Sunday Sunday

You are strong...when you take your grief and teach it to smile.

You are brave...when you overcome your fear and help others to do the same.

You are loving...when your own pain does not blind you to the pain of others.

You are wise...when you know the limits of your wisdom.

You are alive...when tomorrow's hope means more to you than yesterday's mistake.

You are growing...when you know what you are but not what you will become.

You are free...when you are in control of yourself and do not wish to control others.

You are merciful...when you forgive in others the faults you condemn in yourself.

You are beautiful...when you don't need a mirror to tell you.

You are rich...when you never need more than what you have.

You are you...when you are at peace with who you are not.

What are you?

I saw this last week on another blog and I really like it.

Thought I'd share it with yall.

I've Traumatized the Child

I guess I can count on the kids for something to post about.


If you missed my "Way Cute Flip Flop" story you might want to read it first so that this post makes more sence. Click on the words Way Cute Flip Flops and it will take you to the post.

As we were rounding the McDonald's drive thru yesterday Shelby noticed that there were sea gulls every where and pointed them out to me. (Sea gulls are any where there is food.) I asked her why she thought there were so many flying around, and she told me, "I think they are looking for my flip flops." Then she said, "Do you got mine?" I told her yes they were at the house.

Last week when we went to the beach with the family she saw all the birds and put her flip flops under her arm pits so that they couldn't see them.

I suggested we buy some bread and feed the birds today and she'll say "that's okay, they're not hungry."

So she's done with the cheap fun of feeding birds. Maybe I can talk her sister into bird feeding.

E Award Jinx

I'VE DRAWN A BLANK THIS MORNING.

IT MUST BE THE PRESSURE FROM

WINNING THE COVETED "E AWARD!"

THANKS A LOT AMANDA!

Thank You, Thank You Very Much!

Thank you! Oh! Thank you! I can hardly believe this! I feel so blessed. And this award- it's so fantastic! Oh, thank you again! I just want everyone to know that even in my wildest hallucinations, I never would have imagined that this could ever validate my mediocrity. And to the other brilliant award winners, I want each of you to know how totally wonderful your fake smiles makes me feel right now! You know when I first learned that I was getting this award, I just had to take a moment and laugh about how generous my fans have been to leave me but very few comments. I know my posts have just left you speechless and then you just can't possibly leave a comment or two. I forgive you. I guess it all just makes me feel kind a special. First off though, I want to thank Amanda who looked deep within her heart and mind before giving me this fantastic award! Also, I want to thank my loving and supportive husband who bought and payed for the computer on which I blog. For my Niece Tara who kept after me to join her in this cyber space family reunion. I want to thank my parents, for being such a powerful force in my life. And to my Brother and Sisters, who tolerate me asking if they've read my blog today. And finally, to all my peeps - I couldn't have done it without you! And in the word's of Elvis, "Thank You, Thank You Very Much!"

* Sorry, I was so overcome with emotion, I forgot that I was suppose to pass on this award to another blogger. Seeing as most of my friends and family have already gotten this award, I'd like to pass this on to big red EP. After Tara introduced me to blogging, I found out that my sister and brother's good friend EP had been bloggin for years. I loved her blog right off. I think I went back and read a years worth of posts, if not more. Her pictures are what got me hooked and of course her sense of humor. So here's to you big red. You're own E award!
* I'd like to also give an F award (for FUNNY) to the crying drama queen, my niece Leah. (Who has already given herself and award.) Love you, Leah! Only thing, you really need to post more often and bring proof with pictures!

Potty Seat

Okay little potty trainin mama's this is another one of my favorites. I hate potty chairs! I hate the fact that kids can drag them all over the house. I hate the fact that someone has to empty them and then someone has to wash them out and that someone is usually YOU. As Shelby would say, "that's disgusting." So I'll let you in on my little secret. I read about it in Good House Keeping Mag. they recommended it. It's called a Transitions™ Quiet-Close™ toilet seat with Quick-Release™ functionality. Designed to accommodate the needs of both adults and children without attaching a separate seat, the Transitions toilet seat, featuring Quiet-Close technology and Quick-Release hinges, combines ease of use and convenience for any bathroom. Transitions seat and it's made by Kholer. It's a little costly but if you have little ones especially girls, it's perfect for potty training. It has two seats and a lid. The first seat is for little bottoms and they feel very safe sitting on it and they can't fall thru. Then the second seat is a normal toilet seat just right for bigger bottoms. It only comes in elongated. I love it and it is worth the money. I ordered it straight from Kholer on line and they mailed it to the house, shipping was only $4.00. I ordered my second one yesterday for the half bath that we just finished in the play room.

I had to laugh when Shelby saw her seat up and the regular seat down she said, "Travis has been here hasn't he?" Don't ask me what made her say it? She's a mess!

OH MY GOSH!!

This is who woke me up ringing my

door bell this morning. I'm just glad

all he wanted was to say,

APRIL FOOLS!!!!

Evelyn's Carrot Cake

I looove carrot cake, well most any kind of cake, but this carrot cake is tops on my list. A good friend, Renee Straub, gave this to me years ago. It's her mother in law Evelyn's recipe. I'm tellin ya, it's the most moist carrot cake recipe I've ever tasted. Don't worry about the pineapple if you don't like it. It actually taste like the nuts. You would never know that there was pineapple even in it. And it couldn't be any easier by using baby food insead of having to cut and chop, shred carrots. Give it a try and let me know what you think!!

Evelyn's Carrot Cake
2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
3 4oz. jars of carrot baby food (like stage 2)
1 8oz can crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 cup chopped pecans

In mixing bowl combine all dry ingredients. Add oil, eggs and baby food. Mix on low speed until well blended. Stir in pineapple and nuts. Pour into two 9 inch cake pans or three 8 inch pans. Bake at 350* for 35 mins. or until it passes the tooth pick test. (when the tooth pick comes out clean)

Cream Cheese Icing
1 stick of butter (1/2 cup)
1 8oz. block of cream cheese
3 or more cups of powdered sugar
1-1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
Blend butter and cream cheese until creamy.Start adding sugar and a drop or two of milk untilyou get the right consistency. Then blend in the nuts and ice completely cooled cake.

PLAY BALL!

Welcome back Glavine.

Okay Braves, you're not off to a very good start.

GO BRAVES!

Leading the Music?

Wonder what song Angie was going to lead us in? Maybe, "God Bless America." Maybe she was signing, I know some sign language and I don't recognize that as any sign I know. Do you talk with your hands. Are you expressive? As children, we use to laugh at my mama when she was talking on the phone. Her hand's were always flying this way or that. We would tell her if we cut her hands off she couldn't talk. She'd get so mad at us.

I took these pictures of some of the family on Friday. We went to Jekyll Island beach for a few hours. Crazy Aunt Betsy was calling every Utah relative (that would answer their phones) and telling them that she was at the beach and it was 82*. It had snowed out there the day before.

The Cowboys Go Home

BJ Newland, Aunt Betsy, their grandmother and Travis Newland.

Pictured from left to right, bottom row: BJ Newland, Christon and Harrison, and Travis Newland. Back row: September, Travis and Jordan. The Newland brothers are the kids and Laura's cousin's from Utah. They are as close as if they grew up together but they grew up in Utah and our kids here in Brunswick. Aunt Betsy is their grandmother. They will all fly home this afternoon. It has been wonderful to have them in town as we all go through the tragic loss of our Laura. Roger, Lori, Tara and her little ones, Angie and her son Andrew, and Farrel's nephews, Brett and Kenny Goodrich all left going to their homes yesterday. Farrel's sister and husband, Carolyn and Jay are here till Wednesday. It's been a blessing to have them here. I hate to see them go, but go they must, because for all of us, life goes on....

Crocs

These are my favorite shoes. I have them in 4 colors!

I can't help it. They are Crocs , they are so comfortable.

So, Aunt Betsy is here from Utah, along with many other

relatives that came for Laura's funeral.

Today I'm taking her to buy several pairs

for Utah relatives that haven't seen this style.

It's still snowing out there, they might get to wear them in August.

SHOPPING UPDATE: So I took Aunt Betsy to the mall to buy her Croc's.

She bought the black ones for herself. Linda couldn't

wait until Betsy gets home tomorrow and ordered hers

on line. So aunt Betsy bought Sherry the brown/pink ones.

Aunt Betsy had the salesman to cut the tags off and she wore

them out of the store. We leave the store and just walk

down the mall and end up going into Belk. As we are walking

and talking we run into my friend Beth. ( Beth helped serve and clean up for the dinner after Laura's funeral. Her daughter went to school with Laura and they were at the visitation and funeral) Well she knows aunt Betsy

from when we took Beth to Utah, (we stayed with

aunt Betsy.) Beth had seen on my blog that we were going

Croc shopping and thought that she would try and

find us. She did! We talked her into trying on my Croc's

and she decided to go back down to the sports store

and buy herself a pair too! She bought a black pair also.

She had the salesman cut the tags off hers and

she wore them out of the store too.

Maybe I should ask for commission. As we were

headed back down the Mall we ran into Jordan and

her sister Brittney. (Brittney and her mother drove

down from Lynchburg, Virginia to attend Laura's funeral.

Brittney also went to school with Laura) No need to talk

them into buying a pair of the Cleo Croc's they already have some.

Talked to Beth and aunt Betsy later in the day and they both

just might sleep in them tonight.

They are that comfortable!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY #1 SON

Happy 29 Birthday Carlos Harrison Griffis

Laura Leigh Kirkland

March 16, 1983 - March 24, 2008

Laura was killed in a head-on collision on the St Simons Island causeway. I have no other words right now, just great sadness. Please enjoy a few pictures I have of Laura.

I am still here

When tomorrow starts without me,
And I am not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn’t get to say.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you
And each time you think of me,
I know you’ll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I’d have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
But as I turn to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye,
For all my life I’d always thought,
I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for,
So much yet left to do,
It seemed almost impossible
That I was leaving you.
I thought of all those yesterdays
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
All the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for a while,
I’d say goodbye and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.
But then I’d fully realize
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
Would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did
My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through those gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne.
He said, "This is eternity, And all I've promised you.
"Today your life on earth has past
But here life starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day’s the same way
There’s no longing for the past.
You have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true.
Though there were times
You did some things you know you shouldn’t do
But you have been forgiven,
And at last you are free
So won’t you come and take my hand
And share my life with me?
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don’t think we are far apart,
For every time you think of me
I’m right here in your heart.

Kite Flying School

Here's proof that a 3 year old can fly a kite!
I had a great day teaching the kite flying class
on Jekyll Island Beach. It turned out to be a great day for kite flying
except it was a little cold. I think that it got up
to about 60* today but with the sun shining it was perfect.

Class participants and first time kite flyer's
were, Anna Adams, Shelby, Jackson, Madi and Jonathan Kirkland. Not pictured, Mother Kirkland, "Amanda." Reagan and Emma Mae were just along
for the free wagon ride. Class went really well and all were
able to get their kites in the air and maintained.
I think that they were all very pleased with
themselves and would like to try and fly again some time.
I for one am always up for teaching kite flying school.

Notice the little pink suit in the upper left hand corner? It's Emma Mae crawling away.

Kite Flying (memory from daddy)
Yeah, when I was a boy on the mill village, we used to make our own kites, a roll of twine from the cotton mill and we would fly them for hours. We would fly them out of sight, you could not see them but could still feel the pull. What fun we had in 'Kite flying season' as we called it. The materials we used was dried fennel sticks, the best paper was the kind that the meat market wrapped the meat in, and cotton string. Tie the sticks together in shape of a cross, run the string around the four points of the sticks, lay it down on the paper, cut about an inch or so outside the string all away around. Mix some flour and water and spread it all away around the string and fold it over. After it dried, it was glued tight. IF you needed a tail, just tear some strips of some old cloth together and attach it to the tail(bottom) of the kite. Next you would need a 'bridle', a string attached to the top of the center stick to the bottom of the kite . Then find just the right place to tie the ball of string to the bridle.We never 'ran' that much to get it up in the air, if the wind was blowing good, we put our backs to it and started 'juking' it as the wind caught it and before you knew it, it was up in the air. Oh what fun it was. I learned it from my older brothers and the older boys from the mill village. Great great fun. Billy Crenshaw/Daddy/Papa