I was driving out of my driveway yesterday when I noticed the trees are starting to bloom their little flowers. The daffodils have bloomed and I am going to have to cut my “weeds” soon in my yard- and I am so GLAD! I love spring time. I love the warm temperatures and being outside, I love to stand outside in soft grass in my bare feet, and I love the smell of sweaty kids- it means they are enjoying the outside as well. Down in the south is gets so hot in the summer that we can’t always play outside and jump on the trampoline, but during spring- we can ride bikes, swing and jump to our hearts content. The kids and I have been having a hard time since the time change- we don’t want to go to bed when the sun is up and then we are VERY tired when we get up and the sun isn’t up. Luckily, two of the three kids know how to read clocks so I can logically explain things to them- but Ryan, you can’t explain it to him. We are busy in the spring sports, I am coaching two soccer teams (Addie and Reed’s) and Reed is also taking city league baseball. City league baseball is a huge difference than what we have been doing. The first week, he had four practices!!! Whoo-hoo!! Addie is still taking dance and gymnastics so we are very busy. This is fun! I can’t believe how much I enjoy watching my kids play sports, I am too out of shape to play much myself- but it makes me so proud to see my kids. Reed is my thinker- he really thinks hard while he is playing and is really learning the game- if he were to get some speed and aggression- he would be great!! Addie has the speed and aggression- she loves stealing the balls from the other kids!! She is a pistol! There are normally only 1 or 2 girls on the teams- but Addie can kick some “booty,” nobody intimidates her. We have been letting her play on Reeds soccer team because we are short payers- the catch is- she is 2 years younger than than everyone else and a girl! Does she care- nope, she tries hard. Addies biggest hindrance is the fact that she doesn’t like to sweat because it makes it hard for her to run her fingers thru her hair!! Even out on the field- she prefers her hair down and a pretty skirt on! Oh my, what am I going to do with her?

My kids have grown up with three of my friends kids. We both have kids the same ages- 7,5 and 3- and they have hung out together constantly. There are five boys and my Addie-Belle – and they get along great. I get the pleasure of keeping them a little this week while their parents get a little R&R in San Francisco. I have included some pictures of the group- they all love each other!!!

Today is kind of Tim’s birthday,

though my kids say that it is not!

He was born 33 years ago

between today and tomorrow. 

He has had 8 birthday’s

so Reed says they’re about the same age,

and many adults agree-

8 is his mental state so silly he can be.

He has accomplished much in those 33 years

and hopes to achieve more

to see what the Lord has next has in store.

He is a great dad, husband and friend-

and lately we found out,

a dancing fool  on the floor.

Thanks for being so good to us

a reliable worker and dad.

We wish you a Happy Birthday-

getting older really hasn’t been so bad!

I love you Timothy!!

After the week I have had- I thought that I would post some of the comments people have told me and what has gone through my head when I was told these things:

1. At least no one was hurt. (Very true- but my pride and self-confidence)

2. Well, at least you have rental insurance. (True, but we are still paying for it in the long run, my insurance is going to go up again!)

3. I am surprised with all the kids you have in your car all the time, you don’t get in more wrecks because of the noise. (Is that a compliment? or another “comment”)

4. Well, now you can sit at home and eat bon-bon’s. (what is a Bob-bon?)

5. If you aren’t busy, perhaps…  (I will wear a shirt that says “I am not busy” the day that I really am not busy)

6. What did you do today? (I guess I sat around eating bon-bon’s)

7. Crystal, can you run into the store for me today? (I can never get in and out of a store in less than 20 minutes, there is no running involved- crying, pushing, yelling and shoving- YES, but running- NO)

8. Thank goodness you have friends and family to help (yes, that is very true. Thank you Erika, Renee, Amy and Dad for helping me Monday- it really was a rotten, long day.)

9. Be prepared to get sick- that stomach bug is bad. (Thanks, as if I didn’t already realize that)

10. There were angels protecting you and Ryan Monday. (I have no doubt that the Lord sent his angels to protect us, we weren’t jolted or anything in the wreck- Ryan didn’t even get upset. I am so thankful that it wasn’t bad!)

11. How is the “Kia”? (Well, there is no TV and the kids don’t like change… need I say anymore?) 

I am being a smart aleck, I know!! But I thought that I needed to update my blog- and I felt like being cynical! The next post will be upbeat and cheery- maybe!

This has been an extremely long day. It started off pretty good. I got laundry done, changed the sheets on the bed and went to work out by 9am. Then the fun started! I was pulling out of the YMCA when- boom, I ran right into someone. I didn’t even see him coming. Luckily, we weren’t going fast and it pretty much just pulled my bumper off and messed up the other guys rim of his tire. However, he did say that I messed up his back quarter panel, don’t know how I did that since only the bottom part of my car was messed up and the places that he said I hit were already rusting- but, the insurance guys will have to handle that!! That happened around 10am, I was still trying to get a rental car and everything squared away at 2pm. I was able to finally get my kids around 3pm and then I had to get my running around done before soccer practice at 5:30.  It really was a crazy day and I am so glad to be home. Praise the Lord that I didn’t hurt the other guy or Ryan didn’t get hurt and the cars were not messed up too badly.

On Monday, the kids did not have school so Reed and I started a Monopoly game while the little two kids were sleeping. I get so impressed by my son. This is the first time that we have ever played that I might actually beat him- he has really good sense and typically wins everytime he plays. We didn’t get to finish- but the game is on hold and we will finish on Wednesday. But what impressed me the most is the fact that he can add all these numbers, figure out how to buy the houses and hotels, and pay me everytime he lands on my property. I don’t have to check his numbers- but he gets it right. He has figured out how to put his property on mortgage and then pay it off. The kid just turned 7, I am a proud momma I know- but I have to think much harder than he does to play this game. What can I expect from this kid in the future, I don’t know- but I know that he has a good heart and the Lord is going to use him to do something great!!

Well, we are back from our cruise and I must say- it definitely wasn’t what I was expecting. I really thought that we would have lots to do and busy, but we weren’t. We realized after the first hour that there was nothing to do but drink and hang out on the deck in the “cool” February air. Well, anyone that knows me knows that I am not a big drinker and I REALLY hate being cold. So- we had nothing to do. After an hour, Tim was ready to throw-up and get off the boat. After two days and a new friend that hooked us up with some Dramamine- we realized what we would be doing for the rest of the cruise. Here is how our days went- Sleep, Eat, Sleep, Eat, Sleep, maybe watch a bingo match or karaoke, Eat, watch a show and go to Sleep!  We ended up having a great time!! We met some people and really had a good time hanging out and getting to know them. I am including a couple of pictures- ENJOY!

I am so excited. Saturday, Tim and I are going on our first cruise. Neither one of us knows what to expect or if we will even like it- but we are counting down the days. You would think that with three kids and being gone for 6 days I would have started packing, getting a bathing suit that fits, my nails done or something- but no, I haven’t. I have had a sick little boy the past couple of days and have not started getting things ready for my trip. My friend Renee did help me find a couple of shirts and pants at the local thrift store- but that is it! After we get back from our cruise- my mom, sister and sister-in-law are going to be going to New York for a long weekend in March. We will be seeing Phantom of the Opera and going to Ellis Island, and probably shopping till we drop! I can’t wait for that as well. It is strange after all these years of only doing things that my kids would enjoy- I am going to go on two great trips in one months time frame. I will miss my kids and wish that they could experience the trips with me- but they are too small to enjoy it and I am going to enjoy being a “mature kid” again. It will be nice to have some “us” time for me and Tim and “girl” time with the “Rhodes” girls. I don’t really know what all to pack for my trips and would love some input. So my question for all you out there- if you were going on these trips- what two items are must haves, that I might not think about bringing but would regret it if I forgot? (I know, there are Walmarts everywhere and I can buy what I forgot- but I am trying to plan ahead!! (well, may not on a cruise ship- but maybe…))

I Want a New Marriage

Source: iwantanewmarriage.com

 Sounds interesting doesn’t It? I am sure that it will be!! If anyone is interested we meet Sunday’s out at FMU at 9:30 and 11:15.  Try it- you  might like it!!

So, out of the Blue Monday night- we are told that it might snow on Tuesday morning, and it DID!! We woke up to to a winter wonderland and got at least three inches of snow. The kids had a blast. We didn’t have the correct “snow” clothes so we had to layer up and put plastic bags on our fleece gloves- but the kids had fun. I am glad that they got some snow becuase non of them had ever remembered playing in any. I liked it because it came one day, we cancelled school, and by Wednesday- it will be pretty much gone and back in the fifties. I have included some pictures for your pleasure and to prove that it does snow in SC every once in a while.