Innocent Magic

I have never been one to dive into all the St. Patty's activities, but this year I decided to do something a bit different. Last year the girls were required to make leprechaun traps for school, so that sparked their interest into St. Patrick's Day. No traps needed this year, but as we recalled the memories from the previous year (the leprechaun wasn't caught, he messed up their classroom while they were gone to activity, he left four leaf clovers and glitter everywhere, etc...), I had the perfect idea to make this year memorable. 

Leprechaun Magic. Oh, yes. You read that correct. We had some leprechaun magic in our house this past Tuesday.

As the girls were getting dressed I was in the kitchen getting their breakfast ready. It wasn't anything elaborate, just cereal and milk. Bay kept creeping into the kitchen and was in danger of ruining everything. But I managed to distract her just enough. I worked my, er, I mean the leprechaun, worked his magic, and then the big reveal.

"GIRLS!!!! IT'S LEPRECHAUN MAGIC"!!!!!!!

Bay with her green milk and cereal with green milk. 

They were confused, but came running anyway. And they were blown away when they noticed their milk had been turned green. Success! They loved it and were so excited to tell everyone at school. Off they went.

When I picked them up from school they told me who got pinched and how they told Mrs. Thomas about their milk. The afternoon turned into evening and then it was time for dinner. 

I had made chicken and dressing and hadn't intended on making mashed potatoes, but after the morning success, I had to see if I could pull it off again. Plus, Bran would be home and he could participate. 

So I made the potatoes. It's a tradition in our house to have the girls lick the beaters. (Oh yeah, I mash with my electric mixer, not a real potato masher.) Well, I mashed up my potatoes and handed them their beater. I handed them the beater that had WHITE mashed potatoes. As Bran stirred the gravy I quickly dropped some green food coloring into the pan and stirred away with my spatula. He kept a look out for me and made sure no one was headed our way. When they were green enough I didn't bother with transferring them to a bowl. I just put the lid on the pan and sat it on the table. 

And then the magic happened.

We called the girls to dinner and Bay was the first one at the table. Knowing mashed potatoes were in the pan, she quietly lifted the lid. I'm pretty sure she was going to sneak a lick, but was too surprised once she opened it. GREEN MASHED POTATOES! Bran and I watched from the corner of our eyes, and I wish I had hidden our video camera. It. Was. Priceless. 

She opened it up and her mouth DROPPED. And she stared at the potatoes. I wish I knew what was running threw her head. Bran turned around and said, "Bay, what did you do to the potatoes?". And she instantly said, "Mom! It's leprechaun magic!". 

Doesn't that look slightly disturbing?!

Oh, I can't tell you the joy we had at dinner that night. With our green mashed potatoes we also had green beans, and I'm pretty sure my dressing had a hint of green from all of the sage. Such a fun evening, but it really got me thinking.

My girls are at a great age. They are old enough to comprehend a lot of things. They are learning things in school I still have trouble with (fractions and the skeletal system). But they still have that childlike innocence about them. It's precious and I know it won't be long before we have moved from leprechaun magic to makeup. 

But until that day comes we're going to embrace this season of life. It's beautiful.

Girlfriends

When we first moved to Arkansas I was in a bit of shock for awhile. I stayed holed up in my house for months, walked through Wal-Mart anonymously, and rarely spoke to anyone but Brandon and the girls. I was scared. I was nervous. And it was all a bit overwhelming. 

But day by day it got a little easier. I started attending Bible study at church and put more names and faces together each week. The faces slowly turned into acquaintances and the acquaintances turned into friends. With each little step we took towards cultivating those new friendships, we slowly began to appreciate what God had given us. 

This past weekend I was able to slip out for some much needed girl time. We went out to eat and a made quick run to Target. Over the course of our time together we all had had our share of tears and tons of laughter. As I laid in bed Saturday night I was so thankful for these two women. 

Me, Harriett, Anne

Harriett has endured more than most moms should ever have to endure. I won't share her story, (because it's hers, not mine) but I have much respect and admiration for this woman. She is strong and I look up to her for that. 

Anne lives six houses down from me and we talk multiple times a day. When we both emerged from our shyness, we realized how much we have in common and have been pretty much inseparable since. There's nothing like having a friend you can bare your soul to. She teaches me so much and for that I am grateful.

I am so thankful that God has answered one of my prayers since moving here. I wanted real friendships and he has been gracious to bless. 

It was quite a rendezvous at Rendezvous!

As you know, Brandon's birthday was last week. His parents weren't able to come see him until this weekend and Bran has had the agenda planned for weeks. His birthday was a great excuse to zip on over to Memphis for some world famous barbeque at Rendezvous BBQ. Well, we should have known we were in for an adventure when Gilbert (Bran's dad) said, "Boy, are you sure you want to go? It's sleeting out here". There was no stopping us. It was rain with just a touch of sleet. Nothing we couldn't handle. So off we went!

Here's the great thing about owning a van...

   

.....we all fit in one vehicle! So great, I tell ya. 

Anyway, I digress.

We rolled into Memphis around 2 o'clock and were all starving. After parking in the assigned parking garage and slipping out the side gate and into the alley, we found the treasure we had been looking for. And inside were these beauties that Brandon had been craving.

And I'm pretty sure he enjoyed them. 

Yeah, going by the sauce he had dripping off his face it's pretty safe to say he was pleased.

Oh, and in case you're wondering... Our waiter, Robert Jr. (not to be confused with Robert Sr., as the website says) is Justin Timberlake's main man when he comes to town. I was too embarrassed to ask for a picture. : (

We headed back upstairs to take a family photo documenting the days event, but didn't realize the real fun was just beginning!

Aww, how cute. We're all smiles and full of food and then we see it. 

SNOW!!!!!!!!!

You know what that means! Another family picture!!

The girls and I were so excited! It has been a very boring winter here in our part of Arkansas. There has been snow and ice to the north of us and that's just about it. So we were so excited to finally be in some snow. 

Now. The rational side of me thought, "Let's get out of here"! But the fun side said "No way! Let's go to Beale Street"! And so we did!!!

You see, Memphis has a Hard Rock Cafe. We took the girls there last summer and were able to share with them how special HRC is to our family. Brenna (my sister) worked for HRC and they were so good to her from the time she was diagnosed up until she had passed away. And even after she had died they honored her with a famous HRC pin. Anyway, all of this to say when we are close to a HRC we have to support them. Whether it's by eating or shopping in the store, I have to do something for the company that was so good to Brenna. And so off we went, in the snow, to Hard Rock.

See my hand? It's holding the HRC bag. Had to buy the girls a shirt! 

Look how empty the street was! It was hilarious!! When we were leaving we got pelted with a couple of snow balls. I wish we could have stayed and played all day.

It was such a fun day! The girls were thrilled to play in snow. And I had a pretty good time myself.

Thanks, B, for taking us to Memphis for your birthday! : )