Three ... It Was a Good Year

I believe I've mentioned a time or ten what a cool kid O is. I get to write a little more about her later (she turns 4 on July 4th!), but seriously the girl is stinking hilarious.

I really don't like to be away from her because those few hours of my life are boring, boring, boring. The way she carries herself, her expressions, her insights .... all keep me laughing.

Last night as I was fixing dinner, she wanted to 'help'. I sat her on the counter beside me so we could chat. I love to ask her grown up questions just to see what she'll come up with. She doesn't talk like a soon-to-be four year old. I'm serious when I tell you she talks more like she's 7 or 8, which makes the things she says even more entertaining ... she also talks completely random.

Me: "So, have you had a good day?"

O: "Yes. I did lots of playing and eating and drinking. It was fun."

Me: "Are you tired?"

O: "No, Mom! Stop asking me if I'm tired."

Me: "Sorry. (switching subjects) Are you excited about your birthday on Saturday?"

O: "Yes! It's going to be the greatest surprise party! Mom, don't forget to shut your eyes and have everybody yell SURPRISE, okay?"

Me: "Okay. Hey, I don't want you to be FOUR! I want my baby to stay THREE!"

O: "MO-OM, I have to grow up. I just have to. God says I have to."

Me: "Well, did you enjoy being three?"

O: (sighs and looks off in the distance) "Yeah, it was a good year. I learned a lot. Read a lot of books and played a lot of stuff. I can poop and pee in the potty, cut paper with my scissors and recycle."

Me: (wanting to crack up but sensing the seriousness in her expression) "Those are all grown up things. So, what do you think it will be like to be four?"

O: "I don't know. Maybe when I'm four I will spend a lot of time at the zoo or the fair or the mall or at Target ... but, I'm still not taking showers. Showers are for 7 year olds."

Personally, I'm thinking she's right on the money with spending time at Target. The zoo never entered my mind.

Quiet Time

I'm often asked how I got my oldest daughter, E to pray without prompting and have such a tender heart for the things of God at such a young age. I really don't have the answer to those questions except for it has to be the Lord. She really does have a sensitive heart and compassion for people .... and she does recall scripture for most situations in her little life. Thankfully, we are starting to see those same qualities in O.

I guess it helps to make Jesus part of your everyday conversation .... and, we do .... but we mess up A LOT and pray often that through all the craziness our children can at least see glimpses of Him in us .... although I'm sure it's difficult most days.

But, I do think I have some insight to how we got her to read her bible everyday. .

Here's what we do ....

When E was a toddler, she had naptime every afternoon. I used that time to recharge myself and spent it reading (or napping - depending on the day). But, once she rebelled against naps I had to get creative because I still needed that downtime and O would need a quiet house in which to sleep. So, I just called it something else - knowing that 'quiet time' would make her think she was having to nap - thus came 'room time'.

Room time could consist of anything she wanted as long as she didn't make any noise. She could lie down (never happened), play, work puzzles or color - but she had to spend 15 minutes of the time reading or looking at books. E started reading at age 3, so this worked out well for her. But, even with O now (yes, she also has roomtime everyday), she spends that time looking at books.

Once the girls go in their rooms, I set a timer for 15 minutes and they know they have to read until the timer goes off. Afterwards, they can play quietly (usually for at least another 30 minutes).

Okay, back to E .....

When she turned 7 years old and was comfortable with writing sentences, I bought her a pretty journal. Her first 15 minutes of reading time could only consist of one book - the Bible. She can read any story or passage she wants, but has to write at least one verse in her journal and write what that verse means to her. (She's 7 so there's a lot of verses about creation, fruits of the Spirit and Psalms). Then, she can write whatever she wants in her journal.

I tell her I don't have to read it, but she does have to show me she's written something (shhhh ... we all know I read it, right? :)

Here's a look into her nightstand where most of her journals are kept (along with a princess horse and a H*llo Kitty treasure box - you know, for inspiration :)

Now the truth: At first, reading her Bible was difficult for her because she wanted to choose other books. That attitude didn't even last a week. Now she knows she can read those books after the first 15 minutes are up. I never hear a complaint and it has become routine for her - with no arguments. There are even days she will ask me if she can start her quiet time. Love that!

O has time in her room at the same time, but being 3 years old, her time still consists of picture books, coloring, puzzles and playing.

It's a little easier during the Summer with a more relaxed schedule. They have their time after breakfast. When school is in, they have that time while I'm preparing dinner (after homework).

I'm praying this time will be imprinted on my girls' hearts forever and as they get older, they will not be able to go throughout their day without a word from the Lord.

And, let's not forget .... Mommy LOVES that time of quiet, quiet, quiet.

I have no idea what to title this except: if I stretch first maybe I could pull it off

I sat down to write a post everyday this week, but never finished because I'd get interrupted or run out of time.

Oh, Summer .... how you tricked me with your promise of rest and days filled with fun. If you keep up your rebellious attitude, I may have to break up with you and continue to declare Fall as the.best.season.ever. You still have time to redeem yourself. I'm waiting ...

The scooter fascination is still going strong eventhough O's legs look like she's been in a war. Yes, she wears a helmet and yes, she wears kneepads (most of the time), but the girl is fearless and wants to do 'tricks' .... tricks that land her on the concrete every other minute. I had to leave the house for the past few days so I didn't have to hear, "is it time to play with our scooters now?" every ten seconds and also to give her poor legs time to heal.

E has been going to a cheerleading camp at her school this week (after this, we are finished with all organized activities for the summer). We are entertained with non.stop.cheering. until bedtime. I went to bed last night and couldn't get out of my head ... V to the IIIIIIIIIIIIIII C T O R Y!

But, not before I decided to show her my mad cheerleading skills from high school and impress her with my brilliant herkey jump. I'm quite certain my left leg is out of socket and will need ice this morning. I don't know what went wrong. It wasn't that long ago I had a flawless herkey jump and an amazing toe touch. I'll pause here and say thank you, God for humbling me before I attempted the toe touch. I feel sure I would be in the hospital this morning begging for someone to re-attach my legs.

Oh, Deidre .... sweetie, you are no longer 17. The more you try to fight it, the more aware of this you will become. Your days of herkeys and toe touches are long gone. Stop trying to impress your chidren and just show them pictures. Pictures are much more believable than your 7 year old having to help you off the floor....

I'm not quite sure what got in to me. Maybe it was hearing about Michael Jackson dying. I know he got pretty crazy at the end, but I have great memories of my friends and I listening to his music and copying his dances.

We knew the Thriller dance by heart and I'm pretty sure I can still perform our 8th grade talent show routine to P.Y.T.

Of course, I won't - I've learned my lesson. Sadly, my moon-walking days are probably over.

The Scooter Saves the Day

We have finally made the turn towards Summer and today it is 168 degrees outside.

Okay, I'm exaggerating. It's 167.

I woke this morning to a quiet house because my girls are finally (on occasion) learning to appreciate sleeping in which really means O is sleeping until 7:30, but my word, that extra hour is golden.

I slipped outside to water flowers and when I came in, I found O lying on the sofa. She looked at me with no expression at all and said, "I can't believe I was left all alone to take care of myself."

Okay, sweetie. Save it for DSS.

E woke up just before 8:00. And, then it began.

The endless, "Stop looking at me!", "Don't touch me!" and "I had that first!".

By 10:00 am, I was praying for school to start soon which is unfortunate since this is really our first full day at home with no plays, camps, etc. If this morning was any indication, this should be the longest summer of our lives!

E asked me the same question she's been asking for months, "Mom, when am I going to get my new scooter?" I had held off for long enough and told them to get in the car.

In less than an hour, we were back with the scooter and the girls had a quick ceremony commemorating the passing of E's old scooter to O. It was a beautiful time .... and very dramatic. O was never so glad to get a hand-me-down.

It was pure brilliance because the girls have not stopped riding those scooters. It's been hours and hours of entertainment.

Even in the 167 degree heat. I keep pouring water down their throats and they've gone through a box of icee pops, but they won't stop until dark. O said she would ride until the sun goes down!!!

I say do whatever you want as long as you're sweet to each other.

A Good Kind of BUSY

My girls are still in bed (praise you, Lord!) and I'm relieved to have a few moments to myself. This has proven to be one of our busiest weeks yet, but still a very good one.

O and I were able to see E's first performance yesterday in the children's play she's in. My goodness, she is in her element. No matter how many lines she has or what her role is, I cannot describe how thrilled I am to watch her have the time of her life. She is so happy and content and downright giddy. She seems like she's grown up so much in just a few weeks, it's weird. Does anyone else feel like your kids grow so much over the summer? I've always felt that way.

Time, please stop.

Our final night of Vacation Bible School is tonight. Ours is a little different as there are classes for all ages - even youth and adults. My brother has taught the youth and I have learned so much. He taught about salvation, how the Holy Spirit draws a person to Himself, conviction and justification. I told him last night that no one is as surprised as me that he is able to teach me a thing (ha!), but I really have learned a lot which makes it all worth it.

I hear the kids stirring. Time to start this crazy, busy day.

Don't want to leave you hanging ...

Okay, a few updates....

My foot: I have torn/pulled ligaments in both of my feet - my right being worse than my left. Good times. I can still walk albeit slowly and will be able to run again in the near future. I'm praying for speedy healing.

O's blankey: Praise God for a woman at my church that can sew! She saved the vital parts of the blankey and added just a few pieces of fabric to hold it together. We were both concerned O wouldn't want anything to do with it since it would be a little different, but she is beyond happy to be reunited with her blankey. She hasn't been without it all day.

My bathroom: Yes, Eric did finish the flooring this weekend all by himself. I'm so proud of him and it looks great. I am almost ready to share before/after pictures with you when a few small details are taken care of (molding, etc.). I'm really pleased with the outcome.

I saw a blog yesterday with the most amazing before/after pictures I've ever seen. What transformations! It's hard to believe these are the same rooms. This lady is an interior designer, so please understand when you see my before/after pictures they will not be even remotely the same. Not one bit.

Until then, enjoy a professional's expertise by clicking here.

Monday Morning

It's 7:00am and I just crawled back in bed with my laptop. I am praying the girls sleep late this morning for their sakes. Our week is going to be crazy busy and I wonder how E will pull it all off.

The play she's in this week requires her to be at the practice/dress rehearsal/performances at least 4 hours a day. I have an hour between picking her up every evening, getting her a quick dinner and taking her to Vacation Bible School. When we chose this play for her, I didn't even think about it falling the same week as VBS. It will be interesting to see if she holds out until Sunday's last performance. One of us may end up in tears.

I felt so sorry for O yesterday. Her blankey is being repaired and she is so lonely without it. There is simply no other substitute. On Saturday afternoon, the backing was hanging on by threads and even she agreed it was time to get it fixed. Minutes after giving it to a lady at church to sew, O was crying and wanting it back. Broke my heart. We kept her distracted most of the day, but when she crawled in bed last night, she lost it. Eric had to lay with her until she fell asleep which is something she never allows. Hopefully, blankey will be back in her arms tonight after Bible School and all will be right in her world.

That's blankey in O's hand above - oh, and the girl can be eccentric in her wardrobe choices. This picture was taken Feb. 2008.

Below, blankey is in her lap. Actually, it's always with her.

I go to the doctor this morning for my foot (feet). I walk like I'm ninety years old which was really comical to my SS class yesterday. After class, a group of us we were walking slowly to the main building for service and one girl said, "Well, we should've left an hour ago". Can't you hear the love? I tell you, I cannot wait until these girls experience some of the things they find so comical about growing ... ahem ... older. I hope I'm alive and well to see them all experience that last few weeks of pregnancy when you don't feel like you can move, hot flashes, postpartum blues, extreme PMS and hormone changes and the joys of only sleeping when you are blessed enough to get your hands on a Tylen*l PM (something they find utterly absurd - why can't I sleep until 12:00 noon?). I want to say I will be their biggest encourager and cheerleader, but I'm afraid I'm just mean enough to hug them and say, "Bless your heart, I told you so - ha ha ha). And, the queen of laughter is KTB to which I have the biggest plans. When you become pregnant with your first child (which better be a loooong time from now), I will most definitely show up at the hospital with a bag of chips and a diet coke like I'm preparing to watch the movie of my life - you know just to return the favor :)

Seriously, I love my SS class. I remember being that age and thinking my boss at the time (age 30) was ancient. Oh, to even be that age again ...

Some O Laughter

O is the kind of child that keeps us laughing all the time. I have a very difficult time disciplining her because she's so doggone funny. I think the fact that she's three (at least for a couple more weeks) makes the words she comes up with even more startling. She has a wide vocabulary and talks all.the.time.

She and I ran an errand and once in the parking lot, she put her hand over her forehead and said, "Whew, it's hot out here. I'm so hot I feel like an Italian".

Alrighty, then.

She also has a love for lip smackers. She has a ritual each morning where she puts on a little lip balm from each tube and then lines them up. I'm okay with it as long as we're not going out of the house.

I don't think she realized that was the rule because look what I found on our way to church last Sunday....

Theatre, Milkshakes and Warm Towels

Let's do a list .... lists are easy.

** E joined a summer children's theatre yesterday and cannot stop talking about it. Seriously, she has hardly taken a breath because oh my word the excitement is off the hook. I explained to her that in her first play, she would more than likely be painting scenery and not get a part and if she was really serious about it this would be okay with her. She hopped in the van yesterday after being there FOUR HOURS and said, "I'm girl #2, I'm girl #2!" We hardly saw her last night because she was in her room 'running lines' - ha! Cracks me up.

Apparently Girl #2 is a sarcastic teenager and 'kinda mean'. E wanted to make sure I understood this would be a stretch for her to play, but she was praying God would give her the skills to do it well.

Oh, yes. Let's pray you can talk like a smart mouth teenager.

** O is already attached to E being here all the time and was so sad to drop her off yesterday. I cheered her up by stopping by Chick-fil-* for one of their new peach milkshakes. Don't know what it did for O, but it cheered me up immediately and I don't even like milkshakes. Yum!

** If all goes well, Eric is going to finish the flooring in our master bathroom this weekend. Then, maybe I can show you the before and after pictures. After finishing the upstairs bedroom flooring, we had to put it all on hold because we've been away every weekend. I'm more than ready for it to be finished.

** I'm not really sure what is going on around here, but in the past two months the following has bit the dust:

my camera

my vacuum cleaner

my Mp3 player

my computer

my toaster

my grill (okay, Eric's grill)

I feel like we're practically living in the stone age.

I finally found my old camera which is great because I was able to take pictures this morning.

Who says my kids aren't innovative? I found them lying on top of a load of towels I had just taken out of the dryer. They put them in two different clothes baskets, grabbed some pillows and watched tv while warming up.

Creative.

Please hear me whining

I will now take the next few minutes to complain. Why, you say? Glad you asked.

I'm sensing my family is a little tired of hearing about my woes, so I'm turning to you for sympathy - and, maybe a little insight.

A month ago, I started the program 'From C*uch to 5K'.

I'm going to let the laughter settle from those who know me and then carry on with the story.

Okay, moving on....

I wanted to start this a year ago, and heard great testimonies from some of you bloggers. The problem is I could never get motivated to start and the fear of dying on the road kept me in the house.

But, I am tired of feeling tired. I want to get to the point where I'm not wanting to crawl into bed everyday at 2:00 because I'm exhausted. So, I tried it. And, I love it which comes as a complete shock to me. I didn't even tell Eric I was starting it at first just in case I didn't stick it out :) Also, I'm amazed at how much energy I have after only 4 weeks.

It really is a great program. I'm enjoying it so much and love the time early in the morning I have to myself. I think it works for me because I can see progress each week. You complete a workout and then move on to a new one the next week. I'm always surprised that I can actually accomplish the next level because I am not a runner. Not at all.

Which brings me to my next point. I know very little .... almost nothing about running. So little in fact, I have been running in shoes I have had for 7 years.

I know. I'm learning how ridiculous that was. I have a foot injury.

My right foot started hurting on vacation after running one morning. Chalking it up to feeling old and out of shape, I ran again two days later with the pain. Because I am a moron and naive and still knowing so little, I ran again on Sunday with the pain.

Now, both feet hurt, but my right one is so bad I can hardly walk.

Eric took me to get new running shoes on Monday. We went to a place that specializes in that sort of thing. I was embarrassed and wasn't going to tell them I was injured - you know, pass myself off as a marathon runner and looking for some new shoes. I tried to walk as normal as possible, but as soon as we opened the door Eric announces, "We need running shoes, my wife has hurt her foot."

Great, full disclosure. Tattle-tell.

I decided to be completely honest, so when the saleslady asked me what race I was training for, I told her 'the race to 3:00pm without feeling like an old lady'.

I don't think she got my humor.

Anyway, she convinced me I may have a stress fracture so I now have an appointment with a podiatrist and new, expensive shoes sitting in a box in my dining room because I can't bear to put them on.

I know I've made progress though because this morning would have been my day to run and I woke up crying because I couldn't go.

Those are words I never thought I would say but it's true. I'm bummed.

Doing the Gospel of Christ

When I have the opportunity to sit down and talk with someone about the Lord or all He is doing in my life or all He is teaching me in His word, I tend to get long-winded. I want to give the entire process day-by-day and verse-by-verse. Poor Eric. He listens patiently to my mini-sermons and never complains about the endless details I give him about my journey through a lesson God is teaching me. I love the process. It's rarely an easy lesson, but I love that God is so personal and so real and willing to teach me something in the simplest of circumstances. I just have to listen.

I'm the same when I teach a Sunday School lesson. Instead of the lesson, I want to give the background of months of circumstances and reading that led to that particular lesson. Doing that would be boring to anyone listening, but again, I love the process and marvel at His attention to my life.

I'm going to do something I rarely ..... okay, never ..... do. I want to share with you something I wrote in my journal.

April 2, 2009:

"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ." Galatians 1:6-7

Father, I shutter when I read these words. Am I guilty of doing such a thing? I pray I stay so close to you, I would never be mistaken to represent another. How does one pervert the gospel of Christ? Something so perfect and strong - that bears life. I cannot even get the questions written on this page before I know the answers. Your gospel is to be lived out as much as it is to be told. It must be present in my actions more than my words and I know I'm failing you in this area.

Specifically with my SS class, help me to be different. Father, my nature is to remove myself of any in-depth relationships. Please help me to see those around me the way you do - accepting each for who they are and for embracing how different we are and being okay with that. The world would be a boring place if everyone acted like me! Help me to trust you as I step out of my comfort zone and try to love others like you want me to. DOING your gospel instead of just TELLING your gospel.

When I write something down, I ask God to ordain things in my life that will continue to teach me about that particular issue.

I'm still in the middle of this one, but I love how He is orchestrating things in my life - through circumstances or conversations or people or books.

Imagine my delight when I ran across this title of a book after writing that verse in my journal.

I bought it not knowing what it was about, but prayed it would be a piece to the puzzle in this lesson from my Father.

It was.

I read the first 2 pages, shut the book and told Eric God was getting ready to change me with this book al though I had no idea how. And, then I prayed I would be accepting of it. Change is never easy, you know. In fact, it hurts most times. Reminds me of this quote:

The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it."

Flannery O'Connor

This book is written by Richard Stearns, president of World Vision U.S. He talks about his journey from the CEO of Lenox, Inc. to becoming the president of a non-profit charitable organization that helps the poorest of the world.

It's riveting and probably one of my favorite books of all time. You cannot possibly read these pages and not be changed by the picture of the world around us - and the world right in front of us. How we view each other and treat each other is paramount in telling what we individually do with the Gospel and this gift we have so freely been given.

The main lesson I'm learning right now (I'm sure there will be many more) through this verse and the book is acknowledgement. I often tell my family they don't have to agree with me or like what I say but acknowledging me is respecting me - and vice versa. I'll even jump up and down kicking and screaming (figuratively) if I don't think I'm getting that respect.

God has shown me that acting out His gospel has the same principle. Acknowledging others - those different from me - respecting them by taking notice they are significant and worthy - a child of God just like me. I'm learning that simple gesture makes all the difference in the world when serving Christ. We're cheating ourselves when we look over any part of His creation - His body manifested in the people around us and we're cheating Him when we tear down that body with our words or lack of acknowledgement.

It's tough, but worth the process. I can't wait to learn more.

We took a detour on the way home....

We are officially home from the beach, but not before taking a major detour.

We left the beach yesterday and made the 4 hour drive to this resort where Eric was speaking at a conference today. The resort was absolutely beautiful. This is what the lobby looks like only we arrived at night and there were candles everywhere that made it so stunning.

O walked in, took one look around and then said (ever so eloquently) to the concierge, "Wow!! Hey, are we allowed to chew gum in here?"

Just call us The Clampitts.

I think it's the nicest place O has ever stayed while E informed her she had stayed at many-a-hotel in her time and this was maybe a 7 on the 'nice' scale.

It seems The Grand*ver has nothing on a Disney All-Star Music Resort. There wasn't even a bar of soap shaped like Mickey. So, you know ..... it can't compete.

The girls' main goal for that stay was to spend all day at the pool while their Daddy worked. Imagine their disappointment when we woke this morning to rain.

I tried to lift their disappointment by allowing them to order room service for breakfast. O was again, so excited about a man delivering food to her bedside, while E informed her she had done this before.

She's a tough one.

They wouldn't give up on the dream to swim, so they convinced me to take them to the indoor pool.

Curse you indoor pool and your 30 below freezing water!!!

O didn't have swimmies, and her designated swim buddy (Eric) was in a meeting room giving a speech, so that left me to make sure O had ample amount of swimming time.

I'm sure I've never been more cold.

Never.

It took a 30 minute WARM bath for each of us to thaw out.

While the girls were in the bathtub, I sat down on the bed and listened while they played. Then, I heard E say, "O, let's praise God for such a wonderful week with our family and for our Daddy working so hard".

And, then I heard them both pray individually - thanking God for their grandparents, cousins, uncles, aunt and parents - thanking God for a Daddy that works hard so they can swim in an indoor pool.

Yes, Thank you Lord!

Made it all worthwhile.

Top 10 Beach Observations

Some observations while on vacation with my ENTIRE family ....

1) My brothers are the same no matter how old and love to play practical jokes on me. I am a nervous wreck and in serious need of Valium. Last night I went to bed after experiencing a near-heart attack, storming in the house and locking myself in my room. I had to remind myself I'm not 8 years old.

2) Chocolate chip cookies for breakfast are 100 times better when staring at the ocean.

3) I really don't like flying kites. Once you get them in the air ... then what? Boring.

4) My girls have almost nothing to do with me when there are 3 other girls their age in the house. I miss them and they are in the next room.

5) I am still the champion of Scrabble.

6) When will we ever learn NOT to take 15 chairs, 5 wave boards, 2 kites, 3 fishing poles, 2 coolers, 3 beach bags and 5 sand buckets to the ocean? At the end of the day we will curse every single item and threaten to leave it all to wash away.

7) It is actually possible to eat 14 meals a day. Just pace yourself in between naps and it can be done.

8) The game of Monopoly ought to come with divorce papers.

9) The end-of-day shower routine with 5 little girls coated with sand is brutal.

10) I wonder how we go so long without spending so much time together. It's always challenging, but always rewarding. I love my family!

I think we're at the beach

Good Morning! I am now at the beach with my entire family - 13 of us in all which includes 5 girls, O being the youngest at three years old and my niece is the oldest at 10 years old. This house is loud!

My girls are having a blast. O was sitting at dinner last night and asked Eric why were still here with all these people. He told her we were having a week-long slumber party. She is in heaven.

My dad broke us in right when we had only been here 10 minutes and he let a crab loose upstairs where the bedrooms are. A very fast crab!

We all ran like crazy and I stopped to laugh when I found my mom on all fours on top of the bed.

That's just my dad. Good times!

This is our first time at this particular beach and it is very different from what we are used to. The house is ocean front, but what separates it from the ocean is about 2 acres of marshland.

I woke yesterday morning at 6:00 and stepped outside with my bible and journal - looked up and had to focus my eyes again. Standing about 30 yards from me were 6 foxes. At the beach.

I ran to get my camera and then woke the whole house up.

Some were impressed. Some were not, but that doesn't happen to me everyday. In fact, never.

Later, we were walking across the LONG deck that takes you to the ocean and everyone stopped halfway to 'watch' a raccoon protect her babies hidden in tall bermuda grass. The raccoon feels threatened (I'm thinking she was justified since a group of people stop to stare at her) so she jumps to hiss at us and scare us.

She did. Or, at least she scared me because I ran like a bullet back to the house while screaming like a baby. My family was still standing at the bush while laughing hysterically. I shouted, "WHERE ARE WE?? I'm city-folk! I thought we were going to the beach!"

It's different. A portion of my family embraces nature and wildlife and loves to cuddle and hug bugs and snakes.

Another portion of the family is not impressed.

That portion would be Eric, myself and our 2 diva girls.

So, pray for me. I make the long trek to the ocean in about another hour.

It's a jungle out there!