mommy, will you come and be there when I'm on Idol?" It was just too sweet and cute.
So, when American Idol, Season 17 comes out you bet you'll see me sitting on the front row watchin my Mags singing Hannah Montana!!

More Gburg...

Happy Valentine's Day!

With the recent events in my life, I've thought about this day and it is so much more to me than just a day for Sweeties.

I think of the love God has for us. I think it is stated so well by the band

Third Day in the song titled Love Song.

Following are just a few lines. Enjoy and I love you all very much!

"I've heard it said that a man would swim the ocean

Just to be with the one he loves

But all of those dreams are empty emotions

It can never be done

I've never swam the deepest ocean

But I walked upon the raging sea...

I know that you don't understand the fullness of My love

How I died upon the cross for your sins

And I know you don't realize how much that I gave you

But I promise, I would do it all again

Just to be with you, I did everything

There's not price I did not pay

Just to be with you, I gave everything

Yes, I gave my life away"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to You!!! This is a better picture.

Today is Alex's birthday. 34 years ago the man in my life was born. Amazingly I have been around for almost 19 of those years and they have been great. We have been through a lot togehter with both ups and downs and I'm glad to say I love him more and more! Thanks honey for being there for me and being such a great daddy.

You and me against the world! ;)

The beginning of the trip

Here are just a few pictures from the first part of our Gatlinburg adventure. Gracie & Maggie rode up there with us and CP rode with Meme & PawPaw. Since I just got back from Emma Lawson's sleepover bday party me and CP are a little beat so I'll post lots more pictures later for you guys. This pic is Gracie chillin in the Camry.

Here's Mags with her hat on and her pillow. She's ready for the adventure. They really did well since it was such a long ride.

Here is the view from our chalet. It was still kinda cloudy when we got there.

Here are the dynamic duo sitting on their Bear Bench at our Chalet. More pictures to come.

I just wanted to update every one that my grandmother passed away yesterday morning. We will all miss her deeply. I am very sad and hurt but I am glad that she did not have to suffer greatly. Thank you all for any and all thoughts and prayers. I sincerely appreciate it and would also appreciate it if you would continue to keep us all in your prayers.

My Grandmother

We are still currently in the mountains in Gatlinburg but thought I would give you an update on my Grandmother. She's still in the hospital and things are better in some ways and not so much in others. I don't know what the next few days will bring but we went out to eat for her 87th birthday a week ago and I got these pictures. I am so grateful that I made Alex go back out to the car to get the camera. Pictures so often mean more than just the smile behind them.

She has always loved me and my girls so very much. She still needs your prayers and my whole family does too.
On a lighter note, we are having a nice time up here and I'll be sure to post some pictures of our adventues for you soon.

Prayers

We leave for Gatlinburg in the morning but I just wanted to share a prayer request with you all. My grandmother (Dad's mom) is very sick and in the hospital. She has pneumonia and she needs all of your prayers and I guess I do to. It's hard to leave town with her so ill. She is 87 years old and a fighter but some extra help from your prayers couldn't hurt.
Love to all and have a great week.

CP's photos!

As promised here are Clara's pictures. She did pretty good getting Maggie and Handy Manny both in the shot.

I just think this one is funny. I think Maggie was telling her to STOP taking pictures of her.

In case you don't recognize this TV personality, its Rachel Ray. CP loves her so I guess she thought she's try to catch a picture of her. Wonder what she was cookin' that day??

And last but not least here's a portrait of Gracie Goose. All in all CP did pretty good wandering around the house with our camera. You'd think I'd keep a better watch on who's loose with it.
Well on Monday we are off to Gatlinburg for a week. If I don't get a chance to post before we get back, I hope everyone has a great week and I'm sure I'll have some great stories and pictures to share.

Photos by Gracie

Watch out Kim Lawson because here comes Gracie Hicks Photography. The other night Gracie got the camera and just started snapping away. She was so so so proud of herself. So sit back and enjoy some photos of our guest bedroom/computer room compliments of Gracie.

Photos of Photos are always nice. They are better subjects than real people. This kind don't move and run off on ya.

I thought she did pretty good with this one except for the slight thumb in the lower corner. Hey, she's 3!!

This is my personal favorite. We are considering it part of her abstract collection. She named it: View of a 3 year old!
Please disregard the dust you might think you see between the books. Its one of her photography tricks.
Coming soon, pictures by Clara Paige. Maggie hasn't seemed to have shown interest yet.