Cuz You Gotta Have Friends

Yesterday one of my oldest and dearest friends was in town. Melanie lives in NJ and works in New York. I've know her since we were in the 3rd grade, so we go way back. She was in Cleveland visiting her parents and decided to drive to Columbus to see Marja's baby, Mila..and me too. After church I met Melanie, Marja and Mila at Children's Urgent Care because Marj was checking to see if Mila had pink eye (she doesn't). So, Mel and I caught up the in Urgent Care waiting room. Then we went to lunch. YUM!

Later Marja and Melanie came over to my house so she could see Ron and the kids. It was really nice spending time with her because I miss her a lot. She always makes me laugh and keeps me updated with what's going on in the fashion world.

Love you Mel!

Marja, Me and Melanie

Marja, Jamison, Me and Melanie

The Most Expensive Haircut EVER!

Jamison has always had a lot of hair. So, even though she's only four I have gotten her hair trimmed a few times to keep it healthy. Well, it had been a while and just in preparation for the summer I decided to have to go to my hair stylist. Juanita was the first person to trim Jamison's hair and I completely trust her but since her shop is far from our house I usually take her to the kid shop around the corner. But this day she was going to see Miss Juanita.

Rondell took her since my friend Melanie was in town. When they got home she looked BEAUTIFUL. Then Rondell told me the price and the joy went out the window. SIXTY DOLLARS. She's FOUR!!!!! When I had long hair and went regularly to Juanita I paid that much but I'm grown. I almost fell out the chair. I even called Juanita to make sure that was right. It was.

So, I can say that from now on we'll be going to the shop around the corner for $15!

Here's a pic of the most expensive haircut ever...

Garage Sale/Lemonade Stand

This past weekend we had our first garage sale. It was kind of last minute but we were ready. We set up early Saturday morning and waited, and waited... We only got a few "customers" and didn't make that much but we'll try again. Our major sell was our futon from the basement. It took a lot for Rondell to get it upstairs, but it's gone and that's such a relief to us!

Here's a look at our sale:

Miss Jamison had her first lemonade stand. She was so excited initially but once the people came she got nervous. She did pretty well though...maybe better than we did at our sale, :) My dad, Papa D, drove 2 1/2 hours to buy a cup a lemonade from his favorite (and only) granddaughter. She was SO excited to see him, but I don't think she realized how great of a thing that was for him to do.

"That'll be 25 cents please."

By the afternoon the kids were pooped. This picture is so funny to me. All I could think was "please Jamison, don't pass gas on your brother."

Destin, Florida

Rondell, my mom, the kids and I had a wonderful time in Destin, Florida. We left on a Friday morning around 7 or so. We weren't sure how the kids were going to be so we planned an overnight stop in Birmingham, AL. The weather was cloudy leaving Ohio but as we got more south it started to clear up. Once we were getting close to Birmingham we started talking about driving all the way to Florida without stopping because we were making good time and the kids were doing excellent. I called our condo place to see how much it would be to come Friday night and it was the same price as the hotel so we kept on to Florida. We got in late but it was well worth it because we were able to wake up on Saturday and enjoy the entire day.

Our condo was beautiful. If ever you're looking to stay in the Destin area use this place. Ocean Reef Resorts was very helpful. We stayed at the Amalfi Coast, which was by the beach, just across a two-lane road. Here's are some pictures from our balcony:

Saturday we went to the pool for a bit and went grocery shopping. Sunday was Mother's Day and Rondell got us bagels. We spent most of the day at the pool and them Mommy made a great seafood dinner, including lobster tails...YUM! After dinner we went to the beach, where the kids got their first taste of sand. Jamison ran from the waves...too funny. We tried to fly our kite but it was a little too windy.

Monday was the most beautiful day there. We woke up and went to the beach. The water was absolutely beautiful and the sand was so clean. Jamison got to build her sand castles and go into the water with Ron. She loved it! Then lunch and more pool time. That night we went to dinner at Pompano Joe's. Good food. We actually met a couple there from Powell. Strange...you know you go through the "are you on vacation; we're on vacation, where are you from...Oh we're from Ohio too..what part...Oh we're from Columbus...what part...Oh my WE live in Powell. Small world. They actually live off of the same street that we live off of. Crazy.

Tuesday was MY big day. I swam with the dolphin!!!! I was actually scared when I first entered the water but after interacting I felt better. In my group there were five other people. We had one dolphin, Brennan. She was HUGE! We got to rub her and do command with her. That was really cool. We got to take pictures with her, with her kissing us and one with her holding our hands. Each person got an interactive alone time with her in the water. I got to show her a command to do her alligator impression and then to lay on her back and flap her fin. At the time of all of this another dolphin, Mia, that was in the water decided to come over and see what we were doing so she swam right by my head and all around me. I was so scared, even though I knew she would do anything it took me off guard. She was just being nosy. Then came the big event...the dolphin ride. I grabbed onto her dorsal fin and off I went. Fun times!

Wednesday we went to the pool again. Then Thursday came the rain. It rained all day. We decided on Thursday that we would leave on Friday instead of Saturday because it was supposed to rain all day Friday too. But by that time we were ready to come home so we were OK with that.

Overall it was a great trip and we're already talking about when we'll do it again!

Oh, and on our way home we stopped somewhere in AL to get gas and lunch. I look up as we're pulling out of the Wendy's and we are on KELLI DR. Kelli...with an I. I had to take a picture.

Capturing the Moment

There should be a picture HERE!

I have to get better about capturing the moments with my camera. Tonight I had a few girlfriends over to watch the movie 27 dresses. Rondell's mom was supposed to either watch the kids for us or Rondell was going to go to her house with the kids, but she had to go out of town. So, Rondell, being the wonderful husband that he is, took the kids upstairs and entertained them for the evening.

Once my friends left and I cleaned up downstairs I came upstairs and saw this...oh, that's right I forgot the grab my camera and capture the moment. The moment was my three favorite people curled up in my bed asleep! How adorable...and no proof.

Gotta do better next time. Maybe I was just capturing the moment in my head and taking the time to oh and ah over them. Still, would have been nice to have a picture.

Check out my new signature!

I am so excited about my new signature. Hilary did it (check out her site by clicking her icon to the right). She's also the wonderful person who redesigned my blog. Thanks Hilary!

Funny Jamison Story

One day recently Rondell and I had some things that we needed to get done, buy Caleb new shoes and clothes, stop by Target...just usual errands. Well as we were leaving I told Jamison that we were running some errands. She sounded excited and off we went. While we were out she kept asking me when she was going to Aaron's house (he's a student in her class). I repeatedly told her that we weren't going to Aaron's house. Finally when we pull in the garage once we're done Jamison says "but you said we were going to Aaron's." Rondell FINALLY put it all together and we realized that when I said errand she thought I meant Aaron. Rondell and I couldn't help but laugh (after we tried to explain what an errand is of course). Bless her little heart!

Go Caleb Go!

Rondell bought Jamison a new scooter this week because he ran over her old one (oops). She is really excited about it and so is Caleb. He has been trying to ride it so finally Rondell put him on the scooter and he was so excited. I'm sure it won't be long before we have to buy one for him.

ServeFest

This past Saturday Jamison and I participated in our church's ServeFest with other members from our Small Group. Twice a year our church organizes this huge event where members of our church go out and serve in different parts of the community. One year we helped (and by "we" I mean that the husbands helped and the wives watches the kids) build a playground at a local elementary school. For the past couple of ServeFests we have gone to this nursing home of have our children bring smiles to the elderly. The kids really do have a good time and the older people really like that we come and visit.

Here's the kids singing!

Jamison & Isabelle

The Gang: Bryce, Madeline, Isabelle, Jamison, Reese & Samuel

Our Small Group is one of the best things to happen to Rondell and I. We have developed friendships, and our kids have too! We have grown in our faith since joining this group and have had a lot of fun. We love you Small Group!

My Baby is Going to Kindergarten!

I can't believe it but Jamison is going to Kindergarten in the fall. She has come such a long way since we enrolled her at Sutter Park preschool for special needs with her speech and socialization and behavior. Now, she talks non-stop, can read an entire book and plays very well with everyone.

Yesterday, Rondell, Jamison and I went to her new school for her Kindergarten assessment. Jamison walked into the room with her hands covering her ears. But once one of the teachers knelt down in front of her to talk to her she was fine. Rondell and I left the room with the other parents there and left the kids to play and to be observed. An hour later we picked her up from the room and I could tell that she had opened up. She told the teachers about her family, and her new sun glasses and even impressed them with her gymnastic moves (that she learned well over a year ago!). I can't even express how much I'm impressed with my little girl and how far she has come.

Good Job Jamison!!

Salon Davis

Here are some pictures of Caleb getting his first home haircut. Rondell said that he was really nervous but I think he did a great job. I don't have any good after pictures because Caleb was tired and ready to get into the bath. Enjoy!

Destin Here We Come!

The countdown has begun for our trip to Destin, Florida. My mom, Rondell, the kids and I are leaving on May 9 and headed south for a week-long vacation. We rented a condo that was referred to us by our friends Andy and Jodie (hi Jodie!). This will be our first vacation as a family and we can hardly wait.

I signed up to swim with a dolphin at this place. This is something that I've wanted to do for a long time and I'm taking the plunge (literally) with a friendly mammal. It will be an hour and 15 minute interaction that is supposed to include a kiss (not too sure about that, I mean we would have just met). There will be lots and lots of pictures (which reminds me that I may need a larger memory card).

If I was more blog savvy I would download a countdown onto my blog...hmm...maybe I should do some research on that!

Mila-Cakes

My God-daughter (that's what I'm calling her even though I have not be officially named, but I did deliver her so I'm naming myself the God-mother, wink!) Mila came over to visit us today while her mom, Marja, ran some errands and got a much needed break. She is so adorable and I can't believe that it's already been 7 months since I delivered her...OK, so I really didn't deliver her but I was in the room during the entire labor and deliver, one of the best days of my life. She is in love with Jamison, which I think is cute because I do hope that one day Jamison will be a role model for Mila. We joke that Mila and Caleb are going to be married one day because they are so close in age.

Rondell and I realized during the visit how much are are done having children. Three was OK but to do it all of the time would be a lot. Whew! She was a lot of fun to have around and I hope we didn't scare her away with all of the screaming and the "No, Caleb put that down." She's such a doll baby and I'm glad that she came over to spend the afternoon with us.

Interesting Information...Why Not

A--Available, Married or Single: Married
B--Best friend: Ron Deezy!
C--Cake or Pie: Pie
D--Drink of Choice: Coke
E--Essential item you use everyday: Bag Balm (for my lips)
F--Favorite Color: Yellow (it's such a happy color)
G--Gummy bears or worms: Worms!
H--Hometown: I was born in Columbus, but grew up in University Heights, Ohio (outside of Cleveland
I--Indulgence: Coke
J--January or February: This is hard because it used to be February because of Valentine's Day, but Caleb was born in January so I'm going to have to go with that.
K--Kids and names: (2) Jamison Lee and Caleb Duane
L--Life is incomplete without: my family
M--Marriage Date: June 15, 2002
N--Number of siblings: 2, Evan (17) and Toshianna (9)
O--Oranges or apples: Apples!
P--Phobias or fears: Drowning
Q--Fave quote: Just ask, all they can say is no (from my mama!)
R--Reason to smile: God, my family, my friends
S--Season: Summer
T--Tag 3 people: Just Janna
U--Unknown fact about me: I almost drowned when I was younger
V--Vegetable you don't like: Peas
W--Worse habit: Worrying
X--Xrays: Only at the dentist
Y--Your fave food: Pizza, hands down!
Z--Zodiac sign: Scorpio

Happy Birthday (a little late)

Friday, March 28 was my grandmother's birthday. She would have been 77. She is still so close to my heart and I miss her terribly. The other night I was home with the kids (Ron was at work) and they were occupied and I thought to myself, "ooh, I can call Granita." But, then it hit me that she's in Heaven and that I can't exactly pick up the phone to talk to her. But, I have faith that she's listening to me and keeping up with me (and hopefully putting in a good word with God for me!)

I love you Granita, Happy Birthday!