My youngest son, Ryan, is obsessed with Thomas the Train. He calls Thomas- “Me,” because he thinks that he is Thomas. He tries to say the other engines names, except for Thomas. He is sitting here at 6:45 on a Sunday morning, after getting out of his Thomas Bed, in his Thomas undies, with Thomas pajamas on, watching Thomas the Train. He is holding Thomas, Gordon and Diesel 10  and drinking his milk out of his Thomas sippy cup while he is watching the movie. If we go anywhere today you better believe that he will want to wear a Thomas shirt and his Thomas Crocs or Thomas Tennis Shoes. He will then want to watch Thomas in the car. The point of all this- have I created this obsessed kid by giving him all the Thomas merchandise, or would he still love Thomas if I hadn’t gotten him the stuff? It all started because I felt sorry for him because he only got Reed’s old toys (they are his trains) and clothes. I started buying the bedding and shoes because he liked Thomas stuff and I knew the other two kids would have no interest in his train stuff. I have never been the third child, and I was the first girl in my family, but I know by watching how my son is treated- they really do get the leftovers very often. They can’t compete with a very verbal 6 and 4 year old. Any ideas anyone how to make all my kids feel special? How do people budget their time in a way that they feel like they get to spend enough quality time with each of their kids?

So Erika told me I need to “get on it” and started writing more, so here we go- two in one day. So I am so sore from Yoga this morning that I can barely lift my arms up. I got woke up at 5am this morning thanks to my darling son, and then after a fun filled day with my children, I got to go play softball. I would say that my muscles hurt on the back of my arms, but since I can’t flex it and it jiggles, I really think that it is just fat. So, I go this softball game, this should tell you how good our team is, I was above average of the five girl players on my team. In other words, we are really bad! We have only won one game this year, and that was a fluke. Most of our games have been called because of the 10-run rule. Now don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy getting out and playing, but I do wish that we would win, or at least score. So, after Yoga today, I hurt and I am pretty worn out, I tried to run to first and I hear myself thinking, “I think I can, I think I can…” I really felt like the little engine that could. It is quite amazing if I ever make it to first because I have gotten slow in my old age. I feel like it is slow motion t.v. when I am running, I keep thinking “I should have been there by now!” Today- I got thrown out at first from the out field, is that even fair? If I actually get a hit to the outfield, I think I should automatically get to take a base. Anyway, that was tonight, I hope that I can move tomorrow!

PS. I am sorry if my last blog was x-rated! Perks of marriage right?

Okay, I have officially become the fat friend trying to work out with my skinny friends. I went to yoga today, the room had mirrors all around us- proving my point!! I was standing on my head or my arms in positions that one should only be doing my bedroom (haha). Even in all black (which I did wear today), I still looked big. Do mirrors add 10 (or 20,or 30) pounds like the t.v. does? Anyway, I am the most inflexible person in the whole world. When I was a kid, I wanted to take gymnastics. The coaches were very excited because I was so strong- but then they found out how inflexible I really was/am. The coach (a big lady as I remember it) used to sit me on the split boards (two pieces of wood that make a slight V-shape) and push down on me. Then they would make me lay in a frog position (on my stomach with the bottoms of my feet together with my hiney up in the air) and she would sit on me. After a couple of months- I had to quit, it was torture! The point of this horrible flashback that I am having, today in yoga (yes it is the first time I have been in about 2 years) the teacher called me out because I was sitting there instead of touching my toes when we were sitting on the floor. I know to most of you, you can sit on the floor, with your legs out front and straight and not think anything of it- but me, I can’t straighten my legs if I am sitting and the thought of trying to bend forward and touch my toes is just unbearable. Anyway, so you ask me- ”Crystal, why did you go to Yoga if you hate it so much?” I guess the only truthful answer is- to be more flexible in the bedroom!! (HAHA) 

This afternoon was just what I needed. I am going to have a busy week (I know Tim, I don’t know what busy is…) watching a lot of kids, running around with extra curricular activities and just having a wild week. Then the rain came down- soccer practice was cancelled, my softball game was cancelled, it was raining too hard for me to go anywhere- so I got to sit and watch my kids have a great time running and playing in the rain- it was WONDERFUL! It felt nice outside, they were all getting along and there was no whining (AMAZING), and it was relaxing! I had bought a Chicken from Sam’s for supper, so I didn’t have to worry about what we were going to eat. Now, the kids have all had baths, the rice will be ready in 5 minutes, and I will be able to sit down as a family and eat a somewhat nutritious meal together as a family.  I do like always having something to do and somewhere to be- but sometimes a change in plans is a good thing. More than that- I think that the kids need to have time to play in the rain. Thank you Lord! That was GREAT!

Well, I made it through the first day of school this year without crying or having a nervous breakdown. That is quite an improvement from the last three years where I have been a basket case the first day of school. It is very hard for me to relinquish my control over my kids and intrust their care to someone else. I take my “job” very seriously and really want them to grow up and be good people- I don’t want them to be corrupted by all of the horrible things “out there!” So, I sent them to school. Addie started 4k and Reed started first grade. They both did really well and I am sure that they will make a lot of new friends. Addie knows everyone in the 4k and 5k in her class including the teachers, so the transition will be easy for her. Reed did not know the teachers or any of the kids, but he is very sociable and will do fine (I hope!)

I think that my kids had a great summer, I know that I did. I am going to include some of their comments from the last couple of days that have led me to this decision:

1. “I don’t want to go to school.” (Reed said this, do you blame him?)

2. “Mom, can we go back to Disney World?” (Addie: she wants to actually talk to the princesses instead of being tongue-tied like she was last time)

3. “Mom, remember when you tried and boogie board and your bathing suit fell off- that was funny!” (Reed was right)

4. “Momma, choo-choo!” (Ryan wanting to ride the trains at Disney (or Anywhere for that matter))

5. “Mom, I love you, we are THE GIRLS!” (Addie: anytime we do something just the two of us)

6. “Mom, you are the best mom in the whole world.” (Reed: tonight before he went to sleep)

7. “Momma, blue-green, choo-choo, night-night.” (Ryan “Mommy, sleep with my blue green blanket in my choo-choo (train) bed”). We finally got him in a big boy bed and he loves it! 

Summer is over and we are on the countdown to Christmas Break!!

Well, last Thursday the tree in my neighbors back yard got hit by lightening. Tim and I were actually driving by the house when it happened and it made the hairs on my arm stand up. When we saw the tree that got hit, it knocked the bark off from around the tree and literally threw the roots up out of the ground and all of the place- it was amazing! That is some powerful stuff! The lightening took out our cable/tv/computer- the downside of having the “bundle”pack. the worst part about it is trying to get someone to fix it. It happened last Thursday and we don’t have everything fixed yet after spending HOURS on the phone trying to get it fixed. The problem is the “computer operators” that answer the phone- why can’t a person just answer the phone? I think of myself as a pretty patient person (I may not be, but I try to tell myself that I am- don’t burst my bubble if I am not) but I was at my wits end this morning. I went off (nicely) on anyone I could get on the phone, then they would try and fix it and we would get cut off- which means I had to start all over again with the “computer people.” It really was more than I could handle- I called Tim yelling and fussing telling him I had enough and he needed to take care of it. The problem with that was- he was at a conference in Columbia- what could he do? NOTHING!!! But, I did feel better him telling me that he would fix it. He has rigged the laptop now to work somehow, so I am happy. Just wish that I could take it into the living room- but I will be grateful for Internet access wherever I can get it.

Anyway, all is going well. We found out that Reed has been carrying Strep and that is why Addie has gotten Strep three times this summer. Reed thinks that it is cool that he has had a “bug” hidden inside him that didn’t do anything to him, but made Addie sick. So I am sending out an apology to anyone we got sick- hopefully no one other than Addie got sick from him.

Just got word from my brother that the amount for Cobra (temporary health insurance) for the first two months was almost exactly the amount that we made in the first yard sale- how amazing is that. The Lord will provide if you trust him to. I never would have thought that we would have made that much money but the Lord knew what they needed and took care of it!! GO GOD! They are hoping to get Trey on Medicaid for the remainder of the time until he finds a job and is able to get coverage. Thank you all so much for helping us get that money for my brother and his family. It is a relief to all of us knowing that Trey is covered and able to get the medical treatments/medicines that he needs. THANKS!

I can’t believe that it is August, did I miss a month this summer because there is no way that school starts back so soon! I have had a blast with my kids this summer. We have done Disney World, the beach a few times, water parks, movies, road trips, sleepovers and a bunch more stuff. I can’t believe that it is coming to an end. Poor Addie has gotten strep throat a couple of times and is still complaining about her throat and Reed and I have gotten strep once, but other than a few cases of swimmers ear- we have been relatively healthy. I tell the coolest thing is the Doctors Care that opened up a couple of miles from our house. The pediatrician that we see is not open late or the weekends, but that place is and we have all visited it now. Tim was actually in and out within thirty minutes (maybe less) one time. We had a yard sale this past Saturday and all of my friends and family really chipped in to help make it successful. My new garage and my old garage were full of stuff to sale. We had so much stuff, that we are going to have to have another this week to help clean out my garage some more. We were raising money for a good cause and the Lord blessed our endeavors- it is amazing what the Lord can accomplish though his people. Thank you to all the people that contributed and helped, it was amazing. And to think we didn’t even think to have one until Tuesday morning and by Saturday it all fell into place. WOW!!! The biggest surprise is that Gina and I worked together for about 24 straight and we only got into one altercation, but I don’t think that it really counts because it was before 6 o’clock in the morning and neither one of us are  or claim to be morning people. Anyway… please keep praying for the Chapman family, not only are they dealing with the death of Mr. Chapman, they came down with a stomach virus in their house Friday and have had it all weekend. Also, my brother is starting to get some calls for interviews from all the resumes that he sent out- pray that the Lord will guide him to choose the best job for his family when one comes along.   

It has been a really hard past couple of months for a friend of mine because of the struggles his dad has been having dealing with cancer. Today, his father lost the battle to cancer and left behind a wife, son and daughter-in-law, daughter, and three grandkids. I am not good with death, I don’t like people dying and leaving people behind that are going to miss them terribly… but I do not like to see people suffer either. Mr. Chapman has fought hard against this horrible disease that attacked his body, but it was his time to join Jesus. I have no doubt that he is up there on the pearly streets having a good ol’ time, but that really doesn’t make it easier for us left behind. Though he was not my dad, it makes me think long and hard about the realtionships that I do have with my family, you are never promised tomorrow so we MUST appreciate the time that we have now. I was talking with someone today (I don’t remember who I talked to, I talked to a lot of people) and I jokingly said “The Rhodes gang is here, if you call one of us, you get the whole gang.” I am so thankful for my parents that they are still here with me, that we have a good relationship and I can call on them for anything. I am thankful for my sister just always being the support that I need when I call. I am thankful for my friends that I really do love and would do anything for them. I am praying for the Chapmans right now, because I know that though Mr. Chapmans life is over, the sadness and grief is not for the rest of you.

Well, we just got back from 6 days at the beach we really had a good time. We went down on Thursday and came back on Tuesday night, it was a nice vacation. Tim didn’t have to work any and we were able to relax  a lot. We went to the beach and walked on the pier. Ryan and Addie would walk up to every person and asked them if they had caught any fish. Some of the people were very friendly letting them touch the fish and explaining stuff to them other people would answer them succinctly- everyone was very nice to them though. The coolest thing that happened occurred at the Family Day with Tim’s work at Wild Water and Wheels. Every year Nucor passes out prizes- and they are good prizes, this year they gave out 20 prizes totalling $20,000. They had two grand prizes of $2000 travel voucher and $500 cash and Tim won one of them- we are so excited!! We haven’t decided where we are going, but at least we can do something- our 10 anniversary is this year and I would like to do something cool. I am so grateful that Tim has a good job- after the last two jobs he had going under, I am so thankful that the pay checks aren’t going to bounce. I was happy for the Wild Water and Wheels tickets/lunch, then they gave everyone beach towels this year as well- that was even cooler, to win the grand prize is unbelievable. I am glad that Tim was able to get a job there and thank the Lord everyday for providing for us, we learned to be thankful for the little stuff and I hope that I never forget how it could be.

Anyway… we finally moved Ryan to a toddler bed. My friend Renee let me borrow her toddler bed and Ryan slept it in last night and woke up at 7:15 this morning. He did pretty good going to sleep, Tim only had to have one talk with him about throwing all his blankets and pillows on Reed  before he went to sleep. He slept in a double bed the whole time we were at the beach and did really well so we decided to just take down the crib and hope for the best when we got home. He did really well- I guess a kid that is 2 years 9 months old is definitely old enough not to be in a crib. (Reed and Addie were both in full size bed the month they turned two)Ryan also slept in big boy undies last night and did not have an accident. Does this mean that I don’t have a baby anymore? I have started a new “season” in my life. We are done with cribs, bottles, diapers, diaper bags, nursing, putting on other peoples shoes- what do I think about this? I am not real sure. I don’t feel “old” enough to not have a baby anymore- I have kids. I am looking forward to the freedom to enjoy activities with my kids and not do “baby” stuff, but I really enjoy having a baby. I will have to ponder on this new stage in my life and get back to you all about how it feels- right now- I am not real  sure. I know that we can’t have another baby, so I have to move on- but I have enjoyed this time in my life. It has had some hard days- but on the most part, I have really liked it.

I can’t believe that summer is halfway over- I feel like we are just starting to have fun. They are already starting to put the summer stuff on sale and bring out all the school supplies- what is up with that? I bet before school starts this year they will start pushing the Christmas stuff. I am at a point in my life that I want to enjoy right now and everyday because it is fun and enjoyable. I am not wanting this stage to end, I like right now. I look forward to new adventures and things that we can do with older kids, but not at the expense of shortening this time. Today Addie, Reed and I got to play a board game together- I am not sure if it was Chinese Checkers or Sorry, but they both got the hang of the game and it was fun. Ryan and Tim were swimming in the pool and the three of us were just playing the game. After Reed beat us, Ryan got up on the table and ”played” with me. He was rolling the dice and counting “1,2,2,2,2,1″ and moving the marbles around- very cute. I am a very blessed woman. Tim got some work done on the garage- painted the doors and got me a light put up in my new laundry room. It will be nice if we ever finish the garage- but at least it is usable.  We had a fun weekend at home even though poor Addie got Strep throat again, she felt really bad Saturday so we stayed home most of the day or at Ah-Ma’s swimming. She felt much better today but we still hung around at home most of the day. We did hike on the trail by the old Pepsi plant and went to the end by the Veterans Memorial, it was a nice hike- very pretty and not too many other people walking on it. It took us about an hour to walk it but I recommend it to anyone looking for a little nature time, it is mostly in the shade and not too hot.