Hodge Podge

is a word used to describe a confused or disorderly mass or collection of things; a "mess" or a "jumble"

That is what this post will contain.

I'm feeling frazzled thinking about all we need to accomplish before moving to Monterey, oh wait, did I mention that is our OFFICIAL (as official as official gets for us) plan?  Well it is...so yay!

Jake told me the other day how blessed we are.  Truly our only worries at the moment seem to revolve around our credit score.  But yet I let it stress me out SO MUCH!  Money, gotta have it, but like I've said before it is the root of all FRUSTRATION (not evil) in my opinion.

Ok so on to some HODGE PODGE blogging.

While in TX I met up with a friend of mine named Jodie.  She makes these ADORABLE "pillowcase" dresses and I was just dying to learn (my Grandma Sellers made me t-shirt dresses when I was a girl so I want my girls to have something I make) so I spent an afternoon at her house in Vidor and she taught me.  I measured Aimi Lark wrong and the dress is a bit long and a bit big around but she can "grow into it" haha.  Funny how I hated when my mom said that when I was a kid.  She bought me size 8.5 basketball shoes in Jr. High (b/c they were nice and on sale) and told me "I could grow into them."  If you don't know I only wear a 6.5 shoe now (and have since like the 3rd grade, not really but it seems that way since I always got made fun of for having "big" feet).  

Ok so back to the dress.  Aimi Lark LOVED it.  She kept saying she had a "big" dress (meaning LONG).  I think she loved it because all her dresses now are around knee length not ankle length.  Jodie also taught me to make matching BOWS.  I am excited to make Mali Su's dress so that they can wear them on Sunday (per Jake's request).  I must also give a BIG thank-you to Jodie and her mom who let me borrow the suit Malachi wore to all the wedding festivities.  Thanks!!!

 I have had several requests to know just what the gifts Jake got for me were.  Well he racked up some GRAP (I think that's the acronym) points for some recruiting he did ages ago and they have a website where you can redeem the points.  Jake got our family TONS of cool backpacks and me two really nice "guard" shirts.  I have been in desperate need for backpacks for our 72hr kits (emergency kits you can take with you in case of a disaster) since forever.  Jake got me some great backpacks for FREE.  Thanks hunnie!  I spent the next day reorganizing and packing our kits.  

After Jake comes home from PT and before he leaves for work the kids LOVE to play with him.  Here is an example of a typical morning.

Chadburn (Jake's cousin Chad's son) came over to play the other morning and fell asleep watching Dora with the girls.  I didn't have the heart to move him.

Malachi discovered the french doors in the playroom...

I brought back some of my southern roots and for the first time I think in our entire marriage I made "fried" food.  I made chicken strips and french fries.  Beau cut the potatoes and seasoned the fries.  He learned from my mom who I think makes the BEST french fries in the world.

While baking cookies Aimi Lark took the whisk attachment for my mixer and told me it was her tambourine.  She spent the next little while walking around making music with her "tambourine."

Last night the house was quiet and I was researching JOB options for Jake in Monterey (he will be attending the evening law program at MCL and will work full time during the day).  When Jake came to bed he saw that Mali Su was busy on the DROID having a grand ol' time.  Kids and technology crack me up.  She was using that touchscreen like she totally knew what she was doing.

When I went to TX I brought two pieces of carry-on luggage, when I returned I had a big suitcase full of new clothes for myself (thanks Dad), and for my kids (thanks Mom).  My mom always sends me back with the cutest matching outfits for the girls.  I of course had to take a picture after their bath this morning.

Well there you have it.

Now I need to go and sew or budget or job hunt for Jake...