{Hello from Sunny CA}

I am here! Thank you, Lord for safe flying.

After a full day of flying, using public restrooms, and eating a $4.25 package of Recees Peices, I said "Take me to the water." And Mrs. Jacque did. So tonight down by the bay, I ate grilled Mahi Mahi, missed my family, and thought of blogging.

This morning when I left Buddy was trying to figure a way to get in my suitcase, Lily was wondering if her Aunt Deana could paint a "Fancy L" on her big toe, and Clayton was off to Little Rock for a baseball camp. . . all the meanwhile I was silently hiding my heartache of leaving.

But, now I will focus and listen. I am anxious to see what God has in store for me this week. There is always more learn, and always room for improvement.

You all know I dont know what I'm doing. . .but thank heavens God does.

And one thing I know for sure. . . wherever He leads, I'll go.

Talk real soon, friends.

Love,
Tonia

{Girls. . .}

this might solve our problems. . .

{What is a Mom?}

5 people to serve.

Only 4 slices of pie.

A mom says,

"I never really cared for pie".

{Military Hat}

This week as Dad was packing up. . .

The boys spied his hat. . .

They both

tried

it

on

for

size.

Cute boys. Cute Dad.

{Plenty of Pink}

When I downloaded pics I found

several, and I mean several. . .

pictures of Pink.

These are her clothes Lily has picked out for her.

I can just hear her saying, "Smile for the camera, Pink!"

Looks like a smile to me.

Sweet Lily Girl. Sweet Pink Pig.

{My Baseball Prayer}

Dear Lord,

Thank you for all these boys.

Thank you for their health, and their little bodies.

Please keep

them all safe this season.

Help them shine bright, on the field. . . and off the field.

Help us to represent First Baptist Church

in a positive light, so that others may see

you

through

us.

Amen.

{A Good Choice}

So excited to see

that Clayton chose a

Classic.

It's a nice change from dragons and clues.

{Let the day go by in my Lawn Chair}

Today I wore a sundress.

I drug my chair outside.

I had sweet tea in my hand.

I talked on the phone, and yelled at my kids.

Ages 9, 6, & 4. . . still don't know how to "look both ways".

Other than a couple of close calls with moving vehicles, and a rip stick rider going down hill. . . .

Today has been perfect.

These POMS are my latest creations. . .

This is fo' sho' my latest gig.

Love, Tonia

P.S. HG, I did make it through the night (thanks for asking). I did have a close call, one side caved to the ground. This morning I propped it back up on my window sills and made her up all nice and pretty. You cant sleep in it safely, but it looks good. Nice. . . .

{A Christian Kid Snippet}

When Clayton and Lily "made Jesus the Boss of their life" it was important to me to help them understand that their lives should be different. They are changed. And made a New Creature in Christ.

I remind them often that the Holy Spirit lives in them, and they are never alone.

God waits to hear from them all the day long. . .

I also have them read Ephesians 6:10-18 (Armour of God)

It teaches them to "Be Strong" &

Pray for one another

Its packed with goodness. . .and I think gives boys "A Healthy Dose of Godly Confidence". . .the right kind.

I want them to know that the ole' Devil will try to trip them up. . .

Someone will make fun of them.

They will be tempted to lie or cheat.

They will laugh at a joke that is unclean.

Etc.

BUT God is more powerful. . . and he lives in him. . . Therefore, he goes before them. . . and paves the way.

"If God is for you, who can be against you?"

{The Word On the Street}

Lily made a bad grade at school today. . .

Brad told me, "I really think its because she doesn't live in a clean, safe environment."

We'll have to talk later. . . I'm cleaning.

{HomeMade SweetNotes}

Tonight instead of cleaning my dreaded house (that I so humbly showed you in the last post), I sat down at the kitchen table with my babies (that aren't babies anymore), and small talked.

After baths, I rubbed their backs with lotion as we watched a little Animal Planet (Gods Creation is amazing), and then tucked them in one-by-one. Fast asleep they went. . . tired little bodies from school & sports.

Then I broke out my crayons and sharpie. I made these simple little "sweet notes" for their snacks or lunch at school.

I hope my words will be contagious and spread cheer.

I love them so. My kids. (my husband is a doll, too) I am blessed.

I will talkto you more tomorrow friends.

If I don't get some sleep. . .

I am not going to have a good attitude. . . and a good attitude is vital.

Love you all,

Tonia

{Pink Eye ~ Black SRX ~ A big MESS}

This is my poor son. . .offering to help me take out the trash today. His brother always sports the chip clip when he takes out the trash, and Buddy is following in his footsteps.

We have been busy this week with work, pink-eye scare, stomach bug (one time disposal), and trying to buy a car. You know I have been living "double buckled" since Buddy was born. . . and he will be 5 in August (boo-hoo-hoo). . . so a third row has been a long time comin'.

I found three. . . of the 24 that were for sale within a 500 mile radius. . .

Car #1 In a remote field in-the-middle of God's country. 2004. Owned by a farmers mother-n-law that had passed. BUT $13,800.00!! But with no trade in on Mr Jeep we just couldn't do it.

Car #2 Called about it early in the morning. Couldn't get there until late afternoon. I pulled in, and someone was driving it off the lot! SOLD.

Car #3 I own it. It was "Grammy's", and I guess she traded it in. 2006. Low Miles. Good price.

Breath.

In the meantime, my house has suffered the consequences.

I am not sure when it will improve. .

Every square inch of my kitchen counters are covered with. . . junk.

Maybe I can dig out tomorrow.

Love, Tonia

{"MIA" fo sho as HG said}

I am here friends! I am thrilled to see lots of new post, but I am on my way out the door. . .

• Buddy needs a hair cut. Really bad. Really, Really bad.


• Buddy school @ 12:30


• I am going to run by the church and do a' little of this and that.

And after that it will be time for "pick up". . . dinner. . . baseball. . .

BUT TONIGHT I am going to take a bath, pour me a big ole' glass a' tea, and catch up with my friends! New Blog Post are like the smell of crayons! Yummy!

Love you all.

Tonia

*Aint livin' "double buckled" anymore. Arent you proud?

{The Boys}

Still a little chilly. . .

but they. . .

enjoyed some time. . .

in the sun. . .

Together.